New Belfast
Tamar March, Federated Commonwealth
16 July 3054
Joshua walked calmly into the rocky glen as the early morning light filtered through the mountains. He thought the venue unusual for a “staff meeting,” but he knew better. This was some sort of Wolverine only gathering, called in secret from those Swords officers who did not hail from New Vision.
“Do we truly have need for such secrecy in this day?” asked Joshua loudly. He knew the others could hear from wherever they perched and waited.
“The First Edict so states the importance of secrecy. The Masquerade must be maintained.” said Daisaku, stepping out onto the edge of a rock outcropping, nearly 10 meters above Joshua.
It was then that Joshua looked about the glen. It was a “U” shaped crevasse in the mountains near MacLeod City, part of the same MacLeod Pass that held the final days of their futile defense of the planet four years before. The outcropping on which Daisaku stood was not the only one lining the walls of the cliffs. There were a number, nearly all several meters over Joshua’s head. It gave him the sense that he was being looked down upon by his peers.
“You and I both know there are limits to which we can still apply those old laws. During the Clan War, I deigned to reveal much of our origins to the command staff of the Star Swords. I see no purpose to this private meeting that cannot be conducted with their presence.”
“Do you not trust us, quineg?” asked Erik, appearing on his perch. “You should have more faith in us.”
“Then why do I stand down here below you? Is this some sort of game or is there some purpose to all of you sitting up there?”
“Game, Joshua?” said Javier, coming forward and making himself visible on the highest perch. “This is no game. You are here to answer for your violation of the Edicts, which you yourself just confessed to Daisaku.” Seeing Javier confirmed most of what Joshua believed might be going on. This was his doing, another blow in their on-going and seemingly never-ending conflict.
“What the hell is going on?” roared Joshua, glaring balefully at Javier. “What are you up to?”
“Up to?” replied Javier. “I called this meeting, as is my right as a Bloodnamed member of this Clan. You admit openly that you revealed our origins to the Swords command staff, a violation of the First Edict.”
“A reasonable act. No different than what our grandparents did when the Dragoon jumpships appeared at New Vision zenith point.”
“But what of Pryde, Joshua?”
“What are you talking about?”
“You admitted yourself that Pryde knows of our origins.”
“He was on New Vision. He knew who we were.”
“But how did he connect New Vision to the Star Swords?” snarled Javier. “Could it be that you told him?”
“I did not such thing.”
“Did you not? On 18 June 3050, did you not respond to a challenge of zellbringen from Dal Pryde in the Clan manner?”
“That was during the initial invasion of New Belfast? Yes, I suppose I did.”
“An act did not go unforgotten. On 15 August 3051, you engaged Clan Jade Falcon forces, Dal’s Pryde specifically, here on New Belfast again. According to your battle ROMs, you received a transmission from one Robert O’Malley that exclaimed ‘Star Colonel, the one you seek pilots the Stormcrow.’ That’s your mech, is it not? Why would Pryde seek you if he did not remember how you bested him the first time you came to New Belfast?”
“Was I simply to fall over and die when Pryde challenged?”
“The samurai of Japan would fall on their swords for failure of this magnitude. For revealing yourself to Pryde, you could have had the good grace to get yourself killed in that first battle.”
“It was impulsive. It was also four years ago. I know better now.”
“So you admit it.” Exclaimed Javier. “Your own words now condemn you. You admit that your challenge is what revealed your origins to Dal Pryde of Clan Jade Falcon. An impulsive act, you say? Well, as I said, it did not go unforgotten. On Garrison, 19 November 3051, Pryde sought to find proof of what you had told him. In doing so, he slew two of this august gathering: Isaac Mizar and Matthew Jiwe. Or I should say slew one. You killed Matthew yourself to prevent him from falling into Pryde’s hands.”
Joshua felt the skin on the back of his neck grow hot as his anger boiled up. “A necessary act. Matthew was my friend and I always regret what I was forced to do that day.” Said Joshua through clenched teeth.
“But you could have avoided it, Joshua! Your negligence, your ‘impulsive act’ on New Belfast, was what forced your hand. And even now, four years after your duel with Pryde not more than 300 kilometers north of where we stand right now, your actions haunt us. Pryde threatens us still. He fought to control this world when the Star Swords attacked it during Operation: Counterstrike. He personally led a raid here roughly six months later only to be stopped by the Dark Ranger mercenaries. And now according your own briefing of just a few days ago, you anticipate an invasion force led by Pryde to attack this world. Your one error could cost us everything. Your one impulsive act could destroy this Clan.”
“Pryde is one man, obsessed, mad with his vendetta. The threat ends when I kill him.” Retorted Joshua.
“You’ve had numerous times to do that already and have failed to do so. Eventually, he will convince others and we’ll have the entirety of the Clans bearing down on us with their accursed Bloodrite. They will scourge this planet clean to kill us. Is that what you want for your wife and her family, for her people? The same holocaust that we underwent on New Vision?
“Assembled warriors of Clan Wolverine, you’ve heard this debate. Heard my evidence and I can produce the battle ROMs and data that back my claims. But I don’t think I need to do that, since many of you were there. I accuse Joshua Messer of violations of the First and Third Edicts. I submit he is unfit for command and should be stripped of his Khanship.”
“I am not through.” Said Joshua. “I too have a voice here. I admit I acted impulsively. I admit that had long reaching consequences. But what you expect of me is beyond any human. That I could discern the future, that Pryde would prove so lethal and tenacious a foe….”
“It could have been any Clanner who might have taken up the evidence you offered. That changes nothing. If that is the best defense you can offer, that you could not have guessed what might happen, then my accusation stands.”
“Then let us hear the judgment of the conclave.”
“We have heard the positions, the evidence, on both sides.” said Daisaku, who had apparently appointed himself Clan Loremaster for this proceeding. “May the Blooded warriors now pronounce their judgment. All who side with the accuser, so answer.”
“Seyla!” said Javier. He was the only one to speak.
“And those with the accused.” Said Daisaku.
“I once pledged never to draw steel or stand against Joshua.” Said Erik. “He is my brother. Seyla!”
“I made that same pledge.” Said Ryan. “Seyla!”
“As did I.” said Daisaku. “Seyla! It falls now to Gwen Laidir.”
“Seyla!” she said. “Joshua is innocent.” Javier glared at her in anger.
“Judgment is pronounced.” Said Daisaku. “The charges are renounced. Khan Messer has done no wrong.”
“This is a conclave of sheep.” said Javier loudly. “The evidence is irrefutable, even from Joshua’s own lips you have heard him admit to his crime. I challenge this ruling by Trial.”
“Damn him.” said Joshua to himself. “I was so worried about Pryde’s vendetta against me, that I never considered that Javier would make a move. My real folly was trusting him.”
“You would contest this ruling by combat?” asked Daisaku, his demeanor calm and even. Joshua guessed that Javier’s reaction did not surprise the Hayakusora Loremaster at all. “We number five votes to your one. These are long odds.”
“It’s not the melee he seeks.” thought Joshua. “He wants a rematch of my Trial of Position. As Khan, I could suspend the normal Trial and give him what he wants. But what is the wisdom in that?”
Javier drew his sword from its scabbard, a Chinese broadsword with two long colorful ribbons tied to the crosspiece. “So, he seeks the melee after all?” thought Joshua, surprised.
“I challenge by blade in the custom of our people.” By that, the battles would not be fought to the death. Doing otherwise bordered on ridiculous; to win Javier would have had to kill them all and with them the last remnant of the Wolverine Clan save himself.
Closest in proximity to Javier was Ryan, who drew his own Norman broadsword in answer to the challenge. He turned and ran up the precipice on which he stood to the ledge between his perch and Javier’s. Javier met him halfway and their blades struck together as the Trial began.
Joshua had a rather significant handicap in this; He bore no sword. Anduril, the sword he had born since his warrior trial on New Vision, had been lost on Oliver and he had yet to forge himself a replacement. But that did not keep from the fight. He ran towards the nearest cliff face, near to the perch on which stood Daisaku.
Ryan was no swordsman and was quickly disarmed by Javier. He yielded the victory to the Libereux warrior and began to climb down. Javier now found himself pinned between Erik and Gwen, each bearing blades of Celtic ancestry: Gwen, a 17th century claymore, Erik, a longsword with distinctive curved crosspiece of Irish origin.
Javier turned to face Erik first, putting his back to Gwen. He spun his blade about in a flashy spectacle. Such displays were considered foolish bravado in most trials, but for Javier, they served an important purpose. Like the ancient Buddhist monks who developed his blade’s design, Javier hoped the spinning blade and the twirling colorful ribbons attached to it would disorient Erik. Erik, with his pilot’s eyes, would prove harder to distract that Javier had hoped.
Erik struck hard and fast, cutting through a ribbon but missing Javier himself. Javier retreated and stumbled on a loose stone. He fell backwards, just as Gwen reached the dueling pair. Erik was about to strike Javier’s sword from his hand when Javier reached behind him and grabbed the bottom of Gwen’s jacket. He yanked with all his strength, pulling her over him and into Erik’s swing.
Erik turned his blade at the last second, striking Gwen hard with the flat of his sword. Off balance herself, Gwen slid and became entangled in Erik’s feet. As she struggled to free herself, she tripped Erik. He fell, going over the side and nearly to his death, if not for a quick grab with his free hand on the ledge.
“Erik!” cried Gwen, frightened.
“I am alright. Fight on!” He cried. The fall would not have been a long one, only dangerous had he landed head-first, a possibility cut short by his grabbing the ledge. He let go and dropped down, and in doing so, also conceded defeat.
Gwen stood up and faced Javier. She had spend a great deal of time training with Mechlanthon in swordplay for her therapy and that practice had increased her skill. Javier knew that, but pressed his attack.
Joshua halted in mid-climb to watch, concerned for his friend and curious as to what Javier would do. Would he check his strikes against her or would he attack with all the fury he had shown against the others?
If Javier was still in love with Gwen, he made no show of it here. He gave no quarter and did not give up his initiative once. Gwen was giving ground against his furious assault of strikes and slashes. Once he struck her across the sword arm, cutting an ugly wound near her shoulder. It must have hurt, because Joshua heard her cry out, and grab the bleeding arm with her free hand. She backed further, this time onto the precipice once occupied by Ryan.
Javier ceased his berserker attack against her, but held the end of the precipice from her. There were only three ways off the perilous edge: defeat Javier (which now seemed unlikely with a wounded sword arm,) fall and face serious injury or death from that, or yield.
Gwen was never one to surrender; She attacked! Javier twirled his sword as he had with Erik and Gwen struck for the blade. She missed, catching a ribbon instead. Javier took advantage of her mistake and swung hard himself. Another gash, this time to her left arm. Either by rage or pain, Gwen now fought desperately and foolishly. She overextended herself in a viscous chop that might have cloven Javier in two had it hit. Javier shoved against her and knocked her over. Balanced as she was, she began to pitch over the side.
Rather than let her fall, Javier grabbed for her. He caught the collar of her coat and yanked her back up. “Will you yield before you kill yourself?” He asked her angrily.
“I do.” she panted.
Javier turned to fight Daisaku, who alone save Joshua remained to face him. Joshua, still halfway up his climb, saw a strategy in Javier’s actions. By answering his seemingly impulsive on-the-spot challenge, they had given Javier a venue by which he could easily win. The cliff face, with its ledges and precipices, gave him the ability to fight his opponents one-by-one. Even if several came at him at once, only one and maybe two could reach him at one time due to the narrow ledges. It also made dodging and parrying more difficult with the restricted space, and the potential for a nasty fall kept his opponents more reserved.
Daisaku had not seen this and chased after him with katana drawn. This would be an interesting duel. Katana swords were normally banned from Wolverine trials, because they were so much faster than European swords. Javier was within his right to call “foul” on this, but Joshua was pleased to see that he was not going to. The ban might be practical in Trials of Position, but this was a far more serious matter and the sword of Daisaku’s ancestors should be the one with which he defended his vote for Joshua’s innocence.
Joshua was upset to see that Gwen had collapsed. He worried that her wounds were more serious than he had believed. Ryan, who was still on the cliff, had moved over to her and was checking on her.
“How is she?” asked Joshua.
“Attend to your duel. She’ll be fine.” scolded and assured Ryan. He then noticed Joshua was unarmed.
“Have you no weapon, Joshua?”
“You know the fate of my sword.”
“Take this one.” said Ryan, tossing to Joshua Gwen’s claymore. “You may need it.”
Joshua hoped he would not. Javier and Daisaku traded blows back and forth. After a viscous but futile flurry of strikes from Javier, the pair separated to catch their breath and consider their next moves. It was not a long break, because Daisaku was quick to recover and quick to strike. He thrust at Javier, who quickly parried. Daisaku, in mid thrust, twisted his blade and swung it quickly upward. The tip of the sword caught Javier under his right shoulder and sliced through. He staggered back as Daisaku took up a defensive posture, pleased that his strike proved true.
“Keep this up and we’ll be replacing the other arm too.” Taunted Daisaku. “That was for Gwen.”
Javier gave no answer, but merely switched his sword to his other hand. His right arm fell limply to his side, turning red from the bleeding cut.
“Not always a good thing to be ambidextrous. You should have been defeated by my last blow. Do you yield?” asked Daisaku, not expecting the wounded Javier to continue fighting.
“No.” said Javier. Still somewhat unaccustomed to his artificial arm, he could no longer make use of his sword’s distracting ribbons. But his left arm’s myomer muscles made that arm stronger than his right and that was what he was counting on.
Daisaku thrust forward again. Javier sidestepped past the blow rather than parry. Daisaku quickly tried to pull back from his missed strike, but the loose rock at his feet crumbled. Either not realizing what was happening or not caring, Javier brought his knee up into Daisaku’s side. The blow unbalanced him further and he fell. His right arm wounded, Javier was unable to grab him as he had Gwen, although he tried. Daisaku fell the 8 meters to the ground blow and struck back first against the hard ground.
“By Kerensky, no!” cried Ryan. Joshua and Erik ran to Daisaku’s side. He was badly hurt.
“Is he alive?” asked Javier, his voice sincerely worried.
“Yes, for now.” said Erik. “I’m calling for a medical team.”
Joshua was furious. “You started this folly, Libereux. Come down and finish it.” He walked into the center of the glen and waited.
Javier climbed down a ways and then dropped down the rest. He stopped to check on Daisaku himself, then turned to face Joshua.
“So help me, if he dies....” said Joshua, pointing his sword at his wounded friend.
“This is a Trial. These things happen.”
“You chose the cliff face because you knew it might defeat you opponents for you.” retorted Joshua, pointing his blade menacingly at Javier.
“Are you going to talk or fight, Messer?” said Javier angrily. He swung hard at Joshua, who darted aside.
“In the open, I have the advantage.” boasted Joshua. He attacked, swinging fast in short strokes about Javier’s head. Javier parried all of them, but was sorely pressed. If Joshua landed one of those blows, he could easily kill Javier. But Javier could not rely upon the rules of the Trial to shield him. He had to parry. That was the nature of these duels: Fight not to kill, but also to not let your opponent believe you are holding back.
It was a battle of opposites in almost every way. Joshua was tall and thin, the intellect. He was the artist, the historian, the strategist, the thinker. He was fast and well-trained in swordplay. Javier was stocky and strong. He was not stupid, but he was certainly Joshua’s superior in most every physical attribute. Although slower and less skilled, his blows landed harder and strained Joshua more.
And despite his injury, that was exactly what Javier was doing to Joshua. Like his opponent, Javier tried to feint lethal blows, but unlike him, he merely tried to crush his opponent, while Joshua tried to find openings to vital areas. Avoiding Javier’s attacks required either fast dodging or jarring parries; Both began to wear Joshua out.
Joshua gave ground to consider his options. Javier had gained the initiative in the fight and was keeping it. His endurance was incredible and Joshua admitted that he’d underestimated his old foe’s stamina.
“Enough of this.” Joshua cut low, hoping to take Javier’s legs out from under him. Rather than parry, Javier slammed his fist forward, smashing it into Joshua’s nose. The quick punch staggered Joshua and threw off his swing.
Javier spun and struck Joshua’s midsection with a powerful kick. Joshua staggered backwards, unable to get any air.
Dazed, but not finished yet, Joshua slashed across with his sword as Javier moved in again. The blow connected with Javier’s artificial arm. Feeling no pain from the blow to his myomer arm, Javier swung a hard punch at Joshua’s jaw. It connected and Joshua went sprawling. The sword slipped from both Joshua’s hand and Javier’s arm and clattered to the ground.
“Had enough, Messer?” asked Javier. He grabbed Joshua by the shirt collar and hoisted him into the air.
“This is madness, Javier.”
“Is it? You arrogant little whelp! You took everything from me, EVERYTHING!” he screamed into Joshua’s face. “Your father promised me his title. You killed him. Killed him mere days before the Jade Falcons burned our world into ash! And then there’s Gwen. She was mine! Mine, I tell you.”
“Her heart was never yours, Javier, and you know it.” Said Joshua, struggling against Javier’s iron grip.
“All the more reason to hate you. And now, years after all that, you come along expecting me to forgive and forget, act like nothing every happened. Well, Joshua, every morning I wake up and look at THIS FACE and I remember all that you’ve done for me.”
“The Swords will never follow you.”
“They will when your officers acknowledge me as Khan.” Javier tossed Joshua to the earth. “I stand victorious. The verdict is reinstated. Joshua Messer is unfit to rule this Clan. I, Javier Libereux, claim the title of Khan, with all the rights, responsibilities, and privileges thereof.” He rushed forward and slammed a vicious kick into Joshua’s face. His head snapped back and Joshua went limp.
“You can’t do that.” Said Erik with rage, running forward. Gwen picked herself up from where she had fallen and went over to Joshua.
“Is that a challenge, Iolair?” snarled Javier, bringing his sword around and pointing it at Erik. “I bested you once. Care to try again?”
Erik paused, as if considering his options. After a moment, he asked with clenched teeth. “What are your orders, Khan Libereux?”
“Good. You’ve learned your place quickly.” Said Javier with satisfaction. “See to the injured, Daisaku especially.”
Gwen sat down next to Joshua and began to wipe the blood from his face.
“Don’t bother. He is dezgra.” Said Javier.
“I am following your orders, my Khan.” Said Gwen defiantly. “You did not specify who to tend to and who to ignore.”
“I said, leave him.”
“I’m sorry, sir. I’m too delirious from my own wounds to understand you right now.”
Javier grabbed her and yanked her to her feet. He put his face up to hers. “I’ll soon break you of this insubordinate habit of yours, Gwen.” He raised his voice to address the entire group. “I invoke Khan’s privilege. I take Gwen to be my wife.”
“You wouldn’t dare!” snarled Gwen.
“You have no say in the matter.”
“I can challenge this ruling by trial. I am a warrior of this clan!”
He shoved her back and drew his sword. “Then challenge it.”
Gwen reached down to take up her claymore from where it had fallen near Joshua. As she bent down, Javier moved in and swung a savage uppercut with his fist. He caught Gwen under the chin and send her flying. She landed on top of Joshua and did not stir again.
“I win the challenge. My privilege stands.” He marched away as the medical team arrived to tend to their injuries.
Castle MacLeod
New Belfast
Tamar March, Federated Commonwealth
16 July 3054
“Sweet Jesus, what the hell?” cried Lisa as Gwen staggered into the courtyard. Gwen was carrying a bruised and bloody Joshua over her shoulder. She ran to the pair and grabbed Joshua under his other arm.
“What happened?”
“Javier challenged Joshua for the Khanship and won. You see the results.”
“Dear God, Gwen, you’re bleeding like a stuck pig.”
“Don’t worry about me. Help me get Joshua inside.” The two women half dragged the delirious Joshua inside the castle.
Christopher ran up and called for some of the servants to help. “My room is near. Take him there.” He told his sister.
Lisa carried Joshua to Christopher’s bed and laid him down. His injuries did not seem as severe as Gwen’s, yet it was he who was barely conscious.
Gwen slumped into a nearby chair. “Javier practically beat him senseless.” She explained.
Lisa leaned over her former rival. “You look at lot worse than he does.”
“I’m cut and bruised, but awake, if a little dizzy from blood loss. Joshua’s been largely unresponsive since we left the trial site. I fear one of those blows to his head did something horrible.”
Lisa turned back to Joshua. She wiped the blood away to reveal the bruised and swollen face of her husband. “Why didn’t you take him to the hospital?”
“Javier wouldn’t allow it. And none of us were in any shape to challenge him.”
“Let me take a look at that arm.” Said Christopher, squatting down next to Gwen. “Dear God.” He said wiping the blood away.
Lisa watched as her brother tended to Gwen. “And you call us barbarians.”
“It is our way.” Said Gwen defensively. “Although this is a bit much even for us. Javier chose his forum well.”
“What precisely happened?”
Gwen told Lisa of Javier’s accusations, of the vote, and then of the Trial of Refusal. “Javier argued for that site as it was secluded and remote, away from curious eyes and ears; Non-Wolverine eyes and ears. But his real reason was so he could use the terrain to his advantage in the battle. Most of us would not have been as badly hurt otherwise.”
“Daisaku hospitalized. You and Joshua like this….” She did not complete her thought as all three of their personal communicators went off at once.
“Recall signal.” Said Gwen. “An alert at the base.”
“Pryde.” Snarled Lisa. “I’ll investigate. Chris, keep an eye on them and call me if anything changes.”
Star Swords Command Center
New Belfast
Tamar March, Federated Commonwealth
16 July 3054
Javier marched into the command center’s main room with an arrogant sway. “What is the cause of the alarm?”
“Two contacts, sir.” said one tech. “Warship class. One of them is the Frost Falcon. We’ve sent out recall signals to all off-duty personnel, but we’ve been unable to raise General Messer or General Hayakusora.”
“Never mind that.” Said Javier.
“You said one of the vessels was the Frost Falcon. What’s the other one?” asked Erik as he walked in.
“The larger ship is a McKenna class warship. 1.9 million tons displacement. IFF code unknown.”
“Dal Pryde and the 2nd Jaegers are back for a rematch.” said Erik. “But who are the McKenna?”
“Database says the other ship is Wolf Clan. Designation Werewolf.”
“That’s the Wolf saKhan’s flagship.” said Mechlanthon. “Phelan Ward, I believe, is his name.”
“Why are they here?” asked Erik.
“Come to finish the job.” Said Javier. “This is what I was talking about. Damn Joshua and his folly.”
“They will not fight together against us.” Reminded Mechlanthon. “They will either bid or Trial for the right to land and face the Star Swords.”
Lisa stormed inside. “Lisa, there you are.” Said Erik.
“I know what happened. What’s the alarm?”
“Pryde, as Joshua suspected.” He answered. “The Jaegers are back and spoiling for a rematch.”
“Wonderful timing, Hauptmann Libereux.” Snarled Lisa sardonically.
“It is not my fault your husband is so unfit to command.” Javier said boldly, as Ryan, Amanda, and several other Swords officers entered the command center.
“The very accusation you level against him now comes back to haunt you.” Snarled Lisa under her breath, too low for any but those officers to hear. “You claim Joshua’s killing of Khan William led your Clan to destruction. Now you rob us of our leader within hours of Pryde’s arrival here.”
“You are not one of us. You forget your place.”
“My husband was beaten within an inch of his life. I don’t give a damn about my place.” Said Lisa, her voice rising.
“Your duty is your concern now. As you were, Lisa.” Said Javier defiantly. He stepped towards Lisa menacingly.
Lisa’s claymore flashed from its scabbard. “It was a dangerous thing for me to remember all that I had forgotten. You see, I remember so much. I remember what I did the last time someone tried to harm my husband. I cut down Robert O’Malley for that. And I also remember why I fell into the hands of his brother on Northwind. We were the last to extract, you and I. You were ahead of me, you turned and rammed a stun stick into my belly. I fell and you left me behind. Did you hope I hadn’t remembered that?”
“Guards, General MacLeod is unhinged. Restrain her.” Called Javier. The guards hesitated.
“They are loyal to me and to Joshua, not you, Javier. I could run you through and they’d not stop me.”
With lightning speed, Javier knocked her sword aside and then landed a solid punch across her face. Lisa was stunned and staggered back. “Take her!” barked Javier. This time the guards came forward, one at each side of Lisa, but they made no move to restrain her.
“Sir, what is going on?” asked one of the guards of Erik.
“Do as he says. We will sort this out.” Said Erik. He looked at Lisa as she stood up straight, rubbing her jaw. “Trust us.” Her eyes locked with his. “See to Joshua. We’ll handle this.”
“There is no time for this. Pryde is at our doorstep.” Reminded Javier.
“What are your orders, Javier?” asked Ryan Smith.
“Whoever lands, we destroy.” said Javier flatly. “Ready 3rd Battalion. I will face the enemy with our Omnimechs. In Kommandant Laidir’s absence, I will assume command of her battalion.”
“Third alone, sir?” asked Ryan.
“Keep the others in reserve. They cannot commit more than a cluster against us. Third holds our most seasoned troops and best equipment. Erik!”
Erik snapped to attention comically, overemphasizing his motions and salute. His mockery was deliberate and Javier knew it. “Yes, sir, General sir.”
“Ready your fighters to intercept enemy air support.”
“Should I arm for anti-dropship operations or ground attack?”
“Negative. Allow the winning Clan to land unopposed. We will face them on the surface.”
“May I ask why?”
Javier smiled, as if impressed with himself. “Because pilot attrition will be lower in atmosphere. I am not a commander who will throw away lives for a small advantage. Is that understood?”
“Yes, sir.” said Erik with a frown. He hated to admit it, but Javier’s orders made sense.
---
Lisa was calmly escorted back to the castle. During the trip, she did her best to answer the questions of the confused guards. When she arrived, she dashed inside to Christopher’s room.
“Well, it is as you said.” Said Lisa to Gwen as she entered the room. “And Pryde is indeed here, but the Wolf Clan appears to be willing and able to challenge his right to destroy us.”
“Perfect timing, Javier, you fool.” Said Gwen through clenched teeth. Christopher was stitching closed the gash in her arm.
“If not for this crisis, we could remove him from power.” Said Lisa. “I have grounds and evidence of my own.”
“Excuse me?”
Lisa told Gwen of how Javier ensured her capture by O’Malley.
“That son-of-a-bitch. He really did have something to do with it. He knew who you were. He knew you were one of us. Hell, if Javier can accuse Joshua for a mistake made four years ago and call it a gross violation of our First Edict, I can use this to accuse Javier of a violation of the Third. Wasteful use of a Wolverine asset.”
“Nice to know I’m an asset to the Clan.” Said Lisa sardonically. “But we can’t do that with the other Clans bearing down on us.”
“That bastard was planning this all along.” said Gwen. “His gracious attitude towards Joshua on Dieron, all a feint, a lie. This was what he wanted all along. Joshua’s honesty and trust gave him the opportunity. Now he has the Khanship….and me.”
“Excuse me?”
“Javier’s invoked the Khan’s Privilege.” said Gwen bitterly.
“What is that?” asked Lisa.
“The Khan of the Wolverines has the right to choose his mate, regardless of that person’s caste, status, or anything else. He can literally take her away from a husband and family and they can do nothing about it.”
“That’s cruel. That’s a law?”
“Most consider it a great honor,” said Gwen. “but few, if any, have been kidnapped from established house and home. Most Khans are already married and content by the time they claim the title, so it was rarely used. It is a law that could be easily abused, but, to my knowledge, never had been…until now.”
“Isn’t there a way to challenge it?”
“The Trial of Refusal, the same trial Javier invoked to overturn our vote. And I did just that…and lost.”
“Javier probably cheated at that too.”
“One could interpret my defeat that way certainly. Still, there’s always been one way out of every marriage.”
“Kill your spouse?”
“Til death do us part.” Said Gwen in a sing-song voice. “Never been more tempting.”
“Hard to do with us in here and him out there. We are prisoners in our own home.”
“Pryde will do that for us.” Said a voice. Joshua stirred in the bed.
“Josh, you’re awake!” said Lisa with delight. She moved to his side.
“And I’ve got one hell of a headache.” Joshua sat up, rubbing his head and taking stock of his physical state. “Damn, I took quite a beating.”
“Javier wasn’t simply content to defeat you.” Said Gwen.
“I was a fool to trust him.”
“He fooled us all.” Said Gwen. “Even me. I thought he was sincere when he said he’d left all those past rivalries behind him.”
“Regardless, he will not last long in command. The soldiers do not know him, and do not trust him.”
“We saw that in the command center.” said Lisa. “Javier was barking orders, but they only got followed if Erik repeated them.”
“He hasn’t proven himself to them.” Said Gwen. “This is the next part of his plan.”
“Why he needed Pryde to do what he did. His timing was not coincidental. Defeat our oldest enemy and he’ll gain the laud and trust of the Swords.” Said Joshua. “He hopes to make himself a hero, but he knows nothing of this foe. Pryde will eat him alive.”
“Javier might be an asshole, but he’s no fool at tactics.” said Gwen.
“It’s not brains or experience that make Dal Pryde so fierce an enemy. He has those things, yes, but it’s his fanaticism that Javier cannot stand against.”
“And what of the Wolves? What if it is they who win the bid to fight us?”
“We all know that won’t happen, because of that same fanaticism.” Said Joshua. “Even if Pryde loses the bid, he’ll still land and we’ll be facing them both. Probably let the Wolves chew us up a bit first before he strikes. That’s what he did to us on Garrison.” Joshua gave Lisa a gentle nudge, and as she stood, he swung his legs around to get up.
“What are you doing?”
“Standing on my own two feet. Prerequisite for walking.” Said Joshua mirthfully.
“And where do you plan to walk?”
“To the mech hanger.”
“In your condition?”
“I don’t give a rat’s ass about my condition or about Javier’s delusions of grandeur. Pryde is coming for us and I’m not about to let my troops be slaughtered out there.” He came to his feet, but his knees buckled. Lisa grabbed him.
“You took one nasty hit on the head.” Said Gwen moving to help hold him up.
“I’ll manage.” Said Joshua, looking at each woman in turn as they held him up. “And with the two of you behind me, I’ll do more than that. Every man should be this lucky.”
North of MacLeod Pass
New Belfast
Tamar March, Federated Commonwealth
6 August 3054
Dal Pryde ran his foot through the tall grass, wondering if there might be some mark that remained of what happened on that spot two years before. He had chosen to land his forces at the site of the former Jaegers base camp during the last days of the Clan War. Here, he watched Joshua Messer defeat and kill Robert O’Malley. Not far away, his cluster faced its defeat at the hands of the Star Swords.
“This place is jinxed.” Said David.
“You are not one for superstition, David. This place once served our purposes nicely. It will do so again.”
“Superstition, quiaff?” said David. He pointed further down the plain. “The duel took place over there.” He said with a smirk.
Pryde scowled at his son. He looked where David was pointing and dismissed it. He was certain he was standing on the exact spot. Still, David’s barb had done its work.
“I had the chance to kill him then.” Lamented Pryde.
“A mistake soon to be corrected.” Encouraged David. “Scouts report the Wolf landing is twenty kilometers due west from here.”
“They intend to challenge our claim to attack the Swords.” Said Pryde. “They are 200 years too late for that.”
“We cannot hope to defeat Messer and his Not-Named army unless we are at full strength. A Trial over who is more fit to slaughter the Not-Named will prove costly. It will deplete our numbers.”
“There are other ways to conduct trials, David. I, for one, intend to use them to put this Wolf freebirth in his place. Order the warriors to mount up.”
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