OBT Forum

New recurring character?

No progress for humankind 

Ah thanks.  I've missed a few of the Kowloon stories.

Interesting.
Politics, lies and secrets plus the come back of legends that don't think of themselves as such. 

A little sloppy, but I dont have time to edit here's me and Cannoshop's last few updates

2 January, 3052, SLDS Sledgehammer, Med Bay, 1430 Hours...

One of the most human moments in wartime, is the sharing of grief.  Sometimes it is shared loudly, sometimes silently, with dignity, and without.
"Can you count my fingers?" the doctor asked.  Evelyn looked at the hand, "Three." she said, then, she looked beyond the healer...and saw a face she'd only seen in pictures.
"Elizabeth?" she asked.
"Yeah." Liz said, "You must be Pat's girlfriend."
"We kept that-where is he?" Evelyn demanded.
Elizabeth Ngo looked up at the Star League Doctor.  "You didn't tell her?"
"We couldn't, she was in deep-regen."  The doctor said.
"Tell me what?  What aren't you telling me?" Evelyn tried to stand, and the room spun as she lost her footing.
Evelyn saw the girl's face...harden.  "I'll tell her." she said, and looked at Evelyn, "Pat died on Tamar, he was fighting to protect...a lot of people."  the girl said it so...calmly.  "You've been in that tank-thing, and apparently nobody could tell you."
"How...long?" Evelyn asked.
"We're two jumps from Kowloon." Liz told her, "I need to know you're with us."
"With you?" Evelyn asked, "What do you mean?"
Liz straightened up, "We're going to fix what my father neglected, what should have been Patrick’s-and yours, for our people, and our home...and for Patrick."
"And Henry?" Evelyn asked.
"That's the other reason you're here, Baroness." Liz said, "Right at the moment, I've got lawyers and lobbyists working Tharkad and New Avalon to get you appointed my legal guardian-they're meeting resistance from...friends of Jim-as a Minor, I'm not legally permitted to assume the Ducal seat, as non-Lyran citizens, the Black Tigers aren't qualified under Federated Commonwealth Law to assume full legal parental authority, and I'm a year too young to qualify as a 'liberated minor'-I'd rather have someone Patrick trusted overseeing my legal affairs, than Jim Condit or one of his cronies."
The girl hopped up onto one of the medbay benches.
"Your mother-" Evelyn asked.
"Dead. She almost killed me in the process." Liz told her bluntly, "It took them a couple of days to fix me, when I found out who you were, and who you were to Patrick I called one of Grandfather's lawyers and had him start the paperwork. After that, it was a matter of the Tigers organizing the...ah...funeral detail."
"Um...Duchess Elizabeth, your grace, why do you need me again?" Evelyn asked.
"Because I'm firing the regent, and if I don't have a suitable replacement, it won't stick legally." Liz stated flatly, "You're from Kowloon, you're a landed noble recognized by FedCom law, you're an adult, and you've completed your mandatory five years, plus extra time, and per AFFC FedCom regulations, you're patient-status, which makes you non-deployable personnel, but you get promoted in your zone."
Truk Tranh's quarters, SLDS Sledgehammer...
"...kid is a damn iceberg."  Didi commented.  
"Yeah, I noticed."  Truk said, "Nate found half a deck of stimmies under her mattress."
"Half a deck? that's all?" she shook her head, "I'd think running like that, she'd have more in her stash than that..."
"Expired stimmies." Truk clarified, "Probably been there since we left Terra."
"So...nate didn't find her stash.[/i]" Didi clarified.
"Probably not.  He found a pack of nic-stix, that's recent." Truk said, "so, do we play parental figure, or turn it over to Mosovich?"
"Evvie's just got out of regen; she's still talking to the grief counselor..." Didi said, "Kids shouldn't be using that stuff...still, it's a good sign she's not using anything harder than nic-stix considering her history."
"You're awful permissive..." Truk commented.
"I saw a lot worse with less justification in the lower Manhattan welfare islands." Didi said, "at least our vapid little rich girl's not doing mindshred, bluerock, or Neuroin."
"You really think she's vapid?" Truk asked.
"No...but, y'know, I think I've seen a VR personality with more...feeling." Didi said,  "when she snaps, she's going to be in real trouble."
"You think she will?" Truk asked.
Didi scraped her ration tray with the spoon before answering.  "Yeah.  Her frikking mom tried to kill her, and she probably witnessed the suicide too."  she tossed the tray into the receptacle, "I'd say that kid's a sure case of PTSD, and I don't see her taking anything LIKE a normal outlet."  she paused, and an idea seemed to form, "Wait, I take that back...jesus, she's fourteen..."

Elizabeth Ngo's quarters, passenger accommodation area, SLDS Sledgehammer...

Liz checked to make sure, then, she opened the vent, pulled out her reading light, PADD, and the half-pack of Shangtao nic-stix.  She shook one out and popped the tab on the end, drew in a long huff, and switched the room's main lights off.
she activated the PADD.  
She focused on SLDF procedures as they applied to carrying out summary courts-martial tribunals, and field expedient execution regulations.
"Elizabeth, Honey?"
"I'm in the bath, Mom."  the water was warm, soothing...
"Open the door, honey."
She got out of the water, and walked to the door. the brass was cold, she turned the knob.
something...exploded in her chest, and there was a sound of thunder.
as she fell backward, her mother stood in the doorway,  "YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO COME WITH ME YOU LITTLe BitCH!!" the cadaver sneered, the hole in its blouse black with dried blood, it levelled the service automatic at her, "I wOn'T mIsS tHiS tImE!!"
Elizabeth woke up.  The chronometer read 0320, she felt her self, the throb of the dropship's systems in the bulkhead next to her, the bunk...
"Hell with sleeping." she muttered.

Spider Moon, 3rd body circling Gas Giant Boojum, Kowloon System, 5 January, 3052...

"...last patrol by Condit's 'Planetary Militia' was about a month ago, Alicia."  Dao Cu'ong of the Pham Co-op said,  "About the time that Bandit unit hit Ia Drang."  she handed Alicia Li a datadisc, "This is what we picked up-the so-called Militia pilots flew cover for the Bandits' jumpship during the raid, then moved to the Nadir point just in time to completely miss the raiders' dropships."
"You didn't let Rick try to pull his plan, did you?" Li asked.
"Not this time.  Pham's steamed about it, but the pirates plus the Regent's boys are too much to tackle with a few squirreled away SB-27's, smallcraft, and a slinger."  Dao said, "But we got plenty of visual with the telescopes, and radio telescopes picked up most of their transmissions-I want to know if the rumors are true."
"What rumors?" Alicia asked.
"Rumor has it, the absentee-Duke's gone, and his Heir's taking over." Dao said, "Rumor has it Patrick Ngo's coming home."
Alicia pulled a press-bottle from the rack, and stepped into the airlock, "Dao...I don't know." she said, adding, "If I did know, I wouldn't be talking about it-you're sure the codes are valid.”
"Pretty sure.  We intercepted a lot of chatter." Dao said.
"Okay, then, um...we may be a little late meeting your customer on Jessenica, the Rachel Zabel's  KF controller's been acting up again."  Li said.
"It's okay; I booked the delivery a month after you'd normally arrive." Dao said, "I figured you'd take another of your diversions after hearing about the raid."
"Thanks.  your cargo's ready for drop." Li said, as the lock cycled to vac, and they stepped outside.
Li raised her right hand, and made a '3' with her fingers.  they turned off the suit radios, and put their helmets together.
"Pat's dead, his little sister Elizabeth's the new Duchess, she's coming in with some troops to put Jim Condit's little syndicate out of business." Alicia said.
"Why couldn't you tell me that inside?" Dao asked.
"Mole." Li told her, "Someone leaked the Nguyen shipments, I made damn sure that I only mentioned those in the station this time."
Dao scowled.  "You think they have a listener, or a bug?"
"Not sure which. Pick people you trust to tell-stick to people who're in the Association." Alicia said.
"You're going to meet her..." Dao said.
"Maybe." Alicia told her, "Keep THAT under your helmet."

Smallcraft Trâu nước, en-route to Boojum/mặt trời đỏ lagrange point, Kowloon system...

"...told Chao we were meeting up with Duke Patrick Ngo at Jerangle,"  Bianh Pham said.
"good, that makes three possibles, each with a different location.  If our contact people bump into Condit's friends at one of them, we'll know who our leak is." Alicia said with a sigh, "and if WE run into them, then I know it's inside the Association."
"I hope it's not inside the Association.  we sure as hell don't need  kẻ cÆ°á»›p cá»™ng tác viên in our ranks." Denh Vu said, "It's bad enough that someone in our normal circles is informing."
ahead, the merchant class Rachel Zabel loomed.  "I know."  Li said, "take us in, Denh."

1st Class quarters, SLDS Sledgehammer, 0530 Hours, Bruce Gilmour's cabin...

"Hey, uh...?" Elizabeth was standing in the hatchway.  "if the conditions, they match what we've got on the Regent....should I wear a shower-cap or a hair net when I blow his brains out? which would look better on Tri-Dee and television signals?"  she asked, "I mean, I've reviewed the regs, you guys would have to arrest me for crucifying him, but the regs shows he can still be shot.  I lost one brother because of late delivery to Blackjack, and I'd suspect that there are a lot of other orphans who'd still have dads and homes if he wasn't ripping off the FedCom-I think there's a good chance of Treason sticking in a Tribunal..."
Her eyes were glass beads, doll's eyes, utterly without feeling.
"Its simple kid, you don't do shit."  I said, "you're the ruler, by then we'll have the jury stacked, we won't need to but we will and you let the firing squad handle the Regent."  I smiled coldly. Damn she's what Synthia would have become if fat boy had won on Terra.  "First rule of politics let others do your dirty work for you, not as satisfying but it's the only way if you wanna be taken seriously."  I kept my voice light and hoped I kept the horror off my face.  Calm cool and matter of fact was the only way to go with Elizabeth.
Thank god it was me and not Katya she'd asked.
"You're the senior officer, I'll leave it in your  hands, then.  Could you communicate to the vessel commander, I need a rendezvous at our next charging stop at Arluna." Elizabeth said.
"Who are we meeting?" I asked.
See, here's where she stepped in to my cabin, and closed the door.  "While I can't assume my ducal responsibilities thanks to Commonwealth laws regarding the exercise of power, I hold controlling shares in one of the larger interstellar industrial trusts in the Commonwealth-and as long as I don't draw salary, I can, and intend to, assume that responsibility."
"Why can't you draw a salary?" It was an idle question, but this path seemed less...horrible.
"Because I have no intention of breaking, or fighting, child labor laws-but there's no law against being a sole proprietor." she told me,  "But that's not the contact-our contact is with Alicia Li, she runs a freight circuit  from Mainstreet to Melissia-at least, since the Regent dismantled the Coast Guard's official operations in Kowloon's outer system."
"What was she...before?" I asked.
Liz shrugged, "an officer of the peace-before that, she was an officer in the Commonwealth Transport Command."
"Not a background that can afford a ship." I commented.
"I know, I own the ship we're meeting." Liz told me, "it is...part of the business half of my inheritance-I own the note on Alicia's vessel, through my late Uncle Truk's half of the family-he died without issue.  I have an Aunt-by-marriage on that ship who's serving as the Chief Engineer.  The crew are all former Coasties."
I leaned back in my chair.  "Technically, right?"
Liz nodded.  "They have the most up-to-date info we can get, they'll be arriving straight from Kowloon, and diverting to Arluna instead of going on to Jerangle."
she reached into that little jacket, and handed me a PADD.  "Personnel and vessel specifications.  I don't know these people personally; Evelyn's vouched for most of them, but..."
"You're not taking chances." I said.
"Correct." she stated, “If Pat were here, he could take a chance.  He knew...people.  You guys are bringing me home, I'm responsible, so I don't want to take any un-necessary risks."
"What are you worried about?" I asked her.
"Police that are forced out often become criminals." Liz told me, "While the records don't indicate it, and Evelyn thinks they're clean, the chance does exist that Li's ship may have gone pirate-the Mainstreet-Melissia run isn't exactly known for being a lucrative trade route, and if she hasn't gone dirty, then there is the alternative possibility that news of the diversion and meeting may have leaked to Jim Condit-and if he's as deep with the Bandits as we suspect..."
"Another possible ambush." I said.
"Yeah.  You're the military professionals, it's best if you have the information to do...what you do." she said,  "Based on risk-analysis numbers, this meet should give our side a leg up, but..."
Jesus. she's too young to be that old. "You worked this out yourself?" I asked her suddenly.
"Most of it." Elizabeth told me, "Well...sort of anyway-I placed some calls, and talked to a few people in grandpa's black book, and I ran what I could by Evelyn-especially about Li..." she stopped, "Yeah, I did it."  
I looked at the files.  "Where'd these come from?" I asked.
"Corporate Security." she told me, "Mister White didn't want to hand them over, but I...made him."

Nadir Jump Point Arluna…
“…scared the hell outta me Truk, she really wanted help planning an execution.”  Bruce said as he poured a shot of Jameson into the squirt bulb.  â€œProsit.”
“Cheers…Gaah…At least you set her straight.”  Truk knocked back half a Coke as a chaser, a thought occurred to him, not a pleasant one.  â€œShe seems to trust you tho’, think you can manipulate her.”
Bruce stiffened and rounded on him, but then relaxed.  Truk had seen him mad as hell, in sorrow over losing friends, but this…this was different.
“Isn’t about that T, she’s a…a fucking kid man, I mean yeah she’s the same age I was the first time I raised a rifle, but damn it she needs to have a goddamn chance…hell I don’t know what I'm saying.”
“It’s Synthia isn’t it?”  If there ever was a man who could tame a Shark…  He looked up into Bruce’s wide green eye; the other one covered by a patch and realized he’d spoken aloud.
“You knew…I mean…?”  The Terran stared off into space.
“Lots of people did, I mean c’mon we all knew you went off on that commando just before Unity, rumor was some deal with Amaris to end the war.”  Truk shrugged and pulled on his Coke.  Love this stuff hope the robes let us import it.  As Bruce digested the revelation that Synthia’s parentage, she was Stefan Amaris’ youngest daughter after all…, was an open secret, Truk idly wondered if Coca Cola was still in business.
“Remember when Lanh mustered out so suddenly,” Truk went on as Bruce nodded annoyed at the memory; they’d been close friends Truk recalled.  â€œHe figured it out, B, was gonna do her on general principle, Jimmy Qua talked him out of it.”  He chuckled at Bruce’s narrow glare, “He said to me later that we have to let go of the past…Smoke?”
“Yeah.”  Bruce tossed him a Marlboro.  â€œOnly got a couple of packs left, man these nic-stix suck.”
“Well these colonials can’t even cure cancer so what do you expect?  Liz reminds of Syn doesn’t she?”  Tran asked carefully.
“Yeah, damned if I know why?”
“You like to take in strays.”  And you’re so clueless about it that it works.
“Huh?”  Bruce’s expression was to dammed funny and Truk bit back on the laughter.
“All you Tigers do it, us on Elbar, Satoh’s Dracs, Taurians from New Vandenberg, hell you’re doin’ it now how many Clanners you got running with you?”
“Dunno, fifteen or so maybe, what are you getting at?”
“You guys take in hard luck cases from a bazillion different cultures, adopt what’s good about ‘em and make them yours…hell Bruce you make them believe.  And that’s powerful, real powerful…and the bitch of it is you don’t even realize what you’re {hic} doing.”  Bruce started to reply but Truk cut him off.
“Hell that’s why we all loved your daughter, even though she was the spawn of the Fat Man, she became one of us.  Even if she was a sorceress.”
“A what? Truk my man you’ve lost me…”
“When you were in a coma after that damn fool Donner had you shot, my team pulled guard duty over your family, Lanh was there too…Synthia was sleeping in the hospital room back then, shit, she’d scream bloody murder if anyone tried to take her home.  Anyway {hic} I heard talking from inside and when I went in there she was carrying on a conversation with you.  I told her somethin’ like “I'm sure he hears you kid.”  You remember how bad my English was…”  Bruce nodded carefully, that was always a sore point with the Kowloonese marine.  â€œWell she looked at me and said “Sure he does Uncle Truk, he’s right there.”  And she pointed at the corner of the room, and damn it Boss, I knew you were there and I knew you were laughing.”
Truk shivered and he could see Bruce wrestling with something, a vague memory.
“Whatever…It don’t matter now Boss we’re here and they’re not, so look Liz needs to be on the straight and narrow, you, me and Didi we gotta fix this {hic}.  Evey Mosovich is gonna be too much of a basket case for a while and any of our people are gonna treat her like the goddamn messiah, so its gotta be us.”  Fuck I’m hammered wanted to have this conversation sober.
Bruce sipped at his own Coke collecting his thoughts.  Then he grinned that Cheshire Cat grin of his.
“Hell Truk, we’ll fix this shit, you said it, it’s what we do…Ohh man I gotta hit the head.”
As Bruce rushed out he missed the small slender form hiding behind the bulkhead door.
Damn, these guys are really going to try, Elizabeth Ngo clamped down on an odd swelling in her throat and went back to her room to think things over…she was surprised when for once sleep came on her without her even trying.

Black Tigers Compound Arc Royal…
Jackson Davion nodded to his companion and started down the access way to the Drop Port.  Three men waited at the end, Jackson recognized Morgan Kell and he guessed the other was Patrick’s son Christian, the other a tall dark skinned man with graying close cropped hair wore a uniform not seen in three hundred or so years.  Archduke Kell nodded to him as the others saluted respectfully.
“Morgan good to see you, and Christian if I'm not mistaken?”  He smiled and extended his hand the grip from the other man was firm as was his gaze.
“Major Kell is bossing one of our battalions; Jack, Dan wanted to be here but with the Jade Falcons wave of attacks…”  Jackson nodded as Morgan spread his hands.  The damn Clanners are just eating everything we have, but the key might just be here…  â€œAnd if I may introduce Colonel Samuel Winters of the Star League 90th Heavy Assault…”
As they shook hands, Jackson took in the man’s weary eyes despite his strong grip and ramrod straight spine.  This is someone who’s seen too much war, had too many of his illusions shattered.  He smiled warmly for the man’s benefit and brought his own companion into the mix.
“Colonel I can say without regret that the entire Federated Commonwealth is glad you and your troops are here.” He motioned his companion forward.  â€œAllow me to introduce your liaison officer Kommandant Sandra Gilmour-Davion Baroness of Landing.”
As the woman stepped forward he saw the shock in the Terran Colonel’s eyes.  The slender woman with the fiery red hair and almond shaped hazel eyes saluted smartly.  Her coffee au lait skin had a slight flush as she shook hands with Sam.  Her voice was even when she greeted him.
“Colonel, my pleasure and honor…” She looked around sheepishly then.  â€œI bring greetings from the Family on Chesterton.  I was wondering…”
“He’s on detached duty Kommandant,” Sam answered knowingly, “Call it a matter of honor.”
“Jack, why don’t we get you settled in, Chris would you show the Kommandant to her quarters and we can adjourn to the Hound Pit for a meet and greet before we get down to business.”  The Archduke smiled and gestured them along.  Jackson nodded and turned to Sandra.
“Sounds good, Sandy a little later.”  The woman nodded and said; “Okay Uncle Jack, see you later,” She turned to Christian Kell and smiled dazzlingly.  â€œOkay handsome show me where I can bunk, then maybe I’ll let you buy me a drink.”  She then proceeded to drag the bewildered major off.
“Jesus, there are two of them…” Sam said quietly then looked an apology at Jackson.
“My brother’s eldest kid so yeah I can guess, by the way Sam is it…call me Jack.”

ROM Compound, Olympus Mons
Mars
Two days earlier…
Demi Precentor Cameron St. Jamais stroked his goatee thoughtfully as he went over the pocketcomp’s display.  So it’s confirmed, Terran troops almost turned back Clan Wolf at Tamar.  And not just any Terrans, the Butchers of New Vandenberg, Kerensky’s Sledgehammers…interesting.
“Your thoughts Cameron?”  The voice rasped out of the darkness.
“Yes,”  Cameron chose his words carefully, “The most fanatical Terran regiment in the Defense Force, equipped with the best and most advanced technology in the Hegemony…Waterly is wrong to antagonize them.  We should bring them to us, slowly with great care.  What they know about our hidden resources, even though they don’t realize it could be damaging to our plan, but…”  He looked up into the darkness in the far end of the room.  â€œâ€¦If they were brought into the light…”
“Our thoughts are one; my chosen one; the Primus is a misguided fool shield your actions from her and bring them to us…if not well one regiment, their destruction should be of no moment.”
Cameron bowed low and once again felt the pride of his leader’s favor in him.
“As you wish…my Master.”