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Tour, Order of Sortek Monastery
Marduk, Robinson PDZ
Draconis March, Federated Suns
12th November 3121

   In the courtyard in front of the main entrance of the Order of Sortek’s Monastery on Marduk First Prince Burton Davion stood looking up at the massive Wolther’s Monument which symbolized the sacrifice of Wolther’s Monument which had saved the Order from heavy casualties fighting the Draconis Combine. It felt strange to him looking up at a stylized Emperor BattleMech, a BattleMech common in the Capellan Confederation, on a Federated Suns world on the Draconis Combine border. He had been on Marduk for four days now visiting the Order of Sortek and had seen their arrayed forces, he was impressed by what the Order had done. On the world they now had an entire regiment of BattleMechs, a reinforced armour regiment and an entire brigade of infantry and support troops which were split between their main unit and their Household Guard. He had spoken to the world’s Governor and the praises of the unit had been sung, according to Governor Durrant Emjiib the Order of Sortek had been helping in efforts across Marduk.

   “First Prince Davion” Grandmaster of the Order Imarra Sortek said approaching from behind him but remaining at a respectful distance.

   “Come forward Imarra” he said to the older woman who stepped up beside him, he was her guest it was only right he treated her like an equal. She stood beside him in silence looking at the Monument he knew other commanders would have broken the silence and guessed this was a hold-over from her time with the Confederated Suns. “Speak your mind Grandmaster.”

   “First Prince Davion, I have seen you here several times over the last days does our facility displease you?” She asked most of the Order’s Monastery was underground built into the mountain face which they had chosen as their home, now the facility had accommodations for eight thousand people, stores to feed them for three months, Mech and vehicle maintenance facilities, and fighter launch bays. They planned to expand their footprint on the surface of the mountain as well but for now underground had been the priority.

   “Neg” he answered using the Clan word which his wife was fond of he saw her momentary confusion “no” he said in plain English “I’ll admit I prefer when I can see the sky above me but what you have done here and on Marduk is very impressive.” He said complementing their work

   “Thank you, may I ask why you keep returning here?”

   “You mean other than it being good PR for people to see me honouring your fallen warriors?” He asked looking at her smirking “its amusing seeing a statue with an Emperor on the Draconis Combine border.”

   “It was popular with our unit in our past life, we have lost a few.” She said glancing down

      “Aff, I mean yes” he replied almost laughing he rarely realised how much his wife’s speech had rubbed off on him until he was with someone who was not used to it. “It is the nature of our calling. You have fought many battles since coming to the Federated Suns but I do not see your battle to defend Marduk commemorated.” He said naming their bloodiest battle and the real reason for his visit.

   “How can we commemorate something when we do not know who the enemy that attacked us were?” She asked “the equipment was of Draconis Combine or of that you could get on the open market. Not one of the warriors have we, the DMI or MIIO been able to pin to a DCMS unit.”

   “And you won’t” Burton said turning away from the monument towards the Grandmaster “that unit was created by Duke Jerome Sandoval to strike at the Order of Sortek and to humble your unit.”

   “Humble us?” She asked keeping her anger in check

   “I believe he thought you were for lack of a better term ‘showboating’ with your travel around the Federated Suns recruiting and helping worlds defenders.” Burton explained “he did not understand what you were doing or that my office had authorised your travel.”

   “How is that even possible?” She asked her anger rising despite her training “sire, in my universe you know we were betrayed by Ardan and Conner Sortek, they were instrumental in the fall of Robinson to the Draconis Combine. How can you now say that the leadership of Robinson, the lords of the march we live in, are against us?”

   “They are not.” Burton said with finality “I have removed Jerome Sortek from a place of power on Robinson and placed someone loyal to the Federated Suns in an advisory role to the new Duchess.” He said, he did not like how that sounded but it was true General Canin McKinnon’s job was to make sure Robinson did not do something like this again.

   “This is a lot to accept” Imarra said “we have given our blood, sweat and a no small number of tears since coming to your nation First Prince and now I learn there are members of a senior family who are against us.”

   “People are just that people, leaders make mistakes, Jerome Sandoval has paid for his mistake he will never be able to directly harm your unit again. I am the leader of the Federated Suns his decisions fall on me.” He said “I will make up for them. I have ordered Federated Suns units to strike at the systems of Donenac, Harpster, Deshler, McComb and Lima.” He explained naming five systems directly over the border from Marduk. “But I have left one system for you and me.”

   “Royal” she answered naming the system which had caused her using a previous loss she glanced up at Wolther’s Monument.

   “Yes, I cannot make up for what Sandoval has done, I cannot bring the dead back” he said “but if you will agree to it, I will fight beside you and strike at the Draconis Combine. You cannot strike at one injustice but I can make up for another, together we can remind your enemies of who the Order of Sortek are.” He said Imarra did not say a word instead she looked up at the massive sculpture of the Emperor BattleMech then back towards the First Prince. She brought herself up to a parade stance and saluted the First Prince who returned the salute as their bargain was agreed.