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Homecoming
Chapter 7 - Aurigan Dreams (BattleTech CYOA)[]
Reunion with Mum[]
I only remain at my DropShips briefly. Just long enough to bring Commodore Geary, Thomas and Vance up to speed on the deal I cut with Lord Arano and Lord Espinosa before grabbing Vanessa to bring her home with me. While technically my niece, Vanessa is another girl around my age who is part of my family and that means we have formed something of a bond, especially since Vance and myself are the only people around she has any real connection with. So when she expressed a desire to meet my maternal family, I was happy to oblige.
To be honest, I wanted to introduce some of my newfound family to my old family. Vanessa would get along well with Moana, but unfortunately the eldest of my younger siblings just got commissioned in the Royal Guard so I don’t know when she will next be available. If she gets deployed to the capital, I should be able to see her regularly if she permits it, but if not, well, that’s that.
Also I needed a driver because the spaceport is a bit too long of a walk to make it home on foot.
I’m not sure that bringing a Feddie noblewoman back with me is the best of moves for my return home, but she is my family even if she isn’t family to anyone else. And I already sort of blew any perfect homecoming by choosing business over heading straight home.
“Nice little place,” says Vanessa as she parks the rental car on my street, “Can’t imagine living here myself, but then you’re not nobility.”
“We aren’t rich either,” I say, “Given that my parents needed space for four daughters, this is the best they could reasonably afford. Still it is my home.”
“I still can’t believe that you can’t drive,” comments Vanessa as she turns off the engine.
“I never had the need,” I retort, “College was within walking distance and for anything else, we got a pretty good public transport system. I was more interested in figuring out how to fix up a ‘Mech or put together an exoskeleton.”
That said, I could give it a decent shot between my technical knowledge from this life combined with the practical knowledge and experience of that other life's memories I've got. I’m not sure how much experience with the 21st Century British driving system is applicable here on Coromodir and I doubt I have enough skill to pass a driving test for a license. But if I needed to drive a car down a quiet road and not be too fussy about following the law, yeah, I could do that. Probably. Depends on the controls of the car to be honest.
“I suppose that learning to be a ‘Mech tech would be a useful choice,” says Vanessa as we both climb out of the car, “Especially since you didn't know about this inheritance or that it would be coming.”
“I was planning to join the ACM,” I say, “Either that or join Mum working at the Epinosa Refit Yards. I figured those would be good options both in terms of my career and helping my countrymen, but inheriting my own mercenary regiment is a vastly superior option to either of those.”
“I can’t argue with that.” says Vanessa, “When Grandpa declared he was founding a mercenary unit, I instantly decided that I would rather be a MechWarrior in that than a infantrywoman or tanker in the AFFS. Mother won’t be too pleased with me, but unlike her, I’m not devoted enough to the AFFS to give up the chance to become a MechWarrior just so I can have the honor of serving House Davion.”
“For what’s worth, I don’t intend to take contracts against House Davion if I can help it,” I tell her as we reach the door, “I know we are mercenaries, but too many of our people are Feddies and ex-AFFS for me to test their loyalty like that.”
Not to mention of the Successor Lords, Hanse Davion is the best one for me to suck up to. Mad Max and Taksi-, Takishi-, the Kuritan one are both rulers over the more evil states while the League is unreliable. Katrina Steiner would be a good alternative if the Lyran Commonwealth was on the other side of the Inner Sphere, but the sheer distances makes her a less than ideal choice.
Normally no one would be home, but since I let my parents know that today would be the day I would be arriving on-planet, Mum said she would be trying to finish work early. Hopefully she’ll be home, but if she isn’t, I made sure to bring my door key with me just in case.
So it turns out that Mum was able to make it home early because the handle turns under my grip without resistance.
“Mum?” I call as I walk through the door.
“In the kitchen, Liz!” calls back Mum, “Your father wasn’t able to leave work early and both your sisters are still at school.”
“Cool,” I reply as Vanessa follows me into the house, “I’ve brought a…friend with me.”
“A friend?” repeats Mum.
“Vanessa Herman,” I answer, “One of my new employees and my niece despite being the same age as me.”
“Only by two years.” interjects Vanessa as we reach the kitchen.
“The one you mentioned in your messages?” inquires Mum as she comes out to meet us.
“That one.” I confirm, “Vanessa, this is my mother, Mary Kalani. Mum, this is Vanessa.”
“A pleasure to meet you, Vanessa,” says Mum, “From what Liz has been telling me, you certainly take after your grandfather and I mean that as a compliment.”
“Thank you,” replies Vanessa, “I heard that you were one of his adventure buddies back in the day?”
“For some of them,” answers Mum, “from what I hear, his final ones. I would be delighted to share some stories with you when the time permits, but if you don’t mind. I would like to spend some time with my daughter. Nothing against you dear, but it has been over two months since I’ve seen Liz.”
“I have no desire to intrude,” says Vanessa graciously, “I would certainly want to spend some private time with my mother when I next see her. If there is something I can do in the meantime…?”
“Feel free to wait in the lounge,” offers Mum, indicating towards the room in question, “We have plenty of books and a holovid with a lot of options to view. I’ll bring some snacks once I’ve had some private catch up with Liz.”
“Sure thing, Mrs Kalani,” says Vanessa, striding through the doorway and leaving me alone with Mum.
"In the kitchen, dear," says Mum and it is not until we are in the other room that she begins to talk, “How are you doing, Liz?”
Well, insane is the correct answer as at the start of the new year, I gained memories and other…aspects from someone in another reality where my reality was a fictional setting. In that fictional setting, which is too similar to real life for comfort. The Aurigan Coalition will turn into an oppressive and tyrannical dictatorship in a few years, something which it may never recover from and result in it collapsing in a decade or two. Not to mention that I have just got home with my mercenary combined arms regiment that I inherited from my biological father, who turned out to be a Feddie Duke.
Of course, I can’t tell Mum any of that.
“I’m doing well,” I tell her, which I am from a certain point of view, “I’ve gotten something of a handle on interstellar travel now and I am confident in my ability to walk a ‘Mech. And as of earlier today, I am in the middle of lining up a contract or two with either High Lord Arano or Lord Espinosa.”
“That’s good to hear.” says Mum as she gives me a hug, “I can’t imagine what it must be like to become a leader of your own mercenary unit so suddenly, but it does line up with your dreams so I’m happy for you. Just remember that it isn’t just about the money when making your choices.”
“I know it isn’t only about the money.” I reply with a roll of my eyes, “Salvage and spare parts are important along with a good reputation and having enough supplies for when even basic stuff like food and water aren’t easily available.”
“No, I meant morals and principles, Elizabeth.” says Mum, fixing with me a firm look as she uses the entirety of my first name, “When your father, that is to say Aaron, and I went on our adventures together. It was mainly to clean up some mistakes that he had made earlier in life, during his time in the AFFS. He had prioritized his mission and his career over other considerations, including his compassion and heart. It was only after he had inherited his title and had settled down with his wife and children that he realized what he had done and developed regrets about it.”
“I assume that this is something more than don’t commit war crimes and basic stuff like that?” I inquire as I think them over, trying not to dismiss them out of hand.
“That is a starting point, but it is a simple one that most people can get even if too many choose to ignore it for one reason or another,” replies Mum, “I am more thinking about caring about the consequences of your actions and caring about what happens to others beyond just following the rules of law. Don’t forget that those fighting you are also human or that more often than not, you’ll be fighting on worlds which people call home.”
“You’re going to have to break that one down a bit for me, Mum.” I tell her, “It is pretty hard to forget that I will be fighting people. Nobody has discovered sapient aliens so far and drones haven’t been used by anyone since the fall of the Star League.”
“What I mean is caring about how the people of the world are going to cope once you have left.” clarifies Mum, “All too often the main difference between being raided by pirates and being raided by House regulars is that the House regulars have one of the Great Houses backing up their actions. It is far from universal of course, but just as some mercenaries are little more than glorified pirates, so are some House regulars. They’ll come in, shoot up some important infrastructure and some homes and they don’t care about how many civilians die in the process or how the survivors are going to repair the damage or cope with the loss of their homes and vital infrastructure. Unlike pirates who get hated for it, their actions are considered acceptable because they are doing it in the name of a Great House.
“And then you have pirates who are called that simply because they don’t have the backing of a Great House when they raid someone. For example, the Aurigan Coalition isn’t recognized by any of the major countries except for Canopus so if Aurigan forces were to raid the Capellans, they would get labelled as pirates and treated as such. If someone like the FedSuns or the Taurians were to do the exact same thing, they would get recognized as foreign soldiers and treated as such. It isn’t fair, but it is life.”
“I see,” I reply, “I think. What you’re saying is that sometimes the difference between a pirate raid and one by the Great Houses isn’t the actions, but the legitimacy behind it. And that I shouldn’t forget about how civilian bystanders will be impacted by my actions, both immediately and in the long term.”
“Of course, it isn’t always possible,” says Mum, “Sometimes the enemy is hiding in a settlement, sometimes you need to take out infrastructure to hinder the enemy’s movements or ability to keep themselves supplied. And many pirates are genuine scum of the galaxy and a pirate is more likely than not to be a dirtbag who needs to be put into the ground. Just don’t forget that pirates can be applied to anyone who isn’t working for a Great House, even MRB-certified mercenaries on an MRB-certified contract can be labelled as pirates so watch out for that. I’ve seen it happen twice myself though one of those times, the mercenaries in question were some of those who blur the line between pirate and mercenary.”
“That’s…good advice.” I tell her, “I’m not sure how relevant it will be, but I’ll make sure to keep it in mind.”
I get where Mum is coming from and it is a nice sentiment, but in light of what is coming? I’m not sure it will be something that I will keep to, not when the fate of the Aurigan Coalition and its people, my people, are on the line. If I have to compromise my morals at the expense of some foreigners, I’ll do that for the greater good of the Aurigan people because that is the way that this universe works. All grey and black with no white to be seen.
“Now, why don’t you introduce me to Vanessa and tell me about your time on Bromhead?” asks Mum as she switches the subject, “I hope the Hermans didn’t treat you too badly. I noticed that you got some new clothing. From Bromhead I presume?”
“Ava, Vance and Vanessa didn’t,” I answer, “Ava is the new duchess and she let me stay in her palace. She was the one who brought me my new clothing too. Vance and Vanessa also treated me right and not just because I was hiring them as MechWarriors. Not all of them were that nice mind you. A couple of my half-siblings apparently saw me as no more than a thieving barbarian from the Periphery, but Ava kept them away from me.”
“That will be an attitude that you just have to learn to put up with, I’m afraid.” says Mum, “There will be plenty of people who look down upon you for being from the Periphery. Not to mention those who will look down upon you for not being a noble or being a mercenary instead of a House regular or even for not being from the same country as them. It isn’t fair, but you will run into it everywhere and as a prominent figure, you won’t be able to avoid it.”
“I would hardly call myself a prominent figure,” I point out, “I’m a freshly-fledged mercenary who inherits her command rather than earning it.”
“You have a combined arms regiment of heavy metal.” says Mum, “Once you have the manpower for it, you’ll have about as many ‘Mechs as a House Battalion and of far heavier weight. You might not have as many vehicles or infantry, but you will have more ASFs than any of the House Battalions. You have five DropShips, including three Fortresses, and you have a JumpShip. A Monolith for Blake’s sake. Just the JumpShip or the ‘Mechs on their own would be enough to make you someone worth listening to, but all of that combined? There is a reason that Lord Arano and Lord Espinosa wanted to speak with you when you arrived home. You might not be one of the big name multi-regiment mercenary outfits, but neither are you one of those dime a dozen mercenary companies with little more than a lance of ‘Mechs to their name. You have power, especially out here in the Periphery.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I tell her, acknowledging that she has a point, “Anything else?”
“Get some bodyguards.” answers Mum bluntly, “While you are no noble, you aren't just a promising mech tech anymore. Some of your enemies will fight on the battlefield or in the court, but others will try to slip a knife between your ribs and won’t hesitate to do so.”
“That is a good point,” I admit as if my plans go right, I will be making some enemies who will no doubt have me killed if I make it too easy for them, “And I have the C-Bills to afford it. Perhaps I can ask Lord Arano or Lord Espinosa for advice on it tomorrow.”
“If you trust them and believe they would be willing to help, that sounds like a good course of action.” says Mum, “I’m afraid that the only person who I knew with expertise in that sort of thing was Aaron and…”
“He is dead, which is how I got into this position in the first place.” I conclude.
“Indeed,” says Mum, “Now we probably shouldn’t keep Vanessa waiting too long. I’ll open up a packet of biscuits and we can go and join her.”
“We can discuss how I’ve got nieces and nephews that are the same age as me,” I add, causing Mum to miss a step as I remember a subject that I’ve been meaning to bring up with Mum.
Author's Chapter Notes[]
- Word from the Author
- More character development than plot progression in this chapter. I want to show Elizabeth interacting with her family because I don’t want them to be relevant since it will be focused around her home.
Oh, and there is a bit of foreshadowing. I want to establish some aspects of what Elizabeth can or can’t do so they have been established in the story before they become plot relevant, which I have plans for at least one of them to be. Have fun guessing which one or ones they are.