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Chapter 11 - Best Served Cold[]
Troop Commander's Quarters, DropShip Great Hope
Uninhabited System, Clan Smoke Jaguar Occupation Zone
December 5th, 3050
The computer in Lilly's quarters dinged, letting her know a message from the HPG dump had been transferred to her terminal. Setting aside her campaign plans, Lilly opened the message.
The face of a three-year-old girl, wispy curls of strawberry blonde hair atop her head, stared back at her. The girl's tiny arm was being waved energetically at the camera. "Say 'hi, mommy.' Can you say hi to mommy?" Andrei's voice said from just off screen.
The girl replied with something that might have been "Hi, mommy," or might have been three-year-old gibberish. The screen remained fixed on the girl's cooing, gibbering face for another minute, then Andrei picked her up and sat down in front of the camera, holding little Alexia in his lap.
"Hey, babe," Lilly's husband said. "I hear you are going to be out there awhile longer yet, and the Khan is coming to supervise. Alexia told me to ask you not to kill her grandmother if you can avoid it." Lilly laughed. "Oh, Scientist Davos Etrienne earned his Bloodname for his report on the LIV-537-XC supernova. It is all very fascinating. So dry I could barely get through it, but fascinating. I am more interested in the data you collected on those Clan battlesuits. We have been doing some computer modeling here, and -- well, those things look seriously scary. I would say I hope you only ever meet them in your Pulverizer, but I am not sure even that would keep you safe."
Lilly smiled. Andrei could be such a worrier, but his concern was always touching.
"They are moving ships and people up to Cabanatuan. If you like, I can put in a request to join the Scientists there. I could perhaps be more useful examining things straight from the battlefield instead of via HPG transmission, and we would be only a few months apart, not a year." Andrei shrugged. "A thing to consider."
Andrei paused, seeming to think about if he had anything else to say. Apparently deciding he did not, he nodded. "Stay safe out there. I love you."
The image paused on Andrei's thin but handsome face and Alexia's chubby baby cheeks, her gaze now intently focused on something below her only she could see. Lilly contemplated the image for some time, drying her eyes and letting her rampant emotions run themselves out within her.
Lilly and Andrei had met during their warrior training. While Andrei had always known the life of the Scientist was for him, all Wolverines were warriors first. Lilly, on the other hand, had never wanted to be anything but a warrior, to follow in the footsteps of the vast majority of her ancestors, as well as Sarah McEvedy herself.
Lilly again marveled that she was descended from such an amazing, inspiring person. Clan Wolverine had suffered so much, lost so many, in their flight from the Clans that the same "iron womb" technology they idolized had been the Wolverines' only hope of survival once they'd found themselves a home. Everyone, warrior and "lower" caste alike, had contributed to that first generation, and Lilly came from those born of Sarah's contribution.
After testing out as a warrior, her second pilgrimage to Barbados (which coincided with her first tour of duty, posing as a merchant guard for an incognito Wolverine caravan), and her promotion to Star Commander, Lilly and Andrei had decided to take advantage of the iron womb technology, still available to those who required or desired it, to have their first child. Until her third trip to Barbados, Lilly had spent as much time as her duties allowed with her family. Which was quite a lot, actually, what with Clan Wolverine no ongoing wars to send warriors to fight in.
If the Clans had not come back, I would be home now. It would be me holding little Alexia in my arms.
She could stop. Call her whole Crusade off as a bad idea. State that it was no business of the Wolverines if the Clans wanted to invade the Inner Sphere, there was no reason to risk the society they'd built, the freedom they'd found, for revenge for and on people who had been dead two and a half centuries. What did it matter what the Clans thought of them? They knew the truth, and that should be good enough.
Even if the rest of the Clan wanted to continue, Lilly didn't have to. She could request a transfer, or resign, she could go home, she could...
Give up my dream of earning a Warrior's Bloodname, of becoming Khan, of accepting the burden of responsibility my surname demands.
Of being the kind of woman who makes her daughter proud.
For all her faults, for all their disagreements, Lilly loved and respected Khan Jennifer McEvedy, was dedicated to learning from her example, both good and ill. Lilly had started this fight, now she had to finish it.
Composing herself, Lilly began to record her response.
"I am doing quite well out here. The Khan promoted me to Star Colonel, and I have the best group of warriors under my command I could ask for. And despite mother looking over my shoulder, I have been given free reign to proceed with operations against the Clans as I see fit." Lilly settled herself, forcing a smile. "Though I am sure the Khan intends to reign me in should I get stupid, I do not plan to get stupid." She suppressed a sigh, keeping her smile in place.
"The Cabanatuan base is coming along nicely. Logistics will shortly no longer be a problem. But, while I miss you both desperately, I would request you remain on Homeworld. I am sure you would be as safe on Cabanatuan, but I will rest easier knowing you both are far, far away from the Clans." She paused. "If you have read the data we have acquired, you know what they make us out to be, and that gives me ample reason to fear for your safety."
Her composure faltered, and Lilly let her emotions play on her face. "I love you both, and look forward to the day I come home to you."