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Chapter 34[]
Can you tell me where can we start over?[]
Salome Ward Memorial Medical Center
Tharkad
Lyran Alliance
December, 3057
[Hours Later...]
The hospital was newly constructed and extensively prepared, one of Katherine's first projects. In a sense, it was part of her cover and a political move, but another, it's one of the most extensively and expensively laid out medical facilities in the Inner Sphere.
"I'm going to give you a choice, Elizabeth." Her Majesty the Archon of the Lyran Alliance, Katherine Steiner-Davion, stood at the end of the bed. "The vote was close-far closer than it might have been, and tonight, I will be graciously hosting Morgan and his son...and you will attend."
"Or what?" Liz asked.
"Or, you can stay here. The Realm will invest vast amounts of money keeping you comfortable and looking for a cure. While you are kept powerless until you tragically die." Katherine told her. "If you want to see the outside of this building before your nervous system rots away, you'll show up at the reception. You will be polite, you will accept the decision of the Estates General and you will welcome the Wolf Exiles to the Alliance...Graciously."
"How close was the vote?" Liz asked.
"I cast the deciding vote." Katherine told her, "After...convincing enough fence-sitters to follow my lead."
"He's a Victor partisan, Majesty, why??"
"Leverage. I'll expect you, it's black-tie formal...or you can enjoy hospital food for the abbreviated rest of your life. The cooks here are quite skilled, we spared no expense." Katherine's tone was implacable.
"I'll be at the party." Elizabeth said.
"See, I knew you'd see reason." Katherine smiled, "Welcome to the team."