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Chapter 13 - Fortunes of War[]
The Crater
Near Galatea City
The Lyran Commonwealth
November 8th, 3024
[“...and after an initial stage that. To be quite frank, Jimmy, did not exactly have fight fans on the edge of their seats. This match came to one of the most dramatic and unpredictable conclusions we’ve seen in a long time!”]
[“Certainly a remarkable finish, Maury. Now there will certainly be some who have questions about the circumstances at the end of this fight, and of course I know we, along with all fight fans, wish Terry Laurent the best as the medical VTOL transporting him has left The Crater just a few moments ago… but I have to say that I hope the lesson he learns from this is that while trying to show off for the crowd is fine up to a point, real professionals, real champions, take care of business. This was a match that by all appearances was within his grasp and…”]
The commentator’s voice was drowned out by the rumbling engine of an MRV’s as it hauled the Enforcer into the staging 'Mech bay on the edge of The Crater. In spite of the breached cockpit and damaged knee, Kit noted, it looked in better shape than her Vindicator. But I’m the one still standing, she thought with satisfaction. Let them say what they like.
“Miss Söderlund.” The voice was familiar, but its usual ringing, bombastic tone was muted. “A very memorable performance.”
Kit regarded the fixer, hands on her hips. “Mr. Covelli,” she said. “Here to congratulate me again? Or were you expecting to be congratulating Terry Laurent?”
Covelli brushed absently at the lapel of his suit. “Terry Laurent is a very talented MechWarrior who clearly needs to improve the mental side of his game. But you…” He aimed an index finger at her. “You are something truly unique. It’s not often a young talent surprises me as much as you have. And that’s what I’m going to ask you to reconsider the matter of renewing your contract.” He held up his hands placatingly. “A different sort of contract, this time. One for a gladiator who has proven herself to be a real MechWarrior.”
Kit gave him a withering stare. “No thanks, Titus,” he said. “I’ve seen the type of people you keep on your payroll, up close. Real close. And I don’t want to be in business with you anymore.” She folded her arms across her chest. “Besides, didn’t I just cost you quite a bit of money? I checked the odds for this match, and for some strange reason, the betting turned sharply against me last night.”
Covelli sniffed and gestured at the MRV. “Mr. Laurent’s BattleMech, which he so rashly staked on the outcome of the fight. It will certainly help to offset any losses I may have suffered.”
Kit shook her head. “No, Titus. I’m claiming salvage rights on this one. I’m taking the Enforcer. Send me the paperwork by the end of the day.”
Covelli blinked. His lip curled into a sneer. “Why would I do such a thing? What makes you think you’re in a position to be making such demands?”
“You’ll do it, “ she said evenly, “because if you don’t I’ll go to every arena fight rumor rag on the planet and tell them how you fixed my first five matches, and tried to fix this one.”
He glared at her. “You have no proof.”
She laughed in his face. “There was no proof I was a jinx, either, Titus, but the fans and the press ate it up! You and I both know that what matters is that it would be a great story. Your career on this world would be over. Or…” she said with a bright smile. “You can give me what I want. It’s not much, in the scheme of things.”
Covelli’s face had settled into a stony mask. “Truly surprising,” he said, almost as if he were talking to himself. “I knew you had talent. I didn’t know you had this kind.”
“You were right about one thing, Titus,” she said. “I’m tired of things happening to me.” She plucked the silk handkerchief from his pocket, mopped the sweat from her forehead with it, and let it drop to the 'Mech bay floor. “Now I could be the worst thing that ever happened to you. Cut your losses. Walk away.”
His eyes searched hers for a long time. When at last, he nodded, the slightest incline of his chin, she didn’t know if it was in respect or merely resignation. She also didn’t care, because she knew it meant she had won. Covelli turned and walked slowly out of the 'Mech bay.
“Had me worried there, kid,” said a drawling voice from behind her as she watched the fixer leave.
“Had myself worried too, Smitty.” she said as the older MechWarrior strolled up beside her. “Nice job planting the charge in Laurent’s knee.”
“Ah, nothing to it,” Smythe said with a shrug. “You told me exactly what to do. Even a hick like me could figure it out.”
“Still,” Kit reflected, “Jimmy or whatever his name is was right.” She nodded up at the holoscreen on the hangar wall. “If Laurent had just pulled the trigger and finished me off from where he stood, he would have won.”
Smythe shrugged carelessly again. “He pressed his luck too far. Still say we should have put it in one of his weapons though. Simpler. More foolproof.”
“Like I said, I hoped it wouldn’t come to that. Letting him get close meant I had already ****** up. Just wanted an insurance policy. But…” she added with a sigh, “In hindsight doing it your way would have been smarter.” She raised an eyebrow at him. “No regrets at all about sabotaging a member of your own unit, though?
Smythe scoffed. “I did the Privateers a favor,” he said. “Risking his 'Mech like that for an arena fight… Laurent was putting himself ahead of the unit.” Smythe thrust his hands in his pockets and spat on the ferrocrete. “Besides, I figure my time with the Privateers is about done. Charlie Pressler’s an old friend, but the Charlie I knew back in the day wouldn’t have put up with ****** like Terry Laurent in his outfit to start with.”
Kit walked over to the Vindicator’s leg and leaned against it. “Interesting timing,” she said. “I’m thinking my arena career is about done.” She gestured up at the highlights from other arena matches being played on the holoscreen and smiled at him. “You were right, what you said about none of this being real. Was thinking of starting my own outfit. I’ve got some money now… made a little bet on myself before this fight… and I’ve got cockpits to fill.”
Smythe looked at her quizzically. “Well, that’s a generous offer, kid.” Concern creased his forehead. “The thing is though, if you recruit from the Dispossessed…”
“I’ll be getting applications mainly from the desperate, and people looking to take advantage, especially with my… reputation on this world now.” she said. “I know. All the more reason I need an experienced XO who’s a good judge of character.”
Smythe nodded thoughtfully. “So what were you thinking of calling this outfit? You going to rebuild the Talons?”
Kit shook her head. “That unit died on Konstance. It wouldn’t be right for me to trade off their name and reputation, no longer than I was with them. I was thinking of the Black Cats.”
“I get it,” Smythe chuckled. “Bad luck.”
“There’s that,” she said. “but it’s also in honor of my grandfather. Did I ever tell you about him? He was a Panther pilot. First 'Mech I ever climbed into.”
Smythe nodded appreciatively. “Maybe spell it with a ‘K’, though. It’ll be catchier. Kit’s Black Kats. Has a nice ring to it.”
“Good idea.” she agreed. She gazed up at the battered Vindicator. The 'Mech would require days of repairs. Her head ached. Her shoulders ached. The adrenaline high of dodging death was wearing off and she badly needed sleep. And yet for the first time since Konstance, she felt at peace. The guilt and fear that had threatened to crush her under their weight for weeks were gone.
“I should remind you before you sign on though, Sarge.” she said, “Obviously, I have zero real experience running a merc unit.” She laughed at herself, but without bitterness. “I don’t even have any real training as a MechWarrior.”
Smythe clapped her on the shoulder. “Aw, hell, kid,” he said. “You’ve been in a fight for your life, a couple of times now, and you made it through. Seems to me like you’ve already had to learn quite a bit.”
“I guess so, Sarge. Lessons like: Never fight fair.” And it’s better to be lucky than good.
Story is Finished, thanks for reading it!