OPERATION:RATNIK (Golden Lion AU)[]
- Chapter Eighteen – The People's Champion -[]
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Solaris VII, Lyran Commonwealth
21 July 3023
Teng Stables was built into the old Ling family mansion laid out in the ancient Chinese style with modern amenities such as underground Mech Bays and large security team tasked with keeping fangirls at bay. Ling was once among the most prominent of Capellan Scions and had financed The Jungle’s construction. The family and mansion had decayed into oblivion with only one elderly inheritor, Chandra Ling, as its legacy before her godson, Tormano, brought it.
Justin walked atop bright cobblestones as craftsman continued the years-long revitalization of the Mansion under the guidance of Lian Xiang who, as a Mandrissa, spent her youth being educated in the exact skills necessary to manage a Scion’s household. She had taken gleefully to the role; when not playing Mahjong at riverside teahouses; or suggesting he date someone’s lovely granddaughter.
Her presence had become a sensation among Solarans trying to court the Grand Champion through her. Thus far it hadn’t stuck, but that did not mean that he did not enjoy the attention or company. Capellan culture and fashion had exploded in popularity for his victories much to Tormano’s and her delight as she remained patriotic despite her banishment to Brazen Heart.
Three Grand Championships had done much to grow a stable which had been on the brink of bankruptcy before he arrived. Now they had a staff managing the growing Stable and its brand while Lian took care of the grounds allowing them to focus on their core competency, making Gladiators.
Motivated recruits redoubled their efforts as their Champion, The Champion, passed the yard. A yard which wouldn’t look out of place within the Confederation’s Warrior Houses. New recruits worked their way up to MechWarrior then could use the Teng’s dozen Mechs, all now in excellent repair, in every Arena throughout Solaris or on tour for exhibition matches.
He went into the West Wing which housed the Stables’ Offices. Suzie stood up from her computer as he approached, as colorful and expressive as always. “Miss Lian is out on lunch, Mister Xiang.”
“I know, that is why I am here. Send Fuh and Sze in when they arrive.”
She bowed slightly as the door with ‘Xiang’ in Standard and Cantonese characters printed on the glass closed, she stood for a moment sighed, “stupid girl just ask him,” reached for the handle but pulled her hand back after seeing his shadow move within before returning to her seat.
Fuh and Sze Teng entered the office, which while orderly had taken on a very mature feminine character, contrasting sharply with their MechWarrior kit. “This is your office isn’t it, Justin?”
“That never gets old does it, Fuh?”
“Never, I have to deal with Sze’s rap sheets,” he looked at the peculiar vase and naturalistic bird sculpture hanging from the ceiling, “rather than whatever this is.”
“Bro does not know. I’m the real ace of this place.”
Justin only wore the most recent collection of rings the others were in a vault beneath the Mansion, “I’ll believe it when you have twenty-one rings, Sze.”
“Low blow, amigo.”
“Anyway, I asked you to come here and I’m still working through this myself. I think I’ve done what I set out to do on Solaris and am looking toward my future. I might stay but I’m thinking of retiring.”
He executed a high knife hand, “Better to go out on top then face the chop.” “Was that a question?”
Sze broke character, “It could be interpreted as such. You afraid, Justin?”
“I’ve won three Solaris Grand Championships and served nearly a decade in the AFFS. Dying in a mech is not something I fear, it’s almost a guarantee. Dying for spectacle rather than a cause is.”
“So where will you go? And what cause will you fight for now?”
“I have not yet decided. Just informing you so you can make plans should I choose to leave.”
Both brothers bowed deeply, “You’ve done us a great service Justin. Teng Stables wouldn’t exist today without you. If you leave you may return at any time as a friend.”
Justin bowed deeper, “I wouldn’t be where I am without your help. It has been a privilege.”
23 July 3023
The Glass Tower rose above Cathay, an elegant pagoda style residential tower that only Silesia could match in both architectural complexity and elegant sophistication. Its windows had shades and passive laser microphone defeat mechanisms built in for privacy. Justin had his wide open looking out over Solaris City and into the fog while drinking his sweet and spicy Tequila cocktail.
His door unlocked and Lian Xiang entered with the same grace and elegance he remembered from his youth on Sian, before the mission was shuttered by Maximilian after he made Quintus persona non grata. “You have been avoiding me, Justin. Is something wrong?”
“I have been thinking about the future.”
She descended the stairs and looked disapprovingly of the many partially empty bottles, “Finally, someone must. I’ve been trying this entire time. Why else do you think I’ve put so much effort into making you presentable to some fine lady. Is there a lucky bachelorette you have in mind?”
Justin pulled a folded printout from his pocket, “I received this letter.”
“Oh, Justin, dear. Don’t tell me you are interested in some doll-eyed air headed fangirl.
Surely, you’ve grown weary of them by now and wish to court something worthy of your station.”
“Actually, this came from Duchess Candace Liao herself. Sealed and Priority Triple A from St. Ives.”
It took everything for his mother to not snatch it out of his hand and read it herself. “Candace Liao, The Chancellor’s Daughter?”
“The very same.”
“Well, don’t leave a lady in suspense. What does it say?”
“She wishes to personally congratulate me on Tsingtao and present me with a Medal commending my contributions to ‘furthering our shared Capellan culture and sport,’ in her official capacity of Minister of Social Education, during Tsinghai’s biannual art and sports exhibition in September.”
“It would take weeks to reach, even Grand Champions cannot defeat the tyranny of jump routes.”
“Apparently she has already begun assembling the circuit.”
“Before you even accepted her offer?”
“Yes, she even chartered the shuttle. I received my itinerary this morning.”
“Then I suppose she really wants you there.”
“Yes, but,” Justin looked out over Solaris City once more, “I’m not sure when or if I will return.”