Act 1 - Anger[]
With A Bared Sword[]
Chapter 10[]
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Castle Davion, New Avalon
Crucis March, Federated Commonwealth
1 April 3055
Kate had considered wearing her uniform for the interview… for about six heartbeats. Then she dragged (pulled lightly) Carla Rowan on a trip to some of Avalon City’s designer boutiques and walked away with an elegant white dress whose cape and gold trim not-so-subtly resembled her dress uniform.
The reaction from the studio audience told her she’d made the right choice - they applauded from the moment her name was called and continued as she emerged from behind the curtain and made it the whole way across the stage to the couch facing the host.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” that worthy called out once she’d taken her seat, crossing her legs to show a polite amount of calf. When this failed to silence the applause, Sven van Zandt rose to his feet and clapped his hands together loudly. “Ladies, gentlemen and others,” he expanded in a raised voice and the tones of a kindergarten teacher.
The crowd finally settled down and the host nodded approvingly. “Thank you. And thank you, Princess Katherine, for coming to meet us today.”
“It’s my pleasure, Sven.” she replied sincerely.
“It’s been almost two years since you graduated from NAIS,” he began to probe, “It means a great deal that this is your first tri-vee appearance since then. In your own right, as opposed to attending royal court or appearances with the CMM.”
“You come highly recommended.” By Arthur, who had begged and begged for her to bring him along, no matter the official policy that royals were off limits for informal (which this was) public appearances between the ages of ten and eighteen. Hopefully he would be satisfied with the autograph from Mr Van Zandt that had been arranged for him before the show commenced.
“Does this mean you’ll be keeping a higher profile now that you’ve had a couple of years with the CMM?”
Kate shook her head. “Perhaps after this year’s royal court. Until then I’ll be participating in extended field exercises - the First Davion Guards will be taking over all our normal duties so that we can mobilize the full March Militia, something we don’t get a lot of chances to do.”
Van Zandt nodded. “Keeping the skills that keep us all safe sharp,” he praised the CMM. “And how are you settling in? I know there have been comparisons to your brother…”
“Yes, well if I have to fend off Jade Falcons from my duty posting at the moment I think we’ll all be having a bad year.” She smiled again at the audience before sobering. “Whether or not I’m posted offworld to a more active regiment is one of the things that will be discussed with the First Prince when she arrives.”
“Yes, I gather it’s her intention to preserve the line of succession with you and Prince Peter while your elder brother remains facing the Clans. Peter has served with the Second Royal Guards on Tharkad since he graduated last year, hasn’t he?”
“Yes, if he’d been with the First he would have had too many chances to ask mother for a more exciting duty station,” Kate told him. “‘Mother, may I go fight the Clans?’ ‘Not yet, dear.’ ‘What about now?’ ‘Not today…’”
There was a ripple of laughter from the crowd.
Kate had suggested Victor be offered a teaching post, either at the Nagelring or NAIS, to get him off the frontlines. If it was presented as a chance to pass on his experience, there was at least a small chance he’d accept the idea. Nothing else had worked and she had a dreadful suspicion that Peter would mug Victor if their brother crossed his path, just to get the chance to prove himself a mechwarrior equal to their father.
“If I could ask,” Sven continued, “There was considerable surprise when Prince Victor elected not to succeed your father three years ago.”
No kidding, she thought. “Traditionally speaking, the First Prince’s heir usually serves for five years in the military and a similar time in a government role before they are confirmed as an heir. I admit, the government roles have been somewhat less common over the last few generations due to my uncle and great-grandfather’s untimely deaths, but the principle is that before inheriting a First Prince should build up some experience.”
“Some of the Federated Suns’ greatest leaders inherited when they were younger than Prince Victor,” the host disagreed politely. “Paul Davion II comes to mind.”
“Yes, but I think Victor would consider it arrogant to put himself forward as great. He might be judged so by history, but that will be in retrospect,” Kate told them. “He has always been his own worst critic.” That lie should have grown her nose by a foot, had she been Pinocchio.
“It’s certainly true that he’s proven himself to be an excellent military leader,” Sven agreed. “I understand he’s on good terms with the younger generation of House Kurita.”
That was not on the list of approved questions and Kate was sure she’d spent a good ten seconds flatfooted by the swerve in the conversation. It was only later that she reviewed the recording and saw that she hadn’t visibly flinched.
“I don’t believe either of us has met the younger of Theodore Kurita’s youngest son,” she parried instead. “I know that he and Hohiro Kurita found common ground on Outreach, which led to Victor being willing to go to some risks to rescue him from Clan Nova Cat three years ago.”
“Common ground in their experiences against the Clans.”
“No, in mutual detestation of Chancellor Liao - the current Chancellor, I mean. His mother Romano was alive at the time.” Kate paused and then added: “I still feel that Sun-Tzu should be given a medal for his contributions to FedCom-Combine relations. Surely the foreign office has some award we could send him.”
The crowd relaxed into laughter.
“And Omi Kurita?” Sven asked, presumably realizing he had already blacklisted himself and had nothing left to lose in that regard.
“I have met her,” Kate said thoughtfully. “I think we should be glad that House Kurita for some reason rarely allows women to serve as Coordinator. They’ve only had four Lady Coordinators and all of them were highly capable.”
“Four?” the host asked curiously.
“Yes, three of them were the same woman.” She gestured dismissively. “I think, if Omi Kurita were to inherit from her father then she would be similarly competent. Practically minded, would be a good description. In the current situation, the current truce we have with the Combine serves both realms well, so she is doing everything she can to support that. If that changes some day, then I am sure she would do her duty to her family and her realm, just as my siblings and I would do for our own.”
Then she leant forwards. “The Federated Commonwealth does not have the forces required to fight all the Clans at once. The DCMS has been our oldest and fiercest foe, but in the current situation that also makes them our most valued ally. It no doubt feels as strange for everyone here as it does for me, but if my father was willing to set aside his pride and work with Theodore Kurita then how can any of us do less.”
“Quite so,” Sven said weakly. “Moving back to your own life, is there anyone new in your life?”
“Not so far,” Kate answered forthrightly. “Military careers can be hard on family lives, as so many have found out over the years…”