Part 10: First Vote Results
My preference is for SA PMs.Voting Results are in!
Kell Hounds win, with 24 votes!
Northwind Highlanders take second, with 8 votes. The Northwind Highlanders hold a caber toss to celebrate.
17th Recon takes for third, with 6 votes. The 17th Recon sends word that they are plum disappointed that they wont be able to introduce Radio Station KATN yet.
Kell Hounds
We need you, Daniel. Hanse Davion needs you.
Dan Allard sighed, looking into the weathered face of his father as he finished pouring two glasses of brandy. He passed the first to his father before settling in behind his desk. I was never any good as a spy. I wont be any better as a spymaster. He looked away, knowing that his father wouldntor couldntrespect any of his arguments. I took an oath to the Kell Hounds.
It was an argument theyd had many times, and Dan hated retreading old ground. He pulled out the biggest gun he had. The man you really want is Justin.
Quintus Allards eyes filled with pain, then went icy-cold. Justin Xiang made his choice.
The wrong one, Dan countered. Hed come back, if Hanse pardoned him. If you reached out to him.
Hes in bed with House Liao, Quintus replied, his anger and pain written starkly across his weathered features. Theyll never let him go. Hes too valuable. Quintus stopped, and let the next line pass unsaid. I trained him too well. Instead, he finished House Davion needs an Allard.
House Davion has an Allard.
Quintus shot Dan a dark look.
Dan sighed. What about Riva?
Quintus looked away. Hed always had a soft spot for his only daughter. She doesnt want the job.
Neither do I, Dan countered.
Quintus looked back sharply. Riva, at least, has her research as an excuse.
I made an oath.
Morgan would release you from it, if you asked.
Im not going to do that, Father. Dan replied with a sigh. At least, not yet. Ill think about it once the Third Regiment is up to speed. After that, he looked his father in the eyes, Ill consider it more seriously. Alright?
It will have to be, I suppose. Either way
Convincing me to be your replacement isnt the real reason youre here.
Prince Davion would be very appreciative if the Kell Hounds were to hit Cylene.
Dan nodded. The Ninth Deiron?
Wed prefer it if you took the whole planet for us, but well settle for crippling the ninth within the next six months.
Thatll put serious pressure on Yorinaga Kuritas defensive line.
That drew a long, slow nod from Quintus. Thats what were hoping. With luck, it will distract House Kurita from our real push.
Dan nodded, dragging his fingers through his hair. Itll be a good chance to get the Third Regiment some real combat experience, too. Will you be staying long?
His father shook his head. Im afraid I cant. Im needed elsewhere.
You couldve used ComStar. It wouldve been less expensive than a command circuit. Dan raised his glass to his lips.
Quintus smiled a small, sad smile. Maybebut even a quick visit was worthwhile. After this Im off to pay Justin a visit. He watched as Dan almost choked on his drink, which wouldve been a shamethe brandy was a very good year that also, according to his sources, had been a gift from Colonel Patrick Kell.
The first update will go up after I get home from work tonight.
Mechwarriors for the first update (youll be receiving a PM / E-Mail once I get home from work):
Tempest_56 (GRF-1N Griffin)
Axe-man (BJ-1DB Blackjack)
Pladdicus (VLT-5T Vulcan)
Cthulhu Dreams (JR7-D Jenner)
Feel free to discuss the tactical potentials of this lance, strengths and weaknesses, etc.