Part 795: Let's Read Warrior: En Garde - Part 5

Let’s Read Warrior: En Garde (part 5)

Book 1
Chapter 9
New Avalon
Crucis March, Federated Suns
10 January 3027

We’re back with Justin Allard. No brain damage, but the Doctor asks him how his new arm is doing so he does wax maudlin about his new prosthesis and how he’ll never drive a `Mech again. Rather than actually saying so and relieving a little stress, he comments on how well constructed it is and that he’s having difficulty controlling the hand. The Doctor says that’s normal since he doesn’t have any nerves in the hand, and Justin again panics because I’LL NEVER PILOT A `MECH AGAIN

The Doctor then casually drops that Justin practices Tai Chi (this is a plot point I don’t remember being mentioned so early) and that practice could help, but he’ll never have perfect control. So Justin explodes at him, demands the Doctor call him useless, and that he’ll never pilot again.

The Doctor then tells him that his arm is magic.

It is, since it allows Justin to simulate a `Mech joystick by thinking about it, and has a USB connector that’s plug and play with the ports in BattleMech computers that’re set up for connection to such prosthetics

Anyway, this means that Justin Allard is now a plug-and-play peripheral.

Just as things are looking up, Justin is attacked by Count Dracula confronted by Count Vitos of New Syrtis, who threatens Justin’s Doctor, then calls Justin a traitor and has him arrested on the spot. CHAPTER CLIFFHANGER!



Book 1
Chapter 10
Tharkad
District of Donegal, Lyran Commonwealth
10 October 3026

I think this chapter takes place before every other chapter in the book save the prologue. Weird. We’re with Simon Johnson and Katrina Steiner now, who are fellating Stackpole discussing the events of The Sword and The Dagger (specifically, Hanse’s body double). It’s pretty long winded, but long story short they decide to create a body double for Melissa Steiner.

We then cut to Jeana Clay, a random trooper in the Lyran Guards who, since we haven’t had a time jump, is abducted that very day from her apartment by LOKI operatives on orders of Katrina Steiner.

We then cut to a LOKI operative posing as a doctor telling Jeana’s neighbor that she died of a heart attack. Chapter over.

Still think the Lyran Commonwealth is a nice place to live, guys?



Book 1
Chapter 11
Tharkad
District of Donegal, Lyran Commonwealth
11 January 3027

HOLY FUCK! Jeana’s been drugged and unconscious for three fucking months! I feel bad for her muscle mass, and I’ve honestly never noticed that date before! I don’t feel quite so bad for Justin anymore.

Katrina Steiner then explains very politely what the fuck is going on, then offers Jeana a job as Melissa’s human shield body double. Turns out Jeana is with Heimdall and agrees to this idiotic plan immediately despite Heimdall existing due to the populace’s desire to not be abducted by LOKI.

We then cut to the 24th Lyran Guards who are having a funeral for Jeana Clay (three months after her death of heart attack?)