Part 760: Let's Read: Main Event - Part 2
Let’s Read: Main Event (part 2)Chapter 2
Tara, Northwind
23 April 3054 (still)
Rose enters the Hall of Warriors, which is constructed entirely of wood housed deep within a gigantic cement castle as big as a city. We then learn that dress uniforms are considered inappropriate for the Hall of Warriors, but that knives are A-Ok (see? Told you it was a common and really fucking stupid sidearm!) and also that every soldier is wearing a kilt. Just so you don’t forget they’re Scottish.
We are then introduced to three-fourths of the leadership of the Northwind Highlanders, one of whom (the only woman) is described in an overly-sexualized fashion by Rose.
Main Event posted:
Sitting in the final chair was Andrea Stirling, commander of Stirling’s Fusiliers. With one leg draped over the arm of her chair and her head resting firmly in her opposite hand, she was the image of boredom.
Boredom? Really? The author doesn’t describe any of the men beyond “This is Colonel so-and-so” then spends a paragraph talking about the guy who isn’t there and another paragraph describing how Cat Stirling is sitting.
Rose then gives a traditional greeting which apparently consists of “my title is unimportant, call me what you wish.” We also learn that Rose was an Adept (read: somewhere between a ‘Lieutenant’ and a ‘Captain’) in the ComGuards, since they pretty much use the ‘Adept’ rank for everything.
Rose then gives Colonel Senn, the de-facto leader of the Highlanders, a boot knife stolen from the Smoke Jaguars. Senn then replaces his own boot knife with the ‘clan version’ (the book’s words) which likely does 50% more damage, weighs half as much, and produces substantially less heat then Colonel Senn’s old knife did.
Colonel Senn then invites Jeremiah Rose to give his speech. Jeremiah Rose then spends five or six paragraphs rambling about the Clans. He then calls for a strike against the clans, attacking them instead of waiting for the clans to attack.
Main Event posted:
“My plan, like all good military plans, is a simple one. The Highlanders have contracted to provide four regiments for the defense of the Federated Commonwealth. There is no contract, however, that prevents the Highlanders from forming an independent unit that might further hire itself out to take the fight back to the clans.”
Cough Cough.
Jeremiah Rose then demands to be made the commander of a Northwind Highlander force dedicated solely to fighting the Clans, and to be allowed to purchase any ‘Mech (with money he doesn’t have) not reserved to fulfilling the contracts with House Davion. He then says he intends to name this new force the “Northwind Black Watch” (retarded).
The Highlanders actually seem quite taken with this idea, but they ask for objections anyway. Then Jeremiah Rose’s father asks permission to speak, even though he’s only a technician. Permission is granted, and Cornelius Rose reminds everyone that his son is a colossal dickhead.
Main Event posted:
“After twenty years away from his home, [Jeremiah] returns and asks us to place our trust in him. To entrust him with our lives and our honor while he goes to fight the clans.”
[…]
“This once-Highlander returns with visions of glory and dares talk of honor? After leaving like a coward and staying away for twenty years while his father grew old and his own brother died, he talks of leadership? After returning without a Battlemech, he asks for warriors?”
[…]
“I say to you simply: Right plan, wrong leader. […] To defeat the Clans you must have able leadership from a man you can trust. Jeremiah Rose is not that man.”
Our hero’s dad, ladies and gentlemen!
“NOBODY UNDERSTANDS ME! I HATE YOU DAD!”
Cornelius Rose then wanders off-screen without waiting to see how the warriors react. The Highlanders then call for a vote which fails
Then the chapter ends.