Part 796: Let's Read Warrior: En Garde - Part 6
Let’s Read Warrior: En Garde (part 6)Book 1
Chapter 12
New Avalon
Crucis March, Federated Suns
20 January 3027
New Avalon means Justin. Shall we watch him torpedo his own trial in only three chapters? Count Vitos calls Leftenant
Redburn notes that Justin looks guilty as hell (in not so many words), since he’s staring straight ahead and doing his best to look completely without emotion. He’s so busy staring at Justin that he misses Count
Dracula grills Redburn about Justin’s unwillingness to join the recruits on any other training exercises before the ambush. Redburn makes a good point, then completely neuters it by commenting on the ‘unrest’ in the training battalion. Dracula suggests that the battalion was upset because of Phillip Capet’s dismissal. Which is true.
Dracula then adds that the troops were also pissed because Justin Allard was making friendly with the natives (who are, I need to point out, Citizens of the Federated Suns). Rather than pointing this out, Justin’s attorney objects on the grounds that Dracula is leading the witness.
Dracula rephrases, and Andrew Redburn—well, see for yourself.
En Garde posted:
“Leftenant, did Major Allard visit with indigs on any sort of regular basis?”
“I suppose he did.”
“Indeed, Leftenant, he did. Have you forgotten the Community Relations Committee meetings each week? Have you forgotten how he liked to take his first meal in the restaraunts of Shaoshan upon returning from field exercises? Have you forgotten his hiring indigs to work as personal servants in his home?”
Redburn looked down at the polished wood-tile floor. “No, sir.”
Thanks, Andy. Thanks a lot.
What’s wrong with working with the neighborhood watch, eating in local restaraunts, and hiring the planetary population for work, anyway? I mean really, if Redburn hadn’t acted like it was something to be ashamed of, I doubt anyone on New Avalon would’ve cared in the slightest.
Dracula then drops the bombshell that Justin Allard was having regular meetings with the leader of the local Tong, which the Federated Suns had declared a subversive Capellan organization; and that he’d likewise introduced Andrew Redburn to that leader. Redburn counters with a joke.
No seriously, and it’s godawful.
En Garde posted:
“Sir, we MechWarriors bake inside our machines. None of us want to eat anything that’s been cooked in the same oven if we can avoid it. Remember, sir, that government contracts go to the lowest bidder, which says a lot about the quality of rations, especially out on the frontier.”
Courtney [The Judge] gaveled the courtroom’s laughing spectators back to order, and Redburn took heart when even Justin’s distant and harsh expression had lightened a bit.
This is not good dialogue. This isn’t even really a joke.
Anyway, Dracula then goes over the events of the ambush, and points out that Justin’s warning call was absolutely retarded. Redburn agrees that yes, yes it was. Then the judge calls for a recess, and tells Justin’s defense attorney to go fuck himself since Prince Hanse Davion is throwing a reception in Andrew Redburn’s honor and he doesn’t want “The Prince’s Guest” too badgered to attend. Also, because Stackpole couldn’t think of any good cross-examination questions for the defense attorney.
Chapter over.
Book 1
Chapter 13
New Avalon
Crucis March, Federated Suns
22 January 3027
Fun fact, 13’s my favorite number.
Other fun fact: 13 isn’t my favorite chapter.
Justin talks with his lawyer for a page but the net result is: Justin’s attorney won’t put Justin on the stand, since Vitos “made mincemeat” of Andrew Redburn. The defense’s attempts to redeem Redburn as a witness we didn’t get to see, because courtroom drama is hard.
Is, with complete honesty, how the next section of this chapter opens up; since Dracula is trying to show “testimony” holovid tapes (yes, tapes) of people who aren’t present and can’t be cross-examined. It’s—actually a fair point, but the attorney bungles badly by calling Dracula “Duke Hasek’s personal hatchet man” so the Judge agrees to allow the tapes (really?) to be presented. Phoenix Wright he ain’t.
Dracula’s’ taped testimony confirms that Justin’s Valkyrie did engage something with an autocannon—but he suggests the attacker must’ve been an Urbanmech. Which Justin’s attorney has stricken since there’s no actual question involved. Regardless as to whether it was a Rifleman or an Urbanmech, the point remains that Justin was ambushed by something—and yet his attorney doesn’t think that point’s salient enough to mention.
But hey, Quintus Allard is actually on the stand and according to evidence presented by the interrogation of Shang Dao (remember this vitally important character?), it was confirmed Justin’s attacker was indeed an UrbanMech.
Oh, and we also learn at some point that, during the battle, Justin was ONLY HALF A KILOMETER AWAY FROM HIS TROOPS AND COULD HAVE TOLD THEM WHAT HE WAS DOING AT ANY TIME. Seriously. Half a goddamned kilometer, Justin? And nobody bothered to look over the back side of that goddamned hill?
Uncontrollable eyelid spasm.
Anyway, Dracula continues to grill Quintus. Shang Dao reports that yes, Justin Xiang Allard was a secret Capellan agent known as “Xiangya;” and then points out that Justin’s security phrase (quote: “Zhe jian fang tai xiao”), which is supposed to translate to “this room is too small” is an admonition among the Tongs that someone may be listening, and that care must be taken.
Oh, and Justin’s attorney’s cross examination is a single question.
En Garde posted:
“Mr. Allard, do you believe your son is a traitor?”
Quintus looked down at his shoes. “I don’t know. I just don’t know.”
Welp. See you at the hanging, Justin.
Book 1
Chapter 14
New Avalon
Crucis March, Federated Suns
30 January 3027
Justin again demands to be put on the stand. His lawyer comments that it’s a stupid idea, but Justin is adamant even though “Vitos will Crucify him.” Justin doesn’t give a shit, and states an intention to go fucking batshit on the courtroom, which his lawyer points out is an incredibly stupid idea. So Justin threatens to fire him.
Justin takes a single jab at Vitos, and the Count goes off the deep end. No, seriously.
En Garde posted:
The prosecutor raked fingers back through his thin brown hair, and wiped flecks of spittle from the corners of his mouth. “You take the stand and have your attorney feed you questions so that you can trot out your unsubstantiated fabrication of a battle with a `Mech three times the size of your Valkyrie (PTN’s notes: the Rifleman is only slightly more than double the Valkyrie’s weight). Then you ask us to believe that story. But I know the real truth, you lying son of a Capellan slut, and so does everyone in this courtroom!”
Which is precisely when Hanse Davion enters and tells Count Vitos to
Justin, of course, finds this unacceptable—because the only thing better than piloting a Battlemech is leading a bunch of them (which is why, when given an opportunity to do so, he fucked off and let Redburn take over). Justin rakes Hanse Davion over the coals, and Hanse points out that, why yes, he can have Justin summarily executed regardless of the Tribunal’s findings (still want to live here, guys?), so he’d better watch his goddamned mouth.
Justin spits (literally, because the ham-handed display is important you see) on Hanse Davion’s offer. So Hanse declares Justin Xiang Allard a non-person. Since this is actually relevant to my thread, well:
En Garde posted:
“What you offer me is as much a life as this is a hand! You flatter yourself to imagine I might be grateful.” Justin stared at Hanse Davion, fury making his eyes shine with a malevolent light. “What is it, then, Prince Davion? Do you want to keep me as you do Ardan Sortek? Is not one captive MechWarrior enough?” Justin spat on the floor. “The life you offer me is as shallow as House Davion’s conception of justice!” His anger spent, Justin cradled his lifeless arm against his chest and trembled.
Immobile as a statue, Hanse Davion stood within the silence that settled heavily over the room. Finally, he nodded slightly, the motion growing as he gathered his thoughts. “Very well, Justin Allard. I will give you what you most desire.”
The prince turned on his heel and stared up at Courtney. “Sentence him as you will. It makes no difference. I will strip him of his rank and commute any sentence to a lifetime in exile.” The Prince turned again, this time picking out Quintus Allard among the crowd. “You, Quintus Allard, no longer have a son named Justin. He no longer exists, and no one will ever speak his name to me again.”
So yeah, that happened.
Anyway, we then cut to Redburn and Ardan Sortek. Andrew Redburn is playing apologist for Justin. We then learn that Justin is being
Book 1
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Echo V
Pesht Military District, Draconis Combine
1 January 3027
Lots of Japanese Culture is Strange and Alien happens. A non-Haiku is displayed. End result? Yorinaga Kurita is once again not allowed to commit Seppuku, however, he is recommissioned to lead a unit called the Genyosha: The Black Wave, a group trained in purely Draconis Combine tactics to combat the
It is, of course, made up of one Warhammer, one Dragon (eventually), and a metric fuckton of Panthers. But that comes in later chapters. END OF BOOK 1!