Part 802: Let's Read Warrior: En Garde - Part 12
Let’s Read Warrior: En Garde (part 12)Book 2
Chapter 33
Tharkad
District of Donegal, Lyran Commonwealth
24 April 3027
If it seems like there’s not a lot happening in these middle chapters, you’d be right.
Melissa Steiner books passage aboard the DropShip Silver Eagle, which is leaving in two days. One of the non-AI yet absolutely brilliant BattleTech computers then analyzes her weight, age, and etc. to assign her to quarters to keep the DropShip from being unbalanced during lift off.
Then, because she chose her name from a book rather than picking one at random, a computer in Skye recognizes that she is Melissa Steiner and not Joanna Baker and sends the information to Duke Lestrade who smugs about it for fifteen seconds or so.
We then jump to Andrew Redburn who is with Misha Auburn. He’s going back to the Federated Suns and decides that now is the perfect time to declare his undying love for a woman he almost certainly won’t see again for at least a year and, because it’s the Space 80s, it is implied they sleep together.
Book 2
Chapter 34
Tharkad
District of Donegal, Lyran Commonwealth
26 April 3027
Andrew Redburn will be traveling on the Silver Eagle with Melissa Steiner. We already know this, though.
We then cut to Melissa Steiner who is basically breaking down out of sheer terror. Remember she’s about to go visit a man more than twice her age whom she’s never met before yet MUST marry, is leaving behind everything she knows to travel to the Republic of Space Texas (the Federated Suns). She then has a psychotic break where a voice in her head tells her she’s worthless and is only now starting to earn everything she’s taken for granted in her life. It’s supposed to showcase her heroic resolve but it just comes across as insanity.
En Garde posted:
She shook her head, then massaged her leg. But I’m not Joana Barker. I’m Melissa Arthur Steiner; Archon-Designate. I don’t have to live in a rathole. I deserve better.
From somewhere in her mind, a sinister voice stirred her most hidden fears. Deserve? Deserve, little Princess? Deserving means you’ve earned something. What have you earned, child of plenty? Harsh laughter seemed to echo through her soul. Here, Melissa Arthur Steiner, you will begin to earn what you so arrogantly believe you deserve. See how your people live. Endure the same indignities to spirit and body. The, and only then, will you begin to deserve.
Creepy. The most sane ruler of the Inner Sphere, everyone.
Book 2
Chapter 35
Solaris VII (The Game World)
Rhaneshire, Lyran Commonwealth
5 May 3027
Justin and Gray are talking to an old man who knows where House Marik stashed some supplies in the last war. It’s a pointless scene designed to showcase Justin Xiang’s inherent nobility as he threatens to murder a translator with Yen Lo Wang. Gray then talks about the various intelligence agencies on Solaris, although he’s pretty sure Marik’s SAFE contingent killed itself off during the last Marik Civil War, thus beginning the running gag that is SAFE’s ineptitude.
Gray then tells Justin about his plans to steal a Lyran dropship on its way to the Federated Suns; on behalf of Duke Aldo Lestrade. DUN DUN DUUUUUUN except we knew that was coming already. Hooray!
Gray then invites Justin to be his partner, which Justin agrees to in a method that is supposed to be ominous but turns out to be unintentionally homoerotic.
En Garde posted:
“[…] Later I’ll nail him on the ship’s location.” [Gray Noton] smiled up at Justin. “What do you think? Are we partners?”
Justin smiled and gave Noton his good hand. “Till death do us part.”