Outreach
Some time ago
Ivan pinched the bridge of his nose and stared at the reports that were coming in. The first sets of test scores for the Academy were good, but not good enough. These cadets were supposed to be being trained by the best mercenaries in the Inner Sphere. These scores weren’t good enough to represent that in the field. Well, we’re just going to have to make things harder. He heard tiny footsteps and Francis crossed his line of sight.
“Francis?” he said quietly.
“Where’s my Mom?” the small boy said sleepily.
“She is on Zathras right now, Francis.”
“Oh...right.”
“It is time for bed, little one.”
“Okay. I’m thirsty.”
“Do you want a glass of water?”
“Mmhmm.” Ivan smiled at the boy and walked with him to the kitchen. Minutes later the boy had his drink and was asleep on his feet. Ivan carried him back up to his sleeping chamber and put him back in his bed.
“Good night, little one.”
“Good night, giant.” The little boy rolled over in his covers and went back to sleep.
Ivan heard the soft knock on his door and rubbed his eyes gently. It had already been a long night. Kade, Nikolai, and their three children were at his door. He didn’t like the look of this at all.
“Come in, brother.” He invited all of them in.
“Thank you, brother.” Nikolai said with a forced smile. “We need to talk.”
“This sounds ominous. Come in, Kade, it is good to see you again.”
“Hello, Ivan.”
The three children stood together, but Ivan could feel tension between them. “The game is on the downstairs family room, if you would like to watch it down there.”
“Where’s Amelia?”
“Still recovering from her last romp in the Von Doom.”
“She break her leg again?”
“Just sprained her knee. The DFA did not crash through a bridge this time.”
“She’s a maniac.”
“You have the run of my house while Nikolai and i talk, join us, please.” Ivan invited the both of them into his office while the children filtered downstairs. Mackenzie lurked outside the office, trying to figure out what exactly was going on.
Nikolai smiled slowly and finally let the air of his lungs. “We are returning to the Clans.”
“The Recall order was months ago, they will not be pleased you stayed this long.” Ivan answered his friend.
“I had a few loose ends to tie up, that will keep me in the good graces of my clan.”
Ivan nodded slowly. “And you, Kade?”
“I am so twisted up by this, but I think it’s ultimately the right decision. I am going with him.”
“You will find a place in the Scientist Caste, you are very capable at your work.”
She smiled at the old man. He wasn’t one for compliments.
“We need to talk to you about Jaxun and Mackenzie…” Nikolai said with a pause.
“What about them?”
“They are too old to integrate into clan society as kids. They would have both already started their civilian training programs or tested into the warrior caste by now.” Nikolai said slowly.
“I want my children to have the best chance at a normal life, Ivan.” Kade said with tears in her eyes.
Ivan blinked slowly, nodding his head. “You want them to stay here, with Amelia and I and the other children?”
“You are the only person in this universe i trust to watch over them.” Kade nodded.
“What if they choose a soldier’s life?”
“As long as they get to choose, i will be happy.” She wiped the tears away.
“We have money, investments and things to help take care of them.” Nikolai said slowly. Ivan shook his head.
“You are thinking like a merchant, warrior. I can take care of them. I have considerable resources i have found over the years.”
“Thank you, Ivan.” Kade wrapped her arms around the much larger warrior.
“You two saved my life after Misery, I will spend the rest of my life paying back that debt of honor.” He smiled.
“I have had the Colonel file all the paperwork, our assets are yours, and we talked to our employees. They know you are taking over for us. They will not be giving you the trouble, old friend.” Nikolai was already slipping back into that bizarre accent of his.
“You are taking Anatoly with you?”
“He is young enough, he can integrate.” Nikolai said with a nod.
“We might even have some more children.” Kade said with a pained smile.
“I know the relays are still working, and if you need to get something to me through the backdoor, take this.” He handed her the small noteputer he kept in his desk. “It has all of my current codes and the relays my people use. They will get anything you want back here.”
“Thank you, so much.” Kade forced the smile again.
“We are even, my old brother.” Nikolai said with a smile.
“Not even close, i will owe you for the balance of my life.” The warriors embraced like brothers, and Mackenzie felt an agonizing tear in the pit of her stomach…
Mackenzie….Mackenzie
Anywhere,
Right Now
“Mackenzie!” Ayat Icaza was almost screaming into her commlink.
“Whoa, Sorry, Star Commander.”
“Get the rest of the Star loaded onto the DeChavillier, we have places to be and worlds to conquer, quiaff?”
“Aff, Star Commander!” She replied with an ease. This felt right. “All right, Mason, Talia, Mortimer, Load up, we have a world to conquer for the Jade Falcons.”
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