Some of the men said that Christifori was sanctioned, that the Prince was using him to help troubleshoot battlefield areas…a firefighting unit. Word was that his own regiment, Archer’s Avengers, were being disbanded.
Reed had written it all off as rumor. Now he saw differently. Christifori had appeared, saved his butt, then taken off.
Damn, I didn’t even get a chance to thank him. He realized that his peers were never going to believe what had happened.
Forward Observation Post
New Avalon, Crucis March
Federated Suns
22 April 3067
The hovercar was a staff vehicle, bearing two fender flags. The traditional flags of the defunct Federated Commonwealth had obviously been replaced with handmade flags. One was a white flag of truce, the other was the single gold star above the symbol for the Federated Suns—the sign of the Marshal of the Armies. Victor stood in his MechWarrior’s shorts and tee-shirt, arms resting on his hips as the car pulled up. The tiny flags stopped fluttering and the door opened. A regal man rose from the back seat. His uniform was pristine, his face was lean and tight. He was tall, and as he looked at Victor he had to look downward. There was a familiarity between the men, genetic. It was in the eyes and cheeks.
The drive had been short. Prince Victor’s forces were just outside of the palace itself. The broadband carrier transmission had called for a cease-fire, which had surprised everyone on both sides of the conflict.
Jackson Davion stepped forward and saluted Victor Steiner-Davion. As he clicked his heels together, his spurs jingled. The gathering crowd of officers circling the staff car were surprised by the gesture. They were more surprised when Victor returned the salute.
“You called for a cease-fire, Jackson,” Victor said coolly. “I assume that your intentions are honorable and that this isn’t some vain effort to buy you time.”
Jackson’s face betrayed no emotions. “No ploy, Victor. Katrina…Katherine sent me here to negotiate the surrender of the palace.”
Victor paused, glancing over at the man at his side, Kai Allard, then to the other officers gathered. As he returned his gaze to Jackson Davion, he crossed his arms defiantly. “Our terms are unaltered. Unconditional surrender. Your forces must stand down, surrender their armaments, vehicles and BattleMechs. Prisoners not involved in war crimes will be paroled accordingly.”
“I understand,” he replied. “I know that she will ask, so I must as well. What will become of her?”
Now Victor put on his poker-face. “I will be honest, Jackson, our efforts have been concentrated on fighting the war. My plans for peace-time have been second-fiddle to our combat mission. I will say this, though. She needs to be surrendered to my forces immediately. Personally.”
“I do not think that will be a problem,” Jackson replied. “At this point I think she expects that.”
Victor nodded. “Her custody is important, Jackson. If you’d like, I can send an emissary with you to take her under arrest. That is the quickest way for us to ensure that no one else dies in this conflict.” His words were not hollow. While a cease-fire was a in place, it was perilous and any small incident could cause it to erupt in full battle. The war was long and the emotions tied to it ran very deep with the troops on both sides.
“I agree,” Jackson replied.
Victor scanned the eyes of his officers gathered around the staff car. Each and every one of them had earned the right to go. A part of him wanted to be the one that went to Katherine himself. But this was a political opportunity, a chance to restore the lines of the Federated Commonwealth.
“General Christifori?” Victor called. Archer stepped forward. Like Victor, he was donned in his MechWarrior gear. His tee shirt was soaked in sweat, having just been pulled from the lines.
“Highness?”
“I have one last assignment for you.”
• • •
Katrina caressed the arms of the throne. Closing her eyes, she could feel the arms of it in her hands. This was the place from which her father had ruled. It was a Davion throne, a throne of power. From this place, from this seat, the fate of the Inner Sphere had rested. It was hers, but in a few minutes, it would not be.
I’ll be back…someday, somehow.
She heard the footsteps in the room on the marble floor. Slowly, dangerously, she opened her eyes and saw the figures before the throne. An officer, a General, in a dress uniform. It had obviously been a last minute addition; his face still showed some of the grime of battle. His face was familiar, but she did not focus on it. At least he was civilized enough to have dressed appropriately for court. Next to him was Jackson Davion, her defrocked Marshal of the Armies.
“I have done as you asked,” Jackson said formally. “Prince Victor has offered no terms other than your arrest and unconditional surrender. Given our current state, I felt compelled to accept.” She noticed that he no longer addressed her as “Highness.” It was already over—it had been so for some time.
“Very well,” she said, waving her hand as if to dismiss him and his words. She rose slowly, almost wearily from the throne and took a step down to the marble floor.
“May I present the emissary of your brother. This is General Archer Christifori. General Christifori, this is Katherine Steiner-Davion.” Jackson had not lost his formality or dignity given the circumstances. He waved his arm during the introduction as if court were in session.
Christifori stepped forward. There was no bowing, no averting of the eyes, no signs of respect for her authority. Yes, his face had appeared different in the holodisplay images. He was less imposing. Victor’s public relations staff had done a good job. Katrina stepped in front
