Chapter 10
A Double Edged War...

Kim came to in a major fog a few hours after arriving at Hotel base and spending most of those hours in a medbay. She opened eyes a little to get used to the light and looked around the room

What the hell is going on?

A nearby figure saw that she was back in the world of the living and came over to her bed.

Davion: You're awake that's a good sign.

Kim: Who the hell are you?

The figure turned out to be an old man dressed in freshly ironed general's outfit but with one difference it had a gold crest of Davion above the numerous medals that seemed to act like a chunk of armor plate for most of the upper left chest.

Davion: I'm Victor Steiner-Davion but you can just call me Victor if you so wish.

Kim's eyes exploded at the sound of the name and stared at him in disbelief, cursing herself for her rudeness.

Davion: I know what you are thinking why would I come here to speak to you and your friend over there.

He pointed to the bed right hers where Jared laid hooked up to no less 30 different machines and oxygen mask.

Kim: Oh god Jared... will he make it?

Davion: The doctors say that he will but he was wreck when you guys got in and I don't mean just from the battle and the run. I mean from long before it probably, which brings me to ask a question of you if you think you can answer.

Kim: Shoot sir.

Davion: Do you know what has been happening to Carlson over the last past 8 months?

Kim: I have only known him for maybe 3 months but I...I...I don't really know what goes on and if something was going he didn't show it I don't think.

Davion: How about performance in combat?

Kim: I think I can safely say that I have never seen anyone handle a mech like he does particularly when it comes around to gunnery.

Davion moved a chair from the wall over to her bed in an effort to get comfortable. Once he was sitting the saddened look on his face made him look even older then what he was.

Davion: Then it's just as I thought...just as I thought. Very well now I will tell you your mission now and I'll brief Carlson when he recovers.

Jared muttered as loud as he could.

Jared: No need sir I am listening.

Davion: Ah good you are back anyway...

Kim braced herself for a remote outpost assignment somewhere in the mountains a few thousand miles south of Hotel, she knew that Jared at least would hate the posting with a passion because there were no clanners down there to fight.

Davion: As you probably know this is a double edged war one is the actual military side the other is the public relations and in order to keep the military going I have to keep the people happy as well and let them know that we have better mechs and mechwarriors then the enemy.

Kim: So let me guess you want Jared and I to pose for some magazines and as an added bonus I get a spot in Playboy right sir?

Her answer was laced with anger as she absolutely hated having to act like a doll for the photographers and she was pretty sure that Jared would kill if anyone tried to manipulate him. Davion on the other hand laughed so hard that he had a coughing fit.

Davion: You need not worry about the Playboy spot but you will be posing for the camera alright as a backup pilot for Carlson in this years Solaris mech matches.

Kim couldn't answer for a full minute as she realized that in away this would be a dream come true for her... to go to Solaris and compete in front of billions of people.

Kim: Respectfully sir are you pulling my leg or are you serious?

Davion: I am as serious as I can get. Now here are some important details 1. You two have to do your absolute best to get as far in the game as possible at best you get into the big game and god willing win the Grand Championship. 2. You will be technically undercover so avoid doing anything stupid. And 3. In order to keep your profile to a minimum in case if any Steiner supporters get pissed and try to kill ether one of you will not be put into a regular government owned apartment but a safe house being rented out by a kind landlord who happens to support me. So are you at least willing to do this mission?

Kim: Need you ask sir...of course I'm game!

From across the room Jared spoke.

Jared: Solaris... I don't have any real problems.

Davion: ...Ok I'll take your word for it, you both leave in a week.

Next Chapter

Medals and Revelations