TWENTY FIVE

Note: Kat Wylder played a large part in finishing this chapter. Her help is very much appreciated.

Victoria, New Avalon Combat Region,
Crucis March, Federated Suns,
January 13, 3079

If you were not here these past 5 years, you had no idea what happened on Victoria. You couldn't imagine what humans were capable to do to each other. If you weren't here and saw the look on the soldier's eyes, their desperation and their longing for home, you had no idea what they went through. You would just see war like a video game. The more thundering explosions there were, the more excited you would feel.

The great dried lake was now quiet, but the remains of war machines testified about the violence, carnage, and death that took place here within 5 years span. There was not a square yard that was not covered by metal splinters. Some were big enough to see where they came from; others were just pieces and bits that could come from anything.

I stood where my Red Baron last stood against the Word of Blake. There was no track that it had been here except for several dark-red chunks on the ground. I didn't know how long we had been together. Some people told me I had it since the Refusal War. Others said it was long before that. I didn't care about the truth. It was part of my life that I considered lost forever.

I picked up the largest chunk of metal piece, thinking that I would take it home as a memento of how grateful I was to have such a loyal battlemech. But then, I put it back. If Red Baron had a spirit, it wouldn't want me to do it. This was its resting place. I had to respect its grave, just like I had to respect a human's tomb.

Saying goodbye for the last time, I shambled in crutches toward the coalition's base camp. The paramedics had cast my broken knee, but it would take a while to heal, if it would heal at all. There was a chance that I would be constrained to a cane forever. But I didn't care. Let it be a reminder of Kyle Garret, Jayne Dixon, Kangpae, Rica, the three ex Kuritans, and everybody that fell as warriors on Victoria.

The great dried lake was littered with dozens of dropships parked side by side, each bearing Clan Wolf insignia. As war machines trampled up the ramp to enter, two Wolf warriors oversaw the exodus. I remembered them from Grumium. The higher in rank was Star Colonel Akela Kerensky, supposedly the leader of this unit. The other was Star Commander Sigurd, whom I had the honor of fighting in a sacred Clan trial.

"The remaining Not-Named have been chased to the edge of Victoria," Akela stated the obvious, as I approached. "Those who refused to surrender have been disposed. I have put Point Commander Tammi in charge of the prisoners." As if Akela realized his uncommon usage of the term POW, he quickly explained. "The 13th Wolf Regulars will not make bondsmen of these inhuman abominations. We will recycle them later."

"Recycle," I couldn't contain my chuckle. "That's an apt future for them, isn't it?"

Akela shook his head with a brief smile. "This concept amuses you? It seems that you have been recycled, as well."

"What do you mean?"

"To be blunt, we came here for the Unspoken Clan, not for you. As a combatant you are skilled, but as a Warrior, you are disgrace. However, you have assisted us in our extermination of the Unspoken. For that, I will again look the other way... Darien."

My smile quickly subsided. That was a name I thought I would never hear again. "How long have you known?"

"You seem surprised." The Star Colonel smirked. "I have had my suspicions since Grumium. It is not hard to spot a wolf amidst a flock of sheep. Though it was not until I saw your 'Mech, that I could be certain," he replied. His smile waned. "I respect what you did at Tukayyid and Sudenten. I cannot say the same for you personally."

I could tell him what happened, but the Clan would never understand. Just like war, they had to see everything from my eyes before they could understand. They would never shed their pride to come down and walk in my shoes. It was the way they were made. It was what they were.

"I was lost to Wolf the moment I followed Phelan Kell," I said slowly. "This is what I am now. I do not expect you to understand. I just expect you to go home, claim this glory as your own, and leave me alone. I am sure your khan will reward your victory abundantly."

Akela looked at me with suspicious stare, as if digging for hidden meanings behind my words. In the end, I think he understood that I only wanted to have a peaceful life. He might not understand why I wanted that instead of Clan's glorious path, but he was considerate enough to grant me my wish.

"Very well. I hope you find what you are looking for, and I hope that we will not meet again," Akela finally said. He glanced over at Star Commander Sigurd. "There are others who are not so... forgiving as I."

"Likewise, Star Colonel," I gave him a courtesy nod, just as when we first met. I hoped this really would be the last time we crossed paths. "I wish you good luck."

Akela walked back toward the dropship. Sigurd remained standing, shooting a piercing stare into my eyes. By the way his body tensed, I was almost certain that he would like to challenge me in another circle of equal. But in the end he chose to walk away and follow Star Colonel Akela. Why, I didn't know. Perhaps fighting a cripple would be a dishonor. Or perhaps he saw me no better than the inhuman abomination as Akela referred. Some things were better left unsaid.

I would miss them, Akela and Sigurd. However, it'd be better to not meet them again.

As the Wolf populated their dropships for lift off, I walked toward another group of dropships. These dropships had the marking of a bright sun with a sword across it. Evee, Natalie, Alison, Victor, David, Zoe, and some other mechwarriors gathered around a woman that unmistakably held a very high position in Federated Sun hierarchy.

It was a high honor for us that Regent Yvonne Davion-Sandoval visited Victoria, although I was sure that she was here for Kyle and Natalie, and maybe Jayne. The remaining Davions needed to see their leader to feel that their sacrifice was highly regarded. Also, her presence in Victoria was more political than military. She was here as a symbol that Federated Suns had owned Victoria.

"I let them know that Federated Suns acknowledges their help," Yvonne said upon seeing me. "Without their help, we might not have been succeeded. I cannot express my gratitude to every single one of you. Your victory will give tremendous moral boost for my brother and Devlin Stone. The Federated Suns will never forget your sacrifice, and I am here to give you your due honor. For exceptional bravery, I have proposed to House Davion that every single member of Shooting Stars Battalion and Claymore Company is awarded the Sunburst Medal."

Tears streaming down her eyes, Natalie whimpered, "I wish Kyle was here to see this."

"House Davion also inducted Natalie and Thomas Garret into Davion family," Yvonne continued. "I will make it my business to see Thomas gets a proper education. Somebody said once that the whole purpose of education is to turn a mirror into a window. I totally agree.

"Natalie will take command of the Shooting Stars. I also referred Alison to Natalie. The Shooting Stars need good tactical officers. As Natalie had proven herself to be a great asset behind the control, Alison was irreplaceable in your unit for the same situation."

I looked at Alison. "So you are leaving us."

"The medic said that I may not pilot a battlemech again," Alison mumbled, holding back tears. "I will just be a burden to you."

"How could you say that?" Evee replied, biting her lips. "You always have a home in New St. Andrews."

"That means a lot, Eev, but New St. Andrews has too many good memories," Alison replied in tears. "Besides, Shinoyama died fighting the Word of Blake. I want to be there when the last one of them dies. I want to look into their eyes, so the last thing they see before they perish is my vengeance."

"Then we will miss you," I offered me my hands for a handshake. "Take care of yourself."

"I never thought working with Wolf could be so much fun," David Malthus poked fun at me. "I look forward to working with you again."

"The honor is all ours," I smiled. "Are you going back to the front line immediately?"

"New Avalon first," Zoe replied, pumping her fists. "Then Terra."

"What about you two?" Yvonne continued. "We need a lot of good warriors. Luthien had been freed. Victoria had been liberated. New Avalon is next, and then we'll get our prize in Terra. This time, you're going with the winning team. Are you up for another adventure? House Davion will provide you with battlemechs and resources."

I looked at Evee, and I immediately knew her answer. I spoke for both of us, "We are honored by your offer, Highness, but we just wish to go home."

"Home it is, then," Yvonne replied, a glint of disapointment loomed in her voice. "What about you, young man?" she turned to Victor Canonizado. "Care to join my husband, brother, and Devlin Stone?"

"I just lost the closest person to me," Victor answered. "I need time to grieve. We all do. I will take the Winsome Rose survivors to New St. Andrews with Parker and Evee."

"Alright," Yvonne concluded. "Once again, Federated Suns is indebted to you. Our victory is your victory too. I hope you find what you are looking for."

"Same to you, Highness," I bowed to show my appreciation. "Good luck with your war."

Yvonne made a little dip then headed back toward her Overlord dropship. We traded handsakes, hugs, kisses, high-fives, until the dropship's master sounded the ready sign. David and Zoe turned to board the dropship. Alison and Evee seemed to reluctant to leave each other, but both knew that their companionship had to end. Alison gave Evee one last embrace before setting her way to the Overlord.

Then only Evee, Victor, and I remained.

"We've done what we could," I said to Evee. "We didn't get what we came here for, but we see the end of Victoria campaign. Word of Blake is no more. So what do you want to do next," I put my hand on her shoulder, "Commander?"

"Shower," Evee replied in a playful tone. "A long, hot shower. A bubble bath would be perfect, but I can settle with a hot shower."

"I'll draw you a bubble bath," I replied, no less casual, "if you let me in it."

Evee beamed a little. It had been a while since she did that. I almost forgot how she looked without a long face. "Just take us home, Skipper," she pushed me aside. "Just take us home."

This is the official end of IK3. Just one more Epilogue, and an abundance of acknowledgment, recognition, and gratitude to people that has been keeping up with me during this 30 months and 75 chapters of I,Kerensky trilogy. Yeah, I know, it's been that long, and I really have a lot to thank for. So don't go anywhere yet!