My Father's Friend

Chapter 29: Like a Train

Cemetery, Bunkieki, Callone VI,

Outworlds Alliance,

January 15, 3078

"Today, we commit Alexander Taylor to the earth, and commit his memory to our hearts," spoke the pastor on a warm afternoon. Crowds of black-clad people stood in silent attention as an ornate, rectangular coffin was lowered into the earth. "He was known to be a man of courage, friendship, and love. He served his longtime friend Alfred Alcatar for many long years and later, helped free our world from Richard Marshall's tyranny. He did not die in vain, but rather, his passing was a price paid for a better future for our planet. May he rest in peace."

Jenna, James, and May stood at the front of the crowd, then they approached the grave and knelt, giving their silent respects to Alex and placing flowers at the gravestone's base. The gravestone was a polished granite piece that read "Alexander Taylor, February 18, 3029 – January 12, 3078. Loving Father, Devoted Friend."

"It's okay if you want to cry, James," Jenna offered kindly to her friend as the attendants began to pile soft, dark earth on top of the casket. She could see the tears welling in James' eyes, and she took his hand in hers and held it tight. She wore a simple black blouse and knee-length skirt to this event, as well as black pantyhose and heels. For the first time in a long time, Jenna actually dressed like a girl. Funny how a funeral brought that part of her back.

"N-no, it's okay," James managed a watery smile.

"Are you sure? I can provide a shoulder if you need one," Jenna smiled back. At least the weather was good; today, the skies of Callone had only a few white clouds against the rich blue heavens, and the air was warm and slightly damp. Birds and other wildlife scurried about the leafy trees of the cemetery, and life as usual bustled about in Bunkieki. As May had commented before, it was perfect weather: not only was it pleasant, but way too many fictional funerals were rainy.

A number of other guests paid their tributes to Alexander, including Craig Lister, who had somehow gotten his hands on a suit that could contain his considerable bulk. Also in attendance was Austin Merriam, Yuuki, and Colonel Butler as well as his two daughters. Afterward, Colonel Butler approached Jenna and her friends.

"Your father was a great man, James," the Colonel offered, giving James a quick salute. His daughters stood by his sides, hands clasped behind their backs. "He will be missed."

"Yeah, but at least the history books will remember him too," James said with forced cheer. "After all, he helped shape this planet's history."

"Yes, he did, but the most important thing is that he lives on in us," Ai said gently, placing a hand over her heart and lowering her eyelids. "Don't you agree?"

"That's true," James nodded. "Um, speaking of history and important people..."

"What is it, son?" the Colonel encouraged him.

James took a deep breath. "With Marshall gone, who's going to rule Callone VI? I wonder if the citizens even want to have a single ruler anymore. Maybe a democracy instead?"

"As long as it's not a bureaucracy," Manami shuddered.

"As long as it's not me," Jenna added.

"What? Why not you?" Ai protested. "Jenna, you're the daughter of the last Duke! It's your right to rule! And you beat Marshall off his throne."

Shaking her head, Jenna said humbly, "No, it was the Liberty Party as a whole and the Royal Lions Lancers who freed Callone VI from Marshall and the eight crime families. I only joined for personal vengeance against Marshall. In fact, I became a Mechwarrior to find Alex, not to rule this planet."

"But..." Ai sputtered.

The Colonel rested a hand on Ai's shoulder. "Remember, Ai, that the Alcatars were cast down because the people of Callone VI didn't want them anymore. No one will accept an Alcatar as this world's ruler ever again."

"That's... not even fair," Ai frowned, stomping a foot. "Jenna, you're such a kind and caring woman! Who wouldn't want you as the Duchess?"

Jenna laughed. "Believe me, you don't me running the show. I never completed my training for ruling Callone VI. In fact, I could barely handle a lance of Battlemechs. No, this job is best left to someone else."

"Like who?" James wondered. He didn't seem to mind all this political talk; maybe it took his mind off his father. His eyes widened. "You, sir! You could rule!" He pointed at the Colonel.

"Who, me?" the Colonel chuckled. "Oh, I don't know... and you don't need to call me 'sir' anymore."

"By what my sister has told me, you're a smart and tough leader," May put in. "And you're the leader of the army that took down Marshall. You're perfect!"

The Colonel considered this. "Well... there is talk that Callone VI won't even be autonomous anymore."

This took Jenna aback. "What?"

"Some high-level talks have already started, and by what I've been told, Callone VI may leave the Outworlds Alliance entirely. The idea has been thrown around that our planet will join the Federated Suns and fully become a Davion-owned world. Of course, the Draconis Combine has a strong interest in us too, and House Kurita would get the lion's share of our economic strength in return for House Davion owning this planet and taxing it, as well as garrisoning it."

Callone VI... become a Davion world? The idea felt alien to Jenna, but she felt a distinct appeal to it. Why not join the much larger and more powerful Federated Suns and enjoy the benefits? "What about Callone VI's ruler, though?" Jenna asked.

"A planetary governor, no more," the Colonel explained, "who would answer to the Prince of the Federated Suns. If you insist on using me as an example, then someday I may be Callone VI's governor."

"That sounds most exciting," James said warmly, offering a hand to the Colonel. "I hope that's the way it turns out."

"Thank you, James."

*o*o*o*o*

Train station, Bunkieki, Callone VI,

Federated Suns,

April 14, 3078

Exactly two years after Jenna decided to join Carter's Wolverines, she, James, and May found themselves on the bustling platform of Bunkieki's biggest train station. Crowds of people hurried this way and that, either rushing onto a train, searching for other members of their parties, or quickly buying tickets at the last minute. Jenna, for one, enjoyed the lively energy of the place, a reminder that Callone VI was alive and well after the fierce civil war.

"I really hope it gets here," James said anxiously, setting down his heavy suitcases as he checked the maglev rails that ran through the enormous steel-and-glass station. He checked the overhead clocks. "Isn't it about time?"

"Oh, it'll be here," Jenna said simply, swatting his arm. "Then you can enjoy all your sugary snacks on the ride to Eselex. It's a wonder your teeth haven't all fallen out by now..."

"Hey, it's a talent," James joked, but he still looked antsy.

May giggled. "What's the matter, James? I've never seen you so agitated before. Is it the crowds? I know, I don't like them either..."

"It's not that," James defended himself. "More like... this is the start of a new part of our lives, a big moment for all of us. After all we've been through in our lives, this has been long overdue. It's our moment!"

"Still so dramatic," Jenna teased him.

James clasped Jenna's hand in his, looking her in the eyes. "But it's true, right? You've wanted a home to call your own for almost five years, Jenna! Now you're going to get it! With me added, that is..."

"Just relax, will you?" Jenna urged James, giving him a kiss on his cheek. "This'll be fun!"

"I know, right?" May smiled.

One of the mag-lev trains glided out of the station and another one came in from the opposite direction, coming to a halt at its proper place. James groaned; it wasn't the train for his party, but a few other people did take notice of it.

"Hurry, Austin, or we'll miss it!"

"I know, okay? I'm going – argh! Damn it!"

Jenna recognized the second voice; she, James, and May whirled around to see a man and woman in their mid-20's, the man wearing an outfit suitable for a heavy metal concert. His jaw-length hair was dyed fierce red and midnight black, in contrast to the sky-blue dye color of his female friend's hair. The man had lost his grip on his carry-on bag and it had spilled open, its contents going everywhere. Recognizing the man, Jenna hurried over and knelt by him, helping load items back into his pack. "A pleasure to see you, Austin."

"Same," Austin Merriam said distractedly but nicely, glancing over at her. "Where are you headed this fine day?"

"To Eselex, where my friends and I are going to live," Jenna said brightly. "Who's your friend?"

Having all his stuff returned to his pack, Austin stood and picked it up, then took his place beside the woman. "This is my girlfriend, Celestine. We've known each other for a few years. Celestine, this is Jenna Alcatar, who has recently become a friend."

Aware that Austin's train would leave soon, Jenna wasted no time. "Hello, Celestine. Nice to meet you!"

"I've heard much about you," Celestine smiled. "Austin has told me how courageous and noble you have been during the civil war. I'm glad we can get together afterwards as friends rather than enemies."

"And it's good to see you too, James Taylor. I've heard about you as well," Austin nodded at James. "Also, I'm sorry to hear about your dad's passing."

"Thanks," James nodded. "This is May, Jenna's younger sister."

"Hi," Austin smiled to her. "So, you and your sister are going to plow right on ahead with your lives, huh? Just like Celestine and I?"

May squinted. "Huh?"

"Well, what I mean is, despite what we've all been through, I'm going to charge right into the future like a freight train. Nothing stops me," Austin boasted, jabbing a thumb at his chest. "Glad to see you all are doing the same!"

"Yes, your similes are wonderful," Celestine urged him, "but we have to hurry! Our train's about to leave!"

She took Austin by the arm and dragged him to the waiting mag-lev train, so Austin waved a final goodbye to Jenna's party and called out, "Gotta go. Rock on, everyone! You should go to one of my concerts one day! I'll be in Bervalla!"

He and Celestine vanished into the crowds and the mag-lev train departed a minute later. Jenna, James, and May walked back to the station to await their train... which still hadn't arrived. Jenna tried to ignore James' and May's combined complaints as she mulled over the recent developments of her planet. True to the predictions, Callone VI became a Davion world, and a tiny portion of Outworlds Alliance space became Federated Suns space. Colonel Butler had been voted, almost unanimously, as Callone VI's planetary governor, and he boasted a whole Cabinet of advisers and specialists. The eight crime families had been taken down and destroyed, and their economic power was replaced by that of the Federated Suns', ensuring Callone VI's continued prosperity. Even better, the Jihad that currently ravaged the Inner Sphere was starting to draw to a close with the Word of Blake facing imminent defeat.

"You know, Austin never mentioned his dad, Donald Merriam," James commented.

"I bet he's trying not to think about the nasty parts of his past," May figured. "Speaking of which, Jenna told me something about a girl named Rebecca?"

"Austin's former fiancee," Jenna supplied. "He was going to marry her to unite the Merriam and Ghalan crime families, but that plan was scrapped when both crime families were captured in early 3077. Besides," Jenna added with a sly smile, "By what Austin told me, he never liked Rebecca that much anyway. He always like Celestine better."

May couldn't resist a cheer. "How about that? Love wins!" she exclaimed a little too loudly.

"Hey! People will stare," James hissed at her.

"Sorry."

At that moment, the train finally arrived and came to a halt next to the platform, its doors swinging wide open. James, Jenna, and May hurried inside with everyone else, trying to find good seats.

"You know, Austin had a good analogy," James commented as the train got moving.

"Oh, yeah?" Jenna asked.

"We are firmly moving forward in our lives like an unstoppable train," James said with distinct pride. "Nothing can hold us back!"

"Whatever you say," Jenna agreed with an amused smile.

END.

*o*o*o*o*

A/N: I would like to thank RougeBaron, MosinM38, Chr0n0sph3r3, Natospec, pacificuser, stonegnome1, Xandre, Dragon of Dispair, Cygnus80, ACDoubleEdge, and darthal for the reviews, favorite story alerts, illustrations (RougeBaron), and other forms of support.

Although the tale of Jenna Alcatar is now over, the battle for Callone VI hasn't quite ended yet! Rebecca Ghalan is still out there, and she has revenge on her mind. Armed with the deadly Cleaver Battlemechs, mercenary allies, and her own firm determination, Rebecca looms as a new challenge to the people of Callone VI. The brand-new BattleTech story Road to Sedition by fellow author RougeBaron will follow Rebecca Ghalan on her quest for vengeance.