Wherever the Universe Takes Me

by Ulquiorra9000

Chapter 30

Cathay, Solaris City, Solaris VII

Lyran Commonwealth

June 20th, 3052

Once again, Peter worked his magic, and he carefully combed all the MechWarrior stables (big and small) operating in Solaris VII until he narrowed it down to a Top Ten list. One promising lead was the Bronze Dao stable, a moderate-sized outfit with a reputation for getting results in the arenas. And around here, a reputation like that meant everything.

"Ms. Jingzen! They are here," a young woman cried out in Mandarin inside a well-lit hiring hall when Chen and Kathy stepped in to join the crowd. Chen didn't even get a chance to say hello before a quartet of people approached him, with a middle-aged woman in the lead. She wore a green and bronze colored gown and had her hair done up in a bun, with a long green ribbon wrapped around its base. She had her hands clasped neatly at her navel.

"I am Wu Jingzen," she introduced herself, also in Mandarin. "Owner and operating manager of the Bronze Dao stable. I received your request for a meeting this morning. You are perhaps one of the more promising recruits, Mr. Yeung. Now, you and your friend may join us."

Kathy, who at most spoke a dozen words of Mandarin, elbowed Chen.

"She's only considering me," Chen muttered in Kathy's ear. "But I don't know why. Peter nominated both of us for this interview."

Kathy made a sour face. "Is she being old-fashioned or something?"

"Is there a problem, Mr. Yeung?" Ms. Jingzen asked sharply. "We must move on to the interview proper."

"Just follow my lead," Chen told Kathy, who nodded and followed the rest to a small but cozy private room (one of may here). They all took their seats at a polished wooden table, with Ms. Jingzen at the head. The door snapped shut, blocking out the hiring hall's chattering crowd.

Ms. Jingshen folded her hands on the table this time. "Greetings to you, Chen Yeung. I must say, although the Bronze Dao stable is handling itself quite well and I am not in the mood to take reckless risks, your resume impressed me a great deal. You have my respect."

Chen nodded. "The accomplishments are mine. But my logistics support, Peter Andrews, personally compiled Kathy's and my profiles and maximized their search engine value here in the Solaris VII channels. I wouldn't get very far without him."

Ms. Jingzen barely glanced at Kathy before she continued. "Oh? And Mr. Andrews did not deign to join us, despite his capabilities?"

"He gets anxious around other people. Doesn't do well under pressure," Chen said simply. "But when he is comfortable, he can do nearly anything. His mind works in ways that I cannot even describe."

"I would have preferred a... personal touch," Ms. Jingzen said loftily.

"I am sorry, but Mr. Andrews would have made a poor impression. And not due to incompetence."

Ms. Jingzen pursed her lips. "If you insist that it is so."

"I do. Thank you for understanding."

This whole place was well air-conditioned, but Chen felt himself sweating. Should he just bail on this contract? Ms. Jingzen couldn't even be bothered to notice Kathy at all! And this attitude of hers... but her Bronze Dao stable really was a strong option, and the stable had an urgent need of new MechWarriors to complete in the heavy weight class. It was a perfect fit... on paper.

"So, you learned the ways of war at the Capella War College from 3029 to 3030, and served in the Heng's Lancers battalion for the next decade in multiple tours of duty," Ms. Jingzen reviewed. "And you were one of twelve MechWarriors chosen by the Strategios to train as Death Commandos to restore that unit. But misfortune found you, and your tryout company was wiped out in action against House Davion, save you. And you were honorably discharged from the CCAF in late 3040."

So far, so true. Was Ms. Jingzen testing him, trying to see if he'd say something foolish? And what about Kathy? Maybe Chen could slowly steer things in a direction he liked?

"Such experiences taught me to not only to assert my strengths, but accept the reality of defeat, and become stronger for it," Chen said, hoping that this is what Ms. Jingzen wanted to hear. He had nearly forgotten what his former countrymen were like, and what a reminder this was. "My mercenary career began in early 3041, despite being Dispossessed..."

On and on it went, and Chen made sure to play up the achievements of the other members of Jackson's Werewolves right through the disastrous battle on Romulus in May 3050, especially Peter and Kathy's successes. And after that Zoetermeer assassination attempt, well... Kathy was among the few hardened survivors, along with Chen himself, which had to count for something.

"Yes. I am sure," Ms. Jingzen said in response. She leaned forward, a severe look on her face. "But I am interested in you, Mr. Yeung, and I am sure you can see why."

A few answers popped into Chen's head. Because Ms. Jingzen aimed to maintain an all-Capellan look in this stable, or because she thought Chen's Death Commando trainee status overshadowed Kathy's credentials, or because she wanted to sleep with him... no, scratch that last one. Probably.

Chen apparently took too long to answer.

"It is touching that you brought a friend," Ms. Jingzen said, her voice getting chilly. "But she does not even understand us, and she is clearly skilled but otherwise unremarkable."

Chen licked his lips. Damn, he was running out of time to fix this... "Perhaps tryouts for each of us, then, so we may prove ourselves -"

"Silence!" Ms. Jingzen snapped. "Are you really such an ungrateful man? My stable is one of the most coveted ones in Cathay, and ranked in the top twenty of all Solaris VII! Many warriors have gotten themselves badly hurt or even killed in efforts to impress stables like mine. I am giving you a sincere invitation to compete in the heavy circuit, which is no small offer! Yes, you are new to Solaris VII, as are your friends Mr. Andrews and Ms. Bliss, so let me tell you..." She leaned forward and braced her hands on the table, eyes locked on Chen's. "Learn the rules of Solaris VII, or leave. You are not a king here. But I am perhaps a queen."

Chen bolted to his feet. "Deal's off, Kathy," he told his companion, switching back to English. "This isn't what we're looking for. You should've heard what Ms. Jingzen had to say about you."

Kathy got to her feet and tossed her hair. "Yeah. Okay. Plenty of other fish in the Solaris sea."

They were halfway to the door when Ms. Jigzen bolted to her feet, too. "You are leaving?"

Chen froze with his hand on the door handle. "Does it not seem that way?" he retorted in Mandarin.

"This is foolish," Ms. Jingzen said, a desperate note creeping into her voice. "Is this because I have no need for your friend?"

"If you really know my history, you will see that I am loyal to friends and trusted comrades more than anyone," Chen told her. "It has kept me alive thus far."

Ms. Jingzen glanced at her three fellows as though to get ideas from them. She wiped her brow and stole another glance at Kathy. "You are denying my offer for her sake? Perhaps she could find another stable, and you can join mine? I can arrange it so that you do not face her in the arena."

Chen folded his arms. "You run Bronze Dao with some old-fashioned rules. It's an awkward fit for me."

"It has kept this stable operational since the late 2700s," Ms. Jingzen said proudly. "My ancestor founded this stable based on principle, and it is among the oldest stables on this world."

"Good. Then you can show it off to the next applicant." Chen reached for the door handle again, his mind made up. He had often bristled at the many unfair and cruel stereotypes of Capellans over the years as a mercenary, but Ms. Jingzen was everything he did not miss about his home.

"Wait!" Ms. Jingzen cried. She actually reached out with a hand.

Kathy snorted with amusement. "I don't know what you guys are talkin' about, but I think we just got an angle."

Chen kept his hand on the door handle. "Why? So I can hear another lecture?"

"I... perhaps something could be arranged," Ms. Jingzen said, clearly regretting this.

Chen couldn't help a satisfied grin. "This had better be good, after everything you said about my friends."

Ms. Jingzen sighed and ran a hand over her face. "I do not like outsiders such as Ms. Bliss... but perhaps she can be a novelty, and if her presence will boost your morale, then perhaps we all win. I can also offer you competitive pay and compensation packages."

"For both of us?" Chen asked sharply.

Ms. Jingzen hesitated.

"It's the least you can do to apologize to her."

As Ms. Jingzen continued to hedge on it, Chen explained the situation to Kathy. To his surprise, she was delighted.

"You mean I can live like a princess, get maid mad cash, and prove this bitch wrong? Sign me up, Scrappy! This sounds hilarious!"

Chen chuckled. "I have half a mind to break her neck, after the way she's treated you and Peter. I just hope you don't regret this."

Kathy gently shoved Chen's shoulder. "You were a Death Commando recruit. And we're both tough as shit. We can handle one bratty Capellan princess if things go south in this contract."

Chen wasn't entirely sure of that. But he trusted Kathy more than anyone.

So, he turned to Ms. Jingzen and cleared his throat. "I know what it means to live lean. Whatever bonuses you are offering to us, give them all to Kathy. She is important to me. And if I'm important to you, then you will do this."

Ms. Jingzen sighed. "You maneuver like a Lyran industrialist with the scent of blood in his nostrils."

"You flatter me."

"Are you taking advantage of my need, Mr. Yeung? I have not found many promising candidates, as you might have inferred by now."

"I wasn't sure. But thanks for clarifying that."

Ms. Jingzen made a sour face just like Kathy's. "Then perhaps we can try your suggestion: tryouts for both you and Ms. Bliss. I shall evaluate you both on merits alone, and make a decision based on what I see."

"If you are true to your word." Chen grinned wolfishly. "I remember how things work in Liao space. A MechWarrior's success is 50% manipulation and coercion, 20% using undetectable poisons, 20% knowing the right people, and oh yeah, 10% or so for merit."

"You speak ill of the CCAF? After your upbringing and experience?" Ms. Jingzen gawked at him.

"I will always fondly remember my comrades in Heng's Lancers and the Death Commando trainee unit. But as a whole..." Chen shrugged. "I don't identify with that heritage anymore, even if you still do. Now, I am Chen Yeung the mercenary, no more and no less."

"I... I see. You have resolve, I can say that much."

"Is that a yes on the tryouts?"

"Yes. Yes, indeed it is."

"Then I'll take my leave, explain all this to my friends, and await your invitation to step into the practice field. Kathy and I each brought a Black Knight, and they need exercise."

And with that, he opened the door and stepped into the noisy, crowded hiring hall with his dear friend.

*o*o*o*o*

Storm Family Palace, Solaris City, Solaris VII

Lyran Commonwealth

June 25th, 3052

Despite all his escape routes, planning, and hidden weapons and tricks, Mac got himself caught once again on the mean, neon-soaked streets of the Black Hills region, and two of his father's thugs cuffed his wrists together just before throwing him into the back seat of an armored cruiser. Leather-wearing, spike-studded punks and coat-wearing dopeheads scattered to make room, and the shiny black cruiser cut right through the crowded streets and made for the Storm family palace. Funny how everyone gave these Storm family cruisers a wide berth, despite how crowded the streets always were.

Also funny how Mac preferred drug-slinging, computer-hacking weirdos on the street to his own mother and father. This was not his real family, and today was another reminder of why.

"Again!" Donovan Storm bellowed, once Mac was escorted into Mr. Storm's main office. The huge man seized his head in rage, as though to tear his hair out. He'd look even uglier if he did. "Mac, you stupid boy! Your mother and I provide everything for you! A top-tier private education! BattleMech training in the simpods! Food! Four thousand channels on the TV! Comfort! And you insult us by running around with your street gang?"

Mac's wrists were free again, but he felt more trapped than ever. He simply glared back at his father like a caged hyena.

Donovan's eyebrows scrunched together. "Don't you give me that look, Mac. You are the heir to the Storm family name! We've been the royalty of the Black Hills since 2904! You see him?" He pointed at an oil painting (coated with a protective film) on the wall. "Gerald Storm moved here from the Skye province to create something new, something fearsome on this cutthroat world. I uphold his name with dignity! And you... you run through trash and play in Dumpsters in the alleys! Like a rat!"

"I'm not playing," Mac grated. "Father, I'm helping those people! With my friends!"

Donovan scoffed. "This idiocy again?"

"This planet isn't right!" Mac hollered, clenching his hands into fists. "All the rich grownups are like ghouls, feeding on the masses! They look pretty on the outside, but they're monsters. How can I live here and eat imported lobster and caviar when kids my age are hungry and desperate? I've seen it! It ain't right!"

Donovan stomped toward his son and seized his shirt collar. "Shut your mouth, Mac," he hissed, eyes locked on his son's. "Might makes right on Solaris VII. In the entire universe, actually. You studied the Fourth Succession War. Hanse Davion claimed all those worlds because his strength allowed him to inherit greatness! It's a wonder House Liao didn't fall that day."

"I know," Mac said grimly.

"Yes, you do. I pay those tutors for a reason." Donovan let go of Mac's shirt and dusted his hands. "You were born to inherit power, Mac, and I won't have you besmirch our family again. Leave this palace one more time like that, and you'll be very sorry indeed. You understand me?"

"Because you have the power."

"I do. And watch that tone." Donovan tapped a button on his desk's comm device to summon someone. "It is beyond me why you risk your life stealing stock from warehouses and kitchens to feed hungry families whom you don't even know. Can't your street rat friends do the vigilante work for you? Not that it will change the world, in any case."

"I..." Mac opened his mouth, then closed it. It was no good. Even if he explained that he was a leader and role model for those kids, Donovan wouldn't care. Anything that went against the Storm family's ways was trampled upon, even if hundreds of desperate families had to pay a price for it that they couldn't afford.

What the fuck did any of this money or glamor or training do for Mac if he was in a gilded cage and told what his destiny was?

The office door swung open and a guard stepped forward. "I received your call, Mr. Storm," he told Donovan. "On that channel." He turned to the younger Storm. "Come here, Mac."

Mac knew that tone. And his insides froze solid.

"No." He drew back from the guard as though staring down a man-eating tiger. "I-I learned my lesson. I won't do it again. Don't -"

"You have to learn, Mac," Donovan told him. "Don't upset your mother like this."

Mac tried to squirm away just as he was dragged off for the second time today. But now he ended up in a far worse place than his father's office: Lesson Room #3.

The door shut on the well-lit, tiny square room, which was bare but had countless shiny off-white tiles in it. And a polished set of manacles and chains on the ceiling.

His mother indeed was not happy.

"You stupid little bastard!" Eva Storm bared her teeth when she slapped her son as hard as she could. Which was pretty fucking hard. "I was worried sick! For two weeks, we didn't know where you were! You could have died out there, Mac! It... it breaks my heart." She patted a hand over her heart.

No, not a heart. She had a hole where such a thing was supposed to be.

Mac instinctively tried to search the tiny room for an escape, even though there were none in Eva's five Lesson Rooms. "This is the last time. I ain't running again."

"Don't you speak like a commoner! Clean your mouth!" Eva gripped the corners of Mac's cheeks and stretched them out painfully. Mac's eyes watered and felt like his face was being torn in half. "We raise you right, Mac, to be a proper boy. I give you all my love, and you do this..." She sighed.

Mac didn't buy it. He never bought it. His mother, Eva Storm, married into the family and savored every moment of it. Never once had Mac seen her not wearing costly cocktail dresses or gowns, and today was no exception. A twisted witch resided under that perfectly styled hair, sapphire earrings, forest-green gown, and elbow-length white gloves. And speaking of cocktails...

"It's time, Mac." Eva produced a tiny syringe and held it up. "This is cocktail #7. You know what it does."

"No -" Mac didn't get a chance to slip away. Eva clamped her left hand on his wrist, and with her right, she jabbed his neck with that syringe and injected its dark blue contents.

At once, molten fire radiated from Mac's neck, sending agony through every nerve and blood vessel. Where did she find these things? The fucking Maskirovka? Mac clenched his teeth and let his breath come out in hisses, trembling with the effort to suppress a reaction.

Eva cupped his face in her hands and made a false "awww" sound. "I don't like to hurt my little boy. But he's been bad."

"Sh-shut up," Mac wheezed, hating how more tears were leaking from his eyes. The poison...

"Maybe I should have had a girl. A proper daughter wouldn't feel the urge to run off like you do."

"S-sure. She'd just... s-sleep around instead!" Mac chuckled weakly.

Eva slapped him again, and this time, it felt like an Atlas had pimp-smacked Mac's cheek. He swore he saw stars. "Stupid child!" Eva hissed. "Here..."

Mac knew what was coming, and his pain-wracked body was too limp to resist. He found himself restrained once again, suspended from the ceiling in those shiny thick manacles. He barely stood on his tip-toes.

"Oh, my. You're growing so fast." Eva noted Mac's tip-toe posture, then tugged on the chain to lift Mac another two inches. This time, Mac was properly suspended, and he could only fix his mother with a look of absolute hatred.

Eva smoothed her gown. "I will be back in 12 hours to fetch you. Then you will recite what you have learned today."

She swung open the heavy door and stalked right out, shutting it closed behind her with a thump.

Mac hung there, watching the door as he trembled in pain. He knew that cocktail #7's effects would wear off in a few hours... but his burning need for vengeance would long outlast these manacles.