Phoenix Rising, part three.
Sandhurst military academy, British Isles, Terra.
Aidan Pryde starred in wonder at the buildings before him. Sandhurst had been the centre of the old Star League Defence Force academy. It was here that Alexander Kerensky had been trained, and where his son, Nicolas Kerensky, founder of the Clans, would have been trained if not for the actions of a madman: Stefan Amaris had been ale to capture Sandhurst with the minimum of damage, and over the years, Com-Star had bee able to re- build the ancient buildings to their former glory.
Pryde's 'minder', Com-Star Adapt Simon Clearwater, lead the way into the officers quarters. The former Star Colonel's living quarters where luxuries by spartan Clan standards, but where considered 'average' by the academy quartermaster. The Colonel took a moment to examine the new uniform he had been given: it was that of an Demi-Precentor in the Coms Guards, but it still had the emblem of Clan Jade Falcon on the shoulders. The bondcord on his wrist was the only true sign that he was an outsider.
A knock on the door brought him back to the real world "Enter" he commanded, straightening his uniform. A tall, white haired man with only one eye entered "Greetings Star Colonel Aidan Pryde, my name is Anatasius Focht, Precenter Martail of the Coms Guards. I bid you welcome to this most honoured place." Pryde saluted the head of the organisation of which he was now a member "I thanks you, Precenter Martail Focht, I doubt every new arrival is greeted in such a way." Focht smiled "Quite true, Colonel, quite true. But then again, so few of our new arrivals have such a history as you. You will be pleased to know that the doctors have certified you fit to pilot a BattleMech, and we have a selection of OmniMech's we have been able to salvage from Tukayyid. Adept Clearwater will take you to the hanger this afternoon so you can choose one."
Pryde brought him self to full attention "Dose that mean I am to be given a combat posting?" Focht shook his head "I am afraid that that will never be possible. ROM, for reasons of its own, has seen fit to inform your former Clan that you died defending the Landing Zone on Tukayyid. You are no to leave the academy without escort. It is not that we do not trust you, be we dare not risk you being recognised by the other bondsman." The Precenter Martail pulled a small knife from his belt "Now, Aidan Pryde, I have one last action to perform: Your right arm please."
The MechWarrior raised his arm and Focht cut the bondcord with the knife "You are from now on a full Demi-Precentor in the Coms Guards, with all the rights, privileges and responsibilities therein. Your duties are to train our cadets in Clan tactics and customs. You will be given a place in the Sandhurst defence regiment. Adept Clearwater will remain with you until you are settled in and know your way around."
Focht went to leave, the turned back to Pryde "One last thing Colonel. I thought you might like to have this." He handed over a small wooden photo frame; inside of which was a photo of a young woman in a Clan field uniform. "It came with your Clans Batchall. We where able to crack you encryption by the time your Clan was leaving Tukayyid."
Pryde looked at the photo of MechWarrior Diana, his daughter.
Sandhurst military academy, British Isles, Terra.
Aidan Pryde starred in wonder at the buildings before him. Sandhurst had been the centre of the old Star League Defence Force academy. It was here that Alexander Kerensky had been trained, and where his son, Nicolas Kerensky, founder of the Clans, would have been trained if not for the actions of a madman: Stefan Amaris had been ale to capture Sandhurst with the minimum of damage, and over the years, Com-Star had bee able to re- build the ancient buildings to their former glory.
Pryde's 'minder', Com-Star Adapt Simon Clearwater, lead the way into the officers quarters. The former Star Colonel's living quarters where luxuries by spartan Clan standards, but where considered 'average' by the academy quartermaster. The Colonel took a moment to examine the new uniform he had been given: it was that of an Demi-Precentor in the Coms Guards, but it still had the emblem of Clan Jade Falcon on the shoulders. The bondcord on his wrist was the only true sign that he was an outsider.
A knock on the door brought him back to the real world "Enter" he commanded, straightening his uniform. A tall, white haired man with only one eye entered "Greetings Star Colonel Aidan Pryde, my name is Anatasius Focht, Precenter Martail of the Coms Guards. I bid you welcome to this most honoured place." Pryde saluted the head of the organisation of which he was now a member "I thanks you, Precenter Martail Focht, I doubt every new arrival is greeted in such a way." Focht smiled "Quite true, Colonel, quite true. But then again, so few of our new arrivals have such a history as you. You will be pleased to know that the doctors have certified you fit to pilot a BattleMech, and we have a selection of OmniMech's we have been able to salvage from Tukayyid. Adept Clearwater will take you to the hanger this afternoon so you can choose one."
Pryde brought him self to full attention "Dose that mean I am to be given a combat posting?" Focht shook his head "I am afraid that that will never be possible. ROM, for reasons of its own, has seen fit to inform your former Clan that you died defending the Landing Zone on Tukayyid. You are no to leave the academy without escort. It is not that we do not trust you, be we dare not risk you being recognised by the other bondsman." The Precenter Martail pulled a small knife from his belt "Now, Aidan Pryde, I have one last action to perform: Your right arm please."
The MechWarrior raised his arm and Focht cut the bondcord with the knife "You are from now on a full Demi-Precentor in the Coms Guards, with all the rights, privileges and responsibilities therein. Your duties are to train our cadets in Clan tactics and customs. You will be given a place in the Sandhurst defence regiment. Adept Clearwater will remain with you until you are settled in and know your way around."
Focht went to leave, the turned back to Pryde "One last thing Colonel. I thought you might like to have this." He handed over a small wooden photo frame; inside of which was a photo of a young woman in a Clan field uniform. "It came with your Clans Batchall. We where able to crack you encryption by the time your Clan was leaving Tukayyid."
Pryde looked at the photo of MechWarrior Diana, his daughter.