Epilogue
Three things trust above all else: the horse on which you ride,
The beast that guards your sleep, and your shield-maid at your side.
- Threes, Mercedes Lackey
.o0o.
Atreus City, Atreus
Marik Commonwealth, Free Worlds League
1 September 3052
Thomas Marik was as Aziz remembered him, face scarred by a long-ago bomb and lined by years of battling Parliament to overcome some of the more divisive elements of the Free Worlds League. He had presence and dignity. He also bowed and kissed her hand once they were alone.
"Thank you, Captain-General." She waited politely for him to sit back behind his desk before taking the offered chair.
"You have usually made these meetings productive."
She smiled. So do so again? "I regret that the Nova Cat capture of Luna now makes it impractical for me to return to Terra. Unless substantial reinforcements can be sent to Terra, Primus Waterly's control of the motherworld is measured in months at best. The Nova Cats successfully divided our fleet by striking at Titan and destroying the warships there before the ComGuards fleet concentrated, which has left them with a considerable naval advantage."
"I doubt very much if Hanse Davion would permit me to send reinforcements, even if I could persuade Parliament of that cause. And then there would be the matter of the Nova Cat warships which would be easily able to destroy the transports of such reinforcements."
Aziz bowed her head. "I do not ask this of you, Captain-General. A division-strength force drawn from ComGuard forces here made an attempt to reinforce Terra and were destroyed in the attempt. In good conscience I cannot encourage such bloodshed." And it conveniently removed the more fanatical of Waterly's faction among the ComGuard divisions in the League.
"So you anticipate the fall of Terra to the Clans."
"To Clan Nova Cat, yes. Which leaves the future of ComStar in the hands of those willing to support our Order under these changed circumstances. I have made contact with the Precentors remaining the Draconis Combine and hidden relay stations are being established to allow communication across the Terran Corridor without becoming beholden to… Federated Communications." Her tone gave away her distaste.
Thomas sighed. "You may be assured that we will maintain our contract with your Order but since we do have cause to communicate with the Federated Commonwealth…"
"Unavoidable," she agreed. "In general principle, Primus Waterly remains the head of the Order until her death or removal. However, once the Nova Cats take Terra a new Primus will be elected by conclave. It may be immodest to consider myself a viable candidate, however the First Circuit is rather depleted since the Precentors for Sian, New Avalon and Tharkad appear to be imprisoned and Precentor Dieron has passed away..."
"We shall see then. If you are elected what policies will you wish to follow?"
Aziz exhaled slowly. "We must recognise the facts of the matter. Some accommodation will have to be arranged with the Federated Commonwealth and their tame HPG network. Fortunately the other realms have not offered it room to extend. Further, at least until we can establish sources for some components we may have to seek some terms with Clan Nova Cat."
"You accept then their claim to be guardians of Terra?"
"On balance, I see no alternative. They are currently neutral, leaning slightly towards the Federated Commonwealth out of necessity. Recognition in that role by yourself and Coordinator Kurita will at least allow them to remain truly neutral and deny Hanse Davion indirect control of the mother world."
"And what future do you intend for the ComGuards, if I may ask?"
"The ComGuards' traditional role is a valid one – to secure our facilties. I envisage a reorganisation more towards that role and less towards the field armies that Focht built for Waterly. Without Terra's stockpiles, much of our heavy equipment will need to be husbanded. And a warship fleet is unnecessary, of course."
"Such warships as remain."
"Yes." Aziz looked the Captain-General in the eye. "Of course, as matters stand, the Free Worlds League has no warships while the Federated Commonwealth has a fleet, as do the Clans. And even House Kurita possess a modest force with the Albiero and their efforts to restore DCS Togura to functionality."
"It is a matter that promises to make budgetary considerations rather more complicated in the future," conceded Marik.
"I have, in investigating the aftermath of Operation Revelation, come across some interesting information. You may have considered salvaging such wrecks as remain in your space."
He nodded.
"I would suggest eliminating SLS Impetuous from your list of candidates."
"Oh?"
She was careful not to smile as she revealed the information. "Analysis of data from the Tharkad operations indicates that the FCS Adventure, a rebuilt Aegis-class cruiser our warships fought there, was originally the SLS Impetuous, abandoned by the SLDF in what is now FWL space during the Hegemony campaign."
"That was wrecked in FWL space." Thomas frowned and then shook his head. "Which would also explain why we have been unable to locate the remains of FWLS Olympic. Davion has had salvage crews operating secretly in League space."
Aziz nodded. "It seems likely, the AFFC have more than one Aegis-class cruiser. Under the circumstances, I propose to sell off our remaining warships and offer you first refusal on four of the vessels, with the other two being offered to the Draconis Combine. Obviously this depends upon approval from the First Circuit." Her eyes narrowed. "And there is a cache of warships we are aware of but never activated. Unfortunately it is located in Federated Commonwealth space but…"
She smiled and, after a long pause, Thomas Marik nodded his agreement.
.o0o.
Fortress Sanethia, Luthien
Pesht District, Draconis Combine
6 September 3052
The Heir-Designate of the Draconis Combine stepped from the gangway of his dropship onto a carpet that displayed grey jaguars, white sharks and yellow birds. Minoru Kurita was fairly sure he hadn't brought it so apparently some of Luthien's traditional industries, such as carpet-weaving, had survived the occupation. The many Combine flags were probably from a warehouse though.
Shin Yodama stood at the far end of the carpet holding a daisho in one hand - his one hand, Minoru realised. The man's right sleeve was empty.
As the young Kurita approached him, the yakuza dropped to one knee and placed the blades on the carpet. "Lord, I present to you the swords of your brother."
"Are they unstained?"
The swords were blackened and probably impossible to draw given the state of the sheaths, but Minoru wasn't referring to their physical condition.
"Your brother died with his face towards the enemy," Shin assured him. "I regret that your grandfather's blades have not been recovered, yet he died defiant of the Jaguars."
"As a dragon must." Minoru accepted Hohiro's swords. "Rise, Yodama-san. You have honoured House Kurita by your service."
The yakuza stood and bowed deeply. Then he stared as Minoru offered him the blades.
"I can think of no better guardian for these. I am sure Hohiro would agree." Minoru turned to the remaining men and women assembled to greet him. "By the decree of my father, Theodore Kurita, Duke of New Samarkand, Unifier of Worlds and Coordinator of the Draconis Combine, I have been invested as Duke of Luthien."
Shin nodded and a woman among his party spoke up: "We were… surprised at their withdrawal."
"Allow me to present Eleanor Shimazu." Shin drew his lips back in what might be a smile. "She leads our remaining 'Mechs as I am no longer able to."
"Some of your 'Mechs survived?"
"A few," Shimazu confirmed. "And we captured others. It's mostly been infantry fighting though."
"And through such courage, the Jaguar could not make a secure lair here." Minoru bowed to the slight degree appropriate to meeting a subordinate military officer. "The Clans over-reached themselves."
Not that the Combine was in any great position to exploit that, but ISF cells had been seeded in their path after Luthien, bogging them down with insurgencies. With no competent source of intelligence – not even ComStar – they could not have known that the jumpships and regiments used to strike at the lightly guarded worlds around Bjarred had been the last mobile reserve the DCMS could field before the border with House Davion was denuded and left open to the AFFC. ComStar's interdiction might have doomed their monopoly on interstellar communication but it had saved the Draconis Combine.
He continued: "Their options were explained to them and a treaty has been reached. For now we will allow them to retain certain worlds – in exchange for considerations that will allow us to withstand them in the future and also to ensure that the Federated Commonwealth will not seek to absorb us."
"It will be some time before the Dragon once again rules from Luthien. But it shall be our fortress here to watch over the Diamond Sharks and the Smoke Jaguars. Such a world will require an exemplary military commander." He placed his hand upon Shin's shoulder. "Sho-sho Yodama will do me the honour of regaling me with the merits of the men and women here?"
It was a question with only one answer: barring direct order of the Coordinator, the Heir-Designate would be entertained as he desired. If he commanded Shin to dance like a bear, it was his right. Then Shin realised that he had been elevated to general – implicitly to the general responsible for defending Luthien. "I am honoured," he answered.
.o0o.
Reyhavik, Rasalhague
Dominion of the Wolves of Rasalhague
11 September 3052
The Hall of Khans was as stark as ever with its marble fittings and with the banners of the Clans above each of the twenty benches. The images relayed across the light years were a familiar sight to Ulric Kerensky but they were tinged with regret for Charles Dinour, who had never entered the chamber and might never have the opportunity.
Only someone who had worked as closely with Ulric as his fellow Khan would have noted the fractional hesitation and Dinour looked for the cause. "Four Jaguars?" he exclaimed.
Before any further voices could be raised, Laurie Tseng struck the gavel. She had resigned as Khan during the long exodus of the Ghost Bears from the Inner Sphere and been voted back into her former role as Loremaster of her Clan. Now she filled that role for the Grand Council. "We are gathered here in a time of war," she intoned. "Let us be guided here by the Martial Code handed down to us by our ancestors."
"Seyla," concurred thirty-four Khans.
"What is the meaning of this?" demanded Charles Dinour, indicating where Brandon Howell and a second man sat in the long vacant bench that had once been occupied by Clan Mongoose's Khans.
"Aye, and of that?" Malavai Fletcher was on his feet, finger stabbing up at the banner that hung over the bench. The Mongoose banner had been removed to hang along the back of the hall, alongside that of the other absorbed Clan, the Widowmakers. Now a new banner of silver and black graced the hall.
"I will answer," Lincoln Osis rumbled. The massive Khan of Clan Smoke Jaguar could have wasted no time reclaiming his office upon waking from his coma. Now he rose to his feet like a looming stormcloud. "My Clan has faced irreconcilable internal differences during my recovery. Measures have been taken that I and the true Smoke Jaguars reject." He slammed his hands down on his desk. "It is the right of a Khan, faced with such a crisis, to create a new Clan and to consign to it those who are no longer in unity."
"That is - !"
"It is lawful," Ulric cut the Hells Horses' Khan off. "It has never been done before, but the Founder provided for such a circumstance where there was no grounds for abjuration and yet a Clan was threatened by internal conflict. I am curious as to the cause."
"Remain curious," spat Osis. "I do not explain myself to you."
"Then I will answer." Brandon Howell rose to his feet. "Under the martial code I have been elected Khan of our new Clan, the first Khan of Clan Black Dragon. Lincoln Osis has accurately cited that he disagrees with decisions made during his incapacity. Those decisions include the Grand Council-mandated treaty that I have negotiated with the Draconis Combine."
"It is -"
"I have the floor." Brandon did not raise his voice but it cut across the chamber and silenced Osis for the moment. "As was his right, he spoke strongly against the matter and as was his right, he proposed the repudiation of the treaty and the removal of the Khans who accepted it. On this matter, our Clan's unity was broken. No one has ever deemed Smoke Jaguars temperate but nor are we fools. To settle the grievances that formed within the Clan Council in battle would have broken us all." He paused. "And likely have opened us to further counter attacks by the Combine when we have yet to recover from the Invasion."
Laurie Tseng stood and silenced, somehow, the rising murmuring of the Khans. "As Khan Ulric has confirmed, this matter is within the regulations of the Martial Code. No vote is required on this matter. Khan Howell's Black Dragons meet all the qualifications that he and Paul Moon may sit amongst you as equals."
"What enclaves does this new Clan boast of?" asked Nikolai Djerassi coolly.
"Our holdings are all the worlds once occupied by Clan Smoke Jaguar within the Inner Sphere." Paul Moon jutted out his jaw threateningly. "And the majority of the warriors who have fought against the Spheroids."
Khan Sennet leant forwards. "By tradition, all Clans hold equal portions of Strana Mechty. Does this creation mean we must carve up our own holdings here to formulate such a holding for the Black Dragons?"
"That is correct." The Loremaster had to strike her gavel twice before there was quiet – or near enough. "When Clans have previously been absorbed or... annihilated... their enclaves were divided up. For simplicity, Clan Black Dragon will receive for their share the portions of Strana Mechty once held by Clan Mongoose. Since this includes the enclaves the Mongoose received that were once the property of other dead Clans, it is the simplest solution."
"Aff." Robin Steele nodded. "Those are marginal holdings but they constitute the rightful share of a Clan. But I see we have another gap here. Where are the Khans of Clan Nova Cat?"
Ulric rose to his feet. "On that, I have a report for the Grand Council."
"You have the floor, Khan Ulric."
He bowed. "As Khan Howell has bargained with the Draconis Combine on behalf of his own Clan and Khan Sennets, I have bargained with the Federated Commonwealth and the Draconis Combine for a ceasefire. Since we hold few worlds of either state, they have been open to these overtures and perhaps somewhat war-weary."
"They are weakened then?" asked Fletcher.
"Since negotiations with the Federated Commonwealth ended, no less than ten fresh Regimental Combat Teams have been deployed along our new border. Reserves that they had not yet tapped even under the combined pressure of Clan Jade Falcon, Clan Steel Viper and Clan Nova Cat. It is possible the Federated Commonwealth does not desire war but they are assuredly ready for one."
"Fresh reserves?"
"It must be remembered that some parts of the Federated Commonwealth are almost as far removed from the worlds we fought on as the Homeworlds are." Ulric let that sink in. The AFFC had taken severe losses but the Clans' resources had expired first. And since the AFFC preferred to fit known designs with advanced technology rather than build distinct 'Mechs and tanks to make use of them, it was hard to say if their equipment was up to the standard seen or if these RCTs were still using more primitive hardware. "On the matter of Clan Nova Cat, the negotiations have allowed enquiries to be made. It seems that Khans Leroux and Carns have made their own pact with the Federated Commonwealth."
"What pact?"
"The details remain uncertain... but it includes free passage through the Federated Commonwealth for their touman and for considerable numbers of Nova Cat civilian castes."
Kael Pershaw inhaled sharply. "Terra."
Ulric paused and then shrugged. "I see no other goal for them myself. Yes, I believe the Nova Cats have requested that they be allowed free passage so that they can assault Terra."
"Those stravag...!"
"I have to admire their gall," admitted Charles Dinour. "If we had asked the same rather than invading, perhaps this gathering would be taking place in the Hall of the Star League, before the throne of the First Lord. ComStar seems to have few champions within the Inner Sphere."
Vandervahn Chistu shot a glare at the Wolves and then stood. "I call for the abjuration of the Nova Cats!"
"On what cause?" asked Howell, his own face chagrined rather than angry.
"What cause!?" bellowed Osis. "Is it not obvious?"
"The last orders they received were to make for Terra. They are making for Terra. They have come to terms with one of the Successor States, but the vote of this Council has endorsed just such truces on our part." Dinour grinned broadly. "I suppose you could abjure them for not attending the Grand Council but there's ample precedent for absenteeism."
"I believe Khan Osis is concerned that Clan Nova Cat may be considered to have become the ilClan if they succeed in this venture," Ulric observed. "It will be rather difficult for them to make such a claim without attending the Grand Council on Strana Mechty however, so perhaps we should defer any action until we have more information."
"Agreed." Cassius N'Buta straightened in his seat and looked around. Impressively, his gaze was enough to convince several of the Khans to return to their seats.
Laurie Tseng nodded. "The next order of business then. Khan N'Buta, there is a matter you wish to address?"
"Aff." The Star Adder Khan rose to his feet. "The invasion has shown us starkly that certain Clans' reputations are greater than their substance. The grotesque failures of Operation Revival, from the first plans to its final failure must rest on the deficiencies of these Clans. On this basis, I believe the time has come for their Absorption so that their salvageable warriors may continue as part of viable Clans."
The chamber went dead silent.
Brandon Howell cleared his throat. "As a newly established Clan, we Black Dragons carry neither merit nor stigma from the actions of our past Clan. As such I may be deemed neutral in this matter. Also, we'd be a difficult target for you, Khan N'Buta. Unless you have more than a Galaxy in the Inner Sphere?"
"As you have yet to prove yourself, Khan Howell, your Clan is not the target of my remarks. Nor would I criticize Clan Wolf, who have succeeded magnificently, or the Diamond Sharks and Nova Cats."
Malavai Fletcher's feral grin caused flinches. "Being fair, Khan N'Buta, I would say that Clan Ghost Bear's failings were more political than military, quiaff?"
"Aff... and their Clan has not fallen apart in the face of adversity," agreed the Star Adder Khan soberly.
"Do you call for the Absorption of Clan Smoke Jaguar?" asked Djerassi mildly.
"Neg." N'Buta turned towards Natalie Breen. "I find the Steel Viper's abandonment of their own civilians the final failing of their Clan and I call for their Absorption."
Breen and Andrews had barely begun to process that when Lynn McKenna stood. "I will not call for the Absorption of Clan Smoke Jaguar," she declared. "But Clan Jade Falcon are another matter."
"By the Founder, it's a feeding frenzy," exclaimed Dinour as Khan Asa Taney of the Ice Hellions jumped up and shouted that his Clan would absorb the Smoke Jaguars.
Ulric nodded calmly and both Wolf Khans cut their connections to the Grand Council, guessing – correctly – that it would be quite some time before their absence was even noted.
.o0o.
Avalon City, New Avalon
Crucis March, Federated Suns
16 September 3052
Not once in the entire history of the Inner Sphere had the Warrior Houses of the Capellan Confederation come to New Avalon. But they were no longer part of the Capellan Confederation alone and negotiations had made it clear that this would be necessary.
Not that all of them were present. Trust was all well and good but the full might of all of them would have been a step too far. Instead only one Warrior House was present in full and the others were represented by their House Master and an honour guard of ten of their warriors.
The great domed hall with tiered seating for more than a thousand Senators and six wings of offices behind them was structurally complete although work-crews would probably need another year or more to fully outfit the vast building.
Today those crews had been dismissed and a national holiday announced in celebration of the end of the war.
The seating that filled five sides of the hexagonal hall was filled not by formal delegates but by military and government officials and their families, as well as the top crust of the nobility from all across the Commonwealth, assembled here for the annual Royal Court. Even Timur Malthus was there, although he had adopted a well-tailored suit fitting to the master of a major corporation – the CEO of Phoenix Industries, already benefiting from a major contract to build battle armour for the AFFC.
The sixth side of the hall held a wide throne, the back carved with the sunburst-fist and easily large enough for both Hanse Davion and Melissa Steiner-Davion to sit side-by-side upon it. The arms of the throne were carved symbolically into swords – the broadsword that still appeared on Federated Suns specific heraldry and a curved dao to represent the Capellan Confederation.
Two BattleMechs flanked the throne – Griffins wearing the colours of the Second Royal Guards and the First Davion Guards – and in front of them, on seats brought down from the Royal Palace for the occasion, were Hanse and Melissa's family. Victor and Kuan-Yin sat on the right, along with Morgan Hasek-Davion, George Hasek, Justin Allard and his two younger children. To the left the other four Steiner-Davion children sat, although Katherine hardly looked childish in the uniform of an AFFC nurse and Peter wore a Cadet's uniform. Nondi Steiner had sat with the children, looking far older than she had two years before, separating them from Sun-Tzu Liao.
Hanse rose from the throne and walked forward to the podium offset from the centre of the dais. "Today we are assembled for several reasons. Firstly we are to celebrate the defeat of the Clan Invasion. Today was chosen as our day of celebration because it was twenty-two years ago exactly that Natasha Kerensky came to me with a warning of the Clans and the probability that they would someday return to the Inner Sphere."
"Yes," he answered the unasked question. "We knew that the Clans existed. Not exactly where – the location of the Clan Home Worlds remains unconfirmed – nor when they might return. And we knew that if they struck then, while the Inner Sphere was still recovering from the Fourth Succession War, that we would stand no chance of repelling them, only of fighting a long and painful insurgency to one day regain our freedoms."
"But they did not come that year. And for more than nineteen years, thousands of men and women laboured – often in secret – to ensure that we could hope to one day withstand what appeared to be an unstoppable juggernaut. Thanks to their efforts as much – but no more – than those of the hundreds of thousands of combatants and millions of support personnel in the AFFC today, we stand victorious. For this you have my - and my family's - profound gratitude."
Hanse withdrew to the throne and Melissa took his place.
"Our war was not only against the Clans. In the shadows of the recent decades and openly in war around the last winter, we were challenged by ComStar. While many of their day-to-day actions can still be counted admirable, the sad fact is that ComStar's leadership was committed to a policy of suppressing technological recovery across the Inner Sphere and of encouraging division between and within the Successor States. These goals were completely incompatible with our objectives of advancing our technology and binding the Federated Commonwealth's strengths together so that we could defeat the Clans."
"More so than even the Clans, ComStar brought war to our homes. It is only within the last few days that Federated Communications has successfully restored HPG communications to all of our worlds. All across the Federated Commonwealth, the critical industries and leaders of our war effort came under attack. My home on Tharkad was overrun and my dear friend Kym Sorenson-Hasek perished in the ComGuard's attacks, along with three of her children, so I cannot help but to take this personally."
On the dais, Morgan Hasek-Davion lowered his head and his long coppery hair fell across his face. George reached over and took his father's hand.
"We also now know that agents of ComStar funded and otherwise supported Kali Liao in her attempted coup on Sian – a coup that killed her aunt and our ally Candace Liao. What defeated that coup was not technology but courage - the moral courage shown by my son, my daughter-in-law and her cousin Sun-Tzu, who worked together to foil the plot. Together, House Steiner, House Davion and House Liao won a victory that day – not only against the misguided Kali or her ComStar backers but against everyone who tries to tear the Federated Commonwealth apart."
"For we are stronger together. Not merely economically or militarily, but in the new perspectives and fresh visions we can share with each other. Upon this principle, my mother and my husband laid the foundations of our alliance. Upon the shoulders of my children – and of all our children – rests the privilege of bringing it to fruition."
"I can stand before you today and share with you that as we speak, the warriors of Clan Nova Cat are landing upon Terra. By ancient treaty, Terra is not our world to take. House Kurita and House Marik would see it as the first step towards seeking to conquer them and then all of humanity."
"But Clan Nova Cat are, like ComStar, the heirs to one of the last vestiges of the Star League. Unlike their fellow Clans, they have forsworn any efforts to force us into bondage or to create the Star League in their own image. Instead they have undertaken to cleanse ComStar from Terra and then to act as the motherworld's guardians. With our assistance, their ambassadors are also visiting Atreus, New Samarkand and several other capital worlds to seek endorsement of this role."
"I hope you will join me in a moment of prayer not for the warriors embarking into battle, or for the corrupt Primus Waterly, but instead to the ordinary ComStar adepts who largely feel betrayed by their leaders and who have for the most part desired no more than to serve their fellow human beings by preserving interstellar trade and communication, not to mention their many charitable works over the years. These men and women do not deserve our anger, but our sympathy and understanding."
Kai left his own seat and replaced Melissa at the podium.
"I know that most of you want the speeches to end so you can get on with the celebrations," he said quietly. "But there is one further thing to do today. Under the treaty which has brought the Capellan Confederation into the Federated Commonwealth, pledges of allegiance have been made to my sister Kuan-Yin, first as my regent and interim Chancellor and then as the duly elected Minister of the Confederation March. Certain of those oaths must be made anew and, as a new beginning, today is perhaps the most suitable date."
He extended his hand and Ion Rush led a long line forwards, each House Leader breaking off until they formed a block nine lines wide and eleven deep, before the dais.
"Today the Warrior Houses have come to New Avalon, to pledge their personal allegiance to the Archon, to the First Prince... and to the future Archon-Prince."
Hanse and Melissa stepped forward and then waited for Victor to join them. Ion Rush knelt and Victor placed his hand on the man's head while his parents reached down to his shoulders.
"I, Ion Rush, Master of House Imarra, pledge my own and the Imarra's allegiance to the House of Steiner-Davion-Liao and to the Federated Commonwealth. We are your sword and your shield. We shall follow where you lead and we shall die that your cause my live. This I swear by my eternal soul."
The three responded together. "We accept your pledge and offer this in return, to sustain and honour House Imarra. To lead you wisely and to respect your sacrifices." Then they removed their hands. "Do you, the warriors of Imarra, witness these pledges?"
"We do," ten voices affirmed. "We will honour and abide by them until the stars themselves fall and beyond."
It was an oath alien in word but not in spirit to the people of New Avalon. They knew oaths of knighthood when they heard them and rumbles of approval followed each oath as the trio moved from House Master to House Master.
Kamata and Daidachi. Fujita and Mat-su-kai. Hiritsu, LuSann and Ijori. Names of fear and hatred for the Capellan March – tireless adversaries in many a storied battle.
But here they pledged themselves to the rulers of the Federated Commonwealth as defenders and not as enemies.
And one more.
"I, Diana, Master of House Jade Phoenix, pledge my own and the Phoenix's allegiance to the House of Steiner-Davion-Liao and to the Federated Commonwealth." Her eyes flicked to one side to look at Kai, her place as last in line leaving her near to the podium. "We are your sword and your shield. We shall follow where you lead and we shall die that your cause may live. This I swear by my eternal soul."
.o0o.
The End
A/N: Thank you for reading. I hope you've all enjoyed this.
I'd like to acknowledge those who corrected my spelling/grammar, particularly DIT_Grue, and those who gave me feedback on the plotting, characterisation, etc. Particularly Chris O'Farrell in the latter case.