Hap and Anastasia walked down the bustling streets of Tian-tan, the capital city of St. Ives. Like a lot of major metropolitan cities in Capellan space it had a mix of architectural designs. Like most major cities in the Inner Sphere there were glass and steel skyscrapers reaching to the heavens, blocky and efficient concrete apartments. There were also random buildings with utilitarian design made for various stores, apothecaries, and restaurants at street level and with an assortment of offices and dwellings on the higher levels. There were also small shanties and other buildings crammed between allies or other gaps between buildings.
Unlike most of the Inner Sphere, outside of the Capellan Confederation, there were also buildings that were based on traditional Chinese building aesthetics. There were tiered circular pagodas. Major streets had paifang gates with thick straight wood or concrete posts supporting ornate green tiled roofs suspended high above the street. Red and Green seemed to be favored colors, but many of the wood and stucco surfaces were darkly stained or brightly painted.
Hap, Anastasia and Rowyena had spent the morning with the St. Ives military representative. Thankfully Sao-Shau Liu was there to translate and be a familiar face that knew them. Even though Sao-Shau Liu had not fought alongside the McFinnigans, she was very complimentary toward their actions from the last time they were on St. Ives, and very appreciative for the medical support they had also lent to the Compact forces. As Roweyna had suspected, Sao-Shau was very helpful and supportive.
The St. Ives military were still dealing with the various pro-Capellan partisan and guerilla groups trying to defeat the nascent Compact government. The center of gravity for most of these groups seemed to be the fortress that Sao-Shau Liu had described. The terrorists were using it as a headquarters to rest, reset, and receive additional weapons or even training. As long as it existed the disruptive elements would have a safe haven.
The Compact military was creating a forward operating base to marshal forces within striking distance of the fortress. The base was about 300 kilometers away from Tian-tan. They were sending regular convoys to this forward operating post, and wanted the coyotes to escort the next convoy. From there they would integrate with the forces there and fall under the leadership of the Field Commander. This caused Roweyna and the Compact to renegotiate their contract and now they were getting paid weekly while the Coyotes worked directly for the Compact's Field Commander.
Roweyna mentioned the Compact forces didn't seem as antagonistic or as belligerent as the treatment she normally got from the Capellans. She said renegotiating the contract was relatively easy and they didn't try to undo anything they had previously agreed to. She thought they were desperate for help, and didn't want to alienate any mercenaries, at least not until they had a stronger standing army. It also didn't hurt that McFinnigan and Sons was associated with the Federated Commonwealth, and they were giving the Compact significant support as they stood up their government.
Throughout the morning the Compact leadership had been careful to refer to the Federated Commonwealth Alliance, the combined super Succession State of the Federated Suns and the Lyran Commonwealth. This had been something Hap and Anastasia had known was going to happen, or had happened but they spent so much time in Drop Ships and on the edge of the Federation or Commonwealth, they didn't realize it had been made official. Both of them made note to try and refer to their new joint nation by its proper new title. They likely needed to get new uniform patches and other accouterments.
The McFinnigan's DropShip was in the Federated Commonwealth Embassies secure hangar located on the military side of the space port. Most of the company was working to repair the dropship. For replacement parts they had access to Compact's military stores. The prices were marked-up, but it wasn't excessively expensive. Sao-Shau Liu explained the prices were driven by scarcity and the growing pains of developing their own supply and logistics. Roweyna was content with that answer. Most of the equipment and parts came from Federated Suns and Lyran Commonwealth companies, so Hap and Anastasia took that as a sign of their nation's endorsement of St. Ives Compact.
After the morning with the Compact leadership Hap and Anastasia excused themselves to go to the embassy for the appointments they had there. The Defense Attaché had canceled their holo-appointment, and had rescheduled for the day they arrived on planet. Corporal Weber forwarded a dozen forms that Hap and Anastasia each had to fill out. It included a very time-consuming form that asked several personal questions. Anastasia thought they were busy work forms, Hap thought maybe the Defense Attaché was going to "mentor" them. Both of them thought it was a waste of their time. Anastasia and Hap dutifully went through the paperwork drill and sent them the forms back.
Sang Sao Liu told Hap and Anastasia that the Federated Commonwealth Embassy was within walking distance of the Compact Military HQ. She also assured them this portion of the city was relatively safe and regularly patrolled by the police and paramilitary forces. Hap and Anstasia considered taking a cab, but they opted to look around the city and enjoy their time off a Drop Ship. They changed into civilian attire and tried to blend into the crowd so they could enjoy a rare moment as "just tourists."
As they walked down the crowded streets Hap glanced over at Anastasia "Remind me again why we are doing this? We got the secure hangar, it's clear the Defense Attache, or DAT, or Colonel Bruckner, or whatever we call him doesn't want to talk to us. What's the point? I'm thinking we also run the risk that when we explain everything with Necromo they'll just take the…whatever we took… and send you and it back to NAIS."
Anastasia shrugged, "First, we don't have much choice. As members of the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns we must present ourselves to the embassy, especially if we intend to perform military options that have not been sanctioned by the Federated Suns."
"Second, would it really be so bad if we went back to New Avalon? I could continue my father's work, and I believe you were promised a position with the Guards. It might be nicer to be in one place for a while. We'd also have our own quarters on NAIS's secure campus." She gave him a coy look and tilted her head, "I'm certain it would be a very private and quiet space for us, unlike life on a Drop Ship."
Hap nodded, "This assumes they keep us together. Remember the deal was we spend a year as mercenary LNOs. I don't have any special research skills, that's all you. I'm supposed to learn about deep penetration raids and other high-risk operations. They may make me stay while you go."
Anastasia was about to remind him that his mother-in-law was a noble, who had a proven track record of getting what she wanted, but she caught their reflection in a store window. Before they left the Compact Military HQ they had changed from their utility uniforms and into civilian clothes. Anastasia had a simple white blouse and a long black skirt, Hap was wearing a blue button-up shirt and khaki slacks.
They almost blended into the crowd as there were a few businessmen and women wearing similar attire. Anastasia noted that most of the people were dressed in traditional Chinese clothing, at least the older crowd. The younger generation was wearing clothes more like the fashions of the Federated Suns or Lyran Commonwealth. Anastasia had seen a teenager in a sundress she would have loved to have, and there was also an elderly woman in a beautiful teal and jade dress she thought was a hanfu.
Anastasia still felt slightly conspicuous as they didn't exactly blend in with the crowd. Part of the problem was that Hap was taller than most of them, even the Slavic members of the population. Hap had been well fed as a youth, and a career in the military had added muscle and a disciplined posture to his tall frame. The other issue was their clothes just weren't exactly like everyone else's attire. Her perspective changed as she noticed the store window she was using as a mirror was for a storefront with several mannequins modeling cheongsams. "Perhaps we could do a little shopping?" Anastasia said.
Anastasia remembered a high society party from a few years back where a woman had worn a cheongsam like dress, and it made for a stunning cocktail dress. Anastasia had forgotten how much she wanted one until this moment. The silky curve hugging dress had a high collar, short sleeves, and a long slit going up almost to the waist. It combined elegance, style, and a subtle dash of coquetry. There were several to choose from with various embroidered designs, dazzling colors, and other flourishes.
Anastasia was also sensing her husband's reluctance to go to the embassy. In her mind, his hesitancy and the perfect red cheongsam were fantastic reasons to do a little shopping and get a change of clothes that would help them really blend in. In addition to a new dress, she had seen a designer shoe boutique a few blocks back. The businessmen in the crowd had to get their suits from somewhere, so surely they could get Hap another suit. His wardrobe always needed help in Anastasia's opinion.
"Business before pleasure, darlin'." Hap said as he gently pulled her away from the window and started walking down the street. "Besides I'm probably borrowing worries. Worse comes to worse, we'll be together in New Avalon by this time next year."
They fell back into the pace of the crowd. Sao Shao Liu told them they simply needed to go down the main boulevard until they saw a fortress with Federated Commonwealth banners hung from the walls. Hap wasn't exactly sure what that would look like, but Sao Shao Liu implied they couldn't miss it.
They walked another few blocks, and Anastasia saw a shop that had dresses, skirts, and blouses that caught her eye. She lingered at the window imaging herself in the various fashions on display. Anastasia was hoping she could remember how to find this store again. "We'll need to walk back this way."
"I was thinking we'd take a taxi back to the space port." Hap said "Assuming we find the embassy."
"You said business before pleasure, implying we would go shopping after the embassy."
"So I did." Hap said as he stepped back trying to get his bearings. "We haven't really gone down any side streets, and…" He turned around and looked almost straight up at the large skyscraper behind them. At the top was a large illuminated green sawblade with a stylized S and I on a green background with red Chinese characters. "It looks like we're across from the StarCorps Industries headquarters. I still think we should probably try not to be out too long."
"That's fair." Anastasia made a mental note as they continued walking. She knew it was a risk to be out on the streets, but part of her just wanted a normal life, as normal as their lives could be at the moment. It seemed to her that ComStar would likely be still preparing their next attempt on her life, so they could risk a little time out in the open, at least as long as they were being unpredictable. At the same time she knew Hap was probably right, they should get back to the hangar as soon as possible.
They continued walking and soon caught the warm smells of fried food and saw a food cart with a crowd around it. The signs were all in Chinese, but there were pictures and prices in Capellan Yuan or L-Bills and ComStar Bills. Anastasia and Hap had not exchanged any of their money so all they had were Davion Pounds and C-Bills.
"See anything you like?" Hap asked, "Something smells good."
Anastasia nodded as she studied the pictures, "I want that thing that looks like one of those festival style fried sausages in corn batter, but these appear to have panko batter."
"The panko batter corn dogs?" Hap asked as Anastasia nodded.
Hap and Anastasia got in line for the food and after a minute it was his turn to order. He asked if the man spoke English and he shook his head. Hap pointed to the picture with a panko battered meat on a stick and held up two fingers. The cart worker nodded and took two sticks with meaty lumps out of a large batter tray and dropped them in oil.
When Hap pulled out his money clip and the man saw the C-bills and his eyes lit up. He spoke to Hap in Chinese but Hap shook his head, he tried again in Russian, and all Hap could do was apologize. The cart worker pointed to the row of canned drinks balanced on the edge of the cart, and Hap understood.
Hap pointed to two green cans and the man asked him another question and gestured to his menu as he handed Hap two cold green cans from a cooler. Hap heard a few grumbles behind him and started to understand. "Uh…do we want anything else?" Hap asked Anastasia.
Anastasia wished she had studied Chinese or Russian. She was starting to realize she should know more languages than just the ones spoken in the Federation or Commonwealth. She also realized she was taking too long to decide, "dumplings" she said because it was the only thing she recognized.
Hap pointed to the picture of what he thought were dumplings and held up one finger. The man nodded and said "zha jiao" as he scooped up a dozen small dumplings and dropped them into his frying oil. Hap handed the man a Crisp 10 C-bill note as he turned to his cash register. He rung up Hap's order and then gave Hap a surprising amount of gold and silver coins for change.
Hap stepped aside so the next person could order. He cracked open his can and took a drink. It was a tart ginger soda drink. Anastasia took a sip too, "I like this ginger ale."
Hap held out the handful of small gold and silver coins. "I think he gave me too much change."
Anastasia took another sip, "Well it's Capellan Yuan, the weakest currency in the Inner Sphere. Given what's happened here he's probably happy to have a hard currency."
Hap nodded as he looked around. He couldn't see it in the crowd, but he suspected there was a lot of uncertainty for many of the people here. He could almost sense the insecurity and stress in the lives of the people around him. He did a quick calculation on how the man had exchanged his C-bills, and noted the prices on a lot of local goods, like food, were lower than what he expected. He realized the economy had likely bottomed out when they succeeded from the Capellan Confederation. He pocketed a few of the silver coins but put gold coins in the man's tip jar.
The food cart man yelled at Hap and held out a paper tray of dumplings and with the fried meat on top. Hap took the tray and led Anastasia away from the crowd. They found a low wall near the food cart that they used for a seat. Each took a fried meat stick.
"How is it?" Anastasia asked as Hap took a bite.
"Chewy." Hap said with his mouth full.
Anastasia bit into her meat on a stick, it tasted fishy, and as Hap said it was chewy, almost rubbery.
"I don't think these are sausage." Hap said.
Anastasia continued to chew as she looked back at the food cart and noticed the cartoon squid in the picture of the panko dog. "Oh it's squid." She agreed as she held her hand over her mouth.
Hap looked over his shoulder and saw the same cartoon squid. They both laughed as he said, "Of course it is."
"Lets try the dumplings." Hap said as he took a dumpling and popped it into his mouth. Anastasia took one and bit into the warm delicate fried meat pastry. The dumplings were filled with ground pork and finely chopped vegetables. These were much better than the squid. Anastasia put her squid dog on the tray and grabbed a few dumplings. "Help yourself to my squid dog."
Hap struggled to chew and swallow his bite of squid. "Thanks. Now if we can just find the embassy." Hap glanced across the street to see a large ancient looking Chinese-style fortress. The walls were generally square and nearly 20 meters high. A large open tunnel was built into the wall to allow entrance. The tunnel could easily accommodate two combat vehicles side by side.
From where Hap and Anastasia sat they could see a large pagoda-like tower rising from the center of the fortress. Each floor seemed roughly the same size, and it looked highly ornate. The structure looked ancient and clashed with the concrete and steel structures around it. The building to the left of the fortress had various shops and probably a couple offices or living spaces, on the right was a tall skyscraper that boasted a shopping mall and the Tengo Aerospace company headquarters.
As much as the ancient style fortress seemed an anachronistic paradox, what most seemed of place to Hap were the banners gently swaying in the wind that hung from the fortresses. The banners had the blue fist of the Lyran commonwealth imposed over the sunburst of the Federated Suns. The symbol of the Lyran Commonwealth.
"I think we just found the embassy."