Game of Thrones Tales: Lannister Family Values
Summary: In an alternative universe, King Robert calls on a different old friend and brother to assist him. But whose decency, kindness, and sense of honor, while a bit different from Ned Stark's are equally strong. But are the family values of House Addams a match for the ruthless Lannisters?
Part LXXI…
The Barth Cloning Containment Facility…
Formerly, the late and unlamented Spice King's Grainery…
"There…" Taro Trumpo Don proudly pointed out the rows of bronze metal tanks to Danerys, Ser Jonah, Rachel, and the guards, including Captain of his Chancellor Guard, Eerie…Viserion hovering above him giving arrogant look to his hovering brothers…
See…I picked the winning side, losers.
"Our clone army, dearest…" he waved to an attendant who lifted cover off one tank and pulled on chain raising a bald, large, greenish-skinned clone out to shoulder level.
"In hibernation phase, as I told you, but now the Cure is ready, soon we'll bring them all out…Go." He told the attendant who cranked the chain lifting the clone up and out of the tank.
"What is that stuff in there? Eehew, bogus…" Danerys eyed the fluid dripping from the hanging clone, chain about his waist and shoulders.
"Amniotic fluid, a synthetic version developed by your dear father, Rachel…" Taro smiled at her.
Yeah, like this whole project wasn't Dad's idea…
"Revive…Or rather, vive him…" Don ordered as the clone was lowered to the ground, kept standing on its feet by the chain.
"The Cure has already been introduced into their nutrient fluid…" he explained as the attendant summoned a helper and the two applied wires to two areas of the clone's chest.
"We use the very power of nature herself, lightening, to activate our…Children…" Taro, getting a bit with the dramatic.
"The bizz thing, Seymour…Let there be life!" he commanded to the original attendant, a youngish fellow, in cap and gown. Seymour turning to a cart next to the clone where the other attendant was busily fussing with the wires from the body.
Yeah, yeah…Like it's not standard procedure…Seymour thought, turning crank on top of a glass jar rather like Gomez Addams' lightening storage jar. A spark flying inside the jar, the clone's body twitching…
"Yes, the very secret of Life itself!" Taro exalted.
Trademark, Phat Pree…Rachel fumed a bit.
Whoa, not bad, if the thing doesn't just roast and stink…Danerys thought.
The clone's body jerked, eyes popping open. The attendants removing the wires as the clone pulled away from them…
"Order 666…" Taro commanded. The clone hopping to attention.
Phew…Doesn't work on me with him…Rachel thought, relieved. And thank gods my skin ain't green, the bald is quite enough, thanks Dad.
"Basic education elements to equip him to function as a soldier are already laid down…" Taro smiled.
"About face, soldier!" The clone whirling round.
"And again, about face!" The clone facing them, set grim look.
Not bad…Danerys nodded…Though he seems to be lacking something…
If he is a "he"… "Say, where's his…?" She looked down…
"Unnecessary so discarded in the final version…" Taro shrugged. "Just a distraction our soldiers don't need."
"A eunich clone army…?" Ser Jonah eyed him.
"No family to concern them…No worries about them getting ideas above their station should their Master die or be killed…"
If I weren't utterly devoted to self, I could be outraged by this violation of human rights and dignity, Rachel thought. But, eh…Who wants ambitious soldier brothers each seeking power, even to found a dynasty, once we simonize the blonde bimbo Queen into a "Queen"?
And speaking of ideas above their station…Taro eyed Ser Jonah…Then Danerys.
Time to see about employing a more effective means of persuading the Princess that I'm the man for her.
"Come, I've even more to reveal to you, dearest. Bring them." He ordered. "Come, soldier!" he commanded the clone who followed.
…
Kings' Landing…
The apartments of the Acting Lord Hand…
Tyrion trying to console a sad Stephanie…
"Steph…There is no way in our version of Hades I would let anyone prevent our wedding. You're my lady, the next member of the family Lannister."
"The King will forbid it…That's what he was telling you. Not to mention your father…" she sighed. "I knew this would happen."
"It won't. I don't care what they want."
"You can't protect me, Tyrion." Shrug. "I'll be lucky if they don't kill me. And you'll lose everything you've gained."
"I'm temporarily Acting Hand…Nothing I can't give up in a sec." he frowned.
"You could also lose your inheritance…" she pointed out.
"What inheritance? Father's never gone beyond a clothes allowance, a bit of travel money sos not to embarrass the family name as big spenders, and the standard government salary, paid for in this case by the kingdom. I long have my own money, darling. I need nothing from Father."
She shook head…
"Tyrion, you're not here because your father despises you…In your heart you know that." She eyed him. "You're a Lannister lion and your father's hope and I'm sure, joy, whatever he claims to you. And he won't let you throw yourself away on a prostitute, even an ex- who saved your life."
Hard stare…
"…And I can't be your apology to that other girl…"
"Tish? Dear…? Is that what you think?" he frowned. "You're a guilt substitute? Stephanie, that's not true. I love you."
"You care for me. You feel you owe me…" she sighed.
"And I want you for my wife."
"Do you?" she eyed him. "Ok, then…Lets go. Now."
"Leave Kings' Landing?"
"That's what I'm sayin'…" frown. "But you can't, can you?"
"I've been entrusted with a duty by the King and Lord Addams…" he shook head. "I can't just abandon my post…"
"Especially when it's really your father who entrusted with it…And when you're so good at it."
"Nonsense, I'm warming Gomez Addams' chair till he retuns."
"Tyrion…The King's proclaimed you his other hand. It's to be a two-Handed operation. Permanently." She frowned. "And there's no place for me here…"
"That's not true." He went to her. "I'd never abandon you for…this…Rigamarole."
"No? Then come with me." She insisted.
"As soon as Gomez returns…It's just that I want to see it through. And it's been nice, for the first time in my life, admittedly, but nice, to spend a little time with Cersei since she and Rob reconciled."
"You've got your family back. You can't lose them for my sake."
"Steph. Be fair. Just give me a little time. Cersei wants to help if she can, amazingly enough. She may be able to smooth things in time."
"They've been fair…Especially given what my twin did. But I think it's more than your family's prejudices and social standing, my little Imp." She smiled sadly, rising. "You've never forgotten your first wife, Tish. You're trying to make it up to her through me." Moving to him. He taking her hand…Steph?
"That's not so…"
"Tyrion, I know you. You've a loving heart and it doesn't stop loving…Not even your father, let alone the sister who's finally come to appreciate you a bit. You're still in love with her. And that's sweet, it's lovely, it's the way it should be…But it leaves me with nothing…" tears running.
"Steph…Might I point out? I am the Hand, for the moment…I could use the full resources of the Kingdom to find her if I wished to." He noted sternly. "I choose to assume the poor thing is dead. But if she's alive, I hope she's found some nice and tolerant fellow to help her. She's out of my life and my heart."
"Tyrion…I love you, more than I would have thought possible, to be honest." She sighed. "But I can't have you throw your life away…At least not to apologize to another woman…Maybe I could do it if it were just for me…But I'm too jealous a person for that."
He came to her, embracing her but she pulled away…
And…She eyed him… "There's something you should know…" Careful pause…
"I wasn't at the Vale because I wanted to experience the ultimate in dungeon security with a female psycho boss or a quieter life as a prostitute in the 'burbs. I was sent there…By my real employer."
He stared at her…
"Not Roz's Menace…" she shook head. "I'd never work for someone who'd order the murder of kids."
"Who then?" he asked, forcing out the words.
"I think you know who…" she eyed him.
"Father?" he shook head. "And he sent you…To the Vale…?"
"A while ago, to watch over Jon Arryn when he was away from Kings' Landing. And to see what his crazy Lady was up to…" she sighed. "Prostitutes turned jailers make excellent spies."
"You had orders to help me." He said, flatly.
"I did…And they came from him, after he'd learned you'd been taken." nod. "But I would've anyway."
"Oh?"
"You don't have to believe me…It's just the truth. And along with his summoning an army to free you, pretty clear proof he loves you."
"I believe you love me. Whatever Father feels for me…" He nodded. "So, you love me. I love you." Pleading glance… "Just be patient a while longer…And gods damn it, if the King and my father still oppose our wedding, I'll go…We'll go. I promise." He put his hand to her cheek. "Trust me, Steph. I won't let you down."
"You won't let Tish down…Again…" she eyed him.
"You're the one here, not her." Firm stare. "Steph, just a few days, till Lord Gomez returns…Then, I'll give it up, I swear."
She sighed but finally nodded… "We'll see…"
(Oh, my…Verysmuch reading report on the scene.
I almost wish I'd not read that one…Feels like an intrusion even if it's useful to know.)