The hunt
Dinesen-Maynard Estate
Tharkad
November 1, 3071
A tall, slender woman with carefully dressed pale blonde hair stood at a balcony overlooking the grounds of her estate. Clad in a deceptively simple looking matching tunic and pants set made of thermasilk, she casucally leaned on the railing, concealing the rage in her storm grey eyes as she listened to her agent's report. Finally he fell silent and the lady clenched her fists out of his sight. Couldn't let the hired help see such a reaction after all.
Finally her cool voice could be heard, it was colder than the night's somewhat chill air, "So what you're telling me is that you can't find any trace of my daughter?"
She had to give him credit, most would have stuttered at that tone of voice. "Yes, Your Grace. The foundation that hired her as a mech scout is privately owned with top notch security, it'll take more time for us to be able to get access to their records."
"How long?"
"At least a few months."
Silence descended again as Catharina Dinesen-Maynard mulled over the man's words. Jamieson really was quite good at what he did and those who worked for him were as equally good. If he said a few months, she knew that no one else would be able to get the information any sooner. More likely it would take longer with a greater chance of failure. She couldn't risk alerting the ungrateful little bitch that the hunt was on.
"And you're positive she didn't join her father?"
"Yes, ma'am. There is no one of her description joining either the Rangers prior to his departure, or this new unit he's with."
Damn, damn and double damn. It couldn't be helped then. While she was still young enough to have another child, she didn't want to go through the effort only to see it wasted on yet another squalling brat that didn't know its proper place in life. Besides, Marlana was hers and what was hers was never given up. As much as it galled the Grand Dutchess to admit it, the man who sired her eldest child had indeed contributed to the girl's intelligence and athletic ability.
Unfortunately he planted foolish ideas into the little chit's head which lead to the situation she was currently in. Her two eldest had vanished, her youngest currently in a very good, very discreet drug rehab clinic. Only she was still in a coma after her overdose of the latest designer drugs combined with an excess of alcohol. Catharina's upper lip curled slightly at the thought of the crowd her youngest ran with. Not that the middle child was any better having run off to Solaris VII. No, she needed a competent heir and that left the eldest who was also the biggest thorn in her side.
Marlana Halas, who by rights should have been Marlana Dinesen-Halas, but even as a child the girl was contrary. Well not for much longer once she got ahold of the wretched child. She had access to people who would make Marlana more obediant while leaving her otherwise intact mentally and physically.
"Very well then, Mr. Jamieson. Do what you have to do."
He bowed his way out even though her back was still at him. As swiftly as decorum would allow the agent left the estate, an hour later he was at a public telecom. Waiting patiently for his call to route through the appropriate channels, the man mused silently to himself over the conversation with Her Grace.
Finally. A click. "Yes?"
"It's me, Boss. The lady agreed, it'll give us some breathing space to locate target and deliver it to His Highness as a bargaining chip."
"Excellent work. You know what to do now." Another click, then dead air.
Jamieson smiled as he walked away from the telecomm after wiping the traces of his call. The Loki agent shook his head a bit, who would have thought one MechWarrior would be worth this kind of fuss?
Tharkad
November 1, 3071
A tall, slender woman with carefully dressed pale blonde hair stood at a balcony overlooking the grounds of her estate. Clad in a deceptively simple looking matching tunic and pants set made of thermasilk, she casucally leaned on the railing, concealing the rage in her storm grey eyes as she listened to her agent's report. Finally he fell silent and the lady clenched her fists out of his sight. Couldn't let the hired help see such a reaction after all.
Finally her cool voice could be heard, it was colder than the night's somewhat chill air, "So what you're telling me is that you can't find any trace of my daughter?"
She had to give him credit, most would have stuttered at that tone of voice. "Yes, Your Grace. The foundation that hired her as a mech scout is privately owned with top notch security, it'll take more time for us to be able to get access to their records."
"How long?"
"At least a few months."
Silence descended again as Catharina Dinesen-Maynard mulled over the man's words. Jamieson really was quite good at what he did and those who worked for him were as equally good. If he said a few months, she knew that no one else would be able to get the information any sooner. More likely it would take longer with a greater chance of failure. She couldn't risk alerting the ungrateful little bitch that the hunt was on.
"And you're positive she didn't join her father?"
"Yes, ma'am. There is no one of her description joining either the Rangers prior to his departure, or this new unit he's with."
Damn, damn and double damn. It couldn't be helped then. While she was still young enough to have another child, she didn't want to go through the effort only to see it wasted on yet another squalling brat that didn't know its proper place in life. Besides, Marlana was hers and what was hers was never given up. As much as it galled the Grand Dutchess to admit it, the man who sired her eldest child had indeed contributed to the girl's intelligence and athletic ability.
Unfortunately he planted foolish ideas into the little chit's head which lead to the situation she was currently in. Her two eldest had vanished, her youngest currently in a very good, very discreet drug rehab clinic. Only she was still in a coma after her overdose of the latest designer drugs combined with an excess of alcohol. Catharina's upper lip curled slightly at the thought of the crowd her youngest ran with. Not that the middle child was any better having run off to Solaris VII. No, she needed a competent heir and that left the eldest who was also the biggest thorn in her side.
Marlana Halas, who by rights should have been Marlana Dinesen-Halas, but even as a child the girl was contrary. Well not for much longer once she got ahold of the wretched child. She had access to people who would make Marlana more obediant while leaving her otherwise intact mentally and physically.
"Very well then, Mr. Jamieson. Do what you have to do."
He bowed his way out even though her back was still at him. As swiftly as decorum would allow the agent left the estate, an hour later he was at a public telecom. Waiting patiently for his call to route through the appropriate channels, the man mused silently to himself over the conversation with Her Grace.
Finally. A click. "Yes?"
"It's me, Boss. The lady agreed, it'll give us some breathing space to locate target and deliver it to His Highness as a bargaining chip."
"Excellent work. You know what to do now." Another click, then dead air.
Jamieson smiled as he walked away from the telecomm after wiping the traces of his call. The Loki agent shook his head a bit, who would have thought one MechWarrior would be worth this kind of fuss?
posted by Reika at 6:40 PM
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