020. Glorious victory (for Iris)

Iris Steiner was more than a little irritated.

Not so much at her potential husband, more at his... situation.

The doctors couldn't be silenced if they wanted to. All over the Inner Sphere, knowledge that there were indeed creatures in Hyperspace, that the whispers some claimed to be present... were, in fact, real. That they were not insane, and that their attempts to murder the passenger and crew of their dropships/jumpships weren't because of a psychotic break. It was the elder gods... and now there was proof of their existence!

Ignoring the latter half of the statement, there were indeed creatures of Hyperspace, that were now visible to the wider universe.

The Hyperdimensional creature, Voidy the Space Squid was proof enough of that, confounding all known science by being visible to the human eye, and yet invisible to any and all sensors. Attempts to replicate Voidy's visibility were ongoing, according to the doctor-in-charge.

Attempts at taking photographs of it had worked, direct light application in other words was possible, yet trying to get an x-ray of the creature had shown nothing.

Which made no sense! X-rays were just further along on the electromagnetic spectrum!

In any case, the creature and the odd properties it had demonstrated had been linked rather quickly to the phenomenon colloquially called 'Phantom Mech'.

It would appear and disappear from history, where Battlemechs or vehicles would disappear from all sensors but sight. Leaving them impervious to people who did not know how to aim their weapons using visual indicators, the pilots often suffering some kind of mental break afterwards.

Strangely, it only became a recognised phenomenon with the advent of the Neurohelmet, as if the merging of man, machine, and fusion engine resulted in the phenomena. The fact that the fusion engines interacted with Hyperspace in some form supported this particular argument, and Iris felt it had the greatest merit.

Every time Phantom Mech appeared, it would create a disturbance as many theorised about the possibility of it being genetics, or it being some kind of ECM, or something equally, beautifully absurd.

Yet, it would not appear with any consistency between generations before inevitably disappearing, only to show up elsewhere in the Inner Sphere.

An unknown factor.

Yet here it was, physical proof of its existence, proof that there was something more to it than rumour and myth.

Which, naturally, had drawn every single Mechwarrior in the Inner Sphere that could make the journey to Furillo.

Every single Mechwarrior worth their salt (and could get through the Commonwealth without being shot), or didn't have obligations elsewhere, was here. The two month convalescence of Huu Eggers as he recovered from... ugh... Voidy being inside his skull, then moving through his inner organs until it reached his lower intestine, had given enough time for thousands to arrive... with their Battlemechs or without.

All desired to discover the secrets to make themselves invincible on the battlefield. Some were ready to take the answers by force. Already, there were militia defending the hospital. There would be no incursions, not on her watch.

Those who tried had been quietly... taken away by LIC. Perhaps they might even show up again someday.

The more civilised waited and petitioned the Archaic Duke for access to his pet.

Into this came the news that Hohiro Kurita had launched a renewed offensive against the Rasalhague Kingdom, the Rasalhague Regulars (those that had not defected) being given the option to die now, or die against their traitorous kin.

In one final, glorious battle, they had invaded Kirkbach, the origin of the rebellion. With over 12 Regiments making planetfall, a grinding battle lasting 4 months had concluded with the near annihilation of the First Sword of Light, led by Hohiro himself. The Rasalhague Regulars had themselves been annihilated, leading the vanguard so that Hohiro might break through the fortress walls. Regaining their honour or some such. An attempt to reach the commander and kill him in personal combat. It did not happen, his force grinding themselves into non-existence after breaking through six Fortress Hex walls.

Sheer productivity had created the defences that killed him, the face of war had changed when militia had destroyed Mech battalions on their own. It had changed again when Fortresses manned by militia had ground down elite Mech Regiments until they fled. Casualties had been high, but the world had not fallen, its people safe.

Especially important with the dearth of Battlemechs to support them, most still in the hands of the Combine. Well, most... before Hohiro's attempt to regain his honour that is.

The other, supporting regiments retreated in good order, the defensive might of the Fortress Hexes did not lend itself well to offensive actions after all.

Takashi Kurita, still young, a Battalion Commander, had taken his father's place as Coordinator... against much objection from other branches of the Kuritan line. Great instability was predicted.

The success of that had seen yet more interest in Huu Eggers.

His creation of Eggers Media was followed by a legion of fans rushing down to see their 'spiritual leader'

Finally, the fact that he was a young, available bachelor had seen yet more individuals of all ages coming to Furillo.

In short.

It was a madhouse, and Iris Steiner was irritated beyond words.

As heir to the Duchy of Furillo, she was responsible for welcoming all of these individuals, and it was... uh.

She was not having a good time, to put it mildly.

The ins and out of protocol had been hammered into her as a child, and she was managing. What she was not managing was getting close to Huu Eggers to have a frank discussion about the future. Perhaps once it was over, all of this madness could at least... take a break.

Which was why she was here, with her family retainers forming a wall around the hospital room, so she could have a frank and honest discussion.

The fact that every single eligible youth she had passed on the way here, had the same haircut? The gold diggers had inadvertently created a trend, destroying their chances of looking appealing when they looked like everyone else.

Hah, idiots.

Side pony-tail is best.

Knocking on the door to his suite, giving a nod to his guards, which bore the crest of house Eggers. A round egg filled with cracks on a sandy background. The oval shape, indicating that the house progenitor had served in the Arcturan Guards.

The guards knew she was coming, checking her identification and biometrics. After the sheer waves he had created, only the best could serve, to ensure he didn't get himself kidnapped or killed. She was sure many were former or active LIC or LCAF-MI from the dossier she had received on his father.

"Come in!" The reedy voice inside called out, Iris striding forth in her Officer Aspirant uniform, itself polished and gleaming with the Blackjack School of Combat patch on her breast pocket.

"Excuse me, Iris Steiner,to speak with Huu Eggers."

Introducing herself, she could see a shaky figure, struggling on his feet, slowly putting one foot before the other. The four wheel stroller in front of him held in shaking, all too thin hands. Face set despite the struggle, the all consuming need for victory evident.

The determination was palpable as he took one shuddering step after another.

This was Huu Eggers.

For all the report had said he was impulsive, that he was far-sighted, that he was a visionary, the sheer determination he had to take one single step struck a cord within her.

Here was proof of those claims.

This was a teen, like her, that would grow into something remarkable if given the chance.

She felt the misgivings she had about this entire situation dissipate slightly. She wasn't exactly happy about it, more neutral than anything else, but she felt better than she had in a while about this betrothal.

This would work. She would make it.

"Please. Take. A. Seat. I have. A few. More. Laps... To. Go."

And so, she did, making herself comfortable on the visitor chair in the corner. As all hospital rooms had.

Panting slightly as he sat down again on the hospital bed, she beheld him slowly laying down fully. His assistant, the suspected intelligence operative, Glory Brantzollen, waving away his weakly insistent hands as she fed him water from a cup.

"How can I help you today, Iris, was it?" He finally said, settling back, the top third of the bed leaning at a 20-degree angle upwards. Head turning to her, Iris felt a pang of guilt before shifting her chair to the foot of the bed... so he wouldn't look like he was on the verge of snapping his neck every time he looked in her direction.

"I have come here to speak to you regarding a very simple matter. I feel that it is better to be forthright about this rather than allow it to continue in the manner it has. As you may have noticed, things have escalated with regards to your situation, and I felt it necessary to approach you directly."

He looked baffled.

"What's going on?"

Iris looked searchingly at his face and felt a realisation dawn on her.

He was a block of lead, wasn't he?

It made sense, all of his drive and vision had been focused into one, singular aspect.

Improving the Commonwealth.

It had led to him being absolutely oblivious in a social setting. How had he not noticed all the attractive young nurses and doctors parading around him? All the well-wishers that coincidentally were young and attractive?

He was... completely, absolutely, socially oblivious.

How had nobody noticed this?

The solution, as her ancestors had learned and passed down, was to be direct.

To confront him head on and explain her situation in detail.

"I am Duchess in Waiting, Iris Steiner, Heir to the Duchy of Furillo. Here to speak to Duke in Waiting, Huu Eggers, in regard to matters of matrimony." Right hand to left chest, she spoke slowly and clearly. In an official capacity. There would be no miscommunication at this point in time, not here, not now.

He looked baffled.

"Um. If you're being put up to this, I appreciate the sentiment... but ummm. Maybe someone else? I'm not all that great, really."

He had the gall to look sorry for her.

Iris Steiner reminded herself he was dense as lead.

Or capital grade ship armour.

"I am one hundred percent serious right now. I am interested in the idea of betrothing our houses together because it is economically and personally viable. We can get to know each other in time, but this is an expression of interest in you, Huu Eggers, as a person and owner of Eggers General Utility. Your business acumen is of great interest to House Steiner, your success in business at your age makes you extremely valuable on the marriage market."

He looked confused, then outraged at the second half of her explanation.

"Success? What success! I was just talking to Eggers Education and they told me they hired 200 professors. I ask them about technicians and vocations and they tell me nothing! I told them I want to have the largest education institution in the galaxy and they tell me 200 is enough! 2000 I tell them, 2000 this month, no less! Find me farmers, blacksmiths, merchants, anyone with skills! Don't even get me started on Eggers Armaments, always with World War 2. Look newer, look better, don't be stuck in the past! Successful? I am not successful, the only successful business right now is Eggers Media..."

He was panting how, chest heaving up and down as he vented to her. His fury at his inability, his deficiencies in companies that would be lauded at every level anywhere else. His fury at himself, for not being able to continue as his lungs bellowed for more air.

"Can you believe just how those companies are causing troubles for me right now? Seriously, successful. Pschaw."

Iris meanwhile knew that from the intelligence reports, provided by her second cousin, Alessandro, that the various subsidiaries of Eggers General Utility were the fastest growing concerns in the Lyran Commonwealth.

Instead of resting on his laurels, he was focusing on their deficiencies, always looking for ways to improve, to develop further.

Never stopping.

Unrelenting

For all his inability in the social arena, she felt keenly just how far his vision went. His drive to complete his objectives.

This match was not objectionable in the least, and that was that.

"Yes, while you may not feel you are successful, I am interested in getting to know you better. House Steiner does not find your business acumen objectionable."

He looked at her as if she were insane.

"Really? House Steiner thinks my business skills are... not objectionable... really?"

"Yes."

He paused again, looking baffled.

"Um. Okay? If you're sure."

She wasn't sure why he thought he wasn't successful, she was also a little baffled why he thought House Steiner did not know what it was talking about. Speaking like one would to a child utterly convinced of their righteousness... while being completely and utterly wrong.

But!

But she remembered the ancient teachings of House Steiner.

That when dealing with a block of lead, the solution was to bull through and confront them with the truth again and again until they cannot deny it further.

"Yes I, and through me, House Steiner, are sure. Perhaps we can get to know each other first? Find some common ground so that we might develop this further? Become friends before we make this betrothal official." She was slowly inching forward.

To the side, she could see Glory raising an eyebrow, but she ignored it. She had her chance and wasted it.

It was Iris' turn now.

"Um. Okay. If you're sure. Like. I don't get it, but you look like you know. Um... What you want."

A victorious inner fist pump.

"Yes, as your future betrothed, would you mind terribly if I sat closer?"

He looked embarrassed.

"Okay?"

Iris hid an inner grin.

By the end of the day she would have her victory as this betrothal, and her victory over the 13, 283 men and women on Furillo interested in Huu Eggers, would be made solid, like rockcrete.

She would demonstrate her superiority over all of them.

The two sat for a time, chatting quietly about inconsequential things, for he had a great understanding... of perhaps the most useless things she had ever heard. Perhaps it was just his mind, throwing a million stupid ideas at the wall so that it could find the one or two good ones? It wasn't like she couldn't follow the train of thought, one insane, stupid, asinine idea... in a slightly different context was genius. Like the use of pre-space weapons on the modern battlefield.

Still, as he worked up the courage to say something more relevant to their current... situation, Iris held her metaphorical breath.

"Ummm. Right, I'm not great at this. Um... Would you... like to hold hands?" He sounded incredibly embarrassed.

The victorious Steiner (was there ever any doubt?) with great poise placed her hand in his.

Glorious victory.