"Blaine Lee Pardoe - Battletech - Battlecorps - Betrayal Of Ideals Part 3" - читать интересную книгу автора (Pardoe Blaine Lee)

are part of who we are. Are you telling me that none of your peo-
ple desired the role of saKhan, quineg? That makes no sense.тАЭ
тАЬNegative, ilKhan. I spoke with the candidates beforehand. I told
them that Franklin was my choice to succeed saKhan Robertson.
They respected my decision and withdrew from consideration. He
stood unopposed for the role.тАЭ
тАЬYou cajoled them into withdrawing,тАЭ fired off Khan Jorgensson
of the Ghost Bears. тАЬIt is a move that lacks honor.тАЭ
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SarahтАЩs face tightened. She could feel it. тАЬI did not intimidate my
Warriors. My people respect me. Perhaps if the Ghost Bears lead-
ership was as strong as ours, you would understand.тАЭ Jorgensson
often spoke with a bitter streak of sarcasm, Sarah knew that. His
devotion to the Ghost Bears was admirable, but he often did
not see beyond his own Clan. His version of events during the
Pentagon Wars was as tainted as other Khans. Each Clan recorded
their history from their perspective тАУ often at the expense of the
full truth. In years to come, that will be our weakness.
Khan Karrige of the Widowmakers chuckled, a noise that was dis-
BattleCorps



turbing to McEvedy. тАЬI was unaware that you were so popular with
your people, Khan McEvedy. Apparently they place more faith in
you than they do in the ilKhan, this Council, or the traditions of our
Clans.тАЭ Karrige had made this personal. He had, in two sentences,
drawn a line between McEvedy and everyone else in the room.
I have to try and step back from the brink, it can save lives. Before
she could say anything, Nicholas cut in. тАЬI would say that any such
ascension to the role of saKhan is not official unless I preside over
it as ilKhan. Further, Khan McEvedy, if there was no combat Trial,
there can be no one assuming such a role or a seat at this table.тАЭ
Sarah was dumbfounded. I never thought that this would be this
big of an issue. I should have guessed, given NicholasтАЩs ego. She
had known him a long time, and for the first time she felt he was
being manipulated by those in the room around her. Sarah had
always seen Nicholas as the great manipulator, but now she saw
that there was another side to him, one that her peers could take
advantage of. тАЬIlKhan, there is no such law or rede that binds us
that I am aware of.тАЭ
Nicholas balled his fist and hit the great round table. тАЬIt is tradi-
tion. A tradition, I might add, that your Wolverines are not exempt
from. Until this matter is settled according to our laws,тАЭ he cast
a fleeting glace over at Franklin. тАЬStar Colonel Hallis, you are not
welcome at this session.тАЭ
Franklin rose slowly, looking at Sarah, then at the ilKhan. He
pulled his uniform taut, as if to grapple with his dignity. There