IS: Chapter 73

Katrina and I started off our reception not with food or a dance or any of the things that normal citizens did at their weddings. We weren't in a position that normal citizens were, after all. Instead, we started the reception off by doing the rounds, greeting various diplomats and generally trying to talk as much shop as we could at a public event while we had everyone here in one place. Of course, my footsteps took me right to the three power-brokers of the Rimward Federative Council. President Kenneth McCabe of Detroit, Lord Mayor Maxine Ranier of Rockwellawan, and Duke Seyn Min of Manthraka were all standing next to one another, Champagne Glasses in hand. Next to them, stood Marshal of the Avellar Guard Maurice Avellar. They seemed to be discussing trade agreements between the Outworlds Alliance and the nascent Rimward Federative Council.

"Gentlemen, and Lady. How are you finding the reception?" I questioned, walking up to the group.

"Ah, Prince Poniatowski! Thank you for inviting us all!" Beamed Kenneth McCabe, the older, sandy-haired, man was affable as always.

"Yes, it is not every day that planetary rulers of our stature are invited to the wedding of one of the Inner Sphere's Elite." Nodded Maxine Ranier with a wry smile, the darker-skinned, brown-haired Woman was actually quite a wit, even after a few drinks.

"Please, it's not as if we aren't allies with Prince Poniatowski. I, for one, would have been displeased to not be invited." Scoffed Seyn Min, the Burmese Features of the Duke of Manthraka creasing in a confident smirk.

"Quite so! I am pleased that you all could take time out from the negotiations to visit Katrina and I on our wedding day, I know the ongoing Unification Talks are fairly time-consuming, after all." I nodded.

"One might get the impression that you've been Prince of Rasalhague for two years and you're already doing Empire Building halfway across the Sphere. Thankfully, my Uncle isn't one of them." Chuckled Maurice Avellar, the Bearded, Olive-skinned Man in good spirits.

"That Omniss Philosophy can be something of a hindrance when it comes to Realpolitik, eh?" I queried.

"You don't know the half of it. We have exactly two Battlemech Regiments because of that, and even then, we only increased it from one to two regiments recently. Plus we're not allowed to manufacture our own, even if we have the capacity." Griped Maurice Avellar.

"That is actually what we were just discussing." Informed Kenneth McCabe.

"Oh? Do tell?" I asked.

"Manthraka can manufacture Combat Vehicles, Infantry Equipment, and Artillery." Pointed out Seyn Min.

"And Detroit can manufacture Battlemechs and some small amount of Aerospace Fighters." Added Kenneth McCabe.

"With Rockwellawan providing minerals, we three can equip regiments. We don't have the Aerospace Fighter Plants or the Shipyards to build enough fighters, Jumpships, or Dropships to keep pace, though." Comtinued Maxine Ranier.

"Yet, anyway. With your industrial investment, we should be able to rectify that in time." Qualified Seyn Min.

"Which brings me to what we were discussing. If Detroit, Mathraka, and Rockwellawan can provide the Outworlds Alliance with Ground Forces Equipment, the Outworlds Alliance can provide Aerospace Forces Equipment to fill the stopgap." Remarked Maurice Avellar.

"We would, however not be trading the most cutting edge equipment." Warned Seyn Min.

"Which is where you come in, naturally." Smirked Maxine Ranier.

"Naturally. Now, I know the Outworlds Alliance purchased licenses for the Sabre Two and Corsair Two from Buccaneer Arms. What else are you looking for?" I questioned.

"Pentagon Two and Starlord Two Pocket Warships and JumpShips. Plus technical advisors to help work up the new technology." Answered Maurice Avellar.

"While we would like to purchase licenses for the Rifleman Two and Griffin Refit Battlemechs. Plus technical advisors." Chimed in Kenneth McCabe.

"And we would like licenses for Scorpion Two and Hipparch Two Tanks, plus technical advisors." Piped up Seyn Min

"And Rockwellawan?" I queried.

"Rockwellawan will be staying the course. We plan to provide raw resources for the plants on Detroit and Manthraka." Demurred Maxine Ranier.

"Well, this is an expensive proposition, though it could be lucrative for all involved. I'll have to charge retainer fees for the technical advisors, you understand?" I asked.

"Of course." Nodded Maurice Avellar.

"In that case, have your ministers talk to Minister Huber's people and we ought to be able to not only make a lot of C-bills, but also increase security for all our peoples." I agreed.

"Excellent." Beamed Kenneth McCabe.

"You won't regret this." Affirmed Maxine Ranier.

"Indeed, you will find no more faithful an ally than Manthraka." Confirmed Seyn Min.

"And the Outworlds Alliance is a very capable trade partner. We will make lots of money, as you said." Grinned Maurice Avellar.

"Unfortunately, I need to keep mingling. Gentlemen, Lady. Enjoy the reception." I offered with a slight nod before moving off to mingle.

As I did so, I noticed various dignitaries mingling and talking. Katrina was busily being dawned over by a half-dozen ladies, including Melissa Steiner. I supposed that when it was your wedding day, even the Archon-Designate of the Lyran Commonwealth has to step aside and admit the day is about you. Meanwhile, Morgan Hasek-Davion was in a discussion with Minister Simowitz. They were whispering back and forth in hushed tones about something that seemed urgent. Minister Simowitz slid a datachip over to Morgan Hasek-Davion wrapped in a napkin, disguised as passing a small plate of hors d'oeuvres. As soon as Morgan Hasek-Davion took the datachip, he stood up, flanked by a bodyguard, and made to walk out. As he did so, he stopped briefly next to me.

"Prince Poniatowski, unfortunately it seems I must leave early. The business of state is calling and I need to answer. Unfortunately, My Uncle needs to speak to me." Offered Morgan Hasek-Davion by way of an excuse.

"Of course, give my regards to your Uncle." I nodded.

"I will. Give my best to your new wife and congratulations on your nuptials." Returned Morgan Hasek-Davion.

And with that, the Heir and co-ruler of the First Prince of the Federated Suns swept out of the ballroom, his Bodyguard, a Blonde Woman in an MIIO Uniform, following close behind. I frowned at that and headed over to the table where Minister Simowitz was sitting and sipping on a flute of champagne. As I approached, he raised his champagne flute to me in a toast, a knowing grin splitting his face. I raised my own champagne flute, filled with sparkling grape juice instead of champagne, just in case I needed to dodge and assassination attempt on my wedding day, back at him. Then I took a seat at his table.

"Do I want to know what you just gave him?" I questioned.

"Intelligence reports." Responded Minister Simowitz.

"What sort of intelligence reports?" I queried.

"The sort that show a mole in the NAIS." Answered Minister Simowitz.

"And how would we know about that?" I asked.

"Because we have a mole in the NAIS." Smirked Minister Simowitz.

"I see." I mused.

"It turns out, the Tristars have a few of them. I gave them one of the Kuritas and one of the Liaos. Naturally, the report shows that we got the information from spying on the Kuritas and Liaos rather than from our own Mole in the NAIS." Grinned Minister Simowitz.

"And it also throws suspicion off our own man." I pointed out.

"That too." Agreed Minister Simowitz.

"Well, try not to plan too much more skullduggery today. It's my wedding day, after all." I insisted.

"No better time for it." Shrugged Minister Simowitz.

And with that, I shook my head, getting up and walking away. I scanned the crowd to see what else was going on. Susie was busy drinking something that I had a sneaking suspicion wasn't sparkling grape juice judging by how she was swaying about in her seat. I was definitely going to have words with the Palace Staff about that. On the other hand, the Tristar Representative, Isaiah Castronovis, was busily leaving in a huff, apparently having made the scene he'd been instructed to by way of an snub and making his way out of the Ballroom and the Pakace as a whole. He would be watched all the way back to the Reykjavik Spaceport by the Rasalhague Security Service and Minister Simowitz's Agents, just in case. As I looked over at Minister Simowitz, he was already calling Agent Veluri over to be reassigned to listening in on the Tristar Representative's Comms.

Then, the band, an orchestral ensemble began to play and I saw Katrina making her way over. Melissa Steiner was walking with her and I couldn't help but feel that all this skullduggery and dealmaking was worth it if it meant I could marry the Woman I loved. I made my way over to Katrina, bowing to my new wife in an exaggerated manner as I extended my hand out toward her. She rolled her eyes at my antics, but couldn't help but Crack a fond grin as I straightened up and nodded at her, arm still extended out to her in invitation. Likewise, Melissa Steiner was grinning and shaking her head, which caused my own grin to widen significantly.

"May I have this dance, My Lady?" I questioned.

"I suppose we should, shouldn't we?" Queried Katrina.

"If the Archon-Designate doesn't mind, of course?" I asked, looking over at Melissa Steiner.

"Oh go on, enjoy your wedding day." Scoffed Melissa Steiner.

And with that, Katrina nodded at me and took my hand as the band struck up a waltz. Then together, we swept out onto the dance floor as the guests in the ballroom parted around us to watch our first dance as husband and wife. As I held Katrina close, dancing to the strings of the waltz, all thoughts of skullduggery, dealmaking, allies, geopolitics, and even a potential war with the Tristar Alliance fled from my mind. There was only me, my wife, and the music.

And I wouldn't have it any other way. . .

XXXX

AN: Apologies for any errors. I'm still on my ten-day trip to Ireland and Scotland and so I'm not able to write the way I normally do.

Here we have the next chapter, and the end of part one of this fic, with the reception of Jozef and Katrina's wedding. This effectively is the end of the beginning. I hope you all enjoyed, because part two will be its own collection and thread on Spacebattles. I will be taking a break to post some more on my other stories before starting part two, which will involve the Fourth Succession War. I'll also have a few more images out next, but that's it for this part.

Stay tuned and thanks for reading. . .