Posted by Civilian Ragna Idun McKenzie (Future Citizen) in Earth - I’ll Make ‘Em An Offer They Can’t Refuse

Posted by Civilian Seamus McKenzie (Future Citizen) in Earth - I’ll Make ‘Em An Offer They Can’t Refuse

(snip)

Tara nodded and smiled. “Most agreeable, I’m flippin’ starving.” and she pressed another button and staff began to arrive and soon the table was covered in food: venison steaks, boar meat, breads, fresh vegetables, homemade butter and jam, fresh fish, steamed mussels, pickled vegetables, and more. As the meal wore on, Tara encouraged the staff to come in and take some food back, making sure to introduce each person by name to everyone at the table. Of course everyone knew Seamus, and some knew Mike from his music. As they left at one point Tara said “And don’t worry about any of them. They have all served the clan for years. None of them will say a word about Michael being back.” Seamus nodded in agreement. “I grew up with most of ‘em. They’re solid as the day.”

The rest of the evening passed uneventfully with laughter and relaxing talk… even if the tense undercurrent was ever present. Soon, it was time for everyone to leave. They left as they came in so as not to be seen. As they walked into the basement, Tara handed Revna a copy of the files and whispered to her “Just between you and I. Look at Capall McKenzie.” and squeezed her hand.

Revna nodded taking the files and then hugged Tara. She pulled back searching Tara’s face. She pulled the personal comm off her belt and put it in Tara’s hands closing her fingers on it. “It’s not been tapped. Use it. I won’t take no for answer, seanmhair.” Then she was gone in a swirl of matter and energy.

As the entourage arrived back in Bømlo, Mike looked at Cuyler and held up a bottle of Napoleonic brandy. “To keep us warm while we talk?” and he gestured away from the village and towards the path to the shore.

McKenzies

Revna eyed the bottle, quite familiar with it. She led Mike a few feet away. She kissed him because she needed to and he needed it. Then eyes twinkling she tapped the bottle, “I know what’s in that bottle, Mike, you better save me some. You didn’t see me AFTER drinking it. Good think Gravel’s a gentleman.” She laughed the whole way back to her sisters.

Cuyler nodded to Mike as they started walking, “Sounds good, as long as it’s worth drinking.” The moon was almost full and there was not a cloud in the sky at the moment, so Cuyler didn’t bother with grabbing an artificial light. He glanced over Mike, for probably the 100th time that night. He liked what he saw, more he loved what he saw when he watched Revna with him. There was a lot Cuyler could say, and would eventually that had nothing to do with clan or reconciliation, and everything to do with his daughter. But Mike had a lot of his own to say and Cuyler was there to listen and help as he could. “Tell me of this idea of yours.”

Cuyler

Mike nodded as they walked, and broke the wax seal with a deftness born of years of practice. He handed the bottle to Cuyler for him to take the first drink. “So… my idea. Yeah… I’ve been thinking about how to cut this cancer out. I don’t want to do it in stages, and I don’t want to come down like a tyrannical fascist, either. This is my first move as head of the clan… I know it’ll set the tone for everything after this, right?”

“So my thought is to get them blacklisted in society. I want everyone who ever supported them to turn their backs on ‘em. I want to leave them with nothing and no one. So once they’ve agreed that Argyle gets no protection from them in exchange for Reconciliation… then Tara surprises them with me… my first move is banishment from the Clan for all of them… but not forever; for three generations. And the stipulation that their descendants can return home if and only if their lines show they are people of character and decency to be determined by the Clan Chiefs of the McKenzies and the Edmans as well as a tribunal of thirteen of the clan members outside the head of the clan. Give the real Clan the right to decide who is and isn’t a McKenzie. What do you think?” He took the bottle and drew a long pull before handing it back.

Mike