Текст книги "Warrior: En Garde"

Автор книги: Michael A. Stackpole

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28

Nashira

Dieron Military District, Draconis Combine

15 April 3027

 

Hands folded serenely behind his back, Yorinaga Kurita watched through the large window as the first of the Genyoshaengaged in calisthenics. Broken down into groups of five, including the Chu-ileading each, the twenty-five men performed in perfect unison. Utterly faithful synchronization made each man a finger on one hand, and the training would make all five into a fist.

"Sumimasen,Kurita Yorinaga-sama." Sho-saTarukito Niiro stood respectfully back and away from his master. The Major, one of the first staff officers Yorinaga had honored with acceptance into the Genyosha,bowed deeply. He straightened up again when Yorinaga graced him with a nod. "Forgive me, Tai-sa,"Tarukito begged, honoring Yorinaga with the Japanese form of his title, "but the Taishirequests your presence." Taishimeant "Ambassador," and was the name the staff officers had given to the local liaison officer for the Draconis Combine's Internal Security Forces.

Yorinaga bowed his head. Though no sign, no flicker of emotion, passed over Yorinaga's face, Tarukito Niiro knew that he comprehended all that had been said and all that had been left unspoken. Yorinaga understands, from the way I worded my message, that theTaishi actuallydemanded theTai-sa's presence. He must know that I would sooner commitseppuku than deliver such a harsh message.Tarukito allowed himself to hope that Yorinaga would realize that the ISF man, Shinzei Abe, was forcing his officers to act as a buffer, thereby reminding them that he, the Taishi,controlled their fates.

Yorinaga nodded slightly as Tarukito moved from his path. Yorinaga passed his right hand through the gray hair that had grown out in his months away from the monastery. Tarukito Ni-iro, already stationed on Nashira when the call for volunteers had gone out, had applied immediately for a staff position. He gladly took a reduction in grade from Chu-sato Sho-sato serve in the Genyoshawith Yorinaga.

Yorinaga strode through the corridors with strong, sure strides. Only the gray hair and the crest staring at Tarukito from Yorinaga's back reminded him of the Mech Warrior's age and long history. Only his silence reminds me that he was disgraced.Tarukito paused at the door to Yorinaga's office to remove his boots, as Yorinaga had done. Then they both entered to face Shinzei Abe.

"Konnichi-wa,Kurita Yorinaga-san," Shinzei intoned respectfully. He executed his bow with the correct sincerity, but its depth and swiftness mocked the gesture. The ISF liaison officer straightened up before Yorinaga had a chance to return the bow. His anger and contempt showed plainly on his broad moon-face.

Yorinaga ignored Abe and knelt behind his low desk. When he looked up, Tarukito noted Yorinaga's frown at seeing that Shinzei Abe had not removed his boots before entering the room. Yorinaga's shock increased as he saw the source of Shinzei's insult. He stiffened, then bowed.

The prisoner—for a man in such rough shape and bonds could be nothing less—knelt opposite the Tai-sa.The welts on his body must have caused him pain, but he bowed deeply. Though he nearly fell over as he tried to straighten up, the man ground his teeth and controlled his body with an iron will. Bringing his bruised and battered body erect, the prisoner said smoothly, "Kon-nichi wa,Kurita Yorinaga-sama."

Shinzei Abe lashed out with his left hand and smashed the man in the face. The blow snapped the prisoner's head back, but even Tarukito saw that the man had moved with the blow, aborting its full effect. Tarukito half-rose from his knees, but Shinzei Abe dropped a hand to the neural whip at his belt. Tarukito glanced at Yorinaga, but the Tai-sasignaled him back to his place by the door.

Yorinaga looked at Shinzei Abe and mutely invited him to kneel. Tarukito watched the simple motion of Yorinaga's right hand. It floated like a leaf falling from a tree, but it brought Shinzei to his knees like an avalanche. Yorinaga nodded slightly, then narrowed his eyes and wordlessly demanded an explanation from the ISF officer.

Shinzei smiled coldly. "You have doubtless recognized this traitor, Yorinaga-san. Narimasa Asano, as you will recall, served with you eleven years ago in the 2nd Sword of Light Regiment. He traveled here to join the Genyoshawithout orders or permission. He traveled here even though the invitation to join the Genyoshawas specifically notextended to officers who had served with you in the past."

Yorinaga nodded slowly, but the intensity never left his expression. He stared at Shinzei Abe, and after a moment, the ISF officer felt compelled to offer further explanation.

"Because he abandoned his command and proceeded, illegally, to travel 230 light years to this place, I assumed, naturally, that he is an agent of House Davion or House Steiner."

Yorinaga cocked his head ever so slightly to show puzzlement. "No," Shinzei Abe answered the unvoiced question. "He has not revealed the identity of his masters under torture. I bring him to you because only the garrison commander can grant me the permission needed to execute him."

Tarukito watched distaste flash across Shinzei Abe's face. Tarukito himself had transmitted the order that placed a limit on the ISF liaison's powers. He remembered, with relish, relaying the Coordinator's answer to Abe: "Yorinaga is the master of the Genyosha.Life and death are his to give or take. His men are to be as devoted to him as he is to me. You are not to interfere with him. Security is your only concern."

Yorinaga flicked his gaze from Shinzei Abe to Narimasa. Life seemed to flow from Yorinaga's eyes into Narimasa's body. With a slight inclination of his head, Yorinaga invited Narimasa to explain himself.

Narimasa again bowed deeply to the Tai-sa."It is as Shinzei Abe has told you, Yorinaga-sama. No invitation to apply to your command was given to me, but I learned of the Genyoshafrom other sources. As soon as I heard that you had come forth, I knew that I must serve with you again. Since the time I served in your command, no other superior officer has inspired such deep respect. I knew, though I risked death, that I must, at least, try."

Narimasa licked his swollen, cracked lips. "I traveled aboard DropShips by disguising myself as a common laborer. No one watched me or cared where I went as long as I helped get work done on time and well. In some places, I traveled among the Yakuzaand shipped aboard their private craft. Finally, after a journey of more than two hundred light years, I arrived here. I reported to your staff two days ago, and since that time, Shinzei Abe has been my host."

Yorinaga glanced at Tarukito. The Sho-sain turn regarded the

Taishi."Why did you not inform Yorinaga-sama of Narimasa Asano's arrival? Why did he not appear in the daily arrival lists?"

Shinzei Abe lifted his head and stared down his narrow nose at Tarukito. "I decided that his accomplices might inadvertently reveal themselves if he seemed to be overdue. That he is guilty of many crimes against the Dragon is not in question. Preventing the discovery of the Genyoshais. Even you, Major, will recall that the Coordinator made security my responsibility."

Tarukito Niiro straightened up and graced Shinzei Abe with a look of pure poison. "You recall but one line from a message you should have memorized in its entirety. The Coordinator reminded you that all the Genyoshaofficers and men are to be as devoted to Yorinaga-sama as the Tai-sais himself devoted to the Coordinator."

Tarukito glanced at Yorinaga. He accepted Yorinaga's nod as permission to continue, then waded in against Shinzei again. "Narimasa Asano is obviously such a man. Forget that he threw a career away to travel here. Forget that he was willing to forfeit his life to travel here. Examine only the action of traveling here. Months on worlds working at tasks far beneath him in order to reach this world. Not only is this man devoted to Yorinaga-sama, but he is resourceful and does not surrender. What better recruit could we ask for?"

Shinzei Abe snorted derisively. "You could ask for a recruit who follows orders."

Tarukito narrowed his eyes. "Precisely why you are only a liaison officer, Shinzei Abe, and nothing more." He turned to Yorinaga. "Permission to show Narimasa Asano to proper quarters, sir?"

Yorinaga bowed his head. Lifting it again, he reached out his hand for a small lacquered box on his desk. From it, he withdrew a brush and small jar of black ink. After drawing a sheet of paper from one corner of his desk, Yorinaga dipped his brush into the ink. With bold strokes, he defined several characters. Setting the brush down, he reached into the box again and pressed his personal seal to the bottom of the paper.

Tarukito took it from Yorinaga's outstretched hand, and regarded it dispassionately. When he noticed Shinzei Abe's interest, he smiled. "As you have ordered, Tai-sa,I will conduct Chu-saNarimasa Asano to the suite next to yours."

* * *

"Domo arigato,Niiro Tarukito-san." Narimasa Asano bowed from the waist. "You have been most kind to me, Sho-sa."

"le,it was nothing." Tarukito returned the bow. "I am more than happy to help a fellow officer, especially if it displeases the Taishi.The uniform fits you well, Chu-sa."

"Hai!Your quartermaster did exceedingly well in fitting me." Narimasa glanced at his reflection in the mirror on the wall of his living room. The room, which was L-shaped, bent around the cleaner and kitchenette from the front door to the bedroom. The straw tatamiand two brush painting landscapes alone decorated the apartment.

Narimasa sighed. "It has been a long time since I wore the green ni."He rubbed his hand over the symbol for "two" on his shoulder. "For this alone, I would have braved many of the perils I faced coming here."

"Forgive me for asking, Chu-sa,but you were a Chu-sain the 2nd Sword of Light, were you not?" Tarukito, being well-bred, did not look Narimasa in the face as he asked the question, the better to avoid their mutual embarrassment.

Narimasa Asano nodded his head slowly. "The Dragon's memory is long and unshakable. After the disgrace on Mallory's World, the Coordinator broke up the Command Lance and sent us to different places. I believe that they thought what we had witnessed in the battle between Yorinaga and Morgan Kell had shattered our spirits."

"Sumimasen,Narimasa-san, but I do not follow what you are saying. What could have been so horrible?"

The elder MechWarrior shook his head. "At times, I recall it as a nightmare. I watched Kell's Archer—plainly visible through my Marauder'scanopy—vanish from my tactical displays. I shifted through all the scanner modes, but it would not register. Though I could see the Archerwith my eyes, my weapons refused to acknowledge it."

Tarukito shivered. This is every MechWarrior's nightmare. The foe that cannot be destroyed.

Narimasa nodded as though he'd read Tarukito's thoughts. "After we were scattered through the Combine, I became a Chu-iand once again commanded a single lance, as I had done in the early days out of Sun Zhang."

He suffered a reduction from Lieutenant Colonel to Lieutenant!Tarukito shook his head. "Forgive me the inquiry."

Narimasa smiled easily. "Ie.I have endured much, Tarukito-kun, but I never abandoned my duty during that time. I must admit, however, that I might one day have committed seppukuif this chance had not revived my hopes of honor."

Tarukito frowned. "Why would you do that, Chu-sal"

Narimasa's eyes narrowed to slits. "I was almost assigned to Duke Ricol's service."

Tarukito blanched, then caught himself. "Surely you would have been able to deal with the Gray Death Legion, Narimasa-san."

The elder MechWarrior nodded slowly. "Perhaps, but not as the leader of a Pantherlance. That is all they would have let me do. Fortunately, I learned of this assignment and began my journey." Narimasa's head came up and he looked hard at Tarukito. "Be wary, Tarukito-kun, for the Gray Death Legion is not that far behind Wolf's Dragoons or the Kell Hounds in deadliness."

"But Chu-sa,Wolf's Dragoons now work for the Dragon, and the Kell Hounds will soon be destroyed." Narimasa Asano stiffened suddenly, but it was not because of Tarukito's words. Feeling a shadowy presence behind him, Tarukito whirled to see what it was. Then, like the Chu-sa,he bowed to Yorinaga.

Yorinaga returned their bows as best his kendo armor would allow. He carried the helmet under his left arm and his wooden, swordlike shinaiin his left hand. He quickly glanced at Narimasa and the uniform, then allowed himself a small smile and nodded his head. Tarukito saw that the two men shared something more—a look, nothing else—before they bowed to one another.

Narimasa turned to Tarukito. "Please remember, Sho-sa,that the Kell Hounds escaped death once before, years ago, and even the first half of the operation set into place on Pacifica went less well then planned."

Yorinaga withdrew a folded sheet of paper from his chest armor and extended it to Tarukito. Opening it carefully, the Sho-saread it with an expression that seemed to mix horror and relief. "This is horrible, Tai-salFor Shinzei Abe to die in a kendo accident. To have his windpipe crushed by a strike." Tarukito shivered. "Shouldn't I transmit this message immediately?"

Yorinaga shook his head slightly, then turned as Shinzei Abe, similarly attired in kendoarmor, came up to where they stood. The ISF liaison officer stopped before Yorinaga, and glared at the two junior officers. "Well, Yorinaga-san, shall we? I have meetings this afternoon and," he added, staring at Narimasa, "investigations to complete."

29

Pacifica (Chara III)

Isle of Skye, Lyran Commonwealth

15 April 3027

 

Damn! ThatVictor runs cool.Seated in the cockpit of his Valkyrie,Daniel Allard adjusted his infrared scanner to a finer gradation of heat. The display immediately redrew the Victorin shades of red and blue. Also within the scan zone, the other 'Mechs in his lance brought the nickering of color to the edges of his scanner.

Over the land connection, Dan called to Salome Ward. "He's coming our way, Major. We expect contact in fifteen seconds."

"Luck, Dan. Don't let the fox bite the hounds." Her calm reply brought a smile to Dan's face. Looking at his heat scanner again, he brought the crosshairs for his LRMs into line with the Victor'sheat shadow. Three, two, one."Flight away!"

Computer-projected trajectories scored red paths for his missiles across his combat monitor, but the Victorsuddenly hit its jump jets. The sudden burst of heat released by the ion jets overloaded Dan's screen and bathed his cockpit in white fire. Alarms screamed in his ears as his sensors reported heavy scanning and a preliminary lock onto his Valkyrie.

"Punch it, now, Scout Lance! I'm marked!" Dan wheeled his Valkyrieblindly amid the jungle and smashed into a tall tree. He rebounded, then punched his jump jets and flew straight up through the tree's branches. I hope I can see to come down.

"Move it, Baker!" Austin Brand's voice knifed into his ears.

"Damn! Victorcame down on top of him and used the AC on his head. Baker's gone!"

"Flight away!" Meg Lang spoke more calmly and Dan visualized her systematically coaxing data up on her monitors as she sent two SRMs at the Victor."No hits for the LRMs, but Brand's SRM salvo hit seven out of ten in center torso. Damn! I only hit a leg."

Dan squinted and his control panel swam into view. He saw the opening in the jungle where the Victorhad come down on top of Baker's Jenner.Turning the Valkyrie,he jetted toward the opening on another ion cloud. Come in behind and POW!His finger caressed the fire button and another flight of LRMs coursed toward the Victor.

Suddenly the Victorrose up through the canopy and hung suspended on a jet of ion flame. As the autocannon that was the enemy 'Mech's right forearm came up, alarms again wailed in Dan's ears. Stabbing a button, he abruptly cut his jump jets. The Valkyriestarted to fall as the Victor'sautocannon rose into line, but the surprise move did not save him.

Lights exploded across his control panel. The computers told him that the autocannon's stream of slugs had peeled his Valkyrie'schest armor like an orange, and had juiced the center of his 'Mech to boot. Warning lights flashed to tell him that the fusion engine's shielding had been chipped away. The internal heat monitor readouts spiked into the critical red band. In a slow voice that mocked the urgency, his computer suggested, "Evacuation would be prudent."

The Valkyriewas dropping like a rock. The trees in Pacifica's jungle might have broken the 'Mech's fall, but the Valkyrie'slanding snapped off branches and crushed whole trunks. As his 'Mech came down finally, Dan smashed back against the rear wall of the cockpit so hard that it stunned him. Helpless as a turtle on its back, Dan lay sprawled and his 'Mech faithfully imitated his nerveless body.

Through the Valkyrie'sfaceplate and the branches strewn over it, he watched the Victordescend. The Assault 'Mech straddled its smaller cousin, its head tipped down so that the pilot could watch his victim. The Victor'sautocannon swung into line with the Valkyrie'shead, but Dan could do nothing as alarms screamed around him.

Suddenly, the computer screens reported a monstrous cloud of LRMs arcing in at the Victor. Sixty of them! That's theCatapult and theTrebuchet! The computer also reported heavy laser fire blasting into the Victor.The missile impacts blotted out the enemy 'Mech's outline on the scanner screen in a fiery tornado.

When the 'Mech's outline appeared again, it was dotted with impact sites like spots on a chiroptopard's pelt.

The Victorhung its head. "O.K., troops, the computer shows the Victor50 percent stripped of armor and the head utterly gone. Nice hit with the large lasers, Diane."

"Roger, Colonel Kell. Thanks." Sergeant McWilliams, the Riflemanpilot from Ward's Assault Lance, sounded pleased with her performance. "You shouldn't have gone after Captain Allard. That was the only predictable move you made."

Dan laughed. "Roger that. Damn it, Patrick, you never told us you were checked out on a Victor."

The Victorreached down and helped Dan get his Valkyrieback on its feet. "Nagelring likes its graduates to survive. My cadet company rebuilt a Victorcaptured from Kurita. Handle really well, don't they?"

Salome's answer struck home with both lances. "Well enough to crush a Scout Lance, to be sure. But not enough to take on a company by itself. Let's remember that, people. The bigger the 'Mech, the more people gunning for it."

Lieutenant Colonel Kell's voice followed Salome's comment quickly. "Truer words, Kell Hounds, couldn't come from Com-Star. Let's get back to the base. Salome ... Dan ... executive staff meeting when we get back."

* * *

Patrick Kell leaned against the edge of his desk, arms folded. Salome Ward and Dan Allard sat on the worn sofa by the window. Seamus Fitzpatrick joined Richard O'Cieran at the poker table. Cat Wilson, the only non-officer, lounged near the door.

Kell looked up from a folder. "The computer projections give the best percentage chance that the Kurita force on Pacifica is a company of Panthers.That also complies most with the mass equations relating to the water-for-'Mechs substitution that Leftenant Redburn suggested on his visit. Comments?"

O'Cieran nodded. "I've had my men on exercises in the swamp area, but nothing extensive. We've seen signs of someone living out there, but Branson's Swamp has been a haven for Yakuzaand other outlaws since long before Kurita lost this world. We've narrowed possible encampments to some of the larger islands, but we can't check them out unless we go in forcefully. I've not done that because we agreed last time that we don't want to let them know that weknow of their existence."

Patrick Kell nodded curtly. "That's a plan I intend to stick with. Just continue your sweeps in the daily exercise schedule you have. Dan?"

"I don't believe the Panthercompany was meant to be part of the invasion."

Kell's thick brows knitted in concentration. "Explain."

Dan nodded. "O.K. We knew of the other two landing spots through our spy network, right? We didn't know of this one, and I think Kurita wanted to slip the Panthersin on us secretly. If their attack with the main force couldn't drive us off, they'd have this other company in place. They didn't even let their people on Pacifica know what is going on."

O'Cieran frowned. "What about the other Panthercompany? The one the aerojocks took out?"

Dan hesitated, then continued. "I think Kurita meant for them to be a diversionary force. If we'd gotten reports of a Pantheror two wandering around out there, we'd have sent my lance or your troops to meet them. A dozen Pantherswould certainly have overwhelmed such a small force."

Salome shifted her position on the sofa and looked at Dan. "Why the huge main force?"

Dan shrugged and Cat Wilson levered himself away from the wall. Although Wilson had refused a commission many times during his tenure with the Kell Hounds, the officers considered Cat very much a member of the executive staff. He half-smiled and squinted his dark eyes as though attempting to penetrate the mystery surrounding Kurita's actions.

"The Dragon never forgets. Takashi Kurita still burns from our last encounter on Mallory's World. Whenever Kurita decides to come after us, they'll come hard and try to crush us bad."

Patrick Kell smiled broadly. "As always, Cat, you make a whole lot of sense. Added to what Cat's just said, I'd say that Kurita will either evacuate those Panthers,or reinforce them. Until then, they'll probably stage a few raids on some of the agro-complexes."

Dan stood. "I think I should point out, Patrick, that Panthersare known for their ability to fight in cities. This spaceport is about the closest thing Pacifica has to a city of any importance in this area. If reinforcements arrive in system, I'd bet they'll make their move here."

Kell looked around the room and saw mute nods of agreement. "Good point." He looked over at O'Cieran. "Rick, have your troopers with SRM launchers replace the missiles with infernos."

At the mention of those napalm rockets, every MechWarrior in the room felt a slight shiver of horror. Infernos exploded in close proximity to a 'Mech, covering it with jellied fuel that ignited on contact with oxygen. The fuel clung to a 'Mech, leaving it awash in fire. Inferno rockets caused a 'Mech's heat to soar and could roast a MechWarrior inside his craft in seconds. It was the one in fantry weapon that all MechWarriors feared, and 'Mechs seldom carried them as ammo for their own SRM launchers because of the inferno's volatility.

Jump Infantry Major O'Cieran took the order without batting an eye. "I'll also put an order through the computer system notifying all the Techs and astechs that it's again time for them to qualify with small arms, just in case the Kurita spy network is still tapped into our system. I can't imagine the Pantherscoming in without some infantry support, and the mass of a company of troopers would be lost as a rounding error in your computer projections. We might as well have the hired help with us as against us."

Kell nodded solemnly, as he looked around at his staff. "Tell all your people to carry sidearms. Let's tighten things up, but let's not make it look too conspicuous." He looked up and was about to dismiss the meeting when he suddenly remembered something else. "Oh, Dan, whatever happened with the Nick Jones situation? Have you figured out how we're going to get him offworld on the Intrepid?I asked General Joss, but she said she couldn't speed up the paperwork because we're in the Isle of Skye. That means Lestrade will be watching everything with a quark-projection microscope."

Dan smiled and shot a glance at Wilson, who acknowledged him with a bare flicker of the eyes. "Cat and I came up with a plan that ought to work." He jerked a thumb at the window behind him, which showed the rapidly settling night. "Because Pacifica has this fourteen-hour rotation, and we run on TST, it's anyone's guess as to what time or day it is. We thought we'd just, ah, push the official clock ahead a day. May 25 become May 26 to everyone on the planet, and Jones musters out with his papers all dated properly."

O'Cieran's eyes narrowed. "Wait a minute. You and Cat have watch duty the night of the twenty-fifth." He laughed as the two of them feigned innocence. "Don't give me any of that. Besides, I'm conducting some night operations on the twenty-fifth, and now the day won't exist."

Cat's low bass rumbled like thunder. "Seems to me, Major, that your troopies, who have their alarms tied in with the base computer, will be sleeping secure in the knowledge that they'll be awake well before you come for them. Won't they be surprised..."

Everyone laughed, though O'Cieran's chuckle came a bit lower and more sinister than the rest. "Perhaps this plan has merit, Cat," he admitted. "Of course, you and Dan will cover the watch for me, right?"

Cat looked at Dan, who shrugged back. "We had that in mind all along, Major, because we knew how important the field exercise was to you."

Kell laughed aloud. "Gracious of you, Cat, to have thought so far ahead."

Cat glanced at Dan. "His idea, really."

Dan glared back at Cat. "Couldn't have done it without you."

"Very well. In forty days, we lose one day, and Master Sergeant Jones gets shipped off this wet rock." Kell looked out the window at the thunderstorm sailing in from Branson's Swamp. "A fair exchange, I think."

* * *

Sho-saAkiie Kamekura hunched over his comtech's shoulder and stared at the flickering amber computer screen. In the corner of the screen, the date and time ticked down with military precision. Across the screen scrolled the hundreds of messages flowing through the Kell Hound base computer. The comtech's fingers flowed across the keyboard and typed a routine inquiry.

Kamekura straightened up, but avoided bumping his head against the low ceiling of the man-made cavern. I abhor being trapped here like a mole in this bunker.He stared into the dark, where he could just barely make out the sparks made by Techs working on the Panthersback in the 'Mech bays. Stuck in this musty cellar amid the swamps, I am being wasted.

The comtech spoke without turning to face his commander. "Here it is, Sho-sa.The LeopardClass DropShip Karasu,the one they call the Manannan MacLir,is due back in two days, and the Victoris scheduled to be transshipped up to the JumpShip Tsunami."

Kamekura nodded silently and withdrew quietly. Thoughts and plans ran riot in his head, then slowly congealed into a masterstroke of brilliance. I need a victory to prove how worthy I am of a real command. Without theVictor, myPanthers can deal with those enemy 'Mechs. Especially if the jump troops can infiltrate the base and demolish the Kell Hounds barracks.

He breathed in to call his aid, Chu-iBokuden Oguchi, but the man materialized out of the gloom as though summoned by thought alone. Kamekura controlled an involuntary shiver. "Oguchi-kun, the strike force is scheduled to arrive here on 25 May, correct?"

"Hai,Kamekura-sama." The man hesitated, then added, "Planet-fall is expected 27 May. We strike three different agcenters that morning to draw the Kell Hounds away, and then the strike force lands on them like a hammer."

A sly grin tightened Kamekura's thin lips. "Imagine instead,

Oguchi-kun, our launching a surprise attack on the Kell Hound barracks during the early darkness on 26 May. We destroy their barracks facilities with explosives and have our infantry slay any MechWarriors who survive to try to make it to their 'Mechs."

Oguchi nodded enthusiastically. "Luthien would surely reward such forward thinking. Bold strokes make the Dragon happy. The capture of everything the Kell Hounds have taken from us would please the Coordinator even more than the mere destruction of the mercenary scum."

Kamekura smiled openly. "Oguchi-kun, from your lips to the Dragon's ears."