Текст книги "Heir To The Dragon "

Автор книги: Robert N. Charette

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54

Dragon Roost, Tatsuyama Mountain, Dieron

Dieron Military District, Draconis Combine

19 July 3034

 

"Have I not served the Dragon well?"

Dexter Kingsley's face was full of expectation. Theodore realized that the man had come to Dragon Roost anticipating reward for his perfidious action on Orestes. The thought roiled Theodore's stomach.

"You served yourself first, Tai-sho.That is a totally unacceptable ordering of priorities."

"But I acted in your interests, Kanrei," Kingsley protested. "I've held Dieron in your name."

Theodore drew in a deep breath and slowly released it. "If what you've done was carried out in my name, you have mortally insulted me."

Kingsley looked shocked.

"A ruler whose workers are oppressed cannot bring forth the full fruits of his land," Theodore continued. "You have crippled the economies of several of this district's worlds, plundering their wealth without a thought for the future. You have not done this for me or for the Dragon. You acted only for yourself. And so you have betrayed the Combine."

Michi Noketsuna stepped forward, intruding into the space separating Theodore and Kingsley from the crowd of officers in the great hall. "Seppuku is the only honorable solution," he said.

Kingsley blanched. His eyes flicked to Michi, then back to Theodore. Neither man offered the Tai-shoany sympathy. Kingsley started to speak, but apparently thought better of it. He drew himself up to his full height and saluted, striking his chest with his clenched right fist in the Kurita fashion. He executed a swift bow and turned on his heels, leaving the chamber through the open doors. He looked neither left nor right, ignoring the calls of his fellow officers.

Theodore put his hand on Michi's shoulder and led his friend from the chamber. They passed through a small side door into a private room. Amid the dusty shelves of bound books, Theodore relaxed his posture, relieved to be out of public view.

"Michi-kun,do you think he will go through with it?”

“He is afraid," Michi observed. "But, yes, I believe he will."

"That's not good. I had hoped he'd bolt, leaving no doubt in anyone's mind that he was in the wrong. It's an open secret that he engineered the explosion that killed Cherenkoff, and everyone knows that the Warlord and I were at odds. By using my name as he ruled in Cherenkoff's place, he has implicated me in the murder he performed.

"If Kingsley lets it be known that I demanded his seppuku,I lose. Some will believe that I ordered the killing of Cherenkoff and am now disposing of my tool. Others will see me as a two-faced ogre who preaches initiative, then punishes it. Either way, resentment will build. If only there were time to gather the evidence to have him tried. A formal execution would be the best solution." Theodore slapped his thigh to express his frustration. "Kingsley's self-interest cannot go unpunished."

Violence is not the way of the Coordinator,Takashi's voice echoed in his mind. Our destiny demands that we act through others.

Theodore had heard those words long ago when only a child. They had seemed odd then. They had seemed odder still when Theodore began to understand the tenets of bushidoand the responsibility that was the warrior's lot. He had grown up believing his father's views to be flawed. Now, though he was not Coordinator, he was more than a simple warrior, and the words no longer seemed so strange. Now heacted through intermediaries, and let others do the dirty work. When,he wondered, did I change?

Michi must have taken Theodore's sudden drift into thought as a suggestion that a response was expected. "I understand," he said. Michi bowed, his boot heels clicking sharply as he snapped them together. "An accident, then."

As he turned to leave, Theodore reached out to catch the cloth of Michi's white dress tunic, halting him. "Wait. I don't want you associated in any way with Kingsley's death."

Michi stared Theodore full in the face. "I may not be your pet ISF ninja, but I have had sufficient practice, Theodore. There will be nothing to link matters to you."

"I didn't mean to disparage your skill, my friend. Besides, that's not what I mean. I'm thinking that you will have enough trouble in the near future. You don't need rumors that you killed your way to rulership of the district the way Kingsley did. You don't need it and the Combine doesn't need it."

Michi drew away from Theodore, forcing him to relinquish his grip. "What are you talking about?"

Theodore paused, taken aback by the suspicion in his friend's voice. This isn't the way I wanted to do it.

He fished a small box from his pocket. He snapped the black lacquer case open as he extended it. Nestled against the white silk were a set of apple-green insignia: two stylized katakananumerals and a pair of segmented bars, their second division highlighted in gold. "I'm appointing you Tai-shuof Dieron."

"I am not a good choice," Michi insisted. "There will be dissent."

"But nothing you can't handle. I need you here."

Michi walked to the window that overlooked the mountain chain that harbored Tatsuyama City. Without turning to face Theodore, he spoke. "By the friendship between us, and the trials we shared while searching for soldiers among the yakuza, do not ask this of me."

"I must." Theodore was confused. Why did Michi treat this as such an imposition? He was offering the man a post of great power and honor. "This District is the cornerstone of the defense of the Combine. I can trust no one else to handle it the way I want it handled."

"There are others who would be less ... politically unsound."

"To certain persons, anyone who associates with me is politically unsound. You have the skills and the necessary force of will. I need you in the post. The Combine needs you."

Michi sighed. "When we first met, you told me of the threat the Combine faced. I believed that you understood and could halt that threat. I agreed to put aside my personal quest and serve until the Combine was safe again. I will accept the post."

Michi turned and took the insignia from Theodore. No words were said as he replaced the insignia on his collar. Theodore was disturbed by the hostility coming from Michi. He had thought his friend would be pleased by this proof of trust and good will.

A sharp rapping on the door disturbed their privacy. Without waiting for a response, a Sho-saentered the room. Bowing, she announced the arrival of the ComStar Precentor's party. Theodore dismissed her with a petulant wave, but before she retreated, he had second thoughts about keeping the Precentor waiting. He commanded the Sho-sato escort the ComStar officials into the small office.

"I will leave now, Kanrei."

"No. I want you here for this," Theodore said. The new Tai-shustopped in mid-stride. Michi's blind side was facing Theodore and his white-irised eye glinted hard and cold. "It is part of your new job."

"As you command, Kanrei."

55

Dragon Roost, Tatsuyama Mountain, Dieron

Dieron Military District, Draconis Combine

21 July 3034

 

Primus Myndo Waterly swept into the room, her golden robe of office glittering in the chill late-morning sunlight slanting through the window. In her wake strode the long-legged Sharilar Mori, who wore the scarlet robe and gold trimmings of her position as Precentor Dieron and member of the First Circuit. As soon as the Primus and Precentor had entered, the Kurita sho-sawho had led them to the room stepped across the doorway, blocking the way of any further ComStar personnel. She bowed and closed the door, cutting off the protests of the rest of the ComStar delegation.

Theodore smiled at his guests. "Greetings, Primus. Precentor. I trust your flight up the mountain was comfortable."

"As much as could be expected, given the winds on the mountain," Myndo remarked. Her eyes held a question concerning the brooding presence of Michi Noketsuna, his plain gray buso-senshi'sjump suit at odds with the rank insignia shining at his collar.

"This is Tai-shuNoketsuna of Dieron. He will be part of our discussions, for I wish him to serve as my liaison with ComStar."

Myndo's eyes widened briefly in surprise, then narrowed in sudden calculation. "The Roost seemed little changed from the days when I visited Warlord Cherenkoff here."

Theodore chose to ignore her deliberate choice of the past tense in her comment. "As you know, we Kuritans are great traditionalists."

He pointed out chairs for the ComStar visitors. When they were seated, he selected one for himself, its back to the window. Michi took up a position behind the chair, to his right, as he had in their days of searching through the Kurita underworld. Their faces were shadowed in the glare from the white-topped mountains outside the vitryl panel. "It's too cold a day for a clandestine meeting in a park," Theodore said, indicating the view with an upraised finger. "I'm glad you feel we can meet openly now."

"Why should we not? You rule the Combine."

"Not so," Theodore contradicted. "I'm merely a servant of the Coordinator, his Deputy for Military Affairs."

Myndo smirked, mocking his protests, but she said nothing.

"I understand that you have some complaints about our agreement."

Myndo inclined her head slightly, acknowledging Theodore's directness. "You have withheld worlds from the Free Rasalhague Republic."

"True. It was necessary in order to placate some of the more radical elements of the council."

"Radical elements! It would seem that you were unsuccessful. Combine military units invaded the Republic, threatening all we have worked for. That is hardly restraint."

"The invasion was a regrettable deed performed by renegades. The Draconis Combine had no part in it. In response, we aided the Republic by destroying the rebel bases."

The cold anger that had risen in Myndo's dark eyes overflowed into her voice. "You have not lived up to your end of our bargain."

"And you have?" Theodore countered calmly. "What about the crippled BattleMechs, AeroSpace Fighters, and tanks you send? My understanding was that the Combine would receive Star League-vintage equipment. You were quite explicit about that. I didn't expect refitted shells."

Myndo was unmoved. "You have received as you deserve."

"As have you," Theodore retorted. "The support of the Combine for the Free Rasalhague Republic has had much of the effect you wish. The Isle of Skye is a cauldron of unrest."

"Not through any act of yours." Myndo held up a solidograph map. Even across the room, Theodore recognized the star systems highlighted on it. "You must free these worlds from your Alshain District. They are to be given to Rasalhague."

Theodore admired her audacity in commanding someone she believed to be the ruler of hundreds of star systems, but he would certainly not bow before it. "That's impossible," he said flatly.

The Primus tightened her lips into a hard white line. "Perhaps you will find that other things are impossible as well." She gave Theodore a moment to react. When he did not, she added, "Communications, perhaps. Or our troops may not arrive to man the equipment that you disparage."

"Is that a threat, Precentor?" Theodore inquired mildly.

"ComStar makes no threats." The fury in her voice belied her words.

No threats?Theodore echoed silently. I'm not deaf, Primus. But your threat doesn't matter because we have a way around your communications monopoly, thanks to Kowalski's success with the black boxes and the library core. Not as swift, but it will work.

I have the soldiers I need, and more reliable than the troops you offer. They may be from the dregs of our society, but at least they areours. They truly believe in the destiny of the Dragon, and that belief makes them strong, stronger than your hirelings.

The Skye revolt will disrupt Hanse Davion's timetable. Even if he succeeds in suppressing the rebellion quickly, he won't attack. He will see that we are too vigilant. Sentiment in Skye will still be running too high for him to position his troops there for an assault on us. Even Steiner troops will be uncomfortable there for some months, perhaps years. With this gift of time, I will not need your troops.

"You must act as you see best, Primus. If there are no ComStar-sponsored troops to aid our forces, we will find a way to survive on our own. Shigata ga nai.

"If you find it inconvenient to honor your part of our deal, I'll understand. You must follow your karma."

"Karma is not the issue here, Kanrei. Fulfilling one's obligations is. When I was growing up in the Combine, I was taught that a samurai always kept his word."

"Were you also taught, Primus, that fate often prevents the most determined samurai from fulfilling his word, and that such a failure entails no loss of honor? A samurai is still a man, after all, and many things are beyond the control of a single man."

Myndo sat silent, a sour look on her face. After a moment, she whispered, "Perhaps no loss of honor, but a failed duty. We were both taught the result of that."

"I see that you appreciate my position, Primus. I have greater duties to attend to before I may dwell on minor failures." Theodore folded his hands together and leaned forward. "Despite your order's recent gains in influence within the Free Worlds League, the Draconis Combine is still the only viable threat to the Davion-Steiner alliance. Thomas Marik does not even have the support that his father Janos boasted, which was pitifully little. The Marik family may have pulled together since old Janos's stroke, but they have shown little progress in resolving the disgraceful squabbling within the borders of their own state.

"The Periphery states remain minor players, at best, and the remnants of Liao's holdings are hardly significant. They have no industrial base, and their pride was smashed along with their military forces. The most powerful fantasies of their madwoman ruler will not change that.

"Neither of us wishes to see an Inner Sphere under Davion rule. Since you have decided to step out of the shadows, you must let the light show you that our interests coincide here. You may not have gotten all that you wanted from the Rasalhague situation, but then neither have I. I think that if we can put the past behind us, we can still work to prevent the disaster of Davion domination."

"ComStar works for peace, Kanrei," Precentor Mori stated firmly. "We will have no dealings with an aggressor."

"I find that comforting, Precentor." Theodore returned his attention to Myndo. "ComStar is renowned for its peaceful intent as well as its neutrality and reverence for the sovereignty of national states. You yourself were born in the Combine. Could you sit idly by and watch an invader swallow your homeland?"

"I may have been born in the Combine, Kanrei, but I was reborn among the followers of the Blessed Blake. The Combine means no more to me than any other state of the Inner Sphere. And no less. We exist to serve mankind and our communications network is our greatest service. We will not deny that service, save to those who are threats to the stability of the Inner Sphere."

"Well spoken." And a relief,he added to himself. Even with Kowalski's boxes, an HPG blackout could still hurt the Combine efforts. As would the diversion of intelligence assets, should we be forced to make covert war against your ComStar ROM apparatus, as Davion now does."I'm glad to hear that, Primus. I've no wish to face the hostility of ComStar. Let me give you a gift to show that I do not repudiate what remains of our agreement." Though I have no intention of relying on your good will."I believe that you'll find it of use in your own dealings elsewhere."

Theodore clapped his hands. The door opened to admit the sho-sa.She carried in her arms a folded packet of clothes, which she placed on a table next to the Primus. Myndo gave it a brief, disdainful look.

Theodore waited until the sho-saexited before speaking. "Do you recognize it?"

"A general's uniform. This is of no use to ComStar."

Theodore feigned a frown of disappointment. "The uniform is empty and of no real consequence. I had only intended it as a calling card." He clapped again.

A man wearing a plain gray jump suit entered. He was tall and gaunt, but despite the white hair and beard, he strode like a young man across the polished wood of the floor to stand before the Primus. He gazed coolly at her with his single, steely gray eye; his right socket was covered by an eye patch. A small white scar crept from underneath the black leather patch to join the weather-etched lines of his face.

Myndo reacted with open shock and surprise. Theodore was pleased that he had caught her off-guard. Even as she stifled her response and slipped back behind her poised facade, he recognized that he had won the battle. There would be no more talk of unfulfilled promises. He could see that she was already considering the possibilities.

56

Kanrei's Palace, Deber City, Benjamin

Benjamin Military District, Draconis Combine

3 January 3035

 

Theodore tossed his youngest son into the air. Minora giggled with joy, shouting "Again!" each time Theodore tried to stop. Finally arms sore from the repeated effort, he lowered the child to the floor.

"We of the Kurita clan are Mech Warriors, not AeroSpace Pilots."

The youngster nodded solemnly, then with an impish grin announced, "I be both!"

Theodore laughed and hugged Minora to him. "You are ambitious, my son. A true Kurita."

The boy nestled happily in his father's arms. Minoru's squirming slowed and his breathing became deeper. Theodore brushed a spike of his son's silky black hair down with a kiss. He raised his eyes to find Tomoe had entered the room.

"You should see them more often," she said softly. "They miss you terribly.”

“I see them as often as I can.”

“It is not enough."

Theodore could hear no accusation in her voice, but he felt the pang just the same. "Duty presses heavily. With all that must be done to ready the realm, it's all the time there is."

"The Dragon's compelling call," she said resignedly.

Theodore, arms full of his son, could not reach out to her. He searched her eyes, but could not find the meaning behind that curious comment. She had locked her feelings somewhere that he could not touch.

"Zeshin," he called. The old monk raised his head. His bright eyes took in the situation as he rose and crossed the room with his distinctive rolling gait. He was already reaching out when Theodore said, "Take him. It's time for his nap."

The monk enfolded the boy in the soft, voluminous sleeves of his Pillarine robe. His deep voice rumbled reassurances to Minora as the boy fought half-heartedly to return to his father. The sudden sleepiness that takes overactive children when they stop moving was too strong for the young Kurita. He subsided with a yawn, content in the comforting arms of his guardian.

Zeshin took his charge off toward a sleeping room as Theodore stepped next to Tomoe. He placed his hands on her forearms, feeling the muscles stiffen slightly, then relax. She slid her own arms around his waist and held him tightly. Feeling suddenly awkward, he returned her embrace. For several minutes, they held each other without a word.

"Father!"

The strident voice was that of Theodore and Tomoe's eldest son. Hohiro ran past the door of the room, bare feet slapping hard on the polished wood. He skidded to a stop and returned to the door.

"Father! Look what I found!"

Tomoe and Theodore separated as their son approached, but her hand remained at the small of his back as her husband bent to see what Hohiro held out to him.

"Isn't it marvelous?"

The boy held an intricately folded piece of rice paper. The origami cat crouched threateningly on Hohiro's palm, its tail curled up, frozen in mid-lash.

"Where did you find it?" Theodore said urgently. "Is Omi all right?"

Hohiro was startled by the tension in his father's voice. His brows furrowed in confusion. "Sure. She's playing in the garden."

Theodore's eyes locked with Tomoe's. She moved to the door, cautiously peering outside. Her affirming nod released a sigh of shared relief.

"Now," Theodore said calmly, taking the cat from his son's hand, "where did you find this?”

“In the hall near your swords."

"And there was nothing else there? Nothing out of place?"

"I don't think so."

Hohiro was looking more worried. Theodore smiled to reassure him. "You have done well to bring this directly to me. It's a secret message," he added conspiratorially. "If you find any more you must bring them to your mother or me."

Hohiro nodded vigorously.

"All right. Go get your sister, and take her to Tetsuhara– sensei.Tell him that it is time for your kendolesson. Your sister is to watch."

"But my lesson's not till three," Hohiro protested. He was clearly upset at being left out of the intrigue he had uncovered.

"Your lesson is now. Go!"

Hohiro's face hardened into a pout, but he left dutifully, making it clear that it was his own idea by taking a circuitous route to the garden. Theodore and Tomoe watched until their son and daughter had disappeared into the shadows of the dojowhere Tetsuhara-senseiwaited. Theodore handed the origami cat to Tomoe.

"Is it?"

She examined it carefully. "Definitely nekogami."

Taking it back, he held it to the light from the garden, looking to see if a message was written on the paper. He had thought the cat looked like the one Ninyu had identified at the headquarters on Moore in '29, but he wanted her to confirm it. The nekogami were few in number and rarely acted, but they had a fearsome reputation and were often blamed for the acts they did not commit. They were the premier spies and assassins of the Combine, masters of deceit and subterfuge. His own brushes with intrigue and assassinations over the years had not made him like them any better.

"What does it mean? We've no secrets here to be stolen. No one and nothing seems to be missing."

"It is most likely a message," Tomoe concluded. "You felt the characters embossed onto the paper?"

He hadn't. Rubbing the paper, he traced the strokes now. They were in the formal Chinese syllabary.

"Loyalty?"

"They offer you their services ... I think. They serve the Dragon's best interests, as they see those interests. It appears that they have decided that you embody the Dragon."

"I suppose I should be honored. This will require a good deal of consideration."

Theodore paced across the room to a console and tapped in his ID code. Tomoe stepped up behind him, laying her hand on his arm. He turned to her. Gazing into his eyes, she gave a slight shake of the head.

"I leave my other life outside this place. Let it go for now."

"I can't."

"You won't," she accused.

"When I'm here, I want to forget what goes on outside. Truly. But I never seem able to. Outside concerns come intruding of their own accord," he said, holding up the origami cat.

"I don't want to lose you," she breathed in his ear, throwing her arms around him to hug him tightly. Theodore felt her strength, strength he knew could snap his spine if applied with the cunning grips of her martial arts training. But there was no danger for him in her arms, only desperate love.

The paper cat crumpled in his grip, dropping forgotten to the floor as he stroked her hair.