Текст книги "Wolf Pack"
Автор книги: Robert N. Charette
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23
The Wolf summoned me to his ready room on the main operations deck of the Chieftain.He was seated behind his desk, shoulders slumped. I saw him straighten as the door slid open, but his eyes were ringed with exhaustion. Motioning me in, he indicated that I sit. As I did, he picked up a packet of computer disks and held it out to me.
"Brian, I'd like you to carry this packet back with you when the Chieftainreturns to Outreach."
I reached across and took the pouch. It was sealed and looked important. As this was not a formal situation, I presumed on my privilege as a member of his staff and asked, "What is it, Colonel?"
"Some instructions for the officer council. This trip has given me the opportunity to work out some of the details for the integration, force utilization, and defense plans. I don't want to risk transmitting them, so you'll have to hand-carry them."
The packet in my hands suddenly became very weighty. "Why, sir? You'll be coming back with us."
He smiled wearily. "Most likely, but I've learned to take as few chances as possible."
"Coming to Luthien was a chance."
"Yes, but it seemed worth the gamble to settle things with Takashi. It's time to bury the past. Next time you see Stan, tell him that I finally came around to his point of view." He swiveled his chair so that I could see only his profile. "I'd like you to take over communications with Unity Palace. Clearance for the Chieftain'sshuttle to land at the private field has just come in, but the flight paths need to be coordinated."
I didn't like the tiredness in his voice, the hints of resignation to a preordained fate. I had never before seen him like this. I liked less the implications of what he was saying. "The shuttle won't carry your Archer,Colonel," I pointed out.
"That's true," he said, nodding slowly. "But I won't need it. Takashi has a BattleMech ready and waiting for me."
"Isn't that risky, sir? I mean, using a machine they provide. It could be rigged."
He sighed, then rocked his head back and closed his eyes. "You would never think to question the equipment your Dragoon trainers provide."
"They're Dragoons, sir."
"And therefore honorable."
I thought about Kantov and how the Colonel had paid for that man's dishonor. "As much as possible. You wouldn't have them as Dragoons otherwise."
"Not everyone believes as you do."
"Not everyone is as honorable as you, sir."
He swiveled his chair back and stared at me with his hard gray eyes. "Implying that Takashi has some dishonorable motive in this?"
"He might. "
"Ever met him?"
"You know that I have not, sir."
"But I have." The Colonel lifted a computer disk on which I could see the crest of House Kurita. "He didn't send the assassin."
"How can you be sure?"
"This is a personal message disk from him. He says that he had no part in that affair."
"And you believe him?"
"Yes."
"He could be lying, sir."
"Would you lie about it, Brian?"
"I wouldn't have sent an assassin."
"Neither would he. Not in this case." He put the disk down. "Takashi won't step outside his code of honor. He wants this duel. I think he feels that he needsit."
"What about you, Colonel?"
He swiveled the chair until his back was to me before saying, "I'm here, aren't I?"
That seemed to be all he wanted to say, but I was reluctant to leave. "When will we be leaving the Chieftain,Colonel?"
"Wewon't," he replied sharply. " Iwill. I will be the only passenger in the shuttle to the surface."
Steeling myself, I said, "No, sir."
The chair swung around. "What?"
I refused to be intimidated. I knew Founder William Cameron had died at the Wolf's side after insisting on accompanying Wolf into danger that William was not equipped to handle. I might be committing myself to the same fate. Back in the sibko I had adored the tales of the founder's unswerving courage and dedication. How often I had dreamed that I would be the same way, but now it was so much more than an abstract ideal. That didn't make me less scared, however. I felt that if I looked Wolf in the eye, he would see that fear and I would be lost. So I stared at the wall behind his head. "Hans and I will be accompanying you, Colonel."
The Wolf sat back, surprised at my refusal. His eyes narrowed. I saw the motion and knew I could not afford to meet his gaze. "I can order you to remain aboard the Chieftain."
"I hope you won't, Colonel."
We sat there for a long time. It seemed like hours, but I know it wasn't. At last, he said, "Stan put you up to this, didn't he?"
I wasn't surprised that he guessed. "Yes, sir."
"I could make it an order."
I was sure he knew where that would put me, but I told him anyway. "If you don't come back, I'll have to explain to Colonel Blake why I didn't follow hisorders, sir."
The Wolf stroked his beard. "Do you expect me to lose this battle?"
I opened my mouth, but said nothing for a moment. How could he think I doubted his ability in combat? Takashi Kurita might be among the best of the Inner Sphere warriors, but he was not Clan-trained like Jaime Wolf. There was no comparison. "I have every confidence that you can defeat Takashi Kurita in combat, Colonel."
"Carefully spoken, Brian. We've trained you well, maybe too well." He was quiet for a moment, then he leaned forward a little. "The Dragoons need you. Whoever leads the Dragoons needs you. You are too valuable an asset to risk."
"I have been in combat with you, risking both my life and yours simultaneously. You did not shield me then."
Sitting back, he said quietly, "Times change."
"They may, but I have already been risked by coming to the Luthien system. So has the Chieftain,which is more important to the leader of the Dragoons than any individual commo officer."
"You'll be safe enough in orbit," he said as I drew breath.
"Respectfully, sir. I will not be in orbit. You are the leader of the Dragoons, and if I am an important asset to the leader, I am important to you. Wherever you are."
His eyes were hard and his tone angry, but something about his expression held a hint of another emotion. "Will you refuse a direct order?"
I didn't want to answer that question directly. Hoping I had the strength for it, I met his gaze and said, "It's not just duty, Colonel. This is a matter of honor."
It was the Wolf's turn to be silent. His eyes stared into mine until there seemed to be nothing left in the universe but him and me. I thought I would flinch, but I didn't. After what seemed an eternity, he found whatever he was looking for. Turning away, he sighed. I might have heard him whisper the word, "honor." I also heard the words, "Don't worry, son. I won't put you in the position of refusing a direct order. If you survive this, you still have a career with the Dragoons."
24
"Is this wise, husband?"
Jasmine's voice was neither imploring nor accusing, but Takashi's answer was gruff.
"It is my will."
"If you are to be obstinate and duel Jaime Wolf today, you must be rested. An athletic match will tire you."
"I am not so old as that. Kendocalms me."
"You never claimed that in your matches with Subhash -sama. "
"Those days are gone."
The Coordinator busied himself adjusting the straps of his do.Silently, Jasmine helped him. Her fingers were more nimble than his, and no less sure. The body armor secure, he stooped for his gloves and mask.
"I shall see that your cooling vest and best uniform are laid out. You will wish a bath?"
"That would be good."
"Husband ..."
"Say nothing, wife."
Tears welled in her eyes, filling them. Takashi reached a gentle hand to wipe away the fugitives that coursed down her cheeks. With a sudden, fierce move, she clutched one of his hands in both of hers and pressed it to her lips. Sobbing, she fled the chamber, her feet drumming on the veranda that led to the main portion of the palace. Takashi held a hand out to her, but said nothing. His hand fell to his side and he stood staring at the empty door.
From within the dojowhere Homitsu waited, he heard all that was said between the Coordinator and his wife. Like any servant of House Kurita, he gave no sign that he had heard what was not his affair. Takashi finally stepped from the mats at the edge of the room and onto the polished wood. Homitsu, now a part of the Coordinator's world, greeted him with a deep bow. The Coordinator bowed in return, deeper than the proper response to a mere servant.
"I apologize for keeping you waiting, Homitsu -san."
"I am at your disposal, Coordinator."
Takashi chuckled at some private joke. "You know, I used to practice with the Director of the ISF. They were hard matches, well-fought. I did not always win."
"Does the Coordinator have a complaint?"
"Iie,"he said absently as he slipped into his mask and secured the ties that would hold the menin place. "No complaint."
"If it would be the Coordinator's wish, I had thought to suggest bokkentoday."
Takashi's expression was hidden behind his protective mask. "Bokken?Yes, the wooden swords will be more appropriate than shinaitoday. You know what is to happen today?"
"Hai,Coordinator."
"Do not hold back."
Homitsu finished tying on his own men.He was glad his face was hidden. "I will not."
They donned gloves and Homitsu offered two bokkento Takashi, letting his karmachoose his course. The Coordinator hefted the wooden sword he'd selected and nodded in satisfaction. Homitsu gripped the remaining sword, feeling its weight. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Karma.
They bowed and began. The Coordinator's form was sharper than usual as he pressed his attack. Homitsu gave ground, blocking only. He shifted balance, bokkencanted away from the best line of defense. The Coordinator's weapon slipped through, striking Homitsu on the dowith a resounding crack.
Takashi backed away. "You are holding back more than usual."
"It is so, Coordinator."
"Ha! You finally admit it."
"Hai,Coordinator."
"Why?"
"This will be the last time we fight," Homitsu said gravely.
Takashi stiffened. "I did not know you thought so little of my skills as a warrior."
"I respect you as a warrior, Coordinator." That was no lie. Takashi's skills as a warrior had no bearing on other matters.
"But you believe I will lose to Jaime Wolf."
"Iie,Coordinator. You will not lose to Jaime Wolf."
Takashi frowned, his puzzlement overcoming his emotional control. Then, as if suddenly sensing the threat Homitsu posed, Takashi snapped his bokkenup between them.
Homitsu brought his own weapon up as he moved forward. Now that they were engaged, it must be resolved quickly. No one must interfere.
The Coordinator did not let him take the initiative. Takashi struck quickly, murderous strength in his blows. Homitsu parried. And parried again as the fury of the Coordinator's attack forced him to retreat. Takashi's blows shifted target from the restricted zones of kendo,darting for areas unprotected by armor. Wielded with lethal intent, a bokkencould be as deadly as a sword, breaking bones and smashing muscles instead of slicing them.
Homitsu could not let himself be defeated. His life would be nothing if he failed today; his honor would be wind. The fire of his need burned him clean and the flames filled his limbs.
Takashi snapped a feint to the menand twisted it into a rising cut from the off-side. Homitsu took the blow on his armor, flowing with it. The impact made his head ring, but the bokkenwas deflected and Takashi's rhythm was broken. Homitsu's bokkendarted out, thrusting for the Coordinator's face. Takashi danced back, as Homitsu intended. Pressing forward, Homitsu rained blow after blow on Takashi, forcing him further back. Always the flat of Homitsu's weapon contacted the Coordinator's flashing bokken.Flaws appeared in Takashi's defense. His breathing became ragged, a sign of slipping concentration. Homitsu smashed the Coordinator's bokkenaside, whirling his own weapon up for a pear-splitting stroke. Helpless, Takashi stood to take the blow, but Homitsu halted his weapon as it kissed the Coordinator's men.
He took a step back, allowing the puzzled Coordinator to raise his bokkento a warding position. Thought one with action, Homitsu struck at Takashi's bokken.This time, the edge contacted the Coordinator's weapon. Wood parted. The shining blade concealed within the wood burst free to slice through Takashi's bokkenjust above the guard. Homitsu completed the great circle, stilling his movement only when the blade's point hovered at Takashi's throat.
The Coordinator let the useless hilt of his bokkenfall to the floor. The sound was loud in the sudden silence. Homitsu waited while Takashi mastered his ragged breathing.
"You could have killed me."
Homitsu said nothing.
"That you did not tells me that you have more in mind. Do you expect to torture me?" Takashi tugged loose the knot securing his men,releasing the mask to fall to the floor. "One shout will bring the Otomo. Any suffering you inflict will be of inconsequential duration, and I assure you that you will be disappointed in my response. Even if you manage to kill me, you will die shortly thereafter."
The Coordinator's baiting meant nothing. Holding his sword steady in one hand, Homitsu removed his own men.The Coordinator made no move to escape or cry out. Homitsu didn't care what Takashi's reasons were; he was grateful that the Coordinator remained calm. Perhaps Takashi sensed the importance of the moment.
Over the clatter of Homitsu's mask falling to the floor, Takashi asked, "What is it you want?"
"Your death."
"Why?" Takashi demanded without hesitation. "We have no quarrel."
"With Fukushu Homitsu you have no quarrel, Takashi Kurita, but I am no longer Homitsu. He is a fiction, a tool." The man who had denied his own name reached to his face and peeled away his eye patch. A dead white orb was revealed. "I am Michi Noketsuna."
The pronouncement did not disturb the harsh set of the Coordinator's face. His stern expression neither lightened nor darkened. To that implacability, Michi said, "You say we have no quarrel, and in a sense you are correct. I am justice for another man's quarrel, an innocent man you sacrificed to your personal hatred. Minobu Tetsuhara was my lord and mentor. I bring hisquarrel to you."
"Tetsuhara," Takashi said slowly. "He chose his response and died a true samurai. I honor him."
"You killed him. He would not see the truth, as I have."
"You are mistaken, as he was not."
"In ancient Japan, there was once a samurai forced to commit seppukubecause he was caught in the machinations and intrigues of a noble of the court. His name was Asano, and he made the only decision he could, as did his loyal retainers. As have I.
"I have been as loyal to my master Minobu Tetsuhara as Oishi Yoshio was to his lord Asano. Oishi left his life as a samurai and pretended he didn't care about his lord's fate. But all the time, he was preparing vengeance in his lord's name. So for years, he and his fellows waited until they could confront Lord Kira, the man who had forced death upon their lord.
"I, too, have denied my heritage and hidden my goal. Though I am but one and not forty-seven, as the loyal retainers of Lord Asano, yet I will have justice done. You are in my hands now. As the forty-seven offered Lord Kira the way of honor, I offer you now the chance to commit seppuku.Atone for your failure as a samurai's lord."
Takashi's eyes were glacial ice. "If I do not?"
"I will kill you," Michi said, his voice as cold as Takashi's eyes.
"You say that you are justice, yet I tell you that there is no justice in what you are trying to do. It was never my will that Minobu Tetsuhara die."
"Warlord Samsonov was your man."
"Samsonov was a fool," Takashi snapped "Ultimately he was his own man, and he paid for it. But you know that, don't you? It was you who killed him, not one of Wolf's Dragoons."
"I killed him," Michi confirmed. "He was not enough of a man to end his life honorably. I expect better of Takashi Kurita."
"There is much I was blind to during those years," Takashi said. "Just as there was much that you could not see, or seeing, understand. Your vendetta is misplaced."
The Coordinator talked of the political maneuvering that went on around Wolf's Dragoons during their contract with the Draconis Combine. He spoke of Warlord Samsonov and the man's hatred for the Dragoons and for Jaime Wolf, in particular. He had not, Takashi declared, ordered Samsonov to do what had been done to the Dragoons; in particular, he had not ordered the attack on the Dragoon families.
If Takashi was to be believed, his concerns for the Combine had been misinterpreted by Samsonov. Michi felt the seeds of doubt begin to break the soil of his mind. If Takashi had not ordered Samsonov's actions, there was no reason for vendetta against the Coordinator. He was wrong in demanding Takashi's death.
Takashi enumerated the threats that had faced the Combine in those days. Emphasizing his paramount concern for the survival of the realm, Takashi asserted that no one person could put his own concerns ahead of the Combine. Michi could not disagree; he had set aside his own desires more than once in favor of the Combine's survival. Takashi believed that the importance of the realm's survival justified the actions necessary to ensure that survival. He spoke of manipulating the warlords, pitting them against one another and constantly testing their loyalty, as a tool to that end. Sometimes, regretfully, tools broke or were misused. The Coordinator implied that Samsonov had misunderstood, had usurped prerogatives reserved for the Coordinator.
Despite Takashi speaking of his own clan and the Combine as one, Michi found the Coordinator's arguments seductively persuasive, But what if all the arguments were merely another manipulation? What if they were simply lies?
Sounds impinged on his awareness. The scuff of a footfall on tatamimats. A soft mechanical whine. The rustle of cloth against flesh. Banishing his doubt, Michi dropped into warrior awareness. He felt the hardwood grain under his fingers and saw the flicker in the light that told of moving bodies.
He and Takashi were no longer alone.
25
Restoring the cache ships and organizing them into a convoy was a task unlike any Elson had ever commanded. He was surprised to find himself interested in the details and intricacies of coordinating the efforts of his command. His enemies in the council of officers seemed even more surprised, while his own faction simply took his abilities for granted.
The trip back to Outreach along a command circuit was as long as the trip out, but instead of drilling Elementals, Elson spent his time dealing with a wider variety of concerns. It was a different way of preparing for the future. Each time they lay over, recharging their drives or transferring to a waiting JumpShip, he visited some of the other DropShips and made himself known to the crews. Though he spent most of his time with the warriors, he did not neglect the techs or the scientists. Any good warrior understood the importance of those who designed and maintained weapons. By showing that he understood their roles, he won their loyalty with surprising ease.
By the time the convoy reached the Dragoon home-world once more, Elson would have a strong cadre of people who believed in him and his vision. He knew that he would never convert Atwyl and his cronies; the oldsters were the most committed to the erroneous path of Jaime Wolf. Wolf commanded their respect and loyalty with such force that otherwise clear-thinking warriors ignored centuries of tradition. It was not something Elson could ignore, and it worried him constantly.
But he saw hope. Even at the funeral, some had spoken of MacKenzie Wolf's failings. The talk had not been public or in the recorded eulogies, but it was there. It became more common as the journey went on. Even some of the oldsters had been heard to speak of MacKenzie's corruption by easygoing spheroids. Jaime Wolf had not passed on his genius to his son, and now that MacKenzie was dead, there was no reason to pretend otherwise.
"The flaws of the offspring reflect the flaws of the parentage," said an old Clan proverb. Breeding rights went to those who performed, those who had proved themselves. Those who were disgraced lost all rights and privileges. The blood told the true story.
It was not hard to see that Jaime Wolf's bloodline was flawed, however successful he had been. Clanners understood that a flawed commander was a sentence of death, and no one wanted such a sentence. Clanners knew, too, that old men lose sight of the day they live in, preferring the past and its security. Such a commander would sooner or later fail his warriors, betraying them to an undeserved death or a disgraceful failure.
Fear is a warrior's constant companion, but the true warrior masters his fears. In doing so, he conquers and fulfills his destiny. Death is not a threat to a real warrior; he knows there is no escaping death. It is his job to deal in death, so he must understand its ways and, more importantly, the meaning of death. A death without meaning was the real fear of a true warrior.
But these Dragoons, Clanner or spheroid, misunderstood that reality. They had come to believe that life was their prize, that by excelling they could leave their warrior natures behind and go on to something else. How could they ignore the warrior's knowledge of the precariousness of life? They had fallen into an old man's way of thought. Jaime Wolf feared for his Dragoons and worried over their ability to survive. For years his actions had been directed toward reducing his fears, and this mission to recover the cache ships was only the latest step in Wolf's plan.
But Wolf's vision was clouded, distorted by his own rejection of his heritage. He had forgotten that a warrior's lot is death and dreamed that the cache ships and their technology could preserve the Dragoons. It was a foolish dream. Weapons are worthless without warriors to wield them, and warriors cannot ply their trade without death.
Wolf could not see the truth growing around him, but Elson could. He listened to the men and women who wore Dragoon uniforms. Occasionally he heard spheroids use Clanner arguments when they spoke of their fears. By spending time with them, he learned that they wanted to be warriors and how much they longed to walk the path of honor. Wolf was a fool to deny the Dragoons that.
Jaime Wolf's old man's ways would cost both him, and the Dragoons, if nothing were done.
When the Clans had returned to the Inner Sphere, life had changed forever. A new order was at hand. Elson was part of that new age, and those around him could see it. Soon all the Dragoons would know it.
