"All right, what's up?" Sep asked, looking straight at Ardan.
He dropped his gaze, fiddled with his fork, then raised his eyes to hers.
"I've been transferred," he said, voice low and gruff. "I asked for it. Things have been...getting to me lately. It was time for a change."
Sep felt a hot lump rise in her throat, but she swallowed it back down with grim determination. She quickly took a taste of soup, which burnt her tongue badly enough to excuse the tears that rose to her eyes.
"Whoof!" she panted. "Hot!" She breathed deeply, cooling her mouth and throat. In those few moments, she had gotten her emotions under control again. "It's what you've wanted for a long time," she said. "I hate to see you go, but I know how it is. Some people can stand Court service, and others find it unbearable. After four years here, I admit it's been a nice rest But a day will come when I'll want to get back into the thick of things, too."
"Yes, but it's good to be part of the Brigade, which is the service everyone hopes for, if they're good enough," Denek interjected. "I'd hate to leave it...now. Though I suppose the time might come when I get bored with mock battles, too." He looked thoughtfully into the mixture of vegetables and meat on his plate.
"I'm not bored," said Ardan, his tone dry. "I'm—No, better not to talk about it. Let's just say that the time has come for me to move on to something else. I wasn't cut out for life at Court. Or in government. Or around politics. Leave it at that."
Sep took a bite of something tasteless, chewed it carefully, swallowed, took a sip of wine. She wished desperately that that there were something light and funny to say. The atmosphere at their table had become thick enough to cut with a vibroblade.
Besides, she knew what was eating Ardan, having seen his increasing dissatisfaction with policies Hanse was putting into effect among the worlds ruled by the Federated Suns. She had never really understood what it was that so distressed him, though. Treaties that kept a system out of war were good, no matter what it took to get them ratified.
Sep took another bite of food, but it could have been desert-rat or chewyweed, for all the flavor she found in it. To save her, she couldn't think of anything to say except things sure to irritate Ardan even further. The new security systems, for one thing. Ardan thought a ruler should be completely and openly available to his people. That might be a wonderful theory, but she wondered how many of those who'd tried it in millennia past had ended up dead in the midst of all that access. At least four that she could recall from school history tapes popped into her head.
No, it was best not to mention security. Nor the war. Nor Hanse's probable intentions with regard to House Steiner.
Fram saved the situation. "You know, the strangest thing happened today. My coolant vest just conked out. While I was cooking away in there, my throat mike began malfunctioning, and my earphones began picking up beeps from the biofeedback sytem."
Ardan chuckled. Jarlik grinned, and Denek choked on a bite of food. Sep smiled, too, thinking how often similar things had happened to her.
"Anyway, there I was listening to my blood pressure, stewing in my own sweat, and trying to talk to my left toe, and I happen to look up to see Tigerwoman, here, about to take off my legs. Don't tell me comfort isn't necessary to a MechWarrior! You get distracted, and you're dead. If that had been a real battle situation, I'd have been a goner, for certain."
Pushing back his now-empty tray, Ardan grinned. It made Sep glad to see that it was not the false and strained version he'd shown earlier.
"I'll remember that when I get out to the Folly," he said. "After all, those Capellan ‘Mech-jockeys will be playing for keeps. Somehow, here on New Avalon, it's hard to forget that the 'Mech you're sparring with is piloted by someone you'd protect with your own life in a real battle. It does make a big difference." He drained his glass and stood up.
"Anyone want to take a walk to settle dinner?" he asked with elaborate casualness.
Sep felt her heart thud solidly against her ribs. She stretched and stood.
"Might as well." She took her tray and followed Ardan to the racks where the soiled utensils were stacked for later cleaning.
Turning to look at their other three chums, she asked, "Anybody else?" Her expression, however, promised instant annihilation to anyone who volunteered to come along.
Three heads shook solemnly. "Too full of food," said Fram. Denek sighed and rubbed his belly. Jarlik dabbed his lips with a napkin and shrugged.
"Fine," said Ardan. "Come on, Sep. We'll walk out to the lake and back. Just the right distance to get the kinks out."
Walking out of the mess hall beside him, she wondered if he would say anything...then she knew he wouldn't. No more than could she. They were friends, first of all. Soldiers second. Anything else was best left unsaid.
They headed for the lake, which was inside the military compound that included the palace grounds as well as the building where the Council sat when in session. In the context of their times and their history, it was best to keep everything as protected as possible.
They moved in silence until out of earshot of the other men and women strolling in the twilight. Then Sep turned to look at Ardan.
"I think you're wronging your friend Hanse," she said. "He does what he must. You know what a good man he is...one of the best rulers in any of the systems. We just don't have all the information to understand everything he does, Dan."
"He has compromised his ethics," he said bitterly.
Though Sep wanted to reach out and shake him, she continued reasonably. "Look, it's a different thing for a ruler. He has to work with matters we never even think about." She tried to think of a way to bring the issue into focus for him.
"You are a sword, Ardan. Straightforward. Sometimes lethal, sometimes painful, but always honestly what you are, impossible to conceal, sharp and ready for action, no matter what comes. Do you understand that?"
"Of course." He sounded puzzled.
"Hanse is a dagger. A dagger in a sheath beneath the sleeve of an elaborate garment made to impress as well as to conceal. All smoothness and beauty on the outside, lulling to anyone who might try to challenge his position and power. And you know that some have tried."
Ardan nodded grudgingly.
"He has to have defenses that don't show. He must possess power that others can't see, hidden in the sleeve of his charismatic character. There is nothing evil about a dagger, Ardan."
"Perhaps not. But there can be evil in the way it is used."
"Also in the uses of a sword, my friend. A sword drawn in evil cause is no more virtuous than a dagger used likewise." She stopped, faced him, and placed one hand on his arm. "Can you seriously believe that Hanse is evil?"
Ardan leaned against the straight bole of a tree and gazed across the water. After a moment, he bent to pick up a pebble and skipped it across the smooth expanse.
"No, not really. But misguided...that I can say. Seriously so."
Sep sighed. A real hardhead was her friend Ardan. But at least she had given him something to think about. She skipped a pebble of her own.
"After you have gone," she said sofdy, "if there should ever be need, call for me. I will come, no matter where it might be. I have a feeling, Ardan. Something is in the wind. Something strange. Take care."
He nodded without speaking. They stood together and watched the light fade from the sky, leaving the lake a black mirror studded with stars.
5
To his surprise, Ardan slept deeply after saying goodbye to his friends, though he knew the next day would be filled with stress. There would be strategy sessions with the commanders of the strike force being sent from New Avalon, and decisions to be made about which 'Mech units to transfer from Dragon's Field, Hamlin, and Ral to support the invasion of the occupied world, Stein's Folly.
He would see Sep and Jarlik and the others again, but they would have no time for talk...or for sentiment. Probably a good thing, too. The more he realized how deeply he valued his comr
ades, the harder it became to leave them behind.
Just after early workout, Ardan received a summons to the Palace. He had dreaded seeing Hanse again, although knowing it was necessary. The counterinvasion of Stein's Folly was not going to be easy, and the planners would have to try to prepare for every eventuality.
Ardan found Hanse already in the war room with Ran Felsner, who had been, until very recently, commander of the Royal Guard. A formidable warrior and strategist, Felsner seemed a good choice for this sticky assignment
Before his appointment to the command of Davion's Royal Brigade, Ardan had served under Felsner as a battalion commander in the 17th Avalon Hussars. Indeed, they both had good reason to remember the last time they had fought together, four years before in the battle for Tripoli, a Davion/Kurita border world. It was then that the two had become friends as well as comrades. Ardan had led his unit in a daring raid that turned the tide of battle in Davion's favor. Having thus distinguished himself as a tactical commander, Ardan was promoted to his current position with the Brigade. Ran, in turn, had been promoted to Brigadier as a result of the campaign's success.
Ardan greeted him, made the ritual obeisance to the Prince, and nodded to Lees Hamman, who would, no doubt, be second-in-command of the attack group. Hanse motioned Ardan to approach the table over which they pored.
It was one of the rare 3-D holotables that allowed one to plot planetary orbits, approaches of ships, space debris... anything that was programmable into the computers. You could also adapt it to reflect the details of an ongoing battle, if you were able to keep the programs abreast with reports from all parts of the field.
A useful item, indeed, and one that could be of great help to Davion. Progress reports from the field would be made through ComStar each day, though Ardan knew they would probably have to send a ship out to a station at some nearby Davion-held world until Stein's Folly could be retaken.
Ardan leaned beside Felsner, gazing into the depths of the table. Points of light representing JumpShips made erratic skips between the orange lights that were the worlds lying between New Avalon and Stein's Folly. Ardan pinpointed Argyle, site of Hanse's Summer Palace. He had joined the Prince there on many a long holiday, both before and after his friend's accession to the throne. The other worlds blinking on the dark pseudospace background had to beVincent, New Cleveland, Emerson...yes...He had visited those, too.
Hanse touched a button, and a portion of the tabletop expanded to give a close-up view of the most distant range.
"We will use Dragon's Field as a staging area, because it is nearest our objective. The whole planet is surrounded by a cloud blanket that should shield much of our activity from any enemy probes or spyships. We can ready our assault force in fair safety, before committing them to the Drop-Ships for transport." He looked about the group. "Any questions?"
Ardan cleared his throat. "Being a latecomer to the mission, I'd like to know a couple of things. First, what size force will be going all the way from New Avalon? And second, is there any word so far on the size and capacities of the occupying army on Stein's Folly?"
Hanse looked at Lees, who glanced at the readout on his side of the table. "A relatively small group will make the entire trip from here to Stein's Folly—one company, in fact. We, our 'Mechs, our Techs, and our weapons and supplies will go straight through on the Command Circuit"
"One company? To fight a war?" Ardan was puzzled.
"Never fear, Ardan," said Hanse. "The 5th Crucis Lancers is already on Dragon's Field, and Felsner will command them. You'll command the 17th Avalon Hussars, which are on their way now...And my brother-in-law Michael has graciously agreed to loan us one regiment of his Capellan March Militia, which Lees will command." Ticking off items with his fingers, he went on, "To the 'Mech forces, we've added three regiments of armored vehicles, two regiments of infantry, and two regiments of AeroSpace Fighters. By the time we have everything in order for your departure, they'll be very close to their objective. We've been planning this for weeks."
Felsner cleared his throat, interrupting his leader. "Is there anything else we need to think through before beginning to get things on the move, Your Highness?"
Hanse looked about at the others. His expression was inscrutable, but Ardan sensed that he was sad deep within and less confident than he seemed.
"There will be a messenger in from the staging world tonight. Tomorrow, we will hear his report. At that time, we will decide any other matters that may come up. But for now, I mink it's time to put things in motion."
He turned to Ardan. "Tomorrow we will also get the latest word on the size of the force occupying the Folly. So far, our estimates are that Liao has stationed at least three to five regiments to hold Stein's Folly and Redfield. He has other problems elsewhere, however, and has withdrawn some of the original assault force to cope with those. We're watching closely, though, and by tomorrow should know as much as we can about what we're up against."
Felsner, Hamman, and Ardan saluted and turned to go, but Hanse caught Ardan's elbow as he passed. "Wait a moment, Dan. I'd like a word with you."
Ardan stopped obediently, though feeling a surge of resentment. It had already been too difficult A repetition of that last scene with his old friend would be simply too much.
Hanse, however, was staring absently into the holo-table. "I hate to see you go," he said, "but you are a MechWarrior, and it's fitting. What I hate worse is to see you leave in bitterness and anger." He lifted his head to look into Ardan's eyes. "You can't live with the thought of those agents provocateurs, can you?
"No." The answer was too blunt but Ardan saw no way to soften it "No, I cannot War is terrible enough when it's necessary. When we are nominally at peace with a power, it seems wicked to stir up trouble for that House."
"Then think about this," murmured Hanse. "If House Marik were not embroiled among their own worlds— admittedly in problems of my making—they might well be at our flank, while we try to retake our own worlds. I know you too well to believe that this will change your attitude, but do consider it from time to time....When you have the time." He sighed and gestured, dismissing the younger man.
Ardan had indeed considered those very points, and certainly didn't need them pushed into his face. But he had been brought up with a code of honor that seemed to be far more demanding than even that of the illustrious House of Davion. Perhaps it was because his own family, while noble, had never been one of great power. Honor, rather than power or glory, had become the watchword of his ancestors.
Ardan felt a sudden restlessness, knowing that he must now dismiss his Techs. Normally, both Lai, his main Tech, and Nym, his standby, would go with him. But they had families on New Avalon, and Ardan was unwilling to whisk the two away to a war in which they had little personal stake. No, he would find new Techs on Dragon's Field. There would be many 'orphaned' men there, Techs whose 'Mechs and MechWarriors had been destroyed in the desperate battle for Stein's Folly.
The scanners passed him into the workshop/storage area beneath his barracks. The familiar clang of metal on metal and the odor of welding and heat-processed sealants immediately assaulted his senses. There was never a quiet moment in the workshops where the active 'Mechs were repaired and maintained, and the damaged or worn ones reassembled into usable combinations.
The stall where his own Victor was stored came into view. Nym was polishing a weld, while Lai applied a coat of rust-preventive paint to the sole of one of the machine's immense feet The sun-and-sword emblem of House Davion had just been redone, and the paint gleamed bright and fresh.
"Greetings," Ardan called over the din being made by a nearby metal worker.
Nym looked up and smiled. He and Lai would have gone on working, but Ardan signalled them to join him outside the work area.
"Anything wrong, Colonel?" asked the Tech, looking worried. He was the kind of man who prided himself on his work, constantly anxious that something might be less than perfect
"Not with yo
u or Lai," said Ardan. "I couldn't ask for a better pair of Techs. But I'm going offworld, and I refuse to take either of you away from your families. And especially because I know that your mother is sick, Lai. And Nym's young one is due to arrive at any time. Sella would come after me with a neural whip if I took you away now."
Nym looked upset "It is my duty. My honor. I must go where my work takes me. Sella knows that"
"Well, this time your work will be with Candent Septarian. I asked her yesterday, and she needs you both. Her Tech and his standby both were injured when her WarHammer fell from its braces while the control bundles in its knee joints were being repaired. By the time they're functional again, I may even be back here."
Ardan took a deep breath. "You need to ready the 'Mech for transport Check everything, of course. And I need a last exercise. Is the Gauntlet set up and ready to run?"
Nym nodded. "Will it be the Victor, as usual?"
"What else?" said Ardan. I've never understood why Sep likes that bunglesome WarHammer so well. Me, I'll take maneuverability."
"Probably because the WarHammer can simply step on anything it can't blast out of the way," mumbled Lai.
Ardan left, laughing. That was true. At seventy tons, the WarHammer could mangle a forest or a city without realizing it had stepped on anything. His Victor, on the other hand, was ten tons heavier, but could still rise up on its maneuvering jets. Ardan felt that his ‘Mech's ability to move was a priceless asset on the field.
The Gauntlet was an exercise ground laid out in a large meadow beyond the lake and the forest. Set between high parallel walls of stone and metal, it extended just short of a kilometer in length and resembled a natural canyon, with every sort of straightaway, angle, curve, and bend.
Every centimeter of those forty-five-meter high walls was embedded with special effects that could simulate rocket launchers, lasers, autocannon, and any other nasty surprise a 'Mech might encounter in combat. When a Mech Warrior wanted to work out there, a Tech was assigned to arm and control those weapons effects. They could only be disarmed by that Tech or by a direct hit on a sensitive plate of a slightly different color than the surrounding stone of the walls.
The sword and the dagger Page 4
