The Wolfhoundemitted a high-pitched whine. Its laser dropped, the glow fading from the energy coils. The damage inflicted by the Elementals' attack had rendered the 'Mech's primary armament useless.

Elson grinned.

"Fade," he ordered his Point. They had done their job. All they needed do now was lie low and survive.

Elson felt a savage joy when he saw how accurately he had guessed the 'Mech jocks' reaction to the attack. Even though they knew that this particular Point of Elementals had spent all their missiles, the jocks couldn't know whether there might be more Points hidden among the destroyed hulks. Even if they wanted to fight, the 'Mech jocks still had their own mission, which was not to destroy annoying infantry.

The lance was almost down to half-strength and their lance commander obviously did not want to lose more.

The Wolfhoundpulled away, accelerating through the graveyard without regard for caution. The two Locustsfollowed. Speed would let them escape the Elementals. The 'Mechs raced away in the direction the lance had originally been moving.

Elson thought the rapid retreat was the lance commander's best decision in the entire encounter. As the 'Mechs reached the foothills, he wondered if they would have any better luck against the rest of Harold's Star.

Elson hauled himself up onto the half-buried Crusaderbehind which he had taken cover. Sitting on its chest, he let his legs dangle into the empty cavity that had once held a missile launcher. The fighting was over. For now.

Twenty meters away Vomer was kicking one of the shattered 'Mech hulks in frustration. He popped his lid, squirmed out of his battle armor, and promptly proceeded to transfer his aggression to the suit. His kicks had no effect on the Elemental armor.

Elson laughed. This trial was over, especially for Vomer. He had lost, tagged dead by the Wolfhound'slaser. Infantry didn't get second chances like the 'Mech jocks did. It might have been better for Vomer if the 'Mech's laser had been allowed to fire at full strength.

In the distance Elson could see the Wasprising to its feet, the umpires having released their electronic lock on its controls. Doubtless the 'Mech jock was even more upset than Vomer. 'Mechs were not supposed to lose to Elementals.

The crunch of gravel told Elson that someone was approaching from behind him. He did not bother to turn around.

"One Elemental for one 'Mech. A good bargain, quiaff?Well done, Candidate Elson."

Recognizing the voice, Elson hitched his legs over the side of the 'Mech and dropped to the ground to face Colonel Griffith Nikkitch. Elson stood to attention. Respect was due to the rank, even if the colonel lost points for not using Elson's last name.

Nikkitch was an ordinary infantryman and well into his fifties, but neither circumstance was necessarily a disgrace. He wore battle honors and still stood straight. Though large for the ordinary run of people, Nikkitch did not have Elemental blood. Even when not wearing his battle armor, Elson towered head and shoulders over the officer who stood before him. Waiting until the colonel was craning upward to stare into the suit's faceplate, Elson said stiffly, "My duty, Colonel."

Nikkitch did not seem fazed by Elson's manner even though it verged on disrespect. It was also to the old man's credit that he was not bothered by the faceless bulk offered by Elson in his battle armor. "I suppose you're wondering why you rate the Infantry Ops commander for your umpire."

"Not my concern, Colonel."

Nikkitch scowled. "It ought to be. Why'd you split your Point off from the Star."

"Cadet Captain Harold had failed to appreciate the battlefield, sir."

"Blunt." Nikkitch turned and surveyed the rest of the Point as they gathered. He half-turned back toward Elson. "And you saw something he didn't?"

"I was wearing battle armor while he was still learning to spell the word in his sibko, sir."

"Clan wisdom says the new generation is superior to the old."

"Clan wisdom says the young shall be guided by their elders, sir."

Nikkitch nodded, his lips pursed. "And Harold wouldn't listen to you. Said he'd worked this field before and knew the best ambush spots."

The accurate description made Elson wonder if the colonel had listened in on the Star's strategy session.

"I had scanned the field maps before the exercise, sir."

"I know," Nikkitch said, revealing that he had taken an interest in the Star's planning. "What are you trying to prove, Elson?"

"I am a warrior, Colonel."

"Bondsman."

Elson bowed his head. The motion would not be seen outside the suit, but it helped him control his anger. He reminded himself that his status as bondsman was only temporary. When he felt he was controlled enough to speak calmly, he said, "As you say."

"I've seen your codex, Elson. You're not trueborn. Why are you so hot about this? Speak candidly."

"I may have been freeborn, but my blood is warrior blood. I earned my rank in Clan Nova Cat. I proved that I was a warrior."

"So you resent having to do it again, quiaff?"

"Aff. Yet I am bondsman to Wolf's Dragoons, taken in fair combat. I will fulfill my obligation."

"But nothing's going to keep you from being a warrior again?"

"I must be true to my heritage."

Nikkitch harrumphed. With a gesture, he included the rest of the Point in the conversation. "Well, you'd all better hope the rest of the Star does well without you. It's the whole unit score that will count the most. Your Point's score may be high, but it won't cut it if the rest of the Star botches up. Or loses because they're under-strength. Infantry has to work together."

Elson did not care for the rebuke. He had made the right decision. "All arms must work together, sir. And all arms must take advantage of their strengths, applying them in the best way possible."

"True enough." Nikkitch slowly turned to face him. "Your codex shows high aptitude in strategy. I suppose you want to be an officer?"

"I will serve as my abilities warrant, sir."

"We shall see."

That ended the impromptu review.

It was almost a week before the scores were posted. Elson had achieved a high enough score to make warrior rank and, to Elson's surprise, so had Harold. Once Elson had led his Point away, Harold had reconsidered Elson's advice and spread his unit out, extending the gauntlet through which the BattleMechs had to run. The result had been the effective elimination of the lance through accumulated damage from Elemental harassment.

Elson was summoned before Colonel Nikkitch.

"Harold has acknowledged that it was your strategy that allowed the unit to succeed. Does that surprise you?"

It did, but Elson refused 'to admit it. "Harold is honest when he sees no advantage in being otherwise."

Nikkitch shook his head, somewhat confounded. "Are you always so blunt?"

"I beg the Colonel's pardon."

"Forget it." The colonel indicated that Elson should sit. Seeing that the chair before the desk was both large and sturdy enough, Elson did so. The colonel waited a moment, no doubt judging Elson's state of mind, before continuing. "I am very impressed with your performance, Elson. Far more than I expected to be, considering the Nova Cats' showing on Luthien."

Elson damped his anger. The colonel was obviously intending to make some kind of point. Why could he not do it without gratuitous insults?