The Wolf glowered at Grazier, who appeared not to notice. Garcia did, and tried to shift the mood into something more positive.

"What about the Kuritans, Colonel? They came to join up with you, specifically, didn't they?"

"Some of them did. But as a fighting force, they're a wild card. Since they haven't been formally inducted, it's likely they'll sit it out. It would be the wiser course for them."

A priority call cut in to the flow of traffic on the commo net. I passed it on at once.

"Colonel, command center reports a DropShip overflight of Orange Sector."

The Wolf's hand snapped down to the map-table console and the picture dissolved, to be replaced by a command-sector representation of the continent. Orange Sector, one of the four color-coded divisions of the Outback, was a wide wedge stretching away from the Tetsuhara Proving Grounds to the east. The terrain was rough, mostly badlands. Farther away the land started sloping down toward the sea in a rocky desert that was bounded by a range of mountains that met the sea in a crazy maze of islands. Orange Sector was an unlikely avenue for a major assault by the usurpers; supply lines to the World would be more complicated than those running through any of the other three sectors.

"Vector," the Colonel demanded.

"Came in from the north, then cut west," I said, simultaneously routing the datafeed to the map-table. "Now moving on over the mountains and out of range."

Martel offered a suggestion. "Recon flight?"

"Negative," I said with the authority of a new report. "Multiple contacts on downward vectors. They've laid eggs. We've got BattleMechs coming in, estimated two to three companies."

"Scramble the 'Mechs," the Wolf ordered. "Half the armor to form a second line, Joe. The rest, and the infantry, stay in position. If we can, we've got to meet them before they organize."

41

Elson sat staring at the holotank wherein rotated a green globe representing Outreach. The greater continent of the Outback slipped from view as the wide Argyosean Sea filled most of the visible surface. Then little by little the smaller continent crept into sight. Elson called up the force display. Blue dots winked into existence on the sphere's surface, marking the locations of forces loyal to Alpin. Other dots appeared, red for the forces loyal to Wolf and amber for those still undecided about which side to support in the struggle for control of the Dragoons.

The first stage of the battle, he reminded himself. Once Jaime Wolf was taken care of, the next phases could begin. Alpin would not lead the Dragoons for long.

Foolish, self-important Alpin.

Alpin was styling himself the Khan of Wolf's Dragoons. Enamored of anything to do with the Clans, perhaps the boy thought using Clan designations would make him more popular with the Clanners in his faction. If so, he was ignoring the sentiments of those who sided with him for other reasons, having no particular love for the Clans. Indeed, many of those were already offended just when Alpin needed all the support he could get right now.

Elson had been unintentionally drawn into the light by Alpin's sudden declaration that the position of saKhan was to be revived and that Elson would hold it. The intent, a return to proper Clan forms, was laudable. The last Dragoon saKhan had been Joshua Wolf, one of the original Dragoons. When Joshua was killed, Jaime Wolf had amalgamated the position into his own, a move that had been the Dragoons' first overt step away from their heritage.

The timing of the change had not been Alpin's first blunder. No. That unfortunate move had come hard on the heels of the failed attempt on Jaime Wolf. The panicked Alpin had ordered security guards to fire on Patrick Chan and his lance after they had dismounted from their 'Mechs. It was a bad choice. The crusty old 'Mech jock was chief of BattleMech operations and a potential ally because he professed belief in the honor road. Chan might have been talked around, brought to see that the future lay with a revitalized Clan organization for the Dragoons. Still, Elson had been able to hide the truth beneath a story that Chan and his MechWarriors had attacked Alpin. Not all believed, but no one openly contradicted the tale.

Then, in unconscious mockery of Elson's plans, Alpin's awkward and flustered announcement of the restoration of the Khan ranks had come. Elson's refusal to support and accept the move would have embarrassed Alpin and weakened the boy's tenuous hold on the position of commander of the Dragoons. Elson was not yet ready for that. Neither was he ready to step into the light as the power behind the changes. He knew he should welcome the return of proper Clan command structure, but the move had cost, alienating some Dragoons whose allegiance to the new leadership was wavering. Tapping the code for Epsilon Regiment, Elson watched as the updated data made some of the lights change from blue to amber. A few, several BattleMech companies and the majority of the support elements, went all the way to red.

Elson brooded over the development as the holographic globe continued to turn, bringing the Outback back into view. Whereas the smaller, developed continent was lit primarily with blue and amber lights, the Outback was mostly amber, spotted with tiny clusters of red and a few scattered spots of blue. Admittedly, most of the units represented by the amber lights were Home Guard and not as combat-capable as the line regiments, but only a fool would discount them. If they sided with Wolf, there would be serious fighting. The cursed neutral position taken by Fleet Captain Chandra prevented him from ascertaining the loyalties of far too many of the Home Guard units. The sooner he acted, the smoother things would go.

The door to the office opened and let in the bustling noise of the command center. Annoyed by the interruption, he snapped, "What is it?"

"Delta call, sir. The Kuritans are reported moving out of their encampment in the Provence Sector. There is a convoy with the BattleMechs."

Although unwelcome, the Kuritan move was not unanticipated. "Have they opened fire?"

"Neg. The 643rd Home Guard infantry was on watch. They decided to withdraw."

"Bring the big tank on line. I'll be out in minute."

He had been expecting something from the Kuritans for some time now. The convoy was interesting, though: it would be the Mech Warriors' dependents. Clearly, the Kuritans were finished with Dragoon hospitality. But where were they going? Home, or to Wolf?

The possibility that they might be heading to join Wolf could not be discounted. Jaime Wolf had partially equipped the Kuritans with Dragoon machines, possibly engendering some kind of honor debt. But the machines were Dragoon property, not Wolf's. The Kuritans could not be allowed to leave without surrendering that equipment.

Elson stalked into the ops center. As he had ordered, the holotank was up and running. A glance told him the number of BattleMechs in the column, and that figure revealed that the Kuritans were taking the Dragoon equipment. He walked around the tank, passing Fancher and Parella, to confront the short Kuritan who stood there staring into the holotank. As usual, the small man showed no sign of being intimidated by Elson's bulk or demeanor. It was an admirable, if irritating, trait.

"Well, Noketsuna, they are your clan, what are they doing?"

"Leaving," was all he said.

Elson found that insufficient answer. "To fight with Wolf?"

Turning an impassive face to him, Noketsuna said, "Wolf is a rebel by your law. Kuritans despise rebels. Those who transgress against the bond of duty are outcasts."