"But I don't ..." Theodore began, puzzled.

"It seems that this is registered on the rolls of the Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery in your name." Florimel held out the hardcopy that Constance had printed for her. Attached to the cover was a pocket containing an iridescent data disk on which was emblazoned in black the alphanumeric code "ON1-K".

"This is the technical manual for an Orion'Mech," Theodore said in surprise.

"I know what it is," Florimel conceded indulgently. "I had hoped to present it to you on a more auspicious occasion, such as your twenty-fifth birthday."

She started to say more, but refrained when it was obvious Theodore had no attention for anything beyond what he held in his hands. While he paged through the manual, she exchanged amused glances with Constance.

"This was General Kerensky's 'Mech!" Theodore blurted, eyes wide.

"An amazing discovery, wasn't it?" Florimel inquired nonchalantly. "It was found on an asteroid during the course of a minor investigation I ran several years ago in the New Samarkand system."

"You found a Star League depot and kept it secret?" Theodore's voice was full of disbelief.

"Really more of a Star League junkyard. Nothing was functional. The 'Mechs and other equipment we found there were most likely cast off by General Kerensky and his loyal troops, jettisoned before they exited the Inner Sphere for parts unknown and left us to the Succession Wars. Likely they only had space for a limited amount of materiel.

"The Orionwas practically a shell, all its important parts removed or ruined. I could not offer such an empty gift, however. The 'Mech has been refitted by the finest technicians in the Combine and with the best equipment, including some brought from the Free Worlds League factory that is the last one in the Sphere producing Orions."

"This is too great a gift," Theodore said, holding the manual out to Florimel. "I cannot accept it."

Florimel ignored his outstretched hand. "In my eyes, you have earned it."

Theodore dropped his arm. Constance could see through his show of humility that he was pleased with Florimel's gift and even more pleased to have her acknowledge his achievements.

"You show greater concern for the heir than the Dragon himself," Theodore said, accepting the gift. His tone revealed a trace of bitterness.

A slight frown crossed Florimel's face. "Try to understand him, Theodore. He has great concerns."

"Too great to be concerned about his son."

"Not too concerned to give you a good assignment," Constance interjected.

Florimel glanced at her sharply, and Constance realized that she had revealed knowledge of Theodore's orders, which he had not yet given to them.

Theodore showed no sign of having noticed. "Perhaps," he admitted grudgingly. "A command lance of my own choosing is an honor, and a posting to the Steiner border is certainly better than the tour of the Periphery border that I expected. Surely, with a battalion to command, I can win some honor for the Dragon against our hereditary foes in the Lyran Commonwealth."

"And you will be near your fiancee," Constance added.

"Soka,"Theodore snorted. "That must be the old man's reason. He is so concerned that there be heirs. He must feel that if I am near the woman, I cannot but act as a rutting stallion." Theodore shook his head sadly. "As if he could take care of any heirs I produced. He cannot even handle his own."

"His concern for heirs is valid," Florimel stated firmly.

"Well, he needn't be so concerned," Theodore said, a wide grin beginning to show on his face. "I probably have many already. And I'm sure the ISF will keep him informed."

"It is their duty," Florimel reminded.

Theodore was silent for a moment, then he nodded. Whether in recognition or resignation, Constance could not tell. "Wakarimas.As it is my duty to carry on the seed of the Dragon."

Theodore rose, loose-limbed and relaxed.

"I have recently had what I believe is an offer in that department, so perhaps I'll do something about it." Consulting the timepiece in his ring, he added impishly, "And it seems I'm late."

When Theodore had excused himself and left the garden, Constance stood and helped Florimel to her feet.

"His spirits are lifted and he seems once more in control of himself," she offered.

Florimel nodded. "As much as one in his position can be."

7

Lotus Theatre, Munich, Radstadt

Rasalhague Military District, Draconis Combine

29 July 3019

The bearded man known as Diamond frowned, waiting for the last arrival. Opal was late, and the fat merchant was usually early. That might mean trouble if Opal had run afoul of the ISF. Diamond considered dispersing the gathered conspirators; the abandoned theatre might be a good place to hold a clandestine meeting, but they could not defend it if the ISF came calling.

The banging of an open door caught by the wind announced Opal's arrival. He forced the battered door closed, shutting out the dismal, wet gloom. His feet made a squishing sound as he hustled through the lobby and seating area to join the others in the orchestra pit. Murmuring his apologies, the latecomer shook oily water from the slick surface of his foul-weather coat.

At least the fool didn't wear that damning uniform this time,Diamond thought. The group humored the eccentricity when meeting on the merchant's home world, but here, in the shadow of the Black Tower, it was too dangerous. It was one thing to hold the meeting under the tyrant's noses, and quite another to flaunt it. If the authorities spotted such a blatant tie to the Free Rasalhague Underground, no amount of explanation would suffice. The merchant and anyone found with him would be tossed summarily into the Tower to join others who dared openly oppose the Combine government. Anyone who entered that grim, windowless concrete monstrosity never saw the light of day again, not even that of the dismal, cloud-shrouded local star.

" 'Bout time you got here, Armandu," snarled a man in a military issue jumpsuit whose identifying rank and unit insignia had been carefully removed. The lack of markings did not disguise the fact that the hostile speaker came by his outfit legitimately.

"Must I remind you about names again, Colonel?" the bearded man snapped. Over the past year, the Colonel had become increasingly intolerant of the need for secrecy. It was just one more sign that he considered himself vital to the cabal and that he expected much power in the new order.

"No need to get testy, oh most noble leader," the Colonel replied sarcastically. "The ISF goons would never think of listening for treason within earshot of the hell they built for political prisoners."

"We must always be cautious," Diamond said.

The Colonel shrugged his indifference and went back to scanning the summary brief that Diamond had provided earlier. Diamond decided not to press the issue.

"Now that we are gathered ..."

"Where is Ricol, uh, I mean Ruby," the soggy newcomer nervously interrupted.

Diamond scowled. If it were not for the fool's money ....

"As I told the others before you arrived, Opal, Ruby has business elsewhere."

"Damned convenient," the Colonel growled.