As the Zeusstruggled to stand, the APC driver shifted into reverse, his bravado apparently replaced by good sense. Before the APC could extricate itself, however, the Zeusrose at its side, the bulbous shape of the 'Mech's Coventry StarFire launcher held high above its blocky cockpit. Smashing its arm down on the APC, the Zeuscrushed the tank's passenger compartment. The APC's treads still moved, and so the Zeusstruck again and again until the vehicle was a twisted, motionless hulk at its feet.

Busek's Griffin pounded past "Katana Kat," headed for the Ranger 'Mech. A short flight of seven missiles erupted from its shoulder-mounted launcher to crater the armor of the Zeus.Busek fired his PPC as well, but the shot went wide.

Fuhito loosed a blast in support of his lancemate's reckless charge. Ionized air screamed as the artificial lightning tore at the wounded Zeus'storso. Then the Ranger 'Mech's rear-mounted laser suddenly began to fire wildly, the pulses increasing in frequency until they merged into a solid beam and melted the lasing crystal.

The Griffin closed, and the Zeusturned to face it. Busek's PPC fire was ineffective, his aim poor. The Ranger showed a more deadly accuracy. He managed two full volleys from the StarFire launcher, which savaged the Kurita 'Mech's chest, exposing structural members and starting a geyser of coolant fluid. The Zeus's10 cm Thunderbolt laser finally came into play, ruby bolts slagging metal and boiling ceramic. The Griffin crashed to the ground, limbs sprawling limp.

The Zeusstrode to its downed opponent and halted by the armor baffle on the downed 'Mech's left shoulder. In a slow, deliberate movement, the Zeusraised its right leg and stepped down on the bubble canopy of the Griffin .

Fuhito screamed his outrage, his voice lost in the sizzling crackle of "Kat's" PPC. The bolt slammed the Zeusin its already weakened left chest. Flames licked out and a new cloud billowed from the 'Mech's destroyed shoulder. From the external speaker of the Ranger 'Mech came the hacking laughter of its pilot.

Azure lightning shattered the tree at Fuhito's left. Two more particle beams sizzled past. The other Elsies had given up chasing Kurita shadows in the woods and were joining the fight. Growling his rage, Fuhito threw "Kat" into a dive, seeking the cover of a deadfall.

Busek had been helpless. There was no honor in killing a helpless opponent. No true warrior would ever consider such an action. The Zeus pilot deserved a messy execution for his dishonorable act.

The Zeuswas badly damaged. Another charge by Fuhito's company could finish it off. But the other Rangers had arrived, which would make such a charge lethal for the Kuritans.

There would be another day.

Fuhito brought "Katana Kat" to its feet, heading for the treeline.

"That's it," he called on the company comm line. "Head for cover."

Throughout the area, the Combine 'Mechs turned, dodging behind trees as they ran. The supporting infantry ignited smoke bombs to screen the passage of the 'Mechs before running themselves, hoping that the Steiner pilots would not bother with such paltry targets. As he ran the "Katana Kat" through the forest, Fuhito could hear the Elsies blasting away, shattering the woods in their fury and frustration.

26

Sitika County, North Galfree, Marfik

Dieron Military District, Draconis Combine

26 September 3028

The Atlastook a last thundering step onto the airstrip at Jilenka. The slam of the cockpit hatch against the upper surface of the head was lost amid the rumblings and creakings of the BattleMech as it settled to rest. Hauptmann-Kommandant Heany stood in the hatch and let the September breeze ruffle her ash-blonde hair. She sketched a salute to the Senior Warrant Officer in charge of the resupply team that had begun to swarm over her 'Mech.

A pair of SYD-21 AeroSpace Fighters roared overhead. Heany looked up at them and smiled to see the blue stetson-in-the-ring symbol of Hauptmann Kreuger's AeroLance. Kreuger's fighters had reported the remnants of the Eleventh Legion of Vega gathering near Sitika. Jump troopers on scout patrol had confirmed the report. The annoying weeks of hit-and-hide were over. The Legion had been brought to bay.

The last months had been too much of a trial, adding to the embarrassment Heany had suffered when the Legion fled her 'Mechs at Massingham and eluded them in the woods. While the Fourth Skye Rangers were stumbling about in the unfamiliar terrain, the godless Snakes had crossed a narrow neck of the forest and bushwhacked the Thirteenth Assault Regiment, causing enough damage to have Colonel Thompson's unit pulled back for refitting. There would be hell to pay when General Nondi Steiner could spare enough attention from the rest of the Gotterdammerung Offensive against Kurita space to inquire into the doings on Marfik. But Heany intended to have accomplished her mission by then. Surely the actual capture of the Heir-Designate of the Draconis Combine would overshadow anything else that happened on Marfik. Thompson's complaints about Heany's alleged incompetence would go unheard.

The weeks of constant harrying by her air command and ground forces had taken their toll on the Kuritans. More than two battalions of BattleMechs had been captured or destroyed. The Legion of Vega was as good as defeated. The previous week's ambush, which had crippled Benoit's Zeus,was a last gasp. If any real fight had remained in the Snakes, they would have gone after her Atlasinstead of the Zeus.The contacts with Combine forces in the last few days had been fleeting. They had initiated no strikes, laid no ambushes. Her biggest headache had been the clashes between off-duty troops and the civilians in the occupied cities. The fool Dracos not only didn't know when they were beaten, they didn't know when they were free from the tyranny of Kurita.

Now that didn't matter. Her prayers had been answered; the Legion was gathering in the hills east of Sitika, forgoing their sniping games for a last stand. Heany laughed aloud at the thought. If those samurai wanted a last, glorious battle, she would give it to them. Already the tanks and 'Mechs were moving into position. Tomorrow the Fourth Skye Rangers would descend on the Legion of Vega, and Theodore Kurita, dead or alive, would be hers. This time he would not escape. There was nowhere left to run.

* * *

The explosion threw clots of dirt against the leg of the "Katana Kat," but Fuhito ignored it. The Steiner infantry were using antipersonnel charges in their mortar shells; even a direct hit would have little effect on the BattleMechs armor. The Kurita infantry, digging in along the south perimeter of Leftior township, were not so well-protected. Most had scrambled for cover as soon as the barrage began. The rest lay sprawled and dying in the tall grass.

"Gutherie," Fuhito snapped. "Take that lance of 'craft from the Light Horse and run off those groundpounders. Give our people some room."

"Hai!"was the reply as the battered Locuststrutted out over the tarmac. Four J. Edgar hovercraft whined along in its wake like strange, squat ducklings.

Fuhito didn't bother to watch as the hovercraft and the Locustfanned out to drive away the lead elements of the Steiner forces descending on Sitika. If their scouts had arrived, could the main body be far behind?

Half an hour later, the "Kat" was pacing down the highway that ran through the Leftior hills. Ahead on his right, Fuhito could see the remaining 'Mechs of the Legion preparing positions. Silhouetted against the setting sun, they looked like exaggerated cartoon figures, crazed ditch-diggers more concerned about the placement of the dirt they shoveled than about the ditch they dug.