"You are very aware of strong separatist sentiments in the Isle of Skye. We are assured that they would take Rasalhague's freedom as a sign. Their leaders could easily decide it was time to declare independence from the Lyran Commonwealth. Think about that."

Theodore knew too well what that could mean. Driving Skye from the bosom of House Steiner had been one of the goals of his aborted Operation Contagion. During Frederick Steiner's final days on Dromini VI, he had been most talkative about the separatist movement, confirming Theodore's evaluation. If Skye went independent, Davion would be cut off from Steiner, and the Federated Commonwealth would die aborning. And House Steiner would lose a large portion of the industrial heartland upon which their economy depended. With two isolationist border states between the Combine and the Commonwealth, that entire border would be secure.

"You could turn all of your attention to Hanse Davion," Myndo prompted.

Theodore found that thought very seductive. He could succeed where Takashi had failed. Once Davion was . . . Wait! He suddenly realized what was wrong with the Primus's offer. "Why haven't you gone to my father?"

Myndo looked at him as though the question were foolish. "We have. The Coordinator was blind to the benefits of mutual interest."

"But I don't have the power to do as you wish."

"ComStar does not live in the past, or even the present. We are the future, and thus know much of what is to come. When the time is right, you will have the power."

Theodore did not bother to hide his skepticism. "Mystic prognostication, Primus?"

"If I thought you would believe it, I would say yes. You are too well-informed for that. We have learned that you are soon to be named Gunji-no-Kanrei.The post of Deputy for Military Affairs could be quite powerful. You will oversee the reshaping of the Draconis Combine's military. Some of that might could come from unconventional sources."

"So ka.And I am to turn a blind eye to Rasalhague, ignore reports of secessionist movements, redirect military strength, and in general make your political play easier."

"You have excellent vision."

Vision enough to see that I have no wish to be your pawn, Primus,Theodore thought. He ran his fingers along the dragon image graven on his coat plate. The Combine needed the strength ComStar offered, but the necessity for outside help made him burn with shame. If there were a way to minimize the influence, and threat, of ComStar, he would find it.

"You've given me much to think about, Primus."

Myndo smiled in satisfaction. "Do not think too long, Prince. The stars move onward in their course."

39

Deber City , Benjamin

Benjamin Military District, Draconis Combine

8 October 3030

From his vantage point across the busy street, Dechan Fraser watched the three men walk in jovial companionship. Sheltering under the roof of a noodle shop, he waited until they turned down a side street. Dechan signaled Jenette Rand with a tug of his cap as he left his stool and walked swiftly to the corner. A glance around told him that the targets were proceeding unaware. He breathed his relief to see the lane empty of innocent traffic. Behind him, a sudden ruckus drew the attention of the crowds in the street.

Dechan slid around the corner just as the trio stopped before an unmarked door inset in a shabby ferrocrete structure. As they hesitated, confirming the address scribbled faintly on the wall, an armored figure stepped from the shadowed alley at the building's side. Wan sunlight glinted on the oversize muzzle of the weapon he held ready.

The three were quick to react. The tallest, already in motion before the gunman cleared the alley, stepped sideways. The short and stocky one at the back of the group reached beneath his overcoat, clearly going for a weapon. The third, a redhead, cut across in front of the first. His arm moved in a blur as he threw something and shouted, "The Bounty Hunter!" Any further words were drowned out by the brief banshee wail of the armored man's Ceres Arms Crowd-buster.

The three dark-clad Kuritans crumpled to the refuse-strewn pavement.

Dechan moved in, rapidly stripping the bodies of weapons. Swords and pistols clattered into an untidy pile. The armored man plucked a dull black throwing knife from his ballistic cloth jumpsuit before joining his partner in searching the bodies. Dechan knew the weapon was likely to be poisoned.

He completed his search of the redhead. "This one doesn't have the papers."

His partner acknowledged the comment with a nod, intent on getting the stocky Kuritan's body to roll over. Dechan busied himself with the tall one, hoping that Jenette's diversion would keep the crowd away from their back-alley business long enough for them to get clear.

"Panati." The armored man's tone was flat and final, making the name into a sentence of death. "You will not escape this time."

Dechan looked up in shock. It seemed impossible that they had at last brought down a long-sought quarry. His partner seemed reluctant to take action. Very well, my friend,Dechan approved silently. Savor your good fortune.He turned back to his task. Dechan's surprise at his companion's discovery was replaced by awe as he recognized the man he himself was searching. "Unity!"

He straightened from his crouch, dropping the Kuritan's arm. As the fallen man's hand hit the pavement, a groan escaped his lips. Dechan took two steps back and bumped into his armored companion, who stood staring at the man he had identified as Panati.

"Forget your assassin. We've bagged Theodore Kurita!"

The armored man elbowed Dechan away and stepped over to confirm the identification.

"What a break!" Dechan exclaimed. "We've got Takashi's son in our hands. You can get your revenge against Kurita now."

"No."

Dechan was surprised by the monosyllabic answer. "I thought you believed that the whole family was responsible for the actions of one member."

"It is true that the group is responsible for the actions of an individual member."

"Then we can kill this one and finish it now. A Kurita life to fulfill your revenge. We won't have to risk our necks going after the Coordinator."

"It is not that simple. This is a vendetta. Only the responsible individuals are eligible targets."

A groan from the subject of their conversation brought it to a halt. The armored man's gun snapped down to cover the reviving Theodore as he rose unsteadily. Dechan moved to restrain the groggy Kuritan.

"He must have been screened from most of the charge by the redhead."

"You're scum, Bounty Hunter," Theodore croaked. "A murderer. You have no claim to vendetta."

"It is not my wish to kill you, Prince Theodore. The man Panati must die whether you surrender the papers or not."

"I have no idea what you are talking about. If you kill Panati -san, you will be hunted down like the dog you are."

"I have the right of vendetta to kill him," the armored man insisted.

"You have no such right. You're slime! A hired murderer!"

The armored man stood stock-still for a moment. Then he removed his left hand from the forward grip of his weapon and slid it up under his helmet. Dechan recognized the sound of the suit seals ripping open. In a smooth motion, the armored man lifted the helmet clear of his head and dropped it ringing to the pavement.