Cyrilla stood and settled her earphone and microphone in place. "Loremaster, if I might be permitted. I was a Khan of the Wolf Clan at that time, elected to rule alongside my uncle. I believe that Natasha and the other Wolves in the Dragoons were under strict orders not to discuss their new mission with anyone from the Clans."

From the screen above, the huge image of the Loremaster's face looked down at Cyrilla. "It would seem, then, that we are at an impasse."

"Perhaps not," Cyrilla countered. "Though I was not present at the meeting, I was later privy to the orders given, with no promise of secrecy exacted from me. In fact, Kerlin did that precisely in the event a situation such as this might arise. He was proud of what the Dragoons had done. Were he here now, I am sure Kerlin would free Natasha from her vow of secrecy. He would want to use any and all means to defend the Dragoons' right to participate in breeding programs. Natasha is far more eloquent than I. Perhaps she would give voice to those orders."

Cyrilla bowed her head. "If she does not, I will be forced to report what I know."

Natasha nodded, and a wolfish grin began to spread across her features. "Khan Kerlin Ward charged us with four duties. The first was to continue our survey of the military strengths of the Successor States. He asked us to accelerate our pace, which we did. The second was to examine the problem of training Successor State units to our level of proficiency in 'Mech warfare."

"Third," she said, raising her voice above the din of whispers filling the chamber, "was to locate and secure a world where we could begin to manufacture OmniMechs. The Khan provided us with full technical data on the OmniMechs at that time as well as parts and prototypes for some of the more advanced items your WeaponMasters had created."

The shocked roar threatened to drown her out, but Natasha stood and spoke all the more forcefully. Even the hammering of the Loremaster's gavel did not stop her. "And his last order was to refuse to obey any Khan but himself. He wanted us to prepare the Inner Sphere for the invasion he felt was inevitable and he wanted no outside interference with his plan."

"How dare you suggest Kerlin Ward ordered your treason!" Burke Carson thumped his own chest. "Have you any proof those orders were given?"

Natasha shook her head.

He turned to Cyrilla. "And you, Cyrilla, have you any proof of what you reported?"

"No, Burke, I do not."

Burke turned his attention to Natasha. "So, we have nothing but your word, and the word of your friend, that a Khan ordered you to abandon your original reconnaissance mission and turn it into a crusade to create suitable opposition for the Clans. Such lies are unconscionable in this hallowed body!"

Carol Leroux grabbed Carson's arm. "That is more than enough, Star Commander! You are out of line!"

Furious, Natasha shot from her chair. "How dare you accuse me of lying! I have sworn to tell the truth in this body and I am doing so. I was awarded my Bloodname before your parents left their sibko! I may have been long absent from this Council, but I do recall that we have ways of settling questions of honor. I will meet you on the Field of Combat, Burke Carson."

Carson held his head up high. "A duel of honor is limited to Mech Warriors, Natasha Kerensky. Were you one, I would oblige you. As things are now, I have no reason to accept the challenge of an antique."

"What!" Natasha's fist slammed into the railing of the witness box. "How can you even hint I am not a MechWarrior? I have been fighting for the last forty-five years in the Successor States. I brought with me years' worth of holovids and holotapes showing the Dragoons in action." She pointed at a short, bearded man sitting next to her Council seat. "This archivist has chronicled the affairs of the Inner Sphere for the past twenty years and he can cite you, chapter and verse, engagements and results for the whole of the Dragoons career. I have every right to claim the title of MechWarrior, no matter what my age!"

"I am not interested in what fictions your personal apologist might have concocted, Natasha." Carson pointed to the Loremaster. "Ask him. He has the rolls of the Wolf Clan Warriors there. The last time you were tested as in 3003. Though it confirmed your qualification for a Galaxy command, your Galaxy never saw combat. That you commanded a Triple or even a Cluster during your time in the Inner Sphere has no bearing here because it was never officially sanctioned by your superiors. You have no standing as a MechWarrior, Natasha Kerensky, and you were permitted to tutor this Phelan Wolf because we did not know what else to do with you. Had you the good grace and sanity of any other fossil, you would have wandered off to die ages ago."

Amid the growing maelstrom of Council members arguing among themselves and the heated exchange between Carson and Natasha, Khan Ulric rose from his seat. "Enough!" The outrage in his voice cut the din like a laser through smoke. "Both Khan Garth and I have reviewed the material Natasha and her archivist brought from the Inner Sphere. It cannot be denied, in the face of this evidence, that Natasha Kerensky andthe Wolf Dragoons have been a combat unit of formidable power and influence since they entered the Inner Sphere.

Natasha herself has become infamous for her courage and daring. It is inconceivable that you would make such an accusation against her, Burke."

Ulric nodded toward the Loremaster. "Furthermore, we have long had a tradition of granting appropriate status to any Warrior who has been out of action and unable to test for some reason. As I recall, Burke, you were unable to test for six months after your right leg was shattered in a battle with the Jade Falcons. Would you not accord Natasha Kerensky the same courtesy?"

Phelan saw Carson's inner conflict raging on his face. The man hated being forced to agree with Ulric, but had little choice. "That is our custom, as you point out, my Khan, but for Mech Warriors of a more recent vintage. If not for Natasha's advanced age, I would not oppose denying her the temporary honor, but what is the purpose? She cannot conceivably win out or even survive testing against Warriors four generations younger. I would also point out that I am not required to accept the challenge of a Warrior whose status is only honorary."

"Acknowledged." Ulric smiled at Natasha. "Are you willing to undergo testing to determine your ranking and status among the Mech Warriors of the Wolf Clan?"

The flame-haired MechWarrior nodded solemnly. "I will be prepared to be tested in just under the six months Carson was given for his broken leg. And," she added, shooting him a hooded glance, "I would even be willing to permit Carson as one of my opponents during the testing."

That offer clearly took Carson by surprise. "We shall see if the opportunity presents itself."

"Good." Ulric nodded. "And now back to the original question before us: shall we allow the breeding of the DNA of the Wolf Dragoons?" Ulric looked around the assembly. "It strikes me that Natasha's sworn testimony that the Wolf Dragoons were merely following the Khan's orders resolves the question of treason in a satisfactory manner. How can one commit treason if treason is defined as working against the will of the Clans but the Khan is the embodiment of that will?"

Burke Carson pressed his hand against his earphone and repeated the question coming through to him from a Council member. "Your question is valid, my Khan, and can only be answered in the consciences of the members present. My question, however, is of a different nature. Colonel Kerensky, if you were under orders not to obey the orders of anyone but Khan Kerlin Ward, why did you return to the Clans at this time?"