"Fear not, Father. I will make you proud." She straightened up. "I have requested and been granted a transfer to the First Rasalhague Drakøns."

The hint of a smile graced her father's lips. "The Prince's Honor Guard ..."

Tyra nodded solemnly. "Yes, a promotion that should make you proud. Again you sacrifice part of your life for the greater good of Free Rasalhague. Anika Janssen is going with me." She glanced at the mirrored sunglasses on his desk. "I imagine you will promote Hanson Kuusik to replace me.

Tor Miraborg looked at the glasses, then lowered his eyes in shame. "Will you ever come home?"

Home is where the heart is,Tyra thought and winced to realize she no longer considered Gunzburg her home. "I don't know. I have much to think about, much to see. Perhaps someday you'll understand."

Tyra waited for her father to speak, but the emotions playing across his face seemed too much. He stared up at her, then closed his eyes and turned his chair away so she could not see him weep.

Having burned her last bridge on Gunzburg, the Iron Jarl's daughter left the world of her birth.

5

Edo, Turtle Bay

Pesht Military District, Draconis Combine

1 June 3049

Tai-iShin Yodama heaved his duffelbag from his shoulder and tossed it onto the rickety, iron-framed cot, whose springs squealed and creaked in protest. KashiraKenji Yamashima looked up in dismay.

"Sumimasen,Yodama-san," he said. "Tai-iBuford preferred the cot ..." He shrugged, indicating distaste for the previous occupant of the cinderblock-walled room. "If you desire, I will obtain proper bedding for you."

Shin smiled to himself and bowed slightly. "Yes, tatami, please, Yamashima- san. When the rest of my things are offloaded from the DropShip, you will see that they are brought up here?"

Yamashima bowed his graying head. "Hai. Shall this unworthy servant have your things unpacked for you?"

Shin smiled. Your mouthing the old courtesies is music to my ears after the weeks spent traveling here in that independent freighter.Shin noticed the absence of several joints on the man's little fingers and the multi-colored head of a snake against the yellow flesh of his neck. But I should not have expected anything less of you, should I?

"That will not be necessary," Shin said, "but I am honored by your concern. I will see to the unpacking later." Glancing at the full-length mirror on the back of the door, he straightened up, trying to shake off the slump of weariness left from a week traveling to Turtle Bay from the system jump point. There were slight discolorations beneath his eyes, too, but no one else would notice them. He combed his short black hair with his fingers, then smiled at Yamashima. "I think I should pay my respects."

Yamashima smiled like a tutor pleased with a pupil who has learned his lessons well. "Tai-saTarukito Niiro asked that you join him for chaonce you were settled. While you are meeting with him, I shall arrange your visit with the Old Man."

Shin cocked his head inquiringly. "Old Man?"

Yamashima began to speak, then caught himself. His dark eyes darted from Shin's unblemished hands to the lapel of his black service tunic. "Excuse me, Tai-i.I presumed knowledge where I had only rumors. I meant no offense."

Shin returned the sergeant's deep bow. "You were not rude, Yamashima-san. You were not in error. I was not aware that the yakuza in Edo used that title for their lord." Yamashima straightened up, relief clearly visible on his seamed face. "So, after you take me to the Tai-sa,"Shin said, smiling, "please do arrange my visit to the Old Man."

* * *

Shin Yodama entered Tai-saTarukito Niiro's office and knelt on the tatamimats before sliding the shoji-paneleddoor closed. The translucent panels of lacquered paper, especially those forming the southern wall opposite the door, let in enough light to brighten the entire room. He keeps his sanctuary uncluttered and simple. He draws his strength from this room. I can feel it.

Shin bowed first to Tarukito Niiro. Easily twenty-five years Shin's senior, the Tai-sahad not let vanity get the better of him. Instead of dyeing his salt-and-pepper hair black, as another might have, he wore it short and shaved back away from his temples for better contact with the neuroreceptors in his BattleMech's neurohelmet. His dark eyes met Shin's direcdy and without judgment, then he lowered his gaze so that his subordinate would not think him illmannered. Though the Tai-sadid not smile, Shin felt instinctively that he appreciated the depth of his bow and the respect it implied. Tarukito returned the bow fully and gracefully.

Shin men bowed to the other man in the room. It was slightly disturbing to Shin that this man, who was obviously his junior, should hold the rank of Sho-sa,making him a superior. The only reason he would be here is because he is my commanding officer. I thought the reforms had done away with commissions being awarded on the basis of social rank alone. All I need is this kid giving me orders inspired by flower arrangements or using plans concocted as a result of consultation with the entrails of a teyexta.Despite his misgivings, Shin took comfort in the grace and respect in the younger man's return bow.

Tarukito spoke in a low voice, but one resonant with power and self-control. "I trust your journey in-system was not too difficult."

"No, Tai-sa.The pilot was most skilled and successfully threaded the needle between two bad storm systems."

"Good." Tarukito turned and drew Shin's attention to the other man with a casual gesture. "Forgive my poor manners at delaying the introductions. This is your immediate superior, Sho-saHohiro Kurita."

Shin's heart leaped to his throat, and he failed utterly to keep the surprise from his face. Theodore Kurita's eldest son! He looks so different from holographs I've seen.Shin bowed again, this time deepening the gesture and holding it longer. "Excuse me, Kurita-sama.I should have recognized you."

Hohiro returned the bow, a smile beginning on his face. "There is no reason you should have known me, Yodama- san.Most of the official holographs were taken years ago and not been updated for security purposes."

Though the smile remained, the look in Hohiro's eyes and his tone of voice shifted the conversation to a more serious level. "I should also tell you that, even as your superior officer, I would appreciate all advice and help you can give me. In addition to your skill with a BattleMech, I hope you will avail me of your vast combat experience as well."

Shin bowed his head. "You honor me, Sho-sa,but I am not worthy of such praise. I am, after all, only two years your senior, and I have not had the benefit of a Sun Zhang Academy education."

Tarukito Niiro smiled and opened a folder lying on the low, black-lacquered desk. "Your lack of a formal education would be considered a plus in many categories, Yodama. As Hohiro has aptly pointed out to me, your career as a warrior already spans twenty years. That means you possess a considerable storehouse of martial knowledge."

Shin shook his head. "Again I am honored, but I think you read too much into the accounts of my early life. Yes, I was orphaned during the fighting on Marfik in 3028, but I was only seven years old at the time. I was among those who fled the advancing Steiner troops, but it was only by purest luck that a group of guerrillas found and kept me with them as an omen of luck. I will admit to planting the satchel charge that destroyed the bridge at Pawluk's Ford, but that was because I was the only person small enough to crawl through the drainage pipe."