“It sounds crazy, but it's true. That old bastard is insane.”

Minobu knew that Samsonov was doing foolish things, but he had never thought of the Warlord as insane.

“We overran the Sword of Light headquarters before they scampered offplanet with tails between their legs,” Wolf said. “Among the captured documents were Samsonov's orders. I can show them to you.”

Minobu shook his head.

“So, you see Samsonov never meant to have a force waiting to ambush us from space. He was out there in the dark all right, but not in this system. He and his troops had other business—they were chasing our families. The big, brave Warlord wanted to kill our civilians. Not exactly the actions of an honorable man, are they? Like Akuma before him, he seems to have believed that attacking our non-combatants would distract us and weaken our resolve. He's a fool as well as cowardly betrayer.

“Samsonov is the dishonored one,” Wolf concluded. “Your lord betrayed you, failed you. Hebroke the bonds of loyalty.”

Wolf's plea was plain in his face. He was fighting to change Minobu's mind and desperately wanted to sway him from his chosen path.

Minobu could not see how he could give Wolf what he wanted and still maintain his own honor. Nothing that any other man had done could lessen his own responsibility.

Minobu stood shakily, and Michi leaped to his feet to steady him. As soon as he felt stable, Minobu removed Michi's hand from his arm. Drawing himself up, he said, “Samsonov is not the lord whom I failed.”

Wolf's disappointment was clear, but so was his determination. “He was following Takashi Kurita's orders to betray you.”

Wolf's accusation was a serious one. If the ultimate lord of all Kurita samurai had ordered dishonorable behavior, if he had himself broken the bond of loyalty, the situation would be changed. Under certain circumstances a lord who ordered his samurai to improper behavior justified rebellion against himself. Minobu drew a deep breath, ribs paining him as he did so. He let half of it out before speaking.

“Do you have proof?”

“I don't need it.” Wolf's response was quick, full of certainty.

“I do.”

The slim hopes that Wolf had raised were dashed. Even the true belief of an honored and honorable friend was not enough on which to base rebellion. Minobu stepped to the wall and leaned against it, far more tired than his brief physical exertion could justify.

Wolf hung his head and rubbed his exhaustion-smudged eyes. “Look. You don't have to do this. Give up your allegiance to House Kurita. Join us. I'll make you a place in the Dragoons.”

The offer did not surprise Minobu. Rather, it confirmed the goodness he knew dwelt in his friend's heart. Much as he wanted to accept, Minobu could not. “I understand and appreciate your offer. You must try to understand why I cannot accept it.

“From the day I saved your life on Quentin, I was responsible for you. What you did, I was accountable for. Whatever karma you earned became part of my karmic debt.

“Thus, I am responsible for all the Kurita forces your Dragoons have destroyed.”

Wolf opened his mouth to object, but Minobu shook his head.

“The Dragoons were the heart of the Combine forces in the Galedon District. Now you will be taking them away. That alone would weaken our border defense,” Minobu continued. “Our battles here on Misery have gutted the Regular troops that defend the Galedon border, leaving it nearly unguarded and open to our enemies. I am responsible for this terrible blow to House Kurita.

“Because of this failure of judgment and ability, I have no choice but seppuku.There is no other way to restore my honor. In all the time I have known you, friend Wolf, you have understood the demands of honor.”

Minobu searched Wolf's face, but found bleak despair instead of comprehension. There was nothing more to be said. It was nearly sunset, a moment Minobu did not wish to miss on this day.

He leaned away from the wall, bringing his weight back onto his feet. An ache began in his flesh leg as he stepped through the door. The guards started to block his path, but Wolf waved them away. Minobu continued down the corridor unmolested.

At the end of the hallway, there was a small lounge normally used by the soldiers assigned to the barracks in their off-duty hours. It was empty of people. Minobu limped to the transplex pane that looked onto the landing fields where Dragoon 'Mechs were boarding DropShips in the last light of day. He lowered himself into the lotus position and gazed out. The brilliant refractions of light through the layers of ice crystals in the atmosphere was soothing. Reflecting on the transient beauty of nature, he dropped into a light, meditative state.

Back in the small room, Wolf turned his attention to Michi.

“And what about you? Are you going to slit your belly, too?”

“No.”

Wolf seemed surprised at the answer. Michi had not intended to explain anything to the mercenary, but the compelling pressure of Wolf's scrutiny brought words to his lips.

“I will not follow my lord Tetsuhara at this time, for I have work to do. I will avenge my lord on those who trapped him into this dead end.”

Wolf nodded understanding. He thought for a moment before speaking. “If we leave you here, your Kurita masters will have your head. That won't give you what you're looking for. In honor of your lord, I extend my offer to you as well.

Michi bowed. Like Minobu before him, he was tempted. Also like Minobu, he was bound to the path his honor demanded.

“It is not right that I join you while this obligation remains unfulfilled.”

“Who said we'd keep you from fulfilling it? We aren't letting it stop here, you now. We are going to continue to fight Kurita. Samsonov caught some of our people before we could warn them of the change in the rendezvous star system. We want our own revenge.”

“I don't know whether I am pleased to hear you say that,” Michi said. He was still a Kuritan. His quarrel was not with the people of the Combine or the ‘MechWarriors who defended them. They would be the ones facing the Dragoon guns. “Even though you fight my enemies, my place is not at your side.”

Putting his words into action, Michi stepped into the corridor and gazed at the seated figure in the lounge. After a moment, Wolf came to stand beside him.

“What can we do for you then? You can't stay here.”

Michi thought for a few minutes, weighing his few options. No matter which path he chose, he would be outcast. Wolf was right about one thing, though. Any attempt to remain in the Combine was tantamount to suicide. “Let me travel with you to some place where I can begin my quest.”

“That's all you want?” asked Wolf incredulously.

“I cannot ask more.”

“You mean, will not?”

Michi shrugged.

“You're a crazy samurai, Noketsuna, but you've got guts.”

56

Dragoon Base, Farsund, Misery

Galedon Military District, Draconis Combine

27 May 3028

Michi was leaving Minobu's room when Wolf arrived in full-dress uniform, its resplendence a sharp contrast to the mercenary's haggard face. Michi was exhausted as well, but his own uniform, though clean and freshly pressed, did little to disguise the fact. The House Kurita badges had been removed, and he wore a red armband with a black wolf's head to mark his release from captivity. Even though his right arm was still in the sling, a holstered laser pistol rode on his right hip. He bowed to the mercenary Colonel.

“Ohayo,Colonel.”

“Good morning, Michi.”

“I wish to thank you for my parole, Colonel. You are generous to a former enemy.”

“Former is the operative word, Michi.” Wolf nodded his head at the closed door. “Is he in there?”