The screen brightened to reveal the regally handsome face of a man who might have been twenty-five years younger than Alessandro, but who was the Archon's junior by only sixteen years. The man's gray eyes and platinum blond hair marked him a Steiner; the scar tugging at the corner of his right eye marked him a Mech Warrior. His deep voice rumbled undistorted from the speakers. "Greetings, Alessandro."

Ryan smiled without realizing it. Uncle Frederick! When did you begin to address the Archon so cordially.

Frederick's image smiled to put the viewer at ease. "We have quarreled for too long. I still recall your visits to our home when I was but a child. I always wanted to be like you, and growing up, I cherished the picture taken of the two of us upon your graduation from the Nagelring Academy. I recall you promised me your 'Mech command when I became old enough to earn it, and I labored from that point to be worthy of your bequest."

Frederick's hand absentmindedly strayed to the scar on his temple. "The time has come for us to put down our differences and unite to oppose the Witch. She's already given her daughter to Hanse Davion, and I fear she will give away the rest of the Commonwealth as well. She's openly embraced his war and sends our citizens to die in order to keep the Dragon from Davion's neck. I am certain this situation alarms you as much as it does me."

Frederick lifted his head high. The camera slowly withdrew to show him in the gaudiest of medal-laden uniforms possible within the Lyran Commonwealth. Though he had earned each medal honestly, he looked more like a whore piling on jewelry than a heroic warrior.

Ryan narrowed his eyes. He flaunts evidence of his service to the Commonwealth while he discusses treason. Aglance at the disgusted expression on Alessandro's face told Ryan that the Archon's thoughts must parallel his own.

Frederick continued his monologue. "We are in a time when simple events could change everything. The Commonwealth is nearing a point of dissolution because of the Davion question and this war. Were something to happen to the Archon, the social upheaval could destroy the Commonwealth. Neither of us wants to see that happen.

"You, Alessandro, still hold considerable sway within the Commonwealth. Unfortunately, your age calls into question your ability to create a government that could stabilize the Commonwealth. This is not a concern in my case. Though we both know you would do your best, I submit that your age is not in your favor in this area."

Frederick tried to smile beneficently, but his craving for power distorted the expression. "It is time, uncle, for you to pass the mantle of leadership to me. I require from you a pledge of support so that the Commonwealth we both love can continue, despite the grave mistakes made by the Witch. It is now time for my generation to regain control of the Commonwealth, and it is your duty to support me.

"Please reply soonest. There may be no time to waste."

Alessandro froze the image with Frederick's mouth hanging open, making him look stupid. Smiling, the older man turned to Ryan. "What do you think?"

Ryan frowned. "The message is openly antagonistic and arrogant. Frederick hints at some disaster that might befall Katrina Steiner. Because Uncle Frederick does not think in terms of subtleties, I have to assume Duke Aldo Lestrade lurks somewhere in the background. That leads me to have little confidence in the successful completion of the plot."

Alessandro nodded solemnly, his pleasure at Ryan's analysis shining in his eyes. "Had Frederick said, 'Alessandro, I'm taking the Tenth Lyran Guards to Tharkad to kick Katrina out of office,' I might have supported him. Aldo has already failed at least three times to assassinate Katrina, and I cannot see any indication that he might succeed this time."

Ryan straightened up in his chair. "You think he'll try to kill her again?"

Alessandro nodded. "Do neutrinos precede visible light in a supernova? As long as Katrina is alive, there is no one who will depose her. Her grip on power is too strong. People would rally to her defense. Katrina Steiner will rule the Lyran Commonwealth as long as she lives. Even if Frederick does not understand this, I am sure Lestrade does."

Ryan eased back in the chair. "What do you think Frederick meant when he hinted at dissolution of the Commonwealth? Do you think that has something to do with Lestrade's separatist movement in the Isle of Skye?"

Alessandro smiled broadly. "Very good question. It would be my guess that Lestrade will use any Kurita strike as an excuse to declare the Isle of Skye independent and a non-combatant. Pavel Ridzik has done something similar, and ComStar nearly beat the Federated Suns in declaring support for his realm. I would guess Lestrade has spoken to some ComStar officials about this already."

Ryan narrowed his eyes. "Why would ComStar support such independent nations?"

Alessandro shrugged carelessly. "Being pacifistic, perhaps they imagine they can extinguish the war one small nation at a time. They can also get a smaller government to grant them concessions—like paying for communication network upgrades— much more easily than with a larger nation. Maximilian Liao is notorious for leaving deep fingerprints on each C-bill his government spends."

Ryan smiled at the joke. "So we know Frederick will take power after something has happened to Katrina, and we know Lestrade will make the Isle of Skye independent. It strikes me that the latter should happen before the former, then Frederick could bring the Isle of Skye back into the fold to gain some instant appreciation from the people."

"Very good, Ryan. Very good." Alessandro watched his grand-nephew carefully. "So what do you imagine my reply is to Frederick?"

Ryan pursed his lips. "You refuse to support him."

Alessandro shook his head. "No. Wrong. If you want to be Archon, you must learn how to use your enemies. Here I have a situation where Frederick is pitted against Katrina. If Frederick fails, he is eliminated. If he succeeds, Katrina is eliminated. My role is to serve as a catalyst because either outcome is good for my, ah, your political future."

Ryan nodded slowly. "You tell Frederick you support him, but you do not, in fact, give him any help. If he succeeds, he will be weak. Then you can use your influence to support me in a drive to depose this bloody-handed murderer."

The Archon smiled. "Melissa will be torn between her husband and her homeland. You will rally all the anti-Davion support in the Commonwealth, and through a carefully orchestrated public relations campaign, we will win you support. You will be Archon while Melissa is left to live with her husband."

Ryan raised an eyebrow. "What if Frederick's plan goes sour?"

Alessandro licked his lips like a hungry cat. "We will be sure the Archon sees a copy of the holodisk you just saw. It will be enough to reveal Frederick for the bumbler he is, and it will be enough for Katrina to rid herself of him. She will then be indebted to us, bringing you one step closer to becoming Archon."

The younger Steiner frowned deeply. "Why would you help her? You hate her. For over twenty years, you've tried to get rid of her. You even tried to have her killed on Poulsbo the year I was born. I'm confused."

Alessandro sat back, steepling his fingers as he did. "I see you have come to believe all the stories that my rivals have circulated over the years. I have opposed Katrina Steiner, but not because I do not believe she makes a fine Archon. I saw her leadership abilities long ago and would have designated her as my heir instead of Frederick."