Cuirassiers were on Wei, but Davion dropped regiments in on them, as per past attacks. The other two worlds have single battalions defending them and are facing full regimental combat teams."

Tsen Shang shot a haunted glance at the holographic map as a dagger of red stabbed deep into the heart of the Sarna Commonality. "By the gods, they can't." He looked up at Justin, then over at Alexi. "Have you got confirmation?"

Alexi's head sank forward as he nodded. "I've got enough Jump- and DropShips for at least two RCTs."

Justin stared open-mouthed at the world now slowly burning red. I don't believe it. They've actually done it!"Sarna!" he said aloud.

Maximilian Liao's head came up as a deep, insane laugh echoed from his throat. "Sarna. They actually struck at Sarna."

The harsh sound of his laughter echoed in the room, and struck Justin with a momentary fear. He's lost it. The Chancellor has finally lost it."Highness, this is their deepest and boldest stroke."

Liao's eyes narrowed until they were no more than black, reptilian slits. "Have you forgotten, Justin Xiang, that you yourself anticipated this attack? McCarron's Armored Cavalry has not left Sarna. They will smash the invaders and then, with 'Mechs strengthened by the new myomer fibers, we will force the invaders from our domain." Liao smiled cruelly. "Hanse Davion does not realize it, but he has overextended himself. This attack is the beginning of the end for House Davion and its conquest of the Successor States!"

17

Landing Zone Pulsar, Sarna

Sarna Commonality, Capellan Confederation

27 May 3029

Captain Alanna Damu gritted her teeth and pushed her feet down against the foot pedals on her command couch. The gentle pressure ignited the Victor's jump jets, slowing the assault 'Mech's rapid descent. She glanced at the altimeter readout on her auxiliary monitor. Three, two, one... A quick push on the pedals softened the impact, then she bent the Victor'sknees to absorb the shock of landing.

As her 'Mech hit, the landing did not jar Alanna as much as she'd expected, despite the speed. Either I'm better at dropping than I remember, or.. .She flicked a dark hand over the command console's keyboard, then snarled as the requested information flashed onto her auxiliary monitor. "Damn! The last thing I need is for my company to land in a goddamn marsh!"

The Victor'ssensors gave her full view of the wide, shallow valley that Invasion Command had designated Landing Zone Pulsar. Off to the west, on a slow rise, was an evergreen forest with trees so tall they dwarfed even the BattleMechs. The thick green growth broke against the rolling hills toward the north, where the Gray Mountains rose up to form the northern horizon. From their snowy heights flowed the broad, muddy river that had overflowed its banks to flood the valley. The mountains tapered off toward the east, but more hills in that direction restricted visibility as well. Only to the south, where the sluggish river escaped, was the landscape wide open.

Atanna frowned deeply. Too much open ground. I wonder if Marshal Tamara Hasek picked this spot, or if the real power behind the throne chose this landing zone?She saw an Oriontouch down amid the company's other 'Mechs and jettison its temporary rocket assembly. Opening a radio link, she contacted that 'Mech's pilot. "Look alive, Leftenant. This is an arcade shooting gallery if I ever saw one."

"Roger that, Captain. I bet old Heart-of-Stone closed his eyes and touched the map to plunk us down here. Yuck! A swamp."

Alanna found herself smiling at Rex Archambauld's nickname for the Fifth Syrtis Fusiliers' "Combat" Commander. Tamara Hasek, the late Duke Michael's 70-year-old aunt, was listed as the unit's supreme commander and reportedly did take part in planning all the Fusiliers' activities. Day-to-day command, however, was handled by Duke Michael's crony, General Gordon Hartstone. Though a capable commander, his attitudes and manners did little to endear him to certain members of his command.

Rex knows he’ll get another slug on his record for that remark when the battletapes are reviewed, but I suppose it won't make any difference to him. He's too good to be busted out of the service, and the AFFS knows it. I think they keep him a Leftenant just so he won't stir up trouble among the enlisted personnel.Alanna smiled. I don't mind.. . Couldn't find a better second in command in the whole Army.

Alanna switched her scanner over to magnetic resonance and scoured the hills to the north. "Rex, the hills north look clear. Let's get everyone out of this swamp and over onto the hill."

Rex's strong voice filled her neurohelmet. "Good idea. Do you want anyone to go over the top?"

Alanna chewed her lower lip for a second. "Yes. Get the company on the hill, then send Jack up in his Ostroc."

"Roger, out."

With a huge, sucking pop, Alanna worked the Victor's right foot free of the marsh. It left a hole the size of a luxury aircar behind that the swamp rapidly filled with brown, muddy water. Laboring mightily, she pulled the left leg free. This could take forever!

Suddenly, the computer painted a mass of highly metallic images on the edge of her holographic display. Like a swarm of bees, they headed down from the forest, speeding across the marsh. Alanna turned the Victor's head to center the approaching craft on the display, then flicked the sensor-feed back to visual. "Heads up, children. We have company."

Leftenant Opal Karsten snapped an order over the radio. "Fire

Lance. Bogies, two-seven-oh degrees. Fire when ready!" After a pause, she asked hesitantly, "Cap, what the hell are those?"

Alanna's fingers flew over her keyboard. "The computer has no definite match, but profile and speed makes them Savannah Masters. Listed as experimental—a shipment of the hovercrafts was lost to Periphery pirates a year ago." Alanna narrowed her brown eyes as she studied the auxiliary information. "Hit what you shoot at. They're fast and nasty."

Knute King's voice, arrogant as ever, filled the combat channel with harsh laughter. "Bugs. Nothing more."

Alanna shivered with anger. On her screen, she watched the wedge-shaped hovercraft formation spread out as it came into range. Barely larger than a 'Mech's foot, each one-man hovercraft was little more than a fusion engine, some armor, a medium laser, and a huge fan. Under normal circumstances, their attack would be suicidal, but with us stuck here and moving slow, we’re sitting ducks!

Alanna opened the radio channel. "All jumpers, blast off and move south two hundred meters. We'll bracket them. They're going to come at our backs. Make your shots count!"

The Victorblasted toward the sky. Feathering the left pedal, Alanna flared the left leg's jump jet and turned the 'Mech over so it stared down at the approaching hovercraft. Extending the 'Mech's left arm, she targeted a group of five coming in at Archambauld's mired Orion. Too fast to track, she thought. Just have to trust to luck.Without waiting for the computer lock she knew would never come, she tightened up on the trigger.

One of her two medium lasers hit a hovercraft. The beam sliced through armor on the Savannah Master's left side, dropping molten globules steaming into the marsh water. The craft skittered to the side as the pilot shied away from the intense heat, but it lost no speed. Firing in unison with the other four craft in its attack group, the pilot drilled his laser into Archambauld's Orion.