"All right, then, I'll find you a target." Morgan Hasek-Davion filled the office doorway for a moment, then he stepped into the room and kissed Kym. He nodded to Riva and winked at Julie, which set her to blushing again.

Riva smiled happily. "To what do we owe the honor of this visit, Highness?" He's looking better than he has since learning of his father's death, but he's still not his old self. Kym says he wants a command so bad he can taste it. It shows, too. He normally visits the wards on Thursday ... I wonder if he heard we got some people from his father's old unit?

Morgan returned her smile, slipping an arm around Kym's slender waist. "I came looking for some women who have dutifully put up with the deprivations this war has brought on all of us." He paused and glanced at Julie. "Last year, I had a complete set of the new Sherlock Holmes holovid series sent to Melissa Steiner-Davion. In return, on a diplomatic ship that arrived today, I got a shipment of a number of luxury items from the Commonwealth."

Riva shot a sidelong glance toward Julie. Kym is aware Melissa is here on New Avalon, and I know it because I was Melissa's companion while she traveled incognito to New Avalon after the wedding. But I think Morgan's story is good enough to withstand scrutiny.

Kym gave Morgan a playful punch in the shoulder. "Well, don't keep us in suspense, you fiend! What did she send to you?"

Morgan smiled like a predator. His long, reddish-blond hair fell over his shoulders like a lion's mane. "Well, soon-to-be Doctor Allard, they will probably put a kilo or two on her willowy figure because I've got three cases of Timbiqui dark that need a home. And Julie, well, there's a pile of new Immortal Warriorholodisks and a box of that white chocolate from Vorzel just waiting to be adopted."

Julie dramatically pressed the back of her right hand to her forehead. "It would be a strain, but I think I could handle accepting such into my home."

Morgan roared with laughter, then hugged Kym roughly to himself. "As for you, my love, the Archon-Designate had her seamstress make two gowns that she guarantees will turn the fashion world on its head and a round of that cheese from Nekkear that you fancied so much at the wedding."

Kym's smile faded into a mock pout. "If I eat the cheese, I'll not be able to fit into the gowns."

Riva shook her head. "No, Kym, you keep forgetting. If the food is a gift, it has no calories."

"Ah, how right you are." Kym kissed Morgan on the cheek. "I also understand that food consumed at a party won't fatten you up, either. I suggest we get together tonight to watch the holovids and sample the Lyran Commonwealth's largess. My place, in two hours?"

"I'll get the stuff over there," Morgan said, "but I'll beg off." He hesitated. "There's some work I want to do this evening."

Riva caught the loss of enthusiasm in Morgan's voice, and the quick flash of worry in Kym's eyes, but Julie missed them entirely. The teaching assistant smiled happily as she asked, "What did you get, Highness, if I may be so bold."

"A few things. Some programs and a case of Cuchulain Irish whisky from Arc-Royal."

Kym turned Morgan's face toward her with her right hand. "Are those the Nagelring programs you hoped would come?"

Morgan nodded. "I just want to check and make sure they survived the trip."

Riva kept her thoughts from her face. I know Kym's been worried about how hard Morgan pushes himself. Morgan wants to prove he could be useful in the field so the Prince will give him a unit to command, but he just doesn't realize the risk that would be for the Prince. If Liao captured Morgan before Melissa gives the Prince an heir, Liao could use Morgan as a bargaining tool to stop the war or cause the Capellan March troops to go neutral to save Morgan's life. Studying for the Nagelring exams and maxing them isn't going to change that one whit.

Kym looked up into Morgan's green eyes. "If that's all, why not check them on the computer at my apartment, thenjoin our little party. Please, Morgan? It will be good for you to relax."

Morgan was about to refuse, then let her concern melt his resolution. "I surrender," he said with a grin, "but I need three hours to play with the programs before we start. Agreed?"

Riva smiled slyly as an idea popped into her head. "How about four hours?" She waved a hand at her desk. "You can start working with them here because it will take us four hours to organize the party ... a real party."

The others looked at her with puzzled expressions, then Kym seemed to guess what Riva had in mind. "We're not talking about having a party at my apartment anymore, are we?"

Riva shook her head. "You said that being shipped to New Avalon to recover was like hell for many of the soldiers down in the wards. I think we should take the gifts Melissa sent and hold the world premiere of Immortal Warrior, Part 48right here in the hospital auditorium. It will be fun for the patients, and the publicity, along with the largess from Melissa, will help quiet some of the Prince's critics."

Pleasure shone in Morgan's eyes. "I like it. If we can't be out on the front, the least we can do is show our appreciation to those who are doing the fighting." He glanced at the computer on Riva's desk, then gave a slight shake of the head. "No time for playing games. We've only got four hours to organize that party."

24

Solaris Vll (The Game World)

Rahneshire, Lyran Commonwealth

20 July 3029

Fuh Teng smiled courteously enough as Mandrinn Zhelang Qua stepped past Carrie, the buxom blond waitress holding open the curtain into the small alcove in Valhalla. Teng winked at Carrie, then killed his smile as he read the displeasure on the Liao official's face. I'd best watch myself here. He's not in a good mood.

Teng stood at the end of a rough-hewn table. Across from him, built into the alcove's wall, a holovid monitor displayed a closed-circuit feed of a fight from the Factory battlesite. He bowed respectfully. "It is an honor for a member of the Capellan Ministry of the Military to visit me, especially here in Valhalla." Teng glanced at the man's threadbare clothing, then smiled politely. "I can appreciate the danger of your mission ... traveling here to enemy territory."

The tall, slender Minister bowed to Fuh Teng, but the stiffness and shallowness of the act revealed his anger and contempt for his host, despite the eloquent words he mouthed. "It is a distinct honor to meet you, Citizen Teng. Your success, and the successes of those you sponsor in the games here on Solaris, have reached the ears of the Chancellor himself. In his name, and that of your friend, Justin Xiang, I bring greetings."

Teng smiled at the mention of Justin's name. Two and a half years ago, Justin cold-cocked me and took my place in a fight that probably would have ended with my death. But he was just a vagabond then, a wandering MechWarrior who had been disgraced. Who would have imagined he could rise so high in so short a time?"Any friend of Justin's is a friend of mine. This alcove is his actually, inherited from a legendary fighter—Gray Noton. Please, be seated."

The Mandrinn slipped past the monitor and onto the bench facing the alcove's drawn black curtain. "I am certain you know this is more than just a casual visit, Citizen Teng."