Narimasa nodded at Yorinaga. "I have instructed our officers to let their MechWarriors know that we should all strive to equal or best the Azami scores. Perhaps it was this that brought a marked improvement in performances by the two Kurita companies, and even from the Rasalhague company. Still, the Azami commander, Chu-saSaladin Bey, believes that the situation would calm down if you would consent to dine in his company's area from time to time."

Yorinaga nodded, then looked to Tarukito. The Sho-sacleared his throat. "The Rasalhague company is shaping up well, but the lack of leadership hurts them in two ways. Obviously, they have no one to direct them, and so their training lags. Those of Chu-irank are, however, working hard with their men."

Tarukito paused for a moment and looked around the paper-latticed walls of the room. He stared at a waterfall that Yorinaga had created with a few brilliant strokes of a brush, and seemed to drink peace and strength in from it. Smiling self-consciously, he shot a glance at Narimasa, then continued.

"Worse yet, Tai-sa,those of Rasalhague believe themselves somehow diminished because they do not have a Chu-sato put them on equal footing with the Azami or mainline companies."

Narimasa picked up the discussion as Tarukito's voice failed. "We know that you are as concerned about this situation as are we. All our companies consist of elite MechWarriors, and along with their incredible skill, we get their fragile egos. Though disciplinary measures have spurred the Rasalhagian MechWarriors on to greater efforts, the lack of leadership has left them behind the other three companies."

Narimasa allowed himself to return the sly grin with which Yorinaga honored him, and then went on. "Tarukito and I have interviewed a young man whom we believe is well-suited to the slot open in the command structure. His is a rather remarkable story. Despite a lack of formal training and the best efforts of the ISF to destroy his career, he has succeeded incredibly."

Tarukito nodded nervously at Narimasa's accounting of the new Genyosharecruit.

"Because of his mixed blood, the ISF deemed him unworthy of any Mech Warrior schooling. In spite of their wishes, however, he was determined to learn how to pilot a 'Mech. He got a job driving 'Mechs off an assembly line on Alshain. That job enabled him to learn to operate a 'Mech, and within a year, he became a test-pilot for running 'Mechs through their paces. Some say his skill at piloting the machines is 'intuitive' because he understands the machines with his soul and can coax them into performances that confound even the designers."

Narimasa looked toward the door. "He waits without."

Yorinaga clapped his hands once, sharply, and a silhouette framed itself against the wood and paper door. The huge figure knelt and slowly, respectfully, slid the door open. Still on his knees, he levered himself into the room and closed the door. Cloaked and hidden in a green silk robe with a cavernous hood, the newcomer bowed deeply to Yorinaga, then walked over to kneel between Tarukito and Narimasa.

He bowed again deeply, and the hood fell away from his head as he raised himself. The man's face was strong-boned and handsome, his brown eyes flecked with gold, and his hair was only a shade lighter than his bronzed skin. His eyes showed the barest hint of almond shape, but his features clearly announced his Rasalhagian-Scandinavian heritage.

The man smiled coldly. "Konnichi-wa, Tai-saKurita Yorinaga- sama.It has been a long time, father."

Yorinaga looked sharply at his two junior officers. "Leave us."

Yorinaga's son shook his head. "No, please do not make them leave. I do not ask this as your son, but as Chu-iAkira Brahe. I have formally applied to enter your service, and I wish these two officers to be present during my interview, as they would during any other interview." Akira's glance flicked toward the floor. "I will not embarrass you, sosen."

Yorinaga nodded solemnly. "I will take you at your word, Chu-iBrahe." He set his face into an impassive mask.

Akira Brahe swallowed hard. You have changed much on the outside, Father, but have you changed inside as well?"I am Chu-iAkira Brahe of the Eleventh Legion of Vega." Akira saw his father recoil as he heard the name of the unit that had accepted his son. Yes, Father, I belong to the lowest of the low.

Akira straightened up and held his head proudly. "I was born in the Year of the Dog, 3001, to Sula Brahe Kurita on Rasalhague. Because of my father's skill as a Mech Warrior and military commander, I was destined for admission to Sun Zhang and had enrolled in a preparatory school to ensure my acceptance. In 3016, however, I was expelled as unworthy and dishonorable."

Akira's eyes met his father's, then he politely looked away. Yes, Father, after your disgrace on Mallory's World in 3016, I suffered. I know you only did your duty, and so it is that I have done my duty: I have survived.

Akira's rich voice again filled the office. "I was sent to Alshain and there obtained a job in a 'Mech factory. I avoided all contacts with the dissident elements and concentrated upon learning how to pilot a 'Mech. In the course of this training, I also learned how to repair and maintain the machines. Eventually, after three years, I was allowed to become a testing pilot and to operate a fully armed 'Mech.

"Yakuzacame to raid the plant and steal several 'Mechs. Working with traitors, the rebel bandits obtained the operation codes for the 'Mechs so that they could march them off the lot. It just so happened that I was in the factory complex and that the Grand DragonI piloted had just been armed in preparation for a run the next morning."

The young Mech Warrior closed his eyes for a moment, remembering. "I have no need to tell you, Tai-sa,of battle. This was my first engagement. The Yakuzahad only poorly trained pilots and were relying on stealth to succeed in stealing the four Panthersthey wanted. I listened to them over the radio, but gave no indication they had been overheard. It was not until they moved toward the factory gate that I opposed them.

"I struck their flank from the darkened alley between two office buildings. I loosed a flight of LRMs at the furthest Panther,which seemed to do an awkward dance in the explosions. With pieces of armor whirling away on fiery jets, it staggered like a drunkard and fell to its knees. The pilot screamed some garbled words about an ambush, and the other three Panthersturned to defend their fallen comrade. They mistakenly believed that the attack had come from their rear, and so their defensive maneuver exposed their backs to me."

Akira opened his eyes and looked down. "They paid the price for their audacity, and I paid for mine as well. The ISF, embarrassed at the success of one whom they had deemed unworthy for MechWarrior training, rewarded me with a transfer directly into the Eleventh Legion of Vega. They even mocked me further by assigning me a broken, half-operational Dragon."

Yorinaga narrowed his eyes. "The Eleventh Legion's commander is Theodore Kurita, the Coordinator's son."

Hai. The ISF gathers disgraced sons into one spot so that they may watch them easily.Akira nodded slowly. "He is a good commander, despite his disgrace. The unit is riddled with ISF informers, and Theodore at first took me for one. He decided that my history was too good to be true, but he soon discovered I was not a mole sent to spy. Though he never trusted me fully, he respected me for my skill. Were he not as secretive about some of his dealings, I believe that we could have been friends.