The Chancellor smiled with chilling intensity. "Yes, this should be special." He shooed everyone from the room. "Leave me. I wish to consider all the ramifications of this plan. I believe I may even be able to use it to advance the primacy of our House over all the Successor States!"

Justin and Candace retreated to the gardens. Arm in arm, they walked through the darkened path, yet Justin felt an uneasiness coming between them. Gravel crunched beneath their feet and the cold glow of a blue moon was barely enough to light their way. The night was pleasant, though, with a gentle breeze that carried the aromatic scent of incense burning at the shrine.

When they reached the shrine area, Candace disengaged her arm from Justin's and slipped out of her robe. Wearing a form-fitting gray bodysuit, she stood for a moment with hands clasped overhead, then took a deep breath and began a slow series of ancient postures designed to stretch and warm up every muscle in the body.

Wrapped in darkness, Justin watched her. He envied the azure moonlight as it caressed her body and felt desire smoldering within. Physically, she's beautiful, but I know my attraction to her is based on more than that.He leaned against one of the trees planted here for its symbolism of strength combined with flexibility, and crossed his arms as he watched. I can't deny that we’ve become close or that I might even love her, but what is it deep inside that keeps telling me it's wrong ?

Candace's head slowly came up. She seemed to sense his mood. "Justin, what's wrong?"

Justin ground his teeth. "I don't like being used."

"What?" She took a half-step closer to him, then stopped as he stiffened. "I don't know what you mean."

Her confusion sounds genuine... He swallowed hard and uncrossed his arms. "You used me like a scalpel on your sister. You took her plan and made it go one better. Sure, you point out that having me there will anger Hanse Davion." Justin angrily stabbed a finger at her. "What if I don't want to see Hanse Davion!"

Candace recoiled from the fury in his voice. "I don't understand. This would be your chance to beard the lion in his own den."

Justin turned away from her. "The idea of having to come face to face again with the man who humiliated me is not a pleasant one." He stared at the mountains in the blue-lit distance. "It's true that my victories on Solaris might have stung him, but ultimately, he is neither cowed nor repentant." Justin looked back at Candace. "I will appear at his wedding as hired help, a spy sent to ferret out information. You'll use me like a neural whip to provoke a reaction from him." He shook his head vehemently. "I don't like being considered a useful object."

Candace stood looking at him for a moment, hands on hips. "So that's the reason you think I suggested you as my escort, is it?"

Justin turned to face her. "That's all I can see, Candace. Unless you can't bear the thought of being without your exercise partner?"

Justin saw the rage ripple through her, but she seemed to catch and control it. With head lowered somewhat repentantly, she began to speak. "I apologize for using you to sting my sister." She chewed her lower lip as though carefully considering her next words. "I did not realize how much seeing Hanse Davion might hurt you, though I should have." Lifting her head, she seemed to seek out his face in the shadows. "But it was the only way I could think of to convince my father you had to accompany me."

Justin stared at her. "And what was so important about that?"

Candace reached out to him. "Because Iwant you there."

Justin stepped toward her, took her hand and drew her to him. "The palace is full of servants . . ."

Candace slipped her arms around his neck and gently pressed her forehead to his. "That is true, Justin Xiang, but I do not want a servant with me, or my exercise partner with me. I want youthere, with me." She brushed her lips lightly against his. "I want you there as my escort and my consort,and the opinion of anyone else in the Successor States be damned!"

20

Arc-Royal

District of Donegal, Lyran Commonwealth

3 March 3028

Breezes fragrant with the scent of pine hissed into the Drop-Ship Manannan MacLiras Daniel Allard cracked open the hatch. He breathed in deeply, then smiled at Morgan Kell. "Definitely smells like home, Colonel."

The harsh glare of arclights splashed through the personnel bay as the hatch slid upward into the DropShip's hull. The light washed up Morgan's form, from his black boots and trousers to his red dress jacket. It flashed silver from the Tamar Tigers medallion, then caught the gray streaks in his black hair and beard.

Dan squinted at the light. Silhouetted against the glare, he saw the Kell Hound mercenaries, row upon row of them, waiting in the night to greet Morgan Kell. Wait a minute!he thought, shooting a glance at Morgan. "Colonel, something's wrong. There are far too many people out there."

Kell, a smile growing on his face as he looked out the hatchway, shook his head. "Nothing is wrong, Captain Allard. We're home, and so is the entire Kell Hound Regiment."

Regiment!Dan's heart pounded against his ribs. Those messages he sent out from Zaniah. The ones he had given to Brother Giles when he arrived at St. Marinus House. . . So, Morgan had planned this all along.

Morgan stepped forward and walked down the ramp. No one moved as he strode across the ferrocrete toward the small assembly of officers standing on a low dais near the Mac'snose. Morgan's footsteps echoed like gunshots in the silence.

Halfway to the dais, Morgan stopped and turned back toward Dan. With a gentle nod, he indicated that Dan should join him. Dan shook off his shocked lethargy, and solemnly marched to Morgan's side. When they reached the dais, Morgan stopped short to allow Dan to precede him onto the platform and to take his place with the other officers.

Dan slipped into the front line between Major Salome Ward and Sergeant Cat Wilson. Cat, a tall black man, acknowledged Dan with a hint of a nod. The runway lights glinted from Cat's shaven head, but his ebon eyes were inscrutable as ever.

Dan glanced over at Salome. Most of her pretty face was hidden by long, red hair, but he could see from the uncharacteristic stiffness in her posture that she was tense and upset, but trying to maintain her composure and military bearing. Dan could imagine what she must be feeling. Morgan and the Defection. He left without saying anything to her and now he returns.

Morgan mounted the stairs, and Salome stepped from the line as he reached the top of the dais. She snapped to attention and saluted sharply. Morgan returned the salute and Salome's arm fell to her side. "Colonel, the command is yours."

He smiled at her with an expression that showed both respect and gratitude. "Thank you, Major." As Salome dropped back into line, the officers saluted as a unit. Morgan's smile grew broader as he crisply returned their salute.

Morgan turned to face the mercenaries assembled before him. "At ease and thank you." The arc-lights sparked blue against his hair as he stood looking around at his troops with hands clutched at the small of his back. His bass voice struggled not to break with the emotion that threatened to overwhelm Morgan at any moment. "It's been a long time, Kell Hounds. Too long a time. Thank you for your faith."