Akira looked up. "As I meant to explain, when I had the chance, I do not normally play with my food, but having quillaron my clothes would be cause for a report."

Riva shook her head. "Your father wouldn't write you up for that, would he?"

How much does she know?Akira narrowed his eyes. "I would feel obliged to write myself up for sloppy appearance."

Riva's expression told him she understood the necessary wording of his answer. "Sorry, Akira. I'm doing what I accused others of doing. I asked because you arrived with Yorinaga Kurita. He's fascinated me ever since I read Mitchell's book about Mallory's World. My brother was there ..."

Akira nodded. "A fair exchange, I think, Riva. I am Akira Brahe, and Yorinaga Kurita is my father."

Riva wiped her hands on her napkin. "I am Riva Allard and my brother is Daniel Allard of the Kell Hounds."

Akira closed his eyes. As vast as is the universe, we move in tiny circles."And your father is Quintus Allard?"

Riva hung her head with resignation. "You can start treating me like a leper now." Her hand retreated from his.

Akira again frowned. "I don't follow you . . ."

Riva shrugged. "Many people assume I'm a conduit straight to my father." She summoned a weak smile. "I nearly gave one Marik Captain a heart attack when I told him who I was."

Akira shifted his right hand to cover her left and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "I know something of what you describe, for I earned similar treatment when acquaintances discovered my father's identity." He winked at her. "Let us finish our lunch and direct our detective skills toward the others or"—he paused for dramatic effect—"to uncovering ComStar's deepest and darkest secrets."

Riva rolled her eyes skyward. "Like, what do ComStar Acolytes do when they can't find a quote from Blake to justify their actions?"

Akira shrugged. "It's bound to be more interesting than the rest of this tour."

"O.K. It's a deal." She laughed, but there was a dangerous glint in her eyes. "Who knows ... we might even learn something about ComStar in the process."

Seeing the ComStar Acolyte trying to hustle his group together again, the two young people rejoined the others as they descended a broad spiraling staircase that would take them beneath the island's surface. Opening his arms to take in the entire building, the guide smiled. "All this is devoted to the work of training our personnel. Everything from classrooms to individual meditation cells are contained in this facility. Now if you will follow me, I will show you how an average ComStar recruit passes his or her time during the day."

Akira and Riva hung back. Riva looked over the stair's railing and stared into the spiral's dim depths. "I wonder how far down it goes?"

Akira shrugged. "Not that far." He pointed to four robed figures climbing the stairs from below. "See? None of them are wearing rebreathing devices."

Riva wrinkled her nose. "That's true, but they walk funny."

Akira glanced back down at the men. Though their robes effectively hid their limbs, their strides did appear exaggerated. It was strange, too, for the only time he'd ever seen people walk like that was after an extended run in a 'Mech simulator. When a bitter scent wafted up from the advancing figures, he turned back to Riva and grabbed her arm. "Do you smell that?"

She frowned, then sniffed twice. "Burned ashqua."

Akira nodded. 'Mech coolant, an odor he knew all too well. He glanced back over his shoulder as the Acolytes approached their level. Whispering harshly, he pulled Riva to him. "Slap me, hard." Cupping her head in his hands, he kissed her forcefully.

Riva's right hand rocketed up, spinning Akira with a thunder-crack slap. The tall MechWarrior reeled away from her and crashed heavily into the ComStar Acolytes. He grabbed at their robes, and they supported him without anyone spilling to the ground. Straightening up, he pressed his left hand to the hot red mark on his face.

Riva graced him with a withering glare, then turned on her heel and stalked off with her nose in the air. Stunned to silence, the ComStar Acolytes stared after her. Once she had vanished from sight around a corner, they let Akira drop to the cold marble floor and laughed heartily.

Akira rolled to his feet. "Who does she think she is? She can't do that to the Combine's finest Jump Troop Commander." He turned to stalk after her, but one of the Acolytes grabbed his wrist.

"The Peace of Blake be with you, sir." The Acolyte wiped sweat from his brow. "Why don't you leave her alone? That slap hit you harder than an autocannon round. As far as you're concerned, why not just consider her a Firestarter.Got it?"

Akira nodded sheepishly. "Hai, wakarimas."

The Acolyte smiled sympathetically. "Look, it will be best if you rejoin the tour. And keep your hands to yourself."

Akira rounded the corner and found Riva waiting for him, excitement written all over her face. "What did you learn?"

Akira rubbed his cheek. "I learned never to kiss you."

Riva stood on her toes and kissed his reddened cheek. "You learned never to surprise me. What else did you learn?"

Akira shook his head. "I'm not sure." He opened his hands. "I want to do some more checking before I say anything."

Riva looked disappointed, but she never seemed to be at a loss. "I'll accept that on one condition."

"Name it."

She smiled. "You tell me what you know when you confirm it."

Akira nodded. I know I felt cooling vests hidden beneath the robes of those Acolytes. That leads me to only one conclusion, but it's one that defies all reason.An icy foreboding seemed to flood his gut. Who would believe that poor, pacifistic ComStar is training their own MechWarriors?

29

ComStar Circuit Compound

Hilton Head Island, North America, Terra

18 August 3028

Warm sea water rushed up the sandy beaches and tickled Dan and Jeana's toes as they walked hand-in-hand along the shore. The setting sun stretched their shadows far out in front of them. Dan raised Jeana's hand to his lips and kissed it gently.

"You're still a very good listener."

Jeana smiled. "I guess you're just such an interesting speaker."

Dan shook his head. "We've been together all day and you've listened to my whole life story." He stopped and faced her. "But you've barely said anything about yourself." It feels as though you trust me, but you do not. Who are you ?

Jeana glanced past his shoulder. "Look, Dan! Dolphins!"

Dan spun around. The dying sun burned red-gold highlights on the wet gray dolphins as they came up to breathe, then dove for food. There were so sleek and beautiful. Dan smiled as he watched the trio swim along the shore and then out toward deeper water once more.

"Again you manage to deflect me," he said, turning back to Jeana. "I feel so close to you that little things shouldn't matter, but I don't even know your surname." He sighed helplessly and looked down.

Jeana took his hands in hers and kissed him on the lips. "The feeling is very mutual, Dan." She looked up at him imploringly. "There is so much I want to share with you, but I cannot." She chewed her lower lip. "I can't even tell you my full name."