Akira's emotions tore him apart as he listened to his father speak. My loyalty to the Dragon cries out at my father's betrayal of the Combine, but my brain and heart tell me my father is correct. If the Draconis Combine attempted to wrest the 'Mechs away from ComStar, it would be placed under an interdict that would prevent all interstellar communications from going in, out, or through the Combine. Without communication, defense would be impossible and our enemies would pick us apart.

Morgan Kell nodded in agreement with Yorinaga. "We have not truly determined ComStar's purpose in keeping those 'Mechs. I believe that it is advisable to keep the news of Chu-saBrahe's discovery secret for the time being."

Colonel Wolf reluctantly gave his consent. "I do not so easily accept the fiction of ComStar's purity, but the choice of action you draw from it is acceptable to me."

All three men turned toward Akira. They ask me to agree. They do not order compliance. I am indeed fortunate to serve with one of their caliber.He nodded. "The secret shall not pass from my lips, but what if ComStar is monitoring our discussion?"

Wolf grinned like his namesake. "Have no worry about that. Our conversation is safe."

Yorinaga turned slowly to face Morgan Kell. "Colonel, I would speak with you on another subject."

Morgan nodded slowly and Akira saw a weariness in his eyes and bearing that seemed to bear down on him like a great weight. It is as though he already knows what my father will say, and my father seems equally burdened.

Yorinaga bowed his head respectfully. "I wish you to know I that I would not have chosen to destroy your brother if there had !J been any other option. I assure you that your brother had full j knowledge of his actions and did not shun the glory of a war-rior's death."

Morgan clenched his jaw and forced his hands to unknot. In his heart was pain and grief, but his words were calm and measured. "It pleases me to know that Patrick earned your respect in the manner of his death. For all that, however, I wish it had not happened."

Yorinaga nodded. "It is the best one can hope for now. I trust that when you and I meet again in the battlefield, we shall be as honorable."

"Do you so look forward to that meeting?" Morgan asked. "You know what it will mean, don't you?"

Yorinaga opened his hands. "I have accepted and awaited that outcome for the past twelve years. I was ready for it on Mallory's World. In showing me honor, you shamed me. I have had many years to remember that battle and your actions. I have relived our contest again and again. I recall it in such exquisite detail that I have often studied a single action or thought for weeks at a time."

Morgan Kell's face became a mask of anger. "Have you learned nothing through that study?" He clenched his fists, then his expression melted in a flood of compassion. "I can feel it in you, Yorinaga. You have touched the key. You know it and have mastered it, but you've not used it to unlock the door."

Yorinaga smiled tolerantly. "Perhaps it is true that I have found what you call a key, but perhaps I have used it to open a different door. For me, it will unlock the chains that keep me from what I lost on Mallory's World. I have endured the years without it in hopes of some release from my captivity. For a time, I felt that the Coordinator would allow me to take my own life to purge me of the shame. He denied my every request, and so I came to accept that my salvation would not come by the Dragon's claw."

Yorinaga's hands moved through the air, eloquently describing a sphere. "I studied our battle and mastered every nuance of it. In myself, I found the raw materials of what you discovered during our battle. From them, I constructed the key. When we next clash, I will use it to free myself and to forever banish my shame."

"You willingly accept the price that we both will pay when that battle comes to pass?"

Yorinaga nodded. "Is there any honor in saving our bodies from what our minds already know and accept about us?"

Morgan shook his head. As he turned to walk back into the reception, Yorinaga moved to join him. Akira, confused, turned to Jaime Wolf. "What do they mean, Colonel? What are they talking about?"

Wolf narrowed his eyes. "It's simple, Chu-saBrahe. Morgan Kell and Yorinaga Kurita both know that the next time they meet in combat, they will kill one another."

33

ComStar First Circuit Compound

Hilton Head Island, North America, Terra

19 August 3028

As Tamara Allard joined the depleted circle of Federated Suns citizens, she raised an eyebrow as she saw the two mugs of stout in Dan's hands. He motioned with one mug toward the balcony. "This one belongs to Colonel Kell, mother."

Ardan shook his head. "No way you can escape it, Dan. My mother still worries, too, even though I'm piloting a desk, for all intents and purposes."

Tamara turned to Ardan with a look of reproval. "Shame on you, Colonel. Your mother is most proud of you, and you know that."

Ardan winked at Dan, then nodded to Tamara. "You are most correct, Countess. Believe me, I dearly cherish my parents, and I know that Dan does as well." Ardan smiled slyly. "In fact, when we last met, about a year and a half ago on Pacifica, he spoke to me of you . . ."

"Wait a minute, Colonel," Dan broke in. "Let's not start anything I can't handle here."

Riva poked her brother in the ribs. "Come on, Dan. Let the Colonel finish."

Dan firmly shook his head. He turned toward his mother and met her severe expression with a mild chuckle. "Let's change the subject," he said. "Where's dad anyway? I have something to ask him."

Tamara shrugged. "He's still back at the bungalow. Some late dispatches arrived and he said he needed to go over them." She glanced at her chronometer. "I expect him soon."

Dan saw Riva whispering in Ardan's ear. I've had it now. Ardan will tell Riva the story of my 'Mech being shot up on Paci-fica, then she'll needle me about it.He thrust both mugs toward his sister. "Here, Riva. Hang onto these." Nodding to his mother and Ardan, he added, "If you'll excuse me, I'll escort my father back here. Colonel, I entrust the Allard women to your care."

Ardan smiled. "An honor and a pleasure."

Dan cut a path through the crowd and ducked out the door into the cool evening air. Light sea breezes rustled the fronds of palm above his head and set the dark cone-shapes of pine trees dancing in the night. Setting off along a ferrocrete pathway lined with dim lamps alternating sides every twenty meters, Dan thought about how peaceful and beautiful it was here.

He took a deep breath, filling his lungs and nose with the salt air. I can see why Terra has always held a cherished spot in the hearts of wandering mankind. No matter where one is born, or on what worlds one has dwelt, Terra feels like home.

Dan shook his head. Maybe it's just the romance of Terra that's gotten to you, Dan. Or maybe it's Jeana who's given you such a cheery new perspective? Yet all you know about her is that she comes from the Lyran Commonwealth, is close to the Archon-Designate, and probably once trained as a MechWarrior. Aside from that brief encounter on Tharkad, you've really only known her for the past thirty-six hours. It's not like you to let a woman get under your skin so quickly and completely.