Morgan snarled. "No, Uncle, it's not the same. Ardan has no blood tie to you. As much as I like him and believe in him as a commander, he is little more than a pawn in this battle." Morgan jabbed a thumb into the middle of his broad chest. "I'm a prize, Uncle, and we both know it. Were I to be captured, Maximilian Liao could use me against my father. He could bargain my father's neutrality in return for my life."

Hanse's head came up. "There. You yourself have given me the perfect reason to keep you here."

Morgan's shoulder slumped forward, pain showing on his face. "No, it's not a good reason. You should have me out there, in the field. It would say to everyone that you know our victory is inevitable."

Hanse's eyes narrowed. "And, if it isn't? What happens if you are killed in battle? Your father will accuse me of having bungled my plans. He'll say that I needlessly thrust you into danger, just to get at him. Instead of fighting Liao, I'll end up fighting him."

Morgan shook his head. "No, Uncle, you don't know him as I do. He would rally to your side if I died. He would commit his troops and crush Liao." Morgan allowed himself a wry smile. "You and I both know that as good as are the troops we've committed to the invasion, we will need the Capellan March forces if we are to succeed."

Hanse raised one eyebrow. Does your facility for planning extend beyond military matters, Morgan? Are you equally insightful and careful when it comes to politics?Hanse's voice sank to the whisper of a boneyard breeze. "If it is as you say, perhaps I should just arrange for a Maskirovka assassin to kill you here on New Avalon. It would galvanize the Capellan March, yet save me the demoralizing effect your death in combat would have on the Heavy Guards ..."

Melissa gasped and Morgan stiffened. Morgan drew himself up to his full height. "All I've ever asked is to serve as you see fit, my Prince. If my death would suit your needs, I only need time to settle my affairs . . ."

Hanse waved off that suggestion with both hands. "No, dammit, I'm not Takashi Kurita and you're not one of his fanatical samurai. Your death will not serve me at all! Your presence, your insight, your support is what I need, and I need it here, on New Avalon." Hanse swallowed hard, then met Morgan's emerald stare unflinchingly.

"Here, Morgan, untouchable on New Avalon, you are the future. Your presence, your life, irritates Maximilian Liao to no end. He knows he cannot defeat my troops. And if by some fluke, he kills me, he knows you, my young lion, are waiting in the wings to take my place."

Hanse smiled confidently. "Furthermore, Morgan, your presence at my side tells our people that this war, though horrid and costly, will be won. Events have not forced me to commit you to battle. I hold you in reserve to be the rallying point that I may need. In this, you have more value than you know."

Morgan broke off his stare, yet Hanse knew that even though he'd won this round, his nephew would return again and again. Each attack will be different, but they will come. That's the heart in you, Morgan, and your loyalty. Stay strong, because I will refuse your request every time. I cannot put you in the field.Hanse glanced at Melissa. I cannot have you in the field until she has given me an heir.

Morgan's head came back up. "I accept what you have said, Uncle, because it makes some sense. If I cannot be with my unit destroying Maximilian Liao's 'Mechs, I might as well contribute to his sleepless nights." Straightening himself, he settled his face into a look of calm acceptance. "I stand ready, my Prince, to fulfill whatever role you choose for me. When the time comes for me to lead troops, I will not shrink from that duty, either. Whatever task you assign me, I promise to carry it out to success."

44

Sarna Commonality, Capellan Confederation

20 October 3028

A green light burned to life on the command console of Captain Andrew Redburn's Centurion.He stabbed it with a long, thick finger, but kept his voice low. "Centurionhere, go ahead."

Robert Craon's voice buzzed into Andrew's neurohelmet. "Fox Lance has readings indicating about a dozen Marauderscoming down the slot."

Andrew frowned. "Are you sure?"

Craon's tone convinced Andrew that Craon did not doubt the information. "We've measured the time differences between the vibration pickups with different seismic monitors. Factoring in the conductivity of the terrain, the estimate is solid. They're varying their footstep cadence, but the pilots are tired and are getting sloppy. We've got them."

Andrew nodded his head. "Good. Notify the other lances and then prepare to shut the back door. Have Archer and Demon Lances fire off their first volleys after my signal. Take it slow and don't sever your land-line with the lances until battle is joined."

"Roger. Just like we planned it."

Andrew nodded. "And, Robert, do not arm the mines until I give the command."

Craon's voice echoed his reservations from an earlier discussion. "I'm still uneasy about the number of mines we have. I'd have liked more."

Andrew shook his head. The Aragon Borderers were really reluctant to give anything to a "March recruit troop” like ours, but we’ll show them . . ."We make do with what we are given. Orders understood, Leftenant?"

"Roger, sir. Out."

Andrew smiled as he mentally estimated where the enemy 'Mechs had to be. Your raiding days are over, Major Xong.

Andrew punched a button on his command console, bringing his combat computer on line and filling his primary monitor with a display outlining the Centurion'sweapons systems. Good. Both the autocannon in the right arm and the LRM launcher in the chest are operational.Andrew glanced at the lower section of the monitor. And the torso mounted medium lasers fore and aft check out as well. Now if I could only get some targeting assist.

Andrew looked out through the Centurion'sbroad viewing canopy. Beyond it, he saw a warped landscape of reddish brown frozen lava flows and half-melted purple hillsides. Pale yellow vapors twisted from sulphurous geysers, rising through the thick, brown soup, belching out steam in fetid gouts.

Xong knew what he was doing when he brought the remnants of Freemont's Cuirassiers First Battalion into the Hellfire Mountains. The volcanoes and springs make this place too hot for infrared scans to be effective, and the sulphur vapors hamper radar and magscans. Makes targeting all guess and luck.

Andrew moved his Centuriondown a hillside toward the narrow valley running between jagged peaks. The mountains had been formed when whole sections of the planet's crust had thrust upward. Waiting for Xong's raiders, Andrew had spent hours studying the broad geological striations that raked the mountains.

Freemont's Cuirassiers had a single battalion defending Hunan when the second wave of the Davion invasion landed the Aragon Borderers on the world. Led by Major Sidney Xong, the Cuirassiers fought a hard series of battles against the Borderers, but could not defeat a whole regiment. Xong finally fled with the unit's survivors into the Hellfire Mountains. Traveling up and down the chain, the raiders struck at targets and harassed the Davion garrison.

Andrew moved into the narrow valley his command had nicknamed the "Slot." Because of you, Major, my men were pulled from R & R to spend a week waiting for you in this hellhole. It's time to get this over and done with. With your people running capturedMarauders, I don't expect this to be easy, but we 're prepared for you.