Under normal circumstances, Andrew would have considered the Delta company's mission something close to suicidal. Massing 75 tons, Marauderswere powerhouses. Each of the jutting claws on these birdlike 'Mechs packed a PPC and a medium laser. Augmenting that formidable weaponry, the Marauderalso had a torso-mounted auto-cannon. Aside from problems with overheating, the Marauderhad proved itself as one of the deadliest 'Mechs in the armies of the Successor States.

Intelligence sources estimate yourMarauders are all out of autocannon ammo. What's more, the heat in this place makes aMarauder less than effective, and we know your 'Mechs took some damage in the early fighting. I can only hope you've been hurt enough . . .

Down a slight grade from his position, through the swirling mist, Andrew saw the first dark, hunched silhouette drifting toward him. He extended the Centurion'sright arm toward it. With the touch of a button on the command console, Andrew flipped open the hatch coverings over the ten LRM launch tubes in his Centurion'schest.

He shifted his scanners over to Starlight. The light amplification system brightened the picture appreciably, giving him a better view of the shuffling, crablike Marauders. Fifty more meters and it's over.Andrew adjusted the joystick in his left hand, dropping a gold crosshairs on the lead 'Mech's low silhouette. Sulphur mist foils computer lock, but the valley there brackets theMarauders. If I miss one, I'll hit another.

The first Marauderpilot stopped short as he saw Andrew's Centurionstanding tall in the pass's narrowest point. As the Marauder'sright claw moved forward, Andrew punched the combat joystick's button. The Centuriontwisted slightly back to the left as the missiles launched themselves on jets of bright yellow fire.

Eight of the missiles corkscrewed through the vapors, exploding against the Marauder'sleft arm and leg. The blasts shivered armor from each limb, adding yet deeper scars to those already won in battle, but failed to destroy anything vital. The Marauderrecoiled with the impact, but Andrew knew well that the action had come from the pilot's reaction to the explosions instead of any problem with the deadly 'Mech.

Like an actor in some ancient holovid western drama, the Marauderraised its right claw to fire the PPC housed there, and Andrew reacted instantly. Almost without conscious thought, he swung the Centurion'sright arm into line with his foe. His right hand caressed the autocannon's firing button, triggering a burst even as the enemy's PPC coils glowed blue.

The autocannon's slugs shot down the PPC's muzzle as the awesome weapon gathered energy for its terrible beam. The projectiles shattered the magnetic coils that focused the particle beam, and freed the power vortex in a brilliant azure flare. Fire shot from the Marauder'swrist, peeling back armor and blasting through the titanomagnesium 'Mech bones. A half-second after the explosion's thundershot reached Andrew's Centurion,its violence shaking the massive war machine, the Marauder'sclaw fell smoking to the ground.

Suddenly, the valley behind the Maraudererupted in a flood of incandescent golds and fiery reds. Missile barrages launched from Delta company's hidden lances arced down into the valley. The missiles shot in at the Liao Marauderslike Palosian stingers aiming for bare flesh. Each blast froze the Maraudersin a stroboscopic montage of flame and destruction.

Andrew nodded grimly as the Marauderpilots sprang into action. They're good, or they wouldn't have survived this long. They're also tired and—what was the word Craon used? Sloppy.

The Marauderscharged up the valley's gravel-strewn slopes to close with their attackers. Their PPCs might not function well at close range, but the medium lasers in their claws certainly did. Because of its sheer size, the Marauderwas also fearsome in close combat because it could crush the limbs and head of lighter 'Mechs with one swat of its claw.

The Jennersof Cat and Bullseye Lances moved from cover, giving the Marauderstheir first glimpse of the enemy. Fighting hard against gravity to rush their massive machines up the slopes, the Maraudersdid not even attempt to shoot at the lighter 'Mechs. Delta company's pilots, on the other hand, gave the Marauderpilots no slack.

The Jenner'sstubby wings locked down toward the Maraudersand shot ruby red lances of cohesive light at its enemies. The energy bolts seared deep scars into the Marauders'pockmarked ceramic armor, and steaming bits of it dropped onto the hillsides. One laser shot through a chink in a Marauder'storso armor, half-melting one of the 'Mech's gyrostabilizers and causing the pilot to miss his next step. The Marauderstumbled, then tumbled backward, heels over head down to the valley.

Seeing the Maraudersenter what he and his men had deemed the "kill zone," Andrew punched a button on his command console. Opening a tactical channel through to his men, he growled a low order. "Arm the mines now!"

As the leading Marauderplanted its ponderous metal foot on the hillside barely ten meters from the crest, a fireball ignited beneath the giant foot, then rose up to consume it. Unbalanced by the explosion, the pilot tried valiantly to steady herself. She pressed the shattered limb into the ground again, but it failed to hold. The Maraudertoppled over and triggered another mine that ripped a huge hole in the Mech's torso as it somersaulted down the slope. The 'Mech slid the rest of the way down the hill in a cloud of yellow dust, then lay very still on the valley floor.

Andrew set his radio to broadcast over the full range of frequencies available to Mechs. "It's your choice, Cuirassiers. You're in the middle of a live minefield. My mission is to stop you, but that doesn't mean you all have to die. I'd just as soon save you and my people, but it's a choice only you can make."

After a moment or two of silence, a cultured voice answered his call. "I am Major Xong. You will honor all the Ares Conventions as they pertain to prisoners of war?"

Andrew smiled. "Each and every provision, Major."

"And our 'Mechs?"

Andrew heard the chill in the Major's voice. No one in his command wanted to be Dispossessed, but no one was foolish enough to give enemy troops weapons, or allow them to keep the same. Andrew chewed on his lower lip for a moment, then answered slowly. "Well, Major, as I understand it, your unit is made up of captured Davion Marauders.I doubt the Prince will write you a thank you note for keeping them in good condition, and you won't be able to keep them while you're being processed, but I imagine you could get them back. It all depends on how cooperative you are. That may seem a faint hope right now, but I'd say it's a damn sight better than any other prospect you currently face."

Xong's reply came after a moment's reflection. "Your logic, like your trap, seems inescapable. Before I make a final decision, I would know your name and that of your unit."

Andrew grinned. "I'm Captain Andrew Redburn and this is Delta company."

"Ah, Redburn. You and your people took Cochraine's Goliaths.This makes my choice easier. If you would be so kind, Captain, I would like to offer the surrender of Freemont's Cuirassiers, First Battalion, Kuo Company."

Redburn nodded solemnly. "Welcome to peacetime, Major."

Andrew watched as the last of Xong's Mech Warriors boarded the airskimmer sent out by the Aragon Borderers. Thank God the Major was reasonable. It could have gotten nasty otherwise.