The Count chuckled. "In such a situation, you would have to take temporary control of the government and lead the Federated Suns to victory."

The Duke's smile dried as he pressed his lips into a thin line. "True, but I fear it is an opportunity that will never come. From what I can learn, it appears that Kurita and Liao will take a more conservative approach. They will wait until the Terran Corridor is once again down to normal strength before striking. Liao will likely bear the brunt of the assault, while Kurita forces will attempt to hold the Steiner border. And if House Marik can crush the little revolutions that Hanse has been financing within their realm, then Janos will strike out at the Steiner border. Thus will Steiner have to ease up on Kurita or else lose worlds to Marik."

The Count tapped his pointy chin with the index finger of his right hand. "For Liao to mount a strong offensive against the Terran Corridor, he'd have to strip troops from the St. Ives and Sian Commonalities. That would leave the way clear for you to attack..."

Michael smiled and stretched with feline grace. "Indeed. And that explains the communications I have received from Liao. His inducements to betray Hanse are both intriguing and inviting."

The Count drew in a breath to power a protest, then stopped before the words could form. His jaw closed slowly as a smile lit his face "You will accept Liao's offers so that he can move his troops to the front, and then you will hit him after he has engaged Hanse's troops."

Michael's eyes flashed fire. "Exactly! I will provide Max Liao with details of Hanse's troop placements—and even overvalue them so that Liao will tie up even more troops than necessary in his assaults. I will likewise undervalue my own troop strength so that Liao will not sense the dagger pressed against his belly."

The Count's white teeth showed in a feral grin. "And when the time comes ..."

"And when the time comes, I will eviscerate the Capellan Confederation and be hailed a hero in the Federated Suns. A popular groundswell of support will elevate me to become supreme ruler of the Federated Capellan Empire!"

The Count slapped his hands, and then rubbed them together greedily. "I will gladly serve as an instrument of your victory, Highness. With your permission, I would ask only one thing."

Michael raised a dark eyebrow. "Yes, Anton?"

"When you take Sian, give Justin Xiang to me. He escaped justice last time through Davion's intercession. This time, I would like to see that he gets it."

Duke Michael Hasek-Davion nodded his agreement. "It would be my pleasure, Count Vitios." And wherever you leave off in your treatment of Xiang, that is where I will begin to exact my revenge upon Hanse Davion . . .

25

ComStar First Circuit Compound

Hilton Head Island, North America, Terra

17 August 3028

Captain Daniel Lord Allard nodded his head at the plump, blond Baroness de Gambier, but the frozen smile on his face felt as though it would never come unstuck. Blake's Blood! How did Felicity get invited here ?While she was making her way toward him through the crowd gathered in the spacious ballroom antechamber, Dan wordlessly communicated his panic to Colonel Morgan Kell.

"Before we left for the wedding, I meant to ask you, Captain how you envisioned the rechanneling of fusion power within a 'Mech engine to maximize cooling . . ." Morgan's voice carried loudly enough to deflect the Baroness from her course toward Dan into a more solicitous grouping. Morgan laughed with a little shake of the head. "She'll be back, you know."

Dan rolled his eyes. "Our grandfathers served in the same 'Mech unit ages ago. Her brother Jacques and I were good friends at NAMA. During our off time from some cadre training operation on Gambier, he took me to visit his family." Dan tugged at his dress uniform's stiff collar. "Gambier is only four jumps from Kestrel, so whenever I went to Kestrel to see my grandparents, I found Felicity already ensconced in the house 'by coincidence.' "

"I've seen the look in her eyes before, Dan. In the way that woman with Morgan Hasek-Davion looks at him, for instance. It doesn't bode well for your continued freedom."

Dan grimaced. "Maybe our next contract will take us beyond the Periphery."

Something flashed in Morgan's eyes, as though Dan had touched him in a dark and painful place, but it vanished just as quickly. "Perhaps, Dan. Perhaps." Morgan's smile broadened at the sight of the heavy-set black-haired man approaching them now. Thrusting out a hand, Morgan greeted the newcomer heartily. "Scott Bradley! It's been far too long."

Bradley returned the smile, but a nervous tremor in his lower lip betrayed his unease. "That it has, Morgan. I'm glad to see you looking fit." Bradley freed his hand from Morgan's and offered it to Dan. "Captain Allard, glad to see you again."

So, even the prodigals return.Dan met Bradley's firm grip with one of his own, pumping the man's arm strongly. "How have you been, Scott?" Dan's gaze brushed over the rank insignia on Bradley's dark green uniform. "You're a Major now . . ."

Bradley nodded somewhat sheepishly. "Yeah, I've got my own battalion." The man looked at Morgan, and Dan could read the anguish on Bradley's face. "I waited, Morgan, just as you asked me to. I gathered a whole group of Mech Warriors around me—really good people." Bradley winced. "They kept after me to leave McGee's Cutthroats and to form our own mercenary group. After so many years of waiting, Morgan, I didn't know what to think."

Morgan smiled and rested both hands on Bradley's shoulders. "Scott, you did what you had to do. You accepted responsibility for a vast number of people and that's something to be proud of."

Bradley nodded. "I amproud of the battalion."

Morgan gave the other man's shoulders a shake before releasing him. "And I'm proud of you for taking the action you did. You've proved yourself to be even more of a natural leader than before. To have a group of mercenaries urge you to form your own unit indicates a special level of trust in your abilities that few leaders ever inspire in their people."

Relief flooded Bradley's face and body. The nervous quivering of his lip had ceased and new confidence seeped into his voice. "I've got a one-year contract with the Federated Suns. We've pulled garrison duty on Northwind, to begin right after the wedding, while some of the regular troops are involved in Galahad '28. After that, I was hoping that you might take Bradley's Bravos on as a battalion in the Kell Hounds . . ."

"The Kell Hounds would be pleased to have you, Scott." Glancing at Dan with a mischievous glint in his eyes, he added, "In fact, if you wish, you may designate Bradley's Bravos the Kell Hound Third 'Mech Battalion. We'll formalize things when your contract is up with the Federated Suns."

Bradley stepped back, saluted, then enfolded Morgan's right hand in his own fist. "I took a straw poll among the battalion's MechWarriors and they favored joining up with the Hounds. With your permission, I'll toss the Kell Hound crest on our standard and add it to our 'Mechs."

"Done, Major Bradley." Morgan shook Scott's hand firmly. "You were sorely missed."

Before anything further could pass between the two men, a wave of applause began near the doorway, then proceeded to grow as the rest of the crowd joined in. The three MechWarriors added their own applause to the swelling sound as Melissa Arthur Steiner, radiant in a sleeveless, shimmering golden gown that matched her hair, entered the room flanked by Katrina Steiner and Hanse Davion. The Archon-Designate gracefully bowed her head in acknowledgement of the ovation, then allowed her fiance to lead her down the stairs. Behind them, the Archon followed proudly.