He was trapped, cornered by his duty. He had always been a good samurai, loyal, faithful ... dutiful. It was his nature. He could not be otherwise.

Minobu walked slowly to the door and opened it. Michi sat in the outer office, awaiting his lord's attention. He leaped to his feet as the panel swung wide. His eager questions were unspoken as he registered Minobu's emotional state.

“Fetch the maps and rosters,” Minobu ordered tonelessly. “We have a campaign to plan.”

50

Ryuken Field Headquarters, Misery

Galedon Military District, Draconis Combine

22 April 3028

 

Michi threaded his way through the maze of consoles, machinery, and hanging cables obstructing passage through the bunker. The heaters had been running for over a week, since the command staff had moved into the structure, but they seemed unable to banish the frigid cold that ruled Borealis, Misery's northern continent.

Michi turned into the alcove that held the planning center. The chamber was dominated by the holotank taken from Ryuken- ni’sMHQ. The tank displayed a detailed version of Borealis's eastern half. Tiny red images of BattleMechs clustered around the city of Farsund, marking the location of the gathering Dragoon forces. Similar blue symbols stood in a vague line from coast to coast across the continent's two thousand kilometers. There were concentrations near the city of Boras in the north and the city of Laerdal and the magma mines in the south. In the central region of the Trolfjel Highlands, azure bands indicated the passes held by the Ryuken.

All the Ryuken Chu-sa,including Charles Earnst, who had been promoted to fill Minobu's place as commander of Ryuken- ni, conferred around the tank. Minobu stood at one end, a Tai-sho'sinsignia shining at his collar. He was in conference with Sho-saSaraguchi, now chief of staff at the command center.

Michi approached Minobu and waited for his attention before speaking.

“Report from the scouts, Tai-sho,”Michi announced, slipping a datacard into the holotank's input slot. Miniature red DropShips appeared, joining a cluster of similar shapes near a tiny representation of a city. “They have spotted new DropShip landings outside of Farsund.”

“That will be Alpha Regiment arriving from Delacruz,” Minobu theorized. “DropShip types?”

“Only 'Mech carriers and cargo ships, as before. No troop ships are reported. Preliminary reports indicate only 'Mechs and their standard support vehicles being disembarked. No fighting vehicles have been seen.”

“Huh,” Earnst grunted, shaking his head in disbelief. “What can Wolf be thinking? An unsupported 'Mech force is not the Dragoon style at all.”

“It seems that Wolf may intend this to be a combat of the lords of the battlefield,” Minobu pointed out.

“Your pardon, Tai-sho,”Michi said. “I would suggest that Colonel Wolf is only being reasonable. He's aware that there are over a hundred kilometers of difficult terrain between his chosen base at Farsund and the defensive positions occupied by our forces in the Trolfjel Highlands. There are no suitable approaches for vehicles. Wheeled or tracked machines would founder in the drift fields to the south. Of course, hovercraft could negotiate that terrain with ease, but the moraines would defeat them. Metal fan blades, frozen by the cold, would shatter as soon as a rock slipped the skirting. Even the most rugged craft would break down after four or five kilometers of that abuse, and they would have to cover at least twelve kilometers. 'Mechs are the only practical way to move through the valley.”

Minobu had been studying the holotank depictions of each type of terrain as Michi was describing its difficulties. He could see that Michi was right, and knew that Wolf would have reached the same conclusions. Terrain considerations would have been part of Wolf's decision, but only part. “Sometimes, Michi-san, you are too practical. What you say is true, but the Dragoons rarely let terrain stop them. Though the space between our two armies is daunting, vehicular forces inserted behind our position could present a threat. It is not a threat we should fear, though. Wolf has declined to bring such forces. He has his reasons.”

“I don't see why,” Earnst announced. He scowled for a moment before articulating his objection. “If, as you say, there's a way to employ non-'Mech forces, why didn't the Dragoons bring them? I thought the Dragoons wanted to shed as much Kurita blood as possible.”

“They do want blood, and they will get it,” Minobu confirmed sadly. “This will be a hard battle. I think, however, that Wolf is looking beyond this battle. 'Mech forces are the easiest and fastest to evacuate from a planet. It would mean that they could rejoin their dependents sooner.”

“You make it sound as if he's sure of victory,” Earnst scoffed.

“Do you doubt it?” Minobu asked in a deceptively mild voice. His eyes swept the row of officers, who had by now all turned toward the head of the holotank. Each shook his head in turn.

“Gentlemen, Lord Kurita expects that we will win. Expectations do not win battles. Planning, leadership, courage, and weaponry win battles. Please return yourselves to the first, that we may apply the others.”

The Chu-sawere quick to take the opportunity to escape the bright, sharp gaze of their Tai-sho.Michi turned and started to return to his post at the comm center, but Minobu reached out and took his arm.

“This landing brings the last of the Dragoons to Farsund. There will be no other bases. Recall the Sword of Light from Laerdal and the Regulars from Boras,” Minobu said. “I want all of our forces gathered here as soon as possible. Route the Sworders through Voss Gap. It will save them at least two hours.”

Michi looked at the holomap. It showed Voss Gap within twenty kilometers of Farsund, which was as he remembered it. “The Sword of Light would be strung out moving through the pass,” he objected. “They will make a tempting target for an ambush.”

“There will be no ambushes until the main fighting has begun,” Minobu said confidently.

“How can you be sure? The Dragoons have not made an offensive move since the announcement of the challenge, but Alpha is here now. How do we know that Wolf has not already positioned some forces? How do we know he is not ready to strike?”

“Wedo not. Ido,” Minobu answered. “It is good that you think independently, Michi-san, but you are not yet ready to question my every decision. Pass the order.”

Michi ignored the dismissal in his superior's tone. “At least let me put up a DropShip for a reconnaissance run,” he protested.

“No. The Dragoons have grounded all their ships. We will observe the same courtesies.”

“They have other DropShips further out. Their troops and vehicle ships are waiting in reserve out there.”

'Those are guards for their JumpShips. They are no threat to us on-planet. Remember, we have our own forces in space. Samsonov's reserves are waiting out there as well. His 'Mechs will be more than a match for any number of Dragoon footsoldiers that might be dispatched as an emergency reserve.”

Minobu leaned on the holotank, turning his attention to the hypothetical troop movements the Chu-sawere projecting. Michi still refused to leave.

“How can you be so sure Samsonov is there? We've had no word.”

Minobu sighed. “Nor should we have. To achieve surprise, the fleet must remain undetected. They are there.

“We are all under the Coordinator's orders. Even Samsonov must see that this battle is too important to take chances. The lure of the glory to be won by destroying the Dragoons will guarantee his participation. He will not leave us unsupported, as he did Yorioshi on Galtor.