"Will they push it to all-out war?"

"It seems only a matter of time. Hanse Davion's wedding binds more than two political units. It weds a strong economy to a dangerous military. We're definitely looking at trouble."

"You think they'll take us on?"

"Who else is as dangerous to them? Surely not the muddled Free Worlds League, or the outgunned Capellan Confederation. The Periphery states are too small to be a real threat, and the lesser houses are unimportant. The Dragon is their rightful concern.

"We shall be pressed to the utmost fighting against both Houses. It will be a glorious war."

Theodore smiled, his thoughts on the possibilities that a war would bring. At last, he would have a chance to prove himself as a warrior, a commander. Takashi would no longer be able to deny him his place. Theodore would prove himself a worthy heir.

A sudden, dark thought intruded on his dreams of glory. War would bring danger to his own son and heir.

"Ninyu -kun, I want you to do something for me."

"Ask," Ninyu said warily.

"I want my family moved to a safer world. We are too exposed here on Marfik. Too close to the Lyrans."

"Tomoe can't leave until after she delivers," Ninyu reminded him.

"I know that. As soon as she can travel, I want them gone."

"It will be hard to cover."

"I have faith in your skills, my friend," Theodore said with a smile.

Ninyu returned to the couch and stretched out. "This will take a lot of planning," he said. "I might as well get started."

Theodore watched his friend replace the cap over his eyes and settle down. He shook his head. Had anyone else reponded to his orders in such a way, he would have been incensed. But he knew from past experience that no matter how relaxed Ninyu looked, his mind was always working. Satisfied that his friend would come up with a solution, Theodore turned his attention to the compdeck. He called up the latest unit-readiness reports and began to study them.

20

Legion of Vega HQ, Massingham, Marfik

Dieron Military District, Draconis Combine

11 December 3027

 

Olivares' bass voice interrupted Theodore's concentration. From the bellowings, he knew that the Sho-sahad herded the new arrivals to the building to meet their commander. Quite a far cry from the nonexistent reception committee gathered for his own arrival.

Before Olivares had them in order, Theodore walked out into the sunlight. Ninyu roused himself and slouched along in Theodore's wake.

Stopping by the flagpole, Theodore looked over the men and women slowly shuffling into ragged lines. A wide variety of uniforms and partial uniforms were present: MechWarriors and footsoldiers, tankers and AeroJocks, mechanics and cooks. They came from all branches of the Combine military. Many wore patches of units that had been involved in the disastrous Galtor campaign. One non-uniformed clump stayed stubbornly together. Theodore presumed that they were what was left of the mercenary Kelly's Killers, destroyed as an effective unit when Davion raided New Mendham. The unit's debt to the Combine was being paid off by service with the Legion.

Olivares looked over to Theodore, who nodded.

"Damp it, you slimelickers," Olivares bellowed. "Tai-saKurita has got a few words for ya. Dig the wax outa your ears and listen up!"

Theodore was impressed by the eloquence of Olivares' introduction. The Sho-sa'slong speeches were usually unprintable. Theodore cleared his throat, pitching his voice to carry over the field.

"Welcome to the Legion of Vega."

"I know what you've heard, because I've heard it, too. That this is the cesspit of the Draconis military. That your careers are over. That no one ever returns from the Legion."

"You can believe it if you want. You can make it true, by becoming the scum others believe you to be. I won't stop you. And I won't stop you because I can't. If you have no honor left, you will be what they say. Marfik will become your personal hell."

"It doesn't have to be that way. Ignore what you heard before coming here, and look to your honor. It is the strength that will sustain you and the armor to shield you. The Legion offers you a new start. I challenge you to prove that you are warriors, men and women of worth. Earn my respect, if you can. It won't be easy."

"It's up to you. Think about it."

"I'll be speaking to each of you individually. For now, head to the barracks. Sho-saOlivares will show you where to stow your gear. Check the roster for your interview time."

"Dismissed."

A tall black man caught Theodore's eye. Something about him was familiar, but Theodore could not recall having seen him before. His service cap was no help; the unit badges had been torn from it.

"You," he called, pointing at the man. "Come over here."

As the soldier approached, Theodore observed the left side of his collar. The fabric was frayed in places and a slightly darker color outlined the shape of a different insignia from the Chu-i'striple blue bars that glinted in the sunlight. The man had been demoted from the rank of Tai-i.

Theodore noted the curly black hair and the carefully tended mustache and goatee. He searched the lines of the man's face that was so naggingly familiar.

"What's your name?"

"Fuhito Tetsuhara, sir," the man replied in a deep, clear voice.

"I thought you looked vaguely familiar," Theodore said with a smile. "Minora Tetsuhara was one of my tutors. You must be his grandson."

"His son, sir," Fuhito said, shifting uncomfortably. Whether his discomfort was from having to correct his superior or due to the mere mention of the old warhorse's name, Theodore couldn't tell.

"Strong hara,"Ninyu commented from behind him.

"Ease off, Kerai -kun," Theodore said, giving his friend a glance that meant he was serious. Ninyu looked offended.

Theodore reached out a hand to Fuhito's shoulder. "Come inside. I just rescheduled your interview for now. Leave your bag. Tai-iKerai will stow it." He ignored Ninyu's annoyance, knowing he could square it with him later.

"Tell me, Fuhito -san, how is your family?" Theodore asked as he led the Chu-iinto the building.

"Father and Mother are well, Tai-sa,"Fuhito began haltingly. He was clearly not used to discussing his family with a superior officer. "Eldest brother Chu-saMinobu has recovered from his accident and commands the Ryuken-m on the Galedon border. My other brother, Tai-iYoshi, has received the red-and-back banner. I am here."

Theodore heard the rising bitterness in Fuhito's voice. He waved a hand at the couch to indicate that Fuhito should be seated, and then perched himself on the edge of his desk.

"Please accept my condolences on the death of Yoshi. He must have died valiantly to have received the banner. It is a great honor for a minor officer's name to be inscribed on the Great Wall of the Fallen Samurai. Your family is honored."

"We are ever servants of House Kurita," Fuhito intoned mechanically.

"I remember once seeing your eldest brother, Minobu, when he visited the court at Luthien. I was ten years old and quite surprised to see a black samurai, especially one with a Japanese name. I didn't know then that one did not have to be Japanese to embrace the code of bushido.Nor did I know that being Japanese did not automatically make one a believer in the code. I've learned much since my youth, including how to judge each man individually and to be wary of what others say about him."