Fuhito said nothing.

"Minobu is doing well for himself. His Ryuken experiment is a success. The regiments have none of the problems we face with the Procurement Department, and he has the blessing of the Bureau of Administration as well. Even here on Marfik, we felt the sting of the orders to supply the 'Mech pilots he requested when he formed the Ryuken. I had to send Chu-iSandersen from my own command lance. The Legion hasn't lost a man that way since the Genyosha was formed."

Fuhito remained silent. Theodore, wondering if he were getting through, picked up a folder from his desk. He thumbed it open and perused the contents. "I've got a slot open for a good recon lance commander, Fuhito -san,"he said casually. "Do you know of any among the transferees?"

"I have heard that Hanson is good, Tai-sa."

"Hmmm. You commanded a recon company, didn't you?"

"Hai,on Galtor. The company no longer exists."

"Tell me about it," Theodore ordered. "You may speak freely."

Fuhito hesitated a moment and then began to pour out his story. Theodore sighed inwardly. Tetsuhara- sensai'scaution had not taken deep root in this son. Despite himself, Theodore was soon caught up in Fuhito's tale of the misplaced loyalties and political infighting that had contributed to the debacle on Galtor. Warlord Yoriyoshi's ego had been bruised by the continual insults of his rival, Warlord Samsonov. When Samsonov's strategy placed Yoriyoshi and his troops in an untenable situation, the exasperated Yoriyoshi had abandoned the planet. His departure had left Samsonov facing overwhelming Davion forces and forced him to leave as well. Yoriyoshi was relieved of command and demoted, blamed for the Combine's failure and branded a coward and incompetent. A false picture, according to Fuhito. He claimed that the Warlord had known that the campaign was already lost, and had simply saved his men to fight another day. Theodore's own study of the campaign tended to confirm that assessment.

Fuhito had defended his commander, loudly, to the inquiry board. When the decision went against Yoriyoshi, Fuhito was caught in the fallout.

"I spoke from my heart, and told the truth as I saw it," Fuhito concluded. "In doing so, I made some powerful enemies. I thought they would cashier me. That's what they did to the others who spoke out."

"But now, having learned your lesson, you would act otherwise?"

"Iie, Tai-sa,"Fuhito blurted indignantly. "I have my own honor to guard."

Theodore smiled sympathetically.

"I think that you are the man to take over First Battalion's recon company. You are certified in a Griffin , Tai-i."

"Tai-i?"Fuhito repeated, puzzled. "But I was demoted to Chu-i."

"Men in the Legion find their own ranks, Tai-i.I can't have a lesser rank in command of a company."

Fuhito was clearly overjoyed for a command again, but something hid behind his joy. He hesitated, chewing on his lower lip.

"There is a problem," Theodore prompted.

"I am certified for a Griffin , Tai-sa,but 'Katana Kat,' the family Panther,was shipped to Marfik with me."

Theodore understood at once. "How can I stand in the way of family honor?"

Gratitude shone in Fuhito's face.

"But before you take the assignment, I'll want to see if you have the Tetsuhara touch in a 'Mech. Meet me on the practice field in twenty."

"Hai, Tono!"Fuhito shouted.

21

Unity Palace, Imperial City, Luthien

Pesht Military District, Draconis Combine

17 March 3028

 

Constance Kurita looked at her face in the mirror. Though she had borne the responsibilities of the Keeper of the House Honor for only four years, she felt keenly the weight of responsibility. She searched for signs that the stress was beginning to show, but found none. That's a relief,she told herself. There is no time now to hide them with cosmetics.

When the servant called her name, she made one last check of her appearance before exiting through the door he held open. Walking along the veranda of the mansion, she unconsciously smoothed the line of her kimono.

The rhythmic beat of her heavy, double-tied ponytail against her buttocks was like a metronome to help Constance calm her thoughts. Only a few years back, just the idea of a meeting with the Coordinator had filled her with apprehension. She was glad now that time had strengthened her confidence enough that she could maintain the proper inner control. She had grown in her role as the conscience of the Coordinator. Though her cousin Takashi was her elder by twenty years, he no longer treated her like a child playing at being a grown-up. He even listened to her ... sometimes.

Constance found Takashi seated in the raked gravel garden at the end of the veranda. His black senior officer's uniform blended with the basalt bench where he sat. He was meditating, gaze fixed firmly on the dwarf cryptomeria tree standing against the low bamboo fence opposite his seat. As she stepped from the wooden porch onto the first slate of the pathway, he rose and faced her, bowing a formal greeting.

"You wished to speak with me, JokanConstance," he said as she returned the bow deeper, as befitted a servant of the ruler.

"I did, Tono.Thank you for taking the time." Constance hesitated a moment in token acknowledgement of the Kurita custom of beginning all conversation with only the most insignificant preambles. She and Takashi, cousins as well as functionaries of the state, had long passed the point where they needed that formality to gauge one another's state. "I am informed that you have not forwarded an invitation to Theodore," she said, going directly to the point.

"That is correct."

"This is an important occasion, Tono.The wedding of Hanse Davion, ruler of the Federated Suns, to Melissa Steiner, Archon-Designate of the Lyran Commonwealth and heir to the throne of that state, is an unprecedented event. Every head of state in the Inner Sphere will be there. This is an invaluable chance for your heir to meet them. An unparalleled opportunity."

"He remains adamant," Takashi stated flatly. In the set of his jaw, Constance read the irritation that he kept from his voice.

"As do you," she said sadly. There had been little communication between father and son since Theodore's banishment to the Legion of Vega over three years ago. "You treat him poorly. You are the Coordinator and he is your heir. If you do not prepare him well, you fail the Dragon and the realm."

"I am well aware of my duty to the realm, Jokan"Takashi snapped. "All that I do is with the sole purpose of molding my son into the kind of leader the Combine needs. He must learn."

"Exactly my point." Constance kept her tone calm and even. "He can learn much during the wedding festivities. He can meet the rulers of the enemy states bordering our realm. And it will give him the chance to meet and take the measure of our Kapteyn Accord allies."

Takashi's stillness told Constance that her words fell on deaf ears. This was not to be one of her victories. As she bowed and turned to go, Takashi spoke again in a firm, determined voice.

"He still has things to learn on Marfik. Let him stay there and miss all the excitement."