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"Perhaps not. But there can be evil in the way it is used."
"Also in the uses of a sword, my friend. A sword drawn in evil cause is no more virtuous than a dagger used likewise." She stopped, faced him, and placed one hand on his arm. "Can you seriously believe that Hanse is evil?"
Ardan leaned against the straight bole of a tree and gazed across the water. After a moment, he bent to pick up a pebble and skipped it across the smooth expanse.
"No, not really. But misguided...that I can say. Seriously so."
Sep sighed. A real hardhead was her friend Ardan. But at least she had given him something to think about. She skipped a pebble of her own.
"After you have gone," she said sofdy, "if there should ever be need, call for me. I will come, no matter where it might be. I have a feeling, Ardan. Something is in the wind. Something strange. Take care."
He nodded without speaking. They stood together and watched the light fade from the sky, leaving the lake a black mirror studded with stars.
5
To his surprise, Ardan slept deeply after saying goodbye to his friends, though he knew the next day would be filled with stress. There would be strategy sessions with the commanders of the strike force being sent from New Avalon, and decisions to be made about which 'Mech units to transfer from Dragon's Field, Hamlin, and Ral to support the invasion of the occupied world, Stein's Folly.
He would see Sep and Jarlik and the others again, but they would have no time for talk...or for sentiment. Probably a good thing, too. The more he realized how deeply he valued his comrades, the harder it became to leave them behind.
Just after early workout, Ardan received a summons to the Palace. He had dreaded seeing Hanse again, although knowing it was necessary. The counterinvasion of Stein's Folly was not going to be easy, and the pla
Ardan found Hanse already in the war room with Ran Felsner, who had been, until very recently, commander of the Royal Guard. A formidable warrior and strategist, Felsner seemed a good choice for this sticky assignment
Before his appointment to the command of Davion's Royal Brigade, Ardan had served under Felsner as a battalion commander in the 17th Avalon Hussars. Indeed, they both had good reason to remember the last time they had fought together, four years before in the battle for Tripoli, a Davion/Kurita border world. It was then that the two had become friends as well as comrades. Ardan had led his unit in a daring raid that turned the tide of battle in Davion's favor. Having thus distinguished himself as a tactical commander, Ardan was promoted to his current position with the Brigade. Ran, in turn, had been promoted to Brigadier as a result of the campaign's success.
Ardan greeted him, made the ritual obeisance to the Prince, and nodded to Lees Hamman, who would, no doubt, be second-in-command of the attack group. Hanse motioned Ardan to approach the table over which they pored.
It was one of the rare 3-D holotables that allowed one to plot planetary orbits, approaches of ships, space debris... anything that was programmable into the computers. You could also adapt it to reflect the details of an ongoing battle, if you were able to keep the programs abreast with reports from all parts of the field.
A useful item, indeed, and one that could be of great help to Davion. Progress reports from the field would be made through ComStar each day, though Ardan knew they would probably have to send a ship out to a station at some nearby Davion-held world until Stein's Folly could be retaken.
Ardan leaned beside Felsner, gazing into the depths of the table. Points of light representing JumpShips made erratic skips between the orange lights that were the worlds lying between New Avalon and Stein's Folly. Ardan pinpointed Argyle, site of Hanse's Summer Palace. He had joined the Prince there on many a long holiday, both before and after his friend's accession to the throne. The other worlds blinking on the dark pseudospace background had to beVincent, New Cleveland, Emerson...yes...He had visited those, too.
Hanse touched a button, and a portion of the tabletop expanded to give a close-up view of the most distant range.
"We will use Dragon's Field as a staging area, because it is nearest our objective. The whole planet is surrounded by a cloud blanket that should shield much of our activity from any enemy probes or spyships. We can ready our assault force in fair safety, before committing them to the Drop-Ships for transport." He looked about the group. "Any questions?"
Ardan cleared his throat. "Being a latecomer to the mission, I'd like to know a couple of things. First, what size force will be going all the way from New Avalon? And second, is there any word so far on the size and capacities of the occupying army on Stein's Folly?"
Hanse looked at Lees, who glanced at the readout on his side of the table. "A relatively small group will make the entire trip from here to Stein's Folly—one company, in fact. We, our 'Mechs, our Techs, and our weapons and supplies will go straight through on the Command Circuit"
"One company? To fight a war?" Ardan was puzzled.
"Never fear, Ardan," said Hanse. "The 5th Crucis Lancers is already on Dragon's Field, and Felsner will command them. You'll command the 17th Avalon Hussars, which are on their way now...And my brother-in-law Michael has graciously agreed to loan us one regiment of his Capellan March Militia, which Lees will command." Ticking off items with his fingers, he went on, "To the 'Mech forces, we've added three regiments of armored vehicles, two regiments of infantry, and two regiments of AeroSpace Fighters. By the time we have everything in order for your departure, they'll be very close to their objective. We've been pla
Felsner cleared his throat, interrupting his leader. "Is there anything else we need to think through before begi
Hanse looked about at the others. His expression was inscrutable, but Ardan sensed that he was sad deep within and less confident than he seemed.
"There will be a messenger in from the staging world tonight. Tomorrow, we will hear his report. At that time, we will decide any other matters that may come up. But for now, I mink it's time to put things in motion."
He turned to Ardan. "Tomorrow we will also get the latest word on the size of the force occupying the Folly. So far, our estimates are that Liao has stationed at least three to five regiments to hold Stein's Folly and Redfield. He has other problems elsewhere, however, and has withdrawn some of the original assault force to cope with those. We're watching closely, though, and by tomorrow should know as much as we can about what we're up against."
Felsner, Hamman, and Ardan saluted and turned to go, but Hanse caught Ardan's elbow as he passed. "Wait a moment, Dan. I'd like a word with you."
Ardan stopped obediently, though feeling a surge of resentment. It had already been too difficult A repetition of that last scene with his old friend would be simply too much.
Hanse, however, was staring absently into the holo-table. "I hate to see you go," he said, "but you are a MechWarrior, and it's fitting. What I hate worse is to see you leave in bitterness and anger." He lifted his head to look into Ardan's eyes. "You can't live with the thought of those agents provocateurs, can you?
"No." The answer was too blunt but Ardan saw no way to soften it "No, I ca