Warrior: En Garde

The host seated himself between the two combatants, clipped a microphone to his lapel, and smiled directly into the holovision camera as the red light above its muzzle flashed to life. "Welcome, sports fans, to 'Pregame Palaver,' the program that brings you the combatants before the battle. I'm your host, Kevin Johnson, and we have quite a show for you tonight."

The host turned toward Philip Capet. "On my left is Philip Capet, the current reigning champion in the Open Class of warfare here on Solaris. You've all seen him fight many times before.

He's got a double-dozen kills to his credit in the arenas, and even more in his military career. Glad to have you here, Philip.”

“My pleasure, Kevin."

Johnson turned toward Justin. "And here we have Justin Xiang. He's a newcomer, but his rise has been impressive, to say the least. He's fought seven times and killed every opponent he's faced. Those of you keeping track know that those have all been kills of warriors from the Federated Suns. None have escaped him or his Centurion,the Yen-lo-wang.Welcome aboard, Justin."

"Zao,Kevin. I am honored."

Kevin smiled again at the camera. "We'll continue with these two warriors in a minute, but first a word from your LCAF recruiter."

The red light on the camera faded, and Johnson's smile went with it. "O.K., you two. Let's make this entertaining. Got it?" He glanced down at his clipboard. "When we come back, we do a taped piece on Capet's background, and then one on you, Justin. After a brief piece about the Kurita arena, I'll go into the live interview. Watch the language."

He turned toward Justin. "As our final question, I'll ask what you're fighting in tonight."

Justin shook his head. "My contract does not require that I reveal the identity of my machine."

Johnson shrugged, seeing the show's producer wave at him. "On the mark, Kevin," the man said. "Bring the Ishiyama construct up."

Johnson levered himself out of his seat and crossed to where a black "X" had been painted on the floor. A camera closed in on him and a holographic image of the Kurita arena, Ishiyama—or Stone Mountain—materialized in front of Johnson. "Built twenty years ago, this arena in the center of the Kobe District of Solaris City is one of the most popular with fight fans. Its 'Mech-scale tu

Johnson turned to Capet. "Philip, you've fought inside Ishiyama before."

Capet nodded. "That's right, Kevin. Eight months back, I faced two Stingersand a Pantherin the labyrinth. It was a long battle, but they made a classic mistake. Instead of working together, they split up. I picked them off one at a time."

Johnson nodded, then turned to Justin. "Justin, what are your thoughts about fighting in the Ishiyama for the first time?"

Justin smiled. "I feel quite confident. The labyrinth benefits a tactician, which no one has ever accused Capet of being .. ."

"I've got a surprise or two for you, Xiang!" Capet stood quickly and thrust a finger at his foe. "You may believe yourself my superior in combat, but I've learned many things here on Solaris . . ."

Justin steepled his fingers and sat back. "Have you learned not to blunder into ambushes, Philip?"

Capet shook his head. A camera swung around to get a better shot of his face. "What you did to Armstrong, you will not do to me."

Justin looked up. "I was hardly thinking of that incident, Philip. I referred to Uravan."

A cry of inarticulate rage bubbled from Capet's throat, but Johnson crossed back quickly and interposed himself between the two MechWarriors. He shoved Capet roughly back, then made the mistake of turning to smile at the camera. Capet's punch caught him in the jaw and snapped his head around. Johnson sank to the studio floor without a sound.

Capet straddled the unconscious commentator, but he stared at Justin. "You will be dead, Xiang. Not because I will win the fight, not because my nation demands your death, but because I want to see you dead!" Capet ripped the microphone free of his cooling vest and stalked off the set.

* * *

Justin let the a

"Yeah."

"How's the jaw?"

Kevin's voice dropped to a low growl. "Hard to describe, Karl, but if you really want to know, maybe we can get Philip Capet to hit you after the fight."

Justin laughed as the a

The green light on his command console flared to life. Justin smiled as the doors before him slid open and the holo-vision camera across the tu

Kevin Johnson's voice filled the cockpit. "Well, Karl, do you see that? Xiang's using a Rifleman,just like Capet! This will make for an interesting match. Let's see if we can focus in on the crest there on the 'Mech's chest."

Yes, Kevin, do that. I'm sure your viewers will love it.

"Blake's Blood," Johnson blurted.

"What is it, Kevin?" Karl gasped. "The logo looks like a cartoon ghost to me, with a set of crosshairs surrounding it."

"That Riflemanbelonged to Gray Noton," Johnson replied in a low tone. "Xiang chose it specially for its name."

"Which is?"

Johnson laughed coldly. "Legend-killer. "

Justin killed the commentary and stepped the Riflemanout into the corridor. He turned the ponderous 'Mech to the left and headed up the slight incline. The naturally smooth surfaces of the tu

As Justin reached the far end of the tu

It led up into darkness. As Justin switched over to infrared sca

At that point, Justin paused. He saw that the whole left side of this level section of the tu

Justin looked up as the IR display revealed red tendrils coiling lazily up through the air at the tu