Both men retreated to the doorway. Beyond Jones, Salome Ward came running down the hallway. "It's bad, gentlemen. They had assassins targeted for us. We got them all, but one hit Patrick." She pressed her right hand just below her left breast. "Lung is collapsed."
"Assassins?" Dan turned to Cat. "What the hell is going on here?"
Cat narrowed his dark eyes to shards of obsidian. "Payback. The Dragon never forgets."
Dan's jaw dropped open. "That means . . ."
Salome nodded. "The Panthersare three klicks out and coming strong."
47
Styx
Dieron Military District, Draconis Combine
25 May 3027
Melissa adjusted the headset and brought the microphone into line with her mouth. She reached out over the computer-generated holograph of the mining facility and touched a glowing spot burning in the northern end of the third level above the command center. "Report, Able three."
"The seismic records remain constant. Looks like a drilling decoy. We'll report if anything changes. Able three out."
Melissa nodded, then glanced over at Clovis. "Able three is negative." When she turned to look up at Andrew, some strands of her golden hair drifted through the laser construct of the base. "What do you think?"
Andrew stared down at the holographic model. The command core rose from top to bottom of the planetoid like an axle. Each of the six levels had corridors radiating out like the spokes of a wheel from the command core. Each of the spokes dissolved into a tangle of smaller tunnels drawn in green to indicate that they were approximations of what existed.
Andrew pointed down at the green mazes. "These maps make no sense."
Clovis turned to him and growled. "They make sense if you're tunneling after a vein of ore."
"Well, they look like Medusa-hair to me." Andrew sighed heavily. "We know where they're likely to have the decoys, which means they'll probably try two or three sites, like the private docking bay down on Echo level." He frowned. " 'Mechs would assault the large docking bay and come right in here. I don't know where else to suggest."
Melissa slammed her fist into the table. "Dammit, Andrew! Don't give me that. You may not be a jump infantry commander, but you went to a damned military academy. I know what they teach our men in the Commonwealth. Now you use what you learned at the Warriors Hall!"
Andrew whirled, his face a study in anger and frustration. "That's the problem, your Highness. I'm a MechWarrior. I think like a MechWarrior. Give me a 'Mech even just a Locust,and I'll deal with those ISF troops myself. Arrggghhh ..." Andrew's hands bunched into fists and he looked around for something to punch.
Melissa shivered. "You're a warrior, with or without a machine, Andrew. Be true to yourself, and share your thoughts with me."
Andrew closed his eyes and forcefully uncurled his fists. "I apologize. You're right." He even made himself chuckle. "I guess the difference between MechWarriors and Jumpboys is just in the size of their toys."
He returned to the diagram and pointed out two other spots. "There—by the galley on Baker, and here on this level, just down the hall at the recreation center."
Melissa turned and watched as Clovis used his computers to search out information to confirm or deny Andrew's guesses. Looking back at Captain von Breunig and Erik Mahler standing by the door, she wondered, How can these people trust me so much? Those two appointed themselves my bodyguards as soon as I told them my real name.
When she'd confessed her real identity, Melissa had expected the hijackers to immediately radio the incoming ISF ship so that they could barter her life for theirs. She'd realized, as she listened to the discussion, that she would die, no matter what. Her sacrifice, she hoped, would save the others.
Danica Holstein had immediately begged Melissa's forgiveness for what they'd almost done. "We are Heimdall, your Highness. We could never harm you."
With that admission, and the plethora of data Clovis coaxed from his computer, Danica, Andrew, Captain von Breunig, and Melissa had managed to puzzle out the reasoning behind the kidnapping. "Having you vanish from a Davion world would sour the relations between our realms," Andrew concluded. "I can only assume that there are factions on both sides who would gain from such a turn of events."
Danica Holstein agreed with a curt nod. "Lestrade," she whispered in a razor-sharp voice. "Aldo Lestrade."
Those present when Melissa had made herself known were sworn to secrecy. The rest of the passengers received vague rumors of an important Steiner envoy among their number. The Heimdall members living in the planetoid were informed of the truth, however, which served to heighten their fervor to fight. Clovis said it best: "Your father was Heimdall. So are you."
A voice buzzing in Melissa's ear shocked her out of remembrances. "Yes, Echo One," she said. "Go ahead."
"Sensors indicate a slow leak of atmosphere from the small bay. Shall we seal the tunnel?"
Melissa looked at the diagram glowing in front of her. "Don't blow it. Back to Echo Two's checkpoint and get that trap ready. After it fires, blow the explosives and seal the tunnel."
"Roger. Echo One out."
Melissa smiled at the dwarf. "Evacuate all non-essential personnel into the Silver Eagle."He nodded and complied with the order. Everyone present knew that the Kurita forces would not willingly harm either a JumpShip or Dropship, and so they moved all bystanders into them. Machines are more valuable than people,Melissa realized with a start. It makes no sense.
Just then, Andrew and Mahler began to strap a pistol belt around her waist. Melissa straightened up and protested. "No, I won't have it."
"Ja, you will." Mahler tugged the belt snug around her waist. "All commanders must wear a weapon. It is the only way."
Andrew picked up an autorifle and a satchel full of clips. "See you later, your Highness."
Melissa froze him with an icy gray stare. "Where are you going?"
Andrew shrugged. "You're going to be moving your fire teams into position soon. You said it yourself—I'm a warrior, and I've got to be true to myself. I thought I'd go down and add my firepower to one of the teams. Team Tiger is light one gun."
"You can't leave me here ..." Dammit, Andrew, I need you.She looked at him and swallowed hard. "I need your thinking."
Andrew shook his head and ran a hand through his short brown hair. "Between you, Clovis, and Erik, everything will be under control."
Melissa shook her head. How can you leave me in charge? I've never commanded anything before. You make me responsible for over 750 people on a rock in the middle of hostile space.She narrowed her eyes and pleaded silently with the MechWarrior.
Andrew set down his rifle and crossed back to her. He rested his hands on her shoulders and squeezed gently but firmly. "Remember what we spoke about that night of the reception on Tharkad? This is what responsibility feels like. These people believe in you, and they're willing to die for you. You can't question why they're doing that. You just have to accept their sacrifice."
Andrew pointed to the holograph. "Use what you know so that their sacrifice can mean something. If you do nothing, if you fall apart, they'll die for nothing." He tipped her face up with his right hand. "I know you can do it. Just the organization of the defense was brilliant."