Kamekura nodded silently and withdrew quietly. Thoughts and plans ran riot in his head, then slowly congealed into a masterstroke of brilliance. I need a victory to prove how worthy I am of a real command. Without theVictor, myPanthers can deal with those enemy 'Mechs. Especially if the jump troops can infiltrate the base and demolish the Kell Hounds barracks.
He breathed in to call his aid, Chu-iBokuden Oguchi, but the man materialized out of the gloom as though summoned by thought alone. Kamekura controlled an involuntary shiver. "Oguchi-kun, the strike force is scheduled to arrive here on 25 May, correct?"
"Hai,Kamekura-sama." The man hesitated, then added, "Planet-fall is expected 27 May. We strike three different agcenters that morning to draw the Kell Hounds away, and then the strike force lands on them like a hammer."
A sly grin tightened Kamekura's thin lips. "Imagine instead,
Oguchi-kun, our launching a surprise attack on the Kell Hound barracks during the early darkness on 26 May. We destroy their barracks facilities with explosives and have our infantry slay any MechWarriors who survive to try to make it to their 'Mechs."
Oguchi nodded enthusiastically. "Luthien would surely reward such forward thinking. Bold strokes make the Dragon happy. The capture of everything the Kell Hounds have taken from us would please the Coordinator even more than the mere destruction of the mercenary scum."
Kamekura smiled openly. "Oguchi-kun, from your lips to the Dragon's ears."
30
Solaris VII (The Game World)
Rahneshire, Lyran Commonwealth
20 April 3027
Justin stared at the screen in Gray Noton's Valhalla alcove. Sweat pasted black locks to his brow and trickled down to wet his lips with its saltiness. Though he desperately wanted to look away, he could not force himself to do so. "Rewind and show it again." His voice, barely raised above a fearful whisper, sounded like the sibilant murmuring of a madman.
The screen images blurred, then focused themselves into a Riflemanblazing away madly at an Ostroc. Yes, the headlessOstroc circles as I did in myValkyrie. The Riflemanslowly spun and tried to bring his autocannons into line with the running 'Mech as it paced around Steiner Stadium. Autocannon slugs churned the dirt behind the Ostrocas the pilot loosed flight after flight of SRMs at the Rifleman.
Justin stiffened as a phantom rose from his memory, raking sharp talons across his consciousness. "Slow motion!" He snarled the command, half to make the computer obey and half to force himself to sit through it again. The Riflemansnapped its recoiless arms up and around, just as had the Riflemanon Kittery! The ' Mech pivoted back at the waist and scythed its deadly fire through the Ostroc'slegs.
Sepulchral fingers walked their way up Justin's spine. He looked down at his left hand ... or where it should have been. He licked his lips and swallowed past the desert dryness in his throat. Trembling like a child, he stared at the screen and the logo painted on the Rifleman'sbroad breast. The name echoed unceasingly through his brain. Legend-killer.
* * *
Gray Noton looked up as Justin sank into the Typhoon's seat beside him. He looks as though he's been through hell!"Hey," Gray said. "Are you all right?"
Justin nodded woodenly, then something sparked in his eyes and he let himself smile. "Sure, no problem. I'm just a bit anxious about this fight."
Gray mirrored Justin's smile and punched the vehicle's ignition code into the dash console. "Did the tapes tell you anything about Wolfson?"
Justin shrugged casually. "Enough. He doesn't mind running his 'Mech a bit hot. Actually, I reviewed fights featuring Riflemen.You were pretty good, Gray."
Easy.Noton forced himself to smile despite the pain ripping through his stomach. He concentrated on navigating his way from Silesia before he answered. "I did my share. I always liked fighting in a Rifleman."He looked toward Justin, but the MechWarrior was staring straight ahead.
Justin finally nodded slowly and turned back toward Noton. "I don't know if you're aware of it, but I lost my forearm in a fight with one."
Gray stiffened. "No, I wasn't aware of that. All I remember them talking about at the trial was an UrbanMech."He steered around to the barricades and sent the Typhoon into Cathay.
Justin laughed harshly. "Vitios probably thought up that little piece of fiction all by himself. It was a Rifleman,all right, and one piloted by a very good warrior. Someone told Wolfson I'd have reason to fear a Rifleman,so that's what he chose for the fight. Bad choice."
Noton frowned, telling himself to be careful. "Why's that? You're fighting in the Cathay arena. In that jungle, the firepower that the Riflemanpacks will be helpful. That machine's monster, with its ACs over large lasers in the arms and medium lasers on the torso." Noton smiled. "I know because I sent enough 'Mechs to the scrap heap ..."
Justin's eyes narrowed. "True enough, Gray, but jungle will make target acquisition difficult. The pilot that took my left arm was good. Even as good as you if you're still up to your game vids. But Wolfson's a kid with a hate on for me. He'll make a mistake."
Noton turned and looked hard at Justin. "Just remember this, my friend. Yen-lo-wangis really only packing one weapon. I don't count the lasers or that modification to the Centurion'sleft hand. If your autocannon goes out, you're in trouble. And Wolfson's not going to let you punch out."
Noton slid the Typhoon down the ramp beneath the Liao Arena and Park. He released the passenger door, which rose up to let Justin out. Justin turned before alighting, and rested his left hand on Noton's shoulder. "I appreciate the warning, Gray. And while you and Kym are up there in Tsen Shang's box enjoying the battle, don't go betting against me."
* * *
Justin settled the neurohelmet over his head. One by one, he plucked the 'Mech's quartet of connector wires from his dead left hand and snapped them into the helmet's sockets. As the neural receptors pressed against his skull, the sound of his breathing filled the helmet's confining closeness. He shut his eyes and forced himself to forget the fear he'd felt while watching the fights in Noton's alcove.
This isn't Kittery, Justin, and Billy Wolfson is not Gray Noton.The second that thought formed itself in his mind, he suddenly realized that he'd discovered the identity of the MechWarrior who had maimed him. No,he told himself. Don't think about it now. There'll be time later, much later. Dwell on it now, and Billy Wolfson will kill you, no matter how clumsy he is. Use your anger, but against Wolfson first.
"Pattern check. Justin Xiang." Anger seeped into his voice, though the computer neither noticed nor cared. His nostrils flared as he remembered Wolfson calling him a "slant" and a "bastard." You're going to die for those remarks, Billy Wolfson, and I'll spit on your grave.