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  Rose closed to within sixty meters of the Thor before the Clan 'Mech slowly brought up its left arm. In his heart Rose knew he was dead. The other warrior was so slow and deliberate with his aim that it was obvious he had something up his metal sleeve and that Rose had just run full speed into it. Veins already filled with adrenaline received another jolt as Rose's heart leaped to his throat. Gritting his teeth against the pain to come, Rose risked all and did what he hoped was the last thing the Thor expected.

  As the Thor's left arm autocannon fired, the Shootist dove to the ground. Explosive shells screamed over Rose's head as his 'Mech slid face-first into the rocks and dirt. The Shootist jumped and bounced toward the Thor, pushing dirt forward and digging a furrow in the ground. His armor bent and popped free as the sliding movement ground away metal and over-stressed the seams. Over his head, Rose could hear the high-pitched whine of the autocannon as the Thor released an impossibly long burst. Never had he heard so many shells discharged in such a short time.

  Rose rolled over onto his left side and fired his large laser. At such short range the Thor filled his targeting screen. Not waiting to see where he hit, Rose continued the movement and brought the Shootist to a standing position.

  The Thor's shoulder-mounted missile tube opened fire for the first time as Rose fired his large laser. Autocannon shells passed missiles in flight as the two pilots tried to bring their other weapons to bear. Explosions ripped the right torso of the Thor as the large laser breached armor and chewed through the insides. Rose meanwhile noted more damage to the Shootist's already-abused torso. Without thinking, he charged the Thor, keeping well away from the left arm and the weapon it carried.

  As another volley of missiles tore away what armor remained on his 'Mech's torso, Rose slammed into the Thor, rocking forward against the restraining straps as the two 'Mechs collided. His left shoulder actuator failed as it was crushed between the two 'Mechs. He concentrated on keeping the Shootist's legs moving as the Thor punched into his left side with its single fist. The Shootist shook from the impact, but Rose continued to push against the Thor. A second punch tore through the barrel of his autocannon, but Rose finally succeeded in overbalancing the OmniMech. As the Thor fell it pulled out what little remained of the laser, sending sparks into the night and lighting their duel for all the remaining warriors to see.

  From behind, the Fenris fired its PPC into the center of the Shootist's back. The armor disappeared under the shot's power, but none of the energy managed to reach the 'Mech's insides. Pushed by the force of the blast, Rose stumbled up the ridge. Half-crawling, half-running, he scrambled for the crest where the rest of his unit remained in position.

  Reaching it, Rose was stunned by the carnage around him. Jenkins' Thug had been torn apart by missile fire and PPC blasts, and lay face down closest to Rose. Smoke and steam poured from holes in its back, partially obscuring the fire that raged within the center torso. Rose could feel the heat from fifty meters away.

  Hopper's Crab remained standing next to the headless form of Batteil's Black Knight. Scarred and eventually destroyed by laser fire, the 'Mech held one of the Dashers in its remaining claw.

  Rose crossed the hilltop and headed down the far side of the ridge toward the sound of weapon fire. Tiegard was evidently still alive, but her 'Mech was not transmitting an IFF signal. As he ran through rocks and the debris of fallen 'Mechs, he knew his unit had given a good accounting of itself. For the first time since cresting the ridge he glanced down at his control panel to get a fix on the Fenris trailing him, then remembered he'd keyed off the comm unit. He slapped down on the receive switch and cursed himself. His unit had died without him.

  "Tiegard, hang on. I'm coming!" Rose fought against the shame that welled inside him and concentrated on reaching Tiegard. Rounding a single large boulder, he discovered her Highlander surrounded by three Clan 'Mechs. Her back to an outcropping, she prepared her last stand. The Highlander's right arm had been destroyed below the shoulder. What little remained trailed sparks and fluid as the 'Mech moved. In her left arm she held the broken remains of an OmniMech's arm. Battered beyond recognition, it could have come from any of the Omnis Rose had seen destroyed on the ridge.

  "I'm here, Tiegard! Hold on!" Rose continued forward as the nearest OmniMech turned to face him. The undamaged Mad Cat squared off against the battered Shootist, daring Rose to approach.

  "Forget it, Adept. I'm already dead. The engine shielding is all but gone. The radiation's already killed me, my body just doesn't know it yet."

  "Then we'll die together."

  "No! You've got to live. You've got to live for the others, and for me." The 'Mech nearest the Highlander, a Man O'War, started forward as a Thor kept Rose covered. Tiegard brought the club arm over her head and waited.

  "We all knew you'd be the one to live. Now do it. Don't throw your life away for ours. We're already dead." Another light on the tactical comm unit went green. The reinforcements were near, but still too far away for Rose and Tiegard. The Mad Cat took a cautious step forward. Rose bit back tears.

  "I can't do it."

  "You can, Adept sir, and you will. For us." The Man O'War stepped within range, but the club did not fall. Tiegard stepped away from the rocks, renewing the shower of sparks. In the light Rose could see dark fluid shilling out of a destroyed leg actuator.

  "You have to live for me, for Jenkins, for Morressy, for all of us who will never leave this world alive." The Man O'War lunged forward and rammed a fist into the Highlander's torso. The 'Mech's skeleton collapsed around the fist, trapping it inside as the engine shields failed completely. In a burst of flame that sent a column of flame ninety meters into the air, the Highlander and the Man O'War disappeared.

  The concussion passed over Rose, staggering him, but he refused to let his 'Mech fall. The Mad Cat stumbled forward, fighting to bring his guns into line. Across the flame-engulfed clearing, Rose could see the flattened Thor also on fire. It thrashed in the dirt, trying unsuccessfully to douse the flames that covered it. Rose fired on the Mad Cat while, behind him, the Thor and the Fenris appeared along the same trail he had taken.

  Rose looked past the Mad Cat to the pyre that marked the passing of Tiegard and the rest of his unit. Illuminated by the blaze, he could see the approaching Com Guard reinforcements, but they were still too far away. As the Thor and the Mad Cat fired, Rose slapped the ejection button.

  The Shootist collapsed in on itself as explosive slugs tore through the torso from the rear and PPC beams engulfed the front. The cockpit soared above the destruction of its old body, and landed at the base of the ridge well away from the Clan OmniMechs and the advancing Com Guard troops.

  When the rescue team found him, Rose was already out of the cockpit and ready to go, his pistol in one hand and a stack of letters in the other.

  15

  Solaris City, Solaris

  9 August 3054

  Rose stopped pacing and turned away from Carstairs.

  "So much for my story." He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, surprised at how deeply it had affected him to relive the events of that night. Having regained some of his composure, he turned back to Carstairs.

  "Now that my debt to you is discharged, I'll be leaving. Fate willing, I'll never see you again, Mister Carstairs." Rose turned to the door as Carstairs swung his feet off the couch.

  "You seem to be in an awful big hurry to get away, Rose." Rose looked back at the stablemaster, but kept moving toward the door.

  "Suppose I were to tell you that I could get you a better 'Mech?" Rose stopped with his hand on the knob.

  "Thought that might get your attention," Carstairs said, crossing the room to the bar to begin pouring yet another drink. Rose had long ago lost count of the number poured, but the bottle was nearly dry.

  "Why would you do that?" Rose kept his hand on the door pull, torn between leaving and the improbable lure of acquiring another 'Mech. Carstairs chuckled.

  "Despite what you think, Rose
, I'm a businessman. You strike me as a person who would willingly pay my asking price for a certain 'Mech I recently acquired."

  Carstairs slipped a hand into his waistband and rocked on his heels. He grinned and gazed at Rose with bloodshot eyes.

  "Too good to be true. Bye, Carstairs." Rose threw open the door.

  "It's the Charger," the stablemaster said as Rose waved and walked through the closing door. "It's already been retrofitted." At that Rose shot his hand back into the closing gap between door and frame. He slowly pushed the door open again and looked at Carstairs.

  "What's the catch?" Rose came back into the room and let the door close behind him. He knew that he was probably playing the fool. If the Charger really were available, it was bound to be a wreck.

  "No catch. You pay me the price, it's yours. I could use the cash to buy 'Mechs and pilots better suited to my style." Carstairs crossed back to the couch and collapsed with a sigh. He swung his feet up and pointed his drink at Rose. "You don't believe I'm serious."

  "You are very perceptive." Rose remained near the door, suddenly unwilling to approach Carstairs. He felt like the fabled fly at the edge of the spider's web.

  "Six, in C-bills." Rose offered, slumping slightly as the tension drained from his shoulders. The man was drunk and he could not help but laugh.

  "Three and your helmet," Carstairs said, and Rose stopped laughing.

  "Not a prayer."

  Carstairs waved his hand, flinging liquor across the room. "Then I was right. That suitcase had your neurohelmet, and a good one."

  Rose turned to leave. His Star League neurohelmet was priceless and Carstairs knew it.

  "Four and the flight suit." Rose stopped again.

  "Three-five in D-bills and the suit."

  "Three-eight in C-bills."

  "Three-seven in D-bills."

  "Three-eight in C-bills, my final offer."

  "We finish the deal right now," Rose said.

  "Done."

  "I've got a call to make." Rose crossed the room with long strides and punched into Carstairs' comm unit. "Yeah, it's me, Sandler," he said. Carstairs shot Rose a quick look, but Rose had already turned away. Although the stablemaster strained to hear, Rose's muffled voice didn't carry to the couch. In less than a minute Rose hit the disconnect.

  "A messenger is on the way. You'll have to let him in."

  "Not a problem." Carstairs eased out of the couch and crossed to his desk, brushing Rose away as he settled into the chair.

  "What about the title for commercial transport?" Rose leaned over Carstairs' shoulder as he unlocked the center drawer.

  "It arrived from the arena ten minutes before you did." Carstairs pulled a tamper-proof folder from the drawer and keyed the thumbprint lock. He looked up at Rose, shielding the contents with his body. "Where's the suit?"

  "I'll get it, you finish the transfer." Rose rounded the desk and headed for the door. "And don't forget my messenger. He'll probably be here before I get back." Carstairs waved him away without looking up.

  Twenty minutes later Rose was back at Carstairs Stables, a duffel bag over one shoulder. As he arrived, a Voltex Cruiser pulled up next to him and the window rolled down. From his office, Carstairs could see a slim hand reach out to hand Rose a plastic envelope, which quickly disappeared inside the Mech Warrior's jacket. As the unseen driver released the envelope, the car slipped into gear and disappeared into the night.

  When Rose returned to the office, he had the envelope in one hand and the duffel bag in the other.

  "A certified draft for three point eight million in C-bills. And one slightly used flight suit." Rose dropped the envelope on Carstair's desk and pulled out the flight suit, which he tossed onto the couch. "One title, please."

  Carstairs leaned back from the desk and pushed a two-page document toward Rose.

  "Your name and your thumb on the left. Mine are already on the right." Rose threw the still-bulky duffel over his shoulder and scrawled his name illegibly with the proffered pen. Tossing the pen back onto the desk, he pressed his left thumb firmly against the indicated box on the page. The paper warmed slightly, but nothing registered. If necessary, the print could be checked under ultraviolet light.

  Carstairs separated the pages with deliberate slowness as Rose tried to wait patiently. He examined the second copy and handed it to Rose, who also studied it briefly.

  "You don't read your contracts?"

  "Only if I think it's necessary." Rose folded the title and tucked it inside his jacket. "You wouldn't cross me, you're a businessman."

  "But what if I did?" Carstairs grinned as he slipped the paper into a desk drawer. "What would you do? I could have an assassin waiting just outside this door."

  "In that case, Lieutenant Viets would arrive to find you trying to dispose of my body."

  "Lieutenant Viets?"

  "Of the Federated Commonwealth's police department in the Black Hills. She's a friend of mine."

  "You're bluffing."

  "And you're just speculating. You're a businessman, remember?"

  Outside, an abused Hermes Rover pulled up to the curb. "I believe my ride is here," Rose said, turning toward the window as a small woman got out of the car and leaned against the open door.

  "What about your new 'Mech? How are you going to get it to the spaceport?"

  "I've already called the arena and informed them of the new owner. They'll be more than happy to have the 'Mech transported to the spaceport for a fee. It made room in the 'Mech bay."

  "All right, Rose, you win. Just humor me. Where'd you get the money?"

  "Where does anybody on this God-forsaken planet get money? I bet on the games." Rose opened the office door and paused. "I bet every C-bill I had on Jeremiah Rose to survive the match."

  * * *

  An hour later Rose waved goodbye to Lieutenant Viets and looked up at the ugly apartment building Badicus O'Shea called home. He was lucky Viets had recognized him as he was trying to flag down a cab and agreed to be his temporary chauffeur. Mama always said it was better to be lucky than good, he thought, and Mama was probably right. He climbed the three flights that led to O'Shea's apartment and knocked on the reinforced door. Halfway through the third knock, the door flew open, revealing the expressive face of Badicus O'Shea.

  "Who's this banging on the door at all hours of the night?" O'Shea demanded. His full beard hid countless lines and wrinkles, but Rose knew they were all lines of laughter, not worry.

  "My name is ..."

  "Jeremiah Rose." Esmeralda peeked around Badicus and looked Rose up and down with cold disdain.

  "So you're the one?" Without waiting for an answer, Badicus grabbed Rose by the front of the jacket and pulled him inside the small apartment. With a flick of his wrist he sent Rose sailing into the couch at the far end of the room. Rose started to stand, but O'Shea did not press what Rose had initially interpreted as an attack. Instead the big man pushed the door shut, and jumped onto the other end of the couch. Rose's end rippled in reaction to the weight on the opposite side, but the creaking frame seemed immune to O'Shea's casual abuse.

  "It looked like you knew your business out there today," O'Shea said, glancing back and forth between Rose and Esmeralda, who was standing behind O'Shea. Rose shrugged and raised his hands slightly.

  "Of course, that axe almost got you. Too bad I wasn't there. The blow would have missed me clean." Esmeralda snorted and flopped onto the only other piece of furniture in the room, a threadbare reclining chair.

  "That axe would have taken your head off at the shoulders, O'Shea, and I'd be making funeral arrangements right now. I've never seen anyone react that quickly to an attack." Uncomfortable silence filled the room as O'Shea and Esmeralda stared at Rose.

  "I wanted to return this to you." Rose reached into his duffel bag and pulled out a cloth-wrapped package. He reached over and handed it to O'Shea.

  "I'm sorry about what I was forced to do to you, Badicus O'Shea. I let my desire override my bette
r sense and I apologize."

  O'Shea unwrapped the package and discovered his laser pistol. "I thought I'd lost her," he said, handling the Sunbeam almost lovingly, examining it minutely as if for the first time.

  "It was so beautifully cared for that I knew how much it meant to you. Again, I'm sorry." O'Shea looked up from his pistol and back at Rose.

  "Well, this doesn't exactly make up for what you did to me, Rose, but I'm glad to have her back. Essy can tell you, I'm not much good at holding a grudge."

  "That's a damn lie. He remembers everything."

  "From what I understand, you saved my life."

  "I warned you about that tramp, O'Shea, but oh no." Esmeralda rolled her eyes and shook her head. O'Shea did his best to look chastised, but with little success. Again the room was silent for a long moment before Esmeralda spoke.

  "Tell us, Mister Rose, why are you here tonight?" Rose saw the challenge in her eyes, just as earlier in the day. This time he was ready.

  "Two reasons. First, I wanted to apologize to O'Shea and return his property. Second, I wanted to offer you a contract." Esmeralda's eyes flared, but she said nothing. Badicus shot a look at her, then turned to Rose.

  "What do you mean, a contract?"

  "In just over sixteen hours I'll be leaving this dustball, hopefully never to return. I'm heading to the Dragoons' world of Outreach to put together a mercenary unit to fight the Clans. I'm going to need a lance commander, and I wanted to offer the job to Esmeralda." O'Shea regarded Rose with an open mouth. Esmeralda remained perfectly still.

  "What about my 'Mech?"

  "You have your own 'Mech?" Rose was shocked. He hadn't considered the possibility.

  "Whose 'Mech do you think I took into the fight this afternoon, one of Carstairs' walking tin cans? Not likely." Rose paused a moment as he ran the figures through his head.