Blood of Heroes by Andrew Keith

Author:Andrew Keith [Keith, Andrew]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Science-Fiction:Battletech
ISBN: 9780451452597
Amazon: 0451452593
Goodreads: 662058
Publisher: Roc
Published: 1993-07-01T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

The door slid open suddenly, and Caitlin DeVries whirled where she stood. From her rooms overlooking the south side of Castle Hill, all she'd been able to see of the disturbance that had put the whole Residence on alert was a light show down near the base of the hill.

She vaguely recognized the short, stocky NCO framed in the open door as one of her father's bodyguards. Visible beyond him were two more Planetary Guard troopers, part of the detail that had been watching her quarters since the first day of the coup. Both were obviously edgy at the approaching sounds of battle.

Caitlin drew her robe shut over her pajamas, conscious of the way the man was studying the curves revealed by the gauzy New Kyoto silk. She wasn't particularly shy about her body—nobody who had to work day in and day out wearing the skimpy shorts and cooling vest that were de rigeur in an overheated 'Mech cockpit was likely to retain any shyness about showing a little skin—but she didn't like the look in the man's eyes. "Just what in Blake's name do you think you're doing, Corporal?" she demanded, using her best "governor's daughter" voice as she drew herself up to her full height and fixed him with an icy stare. "Haven't you ever heard of buzzing before you barge in?"

The NCO's expression didn't change. "Never mind that now," he snapped. "You're coming with us."

She backed away as he advanced. "Where? What's going on?"

"Your father wants you. Now move!"

Caitlin took another step away from him. "At least let me get dressed—"

"Now, I said!" The corporal's sidearm, a deadly-looking vibroblade, was in his hand. "I said I'd fetch you, but I didn't promise you'd still be in one piece! Get moving!"

Caitlin didn't hesitate any longer. The look in the man's eyes told her he meant business with that vibroblade, and she wasn't about to give him a chance to prove it.

Not until a moment of her choosing.

Out in the corridor, the noncom gave a curt order to the two soldiers. "Helipad," he snapped. "Move it!" They took the lead, while the corporal trailed Caitlin, his blade at the ready. The stamp of their booted feet contrasted sharply with the slap-slap-slap of her slippers on the fake stonework of the corridor floor.

The two guards took the turn that led to one of the lifts, and Caitlin allowed herself a smile. The stairs wouldn't have been suitable for what she had in mind.

The lift doors slid open promptly, and the first guard stepped quickly inside. The second was moving aside to let Caitlin and the corporal pass when she stumbled and lurched into him. "Ow! she complained. "Damn floppy slippers!"

The trooper reached out to help her, and in that instant she used her momentum to carry her past him. Her 'Mech-trained reflexes took over, and with a swift motion she grasped the man's arm and pulled him around so that he was between her and the corporal's vibroblade. He started to shout something and jerked back.

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