Warrior 1: En Garde by Michael Stackpole

Author:Michael Stackpole
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Science Fiction, Fiction, BattleTech - 08608, High Tech, General
ISBN: 9780451456830
Publisher: Roc
Published: 1988-01-02T06:00:00+00:00

* * *

Melissa looked up from the computer screen and over at Jeana. "I think I have it."

"Have what?" echoed her own voice from Jeana's throat.

"I have the name I'll travel under. I will become Joana Barker."

Jeana frowned. Melissa wondered for a moment if she really looked like that when angry or puzzled.

"That sounds familiar, Melissa, but I can't place it."

Melissa smiled triumphantly. "I've cobbled it together from one of the books I read. Do you remember

'Sweeney Todd'?"

Melissa's twin shivered. "That ghastly tale about the demon barber of Fleet Street?"

Melissa nodded. "Sweeney Todd's real name was Benjamin Barker, and his daughter's name was Joana. No one ever called her Joana Barker, but that was her true name. That's what I'll use."

Jeana yawned. "If you want to select a name from this ancient literature you seem to devour, why not pick something more romantic? Why not become Irene Adler?"

Melissa wrinkled her nose with distaste. "A Lestrade might select a name from Sherlock Holmes, but not me. No. Joana Barker married a tall, handsome man, and lived happily ever after, I'm sure. That's the sort of omen I want watching over me as I travel to meet..."—Melissa blushed at the thought—"... my betrothed ... my Hanse Davion, my future husband."

28

Nashira

Dieron Military District, Draconis Combine

15 April 3027

Hands folded serenely behind his back, Yorinaga Kurita watched through the large window as the first of the Genyosha engaged in calisthenics. Broken down into groups of five, including the Chu-i leading each, the twenty-five men performed in perfect unison. Utterly faithful synchronization made each man a finger on one hand, and the training would make all five into a fist.

"Sumimasen, Kurita Yorinaga-sama." Sho-sa Tarukito Niiro stood respectfully back and away from his master. The Major, one of the first staff officers Yorinaga had honored with acceptance into the Genyosha, bowed deeply. He straightened up again when Yorinaga graced him with a nod. "Forgive me, Tai-sa,"

Tarukito begged, honoring Yorinaga with the Japanese form of his title, "but the Taishi requests your presence." Taishi meant "Ambassador," and was the name the staff officers had given to the local liaison officer for the Draconis Combine's Internal Security Forces.

Yorinaga bowed his head. Though no sign, no flicker of emotion, passed over Yorinaga's face, Tarukito Niiro knew that he comprehended all that had been said and all that had been left unspoken. Yorinaga understands, from the way I worded my message, that the Taishi actually demanded the Tai-sa's presence. He must know that I would sooner commit seppuku than deliver such a harsh message.

Tarukito allowed himself to hope that Yorinaga would realize that the ISF man, Shinzei Abe, was forcing his officers to act as a buffer, thereby reminding them that he, the Taishi, controlled their fates.

Yorinaga nodded slightly as Tarukito moved from his path. Yorinaga passed his right hand through the gray hair that had grown out in his months away from the monastery. Tarukito Ni-iro, already stationed on Nashira when the call for volunteers had gone out, had applied immediately for a staff position.

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