Battletech #40 - Freebirth by Robert Thurston

Author:Robert Thurston [Thurston, Robert]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction, Fiction, General, High Tech, Space warfare
ISBN: 9780451456656
Publisher: New York : Roc, c1998.
Published: 1998-01-26T06:00:00+00:00

16

Lootera

Huntress

Kerensky Cluster, Clan Homeworlds

13 April 3059

Horse climbed halfway down the Mackie, then looked around. Howell's warriors were moving toward him, their eyes angry, their fists clenched.

Logan had brought the Stormcrow to an abrupt halt and was now leaping off the 'Mech's foot. He ran toward Horse, with the others gaining ground behind him. By the time they reached the Mackie, Logan was just ahead of them.

"Scum!" Logan yelled. "Surat! Stravag!"

Some of the other warriors echoed Logan's chant. Horse waited for the din to grow fainter, then came the rest of the way down the 'Mech. Standing in front of Logan and staring into his eyes, he said calmly, "You are displeased?"

Logan took a swing at Horse, who ducked neatly under the punch. He came up, ready to fight, but others held Logan back.

"You ignorant Falcon freebirths might not know about honorable tactics," Logan said, "but Smoke Jaguars would never stoop to using their 'Mechs for purely physical attacks."

Horse nodded and again spoke calmly. "I know more than you think of honorable combat, Star Colonel. On a battlefield I would smash you in some other way, but this was, as your commander said, an exercise. If we Falcons believe in anything, it's winning. Maybe winning is not so vital to the Jaguars. It is—"

"Freebirth! You are the lowest scum from the sewer. I will fight you again!"

"Count on it, Logan!"

"And I will beat you to a—"

"Do not count on that, Logan," Horse said, stepping forward.

Howell also took a step forward, a strange smile on his face.

"Star Colonel," he said. "We will argue the point no further. This was purely an exercise. The weapons were powered down. This time we shall give Horse the benefit of the doubt. After all, he is only a freebirth."

Howell followed the words with a scornful laugh, but it was obvious that the other Jaguars gathered around were not satisfied with the decision. Howell turned to Horse. His face was surprisingly placid.

"You are lousy freebirth scum," he said, "but you also showed skill against one of my own Jaguars. I ask you again, do you acknowledge Clan Smoke Jaguar as your own?"

Horse stared at Howell a long while, wondering whether he had already been drinking today. More worrisome was what the other warriors standing around might do. They were calling out protests, insults, and some of them shook their fists in menace.

Howell, although outwardly calm, held himself stiffly. The fingers of both bis hands were held close to his body and spread apart. Horse sensed that he would like to clench and unclench them, as he did so often when edgy, but such a nervous habit would not look good in front of his warriors.

"Galaxy Commander Howell, I must respect another Clan's beliefs and customs, even when they do not make sense to me. But how do you call for me to acknowledge the Smoke Jaguars when your warriors are so easily beaten by a mere freebirth? I—"

With angry shouts, several warriors standing nearest moved toward Horse, as if they wanted to rush him now.

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