Main event

by James D. Long

  "What about you?" he said. "You'll need a 'Mech if you want to become part of a mercenary unit."

  Rianna smiled, but did not respond. Rose tried to be patient, but lost the struggle. "Well?"

  "I've got a Phoenix Hawk. As the valedictorian of my class I was awarded a rebuilt model by the Assembly of Warriors. I'm sure they thought I'd be fighting with the Highlanders, but I don't have to, because it's all mine.

  "I've only had it for the last few months, but it handles like a dream. It came straight from the Achernar BattleMechs factory on New Avalon." Rianna was practically jumping up and down in place as she spoke. Suddenly Rose saw his mother in her eyes, a warrior through and through.

  "Come on, I'll show him to you."

  "Him?"

  "Of course it's a him. It's only a few minutes from here." Rianna was already pulling Rose by the arm to the door.

  "All right, but just for a bit," he told her. "You and I have some other things to discuss before I leave. A lot of things."

  5

  Tara, Northwind

  27 April 3054

  Jeremiah and his sister spent the next two days together. After inspecting the Phoenix Hawk, the love of Rianna's life, Rose had taken his sister to the hospital to meet Rachel McCloud. Though he and Rianna arrived too near the end of visiting hours for a prolonged visit, the two women began almost instantly to chatter together like long-lost friends.

  Rachel was outgoing and friendly and Rianna definitely had the gift of gab. Locked in conversation, the two seemed to have completely forgotten Jeremiah until the floor nurse poked her head into the room to say that they had only five more minutes. Rose took advantage of the opportunity to break into the conversation.

  "Sorry to interrupt, but if I could have a moment of your time, Captain."

  The two women regarded him in silence.

  "Rachel, Ria and I have an idea we'd like to discuss with you. I'll keep it brief for now, but tomorrow morning we can go into detail.

  "Rianna is going to be the nucleus of the new unit I've been wanting to form. Now that I know I won't be able to gather the strength I need for an effective mercenary unit here on Northwind, I think my best bet is Outreach."

  "It makes the most sense," Ria interrupted. Jeremiah and Rachel smiled at each other as she took the floor. "Jeremiah heads for Solaris and the 'Mech games. It could take some time, but he can probably find a 'Mech there for a good price. And if he waits until the end of the season, he might also be able to recruit some independent warriors."

  "Sounds like a good plan," Rachel said. "As you say, going to Solaris definitely adds some time to the venture. The planet is all the way over on the Steiner side of Federated Commonwealth space."

  "I know, but what choice have I?" Rose began to pace the small room as he went over his plan again. "If I want to be taken seriously as a mercenary commander on Outreach, I've got to have a 'Mech of my own when I get there. Solaris is the obvious solution, despite the delay. Once I've got a 'Mech, I can transport it directly to Outreach and join Rianna to finalize the recruiting process."

  "Right," Ria piped in. "I'll head for Outreach ahead of Jeremiah. Assuming Angus agrees to join us, and I think he will, we two can represent the unit."

  "Angus?"

  "A cousin on our mother's side. He's just back from his first contract and fits under the Assembly of Warrior's edict that only family members can accompany Jeremiah off Northwind."

  "Considering the travel time involved, I'm hoping that Ria and, possibly, Angus can leave within the next three to five weeks. They can register the unit with the Mercenary Review and Bonding Commission and conduct preliminary interviews until I arrive."

  "Which will be when?"

  "Barring a breakdown during transit from Solaris, I'll arrive four to six weeks after they do."

  Rachel straightened the covers on her bed with her one good hand. "And where do I come in?"

  Rose caught his breath before continuing. This was the only part of the plan about which he was uncertain. "You contract to take Rianna, Angus, and the two 'Mechs to Outreach." Rachel looked at Rianna and then back to Jeremiah before nodding. Rose continued, letting the words tumble out faster and faster as he went along. "We'll pay standard rates for the transport. Once we have a contract, however, Rianna and I would like you to serve as the transportation agent to our destination." McCloud was silent.

  "Obviously it will mean more to us than to you, but I think it's a good business proposition."

  McCloud looked up at him. "What do you know about business?"

  "Just what I read in the papers, but consider it. We'll be in a stronger position to make a contract because we'll have our own transportation. The Bristol is a Union Class DropShip. It can carry an entire company, plus aerospace support. We can take the profits from the stronger position and pass most of the cash straight to you."

  "You're right, as far as you go," Rachel told him, "but there's plenty you haven't considered.

  "First, the Bristol is just a civilian carrier, a commercial ship. It may have started out as a military vessel, but most of the 'Mech bays have been reconfigured to haul bulk goods. It would take a major overhaul of the cargo compartments to accomplish what you want.

  "Besides, I've never had to use any of the Bristol's firepower. It's true she still carries a full range of weapons, but I don't carry enough crew to man those weapons. It's too expensive.

  "And finally, what makes you think I want to be a mercenary? I'm a transport captain and I like the work."

  "Rachel, don't get me wrong. I know you're a good captain. I just thought this was a good idea." Rose glanced at his sister, who'd been watching the exchange in silence. McCloud dropped her head back against the pillows.

  "Rose, it's late. My shoulder hurts like hell and this is my ship you're talking about. I owe you, but I don't want to make a decision right now."

  "I don't need a decision right now, Rachel." The door opened and the floor nurse motioned Rianna and Jeremiah out of the room.

  "I just want to know if you'll take Rianna to Outreach."

  "Sure, I'll take her. Standard carrier rates for all equipment."

  Rose nodded toward the door and Rianna took the hint to leave the two alone. "Rachel," he said, when his sister had slipped out the door, "I know your shoulder is bothering you, but what else is going on?"

  From the way McCloud looked at him Rose thought he must have stepped over some invisible line. Then her features softened and she shook her head.

  "It's nothing, really. I just get edgy when I have to start looking for another contract. I hate that part of my job. Looking for a cargo and trying to judge how safe it will be to make the run. Ask my crew. They can't stand to be around me during this part of the process."

  Rose looked at McCloud quietly, trying to tell if she were speaking the whole truth. He had no idea what McCloud was like while trying to find cargo, having only just managed to squeeze aboard the Bristol on the trip from Terra.

  "I call the Bristol my ship," McCloud went on, "but the bank owns almost half of it and if I can't get a decent cargo while I'm in port, they take a bigger chunk when I'm forced to go short on my payment." She looked at Rose with a harsh stare.

  "That's what I mean about business. You've got to be one step ahead of the bankers. Being a good fighter isn't enough if you want to be a mercenary. You've got to be a good accountant too."

  Rose knew she was right. He also realized that it wouldn't stop him from trying to create a mercenary company. Still thinking, he crossed to the door, then paused briefly and turned back to speak.

  "Thanks, Rachel. We'll stop by tomorrow, and by the way, you owe me nothing."

  Rose eased the door shut and followed his sister to the elevators at the end of the corridor.

  Captain Rachel McCloud spent long minutes staring at the door before she finally addressed it aloud. "That's just great, Rose. I finally decide to care for someone and then he tells me goodbye." The station nurse hear
d McCloud speaking over the active intercom, and shook her head sadly.

  Unaware of all this, Rose and Rianna waited in silence for the elevator car to arrive, but as the door opened, Rianna laid a hand on Rose's arm.

  "She'll get me to Outreach. That should be enough." Rose entered the car first and punched the lobby button.

  "It is enough. It's just that having her in on it would have made the entire plan so perfect."

  "Are you two . . . involved?"

  Rose looked at his sister, then caught a nasty look from the station nurse, whom he had never met. Returning his gaze to Ria, he wondered if it was amusement he'd heard in her voice. He saw not a trace of it on her face.

  "Yes. No. Yes, but it's not serious. Hell, I don't know. It's just that I trusted her and this would have worked out so well for the unit."

  The elevator door opened and Rose held it for his sister.

  "Speaking of the unit, we'll need a name," she said, the excitement back in her voice. "I've got some ideas. How about you?"

  Rose shrugged. "I haven't really thought about it. I just figured we'd be the Black Watch or the Northwind something. What have you got in mind?"

  "Well, I thought about all the standard ones—Rose's Rangers, Rose's Roughnecks, et cetera, et cetera. Too boring. If we want to attract quality people, we need a catchy name."

  "Such as?"

  "The Black Thorns."

  "The what?" Rose stopped at the hospital doors and looked at his sister. She was grinning from ear to ear. As he stood there staring, she opened the outer door and walked toward a single cab waiting at the curb. "It's a great name."

  "It's a name, all right. Great, I don't know about."

  "Just think about it."

  Jeremiah nodded without enthusiasm.

  "I've got to get back home," Rianna said. "What's the plan for tomorrow?"

  "Tomorrow we talk to Angus. If we can come to terms, we're on our way."

  "Great. Where are you staying?"

  Rose opened the cab door and Rianna flopped inside. "I had my things moved over to the Hightower," he said. "I haven't actually been there yet, so I don't know my room number." Rose closed the door behind her and reached through the open front window to pay the driver in advance. As he waved away the change, Rianna rolled down her window.

  "I'll talk to Angus and arrange a time to meet." She held out her hand and Rose grasped it in both of his.

  "This is really happening, isn't it?"

  "It really is, and Papa's going to be furious."

  "Let him." Ria's voice grew hard. "It's my choice and I want this too bad to bow to his selfish desires." Rose did not respond, and Rianna's features softened. "Besides, I'll have almost a month to say goodbye. That should be enough."

  Rianna pulled her hand away and the cab inched forward.

  "See you tomorrow."

  Jeremiah waved as the cab pulled out of the drive and into traffic. Turning in the other direction, he decided to walk the six blocks to his hotel. He could use the time to think and plan. The Black Thorns had been born and he intended to be a good father.

  6

  Solaris City, Solaris

  2 August 3054

  "I've told you more than once, Mister Rose. We'll be on the ground in fifteen minutes. Per your instructions, and generous tip, I've moved all your gear to the front of the bay. Sixty minutes from now you'll be past dirtside customs officials and anywhere in the city you want. Please return to your cabin for landing."

  Jeremiah Rose was more than prepared to argue with the steward, mostly for the fun of it, but a burst of static over the intercom interrupted him.

  "Passenger Jeremiah Rose to the bridge, please. Jeremiah Rose."

  Rose looked up at the intercom as if the page were some kind of ruse. Then he shot the steward a narrowed-eye stare. The steward, eyes heavenward, missed the look, but evidently considered the conversation ended as he began to walk away.

  "Hold on, slick. This isn't over just yet. When we hit the ground, I'll be at the Level Two cargo doors. Have my black case ready. I guess I can wait for the rest of the gear. Got that?"

  "Yes, Mister Rose, black case, Cargo Hold Two."

  Rose wasn't sure he could trust the steward to remember the request or the order. Damn civilians. Why couldn't anything ever be easy—or at least predictable?

  His mind wandered aimlessly over the point as his feet moved purposefully toward the bridge, three decks up. He was not exactly a stranger to the ship's bridge, but the request to report there was something of a surprise. Until now most of his visits had been rather impromptu and not especially well-received. He decided to pass the lift and take a service ladder. The ladder wasn't exactly a standard entrance, but the lift was faulty even at the best of times and Rose was slightly suspicious of the captain. The ladder had become a standard service pathway during the last two weeks of the trip, even when the lift was operational. Rose reached out to grasp the sides of the ladder and began the short climb. It took less than a minute to reach the bridge.

  "Rose reporting as ordered, Captain," he said, noticing the heat of the bridge. The portly captain jumped at Rose's sharp announcement and looked away from his viewer toward Rose.

  "So, you're still on the ship after all. When the crew reported you missing during the final cabin check, I thought you'd finally gotten impatient enough to walk."

  "The thought hadn't occurred to me, Captain, but now that you mention it . . ."

  The captain rubbed a fleshy jowl and glanced toward the lift doors. "Took the ladder, eh?"

  "Well, Captain, I wouldn't put it past you to stop the lift between floors just to twist my tail." Rose smiled at the other man as he realized that was just what the captain had intended.

  "Well, now that you're here, I just wanted to take the opportunity to say 'bye.' Not 'goodbye.' Not 'God speed.' Not 'see you later.' Not anything but 'bye.' " The captain took a swift look at the screen as the ship shuddered slightly. Two red lights blinked to life on the master console, but he gave them only a brief glance. Though the ship was in the final stages of landing, Captain Waterson was taking the time to speak to Rose. The captain either had plenty of faith in his computers, his crew, or both, or else he had something to tell Rose that just couldn't wait. Jeremiah wondered if he should be concerned about the two red lights.

  "Mister Rose, I must say that in over twenty years of commanding a DropShip, I have never, and I mean never, had the occasion to encounter a man like yourself. To say you are universally hated by my crew would be an understatement of major proportions. I am surprised they haven't mutinied just to get you.

  "In short, Mister Rose, please take the earliest opportunity to disembark my ship and never, I mean never, return."

  "But Captain ..."

  "No buts, Mister Rose. No smart answers. No witty replies. Just sit in silence and then leave. Since you will not remain in your cabin, I have decided to allow you to remain here on the bridge. If you keep quiet until we hit the ground, my steward, Mister Pulanski, will personally escort you to the customs office, with your gear."

  "Why, Captain ..."

  "No words, Mister Rose. Just nod your head. Do we have a deal?"

  Rose considered the pleasure of verbally jabbing the captain, but decided that the steward would be a welcome ally in getting off the ship as soon as possible. He smiled and decided to take the offered emergency seat. The captain sighed and rubbed his fleshy neck as he returned to the duties at hand.

  With Pulanski's aid, Rose was able to hit the customs office well ahead of the rest of the DropShip's passengers. Pulanski refused to speak with Rose, even when Rose attempted to be polite. Rose didn't really blame the steward for his silence. Just before the final jump to Solaris, the JumpShip had ruptured a fuel cell. Although the danger to the ship and crew had been quickly eliminated, the ship had to remain on-station for more than a month while the damage was being repaired. The delay had meant that Rose would not arrive on Solaris until the final week of th
e dueling season, practically guaranteeing the failure of his mission.

  Caged in the DropShip while repair crews attended to the damaged JumpShip, Rose took out his frustration on the crew and other passengers. Within days he was spending most his time alone. His mood improved slightly when they finally made the jump to the Solaris system, but very few people were willing to spend any time with Rose on the DropShip journey from jump point to planet.

  As a result, he spent the entire transit glued to the video, watching the Solaris games. He'd finalized his plan seven hours ago. If there was a 'Mech to be purchased, or stolen, on Solaris, Rose was sure he would find it. At three past seven, exactly sixty-seven minutes after the DropShip set down, Rose left the customs area with his single black case.

  Entering the spaceport's main terminal, he let the crowd sweep him along. Despite the hour, the terminal was packed. Following the icons, he pushed through the crowd to the taxi area, intending to give himself the luxury of a private cab to the hotel.

  Rose's destination was The Imperial, a hotel located in the "international" sector of Solaris City. Despite its grand name, the hotel was only average except for the fine views offered by its south-facing rooms. That feature alone had made it one of the most popular inns in the capital.

  The cab driver didn't try to talk during the trip down through the hills from the spaceport, which Rose appreciated. When they pulled into the hotel's circular drive, he paid the fare and tip in C-bills, earning a nod of thanks from the man. Rose had made his room reservation during the inbound flight, and so checking in did not take long. He also took the time to store his black gun case in a safe deposit box, sealing the lock with his left thumbprint. Then, instead of going up to his room as his exhausted body desired, he headed straight for the main doors.

  It took several minutes to flag down a cab that would take him into Black Hills, the Davion sector of Solaris City, but eventually one showing the Davion flag on the aerial pulled over. Over the years Solaris City had become divided into six major quarters, one for each of the Great Houses that ruled the Inner Sphere, and the sixth being the international quarter that housed most of the public buildings and the relatively powerless local government.