STEEL WOLF

Chapter 12: A Little Promise

Oasis reserve, Vargas Estate, Korla,

Lyran Alliance,

August 25, 3075

"I've heard of these oasis reserves, Carlos, but I didn't think they'd be this nice!" Cassandra Goyua exclaimed as she and Carlos Vargas stepped down the ramp of an Estate-owned Monarch-class civilian dropship along with the other passengers.

"I know, the brochures don't do them justice," Carlos agreed, taking Cassandra's hand as he led her to a waiting car. Beyond this small spaceport sprawled a circular, lake-sized oasis that had banks of white sand, grasses, and even small groves of trees. Neighborhoods circled around the oasis and a hotel, numerous restaurants, and other civilian comforts were available too. The warm morning sun and cool, damp breeze made Cassandra feel even more relaxed as she and Carlos climbed into the car.

After a ten-minute drive, the car's driver took the passengers to one of the larger houses, a three-story mini-mansion owned by the Vargas family that had a large porch that overlooked the oasis's shores. Carlos led his girlfriend through the spacious, well-lit house, the both of them unpacking and settling on lawn chairs on the wooden back porch.

"Wow, this is the life," Cassandra commented as she stretched out, feeling the sun on her skin. "I can't believe I didn't come here the last time I was on Korla."

"True," Carlos agreed. "And to think that you and the Arctic Wolves were here for five months last year! There was more than enough time."

"I suppose," Cassandra nodded, suddenly feeling a little drowsy. She wore a simple sleeveless shirt with denim shorts and sandals, but she kicked off he sandals and flexed her toes, wondering how jealous Lyla would be about this. "I just hope that Kyle and Nikolai and the others are okay. Are you sure that there's no news?"

Carlos looked slightly off-put about talking about the Wolves, but he sighed and said, "Nothing at all. They're still just MIA. In fact, there seems to be a bit of a news blackout going on."

"Ever since the insurrection war in Bhujorba City..."

"Right." Carlos looked up at the sky in thought. "Just what is my father doing? He's never been like this before. People used to think he was the paragon of generosity and goodwill! Plus, he's not really talking to me anymore. I don't think he talks to much of anybody except that General Abby."

Cassandra shivered despite the warmth. "Just what are we getting ourselves into?"

"Or rather, what is my father getting his officers into," Carlos figured, getting to his feet with a quick smile. "But it doesn't have to ruin life for us, really. I've still got my arena match coming up on the 27th and you've got your own work. Still enjoying the accommodations of the 'mech hangar?"

"Mmmmm, yeah. I even completed part of my Jouster prototype," Cassandra told him. "Built the head recently." She pointed at Carlos with a confident grin. "Now you'd better win that tournament so I can have a full prototype on the field!"

"That trophy is mine," Carlos declared, folding his arms. "Maybe then Alphonse might like me a little bit. He still seems... a little distant around me."

"Oh, relax. He just feels like the little fish among the techs, so it gets him a little down. But he'll get past that."

"Great." Carlos wandered to the glass sliding doors. "Can I get you anything? Name a drink, and I've got it."

"Strawberry-kiwi juice, then. Nice and cold."

"Coming up." Carlos vanished into the house, leaving Cassandra alone with the sun, lush oasis view, and cool breeze. She closed her eyes and tried to let her thoughts wander, but her mind latched onto Alphonse. He was a great tech, to be sure, but it seemed like there was something else too, something other than his envy toward Carlos' popularity. She remembered Al's behavior at the 200th anniversary party of the Vargas Estate, how he had tried to win her over from Carlos.

Cassandra vividly remembered what Alphonse had said in his semi-drunk state... "Nah, forget him. He's a little boring, don't you think? Nothing but arena training and coasting on his dad's wealth." What a rude thing to say, Cassandra figured. But what if Al wasn't just being petty? After all, Alphonse certainly had passion to expand his life and try new things, something she admired greatly. That was one reason that Nikolai had allowed Al to join the Arctic Wolves as an intern tech.

Making a frustrated noise, Cassandra popped her eyes open. What was she thinking? She shouldn't have to choose between Alphonse or Carlos! Although Alphonse was a great guy, Carlos was special to her, and she knew it from the minute she had met him here on Korla in 3074. But still, as Al had said, "I'm trying to make my own fortune here. I gave up college football to pursue mechanics, my second passion, and travel with you to learn about it." That much was true, Al had his future planned out and squared away. Carlos had his arena tournament to work on... but then what?

"Here you are," Carlos announced, handing Cassandra a condensation-slick glass with light red liquid. "The best there is. I'm a lemonade person, myself. The gentle sourness tastes great to me. Call me weird." He stretched out on his lawn chair with his drink.

Cassandra chuckled. "You're weird." Then her face settled. "Hey, I wondered something... when you win the arena tournament, what do you want to do? Maybe test-pilot the Jouster? It could be fun."

"As long as the darn thing handles at least a little like my Shadow Hawk," Carlos figured. "How much does it weigh again?"

"70 tons, but it has jump jets and packs long-range weaponry," Cassandra told him. "I've got all the blueprints in my workspace. But really..." she smiled, looking over at Carlos. "What do you want to do later on? Not fight on the front lines, I hope."

"My dad didn't raise me to be a soldier," Carlos shrugged. "Arenas are safer, more regulated than a battlefield. No artillery or airstrikes or mines. Those Alvarez goons love their landmines. Costs my dad's armed forces dearly."

Aware that Carlos was evading the topic, Cassandra took a deep breath and plunged into the heart of the matter. "You know, there's more room on the Hunter's Insight. Why don't you come with me and see new stuff? It's a big world out there, Carlos, and I've now been to Korla twice. Your turn to do the visiting."

Carlos made an uncomfortable face. "Um... I dunno. I'm pretty involved with my dad's household."

"But your arena tournament will be over in mid-September. What else is there?"

"I just..." Carlos sighed, trying to think. "Wandering isn't really for me. Korla is my home."

Cassandra took a sip of her drink. "Yeah, but my home planet, Meadow, is at least four jumps away from here and I feel totally fine. I get the chance to visit many worlds and make many friends, from Lane Farlow and his wife Jennifer to a Kuritan named Makoto who has a strong sense of loyalty to family."

Carlos laughed. "Then I'm another Makoto. The Vargas family is the place for me!" His face fell. "But really, my oldest brother Ricardo is being prepared to succeed my father within a year, and I'll have to remain here to help run the Estate. Besides..." Now he looked uncomfortable. "I don't think I'd be well-suited for the life of a mercenary or traveler. I'm only useful for arena fighting and working with my family's business. I don't have enough to qualify traveling."

"Well... I guess so..." Cassandra felt her insides churn. I think he's right. He can't come with me anywhere, since he's so tied down here. Korla needs him.

"Really, Cassie, you don't have to worry," Carlos assured her. "I have to prepare for my upcoming arena battles, and I've got you with me, sweetheart. That's enough for me."

"Yeah. Enough for me too," Cassandra smiled again, but she turned away from Carlos to hide her concerned expression. Was Alphonse right after all? Carlos doesn't seem that interested in family business and he doesn't seem to have any ambitions besides arena fighting. I've never really considered this side of Carlos that seriously.

"How about this," Carlos offered. "I promise to you that no matter what happens, we'll be together and everything will be fine."

Cassandra didn't look back at Carlos. "Yeah. I'll make a little promise. Whatever happens, I'll be ready for it too." But at this rate, Carlos might not be ready for it.

*o*o*o*o*

Palais du Soleil, Laurent Commonwealth, Korla,

Lyran Alliance,

August 25, 3075

A single Monarch-class dropship sat on the landing pad on the Palais du Soleil's grounds, its engines warming up and steam jets hissing from its side ports. Clad in a simple uniform with a pistol and knife secured on his belt, Kyle Goyua walked with the other Mechwarriors of the Arctic Wolves mercenaries from a transport car toward the waiting dropship. Ahead of the Wolves walked four Alvarez County bodyguards escorting four men and two women who wore dress uniforms and carried briefcases.

"Stop here," commanded one of the County guards, and everyone halted. "I will review the mission details one more time. Leonardo and Miguel have decided that the Klein Federation has remained neutral for long enough. No doubt that Alfonso Vargas will try to gain the Klein family's favor with promises of wealth and technology pretty soon, and the Alvarez brothers can't afford to have any more enemies. Arctic Wolves, all twelve of you are assigned to keep this diplomatic team safe at all costs. I'm aware of your qualifications and if the Alvarez brothers want this to happen, then it will. The dropship ride to the Federation will be quick and safe... but when you get there, prepare for the isolationists to make a move."

Kyle knew exactly what the man was talking about. Some leaders of the Klein Federation wanted to help take down the Vargas Estate, but going to war put the small Federation at risk, and many of the civilians had taken up arms to prevent the Federation from going to war. No doubt that the Alvarez diplomatic team would come under fire, possibly literally, for asking the Klein family to take up arms against the Vargas family. Still... Leonardo and Miguel had assigned four of their toughest, most capable guards to come along as well, the better to keep the Arctic Wolves in line.

"If we get the Klein family on our side before the Vargas family can recruit them, we'll be in a position to take the fight to the Vargas Estate and possibly capture the Vargas family mansion," Leonardo had told the Arctic Wolves. "And that would mean the end of our interesting partnership, and of course, all you Wolves will be free to go on your way. We all want the same thing. Let's get out there and get some work done."

"I can't believe that we're being used as bodyguards," Samantha complained quietly to Kyle.

"Well, we all have extensive physical training, and the Alvarez brothers know it," Kyle muttered back. "Besides, maybe showing our faces to the Klein family could help."

Samantha perked up. "Show the Kleins how we Wolves came to our senses and joined the Alvarez forces? That the Alvarez brothers are indeed worth fighting for at any cost?"

"That's what I was thinking," Kyle nodded as the Wolves and the diplomats boarded the dropship's ramp. "But I might be wrong. The Kleins might just look down on mercenaries. We were offered money to fight for the Alvarez brothers, after all."

"Maybe you're over-thinking it," Samantha huffed. "If we get the Kleins to join us, then we'll be in a position to end the war. That's good enough for me. I can't wait to leave this world."

"Neither can I."