Author's notes: Well, it's been several months longer than I'd like, but I'm finally back to regular updates of TLH. I have no other stories running right now, so hopefully I'll be able to turn out chapters more regularly. Thanks everyone for your patience. Now, to respond to some of the most recent reviews...

Skud and Kaiser: Thanks for your comments. I'm always glad to see some new reviewers around, and I'm glad you're enjoying the story.

Mosin and Rogue: You guys are great! I hope you'll find your patience rewarded with these next few chapters. Things are about to get...interesting.

Saketai: I really appreciate your comments on the Japanese. You're correct that "miruta" should have been mita instead. I have to disagree about the use of ore, though. I've always been told, and everything I've read indicates that it's a bit "rougher" than boku, which can be used by all males, not just children. The last point you mentioned was a typo on my part. That phrase should have been, "Ki o tsukete, mata ne." (That makes much more sense, hopefully.) Thanks again, your comments were very helpful!

And now, on with the show...

Chapter 24

DropShip Kouma,

Chorley system, Draconis Combine

December 6th, 3059

A dense sort of quiet filled the DropShip's bay now that it was empty. It was not completely silent; there was a rasping creak of metal every so often, and once, the clatter of a hammer drifting into a wall. With everyone else off-duty, there was a nice bit of solitude, and that was what Lisa wanted now. It was not often that she could simply be alone with her thoughts and the 'Mechs.

Nanashi's advice still hovered in the back of her mind, and she had been trying fiercely to forget it. If there was one thing that frightened her more than the thought of being sundered from her Clan, it was dishonoring her Clan. Most of the Lower Castes had little concern for that—she had long suspected that many of her colleagues had no desire to be part of the Smoke Jaguars at all. The indifferent believed that their lives would be no different no matter who ruled them. The dissenting believed their lives could only improve once they were out from under the heavy paw of the Jaguar. Lisa, however, had always been more concerned with her work than what she gained from it. If she could not fight, then she could at least ensure that those who did had the best chance of victory.

She crouched, bunching her muscles, and then shoved off the floor, drifting over to the Griffin. Carefully, she traced her fingers over one of the armor panels on its leg, inspecting for damage or flaws. If she had ever been dissatisfied with the Clan's dwindling resources, she certainly knew better now. The pirates' supplies were ridiculously low in every area from armor to ammunition. She was starting to wonder how they managed to keep their AeroSpace fighters fueled for more than a handful of short engagements.

The metallic tread of grav-boots on the floor suddenly took her attention from the BattleMech. "Warri—" she corrected herself quickly. "Blake. It is late. Is something wrong?"

The Elemental shook his head and continued making his way over towards her. "Neg," he replied. "I could not fall asleep, so I decided to see if I could do any more work on my suit."

"Do your ribs still hurt?"

"Aff, sometimes," he replied, looking a little bothered. Normally he would not admit the pain, feeling it a sign of weakness. However, there was no reason to bother masking something Lisa already knew. He took hold of the Griffin as he drifted up beside her. "It is an improvement, though. I feel ready for combat, if still a bit sore."

"I do not think we are in this system to fight. I heard one of the pirate technicians say something about shore-leave."

"That would be welcome. I could certainly use a break from being on this ship. In any case, if Nanashi keeps a tight schedule—and her word—we should arrive at Antallos within three months." He smiled broadly. "Then we will be free."

Lisa sighed heavily. "Yes, and then we will have the problem of trying to get back to the Homeworlds."

"I have been thinking about that. If we cannot link up with another Jaguar force, we may still have other options."

"Such as?"

"I suppose we could always Trial to enter another Clan. I know we have not been close to the Falcons, but they would be an acceptable choice, quiaff? Better than the accursed Nova Cats, certainly."

"I... I would rather not speculate on such things," Lisa said, turning back to the 'Mech.

Blake bowed his head a little, wishing he had chosen another subject. He glanced back up again, watching Lisa continue her inspection of the Griffin IIC, and rested his chin on his fist. "You are still worried about the others, quiaff?"

"The others are...less understanding than you. Especially Lukas."

"Because you are not what he wants you to be," Blake said slowly, remembering her words earlier. "Explain," he said. "Please. I do not understand."

The Technician heaved a sigh and grabbed onto a nearby handhold, anchoring herself. "Lukas...and I," she began haltingly, "were very good friends when we were in the sibko together. Once we entered cadet training, we vowed that we would both graduate. We wanted to be the best MechWarriors in our BloodHouse—or even the whole Clan." Closing her eyes, she buried her face in her hands, and let her shoulders sag. "I failed my Trial of Position, and washed out to the Technician Caste... I failed to keep my promise, and Lukas has hated me ever since."

Blake bit his lip softly. "I...am sorry." He could only imagine what kind of torment it must be to have come so close to becoming a Warrior, and then have that dream shattered. He had not realized Lisa was a trueborn before; she had some of the mannerisms, but none of the typical arrogance. However, it was no wonder she had a meek demeanor after years of being treated so lowly.

"The past is no excuse," he said finally. "We need your help, now more than ever, and Lukas knows that."

"But—"

"I will see that he affords you some more respect." Blake turned and began making his way back towards the hangar door, not giving Lisa any chance to protest further.

Akat Mountains Region,

Chorley, Draconis Combine

December 6th, 3059

"Beautiful. Simply beautiful," Nanashi mused, gazing up at the nearby mountains. She stretched her arms above her head and glanced back over her shoulder. "Don't you agree, Lucky?"

Lukas frowned and looked away, scuffing his boot into the dirt lightly. "It looks the same as any other reasonably habitable planet," he replied disinterestedly. "Are we here to 'sight-see' or do you have another diversion planned?"

"Don't be such a stick in the mud," she shot back with a smirk. "We are simply here to take some much needed shore-leave."

"So she says," Falak muttered as he walked up beside his comrade, with Marion not far behind. He motioned back towards the Kouma and the line of supplies being fed from the ship into cargo vehicles. "I suspect this trip is just as much business as it is pleasure."

Before the Pilot could continue his observations, Nanashi walked to them, and then waved towards the DropShip. "Jen-chan, koko ni kinasai!"

"Hai, Obasan!" The teenage girl ran to meet Nanashi, but stopped short as soon as she saw the Jaguars. After another wave from the older woman, she began walking slowly to join them.

"Jen-chan, I want you to go to the city with Lukas and the others. Take some money," Nanashi instructed, handing some C-Bills to the girl, "and pay Takeda for me. You can get yourself some lunch, too."

"Wakarimasu."

"Now, the Kitties need a place to stay, so you are going to be their tour guide. Take them to the inn and book four rooms. Their friends will be along after a bit."

Jen looked rather disheartened upon hearing the second set of instructions. "Ano..." she began, looking away, "Muzukashii de—"

Nanashi pursed her lips and looked down at the girl sternly.

"F-fine..." Jen stammered, stuffing the money in her pocket sulkily. She looked back at the Clanners and frowned. "This way."

"Where are we going?" Marion asked.

"Matsu-machi. It's a town at the the base of Aoyama. You'll be staying there."

Falak muttered a "harumph" and glanced back up at Lukas. "I was right," he muttered. "We are being sent off to town to stay out of their way."

"That is fine by me," Marion grunted. She scowled at Lukas, then looked down at Falak and tapped him on the shoulder. "You and I are rooming together," she stated, rather than asked.

"Aff." While he was growing annoyed with his throthkins' simmering feud, he was not concerned. If Marion felt the need to vent her frustrations through violence, she would take it out on Lukas. If she felt the need to release her frustration in other ways, well, he certainly would not mind that. For now, though, he was content to put speculation aside and enjoying the feeling of solid ground under his feet and rich, clean air in his lungs.