THERE'S MORE THAN ONE WAY TO ACQUIRE A BATTLEMECH... In the year 2456, the Great House of the Federated Suns is between the rock of the Terran Hegemony and its fielded BattleMechs, and the hard place of the Lyran Commonwealth, which has just acquired the plans to build its own walking war machines. Beset by enemies on all sides, what is Prince Simon Davion to do? Why, employ his most cunning weapon—a diplomatic envoy sent to Tharkad with the express purpose of gaining access to the stolen Battlemech plans. But when diplomatic niceties are unable to accomplish this goal, subterfuge and deception will have to win the day...