Book excerpt: The Saga Continues! A BattleTech Novel Despite years of effort, ComStar has been unable to repair the HPG interstellar communications grid—so The Republic is taking a hands-on approach to fixing the problem. An active hyperpulse generator can turn its world into a tempting target, so when ComStar appears close to reactivating the HPG on Wyatt, The Republic takes steps to counter any threats to the world at a time when ComStar is determined to prove that it's once more a force to be reckoned with. Knight Errant Alexi Holt is assigned to defend Wyatt for The Republic. But her greatest challenge is to protect Tucker Harwell—a genius possessing unmatched HPG skills—from the invaders who will certainly try to capture him for his knowledge. Both the Oriente Protectorate and Clan Spirit Cat have an interest in Wyatt; the first seeks to control the man who can fix an HPG, the other seeks a safe haven. Unsavory characters will also step forward: after all, though a reactivated HPG makes Wyatt a target, Tucker Harwell is the biggest prize of all.