Raven (short story)
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 | Not Canon The subject of this article does not contribute canonical content to the BattleTech universe, either because it is not intended to or because it is not an official product. |
| Raven (short story) | |
|---|---|
| Product information | |
| Type | Short story |
| Author | Jason Schmetzer |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | BattleCorps |
| First published | 2006 |
| Content | |
| Era | Age of War (Era) |
| Timeline | 21 November 2540 |
| Series | BattleCorps - Iron Writer |
Raven, written by Jason Schmetzer, is a short story created during the Iron Writer challenge at Gencon 2007.
Synopsis[edit]
At the climax of the thirteen-year long Davion Civil War, First Prince Alexander Davion takes his Marauder into battle against the Terran March commander Dmitri "The Raven" Rostov - leader of the strongest anti-Alexander forces still in the field.
The scene flashes back to Alexander arguing with his advisors, insisting that he must accept Rostov's challenge to a 'Mech duel to settle the war. One of his Major Generals, Michael Newton, resigns in protest, later accusing Alexander of seeking revenge for his dead wife Cynthia, rather than letting one of his subordinates fight Rostov in his place. Alexander says it's all he has left. Newton says he'll need help.
On the battlefield, Alexander calls on Rostov to surrender. Rostov demands that Alexander withdraw and rule the Crucis March, leaving the Terran March to Rostov as an autonomous region, and letting the other Marches go their own way as well, turning the Federated Suns into a loose confederation. Rostov apologizes for having killed Alexander's wife, Cynthia.
Battle is joined, and Alexander finds himself at a disadvantage against Rostov's raven-insignia-painted Victor, due to the March Lord's exceptional skill. A burst from Rostov's autocannon tears off one of Alexander's 'Mech's arms, and Rostov again calls on him to yield, then unexpectedly cuts off as his 'Mech's torso explodes with enough force to send Alexander's 'Mech flying backwards.
Alexander awakens to see Michael Newton bending over him. He tells the dazed Prince "Earn this," then leaves.
Featured characters[edit]
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Notes[edit]
- Notes from the external link below:
- This story exemplifies why the Iron Writer stories are explicitly non-canon: written in one hour at GenCon with no fact checking. Otherwise, it would have been noted by the continuity crew that the Marauder wasn't fielded until 2612 (72 years after this scene). Given the explicit reference to the tonnage of the Prince's ride as 75 tons, the only unit that fits would be the Hammerhands, probably the upgraded 4D model (dropping the SRMs and jump jets for a PPC alongside the autocannons and medium lasers - and better matching the Marauder weapons package).
- This is a fleshing out of the "Rostov Defiant" section of the House Davion sourcebook, which notes that the duel against Rostov nearly cost the Prince his life, but that his superior reflexes helped him win the day. The original 1987 entry does add the caveat that "Historians have suggested that an agent of Alexander's sabotaged the General's 'Mech beforehand." Interestingly, that note was dropped from Handbook: House Davion, which attributes Davion's victory to "luck and a righteous cause." The Handbook, of course, was written by NAIS (which famously falsified its description of Michael Hasek-Davion's role in the 4th Succession War its Military Atlas), while the original account was a product of ComStar research.
- NAIS may be great with gizmos, but pretty weak on historical credibility.
Canonicity[edit]
Unfortunately, all Iron Writer challenges stories are not considered canon, as they were written in a very short challenge period and published as-is with no fact checking.