Heir to the Dragon
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| Heir to the Dragon | |
|---|---|
| Product information | |
| Type | Novel |
| Author | Robert N. Charrette |
| Pages | 338 (original) 384 (reprint) |
| Cover Artwork | Jeff Laubenstein (original) Bruce Jensen (reprint) |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | FASA (original) Roc Books (reprint) |
| Product code | 8618 |
| First published | 1 August, 1989 (original) 1 September, 1996 (reprint) |
| ISBN-10 | 0451455274 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0451455277 |
| MSRP | 4.95 US$ |
| Content | |
| Era | Succession Wars era |
| Timeline | 3 February 3004 - 18 June 3040 |
Heir to the Dragon, by Robert N. Charrette, follows Theodore Kurita for twenty-two years as he learns to survive and thrive in the subtle and deadly courts of the Draconis Combine. The novel concludes the "classic" Succession Wars era of BattleTech and bridges the gap between the Fourth Succession War and the 3040s, shortly before the Clan Invasion era.
Contents
From the back cover (1989 edition)
| “ | A FLASH OF STEEL, a thin crimson line, and a foamy gurgle of confusion marked the beginning of Takashi's rule, and the passing of Theodore's grandfather. Theodore Kurita is the son of Takashi Kurita, and heir apparent to the Draconis Combine, one of the most powerful realms of the Inner Sphere. But the Draconis Combine has never been a place of smooth transitions. Historically, a Kurita proves himself a fit leader by a successful bid for power, political or... otherwise. Theodore's perilous journey to power is a twenty-year odyssey beginning with his graduation from Sun Zhang Military Academy. At each level of ascendancy, Theodore finds that keeping power is far more difficult than getting it, and failure lies in wait at every turn. Theodore's tactical knowledge is put to the test all too many times. His successes in impossible situations are dismissed as smoke and mirror trickery by some, but lauded as genius by others. Upon reaching the level of Lord of the Combine Military, his new power allows him to see the uncertain future of his people. Theodore must step carefully as he bargains for his future with ComStar, the mystic sect, and the Yakuza, an interstellar network of organized crime. All the while, maintaining an uneasy truce with the man whom he must one day depose... his father, Coordinator of the Draconis Combine! |
” |
Plot Summary
Prologue
Following the assassination of Coordinator Hohiro Kurita on late 3 February 3004, his son and heir Takashi Kurita takes his six-year-old son Theodore Kurita to see the slain man's body at the murder scene. To Takashi's satisfaction, young Theodore announces that he wants to kill the perpetrator. Takashi then gives him his first lesson and explains that to be Coordinator is to act through others, and to put justice above personal vengeance. He then orders the assassin be shot on the spot. Internal Security Force assistant director Subhash Indrahar forms a bond with the confused and frightened child.
Book 1: Bravery
On 17 May 3018, the night of his graduation from Wisdom of the Dragon school on Kagoshima, Theodore Kurita finds himself on the run from a group of ninjas in high-tech sneak suits. He overpowered the first in the appartment of his paramour Kathleen Palmer and took his sneak suit and sword, then ran into the industrial district. Here he is confronted by another ninja who wounds him at the hip in a brief fight and then retreats. Somewhat later, Theodore is finally cornered and it turns out the attack was a test of some sorts by his mentor and friend Subhash Indrahar, who sent operatives with non-lethal weaponry and is satisfied with Theodore's performance. Indrahar offers Theodore to join the secret Sons of the Dragon society, and Theodore agrees. However, Indrahar mentions that he sent six attackers while Theodore counted seven—the one who actually wounded Theodore is not among Indrahar's men.
Meanwhile on Kirchbach, a group of conspirators using gemstone codenames meets their new associate "Ruby"—the Red Duke Hassid Ricol. He refuses to commit to the group's goals but indicates they have a common agenda before he leaves again. Group leader Diamond takes this to mean Ruby is now an informal member.
Featured characters
- Dechan Fraser
- Subhash Indrahar
- Ninyu Kerai
- Constance Kurita
- Florimel Kurita
- Jasmine Kurita
- Takashi Kurita
- Theodore Kurita
- Kathleen Palmer
- Hassid Ricol
- Tomoe Sakade
- Frederick Steiner
Featured places
Featured BattleTech
BattleMechs
Aerospace fighters
Vehicles
DropShips
- Leopard (Startreader)
- unspecified DropShip Mukade
JumpShips
Other
Covers
Original 1989 cover. Art by Jeff Laubenstein.
1996 reprint. Art by Bruce Jensen.
1991 German edition. Art by Jeff Laubenstein.
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