Difference between revisions of "High-Value Target"

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Captain Lin Wei Jiang of the [[5th Confederation Reserve Cavalry]] seeks solace from he troubled state of mind through frequent meditation, with mixed success. She has been considering retirement, but feels she owes the Confederation one more successful mission. Piloting a ''[[Vindicator]]'' during the invasion, she is notified of a possible high-value target, namely an ''Awesome'' with Orloff Grenadiers parade scheme but no unit markings that is withdrawing under the cover of a medium [[lance]]. Disobeying explicit orders, Lin Wei decides this is her big chance to score a substantial victory before retiring. She diverts two lances to hunt down the ''Awesome''.
 
Captain Lin Wei Jiang of the [[5th Confederation Reserve Cavalry]] seeks solace from he troubled state of mind through frequent meditation, with mixed success. She has been considering retirement, but feels she owes the Confederation one more successful mission. Piloting a ''[[Vindicator]]'' during the invasion, she is notified of a possible high-value target, namely an ''Awesome'' with Orloff Grenadiers parade scheme but no unit markings that is withdrawing under the cover of a medium [[lance]]. Disobeying explicit orders, Lin Wei decides this is her big chance to score a substantial victory before retiring. She diverts two lances to hunt down the ''Awesome''.
  
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In the end, De Milo and his entire lance are taken down and captured one after another. Carried off as a prisoner of war, he sees the DropShip lift off and smiles, knowing that the ''Trebuchet'' apparently reached it in time.
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In the end, De Milo and at least two of his lancemates are taken down and captured while shepherding the ineptly piloted ''Trebuchet'' towards the DropShip. Carried off as a prisoner of war, he finally sees the DropShip lift off and smiles, knowing that Orloff apparently reached it in time.
  
 
Lin Wei Jiang, who had been suffering from neurological symptoms impairing her piloting, had a breakdown after personally downing the ''Awesome'', losing the ability to speak clearly. On the following day her CO, Major Petrowski, arrives at her bed in sickbay, furious that she would send two entire lances after what turned out to be a Captain. However, upon learning that she suffers from Huntington's Disease, a neurodegenerative condition (and is apparently dying), Petrowski sympathizes and promises to see if he can obtain some incense for her meditation.
 
Lin Wei Jiang, who had been suffering from neurological symptoms impairing her piloting, had a breakdown after personally downing the ''Awesome'', losing the ability to speak clearly. On the following day her CO, Major Petrowski, arrives at her bed in sickbay, furious that she would send two entire lances after what turned out to be a Captain. However, upon learning that she suffers from Huntington's Disease, a neurodegenerative condition (and is apparently dying), Petrowski sympathizes and promises to see if he can obtain some incense for her meditation.

Revision as of 09:59, 25 October 2014

High-Value Target
Story information
Author Philip A. Lee
Pages 35
Type Short story
Product Counterattack
Content
Era Succession Wars era
Timeline 9-26 April 2996

High-Value Target is a short story by Philip A. Lee published exclusively in the fifth BattleCorps print anthology, Counterattack, in 2014. Unlike all other stories in the book, it has not been published online via BattleCorps.

Plot summary

Captain Cyril De Milo is proud to be a member of the elite 1st Orloff Grenadiers, though he is at the same time painfully aware of his (and his unit's) lack of real combat experience and fears they may have become parade soldiers.

On 9 April 2996 elements of the Orloff Grenadiers are sent to Tsinghai as an entourage for Skylar Orloff, son of Duke Reinhard Orloff. De Milo has much respect for the Duke, but he quickly comes to resent his spoiled son who alienates the soldiers with every word and keeps a priceless mint-conditin Awesome in parade colors just to show off although it is easily the best-maintained and most powerful BattleMech in the entire detachment.

Skylar Orloff has the Orloff Grenadiers parade before the prime minister of Tsinghai on 25 April to demonstrate the Duchy's strength in an attempt to make the planet join the Duchy. De Milo begins to wonder if he underestimated Skylar, as the elite Grenadiers outshine the local militia to the point where they might be seen as a de-facto occupation force, leaving the prime minister litte choice but to accept the "offer". His musings are cut short by a ComStar missive informing Skylar Orloff that his father was killed, making him Duke. Almost at the same time a Capellan Confederation invasion force arrives to reconquer the planet (which the Confederation had lost in the latter years of the First Succession War, some two centuries prior).

The surprise attack is a quick rout for the vastly outnumbered Orloff Grenadiers, with De Milo's lance making for an escape DropShip five clicks away. Skylar Orloff has never piloted his Awesome in battle, and will be a liability despite the powerful machine. Accepting his duty to protect Skylar, who is now Duke Orloff, De Milo offers to switch 'Mechs with Orloff so that the Duke may escape in De Milo's faster family heirloom Trebuchet while De Milo, with a poorly adjusted neurohelmet, pilots the lumbering Awesome.

Captain Lin Wei Jiang of the 5th Confederation Reserve Cavalry seeks solace from he troubled state of mind through frequent meditation, with mixed success. She has been considering retirement, but feels she owes the Confederation one more successful mission. Piloting a Vindicator during the invasion, she is notified of a possible high-value target, namely an Awesome with Orloff Grenadiers parade scheme but no unit markings that is withdrawing under the cover of a medium lance. Disobeying explicit orders, Lin Wei decides this is her big chance to score a substantial victory before retiring. She diverts two lances to hunt down the Awesome.

In the end, De Milo and at least two of his lancemates are taken down and captured while shepherding the ineptly piloted Trebuchet towards the DropShip. Carried off as a prisoner of war, he finally sees the DropShip lift off and smiles, knowing that Orloff apparently reached it in time.

Lin Wei Jiang, who had been suffering from neurological symptoms impairing her piloting, had a breakdown after personally downing the Awesome, losing the ability to speak clearly. On the following day her CO, Major Petrowski, arrives at her bed in sickbay, furious that she would send two entire lances after what turned out to be a Captain. However, upon learning that she suffers from Huntington's Disease, a neurodegenerative condition (and is apparently dying), Petrowski sympathizes and promises to see if he can obtain some incense for her meditation.

Featured BattleTech

BattleMechs

Aerospace fighters

Other

Featured Characters

  • Cyril De Milo
  • Vítor Duarte
  • Lin Wei Jiang
  • Skylar Orloff
  • Myeong Park

Featured places

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