Difference between revisions of "Legacy (Anthology)"

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'''''Legacy''''' (subtitle: '''''A BattleTech Anthology''''') is a print anthology of thirteen short stories from different authors, plus a foreword by editor [[Philip A. Lee]] and an "About the Authors" section.
 
'''''Legacy''''' (subtitle: '''''A BattleTech Anthology''''') is a print anthology of thirteen short stories from different authors, plus a foreword by editor [[Philip A. Lee]] and an "About the Authors" section.
  
−
Although described as an anthology, it can arguably be described as a serial novel as the individual short story episodes narrate the overarching story of a single individual [[BattleMech]], a ''[[Grasshopper]]''—tentatively called the "Legacy Grasshopper"—as it is passed down from one [[MechWarrior (pilot)|MechWarrior]] to the next over a span of three centuries.
+
Although called an anthology, the book can arguably be described as a serial novel because the individual short story episodes narrate the overarching story of a single individual [[BattleMech]], a ''[[Grasshopper]]'' (tentatively called the "[[Legacy Grasshopper]]" here on [[BattleTechWiki]] for lack of a better name) as it is passed down from one [[MechWarrior (pilot)|MechWarrior]] to the next over a span of three centuries.
  
 
== From the back cover ==
 
== From the back cover ==
Line 44: Line 44:
 
| scrollable timeline = [[Start date::]][[End date::]]
 
| scrollable timeline = [[Start date::]][[End date::]]
 
}}
 
}}
−
Working on prototype #5 of the GHR 'Mech design project in [[2779]] (the very 'Mech that will become the Legacy Grasshopper), engineer [[Lucia Cavaletta]] had a breakthrough design idea and within just sixteen hours hand-built a prototype of a device (a fluidic actuator), solving a design problem that had stymied the team for some time until now. Just as she engraves the masterpiece with her signature after having entered its specifications into the database, the facility is infiltrated and Cavaletta is captured and tortured to death over two hours for information on the project. However, it is later discovered that Cavaletta managed to mislead the intruders into stealing critically flawed design specs for an earlier prototype instead of her most recent invention. ''Grasshopper'' had been a relatively obscure naming suggestion by Cavaletta for the GHR project; it is implied that the design was later actually named ''Grasshopper'' (instead of ''Ghost Hunter'', an earlier project name) in her honor.
+
Working on prototype #5 of the GHR 'Mech design project (the very 'Mech that will become the Legacy Grasshopper) in [[2779]], engineer [[Lucia Cavaletta]] had a breakthrough design idea and within just sixteen hours hand-built a prototype of a device (a fluidic actuator), solving a design problem that had stymied the team for some time until now. Just as she engraves the masterpiece with her signature after having entered its specifications into the database, the facility is overrun by infiltrators who have killed the security guards. Cavaletta is captured and tortured to death over two hours for information on the project. However, it is later discovered that Cavaletta managed to mislead the intruders into stealing critically flawed design specs for an earlier prototype instead of her most recent invention.
 +
 
 +
It is implied that the GHR design was later named ''Grasshopper'' (instead of ''Ghost Hunter'', an earlier project name) in her honor; she had submitted ''Grasshopper'' as a relatively obscure naming suggestion for the project.
  
 
The hand-crafted component prototype she built that night turns up on [[Le Blanc]] in [[2830]], reportedly salvaged from a Draconis Combine "kamikaze" 'Mech (implicitly one destroyed in one of the Combine's [[Chain Gang missions]]). The techs note that it is masterfully built, performs well over specifications, and is signed like a piece of art.
 
The hand-crafted component prototype she built that night turns up on [[Le Blanc]] in [[2830]], reportedly salvaged from a Draconis Combine "kamikaze" 'Mech (implicitly one destroyed in one of the Combine's [[Chain Gang missions]]). The techs note that it is masterfully built, performs well over specifications, and is signed like a piece of art.
 
<div style="clear:both"></div>
 
<div style="clear:both"></div>
−
 
 
===Swords of Light and Darkness===
 
===Swords of Light and Darkness===
 
{{InfoBoxStory
 
{{InfoBoxStory
Line 75: Line 76:
 
Carl Lipetsk is a tech with the [[Capellan Cuirassiers]] BattleMech unit currently stationed on [[Phact]]. He is painfully aware of the elevated status of MechWarriors, whereas the supporting armor and infantry units are largely forgotten and the technical staff completely ignored.
 
Carl Lipetsk is a tech with the [[Capellan Cuirassiers]] BattleMech unit currently stationed on [[Phact]]. He is painfully aware of the elevated status of MechWarriors, whereas the supporting armor and infantry units are largely forgotten and the technical staff completely ignored.
  
−
Having noted the unique workmanship of a GHR-5H ''Grasshopper'' in the unit, Lipetsk had reached out to the manufacturer, Lantren Corporation. On 11 October [[2840]] he receives a [[verigraph]] message from Lantren offering him a full factory overhaul at no cost in return for allowing Lantren to analyze the 'Mech and how it weathered the war until now. The 'Mech is shipped out to Bryant on 27 October, but shortly after takeoff the [[DropShip]] carrying it (the ''[[Silent Sword]]'') is shot down by [[House Marik|Marik]] raiders and crashlands. Two days later, Carl and Andrea arrive at the crash site and begin salvage operations. They discover the ''Grasshopper'' in a damaged but salvageable state. Although not trained as MechWarriors, the two techs attempt to evade approaching Marik 'Mechs and manage to hold them off long enough for friendly reinforcements to arrive. Andrea is heavily wounded in the process, though.
+
Having noted the unique workmanship of a GHR-5H ''Grasshopper'' in the unit, Lipetsk had reached out to the manufacturer, Lantren Corporation. On 11 October [[2840]] he receives a [[verigraph]] message from Lantren confirming the 'Mech is apparently one of the very first units produced. They offer a full factory overhaul at no cost in return for the chance to inspect and analyze the 'Mech to see how it weathered the war until now. A first attempt to ship the 'Mech out to Lantren Corporation on Bryant is made on 27 October, but shortly after takeoff on Phact the [[DropShip]] carrying it (the ''[[Silent Sword]]'') is shot down by [[House Marik|Marik]] raiders and crashlands.
 +
 
 +
Two days later, Carl and his subordinate Andrea arrive at the crash site and begin salvage operations. They discover the ''Grasshopper'' in a damaged but salvageable state. Although not trained as MechWarriors, the two techs attempt to evade approaching Marik 'Mechs by piloting the ''Grasshopper'' and manage to hold them off long enough for friendly reinforcements to arrive. Andrea is heavily wounded in the process, though.
  
−
Carl makes restoring the ''Grasshopper'' a prestige project for the technical staff, to give them focus and a goal. Owing to frequent damage when the patched-together 'Mech has to be sent into combat, the work is still unfinished when the Lantren Corporation facility on Bryant is destroyed by raiders on 18 March [[2843]]. (Ironically, it is a GHR-5H ''Grasshopper'' 'Mech that delivers the crippling blow to the facility.) Back on Phact, where Andrea has since died of her injuries, Carl is saddened by the news that the factory was destroyed and that there will thus be no factory overhaul for the ''Grasshopper'' after all. But he resolves to fix the shot-up machine up by himself instead, part for part, for the Chancellor and to honor Andrea's memory.
+
Carl makes restoring the ''Grasshopper'' a prestige project for the technical staff, to give them focus and a goal. However, owing to frequent damage when the patched-together 'Mech has to be sent into combat time and again, the work is still unfinished when the Lantren Corporation facility on Bryant is destroyed by raiders on 18 March [[2843]]. (Ironically, it is a GHR-5H ''Grasshopper'' 'Mech that delivers the crippling blow to the facility.) Back on Phact, where Andrea has since died of her injuries, Carl is saddened by the news that the factory was destroyed and that there will thus be no factory overhaul for the ''Grasshopper'' after all. But he resolves to fix the shot-up machine up by himself instead, part for part, "for the Chancellor" and to honor Andrea's memory.
 
<div style="clear:both"></div>
 
<div style="clear:both"></div>
 
===The Forgotten Places===
 
===The Forgotten Places===
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| scrollable timeline = [[Start date::]][[End date::]]
 
| scrollable timeline = [[Start date::]][[End date::]]
 
}}
 
}}
−
On [[Kesai IV]], 'Mech [[astech]] Olivia kills her abusive "master" Cicero Arne (of the House Davion militia) and escapes into the rock desert in a buggy on 12 April [[2973]]. When the buggy runs out of fuel she continues on foot and by lucky chance finds a wrecked DropShip (with four 'Mech berths) buried under the sand, with the damaged but salvageable ''Grasshopper'' inside that she can reactivate. When mercenaries–the [[Witchwood Warriors]]–attack Kesai IV on 25 April, Olivia joins them for a chance to leave the planet.
+
On [[Kesai IV]], 'Mech [[astech]] Olivia kills her abusive "master" Cicero Arne (of the House Davion militia) and escapes into the rock desert in a buggy on 12 April [[2973]]. When the buggy runs out of fuel she continues on foot and by lucky chance finds a wrecked DropShip (with four 'Mech berths) buried under the sand, with the damaged but salvageable ''Grasshopper'' inside that she can reactivate. When mercenaries–the [[Witchwood Warriors]]–attack Kesai IV on 25 April, Olivia joins them with the salvaged 'Mech for a chance to leave the planet.
 
<div style="clear:both"></div>
 
<div style="clear:both"></div>
 
===One Man's Trash===
 
===One Man's Trash===
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During a raid by the [[17th Arcturan Guards]], a laser blast had penetrated the cockpit, killed the pilot and partially melted the headrest. The ''Grasshopper'' was salvaged by the [[Silver Hawks Coalition]] defenders and refurbished at the [[Kali-Yama]] Factory Annex on [[Kalidasa]]. Two days later, on 27 February [[3005]], it is given to Sergeant Virgil "Verge" Armstrong of the [[Panther Assault Group]], who doesn't mind the shot up condition as long as he can be a MechWarrior, and no longer just a reserve pilot–even if the 'Mech is ultimately just a walking spare parts depot for Major Szalinski who also pilots a ''Grasshopper''.
 
During a raid by the [[17th Arcturan Guards]], a laser blast had penetrated the cockpit, killed the pilot and partially melted the headrest. The ''Grasshopper'' was salvaged by the [[Silver Hawks Coalition]] defenders and refurbished at the [[Kali-Yama]] Factory Annex on [[Kalidasa]]. Two days later, on 27 February [[3005]], it is given to Sergeant Virgil "Verge" Armstrong of the [[Panther Assault Group]], who doesn't mind the shot up condition as long as he can be a MechWarrior, and no longer just a reserve pilot–even if the 'Mech is ultimately just a walking spare parts depot for Major Szalinski who also pilots a ''Grasshopper''.
  
−
Armstrong finds a small capsule hidden in the cockpit containing the personal belongings of the previous pilot, one Leutnant Christiane Kühn–a wedding ring, family photos, and an encrypted data crystal. The crystal turns out to contain a note to the Lyran raiders, ordering them to meet an inbound reinforcement regiment, the [[10th Skye Rangers]], at Crater Hollow on 1 March.
+
Armstrong finds a small capsule hidden in the cockpit containing the personal belongings of the previous pilot, one Leutnant Christiane Kühn–a wedding ring, family photos, and an encrypted data crystal. The crystal turns out to contain a note to the Lyran raiders, ordering them to meet inbound reinforcements, the [[10th Skye Rangers]] regiment, at Crater Hollow on 1 March.
  
−
Pretending to switch sides, Armstrong walks the 'Mech, which still bears the colors of the 17th Arcturan Guards, to Crater Hollow. His supposed surrender to the Lyran troops is in fact a ruse to allow the Panther Assault Group to maneuver into position for a surprise raid. The ''Grasshopper'' is downed in the ensuing battle, and Armstrong is wounded. He later learns that the expected Lyran reinforcements turned out to be no more than a [[battalion]], a force the defenders can handle. When offered salvaged 'Mechs from the forces at Crater Hollow, Armstrong decides to keep the ''Grasshopper'', which he has come to name "Trash", and have it fixed up instead of switching to a ''[[Warhammer]]'' or ''[[Zeus]]''.
+
Pretending to switch sides, Armstrong walks the 'Mech, which still bears the colors of the 17th Arcturan Guards, to Crater Hollow. His feigned surrender to the Lyran troops (who demand he hand over the 'Mech at gunpoint) is in fact a ruse to allow the Panther Assault Group to maneuver into position for a surprise attack. In the ensuing battle, the ''Grasshopper'' is downed and Armstrong is wounded. He later learns that the expected Lyran reinforcements turned out to be no more than a [[battalion]], a force the defenders can handle. When offered salvaged 'Mechs from the forces at Crater Hollow, Armstrong decides to keep the ''Grasshopper'', which he has come to name "Trash", and have it fixed up instead of switching to a ''[[Warhammer]]'' or ''[[Zeus]]''.
 
<div style="clear:both"></div>
 
<div style="clear:both"></div>
 
===Lightning Strike===
 
===Lightning Strike===
Line 114: Line 117:
 
| type                = Short story
 
| type                = Short story
 
| product            = Legacy (Anthology)
 
| product            = Legacy (Anthology)
−
| timeline            = 12 December [[3038]] - 1 March [[3005]]
+
| timeline            = 12 December [[3038]] - 10 May [[3039]]
 
| scrollable timeline = [[Start date::]][[End date::]]
 
| scrollable timeline = [[Start date::]][[End date::]]
 
}}
 
}}
−
{{sectionstub}}
+
Hauptmann Miles Shelley of the [[Third Lyran Guards]] RCT, a former ''[[Stalker]]'' pilot, spent the last two years learning mobile combat from the [[NAIS Cadet Cadre]]. Upon returning in late [[3038]] he is put in charge of the RCT's new [[Lightning Company]] and assigned the ''Grasshopper'' as his new 'Mech. After almost a decade in a salvage yard on [[Hesperus II]] the ''Grasshopper''  has been refurbished and upgraded with advanced or prototype weapons, but it is still the slowest 'Mech in the entire Lightning Company.
 +
 
 +
While Shelley has embraced the mobile combat doctrine, many other officers in the LCAF have not and feel it runs counter to their established tactics. During the invasion of [[Vega]] in the [[War of 3039]], Shelley's company is tasked with relieving and rescuing a recon company that has fallen silent in a city, against expected heavy resistance from the [[14th Legion of Vega]]. Shelley feels that his company is not the best fit for this particular mission, and silently wonders if his superior officers are trying to discredit the Lightning Company concept by setting him up to fail.
 +
 
 +
Shelley's company find themselves facing superior odds in the city after finding the remains of the recon unit, which was apparently destroyed in an ambush. They attempt a fighting retreat, but take heavy damage in the process. Leutnant Hobson, who had considered his assignment to Shelley's company a demotion from the beginning, orders his lance to fall back even when the next lance fails to show up at the previous fallback point, but his lance disobeys and returns to provide critical assistance to the rest of the company. Eventually, their insubordination combined with Shelley's dogged and innovative tactics allow most of the company to extricate themselves from the city and return to base, minus two 'Mechs lost–one of them Hobson, whose 'Mech was downed and the cockpit kicked in just outside of the city limits.
 
<div style="clear:both"></div>
 
<div style="clear:both"></div>
 
===Choices and Chances===
 
===Choices and Chances===
−
by [[Chris Hussey]]
+
{{InfoBoxStory
 +
| name                = Choices and Chances
 +
| author              = [[Chris Hussey]]
 +
| pages              = 20
 +
| type                = Short story
 +
| product            = Legacy (Anthology)
 +
| timeline            = 8 July [[3049]] - 13 September [[3050]]
 +
| scrollable timeline = [[Start date::]][[End date::]]
 +
}}
 
{{sectionstub}}
 
{{sectionstub}}
 
<div style="clear:both"></div>
 
<div style="clear:both"></div>
 
===The Third Pillar===
 
===The Third Pillar===
−
by [[Jason Hansa]]
+
{{InfoBoxStory
 +
| name                = The Third Pillar
 +
| author              = [[Jason Hansa]]
 +
| pages              = 38
 +
| type                = Short story
 +
| product            = Legacy (Anthology)
 +
| timeline            = 21 December [[3057]] - 5 April [[3058]]
 +
| scrollable timeline = [[Start date::]][[End date::]]
 +
}}
 
{{sectionstub}}
 
{{sectionstub}}
 
<div style="clear:both"></div>
 
<div style="clear:both"></div>
 
===Earthbound===
 
===Earthbound===
−
by [[Aaron Cahall]]
+
{{InfoBoxStory
 +
| name                = Earthbound
 +
| author              = [[Aaron Cahall]]
 +
| pages              = 14
 +
| type                = Short story
 +
| product            = Legacy (Anthology)
 +
| timeline            = 12 - 15 March [[3060]]
 +
| scrollable timeline = [[Start date::]][[End date::]]
 +
}}
 
{{sectionstub}}
 
{{sectionstub}}
 
<div style="clear:both"></div>
 
<div style="clear:both"></div>
 
===Underfoot===
 
===Underfoot===
−
by [[Robert Jeschonek]]
+
{{InfoBoxStory
 +
| name                = Underfoot
 +
| author              = [[Robert Jeschonek]]
 +
| pages              = 15
 +
| type                = Short story
 +
| product            = Legacy (Anthology)
 +
| timeline            = 23 April [[3063]]
 +
| scrollable timeline = [[Start date::]][[End date::]]
 +
}}
 
{{sectionstub}}
 
{{sectionstub}}
 
<div style="clear:both"></div>
 
<div style="clear:both"></div>
 
===Homecoming===
 
===Homecoming===
−
by [[Alex Fauth]]
+
{{InfoBoxStory
 +
| name                = Homecoming
 +
| author              = [[Alex Fauth]]
 +
| pages              = 22
 +
| type                = Short story
 +
| product            = Legacy (Anthology)
 +
| timeline            = 2 March - 19 April [[3078]]
 +
| scrollable timeline = [[Start date::]][[End date::]]
 +
}}
 
{{sectionstub}}
 
{{sectionstub}}
 
<div style="clear:both"></div>
 
<div style="clear:both"></div>
 
===End of the Road===
 
===End of the Road===
−
by [[Craig A. Reed]]
+
{{InfoBoxStory
 +
| name                = End of the Road
 +
| author              = [[Craig A. Reed]]
 +
| pages              = 29
 +
| type                = Short story
 +
| product            = Legacy (Anthology)
 +
| timeline            = 1 September - 25 December [[3078]]
 +
| scrollable timeline = [[Start date::]][[End date::]]
 +
}}
 
{{sectionstub}}
 
{{sectionstub}}
 
<div style="clear:both"></div>
 
<div style="clear:both"></div>
 
===Epilogue: Where Legends Come to Rest===
 
===Epilogue: Where Legends Come to Rest===
−
by [[Philip A. Lee]]
+
{{InfoBoxStory
 +
| name                = Where Legends Come to Rest
 +
| author              = [[Philip A. Lee]]
 +
| pages              = 11
 +
| type                = Short story
 +
| product            = Legacy (Anthology)
 +
| timeline            = 25 May [[3084]] - 30 October [[3090]]
 +
| scrollable timeline = [[Start date::]][[End date::]]
 +
}}
 
{{sectionstub}}
 
{{sectionstub}}
  
 
[[Category:Novels]]
 
[[Category:Novels]]
 
[[Category:Anthologies|Legacy]]
 
[[Category:Anthologies|Legacy]]

Revision as of 04:00, 10 June 2018

LegacyCover.jpg
Legacy (Anthology)
Product information
Type Anthology
Author Alan Brundage
Aaron Cahall
Alex Fauth
Jason Hansa
Travis Heermann
Chris Hussey
Robert Jeschonek
Kevin Killiany
Philip A. Lee
Darrell Myers
Craig A. Reed
Geoff Swift
Development John Helfers (Editor)
Philip A. Lee (Editor)
Pages 280
Cover Artwork Des Hanley
Interior Artwork Franz Vohwinkel
Publication information
Publisher Catalyst Game Labs
Product code 35826
First published 17 August 2017
ISBN-13 978-1941582312
MSRP 11.95 US$
Content
Era (see text)

Legacy (subtitle: A BattleTech Anthology) is a print anthology of thirteen short stories from different authors, plus a foreword by editor Philip A. Lee and an "About the Authors" section.

Although called an anthology, the book can arguably be described as a serial novel because the individual short story episodes narrate the overarching story of a single individual BattleMech, a Grasshopper (tentatively called the "Legacy Grasshopper" here on BattleTechWiki for lack of a better name) as it is passed down from one MechWarrior to the next over a span of three centuries.

From the back cover

“ LIFE IS CHEAP. BATTLEMECHS ARE NOT.

A Draconis Combine warrior struggles with immoral orders in the First Succession War. A House Davion MechWarrior participates in a risky heist as part of Operation Guerrero. A history buff battles the Word of Blake during the Liberation of Terra. What do these MechWarriors have in common? Each one pilots the same BattleMech, a survivor that has been repaired and rebuilt countless times throughout its long and bloody 300-year lifespan.
The seventy-ton GHR-5H Grasshopper can outmaneuver and outlast some of the most fearsome enemy 'Mechs, making it an invaluable asset to battlefield commanders. Even an incapacitated Grasshopper will be rebuilt to fight another day, with a new pilot at its controls, because MechWarriors can be replaced, but 'Mechs cannot.
In BattleTech: Legacy, thirteen all-new stories chronicle the fortunes and tragedies of a single 'Mech across several tumultuous points in its wide-ranging combat history. Veteran BattleTech authors Kevin Killiany and Craig A. Reed, Jr. bookend this exciting collection, while other familiar names and new blood explore important moments in this 'Mech's history of constant, unmitigated warfare that leaves no corner of the Inner Sphere untouched.

”

Stories

What's in a Name?

What's in a Name?
Story information
Author Kevin Killiany
Pages 14
Type Short story
Product Legacy (Anthology)
Content
Timeline 27 March 2779 - 13 April 2830

Working on prototype #5 of the GHR 'Mech design project (the very 'Mech that will become the Legacy Grasshopper) in 2779, engineer Lucia Cavaletta had a breakthrough design idea and within just sixteen hours hand-built a prototype of a device (a fluidic actuator), solving a design problem that had stymied the team for some time until now. Just as she engraves the masterpiece with her signature after having entered its specifications into the database, the facility is overrun by infiltrators who have killed the security guards. Cavaletta is captured and tortured to death over two hours for information on the project. However, it is later discovered that Cavaletta managed to mislead the intruders into stealing critically flawed design specs for an earlier prototype instead of her most recent invention.

It is implied that the GHR design was later named Grasshopper (instead of Ghost Hunter, an earlier project name) in her honor; she had submitted Grasshopper as a relatively obscure naming suggestion for the project.

The hand-crafted component prototype she built that night turns up on Le Blanc in 2830, reportedly salvaged from a Draconis Combine "kamikaze" 'Mech (implicitly one destroyed in one of the Combine's Chain Gang missions). The techs note that it is masterfully built, performs well over specifications, and is signed like a piece of art.

Swords of Light and Darkness

Swords of Light and Darkness
Story information
Author Travis Heermann
Pages 21
Type Short story
Product Legacy (Anthology)
Content
Timeline 11 September 2796 - 17 April 2797

During the latter days of the Kentares Massacre, Tai-i Sam Tanaka of the Sixth Sword of Light regiment resolves to hide a fugitive local girl in his Grasshopper to at least give her a few days of relative comfort; intellectually, he knows that he will ultimately be unable to save her life, and will likely be executed for treason for not killing the girl outright.

Flashbacks reveal how Tanaka's morale, and that of his entire unit, was worn down by the atrocious mass murder they were ordered to commit on the entire planet's population, how he tries to reconcile this reality with his bushido ideals of honor and duty, and how he no longer cares about his individual fate.

Fates and Fortunes

Fates and Fortunes
Story information
Author Darrell Myers
Pages 19
Type Short story
Product Legacy (Anthology)
Content
Timeline 11 October 2840 - 23 April 2843

Carl Lipetsk is a tech with the Capellan Cuirassiers BattleMech unit currently stationed on Phact. He is painfully aware of the elevated status of MechWarriors, whereas the supporting armor and infantry units are largely forgotten and the technical staff completely ignored.

Having noted the unique workmanship of a GHR-5H Grasshopper in the unit, Lipetsk had reached out to the manufacturer, Lantren Corporation. On 11 October 2840 he receives a verigraph message from Lantren confirming the 'Mech is apparently one of the very first units produced. They offer a full factory overhaul at no cost in return for the chance to inspect and analyze the 'Mech to see how it weathered the war until now. A first attempt to ship the 'Mech out to Lantren Corporation on Bryant is made on 27 October, but shortly after takeoff on Phact the DropShip carrying it (the Silent Sword) is shot down by Marik raiders and crashlands.

Two days later, Carl and his subordinate Andrea arrive at the crash site and begin salvage operations. They discover the Grasshopper in a damaged but salvageable state. Although not trained as MechWarriors, the two techs attempt to evade approaching Marik 'Mechs by piloting the Grasshopper and manage to hold them off long enough for friendly reinforcements to arrive. Andrea is heavily wounded in the process, though.

Carl makes restoring the Grasshopper a prestige project for the technical staff, to give them focus and a goal. However, owing to frequent damage when the patched-together 'Mech has to be sent into combat time and again, the work is still unfinished when the Lantren Corporation facility on Bryant is destroyed by raiders on 18 March 2843. (Ironically, it is a GHR-5H Grasshopper 'Mech that delivers the crippling blow to the facility.) Back on Phact, where Andrea has since died of her injuries, Carl is saddened by the news that the factory was destroyed and that there will thus be no factory overhaul for the Grasshopper after all. But he resolves to fix the shot-up machine up by himself instead, part for part, "for the Chancellor" and to honor Andrea's memory.

The Forgotten Places

The Forgotten Places
Story information
Author Alan Brundage
Pages 12
Type Short story
Product Legacy (Anthology)
Content
Timeline 12 - 25 April 2973

On Kesai IV, 'Mech astech Olivia kills her abusive "master" Cicero Arne (of the House Davion militia) and escapes into the rock desert in a buggy on 12 April 2973. When the buggy runs out of fuel she continues on foot and by lucky chance finds a wrecked DropShip (with four 'Mech berths) buried under the sand, with the damaged but salvageable Grasshopper inside that she can reactivate. When mercenaries–the Witchwood Warriors–attack Kesai IV on 25 April, Olivia joins them with the salvaged 'Mech for a chance to leave the planet.

One Man's Trash

One Man's Trash
Story information
Author Philip A. Lee
Pages 24
Type Short story
Product Legacy (Anthology)
Content
Timeline 27 February - 1 March 3005

During a raid by the 17th Arcturan Guards, a laser blast had penetrated the cockpit, killed the pilot and partially melted the headrest. The Grasshopper was salvaged by the Silver Hawks Coalition defenders and refurbished at the Kali-Yama Factory Annex on Kalidasa. Two days later, on 27 February 3005, it is given to Sergeant Virgil "Verge" Armstrong of the Panther Assault Group, who doesn't mind the shot up condition as long as he can be a MechWarrior, and no longer just a reserve pilot–even if the 'Mech is ultimately just a walking spare parts depot for Major Szalinski who also pilots a Grasshopper.

Armstrong finds a small capsule hidden in the cockpit containing the personal belongings of the previous pilot, one Leutnant Christiane Kühn–a wedding ring, family photos, and an encrypted data crystal. The crystal turns out to contain a note to the Lyran raiders, ordering them to meet inbound reinforcements, the 10th Skye Rangers regiment, at Crater Hollow on 1 March.

Pretending to switch sides, Armstrong walks the 'Mech, which still bears the colors of the 17th Arcturan Guards, to Crater Hollow. His feigned surrender to the Lyran troops (who demand he hand over the 'Mech at gunpoint) is in fact a ruse to allow the Panther Assault Group to maneuver into position for a surprise attack. In the ensuing battle, the Grasshopper is downed and Armstrong is wounded. He later learns that the expected Lyran reinforcements turned out to be no more than a battalion, a force the defenders can handle. When offered salvaged 'Mechs from the forces at Crater Hollow, Armstrong decides to keep the Grasshopper, which he has come to name "Trash", and have it fixed up instead of switching to a Warhammer or Zeus.

Lightning Strike

Lightning Strike
Story information
Author Geoff Swift
Pages 19
Type Short story
Product Legacy (Anthology)
Content
Timeline 12 December 3038 - 10 May 3039

Hauptmann Miles Shelley of the Third Lyran Guards RCT, a former Stalker pilot, spent the last two years learning mobile combat from the NAIS Cadet Cadre. Upon returning in late 3038 he is put in charge of the RCT's new Lightning Company and assigned the Grasshopper as his new 'Mech. After almost a decade in a salvage yard on Hesperus II the Grasshopper has been refurbished and upgraded with advanced or prototype weapons, but it is still the slowest 'Mech in the entire Lightning Company.

While Shelley has embraced the mobile combat doctrine, many other officers in the LCAF have not and feel it runs counter to their established tactics. During the invasion of Vega in the War of 3039, Shelley's company is tasked with relieving and rescuing a recon company that has fallen silent in a city, against expected heavy resistance from the 14th Legion of Vega. Shelley feels that his company is not the best fit for this particular mission, and silently wonders if his superior officers are trying to discredit the Lightning Company concept by setting him up to fail.

Shelley's company find themselves facing superior odds in the city after finding the remains of the recon unit, which was apparently destroyed in an ambush. They attempt a fighting retreat, but take heavy damage in the process. Leutnant Hobson, who had considered his assignment to Shelley's company a demotion from the beginning, orders his lance to fall back even when the next lance fails to show up at the previous fallback point, but his lance disobeys and returns to provide critical assistance to the rest of the company. Eventually, their insubordination combined with Shelley's dogged and innovative tactics allow most of the company to extricate themselves from the city and return to base, minus two 'Mechs lost–one of them Hobson, whose 'Mech was downed and the cockpit kicked in just outside of the city limits.

Choices and Chances

Choices and Chances
Story information
Author Chris Hussey
Pages 20
Type Short story
Product Legacy (Anthology)
Content
Timeline 8 July 3049 - 13 September 3050

The Third Pillar

The Third Pillar
Story information
Author Jason Hansa
Pages 38
Type Short story
Product Legacy (Anthology)
Content
Timeline 21 December 3057 - 5 April 3058

Earthbound

Earthbound
Story information
Author Aaron Cahall
Pages 14
Type Short story
Product Legacy (Anthology)
Content
Timeline 12 - 15 March 3060

Underfoot

Underfoot
Story information
Author Robert Jeschonek
Pages 15
Type Short story
Product Legacy (Anthology)
Content
Timeline 23 April 3063

Homecoming

Homecoming
Story information
Author Alex Fauth
Pages 22
Type Short story
Product Legacy (Anthology)
Content
Timeline 2 March - 19 April 3078

End of the Road

End of the Road
Story information
Author Craig A. Reed
Pages 29
Type Short story
Product Legacy (Anthology)
Content
Timeline 1 September - 25 December 3078

Epilogue: Where Legends Come to Rest

Where Legends Come to Rest
Story information
Author Philip A. Lee
Pages 11
Type Short story
Product Legacy (Anthology)
Content
Timeline 25 May 3084 - 30 October 3090

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