Difference between revisions of "Not the Way the Smart Money Bets"
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| followedby = [[A Tiny Spot of Rebellion]] | | followedby = [[A Tiny Spot of Rebellion]] | ||
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| − | '''''Not the Way the Smart Money Bets''''' is a serialized | + | '''''Not the Way the Smart Money Bets''''', subtitled ''A Tale of the Kell Hounds'' in the original [[BattleCorps]] release, is a serialized novella by [[Michael A. Stackpole]] that was published online on BattleCorps in six parts. It was republished in print in 2019 as the first installment of the [[Kell Hounds Ascendant]] Trilogy, where its title is (apparently erroneously) given as '''''Not How the Smart Money Bets''''' on the back cover, but unchanged within the book. |
| − | |||
| − | It was republished in print in 2019 as the first installment of the [[Kell Hounds Ascendant]] Trilogy, as '''''Not How the Smart Money Bets'''''. | ||
==BattleCorps teasers== | ==BattleCorps teasers== | ||
| Line 53: | Line 51: | ||
==Plot summary== | ==Plot summary== | ||
| − | + | [[Morgan Kell|Morgan]] and [[Patrick Kell]] have inherited a fortune from their late [[Arthur Luvon|uncle]], who was married to [[Archon of the Lyran Commonwealth]] [[Katrina Steiner]], and intend to form a morally upstanding [[mercenary unit]] with the money by hiring only the best [[MechWarrior (pilot)|MechWarriors]] on [[Galatea]], the [[Mercenary's Star]]. They had not anticipated the fallout their offer, broadcast before they even set foot on the world, would create: A financially sound outfit with close ties to [[House Steiner]] is almost too good to be true. | |
| + | |||
| + | Upon arriving on Galatea on 3 October 3010, the Kell brothers are greeted by [[Gordon Franck]] from the Lyran office of Mercenary Relations. Sympathetic to their cause, he advises them about an unforeseen situation: Their hiring offer is going to inject a lot of money into the market and will thereby upset the business model of local loan shark and underworld kingpin [[Haskell Blizzard]], as it will allow mercenaries to pay him off for good — owing money to Blizzard is colloquially called being "snowed under" among mercenaries on Galatea. Blizzard is very well connected. His granddaughter happens to be married to [[Thomas Volmer]], son of corrupt Lyran General "Viper" Volmer who is in command of the local militia and police on Galatea as well as spies and underworld informants. It doesn't help that Thomas Volmer was expelled from the [[Nagelring]] and blames it in part on Patrick Kell. | ||
| + | |||
| + | General Volmer essentially summons Colonel Morgan Kell to an audience, and Morgan obliges but points out in no uncertain terms to Volmer's aide that he's not taking orders from him. Meeting Volmer, Morgan decides he is a bureaucrat and schemer but not a true field commander. When Volmer tries to inte imidate Morgan into playing by his rules, pointing out that his cousin the Archon has little direct power here, Morgan considers his demands so outrageous that the openly calls him out as being Blizzard's puppet and threatens him back. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Patrick meanwhile is approached by one [[Hector Damiceau]] who similarly tries to intimidate him on behalf of his unnamed masters (implicitly, [[House Marik]]) into not creating their planned unit. When Damiceau threatens to abduct Patrick, he is saved by his cab driver ([[Walter de Mesnil]]). | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Kell brothers, Franck, and de Mesnil briefly discuss the events and the Kells decide to take on Blizzard head-on and get the first punch in. Morgan goes to a demolition derby event that Blizzard is known to attend, a rigged mock fight with replica BattleMechs from inferior materials and quality. The fight is won by "Titan" in a show 'Mech imitating a ''[[Commando]]''. As expected, Morgan is summoned to meet Haskell Blizzard in his box. They have a very straightforward discussion about the situation, but fail to come to an understanding. It ends with Blizzard telling Morgan that he has Patrick followed, and will mark him to prove his absolute power on Galatea. Morgan is also introduced to Titan, who turns out to be Thomas Volmer. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Patrick goes dancing and meets a charming, street-widse woman named Tisha who gives him a street-level perspective on things. | ||
==Featured Characters== | ==Featured Characters== | ||
| Line 89: | Line 97: | ||
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
| − | *Anachronistically, | + | *Anachronistically, [[Hansen's Roughriders]] are mentioned in Chapter 1 as an established mercenary unit although that unit would not form until several years later. |
[[Category:BattleCorps publications]] | [[Category:BattleCorps publications]] | ||
[[Category:Novels]] | [[Category:Novels]] | ||
[[Category:Works by Michael A. Stackpole]] | [[Category:Works by Michael A. Stackpole]] | ||
Revision as of 11:07, 18 June 2022
| |
| Not the Way the Smart Money Bets | |
|---|---|
| Product information | |
| Type | Novel (6 parts) |
| Author | Michael A. Stackpole |
| Pages | 152 |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | BattleCorps Catalyst Game Labs |
| Product code | CAT35882NV |
| First published | 7 March-16 May 2008 (BattleCorps) |
| Content | |
| Era | Succession Wars era |
| Timeline | 3-7 October 3010 |
| Series | Kell Hounds Ascendant |
| Followed by | A Tiny Spot of Rebellion |
Not the Way the Smart Money Bets, subtitled A Tale of the Kell Hounds in the original BattleCorps release, is a serialized novella by Michael A. Stackpole that was published online on BattleCorps in six parts. It was republished in print in 2019 as the first installment of the Kell Hounds Ascendant Trilogy, where its title is (apparently erroneously) given as Not How the Smart Money Bets on the back cover, but unchanged within the book.
Contents
Part 1
- published on 7 March 2008
| “ | Two brothers arrive on Galatea with money in their pocket and a vision to create a unit that will change life for the better. But first they have to deal with life that is worse. | ” |
Part 2
- published on 21 March 2008
| “ | One brother dives into the sharks den. One brother dances into the local scene. With both actions the Kell Hounds set themselves on a course that could collide or collude with the powers of Galatea. | ” |
Part 3
- published on 4 April 2008
| “ | "A month"... If the Kells could recruit and outfit their unit in a month then they just might skirt around a raging Blizzard hiding a Social General with a chip on his son's shoulder. Of course to do that they have to dodge idiot son's, assassins, politics, and even angry potential future girlfriends. They probably wished they had brought their 'Mechs. | ” |
Part 4
- published on 18 April 2008
| “ | One brother at an embassy ball, the other at a fine restaurant. One will spar with words, the other weapons, but both Kells are winning friends, influencing a planet and pounding on those that oppose them in their quest to form the Kell Hounds. | ” |
Part 5
- published on 2 May 2008
| “ | The fight is set, the outcome will determine if the Hounds rise like a rocket or plummet like a rock. But first they have to make sure that Patrick and his 'Mech actually make it to the fight in one piece. | ” |
Part 6
- published on 16 May 2008
| “ | It's fight day and the Kells are fighting the fight of their very existence. All before Patrick ever takes the field, and if they can't find him a BattleMech the fight will be over before it even can begin. | ” |
Plot summary
Morgan and Patrick Kell have inherited a fortune from their late uncle, who was married to Archon of the Lyran Commonwealth Katrina Steiner, and intend to form a morally upstanding mercenary unit with the money by hiring only the best MechWarriors on Galatea, the Mercenary's Star. They had not anticipated the fallout their offer, broadcast before they even set foot on the world, would create: A financially sound outfit with close ties to House Steiner is almost too good to be true.
Upon arriving on Galatea on 3 October 3010, the Kell brothers are greeted by Gordon Franck from the Lyran office of Mercenary Relations. Sympathetic to their cause, he advises them about an unforeseen situation: Their hiring offer is going to inject a lot of money into the market and will thereby upset the business model of local loan shark and underworld kingpin Haskell Blizzard, as it will allow mercenaries to pay him off for good — owing money to Blizzard is colloquially called being "snowed under" among mercenaries on Galatea. Blizzard is very well connected. His granddaughter happens to be married to Thomas Volmer, son of corrupt Lyran General "Viper" Volmer who is in command of the local militia and police on Galatea as well as spies and underworld informants. It doesn't help that Thomas Volmer was expelled from the Nagelring and blames it in part on Patrick Kell.
General Volmer essentially summons Colonel Morgan Kell to an audience, and Morgan obliges but points out in no uncertain terms to Volmer's aide that he's not taking orders from him. Meeting Volmer, Morgan decides he is a bureaucrat and schemer but not a true field commander. When Volmer tries to inte imidate Morgan into playing by his rules, pointing out that his cousin the Archon has little direct power here, Morgan considers his demands so outrageous that the openly calls him out as being Blizzard's puppet and threatens him back.
Patrick meanwhile is approached by one Hector Damiceau who similarly tries to intimidate him on behalf of his unnamed masters (implicitly, House Marik) into not creating their planned unit. When Damiceau threatens to abduct Patrick, he is saved by his cab driver (Walter de Mesnil).
The Kell brothers, Franck, and de Mesnil briefly discuss the events and the Kells decide to take on Blizzard head-on and get the first punch in. Morgan goes to a demolition derby event that Blizzard is known to attend, a rigged mock fight with replica BattleMechs from inferior materials and quality. The fight is won by "Titan" in a show 'Mech imitating a Commando. As expected, Morgan is summoned to meet Haskell Blizzard in his box. They have a very straightforward discussion about the situation, but fail to come to an understanding. It ends with Blizzard telling Morgan that he has Patrick followed, and will mark him to prove his absolute power on Galatea. Morgan is also introduced to Titan, who turns out to be Thomas Volmer.
Patrick goes dancing and meets a charming, street-widse woman named Tisha who gives him a street-level perspective on things.
Featured Characters
- Morgan Kell
- Patrick Kell
- Amanda Heartsthorne
- Clarence Wilson
- Gordon Franck
- Haskell Blizzard
- Hector Damiceau
- Laeticia Hamilton
- Richard O'Cieran
- Thomas Volmer
- Veronica Matova
- "Viper" Volmer
- Walter de Mesnil
- Yorinaga Kurita
Featured systems
Featured BattleTech
BattleMechs
DropShips
Notes
- Anachronistically, Hansen's Roughriders are mentioned in Chapter 1 as an established mercenary unit although that unit would not form until several years later.