A Matter of Respect
Sarna News
| A Matter of Respect | |
|---|---|
| Short story by Blaine Lee Pardoe | |
| First Publication | |
| Published | September 1993 |
| Published in | Solaris: The Reaches |
| Publisher | FASA |
| Pages |
|
| Chronology | |
| Era | Clan Invasion era |
| Timeline | c. 3054 |
A Matter of Respect is a short story by Blaine Lee Pardoe that was first published in the 1993 sourcebook Solaris: The Reaches, split into seven parts that each accompanied a chapter in the book. On 5 June 2009, it was republished online on BattleCorps as a stand-alone product in PDF format.
It describes how a prototype Sasquatch BattleMech is stolen from, and regained by, Vining Engineering and Salvage Team on Solaris VII.
[edit]
| “ | BattleCorps is pleased to bring you the opening fiction from a number of previous sourcebooks to make sure the fictional flavor of the universe is maintained whether you own the book or not! Be careful who you hire, especially if you let them behind the controls of your prize prototype. | ” |
Plot Summary[edit]
Vining Engineering and Salvage Team has spent months of work and considerable funds on creating the SQS-TH-001 Sasquatch BattleMech, but one morning Dr. David C. Vining arrives at the VEST building to find that a newly hired tech, Robby France, stole the prototype during a shakedown run. It turns out he was working for the disreputable Vampires Stables.
Dr. Vining thinks that stealing the 'Mech back is what the Vampires would expect, and will have prepared for. Instead, he opts to take back the 'Mech, hurt their pride, and promote his new design all at once—by challenging the Vampires to an arena duel for the appropriated prototype. He correctly anticipates that they will be too proud to decline the offer. Still, Robby France is mugged in an alley on orders of VEST as a matter of principle.
VEST hires ace duelist MechWarrior Lorri Bent, brings their second Sasquatch prototype to fully operational status, and install a few extra weapons and a kill switch for their first prototype in the second one. Bent handily defeats Vampires stablemaster Dick Benson in the King of the Mountain arena, effectively destroying both 'Mechs (though hers may be salvageable). Dr. Vining subsequently hires her for VEST.
Featured Characters[edit]
Featured Places[edit]
Featured BattleTech[edit]
BattleMechs[edit]
- Chameleon
- SQS-TH-001 Sasquatch
- Copperhead (mentioned)
- Werewolf (mentioned)
Notes[edit]
- The story does not feature a timestamp, but it deals with the first introduction of the Sasquatch which, according to the Master Unit List, was introduced in 3054.
- No author is credited for the story in the original publication in Solaris: The Reaches, though Pardoe is credited for "design" of the book, suggesting he wrote the content. On BattleCorps, the story is not attributed to a specific author, but generally to "sourcebook fiction".