A Trial Most Acceptable
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A Trial Most Acceptable | |
|---|---|
| Novella by Jason Hansa | |
.jpg) | |
| Publication | |
| Published | 15 September 2022 |
| Published in | Shrapnel Issue 10 |
| Publisher | Catalyst Game Labs |
| Chronology | |
| Era | Jihad era |
| Timeline | 22 January 3078 — 24 January 3078 |
A Trial Most Acceptable is a novella by Jason Hansa that was published in the tenth issue of Shrapnel.
Contents
Plot Summary[edit]
On the planet Hsien, Lieutenant Junior Grade Kendra Slavoski attended a meeting. It was held at the command post of Stone's Coalition who were fighting to free the world from the Word of Blake Protectorate, and she especially noticed the Clan Hell's Horses leader, Star Colonel John Lassenerra.
The leader of the allied task force, Duchess Alys Rousset-Marik, stormed into the room and talked to the Clansman. She pointed out that she had held him in reserve, but now two regiments of the Capellan Confederation had landed and were engaging both the task force and the Blakists, and refusing to negotiate. The duchess was unleashing them on the elite of the Capellans, the Fourth Tau Ceti Rangers, with orders to kill them until she ordered to stop.
Lassenerra said that he had heard of this unit, which was part of the Star League Defense Forces that refused to join Operation EXODUS, and for that he showed a deep hatred toward them.
Alys later presented Kendra to John, telling him that her Support Battalion, mainly composed of artillery, would reinforce Lassenerra's Cluster. He agreed before departing. After that, Alys told Kendra that she would be her eyes, ears and conscience inside the Cluster.
Meanwhile, Star Commander Rotislav Grimheald, the Horses officer leading a ProtoMech Star, was making a recon behind Capellan lines.
When Kendra arrived at the Horses' Mobile HQ, she dismounted and entered. She was approached by Nova Captain Ernesto Ravenwater, leader of Trinary Beta, and he presented Kendra to the logistics head of the Horses, Point Commander Amanda. Kendra showed a high level of knowledge of the Horses unit's composition. Kendra suggested using the ProtoMech Star to make a near recon of the Capellans, but the Star Colonel said he was keeping them far away to prevent the Rangers knowing of their presence too soon.
Kendra made several suggestions to Amanda, but the latter didn't like them, so the lieutenant had to defy her in a Circle of Equals. Kendra's martial ability allowed her to easily defeat Amanda, assuming command of all logistics for the Cluster.
Soon after, the Rangers' leader, Sang-shao Daniel Jax, communicated with Lassenerra. The Star Colonel mocked the Rangers, and both agreed to fight. Kendra suspected the Capellans' intentions of striking their rearguard and warned the Star Colonel.
Before the fight began, the Star Colonel saw Kendra's old cooling vest and, interrogating her, uncovered that she hadn't gone to a formal academy, but was self-trained. John allowed her to stay in the unit, but only for the battle.
The Rangers attacked the Horses line, but were crushed and a full company slaughtered, while the ProtoMechs sowed chaos in their rear lines.
After the battle ended, Kendra had won the respect of the Star Colonel, who gave her a full and modern cooling suit. She was talking with another Horses' officer when they were attacked by camouflaged commandos, but Kendra managed to disarm and kill two of them, saving the officer, who was wounded. Lassenerra congratulated her for her success.
The ProtoMech Star arrived at the Rangers' landing zone, where they picked off lone enemies while the Aerospace Trinary of their Cluster launched a total assault. A ProtoMech Point went crazy and blew up an Overlord DropShip, while the fighters blew up a Union-class.
The Horses and Kendra led a frontal assault, but the Clanners were so bloodthirsty that even after Jax began hailing them, Lassenerra ignored his calls while his people killed any enemy, taking no prisoners. Kendra was forced to appeal to the Horses' honor, and finally, the Star Colonel agreed to cease the fight and allow the Rangers to leave the battlefield.
In a later meeting of Lassenerra and Kendra with the duchess, the Clan warrior thanked Alys for allowing them to fight, and the duchess congratulated both for their hard work. Alys alluded to the Star Colonel's promise to return Kendra to her, and offered a place to the lieutenant in her staff, but Kendra refused; she wanted to learn from the best, so she wanted to stay with the Horses.
Featured Characters[edit]
- Alys Rousset-Marik
- Colin
- Ernesto Ravenwater
- John Lassenerra
- Kendra Slavoski
- Kordo
- Mycroft
- Rotislav Grimheald
- Amanda
- Bethany
Featured Units[edit]
- Eleventh Mechanized Cavalry Cluster (Clan Hell's Horses)
- Third Cole Harbour Support Battalion
- Fourth Tau Ceti Rangers