Chaos Theory

Chaos Theory
Story information
Author Bryan Young
Pages 24
Type Novella
Product Alpha Strike Boxed Set
Illustrations David Kerber and Mark Hayden
Content
Era ilClan Era
Universe Date 20–22 December 3151

The short story Chaos Theory by Bryan Young was first published in Alpha Strike Boxed Set.

From the Back Cover[edit]

“ BEST LAID PLANS...

On what should have been a simple shoot-and-scoot recon mission the thick jungles of the planet Caph, Kevin Street and the famed Northwind Highlanders mercenaries under his command encounter a much different foe than the Capellans they were expecting.

Star Commander Aran Helmer leads a Star of Jade Falcon MechWarriors, fierce fighters that find themselves attacked by Inner Sphere mercenareies while guarding a communications outpost in the jungle. But Helmer and her people know how to make the Highlanders pay for their audacity.

Two units of powerful, fearsome warriors in the deadliest war machines ever created - BattleMechs - each facing an equally determined foe. Which side will prevail?

”

Plot summary[edit]

On 20 December 3151 while in high orbit above Caph, Captain Kevin Street briefs his truncated Company on their mission; conduct a reconnaissance in force of an old listening post at the southern edge of the Cretaceous Zone on the Steam continent. The rest of the First Kearny Highlanders will conduct similar operations at other points on the planet to gauge the defenses of the Capellan Confederation which conquered the planet in March of that year. Upon landing on 22 December the two lances moved towards the outpost. Street's lance would advance from the North, while Lieutenant Andrea Riche's lance was to follow a river and approach from behind.

A Trinary of OmniMechs of the Fifth Battle Cluster has been spread out to defend the whole of Steam continent, with a single Star led by Star Commander Aren Helmer defending the listening post. Presumably the remainder of the Fifth Battle was focused on the main continent of Brunnel. Alerted to the Highlander's presence by jamming, the Star deploys moments after the arrival of Street's lance. Helmer ordered Milla's Fire Moth D and Gavin's Nova into the jungles to flush out Street's lance, Secily's Pouncer take up an advantageous sniping position, while his Warhawk and Katherine's Timber Wolf remained at the facility. He also ordered the facility's laser, autocannon, and artillery weapon emplacements online.

Having discovered that the outpost is not only manned, but that Clan Jade Falcon had since occupied the world, Street was faced with the choice between retreating with this information or engaging the hated Jade Falcons. Reasoning he could do both and fulfill his mission, he ordered an attack. His lance focused on the OmniMechs while Riche's previously undetected lance attacked the facility to neutralize the weapon emplacements. Ryan's Locust was destroyed by those emplacements almost immediately, killing the pilot. Street ordered Alan's Wraith to break from his lance and assist Riche's lance in destroying the weapon emplacements. Green was able to ascertain (via Headhunter Special Piloting Ability) that Helmer was in command.

With the Fire Moth and Nova burning the jungle behind them, and the Pouncer unable to find targets, Street in his AS7-S Atlas ordered the rest of his lance to advance on the facility and destroy the Warhawk. As Street turned to face the Warhawk, the Fire Moth and Nova burst through the woods and struck at his rear, though Street was able to score a heavy hit on the Fire Moth's right torso and arm with his rear facing weapons that destroyed the Flamer and two ER Medium Lasers. At the same time, Secily's Pouncer managed a clear shot rear on Michelle's Wasp, killing the pilot. In response Alan's Wraith turned to engage the Pouncer but not before it delivered a cockpit hit to Beth's Phoenix Hawk that appeared to kill her as well.

Helmar fell down under the withering barrage, though not yet destroyed. As both forces wavered on the edge of Combat Loss Groupings, a stampede of neosaurs resembling Terran triceratops plowed through both forces, knocking the Nova (already disoriented from an SRM cockpit hit from Street) off its feet. Taking advantage of the distraction Street ordered a withdrawal back to their DropShip with the intelligence they'd gathered.

Two hours later Helmar was extricated from his cockpit and gave the wounded but still living Sara Beth the option of becoming a bondsman or being left to the hostile environment of Steam. Beth accepted and became a member of Clan Jade Falcon.

Featured characters[edit]

Featured BattleTech[edit]

Featured planets[edit]

Notes[edit]

  • Unlike the included fiction in the BattleTech: Beginner Box and BattleTech: A Game of Armored Combat sets, Chaos Theory more directly connects with the contents of the Alpha Strike box, including the 'Mech miniatures it contains and with Alpha Strike pilot cards for each of the characters, serving as an example of game itself.
  • The backcover spells Aran Helmer, though the interior narrative her Alpha Strike pilot card spell her name Aren Helmer.
  • While the Alpha Strike card for Street's Atlas in the boxset is an AS7-S4, the weapons configuration and exposition in the story indicate he's piloting an AS7-S.

Retrieved from "https://www.sarna.net/wiki/index.php?title=Chaos_Theory&oldid=1054432"