Decompression

Decompression
Short story by William H. Keith
Published inBattleTechnology #0201
illustrator(s)William H. Keith
Pages8
Chronology
EraSuccession Wars era
Timeline7 October 3027


Plot Summary[edit]

Lieutenant Vincent McGabe, a MechWarrior with the Star Warriors mercenary regiment, is part of a Lyran strike mission against Draconis Combine forces in the Ramsau system.

As a regiment-sized force raids Ramsau itself on 7 October 3027, McGabe and five other mercenary MechWarriors set down on Gordo, Ramsau's tide-locked moon (also identified as Ramsau III-A), in a modified Leopard-class DropShip. Their objective is the DCMS command and control facility on Gordo, which has an unobstructed view of Ramsau.

Approaching the installation, the mercenaries are crossing an empty mare when they come under fire. McGabe's 'Mech is knocked down with heavy damage. Considering him dead or disabled, the Kuritan BattleMechs pass him by to engage his comrades.

McGabe reactivates his Shadow Hawk and opens fire on a DCMS Dragon and Panther. He has a clear view of the Dragon when its damaged cockpit starts venting atmosphere and he sees the Kuritan pilot suffocating.

The remaining mercenary 'Mechs have to retreat, their chances of destroying the command station gone. The attack on Ramsau is called off and the Lyran forces pull back to their JumpShips.

McGabe reflects on what the mission has taught him — that even inside a BattleMech, a MechWarrior can be helpless in the face of a hostile environment.

Featured Units[edit]

Featured Planets[edit]

Featured BattleTech[edit]

BattleMechs[edit]

DropShips[edit]

References[edit]

  • BattleTechnology 0201, pp. 12-19 (short story "Decompression") and pp. 54-55 (scenario "On the Shores of a Sea on Gordo")