Half of a Warrior
Sarna News
| Half of a Warrior | |
|---|---|
| Short story by Philip A. Lee | |
| First Publication | |
| Published | 9 March 2011 |
| Publisher | BattleCorps |
| Pages | 31 |
| Chronology | |
| Era | Clan Homeworlds era |
| Timeline | 26 July 2899 — 8 August 2899 (see notes) |
Half of a Warrior is a short story by Philip A. Lee that was published online on BattleCorps on 9 March 2011.
[edit]
| “ | Philip A. Lee shows us the bonds of camaraderie shared by the most aerospace-minded of the Clans, the Snow Ravens, in this Succession Wars-era story. | ” |
Plot Summary[edit]
On 26 July 2899 Point Commander Balla of Clan Snow Raven regains consciousness in her ruined Avar aerospace fighter, adrift above a gas giant in the uninhabited System Iota 53126 9F in the Deep Periphery. Her Pointmate Tesha has been killed, and Balla faces death from dwindling life support. Remembering her training that a pilot without a Pointmate is only half of a warrior, she resists suicide when she sees another drifting Avar. Investigating, she finds it belonged to a fallen comrade and confirms the pilot is dead. With little oxygen left, she attempts a dangerous jump through open space toward the passing Vincent-class corvette CSR Muninn.
Meanwhile, the Clan Snow Raven Council meets on Lum. Khan Ada Siegel has been killed by Khan Sanra Mercer on Hellgate, and saKhan Hiram Crow declines nomination to lead. Instead, he nominates Star Colonel Bennett Cooper, who is unexpectedly elected Khan. Cooper soon learns that the Star Lord-class JumpShip Hailstorm meant to reinforce Khan Siegel, has disappeared. He suspects the Dark Caste is responsible, but when Balla is recovered by Star Commodore Gregor McCorkell, she reports enemy aerospace fighters that flew with practiced skill. Cooper provides McCorkell with a map pointing toward the Exodus Road and orders him to pursue.
At the uninhabited System Gamma 4617 4E, McCorkell predicts Hailstorm's location. Balla, reassigned to a Hellcat II and paired with a freeborn pilot named Meghan, joins the interception. In the ensuing battle, Balla struggles with her aerospace fighter's faulty thruster and her mistrust of her new Pointmate, but together they destroy enemy fighters. Star Commander Iain is killed, leaving Balla in command of the Star. As Hailstorm prepares to jump, Balla's fighter is heavily damaged, forcing her into a suicide run to ram the JumpShip's Kearny-Fuchida Drive. At the last moment she ejects, surviving with severe injuries. Meghan rescues her from the wreckage.
On Lum, Khan Cooper confronts saKhan Hiram Crow, exposing that Hailstorm's supposed theft was staged under Crow's orders to discredit Siegel and Cooper. The JumpShip had been crewed by Clan Snow Raven warriors from Crow's Galaxy with falsified orders. Cooper strikes Crow, vows to bring him before the Council, and begins planning a new campaign to salvage honor for the Clan.
On 8 August 2899 back aboard the CSR Muninn, Balla recovers in sickbay. Meghan visits her often, and though Balla still grieves Tesha, she accepts that she and Meghan have begun forming a new bond as Pointmates.
Featured Characters[edit]
- Point Commander Balla
- Khan Bennett Cooper
- Loremaster Joseph McKenna
- saKhan Hiram Crow
- Star Commodore Gregor McCorkell
- Star Commodore Nathan Crow
- Star Colonel Marda Crow
- Star Commander Iain
- Pilot Meghan
- Pilot Tesha (mentioned)
- Point Commander Vasco (mentioned)
- Star Commander Sienna Shu (mentioned)
- Former Khan Stephen McKenna (mentioned)
- Former Khan Ada Siegel (mentioned)
- Khan Sanra Mercer (mentioned)
Featured Units[edit]
Featured Places[edit]
Featured BattleTech[edit]
Aerospace Fighters[edit]
DropShips[edit]
- Carrier-class fighter carrier DropShip, Razor Beak
JumpShips[edit]
WarShips[edit]
Notes[edit]
- Although published as a Succession Wars era story, it is actually set in the Clan Homeworlds era, which was introduced later.