High Expectations
Sarna News
High Expectations | |
|---|---|
| Short story by Michael J. Ciaravella | |
| Publication | |
| Published | 15 January 2025 |
| Published in | ilKhan's Eyes Only |
| Publisher | Catalyst Game Labs |
| Pages | 7 |
| Chronology | |
| Era | ilClan era |
| Timeline | 20 June 3152 — 21 June 3152 |
High Expectations is a short story by Michael J. Ciaravella that was published as closing fiction for ilKhan's Eyes Only.
Plot Summary[edit]
On 20 June 3152, Section Leader Benjamin Harsey, an aerospace fighter pilot in the Second Alliance Air Wing assigned to the Conqueror Naval Star of the new Star League, participates in a retaliation strike on the Capellan Confederation world Liao. The naval operation is a response to Chancellor Daoshen Liao's use of nuclear weapons to destroy the former SLDF headquarters on New Earth, an act intended as defiance against ilKhan Alaric Ward and his newly declared Star League.
Harsey's squadron is deployed into orbit, facing large numbers of Capellan aerospace fighters. For the mission, he is paired with a rooky wingman, Tyler "Lucky" Donde. As the battle begins, Harsey and Donde engage multiple Capellan Thrushs and manage to destroy several enemy fighters through coordinated attacks.
After receiving new orders, Harsey's unit redirects to reinforce Star Captain Sathin's sector. There, they engage more Capellan forces, including TR-13A Transgressor heavy fighters. During the battle, Donde's fighter is heavily damaged, but he survives. The Star League aerospace forces eventually achieve air superiority after most of the Capellan defenders are destroyed. Following the dogfights, Harsey and other surviving pilots are ordered to target Capellan assault DropShips to support the broader planetary assault. After the battle, Harsey returns to the Titan-class DropShip Big Horn, physically and mentally exhausted.
On the next day, Harsey meets with his commanding officer Chairman Vicente Gupta, who commends him for his performance and promotes him to the rank of Director. The story ends with Harsey witnessing the massive orbital bombardment of the planet below.
Featured Characters[edit]
- Section Leader (later: Director) Benjamin Harsey
- Tyler "Lucky" Donde
- Chairman Vicente Gupta
- Star Captain Sathin
- Chancellor Daoshen Liao (mentioned)
- ilKhan Alaric Ward (mentioned)
- General Aleksandr Kerensky (mentioned)
- Stefan Amaris (mentioned)
Featured Units[edit]
Featured Places[edit]
Featured BattleTech[edit]
Aerospace Fighters[edit]
DropShips[edit]
WarShips[edit]
- Thera-class carrier, Raven's Nest