Idiots Don't Drive BattleMasters
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 | Not Canon The subject of this article does not contribute canonical content to the BattleTech universe, either because it is not intended to or because it is not an official product. |
| Idiots Don't Drive BattleMasters | |
|---|---|
| Story information | |
| Author | Kevin Hodges |
| Pages | 2 |
| Type | Short story |
| Product | ''Voyages to the Worlds of SF Gaming'' |
| Content | |
| Era | Succession Wars era |
Idiots Don't Drive BattleMasters is a BattleTech short story by Kevin Hodges. It was published in the 1991 issue 15 of the magazine Voyages to the Worlds of SF Gaming.
Contents
Plot summary[edit]
At an unknown date, a light recon lance from Lindon's Company under Free Worlds League contract is participating in the takeover of the Lyran Commonwealth planet of New Delhi.
The light mercenary recon force is ordered to scout the city of Salasville. The unit, comprised of a Hermes II, two Phoenix Hawks, a Wasp, and a hover scout support vehicle enter the city. While advancing, a faint heat signature is detected and the scout goes to investigate, identifying an undetermined 'Mech, prior to being destroyed by laser fire.
One of the Phoenix Hawk pilots goes directly against the designated target, misreporting it as an Assassin. The commanding officer of the lance (and narrator) is forced to follow the MechWarrior, and makes the rest of the team race for the position. When the first of the 'Mechs arrives in the zone, a PPC connects with its head, destroying it. The Wasp pilot is able to avoid the same fate by jumping, in the process correctly identifying it as a BattleMaster. When the Hermes II arrives, it's MechWarrior sees his other lance's Phoenix Hawk severely beaten, right arm missing, and with an enemy PPC coming to bear. The lance commander uses his flamer to distract the enemy BattleMaster, but is hit by the PPC and falls down.
The remaining Phoenix Hawk is again engaged by the enemy 'Mech, but her remaining comrades are able to save her. The BattleMaster centers again on the Hermes II, ignoring the heavily damaged Phoenix Hawk and the Wasp, until the Wasp is able to connect a Death From Above attack against a torso. The BattleMaster, in a rage, proceeds to lift the Wasp and throw it into a nearby building, resulting in its collapse. The two surviving MechWarriors flee after that.
In the after action report, the lance commander says he retired but his colleague decided to keep working. He also explains that the Wasp pilot survived three days inside the cockpit with rations. The BattleMaster and its pilot escaped.
Featured Characters[edit]
- Captain Mercer Ravannion (mentioned)
- Bill
- Janie
- Jerome
- Crazy Bob Hillock
Featured Units[edit]
Planets[edit]
- New Delhi (in Steiner space)
Featured BattleTech[edit]
- Hermes II
- Wasp
- PXH-1 Phoenix Hawk
- Hellbreaker scout hovercraft
- Assassin (mentioned)
- BattleMaster