Indomitable (short story)
Sarna News
| Indomitable | |
|---|---|
| Short story by Robin Briseño | |
 | |
| First Publication | |
| Published | 12 December 2023 |
| Published in | Shrapnel Issue 15 |
| Publisher | Catalyst Game Labs |
| Illustrator(s) | Natán Meléndez |
| Pages | 14 |
| Chronology | |
| Era | Clan Invasion era |
| Timeline | 10 March 3058 |
Indomitable is a short story by Robin Briseño that was published in the fifteenth issue of Shrapnel.
Plot Summary[edit]
The mercenary unit, Order of Indigo, is contracted to defend the Water Pure Industries plant on Corridan IV from attacking pirates. Thanks to the efforts and sacrifice of the mercenaries CO Captain Luz Villanueva. The unit's only loss is Luz's Marauder, named Indomitable, as the pirates are defeated. Her XO and romantic partner Haruka Nishimura knows the Marauder is much more that simply Luz's 'Mech, but a tie to the tortured past she never speaks of and the mysterious "Gabe" that she only mentions in her nightmares. As Luz struggles to put into words what the loss of her 'Mech really represents, Haruka asks that she let her help.
Three decades ago, in October 3028, Luz's family governed Danais in the Free Worlds League. Inspired by her childhood friend and role-model Captain Gabriel Ruiz, she became a MechWarrior at the controls of "Indomitable" instead of following in her frequently absent father's footsteps. Her father's mismanagement of Danais leads to economic turmoil and frequent revolts among its population. During the Fourth Succession War, when the planet's garrison is off-planet for Operation DAGGER, the rebels used the momentum to finally overthrow and kill her father, Alfonso Villanueva. Driven by murderous rage after learning of her father's death, Luz defies Gabriel's orders to evacuate her off-world. Ruthlessly attacking anything in her path as she attempts to reach the governor's mansion, Luz brutally downs multiple 'Mechs, even firing upon a defenseless MechWarrior descending by parachute after he ejected from his Locust. Her bloodlust interrupted when a Marauder II attacks, Gabriel sacrifices himself with his Trebuchet to save her, urging her to head to the evacuation site. As a frantic Luz finally flees, she hears a stranger in Gabriel's cockpit screaming about the fate of the Locust pilot she herself had slaughtered before they shoot him in revenge.
Luz, tearful and burdened by guilt for the lives she took and what she's lost herself, confides in Haruka she should have stayed and died with Gabe. Haruka consoles her, urging her to acknowledge her past but not be defined by it. She emphasizes that being held back by her the past would betray the potential Gabe and the Order of Indigo see in her. Encouraged by this faith, Luz finally chooses to bid farewell to Indomitable and embraces the prospect of a new beginning.
Featured Characters[edit]
- Captain Luz Villanueva
- Lieutenant Haruka Nishimura
- Captain Gabriel Ruiz
- Cranston Snord (mentioned)
- Alfonso Villanueva (mentioned)
- Lieutenant Lastimosa (mentioned)
Featured Units[edit]
Featured Places[edit]
Featured BattleTech[edit]
BattleMechs[edit]
DropShips[edit]
Notes[edit]
- The author confirmed the character Lieutenant Lastimosa is a reference to Captain Tai Lastimosa from the 'Mech combat video game Titanfall 2.[citation needed]