Lessons of War
Sarna News
Lessons of War | |
|---|---|
| Short story by Joel Steverson | |
| Publication | |
| Published | 27 November 2020 |
| Published in | BattleTech: Battle of Tukayyid |
| Publisher | Catalyst Game Labs |
| Pages | 3 |
| Chronology | |
| Era | Clan Invasion era |
| Timeline | 3 May 3052 |
Lessons of War is a short story by Joel Steverson that was published as introductory fiction for BattleTech: Battle of Tukayyid.
Plot Summary[edit]
Star Captain Cade Corbett of Clan Smoke Jaguar prepares to lead his Trinary to flank dug-in Com Guards troops in the approaches to the Dinju Pass to relieve the pressure on the Sixth Jaguar Dragoons Cluster when his superior Star Colonel Brandon Howell instead orders him to immediately proceed to alternate coordinates for a apparently even more important mission. Incensed as he watches more Jaguars fall, Cade can only express utter disbelief at what Howell informs him of this vital task.
Leading his Trinary away at maximum pace, Cade reveals to his subordinates that they have been pulled from the front line to protect a mere supply convoy from an approaching Com Guards force. His second in command asks why he didn't demand a Trial of Refusal for such a dishonorable task until Cade reveals that the enemy forces had already destroyed two previous ones and that the Smoke Jaguar offensive will run out of ammunition in two days if they also destroy this supply convoy. Infuriated at the affront to Clan thinking which made such non-combat assets sacrosanct, Cade's Trinary draws within forty kilometers of the rally point when they are confronted by a single Com Guards Warhammer accompanied by a pair of Zephyr Hover Tanks, issuing a rudimentary batchall to the Jaguars.
Without hesitation Cade accepts, attacking his now retreating opponent as he advances forward to reach his Warhawk Bs optimum range. Too late Cade realizes that his focus on the Warhammer has meant he missed the fact both the Zephyrs were painting him with their TAG lasers, when a barrage of Arrow IV Homing Missiles rains down and inflicts ruinous damage to his 'Mech and fatally wounding him, surviving just long enough to see yet more Com Guards emerge from hiding to entrap and obliterate his now leaderless Trinary.