Malicious Intent

Malicious Intent
Novel by Michael A. Stackpole
Malicious Intent.jpg
First Publication
Published1 March 1996
PublisherRoc Books
Illustrator(s)
Pages314
ISBN0-451-45387-5, 978-0-451-45387-7
MSRP$5.50
PICLE5387
Chronology
EraClan Invasion era
Timeline11 December 3057 — 17 June 3058

Malicious Intent is a novel by Michael A. Stackpole that was first published in print by Roc Books in March 1996. It was later republished by Catalyst Game Labs in EPUB format as a BattleTech Legends title.

The book covers the dramatic aftermath of the Refusal War and Clan Jade Falcon's assault on Coventry.

From the Back Cover[edit]

THEY KILLED HIS LEADER. THEY STOLE HIS CLAN. THEY WANT HIM DEAD.

In the wake of a civil war that nearly devastated the Jade Falcons and pushed his own Wolf Clan into nonexistence, Vlad of the Wards emerges harboring a powerful secret. He intends to use this secret to avenge the destruction of his Clan—and to reestablish the Wolves once again!

But the Jade Falcons have their own ambitious plans to stab deep into Katrina Steiner's Lyran Alliance. Katrina's only hope of stopping the Falcons is to enlist the aid of her brother and political rival, Victor Davion. He accepts, but it may be his downfall, for Katrina could have just the means to destroy him once and for all....

Plot Summary[edit]

This novel has a variety of story arcs unfolding at once.

The novel opens not long after the death of Ulric Kerensky on Wotan. Vlad is found in his mech under the rubble of a building. There he learns that his Clan has been absorbed into the Jade Falcons. He then sets about undoing this via a variety of political intrigues and targeted challenges to the Khans of the Jade Falcons. By the end of this early story arc, Vlad has killed two Falcon Khans and brought back his Clan. He concludes in a discussion with Marthe Pryde, noting that both their clans are so worn down that they could be subject to attacks from the other clans if they do not do something to show strength.

This leads into the Lyran Alliance intrigues as we see the Jade Falcon demonstration of strength from the view of the Lyrans as they are beset by Jade Falcon attacks. This portion of the story alternates between Katherine Steiner-Davion, Victor Steiner-Davion, and a former Davion MechWarrior being posted to a new unit as the Lyrans try to shuffle all "Davions" in "Lyran" units to out of the wayposts. Eventually, this finds Katherine running into Vlad, who strike up a friendship and a low key alliance against their common Jade Falcon and Kell Hounds enemies.

There is also a recurring tale of ComStar units on Terra preparing for troop rotations and a major exercise on Tukayyid, as concerns of a renewed invasion mount after the death of ilKhan Ulric Kerensky. This eventually leads into a short set of scenes from the fall of Terra to the Word of Blake. This plot line eventually leads to a small collection of diverse Inner Sphere units joining ComStar on Tukkayid for exercises against a "Clan" style Galaxy that has Clan equipment and doctrine.

Eventually, the Clan Jade Falcon storyline brings Khan Pryde to Coventry, where the Falcons battle the Lyran unit of "Davions". Here Clan Jade Falcon plans are to train their young warriors in combat against Inner Sphere units, and are delighted when the Wolf's Dragoons come to relieve the embattled "Lyran" units. The former Davion MechWarrior and his company of light 'Mechs outperform expectation over a multi-month defensive campaign and manage to link up with the Dragoons.

Eventually Victor Steiner-Davion and ComStar learn of the poor outcomes in the battles on Coventry, and bring their crew of diverse Inner Sphere factions, alongside some Capellan and Free Worlds League units, to relieve Coventry again.

With near parity in forces, the Jade Falcons are trapped between their need to show strength, but also to preserve their military. Eventually, Victor grants them hegira, the right to leave the planet in defeat. The Jade Falcons accept, thus avoiding the conflict.

Featured Characters[edit]

Featured Units[edit]

Featured Places[edit]

Featured BattleTech[edit]

BattleMechs[edit]

Aerospace Fighters[edit]

DropShips[edit]

JumpShips[edit]

WarShips[edit]

Foreign-Language Editions[edit]

German[edit]

A German edition, translated by Reinhold H. Mai, was published by Heyne in 1997 as Abgefeimte Pläne (ISBN 9783453094550).[1] This was republished by Ulisses Spiele in 2018 as BattleTech Legenden 30: Abgefeimte Pläne (ISBN 9783957526939).[2]

Hungarian[edit]

A Hungarian edition, translated by Haga Györgyi Krisztina, was published by Beholder in 2000 as Sötét ármány.[3]

Russian[edit]

A Russian edition, translated by M. Ishkov, was published by Армада (Armada) in 1998 as Преступные намерения (ISBN 5763206657).[4][5]

Spanish[edit]

A Spanish edition, translated by Anna Amado Bernardino, was published by Timun Mas in 2003 as Pérfidas intenciones.

Covers[edit]

  • 1996 original cover. Art by Roger Loveless.
    1996 original cover. Art by Roger Loveless.
  • 2016 reprint cover.
    2016 reprint cover.
  • 1997 German edition cover.
    1997 German edition cover.
  • 2018 German edition reprint cover.
    2018 German edition reprint cover.
  • 2000 Hungarian edition cover.
    2000 Hungarian edition cover.
  • 1998 Russian edition cover.
    1998 Russian edition cover.
  • 2003 Spanish edition cover.
    2003 Spanish edition cover.

References[edit]

  1. ↑ Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Catalog entry for Abgefeimte Pläne
  2. ↑ Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Catalog entry for BattleTech Legenden 30: Abgefeimte Pläne
  3. ↑ Beholder product page for Sötét ármány
  4. ↑ Science Fiction Lab Book description for Преступные намерения
  5. ↑ National Library of Russia description for Преступные намерения

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