Old Debts

Old Debts
Story information
Author	Herbert A. Beas II
Pages	2
Type	Short story
Product	Mercenaries Supplemental
Content
Era	Civil War era
Timeline	3067

Old Debts is a short story by Herbert A. Beas II. It was published as introductory fiction for Mercenaries Supplemental.

Plot Summary

The story begins with Damon Kirkpatrick, commander of the mercenary unit Kirkpatrick's Invaders, at the helm of his Marauder who is caught in a desperate battle with rebels in a pair of heavy BattleMechs, a Warhammer and a Champion.

During the fierce fight, Kirkpatrick reflects upon the motives that brought him and his unit to Kaumberg in the first place. More than 4 years ago, during the Kaumberg Civil War between Kaumberg's two main noble families, the pro-Federated Commonwealth House Hasseldorf and pro-Lyran Alliance House LeSat, Kirkpatrick's Invaders entered the conflict as repayment of a debt to former unit member Baron Trent Hasseldorf. Their engagement helped to defeat the troops of Franklin LeSat and end the civil war within several months. Since then, the Invaders have been trying to maintain order on Kaumberg while being constantly beset by rebels bearing the flag of the late Baron LeSat. Ever since, the question of who supplies the rebels with weapons remains unresolved.

This is where Kirkpatrick receives word from Major Malavai Hollensteiner that his reinforcements have been intercepted by rebel forces and will be delayed. After the exchange of further volleys, help for Kirkpatrick suddenly arrives from an unexpected direction. Hauptmann Cynthia Hasseldorf, the Invaders' liaison to the Hasseldorf's, has learned about Kirkpatrick's precarious situation and decided to hurry over in her Wolfhound to assist. Her motivation is also the repayment of a debt that stems from years of support of the Invader's for the Hasseldorfs. As the battle continues, the story ends with Kirkpatrick's realization that under these terms, neither party will ever be able to repay its debt.

Featured Characters

• Lieutenant Colonel Damon Kirkpatrick, commander of Kirkpatrick's Invaders
• Baron Franklin LeSat, late leader of House LeSat during civil war (mentioned)
• Katherine Steiner-Davion (mentioned)
• Baron Trent Hasseldorf, leader of House Hasseldorf and former member of Kirkpatrick's Invaders (mentioned)
• Major Malavai Hollensteiner, XO and commander of 1st Company of Kirkpatrick's Invaders
• Hauptmann Cynthia Hasseldorf, aide-de-camp to Lieutenant Colonel Kirkpatrick and liasion to Kirkpatrick's Invaders

Featured Units

• Kirkpatrick's Invaders

Featured Places

• Kaumberg

Featured BattleTech

BattleMechs

• Marauder
• Warhammer
• FLS-7K Flashman (mentioned)
• Champion
• Wolfhound

Vehicles

• Demolisher (mentioned)
• Drillson (mentioned)

Mercenaries Supplemental, p. 44: Force Brief Kirkpatrick's Invaders