Payback Strike

Payback Strike
Short story by David Stier
Payback Strike cover
Publication
Published15 September 2023
Published inShrapnel Issue 14
PublisherCatalyst Game Labs
illustrator(s)Natán Meléndez
Pages12
Chronology
EraClan Invasion era
Timeline5 December 3050


Payback Strike is a short story by David Stier that was published in the fourteenth issue of Shrapnel.

Plot Summary[edit]

On Apollo, Jake Tenny, member of the local resistance, is secretly following a Clan Jade Falcon 'Mech patrol. He is full of anger and fueled by the desire to get revenge after the Falcon's have killed his father and wife. He discusses the situation with his sister Jenna, who is hiding with other insurgents on a secret airfield.

When the Falcons come dangerously close to the airfield, Jenna orders an air strike on the Clanners. The fight costs the insurgents four conventional fighters without being able to down a single Clan 'Mech, but damaging two, and forcing the Clanners to retreat.

Jake refuses to let the Clanners escape and follows them. In the ruins of a town, he awaits them armed with his sniper rifle. Thanks to the damage done by the fighters, Jake is able to kill the Jade Falcon commander in his cockpit and five more infantrymen. Jake can escape the scene when his sister, in the remaining conventional fighter, provides a distraction. He is determined to live to fight another day.

Featured Characters[edit]

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