Reversal of Fortunes
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Reversal of Fortunes | |
|---|---|
| Short story by Giles Gammage | |
 | |
| Publication | |
| Published | 14 June 2023 |
| Published in | Shrapnel Issue 13 |
| Publisher | Catalyst Game Labs |
| illustrator(s) | Natán Meléndez |
| Pages | 15 |
| Chronology | |
| Era | Civil War era |
| Timeline | — 7 December 3062 |
Reversal of Fortunes is a short story by Giles Gammage that was published in the thirteenth issue of Shrapnel.
Contents
Plot Summary[edit]
Told in reverse fashion, the story charts the cause of the bitter and divisive rivarly between brothers Neven and Reinier that ultimately climaxes fatally during the FedCom Civil War.
Triggered by the death of their frail mother in childbirth to the younger Reinier, as he grows older the elder Neven models his now emotionally distant father's cold indifference to his brother. Slowly over the years the friendly fights and conflicts between both boys become more deeper as Neven increasingly secures his father's love and support where Reinier feels its lack. Both choosing to follow their father into military service as MechWarriors, Neven goes to the New Avalon Institute of Science, while Reinier gains admittence to the famed Nagelring, their thinking and paths diverging yet further, the assassination of Archon Melissa Steiner-Davion and who they see as ordering it violently sundering their relationship forever.
Ultimately the brothers find themselves both stationed on Fort Loudon in the opposing Fourth Davion Guards and Fifth Alliance Guards along the border of the Clan Occupation Zones as the FedCom Civil War turns hot. As the Fourth Guards launch preemptive strikes against the hostile Fifth Guards, after assuring his commander he will fight his brother if he has too, Neven is ordered to strike Margram Base where Reinier is stationed. Confronting his brother in the base's 'Mech hangar, Neven fatally damages his brother's 'Mech's fusion reactor shielding. Recognizing to his horror what his hatred as done, Neven begs his brother to eject, but Reinier unsuccessfully tries to get his 'Mech out of the hangar to save others before it ultimately explodes. Knocked onto his back by the explosion, Neven sorrowfully realizes that Reinier was never to blame for destroying their relationship all along, he was.
Featured Characters[edit]
- Neven
- Reinier
- Victor Steiner-Davion (mentioned)
- Katherine Steiner-Davion (mentioned)
- Melissa Steiner-Davion (mentioned)
- Alberta Orsina (mentioned)
- James Ito (mentioned)
- Colonel Dempsey
Featured Units[edit]
Featured Places[edit]
- Fort Loudon
- Kathil (mentioned)
- Kentares (mentioned)