The Eagle's Plunge

The Eagle's Plunge
Serialized novella by Christopher Purnell
First Publication
Published4 October 2012 — 9 February 2014
PublisherBattleCorps
Pages
  • 15 (Part 1)
  • 19 (Part 2)
  • 16 (Part 3)
  • 50 (Total)
Chronology
EraDark Age era
Timeline2 August 3135 — 21 April 3136

The Eagle's Plunge is a serialized novella by Christopher Purnell that was published online on BattleCorps in three parts from 4 October 2012 to 9 February 2014.

Plot Summary[edit]

Part 1[edit]

published on: 4 October 2012

Christopher Purnell is back with our newest long-form Dark Age-era story. In the Marik-Stewart Commonwealth of 3135, court intrigue is everywhere. But when you're Kenyon Marik, heir, intrigue is layered upon deeper layers. Part 1 of 3.

On 2 August 3135 in Dormuth on Marik, Kenyon Marik attends a ball at the Alexandrov Hotel. His father, Captain-General Anson Marik, leader of the Marik-Stewart Commonwealth, refuses to appear, deepening the rift between father and son. Kenyon dances with Kristina Rozmberk and clashes with her brother Aloys, who warns him to stay away from her. His friend Roman Fidatov joins him afterward and points out Baron Gyula Csollany, an industrialist who has organized a social and political salon that quietly criticizes Anson Marik's policies. Kenyon approaches Csollany, using the conversation to discuss recent restrictions on trade within the Marik-Stewart Commonwealth. Csollany explains that the Captain-General's legislation is crippling business and that his hostility toward Oriente threatens the economy. Pretending deference to his father, Kenyon secures an invitation to this influential salon.

Two days later, on 4 August, Kenyon travels with Roman, Force Commander Karl Johanssen, and Captain Michael Grissom to Earl Eastwick's estate at Atemwata. He meets nobles, officers, and Oriente's Consul Consuela Vastates. The meeting criticizes Anson's trade restrictions and hostility toward Oriente. Kenyon warns that isolation threatens the Commonwealth and calls for reunifying the Free Worlds League. His passionate speech earns applause from most guests, though several remain cautious. He then declares that his father must be removed to save the nation.

Johanssen and Grissom pledge military support from the Twenty-fifth Marik Militia, while Eastwick agrees to build political backing in Parliament. Kenyon quietly commits to move forward. Five days later, Consuela Vastates meets Johanssen at a motel in Malkent. He outlines Kenyon's plan and secures Oriente's limited support in exchange for future concessions.

During August, Kenyon's supporters begin laying the groundwork, setting the stage for the coup against Anson Marik.

Part 2[edit]

published on: 19 January 2014

As Kenyon Marik's plans against his father's regime move forward, new allies present themselves, and new threats, in the long-awaited continuation of "Eagle's Plunge."

On 12 October 3135 Kenyon commands a cadet exercise at the Allison MechWarrior Institute on New Olympia during a simulated raid against the Lloyd Marik-Stanley Aerospace School. His team advances through desert terrain toward a fuel depot, but after rescuing Cadet Nguyen's downed Cicada, the simulation ends abruptly when the network crashes. All cadets are ordered to parade, where General Wilhelm Kiel announces the dismissal of several officers and instructors for misconduct and the suspension of all academic lessons. He demands loyalty to House Marik. Kenyon discusses the purge with Cadet Captain Breanna Kartallozi, who dismisses his concerns, while he fears it marks the start of a wider crackdown. That night Kenyon writes to Karl Johanssen and Earl Eastwick, warning that Anson Marik's purges show his instability.

On 20 October 3135 Johanssen meets sympathetic officers at Fort Leitha. Despite widespread purges, the core conspirators remain active. Captain Grissom reports unrest in the Sixth Marik Rifles, and Lieutenant Suprija Chatnamee confirms protests in Dormuth. Johanssen orders his followers to remain quiet, maintain readiness, and exploit growing discontent. After the meeting Colonel Evangeline Beck hints she knows of his disloyalty but lets him go. He later meets Consuela Vastates, who offers to place an agent inside LCCC headquarters. A week later she introduces Captain Photon Corday, a debt-ridden security officer who agrees under pressure to plant a device disabling defenses during the coup. Vastates assures Johanssen that Oriente's SAFE will monitor Corday closely, and the two become lovers that night.

In early November unrest spreads through the academy on New Olympia. Kenyon and Roman Fidatov discuss Lyran raids and Anson Marik's reckless use of mercenaries, which increases civilian casualties and divisions within the Commonwealth. Kenyon receives a message from Earl Eastwick describing violent protests on Marik, economic decline, and deaths from security crackdowns. Eastwick insists Anson must be removed and invites Kenyon to return for the New Year to finalize their plans. Kenyon agrees.

With Roman's help, Kenyon plans to leave the academy secretly to contact Captain David Lebedev of the JumpShip Troubadour, who can deliver messages and arrange transport. Restricted to campus, they use maintenance tunnels beneath the academy to reach the nearby city. Surfacing near the spaceport, they enter the bar Eagle's Perch, where a fight erupts between cadets from different branches: MechWarriors and aerospace fighter pilots. Kenyon is struck, Roman retaliates, and the brawl escalates into a brawl. As police arrive, they flee through a back door and in an alley they meet Captain Lebedev, an old associate of Roman's. Kenyon introduces himself and explains his need for discreet passage to Marik and communication with Earl Eastwick. Lebedev agrees to help for payment and promises to confirm the route once arrangements are made. When Kenyon admits his funds have been cut off, Lebedev jokes about his situation but recognizes his determination.

As sirens fade, Lebedev finalizes the plan to carry Kenyon's message and organize transport aboard the Troubadour. He warns both men to stay hidden until he sends word. Kenyon and Roman return to the academy through the tunnels, realizing that their secret mission, the coup against Anton Marik, has reached a point of no return for both. The network of conspirators is in motion. Eastwick and Johanssen prepare their political and military actions, Vastates provides intelligence support, and Kenyon readies himself to return to Marik for the final phase of the coup.

Part 3[edit]

published on: 9 February 2014

Kenyon Marik's revolt against his father comes to an end in the conclusion to this Dark Age-era story of family ties, civil war and Free Worlds League politics.

On 31 December 3135, Kenyon Marik and Roman Fidatov travel to Earl Eastwick's estate on Marik to meet with their co-conspirators. Present are Eastwick, Karl Johanssen, Consuela Vastates, Gyula Csollany, Sofia Pereira, MP, and others. Eastwick argues that Anson's purges and failed leadership have endangered the Commonwealth. The conspirators finalize plans for Operation Eagle's Plunge. Johanssen will lead the military phase, Eastwick will handle the government takeover, and Vastates will coordinate Oriente intelligence. Kenyon authorizes limited arrests of ministers but insists on restraint. The meeting ends with consensus that Anson must be captured alive if possible. Later, Johanssen and Vastates discuss privately. She urges him to ensure Anson's death to prevent a counter-uprising. He refuses to conspire behind Kenyon's back but admits the likelihood of killing the Captain-General.

On 16 February 3136, at the Emil Lobkowitz Barracks in Malkent, Colonel Veira Naulitea and newly promoted Force Commander Grissom prepare to move their forces when communications and computer networks suddenly fail across the base. Grissom orders full alert and the deployment of battle armor, fearing an attack. They soon realize Anton Marik loyalist forces have surrounded the installation. Grissom wants to fight, but Naulitea refuses to endanger nearby civilians and surrenders, knowing Anson will execute them. Afraid of revealing other conspirators during interrogations, Grissom decides to kill himself with his service weapon.

At Fort Leitha, Johanssen learns that the coup has been exposed. He destroys datapads and papers linking his battalion to the plot, then burns the remaining evidence outside his headquarters. Colonel Evangeline Beck arrives with military police and surrounds the compound. She informs Johanssen that she has reaffirmed loyalty to Anson and orders him to surrender his weapon. She leads him toward a wooded area near the perimeter. Johanssen realizes she intends to kill him to prevent a tribunal from investigating her actions. They argue about Anson's rule and her betrayal. When she raises her pistol, Johanssen charges her and is shot multiple times. He dies instantly.

Weeks later, on 12 March 3136, aboard the JumpShip Troubadour at the Nova Roma Jump Point in the Oriente Protectorate, Consuela Vastates, going by her real name Monica Fernandes, reflects on Johanssen's death. Captain Lebedev and surviving officers of the Twenty-fifth Marik Milita mourn their losses. Monica confirms that several captured officers, including Colonel Beck, have already been court-martialed and executed. Captain Constantine Fidatov grieves in silence. Lebedev tells her they will reach Oriente soon, where asylum or military service will be offered.

By 21 April 3136, Kenyon Marik is held in a SAFE Holding Facility in Dormuth on Marik. He has been imprisoned since the failed coup and spends his days reading and writing under guard. SAFE provides him censored news summaries reporting that Oriente's involvement has been exposed, Earl Eastwick and Baron Csollany appeals have been denied, and public executions are scheduled for later today. Sir Reginald Dwyer is missing, and the Dormuth Herald has been nationalized. Kenyon realizes the rebellion has collapsed and that he has lost everyone who trusted him.

Later that day, he is taken to the exercise grounds before his father and General Daniella Briggs. Roman Fidatov, captured with Kenyon, is brought forward in chains and stripped of his insignia. Father Maxim administers last rites. Fidatov declares his possessions left to his sister Marija and warns Anson that he cannot control everyone. Anson dismisses him, and Fidatov is executed by firing squad. Anson then turns to Kenyon, raging that his son's betrayal has destroyed the family. When asked about Kenyon's fate, Anson announces his lifelong exile to the ducal estate on Loyalty, along with Duke Julio Graham-Marik, under house arrest. He orders SAFE to remove both immediately and allows Kenyon's mother, Irene Dwyer, to accompany him if she wishes.

Kenyon is returned to his cell. The shock of Roman's death leaves him bitter and angry, letting him rage and scream until he finally collapses from exhaustion. Operation Eagle's Plunge has failed, and Anson Marik's rule over the Marik-Stewart Commonwealth remains unbroken.

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Notes[edit]

  • It was the first BattleCorps story published in the new format that followed the layout of BattleTech sourcebooks.

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