The Shrouded Blade
Sarna News
The Shrouded Blade | |
|---|---|
| Short story by Chris Hartford | |
| Publication | |
| Published | 1 January 2006 |
| Published in | Jihad Hot Spots: 3070 |
| Publisher | FanPro |
| Pages | 5 |
| Chronology | |
| Era | Jihad era |
| Timeline | 9 August 3069 |
The Shrouded Blade is a short story by Chris Hartford that was published as introductory fiction for Jihad Hot Spots: 3070.
Plot Summary[edit]
In the Marik Palace on Atreus, the long-serving Captain-General Thomas Marik is confronted at gunpoint by his Minister of Intelligence, Paul Marik, who reveals that a coup is underway. The coup, backed by the Word of Blake, has been swift and silent, with loyal officers like Heather Alexander and Cassandra Blake either killed or captured. Despite once supporting Thomas, even after the revelation that he is a double, placed in power decades earlier, Paul now accusses him of betraying the cause and plans to replace Thomas with his own daughter, Corinne Marik.
Paul forces Thomas to comply and brings in Thomas' wife, Sherryl Halas, and their three children Janos, Christopher, and Jessica as leverage. Faced with betrayal and an overwhelming force, Thomas is ordered into exile on Mars under Word of Blake custody.
However, in a dramatic turn, Corinne Marik intervenes as they are being escorted through the palace. She kills one of the guards in the attempt to rescue Thomas and his family. In the ensuing conflict, the second guard opens fire, resulting in the tragic deaths of Thomas' two sons. Sherryl Halas is seriously wounded but survives, as does Jessica. Thomas is devastated but persuaded by Corinne to flee with Jessica. She promises to protect Sherryl and shield her from any further harm, while also resisting the Word of Blake from within the Free Worlds League. After a final farewell, Thomas departs with Jessica, going into exile.
Featured Characters[edit]
- Captain-General Thomas Halas
- Paul Marik
- Sherryl Halas
- Jessica Halas
- Janos Halas
- Christopher Halas
- Corinne Marik
- Thomas Marik, The Master (mentioned)
- Alys Rousset-Marik (mentioned)
- Therese Marik (mentioned)
- Janos Marik (mentioned)
- Jeremy Brett (mentioned)
- Kirc Cameron-Jones (mentioned)
- Myndo Waterly (mentioned)
- Conrad Toyama (mentioned)
- Adam Tam (mentioned)
- Christopher Halas (mentioned)
- Sophina Desiree (mentioned)
- Cassandra Blake (mentioned)
- Heather Alexander (mentioned)
- Kripsin Romanov (mentioned)
- Isis Marik (mentioned)
- Brooklyn Stevens (mentioned)
- Precentor Nathan (mentioned)
- Captain Bowen (mentioned)
Featured Places[edit]
Featured Units[edit]
- Wolf's Dragoons (mentioned)
- Knights of the Inner Sphere (mentioned)
Featured BattleTech[edit]
DropShips[edit]
- Unspecified DropShip-class, Noble Vision, Raptor