The Space Cowboys From Quatre Belle

The Space Cowboys From Quatre Belle
Story information
Author	R. J. Thomas
Type	Short Story
Product	Shrapnel Issue 11
Content
Era	Civil War era
Timeline	22-30 November 3063

The Space Cowboys From Quatre Belle is a short story by R. J. Thomas that was published in the eleventh issue of Shrapnel.

Plot summary

The 22 November 3063, Clayton Reese faced a pirate Sholagar fighter, and thanks to his twin brother, Clinton's help, they easily destroyed it. A day later, both were with their mates of the Fifth Alliance Air Wing on the OAS Acceptance, their DropShip carrier, playing cards, when their superior tell them than a intruder had arrived on system, and they all mobilized. Two hours later, the Fifth was already on the air. The intruder was a Clan DropShip of Clan Snow Raven, which deployed its fighters. A space battle began between both groups. The clanners proved to have better fighters, but the Fifth was more experienced. Clinton's fighter was destroyed, but Clayton wasn't able to search for him, because a clanner pilot defied him to a duel. Clayton won, but his fighter was damaged and lose consciousness. He awakened in his DropShip's infarmary, and felt relieved when knew than his brother was alive and his downing of the Raven leader had made the rest of his uniot to ask for hegira. The 30 November, both Clayton were on a bar, celebrating their victory. A unknown woman talked with Clayton, but then a group of MP came to take her. She was Clayton's Snow Raven opponent. She talked with his superior, a Star Colonel, which congratulated her for the success of her mission. In fact, all their raid was simply a test to try the Outworld's Alliance resources and determination, a test they have passed.

Featured characters

• Clinton Reese
• Clayton Reese
• Marcus Griffin
• Tommy Connor
• Eris

Featured BattleTech

• Chaeronea
• Slayer
• Shilone
• Sholagar
• Titan-class DropShip
• Transit
• Turk
• Vengeance-class DropShip
• Visigoth

Featured planets

• Dneiper III
• Tresspass