To Serve the Dragon
Sarna News
| To Serve the Dragon | |
|---|---|
| Short story by Loren L. Coleman | |
| First Publication | |
| Published | 16 March 2005 |
| Publisher | BattleCorps |
| Illustrator(s) | Matt Plog |
| Pages | 17 |
| Chronology | |
| Era | Civil War era |
| Timeline | 12 May 3062 |
To Serve the Dragon is the first part of an intended serial by Loren L. Coleman that was published online on BattleCorps on 16 March 2005, but has not yet been continued.
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| “ | With the destruction of Clan Smoke Jaguar, House Kurita expected the Periphery to quiet down. But when a bandit warlord discovers one of the Star League's dirty secrets on Garrote, one he's willing to share with the highest bidders, Ryuken-san is quickly activated and thrown forward. Their mission: investigate and destroy. Part one of a new serial by Loren L. Coleman. | ” |
Plot Summary[edit]
On 12 May 3062, Sho-sa Traci Sikaro of the Ryuken-san leads a Draconis Combine task force on the Periphery world KA-418, known as Garrote. The mission is to counter the bandit warlord Lukas Sjardd, who seeks to uncover a rumored Star League cemetery cache of forbidden chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons hidden in the planet's northern polar basin. At the command center of the Union-class 'Mech carrier DropShip, Black Wind, Sikaro and her intelligence analyst, Tai-i Chan Morada, review intelligence confirming the cache's existence. Concerned about Sjardd's intentions, Sikaro dispatches her forces to secure salvage from old battlefields to restore their combat strength while preparing to deny Sjardd access to the cache.
Chu-i Yotimara Rakai piloting a Vulture B leads two lances of Ryuken-san 'Mechs to escort the salvage teams. At one battlefield, the unit uncovers what appears to be wreckage, but hidden Clan 'Mechs, including a Mad Cat, Loki, and Shadow Cat emerge from concealment and attack the Ryuken-san forces. In the ensuing engagement, a Draconis Combine Raptor is destroyed and Chu-i Akomata is forced to eject. The attackers are identified as remnants of Clan Smoke Jaguar, now allied with Sjardd. Despite being under heavy pressure, Rakai's forces fight back, disabling a Loki and ultimately crippling the Mad Cat with concentrated fire. The Ryuken secure salvage, including the damaged Clan 'Mech, but suffer losses and must retreat under Sikaro's orders.
In the aftermath, Sikaro and Morada conclude that Clan Smoke Jaguar survivors are aiding Sjardd and preparing to move on the cemetery cache. With only days to prevent the recovery of the forbidden arsenal, Sikaro plans to strike Sjardd's refurbished Star League base to slow his progress before racing to the polar site.
The first part ends with Sikaro recognizing the immense burden of command, preparing her forces for the next stage of the campaign...
Featured Characters[edit]
- Sho-sa Traci Sikaro
- Tai-i Chan Morada
- Chu-i Yotimara Rakai
- Chu-i Akomata
- Kashira Nichols
- Warlord Lukas Sjardd (mentioned)
- Helmar Valasek (mentioned)
Featured Units[edit]
Featured Places[edit]
- KA-418 (Garrote)
- Santander's World (mentioned)
- Port Krin (Antallos) (mentioned)
Featured BattleTech[edit]
BattleMechs[edit]
DropShips[edit]
- Union-class 'Mech carrier DropShip, Black Wind