Trial Under Fire is a serialized novella in ten parts by Loren L. Coleman that was published online on BattleCorps between 31 August and 30 October 2004. It is an edited version of a serial Coleman had written in 1999 for the official MechWarrior 3 website, originally titled Trial By Fire. It was later published for free as an attachment to MekTek's release of MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries. In 2011, it was also republished in an EPUB edition outside of BattleCorps (the image in the infobox is taken from the EPUB file).
The story is a novelization of the storyline of the MechWarrior 3 computer game, and parts of the story including mission briefings and dialogue are taken verbatim from the game. Unlike the computer game as such, the published story is fully canonical and thus trumps the computer game as canon wherever they might differ.
Further details about the plot of the book can be found in the article Operation DAMOCLES.
During the Star League efforts to eradicate Clan Smoke Jaguar, a sideline mission to Tranquil was lost against the larger stories of Huntress and Strana Mechty. But without this desperate mission, the others might not have succeeded. Loren Coleman's novelization of the MechWarrior 3 PC game, at its complete novella length for the first time.
As the Damocles Commando lands on Tranquil, Connor Sinclair struggles, alone, through the opening salvoes. Thoughts of the doomed Black Hammer must wait. Now, it is all about survival. On both sides. Story by Loren L. Coleman.
As Conner Sinclair and his remnants of the Damocles Commando take their fight to the Smoke Jaguars, they uncover a new secret. But is this likely to weigh in favor of their eventual escape from Tranquil? Or against it? Story by Loren L. Coleman
As things heat up for Conner Sinclair and his Damocles Commando, the world of Tranquil is left anything but calm. The Smoke Jaguars fight for their survival, desperation begins to tell in their tactics. Loren L. Coleman's continuing tale.
As the Commando steps up their offensive, bringing down the rallying Jaguar forces, the masters of Tranquil are growing desperate. Now, the Commando is taking out the planetary 'Mech production facility. Much needed salvage, and a severe blow to the dying Clan. If Conner Sinclair and company can survive the attack. Story by Loren L. Coleman
Loren L. Coleman continues the tale of Connor Sinclair and the Damocles Commando. With Smoke Jaguar forces regrouping on Tranquil and Prince Victor still on Strana Mechty to refute the entire war, how far can four determined warriors go?
The Damocles Commando approaches its final run, or so they hope. Durgha City, the capital of Tranquil and a vulnerable target with the senior warriors chasing after other threats. But will they find all they hope? Or is this merely the beginning of the end? Story by Loren L. Coleman.
With the DropShip lost to them, the Commando takes its eye off their game for one minute. How bad are things likely to get as the Inner Sphere team struggles against the mounting odds, and the newly arrived Star Colonel Osis? Loren Coleman continues his Task Force tale.
With Galaxy CommanderBrendon Corbett taking a personal interest in the Commando, Conner Sinclair and his band of warriors does not have a great deal of time left to put an end to the Jaguar threat and escape Tranquil. Desperate times certainly call for desperate measures. Story by Loren Coleman.
In the conclusion to Loren L. Coleman's Trial Under Fire saga, the Commando has found the only way possible for them to escape Tranquil. But standing in between them and safety remains Brendon Corbett. In this final Circle of Equals, only one side walks out alive.
