Up Close
Sarna News
| Up Close | |
|---|---|
| Short story by W. T. Brown | |
 | |
| Publication | |
| Published | 15 December 2022 |
| Published in | Shrapnel Issue 11 |
| Publisher | Catalyst Game Labs |
| Illustrator(s) | Natán Meléndez |
| Pages | 13 |
| Chronology | |
| Era | Clan Invasion era |
| Timeline | 18 May 3061 — 25 May 3061 |
Up Close is a short story by W. T. Brown that was published in the eleventh issue of Shrapnel.
Plot Summary[edit]
On a base of Umka's militia, MechWarrior Will screams at his unit buddy, Ken, to make him paint his 'Mech, as he was losing time trying to impress a female tech, but Ken barely listens him.
Three days later, the militia commander, Azzat, gathers all his unit to face a crisis: they had received a message from a unit of Clan Jade Falcons announcing their intention to claim the planet. Will is a veteran of the Battle of Tukayyid, and immediately finds the challenge and words strange, but was unable to recognize why. Azzat asks him advice, but Will wasn't able to help him. When the gathering finishes, his buddy Adetutu boards him in private, and he, which hadn't talked about his life's loss on Tukayyid, explains her everything.
Three days later, the militia arrived to a fishing village, Tenelid. The Clanners had torched the entire village, murdering almost all the population. That increases Will's suspiciouns: that was more the way of pirates, not clanners. After rescuing a few survivors, they began pursuing the attackers. A battle ensued, and the presumed clanners, which were all using Inner Sphere 'Mechs, went to Ken specifically, and Ken broke formation, attacking them recklessly. Adetutu's 'Mech was wounded, and that enraged Will. After the "Clanners" had been disposed, he quickly wents to help Adetutu, finding her alive.
Three days later, Ken was recovering in a hospital, enjoying his new popularity, and Will, which had understand too late what was strange about the fake Clanners - Moon is a Clan Smoke Jaguar bloodname, and not from Clan Jade Falcon; they were simple pirates - tells him he wants to knew later why the pirates were going after him. Later, he leaves with Anna and the aim to continue living his life again.