Wars and Rumors

Wars and Rumors
Short story by Kevin Killiany
Shrapnel Magazine 001 (Cover).jpg
Publication
Published15 June 2020
Published inShrapnel Issue 1
PublisherCatalyst Game Labs
Illustrator(s)Franz Vohwinkel
Pages18
Chronology
EraDark Age era
Timeline21 June 3149 — 16 August 3149

Wars and Rumors is a short story by Kevin Killiany that was published in the first issue of Shrapnel.

Plot Summary[edit]

On 21 June 3149, the mercenary unit Jamison's Juggernauts as they engage in a skirmish with Clan Jade Falcon forces of the First Mixed Cluster in the radioactive and sensor-blind badlands on Alcor in the Galatean League. During the battle, Captain Fiona Cooper-Jamison defeats an enemy Elemental, while other Juggernauts, including Captain Tal Sender and Molly Lingstrom, clash with Jade Falcon 'Mechs in a series of tense, close-quarters engagements.

After the fight, the Juggernauts' leadership debates the purpose of the First Mixed Cluster's disorganized attack, suspecting it was a controlled combat exercise for inexperienced warriors. They deduce that the Cluster, a mixed unit of young and solahma warriors, was being blooded in low-risk combat against mercenaries. Later, the Juggernauts are recalled from Alcor to their homeworld of Galatea under suspicion that Clan Wolf forces may arrive, and to avoid potential conflict of interest among the unit's many former Wolves.

On 16 August 3149, the Juggernauts are approached at their base on Galatea by a delegation from the Canid Cooperative, a Solaris VII stable, recently revealed to have been co-opted by Clan Wolf under the secret Operation APPLESEED, which aims to absorb capable former Wolves into the touman. Star Captain Dejen Vickers, posing as "Simien Fox", attempts to recruit former Wolves in the Juggernauts, revealing that they are considered part of a long-term plan by saKhan Anastasia Kerensky to prepare for a coming conflict between the Wolves and the increasingly aggressive Jade Falcons.

Vickers offers the Juggernauts a chance to be integrated into Clan Wolf. However, Colonel Jerry Jamison resists, asserting their independence and readiness to protect vulnerable worlds from collateral damage in the expected war. A compromise is proposed: a majority of the Juggernaut Wolves agree to join Vickers, while a smaller contingent remains behind with the Juggernauts to fight covertly under Clan Wolf guidance. To ensure Clan legitimacy, Jamison agrees to become his wife's symbolic bondsman, leveraging their marriage to preserve the Juggernauts' autonomy under the pretense of Clan affiliation.

Featured Characters[edit]

Featured Units[edit]

Featured Places[edit]

Featured BattleTech[edit]

BattleMechs[edit]

Battle Armor[edit]

  • Void (modified, misspelled "Volk")

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