Way of the Ghost Dog
Sarna News
| Way of the Ghost Dog | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Short story by Bryan Young | |||
 | |||
| First Publication | |||
| Published | 1 March 2025 | ||
| Published in | Tales of the Inner Sphere | ||
| Publisher | Catalyst Game Labs | ||
| Illustrator(s) |
| ||
| Pages | 63 (EPUB) | ||
| MSRP | Free | ||
| Chronology | |||
| Era | Dark Age era | ||
| Timeline | 26 May 3147 — 16 June 3147 | ||
| Series | |||
Ghost Dogs series | |||
| |||
Way of the Ghost Dog is a short story by Bryan Young that was released for free in EPUB format through the Catalyst Game Labs online store from 1 to 31 March 2025.
After being rotated off the free section of the CGL store, Way of the Ghost Dog was later included in the collected Tales of the Inner Sphere anthology released on 9 January 2026.
From the Back Cover[edit]
GHOST DOGS VS. PIRATES...
It was supposed to be an easy run. Colonel Hank Mallory and his Ghost Dogs have been hired to go to an abandoned planet and undertake a mysterious mission, no questions asked. But when the Draconis Combine is footing the bill, there is always more questions...
Like what if the planet isn't as abandoned as the Ghost Dogs were told? And what if their objective could tilt the balance of power in the Inner Sphere? From the moment they land on-planet, Hank and the Ghost Dogs have to stay one step ahead of vicious pirates and devious employers if they want to live long enough to enjoy their big score...
Plot Summary[edit]
The Ghost Dogs accept a contract from the Draconis Combine to recover an mysterious "asset" from the ruins of a shattered BattleMech factory on the long abandoned Lyran Commonwealth world of Balkan right under the noses of the pirate Barnson's Barnstormers who are using Balkan as their bolt-hole. While the unit grumbles at the lack of information, Colonel Mallory drafts a plan where the bulk of the unit will attack the Barnstormers head-on as a distraction, allowing Bravo Lance to enter the factory ruins on foot to liberate their prize only to discover the "asset" is a memory core filled with LosTech schematics, blueprints and scientific processes from the Star League era factory.
Returning to Galatea, Hank Mallory meets with their employer's representative Gondo to angrily point out they had not been given the full story or the true value of the asset and demand double the previously agreed amount. Initially evasive, Gondo ultimately agrees to pay the increased price for the priceless memory core before the pair come under attack from mysterious black clad assailants. Mallory and Gondo's associates unsuccessfully attempt to stop them stealing the asset, uncovering the attackers are seemingly in Lyran employ before Mallory is knocked unconscious. Later when back on The Flying Dutchman, Mallory meets with the unit members who'd stolen back the asset to keep it out of Combine hands while neatly covering their tracks, resolving to let the heat cool off before reselling the asset yet assured that the Ghost Dogs have again proven they can stand on their own two feet until Colonel Kell calls for their return.
Featured Characters[edit]
- Colonel Hank Mallory
- Major Ilsa Escalera
- Captain Raven Davis
- Christopher Ruzkin
- Christian Koenig
- Ari Simons
- Scotty Jardine
- Carter (Bravo Lance)
- Captain Shannon Barnson
- Gondo
- Captain Rufo Nguyen (mentioned)
- Millie Boardman (mentioned)
- Raphael Pate (mentioned)
- Colonel Callandre Kell (mentioned)
Featured Units[edit]
- Ghost Dogs
- Barnson's Barnstormers
- Kell Hounds (mentioned)
Featured Places[edit]
Featured BattleTech[edit]
BattleMechs[edit]
DropShips[edit]
- Union-class 'Mech carrier DropShip, The Flying Dutchman