Whispering Death
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| Whispering Death | |
|---|---|
| Short story by Philip A. Lee | |
| First Publication | |
| Published | 11 September 2011 |
| Publisher | BattleCorps |
| Pages | 34 |
| Chronology | |
| Era | Clan Homeworlds era |
| Timeline | 7 October 2905 — 27 August 2906 (see notes) |
Whispering Death is a short story by Philip A. Lee that was published online on BattleCorps on 11 September 2011.
[edit]
| “ | Philip Lee brings us a story from the history of the Nova Cat Clan! | ” |
Plot Summary[edit]
On 7 October 2905 on Barcella, Clan Nova Cat Star Captain Madeline conducts a rite with Oathmaster Kyle Devalis, burning her vineers in search of a vision, but she receives nothing. The next day she stands trial before a committee led by Galaxy Commander Tristan Morris, her genefather. She is accused of conspiring with Clan Smoke Jaguar, dereliction of duty, and causing the deaths of her warriors during a Trial of Possession. Despite her protests, she is found guilty and sentenced to the Ritual of Abjuration. Stripped of rank and privilege, she smashes her codex in defiance and leaves Clan society.
Madeline flees into the deserts of Barcella, barely surviving hunger and thirst. She collapses but is saved by a group of Dark Caste member led by Alban. Among them, she learns that she is free to choose her own path. Later, Alban directs her to Saint Anthony, who provides her with a FNF-J12 Sniper Rifle. She begins targeting Clan Nova Cat warriors she blames for her fall, earning her the name "Whispering Death". At the Pulsar Station DropPort she kills Star Captain Paulos during departure preparations. Later on Hoard, she shoots Star Commander Sol and MechWarrior Yumi, and during a Clan ritual she kills Star Commander Galene.
Star Colonel Lucien Nostra, her former commander and lover, becomes convinced she is responsible. Ordered by Tristan Morris to end the killings, Lucien confronts Madeline at a ritual fire on Hoard. Madeline reveals that Tristan had demanded she couple with him and fabricated charges when she refused. Lucien shoots her but deliberately spares her life, later claiming to have killed her. He then kills Tristan Morris and his aides, blaming the deaths on the "Whispering Death".
Months later, on 27 August 2906, Galaxy Commander Lucien Nostra, though maintaining the story that Madeline is dead, receives a note from her through a dead drop, confirming she survived. The message reads: "Just passing through. Be safe. Miss you. —M."
Featured Characters[edit]
- Star Captain Madeline
- Kylie Devalis
- Galaxy Commander Tristan Morris
- Star Colonel/Galaxy Commander Lucien Nostra
- Alban
- Star Captain Paulos
- Star Commander Sol
- Star Commander Galene
- saKhan Zachary Drummond (mentioned)
- Star Colonel Balthazar Furey (mentioned)
- MechWarrior Yumi (mentioned)
- Star Commander Huan (mentioned)
- Saint Anthony (mentioned)
Featured Units[edit]
- 179th Striker Cluster
- Second Jaguar Guards Cluster (mentioned)
- 449th Assault Cluster (mentioned)
- Forty-fifth Striker Irregulars Cluster (mentioned)
- Seventh Attack Cluster (mentioned)
Featured Places[edit]
- Barcella
- Hoard
- Strana Mechty (mentioned)
Featured BattleTech[edit]
BattleMechs[edit]
- Marauder IIC
- Nova (mentioned)
- Conjurer (mentioned)
Battle Armor[edit]
Personal Equipment[edit]
Notes[edit]
- Although published as a Succession Wars era story, it is actually set in the Clan Homeworlds era, which was introduced later.