Difference between revisions of "A Call to Arms"

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Revision as of 09:33, 30 June 2012

A Call to Arms.jpg
A Call to Arms
Product information
Type Novel
Author Loren L. Coleman
Pages 320
Cover Artwork Ray Lundgren
Publication information
Publisher Roc Books
First published 4 February, 2003
ISBN-10 0451459121
ISBN-13 978-0451459121
Content
Era Dark Age era
Timeline 3133
Series MechWarrior: Dark Age Novels
Preceded by Ghost War
Followed by The Ruins of Power

A Call to Arms, by Loren L. Coleman, is the second book in the new Dark Age era.

From the back cover

Months have passed since the interplanetary communications net was destroyed, isolating planets across the Republic of the Sphere. Achernar is one of the few worlds still in possession of a working Hyperpulse Generator Station, a device that enables communications across the galaxy—and a much sought after prize for the splintering factions of the Republic...

After failing to qualify as an active MechWarrior, Raul Ortega finds some solace in the Republic's military reserves on Archenar and dreams of of the day he might know the adventure and glory of real combat. The Republic-loyal forces of Archenar are supported by a loose alliance with the Swordsworn, a faction pledged to House Davion, whose leaders have an agenda all their own.

When the planet falls under siege by yet another splinter group, the Steel Wolves, who are intent on capturing the HPG station, Raul is called to active duty. But when the Swordsworn desert Archenar in its time of need, Raul discovers that there's little honor in the subtle nuisances of treachery and the brutal realities of war...

Plot summary

Prolog

Raul Ortega is piloting his Legionnaire battlemech on Achernar's Highlake Basin. He comes into contact with an enemy JES I and with a quick burst of his 'mech's autocannon, easily destroys the vehicle. The fire that comes out from the vehicle looks odd, it looks fake. This is where we find that he is in a Mark III simulator in his final test to see if he is going to become the new MechWarrior for the planet's milita, or if he is going to become a new "desk commander." Unfortunately for him, his rival, who also has the same marks in academics and practical standings, is also vying for the MechWarrior role for the militia. The winner of the simulation graduates to fill the role that the militia needs.

The simulated battle is intense with each pilot pushing towards victory, than having to fall back in order stave off defeat. Through simulated destruction, each pilot is left with a near destroyed mech that has been pushed to the ground. Raul raises his mech so that it is on its knees, getting ready to take one last pull of his cannon to destroy the enemy pilot in order to gain victory. He pulls the trigger, and the screen goes black.

Someone bangs on his simulator to mark that the simulation is finished. Raul believes that he was able to get the final shot off before the enemy battle armor was able to break through his cockpit's shield. To his dismay, he hears the other cadets screaming with congratulatory cheers as the Achernar Militia has its new MechWarrior pilot. Charal DePriest.

Pre-Invasion

Raul Ortega, two years after losing his graduation battle, is one of the customs officers at the San Marino Spaceport on Achernar. During one of his shift's, he was summoned to travel to a landing pad to deal with a situation that was happening. A dropship had landed and an argument was going on about what to do about a certain piece of cargo. The cargo, was a Ryoken II owned by a MechWarrior called Tassa Kay. She was arguing that the 'mech was hers so she did not have to hand it over, but the one she was arguing was quoting the law of The Republic which said that all personal 'mechs were to be handed over to the military. Ortega came over and suggested that Customs should hold the 'mech while she is on planet, that way she can keep ownership while following the law of the planet. Kay agreed to that statement, and to help end the dispute, she handed Ortega an Exarch proclamation from Damien Redburn that stated that Tassa Kay is an outstanding Republic citizen and that the [[Ryoken II] is to remain her battlemech.

Erik Sandoval-Groell was sent to Achernar by his uncle, Duke Aaron Sandoval of Tikonov, to secure the planet in the name of the Swordsworn and more importantly the working HPG communication relay. Erik, received a data crystal which relayed a message from his uncle, stating that his mission is still to secure the planet, but to keep the HPG out of the hands of another splinter group in the Republic, the Steel Wolves, which is trying to create an information network which no other faction has since the collapse. The message ends with the duke telling Erik, that failure is not an option, especially since his failed mission on Mara.

Star Colonel Torrent, winner of the bid to invade Achernar and one of the three commanders of the Steel Wolves clusters, prepares his forces for the jump into the system and to the inevitable invasion of the planet. He is taken aside by Star Colonel Colton Fetladral who wanted to remind Torrent that his invasion is part of a grander scheme. Knight Kyle Powers of the Republic of the Sphere is on the planet of Ronel, the same planet Fetladral is invading, and Torrent's invasion is a ruse to get the Knight to travel to Achernar to allow Ronel to be more easily taken. The same plan that Kal Radick, Galaxy Commander of the Steel Wolves, came up with. Torrent believes that he bid well on his invasion force to not only achieve the objective of luring Powers away from Ronel, but to wrest control of the planet away from The Republic.

Battle Begins

Swordsworn Betrayal

Steel Wolves Initiative

Militia's Gamble

Peace

Featured characters

Featured worlds

Featured BattleTech

'Mechs

Vehicles

Battlearmor

Jumpships

Dropships