Because It Matters
Sarna News
| Because It Matters | |
|---|---|
| Short story by Jason Schmetzer | |
| First Publication | |
| Published | 4 April 2015 |
| Publisher | BattleCorps |
| Pages | 14 |
| Chronology | |
| Era | Succession Wars era |
| Timeline | 21 May 3017 |
Because It Matters is a short story by Jason Schmetzer that was published online on BattleCorps in April 2015.
[edit]
| “ | It's a military truism that a soldier will fight the way he trains. If the training is hard, he will fight hard. If the training is soft, so will he be in combat. On Shoreham, when one lance of Davion MechWarrior cadets squares off against another, all of them will have to decide just how realistic their training will be. Will it be just another sim run? Or will it have real consequences? | ” |
Plot Summary[edit]
On 21 May 3017, cadets of the Irina Petrovskaya Memorial Training Grounds on Shoreham prepare for a critical simulator exercise. Cadet Leftenant Amanda Pushkin learns that her final exam will pit her lance against Cadet Leftenant Andre Horace's lance, with only one of them advancing toward a commission. The stakes are high. The winning lance leader earns a promotion, while the loser remains in training.
Leftenant Pushkin leads Echo Lance, which includes Cadet Subalterns Helmar Armstrong, Aubrey Keenan, and Bennett Shotugama. Their opponents field standard Federated Suns 'Mechs, while Echo Lance is assigned "Snake" 'Mechs, models they know less well. The imbalance adds to the pressure, especially for Pushkin.
The exercise begins with both lances maneuvering through hills and forests. Pushkin drives her unit to adapt quickly. Shotugama presses the opposing Spider hard. Armstrong uses his PNT-9R Panther's long-range Particle Projector Cannon to cripple the enemy COM-2D Commando. Keenan brings the heavy firepower of his Hunchback into the fight, while Pushkin's DRG-1N Dragon anchors the advance. Together they wear down Horace's lance, destroying the Spider and Commando before turning on the missile-heavy Catapult and Trebuchet. Horace fights to the end but is overwhelmed.
After the simulation ends, Leftenant Egan conducts the hot-wash. He confirms Pushkin has passed her test and that Horace will be held back. More importantly, he explains the lesson: Horace fought on even when defeat was certain because the mission demanded it. For soldiers, some things matter more than survival. Armstrong reflects on the meaning of sacrifice, realizing that his own final test will come soon enough.
Featured Characters[edit]
- Cadet Subaltern Helmar Armstrong
- Cadet Leftenant Amanda Pushkin
- Cadet Subaltern Aubrey Keenan
- Cadet Subaltern Bennett Shotugama
- Cadet Leftenant Andre Horace
- Cadet Subaltern Shelly Rodriguez
- Cadet Subaltern Johansson
- Leftenant Egan