Hornet's Nest (short story)

Hornet's Nest (short story)
Story information
Author	Craig Erne
Pages	6
Type	Short story
Product	BattleTech: 25 Years of Art & Fiction
Content
Era	Succession Wars era
Timeline	23 April 3022 - 17 September 3022

The short story Hornet's Nest was published in BattleTech: 25 Years of Art & Fiction.

Plot summary

After a successful raid on Demeter in April 3022, the Northstar Irregulars accept, with great confidence, a new mission from employer Ezra Durrant: raid a ballistics plant on the Capellan Confederation world of Bithinia. They are given two support lances to make a diversion and screen defenses, opening the city of Bithinia up to the Irregulars' attack.

Bithinia is protected by miltia and reserve forces. An unnamed young Colonel, hungry for glory, leads two battalions to chase the diversion, leaving the old Major Xao Zhiyi and his reserve forces to defend the city proper. He turns the city into a trap, armor and UrbanMechs arranged to pick apart the Irregulars lance.

One by one, the Northstar Irregulars fall, until only one remains to flee: their commander, Saul Trenton. Zhiyi offers honors of war and arranges the immediate safe withdrawal of the remaining mercenaries, Trenton and the diversion lances alike. With the city saved and salvage taken, Zhiyi weathers complaints from the young Colonel, who lost his chance for glory against the now-escaping diversion lances.

Featured characters

• Charlotte
• Dave Greshner
• Dee
• Ezra Durrant
• George
• Izzy McClain
• Li Feng
• Reggie Horn
• Saul Trenton
• Shu
• Vessen
• Walters
• Xao Zhiyi

Featured Technology

BattleMechs

• Archer
• Centurion
• Cyclops
• Enforcer
• Firestarter
• Marauder
• UrbanMech
• Valkyrie
• Zeus

DropShips

• Wayward Star

Vehicles

• Vedette
• Hetzer
• Warrior (Combat Vehicle)
• Swift Wind

Featured units

• Demeter Militia
• Northstar Irregulars
• Bithinia Militia
• Capellan Reserves/CDF
• Waco Rangers (mentioned)
• Warrior House Ma-Tsu Kai (mentioned)

Featured places

• Bithinia
• Demeter
• Oriente