Phoenix (novel)
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 | Apocryphal Product Although the subject of this article is an official BattleTech product, it does not meet the current criteria for Canon. Its content may or may not be canonical for the BattleTech universe, and for the purpose of the Sarna.net BattleTechWiki is considered apocryphal. |
| |
| Phoenix | |
|---|---|
| Product information | |
| Type | Novel |
| Author | Peter Heid |
| Pages | 286 |
| Cover Artwork | "FASA Corporation" (originally by Bruce Jensen) |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Heyne |
| Product code | 06/6252 |
| First published | 2001 |
| ISBN-10 | 3453187903 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-3453187900 |
| MSRP | 7,95 € |
| Content | |
| Era | Clan Invasion era Succession Wars era (flashback) |
| Timeline | 05 January 3033—10 April 3054 |
Published by Heyne as the 52nd in their series of German BattleTech novels, Phoenix (by Peter Heid) is notable for being the first novel in that line (and the first German BattleTech novel) that was not a translated American novel, but an original work by a German author. It has not been translated into English so far.
The cover image was taken from the novel Wolf Pack; the German translation of that novel (Wolfsrudel, Heyne #16) had previously been published with a different cover.
Contents
Overview
Canonicity
Written in German and exclusively published in that language so far, Phoenix does not technically meet the current criteria for Canon in the BattleTech universe. As an official product published under a valid license, it should be regarded as apocryphal instead.
From the back cover (translated from German)
| “ | Replacing a MechWarrior who got killed, Jason Boise is assigned to the Mad Jumpin Jacks, an elite mercenary company under the command of old warhorse Jack Anderson. Jason is the laughing stock of his superiors and comrades for his youth and inexperience, but when the Mad Jumpin Jacks face Lyran invaders on the Marik world of Amity and have to fight for their survival he can show what he is made of... | ” |
Plot Summary
Framework story
As of 7 April 3054, Tomans is being defended against a Clan Jade Falcon incursion for a month already. While the defenders are quite exhausted, the Clan attackers barely show any signs of tiring. During night watch, a disparate group of defending MechWarriors (sporting uniforms from the Outworlds Alliance, Draconis Combine, and ComGuards, among others) discuss how a month of exceedingly bloody fighting has barely kept the Clan Warriors at bay. By chance, Lhiannon Potter and Jason Boise of the mercenary unit "Phoenix" meet ComGuard MechWarrior Ray Allison, an old acquaintance, which prompts them to recount a story of their unit (then known as the "Mad Jumpin' Jacks") from 21 years ago when they defended Amity against a Lyran attack (Part 1).
Later that night, the Tomans defenders are informed that first company was vanquished in an attempt to storm a Jade Falcon bridgehead. Data from the failed attack suggests where the Jade Falcons will strike next though. Potter, Boise, Allison, Osonov, a female DCMS warrior and an AFFC warrior all volunteer for an interception mission and move out to an ambush site in their 'Mechs. Once arrived, they have to wait until sunrise for the expected enemy force to move through, and use this opportunity to continue the story from earlier (Part 2).
As expected, two stars of Jade Falcons 'Mechs appear and are attacked. However, in the face of superior Clan warriors and equipment the battle goes badly. When the Jade Falcons eventually withdraw, only two attacking 'Mechs (Potter's Hatchetman and Osonov's Commando) remain functional. Jason Boise is retrieved from the wreck of his 'Mech, mortally wounded. He asks Potter to continue the story because he likes to hear about the old days (Part 3).
In an epilogue chapter it is revealed that Boise died on the battlefield while waiting for the medevac helicopter, which took 3 hours to reach them. Lhiannon Potter is now the last surviving MechWarrior of the original Mad Jumpin' Jacks. True to the unit's new name of Phoenix, two new recruits report to Potter to replace losses: Craig Osonov, who was swayed by the stories being told, and Anastasia Schmelzer's daughter Donna. This reaffirms Potter's feelings that the unit's legacy will live on if only a single one of them survives to remember the stories.
Part 1
Lyran Commonwealth forces have invaded Amity in mid-3032, hoping to acquire 'Mech blueprints, and by January 3033 the fighting is still going on because of the Marik forces' dogged defense. On 5 January the Mad Jumpin' Jacks mercenary unit successfully attacks a vital Lyran depot but Arthur Melton, the unit's co-founder, is killed in the fighting (implied to be the Mad Jumpin' Jacks' first casualty in a long time, possibly the first one since their inception).
Following the deopt's destruction, planetary governor Tores Thornten throws a reception celebrating the victory over the invaders. He and Jack Anderson develop a serious dislike for each other when Anderson publicly points out that he feels the party is premature, and also disagrees with Thornten's political views—Thornten is a Silver Hawk affiliate and outspoken proponent of Silver Hawk autonomy, but Anderson voices the opinion that a unified Marik realm would stand a better chance of overcoming its enemies.
Part 2
Part 3
Characters
Mad Jumpin' Jacks/Phoenix personnell
- Hauptmann Jack Anderson: Victor pilot, former LCAF officer from Donegal who was reportetly demoted three times fr refusing orders. He founded the Mad Jumpin' Jacks in 3025 together with Arthur Melton. Lost his wife to cancer in 3022; later begins a relationship with his unit's DropShip pilot, Aleisha Seytzmann. Murdered by Tores Thornten on 13 January 3033.
- Schütze (Private) Thomas Anderson: Jack Anderson's son pilots a Griffin. Killed by a mercenary Awesome on 19 January 3033. before interim commander Lhiannon Potter transfers command of the Mad Jumpin' Jacks to him following Jack Anderson's death.
- Leutnant Juri Barkonoff: Griffin pilot, suggested to be a former periphery pirate. Killed by a Lyran Ostroc on 13 January 3033.
- Jason Boise: A 19 year old Dervish pilot in the battle lance, 4th company, 2nd battalion, 1st Sirian Lancers as of 7 January 3033, he had never seen combat when he is assigned to the Mad Jumpin' Jacks as replacement for Arthur Melton. Nephew and adoptive son of Amity's governor Tores Thornten. Killed by a Jade Falcon Fire Falcon on 8 April 3054 while piloting a Starslayer.
- Sergeant Adrian Butcher: Quickdraw pilot; named his 'Mech "Julia" after his sister who was killed by Kurita forces in 3023.
- Leutnant Takiro Chokamoto: Vulcan pilot. Reportedly ejected from the DCMS for lack of discipline and cowardice, and rejected as applicant for Wolf's Dragoons.
- Sergeant Edward Grant: Javelin pilot. Killed by a mercenary Warhammer on 19 January 3033.
- Jasmine Lambert: SeniorTech, Thomas Anderson's lover.
- Sergeant Donna Luisa Malaga di Sierra (actually Donna Zonzón): Panther pilot. Killed by a mercenary BattleMaster on 19 January 3033.
- Andrew Potter: Lhiannon Potter's brother; serves as Tech. Killed on 20 January 3033 when Jasmine Lambert tries to stab his sister, believing she deliberately let Thomas Anderson die.
- 1st Leutnant Lhiannon Potter: Native to the Federated Suns world of Glenmora, she was orphaned during a Draconis Combine attack and does not know when she was born, but thinks it was around 3010. Worked as a prostitute until she could buy a ticket to Robinson where Jack Anderson saw her potential when she piloted an IndustrialMech, and offered her officer training. Pilots a Valkyrie in 3033 and a brand new Hatchetman in 3054.
- Schütze (Private) Anastasia Schmelzer: Wasp pilot, later switches to Jack Anderson's Victor. Scion of a distinguished family on Terra, she was refused entry into ComStar for "illoyality" and later fixed her final exam results to become a MechWarrior. Murdered civilians in a fit of rage at one point. Loses both legs in battle and
- Aleisha Seytzmann: DropShip commander
- Sergeant Robert Shedler: Grasshopper pilot, reportedly demoted five times for excessive cruelty. Killed by a Jade Falcon Masakari on 6 April 3054.
- Ross Sorkowsky: Navigator aboard the DropShip Esmeralda
- Hauptmann Karl Trunkmann: Phoenix Hawk pilot, dishonorably discharged from the LCAF for drug deliquency. Killed by Lyran aerospace fighter on or shortly after 13 January 3033.
- Dr. Daniel Viewman: MedTech, chief medical officer
Others
- Farrell Akerfelds, ComStar Precentor on Amity as of 3033
- Corporal Raymond Allison: FWLM MechWarrior piloting an Orion in 3033. Joined the ComGuards around 3044 and fought on Tukayyid (killed by a Jade Falcon Turkina on 8 April 3054)
- Lt.Col. LeFranc: Commanding officer of the Marik defenders on Amity
- Lt. Steven Gilbert: LeFranc's aide, but also a SAFE operative. He ultimately executes Tores Thornten.
- Craig Osonov: Young and inexperienced officer from the Outworlds Alliance
- Tores Thornten: Planetary governor of Amity as of 3033
Featured places
- Amity
- Donegal (mentioned)
- Quentin (mentioned)
- Small World (mentioned)
- Solaris VII (mentioned)
- Tomans
Featured BattleTech
BattleMechs
- Assasin
- Atlas
- Awesome
- BattleMaster
- Cicada
- Clint
- Crusader
- Cyclops
- Dervish
- Enforcer
- Firestarter
- Grasshopper
- Griffin
- Hatchetman
- Hermes II
- Javelin
- Jenner
- Locust
- Marauder
- Masakari
- Orion
- Ostroc
- Panther
- Phoenix Hawk
- Quickdraw
- Raven
- Rifleman
- Shadow Hawk
- Stalker
- Thunderbolt
- Valkyrie
- Victor
- Vulcan
- Warhammer
- Wasp
- Whitworth
- Wolfhound
- Zeus
Aerospace Fighters
Vehicles
Other
- Union-class DropShips
- LCAF JumpShip Tyr (unspecified type)