Rain of Metal
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| Rain of Metal | |
|---|---|
| Story information | |
| Author | Julian Michael Carver |
| Type | Short Story |
| Product | Shrapnel Issue 10 |
| Content | |
| Era | Civil War era |
| Timeline | 7 July 3064 |
Rain of Metal is a short story by Julian Michael Carver that was published in the tenth issue of Shrapnel.
Plot summary
On 7 July 3064, on planet Kikuyu, the mercenary group Storm's Metal Thunder were facing an overwhelming attack by Clan Jade Falcon forces. Sergeant Andrew Rivenberg attempts to assist his commander, Colonel Griff Storm, but arrives nearby just in time to see him die.
With no alternative, Andrew begins retreating towards the unit's drop zone. On the way there, he's hailed by his brother and superior, Lieutenant Timothy Rivenberg. Andrew informs him of his situation, and Falcon fighters are overrunning the drop zone. Timothy has the only remaining 'Mech, and orders his brother to return before it's too late. Andrew complies and accelerates his advance toward the Thunder's devastated base.
He spots the drop zone from afar, and sees the unit's noncombatants and dependents still on their way to the two remaining DropShips.
Andrew finds himself under overwhelming attack by a Falcon Mad Cat. They exchange fire, but Andrew's Salamander falls to the ground. The Mad Cat approaches, apparently to kill him, when a Demolisher tank attacks it from the rear. He returns fire while the tank attempts to retreat, and this gives Andrew the opportunity to stand his 'Mech up. He manages to crush the Falcon's cockpit, killing the pilot, but the Demolisher has already been destroyed.
Andrew resumes his path to the drop zone, finding his brother's 'Mech the last defender. With Falcon forces approaching from behind, Andrew obey Timothy's order to board, barely making it inside the DropShip before losing consciousness and falling.
Andrew awakens in the DropShip's sick bay, being watched by his brother. Timothy informs him about what happened: a Falcon's Gauss slug struck his 'Mech's leg, making him fall. That causes Andrew to remember what happened to the colonel, and he attempts to explain his failure to his brother, but Timothy cuts him off, saying that Storm was responsible for the debacle with his inadequate tactics. Timothy informs Andrew about his plan to go to Melissia, expecting the forces gathering there to stop the Jade Falcons, before leaving his brother alone.