Difference between revisions of "The Fires of Hell"

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Revision as of 11:20, 25 August 2021

The Fires of Hell is a nine-part short story published in A Time of War as intro fiction for the book's individual chapters. Seven authors wrote individual parts, forming a full continuous story of a 3076 reconnaissance mission on Rochelle by Recon Squad Four of Stone's Lament.

Plot summary

Gathering Players

Gathering Players
Story information
Author Ben H. Rome
Pages 6
Type Short story
Product A Time of War
Content
Era Jihad era
Timeline 5 June 3076

At Fort Defiance on Hesperus II, Recon Squad Four of Stone's Lament gathers for orders. Captain Jared Travis's squad is not at its best. Its old members, Busby "Buzzy" Matvey, old veteran Ethan Naoko, and Doctor Grace Luther, struggle with the losses the squad sustained on Hesperus, where two of its soldiers died protecting House Hogarth's strategically insignificant summer home's art. They have been replaced with two newcomers: Lyran noble Luella Hildebrand, the squad's new executive officer, and inexperienced wannabe MechWarrior Franz Logan.

In the lead-up to their briefing, Jared challenges Luella to prove she's earned her position, and Franz accidentally spills raspberry juice on a redheaded MechWarrior, one he finds attractive.

Said MechWarrior, Franz discovers at the briefing, is General Belle Lee. She has a mission for Recon Squad Four.

The Calm Before

The Calm Before
Story information
Author Kevin Killiany
Pages 4
Type Short story
Product A Time of War
Content
Era Jihad era
Timeline 12-13 June 3076

On the DropShip David, on the way to the pirate jump point to Rochelle, Recon Squad Four prepares for the mission. The task is clear: land just below the Arctic circle, observe and scout en route to a Blakist installation, examine the installation, neutralize it if necessary for Rochelle's liberation, and send the intelligence to the Coalition fleet.

Rochelle is a dangerous place, polluted into hostility over centuries. All squad members take personalized drugs to survive the hazardous environment. While receiving her meds, Luella learns a Squad Four internal secret: Grace is a pacifist, staunchly unwilling to kill.

The Mission Begins

The Mission Begins
Story information
Author Steven Mohan, Jr.
Pages 4
Type Short story
Product A Time of War
Content
Era Jihad era
Timeline 3 July 3076

For a moment, everything seems to go according to plan. Dropped on Rochelle in a Mark VII Landing Craft piloted by Buzzy, the squad descends through an electrified snowstorm that should hide their presence. Then a Blakist Shiva finds them. Buzzy shoots the fighter down, but the fighter's presence means the intended landing zone isn't safe - an undiscovered enemy base is likely near, and the Shiva's disappearance will attract attention.

A short search off track, into a forest, reveals an airstrip. Finding a safe landing zone proves harder. Battered by a wave of missiles from within the forest, the Landing Craft begins to plummet, and all Buzzy can do is try to save what he can.

Securing the LZ

Securing the LZ
Story information
Author Paul Sjardjin
Pages 4
Type Short story
Product A Time of War
Content
Era Jihad era
Timeline 3 July 3076

Recon

Recon
Story information
Author Kevin Killiany
Pages 4
Type Short story
Product A Time of War
Content
Era Jihad era
Timeline 5 July 3076

Heavy Artillery

Heavy Artillery
Story information
Author Jason Hardy
Pages 4
Type Short story
Product A Time of War
Content
Era Jihad era
Timeline 5 July 3076

Journey

Journey
Story information
Author Ken' Horner
Pages 4
Type Short story
Product A Time of War
Content
Era Jihad era
Timeline 8 July 3076

Storming the Objective

Storming the Objective
Story information
Author Jim Rapkins
Pages 4
Type Short story
Product A Time of War
Content
Era Jihad era
Timeline 11 July 3076

Burnout

Burnout
Story information
Author Ben H. Rome
Pages 4
Type Short story
Product A Time of War
Content
Era Jihad era
Timeline 17 July 3076

Featured characters

Featured BattleTech

BattleMechs

DropShips

JumpShips

Aerospace Fighters

Combat Vehicles

Other Vehicles

Featured units

Featured species

Featured places