Warrior: En Garde

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Warrior - En Garde.jpg
Warrior: En Garde
Product information
Type Novel
Author Michael A. Stackpole
Pages 329 (original)
358 (anniversary edition & reprint)
Cover Artwork Jeff Laubenstein (original)
Roger Loveless (anniversary edition & reprint)
Publication information
Publisher FASA (original)
Roc Books (anniversary edition)
FanPro (reprint)
First published August 1988 (original)
April 1998 (anniversary edition)
September 2003 (reprint)
ISBN-10 3453042891
ISBN-13 978-3453042896
Content
Era Succession Wars era
Timeline 3026 – 3027
Series The Warrior Trilogy
Followed by Warrior: Riposte

Warrior: En Garde, by Michael A. Stackpole, is the first book in The Warrior Trilogy. It narrates the respective adventures of the half-brothers Justin and Daniel Allard during the build-up to the Fourth Succession War in two story arcs which are only tenously connected. Contrary to what the back cover suggests, they are not set up as antagonists and do not even meet in person throughout the book.

The novel introduced the Kell Hounds mercenary unit and the Wolfhound 'Mech to the BattleTech universe, as well as the somewhat controversial Phantom 'Mech incident.

Many references are made to the Doppelgänger ploy narrated in the earlier novel The Sword and the Dagger, to the point where it could arguably be regarded as a prequel to The Warrior Trilogy.

From the back cover

“ Stripped of his rank, exiled Justin Allard is given one last chance to save his honor—by risking his life in the gladiatorial arenas of Solaris VII. But his newest Game World opponent—more skilled at 'Mech-to-'Mech combat than any other rival—raises the stakes even higher. It's Justin's own half brother, Daniel, lance commander in the dreaded Kell Hounds mercenary battalion.

Both Daniel and Justin face fierce battles, but in the Inner Sphere, where nobles have schemed for centuries to win the ultimate power, those who interfere with the Successor Lords are sometimes called heroes.

And sometimes called victims.

”

Plot Summary

Prologue

An argument between Primus Julian Tiepolo and Precentor Myndo Waterly concerning the upcoming wedding between Hanse Davion and Melissa Steiner reveals that ComStar is not quite the benevolent and neutral agency it purports to be; they are actively playing the Successor States against one another to pursue their own agenda.

Justin Allard story arc

On the Federated Suns world Kittery, situated on the border with the enemy Capellan Confederation, anti-Capellan sentiments run high. Major Justin Allard, whose mother was a Capellan diplomat, is facing unrest among some of his subordinates after cashiering local war hero Philip Capet. However, Capet's "heroic action" on his homeworld Uravan in truth was nothing but an act of insubordination in which he led his men into a Capellan trap in a futile attempt to save his parent's village from a Capellan assault, effectively killing six troopers; he became a holovid hero over the incident and was thus awarded a decoration in hopes that he would retire. When Capet instead remained in the AFFS he was made a training instructor, and was finally removed from service when he planned to steal a JumpShip and embark on a personal crusade.

On 27 November 3026 Justin Allard (piloting a Valkyrie) and his loyal aide and friend, Leftenant Andrew Redburn (piloting a Spider), lead a training battalion of thirty cadets in Stingers on a patrol when they are ambushed by a company of Capellan Cicadas. Feeling they are being herded to the west, Allard investigates a possible contact in that direction and finds a Rifleman waiting for him. Ordering Redburn to take command of the cadets and make a stand, Allard engages the heavy Rifleman in his light Valkyrie, out of sight of the others. During the lopsided fight, the Rifleman flips its arms into its rear firing arc in a surprise maneuver that decides the battle. Allard is defeated and heavily wounded, losing his left arm from the elbow down.

Although the cadet cadre suffers losses, their training and Redburn's leadership suffice to fight off the Capellan ambush. Allard is retrieved from the wreck of his 'Mech; no trace remains of the Rifleman.

In the aftermath, Allard is brought to New Avalon for treatment; the New Avalon Institute of Science decided to test a bionic arm on him that will even allow him to remain a MechWarrior despite the crippling injury. When Redburn also travels to New Avalon to be decorated, Duke Michael Hasek-Davion—himself suspected of treacherous collaboration with House Liao—sends messengers along who, populistically playing on the anti-Capellan sentiments, demand Allard be branded a traitor and subtely threaten open rebellion if Allard is not court-martialed. Allard is arrested on 10 January 3027 and subsequently a kangaroo court finds overwhelming evidence suggesting Allard was really working with the Confederation to prepare the assault. His claims about the Rifleman are dismissed, and it is instead officially assumed he faced a (much lighter) UrbanMech. Even Allard's father, Federated Suns secret service director Quintus Allard, and finally First Prince Hanse Davion appear before court. In the end, Allard is disowned by his father, stripped from his rank and exiled from the Federated Suns. With only Andrew Redburn still believing him innocent, an embittered Justin Allard boards the DropShip Sigmund Rosenblum bound for Solaris VII. Assumes his mother's name he drops his surname and calls himself Justin Xiang fortwith.


Daniel Allard and Kell Hounds story arc

Melissa Steiner travels to New Avalon, and is hijacked by mercenaries in the employ of Aldo Lestrade. She is rescued by the Kell Hounds, before the newly formed Genyosha and ISF forces identify what prize they have. Patrick Kell is killed by Yorinaga Kurita in the rescue attempt. The Hounds are told of the impending marriage between Steiner and Hanse Davion.

Featured characters

Featured places

Featured BattleTech

BattleMechs

Aerospace fighters

DropShips

JumpShips

Covers

Related Images

  • 1988 one-page advert for Warrior: En Garde and Warrior: Riposte

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