Drawing the Short Straw

Drawing the Short Straw
Story information
Author	David G. Martin
Type	Short Story
Product	Shrapnel Issue 13
Content
Timeline	19 November 3150

Drawing the Short Straw is a short story by David G. Martin that was published in the thirteenth issue of Shrapnel.

Plot summary

During the invasion of Illyria, in the Marian Hegemony, Lieutenant Gallan Ranton leds an assault lance making recon through the huge forests of the planet, exploring paths. Nearby, Principes Rillius Krause, of the Second Maniple, was informed of their advance, and, acting by his own initiative and against his orders of defending his position, decides to engage and destroy the Tamarinds. When his second-in-command Cira questions his idea, he ignores his recommendations. Meanwhile, Ranton's lance finds a former supply base long-forgotten. After realizing that place hadn't been used in a long time, he orders his lance to turn back. Soon after, they detect the Marians' attacking force, and prepared for the fight. Krause's force was surprised to find the assault Marian 'Mechs, and fell into a hastily prepared ambush, but they charge them anyway. A hard fight ensues, and the Marians pay a hard price. Krause, obsessed with winning glory, is killed despite his lance's mates attempt to protect him. Cira, now commanding the Second Maniple, prepares to die, when Gallan offers her the opportunity to retreat. His last mate, Xina, attempts to tell her it's a trap, but Cira agrees with Ranton than the fight was over, and orders retreat. After being left alone with his last surviving lance member, Toman, Gallan is informed than he had lost two of his people. He felts it, but attempts to console telling himself than any good mission is a done mission.

Featured characters

• Gallan Ranton
• Karral
• Rillius Krause

Featured BattleTech

• Albatross
• Awesome
• Cyclops
• Hercules
• Icarus II
• Neanderthal
• Ostscout
• Storm Raider
• Stinger
• Thunderbolt

Featured planets

• Illyria