Gray Markets

GrayMarketsCover.jpg
Gray Markets
Product information
Type Anthology
Author Alan Brundage
Philip A. Lee
Chris Hussey
Craig A. Reed
David G. Martin
Aaron Cahall
Development Jason Schmetzer (editor)
Philip A. Lee (editor)
Pages 193
Publication information
Publisher Catalyst Game Labs
Product code 35826
First published 20 January 2020
Content
Era Succession Wars Era
Series BattleCorps Anthologies
Preceded by Kill Zone
Followed by Slack Tide


Description[edit]

Gray Markets is a series of short stories that were published online on BattleCorps in PDF format between 10 July and 4 December 2016. They are not interconnected, but are all broadly concerned with the perks and pitfalls of the mercenary business in the BattleTech universe. The series was re-released as an anthology with a foreword by Assistant BattleCorps Editor Philip A. Lee on 20 January 2020.

The book is technically the eighth BattleCorps anthology, following up on Kill Zone which was explicitly subtitled "BattleCorps Anthology Vol. 7". It is also marketed as a BattleTech Antology with different numbering, to account for other BattleTech anthologies that are not part of the BattleCorps series of anthologies.

According to Philip Lee, eight story pitches were approved but only six of the stories were ever submitted and subsequently published. While BattleCorps announced the Gray Markets series as such, not all of its constituent stories were announced as being part of the series when they were first published via BattleCorps.

Contents[edit]

  1. Forsaken by Alan Brundage (10 July 2016)
  2. A Measure of Clarity by Philip A. Lee (3 August 2016)
  3. Gustrell Switchback by Chris Hussey (29 August 2016)
  4. In Service to the Dragon by David G. Martin (25 September 2016)
  5. Murphy's Method by Craig A. Reed (16 October 2016)
  6. Permanent Losses by Aaron Cahall (4 December 2016)

From the Back Cover[edit]

"COMBAT IS THEIR BUSINESS…

And business is good in the 31st century as the Third Succession War rages on battlefields ruled by the almighty BattleMech: ten-meter-tall humanoid machines of pure destruction. Continuous warfare between the five Great Houses of the Inner Sphere has led to a steep technological decline, forcing the nobility of these vast interstellar empires to rely on mercenaries to augment their standing armies and gain crucial advantages against their enemies. However, that House nobleman may be paying your unit’s bills one day, but sending you straight into a trap tomorrow. BattleMechs may be the kings of the battlefield, but money, power, and machinations are just as important in victory as an autocannon barrage.

This anthology of hard-hitting BattleTech action includes six short stories that demonstrate how Machiavellian nobles, greedy pirates, and desperate mercenary units can change the course of Inner Sphere history. Take up the cause and charge your way through war-torn tales by veteran BattleTech authors such as Chris Hussey, Philip A. Lee, and Craig A. Reed, Jr."

References[edit]