Larry Acuff

Larry Acuff
Character Profile
Affiliation Cenotaph Stables
Profession Stablemaster;
Arena Gladiator (former);
MechWarrior (former)
Parents Anne Acuff (mother)[1]


Larry Acuff was a veteran MechWarrior of the Clan Invasion, after the war he became a competitor on Solaris VII representing Cenotaph Stables.

History[edit]

Born on Woodstock to a former Armed Forces of the Federated Suns soldier turned farmer, Larry Acuff joined the planet's militia as a MechWarrior. His life would change dramatically when the Clan Invasion broke out and the increasingly desperate Armed Forces of the Federated Commonwealth sought able-bodied troops to reinforce battered units on the frontlines. Larry eagerly volunteered, naïvely seeing it as a grand adventure from which he'd return to Woodstock a hero, find a wife and raise a family, much as his father had done in the Fourth Succession War. This view seemed to be reinforced when he was assigned alongside fellow Woodstock militia warrior Phoebe Derden to recoup losses that the elite Tenth Lyran Guard suffered on Twycross, rubbing shoulders with future Archon-Prince Victor Steiner-Davion himself.[1]

Unfortunately his first combat action would be against Clan Jade Falcon on Alyina, Acuff being blown out of his Warhammer after his 'Mech lost both an arm and leg, preventing him from regrouping with the rest of the Tenth for the emergency evacuation of Prince Victor. Wandering for days after he ejected, the wounded Acuff was ultimately captured by the Jade Falcons and assigned to the ComStar-run Firebase Tango Zephyr reeducation and labor camp. Refusing to submit to ComStar's doctrine, the starving Larry unsuccessfully attempted to escape, ending up locked in a small cage open to the elements, suffering through three days of heavy rain. Though his health declined, he swore he would have his freedom. Before he could succumb to his illness Kai Allard-Liao and Jade Falcon Elemental Taman Malthus came and liberated Tango Zephyr, with Kai earning the freedom and repatriation of FedCom prisoners.[1]

Following the Truce of Tukayyid, Larry Acuff returned to the Federated Commonwealth a changed man. His youthful innocence and romantic world view burned out of him by his experiences on Alyina, Larry resisted returning to Woodstock for fear that his capture and time as a POW diminished his war record. Seeking a means to restore both his reputation and self-esteem, Larry Acuff headed for the Game World of Solaris VII.[1]

Solaris Duelist[edit]

Arriving on Solaris, Larry found himself warmly welcomed by Kai Allard-Liao who offered him a spot in the revitalized Cenotaph Stables. Unlike many of the other warriors who accepted similar offers and fought with Cenotaph just long enough to make enough money to ease their transition into civilian life, Larry Acuff opted to make a career for himself as a duelist. Working his way up through the Solaris arena system, Larry soon become a headliner in the Solaris City contests, and his fame had spread throughout the Inner Sphere with t-shirts emblazed with both his likeness and his Warhammer.[1][2][3]

In early January 3056, Larry Acuff fought a duel against Jason Bloch in the Steiner Stadium, the long-range slugging match going in Bloch's favor after Larry's heat began to impact the performance of his 'Mech. On 19 January 3056 Acuff would join Fuh Teng and Keith Smith in welcoming Kai Allard-Liao back to Solaris, the Cenotaph owner congratulating Larry on his performance in his last match and assuring him he would get another chance against Bloch in a more preferable location - such as Boreal Reach in a howling blizzard where Tanya O'Bannon had defeated Bloch previously.[2]

Sitting beside Keith Smith on the bench seat facing Kai and Fuh Teng in a stretch Feicui aircar driving them home from the spaceport, when Kai expressed concern at his Uncle Tormano Liao's insistence he would absolutely win an upcoming much hyped match with Wu Deng Tang as sign he might try something sneaky, Larry jovially suggested perhaps by ensuring Kai was able to use both hands.[2]

The Operation Guerrero surprised Larry during a visit to his home planet. As, nominally, he was still a member of Woodstock's militia, (in fact, he was living in militia quarters to evade the press), he was mobilized and given the command of a battalion. He contributed largely to the defeat of Smithson's Chinese Bandits second regiment, a Marik sent mercenary unit who seized the planet. Later, Larry led the militia to the planet Nanking, where they defeated the other Bandit's regiment, liberating also that planet.

Return to Solaris[edit]

Returning to Solaris, following the retirement of Kai from the arenas Acuff would be Cenotaph's headline warrior. Steadily rising up the Top Twenty, Acuff was ranked number five in the standings ahead of the ill-fated 3062 Grand Tournament.[4]

On 14 August 3062 Acuff would invite Meta Hoglind, who had indeed taken him up on his offer to visit him on Solaris, as his date for the evening. Attending an earlier party, Acuff was amongst the numerous warriors who would visit Thor's Shieldhall that evening, arriving at the same time as the feuding Michael Searcy and Victor Vandergriff. As the pair came to blows, Acuff forcibly restrained Searcy, throwing Meta's cocktail in his face and admonishing him for bringing their conflict to the supposedly neutral Valhalla. Now a high-ranked member of the Top Twenty, Acuff was allowed to enter Valhalla under his own merits, promising Meta that he'd get her a refill inside.[5]

Acuff was among the twelve members of the Top Twenty who had been known to survive the riots of 3062, also being among those who resisted calls for the immediate resumption of the Grand Tournament, refusing to participate and publicly stating "this time we all lose", a catchphrase soon echoed by other duelists.[6]

After longtime Cenotaph manager Fuh Teng chose to retire in 3063, Acuff would take over control of Cenotaph and became its new stablemaster, even though it meant he had to give up his own career in the arena. Despite his inexperience in the role, Acuff brought the same level-headed and calm influence he had shown in battle to his management style.[7]

BattleMechs[edit]

During his military and Solaris careers, Larry Acuff piloted a Warhammer.

Notes[edit]

The character of Larry Acuff is named for a real person by the same name. Acuff took part in an auction for the right to appear as character in Assumption of Risk, held in honor of game designer Curtis Scott to provide for his young family, ultimately losing out to Keith Smith. Author Michael Stackpole and Keith Smith agreed to give Acuff a part in the book as well in return for an additional amount of money.[8] Acuff would earn the right to appear in Bred for War following more charity contributions.[9]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Bred for War, ch. 5
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Assumption of Risk, ch. 8
  3. Assumption of Risk, ch. 11
  4. MechWarrior's Guide to Solaris VII, p. 64: "A Brief History of Solaris VII - A Primer for the Solaris Games - The Champions - BattleMech Stable Table"
  5. Illusions of Victory, ch. 7
  6. Illusions of Victory, ch. 25
  7. MapPack: Solaris VII, p. 23: "Stables of Solaris VII - Cenotaph Stables"
  8. Assumption of Risk, Postscript
  9. Bred for War, Author's thanks

Bibliography[edit]