Pitcairn Star

Pitcairn Star
Product information
Type Short story
Author Kevin Killiany
Pages 9
Publication information
Publisher BattleCorps
First published 29 September 2004
Content
Era Civil War era
Timeline 16 September 3063

Pitcairn Star is a short story by Kevin Killiany that was published online on BattleCorps on 29 September 2004.

Teaser text[edit]

In the Outworlds Alliance, aerospace is king. And for two friendly rivals of the Lone Wolves, it remains to be seen which one of them is due for their best moment in this frantic race to save lives and carry the day. Story by Kevin Killiany.

Plot summary[edit]

Headed for the martial aerobatics competition at Alpheratz in some strength, the Lone Wolves (part of the Dark Rain wing) learned from an incoming refugee JumpShip that Dormandaine is under pirate attack and diverted their jump to that system to defend. A space battle erupts on 16 September 3063 when they catch up with the pirates after two weeks of pursuit in-system, just as the pirates are about to make planetfall.

Two fiercely competitive pilots—protagonist Jared and his longtime friend Darin—fly point in an interception maneuver and easily outfight two heavier pirate aerospace fighters, only to find a heavily damaged enemy Leopard-class DropShip moving at full speed towards a city in an obvious attempt to cause as much damage as possible in a kamikaze attack. Jared helplessly watches how Darin, always eager to one-up him, crashes his fighter into the descending DropShip in a suicidal attack that succeeds to bring it down short of the city, saving countless lives with his sacrifice and "winning" over Jared one last time.

Featured BattleTech[edit]

Notes[edit]

  • The Pitcairn Star is the highest honor bestowed by the Outworlds Alliance, recognizing heroism and sacrifice in defense of unarmed civilians.
  • The protagonists' unit—the Lone Wolves—is the second regiment of the Outworlds Alliance' 3rd Alliance Air Wing (the Dark Rain), an elite unit dedicated to the protection of the Outworlds Alliance's people and shown to have competent and well-organized aerospace supervisors. The unit should not be confused with the mercenary unit of the same name.