The Burdens of Honor

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The Burdens of Honor
Product information
Type Short story
Author Blaine Lee Pardoe
Publication information
Publisher Catalyst Game Labs
First published 13 November 2020
Content
Era Clan Invasion era
Timeline 2 May 3052 to 8 July 3052
Series Battle of Tukayyid (anthology)
Preceded by Shadow of Death
Followed by Always Moving

The Burdens of Honor is a short story by Blaine Lee Pardoe, fourth entry in the Battle of Tukayyid series written as a companion of the BattleTech: Battle of Tukayyid.

Teaser text[edit]

Adam Cunningham, a Draconis Combine warrior taken as a bondsman by Clan Ghost Bear, is given the chance to prove his honor to his Clan in the battle for the city of Luk.

Plot summary[edit]

Captured Combine MechWarrior Adam Kaningamu (Adam Cunninham) has traveled to Tukayyid with his bondkeeper, the Ghost Bear warrior Cymril Tseng. Despite the culture shock, Adam has seemingly become a model bondsman, even undertaking his own "Great Work", writing an epic story of a hero, albeit in Japanese, a language Cymril cannot read. In truth Adam struggles to adapt to their ways while remaining loyal to his Combine origins. The pair discuss the upcoming battle and the lack of knowledge of the Com Guards' fighting ability. Cymril assumes they will triumph, but Adam worries that ComStar will not fight the way the Clans prefer.

Cymrik's Fury Star is dragged into brutal city fighting with the Com Guard forces in the advance to Luk. Being attacked from endless ambush points and heavy artillery bombardment that progressively wears them, Cymril is eventually forced him to order his Star to engage in something almost alien to the Clans: retreat. As their techs struggle to refit and repair their 'Mechs, with one of Cymril's Starmates too wounded to fight on, he cuts Adam's bondcord to enlist him to fight for the Ghost Bears, shooting down opposition to using such as solahma warrior by pointing out the increasingly dire situation.

Before they enter battle, Adam invites Cymril to take part in the ritual of chanoyu and thanks him for cutting his bondcord, Cymril asking that he fight with the fury of the Ghost Bear he is now. Obliquely commenting he will remain true to his nature, Adam ensures he carries his "Great Work" with him. Even with the addition of Adam, Cymril's Star returns to the same suburb to find the situation no better with word that their expected reinforcement are trapped in the burning Holth Forest. Cymril and Adam are both downed covering the withdrawal of the rest of the Star, Adam rescuing Cymril before surrendering to a ComStar UrbanMech, announcing himself by his full name and DCMS rank and claiming Cymril as his prisoner, much to the disgust of the Ghost Bear warrior.

Days later Adam is interviewed by a ROM agent who arranges the arrival of Adam's friend David Vivas, accompanied by an ISF agent, to prove his identity. After revealing information of his friend only he would know, Adam asks to meet with Cymril, who is angry that his former bondsman has betrayed their people. Adam quietly corrects Cymril that he never was truly a Ghost Bear and that he remained loyal to the Combine throughout, revealing to the horrified Clan warrior that the "story" he had written for the past two years was in fact a highly detailed record of Ghost Bear warrior profiles, their logistics network and computer systems. With Adam's action making him dezgra if he was to return home, the Combine warrior takes pity upon him, vowing to make Cymril a bondsman to learn the true path of honor for the Dragon.

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