Editing Blackthorne BattleTech (Comic series)
Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.
The edit can be undone.
Please check the comparison below to verify that this is what you want to do, and then save the changes below to finish undoing the edit.
Latest revision
Your text
Line 24:
Line 24: | followedby = | followedby = }} }} − In the early days of the [[BattleTech]] franchise, [[Blackthorne Publishing, Inc.]] published a number of comics set in that universe: Six regular BattleTech comics plus one ''BattleTech Annual'' and one ''BattleTech in 3-D'' issue. Two more comics were published under the ''BattleForce'' moniker with the tagline "Small unit action in the 31st century"; this was intended to be a three-part miniseries but only the first two parts were printed. + In the early days of the [[BattleTech]] franchise, [[Blackthorne Publishing, Inc.]] published a number of comics set in that universe: Six regular BattleTech comics plus one ''BattleTech Annual'' and one ''BattleTech in 3-D'' issue. Two more comics were published under the ''BattleForce'' moniker with the tagline "Small unit action in the 31st century"; this was intended to be a 3-part miniseries but only the first two parts were printed. None of the stories includes a date, but for most circumstantial evidence suggests that they take place around the year [[3025]], prior to the [[Fourth Succession War]]. In two instances, a ''[[Hatchetman]]'' is seen among [[Lyran Commonwealth]] and [[Federated Suns]] forces, respectively. None of the stories includes a date, but for most circumstantial evidence suggests that they take place around the year [[3025]], prior to the [[Fourth Succession War]]. In two instances, a ''[[Hatchetman]]'' is seen among [[Lyran Commonwealth]] and [[Federated Suns]] forces, respectively. Line 54:
Line 54: Max's unit takes point in the charge and marches into the rocky desert during the night. Sneaking through a mountainous area they chance upon a forward [[Lyran Commonwealth]] operation, kill the enemy soldiers and find out that they have stumbled into the leading elements of an enemy advance. Quickly fighting their way past some sentries they arrive at a valley where a 'Mech lance (a ''[[Locust]]'', a ''[[Scorpion (BattleMech)|Scorpion]]'', a ''[[Thunderbolt]]'' and a fourth 'Mech, apparently another ''Thunderbolt'') is camping, having secretly moved behind the Draconis Combine lines through a tunnel. With the element of surprise on their side Max and his comrades hijack three of the 'Mechs. Engaged by infantry, tanks and the fourth 'Mech they manage to down the other 'Mech in the ensuing running fight. At that point the rest of the banzai charge arrives and suicide troopers storm the Lyran compound just as the Lyran commander calls down an artillery strike, adding to the overall confusion. Max's three 'Mechs escape and destroy the enemy compound which they have identified as a supply and fuel dump. Max's unit takes point in the charge and marches into the rocky desert during the night. Sneaking through a mountainous area they chance upon a forward [[Lyran Commonwealth]] operation, kill the enemy soldiers and find out that they have stumbled into the leading elements of an enemy advance. Quickly fighting their way past some sentries they arrive at a valley where a 'Mech lance (a ''[[Locust]]'', a ''[[Scorpion (BattleMech)|Scorpion]]'', a ''[[Thunderbolt]]'' and a fourth 'Mech, apparently another ''Thunderbolt'') is camping, having secretly moved behind the Draconis Combine lines through a tunnel. With the element of surprise on their side Max and his comrades hijack three of the 'Mechs. Engaged by infantry, tanks and the fourth 'Mech they manage to down the other 'Mech in the ensuing running fight. At that point the rest of the banzai charge arrives and suicide troopers storm the Lyran compound just as the Lyran commander calls down an artillery strike, adding to the overall confusion. Max's three 'Mechs escape and destroy the enemy compound which they have identified as a supply and fuel dump. − Upon returning to their base, Max and his men learn that they had been declared dead when they received orders for their banzai charge. Chiba explains that the only honorable way out for them is to commit ''[[seppuku]]''. A funeral ceremony is held on the same evening in their presence, and Max and his men are supposed to kill themselves in the morning. Appalled, they decide to escape and become [[mercenary|mercenaries]]. During the night they sneak to the 'Mechs they have captured, but Quinton, who regards their plan as dishonorable, turns against his comrades, draws a gun on Antonio and alerts the guards. + Upon returning to their base, Max and his men learn that they had been declared dead when they received orders for their banzai charge. Chiba explains that the only honorable way out for them is to commit [[seppuku]]. A funeral ceremony is held on the same evening in their presence, and Max and his men are supposed to kill themselves in the morning. Appalled, they decide to escape and become [[mercenary|mercenaries]]. During the night they sneak to the 'Mechs they have captured, but Quinton, who regards their plan as dishonorable, turns against his comrades, draws a gun on Antonio and alerts the guards. <div style="clear:both"></div> <div style="clear:both"></div> Line 131:
Line 131: The second story, '''''The Mozirje Experiment''''', is a stand-alone story that also continues the story begun in issue #3. It is narrated by Frost as he enters a log report: The second story, '''''The Mozirje Experiment''''', is a stand-alone story that also continues the story begun in issue #3. It is narrated by Frost as he enters a log report: − After Gene busted his leg in the assassination attempt in the hangar on Devin, the lance consists of only three people: Frost in his ''[[Crusader]]'', Loeb in a ''Wasp'' and Roger in a ''Locust''. They descend on Mozirje aboard the DropShip ''[[Sphinx (Individual DropShip)|Sphinx]]'' and make planetfall just outside a Draconis Combine compound. Approaching the enemy research station, they come under artillery fire, and as they reach the compound and begin to destroy it, four [[Land-Air 'Mech]]s attack them (Roger erroneously reports only three). Loeb rips the roof off from a command building and demands the staff surrender. When they refuse, he kills them all. + After Gene busted his leg in the assassination attempt in the hangar on Devin, the lance consists of only three people: Frost in his ''[[Crusader]]'', Loeb in a ''Wasp'' and Roger in a ''Locust''. They descend on Mozirje aboard the DropShip ''[[Sphinx (Individual DropShip)|Sphinx]]'' and make planetfall just outside a Draconis Combine compound. Approaching the enemy research station, they come under artillery fire, and as they reach the compound and begin to destroy it, four [[Land Air 'Mech]]s attack them (Roger erroneously reports only three). Loeb rips the roof off from a command building and demands the staff surrender. When they refuse, he kills them all. Shocked at Loeb's brutality, Frost leaves his 'Mech and enters the compound to find documents about the secret weapon that was supposedly researched here. In the meantime the LAMs destroy the ''Locust'' and Loeb in his ''Wasp'' performs a kamikaze jump into one of them, destroying both 'Mechs. Frost returns to his own 'Mech to rejoin the fight but cannot save his lance. Shocked at Loeb's brutality, Frost leaves his 'Mech and enters the compound to find documents about the secret weapon that was supposedly researched here. In the meantime the LAMs destroy the ''Locust'' and Loeb in his ''Wasp'' performs a kamikaze jump into one of them, destroying both 'Mechs. Frost returns to his own 'Mech to rejoin the fight but cannot save his lance. Line 141:
Line 141: Having blacked out in that last explosion, Frost awakens to realizes that once again he is the only survivor of his unit and that his story is fantastic, bordering on the unbelievable. As the DropShip descends to pick him up, he muses about the price his ''Crusader'' will fetch back on Devin—Frost is willing to retire early. Having blacked out in that last explosion, Frost awakens to realizes that once again he is the only survivor of his unit and that his story is fantastic, bordering on the unbelievable. As the DropShip descends to pick him up, he muses about the price his ''Crusader'' will fetch back on Devin—Frost is willing to retire early. − (The story is undated. While on approach to Mozirje, Frost's spheroid DropShip is shown near an oblong spaceship with gun ports. A small part of this ship's nose is covered by the DropShip in front of it, indicating by comparison that it is very large, roughly a kilometer long, and thus apparently a [[WarShip]]; it is larger than all known DropShip classes by an order of magnitude. This in turn suggests the story takes place in a time when WarShips were not yet extinct in the Inner Sphere, presumably in the early [[Succession Wars era]] of the late [[twenty-eighth century]].) + (The story is undated. While on approach to Mozirje, Frost's spheroid DropShip is shown near an oblong spaceship with gun ports. A small part of this ship's nose is covered by the DropShip in front of it, indicating by comparison that it is very large, roughly a kilometer long, and thus apparently a [[WarShip]]; it is larger than all known DropShip classes by an order of magnitude. This in turn suggests the story takes place in a time when WarShips were not yet extinct in the Inner Sphere, presumably in the early [[Succession Wars era]] of the late 28th century.) <div style="clear:both"></div> <div style="clear:both"></div> Line 153:
Line 153: Morris later meets with a shadowy contact and complains about Uriah getting command of the unit and even a contract. The other man tells him that Morris was promised nothing—Uriah must die again, or Morris will not retain command. Meanwhile, Uriah meets his former unit at their barracks and chastises them for their lax attitude. He fights down a bully who maintains that Morris is in command now, then orders the unit to march out in the morning. However, on the next morning only Abbot appears and tells Uriah the others have gone on strike. Uriah grabs a submachine gun and fires at the barracks to drive the men out, then orders them on the mission. Morris later meets with a shadowy contact and complains about Uriah getting command of the unit and even a contract. The other man tells him that Morris was promised nothing—Uriah must die again, or Morris will not retain command. Meanwhile, Uriah meets his former unit at their barracks and chastises them for their lax attitude. He fights down a bully who maintains that Morris is in command now, then orders the unit to march out in the morning. However, on the next morning only Abbot appears and tells Uriah the others have gone on strike. Uriah grabs a submachine gun and fires at the barracks to drive the men out, then orders them on the mission. − They are attacked by unknown assailants in conventional fighters, 'Mechs and Land-Air 'Mechs. During the fight it turns out that Morris had supplied Davion transponders to the enemy 'Mechs so that they are difficult to target. He confesses as much to Uriah and tries to kill him in the chaos of battle, but Abbot in his ''Warhammer'' shoots Morris' ''[[BattleMaster]]'' from behind after recording the entire confession. Friendly aerospace forces then drive off the attackers. + They are attacked by unknown assailants in conventional fighters, 'Mechs and Land Air 'Mechs. During the fight it turns out that Morris had supplied Davion transponders to the enemy 'Mechs so that they are difficult to target. He confesses as much to Uriah and tries to kill him in the chaos of battle, but Abbot in his ''Warhammer'' shoots Morris' ''[[BattleMaster]]'' from behind after recording the entire confession. Friendly aerospace forces then drive off the attackers. Abbot asks Uriah if he should turn in his recordings, but Uriah tells him to delete them. As far as their employer is concerned, Morris died a hero's death on the battlefield. Abbot asks Uriah if he should turn in his recordings, but Uriah tells him to delete them. As far as their employer is concerned, Morris died a hero's death on the battlefield. Line 172:
Line 172: [[Image:BlackthorneBF1.JPG|right|210px|Blackthorne BattleForce comic #1]] [[Image:BlackthorneBF1.JPG|right|210px|Blackthorne BattleForce comic #1]] :''Published in November 1987.'' :''Published in November 1987.'' − Despite her outstanding combat performance, Federated Suns Corporal Nazerine Lugosi is put in charge of Dog Lance, Abel Company, a company of misfits and troublemakers of the [[Second Crucis Lancers]] Regiment. It is made clear to her that this is not a promotion. + Despite her outstanding combat performance, Federated Suns Corporal Nazerine Lugosi is put in charge of Dog Lance, Abel Company, a company of misfits and troublemakers of the [[2nd Crucis Lancers]] Regiment. It is made clear to her that this is not a promotion. − The [[Capellan Confederation]] has been maintaining settlements and geological survey teams for more than seven years on [[Tibolt]], a small periphery world in disputed territory just outside the Confederation's borders near the [[Federated Suns]]. Tibolt is in the process of being conquered by the First regiment of [[Miller's Marauders]], a mercenary unit working for the Federated Suns. The Capellan leaders are at a loss as to why anybody would invade this rather worthless world. Still, they decide to defend it on a matter of principle and because they want to sell the mining rights to [[Ceres Metals]]. + The [[Capellan Confederation]] has been maintaining settlements and geological survey teams for more than seven years on [[Tibolt]], a small periphery world in disputed territory just outside the Confederation's borders near the [[Federated Suns]]. Tibolt is in the process of being conquered by the 1st regiment of [[Miller's Marauders]], a mercenary unit working for the Federated Suns. The Capellan leaders are at a loss as to why anybody would invade this rather worthless world. Still, they decide to defend it on a matter of principle and because they want to sell the mining rights to [[Ceres Metals]]. On [[New Syrtis]], Duke [[Michael Hasek-Davion]] talks about his plans regarding Tibolt to Fencik, a servant, but does not reveal any details besides being deeply involved in the situation. He is obviously behind the entire clandestine operation. On [[New Syrtis]], Duke [[Michael Hasek-Davion]] talks about his plans regarding Tibolt to Fencik, a servant, but does not reveal any details besides being deeply involved in the situation. He is obviously behind the entire clandestine operation.
The edit can be undone. Please check the comparison below to verify that this is what you want to do, and then save the changes below to finish undoing the edit.
| Latest revision | Your text | ||
| Line 24: | Line 24: | ||
| followedby = | | followedby = | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | In the early days of the [[BattleTech]] franchise, [[Blackthorne Publishing, Inc.]] published a number of comics set in that universe: Six regular BattleTech comics plus one ''BattleTech Annual'' and one ''BattleTech in 3-D'' issue. Two more comics were published under the ''BattleForce'' moniker with the tagline "Small unit action in the 31st century"; this was intended to be a | + | In the early days of the [[BattleTech]] franchise, [[Blackthorne Publishing, Inc.]] published a number of comics set in that universe: Six regular BattleTech comics plus one ''BattleTech Annual'' and one ''BattleTech in 3-D'' issue. Two more comics were published under the ''BattleForce'' moniker with the tagline "Small unit action in the 31st century"; this was intended to be a 3-part miniseries but only the first two parts were printed. |
None of the stories includes a date, but for most circumstantial evidence suggests that they take place around the year [[3025]], prior to the [[Fourth Succession War]]. In two instances, a ''[[Hatchetman]]'' is seen among [[Lyran Commonwealth]] and [[Federated Suns]] forces, respectively. | None of the stories includes a date, but for most circumstantial evidence suggests that they take place around the year [[3025]], prior to the [[Fourth Succession War]]. In two instances, a ''[[Hatchetman]]'' is seen among [[Lyran Commonwealth]] and [[Federated Suns]] forces, respectively. | ||
| Line 54: | Line 54: | ||
Max's unit takes point in the charge and marches into the rocky desert during the night. Sneaking through a mountainous area they chance upon a forward [[Lyran Commonwealth]] operation, kill the enemy soldiers and find out that they have stumbled into the leading elements of an enemy advance. Quickly fighting their way past some sentries they arrive at a valley where a 'Mech lance (a ''[[Locust]]'', a ''[[Scorpion (BattleMech)|Scorpion]]'', a ''[[Thunderbolt]]'' and a fourth 'Mech, apparently another ''Thunderbolt'') is camping, having secretly moved behind the Draconis Combine lines through a tunnel. With the element of surprise on their side Max and his comrades hijack three of the 'Mechs. Engaged by infantry, tanks and the fourth 'Mech they manage to down the other 'Mech in the ensuing running fight. At that point the rest of the banzai charge arrives and suicide troopers storm the Lyran compound just as the Lyran commander calls down an artillery strike, adding to the overall confusion. Max's three 'Mechs escape and destroy the enemy compound which they have identified as a supply and fuel dump. | Max's unit takes point in the charge and marches into the rocky desert during the night. Sneaking through a mountainous area they chance upon a forward [[Lyran Commonwealth]] operation, kill the enemy soldiers and find out that they have stumbled into the leading elements of an enemy advance. Quickly fighting their way past some sentries they arrive at a valley where a 'Mech lance (a ''[[Locust]]'', a ''[[Scorpion (BattleMech)|Scorpion]]'', a ''[[Thunderbolt]]'' and a fourth 'Mech, apparently another ''Thunderbolt'') is camping, having secretly moved behind the Draconis Combine lines through a tunnel. With the element of surprise on their side Max and his comrades hijack three of the 'Mechs. Engaged by infantry, tanks and the fourth 'Mech they manage to down the other 'Mech in the ensuing running fight. At that point the rest of the banzai charge arrives and suicide troopers storm the Lyran compound just as the Lyran commander calls down an artillery strike, adding to the overall confusion. Max's three 'Mechs escape and destroy the enemy compound which they have identified as a supply and fuel dump. | ||
| − | Upon returning to their base, Max and his men learn that they had been declared dead when they received orders for their banzai charge. Chiba explains that the only honorable way out for them is to commit | + | Upon returning to their base, Max and his men learn that they had been declared dead when they received orders for their banzai charge. Chiba explains that the only honorable way out for them is to commit [[seppuku]]. A funeral ceremony is held on the same evening in their presence, and Max and his men are supposed to kill themselves in the morning. Appalled, they decide to escape and become [[mercenary|mercenaries]]. During the night they sneak to the 'Mechs they have captured, but Quinton, who regards their plan as dishonorable, turns against his comrades, draws a gun on Antonio and alerts the guards. |
<div style="clear:both"></div> | <div style="clear:both"></div> | ||
| Line 131: | Line 131: | ||
The second story, '''''The Mozirje Experiment''''', is a stand-alone story that also continues the story begun in issue #3. It is narrated by Frost as he enters a log report: | The second story, '''''The Mozirje Experiment''''', is a stand-alone story that also continues the story begun in issue #3. It is narrated by Frost as he enters a log report: | ||
| − | After Gene busted his leg in the assassination attempt in the hangar on Devin, the lance consists of only three people: Frost in his ''[[Crusader]]'', Loeb in a ''Wasp'' and Roger in a ''Locust''. They descend on Mozirje aboard the DropShip ''[[Sphinx (Individual DropShip)|Sphinx]]'' and make planetfall just outside a Draconis Combine compound. Approaching the enemy research station, they come under artillery fire, and as they reach the compound and begin to destroy it, four [[Land | + | After Gene busted his leg in the assassination attempt in the hangar on Devin, the lance consists of only three people: Frost in his ''[[Crusader]]'', Loeb in a ''Wasp'' and Roger in a ''Locust''. They descend on Mozirje aboard the DropShip ''[[Sphinx (Individual DropShip)|Sphinx]]'' and make planetfall just outside a Draconis Combine compound. Approaching the enemy research station, they come under artillery fire, and as they reach the compound and begin to destroy it, four [[Land Air 'Mech]]s attack them (Roger erroneously reports only three). Loeb rips the roof off from a command building and demands the staff surrender. When they refuse, he kills them all. |
Shocked at Loeb's brutality, Frost leaves his 'Mech and enters the compound to find documents about the secret weapon that was supposedly researched here. In the meantime the LAMs destroy the ''Locust'' and Loeb in his ''Wasp'' performs a kamikaze jump into one of them, destroying both 'Mechs. Frost returns to his own 'Mech to rejoin the fight but cannot save his lance. | Shocked at Loeb's brutality, Frost leaves his 'Mech and enters the compound to find documents about the secret weapon that was supposedly researched here. In the meantime the LAMs destroy the ''Locust'' and Loeb in his ''Wasp'' performs a kamikaze jump into one of them, destroying both 'Mechs. Frost returns to his own 'Mech to rejoin the fight but cannot save his lance. | ||
| Line 141: | Line 141: | ||
Having blacked out in that last explosion, Frost awakens to realizes that once again he is the only survivor of his unit and that his story is fantastic, bordering on the unbelievable. As the DropShip descends to pick him up, he muses about the price his ''Crusader'' will fetch back on Devin—Frost is willing to retire early. | Having blacked out in that last explosion, Frost awakens to realizes that once again he is the only survivor of his unit and that his story is fantastic, bordering on the unbelievable. As the DropShip descends to pick him up, he muses about the price his ''Crusader'' will fetch back on Devin—Frost is willing to retire early. | ||
| − | (The story is undated. While on approach to Mozirje, Frost's spheroid DropShip is shown near an oblong spaceship with gun ports. A small part of this ship's nose is covered by the DropShip in front of it, indicating by comparison that it is very large, roughly a kilometer long, and thus apparently a [[WarShip]]; it is larger than all known DropShip classes by an order of magnitude. This in turn suggests the story takes place in a time when WarShips were not yet extinct in the Inner Sphere, presumably in the early [[Succession Wars era]] of the late | + | (The story is undated. While on approach to Mozirje, Frost's spheroid DropShip is shown near an oblong spaceship with gun ports. A small part of this ship's nose is covered by the DropShip in front of it, indicating by comparison that it is very large, roughly a kilometer long, and thus apparently a [[WarShip]]; it is larger than all known DropShip classes by an order of magnitude. This in turn suggests the story takes place in a time when WarShips were not yet extinct in the Inner Sphere, presumably in the early [[Succession Wars era]] of the late 28th century.) |
<div style="clear:both"></div> | <div style="clear:both"></div> | ||
| Line 153: | Line 153: | ||
Morris later meets with a shadowy contact and complains about Uriah getting command of the unit and even a contract. The other man tells him that Morris was promised nothing—Uriah must die again, or Morris will not retain command. Meanwhile, Uriah meets his former unit at their barracks and chastises them for their lax attitude. He fights down a bully who maintains that Morris is in command now, then orders the unit to march out in the morning. However, on the next morning only Abbot appears and tells Uriah the others have gone on strike. Uriah grabs a submachine gun and fires at the barracks to drive the men out, then orders them on the mission. | Morris later meets with a shadowy contact and complains about Uriah getting command of the unit and even a contract. The other man tells him that Morris was promised nothing—Uriah must die again, or Morris will not retain command. Meanwhile, Uriah meets his former unit at their barracks and chastises them for their lax attitude. He fights down a bully who maintains that Morris is in command now, then orders the unit to march out in the morning. However, on the next morning only Abbot appears and tells Uriah the others have gone on strike. Uriah grabs a submachine gun and fires at the barracks to drive the men out, then orders them on the mission. | ||
| − | They are attacked by unknown assailants in conventional fighters, 'Mechs and Land | + | They are attacked by unknown assailants in conventional fighters, 'Mechs and Land Air 'Mechs. During the fight it turns out that Morris had supplied Davion transponders to the enemy 'Mechs so that they are difficult to target. He confesses as much to Uriah and tries to kill him in the chaos of battle, but Abbot in his ''Warhammer'' shoots Morris' ''[[BattleMaster]]'' from behind after recording the entire confession. Friendly aerospace forces then drive off the attackers. |
Abbot asks Uriah if he should turn in his recordings, but Uriah tells him to delete them. As far as their employer is concerned, Morris died a hero's death on the battlefield. | Abbot asks Uriah if he should turn in his recordings, but Uriah tells him to delete them. As far as their employer is concerned, Morris died a hero's death on the battlefield. | ||
| Line 172: | Line 172: | ||
[[Image:BlackthorneBF1.JPG|right|210px|Blackthorne BattleForce comic #1]] | [[Image:BlackthorneBF1.JPG|right|210px|Blackthorne BattleForce comic #1]] | ||
:''Published in November 1987.'' | :''Published in November 1987.'' | ||
| − | Despite her outstanding combat performance, Federated Suns Corporal Nazerine Lugosi is put in charge of Dog Lance, Abel Company, a company of misfits and troublemakers of the [[ | + | Despite her outstanding combat performance, Federated Suns Corporal Nazerine Lugosi is put in charge of Dog Lance, Abel Company, a company of misfits and troublemakers of the [[2nd Crucis Lancers]] Regiment. It is made clear to her that this is not a promotion. |
| − | The [[Capellan Confederation]] has been maintaining settlements and geological survey teams for more than seven years on [[Tibolt]], a small periphery world in disputed territory just outside the Confederation's borders near the [[Federated Suns]]. Tibolt is in the process of being conquered by the | + | The [[Capellan Confederation]] has been maintaining settlements and geological survey teams for more than seven years on [[Tibolt]], a small periphery world in disputed territory just outside the Confederation's borders near the [[Federated Suns]]. Tibolt is in the process of being conquered by the 1st regiment of [[Miller's Marauders]], a mercenary unit working for the Federated Suns. The Capellan leaders are at a loss as to why anybody would invade this rather worthless world. Still, they decide to defend it on a matter of principle and because they want to sell the mining rights to [[Ceres Metals]]. |
On [[New Syrtis]], Duke [[Michael Hasek-Davion]] talks about his plans regarding Tibolt to Fencik, a servant, but does not reveal any details besides being deeply involved in the situation. He is obviously behind the entire clandestine operation. | On [[New Syrtis]], Duke [[Michael Hasek-Davion]] talks about his plans regarding Tibolt to Fencik, a servant, but does not reveal any details besides being deeply involved in the situation. He is obviously behind the entire clandestine operation. | ||