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Line 1: + {{cleanup}} + {{refimprove}} {{InfoBoxCharacter {{InfoBoxCharacter | image = | image = − | caption = + | caption = Gus Michaels − | name = + | name = Gus Michaels − | birthdate = + | birthdate = November 27, 1957 (claimed) − | died = + | died = May 17, 3052 (reported, in doubt) − | othernames = + | othernames = Michael A. Stackpole, Gustavus Michaels | affiliation = | affiliation = − | profession = Archivist + | profession = Historian | parents = | parents = | siblings = | siblings = Line 14:
Line 16: }} }} − A short, bearded (as of [[3051]]) man,<ref name=BL17>''Blood Legacy'', chapter 17</ref> '''Gustavus "Gus" Michaels''' served as [[Natasha Kerensky]]'s archivist. + Gustavus "Gus" Michaels was the alias used by an individual claiming to be twentieth-century author [[Michael A. Stackpole]]. He wrote a three-volume history of the [[Third Succession War|Third]] and [[Fourth Succession War]] during his incarceration at a [[ComStar]] reeducation center on Terra, and then escaped with his manuscript, apparently with the help of the [[Kell Hounds]]. He traveled with [[Natasha Kerensky]] as her personal archivist when she rejoined the Clans in 3050, and used that access to write another three-volume history of the Clan invasion. Last seen during an attack on a ComStar compound on [[Alyina]] during [[Operation SCORPION]], he was presumed dead by ComStar. − Author [[Michael Stackpole]] also (non-canonically) used the character as an alias for himself as part of a running joke; see Notes below.+ ==History== + ===Terra=== + Using the name Michael A. Stackpole, he was detained at ComStar's Phoenix Reeducation Compound in North America from early 3028 through mid-3030. During this time, he was interrogated by [[ROM]], using chemical and electroshock treatments, but steadfastly held to his claim that he was over 1,000 years old and was the original Michael Stackpole from the twentieth century. He variously attributed his longevity to time travel (seemingly referencing Mark Twain's "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court"), a regimen of Szechuan food and indoor soccer, or a plot by the Internal Revenue Service. + + Deemed a harmless curiosity with substantial insight into Inner Sphere politics, he was granted computer access and allowed to write his three-volume history of the Third Succession War, on the assumption that the manuscript would be retained for ComStar's exclusive access. + + He escaped the compound on August 1, 3030 and appears to have fled Terra aboard the Kell Hound [[DropShip]] ''[[Manannan MacLir]]''. ROM leadership issued a "shoot on sight" order. + + ===On The Run=== + A 3050 ROM report noted sightings of Michaels in the [[Lyran Commonwealth]] (mainly on [[Arc-Royal]] and [[Nusakan]]) in the late 3030s, with a final sighting at [[Archon]] [[Katrina Steiner]]'s funeral in early 3040. He was next spotted on November 25, 3050 when a voicematch check identified him as being aboard a [[JumpShip]] chartered by [[Wolf%27s_Dragoons|Wolf's Dragoons]], believed to also be carrying Natasha Kerensky. [[Primus of ComStar|Primus]] [[Myndo Waterly]] issued a death warrant for Michaels as part of [[Operation STILETTO]]. − ==History== ===Strana Mechty=== ===Strana Mechty=== − When the [[Clan Invasion]] hit the [[Inner Sphere]], the [[Clans]] recalled their operatives in [[Wolf's Dragoons]], but Natasha Kerensky was the only [[bloodnamed]] Warrior to heed the call. Gustavus Michaels accompanied her on her journey to rendezvous with the invaders.+ On June 19, 3051, newly elected [[ilKhan]] [[Ulric Kerensky]] introduced him in the Grand Council Chamber as Gustavus Michaels, Natasha Kerensky's personal archivist who had accompanied her from the [[Inner Sphere]] and provided a detailed history of Wolf's Dragoons since their departure from the Clans. Granted access to Clan records, he found precedent for the appointment of Khans incapable of qualifying for Warrior status, nullifying [[Kincaid Furey]]'s objection to Uric's appointment of Natasha Kerensky as his replacement as [[Clan_Wolf|Wolf Clan]] [[Khan]]. − On June 19, 3051, newly elected [[ilKhan]] [[Ulric Kerensky]] introduced Gustavus Michaels in the Grand Council Chamber as Natasha Kerensky's personal archivist who had accompanied her from the Inner Sphere and provided a detailed history of Wolf's Dragoons since their departure from the Clans. Granted access to Clan records, he had found precedent for the appointment of Khans incapable of qualifying for Warrior status, nullifying [[Kincaid Furey]]'s objection to Uric's appointment of Natasha Kerensky as his replacement as [[Clan Wolf|Wolf Clan]] [[Khan]].<ref name=BL17/>+ Ulric subsequently assigned Gus to research [[Precentor Martial of ComStar|Precentor Martial]] [[Anastasius Focht]]'s real identity. He determined that Focht could be at most 100 years old, male (though not discounting a sex change), speaks German like a Lyran native, and may have spent time at the [[Nagelring]]. He passed his research to [[Phelan Kell]] to continue when Ulric assigned him to go to Alyina. − Ulric subsequently assigned Gus to research [[Precentor Martial of ComStar|Precentor Martial]] [[Anastasius Focht]]'s real identity. He determined that Focht could be at most 100 years old, male (though not discounting a sex change), speaks German like a Lyran native, and may have spent time at the [[Nagelring]]. He passed his research to [[Phelan Kell]] to continue when Ulric assigned him to go to Alyina.<ref name=LD22>''Lost Destiny'', ch.22</ref> + ===Alyina=== + Based on reports of fighting on Alyina involving superior [[myomer]] technology, Ulric dispatched Gus to investigate. He had just brought a hovertruck with a winch to the battle site on the cliffs above Mar Negro on May 10, 3052 when he met [[Kai Allard-Liao]], who had recently escaped from a ComStar detention facility along with a Point of [[Clan_Jade_Falcon|Jade Falcon]] [[Elemental]]s. Using his equipment, they were able to recover ''[[Yen-Lo-Wang]]'''s [[Gauss rifle]]. − ===Alyina===+ When [[Taman Malthus]] insisted that Gus remain behind during the attack on the ComStar compound in Valigia, Gus demanded to take part so he could make an accurate report for the ilKhan, noting that Kai and the Falcon Elementals would not be able to drive the hovertruck while wearing armor. He was last seen at the controls of the hovertruck as it settled into the alley across from the main gate of ComStar's compound in Valigia. − Based on reports of fighting on [[Alyina]] involving superior [[myomer]] technology, Ulric dispatched Michaels to investigate. He had just brought a hovertruck with a winch to the battle site on the cliffs above Mar Negro on May 10, [[3052]] when he met [[Kai Allard-Liao]], who had recently escaped from a [[ComStar]] detention facility along with a Point of [[Clan Jade Falcon|Jade Falcon]] [[Elemental]]s. Using his equipment, they were able to recover ''[[Yen-Lo-Wang]]'''s [[Gauss rifle]].<ref name=LD38>''Lost Destiny'', ch. 38</ref>+ The hovertruck rammed a [[Rotunda]] during the assault on the ComStar compound. The hovertruck flipped on its side and was then destroyed by a [[Com Guards|Com Guard]] infantry–fired missile. Michaels was presumed dead, though there is no account of a body being recovered from the wreck. − When [[Taman Malthus]] insisted that Michaels remain behind during the attack on the ComStar compound in Valigia, Michaels demanded to take part so he could make an accurate report for the ilKhan, noting that Kai and the Falcon Elementals would not be able to drive the hovertruck while wearing armor.<ref name=LD38/> He was last seen at the controls of the hovertruck as it settled into the alley across from the main gate of ComStar's compound in Valigia. During the assault on the ComStar compound, the hovertruck rammed a [[Rotunda]]. The hovertruck flipped on its side and was then destroyed by a [[Com Guards|Com Guard]] infantry–fired missile. Michaels was presumed dead, though there is no account of a body being recovered from the wreck.<ref name=LD41>''Lost Destiny'', ch. 41</ref>+ A ROM report dated June 23, 3052 notes that he was reportedly killed in the fighting during Operation SCORPION. Nonetheless, Precentor Martial Anastasius Focht revoked Primus Waterly's death sentence and ordered ComStar personnel to leave Michaels alone if he were to be discovered alive. ===Later Life=== ===Later Life=== − Evidence exists that he was still alive. In December, 3057 and was the original author of the current state of the Inner Sphere. This report was later updated by [[Phelan Kell]] and [[Jerrard Cranston]]<ref>''Shattered Sphere'', p. 5</ref>. He also authored the book ''[[Victor Ian Steiner-Davion: A Life]]'' which must have been written sometime after [[3117]] as it details the death of [[Isis Marik]] in that year<ref>''Ghost War'', Ch. 12</ref>. A review of the book was published on INN 5 July [[3132]].<ref name=DAINNp26>''Dark Age: 3132-3134 INN'', p. 26, "Victor Ian Steiner-Davion: A Life"</ref> + Evidence exists that he was still alive. In December, 3057 and was the original author of the current state of the Inner Sphere. This report was later updated by [[Phelan Kell]] and [[Jerrard Cranston]]<ref>''Shattered Sphere'', p. 5</ref>. He also authored the book ''[[Victor Ian Steiner-Davion: A Life]]'' which must have been written sometime after [[3117]] as it details the death of [[Isis Marik]] in that year<ref>''Ghost War'', Ch. 12</ref>. A review of the book was published on INN 5 July [[3132]]. − ==Notes== + ==Personality and Traits== − [[Image:Michael Stackpole with Gus Michaels portrait.jpg|thumb|right|For his 66th birthday in 2023, Michael Stackpole was presented with a portrait (non-canonical fan art) of himself as Gus Michaels, commissioned by fellow BattleTech author Bryan Young and painted by Eldon "Eldonius Rex" Cowgur]]+ He proved vexing to his ComStar captors on Terra, leading them to conclude that his longevity may be due to the fact that "only the good die young." He was proud of his work as a historian, telling Kai Allard-Liao that "victors might write the histories, but we're the ones that do the actual work. Unless you want to be remembered as nothing more than a footnote, let the historian win." − * Author Michael A. Stackpole used the "About the Author" pages in the original [[FASA]] printing of the "[[Warrior Trilogy]]" to insert himself into the BattleTech universe in a tongue-in-cheek fashion as a living, over 1,000 years old 20th century author writing in and later escaping from a ComStar reeducation camp. In the subsequent "[[Blood of Kerensky Trilogy]]", he continued the narrative; his purported exploits under an unspecified alias happen to exactly match the exploits of the Gustavus Michaels character in the books' main body. These "About the Author" sections were not included in the ROC or InMediaRes ePub reprintings of either trilogy, though the Gus Michaels character remained in the main body of the text. − ==Canonicity==+ He appeared to thrive on risk-taking, taking a perverse delight in sailing a heavy hovertruck over the most rutty terrain on Alyina. − The Gustavus Michaels who appears in the novels meets all criteria for [[Canon]]; there is no indication that the character as such shouldn't be canonical. − The definition of Canon expressly excludes material that was published as a gag, however. Therefore the "About the Author" sections of any book in either trilogy, and the association of this character with Michael Stackpole's alter ego, would not be canon. It is not apocryphal either, because it was never even intended to be canonical for the BattleTech universe.+ ==Notes== + * Author Michael A. Stackpole used the "About the Author" pages in the original FASA printing of the Warrior trilogy to insert himself into the BattleTech universe in a tongue-in-cheek fashion. In the subsequent "Blood of Kerensky" trilogy, he continued the narrative of the 1,000+-year-old author chronicling the events of the Clan Invasion, and extended this to including himself, under the pseudonym "Gustavus 'Gus' Michaels," into the storyline itself, with cameos on Strana Mechty and Alyina. These "About the Author" sections were not included in the ROC or InMediaRes ePub reprintings of either trilogy, though the Gus Michaels character remained in the main body of the text. ==References== ==References== Line 48:
Line 58: ==Bibliography== ==Bibliography== * ''[[Blood Legacy]]'' * ''[[Blood Legacy]]'' − * ''[[Dark Age: 3132-3134 INN]]'' * ''[[Lethal Heritage]]'' * ''[[Lethal Heritage]]'' * ''[[Lost Destiny]]'' * ''[[Lost Destiny]]'' + * ''[[Warrior: Coupé]]'' + * ''[[Warrior: En Garde]]'' + * ''[[Warrior: Riposte]]'' + [[Category:Pre-Terran Alliance Characters]] [[Category: In-Universe Authors|Michaels, Gustavus]] [[Category: In-Universe Authors|Michaels, Gustavus]]
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| + | {{cleanup}} | ||
| + | {{refimprove}} | ||
{{InfoBoxCharacter | {{InfoBoxCharacter | ||
| image = | | image = | ||
| − | | caption = | + | | caption = Gus Michaels |
| − | | name = | + | | name = Gus Michaels |
| − | | birthdate = | + | | birthdate = November 27, 1957 (claimed) |
| − | | died = | + | | died = May 17, 3052 (reported, in doubt) |
| − | | othernames = | + | | othernames = Michael A. Stackpole, Gustavus Michaels |
| affiliation = | | affiliation = | ||
| − | | profession = | + | | profession = Historian |
| parents = | | parents = | ||
| siblings = | | siblings = | ||
| Line 14: | Line 16: | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | A | + | Gustavus "Gus" Michaels was the alias used by an individual claiming to be twentieth-century author [[Michael A. Stackpole]]. He wrote a three-volume history of the [[Third Succession War|Third]] and [[Fourth Succession War]] during his incarceration at a [[ComStar]] reeducation center on Terra, and then escaped with his manuscript, apparently with the help of the [[Kell Hounds]]. He traveled with [[Natasha Kerensky]] as her personal archivist when she rejoined the Clans in 3050, and used that access to write another three-volume history of the Clan invasion. Last seen during an attack on a ComStar compound on [[Alyina]] during [[Operation SCORPION]], he was presumed dead by ComStar. |
| − | + | ==History== | |
| + | ===Terra=== | ||
| + | Using the name Michael A. Stackpole, he was detained at ComStar's Phoenix Reeducation Compound in North America from early 3028 through mid-3030. During this time, he was interrogated by [[ROM]], using chemical and electroshock treatments, but steadfastly held to his claim that he was over 1,000 years old and was the original Michael Stackpole from the twentieth century. He variously attributed his longevity to time travel (seemingly referencing Mark Twain's "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court"), a regimen of Szechuan food and indoor soccer, or a plot by the Internal Revenue Service. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Deemed a harmless curiosity with substantial insight into Inner Sphere politics, he was granted computer access and allowed to write his three-volume history of the Third Succession War, on the assumption that the manuscript would be retained for ComStar's exclusive access. | ||
| + | |||
| + | He escaped the compound on August 1, 3030 and appears to have fled Terra aboard the Kell Hound [[DropShip]] ''[[Manannan MacLir]]''. ROM leadership issued a "shoot on sight" order. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===On The Run=== | ||
| + | A 3050 ROM report noted sightings of Michaels in the [[Lyran Commonwealth]] (mainly on [[Arc-Royal]] and [[Nusakan]]) in the late 3030s, with a final sighting at [[Archon]] [[Katrina Steiner]]'s funeral in early 3040. He was next spotted on November 25, 3050 when a voicematch check identified him as being aboard a [[JumpShip]] chartered by [[Wolf%27s_Dragoons|Wolf's Dragoons]], believed to also be carrying Natasha Kerensky. [[Primus of ComStar|Primus]] [[Myndo Waterly]] issued a death warrant for Michaels as part of [[Operation STILETTO]]. | ||
| − | |||
===Strana Mechty=== | ===Strana Mechty=== | ||
| − | + | On June 19, 3051, newly elected [[ilKhan]] [[Ulric Kerensky]] introduced him in the Grand Council Chamber as Gustavus Michaels, Natasha Kerensky's personal archivist who had accompanied her from the [[Inner Sphere]] and provided a detailed history of Wolf's Dragoons since their departure from the Clans. Granted access to Clan records, he found precedent for the appointment of Khans incapable of qualifying for Warrior status, nullifying [[Kincaid Furey]]'s objection to Uric's appointment of Natasha Kerensky as his replacement as [[Clan_Wolf|Wolf Clan]] [[Khan]]. | |
| − | + | Ulric subsequently assigned Gus to research [[Precentor Martial of ComStar|Precentor Martial]] [[Anastasius Focht]]'s real identity. He determined that Focht could be at most 100 years old, male (though not discounting a sex change), speaks German like a Lyran native, and may have spent time at the [[Nagelring]]. He passed his research to [[Phelan Kell]] to continue when Ulric assigned him to go to Alyina. | |
| − | Ulric | + | ===Alyina=== |
| + | Based on reports of fighting on Alyina involving superior [[myomer]] technology, Ulric dispatched Gus to investigate. He had just brought a hovertruck with a winch to the battle site on the cliffs above Mar Negro on May 10, 3052 when he met [[Kai Allard-Liao]], who had recently escaped from a ComStar detention facility along with a Point of [[Clan_Jade_Falcon|Jade Falcon]] [[Elemental]]s. Using his equipment, they were able to recover ''[[Yen-Lo-Wang]]'''s [[Gauss rifle]]. | ||
| − | + | When [[Taman Malthus]] insisted that Gus remain behind during the attack on the ComStar compound in Valigia, Gus demanded to take part so he could make an accurate report for the ilKhan, noting that Kai and the Falcon Elementals would not be able to drive the hovertruck while wearing armor. He was last seen at the controls of the hovertruck as it settled into the alley across from the main gate of ComStar's compound in Valigia. | |
| − | + | The hovertruck rammed a [[Rotunda]] during the assault on the ComStar compound. The hovertruck flipped on its side and was then destroyed by a [[Com Guards|Com Guard]] infantry–fired missile. Michaels was presumed dead, though there is no account of a body being recovered from the wreck. | |
| − | + | A ROM report dated June 23, 3052 notes that he was reportedly killed in the fighting during Operation SCORPION. Nonetheless, Precentor Martial Anastasius Focht revoked Primus Waterly's death sentence and ordered ComStar personnel to leave Michaels alone if he were to be discovered alive. | |
===Later Life=== | ===Later Life=== | ||
| − | Evidence exists that he was still alive. In December, 3057 and was the original author of the current state of the Inner Sphere. This report was later updated by [[Phelan Kell]] and [[Jerrard Cranston]]<ref>''Shattered Sphere'', p. 5</ref>. He also authored the book ''[[Victor Ian Steiner-Davion: A Life]]'' which must have been written sometime after [[3117]] as it details the death of [[Isis Marik]] in that year<ref>''Ghost War'', Ch. 12</ref>. A review of the book was published on INN 5 July [[3132]]. | + | Evidence exists that he was still alive. In December, 3057 and was the original author of the current state of the Inner Sphere. This report was later updated by [[Phelan Kell]] and [[Jerrard Cranston]]<ref>''Shattered Sphere'', p. 5</ref>. He also authored the book ''[[Victor Ian Steiner-Davion: A Life]]'' which must have been written sometime after [[3117]] as it details the death of [[Isis Marik]] in that year<ref>''Ghost War'', Ch. 12</ref>. A review of the book was published on INN 5 July [[3132]]. |
| − | == | + | ==Personality and Traits== |
| − | + | He proved vexing to his ComStar captors on Terra, leading them to conclude that his longevity may be due to the fact that "only the good die young." He was proud of his work as a historian, telling Kai Allard-Liao that "victors might write the histories, but we're the ones that do the actual work. Unless you want to be remembered as nothing more than a footnote, let the historian win." | |
| − | |||
| − | + | He appeared to thrive on risk-taking, taking a perverse delight in sailing a heavy hovertruck over the most rutty terrain on Alyina. | |
| − | |||
| − | + | ==Notes== | |
| + | * Author Michael A. Stackpole used the "About the Author" pages in the original FASA printing of the Warrior trilogy to insert himself into the BattleTech universe in a tongue-in-cheek fashion. In the subsequent "Blood of Kerensky" trilogy, he continued the narrative of the 1,000+-year-old author chronicling the events of the Clan Invasion, and extended this to including himself, under the pseudonym "Gustavus 'Gus' Michaels," into the storyline itself, with cameos on Strana Mechty and Alyina. These "About the Author" sections were not included in the ROC or InMediaRes ePub reprintings of either trilogy, though the Gus Michaels character remained in the main body of the text. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| Line 48: | Line 58: | ||
==Bibliography== | ==Bibliography== | ||
* ''[[Blood Legacy]]'' | * ''[[Blood Legacy]]'' | ||
| − | |||
* ''[[Lethal Heritage]]'' | * ''[[Lethal Heritage]]'' | ||
* ''[[Lost Destiny]]'' | * ''[[Lost Destiny]]'' | ||
| + | * ''[[Warrior: Coupé]]'' | ||
| + | * ''[[Warrior: En Garde]]'' | ||
| + | * ''[[Warrior: Riposte]]'' | ||
| + | [[Category:Pre-Terran Alliance Characters]] | ||
[[Category: In-Universe Authors|Michaels, Gustavus]] | [[Category: In-Universe Authors|Michaels, Gustavus]] | ||