Editing The Anvil
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Line 18: | content = | content = | era = [[Dark Age era]] | era = [[Dark Age era]] − | timeline = 20 January [[3148]] – 23 July [[3148]] + | timeline = 20 January [[3148]] - 23 July [[3148]] | series = | series = | precededby = | precededby = | followedby = | followedby = }} }} − '''''The Anvil''''' first appeared in print in the ''[[A Splinter of Hope + The Anvil]]'' omnibus edition. It is also available as a stand-alone electronic product.+ This novella technically first appeared in print in the ''[[A Splinter of Hope + The Anvil]]'' omnibus edition. It is also available as a standalone electronic product. − ==Teaser Text== + ==Teaser text== {{quote|''I AM A TRUE JADE FALCON...'' {{quote|''I AM A TRUE JADE FALCON...'' − ''The leader of [[Clan Jade Falcon]], [[Khan of Clan Jade Falcon|Khan]] [[Malvina Hazen]], is known throughout human-occupied space as a merciless tyrant hell bent on shattering and reforging the entire [[Inner Sphere]] in her own bloodthirsty image. The next target for her scorched-earth, take-no-prisoners [[Mongol Doctrine]] is the [[Lyran Commonwealth]] world of [[Coventry]]: a persistent [[Jade Falcon Incursion (3058)|stain]] on the Jade Falcon' history, and a system defended by legendary Lyran heroes.'' + ''The leader of [[Clan Jade Falcon]], [[Khan]] [[Malvina Hazen]], is known throughout human-occupied space as a merciless tyrant hell bent on shattering and reforging the entire [[Inner Sphere]] in her own bloodthirsty image. The next target for her scorched-earth, take-no-prisoners [[Mongol Doctrine]] is the [[Lyran Commonwealth]] world of [[Coventry]]: a persistent stain on the Jade Falcon' history, and a system defended by legendary Lyran heroes.'' − ''But not all Falcons subscribe to Malvina's twisted cult of personality. Ordered to take Coventry at any cost, [[Galaxy Commander]] [[Stephanie Chistu]] has no choice but to follow her orders and conquer the planet in Malvina's name. Stephanie wishes to see her Clan victorious, but no victory is worth their very soul. To stand up to Malvina's tyranny and find a honorable path for her Clan's future, Stephanie must balance the razor's edge between duty and honor – or she will die trying.''}} + ''But not all Falcons subscribe to Malvina's twisted cult of personality. Ordered to take Coventry at any cost, [[Galaxy Commander]] [[Stephanie Chistu]] has no choice but to follow her orders and conquer the planet in Malvina's name. Stephanie wishes to see her Clan victorious, but no victory is worth their very soul. To stand up to Malvina's tyranny and find a honorable path for her Clan's future, Stephanie must balance the razor's edge between duty and honor - or she will die trying.''}} − ==Summary== + ==Plot Summary== − Annoyed that [[Galaxy Commander]] [[Stephanie Chistu]] of [[Delta Galaxy (Clan Jade Falcon)|Delta Galaxy]] silently opposes her [[Mongol Doctrine]] through example, [[Khan of Clan Jade Falcon|Khan]] [[Malvina Hazen]] resolves to make her follow the path of the Mongol Doctrine by ordering her to invade [[Coventry]], with a precise list of specific Mongol Doctrine-style acts of destruction and mayhem to be carried out (so as to leave Stephanie Chistu no way to wriggle out of Mongol Doctrine conduct). The use of nuclear weapons is expressly authorized. Hazen also sends [[Star Colonel]] [[Yaroslav]], an ardent Mongol Doctrine follower, along as a watchdog at the head of a detachment of additional troops from [[Gamma Galaxy (Clan Jade Falcon)|Gamma Galaxy]]. + Annoyed that Galaxy Commander Stephanie Chistu of [[Delta Galaxy (Clan Jade Falcon)|Delta Galaxy]] silently opposes her Mongol Doctrine through example, Khan Malvina Hazen resolves to make her follow the path of the Mongol Doctrine by ordering her to invade Coventry, with a precise list of specific Mongol Doctrine-style acts of destruction and mayhem to be carried out (so as to leave Stephanie Chistu no way to wriggle out of Mongol Doctrine conduct). The use of nuclear weapons is expressly authorized. Hazen also sends [[Star Colonel]] [[Yaroslav]], an ardent Mongol Doctrine follower, along as a watchdog at the head of a detachment of additional troops from [[Gamma Galaxy (Clan Jade Falcon)|Gamma Galaxy]]. On Coventry, the defending [[17th Arcturan Guards]] under General [[Francine Ross]] fight a delaying action, denying the attackers decisive battles. [[LIC]] had warned that an attack might be imminent, and two of [[House Steiner]]'s best generals stand by to pounce the attacking Jade Falcons: General [[Jasek Kelswa-Steiner]] with the [[15th Arcturan Guards]] and [[General of the Armies]] [[Roderick Steiner]], who, feeling he is more of a field officer anyways, took personal command of the [[2nd Royal Guards]] whose CO is having a bout of cancer. On Coventry, the defending [[17th Arcturan Guards]] under General [[Francine Ross]] fight a delaying action, denying the attackers decisive battles. [[LIC]] had warned that an attack might be imminent, and two of [[House Steiner]]'s best generals stand by to pounce the attacking Jade Falcons: General [[Jasek Kelswa-Steiner]] with the [[15th Arcturan Guards]] and [[General of the Armies]] [[Roderick Steiner]], who, feeling he is more of a field officer anyways, took personal command of the [[2nd Royal Guards]] whose CO is having a bout of cancer. − Following her orders from Khan Hazen directly, Chistu prepares to have the highly symbolic town of Whitting razed to the ground and assigns the ecstatic Yaroslav to the task. However, she seeks to minimize civilian losses and orders the town evacuated first – something not expressly ruled out by Hazen's orders, even though Yaroslav protests that Chistu is violating the spirit of her orders. To watch over Yaroslav, Chistu includes her trusted Star Colonel [[Jagger Thastus]] in the strike force. However, when Thastus is sidelined by a chance hit and passes out, Yaroslav declares himself ranking officer and interprets his orders in a way that allows him to carry out the massacre he seeks, causing a falling-out between him and Chistu. As per her orders from the Khan, Chistu then broadcasts footage of the destruction of Whitting along with a message from Khan Hazen; but skirting her explicit orders once again, she had vidtechs sanitize the footage, and implicitly distanced herself from her Khan's message by adding another sentence stating she was acting as per Khan Hazen's orders. + Following her orders from Khan Hazen directly, Chistu prepares to have the highly symbolic town of Whitting razed to the ground and assigns the ecstatic Yaroslav to the task. However, she seeks to minimize civlian losses and orders the town evacuated first–something not expressly ruled out by Hazen's orders, even though Yaroslav protests that Chistu is violating the spirit of her orders. To watch over Yaroslav, Chistu includes her trusted Star Colonel [[Jagger Thastus]] in the strike force. However, when Thastus is sidelined by a chance hit and passes out, Yaroslav declares himself ranking officer and interprets his orders in a way that allows him to carry out the massacre he seeks, causing a falling-out between him and Chistu. As per her orders from the Khan, Chistu then broadcasts footage of the destruction of Whitting along with a message from Khan Hazen; but skirting her explicit orders once again, she had vidtechs sanitize the footage, and implicitly distanced herself from her Khan's message by adding another sentence stating she was acting as per Khan Hazen's orders. − After the Lyran relief forces have retaken the [[Coventry Metal Works]] complex which the retreating Jade Falcons mostly razed, the attackers are fought to a standstill over the following days. The vengeful Lyrans prepare a trap in the Dales region where they have concentrated their forces. Chistu recognizes the trap for what it is, yet wades in nevertheless with her full force to break the impasse. This time, the Clan forces prevail and Jasek Kelswa-Steiner is killed in a fierce duel with Stephanie Chistu before the Clan forces retreat. In the face of sagging morale, Roderick Steiner gives a fiery eulogy for the fallen hero and manages to rally the troops by marking them with Kelswa-Steiner's ashes, and handing out black armbands made from ammunition sacks, with the star-and-shield insignia of the Archon's Shield, the [[Stormhammers]]' elite unit. + After the Lyran relief forces have retaken the [[Coventry Metal Works]] complex which the retreating Jade Falcons mostly razed, the attackers are fought to a standstill over the following days The vengeful Lyrans prepare a trap in the Dales region where they have have concentrated their forces. Chistu recognizes the trap for what it is, yet wades in nevertheless with her full force to break the impasse. This time, the Clan forces prevail and Jasek Kelswa-Steiner is killed in a fierce duel with Stephanie Chistu before the Clan forces retreat. In the face of sagging morale, Roderick Steiner gives a fiery eulogy for the fallen hero and manages to rally the troops by marking them with Kelswa-Steiner's ashes, and handing out black armbands made from ammunition sacks, with the star-and-shield insignia of the Archon's Shield, the [[Stormhammers]]' elite unit. The Jade Falcon forces are meanwhile beginning to feel the drawbacks of their scorched-earth tactics as resupply is becoming a problem. The frequent tension between Stephanie Chistu and Yaroslav culminates in them fighting each other with melee weapons in a [[Circle of Equals]]. Yaroslav breaks the rules by shooting her with poisoned needles from a gun concealed in his spear. In the ensuing commotion, Chistu incapacitates him with a trio of throwing knives, one of which strikes his throat, and thereby prevails. The Jade Falcon forces are meanwhile beginning to feel the drawbacks of their scorched-earth tactics as resupply is becoming a problem. The frequent tension between Stephanie Chistu and Yaroslav culminates in them fighting each other with melee weapons in a [[Circle of Equals]]. Yaroslav breaks the rules by shooting her with poisoned needles from a gun concealed in his spear. In the ensuing commotion, Chistu incapacitates him with a trio of throwing knives, one of which strikes his throat, and thereby prevails. − By chance, the reinvigorated Lyran defenders isolate a Trinary of Jade Falcons in the town of Guite, decimate them, and Roderick Steiner dares Chistu to a rematch with the remainder of her forces as hostages. Chistu feels honor-bound to come to her trinary's rescue, but during the battle Lyran DropShips deliver the remains of the 17th Arcturan Guards to the Jade Falcons' drop zone at Port St. Williams, threatening to overrun their DropShips, techs and reserves. Steiner challenges Chistu to a duel, a [[Trial of Possession]] for the planet. Even while Chistu is pondering her reply, a priority message from a courier JumpShip reaches her by which Khan Hazen orders her to depart for [[Pobeda]] immediately because of an offensive by [[Clan Wolf]]. Chistu accepts Steiner's challenge as her only option to win Coventry (if briefly), but loses the trial. + By chance, the reinvigorated Lyran defenders isolate a Trinary of Jade Falcons in the town of Guite, decimate them, and Roderick Steiner dares Chistu to a rematch with the remainder of her forces as hostages. Chistu feels honor-bound to come to her trinary's rescue, but during the battle Lyran DropShips deliver the remains of the 17th Arcturan Guards to the Jade Falcons' dropzone at Port St. Williams, threatening to overrun them. Steiner challenges Chistu to a duel. Even while Chistu is pondering her reply, a priority message from a courier JumpShip reaches her by which Khan Hazen orders her to depart for [[Pobeda]] immediately because of an offensive by [[Clan Wolf]]. Chistu accepts Steiner's challenge, but loses the trial. − In the aftermath, Steiner is reluctant to grant her ''[[hegira]]'' because it will leave the remaining Jade Falcon troops intact for other attacks against the Commonwealth. Also, someone will have to answer for the Whitting massacre. Chistu then shows generals Steiner and Ross the nuclear missiles that she opted not to deploy, and hands over the injured Yaroslav as the officer responsible for Whitting. Satisfied, Steiner grants ''hegira''. + In the aftermath, Steiner is reluctant to grant her ''[[hegira]]'' because it will leave the remaining Jade Falcon troops intact for other attacks against the Commonwealth. Also, someone will have to answer for the Whitting massacre. Chistu then shows generals Steiner and Ross the nuclear missiles she opted not to deploy, and hands over the injured Yaroslav as the officer responsible for Whitting. Satisfied, Steiner grants ''hegira''. − [[Archon of the Lyran Commonwealth|Archon]] [[Trillian Steiner]] later sends a courier vessel to tell Roderick Steiner that Yaroslav is a treasure trove of information for the LIC, and that Roderick's eulogy for Jasek Kelswa-Steiner has become an inspiration and rallying cry for the entire Commonwealth; Trillian even had a new medal created, the [[Order of Jasek Kelswa-Steiner]]. + [[Archon]] [[Trillian Steiner]] later sends a courier vessel to tell Roderick Steiner that Yaroslav is a treasure trove of information for the LIC, and that Roderick's eulogy for Jasek Kelswa-Steiner proves an inspiration for the entire Commonwealth; Trillian even had a new medal created, the [[Order of Jasek Kelswa-Steiner]]. ==Featured Characters== ==Featured Characters== + * [[Stephanie Chistu]] * [[Cynthy]] * [[Cynthy]] − * [[Leutnant General]] [[Francine Ross]] + * [[Malvina Hazen]] − * [[Star Colonel]] [[Jagger Thastus]] + * [[Jasek Kelswa-Steiner]] − * [[Hauptmann General]] [[Jasek Kelswa-Steiner]]+ * [[Matthias Pryde]] − * [[Khan of Clan Jade Falcon|Khan]] [[Malvina Hazen]] + * [[Francine Ross]] − * [[Galaxy Commander]] [[Matthias Pryde]] + * [[Roderick Steiner]] − * [[General of the Armies]] [[Roderick Steiner]] + * [[Jagger Thastus]] − * Galaxy Commander [[Stephanie Chistu]] + * [[Yaroslav]] − * Star Colonel [[Yaroslav]] ==Featured BattleTech== ==Featured BattleTech== ===BattleMechs=== ===BattleMechs=== − {{div col|colwidth=25em}}+ *''[[Adder (Puma)]]'' *''[[Atlas (BattleMech)|Atlas]]'' *''[[Atlas (BattleMech)|Atlas]]'' *''[[Axman]]'' *''[[Axman]]'' *''[[BattleMaster]]'' *''[[BattleMaster]]'' *''[[Blackjack (BattleMech)|Blackjack]]'' *''[[Blackjack (BattleMech)|Blackjack]]'' − *''[[Chameleon]]'' *''[[Commando]]'' *''[[Commando]]'' *''[[Eyrie]]'' *''[[Eyrie]]'' − *''[[Fire Moth (Dasher)|Fire Moth]]'' + *''[[Fire Moth (Dasher)]]'' + *''[[Gargoyle (Man O' War)]]'' *''[[Griffin IIC]]'' *''[[Griffin IIC]]'' *''[[Gyrfalcon]]'' *''[[Gyrfalcon]]'' *''[[Hatchetman]]'' *''[[Hatchetman]]'' − *''[[Hellbringer (Loki)|Hellbringer]]'' + *''[[Hellbringer (Loki)]]'' + *''[[Ice Ferret (Fenris)]]'' *''[[Jade Hawk]]'' *''[[Jade Hawk]]'' − *''[[Jupiter (BattleMech)|Jupiter]]'' + *''[[Jupiter]]'' − *''[[Mad Cat III]]'' + *''[[Kit Fox (Uller)]]'' − *''[[Mad Dog (Vulture)|Vulture]]'' + *''[[Mad Dog (Vulture)]]'' *''[[Marauder IIC]]'' *''[[Marauder IIC]]'' *''[[Rifleman IIC]]'' *''[[Rifleman IIC]]'' − *''[[Stormcrow (Ryoken)|Ryoken]]'' + *''[[Stormcrow (Ryoken)]]'' − *''[[Scourge]]''+ *''[[Summoner (Thor)]]'' − *''[[Summoner (Thor)|Summoner]]'' *''[[Templar]]'' *''[[Templar]]'' − *''[[Trebuchet]]'' + *''[[Timber Wolf (Mad Cat)]]'' − *''[[Kit Fox (Uller)|Ulleer]]'' *''[[UrbanMech]]'' *''[[UrbanMech]]'' − *''[[Viper (Dragonfly)|Viper]]'' + *''[[Viper (Dragonfly)]]'' − *''[[Warhawk (Masakari)|Warhawk]]'' + *''[[Warhawk (Masakari)]]'' − {{div col end}} − ===Vehicles=== ===Vehicles=== − *[[Bellona]] Hover Tank + *[[Bellona]] *[[Demon Medium Tank]] *[[Demon Medium Tank]] − *[[Enyo]] Strike Tank + *[[Enyo]] − *[[Hetzer]] Wheeled Tank + *[[Hetzer]] − *[[JES II Strategic Missile Carrier]] + *[[JES II]] − *[[Savannah Master]] Hovercraft + *[[Savannah Master]] *[[SM1 Tank Destroyer]] *[[SM1 Tank Destroyer]] − ===DropShips=== ===DropShips=== − *''[[Overlord-C]]''-class ''[[Admiral DiFranco]]'' + *''[[Overlord-C]]'' (''[[Admiral DiFranco]]'') − *''[[Render]]'' (unknown class) + *unspecified DropShip ''[[Render]]'' − ===JumpShips=== ===JumpShips=== − *''[[Monolith]]''-class ''[[Broadhead]]'' + *''[[Monolith]]'' (''[[Broadhead]]'') − ===Other=== ===Other=== *[[Elemental (Battle Armor)]] *[[Elemental (Battle Armor)]] *Albrecht hoverbikes *Albrecht hoverbikes − ==Featured Units== + ==Featured units== *[[2nd Royal Guards]] *[[2nd Royal Guards]] *[[15th Arcturan Guards]] *[[15th Arcturan Guards]] Line 120:
Line 114: ==Behind the Scenes== ==Behind the Scenes== − Author Blaine Pardoe would pick names from the BattleTech fan community for inclusion within the story. ''The Anvil'' was the first story to be published where he did this. He actually began this with ''[[Forever Faithful]]'' which was written prior to ''The Anvil'' but would end up published later.<ref name=blog>[https://blainepardoe.wordpress.com/2018/12/20/fans-included-in-my-upcoming-battletech-fiction/?fbclid=IwAR1ivsXBWxFpX7f3VqH7xZDekV-9mpR28ctBLvgm8bUVx99KOGvYQ5C7aVA\Fans Included in My Upcoming BattleTech Fiction] (Author's Blog)</ref> (Previously, Pardoe had made references to members of the fan community in other works such as ''[[Betrayal of Ideals]]'', where terrain features were apparently named after the forum nicknames of high-profile users of the [[BattleTech]] forum.) + Author Blaine Pardoe would pick names from the BattleTech fan community for inclusion within the story. ''The Anvil'' was the first story to be published where he did this. He actually began this with ''[[Forever Faithful]]'' which was written prior to ''The Anvil'' but would end up published later.<ref name=blog>[https://blainepardoe.wordpress.com/2018/12/20/fans-included-in-my-upcoming-battletech-fiction/?fbclid=IwAR1ivsXBWxFpX7f3VqH7xZDekV-9mpR28ctBLvgm8bUVx99KOGvYQ5C7aVA\Fans Included in My Upcoming BattleTech Fiction]] (Author's Blog)</ref> (Previously, Pardoe had made references to members of the fan community in other works such as ''[[Betrayal of Ideals]]'', where terrain features were apparently named after the forum nicknames of high-profile users of the [[BattleTech]] forum.) ==References== ==References== <references /> <references /> − [[Category: Dark Age Books|Anvil, The]] + [[Category: Dark Age Books]] − [[Category: Short Stories|Anvil, The]] + [[Category: Short Stories]] − [[Category: Works by Blaine Lee Pardoe|Anvil, The]] + [[Category: Works by Blaine Lee Pardoe]]
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| Latest revision | Your text | ||
| Line 18: | Line 18: | ||
| content = | | content = | ||
| era = [[Dark Age era]] | | era = [[Dark Age era]] | ||
| − | | timeline = 20 January [[3148]] | + | | timeline = 20 January [[3148]] - 23 July [[3148]] |
| series = | | series = | ||
| precededby = | | precededby = | ||
| followedby = | | followedby = | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | + | This novella technically first appeared in print in the ''[[A Splinter of Hope + The Anvil]]'' omnibus edition. It is also available as a standalone electronic product. | |
| − | ==Teaser | + | ==Teaser text== |
{{quote|''I AM A TRUE JADE FALCON...'' | {{quote|''I AM A TRUE JADE FALCON...'' | ||
| − | ''The leader of [[Clan Jade Falcon]], [[ | + | ''The leader of [[Clan Jade Falcon]], [[Khan]] [[Malvina Hazen]], is known throughout human-occupied space as a merciless tyrant hell bent on shattering and reforging the entire [[Inner Sphere]] in her own bloodthirsty image. The next target for her scorched-earth, take-no-prisoners [[Mongol Doctrine]] is the [[Lyran Commonwealth]] world of [[Coventry]]: a persistent stain on the Jade Falcon' history, and a system defended by legendary Lyran heroes.'' |
| − | ''But not all Falcons subscribe to Malvina's twisted cult of personality. Ordered to take Coventry at any cost, [[Galaxy Commander]] [[Stephanie Chistu]] has no choice but to follow her orders and conquer the planet in Malvina's name. Stephanie wishes to see her Clan victorious, but no victory is worth their very soul. To stand up to Malvina's tyranny and find a honorable path for her Clan's future, Stephanie must balance the razor's edge between duty and honor | + | ''But not all Falcons subscribe to Malvina's twisted cult of personality. Ordered to take Coventry at any cost, [[Galaxy Commander]] [[Stephanie Chistu]] has no choice but to follow her orders and conquer the planet in Malvina's name. Stephanie wishes to see her Clan victorious, but no victory is worth their very soul. To stand up to Malvina's tyranny and find a honorable path for her Clan's future, Stephanie must balance the razor's edge between duty and honor - or she will die trying.''}} |
| − | ==Summary== | + | ==Plot Summary== |
| − | Annoyed that | + | Annoyed that Galaxy Commander Stephanie Chistu of [[Delta Galaxy (Clan Jade Falcon)|Delta Galaxy]] silently opposes her Mongol Doctrine through example, Khan Malvina Hazen resolves to make her follow the path of the Mongol Doctrine by ordering her to invade Coventry, with a precise list of specific Mongol Doctrine-style acts of destruction and mayhem to be carried out (so as to leave Stephanie Chistu no way to wriggle out of Mongol Doctrine conduct). The use of nuclear weapons is expressly authorized. Hazen also sends [[Star Colonel]] [[Yaroslav]], an ardent Mongol Doctrine follower, along as a watchdog at the head of a detachment of additional troops from [[Gamma Galaxy (Clan Jade Falcon)|Gamma Galaxy]]. |
On Coventry, the defending [[17th Arcturan Guards]] under General [[Francine Ross]] fight a delaying action, denying the attackers decisive battles. [[LIC]] had warned that an attack might be imminent, and two of [[House Steiner]]'s best generals stand by to pounce the attacking Jade Falcons: General [[Jasek Kelswa-Steiner]] with the [[15th Arcturan Guards]] and [[General of the Armies]] [[Roderick Steiner]], who, feeling he is more of a field officer anyways, took personal command of the [[2nd Royal Guards]] whose CO is having a bout of cancer. | On Coventry, the defending [[17th Arcturan Guards]] under General [[Francine Ross]] fight a delaying action, denying the attackers decisive battles. [[LIC]] had warned that an attack might be imminent, and two of [[House Steiner]]'s best generals stand by to pounce the attacking Jade Falcons: General [[Jasek Kelswa-Steiner]] with the [[15th Arcturan Guards]] and [[General of the Armies]] [[Roderick Steiner]], who, feeling he is more of a field officer anyways, took personal command of the [[2nd Royal Guards]] whose CO is having a bout of cancer. | ||
| − | Following her orders from Khan Hazen directly, Chistu prepares to have the highly symbolic town of Whitting razed to the ground and assigns the ecstatic Yaroslav to the task. However, she seeks to minimize | + | Following her orders from Khan Hazen directly, Chistu prepares to have the highly symbolic town of Whitting razed to the ground and assigns the ecstatic Yaroslav to the task. However, she seeks to minimize civlian losses and orders the town evacuated first–something not expressly ruled out by Hazen's orders, even though Yaroslav protests that Chistu is violating the spirit of her orders. To watch over Yaroslav, Chistu includes her trusted Star Colonel [[Jagger Thastus]] in the strike force. However, when Thastus is sidelined by a chance hit and passes out, Yaroslav declares himself ranking officer and interprets his orders in a way that allows him to carry out the massacre he seeks, causing a falling-out between him and Chistu. As per her orders from the Khan, Chistu then broadcasts footage of the destruction of Whitting along with a message from Khan Hazen; but skirting her explicit orders once again, she had vidtechs sanitize the footage, and implicitly distanced herself from her Khan's message by adding another sentence stating she was acting as per Khan Hazen's orders. |
| − | After the Lyran relief forces have retaken the [[Coventry Metal Works]] complex which the retreating Jade Falcons mostly razed, the attackers are fought to a standstill over the following days | + | After the Lyran relief forces have retaken the [[Coventry Metal Works]] complex which the retreating Jade Falcons mostly razed, the attackers are fought to a standstill over the following days The vengeful Lyrans prepare a trap in the Dales region where they have have concentrated their forces. Chistu recognizes the trap for what it is, yet wades in nevertheless with her full force to break the impasse. This time, the Clan forces prevail and Jasek Kelswa-Steiner is killed in a fierce duel with Stephanie Chistu before the Clan forces retreat. In the face of sagging morale, Roderick Steiner gives a fiery eulogy for the fallen hero and manages to rally the troops by marking them with Kelswa-Steiner's ashes, and handing out black armbands made from ammunition sacks, with the star-and-shield insignia of the Archon's Shield, the [[Stormhammers]]' elite unit. |
The Jade Falcon forces are meanwhile beginning to feel the drawbacks of their scorched-earth tactics as resupply is becoming a problem. The frequent tension between Stephanie Chistu and Yaroslav culminates in them fighting each other with melee weapons in a [[Circle of Equals]]. Yaroslav breaks the rules by shooting her with poisoned needles from a gun concealed in his spear. In the ensuing commotion, Chistu incapacitates him with a trio of throwing knives, one of which strikes his throat, and thereby prevails. | The Jade Falcon forces are meanwhile beginning to feel the drawbacks of their scorched-earth tactics as resupply is becoming a problem. The frequent tension between Stephanie Chistu and Yaroslav culminates in them fighting each other with melee weapons in a [[Circle of Equals]]. Yaroslav breaks the rules by shooting her with poisoned needles from a gun concealed in his spear. In the ensuing commotion, Chistu incapacitates him with a trio of throwing knives, one of which strikes his throat, and thereby prevails. | ||
| − | By chance, the reinvigorated Lyran defenders isolate a Trinary of Jade Falcons in the town of Guite, decimate them, and Roderick Steiner dares Chistu to a rematch with the remainder of her forces as hostages. Chistu feels honor-bound to come to her trinary's rescue, but during the battle Lyran DropShips deliver the remains of the 17th Arcturan Guards to the Jade Falcons' | + | By chance, the reinvigorated Lyran defenders isolate a Trinary of Jade Falcons in the town of Guite, decimate them, and Roderick Steiner dares Chistu to a rematch with the remainder of her forces as hostages. Chistu feels honor-bound to come to her trinary's rescue, but during the battle Lyran DropShips deliver the remains of the 17th Arcturan Guards to the Jade Falcons' dropzone at Port St. Williams, threatening to overrun them. Steiner challenges Chistu to a duel. Even while Chistu is pondering her reply, a priority message from a courier JumpShip reaches her by which Khan Hazen orders her to depart for [[Pobeda]] immediately because of an offensive by [[Clan Wolf]]. Chistu accepts Steiner's challenge, but loses the trial. |
| − | In the aftermath, Steiner is reluctant to grant her ''[[hegira]]'' because it will leave the remaining Jade Falcon troops intact for other attacks against the Commonwealth. Also, someone will have to answer for the Whitting massacre. Chistu then shows generals Steiner and Ross the nuclear missiles | + | In the aftermath, Steiner is reluctant to grant her ''[[hegira]]'' because it will leave the remaining Jade Falcon troops intact for other attacks against the Commonwealth. Also, someone will have to answer for the Whitting massacre. Chistu then shows generals Steiner and Ross the nuclear missiles she opted not to deploy, and hands over the injured Yaroslav as the officer responsible for Whitting. Satisfied, Steiner grants ''hegira''. |
| − | [[ | + | [[Archon]] [[Trillian Steiner]] later sends a courier vessel to tell Roderick Steiner that Yaroslav is a treasure trove of information for the LIC, and that Roderick's eulogy for Jasek Kelswa-Steiner proves an inspiration for the entire Commonwealth; Trillian even had a new medal created, the [[Order of Jasek Kelswa-Steiner]]. |
==Featured Characters== | ==Featured Characters== | ||
| + | * [[Stephanie Chistu]] | ||
* [[Cynthy]] | * [[Cynthy]] | ||
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Malvina Hazen]] |
| − | * | + | * [[Jasek Kelswa-Steiner]] |
| − | + | * [[Matthias Pryde]] | |
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Francine Ross]] |
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Roderick Steiner]] |
| − | * | + | * [[Jagger Thastus]] |
| − | * | + | * [[Yaroslav]] |
| − | * | ||
==Featured BattleTech== | ==Featured BattleTech== | ||
===BattleMechs=== | ===BattleMechs=== | ||
| − | + | *''[[Adder (Puma)]]'' | |
*''[[Atlas (BattleMech)|Atlas]]'' | *''[[Atlas (BattleMech)|Atlas]]'' | ||
*''[[Axman]]'' | *''[[Axman]]'' | ||
*''[[BattleMaster]]'' | *''[[BattleMaster]]'' | ||
*''[[Blackjack (BattleMech)|Blackjack]]'' | *''[[Blackjack (BattleMech)|Blackjack]]'' | ||
| − | |||
*''[[Commando]]'' | *''[[Commando]]'' | ||
*''[[Eyrie]]'' | *''[[Eyrie]]'' | ||
| − | *''[[Fire Moth (Dasher) | + | *''[[Fire Moth (Dasher)]]'' |
| + | *''[[Gargoyle (Man O' War)]]'' | ||
*''[[Griffin IIC]]'' | *''[[Griffin IIC]]'' | ||
*''[[Gyrfalcon]]'' | *''[[Gyrfalcon]]'' | ||
*''[[Hatchetman]]'' | *''[[Hatchetman]]'' | ||
| − | *''[[Hellbringer (Loki) | + | *''[[Hellbringer (Loki)]]'' |
| + | *''[[Ice Ferret (Fenris)]]'' | ||
*''[[Jade Hawk]]'' | *''[[Jade Hawk]]'' | ||
| − | *''[[ | + | *''[[Jupiter]]'' |
| − | *''[[ | + | *''[[Kit Fox (Uller)]]'' |
| − | *''[[Mad Dog (Vulture) | + | *''[[Mad Dog (Vulture)]]'' |
*''[[Marauder IIC]]'' | *''[[Marauder IIC]]'' | ||
*''[[Rifleman IIC]]'' | *''[[Rifleman IIC]]'' | ||
| − | *''[[Stormcrow (Ryoken) | + | *''[[Stormcrow (Ryoken)]]'' |
| − | + | *''[[Summoner (Thor)]]'' | |
| − | *''[[Summoner (Thor) | ||
*''[[Templar]]'' | *''[[Templar]]'' | ||
| − | *''[[ | + | *''[[Timber Wolf (Mad Cat)]]'' |
| − | |||
*''[[UrbanMech]]'' | *''[[UrbanMech]]'' | ||
| − | *''[[Viper (Dragonfly) | + | *''[[Viper (Dragonfly)]]'' |
| − | *''[[Warhawk (Masakari) | + | *''[[Warhawk (Masakari)]]'' |
| − | |||
| − | |||
===Vehicles=== | ===Vehicles=== | ||
| − | *[[Bellona]] | + | *[[Bellona]] |
*[[Demon Medium Tank]] | *[[Demon Medium Tank]] | ||
| − | *[[Enyo]] | + | *[[Enyo]] |
| − | *[[Hetzer]] | + | *[[Hetzer]] |
| − | *[[JES II | + | *[[JES II]] |
| − | *[[Savannah Master]] | + | *[[Savannah Master]] |
*[[SM1 Tank Destroyer]] | *[[SM1 Tank Destroyer]] | ||
| − | |||
===DropShips=== | ===DropShips=== | ||
| − | *''[[Overlord-C]]'' | + | *''[[Overlord-C]]'' (''[[Admiral DiFranco]]'') |
| − | *''[[Render]]'' | + | *unspecified DropShip ''[[Render]]'' |
| − | |||
===JumpShips=== | ===JumpShips=== | ||
| − | *''[[Monolith]]'' | + | *''[[Monolith]]'' (''[[Broadhead]]'') |
| − | |||
===Other=== | ===Other=== | ||
*[[Elemental (Battle Armor)]] | *[[Elemental (Battle Armor)]] | ||
*Albrecht hoverbikes | *Albrecht hoverbikes | ||
| − | ==Featured | + | ==Featured units== |
*[[2nd Royal Guards]] | *[[2nd Royal Guards]] | ||
*[[15th Arcturan Guards]] | *[[15th Arcturan Guards]] | ||
| Line 120: | Line 114: | ||
==Behind the Scenes== | ==Behind the Scenes== | ||
| − | Author Blaine Pardoe would pick names from the BattleTech fan community for inclusion within the story. ''The Anvil'' was the first story to be published where he did this. He actually began this with ''[[Forever Faithful]]'' which was written prior to ''The Anvil'' but would end up published later.<ref name=blog>[https://blainepardoe.wordpress.com/2018/12/20/fans-included-in-my-upcoming-battletech-fiction/?fbclid=IwAR1ivsXBWxFpX7f3VqH7xZDekV-9mpR28ctBLvgm8bUVx99KOGvYQ5C7aVA\Fans Included in My Upcoming BattleTech Fiction] (Author's Blog)</ref> (Previously, Pardoe had made references to members of the fan community in other works such as ''[[Betrayal of Ideals]]'', where terrain features were apparently named after the forum nicknames of high-profile users of the [[BattleTech]] forum.) | + | Author Blaine Pardoe would pick names from the BattleTech fan community for inclusion within the story. ''The Anvil'' was the first story to be published where he did this. He actually began this with ''[[Forever Faithful]]'' which was written prior to ''The Anvil'' but would end up published later.<ref name=blog>[https://blainepardoe.wordpress.com/2018/12/20/fans-included-in-my-upcoming-battletech-fiction/?fbclid=IwAR1ivsXBWxFpX7f3VqH7xZDekV-9mpR28ctBLvgm8bUVx99KOGvYQ5C7aVA\Fans Included in My Upcoming BattleTech Fiction]] (Author's Blog)</ref> (Previously, Pardoe had made references to members of the fan community in other works such as ''[[Betrayal of Ideals]]'', where terrain features were apparently named after the forum nicknames of high-profile users of the [[BattleTech]] forum.) |
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
| − | [[Category: Dark Age Books | + | [[Category: Dark Age Books]] |
| − | [[Category: Short Stories | + | [[Category: Short Stories]] |
| − | [[Category: Works by Blaine Lee Pardoe | + | [[Category: Works by Blaine Lee Pardoe]] |