Editing Thirteen
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Line 1: {{otheruses|the short story|the eponymous BattleMech|Thirteen (Individual Zeus BattleMech)}} {{otheruses|the short story|the eponymous BattleMech|Thirteen (Individual Zeus BattleMech)}} − {{InfoBoxProduct {{InfoBoxProduct | image = | image = Line 49:
Line 48: Having made the rendezvous at 9-Alpha, Shurasky is drinking coffee by his 'Mech when he's approached by Shana again, who wants to know how he's doing. Once again, she points out something approaching him. This time, it's [[Leutnant-General]] Gerhard Von Ritter, the senior officer at 9-Alpha. In addition to the forces Klaus brought in, Von Ritter has managed to assemble two companies of militia 'Mechs, a platoon of [[Drillson]] hovertanks and an ad hoc headquarters. Von Ritter wants to know if Shurasky has any issues with Klaus commanding the company, given that it's his first time commanding such a large force; Shurasky reassures Von Ritter that Klaus is experienced, level-headed and a clear thinker, and that he has confidence in his ability to run the command. Von Ritter attempts to explain how he wanted to do more when Shurasky suffered his mental break, but Shurasky cuts him off, pointing out that there was nothing Von Ritter could do—the war is going on inside Shurasky's head. Von Ritter didn't want Shurasky to know about the mobilization, but Shurasky explains that he overheard Von Ritter talking, and that Von Ritter doesn't need to worry. It's peace that Shurasky is struggling with; in combat, he'll be fine. When Von Ritter asks if Shurasky can fight for the Archon, Shurasky says no, not yet... but that if they're both fighting for the people of the Alliance, then they're both fighting for the same side. Von Ritter accepts this, and points out that the Archon believes in the Alliance and its people every bit as much as Shurasky does. Having made the rendezvous at 9-Alpha, Shurasky is drinking coffee by his 'Mech when he's approached by Shana again, who wants to know how he's doing. Once again, she points out something approaching him. This time, it's [[Leutnant-General]] Gerhard Von Ritter, the senior officer at 9-Alpha. In addition to the forces Klaus brought in, Von Ritter has managed to assemble two companies of militia 'Mechs, a platoon of [[Drillson]] hovertanks and an ad hoc headquarters. Von Ritter wants to know if Shurasky has any issues with Klaus commanding the company, given that it's his first time commanding such a large force; Shurasky reassures Von Ritter that Klaus is experienced, level-headed and a clear thinker, and that he has confidence in his ability to run the command. Von Ritter attempts to explain how he wanted to do more when Shurasky suffered his mental break, but Shurasky cuts him off, pointing out that there was nothing Von Ritter could do—the war is going on inside Shurasky's head. Von Ritter didn't want Shurasky to know about the mobilization, but Shurasky explains that he overheard Von Ritter talking, and that Von Ritter doesn't need to worry. It's peace that Shurasky is struggling with; in combat, he'll be fine. When Von Ritter asks if Shurasky can fight for the Archon, Shurasky says no, not yet... but that if they're both fighting for the people of the Alliance, then they're both fighting for the same side. Von Ritter accepts this, and points out that the Archon believes in the Alliance and its people every bit as much as Shurasky does. − While Von Ritter is called away by a message from the Lyran Command, Shurasky continues to converse with Shana, and relives some of his memories from the earlier battle on Tharkad, and how he won the name ''Wolfsjäger'' from a journalist embedded in the same [[battalion]] of the Second Royal Guards he'd been serving in, after Shurasky claimed three Exile kills in the first battle in Methow Valley and then another four kills during the opening battle in the Stahlwurzel Forest. Attrition and success saw Shurasky commanding the remains of his battalion in the forest, and then promoted to Kommandant during the battle for Tharkad City, during which he commanded a mixed battalion; his forces had fought for eight days during the siege, and was the last of the Loyalist forces to surrender. Faced with all of the death and destruction that had been caused, and that had killed most of his friends and acquaintances along with General [[Nondi Steiner]], all of which seemed to have been for nothing, Shurasky began to crumble; the final blow that tipped him over the edge had been the death of Shana on [[Dalkeith]]. After being found huddled in a fetal position and screaming in his quarters, Shurasky had been consigned to a mental hospital for treatment, being released after four months to return to the woman he loved, just in time for the Blakist assault. + While Von Ritter is called away by a message from the Lyran Command, Shurasky continues to converse with Shana, and relives some of his memories from the earlier battle on Tharkad, and how he won the name ''Wolfsjäger'' from a journalist embedded in the same [[battalion]] of the Second Royal Guards he'd been serving in, after Shurasky claimed three Exile kills in the first battle in Methow Valley and then another four kills during the opening battle in the Stahlwurzel Forest. Attrition and success saw Shurasky commanding the remains of his battalion in the forest, and then promoted to Kommandant during the battle for Tharkad City, during which he commanded a mixed battalion; his forces had fought for eight days during the siege, and was the last of the Loyalist forces to surrender. Faced with all of the death and destruction that had been caused, and that had killed most of his friends and acquaintances along with General [[Nondi Steiner]], all of which seemed to have been for nothing, Shurasky began to crumble; the final blow that tipped him over the edge had been the death of Shana on [[Dalkeith]]. After being found huddled in a fetal position and screaming in his quarters, Shurasky had been consigned to a mental hospital for treatment, being released after four months to return back to the woman he loved, just in time for the Blakist assault. − Warberg interrupts Shurasky's thoughts by telling him that they have orders; Warberg then briefs Shurasky and his other officers and NCOs on the current situation on Tharkad. With the [[Eleventh Arcturan Guards]] destroyed by orbital bombardment and the [[Twenty-fourth Lyran Guards]] badly damaged but fighting fiercely to provide the cover needed for the Second Royal Guards to evacuate the Archon from the capital, Von Ritter's unit has been redesignated ''Kampfgruppe'' Ritter, and has orders to link up with the Second near Route Seven, avoiding major engagements en route. Ritter expects to pick up more forces as they move, and breaks his 'Mech forces down into four companies - Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta. He puts Klaus in charge of Alpha while assigning command of Beta to Shurasky. Before Shurasky can protest, Ritter points out that Shurasky and Klaus are the heart of the unit, and he needs them working together, prompting Shurasky to again reassure him that there's no animosity between the two. + Warberg interrupts Shurasky's thoughts by telling him that they have orders; Warberg then briefs Shurasky and his other officers and NCOs on the current situation on Tharkad. With the [[Eleventh Arcturan Guards]] destroyed by orbital bombardment and the [[Twenty-fourth Lyran Guards]] badly damaged but fighting fiercely to provide the cover needed for the Second Royal Guards to evacuate the Archon from the capital, Von Ritter's unit has been redesignated ''Kampfgruppe'' Ritter, and has orders to link up with the Second near Route Seven, avoiding major engagements en route. Ritter expects to pick up more forces as they move, and breaks his 'Mech forces down into four companies - Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta. He puts Klaus in charge of Alpha while assigning command of Beta to Shurasky. Before Shuraksy can protest, Ritter points out that Shurasky and Klaus are the heart of the unit, and he needs them working together, prompting Shurasky to again reassure him that there's no animosity between the two. === 08 December 3067 === === 08 December 3067 === − Marching towards the rendezvous, ''Kampfgruppe'' Ritter grew overnight through the addition of another lance of 'Mechs piloted by their retired owners who'd responded to the call-up, as well as two more lances of vehicles and three and a half companies of infantry. With militia forces on snowmobiles scouting ahead of the line of march, the 'Mech forces had taken the flanks, leaving the infantry and armor in the second, with a lance of hovertanks forming the rearguard, using their fans to disturb the snow and cover the tracks of their marching forces. Shurasky converses with both Shana and O'Toole, who's sticking close to Shurasky and piloting an ''[[Awesome]]''; Shurasky is under no illusions that Von Ritter has O'Toole shadowing him to check for signs that he might be breaking under the pressure. Shurasky has been drawn into revealing a little of what it's like to fight against the Clans by his second-in-command, the young Hauptmann Robert McGlowan, when the sound of an explosion is heard. + Marching towards the rendezvous, ''Kampfgruppe'' Ritter grew overnight through the addition of another lance of 'Mechs piloted by their retired owners who'd responded to the call-up, as well as two more lances of vehicles and three and a half companies of infantry. With militia forces on snowmobiles scouting ahead of the line of march, the 'Mech forces had taken the flanks, leaving the infantry and armor in the second, with a lance of hovertanks forming the rearguard, using their fans to disturb the snow and cover the tracks of their marching forces. Shuraksy converses with both Shana and O'Toole, who's sticking close to Shurasky and piloting an ''[[Awesome]]''; Shurasky is under no illusions that Von Ritter has O'Toole shadowing him to check for signs that he might be breaking under the pressure. Shurasky has been drawn into revealing a little of what it's like to fight against the Clans by his second-in-command, the young Hauptmann Robert McGlowan, when the sound of an explosion is heard. − Von Ritter confirms that he's made contact with the Royals, who are holding at Brekenridge, but are being engaged by the Blakists, and that the Word has artillery bracketing the Royals' position, making life dicey for them. ''Kampfgruppe'' Ritter can see the explosions and smoke, and the Royals believe the artillery is located close to Ritter's position, somewhere to the east; Ritter assigns Alpha and Beta companies to attacking the Blakists, with Gamma and Delta moving in support, whilst the hovertanks of Epsilon Company are ordered to find and silence the artillery pieces. + Von Ritter confirms that he's made contact with the Royals, who are holding at Brekenridge, but are being engaged by the Blakists, and that the Word has artillery bracketing the Royals' position, making life dicey for them. ''Kampfgruppe'' Ritter can see the explosions and smoke, and the Royals believe the artillery is located close to Ritter's position, somewhere to the east; Ritter assigns Alpha and Beta companies to attacking the Blakists, with Gamma and Delta moving in support, whilst the hovertanks of Epsilon company are ordered to find and silence the artillery pieces. − With both Alpha and Beta companies operating with ten 'Mechs each, Klaus has designated his group the Ghosts, while Shurasky has dubbed his the Hunters. Whilst Von Ritter converses with a senior Royals officer using the call sign Paladin, Warberg and Shurasky's companies move through the forest, looking for the Blakists. Shana warns Shurasky that the Blakists have forces in the woods, and he responds to her warning, changing his company's course, and calling for Warberg to trust him. Warberg is uncertain, but accepts that ''Wolfsjäger'' was right too often in Stahlwurzel Forest for Warberg to not trust his judgment. Shurasky sends his fast 'Mech lance forward, while having his short lance of two 'Mechs—a ''[[Commando]]'' and a ''[[Victor]]''—form a rearguard, with orders to reinforce either of the two main lances as needed. He also orders that when they engage, his troops are to concentrate their fire on individual targets, and not get bogged down in slugging matches. + With both Alpha and Beta companies operating with ten 'Mechs each, Klaus has designated his group the Ghosts, while Shurasky has dubbed his the Hunters. Whilst Von Ritter converses with a senior Royals officer using the callsign Paladin, Warberg and Shurasky's companies move through the forest, looking for the Blakists. Shana warns Shurasky that the Blakists have forces in the woods, and he responds to her warning, changing his company's course, and calling for Warberg to trust him. Warberg is uncertain, but accepts that ''Wolfsjäger'' was right too often in Stahlwurzel Forest for Warberg to not trust his judgement. Shurasky sends his fast 'Mech lance forward, while having his short lance of two 'Mechs—a ''[[Commando]]'' and a ''[[Victor]]''—form a rearguard, with orders to reinforce either of the two main lances as needed. He also orders that when they engage, his troops are to concentrate their fire on individual targets, and not get bogged down in slugging matches. Within minutes they encounter their first Blakist 'Mech, a white 'Mech that Shurasky doesn't recognize and which Thirteen's warbook doesn't identify, but which Shana recognizes as an ''[[Initiate]]''. Hit by repeated volleys from Thirteen, O'Toole's ''Awesome'' and Dancer's ''[[Catapult]]'', the ''Initiate'' drops quickly, but not before a Blakist ''[[Wraith]]'' spots the advancing ''Kampfgruppe'' Ritter forces. Shurasky presses the attack forward, and his lance hits the main Blakist line, which consists of a handful of [[battle armor]] suits, a ''[[Guillotine]]'', a ''[[Toyama]]'', and a ''[[Trebuchet]]''. Within minutes they encounter their first Blakist 'Mech, a white 'Mech that Shurasky doesn't recognize and which Thirteen's warbook doesn't identify, but which Shana recognizes as an ''[[Initiate]]''. Hit by repeated volleys from Thirteen, O'Toole's ''Awesome'' and Dancer's ''[[Catapult]]'', the ''Initiate'' drops quickly, but not before a Blakist ''[[Wraith]]'' spots the advancing ''Kampfgruppe'' Ritter forces. Shurasky presses the attack forward, and his lance hits the main Blakist line, which consists of a handful of [[battle armor]] suits, a ''[[Guillotine]]'', a ''[[Toyama]]'', and a ''[[Trebuchet]]''. Line 66:
Line 65: With the ''Buccaneer'' too close to Thirteen for his lancemates to engage it, Shurasky orders the others to attack the ''Trebuchet''; Thirteen and the ''Buccaneer'' then trade blows before the Blakist 'Mech collapses, having taken heavy damage from behind from the ''Commando'' and ''Victor'' Shurasky had deployed as rearguard. With the ''Buccaneer'' too close to Thirteen for his lancemates to engage it, Shurasky orders the others to attack the ''Trebuchet''; Thirteen and the ''Buccaneer'' then trade blows before the Blakist 'Mech collapses, having taken heavy damage from behind from the ''Commando'' and ''Victor'' Shurasky had deployed as rearguard. − Freed from the melee, Shurasky sees that his surprise assault has turned the Blakist line. The ''Kampfgruppe'' has also felled a ''[[Grim Reaper]]'' and a ''[[Flashman]]'', along with destroying a [[Galleon]] light tank and leaving a [[Myrmidon (Combat Vehicle)|Myrmidon]] with a locked turret. As he looks, a Blakist ''[[Excalibur (BattleMech)|Excalibur]]'' fells the ''[[Hatchetman]]'' in his company, only to explode under return fire moments later. + Freed from the melee, Shurasky sees that his surprise assault has turned the Blakist line. The ''Kampfgruppe'' has also felled a ''[[Grim Reaper]]'' and a ''[[Flashman]]'', along with destroying a [[Galleon]] light tank and leaving a [[Myrmidon]] with a locked turret. As he looks, a Blakist ''[[Excalibur (BattleMech)|Excalibur]]'' fells the ''[[Hatchetman]]'' in his company, only to explode under return fire moments later. With the Blakists crumbling, the Royals counterattack behind a battered ''[[Fafnir]]'', which fells a ''[[Champion]]'' single-handed even as a Royals ''[[Axman]]'' finishes off an armless ''[[Crab]]''. The ''Toyama'' and ''Trebuchet'' Shurasky's lance had been pressing begin to fall back, with support from a ''[[Wraith]]'' and a pair of [[Po]] tanks, with some of the 'Mechs firing directly at Shurasky. With the Blakists crumbling, the Royals counterattack behind a battered ''[[Fafnir]]'', which fells a ''[[Champion]]'' single-handed even as a Royals ''[[Axman]]'' finishes off an armless ''[[Crab]]''. The ''Toyama'' and ''Trebuchet'' Shurasky's lance had been pressing begin to fall back, with support from a ''[[Wraith]]'' and a pair of [[Po]] tanks, with some of the 'Mechs firing directly at Shurasky. − Shurasky sees an artillery explosion and hears moments later that Geist is down; at Shana's urging, he snaps out of a momentary reverie, he takes command of the ''Kampfgruppe'' and orders them to keep pressing the Blakists, concentrating on anything equipped with [[Target Acquisition Gear|TAG]] as a priority. Hammered on three sides, two [[Zephyr (Combat Vehicle)|Zephyr]]s are destroyed almost immediately and the ''Trebuchet'' explodes, while the ''Wraith'' loses an arm. The Blakists continue to fire back, destroying the Royals ''Axman'' through weight of fire and destroying Alpha's ''[[Orion]]'' via an ammunition explosion. + Shurasky sees an artillery explosion and hears moments later that Geist is down; at Shana's urging, he snaps out of a momentary reverie, he takes command of the ''Kampfgruppe'' and orders them to keep pressing the Blakists, concentrating on anything equipped with [[Target Acquisition Gear|TAG]] as a priority. Hammered on three sides, two [[Zephyr (combat vehicle)|Zephyr]]s are destroyed almost immediately and the ''Trebuchet'' explodes, while the ''Wraith'' loses an arm. The Blakists continue to fire back, destroying the Royals ''Axman'' through weight of fire and destroying Alpha's ''[[Orion]]'' via an ammunition explosion. As Shurasky hammers away at a Blakist ''[[Wyvern]]'', he spots that the Blakists are falling back, with Blakist 'Mechs moving in pairs, providing cover for each other as they retreat. He orders the ''Kampfgruppe'' to continue to press the attack, but is overruled by Paladin; he attempts to argue, only to learn that Paladin is actually Archon Peter Steiner-Davion. Shurasky argues that they can't let the Blakists regroup, but Peter points out that the Blakists have been bloodied badly and are low on ammunition; Shana agrees with the Archon, and points out that the Blakists have lost the will to keep fighting. Shurasky concedes the point, and orders his troops to disengage and consolidate with the Royals. As Shurasky hammers away at a Blakist ''[[Wyvern]]'', he spots that the Blakists are falling back, with Blakist 'Mechs moving in pairs, providing cover for each other as they retreat. He orders the ''Kampfgruppe'' to continue to press the attack, but is overruled by Paladin; he attempts to argue, only to learn that Paladin is actually Archon Peter Steiner-Davion. Shurasky argues that they can't let the Blakists regroup, but Peter points out that the Blakists have been bloodied badly and are low on ammunition; Shana agrees with the Archon, and points out that the Blakists have lost the will to keep fighting. Shurasky concedes the point, and orders his troops to disengage and consolidate with the Royals. === 09 December 3067 === === 09 December 3067 === − In the aftermath of the battle, Shurasky is talking with Shana and O'Toole when Warberg reappears, injured but mobile, accompanied by Ritter. Ritter openly asks O'Toole if there have been any problems with Shurasky, and O'Toole reports that he has nothing that indicates that Shurasky is suffering any effects from his recent break, and that Shurasky was fully involved in the attack and didn't fall prey to hesitation. + In the aftermath of the battle, Shurasky is talking with Shana and O'Toole when Warberg reappears, injured but mobile, accompanied by Ritter. Ritter openly asks O'Toole if there have been any problems with Shurasky, and O'Toole reports that he has nothing that indicates that Shurasky is suffering any effects from his recent break, and that Shurasky was fulling involved in the attack and didn't fall prone to hesitation. − Reassured by O'Toole, Ritter tells Shurasky that the Archon wants to talk to him. Noted by Shana as being much taller than Victor, Peter praises Shurasky's actions, and states that he wants to set Shurasky up with a ''Kampfgruppe'' of his own to command. The people of the Alliance need heroes, and he needs the ''Wolfsjäger'', someone he was already familiar with, having heard stories from the Wolves-in-Exile, who were apparently very impressed with Shurasky. + Reassured by O'Toole, Ritter tells Shurasky that the Archon wants to talk to him. Noted by Shana as being much taller than Victor, Peter praises Shurasky's actions, and states that he wants to set Shurasky up with a ''Kampfruggpe'' of his own to command. The people of the Alliance need heroes, and he needs the ''Wolfsjäger'', someone he was already familiar with, having heard stories from the Wolves-in-Exile, who were apparently very impressed with Shurasky. After some discussion over Shurasky's loyalty to the people of the Alliance rather than directly to Peter, the Archon field-promotes Warberg, Shurasky and O'Toole, and leaves Ritter with orders to make the Blakists pay in any way they can, building ''Kampfgruppen'' around their existing companies augmented with elements from both the Royals and militia, and with the freedom to recruit anyone who wants to join them and to use any equipment they bring with them. Whilst other ''Kampfgruppen'' will be formed as well, these two are to be the first, while the Archon travels around Tharkad, spreading the word that he's still alive and still fighting. After some discussion over Shurasky's loyalty to the people of the Alliance rather than directly to Peter, the Archon field-promotes Warberg, Shurasky and O'Toole, and leaves Ritter with orders to make the Blakists pay in any way they can, building ''Kampfgruppen'' around their existing companies augmented with elements from both the Royals and militia, and with the freedom to recruit anyone who wants to join them and to use any equipment they bring with them. Whilst other ''Kampfgruppen'' will be formed as well, these two are to be the first, while the Archon travels around Tharkad, spreading the word that he's still alive and still fighting. Line 88:
Line 87: * [[Ansgar Shurasky|Ansgar "Gar" Shurasky]], also known as the "Wolfsjäger" * [[Ansgar Shurasky|Ansgar "Gar" Shurasky]], also known as the "Wolfsjäger" * [[Felan O'Toole]] * [[Felan O'Toole]] − * [[Jodi Walliser]] * [[Klaus Warberg]] * [[Klaus Warberg]] − * [[Nash King]] − * [[Robert McGlowan]] * [[Shana Shurasky]] (as a voice in Ansgar Shurasky's head) * [[Shana Shurasky]] (as a voice in Ansgar Shurasky's head) ==Featured BattleTech== ==Featured BattleTech== ===BattleMechs=== ===BattleMechs=== − {{div col|colwidth=25em}} * ''[[Atlas (BattleMech)|Atlas]]'' * ''[[Atlas (BattleMech)|Atlas]]'' * ''[[Awesome]]'' * ''[[Awesome]]'' Line 124:
Line 119: * ''[[Wyvern]]'' * ''[[Wyvern]]'' * ''[[Zeus]]'' - "[[Thirteen (Individual Zeus BattleMech)|Thirteen]]" * ''[[Zeus]]'' - "[[Thirteen (Individual Zeus BattleMech)|Thirteen]]" − {{div col end}} − === Aerospace fighters === + === Aerospace Fighters === * ''[[Tomahawk (Aerospace Fighter class)|Tomahawk]]'' * ''[[Tomahawk (Aerospace Fighter class)|Tomahawk]]'' Line 135:
Line 129: * [[MASH Truck]] * [[MASH Truck]] * [[Mobile HQ]] * [[Mobile HQ]] − * [[Myrmidon (Combat Vehicle)|Myrmidon]] + * [[Myrmidon]] * [[Po]] * [[Po]] − * [[Zephyr (Combat Vehicle)|Zephyr]] + * [[Zephyr (combat vehicle)|Zephyr]] + + ==Notes== + *A [[BattleCorps]] news item later mentions one newly-minted Baron Ansgar Shurasky on the sidelines. [[Category:BattleCorps publications]] [[Category:BattleCorps publications]] [[Category:Short Stories]] [[Category:Short Stories]] [[Category:Works by Craig A. Reed]] [[Category:Works by Craig A. Reed]]
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Having made the rendezvous at 9-Alpha, Shurasky is drinking coffee by his 'Mech when he's approached by Shana again, who wants to know how he's doing. Once again, she points out something approaching him. This time, it's [[Leutnant-General]] Gerhard Von Ritter, the senior officer at 9-Alpha. In addition to the forces Klaus brought in, Von Ritter has managed to assemble two companies of militia 'Mechs, a platoon of [[Drillson]] hovertanks and an ad hoc headquarters. Von Ritter wants to know if Shurasky has any issues with Klaus commanding the company, given that it's his first time commanding such a large force; Shurasky reassures Von Ritter that Klaus is experienced, level-headed and a clear thinker, and that he has confidence in his ability to run the command. Von Ritter attempts to explain how he wanted to do more when Shurasky suffered his mental break, but Shurasky cuts him off, pointing out that there was nothing Von Ritter could do—the war is going on inside Shurasky's head. Von Ritter didn't want Shurasky to know about the mobilization, but Shurasky explains that he overheard Von Ritter talking, and that Von Ritter doesn't need to worry. It's peace that Shurasky is struggling with; in combat, he'll be fine. When Von Ritter asks if Shurasky can fight for the Archon, Shurasky says no, not yet... but that if they're both fighting for the people of the Alliance, then they're both fighting for the same side. Von Ritter accepts this, and points out that the Archon believes in the Alliance and its people every bit as much as Shurasky does. | Having made the rendezvous at 9-Alpha, Shurasky is drinking coffee by his 'Mech when he's approached by Shana again, who wants to know how he's doing. Once again, she points out something approaching him. This time, it's [[Leutnant-General]] Gerhard Von Ritter, the senior officer at 9-Alpha. In addition to the forces Klaus brought in, Von Ritter has managed to assemble two companies of militia 'Mechs, a platoon of [[Drillson]] hovertanks and an ad hoc headquarters. Von Ritter wants to know if Shurasky has any issues with Klaus commanding the company, given that it's his first time commanding such a large force; Shurasky reassures Von Ritter that Klaus is experienced, level-headed and a clear thinker, and that he has confidence in his ability to run the command. Von Ritter attempts to explain how he wanted to do more when Shurasky suffered his mental break, but Shurasky cuts him off, pointing out that there was nothing Von Ritter could do—the war is going on inside Shurasky's head. Von Ritter didn't want Shurasky to know about the mobilization, but Shurasky explains that he overheard Von Ritter talking, and that Von Ritter doesn't need to worry. It's peace that Shurasky is struggling with; in combat, he'll be fine. When Von Ritter asks if Shurasky can fight for the Archon, Shurasky says no, not yet... but that if they're both fighting for the people of the Alliance, then they're both fighting for the same side. Von Ritter accepts this, and points out that the Archon believes in the Alliance and its people every bit as much as Shurasky does. | ||
| − | While Von Ritter is called away by a message from the Lyran Command, Shurasky continues to converse with Shana, and relives some of his memories from the earlier battle on Tharkad, and how he won the name ''Wolfsjäger'' from a journalist embedded in the same [[battalion]] of the Second Royal Guards he'd been serving in, after Shurasky claimed three Exile kills in the first battle in Methow Valley and then another four kills during the opening battle in the Stahlwurzel Forest. Attrition and success saw Shurasky commanding the remains of his battalion in the forest, and then promoted to Kommandant during the battle for Tharkad City, during which he commanded a mixed battalion; his forces had fought for eight days during the siege, and was the last of the Loyalist forces to surrender. Faced with all of the death and destruction that had been caused, and that had killed most of his friends and acquaintances along with General [[Nondi Steiner]], all of which seemed to have been for nothing, Shurasky began to crumble; the final blow that tipped him over the edge had been the death of Shana on [[Dalkeith]]. After being found huddled in a fetal position and screaming in his quarters, Shurasky had been consigned to a mental hospital for treatment, being released after four months to return to the woman he loved, just in time for the Blakist assault. | + | While Von Ritter is called away by a message from the Lyran Command, Shurasky continues to converse with Shana, and relives some of his memories from the earlier battle on Tharkad, and how he won the name ''Wolfsjäger'' from a journalist embedded in the same [[battalion]] of the Second Royal Guards he'd been serving in, after Shurasky claimed three Exile kills in the first battle in Methow Valley and then another four kills during the opening battle in the Stahlwurzel Forest. Attrition and success saw Shurasky commanding the remains of his battalion in the forest, and then promoted to Kommandant during the battle for Tharkad City, during which he commanded a mixed battalion; his forces had fought for eight days during the siege, and was the last of the Loyalist forces to surrender. Faced with all of the death and destruction that had been caused, and that had killed most of his friends and acquaintances along with General [[Nondi Steiner]], all of which seemed to have been for nothing, Shurasky began to crumble; the final blow that tipped him over the edge had been the death of Shana on [[Dalkeith]]. After being found huddled in a fetal position and screaming in his quarters, Shurasky had been consigned to a mental hospital for treatment, being released after four months to return back to the woman he loved, just in time for the Blakist assault. |
| − | Warberg interrupts Shurasky's thoughts by telling him that they have orders; Warberg then briefs Shurasky and his other officers and NCOs on the current situation on Tharkad. With the [[Eleventh Arcturan Guards]] destroyed by orbital bombardment and the [[Twenty-fourth Lyran Guards]] badly damaged but fighting fiercely to provide the cover needed for the Second Royal Guards to evacuate the Archon from the capital, Von Ritter's unit has been redesignated ''Kampfgruppe'' Ritter, and has orders to link up with the Second near Route Seven, avoiding major engagements en route. Ritter expects to pick up more forces as they move, and breaks his 'Mech forces down into four companies - Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta. He puts Klaus in charge of Alpha while assigning command of Beta to Shurasky. Before | + | Warberg interrupts Shurasky's thoughts by telling him that they have orders; Warberg then briefs Shurasky and his other officers and NCOs on the current situation on Tharkad. With the [[Eleventh Arcturan Guards]] destroyed by orbital bombardment and the [[Twenty-fourth Lyran Guards]] badly damaged but fighting fiercely to provide the cover needed for the Second Royal Guards to evacuate the Archon from the capital, Von Ritter's unit has been redesignated ''Kampfgruppe'' Ritter, and has orders to link up with the Second near Route Seven, avoiding major engagements en route. Ritter expects to pick up more forces as they move, and breaks his 'Mech forces down into four companies - Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta. He puts Klaus in charge of Alpha while assigning command of Beta to Shurasky. Before Shuraksy can protest, Ritter points out that Shurasky and Klaus are the heart of the unit, and he needs them working together, prompting Shurasky to again reassure him that there's no animosity between the two. |
=== 08 December 3067 === | === 08 December 3067 === | ||
| − | Marching towards the rendezvous, ''Kampfgruppe'' Ritter grew overnight through the addition of another lance of 'Mechs piloted by their retired owners who'd responded to the call-up, as well as two more lances of vehicles and three and a half companies of infantry. With militia forces on snowmobiles scouting ahead of the line of march, the 'Mech forces had taken the flanks, leaving the infantry and armor in the second, with a lance of hovertanks forming the rearguard, using their fans to disturb the snow and cover the tracks of their marching forces. | + | Marching towards the rendezvous, ''Kampfgruppe'' Ritter grew overnight through the addition of another lance of 'Mechs piloted by their retired owners who'd responded to the call-up, as well as two more lances of vehicles and three and a half companies of infantry. With militia forces on snowmobiles scouting ahead of the line of march, the 'Mech forces had taken the flanks, leaving the infantry and armor in the second, with a lance of hovertanks forming the rearguard, using their fans to disturb the snow and cover the tracks of their marching forces. Shuraksy converses with both Shana and O'Toole, who's sticking close to Shurasky and piloting an ''[[Awesome]]''; Shurasky is under no illusions that Von Ritter has O'Toole shadowing him to check for signs that he might be breaking under the pressure. Shurasky has been drawn into revealing a little of what it's like to fight against the Clans by his second-in-command, the young Hauptmann Robert McGlowan, when the sound of an explosion is heard. |
| − | Von Ritter confirms that he's made contact with the Royals, who are holding at Brekenridge, but are being engaged by the Blakists, and that the Word has artillery bracketing the Royals' position, making life dicey for them. ''Kampfgruppe'' Ritter can see the explosions and smoke, and the Royals believe the artillery is located close to Ritter's position, somewhere to the east; Ritter assigns Alpha and Beta companies to attacking the Blakists, with Gamma and Delta moving in support, whilst the hovertanks of Epsilon | + | Von Ritter confirms that he's made contact with the Royals, who are holding at Brekenridge, but are being engaged by the Blakists, and that the Word has artillery bracketing the Royals' position, making life dicey for them. ''Kampfgruppe'' Ritter can see the explosions and smoke, and the Royals believe the artillery is located close to Ritter's position, somewhere to the east; Ritter assigns Alpha and Beta companies to attacking the Blakists, with Gamma and Delta moving in support, whilst the hovertanks of Epsilon company are ordered to find and silence the artillery pieces. |
| − | With both Alpha and Beta companies operating with ten 'Mechs each, Klaus has designated his group the Ghosts, while Shurasky has dubbed his the Hunters. Whilst Von Ritter converses with a senior Royals officer using the | + | With both Alpha and Beta companies operating with ten 'Mechs each, Klaus has designated his group the Ghosts, while Shurasky has dubbed his the Hunters. Whilst Von Ritter converses with a senior Royals officer using the callsign Paladin, Warberg and Shurasky's companies move through the forest, looking for the Blakists. Shana warns Shurasky that the Blakists have forces in the woods, and he responds to her warning, changing his company's course, and calling for Warberg to trust him. Warberg is uncertain, but accepts that ''Wolfsjäger'' was right too often in Stahlwurzel Forest for Warberg to not trust his judgement. Shurasky sends his fast 'Mech lance forward, while having his short lance of two 'Mechs—a ''[[Commando]]'' and a ''[[Victor]]''—form a rearguard, with orders to reinforce either of the two main lances as needed. He also orders that when they engage, his troops are to concentrate their fire on individual targets, and not get bogged down in slugging matches. |
Within minutes they encounter their first Blakist 'Mech, a white 'Mech that Shurasky doesn't recognize and which Thirteen's warbook doesn't identify, but which Shana recognizes as an ''[[Initiate]]''. Hit by repeated volleys from Thirteen, O'Toole's ''Awesome'' and Dancer's ''[[Catapult]]'', the ''Initiate'' drops quickly, but not before a Blakist ''[[Wraith]]'' spots the advancing ''Kampfgruppe'' Ritter forces. Shurasky presses the attack forward, and his lance hits the main Blakist line, which consists of a handful of [[battle armor]] suits, a ''[[Guillotine]]'', a ''[[Toyama]]'', and a ''[[Trebuchet]]''. | Within minutes they encounter their first Blakist 'Mech, a white 'Mech that Shurasky doesn't recognize and which Thirteen's warbook doesn't identify, but which Shana recognizes as an ''[[Initiate]]''. Hit by repeated volleys from Thirteen, O'Toole's ''Awesome'' and Dancer's ''[[Catapult]]'', the ''Initiate'' drops quickly, but not before a Blakist ''[[Wraith]]'' spots the advancing ''Kampfgruppe'' Ritter forces. Shurasky presses the attack forward, and his lance hits the main Blakist line, which consists of a handful of [[battle armor]] suits, a ''[[Guillotine]]'', a ''[[Toyama]]'', and a ''[[Trebuchet]]''. | ||
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With the ''Buccaneer'' too close to Thirteen for his lancemates to engage it, Shurasky orders the others to attack the ''Trebuchet''; Thirteen and the ''Buccaneer'' then trade blows before the Blakist 'Mech collapses, having taken heavy damage from behind from the ''Commando'' and ''Victor'' Shurasky had deployed as rearguard. | With the ''Buccaneer'' too close to Thirteen for his lancemates to engage it, Shurasky orders the others to attack the ''Trebuchet''; Thirteen and the ''Buccaneer'' then trade blows before the Blakist 'Mech collapses, having taken heavy damage from behind from the ''Commando'' and ''Victor'' Shurasky had deployed as rearguard. | ||
| − | Freed from the melee, Shurasky sees that his surprise assault has turned the Blakist line. The ''Kampfgruppe'' has also felled a ''[[Grim Reaper]]'' and a ''[[Flashman]]'', along with destroying a [[Galleon]] light tank and leaving a [[ | + | Freed from the melee, Shurasky sees that his surprise assault has turned the Blakist line. The ''Kampfgruppe'' has also felled a ''[[Grim Reaper]]'' and a ''[[Flashman]]'', along with destroying a [[Galleon]] light tank and leaving a [[Myrmidon]] with a locked turret. As he looks, a Blakist ''[[Excalibur (BattleMech)|Excalibur]]'' fells the ''[[Hatchetman]]'' in his company, only to explode under return fire moments later. |
With the Blakists crumbling, the Royals counterattack behind a battered ''[[Fafnir]]'', which fells a ''[[Champion]]'' single-handed even as a Royals ''[[Axman]]'' finishes off an armless ''[[Crab]]''. The ''Toyama'' and ''Trebuchet'' Shurasky's lance had been pressing begin to fall back, with support from a ''[[Wraith]]'' and a pair of [[Po]] tanks, with some of the 'Mechs firing directly at Shurasky. | With the Blakists crumbling, the Royals counterattack behind a battered ''[[Fafnir]]'', which fells a ''[[Champion]]'' single-handed even as a Royals ''[[Axman]]'' finishes off an armless ''[[Crab]]''. The ''Toyama'' and ''Trebuchet'' Shurasky's lance had been pressing begin to fall back, with support from a ''[[Wraith]]'' and a pair of [[Po]] tanks, with some of the 'Mechs firing directly at Shurasky. | ||
| − | Shurasky sees an artillery explosion and hears moments later that Geist is down; at Shana's urging, he snaps out of a momentary reverie, he takes command of the ''Kampfgruppe'' and orders them to keep pressing the Blakists, concentrating on anything equipped with [[Target Acquisition Gear|TAG]] as a priority. Hammered on three sides, two [[Zephyr ( | + | Shurasky sees an artillery explosion and hears moments later that Geist is down; at Shana's urging, he snaps out of a momentary reverie, he takes command of the ''Kampfgruppe'' and orders them to keep pressing the Blakists, concentrating on anything equipped with [[Target Acquisition Gear|TAG]] as a priority. Hammered on three sides, two [[Zephyr (combat vehicle)|Zephyr]]s are destroyed almost immediately and the ''Trebuchet'' explodes, while the ''Wraith'' loses an arm. The Blakists continue to fire back, destroying the Royals ''Axman'' through weight of fire and destroying Alpha's ''[[Orion]]'' via an ammunition explosion. |
As Shurasky hammers away at a Blakist ''[[Wyvern]]'', he spots that the Blakists are falling back, with Blakist 'Mechs moving in pairs, providing cover for each other as they retreat. He orders the ''Kampfgruppe'' to continue to press the attack, but is overruled by Paladin; he attempts to argue, only to learn that Paladin is actually Archon Peter Steiner-Davion. Shurasky argues that they can't let the Blakists regroup, but Peter points out that the Blakists have been bloodied badly and are low on ammunition; Shana agrees with the Archon, and points out that the Blakists have lost the will to keep fighting. Shurasky concedes the point, and orders his troops to disengage and consolidate with the Royals. | As Shurasky hammers away at a Blakist ''[[Wyvern]]'', he spots that the Blakists are falling back, with Blakist 'Mechs moving in pairs, providing cover for each other as they retreat. He orders the ''Kampfgruppe'' to continue to press the attack, but is overruled by Paladin; he attempts to argue, only to learn that Paladin is actually Archon Peter Steiner-Davion. Shurasky argues that they can't let the Blakists regroup, but Peter points out that the Blakists have been bloodied badly and are low on ammunition; Shana agrees with the Archon, and points out that the Blakists have lost the will to keep fighting. Shurasky concedes the point, and orders his troops to disengage and consolidate with the Royals. | ||
=== 09 December 3067 === | === 09 December 3067 === | ||
| − | In the aftermath of the battle, Shurasky is talking with Shana and O'Toole when Warberg reappears, injured but mobile, accompanied by Ritter. Ritter openly asks O'Toole if there have been any problems with Shurasky, and O'Toole reports that he has nothing that indicates that Shurasky is suffering any effects from his recent break, and that Shurasky was | + | In the aftermath of the battle, Shurasky is talking with Shana and O'Toole when Warberg reappears, injured but mobile, accompanied by Ritter. Ritter openly asks O'Toole if there have been any problems with Shurasky, and O'Toole reports that he has nothing that indicates that Shurasky is suffering any effects from his recent break, and that Shurasky was fulling involved in the attack and didn't fall prone to hesitation. |
| − | Reassured by O'Toole, Ritter tells Shurasky that the Archon wants to talk to him. Noted by Shana as being much taller than Victor, Peter praises Shurasky's actions, and states that he wants to set Shurasky up with a '' | + | Reassured by O'Toole, Ritter tells Shurasky that the Archon wants to talk to him. Noted by Shana as being much taller than Victor, Peter praises Shurasky's actions, and states that he wants to set Shurasky up with a ''Kampfruggpe'' of his own to command. The people of the Alliance need heroes, and he needs the ''Wolfsjäger'', someone he was already familiar with, having heard stories from the Wolves-in-Exile, who were apparently very impressed with Shurasky. |
After some discussion over Shurasky's loyalty to the people of the Alliance rather than directly to Peter, the Archon field-promotes Warberg, Shurasky and O'Toole, and leaves Ritter with orders to make the Blakists pay in any way they can, building ''Kampfgruppen'' around their existing companies augmented with elements from both the Royals and militia, and with the freedom to recruit anyone who wants to join them and to use any equipment they bring with them. Whilst other ''Kampfgruppen'' will be formed as well, these two are to be the first, while the Archon travels around Tharkad, spreading the word that he's still alive and still fighting. | After some discussion over Shurasky's loyalty to the people of the Alliance rather than directly to Peter, the Archon field-promotes Warberg, Shurasky and O'Toole, and leaves Ritter with orders to make the Blakists pay in any way they can, building ''Kampfgruppen'' around their existing companies augmented with elements from both the Royals and militia, and with the freedom to recruit anyone who wants to join them and to use any equipment they bring with them. Whilst other ''Kampfgruppen'' will be formed as well, these two are to be the first, while the Archon travels around Tharkad, spreading the word that he's still alive and still fighting. | ||
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* [[Ansgar Shurasky|Ansgar "Gar" Shurasky]], also known as the "Wolfsjäger" | * [[Ansgar Shurasky|Ansgar "Gar" Shurasky]], also known as the "Wolfsjäger" | ||
* [[Felan O'Toole]] | * [[Felan O'Toole]] | ||
| − | |||
* [[Klaus Warberg]] | * [[Klaus Warberg]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
* [[Shana Shurasky]] (as a voice in Ansgar Shurasky's head) | * [[Shana Shurasky]] (as a voice in Ansgar Shurasky's head) | ||
==Featured BattleTech== | ==Featured BattleTech== | ||
===BattleMechs=== | ===BattleMechs=== | ||
| − | |||
* ''[[Atlas (BattleMech)|Atlas]]'' | * ''[[Atlas (BattleMech)|Atlas]]'' | ||
* ''[[Awesome]]'' | * ''[[Awesome]]'' | ||
| Line 124: | Line 119: | ||
* ''[[Wyvern]]'' | * ''[[Wyvern]]'' | ||
* ''[[Zeus]]'' - "[[Thirteen (Individual Zeus BattleMech)|Thirteen]]" | * ''[[Zeus]]'' - "[[Thirteen (Individual Zeus BattleMech)|Thirteen]]" | ||
| − | |||
| − | === Aerospace | + | === Aerospace Fighters === |
* ''[[Tomahawk (Aerospace Fighter class)|Tomahawk]]'' | * ''[[Tomahawk (Aerospace Fighter class)|Tomahawk]]'' | ||
| Line 135: | Line 129: | ||
* [[MASH Truck]] | * [[MASH Truck]] | ||
* [[Mobile HQ]] | * [[Mobile HQ]] | ||
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Myrmidon]] |
* [[Po]] | * [[Po]] | ||
| − | * [[Zephyr ( | + | * [[Zephyr (combat vehicle)|Zephyr]] |
| + | |||
| + | ==Notes== | ||
| + | *A [[BattleCorps]] news item later mentions one newly-minted Baron Ansgar Shurasky on the sidelines. | ||
[[Category:BattleCorps publications]] | [[Category:BattleCorps publications]] | ||
[[Category:Short Stories]] | [[Category:Short Stories]] | ||
[[Category:Works by Craig A. Reed]] | [[Category:Works by Craig A. Reed]] | ||