Difference between revisions of "Forever Faithful"
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| − | '''''Forever Faithful''''', by [[Blaine Lee Pardoe]], was released digitally and as a print-on-demand book on February 23, 2019. A spiritual | + | '''''Forever Faithful''''', by [[Blaine Lee Pardoe]], was released digitally and as a print-on-demand book on February 23, 2019. A spiritual if not actual final entry in (or sequel to) the "''[[Twilight of the Clans (series)|Twilight of the Clans]]''" saga that concluded the [[Clan Invasion era]], its storyline bridges through the [[Jihad era]] and connects to Pardoe's [[Dark Age era]] novel, ''[[Surrender Your Dreams]]''. |
==Teaser Text== | ==Teaser Text== | ||
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On 13 August Paul Moon, Baldur and Inanna present their plan for a mini-Exodus to Wayside V to the leaders of the other (former) Smoke Jaguar castes. [[Scientist-General]] [[Nicasio]] points out that the scientists will not accept the rule of the warriors again, who failed them when it mattered; in fact, where they previously were only the second-most important caste, the scientists are now courted by the Star League and stand to gain wealth and prestige. Only when it is established that the caste system will effectively be abolished does Nicasio indicate that some scientists may be willing to join the planned Exodus. Merchant Factor [[Lagemann]] declares that his caste will gladly man the DropShips and JumpShips (which are sitting idle at the nadir [[jump point]] and the Lootera spaceport for the time being, until the Star League decides what to do with them which is apparently a low priority) and leave [[Clan space]] for good, figuring that Inner Sphere merchants will flood the area and bring change that the Clan merchants may not be able to cope with. Master Technician [[Udvar]] and Senior Laborer [[Ambrosia (character)|Ambrosia]] are both of the opinion that their castes would have a difficult future under Star League rule, and are thus agreeable to the Exodus plan. Clan Nova Cat pledges their clandestine assistance. | On 13 August Paul Moon, Baldur and Inanna present their plan for a mini-Exodus to Wayside V to the leaders of the other (former) Smoke Jaguar castes. [[Scientist-General]] [[Nicasio]] points out that the scientists will not accept the rule of the warriors again, who failed them when it mattered; in fact, where they previously were only the second-most important caste, the scientists are now courted by the Star League and stand to gain wealth and prestige. Only when it is established that the caste system will effectively be abolished does Nicasio indicate that some scientists may be willing to join the planned Exodus. Merchant Factor [[Lagemann]] declares that his caste will gladly man the DropShips and JumpShips (which are sitting idle at the nadir [[jump point]] and the Lootera spaceport for the time being, until the Star League decides what to do with them which is apparently a low priority) and leave [[Clan space]] for good, figuring that Inner Sphere merchants will flood the area and bring change that the Clan merchants may not be able to cope with. Master Technician [[Udvar]] and Senior Laborer [[Ambrosia (character)|Ambrosia]] are both of the opinion that their castes would have a difficult future under Star League rule, and are thus agreeable to the Exodus plan. Clan Nova Cat pledges their clandestine assistance. | ||
| − | Baldur and Paul Moon also confer with Russou Howell, though Baldur does not reveal himself as Trent to him. They tell him of their plan and, despite their differences, negotiate a diversion: a raid against a missile production facility in the city of Chhaiya. The Exodus takes place on Founding Day, 24 August, to use the festivities as a cover for their activities such as loading the DropShips from pre-arranged nearby warehouses, and moving people aboard. The Lootera HPG station is destroyed in a fire (the HPG core having been removed a day earlier already). Shell games draw the Star League WarShips away. In a snap decision, Trent brazenly steals the Clan Smoke Jaguar [[Remembrance]] before embarking on the Nova Cat DropShip ''[[Wanderer (Individual DropShip)|Wanderer]]''. Paul Moon, Baldur and Inanna thus abscond with the entire Smoke Jaguar merchant fleet, two [[WarShip]]s, the Lootera HPG core, and a significant share of the Smoke Jaguar population, escorted by Clan Nova Cat who are relocating their assets to the Inner Sphere and thus happen to travel largely the same route. | + | Baldur and Paul Moon also confer with Russou Howell, though Baldur does not reveal himself as Trent to him. They tell him of their plan and, despite their differences, negotiate a diversion: a raid against a missile production facility in the city of Chhaiya. The Exodus takes place on Founding Day, 24 August, to use the festivities as a cover for their activities such as loading the DropShips from pre-arranged nearby warehouses, and moving people aboard. The Lootera HPG station is destroyed in a fire (the HPG core having been removed a day earlier already). Shell games draw the Star League WarShips away. In a snap decision, Trent brazenly steals the Clan Smoke Jaguar [[Remembrance]] before embarking on the Nova Cat DropShip ''[[Wanderer (Individual DropShip)|Wanderer]]''. Paul Moon, Baldur and Inanna thus abscond with the entire Smoke Jaguar merchant fleet, two [[WarShip]]s, the Lootera HPG core, and a significant share of the Smoke Jaguar population, escorted by Clan Nova Cat who are relocating their assets to the Inner Sphere and thus happen to travel largely the same route. Arriving on Wayside V, they join forces with a forgotten garrison of older Smoke Jaguar warriors and set up a colony. |
| + | |||
| + | Back on Huntress, an embarrassed [[Paul Masters]] decides to cover up the exodus out of fear of appearing weak to the other Clans, claiming instead that an unruly portion of former Smoke Jaguars was exiled. Only the Goliath Scorpion enclave on Huntress knows better. Rik Myers realizes the diversionary raid by The Jaguar for what it was and manages to have [[Oliver Howell]], one of The Jaguar's most trusted lieutenants, abducted. Using the [[Drink of Truth]] he tortures him to death over two days, learning that the fugitives are headed for Wayside V. Over the objections of his subordinate [[Star Colonel]] [[Arristha Lunde]] Myers decides to go on the year-long trip with his unit to pursue the fleeing Smoke Jaguars, to recover the historically significant artifacts they took. Lunde feels she needs to inform their Khan, but since the HPG core was removed, she has to use couriers, giving Myers enough time to embark on his quest before the Khan might overrule his decision. | ||
{{Underconstruction}} | {{Underconstruction}} | ||
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* [[Av Weaver]] | * [[Av Weaver]] | ||
* [[Santin West]] | * [[Santin West]] | ||
| − | |||
==Featured Places== | ==Featured Places== | ||
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*The front page shows Trent's last stand on Wayside V, against the attacking Goliath Scorpion forces. | *The front page shows Trent's last stand on Wayside V, against the attacking Goliath Scorpion forces. | ||
*The appearance of an ''[[Araña]]'' among the 35th Scorpion Cuirassiers, and that it would be identified as such by the defenders, in a battle in [[3062]] is noteworthy for two reasons: The design was reportedly only put into production in [[3087]] and had supposedly been specifically designed for a situation that Clan Goliath Scorpion was not yet in, nor would have expected, beforehand, namely the formation of the [[Escorpión Imperio]]; that anachronism aside, it is an [[IndustrialMech]] (MilitiaMech) design that should have no place in such an elite frontline unit. It could be assumed that the ''Araña'' appearing in this novel was an early prototype, possibly a BattleMech (or OmniMech) design from before the ''Araña'' project became finalized as a MilitiaMech. | *The appearance of an ''[[Araña]]'' among the 35th Scorpion Cuirassiers, and that it would be identified as such by the defenders, in a battle in [[3062]] is noteworthy for two reasons: The design was reportedly only put into production in [[3087]] and had supposedly been specifically designed for a situation that Clan Goliath Scorpion was not yet in, nor would have expected, beforehand, namely the formation of the [[Escorpión Imperio]]; that anachronism aside, it is an [[IndustrialMech]] (MilitiaMech) design that should have no place in such an elite frontline unit. It could be assumed that the ''Araña'' appearing in this novel was an early prototype, possibly a BattleMech (or OmniMech) design from before the ''Araña'' project became finalized as a MilitiaMech. | ||
| + | *Beyond forming a connection between the ''Twilight of the Clans'' series and ''Surrender your Dreams'', the novel also makes references to the events on Wayside V from Pardoe's novel ''[[Impetus of War]]'' (which introduced the Wayside system). | ||
[[Category:Novels]] | [[Category:Novels]] | ||
[[Category:Works by Blaine Lee Pardoe]] | [[Category:Works by Blaine Lee Pardoe]] | ||
Revision as of 10:03, 29 August 2019
| |
| Forever Faithful | |
|---|---|
| Product information | |
| Type | Novel |
| Author | Blaine Lee Pardoe |
| Pages | 306 (print) 317 (PDF) |
| Cover Artwork | Anthony Scroggins |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Catalyst Game Labs |
| Product code | 35824 |
| First published | 23 February 2019 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1941582770 |
| MSRP | $ 13.95 (print) |
| Content | |
| Era | Clan Invasion era |
| Timeline | 19 April 3060 - 11 December 3130 |
Forever Faithful, by Blaine Lee Pardoe, was released digitally and as a print-on-demand book on February 23, 2019. A spiritual if not actual final entry in (or sequel to) the "Twilight of the Clans" saga that concluded the Clan Invasion era, its storyline bridges through the Jihad era and connects to Pardoe's Dark Age era novel, Surrender Your Dreams.
Contents
| “ | SEMPER FIDELIS
In the year 3060, the reborn Star League has destroyed Clan Smoke Jaguar, conquered their home world Huntress, and scattered the few remaining Jaguar warriors to the winds. Now the League seeks to end the Clan invasion for good by using former Smoke Jaguars against their own people. Meanwhile, two bitter enemies seek to salvage a future for the last Jaguars in existence: Trent, who betrayed his wayward Clan to help them regain their honor, and Paul Moon, a disgraced warrior torn between his pledged loyalty to the Star League and a duty to the Smoke Jaguar civilization he was born to protect. But power-hungry predators lurk in Clan space, waiting for the right time to strike the vulnerable Star League forces. And to the victor will go the spoils: the priceless artifacts of a destroyed Clan and the sacred genetics of the final generation of Smoke Jaguar warriors. Trent and Paul Moon must fight tooth and nail against would-be conquerors to save the soul of the surviving Jaguar people before they are consigned to the annals of history. But will their divergent plans tear the survivors apart, or lead them toward freedom? |
” |
Plot Summary
- Framework story
Working on his memoirs during the night from 10 to 11 December 3130, Paladin Victor Steiner-Davion recalls how he had misjudged and wronged Trent, and the unexpected ripple effects this had on history. However, he ultimately decides to delete all parts of the story that go beyond Trent's supposed death in the Great Refusal, feeling he cannot be the instrument of those revelations for which he figures the universe is not yet ready.
- Main story
After the reformed Star League has crushed Clan Smoke Jaguar on Huntress as an object lesson to the Clans, they proceed to Strana Mechty for a Great Refusal against the Clan Invasion as a whole. However, Victor Steiner-Davion regards former Smoke Jaguar Clansman Trent as an unreliable turncoat and denies him the chance to fight in the Great Refusal as a warrior. Khan Severen Leroux of Clan Nova Cat, who have sided with the Star League against the Clans, makes Trent his bondsman and then immediately reinstates him to warrior status, so that he can participate in a trial by combat against Clan Ice Hellion as part of Clan Nova Cat in the Great Refusal after all. Star Captain Inanna takes Trent under her wing, making prophetic predictions about his fate and future.
The Nova Cats use Trent's notoriety as traitor to provoke the Ice Hellions during the trial, thus channeling them in a predictable fashion in order to defeat them. The plan succeeds, but Khan Severen Leroux is killed over the course of the trial and Trent suffers lethal injuries. It is duly reported that Trent died of his injuries. What is not reported is that Trent in fact "died" three times on the operating table, only to be revived each time. Between Galaxy Commander (and future Khan) Santin West, Inanna, and Trent it is then decided that Trent, scarred beyond recognition and with some additional plastic surgery, should live on under a new identity, assuming the name "Baldur". The Nova Cats believe that Trent has some fateful role to play yet. Baldur and Inanna are then assigned to a diplomatic mission to Huntress.
Meanwhile the last ranking Smoke Jaguar officer (and Trent's nemesis), Star Colonel Paul Moon, awakens in a hospital with a bionic replacement arm, among other injuries. He struggles to grasp the enormity of his and his Clan's defeat–in a Trial of Annihilation that he himself had called and for which he had set the terms and conditions. He is taken bondsman by Eridani Light Horse intelligence officer Major Kris Blau. Blau hopes that the Smoke Jaguar civilians will look up to Moon and accept him as a leader. As it turns out, many surviving warriors and even many Smoke Jaguars from other castes are unable to accept their total defeat. Moon is initially tasked with serving in a tech team affecting 'Mech repairs under Sgt. Gardenhire, where his knowledge is useful. Moon in turn is surprised about the satisfaction the menial task (which he considered beneath him) gives him.
When news of the Great Refusal and the death of the ilKhan come to Huntress on 24 April 3060, civil unrest grows among the dejected Smoke Jaguar population, and entire regions degenerate into lawless zones where chaos and brutality reign. Russou Howell, "The Jaguar", begins to recruit a guerilla army in the jungles on Huntress and many leaderless warriors are attracted to his stubborn resistance even when it is unclear what he is fighting for. After the guerillas conduct several raids, Blau turns to Paul Moon about assessing the guerillas' motives and agenda. Moon feels that working with the Star League to contain the guerillas gives him an opportunity to put his warrior skills to use again for a meaningful purpose, and he too begins to gather leaderless warriors around him.
When the Nova Cat delegation arrives at Huntress, Paul Moon does not recognize Baldur. Because of the descent of Huntress into disorder, Blau and Moon suggest to re-arm the warrior caste and raise a militia, to give them a purpose over joining the guerilla simply for a lack of options. With the support of the Nova Cat delegation, and Baldur in particular who has taken the Smoke Jaguars' fate to heart, the plan is implemented. Moon also meets with The Jaguar in the jungles to appraise him and his intentions. They reach a detente of sorts, and Paul Moon decides that the surviving Smoke Jaguar population must be evacuated elsewhere to preserve at least the spirit of his people. At the same time, Baldur and Inanna reach the same conclusion after helping a sibko of twelve-year-olds. Although the logistics are staggering, Baldur draws up a plan to set up on Wayside V.
It is expected that the other Clans will soon descend on Huntress to secure themselves the spoils. Clan Goliath Scorpion is the first to arrive on 7 August 3060, with a fleet of JumpShips and the destroyer GCS Sagitta. Ambitious Galaxy Commander Rik Myers of Alpha Galaxy (Clan Goliath Scorpion) announces a Trial of Possession for the Warhawk factory at Rakt-Jabada and all territory within a hundred kilometers, including the spaceport and all former Smoke Jaguar personnel. The militia platoon of former Smoke Jaguar warriors under Paul Moon, dubbed the "First Ghost Platoon", is included in the defense. The Goliath Scorpions are victorious, but to their shock and dismay find that the factory and the specified area were emptied of all DropShips and all valuable personnell prior to the trial, denying them many of the spoils and most of the (former) Smoke Jaguar warriors they hoped to claim. Even the First Ghost Platoon's survivors were allowed to withdraw as the Goliath Scorpions realized too late who they were.
After the battle, Baldur and Inanna confront Paul Moon about their idea of relocating the remaining Smoke Jaguars, and reshaping them into a new society. The idea is to preserve the history and core of Clan Smoke Jaguar, even when it is acknowledged that the Clan as such was destroyed and will not be reconstituted. Moon balks, and Baldur challenges him to a duel in a Circle of Equals to determine whose vision they will follow to safeguard the remains of the Smoke Jaguars. In the unaugmented fight, Baldur wins against the hulking elemental by removing the power cell from Moon's bionic arm during the fight – having only recently received the arm, Moon was unprepared for this while Trent/Baldur has been living with a bionic arm for many years. At the conclusion of the fight, Trent reveals himself to Paul Moon and the former enemies make peace for the greater good of their people.
On 13 August Paul Moon, Baldur and Inanna present their plan for a mini-Exodus to Wayside V to the leaders of the other (former) Smoke Jaguar castes. Scientist-General Nicasio points out that the scientists will not accept the rule of the warriors again, who failed them when it mattered; in fact, where they previously were only the second-most important caste, the scientists are now courted by the Star League and stand to gain wealth and prestige. Only when it is established that the caste system will effectively be abolished does Nicasio indicate that some scientists may be willing to join the planned Exodus. Merchant Factor Lagemann declares that his caste will gladly man the DropShips and JumpShips (which are sitting idle at the nadir jump point and the Lootera spaceport for the time being, until the Star League decides what to do with them which is apparently a low priority) and leave Clan space for good, figuring that Inner Sphere merchants will flood the area and bring change that the Clan merchants may not be able to cope with. Master Technician Udvar and Senior Laborer Ambrosia are both of the opinion that their castes would have a difficult future under Star League rule, and are thus agreeable to the Exodus plan. Clan Nova Cat pledges their clandestine assistance.
Baldur and Paul Moon also confer with Russou Howell, though Baldur does not reveal himself as Trent to him. They tell him of their plan and, despite their differences, negotiate a diversion: a raid against a missile production facility in the city of Chhaiya. The Exodus takes place on Founding Day, 24 August, to use the festivities as a cover for their activities such as loading the DropShips from pre-arranged nearby warehouses, and moving people aboard. The Lootera HPG station is destroyed in a fire (the HPG core having been removed a day earlier already). Shell games draw the Star League WarShips away. In a snap decision, Trent brazenly steals the Clan Smoke Jaguar Remembrance before embarking on the Nova Cat DropShip Wanderer. Paul Moon, Baldur and Inanna thus abscond with the entire Smoke Jaguar merchant fleet, two WarShips, the Lootera HPG core, and a significant share of the Smoke Jaguar population, escorted by Clan Nova Cat who are relocating their assets to the Inner Sphere and thus happen to travel largely the same route. Arriving on Wayside V, they join forces with a forgotten garrison of older Smoke Jaguar warriors and set up a colony.
Back on Huntress, an embarrassed Paul Masters decides to cover up the exodus out of fear of appearing weak to the other Clans, claiming instead that an unruly portion of former Smoke Jaguars was exiled. Only the Goliath Scorpion enclave on Huntress knows better. Rik Myers realizes the diversionary raid by The Jaguar for what it was and manages to have Oliver Howell, one of The Jaguar's most trusted lieutenants, abducted. Using the Drink of Truth he tortures him to death over two days, learning that the fugitives are headed for Wayside V. Over the objections of his subordinate Star Colonel Arristha Lunde Myers decides to go on the year-long trip with his unit to pursue the fleeing Smoke Jaguars, to recover the historically significant artifacts they took. Lunde feels she needs to inform their Khan, but since the HPG core was removed, she has to use couriers, giving Myers enough time to embark on his quest before the Khan might overrule his decision.
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Featured characters
- Ambrosia (character)
- Charles Antonescu
- Alain Beresick
- Kris Blau
- Lucian Carns
- Judith Faber (mentioned)
- Oliver Howell
- Russou Howell
- Inanna
- Lagemann
- Severen Leroux
- Paul Masters
- Paul Moon
- Rik Myers
- Rife Nagy
- Nicasio
- Victor Steiner-Davion
- Ariel Suvorov
- Trent / "Baldur"
- Udvar
- Av Weaver
- Santin West
Featured Places
Featured BattleTech
BattleMechs
- Araña
- Black Knight
- Black Lanner
- Bowman
- Conjurer
- Dire Wolf
- Ebon Jaguar
- Executioner
- Fire Moth
- Fire Scorpion
- Galahad
- Hellbringer
- Ice Ferret
- Jenner IIC
- Kit Fox
- Kodiak
- Mad Dog
- Mist Lynx
- Naga
- Night Gyr
- Peregrine
- Piranha
- Rifleman IIC
- Shadow Hawk IIC
- Supernova
- Timber Wolf
- UrbanMech IIC
- Warhammer IIC
- Warhawk
Vehicles
- Anhur
- Burke
- Demon
- Goblin
- Hetzer
- Long Tom Artillery Piece (exact configuration unspecified; from the context, probably Mobile Long Tom vehicles)
Aerospace Fighters
DropShips
- individual DropShips of unspecified class: Admiral Arrastia, Mist Stalker, Monocracy, Stalwart, Steadfast, The Duke, Tripoli, Wanderer
WarShips
- Black Lion (Streaking Mist)
- Cameron (Invisible Truth)
- Lola III (Sagitta)
- WarShips of unspecified class: Bloodied Stinger ("destroyer"), Copperhead, Hidden Destiny
Other
- Elemental (Battle Armor)
- spacecraft of unspecified class and type: Sharpsburg
- "Flush"
Notes
- The front page shows Trent's last stand on Wayside V, against the attacking Goliath Scorpion forces.
- The appearance of an Araña among the 35th Scorpion Cuirassiers, and that it would be identified as such by the defenders, in a battle in 3062 is noteworthy for two reasons: The design was reportedly only put into production in 3087 and had supposedly been specifically designed for a situation that Clan Goliath Scorpion was not yet in, nor would have expected, beforehand, namely the formation of the Escorpión Imperio; that anachronism aside, it is an IndustrialMech (MilitiaMech) design that should have no place in such an elite frontline unit. It could be assumed that the Araña appearing in this novel was an early prototype, possibly a BattleMech (or OmniMech) design from before the Araña project became finalized as a MilitiaMech.
- Beyond forming a connection between the Twilight of the Clans series and Surrender your Dreams, the novel also makes references to the events on Wayside V from Pardoe's novel Impetus of War (which introduced the Wayside system).