Kell Hounds Ascendant

Kell Hounds Ascendant cover 2019.jpg
Kell Hounds Ascendant
Product information
Type Anthology/Serialized novel
Author Michael A. Stackpole
Pages 324
Cover Artwork Florian Mellies
Publication information
Publisher Catalyst Game Labs
Product code 35835
First published 2019
ISBN-13 978-1942487890
MSRP $13.95 (Print)
Content
Era Succession Wars era
Timeline 3 October - 23 December 3010
Followed by If Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot...

Kell Hounds Ascendant is an omnibus collection of three novellas by Michael A. Stackpole about the famed Kell Hounds mercenary unit. The three stories narrate the inception and early days of the Kell Hounds:

As these shorter stories take place back-to-back over a short timeframe of under three months, the omnibus edition could arguably be regarded as a serialized novel. Kell Hounds Ascendant is in fact listed as a novel (and not a omnibus or anthology) in CGL fiction lists.

The three novellas are also available separately in EPUB format, and are sold as a package as the Kell Hounds Trilogy.

A serialized follow-up Kell Hounds story, If Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot..., had its first part published in the first issue of the Shrapnel magazine in 2020. This story continues right where the last part of Kell Hounds Ascendant, A Clever Bit of Fiction, leaves off, beginning on 24 December 3010.

From the Back Cover[edit]

NEVER BET AGAINST THE KELL BROTHERS...

The Kell Hounds are one of the most storied mercenary units in the Inner Sphere. Now, New York Times-bestselling author and Kell Hounds creator Michael A. Stackpole goes back to the Hounds' beginnings in these three short novels, when Morgan and Patrick Kell were just two smart, ambitious brothers—with a plan to revolutionize the world of mercenaries forever...

Not How the Smart Money Bets: Morgan and Patrick Kell land on the mercenary planet Galatea to start their new unit, the Kell Hounds. But a few obstacles in their way, including the biggest one, a ruthless crime lord named Haskell Blizzard. But the Kell brothers have faced long odds before, and come out on top every single time. When the chips are down, the smart money is always on the brothers Kell.

A Tiny Bit of Rebellion: Galatea's capital city, Galaport, is threatened by a new enemy: Bishop Arlington Poore, a religious zealot who wants to bring the entire planet under his repressive theocracy—and is willing to starve millions to do it. The Kell Hounds now have their first job: put down this uprising, and fast. But when a madman has converted thousands of civilians to his side, how will Morgan and Patrick end his misguided crusade without shedding innocent blood?

A Clever Bit of Fiction: When the Archon hires the Kell Hounds to provide security for war games with Prince Ian Davion's forces in a show of combined strength between the Lyran Commonwealth and the Federated Suns, Morgan Kell thinks it's a chance to relax while getting to know the mercurial leader of the Federated Suns. But when a powerful group of raiders lands on Zavijava, he finds himself facing two threats—stopping the invaders from wrecking the planet while protecting Prince Davion. Trouble is, before the fighting is over, Morgan may have to make a dangerous choice... with the possible fate of three Great Houses lying in the balance...

Plot Summaries[edit]

(see main articles for details)

Not the Way the Smart Money Bets: Morgan and Patrick arrive on the mercenary staging world of Galatea to start building their unit. But getting caught between a local general and a criminal organizing gladiatorial games on-planet puts the brothers in a perilous situation, and Patrick is forced to face the local 'Mech hero in single combat.

A Tiny Spot of Rebellion: Fresh off their victory over local criminals, the brothers Kell face a growing religious rebellion led by a local bishop with a lofty goal of ruling the entire planet, and using the populace to achieve his aims. They're assigned to put down the uprising, but can they find a way to do that without having to battle the civilians pressed into service as holy soldiers?

A Clever Bit of Fiction: When Morgan is tasked with scouting locations for war games on the lush world of Zavijava, he figures he'll mix business with pleasure. But when Prince Ian Davion tags along, the stakes are suddenly raised. And when unknown DropShips land a regiment of 'Mechs intent on looting the planet's riches, Morgan must keep Ian alive long enough for them to be rescued. But Prince Davion has other plans—involving kicking the raiders straight off the planet...

Gallery[edit]