Editing Legacy (Anthology)
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Line 1: − {{otheruses|the series of short stories|the BattleMech|Legacy (BattleMech)}} − {{InfoBoxProduct {{InfoBoxProduct | image = LegacyCover.jpg | image = LegacyCover.jpg Line 17:
Line 15: | ISBN10 = | ISBN10 = | ISBN13 = 978-1941582312 | ISBN13 = 978-1941582312 − | MSRP = $11.95 + | MSRP = 11.95 US$ | content = | content = | era = (see text) | era = (see text) Line 138:
Line 136: | scrollable timeline = [[Start date::]][[End date::]] | scrollable timeline = [[Start date::]][[End date::]] }} }} − [[Sigland Idleson]] was a mediocre MechWarrior with the Third Lyran Guards, until she got into a fight with her own unit and subsequently left the LCAF with the ''Grasshopper''. By [[3049]] she is in command of the [[Idle Hands]] mercenary lance, but the hard-luck unit is wiped out on [[Black Earth]] in mid-[[3049]] when Idleson panics and abandons them, carrying the data core that they were sent to retrieve back to the DropShip with her. Following an argument about payment with their employer ([[Kelly Hunt]]), the embittered and guilt-ridden Idleson secretly transfers half the data from the data core to the ''Grasshopper'', then has Hunt drop her off on [[Erewhon]] to settle down as a livestock farmer. + [[Sigland Idleson]] was a mediocre MechWarrior with the Third Lyran Guards, until she got into a fight with her own unit and subsequently left the LCAF with the ''Grasshopper''. By [[3049]] she is in command of the [[Idle Hands]] mercenary lance, but the hard-luck unit is wiped out on [[Black Earth]] in mid-[[3049]] when Idleson panicks and abandons them, carrying the data core that they were sent to retrieve back to the DropShip with her. Following an argument about payment with their employer ([[Kelly Hunt]]), the embittered and guilt-ridden Idleson secretly transfers half the data from the data core to the ''Grasshopper'', then has Hunt drop her off on [[Erewhon]] to settle down as a livestock farmer. − Although she never expected to be called up to defend the world, she finds herself facing [[Clan Jade Falcon]] forces shortly thereafter, fares poorly, and is taken [[bondsman|bondswoman]] as a technician caste member. Her captors leave her to one merchant captain [[Mattox]]. Realizing that Mattox is not above dodgy dealings, Idleson barters the information she withheld from Hunt (regarding, as it turned out, hidden stashes of valuables on several worlds) for Mattox's promise to return her home to Erewhon to live with her companion and her farm. Idleson also suggests to Mattox that the ''Grasshopper'' will fetch him a good price if he manages to sell it in the Inner Sphere. + Although she never expected to be called up to defend the world, she finds herself facing [[Clan Jade Falcon]] forces shortly thereafter, fares poorly, and is taken [[bondsman]] as a technician caste member. Her captors leave her to one merchant captain [[Mattox]]. Realizing that Mattox is not above dodgy dealings, Idleson barters the information she withheld from Hunt (regarding, as it turned out, hidden stashes of valuables on several worlds) for Mattox's promise to return her home to Erewhon to live with her companion and her farm. Idleson also suggests to Mattox that the ''Grasshopper'' will fetch him a good price if he manages to sell it in the Inner Sphere. <div style="clear:both"></div> <div style="clear:both"></div> − ===The Third Pillar=== ===The Third Pillar=== {{InfoBoxStory {{InfoBoxStory Line 153:
Line 150: | scrollable timeline = [[Start date::]][[End date::]] | scrollable timeline = [[Start date::]][[End date::]] }} }} − Following the sundering of the [[Federated Commonwealth]] and the recall order for Lyran units into what is now the [[Lyran Alliance]] by [[Katherine Steiner-Davion]], only thirteen 'Mechs of the [[36th Lyran Guards]] and a small cadre of support units chose to remain behind to garrison [[Tsingtao]] in what is now the [[Chaos March]], to delay and harass the occupiers. The [[Capellan Confederation]] has since reclaimed the world, and in early [[3058]] Kommandant [[Philip Giacomo]] (currently piloting the Legacy Grasshopper as a stand-in for his niece who is still in MechWarrior academy) realizes that he cannot hope to fight a successful guerrilla campaign against Liao's [[Redfield Renegades]] mercenary battalion. Working in conjunction with secret service agent [[Alysheba]], they instead decide on conducting a financially devastating operation against the Capellans–an intricate shell game to ultimately rob not only massive amounts of [[L-Bills]] from a convoy but on top of that even billions of [[FC-Bills]] (now phased out in favor of the Liao currency on Tsingtao) from a central depot. The heist is a spectacular success, and they escape to [[Outreach]]. Giacomo receives a personal 'Mech afterwards in recognition of his performance, and an offer to work with Alysheba's (unnamed) secret Federated Commonwealth agency. + Following the sundering of the [[Federated Commonwealth]] and the recall order for Lyran units into what is now the [[Lyran Alliance]] by [[Katherine Steiner-Davion]], only thirteen 'Mechs of the [[36th Lyran Guards]] and a small cadre of support units chose to remain behind to garrison [[Tsingtao]] in what is now the [[Chaos March]], to delay and harrass the occupiers. [[House Liao]] has since reclaimed the world, and in early [[3058]] Kommandant [[Philip Giacomo]] (currently piloting the Legacy Grasshopper as a stand-in for his niece who is still in MechWarrior academy) realizes that he cannot hope to fight a successful guerilla campaign against Liao's [[Redfield Renegades]] mercenary battalion. Working in conjunction with secret service agent [[Alysheba]], they instead decide on conducting a financially devastating operation against the Capellans–an intricate shell game to ultimately rob not only massive amounts of [[L-Bills]] from a convoy but on top of that even billions of [[FC-Bills]] (now phased out in favor of the Liao currency on Tsingtao) from a central depot. The heist is a spectacular success, and they escape to [[Outreach]]. Giacomo receives a personal 'Mech afterwards in recognition of his performance, and an offer to work with Alysheba's (unnamed) secret Federated Commonwealth agency. <div style="clear:both"></div> <div style="clear:both"></div> − ===Earthbound=== ===Earthbound=== {{InfoBoxStory {{InfoBoxStory Line 184:
Line 180: Benfico recognizes the green ''Grasshopper''. He had been its chief mechanic once. A faulty hydraulics seal in its left leg that Benfico had overlooked had malfunctioned in an unspecified battle situation, causing the ''Grasshopper'' to go down hard and thus causing a setback in the fighting that resulted in more losses and deaths. Benfico had subsequently been cashiered from service. Benfico recognizes the green ''Grasshopper''. He had been its chief mechanic once. A faulty hydraulics seal in its left leg that Benfico had overlooked had malfunctioned in an unspecified battle situation, causing the ''Grasshopper'' to go down hard and thus causing a setback in the fighting that resulted in more losses and deaths. Benfico had subsequently been cashiered from service. − Benfico, together with [[Dimitri Popov]] from [[Doctors Under Fire]] and war correspondent [[Anaya Okeke]] move in to help the stricken 'Mech, each for their own reasons. It is a race against time as the ''Grasshopper'' slowly slides further down into the sinkhole. Benfico climbs the 'Mech and opens the cockpit hatch with an old override code while Popov, using the onboard speakers on Okeke's camera drones, directs him to give medical aid to the pilot, a young woman. She regains consciousness, quickly explaining she is fighting both sides because she wants the war off her homeworld, and jumps the 'Mech to safety. Benfico is overjoyed, feeling redeemed for his fatal mistake years earlier. Seconds later, however, he is killed by a stray laser when another 'Mech fires on the ''Grasshopper''. + Benfico, together with [[Dimitri Popov]] from [[Doctors Under Fire]] and war correspondent [[Anaya Okeke]] move in to help the stricken 'Mech, each for their own reasons. It is a race against time as the ''Grasshopper'' slowly slides further down into the sinkhole. Benfico climbs the 'Mech and opens the cockpit hatch with an old override code while Popov, using the onboard speakers on Okeke's camera drones, directs him to give medical aid to the pilot, a young woman. She regains consciousness and jumps the 'Mech to safety. Benfico is overjoyed, feeling redeemed for his fatal mistake years earlier. Seconds later, however, he is killed by a stray laser when another 'Mech fires on the ''Grasshopper''. <div style="clear:both"></div> <div style="clear:both"></div> − ===Homecoming=== ===Homecoming=== {{InfoBoxStory {{InfoBoxStory Line 197:
Line 192: | scrollable timeline = [[Start date::]][[End date::]] | scrollable timeline = [[Start date::]][[End date::]] }} }} − :Homecoming ''redirects here. If you are looking for the similarly named intro fiction piece to ''[[AeroTech 2 Revised Edition]]'', see ''[[Homecoming (2004)]]''.'' Part of the [[Word of Blake Protectorate]] as of [[3078]], Bryant–home to Lantren Corporation some three centuries ago–is ravaged by storms ever since [[Stefan Amaris|Amaris]]' troops destroyed the orbital [[Storm Inhibitor]]s, and much of the surface is now uninhabitable. What remains is dependent on domes and other infrastructure. [[Captain]] [[Lewis Carter]] of the [[1st Bryant Protectorate Militia Division|Bryant Protectorate Militia]] tries to keep the fighting away from urban areas to prevent potentially catastrophic collateral damage when the [[Seventeenth Benjamin Regulars]] attack Bryant to claim the world for [[Stone's Coalition]] in March of 3078. Part of the [[Word of Blake Protectorate]] as of [[3078]], Bryant–home to Lantren Corporation some three centuries ago–is ravaged by storms ever since [[Stefan Amaris|Amaris]]' troops destroyed the orbital [[Storm Inhibitor]]s, and much of the surface is now uninhabitable. What remains is dependent on domes and other infrastructure. [[Captain]] [[Lewis Carter]] of the [[1st Bryant Protectorate Militia Division|Bryant Protectorate Militia]] tries to keep the fighting away from urban areas to prevent potentially catastrophic collateral damage when the [[Seventeenth Benjamin Regulars]] attack Bryant to claim the world for [[Stone's Coalition]] in March of 3078. The Legacy Grasshopper is among the attackers, now piloted by ''[[tai-i]]'' [[Shintaro Gustavson]] who seeks revenge for the deaths of his wife and son. Carter's forces are ultimately vanquished in a swamp and surrender. Debriefing Carter, Gustavson asks him why Carter fled the city, and is surprised to learn that Carter didn't flee but sought to protect the city and his own relatives living there, by moving the battle away from the city. It hadn't occurred to Gustavson that his opponents might also be fighting for loved ones. He also learns that the ruins in the swamp once were the factory that built his ''Grasshopper'', which has now come home in a way after almost three centuries. The Legacy Grasshopper is among the attackers, now piloted by ''[[tai-i]]'' [[Shintaro Gustavson]] who seeks revenge for the deaths of his wife and son. Carter's forces are ultimately vanquished in a swamp and surrender. Debriefing Carter, Gustavson asks him why Carter fled the city, and is surprised to learn that Carter didn't flee but sought to protect the city and his own relatives living there, by moving the battle away from the city. It hadn't occurred to Gustavson that his opponents might also be fighting for loved ones. He also learns that the ruins in the swamp once were the factory that built his ''Grasshopper'', which has now come home in a way after almost three centuries. <div style="clear:both"></div> <div style="clear:both"></div> − ===End of the Road=== ===End of the Road=== {{InfoBoxStory {{InfoBoxStory Line 213:
Line 206: | scrollable timeline = [[Start date::]][[End date::]] | scrollable timeline = [[Start date::]][[End date::]] }} }} − After the loss of his ''[[Victor]]'', [[Nathaniel Trivedi]] of [[Stone's Lament]]'s third battalion is initially unhappy when he is assigned the Legacy Grasshopper during the final battles on [[Terra]] near the end of the [[Jihad]]. Upon realizing that the 'Mech is some three hundred years old and one of the first ''Grasshopper''s ever built, however, he is fascinated by it and its history–Trivedi has been working on his doctoral thesis about military technology, and uses research into the Legacy Grasshopper to distract him from the horrors of the war. + After the loss of his ''[[Victor]]'', [[Nathaniel Trivedi]] of [[Stone's Lament]]'s third battalion is initially unhappy when he is assigned the Legacy Grasshopper during the final battles on [[Terra]] near the end of the [[Jihad]]. Upon realizing that the 'Mech is some three hundred years old and one of the fist ''Grasshopper''s ever built, however, he is fascinated by it and its history–Trivedi has been working on his doctoral thesis about military technology, and uses research into the Legacy Grasshopper to distract him from the horrors of the war. Between battles, Trivedi and others discuss possible ways to bring down a ''[[Rattler]]'' mobile fortress among other things. Between battles, Trivedi and others discuss possible ways to bring down a ''[[Rattler]]'' mobile fortress among other things. − Three months later, Trivedi pilots the Legacy Grasshopper in the final battle for [[Devils Tower]] where they actually encounter ''Rattler''s and also ''[[Omega (BattleMech)|Omega]]'' [[BattleMech#Superheavy|superheavy]] 'Mechs and ''[[Revenant (BattleMech)|Revenant]]'' drones. The ''Grasshopper'' is downed in battle with an ''Omega'', but superior numbers and heavy artillery support carry the day for Stone's Lament. + Three months later, Trivedi pilots the Legacy Grasshopper in the final battle for [[Devils Tower]] where they actually encounter ''Rattler''s and also ''[[Omega]]'' superheavy 'Mechs and ''[[Revenant]]'' drones. The ''Grasshopper'' is downed in battle with an ''Omega'', but superior numbers and heavy artillery support carry the day for Stone's Lament. − Awakening in a hospital on Christmas, Trivedi is relieved to learn the cockpit and his personal notes remained intact. He decides to quit soldiering and go back to being a historian, and suggests the ''Grasshopper'' be placed in a museum instead of being repaired and sent back to battle. + Awakening in a hospital on Christmas, Trivedi is relieved to learn the cockpit and his personal notes remained intact. He decides to quit soldiering and go back being a historian, and suggests the ''Grasshopper'' be placed in a museum instead of being repaired and sent back to battle. <div style="clear:both"></div> <div style="clear:both"></div> − ===Epilogue: Where Legends Come to Rest=== ===Epilogue: Where Legends Come to Rest=== {{InfoBoxStory {{InfoBoxStory Line 232:
Line 224: | scrollable timeline = [[Start date::]][[End date::]] | scrollable timeline = [[Start date::]][[End date::]] }} }} − War orphan [[William Northrup|William "Billy" Northrup]] doesn't know what to do with his life. He finds the ''Grasshopper'''s cockpit bulkhead in a museum on Terra in [[3084]]. A plaque informs him that this bulkhead is the only piece that was preserved from a 'Mech that was built in 2779 and surrendered to [[Exarch]] [[Devlin Stone]]'s [[Military Materiel Redemption Program]] in [[3083]]. The many pilots who etched their names and other data into the bulkhead inspire him to make a lasting contribution to history, and sets him on the way to become an [[RAF]] MechWarrior. + War orphan [[William Northrup|William "Billy" Northrup]] doesn't know what to do with his life. He finds the ''Grasshopper'''s cockpit bulkhead in a museum on Terra in [[3084]]. A plaque informs him that this bulkhead is the only piece that was preserved from a 'Mech that was built in 2779 and surrendered to [[Exarch]] [[Devlin Stone]]'s [[Military Materiel Redemption Program]] in [[3083]]. The many pilots who etched their names and other data into the bulkhead inspire him to make a lasting contribution to history, and sets him on the way to become a [[RAF]] MechWarrior. Upon receiving a factory-fresh ''[[Nyx]]'' in [[3090]], Northrup etches his name into a metal plate in the cockpit–starting the tradition anew–in memory of his father who died fighting in the Jihad. Upon receiving a factory-fresh ''[[Nyx]]'' in [[3090]], Northrup etches his name into a metal plate in the cockpit–starting the tradition anew–in memory of his father who died fighting in the Jihad. Line 239:
Line 231: ==Notes== ==Notes== − *The Foreword expressly explains that the stories in the book are all about the identical same ''Grasshopper'', but it says nothing about the cover image for which no corresponding story exists.<br />The cover image was reused from an older publication, the 2005 ''[[Mercenaries Supplemental II]]''. It prominently depicts a ''Grasshopper'' bearing the insignia of [[Burton's Brigade]], a mercenary unit that was formed in [[3057]] and merged into the [[Dismal Disinherited]] in [[3067]] after suffering heavy losses on [[Hall]] including the death of CO [[Elly Burton]]. If it is assumed to be the Legacy Grasshopper, this would have to be a scene after the 3058 operation on Tsingtao (''The Third Pillar'') and prior to the demise of Burton's Brigade in 3067. During this timeframe, Burton's Brigade was fighting on Hall for Count Radcliffe McNally and later his estate in Elly Burton's ultimately ill-fated private war against "Emperor" [[William Baranov]].<br />Alternatively, it could be assumed that the Legacy Grasshopper is actually the other ''Grasshopper'' in the picture, visible in the background, with no visible unit markings. It could theoretically belong to any other faction that fought on Hall in this case, including [[Cater's Cohorts]], [[Critchley's Cavaliers]], [[Stealthy Tigers]], the [[Word of Blake]], Baranov's [[4th Republican Guards]], and the respective personal forces [[Yuri Ridzik|Yuri]] and [[Nikoli Ridzik]], and [[Radcliffe McNally]]. + *The Foreword expressly explains that the stories in the book are all about the identical same ''Grasshopper'', but it says nothing about the cover image for which no corresponding story exists.<br />The cover image was re-used from an older publication, the 2005 ''[[Mercenaries Supplemental II]]''. It prominently depicts a ''Grasshopper'' bearing the insignia of [[Burton's Brigade]], a mercenary unit that was formed in [[3057]] and merged into the [[Dismal Disinherited]] in [[3067]] after suffering heavy losses on [[Hall]] including the death of CO [[Elly Burton]]. If it is assumed to be the Legacy Grasshopper, this would have to be a scene after the 3058 operation on Tsingtao (''The Third Pillar'') and prior to the demise of Burton's Brigade in 3067. During this timeframe, Burton's Brigade was fighting on Hall for Count Radcliffe McNally and later his estate in Elly Burton's ultimately ill-fated private war against "Emperor" [[William Baranov]].<br />Alternatively, the Legacy Grasshopper could be assumed to be the second ''Grasshopper'' shown in the background, with no visible unit markings. Although ulikely, it could theoretically belong to any other faction that fought on Hall in this case, including [[Cater's Cohorts]], [[Crichley's Cavaliers]], [[Stealthy Tigers]], the [[Word of Blake]], and the respective personal forces of William Baranov, [[Yuri Ridzik|Yuri]] and [[Nikoli Ridzik]], [[Radcliffe McNally]]. − *The Legacy Grasshopper repeatedly suffers extensive damage, including the loss of entire limbs and torso sections which are then replaced during refurbishment. A significant portion of the 'Mech is thus destroyed and exchanged for spare parts over time, to the point where it might become arguable if it is indeed still the same 'Mech given that the greater part of its original components were lost (also known as the ''[[w:Ship of Theseus|Ship of Theseus]]'' or the ''Grandfather's Axe'' problem). In ''End of the Road'', historian Nathan Trivedi is actually called out on this, and called an idiot for regarding the 'Mech as a piece of history. However, at least part of the 'Mech obviously remained original, as the bulkhead still carried the names of its past pilots. + *The Legacy Grasshopper repeatedly suffers extensive damage, including the loss of entire limbs and torso sections which are then replaced during refurbishment. A significant portion of the 'Mech is thus destroyed and exchanged for spare parts over time, to the point where it might become arguable if it is indeed still the same 'Mech given that the greater parts of its original components were lost (also known as the ''[[w:Ship of Theseus|Ship of Theseus]]'' or the ''Grandfather's Axe'' problem). In ''End of the Road'', historian Nathan Trivedi is actually called out on this, and called an idiot for regarding the 'Mech as a piece of history. However, at least part of the 'Mech obviously remained original, as the bulkhead still carried the names of its past pilots. *Two stories from this anthology, ''Swords of Light and Darkness'' and ''End of the Road'', were nominated by the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers for their 2019 Scribe Award. *Two stories from this anthology, ''Swords of Light and Darkness'' and ''End of the Road'', were nominated by the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers for their 2019 Scribe Award. [[Category:Novels]] [[Category:Novels]] [[Category:Anthologies|Legacy]] [[Category:Anthologies|Legacy]]
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{{InfoBoxProduct | {{InfoBoxProduct | ||
| image = LegacyCover.jpg | | image = LegacyCover.jpg | ||
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| ISBN10 = | | ISBN10 = | ||
| ISBN13 = 978-1941582312 | | ISBN13 = 978-1941582312 | ||
| − | | MSRP = | + | | MSRP = 11.95 US$ |
| content = | | content = | ||
| era = (see text) | | era = (see text) | ||
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| scrollable timeline = [[Start date::]][[End date::]] | | scrollable timeline = [[Start date::]][[End date::]] | ||
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| − | [[Sigland Idleson]] was a mediocre MechWarrior with the Third Lyran Guards, until she got into a fight with her own unit and subsequently left the LCAF with the ''Grasshopper''. By [[3049]] she is in command of the [[Idle Hands]] mercenary lance, but the hard-luck unit is wiped out on [[Black Earth]] in mid-[[3049]] when Idleson | + | [[Sigland Idleson]] was a mediocre MechWarrior with the Third Lyran Guards, until she got into a fight with her own unit and subsequently left the LCAF with the ''Grasshopper''. By [[3049]] she is in command of the [[Idle Hands]] mercenary lance, but the hard-luck unit is wiped out on [[Black Earth]] in mid-[[3049]] when Idleson panicks and abandons them, carrying the data core that they were sent to retrieve back to the DropShip with her. Following an argument about payment with their employer ([[Kelly Hunt]]), the embittered and guilt-ridden Idleson secretly transfers half the data from the data core to the ''Grasshopper'', then has Hunt drop her off on [[Erewhon]] to settle down as a livestock farmer. |
| − | Although she never expected to be called up to defend the world, she finds herself facing [[Clan Jade Falcon]] forces shortly thereafter, fares poorly, and is taken [[bondsman | + | Although she never expected to be called up to defend the world, she finds herself facing [[Clan Jade Falcon]] forces shortly thereafter, fares poorly, and is taken [[bondsman]] as a technician caste member. Her captors leave her to one merchant captain [[Mattox]]. Realizing that Mattox is not above dodgy dealings, Idleson barters the information she withheld from Hunt (regarding, as it turned out, hidden stashes of valuables on several worlds) for Mattox's promise to return her home to Erewhon to live with her companion and her farm. Idleson also suggests to Mattox that the ''Grasshopper'' will fetch him a good price if he manages to sell it in the Inner Sphere. |
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===The Third Pillar=== | ===The Third Pillar=== | ||
{{InfoBoxStory | {{InfoBoxStory | ||
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| − | Following the sundering of the [[Federated Commonwealth]] and the recall order for Lyran units into what is now the [[Lyran Alliance]] by [[Katherine Steiner-Davion]], only thirteen 'Mechs of the [[36th Lyran Guards]] and a small cadre of support units chose to remain behind to garrison [[Tsingtao]] in what is now the [[Chaos March]], to delay and | + | Following the sundering of the [[Federated Commonwealth]] and the recall order for Lyran units into what is now the [[Lyran Alliance]] by [[Katherine Steiner-Davion]], only thirteen 'Mechs of the [[36th Lyran Guards]] and a small cadre of support units chose to remain behind to garrison [[Tsingtao]] in what is now the [[Chaos March]], to delay and harrass the occupiers. [[House Liao]] has since reclaimed the world, and in early [[3058]] Kommandant [[Philip Giacomo]] (currently piloting the Legacy Grasshopper as a stand-in for his niece who is still in MechWarrior academy) realizes that he cannot hope to fight a successful guerilla campaign against Liao's [[Redfield Renegades]] mercenary battalion. Working in conjunction with secret service agent [[Alysheba]], they instead decide on conducting a financially devastating operation against the Capellans–an intricate shell game to ultimately rob not only massive amounts of [[L-Bills]] from a convoy but on top of that even billions of [[FC-Bills]] (now phased out in favor of the Liao currency on Tsingtao) from a central depot. The heist is a spectacular success, and they escape to [[Outreach]]. Giacomo receives a personal 'Mech afterwards in recognition of his performance, and an offer to work with Alysheba's (unnamed) secret Federated Commonwealth agency. |
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===Earthbound=== | ===Earthbound=== | ||
{{InfoBoxStory | {{InfoBoxStory | ||
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Benfico recognizes the green ''Grasshopper''. He had been its chief mechanic once. A faulty hydraulics seal in its left leg that Benfico had overlooked had malfunctioned in an unspecified battle situation, causing the ''Grasshopper'' to go down hard and thus causing a setback in the fighting that resulted in more losses and deaths. Benfico had subsequently been cashiered from service. | Benfico recognizes the green ''Grasshopper''. He had been its chief mechanic once. A faulty hydraulics seal in its left leg that Benfico had overlooked had malfunctioned in an unspecified battle situation, causing the ''Grasshopper'' to go down hard and thus causing a setback in the fighting that resulted in more losses and deaths. Benfico had subsequently been cashiered from service. | ||
| − | Benfico, together with [[Dimitri Popov]] from [[Doctors Under Fire]] and war correspondent [[Anaya Okeke]] move in to help the stricken 'Mech, each for their own reasons. It is a race against time as the ''Grasshopper'' slowly slides further down into the sinkhole. Benfico climbs the 'Mech and opens the cockpit hatch with an old override code while Popov, using the onboard speakers on Okeke's camera drones, directs him to give medical aid to the pilot, a young woman. She regains consciousness | + | Benfico, together with [[Dimitri Popov]] from [[Doctors Under Fire]] and war correspondent [[Anaya Okeke]] move in to help the stricken 'Mech, each for their own reasons. It is a race against time as the ''Grasshopper'' slowly slides further down into the sinkhole. Benfico climbs the 'Mech and opens the cockpit hatch with an old override code while Popov, using the onboard speakers on Okeke's camera drones, directs him to give medical aid to the pilot, a young woman. She regains consciousness and jumps the 'Mech to safety. Benfico is overjoyed, feeling redeemed for his fatal mistake years earlier. Seconds later, however, he is killed by a stray laser when another 'Mech fires on the ''Grasshopper''. |
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===Homecoming=== | ===Homecoming=== | ||
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Part of the [[Word of Blake Protectorate]] as of [[3078]], Bryant–home to Lantren Corporation some three centuries ago–is ravaged by storms ever since [[Stefan Amaris|Amaris]]' troops destroyed the orbital [[Storm Inhibitor]]s, and much of the surface is now uninhabitable. What remains is dependent on domes and other infrastructure. [[Captain]] [[Lewis Carter]] of the [[1st Bryant Protectorate Militia Division|Bryant Protectorate Militia]] tries to keep the fighting away from urban areas to prevent potentially catastrophic collateral damage when the [[Seventeenth Benjamin Regulars]] attack Bryant to claim the world for [[Stone's Coalition]] in March of 3078. | Part of the [[Word of Blake Protectorate]] as of [[3078]], Bryant–home to Lantren Corporation some three centuries ago–is ravaged by storms ever since [[Stefan Amaris|Amaris]]' troops destroyed the orbital [[Storm Inhibitor]]s, and much of the surface is now uninhabitable. What remains is dependent on domes and other infrastructure. [[Captain]] [[Lewis Carter]] of the [[1st Bryant Protectorate Militia Division|Bryant Protectorate Militia]] tries to keep the fighting away from urban areas to prevent potentially catastrophic collateral damage when the [[Seventeenth Benjamin Regulars]] attack Bryant to claim the world for [[Stone's Coalition]] in March of 3078. | ||
The Legacy Grasshopper is among the attackers, now piloted by ''[[tai-i]]'' [[Shintaro Gustavson]] who seeks revenge for the deaths of his wife and son. Carter's forces are ultimately vanquished in a swamp and surrender. Debriefing Carter, Gustavson asks him why Carter fled the city, and is surprised to learn that Carter didn't flee but sought to protect the city and his own relatives living there, by moving the battle away from the city. It hadn't occurred to Gustavson that his opponents might also be fighting for loved ones. He also learns that the ruins in the swamp once were the factory that built his ''Grasshopper'', which has now come home in a way after almost three centuries. | The Legacy Grasshopper is among the attackers, now piloted by ''[[tai-i]]'' [[Shintaro Gustavson]] who seeks revenge for the deaths of his wife and son. Carter's forces are ultimately vanquished in a swamp and surrender. Debriefing Carter, Gustavson asks him why Carter fled the city, and is surprised to learn that Carter didn't flee but sought to protect the city and his own relatives living there, by moving the battle away from the city. It hadn't occurred to Gustavson that his opponents might also be fighting for loved ones. He also learns that the ruins in the swamp once were the factory that built his ''Grasshopper'', which has now come home in a way after almost three centuries. | ||
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===End of the Road=== | ===End of the Road=== | ||
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| − | After the loss of his ''[[Victor]]'', [[Nathaniel Trivedi]] of [[Stone's Lament]]'s third battalion is initially unhappy when he is assigned the Legacy Grasshopper during the final battles on [[Terra]] near the end of the [[Jihad]]. Upon realizing that the 'Mech is some three hundred years old and one of the | + | After the loss of his ''[[Victor]]'', [[Nathaniel Trivedi]] of [[Stone's Lament]]'s third battalion is initially unhappy when he is assigned the Legacy Grasshopper during the final battles on [[Terra]] near the end of the [[Jihad]]. Upon realizing that the 'Mech is some three hundred years old and one of the fist ''Grasshopper''s ever built, however, he is fascinated by it and its history–Trivedi has been working on his doctoral thesis about military technology, and uses research into the Legacy Grasshopper to distract him from the horrors of the war. |
Between battles, Trivedi and others discuss possible ways to bring down a ''[[Rattler]]'' mobile fortress among other things. | Between battles, Trivedi and others discuss possible ways to bring down a ''[[Rattler]]'' mobile fortress among other things. | ||
| − | Three months later, Trivedi pilots the Legacy Grasshopper in the final battle for [[Devils Tower]] where they actually encounter ''Rattler''s and also ''[[ | + | Three months later, Trivedi pilots the Legacy Grasshopper in the final battle for [[Devils Tower]] where they actually encounter ''Rattler''s and also ''[[Omega]]'' superheavy 'Mechs and ''[[Revenant]]'' drones. The ''Grasshopper'' is downed in battle with an ''Omega'', but superior numbers and heavy artillery support carry the day for Stone's Lament. |
| − | Awakening in a hospital on Christmas, Trivedi is relieved to learn the cockpit and his personal notes remained intact. He decides to quit soldiering and go back | + | Awakening in a hospital on Christmas, Trivedi is relieved to learn the cockpit and his personal notes remained intact. He decides to quit soldiering and go back being a historian, and suggests the ''Grasshopper'' be placed in a museum instead of being repaired and sent back to battle. |
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===Epilogue: Where Legends Come to Rest=== | ===Epilogue: Where Legends Come to Rest=== | ||
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| − | War orphan [[William Northrup|William "Billy" Northrup]] doesn't know what to do with his life. He finds the ''Grasshopper'''s cockpit bulkhead in a museum on Terra in [[3084]]. A plaque informs him that this bulkhead is the only piece that was preserved from a 'Mech that was built in 2779 and surrendered to [[Exarch]] [[Devlin Stone]]'s [[Military Materiel Redemption Program]] in [[3083]]. The many pilots who etched their names and other data into the bulkhead inspire him to make a lasting contribution to history, and sets him on the way to become | + | War orphan [[William Northrup|William "Billy" Northrup]] doesn't know what to do with his life. He finds the ''Grasshopper'''s cockpit bulkhead in a museum on Terra in [[3084]]. A plaque informs him that this bulkhead is the only piece that was preserved from a 'Mech that was built in 2779 and surrendered to [[Exarch]] [[Devlin Stone]]'s [[Military Materiel Redemption Program]] in [[3083]]. The many pilots who etched their names and other data into the bulkhead inspire him to make a lasting contribution to history, and sets him on the way to become a [[RAF]] MechWarrior. |
Upon receiving a factory-fresh ''[[Nyx]]'' in [[3090]], Northrup etches his name into a metal plate in the cockpit–starting the tradition anew–in memory of his father who died fighting in the Jihad. | Upon receiving a factory-fresh ''[[Nyx]]'' in [[3090]], Northrup etches his name into a metal plate in the cockpit–starting the tradition anew–in memory of his father who died fighting in the Jihad. | ||
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==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
| − | *The Foreword expressly explains that the stories in the book are all about the identical same ''Grasshopper'', but it says nothing about the cover image for which no corresponding story exists.<br />The cover image was | + | *The Foreword expressly explains that the stories in the book are all about the identical same ''Grasshopper'', but it says nothing about the cover image for which no corresponding story exists.<br />The cover image was re-used from an older publication, the 2005 ''[[Mercenaries Supplemental II]]''. It prominently depicts a ''Grasshopper'' bearing the insignia of [[Burton's Brigade]], a mercenary unit that was formed in [[3057]] and merged into the [[Dismal Disinherited]] in [[3067]] after suffering heavy losses on [[Hall]] including the death of CO [[Elly Burton]]. If it is assumed to be the Legacy Grasshopper, this would have to be a scene after the 3058 operation on Tsingtao (''The Third Pillar'') and prior to the demise of Burton's Brigade in 3067. During this timeframe, Burton's Brigade was fighting on Hall for Count Radcliffe McNally and later his estate in Elly Burton's ultimately ill-fated private war against "Emperor" [[William Baranov]].<br />Alternatively, the Legacy Grasshopper could be assumed to be the second ''Grasshopper'' shown in the background, with no visible unit markings. Although ulikely, it could theoretically belong to any other faction that fought on Hall in this case, including [[Cater's Cohorts]], [[Crichley's Cavaliers]], [[Stealthy Tigers]], the [[Word of Blake]], and the respective personal forces of William Baranov, [[Yuri Ridzik|Yuri]] and [[Nikoli Ridzik]], [[Radcliffe McNally]]. |
| − | *The Legacy Grasshopper repeatedly suffers extensive damage, including the loss of entire limbs and torso sections which are then replaced during refurbishment. A significant portion of the 'Mech is thus destroyed and exchanged for spare parts over time, to the point where it might become arguable if it is indeed still the same 'Mech given that the greater | + | *The Legacy Grasshopper repeatedly suffers extensive damage, including the loss of entire limbs and torso sections which are then replaced during refurbishment. A significant portion of the 'Mech is thus destroyed and exchanged for spare parts over time, to the point where it might become arguable if it is indeed still the same 'Mech given that the greater parts of its original components were lost (also known as the ''[[w:Ship of Theseus|Ship of Theseus]]'' or the ''Grandfather's Axe'' problem). In ''End of the Road'', historian Nathan Trivedi is actually called out on this, and called an idiot for regarding the 'Mech as a piece of history. However, at least part of the 'Mech obviously remained original, as the bulkhead still carried the names of its past pilots. |
*Two stories from this anthology, ''Swords of Light and Darkness'' and ''End of the Road'', were nominated by the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers for their 2019 Scribe Award. | *Two stories from this anthology, ''Swords of Light and Darkness'' and ''End of the Road'', were nominated by the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers for their 2019 Scribe Award. | ||
[[Category:Novels]] | [[Category:Novels]] | ||
[[Category:Anthologies|Legacy]] | [[Category:Anthologies|Legacy]] | ||