Malicious Intent

Malicious Intent.jpg
Malicious Intent
Product information
Type Novel
Author Michael A. Stackpole
Pages 314
Cover Artwork Roger Loveless
Publication information
Publisher Roc Books
First published 01 March 1996
ISBN-10 0451453875
ISBN-13 978-0451453877
Content
Era Clan Invasion era
Timeline 30573058
Preceded by Bred for War

Description[edit]

Malicious Intent, by Michael A. Stackpole, covers the dramatic aftermath of the Refusal War and Clan Jade Falcon's assault on Coventry. The novel continues the plot from Bred for War and is the companion novel of I Am Jade Falcon.

The novel was made available on BattleCorps on 04 July 2010 as a PDF file (text only, without cover, pictures, or any other interior artwork except for the usual BattleCorps frame graphics). The PDF copy includes a disclaimer stating that it was created from a pre-final edition text that might differ from the printed version and that canon-wise, the print edition trumps the PDF edition.

From the back cover[edit]

In the wake of a civil war that nearly devastated the Jade Falcons and pushed his own Wolf Clan into nonexistence, Vlad of the Wards emerges harboring a powerful secret. He intends to use this secret to avenge the destruction of his Clan—and to reestablish the Wolves once again!

But the Jade Falcons have their own ambitious plans to stab deep into Katrina Steiner's Lyran Alliance. Katrina's only hope of stopping the Falcons is to enlist the aid of her brother and political rival, Victor Davion. He accepts, but it may be his downfall, for Katrina could have just the means to destroy him once and for all...

Plot Summary[edit]

This novel has a variety of story arcs unfolding at once.

The novel opens not long after the death of Ulric Kerensky on Wotan. Vlad Ward is found in his mech under the rubble of a building. There he learns that his clan has been absorbed into the Jade Falcons. He then sets about undoing this via a variety of political intrigues and targeted challenges to the khans of the Falcons. By the end of this early story Arch Vlad has killed to Falcon Khans and brought back his Clan. He concludes in a discussion with Marthe Pryde, noting that both thier clans are so worn down that they could be subject to attacks from the other clans if they don't do something to show strength.

This leads into the Lyran Alliance intrigues as we see the Jade Falcon demonstration of strength from the view of the Lyrans as they are beset by Jade falcon attacks. This portion of the story alternates between Katherine Davion, Victor Davion, and a Former Davion Mechwarrior being posted to a new unit as the Lyrans try to shuffle all "Davions" in "Lyran" units to out of the way posts. Eventually this finds Katherine Davion running into Vlad Ward, who strike up a friendship, and a low key alliance against thier common Falcon and Kell Hound Enemies.

There is also a recurring tale of Comstar units on Terra preparing for troop rotations and a major exercise on Tukkayid, as concerns of a renewed invasion mount after the death of IlKhan Kerensky. This eventually leads into a short set of scenes from the fall of Terra to the Word of Blake. This plot line eventually leads to a small collection of diverse inner sphere units joining Comstar on Tukkayid for exercises against a "clan" style galaxy that has clan equipment and doctrine.

Eventually, Clan Jade falcon's story line brings Khan Pryde to Coventry, where the Falcons battle the Lyran unit of "Davions"s. Here Clan Jade Falcon plans are to train their young warriors in combat against inner sphere units, and are delighted when the wolf's Dragoons come to relieve the embattle "Lyran" units. The Former Davion Mechwarrior and his company of light mechs outperforms expectation over a multi month defensive campaign, and manages to link up with the Dragoons.

Eventually Victor and Comstar learn of the poor outcomes in the battles on Coventry, and bring their crew of diverse inner sphere factions, alongside some Liao and Free Worlds Units to relieve Coventry again.

With near parity in forces, The Falcons are trapped between their need to show strength, but also to preserve their forces. Eventually, Victor grants them Hegira, the right to leave the planet in defeat, and the Falcons accept, thus avoiding the conflict.

Featured characters[edit]

Featured places[edit]

Featured BattleTech[edit]

BattleMechs[edit]

Aircraft[edit]

DropShips[edit]

JumpShips[edit]

Foreign-Language Editions[edit]

German[edit]

A German edition, translated by Reinhold H. Mai, was published by Heyne in 1997 as Abgefeimte Pläne (ISBN 9783453094550).[1]. This was republished by Ulisses Spiele in 2018 as BattleTech Legenden 30: Abgefeimte Pläne (ISBN 9783957526939).[2]

Hungarian[edit]

A Hungarian edition, translated by Haga Györgyi Krisztina, was published by Beholder in 2000 as Sötét ármány.[3]

Russian[edit]

A Russian edition, translated by M. Ishkov, was published by Армада (Armada) in 1998 as Преступные намерения (ISBN 5763206657). [4][5]

Spanish[edit]

A Spanish edition, translated by Anna Amado Bernardino, was published by Timun Mas in 2003 as Pérfidas intenciones.

Covers[edit]

References[edit]

  1. Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Catalog entry for Abgefeimte Pläne
  2. Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Catalog entry for BattleTech Legenden 30: Abgefeimte Pläne
  3. Beholder product page for Sötét ármány
  4. Science Fiction Lab Book description for Преступные намерения
  5. National Library of Russia description for Преступные намерения