Difference between revisions of "The Art of War"
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'''''The Art of War''''' is a multi-part story by [[Phaedra M. Weldon]] divided into five "books", published online on [[BattleCorps]] in altogether ten parts. | '''''The Art of War''''' is a multi-part story by [[Phaedra M. Weldon]] divided into five "books", published online on [[BattleCorps]] in altogether ten parts. | ||
| + | |||
| + | It chronicles what happened when rogue troops attacked [[Isis Marik]] on [[Hustaing]], an event that sparked the [[Capellan-St. Ives War]] which would eventually see the [[Capellan Confederation]] reclaim their wayward province. | ||
==Plot summary== | ==Plot summary== | ||
| Line 29: | Line 31: | ||
====Part 1==== | ====Part 1==== | ||
:published 8 February 2005 | :published 8 February 2005 | ||
| − | {{quote|'' | + | {{quote|''Isis Marik, daughter to the [[Captain-General|Captain General]] of the [[Free Worlds League]], lost and hunted. This new serial by Phaedra M. Weldon starts the tale of Isis.''}} |
| − | Duchess Isis Marik is visiting the world of [[Hustaing]] in stead of her fiancé, [[Chancellor]] [[Sun-Tzu Liao]] of the | + | Duchess Isis Marik is visiting the world of [[Hustaing]] in stead of her fiancé, [[Chancellor]] [[Sun-Tzu Liao]] of the Capellan Confederation. |
| + | |||
| + | Hoping to capture the Chancellor who—unbeknownst to them—is actually not even on the planet, rogue elements from the [[St. Ives Compact]], namely the [[Blackwind Lancers]], have attacked her limousine at the Quingliu convention center and killed most of the guards. [[Warrior House Hiritsu]] infantryman [[Li Wynn]] rescued Isis Marik from the immediate attack and they have escaped by hijacking a bread delivery truck. | ||
| − | + | However, at the onset of the story the truck has been stopped by enemy troops who have brought the city under their control. Li Wynn surrenders, buying time for Isis to sneak away. She pretends to be a worker from the truck to rebel Sergeant Richardson as she moves off. However, her purse is found in the truck, revealing her identity and sparking a search because she is almost as valuable as a captive as her fiancé. Isis runs and escapes immediate pursuit with the help of two local women, Jade Hollister and April Torsten, following a chance encounter. | |
====Part 2==== | ====Part 2==== | ||
:published 5 April 2005 | :published 5 April 2005 | ||
{{quote|''Far from being the Belle of the Ball, Isis Marik, one time heir to the FWL & Betrothed to the Celestial Wisdom, now hides on a world invaded by renegade forces.''}} | {{quote|''Far from being the Belle of the Ball, Isis Marik, one time heir to the FWL & Betrothed to the Celestial Wisdom, now hides on a world invaded by renegade forces.''}} | ||
| − | With April captured by the soldiers, Jade and an injured Isis drive to a daycare to pick up April's daughter. Richardson makes April call them on Jade's cell phone and informs Isis (who takes the call) that he knows where they are, and is holding April and Jade's brother David captive. The daycare turns out to be surrounded by [['Mech]]s, tanks and soldiers. Isis can persuade Jade not to hand her over to the soldiers. She also realizes that the Blackwind Lancers desperately need to capture her as a hostage lest their attack on Hustaing will invite a retaliation attack against the St. Ives Compact from the Confederation—something Sun-Tzu Liao is just looking for an excuse to do. Jade even suggests Isis may have been set up for exactly this purpose, but Isis | + | With April captured by the soldiers, Jade and an injured Isis drive to a daycare to pick up April's daughter. Richardson makes April call them on Jade's cell phone and informs Isis (who takes the call) that he knows where they are, and that he is now holding both April and Jade's brother David captive. The daycare turns out to be surrounded by [['Mech]]s, tanks and soldiers. Isis can persuade Jade not to hand her over to the soldiers, arguing that she is Jade's only bargaining chip. She also realizes that the Blackwind Lancers desperately need to capture her as a hostage lest their attack on Hustaing will invite a retaliation attack against the St. Ives Compact from the Confederation—something Sun-Tzu Liao is just looking for an excuse to do. Jade even suggests Isis may have been set up for exactly this purpose, but Isis will hear nothing it. |
| − | Jade's attempt to extract April's daughter from the daycare fails when a soldier finds Isis in the parked car | + | Jade's attempt to extract April's daughter from the daycare fails when a patrolling soldier finds Isis in the parked car, forcing her to flee and abandon Jade. |
====Part 3==== | ====Part 3==== | ||
:published 19 June 2005 | :published 19 June 2005 | ||
{{quote|''Phaedra Weldon brings us the continuing story of Isis Marik and her run from the Blackwind Lancers.''}} | {{quote|''Phaedra Weldon brings us the continuing story of Isis Marik and her run from the Blackwind Lancers.''}} | ||
| − | Jade was arrested but no sign is found of Isis after the sedan was shot off a bridge and crashed into the river. Isis has actually survived the crash, but suffered more injury. After escaping from the river she ends up in the living room of some residents | + | Jade was arrested but no sign is found of Isis after the sedan was shot off a bridge and crashed into the river (before the guards realized who was driving). Isis has actually survived the crash, but suffered more injury. After escaping from the sunken car in the dirty river she ends up in the living room of some residents with a nasty infection and a barely concious. |
| − | Captain [[Warner Doles]] | + | Richardson is assigned to finding Isis at all costs by Captain [[Warner Doles]], as the Blackwind Lancers have little chance to leave the planet alive without her as hostage. Having learned that the Hollisters are involve in dodgy dealings he coerces Jade to recruit her brother for the task of helping him find Isis. |
| − | Meanwhile, [[Aris Sung]] | + | Meanwhile, Warrior House Hiritsu is trying to recapture the city of Quingliu from the Lancers. Aboard their DropShip ''[[Dainwu]]'' (landed outside the city) [[Aris Sung]] receives unofficial permission from House Master [[Ty Wu Non]] to find and rescue Isis on his own. |
===Book 2: Heaven=== | ===Book 2: Heaven=== | ||
| Line 54: | Line 58: | ||
:published 24 August 2005 | :published 24 August 2005 | ||
{{quote|''Hunted by both the Blackwind Lancers and her Capellan protectors, Isis Marik has vanished! Phaedra Weldon now returns us to Hustaing for the next stage in the adventures of a princess in trouble way over her head.''}} | {{quote|''Hunted by both the Blackwind Lancers and her Capellan protectors, Isis Marik has vanished! Phaedra Weldon now returns us to Hustaing for the next stage in the adventures of a princess in trouble way over her head.''}} | ||
| − | Wounded and delirious, Isis is hospitalized and drugged. Her benefactors want to evacuate her out of the city where the Lancers are searching for her. By coincidence Jade's brother David Hollister happens to be chosen to be the driver because he is experienced in shady dealings. | + | Wounded, ill and delirious, Isis is hospitalized and drugged. Her benefactors want to evacuate her out of the city where the Lancers are searching for her. By coincidence Jade's brother David Hollister happens to be chosen to be the driver because he is experienced in such shady dealings. |
| − | Five days after the attack, Aris Sung inspects the convention center. He frees and befriends Robert Cheng, a member of the Zeng gang who had been captured by the Yin gang. However, Robert does not trust Aris and leads him into a trap | + | Five days after initial the attack, Aris Sung inspects the convention center. In the ruined and beleagued city and with gangs swarming the area he is in his element, calling back upon his street urching past. He frees and befriends Robert Cheng, a member of the Zeng gang, who had been captured by the rival Yin gang. However, Robert does not trust Aris and leads him into a trap but fellow Hiritsu trooper [[Raven Clearwater (WH Hiritsu)|Raven Clearwater]] who had been shadowing them rescues Aris. When Robert later reappears and gestures them to follow, Aris decides to do so hoping he may have made a contact with the locals after all. They learn that Isis was seen with Jade Hollister. |
| − | The Blackwind Lancers have meanwhile fortified the city | + | The Blackwind Lancers have meanwhile fortified the city and dug in. With Hiritsu forces massing outside, Force Leader Richardson can barely spare troops to search for Isis and increases the pressure on his captives, Jade and Li Wynn. |
====Part 2: Cold and Heat, Time and Seasons==== | ====Part 2: Cold and Heat, Time and Seasons==== | ||
:published 19 January 2006 | :published 19 January 2006 | ||
{{quote|''CAPTURED! Isis is taken once again. Once more, her destiny seems written for her, can this Princess find her way? Story by Phaedra Weldon.''}} | {{quote|''CAPTURED! Isis is taken once again. Once more, her destiny seems written for her, can this Princess find her way? Story by Phaedra Weldon.''}} | ||
| − | Captured by David Hollister, Isis learns that the Lancers are indeed trying to get hold of her and that various gangs might try to capture her for the money offered. She is increasingly frustrated by the fact that she is on the run instead of being proactive. David, who wants to exchange her for | + | Captured by David Hollister when he learned of her identity, Isis learns that the Lancers are indeed trying to get hold of her and that various gangs might try to capture her for the money offered. She is increasingly frustrated by the fact that she is on the run instead of being proactive. David, who wants to exchange her for his captive sister, lectures Isis about her being just a catalyst for Sun-Tzu to start a war with the Compact but she refuses to believe him. |
Aris learns from Robert that the Lancers led by Richardson have captured Jade Hollister, and that David Hollister has Isis Marik and intends to exchange her for Jade. | Aris learns from Robert that the Lancers led by Richardson have captured Jade Hollister, and that David Hollister has Isis Marik and intends to exchange her for Jade. | ||
| Line 71: | Line 75: | ||
:published 20 June 2006 | :published 20 June 2006 | ||
{{quote|''"Earth comprises distances, great and small; danger and security; open ground and narrow passes." These factors are foremost on Isis Marik's mind, as the saga of her run from the Blackwind Lancers continues.''}} | {{quote|''"Earth comprises distances, great and small; danger and security; open ground and narrow passes." These factors are foremost on Isis Marik's mind, as the saga of her run from the Blackwind Lancers continues.''}} | ||
| − | A week of fighting House Hiritsu has taken a heavy toll on the entrenched Blackwind Lancers. To Richardson's surprise it had been Isis Marik herself who had called him up and arranged for an exchange, naming Shou Lao Mountain as the place. Several gangs are massing there as well hoping to capture Isis, including the murderous Fan-K'uei gang and Aris, Raven and the Zeng. Aris frees Jade from the Lancer VTOL. | + | A week of fighting House Hiritsu has taken a heavy toll on the entrenched Blackwind Lancers. To Richardson's surprise it had been Isis Marik herself who had called him up and arranged for an exchange, naming Shou Lao Mountain as the place. Several gangs are massing there as well hoping to capture Isis, including the murderous Fan-K'uei gang and Aris, Raven and the Zeng. Aris successfully frees Jade from the Lancer VTOL at the mountain top. |
| + | |||
| + | Isis has in fact assumed leadership of several gangs together with David Hollister in an attempt of her own to rescue Jade. David's car had come under fire from enemy BattleMechs during their escape from the city and David fell unconscious when it veered off the road. After she saved David's life, Isis took the initiative and called Richardson to make a deal of her own (voiding and deals David may have made in the process). | ||
| − | + | In the chaotic fighting among the Lancers, the two Hiritsu operatives, and various gangs with uncertain loyalties that soon ensues on the mountain top, Isis is eventually captured by the dreaded Fan-K'uei, with Jade, Aris and Raven in pursuit and David Hollister wounded. | |
====Part 2==== | ====Part 2==== | ||
:published 24 July 2007 | :published 24 July 2007 | ||
{{quote|''[[Aris Sung]] does not lose. But Isis Marik's captors are threatening to prove him wrong; the Fan K'uei are doing a very good job of blocking his way. In order to rescue Isis from her captors, Aris will need to take chances with life and death...''}} | {{quote|''[[Aris Sung]] does not lose. But Isis Marik's captors are threatening to prove him wrong; the Fan K'uei are doing a very good job of blocking his way. In order to rescue Isis from her captors, Aris will need to take chances with life and death...''}} | ||
| + | Surrounded by at least six enemies who have taken Raven Clearwater hostage, he opens fire with both a laser and a [[Nakjama]] needler, downing all enemies save one behind him who in turn wounds Aris (lightly) just before being shot by Jade Hollister. Robert is also present and they briefly discuss that Isis was captured by Awun, the Fan-K'uei leader. Their talk is interrupted by none other than Richardson who offers a deal: He knows where Awun is taking Isis, and that he caught David Hollister as well. At this Jade reveals that Awun is interested in her. The "negotiations" between Richardson and the others go badly, resulting in Aris killing two more of his troopers, before they reach an understanding after all. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Isis is held captive together with David Hollister, who tells her that Awun's real name is Vincent Boudreaux Peed. He went to high school with the Hollisters, and has a crush on Jade—"the one thing he can't have", in his words. | ||
===Book 4: Commander=== | ===Book 4: Commander=== | ||
Revision as of 04:09, 14 March 2014
| The Art of War | |
|---|---|
| Product information | |
| Type | Short Stories/Serialized novel |
| Author | Phaedra M. Weldon |
| Pages | 213 |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | BattleCorps |
| First published | 8 February 2005 - 14 August 2007 |
| Content | |
| Era | Clan Invasion era |
| Timeline | 26 September-12 November 3060 |
The Art of War is a multi-part story by Phaedra M. Weldon divided into five "books", published online on BattleCorps in altogether ten parts.
It chronicles what happened when rogue troops attacked Isis Marik on Hustaing, an event that sparked the Capellan-St. Ives War which would eventually see the Capellan Confederation reclaim their wayward province.
Plot summary
Book 1: Moral Law
Part 1
- published 8 February 2005
| “ | Isis Marik, daughter to the Captain General of the Free Worlds League, lost and hunted. This new serial by Phaedra M. Weldon starts the tale of Isis. | ” |
Duchess Isis Marik is visiting the world of Hustaing in stead of her fiancé, Chancellor Sun-Tzu Liao of the Capellan Confederation.
Hoping to capture the Chancellor who—unbeknownst to them—is actually not even on the planet, rogue elements from the St. Ives Compact, namely the Blackwind Lancers, have attacked her limousine at the Quingliu convention center and killed most of the guards. Warrior House Hiritsu infantryman Li Wynn rescued Isis Marik from the immediate attack and they have escaped by hijacking a bread delivery truck.
However, at the onset of the story the truck has been stopped by enemy troops who have brought the city under their control. Li Wynn surrenders, buying time for Isis to sneak away. She pretends to be a worker from the truck to rebel Sergeant Richardson as she moves off. However, her purse is found in the truck, revealing her identity and sparking a search because she is almost as valuable as a captive as her fiancé. Isis runs and escapes immediate pursuit with the help of two local women, Jade Hollister and April Torsten, following a chance encounter.
Part 2
- published 5 April 2005
| “ | Far from being the Belle of the Ball, Isis Marik, one time heir to the FWL & Betrothed to the Celestial Wisdom, now hides on a world invaded by renegade forces. | ” |
With April captured by the soldiers, Jade and an injured Isis drive to a daycare to pick up April's daughter. Richardson makes April call them on Jade's cell phone and informs Isis (who takes the call) that he knows where they are, and that he is now holding both April and Jade's brother David captive. The daycare turns out to be surrounded by 'Mechs, tanks and soldiers. Isis can persuade Jade not to hand her over to the soldiers, arguing that she is Jade's only bargaining chip. She also realizes that the Blackwind Lancers desperately need to capture her as a hostage lest their attack on Hustaing will invite a retaliation attack against the St. Ives Compact from the Confederation—something Sun-Tzu Liao is just looking for an excuse to do. Jade even suggests Isis may have been set up for exactly this purpose, but Isis will hear nothing it.
Jade's attempt to extract April's daughter from the daycare fails when a patrolling soldier finds Isis in the parked car, forcing her to flee and abandon Jade.
Part 3
- published 19 June 2005
| “ | Phaedra Weldon brings us the continuing story of Isis Marik and her run from the Blackwind Lancers. | ” |
Jade was arrested but no sign is found of Isis after the sedan was shot off a bridge and crashed into the river (before the guards realized who was driving). Isis has actually survived the crash, but suffered more injury. After escaping from the sunken car in the dirty river she ends up in the living room of some residents with a nasty infection and a barely concious.
Richardson is assigned to finding Isis at all costs by Captain Warner Doles, as the Blackwind Lancers have little chance to leave the planet alive without her as hostage. Having learned that the Hollisters are involve in dodgy dealings he coerces Jade to recruit her brother for the task of helping him find Isis.
Meanwhile, Warrior House Hiritsu is trying to recapture the city of Quingliu from the Lancers. Aboard their DropShip Dainwu (landed outside the city) Aris Sung receives unofficial permission from House Master Ty Wu Non to find and rescue Isis on his own.
Book 2: Heaven
Part 1: Night and Day
- published 24 August 2005
| “ | Hunted by both the Blackwind Lancers and her Capellan protectors, Isis Marik has vanished! Phaedra Weldon now returns us to Hustaing for the next stage in the adventures of a princess in trouble way over her head. | ” |
Wounded, ill and delirious, Isis is hospitalized and drugged. Her benefactors want to evacuate her out of the city where the Lancers are searching for her. By coincidence Jade's brother David Hollister happens to be chosen to be the driver because he is experienced in such shady dealings.
Five days after initial the attack, Aris Sung inspects the convention center. In the ruined and beleagued city and with gangs swarming the area he is in his element, calling back upon his street urching past. He frees and befriends Robert Cheng, a member of the Zeng gang, who had been captured by the rival Yin gang. However, Robert does not trust Aris and leads him into a trap but fellow Hiritsu trooper Raven Clearwater who had been shadowing them rescues Aris. When Robert later reappears and gestures them to follow, Aris decides to do so hoping he may have made a contact with the locals after all. They learn that Isis was seen with Jade Hollister.
The Blackwind Lancers have meanwhile fortified the city and dug in. With Hiritsu forces massing outside, Force Leader Richardson can barely spare troops to search for Isis and increases the pressure on his captives, Jade and Li Wynn.
Part 2: Cold and Heat, Time and Seasons
- published 19 January 2006
| “ | CAPTURED! Isis is taken once again. Once more, her destiny seems written for her, can this Princess find her way? Story by Phaedra Weldon. | ” |
Captured by David Hollister when he learned of her identity, Isis learns that the Lancers are indeed trying to get hold of her and that various gangs might try to capture her for the money offered. She is increasingly frustrated by the fact that she is on the run instead of being proactive. David, who wants to exchange her for his captive sister, lectures Isis about her being just a catalyst for Sun-Tzu to start a war with the Compact but she refuses to believe him.
Aris learns from Robert that the Lancers led by Richardson have captured Jade Hollister, and that David Hollister has Isis Marik and intends to exchange her for Jade.
Book 3: Earth
Part 1
- published 20 June 2006
| “ | "Earth comprises distances, great and small; danger and security; open ground and narrow passes." These factors are foremost on Isis Marik's mind, as the saga of her run from the Blackwind Lancers continues. | ” |
A week of fighting House Hiritsu has taken a heavy toll on the entrenched Blackwind Lancers. To Richardson's surprise it had been Isis Marik herself who had called him up and arranged for an exchange, naming Shou Lao Mountain as the place. Several gangs are massing there as well hoping to capture Isis, including the murderous Fan-K'uei gang and Aris, Raven and the Zeng. Aris successfully frees Jade from the Lancer VTOL at the mountain top.
Isis has in fact assumed leadership of several gangs together with David Hollister in an attempt of her own to rescue Jade. David's car had come under fire from enemy BattleMechs during their escape from the city and David fell unconscious when it veered off the road. After she saved David's life, Isis took the initiative and called Richardson to make a deal of her own (voiding and deals David may have made in the process).
In the chaotic fighting among the Lancers, the two Hiritsu operatives, and various gangs with uncertain loyalties that soon ensues on the mountain top, Isis is eventually captured by the dreaded Fan-K'uei, with Jade, Aris and Raven in pursuit and David Hollister wounded.
Part 2
- published 24 July 2007
| “ | Aris Sung does not lose. But Isis Marik's captors are threatening to prove him wrong; the Fan K'uei are doing a very good job of blocking his way. In order to rescue Isis from her captors, Aris will need to take chances with life and death... | ” |
Surrounded by at least six enemies who have taken Raven Clearwater hostage, he opens fire with both a laser and a Nakjama needler, downing all enemies save one behind him who in turn wounds Aris (lightly) just before being shot by Jade Hollister. Robert is also present and they briefly discuss that Isis was captured by Awun, the Fan-K'uei leader. Their talk is interrupted by none other than Richardson who offers a deal: He knows where Awun is taking Isis, and that he caught David Hollister as well. At this Jade reveals that Awun is interested in her. The "negotiations" between Richardson and the others go badly, resulting in Aris killing two more of his troopers, before they reach an understanding after all.
Isis is held captive together with David Hollister, who tells her that Awun's real name is Vincent Boudreaux Peed. He went to high school with the Hollisters, and has a crush on Jade—"the one thing he can't have", in his words.
Book 4: Commander
Part 1
- published 27 July 2007
| “ | Aris Sung has no choice but to trust in Richardson and his good graces, not if he wants to rescue Isis Marik from her captors. But he knows that Richardson will betray him at the earliest possible opportunity, knows that Richardson will try to kidnap Isis for his own purposes. But Richardson isn't the only one engaging in behind-the-scenes deals; the gang holding Isis has allies. Rescuing her will be harder than Aris had thought... | ” |
Part 2
- published 31 July 2007
| “ | So far, everything has gone to Force Leader Richardson's plan. Even the gangs are keeping their hands off, as promised. But two dead guards provide proof positive that at least one kink has worked its way into the plan. It's not Aris Sung's handiwork—it can't be. So who else has joined the party... and what other roadblocks will they throw in Richardson's way? | ” |
Book 5: Method and Discipline
- published 14 August 2007
| “ | Seven weeks is all Isis Marik spent on Hustaing. But for Isis, those seven weeks were a lifetime. She's finally leaving, returning to Sian in Aris Sung's company. But even though she's able to leave that hell behind, in many ways it will remain with her forever.
Nor is Isis the only Capellan haunted by ghosts of Hustaing... |
” |
Featured Characters
- Robert Cheng
- Raven Clearwater (WH Hiritsu)
- Warner Doles
- David Hollister
- Jade Hollister
- Isis Marik
- Ty Wu Non
- Erik Richardson
- Smithson
- Aris Sung
- Li Wynn
Featured BattleTech
BattleMechs
- Grasshopper
- JagerMech
- Watchman
- Wraith (mentioned)