Ace Darwin and the Great Small World Prank War
Ace Darwin and the Great Small World Prank War | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Short story by James Bixby | |||
| Publication | |||
| Published | 13 September 2024 | ||
| Published in | Shrapnel Issue 18 | ||
| Publisher | Catalyst Game Labs | ||
| Chronology | |||
| Era | Clan Invasion era | ||
| Timeline | 17 June 3054 — 16 August 3054 | ||
| Series | |||
| |||
{{#set:Era=Clan Invasion era}}{{#set:Start date=17 June 3054}}{{#set:End date=16 August 3054}}
Ace Darwin and the Great Small World Prank War is a short story by James Bixby that was first published in Shrapnel Issue 18 on 13 September 2024.
After spending a year on Solaris VII with his unit temporarily disbanded, Ace Darwin is persuaded by his friend Nyla to accept a new job on Small World. Contracted by the AFFS, they arrive on the planet and are warmly welcomed by the local Duke, who invites Darwin and several of his men to a banquet. During the event, Darwin meets Captain Kenneth Petruzzelli of Harlock’s Warriors’ Second Battalion. The two soon realize, to their surprise, that they have both been mistakenly assigned to the same small base. When they bring this issue to the Duke, he dismisses their complaints and has them thrown out of the banquet.
Determined to make the best of the situation, Ace and Kenneth arrange for their teams to share the base. However, tensions quickly escalate between the Warriors and the WhipIts. Matters come to a head when a group of Ace’s men stage a mock attack on some Warriors playing football, using foam-loaded weapons. Despite Ace reprimanding his men, the situation worsens the next day when some Warriors retaliate by stealing vehicles belonging to the WhipIts.
Realizing that the conflict is spiraling out of control, Darwin devises a solution. He organizes a barbecue for members of both units, using the gathering to convince everyone to channel their frustrations toward the real source of their troubles: the Duke of Small World. His plan works, and the two units unite against their common adversary.