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An Ill-Made House

From BattleIntelligence
An Ill-Made House
Short story (2 parts) by Jason Schmetzer
Publication
Published15 February 2008 (Part 1)
29 February 2008 (Part 2)
PublisherBattleCorps
Pages21 (Part 1)
22 (Part 2)
43 (Total)
Chronology
EraStar League era
Timeline4 April 2765[see notes]

{{#set:Era=Star League era}}{{#set:Start date=4 April 2765[see notes]}}{{#set:End date=4 April 2765[see notes]}}


An Ill-Made House is a two-part short story by Jason Schmetzer that was first published online on BattleCorps in February 2008. It was later republished in print in the fifth BattleCorps anthology, Counterattack, in 2014.

Plot Summary

Part 1

published on: 15 February 2008
“ The Star League is remembered as the greatest testament to human ingenuity in history, a period of peace and growth... but all peace must be defended, and even the most important growth is never without pain. ”

After his predecessor was arrested for conspiring to support the Taurian cause, SLDF Gunslinger Captain Aaron Dane is in command of a company of Thug BattleMechs operating out of Fort James Miller on New Vandenberg as of 4 April 2765[see notes] alongside an infantry battalion under Major Talbert. An uprising is brewing, and on the far side of the planet General Aleksandr Kerensky is addressing the crowds in an attempt to defuse the situation.

Major Talbert sends Dane's 'Mech company out on a patrol where they are confronted by a reinforced Taurian 'Mech company. Dane orders Lieutenant Brake to return to base and make a report and bring reinforcements, as enemy ECM is blocking radio contact. He then challenges the enemy leader to single combat to buy time. Dane wins the duel; the two forces disengage and Dane's company returns to their base. However, as it turns out Major Talbert is also conspiring with the Taurians. The fort's guns are turned on the 'Mechs as they approach.

Part 2

published on: 29 February 2008
“ Betrayed by their comrades and forced into hostile territory, can one company of the Star League Defense Force survive long enough to summon help and escape? ”

Dane diverts his understrength company to the nearby city of Hagenau where he knows of a hidden transmitter. He uses it to notify the orbiting SLDF fleet of the situation, and a Union-class DropShip is sent with spare parts and technicians to patch up Dane's company. Afterwards, Dane leads a fierce assault against Talbert's entrenched forces. Although his own 'Mech is totaled by the defenders who concentrated their fire on him, Dane succeeds in retaking the fort after destroying its static defenses. The Taurian forces attempt to evacuate the facility in hovercraft, all save three of which are destroyed. Dane happens to destroy the hovercraft carrying Talbert, killing him.


BattleMechs

Vehicles

DropShips

WarShips

Notes

  • ^ The story parts published on BattleCorps contain inconsistent dates. The first part is dated 4 April 2765, whereas the second part, which describes the subsequent events, is dated 4 February 2765.
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