Damage Control
Damage Control | |
|---|---|
| Short story by Ilsa J. Bick | |
| Publication | |
| Published | 2 August 2004 |
| Publisher | BattleCorps |
| illustrator(s) | Chris Lewis |
| Pages | 21 |
| Chronology | |
| Era | Civil War era |
| Timeline | 9 September 3064 — 11 September 3064 |
{{#set:Era=Civil War era}}{{#set:Start date=9 September 3064}}{{#set:End date=11 September 3064}}
Damage Control is a short story by Ilsa J. Bick that was first published online on BattleCorps on 2 August 2004. It was later republished in print in the first BattleCorps anthology The Corps, in 2008.
Teaser Text
| “ | On the world of Thuban, during the Steiner-Davion civil war, two regiments have squared off against each other. But the ultimate cost of such divisive fighting proves that this war will be anything but civil. Story by Ilsa J. Bick | ” |
Plot Summary
Dr. Elizabeth Trainer works as a psychiatrist with the Twenty-third Arcturan Guards while they are fighting their sister regiment, the Eleventh Arcturan Guards, where her lover Jonathan Peterson serves as a MechWarrior. One of Trainer's patients is Captain Stanton, a Zeus pilot, who had a nervous breakdown because of something he refuses to talk about. Working with Stanton, Trainer finds herself agreeing with much of his despair about the situation.
As the enemy gains the upper hand, Trainer's unit is ordered to stay put to give the impression that they are still holding the line while the Twenty-third slowly retreats. Stanton and his 'Mech become increasingly important, and Trainer fervently works with him to get him back into the cockpit. She eventually learns that he killed his own daughter, who served in the Eleventh, during the fighting.
On the next day, enemy 'Mechs reach the camp who are prepared to surrender. However, Stanton unexpectedly sprints to his 'Mech, the only one left, and starts to fight. The result is a bloodbath in which both Trainer and (it is implied) Stanton are killed, as are many of the medical staff and patients. It turns out that one of the attacking 'Mechs was piloted by Jonathan Peterson, who finds Trainer's dead body at the camp site.
Featured Characters
- Major Dr. Elizabeth Trainer
- Jonathan Peterson
- Dr. Dale Ramsey
- Colonel Linda McDonald
- Captain Stanton
- Victor Steiner-Davion (mentioned)
- Katherine Steiner-Davion (mentioned)