Kindred Soul
Kindred Soul | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Short story by Lance Scarinci | |||
| Publication | |||
| Published | 8 January 2012 | ||
| Publisher | BattleCorps | ||
| Pages | 37 | ||
| Chronology | |||
| Era | Jihad era | ||
| Timeline | 21 July 3074 — 29 July 3074 | ||
| Series | |||
| |||
{{#set:Era=Jihad era}}{{#set:Start date=21 July 3074}}{{#set:End date=29 July 3074}}
Kindred Spirit is a short story by Lance Scarinci that was first published online on BattleCorps on 8 January 2012 and continues the story of Marauder from 2010. It was later republished in print in the BattleTech anthology, Marauder, in 2022.
Teaser Text
| “ | Lance Scarinci returns with another story featuring the Marauder BattleMech that readers will recognize from his previous story, "Marauder." | ” |
Plot Summary
Since obtaining his mysterious Marauder, Kevin Langstrom feels increasingly alienated from his unit, though it is suggested that it is actually he who withdrew from the others over his obsession with his new 'Mech. He is also frustrated and angry. When another MechWarrior teases him for his failed attempt to get reassigned or into officer training, Kevin kills him in a bout of anger and hides the body in the 'Mech's leg casing. This incidentally seems to "cure" an actuator malfunction that had been impossible to track down and fix.
Before the slaying is discovered, Taurian Concordat forces raid the planet and the militia moves out. Langstrom falls into a killing frenzy during the battle, ignoring retreat orders and razing a town as collateral damage before coming to his senses. When ordered by Sgt. Grange to stand down, he opens fire on Grange and drives him off.
Immediately after the battle, the pirate gang Grady's Grinders show up and offer Langstrom to join their ranks. Langstrom accepts, then casually blasts the head off the pirate leader's Phoenix Hawk with a PPC and declares himself their new leader.