That Old Highlander Way
That Old Highlander Way | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Short story by David G. Martin | |||
| Publication | |||
| Published | 8 December 2015 | ||
| Publisher | BattleCorps | ||
| Pages | 7 | ||
| Chronology | |||
| Era | Clan Invasion era | ||
| Timeline | 22 April 3053 | ||
| Series | |||
| |||
{{#set:Era=Clan Invasion era}}{{#set:Start date=22 April 3053}}{{#set:End date=22 April 3053}}
That Old Highlander Way is a short story by David G. Martin that was first published online on BattleCorps on 8 December 2015 as second part of the Slack Tide series. It was later republished in print in the BattleCorps anthology Slack Tide in 2020.
Teaser Text
| “ | During a Jade Falcon raid on Blue Hole, a Northwind Highlander must prove she still has what it takes to pilot a BattleMech. | ” |
Plot Summary
Aging Northwind Highlanders Captain Jessie McGinnis of Stirling's Fusiliers' First Battalion finds herself fighting a Clan Trial against a Jade Falcon Binary of the 124th Striker Cluster under one Star Captain Lana Malthus. Previous experience in facing the Clans suggested that they would forgo jump jets and instead install heavier armament, and the Highlanders thus opted for 'Mechs with superior mobility and a battlefield favoring their jump-capable 'Mechs. After a drawn-out engagement, McGinnis' company is down to five 'Mechs and facing three remaining OmniMechs.
McGinnis manages to outmaneuver her opponent, divide the Jade Falcon 'Mechs and defeat them piecemeal. The final enemy – Star Captain Malthus in her Stormcrow – defiantly prepares to make a final stand which McGinnis realizes will cost the Highlanders dearly. Recalling a footnote from her readings about Clan culture and tactics, McGinnis offers hegira which Malthus accepts, resulting in a victory for the Highlanders and the capture of at least one functional OmniMech.
Featured Characters
- Captain Jessie McGinnis
- Star Captain Lana Malthus
- Colton Reid
- Daniel Harper
- Rena Ainsley
- Colonel Andrea Stirling (mentioned)
- Cooper
- Gran
- Jacklyn
- MacKinney