Tears of Blood

Tears of Blood
Serialized novella (7 parts) by Randall N. Bills
Publication
Published	August 2003— 5 September 2004
Publisher	BattleCorps
illustrator(s)	Chris Lewis Doug Chaffee
Pages	9 (Part 1) 6 (Part 2) 8 (Part 3) 9 (Part 4) 9 (Part 5) 15 (Part 6) 7 (Part 7) 63 (Total)
Chronology
Era	Civil War era
Timeline	17 November 3061 — 1 November 3062

{{#set:Era=Civil War era}}{{#set:Start date=17 November 3061}}{{#set:End date=1 November 3062}}

Tears of Blood is a serialized novella in seven parts by Randall N. Bills that was published online on BattleCorps between August 2003 and September 2004.

Like Destiny's Call, the first two parts of Tears of Blood were made available for free on the BattleCorps website before it went live as a subscription-based service. It was later made available only to paying members.

Plot Summary

Part 1

published in: August 2003

“

Author of the Blood Spirit faction in the BattleTech Field Manual: Crusader Clans sourcebook, Randall N. Bills fleshes out the feud broiling between Clans Blood Spirit and Star Adder. Caden, a ristar Blood Spirit, is chosen by his House Leader to take back their Bloodheritage's honor and avenge the entire Clan against the hated Adders.

”

Part 2

published in: April 2004

“

To the Clans, nothing is more important than obtaining a Bloodname. And the Trial of Bloodright ceremony is one of their most sacred events. To achieve his House Leader's goals, he must first participate in a Trial of Bloodright ceremony and begin the trials to take an honored Name.

”

Part 3

published on: 7 August 2004

“

Once upon the path, Caden must defeat five opponents to achieve immortality, gaining a Bloodname and having his genetic material mixed with the Spirits' breeding program. Whether at the controls of a 'Mech or fists, Caden quickly learns not all opponents are what they appear to be. Story by Randall N. Bills

”

Part 4

published on: 14 August 2004

“

Caden finds himself walking a path he did not expect, leading ProtoMech pilots, whom he finds abhorrent. Yet dedication to the Clan comes in all forms, and a fight with the Star Adders looms.

”

Part 5

published on: 22 August 2004

“

The Star Adders raid York, attempting to capture a new series of ProtoMechs through a Trial of Possession. Will Caden have the determination to save what he finds worthless? Or will help come from an unexpected quarter. Story by Randall N. Bills

”

Part 6

published on: 28 August 2004

“

Story by Randall N. Bills. In a Clan famous for its adherence to traditions laid down by the Founder himself, Caden finds he must accept new paths and new ways if he is to survive.

”

Part 7

published on: 5 September 2004

“

In the midst of rising Star Adder raids, Caden seeks redemption for past mistakes. But can he change a lifetime of conditioning? And is this only the beginning of a much larger game played by the House Leader to bring Clan Star Adder to its knees? The thrilling conclusion by Randall N. Bills.

”

The story follows Caden, a Clan Blood Spirit MechWarrior, through his attempt to win a Bloodname, his encounters with the ProtoMech pilots of his Clan, and the Clan Star Adder invasion of York.