Difference between revisions of "Drawing the Short Straw"
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'''''Drawing the Short Straw''''' is a short story by [[David G. Martin]] that was published in the thirteenth issue of ''[[Shrapnel (magazine)|Shrapnel]]''. | '''''Drawing the Short Straw''''' is a short story by [[David G. Martin]] that was published in the thirteenth issue of ''[[Shrapnel (magazine)|Shrapnel]]''. | ||
==Plot summary== | ==Plot summary== | ||
− | + | During the invasion of Illyria, in the [[Marian Hegemony]], Lieutenant Gallan Ranton leds an assault lance making recon through the huge forests of the planet, exploring paths. Nearby, ''Principes'' Rillius Krause, of the Second Maniple, was informed of their advance, and, acting by his own initiative and against his orders of defending his position, decides to engage and destroy the Tamarinds. When his second-in-command Cira questions his idea, he ignores his recommendations. | |
+ | Meanwhile, Ranton's lance finds a former supply base long-forgotten. After realizing that place hadn't been used in a long time, he orders his lance to turn back. | ||
+ | Soon after, they detect the Marians' attacking force, and prepared for the fight. Krause's force was surprised to find the assault Marian 'Mechs, and fell into a hastily prepared ambush, but they charge them anyway. A hard fight ensues, and the Marians pay a hard price. Krause, obsessed with winning glory, is killed despite his lance's mates attempt to protect him. Cira, now commanding the Second Maniple, prepares to die, when Gallan offers her the opportunity to retreat. His last mate, Xina, attempts to tell her it's a trap, but Cira agrees with Ranton than the fight was over, and orders retreat. | ||
+ | After being left alone with his last surviving lance member, Toman, Gallan is informed than he had lost two of his people. He felts it, but attempts to console telling himself than any good mission is a done mission. | ||
==Featured characters== | ==Featured characters== | ||
− | + | * [[Gallan Ranton]] | |
+ | * Karral | ||
+ | * Rillius Krause | ||
==Featured BattleTech== | ==Featured BattleTech== | ||
− | + | * ''[[Albatross]]'' | |
+ | * ''[[Awesome]]'' | ||
+ | * ''[[Cyclops]]'' | ||
+ | * ''[[Hercules (BattleMech)|Hercules]]'' | ||
+ | * ''[[Icarus II]]'' | ||
+ | * ''[[Neanderthal]]'' | ||
+ | * ''[[Ostscout]]'' | ||
+ | * ''[[Storm Raider]]'' | ||
+ | * ''[[Stinger]]'' | ||
+ | * ''[[Thunderbolt]]'' | ||
==Featured planets== | ==Featured planets== | ||
− | * | + | * [[Illyria]] |
[[Category:Short Stories]] | [[Category:Short Stories]] | ||
[[Category:Works by David G. Martin]] | [[Category:Works by David G. Martin]] |
Latest revision as of 02:30, 6 January 2024
Drawing the Short Straw | |
---|---|
Story information | |
Author | David G. Martin |
Type | Short Story |
Product | Shrapnel Issue 13 |
Content | |
Timeline | 19 November 3150 |
Drawing the Short Straw is a short story by David G. Martin that was published in the thirteenth issue of Shrapnel.
Plot summary[edit]
During the invasion of Illyria, in the Marian Hegemony, Lieutenant Gallan Ranton leds an assault lance making recon through the huge forests of the planet, exploring paths. Nearby, Principes Rillius Krause, of the Second Maniple, was informed of their advance, and, acting by his own initiative and against his orders of defending his position, decides to engage and destroy the Tamarinds. When his second-in-command Cira questions his idea, he ignores his recommendations. Meanwhile, Ranton's lance finds a former supply base long-forgotten. After realizing that place hadn't been used in a long time, he orders his lance to turn back. Soon after, they detect the Marians' attacking force, and prepared for the fight. Krause's force was surprised to find the assault Marian 'Mechs, and fell into a hastily prepared ambush, but they charge them anyway. A hard fight ensues, and the Marians pay a hard price. Krause, obsessed with winning glory, is killed despite his lance's mates attempt to protect him. Cira, now commanding the Second Maniple, prepares to die, when Gallan offers her the opportunity to retreat. His last mate, Xina, attempts to tell her it's a trap, but Cira agrees with Ranton than the fight was over, and orders retreat. After being left alone with his last surviving lance member, Toman, Gallan is informed than he had lost two of his people. He felts it, but attempts to console telling himself than any good mission is a done mission.
Featured characters[edit]
- Gallan Ranton
- Karral
- Rillius Krause