Shadows of War

Shadows of War.jpg
Shadows of War
Product information
Type Novel
Author Thomas S. Gressman
Pages 288
Cover Artwork Bruce Jensen
Publication information
Publisher Roc Books
First published 01 September 1998
ISBN-10 0451457072
ISBN-13 978-0451457073
Content
Era Clan Invasion era
Timeline 3060
13 March, 30609 April, 3060
Series Twilight of the Clans
Preceded by Sword and Fire
Followed by Prince of Havoc

Shadows of War, by Thomas S. Gressman, is the sixth book in the Twilight of the Clans series.

The novel was made available on BattleCorps on 22 November 2009 as a PDF file (text only, without cover, pictures, or any other interior artwork except for the usual BattleCorps frame graphics). The PDF copy includes a disclaimer stating that it was created from a pre-final edition text that might differ from the printed version and that canon-wise, the print edition trumps the PDF edition.

From the back cover

The massive invasion force of Operation Serpent has descended behind enemy lines. Their mission is to obliterate the military power of Clan Smoke Jaguar and seize the homeworld of Huntress. Commanding this historic assault is General Ariana Winston of the elite Eridani Light Horse mercenary brigade. After a year's voyage through deep space, they have arrived.

But the battle has just begun. The dangers are more far-reaching than Winston ever feared. And the Jaguar garrison is far more cunning than the troops of the Inner Sphere ever believed. For now, emerging from the shadows, a new threat is bearing down on the Serpent armies. The greatest danger to humanity's future is right in their midst. And it is about to ignite the fires of a war to end all wars.

Summary

Summary

The novel opens with the various units completing the destruction of warrior industry and symbols on the planet Huntress.

Two Galaxies of Survivors fleeing from Operation Bulldog jump into the system, with orders to retake the planet and kill all the inner sphere invaders.

The Task force Serpent fleet outnumbers the Clan Warships, but not by enough to ensure that drop ships don't make it to the planet. After a hard battle, all of the clan warships are destroyed, but two clan jump ships jump away before they could be intercepted.

The Clan re-enforcement split into two groups, and immediately attack the Eridani Light Horse near Looterra, and the Uhlans at another site. This initial attack fails on both fronts.

The clans regroup and try again, and when the forces near Lootera attack again, they are reinforced by the remnants of Rousel Howells forces, and force the Light horse into retreat.

Then Khan Osis arrives with another galaxy of mechs, and both inner sphere forces are in retreat.

When it appears clear to Osis, that they are on track for a pyhric victory, he plans to depart to find more forces. Before he can make it off plane, he is confronted just outside the command center by the Nakakami, who where there to destroy the command center. The leader of the Nakakami falls in single combat with osis, but only after cutting off his leg. Osis is found and rescued by elementals before he dies, and is sent back to Strana Mechty.

The Uhlans retreat into the swamps, and the Light Horse into the mountains.

When the Light Horse final decide to stop and fight a final battle in the mountains, General Winston falls, just as word is passed that Operation Bulldog forces have arrived and are inbound.

The novel concludes with General Redburn informing Prince Victor that Marshal Hasek was murdered by an assassin before the start of the invasion.

Featured characters

Featured places

Featured BattleTech

'Mechs

Vehicles

AeroSpace

DropShips and Small Craft

JumpShips and WarShips

Infantry Equipment

Foreign-Language Editions

German

A German edition, translated by Reinhold H. Mai, was published by Heyne in 1999 as Schatten der Vernichtung (ISBN 9783453168701).[1] Note: Certain book sellers report the book's publication date as being 2000, including one giving a publication date of January 1, 2000. This was republished as an EPUB by Ulisses Spiele in 2022 as BattleTech Legenden 42A : Schatten der Vernichtung (ISBN 9783963319853).[2]

Hungarian

A Hungarian edition, translated by Novák Gábor, was published by Beholder in 2004 as A háború árnyai.[3]

Russian

A Russian edition, translated by E. Novikova, was published by Дрофа (Drofa) in 2003 as Тени войны (ISBN 5710769320) as part of a series produced in collaboration with Армада-пресс (Armada-Press). [4] [5]

Spanish

A Spanish edition, translated by Jaime de Marcos Andreu, was published by Timun Mas in 2000 as Sombras de guerra.

Covers

References

  1. Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Catalog entry for Schatten der Vernichtung
  2. Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Catalog entry for BattleTech Legenden 42A : Schatten der Vernichtung
  3. Beholder product page for A háború árnyai
  4. Science Fiction Lab Book description for Тени войны
  5. National Library of Russia description for Тени войны