The Plowshare
The Plowshare | |
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Story information | |
Author | D. G. P. Rector |
Type | Short Story |
Product | Shrapnel Issue 11 |
Content | |
Universe Date | 20 May - 7 June 3049 |
The Plowshare is a short story by D. G. P. Rector that was published in the eleventh issue of Shrapnel.
Contents
Plot summary
On 20 May 3049, the coreward Deep Periphery planet of Roskan faces something stranger and more dangerous than its occasional pirate raids. A Clan Goliath Scorpion star arrives, seeking to batchall for possession of the planet.
The entire Roskan Colony Defense Force, including its sole MechWarrior Gorton, is scrambled to meet the Scorpions. Gorton, an old soldier from the Inner Sphere who bore the scars of war, had come to Roskan with his Black Knight to escape; his 'Mech had been partially converted for agricultural use, its left arm replaced with an agro-saw. After negotiation, he is set to face the young and glory-hungry Scorpion MechWarrior Ketelle and her Hellbringer in a duel for Roskan.
The duel is a tense, close battle. In the end, Gorton wins, hand to hand combat bringing him victory. He refuses to take Ketelle as a bondswoman or her 'Mech as a trophy, giving them back to the Scorpions, and he tries once more to settle down in a peaceful life. The Scorpions depart, leaving Gorton with cause for concern: hints that other Clans sought to strike the Inner Sphere.
Featured characters
- Gorton
- Janice Tsung
- Ketelle
- Lorena Johanssen
- Rao
- Bien
- Colonel Milovic