BattleTech: The Price of Duty (A BattleTech Novella) by Jason Schmetzer

Author:Jason Schmetzer
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Catalyst Game Labs
Published: 2021-07-24T05:00:00+00:00

Ronan heard an instant’s static before a strong female voice answered him. “This is Kommandant Liesl Wagner, commanding Aufklärungsbataillon 29. Stand aside.”

“Kommandant Wagner.” Ronan wanted to swallow, but he didn’t. “Ma’am, you are ordered to hold in place by direct order of Hauptmann-General Timofey Bondayehr. Failure to comply immediately will be grounds for insubordination. I am authorized to tell you anything less than instant compliance will escalate those charges to mutiny.”

“That’s a cute story,” Wagner said. “I don’t recognize your authority to issue me orders, son.”

“Ronan,” Bel cut in on the lance channel, “they’re massing their combat elements with the scouts. I read a dozen ’Mechs at least.”

Ronan frowned. “Kommandant, I don’t want to fire on Lyran troops, but I will.”

“We outnumber you four to one in ’Mechs alone,” Wagner said. “Stand aside or be destroyed.”

Ronan’s hands squeezed the Gargoyle’s controls. “I can’t do that, Kommandant.” He made sure his radio was still broadcasting widebeam in the clear, so every receiver in the battalion could hear it. “You’re operating against the lawful orders of your superior. The spaceport at Bad Tölz will be occupied before you can get there. The jump points have been interdicted.” He paused. “Don’t throw your soldiers’ careers—their lives—away, Kommandant. There will be another day.”

“The Two-Nine will do its duty to the people of the Commonwealth,” Wagner said, and clicked the connection closed.

Ronan sighed. “All right then,” he said to the empty air. He toggled his comm back to the main unit frequencies and tagged the all-unit channel.

“Okay, troops. The kommandant has declined to surrender. You all know your jobs. If we do this quick enough, maybe we won’t have to kill too many of them to make them stop.” He paused. There was no other way to say it. In his mind’s eye, Ronan saw his great-grandfather, nodding at him.

“Gray Death Legion, attack!”

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