Mechwarrior Dark Age 14

The Saga Continues! A BattleTech Novel Despite years of effort, ComStar has been unable to repair the HPG interstellar communications grid—so The Republic is taking a hands-on approach to fixing the problem. An active hyperpulse generator can turn its world into a tempting target, so when ComStar appears close to reactivating the HPG on Wyatt, The Republic takes steps to counter any threats to the world at a time when ComStar is determined to prove that it's once more a force to be reckoned with. Knight Errant Alexi Holt is assigned to defend Wyatt for The Republic. But her greatest challenge is to protect Tucker Harwell—a genius possessing unmatched HPG skills—from the invaders who will certainly try to capture him for his knowledge. Both the Oriente Protectorate and Clan Spirit Cat have an interest in Wyatt; the first seeks to control the man who can fix an HPG, the other seeks a safe haven. Unsavory characters will also step forward: after all, though a reactivated HPG makes Wyatt a target, Tucker Harwell is the biggest prize of all.

Julian Davion—Prince’s Champion of the Federated Suns—is a warrior who has lost his way. Amidst political turmoil and the shifting fortunes of war, he struggles to find his destiny. Julian’s First Davion Guards have restored order on Terra. The Republic is closing its borders, keeping its core intact while leaving farther-flung worlds to fend for themselves. But The Republic is not only being attacked from without—it’s being undermined from within, and the hunt for seditionists continues. Ex-Knight and now-Senator Conner Rhys-Monroe still leads the fight to destroy The Republic from the inside. He is expertly opposed by Countess Tara Campbell, leader of the Highlanders and The Republic’s best hope on the outside. Terra lies at the center of their titanic tug-of-war, where Julian struggles to keep his footing in a situation shifting like blood-drenched quicksand.

Under assault and ill-equipped, Alkalurops has come apart since the loss of its communications grid and the inability of The Republic to reestablish it. But in a universe of powerful players, a leader has to grab power fast if she’s going to survive. . . . Grace O’Malley’s people are valiantly making a stand against Loren Hanson’s Roughriders, a band of mercenaries destroying everything in their path. Badly outnumbered, her forces need real BattleMechs operated by trained MechWarriors. And they’re not going to be easy to afford, especially since the plbig mine owners refuse to offer any funds for planetary defense. But Grace will not surrender her homeland, no matter what the price. Even though the ragtag locals are putting up a surprisingly good fight, Hanson remains confident he can defeat them. What he doesn’t count on is an opponent determined to write her planet’s history in the scorched wreckage of the battlefield. . . .

The first body that turns up in Farway, a secluded town on the planet Denebola, is from out of town. When the Denebola Bureau of Investigation and the legate’s office from half the planet away decide to help identify the murder victim, Sheriff Hank Ketchum knows he’s in over his head. Enter the infamous Detective Jack Ramsey. With the help of the talented and beautiful local medical examiner, Amanda Slade, Ramsey digs into the case and discovers evidence that puts Farway at the heart of a conspiracy. But who’s the greater threat? The Clans, the Word of Blake or the legate’s intelligence operative?

Exarch Damien Redburn has called for the election of his replacement. Paladins assemble from all corners of The Republic, and those vying to be elevated are creating a lively nomination process. But machinations behind the scenes threaten to turn the election into a bloodbath... Paladins Heather GioAvanti and Jonah Levin are both conducting investigations into suspicious activities swirling around the edges of this high-level gathering. The leads they follow repeatedly intersect, and it becomes clear that more than one group intends to disrupt the election of the Exarch. Through political influence, assassination or rebellion, each of these cabals ultimately seeks to place their own man or woman on the Exarch’s seat—and whoever controls the Exarch, controls The Republic. But Damien Redburn refuses to allow his successor to be a puppet. He is willing to throw a few 'Mechs and a secret agent or two at the situation to get the result he wants—even if what he wants may be a surprise to his operatives.

As Clan Wolf launches a daring campaign of reprisal against The Republic, three warriors will find their destinies intertwined on the field of battle, and in the fight for their futures. Alaric is a living legend among the Wolves. Fearless. Ruthless. Merciless. But his own lust for victory may mean his undoing, unless he learns to see beyond himself—and recognize what a true warrior fights for. Anastasia is a former Wolf Clan warrior, now leading a band of mercs against her former comrades. She knows that to lead, she must prove not only her ability, but her complete separation from the Wolves. And there is only one way for her to do so—in combat. . . . Verena is the new commander of a ragtag merc force. Her desire for greatness will uncover her own superior abilities, and draw her ever closer to a final confrontation in which mercy is unheard of—and only death awaits the unworthy.

Once a formidable MechWarrior, Mirach Governor Sergio Ortega now believes that diplomacy will win the day. His sons, Dale and Austin, are also stalwarts of the Republic and aspiring MechWarriors—but very hotheaded. Against growing civil unrest, they urge a military show of force before events spiral out of control. But Mirach has no military equipment up to BattleMech status. And the pacifistic Governor is slashing military spending—a move that could spell defeat for the Republic. Marta Kinsolving’s Mirach Business Association has been converting industrial ‘Mechs into fighting machines. After putting down a small civil uprising, MBA may field a force in the imminent civil war and split Mirach three ways. Although Austin Ortega believes that Marta may be complicit his brother’s death, when open warfare erupts—she may turn out to be strongest ally the Ortegas have.

In the chaos of the interstellar communications blackout, the Capellan Chancellor has sent operative Mai Wa to help freedom fighter Evan Kurst liberate his homeworld. But Mai has betrayed Kurst before, and Evan’s biggest problem is knowing who to trust in a world where today’s ally is tomorrow’s enemy.