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BattleTech Universe
BattleTech: Gray Markets
COMBAT IS THEIR BUSINESS…
And business is good in the 31st century as the Third Succession War rages on battlefields ruled by the almighty BattleMech: ten-meter-tall humanoid machines of pure destruction. Continuous warfare between the five Great Houses of the Inner Sphere has led to a steep technological decline, forcing the nobility of these vast interstellar empires to rely on mercenaries to augment their standing armies and gain crucial advantages against their enemies. However, that House nobleman may be paying your unit’s bills one day, but sending you straight into a trap tomorrow. BattleMechs may be the kings of the battlefield, but money, power, and machinations are just as important in victory as an autocannon barrage.
This anthology of hard-hitting BattleTech action includes six short stories that demonstrate how Machiavellian nobles, greedy pirates, and desperate mercenary units can change the course of Inner Sphere history. Take up the cause and charge your way through war-torn tales by veteran BattleTech authors such as Chris Hussey, Philip A. Lee, and Craig A. Reed, Jr.
And business is good in the 31st century as the Third Succession War rages on battlefields ruled by the almighty BattleMech: ten-meter-tall humanoid machines of pure destruction. Continuous warfare between the five Great Houses of the Inner Sphere has led to a steep technological decline, forcing the nobility of these vast interstellar empires to rely on mercenaries to augment their standing armies and gain crucial advantages against their enemies. However, that House nobleman may be paying your unit’s bills one day, but sending you straight into a trap tomorrow. BattleMechs may be the kings of the battlefield, but money, power, and machinations are just as important in victory as an autocannon barrage.
This anthology of hard-hitting BattleTech action includes six short stories that demonstrate how Machiavellian nobles, greedy pirates, and desperate mercenary units can change the course of Inner Sphere history. Take up the cause and charge your way through war-torn tales by veteran BattleTech authors such as Chris Hussey, Philip A. Lee, and Craig A. Reed, Jr.
- GenresScience Fiction
163 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 18, 2020
12 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 4, 2020
Altogether an anthology with unfortunate story mix or story order - first four stories are about a unit that gets shafted and either pulls through or dies. Enjoyable dose of mech crack, anyway. Makes me want to play even more :-/
Forsaken, by Alan Brundage: 3/5.
Story of a loser who was chosen by a mercenary life rather than vice versa. I have quite a problem believing a(n at least) regular army lance commander, absolvent of a mech academy, would really make all the decisions in the story, but I guess they are quite in accord with the spirit of the main protagonist.
A Measure of Clarity, by Philip A. Lee: 4/5
Story of Silver Hawk Irregulars vs 17th Arcturan Guard and some mercenary interference.
Good gradation, action scenes and plot.
Gustrell Switchback, by Chris Hussey: 3/5
Mercs, elsies and periphery bandits: When being hired for a job, it can pay to be wary of the employer.
Liked this one.
In Service to the Dragon, by David G. Martin: 4/5 ... no matter how I rate this story (DCMS unit gets shafted and dies, this time with sprinkling of politics and schemes - no mercs though), I do not think the editor did a good job assembling the collection. Were this not preceeded by three similar stories, I could rate it even higher.
Murphy's Method, by Craig A. Reed, jr.: 3/5
Unit in FedSun employ pulls a trick on Dracs.
Permanent Losses, by Aaron Cahall: 3/5
Snord's Irregulars base/museum gets attacked and there are some ... permanent losses. Not bad, and shows the 'mechs from the other side.
Forsaken, by Alan Brundage: 3/5.
Story of a loser who was chosen by a mercenary life rather than vice versa. I have quite a problem believing a(n at least) regular army lance commander, absolvent of a mech academy, would really make all the decisions in the story, but I guess they are quite in accord with the spirit of the main protagonist.
A Measure of Clarity, by Philip A. Lee: 4/5
Story of Silver Hawk Irregulars vs 17th Arcturan Guard and some mercenary interference.
Good gradation, action scenes and plot.
Gustrell Switchback, by Chris Hussey: 3/5
Mercs, elsies and periphery bandits: When being hired for a job, it can pay to be wary of the employer.
Liked this one.
In Service to the Dragon, by David G. Martin: 4/5 ... no matter how I rate this story (DCMS unit gets shafted and dies, this time with sprinkling of politics and schemes - no mercs though), I do not think the editor did a good job assembling the collection. Were this not preceeded by three similar stories, I could rate it even higher.
Murphy's Method, by Craig A. Reed, jr.: 3/5
Unit in FedSun employ pulls a trick on Dracs.
Permanent Losses, by Aaron Cahall: 3/5
Snord's Irregulars base/museum gets attacked and there are some ... permanent losses. Not bad, and shows the 'mechs from the other side.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 15, 2025
Interesting series of stories
Great set of stories from all around the battletech universe with some interesting characters and situations ,where not everything is black and white and not all is what it seems to be.
Great set of stories from all around the battletech universe with some interesting characters and situations ,where not everything is black and white and not all is what it seems to be.
August 5, 2020
If you like Battletech fiction, this is a nice little collection.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews