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BattleTech Universe #77
Target of Opportunity
Despite years of effort, ComStar has been unable to repair the HPG interstellar communications grid. Now The Republic is taking a hands-on approach to fixing the problem. An active hyperpulse generator can turn its planet 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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
- GenresScience FictionFiction
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 1, 2005
4 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
Blaine Lee Pardoe
95 books117 followersBlaine Pardoe is a New York Times Bestselling and award winning author of numerous books in the science fiction, military non-fiction, true crime, paranormal, and business management genre's. He has appeared on a number of national television and radio shows to speak about his books. Pardoe has been a featured speaker at the US National Archives, the United States Navy Museum, and the New York Military Affairs Symposium. He was awarded the State History Award in 2011 by the Historical Society of Michigan and is a silver medal winner from the Military Writers Society of America in 2010. In 2013 he was awarded the Harritt Quimby Award as part of the induction ceremony at the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame. Mr. Pardoe is also a member of the League of WWI Aviation Historians.
His books have even been mentioned on the floor of the U.S. Congress. His works have been printed in six languages and he is recognized world-wide for his historical and fiction works. He can be followed via Twitter (bpardoe870)
His books have even been mentioned on the floor of the U.S. Congress. His works have been printed in six languages and he is recognized world-wide for his historical and fiction works. He can be followed via Twitter (bpardoe870)
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 3, 2019
This is the fourteenth book in the Mech Warrior Dark Age series. This series is a continuation of the Battletech series. The books in this series, like the books in the original Battletech series, are by various authors. This one is by Blaine Lee Pardoe. The Republic of the Sphere has known a long period of peace and prosperity. Then the interstellar communications network a.k.a. the HPG net is destroyed by terrorists and many planets in the Republic find themselves cut off from the rest of the galaxy with communications taking weeks or even months. Unrest leads to several factions on several planets trying to overthrow the local governments and seize power for themselves.
In this one ComStar Adept Tucker Harwell is being sent to the planet Wyatt to try to repair the downed HPG generator. Knight-Errant Alexi Holt is tasked with his protection. The Republic knows that if Tucker succeeds he will become the most valuable person in the entire Inner-Sphere.
Both the Oriente Protectorate and Clan Spirit Cat have an interest in Tucker Wyatt but for vastly different reasons. Also forces inside ComStar also have unknown designs on him. This book is chocked full of intrigue and many battles scenes with much Mech Warrior action!
In this one ComStar Adept Tucker Harwell is being sent to the planet Wyatt to try to repair the downed HPG generator. Knight-Errant Alexi Holt is tasked with his protection. The Republic knows that if Tucker succeeds he will become the most valuable person in the entire Inner-Sphere.
Both the Oriente Protectorate and Clan Spirit Cat have an interest in Tucker Wyatt but for vastly different reasons. Also forces inside ComStar also have unknown designs on him. This book is chocked full of intrigue and many battles scenes with much Mech Warrior action!
July 12, 2022
The gold standard for Mechwarrior dark age novels. It has been a long painful slog with some fun bits interspersed to get to this point. FINALLY a reward worth delving into. We get a story of hope and treachery in this dark age. As we know quite well by now, the HPG network is down. What the crap has Comstar been doing about it? Well we've got a prodigy and new parts to get it back up. A bullseye gets placed on such a person, of course, so we get multiple interests coming out of the woodwork to snap him up for themselves. Planetary Militia lead by a Knight of the Republic has to contend desperately with Clan Spirit Cats, Bannson's Raiders Mercs, and a Oriente force from the former FWL. Everyone's out for this poor lad, who can he trust? We get solid prose, we get the political intrigue, we get big stompy robot battles, and we get Comstar. Yeah, they're back! If you like hard fought last stands, back stabbing, mysterious organizations working for mysterious reasons this will be your breath of fresh air in this series like it was for me. Solid gold 5 stars. Sort of spoilerish so don't read this next bit. I love the contrasts between the bits of Harwell's ancestors with the actions and words of his sibling. Done so so well.
July 20, 2021
A Prize Worth the Risk
Despite years of effort, ComStar has been unable to repair the HPG interstellar communications grid. Now The Republic is taking a hands-on approach to fixing the problem. An active hyperpulse generator can turn its planet 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.
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 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.
January 7, 2011
Another good novel from Pardoe that significantly advances the DA arch and also provides a very good reason for the battle on Wyatt unlike many of the DA books. I just wish the DA environment wasn't just an attempt to resurrect 3020.
November 11, 2024
Pardoe's book does not disappoint as he adds yet another plot thread to the BattleTech: Dark Ages. One of the key elements of Dark Ages was the sudden communications blackout called "Gray Monday". Enter Tucker Harwell, a genius who manages to fix the problem. That is, at least on the planet Wyatt.
The cast of characters Pardoe introduces are compelling and much more 3D unlike his collaborator in the MechWarrior universe Michael Stackpole. I've said more than once that Stackpole's characters tend to be cookie cutter. Pardoe introduces Knight Alexi Holt, Patricia Harwell, and Precentor Malcolm Buhl - Comstar characters. There are plots within plots as Comstar tries to be a major player in the Dark Ages.
It will be up to Stephen Mohan to resolve them in "A Bonfire of Worlds". Mohan does a good job following with Pardoe and I can sense good continuity. It is always risky when another writer takes over a character.
The cast of characters Pardoe introduces are compelling and much more 3D unlike his collaborator in the MechWarrior universe Michael Stackpole. I've said more than once that Stackpole's characters tend to be cookie cutter. Pardoe introduces Knight Alexi Holt, Patricia Harwell, and Precentor Malcolm Buhl - Comstar characters. There are plots within plots as Comstar tries to be a major player in the Dark Ages.
It will be up to Stephen Mohan to resolve them in "A Bonfire of Worlds". Mohan does a good job following with Pardoe and I can sense good continuity. It is always risky when another writer takes over a character.
June 3, 2023
Interesting read
Interesting read set in the dark age period of the Republic of the Sphere and the conflicts of many different factions and interests all after one humble .com star technician who holds the key to rebuilding the HPG network.
Interesting read set in the dark age period of the Republic of the Sphere and the conflicts of many different factions and interests all after one humble .com star technician who holds the key to rebuilding the HPG network.
September 14, 2025
I read most of the series as a kid and now im reading them all again. This book still holds up. Its the one that makes me want to keep reading the series.
January 24, 2016
Like a lot of Dark Age, there's just too much going on in this book. Too many factions, too much shit, everyone is involved with everything and it's just batshit. It's not a bad book, and it would have been better if there was only 1/3rd the amount of factions involved. Seriously, ComStar, Mariks, Banson, The Republic, and everything? This is batshit. If the original premise of the story, the restarting of the HPG is a huge deal. It's awesome. It's incredible. It's the basis of the entire Dark Age concept... and then it goes completely out of control.
May 3, 2023
"So You've Decided to Read Battletech: Dark Age" - Review 14
My first Blaine Lee Pardoe book.
Review:
The characterization was a bit thin, but the world felt fully realized and immersive.
Assessment:
Good stuff.
Lasting Impressions
In this section, I return long after reading to give my remembered impressions. Did this book stand the test of time?
Yes-ish. Still clearly remember the conflict. Don't recall the personality of any of the characters.
My first Blaine Lee Pardoe book.
Review:
The characterization was a bit thin, but the world felt fully realized and immersive.
Assessment:
Good stuff.
Lasting Impressions
In this section, I return long after reading to give my remembered impressions. Did this book stand the test of time?
Yes-ish. Still clearly remember the conflict. Don't recall the personality of any of the characters.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews