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[MechWarrior & Mercenary Riley Centrella & Ranger BattleMech - Artwork by Oswald]
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Magistracy Monthly Issue 1 - January 2022

An E-Magazine by Riley Centrella

Table of Contents
● 3 - Introduction & Thanks
● 4 - Faction Spotlight: History of the Federated Suns Volume I: The Age of War
● 7 - Interview Corner: Oswald
● 14 - Upcoming Projects Update
● 15 - Unit Spotlight: Blue Flame
● 17 - The Underrated HBS BattleTech Mod: Vanilla Plus
● 18 - New Products From Catalyst Game Labs
● 21 - Weight of Command - Part 1
● 30 - Decade Spotlight: 2180’s
● 33 - Links & Resources
● 34 - Sources
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Introduction & Thanks

By Riley Centrella

Originally, one of the forms of content on my Patreon came in the form of four monthly
articles, featuring various topics within the BattleTech universe. After a while, I realized I
wanted to do something more dynamic, more fun for readers to enjoy and engage with. That’s
when I came up with this E-Zine idea, and now I’m proud to present the very first issue to you
all.

This wouldn’t be possible without a lot of factors falling into place. Shrapnel Magazine
was an inspiration for this, and so it and Catalyst Game Labs as a whole deserve thanks.
Without their revitalization of BattleTech, we very likely wouldn’t have things like Shrapnel.
The Clan Invasion Kickstarter proved just how many people out there love this fandom and
seems to have even given it a new energy, bringing in more new players and helping older
ones to return.

Though I’m still a very small fish in an increasingly large pond, I still feel blessed to be
able to contribute in my small way to BattleTech. I never expected the amount of attention
the HBS BattleTech Restoration tabletop campaign garnered, and I’m still starstruck by the
fact it netted me an interview with Sarna, the BattleTech wiki.

So what will this E-Zine have? Firstly, I’m going to roll some of the previous article
topics into new formats; Spotlights on factions, units and decades. I also plan to find
contributors for artwork, short stories, and interviews. For the interviews, I plan to not only
try and talk to other content creators, but everyday fans of BattleTech as well. I want them
to have a voice, to be able to tell their stories and share their experiences.

I couldn’t do any of this though without the inspiration that comes from a wide variety
of sources. First, there are my friends and members of the BattleTech Barracks Discord
server I began back in June of 2020. Then there are the content creators that also inspired
me to try my hand at my own sort of offerings, like Tuck Davion’s Battlebound and of course,
the BattleTech rockstar, Tex Talks BattleTech. And while I can’t produce the kind of amazing
video content they do, I still try to produce fun things for BattleTech fans of all experience
levels to enjoy.

My Patrons also deserve thanks. They go the extra mile to support me, helping me to
continue to create this content for everyone to enjoy.

Finally, a big thanks to everyone reading this. I sincerely hope you enjoy the inaugural
issue of Magistracy Monthly, and look forward to publishing future issues.
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History of the Federated Suns Volume I

The Age of War
By Riley Centrella

[Crest of the Federated Suns]

The Federated Suns began life in part due to the Terran Alliance Civil War. Lucien
Davion, then the Deputy Prime Minister of New Avalon, hastily toured the Crucis Reach, a
collection of worlds surrounding his homeworld, convincing them to sign mutual trade and
defense pacts. Even as the Terran Alliance was transformed into the Terran Hegemony,
Lucien continued his tour, which culminated in the Crucis Pact summit. Twenty of the
twenty-three planetary leaders that attended signed the Pact, which would officially form the
interstellar nation of the Federated Suns, with Lucien elected its first President in 2317.

[Lucien Davion]
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For the first years of its life, the Federated Suns would function as a democracy led by
a High Council composed of members from all worlds contained within and headed by a
President. Over time though, it gradually became a hereditary position that would be passed
down, leading to the official foundation of House Davion and the title of First Prince.

Peace for the fledgling nation would not last for very long, as shortly after joining, two
of the worlds within the former Muskegon Empire would cede and join up with the Chesterton
Trade League, who would eventually go on to be a part of the Capellan Confederation. The
newly raised Federated Suns Army would see their first combat while trying to prevent this
secession.

By 2415, Edward Davion had become the President and was bringing the Federated
Suns to the brink of ruin with his extravagance and poor understanding of leadership and
tactics. This would lead to his assassination in 2417 by Simon Davion, who shot and killed him
in the High Council chambers on New Avalon. Simon surrendered immediately afterwards,
calling for a trial. The High Council knew that his actions only helped the still-growing nation
and so rather than imprison or execute him, they went in the entirely opposite direction by
naming him the new President. He would go on to become the first First Prince in the
following years.

“No one man can govern so vast a realm, even if that man is a genius, saint, and hero
at once. And when a man inferior or even (with) ordinary abilities tries to exercise power of so
many worlds and so many billions of people, the result is the tyranny, chaos, ignorance, greed,
or hatred that we have already seen too often. Some like to hark back to the creed of the
20th century, proclaiming that all democracies are inherently good and all aristocratic
oligarchies inherently evil. It is my belief, however, that only a stable aristocracy exercising
authority over manageable areas of our Federated Suns can hope to blend the decisiveness
of central rule with flexibility and freedom. It is not the system of government that will be good
or bad, but rather the people who wield power within it. Did not my late, unlamented cousins
take supreme power on the basis of a system that grew out of a democratic form of
government?”
-First Prince Simon Davion

Civil War would strike the Federated Suns in 2525, with multiple leaders vying to be
the new ruler following the death of First Prince William Davion. House Varnay, the rulers of
the Capellan March region, wanted to claim the title of First Prince for their own. They even
went so far as to kidnap the would-be First Prince, Alexander Davion, wedding him to Cynthia
Varnay. The two would actually fall in love however and escape New Syrtis by 2527.
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Brutal warfare between the two houses would continue up until 2540. Battles were
fought on more than a hundred worlds and millions of soldiers and civilians died. The
economy of the Federated Suns was decimated to the point that it almost brought the nation
to the brink of ruin. First Prince Alexander Davion would lead his nation back into prosperity
however, ruling all the way up until his death in 2600.

[Alexander Davion. Artwork by Jarrod Owen]

The Federated Suns would begin a new chapter in 2567 thanks to the Star League…

[Emblem of the Star League]

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Interview Corner - Oswald

By Riley Centrella, featuring Oswald

[Rendition of Riley Centrella & her Hammerhands BattleMech]

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Oswald is an amazing artist and fan of BattleTech that has done some artwork for me
personally and often shares his WIPs on both the Classic BattleTech Facebook group and in
the BattleTech Barracks Discord server.

RC: So, I'll start off by asking about your artwork, since that's what I personally know you for
best. When and how did you get into drawing and digital design?

Oswald: I guess I've been drawing since I was a kid. I grew up next to an airport with a national
guard facility so I've been exposed to military vehicles enough for them to dominate my
imagination. I think technical drawing really got serious with me when playing Microprose
flight sims in the 80s. The manuals gave technical drawings of Soviet military equipment and
I got so good at identifying them that I would build cardboard mockups of them to play with. It
was a VERY short leap from there to a serious Battletech addiction.

[Armaments in Mini Miniature Self-Propelled Artillery & Artwork]

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RC: Are those the first sorts of things you drew then? Military vehicles and the like?

Oswald: That's right. Aircraft especially since I had an uncle that was a major in the air force
but also naval vessels since I grew up in a navy town with a grandfather that was in the
Pacific theater during WW2.

RC: Oh wow, so drawing these things wasn't just because they looked cool, it also had
personal history for you.

Oswald: I think most artists and writers are like that. Something has to kindle the fires of that
obsession.

[Anniversary for the BattleTech Barracks Discord Server Artwork, In Riley’s Rangers Colors]

RC: Very true. So, when did you discover BattleTech and begin bringing your talents to that
realm?
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Oswald: In 1985 Harmony Gold got Robotech on TV, and I was instantly hooked. The US really
had nothing like it at the time. There were giant robot shows like Voltron of course, but the
Macross portion of the show had a sense of... well, realism that I hadn't seen before. People
died, there were consequences. Hell the planet almost bought it. There was such weight to it.
So three years later or so I was in a toy store with some money to spend and saw some of
the classic Ral Partha miniatures, Battletech battle books and TRO-3025. I immediately
picked up the TRO and battle books thinking it was actually Robotech- which I hadn't seen
since '85. It soon became clear there were no Zentradi or singing Chinese girls, but I instantly
fell in love with the technology and lore. It wasn't long before I was drawing mechs as often as
I was fighter jets.

RC: A longtime fan then! Have 'Mechs become your favorite thing to draw as a result or is it
still more a mixed bag depending on mood?

Oswald: Definitely a mixed bag. I've had fantasy phases, more space-based sci-fi starships
and the like. And a good friend of mine and I have a near-future military wargame that we
occasionally work on where I have designed ground and air vehicles for him to 3D print. The
game and technology is a prediction of where the current state of defense tech is going and
could be heading in eighty or so years in the future. We both have a background in military
imaging and analysis so the game was a natural projection of it.

RC: Being able to 3D print those designs must be a really cool bonus. Are there other
fandoms you tend to create art for on the regular these days?

Oswald: I've been pretty deep into the Transformers fandom, with emphasis on the Prime
continuity (there are so many). I've also occasionally drawn some of the characters from
Hazbin Hotel and Helluva Boss. I'm a sucker for irreverent, non PC humor. But mostly
Battletech. Work for your Rangers of course, Nate "Mage Leader" Upcott's 'A Twist of the
Knife' Battletech fan drama, and my own interest in making fan art for Markham's Marauders.

RC: I'm a big G1 Transformers fan, so that particular tidbit excites me! But overall it sounds
like it keeps you pretty busy. I personally know how talented you are, so I'm surprised you
aren't in even higher demand!

Oswald: Art school was an eye opener for me. Before that I was kind of a big fish in a small
pond of artists, but at school, and especially after in the DeviantArt age you learn that no
matter how good you are, there are easily a thousand better. Art school also doesn't teach
networking- probably the most crucial skill an artist uses to secure commissions. I gave up
art for a long time after becoming disenfranchised, hardly ever finding a commission. Finally it
occurred to me that just getting to know people and just coming up with art for them on my
own- call it fan art- made me feel a lot better about myself and the artwork. (Cont.)
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Oswald: That's when I started a fan comic for the Trese Bros Star Traders and Templar
Knights series of video games. It only lasted a few years (webcomics are ridiculously time
intensive to me), but it got the ball rolling where I felt best when making art for other people's
imaginations.

[Alpha Lance, 2nd Kavalleri Reconnaissance Regiment of the Free Rasalhague Republic]

RC: Well I for one am really happy you found your spark again and continue to make amazing
creations. Now I have to ask the question I have to ask everyone; what's your favorite
BattleMech and why?

Oswald: That's up there with my favorite pizza toppings. I go with favorite mechs in class. For
light- probably the Wolfhound though mostly because of the Panther. For Medium- most of
the Shadow Hawks though I'm also partial to the Vindicator and Centurion. For Heavy, easily
the Thunderbolt 5SE, though I won't turn my nose up at a Marauder. For Assault, Highlander
732B. I'm also partial to the Awesome 8Q. I tend to go for practical workhorse multi-role
designs though I prefer long range support. Especially direct fires.

RC: All classic and solid choices. I'm fond of the Thunderbolt, Highlander and Awesome
myself. Finally, is there anything you'd like to plug while you have the chance? Any projects,
works in progress or similar?
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[Fireball Vs. Elementals]

Oswald: I tend to wear several hats. Besides the Arms in Mini future warfare project I'm also
a co-host on a pop culture podcast called Superretrothrowback Reviews over on the
Dorkening Broadcast Network. Sometimes I sneak some Battletech news in there, but mainly
it's about movies/tv, video games, music news and weird news. I also tangentially still
participate over on Sarna.net's discord. I used to write news articles for them over a few
years, but these days I mainly help out on the server.

RC: Sounds like a fun bevy of projects! I'll be sure to include links to everything so people can
check it out at their leisure. Thanks for taking the time to have this interview. Can't wait to
see your upcoming projects and WIPs come to life! And of course, a big thank you for being
the cover artist for this magazine.

Oswald: Of course. It's been a blast so far.

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If you’d like to support Oswald or check out his projects, please visit the links below.

DeviantArt: https://www.deviantart.com/dayanx/gallery

Armaments in Mini: https://www.facebook.com/Armaments-In-Mini-103097267923465

Super Retro Throwback Reviews: https://www.superretrothrowbackreviews.com/

[Glitch & Vindicator]

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Upcoming Projects Update

By Riley Centrella

Several exciting things are in the works for my Patreon. The next big campaign I’m
currently working on is the story of the Riley’s Rangers mercenary company, spanning the
ages from the Star League all the way into the Republic era. It’s going to be one of the most
in-depth campaigns to date, complete with unique record sheets and journal entries.

[Emblem of the Riley’s Rangers mercenary company. Artist: Oswald]

After this though, I’m going to kick off another tabletop conversion project. The Arano
Restoration and MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries conversions were so successful that I’ve
decided to keep doing these types of campaigns as well. Because of MechWarrior 2’s
legendary status in BattleTech history for so many players, I’ve decided to follow up the
Mercenaries conversion with the expansion Ghost Bear’s Legacy.
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Unit Spotlight: The Blue Flame Quad BattleMech

By Riley Centrella

[Blue Flame BLF-21 from Technical Readout: 3067. Artist: Franz Vohwinkel]

The Blue Flame is one of those BattleMechs that is often overlooked because of its
short lifespan and the time it roamed the battlefield. It first found life in 3062, after the Word
of Blake had taken possession of Terra. They repurposed the Mitchell Vehicles facility, where
the Shootist had previously been produced, and now reworked it to build the Blue Flame and
its heavier partner, the White Flame, both quadrupedal designs.

Built on a 45 ton Endo Steel frame, it is powered by a 220-rated Light Engine, giving it
a top speed of 86 kph. It is protected by 11 tons of standard armor. Two ER Large Lasers
serve as the primary weapons, one housed in either side torso. Each side torso also carries a
Streak SRM2 launcher, with a third housed in the head, all of which are fed by a single ton of
ammunition housed in the right torso. An Improved C3 Computer is situated in the Center
Torso, a feature prominent in Word of Blake designs.

The Blue Flame had one variant, first produced in 3073, the BLF-40. The Improved C3
Computer remained but the entirety of the weapons load was swapped out. Each torso
section now housed a Light PPC, while a Medium Variable-Speed Pulse (VSP) laser was
situated in the right torso. Making all these weapons even deadlier was a Targeting
Computer, placed in the left torso.
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The Custom Variant: Blue Flame BLF-25

My custom variant of the Blue Flame, dubbed the BLF-25, retains the Improved C3
Computer but swaps out the weapons load to a simple but effective array. An ER PPC now
occupies the left torso, while an MML9 launcher sits in the right. One ton each of short and
long range ammunition are housed in the left torso and are protected by CASE.

[Artwork by Oswald]
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The Underrated HBS BattleTech Mod: Vanilla Plus

By Riley Centrella

The 2018 BattleTech video game by Harebrained Schemes is one of the best things to
hit the virtual realm of the BattleTech fandom in the last several years. There are dozens of
great mods for it, but most only know of the big ones, things like Advanced 3062 or
Roguetech. But there’s one that often goes overlooked and yet adds so much to the game
without drastically changing too much like the aforementioned mods do.

So what is Vanilla Plus?

Vanilla Plus firstly adds tons of new units to the game; over 100 new ‘Mechs, 40
combat vehicles and even new turrets. These include designs from both the Inner Sphere and
the clans, and all the technology that brings as well, easily interchangeable in the MechBay
once you start collecting salvage. That part is made easier too as Vanilla Plus also packages
other useful mods into one download, including Loot Magnet, Panic System, Repair Bays and
more. On top of this, it also features a host of gameplay improvements that makes combat
happen more smoothly and makes the flow feel much more satisfying. It also adds extra
options for Career difficulty, 22 ronin pilots, random ‘Mechs for new careers, half and double
ammo options, and new storefronts on six planets with all the fancy new equipment and
‘Mechs for sale.

If you’d like to check out the mod for yourself, you can do so here:
https://www.nexusmods.com/battletech/mods/557
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Recent Releases from Catalyst Game Labs

By Riley Centrella

Perhaps one of the hottest releases of late, the Wolf’s Dragoons Force Pack is
exclusive to Barnes & Noble. With an MSRP of $30, it includes an Annihilator, Timber Wolf,
Rifleman, Archer and Blackjack, as well as pilot and Alpha Strike cards for each ‘Mech.

Issue 7 of the official BattleTech Magazine, Shrapnel is chock full of technical

readouts, short stories, articles, and playable scenarios. The digital edition has an MSRP of
$5.99. From the product page:

A young Periphery volunteer struggles against marauding pirates who have long
overstayed their welcome. A small-but-growing mercenary unit faces off against a
formidable foe capable of destroying their dreams. A Star League MechWarrior wrestles with
an exciting career opportunity on the eve of the war that will change the face of the Inner
Sphere forever. Experience the costly Jade Falcon assault on Arc-Royal, return to an idyllic
paradise haunted by a specter of the past, and follow a Clan Wolf bondsman’s quest to
reunite with his son. Then lurk in the shadows with more cloak-and-dagger plots in the
continuation of the four-part serial novel set on the game world of Solaris VII.
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The final two Recognition Guides are finally available, each with an MSRP of $3.99 for
a digital copy. They showcase some older designs as well as new ones that have appeared in
the ilClan era. Sometime in 2022 there will be a collected volume of the Recognition Guides
featuring most of the ‘Mechs featured in a single print volume.
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Finally, a new short story and novel are available. The short story, Part 10 of the
Eridani Light Horse Chronicles entitled Strong as Steel, follows the famed mercenary unit
after the fall of the Republic of the Sphere. Written by Michael J. Ciaravella, it has an MSRP of
$1.99 for a digital copy. Trial by Chaos written by J. Steven York follows the Raging Bears as
they try to restore order on the world of Vega, facing threats both from without and within. A
digital copy is available for $4.99.
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Weight of Command - Part I

By Nate Upcott

Isle of Skye | Accrington | Wednesday, February 18, 3063 | 13:47

Patrick Ferdinand cursed as the warning siren blared in his ears. Missiles were coming
in. Of course they were. There had been nothing but missiles coming in for the past hour. At
this point it went without saying, and he wished that the machine would quit murdering his
ears just to tell him about it. The young mechwarrior drove his battered Phoenix Hawk to the
edge of a nearby ravine and walked the machine over the edge, feathering his jump jet pedals
to slow his descent until he reached the canyon floor. The missiles slammed into the rim of the
fissure, casting broken boulders down on top of the 'mech. The siren fell mercifully silent,
allowing him a second to collect his thoughts as he sprinted through the chasm, hoping that
his maneuver would buy him a few extra moments to form an escape plan.

[Phoenix Hawk - Art Credit: Matt Plog]

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So far the speed of his medium 'mech had been his saving grace, the only reason he
had survived this long. Corey's Corpsemakers was on his tail, a mercenary company who
specialized in ending careers like his. They had struck without warning, their battlemechs
charging through the city streets of Wiscasset with no regard for collateral damage. The
small defense force had been easy prey for their heavy machines, and Patrick had barely
escaped with his life. He had broken away from the main body of the force and run along the
outskirts of the city, hoping to flank the mercenaries and draw their fire away from the
populated areas, but at every turn he'd been blocked by heavier machines that always
seemed to focus their fire on his 'mech.

His theory seemed to have been proven correct; the mercs were after him and him
alone. The moment he had fled the city they had come after him, leaving the half-destroyed
city streets behind them. This was no simple pirate raid. It was an assassination, and he was
the target. He snarled and ground his teeth. It was Katrina Steiner. It had to be. Of course
there were plenty of people on Accrington who wanted him dead, but none with the resources
or connections to hire mercenaries like the Corpsemakers. Such tactics were overkill, a power
play, a way to send a clear message to the rest of the Isle of Skye that dissenting voices
would not be tolerated without saying it directly. No one would be able to prove that the
self-appointed Archon had ordered the attack, and the media would paint it all as a raid,
perhaps even attributing blame to Katrina's brother, Victor. The truth would die with Patrick,
and no one would dare question the narrative for fear of sharing his fate.

Patrick cursed again as the missile warning screeched in his ears for the hundredth
time. This time the salvo went wide, apparently having been dummy fired in his general
direction. The ravine provided him temporary shelter from the enemy's radar-guided
weapons, but he couldn't stay there for long. Eventually their light 'mechs would figure out
where he had gone, and they'd eventually catch up. His damaged machine had lost nearly all
of its firepower early on when a gauss rifle slug had torn away the right arm. All he had left
was a pair of medium lasers in the center torso, and the armor there was almost gone. Worse
yet, he had now reached the end of the small fissure, and there was nowhere to go but up. He
clenched his teeth as he flared his jump jets and sent the Phoenix Hawk sailing upward.

Patrick cleared the rim easily and landed on level ground and found himself in an open
plain. There was no cover in front of him, only a distant set of hills and the forests that lay
beyond them. If he could make it there then he might be able to lose his pursuers in the trees,
but he knew that he wouldn't make it that far. His right leg was barely holding together, and if
he pushed it any harder it was almost certain to give out. He continued to run, but as his radar
picked up the signals of the enemy scouts he knew it was over. He couldn't fight back, he
couldn't run, and there was nowhere left to hide. The missile warning sounded again, and he
turned his 'mech around, determined to face his fate with some semblance of dignity. The
missiles rained down in a hail of deadly ordnance, finishing off what remained of the right leg.
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Warnings and error messages blared all around him, and the Phoenix Hawk nearly
toppled. Patrick fought to keep it upright, and by some miracle he managed to stay on his feet,
but there was no cause to celebrate. The throttle had gone dead. The Phoenix Hawk no longer
responded to his input. The impact had been severe enough to trigger an emergency
shutdown, normally reserved for an overheating reactor core. Patrick's hands danced across
his control panel, desperately trying to get the machine to reactivate.

He could see the enemy 'mechs now, a Centurion, a Jenner, a Thunderbolt, and a
Battlemaster all running at their maximum speed. The Jenner reached him first, but it didn't
fire. It circled him cautiously, as if expecting a trap, then took a position in his rear arc. The
Centurion and Thunderbolt closed next, taking positions in the front, then the Battlemaster
moved in between them, its hulking form dominating the field. Patrick felt incredibly small
standing before it, and his hands started to shake. The radio whined and sputtered, then gave
way to gravely laughter. Samuel Corey spoke, and the sound of his voice made Patrick
shudder.

[BattleMaster - Art Credit: Anthony Scroggins]

"What's the matter, Ferdinand? Tired of running already?"

"What do you want from me?" Patrick replied, trying to keep the quivering out of his
voice.
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"A closer look at your 'mech," said Corey, taking a menacing step forward with his
Battlemaster. "That's not a bad Phoenix Hawk you've got there. Or at least it used to be half
decent. Shame you made us smash it up like that. We could've used the salvage. But I guess
we can still pull a few spare parts off it once we turn your cockpit into slag."

"Want me to finish him off, boss?" asked another voice. "I've got a clean shot on his
reactor."

"Wait!" Patrick cried. "Katrina Steiner sent you, didn't she?"

Corey laughed again, his 'mech's shoulders visibly shaking as if it was sharing in his
mirth. "Sorry, kid. I don't discuss business with dead men. Nothing personal, you understand.
Just doing my job. Reggie, blow his core then mop up the pieces. Take some photos for the
Archon and meet us back at the dropship. If he punches out, you know what to do."

"Contact!" shouted a third voice. "Fast-movers! Six o'clock high!"

The Corpsemakers turned to face the new threat, then staggered back as a hail of
missiles and laser fire tore into the machines. Two Lucifer fighters screamed by overhead as
shards of armor were smashed and torn away by their assault. The mercenaries scattered,
sweeping back and forth as they searched for something to target, but the aircraft were
already gone, soaring away into the distance as they made ready to take another pass.

[Lucifer Aerospace Fighters - Art Credit: Kevin Long]

"Incoming dropship!" Corey exclaimed. "Who the hell...?"

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Patrick looked up to the sky, but couldn't see the ship. A moment later, however, he felt
the ground beneath him begin to shake, and soon the spacecraft's automated weapons began
to fire, seemingly from a position close behind him. Lasers burned through the air, and a
swarm of missiles pounded the Jenner and knocked it off its feet. The Centurion caught a
large laser on its left arm, and the armor there melted away as the intense heat reduced it to
a useless lump of molten steel.

"Hangar doors opening!" cried the third mercenary. "Assault lance coming out! What's
the play, boss?"

"Fall back!" Corey bellowed. "Fall back to the city! Big Fish, this is KingKiller 1, deploy
Dagger Lance and rendezvous at grid Whiskey 939!"

His voice was drowned out by another transmission, one that rattled Patrick's
eardrums even worse than the missile alarms. "WOOHOOOOO! Yeah, that's right, run!"
shouted a male voice with a thick, distinctively Lyran accent. "The Templars have arrived! You
will not take this man today!"

Patrick craned his neck, struggling to see what was behind him, and four hulking
battlemechs soon marched into view. They were painted with a stunningly pristine coat of
white adorned with an ornate crimson cross on the center torso, giving them a striking
appearance even in the dull, overcast light. The shouting seemed to have come from the
Templar, a brand new 'mech design from the Federated Suns that carried a commanding
presence on the field. It strode defiantly to the fore, its weapons firing ineffectually at the
retreating mercenaries as its pilot laughed maniacally over the radio. One of the other 'mechs,
a Devastator, stepped in front of the Templar and held an arm in front of it, as if holding the
mechwarrior back.

"They're gone, sir," said a calm, masculine voice. "Pulitzer, check on our guest."

"Yes, sir," said another male, noticeably younger than the other. A Stalker stomped its
way to Patrick's side and leaned forward, placing its cockpit near his own. Through the
reinforced canopy he could see the other man seated in his control couch, his face obscured
by the visor of his neurohelmet. He waved a hand at Patrick, who weakly responded with one
of his own.

"Who... who are you people?" he asked. "Who sent you?"

"We're the Templars," replied the Stalker pilot, cheerfully. "Trautmann's Templars, that
is. I'm James. Captain T is the one driving the Templar. Lt. Shi's in the Devastator, and the fella
behind us in the Maelstrom is Lt. Miyamoto."
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[Unit Emblem of Trautmann’s Templars]

"And nobody sent us," interjected the Lyran, turning his Templar to face the Phoenix
Hawk. "We just saw a fellow mechwarrior in trouble. Of course there is no need to thank us.
This is simply what we do, ja? Now we must get you inside the Onion before they return."

"Onion?" echoed Patrick.

"He means the dropship," said the weary voice of Lt. Shi. "Her name isn't Onion. The
boss just likes to call her that."

"Your Hawk looks pretty banged up," said James. "Are you ok in there? Can you move?"

"I'm fine, but everything else is dead," Patrick replied. "I've got no control."

"You can ride with me, then," said James. "The salvage crew will get your 'mech on
board."

The Templar moved closer to Patrick's 'mech, its torso moving slowly back and forth,
as if examining the stricken machine. "What is your name, mechwarrior?" asked Captain
Trautmann.

"You don't know who I am?" asked Patrick. "I... I don't understand. Why would you move
in to help me if you don't know me? Are you for Steiner or Davion?"
 27

"We are for ourselves," Trautmann replied. "Politics does not concern me, only honor.
We fight to rescue soldiers in distress, and you are very lucky we happened to be in the area."

"Relax," said James. "You're safe with us. We'll drop you off wherever you need to go."

"Katrina Steiner won't be happy about this," said Patrick. "I don't think you guys realize
what you just did."

"Bah!" Trautmann scoffed. "My friend, we are but small fish in a wide ocean. The
Archon has far greater concerns than our humble company. Come, open your hatch and step
aboard James's Stalker. We must leave before the Corpsemakers return."

—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Katrina Steiner sat with her arms casually folded, her expression passive as she
listened to Samuel Corey's report. The mercenary's face, though distorted by the holographic
projection, showed the proper amount of fear. It was a natural response from a common thug
such as him. He had failed, and failure was not something that the archon took lightly. She had
no intention of punishing him too severely. The intervention of a third party couldn't have been
predicted even by her superior intellect, and the Corpsemakers were reliable, if often
inelegant assassins. Of course, Corey didn't need to know that. The more he anticipated a
reprisal, the better he would perform. A little fear of retribution was a healthy thing for a
mercenary, and Katrina had become very adept at handling their kind in recent years.

"So what you're telling me is that Patrick Ferdinand is still alive," she said simply. "That
is not what I wanted to hear, Captain Corey."

"The intel was insufficient," Corey replied, suitably uncomfortable. "The reconnaissance
reported only the local-"

"Do not try and shift the blame!" Katrina snapped. "I do so despise cowardice. Face
your failures as a man does or I shall lose my temper."

"O-of course, my lady," Corey sputtered. "I'm not trying to make excuses. I just want to
explain-"

"An explanation is unnecessary," interrupted the Archon. "I am aware of the

circumstances. Your words are irrelevant and redundant. If you're determined to wag your
tongue, then at least say something useful. This company that rescued Ferdinand, who are
they?"
 28

"The dropship is registered to an organization called 'Trautmann's Templars,'" said

Corey. "My boys did some research on them. According to the MRB they're a new outfit.
Haven't accepted any contracts and are currently listed as 'unavailable.' Whoever they are,
they aren't looking for work through regular channels."

"I see," said Katrina. "An intriguing development, to be sure."

"Would you like us to pursue them?" asked Corey. "We can get rid of them for you, and
take out Ferdinand in the process."

"No," said Katrina. "No, something like this requires skill, finesse, qualities that you
have proven yourself to lack. Your instructions are simple. Hold your position and await
further orders. Oh, and Captain?"

"Yes, Archon?"

"You don't strike me as a religious man, but I would suggest that you visit a church and
have your soul attended to." She smiled casually, but there was a deadly edge to her
expression beneath the surface. "Many of my best commanders have failed me a single time,
but not one has ever failed me twice. Am I understood?"

"Of course, my Lady," replied Corey quickly. "I will-"

Katrina cut the connection before he could finish, then allowed herself to furrow her
brow as she contemplated the day's events. New mercenary companies were popping up all
the time. It was nothing new or unusual, but typically fresh companies were always available,
eagerly lapping up the table scraps other mercenaries left behind. For a company to register
with the Mercenary Review Board, equip themselves with cutting-edge hardware, then
immediately list themselves as unavailable was certainly suspicious. Then there was their
actions. They had appeared as if from nowhere, snatching away the one man on Accrington
that she had wanted dead.

The Archon grimaced to herself. It was Victor. It had to be. No one else could possibly
have interfered so precisely in her plans. She had written off Ferdinand as small-time, a minor
nuisance who didn't know when to keep his mouth shut. His death would have served as an
example and nothing more. But if Victor wanted him alive then there was more to him than she
had predicted. He was important to Victor, and that made him dangerous. He would need to
be dealt with, and quickly. There was no doubt. If Victor wanted Ferdinand alive, then he had to
die at any cost. Katrina nodded slowly to herself, then pressed a key on her armrest, calling
for her nearest available aide.

"Connect me with Captain Michael Baxter," she said. "High priority call."
 29

"Yes, my Lady," replied the aide, his voice giving away his obvious surprise. A high
priority HPG call was expensive, even for someone as wealthy as the Archon. Katrina knew
the cost, but this situation required a rapid response, the kind that could not tolerate any
delay or miscommunication. She would pay the cost a hundred times over. The money didn't
matter, only the results. Ferdinand would die, and Victor's shiny new mercenaries would soon
be a distant memory. That fact alone was worth every C-bill.

[Katherine Steiner-Davion - Art Credit: Oswald]

 30

Decade Spotlight: 2180’s

By Riley Centrella

This section continues from a series of articles on my Patreon wherein important events from
each year of BattleTech history are chronicled, starting with the 2100’s.

2180
● Margarette Liao is born, the youngest daughter of Elias and Cynthiana Liao. She
would unfortunately not live to see her 8th cycle thanks to a tragic accident when her
family fled Terra in 2187.

2182
● Elias Liao emerges from exile in Tibet and embarks on a campaign of terrorism,
believing that he has to bring anarchy to the world to balance it. He assassinates no
fewer than 149 government officials during this time.

[Elias Liao]

● Irian Technologies is founded on the independent world of Irian, which would eventually
become a part of the Free Worlds League. Over time, they would become a powerful
industrial conglomerate, producing everything from DropShips to BatteMechs.
 31

[Emblem of Irian Technologies]

2183
● Johnson Platform Airframes finishes construction on the Eckener-class tanker
airship. It is entered into service with the Ryan Cartel to transport water to colonies.

[Eckener-class Tanker Airship. Artwork by Doug Chaffee]

2185
● Rudolph Ryan, leader of the Ryan Cartel, is assassinated by anarchists.

2187
● Cynthiana Liao and her daughters Carmen and Margarette are all killed attempting to
escape from Terra following Elias’ campaign of terrorism, which culminated in a
multiple-fusion explosion in Beijing.
 32

2188
● Elias Liao and his sons Rufus and David flee Terra following an assault on their
stronghold by the Chinese Republic.

2189
● Elias Liao officially founds the colony of Cynthiana, named after his late wife. It would
later be renamed Liao and become a part of the Capellan Confederation.

[Planetary Map of Liao. Artwork by Ray Arrastia]

 33

Links & Resources

Magestrix Riley Patreon Homepage: https://www.patreon.com/magestrixriley

Restoration Campaign (Free): https://www.patreon.com/posts/55293286

Heavy Metal Campaign (Free): https://www.patreon.com/posts/53345354

MechWarriors 2: Mercenaries Campaign (Free): https://www.patreon.com/posts/58463939

BattleTech Resource Guide (Free): https://www.patreon.com/posts/54120947

My Interview on Sarna:
https://www.sarna.net/news/community-outreach-converting-hbss-battletech-campaign-t
o-tabletop-with-riley-centrella/

Oswald’s DeviantArt: https://www.deviantart.com/dayanx/gallery

BattleTech Barracks Discord Server: https://discord.gg/afkBFTK

---

Want your link featured here, or to become a sponsor or submit content for the next issue?
Send me a message on Patreon or Discord!

---
 34

Bonus Content Included With this Issue

● Record sheet for the custom Blue Flame BLF-25 variant.
● Record sheet for the Ranger RGR-1X, produced by Riley’s Rangers and featured on
the cover.
● Record sheet for the Ranger RGR-2X, produced by Riley’s Rangers.
The Ranger BattleMech will be featured in an upcoming issue in full.

Sources
● House Davion: The Federated Suns
● Era Digest: Age of War
● Handbook: House Davion
● The Proliferation Cycle Part III: Nothing Ventured
● Record Sheets: 3067 Unabridged
● Technical Readout: 3067
● House Liao: The Capellan Confederation
● Handbook: House Liao
● House Marik: The Free Worlds League
● Technical Readout: Vehicle Annex Revised
● ComStar Intelligence Summary: DropShips & JumpShips