<<<Redacted>>>
<<<Redacted>>>
Tamar March, Federated Commonwealth
<<<Redacted>>>

As though accepting the implacable mantle of its namesake, the Thor BattleMech lashed out again, particle projector cannon as lightning from the Norse god of ancient Terra. Though not targeted, Valten Ryder still winced in pain nonetheless as rivulets of molten armored splashed to the valley floor. Another fiery scar branded across the torso of Major Adam Steiner’s Axman.

Damn you, Malthus. Damn you and your stupid Clanners to hell.

Valten finished his tactical-retreat pivot within a stand of old-growth trees that might provide some cover from their relentless enemy. He brought his targeting reticule online and unleashed with everything at his disposal in an effort to distract the deranged Clanner. A spread of long-range missiles bit like fleas: small distractions. An extended-range large laser hummed for a second as its azure beam knifed into the Thor’s torso armor, and the Mydron Model B autocannon unleashed a torrent of depleted-uranium slugs. Valten struggled to keep the beast of a weapon on target as the stream of shells ate at armor across the Clanner’s torso and onto the right arm as recoil knocked his aim out of whack.

“Boss man, time for your pivot back. Hawkins and I got your back.”

Without even a confirmation (Adam wasn’t wounded, was he?!) plasma vented beneath the sixty-five-ton Axman. Billowing dust instantly obscured the BattleMech as it blasted into a harsh ballistic arc that sailed it over intervening trees and a small, natural revetment, placing some hard terrain and distance between it and their tormenter.

For hours you’ve pushed us across this godforsaken world. Unstoppable. Unrelenting. Valten’s jaw ached from the grinding of teeth as he center-lined his targeting reticule once more and unloaded at his target.

“Hawkman, you there?” His right hand flashed to his secondary monitor, quickly typing up and sending a code.

“Hawkins. It’s Hawkins. Why is that so hard?”

“’Cause 'Hawkman gets respect, Hawkins a hand in the face. You’re in position, right?”

“Yeah, I’m here. Coordinates received… incoming.” The last of the transmission was flushed in the noise of launching long-range missiles. Feeding off Valten’s targeting systems, Hawkins’s Mauler, hidden half a kilometer farther back, launched its salvo indirectly. With Malthus still trying to target Adam’s retreating Axman and dealing with Val’s own firepower, the Thor remained perfectly positioned as the long-range missiles screamed overhead and washed across the enemy position, an abrupt shower of heavy metal.

The shower became a squall as a secondary wash hammered into the Thor.  Major Steiner, having touched down immediately fed off of Val’s targeting solution as well, adding his paired fifteen-tube LRM launchers to the mix in a spectacular display of effective indirect fire from multiple positions.

The flash and detonations of explosions and the accompanying spat of dirt and dust momentarily obscured the Thor before it reappeared, heavily hit, with an arm hanging limp and internal structure showing through in half a dozen rents in armor.

Val realized he was holding his breath, afraid to set his machine pivoting backwards again in their controlled withdrawal, as though his movement might set off that savage pursuit once more. Sweat stung his eyes and bile soured his stomach until the Thor abruptly began pulling back, disappearing into the aftermath of billowing dust and debris.

“Damn,” he breathed out explosively. They actually managed to turn him back a little.

“That won’t last,” Major Steiner’s voice broke over the comms, already aware of the retreating Malthus. “He’s just pulling back for his Starmates to catch up. Perhaps work one of their tech miracles and trade out that busted arm in mere minutes. Then he’ll be back at us like a dog to a bone.”

“I know, boss man. But I’ll take the breather where I can find it.” Valten was already moving the throttle again and kicking up the Bushwacker’s digitigrade legs as he carefully maneuvered backwards once more, always mindful of an imminent strike.

He’ll be back. But we beat him. We can do it again.

Following the first successful production and deployment of new BattleMechs in centuries—with such efforts as the Hatchetman and Cataphract—TharHes Industries designed a BattleMech that would break many molds. Unfortunately, their R&D team’s audacity outweighed technical expertise, and the extreme innovations incorporated into the Bushwacker stopped full production; the ’Mech was ultimately shelved for several years. However, during the early parts of the Clan Invasion, a raid against a Clan Jade Falcon base on Twycross netted an extensive technical library on Clan BattleMechs. As TharHes began dissecting the data, they realized the solutions to the Bushwacker’s design problems were in their hands and they immediately began experimental field trials with early prototypes. Ultimately the production model’s low profile and inclusion of CASE make for a safer battlefield environment than most BattleMechs, but its hodgepodge of weapons are a classic designed-by-committee House Steiner move that can be tough to overcome.

Captain Valten Ryder is a classic “hero in scoundrel’s clothing.” He has a taste for the good life and all too often finds himself asking “What’s in it for me?” That has gotten him in serious trouble, including temporarily losing ownership of his BattleMech to Boss Tybus, a crime lord who forced Val on numerous unsavory jobs. Val bumped around from mercenary unit to mercenary unit and even accepted a billet in the Armed Forces of the Federated Commonwealth. Despite such history and a tendency to treat his BattleMech like a secured loan for unlimited casino play, he’s an excellent MechWarrior with a knack for getting himself—and his teammates—out of almost any jam.

When trouble with a capital T drops down on his command, he’ll ride to the rescue without a moment’s hesitation.

Written by Randall Neil Bills

Catalyst Game Labs