Dedicated to all fans of BattleTech (and its myriad incarnations): past, present and future.

This is a fanfiction work based on Classic Battletech. Classic Battletech is the property of Wizkids LLC. All rights reserved. The character of Sudden Smith is based on the following classic computer games (which I still remember with great awe and affection): Starfleet Orion (The first micro-computer wargame ever!), Invasion Orion and Rescue at Rigel, all by Jon Freeman and Epyx Inc.

This is the sixth installment of the new Black Widow stories. Although each tale is designed to stand alone, they are all part of a larger plot and so I would suggest you read the entire series if you can. Please enjoy. All comments are welcome!


DRAMATIS PERSONAE

BLACK WIDOW COMPANY

Captain Natasha Kerensky- Clone of the original Black Widow

Major Dominic Durant- Liaison, SLDF Intelligence Command

Lieutenant James "Casanova Jimmy" Clavell- Son of John Clavell

The Monk- Lance Commander, Tarantulas

Lieutenant Lewis Sorenson- XO, Widow Command Lance

Stilicho Jones- MechWarrior, Wolf Spiders

Tara Ravin, Mechwarrior, Widow Command Lance

Johnny Gundam- MechWarrior, Wolf Spiders

Christopher MacLaren- MechWarrior, Wolf Spiders

Sudden Smith- MechWarrior, Tarantulas

Pale Rider- MechWarrior, Tarantulas


STAR LEAGUE (Conference Delegates)

Carlos Sanz- Official Liaison, Star League

John Palatine- Representative, Federated Suns

Baroness Mishai Singh- Vice Minister of Foreign Relations, Federated Suns

Mandrissa Monika Lee- Ministry of Trade and Exchange, Capellan Confederation

Count Seiji Oshiwara- Okurasho (Ministry of Treasury), Draconis Combine

Tai-i Chifune Kishikawa- Otomo bodyguard, Draconis Combine

Duke Rudiger Steiner- Chancellor of Finances, Lyran Alliance


WORD OF BLAKE

Precentor Martial Cameron St. Jamais- CO, WOB Militia

Precentor Brandon St. Jamais- CO, Heretic's Bane

Adept XX Epsilon Amon Goth- XO, Heretic's Bane

Adept XVIII Iota Jason Cornelius- Light of Mankind

Adept XIX Pi Dragan Vosanovic- Light of Mankind

Bernard Reno- ROM Agent

Adept III Zeta Achmed Faud- Light of Mankind

Acolyte IX Iota Rogelio Chavez- Light of Mankind

Precentor XXXI Omega Michel Gans- Former HPG Administrator, Gibson


SMYTHE-DAYAN EXPEDITION (Polyphemos' Eye)

Professor Adrian Smythe- Dean of Archaeology, Tharkad University

Doctor Mordecai Dayan- Head Archaeologist, Luthien University

Doctor Constance Smythe- Archaeologist

Richie Hoyt- Graduate Student


DROPSHIP/JUMPSHIP GROUP

Captain Markus Pym- JumpShip Znutar

Lieutenant Frank Carruthers- XO, Znutar

Captain Elijah "Ace" Rothstein- DropShip Space Beagle

Captain Janice De Llandes- DropShip Amerigo

Lieutenant John Shive- XO, Amerigo

Sergeant Edward "Eddie" Pryce- SLDF Military Police

Eladio Rodriguez- Crewman, Space Beagle

Chief Moses Malone- Engineer, Amerigo

Jessica Bradshaw- Stewardess, Amerigo

Karen Udeze- Stewardess, Amerigo


CAPELLAN CONFEDERATION

Chancellor Sun-Tzu Liao- Supreme Leader, CC

Duchess Kali Liao- Lady of Highspire, sister of Sun-Tzu

Sang-wei Chang Pao- Death Commando

Sao-shao Peter Coetzee- Case Officer, Maskirovka


CAUTION: Due to mature themes and subject matter, this work is recommended for adult readers only.

Special Thanks to Konan, NukeLoader and TNG for their technical assistance on Wobbie organization!

Amon Goth's philosophical ramblings about the craft of war is taken from the novel Blood Meridian, by Cormac McCarthy.