No Tears
Sarna News
| No Tears | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Short story by Craig A. Reed, Jr. | |||
 | |||
| First Publication | |||
| Published | 30 April 2021 | ||
| Publisher | Catalyst Game Labs | ||
| Illustrator(s) | David A. Kerber (cover) | ||
| Pages | 54 (EPUB) | ||
| MSRP | $1.99 (EPUB) | ||
| Chronology | |||
| Era | Succession Wars era | ||
| Timeline | 5 June 2798 — 23 June 2798 | ||
| Series | |||
| |||
No Tears, subtitled Eridani Light Horse Chronicles, Part Two, is a short story by Craig A. Reed, Jr.. It was first published in EPUB format on 30 April 2021 as the second entry in the Eridani Light Horse Chronicles.
The story was re-released on 25 February 2022 as part of the omnibus/anthology No Greater Honor: The Complete Eridani Light Horse Chronicles.
It covers the 2798 massacre of the Eridani Light Horse's dependents on Sendai.
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| “ | During the First Succession War, a tragedy borne of spite strikes the Eridani Light Horse on the Draconis Combine world of Sendai, and they will stop at nothing to exact their revenge. | ” |
Plot Summary[edit]
Lieutenant Rafe Fraser is a lance commander in the First Assault Company, Fiftieth Heavy Cavalry Battalion, 151st Light Horse Regiment of the Eridani Light Horse. The Eridani Light Horse is preparing to depart the planet Sendai, and the service of the Draconis Combine, in response to the Kentares Massacre. Shortly after, his wife Ellen informs him she is pregnant.
To avoid conflict with Kuritan forces, the combatant units take off in their DropShips and await the departure of their dependents. Rafe and the other unit commanders of the Fiftieth are called together and informed that their dependents and those of the Eighth Recon Battalion have been taken hostage by Planetary Governor Kol Dojiro. If both battalions do not return to Sendai and surrender to Dojiro's control, they will be executed. The next day, video is sent of the executions.
The Fiftieth and the Eighth reverse course on a mission to execute every member of the government and militia and destroy every government building on Sendai in retaliation for this atrocity. Rafe drops with his unit at the Aobayama City Spaceport where they overrun the defenders in minutes. Rafe leads his lance to the city square and demolishes the administration building.
The next day the battalions meet up at Sendai City, where the militia has dug in. Rafe spends some time talking with Lieutenant Mahault “Manny” Carstens while their 'Mechs are being repaired. Manny admonishes Rafe that, eventually, he must deal with his grief.
After battling his way into Sendai City, Rafe and his lance are ordered to intercept a convoy heading for the docks. They engage the Administrator's Guard Lance and supporting combat vehicles, and finally Rafe advances on the limousines, his Guillotine bearing heavy damage from combat. He crushes the engine of the lead limousine engages the rest of the convoy as his lance arrives to support him.
Kol Dojiro exits the damaged vehicle, and Rafe aims his weapons at him. Then a woman, Dojiro's wife, tries to pull Dojiro away, and Rafe hesitates. Finally, two children come out of the car and run to their mother. After a brief internal struggle, Rafe reports to his company commander that Dojiro is still alive, and he is ordered to take Dojiro and any other government ministers he can find into custody.
Days later, after Dojiro was tried and executed along with other government and militia personnel, they are on their DropShips again heading for the jump point. Manny comes to find Rafe to tell him the memorial service is about to start. The story ends with Manny holding Rafe in her arms as he finally gives in to tears.