Tears of Blood

Tears of Blood
Serialized novella by Randall N. Bills
First Publication
PublishedAugust 2003—
5 September 2004
PublisherBattleCorps
Illustrator(s)
Pages
  • 9 (Part 1)
  • 6 (Part 2)
  • 8 (Part 3)
  • 9 (Part 4)
  • 9 (Part 5)
  • 15 (Part 6)
  • 7 (Part 7)
  • 63 (Total)
Chronology
EraCivil War era
Timeline17 November 3061 — 1 November 3062

Tears of Blood is a serialized novella by Randall N. Bills that was published online on BattleCorps in seven parts between August 2003 and September 2004.

Like Destiny's Call, the first two parts of Tears of Blood were made available for free on the BattleCorps website before it went live as a subscription-based service. It was later made available only to paying members.

Plot Summary[edit]

Part 1[edit]

published in: August 2003

Author of the Blood Spirit faction in the BattleTech Field Manual: Crusader Clans sourcebook, Randall N. Bills fleshes out the feud broiling between Clans Blood Spirit and Star Adder. Caden, a ristar Blood Spirit, is chosen by his House Leader to take back their Bloodheritage's honor and avenge the entire Clan against the hated Adders.

On 17 November 3061, Star Captain Caden of Clan Blood Spirit approaches the imposing Blood Spirit Hall on York. While walking through the building, Caden reflects on the grandeur and symbolism of the Hall and his deep reverence for his Clan’s traditions and architecture. Inside the Chamber of Supplicants, Caden observes historical relics and mosaics, including depictions of Operation KLONDIKE and trophies from past Bloodnamed warriors.

Caden proceeds to an audience with his Bloodhouse Leader, Sariah Church. Sariah questions Caden's awareness of current events within their Bloodhouse, ultimately revealing that Star Captain Josef Church, a Bloodnamed warrior, has been killed by members of the Dark Caste en route to Strana Mechty.

Through their conversation, Sariah assesses Caden's ambition, discipline, and emotional reactions. She confirms her intent to nominate Caden for an upcoming Trial of Bloodright, citing his impressive performance in his Trial of Position, in which he defeated three opponents, gaining him the rank of Star Captain. The story closes with Sariah expressing absolute confidence in his success and linking his potential victory to the resurgence of the Church Bloodhouse and the destruction of Clan Star Adder.

Part 2[edit]

published in: April 2004

To the Clans, nothing is more important than obtaining a Bloodname. And the Trial of Bloodright ceremony is one of their most sacred events. To achieve his House Leader's goals, he must first participate in a Trial of Bloodright ceremony and begin the trials to take an honored Name.

On 19 December 3061, thirty-six candidates for the Church Bloodname gather at the Blood Spirit Hall for a solemn and traditional ritual. Among them is Caden, participating in the opening ceremony of the upcoming Trial of Bloodright. It takes place in a massive, torch-lit cavern featuring two rows of clossal columns. As part of the ceremony, the candidates take assigned positions along the chamber's path.

The ceremony is presided over by Loremaster Bayle Campbell, saKhan Troy Boques, Khan Karianna Schmitt, and House Leader Sariah Church. Each removes their ceremonial mask in sequence, publicly acknowledging the sanctity and authority of the proceedings. At the appointed time, Caden and Joqlynn step forward to formally demand the Church Bloodname.

Both candidates present silver tokens bearing their names, the date, and the Blood Spirit crest. The tokens are placed in a ceremonial funnel that decides who will be the hunter and hunted. Joqlynn's token lands on top, granting her, as the hunter, the right to choose to fight augmented. Caden, as the hunted, then chooses New Tara Frith as the place for their Trial.

Part 3[edit]

published on: 7 August 2004

Once upon the path, Caden must defeat five opponents to achieve immortality, gaining a Bloodname and having his genetic material mixed with the Spirits' breeding program. Whether at the controls of a 'Mech or fists, Caden quickly learns not all opponents are what they appear to be. Story by Randall N. Bills

The Trial between Caden and Joqlynn begins in the dense forests of New Tara Fríth. Piloting his Blood Kite, Caden evades an early laser volley from her Stooping Hawk C and launches long-range missile strikes to flush her from concealment. Despite her use of mobility and a targeting computer, Caden exploits his superior tonnage and endurance. After a prolonged engagement, he wins the Trial after destroying Joqlynn's 'Mech.

The following day, Caden faces his second opponent, Star Captain Heath in an unaugmented fight conducted within the vertical maintenance shafts of a Mammoth-class DropShip. Heath selected the battlefield that benefits his strong endurance. During their ascent through the shafts, Heath unexpectedly launches an attack, forcing Caden to dodge into a side tunnel. Regaining control, Caden counterattacks and defeats Heath in a brutal close-quarters fight. After the close fight, Caden critically reflects on his actions, realizing that he underestimated his opponent.

On 23 December 3061, Caden faces his third opponent, Tia, in another unaugmented fight in a Circle of Equals outside Blood Spirit Hall. The hand-to-hand combat begins with Caden landing several effective blows and maintaining control of the match. However, as he presses his advantage and overextends himself, Tia counters with a powerful flying kick that stuns him. Unable to recover, Caden is subjected to a rapid series of blows that incapacitate him. As unconsciousness overtakes him, Caden reflects on his failure and the severe consequences of disappointing House Leader Sariah Church.

Part 4[edit]

published on: 14 August 2004

Caden finds himself walking a path he did not expect, leading ProtoMech pilots, whom he finds abhorrent. Yet dedication to the Clan comes in all forms, and a fight with the Star Adders looms.

Eight months later, in August 3062, Caden is stationed at the remote Training Outpost 7 on York's Boques continent. The deployment is a result of his failure in the Trial of Bloodright. Disconnected and bitter, he struggles with his assignment and growing resentment toward his post, the personnel under his command, and the ProtoMech Star led by Star Commander Jewel.

Despite his initial disdain, Caden is forced to acknowledge the surprising efficiency and discipline of Jewel's ProtoMechs, particularly upon visiting their renovated facility and observing the success of their field training exercises. However, he is unsettled by the deep integration between ProtoMech pilots and their machines via Enhanced Imaging, a concept foreign and distasteful to him as a MechWarrior. As his self-reflection deepens, Caden recognizes his own declining standards and the dishonor he has allowed to fester since his failure.

Caden thought process is interrupted by his second-in-command, Star Commander Daneel, who brings urgent news: a Clan Star Adder force—seeking to gain the Blood Spirits' ProtoMech technology—declared a Trial of Possession for Jewel's ProtoMech Star. With only four hours until the Star Adders arrival, he orders his Trinary to prepare for battle, determined to win the Trial in order to redeem himself and prove the value of his unit.

Part 5[edit]

published on: 22 August 2004

The Star Adders raid York, attempting to capture a new series of ProtoMechs through a Trial of Possession. Will Caden have the determination to save what he finds worthless? Or will help come from an unexpected quarter. Story by Randall N. Bills

Back at the command center of Training Outpost 7, Caden, still skeptical of ProtoMech value, accepts the Trial. In complete disregard of standard Clan Blood Spirit doctrine, he bids only a single Star in defense: four Points of BattleMechs and one Point of ProtoMechs. His decision shocks most of his command staff but only draws an impassive reaction from Star Commander Jewel, who Caden orders to select her best Point for the upcoming Trial.

Three hours later, Caden personally leads his forces into the Trial against the Star Adders, who field five 'Mechs,. The Adders initially gain the upper hand, disabling one 'Mech and severely damaging others. Caden engages a Pouncer and destroys it throuh concentrated fire, before he shifts his attention to the Blood Asp, the enemy commander's 'Mech. In the ensuing duel, Caden's Blood Kite suffers critical damage and is nearly defeated. Only the timely intervention of Jewel's remaining ProtoMechs saves Caden and turns the tide of the battle. Though shocked to be rescued by the very unit he once dismissed, Caden regains control of his Blood Kite and delivers the final blows. The Trial ends in victory for Clan Blood Spirit.

Part 6[edit]

published on: 28 August 2004

Story by Randall N. Bills. In a Clan famous for its adherence to traditions laid down by the Founder himself, Caden finds he must accept new paths and new ways if he is to survive.

On 1 November 3062, Caden arrives from his Blood Kite in the freezing predawn. Heading toward a bivouac tent, he sees Star Commander Jewel approaching, not in her usual Roc, but in a new boar-faced ProtoMech. Inside the command tent, amid heightened readiness after a past Clan Star Adder attacks, Caden greets her and learns the machine is the first ProtoMech model built on York. She offers to show it to him.

Outside, Jewel presents the quad-laser-armed, high-speed machine and unexpectedly invites Caden to "interface" with it. Though he lacks Enhanced Imaging, she explains it will be only a level one link. She removes her own pilot suit, giving it to him; the one-piece copper-mesh garment adjusts to fit. Wearing it, Caden follows her to the ProtoMech, where the torso opens to reveal a cramped cockpit. He climbs in, fits the neurohelmet, and the hatch seals.

The connection floods him with heightened strength, perception, and euphoria mixed with pain, pushing him beyond safe limits. His body spasms and his awareness fractures until Jewel's voice draws him back. He awakens in her arms, upper body bare, shaken by the experience. For a moment, her usual reserve drops, revealing unexpected warmth.

Jewel admits she deliberately pushed him far past the first level interface, something never done with an unprepared, non-enhanced pilot, so he would understand the true cost and sacrifice of ProtoMech pilots. She warns the program’s survival depends on leaders who grasp this reality. Though Caden says he has no influence, she insists he will and predicts he will earn a Bloodname. Sirens then sound across the compound, signaling an attack. Returning the suit, Caden tells her they should focus on the coming fight, and they head out together with a new, unspoken respect.

Part 7[edit]

published on: 5 September 2004

In the midst of rising Star Adder raids, Caden seeks redemption for past mistakes. But can he change a lifetime of conditioning? And is this only the beginning of a much larger game played by the House Leader to bring Clan Star Adder to its knees? The thrilling conclusion by Randall N. Bills.

Later, near Training Outpost 7, Caden's Trinary engages returning Clan Star Adder forces. The Star Adders, abandoning all pretense of zellbrigen, executed a feint toward York's capital to draw away defenders, then hot-dropped a smaller contingent near Caden's position. In the ensuing battle, Caden coordinates his units to counter enemy flanking maneuvers, ordering Armor Point Alpha to reinforce Tilla's Griffin IIC.

Under heavy fire from a Marauder IIC and other Star Adder forces, Caden's Blood Kite sustains heavy damage while his Trinary fights across the field. Nearby, Star Commander Jewel, piloting the new Chrysaor ProtoMech model, supports Kolata's Warhammer IIC in combat against a Blood Asp, engaging enemy infantry and battle armor before turning her attention to the assault 'Mech. Through combined fire from different units they can contain the Blood Asp.

The story ends with Caden realizing that true glory can only be achieved by defending his Clan and that all future victories must serve the good of the Clan and not his own. Recognizing the Marauder IIC as the last major threat, Caden launches a Death From Above attack, destroying the enemy 'Mech by crushing its cockpit and killing the pilot. Seriously injured by the maneuver, Caden loses consciousness.

Featured Characters[edit]

Featured Units[edit]

Featured Places[edit]

Featured BattleTech[edit]

BattleMechs[edit]

ProtoMechs[edit]

Vehicles[edit]

Dropships[edit]

Notes[edit]

  • Although Caden's ultimate fate remains unknown, the final part of Tears of Blood uses wording that could imply both unconsciousness or death.
  • The page headers in Part 1 are titled Damage Control, the name of another BattleCorps story by Ilsa J. Bick.

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