The Dragons of Despair
Sarna News
| The Dragons of Despair | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Serialized novella by Kevin Killiany | |||
| Publication | |||
| Published | 6 December 2005 — 15 February 2006 (serial) 7 May 2007 (omnibus) | ||
| Publisher | BattleCorps | ||
| Illustrator(s) | Robert Atkinson (Part 3) | ||
| Pages |
| ||
| Chronology | |||
| Era | Clan Invasion era | ||
| Timeline | 9 August 3057 — 26 October 3057 | ||
| Series | |||
Lex Atreus series | |||
| |||
The Dragons of Despair is a serialized novella by Kevin Killiany that was published online on BattleCorps in twelve parts from 6 December 2005 to 15 February 2006. It was made available as a single omnibus file on 7 May 2007, one day before the release of the third and final part of the series, Djinn of Despair.
The novella is the sequel to Pirates of Penance and continues the story of Alexandra "Lex" Atreus.
Plot Summary[edit]
Part 1[edit]
- published on: 6 December 2005
| “ | Kevin Killiany brings Lex Atreus back in this weekly twelve part serial. | ” |
On 9 August 3057, Leftenant Lex Atreus is undergoing a live-fire training exercise in her NGS-4S-L Nightsky on the Florida PMM training fields. She is being evaluated by Hauptmann Solomon "Judge" Judson and is navigating through a muddy, rain-soaked training environment under realistic combat conditions. She struggles with some aspects of the simulation, including target identification and timing. Lex overcompensates on controls and misses a target initially, though she eventually scores a perfect hit. She continues the exercise but her performance is flawed. In a close-range engagement, Lex faces off against a heavier Lancelot piloted by her company commander, Hauptmann Showalter, who compliments her creative use of the hatchet but also points out her vulnerability to certain attacks.
After the simulation, Lex reflects on her shortcomings and the limitations of her training in a left-handed ‘Mech, which is less common and more difficult for her to operate efficiently. Despite her extensive familiarity with the Nightsky, her ability to integrate different skills under combat stress is lacking.
A later debriefing session with Judson and Showalter analyzes her performance, focusing on her tendency to act without gathering all available information and wasting time switching weapon triggers. Despite what she sees as a bad evaluation, Lex is selected for a special assignment under Kommandant Kidd. The assignment is described as a “milk run” but also as a chance for her to gain valuable field and team experience.
An excerpt provides a press article by the Cavanaugh Press regarding a "New Drug in Town" called MindMASC.
Part 2[edit]
- published on: 13 December 2005
| “ | Chapter Two of The Dragons of Despair. | ” |
Following her evaluation, Lex Atreus is assigned to a new lance for a mission to the planet Despair. Upon arrival at First Battalion Headquarters, she meets her new lancemates: Leftenant Willard Britto (lance leader), Leftenant Magda Caradine, and Leftenant Thomas Aldicott. Britto is critical of Lex’s qualifications, while Caradine is professional, and Aldicott is informal and eccentric.
The lance is informed they will soon deploy with the DropShip Southport and later transfer to the Orville Wright for travel to Despair, a methane-rich, volcanic planet in the Enders Cluster. They are to provide security for a survey expedition. Although full mission details are not disclosed, all four MechWarriors are piloting ‘Mechs equipped with melee weapons, which aligns with the terrain and possible environmental hazards of the destination.
During transit, the team undergoes training and continues to interact aboard the Orville Wright, revealing differences in background, personality, and approach to the mission. Aldicott engages in light banter and speculative conversation about the stars of Ender’s Cluster and the nature of their mission, while Lex and Caradine discuss the scientific and commercial possibilities of the planet.
The mood shifts dramatically when the DropShip receives a major political transmission: the Captain-General of the Free Worlds League, Thomas Marik, has accused Archon-Prince Victor Steiner-Davion of replacing Marik's deceased son with a double. Following this, Katherine Steiner-Davion announces the secession of the Lyran Alliance from the Federated Commonwealth and declares neutrality in the emerging conflict. The team is left facing a drastically altered political and military situation.
Part 3[edit]
- published on: 20 December 2005
| “ | There be Dragons... | ” |
The team from Florida is undergoing orientation at the Chevalier Planetary Evaluation Base. The base is less than a year into a three-year mission to assess the planet’s resources and viability for exploitation.
Despair is a harsh world with an oxygen- and methane-rich atmosphere, active volcanism, and roaming clouds of toxic fumes. The planet's dominant animal species are referred to as Oiseau de Tonnerre or "tonners", which resemble massive, six-legged proto-birds. These creatures possess a unique dual-lung system that allows them to digest methane and expel it in flammable bursts, making herbivores capable of producing fire when threatened.
During a recorded incident shown to the team, a grazing tonner is attacked by militia forces using machine guns. Though heavily wounded, the creature responds by releasing flaming methane gas, revealing the danger of such "fire-breathing" beasts. Eventually, it succumbs to head injuries.
After the tonner's death, a swarm of scavenger creatures—referred to as "crabs" and various forms of scavenger tonners—emerge from the forest. These creatures are aggressive dermal parasites that mistake humans and machinery for carrion. They attack the militia with lethal efficiency but die shortly after consuming human flesh, which proves toxic to them.
Later footage shows the arrival of MiningMechs that confront a growing mob of scavengers. The 'Mechs effectively defend themselves with lasers and physical attacks, ultimately using their drills and weapons to burn the herbivore's corpse, dispersing the remaining scavengers.
Dr. Alfred Tindale, the base's Director of Field Research, briefs the MechWarriors on their mission: to prevent the tonners from threatening Chevalier Base, emphasizing the lethal nature of Despair's native fauna and the importance of their job.
Part 4[edit]
- published on: 27 December 2005
| “ | Part four of Dragons | ” |
A transcript from a sports broadcast reveals a violent rugby match incident in which a player fatally injures one opponent and disables another. Subsequent testing reveals that the player had used MindMASC, leading to legal consequences.
Back on Despair, Lex, piloting her Nightsky, encounters a large native herbivore tonner cow during a routine patrol. The tonner is grazing and slowly approaching the base. Lex gently redirects the creature away from the habitat using her 'Mech, avoiding any use of force that might agitate it.
During the action, a dermal parasite known as a “crab” attacks the Nightsky. Lex removes and crushes it without harming the tonner cow. After ensuring there are no other nearby threats, she resumes her patrol and reports the tonner's change of direction to her lancemate, Leftenant Magda Caradine.
Lex reflects on the taxing nature of constant patrols and the upcoming deployment of automated sensor stations, which will reduce their duties. She navigates through a mist-covered stream bed and notices movement in tall aquatic plants. Upon investigation, she identifies several small, jackal-like tonners. These creatures, however, exhibit atypical behavior: they flee on their hind legs while holding their forelimbs upright.
One of the creatures, appearing to hold a spear, pauses and looks back toward her before disappearing into the foliage.
Part 5[edit]
- published on: 3 January 2006
| “ | "It's life sir, but not as we know it..." Lex discovers more about the strange new creature. | ” |
Back at the Chevalier Planetary Evaluation Base, Leftenant Lex Atreus is approached by Chief Research Scientist Dr. Bannik Severin. He requests a meeting to discuss information previously withheld from the team.
Dr. Severin and Lex are later joined by Leftenant Magda Caradine. In his lab, Severin reveals the existence of evidence suggesting sentient native life on Despair. He presents a shaped volcanic glass tool resembling a hand axe, and then shows a video recording made by the late Dr. Chevalier. The footage depicts small, bipedal proto-avian creatures known as homme d’oiseau, who appear to live in a structured village with built stone houses and use tools such as axes and staffs. The creatures are described as six-limbed and feathered, standing upright on four legs and using their forelimbs for tool use. They are omnivorous, eating fruits, fish, and mollusks. The structures in their village demonstrate a level of social complexity and architectural capability beyond previously documented native life forms.
He further explains that Dr. Chevalier, who recorded the footage, died under unclear circumstances after an apparent attack that breached his scout car while it was on autopilot. The location of the vehicle was later found northeast of the base. Due to this and the potential significance of the findings, that region has been restricted from exploration.
Dr. Severin expresses concern about revealing the existence of these intelligent beings, citing potential exploitation or interference. He urges that the discovery remain confidential until proper evaluation can occur, and that further contact with the so called homme d’oiseau be avoided during the ongoing planetary evaluation mission.
Part 6[edit]
- published on: 10 January 2006
| “ | Kevin's serial that's causing quite a stir... | ” |
On 20 October 3057, at the Chevalier Planetary Evaluation Base, the lance gathers in the commissary for a rare shared meal. The group discusses their assignment and internal conflicts arise, particularly between Britto and the others. Britto expresses frustration about being stationed on Despair during a crucial time for the Lyran Alliance. Tension escalates between Britto and Aldicott over Britto's privileged background and suspicions about Lex's loyalty, prompting Britto to leave the table. Caradine follows him, and Lex discusses personal histories with Aldicott.
On 23 October 3057, Lex detects an unidentified BattleMech without a transponder signal at the edge of her patrol grid. She informs Caradine before she moves to investigate. As she approaches, her targeting system identifies the object as weighing between fifty-five and sixty-five tons but cannot determine the model, likely due to stealth or ECM features.
Lex proceeds cautiously and initiates engagement by firing her medium pulse laser. In response, she is hit with an electromagnetic burst that disables her sensors and causes auditory pain. Lex regains partial sensor functionality and launches a counterattack, believing she is firing on an enemy unit.
When her full sensor array comes back online, it becomes clear there is no hostile BattleMech. Instead, she finds a destroyed perimeter sensor array. Her attack has obliterated the base's own surveillance equipment.
Part 7[edit]
- published on: 18 January 2006
| “ | Lex faces the firing squad after her little "escapade" | ” |
A transcript of a Lyran Alliance Armed Forces post announces that by order of the Archon the use of MindMASC is forbidden under penalty of law for all MechWarriors.
Leftenant Lex Atreus is facing an internal investigation after the controversial combat incident. The charges are that she allegedly went rogue, strayed from her route, and destroyed a sensor array without apparent provocation.
The informal hearing is led by Britto, with Caradine and Aldicott also present. Britto accuses Lex of incompetence and cowardice, citing her lack of combat experience and past incidents. Lex defends herself, asserting that her actions were in response to detecting an unidentified 'Mech possibly hidden by electronic countermeasures. The veteran Aldicott tentatively supports Lex by suggesting that there may have been ECM interference affecting her readings. Britto remains unconvinced and reprimands Lex, assigning her to an isolated patrol zone with impaired sensor coverage.
Despite the hostility, Lex continues to fulfill her duties and investigates suspicious sensor activity in the northeast sector. She encounters Aldicott conducting his own investigations and learns that he is testing environmental changes to detect possible enemy movement.
The chapter ends with Lex heading alone into the jungle to investigate ambiguous sensor readings, indicating a possible threat looming beyond the established perimeter.
Part 8[edit]
- published on: 26 January 2006
| “ | Ain't Misbehaving (but the tonners may be...). Kevin Killiany's story continues! | ” |
On 24 October 3057, Lex encounters a large tonner cow that unexpectedly attacks her Nightsky with flaming methane, causing temporary sensor failure and then flees toward the base.
Lex coordinates with Caradine to redirect the tonner away. While observing the creature, Lex notices that the tonner bears scars consistent with laser weapon damage, indicating it may have been attacked by a 'Mech in the past. As she attempts to communicate this to Caradine, Caradine stops responding. Lex then discovers that Caradine's HCT-5S Hatchetman has been destroyed and left headless, with signs of a coordinated ambush by at least two enemy 'Mechs—one drawing Caradine in, the other attacking from behind. Armor fragments, cannon fire damage and jump jet craters indicate Caradine fought back and damaged the attackers before being taken down.
Lex then detects a heavy 'Mech moving away from the scene and contemplates the possible location of the enemy's base. She opts not to return to base but to search for the Hatchetman's escape pod, which has luckily a Full-Head Ejection System. By examining environmental clues, Lex is able to trace the trajectory of the ejected cockpit. She follows a tunnel through the tree canopy, hoping to locate Caradine in the difficult swamp terrain.
Part 9[edit]
- published on: 31 January 2006
| “ | Things start to heat up in the jungles... | ” |
Lex continues her search for Caradine's escape pod. Despite no contacts on sensors, Lex suspects that the second hostile 'Mech remains in the area. Navigating increasingly boggy terrain, she encounters hostile wildlife, including some jackals that attack her Nightsky.
Eventually, Lex receives a tight-beam radio message from Leftenant Caradine, confirming her survival. Lex traces the signal to the crash site, where Caradine's escape pod is found half-buried in the mud and surrounded by local fauna. Ignoring Caradine's suggestion to wait for a formal rescue team, Lex prepares for an immediate extraction. For this purpose, she maneuvers the Nightsky into a kneeling position to align both access hatches. After creating a makeshift landing pad with jungle vegetation, Lex opens her hatch in the planet's hostile atmosphere, and Caradine transfers into her cockpit.
Following the successful transfer, Caradine reports that she has been attacked by a Flashman and a Crockett, two heavier units with superior firepower. With Caradine secured inside the cockpit, Lex gets her 'Mech back on its feet. When she sets course to return to base Caradine intercepts and recommends to conduct reconnaissance instead, citing the opportunity to learn more about the enemy's location and intent. Lex agrees, and they head off to the suspected enemy base.
Part 10[edit]
- published on: 7 February 2006
| “ | The jungle... | ” |
Lex and Caradine continue their reconnaissance mission. After a while, they locate an abandoned "Chevalier Scout Car" at the edge of a clearing resembling a native village. The vehicle is undamaged, but the driver is missing. Upon closer inspection, they determine the village structures are artificial and not permanent housings. Evidence, including discarded food and animal waste, suggests local wildlife had been manipulated to mimic sentient behavior. They conclude the village was fabricated to mislead observers.
Caradine suggests that Dr. Severin may have uncovered the truth and been captured as a result. Lex finds no physical evidence of violence or struggle near the vehicle, implying that the driver may still be alive. As they depart, Lex decides to not report their position, choosing to proceed with their reconnaissance mission towards the suspected enemy base. Caradine questions Lex about her ECM usage and suggests a theory that the system failure Lex experienced earlier was caused by a deliberate data manipulation via the sensor network, not an electromagnetic pulse. Caradine explains the enemy may have reprogrammed the picket array to isolate the sensor node and interfere with Lex's systems. The resulting automatic shutdown and reboot could have erased critical data. Lex acknowledges the plausibility of the scenario. The pair consider the likely identity of the enemy BattleMechs, based on weapon signatures and configurations. Lex recalls encountering the tonner with laser scars inconsistent with the Flashman or Crockett already identified, suggesting further 'Mechs like a Guillotine or Exterminator.
As they continue, Lex's passive sensors detect an active scan passing their position. The scan matches the profile of the Crockett, confirming it is actively searching the area for them.
Part 11[edit]
- published on: 15 February 2006
| “ | Lex & Caradine face an elusive, and bigger, enemy. | ” |
The chapter begins with a formal report from Hauptmann Kristoff Sardella of the Eighth Lyran Regulars addressed to Hauptmann-Kommandant Emile M’Benga. Sardella recounts a recent visit of the Viborg system, confirming that a new pirate group has been attacking areas previously controlled by the infamous "Red Eye" Laudin. The Viborg mining habitat had been raided in May, and several of the attackers were captured under unusual circumstances. Two captured pirates remain on the Viborg habitat for punitive labor, while the third—a deserter from Florida—was returned by the Florida PMM. The message also mentions MindMASC, known to be both performance-enhancing and hallucinogenic, and raises the possibility that the pirates are using the stolen supplies to construct a base, possibly on a moon in the Kladnitsa system.
The narrative then jumps back to Despair, where Lex Atreus and Magda Caradine prepare to engage the Crockett who is patrolling the area in search of them. In the attempt to ambush the enemy 'Mech they hid in a stand of trees. As the Crockett closes in, Lex maneuvers her Nightsky into position. After confirming the enemy has taken damage in the earlier encounter with Caradine, Lex launches a jump-assisted surprise attack. She strikes with the Nightsky's hatchet and fires a small pulse laser at the cockpit. Through this shot, the Crockett’s escape hatch activates, but the cockpit explodes before ejection, killing the pilot.
Shortly after, the Crockett is hit from behind by autocannon fire from an unknown source. The impact causes it to fall forward onto Lex's Nightsky, knocking it down. Lex is injured in the fall and loses consciousness...
Part 12[edit]
- published on: 15 February 2006
| “ | The thrilling conclusion to Kevin Killiany's Dragons of Despair! | ” |
On 26 October 3057, Lex regains consciousness in her damaged Nightsky, which is pinned beneath the wreckage of the Crockett. Magda Caradine, injured but alert, informs her of their situation. Lex assesses her condition and the status of her 'Mech, discovering that while many systems are damaged, the core functionality remains. After ruling out using jump jets or waiting for assistance, she uses her 'Mech's elbow spike to leverage against the ground. Over the course of twenty minutes, she is able to carefully maneuver the Nightsky out from under the Crockett, though her 'Mech sustains additional damage through these actions.
As Lex attempts to stand up with her Nightsky, the enemy Flashman suddenly appears and opens fire. Despite being prone, she uses the remaining right-leg jump jets to blast hot plasma at the enemy 'Mech, triggering a shutdown due to overheating. Lex then uses the momentum to get up, attacking with the elbow spike and hatchet, thus heavily damaging the Flashman to the point where the pilot, carrying a hazmat suit, ejects.
A visibly injured Caradine compliments Lex's combat performance while Lex returns the compliment by attributing her success to Caradine's earlier damage of the enemy 'Mechs. Caradine then apologizes to Lex for doubting her capabilities. Lex accepts, acknowledging her transformation during the mission. After providing Caradine with a first aid kit, Lex surveys the area with passive sensors but no further enemies can be detected.
The serial ends with a cliffhanger as Lex drives the Nightsky forward to continue the mission...
[edit]
- published on: 7 May 2007
| “ | Lex Atreus came away from Penance with not just combat experience, but a new 'Mech. But she's still working on adjusting to her Nightsky when she's ordered to join a lance headed for the planet Despair. It seems to be a milk run—but so did Penance. Now she has two years of guard duty in the wilds of Despair... a long time for things to go wrong. Collecting all twelve parts of The Dragons of Despair! | ” |
Featured Characters[edit]
- Leftenant Alexandra "Lex" Atreus
- Hauptmann Solomon "Judge" Judson
- Hauptmann Richard Showalter
- Leftenant Willard Britto
- Leftenant Magda "Maggie" Caradine
- Leftenant Thomas "Tommy" Aldicott
- Chief Research Scientist Dr. Bannik "Nick" Severin
- Director of Field Research Dr. Alfred Tindale
- Captain O'Rourke
- Hauptmann Gerald Michaels (mentioned)
- Hauptmann Kristoff Sardella (mentioned)
- Hauptmann-Kommandant Emile M’Benga (mentioned)
- Kommandant Kidd (mentioned)
- Captain-General Thomas Marik (mentioned)
- Joshua Marik (mentioned)
- Archon-Prince Victor Steiner-Davion (mentioned)
- Archon Katherine Steiner-Davion (mentioned)
- Dr. Emil Chevalier (mentioned)
- Viscount Britto (mentioned)
- "Red Eye" Laudin (mentioned)
Featured Units[edit]
- Florida PMM
- Able's Aces (mentioned)
- Eighth Lyran Regulars (mentioned)
- Eleventh Arcturan Guards (mentioned)
Featured Places[edit]
- Florida
- Ender's Cluster, Despair
- Acrux (mentioned)
- Alarion (mentioned)
- Buena (mentioned)
- Callison (mentioned)
- Coventry (mentioned)
- Czarvowo (mentioned)
- Kaumberg (mentioned)
- Kladnitsa (mentioned)
- Solaris VII (mentioned)
- Terra (mentioned)
- Valloire (mentioned)
- Viborg Belt (PEn-NAM mining habitat) (mentioned)
- York (mentioned)
Featured BattleTech[edit]
'Mechs[edit]
- Crockett
- Flashman
- HCT-3F Hatchetman
- HCT-5S Hatchetman
- Lancelot
- NGS-4S-L Nightsky (left-handed version)
- Axman (mentioned)
- Exterminator (mentioned)
- GHR-5H Grasshopper (mentioned)
- Guillotine (mentioned)
- MM-1S MiningMech (mentioned)
- Victor (mentioned)
- Zeus (mentioned)
Vehicles[edit]
- MASH Truck (mentioned)
DropShips[edit]
- Union-class 'Mech carrier DropShip, Orville Wright
- Unspecified DropShip-class, Southport (mentioned)
Notes[edit]
- Each part of the serial contains at least one excerpt from a press article, survey, report etc. about a new type of stimulant/drug called MindMASC. However, no direct link to the actual story can be made so far.
- Part 10 is incorrectly dated 19 October 3057. Given the previous parts, the correct date should be 24/25 October 3057.