BattleTech Page 5
SUCCESSOR LORDS
After the fall of the first Star League, the remaining members of the High Council each asserted his or her right to become First Lord. Their star empires became known as the Successor States and the rulers as Successor Lords. The Clan Invasion temporarily interrupted centuries of warfare known as the Succession Wars, which first began in 2786.
BATTLETECH ERAS
The BattleTech universe is a living, vibrant entity that grows each year as more sourcebooks and fiction are published. A dynamic universe, its setting and characters evolve over time within a highly detailed continuity framework, bringing everything to life in a way a static game universe cannot match.
To help quickly and easily convey the timeline of the universe—and to allow a player to easily “plug in” a given novel or sourcebook—we’ve divided BattleTech into eight major eras:
STAR LEAGUE
(Present-2780)
Ian Cameron, ruler of the Terran Hegemony, concludes decades of tireless effort with the creation of the Star League, a political and military alliance between all Great Houses and the Hegemony. Star League armed forces immediately launch the Reunification War, forcing the Periphery realms to join. For the next two centuries, humanity experiences a golden age across the thousand light-years of human-occupied space known as the Inner Sphere. It also sees the creation of the most powerful military in human history.
(This era also covers the centuries before the founding of the Star League in 2571, most notably the Age of War.)
SUCCESSION WARS
(2781-3049)
Every last member of First Lord Richard Cameron’s family is killed during a coup launched by Stefan Amaris. Following the thirteen-year war to unseat him, the rulers of each of the five Great Houses disband the Star League. General Aleksandr Kerensky departs with eighty percent of the Star League Defense Force beyond known space and the Inner Sphere collapses into centuries of warfare known as the Succession Wars that will eventually result in a massive loss of technology across most worlds.
CLAN INVASION
(3050-3061)
A mysterious invading force strikes the coreward region of the Inner Sphere. The invaders, called the Clans, are descendants of Kerensky’s SLDF troops, forged into a society dedicated to becoming the greatest fighting force in history. With vastly superior technology and warriors, the Clans conquer world after world. Eventually this outside threat will forge a new Star League, something hundreds of years of warfare failed to accomplish. In addition, the Clans will act as a catalyst for a technological renaissance.
CIVIL WAR
(3062-3067)
The Clan threat is eventually lessened with the complete destruction of a Clan. With that massive external threat apparently neutralized, internal conflicts explode around the Inner Sphere. House Liao conquers its former Commonality, the St. Ives Compact; a rebellion of military units belonging to House Kurita sparks a war with their powerful border enemy, Clan Ghost Bear; the fabulously powerful Federated Commonwealth of House Steiner and House Davion collapses into five long years of bitter civil war.
JIHAD
(3067-3080)
Following the Federated Commonwealth Civil War, the leaders of the Great Houses meet and disband the new Star League, declaring it a sham. The pseudo-religious Word of Blake—a splinter group of ComStar, the protectors and controllers of interstellar communication—launch the Jihad: an interstellar war that pits every faction against each other and even against themselves, as weapons of mass destruction are used for the first time in centuries while new and frightening technologies are also unleashed.
DARK AGE
(3081-3150)
Under the guidance of Devlin Stone, the Republic of the Sphere is born at the heart of the Inner Sphere following the Jihad. One of the more extensive periods of peace begins to break out as the 32nd century dawns. The factions, to one degree or another, embrace disarmament, and the massive armies of the Succession Wars begin to fade. However, in 3132 eighty percent of interstellar communications collapses, throwing the universe into chaos. The suspicious factions begin rebuilding their armies, and wars erupt almost immediately.
ILCLAN
(3151-present)
The once-invulnerable Republic of the Sphere lies in ruins, torn apart by the Great Houses and the Clans as they wage war against each other on a scale not seen in nearly a century. Mercenaries flourish once more, selling their might to the highest bidder. As Fortress Republic collapses, the Clans race toward Terra to claim their long-denied birthright and create a supreme authority that will fulfill the dream of Aleksandr Kerensky and rule the Inner Sphere by any means necessary: the ilClan.
CLAN HOMEWORLDS
(2786-present)
In 2784, General Aleksandr Kerensky launched Operation Exodus, leading most of the Star League Defense Force out of the Inner Sphere in search for a new world far from the strife of the Great Houses. After traveling more than two years and thousands of light years, they arrived at the Pentagon Worlds. Over the next two-and-a-half centuries, internal dissent and civil war led to the creation of a brutal new society—the Clans. And in 3049, they returned to the Inner Sphere with one goal—the complete conquest of the Great Houses.
LOOKING FOR MORE HARD HITTING BATTLETECH FICTION?
WE’LL GET YOU RIGHT BACK INTO THE BATTLE!
Catalyst Game Labs brings you the very best in BattleTech fiction, available at most ebook retailers, including Amazon, Apple Books, Kobo, Google Books, Barnes & Noble, and more!
NOVELS
Decision at Thunder Rift (The Gray Death Legion Saga, Book One) by William H. Keith
Mercenary's Star (The Gray Death Legion Saga, Book Two) by William H. Keith
The Price of Glory (The Gray Death Legion Saga, Book Three) by William H. Keith
Warrior: En Garde (The Warrior Trilogy, Book One) by Michael A. Stackpole
Warrior: Riposte (The Warrior Trilogy, Book Two) by Michael A. Stackpole
Warrior: Coupé (The Warrior Trilogy, Book Three) by Michael A. Stackpole
Wolves on the Border by Robert N. Charrette
Heir to the Dragon by Robert N. Charrette
Lethal Heritage (Blood of Kerensky Trilogy, Book One) by Michael A. Stackpole
Blood Legacy (Blood of Kerensky Trilogy, Book Two) by Michael A. Stackpole
Lost Destiny (Blood of Kerensky Trilogy, Book Three) by Michael A. Stackpole
Way of the Clans (Legend of the Jade Phoenix, Book One) by Robert Thurston
Bloodname (Legend of the Jade Phoenix, Book Two) by Robert Thurston
Falcon Guard (Legend of the Jade Phoenix, Book Three) by Robert Thurston
Wolf Pack by Robert N. Charrette
Main Event by Jim Long
Natural Selection by Michael A. Stackpole
Ideal War by Christopher Kubasik
Assumption of Risk by Michael A. Stackpole
Blood of Heroes by Andrew Keith
Close Quarters by Victor Milán
D.R.T. by Jim Long
Tactics of Duty by William H. Keith
Bred for War by Michael A. Stackpole
I Am Jade Falcon by Robert Thurston
Highlander Gambit by Blaine Lee Pardoe
Hearts of Chaos by Victor Milán
Operation Excalibur by William H. Keith
Malicious Intent by Michael A. Stackpole
Black Dragon by Victor Milán
Impetus of War by Blaine Lee Pardoe
Double-Blind by Loren L. Coleman
Binding Force by Loren L. Coleman
Exodus Road (Twilight of the Clans, Book One) by Blaine Lee Pardoe
Grave Covenant (Twilight of the Clans, Book Two) by Michael A. Stackpole
The Hunters (Twilight of the Clans, Book Three) by Thomas S. Gressman
Freebirth (Twilight of the Clans, Book Four) by Robert Thurston
Sword and Fire (Twilight of the Clans, Book Five) by Thomas S. Gressman
Shadows of War (Twilight of t
he Clans, Book Six) by Thomas S. Gressman
Prince of Havoc (Twilight of the Clans, Book Seven) by Michael A. Stackpole
Falcon Rising (Twilight of the Clans, Book Eight) by Robert Thurston
Threads of Ambition (The Capellan Solution, Book One) by Loren L. Coleman
The Killing Fields (The Capellan Solution, Book Two) by Loren L. Coleman
Dagger Point by Thomas S. Gressman
Ghost of Winter by Stephen Kenson
Roar of Honor by Blaine Lee Pardoe
By Blood Betrayed by Blaine Lee Pardoe and Mel Odom
Illusions of Victory by Loren L. Coleman
Flashpoint by Loren L. Coleman
Measure of a Hero by Blaine Lee Pardoe
Path of Glory by Randall N. Bills
Test of Vengeance by Bryan Nystul
Patriots and Tyrants by Loren L. Coleman
Call of Duty by Blaine Lee Pardoe
Initiation to War by Robert N. Charrette
The Dying Time by Thomas S. Gressman
Storms of Fate by Loren L. Coleman
Imminent Crisis by Randall N. Bills
Operation Audacity by Blaine Lee Pardoe
Endgame by Loren L. Coleman
Ghost War by Michael A. Stackpole
A Call to Arms by Loren L. Coleman
The Ruins of Power by Robert E. Vardeman
A Silence in the Heavens (The Proving Grounds Trilogy, Book One) by Martin Delrio
Truth and Shadows (The Proving Grounds Trilogy, Book Two) by Martin Delrio
Service for the Dead (The Proving Grounds Trilogy, Book Three) by Martin Delrio
By Temptations and By War by Loren L. Coleman
Fortress of Lies by J. Steven York
Patriot’s Stand by Mike Moscoe
Flight of the Falcon by Victor Milán
Blood of the Isle by Loren L. Coleman
Hunters of the Deep by Randall N. Bills
The Scorpion Jar by Jason M. Hardy
Target of Opportunity by Blaine Lee Pardoe
Sword of Sedition by Loren L. Coleman
Daughter of the Dragon by Ilsa J. Bick
Heretic’s Faith by Randall N. Bills
Fortress Republic by Loren L. Coleman
Blood Avatar by Ilsa J. Bick
Trial by Chaos by J. Steven York
Principles of Desolation by Jason M. Hardy and Randall N. Bills
Wolf Hunters by Kevin Killiany
Surrender Your Dreams by Blaine Lee Pardoe
Dragon Rising by Ilsa J. Bick
Masters of War by Michael A. Stackpole
A Rending of Falcons by Victor Milán
Pandora’s Gambit by Randall N. Bills
Fire at Will by Blaine Lee Pardoe
The Last Charge by Jason M. Hardy
To Ride the Chimera by Kevin Killiany
A Bonfire of Worlds by Steven Mohan, Jr.
Isle of the Blessed by Steven Mohan, Jr.
Embers of War by Jason Schmetzer
Betrayal of Ideals by Blaine Lee Pardoe
Forever Faithful by Blaine Lee Pardoe
Kell Hounds Ascendant by Michael A. Stackpole
Redemption Rift by Jason Schmetzer
Grey Watch Protocol (The Highlander Covenant, Book One) by Michael J. Ciaravella
Honor’s Gauntlet by Bryan Young
Icons of War by Craig A. Reed, Jr.
Children of Kerensky by Blaine Lee Pardoe
Hour of the Wolf by Blaine Lee Pardoe
Fall From Glory (Founding of the Clans, Book One) by Randall N. Bills
Paid in Blood (The Highlander Covenant, Book Two) by Michael J. Ciaravella
Blood Will Tell by Jason Schmetzer
Hunting Season by Philip A. Lee
A Rock and a Hard Place by William H. Keith
Visions of Rebirth (Founding of the Clans, Book Two) by Randall N. Bills
No Substitute for Victory by Blaine Lee Pardoe
Redemption Rites by Jason Schmetzer
Land of Dreams (Founding of the Clans, Book Three) by Randall N. Bills
A Question of Survival by Bryan Young
Jaguar’s Leap by Reed Bishop
The Damocles Sanction by Michael J. Ciaravella
YOUNG ADULT NOVELS
The Nellus Academy Incident by Jennifer Brozek
Iron Dawn (The Rogue Academy Trilogy, Book One) by Jennifer Brozek
Ghost Hour (The Rogue Academy Trilogy, Book Two) by Jennifer Brozek
Crimson Night (The Rogue Academy Trilogy, Book Three) by Jennifer Brozek
OMNIBUSES
The Gray Death Legion Trilogy by William H. Keith
The Blood of Kerensky Trilogy by Michael A. Stackpole
The Legend of the Jade Phoenix Trilogy by Robert Thurston
NOVELLAS/SHORT NOVELS
Lion’s Roar by Steven Mohan, Jr.
Sniper by Jason Schmetzer
Eclipse by Jason Schmetzer
Hector by Jason Schmetzer
The Frost Advances (Operation Ice Storm, Part One) by Jason Schmetzer
The Winds of Spring (Operation Ice Storm, Part Two) by Jason Schmetzer
Instrument of Destruction (Ghost Bear’s Lament, Part One) by Steven Mohan, Jr.
The Fading Call of Glory (Ghost Bear’s Lament, Part Two) by Steven Mohan, Jr.
Vengeance by Jason Schmetzer
A Splinter of Hope by Philip A. Lee
The Anvil by Blaine Lee Pardoe
A Splinter of Hope/The Anvil (omnibus)
Not the Way the Smart Money Bets (Kell Hounds Ascendant #1) by Michael A. Stackpole
A Tiny Spot of Rebellion (Kell Hounds Ascendant #2) by Michael A. Stackpole
A Clever Bit of Fiction (Kell Hounds Ascendant #3) by Michael A. Stackpole
Break-Away (Proliferation Cycle #1) by Ilsa J. Bick
Prometheus Unbound (Proliferation Cycle #2) by Herbert A. Beas II
Nothing Ventured (Proliferation Cycle #3) by Christoffer Trossen
Fall Down Seven Times, Get Up Eight (Proliferation Cycle #4) by Randall N. Bills
A Dish Served Cold (Proliferation Cycle #5) by Chris Hartford and Jason M. Hardy
The Spider Dances (Proliferation Cycle #6) by Jason Schmetzer
Shell Games by Jason Schmetzer
Divided We Fall by Blaine Lee Pardoe
The Hunt for Jardine (Forgotten Worlds, Part One) by Herbert A. Beas II
Rock of the Republic by Blaine Lee Pardoe
Finding Jardine (Forgotten Worlds, Part Two) by Herbert A. Beas II
The Trickster (Proliferation Cycle #7) by Blaine Lee Pardoe
The Price of Duty by Jason Schmetzer
Elements of Treason: Duty by Craig A. Reed, Jr.
Mercenary’s Honor by Jason Schmetzer
Elements of Treason: Opportunity by Craig A. Reed, Jr.
ANTHOLOGIES
The Corps (BattleCorps Anthology, Volume 1), edited by Loren. L. Coleman
First Strike (BattleCorps Anthology, Volume 2), edited by Loren L. Coleman
Weapons Free (BattleCorps Anthology, Volume 3), edited by Jason Schmetzer
Onslaught: Tales from the Clan Invasion, edited by Jason Schmetzer
Edge of the Storm by Jason Schmetzer
Fire for Effect (BattleCorps Anthology, Volume 4), edited by Jason Schmetzer
Chaos Born (Chaos Irregulars, Book 1) by Kevin Killiany
Chaos Formed (Chaos Irregulars, Book 2) by Kevin Killiany
Counterattack (BattleCorps Anthology, Volume 5), edited by Jason Schmetzer
Front Lines (BattleCorps Anthology, Volume 6), edited by Jason Schmetzer and Philip A. Lee
Legacy, edited by John Helfers and Philip A. Lee
Kill Zone (BattleCorps Anthology, Volume 7), edited by Philip A. Lee
Gray Markets (A BattleCorps Anthology), edited by Jason Schmetzer and Philip A. Lee
Slack Tide (A BattleCorps Anthology), edited by Jason Schmetzer and Philip A. Lee
The Battle of Tukayyid, edited by John
Helfers
The Mercenary Life by Randall N. Bills.
The Proliferation Cycle, edited by John Helfers and Philip A. Lee
No Greater Honor (The Complete Eridani Light Horse Chronicles), edited by John Helfers and Philip A. Lee
Marauder by Lance Scarinci
Fox Tales by Bryan Young
MAGAZINES
Shrapnel, Issue #1
Shrapnel, Issue #2
Shrapnel, Issue #3
Shrapnel, Issue #4
Shrapnel, Issue #5
Shrapnel, Issue #6
Shrapnel, Issue #7
Shrapnel, Issue #8
Shrapnel, Issue #9
Shrapnel, Issue #10
Shrapnel, Issue #11
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party Web sites or their content.
The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the authors’ rights is appreciated.
BATTLETECH: RIPTIDES
by Randall N. Bills
Interior art by Aaron Harris
Cover design by David Kerber
©2023 The Topps Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Shadowrun & Matrix are registered trademarks and/or trademarks of The Topps Company, Inc., in the United States and/or other countries. Catalyst Game Labs and the Catalyst Game Labs logo are trademarks of InMediaRes Productions LLC. No part of this work may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of the Copyright Owner, nor be otherwise circulated in any form other than that in which it is published.