In this chapter, the Hussars face the pirates on the field of combat, and Marie finds herself matched against something she wasn't expecting.

Author's note: Chapters 14-16 are effectively parts 1-3 of one event. I've done my best to make them self-contained, but chapters 14 and 15 may still feel like they have abrupt endings. I'd rather put them out sequentially like this on my schedule, rather than have no posts for well over a month.

Battletech and Mechwarrior are not mine. I am a fan adding my little piece to this series' amazing history. Go support the actual owners, or anyone else who contributed to the series over the years. Any property used here is done under the Fair Use provisions of US copyright law.

Sound FX by https://freesound.org/

Rachel McCloud, the Bristol, Marie Rose (Sr.) and the Black Thorns are creations of James Long.

Text version is available on Scribble Hub, Space Battles, Fanfiction.net, and Archive of Our Own, which includes art.

Audio plus art and music is available on YouTube.

Gallery of art for this story so far is on my Ko-Fi page: https://ko-fi.com/lucendacier. Donations are not required, but they are appreciated, and help me host the podcast and pay the artists for their work.