BattleTech: The Nellus Academy Incident, page 1
BattleTech: The Nellus Academy Incident
Jennifer Brozek
Contents
Acknowledgments
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-two
Chapter Twenty-three
Chapter Twenty-four
Chapter Twenty-five
Epilogue
About the Author
Rogue Academy Trilogy teaser
Rogue Academy Sample chapter
Catalyst Back Page Ad
Praise for Jennifer Brozek
PRAISE FOR THE NELLUS ACADEMY INCIDENT
“Jennifer is a pro. Her dedication to the BattleTech series is worth your time.”
–Ivan Van Norman, Outbreak: Undead and King of the Nerds
“Brozek’s made the world of BattleTech accessible to those new to the game with The Nellus Academy Incident, all while putting new names and faces into a world beloved by longtime BattleTech fans. If you’re looking for action-packed, smartly paced sci-fi, then get your hands on a copy of this book.”
–Lillian Cohen-Moore, Convention Book: Void Engineers
“This is the first BattleTech novel I’ve ever read, and given that I knew nothing about the “BattleTech universe” prior to this as well, I had no idea what to expect going into it.
What did I find? A well-written story where I immediately identified with each of the main protagonists: eight, hand selected, teenage military cadets. This is a story where it would be so easy to write a “Mary Sue” or “Gary Stu” type character, but Brozek doesn’t do that. She not only manages to carefully balance and develop each character, but she does it naturally and through the flow of the narrative, so the story never feels bogged down with extraneous details instead, it pulls the reader along, making it very difficult to put down.
As an active duty member of the military myself (USMC), I am grateful for the fact that she didn’t shy away from broaching difficult/realistic subjects such
as courage and fear in the face of battle, loss and sacrifice, and of course the effects of the trauma that the cadets go through. Additionally, like real combat, just because you’re a “well developed character,” that doesn’t protect you from dying meaning, there are no “red-shirts” here. No one is safe in this story, no one. And I appreciated the stark reality of that brutality. It hurt my heart to read it, and that’s how war should feel: painful.
Brozek creates well-developed and complex characters whose failures and successes, strengths and weaknesses pull you in, making you care about them and their fate. I would definitely recommend this book for older YA Lit, New Adult, and Adult readers.”
–Janine K. Spendlove, War of the Seasons trilogy, USMC pilot
“A fun read. Jennifer Brozek’s BattleTech novel, The Nellus Academy Incident, takes us on a wild journey as we follow Cadet Allegra Greene from the classroom to the battlefield. BattleTech fans, this one’s a winner.”
–Bobby Nash, Evil Ways and Earthstrike Agenda
“In a solid reworking of the classic rites of passage story, Jennifer Brozek uses solid characterization and great action scenes to make The Nellus Academy Incident a real winner.”
–Michael A. Black, author of Chimes at Midnight and Sleeping Dragons in the Mack Bolan Executioner series
“Jennifer Brozek’s superb storytelling makes me want to play BattleTech again.”
– M. Todd Gallowglas, Tears of Rage and Halloween Jack series
Acknowledgments
When I set out to write a BattleTech webserial, I had no idea the amount of work and research I was signing up for. I just wanted to tell a BattleTech story that pulled the reader into a younger point of view before the protagonists were grizzled veterans. A daunting task for an RPG universe that has been around and active for more than a quarter century.
As such, no book is written in a vacuum; especially not a BattleTech novel. There are people who help and inspire me from all walks of life. These people are like gold to me. I’d like to thank my BattleTech Think Tank—Lee Branson, Matt Heller, Drew Sutherland, and most of all, Chris Love—for being my first line of defense and for being there to answer my BattleTech universe tech questions.
I’d also like to thank my editors, Jason Schmetzer, who convinced me to write a story in a universe populated by big stompy ’Mechs, and John Helfers, who always makes me look that much better as an author. You guys are awesome.
Last, but never least, thank you to my husband, Jeff, who is the perfect sounding board and partner in crime.
Chapter One
Pylos
Nestor
Free World League
16 October 3067
“I suppose you’ll want me to pull my hair back and show off my scars for everyone recording the event, won’t you? That’ll make a nice bit of PR,” Allegra said, the acid of her sarcasm burning through every word. “I can see it now, ‘Allegra Greene, daughter of the famous war hero, Colonel Seamus Greene, will be accompanying General Gurald Eichner on this historic flight,’ all while they do close-ups on my mangled face.”
“Your face is not mangled, it is scarred. And as a Cadet Second Class, you’ll wear your hair within regs.” Seamus was not perturbed by his teenage daughter’s tantrum. “Whether that means you cut it short in an attempt to hide your most distinctive feature or not is up to you.”
“Why are we moving here anyway? I don’t want to move to Pylos.”
“Pylos is the capital city of Nestor, and I was ordered to come here. And let’s not forget the Nellus Academy.”
She rolled her eyes at the mention of her new school. “I want to go home!”
“How’s it feel to want?”
“Familiar,” she grumbled and suppressed a smile.
The in-joke lightened the tension and reminded her that he thought she was being unreasonable. She, however, felt she had every reason in the world to be unreasonable. She had been re moved from her home with just two years of cadet training left before she could join the military for real. Now, she had to start all over with instructors and peers alike. And for what? Because some high mucky-muck decided her famous father would be a nice addition to his staff.
She tried a different tact. “I’m sure you’re going to love being in charge of the newest refueling station on Nestor Three.”
“Whether or not I like being in charge of a refueling station on a moon base is irrelevant. Neither is whether or not you are going to behave yourself on the PR parade. You will not embarrass me. Is that understood?”
She gave him the kind of sigh only a long-suffering teenager could pull off. “Yes, sir. I’ll behave and I’m sure I’m going to just love the new school. I’m sure the other cadets are just going to love me, too—especially after I steal one of their spots on this oh-so important PR stunt.”
Seamus smiled patiently at his daughter over his noteputer screen, “That’s my girl.”
It was Allegra’s second day at the academy. Everything she had feared was coming true: she did have to prove herself all over again. The whispers about her were rampant. Right now, she sat in a small classroom with seven other students. However, as academies went, she had to admit this was one of the better ones she’d at tended. There was an attention to detail and a sense of discipline amongst the student body. At least on first blush. She’d have to wait and see for the rest.
The other students in the room were all vaguely familiar to her—the Nellus Academy was small—but she’d only met one so far: Kirk Nolan, another Second Class Cadet like her. Their uniforms had two bars on their shoulders showing their rank. He was a handsome, blond guy who spoke like he expected to host a tri-vid show someday. She ignored the others as they quietly talked among themselves until a too loud whisper caught her attention.
“I heard she killed three of them with her bare hands,” a young, redheaded boy said to a girl with wavy brown hair and slanted eyes that spoke of a mixed heritage.
“Is that where she got the scar?” the girl whispered back. Allegra didn’t raise her head from the homework she was reading. “Scarred. Not deaf,” she said, loud enough for everyone in the room to hear.
The silence afterward wasn’t the awkward, embarrassed silence she expected. Instead, it was the waiting silence of seeing who would blink first. As she stared at her reader, pretending to not care, Allegra waited.
“Hesitation!” Kirk announced. “Point conceded to Greene. Holloway, rebuttal?”
“Uh…”
“Non-statement,” Kirk overrode him. “Point and match to Greene. Congratulations, Allegra, you’ve just won your first verbal spar at Nellus. Any comments for the audience?”
Allegra looked at Kirk, trying to determine if he was messing with her. From the smiles on the older cadets’ faces, he wasn’t. She shrugged. “Sure. If you have questions about me, why don’t you ask?”
A
“And you are…?”
“Fourth Class Cadet Aster Holloway.”
Allegra nodded. She knew the name. Everyone knew about the Holloway weather control satellites. They were the reason that Nestor was famed for its wines. Fourth Class meant this was his first year at the academy. They were also known as “baby bars” because of the half bar on their uniform sleeve. “Nice to meet you. And no, I didn’t kill any of ‘the enemy.’ I killed two mercenaries with a needler. One was a lucky shot. The other was already almost dead.”
“Joseph Robson, First Class. Why are you here?” The question was thrown at her like a challenge to duel. The speaker was a clean-cut, dusky-skinned guy with a shaved head. Well built, he had the kind of arrogance that comes from knowing you’re the best. His brief smile did not reach his eyes. First Class was the graduating class of the academy. Most people spent four years at Nellus. They had the star designation on their uniform shoulder.
“I’m here because I’m the daughter of a war hero who got orders that brought him to this lovely planet. I’m in this room with you because, like all of you, your parents are someone important, and we’re all about to be trotted out for a bunch of grips and grins to show off Nestor’s future.”
Joseph frowned. “A bunch of grips and grins…?”
Kirk nodded. “She’s right. I’m pretty sure Dad’s running the tri-vid of this whole thing. I’m here because I’ve got the looks and I’m the top of my class. And we all know about Holloway’s back ground.”
“Science!” Aster agreed.
Kirk continued, “There’s two ‘top of classes’ from each grade here.”
“Grips and grins are no big deal. You get used to them,” Allegra said. She looked at the other First Class cadet, a vaguely familiar looking pixie-haired girl with lanky limbs and a smattering of freckles across her cheeks. “Who are you?”
“I’m Sigrid Zelenova.”
Allegra paused. “Zelenova.”
Sigrid nodded and smiled. “I understand your plight. And I can build or rebuild anything out there. Especially ’Mechs. Obviously, the skill runs in the family.”
“Obviously.” Allegra smiled at her, understanding the difficulty of having famous parents. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“I’m Rustin Lake, Cadet Third Class. My parents are politicians. I’m the top of my class in R&D. Weapons are a specialty.” The speaker was a handsome black teenager with serious eyes.
The guy next to Rustin added, “He’s also a damn good cook. I’m George Hawthorne, Third Class. I’m top in my class as a pilot.” Both of them had the single full bar on their shoulders.
“Eagles first and foremost!” Joseph said with obvious pride.
“Like you?” Allegra asked him.
“Best damn MechWarrior in the academy.” He paused. “But my parents aren’t anyone special.”
“Were you born here?”
“Yes.”
“Hometown hero, then. Gotta have one of those. Bet you’re good at sports, too.” Allegra dismissed him with a turn of her head. She looked at the only person who hadn’t introduced herself: the girl Aster had been trying to impress. “And you?”
“Lily Orit. Cadet Fourth Class, ma’am.” Her voice was lyrical and shy, barely above a whisper.
Allegra smiled. “Not ma’am. Just Allegra or Greene. What’s your story?”
“My parents are really important in the medical industry. And I’m going to be a medic, like them. I’ve tested off the charts for math and science.” She paused, opening her mouth and then shut it again.
“What’s your question, Lily?” Allegra asked, her voice soft.
“Why didn’t you get the scar fixed?”
While she felt her face flush, the bane of all gingers and blonds, Allegra was proud that her voice was steady. “The scar is too close to vital nerves and arteries to fix. It stretches from my brow, down my neck to my collarbone.”
She paused, watching Lily’s face. She could see the girl frown at her obvious lie and continued, “Also, while it could be fixed somewhat, it would never be erased. There would always be a scar no matter what. I’d rather keep the scar I got and remember its lesson.”
“What’s that?” Joseph asked.
“That you can’t always save the ones you love, but you can get revenge.”
“What do you think, Fitz?” Force Commander Torin Szasz, an older man with a whipcord-lean body, asked.
“They’re a good-looking bunch of kids, Commander. I think they’ll do just fine. Perfect for the ‘grips and grins,’ as Greene said.”
The Commander nodded. “I like the way Greene took charge of the room when her background came up.”
“She’s slated for War College if she keeps up her grades and performance.” Fitz paused and then said, “I wonder where Holloway heard that bit about her killing ‘three of the enemy’.”
The older man glanced at his master sergeant with a sly grin. “All kinds of places to get and put information.”
Fitz shook his head.
Szasz shrugged. “I know you don’t like it, but the General needs this boost in morale and confidence. Nestor spent a lot to get that refueling station. Word on high says the war’s coming to us no matter how stable the border’s been over the past few years.”
Turning to look at Fitz, Szasz continued, “The Lyran Alliance is up to something. I know that. So do they.” He gestured to the kids on the monitor. “We need the planet behind Eichner. We need the kids to get the hearts of the people involved. It’s these kids who’ll be fighting the coming war.”
“I know. Don’t need to preach to the choir, Commander.” Fitz rubbed his brow. “They’re a good-looking bunch of kids,” he repeated.
“Not by design. We got lucky. In this case, the top of the class all ended up having good genetics.”
Fitz nodded as he put on his jacket. “Time to lay it on the line for them. They’ll be ready to be part of posterity when the big day comes.”
“Counting on you.”
“I know.” Master Sergeant Shaun Fitzwilliam left the monitoring station and headed down to the classroom, where he would put the fear of him into the kids. They would behave. They had to. They were Nellus Academy students, and they were his kids.
Chapter Two
Pylos
Nestor
Free Worlds League
18 October 3067
“You blew up one of the science labs?” Allegra asked.
“Yes!” Lily said, smiling. “You should have seen it.”
“It was only half the lab,” Aster protested. “Not the whole thing.”
“And you didn’t get suspended?”
The eight of them stopped as the classroom door opened and Master Sergeant Shaun Fitzwilliam strode in. As he did, he unbuttoned his Class A jacket, shrugged it off his massive shoulders and hung it up. Every student in the room sat at attention, focused on the cadre member in front of them.
“Now that you all have had some time to get to know each other, let’s talk about this little ‘grips and grins’ event you all are about to become a part of.” Fitz looked at the young faces before him and saw what he expected: neutral expressions with hints of surprise and suspicion in their eyes.
“Lesson number one: you will be monitored constantly from the moment the student list goes to the PR department. That means you are required to be on your best behavior 24/7. This isn’t just because the tri-vid jackals want your number. This is because you will be attractive targets for any Lyran spies. Make no mistake about it, cadets, we are at war. And I don’t care one bit that Nestor hasn’t seen a lick of it. Do I make myself clear?”
