Fire at Will

BattleTech Universe #91

by Blaine Lee Pardoe

For too long, the people of the Lyran Commonwealth have only reacted to attacks by their enemies. But now Archon Melissa Steiner will launch an intricate gambit that will ensure the safety of her subjects - and secure her own power against those who wish to take it...

Trillian Steiner has always been a loyal warrior and supporter of the archon. But when she is ordered to strike against the Free Worlds League, victory is not her only goal. The leader of the campaign - the politician and business magnate Duke Vedet Brewster - has been consolidating power within the Commonwealth for years. And now the archon has decided to rid herself of two threats with one move.

For Trillian is there, not to ensure success but, through a web of machinations, to guarantee the duke's downfall - before the worlds he conquers become the foundation of an attempt to take over the Commonwealth. And in the chaos of war and the never-ending struggle for power, Trillian's strength and devotion will be sorely tested...

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction

295 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 2, 2007

About the author

Blaine Pardoe is a New York Times Bestselling and award winning author of numerous books in the science fiction, military non-fiction, true crime, paranormal, and business management genre's. He has appeared on a number of national television and radio shows to speak about his books. Pardoe has been a featured speaker at the US National Archives, the United States Navy Museum, and the New York Military Affairs Symposium. He was awarded the State History Award in 2011 by the Historical Society of Michigan and is a silver medal winner from the Military Writers Society of America in 2010. In 2013 he was awarded the Harritt Quimby Award as part of the induction ceremony at the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame. Mr. Pardoe is also a member of the League of WWI Aviation Historians.

His books have even been mentioned on the floor of the U.S. Congress. His works have been printed in six languages and he is recognized world-wide for his historical and fiction works. He can be followed via Twitter (bpardoe870)

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the twenty eighth book in the Mech Warrior Dark Age series. This series is a continuation of the Battletech series. The books in this series, like the books in the original Battletech series, are by various authors. This one is by Blaine Lee Pardoe. The Republic of the Sphere has known a long period of peace and prosperity. Then the interstellar communications network a.k.a. the HPG net is destroyed by terrorists and many planets in the Republic find themselves cut off from the rest of the galaxy with communications taking weeks or even months. Unrest leads to several factions on several planets trying to overthrow the local governments and seize power for themselves.
In this one the Lyran Commonwealth once again faces the possibility of attacks from the former Free Worlds League. Several of the former League star systems are increasing the men and equipment of their military's and escalating their presence alone the Lyran Commonwealth's borders. In the past The Lyran Commonwealth has only reacted to repel such attacks. This time however the Archon, Melissa Steiner, has decided to make a preemptive strike against the various star systems of the League. She entrusts her aide and cousin, Trillian Steiner, to ensure that the strikes are successful. Trillian decides to use her disgraced cousin and friend Roderick Steiner to lead a special unit of troops that she can call upon to intercede when things seem to be going the Leagues way. This book is another great read in this series.

[Read Ng · Rating 2 out of 5]

I made a mistake and just picked this book up at random. I am not at all familiar with the whole Battle Tech universe, but how difficult would it be to just jump in? The story was fairly basic. There are personalities I just don't know. I don't know any of the Mech Warrior designs, so I was out of my element. I should find a good beginning point and give it a chance, but this story plot was fairly weak. I don't see myself coming back in the near future. If I do come back, I will be sure to start at the beginning.

[Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

With Free Worlds League increasing the military readiness on their worlds bordering the Lyran Commonwealth Archon Melissa Steiner decides to be pre-emptive and take the fight to them.
The man she puts in charge of the incursion is a businessman more than a general and is paranoid, pompous and clueless as to how clueless he actually is when it comes to war.
An excellent tale of a mismatched group of underdog mechwarriors trying to overcome the odds and an "ally" who is supposed to support them.

[Walter Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Great read and some very interesting characters which I hope to see more of in the future ,sets the scene in the late dark age ready for the ilclan era great stuff.

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the Story and the Characters as this are kind of a war book but in the sci-fi world. I might keep reading the series, but I'm not sure. Hopefully, Trillian can somehow stop Duke Vedet and figure out who the traitor is.