Battletech 48 Measure Of A Hero [Mass Market Paperback]

As is often the case in BattleTech universe novels, the story involves poorly supplied underdogs who are forced into battling much stronger forces for a planet, federation, inner sphere, or what have you.

In this case we have two decent men who are set against each other. Archer Christifori is a retired war hero, leading a quiet little military reserve unit. Because of increasing tensions, the empress Katherine Steiner sends a military force to Archer's planet under command of a Col. Felix Blucher. These two men are essentially honorable. They start out on good terms.

However, the proverbial worm in the apple is a scheming and self-centered character named Leutenant Luther Fisk. Fisk is a subordinate officer under Blucher's command. Fisk's father is a real big-shot who is quick to run interference for his son. Col. Blucher soon finds himself unable to discipline Fisk. Fisk defies his commander, gets punished, and just calls his dad to get out of it. This happens several times. Blucher is helpless. As Fisk begins to realize he is beyond his commander's control, his behavior gets more and more reckless and violent. Soon civilians are being gunned down in the streets by Fisk's men.

Fisk's wild-card antics soon set Archer at odds with Blucher. In particular, one rash action of Fisk's results in the death of Archer's only remaining relative, his sister. This cannot be forgiven. Before long the autocannons are chewing up armor, and lasers are blazing.

You guessed it. David goes to war against Goliath. Archer with his little rag-tag military reserve unit goes up against as much larger force of regular troops. Archer's old, worn-out hand-me-down battlemechs take on the pride of the Lyran Alliance. Like a Robin Hood of the future, Archer manages through guile and craft to outsmart Col. Blucher, who comes to look like a "Sheriff of Nottingham" buffoon by the end of the book.

The book is fun, and excellently written. It is well plotted, and Mr. Pardoe is an old hand who has turned several fine BattleTech novels in the past. The story has two sequels, also, for those who enjoy this book. Go on to read the next installment, entitled "Operation Audacity."

Patrick J. Callahan