Michael A. Stackpole

ALWAYS READ THE FINE PRINT Shrapnel: The Official BattleTech Magazine is your go-to source for brutal, heavy-metal BattleMech action across the battlefields of the 31st century and beyond-and now it's bigger than ever before This special double-size issue is jam-packed with the true currency of the Inner Sphere: mercenary troops To reclaim a priceless personal memento, the Gray Death Legion must teach a young noble an invaluable lesson. The Northwind Highlanders, facing the loss of everything they hold dear, must defend their homeworld by forcing House Davion to pay in blood for every centimeter they gain. When the Crescent Hawks discover a lost family member might still be alive, they will stop at nothing to find her and bring her home. In this issue, you'll search for the fabled city of gold in the former Rim Worlds Republic, witness the Kell Hounds interview a new recruit with an unusual connection to Morgan Kell himself, and learn the trials and tribulations of a novice mercenary on a long-haul space journey for the first time. Experience the true cost of losing a personal 'Mech in battle, evade competing mercenary units fighting over your secret cargo, and raid a lost vault for invaluable treasure on behalf of a prestigious collector. Whatever the job, there's always soldiers of fortune ready to sign on the dotted line, and they can build their legend with content such as advice articles on how to run a mercenary unit and negotiate favorable contracts; Unit and Planet Digests for intel on the competition; technical readouts on unique 'Mechs; various downtime entertainment options; playable scenarios to test your tactical chops; and much more-all by veteran BattleTech authors and a new addition to the roster: Michael A. StackpoleBryan YoungChris PurnellJason SchmetzerDaniel IsbernerAlan BrundageJames KirtleyRobin Brise oJames BixbyGiles GammageJason HansaJames HauserTom LeveenDavid MartinLance ScarinciJaymie WagnerRussell ZimmermanAlex FauthStephan FrabartoloJohannes HeidlerKen' HornerWunji LauLorcan NagleEric SalzmanZac SchwartzEd StephensStephen Toropov

The dramatic story of an X-wing pilot on the razor's edge between the hero he once was and the power he could have--if he's willing to embrace the Dark Side Corran Horn was an officer in the Corellian Security Force before casting his lot with the New Republic. As the grandson of a legendary Jedi hero, he has latent Force powers that have yet to be developed. But he has managed to distinguish himself with Rogue Squadron, the X-wing fighter force that has become the scourge of the Empire and of the pirates that prey on Republic shipping. When his wife, Mirax, vanishes on a covert mission for the New Republic, Corran vows to find her. He begins Jedi training at Luke Skywalker's Jedi academy, hoping to develop his untapped powers. But as Corran grows dissatisfied with the Jedi master's methods, he chooses to break with the academy before his training is finished. Now Corran is on his own. Using his undercover experience, he must infiltrate, sabotage, and destroy a ruthless organization in order to find his wife. But to succeed, Corran will have to come to terms with his Jedi heritage--and make a terrible choice: surrender to the Dark Side . . . or die.

After her attempt to strike at the heart of Coruscant with a deadly virus, the sinister Ysanne Isard sets her sights on destabilizing the New Republic by seizing its medicinal bacta production. Under the guise of a mere power struggle between corporations on the planet Thyferra, the imperial mastermind has taken control of one of the galaxy's most precious resources. The heroes of Rogue Squadron are desperate to liberate the planet, and free prisoners trapped by Isard, only to find their plans foiled by the politics of the New Republic, which is set on assigning the squadron elsewhere. With timing and resources running short, Wedge Antilles, Corran Horn, and the other rogues have no choice but to resign from the New Republic. The team must now go truly rogue to chip away at Isard's power, defeat her powerful complement of Star Destroyers, and free Thyferra from her iron rule. But when she discovers the Squadron's secret base, its pilots must scramble for survival in a winner-take-all battle against Isard's overwhelming and seemingly superior force.

Now for the first time in trade paperback: the fourth book in the epic adventure featuring the fearless pilots of Rogue Squadron. After her attempt to strike at the heart of Coruscant with a deadly virus, the sinister Ysanne Isard sets her sights on destabilizing the New Republic by seizing its medicinal bacta production. Under the guise of a mere power struggle between corporations on the planet Thyferra, the imperial mastermind has taken control of one of the galaxy's most precious resources. The heroes of Rogue Squadron are desperate to liberate the planet, and free prisoners trapped by Isard, only to find their plans foiled by the politics of the New Republic, which is set on assigning the squadron elsewhere. With timing and resources running short, Wedge Antilles, Corran Horn, and the other rogues have no choice but to resign from the New Republic. The team must now go truly rogue to chip away at Isard's power, defeat her powerful complement of Star Destroyers, and free Thyferra from her iron rule. But when she discovers the Squadron's secret base, its pilots must scramble for survival in a winner-take-all battle against Isard's overwhelming and seemingly superior force.

The third book in the legendary series featuring the pilots of Rogue SquadronThe Rebels have taken the Imperial headquarters world of Coruscant, but their problems are far from over. A killer virus called Krytos is spreading among the population and fomenting a counterrevolution at the heart of the New Republic. At the same time, Rebel hero Tycho Celchu is on trial for treason, accused of murdering his comrade and fellow pilot Corran Horn. Corran, however, is still alive, trapped in the secret, inescapable prison of Ysanne Isard, the imperial officer whose reputation for torture and cruelty have earned her the moniker Iceheart. As he fights for his freedom, the pilot discovers an extraordinary power in himself-the power of the Force!

The brave pilots of Rogue Squadron face the impossible as the sinister Ysanne Isard wreaks havoc on a fragile Coruscant. The Rebels have taken the Imperial headquarters world of Coruscant, but their problems are far from over. A killer virus called Krytos is spreading among the population and fomenting a counterrevolution at the heart of the New Republic. At the same time, Rebel hero Tycho Celchu is on trial for treason, accused of murdering his comrade and fellow pilot Corran Horn. Corran, however, is still alive, trapped in the secret, inescapable prison of Ysanne Isard, the imperial officer whose reputation for torture and cruelty have earned her the moniker Iceheart. As he fights for his freedom, the pilot discovers an extraordinary power in himself--the power of the Force

The Locust War has ended with an energy weapon that pulsed across the land, destroying Locust and Lambent alike. The world is in shambles and the few survivors are isolated from one another. Humanity must begin anew. This novel reveals the canonical, never-before-seen events set in the time immediately following the game Gears of War 3. With most of Sera's civilization destroyed, Sergeant Marcus Fenix and Lieutenant Anya Stroud must somehow rebuild on the ruins. For Marcus, his purpose is impossible to grasp. With no clear enemy to fight, there may be no place left for him in this postwar world. Some call him hero, others view him with resentment. As Anya struggles to create alliances to re-form the Coalition of Ordered Governments, she quickly discovers how impossible it is to tell friend from foe. Then whispers of Locust still stalking the land begin to spread. Fearing the worst, Marcus forms a team to assess the potential threat. As he and the other Gears search for Locust survivors, however, they quickly discover that the new enemy may be all-too-human, and utterly ruthless.

In this essential Star Wars Legends novel, discover the legacy of Rogue Squadron and its fabled pilots, who became a symbol of hope throughout the galaxy. They are sleek, swift, and deadly.

In this essential Star Wars legends novel, discover the legacy of Rogue Squadron and its fabled pilots, who became a symbol of hope throughout the galaxy. They are sleek, swift, and deadly. They are the X-wing fighters. And as the struggle rages across the vastness of space, the fearless men and women who pilot them risk both their lives and their machines. Their mission: to defend the Rebel Alliance against a still-powerful and battle-hardened Imperial foe in a last-ditch effort to control the stars Its very name strikes fear into enemy hearts. So when Rebel hero Wedge Antilles rebuilds the legendary Rogue Squadron, he seeks out only the best--the most skilled and most daring X-wing pilots. Through arduous training and dangerous missions, he weeds out the weak from the strong, assembling a group of hard-bitten warriors willing to fight, ready to die. Antilles knows the grim truth: Even with the best X-wing jockeys in the galaxy, many will not survive their near-suicidal missions. But when Rogue Squadron is ordered to assist in the assault on the heavily fortified Imperial stronghold of Blackmoon, even the bravest must wonder if any at all will survive. . .

THE DAY THE STAR LEAGUE DIED Shrapnel: The Official BattleTech Magazine brings you more BattleMech action from the war-torn 31st century and beyond Celebrate Star League Day with tales of a long-abandoned 'Mech rediscovered and pressed into service, a quest for vengeance in enemy territory, the resurgence of old ghosts, and the threat of bitter betrayal in the face of long odds. Charge headlong into technical readouts, assassin conspiracies, in-depth equipment articles, playable holiday-themed scenarios, and more-all from BattleTech veterans, fan favorites, and new authors: Michael A. StackpoleLoren L. ColemanBlaine Lee PardoeBryan YoungBryn BillsCharles DalmasChris HusseyDaniel IsbernerAlex KaempenCraig A. Reed, Jr. Eric SalzmanLance ScarinciDavid SmithTom Stanley

WILD IN THE STREETS... Wolfgang Kies is a shadowrunner with a secret. He's an untrained shaman whose totem is the Wolf. Struggling under the influence of the Old One's omnipotent powers, Wolfgang's only ally is Dr. Richard Raven, the elf and do-gooder vigilante Seattle turns to when all else fails. He knows Wolfgang's secret. He understands the pull of magical possession on vulnerable souls. Together they are the only force strong enough to battle crime kingpin Etienne La Plante. As the chrome-fisted Capone of the Seattle Sprawl, La Plante has at his command an army of grunge goons, razorboys, and icepick-packing street samurai. But when Wolfgang's on the prowl, every cyber-creep and crook is fair game. There's only one hope against La Plante's reign of terror-the one force Wolfgang fears the most...his own pure predatory fury.

THE WAR RAGES ON Shrapnel: The Official BattleTech Magazine returns with more explosive BattleMech action from the 31st century Experience tales of hard-won survival from the gaming world of Solaris VII, the wilds of the Deep Periphery, and the annals of Clan history. Dive deep into in-depth technology articles, technical readouts, conspiracy theories, war-game and role-playing adventures, and more-all from veteran BattleTech authors, fan favorites, and our latest enlistees: Michael A. Stackpole - Jason SchmetzerMichael J. Ciaravella - Travis HeermannAlan Brundage - James SimakasJohn-David Karnitz - Aaron Cahall Matthew Cross - Daniel Isberner Alex Kaempen - Tom Stanley - Chris Wheeler

*** CORRECTED EDITION ***WELCOME TO THE YEAR 2072...... And a world unlike anything you've ever imagined. A world where magic and machines exist side-by-side. Where cybernetics can replace organs or entire limbs with ease, and arcane spells can make the impossible happen. Where the Matrix has become an artificial world of its own, filled with all kinds of pleasure, treasure, and trouble. Where dwarves, elves, orks, and trolls walk alongside humans every day. Some work for megacorporations whose invisible tentacles wrap around every aspect of modern life. Others choose a much less legal career, doing whatever dirty work the corp executives need done-for a price. Welcome to the world of Shadowrun. Featuring fifteen new stories about the men and women who make their living in the shadows of the Sixth World, Spells and Chrome takes you into the dark and dirty streets of the future. Whether risking their lives to execute a mission for an employer who might be planning to double-cross them anyway, or just doing whatever they need to do to survive another day, shadowrunners use everything they've got-cyberware, spells, or a very big gun-to get the job done. This corrected 10th anniversary edition features a new foreword by the editor.