by M. D. Cooper
FR-2 – Second generation FR mechs solved many of the issues from the first generation, and were well regarded for their effectiveness.
XFR – The XFR model is not known to have been widely produced. This model had additional power and carrying capacity to utilize shoulder mounted proton beams and chainguns. However, the mech’s loadout made it almost as heavy as an AM-3 without the armor.
FR-4 – Though there is no FR-3 model, Finaeus and the members of Rika’s Repair and Medical platoon decided to go with consistent generational numbering across all mechs.
The latest FR model gained the XFR’s shoulder-mounted beam weapons: one electron beam, and the other a high-output burst laser cannon. These weapons slot onto the wearer’s back and slide up over the shoulder where they are each capable of two hundred and seventy degree motion, even with the meter-long barrel on each.
Additional changes include a-grav stabilization similar to the AM-4s, and the same universal limb and weapons mounting system, as well as the MK-99 chameleon epidermis.
SMI (Scout Mech-Integrated)
The final mech model produced at the end of the war was built out of a desire for a super-light mech that could be used in place of standard infantry in sniper/recon situations, and bring extreme fire to bear if desired.
SMI mechs were also cost-saving mechs, as they retained more of their human body components, making for fewer prosthetic neural connections. They also leveraged progress in muscle and bone augmentation that had been used in RR and FR mech models.
The mechs were built exclusively from small, lithe women who could fit in the mech armor and still create a small profile.
Unlike other mech models, SMI mechs were never deployed with two functional hands. One was always a weapon mount.
SMI mechs are all skinless.
Sub-Models
SMI-1 – The first generation of SMI mechs had a short production run due to psychological issues. Because they retained more of their human bodies than other mechs, they ended up having additional dysphoria issues.
SMI-2 – Second generation SMI mechs had improved physical integrations and psychological conditioning that caused the mechs to view themselves as less human. However, in the field, it was observed to have the opposite effect, and SMI mechs retained a strong connection to their humanity.
SMI-4 – Though there had always been rumors of an SMI-3, no one in the Marauders ever saw direct evidence that the model was produced. Still, for the same reasons as the FR-4’s, the SMI range moved to ‘4’ was well.
The SMI-4 mechs had few visible improvements to their configurations, excepting that they received the MK-99 chameleon armor. Advanced materials shed over ten kilograms, while adding additional batteries, and stronger bone and muscle enhancements. The SMI-4 armor also possesses the same chameleon capabilities as their skin.
While SMI-4s support the same universal weapons mount system as all mechs, they do not have the recoil control or power systems for some of the more powerful weapons, and stick to their tried and true rifles and GNRs.
3rd MARAUDER FLEET
4th DIVISION
Fleet Commander: Colonel Argon
Division 4 Complement (2 Ships)
Golden Lark
1200-meter heavy cruiser
64 fighters
Ship’s AI: Cora
Other Ship AIs: Jane & Frankie
Captain: Major Tim
XO Commander: Scas
Dockmaster: Chief Ora
Perseid’s Dream
650-meter destroyer
24 fighters
Ship’s AI: Moshe
Other Ship AI: Lauren
Captain Penny
7th MARAUDER FLEET
1st DIVISION
Fleet Commander: Colonel Rika (SMI-4)
Fleet XO: Captain Heather (SMI-4)
Division 4 Complement (5 Ships)
Fury Lance
4100-meter dreadnought
420 fighters
Ship’s AI: N/A
Captain: Captain Heather (SMI-4)
Republic IV
1100-meter cruiser
44 fighters
Ship’s AI: N/A
Captain: Lieutenant Travis (AM-4)
Undaunted
1130-meter cruiser
34 fighters
Ship’s AI: N/A
Captain: Lieutenant Ferris
Asora
544-meter destroyer
Ship’s AI: N/A
Captain: Lieutenant Klen (RR-4)
Capital
612-meter destroyer
Ship’s AI: N/A
Captain: Lieutenant Buggsie
9th MARAUDER BATTALION
Note, there are some spoilers below. You may want to reference the names and ranks in the prior book until you’ve reached the chapter entitled “Training”.
After General Julia promoted Rika to Colonel, and placed her in command of the 9th Battalion, Rika created ‘N’ Company, and moved two platoons into it.
Several platoon leaders and dropship pilots moved into fleet command positions, and others moved into the new company HQs.
‘HQ’ COMPANY
Battalion Commander (CO): Colonel Rika (SMI-4)
Battalion Executive Officer (XO): Lieutenant Colonel Alice
Command Sergeant: Sergeant Major Barne (FR-4)
Operations Officer: Captain Niki (SAI)
Intelligence Officer: Lieutenant Leslie
‘R’ COMPANY (M&M)
Platoon Commander – Lieutenant “Bondo” Carson
- Corporal Stripes (AM-X)
‘M’ COMPANY
Note, not all personnel in the Company are listed.
Company HQ
Commanding Officer (CO): Captain Chase (FR-4)
Executive Officer (XO): Lieutenant Karen (SMI-4)
First Sergeant: Tex (RR-4)
Gunnery Sergeant: Aaron (AM-4)
Tactics and Strategy AI: Potter
First Platoon
Platoon CO – First Lieutenant Chris (AM-4)
Platoon Sergeant – Staff Sergeant Kristian (RR-4-M)
First Squad
Sergeant Crunch (AM-4)
4 Fireteams (19 mechs)
FT 1-1
- CPL Ben (AM-4)
- PFC Al, ‘Whispers’ (AM-4)
- PFC Kim (RR-4-F)
- PFC Harris (FR-4)
FT 1-2
- CPL Kelly (SMI-4)
- PFC Shoshin (AM-4)
- PFC Keli (SMI-4)
FT 1-3
- PFC Kerry (RR-4)
FT 1-4
- CPL Mitch (RR-4)
Second Squad
Squad Sergeant – Corin (RF-4)
3 Fireteams (13 mechs)
FT 2-1
- CPL (K1R-T) Oosterwyk-Bruyn, ‘The Van’
Third Squad
Squad Sergeant Carolyn ‘CJ’ (RR-4-F)
4 Fireteams (19 mechs)
FT 3-1
- PVT Kyle, ‘Goob’ (AM-4)
- CPL Yiaagaitia, ‘Yig’ (RR-4-M)
Fourth Squad
Squad Sergeant – Kara (SMI-4)
4 Fireteams (20 mechs)
Second Platoon
Platoon CO – First Lieutenant Fuller (AM-4)
Platoon Sergeant – Staff Sergeant Chauncy (FR-4)
Squad One
Squad Sergeant – Alison (SMI-4)
4 Fireteams (19 mechs)
FT 1-4
- CPL Fred (AM-4)
- PFC Jenisa (SMI-4)
- PFC Kor (AM-4)
- FFC Rnady (AM-4)
Second Squad
Squad Sergeant – Tre (FR-4)
4 Fireteams (21 mechs)
Third Squad
Squad Sergeant Bean (SMI-4)
5 Fireteams (25 mechs)
Fourth Squad
Squad Sergeant Kristina, ‘Abs’ (RR-4)
4 Fireteams (20 mechs)
FT 2-4
CPL Musel (AM-4)
PFC Bitty (K1R-M)
<
br /> PFC Smitty (RR-4-F)
Third Platoon
Platoon CO – First Lieutenant Wilson (FR-4)
Platoon Sergeant – Staff Sergeant Bookie (SMI-4)
Squad One
Squad Sergeant Char (RR-4-F)
4 Fireteams (19 mechs)
Second Squad
Squad Sergeant Mal (FR-4)
4 Fireteams (22 mechs)
Third Squad
Squad Sergeant Cory (AM-4)
4 Fireteams (19 mechs)
Fourth Squad
Squad Sergeant Lana (SMI-4)
4 Fireteams (20 mechs)
‘N’ COMPANY
Note, not all personnel in the Company are listed.
Company HQ
Commanding Officer (CO): Captain Scarcliff (FR-4)
Executive Officer (XO): First Lieutenant Crudge (AM-4)
Gunnery Sergeant: Sergeant Johnny (FR-4)
Tactics and Strategy AI: Dredge
First Platoon
Platoon CO – First Lieutenant Michael (AM-4)
Platoon Sergeant – Staff Sergeant Alana (RR-4-F)
Squad One
Squad Sergeant Bruce (RR-4-M)
4 Fireteams (19 mechs)
Second Squad
Squad Sergeant Aerin (SMI-4)
4 Fireteams (21 mechs)
Third Squad
Squad Sergeant Justin (FR-4)
4 Fireteams (19 mechs)
Fourth Squad
Squad Sergeant Val (RR-4-F)
3 Fireteams (14 mechs)
Second Platoon
Platoon CO – Lieutenant Darla (RR-4-F)
Platoon Sergeant – Staff Sergeant Sal (FR-4)
Squad One
Squad Sergeant Sarah (RR-4-F)
4 Fireteams (19 mechs)
Second Squad
Squad Sergeant George (FR-4)
4 Fireteams (20 mechs)
Third Squad
Squad Sergeant Jessa (RR-4-F)
3 Fireteams (14 mechs)
Fourth Squad
Squad Sergeant Jynafer (RR-4-F)
3 Fireteams (13 mechs)
THE BOOKS OF AEON 14
Keep up to date with what is releasing in Aeon 14 with the free Aeon 14 Reading Guide.
The Intrepid Saga
- Book 1: Outsystem
- Book 2: A Path in the Darkness
- Book 3: Building Victoria
- The Intrepid Saga Omnibus – Also contains Destiny Lost, book 1 of the Orion War series
- Destiny Rising – Special Author’s Extended Edition comprised of both Outsystem and A Path in the Darkness with over 100 pages of new content.
The Orion War
- Book 1: Destiny Lost
- Book 2: New Canaan
- Book 3: Orion Rising
- Book 4: The Scipio Alliance
- Book 5: Attack on Thebes
- Book 6: War on a Thousand Fronts (2018)
- Book 7: Fallen Empire (2018)
- Book 8: Airtha Ascendancy (2018)
- Book 9: The Orion Front (2018)
- Book 10: Starfire (2019)
- Book 11: Race Across Time (2019)
- Book 12: Return to Sol (2019)
Tales of the Orion War (Anthologies)
- Set the Galaxy on Fire
- Ignite the Stars
Perilous Alliance (Age of the Orion War - with Chris J. Pike)
- Book 1: Close Proximity
- Book 2: Strike Vector
- Book 3: Collision Course
- Book 4: Impact Imminent
- Book 5: Critical Inertia (2018)
Rika’s Marauders (Age of the Orion War)
- Prequel: Rika Mechanized
- Book 1: Rika Outcast
- Book 2: Rika Redeemed
- Book 3: Rika Triumphant
- Book 4: Rika Commander
- Book 5: Rika Infiltrator (2018)
- Book 6: Rika Unleashed (2018)
- Book 7: Rika Conqueror (2019)
Perseus Gate (Age of the Orion War)
Season 1: Orion Space
- Episode 1: The Gate at the Grey Wolf Star
- Episode 2: The World at the Edge of Space
- Episode 3: The Dance on the Moons of Serenity
- Episode 4: The Last Bastion of Star City
- Episode 5: The Toll Road Between the Stars
- Episode 6: The Final Stroll on Perseus’s Arm
Season 2: Inner Stars
- Episode 1: A Meeting of Bodies and Minds (Feb 2018)
- Episode 2: A Surreptitious Rescue of Friends and Foes (2018)
The Warlord (Before the Age of the Orion War)
- Book 1: The Woman Without a Country
- Book 2: The Woman Who Seized an Empire
- Book 3: The Woman Who Lost Everything (2018)
Machete System Bounty Hunter (with Zen DiPietro)
- Book 1: Hired Gun (2018)
- Book 2: Gunning for Trouble (May 2018)
- Book 3: With Guns Blazing (2018)
The Sentience Wars: Origins (With James S. Aaron)
- Book 1: Lyssa’s Dream
- Book 2: Lyssa’s Run
- Book 3: Lyssa’s Flight
- Book 4: Lyssa’s Call
- Book 5: Lyssa’s Flame (2018)
The Empire (Age of the Orion War)
- Book 1: The Empress and the Ambassador (2018)
- Book 2: Consort of the Scorpion Empress (2018)
- Book 3: By the Empress’s Command (2018)
Enfield Genesis (Age of the Sentience Wars - with Lisa Richman)
- Book 1: Alpha Centauri (May 2018)
- Book 2: Proxima (2018)
Tanis Richards: Origins (The Age of Terra)
- Prequel: Storming the Norse Wind (At the Helm Volume 3)
- Book 1: Shore Leave (June 2018)
- Book 2: The Command (June 2018)
- Book 3: Infiltrator (July 2018)
The Sol Dissolution (The Age of Terra)
- Book 1: Venusian Uprising (2018)
- Book 2: Scattered Disk (2018)
- Book 3: Jovian Offensive (2019)
- Book 4: Fall of Terra
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michael Cooper likes to think of himself as a jack-of-all-trades (and hopes to become master of a few). When not writing, he can be found writing software, working in his shop at his latest carpentry project, or likely reading a book.
He shares his home with a precocious young girl, his wonderful wife (who also writes), two cats, a never-ending list of things he would like to build, and ideas…
Find out what’s coming next at http://www.aeon14.com
Table of Contents
FOREWORD
PREVIOUSLY…
MAPS
MEETING THE ADMIRAL
INTO THE MAELSTROM
LIBERATING LIBERTY
LAKESIDE
FINDING SILVA
HUDSON
RETURN
AVATAR
POWER
CHALLENGE
MECH UPGRADES
MEETING CHASE
RESPECTS
ORDERS
SEPE
LEGS
INTO THE BREACH
SUSPICION
TIME TO FIGHT
KICKING ASS IN OUTER SPACE
PUPPETS
SURRENDER
VICTORY
MECH TYPES AND ARMAMENTS
3rd MARAUDER FLEET 4th DIVISION
7th MARAUDER FLEET 1st DIVISION
9th MARAUDER BATTALION
THE BOOKS OF AEON 14
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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