Hey, Folks, just a little review to tide you over on Friday. Today we’re bouncing around and landed on No One Left Behind by Michael J. Ciaravella. This is the included novella im the Mercenaries boxed set, in case you were wondering why you hadn't heard of it.
Focusing on the tribulations of a young cadet with big dreams, this story covers a different take on how Mercenaries are made. Let’s dive in a little bit for a spoiler free review of No One Left Behind.
So, we start our story with a bold and determined young man undergoing his entrance exam for the military academy of Ankaa in the Federated Suns. The year is 3151 and Terra has fallen, the Republic gone. Our protagonist experiences unexpected setbacks on his exam, and ends up at his favorite bar, drowning his sorrows.
His favorite bartender commiserates with him and listens to the cadet drown his sorrows and cope with the news he didn't want to hear. He has a connection to the legendary Mercenary Command Snord’s Irregulars, but hasn't seen any of them in years.
The cadet meets an experienced mercenary and they share a drink, a story, and a moment. There's a lesson in all this about being ready when opportunity falls out of the sky, and being brave enough to make that jump. There are a couple of surprises along the way too, but I won’t spoil those.
This is a universal story about being willing to bet everything on yourself when disappointing circumstances land on you. Everyone has had that experience at least once, and Michael tells a fantastic tale. The mech fights are wonderfully written as well.
5 stars. Though it is a very short read.
So far this is exclusive to the Mercenaries boxed set, so you'll get it when you pick that up. Until next week, stay in an appropriate amount of trouble relative to local conditions.
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