“Field Testing” is a novelette published in Habitual Heroes in 2021. Tanner has to face new challenges, leading an ad hoc team on a rescue mission.
Synopsis[]
After a conflict over leadership versus peer support with sergeant Keane, Tanner is put in charge of an ad hoc fire team made up of Alicia, Ravenell, Esposito, and Moreno, the last two on their first combat mission. The mission is to do a search and rescue of Harmony, which had been attacked by NorthStar ships.
After entry on the ship, the boarding teams are ambushed by combat robots. Tanner manage to work out NorthStar’s goal with the engagement, and helps foil it.
Appearances[]
Characters[]
- Tanner Malone
- Esposito, damage control specialist
- Sergeant Keane
- Moreno, a medic
- Ravenell
- Michelle Janeka
- Lieutenant Kilmeade
- Alicia Wong
- A robot
- Captain Navarro (mentioned only)
- many other marines and ratings
- some unnamed civilian consultants
Locations & organizations[]
- St. Catherine, St. Luke, and St. Sebastian, corvettes
- Harmony, a starliner
- Beowulf, a battleship
Continuity[]
The story is set in May 2277, after No Medals for Secrets and “Priorities”.
Publication History[]
“Field Testing” was first published in two parts on Elliott Kay’s Patreon in September and October 2021.