All his life, Sturm Kintaro wanted to be a MechWarrior. Now, he is one - untested in combat, but eager to show his prowess and be transferred away from the backwater planet Kore. But he is about to get a bigger opportunity than he ever wanted when a band of interstellar pirates launches a surprise attack and takes control of the planet. After the rout, Sturm finds himself stranded in the frozen wastes of Kore with no 'Mech, no help, no hope... Until he stumbles upon a long-hidden secret, one that will help him prove himself a worthy MechWarrior. Now, Sturm must wage a one-man war against the invading force - and resurrect a ghostly legend of Kore - if he is going to save his people from annihilation.

Angela Bekker is a rising star in the Ghost Bear Clan. Devoted to duty and honor, relentless in the pursuit of flawless victory - a prime example of Clan excellence in mind and body. So when she receives orders to form a new Trinary from scratch, she jumps at the chance to have her own command. Especially since they are to be stationed on the planet Toffen at the leading edge of Ghost Bear space. But what is an honor for some is an opportunity to strike for others. Led by the bloodthirsty Dirk Radick, forces of Clan Wolf launch an assault to take the valuable planet from the inexperienced troops. But the hunters soon become the hunted, as the Stalking Bears live up to their name. Only when the smoke clears does Angela realize that great honor comes at a great price - one that she may not be willing to pay...

Harley Rassor is a simple farm boy in a complex techno-universe - more than happy to work the land of planet Slewis with his father. His restless older brother left to join the elite merc corps, Able's Aces... and paid with his life. Now, Harley's father want him to join the fight - and learn what happened to his brother. What he learns is that the Aces are in turmoil. His instructor - tough-as-nails Lieutenant Livia Hawke - also happens to be his brother's ex-lover. Rumors of suspected payoffs and setups are commonplace. And the entire unit is in danger of being disbanded. Then pirates launch a devastating raid on the Rim Collection's resources, sparking an all-out fight that will put the Aces in the thick of battle - and reveal to Harley that there are worse things in war than death...

On planet Epsilon Eridani, young Tybalt Kelly dreams of one day becoming a MechWarrior - no matter how much his father hates the idea. When the local County Shu Militia starts recruiting for warrior training, Tybalt finally gets his wish. But he might not live to regret it. Because the raw, untested forces of the Shu are about to meet their baptism of fire. Unidentified 'Mech raiders have been hitting cities and supply depots, destroying and plundering at will. And the newly fitted MechWarriors are going after them. Now Tybalt is about to discover the hard truth that some battles have no winner - and in war, glory may be fleeting, but death is forever...

Only days after the demise of legendary warrior Grayson Death Carlyle, the mercenary forces of the Gray Death Legion are called into action. Their mission is to protect Hesperus II in the Isle of Skye. With civil war raging, it is vital that the planet's famous Defiancé BattleMech production facilities not fall into the hands of the enemy. Seeing the Lyrans and Davionists at each other's throats, the Skye separatists have seized the opportunity to instigate a new rebellion, and they too threaten the safety of Hesperus II and its factories. Now commanding the Legion is Lori Carlyle, widow of Grayson. But what Lori doesn't realize is that her troops are little more than pawns in the continuing hostilities between the factions of Victor Steiner-Davion and his ever-cunning sister, Katrina - and that the Gray Death are about to enter a battle they are meant to lose. If there is one constant in this universe, it is that pawns are made to be sacrificed...

Leftenant Colonel Grayson Addison's first absolute loyalty is to the Capellan March of the Federated Suns. If Field Marshal Hasek calls, Addison and his Eighth Syrtis Fusiliers will heed. But his fealty is not so clear where Archon-Princess Katrina, ruler of the entire Federated Commonwealth, is concerned. For as Katrina and her brother vie for power in a civil war that has engulfed the entire realm, the Fusiliers sit in an island of calm, neither supporting nor opposing any side and walking a dangerous line between survival and annihilation. But when the hammer of an invading army lands upon them, the time for decisive action is at hand - and Addison finds he must battle old friends as well as enemies if he is to remain true to his House and his army, as well as to himself...