BattleTech: Heavy Is the Head (Fortunes of War #5‪)‬

DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR

Major Michael Crown, leader of the Crown Crusaders mercenary battalion, has finally hit the big time: not only are the Crusaders fighting in the campaign to liberate the capital of the Federated Suns' Capellan March, they are under the command of the First Prince himself, Julian Davion. But when battle plans against the Capellan Confederation go awry and the specter of blame falls on the Crusaders, Michael must make a desperate deal to prove his loyalty to the Federated Suns and save his unit from extinction.

That deal leads to an unusual post in the distant Davion Outback, where true friends are hard to come by and devious enemies could be masquerading in plain sight. Michael and the Crown Crusaders must navigate the untamed wilds of the Periphery March if they are to have any hope of surviving long enough to regain the First Prince's trust and cleanse the stain on their honor.

(NOTE: This is the same novella that was distributed to the BattleTech Mercenaries Kickstarter campaign. If you received this story through the campaign, you do not need to buy it here.)