ALWAYS READ THE FINE PRINT Shrapnel: The Official BattleTech Magazine is your go-to source for brutal, heavy-metal BattleMech action across the battlefields of the 31st century and beyond-and now it's bigger than ever before! This special double-size issue is jam-packed with the true currency of the Inner Sphere: mercenary troops! To reclaim a priceless personal memento, the Gray Death Legion must teach a young noble an invaluable lesson. The Northwind Highlanders, facing the loss of everything they hold dear, must defend their homeworld by forcing House Davion to pay in blood for every centimeter they gain. When the Crescent Hawks discover a lost family member might still be alive, they will stop at nothing to find her and bring her home. In this issue, you'll search for the fabled city of gold in the former Rim Worlds Republic, witness the Kell Hounds interview a new recruit with an unusual connection to Morgan Kell himself, and learn the trials and tribulations of a novice mercenary on a long-haul space journey for the first time. Experience the true cost of losing a personal 'Mech in battle, evade competing mercenary units fighting over your secret cargo, and raid a lost vault for invaluable treasure on behalf of a prestigious collector. Whatever the job, there's always soldiers of fortune ready to sign on the dotted line, and they can build their legend with content such as advice articles on how to run a mercenary unit and negotiate favorable contracts; Unit and Planet Digests for intel on the competition; technical readouts on unique 'Mechs; various downtime entertainment options; playable scenarios to test your tactical chops; and much more-all by veteran BattleTech authors and a new addition to the roster: Michael A. StackpoleBryan YoungChris PurnellJason SchmetzerDaniel IsbernerAlan BrundageJames KirtleyRobin BriseñoJames BixbyGiles GammageJason HansaJames HauserTom LeveenDavid MartinLance ScarinciJaymie WagnerRussell ZimmermanAlex FauthStephan FrabartoloJohannes HeidlerKen' HornerWunji LauLorcan NagleEric SalzmanZac SchwartzEd StephensStephen Toropov