"William H. Keith Jr - Decision at Thunder Rift" - читать интересную книгу автора (Keith jr William H)

Note: I've placed the Glossary at the front of the e-book so those who
haven't read the incredibly popular and well written novels that helped create
a game. You don't have to know anything about the game other than in the
future wars are fought primarily by a single "Knight" who is encased in his 30
meter "armor". The Armor is called a BattleMech or simply a 'Mech and is
studded with all sorts of evil and nasty weapons mostly built to fight other
'Mechs. Smaller 'Mechs such as a Wasp or Stinger don't have heavy armor
plating or other heavy weapons and use their speed for defense.

This book, Decision at Thunder Rift, was the first novel to be set in
the BattleMech world. It was written in 1986 by one of the most gifted
writers for this genre, William H. Keith, Jr.. Mr. Keith has since gone on to
write some of the best "game set" novels and has a way of breathing life into
a premade game such as BattleMech. There are two more novels in the series
that deal with the building of a 'Mech Legion from the ground up after being
betrayed.

A second trilogy I'll be scanning in is one by Michael Stackpole,
another gifted author. After reading his series it really brings to life the
human characters that inhabit the future and the Kings, Queens, Dictators, and
Lords who all want to rule all of known space.

So this is the first book of the Succession Wars and the horrors of the
people caught in the middle.


GLOSSARY
Autocannon: A rapid-firing, auto-loading cannon mounted on some 'Mechs
and weapons carriers. Light vehicle autocannon have calibers ranging from 30
to 90 mm, while heavy 'Mech autocannon may be 80 to 120 mm or more. The weapon
fires high-explosive or armor-piercing shells. Because of the limitations of
'Mech targeting technology, its range is limited to less than 600 meters.
Company: A tactical military unit consisting of three BattleMech
Lances or, for infantry, three platoons with a total of SO to 100 men.
Infantry companies are generally commanded by a captain.
Crawler: A tracked, military vehicle. Various designs carry troops,
cargo, or weapons.
Crusader: A heavy BattleMech, weighing 65 tons, with a top speed of 65
kph. It is heavily armed even for a 'Mech, mounting a laser, a heavy machine
gun, and massed LRM batteries in each arm, and six SRM launch tubes on each
leg.
ECM: Short for "Electronic Countermeasures", this is broadcast
interference to disrupt enemy radar, radio, or other electronic equipment.
Hovercraft: A vehicle that travels several centimeters above the
ground on a cushion of air created by large fans inside a rubber or light
metal-skirted plenum chamber. Hovercraft may be designed as scouts,
transports, or weapon carriers. They are fast, highly maneuverable, and can
travel over land or water, but are hampered by rough or broken terrain. They
are also called skimmers or GEVs (Ground Effect Vehicles).
HVT: Hovercraft Transports are a military hovercraft used to carry