Battletech: Proliferation Cycle Series by Ilsa J. Bick, Herbert A. Beas II, Christoffer M. Trossen, Randall N. Bills, Chris Hartford, J.M. Hardy, Jason Schmetzer

The choice of first pilot for the first BattleMech was a difficult one, and fierce; perhaps too fierce?BattleMechs have been kings of the battlefield for centuries. But it wasn’t always so. In this first installment of a grand new series, the "Proliferation Cycle" looks at the rise of BattleMech technology and a story of the first people to be tapped as the first MechWarriors. Story by Ilsa J. Bick.

The Lyran Commonwealth cannot allow the Terran Hegemony to retain sole possession of the BattleMech--not when the Draconis Combine and the Free Worlds League are breathing down its neck.

What do you do when your best military efforts have failed, and your nation runs the risk of fielding an inferior military? When you are the Federated Suns, you quite simply put your best man on it. Even if the fight will take place off the battlefield, and inside the ambassadorial chambers on Tharkad itself. Christoffer Trossen unveils this third part in The Proliferation Series, giving us a man with an eye toward the art of the deal.

The samurai of the Draconis Combine will not allow themselves to be outdone by the teki of the Federated Suns or Terran Hegemony--the BattleMech shall be theirs!

Chris Hartford makes his BattleCorps debut with Jason Hardy. Together they bring us the tale of how House Marik gets the BattleMech.

Alone of the Great Houses, House Liao lacks BattleMech technology. The Maskirovka is willing to expend any sum--any asset--to secure the war machines for the Chancellor's armies.