Proving Grounds Trilogy

THE INNER SPHERE UNDER ASSAULT… Since the failure of the interplanetary communications system, the decades-long peace brokered by the Republic of the Sphere has begun to splinter. Power-hungry factions-such as the Steel Wolves-are invading vulnerable worlds to establish their own rule. As a gateway to Terra, the planet of Northwind has strategic value-making it a fiercely-contested target for the emerging factions springing up across the Republic-and Duchess Tara Campbell will not allow her home to fall into enemy hands. Offering military assistance, the Republic sends Paladin Ezekiel Crow and his fully armed BattleMech to help defend Northwind. MechWarrior Anastasia Kerensky, she of the infamous Clan Bloodline, has set her sights on conquering Northwind-and what Anastasia wants, Anastasia usually gets. But first she must contend with the deadly politics of the Steel Wolves before she embarks on a conquest that could lead to the very heart of The Republic itself...

LYING IN WAIT… The Highlanders defeated Anastasia Kerensky the last time she attacked Northwind-although she retreated with most of her troops intact. Now dispersed among several planets, the Highlanders will need a bigger edge if they are to end Kerensky's threat completely. A rumor places Anastasia Kerensky on Northwind. If that's true, the Steel Wolves must also be close by. Determined to locate them, Paladin Ezekiel Crow and Countess Tara Campbell order a reconnaissance-unaware that their enemy may be closer than they think. With her forces on standby, Anastasia believes there is little the embattled Republic can do to stop her from finally conquering Northwind. What she doesn't realize is that she has allies she never imagined-and enemies she never suspected. It's a moment of truth for Crow, Campbell, and Kerensky, when lies emerge from the shadows, and the fate of a world hangs in the balance.