Dark days. We have set our work out before us. It is hard, bloody, uncomfortable work. We know it will end, but we dare not yet look to that end. It's a lot like walking behind an elephant in a parade; you keep your head down and avoid whatever difficulty you may. Those of you who are facing the enemy are ever in our prayers. Those of you who await that ordeal are undergoing a blizzard of all the human emotions. You are exhalted, terrified, determined, feverish in preparation, calm, excited, disbelieving... And bored. It's been months now of waiting to see where they'll hit us next. As long as nothing is happening to our precious skins right now, we humans are capable of being bored under the most amazing circumstances. Here we are, your BattleTechnology staff team, dashing toward the front in an unarmed DropShip stenciled 'Press', wondering - where and when the front will overtake us. Wondering whether the Clans have any respect for the freedom of the press. Like the MechWarriors who read our magazine, we face an unknown danger at a time and place of our opponents' choosing. And yet, as we wait, we manage to be bored. And our humor shows it. Several dozen sick jokes have been circulating in the press room. Some are our own; some are forwarded from frontline units in Lyran, Rasalhaguian, and Kuritan space. Here's a sample: What's the difference between an extended range Clans Laser and a meatball? If you don't know, PLEASE don't come over to my house to cook dinner! How many Clan MechWarriors does it take to install a glowstrip? Five, because they don't know any lower number. What present won't Theodore Kurita buy for his daughter on Girl's Day? A Victor. What did Tor Miraborg say to his first Clans warrior? Sorry I shot at you, for a moment I thought you were a mercenary. What photographic process does Romano Liao hate most? En-Hanse-Ment. What has five 'Mech companies, fifteen aerospace fighters, twenty Toads, and an attitude? I don't know either, but it's bidding for your planet. Humor is healing, so they say. Groan some as these jokes are, I value them. They prove to me that the human spirit is indeed undefeated. As long as we keep our hearts up we will reach that end and turn it to our victory. In the meantime, what have we to offer you this issue? The long-promised update on the Lions of Davion and their most famous action. A Cobalt Coil story, Reflections of Battle, that will make you laugh, even in these times. The newest report from the Kurita front, Armageddon Begins. Thornhill Arms tries to tempt you with their new releases. Gone to Ground is presented as a salute to all the MechWarriors who have ever had to punch out. Scenarios, Tech Readouts, House Marik's most proud, a MechWarrior Acadamy's nominee for the best assault 'Mech, and part 2 of The Mercenary in MidCentury complete our mix. Even more than usual, the staff of BattleTechnology hope that this issue brings you pleasure. Back to BattleTechnology 15 Table of Contents Back to BattleTechnology List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 1992 by Pacific Rim Publishing. This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com