We got together this weekend in Seattle to map out where we are taking the BattleTech storyline. First off, it was mentally (and sometimes emotionally) exhausting. We started at 8am and went well into the night. I have to admit, I had fun despite the changes I need to do refine the work. The reason I had fun is that I think most of the changes are for the better…so that the fans of BattleTech will like it and so it can better feed future products. I appreciate your patience.

I had a lot of fun with Mike Stackpole getting caught up and brainstorming some very cool ideas that you will get to see at some point. It was fun to see Ray, John, and Brent too. Ray wore a different house or unit hat every day which, I have to admit, made me jealous and roused my competitive nature. Loren and Randall were in their element, though it was akin to herding cats. For some folks it was their first time in such an esteemed (albeit mad) gathering. For some of us old veterans, it was a trip down memory lane.

Our debates were lively, frustrating, and hilarious. I know you fans would love to see all of my notes – and that is never happening. Here’s the fun teasing stuff I feel safe sharing:

(At breakfast). Blaine: “Hey Randall, I see a press release that you guys are re-releasing the Succession Wars boxed set. Pretty aggressive given the Kickstarter isn’t it?” Randal: “What are you talking about?” Everyone went to their phones in unison…hilarity followed…

Two in-depth discussion and debates about technologies that do not exist. Loren: “We have to understand how it works so we never use it again.” Only in that room does that sentence have any real meaning.

“Life is cheap – BattleMechs aren’t.”

“Remember, we’re a little cash-strapped right now.” (Yes, the sarcasm was heavy in the meeting.) This was running joke #1.

“While you guys were having a sidebar, we added a few things to the list…” This actually qualifies as a running joke (see below).

Blaine: “As the only person in this room that has taught at a US military academy, twice, let me say…”

Brent breaking out the miniatures in the middle of our debate. I thought we were going to draw a Circle of Equals on the table and dice it out.

Blaine: “So we are setting in stone the list of novels, correct?” Everyone: “Yes.” Blaine: “Good, because I stuck on a Clan Wolverine novel on there and you just approved it.” (Followed with a shit-eating grin) Randall – with Sharpee in hand, “I can fix that!”

Loren: “So what do we call the new magazine?” Mike: “War Porn Quarterly.” John: “That will sell copies…”

(Everyone at one point or another) “Where is House Arano on the map?” Running joke #2. You needed to be there, but it was funny.

Blaine impersonating Edgar G. Robinson from a 20’s gangster film.

Randall: “Let’s face it, Katherine was our favorite person to hate.” A room of nods in unison followed.

Loren: “So, does X have any kids? They must have had kids, I mean the guy is like 45 now.” I cannot tell you the number of times we were reconstructing famous house genetic trees.

All (at one point or another): “WWJWD?”

The older guys, repeatedly, “Well, back in the FASA days…” We wore those words as a badge of honor with a dash of shame.

Randall: “I think I can make a ‘Mech summersault in terms of the physics, but I’m not sure we should have done it in fiction…”

Loren: “I think it would be great to capture one of these sessions entirely on film, but then I’m glad we don’t. No one really needs to see how the sausage is made.”

No one was killed during the session, though I will say we plotted the deaths and births of many characters. I can’t speak for the others, but we all seemed to have good time…I know I did. Please don’t press for more details. It is my job to simply be a tease…