This article is part of the expanded universe
The subject and contents of this article are part of the fan-made expanded universe.
- For Scion Padishah, see Frank Burns.
Burns is a short story written by Andrew Goeldel and posted on BZ2MD in July 2005 as part of his collection Uncle Avatar's Storytime. It tells of a meeting between ISDF General Armond Braddock and Scion Convergence Padishah Frank Burns shortly before the opening events of Battlezone II: Combat Commander.[1] A week later, it was followed by the companion story Braddock.[2]
Synopsis[]
In the jungles of Mire, Armond Braddock awaits Frank Burns' arrival at a meeting in a ruined Cthonian structure. They arrive and use the structure for privacy.
Burns reminds Braddock that the renegades no longer consider themselves Black Dogs and that they do not intend to return to Earth, but Braddock remains dissatisfied by the thought of them spurning what he considers to have been a gift years in the making. Burns remains resentful.
Reminding Braddock of his promise to end their conflict - the reason Burns attended the meeting - Burns once again pleads for peace. Braddock informs him that the Core system is "dying", and that the Scions will also die if they remain, but says he is grateful for the knowledge and resources they have led the ISDF to by fleeing there. Burns is confused by the suggestion that the system is valuable and reminds Braddock of his promise to pull out.
Braddock taunts Burns by telling him that the Scion leader has effectively handed him all the information he needed about both the Scions and the Cthonians, and that he no longer has need of the Scions. He claims that, unlike the other Scions who he is content to let die slowly, he considers his vendetta against Burns to be personal. He uses his Jetpack to escape the building and detonates a hidden Satchel Charge, collapsing the building with Burns still inside. The Scion leader is maimed, but ultimately survives.
Continuity[]
- The story describes Burns in a standard Scion Pilot suit and provides a possible explanation for his Chariot.
- The presence of the ISDF in significant number is depicted before the events of Battlezone II, something the original game implies but never confirms.
- Despite it not directly resulting in any continuity issues, Goeldel wrote Burns under the impression that Battlezone II took place soon after the Scion Exodus and that the Cthonians only briefly visited the Core system.[3][4]