GallowsGal
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gallowsgal.bsky.social
GallowsGal
@gallowsgal.bsky.social
180 followers 160 following 530 posts
I’m June, and I write stuff. Check out Distant Worlds vol. 1, and my love letter to mecha anime ‘First Contact with the Enemy’.

https://linktr.ee/GallowsGal
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gallowsgal.bsky.social
Showing my grandchildren this and telling them it’s a picture of Natasha Kerensky
Merida Cruz
June 25, 2025 at 5:13 PM
gallowsgal.bsky.social
@badgerfrank.bsky.social Another zipsqueal has come in from the surface of a Capellan border world! This time it’s a tale of The War Widows. As always there is a plain text version in the Alt text. #battletech #flashfiction #scifi
Triple Ace June M. Burton The Urbanmech collapsed near the edge of the wood, torso savaged by another volley of coherent light. That was her second kill this deployment. Gail grabbed the permanent marker from its place on the console and added another tick to the 13 already on the hatch. She was well out of contact with her lance now, but she was used to operating at least somewhat independently since the War Widows arrived on planet. They’d been on this rock for a month now, and Gail had learned a lot about the twisting network of B-roads that wound between the Norman style hedge delineating the borders of the small farms and disused military installations. It was a pain to drive a ‘Mech through, as only the heaviest war machines could tear through the thick growth. Her lance mates relied on jump jets to clear the brambles, but Hunchbacks lacked that sort of equipment. As such Gail had taken to making scouting runs in a fast ground car, marking every break in the hedge on her map. She pulled the chart up now, and saw that the nearest point of exit to the road was on the far side of the wood. She shook her head and throttled up the 4p, intent on finding the road and making contact with her fellow War Widows. Gail’s console chirped as she cleared the stand of trees. Disappearing around the corner of a three story concrete building, a remnant of the Capellan’s military occupation, she glimpsed a flash of dark green and the dull sheen of an autocannon barrel. She pursued, pushing her venerable Swayback to its inconsiderable top speed. The targeting computer confirmed her suspicions, it was a Blackjack—easy meat. With triple ace status on the line she had to try her luck. As she stepped into the narrow gap between the disused military building, and a pair of low lying barns that sat in its shadow she drew up short. The Blackjack was making a jump, shooting skyward on silvery jets of ion steam, and in its place, towering over the wicked hedgerows that bordered the road, was 90 tons of boxy headed Highlander with a Gauss rifle leveled directly at her. Frantically Gail threw the Swayback into reverse and unleashed an alpha strike on the titan before her. Even if all six medium lasers of the shoulder mounted main array and the two arm mounted units had hit it wouldn’t have made much of a difference. A wave of heat washed over Gail’s cockpit, followed by a nickel-steel slug ripping into the Swayback’s main laser array. She rained disco hell on the Highlander again, but this time only four of the eight lasers fired. A few rents crisscrossed the Highlander’s heavy armor now, but nothing crippling. It replied to this assault with a salvo of missiles which fell like ballistic hail upon Gail. Now alarms were going off, and she turned to run, only to find her retreat cut off by autocannon fire from atop the military building. The Blackjack was acquitting itself of the title ‘Easy Meat’ admirably. Gail’s armor was holding up well despite this, and she had nearly reached the tree-line when another Gauss slug struck her leg, damaging an actuator and causing her to fall a scant fifty meters from cover. The Blackjack wasted no time. The jump jets roared to life again and it landed halfway between the building and the stand of trees with its autocannons thumping away. The enemy pilot began to close the gap and brought the Blackjack’s lasers into the mix, carving armor from the disabled Swayback. Sensing that the end might well be near, Gail considered punching out, but laying on the ground as she was, the ejection seat would be a death sentence. Instead, she threw off her neurohelmet, and cracked the hatch on the ‘Mech’s head. She knew she couldn’t wait long, but she didn’t relish the idea of bailing out under fire wearing nothing but Lycra bike shorts and a Clan Spaniel crop top. She slid her feet back into her boots, and cinched the laces while the Blackjack sliced through her rear armor. Another autocannon round penetrated the structure of the Swayback with a sickening crunch and Gail knew she had to make her run for it or she’d be caught in a fusion engine explosion. Survival odds on that were absolutely zero. So, she threw the hatch wide and jumped. Gail landed badly and twisted her left knee. She had no time for the pain, and hauled herself to her feet. She ran, or tried to run, for the trees as the Blackjack closed, checking for signs of life. The pilot barked something over the loudspeaker system but Gail couldn’t make heads or tails of it. She knew she would probably be caught long before she could make it back to friendly territory, but that didn’t matter right now. All that mattered in the moment was getting far enough away from her downed ‘Mech. So onward she hobbled, towards the dubious salvation of cover.
June 20, 2025 at 6:03 PM
gallowsgal.bsky.social
Hey #battletech fans, what’s your favourite mech design?

‘I’ve always said if you’re gonna be a bear be a Grizzly, but this my friend is a Kodiak.”
A Kodiak from the Battletech universe. A massive, heavily armed and armored BattleMech, the Kodiak is the totem ‘Mech of Clan Ghost Bear.
June 20, 2025 at 12:26 AM
gallowsgal.bsky.social
Today’s parking lot jam.
June 19, 2025 at 4:55 PM
gallowsgal.bsky.social
Using food to show where I grew up

(A tale of two hotdogs)
The quintessential Chicago ‘dog with tomatoes, onions, pickles, and mustard. Sonoran ‘dogs aka bacon wrapped sausage with tomatoes, onions, and crema. Chicago deep dish pizza, my once a year (maybe) indulgence. An Arizona burrito. Carne asada, pico de gallo, and homefries in a flour tortilla.
June 18, 2025 at 2:41 PM
gallowsgal.bsky.social
Post a villain you love
Kahn Malvina Hazen of Clan Jade Falcon.
June 17, 2025 at 5:32 PM
gallowsgal.bsky.social
4 images and 4 words to describe your paint style

Bold, Kustom, Shiny, Chrome
Marauder IIC for Clan Jade Falcon’s Delta Galaxy. Highlander in Marik Militia colors. A collection of Marik militia units. My entire collection of Jade Falcon ‘mechs.
June 15, 2025 at 10:23 PM
gallowsgal.bsky.social
My latest #battletech #filk project, ‘Out Here Among the Stars’ a tale of two warriors meeting aboard a freighter in the Magistracy of Canopus. Presented here with chord changes. The tune is swiped from ‘Whiskey in the Jar’.
As I was sailing over the Canopian Border I met Star Captain Matlov, working as a porter At first I had a chuckle to see a Falcon caged But that laughter died inside me when I saw him face to face Mush-a ring dum-a do dum-a da What balm for burnin’ souls What balm for burnin’ souls? Out here among the stars Matlov he had the stare of one who’d been a soldier With the weight of many battles resting on his shoulders So I offered him my flask, cold metal filled with fire He took a mighty pull, though not as much as he required Mush-a ring dum-a do dum-a da What balm for burnin’ souls? What balm for burnin’ souls? Out here among the stars My pappy fought the Clanners in ‘49 and ‘52 told me bloody tales of what an OmniMech could do He told ‘em with a laugh, but with a terror fundamental He talked about his panther beset by elementals Mush-a ring dum-a do dum-a da What balm for burnin’ souls? What balm for burnin’ souls? Out here among the stars Here before me was a trueborn, named for a Falcon blood house Earning passage on freighter like a freebirth or a field mouse I asked him what the cause was, dumb as I was brazen The elemental darkened and he cursed the name of Hazen Mush-a ring dum-a do dum-a da What balm for burnin’ souls? What balm for burnin’ souls? Out here among the stars He asked me who I served with, for I’d showed a soldier’s boldness I answered a bitter no one, and fought back the creeping coldness Then Trust I gave for trust, and another swig of whiskey I named my final lancemates; Jarl, Gauss, and Pixie Mush-a ring dum-a do dum-a da What balm for burnin’ souls? What balm for burnin’ souls? Out here among the stars He spoke of home among the sibko, as a child on Arc-Royal In Eden’s Zealous Nest, where they grew warriors from soil I told of far Verthandi, and then of Galatea And of the family Panther, shot to hell and stored beneath us Mush-a ring dum-a do dum-a da What balm for burnin’ souls? What balm for burnin’ souls? Out here among the stars We parted not as friends, nor as comrades, nor as brothers But as a pair of soldiers who understood each other It’s not the bond of blood, but one of alcohol and loss And hating all the bastards that justify the cost Mush-a ring dum-a do dum-a da What balm for burnin’ souls? What balm for burnin’ souls? Out here among the stars When I’m jump sick late at night, half a galaxy from nowhere I remember Roman Mattlov and the little time that we shared I hope he found some peace, or failing that some vengeance On Hazen or the Wolves or some other Clanner menace Mush-a ring dum-a do dum-a da What balm for burnin’ souls? What balm for burnin’ souls? Out here among the stars
June 13, 2025 at 3:05 PM
gallowsgal.bsky.social
Quote post with a movie from the year you were born.
Heathcliff and Cathy from what is probably the *worst* Wuthering Heights adaptation. (1992)
June 11, 2025 at 5:46 PM
gallowsgal.bsky.social
-the remaining FWL mechs but were killed to a man by the Longinus armed veterans. Result: Clan Jade Falcon Nova destroyed or driven from the field.
Mechs deployed for a game of Alpha Strike. A shutdown nova is surrounded by battle armor and a Wraith TR1.
June 10, 2025 at 4:11 AM
gallowsgal.bsky.social
Whoops, wrote the whole damn song! #battletech #filk
Come all of you MechWarriors The hour is truly fell We’ve Clanners on the doorstep Let’s send ‘em back to Hell Which side are you on? Which side are you on? My daddy was a warrior And I'm a warrior’s son I'll drop in this old Union 'Til every battle's won Which side are you on? Which side are you on? In the Rasalhague Republic There are no neutrals there You'll either be a partisan Or a bondsman to a Bear Which side are you on? Which side are you on? Oh, comrades can you stand it? Oh, tell me how you can Will you be a quisling Or will you take a stand? Which side are you on? Which side are you on? Don't fear their bloody Touman Don't listen to their lies Us Spheroids haven't got a chance Unless we organize
June 7, 2025 at 3:09 AM
gallowsgal.bsky.social
Here’s the final mech from this last batch! I really love how this Marauder IIC came out. #Battletech #ClanJadeFalcon #minipainting
Front right 3/4 view of a Marauder IIC in green and gold. Front left 3/4 view of a Marauder IIC in green and gold. Rear left 3/4 view of a Marauder IIC in green and gold. Rear right 3/4 view of a Marauder IIC in green and gold.
May 29, 2025 at 4:04 PM
gallowsgal.bsky.social
The penultimate ‘Mech from this last batch of Falcons is this Warhammer IIC. I got some decision paralysis when I was laying it out but I’m happy with the final product. #battletech #ClanJadeFalcon #minipainting
A front 3/4 view of a Warhammer IIC miniature painted in green and gold. Rear 3/4 view of a Warhammer IIC miniature painted in green and gold. Rear view of a Warhammer IIC miniature painted in green and gold. Right side view of a Warhammer IIC miniature painted in green and gold.
May 28, 2025 at 4:39 PM
gallowsgal.bsky.social
QRT with your growth.

2023 vs 2025
Two poorly painted wizard miniatures. One in yellow, the other in blue. A Marauder IIC in Green and Gold.
May 28, 2025 at 3:16 PM
gallowsgal.bsky.social
What's the cover art that got you started in the TTRPG hobby?

Here's mine:

Not the first edition I played, but seeing it is what made me wanna play in the first place.
Beneath the legend Dungeons & Dragons a righteous barbarian queen swings a shining longsword at a fearsome dragon.
May 28, 2025 at 12:29 AM
gallowsgal.bsky.social
Rifleman IIC in Falcon green and gold! #battletech #minipainting
Front 3/4 view of a Rifleman IIC miniature painted in green and gold. Rear 3/4 view of a Rifleman IIC miniature painted in green and gold.
May 27, 2025 at 10:54 PM
gallowsgal.bsky.social
Lock up your sons, there’s a Cougar on the prowl. #battletech #minipainting
Front view of a Cougar miniature painted in green and gold. Front 3/4 view of a Cougar miniature painted in green and gold. Rear view of a Cougar miniature painted in green and gold. Rear 3/4 view of a Cougar miniature painted in green and gold.
May 26, 2025 at 5:04 PM
gallowsgal.bsky.social
The Kit Fox turned out like a quarter shade darker than everything else but it still looks slick! #battletech #minipainting
A front 3/4 view of a Kit Fox mini painted in green and gold. Rear 3/4 view of a Kit Fox mini painted in green and gold. Front 3/4 view of a Kit Fox mini painted in green and gold. Front view of a Kit Fox mini painted in green and gold.
May 25, 2025 at 7:49 PM
gallowsgal.bsky.social
I’ve only got 25 at present 😂
A star of Jade Falcons Elementals in Delta Galaxy parade green and gold.
May 24, 2025 at 8:17 PM
gallowsgal.bsky.social
Falcons on Parade! #Battletech #ClanJadeFalcon #minipainting
A group of 12 Jade Falcons ‘Mechs all painted in green and gold, the parade colors of Delta Galaxy. Row by row, Left to right Fire Moth D, Kit Fox Prime, Cougar Prime Pouncer Prime, Nova Prime, Hunchback IIC Timber Wolf Prime, Rifleman IIC Warhawk Prime, Warhammer IIC, Marauder IIC, Warhawk T (I think)
May 24, 2025 at 8:03 PM
gallowsgal.bsky.social
Freshly varnished ‘Mechs!
From left to right a Marauder IIC, Warhammer IIC, and Rifleman IIC all painted in green and gold. From left to right, A Cougar, a Kit Fox, and a Hunchback IIC all painted in green and gold.
May 24, 2025 at 4:25 PM
gallowsgal.bsky.social
Knocked out the Marauder IIC between editing and cooking dinner! This is my last Falcon for a while. I still have two more assault mechs to do, but they’re waiting until I build a spray booth for the office. It’s too damn hot to spray gold outside. #battletech #ClanJadeFalcon
Front view of a Marauder IIC miniature painted green and gold. Right side view of a Marauder IIC miniature painted green and gold. Rear view of a Marauder IIC miniature painted green and gold. Left side view of a Marauder IIC miniature painted green and gold.
May 24, 2025 at 5:15 AM
gallowsgal.bsky.social
Pt. 2 of Salvage Rights. Plain text in the Alt Text. #flashfiction #battletech #scifi
There was no response. The Mad Cat was still closing with him. The heat was unbearable now, and sweat soaked his coveralls. Ifram figured he had maybe one more shot before heat-stroke set in. He smiled as he targeted the damaged leg one last time. He’d dreamed of being a MechWarrior as a kid, and now he was going to die like one. He let the lightning fly. The wave of heat was dizzying, and he fought to stay conscious as the Mad Cat collapsed at the knee joint maybe a hundred meters from him. A marauding giant halted by a well placed sling stone. Then a wave of sickness rolled over him, and he felt his stomach turn itself inside out while he fell, satisfied, into what he knew must be the burning darkness of Hell. — — Ifram woke feeling cool, and weak. He kept his eyes closed and ran a systems check. His limbs didn’t seem to want to obey him, and he felt ready to vomit again. Ifram opened his eyes and found that he was laying in a bed, in a small room that looked like it was located aboard a dropship, rather than at the bottom of a canyon. That was—wrong. He had died fighting the Mad Cat, he was certain. Here he was though. Alive, and if not well, at least whole. As he came to he became aware of the IV in his arm and something wrapped around his neck. Eventually he was able to flop his numb, heavy hands up to examine it. His fumbling fingers found a fine cord tied with an intricate knot.
May 24, 2025 at 4:28 AM
gallowsgal.bsky.social
Fresh off the final edit, here’s pt. 1 of Salvage Rights. Plain text in the Alt Text. #flashfiction #battletech #scifi
Salvage Rights June M. Burton The Shadow Hawk towered above the sled as Ifram and his crew worked feverishly with monofilament cords and a rudimentary understanding of the physics involved in winching a 6 meter giant onto a flatbed. They said the machine was a light ‘Mech, but the dual PPCs rightly belonged on something that massed 60 tons or more. Here they were though, on a small ‘Mech with an armored hood. The MechWarriors called it a Puma but Ifram thought it looked like a Cobra. It had fallen in battle with its left leg cleaved cleanly off, and lay on one side, cockpit glass shattered—blown open by the pilot’s ejection. Ifram was climbing a ladder towards the cockpit with his tool box in one hand. If he could restore power to the ‘Mech it would make their recovery that much easier. He clambered into the cramped space and set to work. After a few minutes of hacking at the console, he managed to get the cabin lights on and a klaxon was sounding from the rear of the cockpit. The HUD flickered on the spider web of cracks in the lower canopy. “Ifram, what’s your status?” It was Marla, the pilot of the Shadow Hawk on com. “We’ve got power. If I can get this torso to twist, it should roll right onto the sled.” “Good, get it done quick. I don’t like the feel of this place.” The downed machine had come rest on the floor of an arroyo. Judging from the damage to the left side of the ‘Mech, Ifram thought it might have been on the edge, sniping at the pair of Panthers lured into the chute in pursuit of a damaged Uller when a lucky shot from one ripped its leg off and sent the clan ‘Mech toppling. Ifram set to work patching his nuerohelmet into the control system. He started with the standard Combine pin out, and when that failed he tried a Fed-Com config, but nothing doing. He sighed and rocked back on his heels. No point trying any of the other IS patterns. He was in the process of trying an old Star League arrangement when a shout came across his com. “We’re out of time, Ifram. I’m going weapons hot.” Marla let rip with the autocannon at an enemy out of sight down the canyon. A blistering salvo of strobing green light came ripping back, melting fist sized holes in the Shadow Hawk’s armor. “Shit, shit, shit!” Ifram twisted together the last set of wires and snatched at the controls. This time he got a response, and squinted at the HUD, trying to put together what information he could on the shattered canopy. Some sort of heavy ‘Mech was coming, but he’d never heard of a Timber Wolf. Marla let fly with her own laser, and autocannon, the rhythmic thumping matching Ifram’s pounding heart. The enemy machine seemed to take no notice as the heavy ordinance slammed into the side of the torso. Finally getting a good look at the enemy machine he was able to identify it as some sort of Mad Cat variant. With that knowledge Ifram, conscious of the heat, took aim with the PPC again. “Don’t try to fight, moron!” Marla’s voice came across the com again. “Just get it on the sled and run!” “No can do. We’d have to secure it and that ain’t happening.” Ifram replied as he hit the firing nail. The PPC thundered as it sliced more armor from the already damaged leg of the Mad Cat. This time their foe answered with a PPC bolt of their own, slamming into the head of the Shadow Hawk. The 55-ton ‘Mech flopped to the floor of the arroyo like a marionette with its strings cut, shaking the ground. “Marla? Talk to me, Marla!”
May 24, 2025 at 4:28 AM
gallowsgal.bsky.social
Warhammer IIC is ready to hammer some war.
Front view of a Warhammer IIC miniature painted green and gold. Right side view of a Warhammer IIC miniature painted green and gold. Rear view of a Warhammer IIC miniature painted green and gold. Left side view of a Warhammer IIC miniature painted green and gold.
May 23, 2025 at 9:45 PM