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UNIT HISTORY: THE BLACKGUARDS Original Roster (A.D.3020): The newly created ADG's mechwarriors were fresh out of the Military Academy of Somerset and were essentially a bunch of misfits and hard cases with one foot in their graves. Instead of receiving immediate orders for 'mech assignment and dispersal to a line regiment somewhere, Devon McGinnis or "Atlas" was reassigned to the Aerospace Center for "further training" while several unorthodox 'Mech Procurement Orders were sent through the Steiner Military Command. Instead of outfitting these green mechwarrior apprentices with the lightest of 'mechs possible, as is their custom, the High Command decided to try a new procedure on the unwitting group. The unit was fitted with front line quality-and-tonnage 'mechs while "Atlas" was deemed worthy enough (and crazy enough) to pilot a Phoenix Hawk LAM. The "light lance" actually ended up weighing 325 tons. Unsure of what to make of the bizarre proceedings (and kept ignorant of their actual purpose), the group made no attempt to inquire the reasons for their lack of departure orders through the Steiner military command. Eventually, the unit received orders to hitch a ride with a transport to Penobscot, where they were to play escort to several unimportant cargo convoys and engage the Caesar's Cohorts, a mercenary troop working for Marik, in a campaign of "limited warfare." Again, no official orders were ever issued to Blackie, the unit commander. Rather, the terms of the mission were by word of mouth from a "Steiner Military Representative" and the instructions for the mission's execution were virtually nonexistent. So it was up to the Blackguards to plan and carry out their own tactics. Unknown to the Blackguards at the time (and who would only find out through their scouts after the Blackguards went mercenary six years later), the group was being tested and trained by a joint Steiner-Davion effort to produce a component of the Fourth Federated Commonwealth Regimental Combat Team which was in the planning stages. Katrina Steiner and Hanse Davion had already planned a treaty that would merge their immense territories into the Federated Commonwealth and they had decided to implement a training program that would produce the independently motivated and quick thinking minds necessary for the command positions of a RCT. Therefore, the Blackguards would be given high priority for stellar transportation and top quality technicians when the need arose, but no other form of aid or support (other than the all important paycheck) would be forthcoming. The Blackguards, the high command reasoned, would be forced to create their own unit from scratch and provide for its own upkeep. This would also promote unit cohesiveness and the development of unique tactics that would, hopefully, utilize the capabilities of the unit to the fullest. The Blackguards fulfilled these qualifications to the letter. After several small skirmishes with revolutionaries, armed fanatics, bandits seeking to loot their convoys, and regular battles with Marik troops, the unit began to expand, enticing experienced dispossessed mechwarriors to fill captured empty 'mechs and recruiting independent mercenaries to their ranks. Then the Cohorts' 'mechs attacked Penobscot, sweeping aside most defenders, but Blackie's Blackguards managed to bloody the Marik military nose a little before fleeing off planet. The "Fighting Fourteenth" Lyrian Guards Auxiliary Defense Group Nitra Lansen - Oberon Confederation - Orron Their freshly expanded ranks again encountered Marik troops while they were garrisoning Launam. Although the Mariks had superior numbers, Blackie's Blackguards had the knowledge of the terrain and the utilization of the unique abilities of McGinnis' LAM. Thus, the ADG earned their first true battlefield victory and much plunder. Using personal funds, and the unit treasury, the unit recruits/shanghais an Aerospace wing. After this brief restructuring of the ADG, the unit is told (never ordered) by the Steiner MR to assist Winnefield's Brigade in an assault of the Kurita planet of Sevren (A.D.3024). Despite the unit's inexperience, and this being their first combat drop, they perform well (much to the delight of Steiner-Davion). The unit is mainly involved in behind the line guerrilla activities such as destroying a battalion of Kuritan infantry, disrupting supply lines and distribution centers, even destroying an artillery lance and its attached armor escorts. Eventually the planethead is established and the ADG and Winnefields Brigade begin to put the squeeze on Kurita, forcing them to retreat almost continually. However, on one occasion, the snakes tried a breakout maneuver which planted at least 5 full lances of the 3rd Arkab Legion against the ADG's meager 3. The unit performs incredibly under the circumstances and wipes out the Kurita forces. During the next few months, as the unit is being re-outfitted, they are used as a garrison force on several border worlds (Planting and Ridderkirk). In the capitol city of Planting, the unit gets bored quickly and decide to wage an unauthorized "limited war" against any and all undesirables in the city, from organized gangs to the local crime syndicates. The ruthless violence used by the Blackguards quickly turns them into one of the undesirable elements of the city. The citizens are in an uproar and the local militia does not approve of the vigilantism. Many brawls and riots break out (Carl looses a finger in one of these), and discontented militiamen and mechwarriors roam the streets. To avoid any further trouble, the unit is transferred to Ridderkirk, where the unit immediately falls into trouble with the local Families. In a tricky action, one lance paints itself Kurita colors and demolishes the Mafia stronghold. However, "Atlas" foolishly blows his disguise and again the law is down on them. Several formal complaints are sent by HPG to Steiner Command, who cover up the situation in interest of state security, as it would not do to have a would- be RCT component court-martialed. Steiner Command transfers the unit to Summer to attend a training program to help discipline and reorganize it. The unit is then sent with the rest of its parent regiment to defend the planet Sevren against a Kurita assault. In a terrible battle, the unit squared off against two companies of the Proserpina Hussairs, a Kurita line force of more than twice its size. Blackie, Zodiac and "Red" O'Niel are killed. After 12 long hours, the battle is over and the Blackguards are victorious and are in control of the battlefield and its array of junked 'mechs. The unit is again out for a month for re-outfitting. Their scouts hit the streets looking for warm bodies to fill vacant positions. The "Fighting Fourteenth" Lyrian Guards Assault Group Keo Ohara - Independent - Skye The unit was then given one month of leave to cool off. They headed for Solaris VII, the Pleasure World and home of the Games. Here, the members of the unit engaged in various recreational activities (legal and otherwise). Again, the lethal psychotic nature of the group emerged as several Liao- haters decided to wage their own form of Steiner's "limited war" upon the local Liao mechwarrior bars and brothels. The body count of Liao mechwarriors, technicians, merchants and civilians rose to the hundreds. Steiner, secretly applauding their actions, prevented any retaliatory strikes by any and all offended parties and initiated the "miraculous acquisitions" of jump- and dropships, technicians and full support personnel. The unit scouts, never idle, also managed to make several connections and purchase supplies and more equipment, including several Star League vintage security robots. The unit also recruited the famed gladiator Joe Paiser, for whom the dueling circuit had become a little hostile. The "Fighting Fourteenth" Lyrian Guards Company Roster: Fire Lance Strike Lance Recon Lance Security Lance Scout Lance Support Crew At the end of their leave, the unit assaulted the planet of Trolloc Prime with elements of the 20th Arcturan Guards. Aliza Radmirez was killed and several mechs were damaged. The assault was rated a success and promotions came as some filled vacancies in the top command positions. Then, the unit was approached by Nicot Vanh, a merchant prince, who informed them of his intention to follow the route of the Minnesota Tribe, and find its last staging area, rumored to be brimming with Star League technology. With him came Molo and Crazy Tom, two flight crew who turned out to be members of ComStar. Nicot was killed during the meeting by DEST agents (Draconis Elite Strike Team) leaving the whole ordeal thrust into the Blackguards' lap. It was decided that one lance of the Blackguards would follow the trail. Wistlor, Paiser, McGinnis, Hendrix, and a new recruit Egrik Krupp were the ones who volunteered. What followed was a merry romp through the length of House Kurita disguised as the Talons of Twilight mercenary unit. The "unit" was chased the entire way by the ISF and the whole affair was conducted with typical Blackguard violence and destruction. Several barroom brawls, the death of Hendrix, and many breaking and entering crimes later, the Talons of Twilight found themselves beating a force of Kuritans (the 9th Pesht Regulars) in an asteroid field and ending up in charge of a hollowed out asteroid installation "Adonidas" full of spare parts, blueprints and 'mechs. Meanwhile just after the Talons of Twilight reached their jump point, the remainder of the Blackguards were hit by a Kurita invasion force consisting of elements of Oli's old unit, the 11th Legion of Vega "the Looters". The Blackguards, caught completely by surprise, and with most of their command staff in the Talons, are forced to retreat off planet, much to the surprise and delight of Theodore Kurita, CO and founding father of the three Legions. During the ensuing withdrawal, Nitra Lansen is killed and Curtis Feral and Blain Elliot are heavily wounded. In one incident, Hank Timerlane holds off a lance of heavier 'mechs do give his comrades time to escape. For his heroism, he is awarded the Extreme gallantry cluster. In an attempt to throw back this unexpected Kurita offensive, Steiner
MP calls for the assault of the nearby planet of Buckminster, left
exposed by Kurita's assault. Buckminster is a feint to draw the
Kurita forces away from the actual target of Orestes. The result
is total chaos. Due to communication foul-ups and faulty information,
the primary landing force is attacked by Aerospace fighters and
is smashed. The Blackguards are scattered across the continent and
Keo Ohara and Steven Wocter plummet to their deaths from being ejected
prematurely from the dropship. Despite having most of their 'mechs
heavily damaged, the BG's fight well. For their meritorious service,
Bryon O'connol, Carl Onwal, and Hank Timerlane receive minor decorations
and Blain Elliot is awarded the Silver Star of Gallantry, and Curtis
Feral receives his second Bronze Star. Battered, but not beaten, and angry with Steiner, the remnants of the Blackguards are sent as an auxiliary support group to reinforce the assault of Arakis. By this time, however, most of the planet was already property of the LCAF, and all that remained was riot suppression duty, which the Blackguards performed with bloodthirsty relish. In one occasion, the Blackguards came across a staging area of guerrilla rebels within a small hamlet. The Blackguards promptly annihilated the rebels, and, in a fit of battle lust, ground the hamlet under its collective heel as well. Although the ensuing court martial levied stiff fines, the unit emerged intact and even managed to recover several armored vehicles from the incident. There was scant time to repair these vehicles, however, because
they were again hit by the Legions of Vega (the theater of operations
that included the Blackguards and the Legions of Vega soon degenerated
into what became a grudge match between the two very similar units).
With technicians driving some of the vehicles, the unit again flees
in face of superior numbers to a nearby swamp where they engage
in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with their enemy. During the fighting
and fleeing to the eventual pick up point, Curtis Feral and Sid
Trectice are wounded while driving vehicles to the pickup, and O'Connol,
Onwall and Timerlane are decorated for various moments of gallantry
and heroism. When the Blackguards received the Talons' HPG message,
they were at their last ebb. They had successfully repelled Takashi
Kurita's attacks and repeatedly proved their worth as ruthless combatants
giving no quarter, utilizing tactics bordering on the slightly insane
edge of suicidal. However, confidence in Steiner had vanished, and
morale was low. THE BLACKGUARDS Unit Roster (A.D. 3026) Command Lance Fire Lance Scout Lance Aerospace Lance BETA COMPANY Command Lance Support Lance Strike Lance Aerospace Lance GAMMA COMPANY Command Lance Recon Lance Aerospace Wing SUPPORT GROUP Scouts Jump Ship Group Drop Ship Group Technical Group Oli soon thereafter began pressuring the government into letting the Blackguards provide "Protection" for the planet for a meager .1% of the planetary gross product in the form of supplies and replacements. This, on top of the commission from the jumpship construction facilities has provided the Blackguards with a bountiful (and steady) secondary source of income. The unit has just incorporated the remnants of the famed "Firat's Bloody Aces" gladiatorial team from Solaris, and the Wilson's Hussairs, desperate and in need of cash. Oli heard the results of Operation Galahad (AD 3026) and Galahad II (AD 3027), the joint war games/training maneuvers of the Federated- Commonwealth, and has heard plans for another at the end of this year (AD 3028). These large-scale maneuvers have the entire inner sphere on the edge once again, and mercenary guildhalls are filled with representatives from each Successor House as well as mercenary independents looking for units to hire into. Oli decides to accept a quick one-month planetary
assault of the planet New Haiti in the Tortuga Dominions. However,
the unit is in dire need of cash for its support until the contract
goes into effect two months away. During what became known as the
"Pizza Decision", where the officers discussed their options over
a pizza dinner, it was decided that the planet of Santander's World,
home to the notorious cutthroat Helmar Valasek, was weak enough
to be destroyed in a quick blow, thus providing the Blackguards
with sustaining funds. Oli's first tactical assault of a planet
goes poorly initially, as his inexperience shows. However, he manages
to pull a bloody victory out of the fire. Despite heavy losses in
his light lances, and lack of intra-unit coordination, Oli manages
to destroy Valasek's garrison and gives the honor of destroying
his palace to Wilson's Hussairs, who manage to capture the whole
moment on holovid for distribution. The Blackguards capture the
palace booty and the techs get busy bringing the salvageable 'mechs
to new condition. In addition, the Blackguards come into possession
of the Valasek navy (aerospace fighters, drop- and jumpships) and
barely manage to pay for themselves until Davion's contract goes
into effect. On their return to Star's End, the ComStar representatives
left to garrison Adonidas report that an aerospace company of Ryan's
Rebels had swept the asteroid belt issuing challenges and taunts
before withdrawing. The Blackguard scouts have been recruiting dispossessed
mechwarriors to fill all the newly repaired 'mechs and the infantry
training facilities on Star's End have been completed and have produced
5 platoons of troops for "The Star's End Legion", and the commanding
officer of Midnight Mayhem had made Oli an offer of a link-up of
the two units which Oli accepted. The contract with Steiner did not begin for three
months so the Blackguards suddenly found themselves with time to
kill. Although money was tight, they manage to keep themselves running
until the contract begun, using some of the income generated by
the planet and the Belt Pirates. Despite a bounty hunter attack
on Devon McGinnis, the first two months are uneventful. Although they took heavy losses, the Blackguard morale
remains high, and Oli stays in command. The unit arrives on Ryde
after doing the best to repair and salvage Ryan's land Army, but
repairs still need to be done. On planet, the Blackguards are introduced
to Kommandant Matthew’s their liaison officer as well as Hauptmann-General
Gardner CIC of the 9th F-C RCT. There is an encounter with the CO
of the 4th Skye Rangers, Colonel Cook, a man who despises mercenaries. |