[CBT:RPG] IRC: BT3071

[Jeff Hauze]

3058
Peace between the Clans and the powers of the Inner Sphere could never last. No truce could hold these opposing powers from seeking a second chance to prove their own philosophies correct. The early months of 3058 brought the Falcons soaring back into the Lyran Alliance. The Clan’s forces drove deep into the Alliance, gaining a secure base of operations on their final destination of Coventry by late March. When the inevitable counterattack came, the citizens of the Alliance were surprised to see a multi-national task force led by Prince Victor Steiner-Davion coming to their aid. The greatest event of this year, and perhaps this decade, was the Whitting Conference that started on Tharkad in October. This international gathering of rulers of the Inner Sphere met with two clear goals in mind: to successfully reform the Star League and to plan an attack to completely eradicate one Clan’s military strength.
The Whitting Conference came to a close in late November, electing Sun-Tzu Liao as the First Lord of the (new) Star League. The position of First Lord is a rotating position, elected every three years. The representatives also agreed to target Clan Smoke Jaguar for annihilation through two different task forces. Task Force Serpent would follow a year long journey along the Exodus Road and attack the Clan’s homeworlds, while Task Force Bulldog would assault the Occupation Zone territories from the Draconis Combine border.

Notable Events
28 February – The Word of Blake begins its assault on Terra.
1 July – Reactionary elements of the Otomo and the Combine government attempt to assassinate Coordinator Theodore Kurita. Intervention by Camancho’s Cabelleros saves the Coordinator from the Black Dragon Society’s plot.
19 September – The worlds of Sirus and Procyon are liberated by the Fourth Free Worlds Legionnaires and the Sirian Lancers. The horrid state of these worlds after the mad purges carried out by a Word of Blake Adept turn these forces against their own government, and especially Thomas Marik. Ironically, the Word of Blake provides humanitarian aid long before the Free Worlds league government, redeeming the Word for the actions of their Adept in the eyes of these military forces.
25 September – The Free Rasalhague Republic turns over the Tukayyid system to ComStar and Star League control permanently. The exact terms of this agreement remain largely unknown to the public. ComStar and the SLDF centralizes all operations here on Tukayyid after the loss of Terra to the Word of Blake splinter group.

3059
The Star League’s opening salvos against Clan Smoke Jaguar brought a small feeling of hope to many within the Inner Sphere. For the first time since Kerensky’s Exodus, the militaries of the Inner Sphere were united in a common goal. Additionally, the Inner Sphere was finally taking the fight to the Clans instead of holding a defensive posture. The resounding success of Operation Bulldog surprised even the commanders of the task force. The Jaguars’ OZ holdings were overrun in less than six months, forcing the Bulldog task force to follow the fleeing Jaguar forces back to the homeworlds. The Operation Serpent task force had no knowledge that while they continued towards Huntress, the remainder of the Clan’s forces were now collapsing on top of their very destination.
One of the effects of the Star League’s war against the Jaguars was largely unnoticed by many historians and military strategists. As the demands for supplies and replacement units grew, a number of corporations followed through on expansion plans begun after the Whitting Conference. Some of these corporations even began working on shared production plans at the secret behest of the Star League. While these expansion plans would not bear fruit for several years, the future looked bright for the military industrial market.

Notable Events
20 March – ComStar ROM and SLDF Intelligence Command begin sharing intelligence information and assets covertly. This is approved by the First Lord of the Star League without the knowledge of the Star League council.
1 May – Operation Serpent task force leaves from the Federated Commonwealth world of Defiance, bound for the Clan Smoke Jaguar capital world of Huntress.
13 August – Operation Bulldog accomplishes total victory in the Occupation Zone and begins following the fleeing Smoke Jaguar forces back towards Huntress.

Wildcard related events
1 August – Two former aero/naval mercenary units combine on Outreach (Ortac’s Smoking Aces and Royal Air Brigade) to form the Wildcards regiment. All told, the force has a fairly significant naval presence, JumpShip fleet, and a full aero regiment (three oversized aero wings). The unit is under the overall command of Admiral Tarkus Ortac, with Colonel Peter “T.C.” McQueen commanding the aerofighter regiment.

3060
With the death of an entire Clan, an outside observer would assume that peace finally settled upon the Inner Sphere and the Clans. Not surprisingly, the baser elements of human nature came to the forefront even in this moment of triumph. The Nova Cats and the Ghost Bears both finished their plans to move all of the Clans’ assets forward to the Occupation Zones. However, the Nova Cats had to perform this plan with little preparation and while under heavy assault by the remaining Clans. For their assistance to the reformed Star League, the Nova Cats are abjured by their fellow Clans. Tensions flared in the St. Ives Compact once again, as rogue elements of the Blackwind Lancers attempted to assassinate First Lord/Chancellor Sun-Tzu Liao. Even the Hell’s Horses Clan took advantage of the chaos to establish a presence in the Occupation Zones at the expense of the Wolf Clan.

Notable Events
2 March – First Inner Sphere forces land on Huntress.
9 April – Conquest of Huntress completed and the military might of the Jaguars is broken.
23 April – The Great Refusal is fought on the Clans’ shared homeworld of Strana Mechty. The Inner Sphere forces win and repudiate the entire Clan Invasion. Due to the success of the Falcons and the Wolves in their trials, they are not bound by the results of this Refusal.
9 November – Assassination attempt against First Lord Sun-Tzu Liao by the Blackwind Lancers fails.
1 December – First Lord/Chancellor Sun-Tzu Liao moves SLDF peacekeepers into the St. Ives Compact.
22 December – Archon Katrina Steiner-Davion assumes the regency of New Avalon and the Federated Suns.

3061
The forces of Operations Bulldog and Serpent have begun their long trek home, believing that they have accomplished the first step on a road of long-term peace. The war that has begun in the St. Ives Compact between SLDF peacekeepers and St. Ives forces shows this belief to be wrong. The conflict grows over the course of the year, with Capellan forces entering the fray at the request of Chancellor Sun-Tzu Liao. This continual state of warfare continues as the Steel Viper and Jade Falcon Clans begin fighting over territory in their shared occupation zones.
The Inner Sphere finds itself turned on its collective ear as the second Whitting Conference comes to a close. Coordinator Theodore Kurita is elected First Lord of the Star League, beating out the heavily favored Katrina Steiner-Davion. Apparently, Victor Steiner-Davion cast the deciding vote against his sister as the newly appointed Precentor-Martial of ComStar and Commanding General of the SLDF. The animosity between the two siblings grows; sentiments which are echoed by their respective power bases. The second Whitting Conference sees a continuation of the unannounced dealing between the Star League and a wide number of military-industrial corporations Sphere-wide. Whispers in some darkened corners and screamsheets speak of the start of something known as Project Babel between these growing corporate alliances.

Notable Events
9 February – Taurian Concordat Protector Jeffrey Calderon killed during the successful rescue attempt of prisoners held on Detroit by New Colony Region renegades. Naomi Centralla of the Magistracy of Canopus leads the attempt and frees a number of political prisoners including her mother, Magestrix Emma Centrella.
6 June – Word of Blake Precentor-Martial Trent Arian assassinated on Terra by presumed ComStar agents; Cameron St. Jamais elected as his replacement.
4 July – Steel Vipers are forced to withdraw from OZ after requesting hegira from the Jade Falcons
1 December – The SLDF and ComStar covertly begin sharing training and manufacturing facilities on Tukayyid. Manufacturing facilities throughout the system are upgraded and expanded over the next year.
4 December – A wave of defections from ComStar begins, continuing for several months. Many of these forces are from ROM and the ComGuards, with over three-quarters of the defectors joining the Word of Blake. The remaining defectors seek employment in the mercenary market.

Wildcards related events
10 February – Wildcards begins air support contract in St. Ives region, working as part of the SLDF peacekeeper forces in several systems. Unit is split up into three independent wings, rather than working as a full aero regiment.

3062
The New Year dawned with the promise of a new era. The Clans had felt the combined power of the Inner Sphere militaries, and the Star League could now begin to focus its growing power towards peaceful measures. The dawn was quickly darkened by the political storms that began to brew; storms that would eventually lead to war on a scale not seen for decades.
The political changes were the first signs of the coming darkness. Isis Marik was ejected from the Capellan Confederation and her engagement to Chancellor Sun-Tzu Liao was canceled. The Word of Blake Militia finally gained control of the Titan Shipyards in the Terran system. The Taurian Concordat and the Magistracy of Canopus both decided on their positions in the ComStar/Word of Blake conflict, with each faction choosing opposing sides. The Trinity Alliance is signed by the Capellan Confederation, the Taurian Concordat, and the Magistracy of Canopus.
These changes and power consolidations overshadowed a number of events that would later be recognized as the precursors to the Federated Commonwealth Civil War. Combine and Lyran troops sparred over the Lyons Thumb, while the Draconis March felt the sting of DCMS raids. Unrest through the Federated Suns forced now (illegally crowned) First Princess Katrina Steiner to use increasingly strict measures, while using the media to her advantage. The war might have been averted…could have been averted…until the death of a Davion on Robinson. Much like the assassination of a single man led to the first World War on pre-FTL Terra; a single death in a terrorist bombing opened the floodgates for the Federated Commonwealth to drag the Inner Sphere into a bloody civil war.

Notable Events
17 January – Word of Blake gains control of the Titan shipyards. The Blakists now have complete control over the Terran system.
6 August – Trinity Alliance signed between the Capellan Confederation, Magistracy of Canopus, and the Taurian Concordat.
9 August – The Taurian Concordat turns over HPG contracts to the Word of Blake, allowing ComStar personnel 60 days to leave the Concordat. On the same day, the Magistracy of Canopus surprisingly declares that their HPG services will be handled by ComStar and diplomatically asks that all Word of Blake personnel leave their borders.
18 October – Alshain Avengers regiments attack Alshain, beginning 1st Combine/Ghost Bear War
16 November – FedCom Civil War breaks out on Kathil
21 November – The MRBC satellite office on Galatea breaks ground
6 December – Duke Arthur Steiner-Davion killed on Robinson by terrorist bombing, initially reported as killed by “Draconis Combine assassins.”
8 December – Victor Steiner-Davion calls all Allied forces to arm and officially begins his civil war to remove his sister Katherine from power. He sets aside all duties as the ComGuards Precentor-Martial and Commanding General of the SLDF, while also beginning discreet propaganda campaigns that insinuate blame for both his mother and Arthur’s deaths at Katherine’s feet.
22 December – The first of Field Marshal James Sandoval’s punitive assault forces land on Draconis Combine worlds.

Wildcard related events
2 September – The Darkest Day. A JumpShip in the Wildcard’s fleet suffers a core malfunction just prior to a jump. The mis-jump results in the transport vessel and its DropShips being lost in the gravitational field of the St. Ives system’s star. All hands are lost, and the unit suffers a heavy hit on its morale.

3063
The flashpoint of the coming wars had already occurred. 3063 became the opening gambits of larger conflicts. The precursors to larger events would not be clearly recognized until after the conclusion of the FedCom Civil War. Periphery nations began testing their new found power, while the former nations of the Federated Commonwealth started their collusion course towards war. The Combine awoke the sleeping bear to their own detriment. The Capellans continued their campaign against the “rogue” St. Ives Compact, while testing the terms of their new alliance. The Marik Eagle even set itself on the hunt, turning against their long-time Lyran opponents to reclaim part of their heritage.
Some stabilizing elements did make their presence known in these twilight moments. The Star League continued its discreet work to bring greater strength and diversity to the military production market, while also continuing to equip and train their own army. The Com Guards and the SLDF continued to build on their existing relationship, while the Word of Blake began a diplomatic tour to gather allies and clients.

Notable Events
13 February – Magistry of Canopus “garrisons” Detroit. A number of friendly fire casualties with on planet Word of Blake forces lead to increased tensions between the two groups.
20 February – Precentor Martial Cameron St. Jamais of the Word of Blake Milita issues a demand for reparations for the losses and damage suffered on Detroit.
2 May – Death of Kristen Marik, Occupation of Arcadia by FWL forces under Marshall Jeremy Brett.
7 May – Magestrix Emma Centrella declares that all Word of Blake personnel are to leave Canopian space within 3 months. Military force will be used as necessary to enforce “national security.” All HPG functions in Canopian space will be handled by ComStar, unlike the other Trinity Alliance nations.
10 June – Capellan Peace Accords signed; St. Ives Compact reabsorbed into Capellean Confederation as the St. Ives Commanlity. Word of Blake is also granted the contract for HPG services in the former Compact and the Capellan Confederation. Word of Blake negotiators are instrumental in peace talks.
20 August – Clan Nova Cat pulls reserve forces to front line action and begins a series of deep penetration raids and delaying actions along the Ghost Bear OZ border worlds to assist beleaguered DCMS forces.
17 November – Clan Hell’s Horses assault Ghost Bear OZ.
20 December – Archon-Princess Katherine Steiner-Davion’s forces on New Avalon wipe out the last of the Allied forces on New Avalon, eliminating the remnants of the Davion Guard regiments on planet.
22 December – DCMS and Ghost Bear forces fight a Trial of Possession for Courchevel as a proxy battle for the DCMS-Ghost Bear war. Clan Ghost Bear retains the world, but returns all other former Draconis Combine worlds.

3064
The intensity of the FedCom Civil War has reached critical levels, while the size of the conflict has scaled back in some cases. The Draconis Combine has managed to cease the hostilities on their border with Clan Ghost Bear and begins to move forces to the worlds currently under assault by Sandoval’s Draconis March forces. The Capellans have also found themselves at peace after the end of the St. Ives Conflict, while the world of Arcadia has been pacified by Free Worlds league forces. The only remaining outside factions still directly involved in the conflict between the two former FedCom nations are several ComGuard units and the Draconis Combine.
Some brush fire wars continue, especially in the Invading Clans’ occupation zones and surrounding border worlds. The Falcons begin their incursion into Lyran Alliance space, while the Ghost Bears settle affairs with the Hell’s Horses and the Wolves. A few diplomatic maneuvers also begin to show some of the possibilities the future will hold.

Notable Events
3 January – The MRBC satellite office on Northwind opens for business
18 February – First contact between Clan Snow Raven and the Outworlds Alliance, diplomatic relations begin
15 March – Omiko Kurita assassinated on Luthien, news is kept from outside sources for several months
18 May – The Hell’s Horses leave the Inner Sphere after being pummeled by the Ghost Bears. Rebuilding in the Ghost Bear Dominion begins immediately. Clan Wolf loses several worlds, including Rasalhague, to the Ghost Bears.
23 May – Allied strategy meeting on Halfway finalizes plans for Operation Scatter, allowing Victor’s forces to leave the Lyran Alliance behind and concentrate on the road to New Avalon starting with Tikonov
13 August – Jade Falcons invade Melissa system and shatter Sharon Bryan’s defense of the system with survivors fleeing under Adam Steiner’s command
8 September – Capth’s government gives the Word of Blake a contract for HPG services, forcing ComStar off-world
10 November – First official reference to Project Babel at 3rd Whitting Conference. Staff and personnel from affiliated member states, probationary members, and allied corporations have already been working on the project behind the scenes, unknown to outside sources.
14 November – ComStar, the Taurian Concordat, and the Word of Blake admitted to the Star League with a one-term probationary period; Elected Prince-Regent Christian Mansdottir elected First Lord; Hohiro Kurita continues as SLDF Commanding General
21 November – League Defense Act passed. First Lord Mansdottir signs the Act, allowing for the creation of new permanent regiments to fill out the SLDF rosters. Troops may be drawn from member states for permanent reassignment only with the member-state’s permission.
6 December – First Combine forces enter Federated Suns as the beginning of the DCMS Reprisal

Red Dawn related events
4 August – Nicholai Kasperov begins first tour of duty with 7th FedCom RCT, stationed on Talon

3065
The FedCom Civil War continues, leading into some of the worst meat-grinder battles seen since the Liberation of Terra: Kathil, Giasur, Tikonov. As word spreads that Victor has fled Tikonov after hearing of Omi’s death, the Allied forces face continuing morale and supply issues. It seems that Katherine’s Loyalist forces are finally ascendant until late in the year, where several key victories turn the tide for the Allies.
The continued war of diplomacy and military might continues in smaller forms in other areas of the Inner Sphere. The Wolves begin another assault on the Falcons’ territory, while Clan Diamond Shark begins taking possession of several “trade worlds” inside the Occupation Zones. Duke Robert Kelswa-Steiner consolidated some of his increased power through his marriage to Hermione Atien and the Free Skye movement. Even the Free Rasalhague Republic jumped in on the action, sending headhunting missions into Clan Wolf space looking for commanders accused of war crimes during the Invasion.

Notable Events
10 January – Clan Wolf begins invading Jade Falcon OZ
11 March – Leftenant General “Atomic Annie” Annette Leyland and the remaining 5th FedCom forces flee Marlette after employing nuclear weapons against Allied forces. Their destination is unknown, and some sources indicated the 5th still has several nuclear weapons remaining in their arsenal.
15 June – Start of 15th Battle of Hesperus and beginning of Free Skye revolt
27 June – Jade Falcons force the Wolf forces from their OZ
16 July – Clan Diamond Shark has finished setting up trading worlds on Twycross, Itabania, and Trondheim by this date, taking full control of these worlds
7 October – Baron Tancred Sandoval takes control of Draconis March forces and begins to support Victor and his Allied forces
10 October – The battle for Kathil ends with the surrender of the remaining Loyalist forces. This provides a significant morale boost for the Allies, as they continue to hold a tenuous grip on Tikonov.
27 October – Loyalist forces invade New Syrtis, intent on punishing George Hasek for his audacity to stand against Katherine Steiner-Davion
11 December – General Caesar Steiner negotiates an end to hostilities on Giasur, ending the second major meat-grinder battle of the FedCom Civil War
31 December – By this point, a number of secondary supply and production facilities have come online throughout the Inner Sphere. Production increases quickly, as the need for more war materials continues.

3066
The endgame of the FedCom Civil War looms on the horizon. A few key battles remain before this conflict can come to an end. However, the hatred and fury that both sides on this conflict have shown continues to have a large effect on the infrastructure of the former FedCom nations. As preparations increased for the endgame, the number of players decreased. The Draconis Combine made peace with the Federated Suns Draconis March, bringing that part of the conflict to a close. The Capellan March saw less conflict with the Capellan Confederation, and the Falcons had settled the Blair Athol agreement by this point, bringing their Incursion to a close.
The Chaos March continued to change through the “aggressive” diplomacy of the Word of Blake. More worlds entered the Blakist protectorate or accepted Blakist assistance and treaties. This did not go entirely unnoticed by factions within the mercenary community, leading to the creation of the Allied Mercenary Command. As this large-scale Civil War began to slow down, the brushfire conflict in the Chaos March fired its opening salvos.

Notable Events
17 March – After the death of Duke James Sandoval, Baron Tancred Sandoval inherits his father’s title and settles a peace treaty with Coordinator Theodore Kurita of the Draconis Combine. All available forces are recalled and immediately redirected for assistance with Victor’s race to New Avalon.
16 May – Battle for New Syrtis ends
30 June – Start of the final battle for New Avalon
23 July – Battle for Tikonov ends with an Allied victory
18 August – Start of the battle for Tharkad
6 September – Taurian Concordat Marshall Baron Cham Kithrong leads a revolt that results in the formation of the Calderon Protectorate
27 September – The governments of the Caph, Ingress, and Keid systems in the Chaos March turn over their HPG contracts to the Word of Blake and officially request Protectorate military assistance with recurring pirate raids.
22 December – Jamie Wolf announces the formation of the Allied Mercenary Command, ostensibly to assist neighboring systems in the Chaos March to face any “internal and external pressures that threaten local sovereignty.” He also speaks with concern of the Word of Blake’s expansion in this area and “aggressive” diplomacy tactics.

Red Dawn related events
10 January – Captain Nicholai Kasperov signs up for a second tour of duty with the 7th FedCom RCT, still embattled against the 22nd Avalon Hussars on Talon.
18 March – 7th FedCom RCT begins assault on Kallon facilities on Talon

Wildcard related events
2 February – The Wildcards have finally finished rebuilding their losses after four straight years of garrison duty in the Free Worlds League. Colonel McQueen returns to active duty, after serving his jail term for the accidental death of a FWL pilot in a bar fight.

3067
The bitter and destructive FedCom Civil War was finally coming to a close. The final battles were being played out on the respective capital worlds, and the other conflicts of this war had long since burned themselves out. All eyes watched both New Avalon and Tharkad, looking to see what the future would bring. All eyes watched the horizon, wondering if peace was finally in sight or if this was just another temporary reprieve.

Notable Events
23 January – Taurians begin their assault into Federated Suns space
28 March – Chancellor Sun-Tzu Liao declares Tikonov a Capellan Confederation system; Marshal of the Armies Jackson Davion resigns
30 March – The Bryant and Epsilon Eridani officially join the Word of Blake protectorate
2 April – General of the Armies Nondi Steiner killed in battle by Peter Steiner-Davion
5 April – The battle for Tharkad ends
11 April – FWL forces leave Arcadia and return the world to Lyran Alliance control
20 April – Field Marshalls Ardan Sortek and Simon Gallagher killed; Archon-First Princess Katherine Steiner-Davion surrenders on New Avalon, officially ending the FedCom Civil War
24 April – Peter Steiner-Davion named Archon of the Lyran Alliance; Yvonne Steiner-Davion named Regent of the Federated Suns
27 April – General Caesar Steiner named Lyran Alliance Armed Forces’ General of the Armies (pro-tem)
9 July – Arc-Royal Accords formalize the relationship between the Lyran Alliance, the Kell Hounds, and the Wolf Clan-in-Exile
20 July – Coordinator Theodore Kurita formally recognizes Clan Nova Cat for its actions in defense of the Combine during the Ghost Bear/Combine War. The Clan is granted limited autonomy over the Irece Prefecture.
28 August – Duchess Alys Marik calls for the repeal of Resoultion 288, starting the Great Debate in the Free Worlds League with the goal of removing some of the broad powers the office of the Captain-General
29 August – Adam Steiner named permanent General of the Armies in the Lyran Alliance
10 September – Free Capella ejected from the Federated Suns by Duke George Hasek of the Capellan March
28 November – Fourth Whitting Conference starts on Tharkad
2 December – The Word of Blake, ComStar, and the Taurian Concordat admitted to the Star League as full member-states. Testimony offered by Magestrix Emma Centrella (Magistracy of Canopus) and Commander Jamie Wolf (Wolf’s Dragoons/Allied Mercenary Command) about concerns with the Word of Blake’s expanding sphere of influence and their unconventional diplomatic procedures do not sway the vote against the splinter faction of ComStar (Word of Blake). The Capellan Confederation, the Federated Suns, the Free Worlds League, and the Lyran Alliance vote for the Word of Blake, while the Draconis Combine and the Free Rasalhague Republic oppose the Word’s membership. Many pundits are surprised by the former Federated Commonwealth nations voting for the Word of Blake, and back-room deals are believed to explain the change of hearts.
6 December – Archon Peter Steiner-Davion is elected First Lord of the Star League. Hohiro Kurita steps down as Commanding General of the Star League Defense Force to resume his post as Gunji-no-Kanrei (Military Commander) with the Draconis Combine. Former Lieutenant General Edwin Amis (Eridani Light Horse mercenary unit) takes the position of Commanding General and formally announces the designation of the Eridani Light Horse Brigade as a full SLDF unit (revoking all former mercenary status for these regiments). The 2nd Royal BattleMech regiment is also announced, designated Ariana’s Broncos. Finally, the 21st Centauri Lancers permanently move from mercenary status to SLDF service, forming the core of a new 1st SLDF Centauri Lancers Brigade.
10 December – The Fourth Whitting Conference ends with two unexpected announcements. First Lord Peter Steiner-Davion reveals the creation of the Star League Civil Restoration Fund (CRF) and the Star League Shared Research and Development Fund (SRDF). The CRF will provide for rebuilding and compensation from the horrible civilian and commercial loses suffered during the Federated Commonwealth Civil War. The SRDF will provide for ongoing shared research projects and future endeavors to allow for the sharing of technologies that will benefit all member-states equally. The SRDF director announces that the long-rumored “black box” FAX machine technology will begin sale and distribution from the former FedCom nations. Both ComStar and the Word of Blake representatives protest this action. This technology will help underdeveloped and distant star-systems to remain in contact with the rest of the Inner Sphere even in the event of catastrophic HPG failure.

3068
The first year of peace after the FCCW dawns on the Inner Sphere. The unimaginable damage caused by this conflict will require years of rebuilding in military terms alone. Thankfully, the infrastructure of all the nations involved did not take as big of a hit as initially reported. A number of military suppliers had already begun or even completed building secondary facilities, while also expanding on existing facilities.
The year itself was filled with quiet, broken by the occasional “major” news announcement. The people of the Inner Sphere had little time to focus on the politics of the entire Sphere and were spent dealing with the issues of their own local stellar neighborhood.

Notable Events
14 January – The MRBC satellite office on Arc-Royal and Solaris VII both break ground.
20 February – A non-aggression pact is signed between the Free Rasalhague Republic and the Ghost Bear Dominion.
11 March – The first three releases from Project Babel are announced. The SLDF-based Project Babel will begin revealing a number of new Mech, battle armor, vehicle, and DropShip designs as well as some aerofighter and DropShip redesigns. The last of the initially planned designs/redesigns will be released three years from now; though releases continue over the intervening years. A number of pundits wonder exactly how some of these designs were fast-tracked so easily, but the League seems to stay silent on how extensive the cooperation was for a project of this magnitude.
27 March – An unknown pirate Mech company drops onto Canopus IV undetected. The force immediately begins to target civilian industries and buildings, ignoring military targets. The raiders heavily damage two sectors of the capital city before being brought down. When Canopian infantry units move in to capture any surviving Mechwarriors, the enemy units force reactor overloads in all of their Mechs. Upon closer investigation, it appears that these overloads were done remotely. No surviving Mechwarriors are found, and the pirate band is never identified.
10 April – The first group of Lyran units left in the FedSuns after the FCCW is repatriated. The 8th Donegal Guards RCT return to rebuild and rearm; taking up a duty station on Donegal itself. The 5th Lyran Guards RCT does the same; taking up a position on Dixie.
20 May – The Great Debate in the Free Worlds League Parliament ends. Duchess Alys Marik’s call for the repeal of Resolution 288 is defeated after nearly a year of constant political maneuvering and back room deals.
17 September – Both MRBC satellite offices on Arc-Royal and Solaris VII officially open for business.
1 October – More Lyran units are repatriated from the FedSuns. The 5th Donegal Guards RCT moves to Lancaster, while the 4th Donegal Guards RCT moves to Gallery.
10 October – Despite AMC efforts, the planet Hall joins the Free Worlds League. Blakist machinations are rumored to be the cause of this defeat.
28 November – Commanding General of the SLDF, General Edwin Amis, officially declares the existence of the Provisional Regiments, a group of regiments created from member state militaries on temporary duty assignments. These regiments will be created as needed and deployed for temporary assignments as the League sees fit.

Red Dawn related events
6 June – Nicholai Kasperov’s mother killed in accidental DropShip explosion on Talon
1 September – Kasperov begins three year tour of duty with the Star League Defense Force

Wildcard related events
14 March – The Wildcards begin their contract with the SLDF, taking on a variety of defensive roles in the former Free Rasalhague Republic, while also training alongside the Kungsarme.
20 July – Taking on a secondary contract with the SLDF, the entire Wildcards regiment enters the Jade Falcon Occupation Zone for an extended raiding campaign. The unit attacks supply convoys whenever possible, as well as supporting two Mech units for raids on two major supply stops in the OZ.
4 August – The Wildcard make their deepest strike into Jade Falcon space to date. They pass through the OZ, utilizing “empty” systems for jump paths, and travel behind the main lines of the OZ. They plan strike at a massive supply convoy moving pre-fab factory materials and completed military units.
10 August – The Wildcards hit the supply convoy, only to discover that the fleet is escorted by a full aerospace Trinary along with an Aegis-class WarShip (the Jade Talon). The Wildcards manage to heavily damage the WarShip and force an escape. It takes the unit over three months to limp back to safety in FRR space. The unit is initially listed as destroyed by the SLDF, before their unexpected return.
17 December – The Wildcards return to Outreach and begin the process of rebuilding. All told, material losses stand at 80% among aerofighters alone. The fleet has been battered with multiple losses. The remaining marine assault forces leave to seek employment elsewhere. Colonel McQueen retires from active service, due to his injuries suffered on the last contract. He will never be able to fly a fighter again, but he does remain with the unit as the commanding officer of the aerospace forces.


3069
While time may heal all wounds, some wounds require quite a bit more time than others. This is especially true in the case of the wounds caused by the FedCom Civil War. The continuing growth of the Star League and its powerful corporate alliances and Sphere-wide R&D projects certainly helped promote the rebuilding of the Alliance and the Suns. The development and sale of the equipment needed to manufacture FAX machines also helped provide much needed capital for these nations to continue rebuilding. Through all of this, continued sales of the ever increasing Project Babel stable of designs also led to the Star League taking its first major steps as a truly independent interstellar power.
Not every faction in the Inner Sphere seemed to agree with this new spirit of cooperation though. Tensions continued to flare in the Chaos March between the Allied Mercenary Command and the Word of Blake Protectorate. This eventually culminated into an outright war over the Liberty system. Eventually, as the year drew to a close, SLDF Provisional regiments had to step in and take control of the system until matters could be settled. Both the Protectorate and the AMC received stiff diplomatic warnings from the First Lord, though no charges were brought against either group.

Notable Events
4 January – As work continues on Project Babel and its new designs, the SLDF announces that Vicore Industries has also joined the project group as a consultant. Some displeasure is heard from ComStar and the Draconis Combine at this increased independence shown by the Star League. Though not officially detailed, it is believed by many observers that Project Babel now includes representatives from virtually every member state, a wide number of corporations, and even several large mercenary units.
2 February – The Liberty system in the Chaos March becomes the flashpoint of the “cold” war between the AMC and the Word of Blake Militia. Word of Blake forces come into direct conflict with the AMC through their representatives on planet, Lindon’s Battalion. The Word of Blake forces were backing the elected Lord-Governor while Lindon’s Battalion held a contract controlled by the planetary Senate.
1 March – The fighting on Liberty has intensified, escalating into a planetary war for control of the system and the government. While the Blakist forces hold the numerical advantage, Lindon’s Battalion has so far managed to keep the Militia on the defensive.
9 March – The 2nd Dismal Disinherited arrive to support AMC operations in the Liberty system.
10 March – The Word of Blake Militia’s 4th Division arrives in the Liberty system.
20 March – The Liberty conflict has ended, with the surprising arrival of the 1st and 2nd Provisional SLDF regiments, under the command of a former officer of the 5th Davion Guards, Colonel Leonard Cathaway. The SLDF forces executed text-book perfect combat drops on the HQ areas of both sides, and forced both sides to stand down.
30 March – Trials have begun on Liberty III, authorized through the Star League High Court. The former planetary governor, as well as half of the planetary Senate, is being indicted on charges of collusion to commit war crimes, abuse of governmental power, and corruption. A new special election is in progress, both for the seat of governor and the vacated Senate seats. These elections take place under the watchful eye of the SLDF commander on planet, Colonel Leonard Cathaway.
30 June – Elections on Liberty have ended, with a new planetary militia being raised for the defense of the system, trained by the SLDF forces on planet. The SLDF also hires the Martian Cuirassiers to serve as a garrison force on Liberty over the next two years. The 1st Provisional SLDF Regiment remains on Liberty until the end of the year, before departing for Tukayyid. The 2nd Provisional SLDF regiment begins conducting operations throughout the Terran March, hunting down a number of terrorist cells linked to a group known as the Bloody Hand until the end of the year.
14 July – The repatriation of yet more Lyran units from the FedSuns occur. The 3rd Lyran Regulars are moved to Atocongo, their new base of operations.
19 September – Word reaches Inner Sphere news agencies that the Free Rasalhague Republic has entered into a mutual defense pact with the Ghost Bear Dominion. The positive reaction from the FRR populace is surprising, considering that less than two decades ago, the Ghost Bears were invading FRR space. It appears the former Prince Ragnar Magnusson played a large part in the necessary diplomatic negotiations.
5 December – The Royal Black Watch Regiment is officially recognized as fully staffed, attaining regimental status. The formation of the 3rd Royal BattleMech Regiment, the Canine Serpents, is underway. This will allow for the creation of the 101st Royal BattleMech Brigade.

Red Dawn related Events
February to April – Colonel Nicholai Kasperov and several other future Red Dawn officers take part in the Liberty conflict as part of the 2nd Provisional SLDF regiment. This is where the Colonel meets Captain Michelle Hiroko and Admiral Jason Argot.
May to November – Kasperov and his future unit commanders track down and eradicate several Bloody Hand cells throughout the Terran March. During these operations, Kasperov works with and befriends a special operations command officer, Lieutenant Reginald Mueller.

3070
The war between the AMC and the forces of the Word of Blake Protectorate continue, though under the watchful eye of the SLDF. So long as it continues to remain an internal matter, the SLDF will not intervene. However, SLDF command staff have gone on record stating several times that they will not hesitate to intervene if any system’s sovereignty is threatened by either faction for their own personal gain, “as was found on Liberty.”
Elsewhere throughout the Inner Sphere, a number of strange incident are reported. Taken individually, they seem to be innocuous coincidences. A number of people in the intelligence community do begin to take notice of some of the tenuous links between these odd events. Kali Liao’s disappearance, the unusual JumpShip signatures reported over several months, the temporary HPG outage, the ongoing investigation into the Bloody Hand terrorist cells; all of these problems seem to point to a faction or factions attempting to cause fear and doubt for the purposes of inciting further conflicts. This theory gains momentum as the Fifth Whitting Conference on Tharkad comes to a close late in the year.


Notable Events
4 January – After an attempted assault on Highspire in the Capellan Confederation by Thugee cultists, it is discovered that the prisoner in Kali Liao’s complex is in fact a surgically altered replacement. It is unknown how long Kali Liao has been missing. Security around Chancellor Sun-Tzu Liao and Sian itself is immediately tightened.
19 May – The entire ComStar personnel complement on the world of Krimari in the Magistracy of Canopus is found slaughtered in their quarters. This includes the civilian HPG technical staff as well as the ComGuard personnel. It appears that some type of nerve agent was used in this assassination.
23 May – For a period of one standard Terran day, all Class A HPG stations cease transmitting due to a computer virus. This affects all ComStar and Word of Blake networks, in both the Inner Sphere and the Periphery. The virus is found and eliminated and a massive manhunt begins for the perpetrator.
30 September – The last of the Lyran units to be repatriated, the 17th Arcturan Guards RCT, is moved onto Cor Caroli. At the same time, the 10th Lyran Guards RCT is officially struck from the rolls of the LAAF after failing to follow multiple recall orders. They are added to the rolls of the AFFS as the 2nd Royal Cavaliers RCT, stationed on New Avalon.
28 November – The Fifth Whitting Conference begins on Tharkad.
29 November – Several leaks are revealed to the press from some closed-door sessions of the Star League Council. Apparently, there are ongoing concerns into the growing power the SLDF is wielding through development of the Project Babel line. It is also rumored that Commander Jamie Wolf (AMC representative) and Magestrix Emma Centrella (Magistracy of Canopus) request a full investigation into the growing Word of Blake Protectorate for alleged crimes against humanity and duplicitous deals. The vote is not a matter of public record, but it is unofficially acknowledged that such an investigation was voted down. It is rumored that immediately following the vote, Commander Jamie Wolf left the Council chambers in disgust and immediately departed for Outreach.
2 December – General Edwin Amis, commanding General of the Star League Defense Force, reports the success of the Provisional Regiments as well as the progress reports for all SLDF units. The 3rd Royal BattleMech Regiment is expected to be ready for duty by mid-3071. Surprisingly, the 101st and 1022nd Mechanized Infantry Brigades are also announced as being combat ready as of January 1st, 3071, a full year earlier than expected.
5 December – The Magistracy of Canopus is granted a one-term probationary membership into the Star League, nominated by Chancellor Sun-Tzu Liao of the Capellan Confederation.
6 December – The new First Lord of the Star League is elected. Captain-General Thomas Marik was voted into office, with the only dissenting votes coming from the Taurian Concordat and ComStar. The Magistracy of Canopus is accepted as a member-state, subject to the usual one term probationary membership.
28 December – The mercenary units Battle Magic, the Martian Cuirassiers, and Wilson’s Hussars all pledge their support to the Allied Mercenary Command at a ceremony on Outreach. Representatives from the Free Worlds League, the Taurian Concordat, and the Word of Blake criticize this action as “more warmongering by creating a private army on the part of Commander Jamie Wolf.”

Red Dawn related Events
14 October – Colonel Nicholai Kasperov arrives on Outreach with his initial command staff and begins plans to build the Red Dawn Cavalry mercenary command.
25 November – He is introduced to the Halas brothers, who offer the kind of expertise in the mercenary world that he needs to make his newly forming unit a reality.

3071
The peace that occurred after the end of the FedCom Civil War began to slowly fade away as time progressed. No matter the scale of the previous conflict, the Inner Sphere’s natural state of being seems to be a state of war. Unfortunately, each period of peace seems to last shorter than the last. While the status quo returned, no one could anticipate the type of total war that was looming on the horizon. The storm had not arrived yet, but the first drops of rain were slowly beginning to fall.
Tensions between the Federated Suns Capellan March and the Capellan Confederation started a slow burn towards a boiling point, especially over the issue of Tikonov. The animosity between the AMC and the Word of Blake continue to grow, while the Star League continued watching both the Terran March and the Clan border regions with a measured gaze. Even the smaller Periphery nations felt the burden of an increasing amount of raids and terrorist activity, with the discovery of the conquest of Dante and the loss of several merchant convoys in the Outworlds Alliance.

Notable Events
17 February – Jeremiah Rose, formerly of the Black Thorns mercenary unit, is returned to Northwind by a merchant ship. He was found in the Deep Periphery, apparently stranded after a pirate hunting contract “went south.” He was the only apparent survivor of his unit, though his mental health appears to be shattered. He could not provide much information on the whereabouts or status of the rest of the Thorns. He was returned to the care of his family on Northwind; the only information provided on the cause of this tragedy was his continual raving about “dead Clanners walk again.”
30 March – Reports from the Lyran Alliance border encountering unknown bandits near the border with the Rim Worlds Republic begin to filter in. They seem to strike with no discernable patter, mostly attacking supply convoys or depots, and leave no survivors. Mercenary units sent into the region find no trace of where the raiders are based from, though the raids soon cease after the arrival of these units.
7 May – The grave of Jamie Wolf’s son, Mackenzie Wolf, is found vandalized. The words “You have loosed the dogs of war. The storm has been unleashed.” are painted on his headstone.
15 May – Two Outworlds Alliance merchant JumpShips with a full DropShip complement are found destroyed in an uninhabited system along a major trade route. The ships hold a high radiation count that lead authorities to believe that nuclear weapons were used to destroy the vessels.
7 October – The yearly report of the MRBC seems to indicate an increased amount of objective raid contracts, specifically with the goal of capturing military equipment. Some researchers theorize that an unknown faction is covertly building up military forces, with several eyes looking towards the former FedCom nations.

Red Dawn related events
6 November – Start of the campaign. All characters have arrived on Outreach and begun the job search through the MRBC registry.
14 December – Red Dawn Cavalry leaves for its first contract, rescuing AMC prisoners from Word of Blake control on Sheratan. The world is part of the Blakist Protectorate and the POWs are left over from the Liberty conflict.

3072
The storm has begun to unleash its fury in isolated areas. The aftermath of the FCCW has left people jumping at their own shadows, which only lead to the illusion that enemies lurk around every corner. As the year progresses, even the measured confidence of First Lord Marik cannot close the lid on the Pandora’s Box that has been opened.
The Terran March proves to be an active battleground between at lest four different factions: the Word of Blake, the Allied Mercenary Command, the Zhezheng de Guang gangs, and the terrorist cells of the Bloody Hand. The Star League begins to turn its attention to the Clan border worlds, intent on flexing some of its newfound muscle. Another conflict almost explodes between the CapCon and the Duke George Hasek of the Capellan March, as the Chancellor’s military proceeds to take complete control of the Tikonov system.

Notable Events
10 January – A month long wave of domestic terrorism begins in Harlech City on Outreach. No suspects are taken alive, and once the attacks end, the Dragoons’ authorities are no closer to finding suspects than when the attacks began.
3 February – The Day of Terror. In simultaneous attacks, Bloody Hand cells prosecute dozens of long-planned operations. Political assassinations, bombings, sabotage of public utilities, and even a few chemical attacks rip the Terran March. The worlds of Demeter, Liberty, Sheratan, Hall, Tall Trees, Hsien, and Nanking are all hit hardest in this current wave of attacks. The attacks continue on a near daily basis until an SLDF Fury team finally manages to track down and eliminate the regional command cell.
10 February – The combat simulator network on Outreach crashes. All MRBC and Dragoons simulators and practice engagement networks suffer a massive data loss and require days worth of work to bring back online. Simultaneously, the HPG station on Outreach suffers a day long blackout, due to an unexpected feedback wave from a damaged component. The next 10 days see increased civil unrest and criminal activities in and around Harlech City, especially near TempTown.
30 March – Two new SLDF Provisional regiments are activated and begin moving through a varying patrol route in the Terran March.
7 April – The Star League Defense Force begins Operation Liberation, a multi-national two prong assault to retake the planets of Lothan and Ramsau from Clan Wolf and return the worlds to Free Rasalhague Republic control.
1 July – The SLDF Provisional Regiments declare the destruction of the two major bases for Bloody Hand operations in the Terran March. The frequency of such attacks drops drastically until they disappear completely within a month.
13 August – The Capellan Confederation takes complete control of the Tikonov system. The FedSuns blockade of the system is broken by a ad-hoc naval flotilla.
10 December – The MRBC releases an official advisory to the SLDF, noting the recent increase in objective raid contracts from various front organizations. All of these raids seem concentrated on capturing battle ready combat units. The WolfNet reports that are attached hint at a possible connection that all of these contracts are being set up by the same group. This would imply that some particular group is preparing a rapid (and secret) build up of military forces. The WolfNet reports seem to lay the blame at the feet of the Word of Blake.

Red Dawn related events
7 January – The Red Dawn returns to Outreach from the Sheratan contract, and begins immediately to expand the unit from salvage claimed on their first contract. Oddly enough, no Word of Blake forces are found on Sheratan, instead only mercenary forces are found defending the installations. Suffering light personnel and moderate material losses, the unit performs successfully on its first contract.
7 April – The Red Dawn are a part of Task Force Legend for Operation Liberation, the task force that will hit Lothan. This multi-national operation shows the first true measure of strength that the new version of the SLDF can utilize.
25 April – The operations to retake Lothan and Ramsau have both been successful. Clan Wolf never expected the amount of force the SLDF threw at these operations. All told, Ramsau was the easier operation, as the expected reinforcements for Clan Wolf never materialized. Unfortunately, Lothan was quite the opposite. Until the timely intervention of Word of Blake naval assets and the 1st Star League Royal BattleMech Regiment, the operation on Lothan may well have failed. The Red Dawn was battered in a static defensive posture against the 102nd Battle Cluster, and would likely have been destroyed until the Northwind Hussars dropped directly on top of the Cluster’s position.
25 June – The Red Dawn wearily returns to Outreach to rebuild and rearm. Thankfully, some of the press coverage of their actions on Lothan allowed them to broker two much needed mergers. Brock’s Buccaneers and The Stone Ponies both accepted offers to merge with the Red Dawn, in agreement for the Red Dawn to use their funds from their recently sold Clan salvage to take care of the debts both commands had suffered.
1 October – The Red Dawn lands on Elgin, starting their third contract. They successfully roust the former FedCom troops located on Jolo Island, and take up their garrison duties on the continent of Lunzberg.

Wildcard related events
8 March – The Wildcards are back on the market after rebuilding from the disastrous deep strike raid against the Jade Falcons in late 3068. They have only managed to pull together about half the naval fleet they had previously, and lost two JumpShips (one to damage and the other to sell off for cash). Currently, the aero regiment is only two reinforced wings. The Cards have a marine contingent to protect their fleet, but no longer have the assault capacity for these marines.
11 April – The unit takes a year long contract with the Draconis Combine for long-term patrol duties along the border with the Outworlds Alliance. The increasing presence of Clan Snow Raven in this area has required additional naval forces.

3073
The storm has surrounded humanity. The pawns had been moved into position, and contingency plans were put on standby. Unknown to the rest of the Inner Sphere, a single event would soon open Pandora’s Box and unleash hell.
As Outreach burned in the embers of an uprising, the Star League had finally begun to see the truth behind the Word of Blake’s façade. Unfortunately, this recognition came too late to avoid the inevitable conflict that followed. Like most wars in humanity’s history, it only took a single shot to provide the necessary. As soon as that hand-held missile launcher was activated, the fate of the Inner Sphere was decided. Total warfare was the only possible option in the mind of the fanatics, after the death of Primus (Precentor) William Blane on Tharkad. If humanity would not submit to the will of Blake, then humanity must be purified. Only the holy fires of Jihad could save humanity now.

Notable Events
20 February – With the recent deaths of four Clan Elders, the Northwind Highlanders exercise escape clauses in all current contracts and begin to return home for elections.
15 March – A coalition of rogue mercenary commands launch a surprise attack Wolf’s Dragoons and the Hiring Hall in Harlech City. The coalition forces are made up of Smithson’s Chinese Bandits, the 51st Dark Panzer Jaguars, Tiger Sharks, and Waco’s Rangers; commanded by Colonel Wayne Waco himself. The rogues do not hold to conventional rules of warfare; killing civilians without concern and utilizing fuel-air explosives and chemical weapons to strike Dragoons’ facilities at the start of the attack.
17 March – After 48 hours of continuous conflict in Harlech City, Commander Jamie Wolf has rallied the Dragoons to his side. During a frenzied final defense of the ruins of the Hiring Hall, Commander Jamie Wolf dies from his injuries after killing Colonel Wayne Waco and his command company.
19 March – The uprising on Outreach has been put down. The last of the rogue mercenaries were killed in combat in the late evening of the 19th. After the death of Commander Wolf a day earlier, the Dragoons responded in a berserker fury, tearing a swath through their opposition. This “Condition Feral” paid no heed to friend or foe, civilian or combatant. If something posed a threat, it died in the path of the raging Dragoons. This is the first day that news of this tragedy has reached external news sources.
20 March – The fallout of the rogues attack on Harlech City begins to settle. Civilian deaths are estimated at a quarter of a million with three to four times that in wounded. Epsilon was folded into Beta Regiments which suffered over 40% losses itself, while the Home Guard forces are near non-existent. Zeta and Wolf Spider battalions are both over 35% losses. Battle Magic was destroyed to a man while supporting the Dragoons. The entireties of the rogue mercenary regiments were destroyed with no survivors. The 51st DPJ, Smithson’s Bandits, Tiger Sharks, and Waco Rangers no longer exist. General Jamie Wolf was also killed in the fighting, bringing to an end the era of this legendary figure.
22 March – General Maeve Wolf exercised emergency escape clauses for Alpha Regiment in the Draconis Combine and Gamma Regiment in the Capellan Confederation. Delta Regiment will remain on station in the Combine. The 2nd Dismal Disinherited began to move towards Outreach, looking to support their AMC brethren in their time of need.
3 April – The Star League Council has called an emergency meeting of all member states to begin on June 1st. The nature of the meeting is not declared, and some states send representatives in lieu of their leaders.
20 April – The 2nd Dismal Disinherited arrives on Outreach from Tall Trees.
25 May – Two SLDF Provisional regiments (Word of Blake Militia and Navy) have taken control of the Jabuka system from the Jade Falcons. Free Rasalhague Forces take control of the system over the next month, returning this world to FRR sovereignty.
1 July – The Star League Council’s emergency conference begins a month later than planned, due to several representatives being delayed.
8 July – General Helen Thrall, Primus of the Sirian Concordance (self-declared independent nation state formerly of the Free Worlds League) is assassinated. The Concordance releases details of their investigation to the news media several days later, claiming that Free Skye agents were responsible.
20 July – The Star League emergency conference ends and the news released shocks the news pundits. The Word of Blake has been expelled from the Star League. It appears that testimony from AMC affiliated mercenary units and ComStar forced First Lord Thomas Marik to instigate an investigation into the recent activites of the Word of Blake in the Terran March. The Word of Blake was found guilty of charges of abuse of power, corruption, and embezzelement.
21 July – Primus (Precentor) William Blane, the Word of Blake’s nominal leader and former Star League representative, is assassinated on Tharkad. His motorcade was struck by a single man-portable missile launcher which destroyed his personal transport. No suspects were apprehended.
25 July – Additional Word of Blake personnel are denied access to Tharkad to assist into the investigation of Primus William Blane’s murder. All Word of Blake personnel depart to their waiting JumpShips and prepare to leave the system. Word of Blake representatives implicate collusion on the part of the Lyran Alliance and the Star League, since SLDF troops were handling the defense and security protocols of all representatives. Precentor-Martial Cameron St. Jamais gives the following scathing formal address. “This level of treachery and corruption inside the heart of the blessed Star League will not go unforgiven. This is clear indication of the state of affaris in the Inner Sphere of Humanity. There will be a reckoning for this offense and this act of war.”
30 July – At exactly 1100 local time, two Word of Blake naval fleets jump into the Tharkad and New Avalon system via pirate points. Both fleets ignore communcations and begin systematically destroying all orbital defenses. At Tharkad, this fleet includes the long-lost former Lyran Tharkad-class battlecruiser (the Invincible) and at least one McKenna-class WarShip. After destroying all orbital defenders, both fleets begin a systematic campaign of orbital bombardment before landing ground troops. At Tharkad, the Word of Blake forces are also believed to have detonated a large nuclear weapon on the ground in Tharkad City. The fate of Archon Peter Steiner-Davion and much of the Lyran government is unknown at this time. At New Avalon, defenders do manage to hold back the Blakist fleet for a short time, giving ground forces extra time to seek underground shelters and evacuate some smaller cities. Regent Yvonne Steiner-Davion and her escort, Duke Tancred Sandoval have not yet returned to New Avalon and are presumed to still be alive and enroute back to their nation.
3 August – The AMC issues an alert for any news pertaining to a task force that attacked Mars in the Terran system. Apparently, the AMC followed an evidence chain that led the organization to believe the Word of Blake was behind the attacks on Outreach in May. The task force managed to send a message that they were under heavy attack, and no further communications have been yet received. All forces are presumed lost in action, including Lindon’s Battalion, Wolf Dragoons’ Beta regiment and Zeta Battalion, the 2nd Dismal Disinherited, and two Dragoons WarShips (the Athena and the Beowulf).
10 August – The Luthien HPG station goes offline for routine maintenance for a 24 hour period. Rumors begin to spread of an attack on Luthien after the HPG station does not begin transmitting again within two days.
24 August – Coordinator Theodore Kurita (having just re-entered Combine space on his journey back from the Star League conference) announces that the Luthien system is under assault by Black Dragon force. Later that same day, the Luthien HPG comes online again, and begins broadcasting propaganda supporting the Black Dragons new “regime.”
25 August – A Word of Blake assault force, with strong naval support, appears in the Outreach system. The Dragoons naval defense are quickly overwhelmed and destroyed, and ground forces begin to land.
1 September – Word of Blake forces, along with a small naval force, have arrived in the Luthien system. They claim to have arrived to help the “true defenders of the Draconis Combine,” but then both sides in the Luthien conflict are attacked. This is the start of an ugly three-way conflict for control of Luthien.
3 September – Word of Blake naval assault forces jump into the Tukayyid system and attack the local defenses. ComStar and SLDF naval forces have numerical superiority and a partially activated SDS defense system, which quickly forces the attackers to flee the system. Losses were relatively light on both sides, though one ComStar WarShip was lost to a nuclear missile. This raises concerns over the real size of the Word of Blake Navy, since the fleets already seen in action elsewhere should account for the majority of their fleet.
4 September – Caesar Steiner, Margrave of the Cavanaugh II Theater and renowned Lyran military commander, is assassinated at his command post. Duke Kelwsa-Steiner declares this to be a confirmed attack from terrorists linked to the Sirian Concordance and their Free World League masters.
5 September – General Maeve Wolf and the Alpha Regiment of Wolf’s Dragoons arrive on Outreach. The Dragoons flagship, the Alexander, pushes back the Word of Blake flotilla long enough for Maeve and her forces to land on the planet. The Alexander then retreats deeper into the system until needed further.
10 September – Skye is invaded by a force identified as Free Worlds League (specifically Sirian Lancers). The forces included an Eagle-class WarShip (tentatively identified as the Percival). After several days of hard fighting, and the fortuitous arrival of the Katrina Steiner, the invaders are defeated and flee. Skye did sustain some serious damage in the ground fighting, as well as sustaining a significant amount of orbital fire directed into the capital city of New Glasgow.
18 September – Duke Robert Kelswa-Steiner of the Skye Province and Duke Alder Umayr of the Bolan Province declare war on the Free Worlds League. These two provinces will work together to punish “the Eagle’s adventurism during a time of crisis for the Lyran Alliance and for the souls lost to the Eagle’s hunger at Skye.” Operation Uberschatten is begun. This invasion of the FWL border worlds will continue until no further Marik worlds cry out for freedom from bondage to a religious zealot according to Duke Kelswa-Steiner.
20 September – The Wolf Dragoons are broken on Outreach. The Broadsword Legion defected to the Word of Blake, causing serious damage to the Wolf Spider Battalion before being destroyed. After the Dragoons managed to throw back the Blakist attackers once again, the in-system commander for the Blakist forces became furious. The flotilla began a massive orbital and nuclear bombardment of the planet. It is believed that the entire continent of Remus was sterilized while severely mauling the remaining Dragoon forces on Romulus. The remaining Dragoons manage to escape to several JumpShips when the Alexander sacrifices itself in a delaying action against the Word of Blake fleet.
25 September – The enormity of the Word of Blake Jihad is driven home when the Precentor Martial of Comstar, Victor Steiner-Davion, reveals that the ComStar navy has been crippled by two surprise attacks. The rally points and shipyards at Luten 68-28 and Ross 248 were attacked by massive Word of Blake fleets, utilizing nuclear arsenals. Only 12 vessels survived the assault to return to Tukayyid, with the two Faslane-class yards

[Jeff Hauze]

The Red Dawn Cavalry
CO – Colonel Leo Dante
XO – Major Margaret Atkins
Aide de Camp – Master Sergeant Lita Hernandez

The Grinning Jesters: Laughing in Death’s Face
Mech Battalion/Veteran/Questionable
CO – Colonel Leo Dante
XO – Captain Lyndsey Reindstadt

10th Company

11th Jesters
(Alpha) Gungir GNG-OA – Lt. Colonel Leo Dante – 3/3
(Bravo) Gilgamesh GIL-O – Sergeant Shiro Kanzi – 3/4
(Charlie) Gilgamesh GIL-OA – Sergeant Hiro Taipan – 3/4
(Delta) Gungir GNG-O – Master Sergeant Lita Hernandez – 3/4

12th Jesters
(Alpha) Hauptmann HA1-O – Lieutenant Morgan Gwilym – 4/5
(Bravo) Gungir GNG-OB – Sergeant Enfys Tegan – 4/5
(Charlie) Gungir GNG-OC – Sergeant Rhian Siani – 4/5
(Delta) Avatar AV1-OB – Sergeant Talfym Lestyn – 4/5

20th Company

21st Jesters
(Alpha) Stealth STH-2D – Major Margaret Atkins – 3/4
(Bravo) Wraith TR1 – Sergeant Judas Escariot – 3/4
(Charlie) Spector SPT-5F – Sergeant Claus Erickson – 3/4
(Delta) Spector SPT-5F – Sergeant Wulf Erickson – 3/4

22nd Jesters
(Alpha) Archer ARC-4M – Lieutenant Jin Ke – 4/4
(Bravo) Orion ON2-M – Sergeant Sung Kang – 4/5
(Charlie) Gallowglas GLS-1GLS – Sergeant Luis Rosado – 4/5
(Delta) Gallowglas GLS-2GLS – Sergeant Juan Rosado – 4/5

23rd Jesters
(Alpha) Lynx LNX-9R – Lieutenant Balendin Zigor – 4/5
(Bravo) Huron Warrior HUR-W0-R40 – Sergeant Izotz Erlea – 4/5
(Charlie) Nightsky NGS-4S – Sergeant Kresimir Jure – 4/5
(Delta) Starslayer STY-3D – Sergeant Branimir Zvonko – 4/5

30th Company

31st Jesters
(Alpha) Marauder MAD-5RD – Captain Lyndsey Reindstadt – 3/4
(Bravo) Zeus ZEU-9K – Sergeant Arlen Meil – 3/4
(Charlie) Catapult CPLT-1RD – Staff Sergeant Kiera Jurkovich – 3/4
(Delta) Bandersnatch BNDR-01RD – Sergeant Tristan Modoc – 3/4

32nd Jesters
(Alpha) Ostsol OTL-6DJ – Lieutenant Jain Farstrider – 2/3
(Bravo) Rakshasha MDG-2RD – Sergeant Baltair Munro – 4/4
(Charlie) Falconer FLC-8RD – Sergeant Victor Masinistu – 3/4
(Delta) No-Daichi NDA-2KO – Sergeant Midori Greene – 3/3

33rd Jesters
(Alpha) Wolverine WVR-8K – Lieutenant Basil Posnick – 4/5
(Bravo) Beowulf BEO-12 – Sergeant Elvis Blackham – 4/5
(Charlie) Phoenix Hawk PXH-3RD – Sergeant Noel Sesay – 4/5
(Delta) Dervish DVD-8D – Sergeant Bernardo Staniford – 4/5

The Zero Express: Never late and always in style
Aero Wing/Regular/Questionable
CO – Major Michele Hiroko
XO – Captain Yuri Kutsenko

10th Express

11th Express
(Alpha) Stingray F-95 – Major Michele Hiroko – 3/3
(Bravo) Stingray F-95 – Master Sergeant Theodore Ferris – 3/3

12th Express
(Alpha) Transgressor TR-13MA – Lieutenant Josephine Ekatarina – 3/4
(Bravo) Transgressor TR-13MA – Sergeant Tomas Ruiz – 3/4

13th Express
(Alpha) Corsair CSR-V13 – Lieutenant Pete Adney – 3/4
(Bravo) Corsair CSR-V13 – Sergeant Lorri Welner – 3/4

20th Express

21st Express
(Alpha) Sparrowhawk SPR-7D – Captain Shanna Red – 4/5
(Bravo) Sparrowhawk SPR-7D – Sergeant Maurice Carrigan – 4/5

22nd Express
(Alpha) Seydlitz SYD-Z5 – Lieutenant Rick Hyche – 4/5
(Bravo) Seydlitz SYD-Z5 – Sergeant Gordon Maffucci – 4/5

23rd Express
(Alpha) Seydlitz SYD-Z6 – Lieutenant Fern Rademacher – 4/5
(Bravo) Seydlitz SYD-Z6 – Sergeant Glen Hellickson – 4/5

30th Express

31st Express
(Alpha) Chippewa CHP-W20 – Captain Yuri “Russkie” Kutsenko – 3/4
(Bravo) Chippewa CHP-W20 – Sergeant Anton Martynov – 3/4

32nd Express
(Alpha) Riever F-200 – Lieutenant Janette Ginder – 4/5
(Bravo) Riever F-200 – Sergeant Polly Gandara – 4/5

33rd Express
(Alpha) Lucifer LCF-R17 – Lieutenant Dan Brokaw – 4/5
(Bravo) Lucifer LCF-R17 – Sergeant Sam Sugar – 4/5

Stone Ponies: Galloping over the Enemy
Armor Battalion/Regular/Questionable
CO – Major Archie Crossin
XO – Captain Franco Klein

10th Ponies

11th Ponies
(Alpha) Regulator Hovertank – Major Archie Crossin, 2 PSCs – 3/3
(Bravo) Regulator Hovertank – Corporal Barrie Michniak, 2 PSCs – 4/5
(Charlie) Zephyr – Master Sergeant Grover Opland, 2 PSCs – 4/5
(Delta) Zephyr – Corporal Chase Romelus, 2 PSCs – 4/5

12th Ponies
(Alpha) Condor (Laser Variant) – Lieutenant Josh Burgman – 3/4
(Bravo) Condor (Laser Variant) – Sergeant Alecia Dudeck – 3/4
(Charlie) Condor (Laser Variant) – Corporal Damian Plagman – 4/5
(Delta) Condor (Laser Variant) – Corporal Antoine Zakes – 4/5

13th Ponies
(Alpha) Seraphim Prime – Lieutenant Jonathon Kroenke, 1 PSCs – 4/5
(Bravo) Seraphim Prime – Corporal Portia Drey 1 PSCs – 4/5
(Charlie) Seraphim Prime – Sergeant Preston Ludewig, 1 PSCs – 4/5
(Delta) Seraphim Prime – Corporal Randolph Garske, 1 PSCs – 4/5

20th Ponies

21st Ponies
(Alpha) Aesir Prime – Captain Franco Klein, 3 PSCs – 3/3
(Bravo) Aesir Prime – Sergeant Hal Dielo, 3 PSCs – 3/4
(Charlie) Aesir Prime – Corporal Kendrick Stidam, 3 PSCs – 3/4
(Delta) Aesir Prime – Corporal Marcel Beightol, 3 PSCs – 3/4

22nd Ponies
(Alpha) Manticore Heavy Tank (3058 Upgrade) – Lieutenant Darcy Norby, 3 PSCs – 4/5
(Bravo) Manticore Heavy Tank (3058 Upgrade) – Sergeant Darren Tackitt, 3 PSCs – 4/5
(Charlie) Manticore Heavy Tank (LBX) – Corporal Dominic Cabreros, 3 PSCs – 4/5
(Delta) Manticore Heavy Tank (LBX) – Corporal Abel Urizar, 3 PSCs – 4/5

23rd Ponies
(Alpha) Demolisher (Arrow IV Variant) – Lieutenant Wei Hogansan, 5 PSCs – 3/4
(Bravo) Demolisher (Arrow IV Variant) – Sergeant Jennifer Vinet, 5 PSCs – 3/4
(Charlie) Demolisher (Arrow IV Variant) – Corporal Hunter Boje, 5 PSCs – 3/4
(Delta) Demolisher (Arrow IV Variant) – Corporal Merrill Wassinger, 5 PSCs – 3/4

30th Ponies

31st Ponies
(Alpha) Aquitane Prime – Captain Hugo Duford, 1 PSC – 4/5
(Bravo) Cobra II – Sergeant Ismael Furuya, 1 PSC – 4/5
(Charlie) Aquitane Prime – Corporal Magda Cash, 1 PSC – 4/5
(Delta) Cobra Prime – Corporal Robin Sinner, 1 PSC – 4/5

32nd Ponies
(Alpha) Seraphim Prime – Lieutenant Larissa Milbrett, 3 PSCs – 4/5
(Bravo) Maxim II – Sergeant Ed Goatley, 3 PSCs – 4/5
(Charlie) Seraphim Prime – Corporal Pilar Alvin, 3 PSCs – 4/5
(Delta) Maxim II – Corporal Mayme Saas, 3 PSCs – 4/5

33rd Ponies
(Alpha) Goblin Tank II – Lieutenant Geoffrey Kellough, 2 PSCs – 4/5
(Bravo) Goblin Tank II – Sergeant Maya Krishnan, 2 PSCs – 4/5
(Charlie) Goblin Tank II – Corporal Gisela Mondi, 2 PSCs – 4/5
(Delta) Goblin Tank II – Corporal Sandi Krepps, 2 PSCs – 4/5

The Nusakan Gunslingers: Pale Horse Riders
Reinforced Infantry Battalion/Regular/Questionable
CO – Major Mitch Ocano
XO – Captain Matthew Deschain

10th Gunslingers

11th Platoon (Energy Rifle, Hover Mechanized)
Major Mitch Ocano – 1 Sergeant, 3 Corporals, 15 PSCs – 4/5

12th Platoon (Energy Rifle, Hover Mechanized)
Lieutenant Royal Kurziel – 1 Sergeant, 3 Corporals, 15 PSCs – 4/5

13th Platoon (Energy Rifle, Hover Mechanized)
Lieutenant Lucien Perchinski – 1 Sergeant, 3 Corporals, 15 PSCs – 4/5

20th Gunslingers

21st Platoon (Energy Rifle, Jump)
Captain Elmo Gandeza – 1 Sergeant, 2 Corporals, 17 PSCs – 4/5

22nd Platoon (Energy Rifle, Jump)
Lieutenant Thad Yoder – 1 Sergeant, 2 Corporals, 17 PSCs – 4/5

23rd Platoon (Energy Rifle, Jump)
Lieutenant Avril Diga – 1 Sergeant, 2 Corporals, 17 PSCs – 4/5

30th Gunslingers

31st Platoon (Ballistic Rifle, Foot)
Captain Sydney Dargin – 1 Sergeant, 3 Corporals, 23 PSCs – 4/5

32nd Platoon (Ballistic Rifle Foot Platoon)
Lieutenant Wanetta Rymut – 1 Sergeant, 3 Corporals, 23 PSCs – 4/5

33rd Platoon (Ballistic Rifle Foot Platoon)
Lieutenant Boris Wernz – 1 Sergeant, 3 Corporals, 23 PSCs – 4/5

40th Gunslingers

41st Platoon
(Alpha) Bacchus Squad – Captain Matthew Deschain, 3 PSCs – 3/4
(Bravo) Bacchus Squad – Corporal Shane Newingham, 3 PSCs – 3/4
(Charlie) Bacchus Squad – Master Sergeant Chris Pastella, 3 PSCs – 3/4
(Delta) Bacchus Squad – Corporal Norrine Krieger, 3 PSCs – 3/4

42nd Platoon
(Alpha) Bacchus Squad – Lieutenant Valentin Smythe, 3 PSCs – 4/5
(Bravo) Bacchus Squad – Corporal Zana Rusniak, 3 PSCs – 4/5
(Charlie) Bacchus Squad – Corporal Lorilee Demarque, 3 PSCs – 4/5
(Delta) Bacchus Squad – Sergeant Ezra Gemmen, 3 PSCs – 4/5

43rd Platoon
(Alpha) Kore Squad – Lieutenant Virgil Ausman, 3 PSCs – 3/4
(Bravo) Kore Squad – Corporal Cliff Pilsner, 3 PSCs – 3/4
(Charlie) Kore Squad – Sergeant Hal Goldkamp, 3 PSCs – 3/4
(Delta) Kore Squad – Corporal Elwood Bruess, 3 PSCs – 3/4

Black Sea Buccaneers: Adrift in the Storm
Naval Squadron/Veteran/Questionable
CO – Admiral Jason Argot
XO – Captain Leelu Willis

ISMV Freaks and Misfits – Avenger SL-5 class DropShip – Admiral Jason Argot – 3/4
ISMV Interstellar Scallywag – Overlord SL-5 class DropShip – Captain Dean Palafox – 3/4
ISMV Edge of Beyond – Triumph SL-5 class DropShip – Captain Leelu Willis – 3/4
ISMV Shepards of the Lost Flock – Corral SL-5 class DropShip – Captain Leopold Cassini – 3/4

The Red Dawn Cavalry: Same Name, New Faces

The Red Dawn Cavalry entered the mercenary market in late 3071. The baptism by fire that this unit faced did not end with its first contract. Some might say it still hasn’t ended. The unit seen today would not be recognized by the pundits who first predicted failure within six months.
The Red Dawn is the name of the overall parent unit that is made up by two separate and independently contracted regiments. Both units share resources, a home base on Nusakan, and financial benefits for their members. The Red Dawn provides free health care for all its members and dependents through the unit’s impressive medical support staff. The unit also provides extremely basic medical and life insurance for all of its members. This medical coverage is very limited and primarily used by members and their families only when outside of the unit’s support structure. Additionally, the Red Dawn is known for paying higher salaries for its employees, based upon their place in the rank structure. These benefits help to direct more applications towards the Red Dawn over other new mercenary unit, helping the unit replace losses faster. It also tends to influence members towards long-term employment with the unit and motivation to advance their career.
The Red Dawn Cavalry is one of the two independent regiments that make up the Red Dawn. This unit is the active duty unit; taking contracts wherever the fortunes of the mercenary market take them. Primarily, the Cavalry prefers to work with raids and objective strikes, rather than straight up planetary assaults. The highly mobile style of warfare that the unit utilizes is better suited towards offensive operations, but the unit seems to have the right assets to handle a limited garrison or defensive role.
Both the Cavalry and the Cavalry are built as a combined arms regiment. Though losses and funds often limit expansion, the Cavalry work as hard as possible to keep themselves fully staffed and equipped. Advanced technology designs make up the majority of the combat units found in the Dawn, though more expensive XL designs are not as common as found in other high-tech commands.

History

In its three years of existence, the Red Dawn has seen a wide variety of contracts. They’ve successfully completed all five of their contracts so far. They’ve seen offensive and defensive operations on Sheratan, Lothan, Elgin, Summer, and an unnamed planetoid in the Chaos March. The unit has squared off against the Word of Blake Militia, rival mercenaries, Clan Wolf, and the Free Worlds League Militia. The previously unique structure of this unit provided more problems than benefits though. Due to their previous lack of hard-hitting Mech and armor firepower, they would consistently find themselves facing a large butcher’s bill after each contract. The recent reorganization of the unit has worked hard to fill in the gaps in the range of abilities and types of units the Dawn can bring to the fray. Unfortunately, this same reorganization has drained the large coffers this unit had built up as well as drastically reduced both sub-units reliability and Dragoons rating. Hiring on replacement personnel, expanding the unit, and facing its largest butcher bill yet; the Cavalry and the Cavalry are effectively building their own reputations from scratch.
Many market analysts have wondered exactly where the Red Dawn has managed to procure some of its technology as well as its large war chest. This mystery was recently solved when Colonel Kasperov (overall unit commander and field commander of the Cavalry) has disclosed previously hidden financial records. Apparently, three of the unit’s members (Colonel Nicholai Kasperov, Captain Marlana Kasperov, and Captain Reginald Mueller) had used their own business resources and investments to support the unit’s previous rebuilding and expansion phases. When the unit began building its base on Nusakan, these three members liquidated their remaining assets and invested the funds in the unit. This large war chest was then put to good use by their canny administrator and negotiator, Ted Halas. Between his skills at making deals, working the market and a few choice mergers with Brock’s Buccaneers and the Stone Ponies, Ted Halas has managed to nearly complete the expansion of the Cavalry and the Cavalry into two fully realized combined arms regiments. Additionally, the Red Dawn’s base on Nusakan has developed into a modern military base with supporting repair facilities and small spaceport.

Command Officers

Colonel Leo Dante leads the Cavalry as the unit’s commanding officer. He also commands the unit’s Mech battalion, though Major Atkins does handle the majority of the field command responsibilities. He grew up in the streets of the Isle of Skye, though he never quite bought into the Free Skye movement. Saved from a life of crime and poverty by a retired military instructor, Dante joined the Pandora College of Military Sciences. He graduated in the middle of his class, as his lack of early formal education held him back. What he may have lacked in formal knowledge, he made up for in a strong sense of intuition and a determination to succeed. He served two tours of duty with the Lyran Alliance Armed Forces during the FedCom Civil War, and met Colonel Kasperov across the battlefields of Talon. He followed the Colonel into service with the SLDF and eventually, the mercenary market. He has proven himself to his command on the fields of Lothan, Summer, Elgin, and Sheratan.
Major Michelle Hiroko leads the Cavalry’s aerospace wing. The Major was raised in the Magistracy of Canopus, spending her childhood among the stars. Her parents were traders, serving one of the Magistracy’s merchant houses. Following the natural path laid out before her, she attended Columbia Academy in the Outworlds Alliance. She returned to Canopus, serving one tour of duty with the MAF. Disgusted with some of the deepening ties between the Magistracy and the Capellan Confederation, she journeyed to the Inner Sphere and joined the SLDF. She served her tour of duty inside the Chaos March, working with Colonel Kasperov to combat the plague of the Bloody Hand. She was impressed with the style of leadership the Colonel offered, and followed him into mercenary life. Rumors abound though that she was asked to leave the SLDF, due to her “unpredictable combat reliability.” She has made quite a name for herself in her wild antics both on and off the field of combat. She can calmly order her fellow pilots into some crazy formation, appearing to be completely cool and levelheaded as she breaks every traditional rule of aerial dog fighting. On the other hand, an order for a standard maneuver can be accompanied by the shrieking lyrics of some rock music of a lost Terran band.
Major Archie Crossin heads up the armor battalion of the Cavalry. He is a quiet and reserved officer, who rarely seeks to reveal much to his opponents and his subordinates. To those few that he trusts, they know of his painful past on Terra. His native tribe of the Blackrock (Cherokee) people was nearly wiped out during the conquest of Terra by the Word of Blake. Never knowing who fired the fatal shots that smashed a DropShip down into his reservation, he blamed both the Word and ComStar for their failures.
Major Mitch Ocano is a mercenary’s mercenary. He’s worked his way up through the trade, as his family did. He spent his time learning the role of an infantryman in Dumond’s Desperados, before honing his craft with two tours of duty with the Northwind Highlanders. He trained with Stalwart Support and Wolf’s Dragoons to learn anti-Mech operations and battle armor tactics. While not a legendary commander, he is competent, dependable, and veteran. In the life of a groundpounder, it’s difficult to survive long enough to develop all three of these qualities. He suffers a bit from the “new guy” syndrome, since he is the newest senior officer added to either Red Dawn organization. However, his personnel have responded well to him, and he continues to find his place in the Cavalry.


Tactics

Combined-arms operations are the law in the Red Dawn Cavalry. Most of these skills are breed from necessity, considering the unit’s composition. The Cavalry themselves favor smaller combined-arms combat commands in the field, and typically utilize swift and mobile tactics when facing an opponent. Any enemy that underestimates the skill of the Cavalry will find themselves overwhelmed by a well-trained and well-coordinated combined-arms unit. Though they practice more offensive measures due to their role as the active duty unit, the members of the Cavalry have not forgotten their fierce defensive stands on Lothan and Summer.

Support

The support arm has been rebuilt and modernized under the leadership of Chief Technician Son Hoa. He has made sure that the technicians under his care are well-trained. The support staff has been trained to work on Clan standard equipment through schooling on Outreach, as well as being fully Omnitech certified. They have learned to be creative with designs (while still maintaining design integrity) through recent training alongside Skibinski’s Salvage. All astechs are permanently hired by the unit, until they either leave or advance to full fledged technicians. The Red Dawn does not hire local astechs, due to potential security concerns. All current astechs were hired directly from Nusakan.

Transportation

The Cavalry maintains 100% transport assets, though they own no JumpShips. The fleet is fairly modern and surprisingly well-armed for a mercenary unit. They learned to make sure that they are covered on entry and exit from some hard lessons on Lothan and Sheratan.

The Red Dawn Cavalry

MRBC Rating – 114 (B)
Overall Experience Rating – Regular
Reliability Rating – Questionable
Technology Rating – A
Transportation Rating – 145% (No JumpShips)

[Jeff Hauze]

Rank Structure

Enlisted Ranks
1. Recruit – Temporary rank used for infantry personnel before signing final contract
2. Private (Spaceman) – Permanent rank used for all starting infantry personnel
3. Private First Class (Petty Officer First Class) – Rank assumed after six months of service with no major disciplinary actions for all infantry personnel
4. Private Second Class (Petty Officer Second Class) – Merit award rank / requires at least one year of service with no major disciplinary actions
5. Corporal (Senior Petty Officer) – Senior NCO (executive officer) for a squad level unit / commands an armor crew, infantry squad, or battle armor squad / must show leadership qualities and have at least two years of service with no major disciplinary actions
6. Sergeant (Chief Petty Officer) – Senior NCO for a component unit (armor platoon, infantry platoon, battle armor platoon) or commands single Mech or aerospace fighter / works as a Lieutenant’s executive officer for the lance, platoon, or flight / all non-commissioned Mechwarriors and pilots start at this rank – Naval rank is the point person for a particular crew inside a department
7. Staff Sergeant (Senior Chief Petty Officer) – Merit award rank, often for excellence in service as an NCO / may have some additional command and administrative responsibilities / senior NCO for a Mech lance or aero flight – Naval rank is a merit rank for exemplary service
8. Master Sergeant (Master Chief Petty Officer) – The highest rank that may be held by an NCO within a single tactical unit (aero squadron, Mech company, armor company, infantry company, battle armor company) / requires at least three years of service and an excellent service record / will typically be a representative to the officer corps for all enlisted personnel within that tactical unit / as well as dealing with administrative details and paperwork for said personnel alongside commissioned officers / only one per tactical unit or naval department – Naval rank is the point person in a particular department
9. Sergeant Major (Command Master Chief Petty Officer) – The highest rank that may be held by an NCO within a single strategic unit (Cavalry or battalion), requires at least six years of service and an excellent service record as well as the recommendation of a senior member of the officer corps / will serve as a representative for all enlisted personnel in that strategic unit to all senior and high-level command personnel / only one per strategic unit or DropShip/JumpShip – Naval rank is the senior NCO working directly under a Lieutenant and serves as the point person for a number of related minor departments on a DropShip/JumpShip
10. Unused

Officer Ranks
1. Subaltern (Ensign) – Temporary rank used for new officers, typically fresh from OCS and granted a promotion after six months to one year of service without disciplinary action
2. Lieutenants (Ensign Second Class) – Lowest of the command ranks, commands a component unit (aero flight, armor platoon, battle armor platoon, infantry platoon, Mech lance) – Naval rank commands a minor department within a DropShip/JumpShip
3. Captain (Lieutenant) – Commands a tactical unit (aero squadron, armor company, battle armor company, infantry company, Mech company) / must show a desire to advance as well introductory strategic skills as well as excellent tactical skills and have at least two years of service – Naval rank commands a major department within a DropShip/JumpShip
4. Major (Lieutenant Commander) – Commands a strategic unit (Cavalry or battalion) / considered the last of the front-line combat officer ranks and the first of the senior command staff ranks / must show excellent tactical and strategic skills as well as responsible behavior and have at least four years of service – Naval rank oversees all departments within a given section of the operation of DropShip/JumpShip / typically two per ship, one for all non-bridge based departments and one for the bridge, tactical operations, and fire control
5. Unused
6. Lieutenant Colonel (Commander) – Executive officer for the entire unit / must effectively be able to deal with each and every aspect of planning as well as the day to day operations of the unit, on a strategic or tactical level, and have at least six years with the unit – Naval rank is the executive officer for a DropShip/JumpShip
7. Colonel (Captain) – The commander of the entire unit (regiment) and the highest of the senior command ranks / Must have an excellent basis in combined-arms operations, strategy, and tactics / Must have at least ten years with the unit and the majority vote of the entire unit as well as the previous commander’s recognition, if possible – Naval rank commands a single DropShip/JumpShip
8. Brigadier General (Admiral) – The unit’s commander assumes this rank when in command of other units of regimental size to show a clear chain of command – Naval rank is the overall commander of the entire unit’s naval forces, though he reports directly to the Colonel in the chain of command
9. General (Commodore) – Only used when the unit’s commander assumes the command of several multi-regimental sized units – Naval rank is only used when the Admiral assumes control of multiple unit’s naval forces
10. Unused


Squad Level Units
Armor crew (variable)
Artillery crew (variable)
Battle armor squad (4 battle armor troopers)
Infantry squad (7 infantry troopers)

Component Level Units
Aero flight (2 fighters)
Armor platoon (4 armor units)
Artillery battery (4 artillery based armor units)
Battle armor platoon (4 battle armor squads, 16 personnel)
Infantry platoon (4 infantry squads, 28 personnel in four squads for foot or motorized, 21 personnel in three squads for jump)
Mech lance (4 Mechs)

Tactical Level Units
Aero squadron (3 flights)
Armor company (3 armor platoons, 12 armor units)
Artillery company (3 artillery platoons, 12 artillery units)
Battle armor company (3 battle armor platoons, 12 battle armor squads, never mechanized by default)
Infantry company (3 infantry platoons, variable based on infantry type, always mechanized with integral IFVs and APCs)
Mech company (3 Mech lances, 12 Mechs)

Strategic Level Units
Cavalry Unit (reinforced combined arms battalion / 1 Mech company, 1 aero company, 1 battle armor company, 1 armor company, 1 artillery company, 1 infantry company / with its own independent Mech command lance)

Miscellaneous Units
Headquarters Company (the Colonel’s reinforced unit command company / 1 Mech company with its own aero flight)


Tactical and Strategic Practices
The overall strategy and tactics used by the Red Dawn has already been discussed. When it comes to specific units inside the mercenary command, tactics and even preferred strategic deployment vary greatly. Any strategic unit within the Red Dawn can function as a skilled heavy cavalry unit, taking on a wide variety of rapid deployment tasks. Reconnaissance in force, offensive or defensive reinforcement, tactical raids, even limited front line static defensive duty; these are all within the abilities of any part of the command. As all units grow however, certain specializations and areas of expertise begin to form.
Strategically, the unit command company functions as a mobile reserve for the rest of the unit, as well as working as frontline patrol unit. They are intended to handle just as many combat duties as the rest of the unit, as the Colonel is definitely a man that leads from the field. With a full Mech company, and a supporting aero flight, the unit can easily move as a rapid deployment force to shore up any faltering defensive points or act as the secondary thrust of an offensive maneuver. Tactically, the unit tends to function as a strengthened demi-company. The two lances (excluding the Colonel’s lance) often fulfill the duties above, while the Colonel holds a forward observation point to coordinate his two Cavalry units during large scale operations. When smaller engagements occur, the Colonel will often join his company, working in the field as a full Mech company. The most important tactical role that this unit performs is the protection and security of their unit commander. Though they have yet to be tested, this unit has promised the drive and fortitude needed to make any headhunting attempts a very costly endeavor. This unit has sworn to sell themselves dearly for the sake of their leader. Anyone seeking to test this resolve had best be prepared for disappointment in their minds.
The 1st Cavalry works as the main defensive unit of the Red Dawn. Their strategic deployment has often been to hold any defensive lines that the unit deems necessary, and their slower (and heavier) units are well-suited to this type of action. Often underestimated as to how they can work in a heavy cavalry unit, they have shown great aptitude at rapid redeployment (as much as their speed allows). Recently, the Cavalry unit has even begun to show growing skills at maintaining an offensive battle line through combined-arms efforts. Tactically, they focus heavily on their Mechs providing the main thrust of any action they undertake. Their armor and artillery support will be directed as needed, with the battle armor platoons often deploy directly with the Mechs.
The 2nd Cavalry fills the role of reconnaissance and skirmishers. Their higher speed, enhanced electronic warfare capabilities, and overall lighter weight allow them to rapidly map out, patrol, and reinforce any position needed. They often work hand in hand with their armor and aero units, even down to the lance level, where the 1st tends to favor deployment by company. The 2nd’s armor often transports the battle armor troopers here, especially the VTOL unit. Most recently, the unit has begun working on tactical evasion skills, working to draw an enemy out across a large area. This allows the heavier 1st Cavalry or the unit command company to act as the hammer which will break and scatter the poorly deployed opposition.

Communications and Command Protocols
Communications in the unit follows a standard used by most modern mercenary units. When dealing inside a single lance structure, members will communicate by squad number. (All following examples will use Bravo lance of The Blackout Cavalry, members of the Lords of War / 2nd Cavalry, of the Red Dawn Cavalry.) Example: One: “Contact! Two enemy Mikes cresting hill 0273. If the lance is an infantry or battle armor platoon, communications will follow the same pattern. Infantry or battle armor squad formations find little need to distinguish between unit members, as the HUD will identify the broadcaster (squad member number) for each trooper. If multiple lances from the same company are cooperating in the field, communications are broadcast by lance designation and squad number. Example: Bravo One: “Active ping! We’ve got incoming artillery! Hug the ground people!” The most common situation will be when dealing with multiple units from different company formations within the same Cavalry unit. In these situations, communications will utilize company name, lance designation, and squad number. Example: Blackout Alpha One: “Roger Holocaust Alpha One. Finish off that Raijin and move to support Holocaust Alpha Two.” The most rare circumstances will be when members from different Cavalry units are working together. In these cases, a task force designation will be given to all such members, to avoid confused communications.
The chain of command in the Red Dawn is clear for all to see. Following a traditional military structure, a unit member is always expected to report directly to the next link in the chain of command. In cases of officers of the same rank, or in cases of battlefield losses, the most senior officer should assume immediate command, with a preference shown to Mechwarriors, then armor commanders, followed by aerospace pilots, and finally infantry members. This is not to show any degree of preferential treatment of one branch of service over the other, but simply an acknowledgement of the reality of the modern battlefield. BattleMechs offer more in the way of sensors, communications, and durability than any other unit currently fielded. The same is true down the line of command assumption during combat conditions. In the case of aerospace units, while they offer much the same tactical information as BattleMechs, these units are rarely able to commit to the small territories that often make up ground-based warfare.

[Jeff Hauze]

(Note: Obviously the links attached for pictures are very general ideas of the look of these characters. They should not be taken completely literally, and are used only for the purpose of providing an overview of the character’s physical appearance.)

Red Dawn Cavalry Member Profiles

Unit Command Cavalry’s Officers

Colonel Nicholai Kasperov
The Colonel is related to the Roberts family of FedSuns fame, though he kept his mother’s name after her tragic death on Wernke in the waning days of the FedCom Civil War. A graduate of the War College of Goshen, he spent two tours of duty with the 7th FedCom RCT on Wernke throughout the Civil War. Due to his actions during a fire raging out of control at a secondary spaceport (the same fire that killed his mother), he met Major Dante as well as receiving the Silver Sunburst for his actions to save the lives of both Lyran and Davion soldiers and civilians. A student of philosophy, military history and theory, as well as extensive strategic and tactical leadership training; the Colonel believes that there is a place for a military unit, both on and off the battlefield. His heritage, born of both the FedSuns and the St. Ives Compact, has led to an unusual outlook on life and warfare. Demons still haunt him from Wernke, as well as having the constant company of self-doubt that any young military commander holds. He has never let his ghosts slow him down though, even though he faces a daily battle with his own health. His immune system was weakened tremendously after the fire on Wernke, and his heavy cigarette habit and infrequent insomnia does not help the situation. Previously, he ran himself ragged dealing with the issues that commanding a unit bring about, but the recent addition of several qualified higher ranking officers to the unit has provided a great deal of support. This has allowed Kasperov to step back from some of his duties, and focus on his personal well-being. He even seems to have slowly gained a personal social life again, allowing himself to take part in life outside of military service. The Colonel stands about 5’10”, with an incredibly lean frame that would best be described as gaunt and haggard, weighing in at just less than 135 lbs. He looks a bit older than his actual age, appearing to be in his mid-30s, when he has just reached his 30th year. His dirty blond hair has recently lost its crew cut fashion, as he has taken to shaving his head and face completely, leaving only the barest of stubble on his scalp. His dark blue eyes compliment his pale complexion, clearly showing his mother’s roots in the Russian population of the St. Ives Compact.

http://www.stars-celebrites.com/bio/C/cassel.htm

(Top picture mostly)

Staff Sergeant Leto Shepard
Leto Shepard is another of the Colonel’s transplants from the Federated Suns military. Leto had been born and raised in the Crucis March, living in the heart of Davion space. He grew up on the tales of the noble Mechwarriors, but unfortunately did not grow up noble. With the Clan Invasion and the subsequent wars, the AFFS Mechwarrior corps soon became open to more than just the noble families of the Federated Suns. This blue-collar child followed the path his mind saw before him, taking the only path open to him. He passed the initial exams and qualified for a training battalion. Though he qualified as a Mechwarrior, he was always seen a second-class member of the military due to his non-academy background. Even at the start of the Civil War, Leto Shepard had been nothing more than an ideal NCO, quiet in his duty, and steadfast in his resolve to serve the Suns. He had also never yet heard of the Kasperov family name. In fact, he would have probably sat out the Civil War in the Crucis March guarding a series of supply depots, if it had not been for a Lyran commander. Archer Christifori brought his Archer’s Avengers through the FedSuns on a whirlwind tour, headed straight for New Avalon. He picked up replacement pilots along the way, from nominally Victor loyalists. An incorrectly marked flag in Shepard’s file (it should have stated that this soldier was completely ambivalent to the war, which was not true but still what his CO believed) showed Shepard as a Victor loyalist and a quality heavy Mech pilot. Christifori dragooned him into service of the Avengers and led this NCO to New Avalon. It was in this command that Shepard came alive. He showed a flair for combat and even excellent supporting skills at leadership and command. His actions and zeal reinforced the morale of the soldiers around him, never once wavering. In the aftermath of Katherine Steiner’s surrender, he watched a ceremony take place honoring Captain Kasperov with the Silver Sunburst. After discovering that the now-Colonel was forming a mercenary corps on Outreach some years later, he made his way to the halls of the MRBC with a signed letter from General Christifori himself. After reading the letter, the Colonel merely smiled, never having revealed what it said to this day, not even to Shepard. The Colonel signed him immediately, offering him a position in his own command lance as senior NCO. Leto shows his heritage in the Crucis March, holding a fair complexion, faded blue eyes, and sandy blond hair. His Franco-German roots show even more in his demeanor, as he is a man of few words and mysterious actions. He rarely explains his actions or his thoughts outside of combat, even his most recent actions of picking up the habit of smoking, supposedly done “for the Colonel.” In combat though, this hardy soldier of 27 is an absolute madman on the commnet, known for trash-talking his opponents as much to inspire courage in his allies as to cow his enemies. The only close friends that Shepard has are his former companions in Archer’s Avengers, whom he still communicates with on a regular basis.

http://www.imdb.com/gallery/granitz/448 ... t,%20Aaron

Sergeant Masako
For a change, the Red Dawn found someone with a simple story in Sergeant Masako. Having grown up on the street, this orphan only knew one name having never been given a surname that he could remember. The streets of Solaris City were his home until he was adopted at the age of eight by a small time stable owner. Throughout his childhood, he spent most of his time learning English, helping the technicians, and working on computers. In his early teen years, he tested for early aptitude as a Mechwarrior, and refused to follow any other course no matter what his adoptive father preferred. He finished his years as Mechwarrior apprentice, and began competing in the minor arenas outside of Solaris. He had also begun moonlighting as a surprisingly skilled DJ and mix master at a number of the clubs around the city. This dual lifestyle caught up with him though, when he failed spectacularly in his trial match for Centotaph Stables, due to his 18-hour marathon party the night before. When his adoptive father’s stable then suffered a number of setbacks, culminating in a rather suspicious fire that took his father’s life, Masako left Solaris and its grief behind. He arrived on Outreach, and his initial application for the Red Dawn raised a number of eyebrows. Once he was in a Mech though, his skill was readily apparent. According to the Colonel, he believes “the kid has talent. I’m just not sure if it is in a club or a Mech yet.” Following his rather inauspicious beginnings in the mercenary life, Masako has tamed a bit. His Korean heritage is readily apparent, and his usually dark hair seems to have few less neon colors in it these days. The large amount of electronic devices, jewelry, and other accessories has also fallen to a manageable level, as well as his nightlife coming under control since joining the unit. He has never really appeared to grow into his frame though, presenting only a 5’6”, 120 lbs frame. He keeps it in excellent shape and is surprisingly agile, but he’ll never win a bench press contest. Unlike nearly everyone else in the unit, Masako has never had any formal military training and is also only 19 years of age.

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Sergeant Rolf Lucas Espian
The darkest concentrate of hatred was made manifest and given a physical form named Rolf Espian. Espian grew up on the world of New Capetown in the Lyran Alliance, a world that resembled Johannesburg, South Africa, in early Terran history. New Capetown has long been torn apart by racial violence, pitting the largely Dutch/German population against the equally populous African groups. Rolf’s father was killed in one of those very riots, and his younger sister was crippled for life. Following his father’s footsteps, Rolf became a foot soldier in the Army of Man, one of the more violent white supremacy groups on New Capetown. Even after he joined the Lyran military as a Mechwarrior, he continued his membership. Though it has never been officially proven, it is believed he participated in a number of terrorist actions that led to the death of at least six people and wounded dozens more. After seeing the horror the FedCom Civil War inflicted on his beloved home, his narrow worldview fell apart. People had no choice but to work together to rebuild, and started to slowly find some kind of common ground. When his former friends in the Army of Man wanted him to get them some military grade explosives to bomb a children’s shelter, he finally crossed a line that he hasn’t stepped back from yet. Beaten and left for dead by his former friends, Rolf took over a year to recover full capacity and worked with a police sting operation to bring down the leadership of his cell as well as several others. In that firefight, Rolf’s former cellmates were killed to a man, as well as the leadership of three other cells. Hundreds of weapons were confiscated, and the Army of Man suffered a crippling blow to its actions on New Capetown. For his own safety though, Rolf was discharged from the Lyran military and made his way to Outreach before finding the Red Dawn. He frankly and truthfully explained his past to the Colonel and was then offered a place inside the unit. His slow redemption and reintegration into life outside his hatred continues to this day. Rolf (Lucas to his friends, who are few, but growing) is an extremely lethal and tormented looking man. His body was honed to near perfection, both as terrorist operative and recovering from his near lethal beating at the hands of his former cellmates. He suffered a number of scars across his body from that attack, and his body has been largely covered with a number of brands, tattoos, subdermal coloring and other body modification in his early years. Most of these are of course linked to his time with the Army of Man and its own mythology. Some have since been added once his path to redemption began. Lucas stands 6’1”, and has a densely packed frame of 180 lbs. His head is often shaved, has blue eyes, and no longer feels the strong need to keep his scarred and marked body covered when in the company of his close friends. In public or in new places…that is an entirely different story.

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Lieutenant Jin Ke
Once again, the unit found someone with a largely simple background in Lieutenant Ke. Jin Ke was born on St. Ives to a noble family that had long supported Candice Allard-Liao and her rebellious St. Ives Compact. From birth, Jin knew that he wanted to follow in the tradition of Kai Allard-Liao and become a Mechwarrior for the glory of the Capellan people. Unfortunately, attending the St. Ives Academy in the post-Capellan Civil War era, he discovered that St. Ives no longer needed any heroes of independence. The dashing rebels of years past had slowly become the signposts of the pan-Capellan integration of the two states. Disgusted with what he saw around him, he finished his education, and using his parent’s connections, he never served his required tour of duty. He took his skills and training into the mercenary market, quickly honing in on the Red Dawn and their leader with a background in the fiercely independent St. Ives Compact. Jin Ke shows his Chinese heritage with pride, holding about average height and weight for a military man. His true skill comes in his growing aptitude at tactical leadership and strategic planning.

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Sergeant Sung Kang
Anything but simple, Sung Kang’s life would probably make a good Tri-D action movie of the week. Growing up as a Sarna March native, still technically a Federated Suns citizen; he was part of a family of fourteen living below poverty level on Sarna. Scrounging together what money the family could, they sent young Sung to live with relatives on Acamar. Unfortunately the relatives had died while Sung was in transit, and he had no way to return. He spent several years living on the street until local social services found placement for him as well as getting him into a regular school environment. Excelling in high school, and feeling a sense of duty to the police officer and his family who had provided him a home, he enrolled in the police academy. He ended up excelling in the tactical operations field, and was hired on by a neighboring world for his skills in that field, as well as his linguistic abilities. He quickly worked his way to a team leader, and was influential in several major busts against that world’s Tongs. He even was credited for his quick and safe resolution of a tense hostage situation in a metropolitan theater complex, managing to subdue the suspect with nonlethal methods. However, his true test as an officer came when he agreed to go under cover several months later. After months of setting up his subsequent fall out with the police department, drug addiction, and turn to the criminal lifestyle…he made contact. Over the next two years he worked his way up to the place of primary field commander for all of the Tong’s soldiers. In an awe-inspiring raid, he coordinated the tactical forces from outside while also engaging in a close quarters battle with Tong’s highest ranking members and their security. Though a number of them were killed, most of the Tong was intact, and their related operations and enterprises were quickly shut down. For his own safety, Sung was sent off planet as quickly as possible, and granted a new identity. He was also granted a scholarship to any military academy of his choice by a grateful governor for his dedication and impressive work. Upon entering the OMTC, he discovered that his original plan to enter the armored infantry MOS was incorrect. His highest test scores were for aptitude as a Mechwarrior. Accepting his new career path, and needing a break from the intense strain of deep cover work, he completed his course work and has since signed on with the Red Dawn. On a good note, Sung has finally received word that the last of the Triad leadership have been since executed, which should leave him needing to look over his shoulder far less often. Sung is 5’10”, and holds a well-maintained physique of 160 lbs, with his Korean heritage easily noticed. He is fluent in at least three languages and holds an impressive number of certifications in investigative work, tactical operations, and counter-terrorism training.

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Sergeants Luis and Juan Rosado
Simple may not be the best word to describe the Rosado twins. Perhaps it would be colorful. The identical twins were born in the Federated Suns Outback, born into the rough lifestyle of ranch hands and farmers. According to them, they were raised in the “proper fashion any country boy should be.” Beyond that, they generally only reveal a few more bits and pieces of what that means exactly when telling wild stories while heavily inebriated. In truth though, they are excellent physical specimens, devoted soldiers, and Mechwarriors with a strong basis in the fundamentals. They can repair their ride, scrounge for parts, hit the bar, raise some hell, win a bar fight, and still be back in time for dinner. At least according to them. Nearly impossible to tell apart, they typically distinguish themselves by generally wearing a difference in headgear (Juan prefers headbands; Luis prefers some type of hat or cap). Of course this is only to their advantage for practical mischief as it is easily reversed to confuse people. Their previous commander in their training battalion had this to say about them. “They’ll get you in heaps of trouble. And they’re strong enough, stupid enough, and skilled enough to get you back out again.” Physically, their Latino heritage has bred true in rural fashion, developing two overdeveloped farm boys with a knack at dozens of skills…all of which lead to trouble.

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Lieutenant Yuri Kutsenko
Yuri Kutsenko was born an Outworlds Alliance pilot. Regardless of his current mercenary affiliation, he will die an Outworlds Alliance pilot. He and his wingman, Sergeant Anton Martynov, have known each other since birth and will likely be flying beside each other until they both die in a fiery crash. At first glance, you might expect that they were born of the Clan’s aerospace pilot phenotype, since both men seem genetically predisposed to be fightercraft pilots. Their small and shortened frames seem at odds with their Russian heritage, but make them extremely well suited to the zero-G aspects of aerospace combat. The Kutsenko family was a career military family of the Capellan Confederation, but a family that fled the CapCon during Romano Liao’s brutal purges. They moved onto the Outworlds Alliance, in hopes that their military skills would be of use to this growing second-class Periphery nation. Yuri’s father served in the armor corps of the Outworlds Alliance, largely always seen as a second-class soldier and officer, due to both his former affiliation and his branch of service. However, his third son, Yuri (born rather late in his father’s lifetime) would go on to show why the Kutsenko name has always been tied to military service. Yuri graduated from Columbia Academy in the Outworlds Alliance, having served there at the same time as Captain Michelle Hiroko. As his nation’s growing relationship with Clan Snow Raven blossomed, so did Yuri’s disgust. Finally, seeing no choice left to him, he took his skills and his life-long friend (and wingman) into mercenary service. The duo initially served with the aerospace arm of the 3rd Dismal Disinherited, but found that the unit never fully accepted them due to their former Capellan backgrounds. After two tours with the Disinherited, the pair put themselves on the open market. Since joining the Red Dawn, they have been rather impressed with the unit so far, and believe they may have finally found a new home. The hearts of this pair will always belong to the Alliance; though they will not return until the bastard children of Kerensky have left their homeland’s space. Yuri stands at only 5’6”, 130 lbs, keeping a military trim at all times. He has more genetic basis in Estonia or Latvia, having dark eyes and extremely dark hair. He is a consummate professional and his somewhat icy Russian demeanor has not often allowed him to make friends easily. Most often, he and Anton keep to themselves, speaking only Russian as often as possible. Though this isolates both men from their fellow soldiers, their love of deep space flight has always kept them as loners among a society of loners.

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Sergeant Anton Martynov
Much of Anton’s story is told by hearing Yuri’s story. The part that is unknown though is probably the most interesting. Throughout the last 250 years, a Martynov and Kutsenko have always served side by side in some branch of military service (primarily BattleMechs). One of the families’ have always had a son or daughter as a commanding officer with the other family serving as the loyal enlisted counterpart. In this current generation, Anton serves as the enlisted counterpart, playing wingman to his “brother” Yuri. These two families are so intertwined and so close (though never having married into each other, oddly enough) that any story told by one man involves the other. Following his commander into mercenary service, he seems rather ambivalent towards service with the Red Dawn. However, a Kutsenko has come to this unit and a Martynov will follow. Like Yuri, Anton shows off his less traditional Estonian heritage, having a fairly pale complexion with dark colored hair and yes. He stands slightly taller than Yuri at 5’8”, as well as being slightly more portly at 150 lbs.

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Captain Gracie “Mako” Hou
Most people think that being the child of nobility is an easy gig. Most people would be wrong. Gracie Hou (named after an ancient Terran actress in old flat-vid entertainment productions) was born the bastard daughter of Baron Men Hou of Elgin. Born to the Baron well after his 60th year, he cared for this daughter as much as his sense of propriety would allow. She seemed more suited to the activities that befitted a son, not a daughter. Upon reaching her majority age, the Baron paid for her to attend a regional training center for the Free Worlds League Military, training in cavalry, armor, and infantry tactics. She spent six years training, and returned to Elgin, serving as the commander of the militia unit that protected the capital city of Mai-Lao. This allowed the Baron to continue to look after his daughter, while still keeping her at a distance as his Han heritage dictated. When civil war came to Elgin, brought on by the manipulations of Prime Minister Herman and his Word of Blake allies, she stayed with her father until the final hours. She carried out his final instructions, leading a shortened combined arms battalion into service with the Red Dawn Cavalry (the only unit the Baron felt that showed any sense of duty and honor in the conflict, even though the mercenaries were on the opposing side due to their contractual obligations). She brought two companies with her, one each of armor and infantry, as well as two DropShips and a large number of civilian dependents. While Colonel Kasperov only required that the former Mai-Lao militia members serve one year of service, the Captain and her troops have signed four year contracts in a show of trust for their new unit. They have even pledged the DropShips to the unit legally, much to the surprise of the unit’s command staff. Captain Hou (known as Mako among her troops, and only Gracie to her closest friends) has suffered much in the past year, losing the only family she has known in her life. She has not let this slow her down though. She stands 5’5”, but holds a well-built frame due to her military background. Until recently, her hair was a wild mess of curls and tangles, only adding to her “wild child” status. She has recently taken to keeping her hair pulled tight and functional in a fashion more common to the women of her culture. She has rarely dressed the part of a conservative Han military officer, preferring to buck many of the traditional conventions that culture holds in importance. She looks older than her 25 years, but rumors of a vicious battle with several illegal substances during her military training may explain some of that.

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Captain Enoch Dicomo
Enoch was an orphan of some of the earliest Triad wars in the capital city of Mai-Lao. His family was killed just after his birth. He lived his earliest years as a servant to several different Tongs, but ended up being saved from a life on the streets by Baron Men Hou. The Baron organized a strong police and military force that struck a death blow to the Tongs, and he took pity on the young boy found working in of the gambling parlors. He took the boy as a member of his noble house and assigned the boy’s education to his gwai-lo security advisor, Captain Vincent Dicomo. His early years were spent learning the finer points of being an infantry trooper, as well as personnel security and counter-terrorism tactics. While he has never been formally trained as a infantry trooper, the well-rounded lessons of his adoptive father have made up for any perceived lack of training. Enoch was slightly older than the Baron’s daughter, but the two were close as they grew up. When Gracie returned from military training in the Free Worlds League, then Lieutenant Dicomo requested an immediate transfer to Mako’s unit. The two have been close ever since, often with Enoch playing the role of a protective elder sibling. When Captain Hou led her people out of the fiery destruction of the Elgin Civil War, now Captain Dicomo of course followed his commanding officer and close friend. He shows a strong Han heritage in his looks, though his given name from his adoptive father confuses many strangers. He is slim for an infantry trooper, but his physique is extremely well-maintained. Also unusual for people of his culture, he stands a surprising 6’0”, and commonly sports short hair and a goatee.

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1st Cavalry’s Officers

Major Leo Dante
Major Leo Dante was born a street urchin, a war orphan of the Clan Invasion of the Tamar region of the Lyran Alliance. He survived this life, and managed to build himself a hardened physique that earned him the attention of a local retired Lyran Mechwarrior. After completing his training at the Pandora College of Military Science, he served two tours with the Lyran Alliance Armed Forces. His second tour landed him on Wernke, where he eventually met the Colonel. So impressed with this young officer, he agreed to follow Kasperov into a tour of service with the Star League Defense Force. A brutal hunt for a group of terrorists calling themselves Manei Domini began during this tour. After tearing a bloody swath through the worlds of the Chaos March, four cells of the organization were destroyed on Terra Firma by the two men and their fellow SLDF soldiers. When Kasperov decided to move into the mercenary life, Leo naturally followed this man he had grown to trust and admire. His jovial personality and Teutonic looks draw attention, leading many to falsely believe him to be nothing more than an overgrown class clown. He doesn’t dismiss this attitude, using people’s underestimation to his advantage. The Major stands 6’3”, a well-built 220 lbs, with a clean-shaven head and pale blond goatee and mustache. He is the same age as the commander, though life hasn’t prematurely aged his looks like the Colonel. Unlike his commanding officer, Dante is the picture of health, never overzealous in any of his vices.

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Captain Lyndsey Reinstadt
Captain Lyndsey Reinstadt is an oddity to behold. Born and raised amongst the Periphery, largely spending time with whatever mercenary unit his mother was working for that month, he was raised in the rough and tumble life of a mercenary brat in the wild Periphery. The unusual sense of civic duty and responsibility to humanity that seems to arise more commonly in the Periphery bred true in this man. He eventually scrapped together enough money to finish a crash course in the usage of a BattleMech and began to work on his own. He eventually landed a job with the Black Omen, leaving the Periphery for greener pastures. After surviving the hell that this unit endured during the Ghost Bear – Combine war, the Captain cashiered out of his contract and took his Mech and a few other soldiers back into the Periphery. Forming the Stone Ponies mercenary command, the Captain and his unit members began to show that mercenaries could still be financially solvent while providing more to the places they called home than simply military service. This eventually brought him to the attention of Chief Administrator Theodore Halas of the Red Dawn, who made him an as yet unknown offer to join the unit. Bringing all of his personnel to Outreach, the Captain has started a new life in the Chaos March, hoping to bring the same type of civic-minded service he brought to the backwater worlds of the Periphery. The Captain is easily recognizable in a crowd. He stands 6’1”, approximately 180 lbs, with a scraggly mess of salt and pepper hair on his head. Life has worn hard on the Captain, leaving him looking closer to 40 than 30. What makes him stand apart is his style. He is never found outside of his Mech without his trademark dusty and worn over-sized Stetson hat, his incredibly large, dark sunglasses, and his battered riding boots. The visual look of a backwater ranch hand is completed with the bushy soup catcher mustache and the constant sound and sight of chewing tobacco. His hands are typically always busy with his always present large blade knife, usually whittling away at one piece of debris or another.

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Captain Paulie Bonasera
Captain Paulie Bonasera is an example of how the interstellar spread of humanity has created a few unusual circumstances. The Bonasera family grew up in the rural parts of Sicily, and only left Terra at the start of the 31st Century. His family (with his father as only a very, very young child) made the mistake of paying a rather shifty captain to transport them to what they thought was a new colony in Federated Suns space. One of the cousins of the family had set up quite a profitable business on that world called Filtevelt, and was waiting for the rest of the family to arrive. However, instead, the family was left on a world run by a Japanese overlord and filled with Japanese criminals and Swedish frontiersmen. Confused by their new countrymen, and bewildered at their situation, this largely peasant like clan of Sicilians found themselves sold as slaves to a Kuritan Warlord. His grandfather and the rest of the family had faced such circumstances before. Sicily is a hard land to be born upon, and its people have grown harder as a result. The family bent, but never broke. Slowly working with the growing resistance and insurgent movement through the Rasalhague Prefecture, the family taught a few new tricks to some of the formative members of the Tyr movement. Their cultural heritage of struggle against all authorities and fascination with banditry and criminal syndicates proved very useful to the early stages of the Tyr resistance. Though the Bonasera family never took an active role in the fight for independence, they were always there behind the scenes, putting the Tyr leaders in contact with the Lyran government, organizing arms depots, even training soldiers and civilians alike in insurgency skills and cell structures. It has become legend that a Bonasera trained cell has never been broken during interrogation, no matter what the devices used or the methods employed.
Unfortunately, this kind of mentality did not breed true in Paulie. He showed an interest in the military, in the arts of warfare, but never the kind of criminal warfare that the Bonasera clan pr. Their interests had led them to become a minor smuggling and hijacking criminal syndicate, discreetly sponsored by the FRR government during its early, lean years. They worked as unofficial privateers and smugglers, making quite a bit of money for themselves. As Paulie’s father, Don Bonasera, had guessed, his son would never become involved in the business. Showing a near prescience for the future, the Don had his son sent out into the world in 3048. Paulie learned the art of cavalry warfare among his cousin’s people in the Federated Suns, and eventually went into the mercenary market as an officer. He learned of his family’s near destruction and scattering, as the Clans captured Rasalhague. To this day, as he learned to become a truly gifted cavalry officer, he often wonders if the old customs of Sicily were right, if the Dons truly did swindle a deal from God to predict the future. It has always been said that La Familia could even swindle Death itself. This may very well be true, if the rumors of a growing syndicate on Rasalhague are to be believed; a syndicate that bears the Bonasera family’s crest. Paulie himself stands 5’9”, 160 lbs, with a dark olive complexion, with the dark hair of his ancestry. He is 40 years of age, but possess a very refined and well-defined military physique of a man many years his junior. His eyes and demeanor show a very quiet sort of power, the kind that can seem terrifying in its capacity. As every male in his family has been, he is an excellent cook and host, skilled in the proper Sicilian method of greeting a guest.

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Captain Reginald Mueller
Captain Reginald Mueller terrifies people. That’s the truth, and he’s sticking to it. The man with little to no known background has finally agreed to release some information on his past. His family can trace its heritage back to the original Star League, specifically to the western part of the European continent on Terra. His family was originally a part of the Seventy-seventh Special Operations Group, part of the Star League’s Special Armed Services. These were the SLDF’s premier covert operations teams and anti-terrorist organization. This particular SOG began operating in the Taurian Concordat, and after the Amaris coup, eventually became the mercenary unit known today as the Blackhearts. The Captain and his family have stayed within that unit ever since. He is the first member of his familial line to choose service outside of the Blackhearts. He made his way to Outreach and trained at the Outreach Mercenary Training Command in both the SpecOps and battle armor infantry fields. He served a tour of duty with Snord’s Irregulars, fighting against the Clans. His second tour of duty was with the SLDF, working as part of the Fury teams in the St. Ives and Chaos March regions His final tour of duty before joining the Red Dawn he has still refused to comment on, citing that those operations are still classified. In or out of his battle armor suit, this is a man who is a living representation of lethality. His huge frame and massive physique hide an amazing stamina and agility, all of which hides an incredibly sharp mind well versed in all areas of the SpecOps field. Mueller stands roughly 6’7” and weighs in at nearly 350 lbs. His skin is weatherworn and marked with a multitude of scars, though his own tattoo of the Blackhearts emblem is not hidden behind his body’s combat badges. He keeps his dark hair kept short and functional, attributing even more to his look of constant military preparation and functionality.

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Captain Paul Jensen
Ace. Elite. Flying god. These are the terms that haunt aero jocks, keeping them awake at night, as they wonder if they will live to attain that status. Paul Jensen doesn’t wonder about these things. He knows that he will attain them, or die in the process. His ego is not overbearing, nor his mannerisms foolishly boastful. He simply does not allow any other thought to come into his mind when flying. He will lead his people to become aces, or die. There is no other option. Where and how the Captain attained his piloting skills is something he doesn’t discuss, and ignores the questions that anyone may ask. He has a solid reputation on Outreach, and came on board there. He’s made a huge impression on his squadron already, though few understand has this man of few words and even fewer emotions can be so well loved by his people in such a short time. Whether it is a nape of the earth strafing run, deep space recon flights, or DropShip escort duty, Jensen seems to have seen and done it all. He also has the leadership and tactical skills to make sure his pilots can do it all as well. The Captain is of African ancestry, and his body type fits his status as a pilot. He stands 5’8” and about 160 lbs. He keeps his hair braided and pulled back along his head in cornrows more often than not.

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Admiral Jason Argot
The Admiral commands the Red Dawn’s DropShip fleet and is the captain of the Sleipnir-class Stone Pony. Whatever else can be said about Argot, he’s certainly led an interesting life. He graduated as a DropShip pilot from the Lloyd Marik-Stanley Aerospace School in the Free Worlds League and served one tour of duty with the FWLM. Frustrated with the lack of action in service to his country, he did not renew his service and stumbled around the Periphery for months until meeting a fellow DropShip captain who specialized in deep Periphery lostech expeditions and salvage recovery. How exactly this trio (the DropShip captain’s wife, Captain Leelu Willis) stumbled onto information about a rumored SLDF naval decommissioning site is still unclear. The results of their expedition are clear however. After a brutal fight with several pirate vessels trying to take the same haul, Captain Stephen Willis was killed when the bridge of his Intruder class DropShip lost hull integrity. The survivors of the exploratory fleet called upon ComStar for assistance to salvage the fleet, trading away the majority of the JumpShips found there in compensation. Captain Leelu Willis, Stephen’s widow, and Captain Jason Argot managed to come out with quite a haul, eventually selling off some of the fleet to the new Star League in exchange for a pair of upgraded Fortress class vessels, time in the Rune shipyards for modifications, and a contract with the SLDF. The rest of the fleet was put into service as merchant vessels and military transport vessels for hire. The Admiral met the Colonel during his time with the SLDF, as they both served as part of the same task force in the Chaos March. Argot was looking for something to latch onto after the death of his close friend, Stephen, and the ideals that Kasperov talked about appealed to him. He followed the Colonel to Outreach, and signed on with the unit, bringing his close friend Captain Willis with him. Eventually, after the Sheratan contract, the two Captains traded the rest of their military transport vessels away to the SLDF, replacing the two modified Fortresses with two new Sleipnir designs. While the Admiral initially came off as hesitant and a bit lacking in the guts department, Lothan changed all that. He saw what DropShips can do, and the sacrifice the Meduseans provided to the task force. Since then, his demeanor has changed and his confidence and ability as a naval commander have begun to grow. Whatever the future holds for Argot, he has tied his fate in with the fate of the Red Dawn. The Admiral suffered some serious wounds to his face during the battle in the Deep Periphery, and his reconstructive surgery left him with some weakness of his facial muscles. Because of that issue, his own emotions are not strongly displayed like other people, and he suffers some facial ticks and minor paralysis. Life in space has been rough on the Admiral, and he shows more than a few liver spots from a previous heavy drinking habit. He shows his 35 years more as 45 and the challenges of his life have not been kind to his formerly cherubic looks. He stands about 5’11” and presents a bony and worn figure at 145 lbs. His blue eyes have begun to shine again with a renewed light, but the face that surrounds them shows the hard years he’s suffered through.

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Captain Dean Palafox
The Captain was a former member of Brock’s Buccaneers, commanding the Union-class Cornflower Blue. His history is simple enough. He spent most of his years among the Marian Hegemony, learning his trade there, and working his way up through the naval ranks. Shortly after he became a Captain of his own vessel, he took on some known rogue mercenaries as cargo. He waited until they were settled in, and dialed down the life support in their rooms, quickly putting the whole bandit crew out cold. He and his crew members then secured the bandits and began making the long trip to Outreach. After turning in the bandits and their equipment to the MRBC authorities, they used their reward as well as some amazing negotiation skills to parlay those resources into the purchase of an upgraded Union-class DropShip. Meeting Keith Brock around this same time, he agreed to sign on with the Major and eventually stayed for the duration. When the Buccaneers joined with the Red Dawn, he and his crew followed the Major. Though he continually grumbles about the “bad luck” inherited by changing the name of a vessel, he handles the newly named Fallen Gods with the same grace and skill he showed with the Cornflower Blue. He was genuinely surprised and pleased when the Colonel announced that he would use Captain Palafox’s vessel as the unit command ship. He has little experience in multi-ship coordination, so even though he has nearly ten years on the Admiral, he defers to Argot on the overall naval strategy. Dean stands about 5’7”, with a slowly growing pouch as the years go by. He has a lean, hawkish look to his face, and rarely appears without at least two days worth of stubble. His beak like nose and sharp features give him a bit of a cold visual appearance, and his quiet demeanor doesn’t really help him make close connections easily. However, he’s well skilled as a ship’s Captain, his crew trusts him implicitly, and he has adapted well to life with the Red Dawn.

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2nd Cavalry’s Officers

Major Keith Brock
Major Keith Brock is the former unit commander of Brock’s Buccaneers, a mercenary command that was formed shortly after the Fed Com Civil War. His Buccaneers made quite an impression themselves when they were first formed, known for several daring and highly successful raids throughout the Terran March. Unfortunately, a long-term garrison contract led to the unit being subjected to the “company store” tactic while in the employ of the Marian Hegemony. He managed to present a deal to Colonel Kasperov, fusing his unit with the Red Dawn Cavalry. The Colonel used the funds available from the recent sale of his Clantech salvage to clear the remaining financial obligations that Brock’s unit had with the Marian Hegemony. Brock himself is a graduate of the prestigious Nagelring, and earned high marks as an “intuitive” tactician. Brock is a scion of Alcor’s ruling family, and holds more than a few friends in LAAF from his days as an officer. He has made his mark as a highly skilled officer, especially when dealing with long-range raids and mobile offensive maneuvers. However, he began to doubt himself after losing a full lance of Mechwarriors during a raid against the Capellan world Tikonov. The egotistical John Kendel was among those losses. His place in the Red Dawn is well-earned and the unique style of the unit and familial atmosphere has started the Major on the path of rebuilding his shattered confidence. Major Brock seems to exemplify the cool distance Lyran nobility typically maintains between themselves and others, but he has a far more relaxed attitude than his fellow countrymen. He is simply a person who takes some time to allow themselves to form a bond with the people around them, not suffering from the arrogant superiority that many Lyrans hold towards the rest of humanity. His looks contribute to that distance, as he keeps his appearance particularly polished. His physical appearance contributes to that same atmosphere as well, due to his sharp facial features and tall, lean frame. He definitely follows the idea of “the body is a temple”; showing no known vices, save for the occasional brandy on a cold night. He stands 6’4”, weighing in at just under 200 lbs. He keeps his dark hair cut short, as well as keeping his facial hair well-groomed. If nothing else, no one has ever mistaken Major Brock for anything other than Lyran.

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Captain Keith Bingham
Probably the most unusual amongst the Red Dawn’s officer corps, Captain Bingham would seem to be best suited to serving on a university’s staff rather than a mercenary unit. Keith Bingham was an old friend of Major Brock’s, having known him since his time at the Nagelring. Captain Bingham was a postgraduate student at Tharkad University, and was completing work on his two PhDs when he met the Major. Fascinated by the military life, he eventually followed the Major into the mercenary life. Due to his keen intellect and excellent training skills, the Major made Dr. Bingham his XO, and slowly molded him into a Mechwarrior. It wasn’t until the defeat on Tikonov that Captain Bingham began to take his role as an officer seriously. He began a serious training regimen for both his combat skills as well as his strategic and tactical leadership abilities. While most of his studies have been book-based with little actual application of his knowledge, the Captain devours information at an amazing rate. The true test of Captain Bingham’s newfound lease on his military career will come soon enough. What is clear about the Doctor though is his amazing capacity for information. He graduated Tharkad University summa cum laude with two PhDs, one in biology and the other in physics, graduating even a year earlier than expected for a double major doctoral student. He is also quite the skilled photographer, in a wide variety of styles, which has proven useful in recon situations for the former Buccaneers. The Captain presents the expected figure for a bookworm. He is a bit older than the Major, but shows his 44 years well due his recent heavy training cycle. He stands 5’1” and weighs in at 160 lbs. His hair is prematurely grey, and the bookworm look is completed by the constant presence of his small reading glasses whenever he is out of combat conditions.

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Captain Archie Crossin
Captain Crossin holds a sort of revered status amongst the unit. He is the only member of the unit that was born on Terra. No matter how big the Sphere becomes, people always have some sort of reverence towards the birthplace of humanity. Captain Crossin is a member of the Blackrock (Cherokee) tribe from the North American continent of Terra, though you wouldn’t know it from his name. His parents insisted on a non-tribal name, and both were employed in the technical trade fields. He grew up largely without any military presence in his life, and was on a path to become an educator until the Word of Blake conquest of Terra. A Blakist DropShip was badly damaged during atmospheric entry, and crashed into the town that Archie called home. The majority of his tribe was wiped out, and Archie quickly applied for emigration status with the Word of Blake. As soon as he was granted the ability to leave Terra, he made his way to Outreach and never looked back. He trained at the Outreach Mercenary Training Command, and had originally hoped to be a Mechwarrior. Unfortunately, his family possessed some hereditary cerebral cortex irregularities that forced him to take a job that did not require use of a neurohelmet. He had no interest in training as an infantry soldier, so he followed the path of an armor crewman. His aptitude for the profession was quickly made apparent, and he graduated early. He went on to serve several tours primarily in the Chaos March, and saw a heavy amount of combat both during and after the FedCom Civil War. His skills as an officer are all self-taught, but he throws himself into his profession as wholeheartedly as did when he was training to become a teacher. Due to the events of his past, Captain Crossin holds little but ill will for both ComStar and Word of Blake. He has finally begun to accept individual people associated with either organization, but only as he grows closer to them. When looking at either group as a whole, the Captain’s face quickly begins to show the anger and pain that these two groups caused him unknowingly. This has lead to the Captain doing his utmost to minimize the damage that his actions as a soldier cause to the lives of the citizens around him. He has also taken wholeheartedly to the reforms that Captain Reinstadt and the other Stone Ponies brought with them, especially in regards to civil service works. The Captain is striking in person, standing about 6’1” and weighing in at 175 lbs. He keeps himself in excellent health, as well as priding himself on his traditional hairstyle. He keeps his dark hair long, tying it back and braiding it as necessary when in combat. His hair is often decorated with more than a few pieces of nature from whatever planet he is currently on. Like many of his tribe, facial hair is not extremely dense, giving his face a somewhat immature look that belies his 32 years of age.

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Captain Matthew Deschain
Every unit has one. The quiet warrior with lethal experience. The mysterious stranger that can bring a town to its knees. The gunslinger. The name doesn’t matter, but the results do. Captain Deschain has a history he doesn’t talk about, and a background he won’t have questioned. “Tall, dark, and scary” is a common phrase muttered about him when he isn’t within earshot. For all the whispered rumors, Captain Deschain isn’t a rampaging marauder. He is an effective commander who inspires fanatical loyalty among his troopers. There are few details that the Captain has revealed about his life prior to joining the unit. It is known that Deschain spent several years on Terra, as well as throughout the worlds of the Chaos March. He has referenced being imprisoned at one time, as well as making possible references to serving as a law enforcement officer. Many in the unit question why the Colonel would hire someone with such a checkered past. The Colonel has answered that question with the same answer every time. “Because he fits.” For all the darkness and fear he may inspire in people around him, we sometimes see something else behind the killer. When he picks up his acoustic guitar, Deschain shows that he is not entirely a monster, just perhaps a lost soul. The Captain stands about 6’2” and weighs in around 175 lbs. At his most relaxed, he’ll be seen out of uniform, trading off the uniform for a pair of ancient riding boots and leather duster. He even goes wild with the rare Stetson or bandana. No matter the circumstances though, you will never see the Captain without at least one blade and one pistol of one sort or another.

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Captain Michele Hiroko
Wild child, hellion, socially disturbed. If you didn’t know Hiroko, you might believe these descriptions are true when applied to her. The Captain was raised in the Magistracy of Canopus, spending her childhood among the stars. Her parents were traders, serving one of the Mac’s merchant houses. She was instructed heavily in her Chinese heritage, learning both the language of trade (English) and her family’s native tongue (Mandarin). Following the natural path laid out before her, she attended Columbia Academy in the Outworlds Alliance. She returned to Canopus, serving one tour of duty with the MAF. Disgusted with some of the deepening ties between the Magistracy and the Capellan Confederation, she journeyed to the Inner Sphere and joined the SLDF. She wanted to judge this new Star League with her own eyes. She served her tour of duty inside the Chaos March, working with the Colonel to combat the plague of the Manei Domini. She was impressed with the style of leadership the Colonel offered, and followed him into mercenary life. Rumors abound though that she was asked to leave the SLDF, due to her “unpredictable combat reliability.” She has made quite a name for herself in her wild antics both on and off the field of combat. She can calmly order her fellow pilots into some crazy formation, appearing to be completely cool and levelheaded as she breaks every traditional rule of aerial dog fighting. On the other hand, an order for a standard maneuver can be accompanied by the shrieking lyrics of some rock music of a lost Terran band. Hiroko isn’t some enigma wrapped in a mystery. She lives life to the fullest and loudest, while still appreciating the quiet before the storm and never allows herself to be classified or “figured out.” Hiroko’s wild personality is certainly a small amount of overcompensation for her lack of physical presence. She stands only 5’1”, and weighing in at just over 100 lbs. Her form is incredibly lean, and definitely doesn’t confirm to the “hourglass” figure that seems so popular among the female side of humanity. Her hair hangs about to her shoulders, often either tied up or pinned up, and when out in public often sports red streaks through her very dark hair. She also has no issues using extensions, incredibly revealing clothes, and additional jewelry…anything that will fit the look she is going for that day. Like many of her fellow Canopians, her inhibitions and morality seem non-existent to other citizens of the Sphere.

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Captain Leelu Willis
Probably the most normal story of the unit, Captain Willis was born and raised in the Periphery. She spent most of her life as a slave on Astrokazy. Eventually, she was bought from slavery by Captain Stephen Willis and granted her first taste of freedom. She worked as a crewmember for the Captain, and within the next three years, her natural aptitude for naval skills allowed her to rise through the ranks quickly. She became the XO for Captain Willis’ vessel, and over the next four years, she became romantically involved and eventually married Captain Willis. She was well-liked by her crew, and the crew always respected the risks the Captain took to free her from slavery. As their relationship developed, it was clear to Captain Stephen that Leelu loved him as a savior, not a husband. He never thought less of her for it, even as he died. He had seen the glances that Leelu and Jason had exchanged, at the growing bond between the two. He was nearly two decades older than his bride, and he knew that his time was limited due to his failing health. When the pirate fleet breached the hull around the bridge of his DropShip, he bodily threw Leelu and Jason out of the room and sealed the chamber. He smiled at the two and was then sucked into the blackness of space, returning to his home in the heavens. Since that time, Leelu has followed his example, and become a Captain that her crew not only trusts but respects. She wants to pursue the relationship that is possible with Jason, but the Admiral still hasn’t dealt with his own issues surrounding the loss of his friend. In all that she has seen, Leelu has never found a home until she joined the Red Dawn. Her life experiences have taught her the value of the Colonel’s ideals, and she is determined to prove her worth to the unit. She will carry forth the legacy that Stephen left her, never faltering in her own journey through the stars. The Captain stands 5’5”, weighing in at 130 lbs, and her African heritage is easily seen by all. She presents a figure that looks at home in the void of space, an ebony figure with long tribal braids leading a vessel across the gulf that divides humanity.

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Doctor (Lieutenant, honorary) Victoria Timmons
Doctor Timmons is the outsider in the unit. She doesn’t believe in the Colonel’s vision for the unit, nor does she agree with the life of a soldier let alone a mercenary. Without knowing her family’s history, it would seem that she has absolutely reason to stay with the unit. The Timmons family is linked with the Roberts family. In fact, a Timmons has served with a Roberts for the last six generations. Due to this tradition and the Colonel’s mother, the Doctor followed Kasperov into mercenary life after serving in the medical corps on Wernke. She studied her trade at the New Avalon Institute of Science and served out her term of service to the AFFS as a doctor in the medical corps, allowing her to eliminate her student loans. She ended up on Wernke, and saw the horror of the Civil War there. She knew the Colonel and his family, as her father had served with Michael Roberts (Nicholai’s father) as his executive officer. She spent quite a bit of time working with Alissa Kasperov (Nicholai’s mother) on Wernke, and was the first medical personnel on the scene the day that Nicholai’s mother died. When the Colonel left the AFFS and worked with the SLDF, she stayed on in service to the Suns. As her final year of service came to a close, she received word from the Colonel of his intentions to create the Red Dawn Cavalry. Regardless of her own views on the necessity of the mercenary profession, she holds steadfastly to her family and their traditions. She journeyed to Outreach and became the seventh generation to serve beside a Roberts, though not in service to the Federated Suns. The Doctor is one of the few remaining links of the Colonel’s to his life in the Federated Suns, and will also hold a unique place in his life. Victoria stands about 5’4” and weighs in around 130 lbs. Her dark hair is normally perched on top of her head in a rather severe looking bun, and she rarely puts any thought into fashionable presentation. She would much prefer to spend a night in her scrubs, cleaning her glasses as she pores over some medical tome or another. While she may not be a part of the inner workings of the unit, she has made a home for herself her, and is even beginning to allow herself to develop some actual friendships.

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Master Technician (Lieutenant, honorary) William “Sledge” Halas
The younger half of the Halas brothers is the grizzled veteran tech that many units seem to count among their members. He is also a recognized name among the community of mercenary units in long-term service to the Federated Suns. Descended from the Halas family of Marik fame, William’s ancestors left Free Worlds League space over 150 years ago, and resettled in the Lyran Commonwealth. His family had always served in a wide variety of military roles, and he and his elder brother Theodore were no exception. The two brothers quickly tired of the prim and proper life in Lyran space and after reaching their age of majority, they traveled to the Federated Suns and signed on with the 12th Vegan Rangers. Serving with the Alpha Regiment, the two brothers trained as scout infantry. Over the next 10 years, they managed to buck the odds of survival among “PBIs” and racked up quite an impressive resume. While recovering from an injury, William spent some time assisting the unit’s Mech technicians. He quickly found an aptitude for the work, and immediately changed his area of expertise. He served with distinction among the unit’s technical corps for the next 20 years, never forgetting his roots as a soldier. On three different occasions after leaving active combat duty, he picked up a weapon and stood a post in defense of the unit’s base and dependents. He received numerous commendations for excellent service with the unit, as well as for his self-sacrifice under the worst of conditions. When he and his brother retired from the unit, they were granted full honors and told that anyone with the Halas family name would be welcomed into the unit as a part of the Rangers’ family. After only a few short years of retirement, the duo found that they needed a far more active life. So they headed back to Outreach, and found themselves a new employer. The rest, as they say, is history. Sledge stands about 6’1” and weighs in at 170 lbs. His look compliments his bristling personality. He can never seem to appear without stubble, even right after shaving. His brown hair is graying heavily, and he rarely seems to take care of it. It currently holds about shoulder length, though he often randomly cuts off some to keep it out of his face while working. His beard is full and gray, and he can rarely be seen without one of his Conquistador cigars clenched in his teeth.

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Chief Administrator (Lieutenant, honorary) Theodore “Hammer” Halas
The older half of the Halas brothers would seem to be everything that his brother is not. Separated by less than a year in age, the stars seemed aligned to produce two entirely different individuals. Both brothers finished their basic training in Lyran military institutions, as well as their advanced infantry training, before joining the 12th Vegan Rangers. After 10 years of service, never separating amongst different platoons, the two brothers were both accomplished scouts and infantry troopers. However, William had grown into the ill-mannered veteran sergeant, where Theodore had shown a real capacity for leadership. Theodore had gained the rank of Lieutenant, and was offered a Captain’s rank. He chose to remain a Lieutenant, as he had no desire to command anything larger than a platoon. When his brother left to join the technical staff of the Rangers, Hammer decide to train in special operations and Anti-Mech operations. He spent the next ten years working in a wide variety of infantry roles, serving as a special operations commando, Anti-Mech jump infantry trooper, and recon specialist/scout. He suffered an injury to his hip while kneecapping a Capellan Huron Warrior and that brought a rapid end to his career in the infantry. He served out the remaining ten years of service working as military police for the unit. In his final year of service, his weak leg was injured again, after he was struck by a car when pursuing a suspect. His right hip was permanently damaged, and his career as an active duty soldier was over. After finishing that tour in recovery, he and his brother retired from the mercenary life. In his retirement, Hammer hoped to again make contact with his daughter, an estranged daughter due to the interference of his former wife. Imagine his surprise when he hired his own daughter under a false ID in his position as chief administrator for the Red Dawn. He and his brother have returned to service in the mercenary trade, spending their twilight years helping a new generation of mercenaries grow and expand, while also spending time with their long lost daughter (and niece, respectively). As Hammer approaches his fifty-fifth year, he finds himself in the unique position of being a father to a daughter he hasn’t seen in years. Unlike his brother, Hammer keeps himself very well groomed. His frame has changed in recent years, due to his relative inactivity from a desk job and his disability. To this day, he still requires a cane to walk any great distance. He stands 6’2’ and weighs in at 200 lbs. His grey hair is short and trimmed in a respectable fashion; though he keeps his face clean shaven. His dress is befitting an older businessman, often consisting of suits and casual wear, supplemented with the right overcoat and hat.

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