Yes we are go for battle!!! :thumbsup:
Here are my thoughts for our 12
Hitomi Barca, Elite, Battlemaster [Takiro]
Born in the poor slums of New Samarkand she was left by her mother on the doorstep of a local Abbey of the O5P. Recognizing her natural mental acuity the Order provided her the finest schooling possible which Hitomi soaked right up. Dedicating herself to House Kurita she took every opportunity to enhance her genius level intellect even learning to operate a BattleMech. Emulating the founder, Shiro Kurita, she also mastered tactical and strategic concepts as well as several martial arts in order to repay the Dragon. Taking the surname Barca in honor of her favorite ancient General this young thirty year old serves as the Sohei’s Chief Planning Officer and is a close personal advisor to Daniel McAlister. ‘The Brain’ as she is often called can be seen calculating complex equations or reading books in various different languages during her off hours.
Takehiko Kurita, Elite, Highlander [Takiro]
A distant relative of the ruling dynasty is a new relatively new member of the Order of Five Pillars transferred to the Sohei by special order. Always fascinated with the dueling arts this young battalion commander with the Sword of Light regiments was an admirer of the old-school philosophies of Coordinator Takashi Kurita. Outspoken in his critiques of the Gunji no Kanrei this superb Mechwarrior often found himself at odds with many reform minded supporters in the DCMS. His position was not helped when Takehiko voiced admiration for the Clan style of warfare which he found similar to the old ways. Luckily the Order safeguarded him from official sanctions and took him in as a part of the still assembling Sohei. Kurita has become one of the foremost experts on the Clans reviewing all data from the Combine and allied sources. While never having faced them in combat he looks forward to the challenge even while some fear he maybe a Clan sympathizer. He pilots a Highlander which was originally sold to the Draconis Combine by ComStar nearly twenty years ago.
Hisoka Matsumoto, Elite, VTR-9K Victor [Daryk]
is a very unassuming man. Barely 155 cm tall, he easily blends into average Combine society, though his well concealed martial arts skills would put paid to those assumptions. As a scion of a family that has long served the O5P covertly, it was relatively easy to insert him into the 5th Galedon Regulars. What wasn't easy was pulling him back from the shattered remnant that retreated off Jeronimo in 3050. The 5th Galedon 'mech he piloted at that point (a Charger) was little more than a wreck, but his cover remained intact until he was safely back among the Order. His conduct on Jeronimo reflected his personality: quiet professionalism. Since Turtle Bay, the few who know him would characterize his demeanor as "implacable". His parents lived in Edo. The Order was sufficiently impressed by his conduct on Jeronimo to send him to OCS upon his return, and he now leads the 2nd Mobile Assault Lance of the Sohei's 2nd Mobile Assault Company piloting a brand new Victor-9K. He focused on improving his gunnery during OCS with impressive results, and the gauss rifle of his new 'mech is perfectly suited to killing Clanners.
Shiori Noriko, Elite, CTF-1X Cataphract [Ice Hellion]
Born in the Capellan Confederation from parents serving in the Shin Legion, the girl who would become Shiori Noriko was a small child when the unit fled the Capellan Confederation. She was one of the hostages taken in custody by the Dragon to ensure the loyalty of the Shin Legion and educated as a perfect and loyal Kuritan citizen.
When the time came she was sent back to the Shin Legion to serve as a loyal observer and this is when she fought on Cyrenaica against Clan Nova Cat during the retreat to and the siege of Lasner, earning them some experience against the invaders.
Eager to have ‘MechWarriors both loyal to their ideals and with combat experience against the Clans, the Order of Five Pillars requested her to “come back home”, which she did. Today, her CTF-1X Cataphract “Kōan” can be seen on the training fields teaching the Sohei newest recruits how to fight.
Jak ‘Two Guns’ Warren, Veteran, WHM-6D Warhammer [Doc_Agren]
Jak been a loyal O5P operative who cover has been in the service of the DCMS and was transferred into 9th Pesht Regulars based on Schwartz on May 24, 3049 to determine loyality of the unit. In March 3050 the Ninth faced the Smoke Jaguar's Nineteenth Striker Cluster. Jak attempted to hold back the unknown mechs when his grandmother's Mech "Popcorn Popper 2" Warhammer 6K was destroyed ammo explosion, but he successfully ejected and was able to E&E and escape with rest of the unit and Tai-sa Mark Graham.
Now a member of the dispossessed, and well not in line in the 9th to getting new ride, he left the DCMS. Now he been preparing to deal with clanner mech combat, and through the O5P he was able to gain a Warhammer 6D which he has plans to upgrade with ER PPC and Double Heat Sinks ASAP. He calls he new ride "Popcorn Popper 3".
Jak is naturally ambidextrous, carries twin magnum autopistols which he uses with equal skills. as well as being a 2nd Kyu in Kyokushin (Brown Belt)
Jeremiah ‘Bulldog’ Bullton, Veteran, TDR-7M Thunderbolt [Doc_Agren]
Jeremiah has served O5P a mech operative for 10 years. He has served the order as a spy, he was born in Styx in 3020. Serving as a Merc has allowed him to “see” the stars and report back via the Covert Fleet intel he gathered. His Ride is an older Thunderbolt built in the TC that has been upgraded to the 7M model standards (if possible swap the ER LL and 2MG and ammo for ER PPC).
Jeremiah is loud and uncouth individual, most of this comes from his cover as Merc. Those wild color on the shirts he wears off duty are a sight to behold, and yes he can tell great stories and no one is 100% sure if they are complete tails or main of truth and lies. He carries a well used and loved Sternsnacht Python Auto-Pistol on his right hip, and on his left hip cross draw is a .454mag Revolver that he claims he once brought down a Locust mech with 4 shots. Jeremiah is his real 1st name, but Bullton is not his last part of a well designed cover by the O5P claiming he was from the Grossbach in the TC, but he will answer to it now as if it is his own, honestly much better then his own.
Katsumi Watanabe, Elite, Wolverine [Daryk]
Katsumi Watanabe is from a family that has long served the Order, but covertly. Growing up, she went to the same (Order-sponsored) military school as her mother, and learned how to pilot a 'mech from her grandmother after graduation.
Being an independent MechWarrior, she counted herself "lucky" to find a posting with the 5th Amphigean Light Assault Group, and luckier still to come into possession of a Marik Wolverine during her years with that unit. She was, of course, keeping her family posted of all the goings on in the unit, using her letters home as a cover.
When the 5th was finally shattered by the Ghost Bears on Krenice, she was one of the few survivors, but refused to join "The 48th" mercenary unit with the others, instead returning to her family (with "her" 'mech) . This caused no little friction with her former comrades, and the XO of the The 48th is holding a particular grudge while actively smearing her reputation. As she led one of the assaults on Ghost Bear supply lines, there's also a Ghost Bear Star Captain looking for her. Fortunately, her cover held throughout her time with the 5th, so the Order's involvement with her posting was never discovered.
She's spent the last year and more honing her considerable piloting skills under the tutelage of her grandmother, and leapt at the chance to join the Sohei. The considerable time she's spent training in martial arts has translated well into her ability behind the controls of her 'mech, Suto.
Aika Gunma, Elite (2/3), WHM-7K Warhammer [O5P Ghost]
An orphan from Marlowe's Rift in the Galedon District, Gunma lost his family to a AFFS raid in 3024 (age 3). Taken into the Order he was noted for his martial skills and leadership. However, he had a temper and hated all things Davion. Gunma was sent to the Sun Tzu School of Combat and excelled in Mech combat. He received his first Mech, a Panther just in time to fight in the War of 3039. He was assigned to the 2nd Galedon Regulars. He survived the war and was promoted to Gunsho and was transferred to multiple units in his salvaged Warhammer (converted to the 6K model). While transferred he continued to work as an informant for the O5P without the knowledge of his DCMS superiors. At the beginning of the Clan War, he was a Tai-i in the 4th Pesht Regulars and one of the few survivors of combat against the Smoke Jaguars. While recuperating on Pesht, during which he spent hours in sims to gain important skills for a rematch against the Clans, he was removed from the unit and placed in the new Sohei due to his Clan combat experience. He was assigned a Warhammer 7K for his new role as a Lance Commander.
Tai Maeda, Elite, Ono [Calderon]
This war orphan was a warrior from birth trained by the Order of Five Pillars who honed his natural abilities into an elite Mechasenshi. Following his warrior’s heart to seek glory for House Kurita he convinced the Order to place him among the Gladiators of Solaris where he could fulfill his destiny. Nominally assigned to observe the Dragon’s faithful he went onto establish quite a reputation for himself on the Game World. Despite his overseers’ best attempts to keep him out of the spotlight an undefeated record and a growing fan base promoted major stables like DeLon and Silver Dragon to approach him with lucrative contract offers. Thankfully the formation of the Sohei necessitated his recall to the Draconis Combine where he eagerly awaits his chance to fight the Clans. Currently thirty-eight years of age Tai is still eager to challenge these ‘unstoppable invaders’ convinced he will overcome them as well. He was issued a prototype SOH-E1 Ono BattleMech upon his return to Soul.
Haruna ‘Katsuo’ Takahashi, Elite, Katana [Takiro]
This quiet unacclaimed hero of the Clan War is perhaps the most experienced combat veteran to face the invaders on behalf of the Draconis Combine. After several campaigns and a number of engagements this ultra-elite Mechwarrior has become one of the few InnerSphere ‘Marksman’ taking down more than five OmniMechs in her advanced Marauder. The recipient of many honors shocked many when she requested assignment to the Order of Five Pillars rather than taking another more prestigious posting. At first she was even reluctant to accept a place in the Sohei disclosing her personal inner struggles and frowning upon the foolish attention lavished upon her by some. Appeals by Siriwan Kuna and Daniel McAlister changed her mind thankfully adding a renowned warrior to the Sohei. Driven to teach her brethren the harshness of combat with the invaders she can frequently be seen dispatching would be challengers on the Proving Grounds.
Arturo Santiago Guzman, Veteran, CRD-3L Crusader [Sharpnel]
plots the Crusader which has been converted to the jump-capable 3L variant using parte made in the Combine wherever possible. Arturo is from Tabayama and s descended from a group of families that fled Santiago after Massacre. However, instead of heading into Alliance space, their Jumpship, through navigator incompetence or subterfuge, jumped in the opposite direction into Kuritan space. Detained by the DCA and later imprisoned, his ancestors would eventually be released after the Reunification War and would eventually become productive, if not loyal, citizens of the Combine. He's a twenty-year veteran having served n several of the Galedon Regulars mech regiments before retiring to serve in the O5P. His middle name honors his family's roots and he wears proudly. Arturo is an accomplished rifleman, especially with a bolt-action rifle (a modern version of SMLE Rifle No. 4 [Removable Box magazine, modern optics, and no wood anywhere)
Reika Sato, Elite, MAD-5D Marauder [Takiro]
As a female commoner from Buckminster she had little chance of ever becoming a Mechwarrior despite showing an early natural aptitude. Recognizing that all things were possible to the Order of the Five Pillars she joined and soon became part of the Sohei after undergoing training. Not only has she become one of the best Marauder pilots in the InnerSphere but she is also a lance commander as well. She prefers to remain unrecognized and speaks fondly of the good old days not so long ago when the unit remained entirely clandestine. Many women in the Sohei look up to this thirty-seven year old as a role model a position she also realizes but states she has no desire to foster. While her devotion to House Kurita cannot be questioned, she is well aware of the contradictions of life.