Talk to me about the Blackhearts

[Cowdragon]

I found references to them reading up on the Nighthawk PA(L) suits. Found out that at least one left with the Clans and became a loremaster of Clan Jade Falcons, but that there were also some mercs called the Blackhearts as well. Same origins?

[Archangel]

I found references to them reading up on the Nighthawk PA(L) suits. Found out that at least one left with the Clans and became a loremaster of Clan Jade Falcons, but that there were also some mercs called the Blackhearts as well. Same origins?

The Special Armed Services, known as the Blackhearts, was an elite force trained in counterespionage and counterterrorism operations.  By 2753, there were about a hundred battalions of active SAS teams.  The Blackhearts mercenary regiment was formed from the 77th SOG, which operated out of the Taurian Concordat.  It wouldn't be surprising for a few to join the Exodus and later join one of Nicholas Kerensky's Clans.

[Natasha Kerensky]

Yes, the mercenary Blackhearts are descended from one of the SLDF's anti-terrorist/spec ops units, the Special Armed Services (or SAS), also known as the Blackhearts.  Lisa Buhallin, the first Jade Falcon Loremaster, previously served in the SAS and was a Blackheart.

You can find links to the relevant canon sources at the wiki:

http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Blackhearts#cite_note-0

Hope this helps.

[Archangel]

Lisa Buhallin, the first Jade Falcon Loremaster, previously served in the SAS and was a Blackheart.

It is "believed" that she was a member of the Blackhearts.  Even the Jade Falcons state that they don't have any evidence to support the belief.  Not that one would be able to find much on a covert operations group.

[Prydefalcn]

It is "believed" that she was a member of the Blackhearts.  Even the Jade Falcons state that they don't have any evidence to support the belief.  Not that one would be able to find much on a covert operations group.

The KGC-0000 King Crab entry in TRO3039 that lists her as a notable pilot all but confirms it.

[Cowdragon]

The KGC-0000 King Crab entry in TRO3039 that lists her as a notable pilot all but confirms it.

I didn't catch that one. But I was under the impression they were all pretty much PA(L) suited infantry snipers or something. A King Crab pilot changes that mental image a little!

[Maelwys]

The KGC-0000 King Crab entry in TRO3039 that lists her as a notable pilot all but confirms it.

Actually, the Notable MechWarrior entry literally says "unconfirmed."

[VhenRa]

I didn't catch that one. But I was under the impression they were all pretty much PA(L) suited infantry snipers or something. A King Crab pilot changes that mental image a little!

From what I understand they were mixed Battalions. Probably fairly similar to later era Comstar Level IIIs, Battalion strength Ceti Hussars formations and the like.

[sillybrit]

The Blackhearts main role was counterterrorism and counterintelligence, so probably not much need for a 'Mech in their day to day job. However, like real world spec ops, many of the Blackhearts would no doubt have been cross trained, plus would retain the skills of whichever branch of the military that they'd originally belonged, so at least some of them should have had no problem strapping on a 'Mech if needed.

The SLDF's elite special ops 'Mech unit was the Foul Weather Fiends.

[gleamingterrier]

As long as we're talking about the Blackhearts, has anyone noted the connection between Glen Stryker and Damocles? Damocles' actual name is Tempest Stryker, so there's the last name in common. JHS Terra refers to Major Stryker's "lifelong friend" Grevista da Tempestrade, and Grevista is Portugese for 'striker'. Sarna says its an implied sexual relationship, but I think they're related.

[Cowdragon]

As long as we're talking about the Blackhearts, has anyone noted the connection between Glen Stryker and Damocles? Damocles' actual name is Tempest Stryker, so there's the last name in common. JHS Terra refers to Major Stryker's "lifelong friend" Grevista da Tempestrade, and Grevista is Portugese for 'striker'. Sarna says its an implied sexual relationship, but I think they're related.

kissing cousins?

[Prydefalcn]

Actually, the Notable MechWarrior entry literally says "unconfirmed."

Hence why I said "all but confirms" :p
It heavily implies. The chances of getting actual confirmation outside of Liberation of Terra vol2 are slim-to-none, but when you see the possibility suggested in every source it becomes a fairly safe assumption.

[John_Hawk]

As long as we're talking about the Blackhearts, has anyone noted the connection between Glen Stryker and Damocles? Damocles' actual name is Tempest Stryker, so there's the last name in common. JHS Terra refers to Major Stryker's "lifelong friend" Grevista da Tempestrade, and Grevista is Portugese for 'striker'. Sarna says its an implied sexual relationship, but I think they're related.

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but I just noticed the information about Damocles' identity here and on Sarna.  I was wondering if someone could point me in the direction of that revelation?  I'm curious to see what all is out there.

[FedComGirl]

The Blackheart's also had a custom Wasp LAM variant they could use, so I guess they had access to anything they needed.

[Archangel]

Which brings up the question what did the Blackhearts (the mercenary unit) do with the special equipment they inherited from the SLDF?  Besides the custom Wasp LAM variant, they would have deployed Nighthawk Mk I Battle Armor as a SAS unit which would have stood out like a sore thumb but they were able to maintain their cover for over half a century.

[VhenRa]

They probably didn't have much of it left when they went Merc, at least after the various conflicts... and it was hold their cover for like 2 centuries.

[Maelwys]

Assuming they had the suits. Its possible that not all Blackheart units were equipped the same way.

[Cowdragon]

Assuming they had the suits. Its possible that not all Blackheart units were equipped the same way.

this is pretty likely.