2nd Kearny Highlanders breaking Ares Convention

[Lone-Wolf]

Hello,

I just reread Combat Manual Mercenaries.
On page 24 in the sidebar are the Ares Conventions mentioned. And Article 3 states: Surrender must be accepted by any unit that offers the universal Standard.

On page 59 under Second Kearny Highlanders it is written:
When fighting against other mercenaries, the Second never accepts surrender.

This is a clear Violation of Ares.
So, how did the 2nd get away with it during all those years?

[Kit deSummersville]

The Ares Conventions were abandoned during the Star League era, most particularly the Amaris war at the end. Once the Succession Wars started the Conventions became more what you'd call "guidelines" than actual rules.

[Lone-Wolf]

Thanks for your answers.
But unfortunately that opens some more questions.
(Sorry, if I am persistant aka rules lawyer-ish)

I dont think that during the time of the Star League a unit disregarding the Ares Convention would escape punishment.
OK, during the Succession Wars, when the Ares rules were seen as "guidelines" and the Highlanders were affiliated with House Liao, I can understand that certain ahem, misbehaviour "supporting the continued existence and the survival of the Capellan Confederation" would not only be tolerated, but maybe even supported.
But when the affiliation changed to House Davion at the end of the 4th Succession War I suspect that House Davion would consider certain behaviour definitely evil, even if the Capellan Confederation wouldnt blink at such behaviour.
And later again WOB Forces I would understand that everybody would cheer them for such behaviour.

But still: How does it play out?
If the Highlanders do not accept surrender, then there are only the following outcomes:
1) They destroy the mechs and then take the soldiers prisoner and sell them into slavery.
2) They take all the mechs and let the soldiers escape.
3) They slaughter them all and take the equipment.
4) Once the victory is assured and the enemy is on the ropes and begging for mercy, the 2nd Kearny just stops firing and withdraws.
Thanks Lone-Wolf

[cray]

I dont think that during the time of the Star League a unit disregarding the Ares Convention would escape punishment.

The Star League abandoned ("suspended") the Ares Conventions in 2578 for the Reunification War, and the Star League Civil War utterly ignored the Conventions. As First Lord Cameron said, "When combating barbarians, one most fight fire with fire." (Star League Sourcebook, p. 49).

No conflict during the Star League era came close to the nearly-bloodless battles seen during the Age of War under the Conventions.

OK, during the Succession Wars, when the Ares rules were seen as "guidelines"

The Houses cast aside the Conventions in 2787, starting with Marik. Unlike the Star League's suspension, they permanently threw them aside:

"Additionally, [Captain-General Kenyon Marik] announced that the Lyrans had abrogated the four-hundred year-old Ares Conventions, leaving him free to do so as well. Within a few months, every state had cast aside these conventions, beginning an era of unparalleled destruction." Marik Sourcebook, p.28.

The First and Second Succession Wars blew hundreds of plants off the map. The Third and Fourth Succession Wars went easy on WMDs, but they never fought according to the Conventions. Rather than fighting according to the Conventions - which would have involved very little shooting, time outs, and easy surrenders - the Third and Fourth Wars usually fought in bloody brawls.

But still: How does it play out?

They don't stop shooting until the opposition's combat units are incapable of fighting or retreat.

1) They destroy the mechs and then take the soldiers prisoner

Reasonable.

and sell them into slavery.

Slavery has never been a large part of BattleTech outside of pirates. If anything, the POWs might be ransomed back to their noble families or sent to prisoner of war camps.

3) They slaughter them all and take the equipment.

Surrendered foes tend to be spared in the Third Succession War. Slaughtering defenseless troops was a bit low by Succession War standards. "Doesn't accept surrender" means that the Second Kearny tended to keep shooting until combat units were wrecked, not that they murdered defenseless troops.

[nckestrel]

Agree with Cray on the Kearney keep fighting until the enemy is destroyed, but does  take prisoners and treats them fair.  They just refuse to end the fight “early”.

[Lone-Wolf]

So, the opponent either shuts his mech down (and hope the 2nd Kearny notices and stops firing), the 2nd Kearny turns the mech into scrap or the opponent ran as fast as he can.
And in the first two cases, how high is the propability that the opponent looses his mech?

(And to give you a stab - if I may: in the scenario book Northwind Highlanders 1702 the 2nd Kearny gets a +1 to Conscious rolls. And while some of the scenarios are till only one side remains that includes all Highlander units.)

But that would be a good cause for a book:

Dark Road of Vengeance
Ezekyle Johnson had it all. The son of Major Johnson of Johnsons Janissaries had a great future before him.
But it all turned to ashes in the fight against the 2nd Kearny who accept no surrender.
Now, all that he has is a battered Wasp.
Follow him on the dark road of vengeance as he assembles a unit composed of those wronged by the 2nd Kearny`s refusal to accept surrender.
And after 35 years he finally catches up with his prey.
A battle where surrender is no option, quarter is neither asked nor given and only one side will walk away from the field of battle alive.

[cray]

So, the opponent either shuts his mech down (and hope the 2nd Kearny notices and stops firing), the 2nd Kearny turns the mech into scrap or the opponent ran as fast as he can.
And in the first two cases, how high is the propability that the opponent looses his mech?

It'd be hard to put a number to it. In the 2800s-3040s, the 2nd Kearny would be interested in seizing the opponents' 'Mechs. Total destruction is bad for business when 'Mechs are rare.