Clan Hell's Horses Tau Galaxy: The Brimstone Cataphracts

[Kojak]

TAU GALAXY: THE BRIMSTONE CATAPHRACTS



The newest Galaxy in Clan Hell's Horses, Tau Galaxy represents the inevitable reaction to the Mongol movement that began with the Horses and took over the Jade Falcon Clan. When Malvina Hazen's orbital bombardment of Timkovichi in 3142 resulted in the destruction of most of the Horses' Beta Galaxy, it paradoxically endeared her to the Mongols even more. But for the remaining holdouts from the movement with the Hell's Horses, it was the straw that broke the workhorse's back. Several influential warriors, led by the charismatic Watch Star Colonel Deacon Amirault, began to push for breaking the alliance with the Falcons during Clan Council meetings. Initially outnumbered and unpopular, a few spectacular victories in Trials of Grievance against their leading lights gained Amirault and his followers grudging respect; when Malvina showed her true colors by threatening to use nuclear weapons during the fighting on Hesperus in 3145, Amirault looked prescient and the Khans looked foolish. Nearly overnight opinion among the Clan's Bloodnamed turned against the Jade Falcons, and with the ascension of Fulk Lassenerra, a major critic of the alliance, to the office of saKhan in the wake of former saKhan Jeronimo Cobb's death on Hesperus, Khan Gottfried Amirault had no choice but withdraw Horse support from Malvina's crusade.

Of course, the Khan was not known as politically savvy for nothing. Looking to get ahead of the swing in sentiments among the Horses, he ordered the creation of a new Galaxy with Deacon Amirault at its head. Occupying a status somewhere between a frontline and secondline Galaxy, newly-christened Tau very pointedly did not include any Horde Clusters. Instead, it was built as an old-school Horse Galaxy, eschewing the Mongol Doctrine in favor of classic Horse variant Clusters. With the Khan's explicit trust in his judgment, Galaxy Commander Amirault was allowed to personally select his officer corps, and by the end of the year had assembled three Clusters and a Command Supernova. Stationed on worlds rimward of Csesztreg, the Brimstone Cataphracts, as they have come to be called, have already launched several raids against Falcon and Dominion territory.


OFFICERS

Deacon Amirault

Decanted: 3095 (51 in 3146)
Homeworld: Csesztreg
Gunnery: 2
Piloting: 1
SPAs: Maneuvering Ace, Natural Aptitude (Gunnery), Tactical Genius

Deacon Amirault was decanted in 3095, and grew up during the long peace that followed the Jihad. While a talented Mechwarrior in his own right, it was his cunning and guile that earned him his Bloodname; he consistently outsmarted more skilled opponents during his Trial of Bloodright and did so in a way that earned the attention of Loremaster Sachiko Ravenwater. Knowing that the unconventional Amirault would not go far as a traditional Clan warrior, the Loremaster convinced him to join the Watch, where he rapidly climbed the ranks and soon became known as the agency's most effective agent, both on and off the field. Ravenwater schooled him in the arts of both war and politics, and Amirault soon became well-known in the chambers of the Clan Council for being able to cut down an opponent with a handful of words as skillfully as others might use a BattleMech. Between this and his (eventually) vocal opposition to the Mongol Doctrine, he is a polarizing figure within the Horses; only time will tell if the Khan's gamble in giving him his own Galaxy will pay dividends for the Clan.

Amirault has long piloted an old Blood Asp assault OmniMech, believed to be the last of its kind in the Inner Sphere. Named "Rocinante", he archly refers to it as an “old warhorse, past its prime”, an unspoken invitation to foolhardy young warriors to assume the same of him. It is an assumption that he has disabused many an overconfident Horseman of in a Circle of Equals.


TACTICS

Tau Galaxy knows that if and when the Horses decide to unleash the Touman on Clan Jade Falcon, they will likely be the tip of the spear, given their animosity toward the Mongols. To that end, it has practiced a strategy that extols the teamwork ethos the Horses are known for. The 116th Mechanized Cavalry uses its nimble and lightweight forces (including a Star of Issus aerospace fighters equipped with advanced imaging technology) to flush out their opponents and force them into a defensive posture. Once the 116th has fixed the enemy into place, the 231st Mechanized Assault smashes into them with concentrated firepower and 35th Mechanized Strike moves to strike from behind or roll up their flanks.

[Unit Abilities: Tau Galaxy's fiercely anti-Mongol attitude gives it a +1 to Initiative whenever fighting Jade Falcon forces (this increases to +2 if they are Mongol-affiliated). On the other hand, it receives a -1 penalty to Initiative if forced to work alongside any Mongols from their own Clan.]


Tau Galaxy Command
1 Trinary/Elite/Fanatical
CO: Galaxy Commander Deacon Amirault

231st Mechanized Assault Cluster
5 Trinaries/Veteran/Reliable
CO: Star Colonel Lana Grimheald

35th Mechanized Strike Cluster
5 Trinaries/Elite/Fanatical
CO: Star Colonel Ulysses Grant

116th Mechanized Cavalry Cluster
5 Trinaries/Veteran/Reliable
CO: Star Colonel Constantin Fletcher

49th BattleMech Cluster
3 Trinaries/Veteran/Questionable
CO: Star Colonel Sacha Sradac


TAU GALAXY UPGRADE THREAD

[Kojak]

TAU GALAXY COMMAND



CO: Galaxy Commander Deacon Amirault
Aide: Star Colonel Elias Cobb
Unit Status: Elite/Fanatical
Unit Nickname: The Watchers
Unit Insignia: A great flaming eye with a Tau-shaped iris
Unit Colors: The standard Tau Galaxy scheme, flame red on the front half and ash grey on the rear half, with an undulating line of flame separating the halves
Unit Pics

OFFICERS

Elias Cobb

Decanted: 3108 (38 in 3146)
Homeworld: Csesztreg
Gunnery: 0
Piloting: 1
SPAs: Sniper

Elias Cobb is known first and foremost as a political creature. A member of the influential Bloodname House Cobb, he has political ties to both the Khan and saKhan of the Horses, as well as senior officers in the Wolf Empire and Rasalhague Dominion. While not a member of the Watch like Galaxy Commander Amirault, he is reliably one of the best sources for intel in Tau Galaxy. He is also the Supernova's deadliest Mechwarrior; his Kingfisher tears through opponents with ruthless efficiency while being able to withstand staggering amounts of return fire.

Although Jeronimo Cobb's death on Hesperus II was a double-blow for his Bloodname House, as he was both a saKhan and House Leader, it presents a major opportunity for Elias, as he has long been seen as the obvious successor for leadership of his House. However, he faces stiff competition from both the ambitious Star Colonel Daniele Cobb of the prestigious 22nd Mechanized Assault Cluster and the egotistical Star Colonel Farouk Cobb of the prideful 42nd BattleMech Cluster (a unit still coasting on the reputation of having slain the infamous Vlad Ward). This actually represents one of the primary reasons Amirault tapped Elias as his second: the Galaxy Commander believes that Cobb will work that much harder to ensure the success of Tau Galaxy if he knows his political future depends on it. Knowing the (sometimes literally) cutthroat nature of Clan politics, it almost certainly does.


Javier Mendoza

Decanted: 3117 (29 in 3146)
Homeworld: Kirchbach
Gunnery: 0
Piloting: 2
SPAs: Cluster Master

Javier was part of one of many smaller sibkos bred from the relatively minor Bloodnames that form the backbone of most Clans' warrior castes. His wrangler, Jarrod, was a Wolf abtakha, and the two became very close, regularly training and coupling in their off hours; Jarrod taught him much about the tactics and practices of the Wolf Clan, and Javier put it to good use when he got his first command with the 97th Mechanized Strike Cluster after his Trial of Position. His superior knowledge of Wolf tactics allowed him to lead his Star to a stunning victory over a Binary from the 88th Wolf Battle Cluster in 3136 during a Trial of Possession on Liezen. Javier earned his Bloodname the following year, one of the few in the Trial of Bloodright who was sponsored by another Mendoza rather than being selected by the House Leader (to his House Leader's displeasure). Unfortunately for Javier, his House Leader was a former sibmate of his, Nova Captain Xavier Mendoza, and one of his superiors in the 97th to boot. Out of spite, Xavier did everything he could to ensure officers from more prestigious lines kept getting the choice assignments, and for a time Javier languished in his position. However, Deacon Amirault had witnessed his 3136 victory firsthand as a Watch agent, having covertly observed the Trial as part of his assignment there. When the time came to form Tau Galaxy's Command Supernova, Deacon plucked Javier out of the 97th and promoted him to Nova Commander. Given license to assemble his Nova from some of the finest equipment the Clan had to offer, Javier has assembled the heavy cavalry force of his dreams.


Kasinda Rickard

Decanted: 3108 (38 in 3146)
Homeworld: Kirchbach
Gunnery: 1
Piloting: 1
SPAs: Jumping Jack

Kasinda Rickard very nearly never made it to the warrior caste at all. From a young age, Kasinda regularly snuck out of her sibko's training facility on Kirchbach to explore the nearby bustling capital of New Samos. At the age of 15, she was caught with a stash of illicit materials (including weapons and banned media) in her bunk and expelled from the warrior caste, ending up assigned to the technician caste instead. In frustration, Kasinda began fighting in underground bareknuckle boxing matches; when she grew bored of that, she started picking fights with local gang members. Nearly killed after she tried to jump a local triad boss as he exited his hoverlimo, Kasinda woke up in a hospital bed to find then-Star Captain Deacon Amirault sitting over her. The triad boss was a Watch asset, as it turned out, and Deacon was his handler. He saw potential in the young woman, and with his superiors' permission, he inducted Kasinda into the Watch as an agent-in-training. Though unorthodox, Deacon also had her undergo the Ritual of Adoption, reinstating her as a warrior and having her go through an accelerated Mechwarrior training regimen taught by qualified Watch agents. Kasinda was likewise put through infantry and commando training, accompanying several Watch hit squads on surgical strikes against insurgents in the Barrens. As Deacon rose through the ranks, Kasinda rose with him, achieving Star Captaincy by age 30 and acting as Deacon's right hand. After breaking up a major smuggling ring within the 13th Ranger Cluster that was supplying BattleMechs to the New Oberon Confederation, Kasinda was sponsored for a Trial of Bloodright for a reactivated Rickard legacy, which climaxed with her memorable victory over an Elemental in the mazelike blackcrystal fields of Egylet (the second moon of Csesztreg). Constructing a crude blade from the abundant crystal spires, she wore her opponent down over the course of two days before creeping up on him, severing his Achilles tendon, then driving the blade through his eye into his brain, splintering crystal severing two of her fingers in the process.

Due to her personal loyalty to Deacon, Kasinda was the very first Blooded warrior to back him on the Clan Council when he came out against the Mongols, and accepted a demotion to Nova Commander to join Tau Galaxy's Command Supernova and stay at the Galaxy Commander's side. Unbeknownst to the rest of Tau, Kasinda's entire Nova is staffed by fellow Watch agents, all of whom are part of the same elite commando units she was a member of. The Nova often arrives in a system well before the rest of the Galaxy, sneaking on-world via stealthed dropshuttles or smuggling themselves aboard merchant Dropships and disabling key sections of a planet's early warning grids before their compatriots launch their assault.

Kasinda and Elias Cobb do not get along well, to put it mildly: Kasinda considers Elias to have only reached his station due to political connections and regularly needles him about his acting as Deacon's aide-de-camp rather than commanding a Cluster as most Star Colonels would. Likewise, Elias regards Kasinda as a dezgra, up-jumped civilian who has no place in the warrior caste at all; the fact that she brought great shame upon Star Colonel Jennifer Cobb of the 13th Rangers (and, by extension, Bloodname House Cobb as a whole) only intensifies his disdain. While Galaxy Commander Amirault has thus far managed to keep them from each other's throats, it is likely only a matter of time before their personal grievances come to a head.


TACTICS

Tau Galaxy's Command Supernova usually operates alongside the 231st Mechanized Assault Cluster, moving to shore up any holes in their lines or take advantage of any in their opponent's. They are equally skilled in zellbrigen duels and all-out melees. Much like their comrades in the 231st, they favor semi-guided LRMs, and will happily pour concentrated missile fire on opponents if a melee is declared.

[Unit Abilities: The Tau Galaxy Command Supernova has the Off-Map Movement ability.]


TO&E

Blood Asp
Galaxy Commander Deacon Amirault
Gunnery [2], Piloting [1], Maneuvering Ace, Tactical Genius, Natural Aptitude (Gunnery)

Kingfisher
Star Colonel Elias Cobb
Gunnery [0], Piloting [1], Sniper

Warhawk
Mechwarrior Adisvara
Gunnery [2], Piloting [1]

Executioner
Mechwarrior Homer
Gunnery [1], Piloting [4]

Executioner
Mechwarrior Danny
Gunnery [2], Piloting [3]

Gnome Battle Armor (LRM) Point
Point Commander Rafael
Gunnery [0], Anti-'Mech [1]

Gnome Battle Armor (LRM) Point
Point Commander Mikael
Gunnery [1], Anti-'Mech [2]

Gnome Battle Armor (LRM) Point
Point Commander Marian
Gunnery [2], Anti-'Mech [4]

Gnome Battle Armor (LRM) Point
Point Commander Tadeu
Gunnery [2], Anti-'Mech [1]

Gnome Battle Armor (LRM) Point
Point Commander Arziki
Gunnery [2], Anti-'Mech [4]

-----

Mad Dog Mk IV
Nova Commander Javier Mendoza
Gunnery [0], Piloting [2], Cluster Master

Gargoyle
Mechwarrior Leo
Gunnery [1], Piloting [4]

Gargoyle
Mechwarrior Izabella
Gunnery [1], Piloting [3]

Timber Wolf
Mechwarrior Farah
Gunnery [0], Piloting [3]

Timber Wolf
Mechwarrior Toimi
Gunnery [1], Piloting [3]

Buraq Fast Battle Armor (Support) Point
Point Commander Lonnie
Gunnery [0], Anti-'Mech [3]

Buraq Fast Battle Armor (Support) Point
Point Commander Arooj
Gunnery [2], Anti-'Mech [1]

Buraq Fast Battle Armor (Support) Point
Point Commander Rene
Gunnery [2], Anti-'Mech [2]

Buraq Fast Battle Armor (Support) Point
Point Commander Harley
Gunnery [2], Anti-'Mech [1]

Buraq Fast Battle Armor (Support) Point
Point Commander Lumir
Gunnery [1], Anti-'Mech [3]

-----

Grendel
Nova Commander Kasinda Rickard
Gunnery [1], Piloting [1], Jumping Jack

Black Lanner
Mechwarrior Rhodes
Gunnery [3], Piloting [2]

Arctic Wolf II
Mechwarrior Margaritha
Gunnery [0], Piloting [3]

Viper
Mechwarrior Damiano
Gunnery [1], Piloting [4]

Viper
Mechwarrior Karla
Gunnery [3], Piloting [1]

Salamander Battle Armor (AP) Point
Point Commander Tawnia
Gunnery [0], Anti-'Mech [2]

Salamander Battle Armor (AP) Point
Point Commander Benito
Gunnery [1], Anti-'Mech [2]

Salamander Battle Armor (AP) Point
Point Commander Kyung-Min
Gunnery [1], Anti-'Mech [3]

Salamander Battle Armor (AP) Point
Point Commander Levi
Gunnery [2], Anti-'Mech [2]

Salamander Battle Armor (AP) Point
Point Commander Mesut
Gunnery [3], Anti-'Mech [3]



Transport

DropShips
Union-C-class So Much For Subtlety
Sassasind-class Shapur
Vanir-class Mardoll
Model 96 “Elephant”-class Airavata

JumpShips
Odyssey-class Telemachus

[Kojak]

231ST MECHANIZED ASSAULT CLUSTER



CO: Star Colonel Lana Grimheald
Unit Status: Veteran/Reliable
Unit Nickname: Hell's Pegasuses
Unit Insignia: A stylized Aithon with angelic wings, wreathed in flame
Unit Colors: The standard Tau Galaxy scheme, flame red on the front half and ash grey on the rear half, with an undulating line of flame separating the halves
Unit Pics


OFFICERS

Lana Grimheald

Decanted: 3117 (28 in 3146)
Homeworld: Kirchbach
Gunnery: 0
SPAs: Oblique Attacker, Tactical Genius

Lana Grimheald is a rarity among the Clans: a ProtoMechwarrior who has ascended to the rank of Star Colonel. While not a Mongol, her incredible skills as both a ProtoMech pilot and officer earned her a posting to the elite 666th Mechanized Assault Cluster when she won her Bloodname in 3136. Fellow Star Captain and ProtoMechwarrior Margeurite Grimheald, who had designs on command of the 666th, immediately viewed Lana as a threat. A ferocious supporter of Malvina's interpretation of the Mongol philosophy, Margeurite was spectacularly brutal during the invasion of the former Wolf OZ in 3137, her ProtoMechs burning crops and razing villages to compel submission from local governments. When Margeurite unleashed her forces on hospitals and schools during the taking of Weingarten to cow the critical world before it could re-assert its independence, Lana did the unthinkable: she declared a Trial of Grievance against Marguerite on the spot and attacked Marguerite's ProtoMechs with her own, in many cases sacrificing them to protect civilians. Damaged beyond the point of combat effectiveness, the enraged Marguerite had no choice but to withdraw her Trinary. Star Colonel Charo Seidman, furious with Lana for her interference as well, had her transferred to Iota Galaxy and assigned to a dezgra ProtoMech salvaged from the Society decades prior in the Reaving Wars. She languished there until 3142, when she became one of Deacon Amirault's most vocal supporters in the Clan Council. When Tau Galaxy was formed, Amirault tapped her to lead the newly-forming 231st Mechanized Assault Cluster.

Ironically for someone who never wanted to be involved in Clan politics, she now finds herself hip-deep. In addition to being a leader in the anti-Mongol faction, she is also influential in House Grimheald, and there are many who would like to see her become House Leader one day. Unfortunately, the current House Leader is none other than her old rival, Star Colonel Marguerite Grimheald. Already, other Grimhealds have begun to align around one or the other in the Clan Council; whether this is a portent of things to come in the Clan as a whole remains to be seen.

Although she was assigned to a Sprite as a punishment, she has come to perversely appreciate the design; her personal Sprite, which she calls "Cyane", has allowed her to not just survive but achieve victory in situations that would have killed most other ProtoMechwarriors. She has no qualms about using indirect fire, a tactic that many Clan warriors find objectionable, and often lures in her prey by feigning a retreat that actually brings them into range of hidden spotters. Then she jumps out of sight to her waiting Point (or Star) and they annihilate their foe in a hail of semi-guided missiles.


Lanoe Hawker

Decanted: 3108 (38 in 3146)
Homeworld: Csesztreg
Gunnery: 1
Piloting: 2
SPAs: Melee Master, Melee Specialist, Oblique Attacker, Sandblaster

As career paths in the warrior caste go, Nova Captain Lanoe Hawker has had one of the more unusual ones.  Lanoe was a ristar out of the gate, scoring three kills in his initial Trial of Position after he defeated his first two opponents in rapid succession and then kicked the leg off his sibmate Seamus' Mad Dog. Assigned to the 22nd Mechanized Assault Cluster, he led his Trinary to several flashy victories over both the Falcons and Wolves; this attracted the attention of saKhan Jeronimo Cobb, who had Lanoe transferred to his Omega Keshik. In 3135, Lanoe was allowed to participate in the Branding rite on Csesztreg...and that's where everything went wrong. The other Mechwarrior in the Branding party was none other than Seamus, the former sibmate he'd betrayed in his Trial of Position. Seamus held a deep grudge over the incident and plotted to ruin the ristar's career. Killing a hell's horse and framing Lanoe for the deed, Seamus got his revenge: Lanoe was disgraced, branded with the Mark of Hell and banished from the Omega Keshik. Politically unable to have the now-dezgra warrior under his command, saKhan Cobb demoted Lanoe to Star Commander and sent him to the Forty-second BattleMech Cluster to finish out his days in ignominy.

But Lanoe was not content to let it end there. A few years later, when the ancient and venerable Galaxy Commander Stevic Hawker died, Lanoe decided to compete for the open legacy. Unable to secure a sponsor, he entered the Grand Melee and won; despite this, his opponents in the Trial of Bloodright's duels perpetually underestimated him due to their perception of him as a dishonored wash-up, and he emerged victorious. Even Bloodnamed, however, the Mark of Hell left him shunned by most of the Clan Council; he returned the favor by largely ignoring the Clan's internal politics. When the Forty-second was deployed to Hepserus II in support of the Golden Ordun, Lanoe jumped at the chance to fight more worthwhile opponents than the two-bit bandits he was used to mopping up out in the Barrens. Lanoe used his dezgra status to his advantage, tearing apart Wolf and Lyran foes alike with flurries of brutal melee attacks most did not expect from Clan warriors. When the Horses abandoned Malvina following Beckett Malthus' attempt to assassinate her, the Forty-second was forced to lay over at Blue Diamond, where they were attacked by the 75th Falcon Striker Cluster, vengeful over the Horses' renunciation of the Chinggis Khan. Still understrength from the fighting on Hesperus, Lanoe staved off further damage to the Forty-second by challenging the Cluster's commander to a duel in exchange for safe passage through the system. Once again leveraging his dezgra status, Lanoe defeated the overconfident Star Colonel Timothy Vickers and took his Turkina as isorla.

Lanoe had already been somewhat unimpressed with Malvina, but after the death of saKhan Cobb and Malvina's threat to use nuclear weapons against the Hesperan factories, he turned fully against the Mongols, regularly speaking out against them in Council sessions. Deacon Amirault quickly took him under his wing, and he soon became the anti-Mongol movement's bulldog, proactively challenging prominent Mongols to Trials of Grievance over minor matters (which effectively extended the disgrace of his Mark of Hell to them when they lost; after all, if they could not even defeat an honorless dog like Lanoe, how could they expect to triumph over true Clan warriors?). When Tau Galaxy was formed, Deacon gave Lanoe the opportunity to test up to the rank of Nova Captain; upon his success, the Galaxy Commander assigned him to Lana Grimheald as her executive officer. While the Mark still guarantees he is not exactly beloved by his fellow warriors, no one in Tau can deny his prowess on the battlefield.

Lanoe still pilots the Turkina he took as isorla from Timothy Vickers, which he has named "Old Scratch". Podded in the eclectic Xerxes configuration, which combines a bevy of pulse lasers with electronically-enhanced long-range missile racks, its most notable feature are the massive talons it mounts. Capable of shredding BattleMech armor with ease at point-blank ranges, the talons are usually the last thing Lanoe's opponents see before his Turkina comes crashing down on them in a deadly death-from-above maneuver.


Zarek Moiseyev

Decanted: 3120 (26 in 3146)
Homeworld: Csesztreg
Gunnery: 1
Piloting: 2
SPAs: None

Zarek Moiseyev finds himself in an unusual position as an officer of Tau Galaxy: he is the only member of its officer corps who is a committed Mongol. However, he is of the original Seidman school of the Mongol doctrine, rather than Malvina's new school, and thus manages to fit into Tau with relatively little friction. Previously assigned to the First Horde Cluster, Zarek was recommended to Deacon Amirault by Loremaster Ravenwater (the First's commanding officer) after he served with distinction against both the Lyrans and the Exiled Wolves in the fighting on Krievci and Upano; on Upano, Zarek went toe-to-toe with an Exile Hellstar and a pair of Heimdalls simultaneously and emerged victorious despite being outnumbered and outgunned three-to-one. While not particularly vocal about his Mongol leanings for obvious reasons, he does nothing to hide it either; he still evinces the distinct tattoos-and-piercings-laden personal aesthetic popular with Mongol warriors. Zarek has fought off several challenges to his position from subordinates, but as easily the most skilled member of his Nova, no one has come close to unseating him.


Zhorah Cooper

Decanted: 3118 (28 in 3146)
Homeworld: Csesztreg
Gunnery: 1
Anti-'Mech: 3
SPAs: Cluster Hitter

Zhorah Cooper was born into one of the preeminent Elemental Bloodname Houses of the Clans. With high-ranked and influential members among officer corps' of the Horses, Wolves and Ravens, the Coopers wield the kind of clout among the various Clan Councils that most Bloodname Houses only dream of. Zhorah is a quintessential Cooper, headstrong and stubbornly determined. While not a flashy officer, she gets results, and lets those results speak for themselves rather than engaging in self-promotion as other warriors might.

Zhorah's claim to fame (and the incident that propelled her to Bloodname sponsorship) was when she led her Nova to break the Third Royal Guards' defenses at Bodiam Fortress on Sargasso. Repeated drives by the lighter Falcon and Horse forces had been repelled by the entrenched assault 'Mechs and tanks arrayed around the fortress' perimeter. Zhorah spent several days carefully studying the Lyran defenses, and after identifying the weakest point in their fortifications, she led her Nova to punch through the enemy lines, allowing her fellow Clansmen to pour into the fortress and overwhelm those who could not retreat, and ultimately resulting in the Guards' withdrawal from the planet. The Falcons were so impressed by her maneuver that Galaxy Commander Jane Thastus of Gamma Galaxy saw to it that Zhorah's Nova was rewarded with a Star's worth of advanced Ironhold battlesuits, which they still retain to this day.

Accordingly, Zhorah Cooper is now the 231st's siege specialist. Whenever the Cluster encounters dug-in infantry or an impassable bunker, Zhorah's Nova is brought to the fore to deal with it. It may take time, but Zhorah's unstoppable force has yet to encounter the proverbial immovable object.


Ian Cobb

Decanted: 3117 (29 in 3146)
Homeworld: Kirchbach
Gunnery: 1
Piloting: 3
SPAs: Oblique Attacker, Sniper, Some Like It Hot

Ian Cobb, like his twin sister Ianthe, was raised in a large sibko of mixed Cobb-Myers lineage on Kirchbach. Ian and Ianthe had an intense rivalry, each driving the other to greater heights during their time at the ORTF. His off-the-chart scores and two kills at his Trial of Position got him the attention of then-Nova Captain Elias Cobb of the 22nd Mechanized Assault Cluster; Elias began mentoring the younger man, grooming him for higher office and sponsoring him for a Bloodname in 3140. Ianthe was among his competitors for the open legacy, having entered and won the Grand Melee, but was ultimately defeated before Ian could face off against her. Ian ended up winning the tournament, and shortly thereafter was transferred to Elias' Supernova. All along the way, Elias was there to ease the path, ensuring Ian received the finest equipment and securing assignments practically guaranteed to win him glory and honor on the battlefield. When Elias, now a Star Colonel and aide to Galaxy Commander Trina Mitchell of Alpha Galaxy, was chosen by Deacon Amirault as Tau's executive officer, he had Ian promoted to Star Captain and given a powerful assault Trinary in the 231st, along with an advanced new Thunder Stallion. While Ian is highly skilled, he understands how much of his success is due to his patron, and is secretly riddled with self-doubt, wondering if he would have ever come as far as he has if not for Elias.


Alejandro Mehta

Decanted: 3116 (30 in 3146)
Homeworld: Csesztreg
Gunnery: 2
Piloting: 2
SPAs: Multi-Tasker, Oblique Attacker

Alejandro Mehta is a member of another of the more politically powerful Bloodname Houses. Spread across the Wolves, Falcons and Horses (and a century ago, the Smoke Jaguars), House Mehta has been a rival to House Cobb since the Golden Century. Alejandro's assignment to Tau was largely intended by Galaxy Commander Amirault as a sop to House Mehta, preventing them from accusing him of assembling a Galaxy for the aggrandizement of the Cobbs in the Clan Council.  Alejandro has the famed arrogance and disdainfulness of his Bloodname's reputation down pat; he reserves a special level of contempt for freeborn warriors, believing (unlike most Horses) that they are wholly unfit to serve alongside him. Privately, he desires to Trial Ian Cobb for his command position (and, eventually, Elias Cobb for his), both for his own advancement and to bring the Cobbs low. However, he knows that to challenge Ian directly could bring Elias' wrath down on his head, and so is currently weighing his options as to how to proceed.

House Mehta's connections ensured the assignment of a powerful Hellstar assault 'Mech, and Alejandro is skilled enough with it to regularly duel two opponents simultaneously. He has nicknamed it "Purifier", and paints the House Mehta sigil (a winged sword) just below those of his Clan, Galaxy and Cluster.


Rory Mitchell

Decanted: 3119 (27 in 3146)
Homeworld: Csesztreg
Gunnery: 1
Piloting: 3
SPAs: Gunnery Specialization (Ballistic), Oblique Attacker

Rory Mitchell is a former Mongol of Beta Galaxy. Seduced early in her career by the promises of power and dominance the Mongols offered, she embraced their philosophy wholeheartedly. A Star Commander out of the sibko, her impressive performance and full-throated advocacy for the Mongols earned a spot in the Eleventh Horde Cluster. When Beta fought the Kell Hounds on Timkovichi in 3142, Rory tore through two Hound assault 'Mechs and most of a tank lance; just as a third mercenary 'Mech was about to fall before her, the Red Talon opened fire from orbit, and she watched in horror as most of her fellow Horses were obliterated in moments. Realizing that she and her kin had been made fools of by the Chinggis Khan, she returned to Horse space and channeled her rage into earning a Bloodname, which she did within a year. Rory was another of Deacon's early followers in the Clan Council, and was promoted to Star Captain when Tau was formed. Rory generally keeps to herself, but has become very close with Lanoe Hawker; according to the unit's scuttlebutt, the two have been coupling exclusively since shortly after they met.

Rory's assault 'Mech, a rare and ancient Wakazashi, was found among the large caches the Falcons had built out of the old Amaris fortifications on Apollo when the Horses took the world in 3071 (after evicting the invading Ice Hellions). Despite being over three hundred years old, Rory's techs have managed to keep the Wakazashi in full working order, even overhauling its electronics to more modern specifications.


Martin Dwelley

Decanted: 3117 (29 in 3146)
Homeworld: Kirchbach
Gunnery: 2
Piloting: 3
SPAs: Oblique Attacker

Martin Dwelley has had a fairly typical career as Blooded aerospace pilots go. A formerly prominent Horse Bloodname House whose legacies were greatly reduced in the latter half of the previous century, the Dwelleys slowly rebuilt themselves and by the time of the Blackout had over a dozen active legacies, up from their nadir of just three. During his two tours of duty with the 91st Mechanized Assault Cluster, Martin's Star was at the tip of the unit's spear as they rolled across the worlds of the former Wolf Occupation Zone. When his Cluster reached Biota, they were ambushed by Clan Jade Falcon's Fifth Talon, who quickly fought them first to a standstill and then routed the less-experienced Horses. When Martin's Star Commander was killed during the retreat, Martin assumed command and led his Star to destroy one Noruff assault DropShip and cripple another before the 91st pulled off Biota. His heroics earned him sponsorship for a Bloodname, which he won handily. A few years later, House Dwelley secured Martin a prestigious slot commanding a Binary aboard the CHH Stampede, the Clan's York-class WarShip. Standing guard at Csesztreg, Martin's Binary also led the annual Founding Day airshow above Budapest. Despite being in such a prominent position, however, the Stampede rarely joined offensive operations, and Martin began to yearn for a chance to fight for his Clan in earnest once again. Martin fought for and won a slot in Tau Galaxy not because he is particularly interested the struggle between the Mongols and their detractors (House Dwelley is gun-shy about politics by dint of their previously greatly-reduced state) but because he looks forward to demonstrating his prowess in true combat once more.


TACTICS

Despite being extremely slow, the 231st has earned a reputation for always arriving in the nick of time. This is probably because they prefer to arrive on the battlefield via combat drop, often dropping directly on enemy lines for maximum chaotic effect. Even the unit's tanks, ProtoMechs and battlesuits are deployed in this manner, using stealthed drop-chute technology innovated by the Horses in the late 29th century. This is often timed to coincide with a sweep of the area by the aerospace fighters of Trinary Delta, who strike at any AA or enemy fighters looking to exploit the vulnerability of the Cluster's warriors mid-drop.

Star Colonel Grimheald's Trinary Zeta fields a significant percentage of the Horses' remaining Sprites. Using semi-guided munitions acquired via the Sea Foxes, the Star Colonel's Alpha Star peppers the enemy from behind cover with long-range missiles while Beta Star provides TAG spotting and Gamma Star screens them both.

[Unit Abilities: Star Colonel Grimheald has led the Cluster to gain a great deal of facility in indirect fire. All warriors in the Cluster have the Oblique Attacker SPA.]


TO&E

Trinary Zeta
Sprite Point
Star Colonel Lana Grimheald [0], Tactical Genius
Warrior Taikan [1]
Warrior Kelly [2]
Warrior Brooke [2]
Warrior Vratislav [2]

Sprite Point
Point Commander Espen [1]
Warrior Maccon [1]
Warrior Basim [2]
Warrior Phoebe [3]
Warrior Hui-Min [2]

Sprite Point
Point Commander Zorg [1]
Warrior Lenka [1]
Warrior Ben [3]
Warrior Wllibald [3]
Warrior Daniela [2]

Sprite Point
Point Commander Mesrak [1]
Warrior Bengt [3]
Warrior Mamoru [1]
Warrior Tsue [1]
Warrior Volkan [2]

Sprite Point
Point Commander Christian [1]
Warrior Johannes [3]
Warrior Zenia [2]
Warrior Myoung-chul [2]
Warrior Aad [3]

-----

Boggart HH Point
Star Commander Kliment [1]
Warrior Asmara [1]
Warrior Wami [3]
Warrior Taheeb [3]
Warrior Zefirino [3]

Boggart HH Point
Point Commander Altair [1]
Warrior Eryx [2]
Warrior Arturo [3]
Warrior Yvon [2]
Warrior Lester [3]

Boggart HH Point
Point Comander Enzo [1]
Warrior Erin [2]
Warrior Sabit [2]
Warrior Michael [3]
Warrior Massimiliano [3]

Boggart HH Point
Point Commander Adem [1]
Warrior Drew [2]
Warrior Andrew [3]
Warrior Kimitada [3]
Warrior Hafoka [1]

Boggart HH Point
Point Commander Majde [1]
Warrior Rudi [1]
Warrior Norbert [3]
Warrior Bonny-lee [2]
Warrior Jenmarie [2]

-----

Minotaur Point
Star Commander Surya [2]
Warrior Bruno [2]
Warrior Aetos [3]
Warrior Gerd [2]
Warrior Guo-quiang [2]

Minotaur Point
Point Commander Mud [3]
Warrior Madlena [4]
Warrior Vic [4]
Warrior Roy [4]
Warrior Staffan [4]

Minotaur Point
Point Commander Song-saeng [2]
Warrior Berna [2]
Warrior Gilles [3]
Warrior Amy [3]
Warrior Dima [4]

Minotaur Point
Point Commander Arthur [2]
Warrior Anant [2]
Warrior Dereje [3]
Warrior Nestor [2]
Warrior Lewis [3]

Minotaur Point
Point Commander Bernd [2]
Warrior Zafir [4]
Warrior Juraj [3]
Warrior Dominga [4]
Warrior Apostolos [3]



Supernova Alpha
Turkina
Nova Captain Lanoe Hawker
Gunnery [1], Piloting [2], Melee Specialist, Melee Master, Sandblaster

Tomahawk II
Mechwarrior Geoffroy
Gunnery [2], Piloting [3]

Tomahawk
Mechwarrior Alban
Gunnery [2], Piloting [3]

Dire Wolf
Mechwarrior Raquel
Gunnery [2], Piloting [5]

Savage Coyote
Mechwarrior Owen
Gunnery [2], Piloting [4]

Gnome (LRM) Point
Point Commander Karin
Gunnery [2], Anti-'Mech [2]

Gnome (LRM) Point
Point Commander Brennan
Gunnery [2], Anti-'Mech [4]

Gnome (LRM) Point
Point Commander Krishnapillai
Gunnery [3], Anti-'Mech [2]

Gnome (LRM) Point
Point Commander Walter
Gunnery [3], Anti-'Mech [3]

Gnome (LRM) Point
Point Commander Roderyk
Gunnery [3], Anti-'Mech [5]

-----

Warhawk
Nova Commander Zarek Moiseyev
Gunnery [1], Piloting [2]

Kingfisher
Mechwarrior Lykaios
Gunnery [1], Piloting [4]

Night Gyr
Mechwarrior Saadet
Gunnery [2], Piloting [5]

Hel
Mechwarrior Felix
Gunnery [3], Piloting [3]

Hel
Mechwarrior Kisabaka
Gunnery [3], Piloting [4]

Elemental II Point
Point Commander Roodan
Gunnery [1], Anti-'Mech [5]

Elemental II Point
Point Commander Alain
Gunnery [3], Anti-'Mech [3]

Elemental II Point
Point Commander Yoshitaka
Gunnery [3], Anti-'Mech [2]

Elemental II Point
Point Commander Zale
Gunnery [3], Anti-'Mech [3]

Elemental II Point
Point Commander Vittoriano
Gunnery [3], Anti-'Mech [2]

-----

Ironhold (Fire) Point
Nova Commander Zhorah Cooper
Gunnery [1], Anti-'Mech [3], Cluster Hitter

Ironhold (Fire) Point
Point Commander Kali
Gunnery [2], Anti-'Mech [4]

Ironhold (Fire) Point
Point Commander Ennsesbek
Gunnery [3], Anti-'Mech [3]

Ironhold (Fire) Point
Point Commander Timon
Gunnery [3], Anti-'Mech [3]

Ironhold (Fire) Point
Point Commander Patricia
Gunnery [4], Anti-'Mech [3]

Heimdall Ground Monitor
Point Commander Gerald
Gunnery [3], Driving [4]

Aithon Assault Transport
Warrior Olcay
Gunnery [4], Driving [5]

Heimdall Ground Monitor
Point Commander Rshtun
Gunnery [3], Driving [5]

Aithon Assault Transport
Warrior Majd
Gunnery [4], Driving [5]

Mars Assault Vehicle (XL)
Point Commander Frank
Gunnery [4], Driving [4]

Aithon Assault Transport
Warrior Hemmu
Gunnery [4], Driving [3]

Mars Assault Vehicle (XL)
Point Commander Yaprak
Gunnery [3], Driving [4]

Aithon Assault Transport
Warrior Konstantine
Gunnery [4], Driving [4]

Mars Assault Vehicle (XL)
Point Commander Cihangir
Gunnery [3], Driving [5]

Aithon Assault Transport
Warrior Teagan
Gunnery [4], Driving [5]



Trinary Beta
Thunder Stallion 4
Star Captain Ian Cobb
Gunnery [1], Piloting [3], Sniper, Some Like It Hot

Imp C
Mechwarrior Renata
Gunnery [1], Piloting [3]

Bane 3
Mechwarrior Kateb
Gunnery [2], Piloting [4]

Annihilator C
Mechwarrior Lebna
Gunnery [3], Piloting [3]

Thunder Stallion 3
Mechwarrior Finley
Gunnery [3], Piloting [3]

-----

Hellstar
Star Commander Alejandro Mehta
Gunnery [2], Piloting [2], Multi-Tasker

Cygnus 2
Mechwarrior Sofronio
Gunnery [2], Piloting [3]

Cygnus 4
Mechwarrior Juma
Gunnery [2], Piloting [4]

Warhammer IIC 4
Mechwarrior Adnan
Gunnery [4], Piloting [2]

Ha Otoko 3
Mechwarrior Joseph
Gunnery [3], Piloting [2]

-----

Gnome (LRM) Point
Nova Commander Saidah
Gunnery [2], Anti-'Mech [2]

Gnome (LRM) Point
Point Commander Tyler
Gunnery [3], Anti-'Mech [2]

Gnome (LRM) Point
Point Commander Nichelle
Gunnery [4], Anti-'Mech [3]

Gnome (LRM) Point
Point Commander Wambua
Gunnery [3], Anti-'Mech [3]

Gnome (LRM) Point
Point Commander Danny
Gunnery [4], Anti-'Mech [4]

Fury Command Tank (Clan)
Point Commander Devanaman
Gunnery [3], Driving [5]

Carnivore Assault Tank
Warrior Taddese
Gunnery [4], Driving [5]

Fury Command Tank (Clan)
Point Commander Nicolaos
Gunnery [3], Driving [3]

Axel IIC Heavy Tank
Warrior Majella
Gunnery [3], Driving [4]

Fury Command Tank (Clan)
Point Commander Hima
Gunnery [3], Driving [3]

Axel IIC Heavy Tank
Warrior Andrew
Gunnery [4], Driving [5]

Fury Command Tank (Clan)
Point Commander Achilles
Gunnery [3], Driving [4]

Oro Heavy Tank (HAG)
Warrior Tibalt
Gunnery [4], Driving [4]

Fury Command Tank (Clan)
Point Commander Fabian
Gunnery [3], Driving [5]

Oro Heavy Tank (HAG)
Warrior Adok
Gunnery [4], Driving [4]



Trinary Gamma
Wakazashi
Star Captain Rory Mitchell
Gunnery [1], Piloting [3], Gunnery Specialist (Ballistic)

Mad Cat Mk II-Enhanced
Mechwarrior Sofian
Gunnery [2], Piloting [3]

Behemoth 3
Mechwarrior Khalil
Gunnery [2], Piloting [4]

Highlander IIC
Mechwarrior Jabeen
Gunnery [3], Piloting [2]

Rifleman IIC
Mechwarrior Krish
Gunnery [4], Piloting [3]

-----

Bruin
Star Commander Sadiq
Gunnery [2], Piloting [3]

Phoenix Hawk IIC 7
Mechwarrior Miquel
Gunnery [2], Piloting [4]

Night Wolf
Mechwarrior Hitoshi
Gunnery [2], Piloting [4]

Blood Reaper
Mechwarrior Sezer
Gunnery [2], Piloting [4]

Grizzly
Mechwarrior Clarence
Gunnery [3], Piloting [3]

-----

Rock Golem Point
Nova Commander Ajax
Gunnery [1], Anti-'Mech [3]

Rock Golem Point
Point Commander Mark
Gunnery [2], Anti-'Mech [5]

Rock Golem Point
Point Commander Haala
Gunnery [3], Anti-'Mech [5]

Rock Golem Point
Point Commander Otis
Gunnery [2], Anti-'Mech [5]

Rock Golem Point
Point Commander Zorba
Gunnery [4], Anti-'Mech [3]

Mars Assault Vehicle (HAG)
Point Commander Iman
Gunnery [2], Driving [4]

Huitzilopochtli Assault Tank (AAA)
Warrior Anka
Gunnery [2], Driving [3]

Mars Assault Vehicle (HAG)
Point Commander Kent
Gunnery [3], Driving [3]

Huitzilopochtli Assault Tank (AAA)
Warrior Hamza
Gunnery [2], Driving [4]

Mars Assault Vehicle (HAG)
Point Commander Somay
Gunnery [3], Driving [3]

Huitzilopochtli Assault Tank (AAA)
Warrior Vid
Gunnery [3], Driving [5]

Mars Assault Vehicle (HAG)
Point Commander Tamerat
Gunnery [3], Driving [5]

Huitzilopochtli Assault Tank (AAA)
Warrior Andrea
Gunnery [3], Driving [4]

Mars Assault Vehicle (HAG)
Point Commander Toini
Gunnery [4], Driving [5]

Huitzilopochtli Assault Tank (AAA)
Warrior Mattias
Gunnery [4], Driving [5]



Trinary Delta
Kirghiz
Star Captain Martin Dwelley
Gunnery [2], Piloting [3]

Kirghiz
Pilot Firdaus
Gunnery [4], Piloting [3]

Scytha
Point Commander Berta
Gunnery [3], Piloting [3]

Scytha
Pilot Jon
Gunnery [3], Piloting [5]

Ostrogoth
Point Commander Naida
Gunnery [2], Piloting [4]

Ostrogoth
Pilot Kyran
Gunnery [3], Piloting [5]

Hydaspes
Point Commander Kas
Gunnery [2], Piloting [3]

Hydaspes
Pilot Doug
Gunnery [4], Piloting [3]

Hydaspes 3
Point Commander Bura
Gunnery [3], Piloting [3]

Hydaspes 3
Pilot Jacob
Gunnery [4], Piloting [3]

-----

Kirghiz
Star Commander Alanna
Gunnery [2], Piloting [3]

Kirghiz
Pilot Hideyoshi
Gunnery [3], Piloting [3]

Jengiz
Point Commander Lehana
Gunnery [2], Piloting [4]

Jengiz
Pilot Mahdi
Gunnery [3], Piloting [5]

Scytha
Point Commander Barbora
Gunnery [3], Piloting [5]

Scytha
Pilot Spiru
Gunnery [4], Piloting [3]

Sabutai
Point Commander Gwang-sam
Gunnery [2], Piloting [3]

Hydaspes
Pilot Alysia
Gunnery [4], Piloting [3]

Hydaspes
Point Commander Christopher
Gunnery [3], Piloting [3]

Hydaspes 3
Pilot Trofim
Gunnery [4], Piloting [3]

-----

Xerxes 3
Star Commander Vlad
Gunnery [2], Piloting [4]

Xerxes 3
Pilot David
Gunnery [3], Piloting [3]

Xerxes 3
Point Commander Jilenko
Gunnery [2], Piloting [4]

Xerxes 3
Pilot Matthias
Gunnery [4], Piloting [5]

Xerxes 3
Point Commander Najib
Gunnery [2], Piloting [5]

Xerxes 3
Pilot Juan
Gunnery [4], Piloting [5]

Xerxes 3
Point Commander Le-song
Gunnery [3], Piloting [5]

Xerxes 3
Pilot Kassia
Gunnery [4], Piloting [3]

Xerxes 3
Point Commander Krisna
Gunnery [3], Piloting [4]

Xerxes 3
Pilot Denes
Gunnery [4], Piloting [5]



Transport

DropShips
Union-C-class Killing Time
Outpost (3070)-class Black Mountain Side
Outpost (3070)-class Heartbreaker
Outpost (3070)-class Gallows Pole
Arcadia-class Redemption
Arcadia-class Atonement
Arcadia-class Restitution
Titan-class Astraeus
Outpost Defender-class Eric Amirault
Nagasawa-class Profit Margin
Nagasawa-class Trade Surplus
Mammoth-class Pressure Drop

JumpShips
Odyssey-class Ismaros
Odyssey-class Polyphemus
Odyssey-class Circe

[Kojak]

35TH MECHANIZED STRIKE CLUSTER



CO: Star Colonel Ulysses Grant
Unit Status: Elite/Fanatical
Unit Nickname: The Demon Monkeys
Unit Insignia: A demonic face with flames for hair
Unit Colors: The standard Tau Galaxy scheme, flame red on the front half and ash grey on the rear half, with an undulating line of flame separating the halves
Unit Pics


OFFICERS

Ulysses Grant

Decanted: 3113 (33 in 3146)
Homeworld: Kirchbach
Gunnery: 0
Piloting: 1
SPAs: Maneuvering Ace, Pain Resistance, Sniper

Ulysses Grant hails from a minor Bloodname originating with Clan Fire Mandrill. The Horses acquired the majority of the Grant Bloodheritages after the destruction of the Smythe-Jewel Kindraa in the mid-29th century, but rarely used them until after the Great Reavings, which had left the Horses in need of viable lineages. The Grant Bloodname House was expanded and new sibkos decanted in the early 3110s; Ulysses was a product of one of the first of these. Among the Mandrills the Grant line had always been known to produce excellent Mechwarriors, and Ulysses proved no exception. Three kills in his initial Trial of Position earned him Star Captaincy and the eye of sponsors for a Bloodname. But while he did eventually gain a Bloodname, its infamy prejudiced those of more prestigious heritages against him; they considered him an upstart whelp and forced his assignment to the 65th Mechanized Strike Cluster. While technically a frontline Cluster, it was composed largely of untalented dezgra and those who had only barely passed their initial Trial of Position. It was a dead end for Ulysses, and the fact that most of the warriors who looked down on him were also members of the Mongol movement led him to despise those who espoused its creed. He was one of Deacon Amirault's earliest allies on the Clan Council, and his undeniable mastery of the arts of war made him an obvious choice to head up the 35th Mechanized Strike Cluster when Tau Galaxy was formed.

Star Colonel Ulysses has the same gaunt features and flame-red hair as most Grants, which has inspired both the 35th's nickname and insignia. He is well-loved and respected by the warriors under his command, and off-duty he has organized a unit-wide bo-taoshi league, an ancient martial sport that emphasizes teamwork. He is also quite fond of New Caledonian Old Horse Reserve bourbon, although it does not seem to affect his skills at the joysticks of his Timber Wolf even slightly.


Zero Ravenwater

Decanted: 3128 (28 in 3146)
Homeworld: Csesztreg
Gunnery: 0
Piloting: 1
SPAs: Gunnery Specialization (Missile)

Zero Ravenwater is Galaxy Commander Amirault's protege and bred from a sibko that used Sachiko Ravenwater's genes. Obsessed with the Remembrance from a young age, he has had verses from it tattooed all over his body. Zero takes great pride in leading his Nova, which he refers to as a Herd; to him, the Balius and Buraq are the ultimate totems of his Clan, and to field the Herd in battle is to act as the Galaxy's (and the Clan's) standard-bearer. Accordingly, he ensures that the Nova's 'Mechs and battlesuits are always immaculate, glinting as though factory-fresh even during long campaigns. He has had each warrior's favorite verse from the Remembrance stenciled along their mount's flanks.


Aphrodite DeLaurel

Decanted: 3121 (25 in 3146)
Homeworld: Csesztreg
Gunnery: 1
Piloting: 1
SPAs: Jumping Jack

Star Captain Aphrodite DeLaurel is a ristar and the Cluster's executive officer. Only twenty-five years old, she is on track to become a major player in Clan Hell's Horses one day; DeLaurel is a highly influential Bloodname House within the Clan. Aphrodite is a phenomenally skilled duelist and tends to adhere to zellbrigen in all but the most dire circumstances; she often challenges assault 'Mechs and then uses her superior maneuverability to pick them apart. Her Grand Summoner, named "Gella", is perfectly suited for the young officer, the perfect blend of speed, armor and firepower for her combat style. While generally conservative overall, she is diametrically opposed to the Mongol philosophy, seeing it as a perversion of the Clan way.


Aeneas O'Reilly

Decanted: 3121 (25 in 3146)
Homeworld: Csesztreg
Gunnery: 0
Piloting: 1
SPAs: Multi-tasker

Star Commander Aeneas O'Reilly is another of the Clan's finest duelists. His and Star Captain DeLaurel's sibkos were both part of the class of 3139 at the Old Regret Training Facility. The two have been close friends since an early age, the two of them regularly training against each other in their off hours and honing their skills. While arguably an even better Mechwarrior than Aphrodite in terms of raw skill, Aeneas does not have quite the win record she does, due mainly to his tendency to challenge multiple opponents to duels simultaneously. As a result he graduated from the ORTF with only a single kill in his Trial of Position, and ended up in the Star of then-Star Commander Aphrodite. When Galaxy Commander Amirault poached her from the 30th Mechanized Strike Cluster, she made sure Aeneas came with her, and with a promotion to boot. Bloodnames followed for both shortly thereafter. Aeneas' codex registers nearly as many losses as wins, but some of his wins have likely come close to winning him a place in the Remembrance. With his defeat and capture of Sacha Sradac, it is rumored he will be selected to participate in next year's Branding rite on Csesztreg. Recently, Aeneas was given an experimental variant of the Vapor Eagle to test for the scientist caste; both they and he are eager to see how it fares in the field.


Omar Seidman

Decanted: 3118 (28 in 3146)
Homeworld: Kirchbach
Gunnery: 0
Anti-'Mech: 2
SPAs: Cluster Hitter

Omar Seidman is one of the last members of a dying Bloodhouse. The Great Reavings of the 3090s devastated the Seidman line, and only the rise to prominence of Domnhall Seidman (who first espoused and popularized the original Mongol Doctrine among the Horses) kept them from eventual deactivation. As a result, the Seidman line has been struggling to regain its prominence, and Omar has felt the weight of that struggle ever since gaining his Bloodname. Consistently unable to rise through the ranks due to the perception of his genetic heritage as unfit, Omar languished as a Star Commander in the Twelfth Ranger Cluster. As a result he began to take more and more suicidal risks; in 3141 he caught the attention of Deacon Amirault when his battlesuit Star annihilated a sizable and skilled pirate band in an ambush on Novo Cressidas, at the cost of most of his Star and one of his legs. After his new leg was grown, Amirault had Omar transferred to Tau and promoted to Nova Commander. With this second chance and his star hitched to Aphrodite DeLaurel's meteoric rise, Omar now throws himself into battle with the zeal and ferocity of a man reborn, fully intending to once more return the Seidman line to its former glory.


Ianthe Cobb

Decanted: 3117 (29 in 3146)
Homeworld: Kirchbach
Gunnery: 0
Piloting: 1
SPAs: Jumping Jack, Sensor Geek

Ianthe Cobb is, like her twin brother Ian, one of Tau's finest officers and Mechwarriors. Unlike her brother, she did not have anyone to rely on for patronage; instead, she had to claw her way to her position through sheer skill and tenacity. Only gaining a single kill in her Trial of Position due to an absurdly lucky shot by her second opponent, she spent years working her way first to the rank of Star Commander and then Star Captain in the decidedly non-prestigious 62nd Mechanized Assault Cluster. Highly talented but without access to the kinds of opportunities her brother had, she entered the Grand Melee during the same Bloodname tournament Ian was a contestant in. While she won the Grand Melee, in a rather impressive display, she lost in the third round of duels, never facing off against her brother. It was not until Jeronimo Cobb died in early 3145 that she was finally able to secure a sponsor on the basis of her performance in the Grand Melee several years prior. This time she won the tournament, cutting down her opponents like Patricia Cobb herself. Knowing that their lifelong competition is part of what made them both who they are today, Ian insisted that Ianthe's Trinary be added to Tau when the Galaxy was being formed. While she and her brother are still fierce rivals, Ianthe will brook no insult or attack on him from others; those who make the mistake of doing so find themselves in a Circle of Equals shortly thereafter.


Moses Ben-Shimon

Decanted: 3118 (28 in 3146)
Homeworld: Kirchbach
Gunnery: 1
Piloting: 2
SPAs: None

Like his commander, Moses Ben-Shimon comes from a Bloodname House that was revived in the wake of the Great Reavings to buoy the Clan's eugenics program as it reached its nadir. Specifically, the current Ben-Shimon lineage originates with a Goliath Scorpion Seeker taken bondsman by the Horses as they fled the Homeworlds during the Wars of Reaving. Yusuf Ben-Shimon would go on to rise through the ranks to command the Eleventh Mechanized Cavalry, one of the most elite and storied Clusters of the Hell's Horses touman. Moses strives to live up Yusuf's legacy, intending to one day command a prestigious Cluster of his own. As a relentless careerist, he has forged close ties with Star Colonel Elias Cobb, knowing he must ally himself with a more powerful Bloodname House if he wishes to work his way into a more prominent position. Moses is certainly no slouch as a pilot, either; a consummately talented dogfighter, he currently has more than thirty air-to-air kills in his codex.


Gerard Grimheald

Decanted: 3121 (25 in 3146)
Homeworld: Kirchbach
Gunnery: 1
SPAs: Jumping Jack, Sandblaster

The latest ristar of Bloodname House Grimheald, Gerard comes from a sibko similar to that of Constantin Fletcher, using a Lankenau genefather legacy to breed for officer qualities; given that Gerard and five other members of his sibko have all gone on to become Blooded frontline Star Captains, House Grimheald sees the experiment as a resounding success. Gerard himself is fairly unconventional for a ProtoMech officer, preferring to use hit-and-fade tactics rather than simply swarming opponents without regard for casualties, like most Clans' ProtoMech doctrine calls for; the imported Hippogriffs used by Grimheald's command Star often empty their ammo bins and retreat from the field before the enemy ever manages to fire on them. Gerard is, like Rory Mitchell of the 231st and Leroy Brown of the 116th, a survivor of the Timkovichi incident, though he served with the Eighth Horde Cluster. Similarly angered by what he saw there, Gerard has sided with fellow Tau officer Lana Grimheald in the internecine struggle between the Mongol and anti-Mongol camps that currently consumes the House.


TACTICS

The 35th Mechanized Strike rarely relies on subtlety when it comes to tactics. Like the Jade Falcons of old, they prefer to throw themselves at the greatest concentration of enemy strength and count on their superior fighting prowess to secure victory. However, when it comes to zellbrigen dueling they are extremely canny about choosing their duels to maximize their tactical advantages, often stringing out heavier opponents and pulling them into heavy crossfire from supporting tanks and battlesuits.

[Unit Abilities: The Demon Monkeys are more comfortable on the offensive; anytime they are the Attacker in a scenario, they receive a +1 Initiative modifier.]


TO&E

Supernova Alpha
Timber Wolf
Star Colonel Ulysses Grant
Gunnery [0], Piloting [1], Maneuvering Ace, Pain Resistance, Sniper

Gargoyle
Mechwarrior Jibril
Gunnery [2], Piloting [2]

Mad Dog Mk. IV
Mechwarrior Giacinto
Gunnery [1], Piloting [1]

Ebon Jaguar
Mechwarrior Seda
Gunnery [2], Piloting [3]

Nova
Mechwarrior Ihsan
Gunnery [1], Piloting [3]

Elemental (Fire) Point
Point Commander Motono
Gunnery [0], Anti-'Mech [2]

Elemental (Fire) Point
Point Commander Don
Gunnery [3], Anti-'Mech [2]

Elemental (Fire) Point
Point Commander Hendrik
Gunnery [1], Anti-'Mech [4]

Elemental (Fire) Point
Point Commander Riza
Gunnery [1], Anti-'Mech [4]

Elemental (Fire) Point
Point Commander Imre
Gunnery [1], Anti-'Mech [3]

-----

Balius
Nova Commander Zero Ravenwater
Gunnery [0], Piloting [1], Gunnery Specialization (Missile)

Balius
Mechwarrior Tyrone
Gunnery [0], Piloting [4]

Balius
Mechwarrior Carl
Gunnery [1], Piloting [2]

Balius
Mechwarrior Mircea
Gunnery [1], Piloting [3]

Balius
Mechwarrior Naima
Gunnery [3], Piloting [1]

Buraq Point
Point Commander Noelle
Gunnery [1], Anti-'Mech [1]

Buraq Point
Point Commander Angela
Gunnery [0], Anti-'Mech [2]

Buraq Point
Point Commander Christian
Gunnery [0], Anti-'Mech [4]

Buraq Point
Point Commander Jules
Gunnery [2], Anti-'Mech [3]

Buraq Point
Point Commander Meqran
Gunnery [3], Anti-'Mech [3]

-----

Buraq Point
Nova Commander Armando
Gunnery [0], Anti-'Mech [3]

Buraq Point
Point Commander Evelin
Gunnery [1], Anti-'Mech [1]

Buraq Point
Point Commander Cheol
Gunnery [1], Anti-'Mech [3]

Buraq Point
Point Commander Gulser
Gunnery [1], Anti-'Mech [2]

Buraq Point
Point Commander Jung
Gunnery [2], Anti-'Mech [4]

Axel Heavy Tank IIC (XL)
Point Commander Thaqib
Gunnery [2], Driving [3]

Axel Heavy Tank IIC (XL)
Warrior Elima
Gunnery [3], Driving [4]

Joust Medium Tank BE700
Point Commander Tuluhan
Gunnery [2], Driving [3]

Joust Medium Tank BE700
Warrior Dong
Gunnery [3], Driving [5]

Enyo Strike Tank (LBX)
Point Commander Semavi
Gunnery [1], Driving [4]

Enyo Strike Tank (LBX)
Warrior Untung
Gunnery [3], Driving [2]

Enyo Strike Tank (LBX)
Point Commander Harshini
Gunnery [3], Driving [2]

Enyo Strike Tank (LBX)
Warrior Hong-quan
Gunnery [3], Driving [5]

Enyo Strike Tank (LBX)
Point Commander Noburo
Gunnery [3], Driving [2]

Enyo Strike Tank (LBX)
Warrior Hazan
Gunnery [3], Driving [5]



Trinary Beta
Grand Summoner
Star Captain Aphrodite DeLaurel
Gunnery [1], Piloting [1], Jumping Jack

Savage Wolf
Mechwarrior Samesona
Gunnery [0], Piloting [4]

Karhu
Mechwarrior Felician
Gunnery [1], Piloting [3]

Mad Dog Mk. IV
Mechwarrior Czeslaw
Gunnery [1], Piloting [3]

Mad Dog Mk. IV
Mechwarrior Magda
Gunnery [2], Piloting [3]

-----

Vapor Eagle XR
Star Commander Aeneas O'Reilly
Gunnery [0], Piloting [1], Multi-Tasker

Conjurer
Mechwarrior Ilker
Gunnery [3], Piloting [2]

Griffin IIC 8
Mechwarrior Jorge
Gunnery [1], Piloting [2]

Shadow Hawk IIC 8
Mechwarrior Pin
Gunnery [2], Piloting [2]

Clint IIC 2
Mechwarrior Vicente
Gunnery [0], Piloting [2]

-----

Gnome (LRM) Point
Nova Commander Omar Seidman
Gunnery [0], Anti-'Mech [2], Cluster Hitter

Gnome (LRM) Point
Point Commander Arnost
Gunnery [3], Anti-'Mech [2]

Gnome (LRM) Point
Point Commander Jawahara
Gunnery [3], Anti-'Mech [3]

Gnome (LRM) Point
Point Commander Unver
Gunnery [1], Anti-'Mech [2]

Gnome (LRM) Point
Point Commander Frantz
Gunnery [2], Anti-'Mech [3]

Enyo Strike Tank
Point Commander Agnes
Gunnery [2], Driving [2]

Ku Wheeled Assault Tank (IFV)
Warrior Emin
Gunnery [2], Driving [3]

Enyo Strike Tank
Point Commander Yudum
Gunnery [2], Driving [3]

Ku Wheeled Assault Tank (IFV)
Warrior Eva
Gunnery [2], Driving [3]

Enyo Strike Tank
Point Commander Pavlik
Gunnery [2], Driving [3]

Ku Wheeled Assault Tank (IFV)
Warrior Abazza
Gunnery [3], Driving [3]

Enyo Strike Tank
Point Commander Iona
Gunnery [2], Driving [3]

Ku Wheeled Assault Tank (IFV)
Warrior Janakiraman
Gunnery [4], Driving [4]

Enyo Strike Tank
Point Commander Zenobio
Gunnery [2], Driving [5]

Ku Wheeled Assault Tank (IFV)
Warrior John
Gunnery [4], Driving [4]



Trinary Gamma
Mad Cat Mk II 5
Star Captain Ianthe Cobb
Gunnery [0], Piloting [1], Jumping Jack, Sensor Geek

Ursus II
Mechwarrior Fakir
Gunnery [1], Piloting [4]

Ursus II
Mechwarrior Ilhan
Gunnery [3], Piloting [4]

Champion C
Mechwarrior Helemano
Gunnery [2], Piloting [4]

Champion C
Mechwarrior Besa
Gunnery [3], Piloting [3]

-----

Arcas
Star Commander Nealon
Gunnery [1], Piloting [2]

Phoenix Hawk IIC 4
Mechwarrior Thoa
Gunnery [1], Piloting [2]

Rifleman IIC 8
Mechwarrior Tomokazu
Gunnery [3], Piloting [2]

Griffin IIC 8
Mechwarrior Zai-shuo
Gunnery [2], Piloting [2]

Griffin IIC 8
Mechwarrior Kian
Gunnery [2], Piloting [3]

-----

Gnome (LRM) Point
Nova Commander Tahsin
Gunnery [0], Anti-'Mech [2]

Gnome (LRM) Point
Point Commander Sergiu
Gunnery [0], Anti-'Mech [3]

Gnome (LRM) Point
Point Commander Masinisan
Gunnery [1], Anti-'Mech [3]

Gnome (LRM) Point
Point Commander Emanuela
Gunnery [1], Anti-'Mech [3]

Gnome (LRM) Point
Point Commander Waldemar
Gunnery [3], Anti-'Mech [3]

Enyo Strike Tank
Point Commander Theo
Gunnery [2], Driving [3]

Ku Wheeled Assault Tank (IFV)
Warrior Datu
Gunnery [2], Driving [5]

Enyo Strike Tank
Point Commander Geomar
Gunnery [3], Driving [5]

Ku Wheeled Assault Tank (IFV)
Warrior Eilinora
Gunnery [4], Driving [3]

Enyo Strike Tank
Point Commander Quinton
Gunnery [2], Driving [5]

Ku Wheeled Assault Tank (IFV)
Warrior Urian
Gunnery [4], Driving [4]

Enyo Strike Tank
Point Commander Clemente
Gunnery [2], Driving [3]

Ku Wheeled Assault Tank (IFV)
Warrior Shannon
Gunnery [4], Driving [4]

Enyo Strike Tank
Point Commander Adrian
Gunnery [3], Driving [3]

Ku Wheeled Assault Tank (IFV)
Warrior Kaihe
Gunnery [3], Driving [4]



Trinary Delta
Ostrogoth
Star Captain Moses Ben-Shimon
Gunnery [1], Piloting [2]

Ostrogoth
Pilot Sam
Gunnery [1], Piloting [2]

Jagatai
Point Commander Sadik
Gunnery [1], Piloting [4]

Jagatai
Pilot Frank
Gunnery [1], Piloting [4]

Visigoth
Point Commander Theodor
Gunnery [1], Piloting [2]

Visigoth
Pilot Verdiano
Gunnery [3], Piloting [4]

Turk
Point Commander Ludo
Gunnery [2], Piloting [2]

Turk
Pilot Franz
Gunnery [2], Piloting [3]

Wusun
Point Commander Xhemil
Gunnery [2], Piloting [3]

Wusun
Pilot Mansoor
Gunnery [3], Piloting [3]

-----

Visigoth
Star Commander Sebastien
Gunnery [1], Piloting [2]

Turk
Pilot Hyesun
Gunnery [2], Piloting [2]

Turk
Point Commander Jannicke
Gunnery [2], Piloting [3]

Turk
Pilot Silja
Gunnery [3], Piloting [2]

Jagatai
Point Commander Allan
Gunnery [1], Piloting [4]

Jagatai
Pilot Chien-shih
Gunnery [3], Piloting [2]

Jagatai
Point Commander Archibald
Gunnery [1], Piloting [4]

Persepolis
Pilot Benedito
Gunnery [3], Piloting [3]

Ammon 2
Point Commander Peony
Gunnery [2], Piloting [2]

Ammon-XR
Pilot Philip
Gunnery [3], Piloting [3]

-----

Tyre 3
Star Commander Salvatore
Gunnery [1], Piloting [3]

Tyre 3
Pilot Serhat
Gunnery [1], Piloting [3]

Tyre 3
Point Commander Erasmus
Gunnery [1], Piloting [4]

Tyre 3
Pilot Marwa
Gunnery [1], Piloting [4]

Tyre 3
Point Commander Tomoe
Gunnery [2], Piloting [2]

Tyre 3
Pilot Huysus
Gunnery [3], Piloting [3]

Tyre 3
Point Commander Eliseo
Gunnery [2], Piloting [3]

Tyre 3
Pilot Harith
Gunnery [3], Piloting [3]

Tyre 3
Point Commander Katina
Gunnery [1], Piloting [4]

Tyre 3
Pilot Amir
Gunnery [3], Piloting [2]



Trinary Zeta
Hippogriff Point
Star Captain Gerard Grimheald [1], Jumping Jack, Sandblaster
Warrior Marioara [1]
Warrior Te-Anu [1]
Warrior Judit [2]
Warrior Yun-fat [1]

Hippogriff Point
Point Commander Chika [1]
Warrior Manuel [2]
Warrior Neha [2]
Warrior Teune [1]
Warrior Odell [3]

Hippogriff Point
Point Commander Hewitt [2]
Warrior Katsumi [2]
Warrior Eski [2]
Warrior Jae-hyung [2]
Warrior Anis [2]

Hippogriff Point
Point Commander Sachi [1]
Warrior Hayal [3]
Warrior Tsuginori [3]
Warrior Rickey [3]
Warrior Phung [3]

Hippogriff Point
Point Commander Lumir [1]
Warrior Tess [2]
Warrior Chito [2]
Warrior Anke [2]
Warrior Joong [2]

-----

Procyon (Quad) Point
Star Commander Xavier [1]
Warrior Giorgis [2]
Warrior Radoste [2]
Warrior Emmett [3]
Warrior Genco [3]

Procyon (Quad) Point
Point Commander Odysseus [1]
Warrior Terry [1]
Warrior Ferid [2]
Warrior Yvan [1]
Warrior Mac [2]

Procyon (Quad) Point
Point Commander Nees [1]
Warrior Helen [1]
Warrior Sobeslav [1]
Warrior Kynthia [3]
Warrior Lateefa [3]

Procyon (Quad) Point
Point Commander Dharr [1]
Warrior Zotico [1]
Warrior Jean-Marie [3]
Warrior Kamalamaya [1]
Warrior Feng [2]

Procyon (Quad) Point
Point Commander Faizah [1]
Warrior Augustin [3]
Warrior Sayid [1]
Warrior Murilo [2]
Warrior Blanca [2]

-----

Procyon (Quad) Point
Star Commander Bedric [1]
Warrior Xiong [1]
Warrior Suzana [1]
Warrior Yong-sung [2]
Warrior Akar [3]

Procyon (Quad) Point
Point Commander Doraisvami [1]
Warrior Taryn [2]
Warrior Lienhard [1]
Warrior Gelana [3]
Warrior Paul [3]

Procyon (Quad) Point
Point Commander Jack [1]
Warrior Douggie [1]
Warrior Pervin [3]
Warrior Clayton [2]
Warrior Peroz [3]

Procyon (Quad) Point
Point Commander Satenik [1]
Warrior Rodney [3]
Warrior Kolya [2]
Warrior Juhaina [2]
Warrior Offet [2]

Procyon (Quad) Point
Point Commander Jinrich [1]
Warrior Michelle [3]
Warrior Hoang [2]
Warrior Genet [1]
Warrior Bakir [3]



Transport

DropShips
Union-C-class Death and Gravity
Outpost (3070)-class Black Dog
Outpost (3070)-class No Quarter
Outpost (3070)-class Trampled Under Foot
Arcadia-class Final Terms
Arcadia-class Sticking Point
Arcadia-class Last Offer
Titan-class Pallas
Outpost Defender-class Aaron Cobb
Nagasawa-class Break Even
Nagasawa-class Full Refund
Mammoth-class Empiricist

JumpShips
Odyssey-class Tiresias
Odyssey-class Calypso
Odyssey-class Laertes

[Kojak]

116TH MECHANIZED CAVALRY CLUSTER



CO: Star Colonel Constantin Fletcher
Unit Status: Veteran/Reliable
Unit Nickname: The Mares of Diomedes
Unit Insignia: A grinning skull in a helm with a deep hoof-shaped dent in the forehead
Unit Colors: The standard Tau Galaxy scheme, flame red on the front half and ash grey on the rear half, with an undulating line of flame separating the halves
Unit Pics


OFFICERS

Constantin Fletcher

Decanted: 3105 (41 in 3146)
Homeworld: Csesztreg
Gunnery: 0
Anti-Mech: 2
SPAs: Blind Fighter, Natural Aptitude (Gunnery), Tactical Genius

Few people would guess that the taciturn Constantin Fletcher is one of the most brilliant strategists in Clan Hell's Horses. Constantin was bred from a sibko of mixed Fletcher and Lankenau genes, an experiment to see if the Lankenau line's analytical abilities and command presence could be used to produce more talented Elemental officers. Fletcher is a master of the ancient game of Go, which he requires all subordinate officers to play regularly. The Star Colonel despises the Mongols not because he finds their strategems dishonorable but because he sees them as unsophisticated brutes. By the same token, he supports Galaxy Commander Amirault because he greatly admires the man's cleverness.


Radek Amirault

Decanted: 3119 (27 in 3146)
Homeworld: Csesztreg
Gunnery: 1
Piloting: 3
SPAs: Blind Fighter, Jumping Jack, Some Like It Hot

Unlike much of the rest of his House, Radek Amirault does not have a head for politics. A Nova Commander for nearly his entire career, he developed an expertise in small-unit and combined-arms tactics that caught the notice of Constantin Fletcher. Radek soon became the Star Captain's executive officer, and when Fletcher was promoted to command of the 116th, he convinced Deacon Amirault to sponsor Radek for a newly-vacant lineage. The Trial of Bloodright was a hard slog, with Radek just barely edging out several of his opponents; his final round, against the Khan's sponsee, saw him decapitate his opponent's Nova just a split-second before his Stormcrow's leg gave out. Surprisingly, this does not appear to have incurred the Khan's displeasure, although Radek suspects that Deacon may have done something to shield him from the Khan's wrath.

Radek followed Fletcher to the 116th and picked up a promotion to Nova Captain. He now handles day-to-day command of Supernova Alpha while the Star Colonel focuses on the administration of the entire unit. While not officially the XO, he is still Fletcher's protege and is widely expected to succeed him for command of the Cluster when the Star Colonel falls in battle. Personally, Radek is uncertain he can fill Fletcher's boots when that time comes, but is nevertheless determined to honor his mentor and his Clan.


Rheinhardt Weissenborn

Decanted: 3115 (31 in 3146)
Homeworld: Kirchbach
Gunnery: 2
Piloting: 3
SPAs: Blind Fighter, Gunnery Specialization (Laser), Hopping Jack

Rheinhardt Weissenborn is the epitome of an average Clan mid-ranked officer, the sort that make up the bulk of the touman's officer corps; he does his job competently enough but does not stand out, and inspires neither fear nor courage in the warriors under his command. In some ways, Weissenborn would have been suited to a career in an Inner Sphere military; he is more focused on administrative details like paperwork than officers twice his age and rank. He is just skilled enough to keep threats to his position from his underlings at bay, but by the same token poses no threat to anyone above him in the chain of command, and he knows it. Star Colonel Fletcher likes him because his sheer predictability makes him a useful tool for the Cluster: Fletcher always knows exactly the kind of performance he will get out of him.


Selim Houan

Decanted: 3120 (26 in 3146)
Homeworld: Kirchbach
Gunnery: 1
Anti-'Mech: 4
SPAs: Blind Fighter, Cluster Hitter

Selim Houan is a solid Nova Commander and skilled warrior, but both within and outside of Tau Galaxy he is known more for his love of and involvement in American football, the most popular sport of both the Horses and the neighboring Dominion. A Star Commander out of the sibko, Selim won much renown early in his career after winning several important Trials of Possession with the Bears by challenging opponents to a football game. Reassigned to Alpha Keshik, Selim played three seasons as quarterback for the Csesztreg Champions, consistently one of the most competitive teams in the Inner Sphere. Since his assignment to Tau, he has organized a unit-wide football league participated in by nearly a quarter of the Galaxy's warriors.


Arkady Lienet

Decanted: 3111 (35 in 3146)
Homeworld: Kirchbach
Gunnery: 2
Piloting: 2
SPAs: Blind Fighter, Hopping Jack, Maneuvering Ace, Pain Resistance, Weapon Specialist (TAG)

Star Captain Arkady Lienet, the Cluster's XO, would be described by most as “skeletal”. Short and lanky, he is often mistaken for an aerospace pilot. The Lienet Bloodname House, one of the many fallen Houses that was reactivated in the 3090s by the Council of Six, has a reputation for producing excellent light 'Mech pilots, and Arkady is no exception. While a passable duelist, Arkady truly excels at leading his Trinary in headhunting strikes that take out opposing officers before their compatriots can react. With all ten of his Trinary's 'Mechs sporting TAG spotting lasers and backed by an armor Star that includes five Hadur artillery tanks, Star Captain Lienet has perfected the art of throwing his opponents into confusion with an overwhelming Arrow-IV missile strike against their commanding officer before his 'Mechs leap into the fray and tear apart the survivors with ruthless efficiency. An old friend of Star Colonel Fletcher, the two of them came up through the ranks together in Alpha Galaxy's Eleventh Mechanized Cavalry. When Galaxy Commander Amirault poached then-Star Captain Fletcher for command of the 116th, one of Fletcher's conditions was that Lienet and his Trinary be brought with him.


Lucas Murphy

Decanted: 3085 (61 in 3146)
Homeworld: Csesztreg
Gunnery: 1
Piloting: 3
SPAs: Blind Fighter, Cluster Master

Lucas Murphy is the oldest officer in Tau Galaxy. Decanted in 3085, he was a Blooded Star Captain in the 307th Mechanized Cavalry by his late twenties. Never particularly ambitious, he saw inducting new members of the Cluster and bringing them up to the rest of the unit's level as his vocation. He gained a reputation for being able to turn fresh sibbies into hardened warriors in a short time, and thus at any given time had the bulk of the Cluster's allotment assigned to his Trinary. When most of the ailing BattleMech Clusters of the touman's secondline Galaxies were converted into the new Ranger Clusters in the 3110s, Murphy was selected by Khan Sasha Mitchell to lead the first. Star Colonel Murphy whipped the Cluster into shape, training them to fight using long-range, high-mobility skirmishing tactics to wear an enemy down. Over the next fifteen years he built the First Rangers into a force to be reckoned with, often defeating opponents twice their combined tonnage in Trials. The Cluster became so prominent that when Murphy lost his right eye during a Trial with the Jade Falcon Clan in 3127 and was hospitalized as a result, Theta's Galaxy Commander transferred his command to the First from the 42nd BattleMech Cluster. Instead of returning to Theta after his recovery, Murphy was tapped by newly-minted Khan Gottfried Amirault to be the new Head Wrangler of the Old Regret Training Facility on Csesztreg (replacing an old political enemy of the Khan).

Murphy embraced his role forging each new generation of Horse warriors with relish, and his tenure ultimately saw marked improvement both in graduation rates and graduate skill levels. The Head Wrangler was indifferent to the Mongol movement until the Timkovichi incident, at which point he threw his lot in with Deacon Amirault and his allies in the Clan Council. When Tau Galaxy was established, he accepted a demotion to Star Captain in order to join the 116th. Despite being in his early 60s, he is still every bit as deadly as warriors half his age, as the few who have challenged him have learned.


Aaron DeLaurel

Decanted: 3120 (26 in 3146)
Homeworld: Csesztreg
Gunnery: 1
Piloting: 2
SPAs: Blind Fighter, Maneuvering Ace

Unlike his kin Aphrodite in the 35th, Aaron DeLaurel is something of a black sheep in Bloodname House DeLaurel. As one of the most powerful and prominent Houses in Clan Hell's Horses, the DeLaurels select for ambition; if a DeLaurel is not striving to be Khan one day, the House sees them as unworthy of their legacy. Stuck in his rank ever since his Trial of Position, Aaron won his Bloodname more due to lucky bracketing during his Trial of Bloodright than his inherent skill. Since then, the pressure to rise has become unbearable, and he drinks heavily in his off hours, usually alone in his quarters. To "compensate", he takes low doses of QwikStim before going into the field. House DeLaurel more or less insisted that Galaxy Commander Amirault take Aaron on, mostly because they hope he will be killed in combat so that his legacy can be taken by someone more worthy. With his blindingly fast Locust IIC, however, anyone wanting to bring Aaron down will have to catch him first.


Craig Robinson

Decanted: 3115 (31 in 3146)
Homeworld: Kirchbach
Gunnery: 2
Piloting: 3
SPAs: Hopping Jack, Maneuvering Ace

Craig Robinson is borne of a long and nearly dormant bloodline only reactivated in the last thirty years as part of Clan Hell's Horses' Tankwarrior phenotype initiative. As a member of one of the first sibkos produced for the House, Craig was also one of the first of the initial generation to be Blooded in the late 3130s. A Star Commander with the 82nd Mechanized Cavalry, he played a critical role in a Trial against the 12th Falcon Regulars for control of Vulcan in 3137. While the Firestorm Cluster's 'Mechs pinned the Falcons in place at the mouth of Hades Funnel, a volcanic rift valley that formed a critical strategic bottleneck, Craig led his Star of Hephaestus Jump Tanks on a death-defying series of precision maneuvers through a seemingly-impassible arterial ravine that let them slip into the Falcons' rear, throwing their lines into chaos and allowing the Horses to overrun them. One of the two already-Blooded Robinsons sponsored Craig for a newly-opened lineage, and he secured it in a series of flashy victories that only reinforced the reason he had been selected in the first place.

With the unspoken glass ceiling on armor officers (even Blooded ones have never risen above Nova Captain), Craig has accepted he will likely remain a Star Commander for the rest of his life, and as he enters his thirties, he knows he only has a few more years before he is relegated to a solahma Cluster. While he has made his peace with these facts, he hopes to leave his mark in his time with Tau Galaxy, as it is likely the last frontline assignment of his career.


Tristan Dudzinsky

Decanted: 3111 (35 in 3146)
Homeworld: Csesztreg
Gunnery: 1
Piloting: 3
SPAs: Blind Fighter, Cluster Master, Maneuvering Ace

Tristan Dudzinsky hails from one of the most influential Houses in the Clan. Practically since the Horses' inception, Dudzinsky officers have formed the spine of the Clan's aerospace corps. Even today, nearly half the fighter Trinaries in the Horse touman have a Blooded Dudzinsky Star Captain or Star Commander among their number. Appropriately, the House has always produced staunch traditionalists, and so the Dudzinksys were among the last to tow the Mongol line in the early 32nd century. Convincing them to side with him was a easy sell for Deacon Amirault, and so the Dudzinskys ensured one of their finest had a place in Tau Galaxy. Tristan, formerly a Star Captain with the Eighth Rangers who nevertheless was a few years away from solahma status, was selected to be the House's representative. A hotshot pilot known for his high-speed precision maneuvers in atmospheric combat, he often flies his Sulla in canyons, through urban skylines and along jagged terrain at nape-of-earth altitudes to lose pursuers or execute precision bombing strikes in support of ground forces. Out of the cockpit, he is stiff and formal, upholding the "old guard" reputation of his House.


Leroy Brown

Decanted: 3115 (31 in 3146)
Homeworld: Kirchbach
Gunnery: 1
Driving: 2
SPAs: Blind Fighter, Jumping Jack, Tactical Genius

Leroy Brown is one of the more exceptional results of his Clan's Tankwarrior program, in both senses of the term. Hailing from a sibko of mixed Mechwarrior and Elemental legacies, Leroy scored a Star Commander position out of the gate and soon became known as a viciously effective light cavalry officer. His innovation of the "Jumper Nova", a mix of Hephaestus Jump and Scout Tanks backed by heavy jump infantry, quickly spread to many Mechanized Cavalry and Horde Clusters throughout the touman. This raised Leroy's profile enough that he was able to Trial for the first open Brown legacy of the resurrected Bloodline and win, defeating his last opponent with a near-suicidal death-from-above attack in his personal Hephaestus Jump Tank, "King Kong". By the 3140s he was a Nova Captain with the 77th Mechanized Cavalry and the leader of his small Bloodhouse. Leroy was one of those who survived the Red Talon's bombardments on Timkovichi, though most of his fellow warriors in the 77th did not. Infuriated at the senseless waste of so many good Horses, he swung his House into alignment with Deacon and the anti-Mongols in the Clan Council, and was one of the first volunteers for Tau Galaxy when its creation was announced.

Hardened by the events on Timkovichi, Nova Captain Brown runs an extremely tight ship, often meting out brutal punishments for small slips in performance or decorum. When an infantry Point Commander had the temerity to show him disrespect during a recent briefing, Brown put one of his trademark blueleaf cigars out in the man's eye, pointing out that he only needed one to see down the sights of his rifle. Incidents like this ensure that the warriors under him obey his orders to the letter, though nearly as much out of fear as respect.


TACTICS

The 116th rarely practices zellbrigen, even against Clan opponents, unless their opponent is also largely composed of lightweight forces like their own. Against heavier foes, they practice a kind of pack zellbrigen much like the long-dead Clan Ice Hellion. They also prefer to fight at night when possible in order to maximize the effectiveness of their hit-and-run swarm tactics. Often they will fall back in apparent disorder only to lead their enemies into an ambush by battlesuits and the Cluster's surprisingly effective unarmored infantry.

[Unit Abilities: Accustomed to fighting at night or in low-light conditions, all warriors in the Mares of Diomedes have the Blind Fighter SPA.

Star Captain Lienet's Trinary Beta specializes in headhunting strikes revolving around precision-guided Arrow-IV munitions; accordingly, all pilots/crews have the Weapon Specialist/TAG (or Light TAG) SPA if piloting/crewing a unit with said equipment.]


TO&E

Supernova Alpha
Thunderbird (Upgrade) Point
Star Colonel Constantin Fletcher
Gunnery [0], Anti-'Mech [2], Natural Aptitude (Gunnery), Tactical Genius

Thunderbird (Upgrade) Point
Point Commander Haldun
Gunnery [2], Anti-'Mech [2]

Thunderbird (Upgrade) Point
Point Commander Kristina
Gunnery [3], Anti-'Mech [2]

Thunderbird (Upgrade) Point
Point Commander Anatole
Gunnery [1], Anti-'Mech [3]

Thunderbird (Upgrade) Point
Point Commander Angelo
Gunnery [2], Anti-'Mech [3]

Stormcrow
Nova Captain Radek Amirault
Gunnery [1], Piloting [3], Jumping Jack, Some Like It Hot

Linebacker
Mechwarrior Thibaut
Gunnery [3], Piloting [3]

Shadow Cat
Mechwarrior Litiardis
Gunnery [2], Piloting [4]

Arctic Wolf
Mechwarrior Tito
Gunnery [2], Piloting [3]

Battle Cobra
Mechwarrior Harris
Gunnery [2], Piloting [3]

-----

Grendel
Nova Commander Rheinhardt Weissenborn
Gunnery [2], Piloting [3], Gunnery Specialist (Energy), Hopping Jack

Black Lanner
Mechwarrior Sevilen
Gunnery [2], Piloting [4]

Ice Ferret
Mechwarrior Tetsui
Gunnery [3], Piloting [3]

Viper
Mechwarrior Ostankova
Gunnery [3], Piloting [2]

Hellion
Mechwarrior Younis
Gunnery [2], Piloting [3]

Thunderbird (Upgrade) Point
Point Commander Kujapa
Gunnery [1], Anti-'Mech [4]

Thunderbird (Upgrade) Point
Point Commander Vladislav
Gunnery [2], Anti-'Mech [3]

Thunderbird (Upgrade) Point
Point Commander Ethan
Gunnery [3], Anti-'Mech [2]

Thunderbird (Upgrade) Point
Point Commander Deo
Gunnery [3], Anti-'Mech [3]

Thunderbird (Upgrade) Point
Point Commander Takanibu
Gunnery [3], Anti-'Mech [5]

-----

Ironhold Point
Nova Commander Selim Houan
Gunnery [1], Anti-'Mech [4], Cluster Hitter

Ironhold Point
Point Commander Zeren
Gunnery [2], Anti-'Mech [3]

Ironhold Point
Point Commander Ataol
Gunnery [2], Anti-'Mech [4]

Ironhold Point
Point Commander Dam
Gunnery [2], Anti-'Mech [3]

Ironhold Point
Point Commander Are
Gunnery [3], Anti-'Mech [4]

Garuda Heavy VTOL
Point Commander Francisca
Gunnery [2], Piloting [4]

Anhur Transport (BA)
Warrior Sean
Gunnery [4], Piloting [4]

Garuda Heavy VTOL
Point Commander Abhiratra
Gunnery [3], Piloting [3]

Anhur Transport (BA)
Warrior Muhtethem
Gunnery [3], Piloting [4]

Garuda Heavy VTOL
Point Commander Nike
Gunnery [2], Piloting [4]

Anhur Transport (BA)
Warrior Federico
Gunnery [4], Piloting [4]

Garuda Heavy VTOL
Point Commander Toby
Gunnery [3], Piloting [4]

Anhur Transport (BA)
Warrior Batool
Gunnery [4], Piloting [4]

Garuda Heavy VTOL
Point Commander Ozay
Gunnery [3], Piloting [4]

Anhur Transport (BA)
Warrior Henry
Gunnery [3], Piloting [5]



Trinary Beta
Parash
Star Captain Arkady Lienet
Gunnery [2], Piloting [2], Hopping Jack, Manuevering Ace, Pain Resistance

Parash
Mechwarrior Kathryn
Gunnery [2], Piloting [5]

Parash
Mechwarrior Evadine
Gunnery [2], Piloting [3]

Parash
Mechwarrior Augustus
Gunnery [3], Piloting [4]

Parash
Mechwarrior Paske
Gunnery [4], Piloting [2]

-----

Parash 2
Star Commander Sakutaro
Gunnery [1], Piloting [3]

Parash 2
Mechwarrior Beatriche
Gunnery [1], Piloting [5]

Parash 2
Mechwarrior Ashley
Gunnery [2], Piloting [2]

Parash 2
Mechwarrior Kanakarasa
Gunnery [2], Piloting [3]

Parash 2
Mechwarrior Laria
Gunnery [2], Piloting [4]

-----

Bellona Hover Tank (Laser)
Star Commander Sandu
Gunnery [2], Driving [3]

Hadur Fast Support Vehicle
Warrior Lalaine
Gunnery [2], Driving [5]

Epona Pursuit Tank
Point Commander Stella
Gunnery [3], Driving [3]

Hadur Fast Support Vehicle
Warrior Rashid
Gunnery [2], Driving [4]

Epona Pursuit Tank
Point Commander Aydin
Gunnery [2], Driving [5]

Hadur Fast Support Vehicle
Warrior Arif
Gunnery [4], Driving [3]

Epona Pursuit Tank
Point Commander Yiliyen
Gunnery [3], Driving [4]

Hadur Fast Support Vehicle
Warrior Piyale
Gunnery [4], Driving [3]

Epona Pursuit Tank
Point Commander Bemus
Gunnery [3], Driving [3]

Hadur Fast Support Vehicle
Warrior Adib
Gunnery [3], Driving [4]



Trinary Gamma
Conjurer 2
Star Captain Lucas Murphy
Gunnery [1], Piloting [3], Cluster Master

Morrigan 5
Mechwarrior Marjani
Gunnery [1], Piloting [4]

Tiburon
Mechwarrior Kerwin
Gunnery [2], Piloting [3]

Jaguar 2
Mechwarrior Abizar
Gunnery [3], Piloting [4]

Incubus
Mechwarrior Basil
Gunnery [2], Piloting [5]

-----

Locust IIC 9
Star Commander Aaron DeLaurel
Gunnery [1], Piloting [2], Maneuvering Ace

Locust IIC 9
Mechwarrior Barbara
Gunnery [2], Piloting [4]

Locust IIC 9
Mechwarrior Eduard
Gunnery [3], Piloting [4]

Locust IIC 9
Mechwarrior Elektra
Gunnery [2], Piloting [3]

Locust IIC 9
Mechwarrior Seyhan
Gunnery [3], Piloting [5]

-----

Hephaestus Jump Tank
Star Commander Craig Robinson
Gunnery [2], Driving [3], Hopping Jack, Maneuvering Ace

Hadur Fast Support Vehicle
Warrior Anantarama
Gunnery [3], Driving [4]

Hephaestus Jump Tank
Point Commander Theodore
Gunnery [3], Driving [3]

Hadur Fast Support Vehicle
Warrior Ramiro
Gunnery [4], Driving [3]

Hephaestus Jump Tank
Point Commander Cipta
Gunnery [3], Driving [3]

Hadur Fast Support Vehicle
Warrior Zeth
Gunnery [4], Driving [4]

Hephaestus Jump Tank
Point Commander Vas
Gunnery [2], Driving [4]

Hadur Fast Support Vehicle
Warrior Marvello
Gunnery [4], Driving [4]

Hephaestus Jump Tank
Point Commander Isagani
Gunnery [3], Driving [5]

Hadur Fast Support Vehicle
Warrior Niall
Gunnery [3], Driving [4]



Trinary Delta
Sulla
Star Captain Tristan Dudzinsky
Gunnery [1], Piloting [3], Cluster Master, Maneuvering Ace

Batu
Pilot Edita
Gunnery [2], Piloting [4]

Avar
Point Commander Giacomino
Gunnery [2] Piloting [3]

Avar
Pilot Francis
Gunnery [2], Piloting [5]

Vandal
Point Commander Ptolemy
Gunnery [2], Piloting [4]

Vandal
Pilot Dara
Gunnery [2], Piloting [4]

Vandal
Point Commander Eustace
Gunnery [2], Piloting [4]

Vandal
Pilot Sahla
Gunnery [2], Piloting [5]

Bashkir
Point Commander Cobar
Gunnery [2], Piloting [3]

Bashkir
Pilot Dionigi
Gunnery [2], Piloting [5]

-----

Wusun
Star Commander Hoshi
Gunnery [2], Piloting [3]

Wusun
Pilot Fabiano
Gunnery [3], Piloting [4]

Corax C
Point Commander Gary
Gunnery [2], Piloting [4]

Corax C
Pilot Terumoto
Gunnery [2], Piloting [5]

Issus
Point Commander Isabel
Gunnery [2], Piloting [4]

Issus
Pilot Litzy
Gunnery [3], Piloting [4]

Issus 2
Point Commander Malone
Gunnery [2], Piloting [4]

Issus 2
Pilot Zigmund
Gunnery [4], Piloting [3]

Chaeronea 2
Point Commander Blaise
Gunnery [2], Piloting [5]

Chaeronea 2
Pilot Bowo
Gunnery [4], Piloting [4]

-----

Issus 3
Star Commander Dorian
Gunnery [2], Piloting [3]

Issus 3
Pilot Varnik
Gunnery [3], Piloting [4]

Issus 3
Point Commander Haseena
Gunnery [2], Piloting [5]

Issus 3
Pilot Osvaldo
Gunnery [3], Piloting [5]

Issus 3
Point Commander Casta
Gunnery [3], Piloting [4]

Issus 3
Pilot Michel
Gunnery [4], Piloting [4]

Issus 3
Point Commander Liza
Gunnery [3], Piloting [5]

Issus 3
Pilot Gregor
Gunnery [4], Piloting [5]

Issus 3
Point Commander Thai
Gunnery [3], Piloting [4]

Issus 3
Pilot Berhane
Gunnery [4], Piloting [3]



Supernova Epsilon
Hephaestus Jump Tank
Nova Captain Leroy Brown
Gunnery [1], Driving [2], Jumping Jack, Tactical Genius

Hephaestus Scout Tank
Warrior Armas
Gunnery [2], Driving [3]

Hephaestus Jump Tank
Point Commander Voina
Gunnery [1], Driving [2]

Hephaestus Scout Tank
Warrior Tolenka
Gunnery [2], Driving [4]

Hephaestus Jump Tank
Point Commander Carson
Gunnery [1], Driving [3]

Hephaestus Scout Tank
Warrior Jonas
Gunnery [3], Driving [4]

Hephaestus Jump Tank
Point Commander Zephyr
Gunnery [2], Driving [2]

Hephaestus Scout Tank
Warrior Tomoyuki
Gunnery [4], Driving [2]

Hephaestus Jump Tank
Point Commander Mumtaz
Gunnery [2], Driving [3]

Hephaestus Scout Tank
Warrior Lisa
Gunnery [3], Driving [2]

Clan Heavy Jump Infantry Point
Point Commander Leander
Gunnery [2], Anti-'Mech [3]

Clan Heavy Jump Infantry Point
Point Commander Mick
Gunnery [2], Anti-'Mech [4]

Clan Heavy Jump Infantry Point
Point Commander Charles
Gunnery [3], Anti-'Mech [3]

Clan Heavy Jump Infantry Point
Point Commander Jong-min
Gunnery [3], Anti-'Mech [4]

Clan Heavy Jump Infantry Point
Point Commander Clarissa
Gunnery [2], Anti-'Mech [4]

-----

Hephaestus Jump Tank
Nova Commander Rifaat
Gunnery [2], Driving [2]

Hephaestus Scout Tank
Warrior Pascal
Gunnery [3], Driving [2]

Hephaestus Jump Tank
Point Commander Donna
Gunnery [2], Driving [4]

Hephaestus Scout Tank
Warrior Alena
Gunnery [3], Driving [5]

Hephaestus Jump Tank
Point Commander Bertha
Gunnery [2], Driving [4]

Hephaestus Scout Tank
Warrior Bryan
Gunnery [3], Driving [4]

Hephaestus Jump Tank
Point Commander Vinnie
Gunnery [2], Driving [2]

Hephaestus Scout Tank
Warrior Jaime
Gunnery [4], Driving [3]

Hephaestus Jump Tank
Point Commander Anker
Gunnery [2], Driving [4]

Hephaestus Scout Tank
Warrior Christovao
Gunnery [3], Driving [3]

Clan Heavy Jump Infantry Point
Point Commander Ares
Gunnery [2], Anti-'Mech [4]

Clan Heavy Jump Infantry Point
Point Commander Dennehy
Gunnery [3], Anti-'Mech [2]

Clan Heavy Jump Infantry Point
Point Commander Kidane
Gunnery [4], Anti-'Mech [2]

Clan Heavy Jump Infantry Point
Point Commander Odessa
Gunnery [4], Anti-'Mech [4]

Clan Heavy Jump Infantry Point
Point Commander Balbina
Gunnery [2], Anti-'Mech [5]

-----

Hephaestus Jump Tank
Nova Commander Evette
Gunnery [1], Driving [2]

Hephaestus Scout Tank
Warrior Zeno
Gunnery [3] Driving [3]

Hephaestus Jump Tank
Point Commander Stein
Gunnery [2], Driving [3]

Hephaestus Scout Tank
Warrior Christos
Gunnery [4], Driving [5]

Hephaestus Jump Tank
Point Commander Lola
Gunnery [3], Driving [2]

Hephaestus Scout Tank
Warrior Brahmadanda
Gunnery [4], Driving [4]

Hephaestus Jump Tank
Point Commander Dunnagh
Gunnery [2], Driving [5]

Hephaestus Scout Tank
Warrior Xanthus
Gunnery [3], Driving [5]

Hephaestus Jump Tank
Point Commander Baki
Gunnery [3], Driving [3]

Hephaestus Scout Tank
Warrior Bayissa
Gunnery [4], Driving [5]

Clan Heavy Jump Infantry Point
Point Commander Noriaki
Gunnery [1], Anti-'Mech [4]

Clan Heavy Jump Infantry Point
Point Commander Yuda
Gunnery [2], Anti-'Mech [3]

Clan Heavy Jump Infantry Point
Point Commander Apollo
Gunnery [3], Anti-'Mech [4]

Clan Heavy Jump Infantry Point
Point Commander Glen
Gunnery [2], Anti-'Mech [4]

Clan Heavy Jump Infantry Point
Point Commander Yoshimasa
Gunnery [3], Anti-'Mech [3]



Transport

DropShips
Lion (Clan)-class Sekhmet
Lion (Clan)-class Singapore
Outpost (3063)-class Yawning Angel
Outpost (3063)-class Wisdom Like Silence
Outpost (3063)-class Frank Exchange of Views
Titan-class Perses
Outpost Defender-class Lair Seidman
Nagasawa-class Value Judgment
Nagasawa-class Hidden Income
Mammoth-class Melancholia

JumpShips
Star Lord-class Simon Cameron
Odyssey-class Alcinous

[Kojak]

49TH BATTLEMECH CLUSTER
CO: Star Colonel Sacha Sradac
Unit Status: Veteran/Questionable
Unit Nickname: The Bear Necessities
Unit Insignia: A stylized ursine helm
Unit Colors: The standard Tau Galaxy scheme, flame red on the front half and ash gray on the rear half, with an undulating line of flame separating the halves
Unit Pics

OFFICERS

Sacha Sradac

Decanted: 3113 (33 in 3146)
Homeworld: Alshain
Gunnery: 1
Piloting: 2
SPAs: Hot Dog, Some Like It Hot

Sacha Sradac is an Elemental turned Mechwarrior, and is often called something rarely used to describe Clan warriors: kind. Raised in a mixed Mechwarrior/Elemental sibko made from a combination of Bekker and Sradac legacies, Sacha passed his Trial of Position with a single kill. He was assigned to a Nova in the Eighteenth Battle Cluster, where he quickly befriended nearly everyone in the unit, warrior and civilian both. Always willing to be someone's sparring partner, get supplies for a fellow warrior's Great Work, or assist a technician working overtime, Sacha was so well-liked he never had a single Trial of Grievance declared against him in his career, and quickly worked his way up to Nova Commander. That career nearly ended when he was severely injured winning his Bloodname, losing both legs from his last opponent's final salvo. Extensive reconstructive surgery ensured he would never again be able to endure the strain of piloting his Rogue Bear battlesuit, so Sacha retrained as a 'Mech pilot with the help of the Mechwarriors in his Trinary, finding he was even better at the controls of BattleMech than he had been in a battlesuit. By 3143 he was a Star Captain, leading an assault Trinary in the First Rasalhague Bears squeezed into the cockpit of his Savage Wolf. When Tau arrived at Kufstein and Trialed the Bears for possession of a shipment of refitted 'Mechs passing through the system, Sacha's Trinary was chosen to defend against the Horses. The opposing Trinaries paired off into zellbrigen duels, and Sacha found himself outmaneuvered and outfought by the Horse Star Commander Aeneas O'Reilly. His Savage Wolf's engine crippled by precision fire from O'Reilly's Vapor Eagle, he watched as the rest of his unit was defeated in detail by the elite Horse warriors. He and the other survivors of his Trinary were taken bondsman by the Horses, who respected both their skill and the honor they had acquitted themselves with. When Galaxy Commander Amirault decided to form a BattleMech Cluster around a core of Bear isorla, Sacha fought only a single challenger in the Trial of Position that followed; beloved by the warriors from his old Trinary, they rallied around him and have thrown themselves into training their greener counterparts from the 55th PGC. Over the past few months, Star Colonel Sradac has been putting his new Kodiak II through its paces. Due its extremely roomy cockpit, he often quips that he was assigned the Kodiak II because it was the only 'Mech he could fit in.


Demetria DelVillar

Decanted: 3121 (25 in 3146)
Homeworld: Alshain
Gunnery: 2
Piloting: 2
SPAs: Hopping Jack

Demetria DelVillar is, if not a ristar, a warrior who has experienced a sudden upswing in her career in recent years. Assigned to the 283rd Battle Cluster upon passing her Trial of Position, she initially did little to stand out from her peers. However, when the 283rd fought on Ganshoren against the Fourth Falcon Striker Cluster in 3144, Demetria took command of her Star after her superior officer was killed by an Elemental headhunter Star, holding off the attacking Falcons long enough to allow the rest of her Trinary to withdraw without taking further losses. One thing led to another, and before long she found herself a Blooded Star Commander serving with the elite First Rasalhague Bears. Demetria had just returned to the First after participating in a successful Clawing (an experience which left her with a noticeable scar across her right eye) when Tau Galaxy struck. She watched as her commander once again fell, this time in a zellbrigen duel, but when Demetria engaged her own challenger, she too found herself outmatched; her opponent, Aphrodite DeLaurel, cut her Karhu's leg out from under it with a series of precision laser barrages in less than two minutes.

Now a bondsman to DeLaurel, Demetria worked hard to regain her warrior status, and within a few months she and her fellow former Bears were made abtakha and used to form the core of the new 49th BattleMech Cluster. After Aliza Bekker's failed challenge to Sasha Sradac for command of the Cluster at its inception, Demetria fought her for command of the unit's second 'Mech Trinary but lost to Bekker in turn, and was instead returned to her old rank of Star Commander. She remains content in the role for now, but has her eye on Star Captain Bekker's position and intends to Trial her for it if Bekker shows any weakness.


Aliza Bekker

Decanted: 3123 (23 in 3146)
Homeworld: Satalice
Gunnery: 2
Piloting: 2
SPAs: Maneuvering Ace

Of the three Blooded Bears captured by Tau Galaxy on Kufstein, Aliza Bekker is the only one who could unambiguously described as a ristar. The direct genedaughter of Khan Dalia Bekker, Aliza was practically groomed from birth to one day command a Cluster, Galaxy, or the Clan itself, which is why she is deeply galled with her current predicament. A Star Commander out of the sibko, four years with the 3rd Bear Guards culminated in a Bloodname and a transfer to the First Rasalhague Bears to cultivate her political connections among the future elite of both the Ghost Bear and native Rasalhagian officer corps. Aliza had been serving with the First for just a few months when her fateful encounter with Aphrodite DeLaurel in March 3146 ended with her Executioner gutted and a bondcord around her wrist.

Following her bondsmanship and restoration to warrior status, she was Sacha Sradac's sole challenger when he Trialed for command of the 49th. Though defeated, she still managed to rise to Star Captain when she and Demetria DelVillar Trialed against each other for the position and Aliza emerged victorious due to meticulous maneuvering of her Mad Dog Mk IV through tight terrain that allowed her to get the drop on DelVillar. However, with the loss of her birth Clan she fears she has hit the upper boundary of her career in the warrior caste, and she is also keenly aware that Star Commander DelVillar covets her current command. She now stands balanced on a knife's edge, not knowing whether her future will see her rise like a phoenix or fall like a house of cards.


Isabel Johnston

Decanted: 3121 (25 in 3146)
Homeworld: Csesztreg
Gunnery: 1
SPAs: None

Isabel Johnston, the Cluster's executive officer, was sent by the Khans to "babysit" the newborn 49th BattleMech, ensuring that the Bear adoptees are properly integrated into the Horse touman and brought into line with Horse doctrines and practices. The Star Captain's results have been somewhat mixed, as some of the abtakha believe there is a chance they may be recaptured by their old Clan. Only the rigidness of Clan honor has allowed Johnston to keep the Cluster in line, although she has had some success pointing them to the example of Jake Kabrinski, the famous Bear-ristar-turned-Horse-Khan.

Isabel received this assignment partly because, unlike the more powerful and numerous House Grimheald, House Johnston's fortunes have greatly waned since the end of the Jihad and thus they are dependent on political patronage from the more powerful and well-connected figures within the Clan. While success will prove valuable to her House, Isabel is personally dissatisfied with the posting, seeing it as potential career poison if she fails. Since her chance to advance to Cluster command likely rides on her shaping the 49th into a reliable force, she is determined to see it through despite her reservations.


TACTICS

The 49th BattleMech Cluster was raised in the months between Clan Hell's Horses' recapture of New Oslo and the Rasalhague Dominion's counterattack. Composed largely of a mix of abtakha and salvage from the First Rasalhague Bears and 55th PGC, the two 'Mech Trinaries are backed by a veteran ProtoMech Binary sent from Csesztreg. Due to the origin of its salvage, nearly two-thirds of the Cluster's 'Mechs are heavy- or assault-class, and nothing lighter than forty tons. The Bergan Industries factory megaplex, still swarming with Horse laborers and technicians, is expected to supply the 49h with enough 'Mechs to expand to full size once the new lines are fully operational. While the Cluster has yet to fight any actual opponents as a unit, they have been training relentlessly against the rest of Tau Galaxy; so far they have experimented with breaking Binary Zeta into its constituent Stars and operating in support of each Trinary separately, acting as flanking elements after the 'Mechs have engaged.


TO&E

Trinary Alpha
Kodiak II
Star Colonel Sacha Sradac
Gunnery [1], Piloting [2], Hot Dog, Some Like It Hot

Executioner
Mechwarrior Samuel
Gunnery [2], Piloting [3]

Executioner
Mechwarrior Makeen
Gunnery [2], Piloting [2]

Bruin
Mechwarrior Everett
Gunnery [2], Piloting [3]

Bruin 2
Mechwarrior Nuno
Gunnery [2], Piloting [2]

-----

Karhu
Star Commander Demetria DelVillar
Gunnery [2], Piloting [2], Hopping Jack

Arcas
Mechwarrior Trevor
Gunnery [3], Piloting [3]

Arcas
Mechwarrior Than
Gunnery [3], Piloting [4]

Beowulf IIC
Mechwarrior Nhat
Gunnery [3], Piloting [4]

Beowulf IIC
Mechwarrior Tiburcio
Gunnery [3], Piloting [5]

-----

Karhu
Star Commander Bjorn
Gunnery [2], Piloting [4]

Warhammer IIC 8
Mechwarrior Renato
Gunnery [2], Piloting [3]

Bowman 3
Mechwarrior Xylina
Gunnery [3], Piloting [3]

Sun Cobra 2
Mechwarrior Bill
Gunnery [3], Piloting [4]

Lobo 2
Mechwarrior Edna
Gunnery [3], Piloting [3]



Trinary Beta
Mad Dog Mk. IV
Star Captain Aliza Bekker
Gunnery [2], Piloting [2], Maneuvering Ace

Mad Dog Mk. III
Mechwarrior Nobuhito
Gunnery [3], Piloting [3]

Mad Dog Mk. III
Mechwarrior Melba
Gunnery [3], Piloting [4]

Stooping Hawk
Mechwarrior Constantia
Gunnery [2], Piloting [2]

Nova
Mechwarrior Calynda
Gunnery [2], Piloting [3]

-----

Archer C 2
Star Commander Karsten
Gunnery [1], Piloting [3]

Archer C 2
Mechwarrior Iria
Gunnery [2], Piloting [4]

Archer C 2
Mechwarrior Thalat
Gunnery [3], Piloting [5]

Archer C 2
Mechwarrior Melesse
Gunnery [3], Piloting [5]

Archer C 2
Mechwarrior Idola
Gunnery [3], Piloting [5]

-----

Beowulf C
Star Commander Rosina
Gunnery [2], Piloting [3]

Beowulf C
Mechwarrior Maria
Gunnery [3], Piloting [4]

Beowulf C
Mechwarrior Liesbeth
Gunnery [3], Piloting [4]

Beowulf C
Mechwarrior Zalika
Gunnery [3], Piloting [4]

Beowulf C
Mechwarrior Katinka
Gunnery [3], Piloting [5]



Binary Zeta
Sprite 2 Point
Star Captain Isabel Johnston [1]
Warrior Veronica [1]
Warrior Vanessa [2]
Warrior Nicholas [2]
Warrior Anisa [2]

Sprite 2 Point
Point Commander Sun [1]
Warrior Ivano [2]
Warrior Cenk [2]
Warrior Panas [2]
Warrior Yoshii [2]

Sprite 2 Point
Point Commander Tokie [1]
Warrior Yanthe [2]
Warrior Handan [2]
Warrior Foolan [2]
Warrior Rhodes [2]

Minotaur Point
Point Commander Adonis [1]
Warrior Natasia [2]
Warrior Zinaida [2]
Warrior Timothy [2]
Warrior Clare [2]

Minotaur Point
Point Commander Denes [1]
Warrior Estralita [2]
Warrior Mariam [2]
Warrior Habib [2]
Warrior Yin-fat [2]

-----

Minotaur 3 Point
Star Commander Persis [0]
Warrior Giolla [2]
Warrior Adala [2]
Warrior Alim [2]
Warrior Haidar [2]

Minotaur 3 Point
Point Commander William [1]
Warrior Apija [2]
Warrior Iarshek [2]
Warrior Inghean [2]
Warrior Sugimoto [2]

Minotaur 3 Point
Point Commander Zenaida [1]
Warrior Okan [2]
Warrior Sophie [2]
Warrior Jorge [2]
Warrior Kadidu [2]

Boggart HH Point
Point Commander Belen [1]
Warrior Lainie [2]
Warrior Maria [2]
Warrior Osileani [2]
Warrior Janji [2]

Boggart HH Point
Point Commander Vegard [1]
Warrior Edgar [2]
Warrior Quinn [2]
Warrior Katsuyoshi [2]
Warrior Carmelina [2]

[Foxx Ital]

Looks great!...i'm still waiting for them to tell us to stop posting so many units for the mechronomicon  ;D

[SteveRestless]

Man, Deacon sounds like a pretty good guy to have in command. That whole command unit looks really sharp. No, really, I started to bleed just looking at their roster XD

Looks great!...i'm still waiting for them to tell us to stop posting so many units for the mechronomicon  ;D

well don't go giving anyone ideas!

[Kojak]

Alright, the first of the three Clusters is done. Two more to go. And at some point I intend to punch up the fluff a bit.

[Kojak]

Punched up the fluff for the Assault Cluster. Now, onto the Strike Cluster.

[Kojak]

The TO&E for the 35th Mechanized Strike Cluster is completed and posted. Fluff will be added as soon as I'm done writing it.

[Kojak]

Fluff has now been added to the Strike Cluster. Now just the Cavalry Cluster to fill out.

[Kojak]

Construction is done with the last Cluster. Fluff will commence when I get around to writing it, probably in the next few days.

[Kojak]

Well, I've got some preliminary fluff for the Cav Cluster now, but hopefully I'll expand it more in the future. I also intend to do individual bios for Bloodnamed warriors as each one sees battle, similar to what Steve has done with his Rho Galaxy.

[Kojak]

Kufstein
Star Type (Recharge Time): F5V (176 hours)
Position in System: 4
Time to Jump Point: 14.94 days
Number of Satellites: 1 (Festung)
Surface Gravity: 1.0
Atm. Pressure: Thick (Breathable)
Equatorial Temperature: 40° C (Tropical)
Surface Water: 61 percent
Recharging Station: Both
HPG Class: A (Clan)
Highest Native Life: Avian
Population: 65,000,000
Socio-Industrial Levels: C-D-B-D-B
          Technological Sophistication: Moderately advanced world
          Industrial Development: Low industrialization
          Raw Material Dependence: Mostly self-sufficient
          Industrial Output: Negligible output
          Agricultural Dependence: Moderate agriculture
Defending Forces: 1st Rasalhague Bears
Land Masses (Capital City): Tyrol (Altstadt)
Importance: Economic

Kufstein is a mostly swampy, loamy, muggy little world orbiting a bright F-class star. It was originally settled by a conglomerate of Lyran and Star League corporations in 2646; Kufstein occupied a perfect spot one jump out from Tamar, reducing by almost a full day the length (and therefore the costs of) the well-plied Tamar-Rasalhague route that previously went through Hohenems. Star League subsidies combined with the groundbreaking terraforming technologies of the era were making planetary colonization extremely attractive, so the conglomerate built two lavish recharge stations at the standard jump points and an enormous dropport on the lone planet in the star's life zone. Kufstein quickly became the first stop for the JumpShips of Tamar's merchant clans eager to do business with Rasalhagian trading fleets. By the late 27th century the vast warehouses and sprawling markets around the dropport had morphed into a full-fledged metropolis, dubbed Altstadt due to the way the atmosphere made most common building materials rapidly appear ancient despite not damaging their integrity. The Star League Defense Force built a Port Castle near the planet's south pole and nearby units often rotated through to conduct arctic warfare exercises there.

The DCMS rapidly captured Kufstein just weeks into the outset of what would eventually be called the First Succession War. Driving out the Lyran garrison from the old SLDF Port Castle, they left behind a garrison to enforce the taxes that House Kurita intended to levy on the trade that took place there and effectively left Kufstein to its own devices, preferring not to interfere with a proven revenue stream. Unfortunately, border trade in the region rapidly reached a nadir relative to its zenith during the Star League, and Kufstein soon found itself among the many planets experiencing the long, slow downward slide of the Succession Wars. When the nearby world of Bushmill was forced to be abandoned in the wake of multiple nuclear strikes by defending Kuritan soldiers during the Second Succession War, most of the refugees fled to Kufstein; many of them were central to the enormous luxury liquor business on Bushmill, and they re-established their operations on Kufstein (imported water from the bogs of Kufstein was a lucrative commodity for whiskey distilleries). This gave a much-needed shot in the arm to its economy, allowing it to limp through to the 31st century. When the Free Rasalhague Republic was formed in 3034, Kufstein was among the founding worlds, though again little changed except the polar garrison and possession of the recharge stations.

In August of 3050, the JumpShips of Clan Wolf appeared. After disgorging a single DropShip, the Wolves issued their batchall to the local militia, comprised of two battalions of tanks backed by six of infantry. One week later, the militia had been scattered at the hands of just two Trinaries of Wolf warriors, having inflicted only a single casualty. Thus began Kufstein's long years under the auspices of the Clans. For nearly a century, Clan Wolf retained possession of the world; the merchant castes of the various Clans simply stepped in where the old Tamar and Rasalhaguian trade syndicates had once stood. Kufstein now sat at a near-perfect centerpoint between Csesztreg, Rasalhague, Alshain and Sudeten, and thus nearly all inter-Clan trade in the Occupation Zones passed through the system. When Clan Wolf abandoned its OZ in 3137, the Rasalhague Dominion reclaimed Kufstein as one of the founding worlds of the old Republic, and transferred the illustrious 1st Rasalhague Bears to guard the warehouse complexes of Altstadt, a tempting target for Trials of Possession by neighboring Clans.

While not exactly able to achieve wealth per se under the Clan system, Kufstein has at least achieved a level of stability not seen since the halcyon days of the Star League. German is the primary language spoken by most Kufsteiners, although they are all fluent in Star League English due to Clan-provided primary education. Roman Catholicism was long the dominant religion on Kufstein prior to Kuritan and then Clan rule, and still exists in small pockets in the present day. Due to the high level of JumpShip traffic in this system and the fact that it serves as a meeting point for the merchant caste of several Clans, the various Watches regularly deploy agents here; Trials of Possession stemming from intelligence gathered here are a frequent occurrence. Aside from being a major crossroads of trade, Kufstein is known around the Inner Sphere for its phenomenally strong bamboo. Vast bamboo groves, tended by cohorts of ED-X4 Crosscut LoggerMechs to hem their rampant growth, supply much of the material Kufstein's populace uses to make everything from bicycles to suspension bridges; it is common for merchants stopping at Kufstein to fill any empty cargo bays with palettes of bamboo (with the crevices stuffed with bottles of locally-distilled Bushmill's whiskey). The khene, a large harmonica-like instrument made of the local bamboo, is popular among Kufsteiner men.

[Kojak]

CROSS ROAD BLUES

Pripyat Swamps, Tyrol
Kufstein
Rasalhague Dominion
3 March 3146

As the newest Galaxy in Clan Hell's Horses, the warriors of Tau had a lot to prove. Galaxy Commander Amirault, always one for long-term plans over short-term glory, began to lay the groundwork for his ambition to cut the Gordian knot of the Clan's politics and raise them to their rightful place as the greatest of Kerensky's Clans. To do that, he first needed to strengthen Tau Galaxy (and by extension the Clan) with an influx of isorla that would eventually round out the Galaxy to a proper five Clusters. In addition, he required fresh intelligence from the Watch detachment on nearby Kufstein, a vital trade world that saw the merchant castes of nearly all the Clans making deals and swapping vast quantities of vital resources. With the majority of the HPG network still disabled, intel needed to be collected “in-person”. To that end, the 35th Mechanized Strike Cluster was dispatched to declare a Trial of Possession for a shipment of refitted BattleMechs traveling through Kufstein on the way to the rimward reaches of the Dominion.

Bidding Star Captain Aphrodite DeLaurel's Trinary Beta against a much heavier Trinary from the First Rasalhague Bears, the Horses used the swampy terrain of the Trial's location to leverage the Bears' size against them. The highly mobile 'Mechs of the Trinary's first two Stars engaged in zellbrigen duels with their opposites among the Bears while Nova Commander Omar Seidman's armored cavalry Nova used its Enyos and Kus to make repeated high-speed passes against the Bear 'Mechs and seed the swamps with deadly Gnomes. While they took incredibly heavy damage, their efforts were just enough to tip the scales in the Horses' favor. The Thirty-Fifth took the salvageable 'Mechs as isorla and a dozen bondsmen, three of them Bloodnamed officers.

More important than even this triumph was the intel garnered from making contact with the local Horse Watch commander, Star Captain Lono: word had come via assets among the Rasalhagian merchants that New Oslo's HPG had ceased functioning only a few days prior. A window had opened that Deacon Amirault could exploit.

Victory!
-------------------

Winner is: 35th Mechanized Strike Cluster

35th Mechanized Strike Cluster: 28140 BV remaining (from 65609 initially) 0 BV fled
First Rasalhague Bears: 13900 BV remaining (from 65546 initially) 0 BV fled

Survivors are:
Vulture Mk III (Mad Dog Mk III) (Prime) (First Rasalhague Bears)
Pilot : Maria [3/4] ( 4 hit(s)  )
Kills : 1

Bruin (First Rasalhague Bears)
Pilot : Everett [2/3] ( 2 hit(s) )
Kills : 1

Kodiak II (Standard) (First Rasalhague Bears)
Pilot : Edna [3/3] ( 2 hit(s) )
Kills : 1

Karhu B (First Rasalhague Bears)
Pilot : Star Commander Demetria DelVillar [2/2] ( 4 hit(s)  )
Kills : 0

Thor Mk II (Grand Summoner Mk II) (Prime) (First Rasalhague Bears)
Pilot : Menh [2/3] ( 1 hit(s) )
Kills : 0

Ursus II (First Rasalhague Bears)
Pilot : Firtha [2/3] ( 1 hit(s) )
Kills : 0

Wraith Battle Armor (Standard) (First Rasalhague Bears)
Gunnery Skill : Point Commander Neo [2]
Kills : 2

Wraith Battle Armor (Standard) #2 (First Rasalhague Bears)
Gunnery Skill : Point Commander William [2]
Kills : 0

Wraith Battle Armor (Standard) #3 (First Rasalhague Bears)
Gunnery Skill : Point Commander Elizabeth [2]
Kills : 2

Wraith Battle Armor (Standard) #4 (First Rasalhague Bears)
Gunnery Skill : Point Commander Annabella [2]
Kills : 1

Wraith Battle Armor (Standard) #5 (First Rasalhague Bears)
Gunnery Skill : Point Commander Betina [2]
Kills : 1

Thor Mk II (Grand Summoner Mk II) D (35th Mechanized Strike Cluster)
Pilot : Star Captain Aphrodite DeLaurel [1/1]
Kills : 1

Sun Cobra 2 (35th Mechanized Strike Cluster)
Pilot : Czeslaw [1/3] ( 3 hit(s) )
Kills : 0

Goshawk (Vapor Eagle) (35th Mechanized Strike Cluster)
Pilot : Star Commander Aeneas O'Reilly [0/1]
Kills : 1

Hellhound (Conjurer) (35th Mechanized Strike Cluster)
Pilot : Ilker [3/2]
Kills : 0

Griffin IIC 8 (35th Mechanized Strike Cluster)
Pilot : Jorge [1/2]
Kills : 0

Shadow Hawk IIC 8 (35th Mechanized Strike Cluster)
Pilot : Pin [2/2] ( 1 hit(s) )
Kills : 0

Clint IIC 2 (35th Mechanized Strike Cluster)
Pilot : Vicente [0/2] ( 1 hit(s) )
Kills : 0

Ku Wheeled Assault Tank (IFV) "Turhan II" (35th Mechanized Strike Cluster)
Driver : Emin [2/3]
Kills : 0

Ku Wheeled Assault Tank (IFV) "Turhan II" #2 (35th Mechanized Strike Cluster)
Driver : Eva [2/3]
Kills : 1

Ku Wheeled Assault Tank (IFV) "Turhan II" #3 (35th Mechanized Strike Cluster)
Driver : Abazza [3/3]
Kills : 1

Gnome Battle Armor (LRM) (35th Mechanized Strike Cluster)
Gunnery Skill : Nova Commander Omar Seidman [0]
Kills : 1

Gnome Battle Armor (LRM) #2 (35th Mechanized Strike Cluster)
Gunnery Skill : Point Commander Arnost [3]
Kills : 0

Gnome Battle Armor (LRM) #3 (35th Mechanized Strike Cluster)
Gunnery Skill : Point Commander Jawahara [3]
Kills : 1


The following units are in retreat:
MechWarrior Calynda (First Rasalhague Bears)
Gunnery Skill : Calynda [2]
Kills : 0

MechWarrior Karsten (First Rasalhague Bears)
Gunnery Skill : Karsten [1]
Kills : 0

MechWarrior Samesona (35th Mechanized Strike Cluster)
Gunnery Skill : Samesona [0] ( 3 hit(s) )
Kills : 0

MechWarrior Magda (35th Mechanized Strike Cluster)
Gunnery Skill : Magda [2]
Kills : 0

MechWarrior Star Captain Sacha Sradac (First Rasalhague Bears)
Gunnery Skill : Star Captain Sacha Sradac [1] ( 2 hit(s) )
Kills : 0

MechWarrior Felician (35th Mechanized Strike Cluster)
Gunnery Skill : Felician [1] ( 2 hit(s)  )
Kills : 0

MechWarrior Than (First Rasalhague Bears)
Gunnery Skill : Than [3] ( 2 hit(s) )
Kills : 0

MechWarrior Star Commander Aliza Bekker (First Rasalhague Bears)
Gunnery Skill : Star Commander Aliza Bekker [2]
Kills : 0

MechWarrior Nuno (First Rasalhague Bears)
Gunnery Skill : Nuno [2] ( 2 hit(s) )
Kills : 0

MechWarrior Renato (First Rasalhague Bears)
Gunnery Skill : Renato [2] ( 3 hit(s) )
Kills : 0

MechWarrior Samuel (First Rasalhague Bears)
Gunnery Skill : Samuel [2] ( 5 hit(s) )
Kills : 0


Graveyard contains:
Enyo Strike Tank #3 (35th Mechanized Strike Cluster)
Driver : Point Commander Pavlik [2/3]
Kills : 0
Destroyed by Kodiak II (Standard) (First Rasalhague Bears)

Beowulf IIC (First Rasalhague Bears)
Pilot : Calynda [2/3]
Kills : 0
Destroyed by pilot error.

Gladiator (Executioner) I (First Rasalhague Bears)
Pilot : Elenore [2/3] ( 6 hit(s)  )
Kills : 0
Destroyed by Enyo Strike Tank #2 (35th Mechanized Strike Cluster)

Enyo Strike Tank #2 (35th Mechanized Strike Cluster)
Driver : Point Commander Yudum [2/3]
Kills : 1
Destroyed by Gladiator (Executioner) F (First Rasalhague Bears)

Vulture Mk IV (Mad Dog Mk IV) Prime (First Rasalhague Bears)
Pilot : Karsten [1/3]
Kills : 0
Destroyed by Gnome Battle Armor (LRM) #5 (35th Mechanized Strike Cluster)

Enyo Strike Tank (35th Mechanized Strike Cluster)
Driver : Point Commander Agnes [2/2]
Kills : 0
Destroyed by Bruin (First Rasalhague Bears)

Warhammer IIC 8 (35th Mechanized Strike Cluster)
Pilot : Samesona [0/4] ( 3 hit(s) )
Kills : 0
Destroyed by Wraith Battle Armor (Standard) #4 (First Rasalhague Bears)

Enyo Strike Tank #4 (35th Mechanized Strike Cluster)
Driver : Point Commander Iona [2/3]
Kills : 0
Destroyed by Wraith Battle Armor (Standard) #3 (First Rasalhague Bears)

Ku Wheeled Assault Tank (IFV) "Turhan II" #4 (35th Mechanized Strike Cluster)
Driver : Janakiraman [4/4]
Kills : 0
Destroyed by Vulture Mk III (Mad Dog Mk III) (Prime) (First Rasalhague Bears)

Enyo Strike Tank #5 (35th Mechanized Strike Cluster)
Driver : Point Commander Zenobio [2/5]
Kills : 0
Destroyed by Wraith Battle Armor (Standard) (First Rasalhague Bears)

Lobo 2 (35th Mechanized Strike Cluster)
Pilot : Magda [2/3]
Kills : 0
Destroyed by Vulture Mk IV (Mad Dog Mk IV) C (First Rasalhague Bears)

Mad Cat Mk IV (Savage Wolf) (Prime) (First Rasalhague Bears)
Pilot : Star Captain Sacha Sradac [1/2] ( 2 hit(s) )
Kills : 0
Destroyed by Goshawk (Vapor Eagle) (35th Mechanized Strike Cluster)

Vulture Mk III (Mad Dog Mk III) C (First Rasalhague Bears)
Pilot : Than [3/4] ( 2 hit(s) )
Kills : 0
Destroyed by Gnome Battle Armor (LRM) (35th Mechanized Strike Cluster)

Bowman 3 (35th Mechanized Strike Cluster)
Pilot : Felician [1/3] ( 2 hit(s)  )
Kills : 0
Destroyed by Bruin 2 (First Rasalhague Bears)

Gnome Battle Armor (LRM) #4 (35th Mechanized Strike Cluster)
Gunnery Skill : Point Commander Unver [1]
Kills : 0
Destroyed by Wraith Battle Armor (Standard) #3 (First Rasalhague Bears)

Gnome Battle Armor (LRM) #5 (35th Mechanized Strike Cluster)
Gunnery Skill : Point Commander Frantz [2]
Kills : 1
Destroyed by Wraith Battle Armor (Standard) #5 (First Rasalhague Bears)

Vulture Mk IV (Mad Dog Mk IV) C (First Rasalhague Bears)
Pilot : Samuel [2/3] ( 5 hit(s) )
Kills : 1
Destroyed by Gnome Battle Armor (LRM) #3 (35th Mechanized Strike Cluster)

Gladiator (Executioner) F (First Rasalhague Bears)
Pilot : Star Commander Aliza Bekker [2/2]
Kills : 1
Destroyed by Thor Mk II (Grand Summoner Mk II) D (35th Mechanized Strike Cluster)

Bruin 2 (First Rasalhague Bears)
Pilot : Nuno [2/3] ( 2 hit(s) )
Kills : 1
Destroyed by Ku Wheeled Assault Tank (IFV) "Turhan II" #2 (35th Mechanized Strike Cluster)

Beowulf IIC #2 (First Rasalhague Bears)
Pilot : Renato [2/3] ( 3 hit(s) )
Kills : 0
Destroyed by Ku Wheeled Assault Tank (IFV) "Turhan II" #3 (35th Mechanized Strike Cluster)

Ku Wheeled Assault Tank (IFV) "Turhan II" #5 (35th Mechanized Strike Cluster)
Driver : John [4/4]
Kills : 0
Destroyed by Wraith Battle Armor (Standard) (First Rasalhague Bears)


The following utterly destroyed units are not available for salvage:
MechWarrior Elenore (First Rasalhague Bears)
Gunnery Skill : Elenore [2] ( 6 hit(s)  )
Kills : 0
Destroyed by pilot error.

[SteveRestless]

Part of me wants to borrow how you do the planetary writeups, but I don't think I'd do nearly as good a job.

[Kojak]

Don't sell yourself short, your bios for your Rho characters have been excellent.

[Kojak]

Well, since Tau Galaxy's next target is New Oslo, I've decided to work up the TO&E for the defending RasDom Cluster using the RATs (mostly). Here's what I've worked up.

55th Provisional Garrison Cluster
CO: Star Colonal Bryant Hawker
Unit Status: Green/Fanatical
Homeworld: New Oslo


Trinary Alpha
Mad Dog IV
Karhu
Karhu
Stooping Hawk
Nova
Elemental Point
Elemental Point
Elemental Point
Elemental Point
Elemental Point

Arcas
Arcas
Scourge SCG-WF1
Rifleman IIC 8
Beowulf BEO-12

Ursus II
Shadow Hawk SHD-12C
Great Wyrm 2
Clint IIC
Beowulf BEO-12


Trinary Beta
Marauder IIC 7
Night Wolf
Arcas
Arcas 2
Grizzly 2

Arcas
Arcas
Ryoken II
Hitotsume Kozo HKZ-1F
Clint IIC

Clint IIC
Peregrine 3
Bear Cub 2
Bear Cub 2
Stinger IIC


Supernova Gamma
Huitzilopochtli Assault Tank (AAA)
Huitzilopochtli Assault Tank (AAA)
Demolisher Heavy Tank (Clan)
Demolisher Heavy Tank (Clan)
Demolisher Heavy Tank (Clan)
Demolisher Heavy Tank (Clan)
Athena Combat Vehicle (HAG)
Athena Combat Vehicle (HAG)
Ishtar Heavy Fire Support Tank (Gauss)
Ishtar Heavy Fire Support Tank (Gauss)
Kobold IIC Point
Kobold IIC Point
Kobold IIC Point
Kobold IIC Point
Kobold IIC Point

Axel Heavy Tank IIC
Axel Heavy Tank IIC
Axel Heavy Tank IIC
Axel Heavy Tank IIC
Axel Heavy Tank IIC
Axel Heavy Tank IIC
Hachiman Fire Support Tank
Hachiman Fire Support Tank
Ares Medium Tank (Plasma)
Ares Medium Tank (Plasma)
Clan Medium Battle Armor (Bär)
Clan Medium Battle Armor (Bär)
Clan Medium Battle Armor (Bär)
Clan Medium Battle Armor (Bär)
Clan Medium Battle Armor (Bär)

Eldingar Hover Sled
Eldingar Hover Sled
Tyr Infantry Support Tank
Tyr Infantry Support Tank
Tyr Infantry Support Tank
Tyr Infantry Support Tank
Tyr Infantry Support Tank
Tyr Infantry Support Tank
Odin Scout Tank
Odin Scout Tank
Golem Assault Armor (Support) Point
Golem Assault Armor (Support) Point
Golem Assault Armor (Support) Point
Golem Assault Armor (Support) Point
Golem Assault Armor (Support) Point


Trinary Delta
Hydaspes 3
Hydaspes 3
Hydaspes 3
Hydaspes 3
Hydaspes
Hydaspes
Hydaspes
Hydaspes
Hydaspes
Huscarl HSCL-1-O

Huscarl HSCL-1-O
Huscarl HSCL-1-O
Huscarl HSCL-1-O
Huscarl HSCL-1-O
Huscarl HSCL-1-O
Slayer SL-15K
Slayer SL-15K
Xerxes
Xerxes
Xerxes

Ammon
Ammon 2
Ammon 2
Ammon 2
Lucifer III LCR-3
Lucifer III LCR-3
Tyre
Tyre 3
Tyre 3
Tyre 3


Trinary Epsilon
Ammon 2
Ammon 2
Ammon 2
Shilone SL-17R
Lucifer III LCR-3
Lucifer III LCR-3
Tyre 3
Tyre 3
Tyre 3
Tyre 3

Issus
Issus
Issus
Issus
Sagittarii SGT-2R
Sagittarii SGT-2R
Sagittarii SGT-2R
Corax C
Chaeronea

Corax C
Corax C
Corax CRX-O
Corax CRX-O
Corax CRX-O
Corax CRX-O
Corax CRX-O
Poignard PGD-Y3
Poignard PGD-Y3
Poignard PGD-Y3
Poignard PGD-Y3

[truetanker]

And the winner of New Oslo is?

* drum roll... *

TT

[Foxx Ital]

 Kojak, if you don't pick me for opfor on this!  O:-)

[Kojak]

And the winner of New Oslo is?

* drum roll... *

TT

I wish I could say, but I haven't had the chance to play it yet...I have been substantially busier with school lately and haven't had as much free time. But hopefully I can work a game in on some upcoming weekend.

Kojak, if you don't pick me for opfor on this!  O:-)

I just had kinda already assumed that was the case.

[Kojak]

New Oslo
Star Type (Recharge Time): A9V (170 hours)
Position in System: 1
Time to Jump Point: 23.75 days
Number of Satellites: 1 (Nesodden)
Surface Gravity: 1.03
Atm. Pressure: Standard (Breathable)
Equatorial Temperature: 28° C (Temperate)
Surface Water: 49 percent
Recharging Station: Zenith
HPG Class: B (Clan)
Highest Native Life: Reptile
Population: 218,000,000
Socio-Industrial Levels: B-B-C-B-C
   Technological Sophistication: Advanced World
   Industrial Development: Moderately Industrialized
   Raw Material Dependence: Self-sustaining
   Industrial Output: Good Output
   Agricultural Dependence: Modest Agriculture
Defending Forces: 55th Provisional Garrison Cluster
Land Masses (Capital City): Nordmarka, Asker (Albany), Akershus, Christiania
Importance: Industrial

Initially cataloged by famed 22nd-century explorer Øystein Elgarøy in the thin life zone around its cool, bluish-white star, the planet he dubbed New Oslo was one of the furthest from Mother Terra at the time of its colonization in the 2240s. Several waves of Scandinavian colonists, seeking to escape the oppressive taxes levied to rebuild Terra's ruined Soviet states, settled on Rasalhague and eight other worlds within one jump, New Oslo among them. Together, they would form one of the first interstellar states: the Principality of Rasalhague. New Oslo rapidly became the Principality's beating industrial heart, home to the region's most sophisticated electronics and spacecraft-parts manufacturing. Almost a century later, when the nascent Draconis Combine conquered New Oslo along with the rest of the Principality, it became home to Galileo Instruments, one of the earliest non-Terran manufacturers of DropShips and JumpShips; while their shipyards proper were at nearby Schuyler, many of New Oslo's subsidiary industries fabricated essential components to be used there. The stream of shipments turned into a flood in 2464 when enormous germanium deposits were discovered on Nesodden, the planet's sole moon. This find in particular made New Oslo a vital world for the Rasalhague Military District. It was largely this fact that compensated for the huge headache New Oslo proved to be for House Kurita: the world was a hotbed for the Tyr movement. The infamous pro-independence guerillas constantly launched attacks against Combine government and military sites across the planet, to the point that the DCMS began regularly rotating troops through the system to train them in counter-insurgency tactics.

Like most of the Inner Sphere, the years of the Star League were times of profit and plenty. Gorton, Kingsley & Thorpe Enterprises established a BattleMech factory complex at Haakonstad, nestled in the windy mountains of northern Christiania. It churned out thousands of Archers for both the SLDF and DCMS. To protect these facilities from bandit raids and Tyr uprisings the SLDF built an escalating series of fortifications nearby: Fort Isaacson was eventually upgraded to a Port Castle and then (in the early 28th century) a Castle Brian. When the Twentieth Army was forced to leave the Rim Worlds Republic in 2755 under orders from First Lord Richard Cameron, they relocated their command post to Fort Isaacson. For the next decade, the Pollux RCT (consisting of the 335th Royal, 279th, 280th and 315th Dragoon regiments) made Fort Issacson their home, becoming a regular opposing force for Twentieth Army units visiting the army headquarters. That ended when the Periphery Uprising of 2764 threw half the SLDF into chaos. The Pollux RCT, along with the rest of Twentieth Army, was redeployed to the Outworlds Alliance to put down the Periphery rebels; this left only the Twelfth Rasalhague Regulars on New Oslo. Unbeknownst to the DCMS High Command, Tyr operatives had acquired an SLIC memory core left behind in Fort Isaacson which, among other things, listed all ISF agents embedded in the Twelfth. A swift, brutal purge in early 2766 left a Tyr-loyal Twelfth Rasalhague in charge of the Fort, and the rebels began to contact their compatriots in other Regulars regiments in an attempt to stir up a District-wide revolt. This would prove to be both their, and New Oslo's, undoing.

When the ISF discovered what had happened to the Twelfth, a task force consisting of the Fourth Sword of Light and Second Pesht Regulars moved to the New Oslo system in order to strangle the blossoming insurrection in its crib. While fanatical and reinforced by several months of Archer production from the GK&T lines, the Twelfth knew it could not hold out against the superior numbers and elite warriors of the Fourth Sword for long. Hunkering down in Fort Isaacson, the rebels prepared to make the DCMS pay for every inch of New Oslo soil, but the Combine had other plans. The DCS Radstadt parked in geosynchronous orbit over Haakonstaad and began to pound away at the Castle Brian with its naval lasers and particle cannons, while its fighters deployed over three dozen Alamo-class nuclear missiles in an effort to bring Fort Isaacson down on top of the of the rebels' heads. While ultimately successful in both destroying the Twelfth and cowing the incipient uprising, it also resulted in the destruction of large portions of the BattleMech factories and millions of civilian deaths. The scars of the attack are still visible centuries later, and large swathes of the region are inaccessible without full rad suits and environmentally-sealed vehicles.

In the wake of the House Kurita's brutal crushing of the insurrection, the ISF redoubled their anti-Tyr efforts on the world, and from the fall of the Star League onward, relative peace reigned on New Oslo. A few raids by the Lyran Commonwealth over the course of the Succession Wars did little to disrupt the planet's status quo, and when the Free Rasalhague Republic was finally re-established in 3034, there was much rejoicing. The Republic invested billions of C-bills restoring the old GK&T facilities, eventually giving the fledgling state its first (and only) domestic BattleMech factory. This of course made it a primary target during the Clan Wolf invasion of the Republic during the early 3050s. In July 3050, the planet was attacked by Clan Wolf's Green Keshik and 13th Wolf Regulars as part of their fourth wave during Operation Revival. In response to the invasion and in support of the 1st New Oslo Armored Division, the GKT Volunteer regiment was formed, composed of Archer and Panther 'Mechs produced locally and piloted by retirees and veterans. The battle commenced at the Trysil Pass before moving on to the city of Lillihammer and the vital Ringsaker Valley; the pitched actions fought there left the Wolves in control of the only direct routes to the GKT factory, and thus the planet as a whole. The Wolves converted the factory to produce Locust IICs but otherwise left it alone, preferring to invest their limited resources in the lines at Tamar and Weingarten.

Over the following century, New Oslo would change hands two more times. In early 3070, Clan Hell's Horses blitzed through Clan Wolf space in an attempt to establish an Occupation Zone of their own. Knowing that possession of New Oslo would be critical to securing their place in the Inner Sphere, the entirety of Delta Galaxy dropped onto the world in April of 3071; the defending Second Wolf Lancers were trampled and the planet was secured in a single week. By the end of the decade, the former GKT site had been expanded to become the Horses' primary BattleMech production facility, centered around the massive solar furnaces that the old Free Rasalhague Republic had considered too expensive and difficult to relocate. They had been badly damaged during Operation Revival by the retreating GKT Volunteers, but the Horses put their best technicians and laborers to the task of restoring them to full function and they were brought back online by 3072. This made it a tempting target for the Ghost Bear Dominion; the Rasalhagian government had been pushing for the Bear Touman to “liberate” former Republic planets now under Wolf and Horse control. In 3087, a Bear naval binary spearheaded by a Star of Aesir and Vanir assault DropShips appeared at New Oslo's zenith jump point, rapidly capturing the recharging station and driving away the defending Horse fleet of Outpost Defenders and Noruffs. The 18th Battle Cluster and 140th Striker Cluster landed on the planet three weeks later, facing off against the Horses' Beta Galaxy Command Trinary and 888th Mechanized Assault Cluster. Galaxy Commander Ruggieri Lassenerra led a ferocious defense against the Ghost Bears, but when he was killed in a zellbrigen duel with Star Colonel Dana Bekker, the Horses morale was shattered and they retreated to their DropShips, ultimately fleeing to their JumpShips at the nadir point and abandoning the system. This dealt a serious blow to the Horses' military-industrial complex, which had come to depend heavily on New Oslo. By the time the Horses were able to organize a counterattack, the Dominion had reinforced their positions and easily fended off enough retaliatory Trials to convince the Horses that they would not be retaking New Oslo anytime soon.

Prior to Clan rule, New Oslo had long been operated as a military dictatorship, with House Kingsley ruling over the populace as the Combine's representatives; several Kingsley daimyos were assassinated by Tyr rebels over the centuries. The House's unpopularity with the populace led to their fall from prominence once the Clans asserted their rule over the planet. The Wolves and Horses both took a rather heavy-handed role over the planet's governance during their reigns, unwilling to risk the locals impacting such a militarily important world. When the Dominion took New Oslo, the natives received them enthusiastically, seeing them as liberators and successors to the old Republic. Bergan Industries took over the GKT factories and greatly increased their output thanks to their fervently patriotic lower castes. After the Second Combine-Dominion War, however, production slackened as the Dominion began to focus more on their 'Mech output from the larger factories Alshain and Orestes (neither of which lay in the midst of irradiated wastelands that made expansion difficult and expensive). By the time of the Blackout, all but two 'Mech lines (one apiece for the Locust IIC and Black Hawk) lay dormant.

The main languages on New Oslo are English and Norweigan, although Swedenese slang is also common among New Oslofolk. Most Oslofolk are non-religious, although small pockets of Lutheranism exist in the rural areas of Nordmarka. Outside of the 'Mech factories and other industrial concerns on Christiana and Asker, perhaps New Oslo's greatest claim to fame is the sprawling Technical Institute of Albany, which produces some of the Dominion's finest technicians and scientists. Albany is also home to one of the largest American football stadiums in the Inner Sphere; Elgarøy Field seats nearly a quarter of a million screaming fans of the New Oslo Vikings, who won Super Bowl CLXX in a 34-17 victory over the Kessel Kings in 3135. The Oslofolk are extremely proud both of their long history of fighting oppressors and loyalty to the various Rasalhagian states; insulting either to a native's face is a good way to end up with a broken jaw. Somewhat surprisingly for a world with a history like New Oslo's, there is precisely zero support for Motstånd among the Oslofolk. Their fierce fidelity to the Rasalhague Dominion as the "proper" successor to the Republic leads the Oslofolk to view Motstånd as nothing more than terrorist scum killing in the name of symbolism, and they have no tolerance for it. Insulting Rasalhague or New Oslo might get you punched, but on New Oslo, admitting to Motstånd sympathies will get you lynched.

[Kojak]

Updated to include the naval detachments for each Cluster.

[Kojak]

New bios have been added for the 35th Mechanized Strike and 116th Mechanized Cavalry clusters, along with a new unit ability for the latter.

[Kojak]

Due to the change in the Sprite 2's stats that removed its light TAG, I've updated the TO&E of the 231st Mechanized Assault so that its complement of the design is replaced with my new Boggart HH.

[Kojak]

NIGHT TIME IS THE RIGHT TIME

Firebase Echo, Christiania
New Oslo
Rasalhague Dominion
5 May 3146

Initially an industrial jewel in the crown of the Hell's Horses' Occupation Zone when they invaded in 3070, New Oslo had been snatched away by the Dominion less than two decades later. The loss of so much of their military manufacturing had crippled their ability to rebuild and expand for several decades, arguably resulting in the shift to the Mongol Doctrine in the early 32nd century, with its smaller Horde Clusters able to be adequately supported by the Horses' shrunken industrial base. But the defeat had long rankled the Horse leadership. When Deacon Amirault discovered that New Oslo's HPG had recently succumbed to the same mysterious ailment affecting nearly the entirety of the HPG network, he saw an opportunity to finally accomplish a long-sought goal of his Clan and return New Oslo to its rightful owners. The glory and honor it would bring Tau Galaxy certainly wouldn't hurt either.

Using old Watch maps of the system, Tau's ships jumped in at a pirate point between New Oslo and Nesodden, the planet's sole moon. Intel placed the green 55th Provisional Garrison Cluster on-world; while up until now the PGC had been able to rely on rapid reinforcement from nearby Clusters in the event of an attack, the HPG's failure meant that Tau could potentially secure the planet and dig in before the Dominion would be able to respond in force. Aerospace reconnaissance quickly pinpointed the PGC's command Nova, engaged in a nighttime training exercise with another 'Mech Star just outside an old SLDF firebase near Haakonstad. Using stealthed drop-chutes, Star Captain Arkady Lienet's headhunting Trinary executed a classic decapitation strike against the heavier Bear force -- literally, in the case of the PGC's commander, Star Colonel Bryant Hawker, when a direct hit from an Arrow-IV missile annihilated his Mad Dog Mk IV's cockpit. While the Parashs of Lienet's Star weaved and leapt between their disoriented foes, precision Arrow-IV fire from Gamma Star's Hadurs savaged 'Mech after 'Mech, leaving them easy prey for the remainder of the Trinary. The remaining Parashs, backed by Gamma's hovertanks, swept through what remained of the Bears and destroyed them in a single pass.

With the PGC now leaderless and reeling, the rest of Tau Galaxy landed around the firebase and prepared to march on Haakonstad.

Victory!
-------------------

Winner is: 116th Mechanized Cavalry

55th PGC: 3368 BV remaining (from 35060 initially) 0 BV fled
116th Mechanized Cavalry: 36154 BV remaining (from 42342 initially) 0 BV fled

Survivors are:
Elemental Battle Armor [AP Gauss] (55th PGC)
Gunnery Skill : Point Commander Florian [1]
Kills : 0

Elemental Battle Armor [AP Gauss] #2 (55th PGC)
Gunnery Skill : Point Commander Mary [3]
Kills : 0

Elemental Battle Armor [AP Gauss] #3 (55th PGC)
Gunnery Skill : Point Commander Maro [3]
Kills : 0

Elemental Battle Armor [AP Gauss] #4 (55th PGC)
Gunnery Skill : Point Commander Micah [2]
Kills : 0

Elemental Battle Armor [AP Gauss] #5 (55th PGC)
Gunnery Skill : Point Commander Roy [2]
Kills : 0

Parash (Standard) (116th Mechanized Cavalry)
Pilot : Star Captain Arkady Lienet [2/2] ( 1 hit(s) )
Kills : 0

Parash (Standard) #3 (116th Mechanized Cavalry)
Pilot : Evadine [2/3]
Kills : 0

Parash (Standard) #4 (116th Mechanized Cavalry)
Pilot : Augustus [3/4] ( 1 hit(s) )
Kills : 1

Parash (Standard) #5 (116th Mechanized Cavalry)
Pilot : Paske [4/2]
Kills : 1

Parash 2 (116th Mechanized Cavalry)
Pilot : Star Commander Sakutaro [1/3]
Kills : 0

Parash 2 #2 (116th Mechanized Cavalry)
Pilot : Beatriche [1/5]
Kills : 0

Parash 2 #3 (116th Mechanized Cavalry)
Pilot : Ashley [2/2]
Kills : 1

Parash 2 #4 (116th Mechanized Cavalry)
Pilot : Kanakarasa [2/3]
Kills : 0

Parash 2 #5 (116th Mechanized Cavalry)
Pilot : Laria [2/4]
Kills : 0

Bellona Hover Tank (Laser) (116th Mechanized Cavalry)
Driver : Star Commander Sandu [2/3]
Kills : 0

Hadur Fast Support Vehicle (Standard) (116th Mechanized Cavalry)
Driver : Lalaine [2/5]
Kills : 1

Epona Pursuit Tank A (116th Mechanized Cavalry)
Driver : Point Commander Stella [3/3]
Kills : 1

Hadur Fast Support Vehicle (Standard) #2 (116th Mechanized Cavalry)
Driver : Rashid [2/4]
Kills : 0

Epona Pursuit Tank A #2 (116th Mechanized Cavalry)
Driver : Point Commander Aydin [2/5]
Kills : 1

Hadur Fast Support Vehicle (Standard) #3 (116th Mechanized Cavalry)
Driver : Arif [4/3]
Kills : 0

Epona Pursuit Tank A #3 (116th Mechanized Cavalry)
Driver : Point Commander Yiliyen [3/4]
Kills : 0

Hadur Fast Support Vehicle (Standard) #4 (116th Mechanized Cavalry)
Driver : Piyale [4/3]
Kills : 2

Epona Pursuit Tank A #4 (116th Mechanized Cavalry)
Driver : Point Commander Bemus [3/3]
Kills : 0

Hadur Fast Support Vehicle (Standard) #5 (116th Mechanized Cavalry)
Driver : Adib [3/4]
Kills : 1

MechWarrior Warrior Tess (55th PGC)
Gunnery Skill : Warrior Tess [5] ( 5 hit(s) )
Kills : 0

MechWarrior Warrior Constantia (55th PGC)
Gunnery Skill : Warrior Constantia [2] ( 1 hit(s) )
Kills : 0

MechWarrior Warrior Nancy (55th PGC)
Gunnery Skill : Warrior Nancy [4] ( 4 hit(s) )
Kills : 0

MechWarrior Kathryn (116th Mechanized Cavalry)
Gunnery Skill : Kathryn [2] ( 3 hit(s) )
Kills : 0

MechWarrior Warrior Iria (55th PGC)
Gunnery Skill : Warrior Iria [2] ( 1 hit(s) )
Kills : 0

MechWarrior Warrior Bjorn (55th PGC)
Gunnery Skill : Warrior Bjorn [2] ( 3 hit(s) )
Kills : 0

MechWarrior Warrior Sarjana  (55th PGC)
Gunnery Skill : Warrior Sarjana  [4] ( 2 hit(s) )
Kills : 0

MechWarrior Warrior Liesbeth (55th PGC)
Gunnery Skill : Warrior Liesbeth [3] ( 1 hit(s) )
Kills : 0

MechWarrior Warrior Carolyn (55th PGC)
Gunnery Skill : Warrior Carolyn [4] ( 1 hit(s) )
Kills : 0


Graveyard contains:
Beowulf BEO-12 (55th PGC)
Pilot : Warrior Tess [5/5] ( 5 hit(s) )
Kills : 0
Destroyed by Parash (Standard) #5 (116th Mechanized Cavalry)

Karhu D (55th PGC)
Pilot : Warrior Constantia [2/2] ( 1 hit(s) )
Kills : 0
Destroyed by Parash (Standard) #4 (116th Mechanized Cavalry)

Scourge SCG-WF1 (55th PGC)
Pilot : Warrior Nancy [4/6] ( 4 hit(s) )
Kills : 0
Destroyed by Parash 2 #3 (116th Mechanized Cavalry)

Vulture Mk IV Hawker (55th PGC)
Pilot : Star Colonel Bryant Hawker [1/3] ( 6 hit(s) )
Kills : 0
Destroyed by Hadur Fast Support Vehicle (Standard) #4 (116th Mechanized Cavalry)

Parash (Standard) #2 (116th Mechanized Cavalry)
Pilot : Kathryn [2/5] ( 3 hit(s) )
Kills : 0
Destroyed by Black Hawk (Nova) I (55th PGC)

Stooping Hawk C (55th PGC)
Pilot : Warrior Iria [2/4] ( 1 hit(s) )
Kills : 0
Destroyed by pilot error.

Karhu B (55th PGC)
Pilot : Warrior Bjorn [2/4] ( 3 hit(s) )
Kills : 0
Destroyed by Epona Pursuit Tank A (116th Mechanized Cavalry)

Arcas (Standard) #2 (55th PGC)
Pilot : Warrior Kyunghyun [3/6] ( 6 hit(s)  )
Kills : 0
Destroyed by Hadur Fast Support Vehicle (Standard) (116th Mechanized Cavalry)

Black Hawk (Nova) I (55th PGC)
Pilot : Warrior Liesbeth [3/4] ( 1 hit(s) )
Kills : 1
Destroyed by Hadur Fast Support Vehicle (Standard) #4 (116th Mechanized Cavalry)

Arcas (Standard) (55th PGC)
Pilot : Warrior Carolyn [4/4] ( 1 hit(s) )
Kills : 0
Destroyed by Hadur Fast Support Vehicle (Standard) #5 (116th Mechanized Cavalry)


The following utterly destroyed units are not available for salvage:
MechWarrior Star Colonel Bryant Hawker (55th PGC)
Gunnery Skill : Star Colonel Bryant Hawker [1] ( 6 hit(s) )
Kills : 0

MechWarrior Warrior Kyunghyun (55th PGC)
Gunnery Skill : Warrior Kyunghyun [3] ( 6 hit(s)  )
Kills : 0
Destroyed by pilot error.

Rifleman IIC 8 (55th PGC)
Pilot : Warrior Sarjana  [4/6] ( 2 hit(s) )
Kills : 0
Destroyed by Epona Pursuit Tank A #2 (116th Mechanized Cavalry)

[WeaponX]

When Deacon Amirault discovered that New Oslo's HPG had recently succumbed to the same mysterious ailment affecting nearly the entirety of the HPG network, he saw an opportunity to finally accomplish a long-sought goal of his Clan and return New Oslo to its rightful owners.

Personally speaking, succeed or fail, the Horses trying to take New Oslo, or any other Rasalhague "core" planet for that matter, is akin to kicking a hornet's nest.  You risk being "Nova Catted" not just by the Bears, but also by the Rasalhagian natives.  Remember that during the 2nd Combine-Dominion War, it was the Rasalhagian natives who were trying moderate the Bears from acting like crazed berserkers, but if you attacked one of their own planets, especially a core one to their culture like New Oslo, it would be the Rasalhagian natives who will be like crazed berserkers, and I don't think the Bears will do anything to moderate the Rasalhagian natives' fury.  If the deciding moment for the planet comes down to "who wants it more", then the Horses would lose hands down.  And even if they did win control of the planet, the "who wants it more" factor will just turn things into a war of attrition, which the Dominion could easily keep up due to an almost bottomless pool of Rasalhagian natives who would be eager to enlist.  Now you might say that that would be "un-clanlike", but remember that as of 3145 even Clan Wolf enlists Marik and Steiner natives into their Touman in order to bolster it, so all things being equal, I see the Dominion doing the same thing, especially if the Rasalhagian native outcry against a Horse invasion was loud enough that not allowing them to enlist in the Dominion Touman might lead to social instability.

Now that the Horses hold Tamar, the best move for them would be to go for ex-Lyran planets, and be for Lyran natives cut off from the Commonwealth what the Bears are for Rasalhagian natives.  This way, you can still have your conflict with the Bears (since they hold some ex-Lyran planets themselves), but not risk bringing the Rasalhagian natives in the Dominion fully against you, since you are not attacking a core Rasalhague planet.

[Kojak]

Oh, believe me, I have thought this through. Deacon understands that the Bears are going to react in force to this, but he has...plans. You'll see.

[Kojak]

RADIATION RULING THE NATION

Ruins of Fort Isaacson, Christiana
New Oslo
Rasalhague Dominion
6 May 3146

The defending 55th PGC's command structure had been decapitated, both figuratively and literally, by Star Captain Lienet's surgical strike in the late hours of 5 May. The rest of Tau was far from idle; several of Tau's assault DropShips secured the zenith recharge station, forcing their surrender with the implicit threat of overwhelming firepower and the explicit threat of the marines they carried with them. Simultaneously, the entire 231st Mechanized Assault Cluster executed a mass airdrop at dawn on the PGC's main airfield; the defending armor Trinary was so intimidated they surrendered without a shot being fired, and both they and the two aerospace Trinaries were taken prisoner by the Horses. By the afternoon of 6 May, the 55th had been reduced to four 'Mech Stars. Hunkered down in one of the outer bastions of the old Fort Isaacson complex that had been rebuilt by the Dominion, the remaining Bears would force Tau to dig them out if they wanted victory.

Not wishing to put the rest of Tau Galaxy at risk, Star Colonel Ulysses Grant of the 35th Mechanized Strike Cluster personally led his command Supernova to the gates of the Dominion redoubt. While Nova Gamma's tanks held the eastern flank and fended off a token breakout attempt, Ulysses and his Starmates poured laser and PPC fire into the walls around the gate. The walls quickly fell and Ulysses' Star shed their Elemental passengers, who bounded forward and helped tear apart several advancing 'Mechs with barrages of AP gauss rounds and tandem-charge SRMs as the Star Colonel's Timber Wolf pressed forward under heavy fire. While Ulysses was forced to fall back from the sheer damage his 'Mech sustained as the Bears concentrated fire on him, the rest of his Nova pressed forward and pushed the Bears back. Star Captain Trevor, the freeborn leader of the Bear survivors, attempted to halt the Horse advance with his massive Marauder IIC 7, only to be cut down by a barrage of over two hundred semi-guided LRMs from Nova Commander Zero Ravenwater's five Baliuses. As the Bears fell back further into the base, several of the 'Mechs at the rear of their formation began to suddenly drop from massed missile strikes: two Stars of Horse Buraqs had forced their way through the hidden battlesuit sally ports Dominion engineers had installed in the fort's walls. Dozens of SRMs and hundreds of LRMs poured into the Bears, the latter with deadly accuracy thanks to the light TAG the Buraqs carried. The handful of Dominion 'Mechs still standing were now completely surrounded, and one by one shut down their 'Mechs, signaling their capitulation. As with the strike on the PGC's commander the night before, a handful of warriors were taken bondsman and the rest were added to the burgeoning pool of prisoners.

With the Dominion defenders defeated in detail, Tau Galaxy had accomplished the seemingly impossible: they had reclaimed in less than thirty-six hours a world lost to Clan Hell's Horses for almost sixty years. But Galaxy Commander Amirault was no fool; he understood that the Dominion would not give up New Oslo without a fight, and it was only a matter of time before word reached them of the planet's capture. Once Tau secured the Bergan factory complex, they began reinforcing select sites around the complex's defensive perimeter. The prologue was over -- Tau's first true test lay ahead.

Victory!
-------------------

Winner is: 35th Mechanized Strike

55th PGC: 9579 BV remaining (from 41149 initially) 0 BV fled
35th Mechanized Strike: 72745 BV remaining (from 79027 initially) 0 BV fled

Survivors are:
Arcas (Standard) (55th PGC)
Pilot : Katinka [3/5]
Kills : 0

Clint IIC (Standard) (55th PGC)
Pilot : Nicolas [4/5] ( 1 hit(s) )
Kills : 0

Clint IIC (Standard) #2 (55th PGC)
Pilot : Star Commander Zalika [3/4]
Kills : 0

Peregrine (Horned Owl) 3 (55th PGC)
Pilot : Yurochka [4/5] ( 3 hit(s)  )
Kills : 0

Bear Cub 2 (55th PGC)
Pilot : Ellarose [4/4] ( 1 hit(s) )
Kills : 0

Ursus II (Standard) (55th PGC)
Pilot : Star Commander Thalat [3/5] ( 3 hit(s) )
Kills : 0

Shadow Hawk SHD-12C (55th PGC)
Pilot : Lujan [4/5]
Kills : 1

Clint IIC (Standard) #3 (55th PGC)
Pilot : Mezgebu [4/4]
Kills : 0

Mad Cat (Timber Wolf) T (35th Mechanized Strike)
Pilot : Star Colonel Ulysses Grant [0/1]
Kills : 0

Man O' War (Gargoyle) W (35th Mechanized Strike)
Pilot : Warrior Jibril [2/2]
Kills : 1

Vulture Mk IV (Mad Dog Mk IV) A (35th Mechanized Strike)
Pilot : Warrior Giacinto [1/1]
Kills : 0

Cauldron-Born (Ebon Jaguar) K (35th Mechanized Strike)
Pilot : Warrior Seda [2/3]
Kills : 0

Black Hawk (Nova) P (35th Mechanized Strike)
Pilot : Warrior Ihsan [1/3]
Kills : 1

Elemental Battle Armor (Fire) [AP Gauss] (35th Mechanized Strike)
Gunnery Skill : Point Commander Imre [1]
Kills : 0

Elemental Battle Armor (Fire) [AP Gauss] #2 (35th Mechanized Strike)
Gunnery Skill : Point Commander Hendrik [1]
Kills : 0

Elemental Battle Armor (Fire) [AP Gauss] #3 (35th Mechanized Strike)
Gunnery Skill : Point Commander Don [3]
Kills : 0

Elemental Battle Armor (Fire) [AP Gauss] #4 (35th Mechanized Strike)
Gunnery Skill : Point Commander Riza [1]
Kills : 0

Elemental Battle Armor (Fire) [AP Gauss] #5 (35th Mechanized Strike)
Gunnery Skill : Point Commander Motono [0]
Kills : 0

Balius L (35th Mechanized Strike)
Pilot : Nova Commander Zero Ravenwater [0/1]
Kills : 1

Balius L #2 (35th Mechanized Strike)
Pilot : Warrior Tyrone [0/4]
Kills : 0

Balius L #3 (35th Mechanized Strike)
Pilot : Warrior Carl [1/2]
Kills : 0

Balius L #4 (35th Mechanized Strike)
Pilot : Warrior Mircea [1/3]
Kills : 0

Balius L #5 (35th Mechanized Strike)
Pilot : Warrior Naima [3/1]
Kills : 1

Buraq Fast Battle Armor (Support) (35th Mechanized Strike)
Gunnery Skill : Point Commander Noelle [1]
Kills : 0

Buraq Fast Battle Armor (Support) #2 (35th Mechanized Strike)
Gunnery Skill : Point Commander Angela [0]
Kills : 0

Buraq Fast Battle Armor (Support) #3 (35th Mechanized Strike)
Gunnery Skill : Point Commander Christian [0]
Kills : 1

Buraq Fast Battle Armor (Support) #4 (35th Mechanized Strike)
Gunnery Skill : Point Commander Jules [2]
Kills : 1

Buraq Fast Battle Armor (Support) #5 (35th Mechanized Strike)
Gunnery Skill : Point Commander Meqran [2]
Kills : 0

Buraq Fast Battle Armor (Support) #6 (35th Mechanized Strike)
Gunnery Skill : Nova Commander Armando [0]
Kills : 0

Buraq Fast Battle Armor (Support) #7 (35th Mechanized Strike)
Gunnery Skill : Point Commander Evelin [1]
Kills : 0

Buraq Fast Battle Armor (Support) #8 (35th Mechanized Strike)
Gunnery Skill : Point Commander Cheol [1]
Kills : 0

Buraq Fast Battle Armor (Support) #9 (35th Mechanized Strike)
Gunnery Skill : Point Commander Gulser [1]
Kills : 1

Buraq Fast Battle Armor (Support) #10 (35th Mechanized Strike)
Gunnery Skill : Point Commander Jung [2]
Kills : 0

Axel Heavy Tank IIC (XL) (35th Mechanized Strike)
Driver : Point Commander Thaqib [2/3]
Kills : 1

Axel Heavy Tank IIC (XL) #2 (35th Mechanized Strike)
Driver : Warrior Elina [3/4]
Kills : 0

Joust Medium Tank BE700 (35th Mechanized Strike)
Driver : Point Commander Tuluhan [2/3]
Kills : 0

Joust Medium Tank BE700 #2 (35th Mechanized Strike)
Driver : Warrior Dong [3/5]
Kills : 0

Enyo Strike Tank (LB-X) 'Sholef' (35th Mechanized Strike)
Driver : Point Commander Semavi [1/4]
Kills : 0

Enyo Strike Tank (LB-X) 'Sholef' #2 (35th Mechanized Strike)
Driver : Warrior Untung [3/2]
Kills : 1

Enyo Strike Tank (LB-X) 'Sholef' #3 (35th Mechanized Strike)
Driver : Point Commander Harshini [3/2]
Kills : 0

Enyo Strike Tank (LB-X) 'Sholef' #4 (35th Mechanized Strike)
Driver : Warrior Hong-quan [3/5]
Kills : 0

Enyo Strike Tank (LB-X) 'Sholef' #5 (35th Mechanized Strike)
Driver : Point Commander Noburo [3/2]
Kills : 1

Enyo Strike Tank (LB-X) 'Sholef' #6 (35th Mechanized Strike)
Driver : Warrior Hazan [3/5]
Kills : 0


The following units are in retreat:
MechWarrior Wellia (55th PGC)
Gunnery Skill : Wellia [3] ( 4 hit(s)  )
Kills : 0

MechWarrior Cliantha (55th PGC)
Gunnery Skill : Cliantha [4] ( 5 hit(s) )
Kills : 0

MechWarrior Eylem (55th PGC)
Gunnery Skill : Eylem [3] ( 5 hit(s) )
Kills : 0

MechWarrior Star Commander Tiburcio (55th PGC)
Gunnery Skill : Star Commander Tiburcio [3] ( 3 hit(s)  )
Kills : 0

MechWarrior Idola (55th PGC)
Gunnery Skill : Idola [3]
Kills : 0

MechWarrior Melesse (55th PGC)
Gunnery Skill : Melesse [3] ( 1 hit(s)  )
Kills : 0

MechWarrior Zdenka (55th PGC)
Gunnery Skill : Zdenka [4]
Kills : 0


Graveyard contains:
Grizzly 2 (55th PGC)
Pilot : Wellia [3/5] ( 4 hit(s)  )
Kills : 0
Destroyed by Man O' War (Gargoyle) W (35th Mechanized Strike)

Marauder IIC 7 (55th PGC)
Pilot : Star Captain Trevor [3/3] ( 1 hit(s) )
Kills : 0
Destroyed by Balius L (35th Mechanized Strike)

Night Wolf (Standard) (55th PGC)
Pilot : Cliantha [4/4] ( 5 hit(s) )
Kills : 0
Destroyed by Black Hawk (Nova) P (35th Mechanized Strike)

Arcas (Standard) #2 (55th PGC)
Pilot : Star Commander Tiburcio [3/5] ( 3 hit(s)  )
Kills : 0
Destroyed by Shadow Hawk SHD-12C (55th PGC)

Arcas (Standard) #3 (55th PGC)
Pilot : Eylem [3/4] ( 5 hit(s) )
Kills : 0
Destroyed by Axel Heavy Tank IIC (XL) (35th Mechanized Strike)

Ryoken II (Standard) (55th PGC)
Pilot : Fan [4/5] ( 1 hit(s) )
Kills : 0
Destroyed by Buraq Fast Battle Armor (Support) #4 (35th Mechanized Strike)

Beowulf BEO-12 (55th PGC)
Pilot : Kshtovtovna [4/4] ( 1 hit(s) )
Kills : 0
Destroyed by Enyo Strike Tank (LB-X) 'Sholef' #5 (35th Mechanized Strike)

Great Wyrm 2 (55th PGC)
Pilot : Idola [3/5]
Kills : 0
Pilot ejected.

Arcas 2 (55th PGC)
Pilot : Melesse [3/5] ( 1 hit(s)  )
Kills : 0
Destroyed by Buraq Fast Battle Armor (Support) #3 (35th Mechanized Strike)

Hitotsume Kozo HKZ-1F (55th PGC)
Pilot : Hylkje [4/4] ( 4 hit(s) )
Kills : 0
Destroyed by Enyo Strike Tank (LB-X) 'Sholef' #2 (35th Mechanized Strike)

Bear Cub 2 #2 (55th PGC)
Pilot : Teodozji [4/4] ( 2 hit(s) )
Kills : 0
Destroyed by Balius L #5 (35th Mechanized Strike)

Stinger IIC (Standard) (55th PGC)
Pilot : Zdenka [4/5]
Kills : 0
Destroyed by Buraq Fast Battle Armor (Support) #9 (35th Mechanized Strike)