Hi all,
Going to be reworking the Ursa Corps mercenary command that I will be making with quite a bit of the new plastic minis that I've gotten over the years, and with the ones releasing with the next Kickstarter release painted up to their color scheme (was thinking of them having a dark brown armor plate, maybe with reflective gold/orange viewscreens).
Another point of note I plan on painting all the vehicles acquired from the new KS with a "desert" tan and brown camo scheme, so that they can easily be used in my various factions (listed below).
After listening to MechanicalFrog's New Explorer Corps series, including the latest video, can't wait for more. I was inspired to rework some more of my custom mercenary story design, which I have to admit kind of fell off the burner. I also had some inspiration from DuskHaunters as well. Here's to hoping that I could get some of the more "interesting" story ideas trapped inside my head to come out on paper/text. I just need to come up with a way to write out the stories that might be tied to this force.
This new origin was inspired by a awesome person on FB Battletech page, and so I'd love to hear all your thoughts and opinion on options for this design going forwards....There are some Options listed in the equipment section that I'm still working on, and I'd like to get your opinions on the options listed.
Please read over what I've entered below, there are a few spots were I have a couple OPTIONS. Example would be their JShips & DShips during the 3100s.
ROUGH TIMELINE
= 3000s - 3030s =
The unit known as Ursa Corps would start out as a small combined arms force of several small mercenary commands, hired on as armed security for a entrepreneurial ship captain. This captain, Theodore Ursa, would form a trading company that works out of a heavily modified Jumbo-class dropship. The Ursa Corporation would offer repair and refit services for military and civilian hardware to those willing to pay their fees. In addition the company would buy, trade, and sell military equipment. They operate out of the Periphery region on the boarder of Capellan, FedSuns, Taurian, and Canopian space.
Ursa Corporation's security forces include several small mercenary commands hired on for defense of the dropship, it's crew, and Ursa himself as he conducts his business. Included in this security force are a small reinforced lance of battlemechs, some armored assets, very well trained infantry/marines, and a top notch technical staff.
Following work from his contacts within ComStar Theodore would move U.C. to the newly forming Free Rasalhague Republic region. Taking up contracts moving military hardware across the region, his son and daughter would get their first baptism in fire during the Ronin Wars. While his son took after his mother in becoming a solid mechwarrior, his daughter would inherit his keen mind for business.
= 3050s - 3060s =
The unit was in the Rasalhague region when the Clans swept their way through the Inner Sphere. Theo would lose his wife to the clans when her battlemech was destroyed, and almost lost the life of his son, who was forced to punch out of his crippled mech. Sean Ursa, Theo's son, was only able to escape capture from the clans thanks to the brave men and women of Rasalhague militia forces that they were on world to train and supply. He would have to fight in a gruella war with the clans, after the U.C. dropship and it's crew being captured, against the clan's second line garrison upon the main front line moving on to new worlds for conquest.
With a great effort from U.C. and Rasalhague militia forces the space port would be captured, along with tons of Clan equipment and personnel. It was only thanks to the assistance of ComStar the U.C., remnant militia, and even some clanners seeking a way out would these forces escape the clan occupation zone and return to FRR friendly territory. Upon their return Theodore Ursa's health would force him to retire and leave the company to his children. They would combine the Rasalhague militia remnants, what remained of U.C.'s security force plus technical staff, and even some of the Clan technicians into a new Mercenary command, Ursa Corps.
Sean and Alina Ursa would pull in all the favors that their father had built over the years, as well as sell off loads of captured clan hardware, to begin rebuilding the military force known as Ursa Corps. It was during this rebuild period they would receive the news that ComStar would have victory on Tukayyid. As for the rebuild, they would include some clan mechs, some heavier designs fresh off the assembly line, and all their equipment having some form of clan upgrades. In addition to replace the now devastated infantry assets of the unit are now not only rebuilt, but augmented with an additional formation of IS Standard Battle Armor. Two of the newest members of the unit a pair of veteran clan elementals aided in the training of the largest members of the new U.C. infantry force.
The U.C. would support I.S. forces in the renewed offensive against the Clans during Operation Bulldog and Taskforce Serpent. During this period they would engage with the clans using their experience and augmented hardware to win victories and salvage. Sean would be killed during the final moments of the last engagements of the destruction of Clan Smoke Jaguars.
= 3067 - 3100 =
After the events of the Blakist destruction of the Inner Sphere, the force known as Ursa Corps would merge with the newly forming Republic of the Sphere armed forces, effectively vanishing for a time.
= 3140s - Current =
Following the collapse of the Republic of the Sphere to the clans a descendent of Theodore Ursa would reform Ursa Corps. Taking on members of the from RotS military and those dispossessed by the Clan occupation, and their military hardware, the unit would go back to operating as a arms merchant force with a heavy military force as security. They would move towards the Federated Suns and Draconis Combine region, not straying too far from the clan boarders, so that they can acquire some more merchandise.
=== EQUIPMENT ===
Okay so some of this is alterable due to the future releases by CGL and more. Also if I find some suggestions that would be very interesting to go with.
= 3000 - 3040 =
DROPSHIP
Jumbo-class Dropship
Heavily modified to act as a mobile repair and refit depo. This conversion was accomplished by converting the lower cargo hold (4400 ton) into a mech / vehicle repair depo, by mounting multiple vehicle and mech cubicles. Above this hold the second hold (4400tons) carries cargo, general goods, and more merchandise. Next the third hold (1330tons) is converted to accommodate the additional personnel (techs, clerks, infantry, dependents, etc...). On the same level sits the two Small Craft bays, which typically carry a pair of Aerospace Fighters for defense.
Going from the Lowest deck upwards (not sure how to alter dropships, making the assumtion that you can insert bays/cubicles for the tonnage you have, finding the Techmanual a bit confusing in this regard)...
Lower Cargo Hold -
3020s add in 14 Battlemech Cubicles (5 for the security, 2 for Scavengers, and a couple for Industrial Loaders, while the rest are for "merchandise" in need of repair and refits. Add 12 Heavy Vehicle cubicles (Artillery, Security forces tanks, and "Merch" needing repairs/refits. 12 Light Vehicle cubes (security APCs, repair teams support vehicles, etc.). Lastly in the 3060s they'd add in some battlearmor bays to store their new BA troops. Rest of the space is dedicated to spare parts and ammo for the units aboard. This hold converted to hold...14 mech, 12 hvees, 12 lvees, 9 squads of battlearmor...
Going up the 4 (200ton) lifts to the next cargo deck
General cargo storage for merchandise, spare parts, and more
Up another series of elevators to the next floor, and last cargo hold...
Sharing the floor with the two small craft bays (aerospace fighters) is the smallest of the three cargo bays, this one is converted to add additional life support, and some more dual, single, and barracks style occupancy quarters, as well as communal washroom facilities. This is were the unit's dependents, and even some of the senior members of the force live. It also hold the barracks for the security forces marine contingent.
MECHS
WHM-6D Warhammer, Converted with small lasers removed (as well as a ton of armor) to add on a pair of Medium Lasers
CRD-3D Crusader
TDR-5S Thunderbolt, Removing the SRM launchers and their ammo for more heat sinks
DV-6M Dervish, removing the SRM launchers and their ammo for a pair of Medium Lasers and heat sinks
FS9-A Firestarter
SC-V Scavenger
SC-V Scavenger
VEHICLES
Options include Maxim, Condor, Pegasus (cargo), Schreck, Basilisk Artillery, lighter artillery, etc...
They would also have a suite of technical support vehicles, including Battlemech Recovery Vehicles, Coolant Trucks, Prime Movers, Support Trucks, etc...
INFANTRY
Platoon or two of well trained marines/infantrymen. They would have capabilities to work as force recon, bodyguards, and even space marines guarding the Dropship from enemy boarders.
AEROSPACE FIGHTERS
Used for escorting the Dropship(s) to their landing zones.
= 3050s - 3067 =
Following the rebuilding after their near annihilation to the hands of the Clans they would have newer equipment and more.
DROPSHIP(s)
Not sure if they managed to successfully get their older Jumbo rebuilt. One Dropship design I really love and would be interesting at this time would be the Fortress, now being brought back into production. THOUGHTS?
MECHS
Still having the pair of Scavengers they now have some more mechs, including some machines built by the clans.
Machines that I'm interested in....
LIGHT
Firestarter
MEDIUM
Dervish, Griffin IIC, Shadow Hawk IIC
HEAVY
Warhammer, Thunderbolt, Crusader, Flashman, Guillotine, Grizzly
ASSAULT
Awesome, Devastator, Highlander, Nightstar, Pillager
Other machines that don't have models that I'd like...
Firestarter-Omni, Thanatos, Salamander, Templar
VEHICLES
They'd get ahold of some more vehicles to provide better armored base security.
Patton (or Axel), SturmFeur, Von Luckner, SRM/LRM Carriers, etc...while maintaining the Maxim (converted to haul BA), condor, and Cargo Pegasus, etc..
INFANTRY
Rebuilt infantry units, maybe even adding on Jump Infantry units. They would also acquire quite a few IS battle armor, either the IS Standard or the Gray Death Standard designs.
AEROSPACE FIGHTERS
Used for escorting the Dropship(s) to their landing zones.
= 3100s and beyond =
This version of the force is very much in flux, since there are a lot of mechs, vehicles, and battle armor designs that I really like, but are at the moment not being manufactured in a miniature format.
I will be presenting you folks a few options that I was looking at. Combining equipment from either their former military background OR combineing equipment captured from the Clan invaders. You folks opinions would be greatly appreciated.
JUMPSHIP
A) Invader-class Jumpship
OR
B) Odyssey-class Jumpship
DROPSHIPS
A) 1 Fortress-class + 2 Union X-class
OR
B) 2 Trutzburg-class + 1 Polaris-class + 1 Mule II-class
MECHS
Okay since the ilclan era has a lot of mech designs that I like I will leave you folks a list or two containing the mechs that I'm interested in for this force. Keep in mind they work across the Combine, FedSuns, and even reach out to the IS Clans to acquire their "merchandise".
LIGHT
Firestarter, Cougar, KitFox
MEDIUM
Chameleon, Dervish, Griffin IIC, Shadow Hawk IIC, Stormcrow
HEAVY
Crusader, Thunderbolt, Guillotine, Warhammer, Flashman, Timber Wolf, Loki MkII, Grizzly
ASSAULT
Awesome, Highlander, Devastator, Pillager, Nightstar, Regent, Blood Asp
Other mechs without minis that I was interested in include...
Gambit, Hollander III (PPC version), Calliope, Firestarter (Omni), Marshal, Rawhide, Lament, Carronade, Hound, Thanatos, Mad Dog MkIV, Doloire, Salamander, Mad Cat MkII
A couple of newer designs to add on...
Bakeneko, Inferno, Templar III
VEHICLES
They would have most of the same equipment from their predecessor, including fire support, close support, technical support, etc...
INFANTRY
Besides the standard foot and jump infantry this new force would include quite a few new Battle Armored formations. Battle Armor that I'm looking at for this force include...
Inner Sphere
Gray Death Infiltrator, Gray Death Heavy, Gray Death Standard, Inner Sphere Standard, Longinus, Kopis, Xiphos
Clan - not sure as to how they'd get some of these, thoughts?
Elemental, Calisto, Storm Bird
AEROSPACE FIGHTERS
Used for escorting the Dropship(s) to their landing zones.
Aerospace Fighters from the Republic of the Sphere: Poignard, Sagittarii, Schrack, Simurgh (these I do quite enjoy the looks of)
Another fighter that I like the look of, but find it would be difficult to acquire (unless they were to find a few left behind in a old cache) would be the Chippewa IIC from clan Mongoose.
Some Lyran fighters Sternensturm and Morgenstern (really like the Morgen)
Then there is the fun Yun from the Confederation (it can even deploy Battle Armor).
=== COMMANDERS / LEADERS ===
3000-3051 = Owner Theodore Ursa / Wife Isabell Ursa leads the security forces mech lance
3053-3058 = Sean Ursa and Alina Ursa lead the unit together after their fathers forced retirement
3058- = Alina Ursa
3151-current = Major Zachariah Lockmere reforms the unit that was his great grandfather forged during the third succession war.
=== OPPONENTS / ALLIES ===
3000-3049 = Militia, Pirates, Combine Ronin
3050-3060 = The Clans Smoke Jaguar, Wolf, and Ghost Bear (maybe even Falcon)
3100-Current = Combine, Wolf, FedSuns, Militia, Pirates
=== QUESTIONS ===
1 ) Opinions for the lore of this force?
2 ) Opinions of which version of their space fleet in 3100s A OR B?
3 ) Opinions of the mechs listed as options for the eras listed?
4 ) Thoughts on other pieces of equipment, maybe even story ideas that you all could recommend?
5 ) Thoughts on types of infantry? I know that I will want to have marines for security of the Ships, foot troops to act as bodyguards for the "salesmen", and recon assets for the security units when they do some "merch-runs".
6 ) Was thinking of making their 3100s variant security a reinforced combined arms formation, 1 mech company, 1 vehicle company, 1 battle armor company, and 1 infantry company. They would also have support assets (artillery, recon, aerospace support). Thoughts on some of the units listed in this approach?
7 ) Thoughts of solid aerospace fighter assets?
Thanks for taking the time to read this, and I hope to hear your thoughts and opinions,
Grey
Alternative Starter Dropship weirdness...
A weird alternative dropship for the force in 3020s would be a heavily retrofitted
Design A:
Union (2708 edition)…
Based of the reading from the TRO 3057 *Revised*
Lower Mechbay = carries the security force's lance of battlemechs (Thunderbolt, Crusader, Dervish, Firestarter)
ON the same level the 2 aerospace fighter bays have been replaced with accommodations for a company of infantry (in this case 1 platoon of security, 1 platoon of engineers/techs, 1 platoon of ???) and augmented life support.
Upper Mechbay = Carries the DS merchandise, converted as needed for Vehicles, mechs, general cargo, etc...
Design B:
Seeker (2815 edition)
Why is the Seekers mass so out of wack? 6700 tons to 3900 tons is a drastic difference, and the cargo capacity alterations is also wacky.
Fun little thing can accommodate a (with modifications in the TRO) a Lance of mechs, 28 Light vees (nothing is stopping them combining some of these compartments for heavy vehicles), 1600t cargo, and 4 foot platoons. It is a monster
5/19/23 = Edit : Added some choices of Aerospace Fighters, and a rough-out design idea for the Jumbo-class Dropship. Some more choices for the 3100s mech force.
