Liao's Independent Lance, Capellan Confederation Armed Forces
Circa 3025
Roster:
Captain Tsien Liao, Elite, Vindicator VND-1R
Commander Ivan Tirapolski, Veteran, Vindicator VND-1R
Subcommander Rory Hasegawa, Regular, Wasp WSP-1L
Subcommander Shin Yun, Regular, Wasp WSP-1A
Liao's Independent Lance occupies an ambiguous place in the CCAF. Operating outside of the normal command chain, the mandate of Liao's Lance is to "operate in such a manner as to bring the greatest advantage to the Confederation." Not really a special operations unit, nor bound to much in the way of oversight, the Lance roams the Confederation's borders freely, acting against targets of opportunity as they appear. Most recently, they turned up on the independent Periphery world of Serenity, where they clashed with local forces as well as those of both the Taurian Concordat and Federated Suns over a rumored Star League Cache. Through maneuver, subterfuge, and a considerable degree of playing their enemies against each other, Liao's Lance withdrew from the fight in good form, and was later decorated for "inflicting significant damage on the enemies of the Confederation, as well as recovering valuable Star League artifacts." Out of earshot of the Mask, however, it is whispered that this "victory" was extremely overstated.
Personnel:
Captain Tsien Liao has all the ambition his auspicious name would suggest, as well as the same capacity for intrigue. Best described as an unrepentant fortune hunter with a perverse sense of humor, Tsien Liao's sole motivation is his own self interest, and as the scion of only a modest branch of the Liao family, he long ago identified victory on the battlefield as the best, quickest path to the influence, wealth, and glory he seeks. Not interested in half measures, Captain Liao has thrown himself fully into his role, skilled on both the battlefield and at court, and a master of sniffing out opportunity. Given his unit's unique role and the frequently unstable moods of his Chancellor, Captain Liao knows that his fortunes, and probably his life, are tied directly to his successes on the battlefield, though his sense of self preservation often fails to overcome his quest for greater glory. Both on and off the battlefield he is well known for his tendency towards the theatrical, often leaning heavily on traps, misdirection, surprise, and psychological warfare (often in the form of cruel jokes) to gain an advantage against an opponent.
Special Abilities: Captain Liao possesses the Antagonizer and Demoralizer special pilot abilities.
Commander Ivan Tirapolski has served begrudgingly alongside Captain Liao for half a decade. A stoic officer possessing at best a dessicated wit, he does his best to balance out the theatrics of his commanding officer even while acknowledging his superior's clear ability. Unassailably loyal to the Confederation, but flexible enough to see the value in his Captain's ambition, he is both the perfect counterpart to Captain Liao and an ideal foil should his commander forget his duty.
Special Abilities: Commander Tirapolski possesses the Iron Will special pilot ability
Subcommander Rory Hasegawa is a defector from Chesterton. Vocally pro-Capellan since primary school, she took the first opportunity to defect to the Confederation early in her college years, bringing with her a Wasp battlemech that once belonged to her father. Her teenage idealism suffered considerably under the harsh reality of actually living in the Confederation, even as she was granted citizenship and training to pilot her stolen mech. Bitter, homesick, but now stuck in the Confederation, the young pilot took up smuggling during her service with the Chesterton Reserves, initially focusing on luxury goods from her old homeland, but soon showing a knack for obtaining all kinds of equipment. It was for this reason that Captain Liao snatched her up from what was otherwise a dead end post. In Liao's Lance, her criminal activities continue unabated, however Captain Liao also relies on her extensive network of contacts for intelligence to identify prime raiding targets. As long as this intelligence flows, the Mask is content to look the other way.
Special Abilities: Subcommander Hasegawa's smuggling contacts grant the unit an additional +1 roll modifier for obtaining spare parts and ammunition, as well as keeping the potables locker well stocked.
Subcommander Shin Yun is the old man of the unit, a long time veteran of the Sian Reserves close to retirement prior to being recruited by Captain Liao. Though age has compromised some of his abilities, he remains a competant mechwarrior, and feels personally indebted to Captain Liao for giving him a second chance to make something of himself. Captain Liao for his part seems to value the old warrior's wisdom.
Supporting Forces:
As a full time independent unit, Liao's Lance has a permanently attached dropship, an up-armored and up-gunned Buccaneer class transport. Jumpship support is provided as needed. The lance can also frequently call upon as much as a company of infantry, including airmobile troops, combat engineers, and demolitions specialists.