Simian Blazers (The Red Stars)
Skill Level: Veteran
Loyalty Rating: Fanatical
Perhaps the first truly unified Cluster ever assembled by Clan Fire Mandrill the Simian Blazers were commissioned by Khan Victoria Tanaga in 3053. The unit was a ransom to her young champion, the beautiful Star Colonel Alexandra of Blood House Jannik, who bought it together by her sheer charisma. It core was the small honor guard star attached to the Khan’s service and any potential recruits who would forsake their Kindraa. While such an action was unheard of before Alexandra many were lured by her boldness, charm, and new potential command. Most volunteers were freebirths who lacked opportunity with their Kindraa but there were also several trueborns.
Drawing heavily on the Quicksilver Program to outfit warriors without equipment who served as test pilots the Blazers came together quickly. Needless to say they were wildly unpopular with the Clan at first thanks to its unKindraa like nature. Some have accused its commander of trying to carve out her own Kindraa under the guise of Clan unity. These critics cite the poor performance of the Provisional Assault Cluster during the Operation Revival Placement Trails as a bad idea. Many still think that such units based on individual warriors working as a cohesive team is a bad idea at best.
Mandrill traditionalists often call the Blazers abandonment of Nicholas Kerensky’s ways which have been honed by their Clan to a fine edge over the centuries profane. Despite several unsuccessful challenges from various Kindraa and old guard diehards over the past two years this view has not changed. Incredibly without support within the Clan the unit has thrived taking what it needs from the Kindraa. Some xenophobic opponents have begun to blame outsiders such as Diamond Shark merchants and even Blood Spirit allies for this success. Whatever such scorn and derision maybe spoke this proud command which fights for unity among the Fire Mandrills may one day succeed.
OFFICERS
Alexandra of the Blood House Jannik is a rare woman of extraordinary beauty and personal magnetism. Bred by scientists of Kindraa Faraday-Tanaga it is said she carries the blood of General Aleksandr Kerensky and was named in his honor. Her Bloodname of Jannik has long been prized by the Clans and the Fire Mandrills who always maintained exclusive control. Divided among rival Kindraa its members while skilled militarily have always been apolitical till the rise of Alexandra. While proving to be an able Mechwarrior throughout her sibko training it was her command presence that stood out. The young Star Commander who pilots a Gargoyle was quickly bought under Khan Victoria Tanaga’s wing following her initial Trail of Position. The anti-Warden backlash that swept the Mandrills after Tukayyid was muted by her stunning declaration of independence from the Kindraa. This announcement set off a firestorm that quickly resulted in the foundation of the Simian Blazers as a force for unity in the Clan. Using her blood heritage to draw out malcontents and supporters Alexandra bolstered her Khan’s faltering leadership. As Operation Restoration unfolded she moved swiftly to insure the Mandrills participation was assured. Realizing that the invasion plan could touch off a Trail of Absorption so every Clan could participate she boasted that Mandrills had been offered a special place. The Clan would serve as special operators among each invading corridor troubleshooting problems with four separate forces. This culminated in the recent creation of the so-called ilKindraa who absorbed all the lesser Kindraa into four larger commands. While her astounding maneuvering bought the Clan together like never before it remains to be seen if she can truly unify the Fire Mandrills.
The enigmatic Star Captain Kong is the chief Elemental for the Simian Blazers. His fierce reputation and menacing appearance are possibly the biggest obstacles in tracking down his codex. Some say this massively hairy beast is a genetic experiment gone wrong or a freebirth but none dare whisper that in his presence. He seldom speaks but is vocal often growling or grunting and occasionally roaring at opponents. As no opponent has yet to survive his onslaught either augmented or non-augmented this fearsome warrior’s origin will likely remain mysterious. Utterly devoted to Alexandra whom he ferociously protects his intimidating presence has been instrumental to her successes in unifying the Clan.
An older warrior who just turned forty Star Captain Hanse Jannik was already considered past his prime when the Trails for Operation Revival began. His exceptional warrior skill won him a place in the Mandrill Provisional Assault Cluster where he again performed well. Some credit him with the Clan’s only victory over the Ice Hellions during these combat trails. Despite losses to Coyote and Star Adder he remained a valued part of Kindraa Payne till Alexandra’s call to action. Successfully gaining his independence from his Kindraa he joined the Blazers and was assigned a Firebrand BattleMech from which to command Trinary Battle.
Star Captain Adam Lynn is infatuated with Alexandra and identified with the balkanization of her blood house. The Lynns despite being an exclusive Mandrill line of fine aerospace pilots had been split between rival Kindraa long ago. While a majority of his line was part of Kindraa Beyl-Grant another sizable portion was part of Mattila-Carrol. Volunteering for service with the Blazers came at the cost of his Jenghiz which the Star Colonel replaced with a new Kubulai OmniFighter. An exceptional ace and womanizer he has worked hard to integrate his Trinary’s operations with the rest of the command producing some spectacular air to ground victories.
Young and reckless are the two words that best describe Star Captain Zana who once called Kindraa Mattila-Carrol home. This trueborn Mechwarrior while extremely skilled is often injured because of her risky behavior. Thrill seeking as some have termed it has resulted in frequent injuries. Many called her move to forsake her Kindraa suicidal but as a member of Bloodhouse Jannik it may not be completely crazy. Zana’s personality also made her the perfect test pilot for the Mandrills during the Quicksilver Trails where she excelled with the Simian Blazers. Earning a new Crimson Langur OmniMech she commands Trinary Striker for this Cluster.
Star Commander Thomas Malone is one of the oldest active warriors in the Fire Mandrill Touman. Formerly of Kindraa Mick-Kreese this sixty five year old Mechwarrior is a veteran of innumerable engagements. Most notably he led a successful defense of Shadow against Clan Coyote some four decades ago killing Khan Terrence Kufahl in the process. However, using questionable tactics and unorthodox techniques earned him powerful adversaries which hamstrung his promising career. Thomas continued his efforts to bring unity to the Clan but his hopes were dashed by powerful supporters of the Kindraa. Embittered and scared he soldiered on refusing to die even after being posted to solahma duty. One of the first to embrace Star Colonel Alexandra’s call to arms he tested back into active service and was rewarded with a new Firebrand BattleMech. Malone who was already something of a legend has rapidly become one of the most respected warriors in the Simian Blazers.
One of the few critics within the unit is Star Commander Maja Smythe. This massive female Elemental formerly of Kindraa Kline is outspoken and some jay jealous of Star Colonel Alexandra. Many think she has feelings for Star Captain Kong which have gone unreturned. While pledged to a united Clan she takes a more pragmatic approach then most of her brethren. Whatever her manner or philosophy she has proven to be an excellent warrior and asset to the Blazers.
Star Commander Sergey was a freebirth warrior-trader from the Diamond Shark Clan simply looking to do business with the Fire Mandrills before the formation of the Blazers. Enamored with Star Colonel Alexandra he reluctantly was pressed into service after being claimed as a bondsman. An exceptional merchandiser and skilled aerospace pilot he has become Alexandra’s chief publicist on ChatterWeb as well as an invaluable commercial intermediary for his former Clan. Deftly operating a new Qashqai OmniFighter he has risen to become second in command of the aerospace forces.
Albert Lange of the Blood Spirit Clan became Star Colonel Alexandra’s closest advisor after the formation of the Blazers. Volunteering for service with the blessing of his Khans this trueborn Mechwarrior has excelled in championing his ally’s unity agenda. While bred from a minor Spirit blood house his combat skills are among the Clan elite. Declining an OmniMech in favor of a Blood Knight BattleMech he has become sort of an unofficial ilChi to the Mandrills.
Saru is perhaps one of the finest Mechwarriors in Clan space and serves faithfully at the Star Colonel side at all times. His third generation freebirth origins hampered his upward mobility in Kindraa Sainze. Discrimination only increased after he began to espouse Warden view points and so he answered the call for Mandrill volunteers. His incredible reflexes, mental acuity, and impressive physical stamina made Sainze challenges a mere formality. While he pilots a Phoenix Hawk IIC BattleMech many Clan Mechwarriors have come to respect his combat skills.
TRANSPORTATION
1 Odyssey class Jumpship: Constitution
1 Overlord IIC class Dropship: Primate
1 Titan IIC class Dropship: Ape Hanger
1 Sassanid class Dropship: Gorilla Warfare
1 Hector class Drosphip: Shadow
TACTICS
In stark contrast to other Fire Mandrill units teamwork is stressed above all. While zellbrigen has been adhered to in every engagement so far it has sometime been applied unorthodoxly. One such incident during the Kindraa Mick-Kreese raised eyebrows when Blazer aerospace fighters engaged ‘Mechs rather than airborne opposition. While words were exchanged and protests issued no violations occurred following an official review. Other combined arms techniques were also observed as well. The Blazers also are careful to resolve internal issues by combat just as other Mandrill units but they never do so while under external threat.
ORGANIZATION
A straight Clan Cluster with three ‘Mech trinaries, one Fighter trinary and one Elemental trinary. Composed of medium weight Mechs and heavy Fighters the unit possesses average speed for the Clans. Considered by some a Fire Mandrill Keshik the Khan takes great pain to explain that the Blazers are an elite unit of the Clan.
Trinary Command (5/8 MP)
Alpha Assault Star (2 Gargoyle, 1 Blood Knight, 2 Phoenix Hawk IIC)
Bravo Battle Star (5 Mad Dog)
Charlie Battle Star (3 Summoner, 2 Nova)
Trinary Battle (5/8 MP)
Delta Battle Star (1 Firebrand, 3 Quasar, 1 Nova)
Echo Battle Star (1 Firebrand, 2 Quasar, 2 Nova)
Foxtrot Battle Star (1 Firebrand, 2 Quasar, 2 Nova)
Trinary Striker (7/11+ MP)
Golf Striker Star (1 Crimson Langur, 3 Mist Lynx, 1 Bloodwing)
Hotel Striker Star (1 Crimson Langur, 3 Mist Lynx, 1 Bloodwing)
India Striker Star (2 Jenner IIC, 3 Sparrow)
Trinary Fighter (30 Fighters)
Juliet Attack Star (6 Kubulai, 2 Kirghiz, 2 Jenghiz)
Kilo Strike Star (1 Qashqai, 3 Jagatai, 6 Visigoth)
Lima Interceptor Star (4 Sulla, 4 Turk, 2 Batu, 2 Avar)
Trinary Elemental
Mike Elemental Star (25 Elementals)
November Elemental Star (25 Elementals)
October Elemental Star (25 Elementals)
