OBT Forum

Hmm...I wasn't aware of the bot's propensity for cluster attacks against downed ’Mechs. Makes sense, but I guess I never noticed before.

Oh yeah, they love passed out pilots a lot.  I think they are programmed to target the easiest targets to hit.  So if a 'Mech is legged or gets a gyro hit, if you have the armor, its good to soak shots for a turn, then pull the eject.

Contract Conclusion – New Roland to Drozan – February to May 3035

Having completed their contract with the CCAF and aided in expelling the Canopians and Anduriens from Capellan space, the weary Harden-Wang’s Hussars were in need of some much needed R&R.  Having fought a guerrilla campaign for over a year, lain in waiting to strike against the invaders, and then pursued the Canopians between 5 different plants, spanning a total of nearly 50 months.  The dual contracts had worked out well for the upstart Mercenary company.  With near full salvage rights, and influx of recruits from the planets they had helped liberate, the starting lance was nearly a combined arms battalion by early 3035.
 
After the cessation of hostilities between the Capellan Confederation and the Andurien-Canopian alliance, Cpt. Harden obtained a short 9 month garrison contract for Drozan that would cover the units wages during the rebuilding process, and to augment the House Dai Da Chi forces that would be stationed there.  While the conflict was over, the Harden-Wang’s Hussars had some new challenges, such as determining which of their large salvage list to sell or transport home to Drozan, heading to a mercenary hall to formally create the unit, and to obtain the services of more technical and administrative staff to keep the unit operating at full tilt.

The salvage from the first 10 mission on Drozan and 10 mission after, netted the Harden-Wang’s Hussars with a very large stash of salvage.  As their main form of pay, it was going to be challenging to liquidate the salvage into hard currency.  While it wasn’t an immediate concern, as they were still flush with cash from completing their contracts, Cpt. Harden wanted to raise capital to attempt to reinvest in the mercenary unit, be it upgraded ‘Mechs or perhaps their own dropship.  The H-W Hussar salvage list from CCAF Contract (Mission 11 to 20):

Vulcan VL-5T
Griffin GRF-1N 
Blackjack BJ-1
Wasp WSP-1A
4 Patton Tanks
Victor VTR-9B
Grasshopper GHR-5H
Enforcer ENF-4R
Trebuchet TBT-5N
Rifleman RFL-3N
Centurion CN9-A
Ostroc OSR-3C
Atlas AS7-D
Lineholder KW1-LH2   

It was determined that besides the current roster of ‘Mechs, only the Rifleman RLF-3N, Lineholder KW1-LH2, Trebuchet TBT-5N, Vulcan VL-5T, and Grasshopper GHR-5H would be kept on with the unit.  The remaining assets would be liquidated over the course of the 9 month garrison contract which would expand the coffers of the units tremendously, and add to the currency obtained from their previous sale of salvage prior to leaving Drozan, including:

Falcon FLC-4N
2 Striker Tanks
3 Bulldog tank
Stalker STK-3F
Champion CHP-2N

With a solid campaign under their belt, a fantastic windfall from the completion of two contracts and a pile of salvage, the Harden-Wang’s Hussars landed on Drozan has heroes, the “Drozan Defenders” as they were affectionately called on the planet.  Their garrison duties included helping the locals rebuild the damaged infrastructure sustained during the invasion. 

The H-W Hussars were joined by an unexpected ally, their unwitting creator, Daniel Ravish, Dimitry’s father.  Once the H-W Hussars had returned to Drozan, he quit his position at the logistics company to join the unit as an administrator.  He also brought a handful of administrative personnel from the company to help run the unit.  However, prior to leaving the company, he orchestrated an agreement to the Drozan Defenders the option to purchase cargo space on shipment of agricultural products to Outreach, the location of the Wolf Dragoons new mercenary outpost.

Once settled in on Drozan, Cpt. Harden, Daniel Ravish, and some assistants took their remaining stockpile of ‘Mechs and hopped aboard the shipment to Outreach to officially create the mercenary unit and then to sell off their excess ‘Mechs, figuring that the market for ‘Mechs would be in good demand on Outreach.  Their guess paid off, as they were able to offload a majority of their ‘Mechs and tanks early in their trip at near market cost.  However, a few remained until their last days and they had to sell them at reduced prices.  Still, their pockets were swelling with currency. 

Since they were there for a while, doing business with many different people, they made some contacts on Outreach.  One junior administrator even suggested that he stay on as a permanent fixture at Outreach to keep the unit informed of rumors, deals, prospective jobs.  Both Gareth and Daniel agreed, and appointed the administrator the job as their MRB liaison on Outreach. 

Soon, their time was up and the Harden-Wang’s Hussars disembarked from Outreach to head back to Drozan.  The plan was to ride out the current garrison contract and extent that contract out as long as needed to ensure the unit was established and ready for the big times.
 

Interlude 1: Plots with Pirates and a Dropship – May 12, 3035

Mandrinn Albert Quintana of Hurik sat his desk, with a map of the rimward sector of the Capellan Confederation lay sprawled across it.  Unit markers littered the map, showing weaknesses in the defenses.  This wasn’t unreasonable, considering the 4th Succession War and the subsequent invasion by the short lived Andurien-Canopian alliance.  Lord Whitt Ricardo, the reigning lord of the Dutchy of Ward, would look incompetent, and unable to defend his Dutchy.  Meanwhile, Mandrinn Quintana had slowly been positioning himself as the premier diplomat and statesman. 

Looking across the map, he pushed his Leopard and a lance of BattleMechs towards the planet Larsha.  The 5th Reserve Cavalry’s 2nd battalion would be stretched too thin to stop the raid.  Larsha has declared independence for s brief period in 3033, and the resulting unrest of further raiding could go a long way in unseating Lord Ricardo by damaging the perception others have over his ability to maintain the peace in the region.

Mandrinn Quintana chuckled to himself.  His years of plotting would pay off soon.  Slowly acquired BattleMechs and armored vehicles had provided the boost to the various debt-burdened or down-and-out mercenaries he had hired.  They were no more than thugs, for sure, but very skilled and loyal to his immense wealth and would do anything to get out of the red. 

Quintana’s “Pirates”

Crusader CRD-3L
Ostroc OSR-2L
Catapult CPLT-1C
Hunchback HBK-4G
Phoenix Hawk PHK-1
Vindicator VND-1
Vindicator VND-1
Blackjack BJ-1
Blackjack BJ-1
Firestarter FS9-H
Wasp WSP-1L
Stringer STG-3R

4 Manticore Heavy Tanks
4 Scorpion Light Tanks
4 Tracked APCs
4 Foot Rifle Infantry Platoon

4 Transit ASFs
Leopard Dropship
Intruder Dropship

***********************************************************************************************

Meanwhile on Drozan, with the unit mobilizing from the relaxed garrison duty, Cpt Harden had already had his administrative team scouring Drozan and nearby systems for a suitable dropship.  As luck would have it, a repossessed Seeker dropship, that had been in the process of getting refit was for sale at Larsha.  Apparently a long gone mercenary unit had once attempted to reconfigure the Seeker and while their transport was limited, their dropship had been repossessed resulting in their disbandment. 

It was a odd bird for sure.  This particular Seeker had 10 of the light vehicle bays reconfigured, alongside the main cargo hold into a series of Mech cubicles.  Unfortunately, of the 12 planned cubicles, only 9 had been completed prior to repossession.  Additionally, the secondary bay had been reconfigured into a double aerospace fighter hanger and launch pad.  The owner of the asset had been trying to sell the thing for a number of years, but most entities in the market for such dropships are hesitant to purchase oddly configured designs.  Cpt. Harden was able to negotiate the price down considerably from the 225.8 million C-bill market value, down to a more manageable 181 million C-bill price tag by providing a very sizeable down payment of 70 million C-bills as well as preying on the seller’s desperation, covering roughly 40% of the asking price.  The remaining balance would be financed through the planetary bank of Drozan, which would cover the rest.  The remaining 111 million, would be owed back to the bank over 10 years at a very generous rate of 10% annual interest. 

The move would leave the unit’s coffers at a little over 10 million prior to purchasing supplies.  However, it would make the unit more marketable over the course of its existence.  Additionally, this particular Seeker would suit the needs of the combined arms philosophy of the Harden-Wang’s Hussars quite well.  Therefore, arrangements were made to seal the deal on Larsha once the HW Hussars arrived in system and began preparation for their mission to stop the pirate incursions.