OBT Forum

Shadow Watch (Level III – Veteran / Fanatical)

As the Minnesota Tribe settled on Mars in 2827 a small military guard formation was established to insure the defense of the Blood. As an homage to the Black Watch which inspired it this covert unit evolved in size and scope over time. While it's subsequent battle history prior to 3052 is completely unknown it's abilities and composition have been discerned. Nominally called Blakists by ComStar who assume they are renegades this original assumption is publicly reinforced after the battle to hide their true Wolverine origins.

Composed of fanatical veterans whose individual identities have been shrouded in secrecy. Positions in the 'shadows' were highly contested by members of the Blood who aspired to the Watch. Potential candidates trained in a familial environment must ultimately pass rigorous training in an attempt to unseat current members. The guardians of the Blood are highly skilled in camouflage techniques and exercise extensively for ambushes.

Their equipment is made up of vintage InnerSphere war machines upgraded with lostech in the wake of Helm renaissance. The battalion which is a Mech Level III modeled after ComGuard organizational standards is primarily composed of Heavies and Mediums with the Wolverine being a particular favorite. The rest of this command is filled out by Assault and Light BattleMechs which correspond to current technical specifications.

   Demi Company Command (Level II – Distant Thunder)
Banshee (95 tons)
Battlemaster (85 tons)
Awesome (80 tons)
Zeus (80 tons)
Warhammer (70 tons)
Warhammer (70 tons)

   Demi Company Assault (Level II – the Anvil)
Battlemaster (85 tons)
Grasshopper (70 tons)
Catapult (65 tons)
JagerMech (65 tons)
Grand Dragon (60 tons)
Quickdraw (60 tons)

   Demi Company Heavy (Level II – the Hammer)
Marauder (75 tons)
Archer (70 tons)
Warhammer (70 tons)
Thunderbolt (65 tons)
Crusader (65 tons)
Rifleman (60 tons)

   Demi Company Support (Level II – the Leftovers)
Trebuchet (50 tons)
Vindicator (45 tons)
Clint (40 tons)
Whitworth (40 tons)
Panther* (35 tons)
Commando* (25 tons)

   Demi Company Medium (Level II – the Assassins)
Wolverine (55 tons)
Shadow Hawk (55 tons)
Griffin (55 tons)
Dervish (55 tons)
Hunchback (50 tons)
Phoenix Hawk (45 tons)

   Demi Company Light (Level II – the Infiltrators)
Cicada* (40 tons)
Hermes II* (40 tons)
Assassin (40 tons)
Jenner (35 tons)
Spider (30 tons)
Locust (20 tons)

Bluebloods

This BattleMech mercenary company is made up of long standing Mechwarrior families from the core of the InnerSphere. With pedigrees stretching throughout the Succession War these combat veterans are well versed in small unit tactics that assists them in training which is the unit's specialty. Following the 4th Succession War these well regarded Mechwarriors decided to retire from House Regular units and go into business for themselves. Among these were Phillip Sheridan and Samantha Allen who had met in FedCom service. Together with three other highborn couples they began the Bluebloods in 3031 registering on Galatea as a parternship. Taking less risky garrison or cadre duty usually in the Sarna March along with other conservative assignments while starting families the unit has gradually grown and soon may expanded drastically. With the prospect of educating the next generation of Bluebloods they took a contract with ComStar and were on Mars serving as an OpFor with the War Academy of Mars.

   Demi-Company Alpha (Veteran / Reliable)
Commander Philip ‘Phil’ Sheridan, Veteran (3/4), ON1-M Orion
Mechwarrior Victor ‘Vick’ Thomas, Veteran (3/4), RFL-5M Rifleman
First Sergeant Samantha ‘Sam’ Allen, Veteran (3/4), CPLT-3C Catapult
Mechwarrior Peter ‘Pete’ Franklin, Veteran (3/4), WVR-7D Wolverine
Lancer Anna Vasiliev, Veteran (3/4), HBK-5M Hunchback
Mechwarrior Ivan Popov, Veteran (3/4), BJ-2 Blackjack

Sword of Focht

The elite honor guard of Precentor Martial Anastasius Focht was assembled in the wake of Tukayyid. They accompanied him to Terra as a personal security detachment so he could confront Primus Waterly’s treachery. Ardent supporters of the Reformation and heroes of the Clan War this Assault Level II again joined their legendary commander on his tour of the InnerSphere which was interrupted by the Mars Rebellion. With its opposition identifying themselves as the Word of Blake this unit took on the name of the Sword of Focht.

   Demi-Company Command (Elite / Fanatical)
Precentor Martial Anastasius Focht, Elite (1/2), AS7-K Atlas
Acolyte Rae Surelis, Veteran (3/4), BLR-2C Battlemaster with Precentor Klaus Hettig riding along as Strategic Advisor
Adept Rita Brand, Elite (2/3), Masakari C
Acolyte Valin Blane, Elite (2/3), HGN-732 Highlander
Acolyte Kelvan Robarts, Elite (2/3), KGC-001 King Crab
Acolyte Samantha Cartier, Elite (2/3), CRK-5003 Crockett

Been meaning to get back to this but I am still working on the Dire Wolf review. So what I can tell you is that the ComGuard forces under Focht's direct command are tasked with intercepting and destroying this rebel Mech battalion which has raided Koryo. While their effect was minimal it spurred further revolts on Mars which are likely taking place under the hand of disaffected ROM operatives. The main action takes place on the Chryse Planitia where the Blakist force has slowed rather than maneuvering to do combat. The flat plains provide no cover to anyone and hide only one very important thing, a nuclear device planted by the Blakist as a final assurance to kill the Great Betrayer. The Blakist force has only one true objective which is to kill Focht but their attack is also cover to allow those of the Blood to escape. More later!