OBT Forum

Battlegroup Alpha
Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Cory Masterson of Elbar this combined arms battalion is known for its high degree of professionalism. Masterson, whose family traditions date back to the Terran Hegemony, retired from the AFFC following the War of 3039. Assembling this unit on Outreach took most of his private fortune and substantial investment by other unknown parties. Some believe the Wolf Dragoons were involved, others a powerful FedCom nobles, but whatever the case the unit filled out quickly. Mostly composed of former AFFC troopers the Battlegroup incorporates soldiers from many different backgrounds. Members hail from as far away as the Periphery but also include rebels from the Defenders of Andurien and recently even a former member of the ComGuards has joined their ranks. They have mainly performed training duty in the service of the Federated Commonwealth over their brief decade of service earning the Battlegroup the derisive moniker of ‘Cadre Queens’. While openly scorned by old school mercenaries, Lyran Social Generals, and Draconis traditionalists they have earned a solid reputation for their veteran skill level and high reliability. Command of the Alphas is overseen by Masterson who is a retired Mechwarrior and his similarly retired Armor and Infantry Majors. Captains of the force make up the active Field Command which is composed of eleven officers joined by the Aerospace Lieutenant. They have a large degree of flexibility but their familiarity with the combined arms doctrine makes them function seamlessly on the battlefield. The expense of enlarging the unit is probably prohibitive as their Dropships, the Core Charge a Union and the True Value a Triumph, alone have set them back quite away.

I'd love to see submissions for small mercenary units from others. So yes, please!

Strongbows
The Strongbows are a heavy BattleMech company composed of Archers and Longbows who specialize in long range fire support. The unit was assembled in 3041 on Solaris by former Free Worlds League Mechwarriors who sought to make a profit on their military expertise. With experience stretching from the Andurien Wars all the way back to the 4th Succession War the group was readily acknowledged as professionals despite some security concerns. Reports of misconduct while serving with the FWLM and scrutiny of certain individuals by SAFE has pervaded the Strongbows leading most to label their loyalty as questionable. In spite of these concerns a host of successful single mission contracts and gladiatorial combat led a corporate sponsorship by StarCorps Industries. This arrangement kept them on Solaris throughout the Clan Invasion testing new design variants for simulated battlefield conditions in the arenas. With the breakdown of order in the Free Worlds League the unit was recalled to station the rebuilding StarCorps facility still under construction on Emris IV in Oriente space. Their insignia is a purple Archer on a white circular background and they tend to paint their machines in urban camouflage due to their time on Solaris.

Finders Keepers
   Exploration of the unknown was long a victim of the Succession War but that began to gradually change following the 4th Succession War. One of the first groups dedicated to the pursuit of the unknown were these Lyran veterans hailing from the Alarion Province. Sick of war as usual this well-funded unit assembled to scout destinations in the far-off Periphery with an eye toward undiscovered riches. Based on the ancient Fortress class Dropship, the Early Bird, these privateers make up a combined arms battalion based around a ‘Mech company (Commandos, Firestarters, Vulcans, and Griffins). While the lostech renaissance swept the InnerSphere they have been working beyond the fringes of civilization looking for new adventures and so have larger lacked upgraded tech packages. Sweeping the vast Anti-Spinward Reaches this group has several recorded contracts with ComStar, the Federated Commonwealth, and the Free Worlds League usually focused on pirate hunting or escort duties. Their activities have not been without controversy as several Periphery advocates have charged them with theft which the Keepers vehemently deny. Their insignia is a yellow northstar compass set against a blue square.

Fallen Stars
The people of the former Terran Hegemony have seen nearly three centuries of suffering following the Amaris Coup. Since the Usurper’s great betrayal their homelands have served as the battlegrounds in countless conflicts. Some refused to forget their national heritage or forgive the actions of the House Lords and took up arms as early as the First Succession War. Hailing from the state that gave birth to the BattleMech gave them a strong foundation but every Great House and ComStar has reason to curb any success. Nearly destroyed as part of the Order’s Black December crackdown of 2877 they’ve always managed to survive. While a concerted effort likely could have eliminated them by now each Successor State has seen a reason to patronize the group from time to time. Most recently the Capellan Confederation has financed their operations in order to destabilize the Terran Corridor now largely controlled by the Federated Commonwealth. It is suspected they eke out a living on dead or abandoned worlds within the old Hegemony thus far eluding all efforts to eradicate them completely. As such they have struggled on throughout the Succession Wars never giving up on their dream of a reborn Terran Hegemony. This rag tag near bandit unit typically fields Star League designs (TRO2750) with their strength varying wildly over the years. It is suspected they have as much as a battalion of ‘Mechs under arms along with an aerospace squadron but infantry have also been observed operating alongside them. 

Ladybugs
The call to liberate Canopian worlds long under the yoke of the Free Worlds League has been taken up by this new group of female Mechwarriors. Utilizing Bug ‘Mechs (Locust, Stingers, and Wasps) this independent volunteer unit has already reached battalion strength. Despite their inexperience (Green combat rating) these mercenaries are fanatical devoted to their cause. Handsomely supplied by the Magistracy through various aid organizations and charities they have given hopes to revolutionaries on occupied worlds within the League. Their official status as mercenaries working for the people of the Liberation Zone has so far avoided open warfare between the Magistracy and the League. While very light they are extremely mobile and can threaten most League Militias, which are only conventional in nature, in the area by their simple swarm tactics. Further growth of this troop is likely given their early successes, simple equipment, and high public awareness. Marik frustration with these pests is sharply increasing and may lead to the deployment of a League regiment soon despite the growing unrest throughout the nation.

Too true.

As for unit submission, I have an idea or two.