Marc Lutz

Marc Lutz
Character Profile
Died 12 March 3050
Affiliation Draconis Combine
Rank Tai-sa
Profession Armor commander

Marc Lutz was a Draconis Combine armor commander killed in the Clan Invasion.

History[edit]

Lutz was a tai-i during the War of 3039, leading his tank lance in several battles. After the war, he was promoted to tai-sa and sent to take the command of the garrison on the Periphery border world of Idlewind.

He took his new posting in stride, considering it simply another service to the Dragon. He transformed the local garrison from a ragtag pair of armor companies and a regiment of militia infantry into a well-trained unit, dubbed the Idlewind Stormtroopers, which stood ready to defend the planet against any Periphery pirate or bandit. The enemy, when it appeared, turned out to be neither of those things.[1]

On 10 March 3050, the Clan Invasion reached Idlewind. At the head of the Clan Smoke Jaguar column was the Third Jaguar Cavaliers' Assault Trinary, led by Star Colonel Paul Moon. Paul Moon opened the invasion effort to bids from his subordinate officers. The bid was won by Star Commander Joal, an Elemental, who bid a mere two Points of his armored troopers. The batchall process surprised and confused Lutz, who bid his entire unit. After hearing that the invaders would send only ten of their troops, he believed that victory was possible, and selected a forested region outside of Breezemont, the planetary capital, to be the site of the battle.

Lutz was no fool, and reasoned that the invaders would only send so few troops if they were highly capable. He decided to take no chances. When one of his men suggested soaking the drought-dried forest with accelerant to burn the invaders when they touched down, Lutz agreed, reasoning that there was only honor in victory.[2]

When the Elementals entered the forest two days later, the Stormtroopers set off their trap. The forest erupted into a living hell. Believing that no mortal man could survive such a fire, Lutz made plans to recover the Jaguar bodies to hopefully uncover their origins. He was horrified when the Elementals emerged unharmed from the fire, their armor blackened but intact. Before he and his men recovered from the shock, the enraged Jaguars fell upon them, tearing apart the Stormtroopers and destroying their vehicles one by one without taking prisoners.[3] While Lutz was able to direct his gunner and successfully kill an Elemental, his hovertank's engine was quickly disabled. Resolute in his duty, Lutz emerged from his tank and began shooting at Star Commander Joal despite knowing his weapon would have no effect. Lutz was killed after refusing Joal's demand that he and his forces surrender.[4]

Legacy[edit]

Lutz's refusal to surrender didn't save his unit or the planet, or even delay the Jaguars advance. In fact, it only made everything worse. As the remnants of the Stormtroopers pulled back to Breezemont and dug in, Paul Moon made the decision that the unit's attempt at an ambush was a violation of the Clan rules of honor and that the survivors should not be afforded mercy. While he knew that Joal's two points of Elementals could eventually take the world from the Stormtroopers, Paul Moon also realized that such an effort would delay the Jaguar advance. He therefore ordered his entire Trinary to set down on-planet and wipe out the remaining survivors. Breezemont was razed to the ground and the Stormtroopers were annihilated as a fighting force.[5]

Vehicles[edit]

Lutz's only known vehicle was a Pegasus hovertank, apparently one of the heavier units of his unit.[6]

References[edit]

  1. The Flames of Idlewind, p. 33
  2. The Flames of Idlewind, p. 34
  3. The Flames of Idlewind, p. 39
  4. The Flames of Idlewind. p. 40
  5. The Flames of Idlewind, p. 42
  6. The Flames of Idlewind, p. 36

Bibliography[edit]