MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries/Phoenix-Dawn

NEWSFEED

- ComStar Information Service -

- January 10, 3045 -

5th Succession War?

Theodore Kurita announced today that the Draconis Combine would "No longer tolerate the continual economic and military aggression from the Federated Commonwealth." This is the fourth in a series of veiled threats from Kurita's high-commanders, all aimed at the Federated Commonwealth.

Prince Hanse Davion was unavailable for comment, though reliable sources claim Archon Melissa seemed "unconcerned" by Theodore Kurita's continued posturing, and has just embarked on a two week vacation to the southern regions of Tharkad. Meanwhile, troops from both sides are amassing along the Davion-Kuritan border.

The chief source of conflict is centered on the tiny world of Proserpina. Citizens on that world have been rebelling against the Draconis Combine on and off for years. Casualties among the citizens during "Freedom Marches" are especially high. Proserpina is yet another planet whose Free Mutineers have recently risen against the Draconis occupational forces.

House Kurita officials have announced their belief that the Commonwealth has been providing the Free Mutineers with armaments. Prince Hanse Davion of the FC has denied these claims, but the Kuritans remain unconvinced. Both sides have moved troops close to the border, while the Draconis Combine has sent the 1st Amphigean Light Assault Regiment to squash the Proserpina rebellion before it can properly begin.

Federated Commonwealth Campaign Contract

The Federated Commonwealth needs mercenaries for covert operations on and around the world of New Ivaarsen. Specific world to be disclosed on acceptance of contract. Guerrilla operations are likely, including battles and raids behind enemy lines. High risk goes with high pay. Recommended for a new mercenary unit that needs to make a name for itself. Pays 1,500,000 C-bills. Pay is already deposited with ComStar. The Commonwealth will pay for all reasonable ammunition expenses.

ComStar Contract Evaluation

• World: New Ivaarsen
• Duty: Guerrilla Operations
• Begin Date: June 1, 3045
• End Date: October 15, 3045
• Maximum Pay: 1,500,000 C-bills, plus bounty and bonus
• Minimum Pay: Bounty
• Salvage Rights: Poor

 

Phoenix-Dawn

MechWarrior's Campaign Journal

June 28, 3045

I've signed on with the Free Proserpina Mutineers, one of the revolutionary groups connected with the rebels on Galedon V. I wonder if the Proserpinans know that mercs were responsible for most of the Mutineer casualties on Galedon V.

July 16, 3045

Proserpina doesn't seem to have a lot going for it. It's mainly deserts and mountains, although it is supposed to be rich in minerals. Most important, I think, is its strategic location. If the Kuritans keep control of it, they'll have easy access across the FedCom border.

July 29, 3045

We have just jumped into Draconis space and received our orders. The Mutineers are being awfully secretive about this. We're supposed to secure Proserpina by November 6, but I don't see how it's possible. Let's hope the Mutineers have a strategy.

Briefing

RADIO TRANSMISSION FROM FREE PROSERPINA MUTINEERS TO [MERCENARY UNIT NAME] DROPSHIP: Your on-planet contact will be one of our scouts, call-sign Red Eagle. He will meet you at NAV ALPHA, the escort you to our Crystal Desert base. We must keep the base's location secure, but it is in the region of NAV GAMMA.

FPM: Your drop zone is in the Crystal Desert, which is filled with metallic crystals which will appear on your radar as enemy contacts. You will be forced to rely heavily on visual sensors.

• Codename: Phoenix-Dawn
• Planet: Proserpina
• Terrain: Crystal Desert
• Time: Late Afternoon
• Mean Temperature: 35 Celsius
• Mission Pay: Bounty only
• Expected Resistance: 1st Amphigean Light Assault
• Your Call-Sign: Raider-1

FPM: Make contact with the rebel scout (Red Eagle) at NAV ALPHA. Return with the scout to the rebel base, located near NAV GAMMA.

Objectives

• Target: Go to NAV ALPHA
• Target: Follow scout to rebel base

During Mission

DropShip Captain: The LZ is under enemy fire. Lift off! Lift off!

Red Eagle: Raider-1, this is your rebel contact. NAV ALPHA's guarded. Move to NAV BETA. Repeat move to NAV BETA.

Red Eagle: Raider-1, you made it! Our base is under attack at NAV GAMMA! C'mon!

Base: Raider-1, the rebel command staff is going to make a run for it in a hover truck. Cover us! Base, out!

MISSION SUCCESSFUL

Aftermath

Commander Elijah Harris, Free Proserpina Mutineers: Not bad, not bad. You made it just in time. Your team will be taking orders from me for the rest of your time here on Proserpina. I don't know what you're used to, but out here we're pretty informal. You won't be getting you orders signed and sealed, you'll just be listening to me. Thanks to you, anything those Draconis troops gained from their surprise attack was taken back, and you saved thousands of our soldiers. You've already become local heroes. Now, just keep it up. We're paying top dollar for you, and we aim to get our money's worth.

Harris: By the way, did you hear about the bounty? Tai-sa Michaels, the Draconis Commander, put out a 100,000 C-bill price on your head today. It means you'll have to watch your back around some of these animals, especially with all the spies, but it's a compliment. Hell, I'm running this show, and they're only offering 75,000 C-bills for me.

Proserpina Daily News – July 31, 3045

WAR IN THE WASTELAND

Draconis High Command is claiming victory over Proserpina's rebels after a fierce battle waged today in the Crystal Desert. While media sources were unable to track the battle from orbital satellites, reliable sources report that less than 50% of the Draconis strike force returned to base.

The battle lasted less than twenty minutes, but two conspicuous smoke columns hung over the desert for hours afterwards. Captain Marscheal Phillips of the merchant JumpShip Star-Sparrow reported to the Daily News that she observed several DropShips of unknown origin descending to the planet's surface hours before the battle. Phillips stated that the DropShips approached "in combat formation."

Rebel sources also claim triumph, having lost two tanks, but reporting four Draconis 'Mechs destroyed. While rebel media contacts have been unreliable in the past, the presence of several Draconis salvage teams in the Crystal Desert partially supports the rebel story.

We at the Daily News wish to take this opportunity to assure the good citizens of Proserpina that, however the winds of war may blow, towards our Draconis Combine overseers or to the rebels that now challenge their supremacy, this paper will remain an unbiased, reliable source of information. In the weeks and months ahead, the Proserpina Daily News will continue to tell you the facts as we discover them, without bias.