MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries/Reinforcement

History of Mercenaries

The first recorded use of mercenary forces dates back to 1800 B.C., when the Egyptians of ancient Terra formed armies by recruiting citizens and enlisting foreign troops. Pharaoh Rhamses II commanded an army that included over 10,000 mercenaries.

The rise of feudalism during the Middle Ages created a perpetual demand for trained soldiers, as feudal lords regularly hired mercenaries to supplement their armies and merchants hired mercenaries for protection.

Mercenaries began to regain a prominent role in warfare during the latter half of the twenty-third century, as the resurgence of feudal political systems, and insterstellar exploration and colonization fueled new demands for trained soldiers.

In 2766, Stefan Amaris murdered First Lord Richard Cameron, sounding the death knell of the Star League. General Aleksandr Kerensky smashed Amaris' army. The remnants of Amaris' and Star League Defense Force units became the first mercenaries to control significant BattleMech assets. Among these were the Eridani Light Horse and the Northwind Highlanders.

During the First and Second Succession Wars, mercenary commands like Hansen's Roughriders and the 21st Centauri Lancers worked hard to keep honorable battlefield conduct alive. Eventually, all regular units followed suit, leading to the Ares Conventions of civilized warfare, which guided the Third Succession War.

Mercenaries continued to serve prominently during the Fourth Succession War. The Blue Star Irregulars and Twelfth Vegan Rangers assisted in taking 107 worlds from House Liao. The Kell Hounds drove forward to victory over House Kurita's elite Genyosha troops, paving the way for the capture of 53 worlds. Wolf's Dragoons engaged and defeated the cream of the Kuritan army, earning them Hanse Davion's respect and the planet Outreach.

Mercenary and regular commands alike fell before the Clan juggernaut. But then a mercenary command - Grayson Carlyle's Gray Death Legion - demonstrated that the Clans were not invincible by bloodying the Jade Falcons on the world of Sudeten and soundly defeating them on Pandora.

As with other businesses, the majority of the new mercenary units will fail. Only the foolish or the desperate delude themselves into thinking that by forming a mercenary command they can amass great wealth. In most cases, what drives a warrior into the private sector is the lure of freedom and power. Of course, the wealth doesn't hurt....

Spectre Introduction

Spectre: I was 27 the year the FedCom Civil War reached the boiling point.

COMSTAR MEDIALINK – DIRECT FROM THE FRONT – 08.20.3066 – EXCLUSIVE

Spectre: The media saw us as young gods – lords of war – striding the battlefield in our engines of destruction. The holovids captured our stories, and spun them to the masses. For some, it was a time of terrible sacrifice and loss. For others, it was a time of great opportunity.

The MRBC Wishes You Well

To: Spectre

Date: 1 January 3066

The Mercenary Review and Bonding Commission (MRBC) wants to be the first to wish you well in your future endeavors. You have passed all of the Trial Sponsorship Program's qualifying exams and tests. We are pleased to let you know that you have placed first. You are the cream of the crop, and we expect great things from you. The [SPONSOR UNIT] has formally recognized you as provisional members, and are eager to have you aboard.

As you start what we are sure will be a promising career, know that you are being given a precious opportunity. Our fledgling program will depend heavily on your actions and how you handle yourself in the coming months. Not only are you representing your unit, but you hold with you the hopes of future mercenary commanders who want a chance to becoming something great. We have complete faith in you. Go out and make us and the [SPONSOR UNIT] proud.

Outreach

Outreach was ceded to Wolf's Dragoons by House Davion in 3030, in recognition of the unit's valiant service during the Fourth Succession War. Over the years, Wolf's Dragoons have transformed this planet into the undisputed mercenary capital of the Inner Sphere. Today, Outreach is strictly neutral, providing a safe place for any employer to seek out and contact mercenaries. And, in wartime, someone is always looking for a few good mercenaries.

Castle: Welcome to the Command Center, Commander. The first step in securing a contract is the star system overview. From there, you can view contracts available in each system. Once you travel to a star system, you can click on the orbital view button to see more details about the contracts in the system. The Free Market allows you to buy and sell 'Mechs and armaments, and hire new lancemates. The MechLab allows you to modify the loadouts of your 'Mechs.

Styk

The recently formed Styk Commonality has been a hotbed of fighting in and around the central region of the Chaos March. The planet Styk is at the center of the conflict, as it is home to the Tao 'Mechworks. The conflict is extremely chaotic, as the Capellan Confederation has unleashed numerous mercenary and marauder units in an attempt to mask brazen aggression against the Commonality.

Styk – Reinforcement

BRIEFING

Reinforce the mercenary lances of Lindon's Battalion defending the coastal city of Thurbid from Capellan marauders. It is unknown how long Lindon's Battalion will hold on without relief. The enemy forces are of unknown disposition. The combat theater is destabilizing. Move with caution.

Castle: Capellan marauders have been pushing on several coastal holdings of tactical significance. Allied units have been spread thin to cover as many as possible. The Styk Commonality is offering a support contract to back up two lances of Lindon's Battalion, defending a naval repair facility. Pay looks good. Salvage is split with Lindon.

DURING MISSION

Watchdog: This is Watchdog One to allied units! We're getting torn up by Capellan armor! We cannot hold position.

Hammer: Watchdog, this is Hammer. We're engaging a heavy lance at Alpha. We need support now!

Watchdog: I just lost Gopher and Cabbie! Cannot hold!

Spectre: This is Spectre One. Watchdog, fall back toward allied HQ. We're moving to support Hammer.

Watchdog: Three platoons of armor. One klick north of Alpha. Watch yourself!

Spectre: Roger. Spectre elements, engage enemy and give cover for Watchdog. Hammer, how're you holding up?

Hammer: Not good! These guys have a serious weight advantage. We can hold them, but not for long.

Watchdog: Watchdog is clear!

Spectre: Copy. Castle, get allied air in here to mop up these groundpounders. We have to relieve Hammer at Alpha.

Castle: Roger. Allied Stilettos are inbound. Time to target, six-zero seconds.

Spectre: Spectre Lance, disengage and double time it to Alpha. Let the flyboys clean up here.

[If Spectre fails to relieve Hammer in time]

Hammer: We're at fifty percent strength. Not looking good.

Hammer: Damn it, Spectre! Where are you?!

Spectre: Nav Point Alpha secure. We lost Hammer Lance.

Castle: Acknowledged. Intercept Beta aggressors at best speed.

Spectre: We're on it.

[If Spectre relieves Hammer in time]

Hammer: Good to see you, Spectre.

Spectre: Looks like you could use a hand. Mind if we cut in?

Hammer: Heh, heh. They might.

Beowulf: Capellan dogs. Barbarians to the core.

Castle: All units be advised, SatCom is tracking a mixed group of 'Mechs and watercraft moving in from offshore. The turret grid has been made live, but won't hold out long against this many attackers.

Spectre: Damn. Castle, what is their ETA to Beta?

Castle: Two…three minutes, tops.

Spectre: Finish these guys off fast, people.

Hammer: Nav Point Alpha secure.

Castle: Acknowledged. Intercept Beta aggressors at best speed.

Spectre: Hammer Lance, we'll cover this flank. You hold here.

Hammer: Copy. Thanks for pulling out butts out of the fire, Spectre.

Spectre: Thank the Commonality. They're footin' the bill.

[End of branching dialogue]

Castle: Turret grid at Beta now seventy-five percent.

Spectre: Engaging second Capellan force.

Castle: The naval yard reports turret grid at fifty percent strength.

Castle: Turrets at twenty-five percent.

Castle: Turret grid is combat-ineffective, Commander.

Spectre: Naval yard secure. Spectre Lance is on-site and awaiting security relief force. Over.

Castle: Acknowledged, Commander. Allied command anticipates relief force posting within six hours.

[If Hammer Lance survived]

Castle: Suggest you coordinate with Hammer Lance for close perimeter defense.

Spectre: Roger. We ain't going anywhere.

AFTERMATH

Castle: The situation here on Styk is teetering on the brink of disaster. Several heads of the Commonality have agreed to meet with the Capellan liaison regarding a cease fire, though many are calling it a desperate last resort. The Commonality is coming apart at the seams, with no sure path for the future.