Retribution Wraiths (Clan Wolf)

Retribution Wraiths
Disbanded	3076 (Destroyed)
Affiliation	Clan Wolf
Parent Command	Clan Wolf touman

The Retribution Wraiths were a secret Clan Wolf unit, raised in Strana Mechty to launch a suicide mission, allowing a secret unit to steal Aleksandr Kerensky's body onboard the McKenna's Pride.

History

The Wraiths were created in 3075, in Katyusha City during the Wars of Reaving. An old technician, formerly of Clan Wolf and from the Kerensky Bloodline, named Stas, was contacted by a man called himself "Yama." Stas had lost his warrior status decades ago alongside his partner and all his friends in an Orbital Bombardment during the Wars of Reaving, deeply hated the responsible Khans and only wanted to die in battle and take revenge. Yama offered him a chance to do so and punish the Grand Council for its actions leading to the destruction in the Clan Homeworlds. He agreed. Along with three of his friends, all former Clan Wolf warriors, named Cuinn, Mateo and Grazia, he traveled to Yama's secret base which had lots of equipment, including a full Trinary of second-line 'Mechs. Most of the 'Mechs weren't operational, but Stas, after several days examining the equipment, informed that they have all the parts to make them operational. However, they would need between six months to a year. Yama's people, affiliated with members of the Dark Caste informed them about their targets: Katyusha City's SCC, Space Control Center, HPG station, alongside Ebon Keshik and Katyusha Keshik Headquarters. Yama then tells them that his real name was Garmen Kerensky and his unit was a secret Clan Wolf unit. They had been infiltrated in Strana Mechty years ago. His mission, Operation SPATHA, part of Operation DAMOCLES II, had failed due to its DropShip's destruction, and now needed a unit to launch a suicide attack to disable the communication systems of the targets and provide a distraction to allow Spatha II to reach their target undetected. As the Wolves cannot give Stas more men, he was allowed to recruit twelve volunteers more. The recruited members of Operation Pilum, as the suicide unit's operation was named, decided to name their unit The Retribution Wraiths, and were a mix of former Clan Wolf members, Clan Jade Falcon, Clan Ghost Bear, Clan Smoke Jaguar, Clan Steel Viper, Clan Ice Hellion, and even a Clan Burrock member, Jobina. But only Stas and their three friends knew their real affiliation and the true purpose of the operation: the others, wanting a warrior's death and revenge, didn't care of the rest. Stas chose his recruits based on three points in common. First, they had been once Warriors who had fallen from their caste. Second, all have lost family or friends in the Wars of Reaving, in the fight between Clans or the hands of The Society. Finally, all blamed the Grand Council and want to punish them.

Finally, in February 3076, the operation was launched, as the McKenna's Pride had just returned to Strana Mechty after annihilating Clan Steel Viper. On the 5th of April, Operations Spatha II and Pilum were launched. The Wraith's 'Mechs left, for first and last time, the secret Wolf cache where they've been training, and after walking to the outskirts of Katyusha City, submerged into the Andery River. Undetected, they reach the center of the capital with nobody even suspected their presence until a foot patrol saw them emerge from the water and head to the North side of the city.

Immediately, Dark Caste observers executed Operation Archer, blowing up the three major bridges across Andery river to delay the reinforcements arrival. The Wraiths divided in three teams and head to their targets. The first opposition that the Wraiths faced was a Star of the Katyusha Keshik Guard, composed of a Hellfire, Glass Spider, Stalking Spider, Grizzly, and Flashman. They never had a chance: the Wraith command Star combined their fire on them and destroyed them in seconds before continuing their advance. Soon later, the two remaining Stars of the Katyusha Keshik Command Trinary engaged the Wraiths, but both were destroyed without even downing a single Wraith's 'Mech. IlKhan Hannibal Banacek sent all available reinforcements to the area, but they were minutes away from arriving.

After the almost complete destruction of the Keshik Trinary, there was no more opposition in the Wraiths way. They then proceeded to attack their targets, and even the buildings defenses cannot even delay them. Taking care to preserve their ammunition, they destroyed all the communication systems and put the buildings ablaze. As Spatha II had already boarded and taken the McKenna's Pride, the Wraiths had already succeeded, and they gathered to make a last stand in a little park near the Ebon Keshik destroyed HQ. For half hour, they suffered the full might of both Clan Star Adder's Keshiks and the remnants of the Katyusha Keshik Guard, being attacked from all sides. One after other, they fell, until only seven Wraith's Mechs stand. Stas, after destroying a Timber Wolf, received and offer of rendition to be taken alive for interrogation from ilKhan Banacek. Stas only laugh at the offer, and told the ilKhan why the Wraiths hated the Great Council so much. The next assault was the last for the Wraiths: one after another, they fell, until only Stas' Mech was on foot. He destroyed a Night Gyr, his last prey, before suffering all concentrated firepower of the attackers. Stas was the last Wraith to die.

Legacy

The list of casualties caused by the Wraiths is unknown, but it appears to be at least, about two full Trinaries of 'Mechs and Elementals, maybe even more. Most of the Wraiths' dead bodies were recovered and identified, and their multi-Clan affiliation confused the investigators. As all their members died fighting, even the surprisingly cunning warrior Kyne could not find any proof about who sent them: the 'Mech classes suggested a second-line Wolf unit, and the former Wolf affiliation of Stas and their three friends appeared to point a Wolf connection, but it could not be proven.

Officially, the Wraiths were presented to the public as a group of The Society attempting to destroy the Master Genetic Repository but failing.

Stas's body, which appeared in good shape, was surgically altered. As Stas had a very similar appearance to Aleksandr Kerensky, the surgically altered body of Stas was substituted in place of Aleksandr Kerensky being buried in a monumental tomb near the Hall of Khans.

Officers

Rank	Name	Command
Commanding Officers of the Retribution Wraiths
Star Captain	Stas	3075 - 3076

Unit Insignias

All the Wraith's 'Mechs are painted in a mix of white, gray and black. Their only insignia was a ghostly human head painted in the chest.

Unit Composition

3076

Retribution Wraiths

• Wraith Star
  • Stas (leader) Highlander IIC
  • Mateo Supernova
  • Cuinn Exterminator
  • Grazia Warhammer IIC
  • Enda

• Phantom Star
  • Artemia (leader) Marauder IIC

• Revenant Star
  • Jobina Orion IIC

Notes

• It appears the unit was named by a phrase said for Stas, when he accepted the mission: "it's time for the Grand Council faced a few vengeful wraiths for their actions."

Bibliography

• Icons of War