Difference between revisions of "Black Widow Company"

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{{Update Needed|[[Starterbook: Wolf and Blake]], [[Historical: Brush Wars]], [[Hector (short story)]], [[The Day After]], [[Technical Readout: 3145 Mercenaries]], [[The Memory of Pain]], [[The Fourth Succession War Scenarios Volume One]], [[Era Report: 3145]], [[Field Manual: 3145]]}}
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{{Update Needed|[[Starterbook: Wolf and Blake]], [[Historical: Brush Wars]], [[Hector (short story)]], [[The Day After]], [[Technical Readout: 3145 Mercenaries]], [[The Memory of Pain]], [[The Fourth Succession War Scenarios Volume One]], [[Era Report: 3145]], [[Field Manual: 3145]], [[Technical Readout: 3039]], [[Redemption Rift]]}}
 
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===Early Days===
 
===Early Days===
 
The Black Widows saw their first combat action during the [[Marik Civil War (31st c.)|Marik Civil War]] in [[3015]] on [[New Delos]] and fought with distinction in innumerable famous battles.
 
The Black Widows saw their first combat action during the [[Marik Civil War (31st c.)|Marik Civil War]] in [[3015]] on [[New Delos]] and fought with distinction in innumerable famous battles.
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The Black Widow Company conducted a raid on [[Doneval II]] in [[3021]] during their contract for the [[Draconis Combine]], and faced the Cadet Corps from the [[Meistmorn Academy]].<ref> ''Tales of the Black Widow Company'', pp. 24-25</ref>
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In [[3022]], [[Kessel]] was subject to a raid from the Black Widow Company, under contract with the [[Lyran Commonwealth]]. At the time, the planet was defended by elements of [[Smithson's Chinese Bandits]].<ref>''Tales of the Black Widow Company'', pp. 14-15</ref>
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In [[3019]] the [[New Avalon Institute of Science]] decided to place several research facilities on [[Hoff]], particularly the [[Friden Aerospace Park]] that played a crucial role in the (re-)discovery of several technologies including [[Double Heat Sink]]s and the development of the ''[[Super Wasp]]'' and ''[[Super Griffin]]'' [[BattleMechs]] into prototype stage. The facility was sacked by the Black Widow Company<ref name=BT20YoAaFp87>''BattleTech: 25 Years of Art & Fiction'', p. 87, "Hoff Planet Profile"</ref> in [[3022]],  even though [[Eridani Light Horse]] units tried to prevent it, even enhanced in some case with the technology being developed by the NAIS<ref name=HDp202>''House Davion (The Federated Suns)'', p. 202, "Hoff"</ref> during the period in which [[Wolf's Dragoons]] were in the employ of the Draconis Combine.<ref name=BT20YoAaFp87/>
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Under contract with the [[Draconis Combine]], the Black Widow Company fought an engagement with the [[Eridani Light Horse]] on [[New Aberdeen]] sometime between [[3023]] and [[3025]].<ref name=TBWCp16>''Tales of the Black Widow Company'', pp. 16-17 (Queen's Gambit senario)</ref>
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Still under Kurita contract, and during the end of the [[Third Succession War]] elements of the [[21st Illician Rangers]] faced the [[Black Widow Company]] on [[Galtor III]].<ref>''Tales of the Black Widow Company'', pp. 18-19</ref>
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[[Klathandu IV]] was the scene of battle between the Black Widow Company and McKendrick's Company from the [[3rd Davion Guards]].<ref name=TBWCp28-29>''Tales of the Black Widow Company'', pp. 28-29</ref>
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[[Coursadin]] (Remis III) was the site of a battle between forces the Black Widow Company, versus [[Federated Suns]] forces including the [[3rd Davion Guards|Third Davion Guards]]) and [[Lindon's Company]]. A Black Widow Company attack against an ammo dump had been repulsed, and headhunter forces gunning for [[Natasha Kerensky]] specifically engaged her in the Battle for Coursadin, a hard-fought engagement that went for at least a week.<ref name=TBW/> Up to this time Lindon's Company was under the command of [[Owen Lindon]],<ref>According to the unit writeup for Lindon's Company in the rulebook for the [[BattleTech, 2nd Edition]] box set</ref> but shortly afterwards as of 3025 it was under the command of "acting captain" [[Sarah Lindon]],<ref>''House Davion (The Federated Suns)'', p. 135 ('Mech Unit Deployment Table, Bryceland PDZ)</ref> suggesting Owen Lindon may have been killed or incapacitated in this battle (see notes).
 +
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During the [[3rd Succession War]], [[Thule]]'s frozen and valuable watery climate was used as bait to trap the pirate [[Helmar Valasek]] and his raiders. House Kurita used the Black Widow Company to surprise the pirates and destroy them.<ref>''Tales of the Black Widow Company'', pp. 22-23, "The Chill of War"</ref> (It should be noted that this particular engagement took place far from the Black Widow's known deployment zone at the time; circumstantial evidence suggests it may have been not the real Black Widow Company, but a false flag operation by a faux unit which in turn may have had the approval of the real Black Widows. Natasha Kerensky herself at one point suggested she had doubles.<ref>''Natasha Kerensky: Bio-medical Report''</ref>)
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The Black Widow Company engaged elements of the [[21st Centauri Lancers]] during the [[Twelfth Battle of Marduk]].<ref>''Tales of the Black Widow Company'', pp. 26-27</ref> (see notes)
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During the Third Succession War [[Le Blanc]] was the scene of a complicated incident involving the [[Black Widow Company]], [[Michael Hasek-Davion]], the [[Bounty Hunter]] and a family of high-tech skilled individuals ensued.<ref>''Tales of the Black Widow Company'', pp. 30-31</ref>
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 +
During the sixth campaign for [[Bergman's Planet]], the Black Widow Company and Rajhan's Company, [[4th Davion Guards]] fought.<ref name=TBWCp32-33>''Tales of the Black Widow Company'', pp. 32-33</ref>
  
 
In September 3026, Wolf's Dragoons, including the Black Widow Company, along with the [[Fifth Sword of Light]] were tasked with flushing out resistance to the Kurita-backed government of [[Kawabe]] from cities and other defensive positions.<ref>''Sorenson's Sabres (scenario pack)'', pp. 36-37</ref>
 
In September 3026, Wolf's Dragoons, including the Black Widow Company, along with the [[Fifth Sword of Light]] were tasked with flushing out resistance to the Kurita-backed government of [[Kawabe]] from cities and other defensive positions.<ref>''Sorenson's Sabres (scenario pack)'', pp. 36-37</ref>
  
 +
====Notes====
 +
* The battle on Coursadin seems to have taken place in early November [[3024]], where a detachment of [[Epsilon Regiment (Wolf's Dragoons)]] was wrapping up operations on "Courasin"<ref name=WB>''Wolves on the Border'', chapter 18</ref> (implicitly meant to be the same battle elsewhere noted to have taken place on or at "Coursadin (Remis III)"<ref name=TBW>''Tales of the Black Widow'', pp. 20-21, "Spider Trap"</ref><ref name=WD>''Wolf's Dragoons'', p. 32</ref>) and returning to their base on [[Thestria]].
 +
 +
===Misery & Fourth Succession War===
 +
The Unit survived both fights in quite good shape unlike most of the rest of Dragoons forces.
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 +
===Return to Business===
 
Following the devastating losses that Wolf's Dragoons suffered during the [[Battle of Misery]] against [[House Kurita]] and in the following [[Fourth Succession War]], the Black Widow Company was the first unit available for hire again and signed a contract on November 7, [[3031]]. On December 16 of that year it was publicly announced that Natasha Kerensky had been promoted to Colonel, and that the unit had been upgraded to battalion strength. It was subsequently known as the '''Black Widow Battalion'''.
 
Following the devastating losses that Wolf's Dragoons suffered during the [[Battle of Misery]] against [[House Kurita]] and in the following [[Fourth Succession War]], the Black Widow Company was the first unit available for hire again and signed a contract on November 7, [[3031]]. On December 16 of that year it was publicly announced that Natasha Kerensky had been promoted to Colonel, and that the unit had been upgraded to battalion strength. It was subsequently known as the '''Black Widow Battalion'''.
  
 +
===Clan Invasion and beyond===
 
They were recalled to the Dragoon home world of [[Outreach]] in [[3035]] and ordered to provide training for other Dragoon units for the following seven years. It is believed that during this time, the unit was restructured following [[Clan]] doctrine: Each company comprised of 15 [[BattleMech]]s (instead of 12 as per [[Inner Sphere]] standard), known among the Clans as a [[Trinary]].
 
They were recalled to the Dragoon home world of [[Outreach]] in [[3035]] and ordered to provide training for other Dragoon units for the following seven years. It is believed that during this time, the unit was restructured following [[Clan]] doctrine: Each company comprised of 15 [[BattleMech]]s (instead of 12 as per [[Inner Sphere]] standard), known among the Clans as a [[Trinary]].
  
 
===Disbandment===
 
===Disbandment===
 
When the [[Clan invasion]] began in [[3049]], Natasha Kerensky left Wolf's Dragoons and resumed her place among her fellow [[trueborn]] Clan warriors, eventually attaining the rank of [[Khan]] of [[Clan Wolf]]. The original ''Black Widow Battalion'' was disbanded after she left the unit, and a new unit called the ''[[Wolf Spider Battalion]]'' was formed within Wolf's Dragoons in their place.
 
When the [[Clan invasion]] began in [[3049]], Natasha Kerensky left Wolf's Dragoons and resumed her place among her fellow [[trueborn]] Clan warriors, eventually attaining the rank of [[Khan]] of [[Clan Wolf]]. The original ''Black Widow Battalion'' was disbanded after she left the unit, and a new unit called the ''[[Wolf Spider Battalion]]'' was formed within Wolf's Dragoons in their place.
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 +
The unit, lead by [[Maeve Wolf]] was equipped with Inner Sphere BattleMechs, but upgraded with Clan technology, fighting with great success in the [[Dragoon Civil War]], the [[First Harlech]] and [[Second Harlech]] battles.
 +
However, the unit was already severely weakened in Second Harlech, and fall under the attack of their "allies" of the [[Broadsword Legion]], in reality Blakist moles. Only their leader, [[Stacy Church]] survived. The rest of the unit was destroyed in the battle or the Blakist nuclear bombardment.
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===Rebirth===
 +
As the Dragoons tried to built new units on Arc-Royal, without any success: the new units were three members of the Company died, from suicide, during the training. Maeve Wolf decided to resurrect the Black Widow Company. Assigning this task to Stacy Church, she explained his decision "because people fear legends".<ref>''Starterbook Wolf and Blake'' p. 17</ref>
 +
Stacy decided to search their new recruits between veterans, malcontents, which sole aim was to kill Blakists. And there it was only a place where find them: in Outreach.
 +
The arrival of the Black Widows, a single lance at Outreach in a [[Leopard]] class DropShip, wasn't very successful: they were detected and attacked by blockade Blakists and downed. All Widows survived the crash, with their 'Mechs operatives, but immediately were attacked by their "old friends" of the Broadsword Legion.<ref>''Starterbook Wolf and Blake'' p. 18</ref>
 +
Forced to retreat, they lost a member of the lance, and were trapped, but when they prepared for a last stand, two lances of Dragoons, lead by a warrior named [[Francine]], come to their rescue. Together, managed to open a hole in the Legion's lines and escape.
 +
The next months, the new Black Widows lead the main resistance group fighting against the Blakist occupation forces: the broadsword Legion and [[Wannamaker's Widowmakers]] mercenary groups. The other one resistance unit was lead by [[Tara Lucas]].<ref>''Starterbook Wolf and Blake'' p. 18</ref>
 +
In September of 3070, Tara and Stacy had a meeting, agreeing to join forces, and the next nine months, they made life for the Blakists. The Black Widows, finally company strength, struck isolated Broadsword garrisons near Hralech, until April 3071. The two groups, acting together for the first time, drew the Broadsword Legion out of Harlech City. The Widows allowed them top be caught, but when the Legion were to annihilate the Widows, Tara Lucas forces attacked them. In the fight, the Legion was destroyed. Only Kari Marita and some warriors managed to escape.<ref>''Starterbook Wolf and Blake'' p. 19</ref>
 +
After the Legion's destruction, both resistance groups launched an assault on Wanamaker's Widowmaker's base on Remus continent where they had Dragoon's dependants prisoners. The assault was a success; despite the death of Tara Lucas, the Widowmakers were effectively destroyed, and the Dragoons captured four DropShips. Using three to evacuate refugees from planet, another was claimed by the Widows. Before departing Outreach, Stacy send a short message to Maeve Wolf: "The black Widows are back".<ref>''Starterbook Wolf and Blake'' p. 19</ref>
 +
After leaving Outreach, the Widows began touring inside the Blakist Protectorate, striking targets of opportunity.<ref>''Starterbook Wolf and Blake'' p. 39</ref>
  
 
==Officers==
 
==Officers==
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| colspan="4" style="background: #efefef;" | '''Commanding Officers of the Black Widow Company'''
 
| colspan="4" style="background: #efefef;" | '''Commanding Officers of the Black Widow Company'''
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Captain]]||[[Natasha Kerensky]]||[[3015]]-[[3049]]
+
| [[Captain]]||[[Natasha Kerensky]]||[[3015]] - [[3049]]<ref name=TS&TW/><ref name=ToBWC/><ref name=MTotBW/>
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Colonel]]||[[Mackenzie Wolf]]||[[3050]]-[[3054]]
+
| [[Colonel]]||[[Mackenzie Wolf]]||[[3050]] - [[3054]]
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Major]]||[[John Clavell]]||3054-[[3067]]
+
| colspan="4" style="background: #efefef;" | '''Commanding Officers of the Wolf Spider Battalion'''
 
|-
 
|-
| Captain||[[Stacy Church]]||[[3072]]
+
| [[Major]]||[[John Clavell]]||3054 - [[3067]]<ref name= FMMercsp114/>
 +
|-
 +
| Captain||[[Stacy Church]]||[[3072]]<ref name="Starterbook: Wolf and Blake"/>
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Major||[[Eleanor Chan]]||[[3145]]<ref name=FM:3145p182>''Field Manual: 3145'', p. 182, "Notable Mercenary Forces - Draconis Combine"</ref>
 
| Major||[[Eleanor Chan]]||[[3145]]<ref name=FM:3145p182>''Field Manual: 3145'', p. 182, "Notable Mercenary Forces - Draconis Combine"</ref>
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==Tactics==
 
==Tactics==
{{sectionstub}}
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Hit hard and quick.
  
 
==Composition History==
 
==Composition History==
===3015 Composition<ref>''The Spider and the Wolf'', "BattleTech and MechWarrior Scenarios", pp. 2,5</ref>===
+
=== 3015 ===
The Black Widow Company that fought against [[Anton Marik]] on New Delos was composed as follows:
+
'''Black Widow Company'''<ref name=TS&TW>''The Spider and the Wolf'', "BattleTech and MechWarrior Scenarios", pp. 2,5</ref>
 
*Command Lance
 
*Command Lance
::Cpt. Natasha Kerensky - ''[[Warhammer]]''
+
::Captain [[Natasha Kerensky]] - ''[[Warhammer]]''
::Colin Maclaren - ''[[Marauder]]''
+
::[[Colin Maclaren]] - ''[[Marauder]]''
::Lynn Sheridan - ''[[Crusader]]''
+
::[[Lynn Sheridan]] - ''[[Crusader]]''
 
*Fire Lance
 
*Fire Lance
::Lt. Takiro Ikeda - ''[[Archer]]''
+
::Lieutenant [[Takiro Ikeda]] - ''[[Archer]]''
::Michael Andrews - ''[[Shadow Hawk]]''
+
::[[Michael Andrews]] - ''[[Shadow Hawk]]''
::Nikolai Koniev - ''[[Wasp]]''
+
::[[Nikolai Koniev]] - ''[[Wasp]]''
::Akira Harlowe - ''[[Thunderbolt]]''
+
::[[Akira Harlowe]] - ''[[Thunderbolt]]''
 
*Recon Lance
 
*Recon Lance
::Piet Nichols - ''[[Phoenix Hawk]]''
+
::[[Piet Nichols]] - ''[[Phoenix Hawk]]''
::Steve Tommersom - ''[[Stinger]]''
+
::[[Steve Tommersom]] - ''[[Stinger]]''
::Arthur Williams - ''[[Locust]]''
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::[[Arthur Williams]] - ''[[Locust]]''
  
===3025 Composition<ref>''Tales of the Black Widow Company'', pp. 8-13</ref>===
+
=== 3025 ===
 +
'''Black Widow Company'''<ref name=ToBWC>''Tales of the Black Widow Company'', pp. 8-13</ref>
 
* Command Lance
 
* Command Lance
::Cpt. Natasha Kerensky - [[Warhammer|WHM-6R ''Warhammer'']]
+
::Captain Natasha Kerensky - [[Warhammer|WHM-6R ''Warhammer'']]
 
::Colin Maclaren - [[Marauder|MAD-3R ''Marauder'']]
 
::Colin Maclaren - [[Marauder|MAD-3R ''Marauder'']]
 
::Lynn Sheridan - [[Crusader|CRD-3R ''Crusader'']]
 
::Lynn Sheridan - [[Crusader|CRD-3R ''Crusader'']]
::John Hayes - [[Griffin|GRF-1N ''Griffin'']]
+
::[[John Hayes]] - [[Griffin|GRF-1N ''Griffin'']]
 
* Fire Lance
 
* Fire Lance
::Lt. Takiro Ikeda - [[Archer|ARC-2R ''Archer'']]
+
::Lieutenant Takiro Ikeda - [[Archer|ARC-2R ''Archer'']]
::Miklos Delius - [[Archer|ARC-2R ''Archer'']]
+
::[[Miklos Delius]] - [[Archer|ARC-2R ''Archer'']]
 
::Nikolai Koniev - [[Wasp|WSP-1A ''Wasp'']]
 
::Nikolai Koniev - [[Wasp|WSP-1A ''Wasp'']]
::Alex Ward - [[Stinger|STG-3R ''Stinger'']]
+
::[[Alex Ward]] - [[Stinger|STG-3R ''Stinger'']]
 
* Recon Lance
 
* Recon Lance
::Lt. [[John Clavell|John "Gentleman Johnny" Clavell]] - [[Rifleman|RFL-3N ''Rifleman'']]
+
::Lieutenant [[John Clavell]] - [[Rifleman|RFL-3N ''Rifleman'']]
 
::Piet Nichols - [[Phoenix Hawk|PXH-1K ''Phoenix Hawk'']]
 
::Piet Nichols - [[Phoenix Hawk|PXH-1K ''Phoenix Hawk'']]
::Simon Fraser - [[Stinger|STG-3R ''Stinger'']]
+
::[[Simon Fraser]] - [[Stinger|STG-3R ''Stinger'']]
::Mohammar Jahan - [[Stinger|STG-3R ''Stinger'']]
+
::[[Mohammar Jahan]] - [[Stinger|STG-3R ''Stinger'']]
  
===3031 Black Widow Battalion Composition<ref> ''More Tales of the Black Widow'', p. 11, "Black Widow Battalion, 3031" </ref>===
+
=== 3031 ===
 +
'''Black Widow Battalion'''<ref name=MTotBW>''More Tales of the Black Widow'', p. 11, "Black Widow Battalion, 3031"</ref>
 
* Command Lance
 
* Command Lance
::Col. Natasha Kerensky - ''[[Warhammer]]''
+
::Colonel Natasha Kerensky - ''[[Warhammer]]''
 
::Captain Takiro Ikeda - ''[[Shogun]]''
 
::Captain Takiro Ikeda - ''[[Shogun]]''
 
::Lynn Sheridan - ''[[Crusader]]''
 
::Lynn Sheridan - ''[[Crusader]]''
Line 98: Line 145:
 
* First BattleMech Company (Wolf Spiders)
 
* First BattleMech Company (Wolf Spiders)
 
:* First Lance
 
:* First Lance
:::Captain John "Gentleman Johnny" Clavell - ''[[Firefly]]''
+
:::Captain John Clavell - ''[[Firefly]]''
 
:::Sergeant Simon Fraser - ''[[Stinger]]''
 
:::Sergeant Simon Fraser - ''[[Stinger]]''
 
:::Mohammer Jahan - ''Stinger''
 
:::Mohammer Jahan - ''Stinger''
:::Bradley Turlow - [[Vulcan (BattleMech)|''Vulcan'']]
+
:::[[Bradley Turlow]] - [[Vulcan (BattleMech)|''Vulcan'']]
 
:* Second Lance
 
:* Second Lance
 
:::Lieutenant Piet Nichols - ''[[Hornet]]''
 
:::Lieutenant Piet Nichols - ''[[Hornet]]''
 
:::Steven Fujimi - ''[[Marauder II]]''
 
:::Steven Fujimi - ''[[Marauder II]]''
:::Jorge Muller - ''[[Annihilator]]''
+
:::[[Jorge Muller]] - ''[[Annihilator]]''
:::Ulzanna Whitehead - ''[[Flea]]''
+
:::[[Ulzanna Whitehead]] - ''[[Flea]]''
 
:* Third Lance
 
:* Third Lance
:::Lieutenant James Riker - ''[[Imp]]''
+
:::Lieutenant [[James Riker]] - ''[[Imp]]''
 
:::Sergeant Paul Sayers - ''Warhammer''
 
:::Sergeant Paul Sayers - ''Warhammer''
 
:::Wilson Smullen - ''Shogun''
 
:::Wilson Smullen - ''Shogun''
Line 140: Line 187:
 
* Third Team, Seventh Kommando
 
* Third Team, Seventh Kommando
  
===3056 Wolf Spider Battalion Composition===
+
=== 3040 ===
 +
''' Black Widow Battalion ''' (Battalion/Elite/Fanatical)<ref name = HWo3039p141/>
 +
:Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on [[Outreach]].  <ref name = HWo3039p141>''Historical: War of 3039'', p. 141 >''Historical: War of 3039'', p. 141 </ref>
 +
 
 +
=== 3056 ===
 
[[Image:Wolf Spider Battalion.jpg|right]]
 
[[Image:Wolf Spider Battalion.jpg|right]]
The successor unit of the original Black Widow Company within Wolf's Dragoons is commanded by Major [[John Clavell]].
+
'''Wolf Spider Battalion'''
 
* Command Star (5 [[OmniMech]]s)
 
* Command Star (5 [[OmniMech]]s)
 +
:: [[Major]] [[John Clavell]]
 
* Wolf Striker Cluster
 
* Wolf Striker Cluster
 
:: Spider Trinary (Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Star, 5 BattleMechs each)
 
:: Spider Trinary (Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Star, 5 BattleMechs each)
Line 152: Line 204:
 
* Support Unit: ''[[Overlord]]''-class DropShip ''[[Widow's Regards]]''
 
* Support Unit: ''[[Overlord]]''-class DropShip ''[[Widow's Regards]]''
  
===3072 Composition<ref name="Starterbook: Wolf and Blake">''Starterbook: Wolf and Blake, p. 14, "Unit Composition"</ref>===
+
=== 3059 ===
 +
'''Wolf Spider Battalion''' (strengthened Battalion/Elite/Fanatical) <ref name= FMMercsp114/>
 +
:* CO: Major John Clavell <ref name= FMMercsp114/>
 +
: Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on [[Outreach]]. <ref name = FMMercsp114 >'' Field Manual: Mercenaries'', p. 114</ref>
  
* Command Lance
+
=== 3072 ===
:: Cpt. [[Stacy Church]] - [[Zeus X|ZEU-9WD ''Zeus X'']]
+
'''Black Widow Company'''
 +
* Command Lance<ref name="Starterbook: Wolf and Blake">''Starterbook: Wolf and Blake, p. 14, "Unit Composition"</ref>
 +
:: Captain. [[Stacy Church]] - [[Zeus X|ZEU-9WD ''Zeus X'']]
 
:: Lt. [[Jacob Kincaid]] - [[Uziel|UZL-2S ''Uziel Jacob II'']]
 
:: Lt. [[Jacob Kincaid]] - [[Uziel|UZL-2S ''Uziel Jacob II'']]
 
:: [[Francine]] - [[Griffin|GRF-6S ''Griffin Francine II'']]
 
:: [[Francine]] - [[Griffin|GRF-6S ''Griffin Francine II'']]
Line 167: Line 224:
  
 
* Recon Lance
 
* Recon Lance
:: [[Lt. Wyatt Rolfe]] - [[Wolfhound|WLF-4WA ''Wolfhound'']]
+
:: Lt. [[Wyatt Rolfe]] - [[Wolfhound|WLF-4WA ''Wolfhound'']]
 
:: [[Neil Gibson]] - [[Firefly|FFL-4DA ''Firefly'']]
 
:: [[Neil Gibson]] - [[Firefly|FFL-4DA ''Firefly'']]
 
:: [[Halle Yost]] - [[Talon (BattleMech)|TLN-5W ''Talon'']]
 
:: [[Halle Yost]] - [[Talon (BattleMech)|TLN-5W ''Talon'']]
 
:: [[Russel Madison]] - [[Locust|LCT-6M ''Locust'']]
 
:: [[Russel Madison]] - [[Locust|LCT-6M ''Locust'']]
  
===3145===
+
=== 3145 ===
 
'''Spider's Web Battalion''' (Elite/Fanatical)<ref name=FM:3145p182/>
 
'''Spider's Web Battalion''' (Elite/Fanatical)<ref name=FM:3145p182/>
 
* CO: Major Eleanor Chan
 
* CO: Major Eleanor Chan
Line 215: Line 272:
 
* ''[[Wolf's Dragoons (sourcebook)]]''
 
* ''[[Wolf's Dragoons (sourcebook)]]''
  
[[Category:Mercenary Commands|Black Widow Company]]
+
[[Category:Mercenary Commands|Wolf's Dragoons, Black Widow Company]]
[[Category:Wolf's Dragoons Commands|Black Widow Company]]
 

Revision as of 13:21, 4 March 2020

Property "Update Needed From" (as page type) with input value "Starterbook: Wolf and Blake]], Historical: Brush Wars, Hector (short story), The Day After, Technical Readout: 3145 Mercenaries, The Memory of Pain, The Fourth Succession War Scenarios Volume One, Era Report: 3145, Field Manual: 3145, Technical Readout: 3039, [[Redemption Rift" contains invalid characters or is incomplete and therefore can cause unexpected results during a query or annotation process.

Template:InfoBoxMercUnit

The infamous Black Widow Company was a semi-independent unit within the larger mercenary unit Wolf's Dragoons, formed and led throughout its existence by Natasha Kerensky, the "Black Widow".

Although composed mostly of misfits and troublemakers, the Black Widow Company was a dangerous elite fighting unit with a reputation for brilliant tactics and a boldness bordering on folly. Renowned for their skill as MechWarriors, Natasha Kerensky and her unit were also known and feared for cruelty, deceitfulness and generally dishonorable behavior, attributes that set them apart from the rest of the highly esteemed Wolf's Dragoons.

It is believed that the unit may have been named by Natasha Kerensky in reference to the extinct Clan Widowmaker.[citation needed]

History

Early Days

The Black Widows saw their first combat action during the Marik Civil War in 3015 on New Delos and fought with distinction in innumerable famous battles.

The Black Widow Company conducted a raid on Doneval II in 3021 during their contract for the Draconis Combine, and faced the Cadet Corps from the Meistmorn Academy.[1]

In 3022, Kessel was subject to a raid from the Black Widow Company, under contract with the Lyran Commonwealth. At the time, the planet was defended by elements of Smithson's Chinese Bandits.[2]

In 3019 the New Avalon Institute of Science decided to place several research facilities on Hoff, particularly the Friden Aerospace Park that played a crucial role in the (re-)discovery of several technologies including Double Heat Sinks and the development of the Super Wasp and Super Griffin BattleMechs into prototype stage. The facility was sacked by the Black Widow Company[3] in 3022, even though Eridani Light Horse units tried to prevent it, even enhanced in some case with the technology being developed by the NAIS[4] during the period in which Wolf's Dragoons were in the employ of the Draconis Combine.[3]

Under contract with the Draconis Combine, the Black Widow Company fought an engagement with the Eridani Light Horse on New Aberdeen sometime between 3023 and 3025.[5]

Still under Kurita contract, and during the end of the Third Succession War elements of the 21st Illician Rangers faced the Black Widow Company on Galtor III.[6]

Klathandu IV was the scene of battle between the Black Widow Company and McKendrick's Company from the 3rd Davion Guards.[7]

Coursadin (Remis III) was the site of a battle between forces the Black Widow Company, versus Federated Suns forces including the Third Davion Guards) and Lindon's Company. A Black Widow Company attack against an ammo dump had been repulsed, and headhunter forces gunning for Natasha Kerensky specifically engaged her in the Battle for Coursadin, a hard-fought engagement that went for at least a week.[8] Up to this time Lindon's Company was under the command of Owen Lindon,[9] but shortly afterwards as of 3025 it was under the command of "acting captain" Sarah Lindon,[10] suggesting Owen Lindon may have been killed or incapacitated in this battle (see notes).

During the 3rd Succession War, Thule's frozen and valuable watery climate was used as bait to trap the pirate Helmar Valasek and his raiders. House Kurita used the Black Widow Company to surprise the pirates and destroy them.[11] (It should be noted that this particular engagement took place far from the Black Widow's known deployment zone at the time; circumstantial evidence suggests it may have been not the real Black Widow Company, but a false flag operation by a faux unit which in turn may have had the approval of the real Black Widows. Natasha Kerensky herself at one point suggested she had doubles.[12])

The Black Widow Company engaged elements of the 21st Centauri Lancers during the Twelfth Battle of Marduk.[13] (see notes)

During the Third Succession War Le Blanc was the scene of a complicated incident involving the Black Widow Company, Michael Hasek-Davion, the Bounty Hunter and a family of high-tech skilled individuals ensued.[14]

During the sixth campaign for Bergman's Planet, the Black Widow Company and Rajhan's Company, 4th Davion Guards fought.[15]

In September 3026, Wolf's Dragoons, including the Black Widow Company, along with the Fifth Sword of Light were tasked with flushing out resistance to the Kurita-backed government of Kawabe from cities and other defensive positions.[16]

Notes

  • The battle on Coursadin seems to have taken place in early November 3024, where a detachment of Epsilon Regiment (Wolf's Dragoons) was wrapping up operations on "Courasin"[17] (implicitly meant to be the same battle elsewhere noted to have taken place on or at "Coursadin (Remis III)"[8][18]) and returning to their base on Thestria.

Misery & Fourth Succession War

The Unit survived both fights in quite good shape unlike most of the rest of Dragoons forces.

Return to Business

Following the devastating losses that Wolf's Dragoons suffered during the Battle of Misery against House Kurita and in the following Fourth Succession War, the Black Widow Company was the first unit available for hire again and signed a contract on November 7, 3031. On December 16 of that year it was publicly announced that Natasha Kerensky had been promoted to Colonel, and that the unit had been upgraded to battalion strength. It was subsequently known as the Black Widow Battalion.

Clan Invasion and beyond

They were recalled to the Dragoon home world of Outreach in 3035 and ordered to provide training for other Dragoon units for the following seven years. It is believed that during this time, the unit was restructured following Clan doctrine: Each company comprised of 15 BattleMechs (instead of 12 as per Inner Sphere standard), known among the Clans as a Trinary.

Disbandment

When the Clan invasion began in 3049, Natasha Kerensky left Wolf's Dragoons and resumed her place among her fellow trueborn Clan warriors, eventually attaining the rank of Khan of Clan Wolf. The original Black Widow Battalion was disbanded after she left the unit, and a new unit called the Wolf Spider Battalion was formed within Wolf's Dragoons in their place.

The unit, lead by Maeve Wolf was equipped with Inner Sphere BattleMechs, but upgraded with Clan technology, fighting with great success in the Dragoon Civil War, the First Harlech and Second Harlech battles. However, the unit was already severely weakened in Second Harlech, and fall under the attack of their "allies" of the Broadsword Legion, in reality Blakist moles. Only their leader, Stacy Church survived. The rest of the unit was destroyed in the battle or the Blakist nuclear bombardment.

Rebirth

As the Dragoons tried to built new units on Arc-Royal, without any success: the new units were three members of the Company died, from suicide, during the training. Maeve Wolf decided to resurrect the Black Widow Company. Assigning this task to Stacy Church, she explained his decision "because people fear legends".[19] Stacy decided to search their new recruits between veterans, malcontents, which sole aim was to kill Blakists. And there it was only a place where find them: in Outreach. The arrival of the Black Widows, a single lance at Outreach in a Leopard class DropShip, wasn't very successful: they were detected and attacked by blockade Blakists and downed. All Widows survived the crash, with their 'Mechs operatives, but immediately were attacked by their "old friends" of the Broadsword Legion.[20] Forced to retreat, they lost a member of the lance, and were trapped, but when they prepared for a last stand, two lances of Dragoons, lead by a warrior named Francine, come to their rescue. Together, managed to open a hole in the Legion's lines and escape. The next months, the new Black Widows lead the main resistance group fighting against the Blakist occupation forces: the broadsword Legion and Wannamaker's Widowmakers mercenary groups. The other one resistance unit was lead by Tara Lucas.[21] In September of 3070, Tara and Stacy had a meeting, agreeing to join forces, and the next nine months, they made life for the Blakists. The Black Widows, finally company strength, struck isolated Broadsword garrisons near Hralech, until April 3071. The two groups, acting together for the first time, drew the Broadsword Legion out of Harlech City. The Widows allowed them top be caught, but when the Legion were to annihilate the Widows, Tara Lucas forces attacked them. In the fight, the Legion was destroyed. Only Kari Marita and some warriors managed to escape.[22] After the Legion's destruction, both resistance groups launched an assault on Wanamaker's Widowmaker's base on Remus continent where they had Dragoon's dependants prisoners. The assault was a success; despite the death of Tara Lucas, the Widowmakers were effectively destroyed, and the Dragoons captured four DropShips. Using three to evacuate refugees from planet, another was claimed by the Widows. Before departing Outreach, Stacy send a short message to Maeve Wolf: "The black Widows are back".[23] After leaving Outreach, the Widows began touring inside the Blakist Protectorate, striking targets of opportunity.[24]

Officers

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the Black Widow Company
Captain Natasha Kerensky 3015 - 3049[25][26][27]
Colonel Mackenzie Wolf 3050 - 3054
Commanding Officers of the Wolf Spider Battalion
Major John Clavell 3054 - 3067[28]
Captain Stacy Church 3072[29]
Major Eleanor Chan 3145[30]

Tactics

Hit hard and quick.

Composition History

3015

Black Widow Company[25]

  • Command Lance
Captain Natasha Kerensky - Warhammer
Colin Maclaren - Marauder
Lynn Sheridan - Crusader
  • Fire Lance
Lieutenant Takiro Ikeda - Archer
Michael Andrews - Shadow Hawk
Nikolai Koniev - Wasp
Akira Harlowe - Thunderbolt
  • Recon Lance
Piet Nichols - Phoenix Hawk
Steve Tommersom - Stinger
Arthur Williams - Locust

3025

Black Widow Company[26]

  • Command Lance
Captain Natasha Kerensky - WHM-6R Warhammer
Colin Maclaren - MAD-3R Marauder
Lynn Sheridan - CRD-3R Crusader
John Hayes - GRF-1N Griffin
  • Fire Lance
Lieutenant Takiro Ikeda - ARC-2R Archer
Miklos Delius - ARC-2R Archer
Nikolai Koniev - WSP-1A Wasp
Alex Ward - STG-3R Stinger
  • Recon Lance
Lieutenant John Clavell - RFL-3N Rifleman
Piet Nichols - PXH-1K Phoenix Hawk
Simon Fraser - STG-3R Stinger
Mohammar Jahan - STG-3R Stinger

3031

Black Widow Battalion[27]

  • Command Lance
Colonel Natasha Kerensky - Warhammer
Captain Takiro Ikeda - Shogun
Lynn Sheridan - Crusader
John Hayes - Griffin
  • First BattleMech Company (Wolf Spiders)
  • First Lance
Captain John Clavell - Firefly
Sergeant Simon Fraser - Stinger
Mohammer Jahan - Stinger
Bradley Turlow - Vulcan
  • Second Lance
Lieutenant Piet Nichols - Hornet
Steven Fujimi - Marauder II
Jorge Muller - Annihilator
Ulzanna Whitehead - Flea
  • Third Lance
Lieutenant James Riker - Imp
Sergeant Paul Sayers - Warhammer
Wilson Smullen - Shogun
Ted Heyden - Ostroc
  • Second BattleMech Company (Tarantulas)
  • First Lance
Captain MacKenzie Wolf - Enforcer
Lillith Lang - Hermes II
Trel Morkai - Rifleman
John Castle - Crusader
  • Second Lance
Lieutenant Leslie Kawalli - Marauder
Sergeant Mikos Delius - Whitworth
Nikolai Konief - Firefly
Delmar Lindstrom - Shadow Hawk
  • Third Lance
Lieutenant Norah Jane Stokes - Griffin
Maurice Frenn - Falcon
Timothy Storrs - Charger
Kathy Keegan - Wolverine
  • Aerospace Company
  • First Lance
Lieutenant Sidney "Jackrabbit" Moskowitz - Thrush
Thomas "Top Hat" Gordon - Thrush
  • Second Lance
Lieutenant Clarence "Sweep" Lamond - Cheetah
Ruben "Switchblade" Norris - Cheetah
  • Third Lance
Lieutenant William "Trigger" Fitch - Centurion
Scott "Swede Anderson - Centurion
  • Third Team, Seventh Kommando

3040

Black Widow Battalion (Battalion/Elite/Fanatical)[31]

Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on Outreach. [31]

3056

Wolf Spider Battalion.jpg

Wolf Spider Battalion

Major John Clavell
  • Wolf Striker Cluster
Spider Trinary (Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Star, 5 BattleMechs each)
Tarantula Trinary (Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Star, 5 BattleMechs each)
Web Trinary (Alpha and Beta Star, 5 BattleMechs each; Gamma Star of 5 Elemental Points)
Aerospace Company (6 Fighters)
Third Infantry, Seventh Kommando Company

3059

Wolf Spider Battalion (strengthened Battalion/Elite/Fanatical) [28]

  • CO: Major John Clavell [28]
Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Outreach. [28]

3072

Black Widow Company

Captain. Stacy Church - ZEU-9WD Zeus X
Lt. Jacob Kincaid - UZL-2S Uziel Jacob II
Francine - GRF-6S Griffin Francine II
Calvin Magdaleno - BLR-4S BattleMaster Calvin II
  • Fire Lance
Lt. Eirene Rondema - GAL-4GLSA Gallowglas
Orrin Fletcher - DV-7D Dervish
Michael Ramirez - ARC-7S Archer
Max Henricksen - CBR-O2 Cobra
  • Recon Lance
Lt. Wyatt Rolfe - WLF-4WA Wolfhound
Neil Gibson - FFL-4DA Firefly
Halle Yost - TLN-5W Talon
Russel Madison - LCT-6M Locust

3145

Spider's Web Battalion (Elite/Fanatical)[30]

  • CO: Major Eleanor Chan

Other references

  • Parodied in Critter-TEK as the "Black Hippo Company" under Captain Natasha Immenski. According to the description, "Her tactical daring-do, silly clothes, and total confidence in the scriptwriter have led to a winning streak unsurpassed since the days of the Big League. In fact, most of the rest of Wolff's Baboons seem to exist purely to soak up damage while the Black Hippos win the battle" and all of the other Baboon battalions "stand around looking good while the feared and respected Black Hippo Company mops the floor with the enemy".

3072 Company Members

Rules

Historical Turning Points: Misery

  • Unmatched at small-unit tactics, the Black Widows may use Force the Initiative, Off - Map Movement, and Overrun special abilities (see pp. 192-193, TO).[32]

Notes

The Fire Lance's Shadow Hawk pilot during the 3015 attack on Anton Marik's compound on New Delos is named Willard Andrews in Jason Schmetzer's short story, The Memory of Pain.

References

  1. Tales of the Black Widow Company, pp. 24-25
  2. Tales of the Black Widow Company, pp. 14-15
  3. 3.0 3.1 BattleTech: 25 Years of Art & Fiction, p. 87, "Hoff Planet Profile"
  4. House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 202, "Hoff"
  5. Tales of the Black Widow Company, pp. 16-17 (Queen's Gambit senario)
  6. Tales of the Black Widow Company, pp. 18-19
  7. Tales of the Black Widow Company, pp. 28-29
  8. 8.0 8.1 Tales of the Black Widow, pp. 20-21, "Spider Trap"
  9. According to the unit writeup for Lindon's Company in the rulebook for the BattleTech, 2nd Edition box set
  10. House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 135 ('Mech Unit Deployment Table, Bryceland PDZ)
  11. Tales of the Black Widow Company, pp. 22-23, "The Chill of War"
  12. Natasha Kerensky: Bio-medical Report
  13. Tales of the Black Widow Company, pp. 26-27
  14. Tales of the Black Widow Company, pp. 30-31
  15. Tales of the Black Widow Company, pp. 32-33
  16. Sorenson's Sabres (scenario pack), pp. 36-37
  17. Wolves on the Border, chapter 18
  18. Wolf's Dragoons, p. 32
  19. Starterbook Wolf and Blake p. 17
  20. Starterbook Wolf and Blake p. 18
  21. Starterbook Wolf and Blake p. 18
  22. Starterbook Wolf and Blake p. 19
  23. Starterbook Wolf and Blake p. 19
  24. Starterbook Wolf and Blake p. 39
  25. 25.0 25.1 The Spider and the Wolf, "BattleTech and MechWarrior Scenarios", pp. 2,5
  26. 26.0 26.1 Tales of the Black Widow Company, pp. 8-13
  27. 27.0 27.1 More Tales of the Black Widow, p. 11, "Black Widow Battalion, 3031"
  28. 28.0 28.1 28.2 28.3 Field Manual: Mercenaries, p. 114
  29. 29.0 29.1 Starterbook: Wolf and Blake, p. 14, "Unit Composition"
  30. 30.0 30.1 Field Manual: 3145, p. 182, "Notable Mercenary Forces - Draconis Combine"
  31. 31.0 31.1 Historical: War of 3039, p. 141 >Historical: War of 3039, p. 141
  32. Historical Turning Points: Misery, p. 9

Bibliography