Declan Casey

Declan Casey
Personal
AffiliationHouse Casey
Profile
RankLieutenant[1]
ProfessionMechWarrior
Family
SiblingsJames Casey

Declan Casey was a MechWarrior who served the Republic of the Sphere and Northwind Highlanders in the Thirty-second-century.

History[edit]

Early Years[edit]

Declan was born, most probably, on Northwind. Growing up without a father, he was close with his brother James Casey, who enlisted in the military but was killed by the Steel Wolves in 3134. Prior to James' death Declan had also enlisted, and by 3135 he was attending the Northwind Military Academy, where he was during the second Steel Wolves' attack.[2]

At a later date, he joined the command staff of the Highlanders, specializing in counterintelligence, a task for which he was well suited.[3] At some date prior to 3150, he became a MechWarrior, rising to the rank of lieutenant. He joined the Centurions, the First Battalion of the newly formed defense unit of Northwind, the Twelfth Hastati Sentinels.[1]

Battle of Northwind[edit]

On 28 October 3150, Declan's battalion fought a wargame exercise against the Twelfth Hastati's Third Battalion. After his commanding officer Tommy O'Hara was registered as killed for the purposes of the exercise, Casey took command, downing a Panther. Despite facing a Clan technology equipped equipment, he managed to hold them, while sending an Osprey to attack the enemy's command post. His strategy succeeded, which made his battalion victorious, right before they were to be crushed.[4]

After the exercise, he was to assist to a Warrior's Cabal, but only arrived in time thanks to his grandfather Seamus Casey taking him. The old man, a veteran Highlander who had since retired, had seen the exercise from the training centre. On the Cabal, Declan saw an envoy of the Republic which they were expecting: Lady Maeve Stirling, also a Highlander of a distinguished Clan. She informed the present ones about a imminent threat to Northwind: a Capellan Confederation attack. Maeve wanted to talk with Declan in private; she said to be very impressed by his victory in the exercise. Declan proved his cunning when guessed than Maeve had been on Northwind by some time ago, and to have been on Callison. She was pleased by his malice, and said to need him to search for a suspected traitor into the Highlanders.[5]

The 13 November, Declan visited Plunkett's Tavern, where he talked with his ComStar friend, Bianca Haller. He asked her about the possibility to send messaged for the betrayer through HPG. Soon after, Maeve arrived and talked with Declan in private: he informed about his investigation, which hadn't find nothing yet. The meeting was interrupted by an all-call: the Capellans have arrived.[6]

The 23 November, Declan's unit fought in the woods around Northwind Military Academy, downing a Tian-Zong from the First Canopian Lancers which were besieging it. The unexpected arrival of unidentified 'Mechs with Highlander colors turned the tide of the battle, but Declan was impacted when recognized the Declan tartan on a old Marauder.[7]

A day later in a meeting at the Castle, his grandfather appeared, together with Colonel Michael Griffin, informing the presents of the existence of the Grey Watch, a secret regiment composed of old 'Mechs and Northwind veterans, which had been recently activated. Declan asked Maeve about the Watch, proving his cunning, as he had guessed a lot about her and the Watch; all his suspicious were proved true. The same day, Declan talked with his grandfather in the castle's 'Mech bays, where asked him about why he hadn't tell him nothing, and about the Watch's equipment.[8]

The 26 November, Declan fought alongside the Watch, defending The Castle. When Ellie Taggart, one of Declan's subordinates, charged and fought to the death, being killed by a Capellan Emperor, Declan charged, downing the assault 'Mech. When the Republic forces were forced to retreat, the Watch stay behind to cover his retreat, but Declan and his lance refused to do so, fighting alongside his grandfather, when the arrival of Republic reinforcements turned the tide.[9]

After the battle, Declan was devastated by Ellie's death, but Seamus talked with him about both units' casualties, comforting him.[10]

On 5 December, Declan assisted to a meeting of officers at The Castle, where it was debated the situation with the newly arrived Hikage Kuritan regiments. The young one was still at the doghouse for his refusal to retreat previously. Seamus approached him and talked him about the combats in Tara. The older Casey invited the young to make a raid into Tara, occupied by the capellans, to which Declan agreed.[11]

They successfully infiltrated into Tara, going to Plunkett's tavern. There they were informed of the last news in the capital, and, in the way out, helped evacuate a Highlander searched by the Maskirovka.[12]

On 9 December, on the Castle, when alarms sounded, Declan talked to Maeve, asking her what was happening. he was informed than the Black Watch was being moved to defend the civilians of Tara, but the Hastatis were kept on standby. He didn't want to sit down, but his 'Mech was in repairs, so Maeve allowed him to use Ellie's Osprey.[13]

Declan fought in a street battle, helping several Grey Watch warriors, until reaching his grandfather. The battle ended soon, but Declan was furious for the Watch's losses, and swear to himself to make the Capellans pay for every loss. The same day, when the Hikage engaged the Capellans, Declan assisted to another officers' meeting, and returned to his already repaired Marauder II 'Mech for the incoming battle.[14]

During the battle, Declan went to Tara's HPG's compound in the Final Destiny, landing there and taking the place. the younger Casey fought there, defending the complex, while Seamus fought in the city. The defenders were against the ropes, when part of the Black Watch, led by Seamus, arrived. Seeing his grandfather fell under a Shen Yi, Declan attempted to assist him, but something exploded and he lost conscience.[15]

When Declan awakened, everything was over, and all invaders have retreated after the HPG's explosion. The 10' December, he went to Tara's General Hospital to visit Bianca, which had been wounded in the fight. After being informed of Seamus' death, he was devastated. In the hospital he talked with Maeve, which informed her than the bulk of the defenders will return to Terra, to help defending it. Declan, which had guessed who was the traitor, already death,. and most of Devlin Stone's plans for that battle, offered her to accompany her, but she refused, saying she count with him to keep protecting Northwind.[16]

After Stirling had departed, Declan talked with Bianca about the HPG's rebuilding, and ensured than Northwind will take care of her, as she was one of their own.[17]

IlClan Era[edit]

Declan stayed in Northwind to defend the planet, and during a few months, the defenders drive off a half dozen of attacks of Capellan-sponsored mercenaries. During one against Whirlwind Strikers, his Marauder II was damaged and had to replace it by a Yu Huang. On 14 July 3151, he was in a fight, defending Tara against an attack from another mercenary group called Waxie Dargle. He downed a Rook, but had to let another similar 'Mech get inside the city, keeping guard. Later, he aided his Colonel Bonnie Reid to face a Dargle Sphinx. When she ordered him to let it go, he argued about that, but not too much. While she retreated to a droport to receive a Republic's DropShip, Casey stay on guard. Later, he suffered another mercenary attack and asked for reinforcements.[18]

Relationships[edit]

Declan was very near with his grandfather, who appears to have replaced his father. He also appears to have deeply felt his brother's death, as he refused to talk about him.[19] He was also good friends with Bianca Haller, though their relationship, apparently, never surpassed the friendship's stage.[20]

Personality[edit]

Declan, despite his young age, was a good leader in the battlefield, though every loss, even the fake ones during field exercises, affected him, as remembered him his brothers' death. He was also very distrustful and inquisitive towards unknowns, though that helped him to be a good intelligence agent. However, he could be very friendly and loyal to his friends and family.[21]

BattleMech[edit]

Declan Casey's first 'Mech was a Marauder II. Besides his short use of an Osprey, his second 'Mech, which he was forced to use after 3151, was a Capellan-captured Yu Huang.[18]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Grey Watch Protocol, p. 16
  2. ↑ Grey Watch Protocol, p. 61
  3. ↑ Grey Watch Protocol, p. 34
  4. ↑ Grey Watch Protocol, p. 25
  5. ↑ Grey Watch Protocol, pp. 36–40
  6. ↑ Grey Watch Protocol, p. 63
  7. ↑ Grey Watch Protocol, p. 108
  8. ↑ Grey Watch Protocol, pp. 118–130
  9. ↑ Grey Watch Protocol, p. 146
  10. ↑ Grey Watch Protocol, p. 172
  11. ↑ Paid in Blood, p. 18
  12. ↑ Paid in Blood, p. 24
  13. ↑ Paid in Blood, p. 51
  14. ↑ Paid in Blood, pp. 56–74
  15. ↑ Paid in Blood, p. 101
  16. ↑ Paid in Blood, pp. 110–116
  17. ↑ Paid in Blood, p. 118
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Perception of Victory
  19. ↑ Grey Watch Protocol, p. 26
  20. ↑ Grey Watch Protocol, p. 56
  21. ↑ Grey Watch Protocol, p. 60

Bibliography[edit]

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