Draconis Elite Strike Teams
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The Draconis Elite Strike Teams (DEST) are the Draconis Combine's chief special forces units, although not the only ones. An elite corps of commandos trained in every branch of the military (from piloting a BattleMech to operating a JumpShip), they follow the tenets of the ancient ninja.[1] DEST commandos typically consist of Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery MechWarriors seconded to serve as the direct action component of the Internal Security Force.[2]
Although all DEST personnel are trained MechWarriors, they do not necessarily pilot 'Mechs. DEST commandos frequently operate as infantry units or infiltrators.
DEST teams are formed for individual missions and are apparently numbered sequentially. Known numbers include DEST One and DEST Two in 2461, and DEST 6654 in 3056.
History
The DEST organisation existed as early as 2457,[3] but DEST One was only deployed in 2461 against the BattleMech factories on Hesperus II in an attempt to steal the construction plans. This attempt failed and the entire team was killed, but shortly afterwards DEST Two succeeded in stealing BattleMech plans from the Lyran Commonwealth's 'Mech factory at Coventry.[3]
Following the Clan Invasion the ISF was tipped off to ComStar's Operation Scorpion by Sharilar Mori. With enough advanced warning, the ISF deployed the DEST teams to take control of the HPG stations throughout the Draconis Combine before ROM was able to solidify their hold on them. Following the success of this mission, Coordinator Theodore Kurita ordered the ISF to locate the Clan Homeworlds, necessitating the deployment of agents throughout the Clan Occupation Zones. A majority of the agents deployed belonged to DEST.[4]
In 3056, the Draconis Combine Admiralty commandeered the civilian JumpShip Telendine to carry DEST 6654 from Salford. The JumpShip, its attached DropShip and the DEST team vanished in a jump accident. DEST 6654 was composed of at least twelve operatives, but their 'Mech contingent was an attached mercenary lance and not organic.[5]
In 3058 the head of the DEST, General Hohira Kiguri, disappeared soon after an attempt was made on Coordinator Theodore Kurita's life. It is believed that General Kiguri was a member of the Kokuryu-kai as he was a long-time opponent of the Coordinator's policies.[6]
Color Scheme and Insignia
The DEST color scheme is black and silver[7]
References
- ↑ House Kurita (The Draconis Combine), p. 131
- ↑ A Guide to Covert Ops, p. 52, "Draconis Elite Strike Teams (DEST)"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Fall Down Seven Times, Get up Eight
- ↑ A Guide to Covert Ops, p. 51
- ↑ Far Country
- ↑ A Guide to Covert Ops, p. 51
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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