Editing Gannon's Cannons

{{Cleanup|reason=review needed|date=September 2023}}
{{infoBoxMilitaryCommand
| image = [[Image:GANNONS_CANNONS.PNG|150px|Emblem of the Gannon's Cannons - The Cannons favor a tiger-style paint scheme, using black striping over a reddish background. The unit's insignia, a black G and C flanking the silhouette of an ancient Terran field cannon on a red circle, is placed anywhere visible on the unit]]
| Designation = Gannon's Cannons
| Formed = 
| Disbanded = 
| Previous Designation = [[Carlton's Cavaliers]]
| Nickname = 
| Affiliation = Mercenary
| Parent Command = Independent
| Sub-Command = 
}}
==History==
===Carlton's Cavaliers===
Led by Captain Philo Carlton the unit had been working for some time when in 3067, [[Duke]] [[Morgan Kell]] hired several small mercenary units to keep the Loyalist [[Third Donegal Guards]] on [[Cumbres]]. They were one of these units. The raid started in February [[3067]], but things went sour when one of the units, [[Dortman's Devils]], decided to take advantage of the situation and line their own pockets. They raided towns and crushed any resistance. To hide their actions the Devils pretended to be other mercenary units stationed on Cumbres. When the Third discovered the raids, they began treating all the mercenaries as pirates. On 8 February, the Devils attacked Westfield, but they found the Cavaliers and after a tough battle, which ended with a heavily wounded Philo Carlton, they crushed the Devils.

The same day, and after this fight they were found by elements of the Third Donegal Guards, who though they were pirates too and started a fight which ended in more losses for the unit until they were able to surrender.

They were mistakenly tried and blacklisted for the crimes of Dortman's Devils. Even though the prosecution's case was shredded by the ranking Cavalier officer, [[Gannon Derer|Gannon "Cannon" Derer]], the Cavaliers were never formally acquitted because of a general amnesty declared by [[Peter Steiner-Davion]] at the end of the [[FedCom Civil War]] that saw their case dropped. But the unit had been blacklisted. The image of Carlton's Cavaliers was heavily damaged. After this, Philo decided to retire and gave the unit's command to Derer. He decided to rename the unit.<ref name=TC>''Total Chaos'', pp. 19–21</ref>

===Gannon's Cannons===
====Jihad====
'''Gannon's Cannons''' were born after that.

Their first contract, a strike against the [[Word of Blake]]-controlled warehouses on [[Keid]] in [[Interstellar Expeditions]] employ, saw Gannon's Cannons with no home to return to, as it occurred at the same time as [[Wayne Waco]]'s attack against [[Wolf's Dragoons]] and the scouring of [[Outreach]] in mid-October of 3067.<ref name=TC/>

Gannon's Cannons were named as one example of a relatively small mercenary unit with their own transportation that had been small and mobile enough to avoid attention and destruction over the course of the [[Jihad]].<ref>''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', p. 120</ref>

When the unit signed with IE they thought they would be used as troubleshooters, maybe pirate-hunting or guarding their digs. Instead, they were ordered to raid on [[Keid]] on the 29 of September 3067. Their targets were several [[Kallon Industries]] DropPort warehouses (the idea of the raid was to send a message from IE to Kallon). The unit was told that as long as they didn't take the battle outside the target area, the Blakists would be looking the other way. The destruction of the Keid warehouses was not without complications. The contact said nothing about the security force (vehicles and infantry) they ran into, but was very explicit in protecting civilian structures, which made the unit's job harder. Still, the warehouses (full of enough matériel to keep a couple of 'Mech battalions supplied for three or four months) were destroyed.<ref name=TCp39>''Total Chaos'', pp. 39–40: "Look Who's Coming to Dinner"</ref>

After two months guarding a couple of warehouses filled with stuff that only historians and archeologists would love to have (items from IE), at the end of December 3067 the unit executed its training clause to accept a side contract for [[Earthwerks Incorporated]] to raid [[Tao 'Mechworks]]' research and development center on Styk's Fire Island as retaliation of that company destroying Earthwerks' fusion engine assembly line in March 3067. The unit landed a cargo DropShip near Tao 'Mechworks and left half the Cannons to secure their ride while the rest headed for Fire Island. They first ran into Tao security, and pushed them back. But just as they reached the building, they picked up a [[Syn's Hussars]] patrol coming in from the east. As Earthwerks didn't want them to wreck [[CCAF]] units, Gannon's Cannons concentrated on destroying the buildings while avoiding the CCAF unit. They were able to do that and retreat to their escape off-planet.<ref name=TCp48>''Total Chaos'', pp. 48–49: "Payback"</ref>

The unit was stationed on [[Skye]] for a security job when the 5 of February [[3068]] an invasion from the [[FWL]] hit Skye. Duke Kelswa-Steiner called every militia and mercenary unit on-planet to Skye's defense. Their first mission was to take out and old abandoned [[LAAF]] airbase in some swamp and had been bombing the capital with the help of a Lance from the [[Fourth Skye Rangers]]. The mercenaries caught the [[Sirian Lancers]] by surprise and hammered them hard before they could get on track. Captain Derer and the rest of the command lance pounded the standby fighters while the rest of the unit hit everything else. They mauled them and took most of the FWL units down. Only a couple of hovertanks and a badly shot-up [[Trebuchet]] got away into the swamp, and some of the Rangers' aerospace boys finished the job the next day. The Lancers were gone two days later. IE wrapped things up quickly, and Gannon's Cannons got off-planet ASAP. Gannon thought that something stunk about this Leaguer assault. The list of the FWL equipment found after Gannon's assault was much better than expected. He though the FWL had found another source for equipment, and his leading candidate was the Word of Blake.<ref name=TCp52>''Total Chaos'', pp. 52–54: "The Skye Is Falling!"</ref>

IE next sent Gannon's Cannons to defend an excavation from [[Yoris University Amalgamated]] (a group belonging to IE) in [[Solaris]] beneath the dark sands of the Tangerine Desert. So in 16th of June 3068 they were in the first line of the [[WoB]] [[Operation SHOWTIME]], and were attacked by unmarked raiders, later identified as elements of the invading [[25th Division (Word of Blake)|25th Division]] with possible mercenary support. Though they were able to save the team, the site itself was destroyed. The unit was able to make retreat from the attacking force after that, though with heavy losses. Three of the unit's 'Mechs were wrecked, and everyone else suffered some damage to their rides. They were able to strip any usable parts from the raiders' 'Mechs (''[[Wraith]]''s, ''[[Mercury (BattleMech)|Mercury]]''s, and a [[Zephyr (Combat Vehicle)|Zephyr]] to use for themselves.<ref name=TCp59>''Total Chaos'', pp. 59–60: "Game On!"</ref>

The next mission IE gave to Gannon's Cannons was to help [[Duke]] [[George Hasek (31st c.)|George Hasek]] in his [[Operation SOVEREIGN JUSTICE]]. They were to accompany the [[Illician Lancers]] and help them raid [[Tsingtao]]. IE also told them to take a detour and ransack [[Shu-lin Networking]] for a computer core. So on the 28th of June 3068 they attacked and found a mix of planetary militia and mercenaries hired by the local government. The Illician Lancers focused on destroying any Capellan forces they could find. The Cannons accompanied them, serving as a mop-up force to eliminate isolated Home Guard or militia units bypassed in the initial assault. Gannon convinced the Lancers command to let him hit the city of Weihaiwei on his own to "hunt down guerrilla elements", as Shu-Lin Networking had their corporate center on-planet there. While the 'Mech elements battled the security force, the unit's infantry stormed the headquarters, and the presence of Eddie Vargas, a former [[MIIO]] information warfare specialist easily, allowed them to defeat the core's security. Once the planet was secured, Gannon's Cannons left and handed the core over to David Styles, an influential member of IE's Council of Peers and member of the executive board. The files it contained were filled with [[SLDF]] research on weapons of mass destruction, including biological and chemical weapons. This data soon found its way into the hands of the Word of Blake, courtesy of Styles.<ref name=TCp61>''Total Chaos'', pp. 61–62: "Golden Goose"</ref>

After that, the unit was allowed some R&R while garrisoning IE's main research facility on [[Tomans]], located in Grant's Station Tango. And then on the 1st of August 3068, the mysterious [[Green Ghosts]] arrived on planet. Well-trained, well-equipped and highly disciplined, the unit pressed the attack when they found the mercenaries and despite being heavily outnumbered, the Ghosts nearly broke their lines before being driven back. And just as things seemed they would end well, a [[Clan Jade Falcon]] force appeared also ready to raid the planet. They started shooting both the Green Ghosts and the mercenaries. The Green Ghosts decided to leave in the ensuing chaos, so the Jade Falcons kept pressing, but they found Gannon Derer waiting. After having taken out three Falcon 'Mechs, a [[Star Captain]] in an [[Executioner]] challenged him. After their Star Captain went down, the Falcons retreated, leaving the mercenaries holding the battlefield. IE lost about a third of their buildings, but their casualties were light.<ref name=TCp65>''Total Chaos'', p. 65: "Falcon Ptomaine"</ref>

After IE bought out our contract, the unit was contracted by elements within the Sandoval family. Along renegade [[AFFS]] forces from the [[Draconis March]] - the [[Second Robinson Rangers]] and the [[Sakhara Academy Training Battalion]]<ref>''Total Chaos'', p. 115</ref> - and other mercenary units, all of them launched an attack on [[Benjamin]] during the first week of December [[3068]]. The initial assault decimated the defending [[Sixth Ghost]] and then the rogue units remained in place, though not the mercenary support.<ref name="J:FRp46">''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', p. 46: "The Jihad in Review"</ref> Gannon's Cannons did the job without soiling their hands with innocent blood, got paid, got some salvage and even picked up a few survivors from a less-fortunate mercenary unit and then left. After the mission Gannon Derer decided the Cannons wouldn't take any more [[Federated Suns]] contracts until something changed.<ref name=TCp70>''Total Chaos'', pp. 70–71: "Graveyard Shift"</ref>

The unit accepted a contract for [[Luthien Armor Works]] to escort a team led by Dr. Linna Yamazaki to [[Luthien]] to examine their factories there after the Blakists nuked the place. So in July 3069 the unit descended into the planet, where they found themselves in the middle of a three-way war between the Combine loyalists, the [[Black Dragons]], and the Word of Blake. ''[[Tai-sa]]'' [[Shih Chou]] from the [[First Genyosha]] was not happy to see the mercenaries and it took a lot of paperwork from LAW and explanations from both Captain Derer and Dr. Yamazaki to convince him. After informing the mercenaries they would not be able to carry the mission because it was in no man's land and just in a place where the ''Kokuryu‑kai'' was launching an attack against that part of the line, Captain Derer offered to lances of his unit to help the First Genyosha. When their forces reached the battlefield, the ''Kokuryu‑kai'' forces were already rolling over a Blakist force. Chou ordered the mercenaries to stay back while the Genyosha hit both ''Kokuryu‑kai'' and Blakists like a tidal wave. The mercenaries moved around, shoring up weak points in the Genyosha's line but otherwise staying out of their way. In the end, the battle involved elements from the [[Second Sword of Light]], [[Sixth Benjamin Regulars]], [[Fortieth Dieron Regulars]], Word of Blake [[9th Division (Word of Blake)|Ninth Division]], [[Sathen's Snipers]], the First Genyosha and Gannon's Cannons. After winning their confidence, they allowed LAW team to investigate the ruins, and after that, the unit left Luthien.<ref name=TCp79>''Total Chaos'', pp. 79–80: "Bullet in the Blue Sky"</ref>

After impressing someone up the Combine chain of command, the unit was offered small-unit and counterintrusion training with [[Clan Nova Cat]] in [[Avon]]. Though wary of the concept itself, the unit accepted so on the 25th of December 3069 the unit inserted on the planet and quickly located the [[Kage]]-suited [[DEST]] team they were sent to retrieve. Unfortunately that was no training. The elite [[First Nova Cat Guards]] appeared and nearly crushed them. The unit barely escaped without losing a 'Mech and downing five Nova Cats, one a brand new ''[[Ocelot]]''. Some of the DEST could be rescued, enough for the Combine to pay up and even throw in a bonus. Gannon Derer thought it would be best to leave Combine space,<ref name=TCp84>''Total Chaos'', p. 84: "Stirring the Anthill"</ref> and so they did.

The unit met [[Mr. Askai]] and got a contract to strike [[Kalidasa]] and beat the [[3rd Division (Word of Blake)|WoB Third Division]] and if possible kill or capture [[Precentor]] [[Timothy Mayo]]. The unit accepted and on July [[3070]] they did strike the planet. The unit started raiding WoB supply dumps and ambushing their patrols until a few days later they located Mayo and most of his force. A pincer movement cornered the WoB. Things were looking okay until they downed Mayo's [[Grand Crusader]]. This set the WoB into a crazy mode and made Gannon's Cannons pay for it. There was not a single Blakist moving in the end, but the mercenaries weren't in much better shape. They grabbed Mayo and as much salvage as they could, then got the hell out of there.<ref name=TCp90>''Total Chaos'', p. 90: "Binge, Purge, Flush"</ref>

After being offered two opposite contracts on [[Chamdo]], one by Mr. Askai to defend an infrastructure, and another for a Mister Chen to attack than infrastructure. Both had good conditions, but even though they did not trust Mr. Askai, Chen's personality was even worse, so they took the garrison contract. The unit arrived on early February [[3071]] and found that the infrastructure to defend was a regional [[HPG]] substation belonging to the WoB, part of the planetary network linked to the main station in Sing-wa. Angry Capellan citizens had already destroyed several other HPGs elsewhere in the Confederation. The 20th of February an all-out attack was launched by a mixed unit of "weekend warriors" and mercenaries. The attack was stopped, an when the mercenaries questioned a couple of the Capellan survivors they discovered that it had been the WoB and not the Federated Suns had bombarded Sian a couple of years back. The mercenaries guarded the station long enough for the Blakies to remove the important parts of the systems and then got the hell off Chamdo as fast as they could.<ref name=TCp96>''Total Chaos'', pp. 96–98: "Savage Silence"</ref>

The unit accepted a contract in [[Solaris]] under [[Zelazni Stables]] patronage. The unit landed in May 3071 and form the core of an assault on the [[International Zone]] to capture some warehouses filled with 'Mechs and supplies the [[SHDL]] needed. The assault force hit the IZ, along with forces from the Zelazni Stables and [[White Hand Stables]], while a contingent from the [[Silver Dragon Stables]] moved to flank the International Zone. Though they were able to push the [[25th Division (Word of Blake)|Twenty-fifth Division]], when the Silver Dragons arrived, several of them suddenly started shooting at the mercenaries instead of the Blakists. Major Derer immediately ordered massed fire on the traitors, and none of them lasted more than a minute. After that, we pushed the Blakists out of the IZ and secured the warehouses. Then Major Derer went to have a heavy talk with the Solaris Stablemasters.<ref name=TCp102/>

After three months of working with the SHDL the unit was still in control of the International Zone, but at that time most of the stables (and warriors) from the SHDL were more concerned with their current ranking than cooperating long enough to smash the Blakists. And in the 17th of August 3071, barely two hours prior to the Stables finally cleaning up the stables full of equipment that could have equipped two whole battalions, the WoB stormed the International Zone and level everything in their path. Though a couple of the warehouses were lost, the mercenaries made them pay in blood, and only a few of them got away. Gannon's Cannons was able to collect some battlefield savage plus a cut of the saved equipment.<ref name=TCp105>''Total Chaos'', pp. 105: "Nacht Blitz"</ref>

After losing the International Zone, the unit retreated same as the SHDL, to Nowhere, one of the last intact major repair and supply points left on the planet. In return for acting as a security force for the city's corporations, the unit got access to cutting-edge technology and some of the best techs on the planet, so much so that their 'Mechs had never been in such good shape since they came off the assembly line. And during the 15th October 3071 the WoB came knocking with a mix of Word of Blake troops and sympathizers. Gannon's Cannons and a few local Solaris Gladiators stood and were able to stop approximately a Level III. The unit suffered more casualties in this engagement than in any previous battle over the past four years, and also lost most of the Solaris pilots that stood with them. At least thirty Blakist 'Mechs ended up destroyed, crippled, or captured, and every sympathizer they brought with them died, though they did not get much salvage. Gannon Derer decided that the unit was going to stick around in Solaris for a few more months or until the Blakists leave, whichever came first, as they felt that once the Blakists are gone, the SHDL alliance was going to shatter very quickly.<ref name=TCp109>''Total Chaos'', pp. 109: "Reaching the Limits"</ref>

Mr. Askai contracted the unit to attack the [[Clean Kill]] mercenary command on [[Althea's Choice]] in the [[Taurian Concordat]] and offered them good pay and a DropShip full of [[Federated Suns]] equipment. So in June [[3072]] they attacked disguised as [[AFFS]] troops. It turned out his mission was a distraction raid while real AFFS troops attacked the capital. The reported use of chemical weapons in that other battle, upset Gannon's Cannons, who felt they'd been "hoodwinked" by Askai and left the planet immediately.<ref name=tcp120>''Total Chaos'', p. 120: Track "Clean Sweep"</ref>

[[Buda Weapons]] contracted the unit to search for one of their chief weapons researcher, [[Hideoshi Yamika]], who had smuggled himself and his team in [[Luthien]]. The unit was able to infiltrate the planet and went to locate him. They had four possible locations, and when going for the first one, Takashi Spaceport's Customs annex, a place where the company had an underground bunker. While some infantry went on searching, the unit had to fend of elements of the [[Word of Blake]]'s [[32nd Division (Word of Blake)|Thirty-second Division]] and elements of the [[Fortieth Dieron Regulars]] and the [[Second Sword of Light]], both loyal to the ''[[Kokuryu-kai]]'' in a three parties battle. Fortunately, they were in the outskirts of the fight, and after their infantry informed them Hideoshi was not there, they left the place for another of the possible locations.<ref name=TCp130>''Total Chaos'', p. 130: "Tunnel Rats"</ref> After four months of fruitless searching, the unit finally got a solid location for Yamika. He and his team were hidden in [[Buda Weapons Skytower]], located in Buda Weapons Sector. While trying to retrieve Yamika, they ended up fighting in what was called [[Battle of Skytower City]], and were finally unable to rescue Yamika, having been chewed up by the [[WoB]] forces.<ref name=TCp131>''Total Chaos'', pp. 131–133: "Light Machine"</ref>

The unit's next mission found them on [[Tikonov]], helping the planet's rebels to take an [[Earthwerks]] facility from the WoB. So they arrived in October [[3074]] and what they found was a contract with a Capellan ''[[Zhong-shao]]''. The mercenaries bested elements of the [[Tikonov Protectorate Militia]] defending the facility. After that, they were given six hours to take all savage they could, barely being able to full their three [[DropShip]]s and leave as per the ''Zhong-shao''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s orders, only to see Capellan rebels use Nukes to destroy a WoB counterattack force.<ref name=TCp137>''Total Chaos'', p. 137: "Acid Rain"</ref>

The unit spent most of [[3075]] working short-term garrison contacts and used that time to rebuild and reinforce the unit.<ref name=TCp148>''Total Chaos'', pp. 148–149: "Comes the Reaper"</ref>

The unit was contracted in [[3076]] by [[Devlin Stone]]'s coalition forces after passing a screening process. A collection of units like the Cannons with some [[Com Guards|Com Guard]] reserves to stiffen their offensive capabilities and sent them all to [[Galatea]]. Their landing and all the fight on Galatea was contested by the [[11th Division (Word of Blake)|Eleventh Division]]. They fought well using solid tactics to help in the besting of the WoB until Galatea was liberated.<ref name=TCp148/> With the reclamation of the system, the Mercenary's Star reopened for business in February of 3076. As a debt of gratitude, the mercenary commands that helped liberate the system received rewards and discounts for a variety of services across the planet.<ref name=TCp150>''Total Chaos'', p. 150: "Run Them Down"</ref>

The unit was asked to split its forces for the next wave of Devlin Stone's coalition attacks. Half the unit was assigned to the attack on [[Rio]] while the other half was assigned to [[Van Diemen IV]].

Rio was scouted by the allied coalition forces on the 25th of March 3076.<ref name="JHS:Tp21">''Jihad Hot Spots: Terra'', p. 21: "Timeline of the Jihad"</ref><ref name="J:FRp55">''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', p. 55: "The Jihad in Review"</ref> And after that, an assault by coalition forces started on the 1st of July.<ref name="JHS:Tp22">''Jihad Hot Spots: Terra'', p. 22: "Timeline of the Jihad"</ref><ref name="J:FRp56">''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', p. 56: "The Jihad in Review"</ref> Gannon's Cannons and other mercenary units with support from [[LAAF]] and [[AFFS]] forces faced the [[Rio Protectorate Militia]] and the [[Blue Blazers]]. Once their shattered WoB flank, the WoB forces retreated only to found themselves surrounded on all sides. The WoB defenders surrendered after suffering a series of artillery strikes and bombing runs.<ref name=TCp154>''Total Chaos'', pp. 154–155: "Slugger's Paradise"</ref>

Mister Askai offered the unit a new contract, a shoddy one, by the way. The unit was asked to either help escape or destroy the mercenary unit [[Deliah's Gauntlet]], a merc unit in the Word's employ that had abandoned their contract because they didn't like some of the standing orders. The unit took the contract while the Major Gannon "Cannon" Derer thought on which site take. When the unit arrived to [[Capolla]] the major told the [[Capolla Protectorate Militia]] that the unit had been hired to finish off the Deliah's Gauntlet escapees. The commander directed them to a location 150 km from the capital, where the unit deployed. While two of the companies were left to guard the DropShips the rest moved forward where they found the outnumbered Deliah's Gauntlet fighting for their lives. Then Major spoke and with his action showed which contract he was going to honor. He charged down the hill, raised his [[PPC]], and fired. The Protectorate ''[[Cicada]]'' he struck went down with a severed leg. The rest of the Cannons followed, and they smashed into the Protectorate flank. The Gauntlet survivors headed for the Cannons' DropShips while the Cannons covered them. As soon as the Cannons were clear, they fell back and escaped.<ref name=TCp158>''Total Chaos'', pp. 158–159: "Watershed"</ref>

The unit was assigned a job for the coalition helping Combine and Ghost Bear forces in their attack on [[Dieron]]. Once the Combine saw that the Ghost Bears were taking no prisoners, they asked Gannon's Cannons to protect one of the POW camps on the planet: Fort Cross. They arrived more or less at the same time as the [[Clan Ghost Bear]] force. The Ghost Bear forces from the [[Rho Galaxy (Rasalhague Dominion)|Rho Galaxy]] demanded the prisoners to be given to them, when somebody shot and a fight between the Clan Forces and the mercenaries with the support of the few Draconis Combine forces. The fight was not going well for the mercenaries when elements of the [[23rd Division (Word of Blake)|Twenty-Third Division]] tried to rescue the POWs. This arrival shifted the Ghost Bears ire against the WoB forces, and left the engagement to destroy them. While the Combine continued evacuating the POWs, they asked the mercenaries to help finish the WoB forces. The WoB retreated and the Bears roared off after them, leaving the mercenaries and the Combine to pick up the pieces. At least 300 people were dead (not all of them soldiers). Several of the POW compounds were destroyed along the fort itself and a nearby village.<ref name=TCp175>''Total Chaos'', pp. 175–176: "My Enemy's Enemy"</ref>

The Cannons were attached to the [[Eighth Dieron Regulars]] and given the task of breaching the fortress's first line of outer defenses. Three hardened walls with turrets, all to protect a gate built into the rocks, which leads to the inner ring of the outer defenses. For that, they engaged elements of the [[Asta Protectorate Militia]] and the [[2nd Division (Word of Blake)|Second Division]]. The Cannons assaulted one section of the first wall while the Eighth Dieron hit another section. The Cannons split in two, one concentrated on one section of the wall, while the other bombarded the turrets and any Blakist targets of opportunity. The mercenaries breached the wall, drawing most of the Blakists toward them. They unit pulled back and engaged as many of the defenders as possible while the Eighth Dieron Regulars, using [[Sniper Artillery Piece|Sniper]] and [[Arrow IV]] artillery, breached the wall in three places and seized the wall itself. With the turrets destroyed, the outnumbered Blakists fell back. They continued breaching the second and third walls, and finally the gates were destroyed. But WoB got reinforcements and launched a massive counterattack that was only stopped thanks to the arrival of [[Alpha Galaxy (Rasalhague Dominion)|Alpha Galaxy]]. The Blakist fought back and were able to stall the fight, but in the end they were finished off.<ref name=TCp177>''Total Chaos'', pp. 177–178: "Climbing Mount Shanyu"</ref>

Asked to follow a signal coming from Fort Higgs, Gannon's Cannons arrived to see a battle between WoB and Rho Galaxy. The WoB hammered both the mercenaries and the Bears, but they were nearly annihilated in return. Later the day, while escorting [[ISF]] troops there, they encountered [[Alpha Galaxy (Rasalhague Dominion)|Alpha Galaxy]] escorting a [[Watch]] team. Both sides decided to work together, and Gannon's Cannons ended defending the site for them.<ref name=TCp179>''Total Chaos'', p. 179: "Polar Possibilities"</ref>

The unit participated in the final assault on Mount Shanyu. While the Ghost Bear forces attacked from three sides, the fourth one was given to the Eighth Dieron Regulars and Gannon's Cannons, expecting to face the remnants of the WoB forces, [[Second Division (Word of Blake)|Second]], [[14th Division (Word of Blake)|Fourteenth]], [[19th Division (Word of Blake)|Nineteenth]], and [[23rd Division (Word of Blake)|Twenty-third]] WoB Divisions and the surviving troops of several Protectorate Militias. The assault began in the 10 January [[3078]]. The bulk of the Blakist defenders died, although the attack wavered following ''[[Tai-sa]]'' [[Jerry Simms]]' death until Major Gannon Derer rallied the Cannons and the remains of the Eighth to keep pressing the attack. A small number of Blakists managed to escape on DropShips. By the time the Fortress Dieron complex had finally been seized, the Eighth Dieron Regulars consisted of just a company of 'Mechs, a [[lance]] of tanks, and three dozen infantry. That was a victory, though a very hard-fought one.<ref name=TCp180>''Total Chaos'', pp. 180–182: "Bloody Takedown"</ref>

In the 1 January [[3079]] the unit arrived to [[Terra]] as part of a minor second wave of troops still under Combine contract. ''[[Kanrei]]'' [[Kiyomori Minamoto]] was under the gun to take Cairo's Castle Brian after his last brilliant move—ordering an orbital bombardment missed the target zone and wiped out a million people. The Cannons, paired with the [[Desert Wind]] mercenary unit were ordered to assess the situation. After a brief skirmish with elements of a Word of Blake Protectorate Militia unit, returned to allied side with their findings.<ref name="TCp221">''Total Chaos'', pp. 221–223: "Blowtorch"</ref>

The unit was then assigned to attack an unknown WoB unit that was raiding the Yucatan in Central America. So in 29 January 3079, they moved along with a small cadre of [[TerraSec]] forces to the expected next target of those raiders. After engaging them, and downing their leader, they got them to surrender. After that action, it was discovered that they had mauled [[Lola's Lights]], a mercenary unit fighting for the Coalition thought lost after the initial landings.<ref name="TCp223">''Total Chaos'', pp. 223–225: "Recondo"</ref>

One of the Coalition's top agents: "[[Tempest Stryker|Damocles]]", tracked a WoB aligned unit, [[Olson's Rangers]], whose members had at that time a 50,000 [[C-bill]] bounty on their head, to [[Fomalhaut]]. Gannon's Cannons, with [[DCMS]] militia support, were sent to capture them. The battle was thought, as the Ranged had been enhanced by [[Manei Domini]] equipment and troops; approximately a third of the Rangers were piloting [[Celestial series|''Celestial''-series]] [[OmniMech]]s, but the Rangers were finally defeated though only after causing considerable collateral damage and civilian casualties. Only six warriors survived to tell the tale and explain what had happened to them.<ref name=JFR-69>''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', pp. 69–70: "Chaos Undaunted: Mainframe"</ref><ref name="TCp231">''Total Chaos'', pp. 231–233: "Mainframe"</ref>

The unit's next contract was with the [[Capellan Confederation]]. The Capellans had detected an illegal mining operation on [[Pleione]] and wanted some mercenaries to break it up, with some of their troops' backing. The unit also got a second contract as a side job with Stone's Coalition to report to them what they saw during the mission. When the Cannons disembarked in the 4th May [[3080]], they found the Capellan forces to be [[Warrior House Hiritsu]], The leader of the force, ''[[Pai-zhang]]'' Shen, pointed the place in the map and told them they were going to join them in the attack. When they reached the area and ran into a strong force of corporate security defending the mine. They engaged them and after a short amount of time detected a coded transmission on the Warrior House channels and had barely enough time to react before the Hiritsu forces started shooting at them. Used to three-sided battles, they pounded both the corporate forces and House Hiritsu with massed firepower. The corporate forces pulled back, so the Cannons turned their efforts on the Capellans, who stood their ground and died.<ref name="TCp240">''Total Chaos'', p. 240: "Roadblock"</ref>

In a contract for the newly created [[Republic of the Sphere]], the unit was assigned to investigate [[Bryant]] with the help of a [[Blake's Wrath]] special forces team. On the 16th of September 3081<ref name="J:FRp77+"/> they found elements of the retreating 49th and engaged them in the City of the Sacredot. The Republican forces were acting on intelligence indicating that the notorious Blakist [[Precentor]] [[Berith]] was with the forces from the 49th. The intelligence proved to be false, although an informant with useful information was able to escape from the Blakist forces during the combat.<ref name="J:FRp77+">''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', pp. 77–78: "Chaos Undaunted: Storm Shadow"</ref><ref name="TCp244">''Total Chaos'', pp. 244–245: "Storm Shadow"</ref>

This was followed on the 31st of October with action at the location known as the Gates of Hades on [[Devil's Rock]]. Acting on information provided by the intelligence operative known only as [[Tempest Stryker|Damocles]], the Republican forces believed they were ambushing Berith and the remains of the 49th; but the ambush was actually the result of intelligence planted by Berith, who was determined to kill Damocles. In this, Berith succeeded; having goaded Damocles into a berserk, suicidal rage, three [[Opacus Venatori]] [[BattleMech]]s combined their fire on the Com Guard agent when he charged, killing him. The Blakist forces then retreated in good order, leaving the remaining Republican forces alive (among them Gannon's Cannons and [[Cumberland's Missiliers]], though losing half their number; Berith escaped.<ref name="J:FRp78+">''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', pp. 78–79: "Chaos Undaunted: Scrap Iron"</ref><ref name="J:FRp125+">''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', pp. 125–126: "Shadow Divisions"</ref><ref name="TCp245">''Total Chaos'', pp. 245–246: "Scrap Iron"</ref><ref name="TCp246">''Total Chaos'', pp. 246–247: "Gateway to Hell"</ref>

====Dark Age====
As of 31 October [[3085]], Gannon's Cannons were stationed on [[Atocongo]] in the [[Lyran Commonwealth]], at 85% nominal strength and implicitly in Commonwealth employ.<ref>''Field Manual: 3085'', p. 160</ref>

At some point after [[3129]] and "shortly" before the [[Draconis Combine]]'s invasion of the [[Republic of the Sphere]]'s [[Prefecture II]], Gannon's Cannons carried out a strike mission on [[Pike IV]] under contract to the [[DCMS]].<ref>''Technical Readout: 3145'', p. 124</ref>

After the successful mission on Pike IV, the Cannons were hired by the DCMS as an auxiliary unit to provide garrison support on the Combine's Republic acquisitions. The unit nearly disbanded after suffering major losses during a [[Ghost Bear Dominion|Dominion]] raid on [[Styx]], though after heavy fighting the intruders withdrew long enough for the Cannons to mount up and give chase.<ref name="TRO3145DC>''Technical Readout: 3145 Draconis Combine'', p. 38: "EXR-2X Exhumer"</ref>

As of 31 December 3145, Gannon's Cannons were stationed on [[York (LC)|York]] in the [[Lyran Commonwealth]], listed as a battalion at 85% nominal strength and implicitly in Commonwealth employ.<ref name=FM3145/>

==Officers==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! scope="col" width="220" style="background: #dedede;" | Rank
! scope="col" width="220" style="background: #dedede;" | Name
! scope="col" width="250" style="background: #dedede;" | Command
|-
| colspan="4" style="background: #efefef;" | '''Commanding Officers of Carlton's Cavaliers'''
|-
| [[Captain]]||[[Philo Carlton]]||At least from [[3064]] to [[3067]]<ref name=TC/>
|-
| colspan="4" style="background: #efefef;" | '''Commanding Officers of Gannon's Cannons'''
|-
| [[Captain]]||[[Gannon Derer|Gannon "Cannon" Derer]]||[[3067]] - [[3070]]<ref name=TC/>
|-
| [[Major]]||Gannon "Cannon" Derer||[[3071]] - [[3080]]<ref name=TCp102>''Total Chaos'', pp. 102–103: "Free-Fire Zone"</ref>
|-
| Major||[[Gannon Derer II]]||[[3145]]<ref name=FM3145>''Field Manual: 3145'', p. 182</ref>
|-
|}

==Composition History==
===3067===
* The Cannons consist of two [[lance]]s, Alpha and Beta. Alpha comprises heavy and assault 'Mechs, anchored by Derer's upgraded ''[[BattleMaster]]''. Beta fields two heavy tanks and two hovertanks, typically used in defensive maneuvers.

===3071===
* The Cannons had at that time almost two 'Mech companies and a mixed vehicle & infantry company.<ref name=TCp102/>

===3074===
* After being able to increase to a full battalion, the unit was again reduced to two companies.<ref name=TCp137/>

===3075===
* The unit was able to recover battalion status.<ref name=TCp148/>

===3076===
* The unit had two [[DropShips]], the [[Falconet]] and [[Henry Hunt]] of unknown type.<ref name=TCp155>''Total Chaos'', pp. 155–156: "Starfall"</ref>

==Rules==
<div class="gamerules">
===Game Rules===
When choosing maps for a track, the Cannons player selects half of the maps used, rather than rolling. As a unit, the Cannons can use Overrun Combat (see p. 193, ''Tactical Operations'') once per track. In addition, Alpha lance ignores Forced Withdrawal rules (see p. 258, ''Total Warfare'') if Gannon is still active on the map. Beta lance may deploy as Hidden Units (see p. 256, ''Total Warfare'') if they are the defenders in a track and no other units on their side are used in that capacity. Because of Gannon Derer's administrative skills, if a track offers three or more options in the Next Track section, reduce the Track Cost of the Cannons' next track selection by ten percent.<ref name=TC/>
</div>

==Notes==
* In 2011 Gannon Derer, the six-year-old son of a [[Catalyst Agent]], BattleTech volunteer, fact-checker and playtester, was diagnosed with leukemia. The Demo Agent group began to assemble and paint up BattleTech miniatures as gifts for the boy in his favorite colors, and came to name the unit Gannon's Cannons. The unit was then canonized through being mentioned in ''[[Field Manual: 3085]]'', and later received a full write-up by [[Craig Reed]] in ''[[Total Chaos]]''.<ref>According to a [https://benhrome.wordpress.com/2012/06/18/mercenaries-and-mass-chaos/#more-600 blog entry] by [[Ben Rome]] and [http://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php?topic=19894.msg454006#msg454006 this forum posting] by Demo Agent "Bosefius"</ref>
* Gannon's Cannons was one of the three poster child units through which the [[Jihad]] events are explained in the ''Total Chaos'' book. The other two units were [[Grandin's Crusaders]] and [[Cumberland's Missiliers]].

==References==
<references />

==Bibliography==
* ''[[Field Manual: 3085]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: 3145]]''
* ''[[Jihad: Final Reckoning]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3145]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3145 Draconis Combine]]''
* ''[[Total Chaos]]''


[[Category:Mercenary Commands]]