Night Stalkers
Sarna News
| |
| Night Stalkers | |
| Formed | 3020 |
| Disbanded | First Regiment - 3028[1]
Second Regiment - 3069[2] |
| Affiliation | Draconis Combine |
| Parent Command | DCMS |
Contents
Early History
The Night Stalkers were formed in 3020 by Tai-sa Lloyd McGavin after he was forced to retire from the Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery due to age and injuries sustained in service to the Dragon. Despite that, and assuming he'd fail, the High Command still honored him with permission to raise a new regiment. He went to private commercial entities throughout the Combine and raised money to form two regiments, McGavin's Regiment and Johiro's Regiment. He filled the officer corps with only retired MechWarriors like himself[4] and failed MechWarrior graduates, proving ground graduates, or those destined for less-than-prestigious units. They were considered Free-Floating Regiments, which added to their "dishonor" among the elite of the DCMS.[5]
The unit became known for its raiding tactics, utilizing light BattleMechs and specialized in raids against enemy-held worlds, with most of their success at the expense of the Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces. Their defensive capabilities had also been praised, especially after the regiments played a vital part defending Yori 'Mech Works at Al Na'ir.[6] Their experienced leadership allowed them to capture objectives that other, younger regiments could not.
However, due to the colonel's affection for his men, he would not use risky tactics which he believed couldn't work. At least twice he refused to sacrifice his "used-up" warriors for marginal gain.[7] This upset a number of officers and the Coordinator, who split the brigade's two regiments into two separate districts. Also, the Coordinator made sure only limited supplies would be sent to the two units as part of their punishment for disobeying orders.[8]
The First Regiment was lost following an attack on Basiliano by a combined force of the 24th Arcturan Guards, 25th Arcturan Guards, and the mercenary group Blackhearts during the Fourth Succession War. The lighter Night Stalkers were able to outmaneuver the Lyrans for three weeks until the two Lightning Companies of the Guards were able to trap them near Padua. Transports carried the Twenty-Fifth ahead while the Twenty-Fourth chased, the two companies pinning them down and allowing the rest of the heavy machines to catch up. A heavy company of 'Mechs never left Basiliano, along with Tai-sa McGavin.[1][7]
Clan Invasion, Jihad, and Annihilation
Unlike his father, Theodore Kurita respected the Night Stalkers' philosophy of refusing to sacrifice itself blindly or stupidly and when confronted by the desperate need to rebuild the DCMS from the losses suffered during the initial Clan Invasion, Theodore authorized the creation of the new Third Night Stalkers.[9]
The Word of Blake Jihad would prove to be the final death knell of the Night Stalkers, with the Second and Third both shattered after taking heavy losses against the Blakists. The Second Night Stalkers did not take a side when the Black Dragon Society coup erupted, preferring to guard Cebalrai against "outside aggression." In 3069, the Word of Blake did so, leaving only a quarter of the regiment to escape to Ningxia. The remains chose to join the Kokuryu-kai and were subsequently destroyed by the Ryuken-roku.[10]
The Third Night Stalkers garrisoned Lyons and Yorii at the outbreak of the Jihad. The survivors of the reeducation camps would receive the honor of postings to the Otomo.
Officers
| Rank | Name | Command | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commanding Officers of the Night Stalkers | |||
| Tai-sa | Lloyd McGavin | 3020 - 3028[7] | |
Only retired DCMS warriors are allowed officer ranks above tai-i in the Night Stalkers. Younger warriors who deserve promotion are transferred to other DCMS units but are welcomed back once they reach mandatory retirement age. Hopeful retirees number more than open officer positions, and more than 40 percent of the Night Stalkers are voluntarily demoted to chu-i to continue their service. Their higher "honorary" titles continue to be used in informal situations, with a pin recognizing their past service.[11]
Tactics
Different per Unit.
Units of the Night Stalkers
Color Schemes and Insignia
The Night Stalkers favor dark colors. They have no brigade insignia. Instead, each regiment displays a unique insignia.[12] The symbol of McGavin's Regiment is a large black cat against a big white moon, and the insignia for Johiro's Regiment is a skeleton wearing a black cloak.[6]
A Shadow Hawk in 2nd Night Stalkers colors.
An Atlas in 2nd Night Stalkers colors.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1, p. 47: "Basiliano"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Field Report: DCMS, p. 18
- ↑ Total Chaos, pp. 160–161: "Yorii"
- ↑ Field Manual: Draconis Combine, p. 104: "Command"
- ↑ House Kurita (The Draconis Combine), p. 146
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 House Kurita (The Draconis Combine), p. 147: "The Night Stalkers"
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Field Manual: Draconis Combine, p. 104
- ↑ House Kurita (The Draconis Combine), p. 149: "Night Stalker" brigade profile - Colonel won't risk his men doing stupid tactics and units are punished for it
- ↑ Field Manual: Draconis Combine, p. 106: "Third Night Stalkers"
- ↑ Field Report: DCMS, p. 18
- ↑ Field Manual: Draconis Combine, p. 105
- ↑ Field Manual: Draconis Combine, p. 104: "Colors and Insignia"