Reed's Brew

Reed's Brew
Affiliation	Mercenary
Parent Command	Independent

Reed's Brew was a small mercenary battalion that was also known for brewing beer while under contract with the Circinus Federation.

History

Founding

Reed's Brew was formed in the early 3050s by several former Federated Commonwealth soldiers who deserted the frontlines of the Clan Invasion. The mercenaries established themselves in the Circinus Federation, where they found work reinforcing the Black Warriors.

In 3056, the unit commander, Major Burly Reed, was very unsatisfied with the quality of beer found in the Federation. He established a beer brewery as a side business using his unit's name. The mercenary side of the Brew became the security force for the nascent (and phenomenally successful) brewery business.

During the Marian Hegemony invasion of 3066, Reed's Brew's founder, Major Burly Reed, was killed. Lucas "Hurly" Reed, the younger brother of Burly, took command of both the unit and the brewery. He expanded brewing operations and established a second brewery on Galatea in 3067, leaving the original brewery in the Circinus Federation under the control of his ex-wife.

Due to the large capital expenses associated with the expanding beer production, Lucas Reed was forced to contract the Reed's Brew security force as mercenaries again.

However, the unit suffered from a declining MRBC rating due to lack of combat experience over the years, and as of 3067 the unit was unemployed.

Jihad

In 3068 Reed's Brew was approached by the Word of Blake but declined employment, fearing the stigma of being associated with the instigators of the Jihad. Luck changed late in the year when a Mr. Askai offered the mercenaries a long-term contract for an anonymous employer. The contract stipulated that Reed's Brew would defend some worlds within the Free Worlds League, while conducting raids in the Rim Commonality and the Duchy of Andurien. In addition, Mr. Askai's employer agreed to distribute the mercenary company's beer through a number of outlets across the Free Worlds League. Major Reed accepted and leased a small JumpShip and a pair of DropShips for the 18-month campaign.

Reed's Brew began raiding in February of 3069 on Fadiffolu, where the unit struck against the Contart Mining facility. The mercenaries easily overpowered the planetary militia and took several tons of ore. The unit's confidence grew until they ran into an ambush by a mysterious force on Tohelet (also in 3069). Despite Major Reed's determination to break their stigma of 'party patrol' from Federation years, the unit took heavy losses as they were forced to withdraw.

The ambush served as a wake-up call, with Major Reed hiring two former League officers to instill discipline and improve unit tactics. The training helped dramatically. By the time their contract with Mr Askai was completed in 3070 the unit had become a battle-hardened fighting force. During their contract, Reed's Brew had captured 1,200 tons of merchandise through their raids.

In 3069, the unit raided Tohelet where they fought and then withdrew after facing Cumberland's Missiliers.

During the unit's two-month furlough in the Capellan Confederation, Mr. Askai had once again rehired the unit for another contract to raid locations along the Combine-Federated Suns border. Through their continuing combat success, Reed's Brew expanded its brewery business to other worlds, such as Loongana where a new brewery was being constructed.

Officers

Rank	Name	Command
Commanding Officers of Reed's Brew
Captain	Burly Reed	3058
Major	Lucas "Hurly" Reed	3067

Tactics

The unit trained extensively in raiding by late 3069, developing a method of using their recon units equipped with ECM to jam enemy forces.

Dragoon Ratings

3067

Dragoon Rating: D

3071

Dragoon Rating: C

Composition History

3058

Reed’s Brew (2 Lances|Regular|Questionable)

• CO: Captain Burly Reed

3059

Reed’s Brew (2 lances) (2 Lances/Regular/Questionable)

• CO: Captain Burly Reed

Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Clayborne II.

3067

Reed’s Brew (1 BattleMech Battalion)

• CO: Major Lucas "Hurly" Reed
• XO: Captain Samuel "Whig" Smada

- 30% of the unit been upgraded to Star League Technology.

Reed’s Roughnecks (1 Infantry Company)

• CO: Captain William "Bud" Ironman
• XO: Lieutenant Mick "Old Man" Lobenstein

- provide security for the base and brewery.

Bibliography

• Blake Ascending
• Mercenaries Supplemental II
• Mercenaries Supplemental Update
• The Periphery (2nd Edition)
• Total Chaos