Russou Howell

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Russou Howell at age of 41 in 3060

Russou Howell (born 3019 - died 3079) was the commander of the forces defending the Clan Smoke Jaguar capital of Huntress when Task Force Serpent attacked. Howell would survive the destruction of his Clan, ultimately allying himself with the Bandit Caste and The Society, operating under the name of The Jaguar during the Wars of Reaving.

Overview

Clan Invasion era

Early in his career Howell served along side his sibmate Trent in Beta Striker Trinary of Jaguar's Beta Galaxy. An effective if a not particularly flashy warrior as a young man, like many Clan warriors Howell's career was revitalized by the Clan Invasion. Unfortunately in the wake of the Battle of Tukayyid and the 15 year truce the Clan loss triggered, being denied easy combat and the prospect that he would be reduced to little more than solahma status by the time the invasion resumed prompted Howell essentially to give up, turning to drink to ease the pain.

Finally securing the Howell Bloodname and the rank a Star Captain in the wake of Tukayyid, Howell experienced a personal resurgence upon the discovery of the treachery of his sibmate Trent. His supposed defeat of the traitor in 3058 showed a streak of character his superiors apparently appreciated, Howell finding himself remarkably successful in Trials of Position first for the rank of Star Colonel and eventually that of Galaxy Commander and command of the defense of the Smoke Jaguar homeworld of Huntress. While whipping the two galaxies of solahma troops on-world into shape, Howell's reliance on alcohol only increased, driven by guilt over killing Trent.

Task Force Serpent

Despite his efforts, the troops under his command would prove no match for the elite Inner Sphere forces of Task Force Serpent. Convinced his Clan would never let the defilement of its capital to go unchallenged, Howell led his surviving forces in an un-Clan-like guerrilla campaign until the arrival of Hang Mehta and the remaining Inner Sphere based Smoke Jaguar forces, only to fall to Task Force Seprent's own reinforcements led by Victor Steiner-Davion. While his Clan died, Russou Howell disappeared in 3060 into the jungles of Huntress, seemingly never to be seen again.

"The Jaguar"

His real identity then a mystery, Howell first reappeared under the name of "The Jaguar" in 3063 when he led a Dark Caste raid against a Clan Diamond Shark enclave on Vinton. Killing at least a Binary of Shark warriors, leaving just one alive to convey the threat of his group and its vicious tactic of executing downed pilots, the Jaguar's band made off with two pristine Warhawks and several tons of parts and supplies.

In the years since rumors and reports spread of the Jaguar's exploits, most false with few reliable reports save for a short-lived Clan Watch operation which succeeded in infiltrating his band. While his true identity was still unknown, Howell remained a capable tactician but had become a vicious and vindictive, spending nearly half his waking hours drunk, ranting about traitorous companions and the death of the Clans.

By 3079 the Jaguar and his bandit group had been cornered by Clan Star Adder on Ghent, spending several weeks pining him down before finally killing him in an underground firefight, Star Colonel Frey Star Adder dragging his body back to the surface as proof. Out of curiosity, Khan Hannibal Banacek had the Jaguar's DNA tested discovering him to be the still missing Howell.

BattleMechs

During his defense against Task Force Serpent, Howell piloted a Vulture OmniMech.

Bibliography

• Era Report: 3062
• Exodus Road (novel)
• Freebirth (novel)
• Twilight of the Clans
• The Wars of Reaving