Many of you have already looked at and commented on my merc unit, the 11th Armored Cavalry. Since finishing my unique Taurian 'Mechs, I have decided to redo it completely. Here, for your enjoyment and viewing pleasure, is the Roughneck Cav, version 2.0. Please feel free to comment and critique.
The Roughnecks
On November 4th, 3020, Major Stephen Walker—a former officer in the Taurian Defense Force—formed the 11th Heavy Cavalry mercenary unit (the ‘Roughneck Cav’). Retired from his service with the TDF after an incident with a superior officer on New Vandenberg the previous summer, Major Walker managed to raise enough funds to start his own independent mercenary force. Why he chose to name the unit the 11th Heavy Cavalry is a mystery, but the acquisition of the nickname the ‘Roughneck Cavalry’ is well known. During his service in the TDF, Major Walker was given the call-sign of Roughneck (an ancient name for oil field workers) as a testament to his aggressive and hardworking temperament and his willingness to engage in a fight—anytime, anywhere, with anyone.
Drawing upon a small cadre of friends from his years in the service of House Calderon, Walker managed to assemble enough MechWarriors and Techs to outfit an understrength Taurian-style battalion. What he lacked, however, were ‘Mechs, Aerospace Fighters, and transports. In early November, he managed to attain an audience with Thomas Calderon. What transpired in that two hour meeting between the two men has not to this day been disclosed. However, when Walker emerged, he had acquired twenty-four ‘Mechs, four aerospace fighters, and two ancient Union class DropShips, along with a contract to hunt pirates based on planets claimed by the Concordat in the Badlands star cluster.
Two months later, the 11th dropped on Lorkdal in the cluster. Their first battle against the pirate band known as the ‘Chain Gang’ resulted in a decisive victory for the Roughneck Cavalry. Surprising the pirates in their base after force-marching his unit fourteen hours across the desert, Walker managed to pin down the pirate MechWarriors in their barracks with Alpha and Bravo lances while Charlie, Delta, Echo, and Fox eliminated their vehicles and observation posts on perimeter security. Capturing sixteen ‘Mechs intact, the Roughnecks also managed to take the DropShips belonging to the ‘Chain Gang’—a Union in very bad condition and a Mule, as well as an ancient Confederate class vessel that had belonged at one time to the SLDF.
Among the possessions of the pirates were abducted Taurian and Federated Suns citizens—over one hundred in total. When the loot was totaled, it was apparent that the ‘Chain Gang’ had been very successful in their raids, with over 5 million C-Bills in cash and nearly triple that amount in booty. Upon returning to the Hyades Cluster, Major Walker received an invitation from Harrison Fraser of Samantha to his estates. Fraser—a noble of the Concordat—had been one of those approached to pay a ransom for his twenty-three year old son, a hostage among those held by the ‘Chain Gang’. Fraser, who owned a substantial portion of Taurus Territorial Industries, offered to have any repairs and refits on the ‘Mechs and DropShips possessed by the Roughnecks done gratis, in appreciation for the rescue of his son.
In addition to that, Fraser negotiated to purchase the ‘Mechs captured by the Roughnecks at a very good price, and allowed the Roughnecks to purchase brand-new war machines directly from TTI, at the same price paid by the Concordat government. By March of 3021, the Roughnecks had grown to ten lances of ‘Mechs and two air-divisions of Aerospace Fighters, plus technical support, with three Unions (Roughneck, Midnight Star, and Ramrod), a Confederate (Range-rider) and a Mule (Big Sky). Big Sky had been converted into a support ship, with nearly 2,000 tons of cargo space converted to form a Tactical Operations Center, a Surgical/Hospital Ward, and a ‘Mech repair facility, as well as accommodations for the additional personnel. Big Sky still retained over 6,000 tons of cargo storage space after the conversion, which mostly carries munitions and spare parts for the unit. Major Walker used the reputation his force had earned on Lorkdal to negotiate a contract with Maximillian Liao in April of that year. In May, the Roughnecks left Concordat space for the Capellan Confederation.
For three years, the Roughneck Cavalry sparred with Free Worlds League forces from Andurian and Oriente across the Marik-Liao border. During this time, the unit grew steadily in confidence and ability, and their reputation also swelled. From June 14th to June 29th, 3023, the Roughnecks defended Sigma Mare against a Marik raiding force. Using their superior maneuverability, the 11th forced the 14th Marik Militia to disperse their forces in pursuit. Whenever the 14th divided their forces, the Roughnecks would quickly descend upon them and defeat the smaller portion in detail, then scatter once more. After two weeks of this hit-and-run style of warfare, the Marik forces withdrew, leaving the better part of five lances of broken ‘Mechs behind.
Receiving bonuses in cash and salvage, the Roughnecks returned to the Hyades in the autumn of 3023 and expanded their force to include a fourth ‘Mech company (somehow acquiring the Union class DropShip Wildcat at this time as well). After a well-deserved period of rest and relaxation, the Roughnecks accepted a contract with Michael Hasek-Davion in 3024, reporting for duty on Hadnell in May of that year. Currently, they remain on contract, garrisoning the world, allowing Hasek-Davion to redeploy his own Capellan March Militia forces for other purposes. Their contract is set to expire in April of 3026.
The Roughnecks are a medium-weight force of highly mobile BattleMechs, backed up by a few heavies. Mobile and hard-hitting, they use a force of ‘Mechs mostly unique to the Concordat; ‘Mechs that are not commonly seen in the Inner Sphere. Fully half of the battalion is jump-capable, giving the Roughneck Cavalry a tremendous advantage in maneuver warfare. In combat, they tend to be very aggressive, using their mobility and speed to flank the enemy, and draw him out onto fields of their choosing. Even when outnumbered, the Roughnecks will harass their opponents, hoping to divide the enemy into forces small enough for them to defeat after quickly concentrating their dispersed elements. An unusually high percentage of ‘Mechs in the 11th are equipped with anti-personnel weaponry—which means that infantry forces are not nearly as effective against this mercenary force as they normally are.
Their Aerospace Fighters are also unique designs thought to be long out of production. While the two Centurions are relatively common in the Inner Sphere, the Roughnecks also include four Skyhawk and four Phantom class light- and medium-weight fighters, the last of which was supposedly destroyed in the Reunification Wars over four and a half centuries ago. Major Walker has not answered any questions about where these fighters come from, leading some Liao and Capellan intelligence officers to believe that the Concordat may have resumed production of these designs. Or, Major Walker may well have stumbled across a cache long-buried in the Concordat containing a handful of these fighters and restored them. No one knows for certain.
A closely held secret of the unit is that they are actually an arm of the TCOSIO (Taurian Concordat Office of Special Intelligence and Operations). Major Walker is still a loyal member of the TDF on a deep-cover intelligence assignment to gain information on the two states most likely to begin a conflict with the Concordat in the near future—the Capellan Confederation and the Federated Suns. Loyal Taurian MechWarriors and Aerospace Pilots are rotated through the unit to acquire combat experience before returning home to put their newly gained skills to work training others.
Besides serving as an advanced combat training unit, the Roughnecks collect intelligence on Inner Sphere governments, planetary systems, and military units, as well as new equipment and ‘Mechs as they come on-line. The intelligence agents assigned to the unit also recruit sleeper agents from the general population—but always in disguise, never as a known member of the Roughnecks. Though the Taurians are playing with fire here—both the Masakirova and MIIO will seek to destroy this unit if they discover the truth—Protector Calderon has deemed the flow of information as vital enough to the survival of the Concordat to outweigh the risks inherent in the operation.
Code:
11th Heavy Cavalry T.O.E. (1 January, 3025)
1st Company, 11th Heavy Cavalry (8 officers, 34 men)
Alpha Lance (4-6-0; 270 tons)
TDR-5S Thunderbolt [Major Stephen “Roughneck” Walker]
TDR-5S Thunderbolt [Captain Helena “Mantis” Madison]
ARC-2R Archer [Sergeant Major Miles “Bulldog” Rutherford]
WHM-6R Warhammer [MechWarrior Olivia “Prancer” Moreau]
Bravo Lance (4-6-0; 260 tons)
TDR-5S Thunderbolt [Lieutenant Hirohito “Dragon” Tanaka]
WHM-6R Warhammer [MechWarrior Sergeant Amanda “Vixen” Hastings]
ARC-2R Archer [MechWarrior Paul “Iceman” Burke]
OSP-2A Osprey [MechWarrior Leslie Ann “Fish” Braddock]
Charlie Lance (5-8-0; 220 tons)
TDR-5SE Thunderbolt [Lieutenant Jason “Bullseye” Hamilton]
TND-1A Tornado [MechWarrior Sergeant Julia “Hunter” Kidd]
OSP-2A Osprey [MechWarrior Deborah “Spirit” Lieberman]
TND-1B Tornado [MechWarrior Tobias “Gunman” Nelson]
Delta Lance (7-11; 110 tons)
Phantom [Captain Katherine “Spitfire” Harris]
Phantom [Pilot Nancy “Barracuda” Kerr]
Technical Support Team 1
Master Chief Technician David Gregg
Chief Technician Juli Witt
Chief Technician Beth Auslander
Chief Technician Jacob Easley
10 x Techs
Transport Section 1 [Union class DropShip Roughneck]
Captain Felicia Philips
Lieutenant Scott Boyles
Lieutenant Rebecca Hayes
5 x Crewman
6 x Gunner
2nd Company, 11th Heavy Cavalry (7 officers, 35 men)
Echo Lance (5-8-0; 220 tons)
LTN-1A Lightning [Captain Erica “Mustang” Harder]
LTN-1A Lightning [MechWarrior Sergeant Julian “Baron” Forbes]
TPN-1B Typhoon [MechWarrior Gerald “Hawkeye” Harris]
PDR-1A Predator [MechWarrior Faith “Sparrow” Yarrow]
Foxtrot Lance (5-8-0; 220 tons)
LTN-1A Lightning [Lieutenant Yvonne “Falcon” Greene]
WLD-1A Whirlwind [MechWarrior Sergeant Anna “Rocket” von Braun]
PDR-1A Predator [MechWarrior Martha “Countess” Caldwell]
TPN-1A Typhoon [MechWarrior Kristen “Midnight” Becket]
Golf Lance (5-8-0; 210 tons)
WLD-1A Whirlwind [Lieutenant Quincy “Lynx” Daniels]
TPN-1A Typhoon [MechWarrior Sergeant Brandon “Gator” Lee]
PDR-1B Predator [MechWarrior James “Stitch” Kennedy]
FSL-1A Fusilier [MechWarrior Thomas “Stoner” Parker]
Hotel Lance (7-11; 110 tons)
Phantom [Lieutenant Saul “Champ” Hampton]
Phantom [Pilot Andrew “Ghost” Carmichael]
Technical Support Team 2
Senior Chief Technician Keith Coffin
Chief Technician James Nicci
Chief Technician Erika Stamper
Chief Technician Michael Bobrovsky
10 x Techs
Transport Section 2 [Union class DropShip Midnight Star]
Captain Tony Mastrobuono
Lieutenant Carlos Martinez
Lieutenant Sonia Anderson
5 x Crewman
6 x Gunner
3rd Company, 11th Heavy Cavalry (7 officers, 35 men)
India Lance (5-8-5; 200 tons)
GRF-1N Griffin [Captain Charles “Red-light” Kelly]
FSL-2A Fusilier [MechWarrior Sergeant Gordon “Six-pack” Monroe]
FSL-3A Fusilier [MechWarrior Ronald “Wolfman” Patrick]
AVG-1A Avenger [MechWarrior Ian “Reverend” Moore]
Juliet Lance (5-8-5; 200 tons)
GRF-1N Griffin [Lieutenant Lindsey “Boomer” Baker]
FSL-2A Fusilier [MechWarrior Sergeant Annabelle “Beagle” Long]
FSL-3A Fusilier [MechWarrior Tina “Raven” Holt]
AVG-1B Avenger [MechWarrior Grace “Firestorm” Talbot]
Kilo Lance (5-8-5; 210 tons)
TPT-1A Tempest [Lieutenant Sean “Snowball” Winter]
DBL-1A Diablo [MechWarrior Sergeant Nancy “Blade” Wells]
DBL-1A Diablo [MechWarrior Franklin “Rabbit” Banner]
TPT-1B Tempest [MechWarrior Alicia “Thunder” Hayes]
Lima Lance (8-12; 90 tons)
Skyhawk [Lieutenant Rachel “Snake” Anders]
Skyhawk [Pilot Ellen “Princess” Witherby]
Technical Support Team 3
Senior Chief Technician Norman York
Chief Technician Marcelo Abad
Chief Technician Eddie Bernstein
Chief Technician Teresa Foster
10 x Techs
Transport Section 3 [Union class DropShip Wildcat]
Captain Marcus Huckaby
Lieutenant Brent Buchanan
Lieutenant Richard Shuster
5 x Crewman
6 x Gunners
4th Company, 11th Heavy Cavalry (7 officers, 35 men)
Michael Lance (6-9-6; 140 tons)
HRN-3A Hurricane [Captain Pamela “Flower” Rose]
HRN-3B Hurricane [MechWarrior Sergeant Benjamin “Marksman” Pierce]
BTD-1A Bandit [MechWarrior Miriam “Angel” Deveraux]
BTD-2A Bandit [MechWarrior Nigel “Hurricane” Vickers]
November Lance (6-9-6; 130 tons)
HRN-1A Hurricane [Lieutenant Shelby “Lightning” Rawlings]
BDT-1A Bandit Hawk [MechWarrior Sergeant Elizabeth “Shark” Rohm]
BDT-1B Bandit [MechWarrior Jennifer “Shadow” Calderon]
SKR-1A Skirmisher [MechWarrior Zachary “Zombie” Talbot]
Oscar Lance (6-9-6; 130 tons)
HRN-2A Hurricane [Lieutenant Hannah “Hotdog” Franks]
BDT-2B Bandit [MechWarrior Sergeant Owen “Zippo” Kirby]
BDT-2A Bandit [MechWarrior Terri “Pointer” Gearing]
SKR-2A Skirmisher [MechWarrior Michelle “Razor” Larson]
Papa Lance (8-12; 90 tons)
Skyhawk [Lieutenant Monica “Typhoon” Emerson]
Skyhawk [Pilot Shelly “Cocktail” Rayborn]
Technical Support Team 4
Senior Chief Technician Karyn Ogata
Chief Technician Seth Tucker
Chief Technician Dana Tomasovich
Chief Technician Drew Balius
10 x Techs
Transport Section 4 [Union class DropShip Ramrod]
Captain Emma Fitzsimmons
Lieutenant Chuck Hudson
Lieutenant Shayne Montgomery
5 x Crewmen
6 x Gunners
Advance Recon Section, 11th Heavy Cavalry (4 officers, 20 men)
Quebec Lance (7-11-7; 120 tons)
PFR-1A Pathfinder [Lieutenant Denise “Zephyr” Bronson]
PFR-1A Pathfinder [MechWarrior Sergeant Adrian “Boxer” Jackson]
PFR-1A Pathfinder [MechWarrior Charlotte “Sunshine” Banner]
PFR-1B Pathfinder [MechWarrior Madison “Mongoose” Hampton]
Romeo Lance (10-15; 60 tons)
Centurion [Lieutenant Tabitha “Witch” Vickers]
Centurion [Pilot Antonio “Race-track” Giovanni]
Technical Support Team 5
Senior Chief Technician Patricia Holly
Chief Technician Wilma Gerick
6 x Techs
Transport Section 5 [Confederate class DropShip Range-rider]
Captain Stephen Shaul
Lieutenant Leah Trimble
2 x Crewmen
6 x Gunners
Support Command, 11th Heavy Cavalry (17 officers, 56 men)
Logistics Section
Captain Vassily Romankov
Lieutenant Webb Hass
Lieutenant Liam Lannes
Master Sergeant Neil O’Connor
11 x enlisted/non-rated
Medical Section
Surgeon-Captain Valerie Piersdale
Surgeon-Lieutenant Benjamin House
Lieutenant Orrin Salmon, Surgical Nurse
Lieutenant Bethany Holder, Surgical Nurse
Lieutenant Barton Yarrow, Surgical Nurse
Lieutenant Nancy Pederson, Surgical Nurse
12 x Sick-berth attendants
Tactical Operations and Command Section (TOC)
Captain Elise “Castle” Blenheim
Lieutenant George “Wolverine” Fraser
Lieutenant Ulysses “Breaker” Smith
Lieutenant Gloria “Tempest” Aniston
Master Chief Warrant Ernest Fortenberry
Chief Warrant Officer Alexis Kincaid
Chief Warrant Officer Veronica Divine
Chief Warrant Officer Nick Perry
12 x Staff Personnel
Transport Section 6 [modified Mule class DropShip Big Sky]
Captain Jeffrey Dietrich
Lieutenant Alana Moll
Lieutenant Kevin Pritchard
Lieutenant Achmed Farsi
13 x Crewmen
3 x Gunners
Officers: 50
Enlisted/Non-rated: 215
Total Unit Personnel: 265
All of the unique ‘Mech and Aerospace Fighter designs described above can be found at Solaris 7—just follow the link and click on the ‘Mechs or Fighters you want to see in detail.
http://www.solaris7.com/Armory/ArmoryInfo.asp?ID=1939
Anyway, that’s the Roughnecks. Hope that you enjoy them.
Arminas tar Valantil
Grand Master of the Ebon Rose
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