Did something foolish to get all the MWDA novels I can find my hands on.

The current arc is on the LC war on the remains of the FWL with a drive along with Clan Wolf (both clan wolf) into the heart of the Marik Stewart Commonwealth in last charge.

A recap of events so far up to the Last Charge.

- House Kurita has a new co-ordinator at the helm with the last heir of the dragon hiding with the Nova Cats.

- House Steiner has lured Clan Wolf into the Stewart Marik Commonwealth to prevent the marik family from coming back up to challenge them. However the truth is that it could be the family of the imposter Thomas Marik that end up unifying the entire FWL.

- Clan Jade Falcon had just completed its civil war with the so called Mongol doctrine warrior the victors.

- Republic of Sphere would emerge 20 years later as victors in the conflict which means we got another 20 years of warefare to go.

As promised, this is part 2 of my continuing work on IS House's military report.

Events up to 3050

The Fourth Succession War has left Capellan Confederation in ruins. Of the pre war commonalities, only Capella and Sian remain part of the Confederation. Chesteron, Tikonov and Sarna Commonalities now formed part of the Sarna March of the Federated Commonwealth. As for St. Ives Commonality, it had now became the St. Ives Compact under the rule of Candace Liao and Justin Allard.

Furthermore, the betrayals and the strains had gotten to Chancellor Maximilian Liao, leaving Romano Liao in charge of affairs of House Liao. With reconstruction in mind, House Liao began a long march to recovery.

However before any recovery was made, the Duchy of Andurien and Magistracy of Canopus allied together to launch an invasion of the Confederation; hoping to replace it with a new House. In end, the invasion instead gave the Confederation a jet in the arm, aiding its recovery as victory over the invaders revitalized the CCAF after the demoralizing Fourth Sucession War. Of more importance, it encouraged recruitment in defence of the confederation. This would assist Sun tzu liao's Xin Sheng efforts later on.

One area greatly affected is the armament industry. With lossess of so many worlds to the FC, only four Battlemech factories remained. They were located on Ares, Grand Base, Sian and Betelgeuse. In response to the raids by CCAF in 3039, the FC launched a series of damaging raids against most of CC mech factories; causing a disruption that would take years to recover. It was only later with the new factories on Victoria and Menke that CCAF would get a boast in armament production.

Another telling effect is the increased use of mercenaries to cover the losses of the CCAF, but at huge cost to the Confederation. Especially in the case of the McCarron's Cavalry which became the trouble shooters for CCAF from 3030s to 3050. They took part in a series of raids during the war of 3039 against FC and the famous Marlette raid by then Colonel Baxter.


Capellan Confederation Armed Forces (as of 3050)
Strength: 26 Regiments, 1 Battalion
Mech Strength: 23 Regiments, 2 Battalions

Capellan Hussars
Strength: 2 Regiments
Red Lancers
Blanford's Grenadiers

Chesterton Reserves
Strength: 2 Regiments
Sung's Cuirassiers
Kingston's Legionnaires

Periphery Guard
Strength: 2 Battalions
Kincade's Rangers (2 Battalions)

Confederation Reserves Cavalry
Strength: 1 Regiment, 2 Battalions
2nd Confederation Reserve Cavalry
5th Confederation Reserve Cavalry (2 Battalions)

Capellan Reserve
Strength: 1 Regiment
Stapelton's Grenadiers

Sarna Reserves
Strength: 4 Battalions
Kamakura's Hussars (2 Battalions)
Ishara's Grenadiers (2 Battalions)

McCarron's Armored Cavalry
Strength: 5 Regiments
Nightriders
Christobal's Regiment
The Wild Ones
Gordon's Demons
Victor's Renegades

Mercenaries
Strength: 7 Regiments, 1 Battalion
Bullard's Armored Cavalry (1 Battalion)
Ambermarle's Highlanders (1 Battalion)
Marshigama's Legionnaires (1 Battalion)
15th Dracon (4 Battalions)
4th Tau Ceti Rangers (1 Battalion)
Rivaldi's Hussars (1 Battalion)
Lockhart's Ironsides
St. Cyr's Armored Grenadiers (1 Battalion)
Little Richard's Panzar Brigade
Tooth of Ymir
Olson's Rangers

Warrior Houses
Strength: 5 Regiments 1 Battalion (Mech Strength: 2 Regiments, 2 Battalions)
House Imarra (2 Battalions)
House Kamata (2 Battalions)
House Daidachi (2 Battalions)
House Fujita (2 Battalions)
House Matsukai (2 Battalions)
House Hiristsu (2 Battalions)
House LuSann (2 Battalions)
House Ijori (2 Battalions)

** Major Note: The calculation above of CCAF strength would defer from the listed strength of 30 regiments in 20 years update for the following reasons**

1. There are errors of units being listed as 2 battalions, but given as a regiment strength under organization e.g. Periphery Guards.
2. The warrior house strength are misleading as out of the 2 battalions each house, only one is a mech battalions.

Hence the above calculation could be deemed as more accurate.

Next update would be post Clan invasion up to before FM: CC

I am doing a new pet project of mine after reading through some old source books.

The project is a review of all Houses military composition from 3025 onwards to 3067 (pre Jihad).

Sourcebooks used:
House Books
Field Manuals
20 year update
Objective Raids

In due respect to the scope of the project, I wanted to do something small first which would be House Liao or Capellan Confederation which is closer to my chinese roots. Hence we would look at House Liao first.

The Capellan Military (As of 3025)

The whole Capellan Military is placed under the aegis of the Ministry of Military. In the Capellan Military, there are three types of unit organizations: Regular Capellan Regiments, mercenary regiments and Warrior Houses Orders.

Units in House Liao are grouped into the following catergories.

1. Line Regiments
They form the standard combat units of the Capellan Confederation Armed Forces (CCAF). Most units report to one commonality or parent organiztion while there are others that are independent in nature. Examples of parent organizations are Capellan Hussars and Northwind Highlanders while independent units are Blackwind Lancers and Preston's Lancers.

2. Home Guard Regiments
They reserve as milita equivalent in specific Capellan Commonalities. They would employ vehicles and infantry in lieu of Battlemech and aerospace fighters. Their mission is to provide the first line of resistance against outside aggression. Though unable to hold up for long against Battlemech regiments, their purpose is to blunt the offensive until reinforcement arrive. In 3025, there are 124 Home Guard Regiments or 363 Battalions.

3. Mercenaries
Due to the nature of warefare in Inner Sphere, mercenaries are a neccessary evil to help pug the forces of each houses. In 3025, there are approximately 11 Regiments, 1 Battalion and 1 Company worth of mercenaries contracted to CCAF.

4. Warrior Houses
What can be said about the CCAF without the Warrior Houses? They are force apart from the rest of the CCAF where the word of the house master reign supreme. There are approximately 8 Warrior Houses (8 Mech Battalions, 8 Infantry Battalions) in CCAF as of 3025.

5. Death Commandoes.
The personal storm troopers of the Chancellor created in 2988. Their equal are DEST, Rabid Foxes or Loki, but the difference is that they want to be known and seen unlike the covert nature of their equivalents.

6. Milita Regiments
Each CC world maintains a milita regiment of 2 battalions to supplement any Home Guard or Line Regiments. Mostly consist of infantry or vehicles though equipped with least advanced equipment.

Capellan Confederation Military TO&E (As of 3025)

Total Strength: 54 Regiments, 2 Battalions and 1 Company
Total Battlemech Strength, 52 Regiments and 1 Company

Line Units with Parent Organization / Commonality
Strength: 34 Regiments

Capellan Hussars
Strength: 3 Regiments
Red Lancers
Protectorate Guards
Blandord's Grenadiers

Northwind Highlanders
Strength: 3 Regiments, 1 Battalion
1st Kearny Highlanders (2 Battalions)
2nd Kearny Highlanders
Marion's Highlanders
McCormack's Fusiliers (2 Battalions)

Chesterton Reserves
Strength: 8 Regiments, 2 Battalions
1st Ariana Fusiliers
2nd Ariana Fusiliers
Ariana Grenadiers (1 Battalion)
1st Chesterton Voltigeurs
2nd Chesterton Voltigeurs
3rd Chesterton Voltigeurs
Hamilton's Highlanders (2 Battalions)
Lothar's Fusiliers
Sung's Cuirassiers
Kingston's Legionnaires (2 Battalions)

Liao Reserves
Strength: 1 Regiment, 2 Battalions
Trimaldi's Secutors
Vincent's Commandos (2 Battalions)

St. Ives Armored Cavalry
Strength: 6 Regiments, 1 Battalion
1st St Ives Lancers
2nd St Ives Lancers
St. Ives Cheveau Legers
Justinia's Cuirassiers (2 Battalions)
Devon's Armored Infantry (2 Battalions)
Stapleton's Iron Hand
Cochraine's Goliaths (1 Battalion)
Shepard's Mounted Fusiliers (2 Battalions)

Confederation Reserve Cavalry
Strength: 4 Regiments, 2 Battalions
1st Confederation Reserve Cavalry
2nd Confederation Reserve Cavalry
3rd Confederation Reserve Cavalry
4th Confederation Reserve Cavalry
5th Confederation Reserve Cavalry (2 Battalions)

Capellan Reserves
Strength: 2 Regiments
Justine's Grenadiers
Stapleton's Grenadiers

Sian Reserves
Strength: 1 Regiment, 1 Battalion
Kamakura's Hussars (2 Battalions)
Ishara 's Grenadiers (2 Battalions)

Sarna Reserves
Strength: 1 Regiment, 1 Battalion
Hurloc's Hussars (2 Battalions)
Freemont's Cuirassiers (2 Battalions)

Tikonov Reserves
Strength: 1 Regiment, 2 Battalions
Kincade's Rangers (2 Battalions)
Kerr's Intruders

Independent Line Units without Parent Organization / Commonality
Strength: 3 Regiments, 2 Battalions

Blackwind Lancers
Preston Lancers
McCrimmon's Light Cavalry
MacGregor's Armored Scouts (2 Battalions)

Mercenary Units
Strength: 11 Regiments, 1 Battalion, 1 Company

McCarron's Armored Cavalry
Strength: 5 Regiments
The Nightriders
Barton's Regiment
The Wild Ones
Leo's Demons
Rob's Renegades

Hampton's Hessens
Strength: 3 Regiments
1st New Hessen Irregulars
2nd New Hessen Irregulars
New Hessen Armored Scouts

15th Dracon (2 Battalions)
4th Tau Ceti Rangers (2 Battalions)
Laurel's Legion (1 Battalion)
Bullard's Armored Cavalry (1 Battalion)
Ambermarle's Highlanders (1 Battalion)
Marshigama's Legionnaires (1 Company)
Rivaldi's Hussars (1 Battalion)
Lockhart's Ironsides (1 Battalion)
St. Cyr's Armored Grenadiers (1 Battalion)

Death Commandos
Strength: 1 Battalion

Warrior Houses
Strength: 5 Regiments, 1 Battalions
Battlemech Strength: 2 Regiments, 2 Battalions


House Imarra (1 Battlemech Battalion, 1 Infantry Battalion)
House Kamata (1 Battlemech Battalion, 1 Infantry Battalion)
House Hiritsu (1 Battlemech Battalion, 1 Infantry Battalion)
House LuSann (1 Battlemech Battalion, 1 Infantry Battalion)
House Daiachi (1 Battlemech Battalion, 1 Infantry Battalion)
House Fujita (1 Battlemech Battalion, 1 Infantry Battalion)
House Matsukai (1 Battlemech Battalion, 1 Infantry Battalion)
House Ijori (1 Battlemech Battalion, 1 Infantry Battalion)

Battletech or War Material Production
Battlemech production is cruical for the survival of every sucession house. In case of House Liao, With only 8 eight factories or sites, their annual production come to a total of 400 battlemechs in theory. In practical, due to the shortage of supplies and raids by rival houses, the production figures may varies.

Key Production Worlds:
Tikonov - Earthwerks Limited
Grand Base - Earthwerks Limited
Capella - Ceres Metals / Rashpur-Owens Inc.
Sarna - Tengo Aerospace
Nanking - Kallon Industries
St Ives - Hidco Interplantery / Ceres Metals / Tengo Aerospace
Sian - Hellespont
Styk - Tao Mechworks
Ares - Bergan Industries / Earthwerks Ltd. / Quiksell Company
Betelgeuse - Aldis Industries

Ah... been reading some MW:DA novels over the past week.

Trying to piece together the DA story line from the Jihad

3067-3081 Jihad Years

3081-3130s Republic of the Sphere (or New Terra Hegamony or Star League)

3134 Start of Dark Ages with the failure of HPG network Sphere wide

3136 Start of Age of Destruction (or 5th Succession War) with the declaration of Fortess Republic proclaimation

Looking back at it; it would means the Jihad had lasted 14 years or so. With the Jihad installments in 2 years periodicals, hence we should be reading at 3074, 3076, 3078, 3080 and end of Jihad sourcebook. Five more to go if the timeline is as above.

Interesting to say that there are many interesting ploys in the DA timeline.

1. Who would reunite the FWL?

2. What happens to the remaining home clans after the reaving?

3. How long does the Fortess Republic be slient before moving?

4. Would there be another FedSuns civil war?

I would fill in my thoughts as I get my hands on more DA novels.

Today we would be looking at one of my favorite units in btech: 1st Federated Suns Armored Cavalry.

Formed: Around 3000s
Ceremonial Paint: Parade Colors of Davion Green with white highlights
Insignia: Variation of Federated Sunburst

Operations: Third and Fourth Sucession Wars, War of 3039, Operation Bulldog and FC Civil War.

Notable Campagins:

War of 3039: Grand Base Campaign

Part of Duke Morgan Hasek-Davion Campagin to put CCAF on the defensive in midst of war of 3039 vs DCMS. FedSuns AC form part of the assault force with 9th Illican Rangers against elements of House Fujita, Death Commandos and other CCAF sub elements. Result of campaign is the destruction of over half of CCAF forces engaged and damaged the rest that took years to rebuild.

Operation Bulldog

Engaged elements of Clan Smoke Jaugers' Zeta and Omega Galaxy and came up on tops.

FedCom Civil War

FedSuns AC took part in both the Sirdar and Kathil campagins where their participation ensure victory for the Victor camp.


Tactics: Lightning raids is the primary modus operandi of the Armorerd Cavalry. Speed and Maneuverability of the unit allows for capability of hitting fast and avoiding of contact with enemy that rip them apart.

Strength:
1 Reinforced Mech Regiment / Elite
1 Cavalry Battlaion / Elite
1 Battle Armor Battalion / Elite
1 Aerospace Wing / Elite

An interesting theory offered by one of forum goers on Paradigm Infinitum's forum.
I do agree with most of this theory. It makes sense. Keeping IS and clans at each other's throats was the way Comstar or WoB would prefer doing while being the nice guy around. The intro of clans in 3050 threw the plans into the disorder as Comstar at the time cannot maintain its neutral stand anymore due to possibility of the clans running amok in the IS.

Hence the battle for Turkyyaid and Operation: Scorpion. WoB has been just following the way of the Old Comstar where they hope to control everything from the shadows.


"Die Iras" theories are as follows:

Arthur Steiner-Davion is Devlin Stone.
Devlin Stone is a WoB agent.
Collapse of Chaos March removes contentious no-mans land in which WoB operations can take place.
Jihad is a front to gain WoB Inner Sphere Power Base.
Pseudo destruction of WoB forces appears to quash threat of organization, reduces threat for reprisal.
Comstar collapses as a political organization due to association with WoB - Organization that has potential to understand WoB motives removed from picture.
Re-establishment of Terran Hegemony under guise of Republic of the Sphere by an "Enlightened" Devlin Stone.
Republic of the Sphere provides "public face" for WoB interests.
WoB is alive and well as an organization, operating out of former FWL.

Dark Age:
Devlin Stone disappears: Creation of mythical Messiah figure.
HPG network collapses in Republic.
Republic collapes under strain of holding disunited zone of space together.
Exarch Jonah Levin orders Fortress Republic based on orders left by "Messiah" stone.
Fortress Republic creates fortified area around Terra - WoB re-established hold on sacred world.
Creation of power vacuum in large zone of space.
Prompts system wide conflict from Clan and Inner Sphere powers. (Consistant with old "Divide & Rule" Succession War Era Comstar).



Essentially WoB has returned Inner Sphere to Status Quo and destroyed the moderate Comstar as a bonus. By creating diputed era of space with historical precedent of ownership, they have effectively instigated another pseudo Succession War between the powers of the Inner Sphere who obviously will not pass on a possible landgrab.

From WizKids, we know that before the collapse, the whole "Disarmed" Republic has been churning out BattleMechs like mad from supposedly "closed" factories such as the line on Irian. The 'Mechs have not been finding their way into the armies of the Republican Armed Forces. Where have they been going?

Easy.

W.o.B.

Meanwhile, they maintain power balance in the FWL by trying to play seperate parties against each other so they can use the chaos to consolidate their power base and continue to cackle evilly from Terra as the rest of the Inner Sphere ignores the remnants of the "Great Experiment" and kills each other to the benefit of Blake.

I mean... seriously...

An Elite bunch of Super-Soldiers called the Fidelis of which 7 can kill a BattleMech and who render Andurian uninhabitable with chemical weapons... Sounds like Manei Domini to me.

I was reading on the CBT forum the other day about HS 3070 and the clan wars during the WoB Jihad era.

What I found was quite interesting to say the least.

Clan Civil War (Home worlds)

1. There would be only three clans remaining. The only agreed choice is Star Adder (as they are the biggest) while for the eliminated clans, the favored are Blood Spirits, Fire Mandrills and Ice Hellions.

2. Word used for this conflict is the "Reaving" instead of civil war as Clanners disdain this part of their history.

My question is who do you think would have survive this conflict?

With regards to HS 3072, the PDF is out, but I would prefer to wait for the print version as the price difference is about US$5 to US$10.

Some content from the forum spoiliers are:

-FWL continue to break up
- Battle for New Avalon coming to a climax
- Leaders of IS meeting up to discuss how to deal with WoB
- Stone's appearance
- Recovery of Coventry

Can't wait to get my copy of HS3072.

There are the decrypted messages that can be found on pages 68-69 of Historical: Brush Wars. Having fun reading them. Very interesting views on certain things being carried out in the Jihad now by word of blake.

Comstar Communiqué 83761nr94-SLXOM-1-1-3035 (Omega 99 Encrypted):

Together with Li Mann, agent Tagglibeau entered the chamber less than sixty seconds after the blast via secondary door and there discovered the badly injured yet still living Percentor Marik. Realizing that he remained a key target of the assassins should his survival be known, and with sounds of rescuers-and potential killers-moving through the palace, they moved swiftly to evacuate him to the ComStar compound where he received emergency treatment. Precentor Thomas Marik suffered extreme trauma in the blast, details of which can be found in briefing FWL6-78-9-3035, yet was stabilized by Kappa personnal in the compound. His wounds are, however too serious to be tended here. Given his importance to the order, I hereby request that he be brought to Mother Terra for treatment as befits his status

- Percentor Aliz, Precentor of Atreus Station.

Comstar Communiqué 84567nr94-SLXOM-1-6-3035 (Omega 99 Encrypted):

Bring him. A suite and medical team stand ready at Koryo
[Signed] Waterly

Comstar Communiqué 86405nr94-SLXOM-10-6-3035 (Omega 99 Encrypted):

Primus,

Thomas Marik investigation has yet to get underway. Yet Public opinions seems to lay the blame at the foot of Catherine Humphreys and the Andurien secessionists. Duncan Marik looks set to be installed as the next Captain General – since we can’t reveal Precentor Marik’s survival at this juncture - and seems set to “expedite” the investigation to support his martial agenda. Attached are the transcripts we recovered between himself and his supporters that confirms the ROM station chief’s suspicion of his culpability in this matter. We could reveal this now through one of our agents, in effect blocking his ascension, yet that would not serve us well. Paul, Kristen or Theresa would be forced to take the role, none of whom have shown any indication of political ambition or strategic leadership in the past. Allowing Duncan to claim the throne at this juncture may be the most expedient measure: while a poor politician, he should at least be able to prosecute the war effectively; leaving Parliament free to act. Knowledge of his complicity in the assassination gives us a strong bargaining chip should we need to influence his actions or even removing him form power.

- Percentor Aliz, Precentor of Atreus Station.

Comstar Communiqué 84567nr94-SLXOM-13-6-3035 (Omega 99 Encrypted):

Agreed. Allow Duncan to claim the throne and fill the power vacuum. He can do little harm in the short time he will have. Precentor Marik will be kept informed of political developments in the league, at least in so far as his conditions allows. As you will no doubts see when you attend the first circuit at the end of the month, he remains interested in affairs in his homeland despite the extent of his injuries. We will have to discuss the Pollux Contingency.
[Signed] Waterly

Comstar Briefing 9-Y-15-3035-7-29: The Pollux Contingency

It seems unlikely at this juncture that the Subject will recover sufficiently to resume his duties without extensive organ transplants and mechanical prosthetics. The Perceptions within his native state may preclude him from holding office, as too many people regard the bionic prosthetics as dehumanizing and as possible triggers to some form of psychosis. Such superstitions are resistant tot rational discussion and thus we will need to be careful with his return and integration.

I would suggest that in the short term the subject remains here at Koryo for treatment and that Pollux is briefed for a long term deployment. He has already served as a body-guard for the subject on several occasions, though these have only been for a few hours at a time. Fortunately, his familiarity with the subject and their shared history gives us confidence in his ability to maintain a masquerade of sufficient duration to allow us to complete work on the subject and then to re-substitute him for Pollux. We recommended, however, that several additional steps be taken beyond the surgical and information preparation Pollux has undertaken:

1. Detailed cognitive and psychological work: Pollux needs to know as much as possible of the subject’s life and history, his knowledge and his opinions, so that he can carry out his tasks even with close confidents and family of the subject. Fortunately, his mannerisms and speech work is already as good as can be hoped for. And the subect’s long absence was to his tenure in our service will reduce the windows of learning we need to focus on.
2. As Pollux will no doubt be subject to medical scrutiny we will need to enact surgical modifications to approximate the subject’s injuries, yet without the need for bionics or organ transplant. This will take some time-possibly several months-during which he will not be able to carry the required cognitive and psychological works. As such, the timeline for this process will be approximately a year here at Koryo
3. We also recommend that as Pollux is already being prepared for the medical tests that will no doubt be carried out on him, steps are taken regarding the DNA and biometrix tests that will be run. The procedures are outlined in the addendum, yet while there is no need for bone-structure matching thanks to our prior work, the retinal and DNA-chimzerism modifications are beyond the capabilities here at Koryo. As such we believe that Pollux must undergo treatment at Facility Y on Jardine, and must at the same time be kept ignorant of their existence.
4. A direct liaison to be established between Pollux and the subject with a view to fostering communication and understanding. Pollux will have to act on his own initiative much of the time, yet his agenda will be that of the subject. Pollux will be the subject’s mouthpiece, yet cannot be unthinking nor can he allow his own beliefs and priorities to eclipse those of the subject or the order.

(What is interesting is that comstar has already possessed bionic recontruction facility at Jardine, but question why does Focht not known about it? Maybe it is known only to ROM or selected figures? Mostly likely the Master in Jihad can be viewed as the really Thomas Marik since he was on Terra most of time.)

First then in my Small H Friction is the Table of Equipment for the unit Pre the Word of Blake Jihad in 3067 and Post Fed Com Civil War

ACCESSING MRBC UNIT DATABASE...
SUBJECT: SMALL H
SCANNING...ACCESS GRANTED

SMALL H: DEATH STALKERS

This unit was formed around a core of former AFFC members who quit due to Katherine Steiner-Davion taking the throne on New Avalon. Although the initial command staff of this unit was of AFFC origins, the recent addition of clan bondsmen and veterans from other military has changed a lot of the tactical doctrine of the unit. However one thing remains unchanged and that is the commander of Small H is still Colonel Damien Sturm Hanis.

As a mercenary force, Small H has slowly and gradually built up a reputation as one of up and coming units in the Inner Sphere. Though for every battle or mission completed, there would be a loss. But Small H has seen to be emerge each time stronger and wiser for the better. However recent investigation into the past of Colonel Damien Sturm Hanis has turned out something interesting. He was a member of the elite MI6 Rabid Foxes while being the son of a DEST Tai-sa. This would explain the recent assassination attempt on him in the HIT Headquarters. However due to the stringent security measures (A daishi, 2 Masakaris and 2 Behemoths), the attempt was nipped. The attack only has increased the security measures around Colonel Hanis. Another interesting fact is Small H is one of the founding members of Hanis Instellar Trading or HIT in short. On the surface, HIT may seen to be like a normal mercenary association. But HIT is more than that; with investment in mining and shipping on Liberty and the HIT investment fund or HITIF supported by a number of respectable mercenary units. Although MRBC has investigated into HIT, they have not found any discriminating evidence against HIT.

As part of a corporate move, Small H with the rest of HIT members has moved their headquarters from other parts of the Inner Sphere to the planet of Liberty. Small H has basically worked for almost every house in the Inner Sphere and fought the clans on more than one occasion.

PS: Post 3067, HIT was dissolved as the Jihad started with HIT members destroyed or went off the chart in missions around the Inner Sphere. Hence Small H and its assets were relocated the Fed Suns world of Davidsville in the Crucis March.

Key Officers

Colonel Damien Sturm Hanis, the CO of the Small H and CEO of HIT has led this unit from its infancy all the way up to the present day. He was a Colonel in AFFC and a member of 1st Federated Suns Armored Cavalry where he learned his combined arms tactics before he turned mercenary. However it was only known recently that he was also a member of the elite MI6 and was the commander of Ops Team 7 for 5 years before switching to the 1st Cavalry. Hence this would explain the reason of the fast hitting style of Small H.
With the growth in Small H and HIT, he no longer takes on a tactical commander in the field. Instead he delegates to his capable subordinates to handle this while he deals with the strategic and administrative work. However to underestimate his skills as a mechwarrior is a mistake as he still hones his skills regularly with his unit. At the moment, he is paying most of his attention into setting up Freedom City and Camp Tekong on Liberty.

Lieutenant-Colonel John Merson, a former AFFC officer and comrade of Hanis joined the unit in its early days after following Hanis in resigning from the AFFC. Being the right hand man of Colonel Hanis has allowed this brilliant officer to show what he can do on field and much of the current battlefield success Small H has achieved is due to Merson. At the moment, Merson is overseeing much of the tactical deployment of Small H units either on missions or R&R.

Major Charles Bear, a bondsman captured from Ghost Bear and proven himself worthy to be warrior again. Born of Hawkins heritage, Charles was a proven warrior in the 28th Battle Cluster, but was captured in a early Small H mission. Although disdainful of the mercenary ways, Hanis convinced Charles that Small H was worthy unit to join through his actions. Since regaining his warrior status, he has been promoted to the rank of Weapon Master and Major. Much of the success against the clan foes is due to the insight of this clanner turned mercenary.

Major Andrew Smith, formerly of the FWLM, is the current head of corporate accounts of HIT and Small H. A mechwarrior in the 3rd Free World League Guards, he was forced to escape from the FWL after offending a rich noble with one of his crazy investment ideas. On Outreach, Hanis approached Smith with an offer to be the head of corporate accounts as he recognized that Smith was brilliant in the manipulation of figures and makes a good quarter master. Though with a clause that if he found Smith fencing him for his own pockets, Hanis would personally hunt him down. So far, Smith has proven up to Hanis’s expectations and has turned HIT into a quite a profitable organization.

Major Lisa Hanis, a cousin of Damien Hanis, joined the unit as part of the head of the public relations section and has proven a valuable asset in smoothing over relations with the local authorities on Liberty. Graduated from NAIS with a master in social studies, Major Hanis has proven to be an ace in PR so far.

Tactics

Small H has been known as a unit that use innovative ideas in the contracts it has accomplished. Use of artillery with thunder augmented supported with battle armor is a good example of how Small H works. But in general, Small H is a jack-of-all-trades unit with no particular preference for an individual strategy.


Small H
Reinforced Cluster/ Veteran /Fanatical

CO / Command Trinary: Colonel Damien Sturm Hanis
XO / Alpha Trinary: Lieutenant-Colonel John Merson
Bravo Trinary: Major Charles Bear
Charlie Trinary: Major Tim Myers
Delta Trinary: Major Jason Winters

With only a fourth Inner Sphere tech and the rest clan, Small H is considered a deadly enemy. However Small H is quite flexible and equally at home in clan or inner sphere formations and can attach or detach as the situations calls for changes. Small H is now aiming of attaching a supernova to each trinary in the future. In setting up Camp Tekong in conjunction with other HIT members, it is hoped that HIT members would be in future able to recruit warriors directly into the units.

Small H Armored Support
2 Company/Regular/Reliable

Armor Cmder: Major Michael Bell

A key part of any Small H’s operations nowadays. With a number of Behemoth tanks and Demolisher in support, this formation has proven its worth over many occasions though with serious losses in some cases. But still a important part in the war machine of Small H.

As to get myself back into the grove of battletech, I have decided to revive my old campagin with my mercenary unit, Small H and Hanis Instellar Trading (HIT) for the fun of it. Please bear with me.

A quick brief. Small H was my unit during the mercenary campagin run by my friend, Collin, previously. Although it was about 3 years ago when it ended prematurely, but it was an enjoyable campagin where interest in Battletech was restarted in Singapore. The campagin revolves around an player unit where one gets to bid for mission with available assets under the battle value system. One can even play the role of the opposition if one does not want to have a unit under himself like Jason.

You can get to buy new mechs, upgrade them, recruit new warriors and upgrade existing ones. An enjoyable campagin nevertheless.

Review of Descent of Angels

By: Damien

PS: This is review can also be found on Ezinearticles.

Descent of Angels is the sixth book in the Horus Heresy Series of novels by the Black Library Publishing. Following on the release of Fulgrim, Descent of Angels mainly focus on the life of Lion El'Jonson, Primach of the 1st Space Marine Legion, on Caliban.
The whole novel is seen through the eyes and experiences of Zahariel, a knight supplicant, who joins the Order. The Order here is refers to a knightly order on the world of Caliban with the Lion and Luther key figures in the Order.
Throughout the novel, Zahariel started off as a knight supplicant, then a full fledged knight, a space marine and then finally a possible librarian. His encounters with the beasts of his world, his fellow knights and then his brief experience with the space marine legions would catch the reader up into a world where fantasy would meet technology.
Also throughout the novel, the roles of and reference to Lion, Luther and Lord Cypher are all mentioned in details. As most Warhammer 40K players would know from the Space Marine or Dark Angels Codex, the Lion and Luther would engage in a civil war during the Horus Heresy. This would result in the destruction of the Caliban and the hunt of the traitors by the victors. Throughout the course of the novel, the cause of this breaking of brotherhood between the Lion and Luther could be traced. As per in the novel, the relationship of Luther and the Lion can be seen between Zahariel and his cousin, Nemiel.
For one, when our hero, Zahariel, killed off the last Caliban lion, the Lion did mentioned that there would be those jealous of his achievements mainly Luther. The logic is that without killing a Caliban Lion, Luther would not be the equal of the Lion. Another was when Luther discovered that the Saroshi delegation ship was a weapon; thoughts of betrayal greed and power did run through him.
However the final break between the brothers were not explained. That may be a disappointment in the novel though overall it can rated as a good novel by Mitchel Scanlon.

A review of Sword and Dragon

By: Damien

PS: This review can be found on Ezinearticles too.

With the introduction of Total Warefare for Classic Battletech, a starter book would be required to introduce new comers or veterans to the system. What a better way to do so is to have a book of two top companies in services to House Davion and House Kurita respectively.

The two units in question are the McKinnon's Company of House Davion's Seventh Crucis Lancers (Fox's Teeth) and Sorenson's Sabres from House Kurita's Fifth Sword of Light. Both units are companies in size with 12 battlemechs or units. Both are also similar in nature of missions that they have been assigned in history with objective raids and recon raids the main trademark of the units.

Friction for both units are provided in the book where key moments in history of units are highlighted. For the Fox's teeth, is the death of Mark McKinnon in the Ronin War. As for the Sabres, it is the betrayal of supposed allies at the start of the Ronin War.

Followed by a introduction to the history to the respective units and briefs of key units members and their rides. Also introduced is the ever changing unit structure throughout the decades of actions ending with 3072 era. Interestingly enough is that both units have gone missing in action in 3072 time line.

Lastly in the book, is a campaign describing the actions of the two units in a 3049 setting. This is a cool campaign as it would allow players access to a short and enjoyable campagin. Rules for both units and their equipment are also described in details. One can also opt to choose to run a simple battle with rules provided in the book if a campaign is not up their alley.

A plus is the seven new variants of Mechs at the end of the book as over time, changes to configurations were made in view of new technology.

If you wish to try something new to play other than console games or PC games, one can always get this book and try Classic Battletech instead. Do get it to plunge into the exciting world of Battletech.

Hi Gamers,

Being a while since my last post. Therefore an update would be needed. Basically I refocusing the blog away from just battletech to other games too such as Warhammer 40k and Rifts.

Latest happening

- Have just bought "Descent of Angels", 6th in the Horus Heresy series of novels. Would be doing a review soon.

- Into Rifts "Minion War" with the first source book, Hades, out in Singapore. A nice new arch for Rifts especially after the massive Tolken Wars.

- As for my cult favorite, Battletech, I am now in the midst of reviewing the Sword and Dragon Source book and others.

- Another of my new venture is into Hordes; but more for the friction part.

Sword and Dragon Handbook is out. Interesting read on the Fox's teeth and Sorenson's Sabres and their campaign in 3049.

However disappointing that there are no campagins for 3067 onwards or their actions for the FedCom Civil War.

Buy it and get into the action.

Finally, The tech manual is out in singapore. Inside it, is all the information that one needs to construct mechs, aerospace fighters, dropship, vehicles, support vehicles, battlearmor and finally infantry. If you are into designing your own units or modifiying your own units, check it out now.

Being a while since I posted on the subject of battletech...been in and out of jobs recently. Hence the delay in even playing a single BT game.

A pity that the community in singapore of battletech is so small, players who one grow up, leave one after another for pursuit of actcual life.

Mutterings from an lonely battletech player.

Being reading through my collection of old btech scenario books, found some interesting ones to play...would be trying to get others to play on them.

An after thought after Vengenance : Gambit, quad mech in partial cover is very cool with only one danger of being hit in the head (on a 12 now) and lossing conscious and yet cannot fall due to lack of 20 points of damage. This would equate to a sitting duck. A food thought right for the new year maybe.

A happy new year to all!!!!!!!


One wish for the new year is that the battletech community in singapore can get together for more games and may get more newbies in....a noble dream but far away.