Andrew Redburn

At age 57 in 3060
Andrew Bruce Redburn
Character Profile
Born 3003[1]
Died 28 February 3079[2]
Affiliation House Redburn
Title(s) Knight of the Realm[3]
Profession MechWarrior
Spouse Misha Auburn[4]
Children Thelos Redburn[4]
three others[4]
Kenneth Redburn[5]


Andrew Bruce Redburn was an early thirty-first century Federated Suns MechWarrior, officer, and hero.

He was noted for his loyalty to the Federated Suns and his friends. Redburn was known as an accomplished MechWarrior and field commander who participated in numerous major conflicts of the thirty-first century.

He later courted and married House Steiner's historian and Melissa Steiner's close friend, Misha Auburn while visiting Tharkad in 3027.

History[edit]

Colonel Andrew Redburn at age 56.

Early History[edit]

Redburn was a native of Firgrove.[6][7]

Redburn attended The Warrior's Hall MechWarrior Academy on New Syrtis. He was a classmate of Morgan Hasek-Davion for two years, with whom he became good friends.[8]

He was assigned to the First Kittery Training Battalion as its executive officer in the late 3020s. The leftenant was under the command of Major Justin Allard and fought against the Liao raid on world of Kittery in November 3026. The battle ended in victory for the battalion, but tragically Major Allard was crippled in the fighting, losing an arm. Prince Davion transported him to New Avalon where he was awarded the Golden Sunburst medal for heroic actions.[9][10]

Later, Duke Michael Hasek-Davion raised charges that Major Allard was guilty of treason. Redburn attended the trial as a witness, but ultimately the trial ended with Allard being ruled guilty and exiled.

After Major Allard's injuries, Leftenant Redburn assumed command of the training battalion. Before reporting to duty, Redburn was asked to take tour of Lyran space with Colonel Ardan Sortek in 3027, during which they briefly stopped on Pacifica in March and met with Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Kell and his Kell Hound mercenary battalion. During their visit, Draconis Combine forces invaded, and Redburn fought alongside the Kell Hounds to defend the planet from the Combine forces. Also with Redburn were Hauptmann-General Sarah Joss and then Colonel Ardan Sortek, who fought a duel in his Victor against a Kuritan Awesome.[11]

The Silver Eagle Incident[edit]

Redburn and Colonel Sortek met with Archon Katrina Steiner and her daughter, Archon-Designate Melissa Steiner. The pair soon found out that their initial meeting with "Melissa" was instead with a decoy, Jeana Clay. During his social outings, he was introduced to Melissa Steiner's best friend, Misha Auburn. They developed strong ties which led to a long-distance relationship.

Later on Tharkad, Redburn learned that he was part of an officer exchange program to build goodwill for the Steiner-Davion Alliance, finalizing with the marriage of Melissa Steiner and Hanse Davion. He was to act as a distraction from and escort for Melissa Steiner while she traveled in disguise to New Avalon.[12] The pair separately traveled aboard the Silver Eagle.

In May, the ship was hijacked by a transferring JumpShip crewed by members of Lyran resistance unit of the Heimdall. The Heimdall JumpShip took the passenger ship to the Styx star system in the Draconis Combine. The Heimdall kidnappers revealed that they were to be ransomed. However, Draconis Combine forces arrived and sent two waves of forces to the Heimdall asteroid base. Andrew speculated that the first ship was a Fury-class DropShip infantry carrier, and that they were trying to find someone. Redburn fought alongside people from the Silver Eagle to prevent the later discovered to be ISF troops from taking Melissa Steiner. He was injured in the fighting on the planetoid. He and passengers of the Silver Eagle were rescued by the Kell Hounds. After returning to the Federated Suns in June, he was promoted to Captain and officially given command of the Kittery Training Battalion.

In November, he and his officers were attacked by a House Liao Maskirovka strike team while dining in the city of Shaoshin on Kittery. Luckily, they received a warning from Shang Do, the leader of the local Yizhi Tong (mafia), due to Redburn's friendship with Justin Xiang. The AFFS officers managed to turn the tables soundly against the Liao agents, and they chased a survivor to the local Maskirovka safe house where they captured valuable materials and data.[13] Redburn was sent with most of his officers and many of the cadets of the training battalion to join the Davion Light Guards. As part of Prince Hanse's experiments, Redburn was put in command with the entire original staff of the newly formed Delta Company.

On 15th of January, 3028 Redburn reported to the Guards' 1st Battalion's Commander, Colonel Stone. Stone informed him that Hanse Davion wished to continue his experiments with unit composition and that Delta Company was to be a reinforced company of six lances of light BattleMechs and 24 MechWarriors, an unusual formation.[14] He also received a secret document from Stone: a warning from the Suns' MI7 Military Intelligence liaison. They believed that his old commander Justin Xiang (formerly Allard) was likely behind the Kittery attack and it was possible another was coming. Redburn was shocked into disbelief, not wanting to believe Justin would target him. Stone remarked he was among the command staff of the 5th Davion Guards on Spica when Justin saved them in 3016.[15] He told Redburn that despite Justin's previous heroic actions, he believed Xiang was a changed man and ordered him to be on high alert for another assault.

Fourth Succession War[edit]

St. Andre[edit]

On August 20th 3028, Redburn and his reinforced Assault Company of light 'Mechs dropped on the Capellan world of St. Andre with the entire Davion Light Guard.[16] His unit was hot dropped on the planet by their Overlord-class DropShip Firewalker. Their mission was to destroy the Capellan assault 'Mech battalion known as Cochraine's Goliaths. The drop was hotly contested and ended up with Delta Company landing on target while the rest of 1st Battalion ending up scattered across the other side of the battlefield. With the Goliaths distracted by the bulk of the 1st Battalion, Redburn decided to land his men behind them using the wash of landings as cover. Ignoring orders to pull out from Colonel Stone, Redburn had his unit hit the assault 'Mechs, taking advantage of the Goliaths lack of effective short-range weaponry. Amidst the fighting, Redburn sighted the Goliaths' commander, Colonel Fiona Cochraine. He ordered the unit to concentrate its firepower on her machine. The 'Mech was savaged by two Delta lances, but they failed to secure the kill.

In a fit of rage, Redburn jumped his Firestarter with its arm flamers blazing down onto Colonel Cochraine's Goliath in a Death from Above attack. Redburn's 'Mech crashed feet first into Cochraine's assault 'Mech's head, causing the Goliath's fusion engine to explode.[17] This sent Redburn's 'Mech flying into another Goliath, knocking both machines down. Redburn was knocked out from multiple crashes and the g-forces from being thrown around. Thinking Redburn had died, his unit rallied and covered his position while penetrating deeper into the Goliaths' formation. Lt. Craon, Delta's second-in-command led Redburn's men while inviting the rest of the 1st Battalion to join them, completing the destruction of the Capellan Battalion.

After the battle, the unit remained fully operational. Redburn recovered from his injuries and was given a Centurion BattleMech as a replacement. After reviewing the results of the battle, Hanse Davion was advised by Quintus Allard to use Delta Company as an independent command for special tactical drops.[18]

Hunan[edit]

On Hunan in October 3028, Captain Redburn and his unit were recalled from their rest and relaxation period to take care of the remnants of the Freemont's Cuirassiers' 1st Battalion led by Major Sidney Xong. The Major's battalion had fought bravely against the 1st Aragon Borderers during the second wave of the invasion. Major Xong had realized the battle was lost and disengaged with the remnants of his battalion, managing to take a company of Marauders into the Hellfire Mountains where the Borderers were unable to follow.[19] From there the Major caused headaches for the Borderers, raiding the Davion forces and retreating to the mountains. Redburn tracked down Xong and acquired six anti-'Mech mines from the New Aragon Borderers to deploy them in the valley where the Capellans were headed.

When Xong's 'Mechs fully entered the mountains, Delta's forces sprung their ambush with Redburn's Centurion taking the first shots. The Delta Company lances lured Xong's Marauders further into valley's "Kill Zone". At the right moment, Delta detonated the six mines and successfully disabled a Marauder. Redburn radioed the Cuirassiers to advise them that they were in the middle of a minefield and he would prefer them to surrender than to have to kill them all. Not wanting to risk his MechWarrior's lives, Major Xong surrendered to the Light Guards unit. Later, Captain Redburn's second in command, Lt. Robert Craon, asked why he hadn't revealed the subterfuge to Xong. Redburn replied that he didn't want to disgrace Xong for choosing to save his people's lives over honor.[20]

Algot[edit]

While on Algot in January 14, 3029, Redburn and his Delta Company took a Rest and Relaxation period. Lt. Robert Craon spoke with Redburn about the strangeness of their posting on the world and revealed some things he learned which had left him uneasy, suggesting something sinister was afoot. Redburn scoffed at the idea, but Craon told him that the base computer's records stated that Delta Company was still stationed on St. Andre. Also, it was odd that they had received no mail for some time. The base computers incorrectly reported that the storehouse inventory on the base was filled to the brim with enough supplies to refurbish an entire regiment. There was a strange Fax machine that kept printing misleading reports on the garrison suggesting that Algot was a prime target for a supply raid. Redburn began to understand the leftenant's concerns, realizing that if those reports were intercepted by Liao spies, they would certainly be attacked. As if to answer Craon's predictions, the base's sirens began blaring, warning of an imminent raid.[21]

Redburn led Delta Company and stopped the Capellan forces raiding the base. Colonel Stone contacted Delta and "invited" them to help the rest of 1st Battalion squash the real invasion.[22] United, Redburn's force helped finish off the Capellan attacks.[23]

Bethel[edit]

On Bethel on April 21st, 3029, Redburn's base detected an incoming Overlord-class DropShip. His unit launched from their base, using the Delta Company's Overlord-class DropShip, Defiant to arrive at the raiders' landing zone. However, it was soon reported by the Defiant's Captain that a second DropShip, a Leopard-class, was hidden by the larger ship. He calculated the ship would attack Delta's base. Upset with himself for being fooled, Redburn split his forces, sending the majority of the company with Lt. Robert Craon in command, while he pieced together an ad hoc lance of 'Mechs together to deal with the force that was delivered by the Liao Leopard. Redburn became convinced that the Capellans had found out about the secret NAIS research base on Bethel.

Soon after arriving, Redburn's 'Mechs attacked the invading Liao force. Amongst the raiders were a pair of newly commissioned Raven BattleMechs.[24] Spotting a distinctive Centurion parked next to the research base, Redburn suspected his old commander Justin Allard, now known as Justin Xiang, was leading the Maskirovka raiding party. Justin warned Redburn off from fighting him, but Redburn pushed the attack and closed in an attempt to stop Justin from escaping. However, Redburn made the mistake of forgetting that Justin's Centurion was modified with a Pontiac Assault Autocannon.[25] Justin Allard used the Pontiac to leave Redburn's 'Mech a pile of scrap. Afterwards, he was debriefed by an MIIO agent and informed that the theft was the result of a subterfuge campaign to purposely leak the new myomer fiber technology to the Capellans, and his handling of the situation was praised. Redburn, disgruntled, accepted the compliment, though bitter from the loss to his former Commanding officer.

Kathil[edit]

In August, Redburn and his Delta Company were dispatched to Kathil to form a defense for the planet. He met with his old Warrior Hall classmate Morgan Hasek-Davion, newly appointed as the planet's defense commander, who had just arrived on a JumpShip. After the tour Andrew found himself temporarily promoted to Major and second in command of a newly merged command composed of his Delta Company forces, survivors of the 5th Syrtis Fusiliers, and green soldiers of the Kathil Militia.[26] Redburn was then brevetted to Major and assigned command of the 1st Battalion of the new unit.[27]

On September 7th, Liao's Death Commandos and a battalion consisting of the 4th Tau Ceti Rangers hit the planet's atmosphere. At Morgan's direction, Yare's broadcast dish fired a microwave burst into one of the Death Commandos' Union-class DropShips. Andrew's forces, hidden in the township of Yare, launched an ambush on the remaining Death Commando forces, and while they managed to stop the majority of the attackers, an enemy 'Mech still got through.[28] Redburn desperately called for aid from Morgan's force for help. As a single Cataphract broke through their lines and crested the hill leading to Yare it suddenly fell back, destroyed. Morgan's Atlas assault 'Mech crested the hill and joined the fight against the remaining Death Commandos. This reenergized Andrew, who then coordinated their remaining forces to finish off the Death Commandos. After the battle, his commander Morgan Hasek-Davion announced that his orders included a mission to extract a deep cover Davion operative from Sian, using the 4th Tau Ceti Rangers' DropShips to infiltrate the Capellan defenses. In disbelief, Andrew commented they would be shot down over Sian for even coming back in defeat. Morgan reassured him and the general staff they would be welcomed, once they sent a fake message that the Rangers have "captured" him as a prisoner.[29]

The 1st Kathil's ships arrived on October 22 via a Command Circuit that had been arranged for the raid. Redburn was conflicted with the emotions of possibly facing Justin again. Morgan spoke with him, telling him that he must see that Justin was now a different person from the man Redburn had befriended.[30]

As their DropShips descended to the DropPort on the 24th, Redburn observed Sian's televised coverage of the event when he spotted his "old" commander, Justin Xiang in the crowd.[31] He deployed his Marauder and fought through the ranks of Warrior House Imarra BattleMechs. As the AFFS forces attacked, Redburn noticed a strange mist had been released over the battlefield. As he penetrated the hulls of the enemy 'Mechs and the mist seeped in, the supposedly elite enemy 'Mechs fell apart like cheap toys, victim to the sabotaged myomer technology they had stolen from the NAIS base on Bethel.[32] As Andrew entered a hangar in his 'Mech, he spotted Justin and waited for him. Justin returned to the hangar to be faced down by Andrew, who gleefully asked for Justin's last words. Justin gave the countersign, Sic Sempter Tyrannis, revealing him to be the Davion agent Redburn had come to rescue. Overjoyed with surprise, Redburn lowered his 'Mech to allow Justin to load the unconscious Alexi Mallory, another Davion agent he had rescued. Andrew handed Justin a satchel of equipment so he can make his escape and finish his mission.[33]

Rewarded and Knighted for his duties in Fourth Succession War[edit]

In November 22nd, 3029 he was brought to New Avalon's Notre Dame Cathedral where he was honored by Prince Hanse Davion for actions among other heroes of the war. He awarded the Medal Excalibur for his performance during the Battle of Kathil and the rescue of agent Alexi Mallory. He given the title of Knight of the Realm and awarded a parcel of land on his homeworld of Firgrove.[34]

War of 3039[edit]

By the time of the war, Redburn was promoted to rank of leftenant general and made the commanding officer of the 1st Kathil Uhlans.[35]

Clan Invasion Era[edit]


Jihad[edit]

Andrew Redburn was widely believed to have been killed early in the Jihad when Word of Blake forces assaulted Tukayyid in early 3068. However, a task force led by Clan Ghost Bear during Operation SCOUR found and liberated Redburn from a prison camp on the Word of Blake Protectorate world of Asta on the 18th of March 3077. Having been freed from captivity, Redburn went on to join the general staff of allied coalition leader Devlin Stone, initially working alongside Victor Steiner-Davion - with whom he was considered to be good friends[7] - and then later assuming the position of XO to General Belle Lee.[36] Redburn was the commanding officer of Stone's Liberators during Operation SCOUR and led the Liberators during the campaigns for Mars and Terra;[7] Redburn and the Liberators were tasked with the campaign to capture Geneva during the Terran landings.[37]

Death and Legacy[edit]

Andrew Redburn died on the 28th of February 3079, after the liberation of Terra, from complications which arose from a respiratory infection. The respiratory infection which claimed Redburn's life had been bred by Word of Blake scientists,[2] and it is believed that Redburn contracted it during his incarceration on Azha. Those attending at Redburn's deathbed included a selection of officers and Victor Steiner-Davion.[7]

Andrew Redburn gave his name to the virus that killed him, and various strains of the Redburn Virus were identified on more than twenty former Word of Blake Protectorate worlds in the wake of Operation SCOUR.[38]

The Republic of the Sphere named their medal for military personnel wounded in combat, the Redburn Cross, in his honor.

Family and Children[edit]

In 3030, Redburn and Misha Auburn married, and they had five children together.[4][5] At the time of his death, Redburn had nine grandchildren.[7] One of his eventual descendants would be Damien Redburn, an Exarch of the Republic of the Sphere.[39]

BattleMechs[edit]

Redburn's first 'Mech to be mentioned in fiction was a Spider, which he piloted in the Kittery ambush. In his battle along the Kell Hounds he piloted a Hunchback.[11] During the first stages of Fourth Succession War, he piloted a Firestarter which he lost on St. Andre and replaced with a captured Capellan Centurion. This 'Mech was downed in the duel against Justin Xiang on Bethel. His next 'Mech was a Marauder, which he used in the battles of Kathil and Sian.

During Operation Serpent, Redburn's 'Mech was an Atlas, later replaced with the Daishi of his late friend Morgan Hasek-Davion which Redburn piloted in the battles on Huntress.

References[edit]

  1. Era Report: 3062, p. 72: "Andrew Redburn Profile"
  2. 2.0 2.1 Jihad: Final Reckoning, p. 69: "The Jihad in Review"
  3. Warrior: Coupé, ch. 53
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 20 Year Update, p. 92: Misha Auburn personal profile
  5. 5.0 5.1 Black Mist Rising, ch. 1
  6. Warrior: En Garde, ch. 19
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Jihad: Final Reckoning, p. 12: "Funeral For A Hero"
  8. Warrior: Riposte, p. 124: Morgan informs Quintus Allard & Hanse Davion of his friendship with Andrew
  9. Warrior: En Garde, p. 52: Quintus mentions Michael Hasek-Davion's men jumping on Command Circuit setup to bring Andrew Redburn to New Avalon
  10. Warrior: Coupé, p. 321: Hanse Davion pins Metal Excalibur next to his Golden Sunburst award
  11. 11.0 11.1 The Kell Hounds, pp. 40–41: "Blackened Panthers"
  12. Warrior: En Garde, pp. 165–166: Simon Johnson briefs Redburn of the situation
  13. Warrior: Riposte, pp. 64–72: Redburn and officers of the Kittery Training Battalion repulse assassination attempt and find House Liao's safe house
  14. Warrior: Riposte, p. 115: Captain Andrew Redburn briefed by Colonel Stone about his assignment
  15. Warrior: Riposte, p. 117: Colonel Stone recants Captain Redburn about how Lt. Justin Allard saved him rest of the Fifth Davion Guard during the Spica operation
  16. Warrior: Riposte, p. 239: Redburn's first battle of the Fourth Succession War
  17. Warrior: Riposte, pp. 253–254: Prince Hanse Davion is debriefed on the battle of St. Andre
  18. Warrior: Riposte, p. 254: Quintus recommends Delta Company to be used for special operations
  19. Warrior: Riposte, p. 259: Brief recap of Major Xong's 1st Battalion of the Freemont's Cuirassiers situation
  20. Warrior: Riposte, pp. 261–262: Major Xong surrenders his force to Captain Redburn's Delta Company
  21. Warrior: Riposte, pp. 286–288: Robert Craon tells Andrew Redburn he has bad feeling about their basing
  22. Warrior: Riposte, p. 290: Davion Light Guards, 1st Battalion's commanding office, Colonel Stone "invites" Delta Company to help his force fight main Capellan Forces
  23. Warrior: Riposte, p. 296: Chancellor Maximilian Liao tells Duke Michael Hasek-Davion that he is aware of most of his forces being wiped out
  24. Warrior: Coupé, p. 79: Raven 'Mech is identified
  25. Warrior: Coupé, p. 85: Redburn realized he forgot that Justin's Centurion was equipped with an AC/20
  26. Warrior: Coupé, pp. 231–233: Morgan meets with Kathil Militia Reserves, tells him he needs them for what could be the Suns' most desperate hour. To form the 1st Kathil Uhlans
  27. Warrior: Coupé, p. 248: After the Battle of Yare, Morgan asks Andrew for a status report of the 1st Battalion
  28. Warrior: Coupé, pp. 244–245: Liao forces are brutally mauled, but manage to send 'Mechs past Andrew's forces
  29. Warrior: Coupé, pp. 249–250: Redburn attends debriefing after the battle to find out they are going to Sian & how they are going do it
  30. Warrior: Coupé, pp. 285–286: Morgan tells his of how his father became a different person. That Redburn's situation with Justin is the same, he is a different person now
  31. Warrior: Coupé, p. 298: Andrew spots Justin Xiang/Allard in the crowd waiting for the captive Morgan Hasek-Davion to appear
  32. Warrior: Coupé, pp. 300–301: Andrew fights a Crusader and other designs with ease because of the gases released
  33. Warrior: Coupé, pp. 309–310: Andrew pleasantly surprised to find out Justin Allard was the Davion spy he came for on their mission
  34. Warrior: Coupé, p. 321: Redburn is awarded for his actions in the Fourth Succession War and part of raid on Sian
  35. 20 Year Update, p. 21: Kathil PDZ unit listings
  36. Jihad: Final Reckoning, p. 57: "The Jihad in Review"
  37. Jihad Hot Spots: Terra, p. 93: "Force Breakdown"
  38. Jihad: Final Reckoning, p. 13: "Plagued By Blake"
  39. Era Report: 3145 p. 84 - "Damien Redburn profile"

Bibliography[edit]