MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries/Shield-Wall

Shield-Wall

MechWarrior’s Campaign Journal

January 4, 3052

I can’t believe the rush of this battle. The medic channel was so clogged they had to create two more. I’ve been ordered to hold the line, to plug a gap in the front. I will be outnumbered two-to-one at least. No more time to write. Our troops are already in full retreat.

Briefing

Coordinator Takashi Kurita, Draconis Combine High Command: Despite our cunning ambushes and initial victories, our forces are falling back all over Luthien. Your unit has been held back from the fighting for this occasion. You are the only combat-ready unit in the area. You must hold our battle line, or Clan ‘Mechs will penetrate our defenses and destroy vital communication and command facilities.

Kurita: A Draconis lance has already been smashed, the remains of which will be fleeing past your position. Defend them, if you can.

• Codename: Shield-Wall
• Planet: Luthien
• Terrain: Urban Wastes
• Time: Day
• Expected Resistance: 31st Smoke Jaguar Assault
• Your Call-Sign: Assault-3

Kurita: Hold the line at NAV ALPHA. Stop all pursuing Clan ‘Mechs. Defend any fleeing friendlies if you can.

Objectives

• Target: Hold the line at NAV ALPHA
• Bonus: Defend retreating friendly units

Aftermath

Debriefing

Coordinator Takashi Kurita, Draconis Combine High Command: You successfully held the battle line at Nav Alpha. The Clans were unable to exploit the breach in our defenses. Already, reinforcements are moving in to support your position, and you will soon withdraw to repair and reload. We will need you fresh for the battle tomorrow.

Brockton’s Complete History of the Inner Sphere, p. 248

The epic battle of Luthien was generaled by the best each camp had to offer. Khan Lincoln Osis led the Smoke Jaguar forces, while Draconis Combine Coordinator Takashi Kurita himself marshaled the Draconis and mercenary troops.

The battle started in space, where Draconis and mercenary aerofighters attacked the Clan DropShips as they attempted to land. They caused some damage, but the Clan forces landed on Luthien mostly intact. Ground combat began on the Tairakana Plains, 50 kilmeters outside of the Imperial City, Luthien’s capital. The DC forces hoped to ambush the Jaguars, as they had done on Wolcott, as a pitched battle against the superior Clan OmniMechs could only end in defeat.

The Draconis forces scored a major victory by filling disabled ‘Mechs with vibrabombs, then drawing the Jaguars toward them. When the Jaguars struck, they detonated the bombs hidden within the empty ‘Mechs and found themselves flanked by the real DC forces. While this ingenious ambush badly damaged the Smoke Jaguars, the battle was far from won.