Able's Aces

History

Able's Aces formed just prior to the War of 3039 and were employed for most of the next seven years by the Federated Commonwealth. Unfortunately, the Aces weren't a large enough unit to receive any of the large contracts or to operate independently. The Aces and the Federated Commonwealth parted ways after a company commander within the Aces refused an order that would have resulted in his entire company just to allow a Federated Commonwealth Regiment to position themselves for an ambush.

The Aces arrived in the Rim Collection soon after a devastating pirate raid on Otisberg, and were still smarting from their bitter contract dispute with the Federated Commonwealth; unwilling to work for the Free Worlds League or the Capellan Confederation and unable to obtain a contract from the Draconis Combine, the Aces had decided that their future lay in the Periphery. The leader of the Aces, Major Jerry Able, was a native of Otisberg and many of the unit's members had come from worlds on the Periphery border.

The Rim Collection's leader, James Moroney, so impressed Major Jerry Able that the Aces offered to train the Rim Collection's military and offered the Aces services until the Rim Collection Military was ready. Able's Aces are signed on to a long term defense contract with the Rim Collection, but the contract is funded by Major Able's personal fortune, and the Aces have were granted extensive lands on Otisberg. The Aces have continually stonewalled against suggestions of hiring additional mercenary units to protect the Rim Collection and apparently view these efforts as unwanted encroachment onto what they consider their turf.

The cadre duty the Aces provided to the six worlds of the Rim Collection rapidly bore fruit; by 3059 the Rim Collection military consisted of two BattleMech battalions in addition to militia units on each of the Collection's six worlds. The militia units on each world are up and running, each world fielding several combined arms formations. Their most noticeable triumph came in 3062 when they drove Morrison's Extractors out of the Collection. Since that time several armed bands have travelled through the Collection, but not invaded.

For the foreseeable future the Aces will likely remain in the Rim Collection. Now holding the rank of Colonel, Jerry Able serves on the Collection Council, the highest legislative body. He also bitterly opposes the presence of Word of Blake troops and other mercenary units, confident in the ability of the Aces and the Collection Militia to defend the worlds of the Rim Collection.

After joining the Rim Collection, Able's Aces changed their unit insignia to reflect their new affiliation; the updated insignia still shows the four playing cards, each an ace, but they are now surrounded by seven stars, one slightly smaller and further way than the others.

Composition

3064

Able's Aces (Veteran BattleMech Battalion)

• CO: Colonel Jerry Able

3067

Able's Aces (Veteran BattleMech Battalion)

• CO: Colonel Jerry Able
• XO: Major Lawrence Updike

In 3067, the Aces were operating at 115% of normal Battalion strength, with approximately 15% of the unit using Star League level technology. The Aces are recorded as being based on the planet of Gillfillian's Gold with sub-units on Otisberg and Hunter's Paradise

Tactics

Able's Aces form a part of the Collection Militia, a combined-arms unit that has actively trained together across the worlds they've been assigned to protect. The Militia includes infantry formations and light armor support that are adept at distracting and bogging down large enemy forces while Militia BattleMech forces move in for the kill. They are also adept at city fighting, although they try at all costs to keep a battle from entering populated areas.

Bibliography

• The Periphery, 2nd Edition
• Field Manual: Periphery
• Field Manual: Updates
• By Blood Betrayed
• Handbook: Major Periphery States