Editing Albert Benton

{{Update Needed|[[Hunter of the Yellow Bird]]}}
{{InfoBoxCharacter
| image               = Albert Benton JSTBD.png
| caption             = Albert Benton, ca. 3075
| name                = Albert Benton
| birthdate           = [[2997]]<ref name=JS:TBDp68>''Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents'', p. 68: "Albert Benton" profile</ref>
| died                = 
| othernames          = Gunner
| affiliation         = [[House Benton (Draconis Combine)|House Benton]]
| rank                = 
| title               = 
| position            = 
| profession          = [[MechWarrior (pilot)|MechWarrior]]
| parents             = 
| siblings            = 
| spouse              = 
| children            = 
}}
'''Albert Benton''' was a [[thirty-first century]] [[Draconis Combine]] [[MechWarrior (pilot)|MechWarrior]], officer, and commanding officer of the storied [[Sorenson's Sabres]] [[BattleMech]] [[Company]]. In his youth, Albert used his average features to blend into crowds and not be noticed when he was up to something.  He had a strong interest in technology, which led him to become a competent engineer in his day.  When he joined Sorenson's Sabres, he began to learn interrogation techniques. He was noted for possessing natural charisma and aptitude in his later years.<ref name=JS:TBDp68/><ref name=SSp23>''Sorenson's Sabres'', p. 23: "MechWarrior Albert 'Gunner' Benton" profile</ref><ref>''Starterbook: Sword and Dragon'', p. 46: Albert Benton's 3049 Profile - Expansion of his abilities, skills</ref>

==History==
===Early Life and Military Career===
Albert Benton was born on [[Galedon V]], and when he joined the [[DCMS]], he was assigned as ammunition loader for an Artillery Unit at a very young age. During combat with [[House Davion]], his unit's artillery piece knocked out an enemy ''[[Stinger]]''.  He discovered that its pilot had been killed by the shell, but the 'Mech remained operational.  When Davion recovery crews retrieved the downed BattleMech, he followed in a jeep into Davion held territory.  After observing activities of the techs, he knocked out a guard and stole the recovery vehicle with the ''Stinger'' on board.  In a matter of frantic hours he returned to Kuritan-controlled lines with his newly acquired BattleMech which he named ''Lucky Star''.<ref name=SSp23/>

===As MechWarrior in Sorenson's Sabres===
====Early Campaigns with Sorenson's Sabres in 3020s====
While with Sorenson's Sabres, Albert was assigned to ''[[Chu-i]]'' Sveinson's Medium [[Lance]].

While on a mission on the Davion world of [[Udibi]] with the rest of the [[Fifth Sword of Light]], Albert's lance got separated from the rest of the company during a supply raid on a city. With no promised reinforcements, Albert was ordered by Sveinson to grab as much from the Davion supply depot as they could and then quickly retreat from the city. The unit's dash for the landing zone allowed them a successful escape with the rest of the Fifth Sword.

Benton and the rest of the Sabres were assigned to be part of the [[Thirty-sixth Dieron Regulars]] to help break a deadlock on the contested world of [[Quentin]] in January [[3026]].  Benton was disgusted by the death caused by the ''Hungry Ghosts'' of the Thirty-sixth Dieron who targeted civilians and dependents of House Davion forces to break their morale.  Westham Valley turned into a battlefield as Benton and his forces fought a vengeful Davion-employed mercenary unit, [[Swann's Cavaliers]], while Albert attempted to cover the true butchers, the Thirty-sixth Dieron.<ref>''Sorenson's Sabres'', pp. 32–33: Situation: Quinn - 18th January 3026 - Benton's reaction and resulting battle against angry Davion</ref>

In June 3026, his [[DropShip]] was shot down by Davion fighters and crash landed before a planned raid on the world of [[Errai]].  Benton led the way for his lance through the Red Forest, which was filled with Davion infantry troops. The Red Forest's dense trees scrambled their sensors on their journey to meet with ''Tai-i'' Sorenson and the rest of the company. Despite the enemy's advantages, the unit was able to march through the forest.<ref>''Sorenson's Sabres'', pp. 28–29: Situation Errai: June 26, 3026 - Benton and rest of Sveinson's unit exploits through Errai's Red Forest</ref>

====The Fourth Succession War====
Albert was deployed with the rest of the Sabres and Fifth Sword of Light in [[3029]] to [[Northwind]] in [[Fourth Succession War]].  They were given the unusual mission to pilot their 'Mechs through a major metropolis' water reservoir; their BattleMechs' lower halves were freshly painted in an effort to poison the city.  The unit then fought a sickened [[Fifth Deneb Light Cavalry]], which had been hit by food poisoning. While fighting with the rest of the Fifth Sword, [[1st Genyosha|Genyosha]], and other [[Kuritan]] regiments joined the fight. Their attempt to secure the planet for the Dragon failed due to the arrival of the [[Northwind Highlanders]]. In the battle with the Highlanders Albert lost his ''Stinger''.  He was then assigned to a [[Panther|PNT-9R ''Panther'']] before the Fifth Sword would arrive on [[Nusakan]] later that year.  Albert's unit fought the [[Kell Hounds]] on the outskirts of the battle, and only took minor damage, but Conti's defeat in his duel would leave everyone in dishonor.<ref>''Starterbook: Sword and Dragon'', pp. 34–35, 46: The Fourth Succession War and Albert Benton's profile - Albert's actions during the conflict including loss of his ''Stinger'', ''Lucky Star''</ref>

====The Rise and Fall of the Sabres====
After the War, the unit spent several years conducting border raids along the Davion border.  While on [[Togura]] in [[3034]], the [[Free Rasalhague Republic]]'s formation was announced.  This caused a stir among the members of the Sabres, of whom a quarter were Rasalhagian in descent, including ''Tai-i'' Sorenson and Albert's ''Chu-i''.  In an argument, Sveinson and Soderstrom got into a fight over Sorenson's decision to remain in the Combine.  After punching Sorenson, he ordered them incarcerated.  The next day, Albert was on the march in his ''Panther'' pursuing his former lance leader and other former comrades.  The resulting battle with them would leave the Sabres dead and the unit spiritually broken.  When they returned to base after the battle, they received word from ''[[Kanrei]]'' [[Theodore Kurita]] which decreed that all Rasalhagian soldiers who wished to resign to join the new Republic were free to do so.  The Sabres received orders to train new soldiers of the Republic on [[Damian]].

On Damian in February of [[3035]], the unit failed in its duty to train the Republic's soldiers properly and they also failed to stop the Bandit King [[Hendrik Grimm III|Hendrik Grimm]] from taking valuable goods from the planet.  Albert and his unit were soon reassigned to [[Enif]] and exiled from the Fifth Sword of Light.<ref>''Starterbook: Sword and Dragon'', pp. 34–35: War of the Ronin - Sabres' split with formation of the Republic, loss of his Lance Leader</ref> During this time Albert traded his ''Panther'' for a ComStar "gift," an MON-66 ''[[Mongoose]]''.

On the Sabres' reassignment, Albert was promoted to the rank of ''Chu-i'' of their Pursuit Lance. He and the rest of the Lance Leaders continued to do drill work to rebuild the unit's lost cohesion and sense of belonging.  Eight years after being sent into exile and Sorenson's efforts to rebuild the unit's soul, they were put to the test.  In [[3042]], pirates out of [[Antallos]] struck the planet; after tracking them, they discovered the pirates were not after armor factories, but the planet's food warehouses. Albert's lance, with a fire lance, flanked the enemy raider force and crushed them with firepower and speed.  They managed to capture a ''[[Union]]'' Class DropShip, and the battle was a resounding success, which marked the Sabres' new road to recovering their honor.

A few months later, slaver pirates raided the planet during a training exercise. Albert's Command Lance was forced to withdraw, rearm hastily, and help the Fire Lance combat the pirates.  The unit was able to capture the commander of the force, who turned out to be the consort of “Mad” [[Max Smythe]], an infamous pirate slaver of Antallos.  They learned from her that early pirate raids against the planet were elements of the [[Band of the Damned]].  The Sabres then set out on a year-long hunt to find the [[Galedon Military District|Warlord of Galedon]] and to stop the slavers and the Damned. Though there were only a few successes, the unit proved its worth to the DCMS high command, and was reattached to the Fifth Sword of Light once again.<ref>''Starterbook: Sword and Dragon'', pp. 35–36: Border Guards and The Path of the Damned - Albert Benton's promotion to Pursuit lance leader, he and rest of the Sabres prove their worth after training and fighting pirates return frontline service</ref>

====Clash with McKinnon's Raiders====
In [[3049]], the Sabres received orders to probe into the Federated Commonwealth's [[Draconis March]] to look for signs of possible invasion.  Raids within the last two years caused the leadership of the Combine to become concerned of impending invasion.

Through the course of hitting various worlds in the Federated Commonwealth, the unit found little regarding the invasion.  However, Davion raids of the border in [[3047]] turned out to be [[Fox's Teeth]], an elite Davion independent company. Albert and the rest of the Sabres moved to raid the Fox's base on [[Benet III]].  In a brutal all-out battle, the two forces kept fighting until the Sabres felt honor had been satisfied for the Dragon, and they withdrew.<ref>''Starterbook: Sword and Dragon'', pp. 36, 80: The Fox's Den and Touchpoint: Dust Up - Probe attack of FedCom results in Sabres fighting MacKinnon's Raiders to punish them for raids of 3047 and to see what unit was best</ref>

====Duty on Luthien====
After the Campaign of 3048–3049, The ''Kanrei'' recalled the unit to [[Luthien]].
There the unit was awarded status as a true independent BattleMech Company, no longer attached to any frontline combat unit.  With the Sabres slipping from the TO&E of Combine, they became a black ops unit.

Here Albert developed a relationship with [[Luthien Armor Works]], while the unit conducted trials of new and [[Experimental Technology|experimental equipment]] for the Combine.  He took part in the testing of the [[Blackjack Omni|''Blackjack'' medium OmniMech]]. By [[3060]], his ''Mongoose'' he had nicknamed ''Gunner'', was reassigned to the [[2nd Sword of Light]]. LAW's Research and Development section gifted him a ''[[Black Hawk-KU]]'' heavy [[OmniMech]] for his extensive help did with the new ''Blackjack''.<ref>''Starterbook: Sword and Dragon'', pp. 37, 46: Profile Albert Benton and Serving the Dragon - Albert's background as engineer pays way to aid in Sabres' duty test new technology for the Combine</ref>

===Assuming Command of the Sabres and the Combine-Ghost Bear War===
In 3061, Albert's longtime commander, [[Daniel Sorenson]] retired from service.  He was elevated to ''Tai-i'' and assumed command of the unit.  He in moving speech at the change of command ceremony, announced unit would forgo changing the name of the unit as it been tradition of the company parent's regiments tradition.<ref>''Starterbook: Sword and Dragon'', p. 33: For Glory of Golden Pillar - Palmer Conti cites Fifth Sword's ancient tradition of renaming / remaking its companies after its commander. The origin of Sorenson's Sabres name</ref>  He announced the unit would retain the name in honor of Sorenson's duty and honor of holding the company together through his years of service.<ref name=JS:TBDp68/>

After taking command, Albert and his command were moved to the [[Clan Ghost Bear]] border, where with newly held freedom maintain vigilance against any Clan intrusion.

In 3062, the [[Combine-Ghost Bear War]] broke out due to efforts of the [[Black Dragon Society]] influenced [[Alshain Avengers]] [[Brigade]] trying to take their [[Alshain|homeworld]] back from [[Clan Ghost Bear]].  Albert exploited the unit's independence and raided a number of [[Ghost Bear Dominion|Dominion worlds]] during the conflict.  His exploits earned respect of the Ghost Bears to request that he and his unit to [[Courchevel]], for a Trial of Possession which would end dishonorable war in honor. His noted action of the Trial, when in a personal duel, he took down a ''[[Kingfisher]]'' assault [[OmniMech]].

After conclusion of the War, Albert and his command were then returned to Luthien. There he was given the honor of being attached to the Coordinator's personal bodyguard unit, the [[Otomo]].<ref name=JS:TBDp68/>

===Jihad===
====Luthien====
In [[3068]], the Black Dragon Society influenced most of the [[2nd Sword of Light]] to seize Imperial Capital.  Albert and his Sabres were able to escape the fate of the majority of the Otomo.  He led the unit through the fires of war for control of the capital, to join forces with the loyalist aligned [[1st Genyosha]] and survivors of the Coordinator's bodyguard units to help combat the ''ronin'' Black Dragon forces.  Over course of early years of the occupation of Luthien, Albert led his unit in attack and fade tactics against the rebel forces in the ruins of the capital city.  This continued until people with Lord [[Chandrasekhar Kurita]], convinced join his team of troops to fight the true enemy of the Combine, The [[Word of Blake]].<ref name=JS:TBDp68/>

====Stone's Coalition====
After initial battles against the Blakists with Lord Kurita's [[Hachiman Taro Electronics]], the death of Uncle Chandy led him into working with [[Devlin Stone|Devlin Stone's]] [[Stone's Coalition|Coalition]].  As part of the Coalition he became liaison to [[Clan Ghost Bear|Clan Ghost Bear]] who had joined the fight against the Blakists. His duel in 3063 at the end of the Combine-Ghost Bear War won him the respect needed to be a liaison officer to them.  His leadership and tactics with his unit fighting alongside the Ghost Bears in the Protectorate proved to be a boon for Stone's Coalition.  During the campaign, his Black Hawk-KU began to show wear and tear, despite offers by the Ghost Bears to replace it with a true ''[[Nova (Black Hawk)|Nova]]''.  He took up an offer to have his machine fitted out with Clan weaponry instead.<ref>''Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers'', p. 22: Albert Benton - Benton's profile shows him part of Stone's coalition as liaison officer between Ghost Bears and Stone</ref>

In August [[3078]], Albert and the Sabres would be assigned to participate in the retaking of [[Terra]] in [[Operation SCYTHE|Operation SYCTHE]].  Assigned to Task Force MALLET, he was initially assigned to command the operation to take the city of Athens with his Sabres and [[The Battle Corps]] mercenary command. Under the direction of General Lee, Albert's command worked with other special operations units which successfully retook the city in a near bloodless fight.<ref>''Jihad Hot Spots: Terra'', pp. 96, 102, 106: Albert Benton's actions while in command of the Sabres during the Terra invasion</ref>

==BattleMechs==
In his very early career, he was known to pilot [[BattleMech#Light|light]] BattleMechs, starting with an "acquired" Federated Suns ''Stinger'' BattleMech named ''Lucky Star''.  It was noted that he was known as one of the best ''Stinger'' pilots in the [[Inner Sphere]].<ref>''Sorenson's Sabres'', p. 23: Albert Benton's original profile - The profile comments him becoming one of the best ''Stinger'' pilots in the Inner Sphere</ref><ref>''Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 13'', p. 7</ref>  After the 'Mech's destruction in 3029 during the Fourth Succession War, he was reassigned to a ''Panther''. By 3034, he was given an MON-67 ''Mongoose'' while giving up his ''Panther'' to a newcomer of the unit. When he assumed command of the Sabres he was gifted by [[LAW]] with a new ''[[Black Hawk-KU]]''.<ref>''Starterbook: Sword and Dragon'', pp. 33–37, 47: Albert's 'Mech piloting history shown in Starterbook. Profile also notes it as well, giving years</ref> The 'Mech was reconfigured by [[3075]] with Clan weaponry in place of Inner Sphere weapons. The 'Mech retained its [[C3 master computer]], which it had started with.<ref>''Jihad Turning Points: Luthien'', p. 13: Black Hawk-KU Albert - Record Sheet Sorenson's Sabres' commander 'Mech</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Albert Benton SS.jpg|At age 29
Albert Benton SBSD.png|At age 52
Albert Benton JSTBD.png|At age 78
</gallery>

==References==
<references/>

==Bibliography==
* ''[[Jihad Hot Spots: Terra]]''
* ''[[Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents]]''
* ''[[Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers]]''
* ''[[NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1]]''
* ''[[Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 13]]''
* ''[[Sorenson's Sabres (scenario pack)|Sorenson's Sabres]]''
* ''[[Starterbook: Sword and Dragon]]''

[[Category:Draconis Combine Characters|Benton, Albert]]
[[Category:Notable Stinger Pilots|Benton, Albert]]