Albert Benton

Albert Benton (Born 2997) 31st Century House Kurita MechWarrior, officer, and commanding officer of the storied Sorenson's Sabres BattleMech Company.

File:Albert Benton.jpg

At Age of 52 in 3049

Character Description

Albert in his youth, noted average features of everyday man. He's used these average features to blend into crowds and not being noticed when he up to something. He has a strong interest in technology, which lead him to become a competent engineer in his day. When he had joined the Sorenson's Sabres began to learned ways of interrogation. He noted for possessing natural charisma and aptitude in his later years.

History

Early Life and Military Career

Albert Benton was born on Galedon V, joined DCMS was assigned as ammunition loader for a Artillery Unit at very young age. During combat with House Davion, his unit's artillery piece knocked out a enemy Stinger. He discovered that its pilot had been killed by shell, but 'Mech operation. When the Davions's recovery crews retrieved the downed BattleMech, he followed in a jeep into Davion held terroritory. After observing activities of the techs, he knocks out a guard and steals the recovery vehicle with 'Mech onboard. In mater of frantic hours he returns the enemy vehicle and returns Kurita control lines with his newly acquired BattleMech which he names the machine, Lucky Star.

As MechWarrior in the Sorenson's Sabres

Early Campaigns with Sorenson's Sabres in 3020s

When he was assigned to Sabre's Albert was assigned to Chu-i Sveinson's Medium Lance.

While assign on mission on Davion world of Udibi with rest of the 5th Sword of Light, Albert's lance is separated from rest of the company during supply raid in a city. With no promised reinforcements, Albert and rest are order by Sveinson to grab supplies from the Davion supply depot they had raided and retreat quickly from the city. Davion had surrounded Albert's unit were surprise see them run. The unit's daring action not fight, but simply flee for the landing zone, allow them successful elude Davions and withdraw with rest of the 5th Sword off planet.

Benton and rest of the Sabres were assign as part the 36th Dieron Regulars help break deadlock on contested world of Quinn in January 3026. Benton saw with disgust of wander death caused by the Hungry Ghosts of the 36th Dieron, whom targeted the civilians and dependents of the House Davion forces to break their moral. Westham Valley turn into yet another battlefield, as Benton and rest fought vengeful Davion employed mercenary unit, Swann's Cavaliers. Attempting cover the true butchers, 36th Dieron.

In June 3026, he and rest of his Medium Lance were overshot by Davion fighters and made a crashed landing their Dropships during a raid on the world of Errai. Benton lead way for the lance through rough Red Forest which filled Davion infantry troops Red Forest's usual trees lead to confusion of their sensors on the journey to meet with Tai-i Sorenson and rest of the company. Despite enemy's advantages, the unit was able march through the forest.

The Fourth Succession War

Albert was deployed with rest of the Sabres and 5th Sword of Light in 3029 to Northwind in Fourth Succession War. They were given unusual mission to pilot their 'Mechs through a major metropolis' water reservoir. Their BattleMechs' lower halfs were painted new paint and they were order to not question their orders. The unit then fough sicken 5th Deneb Light Cavalry, which had been poisoned by food poison. As fighting with the rest of the 5th Sword, Genyosha and other Kurita regiments continued. Their attempt to secure the planet for the Dragon failed, due to arrival of the Northwind Highlanders. Battle with the Highlanders, resulted in the lose of his Stinger. He was then, assigned to a PNT-9R Panther by time the 5th Sword would arrive on Nusakan later that year. Albert rest of the unit fought the Kell Hounds on outskirts of the battle, only took minor damage but Conti's defeat in his duel would leave everyone in dishonor.

The Fall and Rises of the Sabres

After the War, the unit spent several years conducting border raids along Davion border. While on Togura 3034, Free Rasalhague Republic's formation was announced. This caused stir among the member of the Sabres, whom quarter were Raslhaguian in descent, including Tai-i Sorenson and Albert's Chu-i. In argument, Sveinson and MechWarrior Soderstrom got into fight over Tai-i's decision to remain in the Combine. After punching Sorenson, he ordered them incarnated. Next day, Albert would soon be on the march in his Panther pursuing his former lance leader and other former comrades. The resulting battle with them, would leave the ronin Sabres dead and unit spiritually broken. After returning to base after the battle, they would soon receive word from Kanrei Theodore Kurita, decreeing all Rasalhagian soldiers who wish resign to join new Republic were free to do so. The Sabres received orders to train new soldiers of the Republic on Damian.

On Damian February 3035, the unit failed in duty to train Republic's soldiers properly and they themselves failed to repulse the Bandit King Hendrik Grimm from taken valuable goods from the planet. Albert and rest would soon be reassigned to Enif and exiled from the 5th Sword of Light. During this period Albert would trade his Panther for a ComStar gift, a MON-66 Mongoose.

On their reassignment, Albert would be promoted to rank of Chu-i of Pursuit Lance. He and rest of the Lance Leaders would continue drill work 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, came to the test. In 3042, pirates out of Antallos struck planet, tracking them, they discovered they were not after armor factory's production, but planet's export food warehouses. Albert's lance with Fire lance flanked the enemy raider force to crush them in between with firepower and speed. With capture of the Union Class Dropship, the battle was a resounding success, marking Sabre's new road to recovering its honor.

Few months later, the slaver pirates raid planet during a training exercise. Albert's and Command Lance were force withdraw to re-arm hastly to aide Fire Lance combat the pirates. Unit able capture commander of the force, who turned out to be the consort of “Mad” Max Smythe, infamous pirate slaver of Antallos. They learned from her, that early pirate raid against the planet were elements of the Band of the Damned. Sabres then sent on year long hunt by Warlord of Galedon, stop the slavers and Damned. Though there were only few successes, the unit proved its worth to the DMSC's high command, and re-attached to the 5th Sword of Light once again.

Clash with The McKinnon's Raiders

In 3049, Sabres are receive orders to probe into the Federated Commonwealth's Draconis March to look for signs of possible invasion by House Davion-Steiner State. Raids two years previously had caused the leadership of the Combine to be raise concerns of impending invasion or worse.

Through course of hit various worlds in the FedCom, the unit turn little nothing regarding the invasion. However, Davion raids of border in '47 turn out to be Fox's Teeth, elite Davion Independent company. Albert and rest of Sabres moved to raid Fox's base on Benet III. In brutal no-hold-bar battle, Sabres and Foxes kept fighting until Sabre felt honor had been satisfied for Dragon, order fighting withdraw..

Duty on Luthien

After the Campaign of 3048-'49, The Kanrei recalled unit Luthien. There the unit, was award status as true independent BattleMech Company, no longer attached to any frontline combat unit. With unit slipping from TO&E of Combine, become a black ops unit.

Here Albert developed relationship with Luthien Armor Works, while the unit conducted trials of new and experimental equipment for the Combine. He took part in the testing of the Blackjack Medium OmniMech. By 3060, his Mongoose he had nicknamed Gunner, was re-assigned to 2nd Sword of Light. LAW's Research and Development corp. gifted him a Black Hawk-KU Heavy OmniMech for his extensive help did with the new Blackjack.

Assuming Command of the Sabres and the Combine-Ghost Bear War

In 3061, Albert's long time commander, Daniel Sorenson retires from service. He elevated to Tai-i, assume command of the unit. He in moving speech at the change of command cermony, announced unit would forego changing the name of the unit as it been tradition of the company parent's regiments tradition. 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.

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

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

After conclusion of the War, Albert and his command were then returned to Luthien. There he was given honor of being attached to the Coordinator's personal body guard unit, the Otomo.

Jihad

Luthien

In 3068, Black Dragon Society's influenced most of the 2nd Sword of Light to seize Imperial Capital. Albert and his Sabres were able escape fate of the majority of the Otomo. He lead the unit through fires war for control of the capital, to join forces with the loyalist aligned 1st Genyosha and survivors of Coordinator's body guard units to help combat the Ronin Black Dragon forces. Over course of early years of the occupation of Luthien, Albert was able lead his unit in attack and fade tactics against the rebel forces in ruins of capital city. This continued until people with Lord Chandrasekhar Kurita, convinced join his team of troops fight true enemy of the combine, The Word of Blake.

Stone's Coalition

After initial battles against the Blakists with Lord Kurita's HTE, the death of Uncle Chandy's lead him into working with Devlin Stone's Coalition. As part Coalition he became liaison to Clan Ghost Bear whom had joined fight against the Blakists. His duel in 3063 at end of the Combine-Ghost Bear War won him the respected needed to be liaison officer to them. His leadership and tactics with his unit fighting along side the Ghost Bears in the Protectorate prove to be boon for Stone's Coalition. During the campaign, his Black Hawk-KU begun to show wear and tear, despite offers by the Ghost Bears to replace it with a true Nova. He took up offer to fitted out with Clan weaponry instead.

Portrait Gallery

• Albert Benton (Age 29).jpg

  Albert "Gunner" Benton at Age 29 in 3026.

• Albert Benton (2).jpg

  Albert Benton at Age 78 in 3075

Notes

In his very early career, he was known to pilot Light BattleMechs, starting with a "acquired" Davion Stinger BattleMech named "Lucky Star". It had been noted he was known one of the best Stinger pilots in the Inner Sphere. After its destruction in 3029 during 4th Succession War, he was given reassigned to a Panther. By 3034, he was given a MON-67 Mongoose, while giving up his Panther to newcomer to the unit. When he assumed command of the Sabres he was gifted by LAW a new Black Hawk-KU. The 'Mech was re-configured by 3075, by add clan weaponry in place of Inner Sphere weapons. The 'mech was retained a C3 Master Computer, which 'mech had started with.

Game Notes

Using the special individual Mechwarrior advance rules found in Starterbook: Sword and Dragon, Albert has been given the following ability: When using or leading a lance of 'Mechs, he gives them the Off-Map Movement ability.

Bibliography

• Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents
• Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers
• NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1
• Sorenson's Sabres (scenario pack)
• Starterbook: Sword and Dragon