Basil Itemji
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Basil Itemji | |
|---|---|
| Personal | |
| Died | December 3051 |
| Affiliation | Draconis Combine |
| Profile | |
| Rank | Tai-sa |
| Profession | MechWarrior |
History[edit]
Basil Itemji was an officer in the Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery that commanded the 18th Dieron Regulars between 3049 and December 3051.[1] [2]
Immediately prior to the arrival of the Clans, his unit was stationed on Altair in 3050.[1]
With Clan Nova Cat's line of advance approaching Irece, the location of LexaTech Industries the last surviving Land-Air 'Mech manufacturer in the Inner Sphere, in late 3051 House Kurita dispatched the Eighteenth to defend the facility. On December 22nd of that year, coinciding with the invasion of Avon, the Nova Cat's Beta Galaxy arrived in-system and Galaxy Commander John Rosse issued a batchall, Tai-sa Basil Itemji correctly declaring his intention to defend the world with his entire force or die trying. Despite his subordinates fomenting to be allowed the bid for the right to attack, Rosse suspected Spheroid trickery and chose to attack with his entire Galaxy. [2]
Despite the 18th's track record for urban combat, Tai-sa Itemji initiated the battle far from the LexaTech plant, setting up hardened defenses and extensive artillery far from the factory, with only a token force preparing the site for any last stands. Cautiously landing just out of range of the Eighteenth's artillery forces, the Nova Cat's OmniFighters quickly gained air superiority and destroyed the artillery before they could fire a single shot as the Cat's OmniMechs engaged the Kurita forces.[2]
While switching to concentrated fire when the 18th refused to engage in Clan-style single combat, the Nova Cat warriors pushed the retreating Regulars back to their second stand near a small natural crater. When the 179th Striker Cluster followed the east flank of the Kurita retreat, the 18th succeeded in nearly decimating the entire Cluster when the Nova Cats found themselves caught between a split assault emerging from hidden positions.[2]
By the fourth day, an increasingly desperate Rosse ordered a Star of Elementals to perform a headhunter strike against the Eighteenth's command center, only for a native animal known as a Squawk to give away their approach, allowing Tai-sa Itemji and his command to destroy the Elementals at the cost of their cover, fighting a running battle with the rest of Beta as they withdrew again. Taking a leaf from this attack, Tai-sa Itemji ordered the 412th DEST Company attached to the 18th to launch a headhunter strike against the Nova Cat's command Trinary, the element of surprise allowing the DEST troops to eliminate 20 Clan 'Mechs, including John Rosse and his command staff before they were killed.[2]
With Star Colonel Brian Lossey taking command, the units of Beta continued with Rosse's plan, launching a series of raids designed to systematically weaken the Eighteenth, forcing Tai-sa Itemji to give ground repeatedly. When Lossey sent a Trinary directly towards the LexaTech plant, Itemji was forced to play his final ace in the hole, ordering the last of his artillery to destroy the Trinary only to leave it open to another OmniFighter strike.[2]
With the last remnants of the Eighteenth pulling back to the factory grounds for their last stand, the Kurita defenders rigged the factory with explosives to deny it to Nova Cat. Unfortunately suspecting just such a trap, Star Colonel Lossey sent Elementals in to disable the bombs, the Eighteenth only managing to inflict minor damage on the facilities before the Nova Cat forces crushed them completely.[2]
Tai-sa Basil Itemji died with his unit.[1] [2]