Black Heart Roses

History

Formation

The unit has its roots in two former Mercenary commands the Stone Hearts BattleMech company and the Briar Patch Guard. They were hired to defend the Arc-Royal Defense Cordon world of Great X, where the two commanders fell in love in course of their garrison and merged their units. Unbeknownst to Sarah Rose, her romance with her future husband was a cover-up to get his unit out of debt.

FedCom Civil War era

The unit's negotiations to extend their service with the Kell Hounds broke down due to sell Morgan Kell's Archer to unit 'Mech collector, Sarah Heart-Rose in 3064. The unit was fortunately hired shortly after by Baronet Simon Clease, CEO Rahne branch of the Zettle Metals Incorporated. The Baronet deployed the Black Heart Roses to a smelter in the city of Shawmut Springs. The unit fought off raids from the local rival Pro-Katherine Steiner-Davion Duke.

After the civil war in 3067, they were hired by the Niops Association to defend against Marian Raiders.

Defending Niops and the Rocky Marriage

As the garrisoning of Niops had gone without any raids. Colonel Sarah Heart-Rose's marriage began to deteriorate as her husband, began to became rumored to be romantically involved with local infantry commander. The unit gained access to Niopas's new tech, was able to bolster its infantry ranks to a additional battalion infantry consisting of troops using Mk. XXII Nighthawk Battle Armor.

In 3071, the unit was deployed against elements of the VI Legio Ripariensis whom came to Niops V to steal world's star league era technology. As Legios approached the warehouses, they discovered that it was defended by two companies of NAM troops. When Legious's commander, Legatus Onufry Sopaczak, attempted marshal his troops, Colonel Heart-Rose slammed her battalion of Battlemechs into his rear flank. Rose's Briar Patch Guards, newly equipped with Mk XXII Nighthawk Battle Armor, attacked spread out Marian troops. The Nighthawks of the Guard were noted for their take down of VI Legio's commander's Starslayer.

Political Strife and Allege destruction of Black Hearts Roses

Political strife over the 3070s had effected the Niopian government. The unit attempted to stay neutral in these affairs, but it did not last. In February 3076, Briar Patch Guards lead by Lt. Colonel Rose, freed military & political prisoners, as well as his alleged lover. The Niops Association Militia demanded that Black Heart Roses surrender their prisoners. Colonel Heart-Rose demanded that her husband to return the prisoners to the military authorities of Nipos. Which he refused her orders, so Colonel Rose held her 'Mech forces neutral as NAM forces moved to attack Briar Patch Guards. However, NAM did not recognize Colonel Heart-Rose's 'Mechs neutrality and forced her to defend her unit.

After the ensuing battle, Lt. Colonel Rose surrendered and took responsibility for his action so his troops would survive the battle. The unit's 'Mech forces suffered heavy damage, with only a company of 'Mech left and none fully operational. The infantry force was remained operational and its ability to fight lead to negations of their amnesty.

Niopas Association agreed that the their militia forces had attacked Rose's mechs that were clearly only defending themselves. So merc unit was allow to leave without any charges pressed against them. However, the DropShip carrying only the 'Mech forces of Black Hearts Rose's mech force was lost due to engine explosion. Salvage tugs which recovered the wreck did not find any signs of Colonel Heart-Rose nor her 'mechs. However media reports possible sabotage being caused and that was their was small chance of Roses could have survived. The MRBC struck the unit's name from active roles of mercs and declared them a dead unit.

Officers

• Colonel Sara Heart-Rose commands the BattleMech Battalion and has a .Mech collection, which is strange for a woman.

• Leutnant-Colonel Johann Rose commands the infantry Battalion and is a veteran commander.

Tactics

The unit is skilled in isolating individual enemy BattleMechs, and anti-'Mech infantry attacks.

Support

• Technical support for a full regiment

Dragoon Ratings

3067

Dragoon Rating: D

3071

Dragoon Rating: D

Composition

3067

Black Heart Roses (1 BattleMech Battalion/Veteran/Reliable)

• CO: Colonel Sarah Heart-Rose
• XO: Major Shah Khan

- 40 Mechs with mixed equipment

Briar Patch Guards (2 Infantry Battalion/Veteran Reliable)

• CO/1st Battalion: Lieutenant Colonel Johann Rose
• XO/2nd Battalion: Major David Ling

- Trained in anti-'Mech tactics

3071

• Black Heart Roses (1 BattleMech Battalion/Veteran/Reliable)
• Briar Patch Guards (3 Infantry Battalion/Veteran Reliable)

3076

• • Black Heart Roses (1 BattleMech Company/Veteran/Reliable)

Notes

• Sarah Heart-Rose is noted as collector of all things. Her BattleMech collection included Gray Noton's Rifleman, an Axman allegedly owned by Adam Steiner, a Victor previously piloted by Victor Ian Steiner-Davion, an antique Striker, and pair of rare Spartans.

• Jihad Hot Spots: 3076 article, does not state if the Briar Patch Guards remained with the unit. Only noting that surviving BattleMech Company was "lost" its dropship. Reports leaves possibility of the unit isn't dead, unless further article disproves this.

Bibliography

• Jihad Hot Spots: 3076
• Mercenaries Supplemental II
• Mercenaries Supplemental Update
• Technical Readout: 3075