Black Warriors

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General

The Black Warriors were a mercenary-unit-turned-pirate-band associated with the Periphery power known as the Circinus Federation. They were led by the President of the Federation, H.R. McIntyre.

History

The Black Warriors reached the Periphery in 2770 following a contract dispute with the Free Worlds League in which they were accused of a breach of contract. After a near-capture by the Free Worlds League navy, the Warriors swore revenge on the League and settled on the world of Circinus, along with several other pirate bands.[1] Later records indicate that the Black Warriors were former SLDF troops who had left to become mercenaries. Despite this, they worked extensively with the SLDF during the Amaris Civil War, functioning largely as a training cadre.[2] Word of Blake documents indicate than the Warriors were, originally, Star League Loyalists. Only after Kerensky's Operation Exodus (it appears the Warriors were left behind because a communication error) they turned pirates.[3]

Following the founding of the Federation in 2785, the Black Warriors became the chief military force of the fledgling nation as well as a cornerstone of its economy due to the constant raids the Warriors made against the Free Worlds League. This situation developed into one of extreme political significance as the Warriors' unique situation was established over the centuries.

The Eridani Light Horse moved to planet Circinus, in 2853, to launch raids against the Lyran Commonwealth. Both groups, as old Star League units, worked together, launching raids agianst their common foe. However, when the Light Horse uncovered than the Warriors were, really, pirates, at the end of the war they parted ways. The Warrioprs seen this as a betrayal, and since then keep a deep hate toward the Horse. [4]

During Operation Dagger the 42nd Avalon Hussars actually contracted the Black Warriors to assist them against the 6th Orloff Grenadiers. The Hussars had taken Cerillos, the Sixth Orloff's baseworld, and couldn't hold it. The contract stipulated that the Warriors would receive access to Lyran supplies. The combined Hussar/Warrior force eventually lost Cerillos, but the salvage and Lyran supplies allowed the Black Warriors to raise two more regiments in 3032.[2]

Although traditionally the Black Warriors were led by a member of the Cirion family (descended from the leader of the Warriors in 2770), the position of Colonel was taken by the President of the Federation (McIntyre) due to the minority of the next heir to the battalion[5]. McIntyre then led the Warriors to a string of disastrous defeats, including a failed invasion of the Illyrian Palatinate and a long war against guerillas on the planet Alpheratz. This led to a decline in the strength of the Warriors from three battalions to only one, and helped to breed dissent within the ranks. The loss of seven battalions of troops led to a coup against the President of the Federation. The Warriors were reduced to a battalion. Eventually a truce was reached, and Fritz Donner was appointed to lead the unit.[2]

During the Clan Invasion the Warriors used the Federated Commonwealth's preoccupation with the Clan front to raid several Commonwealth systems. These raids were covered by the President making several diplomatic overtures to the Commonwealth as a distraction. The Black Warriors hit Son Hoa and Khon Kaen, frequently clashing with the Mobile Fire mercenary unit. These raids came to an end in 3058 however, when the Timbuktu Theater March Militia raided every system held by the Circinicus Federation. The FedCom unit created many problems for the Federation, but the Warriors were out raiding and not present for the assaults. The Warriors raided Sierra and defeated the 5th Oriente Hussars in 3056. The Sixth Orloff Grenadiers coordinated their retaliatory strikes with the Timbuktu TMM in 3058 to gain their revenge. Prior to the FedCom Civil War the Black Warriors were raiding the Marian Hegemony and New Colony Region.[6] The Black Warriors also responded to raids by the Teyvareb TTM.[7]

In late 3065 and 3066 the Black Warriors raided multiple Marian Hegemony systems. They did so with the covert support of the Magistracy of Canopus, Rim Commonality, and the Word of Blake. The Magistracy and Commonality hired small mercenary commands to help the Federation, while the Blakists provided upgraded 'Mechs and other equipment. The Warriors were able to stop the invasion of the Federation by the Hegemony. After they halted the assault, the Black Warriors left Federation space.[8][9]

The BattleMechs provided by the Word of Blake were known to be WSP-3L Wasp, PXH-4L Phoenix Hawk, and WHM-9S Warhammer models.[10]

Officers

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the Black Warriors
Colonel Zachariah Cirion 2770
Adam Cirion 3033[11][5]
President H.R. "Little Bob" McIntyre 3033 - 3050[12][5]
Colonel Fritz Donner 3064[13]
Colonel Michael Cirion 3067[14][15]

Tactics

The Warriors are a reinforced, combined arms unit. They prefer hit-and-run strike tactics that are similar to those of the Eridani Light Horse.[14][16]

Composition History

2770

Black Warriors (Regular/Reliable)

  • CO: Zachariah Cirion

- The unit is stationed at this time on Circinus.

2786 - 2821

Black Warriors (Regiment/Veteran/Questionable)[17]

Note: At this point in time the medium-weight unit was stationed on Circinus. In 2821 the command was reduced to 28 percent of its strength and was deployed on Circinus. [17]

3025

Black Warriors (Regular/Reliable)

  • CO: Adam Cirion

- The unit is stationed at this time on Circinus.

3050

Black Warriors (Regular/Reliable)[12]

  • CO: "Little Bob" McIntyre

- The unit is stationed at this time on Circinus.

3064

  • CO: Colonel Fritz Donner

Black Death (Battalion/Veteran/Reliable)[14]

  • CO: Major Branden "Deathwatch" Williams

- The Black Death includes three command lances, one in each battalion. The unit prefers mostly light and medium 'Mech designs.

Black Hearts (Battalion/Veteran/Reliable)[14]

  • CO: Major Kieran Yothers

- The Hearts field a heavier 'Mech assortment than the Black Death battalion.

Black Angels (1 Reinforced Wing/Veteran/Reliable)[14]

  • CO: Major Ann "Red Death" Harley

- The Angels field mainly heavy fighter designs.

Black Horses (Reinforced Battalion/Veteran/Reliable)[14]

  • CO: Major Kelly "Kilroy" Bergstrom

- The Horses are equipped with hovertanks and VTOLs.

Black Dogs (2 Companies/Veteran/Reliable)[14]

  • CO: Major Jebediah Gorst

3067

Black Warriors (Regiment/Elite/Questionable)[15]

  • CO: Colonel Michael Cirion

Black Angels (Wing/Elite/Questionable)[15]

  • CO: Major Ann "Red Death" Harley

Black Horses (2 Battalions/Elite/Questionable)[15]

  • CO: Colonel Major Kelly "Kilroy" Bergstrom)

Black Dogs (Reinforced Battalion/Elite/Questionable)[15]

  • CO: Major Jebediah Gorst


Game Rules

Notes

References

  1. Handbook: Major Periphery States, p. 42
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Field Manual: Periphery, p. 99
  3. Battletech Field Manual periphery p. 98
  4. Battletech Field Manual periphery p. 99
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Handbook: Major Periphery States, p. 170
  6. Field Manual: Periphery, p. 101
  7. Field Manual: Lyran Alliance, p. 120
  8. Field Manual: Updates, p. 197
  9. Handbook: Major Periphery States, p. 168
  10. Technical Readout: Project Phoenix, p. 18, 24, 46
  11. Field Manual: Periphery, p. 102
  12. 12.0 12.1 20 Year Update, p. 79, "Deployment Table"
  13. Field Manual: Periphery, p. 102
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 14.6 Field Manual: Periphery, p. 103, "Black Warriors Unit Profile"
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 Field Manual: Updates, p. 203, "Circinus Federation Deployment Table"
  16. Handbook: Major Periphery States, pp. 170-171
  17. 17.0 17.1 ’’ First Succession War’’, p. 140

Bibliography