Brion's Legion

History

Before the Fourth Succession War Brion's Legion was a questionable mercenary unit in the employ of the Draconis Combine assigned to the Ashiro Prefecture and assigned the the planet Murchison. . With the advent of the Fourth Succession War the Legion was paired with the 9th Dieron Regulars for an attack on the Federated Suns planet David. It is on this world that the fate of the Legion was changed forever.

During the action on David the Legion and the Regulars attacked the on planet forces, specifically the 12th Deneb Light Cavalry as part of the Draconis Combine's responce to Davion aggression. Initially the attack went well, with the Draconis forces successfully landing all forces, but soon turned inconclusive as the Calvalry were augmented by local militia and civilian actions. Despite this the Draconis forces continued to push the FedSuns lighter units. Finally the Light Calvary found a defensive position and turned to fight.

The Draconis attack was spearheaded by the Legion, which advanced to engagement. Due to a ploy by the Calvalry the Legions leader, Colonel Pythonius Brion, was identified and his 'Mech was destroyed by the combined fire of an entire Battalion. Demorilized the Legion broke and fled the field of battle closely pursued by the Light Calvalry. Realizing their situation the Legion fled to the local ComStar facilities and appealed for sanctuary, which was granted. When told of this action by the Legion Coordinator Takashi Kurita was heard to say that he had no use for "that collection of cowardly daffodil-sniffers" and washed his hands of the unit forever.

ComStar at this time desired a more visible military presence abd prefered to keep the Com Guard forces still secret. With this in mind Precentor Marshal Anastasius Focht contacted Colonel Octavius Brion, son of Colonel Pythonius, and offered the disgraced Legion a contract with ComStar. When the Legion agreed to the contract ComStar brought the Legion back up to a full Regiment using Star League era BattleMechs and upgraded the remainder using Star League era technologies. They also enrolled the Legion personel in the ComStar's rigorous MechWarrior training programs, resulting in an overall upgrade of the Legion's equipment and personel. Over time the Legion was expanded to a second Regiment to better support their role as a garrison unit for ComStar assets.

With the public revelation of the existence of the ComGuard Brion's Legion was assigned to Terran Defense Force V-gama under Precentor IV Ralph Marchina as part of the Home Guard for the Sol star system. Though they spent many years as a ComStar mercenary unit the Legion has always held to the command and organizational structures of the Inner Sphere standard miltaries.

The Legions status as a ComStar contracted mercenary company ended in 3058. With the fighting in the Chaos March heating up and mercenary contracts in this region becoming more lucrative the Legion command decided to end its contract with ComStar and become an independent mercenary force. This decision would have grave impacts on the future of ComStar and on the Inner Sphere itself.

Their first contract was with the independent world Pleione in the Chaos March. Though they did well, their lack of experience in contract negotiation cause numerable issues, specifically in ceding command to local militia commanders. Though they were hampered by an insecure and tentative commander, they did eventually force the attacking Federated Suns 12th Vegan Rangers off world. This success went a long way in returning the reputation the unit had been lacking since their actions during the Fourth Succession War.

In the following years the unit gained experience in contract negotiations and retained increasing autonomy with each new contract. In late 3058 the legion took contract with the Lyran Commonwealth and was assigned to defend Tomans against Clan incursions into Commonwealth space.

In 3064 Brion's Legion was rushed to the planet Rasalgethi in response to a Jade Falcon attack on this planet. There they supported elements of the Kelenfold PTM and Snord's Irregulars in some of the heaviest fighting they had faced since the fateful battle on David in the Fourth Succession War. The chaotic nature of the battle forced the Legion to abandon its preferred tactics of mass formation long range fighting in favor of a more fluid and flexible approach. They became adept at the use of lures, traps and ambushes as well as battlefield deception tactics to hide the composition and placement of their forces. Though they took substantial damage in this campaign, primarily to the First Regiment, Brion's Legion has come out of this trial with a renewed sense of accomplishment and a reputation as a stalwart band of mercenaries.

With the beginning of the Jihad the 1st Regiment was assigned to defend the once hostile Marik border again. On Mizar they met the Steel Guard in Combat and retreated after serious looses. In 3069 they returned prepared and defeated the Marik forces on planet.

The 2nd Regiment was assigned at the beginning of the Jihad as a reserve to the Bolan Province. Stationed on Bolan, the mercs had difficulty calming the situation down. After losing some units to ambushes the command increased their cooperation with the local leader. This events lead to the rumors of "pet" mercs of the planet leader.

Command

Colonel Pythonius Brion is the original commander of Brion's Legion while under Draconis Combine contract. He was succeeded on his death by his son, Colonel Octavius Brion, who still commands to this day.

Available Forces and Organization

In 3067 the demibrigade fields two Battlemech regiments with supporting commands. The mercaneries own enougth Dropships and Jumpship to carry their equipent independently. Another source for their success is their skilled technical crews.

Historical Composition

3025

Mech Assets (2 Battalions/Regular/Questionable)

• CO: Colonel Pythonius Brion

Contracted to Draconis Combine, assigned to Murchison in the Ashio Prefecture

3054

Mech Asstes(2 Regiments/Elite/Reliable)

• CO: Colonel Octavius Brion

Contracted to ConStar as part of The Home Guard, Terra Defense Force V-gama

1st Regiment

Officers

Major Richard “K.O.” Merriwether is the second in command after Colonel Octavius Brion and is widely known for his mechwarrior skills even against clan enemies.

Tactics

For years their preferred tactical doctrine was to use their superior technology to stand off and fight from a distance. Their fighting style has changed with the increase of their conventional forces. The CO mixed his forces dependend of the battlefield, which suprised many enemies.

Compostion History

3057

The insignia of the first regiment

Mech Assets (2 Regiments)

First Regiment: Davids Lesson Veteran/Fanatical

• CO: Colonel Octavius Brion

• XO: Major Albert Johansson

2nd Company

• Captain Richard Merriwether

2nd Battalion

• Major Isabella Francis

3rd Battalion

• Major Wellum Owens

-Note: there is a full company of Bombadier 'Mechs split between 1st and 2nd Battalions

3067

First Regiment: Davids Lesson Veteran/Reliable

• CO: Colonel Octavius Brion

• XO: Major Richard Meriwether

2nd Company

• Captain Delilah Faulkner

2nd Battalion

• Major David Francis

3rd Battallion

• Major Wellum Owens

-Note: Currently understrength due to losses on Rasalgethi

First Combat Support Battalion Veteran/Fanatical

• CO: Major Carlos Waters

The mixed unit contians

12 Thumper Artillery pieces

1 company of Armor

1 motorized Infantry company (specialized in Anti-Mech and command operations).

First Combat Air Support Wing Regular/Reliable

• CO WO John Clyde

The twelve machines of the unit are tasked with ground support and Dropship escort duties.

2nd Regiment

Officers

Lieutenant Colonel Douglas Li command the unit after the retirement of the former leader Robert Markham in 3064.

Tactics

In contrast to its sister regiment, the 2nd use a two step battle plan. 1st: use longrange weapons to soften the enemy before 2nd use your mobilty to get in close quarter and finish the engagement quick. The mercaneries try to capture as many salvage as possible. The command is also known to set ambushes, built false units from scrape with radio traffic as diversionary tactics.

Unit TO&E

3057

Second Regiment: Brion's Legacy Regular/Reliable

• CO/Ist Battalion: Lt. Colonel Robert Markham

• XO: Major Douglas Li

2nd Battalion

• Major Earnest Julio

3rd Battalion

• Major Shane Fletcher

3rd Company/Recon

• Lieutenant Sheila Olson

-Note: All 'Mechs in Regiment are either Star League or Star Legue refitted. 3rd Company is a specialize 6 unit recon lance with Star League era fast 'Mechs assigned

3067

Insignia of the Second Regiment

Second Regiment: Brion's Legacy Regular/Reliable

• CO: Lt. Colonel Douglas Li

• XO: Major Shane Fletcher

1st Battalion

• Major Sheila Olson

2nd Battalion

• Major Charles O'Bannon

3rd Battalion

• Major Alfred Goyle

-Note: Favors flexible engagement and meat grinder tactics as the situation requires. Prefers to use a deceptive tactical doctrine to hide force position and composition

Second Command Support Battalion Regular/Reliable

• CO: Major Daryl Porter

The Support Battalion includes

1 Aerospace wing,

1 Artillery Battery

1 Infantry Company. The Infantry is trained in anti-Mech tactics. The unit having two platoons of Combat Engineers also incorporate.

Bibliography

• ComStar
• The Fall of Terra
• Field Manual: Mercenaries
• House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)
• Mercenaries Supplemental
• Mercenaries Supplemental Update
• NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1
• NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 2