Difference between revisions of "Dark Shadows"
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| − | The '''Dark Shadows''' were paramilitary formation operated by [[SAFE]], the [[Free Worlds League]]'s intelligence service, and were described as a scout [[battalion]].<ref name=TRO>''Technical Readout: 3025'', p. 40 (HER-2S ''Hermes II'' entry)</ref> Their operations were classified, known only to the [[Captain-General]] and the [[Intelligence Oversight Committee]], though the unit's existence | + | The '''Dark Shadows''' were a paramilitary formation operated by the [[SAFE]], the [[Free Worlds League]]'s state intelligence service, and were described as a 'Mech scout [[battalion]].<ref name=TRO>''Technical Readout: 3025'', p. 40 (HER-2S ''Hermes II'' entry)</ref> Their operations were classified, known only to the [[Captain-General]] and the [[Intelligence Oversight Committee]], though the unit's existence was an open secret (colored with myths and misdirection).<ref name=GCO>''A Guide to Covert Ops'', p. 67</ref><ref name=HM>''Handbook: House Marik'', p. 95</ref> |
| − | They were apparently destroyed by [[Word of Blake]] forces in a clandestine operation in [[3075]]. | + | They were apparently destroyed by [[Word of Blake]] forces in a clandestine operation in [[3075]] during the [[Jihad]]. |
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
Revision as of 16:41, 17 May 2017
[[cleanup}} Template:InfoBoxStateUnit The Dark Shadows were a paramilitary formation operated by the SAFE, the Free Worlds League's state intelligence service, and were described as a 'Mech scout battalion.[1] Their operations were classified, known only to the Captain-General and the Intelligence Oversight Committee, though the unit's existence was an open secret (colored with myths and misdirection).[2][3]
They were apparently destroyed by Word of Blake forces in a clandestine operation in 3075 during the Jihad.
Overview
Although described as a scout force at least in the beginning, as of ca. 3067 the Dark Shadows were considered SAFE's heavy-hitting force for missions requiring strength over finesse.[2][3]
Most members of the Dark Shadows are on extended secondment from the regular FWLM and serve tours of usually between 18 and 24 months with the Dark Shadows.[2] A rigorous selection process was mentioned.[2]
History
The Dark Shadows already existed as a unit by 3025, but it is not entirely clear when the unit was created:
One Captain Janos DeVille, a loyalist MechWarrior from the Fusiliers of Oriente, fought in the 3014/3015 Marik Civil War and reportedly later went on to become one of the founders of the Dark Shadows.[1] This seems to establish the Dark Shadows were founded at some point between 3015 and 3025.
However, at the same time Captain Margarita Luhenson, named as the commander of the Dark Shadows (as of 3025), was noted to have earned fame with a solo combat drop and scouting mission to Denebola V in 3011 already.[1] It is not explicitly spelled out that she already was the commander of the Dark Shadows (or that the Dark Shadows even already existed) at the time though.
Following the disbanding of SAFE's elite Eagle Corps special forces, the Dark Shadows staffed the defenses of the "The Eyrie" facility on Wendigo, the moon of the Free Worlds League capital world of Atreus. A scathing online tirade under a flimsy cover identity by Anne-Marie McCormack, the unit's commander at the time, provoked Paul Marik into having the unit destroyed. On 23 April 3075 they were lured away from their base in a mock attack by mercenaries and them ambushed by the 49th Shadow Division. The Eyre was subsequently captured. The battle on the airless moon left no survivors of the Dark Shadows, but the entire incident was classified and only came to light after the Word of Blake was ejected from Atreus.[4]
Equipment
Also as of 3025, it was noted that members of the Dark Shadows could chose between the standard HER-2S Hermes II and its HER-2M Mercury variant.[1]
Though typically described as an elite formation, at the time of the battle on Wendigo, they were rated as (only) veteran combatants.