Hat-in-the-Ring Battalion

Overview

The Hat-in-the-Ring Battalion, colloquially called "HRB", is a peculiar mercenary unit notable for their highly trained Techs; the unit is known to frequently make minor modifications to some of their 'Mechs such as replacing the SRM-2 on their Assassins with a Medium Laser and some extra armor.

History

While the actual inception date of the HRB is unknown, they are reported to have been running an intense Tech recruiting and training program since the 2980's and field a number of 'Mechs with minor field modifications. It is also noted that the unit has a long history of serving House Davion.

In 3025 the HRB participated in the defense of Holt against a raid by two battalions from the Capellan Confederation. Charmichal's recon lance of the HRB, consisting of 2 Spiders and 2 Assassins, captured two enemy Chargers which they considered useless. This prompted Chief Tech Stuart Bell (a certified Master Tech with a Technician Rating of 8) to devise a field modification that would become known as the Charger-SB Challenger variant in an attempt to turn the design into a proper fighting machine.

One Challenger modified in this way and a regular Charger successfully fought off an attack by a light lance shortly afterward, destroying a Phoenix Hawk and a Stinger in the process.

Since the article is written from a 3028 viewpoint the HRB apparently still existed by that year.

Other Information

• The unit features in the description of the Challenger in the BattleTechnology magazine, but is not itself described in great detail.