Editing Sathen's Snipers

{{infoBoxMercUnit
| image     = [[File:Sathen's Snipers.jpg|200px]]
| year      = 3073
| commander = Major [[Illuminada Kesteel]]
| jumpships = yes
| dropships = yes
| aero      = yes
| armor     = yes
| infantry  = yes
}}

==Unit Description==
Originally a single combined-arms [[Battalion]] of medium-light [[BattleMech]]s, which mixes up 'Mech and conventional forces tightly, while maintaining separate Aerospace company.


==History==
===Marik Civil War, Formation, and Early Years=== 
The unit's origins were relatively unknown until late 3060s, and for good reasons.  Founded by a [[House Marik|Marik]] [[Force Commander]] [[Branden Kesteel]] in [[3015]], in the aftermath of [[Wolf's Dragoons]] assault on [[New Delos]]. Kestreel had been the commander of the Planets garrison battalion, carefully kept his unit separated by the conflict of [[Marik Civil War]] ([[3014]]-3015).  When Anton Marik murdered the Dragoon's dependents (including the [[Joshua Wolf|Black Window's lover]]), Kesteel's battalion was fought defensive actions to keep his command alive against the elite mercenary unit.  He managed to get majority of his force (its families) off world at the cost of his Heavier 'Mech units.  He then knowing the consequences of being associated with renegade [[Captain-General]], choose to undertake a quiet exodus from House Marik and become a freelance mercenary unit. Choosing to make sure the unit origins were never revealed and never take contracts with their former homeland<ref name=MS59>''Mercenaries Supplemental'', p. 59, "Sathen's Snipers: Fangs and Claws"</ref>.

The unit's escape including bringing like-minded [[JumpShip]] and [[Dropship]]s crews with them.  Kestreel's character and his means giving unit sense of family became the cornerstone of their survival as a unit.  As part of their survival tactics, the unit kept itself small.  Much of lack of its heavy BattleMech force was part of these guise of protection. In their early times as Snipers, the unit took on pirate hunting for various factions.

===Clans and the 3060s===
The unit had degree of success against the [[Clans]] due to its unusual tactics.

In the early 3060s, Major [[Branden Kesteel]] turned active combat leadership of the unit to his daughter [[Illuminada Kesteel]].  Her ascendancy as active leader of the unit led the unit in new direction, a direction which is questioned in grumbling among her people.  In [[3062]], the Sniper's took a contract in employee of the [[Word of Blake]]. Under the Blakist's lucrative contract the unit expanded into include a second Battalion, with addition of ''[[Assault Triumph]]'' DropShip and additional equipment.  This also allowed Snipers become independent of support for long periods of time, but also sparked internal problems in mercenary's unit history.<ref name=MS59/> In September [[3067]], they were contracted by the Word of Blake to garrison the world [[Caph]] in the newly formed [[Word of Blake Protectorate]]. However, within two weeks of their garrison mission, they were reassigned to new duty.  A mysterious individual only known a ''Emerald'', whom now taken over their contract.  They were then shipped through series of cargo ships to undisclosed location. Though this period, the Snipers unaware where they were and whom they were working for.

===Battle for Luthien===
The contract the unit came under turned out to be for the renegade faction of the [[Draconis Combine]] known as the [[Kokuryu-kai|''Black Dragon Society'']] or ''Kokuryu-kai''.<ref name=JTPL6/>  The unit was unaware they were even on [[Luthien]] until they were operating on their first mission.<ref name=MSU104/> Among the actions it participated in during the time of ''Koruryu-kai's'' [[Battle of Luthien|Battle for Luthien]], included the [[Battle for the Imperial Palace (3068)|battle]] at the [[Imperial Palace]] on New Year's Day, [[3068]].  Once assigned to the ''Kokuryu-kai's'' faction of the [[2nd Sword of Light]], the Snipers battled the [[Otomo]], [[Izanagi Warriors]] and the Loyalist [[3rd Luthien Guards]].  The Snipers covered the flanks of the 2nd Sword during this action.  The battle went well for the Snipers' employers, forcing the defenders to withdraw and allowing the ''Kokuryu-kai'''s capture of the Otomo's infantry commander, [[Franklin Sakamoto]].<ref>''Jihad Turing Points: Luthien'', p. 8, "Traitor's Kiss"</ref> However, the unit took heavy damage as ''Emerald'' had directed them, in-mid battle, to protect ''[[Tai-sa]]'' To of the 2nd Sword, which they did by engaging the 3rd Luthien Guard during that unit's retreat from the palace grounds.  The Snipers withdrew to underground warehouses near the palace.

Within weeks of the Kokuryu-kai's attacks, the [[1st Genyosha]] and the Word of Blake's [[9th Division (Word of Blake)|9th Division]] arrived on the planet.  The new arrivals split off to take portions of Imperial City, creating a three-way stalemate.  On January 31st, 3068, three tactical nuclear devices were detonated in [[LAW|LAW's]] Mega Manufacturing complex, crippling the 1st Genyosha in the process.

On 18 July [[3069]], the [[2nd Sword of Light]], along with the [[6th Benjamin Regulars]] and [[40th Dieron Regulars]], moved to disrupt the effectiveness of the Loyalist forces operating in the vicinity of the [[LAW City]] ruins on [[Guthry Island]]. However, they first encountered and then [[Battle of the LAW City Ruins|engaged]] a 9th Division salvage team, which they rolled over. The Snipers (now under a Word contract) assisted in the defense of the salvage team. [''See note regarding the Sniper hiring timeline below.'']<ref name=JTPL8>''Jihad Turning Points: Luthien'', pp. 8-9, "Bullet In the Blue Sky"</ref>

Through 3069, the Snipers conducted eight sorties against Loyalist 1st Genyosha and 9th Division positions. During this period, the Snipers' infantry used the subway tunnels to conduct their trademark hit-and-fade attacks against their opponents. They also salvaged heavier [[BattleMech]]s. The conflict turned against the Sathen's Snipers in early [[3071]] when the 2nd Sword's ''Tai-sa'' To's headquarters were overrun by Blake forces, killing To.<ref name=MSU104/> The Snipers surrendered to the 9th Division.<ref name=JTPL6/> The Word of Blake informed Major Kesteel that her unit was branded as contract-breakers, as no records existed of a transfer to any individual named "Emerald".  However, the 9th's leadership decided the Snipers were tricked and Major Kesteel managed to win the release of her unit's equipment. She also convinced the 9th to hire them as their supplemental security force.<ref name=JTPL6/> The unit had been pared down to two companies' worth of troops by this time. The Snipers were able to acquire more equipment (through through the Word of Blake) and hired local ''yakuza'' to bring them back to its pre-Jihad strength of two battalions. The unit garrisoned the 9th Division's headquarters near the [[Takashi Memorial Starport]], 700 kilometers outside the Imperial City.

During this time, the Snipers' [[DropShip]]s were temporary employed as part of the Word of Blake's fleet of blockaders.  They accounted for the destruction of four [[Union]] DropShips running the blockade.<ref name=MSU104>''Mercenaries Supplemental Update'', p. 104, "Sathen's Snipers"</ref>

The Snipers kept fighting for the next couple of years through exhausting endless fighting, before withdrawing from the planet in early [[3073]] due to fatigue.<ref name=JTPL6/> They were replaced by the [[Word of Blake Militia]]'s [[32nd Division (Word of Blake)|32nd Division]].<ref name=JTPL_7_32nd>''Jihad Turning Points: Luthien'', p. 7, "32nd Division [Word of Blake]"</ref>

==Mercenary Ratings==
===3067===
'''Dragoons Rating:''' B

===3071===
'''Dragoons Rating:''' Wanted


==Officers==
As of [[3025]], the commanding officer was [[Major]] [[Branden Kesteel]].<ref name=MS59/>
 
As of 3062, the commanding officer was Major [[Illuminada Kesteel]].<ref name=MS59/>

As of 3067, the commanding officer was [[Colonel]] [[Scott Crandall|Scott "Druid" Crandall]]<ref>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 184, Independent/Uncontracted (Mercenary Deployment Table Section)</ref>

As of late 3067, the commanding officer was again Major Illuminada Kesteel<ref name=JTPL6>''Jihad Turning Points: Luthien'', p. 6, "Sathen's Snipers"</ref>

==Tactics==
The unit utilizes its fast 'Mechs, complimented by its vehicles and mechanized infantry. The unit developed and employs diversion tactics to distract their opposition from what Sniper's actual goal is.<ref name=MS59/>


==Composition==
===3016===
*Single [[Combined Arms]] [[Battalion]]
**(Each battalion broken down two companies of mixed 'Mech, Vehicles and infantry, and one company of Aerospace Fighters.) Unit does not employ heavy or assault class 'Mechs.

===3067===
*(2 Combined Arms [[battalion]]s)
**(Each battalion is broken down into two companies of mixed 'Mechs, vehicles and infantry, and one company of Aerospace Fighters.) 

*'''Transportation Assets'''
**''[[Invader]]'' Class [[JumpShip]], ''Implied Odds''
**''[[Fortress]]'' Class [[DropShip]], ''All In''
**''[[Seeker]]'' Class Infantry Carrier DropShip, ''Bad Beat''
**''[[Assault Triumph]]'' DropShip, ''Kicker''

==Rules==
<div class="gamerules">

===Game Rules===
During the [[Battle of Luthien (Jihad)|Battle of Luthien]], all heavy direct-fire weaponry receives a negative modifier to hit.<ref name=JTPL6/>
</div>

==Notes==
* The inclusion of Sathan's Snipers in the "Bullet In the Blue Sky" scenario of ''[[Jihad Turning Points: Luthien]]'' may be in error, as the Snipers were not under a recognized Word contract until early [[3071]] (per their "Combatants" entry). At the time of this note, an errata correction called for removing Sathen's Snipers from the "Defender/Recommended Forces" and removing the "including Sathen’s Snipers, now under a Word contract" line from the Defender write-up; the suggestion has not yet been endorsed. An alternative answer may be that the mercenary unit was captured (and then hired) prior to the [[Battle of the LAW City Ruins]].
* ''Emerald'' is a codename for a ''Kokuryu-kai'' operative.{{cn}}

==References==
<references />


==Bibliography==
*''[[Field Manual: Updates]]''
*''[[Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents]]''
*''[[Jihad Turning Points: Luthien]]''
*''[[Mercenaries Supplemental]]'' 
*''[[Mercenaries Supplemental Update]]'' 



[[Category:Mercenary Commands|Sathen's Snipers]]