Patrick Kell

Patrick Kell (2988 – 3027; aged 39 years) and his brother Morgan Kell were the co-founders of the famed Kell Hounds mercenary unit.

Biography

Early Life

Patrick graduated in the top 2% of his class from Nagelring, the premier military academy of the Lyran Commonwealth, and was assigned to the 10th Skye Rangers. By 3010 he had risen to the rank of Leftenant-Colonel.

The Kell Hounds Formation

The Kell Hounds were born even before Morgan and Patrick had thoughts of running their own mercenary command. Arthur Luvon, future husband of Archon Katrina Steiner and cousin to Morgan and Patrick, dubbed the two brothers the Kell Hounds after witnessing them as young boys running around and terrorizing a neighbor's flock of sheep. Arthur drew up the Kell Hounds' crest and predicted that the two would grow up to become great MechWarriors. When Arthur died, Morgan and Patrick used the money left to them to form the Kell Hounds mercenary unit in 3010. Though initially mocked as rich boys playing soldier, the two made quite the impression with their surprisingly advanced grasp of strategy and tactics, as well as a top-notch technical support staff. Patrick became executive office of the unit.

Mallory's World

The Kell Hounds had grown to regiment size by 3013. Patrick became a Leftenant-Colonel when the unit expanded. While in service to the Federated Suns, the Hounds were called to Mallory's World for an emergency extraction of First Prince Ian Davion, whose forces where taking heavy casualties from the Draconis Combine's elite 2nd Sword of Light. Morgan led the relief force, while Patrick remained behind to safeguard the mercenary unit's dependents. The Hounds arrived too late, and Ian Davion died while covering his people's escape.

Main article: Phantom 'Mech

To prevent the 2nd Sword of Light from taking the First Prince's body as a war trophy, Morgan challenged its commander, the infamous Yorinaga Kurita, to a duel. During the epic battle, Morgan Kell used the Phantom 'Mech effect to force an honorable withdraw by Yorinaga, giving the Hounds an opportunity to escape the planet with Ian Davion's body.

After the duel Morgan became reticent and withdrawn, reducing the Hounds to 1/3 of its strength and eventually retiring from the mercenary unit to join a monastery. Patrick became commander of the remaining Kell Hounds, leading them through the lowest period of their history.

Bibliography

• Warrior: En Garde (1988)
• The Kell Hounds scenario pack (1988)
• Not the Way the Smart Money Bets, a BattleCorps short story