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==Composition History==
 
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'''12th Vegan Rangers''' (Regiment/Elite/Fanatical) <ref name=2ndSSp95>''Second Succession War'', p. 95 </ref>
 
'''12th Vegan Rangers''' (Regiment/Elite/Fanatical) <ref name=2ndSSp95>''Second Succession War'', p. 95 </ref>

Revision as of 21:14, 11 January 2022

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Insignia of the 12th Vegan Rangers
12th Vegan Rangers
Formed 2820[1]
Previous Designation(s) Verlo Planetary Guard Force[1]
Affiliation Mercenary
Parent Command
Sub-Command(s) Alpha Regiment

Beta Regiment

Gamma Regiment

Delta Regiment

The Twelfth Vegan Rangers are a mercenary unit that has been active from the early Succession Wars to the present.

History

Early Succession Wars

The unit was officially formed during the Second Succession War but its foundations were laid during the previous conflict.[2] The Twelfth Vegan Rangers can trace their roots back to the Duke of Verde's personal army, and prior to their conversion into a mercenary unit, they had a long history of serving House Nelson. In fact, even their very first origins go back to actions taken by a Nelson.[3]

During the First Succession War, Lawrence Helmund Nelson, rightful Duke of Verde, had been cast out from his homeworld and his title usurped. He and his friend Tariq the Arkab were known for wandering the devastated worlds along the Draconis Combine-Federated Suns border, seeking to provide truth and justice.[4] During their wanderings, Nelson was inspired by the book "Eleven Against the Stars" written by John R. Loran, a Ranger in the Vega System.[3] Loran was one of eleven Rangers, men who patrolled the long, lonely routes between the two inhabited planets within the system. Nelson, on the run from enemies of his family and resonating with the ideals and plight of the original Rangers, named himself the Twelfth Vegan Ranger. In this guise, he began building a mercenary unit to support his struggle to reclaim his birthright. Thus, the Twelfth Vegan Rangers were born.

Nelson determined that the men and women of the 12th Vegan Rangers should live by the five main codes of behavior set out in Loran's book, which he dubbed The Rangers Code:

  1. A Ranger lives simply and honestly without delusions or manias.
  2. A Ranger values loyalty, but never follows others blindly.
  3. A Ranger must serve people, and not corporations.
  4. A Ranger must be prepared body, mind, and soul to fight for what is right.
  5. Above all, a Ranger must be free to follow his own destiny.[2]

Nelson's charisma and deep personal drive was magnetic, allowing him to recruit many of the best MechWarriors on the market at a fraction of their regular salary.[citation needed]

Eventually, Nelson's journey took him back to his homeworld, where for two years he anonymously served the usurper Queen, simply enjoying being back on Verde. But the Ranger's hand was forced when his identity was exposed and the Queen dispatched a four-'Mech assassin team to kill him. Piloting his Wolverine alongside the loyal Tariq in his Locust, Nelson defeated the assassins and, with the help of his Twelfth Vegan Rangers, emerged victorious in the struggle for his throne.[4][3]

As the Nelsons settled back into their role as Dukes and Duchesses of Verde, the Rangers became their house guards. This continued until the Second Succession War, when, in order to avoid having the Rangers absorbed into the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns, Duke Solomon Nelson declared them once again a mercenary unit.[3] The Rangers earned Verde a great deal of wealth and garnered them a good working relationship with the Federated Suns.

Third Succession War

The Twelfth Vegan Rangers were misreported to be a part of the Draconis Combine force that attacked Harrow's Sun in the Fourth Battle of Harrow's Sun in May 3020. This was later clarified to be a similarly-named DCMS unit, and not the pro-Davion Rangers. (see notes section below.)

The Twelfth Vegan Rangers were most famous for their part in The Galtor Campaign, on what was then the disputed border between the Federated Suns and the Draconis Combine. They staged a nighttime combat drop on the Seventeenth Benjamin Regulars' position, which allowed the surrounded Thirty-Third Avalon Hussars to escape from their grasp.[5] A month later, they combat dropped on the Seventeenth again, this time to prevent a breakout. The Rangers also faced the First Amphigean Light Assault Group and the Fifth Galedon Regulars regiments during this battle.

In a later action, the Rangers and Bremond Draconis March Militia prevented the three Combine regiments from reinforcing the Fifth Sword of Light[5] and seized control of a Star League-era supply depot that the Fifth Sword of Light had previously captured. Shortly after this victory, the Rangers were relieved by Draconis March Militia units and returned to Verde to rest and refit.[5]

Fourth Succession War

During Operation RAT, the Twelfth Vegan Rangers were contracted by the Federated Suns to support their offensive into the Capellan Confederation. In Wave One, Alpha and Beta Regiments of the Twelfth Vegan Rangers assisted in the capture of St. Andre, squaring off against Justinia's Cuirassiers and the Blackwind Lancers. Using a wily combination of false transmissions and clever unit positioning, the Rangers and their allies in the Davion Light Guards were able to lure both mercenary units into ambushes that successfully forced their surrender. Alpha and Beta remained on St. Andre while Gamma and Delta Regiments captured Poznan, overrunning the planetary militia forces there and installing a friendly garrison after liberating the ethnic Spanish population from the planet's mostly Chinese-descended ruling class. With Poznan thusly secure, Gamma and Delta redeployed to fight on Buchlau during Wave Two.[6]

In Waves Three and Four of Operation RAT, Gamma and Delta fought on Kansu and Shipka, easily overwhelming planetary forces stationed there and capturing a cache of JumpShip parts. In Wave Five, one of Gamma's battalions was deployed to Zaurak and forced to deal with its extremely hostile weather conditions. Despite suffering losses, they again succeeded in helping AFFS forces secure the planet. Meanwhile, Delta Regiment and the other two battalions of Gamma battled Sung's Cuirassiers for control of Wei. Due to the Cuirassier's reputation, and intelligence that suggested chemical weapons might be used against attackers, there was some hesitation about the amount of forces that would be necessary to combat them. The Rangers, even aware of the increased risks, proudly took the job. Although the Capellans attempted to gas the Rangers three times, the Rangers suffered surprisingly few losses. At the Battle of Boganville Highway, however, the Rangers met the Cuirassiers head-on. In a brutal fight, the Rangers managed to break the Cuirassiers' lines, despite being under threat of nerve gas and losing nearly two battalions worth of troops.[7]

After obtaining reinforcements from the AFFS, the Twelfth Vegan Rangers were again redeployed, this time to the world of Palos. There, the Rangers lost a dropship to hostile fire and due to concessions made to the civilian inhabitants of the world, were ambushed several times while attempting to ameliorate their concerns. Colonel Nelson of Delta Regiment immediately removed all hearts and minds policies and took the fight to the enemy, quickly encircling the Capellan defenders. Col. Nelson offered the defenders' commanding officer a chance to surrender, which was declined. The Rangers telecast the resulting battle, which caused the remaining Capellan forces on the planet to either leave or surrender.[7]

In the Seventh Wave, Gamma and Delta Regiments joined the Twentieth Avalon Hussars in assaulting Tsinghai, where they smashed the resistance offered by the Fifth Confederation Reserve Cavalry and a battalion of Preston's Lancers. Only a single company of the Lancers managed to escape destruction. By the close of 3039, the Rangers had returned to New Aragon to refit and await reassignment.[7]

War of 3039 and Operation Guerrero

Based on their service and success in the Fourth Succession War, the Twelfth Vegan Rangers were granted garrisons on four of the recently conquered worlds in the newly-established Sarna March. They took up station on the uneasy border between the Federated Suns and the resentful Capellan Confederation, occupying Campertown, Old Kentucky, Tsinghai, and Chamdo. It would not be long before the Rangers saw combat again, as they were once more called upon by the AFFS, this time to assist them in the War of 3039. The Rangers' Gamma and Delta Regiments were deployed to Telos IV and Nashira under contract to the newly-formed Federated Commonwealth to help establish a FedCom foothold on those worlds. Although the two regiments quickly secured both planets, holding them proved to be another story. Misallocation of relieving garrison forces, coupled with nonstop partisan and kamikaze attacks by locals and hidden Kuritan agents slowly eroded Gamma and Delta's morale.[8]

When the First and Second Genyosha arrived on Nashira, they set about harrying the Ranger and 1st FedCom garrison forces, engaging in a drawn-out guerilla war that culminated in the use of chemical weapons at the Battle of Raven Ridge. Though the attack could not be traced to either side, the FedCom forces highly suspected that it was the work of the Genyosha regiments. After the attack, the First FedCom and what was left of Delta Regiment were ordered to withdraw back to Errai.[8]

Similarly, the arrival of the Second Benjamin Regulars on Telos IV signaled the start of a long, bloody slog against both DCMS and local irregular forces. Ultimately, the Regulars were able to stage a raid on the DropShips of the FedCom and Ranger units stationed there, robbing them of valuable supplies. Due to logistical issues, the FedCom commanding officer planetside was unable to replace the missing supplies and so was forced to withdraw, taking Gamma Regiment with her.[8]

Both Gamma and Delta Regiments had suffered heavy losses in the protracted occupations, and, after regrouping at Errai, had returned their garrison worlds by the start of 3040.[8]

In 3048, Margrave Sheridan Douglass retired from his command role, selecting Tom Stancel as his replacement in a historic decision— Stancel would be the first leader of the Rangers who was not of Verde's royal houses in many generations. Stancel was additionally recognized as a full General by the AFFC, an honor rarely afforded to mercenaries, as their hierarchy traditionally topped out at Brigadier General.[2]

The Rangers maintained their hold on the Sarna March borders until September 3057, when Operation GUERRERO was authorized by the Free Worlds League and the Capellan Confederation.


All four regiments were badly defeated during the conflict by combined forces of the CCAF and Mercenaries resulting in the dissolution of Delta Regiment. The Rangers were pushed off of Campertown, Old Kentucky, and Tsinghai, which had served as their bases for decades.[citation needed]

FedCom Civil War


The Jihad

From 3068 to the end of the Jihad, Alpha Regiment defended Raman against every DCMS and Word of Blake attempt to conquer the world. Beta Regiment played a mayor part against the Blakist invaders on New Avalon during the 1st and Second battle of New Avalon. Gamma Regiment was destroyed during Operation SOVEREIGN JUSTICE on Jaipur in 3068 by the efforts of the First and Second St. Ives Lancers.[citation needed]

The Twelfth conducted a reconnaissance raid on Addicks in early 3077 that nearly saw them rout the defending Word of Blake forces single handed, and resulted in the commanding officer of the Federated Suns theater of Operation SCOUR, Field Marshal Katheryn Sandoval-Ito, bringing the planned invasion of Addicks forward four full weeks.[9] They later joined Task Force Sickle, and as part of the invasion of Terra they hit the Texas Highlands.[10]

In 3079 their frequent combat duties had reduced them to a regiment-sized formation, and they were only at two-thirds of their nominal strength. They were working to rebuild on New Hessen[11] after distinguishing themselves in the heavy fighting of the North America campaign on Terra during Operation SCOUR.[12] In 3085 they were stationed on Benet III.[13][14] They were at 85% of their nominal regimental strength but were also an elite unit.[14]

Dark Age

The end of the Jihad and the formation of the Republic of the Sphere ushered in an era that proved difficult for the rebuilt Vegan Rangers, just as it did for other mercenary units of significant size. Struggling financially, by the beginning of the thirty-second century the Rangers had reached the point where they were hiring out company and battalion sized elements of the Rangers as detachments to be able to pay their bills.[12]

When General Miller al-Nahib retired in 3116 and his daughter Della al-Wahib assumed command she took the opportunity to break with the Federated Suns and seek better opportunities; this led the Rangers to take up contracts with the Marik-Stewart Commonwealth, spending two decades upgrading and augmenting their forces while enjoying a relatively quiet, unexciting tour of service.[12]

The Twelfth Vegan Rangers were hired by Jacob Bannson in 3133[12] to reinforce the defense of Vega against the Fifth Sword of Light and 44th Benjamin Regulars. The Rangers fought the DCMS units alongside the Vega Regulars and elements of Clan Ghost Bear (the Omega Galaxy). They successfully drove the DCMS from Vega, and the Rangers accepted a permanent home on Vega.[15] The Rangers assisted Galaxy Commander Isis Bekker-Florala in forming the Vega Protectorate; the Rangers repulsed a second Combine attack in 3137, claiming more 'Mechs as salvage for their stockpile and soundly defeating the Fifth Sword of Light once again. The Rangers finally left the Vega Protectorate in 3141 when it was strong enough to stand alone and returned to serving in the Federated Suns once more.[12]

In December 3144 the Twelfth Vegan Rangers were stationed on Chesterton when the Capellan Confederation launched an invasion of the Federated Suns; the Twelfth were quickly forced off Chesterton by the Fifth McCarron's Armored Cavalry and the Green Knights.[16] The Vegan Rangers were also unfortunate in their defense of Ulan Batar against the First Liao Grenadiers, with the Liao Grenadiers quickly forcing the Rangers into the forests and mountains; this was one of the actions that prevented the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns from launching counterattacks to try and recapture Chesterton or Tikonov.[17] The Grenadiers kept the Rangers bottled up for months, adding to the destabilization of the Capellan March.[12]

The Twelfth were among the units amassed by Julian Davion for Task Force Styx, and when Styx mounted its invasion of New Syrtis in December 3147 the Rangers were tasked with securing the Capellan March's government and administration offices. Warrior House Hiritsu prevented them from doing so through a series of flawless ambushes, and the appearance of the Dynasty Guard at their rear forced the Twelfth to retreat.[18]

The Twelfth Vegan Rangers survived the battle but along with the other surviving mercenary commands suffered far heavier casualties than the AFFS regular units.[18]

Officers

Traditionally the commander of Alpha Regiment commands the entire 12th Vegan Rangers brigade.

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of Alpha Regiment (12th Vegan Rangers)
Duke Lawrence Helmund Nelson 2829
General Sheridan Douglass 3025 - 3048[19]
General Tom Stancel 3048 - 3067[19][20][21]
General Miller al-Nahib 3085 - 3116[14][12]
General Della al-Nahib 3116 - 3145[22][23]

Tactics

Though the Twelfth Vegan Rangers are specialized in city defense and assault tactics, their Alpha Regiment can fight in any terrain.[3]

During the Galtor Campaign, the Twelfth Vegan Rangers proved to be very skilled at night-fighting.[24]

In 3145, despite their extensive battles against Capellan forces, the Rangers still had access to the best Federated Suns technology, making use of a wide range of 'Mechs to create well-structured lances and deploying them flexible structures.[12]

Composition History

2830

12th Vegan Rangers (Regiment/Elite/Fanatical) [25]

Note: At this point the Rangers were weighted at Heavy level, but only had an operational readiness of 33 percent. [25]

2864

12th Vegan Rangers (Regiment/Regular/Fanatical) [25]

Note: At this point in time the rangers were weighted at Assault level and maintained an operational readiness of 100 percent. [25]

3025

12th Vegan Rangers (4 regiments/Elite/Reliable)[26]

Note: By 3025, the 12th Vegan Rangers had grown enough to include four independent, subordinate regiments: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta.

3040

12th Vegan Rangers

Note: By 3040, the Twelfth Vegan Rangers were contracted to provide support in the War of 3039 and occupied both Nashira and Telos IV during that conflict.[8]

3054

Twelfth Vegan Rangers

  • Alpha Regiment (Elite/Reliable)([21]
  • Beta Regiment (Veteran/Reliable) [21]
  • Gamma Regiment (Veteran/Reliable)[21]
  • Delta Regiment (Regular/Reliable)[21]

Note: In 3053 the Rangers were stationed in the Sarna March of the Federated Commonwealth, Palos Operations Area, Corey Command.[21]

3136

12th Vegan Rangers

- A bit more than a reinforced regiment in size. Defenders of Vega. The unit was using the insignia of Alpha Regiment.[27]

3145

12th Vegan Rangers (Elite/Reliable)[23]

- At this point in time the Rangers were at eighty-five percent of full strength, maintained an "A" rating under the Dragoon rating system, and were under contract to the Federated Suns.[23]

Color Scheme and Unit Insignia

Gallery

  • Alpha Regiment's insignia

  • Beta Regiment's insignia

  • Gamma Regiment's insignia

  • Delta Regiment's insignia

  • 12th Vegan Rangers Berserker FMMercs.jpg

    A Berserker in 12th Vegan Rangers colors.

Notes

  • According to The Fox's Teeth: Exploits of McKinnon's Raiders, a very early BattleTech scenario pack, the 12th Vegan Rangers were part of a Draconis Combine forces that attacked the Federated Suns in May 3020.[28] It does not fit with the unit's profile to hire out to the enemy of their home realm, and it was officially confirmed[29] that their mentioning in the opposing force of the scenario in question "was probably another of those wacky early BattleTech continuity mishaps" and that the 12th Vegan Rangers were probably mixed up with the Draconis Combine's Legion of Vega in this instance.

Rules

3145

  • If the Twelfth Vegan Rangers make up fifty percent or less of a deployed force, and if the Rangers don't deploy until turn 4 or earlier, the Rangers receive a -1 bonus to all attack rolls and a -1 target modifier to all piloting skill checks.[30]
  • The Rangers receive a +1 Initiative bonus regardless of terrain type and may torso twist at any time, including between shots during the Weapon Attack Phase. Per standard rules, Ranger 'Mechs may only make one torso twist per turn. The Rangers can utilize the Opportunity Fire and Opportunity Fire: Firing on the Move rules with all modifiers for these attacks reduced by 1. In addition, they can torso twist or rotate a turret while performing such attacks.[31]

Reference

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 First Succession War (Sourcebook), p. 36, "Those Left Behind"
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Combat Manual: Mercenaries, p. 70
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Field Manual: Mercenaries Revised p. 107-110
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 18, p. 10, "The Twelfth Vegan Ranger"
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Historical Turning Points: Galtor, pp. 10-11, 13
  6. ↑ NAIS The Fourth Succession War Atlas, Volume I, pp. 19 - 22, 32
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 NAIS The Fourth Succession War Atlas, Volume II
  8. ↑ 8.00 8.01 8.02 8.03 8.04 8.05 8.06 8.07 8.08 8.09 8.10 8.11 8.12 8.13 8.14 Historical: War of 3039 , pp. 37-39, 141
  9. ↑ Jihad Hot Spots: Terra, p. 36, "S.O.S."
  10. ↑ Jihad Hot Spots: Terra, p. 96
  11. ↑ Field Report: AFFS, p. 20
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 12.7 Field Manual: 3145, p. 179, "Twelfth Vegan Rangers"
  13. ↑ Field Manual: 3085, p. 125 (Federated Suns Map)
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Field Manual: 3085, p. 160
  15. ↑ Dark Age Turning Points: Vega, p. 6
  16. ↑ Field Manual: 3145, p. 32, "Fifth McCarron's Armored Cavalry"
  17. ↑ Field Manual: 3145, p. 41, "First Liao Grenadiers"
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Shattered Fortress, p. 41
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Field Manual: Mercenaries Revised, p. 107 12th Vegan Rangers
  20. ↑ Field Manual: Update, p. 183
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4 21.5 Objective Raids, p. 17, "Lyran Commonwealth State Command"
  22. ↑ Dark Age Turning Points: Vega, p. 9
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 Field Manual: 3145, p. 182, "Notable Mercenary Forces - Federated Suns"
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Historical Turning Points: Galtor, p. 6
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 Second Succession War, p. 95
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 26.4 House Davion (The Federated Suns), pp. 138, 149
  27. ↑ Dark Age Turning Points: Vega
  28. ↑ The Fox's Teeth: Exploits of McKinnon's Raiders, p. 27
  29. ↑ In this posting on the official BattleTech forum
  30. ↑ Field Manual: 3145, p. 211, "Mercenaries"
  31. ↑ Dark Age Turning Points: Vega

Bibliography

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