4th Division (Word of Blake)

History

Formation and Operation Odysseus

The second-last first group of five Blake Guard divisions formed, the Fourth Division underwent training at Camp Sims.

Assigned to Task Force Steel during Operation Odysseus, the Fourth targeted the British Isles and Western Europe, focusing the bulk of their attention taking the Sandhurst Royal Military College. While quickly capturing the facility with relatively minimal losses, over fifty Com Guard 'Mechs were able to escape, leading to a series of running battles across the British Isles. While taking heavy damage, the Fourth's efforts were bolstered by the arrival of the Blakist's then-Precentor Martial Trent Arian and were ultimately successful in defeating the defenders.

As of 3062, the 4th Division was posted to Sian, China on Terra.

Pre-Jihad

The Unit was one of three Division in which were deployed off Terra. The unit has been spread out as rapid-response unit, provide enough JumpShip & DropShip assets to re-deploy where needed. The ComStar reports indicate the units the unit was covering, include Elgin, Hsien, New Canton, and Saiph as of 3067.

In actuality Word of Blake forces were securing the worlds as part their efforts to form the Protectorate. On Saiph, The Wanderers III was responsible for the troubled Saiph Triumvirate government to "accepting" invitation in the Word of Blake Protectorate. Which brought its member worlds of Tall Trees and New Canton to become part of Protectorate as well. Members of the Division arrived to help the secure old Saiph Triumvirate member world. Two previously unreported Level III of the 4th appeared, the Keepers of the Gates III-Beta and the Renewed Faith III-Alpha help secure Tall Trees with elements of the 3rd Division.

Jihad

In 3068, The Wanderers and the Keepers of the Gates were sent secure world of Hsien for Hsien Hotheads' commander Colonel Brenn Twohy, to install him as Word of Blake's leader for that world.

In July 3069, entire 4th Division launched planetary assault against world of Bharat, taking world for the Protectorate. After securing the planet, the unit became a roaming trainers & ready-response unit for local protectorate worlds.

Officers

As of 3067, Commanding Officer of the 4th Division was Precentor Jake Rule, who has commanded the division since its formation. Extremely friendly and outgoing, Rule actually runs among the tightest Divisions in the Blakist Militia, well aware his troops and machines must be constantly maintained at their best to pull off the dangerous maneuvers that is the Division's hallmark. Rule is a member of the True Believer faction.

Tactics

While skilled in standard Com Guard/Word of Blake tactics, the Fourth specialize in unusual and unorthodox actions and is best known for its proficiency in "Combat Drops" - leaping from low-flying DropShips into the middle enemy formations rather than from orbit via Drop Pods. The tactic requires perfect timing to avoid damaging landings and friendly close support fire from their DropShips, with the division practicing constantly.

Composition

3062 to 3067

• Blake's Messengers III-beta - CO: Precentor XV Jake Rule
• Into the Fire III-omicron - CO: Precentor XII Jian Feng Ding
• The Hunters III-kappa - CO: Demi-Precentor (Precentor XI) Jessica Dowling
• The Wanderers III-iota - CO: Precentor X Yousef Ahram

3068

• Blake's Messengers III-beta - CO: Precentor XV Jake Rule
• Into the Fire III-omicron - CO: Precentor XII Jian Feng Ding
• The Hunters III-kappa - CO: Demi-Precentor (Precentor XI) Jessica Dowling
• The Wanderers III-iota - CO: Precentor X Yousef Ahram
• Keepers of the Gates III-beta - CO: Unknown
• Renewed Faith III-alpha - CO: Unknown

Notes

• The Fourth Division's insigina is a crazed warthog.
• Rank of Demi-Precentor is a ComStar only ranking, it is listed in Blakist listing for comparison purposes.

Bibliography

• ComStar (sourcebook)
• Field Manual: ComStar
• Field Manual: Updates
• Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents
• The Fall of Terra (scenariobook)