Difference between revisions of "Dark Wing (Mercenary Command)"
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[[Gideon Braver Vandenburg]], the late Duke's son, had been away on an inspection tour when the attack occurred. Political intrigue forced him to flee from Ander's Moon afterwards. He went on to create his own mercenary Lance, the ''[[Blazing Aces]]'', and within five years tracked down the ''Dark Wing'' who were still guarding the Chalice on a planet in [[Kurita]] space. There, the ''Blazing Aces'' vanquished the ''Dark Wing'' on the battlefield and reclaimed the Chalice. This was presumably the end of the ''Dark Wing''. | [[Gideon Braver Vandenburg]], the late Duke's son, had been away on an inspection tour when the attack occurred. Political intrigue forced him to flee from Ander's Moon afterwards. He went on to create his own mercenary Lance, the ''[[Blazing Aces]]'', and within five years tracked down the ''Dark Wing'' who were still guarding the Chalice on a planet in [[Kurita]] space. There, the ''Blazing Aces'' vanquished the ''Dark Wing'' on the battlefield and reclaimed the Chalice. This was presumably the end of the ''Dark Wing''. | ||
| − | When their last 'Mech was | + | When their last 'Mech was disabled, the infantry fled and abandoned the high security bunker that held the Chalice. |
It is unknown if the ''Dark Wing'' was created by Matabushi Inc. from within the corporation, or if they were hired by Matabushi as a unit; they were not part of Matabushi's regular security forces in any case. [[Grig Griez]], a crimelord from the [[Draconis Combine]], possessed information about the ''Dark Wing'' which suggests they were involved in mercenary work or straightforward piracy, and therefore presumably an independent unit that Matabushi hired. | It is unknown if the ''Dark Wing'' was created by Matabushi Inc. from within the corporation, or if they were hired by Matabushi as a unit; they were not part of Matabushi's regular security forces in any case. [[Grig Griez]], a crimelord from the [[Draconis Combine]], possessed information about the ''Dark Wing'' which suggests they were involved in mercenary work or straightforward piracy, and therefore presumably an independent unit that Matabushi hired. | ||
Revision as of 17:27, 2 April 2008
Overview
The Dark Wing were a private BattleMech unit consisting (at least) of three BattleMasters and a Warhammer. Working for Matabushi Incorporated, they were secretly moved to the world of Ander's Moon (Elidere IV) by the "Stone Arrow", a JumpShip operated by the notorious smuggler Kangaroo Jack. Between March 1 and March 3, 3024, performed a surprise raid on the local Duke's stronghold, Castle Vandenburg, as part of Matabushi's Operation Inroad. They killed the Duke, his wife and his daughter and stole treasure including the Chalice of Herne, symbol of the Dukedom on Ander's Moon. They were ostensibly driven off by forces from Jarris McBrin, a rival of the Vandenburg clan, who had been on maneuvers nearby.
Gideon Braver Vandenburg, the late Duke's son, had been away on an inspection tour when the attack occurred. Political intrigue forced him to flee from Ander's Moon afterwards. He went on to create his own mercenary Lance, the Blazing Aces, and within five years tracked down the Dark Wing who were still guarding the Chalice on a planet in Kurita space. There, the Blazing Aces vanquished the Dark Wing on the battlefield and reclaimed the Chalice. This was presumably the end of the Dark Wing.
When their last 'Mech was disabled, the infantry fled and abandoned the high security bunker that held the Chalice.
It is unknown if the Dark Wing was created by Matabushi Inc. from within the corporation, or if they were hired by Matabushi as a unit; they were not part of Matabushi's regular security forces in any case. Grig Griez, a crimelord from the Draconis Combine, possessed information about the Dark Wing which suggests they were involved in mercenary work or straightforward piracy, and therefore presumably an independent unit that Matabushi hired.
They are classified as a mercenary unit on the grounds that they worked as a private military force for Matabushi Inc. for a time at least.
Their crest was a humanoid skull with wings and fangs. The colour scheme is seen on the leg of a steel-blue Warhammer that is pictured on the cover art and opening picture.
Dark Wing colour scheme: 
Other Information
- The Dark Wing is the mysterious enemy force that must be identified, tracked down and eventually be destroyed by the player (as Gideon Braver of the Blazing Aces) in the 1989 computer game by Activision, MechWarrior.
- The exact place where the Chalice is guarded by the Dark Wing and where the final showdown takes place is randomized within the game, but it is invariably located on the Lyran Commonwealth border of the Draconis Combine, usually on Radstadt, Rasalhague, Kirchbach or Albiero.
- It remains unclear wether the Dark Wing forces encountered in the last two battles of the game's storyline are supposed to be the same Lance, or two different Lances of three BattleMasters and one Warhammer each. Although the battles, which supposedly take place at the landing zone and at the site of the bunker holding the Chalice, must be played in direct sequence there is no way to tell how much time has passed between them, or if the Dark Wing could possibly have recovered and repaired the 'Mechs from the first encounter.
- Infantry is expressly described to scatter in the text following the successful battle against the Dark Wing at the Chalice bunker.