Ivan Sorenson (30th c.)

Vladimir Sorenson
Personal
Also known as	Ivan
Born	2973
Died	13 March 3034
Affiliation	House Sorenson
Profile
Title(s)	Warlord of Rasalhague Knight of the Dragon
Profession	Noble

Vladimir "Ivan" Sorenson was an officer of the Draconis Combine and the last Warlord of the Rasalhague Military District before the formation of the Free Rasalhague Republic.

History

Ivan-Sorenson in 3025

Early Life and Career

Sorenson was born on the backwater planet Echo in the Pesht Military District. He became involved in gang activity, but he turned traitor on his confederates when the authorities moved in. Sorenson himself was assigned to hard labor on a DCMS base. He eventually gained the notice of one of the officers there, who helped him test out as a MechWarrior. He graduated from the Pesht District Gymnasium with honors.

Though an excellent MechWarrior, early on Sorenson was considered too undisciplined for an officer. After being assigned to lead several BattleMech charges, he learned to temper his anger and soon demonstrated excellent tactical and strategic ability. He qualified for officer training, and eventually found himself commanding various units along the Periphery border. During this time, he first came to the attention of Takashi Kurita, who would soon assume the role of Coordinator upon the death of Hohiro Kurita.

In Service to the Dragon

By 3019, Sorenson had achieved the rank of Tai-sho on the staff of Marcus Kurita, Warlord of the Rasalhague Military District. He was assigned to personally escort the Coordinator on the last leg of the voyage to Rasalhague to attend the wedding of Takashi’s heir, Theodore Kurita, to the daughter of the district governor. While still in orbit of the planet, their DropShip was sabotaged as part of an assassination attempt on the Coordinator. With quick thinking, Sorenson managed to save himself and Takashi by bailing out of the doomed DropShip in his BattleMech, using his 'Mech’s jump jets to guide their descent and manage a crash landing. Though injured, he survived, and was soon rewarded with a promotion to Warlord. (In addition, Takashi clearly suspected Marcus Kurita of being party to the attempt on his life.)

When Marcus Kurita was relieved as Warlord of Rasalhague and made commanding officer of the Otomo, Ivan Sorenson was appointed Warlord by Takashi Kurita.

Sorenson was unquestionably loyal to Takashi. He would not hesitate to follow Takashi's orders to stamp out any hint of rebellion in the district. While Sorenson was good quelling rebellion in the area, his military skills were not good at planning and his skills tended towards defense, and the district suffered against Commonwealth attacks.

Fourth Succession War

In 3028, the Lyran Commonwealth conducted a massive invasion of the Combine as part of the Fourth Succession War. Sorenson was hard pressed to effectively fight off the attacks on his district, and a large number of planets were lost. Particularly embarrassing was the assistance Rasalhague partisans provided to the Lyrans. Despite these setbacks, Sorenson was not removed from his position.

According to an apocryphal scenario, Ivan Sorenson masterminded a plan to conquer Suk II with minimal forces at some point between the Fourth Succession War and the formation of the Free Rasalhague Republic. Because of the heavy losses the DCMS had sufferen in the Fourth Succession War, the attack was carried out (primarily) by the Tooth of Ymir mercenary unit but the defenders—Hansen's Roughriders and a minor mercenary unit implied to have been Cameron's Legion—ultimately thwarted the plan.

Death and the Free Rasalhague Republic

Sorenson was killed in a traffic accident on 13 March 3034, while on his way to the press conference where Christian Månsdottir announced the formation of the Republic. It is implied, though ultimately unproven, that Theodore Kurita and his supporters engineered his death, believing that Sorenson would never support the Republic’s birth unless directly ordered to do so by Takashi Kurita. Marcus Kurita attempted to hold the District, resulting in the brief Ronin War. With the assistance of forces loyal to Theodore Kurita, the Republic would survive this conflict.

Personality and Traits

Sorenson was considered a talented but blustering officer. Though a capable field commander, his planning skills seemed grossly insufficient for coordinating an entire district. Nevertheless, he apparently inspired enough loyalty in the troops under his command that they sided with Marcus Kurita after his death. In his later years, he was well known for his fierce loyalty and respect to Takashi Kurita. Indeed, Sorenson seemed to be one of the few Warlords whose loyalty Takashi never openly questioned.

BattleMechs

At the time of the assassination attempt on Takashi Kurita in 3019, Sorenson was piloting a Grasshopper 'Mech, which was sacrificed to save the Coordinator. When he was promoted to Warlord, he was awarded an Atlas by the thankful Coordinator.

Notes

• Despite his family name, Sorenson it is unknown if or how Ivan Sorenson was related to the ancestral "Sorenson" family of Rasalhague.
• Ivan Sorenson was the uncle of Daniel Sorenson, the famed leader of Sorenson's Sabres.

Bibliography

• 20 Year Update
• Heir to the Dragon (novel)
• Historical: Brush Wars
• Historical: War of 3039
• House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)
• Starterbook: Sword and Dragon