Simonson's Cutthroats
Sarna News
Simonson's Cutthroats are a small mercenary unit currently under the employ of the Word of Blake. Though the Cutthroats have seen better days in the past, the mercenaries stand to benefit from their contract with the World of Blake and the equipment provided through their 'technical liasons'.
The Cutthroats' insignia is a skull wearing a gas mask, set against a pair of crossbones on a circular grey field. Their color scheme is flat grey with black and blue highlights.
The MRBC currently rates the Cutthroats a solid D-.
History
Simonson's Cutthroats descend directly from McGee's Cutthroats, a mercenary command that rose from the remains of a smashed Marik BattleMech regiment and served the Draconis Combine with distinction during the Third Succession War, becoming one of Combine's highest-paid and best-equipped mercenary outfits. However, when sentiments towards mercenaries in the Combine soured in 3028, then-Colonel Andrew McGee was deposed by his execuitve officer, Matthew Simonson, in a brief but brutal power struggle. Once in command, Simonson invoked an escape clause and withdrew with his regiment to Galatea to recruit replacements and to seek a new employer.
Work for the newly christened Simonson's Cutthroats came in the form of a garrison contract with the Federated Commonwealth that stationed them on the Combine border. At the onset of the Clan Invasion, then-commander Jeri Simonson balked at accepting any contracts that would pit them against the the seemingly-unstoppable invaders and instead led his Cutthroats into the Periphery in 3051 to work for the likes of the Marian Hegemony and the Circinus Federation.
In 3056, the Cutthroats, under a Circinian contract, crossed paths with the banit leader, "King" Hopper Morrison of Morrison's Extractors infamy. In the ensuing battle, more than two Cutthroats battalions were decimated, with many of the commanders captured or killed by the bandits. Among those killed was Colonel Jeri Simonson, leaving his son, Victor, in charge of the Cutthroats. Under Victor's command, the Cutthroats retreated deeper into the Periphery, vowing revenge against Morrison's Extractors.
After vanishing for almost five years, Simonson's Cutthroats reappeared in 3061 on the Chaos March world of Fletcher. They were contracted almost immediately by the Word of Blake to bolster garrison forces on Terra. Under the Word of Blake's employ, the Cutthroats have replenished most of their losses, returning near their 3055 strength with equipment provided by their gracious contractors.
Officers
Colonel Victor Simonson has grown exceptionally bitter following the Cutthroats' defeat at the hands of Morrison's Extractors, distancing himself from his subordinates in his all-consuming desire for revenge against Morrison's Extractors.
With excellent administrative and leadership talents, Major Lars Systad is the most likely candidate to succeed command of the Cutthroats should any unfortunate events befall Colonel Simonson. Syrstad is soft-spoken and rather gentlemanly, though his combat skills are lackluster at best.
Tactics
Colonel Simonson's vow of vengeance has heavily influenced the Cutthroat's tactical specialization to include guerilla warfare, flanking maneuvers, the use of stealth, and in setting up ambushes, particularly in built-up terrain such as cities and woodlands, and under the cover of night.
Composition
Simonson's Cutthroats consists of a single regiment which is currently understrength. The command elements consist of Star League-era refits of older models like the Phoenix Hawk, Locust, and Thunderbolt.