Team Banzai

Overview

The enigmatic Team Banzai is a peculiar mercenary regiment that is well known for the scientific genius of its commander Dr. Banzai and some other members while at the same time being classed as elite combatants.

History

Created in 3015, Team Banzai was under contract to the Federated Suns throughout its existence and was based on New Avalon.

When not in combat, Team Banzai members teach advanced courses at the College of Engineering (part of the New Avalon Institute of Science). Working on all kinds of items from children's toys to BattleMechs, they are credited with several innovations including an improved cooling shirt for House Davion MechWarriors and most importantly, the famously unconventional Hatchetman BattleMech (which is produced in, and generally associated with, the Lyran Commonwealth instead of the Federated Suns) and later its heavy counterpart, the Axman (a joint Steiner/Davion venture).

Notable Team Banzai personnel include (as of 3025):

• Dr. B. Banzai - Enigmatic scientific genius and elite MechWarrior
• Yvonne Morticia - Commander of the Team Banzai JumpShip Nth Dimension, DropShip pilot and renowned sharpshooter in her personal Orion BattleMech
• DuPrichard Mechalam - Former Team Banzai member, commander of the Department of Military Justice in the AFFS holding the rank of Marshal
• Darc Horse - Freelancer who worked alone or with Team Banzai, and also offered his services to the Blazing Aces

As of 3054, Doctor Anna Banzai has taken command of the unit.

Team Banzai was ultimately renamed the New Avalon Cavaliers.

Other Information

• Although the full name of unit leader "Dr. B. Banzai" is never given, it is obviously a reference to the Buckaroo Banzai movie. Several of the individuals in the unit have names from the movie, including Rawhide and Perfect Tommy. Additionally, one of the sub-units was named the Hong Kong Cavaliers, the name of Buckaroo's band in the movie. It was eventually phased out of the BattleTech franchise by renaming the unit, presumably due to real world legal concerns.