Wayne Waco

Wayne Waco
Personal
Born	2968
Died	18 October 3067
Affiliation	Waco Rangers
Profile
Profession	Colonel
Family
Spouse	Fiona Richel
Children	John Waco

Colonel Wayne Waco (born 2968 – died 18 October, 3067, age 99 years) was the commander of the mercenary Unit known as the Waco Rangers. Waco, along with his Rangers have pursued a vendetta against the Wolf's Dragoons mercenary command ever since an engagement between the two units on New Aragon resulted in the death of Wayne Waco's son when a Dragoon 'Mech stepped on him after he had ejected from his downed Locust . The Rangers claim the incident was intentionally caused, while the Dragoons claim it was an accident.

History

Early Life and career

Born on the Capellan world of Le Blanc, Waco was recognized for having MechWarrior potential as a child, and by adulthood he was assigned by the CCAF to the Second Kearny Highlanders, piloting a Vindicator BattleMech. He married a fellow warrior, Fiona Richel, and later had a son, John Waco. When his wife was killed by AFFS Aerospace Fighters, he left active duty to become an instructor at Sian University. When he left the university, he became an accomplished Company commander with the First Tau Ceti Rangers. When that unit was disbanded in 3007, he decided to form the Waco Rangers, initially a company-sized unit. They accepted a contract with House Liao.

Fighting the Dragoons on New Aragon

While on New Aragon in 3008, they saw heavy combat against Wolf's Dragoons (then in the employ of the Federated Suns). The Dragoons' Zeta Battalion smashed through the Rangers' light 'Mechs, resulting in the death of John Waco. Apparently, a Dragoon Stalker inadvertently crushed the younger Waco after his Locust was destroyed. Wayne Waco and his officers promptly declared vengeance against the Dragoons, despite a ComStar investigation clearing the Dragoons of intentional wrongdoing. Wayne's pain and fury were so much that he swore, what he called, a "Death Oath" against the Dragoons, sworn to kill any Dragoon his forces captured. Afterward, Wayne and his Rangers refused employment with any Successor State that also employed the Dragoons.

Later years

By 3049, Waco had apparently turned over field command of the Rangers to Colonel Wayne Rogers, though Waco maintained ownership of the unit. They served with the Free Worlds League during this time. Apparently, by the aftermath of the Clan Invasion, the unit's reputation had dropped significantly.

In 3053, he achieved a small measure of satisfaction when he sat as one of the judges on the Mercenary Review Board panel when the Dragoons were brought up on charges of one of their battalions violating the terms of its contract while in service to House Marik. Though Jaime Wolf could have brushed the matter under the carpet, he felt it necessary to demonstrate that the Dragoons were not above the system they themselves had championed. Wolf was suspended from active service for one year.

Later hired by the Lyran Alliance, the unit faced Clan Jade Falcon at the Battle of Coventry. Not only was most of the unit destroyed, but they suffered the indignity of being rescued, in part, by elements of Wolf's Dragoons. Colonel Rogers was among the casualties during this engagement. Waco was left to rebuild the shattered Rangers with only a company of 'Mechs, essentially the same as when he first created the Unit.

Jihad and death

Waco was killed leading an insurrection of disaffected MechWarriors against the Dragoons on Outreach. This insurrection was heavily orchestrated by the Word of Blake, who had viewed the Dragoons as a thorn in their side for some time and played on Wayne Waco's legendary hatred for the Dragoons and Jaime Wolf in particular. Though there are no witnesses to the event, Waco and his destroyed Battlemaster were found near the Archer that contained a slain Jaime Wolf. Conjecture points to a legendary final battle between the two foes that ended in the mutual death of the MechWarriors. Unfortunately, the Word of Blake incited insurrection was the final chapter in their history, the Waco's Rangers died on Outreach with their founder, they were wiped out to the last man by a heart broken and recklessly furious Wolf's Dragoons. This event was considered by many to have been the opening salvo of the Jihad.

Errata

• The Mercenary's Handbook claims that when Waco was born on Le Blanc, it was held by House Liao. Other sources indicate it has continuously been in House Davion's hands since at least the fall of the Star League.
• The Mercenary's Handbook states that John Waco was piloting a Stinger when he was killed. Other sources state that he was using a Locust.

Gallery

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  Portrait of Wayne Waco

Bibliography

• 20 Year Update
• The Battle of Coventry (scenario pack)
• Dawn of the Jihad (sourcebook)
• Field Manual: Mercenaries
• "Making a Name" (short story)
• Mercenary's Handbook (sourcebook)
• Wolf Pack (novel)
• Wolf's Dragoons (sourcebook)