The Battle of Loup-Masque
Are you quite prepared to keep fighting until the bitter end, Jacob? Are your mercenaries prepared to give their lives for your mad ambitions? Let it be known, any who do not surrender before the battle are going to die. There will be no more prisoners, no more negotiation. Not after what we found on Dromini. You are a sick animal which must be put down, and any who stand with you now are not only aware of the depths of your crimes but complicit. I will be clear, if I am forced to take the field, this will only end in slaughter.
The Conflict
Prelude
With the Rysel Corporate War quickly reaching an end, the Black Fangs belonging to Sorvetz Reisel landed on Carnwath to strike at the final remaining stronghold of Jacob Reiselle and the Ouroboros Sun. After signaling there would be no negotiations, only one chance to surrender Jacob himself, the two forces began to prepare for the battle.
Deployment
Deploying in a defensive perimeter around the Project facility, the Ouroboros Sun dug in their company of BattleMechs near the approach to the facility compound, and dispersed infantry with anti-'Mech weapons into the valley approach. The vehicle support was placed both along the approach to act as a delaying force, and in the compound as potential reinforcements should the enemy reach the last lines of defense.
The Black Fangs were mildly aware of the tactics which would be employed since they had faced it several times, and so opted for an approach which was reckless but would potentially put them past the attrition-seeking defensive lines and directly into the facility's boundaries. The DropShips were ordered to deploy directly into the compound, despite the anti-air defenses which could be brought to bear.
The Black Fangs were mildly aware of the tactics which would be employed since they had faced it several times, and so opted for an approach which was reckless but would potentially put them past the attrition-seeking defensive lines and directly into the facility's boundaries. The DropShips were ordered to deploy directly into the compound, despite the anti-air defenses which could be brought to bear.
Battlefield
The location chosen was on a mountain range called 'Loup Masque' by the locals, and was known for rough terrain and steep cliffs preventing access except by one eastern approach. The Ouroboros Sun thus had focused most of their defenses on that approach, believing there would be no critical need for them to be constructed elsewhere. The slopes of the mountain range which were not too steep were also incredibly unstable to take BattleMechs along, risking the ground giving way and dropping them down the side of the mountain. With one steep cliff to the back of the compound itself, it was determined there was no risk of any attack getting over the terrain to strike from that side.
The facility itself was a large walled compound meant to withstand most conventional attacks, and up to Medium-class BattleMechs. Two anti-aircraft batteries were installed at opposite sides of the compound, while the anti-'Mech batteries were placed on the defensive gates where they could attack anyone attempting to breach the defensive walls. Four large laboratory buildings extended underground several levels, the sprawling tunnels making it treacherous for BattleMechs active on the surface. Most of the personnel for the Project were situated in the underground areas, leaving a fairly low-profile compound to defend that way.
What would become the focal point of the battle was a large DropShip landing area designed to accommodate multiple spheroid DropShips delivering cargo, and this was where the Leopard-class DropShips of the Black Fangs would strike. The buildings nearby were dedicated solely to servicing DropShips, and the presence of volatile fuel meant there were no defenses stationed nearby where there could be an accident - nor would it be wise for them to fire on the landing site, and risk opening a hole in their own defenses.
The facility itself was a large walled compound meant to withstand most conventional attacks, and up to Medium-class BattleMechs. Two anti-aircraft batteries were installed at opposite sides of the compound, while the anti-'Mech batteries were placed on the defensive gates where they could attack anyone attempting to breach the defensive walls. Four large laboratory buildings extended underground several levels, the sprawling tunnels making it treacherous for BattleMechs active on the surface. Most of the personnel for the Project were situated in the underground areas, leaving a fairly low-profile compound to defend that way.
What would become the focal point of the battle was a large DropShip landing area designed to accommodate multiple spheroid DropShips delivering cargo, and this was where the Leopard-class DropShips of the Black Fangs would strike. The buildings nearby were dedicated solely to servicing DropShips, and the presence of volatile fuel meant there were no defenses stationed nearby where there could be an accident - nor would it be wise for them to fire on the landing site, and risk opening a hole in their own defenses.
The Engagement
The battle itself began as the DropShip 'Alethea' managed to avoid detection in a steep drop from orbit, allowing the Battle Lance to disembark directly behind most of the vehicle defenders and begin putting them in disarray. A second force was dispatched, mostly infantry which moved in squad sizes into the buildings to secure the area. The second DropShip landing happened after the anti-air batteries were destroyed, and the Command Lance wound up arriving directly into the time when the enemy BattleMechs were entering the fray.
Vehicles of the Black Fangs meanwhile were moving up the mountain approach and with air support were able to thus break the lines at tremendous cost as the bulk of the air support wound up becoming lost to a pair of defending Rifleman RFL-3N 'Mechs. With the battle being forced on two fronts, the Ouroboros Sun doubled their efforts and attempted to focus on destroying the Command Lance with Sorvetz present in BattleMaster BLR-1G equipped with a dual cockpit.
The Black Fang squads proceeded into the facility, with orders to subdue anyone they could and kill any who resisted capture. In the time it took the battle above to reach a point of desperation, one of the elite squads had secured Jacob Reiseille and most of the compound. The parts which had not been secured were then locked off as the assault teams had gained control of the security centers, rendering them unable to perform any mischief outside of their respective areas. Jacob continued to scream orders to fight to the last man, until rendered unconscious.
As the facility underground was secured, the Ouroboros Sun forces attempted a fighting withdrawal down the approach, destroying the remnants of the air support along the way. Despite their efforts, they were destroyed by pursuing vehicles and an assessment was conducted on how many potential forces had escaped the conflict.
Vehicles of the Black Fangs meanwhile were moving up the mountain approach and with air support were able to thus break the lines at tremendous cost as the bulk of the air support wound up becoming lost to a pair of defending Rifleman RFL-3N 'Mechs. With the battle being forced on two fronts, the Ouroboros Sun doubled their efforts and attempted to focus on destroying the Command Lance with Sorvetz present in BattleMaster BLR-1G equipped with a dual cockpit.
The Black Fang squads proceeded into the facility, with orders to subdue anyone they could and kill any who resisted capture. In the time it took the battle above to reach a point of desperation, one of the elite squads had secured Jacob Reiseille and most of the compound. The parts which had not been secured were then locked off as the assault teams had gained control of the security centers, rendering them unable to perform any mischief outside of their respective areas. Jacob continued to scream orders to fight to the last man, until rendered unconscious.
As the facility underground was secured, the Ouroboros Sun forces attempted a fighting withdrawal down the approach, destroying the remnants of the air support along the way. Despite their efforts, they were destroyed by pursuing vehicles and an assessment was conducted on how many potential forces had escaped the conflict.
Outcome
With the facility in the control of the Black Fang squads, Sorvetz Reisel finally allowed himself to attend personally to securing his father in a room with only a ventilation duct half a meter in diameter as a potential escape. After combing through the facility and discovering various aspects of the Project which had been enacted, Sorvetz ordered every bit of data purged from the computers and all physical media burned until they were ash.
A tense confrontation happened privately with the two family members, ending in the only outcome which would be known outside the Black Fangs themselves. Jacob Reiseille was listed as having committed suicide, leaving his side of the corporate war with no leadership and no traction in remaining part of the company itself. Sorvetz Reisel quickly assumed the Chief Executive position and rebuilt the board of directors from the ground up, as well as several programs meant to root out any and all influences which could be tugged on within the company itself.
A tense confrontation happened privately with the two family members, ending in the only outcome which would be known outside the Black Fangs themselves. Jacob Reiseille was listed as having committed suicide, leaving his side of the corporate war with no leadership and no traction in remaining part of the company itself. Sorvetz Reisel quickly assumed the Chief Executive position and rebuilt the board of directors from the ground up, as well as several programs meant to root out any and all influences which could be tugged on within the company itself.
Aftermath
After the battle, Carnwath lodged strong complaints to the Duke of Skye about the scale of conflict which had happened. Sorvetz grudgingly agreed to pay several steep fines and disband the Black Fangs rather than take them as the replacement for corporate security as he had planned. The BattleMechs and vehicles which had been in use by the Black Fangs and Ouroboros Sun were, strangely, unaccounted for after the battle on all official records. Unofficial records kept by the Lyran Intelligence Corps note there had been bulk deliveries to salvage yards which was used to pay the mercenaries and help blunt the deep costs of the conflict.
Following this, Rysel Industries began aggressively marketing their products to any organizations which would need them, and began looking to acquire smaller businesses in their sphere of influence. Despite this, they wound up closing a great many facilities which had been 'tainted' by the Ouroboros Sun personnel; this was easier as most of these locations were in the borders of the Draconis Combine, and there was considerable pressure from the Lyran Commonwealth officials to avoid "potential conflicts of interest".
Following this, Rysel Industries began aggressively marketing their products to any organizations which would need them, and began looking to acquire smaller businesses in their sphere of influence. Despite this, they wound up closing a great many facilities which had been 'tainted' by the Ouroboros Sun personnel; this was easier as most of these locations were in the borders of the Draconis Combine, and there was considerable pressure from the Lyran Commonwealth officials to avoid "potential conflicts of interest".
Historical Significance
A small number of nearby worlds became aware of the conflict and its scale, but as it turns out the Third Succession War overshadows this conflict greatly. As far as the rest of the Inner Sphere is concerned, it was just another minor event which bears no importance on the larger picture.Legacy
Those who were aware of the conflict happening in the first place wound up unsettled greatly by the ferocity on display on Carnwath, many pulling their support for Rysel Industries. Those who remained, however, found assurances the company would not dabble in certain aspects of business again and were relieved Sorvetz Reisel took the matter seriously enough to personally take JumpShips to meet with the investors. For those in the know, the end of this battle was the moment Sorvetz Reisel ascended to a position of importance and would rescue Rysel Industries from collapse with practical (and often ruthless) actions.
In Literature
There are a few small fictional accounts of the Battle of Loup Masque which were released, and attempts by Sorvetz to stifle their distribution only made them go underground inside the Lyran Commonwealth and Free Worlds League. For a few years it was fashionable to have seen the holovid miniseries 'The Angry Wolf' which was based loosely on events leading into the battle and ending with this conflict itself. Despite several legal attempts to prevent its distribution, for a handful of years it was a highly-rated offering of Tharkad Broadcasting Company.
Similarly, when public sentiment became somewhat jaded of the greater conflict of the Third Succession War, some artists took to presenting smaller stories which happened in the era to whet the appetites of those who wanted action but also did not wish to remember the simmering war which still was active. One artist became famous for depicting supposed events from the Rysel Corporate War in traditional two-dimensional medium until her disappearance in 3002.
Similarly, when public sentiment became somewhat jaded of the greater conflict of the Third Succession War, some artists took to presenting smaller stories which happened in the era to whet the appetites of those who wanted action but also did not wish to remember the simmering war which still was active. One artist became famous for depicting supposed events from the Rysel Corporate War in traditional two-dimensional medium until her disappearance in 3002.
Conflict Type
Battle
Battlefield Type
Land
Start Date
March 14, 2978
Ending Date
March 15, 2978
Conflict Result
The Black Fangs emerged victorious on Carnwath.
Belligerents
Strength
Two BattleMech Lances
Four Vehicle Lances
Two Infantry Platoons
One Aerospace Squadron
Four Vehicle Lances
Two Infantry Platoons
One Aerospace Squadron
Three BattleMech Lances
Five Vehicle Lances
Six Infantry Platoons
Two Anti-Aircraft Batteries
Two Anti-Mech Batteries
Five Vehicle Lances
Six Infantry Platoons
Two Anti-Aircraft Batteries
Two Anti-Mech Batteries
Casualties
BattleMechs: 60%
Vehicles: 70%
Infantry: 50%
Aerospace: 100%
Vehicles: 70%
Infantry: 50%
Aerospace: 100%
BattleMechs: 83%
Vehicles: 100%
Infantry: 83%
Vehicles: 100%
Infantry: 83%
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