The Fall of Salmacis
The Clan Invasion of the Inner Sphere has begun.
All across the coreward Periphery, there have been reports of systems falling to an unknown invading force. These reports conflict on the identity of the invaders, their chosen weapons of war, even the identifying insignia worn proudly on their BattleMechs. One thing which has been agreed upon is how outclassed the defenders were in nearly every encounter. It is unheard of for so many mercenary outfits, militias, even regular army groups to be left in ruins. The Clans Jade Falcon, Wolf, Smoke Jaguar, and Ghost Bear are first to hit the coreward Periphery and begin driving towards Terra at the heart of the Inner Sphere.
In June of 3050, Clan Jade Falcon was set to begin their invasion of Twycross. They assigned the Jade Falcon Guards to this task, one of their oldest and most respected units. Against them would stand the local branch of the Tamar March Militia, which would stand no true chance against the invaders. Of course, little is spoken of a small stumbling block on the path to victory. After all, the planet's capture and subjugation was inevitable so what did it matter if there were some pockets of fierce resistance?
Likewise, almost no attention was given to a solahma unit of Clan Smoke Jaguar who had petitioned for the right to join the offensive. These disgraced, elderly warriors would be sent to find solace in one final battle before their end. If they were lucky, they would die in battle like a true warrior of the Clans. Even if it was to the barbarians of the Inner Sphere, as long as the warriors behaved with honor then they would find an honorable death. So goes the culture of the Clans, and this is the fate of those who live to where they are no longer useful on the front line.
So it is that "Sol's Star" lands on Twycross, assigning themselves a lesser objective which nevertheless has some glory attached to it. The BattleMech production facility belonging to Trellshire Heavy Industries is a fine target, and it is believed they have defenses which aren't worthy of the prestigious Jade Falcon Guard. The only questionable detail on their reports would be an apparent garrison nearby which was not listed as part of the Tamar March Militia forces.
The mercenary outfit of Priam Company also lacks a significant or glorious history. They began when three members of the Armed Forces of the Federated Commonwealth resigned to find different ways to serve. What did it matter if they were paid to do it? They wanted to avoid the troubles plaguing the former Lyran units they served with, to follow orders they could trust and take missions they believed in. They hunted pirates, went after illicit combat operations, and then landed a major contract. They were tasked with going to a planet known as 'White Reach' and handling multiple incursions searching for a rumored cache of weapons.
In the process, they discovered more than they expected and fought hard as chaos rose around them. The events during that campaign made it necessary to bury the whole of it under the mantle of "Classified Material". This allowed many parties to finally put the past to rest. But there was a price, and among the various concessions the original commander entered retirement and disappeared. Olivia Garrido stepped up to command, and split the outfit into two Companies. One of those remained on White Reach until their militia could properly rebuild, and the other returned to their base on Twycross.
And thus Priam Company is about to encounter an enemy they cannot hope to overcome. But that's never stopped them before, and it won't stop them now.
The Combatants
As the curtain rises on the bloody theater of battle, the players take to their marks eager to prove themselves capable. Or perhaps merely hoping to get out alive. Here are the various groups entangled in this minor affair on the forefront of the Clan Invasion, and clues as to what they stand to lose - or gain! - from their actions here.Priam Company
Founded in 3028 by five residents of the Lyran Commonwealth, Priam Company is a mercenary outfit based out of Salmacis Base on Twycross. The original commander chose to assemble them to specialize in small-scale and simple contracts. Despite this, they entered into a long-term contract on a planet called 'White Reach' to investigate a significant increase in mercenary combat activity. Throughout this time, Priam Company successfully achieved the scale of operations to match its name and acquired significantly useful hardware... before losing a good portion of their experienced personnel and equipment in one night. In addition, records state the commander went missing during the aftermath with no indication of where he disappeared to.Following this, the mercenary outfit split their attention between two fronts. First, and foremost, they secured a new contract serving as a defensive garrison and training ground for the recovering militia. This also serves as a place to do basic training for recruits who need help getting a grasp on the fundamentals of BattleMech operation. Thus they have outfitted a place known as 'Minos Base' with everything they could afford and maintain in the interests of a training facility. Payments from the militia for acting as a training ground, and the government contract, allow Minos Base to operate more-or-less at-cost.
Second, the veterans of Priam Company returned to Salmacis Base and began looking into picking up contracts to rebuild their accounts. For the last two decades, they have taken small contracts to hunt pirates or be deniable assets prodding the borders of the Free Rasalhague Republic. The new Commander, Olivia Garrido, has heard rumors over the last year about... things... happening in the Coreward Periphery. With a growing unease, her attention has moved towards keeping the bulk of their competent forces at Twycross in case they were needed.
Sol's Star
Opposing Priam Company, at least for the first blush of combat, is a single Star of disgraced and older 'MechWarriors in Clan Smoke Jaguar. This 'solahma' unit is named for a single old MAD-3R Marauder BattleMech: 'Sol's Star'. Their duty is to fight, and die, in battle as it is a disgraceful end to die of disease or age amidst the Clans. Thus solahma units are often fierce in battle, quite willing to take the enemy with them on the way out. Sol's Star is quite a bit away from 'home', having arrived aboard a Black Lion-class WarShip named "Jaguar Pride", bargaining with their rival Clans for the right to drop on a planet not meant for Smoke Jaguar. Tensions with higher command, as well as their designation as 'solahma', mean the Star is usually reinforced with elderly, severely injured, or dishonored warriors. But for the chance to die in combat, any indignity can be suffered. This is the way of the Clans, not to be questioned, only followed to bring honor to the Clan and bloodlines.They are few in number, and lack deep reserves to call upon, but as Clan warriors they are skilled and capable combatants. The leader of the Star is usually found in the aforementioned Marauder while this time they have been allowed the use of a few 'Mechs of note. Furthermore, the Clans have a method of varying weapon loadouts readily, technology where the units are referred to as "OmniMechs".
- Catapult. The CPLT-C1 Catapult is a venerable missile platform, boasting two Long-Range launchers which can fire fifteen missiles per volley each. When its ammunition is exhausted, or enemies close to a shorter range, it can bring four Medium Lasers to bear for a significant threat to most lighter units. Additionally, it is equipped with Jump Jets, allowing it to traverse rough terrain or reach elevated terrain easier.
- Mad Dog. A peculiar narrow silhouette for a 'Mech, this Heavy OmniMech is normally given two Long-Range missile launchers which take up most of the left and right torso segments, each of which capable of firing twenty missiles at once. For direct-fire weapons, the Mad Dog has pairs of Large Pulse Lasers and Medium Pulse Lasers, which have more accuracy over distance at the cost of generating more waste heat. It is remarkably fast and hard-hitting, though it is ill-advised to utilize all the weapons in a single volley.
- Timber Wolf. The Inner Sphere came to truly fear (and also covet) this Heavy OmniMech, which is not as common as first believed. The appearance appeared to be a merging of two pre-existing BattleMechs, the Marauder and the Catapult. Its offensive capabilities are indeed a marriage of the two machines, having intense direct-fire capability with two Extended-Range Large Lasers and two Extended-Range Medium Lasers. The missile pods which sit on its shoulders house twenty-missile Long-Range launchers, and for closer combat it has a single Medium Pulse Laser and two Machine Guns as a last resort.
- Dire Wolf. Not to be confused with the Timber Wolf, this is a hundred-ton beast of an Assault OmniMech. It is surprisingly fast for an Assault 'Mech, quite well-armored and armed to the proverbial teeth. Each weapons pod in the arms house a pair of Extended-Range Large Lasers and a pair of Medium Pulse Lasers, as well as a rapid-firing Ultra Autocannon/5. Almost as an afterthought, there is a fifteen-missile Long-Range launcher situated over the left shoulder.
Jade Falcon Guards
Among their people, Clan Jade Falcon has a rather lofty position among the seventeen Clans. This position puts them as rivals against Clan Wolf, and it is often argued whether one or the other is "superior". The Jade Falcons are one of four Clans to invade the Inner Sphere from their homes in the deep Coreward Periphery, striking at the Federated Commonwealth with swift actions and decisive results. In three months, their forces took control of almost twenty systems and now one of their most prestigious units were slated to take Twycross: The Jade Falcon Guards Cluster.Engaging the Tamar March Militia was easy enough, but a single Trinary became dispatched to deal with the mercenaries of Salmacis Base. It was believed this would be more than adequate to completely destroy the opposition, and make sure nobody was able to escape this time.
Trellshire Heavy Industries
and Tamar March Militia
A major arms manufacture inside the Lyran Commonwealth, the factory on Twycross is now producing large amounts of materiel for the joined 'Federated Commonwealth'. Mostly this takes the forms of a few BattleMechs and their associated parts, giving the company a significant stake (though not a major one) in providing the Armed Forces with supplies. An incursion by the Draconis Combine managed to threaten the facility during the tail end of the Third Succession War, so management and the militia came to an agreement. A small 'token force' of able defenders would be stationed on-site in case of another attack, and the militia would retain a posted force within support range. Together it should be capable of repelling a raiding party, though it would be woefully inadequate against a greater force.A single Lance of 'Mechs was stationed here, as well as a Vedette Medium Tank to serve as backup. Two fast-response Savannah Master hovercraft were also on standby in case there was a need to physically send for help. The militia currently maintains a medium-weight Lance of 'Mechs and an equal number of combat vehicles which are expected to be capable of enough firepower to subdue any pirate raiders.
Hatchy's Helpers
There are too many registered mercenary commands to count, from the prestigious Wolf's Dragoons and Kell Hounds to the relatively-unknown Priam Company or others who don't even last to see their first combat engagement. Furthermore, the outfits range from professional soldiers to those who see the work as a chance to get paid to make mayhem happen. Almost every type of unit can be found amidst the records kept by ComStar's Mercenary Review Board. And then there's Hatchy's Helpers, commanded by Captain Hatchsune "Hatchy" Brown.Hatchy runs her outfit from a modified Invader-class JumpShip called the 'Namida', which serves as a hospital vessel in addition to being her base of operations. Few people know where she found such a prize, and Hatchy herself doesn't talk about it. But it doesn't seem important when Hatchy offers "the Helpers" as angels of mercy, mostly acting as a mobile medical unit on various battlefields. Few, if any, of the Helpers' units are armed with weapons and are modified to serve roles which serve the primary goal: Find the wounded and recover them for medical care. Combat capabilities or even prowess are secondary, and Hatchy's Helpers tend to use their social networking skills to pick up assistance from outfits they can trust. Currently, the Clan Invasion has rerouted the 'Namida' to the Federated Commonwealth front lines to assist in recovery efforts.
Rysel Security Forces
Roughly a decade ago, the company known as 'Rysel Industries' restructured itself under its new Chief Executive Officer. Hechek Reisel took over the company from her father, and over the last ten years most of the funding has gone into bolstering the medical research divisions. Thus 'Rysel Medical Laboratories', was now being given the task of running hospitals and treatment centers in the Federated Commonwealth. Medicine and medical procedures once thought to be lost became available to anyone who could pay for them, and doctors were being trained to keep up with the changing times. While some might find the fees rather steep (even punishingly so), Hechek reinvests any profits into developing the company's ability to reach more people and drive down costs so she can lower the prices.Among the more controversial topics brought up when discussing Rysel Industries is how they began openly arming their security forces. The previous CEO was under a ban signed by Archon Alessandro Steiner to not acquire any potential military presence, but Archon-Prince Victor Steiner-Davion did not renew this ban amidst the transition to the Federated Commonwealth. As such, Hechek has given many defucnt mercenaries a chance for a steady paycheck for (almost) no risk. The Rysel Security Forces thus are assigned to protect assets of their parent company, with a special detachment acting as bodyguards and escorts to the CEO herself.
It is unclear exactly why Hechek Reisel has an interest in Twycross, or Priam Company specifically, but she canceled her itineary in order to divert her personal JumpShip to intervene. Along the way, she brokered a deal with Captain Hatchsune Brown to provide medical aid for refugees escaping Twycross in exchange for help reaching the system safely.
"The Spoilers"
A Fortress-class DropShip of unknown origin and registry was spotted headed from one of the Jump points of Twycross, with no clear idea of exactly why they had shown up. According to rumors and ramblings from the JumpShip who helped bring the DropShip into the system, the ship claimed to be from a system not on any ComStar charts by the name of 'Zathras' and was captained by a man calling himself "Lord Commander Mason Garrilac". A broad search of records show a man by that name having served time in a prison on Hastur thirty years ago, in the Magistracy of Canopus.What brings this man, and his relic of a vessel, to Twycross at this time is anyone's guess. But the presence of a certified criminal put the Tamar March Militia on edge just before the invasion forces slammed into the planet. Furthermore, there are many rumors from crew which serviced the DropShip suggesting there was some sort of blood feud being prosecuted against the invaders. We may never know the circumstances of the ship's visit, or the meaning of the sudden release of 'Mechs and aerospace assets onto Twycross.
Perhaps some things are better left a mystery.
Overview
Act OneDuring the first wave of landings on Twycross, Sol's Star is assigned to claim a low-value target the Jade Falcon Guards are not immediately interested in. They are dispatched to the factories belonging to Trellshire Heavy Industries, pitting a full Star of 'Mechs against the meager security forces THI could muster. During this attack, requests were made for the Tamar March Militia to send reinforcements, and only a small amount of inexperienced forces could be diverted. Despite outnumbering their foes, the defenders were cut to pieces by the Clan warriors.
Act Two
Priam Company's communications officer intercepted these requests, and sought authorization to deploy their 'Mechs to assist. Despite receiving no authorization (and thus, no formal agreement on payment for services rendered), Commander Olivia Garrido ordered one of her Lances to join the fight against the invaders. Unfortunately, this order came too late for the defenders of the factory complexes, yet too soon for Sol's Star to effect repairs on their 'Mechs.
Act Three
Following the encounter with Sol's Star, Priam Company hurries to repair and undertakes preparations to leave Salmacis Base. During this time, Sol's Star and their support are forced off Twycross by another force of unknown origins. Being occupied with her own work, and with the planetary comm net being unreliable, Commander Garrido opts to allow this mystery to stand in favor of leaving.
Fiction
"The Menagerie at Twycross""The Menagerie at Twycross", Part 1
"The Menagerie at Twycross", Part 2
"The Menagerie at Twycross", Part 3
"The Menagerie at Twycross", Part 4
"The Menagerie at Twycross", Part 5
"The Menagerie at Twycross", Part 6
"The Menagerie at Twycross", Part 7
"The Menagerie at Twycross", Part 8
"The Menagerie at Twycross", Part 9
"The Menagerie at Twycross", Part 10
"The Menagerie at Twycross", Part 2
"The Menagerie at Twycross", Part 3
"The Menagerie at Twycross", Part 4
"The Menagerie at Twycross", Part 5
"The Menagerie at Twycross", Part 6
"The Menagerie at Twycross", Part 7
"The Menagerie at Twycross", Part 8
"The Menagerie at Twycross", Part 9
"The Menagerie at Twycross", Part 10
Battle Reports
Mercenary's CounterattackFall of Salmacis - Interlude
The Battle of Salmacis
The Battle of Salmacis: Report
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