Wave of Confusion

Galatea

Word of Blake forces had been hard-pressed and outnumbered on Galatea since the arrival of Coalition forces on 2 November 3075. However, the Blakists still controlled two large Star League era forts, Paphos and Pygmalion where they took shelter. Forgoing straight up battle, the Blakists contented themselves with hit-and-run raids and terror attacks in defiance of Stone’s authority. Then, in late December, a small Word task force showed up to reinforce the world with supplies and aerospace support for the besieged Eleventh. Although still outnumbered, they managed to kill the Coalition’s commanding officer in one raid. They also managed to recapture the Bastion station from Stone’s forces and began using it to orbitally support their ground-bound brethren.

Stone quickly hired a smattering of mercenary commands, augmenting them with additional Com Guard reserves, in order to break the stalemate.The Monkeys were hired on as part of this relief force.

Irian

When word of their victory over Belial on Luthien spread, the Monkeys attracted the attention of the coalition forming on Arc-Royal. The mysterious leader, Devlin Stone, invited the Monkeys to join. In need of refit and repair, the Monkeys accepted. They spent much of 3075 recovering and training, in addition to adding pilots to replace their losses on Luthien. It was an odd but peaceful respite from the Jihad raging around them.

In October of 3074, Devlin Stone offered the Monkeys an important mission. He had word that rebel forces on Irian were planning a planetwide revolt to shake of their Blakist oppressors, but they would need some outside help. Restless from months of activity, Commander Bane gladly accepted the mission. The Monkeys boosted out of system shortly afterward.

Grudge Match

The next job has you back on Solaris VII for an archeologial dig in the planet’s wastelands. Before that, you get a little rest and refit after a grueling few months. Maybe you could take this opportunity to earn a little extra green in the gladiator pits. Just for old times sake?

This is Edgar Pohebus, Jr. reporting for SBC news.

In a much anticipated grudge match, the Flaming Devil Monkeys defeated the Krazy Kossaks in a fierce raging gladiatorial battle. The battle was close on both sides, but once Leon Petrovsky’s Great Turtle was taken out of the match after losing a leg, much of the fight seemed to go out of the Kossaks.

The bout has been all the talk of the town since the barroom altercation between Petrovsky and Taharqa Bane, the owner of the Flaming Devil Monkeys last week. After the match, Bane denied that the Monkeys were returning to the Game World permanently and insisted they would be returning to mercenary work now that they had “settled the score.”

– From SBC News Extra, Solaris Broadcasting Company, Solaris, 19 May 3068.

Luthien

Luthien is a meatgrinder, but Buda Weapons is paying you well to brave it. Their chief weapons researcher, Hideoshi Yakima, managed to smuggle himself and his weapons team onto the planet several months ago. They’ve been working on a revolutionary new laser system. I have no idea why the hell they’d come here, but Buda is willing to pay us to retrieve them.

To complicate matters, apparently the Wobblies have one of their Shadow Divisions on-planet.

To: Buda Weapons Personnel Division From: Hideoshi Yakima Re: Leave of Absence

To Whom it May Concern,

I wish to express my gratification that you sent a military unit in to retrieve myself and my team from Luthien. Their extraction was successful as was my research mission. The blueprints and all relevant technical information are included (encrypted as per company policy) with this message.

I would like to take a leave of absence from my position. I have gotten to know this mercenary unit well in my time on Luthien and I believe they offer exciting opportunities to test out some of my ideas in the field. Their incorportion of some Blakist technology (in personnel and machines) is also very interesting. I will be staying on with them for the immediate future.

I am sure that you understand my reasoning and understand that Buda has much to gain in the future from such knowledge. I wish you the best and look forward to returning to Buda once these dark times are past us.

Shift Change

Outskirts of Deber City
Benjamin, Draconis Combine
14 December 3072

En-route to a contract on Luthien, you were hailed by a Nova Cat flotilla on its way to liberate Benjamin. Apparently, they would like to bolster their forces with a few trusted mercenary commands. These Nova Cats aren’t exactly traditional.

Apparently, there is a Shadow Division on planet. You are to be assigned as an auxillary unit to the Vision Keshik as it hunts down and destroys the commander of this Shadow Division, Precentor Arioch. Looking for some payback after Galatea, you gladly signed on for a short-term gig.

(Message relayed across all Nova Cat vessels burning out of the Benjamin System, 21 December 3072)

We ask you to honor the memory of your brothers and sisters in Alpha Trinary of the Vision Keshik. These proud warriors gave their lives to destroy the gross stain on humanity known as Precentor Arioch. Though, they were destroyed down to the last warrior, they never flinched from their duty and because of their proud efforts, Arioch was put to an end. It is their efforts which broke the backs of our opponents and gave us victory here on Benjamin. Please honor their spirits with a moment of silent meditation.

….

Seyla

Burning Bridges

Galaport Galatea
Lyran Alliance
5 October 3072

Ships bearing Northwind Highlanders colors and codes appeared at Galatea’s zenith point, shocking everyone. Claiming to have escaped Northwind and the clutches of the Blakists, they burned in to Galatea, intent on grounding and resupplying before taking up arms against the Word. The DropShips were allowed to enter Galatean airspace, because they were, after all, the famed Northwind Highlanders. And their arrival was backed up with reports coming from other systems regarding the Blakists’ urgent messages describing their escape.

The ruse was brilliant. And a nightmare.

Behind the façade of the famed mercenary regiment was the Word of Blake. Using authentic Highlander codes and IFF, the Word caught the mercenary world with its pants at its collective ankles.

A wolf in a sheep’s tartan.

The Word had come. And Galatea was to be the next Outreach.

(partial log of air traffic control at Galaport Spaceport, 5 October 3072)

Controller: Be advised, uh, .. Fiery Coconut, you have not been cleared for takeoff. Please hold for further instructions.
Fiery Coconut Actual: This is Captain Baxter. Have you seen whats going on out here? We need to liftoff immediately.
Controller: I understand the situation is irregular, but for safety reasons, it is important to follow protocol. Failure to do so could result in fines and even impr–
Fiery Coconut Actual: F&#king irregular! Are you blind! We finally have all units boarded and maybe a five minute window before the Wobbies come back for a second round. We are leaving now! We will take our chances.
Controller: Maam, I am going to have to ask you to – Remaining audio drowned out by the sound of a dropship lifting off nearby

Clean Sweep

Bannson’s Bane, Lilac Island
Althea’s Choice, Taurian Concordat
12 June 3072

Mr. Askai’s associates have offered you another well-paying contract—and the transportation logistics to make it on station in time. This one has a bit of a twist to it—you’re to masquerade as an AFFS unit and obliterate the mercenary garrison on the out-of-the-way world of Althea’s Choice. The pay is extremely good—and the fact that Mr. Askai himself delivered a nice DropShip full of brand-new AFFS toys was a particularly healthy bonus.

Some mercs balk at bait-and-switch jobs, but to the prudent mercenary businessman, it’s all about the bottom line. You are a prudent businessman…so who needs ethics?

7 June 3083

To all Parties listed in Misconduct Case 3072-06-12-B2

After reviewing the evidence presented by the survivors of the Clean Kill mercenary command it is the decision of this committee that no misconduct is present. It is true that the Flaming Devil Monkeys used false colors to ambush the Clean Kill’s headquarters, but such actions are considered part of standard warfare doctrine (See Article VII, Section 4 for further details) and since the mercenaries were operating under avalid contract at the time of the assault, there is no breach of regulations. The case is dismissed.

Sincerely, Temporary Mercenary and Review Bonding Commission Complaint Committee, Galatea

Spark

Research Facility 48-K, Ugandi-zeti Desert
Spica, Protectorate Annex
25 March 3072

Ever since the Word conquered Spica and then slowly pulled off, no force from the Federated Suns or the Confederation has swooped in to claim the system, despite its abundant mining resources in the outlying belts and several higher-tech industries scattered across the smaller continent of Inessia. Concerned over recent rumors of rebellion and high-casualty attacks occurring in nearby Kittery, the planetary government recently hired some mercenaries as a defensive measure, nominally to protect the planet—but mainly to safeguard its HPG complex and a few research facilities.

Their paranoia proved prescient when a military force calling itself Stone’s Lament arrived in early 3072, declaring Spica “liberated” and a new member of the Kittery Prefecture—whatever that was. Content with self-rule, the Spica government has refused to acquiesce to the unknown marauders’ demands.

(widecast message sent from orbit around Spica, 15 April 3077)

This is Commander Taharqa Bane of the Flaming Devil Monkeys. To the units we recently fought identifying themselves as Stone’s Lament. We salute your fighting courage and wish you the best of luck. Someday, perhaps we may find ourselves fighting the blakists together, but until then I hope that our paths do not cross.

By the way, our employer has decided that our services are no longer needed, and we are leaving the system.

Solaris VII Campaign

Given their origins on the Game World, many members of the Monkeys had closely followed news of Solaris VII’s occupation. When it became clear in early 3071 that the Solaris Home Defense League was more than a flash in the pan, many members pleaded with Taharqa to return to Solaris and join in its liberation. It wasn’t a proper paying job, but the Monkeys recent run-ins with the Word of Blake had made them realize that more was at stake in this war than money.

Taharqa decided to put it to vote of all the personnel. By an overwhelming majority, the Monkeys voted to return to Solaris VII and help to free the planet from its blakist oppressors.

“This is Kiva Cooper reporting live from the International District where former gladiator stable turned SHDL heroes, the Flaming Devil Monkeys, are making preparations for departure. Apparently, with the liberation of Solaris VII, they are on to new things. I was able to catch up with their elusive commander, Taharqa Bane, earlier.”

(image switches to Taharqa Bane’s face with a microphone thrust into it)

Cooper: Commander Bane, If I could just ask a few questions.
Bane: (smiling) Sure, a few.
Cooper: Why are you in such a rush to leave? Some people were hoping you might stay and re-start your stable.
Bane: (smile deepens) We came back to Solaris to free our home world, but now we are on to the next contract. As mercenaries, we still need to make the bottom line.
Cooper: Is there any truth to the rumors that you stole supplies from other SHDL forces while stationed here?”
Bane: (smile fades) The only people we took supplies from were the Wobbies. Unfortunately some minor members of the SHDL resented the nice facilities we established here.
Cooper: Now that you are back to the mercenary life, would you take a contract from the Word of Blake?
Bane: (gives an intense look ) We will never work for those honorless dogs. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to get back to work.

– Solaris City News at Six, SBC, solaris VII, 14 December 3071

Grim Death

Inbound, Pirate Point K-E7
Sheratan, Chaos March
29 November 3070

Just when you thought things were finally settling down, your Galatean liaison nabs a sweet little deal offered by a “concerned Federated suns citizen.” Backtracking this mysterious employer’s identity confirms connections to several suns and league corporations, with the money to back the sizable contract. so even though you’d like to give your people some rest and refit, it’s too good to pass up. Well, that and the fact that you’re the only merc command nearby with free time.

The simply worded contract says “eliminate the Grim Determination from Sheratan.” That’s it. someone out there either has a massive grudge against those hard-luck mercs or wants them removed from the system so whoever it is can swoop right in—which makes the Federated suns connections a lot clearer.

The Grim Determination has suffered constant terror strikes in and around their bases, as well as around the facilities housing the planetary government—which seems to have pro-davion leanings, but likes to play the independence game, too. Best guess? someone down there wants to make a power play and shove the system firmly into the Feddie camp. and they want you to do the dirty work.

Ok, so long as the credits good.

To: Ann Martinez
From: Huntington Acquisitions Incorporated
Date: 12-02-3071
Re: Recent sale

This message confirms your recent sale of a Union-class dropship to Huntington Acquisitions. The item has been delivered and passed an inspection. The C-bill amount agreed upon has now been posted to your account. This concludes our business transaction.

On a personal note, we wish you the best of luck in your rebuilding efforts.

Binge, Purge, Flush

Ennis Weapons Range, Colbert Provincial County
Kalidasa, Blake Protectorate
6 July 3070

Mr. askai has returned with another lucrative contract. only a month ago, Kalidasa seceded from the Free Worlds league and went over to the enlarging Word of Blake Protectorate, taking several league militia forces with it. however, much noise has been made among local leaguers that the planetary government was coerced into secession by the heavy-handed tactics of the local Word of Blake HPG garrison unit. askai—or whomever he represents—wants the Blakists hammered. Capturing or killing the Precentor would net even more on the contract.

Any way you look at it, it’s time to hunt some Wobblies.

9 July 3070

Kalidasa [Kalidasa Courier-Times] - Word of Blake forces are reporting that an accident during a recent training exercise has led to the tragic death of Precentor Tim Mayo of the Word of Blake’s Third Division. Current CO David Fellers assured reporters that business would continue as normal while the unit awaited the transfer of a new executive officer.

Brute Force

Site 2B, Cassini Belt
Caselton, Federated Suns
10 September 3069

Every once in a while, you get a contract offer that you have to take—not because it’s a peach or on some exotic ocean world, but because it’s the proverbial “tough nut.” Caselton, at first glance, is one of them.

A challenge, to be sure, but the payoff is worth it. Seems Mr. askai’s employers are all hot to trot in cracking this particular nut. Several clauses of the contract contain so much legalese, they practically scream “corporate,” but other parts seem ill defined. after brief but intense negotiations, your unit landed the contract to break open site 2B, part of the Caselton Mining Corporation’s string of germanium mines.

Why take it when it looks so tough? Ego. Break this sucker and bragging rights are yours—as well as a justified increase in rates. And right now, with mercs under the microscope everywhere, nailing a place like this can only enhance your reputation, guaranteeing more solid work ahead.

Time to break out those nutcrackers. so where is the rest of the crew?

Text Mesage to CEO Alberto Henderson, Caselton Mining Corporation

Somebody hit Site 2B. Fat lot of good those Davion Guards did us. Apparently they got outgunned by a bunch of low-life mercs. As far as we know they didn’t even take anything. Just blew the power generator and scrammed. I have a repair crew on the way. As soon as I know more, I will be in touch.

Brew Ha Ha

Mather Swamp, Lowellstowne Tohelet
Free Worlds League
6 May 3069

Subcontracting work out is tough, but pays off in spades if the timing is right. as your command passes through the Free Worlds league, a member of the mysterious Coterie contacts your Co to assist with defenses in the apparently defenseless Rim Commonality. Seems the eighth orloff is the only unit in the area, and several pirates and hard-luck mercs have taken advantage of that fact by executing heavy raids. The bandits have absconded with enormous amounts of foodstuffs and basic supplies, more than those groups would normally require. This means someone’s coordinating the raids, and piling up a large amount of the fundamentals for an army or a world in crisis. You haven’t heard of any planets in crisis around here, so most likely someone is building an army.

The Coterie seem to think that the large peat farms outside Lowellstowne make a viable target, so here you sit, babysitting some hardened muck. ah, the mercenary life!

To: General Prescott, 151st Tohelet Planetary Guard Commander
From: Colonel Uharu, Third Battalion Commander, 151st Tohelet Planetary Guard
Date: 8 May 3069
Re: Recent raids

I am pleased to report that the most recent raid near Lowellstowne has been soundly repulsed by my militia unit, acting in concert with the mercenary unit, the Flaming Devil Monkeys, hired by an outside group. I had my doubts about the mercenaries, given their clear lack of discipline and protocol, but they proved surprisingly effective.

From captured personnel, it appears that the bandits were members of a disreputable mercenary group called Reed’s Brew. It is still unclear whether they are responsible for all of the recent raids or part of a larger operation. The prisoners are currently being transferred back to the capital for further interrogation.

One for the Money

Inbound vector Gienah,
Lyran Alliance
30 September 3068

A Mr. askai hired numerous mercenary units from nearby lyran and league space to attack Gienah, specifically the Gienah automotive and Gienah Combat Vehicles sites. The strikes succeeded, largely because of the mercenaries’ overwhelming numbers and the lack of an organized ’Mech force to oppose them. The Gienah militia, however, with support from corporate security forces (and surprisingly well-armed labor union workers), has managed to inflict a serious toll on the mercenaries, exploiting a lack of cooperation among the invaders.

The mercenaries are wrapping up their operations. some secondary objectives remain, including a vehicle supply dump midway between Gienah Combat Vehicles and the spaceport. It must be destroyed.

17 March 3082

To all Parties listed in Misconduct Case 3068-09-30-A12

After reviewing the evidence in the dispute between the Flaming Devil Monkeys and the Shady Ladies, the MRBC has come to the conclusion that the unwarranted actions of the Shady Ladies precipitated the involvement of the Flaming Devil Monkeys. The MRBC finds no fault with the Flaming Devil Monkeys. It does however find that the Shady Ladies acted in violation of their contract agreement. However, as the surviving members of this mercenary group are now employed in other units or retired and the commanding officer is deceased, no further action is warranted.

Sincerely, Temporary Mercenary and Review Bonding Commission Complaint Committee, Galatea

Final Curtain?

Task Force Gauntlet, Inbound vector TT-4
Giausar, Bolan Province
Lyran Alliance 2 September 3068

IE didn’t renew your contract when it ended a week ago. Looking for quick work and pulling in some favors from a few Free Worlds League government types, the CO signed you up to assist in a major push to seize Giausar from the Lyrans. Why doesn’t matter—it’s work, and with good pay at that.

The downside? Serving under the arrogant Knights of the Inner Sphere. Of course, they do lead from the front, so they’re either really good at what they do or they’re out to seize all the glory. Either way, they’re your employer, so you do as they tell you.

It’s all about the money, after all.

To: Major Derek Hanson, acting CO of the One-Eyed Jacks
From: Mercenary Review and Bonding Commission
Date: 25 September 3068
Re: Bond for the recovery of Colonel Darrel Duke

This notification serves as a receipt that the 2,000,000 C-bill bond for the recovery of Colonel Darrel “Ramrod” Duke has been received by the MRBC and will be processed shortly. Once Colonel Duke is again in your custody, the bond will be paid out to the mercenary unit known as the Flaming Devil Monkeys. The commander of that unit wished to forward the following message to you: “Here is Ramrod back. He is recovering nicely. Just be glad that it was us who picked him up and not the Mariks.”

Falcon Ptomaine

Grant’s Station Tango, Nuevo Roma
Tomans, Lyran Alliance
1 August 3068

A standard downtime clause in your contract with IE allows roughly two months rest every year. When you ended up close enough to IE’s main research complex on Tomans—a sprawling university with its own mini-DropPort, seconds from a decent beach—your CO decided now was a good time to invoke that clause.

Officially, you’re under a garrison contract, though IE recognizes the need for R&R. With the Falcons not too far away, it made sense to stay on guard. Only half your people were on leave when the Green Ghosts dropped in without calling first. People like that rarely get invited back.

To: Star Colonel Lee Newclay
From: Star Commander Petar
Subject: Tomans Raid
Date: 2 August 3068

The Tomans raid was disastrous for our trinary. After landing in Nuevo Roma, we moved to engage a local mercenary garrison force named the Flaming Devil Monkeys. What we did not realize was that the Flaming Devil Monkeys were already engaged in a battle with the dezgra pirates known as the Green Ghosts. The treacherous mercenaries led us directly into the midst of the Green Ghosts and then circled around and hit us from behind. Despite being outnumbered our forces performed well, downing several of the Green Ghost mechs even as the treacherous Monkeys hit us from behind. Star Captain Oskar Pryde was killed by a shot to the head, placing me in command. It was at that time that the commander of the Monkeys made contact in order to offer me hegira. Imagine my shock to learn that their commanding officer was none other than Mechwarrior Taharqa, a bondsman from the Fire Mandrills that we made a warrior. He was lost in the Coventry campaign and assumed dead. He was my starmate in the Coventry campaign as well.

Normally, I would not have accepted hegira from dezgra mercenaries, but at that point we only had three functional mechs and a few battle armor points left. Given Taharqa’s background, I relented. I agreed that I would accept hegira after we collectively dealt with the Green Ghosts, which we did in short order. I understand that my protocol may have been inappropriate and I seek surkai in this matter.

Game On!

Grid 45Y18X, Tangerine Desert
Solaris VII, Lyran Alliance
16 June 3068

IE has dispatched your force to Solaris, but not for the fun and games. One of IE’s smaller member groups, Yoris University Amalgamated, has made a significant find buried beneath the dark sands of the Tangerine Desert. Your job is to protect the site until decent transportation assets can arrive to load up the new find and transport it offworld. After that, you and your mercs can spend some time amid the glitz and sham that make up the Game World.

Even if the Game World is under siege.

To: Professor Samuel Nishapuri, Yoris University Amalgamated
From: Xavier Driscoll, Archaelogical Director, Team 4
Subject: Dig complete
Date: 27 June 3068

We wrapped up our operation here on Solaris VII today. I am pleased to report a total success. Your theory was entirely correct and the specimens we have obtained should verify that. I am having them shipped to you immediately under tight security. I feel that it is best that we keep these results confidential until we have an adequate amount of time to perform further research and analysis.

Our dig was interrupted by an attack from the Word of Blake. The attack was easily rebuffed by our mercenary escorts. At this time, I don’t know if the Blakists knew our purposes here or just stumbled upon us out of dumb luck, but I think it wise to assume the former and redouble our precautionary efforts.

Running from the Devil

Scales of the Dragonet Mountains, Pearl District
Dieron, Draconis Combine
8 April 3068

Everything on Dieron is a mess. Hit-and-run raiding, mass assaults against the capital and a huge forest fire are only part of the dire situation.

A Combine officer approached your CO and set up a quick contract for an out-system run. A convoy carrying some important cargo and intel is due inbound to the makeshift drop zone and they need someone to escort it out. Your force is approached as one of the few not currently engaged, and the officer promises you a large sum of C-bills if you can get the cargo safely to the zenith point, where a ready JumpShip waits.

To: Precentor Apollyon
From: Demi-Precentor Uvall
Date: 6 May 3068

While pursuing Target #66 on 8 April 3068, our forces were engaged by a company-sized mercenary unit known as the Flaming Devil Monkeys in the desolate Scales of the Dragonet Mountains. We believe that this unit was hired on a short-term basis to assist in the extraction of Target #66. Our forces were able to down five of the mercenaries’ mechs while sustaining only moderate casualities. We were also able to destroy the hover transport believed at the time to be carrying Target #66. It appears that our intel was incorrect however, as Target #66 is clearly still at large. We believe that the hover transport was in fact a decoy. I have taken necessary measures to correct this intelligence failure. It will not happen again.

Despite the failure of the mission, we did manage to capture one of the mercenary pilots. Her name is Desiree Sheikh and based on her pyschological profile, I feel that she would make an excellent candidate. I am forwarding her profile and my recommendations along with this report.

Vacationing in the Wasteland

Middle of Nowhere, Contard Mining Property
Acamar, Federated Suns
8 January 3068

The bosses upstairs decided you needed a break from the intense fighting lately and sent you to Acamar. The local mines are important—so they say—and they’re paying you, so you really have no complaints. It’s just hard to create diversions, especially in the frozen tundra.

All that changed with an alert about pirates inbound on a raid, projecting a course right near the Contard facility where you happen to be sitting. Rather than wait for them to approach, you’ve decided to ambush the pirates and turn them back before they hit the facility. The question is, do you hit them before they land or after they disembark?

Acamar [Acamar Times] - In a fierce mech battle yesterday, a raiding party from a pirate group identified as the Lafayette Legion were repulsed in their attempt to loot the Contard Mining Property. A small group of mercenaries named the Flaming Devil Monkeys defeated the pirate band in a quick, but deadly battle on the frozen tundra.

After losing several mechs to concentrated fire, the remaining pirates surrendered to the Monkeys rather than face annhiliation. The mercenaries have handed over these bandits to planetary authorities, who are now determining what charges will be faced. When asked for comment, Taharqa Bane, the commander of the Flaming Devil Monkeys said “We leave these scum with you. Do with them as you will.”

No damage has been reported at the mining property itself. Contard officials could not be contacted for comment.

FUBAR!

Rural Route 92
Fox Province
New Avalon, Federated Suns
5 December 3067

It was supposed to be a routine outing; get the new guys accustomed to their gear and scope out the lay of the land. IE sent you here to help straighten out the local yokels so they don’t go shooting cattle if a raid ever does make it to the heart of the Davion empire. When you heard the brief chatter on the military band, you knew your command needed to get the sheep back, but you wanted to stick around to see if you could help. Anything that wiped out Avalon City’s comm grid was big enough to need it.

Those blasted cadets should’ve known better, floundering around out there without proper ID codes. Mistaking your cargo carriers for terrorist bombs might be understandable. If your homeworld had been surprised like the Feddies were, you’d have been ready to shoot the mail carrier, too. You’re just glad you didn’t kill the whole lot of them, not with all those DropShip drive flares appearing in the dawn sky.

10 January 3078

To all Parties listed in Misconduct Case #T199-2

Regarding the incident between members of the Second NAIS Cadre, the mercenary unit known as the Flaming Devil Monkeys (hereafter FDM), and Micron security personnel on 5 December 3067, it is the finding of this review board that the Second NAIS Cadre is at fault because of its decision to engage the other units without proper verification of identities. Surviving individuals involved in the incident report that they thought the other parties were members of the Word of Blake attack force in orbit at the time. However, the correct protocol at that point would have been to report their suspicions to HQ and await further orders. Instead, the cadets launched a misguided and wasteful assault without proper intelligence. The surviving members of the units have all received an official reprimand and a notation in their dossier, but in light of their service in defense of New Avalon over the last several years, any further disciplinary measures are, in the view of this panel, unnecessary.

While we find no fault on the part of the FDM in their response to the attack by the Second NAIS cadre, this panel does strongly object to their handling of the post-combat situation. Rather than wait for the issue to be sorted out, the FDM simply claimed several NAIS mechs as salvage and left the planet. FDM commander Taharqa Bane sent a brief message to NAIS HQ saying “Sorry about the mix-up. We will just take some of your units as compensation. No hard feelings, and good luck with the Robes.” This panel finds that such conduct is grossly unprofessional and has forwarded our complaint to the Mercenary Review and Bonding Commission. In light of the salvage taken by the FDM, it is the finding of this panel that no further compensation to the FDM is warranted.

Sincerely,

Ad-Hoc NAIS Review Board

Savage Silence

Nadir Jump Point, Chamdo
Liao Commonality, Capellan Confederation
20 February 3071

A rare thing—two offers, each opposing the other—and a tough choice to make. One is a simple defense mission from a reliable broker; the other sounds like an assault on the same target from a dealer who, frankly, would probably do well in another life as a Mech lubricant. So what’s the decision, commander?

(20 February 3081)
Chamdo [CCINFO] - The people of Chamdo today honored the sacrifice of Beatrix James, a native of the Capellan Confederation, who gave her life in the successful defense of Chamdo from the Word of Blake forces. Ten years ago to this day, James, a member of the mercenary group known as the Flaming Devil Monkeys, single-handedly evicted the Word of Blake forces from the local HPG station, sparking a rebellion that soon liberated all of Chamdo. In the final moments of the clash, James died from feedback due to multiple ammunition explosions on her mech. She is honored today with a statue that will stand at the entrance to the new HPG station on planet.