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	===Taskforce Vengeance===		===Taskforce Vengeance===
	[[File:Mars Flag.jpg|thumb|right|The flag of Mars, where Zeta Battalion met its end]]		[[File:Mars Flag.jpg|thumb|right|The flag of Mars, where Zeta Battalion met its end]]
−	The purpose of [[Battle of Mars (3067)|Taskforce Vengeance]] was to make the Blakists pay for their treachery. Along with Beta Regiment, two Dragoon [[WarShip|WarShips]], the aerospace contingent of the Home Guard and AMC allies in the [[1st Dismal Disinherited]] and [[Lindon's Company]], Zeta would strike at Blakist facilities on Mars, showing that they, too, were vulnerable. Launched from [[Liberty]] on December 7, 3067, they had every reason to expect they would be successful.	+	The purpose of [[Battle of Mars|Taskforce Vengeance]] was to make the Blakists pay for their treachery. Along with Beta Regiment, two Dragoon [[WarShip|WarShips]], the aerospace contingent of the Home Guard and AMC allies in the [[1st Dismal Disinherited]] and [[Lindon's Company]], Zeta would strike at Blakist facilities on Mars, showing that they, too, were vulnerable. Launched from [[Liberty]] on December 7, 3067, they had every reason to expect they would be successful.
	Instead, the Taskforce came under massive attack before much of the ships even reached Mars orbit. Dozens of [[Dragau II]] assault interceptors proved far too much for the Taskforce to overcome. All of the ships of the Taskforce, along with most of the troops they were carrying, were destroyed before making planetfall. Only some elements of Zeta Battalion would make it to the surface, and they would land scattered with heavy damage. They quickly fell prey to the Blakists' [[7th Division (Word of Blake)|7th Division]], completely wiping out the prestigious unit.<ref name=MSU120/><ref>''Starterbook: Wolf and Blake'', p. 16</ref><ref name=MSU120/><ref>''Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers'', p. 222</ref><ref>''Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents'', p. 90</ref><ref>''Dawn of the Jihad'', p. 34</ref>		Instead, the Taskforce came under massive attack before much of the ships even reached Mars orbit. Dozens of [[Dragau II]] assault interceptors proved far too much for the Taskforce to overcome. All of the ships of the Taskforce, along with most of the troops they were carrying, were destroyed before making planetfall. Only some elements of Zeta Battalion would make it to the surface, and they would land scattered with heavy damage. They quickly fell prey to the Blakists' [[7th Division (Word of Blake)|7th Division]], completely wiping out the prestigious unit.<ref name=MSU120/><ref>''Starterbook: Wolf and Blake'', p. 16</ref><ref name=MSU120/><ref>''Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers'', p. 222</ref><ref>''Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents'', p. 90</ref><ref>''Dawn of the Jihad'', p. 34</ref>

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{{Update Needed|[[Operational Turning Points: Death to Mercenaries]]|[[Tales of the Jihad: the Last Day of Zeta]]|[[Technical Readout: 3025 Revised]]|[[Making a Name]]}} {{infoBoxMilitaryCommand | image = [[File:wdzetabattalion.png|100px|Zeta Battalion]] | Designation = Zeta Battalion | Formed = | Disbanded = | Previous Designation = | Nickname = | Affiliation = [[Mercenary]] | Parent Command = [[Wolf's Dragoons]] | Sub-Command = }} '''Zeta Battalion''' was an elite [[Assault 'Mech|Assault]] [[battalion]] and part of the [[Wolf's Dragoons]] [[mercenary]] command. ==Overview== [[File:Wdragoons.gif|right|thumb|Emblem of Wolf's Dragoons|150px]] Zeta Battalion has long served as Wolf's Dragoons troubleshooter unit. Comprised almost entirely of Assault [[BattleMech|BattleMechs]] and known for its reckless approach in combat, Zeta Battalion saw three commanding officers killed in combat in its first fourteen years of service. During the unit's first few decades, it included several 'Mechs that were, at that time, rare outside of Zeta and completely unknown outside of the Dragoons. These included the ''[[Imp]]'', the ''[[Annihilator]]'', the ''[[Shogun]]'' and the ''[[Marauder II]]'',<ref name=WDS9799>''Wolf's Dragoons'', pp. 97–99</ref> the last of which was built by [[General Motors]] on [[New Valencia]] under an exclusive contract with the Dragoons.<ref name=WDS109>''Wolf's Dragoons'', p. 109</ref> Zeta is so feared in some quarters that their mere presence sometimes compels opponents to surrender.<ref name=FMM104>''Field Manual: Mercenaries'', p. 104</ref> Despite being only a Battalion in size, Zeta is such an asset to [[Jaime Wolf]] that Zeta's commanders hold the rank of [[Colonel]]. ==History== ===In service to Davion=== Zeta Battalion first appeared in the [[Inner Sphere]] along with the rest of Wolf's Dragoons in [[3005]], appearing in orbit over [[New Delos]],<ref name=WDS6>''Wolf's Dragoons'', p. 6</ref> and soon signing on with the [[Federated Suns]]. They first saw action on the [[Capellan Confederation|Capellan]] world of [[Halloran V]], which was being used to raid Davion worlds by [[Marion's Highlanders]] and the [[Blackwind Lancers]]. Zeta accompanied [[Beta Regiment (Wolf's Dragoons)|Beta Regiment]], [[Gamma Regiment (Wolf's Dragoons)|Gamma Regiment]], [[Delta Regiment (Wolf's Dragoons)|Delta Regiment]] as well as the [[Seventh Kommando]] special forces unit. Zeta Battalion led the surprise attack on the enemy's main base, driving both units back and securing a landing zone for the rest of the Dragoons. Zeta then supported Beta and Gamma Regiments against the Highlanders while Delta Regiment kept the Lancers in check. After several days of heavy fighting, both Liao units were forced to retreat with serious losses, leaving that world in the Suns' hands.<ref name=WDS7-8>''Wolf's Dragoons'', pp. 7–8</ref> Zeta continued to serve in a number of minor actions throughout [[3007]].<ref>''Wolf's Dragoons'', p. 11</ref><ref name=FMMR120>''Field Manual: Mercenaries, Revised'', p. 120</ref> In [[3008]], Zeta accompanied nearly the entire Dragoon command, along with five [[AFFS]] [[Regimental Combat Team#Regimental Combat Team|Regimental Combat Teams]] assaulted [[New Aragon]], facing eight [[House Liao]] regiments in one of the largest battles of the [[Third Succession War]]. Elements of the [[Northwind Highlanders]], primarily the [[1st Kearny Highlanders|1st]] and [[2nd Kearny Highlanders]], held an entrenched position in the Estacado Mountains, turning back multiple Dragoon assaults including a push by Zeta Battalion.<ref name=WDS11-13>''Wolf's Dragoons'', pp. 11–13</ref> Zeta Battalion later led the push through El Diablo Pass, patrolled by light elements of the [[Waco Rangers]]. During the fighting, [[Lieutenant]] John Waco, son of the Rangers' [[Colonel]] [[Wayne Waco]], was killed when he was accidentally crushed by a Dragoon ''[[Stalker]]'' after ejecting. Though a [[ComStar]] investigation cleared the Dragoons of any wrongdoing, Colonel Waco and his men were convinced the Dragoons intentionally murdered his son, swearing a blood-feud that would last for decades.<ref name=WDS11-13/><ref name=FMMR120/> Zeta continued to fight with distinction, helping to force [[McCormack's Fusiliers]], another Highlander regiment, into retreating from the planet. Outnumbered and with their defense compromised, the remaining Capellan forces were forced to concede the planet. Though battered, the Dragoons and their Davion allies had proved triumphant.<ref name=WDS11-13/> In [[3009]], Zeta accompanied the rest of the Dragoons back to the [[Clan Homeworlds]] to report on the Inner Sphere, an operation that took ten months.<ref>''Wolf's Dragoons'', p. 14</ref> ===In service to Liao / Marik Civil War=== In mid-[[3010]], the Dragoons signed on with the Capellan Confederation. Against the forces of the [[Free Worlds League]], the Dragoons and Zeta soon gained a fearsome reputation. It was not without cost, however, as Colonel Frank Wells, commanding officer of Zeta Battalion, was killed in [[3012]], leading his troops in battle on [[Shiro III]].<ref name=WDS15>''Wolf's Dragoons'', p. 15</ref> In early [[3014]], Capellan [[Chancellor]] [[Maximilian Liao]] struck a deal with Duke [[Anton Marik]], brother of [[Captain-General of the Free Worlds League|Captain-General]] [[Janos Marik]], to support Anton's bid for his brother's throne. As part of this agreement, Liao allowed the Dragoons to sign a contract with Anton Marik. On May 22, 3014, Duke Anton made his claim, triggering the [[Marik Civil War (31st c.)|Marik Civil War]].<ref>''Wolf's Dragoons'', p. 17</ref> In September of that year, Zeta, along with Beta Regiment, the Seventh Kommando and the [[Special Recon Group (Wolf's Dragoons)|Special Recon Group]], assaulted [[Nova Roma]]. All resistance fell within three days, and the [[9th Marik Militia]] was forced to retreat.<ref>''Wolf's Dragoons'', p. 18</ref><ref>''Historical: Brush Wars'', p. 20</ref> Not long after Zeta saw action on [[Emris IV]], again fighting the 9th Militia as well as the [[6th Marik Militia]]. They joined Dragoon and Rebel forces including [[Alpha Regiment (Wolf's Dragoons)|Alpha Regiment]], Beta Regiment, Gamma Regiment and the [[Fire Support Group (Wolf's Dragoons)|Fire Support Group]], a well as heavy [[aerospace]] support from a ''[[Vengeance (DropShip class)|Vengeance]]''-class [[DropShip]]. Accompanied by Beta Regiment and with artillery support from the Fire Support Group, Zeta fought the 9th in some vicious fighting, pushing them back into the city. The Militia again escaped to fight another day.<ref>''Historical: Brush Wars'', pp. 21–22</ref> Afterward, they relocated to [[Semenyih]].<ref>''Historical: Brush Wars'', p. 37</ref> In January [[3015]], Zeta, Beta Regiment, the Fire Support Group and the [[Black Widow Company]] were joined by the [[6th Ducal Guard|6th]] and [[8th Ducal Guard]] in an attack on [[Tiber (FWL)|Tiber]]. They captured the underdefended world along with its [[Earthwerks Incorporated#Tiber|Earthwerks factory]], but were immediately counterattacked by a Loyalist force including the [[1st Regulan Hussars]] and the [[1st Orloff Grenadiers|1st]], [[5th Orloff Grenadiers|5th]], [[6th Orloff Grenadiers|6th]] and [[8th Orloff Grenadiers]]. The Hussars landed first, and immediately took heavy losses from Zeta and the Fire Support Group. By the time the [[Orloff Grenadiers]] landed, the Hussars were down to a battalion in strength. Zeta then ambushed the 8th Grenadiers when they tried to reinforce the 5th's drive on the factories. Despite these successes, the Dragoons' Green Rebel allies could not hold against the 1st and 6th Orloff Grenadiers, and were slowly routed. With reinforcements unavailable, Zeta Battalion launched one last assault to put the Loyalists off-balance, securing an orderly retreat. The accompanying Ducal Guard units, however, were effectively destroyed.<ref>''Historical: Brush Wars'', p. 30</ref> Despite their early successes, the conflict soon turned against the Rebels as the Loyalists rallied. When Duke Anton demanded that Wolf break up his forces to supplement Anton's troops, Wolf refused, citing their contract. In retaliation, Anton arrested Liaison Officer [[Joshua Wolf]] and 27 Dragoon dependents on [[New Delos]], keeping them as hostages and demanding Wolf comply.<ref name=WDS19-20>''Wolf's Dragoons'', pp. 19–20</ref><ref>''Historical: Brush Wars'', p. 31</ref> Instead, Wolf led his forces back to attack New Delos en masse. The Dragoons, including Zeta Battalion, fell upon Duke Anton's stronghold, despite the Duke's claims that Joshua Wolf and the other civilians had been executed. Zeta Battalion, understrength like most of the Dragoon units, were initially held in reserve along with Beta Regiment. Defending Duke Anton were surviving elements of the [[18th Marik Militia]] and the [[1st Ducal Guard|1st]], [[2nd Ducal Guard|2nd]] and the [[5th Ducal Guard]]. The Dragoons fought with unprecedented fury, the 1st Ducal Guard fleeing the planet quickly even as Alpha and Gamma Regiments fought their way to Anton's stronghold at Cienfuegos. The Dragoons were forced to fight their way through a narrow pass, allowing the defenders to hold them off for several days, as the forest at the rear of Anton's position was lit aflame with napalm charges to discourage attack from that direction. With Zeta joining the attackers at the front, [[Natasha Kerensky]] and her Black Widows braved the flames to take the fortress from behind, killing Anton in the process and effectively ending the war.<ref>''Historical: Brush Wars'', pp. 31–32</ref><ref name=WDS19-20/> ===In service to Marik=== Unexpectedly, the Dragoons almost immediately signed with the victorious Janos Marik. Both the League and the Dragoons were tired from so much fighting, and needed time to recover. The next few months saw a relatively quiet period of raids and counterraids along the [[Lyran Commonwealth]] border. It was not an uneventful time for Zeta Battalion, however, as Colonel Mary Terrell was killed in action during a raid on [[Dixie]] in [[3016]]. Simpson Pollock would take command of Zeta Battalion, continuing the reckless legacy of his predecessors.<ref name=WDS22>''Wolf's Dragoons'', p. 22</ref> [[File:Hesperus II Flag.jpg|right|thumb|Planetary Flag of Hesperus II]] In [[3019]], the Dragoons would begin the boldest campaign of their history : The capture of [[Hesperus II]], home of [[Defiance Industries]], the largest BattleTech factory in existence who had held out successfully against twelve major campaigns to take it, and the foundation for the [[Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces]]. In a series of raids, the Dragoons made their way through Lyran space, keeping House Steiner off-guard with their seeming odd choice of targets. Zeta was critical during this campaign, leading several of the attacks. They were ambushed on [[Lamon]] by the [[17th Arcturan Guards]], facing heavy aerospace and artillery fire, as well as a full regiment of veteran [[MechWarrior (pilot)|MechWarriors]]. Against incredible odds, the discipline of the Zetas held, allowing them to link up with the Black Widow Company and securing a landing zone for the rest of the Dragoons. Their objective was ultimately achieved and the Dragoons withdrew.<ref>''Wolf's Dragoons'', pp. 22–23</ref> Unfortunately for the Dragoons, a spy in the Marik court had revealed to the Lyrans the Dragoons' ultimate target.<ref>''Wolf's Dragoons'', p. 23</ref> Hesperus II had been reinforced, and the Dragoons now faced the [[6th Lyran Guards|6th]], [[15th Lyran Guards|15th]] and [[24th Lyran Guards]], the [[3rd Royal Guards]] and the mercenary [[Hsien Hotheads]] and [[Hansen's Roughriders]]. The [[Hesperus II#Thirteenth battle|Thirteenth Battle for Hesperus]] would be a brutal campaign. After a hard, contested landing and facing a long, hazardous path towards the target factories, Jaime Wolf committed Zeta Battalion to the march, and on June 22, Zeta with Alpha and Gamma Regiments crossed the Erewhon River, braving heavy [[aerospace fighter]] and hovercraft attacks. Facing serious losses, the Dragoons were forced to pull back. Ultimately, neither the determination of his line regiments nor the cunning of the Black Widow nor even the sheer power of Zeta Battalion was enough to take the factories, and the Dragoons were forced to retreat.<ref name=WDS2425>''Wolf's Dragoons'', pp. 24–25</ref> Not only had Zeta Battalion taken heavy losses, but Colonel Pollock was also killed. [[J. Elliot Jamison]] would become Zeta's fourth commander. ===In service to Steiner=== In [[3020]], the Dragoons would depart House Marik's service, entering the employ of the Lyran Commonwealth and stationed along the [[Draconis Combine]] border. They engaged in raiding with the other Dragoons, and took part in the major fighting on [[Dromini VI]] in [[3021]].<ref>''Wolf's Dragoons'', pp. 26–28</ref> ===In service to Kurita=== In early [[3023]], the Dragoons left the Commonwealth to enter the service of House Kurita.<ref>''Wolf's Dragoons'', p. 29</ref> Stationed in the [[Galedon Military District]], Zeta Battalion and the rest of the Dragoons were soon raiding worlds in the Federated Suns' [[Draconis March]]. They were assigned to the [[Battle of Hoff (3023)|Battle of Hoff]] with Epsilon and the Widows in 3023.<ref>''Technical Readout: 3025'', p. 116</ref><ref>''Technical Readout: 3025 Revised'', p. 110</ref> They participated in the heavy fighting on [[Deshler]] in [[3025]] alongside Beta Regiment against elements of the [[4th Davion Guards|4th Davion Guards RCT]]. Though successful in winning the world, setbacks on other fronts forced [[Coordinator]] [[Takashi Kurita]] to withdraw his mercenaries from Deshler.<ref name=WDS33-34>''Wolf's Dragoons'', pp. 33–34</ref> Zeta would participate in the battle of [[Barlow's End]], fighting alongside Alpha Regiment and the new ''[[Ryuken]]'' training regiment commanded by [[Minobu Tetsuhara]], the Dragoons' former liaison officer and a close, personal friend to Jaime Wolf. When [[Major]] [[Kelly Yukinov]], acting commander of Alpha Regiment, and Tetsuhara were wounded in a bombing, Colonel Jamison took command of both Dragoon forces. Zeta Battalion fought well, briefly securing their objective, a prototype weapon House Davion was developing. Unfortunately, the Dragoons were ambushed before they could escape with it. Already facing heavy opposition and supply issues, when the Dragoons unexpectedly discovered elements of the [[Eridani Light Horse]] were on Barlow's End, Jamison ordered the Dragoons off-planet.<ref>''Wolf's Dragoons'', p. 35</ref> By the end of [[3027]], matters between the Dragoons and Combine had deteriorated into open hostility. Zeta Battalion was not on [[An Ting]] when the fighting broke out, but they were soon called to [[Misery]]. ===The Battle of Misery=== [[File:Ryuken--Brigade logo.png|right|thumb|100px|Insignia of the ''Ryuken'', Zeta's opponents on Misery]] In April of [[3028]], the BattleMechs of Wolf's Dragoons squared off against seven of the best regiments the Draconis Combine could field; four regiments of ''Ryuken'', the [[17th Galedon Regulars|17th]] and [[21st Galedon Regulars]] and the [[8th Sword of Light]]. The [[Battle of Misery]] would be an epic conflict with both sides taking tremendous casualties. The warriors of Zeta Battalion inflicted massive losses on the Kuritans with the highest kill rates of any unit. This came at great cost, however, as Zeta Battalion also suffered the greatest losses of any Dragoon unit. Of the forty total MechWarriors and officers of Zeta Battalion, twenty-four met their deaths on Misery.<ref name=WDS9799/> The Dragoons emerged triumphant in one of the largest, most vicious clashes of BattleMechs in decades. After the battle, the remains of Zeta Battalion were assigned as part of the Dragoons' [[Home Guard (Wolf's Dragoons)|Home Guard]] along with the other support units, to protect the civilian dependents. ===Fourth Succession War=== Coming full circle, the Dragoons signed a contract to once again serve the Federated Suns. Declaring a blood-feud against House Kurita, the reorganized Dragoon regiments would soon face hard fighting on [[Glenmora]], [[Harrow's Sun]] and [[Wapakoneta]]. In every battle, the Dragoons inflicted incredible damage against their Combine foes, though they would pay the price in blood. Near the end of the war, the surviving Dragoon regiments were besieged by the [[DCMS]] on [[Crossing]], making their final stand. With transport support provided by the mercenary unit [[Barber's Marauder IIs|Miller's Marauders]],<ref>''Technical Readout: 3050'', p. 212</ref> Colonel Jamison reorganized Zeta Battalion with other surviving Dragoons and arranged a rescue. The sudden appearance of Zeta's assault 'Mechs broke the spirit of the [[Galedon Regulars]] regiments, compelling one unit to surrender and forcing two others to retreat. In all, more than three-quarters of the attacking force was destroyed. The war with Takashi Kurita had ended in a victory for Wolf's Dragoons.<ref>''Wolf's Dragoons'', p. 43</ref><ref>''NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 2'', pp. 34–37</ref> After the war, the remains of Zeta Battalion joined the rest of the Dragoons on the new Dragoon homeworld of [[Outreach]]. ===War of 3039=== By [[3039]], the Dragoons had still not recovered their full strength, but nevertheless [[First Prince]] [[Hanse Davion]] was able to convince Jaime Wolf to let Wolf's Dragoons participate in the [[War of 3039]]. Zeta Battalion was listed as a provisional battalion at this point, but retained its Elite rating. The Dragoons were based on [[Caph]] in preparation for an eventual invasion of [[Dieron]], an attack that would never come. Instead, Caph was raided by the ''[[Ryuken-ni]]'' and the ''[[Ryuken-san]]'' as part of the [[War of 3039#DCMS Operations|Combine Counterattack]]. The fighting between the bitter rivals was oddly anticlimactic, with most units taking moderate losses before the ''Ryuken'' were forced to withdraw. Zeta Battalion's operational losses were roughly 25 percent. Afterwards, Zeta returned to Outreach to continue their rebuilding efforts.<ref>''Historical: War of 3039'', pp. 61–62, 139, 141, 164</ref> ===Clan Invasion and Dragoon Civil War=== By [[3050]], Zeta Battalion had been fully active and was once again among the most distinguished units in the Inner Sphere. When the [[Clan Invasion]] struck, they were apparently operating in the [[Duchy of Andurien]] under contract to the Free Worlds League. Like the other Dragoon units, they were recalled to Outreach for a meeting to discuss the Dragoons' place in the conflict.<ref>''Lethal Heritage''</ref> They did not see action during the [[Battle of Luthien (3052)|Battle of Luthien]] in [[3051]], as Jaime Wolf kept them in reserve on Outreach along with the other independent commands.<ref>''Luthien'', p. 26</ref><ref>''Mercenary's Handbook 3055'', p. 35</ref> When the [[Dragoon Civil War]] broke out in [[3054]], Zeta Battalion was out on assignment, far from Outreach. When they heard of the coup by [[Elson Novacat]] and [[Alpin Wolf]], a coup that used [[Clan]] laws as its basis, Colonel Jamison chose to regard Colonel Jaime Wolf's rebellion as a [[Trial of Refusal]]. Zeta Battalion broke contract, returning to Outreach to oppose Wolf's rebellion.<ref>''Wolf Pack'', p. 367</ref><ref name=FMM104/> Despite Zeta Battalion joining the Loyalists, Jaime Wolf proved triumphant when Fleet Colonel [[Issola Chandra]] of the Dragoons' Naval Command intervened, taking the role of [[Oathmaster]] and declaring Wolf the victor, narrowly avoiding a final conflict between Wolf's forces and Zeta Battalion.<ref>''Wolf Pack'', pp. 400–404</ref><ref>''Field Manual: Mercenaries, Revised'', p. 113</ref> ===Reorganization=== Afterward, Colonel Jamison and Zeta Battalion, again adhering to Clan tradition, once again counted themselves among Commander Jaime Wolf's most ardent supporters, actively taking part in the reorganization of the units.<ref name=FMM104/> As part of the reorganization, Zeta Battalion would be reorganized according to Clan structure and equipment with three [[Trinary|Trinaries]], a Command [[Star (Formation)|Star]] and a Fire Support Star, exclusively made up of heavy and assault Clan [[OmniMechs]].<ref name=MH551945>''Mercenary's Handbook 3055'', pp. 19, 45</ref><ref name=FMM104/> In the years following the Civil War, Jamison and Zeta Battalion continued to serve with distinction, both in training the rebuilt Dragoon regiments alongside Gamma Regiment and in the field. They notably saw action around [[3066]] on [[Epsilon Indi]], fighting an unknown unit using Clan technology.<ref name=FMMR120/> Sometime between [[3059]] and [[3067]], Zeta would add two more mixed Trinaries with additional Clan OmniMechs, as well as [[artillery]], [[hovercraft|hovertanks]], [[Elemental (Battle Armor)|Elementals]], and aerospace fighters.<ref name=FMMR120/> ===First Harlech=== Though expected to eventually join other Dragoon units on the Draconis Combine-[[Rasalhague Dominion|Ghost Bear Dominion]] border,<ref>''Field Manual: Mercenaries, Revised'', p. 112</ref> Zeta Battalion was still on Outreach<ref>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 184</ref> on October 15, 3067, when a mixed group of rogue mercenaries totaling roughly four regiments led by Colonel Wayne Waco launched a surprise attack on Harlech City on Outreach. This was coordinated with a series of terrorist strikes. It caught the Dragoons and their [[Allied Mercenary Command]] allies completely unawares, doing massive damage to the capital city and completely destroying the Hiring Hall. Over the course of four days of vicious fighting which the Dragoons later called [[First Battle of Harlech (3067)|First Harlech]], Epsilon Regiment and the Home Guard ground forces were effectively destroyed as effective fighting units, while Zeta Battalion, the [[Wolf Spider Battalion]] and Beta Regiment all took heavy damage. The worst came in the final hours of the battle on October 18 when the heart and soul of the Dragoons, Jaime Wolf, was killed during a final battle with Wayne Waco, who had claimed a feud with Wolf’s Dragoons dating back six decades. Of the rogue mercenary forces who had wrought these losses, all were completely destroyed.<ref name=SOF>''Shadows of Faith''</ref><ref>''Dawn of the Jihad'', pp. 30–31</ref><ref>''Blake Ascending'', pp. 30–31</ref><ref name=MSU120>''Mercenaries Supplemental Update'', p. 120</ref> While General [[Maeve Wolf]] and Alpha Regiment began the journey back to Outreach from the Combine-Ghost Bear border, [[Wolfnet]] intelligence soon concluded the obvious : the attack had been sponsored by the [[Word of Blake]].<ref name=MSU120/><ref name=SOF/> Along with the AMC, it was decided to strike back at the Word of Blake's doorstep: not at [[Terra]] itself, but at their colony on Mars. ===Taskforce Vengeance=== [[File:Mars Flag.jpg|thumb|right|The flag of Mars, where Zeta Battalion met its end]] The purpose of [[Battle of Mars|Taskforce Vengeance]] was to make the Blakists pay for their treachery. Along with Beta Regiment, two Dragoon [[WarShip|WarShips]], the aerospace contingent of the Home Guard and AMC allies in the [[1st Dismal Disinherited]] and [[Lindon's Company]], Zeta would strike at Blakist facilities on Mars, showing that they, too, were vulnerable. Launched from [[Liberty]] on December 7, 3067, they had every reason to expect they would be successful. Instead, the Taskforce came under massive attack before much of the ships even reached Mars orbit. Dozens of [[Dragau II]] assault interceptors proved far too much for the Taskforce to overcome. All of the ships of the Taskforce, along with most of the troops they were carrying, were destroyed before making planetfall. Only some elements of Zeta Battalion would make it to the surface, and they would land scattered with heavy damage. They quickly fell prey to the Blakists' [[7th Division (Word of Blake)|7th Division]], completely wiping out the prestigious unit.<ref name=MSU120/><ref>''Starterbook: Wolf and Blake'', p. 16</ref><ref name=MSU120/><ref>''Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers'', p. 222</ref><ref>''Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents'', p. 90</ref><ref>''Dawn of the Jihad'', p. 34</ref> The only surviving legacy of Zeta was [[Major]] [[Tara Lucas (31st c.)|Tara Lucas]], Zeta's second in command at the time of the attack and one of the very few survivors taken prisoner. Lucas became the highest-ranking Dragoon taken captive by the Blakists during the [[Jihad]]. After two years of torture, Lucas seemed to break, and it was decided to use her as a propaganda tool against the Dragoon insurgency still resisting the Blakists on Outreach. In October [[3069]], Dragoon Major Elson Novacat led his resistance force of Elementals and ambushed the Blakist detachment, rescuing Lucas. After several weeks of Novacat's efforts, Lucas recovered from her trauma, and was filled with the desire for revenge. Lucas took command of the resistance movement in April [[3070]] when Novacat was killed. In September of that year, Lucas met with [[Stacy Church]], commander of the new [[Black Widow Company]]. Though Church refused to place her troops under Lucas' command, the two groups quickly began working together to overcome the Blakist occupation, beginning with the treacherous [[Broadsword Legion]]. Defeating the Legion in April [[3071]], they then set their sights on the other major Word of Blake unit on planet, [[Wannamaker's Widowmakers]]. Lucas was reported killed helping to rescue many Dragoon civilians, though with her sacrifice she helped give Outreach the chance at freedom for the first time in years.<ref name=SWB1819>''Starterbook: Wolf and Blake'', pp. 18–19</ref> ==IlClan Era and Rebirth== {{quote|''I need a battalion that will destroy everything in front of it, grind it to dust, and then piss on the ashes.''| Colonel, Henry Kincaid, when ordering Haya Tetsuhara to resurrect Zeta.<ref name=RRitesp117>''Redemption Rites'', p. 117</ref>}} Zeta wasn't resurrected until months after the [[Battle of Terra (3151)|Battle of Terra]]. The Dragoons were decimated, with about eighty percent losses, but the Dragoons new commander, Colonel [[Henry Kincaid]], wanted to rebuild them... and he began with Zeta.<ref name=RRitesp117 /> After the [[Tarantulas Battalion]], returned from a failed raid, as part of the Dragoons' private war against the [[Wolf Empire]], he promoted the surviving officer, captain [[Haya Tetsuhara]], to major, and ordered her to resurrect Zeta on 24 August 3151. Taking veterans from Wolfbane and Tarantulas battalions, and survivors from Alpha Regiment, she began working at the Dragoons' base, [[Ilion]]. On 21 October, Zeta was assembled. Haya made a battalion of thirty-six BattleMechs and OmniMechs, the lightest one only 80 tons, along with three platoons of [[battle armor]], light spotter suits and a wing of heavy ''[[Scytha]]'' [[OmniFighters]].<ref>''Redemption Rites'', p. 136</ref> On 30 November, after a month of intense training, Zeta departed for their first contract, for the [[Duchy of Tamarind-Abbey]]: to assault and secure three Wolf Empire worlds. The first, [[Labouchere]], was attacked on 31 December. After a short but intense battle, Zeta crushed the local [[Cluster]] before departing.<ref>''Redemption Rites'', p. 161</ref> The second planet, [[Alula Borealis]] was taken by Haya after defeating the garrison commander in a Trial of Possession, taking as bondsmen a company of Wolves. The third and last planet, [[Trellisane]] took two weeks. The Wolves' [[106th Wolf Garrison (Clan Wolf)|106th Wolf Garrison Cluster]] keep them busy with hit-and-run attacks, but after destroying their logistic base and downing almost of their aerospace fighters, Zeta forced them to leave the planet. Taking two captured ''[[Isegrim]]''-class [[DropShips]], Zeta left the planet soon after.<ref>''Redemption Rites'', pp. 212–236</ref> Zeta barely had time to return to Ilion to rest before departing again, this time on a Dragoons' private raid against [[Gienah]], the Wolf Empire's capital. They infiltrated Gienah and landed unopposed on 6 June, far from the capital city. When the main defending Cluster, the new [[91st Wolf Guards (Clan Wolf)|Ninety-first Wolf Guards]], landed nearby, Zeta's artillery and their fighters downed most of the Ninety-first's DropShips, forcing them to retreat.<ref>''Redemption Rites'', p. 255</ref> Zeta quickly boarded their DropShips again and moved to Alliago City, the capital, and day by day they began pounding the Ninety-first and the [[Den Keshik (Clan Wolf)]], the only other unit on planet, to scrap. On 11 June they launched their last assault, effectively annihilating both units, with minimal losses. As they'd accomplished their objectives, except for killing or capturing the Empire's Viceroy, Star Colonel [[Othar]], which had escaped, Zeta retreated, with the [[Battle of Gienah (3152)]] a total victory.<ref name=RRitesp328>''Redemption Rites'', p. 328</ref> [[File:J.Elliot Jamison.jpg|right|thumb|J. Elliot Jamison, Zeta's longest-served commander]] ==Officers== {| class="wikitable" |- ! scope="col" width="220" style="background: #dedede;" | Rank ! scope="col" width="220" style="background: #dedede;" | Name ! scope="col" width="220" style="background: #dedede;" | Command |- | colspan="4" style="background: #efefef;" | '''Commanding Officers of Zeta Battalion''' |- | [[Colonel]]||[[Frank Wells]]||[[3004]] - [[3012]]<ref name=WDS15/> |- | Colonel||[[Mary Terrell]]||3012 - [[3016]]<ref name=WDS22/> |- | Colonel||[[Simpson Pollock]]|| 3016 - [[3019]]<ref name=WDS2425/> |- | Colonel||[[J. Elliot Jamison]]||3019 - [[3067]]<ref name=WDS9799/> |- | Major||[[Haya Tetsuhara]]||3151 - present<ref name=RRitesp328 /> |} ===Other Officers=== * [[Major]] [[Tara Lucas (31st c.)|Tara Lucas]] served as the unit's second-in-command during J. Elliot Jamison tenure.<ref name=WDS9799/><ref name=FMM104/><ref name=FMMR120/> * The reborn Zeta Battalion, under Haya Tetsuhara, had six key officers: Captain [[Marley Weisz]], the Intelligence Officer Lieutenant [[Hiram Fraser]], Haya's bodyguard, Sergeant [[Aksel Vordel]], and captains [[Avery Pollock]] and [[Ivan Terrell]].<ref>''Redemption Rites'', pp. 133–134</ref> ==Tactics== Zeta Battalion never divides itself into smaller units. They favor direct attacks using their overwhelming firepower, and frequently make physical attacks with their 'Mechs, a tactic they specialize at. They are also known to flush out an enemy commander's 'Mech by engaging in one-on-one combat, then switching to mass concentrated fire, demoralizing enemy forces by removing their leadership from the field.<ref name=FMM104/><ref>''Era Report: 3052'', p. 148</ref> Late in their history, they began implementing combined-arms tactics as part of their new structure.<ref name=FMMR120/> ==Composition History== ===3028=== '''Zeta Battalion''' (Battalion/Elite/Reliable)<ref name=WDS9799/> : Co: Colonel J. Elliot Jamison :* '''Command Lance'''<ref name=WDS9799/> :* '''Red Company'''<ref name=WDS9799/> :: Co: Captain Tara Lucas :* '''White Company'''<ref name=WDS9799/> :: Co: Captain [[Noi Srisubadh]] :* '''Blue Company'''<ref name=WDS9799/> :: Co: Captain [[Arthur Garrett]] :* Support: ''[[Overlord]]''-class [[DropShip]] - ''[[Hecate]]'' === 3040 === ''' Zeta Battalion Provisional ''' (Battalion/Elite/Fanatical)<ref name=HWo3039p141/> :Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on [[Outreach]].<ref name=HWo3039p141>''Historical: War of 3039'', p. 141</ref> ===3059=== '''Zeta Battalion''' (Strengthened Battalion/Elite/Reliable)<ref name=FMM104/><ref name=MH551945>''Mercenary's Handbook 3055'', pp. 19, 45</ref> : Co: Colonel J. Elliot Jamison :* '''Command Star'''<ref name=FMM104/> :* '''1st Trinary'''<ref name=FMM104/> :: Co: Major Tara Lucas :* '''2nd Trinary'''<ref name=FMM104/> :: Co: Captain [[Tammy Markham]] :* '''3rd Trinary'''<ref name=FMM104/> :: Co: Captain Jimmy Two-Feathers :* '''Fire Star''' (composed of [[LRM]] and [[Arrow IV Artillery]] OmniMechs)<ref name=FMM104/> : At this point in time the unit was stationed on [[Outreach]].<ref name=FMMercsp115>''Field Manual: Mercenaries'', p. 115</ref> ===3067=== '''Zeta Battalion''' (Reinforced Battalion/Elite/Reliable)<ref name=FMMR120/> : Co: Colonel J. Elliot Jamison :* '''Command Star'''<ref name=FMMR120/> :* '''Able Trinary'''<ref name=FMMR120/> :: Co: Major Tara Lucas :* '''Baker Trinary'''<ref name=FMMR120/> :: Co: Major Tammy Markham :* '''Gamma Trinary'''<ref name=FMMR120/> :: Co: Captain Jimmy Two-Feathers :* '''Delta Trinary''' (includes the Fire-Support Star, an [[Elemental (Battle Armor)|Elemental]] Star, and a heavy [[Hovercraft|hovercraft]] Star)<ref name=FMMR120/> :: Co: Captain Rolf Wolfgang :* '''Epsilon Trinary''' (includes one Star of assault OmniMechs, a Star of Elementals and an aerospace Star)<ref name=FMMR120/> :: Co: Captain Nikki Winters ===3151=== '''Zeta Battalion''' (Reinforced Battalion) : Co: Major Haya Tetsuhara :* Support: ''[[Trutzburg]]''-class [[DropShips]] - ''[[Misery (Individual Trutzburg-class DropShip)]]'' ''[[Glenmora (Individual Trutzburg-class DropShip)]]'' and ''[[Crossing (Individual Trutzburg-class DropShip)]]'' * [[Gargoyle (Individual Odyssey-class JumpShip)]]. Assigned to Zeta.<ref>''Redemption Rites'', p. 235</ref> ==Notes== * Zeta Battalion is parodied in the [[Critter-TEK]] system as "the near-invincible Mastodon Battalion," part of "Wolf's Baboons." * Special Rules for Zeta Battalion can be found on ''Historical Turning Points: Misery'', p. 9. ==References== <references/> ==Bibliography== {{div col|colwidth=30em}} * ''[[Blake Ascending]]'' * ''[[Dawn of the Jihad]]'' * ''[[Era Report: 3052]]'' * ''[[Field Manual: Mercenaries]]'' * ''[[Field Manual: Mercenaries, Revised]]'' * ''[[Field Manual: Updates]]'' * ''[[Historical: Brush Wars]]'' * ''[[Historical: War of 3039]]'' * ''[[Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents]]'' * ''[[Lethal Heritage]]'' (novel) * ''[[Luthien (scenario pack)|Luthien]]'' * ''[[Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers]]'' * ''[[Mercenaries Supplemental Update]]'' * ''[[Mercenary's Handbook 3055]]'' * ''[[NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 2]]'' * ''[[Redemption Rites]]'' * ''[[Shadows of Faith]]'' * ''[[Starterbook: Wolf and Blake]]'' * ''[[Technical Readout: 3050]]'' * ''[[Wolf Pack]]'' (novel) * ''[[Wolf's Dragoons (sourcebook)|Wolf's Dragoons]]'' * ''[[Wolves on the Border]]'' (novel) {{div col end}} [[Category:Mercenary Commands|Wolf's Dragoons, Zeta Battalion]]

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