Phoenix (Mercenary Command)
Sarna News
The mercenary unit Phoenix was founded as the Mad Jumpin' Jacks. They are specialized in recon- and hit-and-run-missions in rough terrain and consist entirely of veteran and elite mechwarriors.
Combat Doctrine
Phoenix consists entirely of jump-capable mechs. So, every lance is capable of doing recon. This creates additional flexibility in combat.
The unit generally works alongside regular army units and provides them with flank support. As the unit exchanged firepower for agility, when they are on their own, Phoenix resorts to harassing hit-and-run-tactics to wear the enemy slowly down.
The unit regulary uses tectonic sensors in their mechs, which are very uncommon in military units.
Unit History
This unit was founded in the Lyran Commonwealth, approximately 3025, by Hauptmann Jack Anderson. He recruited some dubious individuals to serve in his unit: dishonorly discharged soldiers, a former pirate, a former prostitute... Jack Anderson was more interested in piloting skills and character, than in criminal records. Later his son Thomas Anderson also joined the unit.
In 3030 the unit made a contract with house Marik. In 3031 they were deployed to the planet Amity, to defend it against Lyran invaders. The Mad Jumpin' Jacks fought alongside the 2nd Sirian Lanciers against the 7th Lyran Regulars. Thanks to their surprise attacks, the situation went from a narrow defeat for the Marik-forces to a clear victory. But as Lyran reinforces arrived, the 10th Skye Rangers, the Mad Jumpin' Jacks became a serious obstacle to the plans of the planetary governor.
The governor of Amity, Tores Thornton, had sold information to the Lyrans, that construction plans for the Cataphract CTF-1T were to find on Amity. This was a lie, in order to provoke an attack on his own planet. The local Marik-forces wouldn't be able to stop the invaders and Janos Marik would have to send strong reinforcements. And after their victory over the Lyran invaders, Tores Thornton would be able to establish all these troops as a permanent militia on Amity, turning them into his private army.
Tores Thornton feared, that with the help of the Mad Jumpin' Jacks, the 2nd Sirian Lanciers would also be able to take down the 10th Skye Rangers. He forced Leutenient-Colonel LeFranc from the Sirian Lanciers into helping him, by promising to use his connections to free LeFranc's lover from Lyran custody. So, when Jack Anderson destroyed a Marik-depot to keep it from falling into Lyran hands, the Mad Jumpin' Jacks were declared traitors. Jack Anderson was shot by Thornton after refusing to turn over the command of his unit. The rest of the unit was able to flee to their base. Thornton sent a headhunter-mech-company (hired with his Lyran bribe-money) after them, but the Jumpin' Jacks had already fled into the mountaineous wilderness. The headhunters followed them, but were easy prey as the Mad Jumpin' Jacks were able to use the landscpae to their full advantage. During the fighting, Thomas Anderson died and Lhiannon Potter became head of the unit.
The Mad Jumpin' Jacks returned to their original base, to recover and repair. But suddenly a Lyran infantry unit appeared out of the mist and took the Mad Jumpin' Jacks prisoners. They were forced to agree to a contract with the Lyran forces (although the conditions were fairly good). The Mad Jumpin' Jacks spearheaded the final attack on the bunker, where the mech-construction plans were thought to be, securing victory for the Lyrans. But as the plans were nowhere to be found, a local SEKURA-agent realized Thorntons plan and swiftly executed him for treason.
The Mad Jumpin' Jacks had sufferd heavy losses and headed off to the Lyran Commonwealth. As most of the units members were dead, it was renamed to Phoenix.
In 3054 Phoenix was under contract with the Federated Commonwealth. They were among the defenders of Tomans against Clan Jadefalcon. They again suffered heavy losses, but were able to recruit new members from regular units.
Unit Profile
The unit is of company-size and consists entirely of jump-capable mechs, mostly of medium and light weight.
The unit has it's own dropship: the Esmeralda (Union-class).