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Difference between revisions of "Able's Aces"

(Updated the main body of the article with more detail from the sourcebooks, provided more references)
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==History==
 
==History==
After several of '''Able's Aces'''' contracts in the [[Inner Sphere]] didn't go well, with the Aces burned by several employers. As a result, the Aces relocated to the [[Periphery]] looking for a better life. The [[Rim Collection]]'s leader, James Moroney, so impressed Major Jerry Able that the Aces offered to train the Rim Collection's military and offered the Aces services until the Rim Collection Military was ready. Able's Aces are signed on to a long term defense contract with the [[Rim Collection]], but the contract is funded by Major Able's personal fortune.<ref>''Handbook: Major Periphery States'', p. 174</ref>
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'''Able's Aces''' formed just prior to the War of [[3039]] and were employed for most of the next seven years by the [[Federated Commonwealth]]. Unfortunately, the Aces weren't a large enough unit to receive any of the large contracts or to operate independently.  The Aces and the [[Federated Commonwealth]] parted ways after a company commander within the Aces refused an order that would have resulted in his entire company just to allow a [[Federated Commonwealth]] [[Regiment]] to position themselves for an ambush.<ref>''Field Manual: Periphery'', p. 121</ref>
  
The cadre duty the Aces provided to the six worlds of the Rim Collection have borne fruit already. The militia units on each world are up and running, each world fielding several combined arms formations. Their most noticeable triumph came in [[3062]] when they drove [[Morrison's Extractors]] out of the Collection.<ref name="mps175">''Handbook: Major Periphery States'', p. 175</ref> Since that time several armed bands have traveled through the Collection, but not invaded.
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The Aces arrived in the [[Rim Collection]] soon after a devastating pirate raid on Otisberg, and were still smarting from their bitter contract dispute with the [[Federated Commonwealth]]; unwilling to work for the [[Free Worlds League]] or the [[Capellan Confederation]] and unable to obtain a contract from the [[Draconis Combine]], the Aces had decided that their future lay in the [[Periphery]].  The leader of the Aces, Major Jerry Able, was a native of [[Otisberg]] and many of the unit's members had come from worlds on the [[Periphery]] border.<ref>''The Periphery, 2nd Edition'', p. 72</ref>
  
For the foreseeable future the Aces will likely remain in the Rim Collection. They were given a large landhold on [[Otisberg]], and the Aces have come to see the Collection as their home. Major Able serves on the Collection Council, the highest legislative body. He also bitterly opposes the presence of [[Word of Blake]] troops and other mercenary units, confident in the ability of the Aces and the Collection Militia to defend the worlds of the Rim Collection.<ref name="mps175"/>
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The [[Rim Collection]]'s leader, James Moroney, so impressed Major Jerry Able that the Aces offered to train the Rim Collection's military and offered the Aces services until the Rim Collection Military was ready. <ref>''The Periphery, 2nd Edition'', p. 72</ref> Able's Aces are signed on to a long term defense contract with the [[Rim Collection]], but the contract is funded by Major Able's personal fortune,<ref>''Handbook: Major Periphery States'', p. 174</ref> and the Aces have were granted extensive lands on [[Otisberg]]. <ref>''The Periphery, 2nd Edition'', p. 72</ref> The Aces have continually stonewalled against suggestions of hiring additional mercenary units to protect the [[Rim Collection]] and apparently view these efforts as unwanted encroachment onto what they consider their turf. <ref>''The Periphery, 2nd Edition'', p. 72</ref>
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The cadre duty the Aces provided to the six worlds of the Rim Collection rapidly bore fruit; by [[3059]] the [[Rim Collection]] military consisted of two [[BattleMech]] [[battalion]]s in addition to militia units on each of the Collection's six worlds. The militia units on each world are up and running, each world fielding several combined arms formations. Their most noticeable triumph came in [[3062]] when they drove [[Morrison's Extractors]] out of the Collection.<ref name="mps175">''Handbook: Major Periphery States'', p. 175</ref> Since that time several armed bands have travelled through the Collection, but not invaded. <ref>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 198</ref>
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For the foreseeable future the Aces will likely remain in the [[Rim Collection]].  Now holding the rank of [[Colonel]], Jerry Able serves on the Collection Council, the highest legislative body. He also bitterly opposes the presence of [[Word of Blake]] troops and other mercenary units, confident in the ability of the Aces and the Collection Militia to defend the worlds of the [[Rim Collection]].<ref name="mps175"/>
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After joining the [[Rim Collection]], Able's Aces changed their unit insignia to reflect their new affiliation; the updated insignia still shows the four playing cards, each an ace, but they are now surrounded by seven stars, one slightly smaller and further way than the others. <ref>''Field Manual: Periphery'', p. 121</ref>
  
 
==Composition==
 
==Composition==
* 1st Battalion "Able's Hammers"
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===3064===
 
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'''Able's Aces''' (Veteran [[BattleMech]] [[Battalion]])
* 2nd Battalion
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* CO: [[Colonel]] Jerry Able<ref>''Field Manual: Periphery'', p. 121</ref>
  
* 3rd Battalion
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===3067===
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'''Able's Aces''' (Veteran [[BattleMech]] [[Battalion]])
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* CO: [[Colonel]] Jerry Able
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* XO: [[Major]] Lawrence Updike
  
Down to company-level, the whole unit is settled for combined-arms warfare. A company usually consists of mostly Mechs (~10), plus some Fighters or infantry.  
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In 3067, the Aces were operating at 115% of normal [[Battalion]] strength, with approximately 15% of the unit using Star League level technology. The Aces are recorded as being based on the planet of [[Gillfillian's Gold]]<ref>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 204</ref> with sub-units on [[Otisberg]] and [[Hunter's Paradise]]<ref>''Field Manual: Periphery'', p. 144</ref>
  
The unit recruits from the population of the Rim Collection worlds. Additionally they are training the local militias.
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==Tactics==
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Able's Aces form a part of the Collection Militia, a combined-arms unit that has actively trained together across the worlds they've been assigned to protect. The Militia includes infantry formations and light armor support that are adept at distracting and bogging down large enemy forces while Militia [[BattleMech]] forces move in for the kill. They are also adept at city fighting, although they try at all costs to keep a battle from entering populated areas.                            
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
<references />
 
<references />
 
==Bibliography==
 
==Bibliography==
 +
*''[[The Periphery, 2nd Edition]]''
 
*''[[Field Manual: Periphery]]''
 
*''[[Field Manual: Periphery]]''
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*''[[Field Manual: Updates]]''
 
*''[[By Blood Betrayed]]''
 
*''[[By Blood Betrayed]]''
 
*''[[Handbook: Major Periphery States]]''
 
*''[[Handbook: Major Periphery States]]''

Revision as of 15:54, 11 July 2011

Template:InfoBoxMercUnit

History

Able's Aces formed just prior to the War of 3039 and were employed for most of the next seven years by the Federated Commonwealth. Unfortunately, the Aces weren't a large enough unit to receive any of the large contracts or to operate independently. The Aces and the Federated Commonwealth parted ways after a company commander within the Aces refused an order that would have resulted in his entire company just to allow a Federated Commonwealth Regiment to position themselves for an ambush.[1]

The Aces arrived in the Rim Collection soon after a devastating pirate raid on Otisberg, and were still smarting from their bitter contract dispute with the Federated Commonwealth; unwilling to work for the Free Worlds League or the Capellan Confederation and unable to obtain a contract from the Draconis Combine, the Aces had decided that their future lay in the Periphery. The leader of the Aces, Major Jerry Able, was a native of Otisberg and many of the unit's members had come from worlds on the Periphery border.[2]

The Rim Collection's leader, James Moroney, so impressed Major Jerry Able that the Aces offered to train the Rim Collection's military and offered the Aces services until the Rim Collection Military was ready. [3] Able's Aces are signed on to a long term defense contract with the Rim Collection, but the contract is funded by Major Able's personal fortune,[4] and the Aces have were granted extensive lands on Otisberg. [5] The Aces have continually stonewalled against suggestions of hiring additional mercenary units to protect the Rim Collection and apparently view these efforts as unwanted encroachment onto what they consider their turf. [6]

The cadre duty the Aces provided to the six worlds of the Rim Collection rapidly bore fruit; by 3059 the Rim Collection military consisted of two BattleMech battalions in addition to militia units on each of the Collection's six worlds. The militia units on each world are up and running, each world fielding several combined arms formations. Their most noticeable triumph came in 3062 when they drove Morrison's Extractors out of the Collection.[7] Since that time several armed bands have travelled through the Collection, but not invaded. [8]

For the foreseeable future the Aces will likely remain in the Rim Collection. Now holding the rank of Colonel, Jerry Able serves on the Collection Council, the highest legislative body. He also bitterly opposes the presence of Word of Blake troops and other mercenary units, confident in the ability of the Aces and the Collection Militia to defend the worlds of the Rim Collection.[7]

After joining the Rim Collection, Able's Aces changed their unit insignia to reflect their new affiliation; the updated insignia still shows the four playing cards, each an ace, but they are now surrounded by seven stars, one slightly smaller and further way than the others. [9]

Composition

3064

Able's Aces (Veteran BattleMech Battalion)

3067

Able's Aces (Veteran BattleMech Battalion)

In 3067, the Aces were operating at 115% of normal Battalion strength, with approximately 15% of the unit using Star League level technology. The Aces are recorded as being based on the planet of Gillfillian's Gold[11] with sub-units on Otisberg and Hunter's Paradise[12]

Tactics

Able's Aces form a part of the Collection Militia, a combined-arms unit that has actively trained together across the worlds they've been assigned to protect. The Militia includes infantry formations and light armor support that are adept at distracting and bogging down large enemy forces while Militia BattleMech forces move in for the kill. They are also adept at city fighting, although they try at all costs to keep a battle from entering populated areas.

References

  1. Field Manual: Periphery, p. 121
  2. The Periphery, 2nd Edition, p. 72
  3. The Periphery, 2nd Edition, p. 72
  4. Handbook: Major Periphery States, p. 174
  5. The Periphery, 2nd Edition, p. 72
  6. The Periphery, 2nd Edition, p. 72
  7. 7.0 7.1 Handbook: Major Periphery States, p. 175
  8. Field Manual: Updates, p. 198
  9. Field Manual: Periphery, p. 121
  10. Field Manual: Periphery, p. 121
  11. Field Manual: Updates, p. 204
  12. Field Manual: Periphery, p. 144

Bibliography