From the O5P archives

[I managed to source this from the O5P. While it's over a decade old, there's still some interesting information in here. I'm also forming some conclusions about the significance of this individual to Zhen, and why Stein might bring them up]

Gertz, Joaquim

Date of Birth: 14/04/3110

Homeworld: Van Deimen IV, Republic of the Sphere

Affiliation: Bannson’s Raiders

Rank: Lieutenant

Background:

Born in the Republic, Joaquim grew up wanting to become a Mercenary MechWarrior, something of an oddity in an age of peace. Having apparently developed something of a romanticised image of the trade (possibly from a steady diet of bad fiction), Joaquim wanted a part of that lifestyle. The fact that he had no military background, no training (save for two years piloting an AgroMech), no experience, no BattleMech of his own and that the mercenary trade was at its lowest ebb at the time didn’t even begin to factor into his goals.

Arriving on Galatea, Joaquim failed to make an impression or win a spot with a unit beyond as filler infantry. For him, the Blackout actually came as something of a boon, as Joaquim was found and snapped up by Bannson’s recruiters. His dream of the prestige and glory of being a MechWarrior, as well as his marginal qualifications saw him assigned to Wyld’s Jokers, where he would, at best, be no worse then anyone else in the unit.

Despite the Jokers’ poor reputation and lack of skill, Joaquim himself has pride in what he does and his position. For him, being an officer and a MechWarrior in a mercenary unit, no matter how questionable it may actually be, is living his life-long dream. However, for Joaquim, reality may catch up with him hard.

Serial Number: RS765-21D

Chassis: Corean-II Deluxe Endo Steel

Power Plant: Hermes 250 XL

Cruising Speed: 54 km/h

Maximum Speed: 86 km/h

Jump Jets: None

                Jump Capacity: None

Armour: Starshield

Armament:

                1 Martell Large X-Pulse Laser

                1 Zeus LRM-10

                1 Imperator Rotary Autocannon/5

Communications System: Corean Transband-J9

Targeting and Tracking System: Corean B-Tech

Developed in the aftermath of the Jihad, the Shockwave was created both for the military of the Marik-Stewart Commonwealth, as well as for export. Designed as a medium trooper ‘Mech, the Shockwave was a success, attracting sales from across the Inner Sphere due to its combination of firepower, mobility and flexibility.

A higher-end variant of the Shockwave, serial RS765-21D was purchased by the Republic of the Sphere for use in the then-newly minted Republic Armed Forces. Over the next few decades it was shuffled between different units, before eventually ending up in the Prefecture IV Militia. How exactly it came to be in Jacob Bannson’s hands remains unclear, but it is possible that the ‘Mech was stolen in the aftermath of the Blackout.

For the last couple of years, the ‘Mech has been assigned to Joaquim Gertz, who seems to have actually developed a little talent to match his lofty ambitions. While he seems to inevitably run the BattleMech hot, so far his tactics have proven to be passably successful, or at least enough to keep him and ‘Thunderbucket’ (as he calls the ‘Mech) intact. However, at the same time, he has also made it clear that he is destined for something better.

Filing Notes

Record Number                                                FT-161-PE                            01/08/3134