Kessler’s Killers

MRBC Update 01-01-3145

History

Kessler’s Killers are in many was representative of the new generation of mercenary commands that sprang up in the aftermath of Grey Monday. The unit’s origins lie with Gregory Kessler, a MechWarrior in the Poznan planetary guard. One of the few MechWarriors in the command, Kessler was a part of those forces struggling to maintain order in the face of the crumbling Republic and rising factionalism and insurgency. With the Liao Incursion of 3134, Kessler decided that the situation was hopeless and opted to desert, taking with him a core of other like-minded soldiers.

Kessler picked up more support from other disenfranchised Republic personnel in the aftermath of Fortress Republic, forming the core of a mercenary command. The formative years of Kessler’s Killers were spent in the Republic Territories, fighting brushfire wars and local conflicts, while doing their best to avoid battles with the encroaching great houses. The command grew primarily from the absorption of remnants of Republic Plenarary Guard units as well as members of failed mercenary commands and even some former pirates.

With the Republic Territories shrinking, Kessller relocated his command to Galatea in order to access wider markets. Never formally registered with the MRBC, the Killers managed to none the less find employment thanks largely due to the escalating conflicts of the period. Most of their work was relatively low-key but also low-risk, such as garrison or cadre duties, or dealing with local pirates or insurgents. This allowed the unit to grow and achieve a degree of stability.

At present, the Killers are beginning to show signs of stress within their command. Their ongoing poor financial state and a lack of actual battlefield experience has left some of their more senior members looking for other opportunities, which could cost the unit valuable experience. This is not helped by Kessler’s own rather lackluster command style, which tends to be more reactive. However, in the current environment, the unit has no shortage of job opportunities to keep it going.

Organisation

Kessler’s Killers are an oversized battalion in strength, at least, on paper. The truth is somewhere short of that, with the Killers deliberately inflating their numbers in order to make them look good. The main spearhead of their force is Killer Kompany, made up entirely of BattleMechs and lead by Kessler himself. This company is supposedly intended to be the unit’s primary offensive force, but in truth, their duties are more often defensive in nature.

Kruiser Kompany is made up of a mixture of light armour and VTOLs, and is tasked primarily with transportation and air cavalry duties. Kruiser is strictly a support element, and rarely used in independent actions. Finally, Kaos Kompany is an oversized force built around a single platoon of Battle Armour backed up by four to five platoons of conventional infantry. Much of their strength comes from the desperate and hopeful of Galatea’s mercenary underclass.

Support

The Killers are only barely covering their basic maintenance needs, and suffer from a shortage of skilled technicians. They have adequate parts reserves, but could find those quickly depleted during a long term or intense campaign. Their situation is somewhat helped by most of their designs being older models, dating back to the Jihad or earlier. As such, the unit has very little advanced Technology, and no Clantech at all.

The unit’s history of taking low-paying but low risk contracts has left it with almost no financial reserves and only just ahead of falling into debt. This has lead to some problems; the unit’s last two aerospace pilots quit over a pay dispute, and as yet they have not been replaced. Should their situation not improve, the Killers might be forced to make further cutbacks or begin selling off their reserves of parts and ammunition.

Transport

The Killers’ sole dropship is the Charlie M, a Mule-class cargo ship. An older vessel, it is in poor condition but still operational. During garrison contracts, the Killers supplement their income by renting the ship out as a cargo hauler. The Killers lack interstellar transport, and are typically dependant on their employer to arrange it.

Colours and Insignia

The Killers’ parade ground scheme is a dull reddish-grey. BattleMechs have red patches on their forearms and lower legs to suggest bloods splatter. Their insignia depicts a bloodied machete on a yellow field.