A Very Mixed Unit:
Ronin Wars

News Service

by Bob Carter

The mixed units of the Ronin Wars have caused some strange combinations. By treaty with the Combine and the Commonwealth, officers from both houses were to train regular forces for the Kungsarmee of the Free Rasalhague Republic.

Archer on right is that of Kadett-Loftnent Sven Lorenson

Nobody expected these forces to be at war quite so soon, but the Ronin Rebels struck, suddenly and viciously. The units that responded were led by a Steiner or Kurita officer and composed of Rasalhague citizens who months before had been fighting Steiner and/or Kurita troops. In a few cases, we have an army unit composed of all three forces. How do such units manage to accomplish their objectives despite differences in training and philosophy?

Today we interview three mechwarriors who have fought side by side although they had been raised to dislike and distrust one another. Let me introduce them in order, from senior to junior,

I am interviewing Captain Takashi Hiro, Leader of the Recon Lance, who owes allegiance to the Draconis Combine. Captain Elizabeth Rychek (whose date of commission is one yearto the day after Captain Hiro's), leads the Fire Lance; she is a product of the Lyran Commonwealth. Lojtnant-Kadett Sven Lorenson served as an irregular with the Tyr; at 28, he is now the senior cadet-member of the Kungsarme Second Regiment,Ttraining Company Alpha.

BT: Captain Hiro, how did you come to get this command?

Hiro: Coordinator Takashi Kurita through his son Kanrei Theodore Kurita asked several of the regular units for volunteers who would assist our honorable new neighbors in becoming a potent fighting force. I thought it was a good idea, so I volunteered. I haven't had a finer bunch of students since my days as a training instructor at Sun Xiang Academy eight years ago.

BT: Captain Rychek, how did you get here?

Rychek: I came in contact with Rasalhague troops a bit earlier than Capt Hiro. I was one of the officers who trained the Tyr regiments before the Fourth Succession War. I'd like to put it on record that I agree with Capt Hiro on at least one matter the caliber of the troops here.

BT: Kadeff-Lojtnent Lorenson, how does it feel to be back in basic training again?

Lorenson: I never thought I'd be back. I can live with it. It's difficult, but it's important for us to know how both the Draconis Combine and the Lyran Commonwealth teach their mechwarriors and their other units how to fight, so we can profit from both of their greater experiences.

BT: Aren't the two Houses opposite to each other in tactics and battle doctrine?

Lorenson: Yes, they are different, but each side has ways in which they are superior. An example being (he looks at Hiro, then at Rychek) the bushidd code of the Draconians as a base, added to the Germanic tenacity of the Lyrans. I feel that the Kungsarme will be able to function better as a whole taking example from both forces.

BT: Capt Hiro, what for you is the strangest thing about working with Lyrans?

Hiro: (Slowly) To actually find one who doesn't believe in all the pomp and circumstance that Lyrans seem to relish, and one who actually has a mind for tactics and for battle strategy.

BT: Capt Rychek, same question about Kuritans?

Rychek: (Hides a grin) It suprises me that Capt Hiro requests and acts on feedback from the troops. It's quite against the stereotype for Draconians. I don't mean that a battlefield should be a democracy, but the fighters, to give their best, Interview continued from page 6 need to feel valued.

BT: Kadett-Lojtnent Lorenson, what is the strangest thing for you in dealing with the joint command?

Lorenson: Well, it gets interesting when either one of them gets upset; one swears in Japanese and the other swears in German. So we must be fluent in both languages! But actually, with Capt Hiro's emphasis on feedback, I see how his response to our comments improves our next battle. By Capt Rychek's non-emphasis on the uniform and protocol, we are shown that honors won in battle are not important. (Both officers look startled; Rychek indicates a question. Lorenson looks directly at the camera, speaking with great emphasis.) It is the people who are saved who are important.

BT: Capt Hiro, what is your response to the notion that the Free Republic has been allowed its independence so that it will serve as a'buffer zone" to minimize hostile contact between the Lyrans and the Combine? Is Rasalhague a buffer zone?

Hiro: No, not just that. It is a state unto its own, though it will ensure that tensions that previously were between the Lyran Commonwealth and the Dragon's House will be lessened.

Rychek: (tonelessly) I'm certain that I hope that what Capt Hiro is saying will prove true.

Hiro: I think that relationships will improve, at least with the Lyran Commonwealth.

BT: Would either of you care to comment on the fact that it is now a matter of joint policy made by the new Federated Commonwealth, and that House Kurita now has Hanse Davion on both borders. (Hiro gives a wave to indicate that Rychek may answer first.)

Rychek: Speaking as a Lyran now, let me state that policy will be made by us, not for us. Our Archon's policy, which I personally find admirable, calls for a strong defense, but a hope that the Inner Sphere can devote itself to more peaceful purposes. And a willingness to devote money and energy to those purposes. I don't mean to make a speech, but you asked. Interview continues...

Hiro: As we saw when the Lyrans and the Federats first combined, they had an internal policy of 'let's try to conquer'. But if our dear neighbors have gotten the conquering urge out of their blood, the Inner Sphere will have a period of rest, for all of us need it.

BT: Kadett-Lojtnent Lorenson, on the day-to-day aspects of a mixed unit ...

Rychek: We agree not to talk politics! (All three laugh).

BT: ... as most of our readers are warriors, they want to know how it can work in practice. What happens, for example, when someone messes up?

Lorenson: Actually, as I am senior Kadett, punishments are given to me to be handed out to the two training lances. That is part of my training as a leader. So no, no problems with punishments. Except that the unit may think I'm a little too strict, cutting firewood in the dead of winter.

BT: It was predicted that a mixed force such as yours would constantly find itself poorly supplied with rations that the soldiers wouldn't eat, batteries with the wrong mounts, the wrong ammunition for your weapons...

Hiro: Not under my command! And as far as I know, not under yours, Elizabeth! Unless there is something I haven't been told!

Rychek: But Takashi, technically I am under your command...

Hiro: The LCAF supplied the forces in their training companies. So if there was a problem, you should certainly have informed me.

Rychek: (opening eyes wide) I didn't mean to imply that there was a problem.

Lorenson: Ms Brandt, the reason we had so few problems was because we made sure that each 'Mech had the correct supplies before it was loaded on. We didn't need to have problems with malfunctioning weapons.

BT: Nothing went wrong? All was sweetness and light?

Lorenson: Of course things go wrong during training- and during training there's no such thing as sweetness and light. But the two forces cooperated very well in teaching us strategy and tactics. I find we have been very well trai ned. Don't you agree ... Captains?

(The two eye each other. Both give a small nod of satisfaction.)

BattleTechnology News Service

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