The mercenary unit known today as the Dragonslayers traces its history back to 2866, when Reginald Killian, Duke of Delavon, used his personal fortune to form and equip a line Davion BattleMech unit during the opening months of the Third Succession War.
WHM-6R Warhammer piloted by Colonel George R. Conrad, Dragonslayers mercenary unit. Note battle honors displayed on upper left torso.
Entering the rosters as the Delavon Lancers, the unit distinguished itself in several actions within he Draconis Marches. Though it began at slightly less than full company strength, it quickly expanded to three regular companies of BattleMechs, plus three auxiliary platoons of mechanized infantry.
In 2896, during the invasion of Lapida II, the 1st Lancers took part in the fighting in the rugged uplands north of Scaleandro. With victory secured, they were assigned the duty of guarding the captured port against incursions by marauding guerillas.
A sudden thrust by Kurita forces hidden in forest cover nearby surprised and overwhelmed the unit which, at the time, had only four light Mechs activated and on perimeter defense. Eighteen of the unit's 'Mechs were captured intact, another five destroyed. Worse, Kurita infantry ran wild through the regiment's encampment, destroying supplies and slaughtering personnel indiscriminately. Colonel Victor Rassmussen was captured and subjected to prolonged "interrogation," apparently because of unfounded or malicious rumors that the 1sl Lancers had been guilty of atrocities earlier in the campaign.
His son Erik assumed command of the unit's remnants. Against direct orders to the contrary, he led the Lancers into Kurita-held Scaleandro. The elder Rasmusson's body was returned to Davion lines, cradled in the hands of Erik's Shadow Hawk.
Rassmussen and his officers were later court martialed and dismissed for their disobedience to orders at Scaleandro, and the unit punished by being forbidden to display its battle honors for one year. The regiment's protest was not formally referred to as mutiny... but the decision was quickly made that the 1st Lancers were now too small to constitute a regiment, too broken to be incorporated into other units. The 1st Delavon Lancers were disbanded.
Erik Rassmussen promptly organized the surviving MechWarriors into a mercenary company, named Dragonslayers; in token of the blood feud which now existed between the unit and the legions of House Kurita. New members were required to swear an oath, vowing vengeance upon Kurita and his minions "to the end of time." Initially, the unit served solely with House Steiner, mistrusting the possibility of a second "betrayal" by House Davion. Eventually, memory of the Rasmussen court martial faded... but not the oath of vengeance against the Combine.
The Dragonslayers have remained in service for 132 years. In thattime, they have served with every major Successor State house save House Kurita, as well as executing contracts with several score lesser houses, periphery states, and private organizations requiring military services. Though always referred to as a regiment, their actual field strength has varied from as much as a short battalion to as few as eight 'Mechs organized as an understrength company.
A well-known trademark of the Dragonslayers is their prominent display of the unit's battle honors on their 'Mechs' armor at all times. In modern combat, these are most often painted on 'Mech armor only for special occasions, parades, and reviews and painted out before combat. The Lancers, however, have maintained the tradition of displaying their battle honors even during extended campaigns, in memory of the court martial on Lapida II long ago. RECENT CAMPAIGN HISTORY
After an extended tour of service with House Steiner, during which time they saw duty along the Kurita frontier opposite Verthandi during the unrest generated by the rebellion there, the Dragonslayers signed on with House Davion in anticipation of increased military activity along the Draconis Marches during the upcoming Galahad'28 wargame campaigns. Curiously, while the unit continues to maintain its old blood feud with House Kurita, it is not averse to signing on with the House which originally ordered it to disband. Individual unit members claim there is no ill-will towards the Federated Suns. Indeed, one old sergeant, in response to a direct query, simply grinned and claimed that any enemy of Kurita was a friend of theirs.
They are currently stationed on Exeter but expect to be ordered to a world closer to the border as part of the large-scale maneuvers and troop movements planned by the Federated Suns for this summer.
STRENGTH
The Dragonslayers currently muster 3 combat BattleMech lances, plus one reserve/training lance. The Regimental Commanding Officer, Colonel George R. Conrad, is a veteran commander with 18 years' of combat experience, five of those years with the 'Slayers.
Parties interested in the unit make-up of the Dragonslayers may be interested in looking at the scenario on page 56 of this issue of BattleTechnology, where a recent battle of the Dragonslayers is described. In addition to the 'Mechs engaged at Volta, the regiment fields two full armored platoons and one mechanized infantry platoon as conventional ground support. The total strength of the "regiment" is listed as 214 combat personnel, 25 senior Techs, plus 345 astechs and assorted service, maintenance, and support personnel.
CURRENT SITUATION
The Dragonslayers suffered heavy casualties in the Kurita raid on Romulus during their contract with House Steiner, including the loss of four 'Mechs and 42 men. Having signed on with House Davion, they are actively recruiting personnel in all branches in order to build up their strength before they are placed on active duty.
A unit spokesman reported to BattleTechnology that they hope to replace their losses and even, if possible, to extend their strength to as much as two full companies. While MechWarriors with their own BattleMechs are most eagerly sought, of course, the spokesman indicated that combat veteran infantrymen, armor troopers, and Techs are also needed.
The Dragonslayers 'Mech Mercenary Unit
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