Unfriendly Relations: Rasalhague, the Dragon, the Ronin, and the Mercenary

MagnusEffect · Dec 27, 2013

from Brush Wars sourcebook, page 117-119

Above: DCMS mechwarriors executed for treasonous acts against forces loyal to Theodore Kurita during the Ronin War.

[Wheeler]: “Our worldline of events will end with a brief discussion of Radstadt. Though a major production world, no concentrated efforts by the ronin were attempted to take the planet. However, with the loss of their supply bases in the Combine, several small ronin bands staged raids on various complexes to take supplies, so part of the Vinson’s Vigilantes mercenary unit was assigned to guard two of the larger warehouse sites. The First Kavalleri also arrived in the system in September to bolster the system’s defenses after a particularly savage raid by the Seventeenth Rasalhague Regulars destroyed a major oil refinery, crippling the planet’s oil production."

“The 49th Mechanized Tank and the 603rd Tank regiments, running low on consumables and supplies and determined to prove the Dragon wrong, hit Radstadt in August. Though at first beaten back by the First Kavalleri (with the 49th Mechanized destroyed along with the ronin’s transportation assets), a successful ambush by the 603rd managed to break the Kavalleri’s tank contingent, allowing the ronin to outflank the Republic force and make a charge for the capital. The Kavalleri frantically called on the Vigilantes—on garrison duty nearby, guarding the Wakazashi electronics complex—to stop the ronin’s mad dash. The Vigilantes refused, citing a questionable clause in their contract that allowed them to remain neutral in the fighting as long as it didn’t encroach on their assigned territory. The 603rd managed to breach the city limits and cause mass panic before the Kavalleri caught up. After an intense thirty-hour urban battle between both units throughout the city’s commercial and residential sectors, the Kavalleri finally managed to force the ronin to retreat, though at a cost of almost three-fourths of the Republic’s fighting force."

“The arrival of the First Tyr in October broke the remaining ronin forces.”

“Our study of the Ronin War would not be complete without a look at the role mercenaries played. Today, especially in the Republic, the main emphasis on this time period is on how mercenaries treated the Republic. Because of certain ‘clause abuses’ by less-than-savory units, the Mercenary Review Board has since been more stringent in reviewing contracts between parties, especially those dealing with the Republic. It took over twenty years and the Clan Invasion to begin changing the perception of the Rasalhague people."

“Yet as we study the scope of the war, it becomes apparent that although mercenaries were indeed used in stop-gap measures, only very few actually conducted such clause abuse. Events that had such abuses occur were widely publicized, however, and seized upon as proof by proud Republic residents who refused to acknowledge they needed outside help to defend their nation. This is apparent even today, when some Rasalhague citizens still think that Prince Magnusson was weak in asking for Theodore’s help."

“Yes?”

[Shale]: “Can you give us examples of such clause abuse, Professor?”

[Wheeler]: “Certainly. Because the contracts were negotiated in haste by the Rasalhague government, certain phraseology that normally is discarded during the negotiation process remained intact. Phrases such as ‘will defend until the world is declared at peace,’ ‘defending the seat of government until such time that combat is not necessary,’ and ‘unless opposition is above and beyond the capacity of said unit to combat.’ That last one in particular was abused quite often. Less-than-honorable units would calculate the percentage of population that supported the Combine and count them as hostile units if rioting or even active demonstration occurred. By doing so, they could argue—successfully, in most cases—that they were completely outnumbered and within their rights to withdraw. Other abuses centered on taking the clauses to the literal extreme."

“Yes?”

[Isasaki]: “So why didn’t ComStar and the MRB condemn these units if they were so obviously lacking in integrity?”

[Wheeler]: “Honestly? Unknown. If you read the transcripts of the Review Board of each case, you get the sense that at the time, the MRB was all about the letter of the law. If it could be argued that the letter was followed—and not necessarily the spirit—the unit generally would be absolved. Needless to say, the Republic was infuriated with such rulings and that only fueled the anti-mercenary rhetoric among the people. It also helped bolster Magnusson’s popularity, as he seized the bandwagon and rode it as far as he could."

“Some conspiracy theorists would take it one step further and say that because ComStar headed the MRB at the time, it was in their interest to give mercenaries a bad name. Units like the Kell Hounds and Dragoons were becoming idolized among the Inner Sphere, giving the mercenaries a glorification of which ComStar was probably jealous. That theory died rather quickly, however. Only recently has it resurfaced, with the bad reputation the Word of Blake seems to be giving many units today. Because the Word is ‘old ComStar.’ these theorists use events from today to prove their point—that ComStar was out to subjugate the mercenary trade at every opportunity. It doesn’t hold up well, however, and is leading us away from our topic at hand."

“By and large, the last major resistance by the ronin ended in October of 3034. All in all, over fifty-five regiments of the DCMS were affected by the Ronin War, though many of these only had token men and material go rogue. Of those who broke away wholesale (roughly nineteen in number), no regiments survived. Twelve of the regiments who broke with the DCMS surrendered after the Ronin Declaration. Most of these men and women were imprisoned for a time, and only a quarter were tried on charges of treason. The rest of them were determined to be either ill-informed of the events around them or were deemed honorable by following their orders."

“The same was not so for those who took up arms against the authority of the Dragon. Less than a quarter of the ronin who had actively resisted survived to be brought up on charges, and only a token few were pardoned or absolved of any crimes. The rest of the imprisoned and captured ronin were executed for their treason, most without a chance to die with honor."

“Though resistance to the Republic was at an end, the DCMS units that entered the Republic with Theodore remained to help oversee the formation of three more regiments of the KungsArmé. Additionally, these units helped train new Republic recruits and also rotated along the border near Duke Kelswa’s worlds to discourage any adventurism by the irate Duke. In order to build good will with the Rasalhagians, the Kanrei also ordered his men to assist with the rebuilding efforts on those worlds hardest hit by the ronin. Several large corporations from the Combine built new complexes on some worlds to help rebuild savaged economies. Through it all, however, the Rasalhague people tolerated the Combine presence, wondering if these units were only going to turn traitor as well. After some polite discourse between the Kanrei and Prince Magnusson, the remaining DCMS units began withdrawing in the fall of 3035. Finally, the First Genyosha lifted off Rasalhague on December 19 of 3035, officially ending the occupation of the Republic."

“Our last session together we will be discussing your reports. Please be prepared.”
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Unfriendly Relations: Rasalhague, the Dragon, the Ronin, and the Mercenary

MagnusEffect Administrator Staff Member Jarl SC Huscarl

Log in or Sign up

Unfriendly Relations: Rasalhague, the Dragon, the Ronin, and the Mercenary

MagnusEffect Administrator Staff Member Jarl SC Huscarl

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