Historical Note
Clan Star Adder was led by Khan Absalom Truscott a former astech who later graduated at the top of his class as a MechWarrior for the 14th Royal CANN Regiment. After his regiment was destroyed in retaking Terra, Truscott became an aid de camp and bodyguard for General Kerensky.
Khan Truscott assumed overall command of the Arcadia invasion alongside Clans Blood Spirit, Ghost bear and Steel Viper. In the years leading to Operation: KLONDIKE, he drilled his forces relentlessly, planning for every contingency and this was the only thing that saved Clan Star Adder from the disaster that unfolded.
Special Characters
When designed their Campaign Force the Clan Star Adder Player should include the following MechWarrior as their Trinaries Star Captain.
Star Captain Kensington Talasko
Rank/Position: Star Captain, Clan Star Adder
Born: 4 August 2777 (Aged 43 at the start of Operation Klondike in 2821)
Kensington Talasko was the great grand son of SLDF’s Special Forces Commander, General Koji Talasko. Born on New Terra, he initially served as an Infantry man in the Amaris Civil War. During Operation LIBERATION he worked as part of Search and Rescue VTOL crew to retrieve injured MechWarriors. Due to the causalities amongst MechWarriors, General Kerensky’s forces became more short of personnel than equipment and launched an emergency training program. Kensington signed up, and completed his training as a MechWarrior just in time to serve in the Invasion of Terra in the 26th Royal BattleMech Division. His Company was part of the forces which made the final assault on Union city. During this action his Lance was ambushed and his commanding officer was knocked unconscious when his BattleMaster fell in a rubble trap. Despite being surrounded by Amaris forces and seriously injured from a direct PPC hit to the CockPit, he managed to keep on fighting until a relief force arrived. His valor came to the attention of General Kerensky, who visited him while he recovered in a field hospital, and he was awarded the SLDF Purple Heart and Silver Cross for his bravery.
After his recovery he joined with General Kerensky in the Exodus from the InnerSphere and served valiantly in the Pentagon Civil war. His heroism was once again shown when he lead the relief force against the Capellan Rebels on Eden after General CeChavilier was killed. After the Generals death he joined Nicholas Kerensky and led many missions to protect and secure civilians in the second exodus from Eden.
Kensington’s parents and sister were killed in an Amaris Nuclear strike of retribution on New Terra during Operation LIBERATION. He has always held protection of civilians to be his highest priority. His input would become fundamental in the development of the bidding process developed by the Clans after Operation KLONDIKE to ensure the protection of non-combatants by setting the expectation that any battleground for a Trial would be selected far away from any civilian’s or cities.
Kensington Talasko would eventually rise to SaKhan of Clan Star Adder after Operation KLONDIKE and his name would become a Blood Heritage for the Clan.
Training: Heroic
Piloting Skill: 2
Gunnery Skill: 1
Special Pilot Abilities (3 SPA’s):
[From Campaign Operations]
IRON WILL (1 SPA)
This warrior knows no fear. A unit with this ability is resistant to “psychological attacks” by opposing units, and can even overcome the natural impulse to flee when all hope seems lost. When an opponent uses the Animal Mimicry, Antagonizer, or Demoralizer SPAs against a unit will Iron Will, apply a +2 target modifier to the Piloting Skill Roll required to activate the ability.
Furthermore, if Morale rules are in play (see p. 212, TO), a unit controlled by a pilot or crew with this ability adds a –2 modifier to avoid being routed or when recovering its nerve.
MARKSMAN (2 SPA)
The Marksman Ability enables a MechWarrior, ProtoMech pilot, fighter pilot, or vehicular crew gunner to potentially hit any desired location on a target. A pilot or gunner with the Marksman SPA can make a special Aimed Shot attack as if using a targeting computer (see p. 143, TW). The pilot’s unit must remain stationary and make no physical attacks during the round in which he uses this ability. In addition, only one of the unit’s weapons may be used; no other weapon may be fired in the same turn.
The Marksman Ability may be combined with a targeting computer or enhanced- imaging technology; if the warrior’s unit is equipped with such items and they are active when this ability is used, the Aimed Shot attack receives a –2 To-Hit Modifier
Track- Descent into Hell
Situation
Just prior to the Clans jumping into the Arcadia jump point, Shogun Wiki’i Leonov, the ruler of the Illkasur Shogunate was preparing for a major military attack upon a supply cash belonging to the other major power on Arcadia, the Nation of Hastur.
As the Clan Star Adder’s two Dropships decended into the atmosphere they were attacked by the combined forces of both powers – who suddenly realised that while they despised each other, neither want to lose control of the planet. In a pitched space battle Clan Star Adders Aerospace fighters fended off the energy fighters despite being outnumbered 5 to 1. By the time the Star Adde Drop Ships landed they had both suffered damage.
While the Adders landed on target, the Ghost Bears had decided to ignore Truscotts plan and landed at a LZ some distance away from the Adders. This failure to follow the plan led to a lasting enmity between the Clans, but more immediately left the Adders to fight on their own.
As the Adder BattleMechs secured the landing zone, the Shogunates forces were already in place and attacked! Outnumbered Truscott and SaKhan Devon LeFabre has two choices. Hold the line to protect the Drop Ships or fall back under the cover of the DropShips guns, but in doing so risk the DropShips being damaged or destroyed!
Game Setup
Setup three map sheets (short edged touching) in a 3 x 1 arrangement. Place the Union DropShip Adders Fang within 8 hexes of the northern map edge.
Attacker (Illkasur Shogunate)
The Attacked deploys on the Southern map edge before turn 1, after all the Defenders forces have deployed. The Attacker will retreat if more than 50% by BV of their force and destroyed or crippled.
The Attacker deploys 100% of the Defenders force. In addition the Attacker commander former SLDF Captain Hinke al-Paz (Piloting 3 Gunnery 2) in his Annihilator ANH-1X. This additional unit costs not BV and does not start with pre-existing damage.
The Attackers forces should consist of 2 Lances of BattleMechs and 1 Lance of Armor.
Example Force
| BattleMaster BLR-1G | Lt. Jamie Yuk (3/4) | Command Lance | 2005 |
| Flashman FLS-8K | Rashaa Subano (4/5) | Command Lance | 1779 |
| Hunchback HBK-4G | Nameera Squillino (4/5) | Command Lance | 1041 |
| Crab CRB-27 | Fransisco Vazquez (4/6) | Command Lance | 1138 |
| Shadow Hawk SHD-2H | Musfira Uuka (3/4) | Fire Lance | 1404 |
| Dervish DV-6M | Lt. Hamdan Abdul-Karim (4/5) | Fire Lance | 1146 |
| Talon TLN-5W | Tania Shirazi (5/6) | Fire Lance | 1011 |
| Spider SDR-5V | Aino Wirkkala (4/5) | Fire Lance | 622 |
| Von Luckner Heavy Tank VNL-K70 | Lt. Kionna Won (3/4) | Armored Lance | 1399 |
| Marksman MBT M1 | Reidar Kaustrop (4/5) | Armored Lance | 1474 |
| Zephyr Hovertank (Standard) | Katsuyoshi Nishimura (4/5) | Armored Lance | 904 |
| Merkava Heavy Tank MK VIII | Jennifer Pascocha (4/5) | Armored Lance | 879 |
Defender (Clan Star Adder)
The Defender may deploy anywhere on the northern or central map sheet. All Defending Forces must deploy before the Attacker deploys.
The Defender deploys 33% of their campaign force.
In addition the Defender’s Commander Khan Absalom Trusscot (Piloting 2, Gunnery 1) in his Royal Highlander HGN-732b. This additional unit costs not BV and does not need to be repaired using the forces support points.
The Defenders also have control of the Union (Royal 2708b) DropShip Adders Fang (Piloting 4, Gunnery 3). The DropShip has suffered 15 damage to each facing. At the beginning of any turn, the DropShip may try to escape and flee. The DropShip takes 1 turn to take off and 1 turn to flee off the map.
WarChest
Track Cost: 300
Options:
+100 (Defender)AirStrikes The Attacked has gained air superiority. The Attacker has 12 BattleField Support Points to spend on either Light Strike, Heavy Strike or Strafing Options. Alternatively, the Attacker may field 2000 BV of AeroSpace fighters.
+100 (Attacker) Pre-existing Damage Roll for Pre-existing damage on 50% of the Attackers forces.
Objectives
Wound Them! (+100) Destroy 25% by BV of the opponents forces.
Hammer Them! (+100) Destroy 50% by BV of the opponents forces.
Secure the LZ (+100) (Defender Only) The DropShip Adders Fang survives the battle without fleeing
Drive them off (+50) (Attacker Only) The DropShip Adders Fang is forced to flee.
Destroy the DropShip (+100) (Attacker Only) The DropShip Adders Fang is destroyed.
Chop off the head (+100) Destroy the enemy commanders BattleMech.
Special Rules
Salvage. The Defender may claim any units which are crippled or destroyed but not truly destroyed as salvage if they control the battlefield at the end of the Track.
Outcome
Despite securing the Drop Zone, the Clan Star Adders paid a terrible price. Nine of their number were dead, including Khan Truscott. Despite having his Highlander shot out from under him, continued to direct the battle until he was killed by a stray shot.
Next Track Battles on the Plateau.
Track – Battles on the Plateau
Situation
Captain al-Paz’s forces were defeated, caught between a combined Steel Viper and Blood Spirit vanguard as they retreated from the battle with the Star Adders.
With the death of Khan Truscott, Clan Ghost Bears gave up any pretence of following his plan and set of on their own to attack the Nation of Hastur city of Cyaegha. The Steel Vipers also were ready to strike out on their own, but were convinced by the Blood Spirit’s to continue with Truscott’s plan and continued on to attack the Illkasur Shogunate capital of Kinto.
This left Clan Star Adders on their own to engage the Shogunates infrastructure and supply lines. While they rearmed and repaired, they managed to extract a great deal of intelligence from captured Shogunate warriors. Khan LeFabre tried to share this intelligence with Clan Ghost Bear, but the Ghost Bears completely ignored all attempted to communicate with them.
The intelligence did identify a potential target of opportunity. The Nation of Hastur was moving a large amount of vital war supplies across the Aeschel Plateau. This was the original target of the Shogunate task force before they became engaged with the Adders. Deciding this was an excellent way to disrupt the Nation of Hastur and to obtain extra war supplies, Khan LaFabre ordered Star Captain Kensington Talasko to destroy the escorting forces and capture the convoy.
Game Setup
Arrange 3 maps in an east-west axis with short ends touching. Players should designated hexes as road hexes crossing from the easter map edge to the wester map edge at level 0.
Attacker (Clan Star Adder)
The Attacker may deploy 33% of their campaign force.
The attack may deploy from the North or South edge of the centre of western map sheet at the beginning of turn 1 after the Defenders forces have deployed.
Defender (Nation of Hastur)
The Defender’s forces consist of 100% of the attackers forces. They should comprise of 2 Lances of BattleMechs and 1 Lance of Armor.
The Defender’s forces may deploy anywhere on the eastern mapsheet.
In addition to the combat forces they Defender has 10 FlatBed trucks. 5 of the Flatbed trucks are armed with either LRM10’s or SRM2’s.
FlatBed Truck. Wheeled ICE Vehicle. 10 Tons. Move 5/8. Armor (Internal Structure): Front 2 (1), L/R Side: 2 (1), Rear: 2 (1).
Flatbed trucks may deployed only up the road hexes on the east map sheet.
WarChest
Track Cost: 400
Options:
+100 (Defender) The Attacked has gained air superiority. The Attacker has 12 BattleField Support Points to spend on either Light Strike, Heavy Strike or Strafing Options. Alternatively, the Attacker may field 2000 BV of AeroSpace fighters.
+100 (Defender) Pre-existing Damage Roll for Pre-existing damage on 50% of the Defenders forces.
+100 (Attacker) Armored Escort The convoy is escorted by an additional force of vehicles with a BV equal to 20% (3000 BV) of the attackers deployment BattleValue.
+100 (Attacker) Reinforcements At the Start of turn 6, VTOL rapid response reinforcements arrive. These consist of 4 Cyrano Gunships and 4 Cobra Transport VTOL’s each carrying a platoon of Foot Infantry (2 SRM and 2 Rifle).
Objectives
Fence them in (+100) (Attacker) Destroy or cripple the 1st Flatbed truck and the last flatbed truck on the convoy.
Disable the Vehicles (+100) (Attacker) 5 of the flatbed trucks are crippled or immobilised (but not destroyed).
Wound Them! (+100) Destroy 25% by BV of the opponents forces.
Hammer Them! (+100) Destroy 50% by BV of the opponents forces.
Escape (+200) At least 5 Flatbed trucks are able to exit from the west edge of the map.
Special Rules
Retreat. The Defending forces and Trucks will try to retreat from the east map edge if they lose 50% or more of their combat units (not including the FlatBed Trucks).
Flatbed Trucks. The heavy flatbed trucks are not able to drive offroad and must remain on the road. If the armor on any location on a flatbed truck is destroyed the truck is considered crippled and the crew abandons it.
Roadblock. If a flatbed truck is destroyed on the road it blocks the road and may not be passed by other trucks. Any BattleMech or Armored Tracked or Wheel vehicle which weighs more than 10 tons may spend 1 turn clearing the hex. If a unit is in the hex during the combat phase and does not fire any weapons they may clear the hex of the destroyed flatbed truck and allow the other trucks to once again be able to pass through that hex. If the Attackers BattleMech or Armored Vehicle is on a road hex they block that hex and prevent the Defenders Flatbed trucks may not pass through the hex.
Reduced Power. The Attacking Units may use the Energy Weapons rule from page 100 of TacOps (AE). Any direct firing energy weapon may have its damage reduced “dialed down”. At the start of any attack with a directed energy weapon the Attacking Mech declares the are reducing the maximum damage of the energy weapon. For each 1 point the damage is reduced, the Heat generated is reduced by 1 (to a minimum of 1). This helps to Attacker to Cripple rather than Destroy the Flatbed Trucks.
Salvage. The Attacker may claim any units which are crippled or destroyed but not truly destroyed as salvage if they control the battlefield at the end of the Track.
Outcome
After capturing the supply convoy the Clan Star Adder forces were able to quickly enact much needed repairs on their damaged BattleMechs. The Clan Star Adder Forces were then able to capture 5 outlying Hastur outposts, before moving in on the Nation of Hatur city of Nyogtha.
Next Track – The Capture of Nyogtha
To be continued…
ComStar 