Red Horizon
"Well, if Her Royal Highness wants us to go to a place and grab something for Her? We'll do it. Not for free, but we'll do it."The Red Horizon began as a loosely-collected band of pirates who were more interested in plunder and living well than a force beholden to anyone. However, when Queen Crimson began to tighten her control over Aquagea there was a different sort of fortune which could be made. The leadership had to be careful selling the idea of serving someone, or there would be a mutiny. So they chose to describe it as being on a long-term retainer. The truth of this has been challenged quite a few times, but nobody is willing to give up a stable relationship. Especially one which has been decently lucrative for the older members. Currently, the Red Horizon functions as a long-distance raiding arm for Queen Crimson. Most of their raiding is done against the Magistracy of Canopus, and other independent systems within range. Their available BattleMechs are split between agile harassers and long-range strikers, trending towards the lighter weight classes. They have a healthy amount of combat support vehicles, largely inexperienced but given charge of capable tanks. They raid targets as far as the Taurian Concordat's borders, mostly at the request of their 'mistress'. Despite this, they still claim to value freedom and not being attached to any single power.
Assets
The Red Horizon has a number of assets which put them just a bit past regular pirates and more into the kind of nuisance Successor States would love to swat, given half the chance. Thanks to connections with Queen Crimson, they have access to a JumpShip and a number of Leopard-class DropShips. Their available BattleMechs and combat support vehicles average to lighter weights, and are often the sorts commonly available on the Rimward Periphery. This means they rely heavily on mobile scouts such as the Locust, Stinger, and Wasp models for reconnaissance assignments, and more heavily-armored units such as the Thunderbolt and Wolverine when it comes to needing combat presence. The vehicle support is composed of inexpensive, ubiquitous Vedette Medium Tanks, as replacement parts are easier to find in the Periphery.
Three particular BattleMechs are unusual for pirates, and it is questionable where they acquired them:
Three particular BattleMechs are unusual for pirates, and it is questionable where they acquired them:
- An AWS-8Q Awesome serves as a long-range combatant capable of shrugging off most resistance when serious firepower is needed. Given this model of BattleMech is associated with the Free Worlds League, the current theory suggests it was salvaged or stolen from their territory. Reports indicate it is kept in decent shape, with all three particle-projection cannons in working order. Given its status as a 'high card' when facing similarly-composed forces, this isn't very surprising.
- A BL-7-KNT Black Knight was recovered somewhere in the Periphery and brought up to standard operational benchmarks. This heavy BattleMech is dependent on energy weapons, and is armored well enough to pose a problem for many who aren't expecting it. All attempts to trace where this rare BattleMech was acquired from have failed, which raises even more questions about its origins. It remains an efficient part of the Red Horizon forces, able to lead them into heavy combat.
- Finally a VTR-9B Victor is presumed to have been acquired from combat near the Federated Suns' border, and reports have been found of the Red Horizon's commander using this ’Mech with lethal efficiency in urban (or mountainous) battlegrounds. Armed with a heavy autocannon which can strip a full ton of armor off the target, and jump jets to maneuver through difficult terrain, a Victor is a dangerous thing in the hands of pirates.
"Show 'em the Red Horizon!"
Founding Date
3016
Type
Illicit, Pirate Crew
Formation Type
Training Level
Semi-professional
Veterancy Level
Experienced
Comments