Clan Mongoose

Background

Founded by Jonas Martindale (Judge Advocate General of the SLDF) and Mitchell Loris (a fighter ace and master of air-to-ground combat) Clan Mongoose quickly gained a reputation as both a legal powerhouse and viscous opponent. Their Touman full of some of the best pilots the Second Exodus had to offer, Clan Mongoose quickly earned a reputation as lethal AeroSpace pilots

Relying on their preference for light and fast machinery, Khans Martindale and Loris competed early on with Clan Ice Hellion for the bulk of the light BattleMechs and Aerospace Fighters in the Clans arsenals. Adopting the MON-66 as the Clans "totem" BattleMech, the Mongoose quickly proved how lethal their fast tactics could be while engaged on the planet Circe. Joining the Nova Cats in several missions, saKhan Loris pilots provided much-needed air support throughout the campaign. Though their losses were steep, the Mongoose managed to avoid the level of destruction that had been afflicted upon their brethren, leaving them in a potentially powerful position.

Golden Century

The Golden Century after the death of ilKhan Kerensky was a trying time for the Mongoose. Originally poised to assume a position of strength, the politicking of the Dark Khan (Khan Walter Martindale) resulted in the destruction of over three-quarters of our Touman.

The Dark Khan was fond of turning the writings of Kerensky in our favor; a noble if not ill planned idea. When he attempted the same techniques to overturn the result of a fair Trial of Possession against the Smoke Jaguars, he brought the whole of that Clan against us, both politically and militarily. For a time, it appeared that we were to die on the butchers block.

Only the actions of Star Colonel Thomas Banacek, an able MechWarrior and commander of the 8^th Recon Cluster, would save us from extinction. Contacting the Khan of Clan Smoke Jaguar, he used his impressive words and bold promises to accuse Khan Martindale of treason. A desperate act, he managed to buy enough time to set his plans in motion. Only 18% of the Mongoose Touman would survive. Content to cut those forces that stood against them to shreds, Clan Smoke Jaguar quickly overlooked the fleeing forces. Khan Banacek and many remaining warriors fought bravely, but in the end were defeated. The bold sacrifice of the Imperialist and the Midnight Killer, our Clans two premiere warships, allowed the flotilla to escape.

For the next century there is very little information on the path that the beleaguered Clan Mongoose took. Many suspected them of falling into the Bandit Caste. With the success of the Jaguars, even more thought us a relic lost to history lessons for the crèches and sibkos.

What is for certain is that, through grace it seems, Clan Mongoose survived. Scouring desolate worlds of what resources they could muster, the Black Mongoose Fleet managed to avoid their brother Clans with great success. With what few Mechs they possessed in storage (or simply given to scrap), Clan Mongoose turned to AeroSpace fighters. Embracing their military doctrine as law, all Mongoose warriors were directed to train as pilots. The discovery of several Brian Caches greatly increased the number of fighters at their disposal. Mech training for freeborns and pilot testouts was instituted, however.

Also at this time, Clan Mongoose scientists started a limited breeding program in earnest. Only two sibkos of trueborn warriors were produced each year, just enough to keep the bloodnames alive. Warriors from these sibkos were eventually the only ones trained in the use of AeroSpace fighters. Freeborn warriors were few, though the warships relied greatly on them to fill out their ranks.

Rediscovery, and the Red Dawn

It came as a great surprise in 3060 when reports from the few members of the Mongoose Watch told the tale of the destruction of Clan Smoke Jaguar, the failure of the Invasion, and the destruction of many of the Children of Kerensky. In a bold move, Khan Julie Martindale chose to send an HPG message to the Grand Council. In it, she recounted the history of the Mongoose survivors. She also pleaded for amnesty and reinstation for her Clan.

In a move kept secret from many of the Clans, the Grand Council allowed Clan Mongoose to return to their former enclave on Strana Mechty. Placed under a type of probation, Mongoose warriors and civilians alike rejoiced at their return home. A proviso to their return was that they could not rebuild beyond ten clusters without the approval of the Grand Council.

Content to rebuild, Mongoose warriors quickly fought for and won Elemental and ProtoMech technology. Though poor in resources, through the enlistment of former Jaguar civilians and many lower-castemen Clan Mongoose was able to field three galaxies (ten full clusters) worth of troops by fall of 3066.

To the Future

The Children of Kerensky now stand at a crossroad. Having not participated in the Great Refusal, Clan Mongoose is in a precarious position. For now, however, they are content to watch their deadly nemesis, the Star Adders, for any signs of discontent from the former Burrocks in their ranks in the hope of exploiting it for their gain.

The recent return of the remnants of Clan Widowmaker has presented a unique possibility to the Mongoose khans. Given the current political climate, Clan Mongoose may stand as a true Clan once more.

Military Customs

Mongoose warriors have few rituals (unlike the Coyotes and Nova Cats), but the practices they do follow are unique to say the least.

The Ripping is an even similar to the Blooding practiced by Clan Blood Spirit and the Clawing practiced by Clan Ghost Bear. During the process, a group of Mongoose warriors travel into the wild plains of Strana Mechty with nothing but the clothes on their backs. For the next month, the warriors are forced to fend for themselves, relying on their wits and skills to survive. Considered mild when compared to other Clans practices, the Ripping nonetheless provides Mongoose warriors with a sense of honor and pride. The main purpose of the Ripping is to force the participants to think like their namesake, showing them the power of courage in the face of that danger.

The Ripping had not been practiced for an hundred year until the spring of 3063. Taking what warriors could be spared, Khan Riley led them on the first Ripping in two centuries. It stands as a testament to their resolve that not a single person died or fell ill during their time in the wilderness.

The Debate is another tradition that Clan Mongoose follows. Once a year, warriors may petition to join in a Clan-wide debate. Participants are also required to choose a topic that bears importance to the Clan. Topics usually run the gamut from anything from the Khanship to inter-caste relations. The Debate is simply to keep the minds and tongues of Mongoose warriors as deadly as their weapons, although showing a strong penance for the Debate usually points to a warrior who will quickly rise through the ranks. Of the past six Khans, only one never participated in the Debate.

In a recent move, the issue of the Crusade was brought to the Debate. After a week of near constant deliberations, the vote was cast. Clan Mongoose would side with the Crusaders, although all present agreed that the time has not yet come to conquer the Inner Sphere. When the true time may come, no one knows.

Uniforms and Rank Insignia

The Clan Mongoose field uniform consists of a black jumpsuit and an armored jacket. Rank insignia is worn on the left shoulder, and unit insignia on the right. The Clan symbol is worn on the left breast of both the jumpsuit and jacket. Neurohelmets and field helmets are black with white camouflage patterns. Black leather gloves and boots complete the uniform, with MechWarrior suits lined with coolant tubes and AeroSpace pilots suits reinforced for zero-g environments. All warriors are issued a long dagger with a mongoose head pommel, which they wear on their right hip at all times.

The dress uniform replaces the armored vest with a long formal coat that stretches down to just above the knees. Silver buttons and a white lining decorate the black coat. Once again, rank and unit insignia occupy the shoulders. The Clan insignia, however, takes the form of dual pins on the collar of the coat. Bloodnamed warriors wear a silver and gold sash with their bloodhouses insignia (usually a stylized version of the bloodname) on the upper half.

The ceremonial uniform adds a long grayish-white fur cape and a stylized Mongoose mask to the dress uniform. The standard Mongoose dagger is replaced with a customized blade designed by the individual warrior.

Warrior rank insignia consist of a mongoose climbing down a dagger star of appropriate color (red for MechWarriors, green for infantry, blue for pilots, black for jumpships and dropships). Point Commanders add a red chevron underneath the basic insignia. Star Commanders add a second chevron, and Star Captains a third. Star Colonels and Star Commodores add a silver star underneath the basic insignia. Galaxy Commanders and Star Admirals add a gold star under the basic insignia. The saKhan adds two silver stars under the basic insignia, and the kaKhan adds three gold stars under the base insignia.

Clan Mongoose recognizes no awards, as a true warriors reward is in his skills.

Tactics

With their reliance on light and fast Aero fighters and Mechs, the Mongoose have come to rely on quick and brutal strikes to win their victories. This has proves something of a problem for them in the past, as most Clans rely on heavier machines to win the day.

Quick headhunter tactics are most often used. Never a Clan for a stand-up fight, Mongoose warriors prefer to dance around their opponent, waiting for a chance to make the killing blow.

Though several Elemental sibkos are being created, and estimates point to the first graduates by 3081, none are currently in service. This is not a problem for the Clan, as ProtoMechs have quickly risen to take their place. Conventional infantry can be found in the Keeper clusters, but not in great number.

Recon Clusters: The pride of our Touman, the 8^th Recon Cluster is a mixed force of fast and deadly machines. A Command Star, 2 Mech Binaries, 2 Aero Trinaries, & 1 ProtoMech Trinary make up our showcase unit.

Cavalier Clusters: Consist of a Command Star, 3 Mech Trinaries, 1 Armor Trinary, & 1 Aero Trinary. They are equipped with medium and heavy technology.

Hussar Clusters: Consist of a Command Star, 2 Mech Trinaries, 1 Aero Trinary, & 1 ProtoMech Binary. They rely on the standard doctrine of light and fast.

Guard Clusters: The single Guard Cluster is made up of a Command Star, 2 Mech Trinaries, 1 ProtoMech Binary, & 1 Aero Trinary. They act as a troubleshooting force, skilled at many tasks but excelling in none.

Aerotech Clusters: Created to house the bulk of our AeroSpace fighters, the directly named AeroTech clusters consist solely of Aero trinaries. Though each of the three clusters vary in size, all are adept at fast strikes and air-to-ground fighting.

Keeper Clusters: These simple forces consist of a mix of armor and infantry. Each is assigned a binary of AeroSpace fighters for support. Manned mostly by freeborn conscripts, they exist simply to flesh out our weak Touman.

The standard parade colors are black with white and silver trim. Beta Galaxy further accentuates this with a grey camouflage pattern overlaying the black.

The Rabid Fury Keshik uses the standard Mongoose insignia as their own. Taken to painting their machines in a black, grey, and silver camouflage, the warriors of this elite unit never change the paint scheme, even when tactical doctrine would have them do so.

Beta Galaxys insignia shows Strana Mechty encircled about by a mongoose. The warriors of Beta are quick to adapt their paint schemes to match the terrain they must fight in.

Gamma Galaxys insignia is a mongoose running towards a mech. Given the forested area surrounding the Mongoose enclave, they utilize a brown and green forest pattern.

Delta Galaxys insignia is a mongoose in knightly armor holding a sword. As with Beta, they use a variety of patterns to accentuate their machines.

Each cluster is allowed to pick an individual symbol to represent themselves. These symbols run the gamut from the Greek letter Omega for the 8^th Recon Cluster to a Gothic styled Seven for the 7^th Keeper Cluster.

The Rabid Fury Keshik is the personal honor guard of the Khan. Equipped with a binary of OmniMechs and a star of OmniFighters, it is capable of taking command of any active force in the Touman.

Beta Galaxy is honored with being the premiere Mongoose galaxy. Once second to the heavier Alpha Galaxy, the modern Beta has become the showcase unit of the Clan Mongoose. The prestigious 8^th Recon Cluster (the only unit to not be crushed by the Jaguar absorption) is home to the most skilled warriors in the Clan.

Gamma Galaxy acts as an intermediate between second-line and frontline forces. Not as reliant on fighters as Beta, Gamma still possesses more of those nimble machines than most other units.

Delta Galaxy, weak compared to its brethren, is necessary for the defense of Mongoose holdings. Reliant on freebirths, they are much weaker at their task of defense than most warriors would admit.

Bloodnames

Greenhalgh

Hedemeyer

Riley

Banacek

Kaczuk

Martindale

Grey

TOUMAN (Circa 3067)

Note: All forces listed are currently located on Strana Mechty with the exception of the 1^st AeroTech Cluster, which is currently on rotation to the Black Mongoose Fleet.

Rabid Fury Keshik

1 Trinary / Elite / Fanatical

CO: Khan Wilhelm Riley

Aide: Star Commander Joanna Greenhalgh

BETA GALAXY (The Law Givers)

5 Trinaries / Elite / Fanatical

CO: saKhan Daniel Riley

1^st AeroTech Cluster (Wings of Doom)

4 Trinaries / Elite / Reliable

CO: Star Colonel Jon Riley

4 Trinaries / Veteran / Fanatical

CO: Star Colonel Thor Banacek

3 Trinaries / Regular / Reliable

CO: Star Colonel Lilly Grey

GAMMA GALAXY (Dance of Death)

5 Trinaries / Elite / Fanatical

CO: Galaxy Commander Morgan Grey

3 Trinaries / Regular / Reliable

CO: Star Colonel Lolita Martindale

6^th AeroTech Cluster

4 Binaries / Regular / Reliable

CO: Star Colonel Devlin Kaczuk

DELTA GALAXY (Snake Hunters)

4 Trinaries / Regular / Fanatical

CO: Galaxy Commander Evelyn Kaczuk

3 Trinaries / Green / Reliable

CO: Star Colonel Gotfried

3 Trinaries / Green / Questionable

CO: Star Colonel Winifred Loris

WARSHIPS (Black Mongoose Fleet)

Congress - Shadow Stalker (Flagship)

Essex - Judiciary

Vincent Mk.42 - Jonas Honor