Hat-in-the-Ring Battalion

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Hat-in-the-Ring Battalion
Unit Profile (as of 3025)
CO	Lt. Col. Forsythe

[edit] Overview

The Hat-in-the-Ring Battalion, colloquially called "HRB", is a peculiar mercenary unit notable for their highly trained Techs; the unit is known to frequently make minor modifications to some of their 'Mechs such as replacing the SRM-2 on their Assassins with a Medium Laser and some extra armor.

[edit] History

While the actual inception date of the HRB is unknown, they are reported to have been running an intense Tech recruiting and training program since the 2980's and field a number of 'Mechs with minor field modifications. It is also noted that the unit has a long history of serving House Davion.

In 3025 the HRB participated in the defense of Holt against a raid by two battalions from the Capellan Confederation. Charmichal's recon lance of the HRB, consisting of 2 Spiders and 2 Assassins, captured two enemy Chargers which they considered useless. This prompted Chief Tech Stuart Bell (a certified Master Tech with a Technician Rating of 8) to devise a field modification that would become known as the Charger-SB Challenger variant in an attempt to turn the design into a proper fighting machine.

One Challenger modified in this way and a regular Charger successfully fought off an attack by a light lance shortly afterward, destroying a Phoenix Hawk and a Stinger in the process.

Since the article is written from a 3028 viewpoint the HRB apparently still existed by that year.

[edit] Other Information

• The unit features in the description of the Challenger in the BattleTechnology magazine, but is not itself described in great detail.