The Founding of Wilson's Fusiliers

Raymond Wilson is technically the 16th Duke of Weingarten. His family has held land on that planet for for over 500 years, that is until it was conquered by the Draconis Combine. Raymond was away from Weingarten, serving in the 11th Arcturan Guards, when the planet was assaulted. His father and two older brothers were killed in the fighting, leaving Raymond with the dubious distinction of being a Duke without and Duchy.

As compensation to the Wilson family, Katrina Steiner awarded Wilson a sizeable cash dispensation, knowing that it was unlikely the Lyran Commonwealth would retake Weingarten in this generation. Instead of retiring quietly to some pleasure planet, Wilson used the money, as well as a considerable portion of his family wealth, to start Wilson’s Fusiliers.

He immediately recruited the remnants of the Wilson household troops, forming his Command Lance, all of Alpha Company, and some of the Support Company. The Jumpship and one Dropship also escaped the destruction on Weingarten, and Wilson used most of the rest of his money to procure the other two Union Class Dropships.

Wilson immediately signed on with the Lyran Commonwealth for a 3 year contract, which is nearing it’s conclusion. In the past 3 years, the unit has seen little action and therefore has had no chance to distinguish itself. The generous terms of the contract with the LC has, however, filled the unit coffers and allowed Wilson to start recruiting an additional Mech Company.

About the only thing interesting that has happened to the Fusiliers lately is their run in with the pirates of Butte’s Hold on the planet of Winfield. A company of Redjack Ryan’s men landed on planet while the Fusiliers were guarding a BattleMech production facility owned by Orguss Industries. The Pirates had no intention of hitting the factory, instead they were after food supplies. The Fusiliers chased the Pirates off after they had grabbed some supplies. The president of the factory was overwhelmed at the success, convinced the Pirates were there to raid his production. Everyone else knew better, of course, as this particular factory only produced UrbanMechs.

Never-the-less, in his eternal gratitude, the Orguss Executive granted Wilson’s Fusiliers with a ready supply of the walking trash cans. Every Mechwarrior in the unit now knows that if they lose their Mech, they will likely end up commanding an Urbanmech! Oh well, it’s still better than the Infantry.