Menagerie

Non Canon

The Menagerie is an elite Mercenary unit, which has been known to operate in the Spinward Marches and beyond. These Hessians are valued most for their loyalty, which once purchased is unshakable, to the point of destruction. They simply will not violate their oath. This particular unit has varied in size and composition almost continually since its creation. They were originally formed by a group of drinking buddies who met in a starport bar after mustering out of various services. They realized collectively they possessed an interesting assortment of vessels. There were several military veterans in the group, a local baron, a big game hunter, a scientist on a research sabbatical, a scout and a merchant captain. They decided to pool their resources and incorporate. They began to conduct 'operations' for a wild variety of patrons. Eventually they decided to go into business for themselves and to find their own contracts. They still conduct trading ventures, speculative imports and exports, host safaris, charter cruises and do free lance survey work. Over the years the more aggressive marine and army veterans among the group wanted to form a mercenary unit. Members have come and gone, died, quit, retired with vast fortunes, or been exiled credit-less. They continue to take mercenary contracts and Starmerc jobs. The Baron's fief serves as a base. It is on a near worthless moon. It is equipped with a spaceport for his 200ton Yacht and lends legality to the group. They appear in the paperwork as a colonial military auxiliary force on temporary loan to a concerned group of citizens. If this Baron's local 'miltia' is subsidized to conduct active training exercises for profit at the bequest of other governments, so be it.

A sample of current membership includes:

Twanya Hall-Clark 865486 Lieutenant Colonel, Imperial Army Retired, age 38, 2m and 70kg, a tall willowy woman with dark skin, pointed Darrian ears, and deep brown eyes. She is of unknown origin and is a skilled administrator and interrogator. She carries a silenced 9mm SMG on a sling, wears chameleon CES and high heels on the job, otherwise she is always strikingly well dressed and color coordinated. She sprints across the battlefield in a well armored, but unarmed 6ton speeder. Her driver carries a 4mm gauss pistol in a shoulder holster and is a Droyne sport, she just calls him 'sport'. Her personal bodyguard consists of a group of six furiously loyal, fanatical Vargr armed with the following; a 4cm RAM GL, a LMG, a 13mm bolt-action sniper rifle w/flash suppression, an auto-shotgun, a 2cm LAG and a TL–D x-ray laser carbine, respectively. They follow her around in a battered old grav bus. They deploy a 'mortar bot'. This 14m3, 1ton, six legged cube is an advanced robot brain wedded to a 8cm mortar turret with indirect fire control, an auto-loader and 20 fire phases of ammo. The vargr can't be bothered with artillery, and Twanya is an indifferent forward observer at best, so the mortar bot, is an on-call, all-in-one, self directed artillerist they can dump off the back of the bus as needed. She has a personal administrative staff of four Bwap who follow at a safe distance, at a reasonable speed in an 8ton G-Carrier fitted with communications gear, extensive ECM, jammers, a battle computer, and a field kitchen/food truck.

Dr. Reggie Mathis D897D8 E9 Master Sergeant, PHD Scientist, age 42, 1.62m and 98kg, dark and squat from a high gravity planet, he enlisted early and then decided to use the military mustering out benefits to pursue higher education. He ended up working as a scientist with advanced degrees and a 400ton Lavalier class Laboratory Ship. He started out synthesizing combat drugs and using his ship as an orbital chemical lab. Eventually he took his well-used 8mm Wolf carbine with sling and electronic scope and tried his hand as a mercenary. He is escorted by a pair of huge 1ton war bots. They have thermal sensors, 5 power LADAR, tac missiles, a TL–D x-ray laser rifle for target designation and a pair of FGMP-E in a chin mounted turret. They each in turn, can release a swarm of 1,000 ripper bots. These tiny 1kg monsters can self destruct with the force of a 4cm RAM HEAP grenade and have a host of whirling radial saw blades to cut enemies apart. He has a well armored, tracked robot crawler, which works as a combat engineering drone. It is fitted with a two line charges, a dozer blade and can emplace multiple mine fields of either flechette AP mines or bigger AT HEAP mines. It has a hull mounted 22cm howitzer with an auto-loader and carries a maintenance workshop with full tool sets in the back for a team of field technicians that maintain the unit's gear.

Marvin the Martian 655673 Hunter, 1m 25kg, pitch black, squeaky voiced, with a saucer style 200ton Safari Ship. His white grav sneaker boots, combine with his green grav girdle, to allow grav assisted leaps, limited flight and grav enhanced strength complimenting the exo-skeleton in his green battle dress. He is armed with a classic laser pistol and a gladius model imperial combat blade. He has a quartet of bio-weapon stalkers, 2m 50kg, with sad red IR eyes, pale skin, elongated heads and long limbs. They have telekinesis, can teleport, are telepathic and clairvoyant. They are fitted with 10kg shaped charge explosive vests. The good doctor helps him clone and grow replacements. He commands a pack of eight well trained Aggressors. These 75kg killers have spiked fur equal to mesh armor to compliment their +3 teeth and claws.

MERCENARY UNITS

The special weapons platoon includes a pair of nuclear damper grav vehicles and a pair of meson gun sleds 'on loan' from the imperial marines.

A light infantry company is equipped with a transport platoon of four 10ton tracked ATVs which been modified to serve as troop carriers. Each can deliver a platoon of 54 infantry and tows a 10cm artillery piece. The infantry is typically equipped with CES, and ACRs.

A self propelled weapons battery of twelve tracked 10ton AFVs with three crew each and turret mounted 14cm hyper velocity auto-cannon equipped with both direct and indirect fire control. They have their own FDC and eight dedicated ammo haulers.

A scout/recon platoon of seven PITBULLS fast 4x4 wheeled vehicles with tac missiles, carries 14 ex-marines with combat armor and a variety of man portable heavy weapons.

A GEV platoon of 44 men in four 8ton hovercraft fitted with VRF gauss guns and tac missiles and carrying a total of 12 crew and 32 dismounts.

The air wing consists of 6 helicopters with LMGs and rocket pods, 6 pilots and 42 air assault specialists. They have a pair of converted executive jets equipped to drop laser guided bombs and with launch rails for air to air and air to ground stand off missiles. There are four VTOL jet transports which deliver 32 troops each.

THE CREW OF THE 200 ton GREY KNIGHT

1. Pilot Sport 353665 Age 24 3 terms

Pilot-1, Navigation-1, Flying-1, Liaison-1, Laser Weapons-2, Air/Raft-1

2. Medic Drone 362563 Age 20 2 terms

Communications-1, Medical-2, Admin-1

3. Engineer Technician 443624 Age 20 2 terms

Engineering-1, Computer-1, Gravitcs-1, Electronics-1

4. Gunner Warrior 655432 Age 20 2 terms

Gunnery-2, Unarmed Combat-2, Zero-G Combat-2, Tactics-1

5. Gunner Warrior 565342 Age 20 2 terms

Gunnery-4, Flying-1, Laser Weapons-2

THE CREW OF THE 400 ton MERCENARY GUNSHIP BEAUREGARD

1. Navigator A'Kri Jank 765885 Age 30 3 terms Pirate Corporal Navigator-2, Cudgel-1, Brawling-2, Vacc Suit-1 Titanium Mace

2. Chief Engineer “Sparks” Farquar 879687 Age 34 4 terms Pirate Sergeant

Engineering-3, Zero-G Cmbt-1, Comp-1, Shotgun-1, Brawling-1 Shotgun

3. Asst. Engineer “Stumpy” Grollis A35985 Age 30 3 terms Pirate Corporal

Engineering-2, Brawling-1, Gunnery-1, Battle Axe-1 Prosthetic Rt. leg (2)

4. Drive Lackey Antonio Babbet 8A8764 Age 22 1 term Pirate

Engineering-1, Brawling-1, Vac Suit-1 9mm AutoPistol

5. Chief Gunner Jack Curry 987764 Age 34 4 terms Pirate Sergeant

Gunnery-3, Gambling-2, Brawling-1

6. (f) Gunner's Mate Sinamen 682585 Age 34 4 terms Pirate Corporal

Gunnery-1, Handgun-3, Brawling-1, Vacc Suit-1, Medic-1 9mm AutoPistol

7. Gunner Jose' Gaspar 73B498 Age 26 2 terms Pirate Henchman

Gunnery-2, Brawling-1, Bribery-1

8. Gunner Nigel Strawn 567846 Age 22 1 term Pirate

Gunnery-2, Brawling-1, Mechanical-1

9. Ship's Surgeon Adrian "Doc" Holloway AA5A96 Age 38 5 terms Scientist

Medical-3, Vacc Suit-1, Sword-1, Computer-1 Sword

THE CREW OF THE 400 ton RESEARCH VESSEL CHRONOS

1. Pilot Twan Nyu 787995 Age 26 2 terms Belter

Pilot-1, Brawling-1, Vacc Suit-1 High Psg

2. Navigator Kyle Brown 56A676 Age 42 6 terms Scientist

Navigator-3, Computer-2 .457 Wilks Magnum Revolver, High Psg

3. Chief Engineer Jon Steward 879688 Age 26 2 terms Navy Ensign

Engineering-2, Shotgun-1, Fwd Obs-1 Cr60,000

4. Asst. Engineer Mike Wallace 68A568 Age 22 1 term Navy

Engineering-1, Ship's Boat-1 Cr10,000

5. Chief Gunner Antwan Fig 759698 Age 42 6 terms Scout

Gunnery-2, Medic-2, Air/Raft-2, Electronic-2, Pilot-1, Shotgun-2

6. Gunner's Mate Cal Ripkin 647879 Age 30 3 terms Merchant 2nd Officer

Gunnery-1, Streetwise-3, Medic-1 Cr62,000

7. Gunner Jackie Gleason 456697 Age 34 4 terms Other

Gunnery-1, Brawling-1, ATV-1 Cr12,000

8. Gunner (f) Courtney Love 5BA7D8 Age 26 2 terms Navy

Gunnery-1, Admin-1 Cr10,000

9. Boat Pilot Carlos Santana 586954 Age 22 1 term Belter

Vacc Suit-1, Ship's Boat-1 Cr10,000

THE CREW OF THE 200 ton SAFARI SHIP WOLVERINE

1. Pilot Hannibal Hayes 889787 Age 26 2 terms Scout

Pilot-1, Mechanical-1, SMG-1 9 mm SMG

2. Engineer Stephen Toth 787786 Age 26 2 terms Merchant 4th Officer Engineering-2, Shotgun-1, Streetwise-1 Cr10,000

3. Medic(f) Serena Medusa 698AA8 Age 22 1 term Doctor

Medical-3 Instruments

4. Chief Gunner Brutus "Mad" Gavin CAA587 Age 22 1 term Marine

Gunnery-1, Battledress-1, Handgun-1, Lg. Blade Cmbt-1 Cutlass

5. Gunner's Mate(f) Clarissa DeVille 578865 Age 22 1 term Ex-Navy

Gunnery-2, Gambling-1, Bribery-1 High Psg

THE CREW OF THE 200 ton YACHT/CARRIER THUNDERBOLT

1. Pilot (f) Laverne Difazio 979786 Age 30 3 terms Merchant, 3rd Officer

Pilot-2, Vac Suit-1, Carbine-1, Bribery-1 Low Psg

2. Medic Carmine Feola ABA787 Age 26 2 terms Other

Medic-1, Brawling-1,Streetwise-1 Cr.5000

3. Steward (f) Shirley Pheeny 587A88 Age 30 3 terms Merchant, 3rd Officer

Steward-2, Navigation-1, Computer-1, Admin-1 Cr.5000

4. Engineer Arthur Fonzerelli ACCA88 Age 34 4 terms Ex-Scout

Eng-1, Wheeled Vehicle-1, Mech-1, Pilot-1, Jack-o-T-2 Cr.20000

5. Chief Gunner Leonard Lankowski 765766 Age 26 2 terms Ex-Navy

Gunnery-1, Ship's Boat-1, Vac Suit-1 Cr.1000

6. Gunner's Mate Squigmond Squigowski 576685 Age 26 2 terms Ex-Navy

Gunnery-1, Electronics-1, Dagger-1 Low Psg

THE CREW OF THE 200 ton TRADER/MERCHANT EXPLORER NIGHTWING

1. Command Pilot Squire Norton Fitzwarren 66B8AA Age 26 2 terms Scout

Pilot-2, Computer-1 Hand Computer

2. Navigator Tollen Cobbech 7CB899 Age 38 5 terms Merchant, 3rd Officer

Navigator-1, Medical-1, Mech-1, Jack-o-T-1, Elect-1, Body Pistol-1, Viper .22 Pistol

3. Chief Engineer Nikolai Mavatnikov 88A788 Age 30 3 terms Scout

Engineering-3, Pilot-1, Jack-o-T-1 Cr20,000

4. 2nd Engineer Addison Weasley 483589 Age 30 3 terms Merchant, 4th Officer

Engineering-2, Steward-1, Electronics-1, Gunnery-1

5. Medic (f) Mirrila Vigrasse 78C784 Age 26 2 terms Other

Medic-2, Small Watercraft-1

THE CREW OF THE 100 ton GUNNED SCOUT NORHAWK

1. Chief Engineer Cody Jones 9A8988 Age 38 5 terms Scout

Engineering-4, Handgun-2, Vacc Suit-1, Pilot-1, Mechanical-1 Cr60,000

2. Gunner Randolf Scott A99A87 Age 34 4 terms Scout

Electronics-1, Gunnery-4, Pilot-1, Vacc Suit-1, Handgun-1 2 High Psg

MERCENARY COMMAND POST

1. Captain Maxwell "Max" Havoc 7BA886 Age 34 4 Terms Army

Combat Rifleman-2, Leader-1, Instruction-1, Tactics-1, Recruiting-1, Air/Raft-1, ATV-1 CES, 9mm ACR w/ 4 Clips, MapBox, 5000 Pwr Radio-Crazy, Dangerous

2. Lieutenant Gradus Pike 6A89A8 Age 28 2 Terms Former Army Intelligence Leader-2, Combat Rifleman-3 Cloth Trench Coat (5), IR/LI Goggles, 4mm Gauss Rifle w/ 5 Clips-No Cmbt Exp, Superior Marksman, Good Command Potential

3. Sergeant James Broderick A75576 Age 42 6 Terms Marine

Revolver-2, Cutlass-2, Tactics-2, Vacc Suit-1, Medic-1, ATV-1, Ship's Boat-1, Mech-1 Vacc Suit (5) 8 Hrs Life Support, .357 Magnum Revolver, Shoulder Holster, Ammo Belt, 6 Speed Loaders w/ Hollow point, 1.5kg Kendachi Monoblade-Limited Ambition, Ship's Security, Extensive Cmbt Exp

4. Corporal Paul Pallindus 998775 Age 26 2 terms Marine Heavy Weapons Specialist

High Energy Weapons-2, Combat Rifleman-1, Battledress-1 Vacc Suit (5) 8 Hours Life Support, PGMP-C (40) Shot Battery-Shoot first and forget the questions

5. PFC Nat Curry 677546 Age 22 1 term Army

Combat Rifleman-1, Medic-1, Grenadier-1 CES, Medical Kit 10 kg backpack, 7mm ACR w/ 4cm RAM GL, 3 Clips, 2 HEAP Grenades

TZOAN SAMURAI

Security/Body Guard Detachment

1. Group Leader Tsun Tsu ACA98A Age 42 6 Terms Marine Force Commander (O4)

Tactics-1, Leader-1, Brawling-1, Vacc Suit-1, Mech-1, Elect-1, Cutlass-1, High Energy Wpns-1, ATV-1, Medical-1, Admin-1, Revolver-1

2. Assistant Group Leader T'Laan Lu BAA899 Age 38 5 Terms Marine Captain (O2)

Leader-2, Laser Weapons-2, Cutlass-2, Vacc Suit-1, Revolver-1, Air/Raft-1, Computer-1

3. Fire Team Leader Nakamura CA9788 Age 34 4 Terms Marine Captain (O2)

Leader-1, Tactics-1, Vacc Suit-1, High Energy Weapons-1, Auto Wpns-2, ATV-1, Revolver-1, Cutlass-1

4. Trooper Jakar Kosh BA88A8 Age 30 3 Terms Marine Lieutenant (O1)

Vacc Suit-1, High Energy Wpns-2, Cutlass-2, Revolver-2

5. Trooper Tulip Blackthorne AB9798 Age 30 3 Terms Marine Lieutenant (O1)

Vacc Suit-1, High Energy Wpns-1, Cutlass-2, Revolver-2, Tac Missile-1

6. Trooper Korax AAA788 Age 30 3 Terms Marine Lieutenant (O1)

Vacc Suit-1, High Energy Wpns-1, Cutlass-1, Revolver-1, ATV-1, Mech-1, Grenadier-1

7. Trooper Zedek Kazzi 9C8898 Age 26 2 Terms Marine Lieutenant (O1)

Vacc Suit-1, High Energy Wpns-1, Cutlass-2, Revolver-1, Air/Raft-1

8. Trooper Kaneda CA9898 Age 26 2 Terms Marine Lieutenant (O1)

Vacc Suit-1, High Energy Wpns-1, Cutlass-3, Revolver-1

9. Trooper Tetsubo A8B788 Age 26 2 Terms Marine Lance Sergeant (E4)

Vacc Suit-1, High Energy Wpns-1, Cutlass-1, Revolver-1

10. Trooper He Hochien(the Black Pearl) C8A888 Age 22 1 Term Marine Captain (O2)

Vacc Suit-1, High Energy Wpns-3, Cutlass-1, Revolver-1

11. Trooper Taki 99A778 Age 22 1 Term Marine Lieutenant (O1)

Vacc Suit-1, High Energy Wpns-2, Cutlass-1, Revolver-1

12. Trooper Warcry A89988 Age 22 1 Term Marine Captain (O2)

Vacc Suit-1, High Energy Wpns-3, Cutlass-1, Revolver-1

Equipment: 9 kg Mega Melta PGMP-C w/ 40 shot battery 25(20)45(8)75(1), 1.5 kg Kendachi Monoblade (as cultass+1), shoulder holster M-11 Hammer 9 mm Magnum Revolver w/ammo belt and 6 speed loaders w/ 36 hollow point rounds (+1 damage), TL D BattleDress (10) double str and unlimited endurance, IR chameleon surface, psi shielding, 40 power radio, 8 hrs of life support.

PITBULL

4x4 Wheeled Missile Carrier (TECH LEVEL 9)

The vehicle has a crew of 2 (driver, gunner/commander). It mounts four magazine fed tube launchers on back of the chassis deck.

Vehicle Dimensions: height: 1.5 m. Width: 2 m. length: 4 m.

Total usable volume: 10.4 m3

Total mass loaded: 13.326285 metric tons.

Production Cost: Cr. 675,781.39

Movement: Road, 255kph/212.5 cm; Cross Country, 76.5kph/63.75 cm.

Movement effect on fire: move more than half, -2 EFP

Armor: Chassis front 16, Chassis sides, rear, belly 8, and open topped.

Target Size DMs: +1 low

Equipment: 400 power radio, map box, thermal image, headlights, light intensifiers in drivers vision block, 20 power target acquisition LADAR, which can be used to designate missile targets.

Power: 2 megawatt fusion power plant consumes 3 liters of fuel/ hour; fuel capacity 25.5 liters, enough for 8.5 hours. Power to Weight 150, Ground Pressure 6.7 tons/m2.

Weapons:

The four magazine fed tube launchers can rotate on their chassis deck mount and elevate to engage airborne targets. The available missiles use a 25cm warhead and the missiles mass 65kg each. There is capacity for 20 missile reloads in the magazine.

Type: Warhead: Range: Cost:

Anti-Vehicle Target Designated HEAP 57 14km 924

IR Follow-up +8 Pen 14km 524

Anti-Structure Target Designated HE 34/6/5 14km 900

Anti-Air Homing HE 34/6/5 4km +10 DM 400

This list of sources was used by the Traveller Wiki Editorial Team and individual contributors to compose this article. Copyrighted material is used under license from Mongoose Publishing or by permission of the author. The page history lists all of the contributions.

• Ronald B. Kline, Jr.