Landsknecht Reconnaissance and Advance Teams / LRAT

The Birth of a Concept

During the wars of the mid and late twentieth century a small group of soldiers recognized the need for specialized unit types focused on the disruption of enemy supply lines. The concept was simple; The enemy cannot utilize weapons that they never receive. Proving this concept was not so simple. To achieve their objectives, these troops would require knowledge of how to operate numerous vehicles and weapons systems. They would also need to somehow deliver themselves and their equipment deep behind enemy lines and without detection.

Backlash

Not everyone in the chain of command was enamored with the idea of sending valuable assets into the wolves’ den when they could be well utilized in direct contact along the front lines. Determined to prove the effectiveness of their tactics, Fire Team Four as they were designated, attracted the ire of numerous officers and were faced with numerous charges ranging from minor insubordination to dereliction of duty.

Redemption

Their planning and dedication however had earned them a few friends at the top. Within the first two months of operations they had logged a record three hundred and seventeen armored vehicle kills, and had delayed or ceased operations at nearby enemy air fields earning decisive victories for the British and French forces facing the formidable German war machine. All of this culminated in a raid on the German factories. Boarding a Douglas C-47, members of Fire Team Four accompanied troops from the 1st Special Air Services Brigade. These men braved numerous enemy aircraft and anti-aircraft artillery positions to fly deep into German territory. Upon landing in accessible farm land they marched ten kilometers south to the city of Monchen Gladbach. Upon arrival the men spread out in teams to attack the city’s anti-air defenses and render them inoperative. The timing was carefully coordinated to match the arrival of an Allied bomber squadron. Their mission was a success and the enemy factories had been devastated, forcing the Germans to move their manufacturing operations even further into eastern Germany.

Privatization

Following the wars of the early twenty first century during which guerrilla warfare became the norm, the need for military contractors to have their own security forces led to the birth of private military companies. These companies often recruited members of the elite special operations forces of the world after their governmental service had ended. The knowledge and experience of these soldiers proved invaluable as these companies often operated within war torn countries for extended periods of time. Veterans of Fire Team Four finding difficulty adjusting to a civilian lifestyle took advantage of this new trend. Thus, Landsknecht Reconnaissance and Advance Teams was born.

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Timeline

• 2006 LRAT is founded.

• 2036 LRAT founders Christopher Williamson, Bobby Simms, and Franklin Gibson enter talks with members of the scientific community to ensure the safety and secrecy of emergent transportation technologies.

• 2117 Current CEO Daniel Habibbi secures contracts with global dignitaries for the duration of what were then referred to as the “Red to Green Summits”

• 2125 LRAT suffers a major loss after losing contact with teams operating on Mars. It is later discovered that a catastrophic failure of the atmosphere during the final stages of terraforming resulted in the loss of every individual present. Operations are temporarily ceased as company leaders take steps to ensure that the families affected receive proper assistance and compensation.

• 2168 Acting COO Dylan Merkle manages to negotiate terms for securing polling places during the elections on the Mars colony.

• 2247 With the expansion of human colonies and the proliferation of privately owned spacecraft, LRAT begins acquiring its own fleet in order to better meet the needs of their clients.

• 2612 Operations Manager Brian Graben becomes the first human to marry a Banu. Fearing social backlash over the unusual arrangement it is kept quiet although it opens the door for negotiating economic opportunities with the alien race.