Stuttgart Landsknechte

[farmerman]

History

The Stuttgart Landsknechte were founded in the golden age of farming on Planet Stuttgart. The WVS wielded great influence at the time and often times needed to contract additional security planetside. This became particularly necessary after the start of the Eighty Years War when a number of the local law officers received jobs related to security closer to the front. This was a prosperous time for the Landsknechte. Unfortunately, the end of the war, the Popular Revolution, and all the chaos of the time took a major toll.

When Synth Foods moved in, many of the contracts became untenable and the Landsknecte took a major hit. Synth Foods did contract a good portion of the members for security - especially with many of the disgruntled ex-farmers taking out their frustration - but many did not want to work for the new corporation. Despite this, the group began to grow again as more and more ex-farmers turned to crime. By the time of the formation of the LWB in 775, membership was again strong. This helped Synth Foods greatly, as a good portion of the population sided with the WVS in inaction. Security was always needed and the mercenaries filled the role nicely.

As the LWB has continued to lose ground in their struggle, the number of mercenaries needed to be employed has dropped. By 817, the Stuttgart Landsknecthe had begun to stagnate.

Revitalization

Albrecht Koehler was born on Planet Stuttgart in 775, by chance the same year the LWB was formed. The two would have very similar paths for a time before a major split. In the late 90s, Koehler served in the RM until shortly after the end of the nomad incursion in 801. His service was undistinguished, but he truly found some patriotism in the process. Unfortunately, in the same year as humanity's success, his family lost their farm. This caused a great deal of frustration and distraction in Koehler, as it had been a family tradition, and he was shortly thereafter involved in an accidental friendly fire incident while on a patrol in the Dresden system. This led directly to his discharge from the military.

Utilizing his piloting skills, Koehler moved to join the Bounty Hunters Guild after being released. This was pretty uneventful until he ran into some old associates of his on Planet Stuttgart who now worked for Synth Foods. Hearing of the current situation in the area and the need for additional security, Koehler leapt into action, organizing a small force with ties to the local corporations. There was plenty of money to be had in an endeavor that, for once, seemed to be on the right side of the law.

This small group made significant progress collecting in space but lacked any sort of tradition or deals with larger corporations. This was solved when Koehler received a visit from two men - Leopold Frundsberg and Thomas Slentz - who represented the interests of the Stuttgart Landsknechte. In hopes of revitalizing their struggling mercenary services, they quickly absorbed Koehler's associates in an attempt to expand into space.

Today

Today, the Stuttgart Landsknechte are again growing and experiencing success. While most members are employed planetside, either on Planet Stuttgart or more recently Planet Hamburg, their spaceborn squadrons have begun to enjoy success.

Contracts

Synth Foods, Inc has offered four acres of land on Planet Stuttgart for each LWB or Farmers Alliance ship shot down.

Discussions with the GMG are currently beginning.

Works has begun on long term work alongside the Rheinland authorities.

There is hopes of also establishing some ties with the Zoners due to their multiple instance of Synth Foods Biodome purchases.

Equipment Usage

Civilian and Borderworlds ships are the mainstay. In particular, the Heavy Fighter class. Bull Dogs are also being used as part of a deal with the Junkers.

Weapon wise, generic weapons are the mainstay. A deal has been reached with the Junkers for limited Barrager usage, as well as limited Hornviper usage from Rheinland.

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Faction info links: Samura Heavy Industries : LWB : Watchers