Clearly the most celebrated mercenary unit in the Capellan armed forces, McCarron’s Armored Cavalry is something of a family affair, having been the pride and personal possession of the McCarron family since 2930. Since its formation by Lord Gamala McCarron on Chesterton in 2930, this unit, known as The Big Mac,” has served with every Successor State in the Inner Sphere, finally arriving in the Capellan Confederation in 2996.
Between 2930 and 2970, the McCarron regiments remained in the service of House Davion until Lord Gamala McCarron was killed in a Kurita attack on New Rhodes Ill. Ownership of the mercenary band was inherited by Lord McCarron’s older son, Castor, who brought the Cavalry into the service of House Steiner. It saw extensive action against the Free Worlds League between 2975 and 2991.
Never satisfied with what he considered meager compensation for his services, McCarron withdrew from the Free Worlds League (without prior notice, thus calling down a price on his head) for a tour of duty with House Kurita from 2991 —2995. The financial drain of maintaining so large a unit led McCarron to make inquiries of House Liao. Maximilian Liao willingly opted to bankroll the Cavalry. To sweeten the pot, he gave McCarron the extensive support base on Menke as the Cavalry’s permanent home away from home.
In 3002, Caster McCarron was killed by another Mech Warrior in a bar fight over a local dancing girl. Following Castor’s burial in Chesterton, his younger brother Archibald took over the regiments. In a secret arrangement with House Marik, McCarron learned the whereabouts of his brother’s murderer. He transferred the Cavalry to the control of the Free Worlds League, but not before the head of his brother’s killer was delivered to him by Marik secret service agents.
Since 2996, the Big Mac has moved along the Capellan borders with no predefined objective in mind, acting wherever and whenever the situation demands. The Big Mac’s regiments have successfully warded off Davion attacks on Highspire (3012) and St. yes (3014), as well as dealing House Marik repeated checks on Elnath and Lesalles in 3015 and 3016.
During 3022—3023, Maximilian Liao was able to satisfy McCarron’s restless spirit and thirst for wealth, and hand House Davion a sharp lesson in the bargain. Angered by a recent Davion raid on Sian, Maximilian used McCarron’s Cavalry in an offensive sweep deep into Davion space. By stripping other units of their transport and supplies, the Cavalry was given sufficient support to carry out a two-year ‘romp” through the Federated Suns. Beginning in August of 3022, McCarron led his eager troopers against Davion worlds such as Tawas, Farwell, Smolensk, McHenry, Muskegon, Marlette, and Brighton.
Only once were McCarron’s regiments seriously threatened, but then with a vengeance. In 3023, on the Davion world of Beiten Kaitos, Lady Hamilton’s Cavaliers and Tarleton’s Banshees were surprised by elements of Lord Hanse Davion’s personal guard. In a running two-day engagement, McCarron managed to hold off the special Davion attack force long enough to withdraw in good order. Though tactically a draw, the fact that McCarron had gone eye-to-eye with Davion’s best and survived to tell the tale has netted him unheard-of prestige. Stopping only long enough to raid the Davion strongholds on Mira and Mesartim, McCarron arrived triumphantly at Tikonov in September 3023, to the personal acclaim of Chancellor Maximilian.
Since then, the Big Mac has resumed its routine utility-service role, but following “McCarron’s Long March,” the Big Mac’s reputation alone has sufficed to scare off would-be opponents.
McCarron's Armored Cavalry has accepted permanent sponsorship from the Capellan Confederation and are now part of the Capellan division known as Citizen's Honored.
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