The Mad Gundarks
The Mad Gundarks are one of the largest space-borne
mercenary units operating within the Empire and the Corporate Sector. The
Gundarks have purchased extremely expensive permits usually only given
to planetary governments allowing them to operate large capital combat
vessels. It is unknown how the Gundarks, who aren't particularly loyal
to the New Order (neither are they disloyal, they are simply apathetic),
were able to obtain these permits. Even with generous application of bribes
this should not be possible without signing agreements stating that the
Gundarks agree not to act against the best interests of the Empire, and
that they allow an Imperial representative to serve as an observer aboard
each vessel. Somehow the Gundarks were able to get around this obligation,
although it should be noted that they have never acted directly against
the Empire. Some believe that the Gundarks' permits are forged, but they
have stood up to the strongest scrutiny. On one occasion an Imperial admiral
by the name of Cherbut chose to assume that the documentation given to
him by the Gundarks was false without even attempting to verify it. The
Gundarks were arrested and their ships confiscated. Four days later the
Gundarks were released, their vessels returned to them (fully restocked
free of charge), and Admiral Cherbut found himself demoted to captain of
a small 12 man system patrol craft. Nobody is quite sure where the orders
to accomplish this came from, but they could only have come from the office
of someone of Grand Moff status or higher. This story has circulated through
the Imperial armed forces (being exaggerated slightly as it goes) so that
now everyone knows not to cause any trouble for the Mad Gundarks.
The Gundarks are equipped with 1 Nebulon-B
frigate which serves as their command ship, 2 old Rendili Bulk Cruisers
that have been converted into fighter carriers, 1 Marauder Corvette, 3
Corellian Gunships, and 5 Corellian Corvettes. The Gundarks are also known
to be equipped with a number of shuttles, light freighters, boarding craft,
and scout ships. These ships are used for many purposes, from close support,
to scout duty, to move boarding troops, to serve as drop ships, to serve
as sentries or scouts, and to serve as cargo and personnel shuttles. Their
9 squadrons of fighters are made up of a mix of Z-95 Headhunters, Gauntlets,
Cloakshapes, Y-wings, IRDs (purchased second hand from the Corporate Sector
Authority at the same time that they purchased the Marauder), and one squadron
of Incom Arrows. Amongst those who are aware of
them there has been a lot of speculation regarding the origin of these
Arrows. Many believe that this is
the squadron that originally went missing when the project was scrapped,
but some think that these particular Arrows were built later by somebody
who had reverse engineered the originals. Regardless, there has been no
inquiry, and given the uncertainty of the Gundarks' standing people aren't
likely to ask too many questions. The command ship of the Gundarks, the
frigate Ship of Fools, has been equipped with additional combat
shields, increased armour plating, and top of the line communications and
sensor arrays at the expense of some of the vessels heavy weapons. The
commander of the Gundarks, one Colonel Kesher, has stated on many occasions
that command ships have an obligation to avoid getting directly involved
in combat, and these modifications to the Ship of Fools reflect this philosophy.
The Bulk Cruisers and their 6 squadrons of fighters form the main offensive
arm of the Gundarks, with the rest of the group's fighters usually being
held back to screen the larger vessels. The Bulk Cruisers have each been
equipped with forward-facing heavy ion batteries to add to their ability
to threaten capital ships, but their primary use remains in the role of
carriers for their attack starfighters. The Corellian Gunships form the
secondary offensive arm of the Gundarks, and are typically used to
harass enemy capital ships, or to pursue a fleeing enemy. 2 of the
Corellian Corvettes have been configured to serve as troop carriers, while
the others are configured for combat. The 3 Corvettes that are meant for
combat typically serve in a defensive capacity, along with the Marauder
Corvette, but in extreme cases Kesher has thrown them into an attack, keeping
only starfighters, light freighters, and the troop carriers to protect
the flanks of the attacking ships.
The Gundarks operate throughout the known
galaxy, but almost 40% of their missions to date have been within the Corporate
Sector. The Corporate Sector Authority has found the Gundarks very useful
when it comes to hunting pirates, performing patrols, and fighting the
Trianni. The CSA has a policy of not keeping a very large space fleet,
so it takes many opportunities to supplement it's navy with mercenary units
like the Gundarks, although the Mad Gundarks are the only unit that is
used on a regular basis, largely because of their size. The Gundarks see
a lot of duty in the Empire hunting pirates, or occasionally performing
escort and patrol duties for large corporations and local governments.
On at least one occasion the Gundarks were hired by the Imperial Army to
support a ground operation in an isolated area. The closest naval units
were light scouting and patrol ships only, and it was deemed more feasable
to use the Gundarks, who happened to be nearby, than to wait for appropriate
naval units to arrive. Since the fall of the Empire the Gundarks have thrived
on the conflict, and have been employed by many of the different Imperial
factions, while continuing to perform many contracts within the Corporate
Sector. Rumour has it that the Gundarks were recently hired in the Conheav
sector by Moff Lesbeat, but this is unconfirmed.
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