Will Coates
Will Coates | |
|---|---|
| Personal | |
| Affiliation | Capellan Confederation |
| Career | |
| Rank | Sang-wei[1] |
| Profession | Scout vehicle commander[1] |
Will Coates was a notable scout vehicle commander in Lockhardt's Ironsides during the Dark Age Era.[1]
History
When the Federated Suns world of Taygeta was conquered by the Capellan Confederation, its citizens put up a heavy resistance against the Capellan Confederation Armed Forces troops assigned with garrisoning the planet. While most of the CCAF's troops were tasked with continuing the push towards New Syrtis, Lockhardt's Ironsides remained behind to keep Taygeta secured. Instead of attempting to hold the entire planet, the Ironsides' commander constructed firebases in critical regions and allowed resistance fighters and Armed Forces of the Federated Suns remnants free reign of the rest of the world. The Ironsides' strategy was proved effective when a Capellan supply convoy traveling between bases was attacked by FedSuns resistance fighters.[2][3]
Sang-wei Coates was commanding a detachment of scout vehicles escorting the convoy and was able to detect the incoming ambush before it occurred, forcing the attackers to launch their assault early. As the convoy used the fighting to cover their escape, the ambushers ignored Coates' lightly-armed and fast-moving machines as unimportant to the battle. This proved to be the attackers' downfall, as Coates' machines used their communications equipment to pierce through the enemy's jamming before marking hostile BattleMech and infantry positions for artillery bombardment. The ambushers were quickly shattered and Coates' vehicles used speed and advanced sensors to ensure that few of them survived their retreat.[2][3]
Coates personally demonstrated immense leadership skills and coolness under fire during the battle, performing his duties while BattleMechs many times his size clashed around him. When a lone FedSuns Rakshasa broke off to pursue the convoy's trucks, Coates repeatedly charged the enemy 'Mech only to break contact at the last moment every time. Eventually, the frustrated enemy MechWarrior focused his efforts on eliminating Coates, giving the other Capellan defenders an opening to destroy the Rakshasa from behind.[1]
Combat Vehicle
Sang-wei Will Coates operated and commanded a force of Luduan scout vehicles during the occupation of Taygeta.[1]