The Tai-sho also confirmed that the contract severance was confined only to the Dragoons’ Alpha regiment, commanded by Colonel Kelly Yukinov. General Maeve Wolf, also present in an advisory capacity with Alpha, will also depart with the unit. Delta Regiment, currently on Kiesen, will remain in place.

The Dragoon action comes at a poor time for the Combine, with the sudden pullout of the Northwind Highlanders back in September. That mercenary unit also terminated its contract with the Combine using the same “emergency clause”. While the exact wording of the clauses is unknown, it is widely believed to contain language that allows the unit to voluntarily end the contract early due to any unforeseen circumstances that may occur. The Highlanders left in order to oversee a governmental change after reports of the deaths of four clan elders.

While the Dragoons have not stated why they invoked their emergency clause, experts speculate that it has something to do with the reported attacks on Outreach's Harlech City by alleged rogue elements of the mercenary trade. What type of attack or circumstance that would require the presence of one of the Inner Sphere’s most elite mercenary regiments is unknown.

Mr. Tokuga, of the Combine’s Mercenary Liaison office for Buckminster Prefecture, did say that appropriate appeals would be forthcoming to the MRBC offices regarding the contract severance. “While we are disappointed that the Dragoons chose to break their contract with the Dragon, we do understand that sometimes exceptional circumstances happen. It is of concern to us, however, that the timing seems suspect after the Northwind Highlanders committed the same action only six weeks ago. Which is why we will be submitting a formal request for a complete investigation into this matter. We expect the MRBC will be fair and unbiased in its decision.”

The Seveteenth Benjamin Regulars will remain on Najha.