Combat Description
My first contact with this organization occurred near Planet Manhattan, approximately 10k away. Once in scanner range the target quickly set a course to intercept me and opened fire. Lathan was flying a Saishi heavy fighter, a small and very maneuverable vessel. His ship was equipped with four Purple Goddess Chain Guns, two Debiliators, Ripper mine, and a Train CD. He used his vessels maneuverability to his advantage by attempting to out turn me and shoot my ship on the side or rear. With this tactic almost all of his damage was done with his guns. As hitting his Saishi proved to be problematic I instead used my nuclear mines to deliver near fatal damage after each successful hit. This is how I ended up destroying him, a well placed shot with my hellflurrys and a nuclear mine his Saishi was instantly destroyed.
The second contact with this group occured between Planet Houston and the New York Jump Gate in the Texas system. This mercenary was flying a Falchion, a very worthy dueling vessel with its narrow frontal cross section. This vessel was equipped with two Imp. Debiliators, four Flammenwerfer-C2, Mosquito CD, and a Nuclear Mine. Blackjack at first attempted to out turn my Bayonet and but quickly discovered that tactic would not work. He switched to more conservative fighting style by staying relatively stationary and strafing to dodge my fire. This allowed me to setup several nuclear mine hits and he was destroyed shortly after.
Tactical Analysis
Both mercenaries engaged me very quickly after making contact and have no issues fighting without support. They never showed signs of wavering and fought until their last breath. They favor fast and nimble fighters to out turn their opponents at the cost of firepower. No information was gathered on their ability to work as a team in a group fight. Overall both pilots were very capable fighters and should not be taken on carelessly.
Proposed Countermeasures
In both cases the mercenaries flew ships that excel in fighter duels. If alone use nuclear mines to your advantage to stop the the target from getting behind you. Use these mines carefully and not obviously as both targets are very capable of launching CDs and destroying the mines next to you.
Targets
TSS|M-Lathan.Devers
New York, Freelancer, Saishi ID&Kill