During the Highlander-Warmeeting at Northwind, Jeremiah Rose desired to recruit a unit of the Northwind Highlanders and lead them against the Clans. When he was rejected, Rose set up the Black Thorns. Forced to set up an independent Unit to line up against against the Clans, he created a unit of uncommon Mechwarriors. He designed the unit at Solaris VII out of warriors who where either untested, insane or on an escape. After a surprising success over the Jade Falcons at Borghese, the Black Thorns accepted a contract with the Comguards which brought them to the few planets that are remainders of the Free Rasalhaag Republic. The obsessiveness of this small unit to fight against the Clans should either bring great honor, or their destruction. Although they have an excellent financial situation, the political and economical know-how needed to get the best contracts is missing. They have to take contracts which other known Mercenary Units reject, and that is the balance between success and collapse. They can neither store reserves nor rent them, so the Black Thorns have practically no equipment, no financial backing and also no call at which they could grab back if they would loose a battle against the Clans.