Paul Davion (29th c.)

See also: Paul Davion (24th c.), the fifth President of the Federated Suns, circa the 24th century.

Paul Davion II (Born 2778 – Died 2842) was the elder son of Joshua Davion by his marriage to Mary Halder-Davion. Considered one of the great First Princes, he governed during the resurgence of the Federated Suns in the latter half of the First Succession War

Biography

Paul Davion was only nineteen when his father and grandfather (John Davion) were assassinated, during the height of the First Succession War. After ten years of war the AFFS had been driven back almost to New Avalon. Only a pause in operations earlier in the year to resupply and to clean up pockets of resistance stopped the DCMS juggernaut - a decision that was closely followed by the death of Coordinator Minoru Kurita and the subsequent Kentares Massacre.

John Davion had been preparing a counterstrike using Kentares as a rallying cry for his nation but his death left this operation in chaos. His grandson responded by retroactively approving spontaneous attacks by soldiers outraged by the Massacre, and throwing his scant resources into supporting those attacks that succeeded. DCMS morale crumbled, leading to tactical, if not strategic victories and further stalling the advance. This bought Paul the time he needed to rally the Federated Suns behind him.

Paul made a number of reforms to the Federated Suns, centralizing authority under himself by assuming the title Duke of New Avalon, previously a courtesy title held by the heir of the First Lord of the Star League that had accumulated over time the power to summon or dismiss the High Council, to award titles and ownership of several young colonies that were in some cases now self-sufficient and ready for full membership in the Federated Suns. With this new authority, Paul became a literal feudal lord, awarding titles and riches upon his followers. He also founded the Ministry of Intelligence Investigations and Operations to replace the discredited previous Military Intelligence organization.

Between 2801 and 2808 Paul led an offensive that drove the Draconis Combine entirely out of the Crucis March, restoring confidence in House Davion. In addition, Chancellor Ilsa Liao of the Capellan Confederation, who had profited from the Suns' former weakness, offered a generous proposal to recognize Paul as First Lord of the Star League in return for control of the disputed Chesterton worlds (which were predominantly under her rule already. Controversially, Paul not only declined but also ordered two regiments of the Crucis Lancers to redouble their efforts against the Combine.

More than ten years later, when the First Succession War came to an end, Paul had successfully led the now exhausted Federated Suns to reclaim almost all that had been lost - at least in terms of territory. Economically the state was a wreck, having suffered crippling damages to its industries and tax base. As part of his efforts to rebuild his nation, Paul entered into secret talks with Ilsa Liao for the return of thousands of captive AFFS soldiers. In retaliation for Paul's previous callous response to her peace proposal, the Chancellor set a high price upon the soldiers. Only after twenty captive AFFS officers were executed for alleged war crimes was the price paid.

Only a few years later, the ongoing border skirmishes, which had hardly stopped to mark the resumption of peace, became so heavy that all-out war resumed, marking the start of the Second Succession War. With the Draconis Combine still recovering and mostly focused upon the Lyran Commonwealth, Paul was able to respond with overwhelming force to a Capellan offensive led personally by Ilsa Liao, who was killed in a rearguard action on Orbisonia. During the course of a full scale offensive of his own, Paul appointed Colonel Damien Hasek as Duke of New Syrtis, raising up a dynasty that would centuries later challenge his own.

The offensive against House Liao eventually bogged down into unsuccessful attempts to seize Tikonov, with which world Paul appeared obsessed. Instead, he was actually contemplating an attack upon the Draconis Combine. In 2840 he responded to an attack on Robinson by shifting reinforcements and reserves from the Capellan March to launch a two pronged attack on the Combine late the following year. The successful attacks were the last victories for Paul, who died of a heart attack on 4 July 2842 while studying reports from the front late one night.

Family

Paul's younger brother, Marshal Peter Davion was an extremely effective commander for Paul and later led the entire AFFS on behalf of Michael Davion. His predecessor, Thomas Halder-Davion was an maternal relative of Paul's.

Paul Davion married Elise Stuart and had one son, Michael. Elise's brother, Lord William Stuart was one of Paul's chief lieutenants.

Bibliography

• Handbook: House Davion
• House Davion (The Federated Suns)