Requiem
12/24/20 06:54 AM
1.158.191.61
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“This popinjay expects us to hand him the keys to our jewelled cities on a golden platter. That is an absurd notion. We are Humans, yes, but we are also Canopians, and Canopians we shall remain. What does he offer us for the "privilege" of joining his Star League? What can he offer us that we cannot already buy? …. I have heard the drumbeats of war – and I know what will come next – in defence there is only defeat, there is only one option ….. attack! ….. see you on the other side!”
Magestrix Crystalla Centrella, transcript of Ministerial Minutes, 7 October 2576
Alt History - Reunification War – Campaign against the Magistracy of Canopus
Create your own unit - assign it to one of the many different paths, create your own scenarios ….
and enjoy ….. The Alternative Universe
History
February, 2439 – The Terran Hegemony develops the first true BattleMech, the Mackie
Star League Treaties
2556 – Free Worlds League and the Capellan Confederation
2558 – Lyran Commonwealth
2567 – Federated Suns
2569 – Draconis Combine
Official signing of the Star League Accords – July 9, 2571
Establishment of the Star League Defence Force
The military and political situation, at this time, within the newly minted Star League –old animosities are still prevalent throughout the Inner Sphere, House Lords and their military commands are unable to trust each other. The only way each House military would accept the idea of a Star League Defence Force (SLDF) was whereby ….
The Agreement …
Each Great House and the Hegemony are to supply an equal number of forces to the overall SLDF - 36 Regimental Combat Teams (ie. approximately fourty percent of each House / Hegemonies total armed forces):- including logistics / support units, merchantmen ships required to maintain the combat regiments ….. ie. Five Regimental Combat Teams for each Great House and the Hegemony (Six in total);
Command and Control personnel for each army / navy within each House / Hegemony is determined by the House the SLDF units are assigned within – overall command and Control, however, would be determined by the First Lord;
Standardization of equipment / rank structure etc to commence from the official signing of the Star League Accords – thus each Great House and the Hegemony would assign a number of the military industrial complexes and a single world to act as a training facility for each for the establishment of the SLDF;
The Naval complement for each House and the Hegemony, however, would take time to standardize the construction of a new fleet consisting of a variety of new Naval Class Warships – until that time the Star League Navy would be established by transferring 48 ships from their respective Great House / Hegemony (ie. approximately fifty percent of each House / Hegemonies total armed forces);
All of which would have to be reorganized along the new SLDF guidelines and in so doing the SLDF would not be ready until 2776.
Thus each Great House / Hegemony SLDF are comprised of the following:-
Ground Forces
Individual SLDF Ground Units: Army (36 RCTs)
Equates to –Two Corps (18 RCTs each)
Equates to – Four Divisions (9 RCTs each)
Equates to – Twelve Brigades (3 RCTs each)
Naval Forces
Individual SLDF Naval Fleet: Armada (48 warships)
Equates to – Two Flotillas (24 warships each)
Equates to – Four Task Forces (12 warships each)
Equates to – Eight Battle Groups (6 warships each)
Combat Brigade Team:- A reinforced multi-regiment formation consisting of ….
Three Regiment of BattleMechs
Nine regiments of combat vehicles
Fifteen regiments of infantry
Six VTOL Wings
Six aerospace wings
Three Battalions of artillery
Naval Battle Group (6 warships)
One Battleships
One Cruiser
Two Destroyers
Two Frigates
Support regiments – MASH / Engineers / Recovery / Techs etc
Merchantmen – Jump-ships and Drop-ships
– 80 % to 100% capacity (depending on each House / Hegemony)
Three Hospital ships
Six mobile repair maintenance ships
Eighteen Aviso class message dispatch ships
Get thee to Coventry … Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious by this daughter of Tharkad … Our army shall march through. Well to New Avalon tonight.
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Requiem
12/24/20 06:55 AM
1.158.191.61
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Changing of the Guard
2570, 6 January - Tracial Steiner dies at the age of 64 – due to a heart attack.
2570, January – Viola Steiner-Dinesen (30 yrs) succeeds her mother and becomes Archon of the Lyran Commonwealth
2571, 17 April - Terrence Liao died at the age of 50.
2571, April – Ursula Liao (20 yrs) succeeds her father and becomes Chancellor of the Capellan Confederation
2573, 14 November – Albert Marik died at the age of 95.
2573, November – Marion Marik (71 yrs) succeeds her father and becomes Captain-General of The Free Worlds League.
<Nt: First Lord / Director- General Ian Cameron had been at odds with all three House Lords over various issues:–
Steiner – 2554 Nominated as the First Chief Justice of the Commonwealth Supreme Court – The choice of Iona Devora of New Earth as the First Chief Justice of the Star League Supreme Court demonstrated a concentration of power within the Terran Hegemony, over that of each of the member states. Ian quickly realized that Tracial could easily use her position to manufacture minority decisions in opposition to establishing future legal precedents – that could be used to favour Terran interests;
Liao - vigorously opposed Shandra Noruff-Cameron (Ian’s wife) to be appointed as Commander-in-Chief of the newly minted Star League Defence Force (SLDF) as, again, it concentrated too much power within one family – as well as producing a possible precedent for years to come;
Marik – Due to the Treaty of Geneva (and a hidden clause, unknown to the other Lords) Albert acquired an equal position to that of Ian on the Star League High Council, as Ian’s equal partner, NOT his subordinate – a point that Ian loathed – This in turn caused many issues of contention such as forcing the Periphery states to join the Star League through war - Ian favoured war and Marik opposed it – following his death Ian made it a point to re-write history to ensure Albert was viewed as his subordinate in forming the Star League;
Thus, following their deaths any opposition / problems to his supreme rulership was removed ie. many within these Houses intelligence agencies suspected Ian’s involvement and his reasons, yet proof is elusive … >
Opening Act – Prelude to War
Following the establishment of the Star League First Lord Director- General Ian Cameron, First Prince Alexander Davion, as well as other house lords began bathe in their which offered extraordinary opportunities for self-publicity, therefore popularity, their hubris grew to an egotistical height, even to the point of becoming a narcissist.
The long period of endless conflict between the Inner Sphere states ended, the need for large militaries was no longer a necessity – hence many militaries were reduced as hundreds of thousands battle hardened veterans were released into civilian life without any marketable skills. Few found work as bodyguards for local nobles or banded together to form mercenary units, a significant number became bandits preying upon their former masters or establishing their own fiefdoms far from laws, courts, or government, and because of this they easily lured numerous criminals, some who were escaping punishment for other crimes, some who wanted to take advantage of its having no laws, and a few wanted to start over within a new military.
<Nt: Increase in the number of illegal arms traders - this also provided the by-product of large stockpiles of military equipment to which those with access to began selling to anyone with money (including Periphery States who purchased vast quantities).>
During the Star League High Council session of 2572 every Council Lord voted in favour of a resolution brought forth by Archon Viola Steiner-Dinesen, whereby these wandering veterans should be controlled, as such, where each Great House would establish Lawmen Units, “Marshals”, who’s responsibility is to bring the law to the lawless rather than return to a war footing.
Shortly thereafter after consulting with his advisers and his wife, SLDF commander-in-chief Shandra Noruff-Cameron, First Lord Ian Cameron responded by ordering the United Triumph Military Exercises, the largest military exercises staged to date.
Get thee to Coventry … Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious by this daughter of Tharkad … Our army shall march through. Well to New Avalon tonight.
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Requiem
12/24/20 06:57 AM
1.158.191.61
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Early 2572 – United Triumph Military Exercises
Military exercises between the Star League Defence Force (SLDF) and each of the Inner Sphere militaries. The exercises saw three SLDF combined arms divisions face equivalent House units across ten barren and lightly populated worlds along each of the periphery realm’s borders as a means of showing off the advanced technology, strength and prowess of the SLDF in an attempt to cow the recalcitrant Periphery powers into joining the League.
The Free Worlds league Military – The First Marik Auxiliary Corps – CO General Ian Marik
The First Marik Auxiliary formation was initially formed as an opposition force (OpFor) for the United Triumph Military Exercises. They consisted of the following units …
1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th Marik Militia
1st and 2nd Fusiliers of Oriente Brigade (Though at Regiment Strength)
Stewart Dragoons - Juggernaut Regiment
2nd and 3rd Orloff Grenadiers
3rd Regulan Hussars CO Colonel Anupan Shah
1st Defenders of Andurien
Though technologically and logistically superior, the relatively new SLDF were uncoordinated resulting in an embarrassing political and military defeat for the newly formed Star League. Thus, rather than shocked into joining, the Periphery realms openly scorned the Star League and its apparently inept military – refusing membership into the Star League.
<FWL behind the scene: The anti-Star League faction used the military exercises as a means of creating controversy within the FWL as to becoming a member of the Star League.>
<MoC behind the scene: Crystalla Centrella’s evaluation into the development of its Regimental Combat Teams and its new equipment allowed her the opportunity to incorporate these new strategies into her own military.>
Red-faced after the exercises, secret negotiations between Ian and Alexander begin as Ian Cameron, now First Lord, established a creative ‘construction’ plan; to compel the Periphery Stares into a united human Star League – absorption through war.
2572, October 17 – Border Guards Agreement
A treaty allowing the Star League Defence Forces to establish military bases throughout the Inner Sphere by allowing the Star League to purchase lands on any Member State world to establish military bases throughout the Inner Sphere to provide the SLDF unrestricted range. Economic limitations, however, restricted their number.
<Nt: The rapid construction of strategic bases close to periphery states was not lost on their rulers for the “sword of Damocles” they are – each periphery state initiates plans to increase the size of their military.>
<Nt: The presence of foreign soldiers in their realms displeased many (including local Lords, politicians and many within their military) within each of Houses.>
Ian then initiated the plan utilizing a propaganda program and to hide his ulterior motives of becoming the first lord of all humanity; explaining the need to bring education, technology, culture and prosperity to the ‘denizens of the Periphery’ who were living in a state of absolute barbarity where there rule of law was absent – leading to a hedonistic life in the absence of morality (clearly targeting the Canopus way of life).
In a pretext to initiate war between the Star League and the independent Periphery States Alexander utilized the Omsol Accord ….and on February, 2573 – The Malagrotta Affair occurs …
<Background Note: 2511, The Omsol Accord was a treaty signed by the Federated Suns and the Taurian Concordat providing both nations equal and independent mining rights to the titanium rich moon Fontana, located within the Malagrotta system. In an attempt to stave off any armed conflict it was agreed to prohibit the deployment of either Armed Forces, the Federated Suns or the Taurian Defence Force, within the system.>
Late 2572, First Lord Ian Cameron issues Directive 21 – forcing the Outworlds Alliance to accept Star League Defence Forces (Bad News and Niles) and Draconis Combine garrison troops (17th Galedon Regulars on Santiago) to garrison undefended worlds for mutual defence and protection in order to curb “pirate activity” (ie actual purpose - neutralize the covert armament program - the creation of the Outworlds Alliance Militia (BattleMechs)).
December 14th, 2572
A Draconis Combine MechWarrior retaliated against a mob of Snow-ball throwing children, severely burning one with a thrown canister of coolant. This warrior then quickly found themselves isolated from the rest of the lance as the crowd went wild, when the ‘Mech tripped, fell and crushed a number of citizens, the attacks on the ‘Mech escalated. The MechWarrior panicked – firing the Locast’s weapons – 27 killed; 30 hospitalized.
Repercussions:
Rioting throughout the Outworlds Alliance;
An immediate increase in funding for the Taurian Defence Force;
Magistracy of Canopus withdrew from border dispute talks with the Free Worlds League;
Concodat and Magistracy break diplomatic relations with the Star League (for a time);
First Lord Ian Cameron – embarrassed.
To the inhabitants of the Periphery, the incident served to illustrate what the Star League really thought of them.
Get thee to Coventry … Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious by this daughter of Tharkad … Our army shall march through. Well to New Avalon tonight.
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Requiem
12/24/20 06:57 AM
1.158.191.61
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2573, During the tensions leading to the Reunification War a small Taurian Warship flotilla of five warships entered the system ‘accidently’. The frightened Davion mining crew immediately dispatched a communications vessel to a nearby system where a Davion fleet ‘happened’ to be waiting. The larger Davion fleet then jumped into the system finding the five Taurian vessels orbiting the moon. Unable to communicate with the ‘invading’ Warships the Davion Admiral ordered an immediate strike, destroying two and capturing a third vessel.
Though the Taurians were technically in the wrong the Davion response was far in excess of what was warranted given the desired situation. First Lord Ian Cameron ordered both parties to come to him and let him mediate. Whilst Alexander Davion concealed the Federated Suns involvement in orchestrating the events, the bribery of a Taurian ships Executive Officer, who sabotaged the small fleets navigation and communication equipment, thereby ensuring the incident. Ian would get his war, Alexander would get sole rights to both Fontana and the Taurian Concordat as a protectorate and the saboteur would get a new life of luxury.
Protector Caterina Calderon fell into Ian’s trap when she asserted that the matter was solely between the Federated Suns and the Taurian Concordat; the First Lord and his Star League had no right to interfere. Thus an ‘irate’ First Lord declared the Taurians in the wrong, commenting “We have been compassionate long enough. I’ll be damned if I am going to pull any more punches.”
Several months later Caterina set her own trap for Ian and Alexander offering an apology and restitution. Rather than accept, Ian refused.
Caterina realized then that in rebuffing the apology it was too late to prevent the oncoming cataclysm, as such she began preparing for war by first dispatching an ambassador to the Magistracy of Canopus, and Crystalla Centrella, in order to begin preparations for the oncoming war.
Crystalla Centrlla activates the Cabinet Office Briefing Room – aka COBRA - and the Service Advisory Group for Emergencies - aka SAGE – to begin formulating a response to an invasion by the Free Worlds League and the new Star League.
<Behind the scene: Both Caterina and Crystalla dispatch their Agents to find any evidence (the traitor Executive Officer) and as to the truth behind the Malagrotta Affair. In order to determine how and who was involved within the Star League and the Federated Suns that manipulated the events to create a pre-text for war.>
March – May 2573
In favour of self-determination, the Rift Republican Army occupies the political prison Efrimal Long Maximum Security Prison. In response, First Consul of the Republic orders two military divisions to suppress the uprising. In the ensuing melee the First Consul institutes martial law and orders the prison razed.
The first Consul issues the Universal Act of Loyalty – swear a binding oath to the Republic and the Star League – furthermore all local judicial oversight is removed in favour of Star League Courts without appeal – those who refused are branded as traitors.
2573
First Consul of the Republic proposes Star League / Periphery summit on Terra – only he attends.
2573
Taurian Concordat rejects Terran Hegemony Finance Minister Randex Fitzhugh’s “favoured-nation” trade proposal.
<Military Build Up: 2773 – 2777, Taurian Concordat and the Magistracy of Canopus begin a co-operative arms manufacturing program, establishing new Infantry, VTOL, Armour, Fighter / Bomber (inc. aerospace) and Battle-Mech Regiments, transferring arms manufacturing technologies. Includes a naval dry-dock construction facility – Naval Yard Labyrinth, hidden beyond the periphery, as well as multiple military and logistics bases in order to prepare for the oncoming war with the Star League – hidden bases from which to strike (hit and run) at the attacking forces.
2774 - Naval Yard Labyrinth - begins building new aerospace fighter carriers, together with their new fighter complements; and Pocket Battleships – small warships / fast / heavily armed / and equipped with the largest naval laser weapons and missile batteries.>
<Activation of Special Services SAGE Agents: 2773 –Canopus spies are seeded upon as many Capitol / Important Worlds within the Free Worlds League through their pleasure cruise liners – their task is to monitor and know the location their ruling families primary members whilst at the same time agents within the cruise liners gather military / industrial information.
Political information obtained included:
(i.) Marik’s Parliament was fractured – many still lobbied against joining the Star League – the memory of the 2475 preeminent strike in the Oriente system by a Terran Hegemony strike fleet, led by Director-General Theodore Cameron, which inflicted heavy losses to the Free Worlds League fleet was still an issue to many; and
(ii.) Rumour – First Lord Ian Cameron – The Cabal of disenchanted officers to his mother’s and brother’s policy of diplomacy over military actions that assassinated his brother Joseph acted with his full assistance (as seen in the changing policies.) On September 28th 2549, when Ian declared himself Director-General of the Hegemony and the following days military coup by the 51st Dragoon Regiment was not a coup it was an attempt to bring proof before the politicians in Geneva as to his complicity with his brother’s assassination. It is believed an member of this unit still resides on Lipton – remaining as the custodian of this information.>
Get thee to Coventry … Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious by this daughter of Tharkad … Our army shall march through. Well to New Avalon tonight.
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Requiem
12/24/20 06:58 AM
1.158.191.61
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2574
3rd Amaris Dragoons deployed to Lackhove to enforce Universal Act of Loyalty.
2574
Heavy tariffs and port fees are levied against Periphery traders.
January 2, 2575 – The Pollux Proclamation
First Lord Director- General Ian Cameron’s proclamation, given before the Star League Assembly, stated his intention to extend the Star League to the entirety of human inhabited space, either peacefully or by force of arms. Though issued two years prior to the start of the Reunification War, the proclamation served as a de facto declaration of war.
2575
Once Pollux Proclamation is known to the Taurian Concordat they place their military on a war footing.
March 2575 – The Pollux Proclamation becomes know to Canopus with the arrival of a delegation on Canopus, led by the economist Duke Brion Marik, from the Free World League in an attempt to influence Crystalla into accepting the Pollux Proclamation. Crystalla would ultimately reject the Pollux Proclamation out of hand.
2575
First Consul Amaris, Rim Worlds, endorses the Pollux Proclamation, and issues the Manchester Directive – suppressing RRA groups, sieving their property and arresting members (effectively alienating the population.
Coup – First Consul is overthrown – establishment of the Rim Provisional Government on Apollo.
<Military Build Up: August 2575 – Military War Games begin ….
Operation: CORSAIR – Vigilante Guard Forces - Whereby the attacking Canopus force utilizes deception (and their new hidden bases) to conduct hit and run raids – changing Jump-ship / Drop-ship ID codes to those of different military units / painting different corresponding unit insignia on all vehicles / swaping unit patches on all personnel etc. Aim:- Confuse enemy Military Intelligence as to the number of Units within the Magistracy of Canopus and where they are operating at any given time – Naval Forces – Search and Destroy / Capture enemy logistics fleets. The Overall Aim is, however, …. :- To recognise the SLDF problem in adapting a column formation, which will takes them too deep into enemy (Canopus Space) territory advancing in a long line, hindering their communication and supply distribution, plus their flanks will be so thin if Canopus attacks at the right time (utilizing defeat in detail tactics) they could easily divide SLDF forces …. If the SLDF defences could not support each other; and
Operation: GATHERING STORM – Canopus Expeditionary Forces -Naval and Ground Forces – Planetary Invasion utilizing - superior manoeuvrability and the strategy of Defeat in Detail when her overall military have been organized into Corps; their individual aims are therefore for the Canopus Expeditionary Forces are to …
(i.) Objective, main units – Gain possession of key individual(s);
(ii.) Objective, main units – Logistics, communication and target destruction; and
(iii.) Objective, smaller unit – Psy-ops / counter-intelligence techniques – concealment of main Corp movements – disinformation etc.>
<Note:- Defeat in Detail – the tactical example of the Battle of Teutoburg Forest – and when utilized by Napoleon during the Six Days’ Campaign, ‘Stonewall’ Jackson’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign and Wolf Packs of WW2 etc.>
SLDF Task Force HQ
2576
In the build-up to the Reunification War the SLDF began assembling SLDF Task Force Canpus, the units that would responsible for annexing the Magistracy of Canopus once war between the Star League and the Magistracy became inevitable.
It was determined that Andurien was the closest world which had the best infrastructure for the SLDF operation to conquer the Magistracy, and it was originally intended that Andurien would be the site of the Task Force’s Head-Quarters. Chancellor Ursula Liao of the Capellan Confederation, however, refused to allow the presence of the Free Worlds League’s Captain General (Marion Marik) or any FWLM units on Andurien, despite the fact that she was the commanding officer for the Star League Task Force (and was working under the auspices of the SLDF).
Her perception was that their very presence was an attempt to undermine the Agreement between Captain-General Albert Marik and Chancellor Terrance Liao in 2556 that ended the Third Andurien War and resolved the disputes over the system by placing Andurien within the boundaries of the Confederation.
Ursula refused to budge from her position and as a result the Task Forces Staging grounds are established on Cole Harbour, thus delaying the operation.
<Nt: Ursula Liao, ever the pragmatist, argued against war with the Periphery States -however she was not beyond brokering her vote within the Star League Council to earn concessions for the Confederation – she had no choice but to cede troops and equipment for the forming of the SLDF – but resisted pressure to provide additional House forces to act as auxiliary forces on either Taurian or Magistracy fronts.>
January 2777 – Taurian Defence Force implements “Case Amber” – ravaging the Federated Suns assault group – The Star League and the Federated Suns are now at war with the Taurian Concordat.
March 2777 – Magistracy Missives …. Military preparedness on schedule ….
All Vigilante Guard Forces military units are moved to their staging grounds on Canopus Hidden Bases – close to those worlds recognized as primary attack worlds – as reconnaissance spy units are dispatched indicate the build-up of SLDF upon three FWL border worlds- in the event of open conflict, authorization to engage target of opportunities has been granted as per Operation: CORSAIR doctrine.
Planetary Government instructions - Concerning the government, people, and their respective planetary defence force –instructions were as follows …..
Government – Destroy all civilian records; Declare all cities ‘open’ thereby ensuring minimal damage and loss of life – and in true Canopus fashion, charge them triple – screw them on everything!
Planetary Defence Force (PDF) – Destroy all military records; Ensure all bases are evacuated of all usable materials; Go to ground, establishing cells, initiate a guerrilla ‘hit and run’ war against the invaders, plus irregular Canopus warfare – narcotics, bribery, blackmail etc.; Coordination of activates with Vigilante Guard Forces has been established through merchant cells …..
Get thee to Coventry … Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious by this daughter of Tharkad … Our army shall march through. Well to New Avalon tonight.
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Requiem
12/24/20 06:59 AM
1.158.191.61
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Star League Defence Force (SLDF - FWL) – Operation: Canopus Asunder TO&E
Army – 40 RCTs
Navy - 48 Warships
Meadowvale –
55th, 56th and 57th SLDF Brigade; Combined Naval Task Force 151 – V Corp
Tellman’s Mistake –
1st Storm Grenadier Brigade (Hegemony), 58th, 59th and 60th Brigade; Combined Naval Task Force 150 – IV Corp
Watermael –
61st, 62nd and 63rd Brigade; Combined Naval Task Force 152 – VI Corp
First Marik Auxiliary Corps - auxiliary formation to support Star League operations.
1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th Marik Militia
1st and 2nd Fusiliers of Oriente Brigade (Though at Regiment Strength)
Stewart Dragoons - Juggernaut Regiment
2nd and 3rd Orloff Grenadiers
3rd Regulan Hussars CO Colonel Anupan Shah
1st Defenders of Andurien
Naval Task Force – LTF 1 – includes Flagship.
Reserve SLDF – FWL (located throughout the FWL – upon new SL Facilities)
Army – Three Brigades (3 RCTs each) – 64th, 65th and 66th Brigade – VII Corp;
Navy – One Task Force (12 warships) - Combined Naval Task Force 153
Free Worlds League Military - 2577
Army – 55 Regimental Combat Teams
(Thus 45 RCTs scattered throughout the FWL)
Navy – 49 Warships
Nine Battleships
Eight Cruiser
Sixteen Destroyers
Sixteen Frigates
(Thus 36 Warships scattered throughout the FWL)
Magistracy Detachment of Light Legionnaires (Magistracy Dolls) - 2577
Magistracy - Operation: CORSAIR TO&E
Army – 12 RCTs and 9 Mercenary Regiments
Navy - 12 Warships
Hidden Bases …………………………… located in a system near …. Codename
First Combat Zone
Void space between …… Bethonolog, Eleusis and Vakarel …… Space Station Boudicca………
Second Combat Zone
Unknown system close to Palladix ……………………………………… Fortress St. Clair
Unknown system close to Royal Fox ………………………………….. Fortress Zenobia
Unknown system close to Borgan’s Rift …………………………….. Fortress Kaihime
Third Combat Zone
Unknown system close to Nobel ………………………………………… Fortress Artemisia
Unknown system close to Cate’s Hold ……………………………….. Fortress Cynane
Unknown system close to Kossandra’s Memory ………………… Fortress Tomyris
Magistracy Combat Team (MCT):- A reinforced multi-regiment formation consisting of ….
Regiment of BattleMechs
Three regiments of combat vehicles
Two regiments of infantry
Four VTOL Wings
Two aerospace wings
Battalion of artillery
Support regiments – MASH / Engineers / Recovery / Techs etc
Merchantmen - Jumpships and Dropships – 120 % capacity
Hospital ship
Mobile repair maintenance ship
Six Aviso class message dispatch ships
Magistracy Naval Battle Group formation consisting of ….
One New Pocket Battleship or Strike cruiser (three aerospace squadrons)
Two Light Cruisers
Three destroyers or Frigate or Corvette (or mix)
TO&E – Magistracy of Canopus Forces
Army Units
First Magistracy Cavaliers
Second Magistracy Cavaliers
Third Magistracy Cavaliers
First Magestrix Guard
Second Magestrix Guard
Third Magestrix Guard
First Canopian Cuirassiers
First Canopian Grenadiers
Second Canopian Grenadiers
First Kossandra’s Volnteers (Home Guard units formed into Regular House Units)
Second Kossandra’s Volnteers
Third Kossandra’s Volnteers
Naval Units
Two Magistracy Naval Battle Groups (12 Warships) – Home Fleet – Force F and Force Z
Magistracy - Mercenaries
Afarsin …………………. Night Witches ………………….. BattleMech Brigade (3 Regiments)
Butzfleth ……………… Bessette’s Bandits …………….. BattleMech Regiment
Aspropirgos …………. Mayeux Marauders …………… BattleMech Regiment
Reserve Units:
Fanardir ………………… D’Eon Dragoons ……………….. BattleMech Regiment
Royal Fox …………………Templar Knights ………………. BattleMech Brigade (3 Regiments)
Magistracy - Operation: GATHERING STORM – Canopus Expeditionary Forces TO&E
Army – 15 RCTs
Navy – 33 Warships (including 3 Aero-space Fighter Carriers)
Hidden Bases ….
Located in a system near ………………….. Codename ……………………………... Forces Assigned
Watermael ………………………. EF Aphrodite
First Magistracy Royal Guards CET
Second Magistracy Royal Guards CET
Royal Guards Marine Expeditionary Force
Naval Task Force Dominica (V-Class Carrier ‘Vengeance’)
Meadowvale ……………………. EF Artemis
First Canopian Fusiliers CET
Second Canopian Fusiliers CET
Canopian Fusiliers Marine Expeditionary Force
Naval Task Force Lavinia (V-Class Carrier ‘Vampiress’)
Tellman’s Mistake ……………. EF Athena
First Chasseurs a’ Cheval CET
Second Chasseurs a’ Cheval CET
Chasseurs a’ Cheval Marine Expeditionary Force
Naval Task Force Caterina (V-Class Carrier ‘Valliant’)
Each Expeditionary Force - Combat Echelon Team (CET) consists of the following:-
A reinforced multi-regiment formation consisting of ….
Two Regiments of BattleMechs
Two Regiments of Combat Vehicles
One Reinforced-Regiment of Special-Forces Infantry
Four VTOL Wings
Two Aerospace Wings
One Battalion of Artillery
Support regiments – MASH / Engineers / Recovery / Techs etc
Merchantmen – Jump-ships and Drop-ships – 120 % capacity
Two Hospital ships
Two mobile repair maintenance ships
One pleasure cruise liner – POW holding ship
Explorer Class Ship – Void Navigation Assistance
Naval Task Force
New Aero-space fighter carrier - (120 fighters)
Two New Pocket Battleships
One Cruiser
Two Destroyers
Two Corvettes
Two Frigates
Eight Aviso class message dispatch ships
Marine Expeditionary Force (Independent battalions)
Role: Advanced reconnaissance and general mayhem - misleading pursuing forces.
Combat Team formation consisting of ….
Regiment of BattleMechs
Regiment of combat vehicles
Company of special-forces infantry
One VTOL Wings
One Aerospace Squadron
Naval Detachment
One Destroyer
Support units – MASH / Engineers / Recovery / Techs etc
Merchantmen - Jumpships and Dropships – 120 % capacity
Three Aviso class message dispatch ships
Get thee to Coventry … Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious by this daughter of Tharkad … Our army shall march through. Well to New Avalon tonight.
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Requiem
12/24/20 07:00 AM
1.158.191.61
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A pre-emptive strike?
During the build-up to the war General Marion Marik attempted to goad the Magistracy into launching a pre-emptive strike against the Star League depots that were deliberately portrayed as being weekly defended,
worlds that were actually within range of combat troops moved covertly to the border by SLDF Warships. The Magestrix declined to accept the bait, as both the Magestrix and the commanding officer of the MEF, Field Marshal Brittany Buquoy, believed the worlds to be a trap they were.
She also endeavoured to gather solid intelligence on the Magistracy before the war using the Marik National Intelligence Agency, the Hegemony Central Intelligence Directorate and the nascent Star League Defence Force Intelligence Command that initiated a shadow war with SAGE.
<NT: First Marik Auxiliary Corps – Prior to the Reunification War the decision was made as to the auxiliary formation – The 1st Marik Auxiliary Corps Marik Militia would remain as an auxiliary formation to support Star League operations (logistics support). Comprised solely of FWLM regiments under the command of a FWLM officer, General Ian Marik, though technically, the Corps would remain under the operational command of the overall SLDF commander of the SLDF Task Force Canopus.
The remaining Auxiliary Corps were originally guarding the Magistracy bait, however when that did not occur they were placed along the Capellan / FWL border to ensure the Campellan’s non involvement for the foreseeable future.>
First Act – The Drum Beats of War
Declaration of War
14 May 2577
Duke Brion Marik landed on Canopus to deliver the declaration of war, where he stated that while a state of war existed between the two nations, the task force led by Captain-General Marion Marik – Brion’s Grandmother – would fight in accordance with the Ares Conventions, despite Ian Cameron having officially suspended the Conventions. Crystalla began by thanking Brion for both his candour and that of his grandmother and then stated that the MAF would defend their homes with Canopian dignity, tenacity and honour (ie. they would cheat!).
Following dispatching her Aviso Class Ships with news of the Declaration of War Crystalla and her daughter, Rinalla, left Canopus to take their position within Expeditionary Force Aphrodite.
<Nt. Expeditionary Forces Aims (i.) Political – by attacking as many as possible SLDF Bases / Facilities / Supporters – you effectively reduce their political power within the FWL Parliament and bolster the anti-Star League faction (overall aim – replace the Captain General with that of person who is against the Star League’s Land Grab – a more libertine and ethically pragmatic Lord) (ii.) direct assault upon the First Lord (if practical) – SAGE agents are to investigate in order to find any evidence as to Ian Cameron’s ‘shady past’ that can then be used against him and the Star League.>
Get thee to Coventry … Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious by this daughter of Tharkad … Our army shall march through. Well to New Avalon tonight.
|
Requiem
12/24/20 07:01 AM
1.158.191.61
|
SLDF First Wave – June 2577 onwards
Home World – Watermael – Combined Naval Task Force 152 – VI Corp
Target – Vakarel – August 2577
Ground Engagement
Attack: 63rd SLDF Brigade
Defence: Vakarel PDF
Upon arrival on the surface the 63rd found every city declaring themselves ‘open’, not even token skirmishes. They quickly secured the garrison facilities, beginning reconnaissance operations – only sporadic hit and run raids were noted.
Naval Engagement - Asteroid Belt
Attack: 1st SLDF Battle Group of the Combined Naval Task Force 152
Defence: Elements of Task Force F
“Prey comes willingly to the spider who waits in its web ……”
August (onwards) - While attempting to secure the various mining operations within the system’s asteroid belt the SLDF were forced to navigate within the fields hampering sensor performance and manoeuvrability whereas the Canopus forces (under prior tutelage of Taurian Concordat) established hyper accurate maps, together with their smaller warships and fortresses with defensive capabilities built throughout the asteroid belt containing naval grade weaponry and aerospace fighter bases.
The many naval battles within and around the belt proved problematic for the SLDF as the Canopus forces used the belt as either shields from which to snipe at any SLDF forces coming into proximity of their naval weapons or as weapons themselves – asteroids with engines attached to ram unwary ships.
Their aerospace fighters fared little better as they were lured within the belt where they came under direct fire from fixed emplacement weapons as well as the high speed manoeuvrability of the Canopus aerospace forces proved their downfall in limited engagements.
Even when utilizing marine detachments aboard the various SLDF WarShips they found themselves facing heavily casualties as Canopian forces used light Mechs with zero-G manoeuvrability packs in defence.
62nd SLDF Brigade - Target – Gouderak – June 2577
Attack: 62nd SLDF Brigade
Defence: Gouderak PDF
Within a week, the 62nd were on the surface securing their ‘open’ objectives under the Command of General Camilla Sjolander. Including both the industrial complexes on Halton and the planetary capital without even any token resistance.
61st SLDF Brigade - Target –Umka – August 2577
Attack: 61st SLFD Brigade
Defence: Second Magistracy Cavaliers; Umka PDF
Due to the topography of Umka garrison units were dispersed around the islands and archipelagos where the major industries were aquaculture and deep-sea farming as well a vast tourist industry due to their vast beaches and temperate weather.
October (onwards) – contingents of off-world forces proceeded to wage a guerrilla war. Breaking up into small groups, from many different Canopus forces, they dispersed around the islands and archipelagos, forcing the SLDF to divide their forces into smaller units in an attempt to route the enemy out.
Home World – Meadowvale – Combined Naval Task Force 151 – V Corp
56th SLDF Brigade - Target –Scheuerheck – June 2577
Attack: 56th SLDF Brigade
Defence: Scheuerheck PDF
The absence of any defenders to the SLDF landings, the declaration of being ‘open,’ provided a relatively easy deployment for the 56th. However when Captain-General Marik requested the leader of Scheuerheck be brought aboard her flagship, the FWLS Albert Marik, she made it clear that she expected First Lord Ian Cameron to grant control of the worlds after the Reunification War, emphasizing that if he chose to rejoin the Free Worlds League voluntarily he could remain in power. Refusing, however, would force her to replace him with a military governor. It was then explained to her that she has forgotten what it meant to be free – On this day Scheuerheck received a new military governor, and the former leader was placed under house arrest.
<Note: The refusal to reincorporate back into the Free Worlds league was used by Marik’s political enemies, those who lobbied against joining the Star League.>
55th SLDF Brigade - Target – Ruschegg – August 2577
Attack: 55th SLDF Brigade
Defence: Ruschegg PDF
The absence of any defenders to the SLDF landings, the declaration of being ‘open,’ provided a relatively easy deployment for the 55th.
57th SLDF Brigade - Target – Eleusis – August 2577
Naval Engagement –
Attack: Task Force Z - MoCS Witch of Endor, MoCS Lydia
Defence: Elements of the 2nd Battle Group of the Combined Naval Task Force 151
The absence of an SLDF Naval escort force with the 57th’s transport fleet’s first battalion (due to a miss-communication between the military and merchant fleet) exiting at the nadir point proceeding the strike at Eleusis. This provided the MAF Naval strike cruisers, MoCS Witch of Endor and MoCS Lydia, who were running silent - recharging, with an unexpected opportunity. They immediately launched their fighters – taking care to not damage / destroy – they crippled 16 ships, severely damaging another 5 – then attempted to chase down their drop-ship numbers before the SLDF escort warships managed to arrive, driving off the Witch and Lydia.
<Nt: The MoC Navy were able to salvage 6 Jump-ships utilizing multiple mobile repair docks, prior to the establishment of a permanent blockade force. Following which the SLDF attempted to salvage the remaining damaged ships / destroy those that could not be salvaged.>
Ground Engagement
Attack: Mercenaries - Templar Knights and Second Canopian Grenadiers Combat Team
Defence: 57th SLDF Brigade (Remnants of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Regiments)
Four weeks after their arrival, with their Naval force off chasing elements of the Canopian Task Force Z in system, the 57th garrisoned the spaceport on the island of Al Amarja when numerous Vigilante Guard and Mercenary Forces entered the system via pirate point - who then activated the hidden Home Guard Units on the island. Under the command of Colonel Ann-Britt McMillan, they then proceeded to decimate the 57th in a savage 6 day campaign, before retreating off world with any salvaged equipment, those PDF units who assisted, and whilst taking an injured General Violetta Mancini and the remnants of her command staff as POW.
<Nt. The 57th SLDF Brigade is effectively destroyed at this stage. 56th SLDF Brigade 1st Regimental Combat Team assigned to Ruschegg.>
Home World - Tellman’s Mistake – Combined Naval Task Force 150 – IV Corp
1st Storm Grenadier Brigade - Target – Bass – July 2577
Attack: 1st Storm Grenadier Brigade
Defence: Bass PDF
Despite Captain-General Marion Marik’s decree that the forces under her command would fight in accordance with the Ares Conventions, Lieutenant General Joachim Steele remained under the command of First Lord, thus any action he took was inviolable.
The 1st Storm Grenadier’s initiated the to take control of the City of New Barcelonia as well as the nearby PayMax Industri-plex. After several weeks the Brigade moved to the Cordoba area. During this period, the Grenadiers were involved in several skirmishes with ‘partisans,’ requiring the initiation of anti-partisan operations in order to stabilize the situation.
On August 21 the 1st Battalion committed the Cordoba massacre, where 97 soldiers of the PDF were machine-gunned after surrendering. Thereafter the unit became notorious for burning villages, and in addition, members of the Grenadiers committed atrocities, including the murder of civilians for any resistance act committed against their forces.
Naval Engagement
Attack: Elements of Task Force F – complemented with the newly commissioned V-Class Aerospace carrier “Vanguard”
Defence: Elements of the SLDF Combined Naval Task Force 150
November 9th – SLDF WarShips orbiting Bass reported the arrival of multiple vessels at a nearby pirate point; appearing near their second moon, the new arrival was inside the task force picket lines and was able to avoid the task force patrol vessels and successfully launched multiple Dropships. Satellite imagery revealed the identity of these new arrivals – the Magistracy Royal Guards, in what was becoming a typical tactic for Operation: CORSAIR Canopus forces.
The battle for control of space was brutal, where many of participants within the Canopus AeroSpace and Naval forces were the recipients of the Magestrix Cross despite starting battle with a three-to-one advantage in aerospace fighters. Vice-Admiral Mariella Pianosa, immediately ordered her fleet into attack position whilst launching her fighter complement as her ships advanced on the SLDF line, splitting into two units as they approached. One cut across the head of the line and passed between the SLDF and the upper atmosphere of the planet, while the other engaged the space side of the SLDF fleet.
Trapped in crossfire the leading SLDF warships were battered into surrender during a fierce three-hour battle, while the rear SLDF ships succeeded in repelling the initial attack. As the Canopian fighters, now in control of the ‘sky’ attacked in force as the centre came under renewed assault, at 22:06, the SLDF flagship exploded. The rear squadron attempted to break out of the engagement, with their flagship destroyed, the vanguard and centre defeated, but only two SLDF ships of the line escaped from a total of 12 ships engaged.
Ground Engagement
Attack: First Magistracy Cavaliers and the Second Canopian Grenadiers – Posing as Magistracy Royal Guards
Defence: 1st Storm Grenadier Brigade
Shortly before dawn on 10 November as a vicious aerospace fighter battle was occurring overhead Canopian artillery opened fire and twenty minutes later a wave of aerospace fighter bombers arrived to strike at the SG strong points and gun positions. As the 1st Division moved out on their left flank as the first action involved the Caen village and airfield. The village was still not captured by mid-morning, however, SG resistance defeated two attacks on the airfield, despite significant tank and air support.
By midday the 2nd Division, had navigated the minefields, to reach the railway line where they became embroiled in a 90-minute engagement with SG. The 3rd Division was then able to take the ridge but attempts to advance further were met with determined opposition.
Lieutenant General Joachim Steele ordered a counter-attack, a full armoured charge. The 1st SG were to attack across the ridge, while the 2nd and 3rd were to recover lost ground surrounding the railway line. As SG tanks and Mechs arrived on the ridge aerospace fighters, VTOLS and LRM batteries were directed onto the enemy positions, delaying and eventually breaking up the 1st ‘s counter-attack. The battle at the rail head fared little better as attempt to renew the advance, where they met by fierce Canopian resistance.
The remaining SG pulled back into the City of New Barcelonia and from there to the spaceport forcing the Canopian BattleMech forces to follow, whist the swifter Canopian forces bypassed the city, taking up position on the outskirts of the spaceport – thus encircling the SLDF 1st SG.
Unable to escape due to the battle in space the 1st SG settled in for a siege - much of the spaceport and many of their DropShips would be destroyed as both sides would end up taking heavy casualties, though in the end 1st SG succumbed to overwhelming combined fire (air and land) on the 9th day of the siege.
<Nt. The damaged Canopian forces, and the former SL damaged warships are retired to Artemisia where they are placed under the direction of an organizer to begin rebuilding / re-crewing. The Canopian forces are then transferred to Boudica.>
59th Brigade - Target - Restitution – September 2577
The absence of any defenders to the SLDF landings, the declaration of being ‘open,’ provided a relatively easy deployment for the 59th – becoming little more than a police action as the SLDF attempted to change the law to restrict many of the freedoms Canopus citizens enjoyed resulted in political protests, strikes and marches, which threatened to paralyse the planetary capital; Forcing the SLDF planetary governor institute more draconian measures – which led to more violent protests.
Sunday 23rd November:- elements of the 59th’s Third Infantry Battalion fired into the marchers – killing 53 – thus commencing a terrorist war against them and their ‘illegal’ government on Obrenovac.
58th - Target – Cranston – August 2577
The absence of any defenders to the SLDF landings, the declaration of being ‘open,’ provided a relatively easy deployment for the 58th.
<Late November - 60th SLDF Brigade – The 1st and 2nd Regimental Combat Team assigned to the world: Bass.>
Overall:
Captain-General Marion Marik’s leadership is characterized by her cautious, somewhat over, measured responses and a lack of arrogance towards her opponents and her desire to fill gaps in her knowledge demonstrated a lack of zeal (restraint) when it came to her tempo in ordering objective battles. The SLDF Task Force was limited by a lack of transport assets and as the continued absence of enemy forces, however, slowed their lack of progress as Captain-General Marik she paused to re-evaluate her opponents and the campaign. She began to rely upon air superiority and firepower to conduct search and destroy operations, involving ground forces, artillery, and airstrikes to find the elusive enemy slowed their progress on all worlds.
Historians would come to argue that, “Being rigid in her desire for information made her blind.”
Magistracy Vigilante Guard Forces’ grim determination in addition to their ability to camouflage / substitute their unit identification (as well as the SLDFs combat officer’s propensity to inflate damage in- order to inflate their combat prowess) was causing issues (as lance engagements were reported as company engagements) ….producing even more issues within the SLDF Intelligence Command …. whilst their forces were continuing to engage in hit and run raids based upon their high chance of success
Easy access to alcohol and drugs within Canopus pleasure districts, however, was also beginning to interfere (‘bad habits’) as soldiers began using drugs while off duty to help cope with their stress and relaxation.
Get thee to Coventry … Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious by this daughter of Tharkad … Our army shall march through. Well to New Avalon tonight.
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Requiem
12/24/20 07:02 AM
1.158.191.61
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Second Act
Operation: GATHERING STORM – Canopus Expeditionary Forces – First Wave – September 2577
<Game players may decide on which route they wish to take – GMs are required to set the tempo (time frame) / adversaries etc / customize it as required! – I will, however, place in objective worlds for Tellman’s Mistake route and Meadovale – though the more descriptive will be with the Royal Guards …… and what is occurring with the Magistracy of Canopus whist they are within the FWL ….. >
Magestrix Crystalla Centrella together with her military high command established an ambitious scheme to end the unwarranted ‘land grab’ by the unscrupulous First Lord and his ilk … she realized the only ones who could stop the war where those members within the Free Wolds League Parliament who were opposed to the Star League … to that end …. Embarrass / remove Lords who’s political power resides with the current Star League establishment – convince as many of those to support the opposition, as to the illegality of the invasion … use the media to show the FWL’s population as to the truth within Canopus space … and even to the point of fermenting a Coup within the FWL ….. in order to stop the war.
The Canopus offensive under the name Operation: GATHERING STORM commenced …. Meadowvale, Tellman’s Mistake and Watermael; the three major supply points for the invasion of the Magistracy of Canopus by the newly minted SLDF. The loss of these facilities would cripple the Star League offensive in Canopus space, and with luck would force the SLDF to grind to a halt, buying the MAF vital time to organize a strategic counter attack.
October 2577 - With the arrival of Aviso class message dispatch ships as to news regarding the first SLDF wave Crystalla and her Military Advisers decided it was time to strike …. she dispatched her Aviso ships, and the countdown for the counterattack began ….
Early December 2577 –
Target:- Star League Defence Force marshalling yards – key worlds within their supply chain for their task force;
Invasion Plan:-
Task force WarShips are to resolve their ‘jump’ through interstellar space … exiting at …
(i.) The proximity limits - nadir / zenith; and
(ii.) Known pirate points.
Objectives ….. launch fighters – gain control of the ‘sky’.
(i.) Primary – Jump-ships (logistics transport) / recharge stations - capture / destroy;
(ii.) Secondary – Warships - destroy; and
(iii.) Tertiary – Space station located above the objective world – breaching pods / shuttles – infiltrate / take command – reconnaissance objective – data core / logistics
Launch satellites – planetary sweep – identify …. Planetary invasion …
(i.) Spaceports / warehouses – capture / plunder / destroy;
(ii.) Military installations – engage / restrict access to spaceport / warehouses – to the extent you can inflict more damage than receive;
(iii.) Civilian installations – those utilized for the military industrial complex – destroy.
(iv.) Civilian nobility – identify the presence of any FWL Parliamentarian – objective … abduct.
EF Artemis
First and Second Canopian Fusiliers CET – Lieutenant-General Katarina Frei
Canopian Fusiliers Marine Expeditionary Force – Brigadier Maximillion Von Reder
Naval Task Force Lavinia (V-Class Carrier ‘Vampiress’) – Vice-Admiral Sumaira Khalifa
Target: Meadowvale –
Six major supply caches, largest being Camp Torrence (FWLM).
Two major armaments (weapons consumables) and Armor manufactories
Defence: 1st Marik Auxiliary Corps – 5th Marik Militia (inc. the Helepolis artillery ‘Mech.)
2577.
The Expeditionary Naval Task Force’s warships and aerospace fighters managed to brush aside the two patrol Corvettes in order to capture the cargo station in stationary orbit around Meadowvale, as there was little the SLDF garrison could do to prepare for a space battle – whist at the same time they undertook operations to seize the largest military merchantmen whilst making inoperable the remaining (including Avisio class) jump-ships at both the nadir and zenith jump-points.
Aerospace fighters were dispatched directly against their armaments / armor manufactories – secondary explosions totally destroyed these facilities.
Whilst on Meadowvale - SLDF plans existed for the 5th Marik Militia to defend the supply caches, however, the units assigned were inefficient in number and scattered over the planet garrisoning the various and numerous caches attached spaceports, which ironically, provided excellent LZ’s for the invading forces.
Attacking the caches directly, on December 13th, within twelve-hours from the commencement of battle all remaining battles ceased with the capture of any remaining garrison forces; they then proceeded in the ‘acquisition’ of any important logistics (the remaining of which was destroyed) whilst drop-ships with prize crews escaped off-world .
Following the evacuation of the cargo station, the station was scuttled by the Battle Group.
Marine Expeditionary Force – CO: Brigadier Maximillion Von Reder - following which, they proceed on their own operation directive.
EF Athena
First and Second Chasseurs a’ Cheval CET – Lieutenant-General Armel Rousseau
Chasseurs a’ Cheval Marine Expeditionary Force – Brigadier Miyuri Akisato
Naval Task Force Caterina (V-Class Carrier ‘Valliant’) – Vice-Admiral Tatiana Egorova
Target: Tellman’s Mistake
Four major supply caches.
Three major armaments (weapons consumables) and two armor manufactories
Defence: Elements of the 60th SLDF Brigade – The 3rd Regimental Combat Team and the 1st Marik Auxiliary Corps – 2nd Marik Militia.
With the successful capture of the nadir and zenith points, December 15th, the fleet proceed to Tellman’s Mistake where they were surprised to find elements of the 60th SLDF Brigade as well as the 2nd Marik Militia were guarding the supply cache warehouses / space-port.
The entire MAF aerospace fighter wings struck first knocking out the planet’s fighter support and communications network before landing the Second Chasseurs a’ Cheval CET at the supply cache. As the wings continued their assault from the sky, a detachment of the Chasseurs stormed the fortresses and worked at establishing a beachhead. They maintained this position until reinforcements arrived; whist at the same time drop-ships were used to allow jump capable ‘Mechs to ‘hot drop’ on top of the 60th and the 2nd Mariks key defensive positions – ultimately disabling their outer defences.
Once completed the remaining forces were forced to retreat rather than surrender.
Thus allowing their aerospace fighters to be dispatched directly against their armaments / armor manufactories – secondary explosions totally destroyed these facilities.
Sadly, however, the bulk of the supply cache was destroyed in the battle – the remained of which was quickly confiscated prior to escaping off-world.
<As Tellman’s Mistake is an agricultural world, they were able to “acquire” an additional amount of agricultural produce to supplement their existing supplies.>
Marine Expeditionary Force – CO: Brigadier Miyuri Akisato – Were attached to the Tellman’s Mistake raid – following the completion of the raid the two forces would be required to stop and recharge in multiple barren systems prior to recommencing their long raid within the FWL.
EF Aphrodite (Magistrix Crystalla Centrella and aide-de-camp Lieutenant Rinalla Centrella (age 15yrs))
First and Second Magistracy Royal Guards CET –Field Marshal Dominique Rochefort
Royal Guards Marine Expeditionary Force – Brigadier Viktoriya Ivanova
Naval Task Force Dominica (V-Class Carrier ‘Vengeance’) – Admiral Fujimori Yukiko
Target: Watermael
Six major supply caches.
Four major armaments (weapons consumables) and two armor manufactories
Defence: 1st Marik Auxiliary Corps – 1st and 4th Marik Militia
December 10th, Magistracy Armed Forces jumped in system and conducted simultaneous assaults on both the zenith and nadir jump points, quickly overwhelming the light pickets stationed there. Upon arrival at Watermael the cargo transfer station put up enough resistance to force a boarding action in response.
The following day the Royal Guards met heavy resistance from the Marik Militia. Over the course of the battle for the supply caches the Guard’s Commanding Officer, Field Marshal Dominique Rochefort, used information gathered by SAGE teams to allow a two-pronged attack, damaging the defences – penetrating the spaceport’s defences – thus successfully decimating the Militia’s defences.
Whilst their aerospace fighters were subsequently dispatched directly against their armaments / armor manufactories – secondary explosions totally destroyed these facilities.
Upon escaping off-world with their plunder the remaining cache and the now evacuated cargo transfer station were decimated.
Marine Expeditionary Force – CO: Brigadier Viktoriya Ivanova - Attached to the Watermael raid, following which, they precede on their own operation directives.
Get thee to Coventry … Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious by this daughter of Tharkad … Our army shall march through. Well to New Avalon tonight.
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Requiem
12/24/20 07:03 AM
1.158.191.61
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Situation Report
On January 14, 2578, Captain-General Marion Marik received word of the first raid on Watermael, which was quickly followed by that of Meadowvale. As news of the raids spread, and the subsequent loss of their logistical strong points, the SLDF invasion force was placed on high alert. As days turned into weeks and the news as to Tellman’s Mistake raid and still no sign of the returning MAF force the true extent of their situation soon became evident.
<The problem being, the SLDF Command was dominated by individuals who were, at times, too rational and pragmatic – they forgot that individuals are dominated by the emotions …. such as anger …. thus making them short-sighted, even lazy, when it came to understanding the illogical … they had sipped from the cup of victory and were drunk on its intoxicating taste ….>
The invasion was now on the verge of faltering – even with the destruction of two brigades intelligence believed they still retained superior military numbers - the plan therefore called for the rebuilding of their logistics operation whist a makeshift system established from bases further afield. As a result strategic advances would become limited for the foreseeable future.
In addition, the decision is made to reinforce the three heavily damaged logistics supply cache worlds – (Meadowvale, Tellman’s Mistake and Watermael) - sufficient warships from the Invasion fleet were transferred to act as the new picket ships – in addition regular FWLM were assigned to the garrison whist engineering forces are dispatched.
Though the main problem lies in re-supply - the supply caches, as well as their forward military elements required resupply in order to enable the war to continue, as per their original plans.
<Note: Such was the hubris of the FWLM / SLDF commanding officers towards the citizens of the Periphery (and especially those from Canopus … controlled by a woman who promotes a hedonistic lifestyle, an open society of personal freedoms and the right to live as they see fit based upon their own discerning tastes …). None of the senior officers within the SLDF at the time could even conceive of the true scope of Magestrix Crystalla Centrella’s daring plan, and as such no military warning went out.
As a result the Magistracy Armed Forces managed to outfox and surprise the SLDF Task Force …… forcing Marion to revise her beliefs and her responses …..>
<Important Character of Note>
Melissa Humphreys (Born: 2528) – Only daughter of Duke Richard Humphreys, Duchy of Andurien
2528 – Born on the world of Andurien
2528 – 2531 Second Andurien War
During which Kalvin Liao ordered the liberal use of nuclear and orbital strikes - in direct contravention to Article 1 of the Ares Conventions (signed in 2412); During which Milissa’s older sister Mesillia Humphreys-Allard disappeared during a bombing campaign (The date of her mother’s death is also unknown – thus there is a possibility she too disappeared during a bombing campaign).
2531
Raised to be Richard’s heir, she is provided with an extensive education including: Economics, Military and Politics;
Brief Military Career
Politics – arose from regional assembly to the Free World League’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
2551 – 2556 Third Andurien War
(Unknown when she resigned her military career / began her political career)
2556 - The Treaty of Delos
(Melissa played a pivotal role in the negations)
Director-General Ian Cameron acted as mediator between Albert Marik and Terrance Liao in regards to the War. Under mediation Marik gave Andurien (& other planets) to the Capellan Confederation. In return, Liao signed the Treaty of Geneva, providing the way to the constitution of the Star League. In return House Marik was guaranteed a seat above that of the other House Lords on the Star League High Council.
As such Duke Richard Humphreys, Melissa’s father, was left to rule a remnant of the Duchy of Andurien, with Kanata as the new Capitol (Melissa has now betrayed her father, her family - House Humphries and the Duchy by assisting House Marik and Cameron.)
2571
Melissa plays a pivotal role in the subsequent signing of the Star League Accords (further alienating herself from her family.)
2577
Melissa is currently serving as proxy for the Captain-General (on the FWL capitol of Atreus) whilst the Captain-General Marion Marik is commanding the SLDF within the Magistracy of Canopus.
During this time she assigns the Regulan Hussars (non Andurien) forces to Kanata (she is now regarded by the people of the Duchy as the future ‘Vichy’ Duchess of Andurien when her father passes on.)
<Nt: As far as ordinary Duchy of Andurien citizens, and many within her own House, as well as the Andurien Military are concerned, she is a traitor to House Humphreys and the Duchy – as such many within House Humphreys are now vying for the post of Duke / Duchess post her assassination! – and by extension these members of House Humphreys can at this stage be considered part of the anti Star League Faction!>
Operation: SHOCK AND AWE – ALPHA January 2578
EF Aphrodite .. First and Second Magistracy Royal Guards CET - Naval Task Force Dominica (V-Class Carrier ‘Vengeance’) & EF Artemis .. First and Second Canopian Fusiliers CET – Naval Task Force Lavinia (V-Class Carrier ‘Vampiress’).
Target: Kanata – The provincial capital of the Duchy of Andurien
Defence: 1st Regulan Hussars (Principality of Regulas Military Unit); 2nd Defenders of Andurien
January 16th, Magistracy Armed Forces jumped in system (pirate point – provided by Canopian Pleasure Barge – MoCS Kama Sutra) they quickly overwhelmed the stationed pickets, throwing the entire planet into chaos as a coded burst message was transferred to their SAGE spy cell.
Three landing zones were chosen …
(i.) The outskirts of Capital City – New Andurien – on the Apogee Heights overlooking city and in close proximity to the construction site for the military school (Humphries School of Warfare) (within a 10 Km proximity); the main media communication broadcasting station (within a 15 Km proximity); and the Royal Residence (within a 35 Km proximity).
Garrisoned by the 2nd Defenders of Andurien Combat Team.
(ii.) The outskirts of the main military space-port upon the Aeolian Archipelago.
Garrisoned by the 1st Regulan Hussars combat team.
(iii.) A single company combat team - targeting White-cliff Isle – no discernible targets / no garrison.
New Andurien
As the thick morning fog hid their arrival, it also concealed the presence of the scouts cavalry and infantry as they made their way to the CMM communication station – not only to announce their presence but to explain that if the SLDF and its minions could invade Canopus … then Canopus had full rights to invade them! …. they also to provide images of the unjust and unethical war being fought by the SLDF, under the command of their own Captain-General (making her legally responsible), of her forces within the Periphery.
Careful deployment created the trap for the Defenders, as the Canopians were strung out along the outskirts of the city. Meanwhile the bulk of Second Magistracy Royal Guards CET lay concealed to the north, holding in reserve behind the hill.
Despite giving up the high ground at the start of the battle, the First made excellent use of the terrain on which they fought as well as their mobility, which far outmatched that of the Defenders allowed them to dominate the field. They then lured them through the military school’s construction site and into their trap, rough terrain - slowing down the Defender’s advance- in which they regained the heights – allowing them to split the Defenders in two, allowing the Canopians to pin the Defenders in place as the remainder of the Second joined the Battle - whist the real mission was being conducted.
<Nt. Damage inflicted upon the Defenders was kept to a minimum.>
<Nt. Post analysis of the battle would reveal that a volunteer crew from CMM joined the Magistracy forces to report on their activities within the FWL.>
The Real Mission(s)
A SAGE member was able to convey a request by Magestrix Crystalla Centrella to that of Duke Richard Humphreys, for a private meeting at an independent location – their discussion revolved around the Star League / the invasion / and the illegal annexing of both of their home worlds to the Capellans and the SLDF … and how her forces and the anti Star-League faction could assist each other ….
She also informed him that his 1st cousin’s daughter, ‘Rosetta Allison-Humphreys’ (a prospective heir for the Dukedom in the event of his daughter’s death) – who had been residing at Gull Cottage on White-cliff Isle had ‘agreed’ to join them when invited by the special-forces were sent in. <Nt: Not widely known at the time but she also went with her Warhammer BattleMech.>
Military space-port upon the Aeolian Archipelago
The 1st Regulan Hussars were known to utilize manoeuvrability in order to defeat the opponents they faced, however, given the bocage terrain surrounding the spaceport heir manoeuvrability was severely limited. Acting on their own without orders from the Duke’s command or informing them of his intentions, General Tyler of the 1st believed the Canopians were aiming to size / destroy the spaceport – as such he ordered his forces to assume defensive positions between the attacking Canopians and that of the Spaceport.
Dispatching their combat forces to prearranged camouflaged strong positions that provided their forces the best observation posts and firing positions - with the ability to shoot and manoeuvre within the bocage along pre-arranged paths. The area also contained numerous concrete tobruks and an underground communication network linked into their artillery.
First he ordered their fighters to maintain air supremacy - as well as an airborne early warning interceptors.
The first combat group was then assigned to a junction 4.8Km southeast of the space port, beyond the river in order to establish defensive positions on their far right flank. A smaller second unit was dispatched to railway-bridge crossing the river at the foot of a bluff, and a short distance downriver to the first combat group together with an artillery unit. The main force, however, established a defensive position along the main artery road leading into the Spaceport whilst the remaining infantry and armour provided pickets / reconnaissance forces between the two main military forces as well as providing a ready reaction reserve unit located in the centre of their forces.
With the arrival of an aerospace carrier in geosynchronous orbit above the aerospace facility the Regular Hussars suffered almost complete obliteration of their fighters, their fixed emplacements, as well as their command-and-control in the opening stages of the battle which was quickly followed by a land assault by the First and Second Canopian Fusiliers CET.
Within a very short time the entire Hussars were either destroyed or captured.
<Nt: The Battle of Reykjavik Space-port would become known as when the Magistracy of Canopus introduced a paradigm shift in planetary invasions due to the introduction of carriers – thus necessitating the need for mass Anti Air weapons of multiple ranges, additional aerospace fighters for every unit as well as warships / space-station to maintain control over space above the defensive position – a new combined arms approach would be required henceforth for planetary defence.>
<Nt: Combat Warning order – From: Duke Richard Humphreys to Captain-General Marion Marik / FWLM Command / FWLM Commanders - January 16th, After Action Report Extract – Planetary Invasion Raid
Magistracy Armed Forces engaged in planetary raid against Kanata – Capital of the Duchy of Andurien; Magistracy Royal Guards and Canopian Fusiliers identified – strength: Approx. 3 Regimental Combat Teams; Undetermined number of Naval Vessels - ** Carrier Warship Noted – carrying a complement of multiple wings **;
Objective - New Andurien CNN affiliate broadcasting station (media crew missing presumed kidnapped) – copy of propaganda film attached <Nt: CMM has also provided a copy to their commercial information transport jump-ship – presume copy will be broadcasted upon their syndicated worlds.
Objective - Military space-port upon the Aeolian Archipelago – Garrison: 1st Regulan Hussars Combat Team were routed – force can no longer be considered combat effective for the foreseeable future – copy of after action report attached.>
EF Athena…….. First Chasseurs a’ Cheval CET – Naval Task Force Caterina (V-Class Carrier ‘Valliant’)
Target: Hindmarsh … SLDF Space Station under construction – proposed home for 7th Fleet
Armaments manufacturing plant.
Defence: Cruisers – SLS Seahorse and SLS Jubalee
February 5th - Upon entering the system, the Star Leagues early warning system alerted them as the arrival of unknown warships –Dispatching a drop-ship to investigate it would not be until 5 days later, close to the mid-point, that the commanders of the Seahorse and Jubalee realized they were under imminent assault – dispatching an Aviso messenger ship they immediately ordered a fleet-based counterattack, committing all serviceable ships:- their two warships, as well as any available drop-ships and aerospace fighters to the defence of the space station, that was still under construction (now evacuated of all civilian personnel).
The Valliant immediately launched a protracted strike against the drop-ships and fighters whist their warships punched through in order to engage the two cruisers. Upon discovering the Magistracy’s New Pocket Battleships range exceeded that of the Star League Cruisers they held their distance and proceeded to use long range fire to stand off and severely damage the Cruisers. Thus leaving them with the only option - attacking at flank speed to reduce the distance, however as the distance closed the accuracy and high rate of fire increased on both sides.
In the aftermath, the Seahorse was scuttled and the Jubalee, though damaged, was still serviceable – and as such was taken with a prize crew - the space station / armaments manufacturing plant were subsequently destroyed.
< Nt: Combat Warning order – From: SLS Seahorse Commander, Hindmarsh, to Star League Fleet Command
February 5th, 2578 - Magistracy of Canopus Naval Unit engaged by SLS Seahorse and SLS Jubalee – proposed objective - SLDF Space Station (under construction);
Magistracy Taskforce identified – (refer intelligence information attached).;
Combat expected to commence February 8th, 2578.>
Operation: SHOCK AND AWE – OMEGA – Mid January 2578
Royal Guards Marine Expeditionary Force; and
Canopian Fusiliers Marine Expeditionary Force.
Target: Cole Harbour – SLDF Task Force Canopus HQ – Currently acting as Logistics Support by directing resources – (ie. a supply and staging area world.)
Defence: 3rd Marik Militia;
At the beginning of the military build-up, prior to the ‘official declaration of war’ between the Star League and the Magistracy the 3rd Marik Militia were assigned to Cole Harbour whilst its sister units were assigned to Meadowvale, Tellman’s Mistake and Watermael as their respective logistical garrison units.
Following notification of the arrival of unknown number of ships arriving at the zenith jump point the decision was made within the intervening time for the 3rd Marik Militia to concentrate all their units within the main space-port combat facility – abandoning the two remaining facilities - they then went about establishing a defensive position including multiple inter-locking Anti-Aerospace fighter screens by utilizing specialist vehicles linked into their long range radar system.
Following the first wing’s abortive strike upon the main facility due to heavy AA the decision was made to allow the mechanized infantry to conduct a search of the remaining two bases – followed by demolition teams – the destruction of all important facilities warehouses / armouries / repair / command and control leaving only non-essential buildings – What was discovered the two bases were identical – thus the supposition was made the third would be similar - satellite imagery would confirm the supposition.
Rouge (Royal) and Noir (Fusiliers) group made it appear as though they were staging for a Deep Battle penetration by allowing the battle to play out predictably – whereby several points are attacked at the same time allowing the reserve units to advance and support the advance units at which time the attackers exploit holes with the aim of enveloping the defenders, once completed they would the drive deep into the enemy base – destroying their supply lines and their command and control ability (communication).
In truth, however, this allowed for a single ‘special forces’ infantry unit to penetrate the base – from there they moved quietly to the 2nd Division’s Intelligence Command – locating their target they were able to kidnap their target – leaving a delayed charges in the hopes of obscuring any evidence - Following their safe return the Expeditionary Forces immediately retreated in good order – evacuating Cole Harbour.
<Nt. Attached Star League Intelligence Officer – Major Erich Von Meier – On 2571, 17 April Meier was there, with the Hegemony’s delegation when Terrence Liao died.>
Get thee to Coventry … Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious by this daughter of Tharkad … Our army shall march through. Well to New Avalon tonight.
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Requiem
12/24/20 07:03 AM
1.158.191.61
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Early March 2578
Out-foxed by Magestrix Crystalla Centrella, Captain-General Marion Marik (in a fit of rage) realized her political standing within Parliament was in jeopardy if the insurgency was not immediately squashed, by her and by FWLM Units (Not SLDF) with the destruction of many armaments, armour and spare parts manufacturing plants close to the occupation zone this would require of her to source these from further afield – thus increasing costs and time as well as diverting many civilian merchantmen ships to military requirements. This in turn would have a severe backlash as civilian cargo was reduced / stopped in some cases and in turn would increase discontent in regards to her administration … as many were beginning to question why the Free Worlds League were involved in an unprovoked war with the Magistracy of Canopus to begin with …. many were beginning to see this as nothing more than an illegal war to obtain additional land, which was counter to everything the principles of the Star League said they stood for.
Marrion, therefore, immediately transferred Command of the SLDF Task Force to her deputy, and her younger sister, Shannon Marik.
Dispatching numerous Aviso class messenger ships she knew there was but one option – reform the First Marik Auxiliary Formation – thus she dispatched a message to her son Ian Mark ordering him to reform the Formation and converge on her future position at Cole Harbour.
Second message to Melissa Humphries (currently serving as proxy for her on Atreus) ordering her to form a Second Marik Auxiliary formation to hunt down the Magistracy’s Tellman’s Mistake Expeditionary force. Whilst at the same time ordering the Joint Chiefs of Staff to reorganize the military / navy so as to be able to be able engage and defeat these Canopians and their mass wings Air Corps …..
Ordering her Flagship FWLS Albert Marik to Kanata – Capital of the Duchy of Andurien – and from there to Cole Harbour, to then rendezvous point for the 1st Marik Auxiliary ….. realizing at the same time she could be two to three month’s worth of Jumps behind the Canopians depending on the arrival of her task force ….. due again to the time taken for the Aviso message dispatch ship to reach her son …
Second Act – The Hunt Begins …
<As stated above the following will only include Optional Target Worlds for your unit and the targets that are on these worlds plus my notes as to additional targets and why …. GMs can assign defending forces as required from SLDF – FWL Reserve Units as well as the FWL’s military – additional Hegemony SG forces may also be dispatched by the First Lord when he realizes the scope of their intelligence penetration …… also note the longer the forces are engaged in a campaign on a single world the more likely an Aviso messenger ship has reached a world with a force that can be dispatched to bring your unit to heel …… >
Tellman’s Mistake Route – EF Athena – Chasseurs
After many jumps through empty systems you unit arrives within the Principality of Regulus ……
World: Hindmarsh
Objective Raid(s): Homeport for the 7th Fleet (SLDF) of the Star League Navy. (armaments manufacturing)
Notes: Due to the 7th Fleet’s dispersed nature of its squadrons, not many vessels were ever present in Hindmarsh. At the time of this game Orbital facility under construction.
Distance to: 29.6
World: Katlehong
Objective Raid(s): 42nd Mechanized Infantry Division. (armaments, food and armor manufacturing)
Notes: two Brigades of Mechanized Infantry and a single BattleMech Brigade
Distance to: 52.8
World: Chagos
Objective Raid(s): Regional Capitol World – industrial facility & Military Reserve – summer palace for “Important Person” – industrial satellite factory orbits its moon.
Notes: Can some-one please fix the Geophysical Infrastructure Notes on the Sarna.net webpage.
Distance to: 43.8
World: Westover
Objective Raid(s): Andurien AeroTech, (armaments, food and armor manufacturing)
Notes: Resupply – aerospace fighters.
Chagos Distance to: 21.9
World: Mackenzie
Objective Raid(s): Brigadier Corporation
Notes: Resupply – Small craft – Drop-shuttle and Bus – Drop-ship – Behemoth.
Chagos Distance to: 26.2
World: Clipperton
Objective Raid(s): Orbital Irian Technologies Industrial Facility
Notes: Resupply – Dropships – Leopard and Leopard CV; Jump-ship – manufacture and repair facility.
Distance to: 22.9
World: Ibarra
Objective Raid(s): 352nd BattleMech Division (armaments and spare parts manufacturing)
Notes: BattleMech Regiments and Mechanized Infantry Regiments. – Warehouses / support services to maintain operational readiness. At the time of this game base(s) / military spaceport(s) are under construction – elements of the 352nd on world as garrison / security for engineers.
Distance to: 31.3
Duchy of Graham Marik
World: Home
Objective Raid(s): Kira Place – retreat for vacations – FWL Parliamentarians / Important individuals.
Distance to: 36.8
World: Bowang
Objective Raid(s): Major trading hub within the FWL and hidden pirate facility – information broker Illyria Cartel (provides information re. Fort Calpe on Gibraltar) assistance in getting Sayyida out of the prison.
Distance to: 48.6
World: Gibraltar
Objective Raid(s): Fort Calpe – SLDF fortification under construction and the 15th BattleMech Division
Notes: Fort Calpe – Maximum Security Prison for FWL Dissidents / Political Prisoners –
Contains multiple individuals of interest ….
Prisoner 808 - Melissa Humphreys (Real) – Captain-General Albert Marik and Director- General Ian Cameron needed a pliant Melissa Humphreys in order to convince Chancellor Terrence Liao to sign the necessary documents to establish the Star League – and to keep her father Duke Richard Humphreys (Duke of Andurien and Xanthe) in his place. Thus the decision was made to replace the real with a copy – the real was thus sent to Fort Calpe – if required in the future.
Prisoner 816 – Giselle Von Rettenmaier (Loki Agent – FWL world of Bolan – Bolan Thumb) - original plan civil disobedience – replace existing government with a new government – request aid from the Steiner Government thus placing the regional capitol world of Bolan into the Steiner Sphere (an in all possibility other worlds will follow suit).
Prisoner 904 – Sayyida Illyria –Pirate – Daughter of Captain Illyria (Illyria Cartel) – Hostage to ensure the Illyria Cartel know their place throughout the Periphery from Bowang to Canopian Space. Assisting the cartel can provide Canopian resistance with an alternative information and resupply source.
Distance to: 30.7
World: Maxwell
Objective Raid(s): Known for exporting food and capable Parliamentarians - Target Ronald Iasceau (negotiated trade tariffs and agreements with the Capellan Confederation) and his family members;
Distance to: 36.9
World: Alorton
Objective Raid(s): One of the fifty-one heavily contested worlds placed under the Terran Hegemony authority as a jointly-administered world. Objective, the removal of the Hegemony government officials / any SLDF forces – thereby, effectively returning the world back to the people of Alorton.
Distance to: 73.5
World: Nockatunga
Objective Raid(s): Prior to arriving a detachment is sent to the Steiner world of Cavanaugh, together with Loki Agent Giselle Von Rettenmaier (they have decided to fulfil her original mission).
Objective Fort Brittany – a SLDF fortification under construction – Garrison elements - 233rd Mechanized Infantry Division (Specialists in Defensive positions and exploiting gaps in enemy BattleMech formations – complement consist of Mechanized Infantry and BattleMechs – Warehouses / support services to maintain operational readiness. At the time of this game base(s) / military spaceport(s) are under construction – elements of the 233rd on world as garrison / security for engineers.
Nt. Magistracy forces divide into two groups – first to Bolan within the Bolan Thumb – second to Tamarind
Nockatunga Distance to: 60.7
World: Bolan
Objective Raid(s): Regional Capitol World for the Bolan Thumb – Posing as the ‘Bolan Freedom Force’ the objective is to remove the existing government – replace it with the “Government in Exile” who will request aid from the Steiner world of Gypsum (distance 21.2) though in reality they will be waiting at one of the Jump points (message from Loki) for the signal to recognize the ‘new government’ into House Steiner – and in all probability Marsalle and Valloire will also defect at the same time – thus effectively cutting the size of the thumb.
Politically – this would be a disaster for the pro Star League faction as well as the Captain- General.
Nockatunga Distance to: 35.5
World: Tamarind
Objective Raid(s): 51st Light Horse Regiment (no more than one company at a time) – Construction is under way for the regional SLDF headquarters within the city of Zanzibar.
Industrial Centers:-
Graham-Davis Enterprises – Industrial Mechs;
Forerunner AG – Jump Sails for various jump-ships;
Technicron Manufacturing and Naval Engineering - Jump-ships / Naval Capital Missiles;
Distance to: 16.2
World: Simpson Desert
Objective Raid(s): Fort Verdun – a SLDF fortification under construction – Garrison elements - Unknown – Warehouses / support services to maintain operational readiness. At the time of this game base(s) / military spaceport(s) are under construction – elements of the Unknown forces on world as garrison / security for engineers.
Distance to: 73.9
World: Vacant system close to Midkiff – Designated Point Luck
Objective Raid(s): Travelling through vacant systems any remaining forces from all three invasion fleets assemble at point luck.
<Nt: from this point will need to jump to Third Act>
Get thee to Coventry … Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious by this daughter of Tharkad … Our army shall march through. Well to New Avalon tonight.
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Requiem
12/24/20 07:04 AM
1.158.191.61
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Meadowvale Route – EF Artemis – Fusiliers
Following their battle upon Cole Harbour the now combined force proceeds onwards through vacant systems to ….
Cole Harbour Distance To: 39.2
World: Cirebon
Objective Raid(s): Fort Wilderness – a SLDF fortification under construction – Future home base for the 63rd once they have completed duties within Canopus – Garrison elements – Infantry Regiment from the 63rd (remainder of their forces are currently within the Magistracy of Canopus) – Warehouses / support services - armaments, food and armor manufacturing to maintain operational readiness. At the time of this game base(s) / military spaceport(s) are under construction – 63rd Infantry Regiment on world as garrison / security for engineers.
Distance To: 38.0
Principality of Regulus
World: Olafsvik
Objective Raid(s): Maarakiva University – Business School – Target the sons and daughters of the FWLs Politicians and Influential citizens.
Distance To: 50.7
World: Wallis
Objective Raid(s): Nt – Dangerous objective raid due to proximity to Atreus (30.8) and Regulus (48.7)
Significant defence manufacturer – Ronin Incorporated
BattleMech – Warhammer, Ostwar
Weapons – Md Laser, Sm Laser, MG, SRM 4, SRM 6, LRM 20
Ammunition manufacturer
Objective(s) – Damage of Manufacturing plant - Theft of Mechs / Weapons / Ammunition – Captain-General - Political loss of face / weakening of the pro Star League faction within the FWL.
Distance To: 25.4
World: Ngake
Objective Raid(s): Nt – Dangerous objective raid due to proximity to Atreus (38.8) and Regulus (28.7)
Selaj family members – (strong mercantile interests – vast wealth and power).
Selaj family armaments and armor manufacturing plants.
Distance To: 118.8 (note this voyage incorporates many empty / void system jumps + time to confuse pursuers as to their next objective)
World: Kyeinnisan
Objective Raid(s):
Luck City - The Cave – a gambling palace on the Kyeinnisan (and the FWL) – high rollers (politically affluent individuals etc.) – information brokers
SAFE – Analysis Branch Operations Centre located within the Kispiox Forest (west of Luck City) – Station Chief / computer hard cores.
(Decrypted data core provides a treasure of black ops info – including the replacement of Melissa Humphreys with a double / how SAFE pressured Duke Richard Humphreys to transfer Andurien to Capellan Confederation plus current mission in assisting Victoria Liao (Ursula’s aunt) son, Warex Masters, (with the backing of some within the House of Scions), to become the next Chancellor with the removal of Chancellor Ursula Liao – and thereby allowing the SLDF within the Capellan Confederation to assist in both current Periphery wars).
Distance To: 11.9
World: Emris
Objective Raid(s): Hollis Industries and StarCorps Industries (located in Ivanograd and the Capital City of Urseinova)
Hollis Industries
BattleMechs – Catapult, Xanthos; Fusion Engines; Jump Jets; Armor, Communication / Tracking Systems; Md Laser, Lg Laser, LRM 20, ammunition
StarCorps
BattleMechs – Warhammer, Fusion Engines, Armor, Communication / Tracking Systems, Md Laser
(Prototype – Gauss Rifle in R&D Lab)
Objectives the proto-type Gauss Rifle held within their R&D Facility – located on the Moon of Lot.
Nt: whilst on Emris – dispatch of Aviso Class message dispatch ship to the world of New Delos (51.7) t ascertain the location of the Aphrodite Expeditionary Force, The Aviso Class Ship will then Jump to Abadan Nadir Jump point.
Distance To: Abadan Nadir Jump-point 56.6 from there both Artemis (Fusiliers) and Aphrodite (Royal Guards) will Jump to Marik 22.7
World: Marik
Objective Raid(s): Target Political – make it known that the Captain General cannot even protect her own ancestral Marik home-world – further humiliating her / reducing her political power within the FWL Parliament….
Targets:
League Central Coordination and Command (LCCC) bureaucracy that runs the Free Worlds League Military – destruction of the building + the capture of any intelligence officers / information.
Modaria – Dormuth (Capital City) – Royal Palace – destruction of the building + the capture of any Marik family members (if possible).
Lake Veil – Fort Nimue - a SLDF fortification under construction – Future home base for the 100th Royal Mechanized Infantry Division – Garrison elements –“Unknown” from the 100th – Warehouses / support services to maintain operational readiness. At the time of this game base(s) / military spaceport(s) are under construction – Elements of the 100th are on world as garrison / security for engineers.
Armaments, food and armor manufacturing.
Major banking hub – major computer document core – destruction will cause financial problems throughout all levels of society.
Distance To: The combined fleet will then Jump through uninhabited systems / void space ….. 45.9
Stewart Confederation
World: Stewart
Objective Raid(s):
New Endinburgh (Capital City) – New Endinburgh “Stirling” Palace – destruction of the building + the capture of any of Earl Stewart’s family (if possible);
Island Continent of Highland – Castle Stalker - a SLDF fortification under construction – Future home base for the 86th Jump Infantry Division + the future headquarters for the regional SLDF – Garrison elements –“Unknown” from the 86th – Warehouses / support services to maintain operational readiness. At the time of this game base(s) / military spaceport(s) are under construction – Elements of the 86th are on world as garrison / security for engineers.
Corean Enterprises
BattleMechs – Locust, Hector, Fusion Engines, Armour, CASE, Jump-Jets, Communications / Tracking System, (Research and Development – Narc Missile Beacon Prototype), Sm Laser, Md Laser, Lg Laser, PPC, MG, LRM 10 and LRM 15 (Ammunition)
Objective – R&D Plant – The Narc Missile Beacon Prototype
Armaments, food and armor manufacturing.
Distance To: Following the Stewart Raid both expeditionary forces go their separate ways …
Duchy of Graham-Marik
World: Kalidasa
Objective Raid(s): Port Royal – Quikscell Company
Vehicles – Hover, Tracked and Wheeled APC, Armour, Communications / Tracking Systems, AC-2, AC-5, AC-20 and MG (Research and Development – LB-X Auto-cannon)
Objective – R&D Plant – LB-X Auto-cannon Prototype
Distance To: 30.7
World: Dieudonne’
Objective Raid(s): New Bastogne (Capital City) – location for …
Reinforced headquarters of the local FWLM Garrison
Military training installation – Jarvis Military proving and training grounds
Distance To: 114.1 (note this voyage incorporates many empty / void system jumps + time to confuse pursuers as to their next objective)
Stewart Confederation
World: Bainsville
Objective Raid(s): Significant Defence Manufacturing Facility
Glenroy Continent – Villafranca - Austen-Armstrong Industries
Sniper Artillery Piece, Long Tom Artillery Piece
(Nt. They have recently signed a contract with the SLDF)
Objective – capture as many Artillery Pieces as possible – damage / destroy the Manufacturing Facility.
Distance to: 65.2
World: Vacant system close to Midkiff – Designated Point Luck
Objective Raid(s): Travelling through vacant systems any remaining forces from all three invasion fleets assemble at point luck.
<Nt: from this point will need to jump to Third Act>
Get thee to Coventry … Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious by this daughter of Tharkad … Our army shall march through. Well to New Avalon tonight.
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Requiem
12/24/20 07:05 AM
1.158.191.61
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Watermael Route – EF Aphrodite – Royal Guards
Upon exiting the Duchy of Andurien – Capitol world Kanata – the Aphrodite Expeditionary Force proceeds out to the border between the Free Worlds League and the Canopian Confederation. There they will use deserted systems and void space to move into position of their next target …..
Kanata - Distance to: 87.2
Federation of Oriente
World: Fujidera
Nt. Fujidera Raid as well as Oriente raid have been scheduled to occur concurrently.
Nt. Attacking force consists of Royal Guards Marine Expeditionary Force
(Includes Lance Commander – Lieutenant Rinalla Centrella and Rosetta Allison-Humphreys as well as half of the CMM Crew)
Objective Raid(s):
Nt. Fujidera is one of the fifty-one worlds to have been placed under Terran Hegemony authority as a jointly-administered world. Objective – to remove the Terran satellite office (& its governing officials) governing the world and return it to the people.
Kanata - Distance To: 106.8
World: Oriente
Nt. Fujidera Raid as well as Oriente raid have been scheduled to occur concurrently.
Nt. Attacking force consists of Second Magistracy Royal Guards CET and the Naval Task Force Dominica (V-Class Carrier ‘Vengeance’)
Objective Raid(s):
The raid is designed more to create political instability within the FWL Parliament, as Oriente’s Duke, Byron Allison, is the current Speaker of the Parliament.
Avencas (Capital City) – Cadiz Citadel (Royal Palace) – destruction of the building + the capture of any Allison family members (if possible).
Oriente Weapons Works
BattleMech – Dervish, Icarus II; Weapon Systems – LRM 10, LRM 15, LRM 20, SRM 4, SRM 6
Oriente - Distance To: 21.6
World: Calloway
Nt. Attacking force consists of Royal Guards Marine Expeditionary Force
Nt. Known for their trading and mercantile associations – “information brokers”
Objective Raid(s):
<Refer Battle Dolls Below.>
Calloway - Distance To: 159.4 (by returning to the Free Worlds League / Capellan Confederation Border)
Marik Commonwealth
World: Marik
Objective Raid(s): Target Political – make it known that the Captain General cannot even protect her own ancestral Marik home-world – further humiliating her / reducing her political power within the FWL Parliament….
Targets:
League Central Coordination and Command (LCCC) bureaucracy that runs the Free Worlds League Military – destruction of the building + the capture of any intelligence officers / information.
Modaria – Dormuth (Capital City) – Royal Palace – destruction of the building + the capture of any Marik family members (if possible).
Lake Veil – Fort Nimue - a SLDF fortification under construction – Future home base for the 100th Royal Mechanized Infantry Division – Garrison elements –“Unknown” from the 100th – Warehouses / support services to maintain operational readiness. At the time of this game base(s) / military spaceport(s) are under construction – Elements of the 100th are on world as garrison / security for engineers.
Distance To: The combined fleet will then Jump through uninhabited systems / void space ….. 45.9
Stewart Confederation
World: Stewart
Objective Raid(s):
New Endinburgh (Capital City) – New Endinburgh “Stirling” Palace – destruction of the building + the capture of any of Earl Stewart’s family (if possible);
Island Continent of Highland – Castle Stalker - a SLDF fortification under construction – Future home base for the 86th Jump Infantry Division + the future headquarters for the regional SLDF – Garrison elements –“Unknown” from the 86th – Warehouses / support services to maintain operational readiness. At the time of this game base(s) / military spaceport(s) are under construction – Elements of the 86th are on world as garrison / security for engineers.
Corean Enterprises
BattleMechs – Locust, Hector, Fusion Engines, Armour, CASE, Jump-Jets, Communications / Tracking System, (Research and Development – Narc Missile Beacon Prototype), Sm Laser, Md Laser, Lg Laser, PPC, MG, LRM 10 and LRM 15 (Ammunition)
Objective – R&D Plant – The Narc Missile Beacon Prototype
Distance To: Following the Stewart Raid both expeditionary forces go their separate ways …
Distance to: 88.1
Marik Commonwealth
World: Hamilton (Strike Holt Concurrently)
Objective Raid(s):
Nt. Hamilton is one of the fifty-one worlds to have been placed under Terran Hegemony authority as a jointly-administered world. Objective – to remove the Terran satellite office (& its governing officials) governing the world and return it to the people.
Distance To: 25.6
World: Holt (Strike Hamilton Concurrently)
Objective Raid(s):
Nt. Holt is one of the fifty-one worlds to have been placed under Terran Hegemony authority as a jointly-administered world. Objective – to remove the Terran satellite office (& its governing officials) governing the world and return it to the people.
Distance To: 33.9
Federation of Oriente
World: McKenna
Objective Raid(s):
Fort Corregidor - a SLDF fortification under construction – Future headquarters for the XIX Corps of the SLDF – Garrison elements –“Unknown” – Warehouses / support services to maintain operational readiness. At the time of this game base(s) / military spaceport(s) are under construction – Elements of the “Unknown forces” are on world as garrison / security for engineers.
Distance To: 84.0 (Via. Deserted / empty systems)
Marik Commonwealth
World: New Olympia
Objective Raid(s):
Major exporter of foodstuffs – including aquaculture;
Wealthy vacation world and tax haven for the wealthy – possible site to kidnap FWL Parliamentarians / important individuals – Important family resides on Olympia the Kefalczyk family, Earl and CEO of DuraPaq Solutions a shipping company.
Distance To: 25.8
World: Campbelton
Objective Raid(s):
Fusigon Heavy Weaponry
Gaspe Continent – Atholville (Planetary Capital)
Producer – Laser Systems – Flamer, Sm Laser, Md Laser, Lg Laser, PPC
Distance to: 31.1
World: Vacant system close to Midkiff – Designated Point Luck
Objective Raid(s): Travelling through vacant systems any remaining forces from all three invasion fleets assemble at point luck.
<Nt: from this point will need to jump to Third Act>
EF Aphrodite – Royal Guards – Battle Dolls
Oriente - Distance To: 21.6
World: Calloway
Nt. Attacking force consists of Royal Guards Marine Expeditionary Force
Nt. Known for their trading and mercantile associations – “information brokers”
Objective Raid(s):
<Nt. On September 28th 2549, when Ian declared himself Director-General of the Hegemony and the following days a ‘military coup’ was initiated by the 51st Dragoon Regiment – though in reality it was not a coup, it was an attempt to bring proof before the politicians in Geneva as to Ian’s complicity with his brother’s assassination – One of the officers involved was Captain Sebastian Arcadias. SAGE agents accidently stumbled upon him whilst investigating a completely different assignment. Sebastian is currently posing as a Calloway Trading Guild Master.>
Sebastian’s Guild has hired mercenaries, acting as their garrison force, the mission is to capture Sebastian (alive) and to convince him to provide the evidence.
Lieutenant Rinalla Centrella’s Company (now including Rosetta Allison-Humphreys) make their first military drop – shortly after they arrive they discover that this is not a simple “hit and run – extraction” mission …. but the first battle of what’s to become a vast interstellar war ….
Travelling beneath the surface of the planet, into the tunnels, following numerous attacks they locate Sebastian’s fortress. Upon gaining access they find the Sebastian and his wife dead - assassinated by the mercenaries he hired to protect him, though they were unable kill his daughter …. It is she who provides the hidden information in exchange of becoming a member of her Rosetta’s unit …. Taking her father’s BattleMech the group pursues the mercenaries.
When finally emerging back on the surface, inside a massive asteroid crater. Then, they witness the arrival of drop-ship – however prior to the mercenaries evacuation Rinalla’s team is able to bring down one of the mercenaries … whilst the remainder escaped …..
After action report …..
Sebastian Arcadias, daughter – Valeria Arcadias informs the group the evidence was divided into three parts to ensure its safety ….. they will need to find the two other survivors from the 51st to unlock the compete dossier …..
The captured mercenary turns out to be a member of the Hegemony Secret Service (now the SLDF Intelligence Service) – tasked with finding Sebastian and the other two, to eliminating them! ….. Further ‘questioning’, however, provided the exact location their hidden base on Shuen Wan.
Capellan Confederation
Distance To: 28.8
World: Shuen Wan
Nt. Attacking force consists of Royal Guards Marine Expeditionary Force – Battle Dolls
Objective Raid(s): SLDF Intelligence Service – Secret Base(s).
The decision was made to capture / destroy the SLDF Intelligence Service – Secret Base upon Shuen Wan – Rinalla’s team are assigned as they can verify the Drop-ships / BattleMechs of the opposing false mercenary forces.
Two companies of combined arms forces were assigned to the task to hunt down the SLDF Intelligence Service team posing as the mercenary unit on Calloway. Under the command of Major Yona Yoneda they were provided the nom de guerre of a ‘mercenary’ unit - the Battle Dolls, and assigned to the Jump-ship Mea Culpa.
Arriving on Shuen Wan – and the island of Muuido - Rinalla’s Lance conducts a surveillance sweep of the surrounding countryside, through the thick rainforest by utilizing the many rivers as paths, when their group comes under attack by the local militia (who believe they are part of the same renegade force that has captured their island); retreating in good order her unit becomes stranded from the main group on the beach where they are able to intercepting an enemy communication to begin preparations to destroy the evidence of their presence at the grotto.
The Battle Dolls are then sent into enemy territory, in a search and destroy mission – determining the bulk of the enemy forces are residing in local lord’s estate. Yona decides to split them into two groups – Rinalla is put in charge of her lance to ascertain the location of the grotto; while the remainder are to engage the SLDF Intelligence Team. On the way Rinalla’s team discovers the location of the local militia’s encampment – taking them by surprise she quickly forces them to capitulate – there she explains she is not aligned with the others, she is here to destroy them – thus rather than take them as prisoners she offers them the choice to join her in their fight, accepting the offer their new allies lead them to the grotto – a half finished fortress surrounded by buildings excavated from the natural bedrock and in the centre is a landing pad large enough for a drop-ship, the far end there is an exit to the sea and a dock.
Hisui, the leader of the local militia informs then the SLDF Unit were utilizing her people as forced labour to construct the site and were keeping many prisoners.
Breaking through the two units engage the SLDF personnel on site – eliminating them – and freeing the Capellan captives.
After action report ……
Documents discovered within the SLDF commanders safe indicated the fortress they were building was to being established as a prison facility. The SLDF Intelligence Team (now eliminated) were to engage, with other intelligence teams, in the kidnapping of the Coordinator Ursula Liao upon the planet Jasmine – then return her to Shuen Wan (as a future bargaining chip).
Thus providing the Star League with the opportunity of forcing the Capellan Confederation to join the war against the two periphery states. This will be achieved when Warex Liao blames them for the kidnapping / murder of the Current Coordinator (as seen by their current raids within the FWL), and through the House of Scions within the royal court when he is named as the next coordinator.
Nt. Major Yona Yoneda orders the Battle Dolls to save Coordinator Ursula Liao in an attempt to ensure the SLDF do not receive additional forces in their war with Magistracy …. Hisui, in an attempt to protect her Coordinator, demands she be allowed to accompany the Battle Dolls to Jasmine – Rinalla accepts her into her growing unit …
Distance To: 18.2
World: Jasmine
Nt. Attacking force consists of Royal Guards Marine Expeditionary Force – Battle Dolls
Objective Raid(s): Save the Coordinator of the Capellan Confederation - Ursula Liao.
Lu Sann, the Lord of Jamine, selects Minji Myung to accomplish an intrigue (Unbeknown to her): arranging the marriage of his widowed sister, Chun-ja (whose husband he has just had assassinated for the purpose), to Chang-min Liao, the son of Duke Warex Liao of Castrovia. By doing so, at their wedding,
Warex can remove Ursula as an impediment to him becoming Coordinator.
Coordinator Ursula Liao travels to Jasmine with her retinue and guards for the wedding –
In the backdrop the Battle Dolls arrive on Jasmine at a hidden location – utilizing the acquired codes they pose as the SLDF Intelligence Unit and are provided with a copy of their duties regarding the kidnapping ….
On the day before the wedding, the trap was sprung; at 3 am from within and without the castle.
As poison was used to remove the majority of Ursula’s guards the remaining force reached its last extremity after three hours of repelling multiple assaults (including the Battle Dolls – posing as the SLDF Intelligence unit for the rebels). During which Sann made his move, imprisoning the now defenceless Coordinator (stating it was for her safety).
Unbeknown to all Chun-ja and Minji plot to free Ursula whist at the same time Rinalla, Hisui and her lance penetrate the castle - in a short window of opportunity. Dispatching an infantry infiltration unit, which Sann believes is part of the plan – pulls his forces back allowing them to kidnap Ursula. Though the infiltration squad also takes Chun-ja and Minji at the same time …..
The incoming Battle Doll’s Drop-ship allows for a quick egress …. all other parties n the battlefield are stunned trying work out who betrayed whom before they too make an egress in an attempt to capture the fleeing Battle Dolls …..
After action report …..
Major Yona Yoneda provides the Coordinator with the documentary evidence as to the First Lord Ian Cameron’s as well as that of Duke Warex Liao’s treachery ….. sceptical she requests to be taken to Exedor, where she can request the Maskirovka station chief to consult the information stored there and request a suitable defence force in the event of a civil war (by dispatching an Aviso Class message dispatch ship to a loyalist unit such as the 11th Sian Dragoons on Calpaca (9.8)) ….
Distance To: 18.7
World: Exedor
Nt. Attacking force consists of Royal Guards Marine Expeditionary Force
Objective Raid(s): Maskirovka analysis centre – (storage area for the Liao family’s personal treasures)
(Nt. Military Industrial Facilities on world - - BattleMech – Firebee (now obsolete for Military Service – sold to security services)) replaced with Wasp).
Rather than the welcome there were anticipating the Battle Dolls are attacked from the Maskirovka Base – despite Coordinator Ursula Liao’s orders to stand down. Undaunted Major Yoneda attacks the base from the front, whist Rinalla and her team engage the base from the rear.
As the battle rages on the renegade Maskirovka forces attempt to “slip out the back” only to be captured / destroyed by Rinalla’s team.
This allowed her team to invade the base, through the rear tunnel, where they came under attack by Maskirovka infantry.
Upon taking over the base the Loyal Maskirovka are found detained within the base’s holding cells ….
After action report: The full extent of Warex’s plan is discovered …. Following which Ursula orders the execution of every traitor Maskirovka agent.
Distance To: 29.8
World: Sian
Nt. Attacking force consists of Elements of the Royal Guards Marine Expeditionary Force – The Battle Dolls; and 11th Sian Dragoons.
Defending forces - Warex’s Grenadiers
Objective Raid(s): Warex Liao’s head!
The campaign to retake Sian from Warex began as the 11th Sian Dragons Naval forces interdicted the Warex fleet as it approached Sian, managing to cripple and then destroy the enemy flagship in quick order. Despite the heavy fighting in space Warex’s navy could not prevent the 11th from establishing a landing zone.
It was soon realized that the Red Lancers were not on world, presumably searching for their Coordinator. Though the battle would be removed from history (due to its sensitive nature at the time), the 11th Sian Dragoons battled Warex’s Grenadiers, the defenders which were quickly ground down to nothing during the brutal 48 hours of combat, as these defending forces finally fell to the 11th the infantry were finally able to push into the Forbidden City – Capturing Warex Liao.
After action report:
Lack of credible evidence did not allow for a direct political attack on Ian Cameron within the Council – though following the capture of Warex Liao, he and those who supported him were ruthlessly purged - the whereabouts of Victoria Liao was never discovered.
Ursula could not allow for her position to appear weak – as a result rather than purging Chun-ja and Minji due to their knowledge of recent events – she allows them to remain with the Battle Dolls.
In secret Ursula provides Rinalla with a message for her mother – then provides her with new equipment for the upcoming war – telling her that if Canopus falls she can always become a Confederation citizen.
Coordinator Ursula Liao then refused to allow any of her forces to participate in the reunification war – she even increased the cost per SLDF soldier entering into Confederation Space as a result of the recent activities
The actions of “renegade forces” fuelled the Confederation’s paranoia regarding the Star Leagues forces and the intentions of “First Lord” Ian Cameron.
Callway Distance To: 104.3
World: New Delos
Nt. Attacking force consists of Royal Guards Marine Expeditionary Force - Battle Dolls
Objective Raid(s):
<Nt. In 2531 New Delos played host to negotiations between Captain-General Albert Marik and Chancellor Mica Liao together with Director-General Ian Cameron – aimed to find a peaceful resolution to the Second Andurien War.>
Rosetta Allison-Humphreys’ will take great pride in utilizing her Mech in the destruction of Peace Park , the site of signing of the agreement between Marik and Liao to end the Second Andurien War, all structures within the park were destroyed – especially those relating to the Ian Cameron and the new Star League which she ground underfoot for good measure.
Ostrov Continent – Quito “Fortress” – seat of the military government.
Governor Nikolai Shevyryov’s residence, located deep within the Pisemsky fjord, was now heavily armed with anti-air batteries and a detachment of armour and Mechs.
First – secure the advance waring facility located in the mountains overlooking the fjord – requires jamming their transmissions so that no warning is sent;
Second – send in infantry to destroy the defensive Anti-Air emplacements along the coast;
Third – in turn allowing for the Battle Dolls Drop ships aerospace fighters to gain air supremacy and to dispatch ‘Jump capable Mech’ sforces during a “hot drop” to secure the port facility;
Fourth – drop-ships land – disembark all remaining ground forces;
Fifth – all forces are to engage any remaining enemy forces – routing these units;
Sixth – secure the building as well as the Governor and any family members; and finally ….
Seventh – fall back in good order to drop-ships and evacuate the planet in good order.
Distance To: 63.6
World: Kyeinnisan
Objective Raid(s):
<Nt. “ …. And they thought the Magistracy was depraved? ….” Rinalla, upon entering Luck City.>
<Nt. Better known as the Gambler’s world (the centre of gambling within the league and a top spot for gambling across the Inner Sphere), with many lavish, smoke filled casinos and gambling halls …. as well as all the vices known to man … However, their low crime rate is due to the large and highly trained security force, known as the Holy Rollers … >
Sebastian Arcadias, daughter – Valeria Arcadias informs the Battle Dolls that the person they are looking for is the former (unofficial) supply officer (ie. scrounger) of the 51st – Lieutenant Giovanni Shapiro.
To find a scrounger upon a world dedicated to vice requires information. Efficiency therefore dictated the use of the Holy Rollers’ surveillance network to sift through their vast amounts intercepted information. Utilizing an advanced program, the Battle Dolls special reconnaissance unit penetrates the Holy Rollers computer vault and down load it directly into the computer core – then attaching a plug allowed the Dolls remote access into their files.
Once completed they were quickly able to locate him –now an associate of the Beneventi Crime Family residing within their gated community in the Kispiox Forest (west of Luck City) and close to the Falls of Eris.
Valeria utilizes a coded message to contact Shapiro – a meeting is arranged at the Falls of Eris a small squad with Valeria is dispatched. Rather than a meeting they have been lured into a trap, as they descend into the Falls – Valeria is captured by the Beneventi.
The Battle Dolls respond in kind – launching an all out military assault upon their Beneventi compound
They are able to liberate Valeria and discover that Giovanni died many years prior, when they discovered what he was hiding. Thus his daughter, Colleen Shapiro, was taken and forced to relinquish the information.
Following the battle the remaining members of Beneventi are taken prisoner and the required information is retrieved from Beneventi’s Families Capo dei capi’s personal vault (together with everything else of value) – now free Colleen is adopted into the Battle Dolls.
The Battle Dolls quickly evacuate the now destroyed compound prior to the arrival of the Holy Rollers.
Distance To: 90.6
World: Augustine VI
Nt. Attacking force consists of Royal Guards Marine Expeditionary Force - Battle Dolls
Objective Raid(s):
<Nt. Was originally settled by Jesuits as a religious colony and has retained close ties to the Roman Catholic Church. Education is of the utmost importance to Jesuits, they founded the Ignatius Gregorian University upon Augustine VI.>
<Nt. On September 28th 2549, when Ian declared himself Director-General of the Hegemony and the following days a ‘military coup’ was initiated by the 51st Dragoon Regiment – though in reality it was not a coup, it was an attempt to bring proof before the politicians in Geneva as to Ian’s complicity with his brother’s assassination – The third and final officer the Battle Dolls were sent to find was Lieutenant Leslie Mueller - now believed to be a Jesuit priest.>
<Nt. Located high on a mountain side within the Pyrenees Mountain Range above the City of Nuevo Barcelona, the Abbey on Montserrat (Santa Maria de Montserrat) resides upon Augustine VI. It is a replica of the original building, which is located Catalonia, Spain, Terra and it is located within the southernmost content of Grecian. At the foot of the mountain resides The Ignatius Gregorian University.>
Situation on Augustine VI
Utilizing a pirate point insertion the Battle Dolls utilize the CMM id (obtained from CMM team embedded within Royal Guards Marine Expeditionary Force) codes to request information as to the situation on Augustine – Data Burst received informing them ….
The City of Nuevo Barcelona is under SLDF martial law as elements of the 12th Storm Grenadier (SG) Brigade, under the command of Major Wolfram Pfeifer, were conducting a search for an individual;
The Planet is under an information blockade – no Aviso message dispatch ships have been noted prior to the arrival of the 12th (politics – pressure, overt or covert, has been applied to the Aviso ships within the region – history will later find it was at the express instructions of the fake Melissa Humphreys on Atreus.)
When the 12th began arresting / executing Black Robe Jesuit Monks the Self defence force rebelled, and together with students from the university barricaded themselves within the University in order to protect the Abbey on Montserrat from the 12th. Since then a stand-off has ensured between the two sides – however the longer it drags on the greater the chance for it to flare up in an all out battle.
The decision was made to send one of their Aviso ships to Irian (distance – 20.6) to inform the government there as to the situation and to request aid from their garrison, the 8th Atrean Dragoons on Irian (currently guarding Irian BattleMechs – manufacturing the Guillotine ‘Mech) - with all the incendiary media images the local CMM team could provide to support their case for assistance.
In the mean time the Battle Dolls used their status as “Mercenaries” to contact Viscountess and Viceroy of Catalonia Antonella Castile when news came through that the 12th had engaged the forces within the University.
Contract:
Assist with the defence (evacuation of the clergy) of the Ignatius Gregorian University and the Abbey on Montserrat (which will allow Valeria Arcadias time to find the former 51st Dragoon – later identified as Farther Brayan O’Callahan)
Battle:
Prior to the Battle Dolls arrival – Work on the fortifications within the university had begun prior to 12th arrival into the city proper. On the first day of battle, believing the defenders were ill prepared for the horrors of war Pfeifer committed the bulk of his forces in an all out assault – to his surprise the defenders had established a network of interlinking defensive strong points where their firepower could support each other, thus forcing him to retreat and re-evaluate.
Since then the remaining elements of the 12th SG multiple had attempted multiple times to penetrate into the university grounds where the 2nd Augustine Reconnaissance Division and the 1st Augustine Cadet Command were entrenched. As it was expected that the Pfeifer would continue to consolidate his forces in one position in a frontal assault to in order to find a weak point – thus by penetrating the defensive line he could drive on to their command and control bunker – and each time his forces were forced to retreat and each time he tried to bluff the defenders into surrendering – which led to Pfeifer compounding the level violence in the next battle.
The arrival of the Battle Dolls was fortuitous as the garrison for the defenders as Pfeifer had finally decided to commit all his forces in a broad assault as his fighters committed an all out indiscriminate bombing campaign upon the university campus – as he declared the defenders enemies of the Star League and as such he rescinding the Ares Conventions prior to the battle.
As the defenders were pushed back to their final line of defence the Battle Dolls were able land their forces in the rear of the 12th – out flanked Pfeifer realized he had to break from the battle and retreat – as the remaining defenders stood their ground and pinned down elements of Pfeifers infantry Pfeifer was able to evacuate his remaining forces to the space port whist the Battle Dolls and the remaining defensive forces linked up.
With the siege lifted – for the time being CMM reporters were able to conduct multiple interviews of the defenders / allowing their reports to be distributed planet wide multiple home guard units activated and began manoeuvrings toward City of Nuevo Barcelona.
Get thee to Coventry … Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious by this daughter of Tharkad … Our army shall march through. Well to New Avalon tonight.
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Requiem
12/24/20 07:06 AM
1.158.191.61
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However, with the arrival of the entire 3rd Combat Group of the 12th SG shifted the tactical position once more in favour of the SLDF, and in so doing turned the entire city of New Barcelona into a vast battle ground lasting weeks.
Though with the arrival of the entire 8th Atrean Dragoons the Pfeifer and the 12th evacuated from the planet – effectively removing the blockade imposed by Atreus.
After Action Report:
Although charges were brought against Major Wolfram Pfeifer for war crimes committed by his forces during the battles - conventions between the Star League and the Free Worlds League ensured that no charges were laid by the SLDF Jag Corp against Pfeifer despite numerous attempts by Viscountess and Viceroy of Catalonia Antonella Castile <In so doing putting her now in the anti Star League Political Faction within the FWL Parliament.>
Sebastian Arcadias, daughter – Valeria Arcadias is able to locate the now Farther Brayan O’Callahan within the Abbey on Montserrat he informs them that he does not have it, as the third part of the evidence still remains hidden upon the world of Lipon – he also agrees to accompany the Battle Dolls in order to finally bring Ian Cameron to Justice and to restore the honour of the 51st Dragoons sacrifice as well as those that were sentenced to death following the capture of remaining forces.
Contract completed, the now battered Battle Dolls took their pay and departed – as the FWL believed them, at the time, to be nothing more than a Mercenary Force.
Distance To: 84.9
<. Nt. Alt. History - as at 2583 - Cameron Main Branch and Sub Branch Family Trees …..
Samson Anders + Deborah Cameron ---------- Alexandre Aveline + Tiffanie Cameron (Deb’s young sister)
Ian Cameron (67) + Shandra Noruff (65) ----- Sebastian De Leon(53) + Orelia Aveline (51)
Nicholas Cameron (25) --------------------------- Vivian De Leon - Aveline (22).>
World: Lipton
Objective Raid(s):
<Nt. Lipton is a population of traders who attempt to maintain a “frontier” mentality and lifestyle of self-sufficiency – they have no love for the Star League and would rather be an independent world.>
5th Striker Regiment 1st Battalion Combat Team – Medusas’
CO. Lieutenant Colonel Vivian De Leon – Aveline
Assignment – Vivian has been assigned to establish a rapid-response combat team … they are currently on Lipton as part of their training regime …..
The initial plan, for the Dolls, were to land as close as possible to the former Dragoons’ base (now overrun with vegetation), dispatch a reconnaissance force to follow the river upstream to the ruins of the base …. and from there they would move on their final objective within the former town of Vesta ….
However, like all good plans it never survived contact, following the river the Battle Dolls came under attack by Vivian’s Strikers forcing the Dolls into a Cat and mouse game of hit and run …. During the battles Vivian is shot down by Rinalla and subsequently captured. Thus allowing them a brief window of opportunity to reach Vesta, where Farther O’Callahan is able to enter the crypt beneath the Church and retrieve the final piece.
The Dolls then return to ruins of the base and begin using their flamers to burn a large enough area for their Drop-ship to land.
The Strikers’ second in command has now arrived and taken command of the forces <Nt. Ian Cameron has given him orders that if Vivian should happen to die in combat he would be rewarded.> launches an all out assault on the base.
The Dolls must now hold the base, just as the 51st did so many years ago, until their drop-ship arrives and is able to extract them. By now Vivian orders her second too stand down and allow them to leave (on a private communication channel) – thereby stopping what she believed to be a senseless battle – her second lets it slip that it is in every-ones best interest is she die as per the First Lords orders.
Enraged she assists Rinalla in identifying the second in command – in a brief duel Rinalla hills him (lucky head shot) …..
With the arrival of the Drop-ship the Dolls are able to extract themselves – Vivian remain behind – Rinalla gives her a copy, of the now complete, computer document – providing detailed information as to how Ian orchestrated the death of his brother and the promises he made with the military – to stop the policies implemented by his mother and his brother and return to more ‘traditional’ forms of mediation (war!) – Resultantly returning power to the military and the Generals.
<Nt. At this point in time Vivian will begin to form her own coalition, with the assistance of her parents and many former Hegemony Military Forces who do not accept the changes made to the military and the new SG forces within the SLDF to bring down the so called First Lord and his wife the First SLDF Commander in chief ….. >
Distance to:
World: Vacant system close to Midkiff – Designated Point Luck
Objective Raid(s): Travelling through vacant systems any remaining forces from all three invasion fleets assemble at point luck.
<Nt: from this point will need to jump to Third Act>
Get thee to Coventry … Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious by this daughter of Tharkad … Our army shall march through. Well to New Avalon tonight.
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Requiem
12/24/20 07:07 AM
1.158.191.61
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Third Act – A return to the Magistracy of Canopus
<Nt. Hans Bethe wrote: “if we fight a war and win it with H-bombs, what history will remember is not the ideas we were fighting for, but the methods we use to accomplish them. These methods will be compared to the warfare of Genghis Khan, who brutally killed every last inhabitant of Persia.”>
As command of the SLDF Task Force to was transferred to Major General Shannon Marik –
As the SLDF in particular was heavily reliant on imports and suffered badly with the destruction of their main supply hubs into the combat zone - in order to sustain the Star League’s war efforts within the Magistracy required the establishment of a naval blockade as part of the wider war. This included the preclusive buying of war materials from illegal sources to prevent their sale to the Magistracy of Canopus, whist the Canopians carried out their own effective counter-blockade by utilizing their smaller / faster warships to launch hit and run raids against known Star League supply routes – thus requiring the Star League to increase the number of convoy escort warships assigned to protect their merchantmen.
Shannon deployed powerful naval elements in order dictate the movement of commercial shipping and to intercept merchant ships, then search them for any contraband, in order to seize deliveries en route to the enemy whist at the same time re-establishing and protecting the Star Leagues new supply lines and bases;
<Nt. This did not stop the majority of merchant shipping within the deep periphery jumping through empty / vacant systems – as well as between Canopus and that of Taurian Concordat and any former House units, now turned pirate / illegal cartel – smuggler organization.>
Second, she also began to request assistance from worlds with major centres of industry and agriculture within the Free Wolds League that were close to the operations zone in order to supplement their supplies as living off the land would inevitably produce a man made state of famine within Canopus Space.
In order to preserve their current situation she mostly forbid and force from venturing out beyond their current victories in order to preserve the current gains – producing a lull in the war.
When First Lord Ian Cameron was notified as to the destruction of the SLDF’s major supply hubs, which became a major contributing factor in Shannon’s failure to pursue the Magistracy’s Military – producing a tactically inconclusive situation – a phony war for all intense and purposes – he began to develop a distrust of the FWL Aristocracy Generals. As further news arrived as to the Magistracy taking the war into the FWL he decided to repudiate his support for the Marik and remove Shannon as the commander / General-in-Chief of the Magistracy Theatre (and any field command) – assigning her to command all logistical support – and appointing his son, Nicholas Cameron, as the new in-Chief of the Magistracy Theatre in October 2579 – together with three new SG Security Divisions – to deal with carrying out anti-partisan duties (and the suppression of civilians) – he also brought with him news as to the Addendum II Decree in regards to the Ares Convention.
<Nt. Early 2579 First Lord Ian Cameron, decided to ratify the use to date of SLDF units utilizing WMDs thus making all previous war crimes by the SLDF through their use now legal - Addendum II of the Ares Convention was passed by the Star Leagues First Lord’s Decree – thus allowing the use of total war (WMDs) against the resistant Periphery states. However, Archon Viola Steiner and Chancellor Ursula Liao lodged a formal protest as to the First Lords Decree.>
Thus, in early 2580 Nicholas resumed the conquest of the Magistracy of Canopus – The policies he employed were aimed more at a potential than a real threat due to the limited forces within the Magistracy and included terror and the use of WMDs aimed against the local populace in order to force regular units into armed confrontations in order to protect civilians.
To a certain degree, Nicholas and his Generals’ actions initially became hard to distinguish between pure military anti-partisan operations from ethnic cleansing actions. The manufacture of propaganda was then employed in order to influence the local populace and any local resistance forces, as a means of conveying the penalty for any reprisal against the SLDF.
Second Wave …… 2580 March
The SLDF armada remains under strength in regards to jump-ship transport – therefore logistics are severely strained necessitating the bulk of their Naval warships are assigned to convoy escort.
World: Afarsin
Considering the logistical issues plaguing the SLDF the agricultural world of Afarsin was now of immense strategic importance to the invading forces ….. the world was therefore captured with the utmost minimum of damage (as the decision was made to retire the Night witches during the one year lull rather than turn the world into a Battle ground) - new production facilities were quickly established in order to supplement the SLDF logistical requirements and in addition multiple garrisons were established …
World: Marantha
Marantha is known for their planetary rings that makes it visually unique. They comprised of massive asteroids comprised rare metals and water ice.
Rather than form a defence upon the planet – the rings were turned into many vast defensive fortifications including naval weapons and aerospace fighter bases.
Nicholas would go on to attempt multiple nuclear / orbital bombardment assaults upon the rings – however the vast anti missile systems / naval weapons / aerospace fighters resulted in a naval stalemate.
World: Bethonolog
Bethonolog is considered a key trade hub within the Magistracy of Canopus for both legal (trade with the FWL) and illegal trade (criminal organizations, mercenaries and smugglers from the FWL’s back water worlds) centred upon the space station held in geo-stationary orbit.
Rather than capturing the facility the SLDF Navy deployed a capital missile barrage – knocking the remnants out of orbit. The resulting explosion obliterated a vast area of land, killing millions, in a massive fireball that was visible from space.
<Nt. The entire incident was recorded by the Drop-ship Fairy Dream and the images were then transferred to an Aviso class message dispatch ship – and would soon be seen throughout both Canopus and the Inner Sphere – and provided the title “the fall of innocence” – prompting many throughout the Inner Sphere to begin protesting what was beginning to be called an Illegal War.>
World: Aspropirgos
The defending Magistracy Armed Forces units on Aspropirgos managed to contest the invasion by inflict a string of hit-and-run raids, then retreating in good order, upon the invading forces before the SLDF could mount an effective pursuit in order to preserve their strength.
In reprisal the SLDF SG commander enacted a “scorched-earth’ tactic – he began by burning down cities to subjugate the world.
World: Butzfleth
The commander of the Butzfleth invasion, General Walter Wexworth, was more an ambitious politician than a military commander – as he believed military service would advance his social standing within the Terran Court. His reputation preceded him as well as his penchant for utilized frontal assaults, scorched earth tactics and saturation bombing more often than not.
Though when confronted by a professional soldier, Brigadier Desideria Di Nella, of the Night Witches – a commander possessing extraordinary cunning strategic skills – she was able to draw the enemy into the Black Forest where Night Witch commandoes then infiltrated his command outpost, assassinating him. With Wexworth dead, the SLDF units previously under his command floundered – forcing them to retreat off world.
<Nt. The Night Witches were then ordered off world – as the absence of any forces on the world was believed to minimize an expected retaliatory assault.>
Shortly there-after Nicholas Cameron arrived with a small fleet of warships – over the next two days the fleet would conduct multiple orbital bombardments in reprisal …
<Nt. Images of Nicholas’ brutality were gathered and sent to a CMM affiliate station within the FWL – Nicholas would soon gain a reputation similar to that of Genghis Khan.>
Around 2581-2582, Nicholas continued his large scale “encirclement operations, which involved his SLDF SG as well as Naval units (utilizing orbital bombardment), against the ‘partisans’. Such operations involved the destruction of any settlement buildings and the massacres of local inhabitants.
As the number of atrocities committed by SG units discipline and defection became a significant problem (CMM media crews began infiltrating the warzone – news as to Nicholas’ atrocities would soon become common knowledge within the Inner Sphere, just as fast as Aviso craft could disseminate the information – when news would finally reach Terra First Lord Ian Cameron decried the reports as nothing more than baseless propaganda manufactured by the Deviant Canopus Military) Which resulted in antagonizing the populace of the Magistracy, contributing to the growth, and not shrinking the Magistracy partisan upon every occupied world – necessitating an increase in garrison numbers as well as the number of civilian executions.
By the end of 2583 a new policy was introduced: the fortified village – which involved the creation of autonomous and well armed Star League resettlement villages (people from the Hegemony resettling within the Periphery due to cheap available farming land) who, due to their place origin, were in collaboration with their local SLDF Units – the first world undertake this policy was Afarsin – these fortified villages would then come under attack by the local population.
Third Wave …… end of 2583 / beginning of 2584
<Nt. In order to minimize Nicholas Cameron’s continued utilization of WMD the remaining Magistracy forces decided to once more engage the SLDF’s logistics supply bases utilizing hit and run tactics then retreat in good order. In order to prevent the complete destruction of the Magistracy the order was given to bring the war to SLDF – and that of the final battle, one last stand, Canopus itself!
At the same time a message was dispatched to the Taurian Concordat advising them of the Canopus’ Military impending counteroffensive – whist at the same time collecting their new warships – and preparing for the battle to come.>
World: Lindenmarle
World: Royal Foxx
World: Gallis
World: Aspropirgos
World: Fanardir
The primary mission was to create a deception / impression as to the Magistracy Armed Forces true intentions – as it was obvious that Nicholas was driving on Canopus … thus plans called for …
1. Physical deception: “special needs” to mislead the SLDF with nonexistent damage to units – as well as infrastructure and equipment depletion – to simulate the destruction of industrial targets, shipping as well as military outposts – that coincided with a decrease in naval and army activity;
2. Controlled leaks: dummy information communications, that the SLDF could discover through incepts – ie. traffic created to simulate actual units to mislead the enemy; and
3. Using SLDF agents controlled by MAF through the Double Cross System to send false dis-information to SLDF intelligence services;
4. Public presence of notable MAF staff associated with key units through CMM reports; and
5. The use of their own military intelligence to decrypt SLDF messages –a closed-loop deception system – which quickly indicated the effectiveness of the deception tactics.
The battles upon these worlds’ were, in respect, all eerily similar (in retrospect) –
SLDF, expecting little resistance, landed – which was almost unopposed. They were able to make relatively easy progress for a while until they encountered increasingly difficult terrain (such as mountainous areas) comprising crests, peaks, ridges and rivers across their line of advance (which could be utilized to manufacture sudden and unexpected flooding) in an effort to thwart SLDF commanders’ plans.
Formidable defensive lines (and defensive bunkers) were therefore used to delay their advance – providing major obstacles as aerospace fighters kept their navy at bay with their own nuclear ordinance.
These lines were used to grind down the attacking SLDF – then at a prearranged time they would retreat in good order and evacuate.
Therefore, requiring the SLDF to consolidate their existing position, before they are able to prepare for the next world to invade.
<Nt. By the end of the Third Wave the SLDF was experiencing their own major Logistics Issue – ‘Supply Hell’ – The FWL Logistics supply lines were becoming difficult to maintain due to the tyranny of distance. In addition the other Periphery campaigns, especially the campaign against the Taurian Concordat, had drained most of the Star League Resources as well as House Resources. - by taking control of additional worlds and establishing additional garrisons this increased the amount of area that needed to be defended, thus the supply lines were screaming in agony – as one officer put it “you can only advance so quickly … before you hit the culminating point.”>
Despite the logistics issue reaching the culminating point Nicholas Cameron’s overconfidence in the strategic information they had received over the past year provided all the proof he wound need to press on to ultimate victory, despite the objections of many of his Generals, he was in the firm belief that he was on the cusp of defeating the Canopus military … and as such he assembled the largest invasion fleet, which culminated in the invasion order ….
World: Canopus – during the war a percentage of planet’s population (children and aged) were evacuated – the remainder established bunkers deep underground in the event the SLDF continued their use of WMDs.
“If the iron dice must roll, may God help us.”
Operation Fortitude
The Naval Battle of Canopus
The SLDF proceeded in from the Zenith Jump-point as numerous warships escorted an armada of drop-ships in god order – believing the Canopus Navy was ordered not to engage the SL fleet as due to its sheer size, as they were unsure of damaging the Fleet sufficiently to threaten them.
In reality, when it was expected that their armada was close to Canopus a small detachment of Canopus warships jumped in at both jump points – immediately jamming all communications whist securing (marines / prize crews within shuttles) any SLDF merchantmen and Aviso message dispatch ships.
The Magistracy fleet (the bulk of their fleet – including three aerospace carriers) then exited their camouflaged position behind the dark side of both moons, Cybele and Inanna, proceeding at flank speed towards the SLDF.
Nicholas then compounded his error by ordering his drop-ships to continue towards Canopus – disregarding his officers’ requests to either send a message for assistance, retreat or keep the ground forces together in one defensible position – ordering his navy to engage the Canopus fleet whilst his forces to strike their pre-arranged targets …
<Canopus – (size – similar to that of Ganymede 5,300 Km. radius) – Lilac sky; Gravity is at 0.9 standard.
A solid and active surface with vast snow capped mountains, vast valleys, plains and rolling hills and lush forests with many small islands – water covers approximately 80 percent of the planet.
Continents:
Salonika – 30.3 million Km2 (think Africa in size)
Alinia – 26.8 million Km2
Obio – 7.8 million km2 (think Australia in size)
Salonika – Delphi City, The Capital City, located on one side of the Bay of Altay.
Salonika – Crimson City upon the other side of the Bay of Altay and the nearby Thistledown Spaceport – between which is the Thetis River
The two cities are approximately 450 Km apart by land – connected by road and the Freedom Bridge
And within the Bay is the Valkyrie Island (upon which resides the Canopus University).
Salonika – Astarte City on the other side of the continent - connected by a Maglev Train (Terrain depart Dephi – plains and farmland then lush forests and into the Rocky mountains exiting back into lush forests over many islands, along the coast and arrive at Astarte)>
The Canopian battle groups proceeded in good order “… to be bold and imaginative, to accept battle if unavoidable and conduct it vigorously unto the finish” – thus they proceeded in a spindle formation (wedge) with their pocket warships at the apex, and their carriers within the spindle at the rear engaging the SLDF battle group - proceeding in a uniform line. As the distance decreased between the two forces, the battle was no more than 15 minutes old when the SLDF’s Battleship Flagship appeared to be straddled abreast, when a huge pillar of flame shot upward (magazine explosion). This was immediately followed by an explosion that destroyed a large portion of the ship from amidships clear to the rear breaking the ship in two as the stern fell away and then exploded. Splinters of the ship then rained down the closest SLDF ships.
As the SLDF’s line was now penetrated, their chain of command thrown into chaos, in their absence of a strong centre they now found themselves being enveloped by warships and multiple aerospace fighter wings – their perceived strategic advantage evaporated as the battle progressed and their losses increased.
By the 18th hour of the engagement, as damage increased to both sides, the remaining SLDF forces (no bereft of any aerospace fighter support) complicated their errors by attempting to brake off their attack. Deciding to retreat, for now, until additional heavy unit warships could be concentrated and brought to action, however, in so doing the Canopus Navy pressed their attack on the now week flanks of the SLDF - creating multiple overlapping fields of fire – shortly thereafter those few SLDF warships remaining were forced to capitulate.
The Initial Land Battle for Canopus
Nicholas’ invasion, now thrown into chaos as the naval battle raged above him, he had complete faith (his hubristic nature) in his navy’s prowess over that of a ‘mere’ periphery states navy – especially that of the Magistracy, who’s state was run by a licentious female ruler.
He therefore continues with his plan and divided his forces into three separate groups –to acquire the three most important cities on the planet - Delphi City, Crimson City and Astarte City. What he discovered was three abandoned cities, their populations evacuated (including food and anything that could be considered of use to the enemy) due to his continual use of WMDs in past campaigns.
The situation became increasingly dire when the attempt was made to transport an intelligence group from Astarte to Delphi via spheroid drop-ship, once launched it passed through the phases of flight following its trajectory: boost, ballistic, however prior to re-entry as the Canopus Naval forces immediately obliterating the ship in quick order as it passed through the exosphere.
Get thee to Coventry … Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious by this daughter of Tharkad … Our army shall march through. Well to New Avalon tonight.
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Requiem
12/24/20 07:08 AM
1.158.191.61
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<Nt. Canopus forces still adhere to the rules of war – whereas SLDF have abandoned them altogether.>
Upon further analysis he soon realized his forces were surrounded and upon receiving a declaration of surrender by the Canopus commander in addition a caveat that they were restricted from any use of the SLDF drop-ships (on penalty of further orbital bombardments), Major General Desideria Di Nella of the Night Witches, stating that the SLDF navy had surrendered - he immediately disbelieved the information – however the use of the MAF Navy to strike at a drop-ship would confirm that his Navy were no longer within orbit - he refused stating they would have to come in and dig him out!
<Nt. The majority of the Canopus Navy with the Canopus system are within a repair phase – except for those at the jump points that are lying doggo in order to detect all incoming ships – as well as those that are actively searching for any pirate points where ships will be assigned to – any unauthorised ships arrival will then be met with deadly force.>
The Battle for Canopus had thus turned into a siege where the SLDF held the cities and the MAF held the countryside – and where Nicholas quickly realized that he had no ability to divide whether a ship was able to escape the system and notify any external SLDF units as to his plight upon Canopus - he would now have to hope that in due time when no word of his battle had reached them one of his Generals would dispatch an expeditionary group to investigate his situation (at a maximum his expectations would be one month).
Di Nella devised a coordinated strategy to apply pressure on the SLDF from many points – where she intended to manoeuvre Nicholas’ army to a decisive battle; her secondary objective was to capture Nicholas alive if possible, but she knew that the latter would happen automatically once the former was accomplished.
Her coordinated strategy first called for the use of commando infiltration infantry to utilize the under-ground water-way system to harass the forces within the cities whist aerospace fighters harassed his ground forces from the air – all the while demonstrating a weak flank that would seem to allow the enemy to penetrate and escape the city siege. As it was obvious to her what Nicholas was thinking, at that point in time, penetrate the weak flanks thus allowing (over time ) all SLDF to rendezvous within the country – thus allowing their forces to initiate a guerrilla war (whist living off the lad) until assistance arrived, en mass, to allow them to finish the war through orbital / WMD bombardment.
Taking the bait two of Nicholas’ commanders attempted their break out in both the Crimson City and Astarte City whilst the forces within Delphi City were late, due to an unknown reason – as the MAF feigned their retreat, the SLDF from both Crimson City and Astarte City pursued their targets in vigour, believing they had them on the run –unbeknownst to them MAF sappers had previously excavated a multitude of tunnels beneath the ground, laying vast quantities of explosives to establish multiple ‘mines’. Thus at the beginning of the offensive, the MAF simultaneously detonated numerous mines beneath the SLDF positions.
These massive blasts killed an estimate of 60% of the Crimson City forces and 80% of the Astarte City forces –those that were not destroyed were disorientated – allowing for MAF forces to quickly attack survivors – forcing the remnants to retreat back into the cities they were attempting to flee from.
Realizing his situation was now dire, Nicholas, in an act of desperation ordered the military remnants to ….
All remaining Crimson City forces are to break out along the coast at 3:00 am and into the Salonikan Wilderness. Rendezvous at the Thetis River Freedom Bridge (a major river on Salonika) with forces from Delphi City the combined force will then retreat in good order to Delphi City.
All remaining Astarte City forces are to board the Maglev Train (now an armoured train) and run the gauntlet across Salonika in order to reach Delphi City.
….
All forces would then retreat in good order to Valkyrie Island - which will be turned into their armoured fortress in order to await reinforcements.
Battle of Salonikan Wilderness Forest
General Desideria Di Nella’s initial goal was to pin down the SLDF in the area t keep them from reinforcing the forces with Delphi. A secondary objective - to outflank the SLDF forces within Delphi and penetrate into the city was also considered.
The Salonikan Wilderness Forest occupies a rugged area between Crimson and Delphi with the Thetis River in the middle. The dense confer forest is broken by few roads, tracks and firebreaks makes vehicular movement difficult. In the early winter the weather is cold, wet, with light snow as deep fog clouds the dense forest that prevented air support in their inability in spotting targets.
The initial battle occurred as reconnaissance forces began to clash with one another and as the day progressed and numbers increased on both sides the dense forest allowed for both sides to initiate infiltration and flanking attacks, and it was sometimes difficult for either side to establish a front line or to be confident that an area had been cleared of enemy forces on each side. The small number of routes and clearings within the forest had allowed the Night Withes and MAF artillery support teams to pre-range their weapons and fire accurately.
Though the densely forested terrain limited the use of armour it did allow the SLDF to utilize their Mechs as a means to blast a new track for their tanks and motorized infantry support vehicles all the way to the river, where they had established a makeshift pontoon bridge.
Those forces that made it across were then harassed all the way back to Delphi – the remainder were forced to surrender to the Night Witches.
Katarina’s Expedition – (Maglev Train - Astarte to Delphi)
Captain Katarina Evans has been ordered by Nicholas Cameron to utilize the Maglev train in an attempt to reach Delphi – the journey can have many issues, such as during the journey …….
Multiple Aerospace fighter attacks;
The need to stop – send forces on ahead to capturing a routing station – and re-routing the train onto the correct line;
Being pursued by a resistance train, in hot pursuit; and
Partisans – destruction of the line ahead of the train – thus necessitating they use their vehicles for the remainder of the journey – living off the land – being ambushed all the way – attempting to avoid a major battle so that the majority of her force makes it to Delphi. <Depending upon how far they make it via train will determine how long it will take to reach Delphi – it they ever do reach Delphi.>
The Battle for Delphi and the retreat to Valkyrie
With the forces Dephi and the remaining forces from Crimson now combined General Desideria Di Nella continues to apply pressure.
She initiates a Deep Battle / Blitzkrieg strategy – utilizing multiple main arterial highways into the city the MAF assault is designed to strike a swift, focused blow - initially utilizing her mobile, manoeuvrable forces including armoured tanks, air support and infiltration infantry squads hidden within the city to strike at multiple points along the SLDF lines.
As the defences begin to break down any holes develop in the SLFG lines, rather than being able to drive deep behind their lines in order to destroy any supply and communications lines the SLDF units begin to fall back, in good order utilizing an elastic defence strategy to prearranged defensive lines. Thus MAF heavy forces are committed to battle to punch holes into their defensive lines ….. this occurs many times throughout the day.
At the same time Nicholas attempts to maintain air superiority over the bay as multiple commandeered ships as well as all his Aerodyne Drop-ships are utilized to transport the bulk of his forces across to the island in the bay – thus establishing a natural fortification from which to wait for reinforcements.
For the next few weeks Di Nella – uses mass aerospace assaults in order to reduce the SLDF aerospace numbers, gain invaluable intelligence, destroy any – prior to an invasion by the MAF forces.
Battle for the Zenith Jump-point
Nine weeks after the SLDF arrival upon Canopus a SLDF Naval fleet arrives at the nadir – forcing the MAF Naval units to retreat (whist notifying the main fleet stationed insystem)
The Battle for Valkyrie Island
Di Nella – not wanting wasting any time (due to the arrival of the SLDF Naval Fleet) orders her Mech units to utilize their ablative drop Cocoons in order to establish a beach head upon the docks and provide a protected anchorage for the contingent of naval ships she had been accumulating and modifying into transport ships in order to undertake an amphibious assault in order to off load her regular forces – from there, the plan was to drive inland destroying all remaining SLDF units – no quarter asked or given!
The battle for Valkyrie Island would last for the entire 15 days as the ferocity and intensity as Nicholas advocated a defensive strategy in order to ensure the airfield and the University Campus remained with the SLDF.
The land battle began with mass MAF aerospace fighter attacks complemented with dot drops by Battlemech forces – that then formed ad-hoc units to drive upon the docks – once secured subsidiary landings followed (including their artillery pieces to cover further operations upon the island). With sufficient ground forces upon the island MAF began to sweep across the south-central part of the island. As the terrain became mountainous and wooded including a mass of rocky ridges and ravines where the fighting intensified over many days, until ultimately the SLDF were finally pushed back to the University Campus – now converted into series of strongly fortified positions.
The SLDF had prepared their positions well and fought tenaciously resulting in many fierce close combat operations / infiltration raids on both sides.
On the last day a final MAF tank assault was able to breakthrough by outflanking the SLDF along the ridge overlooking the university and linking up with its infantry support attempting to cross the ridge from the opposite direction. Launching another attack on the University Campus finally broke the remaining SLDF forces – ensuring their capture shortly thereafter.
However, whist the University was being overrun – Nicholas and those forces he was able to accommodate within his remaining Aerodyne Drop-ships retreated for space ….
Nicholas Cameron’s Fate
The naval battle, was a series of small skirmishes as the SLDF utilized a Blitzkrieg to penetrate the MAF naval forces then execute a quick recovery of Nicholas and any of his available forces he was able to extricate from the planet, and from there they would sling shot around the planet in order to gain speed (and distance). From there they would fight their way through to the Zenith Jump point and escape ….
Upon reaching the outskirts of the Zenith Jump point an Aviso message dispatch arrived with news from Atreus ….. <Refer end of Act Four – The Atreus Affair.>
Get thee to Coventry … Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious by this daughter of Tharkad … Our army shall march through. Well to New Avalon tonight.
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Requiem
12/24/20 07:10 AM
1.158.191.61
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Fourth Act – The Atreus Affair
Back Story:-
With the remnants of the three Canopus Expeditionary Forces now re-combined at Point Luck ….
- having received an Aviso message dispatch ship from Canopus with evidence as the atrocities Nicholas Cameron is committing within the Magistracy;
- a second Aviso ship arrived, weeks ago, from the Battle Dolls explaining their aims and that they are moving towards Lipton and the third and final cash containing the evidence required to expose Ian Cameron – they advise that if they do not reach point luck on time they will follow on to the final objective – many within the FWL’s anti-SL faction (and FWL parliamentarians) now stand with them, to remove the Marik and to end this illegal war;
An Aviso message ship has also been sent to Richard Humphreys (Duchy of Andurien) as to the disposition / history of his true daughter;
The Battle Dolls, by now, have left Lipton and are on their way to Point Luck – with the complete dossier proving that Ian Cameron ordered the death of his brother in order to take the throne – note they have also sent off two other Aviso ships one to Steiner the other to Liao with a copy of the document – and with orders to provide a copy of the document to all major news affiliates on all major worlds along the way;
Plan:-
In an act that surprises everyone the Canopus Expeditionary forces arrive within the Jump point – Blitzkrieg through any forces initiating of the Capitol of Atreus – Primary Targets: Space Port and The Parliament Building – the MAF will then escort FWL Parliamentarians to the building.
Parliamentary Session – whist being communicated to the entire planet the session begins with the real Melissa Humphreys calling upon the arrest of the fake ….
Whilst the above is occurring the FWL upon the planet split into two factions – those with Parliament and those units loyal to Captain-General Marion Marik ….
Civil War ensures upon Atreus …. With the arrival of the remnants of Captain-General Marion Marik’s two pursuit forces, quickly followed by the Richard Humphres Andurien forces and then the arrival of the Battle Dolls … and after many battles both Captain-General Marion Marik and the fake Melissa Humphreys are taken captive by the Parliamentary forces …
Parliament votes to remove her as Marion and House Marik from the line of succession - Captain General …
First Lord Ian Cameron, as well as his wife Commanding General Shandra Noruff- Cameron - together with many SG Regiments and Naval units – many massive battles erupts (Ian and Shandra realize that they cannot use WMDs upon Atreus as their use would be political suicide within the IS – the other Great Houses would never trust him again, and as such the Star League could fall)
Approximately 6 to 9 months into the Atreus Affair …..
As the battles rage on the Parliamentary forces begin to fall back – become reduced in number …..
However upon the eve of the final battle ….
A second SLDF fleet arrives ….. Believing reinforcements have arrived Shandra orders them to assist in the final battle …. she then receive a curt message …. “Today I Duchess, Vivian De Leon-Aveline
go to war …. First Lord Ian Cameron is guilty of regicide as he had his brother murdered so that he could take the throne, and as such is a traitor! …..” …. Shandra then notices that her fleet was accompanied by both House Steiner and House Liao military units …
As the final massive Battle ensures, upon Christmas Day, Ian is killed by Vivian and Shandra is taken prisoner by Rinalla and her Battle Dolls - the renegade SLDF units are then either put down / surrender.
Fifth Act - Epilogue
With Ian dead and Vivian proclaimed the new “First Lord” of the Star League
The wars within the periphery realms are declared illegal – all SLDF units are ordered stop fighting and retreat in good order – peace treaties are established …. The Periphery States will remain independent until such a time as they enter into the Star League by their own choice ….
Re-establishing the rules of War – The Those officers suspected of war crimes are to be arrested and tried for their crimes …..
She then decides to remove the title “First Lord” for all time. Establishing a King Arthur’s round table approach for the future Star League where each House has an equal say in the affair of the Star League. The 600 SLDF base worlds are scrapped to less than a hundred and only n those worlds adjacent to border with another house. No bases will be allowed within another realms internal space.
Shandra then ensures the restoration as to the rules of War – The Ares Conventions – she then declares those officers who utilized such tactics to be arrested and tried for their war crimes.
A new more ethical Star League is established …..
As for Alexander Davion – Melinda Davion (Who’s Mother is a Varnay of the Capellan March Principality and her husband is a Sanromea of El Dorado (Banking) – has initiated a civil war to topple Alexader as the truth behind the Malagrotta Affair has been made public – and as such Melinda has declared her father unfit to rule due to his part in fomenting the Reunification Wars. <To be expanded upon in a future story …. >
Marion Marik is disposed as Captain General. An amendment is established – the line of succession will be abolished, as any future Captain General will be determined by a special election within the FWL parliament based upon their merit to the people of the FWL …. The next FWL Captain General is
The true Melissa Humphreys and her father Duke Richard Humphreys reconcile – returning to the Duchy of Andurien …
The Next Arc –
Where the Remaining Canopus Expeditionary and the Battle Dolls (very minimal warships 2/3 max. with one Aero-space Carrier – the remaining were destroyed during the multiple Naval Battles above Atreus) From there they decide to return to the Magistracy in order to remove Nicholas and his former SLDF units from Canopus space ….
Get thee to Coventry … Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious by this daughter of Tharkad … Our army shall march through. Well to New Avalon tonight.
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Requiem
12/27/20 01:08 AM
1.158.191.61
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FWL’s SLDF withdrawing from Magistracy of Canopus Bases:
Upon the arrival of the Star League Aviso class message ships within Canopus Occupied Systems - with news from Atreus – The Reunification War was over, First Lord Ian Cameron and Captain-General Marion Marik had both been removed from their positions of power – and the Reunification War is thereby deemed an illegal some moths prior to the battle upon Canopus itself.
Thus following Nicholas’ debacle upon Canopus he received orders to evacuate the Star Leagues’ forward-deployed military bases. They were established as a deterrence against partisans, reassure allied settlers from the FWL, and enable rapid deployment operations – whilst maintaining a constant military and civilian governance presence began withdrawing from Canopus space, much to the enthusiasm of the Canopus people, thereby increasing Nicholas’ enmity towards the new Star League regime.
As such those FWL settlers, who choose to remain, did so at their own risk and were advised to seek Canopus citizenship. The number of reprisal raids against these settlers increased in this period – further increasing his enmity to outright loathing.
Brigade Commander, Brigadier Nicholas Cameron - now bereft of his rank, his former Storm Grenadiers units upon Canopus, and his position within the Star League as heir - He, and those officers whom within the Storm Grenadier units who authorized the utilization WMDs were now culpable for war crimes, and as such find themself wanted war criminals, as these Storm Grenadiers units are now declared renegade.
Rather than surrender Nicholas suggests reforming the Brigade’s military and navy – finding a patron who is willing to back them (and him personally). Most notably on his list is First Prince Alexander Davion who is currently engaged in a civil war with his eldest daughter Melinda. Whist with Alexander it would give him the chance to re-build the Storm Grenadiers in order to kill his cousin and retake the Star League – thereby returning House Cameron to their destined position of First Lord – as he would make sure that her rule would be nothing more than an anachronism.
Thus Nicholas’ first act is to unify any Storm Grenadier units that have not surrendered (relinquishment of control over fortifications, ships and armaments) or been destroyed during the Reunification war, followed by ensuring their logistical requirements prior to entering into the Federated Suns from any available source.
Nicholas, therefore, dispatches his own Aviso message dispatch ships with orders to contact those military units that are still loyal to the old regime (House Cameron) and request they rendezvous upon the Canopus world of Scheuerheck.
To that end multiple SG units rise up in revolution – attack their once allies – pilfering their logistical supplies and move to join Nicholas Cameron in his rebellion ….
As seen by those SG ground and Naval units garrisoned on ……
World: Bass
World: Restitution
World: Cranston
World: Royal Foxx
World: Aspropirgos
World: Gallis
The Retribution Battles (as they would become to be known) were a major Storm Grenadier counteroffensive against their former SLDF allies. The offensive campaign achieved complete surprise due to the SLDF’s preoccupation with retreating back into the Free Worlds League and was intended to stop any SLDF pursuit forces whist taking advantage of their logistical supplies.
Those SLDF personnel upon Royal Foxx and Restitution bore the brunt of the attack and incurred their highest casualties of any operation during the Reunification war – which included some units to commit war crimes against their erstwhile allies as POWs were executed. Within the first few days of their retribution multiple SLDF units collapsed as the initial momentum of the SG ground, air and space attack destroyed the SLDF command and control which allowed their forces to attack other Star League garrisons upon other worlds (who were in the process of retreating from Canopus space).
It would take the Star League commanders considerable time before they became aware of the enormity of Nicholas’ opening betrayal.
Once all of Nicholas’ SG forces were unified upon Scheuerheck they then moved upon the newly rebuilt Logistics / marshalling yard facility upon Meadowvale.
Get thee to Coventry … Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious by this daughter of Tharkad … Our army shall march through. Well to New Avalon tonight.
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Requiem
12/28/20 04:38 AM
1.158.191.61
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Chapter 2 the path of treachery
List of Storm Grenadier Units who’s political affiliation now resides with Nicholas Cameron –
TO&E – Approximate
Brigade – 3 RCTs + Support Units
(The remnants of units from the Reunification War form ….
1st SG – Division Name: Cameron Guard of Corps
2nd SG – Division Name: Empire Guard
3rd SG – Division Name: Death’s Own
Naval Complement – 7 Warships
One Battleship – Morgiana
Two Heavy Cruisers – Astoria and Atlanta
Three Destroyers – Argonaut, Grenadier and Cythera
One Frigate – Chevalier
Twelve Aviso class message dispatch ships
Target: Meadowvale - Logistics / marshalling yard
The Lady of the Lake Fortress and Logistics Supply Facility (now established underground - beneath the major spaceport facility - incorporated a converted fortress. Above which, residing in geosynchronous orbit the Excalibur Space Station – and orbital logistics and Jump-ship / war-ship repair facility – Who’s defences have been upgraded to incorporate multiple aerospace wings, multiple naval cannons and capital missile launchers.
Ground forces would also have been increased to (at a minimum of) two RCTs - and given that Nicholas Cameron became the commander of the invasion forces during the Reunification War (by right of being heir to the Star League Throne).
<Nt. I would assume that he retired those FWL – SLDF units who’s allegiance he considers questionable or their Commanding Officer’s reaction towards Nicholas’ can be considered questionable. OR suggest utilizing one newly minted SLDF unit together with a second FWL auxiliary unit.>
<Nt. The coming battle is determined upon whether an Aviso Class message dispatch ship has arrived in order to provide warning as to Nicholas’ treachery.>
In the event that Nicholas’ treachery has not become known …
Treachery would be the battle plan of the day – by allowing Nicholas’ forces to gain proximity to both facilities – then when the time is right he would attack, betraying both and in so doing sowing chaos in his wake. It could therefore be surmised that the initial strike would be devastating, and in so doing destroying the majority of the defenders both above and below – thereafter it would be little more than a mop up, hunting down survivors.
In the event that Nicholas’ treachery was known …
Attacking is dependent upon inflicting more damage than receiving damage as well as the likelihood of there being a sufficient return upon their investment in material worth (as well as the number determined by an accurate loss depletion report.)
In all likelihood I doubt that Nicholas would risk the role of the iron die just for additional supplies – he would seek out less well defended garrisons upon which to attack.
<Nt. I have chosen the path of treachery for my story …… >
Get thee to Coventry … Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious by this daughter of Tharkad … Our army shall march through. Well to New Avalon tonight.
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Requiem
12/28/20 04:38 AM
1.158.191.61
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Chapter 3 the correct response to treachery
Timeline: approximately 3 to 6 months post end to the Atreus Affair
Battle Dolls Location: Duchy of Andurien – Capitol world Kanata
Rinalla Centrella and the remaining Battle Dolls are the guest of Duke Richard and Melissa Humphreys whist on their return journey to the Magistracy of Canopus. With the arrival of an Aviso Class message dispatch ship from Meadowvale informing them of the Storm Grenadiers / Nicholas Cameron’s treachery.
Due to the WMD devastation Nicholas and his Storm Grenadiers caused within Magistracy of Canopus they have been designated as wanted war criminals – Rinalla Centrella requests permission from Duke Richard Humphreys to hunt them down – as such they are provided with a “letter of Marque” and as such are designated as a Provost Marshal Unit to hunt down wanted criminals.
Rosetta Allison-Humphreys returns to Battle Dolls – this time she brings with her members from the Andurien Cadet Corp (whom she trained with prior to joining the Battle Dolls) – Rosetta forms her own BattleMech Company within the Battle Dolls – The Rose Dolls.
Combat Brigade Team:- A reinforced multi-regiment formation consisting of ….
Reinforced Regiment of BattleMechs
Two Regiments of Combat Vehicles
One regiments of Infantry + One Company Special Forces
Three VTOL Wings
One aerospace wing
One Battalion of artillery
Support regiments – MASH / Engineers / Recovery / Techs etc
Merchantmen – Jump-ships - Including the Jump-ship Mea Culpa
Drop-ships – 110% capacity
One Hospital ship
One mobile repair maintenance ships
Eight Aviso class message dispatch ships
Naval Complement
One Aero-Space Carrier (total complement 120 fighters) – MoCS Vampress - Admiral Fujimori Yukiko
(Current complement approximately 5 mixed wings – 90 aerospace fighters)
One Pocket Battleship – MoCS Dauntless
One Strike Cruiser – MoCS Witch of Endor
One Destroyer – MoCS Resolute
Distance to: 41.3
World: Meadowvale
Both the Lady of the Lake Fortress and spaceport facility as well as the geosynchronous orbital Space Station, Excalibur are heavily damaged. The underground Logistics Supply Facility – ransacked.
Whist within the remnants of the fortifications remaining individuals from the FWLM – 2nd Free Wolds Guards request of Rosetta to become her new 2nd Company Combat Team (‘Mechs, Armour, Infantry and aerospace fighters) – she accepts the complement as an attached unit.
<Nt. With the arrival of an Aviso class message dispatch ship Rinalla receives notification that her mother has provided her with Liaison Officer Ilesha Schubert – attached to Service Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE). Intelligence would suggest that Nicholas requires a new military force as well as the backing of powerful people if he hopes to regain the Star League – as such the former can be located exiting the Taurian Concordat – the latter would be Alexander Davion. To that end they plotted the many routes Nicholas could have taken, thus they dispatched their Aviso ships, beginning their search – jumping from one system to the next in the homes of finding clues as to their progress in an attempt to bring him and his units to heal.>
Though, possible routes within the Capellan Confederation …
Utilizing known information from Meadowvale would include the following ….
World …………………………. Distance from …………………… Attributes ….
Piriapolis …………………….. Meadowvale 51.1 …………….. Nil
Leyda ………………………….. Meadowvale 69.1 …………….. CCAF: 5th Andurien Hussars (2 Regiments)
Sadurni ……………………….. Leyda 56.1 ………………………… Agricultural World – Patra, the main continent and location of most of their cities was also to be the headquarters for the 7th SLDF (currently under construction).
Calseraigne …………………. Sadurni 24.2 ……………………… Nil
Ghorepani …………………… Calseraigne 42.9 ……………….. Nil
Sunnywood …………………. Ghorepani 51.4 …………………. Nil
Muridox ……………………… Sunnywood 49.0 ……………….. Nil
Kern ………………………. Muridox 19.8 …………………………. Nil
Buenos Aires …………. Sadurni 33.2 …………………………… Agricultural World
Kurvasa ………………. Buenos Aires 23.5 …………………….. Nil
Bellatrix ……………… Kurvasa 14.7 ……………………………… SLDF Base – currently being abandoned
Alexandria …………. Bellatrix 56.7 ……………………………… Nil
Zanzibar …………….. Alexandria 12.4 …………………………. Nil
Indicating the two most probable worlds where the Battle Dolls could intercept Nicholas’ renegade Storm Grenadier forces being “Sadurni” and “Buenos Aires” before they reach Federated Suns space.
Upon exiting the Meadowvale system it was believed they were 28 days behind the renegade forces.
Get thee to Coventry … Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious by this daughter of Tharkad … Our army shall march through. Well to New Avalon tonight.
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Requiem
12/30/20 01:30 AM
1.158.191.61
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Chapter 4 beginning of madness
1st SG – Division Name: Cameron Guard of Corps
2nd SG – Division Name: Empire Guard
3rd SG – Division Name: Death’s Own
Progression:
Meadowvale (FWL)
Ryerson (CC)
World: Sadurni – Agricultural World (jump point distance 6 days)
Targets:
Primary: Continent Patra; City Pyrgos – the headquarters for the 7th SLDF (currently under construction); Secondary: Athens Spaceport within the warehouse district for the replenishment of logistics (consumables).
Pyrgos is adjacent to the sea and stretches between the estuaries of the rivers Glafkos and Haradros. Athens spaceport resides 7 km to the south (also adjacent to the sea). The SLDF forces is 94 km northeast of Pyrgos and is currently under construction upon Mount Panachaikon, before the gulf of Patras.
The dawn landing by the 1st and 2nd Storm Grenadier units was preceded by a very effective naval bombardment who had assumed their fire support positions as their drop-ships began their decent.
The defenders opposition was much stiffer than expected at the spaceport as a unit of experienced troops was there on leave awaiting transport to their final destination otherwise all objectives had been met with the complete destruction of SLDF units / buildings and infrastructure as well as the looting of all warehouses by 14:00.
World: Buenos Aires (Jump Point Distance 6 Days)
Target:
Warehouse district for the replenishment of logistics (consumables).
The raid by the 3rd Storm Grenadiers (whist the 1st and 2nd were on Sadurni) – security forces (an all civilians) pulled back as the world was undefended, thereby allowing the 3rd to loot with impunity …..
Battle Dolls
In an era where there is an absence of instant information, Rinalla, as the CO of the Battle Dolls has to set a route, together with a timetable - send out her Aviso ships acting in a reconnaissance position (in advance of the main fleet) and hope they can find a clue as to Nicholas’ progression then jump back in time to communicate their findings – she also need to make logical decisions as to Nicholas’ train of thought ….. and determine what his final objective is …. those Storm Grenadier units utilized within the Taurian Concordat: Reunification War (and who are also loyal to him personally)
Currently she had been correct in her assessment and as such the Battle Dolls are now approximately 15 days behind Nicholas’ renegade Storm Grenadiers by the time they reached Buenos Aires …. Given the time between end of the Reunification War and now (over a year) and given the Storm Grenadiers situation (for those that utilized WMDs) they would have but - sign on with a new master – who would ensure they could not be prosecuted for past crimes, and that would be Alexander Davion ….. thus Nicholas would also make haste to his side for the same reason ….
Rinalla, therefore realised she needed to arm herself with all the information she could would be the only way in which she could hunt Nicholas and his renegade forces down ….. whereas what Nicholas requires is material, the final logical world within the Capellan Confederation would therefore be Menke (primarily a jungle world) though also an agricultural world that also resided Star Corps Industries (Warhammer BattleMech production) from then on she realized his position would be impossible to determine …..
World: Menke – Jungle World
Target: Star Corps Industries (Warhammer BattleMech production)
Defending Force: 13th Sian Dragoons: 3rd Regimental Combat Team: Red Riding Hoods
As the Storm Grenadiers jumped in system they proceeded to Menke – proceeding a large aerospace battle they landed on world where they drove off several scouting attacks by the 13th Sian Dragoons. Rather than move on the Star Corps Industries, in an effort to take and hold them, Nicholas chose to destroy the 13th within the jungle. This led to three days of cat and mouse games between the 13th and that of the 3rd SG – Division Name: Death’s Own – until the 13th had entered significantly into the jungle. Finally, Nicholas split his remaining forces: the 2nd SG would assist the 3rd in surrounding the 13th holding them in place whist the 1st SG would assault the Star Corps.
The Star Corps strike went well, and the facility was taken with no casualties.
Realizing his error Colonel Joseph Jun initiated a blitzkrieg assault along the 3rd SG defensive line in order to retake the industry, however, the combined SG Brigade was prepared for such a move, immediately striking the 13th defenders – after a further three days of intense fighting the Storm Grenadiers, however, with the telltale electromagnetic pulse (an emergence signature) Nicholas realised his time was up – taking Star Corps complete inventory with them as well as any battlefield salvage they withdrew in good order from Menke.
The arrival of the Battle Dolls was a bitter sweet event – they had caught up to the renegade Storm Grenadiers only to see them slip away as their task force arrived upon Menke ……
This was quickly followed the arrival of an Aviso message dispatch ship – Chancellor Ursula Liao’s missive provided the Battle Dolls with a second Letter of Marque allowing the Battle Dolls to act as Special Operations Unit to perform counter-terrorism activities – primarily assigned the target of Nicholas Cameron and his Storm Grenadier Units within the Capellan Confederation – to that end the remaining 13th 3rd Battalion will be assigned to the Battle Dolls (and they must atone - they will only be allowed back if they are successful).
To that end the remaining Short – Battalion Command under the command of Zhong-shao (Lieutenant Colonel) Axton Maximilian was placed under the command of Rinalla Centrella.
Get thee to Coventry … Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious by this daughter of Tharkad … Our army shall march through. Well to New Avalon tonight.
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Requiem
01/05/21 05:13 AM
1.158.234.73
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Chapter 5 - Journey
Rinalla’s initial route had her taking the following itinerary though the now returned Taurian Concordat systems and into the Federated Suns ….
Robsart ……………… Menke 70.3 ................... Nil
Flintoft ………………. Robsart 21.8 ………………… Industrial Belt located within the Copper River Valley
Electra ………………. Flintoft 26.2 ………………….. Nil
Upon entering the system at the Nadir jump point, however, the enlarged Battle Dolls Fleet received a single transmission signal from the planet below - Robsart. Service Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) agent , Marquis Victorique de Marguerite – advising her that on behalf of the Taurian / Canopus alliance her and the Battle dolls were required to deviate – to the world of New Vallis (an important Naval staging grounds during the Reunification War).
Upon their arrival Rinanna and her Dolls that participated in the War within the FWL to bring an end to the Reunification war were first honoured with a parade and speeches – Followed by the true reason she and the Dolls were invited – Sabrina Calderon ( Marantha Calderon and Peter Carliss’ eldest daughter) had arranged with her mother, Marantha Calderon, as well as Rinalla Centrella’s mother, Crystalla Centrella, her assistance (together with a Letter of Marque) in bring Nicholas Cameron and those Storm Grenadiers under his command to justice.
To that end the Taurian Concordat would supply her with their most advanced pocket warship the Toreador, in addition to a Regimental Combat Team to assist with ground operations – as well as providing a new aerospace fighter wing.
(In addition they were also to escort to New Syrtis the first supply of weaponry in order to support Melinda Davion’s war against her father – including Warships, BattleMechs, Vehicles etc – as promised when she withdrew all former AFFS troops from pre Taurian Reunification Worlds – effectively returning any conquered worlds in the rear of the Canopus March.)
From New Vallis the Dolls then proceeded on to New Syrtis and Melinda Davion ….
Get thee to Coventry … Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious by this daughter of Tharkad … Our army shall march through. Well to New Avalon tonight.
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Requiem
01/05/21 05:14 AM
1.158.234.73
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Chapter 6A Back-story within the Federated Suns …. The Second Civil War: The Sovereignty War
Capellan March
Cassandra Davion and David Varnay were two of the five regents Alexander was forced to fight against during the Fist Civil War – where she lost her daughter and was forced to capitulate to Alexander.
Cassandra Davion (95 yrs) was married to David Varnay (deceased) who’s daughter was Cynthia Varnay – Cynthia’s daughter is Melinda (50 yrs).
Cassandra has very strong evidence that would suggest that Cynthia was murdered by her husband, First Prince Alexander Davion (and not Dmitri Rostrov during the First Civil War) in order for him to marry his second wife, Veronique DuVall, as he was forced into marrying Cynthia just prior to the First Civil War when he got her pregnant at age 18. As such he resented her, and by extension ‘her’ children – He therefore considers his second wife’s children his true heirs - over the years there has been no love lost between father / Cynthia’s children – which was replaced by hatred as he continued to shunned them – over time Cassandra, as their Grandmother, become Melinda, Vincent (56 yrs) and Roger’s (53 yrs) guiding figure, thereby sharing her belief that their ‘father’ murdered their mother in order to re-marry.
Melinda Davion, with the assistance of her Grandmother Cassandra is currently engaged in a civil war against her ‘father’ First Prince Alexander Davion. Her two older brothers Vincent (Heir to becoming Price of the Capellan March) and Roger are currently Commanding Officers of their own units, which are fighting to secure their younger sister’s throne as First Princess of the Federated Suns
Vincent – 1st Syrtis Fusiliers
Roger – 1st Varnay Lancers
The Civil War started when evidence surfaced implicating Alexander with manufacturing a reason to commence the Reunification War – followed by an unprovoked attack, thus proving himself being unworthy of the throne.
Cassandra has two sons Terril and Roger – their back-stories ….
Terril – Political marriage (to ensure he could never ascend to the FS throne) to Chancellor Silicia Liao (who died 2551). Forced to remain within the Capellan Confederation, as a political hostage.
Roger – Attempted to formulate a coup against Alexander Davion in 2565 with the assistance of the Capellan Confederation, until the coup become known – his forces were subsequently destroyed by AFFS - he was forced to escape into Capellan space.
Currently the confederation has found it expedient to just expel the brothers Terril and Roger - they attempt to return to New Syrtis hoping to capitalize upon the current civil war by raising support for their mission - The Capellan March’s reconstitution as an independent state and for this newborn state to reject their forced membership of Star League. Whist attracting a large band of followers, of rather dubious quality, the brothers now find themselves upon the world of Taygeta in an effort to recruit military forces to their side.
Alexander Davion’s (74 yrs) second wife’s children … sons / daughter Henry (36 yrs), Louis and Veronique (34 yrs and twins) , Lawrence, (32 yrs) …..
Henry Davion – Commanding Officer (MechWarrior) fighting in a unit loyal to Alexander – 1st Davion Guards;
Louis Davion – Commanding Officer (Navy) – The Cruiser FSS Astoria;
Veronique Davion – assisting her father, Alexander Davion, as his assistant; and
Lawrence Davion - Captain (MechWarrior) fighting in a unit loyal to Alexander – 3rd Davion Guards.
Get thee to Coventry … Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious by this daughter of Tharkad … Our army shall march through. Well to New Avalon tonight.
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Requiem
01/05/21 05:15 AM
1.158.234.73
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Chapter 6B Back-Story with regards to the Sovereignty War within the Federated Suns
As news agencies across the Federated Suns disclosed the Reunification War within the Free Worlds League was culminating in a massive war upon their Capitol Wold of Atreus, following a disastrous campaign to hunt down Canopus invading forces within the League, and amid allegations the Captain-General had imprisoned one of her own Dukes Heirs in order to ensure their fealty; Followed by initiating an illegal and unwarranted war of conquest upon the Magistracy of Canopus in order to curry favour of the Star Leagues First Lord and at the same time increase the size of the Free Wolds League – Parliament within the League were now divided and polarized those for and those against …. Which culminated in a faction within their Parliament supporting an invasion by Magistracy of Canopus / FWL forces on Atreus to ensure a vote of no confidence could be held ….. following which the vote was to impeach. This was then followed by the Captain General launching an attack upon her own capitol world, declaring the vote unconstitutional – as it was conducted at the end of a Canopus gun – resulting in a battle between Parliament’s and the Captain General’s forces …. which was then followed by a SLDF reinforcement force in support of the Captain General ….
This was quickly followed by uncontroversial evidence proving Prince Alexander Davion’s perfidy surrounding the Malagrotta Affair – in which he and First Lord Ian Cameron conspired to create a pretext for war with the then neutral Periphery States, all because they were unwilling to join the newly established Star League – thus demonstrating their childlike petulance as leaders. Followed by the rescinding of the Ares Convention, thereby allowing for the Fist Lord’s Royal Storm Grenadier Forces to commit atrocities during the war, whilst at the same time repressing of civil rights, by the people of the Federated Suns, to protest what many were now calling an illegal war. Melinda Davion-Varnay, together with her bothers Vincent and Roger (with the backing of their Grandmother) called for a vote of impeachment of the First Prince of the Federated Suns through the High Council due to the people having no confidence in him …. (all the while staging their forces ready for a first strike, when their father provided the right context, through a command circuit of Aviso message dispatch ships.)
Then the news for Alexander and his supporters went from bad to worse with news from the FWL Battle upon Atreus. First Lord Ian Cameron was now deceased (killed in battle) – when evidence surfaced showing that he had committed regicide and patricide, in having his brother assassinated, in order to usurp the Hegemony throne. A coup was orchestrated by members within the SLDF, House Steiner and House Liao – forcing his family’s removal. The new First Lady, Duchess, Vivian De Leon-Aveline had then declared the Reunification War over – the Star League would evacuate all forces – returning all captured territory to their rightful rulers – the Ares Conventions were once more in force – thus she ordered all JAG core commanders to detain all commanders who had committed war crimes during the Reunification War where they would be returned to Terra for trial.
<Nt. Cassandra Davion travels to Taurian Concordat Space to “assist with the removal of the SLDF” whist actually discussing a non-aggression / alliance …. in which they would respect Taurian Space (their right to isolation from the Inner Sphere) - all trade will be conducted through the Pleiades Cluster … as well as a military clause regarding protecting Taurian planets from First Prince Alexander’s forces was signed …>
With his Star League support base now removed Alexander feared that he too would be held culpable for an illegal war and be removed (just as the FWL Captain General). In a fit of paranoia Alexander stuck out at his political enemies as a means of ensuring his continual rulership by …. declaring martial law, suspending habeas corpus, arresting political dissidents …. followed by an act of infamy where loyal forces to First Prince Alexander Davion (naval and ground forces) initiated an attempted pre-emptive strike upon his first wife’s children ….
A pre-emptive strike?
When Colonel Karl Alytus and elements of the 3rd Federated Suns Armoured Cavalry: 3rd Battalion arrived on Enchi, with the aim of detaining First Prince Alexander Davion’s wayward daughter, and her subsequent return to New Avalon. Intelligence reports suggested only the presence of her personal guard – due to the nature of her visit (the wedding of a childhood friend, Effia Asante) - they thus believed they would be able to catch her completely by surprise whist wearing the uniforms and utilizing their paint scheme and emblem of the Kiserian Heavy Cavalry Guard in order achieve anonymity.
However, following their insertion Colonel Alytus brazenly led the convoy of battleMechs, armour and infantry to the gates on Castle Hill where he was surprised to be confronted by Cadet – Captain Archie Wellum of the New Syrtis Military Academy Cadre - issuing orders on a closed transmission that “no resistance”, one battlemech amongst the “Heavy Cavalry” opened fire. The inevitable close quarter fire-fight caused innumerable destruction and loss of life on both sides, until additional Academy reinforcements arrived – putting the ‘invaders’ to the sword ….
Following these events Melinda went on to say ….. “ Today it is obvious that my father, as First Price, has lost his good sense …. All Lords responsible for the destiny of their realms must draw the appropriate conclusion from this fact, for a great Terran Statesman once said “No nation ought to sacrifice itself on the altar of an alliance.” ……I have decided to safeguard our March’s honour even against her former ally, although this ally, instead of listening to our perspective , meant finally to rob our nation of its greatest treasure, its freedom and independence though repressing its lawful government through violence. As such we now find ourselves in state where war exists in order to remove a tyrant …..”
With the news of the commencement of the Civil War - it was promptly followed by a message from Lady Star League, Vivian De Leon-Aveline – informing both sides that the civil war was an internal issue and as such the civil war beyond the remit of the SLDF, however, with the re-establishment of the Ares Conventions - any unit / faction involved in the civil war who is found to be in violation of the Ares Conventions of War would be dealt with by her and the SLDF personally!
House Sandoval (Draconis March) immediately communicated their neutrality in the affair, stating their duty was to the preservation of the realm …. This was quickly followed by Federated Suns Periphery Operational Areas – in which they stated to remaining politically neutral – staying out of the Civil War that would rage across the Federated Suns once more. This was largely due to the lack of financial attention that Periphery Worlds received from New Avalon as well as Alexander’s casual attitude (The Pretext for the Reunification War) towards innocent Periphery Realms (As they felt a kinship with these realms) ……
<Nt. With regards to the SLDF and the end of the Reunification War – Originally Ian Cameron called for 600 SLDF based to be established and scattered throughout the IS (even on Capital Worlds) – However with his death the SLDF realized that the House Lords would never stand for foreign troops within their realm – The SLDF was established to prevent wars by allowing a forum for open communication rather than at the end of a gun, and as such SLDF garrisons should only be established along the pre-existing borders to ensure the House Lords refrain from any adventurous tactics against their neighbour – thus the 100 garrisons (approx.) I am suggesting is along all pre-existing internal IS borders is a more pragmatic and reasonable (not to mention cost effective measure). As such at the end of the Reunification war all SLDF units previously assigned to their respective Periphery operations would now be required to establish a garrison upon pre- arranged world – the SLDF Navy would also begin patrolling their border segment / provide a defensive force for their garrisons …. Those forces who have committed war crimes and who have escaped the Jag Corp (ordering their arrest / detainment) would now need to find new employment (from someone with power to protect them from the SL Jag Corp as well as the Marshall Corp (bounty hunters) / remove themselves from the IS – becoming pirates …. Thus the need for House forces to garrison border worlds could now be considered obsolete somewhat – thus limiting their need as well as their number …. In this scenario the 4th Army is responsible for maintaining peace along the Capellan Confederation / Federated Suns border after the Reunification War …. by the time of this scenario only a small number of SLDF Garrisons have been established … >
<Nt. For this Civil War scenario I have decided that each house was to start with approximately 100-120 RCTs / Naval forces – of which approximately 40% has been requisitioned for the new SLDF …. Thus leaving 60% of their forces available for internal security …. or this case for the oncoming Civil War …… it will take another two – three centuries before we see a SLDF / Houses with a military force in the thousands of RCTs and Naval warships … however I suggest each GM to determine for themselves the force numbers upon each side at the commencement of the Civil War … for simplicity sake I will be restricting this number each side commences with, in the interest of brevity ….>
Get thee to Coventry … Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious by this daughter of Tharkad … Our army shall march through. Well to New Avalon tonight.
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Requiem
01/05/21 05:15 AM
1.158.234.73
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With the outbreak of hostilities between House Varnay (Capellan March) and that of House Davion (Crucis March) ….. the disposition of each sides forces were as follows …..
The Beginning – The disposition of each side …
Chesterton (PDZ) Commonality
Demeter ….. Lycomb – Davion Intro Tech – Aerospace Fighters – includes Stuka; BattleMech – Thunderbolt, Guillotine; Vehicles
Chesterton … Administrative capital of Chesterton Commonality – Military Academy
Star League Defence Force (SLDF) – 4th Army
Unit Name ………………………………………….. Exp. Level ……… Loyalty …….. Home-world
XL Brigade: “Bolt from the Blue” …………………… Veteran ….……. Reliable ………..Goshen
(Includes 6 Naval Warships)
Unit Name ………………………………………….. Exp. Level ……… Loyalty …….. Home-world
1st Syrtis Fusiliers RCT …………………………….. Elite …………….. Fanatical …… Demeter
(CO: Lieutenant-General Vincent Varnay-Davion)
Demeter Grenadiers RCT …………………………... Regular …………. Reliable ……. Demeter
Chesterton Chasseurs RCT ………………………… Veteran ………….. Reliable ……. Chesterton
Chesterton Military Academy Cadre ………………. Green ……………. Reliable ……. Chesterton
2nd Syrtis Fusiliers RCT ……………………………...Regular ………….. Reliable ……. (Mobile) – Ulan Batar
2nd Varnay Lancers RCT …………………………….Regular ……………Reliable …… (Mobile) – Ulan Batar
2nd Light Dragoon Guards RCT (Hussars) ………….. Elite……………….Fanatical …… (Mobile) – Ulan Batar
Aerospace Carrier – Arc Royal
Pocket Battleship – Warspite
Strike Cruiser – Duchess of Fife
Destroyer - Ajax
Destroyer - Dauntless
Frigate - Barbette
Frigate - Cleopatra
Frigate – Electra
Kathil PDZ Operational Area
Beten Kaitos …. Resource rich world
Emerson …… Resource rich world
Kathil …… Administrative capital - Military Academy - SLDF currently in the process of building a Naval Repair and Refit Facility
Monongahela …. Water rich agricultural world
Star League Defence Force (SLDF) – 4th Army
Unit Name ………………………………………….. Exp. Level ……… Loyalty …….. Home-world
XLI Brigade: “Templars” ……………………………… Elite ……….…Reliable ………… Kathil
(Includes 6 Naval Warships)
Unit Name ………………………………………….. Exp. Level ……… Loyalty …….. Home-world
Beten Kaitos Skirmishers RCT …………………….. Regular …………. Reliable ……. Beten Kaitos
Emerson Skirmishers RCT…………………………. Regular …………. Reliable ……. Emerson
Kathil Chasseurs RCT ……………………………… Veteran ………… Reliable ……. Orbisonia
Novaya Zemlya Heavy Cavalry Guard RCT (Cossacks) .. Veteran …… Reliable ……. Novaya Zemlya
Kathil Military Academy Cadre ……………………. Green ………….. Reliable ……..Kathil
Monongahela Voltigeurs RCT ……………………… Regular ………... Reliable ……. Monongahela
Artemis’ Armoured Cavaliers (Merc.) ………………Regular …………Questionable .. Monongahela
Strike Cruiser – Justitia
Destroyer - Aphrodite
Destroyer - Repulse
Frigate – Sophia Vesta
Frigate – Gypsy Rose
Sirdar PDZ Operational Area
Carmacks ….. Major commercial and transport hub
Wernke (Talon Moon) ….. Kallon Industries – BattleMech – Griffin, Shadow Hawk, Wolverine; Vehicles
Jaipur …….. Agricultural World (Exporter)
Star League Defence Force (SLDF) – 4th Army
Unit Name ………………………………………….. Exp. Level ……… Loyalty …….. Home-world
XLII Brigade: “Order of the Black Eagle” …………... Veteran ……… Reliable ……….. Quittacas
(Includes 6 Naval Warships)
XLIII Brigade: “Dragoons” …………………………... Veteran ………Reliable ………… Jaipur
(Includes 6 Naval Warships)
Unit Name ………………………………………….. Exp. Level ……… Loyalty …….. Home-world
Royalston Light Cavalry Guard RCT………………. Veteran…………. Reliable …….. Royalston
Chesterton Jagers RCT ………………………………Regular ………….Reliable …….. Sekulmun
Carmacks Voltigeurs RCT ………………………… Regular …………. Reliable ……. Carmacks
Black Hearts (Merc.) ……………………………….. Regular …………. Questionable .. Carmacks
Shapre’s Rifles – The Chosen (Merc.) ……………... Regular …………. Questionable .. Carmacks
Narellan Heavy Cavalry Guard RCT ………………. Veteran ………….. Reliable …… Narellan
Jaipur Light Cavalry Guard RCT …………………… Regular …………. Reliable ……. Jaipur
Mandaree Light Cavalry Guard RCT ……………….. Regular …………. Reliable ……. Mandaree
Kathil Jagers RCT …………………………………… Elite ……………. Fanatical ……. Wernke
Wernke Grenadiers RCT …………………………… Veteran …………. Reliable ..……. Wernke
1st Varnay Lancers RCT …………………………… Elite ……………. Fanatical …….. (Mobile) - Wernke
(CO Brigadier Roger Varnay-Davion)
Pocket Battleship – Excalibur
Pocket Battleship – Gladiator
Destroyer – Fury
Destroyer - Medusa
Frigate – Phoebe
Frigate – Valkyrie
New Syrtis (PDZ) Commonality
Taygeta …. Administrative Capital.
New Syrtis ….. Capital of the Capellan Marrch ….
Military Academy
Varnay Industries …. Wasp, Stinger, Phoenix Hawk, Warhammer; Vehicles
Johnston Industries … Goblin Tank; Vehicles
New Syrtis Shipyards …. produces 12 Classes of Drop-ships
Firgrove …. Orbital shipyards – Clyde Shipyards - Officially - maintenance and repair yards for merchant shipping – Unofficially – the Varnay family have established hidden within the system an orbital shipyard for the construction of multiple warship classes (established at the end of the first Civil War) – Naval Academy
Unit Name ………………………………………….. Exp. Level ……… Loyalty …….. Home-world
1st Firgrove Grenadiers RCT ……………………….. Veteran ………….Fanatical …… Firgrove
2nd Firgrove Grenadiers RCT ………………………. Regular …………. Reliable ……. Firgrove
Aurora’s Angels (Merc.) …………………………….Regular …………. Reliable ……. Firgrove
Taygeta Chasseurs RCT ……………………………. Regular …………. Reliable ……. Okains
Taygeta Jagers RCT …………………………………Veteran ………….Reliable ……. Taygeta
Kiserian Heavy Cavalry Guard RCT ……………….. Regular …………. Reliable ……. Drienfontein
New Syrtis Military Academy Cadre ……………….. Veteran…………Fanatical …….. New Syrtis
1st Light Dragoon Guards RCT (Hussars) …………… Elite ……………Fanatical …….. New Syrtis
(CO - Field-Marshal Lady Melinda Varnay-Davion)
3rd Federated Suns Armoured Cavalry RCT (Davion) .. Veteran ……… Fanatical ……. Marodzi
Aerospace Carrier – Royal Katherine
Pocket Battleship - Essex
Strike Cruiser - Seawolfe
Destroyer – Asgard
Destroyer - Mystic
Frigate - Hecate
Frigate – Marguerite
Frigate – Sabine
Firgrove Naval Security Force
Strike Cruiser – Ivanhoe
Destroyer – Harlequin
Frigate – Helena
Frigate – Nymphe
Firgrove Naval Academy
Corvette – Fleur de Lys
Corvette – Mignonette
Corvette - Narcissus
Multiple Combat Drop-ships – including aerospace fighter carriers
Multiple Space Stations
Mercenary Units
Artemis’ Armoured Cavaliers (Reinforced Battalion)
Aurora’s Angels (Aerospace Demi. Wing)
Black Hearts (Battalion)
Shapre’s Rifles – The Chosen (Battalion)
Get thee to Coventry … Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious by this daughter of Tharkad … Our army shall march through. Well to New Avalon tonight.
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01/05/21 05:16 AM
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AFFS – House Davion Forces assigned to garrison duty …..
Crucis March
Markesan Operational Area
Edwards …. Journey Aeronautical ….. Mustang + other Conventional Fighters
Layover …. Quickscell … APC (Tracked), LRM Carrier, SRM Carrier; Vehicles
Marlette …. Peloran Motors …. BattleMech – Commando, Hunchback; Vehicles
New Valencia …. Food exporter …. General Motors … BattleMechs – Victor; Zeus, Orion; Vehicles
Bristol …. Heavily industrialized World – manufactures multiple conventional fighters; Vehicles
Markesan …. Administrative Capital. Military Academy
Scudder …… Minerals + production of KF drives for Jumpships
Unit Name ………………………………………….. Exp. Level ……… Loyalty …….. Home-world
Layover Rangers RCT ……………………………… Regular ………… Reliable ……. Layover
4th Davion Guards RCT …………………………….. Veteran ………… Reliable …….. Marlette
(2nd Batt. CO Lawrence Davion)
5th Davion Guards RCT …………………………….. Veteran ………… Reliable …….. New Valencia
6th Davion Guards RCT …………………………….. Veteran ………… Reliable …….. Markesan
Markesan CMM …………………………………….. Green ……...…… Reliable …….. Markesan
Markesan Military Academy Cadre ………………... Green ……...…… Reliable …….. Markesan
Scudder Highlanders RCT …………………………...Green …………...Reliable …….. Scudder
Cruiser – Essex
Cruiser – Undaunted
Cruiser – Narcissus
Destroyer – Apollo
Destroyer – Odyssey
Frigate – Evangeline
Frigate – Isadora
Kestrel Combat Region
Northfield …... KF germanium mines and refineries for Jumpships; Vehicles
Kestrel ……… Administrative Capitol. Military Academy
Cahokia …….. Mineral resources; Vehicles
Unit Name ………………………………………….. Exp. Level ……… Loyalty …….. Home-world
Northfield Highlanders RCT ………………………….Green… …...….. Reliable……….. Northfield
Kestrel Military Academy Cadre ……………………… Green . ……… Reliable ……….. Kestrel
Kestrel CMM ……………………………………………Green ……….. Reliable ……….. Kestrel
Cahokia Rangers RCT ………………………………… Regular ………. Reliable ……….. Cahokia
Delphos Rangers RCT …………………………………. Green ………… Reliable ………. Delphos
Macomb Highlanders RCT ……………………………. Regular ………..Reliable ……….. Macomb
Cruiser – Unicorn
Destroyer ¬– Circe
Destroyer ¬– Heracles
Frigate – Bianca
Frigate – Phoebe
New Avalon Operational Area
Augusta …. Mineral Rich (supports New Avalon manufacturing operations); Vehicles
New Avalon ….. Capitol of the FC ….
NAIS Military Academy, NAMA Military Academy
Achernar BattleMechs – Locust, Wasp, Stinger, Phoenix Hawk, Dervish, BattleAxe, Hammerhands,
Lycomb-Davion …. Aerospace Fighters …. Lightning, Stuka, + others
Novais Motors …. Estevez Main Battle Tank; Vehicles
Argyle ….. Agricultural World
Salem ….
General Motors …. Engineering Vehicle, Ordinance Transport, Coolant Truck, Wheeled / Tracked APC; Vehicles
Achernar BattleMechs – BattleMech – Catapult, Archer; Vehicles
Victoria …. Kallon Industries ¬– BattleMech – Rifleman; Vehicles
El Dorado ….. Banking and Finance - Orbital Jumpship yards - major merchant jump-ship manufacturing and repair yards
Torrence …. Veridian Dynamics …. T-12 Tiger Medium Tank; Vehicles
Galax …. Minerals, Federated-Boeing Interstellar shipyards – produces 25 classes of Dropships -– Jumpships – produces multiple warships classes - (Nt: world in an importer of food primarily from Argyle) – Naval Academy
Unit Name ………………………………………….. Exp. Level ……… Loyalty …….. Home-world
1st New Avalon Dragoons RCT ……………………... Elite …………... Fanatical ……. New Avalon
(CO Brigadier Henry Davion)
1st Davion Guards RCT ………………………………Veteran ……….. Reliable …….. New Avalon
Davion Assault Guards RCT ………………………... Veteran ……….. Reliable …….. New Avalon
1st Federated Suns Armoured Cavalry RCT ………… Veteran ……….. Reliable …….. New Avalon
(3rd Batt. CO Colonel Louis Davion)
NAIS Military Academy Cadre ………………..…… Green . ………… Fanatical ……. New Avalon
NAMA Military Academy Cadre …………………… Green . ………… Fanatical ……. New Avalon
2nd New Avalon Dragoons RCT ………………….….. Regular ……….. Reliable …….. Salem
Davion Light-Guards RCT ……………………….….. Regular ……….. Reliable …….. Salem
2nd Federated Suns Armoured Cavalry RCT ….….….. Regular ……….. Reliable …….. Victoria
3rd New Avalon Dragoons RCT ………………….….. Regular ……….. Reliable …….. El Dorado
Davion Heavy-Guards RCT …………………..….….. Regular ……….. Reliable …….. Torrence
2nd Davion Guards RCT ………………………….….. Regular ……….. Reliable …….. Galax
3rd Davion Guards RCT ………………………..…….. Regular ……….. Reliable …….. Galax
Remagen Crucis March Militia RCT …………………... Green ……….. Regular ……… Remagen
Manassas Crucis March Militia RCT …………………... Green ……….. Regular ……… Manassas
Aerospace Carrier – Reynard Davion
Battleship – New Avalon
Battleship – Markesan
Cruiser – Warrior
Cruiser – Black Prince
Destroyer ¬– Hera
Destroyer – Athena
Destroyer – Aphrodite
Frigate – Lilith
Frigate – Isabella
Galax Naval Academy
Corvette - Action
Corvette - Alacrity
Corvette – Intensity
Minette Operational Area
Point Barrow ….. Point Barrow Military Academy.
Unit Name ………………………………………….. Exp. Level ……… Loyalty …….. Home-world
Point Barrow Crucis March Militia RCT ……………. Green ………….. Reliable ……. Point Barrow
Point Barrow Military Academy Cadre ……………… Green . ………… Reliable ……. Point Barrow
Chirikof Operational Area
Nahoni …. Political target … where Alexander found the 1st New Avalon Dragoons … First Civil War - victory against Varnay forces allowed him to build up his military forces to press his claim to the throne of New Avalon.
Colorado …… Minerals and production of KF drives for Jumpships
Chirikof …… Minerals; Vehicles – Administrative Capital. - Military Academy - AFFS HQ world. Multiple space stations – R&R world for Naval Vessels + repair and refit site for warships (heavily guarded – includes - 2 Regiments Marines, Regiment Special Forces, 2 Brigades Reguar forces / Militia, 2 Wings Aerospace fighters and multiple Drop-ships guarding the space stations).
Unit Name ………………………………………….. Exp. Level ……… Loyalty …….. Home-world
Nahoni Crucis March Militia RCT …………………. Green ……….. Reliable …………. Nahoni
New Damascus Crucis March Militia RCT ………… Green ……….. Reliable ……. New Damascus
Noatak Crucis March Militia RCT ………………….. Green……….. Reliable….…….. Noatak
2nd Islamabad Mujahidun RCT …………………….. Veteran …… Questionable …….. Chirikof
Jodipur Mujahidun RCT ……………………………. Veteran …… Questionable …….. Jodipur
Destroyer – Agamemnon
Frigate – Isabel
Frigate – Elizabeth
Frigate – Elvira
Frigate – Lucinda
Basantapur Operational Area – (Former: United Hindu Collective (UHC))
Basantapur …… Basantapur Fine Metals – metals for internal framework for BattleMechs – (Maharaja Sadhvi Garg – Basantaput Treaty of 2540 – elected president.) – (Defending forces includes – Messengers of Shiva in 2535: Defeated a Varnay force towards the end of the First Civil War)
Panpour …. (United Hindu Collective) Defending forces AFFS Auxiliary Corps – Jalastar … Combat Vehicles – Condor, Goblin Md Tank + others – Aerospace Fighters – Sabre, Centurion, Sparrowhawk + others – Challenge Systems …. Orbital Shipyard - Currently manufacturing the prototype Congress Class Warship (Frigate for SLDF procurement contract) –also produces multiple warship classes – Military Academy / Naval Academy
June …. Conventional Forces: Infantry, Armour, VTOL, Artillery, Aerospace etc Combat Training Centre – City of Amalthea / Continent of Europa
Malagrotta …. Titanium-rich planetoid airless moon of Fontana …. Site of the Malagrotta Affair (SLDF base being established – Taurians have been invited to resume joint mining following the cessation of hostilities: Reunification War)
Unit Name ………………………………………….. Exp. Level ……… Loyalty …….. Home-world
1st Islamabad Mujahidun RCT …………………………Regular ……. Questionable ….. Islamabad
Basantapur Kshatriyas RCT: Messengers of Shiva ….. Elite …………Questionable ….. Basantapur
Panpour Kshatriyas RCT …………………………... Veteran ………. Questionable ….. Panpour
Panpour Military Academy Cadre ………………….. Green ………... Questionable …. Panpour
June Kshatriyas RCT ………………………………. Regular ……….. Questionable …. June
June Combat Training Cadre ……………………….. Green ………… Questionable …. June
Destroyer – Poseidon
Frigate – Isabella
Frigate – Kathleen
Frigate – Celestine
Frigate – Delphine
Panpour Naval Academy
Corvette - Kavaratti
Corvette - Kamuk
Corvette - Khanjar
Mercenary Units
Nil.
Get thee to Coventry … Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious by this daughter of Tharkad … Our army shall march through. Well to New Avalon tonight.
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Chapter 7 The First Wave – Year 1 (approx. 2587/8)
Melinda’s, as the supreme commander, demonstrated the esteem that she was held as well as her political and military acumen by galvanized the morale of the people in re-naming the ‘Capellan’ March into the Syrtis Principality.
Due to the nature of the War (prior to the establishment of Star League) within the Inner Sphere the ability to communicate quickly and to mobilize quickly is of utmost importance. Utilizing their pre-existing command circuit of Aviso message dispatch ships provided her with the initial move against the Alexander’s power base within the former Terran March (Markesan Operational Area), in the hopes of making significant initial gains against ill prepared Davion forces.
Thus by utilizing the Barrier Rift (an astrological feature marking the boundary between the and the Crucis March her forces were able to be concealed prior to their initial strike - demonstrating her grasp of new tactics utilized by the Magistracy of Canopus Forces against the Free Worlds League during the Reunification war - abilities her trained regulars utilized to good effect .
Whist at the same time she quickly dispatched an emissary to Basantapur, and their elected President, Maharaja Sadhvi Garg (female), in which her emissary would request (as per the Basantapur Treaty of 2540) the United Hindu Collective – a semi-autonomous collective – assume a position of neutrality – citing how they prospered in the past by remaining politically neutral and staying out of the wars that raged across the Inner Sphere.
<Nt. With the establishment of SLDF bases along the Capellan / Federated Suns border – Melinda dispatched her agents to identify key individuals within these units with the hope of finding any former Federated Peacekeeping Forces from either the Terran Brigade or the Syrtis Fusiliers.
During Alexander Davion’s reforms of the former Federated Peacekeeping Forces into the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns a significant number of units were antagonistic to Alexander – particularly those within the Terran Brigade (responsible for guarding the Terran March) and the vaunted Syrtis Fusiliers brigade – with the formation of the SLDF in 2571 Alexander solved his problems associated with those units by transferring them wholesale into the SLDF as part of the Federated Suns contribution to the forming Star League.
Melinda was, therefore, looking for individuals who could ‘assist’ the with their war by providing advanced SLDF equipment (that could be reverse engineered) / information …. Etc.>
Thus within the first few months of the Civil War First Prince Alexander Davion found himself within a perfect storm. War raged upon many of his most important worlds within the former Terran March (Markesan Operational Area) as well as Salem, Victoria and Nahoni. The Draconis March, The former Outer March and the United Hindu Collective had all declared themselves neutral in a rebuke of his recent actions and reducing his political power within the Federated Suns as many viewed him now as a despot and a failed First Price.
<Nt. In 2541 Alexander abolished the old March system, dissolving the Outer and Terran Marches - absorbing these worlds into the revamped Capellan March, Crucis March and Draconis Marches – removing House Gutierrez as Price of the Outer March, on Filtvelt, as an act of revenge for remaining neutral during the first Civil War. In an act of revenge House Gutierrez (who still retained considerable influence within the former Outer March) used their influence to convince many to remain neutral - This was followed by an envoy to New Syrtis to discuss the reinstatement of House Gutierrez as Price of the restored Outer March …. For either remaining neutral / military assistance ….. >
Recent actions which included the Malagrotta Affair - resulting in the Reunification war, an illegal War when he and Ian Cameron plotted to start multiple wars in order to commence a land grab – which resulted in First Lord Ian Cameron death when he was killed in combat when it came to light he had committed patricide in order to take the throne. Thus his successor had just recently declared an end to the Wars - the SLDF forces were ordered to retreat from all Periphery Realms – taking with them all Auxiliary House Units … ;
His continual ill treatment of his first wife’s children, following the murder of their mother Cynthia by Dimiti Rostov’s forces when they attempted to kidnap her, over the years - as they were seen as being exiled to the Grandmother on New Syrtis;
<Nt. Dimitri attempted to kidnap Cynthia, as a first step in a coup against Alexander, whilst on a goodwill tour of the Draconis Combine – when a stray shot killed Cynthia ….. <Varnay’s argument – who’s stray shot? – as ‘that other woman’ was in the wings …. and a divorce at the politically sensitive time (towards the end of the first Civil War) would weaken him politically …. as a widower, though, the sympathy vote would strengthen his political position …. making his mistress into his new wife!>>
Recently an abortive assassination attempt upon his eldest daughter (all the worse as it was reminiscent of how his first wife, Cynthia, was murdered), resulting in the death of many young Military Academy Cadets - and which had now devolved into all out war between father and daughter– thus many were now questioning his fitness to rule …. and as such decided on neutrality ….
The only ‘spark of light’ came in an overture from the former SLDF Naval Task Force Commander Admiral Janissa Franklin – currently a wanted war criminal as she was held culpable for the indiscriminate orbital bombardment of Robsart during the Reunification War that left a quarter million of its citizens dead and millions more wounded or homeless – in form of sanctuary / recruitment into the AFFS Navy together with her fleet that remained loyal enduring exile rather than suffer the ignominy of being labelled part of a naval war criminals crew …. thus placing her, her ships and their crews beyond the reach of the SLDF JAG Corp / Marshals …..
Get thee to Coventry … Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious by this daughter of Tharkad … Our army shall march through. Well to New Avalon tonight.
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01/09/21 03:46 AM
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Chapter 8 – An unexpected evil …
As the initial phases of the war continues upon the following worlds ….
Corworld Combat Theatre
Layover;
Marlette;
New Valencia;
Central Combat Theatre
Salem;
Victoria;
Nahoni;
The battle for the Edgeworld Combat Theatre world of Marodzi comes to an end with capitulation of the 3rd Federated Suns Armoured Cavalry …….
Upon Cassandra’s return from her successful diplomatic mission with the Taurian Concordat, word reaches her - her two sons she thought lost to the Capellan Confederation, Terril and Roger, were currently on the minor capitol world of Taygeta where (having escaped the Capellan Confederation they return in this the darkest hour) where they are attempting to secure a political powerbase by publicly supporting their “cousin’s” claim to the Federated Suns throne …. (in reality their objective is to establish an independent state – whilst rejecting the Star League, such as the current periphery states) … thus their message revolves around supporting the troops … (in reality they want the troops to support them) …..
Realizing that her sons are up to something Cassandra’s Jump-ship deviates from her route to Taygeta …..
Following her arrival …. Nicholas Cameron and his Storm Grenadiers Naval warships exit at both jump points (transports at the zenith) in an effort to blockade the system from their surrounding worlds … however a single communication jump-ship is able to jump out with news ….
Given the distance Nicholas realized two jumps would be required to reach New Syrtis plus the time to prepare a force and two jumps on the return journey – available combat time would be time would be limited to how desperate the captains of the ship would be when it came to recharging (both ways) – spend maximum time to recharge in order to ensure the message got through or risk it all and a possible miss-jump?
He thus set the clock for 10 days prior to the arrival of an enemy warship fleet – who may have access to pirate point coordinates – thus he must be quick …. maximum destruction in order to ferret out his targets ….. and kill them! Given that this was just a minor battle in order make his presence known, as a means of demonstrating their combat effectiveness / as well as the assistance he could be to Alexander during this civil war – thus securing an ally for his future war to retake the Star League …. He also realized that he was constrained …. He was unable to use WMDs as escalating the war to include the SLDF would be political / military suicide given the small size of his forces …..
With the Storm Grenadiers readily approaching from their jump points this gave their defenders, the Taygeta Jagers RCT, a scarce few days to prepare – where they opted for a defensive battle (defence in depth strategy) – a siege of their fortress that would allow them to draw out battle in the home that reinforcements would arrive ….
Whist at the same time Cassandra’s security team would whisk her away to safety and anonymity on the other side of the world within a safe house and a hidden bunker ….
Her two sons, however, volunteered to remain with Jagers (as the Capellan’s had ‘provided’ them both with a BattleMech prior to their exit into the Federated Suns) …. Thus they were assigned with the reservists (former solders now retired – due to the invasion were now re-activated … and placed under the command of a competent commander) …..
The Battle for Fortress Alpine (or the defence of Fortress Alpine) …………… Whist the battle has been raging on for nearly a week of constant fighting, as two of Nichlas’ RCTs have been constantly probing for weakness, but were consistently repelled due to a highly competent interlocking field of fire defensive perimeter that included many artillery and missile secret bunkers - whilst the third has been engaged in a series of actions aimed at decimating the major spaceport as well as the Capitol city in an orgy of fire and destruction.
With time running out the decision is made to undertake one final blitzkrieg in what is believed to be their weakest side – realising the north redoubt could not be held Colonel Robert Hook pulled his men and women back into the centre, abandoning two defensive positions in the process whilst ordering all available forces into the fight and the final barricade …. where soon rival forces were engaged in fierce hand-to-hand fighting ……
It was there where Cassandra’s two sons, Terril and Roger, met their fate when Storm Grenadier forces identified the Capellan Machines – concentrated close quarter fire reduced their Mechs to scrap in mere seconds …. Whist at the same time Nicholas’ forces broadcasted their death to the entire world, stating such was the fate of all Varnay’s rebels …. whist confirming Davion’s right of rulership …..
Even though Cassandra was safely hidden with notification of her son’s death she suffered a massive heart attack due to grief … dyeing shortly thereafter ….
With the death of the Varnay sons, the massive destruction to Taygeta Jagers RCT, Taygela’s capitol and major space-port Nicholas withdrew his forces in good order … retreating off world and departing the system unmolested ….
Get thee to Coventry … Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious by this daughter of Tharkad … Our army shall march through. Well to New Avalon tonight.
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01/13/21 11:18 PM
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Chapter 8b.
Approximately two months after the destruction rained upon Taygeta by Nicholas Cameron and his Storm Grenadier forces ….. Cassandra, Terril and Roger’s remains are returned to New Syrtis, following an appropriate period of mourning, a state funeral is held where they are interned into the family crypt.
Lady Melinda Varnay-Davion declares her eldest brother, Vincent Varnay-Davion, Duke of New Syrtis and Protector of the Syrtis Principality …..
As news is distributed throughout the realm the Syrtis Principality military forces rage and grief motivates their forces to inflict heavy damage upon Alexanders loyalist forces … and in so doing forcing the battles on many worlds to come to a close as Alexander’s forces are forced to evacuate ….
Into this the Rinalla Centrella’s Battle Dolls arrive within the New Syrtis system …. where they immediately requested an audience to discuss their mutual enemy.
The new multi-national Battle Dolls force is, in all intense and purposes, hired by Syrtis Principality as a mercenary force whist at the same time they are provided an additional Letter of Marque (Legally this will allow them to operate as both a Mercenary Force and at the same time a Marshall Unit to hunt down the Renegade Storm Grenadiers …. affording them legal protection.)
However … they are provided with a Liaison Officer from Melinda’s personal Guard …. Lieutenant–Commander Effie Shannon <Nt. Intelligence Officer ….>
Get thee to Coventry … Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious by this daughter of Tharkad … Our army shall march through. Well to New Avalon tonight.
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01/13/21 11:18 PM
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Chapter 9 – Battle Dolls: First Assignment
As the war was entering into its second year the Syrtis Principality military forces expanded the war across many worlds throughout the Federated Suns (… the major battles being located within the….)
Markesan Operational Area
Bristol …. Heavily industrialized World – manufactures multiple conventional fighters; Vehicles
Markesan …. Administrative Capital. Military Academy
Scudder …… Minerals + production of KF drives for Jumpships
Kestrel Combat Region
Northfield …... KF germanium mines and refineries for Jumpships; Vehicles
Kestrel ……… Administrative Capitol. Military Academy
Cahokia …….. Mineral resources; Vehicles
Whilst loyalist Davion forces attempted to cut the Syrtis Principality in two by invading …..
Kathil PDZ Operational Area
Beten Kaitos …. Resource rich world … (strategic location)
Emerson …… Resource rich world …. (strategic location)
Military Intelligence …. believed Nicholas Cameron and his Storm Grenadiers were on route to the world of Chirikof (within the Chirikof Operation Area) – Not only their Administrative Capitol but also a Davion Naval Staging ground / repair and refit site for warships) that included multiple space stations …. As this world would allow Nicholas’ forces the time and the facilities to resupply prior to journeying onward to New Avalon …. and Alexander Davion.
As such, the acquisition of this world would deny Davion forces a staging ground from which their warships were utilizing to destroy commercial and military traffic it would also provide the Syrtis Principality forces with a valuable world from which to stage a future invasion into the New Avalon Operational Area.
As such the Battle Dolls were to be assigned to the invasion fleet being formed above Birqash, where Rinalla Centrella’s Battle Dolls experience during their many battles during the war within the Free Worlds League would prove to be invaluable – there she began training Syrtis Principality forces, and continuing their training all the way to Chirikof.
Get thee to Coventry … Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious by this daughter of Tharkad … Our army shall march through. Well to New Avalon tonight.
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Requiem
01/13/21 11:19 PM
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Chapter 10A. – The Battle of Chirikof
Exiting their jump and into the Chirikof system via pirate point the combined Syrtis / Battle Doll Naval Fleet came through in waves, from their frigates to their cruisers / pocket battleships and finally their carriers and their mass aerospace fighter wings which were escorting shuttles with their complement of marines ….
Caught unaware with just a small picket force ….. Davion forces were left scrambling in an attempt to coordinate a defence line …. while it quickly became evident that the largest capitol ships as well as any defensive weapons built into the station, that could be designated as a serious threat, were their primary targets …. utilizing strategic targeting initially upon the ships rear or their bridge Davion forces were quickly reduced in number as bay doors were blown open allowing Syrtis marine forces access ….
In less than two hours the Battle was over – as Syrtis ground forces began their decent to the planet below and the remaining Davion forces on the planet below ….
Those ships situated close to the Jump-points were quick to realize by the time they reached Chirikof the battle would be over a week old – thus the best course of action was to retreat ….
With the onset of war upon the alpine world of Chirikof Davion forces immediately retreated to their defensive positions, in the anticipation of a long siege campaign – until a relief force could be sent to evacuate them. Adequate preparations, such as the distribution of necessary supplies including warm clothing, the winterization of vehicles and lubricants, and the adequate supply of food and ammunition had been made, prior to the invasion, to their multiple defensive fortifications – placing them in a strong defensive position because of their ability to maintain warmth and protection.
Whist the attacking Syrtis, and their Battle Dolls allies, attacking in the cold resulted in restricted mobility and logistical support due to the snow – requiring plowing or compacting it to accommodate wide tracked vehicles. Infantry movement in deep snow required skis or snowshoes to avoid exhaustion.
It was quickly made evident that sound carries well over crusted snow, diminishing the element of surprise as well as the rapid removal of wounded from any battlefield to ensure their survival in the cold.
The decision was therefore made to destroy these fortifications one at a time by bringing the full weight of the Syrtis forces down upon them. Thus the battles were soon characterised by unprecedented ferocity, wholesale destruction in order to determine the outcome as the envelopment of individual fortifications continued.
By the six month state it appeared a Davion relief force had arrived for their beleaguered forces. However, as the Syrtis forces managed to move quickly and cut the main Davion forces from their Drop-ships this ensured only a small force was finally able to evacuate …
<Nt. Will explain the evacuation attempt within the next chapter …….>
Those remaining Davon forces soon found the Syrtis forces had consolidated their positions ….. resulting in encirclement of their final forces. On March 31, 2590, the sole remaining Davion General surrendered, the Battle of Chirikof was over.
Get thee to Coventry … Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious by this daughter of Tharkad … Our army shall march through. Well to New Avalon tonight.
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Requiem
01/15/21 01:24 AM
1.158.234.73
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Chapter 10B. – Relief force …
Former SLDF Admiral Janissa Franklin – currently accepted into the FS Navy as a Task Force Admiral (including the former SLDF naval ships that came with her) - once a wanted war criminal – now beyond the jurisdiction of the Star League and the Marshals, who’s duty it was to impose peace upon a fractious and belligerent Inner Sphere ….
With news of Chirikof’s fleet and space station’s capture and the planet’s subsequent invasion the decision was made to send a fleet to rescue any remaining forces …. However due to the number of battles being undertaken throughout the Federated Suns – with Admiral Janissa Franklin’s fleet arrival they provided the Davion forces a secondary relief force from which to draw upon …
Her plan and execution was simple …. Arrive in one large fleet (in reality there would be two attack groups), whereby, the larger warships cruiser class and above are initially in the vanguard – giving all the appearance as an attack group upon the space station – though in reality this is just a feint, whist they are moving at a slower velocity they engage the defensive force whilst the second force, the frigates and merchantmen, will at the last minute will increase their velocity, above that of the cruiser force, in order to carefully time their approach to overtake the cruisers who are now acting as their shield …
Both forces however will utilise the gravitational attraction to grab some of the momentum of the planet in order to slingshot these ships … as they pass over the head of the besieged Davion forces the frigates and merchantmen will utilize their booms to reach out and capture any evacuating Davion Drop-ship at the rendezvous point in order to evacuate these forces ….
The trick is, once evacuated the slingshot as well as their natural speed of the frigates and merchantmen would enable them to remain in advance of any pursuit force until they are able to reach the jump point at which time they would be able to jump out of the system. However, the cruiser force would have to fight their way out and depending upon the remaining garrison forces they would have to continue to act as a rear guard shield until all the forces are able to jump, casualties would be expected
On the day, however, only a third of the total remaining forces were able to evacuate off world as the majority of drop-ships were under siege / captured due to being a primary target of the invading force …
Get thee to Coventry … Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious by this daughter of Tharkad … Our army shall march through. Well to New Avalon tonight.
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Requiem
01/20/21 02:12 AM
1.158.234.73
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Chapter 11 Broken Blade
<Nt. Though it may appear as though the true purpose of the invasion is to conquer Beten Kaitos, and in so doing separate Corworld Combat Theatre from their supply line, the true purpose is to take over the mines as the Davion military industrial complexes are suffering shortages.>
With the battle of Beten Kaitos stalled for past six months within (and around) the main open cut mine the Davion high command have dispatched the 1st Federated Suns Armoured Cavalry RCT as reinforcements in order get the battle progressing once more toward the capital.
The Syrtis forces, however, have formed a specialist assassin Lance ….
Unknown to the main Syrtis forces the key right flank defence force are ambushed by the newly arrived 3rd Batt. Of the Armoured Cavalry RCT, led by Colonel Louis Davion, thus as the battle continues the loss of their flanking units forces the remaining Syrtis forces to retreat into a valley where they finally regroup despite the loss of many BattleMechs.
The decision is made to retreat to Delphine, the Capital, …. with the arrival of the entire Davion forces the final battle commences in a street by street fight as the Syrtis forces begin to retreat ….
During the battle the Syrtis assassin Lance is able to identify Louis’ BattleMech where they bait him into attacking … thus separating him from his unit ….
When all hope appears to be lost for the Syrtis forces Dropships appear over head where jump capable Mechs begin hot-dropping into Delphine - whist others land just outside the city, and begin unloading their forces ….. <Nt. upon closer inspection of their unit emblems it is realized that they are either that of the Terran Brigade or the Syrtis Fusiliers – where years earlier Alexander transferred them wholesale into the SLDF as part of the Federated Suns contribution to the forming Star League in order to be rid of them, have returned.>
The battle shifts unexpectedly to that of Syrtis forces …. as it soon becomes evident to everyone that Louis Davion’s Assault Mech is engaged against a lance Medium Mechs with an open park area … moments later his Mech erupts in an ammunition explosion ….
With Louis dead, Davion forces immediately begin to retreat ending the Battle.
In the aftermath a Syrtis forces vehicle can seen driving with a white flag adorned with a red S toward the remaining Davion forces – after providing them with the casket containing Louis’ body their drop-ships evacuate the planet.
Whist on New Avalon …. Mid 2590 …. A Dark Wedding
In order to consolidate Nicholas’ future ambitions to overthrow the current leadership of the Star League and return it to his family …. in return for Alexander Davion’s assistance it was ‘proposed’ to
Nicholas Cameron (34 yrs) that he wed Veronica Davion (40 yrs), and in so doing combine the Cameron and Davion Houses in secret. (Ensuring the other houses as well as the Star League do not act upon the merging of these two houses during the Civil War to ensure there is no issue.)
During the honeymoon, however, with the notification of her older brother’s death at the hands of renegade forces …. Their honeymoon was cut short whilst Nicholas and Alexander planned their revenge ……
Get thee to Coventry … Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious by this daughter of Tharkad … Our army shall march through. Well to New Avalon tonight.
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Requiem
01/23/21 11:21 PM
1.158.234.73
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Chapter 12 – TALON
The Battles of Talon took place between the 4 September - 27 November 2590 within the Wernke system, in the proximity of / and on the lunar moon itself for Kallon Industries. Whereby the attacking Davion Navy fleet, under Admiral Janissa Franklin, including the new Kitty Hawk Class Carrier, Enterprise and her 192 aerospace fighters and their new aerospace fighter ship-killer missile - Messina were engaged in major naval battle against the Syrtis Admiral Margarite “that she-devil” Halsey and her defending fleet, including two New Syrtis Class Carrier, Cassandra Varnay and Princess of Syrtis, and their 120 aerospace fighters each – together with their two new Pocket Battleship Vanguard Class Warships and the new aerospace fighter ship-killer missile - Poseidon.
The operation sought to capture one of the Syrtis primary BattleMech Manufacturing facilities upon Talon (in addition with multiple other assaults on other worlds) and thereby eliminate further assaults into Davion space for the foreseeable future / even allowing the Davion Military to once more go on the offensive …. and possibly luring Syrtis carriers into a trap in order to dominate future naval engagements …. thus ensure Davion dominance in the ongoing war.
On 4 September December Davion forces successfully translated into the system and were able initiate a surprise attack by aerospace fighters from the fleet carrier Enterprise upon picket ships. Now aware of the presence of the enemy carrier(s) in the area a message was quickly dispatched to their Aviso message dispatch ship – which would relay a message to their regional garrison - whist at the same time their fleet would be pulled back in order to safeguard Talon.
As the Davion forces advanced toward Talon both sides launched airstrikes followed by naval warship strikes - Kallon Industries initiated strikes through their capital missile and embedded Naval weapons in an effort to restrict their naval forces movement towards the facility ….
Then to the surprise of Syrtis forces a single specialist warship the Ticonderoga (an “amphibious warfare ship”), whist surrounded by numerous spheroid drop-ships performed the unthinkable …. Due to the reduced gravity upon the moon the warship not only reduced its proximity to the surface, by coming in under the guns, it landed upon the moon (within a vast crater) with specially constructed VTOL thrusters built into the superstructure of the ship, whilst the spheroid drop-ships took up a perimeter surrounding the crater and in so doing turning their landing zone into a fortress … to which their ground forces embarked …
Whilst a secondary Davion force began their planetary invasion of Wernke, their operational directive -cut Talon’s supply lines – however due to the nature of the vast number of warehouses and collection points as well as the number of regular military forces upon the planet it soon became obvious that any attempt to cut the supply lines on world was a fools errand – as such they were quickly evaculated.
Due to the rotation of the moon, however, any land battle upon the surface of Talon was reduced to 6 hours in every 36 due to the extreme temperature shift between the night and day.
Initial lunar battles between the Davion and the Syrtis forces favoured the Kallon Industries security forces though the Davion forces were quick to adapt … as specialist tanks and BattleMechs on both sides fought back and forth whist capital missles exploded around them and AA guns attempted to restrict fighter bombers as mass fighter duels fought over head …..
At the same time the two fleets continued their dance of death, in an attempt to hold the special position between Wernke and that of Talon - (again in order to ensure defend / cut the logistical supply lines from both Wernke and to Ticonderoga) - firing at extreme range whilst fighters (armed with their respective ship-killer missiles attempted to penetrate their oppositions fighter screen and anti-aerospace fighter warship guns and missiles in an attempt to reach their quarry …..
As the battles continued both sides called for reinforcements, as the damage on both sides increased, and in order to break the current naval deadlock …..
<Twist of Fate: During a break in battle a lance of Mech-Warriors visit a local pub – between drinks they discuss the state of war and the difficulty in attacking “Fortress Ticonderoga” – sitting at the end of the bar however is a crusty old man listening to the young warriors when he realizes where they are discussing the fortress is ….. to this the old man inform them that there is an old disused mining shaft that runs very close to this fortress … The discovery of this mining tunnel that runs near to the enemy encampment –miners and engineers are drafted into reactivating the tunnel and creating a spur to the enemy Fortress.>
The Battles continue on until Mid November …..with the arrival of the two new Vanguard class pocket battleships (crewed mainly by recent graduates of the academy) … whist at the same time as the regular corporate jump and drop ships …. Admiral Margarite “that she-devil” Halsey realizes she is now in possession of the two ships she needs to finally destroy Admiral Janissa Franklin’s fleet …
26 November – The Final battles
Land Battle
With the days battle almost one third over a huge explosion rips through the crater near to the Ticonderoga’s hull through which special infantry forces emerge with specialist vehicles allowing them to create docking collars upon the hulls air locks, and in so doing allow their infantry to begin a deck by deck assault of the warship … in due time the ship as well as its weapon systems fall to them …. As such the Drop-ships ringing the crater now find themselves in a perilous position as the Ticonderoga’s secondary guns are turned on them …. Thus their only recourse is to escape, first to rendezvous points to evacuate the ground forces, and from there onto their fleet ….
Naval Battle
Calling for a ‘false’ supply run of drop-ships as bait, whist sending out her aerospace AWACS assets to locate the enemy fleet, the two Admirals engage in battle once more …. Halsey ordered her squadron toward the most logical shipping route, and therefore the point where Frankin’s raiders could do the most damage to enemy shipping.
The Syrtis combat instructions for engaging Frankin’s raiders squadron (which had been devised by Halsey during their many engagements) specified an attack at once - assembled forces initiated the battle …. mass fighters and fighter bombers (with ship-killer missiles) were dispatched whist for the first time her squadron drove forward (rather than keeping at extreme range) – However the two new pocket battleships (containing new energy naval weapons whose range was greater than any before) attacked on second side. Halsey hoped by dividing the enemy’s fire, reducing its effectiveness, or keep them focussed on one opponent, allowed the other vessels to attack with reduced return fire.
Franklin initially suspected the two pocket battleships were cruisers, realising too late that she was facing two pocket battleships with a range unseen before she called on an immediate acceleration in an attempt to close on Halsey’s command squadron in the hopes of destroying her two smaller carriers and keeping out of range of the pocket battleships.
From the opening salvo both squadrons gunfire proved fairly accurate as ships on both sides sustained multiple hits entering hulls and starting fires ….
Nearly one hour after the battle started, at this point, the extreme range of the new pocket warships, dealt the decisive blows as their shots penetrated into the Enterprise igniting fired upon the aerospace fighter decks …. and upon receiving word of the retreat from Talon Frankin realised the invasion was doomed; she could not make repairs of this complexity under fire. There were no friendly naval bases within reach, nor any reinforcements available.
She thus hauled round her remaining fleet and fighters, as well as those drop-ships from Talon and proceeded at flank speed for the Nadir jump-point (scuttling any ship too damaged to be evacuated – their crews taken as prisoners of war) by keeping out of range of even the new pocke battleships weapons range – Halsey changed tactics at this point by carefully shadowing Franklin’s remaining squadron until they evacuated from the system (as she was unwilling to provide any small final victory for the retreating Davion Forces as the long game was more important at this stage).
The battle was a major victory for New Syrtis.
Get thee to Coventry … Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious by this daughter of Tharkad … Our army shall march through. Well to New Avalon tonight.
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Requiem
01/28/21 06:38 AM
101.185.66.21
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Chapter 13 - Marlette
The deep penetration raid onto Marlette occured during the second half of the Civil War by Davion forces. As a staging area for the front line Alexander Davion intended to bring the Syrtis thrust to a standstill due to their extended supply lines and increased Davion resistance.
As commander Lawrence Davion initial tactical goal was to take Peloran Motors and from there to pin down any Syrtis military reinforcements and logistics (Drop-ship Port / Warehouses) in order to keep them from the front lines.
After landing near Achemar, the planetary capital city, located on the continent of Sanilac, the 4th Davion Guards RCT moved up along the River Luzern, preparing to cross it, and enter the Hurtgen Forest, when they came under hard resistance from elements of the Marlette National Guard who were utilizing the forest as a base. Though with the arrival of their reinforcements, the 3rd Storm Grenadiers: Death’s Own, early the following day the combined force proceeded to encircle the Guards. Although Lawrence called for the surrender of the Guards’ garrison, their commander Lieutenant-Colonel Rowanne “Madame Red” Bridgeford refused to capitulate – she did however initiate a blitzkrieg of her entire forces through the remaining gap between the two forces – in which her forces suffered severe causalities due to the densely forested terrain, where the mud and snow slowed their progress (due to the weather) restricting aircraft support, as well as the relatively small number of tracks within the forest.
Though the Davion forces were hampered by much the same difficulties the dense forest provided their Mechs with infiltration and flanking attacks, whilst the Guards were sometimes unsure areas had been cleared of the enemy whist making their retreat.
Once clear of the forest the Guards were quickly able to create distance between themselves and that of Davion forces with access to the autobahn. Though rather than turning the planetary capital, Achemar, into a warzone the Guards, the planetary government and Duchess Cecilia Leiningen were directed to Jericho City and from there the plan was to proceed onto Staval and Staval Spaceport and the attached Military Industrial facility of Peloran Motors, where the Marlette Guards would make their stand until reinforcements, 1st Syrtis Fusiliers RCT (commanded by Lieutenant-General Vincent Varnay-Davion – who were currently assigned to Marlette for Rest, Recuperation and Repair from fighting on the front lines – as such are an under-strength RCT) located within Fortress Bourgogne.
The Battle of Jericho City was a brief but bloody conflict as Davion forces launched pre-emptive air strikes that crippled the Marlette Guards’ air forces then staged a successful ground offensive seizing Jericho and the surrounding area.
The Battle began as a series of raids in order to test the defensive lines, which soon worsened into a ferocious air and artillery engagement. On the following morning, after catching the Marlette Guards by surprise, a coordinated aerial attack assaulted the Marlette Guards’ makeshift airfields, eliminating 80 percent of their air force either on the ground or in the air.
By the end of the third day the 4th Davion pilots had won full control of the skies over Jericho City.
The 4th Davions had all but secured victory by establishing air superiority, however, during the fierce fighting upon the land (that continued over several days) Lieutenant-Colonel Rowanne Bridgeford led her remaining forces in an elastic defence from Jericho to that of the City of Staval, and the remaining Marlette Guards’ forces.
<Nt. Whilst the 4th Davion Guards were engaged at Jericho the 3rd Storm Grenadiers encircled around Staval and proceeded onto the Fortress of Bourgogne – their aim to restrict the 1st Syrtis Fusiliers RCT from assisting the Marlette Guards at Staval.>
The Battle for the Staval City and Spaceport and Peloran Motors
With the oncoming 4th Davion Guards, Lieutenant-Colonel Rowanne Bridgeford evacuated from Staval City (declaring the city open) the Marlette Guards reduced the area they could adequately protect by assigning forces to the spaceport and the industrial complex – there they dug in and prepared for the inevitable.
General Lawrence Davion was determined to take Staval Spaceport and Peloran – the battle commenced with a protracted tank battle in the east whilst his Mech forces were engaged in the north. Throughout the course of the Battle of Staval Lieutenant-Colonel Rowanne Bridgeford’s Marlette Guards forces were constantly forced to scale back their static defensive lines in an attempt to successfully parry one blow after another.
Though in the course of the battle the remaining Marlette Guards’ were able to successfully counterattack and inflict heavy losses on the Davion panzer units – and in so doing Lawrence was forced to temporarily disengage in order to reformulate his battle strategy.
Having lost nearly all his armour in the fighting Lawrence requested units from the Storm Grenadiers …
In the south, on the 4th Davion Guards right flank, the Storm Grenadiers established a bride-head on the east bank of the Bern River in preparation for a full scale offensive for Fortress Bourgogne (in which the fort’s vast anti-aerospace / drop-ship weapons limited their assault to land based) … as Lieutenant-General Vincent Varnay-Davion’s 1st Syrtis Fusiliers RCT were attempting the reverse to break out and through the Storm Grenadier line (as he too was unable to bring their drop-ships in to assist due to the lack of a sizeable landing field). Thus both sides were utilizing their aerospace, hovercraft and infantry in small boats as reconnaissance units in order to determine a viable ground route …
<Nt. Problem for both forces – To advance on the fortress – crossing the Bern River and wetlands - distance from one side to the other – 3 miles / 4.83 Km - over which is the new (narrow) stannic bridge – under construction. As any previous attempt by the Storm Grenadiers to cross utilizing the bridge was met by multiple aerospace napalm artillery strikes … >
Thus the Fusiliers were effectively bottled up …. Whist the Storm Grenadier’s commander, General Desmond Dieuze, who craved fast moving offensives, was becoming increasingly frustrated by the inertia that had been imposed his forces.
The Staval Incident - General Desmond Dieuze’s ultimatum ….
In order to end all hostilities upon Marlette General Dieuze offered and ultimatum to both Lieutenant-General Vincent Varnay-Davion and Lieutenant-Colonel Rowanne Bridgeford …. Surrender, or watch Staval City be burnt to the ground …. as he ordered his armoured infantry to begin the assault!
In defiance of the Desmond’s ultimatum Vincent believed his preparations for his bridgehead assault were ready …. and the weather had finally deteriorated due to the oncoming monsoon - aerospace fighters were therefore restricted to the ground.
Vincent’s plan - Utilizing all his largest Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) (as well as any civilian craft they were able to commandeer) as well as his cavalry military hovercraft he proposed a double envelopment of the bridge in order to transport the majority of his vehicles and infantry from the fortress to the far shore - whilst his BattleMech forces proceeded down the bridge in order to reinforce the bridgehead units ….
Once activated, and upon reaching a point of no return they entered Desmond’s trap as his heavy artillery salvo commenced upon both forces …. Vincent, unwilling to call off the attack, declared “We have put our hands to the plow; we must finish the job,” ….
The battle continued as the monsoon’s heavy rains transformed fields into quagmires, wind and deteriorating light forcing both forces to rely upon their sensors …. The 1st Syrtis Fusiliers RCT drove into the 3rd Storm Grenadiers as the 4th Davion Guards pressed their final attack upon the remaining Marlette Guards
After days of heavy fighting, during which the Syrtis losses mounted, Rowanne reluctantly issued a chilling situation report … “the situation is critical … the Grenadiers artillery is continuing to butcher the good people of Syrtis and we have nothing else to curtail them … a couple more attacks and we are sunk, we have no reserves, our ammunition is depleted, and we just can’t go on …”, whist the 1st Syrtis Fusiliers remained bogged down whist engaging the Grenadiers.
It was within the darkness that fate proved capricious …..
High above Marlette multiple ships translated from the pirate jump point beginning a high speed 2G burn to the planet – and single message was transmitted … “ this is Brigadier Rinalla Centrella of the Canopus Marshalls - Battle Dolls …. Hold on! … we will be with you shortly … General Desmond Dieuze you and the 3rd Storm Grenadiers are hereby declared renegade, as such you, and those who abet you, are hereby declared ‘in pari delicto’ …. Prepare for execution!”
With renewed hope the 1st Syrtis Fusiliers and the Marlette Guards held on as the Battle Dolls made planet-fall in two groups combat groups … and as such Brigadier Rinalla Centrella employed an audacious strategy in order to relieve the besieged Syrtis defenders of Marlette wherein she wheeled her forces into counterthrusts where the swiftness and strength with which the Battle Dolls employed allowed them to break through the Davion lines, relieving the valiant defenders (creating alarm and confusion on the Davion side).
As the heavy fighting continued the remaining 1st Syrtis Fusiliers and Marlette Guards joined the fray, no quarter asked or given on either side! With the coming of the dawn the sky cleared as the Davion forces attempted to scrambled their aerospace fighters from their rear bases the Battle Dolls carrier hd previously scrambled their fighters from space in order to dive on these bases the resulting devastation removed all effective fighter support from the Davion forces …. realizing the battle was lost it was assumed that Lawrence Davion was about to call for an organized retreat when his command lance came under fire from an attacking Battle Doll / Fusilier lances under the command of Vincent Varnay-Davion
The resulting fight was vicious and short …. ending when Lawrence was forced to eject when Vincent was able to penetrate his engine …. with the loss of their commander so too went all discipline, the 4th Davion Guards were put to the rout with very few able to escape.
<Nt. Following medical treatment Lawrence was taken as a Prisoner of War.>
With the loss of their allies the Storm Grenadiers soon found themselves encircled – concentrated air and land fire ensured the death of the 3rd Storm Grenadiers … those few who survived were taken as Prisoners of War and were subsequently handed over the SLDF ….
<Nt. Battle Dolls and 1st Syrtis Fusiliers forces divided battlefield savage and the Marlette Guards were absorbed into the Fusiliers.>
Get thee to Coventry … Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious by this daughter of Tharkad … Our army shall march through. Well to New Avalon tonight.
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Requiem
01/29/21 02:20 AM
101.185.66.21
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NT. Draconis March Political Situation Circa 2590
With the end of the first Civil War ….
The Sandoval family, an extremely wealthy and influential family within the Terran March, who’s matriarch Lieutenant General Eleanor Sandoval, the commander of those Vale Rangers who came to Alexander’s aid during the abortive engagement against Dmitri Rostov (for the crime of murdering his first wife Cynthia Davion when he attempted to Kidnap her ….) prior to the end of the Davion Civil War. As such her family was ennobled to the position of Duke / Duchess …
Alexander’s disestablishment of the Terran March, however, generated deep resentment amongst the Terran Brigade and the former Vale Rangers now Robinson Chevaliers, one that still festered fifty years later …. Then with the formation of the Star League Defense Force; Alexander seized the opportunity to remove these most troublesome units of the new Armed Forces of the Federated Suns, which included the entire remaining Terran Brigade ….
Where the older generation had once viewed Alexander to represented order, stability and an end to factionalism and infighting – his reforms (including an end to the Five Princes era) are now seen by many as a means by him to consolidate his power, as evidenced by …..
Aligning the Federated Suns with an enemy state the Terran Hegemony (now the Star League) who only a few years prior murdered the entire former Ducal family (2515) in a raid conducted by their Hegemony Forces;
Conspiring with this enemy state to initiate an illegal war with the Periphery States – which can now be seen for what it was, a land and power acquisition scheme;
Then when his actions were questioned by his daughter this was quickly followed by an assassination attempt;
Many younger citizens within the newly created Draconis March are beginning to question many of his decisions as well as his right to rule … and many are beginning to see him as a being the same as Dmitri Rostrov - a would-be despot.
Considering this …. many within the Sandoval family as well as many within the new Draconis March (including the current Duke Richard Sandoval) see themselves as being the guardians of chivalry within the Federated Suns they viewed Alexander’s actions as being reprehensible, and as such they refused to be part of this disastrous civil war between the father and daughter …..
Important Characters
Eleanor Sandoval, former Duchess of Robinson and the power behind the Sandoval throne who has counselled many within her family – a highly intelligent accomplished warrior and poet ….
Richard Sandoval, Current Duke of Robinson, a charming leader who is fiercely loyal to his family and the Draconis March. A man who has the willingness (emotional courage) of his convictions to stand up for his beliefs …. Proven to be a bit manipulative ….
Elizabeth “Bess” Sandoval, Richard’s wife and current CO to the 1st Robinson Chevaliers – a woman with intense passionate emotions. She possesses great strength and is very feminine and sensitive when necessary. Though she is also a very talented warrior who is experienced in war …
Stephanie Sandoval, Richard’s daughter (age 8), … a great fondness for sweets, highly intelligent for her age, though she acts like an air-head around strangers and she is in the habit of saying “shut up! Shut up! Shut up!”, whenever a question or remark disturbs her world view or embarrasses her …. She adores her grandmother and loves to be taken for a ride in her BattleMech …. much to her mother’s bemusement …
John Sandoval, Richard’s younger brother, a pleasant as he may seem, John hides a deep (almost pathological) hatred for his elder brother in that he does not believe he is worthy of being Duke …… He is just biding his time, to when he is able to take the throne … He is also scornful of the idea of fealty or sacrificing one’s life for others, believing only the strong should survive ….
Get thee to Coventry … Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious by this daughter of Tharkad … Our army shall march through. Well to New Avalon tonight.
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Requiem
02/01/21 05:00 AM
1.158.229.22
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Chapter - 14 Bribery, Blackmail and Ego
As Veronica sat in her luxury cabin looking out the window into space as Robinson came into view she mused to herself, bribery and blackmail are two exceptional ways in order to get what you want, however when dealing with those of week minds and have an exceptionally high ego of themselves and of their position (due to birth) it does not take very much to convince them that you are on their side and that for the betterment of their realm that their position is correct and that the position of the other person is completely in error and if left unchecked it would destroy everything …. Thus this alternative idea (remaining outside of the war due to chivalry) must be snuffed out, by any means necessary, including the use of insurrection … and with a weak and pliable leader of the throne of the Draconis March it would be easy to get them to fight on the Davion side of the current civil war ….. Eleanor and Richard must die so that John can take the throne so that he can be manipulated into joining the war …..
<Nt. Veronica (capricious and vindictive) has great faith in herself, her powers of observation and discernment, and an understanding of impulsiveness and how acting / guile would better advance her cause – facing as she did a rival who’s world view is that of a paladin ….>
Utilizing her spies within the Draconis March Court her intelligence has uncovered John as a weak link that can be exploited …. as to the existence of a struggle between political hegemony between Richard and John due to the current civil war / joining the Star League.
Veronica, upon a “diplomatic mission” to Robinson, begins her scheming to usurp the throne in favour of John … once inserted she will begin scheming her vengeance (for not remaining loyal to her father) as she tries to undermine the virtue of Eleanor and achieve Richard’s downfall.
Enlisting the help of Richard’s political opponents (via bribery, blackmail or ego) …. encouraging them to take action to save the Draconis March from an unstable Duke …..tension rises between the brothers and between their political camps within the military, media, industry and nobility
<Nt. It is at this stage that Veronica can see what comes next, she thus quietly leaves Robinson for New Avalon.>
Critical point … when dissidents move against the knowledge of Richard and John ….
Carnage ensures ….
The only way Stephanie can be protected is when her grandmother, Eleanor, is forced to don her ‘Mech once more - in the ensuring chaos she is cut down whist ensuring the dissidents are also cut down …. and, as now that blood has been spilt war erupts upon Robinson as the two brothers’ forces engage one another in a violent war – both believing that what that are doing is for the betterment of the people of the Draconis March …
After many months of warfare John is captured and put the sword by his own brother ….
The dispute is at an end, a formal investigation is conducted in which Veronica’s actions become known … and yet there is no firm proof that could be used ….
Richard decides that he will still not assist either side and declares the matter at an end ….
Get thee to Coventry … Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious by this daughter of Tharkad … Our army shall march through. Well to New Avalon tonight.
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