Alexander Hasek
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Alexander Hasek | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Personal | |
| Born | 3112[1] |
| Affiliation | House Hasek-Davion |
| Career | |
| Rank | Field Marshal[2] |
| Title(s) | Duke of New Syrtis |
| Profession | Noble |
| Family | |
| Parents | Amanda Hasek (mother) |
| Siblings | Kym Hasek[3] |
Alexander Hasek was an officer with the AFFS during the thirty-second century.
History[edit]
Early Years[edit]
Following the conquest of New Syrtis by the Capellan Confederation in 3145 and his mother Amanda's execution, Alexander was, on paper, the commander of the Capellan March. In reality, however, it was unclear if the young Duke was even alive. If he was, he was on the run or in hiding and unable to assert his authority.[4]
By January 3151, Alexander was still missing, with commentators speculating that either he had been killed during the fall of New Syrtis or was still in hiding even after six years.[5]
Duke[edit]
In March 3151, Alexander resurfaced, claiming the title of Duke. However, he was not very popular, his absence in Operation CERBERUS, the reconquest of New Syrtis, was noted. He pretended to have been leading the Sixth Syrtis Fusiliers and fighting a guerrilla war during the six year absence... but widely distributed pictures of him on a beach alongside a beautiful woman proved what Alexander had been doing during the six year absence. He was seen as little more than a playboy, and his first actions on New Syrtis of diverting funds away from rebuilding a hospital to prioritize the rebuilding of the family mansion did not improve his public image.[6]
Alexander’s condemning of Julian Davion's high cost to retake New Syrtis did not sit well. Additionally, Alexander’s saber-rattling against the truce with the Capellan Confedration had Julian’s Capellan March supporters concerned that Alexander’s statements could lead to a new war.[when?]
Soon after, Alexander created a new regiment, which he called the Syrtis Scourge, with veterans of the Sixth Fusiliers. The new unit was loyal only to Hasek, and was intended for entirely offensive roles.[7]
Pleiades War[edit]
Alexander's intention of beginning a war were evident... but against who, at the end, surprised everybody. On 8 June 3151, the security of Hasek's manor house was penetrated by a would-be assassin. Hasek's guards guards intercept the intruder, forcing him to escape but not before he had managed to kill the Duke's longtime consort. Hasek was certain than the assassin was Capellan, but after the study of a gas grenade used by him proved to be of the Taurian Concordat manufacture, he blamed them. On 13 June, Hasek informed Fenlon about his plans to take reprisals, the Marshal urged him to wait until confirmation, but the Duke ignored him, and even threatened to force him to resign; without alternatives, Fenlon had to concede. Hasek did not waste any time: he always planned to recover the Pleiades Cluster for the Suns, and said so, so he considered the proof was enough, and decided to launch the operation as soon as possible, and without ever telling it to Fenlon; the Pleiades War had begun.[8][9]
Initially, the operation went well: despite having only two understrength regiments, the Scourge and the Sixth Fusiliers, the Taurians had been caught unprepared, and the planet Electra was taken easily. The Duke declared it part of the Federated Suns and, leaving the Sixth as garrison, continued with the Scourge. The next target, Merope fell easily. Alexander expected to conquer all the Cluster in a month and return victorious... but soon the tide changed.[10]
The next target, Maia, was in the core of the Cluster. The Pleiades Hussars retreated, but the persecution turned a long one. Against Colonel Hallett's advice, Hasek ordered to ignite the forest were the Hussars were hiding. That did not affect the Hussars, and in a month, the Taurian received reinforcements: the Third Taurian Lancers. Hasek ordered a desperate attack against the Hussars, but the Scourge was crushed, and he captured.[11]
The Pleiades War had not ended, not still: The Taurians decided to punish the Suns' for their unprovoked attack, launching several raids against their space. Ironically, Hasek assisted the Taurians, recoding a message accepting full responsibility for the events and ordered any local forces to stand down. He was taken as hostage during some raids by the Third Taurian Lancers, and his words quickly demoralized the defenders of some planets, like Keuterville, Shaunavon, and Ashley, which greatly helped the Taurians. But on Firgrove, the defenders instead charged against the Taurians, expecting to rescue his Duke. They failed, but caused heavy casualties on the Third, including his commander, Colonel Griffin. That signaled the end of the fight, and Protector Doru send a message to Julian Davion, offering to return Hasek for a ransom.[12]
The ransom was high enough to outfit a new 'Mech regiment. Julian did not want to recover the humiliated Duke, but reluctantly agreed to send negotiators to pay. However, the negotiators did not come to Lindsay alone. As the Taurians raised their demands, a MIIO team rescued the Duke forcibly and escaped from the planet fighting. Thanks to a Clan Sea Fox escort, they were able to depart unmolested, which put an end to the war.[13][14]
Return to New Syrtis[edit]
Ironically, before the Duke returned, the "Taurian" assassin had been captured, and he was not Taurian or Capellan, but an agent of the Duchy of Andurien, which expected to cause problems for the Capellans. That only made the now-finished war seem worse.[15] If Alexander was not very popular before the Pleiades War, after returning to New Syrtis, he was regarded at best with contempt. At worst, his collaborationism with the Taurians made high officers to hate him. Even the Seventh Syrtis Fusiliers leader suggested than Hasek should have showed patriotism dying in battle.[16]
Once back on New Syrtis, his rescuer, Siobhan Sortek and his sister Kym, had a meeting. Alexander wanted to take reprisals against the Taurians, but they did not leave him: they informed of Julian Davion's dispositions, stripping him of any military authority, giving it to Fenlon. A furious Alexander had to concede, but in exchange, he forced Kym to return to New Avalon.[17]
Ironically, the experience changed Alexander for the best, making him grow. Separated from his assorted hangers-on, he learned a lot about himself and focused on the unglamorous work of ruling the March, though he was in a very weak position and had to redeem himself into his subjects and his own eyes.[1]
References[edit]
- ↑ a b Dominions Divided, p. 107
- ↑ Field Manual: 3145, p. 89
- ↑ Dark Age: 3132-3134 INN, p. 106: "Interview with Ambassador Hasek-Davion"
- ↑ Field Manual: 3145, p. 78
- ↑ IlClan, p. 121: "Extended Absence"
- ↑ Dominions Divided, p. 22
- ↑ Dominions Divided, p. 23
- ↑ Dominions Divided, p. 134
- ↑ The Damocles Sanction, ch. 6
- ↑ Dominions Divided, p. 35
- ↑ Dominions Divided, pp. 39–41
- ↑ Dominions Divided, pp. 50–51
- ↑ Dominions Divided, pp. 72–73
- ↑ The Damocles Sanction, ch. 20-21
- ↑ Dominions Divided, p. 41
- ↑ Dominions Divided, p. 94
- ↑ The Damocles Sanction, ch. 21