Konrad McKenna
Konrad McKenna | |
---|---|
Personal | |
Affiliation | House McKenna |
Career | |
Rank | Vice Admiral[1] |
Profession | Naval officer |
Family | |
Parents | James McKenna (father)[1] |
Konrad McKenna was a Terran Hegemony naval officer.
History[edit]
McKenna accompanied his father, Fleet Admiral James McKenna, during the senior McKenna's Campaigns of Persuasion. The Campaigns of Persuasion were intended to use the Terran Hegemony's massive fleets to persuade worlds to join the Hegemony.
By 2335, Konrad had risen to become second in command of James McKenna's forces.
James McKenna felt that unaffiliated worlds near Hegemony space were still open for the taking, so he launched what would become his last major military campaign. James' aim was to take the worlds bordering the Federation of Skye, with the goal being the acquisition of two Federation worlds, Syrma and Galatea. These two water rich worlds had a population that harbored an antitechnology mentality, which to McKenna's eye made them easy pickings.
The strike force of nearly 300 ships had successfully taken a number of worlds in the initial parts of the campaign. Though James was in name leading the fleet, McKenna's health had weakened. He turned control of the invasion to his son, Konrad, who up to now, had not seen combat.
As James McKenna returned to Terra in his flagship, the Battlecruiser, THS Black Lion, Konrad began to show his inexperience in combat situations during the invasion of Galatea. In July of 2338, Konrad made the fatal mistake of underestimating the people of Syrma. Konrad had constantly turned and blamed others rather than take responsibility for his own bad judgment. Konrad's inability became apparent when he deliberately sent HAF Army JumpShips into the system ahead of their WarShip escorts. Unknown to all, the people of Syrma had cut a deal with the Federation of Skye. The Federation armed Syrma with mines and "sleeper missiles" designed to wait for the enemy to appear at the Jump Points. Thirty of the fleet’s troopships were lost on the first jump into the system. The invasion’s entire ground force was destroyed due to Konrad’s bad tactics, making the entire invasion impossible.
As soon as the news of Konrad McKenna's judgment and behavior reached James McKenna, James hastened with his flagship back to Syrma. Three weeks after the disastrous invasion, hiding among the wreckage of the invasion, Konrad was conducting a farce trial against the Admiral in command of the troopships. With reluctance, James McKenna stripped him of his rank and privileges, taking command of the fleet. James apologized to the survivors of the invasion force for Konrad's actions and ordered all to return to Terra.[2]
References[edit]
Bibliography[edit]
- The Star League (sourcebook)