Erik Sandoval-Groell

Erik Sandoval-Groell
Erik Sandoval-Groell
Personal
Born3105[1]
AffiliationHouse Sandoval-Groell
Profile
Title(s)Duke of Robinson
Position(s)Prince's Champion
ProfessionMechWarrior

Erik Sandoval-Groell was the chief adviser to Duke Aaron Sandoval and the Swordsworn which culminated into him becoming the Prince's Champion for First Prince Caleb Davion.[1]

History

Early Life

Erik was born on Robinson and was the great-grandson of Jessica Sandoval-Groell. Erik was not in line for the heir of the Draconis March, but he was still considered part of the dynasty.

At the age of twelve he was sent to live with his older cousin Aaron Sandoval II[2]

Swordsworn Activities

Mara

Once the HPGs went down, Duke Corwin Sandoval sent Erik to reclaim the Republic world of Mara which used to be a possession of the Sandoval dynasty. He failed to secure the planet due to another cousin of his, Christine Sandoval, interfering.[1] His defeat at the hands of his cousin, who sided with the natives of Mara, sent him back to the Draconis March in disgrace.[3]

Achernar

When he returned to report to his cousin, Aaron immediately sent him to secure Achernar because of the working HPG station.[4] There he noticed that his force was small compared to the forces of both the Republic militia and the forces of the Steel Wolves; the Wolves were on the world for the same reason as Erik's Swordsworn, the control of the working HPG.

Erik was able to persuade the Republican Knight on the world, Kyle Powers, to see his force as an ally against the Wolves. He used this new alliance to position his force as a reserve between every engagement between the militia and Wolf forces in order to save his strength and sap both of theirs to make it easier to turn on both of them to take control of the world. A hitch in his plan arose when both sides went to a wait and see approach. He needed both sides to destroy each other so he decided to go ahead and goad the Wolves. Erik concentrated a portion of his force to attack and destroy one of the Wolves salvage teams.[5] With the attack on mainly nonwarriors, Erik hoped that Torrent would demand retribution from Sir Powers since he agreed to have the Swordsworn act as allies to the militia; their fight would help to reduce their strength even more.

During the final pitched battle for control of the world, Erik's men came under attack from Raul Ortega's forces which gave Erik the opportunity he was searching for; he was now free to attack both of his enemies. When the battle left the city and made its way to the spaceport, the forces of the Swordsworn and Steel Wolves pushed closer and closer to the line of the Republican militia; until it became too crowded to which it became a brutal three way fight.

Erik would go on to concede the battlefield to the militia forces when there was no longer a military objective for Achernar. Erik realized too late that Raul had forces sneak into the HPG building and plant explosives to destroy the compound, removing all importance for the world.[6] Erik left Achernar and returned to Tikonov as a hero because he was able to complete one of his objectives, to prevent the Steel Wolves from obtaining a working HPG station.[7]

New Aragon

After those two defeats, Erik participated in a major Swordsworn victory against House Liao on the world of New Aragon, alongside elements of the Davion Guards and the Ghost Legion (elite and veteran Swordsworn regiments). Duke Aaron Sandoval left Erik in charge of mopping up the remaining hostile forces, a duty that he performed well. During this last operation, Erik was noted for successfully leading a search and destroy party of Swordsworn ’Mechs against a heavier Liao Tundra Wolf.[citation needed]

New Canton

After learning of the failed attempt to kill his Uncle in New Canton, Erik was sent to the world of Shensi to gather their support in forming a coalition of worlds against House Liao, while Aaron Sandoval negotiated with other worlds. On Shensi Erik found a political bureaucratic nightmare that made it seem impossible to sign any agreement; unbeknownst to him, his uncle hired Liao mercenaries to carry out a surprise attack while Erik was on the planet. As a result of the attack Erik managed to get the agreement signed and left the planet to report his success to his uncle.[citation needed]

St. Andre

While Aaron Sandoval was gathering aid for his coalition from other nearby worlds, Erik was put in charge of the defense of St. Andre, an important world already under heavy attack from Capellan forces. He took command of all Swordsworn forces on the planet, but learned that the Capellan forces were vastly superior to his own and would overwhelm his army. When House Liao launched a massive attack Swordsworn forces put up a determined resistance, inflicting serious losses on the attackers, but the prolonged fight took a toll on Erik's forces; just when all hope seemed to be lost, Aaron Sandoval arrived with reinforcements from other worlds and wiped out the Capellan forces with the aid of Erik’s battered forces. Erik was recognized as having led a very good defense with the forces he had available.[citation needed]

After the hard-fought victory on St. Andre and upon learning of his uncle's involvement on the Shensi attack Erik's point of view changed and he decided to make his own path in life instead of following the Duke.

New Hessen

On New Hessen, Erik saved First Prince Caleb Davion from both Liao and Republic forces.[8] After he saved Caleb, Erik defected to the Suns, taking half the Sworsworn with him, and was anointed as Prince's Champion.[1]

Federated Suns Activities

As the Champion, he was placed in charge of all Armed Forces of the Federated Suns units within the Tikonov region with the purpose of retaking all former Davion worlds from the Republic.[1]

When Caleb was killed in the Battle of Palmyra (3144), the Privy Council elected Erik to act as Regent of the Federated Suns due to the new First Prince, Julian Davion, was fighting in the Lyran Commonwealth against both Clan Jade Falcon and Clan Wolf.[1]

During Julian's absence, Erik became the de facto only military leader of the Suns. On 3146, he prepared a bait to attract the Capellans against Marlette, which succeeded thanks to Julian's arrival on site. The same year, after Erik reunited with Julian, both attempted to led reinforcements to New Avalon, but it wasn't enough, and the capital fell on Combine's hands.[9]

On 3147, Erik, working along Julian Davion, planned their next moves. While Julian Davion led a operation to retake New Syrtis, Erik launched Operation PERCEVAL, to harass the Combine planets on the border. During the Battle of Clovis, Sandoval was forced to let a battalion of the First Avalon Hussars behind on Clovis, promising them he would return.[10] On 3149, after the retaking of New Syrtis, Erik was forced to negotiate with Julian, to calm the discontent between the AFFS caused by Julian's secretism about his deals with Devlin Stone. Erik decided to trust him, and convinced the other officers to remain loyal to Davion, in exchange for Erik's assuming the primary strategist place on the AFFS. The same year, Erik led the second phase of Operation Perceval, raiding the Dragon's Tongue worlds.[11]

On 3150, Erik led a counterattack against Combine worlds, freeing some and making good his promise to rescue the Hussars' battalion on Clovis.[12]

Reclaiming the Tongue

The dawn of IlClan Era found Erikon Argyle, Julian's command post and de facto capital of the Suns. The 3 April, the Prince led a meeting of his commanding officers, included Siobhan Sortek, where they planned the launch of Operation DAWN, the reconquest of New Avalon. During the preparations, Julian and Erik received a message from Devlin Stone, asking for help against Clan Wolf attack, but both agreed than they hadn't nothing to spare. Reluctantly, Julian accepted to don't lead the operation, as that would made him the main target. He wanted to join the newly contracted mercenary units to Dawn's task force, but Julian refused, instead sending to reinforce the Combine's frontier or raiding the Dragon's Tongue. The liberation of New Avalon was to be made only by the AFFS.[13][14]

The 12 June, Julian and Erik led the invasion of New Avalon. The Prince urged Kanrei Matsuhari Toranaga to surrender, though he knew he wouldn't accept. He stayed on orbit while Erik led the ground assault, landing his forces around the capital.[15][16]

For months, Erik led sorties against the Combine's forces, fighting the Fifth Sword of Light building by building, a process slow and very costly. The 4 September, Erik launched a massive assault on Avalon City. He personally suffered a headhunting attack, but was saved thanks to his subordinate Siobhan Sortek's assistance. The 17 September, Erik, after gathering the Davion Assault Guards, launched a last assault. Toranaga attacked with all what he had, and both leaders engaged into a duiel. Toranaga's Atlas was severely damaged, but eventually Erik was downed, but was saved by Julian's intervention. In a few shots, Julian defeated the Kanrei, which surrendered himself to the one which had defeated him... but that wasn't Julian, but Erik.[17][18]

The next weeks, Julian confirmed officially Erik as Duke of Robinson, and debated with his counselors several questions, including Toranaga's final destiny. The 16 October, after knewing about Toranaga's death, he interrogated Julian, which denied to knew what had happened, and also refused to investigate it, instead sending him to reclaim the Dragon's Tongue worlds: Operation Solar Flare.[19][20]

The 5 February 3152, he was on Plymouth, preparing the operation, and talked with two subordinates about his cousin, Colleen Sandoval, which appears to be usurping his authority on the Draconis March, and sent them to Robinson to investigate the situation.[21]

The 16 March, Erik assisted to a reception on Leamington, recently liberated, where he was acclaimed as a hero.[22] He also coordinated the campaign, with amazing success, and personally led the liberation of Euclid, Gambier and finally, the 21 June, the Battle of Greely (3152), fighting there until the 25 June. Then, he lead the charge troug the Combine lines. With the defeat of the Combine forces, he negotiated with the Kuritan commander, Sho-so Hisao Ikeda the Combine's retreat of their remaining' forces on the Tongue. The war was over.[23][24]

The 21 September, Julian travelled to Robinson and meet in private with Erik, which was returning there for first time in years, right after the end of the campaign. The Prince attempted to make peace with him, but Erik refused, citing past mistakes of Julian, including Toranaga's death. However, he agreed to save face and respect Julian's authority... at least, for the moment.[25]

During a party to celebrate the victory, Erik was personally informed by the fall of Milligan under the attack of Raven Alliance forces, wearing the Third Star League insignia.[26]

BattleMechs

Gallery

  • Erik Sandoval-Groell in 3145

  • Erik Sandoval-Groell in 3151.


References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Era Report: 3145, p. 93: "Erik Sandoval-Groell profile"
  2. ↑ Fortress of Lies, ch. 2
  3. ↑ A Call to Arms, p. 44
  4. ↑ A Call to Arms, p. 45
  5. ↑ A Call to Arms, pp. 143–148
  6. ↑ A Call to Arms, p. 281
  7. ↑ A Call to Arms, p. 300
  8. ↑ Fortress Republic, p. ??[citation needed]
  9. ↑ Shattered fortress p. 24-29
  10. ↑ Shattered fortress p. 31-33
  11. ↑ Shattered fortress p. 54-69
  12. ↑ Shattered fortress p. 81
  13. ↑ The Damocles Sanction, ch. 1
  14. ↑ Dominions Divided, p. 16-17
  15. ↑ The Damocles Sanction, ch. 5
  16. ↑ Dominions Divided, p. 24
  17. ↑ The Damocles Sanction, ch. 7-9
  18. ↑ Dominions Divided, p. 36
  19. ↑ The Damocles Sanction, ch. 12-13
  20. ↑ Dominions Divided, p. 52-53
  21. ↑ The Damocles Sanction, ch. 15
  22. ↑ The Damocles Sanction, ch. 17
  23. ↑ The Damocles Sanction, ch. 22
  24. ↑ Dominions Divided, p. 67-74
  25. ↑ The Damocles Sanction, ch. 26
  26. ↑ Dominions Divided, p. 74
  27. ↑ Fortress of Lies, ch. 1
  28. ↑ Fortress Republic, ch. 6
  29. ↑ Fortress of Lies, ch. 19
  30. ↑ The Damocles Sanction, ch. 5
  31. ↑ The Damocles Sanction, ch. 22

Bibliography

Retrieved from "https://www.sarna.net/wiki/index.php?title=Erik_Sandoval-Groell&oldid=1025949"