888 "The Liberty Alliance"
Hanse Davion for whatever reason (see 887) wishes to expand the Federated Commonwealth Alliance. The Suns have a great deal of trade going through the FWL, and though the LC would easily (and for greater effect) be able to take up that trade the FWL is a great block on Capellan ambitions. That they and the LC have quite the history, well he is the 'Fox'. He proposes that his new allies in the LC seal a Non-Aggression Pact with the FWL. He shares with Janos Marik certain items about the threat from Sian that they share (Marik Civil war, elements of doppelganger that don't give up the store). Hanse then asks Katrina to yield some Marik worlds for peace with the FWL. Katrina initially goes off on Hanse, but Melissa having overheard reminds her mother of the whole start of the alliance her 'peace proposal' and that Marik is a MUCH Lesser foe then the Combine. Simon Johnson agrees with Hanse and Melissa, Katrina takes a deep breath and nods. She would talk with Marik with Hanse as a facilitator.
Janos is no fool, he, his house and his state have been through hell. (for 887 though Candance seems much less evil and likely to try to restart the Marik Civil war, she is still a LIAO and they are all SNAKEs to the FWL. For other options an alliance with Max Liao is like an alliance with the scorpion and the FWL is the frog!). He of course makes a huge demand of 12 worlds to the LC and a free trade zone between the LC, FWL and FS. To which Katrina nods knowing that re-taking Combine worlds will more then off-set this and maybe Hanse and Melissa's children could bring in the FWL into the still fetal Federated Commonwealth in time. To further sweeten the pot she offers 'council' seats on Solaris VII (it was a huge money making world, but it was also corrupt as hell, the FWL and FS influence would take off some of the Lyran profit, but likely increase 'control' and safety of the world). Marik basically agrees to the non-aggression pact and leaves the Concord. Some Board sketches of avenues of advance are drawn up between the FS and FWL on the Capellan 'question'.
Katrina has to deal with a load of political backlash and though having Janos at worst a trading neutral and at best an ally against the CC, for her not to lose vast amounts of face she makes the following demand of Hanse. You made me make peace with the FWL to pressure the CC, now you MUST make peace with the TC and put further pressure on that flank and have the FC focus on the Kuritian threat! Unsaid is that the number of 'Lyran' worlds that the Suns would conquer in the DC had gone up from something like 1 in 3 to 1 in 2 along with any major industrial world 'west' of Galedon. Hanse's slow nod is nearly identical to Katrina's.
Hanse does notice the 'propaganda' points, Federated Suns Six Liberties, Lyran Commonwealth Free Market and estates General, Free Worlds League Parliament and nearly libertarian economy, the Taurian Concordat Concordant being the ideological 'little brother' of the Federated Suns (why they hate each other so much!). As 3026 becomes 3027 Hanse lunches his Outback tour as the free-trade between the FWL/FS/LC has started an explosive growth within all three states. Hanse is freely sharing items the NAIS is developing on the economic (to include colonial) front, sharing small secrets to the FWL and the usual 'medium' ones with the LC. As he takes the spotlight he has his Nephew and heir Morgan Hasek-Davion partake in the opening and thawing of relations with the TC. As May becomes June, an number of TC units enter the Federated Suns for the Galahad as a number of Federated Suns worlds once again fly the Taurian Bull. Morgan gets to Thomas Calderon before his paranoia really gets started. Morgan reads that Thomas will never truly trust the Suns, but he doesn't trust the Capellans either. The 22 year old Heir focuses on things they can agree on, if the TC was involved in the FS Galahad exercises they would know if they were going to go on the offensives. If roughly ten of the worlds (and a couple now being jointly held) taken from the TC were returned it would at the very least buy time. Also with the periphery's general economic decline the routing of good and services from the LC and FWL (two innersphere states well away from the TC) clinched the deal. The Suns would have peace on their TC border and the TC would have a much more open view on the FS and an avenue into the CC to reclaim and liberate Former Taurian worlds/oppressed worlds. To place a touch more pressure on the TC and the FWL Morgan on his own initiative goes to the Magistracy of Canopus.
Having a somewhat evil and controlling 'father' Morgan stays one step ahead of Kyalla's advances. He offers to scale up her 'service' for 'service' trade to an open free trade pact between all members (FWL/FS/LC/TC) and to have FS/LC units train with the MAF in Galahad like exercises. Kyalla keeps herself in check and acknowledges the benefits of such a treaty. Morgan also offers 'open ended' support for any MAF actions in defense and in certain offensive actions (see attacks on the CC). While he stays on Canopus he attracts the attention of Emma Centrella. The 19 year old heir to the MOC is enthralled by the heir to the FS, they share a few dinners and 'dates' Emma avoids the 'cheating' that her mother suggests to her (and would use herself if Morgan wasn't so careful and capable). Emma and Morgan exercise their mechs among other things until he leaves after four months of diplomatic actions.
Morgan keeps tabs on what his dad and his uncle are doing. Morgan knows his dad is traitor, but hopes for his redemption, but will follow Hanse if it comes to it. Michael has watched as the Confederation is now 'Boxed' in. Hanse is treating Thomas with kid gloves and is giving him almost minute to minute data as to where the AFFS is on their border and has drawn AFFS forces down by at least a third on the Concordant border. What AFFS forces located on the border and mostly training or providing security against pirates. Their training is mostly with Taurian units, one to sharpen their formations, two to allow each member of this 'trade pact and quasi non aggression treaty' to know what the other can do and what they won't be doing at least to the other members.
While Morgan is blazing through the periphery Hanse, Katrina, and Jonas are over seeing Galahad 27. Though not an 'active' participant various FWL units on a small to medium scale partake in elements of the exercise as well as ride alongs with the Lyrans in their Thor exercise. The Taurians on the far side of the sphere are ironically more integrated with the AFFS then the FWLM, but it is after all just a trade pact and non-aggression treaty. All three major and two minor states are benefitting from the increased economic ties and all militaries are becoming more proficient. There is pressure to add the Outworlds alliance, but Hanse knows that will just turn so many OA worlds into ash. He lets his partners know and that when they can be brought safely into the fold he will. This attitude does more to calm Thomas Calderon's paranoia (if minimally) then all the troop tables and status reports in the universe. It also shows the other members that Hanse is not going to use this slowly consolidating alliance merely for his own benefit (maybe?)
It goes without saying that this state can't be allowed to continue, COMSTAR, the DC and the CC can't allow roughly 70% be aligned against roughly 30%. Their intel services amp up their actions and attempts to destabilize the alliance or at least the states within. MIIO/DMI take the brunt of the actions while shoring up SAFE. Any threat is dealt with honestly Brazening out is not an option. So, when Mask drops the 'bomb' that Davion supported the Marik Civil, Janos nods as do the parliament's leaders and note that Hanse Davion had admitted as much a couple years ago and has provided what is deemed suitable restitution for those actions.
in 887 world, the intel game goes on as Candace is able to free her society and economy on a wide scale, while Teddy can make inroads toward the same. The CC and DC do have for what is them 'vast' growth, but it is nothing compared to the Liberty Alliance. For every new mech factory in either the DC or CC the LC and FWL build three, the FS and TC build two and the MOC keeps pace with the DC-CC Axis. Hanse, Katrina, Melissa, Janos all know that it will be some time before new jumpships/warships classes can be built, but as stated in the history they are assembling 'kits' and like all model builders know the more you build the faster and more proficient you become and you get a hang of what you are building. At least some insights gained and by 3030 the first 'proto-warships' are being quietly built at Galax, Illium and Gibbs build the Platypus and Echidna class Corvette using years of 'kit' assembly as well as NAIS, Tharkad research and FWTI they get to a semi-compact core of roughly 75% of the ship's mass. At Kathil (being somewhat centrally located even if it's on the Capellan border) all the 'trade states' work on the planetary drives needed to get these 'early' warships to speed after they have jumped, additional low end naval grade weapons are being prototyped and constructed initially at the James McKenna yard at Kathil. The cooperation is such that each state other then the Suns has an 'enclave' that is considered by the Suns and the other states as part of their nation. From 3026 to 3030 numerous Jumpship 'kit factories'(yards) along with the parts to 'assemble' those kits (invaders and scouts for economic and speed of construction sake) are seeded through out the 'Outback' of the Suns, the colonial regions of the MOC and TC and the periphery regions of the FWL and LC(Rimworlds-LC, Marian-FWL). It not that they don't trust their neighbors but the don't... However for a trade pact and non-aggression treaty that by the end of start up phase is only five years in that the high dollar investments are still well away from the front only makes sense.
By 3030 the great powers have put in place eight such kit yards, each producing 15 invaders and 5 scouts on average each year (13 and 4 for the Suns, 16 and 5 for the FLW, 18 and 7 for the LC) each year starting 3031 (years prior are 10% 3027, 30% 3028, 55% 3029, 80% 3030). The Outback being the furthest behind makes the greatest gains, while the LC producing the most already have a high standard of living (especially as opposed to the Outback). The TC has Six and are just above the FS in production, the MOC has four and has the lowest production (lowest education level), though as the tech gets better and as the TC can shift it's education effort from the major powers (FWL, FS and LC) the upgraded FS education system then supports the TC in bringing up the MOC to the 'alliance' standard. With those standard being reached all 'kit' shipyards have roughly the same production levels (and several centuries of work to rebuild the fleets of the innershpere)
With Max and Takashi as they watch their nations fall further and further behind (even with covert and increasingly overt Comstar aid) decide it was better to start a war then be overwhelmed by shear industrial and military prowess of the 'alliance' (let alone tech). Mask and ISF attempt to stir up internal revolts in the Suns and Commonwealth. since Hanse and Melissa's wedding everyone knows that it was just a matter of time before the DC and CC struck at them. Their leaders hoping to keep on par with the FC, FWL, TC and MOC but as each year even with limited liberalizing they are being massively out produced by even by the TC as individual states. So over years they plant agents, plot revolts and plan offensives.
Skye and the Capellan March are the focuses of the ISF and Mask respectively, Hanse, Katrina and Melissa are prepared and willing to let their political radicals (Skye) or traitors (Michael Hasek Davion Capellan March) take the first hit and allow the Alliance to strike back. Having stirred 'revolts' and revolutions in the LC (Skye) and FS (Capellan March). The CC and DC launch somewhat coordinated offensives against the FC.
Each 'sink' draws in 20-30 mech regiments from the belligerents, Skye was evacuated by all but the Rangers a couple months prior as was the worlds that back Michael. Skye being treated to Combine discipline quickly beg for the LC part of the FC to 'liberate' it, something Katrina and Melissa intend to do, but only after couple(most of Skye) to few months(Summer and Skye) of Combine occupation to properly educate Free Skye just how free they would be under the Dragon...
The Capellan March is some what different as Worlds Loyal to Hanse are re-taken in short order while world loyal to Michael, Hanse tries to have the March Leader 'liberate' his own March. With fewer resources then the First Prince, Hasek-Davion is bled of his 'loyalists' with likely a six to a dozen worlds under Confederation occupation and the McCarrion's Armored Cav rolling through his march.
To justify the delay in liberating Skye, bailing out Michael is the offensives into the CC and DC. Everywhere 'north' of Skye erupts in war as the LC with even greater resources and training walk over the DC forces there. The Dragoons having raided DC and slowly rebuild (with Hanse promising Jamie he would have his revenge) over the last six years strike key worlds like Galedon, Marduk and Benjamin. Already having massive losses on the Lyran front, four elite Dragoon Regiments (still hasn't full recovered) hammering a number of key worlds hard, the DCMS is even more out of position against the 60% of the AFFS that launches itself into the Combine taking dozens of worlds in weeks.
The 20% of the AFFS that remained for offensive actions take Tikonov as well as other worlds in that commonality as well as the 'northern' 2/3s of the Sarna Commonality. The TC hits hard a month after the 4th war starts at Sian commonality with the goal to advance just 'east' of Sian itself. The MOC joins the War two Months later taking all six worlds border their state. the FWL joins in a couple weeks after the invasion of the 'rebelling' states advancing to their agreed line of the Tikonov commonality ('western' half), and hammers the Capella Commonality while 'nibbling' at Sarna and Sian.
By the time of liberation for Skye the LC has taken 80 worlds from the DCMS, another 20 will be ceded by the AFFS to them in Dieron, over 2/3s of the DCMS has been destroyed, captured or disbanded for roughly 15% of the LCAF being damaged. The Roughly 12 Mech regiments and what few Mercs were left after a 'death to mercs' order being issued (after the Dragoons smash several DCMS regiments) in Skye are quickly and thoroughly overwhelmed and Free Skye or what remains of it will not be a threat to the FC for generations...
The CC is consumed by two major and two minor powers, the Capellan March is easily liberated, Michael still does his 'Heroic' run. Justin Allard still runs off with Candace, but does not need the assistance of the Kathil Ulhans or Morgan Centrella-Davion (or his wife Emma). The CC at best has Sian, maybe Capella and another two dozen other worlds. the Plurality going to the FWL, then the FS part of the FC getting the next highest number, the TC and finally around a dozen going to the MOC.
The AFFS takes roughly 60 worlds by the end of the 4th war with the DC, the LC nibbles another two dozen or so worlds from the DC, with transfers the LC gets roughly 130 worlds and the FS takes 40. The end of the 4th War the winners of the winners are the LC part of the FC and the FWL each getting nearly 75 (if not more in the LC case) worlds from long term 'deadly' foes, the FS part of the FC and the TC getting 30+ worlds while MOC which got to pick and choose where they hit only got 12, but didn't invest anywhere near what the other did.
Sufficient to say the CC will be picked to death by the time the Clans 'may' invade. the DC will limp on even with the clans but will never be a great power again.
887 the war starts latter (3037) the losses in proportion are lower for the DC-CC Axis, but the end result is not much different, the CC is hammered, Candance can either use her lover (she is likely to still hook up with Justin) to 'join' the alliance or she can be picked to death at a slower rate, if Theodore stays longer in the CC she may have enough force to limp for a few decades, but if he defends the DC the CC's prospects diminish greatly, however he still doesn't save the DC, just makes the LC of the FC fight that much harder and as the FS of the FC is there mostly to bleed the DC if he is on that front he will make little difference as well.
In Sum, if Hanse Davion follows a broader view and bonds those whose ideology is basically freedom, liberty and free markets even a nightmare scenario of 887 would still be a disaster for the CC and DC. The key would be convincing Katrina to yield worlds the FWL, consider she sent out the peace message, a dozen or so worlds even if they are industrialized would be a small price to pay to have a secure flank with which to unleash the total weight of the LC part of the FC on the DC. Janos would want to keep the FS as a trade partner even if he knows of Davion's part in the Civil War, and Hanse could point out that the Capellans have done worse to both of them (opening up a bit on doppelganger). Also Hanse may as well as find out what Morgan is made of by sending him to the TC, Morgan would likely do a great job keeping Thomas on the calmer side of paranoia. Having 'forced' Katrina to yield worlds Hanse would be in a position where he is 'compelled' to yield worlds as well, those important enough to keep could be 'shared' as the FS and TC do have a history of sharing worlds. Thomas Calderon would likely always be 'touchy' and even if he did join in the 4th war (which he would) he would keep a good number of his troops in reserve awaiting 'Davion Betrayal' but as trade and prosperity return to the Concordant the people of the TC as much if not more then all the schedules of AFFS movement, the lists of where each Davion unit is deployed (in the TC area) and exercises with the AFFS keep Thomas in the sane range. Edward would be even more inclined to further relations with the FC and by extension the FWL. The MOC would gain prestige and power as well as start yet another cadet branch of the Davion family with Emma producing a number of Davion-Centrella heirs to the Capellan March. That and bringing the MOC in even more prosperity and freedom. Victor will likely be 'encouraged' to marry Isis Marik when the time comes. In the end how long will the DC linger and will the clans even invade and will we have an FC civil war? Will Katherine be mad Kat? Will the children (or further descendants) of the Davion-Centrella line be content with the MOC and Capellan March? Will they start a Federated Suns/Commonwealth Civil war like the Varneys?(taking after their grandpa Michael). Could the Marik-Davion line keep all five states together as the LC-FS-FWL become a Mega-state? and with Edward and Emma the TC-MOC being slowly absorbed as well. Will they try to bring in the Outworlds Alliance? The easiest part of an alliance is when it's facing a deadly foe. They no longer have that, the CC is either gone or joining, the DC is bleeding out slowly and the Clans may never hear of the FC as the 'Outbound Light's' mission could of been butterflied away. But there is always Comstar!
