Ye next update followeth:
Picking up the pieces, Part 2
AEF Headquarters
Plains of Dangalobee
Harvest
June 6th, 3050
Over the previous 16 days, the Clans have completed the repatriation of their casualties and fallen personnel. Provisions have been made by the AEF to accept those Clan personnel who have been made bondsmen; those who wish to refuse the bond have been allowed to do so. Additionally, the dropships used by the Clans to transport their mechs, tanks, artillery and aerospace fighters have been left behind per the batchall conducted on May 13th.
During this same period of time, Captain Victor Steiner-Davion acted in his capacity as Field Marshal Hodges’ adjutant and compiled a list of the casualties on both sides of the late engagement, as well as the materiel left behind by the Clans; which information being presented at a meeting of the Command Staff at AEF Headquarters. Once the officers have gathered, Captain Steiner-Davion presents his report.
“Gentlemen, I have compiled a list of the casualties and KIA that the Clans took in the action between May 16th and May 20th. In total, the Clans deployed 6,020 omnimechs, 5,120 omnifighters, 2,580 tanks, 2,580 pieces of artillery and 12,900 elementals. Of these forces, the Smoke Jaguars lost 50% of their personnel and materiel. Nova Cat losses were 70% in materiel and 50% in personnel, while those of the Ghost Bears were 60% and 40% respectively.”
A brief pause, then “as regards the Jade Falcons, they bashed their heads against Field Marshal Hodges’ divisions to the extent that their losses were 80% in materiel and 60% in personnel. Losses by the Diamond Sharks were 50% each in materiel and personnel, while the Steel Vipers’ losses were 60% in materiel and 40% in personnel. Lastly, the losses taken by the Wolves were 40% each in materiel and personnel. Of the Clans’ materiel losses, half of them are constructive total losses (fit only for salvage), while the other half are able to be repaired; as for the casualties, half were wounded to one degree or another, while the others were killed in action.”
Field Marshal Hodges enquires “what of the Clan dropships?”
“Sir, I am pleased to report that a total of 171 Titan-class, 134 Overlord-class, 172 Sassanid-class and 58 Triumph-class dropships were left behind and are now awaiting allocation among the several contingents of the AEF. These vessels are un-crewed as the Clans didn’t count their personnel as having directly-participated in the late engagement; therefore, they weren’t subject to being taken as bondsmen.”
“Very well. Gentlemen of the AEF, I hereby yield that portion of the dropship fleet fielded by the Jade Falcons in action against me; let it be added to the others and divided accordingly.”
This announcement causes some amount of discussion among the other officers. A minute or two later, Field Marshal Ardan Sortek asks “Captain Steiner-Davion, what of our own casualties?”
“Sir, I regret to report that, though AEF casualties were a great deal less than those taken by the Clans, they were still substantial. In aggregate, our loss rates were 12.5% in materiel and 10% in personnel. Thanks to the superb work by the AEF’s maintenance people, only one-third of our materiel losses were constructive and total; the rest were repaired and returned to service.”
A somber expression of reflection crosses Field Marshal Hodges’ face as he leans back in his chair. A few moments of silent reflection follow, then he addresses the other officers.
“Gentlemen, there was never any question that we were going to defeat the Clans; the only question was how expensive our victory was going to be. Aside from those personnel wounded in action, my divisions lost just over 3,400 KIA. To some, this might be accounted an incredibly-inexpensive victory; to me, it just isn’t. I knew some of those men and women from when they were children; I personally recruited and trained them, now they’re gone. Robert E. Lee once said ‘to be a good soldier, you must love the Army; to be a good commander, you must be willing to order the death of the thing you love’. I presume that you all have your own systems for casualty notification; for me, I’m going to write personal letters to the families of those of my troops who were lost. I think it appropriate that we’re concluding the business here on Harvest today…”
Field Marshal Sortek asks “is there some particular significance for today’s date?”
“Yes there is, actually. 1,106 years ago on this very same date, Operation Overlord began on Terra; the D-Day invasions which took place on the coast of Northern France commenced the great crusade which freed the continent of Europe from the domination of Nazi Germany. My ancestor LTG Courtney Hodges fought throughout that conflict, and the stories he passed on about his experiences are a part of family lore. Now, the next item on the agenda is regarding the disposition of the captured Clan mechs and vehicles (and those former Com Guard mechs which served as reinforcements for the House contingents in the Aaron Ranch, Joseph’s Corner, Pousou and Plains of Dangalobee areas of operation); there’s also the theater reserve of 33 regiments. As none of the former Com Guard mechs were necessary to support my operations in and around Rookhaven, I make no claim to them. Wolf’s Dragoons, the Royal Black Watch Regiment, the Northwind Highlanders and the 331st Royal Battlemech Division should be allowed to refit themselves with their choice of the captured Clan mechs and vehicles. Beyond this, everything else should be divided evenly among the House contingents; I include the Capellan Confederation, the Free Worlds League and the Taurian Concordat for their invaluable assistance in the late campaign. Without it, our victory would have been much more difficult and the price paid in men and materiel would have been much higher. Field Marshal Sortek, what says the Federated Commonwealth?”
“On behalf of the First Prince and the Archon, I concur.”
“Very well. Kurita-san, how speaks the Draconis Combine in this matter?”
“On behalf of House Kurita, I concur.”
“General Marik, Sub-Altern Calderon, how say your respective realms?”
Thomas Marik and Calderon exchange the briefest of glances before Marik answers “on behalf of both our houses, we concur.”
“Very well gentlemen; thank you for your support. It now falls to you to arrange transport of the apportioned equipment.”
What follows next are discussions relating to the several contingents of the AEF returning to their respective realms. At the conclusion of the meeting, the assembled officers retire to their commands in order to make the necessary arrangements. Finally, all that are left are the command staff of the Royal Black Watch, the 331st Royal Battlemech Division and the Eridani Light Horse; also standing by are Colonel Natasha Kerensky, Captain Richard Hodges and his bondswoman Ranna Kerensky.
“Gentlemen of the Black Watch, the Royals and the Eridani Light Horse, please accept my compliments on a job well-done; I’m honored to have had such men as you serving under my command. In recognition of your valiant service, I am posting your units back to Terra; you see, I’m still the planetary administrator as I haven’t yet been relieved of that post. So, I have the authority to make those dispositions…”
Field Marshal Hodges’ pronouncement strikes the assembled officers with all the effects of the proverbial bolt from the blue. First to speak is Colonel Neil Campbell, commanding officer of the Royal Black Watch.
“Sir, on behalf of my officers, I’d like to express my deepest gratitude for this new posting; we’ve been dreaming of a day like this ever since the Usurper murdered the First Lord and his family.” Field Marshal Hodges replies “Colonel, thanks really aren’t necessary. By sending you and the other units back to Terra, I’m helping to right what was done to your ancestors. As to your specific posting, you’re going to Unity City. In the days of the Star League, the Royal Black Watch served as the personal bodyguards of the First Lord. As there is as yet no new holder of that office, your task will be to guard Unity City. For the throne of the Star League, you’ll regard it as if the First Lord is actually seated there. Khan McEvedy, General Armstrong, the 331st Royal Battlemech Division and the Eridani Light Horse are likewise being posted to Terra; your purpose will be to serve as the planetary garrison. The 331st will be based in Minnesota, and the Light Horse will be based out of Fort Riley, Kansas.” In response to this, Colonel Campbell, Khan McEvedy and General Armstrong snap to attention and render perfect parade-ground salutes; their backs as straight and unyielding as sword blades.
Field Marshal Hodges returns the salute and says “alright, gentlemen; it’s time to go to work.”
The three officers leave, then Captain Richard Hodges comes up, salutes and says “Father, I’d like to introduce Star Captain Ranna Kerensky, formerly of Clan Wolf; I captured her in action in action against the Jade Falcons outside of Rookhaven.” Introductions are made (during which the woven bondcord wrapped around Kerensky’s left wrist is displayed) and Field Marshal Hodges responds “a pleasure to meet you, Star Captain. Colonel Kerensky, unless I’m mistaken, Ranna is your granddaughter, is she not?”
“You are correct, sir.”
Hodges nods, then looks to his son Richard and says “Captain, I’d like an appreciation of the engagement between Star Captain Kerensky and yourself.”
“Yes, sir. On the afternoon of May 16th, I and the Iron Legion were posted on the right flank outside Rookhaven when I received a challenge over the communications channel from Star Captain Kerensky; she called you out and, as you weren’t available, I accepted the challenge. I was piloting Green Lantern and she was piloting a Warhawk-C. We were 1,500 meters apart when I broke out into a run; Star Captain Kerensky’s machine likewise closed in on me. At 750 meters, I opened fire and nailed her in the right arm and right torso with my ER PPCs.”
“What happened next?”
“Sir, Green Lantern was out of Star Captain Kerensky’s range, so she had to wait ten seconds before she could open fire with her own ER PPCs. One missed wide-right, and the other got me in the center torso; in response to this I targeted the Warhawk-C’s right leg with my large pulse lasers; most of the armor was removed and one of the beams took out the hip actuator. This caused Kerensky to lose control and pitch over face-first into the ground. She started to rise, so I approached, kicked her machine over onto its back and planted one of Green Lantern’s feet on the torso. I requested Kerensky’s surrender and she did so; all told, the engagement lasted less than two minutes.”
“Well-done, Richard. What do you say to that, Natasha?”
“Captain Hodges’ description of the engagement sounds very much like the battle we had back on New Avalon in September of 3029. That was more than 20 years ago, and I still remember it like it was yesterday; as I recall, you only needed 30 seconds to defeat me. You were driving that damned tank of yours, and I was in my War Hammer; you hit me three times and I was only able to hit you once in return.”
“Precisely. Part of the reason why you, your granddaughter and the Clans were defeated so handily is that our tanks and mechs incorporate the very best technology that the Star League had to offer; there were also a couple systems of my own design.”
