They need a "bad" fool and incompetent apparently when no Legion is "Regular", all or most are Veterans and only one with supply problems, theoretically Legions with Discipline, Veteran and Very good Material but inexplicably they behave like idiots, their commanders according to the same Field Manual are the most experienced in combat, tactics and strategy of the periphery, the only conclusion is that a sacrificial lamb was needed
Well, they still act experienced. I'm going to pretend the ratings are flat for context here. So, they retreated after fighting protracted withdrawals against superior numbers. When encircled in Tamarind borders they knew when to break out and were able to hold worlds that Tamarind hasn't retaken yet. However, no amount of confidence should strip you of the common sense knowing the entire FWL could turn around and overrun you if it absolutely wanted to. I'm not overly a fan of this Capellan scenario mainly because I hate proxy opfors and know once you finish your objective you'll be discarded even faster than pmcs and mercs are. It would have made more sense and, probably would have been cheaper to hire pirates to false flag (this setting seems to trope in BT) the Marians and Tamarind and just let natural animosity take over. This would have opened up more chances to finally introduce a written Caesar again since Julius in a narrative and try diplomacy with the factions around like his wife from the Rim Commonality.
Part of an issue with this contrivance of expanding into multiple theaters is overstepping operational effectiveness. Intel
should know sending unprepared and ill equipped forces east aren't going to be able to hold out simply because of basic attrition. As well as major factions can just buy up every magically available merc and zerg them in if they can't fill in native regiments.
Yeah. Don't worry. With Daoshen fixated on taking Terra, the neoFWL and Andurien will soon have plenty of prime territory in the other direction to conquer. Canopus will be distracted and a Marian counterattack will drive them out at the least.
Well, it also means the FWL can overtly support cutting off the Hegemony before focusing on Andurien. The Canopians might have gotten mauled by the Highlanders soaking up for the Capellans but they're not stretched to the point they need to withdraw.