Battle site
Junction, Proserpina PDZ
Draconis March, Federated Suns
3rd March 3112 Running his Fusilier Battle Armour Suit forwards taking sniper shots against with the suits mugshot gauss rifle while the over shoulder machine gun churned out bullets keeping the DCMS units off position. From inside the suit Leftenant Duncan Sandoval could see the icons of the rest of his squad and the platoon around them moving and holding the ground around them. As they moved forwards Duncan saw conventional troopers, which made up the bulk of the DCMS raiding force, aiming their conventional weapons on the Battle Armour suits and smiled as he aimed his mugshot again at one of the DCMS BattleMechs while tagging several of the DCMS troopers with his suit's over shoulder gun. As he concentrated on hitting the BattleMech along with his squad their machine guns pinned down more than a platoon of conventional infantry their own weapons ineffectual against the AFFS Battle Armour.
Two days before the Draconis Combine had launched an assault on Ludwig and Junction intent on cutting off the Federated Suns’ Benjamin Salient and cutting off the First Prince who was reportedly still on the recently captured Benjamin. Duncan Sandoval and the other members of the Third Robinson Rangers RCT fighting alongside the Federated Freemen Mercenary Command were intent on holding the world against all adversaries.
In battle Sandoval’s Fusilier squad continued to target Combine Mechs while their machine guns sprayed infantry positions with weapons fire. The Fusilier was a slow Battle Armour suit on the ground and while it was jump capable to do so would have taken them beyond the infantry forces. “This is Percival One to Anvil” Sandoval communicated having an idea as he watched the fight happen in front of him.
“Go ahead”
“Sir, the infantry is slowing our progress, DCMS BattleMechs are falling back out of range and we’re going to be subject to long range fire.” He said continuing his fire.
“We don’t have an option. If you are out-ranged by BattleMechs fall back.”
“But that will allow the infantry to hold our offensive, sir” Duncan said looking at his suit’s mini-map which displayed what was happening around him. With his eyes Duncan drew in movements with the units in his local area and sent them to his Company Commander “Anvil” around him his squad and the other squads covered his inactivity shielding him from fire.
“That’s a risky plan, Percival” his company commander said she was obviously aware of who he was and what it would mean to her career if she got a member of the Sandoval family killed.
“Yes, it is, think you can do it?”
“Yes mam” he responded moments later a communication was passed between the units and quickly they were linked into his suit’s command processor. “Thank you” he said quickly communicating his orders the units adjusted to their new command structure and signalled they were ready. “All unit’s this is Percival” he said looking at the map one last time it was going to work “execute orders” he commanded launching his own suit into the air around him the other Fusilier’s did the same taking them over the infantry’s position. “Continue long range fire on the Mech’s keep them honest. Have support guns cover the infantry” he said each of the twenty Fusiliers kept firing long range shots at the Mechs while their shoulder guns covered the infantry. “Hovercraft move up use your short-range stuff to keep that infantry force down and target the Mechs.” He said walking his suit forwards slowly the enemy BattleMechs had realized they couldn’t escape by walking out of here and were now turning back to fight but they were taking heavier and heavier fire. “Percival to Brackon they’ve taken the bait.”
“Understood, hold position” their commander commanded for a group of infantry and hovercraft now came the dangerous point. Neither the Battle Armour nor the hovercraft supporting them had the power or counter the incoming BattleMechs instead all they could do was hope they’d hold until the AFFS trap was sprung. To Duncan Sandoval’s left the ground exploded as an autocannon barrage landed nearby he knew he wouldn’t survive a direct hit from one of those and launched the Fusilier into the air.
“Keep moving” he commanded the troops around him watching as a hover tank took a direct hit to the front from a gauss rifle and he saw the armour peel open like a it had been hit with a sardine can taking it out of the fight. “We need support” he said blasting away at the enemy Mechs as even more entered the area. “Under heavy fire Draconis Combine forces concentrating in our sector” he called out as a light particle cannon fired by one of the Draconis Combine Mechs slammed into his torso shredding the armour on the Fusilier suit. “Additional enemy units all units begin to fall back…” he transmitted it was the last part of their trap and his words indicated to everyone that the DCMS had committed more people than they could handle. From both sides of the Combine force AFFS BattleMechs and heavy armour began to move in catching the Combine units in a hellish crossfire ripping them to pieces.
As it became a BattleMech battle Duncan Sandoval made his way back towards the area where he had left the DCMS infantry pinned down by the armour to take them into custody. As he approached the area Duncan saw the hellish sight that he had left behind with over one hundred bodies in DCMS camouflage. In the coming days he discovered that one of the troopers had produced a inferno equipped short range missile launcher and had blown up one of the AFFS tanks. The armour’s response to their allies being burnt alive was for the armour to open fire and kill every member of the remaining infantry force. It had been a decision that he had made and that Duncan would now have to live with.
With their BattleMech forces decimated in the attack the remaining DCMS forces had little chance of holding their positions instead they rapidly fell back over the following days before leaving the planet in AFFS hands.
Border Raids
Capellan March, Federated Suns
19th March 3112 With the Federated Suns still distracted with the Draconis Combine the Capellan Confederation launch assaults on bordering systems disrupting Federated Suns defences and transit through the systems. These attacks cause SLDF units transiting to the Taurian Concordat to detour around the Confederation/Suns border.
The majority of the raids are knocked aside by AFFS defenders and their mercenary support but the Capellan Confederation units are able to wrest control over Yunnah and Palos from Federated Suns control by the end of the month.
In response to the attacks the First Kathil Uhlans launch their own spoiler raids on the Capellan Confederation supported by the WarShips FSS Fire Fang, FSS Silver Shield and FSS Comet striking at the systems of Elnath and Old Kentucky before the end of the month before disappearing in Capellan space.
Clan Landings
Bjarred, Bjarred Prefecture
Military District of Pesht, Draconis Combine
24th March 3112 Stepping clear of the Overlord C-class DropShip Khan Katrine Devalis the leader of Clan Lynx walked the short distance between her landing zone and the meeting with her Cluster Commanders. “Good Evening, against us are the Second Sword of Light Regiment of the Draconis Combine it is one of their most best equipped units.” She said greeting the other who stood around her she had brought together her best four Clusters to conquer this backwater world. “The commander that wins this battle will become my new saKhan. The cut off bid is three clusters.”
“I will take this planet with all four of our Clusters and the aerospace fighters from our WarShip. Minus the three other cluster commanders present.” Star Colonel Tyler West the hulking Elemental said looking down on the other three leaders he was the commander of the 201st Nova Cat Roar Cluster of Katrine’s own Galaxy a very experienced officer but he was cautious compared to the others.
“I will take this planet with three Clusters, two trinaries and the aerospace force.” Chelsea Drummond of the Seventh Nova Cat’s Roar Cluster said.
“Three clusters and aerospace support” Stewart Bravos the commander of the 65th Nova Cat’s Roar Cluster said.
“Three clusters” Gerard Nova Cat said he was the only one present who did not have a Bloodname and he was the commander of the Fifth Nova Cat’s Roar Cluster.
“And aerospace support quiaff?” Khan Katrine Devalis queried.
“Neg, I bid those away also, the internal support of the Clusters will be enough. I bid the Two Hundred-and-first, the Sixty-Fifth and the Seventh. I will command the Seventh.” He said removing the Khan’s own Upsilon Keshik from the battle roll not only was it the most experienced unit present it also would deny Khan Devalis a chance of honour in the battle curiously he had also removed his own Cluster from the battle roll. This would put him with people he had not fought with and without the best unit the Lynx Clan had on offer on the planet.
“It cannot be done” West said
“Aff agreed, you need the Keshik to counter the best that the Second Sword have on offer” Bavros agreed
“I withdraw from the bidding” Chelsea Drummond stated “I request to join the battle roll under Gerard Nova Cat’s Command.” She said surprising the others. Following her statement of support neither of the others spoke unwilling to go below the cut off for the trial.
“It appears you will command this Trial Star Colonel do not fail us” Khan Katrine Devalis said Gerard Nova Cat nodded as the Khan, West and Bavros left.
“Why support me?”
“After this battle those that survive will be in line for promotions. I wish to command our Clan’s naval forces and have a chance to become the first Oathmaster of our Clan.”
“Ambitious goals but why support me?”
“Because you are stupid enough that you may actually win this battle. I wish to support you in this challenge.”
“Fine, key to the success of this battle will be the aerospace forces, we all saw that was our advantage against the Draconis Combine forces.”
“Which is why you bid away your own Cluster, it has no aerospace forces.”
“Aff, I wish for you to command the combined aerospace forces at our disposal cull them from all three clusters and put them together in one unit. I want you to eliminate the Combine LAM force as your first priority which will cut the Combine’s wings.”
“They have conventional fighter squadrons based on Bjarred, at least three” she warned
“They are not a concern against aerospace fighter squadrons but they will be your second target.” He explained to her showing he had considered them. “I will take our ground forces against the Sword of Light and challenge them to an open battle the samuri will not be able to stand down to an open fight.”
“And if your forces are fighting honour battles in one battle you do not need Cluster commanders to command independent operations. These are veteran MechWarriors of the Combine they will not fall easily.” She warned him
“Neg they will not” he admitted “but their units tend to fight stand up battles per regimental lines. They are more like Clansmen than they like to admit. We will challenge their BattleMechs to battles which will isolate them from their support units until it is too late.”
“Too late? They still outnumber you.”
“Not once you have dealt with the LAM force and the conventional fighters. Following those actions you will conduct bombing attacks on their unchallenged units throwing their support lines into chaos.”
“And if they have ground defences against aerospace forces?”
“You may engage them.”
---
Hours later Clan Lynx were involved in an open battle as planned by Gerard Nova Cat they were taking losses but the superior Clan technology was making up for the numbers against them. In the air Star Colonel Chelsea Drummond had successfully wiped out the LAM unit and the conventional fighters and they were now making their way through the Anti-Air units in Combine unit unfortunately they were taking heavier losses against the heavier numbers of the ground forces. Commanding from his Warhawk OmniMech Gerard Nova Cat could see the battle slowly turning against them and he had to make a move. “Star Colonel Gerard to Khan Devalis”
“Star Colonel, go ahead”
“My Khan, I plan to win this trial but I wish to recall my last bid from the original bid, two aerospace stars from the Santin West configured for ground support” he said targeting an enemy BattleMech with two particle cannons.
“Those fighters were being reconfigured for aerospace fighting.”
“I know that two Stars are still configured for ground support.” He said triggering his OmniMechs taking down the enemy Shadow Hawk.
“You will lose honour for this today” Devalis warned “and will likely face a Circle of Equals for this.”
“I understand and I will win these battles.”
“The fighters are on their way use them well.”
“Affirmative” Gerard answered switching channels “Star Colonel Drummond reinforcements are on their way use them wisely.” He commanded as his Warhawk was rocked by a tightly grouped long range missile salvo. A second salvo quickly followed slamming into the OmniMech’s right torso. He quickly lined up another shot this time on a Combine Black Hawk KU OmniMech which weighed in at half the size of the Warhawk and carried half the firepower but none of it was LRMs. Gerard quickly switched frequencies to a general Lynx frequency all units they have begun to concentrate fire, fire at will.” He commanded instead of targeting individual warriors the Lynx warriors now opened up on multiple different units concentrating fire while the aerospace fighters also now targeted the enemy BattleMechs.
From all sides the Sword of Light was under fire with multiple downed BattleMechs and knocked out armoured vehicles in quick succession. The Sword of Light fell back rapidly pulling away from the battle. Gerard slowed his Warhawk to a walk keeping his weapons on enemy targets but silent. “Clan Lynx hold position.” He said switching frequencies again to general military channel. “Sword of Light surrender this battle and we may be able to allow you to survive today. Continue to fight and we will destroy you.”
“We will not surrender, for the Combine” the female voice responded the Combine forces then turned and returned to battle their formation restored.
“You cannot win.” He broadcast again “but we will honour you with a warrior’s death.” He said from all sides the Lynx warriors poured fire on the remaining Sword of Light warriors with air superiority as well the Combine warriors stood little chance. Gerard was impressed with their discipline, as they took more weapons fire from all sides the Sword of Light warriors pulled more together holding up under the enemy fire pushing further and further into the Lynx lines taking many of the Clan warriors with them.
Today Clan Lynx were victorious but at a cost of nearly two Clusters. Khan Katrine Devalis commanded that the three Clusters that had fought in the battle be retained on the rolls of Clan Lynx but they were more paper than flesh, blood and steel. Following the battle Gerard Nova Cat was challenged three times by other Lynx Star Colonels for the position of saKhan but he bested them all. He then went onto win a Trial of Bloodrite at the end of May to become saKhan Gerard Bedford the first of a reborn Bloodline which Clan Lynx had adopted from the records of Clan Nova Cat. With Clan scientists mixing Gerard’s blood, and others who had won Trials, with those of the Bedford line held in cryo-genetic storage to create a new Bloodhouse unique to Clan Lynx.
Within days of his appointment Gerard Bedford championed Star Colonel Chealsea Drummond to the position of Oathmaster of the Lynx Clan. After several successful Trials of Position she also became Star Admiral and commander of the Lynx naval forces.
