The Federated Sun's Reborn

[Chris OFarrell]

Victor: "I will not risk open war!"
Jackson: "Open war is upon you, whether you would risk it or not-"
Victor "Did I ****** stutter?"

VSD makes appalling bad strategic decisions against all his subordinates advice and thousands of years of strategic thinking.

Sounds legit :D

Okay. So Victor has done a Victor and tossed away the initiative and wants to give the Kuritans one free hit. And give the WOB time to at least patch over the HPG nightmare in the Combine, as well as ship them a few more regiments of high-quality Battlemechs. Fine. Well I hope he can live with himself when his brother or sister gets ganked. Or worse, targeted for a snatch and grab (irrespective of losses) to give House Kurita a valuable piece on the board to trade back or something, in a join WOB-ROM+DEST operation with a Shadow Division landing on Galtor...

In any event, if he can buy even 3 months, he can just about rush through the upgrades and repairs of the warships damaged/slated for upgrades. With the HPG network down, Covenant (especially if she's had a retrofit to make her look again exactly like a Kirishima) and her two sneaky escorts COULD do a lot of damage in the interior of the Combine if they snuck in via deep space jumps. In terms of setting off a little civil war with the right pressure applied to the right places...

Or even just sneaking into the Midway shipyards, with this music playing over the speakers, then sucker punch at point blank range with nukes the DCA squadron that had been transporting Hohiro with instant canned sunshine before vanishing into the dark, leaving nothing but glowing wreckage behind...

Hey, I can dream :D

[Tyler Jorgensson]

As much as it pains me to admit: I agree with Victor on this. YES he is an idiot and throwing away the main advantage he has striking before the Combine is ready... but the Inner Sphere does not need ANOTHER war of that magnitude: basically Victor doesn’t want to start the 5th Succession War (despite already having conquered on State). He will certainly finish it, along with smack the WoB around if possible but going against the Combine is a tough call to make.

That being said I am interested to see this play out and once again: love the interludes.

[Adventwolf]

Of course, he does. I feel he is still holding out to the idea that the Star League is enough to hold the Inner Sphere together. The problem is that Victor cannot understand his opponents in this instance. Honestly, as much as it pains me to say it Victor needs to lose his brother because of this. And he needs to get called out by all his siblings for it. His sister is either at the March Capital which would be too hard of a target to hit or is out in her own domain which would be too far to hit in an opening attack. That leaves only the youngest brother as the one that has to suffer for Victor's mistakes. The only way to salvage this is if Victor orders those forces into a position to attack the moment his peace deal fails because it will fail.

Allowing the Combine to attack first is the stupidest idea possible. They will kill and destroy countless people, industrial plants, and units leaving the FedSuns reeling and Victor with the blood on his hands. It doesn't matter if Victor orders a counter-attack that smashes the Combine forces because the damage is done already. The only reason the war against the CC wasn't damaging to the FedSuns is that the opening attack was against St. Ives Compact and not the FedSuns. If it had been you can bet Victor would be having major domestic issues right now that would make the Combine attack even worse. In war, the worst thing you can do is give up initiative and momentum and that is exactly what some people are suggesting for no good or logical reason.

[Chris OFarrell]

As much as it pains me to admit: I agree with Victor on this. YES he is an idiot and throwing away the main advantage he has striking before the Combine is ready... but the Inner Sphere does not need ANOTHER war of that magnitude: basically Victor doesn’t want to start the 5th Succession War (despite already having conquered on State). He will certainly finish it, along with smack the WoB around if possible but going against the Combine is a tough call to make.

The problem with that logic is that ... the war has already started. The Combine have made their intentions crystal clear. Not simply with the massive troop movements. Not simply with their aligning with the Word of Blake and turning on ComStar in a (spectacular) self-inflicted gunshot, SPECIFICALLY to get war machines to fight the AFFS and for no other reason...not simply because Victor has TRIED to send message after message to Theodore to stop this madness before it starts and has gotten no response.

No, lets remember that Victor in his last sitdown before that had Theodore outright, to Victors face, DEMAND that he keep the Capellan Confederation around ... so he would have two enemies to deal with. Not even sugar coating it with mortality or what not, but outright saying to Victor that he needed the Capellans alive and around to have a dagger at Victors back and he's confused as to why Victor is upset about it!

Victor might not want to start a War ... but the problem is that other side already HAS.

He has overwhelming evidence of that fact. Saying that the Inner Sphere doesn't need another major war is ultimately irrelevant because that is no longer Victors choice; the Combine have chosen for him!. Victors desire to have a 'clean conscience' may have a very steep price in blood that will need to be paid in the lives of the AFFS soliders and Federated Suns civilians who will die who didn't need to die. He has the mother of all windows right now with the HPG disruption, to fight this war in a clinical and controlled way that cripples the DCMS, mostly inside Combine space, at (relatively) limited cost to the AFFS.

Where as the DCMS being allowed to repair their strategic communications and take the initiative ...

Do that and he makes the war much MUCH bloodier, long and painful for everyone.

[DoctorMonkey]

I agree with Victor, I think the politics of the situation mean that he will have to wait for the Draconis Combine to take the first move or else he will risk being seen as a war-monger


The only other option would be a very limited strike or preparation for a first strike - for example hiding something with an HPG in the three main systems the DC are forming up in with strike forces of WarShips holding in dead space only a jump away so that once the DC is committed to the invasion with their forces all on board DropShips hit those as it can be viewed as a "clean" strike without any planetary invasion or even landings

[Sir Chaos]

I agree with Victor, I think the politics of the situation mean that he will have to wait for the Draconis Combine to take the first move or else he will risk being seen as a war-monger


The only other option would be a very limited strike or preparation for a first strike - for example hiding something with an HPG in the three main systems the DC are forming up in with strike forces of WarShips holding in dead space only a jump away so that once the DC is committed to the invasion with their forces all on board DropShips hit those as it can be viewed as a "clean" strike without any planetary invasion or even landings

That would work... as long as the message gets out after forces board their dropships, and the response reaches the system before the jumpships carrying those dropships can jump out.

Hitting military ships in deep space would be far less of an escalation than invading planets, with all the collateral damage that usually entails.

[Chris OFarrell]

I agree with Victor, I think the politics of the situation mean that he will have to wait for the Draconis Combine to take the first move or else he will risk being seen as a war-monger

By ... who?

No seriously, who exactly is going to think that, that actually matters and doesn't already think it? I don't see it.

The Combine think he's the devil already and are, you know, about to launch a war (and will probably tell their people that Victor attacked first and slaughtered a city of innocents anyway or something no matter WHAT happens). The WOB think he's the Anti-Blake. The Confederation is dead and whatever loyalists might still be around ... think he's the Anti-Liao. The Lyrans have belatedly realized they made a REALLY bad choice backing The Bitch over Victor on one hand, but also have a very VERY long history of loathing the Combine on the other. They really don't have any reason to do anything but cheer Victor on (if not outright jumping the border from Skye). The FWL already hate Victor for his attacks on them and annexing chunks of their nation, albeit, with the enthusiastic support from the people annexed. ComStar are in a hot war with the Combine and Victor is their biggest backer - and they are probably going to take the chance to hit WOB, either directly on Terra or indirectly. The Clans in the Combine are fully aware that an unprovoked attack is about to be launched - and the Nova Cats are already looking to GTFO.

And given that the people in the Federated Suns probably think Victor can walk on water? I honestly think the biggest problem would be getting the people in the Draconis March back to work and not partying in the streets if Victor finally turned the full crushing might of the modern AFFS and pointed it at Kurita saying 'sick em'. The rest of the realm might not be quite THAT crazy happy, but I can't see them having any problem or doubts about Victors motives. He's earned more trust than probably his parents combined by this point in time, because he keeps having this nasty habit of being right. Not to mention his attempts over and over to try and negotiate down situations stands him in full credit now.

The only entity that might stand opposed would be the Star League, but the League is a dead corpse and has been since Theodore and Sun-Tzu openly to the public denied either Victor or Peter a chance for First Lordship after the FedSuns/Lyrans patiently allowed their two worst enemies a first turn. Then used it as a political tool to censure Victor for daring to retaliate to a massive unprovoked attack on a key factory world for purely political purposes.


Now, as was said much earlier, this whole refusal to launch the attack is very much Victor as written in this fic. He's tried had to talk down people on pretty much every occasion, both before the war kicked off if possible and in the early stages if not. But this time he's just going a tad too far...

[Billy Boy Mark II]

3070 - January - Fleet reformation

The new year started with the 2nd and 3rd Avalon Hussars RCT's along with the 7th Corvette Flotilla moving into the Pirates Haven Cluster and beginging a sweep of the myriad systems it contained. While there was little expectations that the 2 Hussar's RCT's or the 6 Fox II class corvettes of the 7th Flotilla would actually cleanse the Cluster for good of pirate activity it was hoped that they would at least curtail the local threat of pirates for a few years. Any pirates they managed to catch and either capture or kill was merely a bonus. The sweep also served a cover for the setting up of a number of hidden listening posts within the Cluster to report on future pirate activities and bases. With all of these objections in mind the operation was expected to last for 2-3 months.

With the start of the new year Fleet Admiral Buchwald began the reformation of the Federated Sun's Navy to better take advantage of the growing number of warships available. While before the ships had been deployed in singletons are squadrons he now began to form the core around which task forces and fleets could be formed. The first of these fleets to be formed was ironically the 4th Fleet at Robinson consisting of the 2nd and 4th Cruiser Squadrons, 3rd Destroyer Squadron and the 4th and 5th Corvette Flotillas - although the 5th Corvette Flotilla was on detached duties along the Outworld's Alliance frontier, the remaining ships were based out of Robinson itself. The 2nd Fleet was formed at New Syrtis to consist of the 3rd Cruiser and 1st Destroyer Squadron as well as the 3rd and 6th Corvette Flotillas. The 3rd Fleet was to be formed within the League March and for now consisted of the 1st Patrol Squadron and the 1st Corvette Flotilla, with the ships based over Tikonov. The Crucis March was to be protected by the Home Fleet which was to be formed around the 2nd and 7th Corvette Flotilla's - home ported at New Avalon/Galax, but with the 7th currently detached and based out of Panpour. A final fleet was to be formed, the 1st Fleet which was built up around the First Princes's own 1st Cruiser Squadron as well as the 1st Carrier Battle Group and 2nd Destroyer Squadron. For the time being the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Carrier Battle Groups were unassigned, at least until they could be provided with some escorting assets for their precious carriers.

The FedSun's Navy also saw a number of ships finish and be commissioned. At Filtvelt the FSS Bastion and FSS Fincastle finish and are dispatched to join the 7th Corvette Flotilla. The FSS Nahoni and FSS Millray are laid down in their place. Meanwhile the FSS Shensi, FSS Mira, FSS Sauk City, FSS Vicente and FSS Hurik all finish at Galax and are used to begin forming the 8th Corvette Flotilla which is scheduled to be assigned to the 3rd Fleet. The FSS De Berry, FSS Diboll, FSS Greely, FSS Adrian and FSS Tarkio are laid down in the now empty shipyard slips. The 8th Corvette Flotilla is also reinforced by the FSS Hickock and FSS Protection, completed at New Sytris. The New Sytris slips are filled with the FSS Elgin and FSS Zion.

The FedSun's shipyards also complete an additional 4 Fox I corvettes for the ComGuards which are immedietly handed over. This brings the total Fox corvettes with Comstar's fleet to 15 ships. With another 4 immedietly begun at Novaya Zemlya.

The Federated Sun's also offered up for sale 2 Fox I corvettes to the Lyran Alliance and Wolves-in-Exile in January. Both the Wolves and the Lyran's buy a single corvette - although both again ask for the specifications to upgrade their corvette fleets to Fox II standards. For the time being they are told no, but the FedSun's government hints that such specifications might be available shortly. As a sign of good faith the shipyards at Filtvelt lay down an additional 2 corvettes which will be offered for sale to the Lyrans and Wolves-in-Exile.

Even as more ships were moving up to join the Navy, the various intelligence agencies kept close watch on the Draconis Combine and the WOB. Working with ROM they also made every effort to make the communication problem's within the Combine worse. In a number of cases hastily repaired HPG stations found themselves targeted for sabotage, while shipments of spare parts to help bring damaged HPG's back online were attacked by small ComGuard's formations en-route to their destination. The various Davion intelligence agents also helped to guide fleeing Comstar and ComGuards personnel to friendly territories.

With the First Princes's views made abundantly clear the Duke of Robinson found his hands tied in launching the preemtive strike that his instincts were screaming at him to make. While he was certain that Victor Davion was making a terrible mistake James Sandoval managed to control his urge to ignore the orders coming from New Avalon. While he had absolutely no doubt that many of the commands within his March would follow his orders to attack in disregard of the orders coming from New Avalon - the 1st, 5th and 6th Robinson Rangers and the Kentares DMM sprung to mind instantly - such an order would break down the trust between the various AFFS units within the Draconis March at a time when they could least afford it between those units which looked to Robinson and those which looked to New Avalon. Worse Duke James knew that not even all of the units which he could traditionally have relied on would follow him against the First Princes's orders - the 8th Crucis Lancers and the 3rd Robinson Rangers were prime examples of this. Not even Hanse Davion had been as popular within the Draconis March as his son Victor and with good cause.

Instead of launching an unsanctioned attack upon the hated Dragon the Duke instead opted for something almost as shocking. He formally placed his son in command of the Draconis March in his absence and took a command jumpline to New Avalon to make his case personally to the First Prince. He would arrive on the 30th January and meet with the First Prince in a series of meetings lasting into February - during which he almost pleaded with his First Prince to allow him to derail the attack he was sure was coming. He found a welcome ally in the returned Ardan Sortek who made a similar case to the First Prince...

While the leadership of the FedSun's argued it's industrial might continued to expand...

On Chesterton the new Argus-O line came online and immedietly began dispatching the much sought after heavy omnimech to the units facing the DCMS. Even as this line completed a third Argus-O line began construction alongside it.

At Demeter the Lycomb-Davion's new aerospace facility see's it's first production line go operation. The first of 3 planned Stuka assault aerospace fighters goes online and begins sending it's products into the nearby League March to provide heavy hitting power to the new formations and existing formations of that March.

Within the huge caverns of Victoria the Axman production line begins to produce the first of this popular design. Meanwhile work continues to return the remaining 2 damaged lines to production...

At Bristol the fourth line of the Fury Command Tank goes operational. A further 2 lines are still under construction but even when these are completed it's not expected they'll be able to keep up with demand. As such the company is encouraged to begin construction on a new facility on Kentares, with plans for 2 lines on that world to help supply the large AFFS presence within the Draconis March.

The new Pillager line on Kirklin finishes work and immedietly dispatches the first of the newly constructed machines to reinforce the 6th and 8th Crucis Lancers nearby. The plant begins work on a new Enforcer III line.

At Achernar the new battlemech production facility sees it's first 2 lines go operational. The rugged Battle Hawk and Watchmen battlemech's produced at this facility are soon being rushed to the various future bases of the League March Militia and the various Borderer units.

Even as new production facilities go online the AFFS is presented with a new battlemech design by Corean Industries and Achernar Battlemechs. A rugged and easily built and maintained battlemech that while not as tactically versatile as many fulfils a useful battlefield role. While Corean had had the initial idea and done much of the early work they had brought Achernar into the deal to solve a few of the issues regarding the advanced targeting computer and to make the battlemech more cost effective and so more attractive to the AFFS. Having reviewed the design and the various recordings of the combat trials of the prototypes the First Prince and Marshal of Armies both agree to authorise it's mass production. The Legionnaire class battlemech will be put into production at Corean's New Avalon and June based factories and at Achernar's Filtvelt and Mayetta based plants. While each facility will only add a single line the easy of manufacture and the fact the battlemech will be built at 4 separate facilities means that it will soon spread throughout the FedSuns. Plans are also discussed to adding a production line for the battlemech within the Capellan and League Marches as well...

Within the Combine the Kanrei Hohiro Kurita is informed by his WOB liason officer that the WOB wishes to launch a full scale assault upon the Federated Sun's in March. When Hohiro raises the issue that such a swift invasion will leave the Combine vulnerable to a counter attack by the LAAF - who are led by Victor's own brother - it is explained to him that this threat will be taken care off. The WOB will watch over the Dragon's back while it attacks the AFFS. Indeed the WOB promise at least 10 of their Divisions and an unknown number of warships to support the DCMS's offensive.

After considering the promises and knowing that the AFFS will grow stronger almost daily Hohiro Kurita agrees. He dispatches word (via HPG, Blackbox and jumpship courier) on the 31st of January to his father on Luthien and to the DCMS units along the FedSun's border that alongside their allies they will attack the hated foe in March...

On Luthien itself the Coordinator spends the month discussing a potential anti-Davion alliance with Clan Snow Raven. While the Ravens refuse to commit to an actual offensive they do request a number of concessions that might convince them to look upon the Coordinator's suggestions more favourably. Most of which involves huge amounts of raw materials, finished goods and food for their growing enclaves within the Alliance. A large quantity of the raw materials and goods are exactly what would be required to refit or build a shipyard complex...

[cawest]

the DC is going to kick off an attack early.... that is not good for them.  supplies will have to be looked at very closely.  I bet the WoB got a sniff that the FS was looking at taking Terra away from them.

when the FS is down to the last few Fox I.  it might want to look at trading/selling them instead of rebuilding them.  this will help the FS with funds and crews for new ships.  The LC, ComGuards, WiE, and even the FRR might want to see if they want a few. 

[Adventwolf]

Well looks like Victor is getting the "you are going to get a lot of your people killed" talk from two of his most powerful advisors and friends. Too bad he won't listen and when February ends with him still not attacking and the DCMS launching their attack he will have lost the respect and trust of those two and who knows how many more.

Clan Snow Raven is making their move and are spelling out exactly what they want. If the Combine won't give it to them maybe the FedSuns can along with the territory they can take from the Combine. The Snow Ravens are definitely pragmatic and machiavellian enough to decide that is a better deal.

Honestly, the best bet for the other powers is to take territory from the Combine to increase their power. Then hunker down in their gains and launch raids and deep strikes in order to cripple and stir up rebellions that will break the Combine up into a few rump states each no bigger than a periphery major state. That way the power is broken and the threat is removed without having to occupy large swaths of territory. Then the remains of the Combine can be played off of each other to keep them disunified.

[snakespinner]

It's a wonder that the Snow Ravens knowing how powerful the FS is, don't make an offer to Victor.

[Adventwolf]

It's a wonder that the Snow Ravens knowing how powerful the FS is, don't make an offer to Victor.

They want to see who will give them the most for as little effort on their part. Plus Teddy has one big thing in his favor. If the FedSuns take the Combine they could be next. But if the Snow Ravens know that the only way to win is if all the other forces also join the Combine they might decide it is not in their interest. They also will not be part of any first strike and will simply wait to see the results. Which considering Victor is being a moron and will allow the attack to happen. This will allow the Snow Ravens and the Nova Cats to see the damage and decide this might work and then follow up with their own attacks. This will further hurt the FedSuns and Victor for letting it happen.

[Ajax_Wolf]

He dispatches word (via HPG, Blackbox and jumpship courier) to his father on Luthien and to the DCMS units along the FedSun's border that alongside their allies they will attack the hated foe in March on the 31st January...

So, March or January?

[Billy Boy Mark II]

So, March or January?

He dispatched word on the 31st of January that the attack will begin in March.

[Billy Boy Mark II]

the DC is going to kick off an attack early.... that is not good for them.  supplies will have to be looked at very closely.  I bet the WoB got a sniff that the FS was looking at taking Terra away from them.

when the FS is down to the last few Fox I.  it might want to look at trading/selling them instead of rebuilding them.  this will help the FS with funds and crews for new ships.  The LC, ComGuards, WiE, and even the FRR might want to see if they want a few.

They still have 22 Fox I's in service (not including those that are upgrading/repairing). Most of them are concentrated in the 5th and 6th Corvette Flotillas which are both in non-front line deployments, although the 5th could find itself in heavy combat if the Ravens cross the border. The other I's are all in the 3rd Flotilla - on the border with the remaining Capellan states. So again not in a front line posting. The mainline force of the 4th Flotill has 12 Fox II's while the 1st Flotilla and 2nd both have 8 Fox II's and 4 Fox I's upgrading.

[cawest]

They still have 22 Fox I's in service (not including those that are upgrading/repairing). Most of them are concentrated in the 5th and 6th Corvette Flotillas which are both in non-front line deployments, although the 5th could find itself in heavy combat if the Ravens cross the border. The other I's are all in the 3rd Flotilla - on the border with the remaining Capellan states. So again not in a front line posting. The mainline force of the 4th Flotill has 12 Fox II's while the 1st Flotilla and 2nd both have 8 Fox II's and 4 Fox I's upgrading.

so would the FS think about selling the last few Fox I's instead of rebuilding them?  (2 or 3 to the LC, 2-3 to WiE, 2 to FRR, 2 or 3 to ComStar then maybe one to each of the better mercenary units (WD, Blue Stars, etc).  that would not be all at once, but it get some friends on your side.   >:D

[Adventwolf]

so would the FS think about selling the last few Fox I's instead of rebuilding them?  (2 or 3 to the LC, 2-3 to WiE, 2 to FRR, 2 or 3 to ComStar then maybe one to each of the better mercenary units (WD, Blue Stars, etc).  that would not be all at once, but it get some friends on your side.   >:D

Considering it will still be a few years before they are through with the current batch and that maintaining and building a warship is extremely expensive and a major investment they are not going to selling their current ships to anyone. They will get the most out of their them for as long as possible.

[Chris OFarrell]

Honestly if I was Victor, after this war ends anyway, I'd look at converting four of the Fox Corvettes and two Avalons into dedicated training ships for the Navy. Start working up crews for new ships with REAL warships so that they can be loaded onto ships that finish construction and deployed straight into the front lines as regular crews rather than greenies needing a lot of work who have only worked on simulators.

Plus, if they hang around shipyard systems they can be activated in an emergency as defense ship.


As for the latest chapter, really nicely written. I'm stunned Sandoval (given how crazy he was in his last years in the OTL) actually held off trying to jump off the cliff and give Victor no choice but to jump with him. Although I also think he overstates just how much of the AFFS would actually obey his orders if Victor has sent EXPLICIT orders that there will be no attacks into the Combine without his personal approval. Even the Robinson Rangers I think would balk at crossing Victor (given the sheer support he has given them in expanding their brigade over the years) and certinally the rest of the AFFS would probably flatly tell Sandoval to pound snow if Victor had explicitly told them not to attack.

In any event, I think by the time he gets to New Avalon and talks about things, the window would have probably closed for a preemptive attack. Best bet of the AFFS now is going to trying to play shell games and confound the ISF and WOB-ROM as to exactly where the hell the Federated Suns fleet is. The really good thing here is that the Federated Suns has so many Fox's and Avalon's in service now, they can play very creative games with transponders and hull markings and using L/F jumps to make it looks like their fleet is concentrated here or there ... while leaving plenty of room to quietly mass several flotillas in deep space positions where they can jump in and make mincemeat of the enemy.

The key I think to the Federated Suns being able to win this without a massive war of attrition, will be to leverage their navy and firepower at the first instance to cripple the DCA's task forces right off the bat. If they can get -if not supremacy then at least naval superiority- it will let the AFFS isolate the enemy spearheads by either capturing or scattering their jumpship fleets. Then the AFFS can smash each spearhead in detail with overwhelming force. While also ensuring a strategic reserve will be on hand to counter the WOB.

Of course a lot of that depends on how the WOB fight. If they come in nukes blazing, well, the AFFS ships are far better designed to deal with that threat and if it lets the AFFS go nuclear happy from the outset, the Morgan Hasek Davion could end up as the highest kill-count ship of this war :D

[Billy Boy Mark II]

Okay there is another interlude coming as well as the February update. Each will contain spoilers for the other. Which do you guys want first?

[Shadow_Wraith]

Interlude please!

[cawest]

what ever one is done first   >:D

[Ajax_Wolf]

Interlude please!

Agreed.

[Adventwolf]

Update would be better I think

[David CGB]

Honestly if I was Victor, after this war ends anyway, I'd look at converting four of the Fox Corvettes and two Avalons into dedicated training ships for the Navy. Start working up crews for new ships with REAL warships so that they can be loaded onto ships that finish construction and deployed straight into the front lines as regular crews rather than greenies needing a lot of work who have only worked on simulators.

Plus, if they hang around shipyard systems they can be activated in an emergency as defense ship.

better to use captured ships as to not waste the regular ships from patrol duties, plus most would have larger crew needs....

[Tyler Jorgensson]

Interlude first sure.


I’d agree on the Fox I’d especially if you could convince ComStar to open a Fleet Academy and split training/maintenance costs.

[Chris OFarrell]

I'm perfectly happy with either Interlude or Update!

[Billy Boy Mark II]

3070 - February Interlude - Revelations

10th February 3070
Fox's Den
Grand Avalon Mountain Range
New Avalon
New Avalon Combat Region
Coreward Combat Theatre (Markessan Operation's Area)
Crucis March
Federated Suns

To say the meeting had been difficult would be an understatement. The problem with filling a room with strong willed professionals was that when they disagreed the debates could become heated! Still the respect that all of the participants had for each other had at least kept the arguments from descending into personal attacks. So far at least. The First Prince tiredly looked at the faces of his key advisers as they argued the merits of a preemptive strike back and forth. While Galen and Caradoc were defending his own position Victor couldn't help but feel they were doing so more out of a sense that they should play devil's advocate. Jackson, Ardan and James were all making a strong case for hitting the Combine now while their communications were in shambles. In one regard they table had divided into an almost Old Guard and New Guard approach, but Victor knew better than to think this was merely old hatreds that the elder members hadn't let go. Worse he was starting to think they might be right.

At a soft knock on the door the single member of the group that hadn't spoke got up and walked to open it, taking the data pad that was handed to her by a staff member and walking back to give it to Victor. Despite himself and the situation the First Prince couldn't help but smile at his wife as she handed him what was obviously an urgent intelligence report. Giving her hand a squeeze he took the pad and began reading, the smile fading from his face at the few short paragraphs. He snapped at Galen. "Get Field Marshal Day in here. I expect she's outside."

A few seconds later the elderly head of MI1 stepped into the room and saluted. "You sent for me my Prince."

"Has this been verified?" He held up the data pad.

"As best we can. In the circumstances. Yes." She shrugged slightly. "It's an outside source. ROM. But... My intelligence reports are backing it up. They're coming."

Glancing at the men who just minutes before he had been arguing with the First Prince nodded. "You were right gentlemen. Jackson, Ardan, James... You were right. Galen, Caradoc I'm sorry. I've wasted your time. Theodore or Hohiro at least is about to launch a full scale attack on us with the WOB in support. We've received a copy of Hohiro's message to the DCMS ordering them to initiate an attack on us as per previous orders on the 21st of March. A ROM agent working in the Dieron HPG station under the WOB has "accidentally" sent a copy along with the deciphering ciphers to the station on Northwind. Who have forwarded it to us. I was wrong gentlemen and I might have cost us untold casualties with my mistake... Perhaps even the war... But we have a chance to fix my error. I have a chance to fix it. With your help."

Surprisingly it was the old Marshal of the Draconis March who spoke up almost softly. "You were trying to preserve the peace. Avoid the bloodshed of a full scale war Victor. That's nothing to be ashamed off. But now we know war is coming we have to make sure we damn well win it!"

Victor nodded his thanks at the old warhorses words and turned to Jackson. "Initiate Operation Alexander. All 3 sub-operations. Hit them hard Jackson."

Jackson stood nodding firmly back. "We still have time. The entire AFFS is on alert. I can have the first dropships blasting off in 48 hours Prince Victor. Operation Alexander can hit them while they are still loading their dropships to hit us..."

Ardan Sortek stood as well. "This might even work to our favour. As Jackson says we might catch at least some of their units half loaded and with their pants down..."

Victor stood as well making a point of shaking each of the officers hands as they began heading out to launch Operation Alexander. "I'll join you all in the war room shortly gentlemen..."

As they filed out he turned to his wife who smiled at him sadly and took his hand. "You did what you thought was best Victor. There's no shame in that. Come, let's go see Burton and then you can join your generals, they can spare you for a few minutes at least..."

[Adventwolf]

Victor hopefully now you see the folly in trying to make peace with a power that has proven time and time again that they do not want peace. The Combine wants to dominate the inner sphere even if they have to burn it all down and rule only ashes and death they will do it because only the Combine and the Dragon are the greatest and true ruler of Humanity.

[marauder648]

[Kosh] And so...it begins....

[Chris OFarrell]

Congratulations Hohiro.

You've kept pushing and pushing and pushing at Victor since you lost your mind about him back in the day. You wanted a glorious battle? You wanted to try and rouse Victor to a final glorious confrontation between the Federated Suns and Draconis Combine because you have penis compensation issues going on over the sizes of your navies?

Well, congratulations. Mission fu&#ing accomplished. You've just destroyed the very last shreds of restraint Victor may have had lingering from the days he considered you a friend and given him the chance to show you what an out-of-control-runaway-military-industrial-complex can do when it takes off the kid gloves and puts on the knuckle-dusters.

Good news is Comstar at least know this is coming as well and that the WOB is coming out to play too. They can support Victor, but more critically they can also take the opportunity to go on the offensive against the WOB. At the very least, they can launch an extended hit-hold-run operation into Terra itself, IMO, to cripple the Titan yards and stop both new construction AND prevent any crippled WOB ships from this war being able to be repaired for years...