Fate Can Be Cruel (Part One)

[2ndAcr]

6 March 2766
 Blommestein

 The 272nd Mechanized Infantry Division had been ordered to take Blommestein as part of the SLDF's offensive into the Outworlds Alliance. The Division had made the landings on 27 February and for the last week, they had been searching for the rebel forces known to be on the planet. At the Nadir Jump Point, a single Flotilla from the 152nd Escort Squadron, SLS Conroy - Avatar Heavy Cruiser and SLS Rhodan - Luxor Heavy Cruiser. Commodore Barbara Coltrain commanded the Flotilla aboard the SLS Rhodan. Headquarted outside the planet's capitol of New Tamasi, Major General Joseph Bayne directed his Divisions movements as they searched for the rebel forces. This morning started like all the others, but little did he know, today would be much different.

 Lieutenant General Rita Mitchell, XO of 272nd Mechanized Infantry Division, was in the field with the troops. She did not really care for Major General Bayne's habit of staying in the rear. She was a graduate of the SLDF's Gunslinger School and piloted her Pillager, PLG-3Z with a grace that belied it's 100 tons. Prior to their deployment to the Outworlds Alliance, they had been stationed in the Draconis Combine and the Division had 31 Gunslingers in it. Currenty, she and her personal lance were overseeing a sweep of a small town by one of the Divisions Mechanized Infantry Battalions. She was contemplating turning the overwatch mission over to the Mech Company 20km away when gunfire and several small explosions erupted from within the small town.

 "Contact, taking heavy fire from inside the town. I have men down. Request support." Came over her radio, she keyed her mic in response "Roger, hold what you have, we are moving to support." Flipping channels "Okay, let's get in there, we have found some rebels." She pushed her Pillager up to a run, heading for the town 5km away.

 In minutes, she was manuevering her 100 ton Pillager down the narrow streets rapidly closing on the scene of the firefight, she could see 2 burning APC's with SLDF clad personnel down just inside the small town square. Reaching the edge of the square, she triggered her jump jets and leaped into the middle of the square planting a Gauss round into a small house spewing machine gun fire at the SLDF soldiers. The house literally disintegrated from the Gauss round. She was about to select another building when her radar detected enemy Mechs inbound. "Bravo One One, I have inbound enemy Mechs, current count 12 closing on my location, get over here." She ordered the SLDF Mech company as she turned her attention to the bigger threat. The lead rebel mech came into view and range at the same time, a Firestarter, she fired her Gauss cannons and the dense slug slammed into the Firestarter's left torso and left arm. She triggered her jump jets to shift positions. Another Firestarter made it's appearance on the battlefield quickly followed by 2 Stingers. When her Gauss cycled, she targeted a Stinger and watched the slug strike the Stinger in the center torso and the Stinger crumpled.

 Just as quickly, she retargeted the damaged Firestarter and fired her remaining Gauss cannon and large laser. The large laser blew out the Firestarters left torso, but it was for naught as the Gauss slug ripped the head off the Firestarter. Several medium lasers slashed into her Pillager and she moved to engage the remaining mechs but saw a ERPPC from her wingman's Battlemaster down the remaining Stinger so she shifted again to engage the last Firestarter just as it was torn to shreds by 4 LBX/10 rounds from her Lance's 2 Emperor 6A's. There was no time to focus as the heavier Rebel mechs entered visible sight. Eight Talos entered the battle area.

 Not the best equipped to be dancing with the SLDF, she thought as she triggered her jump jets to close the distance on the rebel Talos' inbound. A glance at her display's showed her Lance following her lead and moving to engage also, she quickly zoomed out and saw her reinforcing Mech Company was being engaged by rebel Mechs and Tanks. Her lance was on it's own for now. Her targeting indicators flashed gold and she fired both Gauss cannons, and the dense slugs ripped the left leg right off the lead Talos sending it face first into the soft ground. Her Lance's Emperor's continued their usual tag team and she saw a Talos pummeled by 4 LBX10 and 3 large laser strikes causing it to fall. Her wingman passed her Pillager in his Battlemaster, it's ERPPC reaching out to strike a Talos in the center torso. She did not hesitate and let fly both Gauss cannons watching both slugs striking true and the Talos' reactor detonating damaging it's neighbors. Her Pillager shuddered as it was peppered by LRM fire. Hitting the jump jets again, she moved into range of all her weapons, targeting another Talos and giving it a Alpha Strike the moment her Gauss cannons cycled. The poor Talos was immolated by the incoming mass fire. She hit her jump jets again, landing within almost touching distance from another Talos which she fired her large laser into it's head followed by a left hook, downing the rebel Talos. She searched for another target but the display was blank, all the rebel mechs were down.

 Before she could her radio crackled "Zeus Actual is down, repeat Zeus Actual is down. The HQ took a car bomb."

 She keyed her mic "Let's get back, I need to coordinate the Division." Swithcing frequecies, "This is Zeus Bravo, I am in command, activate the backup HQ, I am on my way." She pushed her Pillager to full speed checking on the Infantry in the town and seeing that a company of Turhan's had arrived to support them.

 At the Nadir Jump Point, the SLDF ships detected the emergence wave and the Division's Jumpships plotted their emergency jumps to the Zenith Jump Point. When the 3 Vigilant Corvettes emerged at the Nadir Jump Point, the Divisions transports made the leap to the Zenith Jump Point while the SLS Rhodan and SLS Conroy engaged the massively over matched Vigilant Corvettes. At the Zenith Jump Point, the Divisions transports emerged and sensors detected a new emergence wave. With only 4 Pentagon Assault Dropships to protect them, they launched the Pentagon's and hoped the Cruiser's hurried up their fight. Every ship's captain cursed when the 2 rebel Pinto Corvettes emerged at the Zenith Jump Point and began burning for them, while the 4 Pentagon's moved to intercept them. Worse were the 2 Leopard CV both Pinto's carried and detached. Now 36 rebel Aerospace Fighters began launching.

 At the Nadir Jump Point, the first Vigilant Corvette was quickly destroyed by the massed fire from the SLDF cruisers. Several White Shark missiles slammed into the SLS Conroy, but barely scratched it's dense armor as the massive Avalon Cruiser moved to engage another Vigilant Corvette. No one noticed that a Mako Corvette had come in at a pirate point and was moving into orbit of the planet, having it's emergence wave overshadowed by the one at the Zenith Jump Point. SLS Rhodan, Luxor Heavy Cruiser hammered it's Vigilant Corvette into little more than scrap metal in short order, suffering light damage in return. SLS Conroy, Avatar Heavy Cruiser tore into the last Vigilant Corvette and held nothing back. Within 5 minutes, the hapless Vigilant was destroyed only landing a few NAC/10 shots into the armor of the SLS Conroy. Both SLDF cruiser plotted emergency jumps for the Zenith Jump Point.

 At the Zenith Jump Point, the Rebel Aerospace Fighters were having some difficulty with the 4 Pentagon Dropships, losing 4 of their number as they merged and then blew by the SLDF Dropships on their way to the SLDF transports. The rebel Pinto Corvettes on the other hand, had little difficulty with the SLDF dropships as they opened up on them. As the Rebel Aerospace Figheters began engaging the SLDF Transports, they focused on the massed Star Lord Jumpships, leaving the 4 Tramp Jumpships for the warships. Very quickly, first one and then another SLDF Star Lord was destroyed by the Rebel Aerospace Fighters. Just as quickly, a third had it's jump core severly damaged. Another had it's bridge section destroyed. A few rebel Aerospace Fighters strayed too close to the SLDF Tramps and found themselves under fire from the Tramps ERLL's. But then the rebel Pinto's entered range and quickly 2 SLDF Tramps were destroyed by the rebel warships. SLS Conroy and SLS Rhodan emerged at the Zenith Jump Point just as the last SLDF transport was destroyed and quickly launched their Aerospace Fighters and moved to engage the Rebel Pinto Corvettes.

 On the ground, fighting intensified for the 272nd Mechanized Infantry Division as every Brigade was now heavily engaged by a seemingly unending number of rebel forces. Lieutenant General Rita Mitchell had tried to keep track of the fighting on her way to the Mobile HQ moving to meet her, but it was difficult to do. She reached the Mobile HQ as night fell and the rebel forces began breaking contact.

 7 March 2766

 Lieutenant General Rita Mitchell now had a firm grasp of the situation on the ground and during the night, she had pulled the Divisions scattered units into a more easily supported formation. No one had detected the Mako Corvette now entering orbit, being fed targeting data from the force on the ground. As day began to break over the defensive lines of the 272nd Mechanized Division, fire from the heavens began streaking to the ground. Massive detonations tore into one of the Divisions Battlemech Regiments rendering it combat ineffective in minutes. As the Mako Corvette passed out of firing range, the 272nd Mechanized Infantry Division scrambled to redefine it's battle lines and evacuate the wounded. It took 45 minutes for the news to reach the Zenith Jump Point, where Commodore Barbara Coltrain had her Flotilla conducting SAR operations after destroying the 2 rebel Pinto Corvette's. Leaving the SLS Conroy, she had her navigator plot a jump to intercept the Mako Corvette.

 Rescue operation were well underway as the Mako Corvette came back into firing range of the 272nd Mechanized Infantry Division an hour later. Again orbital fire streaked from the heavens seeking out targets, but Lieutenant General Rita Mitchell had dispersed the Divisions forces enough that only a single Battlemech Battalion was immolated in this volley. Before the Mako moved out of range again, it's captain targeted the SLDF Dropships at the capitol's space port and let loose a parting volley, until next time anyway. The orbital fire destroyed the only 2 Overlord Dropships the Division had.

 The Rebel Mako Corvette never got a chance to make another firing pass as the SLS Rhodan, Luxor Heavy Cruiser had made the jump into a dangerous pirate point in very close proximity to the planet itself. As the Mako Corvette came around the planet, it suddenly found itself under attack from SLDF Aerospace Fighters and then came face to face with an enraged Luxor Heavy Cruiser. The Rebel captain ordered a massive speed boost of 4g's in a desperate attempt to flee the area. As the accelerating Mako zipped past the SLS Rhodan, it was hammered by the Luxor Heavy Cruiser leaving it a shattered hulk speeding thru space at high speed.

 On the surface, the 272nd Mechanized Infantry Division found itself under heavy attack from rebel forces outside it's perimeter. At least 3 Rebel Divisions were attacking the hard pressed 272nd Mechanized Infantry. The Division's Artillery fired non stop fire support missions throughout the day in support of the Divisions combat elements. The attacks did not slack off until Commodore Coltrain moved the SLS Rhodan into an orbit to provide orbital fire destroying part of an attacking rebel Division.

[cawest]

nice story.  looking forward to more. 

[Daryk]

Not looking good for the 272nd!  :o

[cawest]

Not looking good for the 272nd!  :o

It just means that they will have a reason to clean up the battle field after they kick some butt. 

[2ndAcr]

8 March 2766
 Blommestein

 In the very early morning hours, a nuclear weapon smuggled in somehow was detonated at the space port destroying 3 Mammoth Dropships loaded with the majority of the 272nd Mechanized Infantry Divisions ammunition and spare parts. Lieutenant General Rita Mitchell, commander of the 272nd Mechanized Infantry Division, could not beleive the horrible luck suddenly cursing her Division. Even if she decided to withdraw her Division, with their transports destroyed, she only had 10 collars available to use. She called up her the Division's current TOE while her staff worked to come to grips with the supply situation and it was not pretty.

 272nd Mechanized Infantry Division

 2721st Brigade
 Mechanized Infantry Regiment - 2 Battalions
 Mechanized Infantry Regiment - 2 Battalions
 Mechanized Infantry Regiment - 2 Battalions
 Light Battlemech Battalion - 1 Company

 2722nd Brigade
 Mechanized Infantry Regiment - 2 Battalions
 Mechanized Infantry Regiment - 2 Battalions
 Mechanized Infantry Regiment - 1 Battalion
 Light Battlemech Battalion - 2 Company's

 2723rd Brigade
 Battlemech Regiment - 1 Battalion
 Battlemech Regiment - 2 Company's
 Battlemech Regiment - 2 Battalions

 Armor Brigade
 Armor Regiment - 1 Battalion
 Armor Regiment - 2 Battalions
 Armor Regiment - 1 Battalion

 Artillery Regiment
 Long Tom - 1 Battalion
 Thumper - 1 Battalion
 Arrow - 1 Battalion

 Cavalry Battalion
 LAM Company - 1 Lance
 LAM Company - 2 Lances
 LAM Company - Destroyed
 Cavalry Company - 2 Lances
 Cavalry Comapny - 1 Lance

 272nd Ground Aero Wing
 Aerospace Wing - 2 Squadrons
 Aerospace Wing - 2 Squadrons
 Fixed Conv Wing - 1 Squadron

 272nd Mechanized Infantry Division Killed - 2,093
 272nd Mechanized Infantry Division Wounded - 1,831
 272nd Mechanized Infantry Division Missing - 427

 Dropships
 Command Dictator - 1
 Dictator - 9
 Union - 6
 Union CV - 2
 Lion - 4
 Triumph - 6
 Colossus - 4
 Leopard CV - 2
 Czar - 6
 Mammoth - 3
 Mule - 2
 
 She did some quick calculations in her head and it was quickly apparent that she had the transport ability to get her Division off the ground, but not nearly enough collars to transport all of her Dropships. Even before her staff had completed it's supply inventory, she estimated they had less than 1/2 of their ammunition and supply remaining. She turned to the duty officer "I am going to take a tour of the lines, call me if I am needed."

 Three hours later, Lieutenant General Rita Mitchell was piloting her Pillager around the Divisions defensive lines. Scattered fire fights around the perimeter sounded all day, but no major attacks came. In orbit, SLS Conroy, Avatar Heavy Cruiser had joined on SLS Rhodan, Luxor Heavy Cruiser and between them, they awaited a target for their weapons. When I get back, I will have to fire up the HPG and report to Corps for orders, she thought to herself. She never knew that she would never have the chance to make the call.

 Before Lieutenant General Rita Mitchell could return to the Mobile HQ and it's mobile HPG, 48 Conventional fighters flying nape of the earth roared across the Divisions defensive lines. Anti-aircraft fire destroyed 8 of the fighters as they passed overhead. The Divisions Aerospace Fighters began lifting off from the runways to intercept the rebel fighters. They quickly destroyed 21 more, but then the rebels were over the Divisions main base and they rippled off their bombs as they fled the area. Not a single rebel fighter made it to safety, but they had completed their mission, for the Divisions last mobile HPG was on it's side and engulfed in flames. The 272nd Mechanized Infantry Division was now cut off from communication with higher command.

[Daryk]

Don't the warships have HPGs?  ???

[cawest]

maybe the SLDF needs to look for the rebel dropships.  finding the jumpships would be harder. 

[warhammer74]

Nice story like it.

[2ndAcr]

9 March 2766
 Woogi (Taurian Concordat)

 Colonel Bradley King, commander of the 509th Batte Regiment, watched as his command swept around the left flank of the rebel force while the 126th Dragoon Regiment held firm and delivered steady fire into the rebel force. His 1st Battalion was fully equipped with Crab, CRB-27sl, 2nd Battalion was equipped with 2 Company's of Guillotine, GLT-3N and a Company of Cestus CTS-6Y and 3rd Battalion was fully equipped with Lancelot, LNC25-01sl.

 The massive amount of Large Pulse Laser fire from 1st Battalion tore into the rebel Battlemechs fully supported by the ER Large Laser fire from 3rd Battalion, between them, they ripped into the rebel force before them, mowing down enemy Battlemechs already damaged by fire from the 126th Dragoon Regiment. His 2nd Battalion was pushing steadily into the enemy's rear area. It was a picture perfect battle, with the SLDF forces taking minmal losses while sweeping the enemy before them. And then Murphy showed up and crapped all over everything.

 At blistering speed, 2 Regiments of Rebel LTV-4 Hover tanks blazed into the rear of the 126th Dragoon Regiment tearing into the rear armor of the unit's Heavy and Assault Battlemechs with PPC fire and coating them inferno with their SRM-4's. Stunned by the devastation suddenly being wrought on their sister Regiment, the advance of the 509th Battle Regiment faltered. Colonel King watched as his 2nd Battalion turned and proceeded to advance to help their sister unit, when a hidden Regiment of Rebel Merkava MkVIII opened fire from hidden positions on the now exposed rear armor of his 2nd Battalion. Massive volleys of LRM-15 fire seemed to blot out the sun, while entire platoons of rebel Merkava's targeted individual SLDF Battlemechs for fire from their AC/5's. He watched in horror as a 2nd Battalion lost 8 Battlemechs in the opening volley. His 2nd Battalion turned to face this new threat, Guillotine's leaping on blasts of flame.

 First Battalion, 509th Battle Regiment pushed to the 126th Dragoon's lines and their Large Pulse Laser's quickly began taking a toll on the speeding hover tanks. Third Battalion held the line against the rebel force, but the rebel's were regrouping and massing fire effectively taking advantage of 3rd Battalion's light armor. Then rebel artillery fire started falling, but it was badly aimed and landing to the rear of the 509th's Battlemechs. Two Lances of rebel Archer ARC-2R and a Lance of Catapult CPLT-C1 appeared and began massing fire on the 126th Dragoon Regiment's Battlemechs.

 Colonel King watched as his 3rd Battalion began falling back from the rebel Battlemechs as their lighter armor began to fail. When the first Lancelot detonated a mine and lost a leg, he knew now what the enemy artillery had been dropping, a massive minefield. What had been a picture perfect battle was now a scene of absolute horror. He keyed his radio "Everyone fall back to the Dropships, it is time to save our butts."

 What had once been such a promising career was now destroyed, Colonel King thought to himself as he throttled his rare Exterminator EXC-4C into a run for the Dropships. It was not his fault that the Quartermasters had screwed up and sent it to his command.

 Three hours later, he had parked his Exterminator in his mech bay and was standing at the ramp of the Dropship as his 509th Battle Regiment staggered in. He recognized Major Jenny Davidson's Cestus as it approached, badly scared with battle damage. He only saw one other Cestus, limping on what had to be a bad hip. He keyed his portable radio "Major Davidson report." he ordered. He never saw the large laser fired by Major Davidson that vaporized him where he stood.

 Inside the Cestus, Major Jenny Davidson keyed her mic "Everyone onboard the Colonel's Dropship, we are done with this crap." Hers was the last Battlemech aboard, she counted 2 Cestus, including hers, 13 Crab, 6 Lancelot and 9 Guillotine board the Dictator Dropship which lifted off almost the moment the ramp closed. Followed minutes later by the rest of the Dropships on the field.

 As the Dropships reached orbit on their burn for the Jump Point, Major Jenny Davidson was horrified when the orbiting SLDF Destroyers began blindly bombarding the planet. Before she could ask the Dropship captain, he turned to her "Colonel King radioed them to blast the planet the moment the Dropships reached orbit Major."

 12 March 2766
 Woogi (Taurian Concordat)

 With the 509th Battle Regiment's 6 Dropships now docked with the SLDF Star Lord Jumpship, Major Davidson made the rounds and spoke to the survivors of the 509th. Only 31 Battlemechs had made it back to the ships, but those 31 Battlemechs had recovered 19 additional pilots who had ejected. The surviving Mechwarriors along with the Regiment's technical personnel and Dropship crews were gathered in the vast cargo bay of the Mule Dropship assigned to the Regiment.

 "I can only speak for myself, but I cannot serve in an army that willingly bombards a planet with blind orbital bombardment. It is one thing to use orbital fire when you have spotters, but that was sickening. The 126th Dragoon Regiment was wiped out except for their Dropships and support troops because Colonel King was an idiot and a coward to boot." Major Davidson said, she had noted the many nods as she had spoken

 Captain Joshua Reynolds spoke next "I am with the Major. I say we take this Jumpship and get gone. Go far away from the Taurian Concordat." The chorus of affirmatives told how the survivors felt.

 Blommestein (Outworlds Alliance)

 The 272nd Mechanized Infantry Division had been steadily pushed back by almost non-stop attacks from seemingly endless rebel forces. Lieutenant General Rita Mitchell knew she had no choice but to evacuate the planet. Not even selective orbital bombardment had halted the attacks. The heaviest attacks were coming from the capitol city and attempting to push into the space port. She could not bring herself to target the city with orbital fire. She ordered a Mammoth unloaded, she would pack as much of the Diviions equipment into it. She ordered the Aerospace Wing loaded back onto the Union CV's and for them to be ready to boost for orbit. Already she had loaded a Czar Dropship with the Divisions wounded and sent it into orbit. Tomorrow would be an exciting day for everyone.

 13 March 2766

 During the night, the 272nd Mechanized Infantry Division had literally packed the designated Dropships. Only the Battlemech Brigade remained on the perimeter. All night long they had traded fire with rebel forces. At dawn, Dropships began lifting off for orbit and the Battlemech Brigade made for their Dropships. The furthest Battalion first, covered by selected orbital fire to hold the rebels at bay. During the night, while loading, Lieutenant General Rita Mitchell had ordered all of the Divisions equipment loaded, including the units remaining ammunition and supplies. Damned if she would leave the rebels anything. They would load as much into the orbiting warships cargo bays as they could. Then the warships would destroy the empty Dropships after the crews were transferred off.

 As the last Battlemechs boarded the Dropships and were locked into their transport bays, Lieutenant General Rita Mitchell gave the command to lift off. Without HPG communications, she had no clue where to head next.

[2ndAcr]

14 March 2766
Ambatomainty (Outworlds Alliance)

 Major General Thomas Wallace, commander 126th Mechanized Infantry Division, had landed his Division almost 3 weeks ago. The mission was to relieve the 135th Mechanized Infantry Division. So far, all they had discovered was a massive amount of destroyed Battlemechs, APC's and a bunch of graves. A week ago, his warship escort had been pulled when reports of enemy warships in the Santa Ana system. Well, not all of them, not really, SLS Mighty Lift, Potemkin Transport was still in system and in orbit. He studied the holo display in his Mobile HQ on his Divisions search areas. Suddenly he heard gunfire and the screech of car tires before everything went a blnding white. The nuclear detonation destroyed the entire command staff of the 126th Mechanized Infantry Division along with the Divisions Artillery Regiment.

 Almost at the same time, the scattered Brigades of the Division came under heavy attack. Without guidance from above, each Brigade commander fought his own battle, unaware of what was happening anywhere else. The 1261st Brigade was the first to succumb when the rebels detonated 4 nuclear weapons destroying 7 of the 9 Battalions outright. The remaining 2 Battalions began pulling back at high speed. The Brigades Battlemech Battalion valiantly fought a rearguard action until the last Battlemech fell.

 The commander of 1262nd Brigade was on the continent of Robson B and his Brigade was facing at least a full rebel Battlemech Division. Failing to contact Division HQ, he contacted SLS Mighty Lift in orbit and learned that no one had contact with Division HQ. He requested orbital fire in support of his Brigade to allow him to break contact and board his Dropships to reform with the rest of the Division. By the end of the day, 1262nd Brigade boarded their Dropships under the covering fire of the SLS Mighty Lift, Potemkin Transport, they had not escaped unscathed for only 5 Battalions of Mechanized Infantry made it back to the landing zone. Their Battlemech Battalion had sold themselves buying the Infantry time to escape.

 The Battlemechs of 1263rd Brigade utterly destroyed the forces arrayed against them, but they had lost just over 2 Battalions of Battlemechs in the process. Lieutenant General Colin McGregor, commander of 1263rd Brigade, having no contact with Division pulled his Regiments into a good defensive lines while he attempted to reach Division. Finally making SLS Mighty Lift came up on the Division net and everyone learned of the nuclear strike on both Division HQ and 1261st Brigade. Gathering his downed Mechwarriors, he ordered his Brigade to begin the march back to Division HQ. It would take 3 days to get back.

 17 March 2766

 Lieutenant General Colin McGregor and 1263rd Brigade finally reached the Division landing zone at the space port after a grueling 3 day march, conducting a fighting withdrawl the entire way. They had paid a heavy price, losing another 3 Battalions of Battlemechs in the march. He began the task of assigning his remaining Battalions to the Division perimeter while rotating his Battlemechs in for repairs. At least the Division was all together again and not scattered all over the place. During the evening, the 3 Brigade commanders argued over their next moves. When no consensus was reached, Lieutenant General Colin McGregor finally slammed his hand down on the table in the makeshift HQ.

 "ENOUGH!!! If I have to listen to anymore bickering over who out ranks who, I swear I will mount up in my Thug and smash you both into paste. Lieutenant General Kline, your 1261st Brigade basically no longer exists, fold your 2 Battalions into 1262nd Brigade. You are now my executive officer of the Division. What is left of it anyway. I will assign the Cavalry Battalion to 1262nd Brigade, it will bring you up to as close to full strength as we can make it." He turned to Lieutenant General Oscar Cortez "Oscar, your Armor Brigade is almost full strength, minus the few losses you took in the nuclear attack. I want a full Regiment in the 1262nd Brigade's sector of the perimeter to back stop them. Your other 2 Regiments I want on each flank of the perimeter. I will assign my last Battlemech Regiment to the last side of the box and my 4th Battlemech Battalion will act as a flying reserve."

 A chorus of Yes Sirs came from the gathered officers as they broke up the meeting and returned to their units. Now what the hell do we do, Lieutenant General Colin McGregor thought.

 18 March 2766
Loikaw (Outworlds Alliance)

 Commodore Barbara Coltrain and her Flotilla materialized at the Zenith Jump Point. After the many jumps her ships had made int he last year without much needed overhauls, she did not want to push the double jumps anymore than she had to. Attached to SLS Conroy, Avatar Heavy Cruiser and SLS Rhodan, Luxor Heavy Cruiser were the remaining Dropships from the 272nd Mechanized Infantry Division, crammed to the gills with the Divisions equipment and personnel.

 1 Dictator Dropships
 1 Command Dictator Dropship
 1 Union CV Dropship
 3 Colossus Dropships
 2 Mammoth Dropships
 2 Czar Dropships

 They had destroyed the remaining Dropships before departing the Blommestein system. Commodore Barbara Coltrain ordered her ships to begin recharge operations.

 

[Daryk]

Hmmm... so one unit retreating, one decapitated and still fighting, and one mutinying... interesting is an understatement!  :thumbsup:

[DOC_Agren]

Things they be going in interesting ways

[2ndAcr]

19 March 2766
Loikaw (Outworlds Alliance)

 Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when the detected emergence wave turned out to be just a civilian Merchant Jumpship. Commodore Barbara Coltrain had taken a shuttle over the to the Merchant Jumpship and met with the ship's captain. After 4 hours, she had shuttled back to SLS Rhodan, Luxor Heavy Cruiser with all the information the ships captain had on the current state of affairs.

 "Well, things are pretty dismal out here according to the civilian captain. The rebels have made it a point to destroy as many HPG stations out here as they could. He just came from Maripa, but before that, he did a pass thru these 3 systems here, Pilon, Boulsi and Thazi. On Pilon, the rebels have the 322nd Armored Division and 277th Dragoon Regiment trapped on planet, but not the strength to defeat them, yet. They overran the space port and captured their Dropships and also the 277th Dragoon Regiment's Jumpships which they are holding at the Nadir Jump Point.

 Boulsi is a hotbed of rebel activity. The captian says the Recharge Station at the Nadir Jump Point was charging jumpships like mad. He had been told to recharge normally. He is sure he spotted 2 Lola I Destroyers also. Before he jumped, he says there were drive flares from Dropships moving to the Zenith Jump Point. His guess is the rebels are moving to help out on Pilon.

 Thazi is rebel held and they are not too friendly. They hold the Recharge Station at the Nadir Jump Point and are charging double rates for recharges, so says our captain. Our captain was delivering some raw ore there and picking up food for delivery to Maripa. He finally decided that the area is a little too hot for him to play around in right now." Commodore Barbara Coltrain explained

 "Well, that gives a destination, we move to Pilon. We assist the 322nd Armored and 277th Dragoon Regiment. They are fellow SLDF and we will not leave them to die. Commodore Coltrain, start plotting us a course to Pilon." Lieutenant General Rita Mitchell ordered

 Woogi (Taurian Concordat)

 Major Jenny Davidson looked at Major Tony Grissom, commander of the 509th Battle Regiment's assigned Foot Infantry Battalion, and nodded her head. Major Grissom spoke into his hand held radio "Go". In less than 15 minutes, they had secured the SLS Jumping Glory, Star Lord Jumpship. Major Grissom and Major Davidson waited on the Star Lord's grav deck as the ships crew were brought in from the various sections. When they were all assembled, Major Davidson rose to speak.

 "I am sorry we have had to do this, but we are tired of the fighting, at least this kind of fighting. We are tired of having worthless commanders appointed over us. So we have made the decision to take over this vessel. None of you will be harmed, unless you resist. Get us to where we want to go, and we will release you unharmed. We are not monsters, just very tired soldiers. Captain, when those warships join on us and we jump, I want us to come out in a totally different area than the one they tell you about. You understand? If they say we are going straight, I want you to take us left." Major Davidson said

 "I understand, you know the SLDF will hunt you down. If they catch you, it will not be pretty." The ships captain replied

 "We all fully understand the risk we are taking and are willing to take that chance." Major Davidson answered

 "Well then, the good news is neither of those Essex Destroyers have LF Batteries, so once we jump, we will already have a head start on them." The captain replied

 NP28 (Taurian Concordat)

 Colonel Patrick Quieg sat on the grav deck of the ancient Star Lord Jumpship the rebels had provided them. For the millionth time he shook his head, how the mighty have fallen. He thought back to Mithron.

 The 31st Infantry Division had been stationed on the Mithron when the Uprising started. It had begun with small terror attacks and then, during a meeting of the Divisions leadership, a nuclear car bomb had in one strike, decapitated the Division. The only reason he had survived was that his Infantry Regiment had been on patrol on the continent of New Solem. Learning of the attack, he had packed his Regiment on board their Czar Dropship and headed back to the Divisons base not far from the planets capitol.

 He and his Regiment had arrived to a total mess. It was then that he had learned that he was the ranking officer in the entire Division left alive. When the rebels had gotten serious, the 31st Division put up a strong defense for 4 months. Dug in deep in the mountains, they had held. Waiting for the cavalry to arrive. It never did. As food reached a critical point, their saving grace was the rebel commander. Under a white flag, he had offered to allow the remains of the Division to depart Mithron safely, in recognition of the 31st Division's brave defense and avoidance of civilian deaths, but they would be allowed small arms only, all heavy equipment would be turned over. He had been tempted to tell the rebel commander to shove it, but sanity took over and he agreed to the idea.

 When he had made a tour of the remaining unit's of the 31st Infantry Division, he had been surprised when most of them said they just wanted to get the hell away. The SLDF had abandoned them, so by god, they wanted to abandon the SLDF.

 Now, here they were, crammed aboard 6 Czar Dropships. The heaviest weapons they had were light machine guns and their Mauser 960 rifles. But he had saved the lives of 6,021 of the 31st Infantry Divisions personnel. He pulled out the personnel roster he had carried since the departure and looked at it.

 8 Battalions of Infantry - 2,016
 2 Battalions of Mechwarriors - 72
 3 Battalions of Armor crew - 540
 Dropship Crews - 1,756
 Division Support - 1,637

 At least his Infantry were basically armed with their normal weapons of war. Small Arms. They were being transported to the Tortuga Dominions. No one knew what laid ahead.

 Spitz (Taurian Concordat)

 Lieutenant General Nathan Baxter, ranking officer 359th Battlemech Division, was aboard the SLS Stellar Journey, Star Lord Jumpship. They had been lucky to survive the ambush. On December 9, 2765 the 359th Battlemech Division had boarded their Dropships after putting down the rebellion on Brisbane to travel to New Vandenburg to assist the 329th Battlemech Division which was under heavy assault by rebels. While docking with the Jumpships, a fleet of rebel warships had jumped into the same Jump Point being used by the Divisions transports. Their SLDF warship escort had moved to engage the rebels but not before most of the transports and Dropships of the Division had been destroyed. The remaining transports had made emergency jumps to a empty system 29ly away. Without warship escorts, he had made the decision to move deeper into the periphery to avoid running into any further rebel warships.

 359th Battlemech Division

 6 Battlemech Battalions
 4 Mechanized Infantry Battalions
 2 Armor Battalions
 1 Cavalry Battalion (-1 LAM Company)
 1 Artillery Battalion
 1 Engineer Battalion

 6 Dictator Dropships
 2 Czar Dropship
 2 Triumph Dropships
 6 Confederate Dropships
 4 Lion Dropships
 1 Mammoth Dropships

 4th Transport Squadron

 4 Star Lord Jumpships

 He had no communication with higher, and was not keen on attempting to even see a inhabited system right now. His main concern was his troops safety.
 

[VhenRa]

272nd Ground Aero Wing
 Aerospace Wing - 2 Squadrons
 Aerospace Wing - 2 Squadrons
 Fixed Conv Wing - 1 Squadron

That... is rather severe losses. 24 Fighters out of what would have been 108? 6 out of 54 conventional birds?

[marauder648]

This is damn good!

[2ndAcr]

20 March 2766
Pilon (Outworlds Alliance)

 Major General Heinrich Rommel, commander of the 322nd Armored Division, had seen better days, or even campaigns. Having his Division assigned to the 18th Army in 2764 instead of deep in the Inner Sphere, where his Division might actually see some action, had been a great thing. But now, for the last 7 months, he had watched his fine Armored Division pushed back from the small space port by the rebel forces and into the capitol city proper. Then the 277th Dragoon Regiment had arrived, they had pushed the rebels back from the space port, only to have the rebels resort to a nuke which destroyed a Battalion from the 277th Dragoon Regiment which allowed the rebels to once again take the space port and both units Dropships.

 He compared his commands starting TOE with what he had left and it was almost enough to bring a tear to his eye. The SLDF did not have many full on Armored Divisions, so the 322nd Armored Division was given great latitude in their TOE.

 322nd Armored Division

 3221st Brigade
 Armored Regiment - 2 Battalion Alacorn MkVI, 1 Battalion Von Luckner (sl) - now 4 Company's Alacorn, 2 Companies Von Luckner
 Armored Regiment - 2 Battalion Von Luckner, 1 Battalion Manticore - now 1 Battalion Von Luckner, 1 Company Manticore
 Infantry Regiment - 3 Foot Infantry Battalions, 1 Battalion Turhan - now 6 Company's Infantry, 1 Company Turhan

 3222nd Brigade
 Armored Regiment - 2 Battalion Von Luckner (sl), 1 Battalion Burke - now 5 Company's Von Luckner, 1 Company Burke
 Armored Regiment - 2 Battalion Demon, 1 Battalion Chevalier - now 1 Battalion Demon, 2 Company Chevalier
 Infantry Regiment - 3 Foot Infantry Battalions, 1 Battalion Turhan - now 2 Battalion Infantry, 2 Company Turhan

 3223rd Brigade
 Armored Regiment - 1 Battalion Beagle, 2 Battalion Zephyr - now 2 Company Beagle, 4 Company Zephyr
 Armored Regiment - 1 Battalion Beagle, 2 Battalion Zephyr - now 1 Company Beagle, 1 Battalion Zephyr
 Infantry Regiment - 3 Foot Infantry Battalions, 1 Battalion Maxim - now 2 Battalion Infantry, 1 Company Maxim

 Artillery Regiment
 Artillery Battalion - 1 Battalion Thor - now 2 Company's Thor
 Artillery Battalion - 1 Battalion Thor - now 2 Company's Thor
 Artillery Battalion - 1 Batalion Chaperal - now 2 Company's Chaperal

 Engineer Regiment
 Engineer Battalion - 1 Battalion Engineer - now 2 Company's Engineer
 Engineer Battalion - 1 Battalion Engineer - now 1 Company Engineer
 Engineer Battalion - 1 Battalion Engineer - now 1 Company Engineer

 Conventional Ground Aerowing
 Conventional Attack Wing - 54 Meteor - now 16 Meteor
 Conventional Attack Wing - 54 Meteor - now 14 Meteor
 VTOL Transport Wing - 54 Cobra - now 22 Cobra
 Jump Infantry Regiment - 3 Battalion Jump Infantry - now 5 Company's Jump Infantry

 The 277th Dragoon Regiment had faired not much better, they were down to just 4 Company's of Battlemechs and 2 Company's Mechanized Infantry. Major General Rommel looked to the heavens at the bright moving spots, Dropships inbound, I wonder who's they are. He prayed they were his relief, they were getting low on ammunition. He had tried to send a HPG message from his Mobile HQ, but they had no luck getting a return signal off any HPG in range. The rebels had knocked out the planets HPG right from the start.

 Luderitz (Taurian Concordat)

 Major General Iris Carman, commander 280th Mechanized Infantry Division, had found herself in a very unusual position, actually outnumbered by the rebels who did not hesitate to use WMD's against her command. Not to mention the fact that the Navy did not really have control of the space in system. Even after 2 weeks of fighting, there seemed to be a never ending flow of rebel Pinto Corvettes and worst of all, a team of 3 former SLDF Aegis Cruisers that had mutinied and joined the rebels. They were the most deadly and had already teamed up and destroyed several SLDF warships in the fighting.

 Her Division had already suffered 35% casualties during the campaign on this planet and the threat of WMD forced her to keep her command widely dispersed which allowed the enemy to inflict damage on her Division since she could not mass her forces. Major General Harold Inim, commander LXVI Corps had ordered her Division to secure Baltar and Luderitz. Baltar was fairly easy and the 280th Mechanized Infantry Division had met light resistance, but Luderitz had proved to be a much tougher fight than planned.

[Daryk]

Has Rommel not tried conventional comms?  The dropships wouldn't normally carry HPGs, right?  ???

[2ndAcr]

 Nope, not much good, them ain't friendlies inbound.

[Daryk]

Oh... ouch!  I thought it was Mitchell and her crew...  :-\

[2ndAcr]

20 March 2766
Marantha (Magistracy of Canopus)

 The 268th Royal Battlemech Division had been subjected to massive chemical weapons attacks during the beggining of the Periphery Uprising which had killed over 60% of the Divisions personnel before they had even known a fight was on. The remainder of the Division fought for 2 months until being destroyed by the rebel forces. The rebels wasted no time in making attmepts to use the advanced Battlemechs, but found the security systems extremely difficult to break.

 Thus was the case when the 9th Royal CAAN Marine Regiment, 9917th Marine Regiment and 75th Light Horse Regiment had discovered on their arrival. Finding the 286th Royal Battlemech Division destroyed, both Regiments were able to force the rebels back and secure the 286th's Battlemechs, many still in their bays. Plans had been hasily made to remove as much of the advanced equipment as possible. Major Oscar Venezuela, commander of 2nd Battalion, 9917th Marine Regiment had found himself aboard the SLS Stellar Gypsy, Tramp Jumpship with 3 Lee Dropships loaded with equipment from the destroyed 286th Royal Battlemech Division. Not far away, he knew a like detachment from the 9th Royal CAAN Marine Regiment had been doing the exact same thing only they had brought up 3 Lee's, 1 Titan and 2 Mule's were docking with the SLS Stellar Nomad, Star Lord Jumpship.

 When 4 hostile Lola II Destroyers made their arrival 150,000km away, the SLDF warship escort had ordered the transports to make emergency jumps from the system. Hastily, SLDF Jumpship captains made their calculations to distant locations. SLS Stellar Gypsy, Tramp Jumpship and SLS Stellar Nomad, Star Lord Jumpship, both transports for the 9th Royal CAAN Marine Regiment coordinated their jumps and in a instant, both leaped from the system arriving at an unhabitable system 29LY from Marantha but deeper into hostile territory.

 That had been 4 months ago. Now, Major Oscar Venezuela and his little convoy were in the system Fronc. During their journey, they had met several independent traders who informed them that the entire Periphery was in flames with hostile forces all over the area near the Great Houses. This information had only pushed the small convoy deeper into the periphery. They were 3 days into their recharge cycle when the emergence wave was detected, which caused no small amount of anxiety. Virtually helpless, except by using the docked Lee Dropships for defense, they waited.

 A single Tramp Jumpship emerged only 28,000km away and everyone breathed a sigh of relief when the newly arrived ship's IFF indentified it as SLS Infinite Journey, Tramp Jumpship. Communications were established and the commander of the lone Jumpship boarded a shuttle for the trip over. Hours later, Major Venezuela met Colonel Irma Fuentes, commander 19th Hussar Regiment, or the remains of the unit as only 1 Dropship was docked with their Jumpship.

 "Colonel, Major Oscar Venezuela, 9917th Marine Regiment. We are glad to see a friendly face." Major Venezuela said

 "Colonel Irma Fuentes, 19th Hussar Regiment. Well, not much of a Regiment anymore. We got torn to pieces on Dunianshire and barely got away. Only my Overlord managed to make it to the Jumpship. I have 9 operational Battlemechs, but the spare space is filled with my people. We are short supplies." Colonel Fuentes said

 "We have no idea what happened to our parent units. A small part of the 9th Royal CAAN Regiment is aboard the Star Lord. I have my Battalion aboard my ship here." Major Venezuela replied

 "A small portion? You have 9 Dropships attached to your ships. That makes no sense." Colonel Fuentes stated

 "Those Dropships are loaded with equipment from the 286th Royal Battlemech Division. We found everyone dead and most of their equipment intact. The Task Force commander ordered the equipment loaded aboard Dropships and removed from the planet. When enemy warships arrived, we were ordered to scatter with emergency jumps. We have been running ever since." Major Venezuela explained

 "Well, how about that. I have 37 Mechwarriors and 14 Aerospace pilots without a ride. Your ships will join with me, until such time as we reach a safe place to contact higher and find out what the hell we do. Now, how about we go take a look at what is in those Dropships." Colonel Irma Fuentes said

 "No need Colonel, I have the cargo manifests right here." Major Venezuela said holding out his datapad, which Colonel Fuentes took. She started looking at it.

 286th Royal Battlemech Division Equipment Inventory

 Battlemechs
 24 Spector SPR-4F
 16 Hermes HER-1Sb
 16 Mongoose MON-66b
 24 Talon TLN-5W
 16 Shadow Hawk SHD-2Hb
 24 Griffin GRF-2N
 12 Catapult CPLT-C1b
 28 Archer ARC-2Rb
 40 Warhammer WHM-7A
 40 Thunderbolt TDR-5Sb

 Aerospace
 12 Stuka STU-K5b2
 24 Sabre SB-28
 18 Rapier RPR-200

 "The Mules are loaded with ammunition and spare parts, I don't even know if the spare parts are for the equipment we have loaded. They were basically stuffing stuff on board the Dropships as fast as they could load them." Major Feuntes stated

 "Well Major, we shall have to endevour to an inventory and figure out exactly what we have. But first, let's get my pilots over here and onboard that Titan. I will feel much better with some sort of defense while we are recharging." Colonel Fuentes said

[Daryk]

That's the happiest one yet...  ^-^

[Sharpnel]

A slight quibble, the planet Marantha is in the Magistracy of Canopus.

[2ndAcr]

21 March 2766
Ambatomainty (Outworlds Alliance)

 The rebels had been pushing the 126th Mechanized Infantry Division hard over the last week, but the 126th had managed to hold. Even with the SLS Mighty Lift, Potemkin Transport providing targeted fire support, Lieutenant General Colin McGregor his Division could not hold out forever. The last week had seen them loose another Battalion of Battlemechs, 2 Battalions of Infantry and 2 Battalions of Armor. A knock caused him to look up, Lieutenant General Kline, Division executive officer stood in the door. McGregor waved him inside and to close the door.

 "What is the news XO?" McGregor asked

 "The rebels are pushing hard from the city again, it prevents us from using orbital fire to slow them. We are holding, but unless we go all out, sooner or later they will breach our lines and pour into the space port proper." Kline said

 "So, it is that time. We knew it was coming, either we destroy the city and kill a few million civilians or we need to start thinking evacuation. Well, I am not going to kill a couple million civilians. Start working on a evacuation plan. Load all the extra ammunition and supplies and get them up to Mighty Lift. The Battlemech Regiment holds the city side of the perimeter. We can have Mighty Lift fire on the other 3 sides as needed. After the ammunition and supplies, load the support troops. Then the Infantry and slowest tanks. Fastest tanks and the Battlemechs will load last and boost." McGregor said

 "Yes sir, I will work out the nitty gritty details. I expect the rebels will push even harder once they see the first Dropships boost." Kline responded

 "Oh, you can bet the farm on that. So plan for a very rapid fall back when the time comes, I am not losing anymore people than we have to." McGregor said

Fallry (Outworlds Alliance)

 Major Yuri Nabokov, acting commander 211th Hussar Regiment, thought back over the last 6 months of the  campaign. It was not a very pleasant memory, one that had shaken his beliefs to the core.

 Ordered to reinforce the 217th Mechanized Infantry Division on Dneiper in October 2765, they had arrived to discover the 217th already destroyed. Then they had their warship escort pulled and ordered to reinforce the 61st Royal Jump Infantry Division on Vangburg, all the way on the other side of the Alliance. On 9 January 2766, on of their Tramp LF Jumpships had blown out it's helium seals. This was bad enough, for it carried most of their ammunition and spare parts aboard the 2 Mule Dropships it carried. Colonel Namath had ordered 2 Confederate Dropships unloaded and then scuttled. The Mules had been transferred to the now free collars, crew transferred off the Tramp LF Jumpship and then it was scuttled. The worst was when they made the next jump after fully charging their drives and batteries, they had jumped into Tresspass and arrived at the Nadir Jump Point, almost on top of a damned rebel Pinto Corvette. Colonel Namath's Tramp LF Jumpship had been the closest to the enemy Pinto and had taken a hit that disabled the Tramp before a single calculation had been done. He had detached the 2 Union Dropships in an attempt to buy time and Major Nabokov had watched 2 Company's of 1st Battalion destroyed within minutes and then the now 5 Jumpship strong fleet made the jump to Johnson.

 Now, here they were, without warship escort still, saying damned prayers before every jump. We are the Star League Defense Force. We are not supposed to be helpless to enemy warships. No one has a Navy that even comes close to ours, yet here we are, in the boonies, heading into harms way, totally defenseless to any damned ancient warship that appears. We are being sold down the river and hung out to dry by our glorious high command. Total BS. He had heard the complaints on every ship when he took a shuttle around the small fleet during recharge operations. But what could they do, they had their orders.

Loikaw (Outworlds Alliance)

 Lieutenant General Rita Mitchell nodded at Commodore Barbara Coltrain who tossed a half salute "Nav, sound the warning, we jump to Maripa, fast calculation and then to Pilon. Let's go ahead and sound General Quarters." Five minutes later, the 10 second warning sounded and then everything blurred.

Maripa (Outworlds Alliance)

 The 272nd Mechanized Infantry Division emerged at the Zenith Jump Point and the navigators began working up their calculations. Commodore Coltrain had argued for recharging their drive to have the ability to jump out quick, but Lieutenant General Mitchell had reminded her that their were SLDF troops that needed help, quick. The moment the navigators had completed the calculations, Commodore Coltrain had given the order "Jump"

Pilon (Outworlds Alliance)

 SLS Conroy, Avatar Heavy Cruiser and SLS Rhodan, Luxor Heavy Cruiser emerged at the Nadir Jump Point in the midst of what sensors indicated as 32 Jumpships of various types. "Sweet Mother of God!!!" Commodore Coltrain said in a raised voice "Launch everything!!! Helm close on those Jumpships fast as we can, send the same to Conroy. Comms, start broadcasting surrender calls and prepare to be boarded. Weps, the moment we detect jump emissions, pop the offending Jumpship. I would prefer a damage shot and not a killing one, but either way, it will send a message to the rest." Then to Lieutenant General Mitchell "General, I might need some infantry to help my marines in securing ships."

 "I will give you 2 Battalions. Secure the Jumpships and then we head in system at best speed. I believe the books said it is 5 days to the planet." Lieutenant General Mitchell replied as Weps called out "Jump emissions, Invader Jumpship, firing."

 The rebel Invader Jumpship that made the mistake of trying to make a run for it was quickly destroyed by 3 MNPPC hits. "Damn, I only expected a single hit, sorry Commodore."

 "Commodore, I have 13 rebel Jumpships broadcasting their surrender, make that 17 now." The Comms officer said

 Another Jumpship blinked off the sensor plot as the SLS Conroy destroyed a Merchant Jumpship. "Sensor's was that Merchant emitting jump emissions?" Commodore Coltrain asked. "No ma'am, it was just sitting there." Anger flashed inside Commodore Coltrain "Comms, tell Conroy that if they destroy another Jumpship for no reason, I might decide to fire on them. After that, send the infantry troops the 272nd are loaning us to the surrendered Jumpships, have our marines board any that refuse to surrender."

 "Detecting a Merchant Jumpship emitting, barely in range, recommend the fighters handle that one, anything we have that hits is gonna probably kill it." Weps said

 "Kill it Weps, no one runs for help." Commodore Coltrain ordered

 "Firing" Weps called out and 4 NL/55 destroyed the rebel Merchant Jumpship with 2 hits. "More surrender calls incoming, Commodore, I think all of them have surrendered."

 "Have the marines start boarding also, minimum of 2 squads aboard each Jumpship. We take the day and secure them all, lock them down tight. Have a shuttle carry an engineering team aboard each Jumpship, I want every ship disabled in a way that we can easily repair them. Lock the crews in their quarters." Commodore Coltrain ordered then turned to Lieutenant General Mitchell "General, I hope the boys on the ground can wait a day longer, but we cannot risk a run for help."

 "Very well Commodore, please send out a message to the planet notifying the troops down there to hold on, help is coming." Lieutenant General Mitchell said

 Eight hours later, Major General Heinrich Rommel was awakened by his duty officer and given the news that the 272nd Mechanized Infantry Division was in system and to please hold while they secure the rebel Jumpship fleet. "Thank God, pass the word to the boys and girls, help is on the way and to hold fast."

 22 March 2766

 "Commodore, all engineering teams have returned and every rebel Jumpship is disabled and secure. I ordered the marines back aboard our ship and Conroy. Also we have returned 1 Battalion of the 272nd to their control, every rebel Jumpship has a minimum of 2 squads aboard." SLS Rhodon's XO said

 "Very well, signal the task force, we head for the planet, speed of advance 1g." Commodore Coltrain ordered, very pleased, they had netted quite a haul.

 12 Invader Jumpships captured
 5 Scout Jumpships captured
 2 Star Lord Jumpships captured
 5 Tramp Jumpships captured
 4 Merchant Jumpships captured

 NP471 (Taurian Concordat)

 Lieutenant General Nathan Baxter, ranking officer 359th Battlemech Division, was awakened when the alarm sounded aboard the SLS Stellar Journey, Star Lord Jumpship. Not even taking the time to put his boots on, he moved for the bridge, and was there in less than 2 minutes. "What have we got captain?"

 "Emergence wave inbound sir. Computer shows it's gonna come in close too. We are launching your LAM company now, it's all we got except the Dropships themselves."

 "No chance we can make an escape?" Lieutenant General Baxter asked

 "No sir, we need 2 more days to recharge. We are stuck here and there is no planet for your people to even run to." The ships captain responded

 "Well shit. Guess I will go put my bots on and say a prayer." Lieutenant General Baxter said as the unknown Star Lord Jumpship appeared 2200km away.

 On board the SLS Jumping Glory, Star Lord Jumpship, the entire bridge crew and Major Jenny Davidson knew they were screwed as the sensors came back online and quickly detected the 4 Jumpships very close and inbound fighters. "Captain, those ships are broadcasting SLDF identities."

 "Comms, make contact with them." The ships captain said as he turned to Major Davidson "Sorry Major, I was going to keep the faith with you, but we got no chance."

 "It's okay Captain Flaire. You had no way of knowing." Major Davidson replied

[Daryk]

Major Davidson is going to have some explaining to do...

[2ndAcr]

22 March 2766
NP471 (Taurian Concordat)

 Major Jenny Davidson was led on the grav deck of SLS Stellar Journey where Lieutenant General Nathan Baxter awaited her. She pulled herself to attention "Major Jenny Baxter, 509th Battle Regiment".

 "At ease Major, please take a seat. XLVI Corps correct?" Lieutenant General Baxter asked as she took a seat opposite from him

 "Correct sir." Major Davidson replied, she was keeping her answers short, she did not want to let a slip of the tongue get them all tossed out an airlock.

 "Okay Major, I will tell you my story, then you can tell me yours. My Division got ambushed by the rebels trying to dock with our transports and we lost over 1/2 the Division, including the Division Commander. We made an emergency jump from the system and I could not bring myself to drive the remains of the Division back into the teeth of this senseless slaughter. All I care about now is the safety of my people. Granted, we still consider ourselves members of the SLDF, but in this current campaign, at this time, well, I plan to take the long way back. Give this some time to settle down. So, you going to report me as the leader of a mutiny Major?" Lieutenant General Baxter asked

 Listening to the General speak had caused Major Davidson to squirm some in her chair. "No sir, I feel you are doing what you think is best for your men. As for our story, we had a coward for a commander. We got butchered on Woogi, when we made orbit, our escorting warships began bombarding the planet. Our commander had ordered it before he was killed in action with the enemy. It made me sick, that the SLDF that I had loved and served for 10 years would slaughter innocent civilians like that. We are supposed to be above that. Like you, all I want is to get my people away from this slaughter house."

 "Well then, it looks like we are both guilty of trying to save our people. So Major Davidson, exactly what did you have as a plan?" Lieutenant General Baxter asked

 "Sir, to be honest, this was the first jump we made. The rest of the convoy jumped to Renfield, we went the other way." Major Davidson replied

 "I don't have much of a plan either, so how about we put our heads together and come up with a working plan." Lieutenant General Baxter said

23 March 2766

 Major Jenny Baxter was back aboard SLS Stellar Journey after spending the previous say with Lieutenant General Baxter. She still could not believe that neither her nor her people were in cuffs at this moment. During their discussion, they had decided that they would take a long curved route to Hope IV, there they would take on supplies and evaluate the situation. She ad been surprised to learn that most of the 359th Battlemech Division had no clue as to how Lieutenant General Baxter currently felt, unlike her people who knew full well how she felt. He had openly told her that once they reached Hope IV, he would call his people together and let them decide what they wanted to do, those that wanted to return to the SLDF fold would be allowed to do just that, those that chose otherwise, would be allowed to do that. He had honestly told her that he did not know how he would feel when they reached their destination.

Ambatomainty (Outworlds Alliance)

 The last 2 days had seen frantic loading of dispersed ammunition dumps aboard the Divisions cargo transports along with the Divisons spare parts and supplies. But Lieutenant General Colin McGregor had cancelled the Dropships launch an hour before lift off. He had decided that once night fell, the entire Division would load and boost at the same time. He did not wan to risk the rebels throwing nukes at the remaining troops once they realized what was happening.

 As night fell, a phased withdraw occurred all along the defensive perimeter. Every unit heading straight for the dropships and being secured for lift off. By 3am, the last troops boarded the Dropships. At 3:30am, the 126th Mechanized Infantry Division boosted for orbit and the safety of SLS Mighty Lift, Potemkin Transport.

126th Mechanized Infantry Division

1262 Brigade
Infantry Regiment - 3 Infantry Battalions
Infantry Regiment - 1 Infantry Battalion
Cavalry Battalion - 1 LAM Company, 1 Armor Company

1263 Brigade
Battlemech Regiment - 3 Battlemech Battalions

1264 Brigade
Armor Regiment - 2 Armor Battalions
Armor Regiment - 3 Armor Battalions
Armor Regiment - 1 Armor Battalion

Artillery Regiment
1 Battalion of Long Tom
1 Battalion of Thor
1 Battalion of Padilla/Chaparral

Ground Aero Wing
Aerospace Wing - 4 Squadrons
Conv Fighter Wing - 2 Squadrons
Conv Transport Wing - 2 Squadrons
Engineer Battalion
Jump Infantry Battalion - 2 Company's

Dropships (being taken)

Czar Dropships - 6
Dictator Dropships - 3
Union Dropship - 1
Colossus Dropships - 2
Triumph Dropships - 6
Titan Dropships - 3
Mammoth Dropships - 4

 With only 25 collars available, the decision had been made to destroy the remaining Dropships of the Division after their crews and any onboard supplies were unloaded in orbit to prevent them from being captured by rebel forces.

Rest Stop (Deep Periphery)

 Finally, mission complete, thought Commodore Trisha Delvaney to herself as she watched her 2 Elephant Tugs detach from the newly built and manned Olympus Recharge Station at the Nadir Jump Point for the short trip back to their mother ship, SLS Salvation, Newgrange Yardship. She knew her escort, the 22nd Destroyer Flotilla of 2 Essex Destroyers, would be happy to get back to their Fleet assignments.

 They had been out here for over a year, with minimal contact with higher command. Sent out here to establish this Recharge Station to faciltate SLDF patrols against pirate bands and exploration support. Only 1 supply convoy had been dispatched to them in that year and that was 6 months ago, it had delivered the last material needed to finish construction of the Recharge Station and the crew for the station. It was time to head home.

[Daryk]

Delvaney is going to be in for a rude shock...

[2ndAcr]

27 March 2766
Pilon (Outworlds Alliance)

 Commodore Barbara Coltrain brought SLS Rhodon, Luxor Heavy Cruiser into orbit around the second planet in the system. As the attained proper positioning, they began receiving targeting information of rebel concentrations on the surface from the 322nd Armored Division. She had ordered SLS Conroy, Avatar Heavy Cruiser to maintain position at a fairly steady pirate point in case the large cluster of captured Jumpships needed immediate support. The jump was already plotted and set up.

 "Weps, you may accept calls for fire from the 322nd Armored Division, but only on targets outside the city. I would prefer no targeting within 30km of the city. Lieutenant General Mitchell has selected to come down on the space port proper, I show it to be 65km from the capitol city proper. We will attempt to maintain a geosynch orbit above the space port and capitol city. In 1 hour, we will launch fighters to escort the 272nd Mechanized Infantry Division to the surface, they will also reprovide on scene targeting." Commodore Coltrain ordered

 On the surface, rebel forces had heard the call's from their transports days earlier and knew that new SLDF troops had arrived. They had launched fresh attacks on the trapped SLDF forces but had been thrown back each time with heavy losses. No had missed the incoming drive flares from braking ships in orbit. General Paul Kilgorian, commander of all rebel forces on Pilon heard the sonic booms of incoming Aerospace fighters, he knew the SLDF reinforcements were on their way down and knew the battle on Pilon had entered a completely new phase. He could not even risk launching his grounded Dropships because the transports had reported SLDF warships.

 The presence of a SLDF warship was confirmed when a orbital strike fell upon one of his Infantry Regiments that had been moving to reinforce the rebel forces on the furthest side of the capitol city. Reports quickly began coming in that that particular infantry unit was no more. He looked up at the heavens when louder sonic booms sounded and clearly saw the incoming Dropships in the distance. Looks like they are heading right for the over crowded space port, he thought. He turned to his radio operator "Tell 1143rd Mech Regiment to head for the space port, greet the incoming guests properly."

 Lieutenant General Rita Mitchell, commander 272nd Mechanized Infantry Division was in her Pillager, ready to disembark the moment the dropship grounded. She had vetoed the idea of a combat drop due to everyone's certification was currently expired and she could not afford losses. She just hoped her surprise worked. Two minutes until they grounded.

 At the space port, rebel infantry were dug in ready to engage the SLDF as they disembarked. Supporting them were 2 Company's of light mechs with a full Mech Regiment on the way. Everyone kept their heads down as the SLDF Aerospace figters zoomed over the area strafing anything dumb enough to get spotted. Mixed in with the Aerospace fighters was the remaining LAM Company from the 272nd. Two lances of Stinger LAM STG-A1 and a lance of Phoenix Hawk PHX-HK1, after every pass, a LAM would make it's landing at the space port. Just before the Dropships carrying the 272nd grounded, the Company of LAM made their appearance, targeting the rebel light mechs moving to engage the soon to be disembarking SLDF mechs. Major Sissy Bruedan, piloted her Phoenix Hawk PHX-HK1, selecting a rebel Hermes as her first target, the second her targeting circle flshed, she pulled the trigger and watched her shots hot the rebel Hermes right in the center of it's back coring into the mechs engine dropping it face down. She quickly targeted another rebel Hermes and wsaw her medium lasers slash at the rebel Hermes, but her ERLL slammed cored another engine.

 The rest of her lance had done basically done the same thing as her and within 30 seconds, 7 rebel mechs were down and out. Her 2 Lances of Stinger LAM's had different orders and were busy hunting rebel infantry or ganging up on any solo rebel mechs they happened to find. Major Sissy Bruedan watched the 272nd Command Dictator settled onto the space port and a massive Pillager exit the second the ramp was extended and door opened, it's Gauss Rifles cracking within seconds and her sensors showed an enemy mech suddenly go dark on her screen.

 Lieutenant General Rita Mitchell had targeted a rebel Toro TR-A-6 the second it made itself visible firing both Gauss Rifles, one slug slammed into the Toro's center torso, but the other slug ripped the head off the light mech. She triggered her jump jets to clear the door quicker. Another rebel mech, Wasp WSP--1A appeared and she let it have a large laser and her bevy of medium lasers. Her lasers ripped into the rebel Wasp which could not maintain it's balance and fell. She landed almost next to the downed Wasp and allowed her left foot to crush the head of the enemy mech as she searched for another target. Behind her, 2 Company's of Battlemechs had exited the Command Dictator and were fanning out seeking targets.

 Major General Heinrich Rommel, commander 322nd Armored Division, had been extrmely happy to finally have timely communication with the incoming 272nd Mechanized Infantry Division when they made orbit. Encoded communication informed him of the plan by Lieutenant General Rita Mitchell of the coming landing. He had offered to sortie his remaining forces to help, but it was rebuffed. Hold your ground and provide targeting information, we will come to you. That had been the response.

 "Eagle 22 to Rhodon, target grid 112876-1176 enemy mechs on the move, estimated strength Battalion plus. Moving towards the space port."

 Aboard the SLS Rhodon, Luxor Heavy Cruiser, Captain Tiffany Lasmite checked the transmitted location, 26km from the space port, 31km from the capitol city. Good enough, she sent the information to the weapons bays and within 2 minutes of recieving the call for fire, the Rhodon unleashed hell on the rebel mechs. On the ground, orbital fire completely obliterated the 1143rd Mech Regiment. Massive explosions rocked the area surrounding the targeted coordinates. For 3 minutes, the SLS Rhodon fired on the area and when they stopped, nothing moved.

 Back at the space port, the 272nd Mechanized Infantry Division's combat loaded Dropships were all on the ground and unloading their cargo of angry SLDF soldiers. Mechanized Infantry began the deadly task of clearing enemy infantry from trench works and securing grounded Dropships. Battlemechs of the 272nd fanned out around the space port, easily destroying anything they found. By mid afternoon, the space port was declared secure and the 4 Battalions of Tanks provided security for the space with the assitance of the 2272nd Brigade. Led by Lieutenant General Rita Mitchell, 2723rd Brigade and 2721st Brigade pushed to link up with the 322nd Armored Division.

 Like a guided missile, the 272nd Mechanized Infantry Division's lead units brushed aside any resistence and by nightfall had linked up with the 322nd Armored Division. Bringing her Pillager to a halt before the Mobile HQ, she brought her Pillager to a kneeling position and popped her hatch, scampering down the chain ladder. A lanky Major General was on the ground to meet her "Lieutenant General Rita Mitchell, commander 272nd Mechanized Infanty Division, reporting sir." She said, but not saluting

 "Major General Heinrich Rommel, but let's dispense with the formalities. Just call me Rommel, I sure am glad to see you folks arrive. The rest of your Division in orbit still?"

 "No sir, Call me Rita, this is all that is left. I have a Mammoth stuffed with equipment and people, but I am hesitant on bringing them down." General Mitchell replied

 "Well, it was enough to get the job done, but there are a crap ton of rebels on this planet. And they have nukes and are not afraid to use them." Rommel said

 "Well, they nuke the space port, they nuke their own Dropships. Of course, we have their Transports already, so they very well could take a swing at us. But first, let's get some supplies and repairs made to your equipment. Tomorrow, we start retaking this planet." General Mitchell said.

Sorsk (Outworlds Alliance)

 Lieutenant General Colin McGregor, commander 126th Mechanized Infantry Division, blinked his eyes as the SLS Mighty Lift, Potemkin Transport materialized at the Zenith Jump Point. He was just a guest aboard the bridge but clearly heard "Commodore, we are being hailed by a Merchant Jumpship, 24,198km off our port. Says he met some friends of ours not long ago."

 Commodore Sandra Gallonsa, commander SLS Mighty Lift, Potemkin Transport, checked the sensors for any other contacts before ordering "Begin recharge operations. Launch 2 Titan's and get a CAP established. See if the Captain of that Merchant Jumpship would be willing to come abaord for a chat. I want to keep radio silent if we can. I will even send a shuttle for him."

[David CGB]

Could always be worse!!

[Daryk]

Hoping the rebels won't nuke their own (captured) dropships seems like a bad bet to me...

[VhenRa]

Especially since they have been known to nuke their own cities...