Hilton Head Island, Terra, Week 1a Jan, 3021Primus Julian Tiepolo took his place in great hall of the First Circuit, smoothing his robes as he sat. The events on Bell had provided ComStar with the opportunity to once again influence the political flow of events within the Inner Sphere. While he was not all that fussed about the use of chemical weapons, the death of a few hundred soldiers on both sides were merely incidental so long as the event could be used to further Blake’s Word and ComStar’s mission to one day rescue mankind from itself. That said the incident did need to be dealt with firmly, at least in appearances, with a clear message sent regarding weapons of mass destruction. Otherwise the great houses may slip once again into the unfettered use of weapons that killed entire worlds.
“Precentors, as we have deliberated over these last few days the fighting on Bell is clearly winding down. The Liao troops who made use of the weapons of mass destruction have been soundly defeated but it is time to end the fighting there. Recent defeats have weakened the Capellan Confederation and we do not want the balance of power to shift too far in any direction.”
We will use our position to act as neutral arbiter in resolving this
crisis and thereby build the reputation of Comstar in the eyes of both Houses. House Liao will face a limited interdiction on Bell and its adjacent systems and Sian will be compelled to turn Colonel Devon over for trial by ComStar, if he lives long enough. The trial will find him guilty and he will receive a harsh sentence. This sentence, in the interests of reconciliation, will be commuted soon thereafter and the good colonel quietly be allowed to return home in order to continue his vendetta against House Davion and any mercenaries who cross his path. We will be seen as saving the sons and daughters of the Liao families from imprisonment or annihilation.
“House Davion’s thirst for vengeance will be at least partially sated by the Interdiction and the Capellan Confederation seen to be chastised for their wickedness. The punishment will also be seen as warning to all Houses that backsliding into savagery will not be tolerated. We are mankind’s hope for salvation from the abyss, so we cannot simply stand by while the armies destroy what remains of civilisation.”
Precentor Sian, who could not understand why such a minor incident required such drastic action offered the only dissenting voice. The Precentor New Avalon stated flatly that the solution would not be as palatable as the Primus suggested but added it would be accepted by Hose Davion, at least in spirit. With that First Circuit adjourned, Adepts hurried to transmit the decision to capitals of the great houses and major periphery states. Particular haste was exercised in ensuring the message reached Bell before it was too late to be put into effect.
Mycroft Capital Region, Bell, Capellan March, Week 2a Jan, 3021Three Packrat T5 Scout vehicles accompanied by two Vedette medium tanks approached the edge of small hillock from the east. The two tanks halted their approach one hundred meters from a small tent, two of the scout vehicles swung away at fifty meters and deployed two squads that formed a security detail. The last Packrat, paused while the infantry deployed and began to move forward, continuing to the base of the low rise where it halted as its infantry compart opened.
Stepping out into the dull grey morning was Richard Bedford, commander of the 1st Mechanised Brigade, his adjutant, Captain David Miller, the Brigade’s senior medical officer, Major Samuel Proctor and the Davion Liaison Officer Captain Roger St James. An NCO along with two members of No 13 Commando also dismounted and took up positions around the Brigade commander. All the Brigade personnel were dressed in dull grey-brown disruptive pattern combat fatigues, combat webbing, soft field caps and personal weapons, Even Major Proctor carried a sidearm, a weapon intended for use only for self-defence or to defend the patients in his charge.
Richard Bedford sported a Lyran Stetta Auto-Pistol strapped to his right thigh but was otherwise unarmed. He was connected to his tactical headquarters by a small radio pack over his right shoulder, an ear piece in his right ear and thin microphone crossed his right cheek. Keying his radio he spoke to major Burgh, the commander of the brigades elite scout company
“India-Nine this is Sunray, we have arrived at the rendezvous. All clear?”
“Sunray, India-Nine, all clear. Other than the party in tent all other contacts are holding at the agreed locations”.
“India-Nine, acknowledged. We are proceeding to the parlay.”
Signaling to the rest of his party Bedford began marching up the low rise to the open sided tent where the Capellan officers waited. Entering the tent he paused briefly and his attention drawn to a tall officer with bandages on his right hand, shoulder and neck. The officer stepped forward and came to attention and saluted.
“I am Major Hudsenn Roundtren, acting Commanding Officer of Devon’s Armored Infantry, 2nd Battlegroup. Major Kilgrain sends his regrets but his wounds prevent his attending this parlay. I am to treat on his behalf” Pausing a moment he asked, “You are Colonel Bedford?”
Returning the salute Bedford replied, “Thank you Major Roundtren, I am Colonel Bedford, Commanding officer of the 1st Mechanised Brigade.” Motioning to the other officers in his party, “This is my adjutant Captain Miller, Captain St James of the AFFS and my senior medical officer, Major Proctor. Shall we get down to it then?”
“Yes, Colonel.” The Capellan Major was not nervous but he seemed taken aback by the abruptness of the mercenary commanders’ tone. Signaling his guests to chairs Roundtren made his way to the other side of the table but came up short when he saw that Richard Bedford had not moved to take the offered seat.
“You will forgive me, Major, but I am not here to negotiate.” Taking two steps forward Bedford continued.
“What is left of your command is surrounded out here on this arid plain, no food, water, fuel and, if the decrease in firepower over the past week is any indication, almost no ammunition. The last handful of your functioning Mechs and armour are little more than wrecks and I can only imagine that your wounded are suffering terribly.” Pausing only briefly he continued.
“You have no hope of escape and none of rescue. If you continue to resist what troops you have left will be destroyed and with the ComStar interdiction in place, no one will even no your fate.”
“You have only one option, sir.” He emphasised his final points by stabbing one finger towards the ground as he concluded. “Surrender. Surrender today, right now.”
Major Roundtren seemed to deflate at these final words but only slightly.
“You will grant us honours of war? I ca -”
Holding up his hand to halt the Capellan in mid-sentence, Colonel interrupted.
“No, major. No honours. Your commanding officer forfeited any hopes of that when he unleashed chemical weapons against the Crucis Lancers and
Grim Determination.” Leaning forward with both fists on the top of the field table he continued,
“I grant you your lives and the hope of repatriation one day. I grant your wounded immediate medical care to the best abilities of my command. However, all your weapons, equipment and supplies or forfeit. I claim them as the spoils of war.”
Major Roundtren looked hard at Richard Bedford for long seconds, trying to gauge whether he could accept the word of this mercenary.
Stepping back from the chair Bedford concluded, “I have it in my power to destroy your command to last man and woman but that is not my wish. If I leave this tent without your surrender the next words from me will be from the muzzles of my guns and lasers.”
Drawing himself to his full height Hudsenn Roundtren asked, “I have your word that my soldiers will be treated fairly under the rules of the Ares Convention? That my wounded will be well cared for?”
“I have given you my word, Major. We have field ambulances ready to move. It's now up to you.”
Major Roundtren considered Bedford for a moment more then, having made his decision, he moved around the table and came to stiff attention, the heels of his combat boots making a soft thud as they came together. Reaching to his holster he withdrew his pistol, causing a momentary start from Captain Miller, but he reversed the weapon and handed it to the mercenary commander.
“Colonel Bedford, I surrender myself and my command to the 1st Mechanised Brigade.”
*****
1st Mechanised Brigade (+), End January, 3021Brigade Battle Group (1st Mechanised Bde)) [r] – v24; mix; Mv: 8; TM: 4; Arm –
13:15; S: 6; M: 5; L: 3(2) – Spec: DCC20, (IF1), MHQ2
Task Force 1.1 (1st Rifles) [r] – v24; mix; Mv: 5; TM: 3; Arm –
48:55; S: 19; M: 19; L: 13(9): Spec - (IF4), MHQ2
Task Force 1.2 (11th Hussars) [r] – v22; mix; Mv: 5; TM: 3; Arm –
35:44; S: 14; M: 13; L: 12(8'): Spec - (IF4), MHQ2
Task Force 1.3 (17th Lancers) [r] – r20; mix; Mv: 5; TM: 3; Arm –
43:47; S: 13; M: 13; L: 10(7): Spec - (IF3), MHQ2
Task Force 1.4 (4th Dragoons) [r] – v25; mix; Mv: 9; TM: 4; Arm –
31:35; S: 12; M: 12; L: 4(2) – Spec: (IF2), MHQ2, RCN
1st Artillery Command (1st Horse Arty) [r] – r18; CV; Mv: 3; TM: 1; Arm – 26; S: 4; M: 1; L: 0: Spec – ART-LT/S14, MHQ2
Number One Group, End January, 3021504 Wing[r] – r19; lt; Mv: 10; Arm -
6:12; S: 3; M: 3; L: 0: Spec – BOMB2
501 Wing[r] – r19; med; Mv: 5; Arm -
9:13; S: 4; M: 5; L: 3: Spec – BOMB2
302 Wing[r] – v21; hvy; Mv: 5; Arm -
7:19; S: 3; M: 3; L: 0: Spec – BOMB2
*****
While the formalities of the surrender were being arranged a short message was passed to Major Burgh and No 13 Commando. Minutes after the message to cease all hostilities was broadcast to all combatants the commandos and their Karnovs lifted off with an escort from the 501 Wing. On the far side of Pulteney Gorge four Planetlifter aircraft, loaded with technicians and a combined arms escort, used the broad paved highway as a runway and followed the Karnovs soon after.
Their objective was the landing grounds at and near the spaceport. Major Burgh’s mission was to get his troops on as many Capellan dropships as possible and claim them for the brigade. The clock was ticking down on the expiration of the current contract with House Davion and the instruction to Burgh were clear. If necessary, any captured dropships were to be ‘crippled’ in order to drop their salvage value. To aid in that task the techs being sent along were to oversee the operation and ensure the commandos did not set about their task with too much zeal.
With the withdrawal of the Davion dropships the 1st Mechanised Brigade had effectively been stranded on Bell by orders from high up the AFFS chain of command. Until he had received a satisfactory explanation for this bit of brinksmanship he would seize what enemy ships he could and negotiate a settlement later. With luck, holding the transports for the better part of an entire Capellan combined arms combat command would give the Brigade major leverage in those negotiations and he intended to use it.
*****