The Federated Sun's Reborn

[cawest]

i can not wait to see what a carrier strike group does to so of those assets in the Terra system.  death by a thousand cuts. 

[PsihoKekec]

Remember that there are drone ships and fighters waiting for them at Terra, along with concealed capital missile batteries.

And I can imagine Hohiro raging at underhandedness of Victor, for attacking before he could attack him.

[kelgar04]

Remember that there are drone ships and fighters waiting for them at Terra, along with concealed capital missile batteries.

And I can imagine Hohiro raging at underhandedness of Victor, for attacking before he could attack him.

Hohiro is an idiot all is fair in war and he needs to learn he dosen’t operate in a vacuum were his enemy dose what he wants.

Hell I’m starting to think he is a poorer commander than John French.

[Adventwolf]

Yes there are drone ships and the rest of the SDS but unlike in canon here the WoB is working with a vastly reduced amount of resources and manpower. They have also been getting their teeth kicked in by ComStar who decided it was not a smart move to just leave the crazy part of their organization alone with no challenge.

[Billy Boy Mark II]

3070 - February - War

The start of February had the entire AFFS on high alert. Even if war hadn't been declared or offensive operations authorised few on the Draconis Combine border doubted that it was only a matter of time. Although the First Prince had declined to launch a preemptive strike he had no objections to reorganisations to better defend the Draconis March or to set up for any possible counter attack. For instance the 1894th Light Horse and 21st Rim Worlds moved up from the Kathil PDZ to both take up station on the world of David on the Combine border alongside the Fighting Urukhai Bar Hounds regiment. Meanwhile a task force of 5 Avalon Hussar RCT's was built up on the world of Royal - with the 1st Avalon Hussars RCT moving from Abbeyville and the 5th and 14th Hussar's moving from Woodbine. The latter's garrison posting was covered when the 3rd NAIS Cadre moved to Woodbine to secure that key world's defence. Another addition to this task force was the veteran 42nd Avalon Hussars RCT who had to move all the way from Crofton - who's key factories were protected when the still under strength 21st Avalon Hussars RCT moved from Maram to Crofton. A final unit the 20th Avalon Hussars RCT moved from the Clan Sun Jaguar enclaves to join their sister regiments on Royal. Such a collection of Avalon Hussar RCT's had not been since in a single location since the First Succession War and more than a few wondered what it might imply.

Quietly and with little notice Marshal Roger Williams of the Avalon Hussars Brigade quickly moved to Royal and took command of the task force with the permission of the First Prince. Even as the units trickled in to their new posting on Royal he hurriedly informed them as to their objective in the event of war and detached a full reinforced battalion from the 1st and 5th Hussars along with an over strength company from each of the other 3 regiments to form an ad-hoc new formation - the reborn 38th Avalon Hussars RCT which he took direct command off for the time being. He began training the new formation and the other regiments of his task force in mountain warfare tactics and integrating them into a combined force.

However even as Marshal William's was beginning his work events moved on. With the receipt of the deciphered attack instructions the High Command ordered Operation Alexander and it's sub-operations Agamemnon, Achilles and Ajax into full effect. Within hours of those orders being received regiment's and RCT's were moving onto their pre-prepared dropships while in orbit squadrons of assault dropships, pocket warships and even full blown warships prepared to escort them for their attacks. The AFFS and it's mercenary allies were going to war...*

Even as the rest of the AFFS prepared for war a message from Duke James Sandoval ensured that the 38th Avalon Hussars RCT would not be the only unit to rejoin the muster rolls for this campaign. The entire Draconis March Militia Brigade was ordered to detach 1 company of mechwarriors (but not equipment as he would provide this) and dispatch them as quickly as possible to Robinson to be used to reform the 1st Robinson Chevaliers. Traditionally Chevalier units had not been rebuilt, with new units formed in their place, but in the circumstances of centuries since the last Robinson Chevalier unit had been destroyed the Duke felt he could ignore that old rule. He did inform the Kentares DMM that given that they were still rebuilding they could exempt themselves from this levy. Marshal Liam Grey of the Kentares DMM informed the Duke immediately that he would be honoured to dispatch his 12 finest mechwarriors for the good of the Draconis March and the Federated Suns. It would be months before the reborn Chevaliers had even assembled let alone be declared combat ready, however the formation of this historic unit led to a massive upsurge in patriotism throughout the Draconis March...

One final area of major deployment was the First Prince and High Command ordering that the ComGuard's be given almost unlimited access to the AFFS's supply depots and equipment for the duration of the hostilities - at a lower priority than the AFFS's own units but still giving them access. All payment for the equipment that the ComGuard's drew from the AFFS's own supply lines would be billed at generous terms with little to no interest. It was felt that having the ComGuard's at as close to full strength as possible could only be of benefit to the AFFS now they were both engaged in active warfare alongside each other. It was also a massive show of the new industrial strength of the Federated Sun's that not only could it afford to support the entire enlarged AFFS but also it's allies...

With the war starting the need for military equipment was more of a priority than ever. So it was good news that a number of industrial plants saw expansions during February.

At the new Johnston Industries plant on Victoria the refitted and retooled Caesar plant goes operational. This leaves only the Kai/Yu Haung line under rebuilding. However with most of the plant rebuild it is felt that an expansion is merited. The company receives a license to produce the Penetrator class battlemech at Victoria.

On Northfield the new Cosara Weaponries plant's second line goes operational - producing King Crabs which are immedietly shipped mostly to the ComGuards. The company immedietly begins work on expanding the plant with an additional 2 of the versatile Crab lines.

On Palmyra the Javelin-O plant begins work on another 2 lines of this by now iconic light omnimech. When this expansion is complete it will give the plant 6 full lines churning out dozens of omnimechs.

The Mayetta plant of Norse Battlemech Works begins work to add an omnimech facility to the factory. Given the precarious nature of the companies main plant on the Combine border it is felt that expanding their secondary facility on Mayetta is a good idea.

The Robinson-Achernar plant on Achernar completes their second Watchman line on the 11th February. With the desperate need for second line battlemechs to help outfit the new League March Militia's the factory is soon operating at full capacity.

At Capella the Mujika-Wangker plant see's it's third Corsair line finish building and go operational. Not content merely with the retooled lines and this new one the company begins construction of 2 additional Corsair lines as well as a Tomahawk line. These are expected to be finished in the first quarter of 3071.

Even as Operation Alexander kicked off the rest of the Inner Sphere and Clans took notice. Archon Peter Steiner made public speeches in support of his brother's attempt to prevent the invasion that his intelligence agencies had notified him was pending. In private he assured by Comstar and the Federated Sun's that his own regiments would soon be joining them in invading the Combine. He instructed General of the Armies Adam Steiner to liaise with Jackson Davion for a combined squeeze against Dieron.

Within the Free Worlds League the war kicking off between the Federated Suns and the Draconis Combine was a source of major concern. Given the state of the "Capellan Confederation" and the League's own splintered status along with the close family ties between the Lyran Alliance and Federated Suns it was argued by most that should the Combine be defeated the FedSun's would be in a state of unparalleled power and could dictate terms to the remaining nations. This wasn't helped by the recent annexation of no less than 2 provinces of the League by the Federated Suns (even though the more neutral observers did note that these were exceptional cases). Most of the League factions immedietly began offering extremely good terms on the sale of military equipment to the Combine. The only major faction that didn't make these offers was the Duchy of Oriente - which given it's precarious position on the FedSun's border was eager to avoid upsetting it's new giant neighbour.

*((Operation Alexander will be in it's own update))

[Shadow_Wraith]

nice update!!

[marauder648]

Something tells me the Combine's about to be at the center of a feeding frenzy. The Lyran's are going to get stuck in, the Bear's may well lash out to secure their borders and push the Combine away from their capital and the Ravens will be waiting in the wings as they are huge opportunists.

[Chris OFarrell]

Anyone else hearing 'When Johnny Comes Marching Home' as all the AFFS's Mechs and Tanks and Soldiers march and roll onto their dropships and boost for orbit?

There is at least a decent chance that the AFFS will take the Combine by surprise here. Especially with ComStar probably in the chaos NOT sending HPG messages routinely onto the Combine, meaning ISF agents on the border are cut off and/or have to send the messages the long way. If the units already have their frag orders for Alexander in place and all they need are the 'execute' codewords (and especially with the AFFS moving units up and around and clearly reinforcing) the movements might well be missed for long enough as simply shuffling units around in expectation of the incoming attack, rather than the AFFS moving to preempt it.

Its going to be interesting to see what ComStar do. I'd almost say that their primary mission should be EXACTLY what they were made for in the first place; guarding their HPGs. You have to assume that if this war goes hot (and given what ComStar did to the Combines HPG network), that the DCMS and WOB will very specifically target ComStar stations to knock out AFFS communications. Although HOPEFULLY if the preemptive strike works well, the Combine will be so far on the back foot that they will be far too busy to lunch much in the way of attacks into the Federated Suns.

I find the idea that the FWL arms manufacturers will sell cheap gear to the Combine pretty hilarious though. It sounds just like a perfect PR move that will never actually get executed given A) The sheer demand from four different Captain Generals in a cold war against each other for every scrap of war material they can build B) The distance to the Combine they will need to ship it (and lack of security to do so, as nothing is stopping the annoyed Federated Suns from blowing the ships into scrap) and C) The Combine actually being willing to pay for the stuff ... and the Federated Suns just saying 'well ****** you too!' and outright defaulting on the repayments for the Clan War era stuff in retaliation. Or even THREATENING to do so. Because its money the Suns has been more than willing to repay (as soon as someone can tell Victor which one of them is the REAL Captain General) despite everything, but if they piss him off...

I'm also curious to see how fierce the bidding is inside the Sun Jaguars if Victor has requested a Galaxy (especially as they watch the 20th Avalon Hussars pack up and ship out while they stay behind). This is the mother of all wars that potentially will make the Clan Invasion look like chump change and the FOMO is going to be absurd in the Warrior Cast. I mean its not just that its a battle that will earn them incredible prestige. It will also (far more than the Capellan contribution) validate them in the eyes of the Federated Suns as part of them. It also helps that its the enemy that the former Jaguars hate the most personally for a LOT of reasons and there nothing more bonding than kicking the crap out of the enemy together. And of course the sheer glory involved. Or even if they can pull another TOP on the Nova Cats, again, with the damn coin still refusing to come up 'Edge'...

Good to see Peter is happily getting in on the fun. Although I'm cynically sure he'll only move to stab the Dragon in the back when they are fully committed to the attack on the Suns. Still, its useful and it will be a bittersweet moment, probably, for the AFFS and LAAF when they manage to team up one more time ...

Or, as Heath Ledger may have put it; 'And here ... we ... go!'

[cawest]

so  Northfield has added a new King crab and will be adding 2 more crab.  it would seem that they might want to branch out.  I could  see were they would need a training mech... maybe the Crockett?  or they could go for a tank, or fighter.  maybe ComStar could help fund it.  They also might want to out side of the box and build a ground base to make small dropships like the Leopard. 

[Adventwolf]

So Victor gave the go ahead this should at least lessen the blow he is going to take from letting the attack happen in the first place. But I still think he needs to lose his baby brother as payment for his idiotic choices that lead to the attack happening at all. If not killed then his brother should at the very least become very injured in the attack.

Now ComStar has access to the FedSuns supply infrastructure it will allow them to go farther and hit faster than before. Plus with the ComGuard fighting alongside the AFFS and the LAAF, it will win them back alot of the prestige and trust they lost over the last few decades.

With this operation in play, they should be able to hit hard and then hunker down in their gains. Then launch spoiling and destruction raids to cripple and stretch the Combine as much as possible. This will allow the other powers the chance to hit them as well and further weaken the Combine.

I still hope that the FRR will get in on the action and grow the number of worlds they have. They should be getting support from ComStar, FedSuns, and Lyran Alliance at least. ComStar especially since they will want the FRR to be producing as much gear as possible since they built them up as a supply nation more or less.

[Billy Boy Mark II]

3070 - February - Operation Achilles I

To nobodies surprise the Davion High Command had constantly updated their war plans for the invasion of the Draconis Combine. Even during the detente during the 3050s the war plans that would send dozen's of regiments and RCT's slicing deep into the Combine had been under continual review and had been updated to take account of the latest intelligence and force reports. Of late these reviews and updates had taken on an entirely new urgency however. Therefore Operation Alexander as the current plans were named was almost daily updated and ready to be launched with almost no notice.


Operation Alexander was divided into 3 distinctive sub-operations. The first, Operation Achilles was those elements of the overall invasion which were directed at the Dieron Military District. The second, Operation Ajax was the parts of Operation Alexander which pertained to the invasion of the Benjamin Military District. While the third, Operation Agamemnon was the invasion plans for the Galedon Military District.


On the 10th of February 3070 all three sub-operations of Operation Alexander were authorised and the kick off date for the attack was made the 12th of February. Although it wasn't expected that the various forces would hit enemy territory until almost the end of the month. Still the original operation plan called for hitting the DCMS with everything they could, as hard and fast as they could and keeping the pressure on. This war was going to be fought on the AFFS's terms if the High Command had anything to say about it and they hoped to force the Dragon to be forced onto the back foot and end up responding to them rather than taking the initiate itself.

Operation Achilles

Dieron

No less than 3 RCT's of the Davion Brigade of Guards (the Assault, 2nd and 4th Guards) led the way against Fortress Dieron. Backing them up were the 4th Deneb Light Cavalry RCT and 5th Robinson Rangers RCT as well as all 4 regiments of the Vegan Rangers and 2 of the Fighting Urukhai. No less than a full dozen conventional brigades had been scrambled to add extra weight to the attack, although some of these were not with the invasion forces initial wave just due to the sheer amount of transportation assets this would have required. To escort them came no less than 12 Fox II class corvettes of the 4th Corvette Flotilla and the 4 Avalon class cruisers of the 2nd Cruiser Squadron and a veritable fleet of assault dropships and pocket warships along with multiple wings of independent fleet based aerospace fighters. These fleet elements had also been authorised to use nuclear ordinance if a) the WOB fleet showed itself immediately or 2) if the DCA deployed their own nuclear weapons.

Facing off against this invasion force were the 1st and 2nd Genyosha under the direct command of Kanrei Hohiro Kurita and the 3rd, 49th and 50th Dieron Regulars under Warlord Isoroku Kurita. While the 2 Genyosha regiments and the 3rd Dieron Regulars were battle hardened forces the 49th and 50th Dieron Regulars were scratch formations formed from a mix of retirees, academy graduates and odds and ends that the Warlord had scavenged up to make up the numbers. The conventional forces attached to the 49th and 50th were at least of superior levels of skill having been drawn directly from the regular garrison forces of Dieron. Although this had stripped out the best of these forces. In orbit the Kirishama class cruiser the DCS Siriwan leads the defensive fleet which consists of the additional warships the DCS Dieron Star and 4 Inazuma class corvettes. Outnumbered almost 3:1 the DCA forces are somewhat encouraged when they are informed that their new allies will soon be sending warships to support them.

If and when these reinforcements arrive in time to save the Dragon's sailors is another matter however. Even before the warships close on each other the space between them is filled with the dead and dying as both sides aerospace fighters duel for superiority. The DCA formations are bolstered by the large aerospace assets assigned to defend not only Dieron but it's vital shipyards, however that only gives them equality of numbers. In skill the best of the DCMS and DCA formations can match the battle hardened fighter wings of the AFFS but overall the Davion's level of skill is slightly higher. However in equipment the Kurita fighters find themselves massively outclassed - except for a handful of upgraded designs and similarly sparse Tatsu omnifighters. Compared to the mass numbers of Dagger-O and Huscarl-O's leading the Davion charge which are backed up by even larger numbers of newly produced upgraded Stuka, Ahab, Vulcans, Hammerheads, Corsairs, Tomahawks, Sparrowhawks and Sabres that make up almost the entirety of the Davion aerospace forces. With the benefit of the better equipment and the advantage of marginally more skilled general pilots the Davion fighters begin pushing the Dragon's fighter wings back as the warships advance behind them.

Faced with overwhelming firepower the DCA Admiral in charge from the bridge of the DCS Siriwan orders a general retreat away from Dieron to attempt to preserve his fleet until the arrival of reinforcements allow him to take the fight to the Federated Sun's Navy. Unfortunately for his plan the captain of the DCS Dieron Star and 1 of the attached Inazuma's ignore his orders and instead opt for a more "Bushido" stance of a heroic charge against the invading fleet in the spirit of "true samurai". With much of the fighter cover withdrawing with the main fleet the DCS Dieron Star and it's single escorting corvette are hammered with massed fighter wave attacks with entire wings of Stuka and Hammerhead class aerospace fighters strafing the charging ships until they are both destroyed without coming into range of the Davion task force. Both ships are reduced to wrecks and a handful of pocket warships move in to finish them off while the main task force takes up high orbital positions over Dieron and begins to prepare to land the huge number of troops it's been escorting while keeping an eye on the surviving DCA ships.

As February ended the first of the dropships and drop assault pods began raining down across Dieron while aerospace fighters streaked down to keep the defenders off balance...

Quentin

The veteran 45th Dieron Regulars hadn't forgotten the last time the AFFS had visited and had spent the years since working on the defensive works around the huge Independence Weaponry factory complex. However they were still short nearly a full battalion of mechwarriors but had managed to somewhat allow for this by integrating the defensive security forces of the huge factory directly into their command structure as well as making sure they had the best equipment that Quentin produced within their ranks. They also hadn't only worked with the local security forces but had built up excellent relationships with the local militia forces as well. While on paper they numbered only 7 companies of battlemechs and 2 conventional regiments of troops they had in fact almost 11 companies of battlemech's and a full half dozen conventional regiments of troops at their disposal. One area they couldn't do much about however was the aerospace wings attached to their command. While officially they still numbered 2 wings, they had in fact only a single wing of fighters available. Repeated requests for additional fighters had been either ignored or refused.

Therefore when the first jump signals began to appear Tai-sa Sebastian Iota ordered his troops to fall back on the Steel Valley and into his prepared fortifications. His few fighters were moved to heavily reinforced bunkers for protection and tasked only with contesting air superiority over the Steel Valley itself for as long as possible. While a few of the local politicians decried this lack of proper spirit it was soon proven entirely correct.

Burning in and landing near the end of February were no less than 3 AFFS commands. Led by the 3rd Federated Sun's Armoured Cavalry the task force also consisted of the 4th and 17th Avalon Hussars RCT's. Their combined fighter wings outnumbered the DCMS fighter pilots almost 4:1 and it was all that the 45th's air wings could do to contest the air space directly over their parent formations lines. Even that would soon be beyond them due to sheer attrition.

Landing the AFFS force immedietly moved up to the defensive works around the Steel Valley and prepare for a siege. Their plan was simple. While their combined air wings wore down the defenders the green troops of the 4th Avalon Hussars would probe and test the defences - wearing down the defenders as well as blooding their troops in real albeit low level combat - while the 17th Avalon Hussars and the 3rd FSAC would hold themselves in readiness to break the enemy lines if the opportunity presented itself...

Saffel

In a surprise move the 1st Sheraton Knights appeared over Saffel using a pirate point and began dropping onto the ill prepared word with almost no notice on the 25th of February. With the Knight's battlemech forces landing and forming up a strong landing zone the armoured regiment that many saw as the heart of the Knights began unloading along with the mechanised infantry regiment. The few militia forces on planet mobilised to attempt to hold them back from the planetary capital of Iwanji as February drew to a close...

Altair

The planetary defence forces fresh from word of the invasion at Dieron (and shaken by the sheer size of the reported invasion force the AFFS was committing to the capital of the District) were further rocked when the 33rd Avalon Hussars RCT appeared in their own system on the 27th. While the invading RCT hadn't made planet fall by the end of the month there was widespread panic on the part of the militia formations who were suddenly facing an experienced and well equipped front line Avalon Hussar command. To make morale worse for the defenders the under strength 33rd Avalon Hussars had brought along their empty dropships so as to give the impression they were at full strength... Indeed they had managed to grab an extra Overlord and a Union class dropship which although empty and almost totally decrepit gave the impression that they had an additional reinforced battalion with them on top of their own 4 battalions and command company of battlemechs...

[cawest]

looks like they are looking to start kicking in the front door of the DC

[Billy Boy Mark II]

3070 - February - Operation Ajax I

At the same time that Operation Achilles was hitting the Dieron Military District, Operation Ajax had the AFFS throwing troops forward into the Benjamin Military District - specifically the worlds around the Galtor Thumb and the Combine world of Proserpina.

Proserpina

This key world drew the attention of no less than 8 AFFS commands under Operation Ajax. Led by the 1st Davion Guards RCT the invading force consisted of the Davion Old Guards RCT, 1st Revenant Guards RCT, 1st Kathil Uhlans RCT, 1st and 6th Robinson Rangers RCT, 1st Argyle Lancers and 41st Avalon Hussars RCT. More than that the entire 1st Fleet had been assembled and committed to this operation to hunt down any DCA warships in system and also to ensure the safety of the huge collection of some of the most elite units in the AFFS.

The DCS Victory at Wolcott and the DCS New Samarkand were the 2 warships assigned to Proserpina in anticipation of them escorting the troops assembled there to invade the FedSuns. However the Kyusha class frigate and the Samarkand class light carrier found themselves woefully outnumbered and outgunned. Attempting to hit and run using the DCS's New Samarkand's fighters however backfired spectacularly when the 36 fighters assigned to the strike found themselves torn apart by the massed fighter wings of 5 Davion III destroyers and the fighter wings of the various AFFS formations while the full 120 fighters of the FSS Morgan Hasek-Davion slammed into the 2 Combine warships. While the DCS Victory at Wolcott survived the attack the smaller carrier didn't and the Kyusha frigate heavily damaged had to flee the system.

This left the 1st Sword of Light, 4th Genyosha and 10th Proserpina Hussars to face the invasion alone. The garrison of the continent of Bragadin and the capital city of Conqueror's Pride was the 1st Sword of Light and the 10th Proserpina Hussars (which numbered only 2 battalions of green troops and a regular skilled command company), while the 4th Genyosha protected Darwan and the vital Bulldog Industries plants there.

With 1 of the defending warships destroyed and the other heavily damaged and driven off the AFFS troops began making planet fall under the air cover of not only their own wings but also that of the 1st Carrier Battle Group. Leading the way was the 1st Argyle Lancers on Darwan. As soon as they hit the ground they immedietly formed a screen for the other landing forces. Following the 1st Argyle's were the Davion Old Guard, 1st Revenant Guard and the 1st Robinson Rangers. Meanwhile the 1st Davion Guards, 1st Kathil Uhlans, 6th Robinson Rangers and 41st Avalon Hussars landed near Conqueror's City.

While Sho-sho Shigeru Yoshida would love to mount a more aggressive defence given the forces against him he has little option but to hold fast and prepare for urban warfare. Indeed for a fraction of a minute he had genuinely considered withdrawing and leaving the AFFS forces to take the world and preserve his troops - but he cannot abandon the huge stores built up here nor the prefecture capital world. To do otherwise would be to invite total dishonour upon not only himself but his regiments. All he can do is dig in and hope for reinforcements.

The Davion forces have the troops to simply overwhelm the defending forces, but instead begin to move slowly and with care towards the dug in DCMS regiments. This is going to be a long war and the last thing that the AFFS needs is a half dozen of it's finest units gutted by over aggressive tactics in the first days of the war. As February draws to a close the various AFFS units begin to slowly tighten their own lines on the dug in DCMS formations.

Scheat

The 4th Night Stalkers were too old and too veteran to not know they couldn't hold out when the invading forces arriving in the system were identified as the 1st New Ivaarsen Chasseurs and the 6th FedSun's Dragoons RCT. They immedietly dispersed into the wilderness and began planning for a long campaign of resistance.

As soon as they realised this was the case the invading forces divided up. The 6th FedSuns Dragoons took up garrisoning positions around Scheat while the 1st Chasseurs spread out and began hunting the 4th Night Stalkers. The Chasseurs were helped in this by the fact that combined the 2 Davion forces have 80 fighters compared to the barely 24 which were attached to the Night Stalkers and who are now operating out of hurriedly prepared air fields in the wilderness. In fact the first priority of Marshal Sal Cole is to neutralise these air fields. He is hoping that with the right record of victories in this campaign he can achieve a transfer to a more prestigious unit - such as command of one of the new Avalon Hussars or perhaps even a transfer into the Brigade of Guards.

Fellanin II

The defending 1st Ghost was a veteran unit and at least amongst most of the DCMS well respected unit for it's skill (if not it's members social standing). However when the 3rd Crucis Lancers and both regiments of the Blue Star Irregulars on the Combine border jumped into the system, Tai-sa Kasigi is under no illusions as to the fate of his command if he stands and fights. Without the inbuilt sense of honour that many of his contemporaries have he makes the simple decision to withdraw his command from the system and preserve it for any future counter attack. The total lack of communication from higher up the chain of command just makes the decision easier to implement as far as the practical Tai-sa is concerned. Before blasting off he destroys any military supplies that he can't take with him as well as almost herding most of the formed up militia commands that will fit onto dropships to evacuate alongside him... He heads to Junction to regroup and hopefully counter attack.

When the AFFS forces arrive on planet on the 28th February 3070 the remaining planetary authorities immedietly surrender. With the 1st Ghost fled along with most of the formed up defending militia they had little choice.

[kelgar04]

Caught a good number of the DCMS best with their pants down and with their military head on Derion as well as the heir to the realm on the world combined with the smashed HPG network this is going to really screw the DC.

[Adventwolf]

Good start but unfortunately that comms blackout goes both ways the Combine forces can't talk to each other so they can't get help. The other side of that is that the units not hit don't know they are getting invaded and will still go off to attack the FedSuns when the predetermined date is reached. The FedSuns don't know where every unit is that will invade so some will get through the damage will be lighter than if every unit attacked but it will still be damaging.

Also still hoping that Victor or Peter even (probably a good move on Peter's part) to start supporting the FRR to get them to attack and occupy a few worlds even if only as a distraction this will help out by stretching the Combine even more than they were before. While as a minor nation there is little they can do a victory is still a victory and it will help boost their morale, industrial output and might bring back more of the refugees that fled during the Clan Invasion. With such a different setting than the canon TL the FRR is unlikely to join the Ghost Bear Dominion. Frankly, if Peter works to improve the FRR more and make them a true ally they can be used to hit the clans to help take back worlds. That would be a major boost to both nations' prestige and power something that they desperately need due to their small size and lackluster actions for the FRR and Peter respectively.

[Chris OFarrell]

Good start but unfortunately that comms blackout goes both ways the Combine forces can't talk to each other so they can't get help. The other side of that is that the units not hit don't know they are getting invaded and will still go off to attack the FedSuns when the predetermined date is reached. The FedSuns don't know where every unit is that will invade so some will get through the damage will be lighter than if every unit attacked but it will still be damaging.

The problem is that while in the old days that might have been a really big concern, Victor now has SO many units that he can both deploy a NUMBER of concentrated spearheads at the same time as he still retains very strong interior garrisons AND reaction forces. And forces of a generally decent skill level (and forces STILL running top of the line equipment rather than duct tapped held together Banshees or something).

The Combine will surely press the attack both for strategic reasons and cultural reasons its critical they do ... but rather than slicing past the front and going to town on Victors interior, to their horror they'll find they are probably going to drop onto worlds STILL well defended - and with additional forces inbound in a short time to stomp them!

And THEN they get the Fax's finally coming through saying that Victor sent two MORE spearheads through into Benjamin and Galedon ...

Slowly, inch by inch, Hohiro and Theodore might slowly start to get it through their incredibly thick heads that they have finally pushed Victor past a point of no return. That Victor has finally taken off the kid gloves and decided to break them after years of TRYING to live with them, he's finally snapped any last restraint by building up to invade the Federated suns 'just because we can!'

The worst part of all of this for the Combine is that this preemptive attack is the huge loss of face for House Kurita. Oh I'm sure they'll loudly proclaim this is an unprovoked attack and bla bla bla (and pretty much every person across the rest of the Inner Sphere, even those factions in the FWL that don't like Victor will probably roll their eyes at that one) but being smashed back and placed firmly on the back foot as the AFFS steadily advance INTO the Combine like this? Taking Dieron, the equivalent of Robinson or New Sytris? I mean, we already saw on the tactical level that some of the Generals and Captains refused to do the logical thing of retreating and regrouping for a counter attack, but they stood and fought against impossible odds and lost Warships/Commands/Planets that the Combine REALLY couldn't afford to loose! And yet, the loss of face suffered means that they will probably double down into a vicious circle. People like Tai-sa Kasigi who made the smart decision to pull back and regroup are probably going to get shot for daring to not fight to the death against impossible odds!

Theodore might see the risks here, but find he simply isn't in a position to DO anything about it. Especially with the HPG network like it is and the Black Dragons probably going to flip right back around to killing him and his son and taking power as clearly House Kurita has proven for the last time that it must be destroyed and the GLORIOUS Von Rohrs returned to power!!!1111oneone

This is REALLY not going to end well.

[kelgar04]

Is any of the decendeants Von Rohrs still alive at this point?

[Adventwolf]

That is why I said the damage would be lighter than if Victor hadn't launched his attacks. And unless the FedSuns has perfect intel on just where the Combine was planning on hitting they can only place units so well in order to defend general areas. The Combine is going to get a black eye in this early fight but they are far from being beaten. This isn't the CCAF that was barely a standing army and more of a patchwork militia by the time the war started. The DCMS has the power to last and make Victor bleed for every victory. Also WoB still has their attack to keep the Lyran's from getting fully involved to go through as well. This war is going to go on for a long time and the longer it does the more shit is going to happen from all sides.

[Billy Boy Mark II]

3070 - February - Operation Agamemnon I

Almost the entire Galedon Military District had been plunged into total communication darkness. A handful of stations haven't went offline but even when this is the case there is usually no other station within range that they can "talk" too. Communication that is non-military has been forced into using pony express chains of jumpships while the DCMS is relying almost entirely on their "fax" machines. While they have received word of the coming offensive operations there is almost no communication between the various units beyond the most basic level. It is in this environment that the DCMS troops within the Galedon District face the incoming Operation Agamemnon...

Harrow's Sun

The world of Harrow's Sun is of almost no real value in itself, however it's location on the edge of the Galtor Thumb gives it a major strategic value particularly for the offensive minded DCMS. It is the perfect spot to launch an attack from deep into the Federated Sun's to cut off the Galtor Thumb from resupply and make the AFFS positions there totally untenable. It is for this reason that 3 DCMS regiments have been concentrated there - the Ryuken-ni and the 3rd and 7th Ghost regiments - along with the DCS Takashi, DCS Galedon Warrior and DCS Mountain of Wyrms. While the 3rd and 7th are not prestigious units they are both highly skilled formations and while the 7th is under strength still it has still been considered a viable offensive formation.

Unfortunately for these units the AFFS's High Command agrees with that assessment. While the 1st and 5th Avalon Hussars RCT's had been earmarked for other duties at the last minute after a plan had been put forward by Marshal Roger Williams, their place within Operation Agamemnon's strike on Harrows Sun had been taken by the 9th Avalon Hussars RCT. This unit now joined the Davion Heavy Guards RCT, 4th Robinson Rangers RCT, 6th Crucis Lancers RCT and the 1st Ceti Hussars RCT in combining at a dead system and then jumping to Harrow's Sun. Accompanying this ground force were the 4th Cruiser Squadron and the 3rd Destroyer Squadron - giving the Federated Sun's Navy a superiority of 4 cruisers and 4 destroyers against 1 cruiser, 1 frigate and 1 destroyer. To make matters worse for the defending DCA warships the Federated Sun's High Command has also dispatched a strong force of assault dropships, pocket warships and independent naval fighter wings and regiments to bolster this force.

Tai-sa Masayoshi Kitakyusho in command of the Ryuken-ni and the wider garrison is a master tactician and is under no illusions as to the likelihood of his units being successful in an defence of Harrows Sun. He is also aware of the fact that the planet strategic value as a jump off point for the invasion of the Federated Suns is now entirely gone. Indeed he has come to the conclusion that this huge invasion force signifies that the strategic situation has probably "developed not necessarily to the Combine's advantage" as he quotes to Tai-sa Noah Christienson and Tai-sa Tosakira Kaifu of the 3rd and 7th Ghost. His initial thought is to evacuate the entire force of DCMS troops from the planet and preserve them for more vital battles - however he admits to the 2 Ghost officers that such a move would likely disgrace both himself, his regiment and indeed the entire Ryuken brigade as well as the Ghost units in question as well. Something that cannot be borne. Therefore he has decided that 2 units will withdraw with the warships and leave a single regiment to conduct a defensive campaign until such time as the no doubt already pending DCMS counter attack returns to liberate the planet.

At this stage Tai-sa Kaifu of the 7th Ghost can feel a sinking feeling in his stomach, knowing that his unit is particularly skilled in defensive operations. However he is surprised when instead Tai-sa Kitakyusho informs the other 2 officers that he will be personally staying with his own Ryuken-ni regiment and supporting forces to lead the defence. He givens them written orders to such effect and orders them to get their units off world ideally yesterday. Troops, battlemechs and all other military equipment is to be prioritised in that order. He would rather get the troops off planet than delay and end up with half loaded dropships being burned from the skies as they try to flee. He gives them 3 days to get everything they can loaded, anything or anyone not loaded at that stage will remain and join him in the defence.

Exactly 72 hours afterwards the 3rd and 7th Ghost reach orbit and join with the 3 warships which escort them to the nearest jump point that isn't held by Davion forces. While they have managed to extract their entire regiment and support forces (minus a handful of infantry that volunteered to stay behind) and their full battlemech contingents as well as aerospace fighters (including the Ryuken-ni's aerospace contingent) they have been forced to leave behind roughly half their armour and infantry equipment as well as mountains of supplies of ammunition and spare parts. Most of which Tai-sa Kitakyusho is in the process of dispersing or destroying.

Fighter attacks by the attached naval wings harry the retreating DCMS and DCA forces, but do little damage with the long range missions forced upon the Davion pilots. After a few inconclusive engagements Marshal Jon Davion with the agreement of the admirals in charge of the warships agrees to stop wasting fuel and ordinance and instead begins sending the fighter wings under his command to hit the troops which remain on the surface. However as per his regiment's long experience Tai-Sa Kitakyusho has taken to the field and refused to be besieged. Instead his command has broken into company and battalion sized formations and has prepared numerous hastily assembled stockpiles to support them in a war of movement.

Landing his forces across the world Marshal Davion is easily able to take control of every major population centre. However the Ryuken-ni remains a viable threat. With total air superiority the AFFS is soon searching for them from the air while the 1st Ceti Hussars takes the lead in the pursuit with the 9th Avalon Hussars in support. His remaining troops are either engaged in garrison work or acting as beaters/response units for the pursuing forces. Given the huge predominance of AFFS military strength on planet it is only a matter of time before the Ryuken-ni is forced to battle at which time the Davion forces can converge and destroy it with their vast firepower...

Weisau

The defending 1st Amphigean Light Assault Group finds itself facing (to the best of it's knowledge) the 2nd and 4th Ceti Hussar's RCT's when the 2 AFFS formations arrive in system and make a combat burn for the planet. Immediately the 1st Amphigean breaks into 2 components under it's experienced leadership and heads into the bush to fight a guerrilla campaign. Unfortunately for the smaller of these formations the AFFS forces have "hidden" the 2nd Tancredi Loyalist LCT within the 2 larger formations and during the combat drop onto the planet the Loyalists manage to break off and surprise the 3rd battalion of the 1st Amphigean, pinning them in place while the 2nd Ceti Hussars moves up to envelop and destroy them in a 3 day battle between the 24th and 27th of February.

Hearing the calls for help from Tai-sa Two Feather's command of the 3rd Battalion his long term commanding officer Tai-sa Trueffeau attempts to break through with his own 1st and 2nd battalions to relieve his trapped troops. The 4th Ceti Hussars although green use their larger size and heavier battlemech's to good effect to block any breakthrough and buy time for the 2nd Ceti Hussars and 2nd Tancredi Loyalists to destroy the isolated battalion. On the 27th Tai-sa Trueffeau breaks of his attempt to save his 3rd battalion and retreats back into the wilderness - having lost over half of his own command's strength in the attempt. Although he has mauled the 4th Ceti's Alpha and Beta Combat Commands and destroyed nearly a third of the green units fighting strength.

While the 4th was holding off the remainder of the 1st Amphigean the other 2 commands destroy the units 3rd battalion and take the few survivors into custody - where they are immedietly shipped off planet to a facility on Sun Prairie. The 2nd Tancredi Loyalists have taken almost 30% casualties but have proven their worth beyond a shadow of a doubt. The 2nd Ceti Hussars however has suffered almost no damage - losing only a single companies worth of battlemechs. Leaving the 4th Hussars and 2nd Tancredi Loyalists to repair their damaged equipment and salvage what they can the 2nd Ceti Hussars heads off in pursuit of the battered 1st Amphigean Forces almost immedietly not giving them time to melt back into the wilderness entirely or time to stand down to repair their damage...

[kelgar04]

Can anyone else hear the screams of rage coming from Derion and Luithen?

Its music to my ears.

[pete879]

Can't say I like the way these first waves are coming along. Too much common sense and too little "true" bushido on the part of the DCMS. Especially the DCA refusing to stay and fight (who could blame them other than a true samurai) can prove very troublesome down the road.

[Adventwolf]

Interesting to see that despite the stupid fake Bushido thing the Combine has that the ground fights are not taking months to years to fight with large civilian collateral damage. Almost as if the way war is fought if you aren't a madman is to maintain the planet as intact as possible.

Well the Galtor Thumb is safe for now and it might get expanded a bit from this war as well. The worlds still with forces fighting on them will make it necessary to win them completely before launching the next series of attacks. Well the Carrier has proven its worth in this first campaign.

Will there be expansions to the refit and repair yards any time soon? Victor has kind of pushed to the current limit of what can be supported for new warship construction slips but repair and refit slips should still be able to be expanded. Also speaking of refit centers are any new Battlemech centers planned? Having at least one major center in each of the Marches would go a long way towards increasing the recovery time of units in the AFFS. Having one in the CM, DM, CrM, LM, and since it is expanding with both the Outback and the new colonies and conquests a future Periphery March would benefit as well.

How is the TC doing so far? They have been getting a lot of aid from the FedSuns and their shipyards should have been converted to civilian production by now as well. Plus the infrastructure and support systems that are being rebuilt with the help of the FedSuns. Their military should still be shattered but their economy should at least be recovering well by now. Plus the deal the FedSuns made with the Calderon Protectorate never really was ended so when it merged back with the TC that deal should have transferred as well. That means that the TC should have a steady stream of mechs and equipment being added even if it is all general mechs and nothing too special.

[cawest]

I wonder when the WoB is going to start showing up with magic mushrooms for everyone.  Will the regular DC and WoB units stand and fight or also pull back?

[Chris OFarrell]

If the WOB have a shred of sense, they'll send token forces to support the DCMS, but most of their force will be best used in an independent thrust into the Federated Suns. Quite possibly deep raiding forces that jump through deep space behind the border and go for key military-industrial targets using a Shadow Division combined with a couple of warships to hit and run. Try to cause as much chaos and disruption behind the lines as they can and screw the spearheads forward momentum.

It would be very VERY hard to pull off mind you and might just mean the Shadow Divisions get stuck deep inside the Federated Suns without any way out as enraged AFFS units converge on them (because these guys do NOT fight clean) and indeed, open the door for ComStar to take Terra 'on the fly' at it were, but...

[kelgar04]

If the WOB have a shred of sense, they'll send token forces to support the DCMS, but most of their force will be best used in an independent thrust into the Federated Suns. Quite possibly deep raiding forces that jump through deep space behind the border and go for key military-industrial targets using a Shadow Division combined with a couple of warships to hit and run. Try to cause as much chaos and disruption behind the lines as they can and screw the spearheads forward momentum.

It would be very VERY hard to pull off mind you and might just mean the Shadow Divisions get stuck deep inside the Federated Suns without any way out as enraged AFFS units converge on them (because these guys do NOT fight clean) and indeed, open the door for ComStar to take Terra 'on the fly' at it were, but...

That would be a crash and burn strategy for the WoB it would literally poking a lion with a spear while wrapped in deer meat. They are no were near canon strength and even with the factories of sol and the five supporting them FedSuns have mass and quality on them as well as an equal and maybe even larger fleet.

If they try a deep strike style raid they are going to get chewing up by the amount of Regiments, RCTs and LCTs that are going to get thrown at the shadow divisions. Hell the New Avalon Borderers were made for this kind of fight.

[Billy Boy Mark II]

In fairness the Avalon Borderer LCT's are ideally suited for tying up a WOB Division or Shadow Division. A reinforced battalion of battlemechs is just enough to hold out, while the support forces give them the numbers to keep the WOB pinned and fighting while say a bigger RCT or battlemech regiment arrives... Or 3.

[Adventwolf]

In fairness the Avalon Borderer LCT's are ideally suited for tying up a WOB Division or Shadow Division. A reinforced battalion of battlemechs is just enough to hold out, while the support forces give them the numbers to keep the WOB pinned and fighting while say a bigger RCT or battlemech regiment arrives... Or 3.

I mean that was the whole reason the LCTs were created for after all. They are defenses and light raiding units by design. They can force the enemy to stay in one place and hit quickly from their home bases.

[Lord Harlock]

Well that and the fact that LCT is easily transportable on a single Star Lord Jumpship.

[kelgar04]

You know it also helps that all of their RCT, LCTS and Regiments except for two notables most likely have all new equipment or means as a knock on the militias are probably getting a lot of their old frontline mechs or maybe even some new builds as well.

[Chris OFarrell]

In fairness the Avalon Borderer LCT's are ideally suited for tying up a WOB Division or Shadow Division. A reinforced battalion of battlemechs is just enough to hold out, while the support forces give them the numbers to keep the WOB pinned and fighting while say a bigger RCT or battlemech regiment arrives... Or 3.

True enough, although in such a scenario, the Shadow Divisions (who lets face it, are scary ****** to face off against) will not be playing nice which will even the odds. Use of WMDs and especially their warships coming into low orbit and providing precise tactical ortillary to wipe strong points off the map as the Toaster Worshipers get in, destroy whatever factory or command center or other strategic target they want to hit. Then pack up and get out before reaction forces arrive.

4-5 groups like this crawling through the Crucis March could be a gigantic headache for Victor to deal with. But yes indeed, the much greater militia and LCT coverage means its much more likely a deep strike force will get hung up long enough for a reaction force to jump in.