This update shows how much of a Collective Effort this timeline has become so I would like to thank:
Blackhorse 6 - Ryan-Bowman story line
James Tanaga - Rim Collection's little addition (if you'll pardon the pun)
marauder648 - for the Leviathan salvage operation
I've molded their work to fit the timeline but they deserve as much credit as I do.
I hope everyone enjoys the update.
AFFS High Command Briefing, Fox's Den
Avalon City, New Avalon
Crucis March, Federated Suns
1st May 3097
The worlds of the Federated Suns flickered silently in air. The holographic images projected by the Fox's Den TactiCon System cast colored images across the faces of the assembled commanders. In the ten minutes it took him to speak, the Duke of the Crucis March had managed to silence even the most verbose skeptics under the impact of the data provided - checked, rechecked and lastly, lamented. Upon conclusion of his brief, Duke Paul Ryan-Bowman returned to his seat as the rest of those assembled turned to the First Prince for his lead on the way ahead.
Prince Victor nodded his concurrence at what he had seen and coincidentally had feared as true. He regarded the NAMA war game projections playing out and knew he had seen the plan once before, a plan proposed and implemented by one of his own relatives but with more recent considerations and an unforeseen twist.
“Duke Paul, I have seen the first part of your proposal once before, when I was a cadet at the Nagelring. I believe Archon Alessandro Steiner referred to the plan as the “Concentrated Weakness” strategy. This second part, the… uhh… ‘Sword Teams’, now that is new. Are you proposing that we adapt both concurrently for our defense of the Federated Suns?”
The Duke rose to his feet standing on the Prince’s left side. “I am my Prince, in the stages indicated, with the Capellan and Draconis Marches being the first tier of defense and the Crucis March second tier. As any incursion would necessitate the release of forces for war, those of the Crucis March will need to be held in garrison for immediate movement to the front lines of either March. Unlike the original plan developed at the start of this century, we have one decisive edge over either Succession State enemy – our Navy, only the Nova Cats and Snow Ravens can out number us. Consequently unlike Alessandro’s era, we have the ability to strike and devastate on a planetary scale. Should it become necessary, I propose that we level the military staging and industrial capacity of our opponents with orbital bombardment. Light Commodore Matthew Davion has had remarkable insights in this area; I believe he has several new developments that we would find invaluable when he returns from assignment in the Rim Collection.”
“Are you mad? The Star League will intervene against us for doing this just once, much less multiple times”, came the reply from Marshal of the Armies, Sora Higginson. “There is a buffer zone enforced by the SLDF to stop any more Capellan adventurism for the foreseeable future. Unlike the rest of what the Duke proposes, you cannot seriously entertain this part of the plan my Prince, its pure foolishness now as it was during the Succession Wars, we cannot allow ourselves to devolve as low to employ orbital bombardment and Weapons of Mass Destruction as a common tactic.” She said passionately looking around the room “I believe the Duke is overestimating the threat the Capellans present to us and I know that we can stop the Combine from making further inroads to our space using tactics we have long perfected; not by using tactics that leave millions and worlds dead.”
Duke Paul shut off the projector and leaned forward on the table, staring past Victor at Sora. “I hope you are right Marshal, if the SLDF stays involved, the timeline to rearm will be quicker.” He wasn't convinced the SLDF had anyone's interests at heart except their own. “However, we need to rebuild if you have a better plan then I’d love to hear it. For the last eighteen months we have lost ground in two Marches and now, now we may have the Raven Alliance ready to take a swipe at us. We are force depleted from these latest misadventures and understrength, both in BattleMechs and MechWarriors. So severely in fact the best idea your command came up with was to create LCTs and not rebuild our traditional RCTs.” He said staring down the Marshal of Armies “oh and as for the LCT concept, the Wild Geese created Squadrons almost forty years ago, so nice job copying my work.” He said he knew she wasn't the architect behind the Light Combat Team, that had been Galen Cox, but she had expanded the idea. “Now if you seriously think that we are fooling anyone, anywhere about our weaknesses you are sadly mistaken. So unless you can conjure up about twenty veteran BattleMech regiments to solve this dilemma…” At this Marshal Higginson turned red and started to stand.
“Enough both of you!” growled Prince Victor, “Duke Paul is right and we all know it the miss-adventures, as he puts it, have weakened the Marchs and returning all the March forces to RCTs will result in one thing – exactly the same situation all over again." He pointed out he had little to no trust in either the Draconis or Capellan March lords at present. “Sora, you used almost everything not nailed down in reconstituting the Third Davion Guards last year even with production we're replacing losses little else. We, all of us, are here to find a way to get this nation back where it needs to be.” He said Paul smiled much to the distaste of the Marshal of Armies “However, Sora is also right” the First Prince said “I will not order our navy to employ the tactics used during the Succession Wars. We have the capability we do not need to use it. We can show that WarShips can defend and support our people not just destroy entire planets!” He said raising his voice the naysayers of the Navy and its massive cost often pointed out that WarShips could only destroy planets unlike BattleMechs which could capture and hold them. “Now, please explain this ‘Sword Team’ idea that will assist in doing just this.”
“Simply my Prince? Step one, we reduce budgetary authorizations for BattleMech production by fifteen percent for the next ten years and shift to armor and battle armor training.” Duke Paul caught the gasps and grumbles of the others but continued on. “Two, we create new armor and battle armor formations from those March Militias and local units. We augment them with the latest graduates and material from the academies. Three, we train them to the limits of their capabilities for six months, then assign them into armor brigades. This will improve the fighting levels of all units the Sword Teams join, so we can create battalions and regiments of better than average crews and infantrymen, we split them out of the formations and start again. Outcome? This will compensate for the more inexperienced ‘Mech units we are fielding now by giving the MechWarriors time enough to develop their skills.”
Victor smiled suddenly as the plan played out in his head. “So, while we rebuild using armored crews and battle armor infantry in the short term,” Victor mused, “we trade the ‘Mech role with them and slowly reverse over the next fifteen years? ‘13 seems like a long way off… but we also improve active and March forces in the process, while developing a better trained core of MechWarriors, time permitting. If we need to move troops forward, then they would be better skilled than they are currently…”
Marshal Higginson rechecked her figures and projections with caution. “It could work, it actually could work.” Victor regarded this as a good sign, as well as the positive comments from the others. Several were now leaned forward and actively engaged in smaller conversations and planning points. Smiling he nodded to Duke Paul a silent thank you for his assistance they were a long way from being ready. “However I would suggest less of a drastic cut to Mech production” she said continuing almost speaking to herself as she made a couple of alterations before sending the new statistics to the AFFS Commanders. “Instead we cut WarShip production in half” she said hearing a couple of gasps the new WarShip fleet was a great source of pride for the FSN “we already have a WarShip fleet that can hold its own against all our neighbours. Even cutting production we can still stay ahead of the Capellans comfortably and we know that the Combine cannot concentrate its forces, due to the Rasalhague Dominion and Raven Alliance, we can.” Paul looked at the figures he wasn't entirely convinced Sora was right but the boosted Mech Production would take two or three years off his estimates to rebuild regiments and commands.
“I believe that this contingency plan of yours will work and we will implement it as our plan ahead backed by Admiral Forester's plan to create WarShip squadrons.” He said remarking on one of the senior Admiral's ideas the Federated Suns had a strong naval arm concentrating it against threats was something that was long overdue. “You know,” Victor began as he followed the others movements, leaning forward in his chair too. “many times in the past we haven’t always seen eye to eye, but you have proven invaluable to this nation time and time again Duke Bowman I personally thank you.”
“My Prince, the answer is simple, you returned me and my family to our world. Tikonovans are practical people, as you well know. I could rule the Suns with Alexandra's help” he said carefully seeing distaste at the statement from many but Victor's expression did not change “but the people want and need you and your family. The Federated Suns is its people, the Federated Suns is House Davion, and the Federated Suns is not House Ryan-Bowman.” He said continuing when Victor remained silent “my wife and I know your family’s wrongs and mistakes, I know you know my families mistakes, yet we choose to stay side-by-side for who you are now, not who you were before.”
“It’s a certainty that you have always have been there,” said Victor “any regrets?”
Duke Paul replied sadly, “I’d ask my niece Pamela that question, if I could…”
Clan Border Fighting
Arc-Royal Theatre, Donegal Province
Lyran Commonwealth
2nd May 3097
A series of heavy raids by Clan Jade Falcon strike at the Lyran Commonwealth. In each case the Kell Hounds and Clan Mountain Wolf along with allied mercenary forces move to counter them. The fighting on Great X claims two Mountain Wolf Clusters in exchange one of the Jade Falcon's best units is destroyed in the fighting with the defenders holding the ground to remain in control of the planet.
Similarly on Graceland the Second Kell Hounds Regiment and two small mercenary commands are virtually destroyed as they face off against two front-line Jade Falcon commands. Despite the damage they do the Jade Falcons are unable to break the mercenaries and are forced into retreat. With the Second Regiment destroyed the survivors are folded into the First Kell Hounds making it a reinforced regiment. With Akira Brahe's recent retirement of Akira Brahe the seventy-one year old Christian Kell, formerly commander of the Second Regiment, becomes commander of the reinforced First Kell Hounds Regiment however Christian already has plans for his successor with Katrina Allard and his own son Jeremy Kell waiting in the wings for command. Between the two Jeremy is the older and more experienced however Katrina is Megan Kell's daughter and “heir” to the ownership of the Hounds.
Medical Facility
Greene, Timbuktu
Rim Collection
5th May 3097
Nearly ten days late Victoria Able is born at a medical facility on Timbuktu after her mother had insisted on travelling to inspect the Fourth Rim Lancers CCT. The first child of Karen Able and Matthew Davion both mother and child come through the birth in healthy condition. Within hours it is reported that President Jerry Able and Matthew Davion are enroute to the planet to visit the new additions to the Able family.
Launching Ceremony
Titan Shipyards, Sol System
Star League Protectorate
15th May 3097
During the height of the original Star League-era the SLDF had tried and failed to produce a Super-carrier-class of vessel. The Enterprise-class had been one of the Star League's great failures and eventually the only failed prototype had been dragged into the Sol System asteroid belt and left to rot. Now the new SLDF was trying to succeed where its predecessor had failed and the first day had gone particularly well.
Unlike the original SLDF the new Star League had a few hundred years of research and development behind it as well as the advances that the Clans had made. Also unlike their predecessors the new SLDF designers had built a new prototype hull devoid of weapons or systems instead testing the engines and systems. The new “Enterprise” coasted gracefully from Titan shipyards under its own power making a single gravity's accelerated orbit around the facility before returning to the docks. Built deep into the hull the new WarShip Anti-Missile System, Lithium Fusion Battery Mk II, Naval Comm Scanner Suits and Naval C3 systems had all been built directly into the hull on construction none were fully operational yet but once they were and the ships weapons had been added the new SLS Enterprise would be one of the most capable WarShips in existence. Engineers expected the fitting out process to take another two to three years followed by another three to five years for the WarShip to be combat ready.
To cater for the Enterprise and her planned six sister ships aerospace fighter production facilities had begun to stockpile surplus production for the SLDF instead of selling it onto the Succession Stated and they had begun to expand their facilities to match large fighter capacity. Even with the SLDF fleet supporting it and the new WAMS installed in the Carrier's heart the SLDF knew that the big ships would be vulnerable to enemy weapons especially nuclear weapons. To counter this threat the SLDF had begun plans to build a new range of “Pocket WarShips” which would be permenantly assigned to the vessels as escorts.
Rasalhague Salvage Operation
Rasalhague, Rasalhague Dominion
24th May 3097
Even at the multi-kilometre distance the dead, lifeless hulk of the seventeen hundred metre long Rasalhague was impressive. Her flank was torn and ravaged in the battle with the Perigrad Zalman, which had been totally written off by the Ghost Bears as salvage, with the black marks of weapon impacts covering the hull where it had not been penetrated. The sickening damage showed up clearly under powerful floodlights built into the noses of the shuttles. “There appears to be little in the way of debris in orbit around her, she has got a slow port roll but not enough to generate any form of gravity.” The pilot said.
“Any power readings?” Star Commander Dixon asked
“Neg, there are no power readings at all, and no other thermal signatures, the Rasalhague is cold and dead.”
“Understood, let the salvage parties know they are go for docking.”
“Aff Sir.”
Six boarding shuttles slowly approached the slowly spinning hulk. There had been concerns that with her great size that fires would still be burning inside the Rasalhague but it appeared that her hull had been opened to space and that there was no oxygen for them to feed off. This of course meant that the salvage teams would need to operate in shifts in their Aerie PA(L)’s until the hull was sealed and life support restored but there was three dozen teams aboard the Legacy-class Yardship Orestes which was enroute to assist with operations. Once she arrived there would be hundreds of men and women dedicated to restoring power and life to the mighty battleship that had given her all in the defence of the world she was named after.
When it was discovered that whilst her hull was ravaged and would likely need years of repair, the ship was still structurally sound and intact the Khan had decreed that the Rasalhague be salvaged. Whilst there were some grumbles about the cost from the civilians it was also seen as being a boost for jobs in system as orbital facilities would be working overtime to produce the hull plating whilst computers, wiring and other internal systems could be made at other systems within the Dominion, increasing revenue when it was most needed. Ultimately the Rasalhague would likely have to be moved to the Alshian Shipyards for her final repairs.
Nearly eight hours later the salvage crews had still not explored the length of the vessel their progress hindered by the discovery of intact docking hatches. Unable to enter the main docking bays the crews had been forced to make multiple entry points spreading across the length of the tumbling wreck.
“Hatch is secure! Stand by for depressurization.”
The twenty-five Aerie armoured salvagers ensured their mag-boots were active as the air was pumped out of their pressure bay. The sounds of the shuttle, the soft rumble of its engines was replaced with silence only filled by the sounds of breathing within the armour.
“Opening hatch now…”
The pressure-door on the other side within the Rasalhague had blown, all that was left of it was a mangled lump of misshapen metal, the corridor beyond was utterly dark but in seemingly good condition, some spar’s of metal had collapsed and there was some wall plate buckling.
“Alpha Point with me, Beta Point try and head aft to the tertiary reactor controls and update me on what you find there keep an eye out for unexploded munitions people, even WarShips occasionally fire a dud.” He cautioned them. “The rest of you take separate corridors, we do not need to be bottled up, see what we have here.”
“Aff, Star Commander.”
Splitting into their individual points they headed towards their targets deeper within the ship. The deeper they went the more pronounced the damage became. Some bodies were found, burned, crushed or void frozen, all wearing the emblem of the Dominion at their breast it would be enough to turn many people's stomach. When the ship was fully explored the bodies would have to be disposed of with the honour and respect they deserved.
“Epsilon Point One reporting, we have reached the main spinal corridor, there is a lot of debris here, it appears that this section was struck by some heavy ordinance, two hundred meters from my position we have a significant hull breach, the hull plates are melted indicating a PPC or laser penetration.”
“Theta Point One reporting, we are en-route to the primary magazine, we are having to cut through fire doors as they were all sealed in this sector.”
“Delta Point One reporting, we have reached primary fire control for the port forward battery, the section is open to space, I can see the Rasalhague star above my head.” The Point commander reported Dixon could hear the sense of awe in his voice, there was little else more spectacular than looking into open space.
“Understood, continue your investigation and keep an eye on your oxygen supplies, I do not want to add more corpses to those aboard this ship.” He warned the Aerie Power Armour suit had extended life support systems giving them extra time on the hulk.
“Aff, Star Commander” came the multitude of replies.
Climbing or cutting through wreckage that blocked their path the Salvage teams worked deeper into the ship, It took two hours for Alpha Point to reach their target and all five Clansmen stood in silence for a moment.
The bridge was a unlike the rest of the ship, not a wreck. Buried deep within the Rasalhague’s hull in a reflection of ancient surface ships command centres it was a target that was near impossible to hit, surrounded by thick armour as well as multiple fire doors and bulkheads, but all were open. Still strapped into their chairs the command crew of the Rasalhague had their heads bowed as if in prayer, a side effect of rigor making muscles tense, hence the slightly curled position.
“They stayed at their posts, why not abandon ship?”
“You saw the fire damage we had to get through two decks down, there was no way past that inferno.” Dixon said quietly
“Yet the fire doors were all open Quiaff?”
“Aff…so why did it not reach here?” One of the boarders checked a corpse.
“They vented their air, depressurized the ship to kill the fires but to do so would require someone to do it from here. “
“Their ship was doomed, they could not escape, they gave their lives so that she might be salvageable, it explains why the whole ship is depressurized, they vented all the atmosphere and then opened what doors they could.” Dixon said he understood what the crew had done and he respected them, in their place given the choice he would have much rather died of asphyxiation than having being burned alive. The Rasalhague had gone through a lot but she still had a long journey ahead of her before being returned to service.
