The Fox’s Den
New Avalon
Crucis March
Federated Commonwealth
June 1st, 3057
The glow of the various displays bathed the darkened secure conference room in an otherworldly glow. If the lights had been on, one would see a hardwood table made of Salem birchwood, surrounded by custom rolling chairs made from the same material. Everywhere was wooden reliefs of the sigils of the Davion family, the Federated Suns, and the Federated Commonwealth. On one wall was a rack, with unit coins from every regiment in the AFFC, including mercenary units of note. It was said in the mercenary trade, that if your unit coin got on that wall, you had “hit the big time”.
But the lights being off was indicative of one thing; a major operation was being planned, and about to be executed. Katherine Steiner-Davion rubbed her palms again to deal with the sweat beading of off them. Why am I so damn nervous? Jackson, Ran, Ardan, and my brother have been over this thing. It’s as good a plan as we can make. We smashed the Capellan operational reserve at Sarna. It’s just a matter of bringing this thing to an end.
Katherine hated the ruffle of her “court dress”. It was something that had been provided by some up and coming designer on Pherkad that she wouldn’t normally wear in a million years, but it rustled every time it moved..and it was distracting her thoughts.
A voice, sounding suspiciously like her father, then responded “Dear daughter, it’s because the Capellans know how this will end. And so do you, so they’re going to fight like madmen. The casualties are going to be heavy, but this has to be done. The Capellan Confederation has become the mad dog of the Inner Sphere. It has to be put down.”
Katherine swallowed and gripped her palms tighter. She nodded wordlessly, I know, Daddy. I am just scared.
The voice responded. "We’ll always be with you, sweetheart. Now go do what has to be done."
Katherine turned her attention back to the briefer, a tall, lanky, raven haired female Kommandant in service dress, she was impeccably turned out for this brief. And she was doing a bang up job. Katherine lightly admonished herself for not listening as she went over the final elements of ACTIVE PANTHER, and when it was expected to kick off. “-we expect that the final elements we need will be in position no later than 4 June, as we have been pushing jumpships into the Sarna March as fast as we can.”
Jackson Davion stopped the briefer for a moment. “Kommandant Harris, first off, damn nice brief. The Archon-Prince and I thank you. Second, is the 4th a hard date?”
Kommandant Harris grimaced “Sadly, no sir. The J-3 shop isn’t at all sure about that, but we’re moving like hell to make it. The guys at the T&R routing aren’t getting any sleep these days.”
Victor Steiner-Davion then chimed in, his missing arm noticeable from the pinned up left sleeve, a souvenir of his own recent brush with death. “Jackson, we know this is very much a ‘come as you are’ war. We need to go as soon after Sarna as we can manage. I know the troops are tired, and I know we’re dipping hard into the log stockpiles, but the fact is? We have to end this, before the Capellans do anything else.”
Katherine cleared her throat. “What of the Mariks, and the Blakists, brother? We still haven’t figured out our responses there.”
Victor shook his head “No, Sis, we haven’t. Fact is, and I know you agree, but we need to end this as soon as we can, to keep this from escalating with the Mariks. As for the Blakists?” Victor held up his stump “-that’s going to be a long term project. One I am sure you can get off to a fine start.” Victor smiled a feral smile at the last thought, his teeth being reflected in the light of the displays. “There’s also the issue of the Combine’s slow implosion. So far, it’s not affected the Commonwealth any, but we all know that could change, on a dime.”
“You discussed that with Omi, Victor?” Katherine asked.
Victor nodded. “In between her and I discussing more…personal matters. But yes, she’s of the opinion that someone in the civil war’s going to try and expand the fighting to suck us in. And if that happens, I am not at all sure how the hell we are going to restrain the Draconis March, and to an extent? Would we want to?”
“Didn’t we say, brother, that we were committed to the idea of ‘one war at a time’?” Katherine stated, a tone of minor frustration in her voice.
“Yes, we did, but right now, we’re stuck reacting to events. ACTIVE PANTHER is going to get us the initiative back, but it’s going to commit a large part of the striking force the AFFC has. The rest is going to be busy watching the Wolves on the new border. And we have to figure out what the hell we reinforce Skye and the Drac March with?”
Katherine sighed “I know. James Sandoval has an audience with me later today, and I suspect he’s going to ask for his Robinson Rangers back, and honestly, I can’t say no.”
Victor smiled “Then don’t. It’s not like we desperately need them, and by the time they arrive back in the March, things might have calmed down. Least, I hope they will.”
Katherine shrugged “All we can do, So, I guess all that’s left to do is decide. Go, or no-go, and more importantly, when?”
Jackson Davion grinned with a smile that looked like a cat that had had a very fine meal of canary. “Well, we were thinking your highness. June 6th is a wonderfully auspicious date…and it’s a fine way to tweak the Blakists as well.”
Katherine laughed “And you want me to authorize it? I have to admit, they’re already pretty mad at us as it is. In for a penny, I suppose?”
“Well, there was that bit about that ‘creative response’ to the deaths of your parents. Not that I or anyone in this room minded, but I suspect the Blakists might be of a different mind.”
“Jackson, with all respect to those present. To hell with the Blakists. We go on the 6th. It is a very auspicious date. And, I do rather like tweaking the hell out of those robed bastards. And Quintus?”
Quintus Allard had been silent, mostly keeping his own counsel. “Yes, your Highness?”
“Tell the lads, I want to top the last time. Tell them to ‘get creative’. And tell them they’re to go on the Sixth as well. I want the Capellans to feel our wrath till we have ‘Mechs in the Forbidden Palace.”
Qunitus smiled evilly. “I will pass on your instructions, your Highness. Are they to leave the calling cards again?”
“Of course, would be rude not to?”
Active Panther, Phase 1:
I remember when we got word from AFFC CJCS to commence Phase One. There was cheers all around the Command Post for a good five minutes before Field Marshal Hasek calmed us down. Only time I ever remember being happy to commence a military operation.
“Musings of a Staff Officer – My Life and Times with the AFFC”
- Kommandant Samuel Fox, AFFC (Ret), 3069
Sarna Thrust
Capella:
Attackers: 7th Crucis Lancers RCT, Davion Assault Guards RCT, 1st Kestrel Grenadiers RCT, 2 Artillery Brigades
Defenders: Little Richard’s Panzer Brigade, Capella Home Guard (Division Sized Combined Arms unit, including 1 battalion of ‘Mechs), Capellan War College Legion (Battalion Sized unit
Results: After some desultory fighting, the Panzer Brigade quickly picked up stakes and fled off world, headed for Outreach. The Home Guard and the Legion fortified Ceres City and made the Davions fight block by block for the world. The FC obliged, and after 28 days of brutal house to house fighting, the Federated Commonwealth flag flew from the ruins of the Ceres Metals plant. Barely a battalion’s worth of survivors were left to surrender to the Federated Commonwealth forces.
Sarmaxa:
Attacker: Grim Determination, Lindon’s Regiment, Hansen’s Roughriders, 2 Artillery Brigades
Defender: Tooth of Ymir (4 Battalions in size), Sarmaxa Home Guard (1 combined arms regiment)
Results: The fighting for Sarmaxa was expected to be rough, and it did not disappoint, with the Tooth of Ymir fighting hard for every inch of the planet soon after the FC forces made planetfall. After 10 days of fighting, and there being no sign of relief from the Confederation, the Tooth of Ymir asked for terms. The FC forces, led by Colonel Sarah Lindon, offered the Tooth the honors of war, and let them leave unmolested. The next day, the Home Guard surrendered unconditionally.
No Return:
Attacker: 1st Davion Guards RCT, 6th Syrtis Fusiliers RCT, 4th Royal Guards, 3 Artillery Brigades
Defender: House Hiritsu (50% strength), No Return Home Guard (3 combined arms battalions)
Results: House Hiritsu put up a brave but doomed defense, as they were outnumbered, outgunned, and lacked enough skill and experience to make a go of it, with the remaining elements being destroyed after being pinned against the Tief River along with the Home Guard. Barely a battalion’s worth of Capellan troops managed to surrender after 2 hours of one sided fighting.
Randar:
Attacker: 2nd Ceti Hussars RCT, Blue Star Irregulars, 6th Crucis Lancers RCT, 2 Artillery Brigades
Defender: Randar Home Guard (2 combined arms battalions)
Results: The Home Guard stacked arms and surrendered soon after the arrival of FC troops, as the Capellan commander was not eager to “be a party to the murder of his own troops.”
Minnacora:
Attacker: 20th Avalon Hussars RCT, Delta, Gamma, and Epsilon Regiments, and Zeta Battalion, Wolf’s Dragoons, 2 Artillery Brigades
Defender: Kincade’s Rangers and Minnacora Home Guard (1 combined arms regiment)
Results: The Rangers and Home Guard dug in around the Cortide Magnetics plant, and fought hard to keep the Hussars and Dragoons out. They held both units off for three days, but succumbed when Zeta Battalion performed a low altitude avalanche drop under cover of artillery and air support right atop the factory. With the perimeter breached, both the Home Guard and Rangers crumbled and were crushed within hours.
Tsinghai:
Attacker: 36th Lyran Guards RCT, 1st Fedcom RCT, Laurel’s Legion
Defender: Redfield’s Renegades, House Matsukai, Tsinghai Home Guard (2 infantry battalions)
Results: Tsinghai turned into a meatgrinder, with neither side showing nor expecting quarter, and both sides were exhausted by the end of the month. Both sides soon dug in and awaited reinforcements.
St. Ives Thrust
Harloc:
Attacker: 1st and 2nd St. Ives Lancers
Defender: Harloc Home Guard
Results: The St. Ives units arrived in time to preside over the end result of a coup that had placed a pro-St. Ives planetary government in charge.
Hexare:
Attacker: Aliesha’s Mounted Fusiliers, Devon’s Armored Infantry, Group W, Davion Heavy Guards RCT
Defender: Lockhardt’s Ironsides, Hexare Home Guard
Results: Lockhardt’s Ironsides were routed handily when their attempt to attack the LZs of Devon’s Armored Infantry ended in disaster, with the 1st and 3rd battalions being destroyed piecemeal, and the 2nd battalion being forced to surrender. The Home Guard remained in barracks and surrendered the next day.
Zilang Thrust
Yuris:
Attackers: Team Banzai, Lexington Combat Group (all three regiments), 41st Avalon Hussars
Defenders: Yuris Home Guard
Results: The Yuris Home Guard was smashed within hours of the FC landings, and this cut off the Capellan-Blakist advances against Frazier and Bromhead, leading to the CCAF and WOBM sending frantic orders to their forces to mass to retake Yuris. The FC forces on Yuris were ordered to dig in and be ready to greet them.
Celestial Palace
Throne Room
Forbidden City
Sian
June 9th, 3057
I can hear your laughter, Mother. Sun-Tsu Liao grimaced as he looked at the daily situation reports. It was one disaster after another, McCarron’s Armored Cavalry butchered, other mercenaries deserting rather than fighting? Home Guard units surrendering? It was making the 4th War look like a worst case exercise.
And all through it, Sun-Tsu could hear his mother’s incessant laughter.
“Senior Colonels, what advice do you have for me?”
Talon Zahn clicked his heels, he was resplendent in his dress uniform, and his black hair shone in the harsh lighting of the throne room. “Your Celestial Wisdom. The only advice I have is a simple statement: ‘Wo gao-su le ni’ We told you this plan would not work, we told you a variant of LONG MARCH would have been a better option-“
Zahn’s remonstrative was cut short with a subtle grunt of pain, as a stiletto slid effortlessly between his ribs from behind, the wielder none other than the one eyed visage of Alexa Shang. Her face was a mask of hate, and her one eye bore into Zahn’s two. “How dare you.” she whispered. “How dare you say this to the Chancellor? How dare you say this, after you kissed his ass and shouted ‘Xin Sheng’ right along with the rest, you lickspittle scum! Where is your family, Colonel Zahn? Oh yes, on their way to Canopus..and safety.”
Shang kicked Zahn in the back, the blow throwing him to the ground as a slowly spreading ichor stained his white uniform. She glanced back at Sun-Tsu.
Sun-Tsu smiled. “Well done, Major Shang. I will promote you to Colonel. She has more spirit and guts than the rest of you. Unlike this…rubbish. Remove it from my presence.”
Alexa, I do hope you know it is past time to do what you promised me you would do? Has loyalty overcome your common sense?
Two attendants dragged the gasping Zahn from the Chancellor’s presence, making sure not to get any blood on the floor.
Sun-Tsu surveyed the room. “Is there any other advice? I will accept honest advice. So long as it respects my station. But that said, ladies and gentlemen, we are in the direst situation the Confederation has ever known. And we are finding out who our friends are. So, options, what can we do to preserve our state, our home?”
The room was as silent as a tomb.
Sun-Tsu grunted in frustration. “I see you are brave enough to face the Federated Commonwealth, but not me. No matter. I have no need of mute advisers. You are all relieved. Get out of my sight…GET OUT!!!”
The now fired advisers, and their staff filed out of the throne room for the last time, the last closing the heavy doors of the throne room behind him with a loud, deep bang. Sun-Tsu wondered if this was an omen for the futures of his realm.
June 9th was a dark day for the Confederation, and when that bitch killed Zahn in front of us? We knew we'd lost him, and she was completely complicit. I consider myself lucky we were all just fired.
- Unpublished Memoirs of Major Alexandr Rytov, Capellan Military Intelligence Division, former intelligence chief to Senior Colonel Talon Zahn.
