Mercenary Contact
Kwarmashu, Sian Commonality
Capellan Confederation
9th September 3105
After several years on the Clan Wolf border Daniel’s Avengers Mercenary Command accept a contract with the Capellan Confederation in hopes that it will give them time to rebuild. The Capellans employ the mercenaries in support of forces already on Kwarmashu helping secure the system for the Capellan Confederation.
Within the following week Iknogoro is also taken by the Capellans with the Daniel’s Avengers posted to defend both worlds. After the fighting against the Wolves the Daniel’s Avengers have been reduced to a reinforced combined-arms regiment and two reinforced BattleMech Battalions with both units upgraded with Clan salvage.
Subtlety (McKenna-class Battleship)
Nadir Point, Wasat
Star League Protectorate
15th September 3105
“Jump complete beginning scan” Commander America Park said from the sensors station glancing over at Captain Leroy-Dietrich who sat near the helm station. “All seems standard normal shipping traffic… hold that we’ve got incoming DropShips and they are launching aerospace fighters.” She said glancing at her sensors.
“How many contacts?”
“Three DropShips from a single Invader-class JumpShip” she reported “we’ve got nearly a dozen aerospace fighters deploying from them.”
“Communications give me direct contact” William Leroy-Dietrich said “helm accelerate to one G thrust. Launch defence fighters and order them to hold near the JumpShips protect our civilians.” He ordered thinking of the JumpShips which carried their dependents and the majority of the academies students. From under the Subtlety’s hull aerospace fighters dropped from their launch bays and turned towards the JumpShips behind the accelerating Battleship more aerospace fighters launched from the JumpShips. “This is Captain Leroy-Dietrich of the Subtlety we are passing through the Star League Protectorate on our way to Outreach. If you do not identify yourself and turn away from our position you will be considered hostile and will be subject to defensive fire.” He said cutting the link “weapons power up weapons on the port side bring them up slow we don’t want to short something after this long.” He said the Subtlety generally did not use her weapons systems, the Battleship didn’t need to use them, but the crews trained regularly and were ready to use them.
“No communications but we do have tracking systems” America Park said glancing at her fiancée she knew she shouldn't be worried about the fighters and DropShips but she didn’t like being attacked.
“Fine” Leroy-Dietrich said looking at the ship’s weapons systems seeing the most forward particle cannons on the port side of the ship were active. “Warning shot right across their course.” He said gritting his teeth seeing there wasn’t an option “fire” he ordered along the port side of the McKenna her long unused particle cannons activated filling the space between the WarShip and the incoming aerospace fighters and DropShips which continued towards them.
“No difference no communications” America said continuing to monitor the systems if they got too close the incoming DropShips and fighters could cause significant damage to the the Battleship.
“Helm turn us into a wide starboard turn keep us between them and our JumpShips” Leroy-Dietrich said “weapons as we turn I want you to bring up the starboard weapons we are going to give them a volley from each.” He said feeling the McKenna turn under them “accelerate to one-point-five G” he said watching the sensors. “Port side weapons target that Leopard CV first volley” he said watching them continue to close “and fire” he ordered the Subtlety’s weapons activated for a second time as the McKenna continued her turn. The naval particle cannons tore through space impacting with the incoming Leopard ripping the incoming DropShip to pieces.
“They are still coming” America Park said watching as the Union and Overlord-class DropShips and their fighters continued to close on them. “What are they trying to accomplish? This is a WarShip even if they get close enough to hurt us it will take shot they’ve got a week to break through our armour.”
“They’ve been put up to it.” Leroy-Dietrich said leaning into the turn as the Subtlety continued to move “someone wants us stopped by any means.”
“And it just happens when we arrive in the Protectorate?” She said glancing at him “coincidence?”
“Or someone wants us to think it is if the Star League wanted us dead where are their WarShips?” He said as the WarShip continued its turn “starboard weapons if they want it this badly let’s give it to them I want the Overlord gone.” He said glancing at the weapons station the officer nodded “and fire” he commanded the particle cannons activated together as one burning through the front of the Overlord melting its armour and tearing the larger DropShip to pieces.
“Aerospace fighters entering their weapons range and firing” America Park called out looking at the sensor data as the dozen aerospace fighters opened fire on them with lasers and missiles deep inside the ship America Park instinctively looked around her for a moment but there was no way she’d hear or feel the impacts from the fighters weapons.
“Bring up our fighters order them to remain in defensive formations and to fire in defence of us and of the JumpShips.” Leroy-Dietrich ordered watching the screens the McKenna’s own guns were not designed to engage Aerospace fighters “helm bring us around them again. Port weapons bays on the Union and get ready to drop a salvo on their Invader’s jumpsail rip it off” he commanded targeting JumpShips was taboo but he wanted those responsible to be held to account. The McKenna continued her turn as the enemy aerospace fighters continued to close firing as they came while the Subtlety’s own aerospace fighters moved in to defend the Battleship. Another salvo of particle cannons tore through the Union while their fighters continued to strike the McKenna. “Helm full roll to starboard” he ordered the Subtlety slowly rolled over onto its starboard side Leroy-Dietrich’s idea was to minimize the damage those aerospace fighters were doing to a single section of the Subtlety. “Weapons on the Invader.”
“Salvo outbound” the weapons officer Kiera Levine said the McKenna’s particle cannons crossed the distance between the two ships in moments striking the rear of the Invader and its jumpsail. The delicate jumpsail was ripped to pieces by the massive over sized naval particle cannons while the rear of the Invader disintegrated under the fire. “The JumpShip is crippled…” she said but after a moment the Invader exploded Leroy-Dietrich looked at her surprised “we didn’t hit anything critical the damage was superficial” she explained if a ship being hit by a particle cannon could ever be described as superficial.
“They didn’t want to be caught” Leroy-Dietrich noted as the Subtlety was hit by several of the aerospace fighters which had committed suicide runs against the battleship. “Increase speed full acceleration and continue the roll make us a hard target!” He said seeing the other fighters moving into positions where they could ram. “Direct our fighters against those birds!” He said pointing at the enemy fighters as the Subtlety began to pull away from them. The Subtlety’s aerospace fell on the now alone aerospace fighters rapidly destroying each of them clearing the area of hostiles.
Following the attack Captain Leroy-Dietrich reported the incident to the authorities on Wasat and to the Zenith Point Recharge Station. SLDF DropShips and investigation teams were onsite within hours from the space station while the SLS Republic arrived the following day. Copies of the Subtlety’s records were taken by the investigation teams and wreckage from the battle-site were also sampled by the SLDF after the briefest of investigations the Subtlety and her crew were cleared of all wrong doing and cleared for their jump to Outreach.
Democratic Elections
Lothario, Lothian League
Periphery
22nd September 3105
Following the assassination of Amanda Logan the Lothian League attempt to hold democratic elections Mistress Clarissa Logan enters as a candidate but the elections are frought with claims of corruption and ultimately the result is contested by multiple factions. The mercenaries hired to protect the Lothian League from external threats refuse to enforce marshal law as civilian unrest turns into fighting on several planets.
After Action Debriefing
Arcadia, Dixie Theatre
Halfway Province, Lyran Commonwealth
26th September 3105
“Gentlemen perhaps you can explain to me exactly what happened on this planet?” General Prudence Steiner said angrily looking at the two men who sat either side of the table staring at each other.
“We turned back a Wolf incursion against this world” Sang-shao Matt Blackledge said the commander of Blackledge’s Iron Fist Mercenary command sat his eyes not coming off Major Justin Rubinsky the commander of the Rubinsky’s Light Horse. “When this dog’s force arrived and attempted to claim out salvage.”
“We were securing the area for the Lyran Commonwealth” Justin Rubinsky answered his eyes not leaving the former Capellan Confederation officer. “There were still active Wolves in the area and as per our contract obligations the Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces gets first pick on all salvage.”
“A clause that is not in my unit’s contract” Matt Blackledge said seeing Rubinsky’s shock and anger glad that his unit had one up on the St Ives born man. “Following an incursion by a hostile force my people defended…”
“Murdered” Justin Rubinsky said inteupting
“Defended themselves and opened fire on the intruder’s lance.”
“You fired on a unit that was also under contract with the Lyran Commonwealth?” Prudence Steiner asked surprised at the man’s open admission. “And you” she said looking at Justin Rubinsky “you sent units into another mercenary command’s defence zone?” She asked pointing out Justin’s failings as well. “Gentlemen I know that your histories are mixed.” She said trying to being them together to her level “but you are not both mercenary commanders your past is exactly that the past.” Both men began to speak but Prudence raised to her feet looking at them “it is simple you are under the employ of House Steiner. Your mission is to support the goals of the Commonwealth. Major Rubinsky your unit is to load into your DropShips and prepare to move we’re taking you off the Wolf border.”
“Sir we can prove ourselves” Justin Rubinsky protested the change looking at Blackledge “we can even work with the Iron Fist I promise you.”
“And we can work with the Light Horse” Blackledge said deciding to offer Rubinsky a chance.
“That’s good to hear” Prudence said smiling “as between the two of you I want the Iron Fist and Light Horse to agree what salvage the Rubinsky’s Light Horse will take with them off Arcadia.” She said seeing Blackledge’s shock “there will still be plenty for your command.” She promised the Sang-shao.
“Where will we be heading?” Justin Rubinsky asked curious about his unit’s new posting.
“We are sending you to Clayborne II and from there you will monitor the situation in the Lothian League and follow the directions of your Steiner Liaison.” She explained the Light Horses integral transport making them the perfect unit for future operations that House Steiner could launch against the League.
“And my unit?” Sang-shao Blackledge asked annoyed that Rubinsky’s upstart command was getting an assignment that could see them leading an offensive while his command was stuck defending Arcadia.
“Your unit’s numbers and strength are better placed here on Arcadia holding the line against Clan Wolf.” Prudence Steiner said turning towards the door “now in your new spirit of cooperation I will leave you gentlemen to sort out the distribution of the salvage.” She said leaving the two mercenaries to complete their negotiations. Within hours the agreement had been made and the Light Horse had secured a couple of dozen clan tech weapons before they left Arcadia. It would take their techs weeks to fit to their current Mechs. And although the Iron Fist would continue to garrison the Wolf border and likely be in line to gain more salvage the mercenary command could also be destroyed by the Clan perhaps some distance between them and the Light Horse would not be a bad thing.
