FCBC - 2767

==Fate Can Be Cruel - 2767==
===January===
19 January 2767
Sheridan (Terran Hegemony)
The Black Lion II-Class Battlecruiser SLS Tirpitz, had run into several Rim World warships at New Stevens after jumping into the Nadir Jump Point. Fleeing to the Zenith Jump Point while recharging their jump drive, SLS Tirpitz had managed to destroy a Lola I-Class Destroyer, but had sustained some damage in the fight. Reaching the Zenith Jump Point, they had jumped to Sheridan's Zenith Jump Point and once again finding Rim World warships had repeated what they did at New Stevens. Sustaining more damage during the run for the Nadir Jump Point.
Commodore Walter Namathien, commander of SLS Tirpitz, made the snap decision to alter their planned course. Instead of heading for New Vandenburg, where General Kerensky had his headquarters, they would move towards the Outworlds Alliance before curving back. But first they had to get out of the Terran Hegemony. "Nav, plot a course towards the Outworlds Alliance. We have already taken more damage than I would like so let's use as many uninhabited systems as we can to clear the Hegemony."
Turning, he looked at Major Ian MacIntosh "Sorry Major, but we have no choice but to alter course. We will angle back once we clear the Hegemony. Once in Fed Suns space, we can send a HPG to General Kerensky."
"No, Commodore Namathien. No communication. My orders were clear on that. No risk is to come to the child. Not if it can be helped. Right now, I do not trust anyone. Not John Davion, nor any of the other House Lords. We remain silent until we can be assured we are safe." Major Ian MacIntosh replied.
----
===February===
1 February 2767
Uninhabited System 15LY from Schedar (Federated Suns)
SLS Tirpitz had almost completed recharge operations. Commodore Namathien had tried unsuccessfully in convincing Major MacIntosh of starting their change of course for New Avalon and then on to New Vandenburg. But Major MacIntosh insisted on heading deeper into the Federated Suns before even discussing the matter further.
New Gascony (Tortuga Dominions)
Lieutenant General Nathan Baxter, commander 359th Battlemech Division, had initially landed his forces on the continent of Thiouville instead of the main continent. After 2 weeks, he learned of a SLDF command on the main continent being pressed by various pirate commands. After consulting with Major Jenny Davidson, 509th Battle Regiment and Colonel James Buchest, 191st Royal Jump Infantry Division, they all agreed to risk it and go help the SLDF command. Using sub orbital deployment, they landed at the space port to find the 31st Infantry Division holding strong but being hard pressed by several pirate bands estimated at several Battalions of Battlemechs. Once Lieutenant General Baxter and his commands entered the fight, the pirates quickly abandoned the fight and fled the area as fast as their Battlemechs could run.
Listening to Colonel Patrick Quieg, commander 31st Infantry Division, tell his unit's story, Lieutenant General Baxter had taken a chance and also admitted that all 3 commands in "his" Task Force had basically done the exact same thing. Now, over a month later, none of the 4 officers had agreed on where to head next. Even if they had agreed, no one had any idea what they would do once they got there. Lieutenant General Baxter was losing his patience with some of the bickering between the commanding officers. Outside, he looked out over the tarmac and saw a small man talking with one of the assigned perimeter guard points. He watched as the small man was let inside the perimeter and escorted towards where Lieutenant General Baxter was standing, not waiting, he walked to meet them and find out what was going on. Upon reaching them, the small man spoke up first.
"My name is Martin Zuni. Owner Operator of a Merchant Jumpship currently located at the Nadir Jump Point. But currently I am under contract to the SLDF, when I heard of the arrival of a overly large convoy here, well I decided to come over." Martin Zuni said
"Lieutenant General Nathan Baxter, 359th Battlemech Division. What can I do for you, Mr Zuni?" Baxter asked
"Well, it might be more what I can do for you. I was hired by Major General Iris Carman, 280th Mechanized Infantry Division under very favorable terms I might add. Her Division was much like yours here, beat up and no where near full strength. The 280th departed New Haiti on 1 December 2766 heading to assist some cutoff SLDF on Pilon in the Outworlds Alliance I knew about. Since I was on the SLDF's payroll so to speak, I gave them a route that would only take them 6 months instead of almost a year. When they left, well she really did not give me any instructions, so I headed over here when I heard of your arrival. Figured you might want the information also so that you could join her. It seems this part of the Tortuga Dominions is becoming quite a gathering location for beat up SLDF troops." Martin Zuni said
I wonder if the 280th Mechanized Infantry Division has gone rogue also. If so, it seems awfully suspect for them to travel that far to help SLDF commands that have probably been rescued already. There has to be some other reason. Lieutenant General Baxter thought before speaking "Mr Zuni, how about coming inside and answering some questions while I call up a Star Map. I have no clue where Pilon even is."
"Not a problem General Baxter. I even downloaded my Star Map onto a data stick so you can upload it onto your systems with me." Martin Zuni said as he followed General Baxter inside the large cluster of Mobile HQ vehicles.
Entering behind General Baxter, he heard "Major Davidson, Colonel Quieg, Colonel Buchest this is Martin Zuni, seems he is currently on the SLDF's payroll, guess he is acting as a welcoming committee. He has some information that I think we should look over and maybe discuss. Mr Zuni, would you give my aide here the data stick so that we might view your map?"
Handing the data stick to Lieutenant General Baxters aide, he watched as the aide inserted it into the holo projector and start typing. As he did so, the holo projector began forming a Star Map. "Select Pilon and show surrounding area's please." Lieutenant General Baxter said
Once the selected system and surrounding area was displayed, it took Lieutenant General Baxter about 3 minutes of study before he thought he knew what the 280th was up to. Pretty secluded area, if the SLDF units there have been rescued, which is almost a sure thing, they probably been pulled back for refit. That means they had a chance to get to an out of the way place and settle down if that was true. "Mr Zuni, you said you gave them a route that cut many months of travel off their trip?"
"Yes, if you type in Zuni Priority Route Bravo it will be displayed." Martin Zuni said
Lieutenant General Baxter's aide typed in the instructions and the Star Map flickered as additional systems were highlighted on the projected map. "These are all uninhabited systems. I use them whenever I have a high paying priority cargo. Almost all of them are simply a star with a few asteroid belts in them." Martin Zuni explained
"Thank you Mr Zuni. I think we need to discuss some things in private. How may we reach you if we have further questions?" Lieutenant General Baxter asked
"I will be staying at the Royal Gascony Hotel, it is just outside the space port's main gate, about a mile down the road towards the capitol." Martin Zuni said
"Thank you again. If you need a ride to the hotel, I can arrange transport for you." Lieutenant General Baxter offered
"Thank you, but I have a aircar already standing ready to take me there. I am at your disposal General." Martin Zuni said as he exited the Mobile HQ.
"Well, this is a turn of events we did not predict. If those SLDF troops are still fighting for their lives, I am not sure I can live with myself to hang them out to die like what happened to us. Mr Zuni told me the 280th Mechanized Infantry Division headed that way beginning of December. I am pretty sure the 280th is NOT under SLDF orders any longer. Same as us. But if they arrive and find no SLDF troops there but a crap ton of rebels, well they are going to be hard pressed to survive. I say we follow right behind them and maybe give them a hand. It gives us a purpose, maybe some pride back, besides, that is a pretty remote area. Probably a good area to maybe settle down and keep our heads down." Lieutenant General Baxter said
The discussion continued into the wee hours of the morning before they called it for the night. They would discuss things more after some sleep.
----
===February===
8 February 2767
New Gascony (Tortuga Dominions)
Lieutenant General Nathan Baxter, commander 359th Battlemech Division, looked at each of the other commanders gathered with him. They had finally agreed that they should make the journey to help the 280th Mechanized Infantry Division. They had even allowed the personnel of all 4 commands decide their own fate. Every combat soldier agreed to make the trip, but 10% of the support personnel wanted to remain on New Gascony. They wanted no part of months of space travel. They had spent the last 2 days working out a new force structure. Major Jenny Davidson had finally agreed to fold her 509th Battle Regiment into the 359th Battlemech Division. Lieutenant General Baxter designated the Battlemech Battalion from the 509th Battle as the 359th's Headquarters Battalion. The 191st Royal Jump Infantry Division and 31st Infantry Division merged together for this mission under the 31st Infantry Division.
359th Battlemech Division
*Headquarters Battlemech Battalion - 31 Battlemechs (ex 509th Battle)
*3591st Brigade
**Battlemech Regiment - 3 Battlemech Battalions
**Battlemech Regiment - 3 Battlemech Battalions
*3592nd Brigade
**Mechanized Infantry Regiment - 3 Mechanized Infantry Battalions
**Mechanized Infantry Regiment - 3 Mechanized Infantry Battalions
**Armor Regiment - 2 Armor Battalions
*Cavalry Battalion - 2 LAM Company, 1 Hover Armor Company
*Artillery Battalion - 3 Chaparrel Missile Artillery Vehicle Company's
*Engineer Battalion - 3 Engineer Company's
31st Infantry Division
*311th Brigade
**Infantry Regiment - 3 Infantry Battalions
**Infantry Regiment - 3 Infantry Battalions
**Infantry Regiment - 3 Infantry Battalions
 
*312nd Brigade
**Jump Infantry Regiment - 4 Jump Infantry Battalions
**Battlemech Regiment - 3 Battlemech Battalions
Lieutenant General Baxter had sent a jeep after Ships Captain Martin Zuni, and it had just returned to the commands Headquarters. Lieutenant General Baxter greeted Martin Zuni as he was shown inside "Welcome back Mr Zuni. We will be following the path that the 280th Mechanized Infantry Division took. We boost tomorrow. You said Major General Carman had hired you and your ship, but never gave you any missions to carry out, is that correct?"
"Correct, my contract is actually about to expire. It was for 3 months." Martin Zuni said
"Would you be willing to extend that contract?" Lieutenant General Baxter asked
"If the price is right, and the terms remain the same with my escape clause, yes I would be willing to extend that contract." Martin Zuni responded
"Excellent, there may be other stragglers coming into the region. Your mission would be simple, if any more arrive, point them towards Pilon. You do not have to force the issue, I have even recorded a holo message you can give them. Your mission would be to make contact with any stragglers, deliver my message and if they decide to proceed, provide them with the route to take." Lieutenant General Baxter said
"Sounds easy enough. Major General Carman was paying me 250,000 per month for 3 months. I would like 300,000 per month of the contract." Martin Zuni said, what he does not know will not hurt him, might as well make a little extra he thought.
"I can agree to those terms, not much more than what she had already paid you. I will even hire you for a year." Lieutenant General Baxter agreed, I almost feel bad for the guy, the SLDF is gonna deny his funds bigger than crap, but you take your chances in this game, he thought.
"I will draw up the contract and will need your purchase card number to seal the deal sir." Martin Zuni said, heck, this is going to pay better than hauling freight, he thought to himself.
"That will be no problem sir. Bring me the contract this afternoon." Lieutenant General Baxter said.
Uncharted System (Deep Space)
Commodore Vincent Zeibler, commander SLS Conroy, Avatar-Class Heavy Cruiser, looked at his Chief Engineer "So, your telling me that you THINK you got a fix that MIGHT work."
"Yes sir, we have spent a few months working on the field initiator. I am 90% sure we have managed to duplicate the fried boards by modifying extra boards we had aboard ship. Mechanically, the field initiator checks out fine with the control computer, all tests show in the green. But there is only one way to find out and that is to actually make a jump." Chief Engineer Christopher Brown said
"Okay, we will give her a try. I want the entire engineering space evacuated, just in case. But what have we got to lose, if it works, great. If we die, well we will never know it and it is better than slow starvation out here in the void of space." Commodore Zeibler said
Three hours later, Commodore Zeibler got a thumbs up from the ships navigator and then a thumbs up from Chief Engineer Brown. "Sound the alarm, navigator, jump when ready."
"Jump in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1......" Alarms sounded all over the ship and the ships damage control board lit up in red. "Holy ****!!!! The entire after section of the ship is gone sir, it looks like the field initiator only took part of the ship with it."
Commodore Zeibler did not have to even give an order before Chief Engineer Brown was sailing off the bridge to oversee damage control efforts. Well, this sucks worse than before, Commodore Zeibler thought.
Onverwacht (Outworlds Alliance)
Commodore Trisha Delvaney, SLS Salvation, Newgrange-Class Yardship watched as the Elephant Tug slowly pulled the massive Jump Core from the Essex Destroyer inside the massive repair bay of the SLS Salvation. The new Jump Core was standing by with her other Elephant Tug 200km away. In 2 weeks, they would have the new Core installed and the Essex Destroyer back in action. They would then move to Ambatomainty until the Division from the 101st Reconnaissance Squadron located one of the missing ships.
Boulsi (Outworlds Alliance)
Commodore Barbara Coltrain had convinced the gathered ground commanders to allow her to use the 5 Tramp Jumpships from the 211th Hussar Regiment as picket ships since they all were LF equipped. If an enemy was coming, she wanted some kind of warning. So she had selected 5 systems to place her pickets in.....Ddraig, Waini Point, Puttalam, Loikaw and La Ligua. This would give them possibly a 2 week warning of any enemy approach, plus they could provide intel on the systems they were stationed at. A platoon of Marines was being placed aboard each Tramp Jumpship for security.
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===March===
3 March 2767
Puttalam (Outworlds Alliance)
SLS Night Runner, Tramp-Class LF Jumpship, sat at the Zenith Jump Point. Part of Commodore Coltrain's picket line, the crew spent their time soaking in radio traffic from the inhabited planet. They had been on station for 2 weeks and were already getting bored. Most bored was the embarked Marine platoon. Without any daytime duties, they had nothing to do but sit around and twiddle their thumbs. That changed today when the incoming emergence wave was detected. Major Winston Janix ordered the Jump Drive warmed up for an immediate jump, just in case.
When the Vincent Corvette materialized broadcasting SLDF identification, the cheers throughout the Tramp Jumpship were deafening. Major Janix breathed a sigh of relief "Comm, get a secure laser lock established please."
"SLS Night Runner, this is SLS Trinity River." Came over the comm net.
"We read you loud and clear Trinity. We have been waiting for someone friendly to show up." Major Janix said
"Say status and have you seen any other SLDF shipping in the area?"
"We are secure. We have a picket line established in 4 other systems. Most ships are located Pilon, Boulsi, and Thazi. Several need repairs before they can jump." Major Janix reported
"Good copy. We are sending the information out now. We will recharge our drive and escort you back. There is a Yardship at Ambatomainty, we just sent the message, they will head that way to commence repairs."
"We are LF equipped Trinity, we can head back and gove them the heads up." Major Janix said
"So are we, once we complete recharge, we will accompany you. Rear Admiral Tanisha Tanaka will be rounding up the rest of the Division and move to Pilon area."
"Roger that Trinity. We will wait on your recharge to complete. Night Runner out." Major Janix said
15 March 2767
Pilon (Outworlds Alliance)
When SLS Night Runner and SLS Trinity River emerged at the Zenith Jump Point and made contact with Major General Heinrich Rommel on the planets surface, everyone would later swear that they did not need a radio to hear the cheers on the planet surface. New information was relayed to SLS Salvation, Newgrange Class Yardship who altered course for Boulsi to begin repairs on SLS Rhodon, Luxor Heavy Cruiser. Her ETA was 3 April.
Rear Admiral Tanisha Tanaka, commander 55th Reconnaissance Division, had ordered her spread out Division to pass thru the identified picket line systems and round up the Jumpships before making their way to Boulsi. She and SLS Windego, Whirlwind Destroyer, would arrive at Boulsi on March 23rd.
Major General Rommel contacted both Lieutenant General Colin McGregor and Lieutenant General Rita Mitchell with the news and all planned to meet at Boulsi again March 23rd to meet with Rear Admiral Tanisha Tanaka when she arrived.
23 March 2767
Boulsi (Outworlds Alliance)
Rear Admiral Tanisha Tanaka, commander 55th Reconnaissance Division, arrived aboard SLS Windego, Whirlwind Destroyer at the Zenith Jump Point. Major General Heinrich Rommel, Lieutenant General's Rita Mitchell and Colin McGregor were aboard SLS Rhodon, Luxor Heavy Cruiser to meet her. Two hours later, Rear Admiral Tanaka exited her shuttle aboard SLS Rhodon.
"Rear Admiral Tanisha Tanaka, commander 55th Reconnaissance Division. Sure am glad we found everyone clustered up out here. Makes my job that much easier." She said
"We have been waiting quite a while for the SLDF to begin pushing back into this region. I assume you learned of our location from Commodore Zeibler and SLS Conroy?" Commodore Coltrain said
"We have not seen or heard from SLS Conroy. We expected her to be here with you. So she is still missing?" Rear Admiral Tanaka responded
"We dispatched her to Quatre Belle some months ago. If she never arrived, then we need to find her." Commodore Coltrain said
"We will need to hurry, General Kerensky has ordered all SLDF forces to being into marshaling area's. Most ground forces have already been pulled back from any isolated positions. We have a much bigger war to fight now. Stephan Amaris and his Rim Worlds have seized control of the Terran Hegemony in a coup. We have no idea on the status of First Lord Richard Cameron, or anything at all really. We got that information a month ago, so it is dated. My orders are to locate our missing ships and then to report back to 10th Fleet. We passed out of reliable HPG range over a month ago with 10th Fleet." Rear Admiral Tanaka said
"The Terran Hegemony has fallen? To Amaris and the Rim Worlds? How the hell did that happen?" Lieutenant General Mitchell asked
"I don't have all the information. I have told you everything that I know." Rear Admiral Tanaka responded.
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===April===
5 April 2767
Boulsi (Outworlds Alliance)
Commodore Trisha Delvaney, SLS Salvation, Newgrange-Class Yardship watched her Elephant Tug's ease SLS Rhodon, a Luxor-Class Heavy Cruiser into her massive repair dock. She already possessed the ships Chief Engineer's report on the ships overall status. Once inside the repair bay, her own experts would conduct their survey. She hoped she would not have to grind the Jump Core down and recast it, because just to grind down the 402,725 ton Jump Core would take 2 months and recasting it would require another 5 months. Minimum of 8 months to complete that kind of repair.
She had also dispatched several survey crews to evaluate any repairs needed on SLS Mighty Lift, Potemkin Class Transport and SLS Hatchet, Kimagure Class Cruiser that had been brought to the Boulsi system. A voice caused her to turn "Commodore Delvaney, there is a Commodore Coltrain, Commodore Blythe and their Chief Engineers on a shuttle inbound. They say they would like to speak with you. 15 minutes out."
"Very well, when they get aboard, bring them to the Conference Room. Mister Fenroy, you have the conn. Please do not bang up my ship while I am away." Commodore Delvaney said
Twenty minutes later, Commodore Delvaney greeted her guests in the Conference Room, situated on one of the many Grav Decks aboard the Newgrange Yardship. "Commodore Trisha Delvaney, my XO said you wanted to speak with me." She said as she gestured them all to seats.
"Commodore Willian Blythe, SLS Hatchet. My Chief Engineer Whitney, well he has an idea that he thinks might help everyone." Commodore Blythe said
Chief Engineer Whitney stood and walked to the drawing board "During our stay in the Thazi system, I have been mulling over an idea in my mind. From what I have heard from SLS Rhodon's Chief Engineer, we are looking at possibly 6-9 months to fix her. I would like to have SLS Hatchet checked out before we leave. Mainly a really good repair job on our armor patches. Plus I suspect all the standard Jumpships will need a good going over also.
I have run the numbers and I believe they chack out. My idea is to rip the storage batteries out of a Olympus Recharge Station. That will free up about 800,000 tons. If we then cut the access door to the 150,000 ton pressurized repair bay larger, and extend the hull along here, your Newgrange Yardship could easily and quickly manufacture the needed material to extend the repair bay and enlarge it to handle 1M tons. I calculate less than a month's work if we use your Newgrange. You could actually make the modifications on the Olympus while you grind down the Jump Core from SLS Rhodon.
If we wanted to go further, we could even do the same thing to the 2 50,000 ton repair bays. We could then have 3 additional yards to assist your Newgrange with any survey's and repairs. We would not have to install any manufacturing on the Olympus beyond what it already has. Anything major we have your Newgrange produce, but we can install it by using the other 3 repair yards. I ran the numbers for that modification also, but we cannot make both as big as the main one. One we limit to 250K tons and the other can be a 1M ton yard. That would allow us to service all the standard Jumpships and possibly run the Dart Light Cruisers into them. My estimates show adding the extra 2 yards would take an additional month of work. I would suggest the Olympus in the Thazi system, because the Dart Light Cruiser's are there and in my estimation not jump capable.
I am willing to volunteer my engineering team to help in the modifications. I already know SLS Rhodon's Chief Engineer has volunteered his people. The Olympus will never be able to recharge ships, not without major repairs, but I am sure this would aid the efforts. Most of these ships have not seen a maintenance cycle in over a year probably closer to 2 or 3 years." Chief Engineer Whitney said, while he was talking, he had been drawing out the proposed changes on the wall mounted drawing board.
Commodore Delvaney studied the Chief's drawing, I never would have thought of anything this radical, it sure would help speed everything up. Call it 3 months work, we would be recasting the Rhodon's Jump Core by then. I could cycle SLS Mighty Lift into our repair bay for a quick maintenance cycle while recasting Rhodon's Jump Core, she thought to herself before speaking "Chief Engineer Whitney, I must admit, this idea never would have crossed my mind. We will have to push Rhodon back out, Commodore Coltrain, is Rhodon capable of making a jump to Thazi?"
"Yes, we are still jump capable, we just have enough micro cracks forming that my Chief Engineer does not trust multiple jumps." Commodore Coltrain said
"Very well, we will move this operation to Thazi. Once there, we will bring Rhodon back into the repair bay, remove the Jump Core, push you back out of the repair bay and commence work on the Olympus while we grind up your Jump Core for recasting. Don't worry, we will reseal your ship back up. You will be able to maneuver and fight if need be, but you will not be able to jump. In the meantime, I will have my onboard engineers go over Chief Whitney's numbers, just to be sure of things. Thank you for bringing this idea to my attention. Is there anything else?" Commodore Delvaney asked
For the next hour, they discussed the status of their ships, and tried to wrap their minds around how the Rim Worlds had managed to conquer the Terran Hegemony.
On the surface, Major General Rommel, Lieutenant General Mitchell and Lieutenant General McGregor were inside the headquarters of the 126th Mechanized Infantry Division discussing the new developments.
"It does not matter how the Rim Worlds managed to conquer the Terran Hegemony. But it is our duty to return and liberate them." Lieutenant General Mitchell said
"I understand your reason's Rita. But my 322nd Armored Division has their dependents out here on Pilon. There are also dependents here on Boulsi from the 228th Striker Regiment, plus dependents from the Infantry Regiments on Thazi. Last count I had put the dependents alone at over 19,000 people. We cannot take them with us, and I will not abandon them out here. My 322nd Armored Division will remain behind to safeguard the dependents. My duty is also to see to the safety of all those dependents." Major General Rommel said
Lieutenant General Rita Mitchell sighed "Okay, your 322nd Armored Division stays behind. But not alone, that I will not allow. The 277th Dragoon Regiment will remain also as a rapid deployment force. From Boulsi, they can respond to either Thazi or Pilon if need be."
"No Rita, take the 277th Dragoon and 211th Hussar Regiments with your 272nd Mechanzed Infantry Division. I will keep my 126th Mechanized Infantry Division here. Cut the Grunt Infantry from your 272nd. I will replace them with my Mech Infantry. Plus I will transfer any other troops you need to bring your 272nd up to full strength. Along with the 277th Dragoon and 211th Hussar Regiments. It should leave me with a Brigade of Infantry and a reinforced Regiment of Battlemechs." Lieutenant General McGregor said
"I can see that I am not going to win this argument. Okay, I will get you a complete list of everything I need to reach full strength. I don't like the idea, not one bit. Leaving you both out here like this." Lieutenant General Mitchell said
"We are not exactly alone now. It could take a year to repair Rhodon from what Commodore Coltrain says. I will keep her out here with us. She might not like it, but I am sure that until Conroy is located, she will not want to leave anyway." Major General Rommel said
9 April 2767
Thazi (Outworlds Alliance)
Commodore Trisha Delvaney and SLS Salvation were holding position 500km from the Olympus Recharge Station at the Nadir Jump Point. Lieutenant General Rita Mitchell had tossed a wrench in her plans, but not a horrible one as she watched SLS Mighty Lift being pushed into her repair bay. She wanted any repairs to the Potemkin Transport expedited along with any repairs to SLS Hatchet, Kimagure-Class Pursuit Cruiser which would be accompanying her 272nd Mechanized Infantry Division.
She had already put over 300 people onto the Olympus Recharge Station to begin preliminary work on the Olympus Recharge Station for the upcoming modifications. Her onboard engineers had confirmed Chief Engineer Whitney's calculations and even worked up much more detailed blueprints for the modifications. Too bad he would not be here to see his idea come to fruition, she thought.
6 April 2767
Boulsi (Outworlds Alliance)
Rear Admiral Tanisha Tanaka, commander 55th Reconnaissance Division, had gathered her ship commanders aboard SLS Windego, Whirlwind-Class Destroyer for a planning session. She stood at the head of the table, behind her was a Star Map being displayed on the screen. "Okay, the last reported sighting of SLS Conroy was at Luikaw. We know this where she met with the 211th Hussar Regiment. Now, from there, if we trace a direct path to Quatre Belle, we have this. Now we overlay our own search path until we reached our current location and it is obvious that we have already passed thru the exact systems she would have taken herself.
So, I can only surmise a couple of things. 1) Conroy was using uninhabited systems to make the journey. I have an issue with this for several reasons. She was trying to locate SLDF forces, this would prevent that. It added a level of risk to a very important mission.
2) Conroy ran into hostile forces and was destroyed. Again, I have some issues with this theory. First, I cannot think of very many enemy forces that could deal with a Avatar-Class Heavy Cruiser. Not with the light combatants we have seen the rebels using. Second, I am pretty sure Commodore Zeibler would have cut and run before engaging any hostiles, his mission was too important for the risk. Three, we detected no debris fields during our search as we passed thru the very systems she would have passed thru.
3) Conroy suffered a major failure, busted jump drive or worse a misjump. I doubt she suffered a busted jump drive, for the same reasons above, we did not find here on our sweep to here. That leaves the worst possible option, misjump. That means she could be anywhere. There have been reports of misjumps carrying a ship hundreds of light years from their destination or starting point.
We now have the intel SLS Hatchet recovered from the rebel Dart Light Cruisers. This one worries me quite a bit, for it confirms several transit routes being used by rebel forces into the Outworlds Alliance. Commodore Delvaney is confident that they will be out here for almost a year. Despite orders, I am not keen on leaving them out here with only SLS Solomon, Essex II Destroyer as an escort." Rear Admiral Tanaka switched the displayed Star Map to new version before continuing.
"As you can see on this Star Map, there are literally hundreds of uninhabited systems out in the void of deep space. Over 90% of them are just a star and no planets at all. Within this 300LY radious around our current position are 482 uninhabited systems. Within 30LY of our current position are 31 uninhabited systems. Those are our first targets. I am going to put those LF equipped Tramps to use, that gives us an additional 5 search ships. Commodore Padowski, your Bugeye does not have deep enough cargo bays for a detailed search. I want you to push down the reported route the rebel forces have been using, setup a picket line. You do not have a HPG, so I am detailing 2 of the captured Scout Jumpships as relay ships. That will push you out 90LY maximum. If the rebels are spotted, you will jump out and relay the information to a Scout which will then relay to the next back to here.
Everyone else, we start searching the immediate systems that are within HPG range at all times. Maximum distance is 40LY circle. I will give us 2 months and then we will broaden our search range. I doubt we find her, but we have to give it a try."
18 April 2767
Thazi (Outworlds Alliance)
Lieutenant General Rita Mitchell, commander 272nd Mechanized Infantry Division, could not believe that for the first time in almost 2 years, the 272nd was at almost full strength. Her only shortfall is she did not have her full Ground Aero Wing. She had refused to take the 3 squadrons from the 126th Mech Infantry Division. They had to have some kind of air support. She looked up at the chalk board mounted on the wall of her quarters, it listed her full TO&E.
272nd Mechanized Infantry Division
*Headquarters Battlemech Battalion - 3 Company's
*3391st Special Forces Battalion - 3 Company's Nighthawk PAL (160 suits)
*2721st Brigade
**Mechanized Infantry Regiment - 3 Mechanized Infantry Battalions
**Mechanized Infantry Regiment - 3 Mechanized Infantry Battalions
**Mechanized Infantry Regiment - 3 Mechanized Infantry Battalions
**Light Battlemech Battalion - 3 Battlemech Company's
*2722nd Brigade
**Mechanized Infantry Regiment - 3 Mechanized Infantry Battalions
**Mechanized Infantry Regiment - 3 Mechanized Infantry Battalions
**Mechanized Infantry Regiment - 3 Mechanized Infantry Battalions
**Light Battlemech Battalion - 3 Battlemech Company's
*2723rd Brigade
**Battlemech Regiment - 3 Battlemech Battalions
**Battlemech Regiment - 3 Battlemech Battalions
**Battlemech Regiment - 3 Battlemech Battalions
*2724th Brigade
**Armor Regiment - 3 Armor Battalions
**Armor Regiment - 3 Armor Battalions
*Armor Regiment - 3 Armor Battalions
**Artillery Regiment
**Artillery Battalion - 3 Company's Long Tom
**Artillery Battalion - 3 Company's Thor
**Artillery Battalion - 3 Company's Chaparral
*Cavalry Battalion - 3 LAM Company's, Mech Infantry Company, Hover Company
*Engineer Battalion - 3 Engineer Company's
*Ground Aero Wing
 
**Aerospace Group (reinf) - 4 Squadrons Aerospace
**Conventional Group - 3 Squadrons Conv Fighters
**Conventional VTOL Group - 2 Squadrons VTOL Transport
**Jump Infantry Battalion - 3 Jump Infantry Company's
*Transport Assets
**Dictator Dropship - 9
**Czar Dropship - 8
**Colossus Dropship - 3
**Titan Dropship - 2
**Triumph Dropship - 6
**Confederate Dropship - 3
**Mammoth Dropship - 4
Her current plans were to use SLS Mighty Lift, Potemkin-Class Transport and 2 Star Lord-Class Jumpships to transport her 272nd Mech Infantry Division. Two Star Lord Jumpships would carry the 3 Dictator's transporting the 277th Dragoon Regiment and 9 Union Dropships carrying the 211th Hussar Regiment. A single Tramp Jumpship would carry 2 Mule Dropships and a Czar Dropships carrying the supplies and support for the 277th Dragoon and 211th Hussar Regiment. Both commanders had agreed that they would work together as a mini RCT to ease transport needs.
On her personal portable computer, she pulled up a Star Map and loaded the route transmitted to her from Commodore Coltrain. They would hug the edge of the Outworlds Alliance until they reached Waitur, then they would make a jump to an uninhabited system before arriving at Inner End in the Federated Suns. It was estimated to take 3 months to reach Inner End and then another 20 jumps and 5 months to reach the Schedar system on the edge of the Terran Hegemony. But Lieutenant General Rita Mitchell planned to use the HPG at Inner End to try and contact General Kerensky for proper orders and destination.
Uncharted System (Deep Space)
The incoming emergence wave caused major anxiety for Commodore Zeibler, aboard the crippled Avatar-Class Heavy Cruiser. SLS Conroy. His wounded ship could not jump, nor could it maneuver, since the defective field initiator had taken the ships engines with it. But she still had her weapons systems active. "Sound General Quarters, start launching the Aerospace Fighters. Weps, get the weapons warmed up. We will go down fighting."
When the first Star Lord Jumpships materialized, followed quickly by 4 more, each broadcasting SLDF identification, the exhale of held breath aboard the SLS Conroy was audible. "Comm, get me a secure laser channel to the lead Star Lord if you would please."
The sight of a badly wounded Avatar Heavy Cruiser out here in Deep Space had shocked Commodore Richard Devall and Major General Iris Carman, commander 280th Mechanized Infantry Division. Even more shocking was when the ships communication officer said "We have a secure laser channel from the Avatar."
Commodore Devall and Major General Carman shared a disbelieving look between them, someone is still alive on that wreck?
"This is Commodore Zeibler, SLS Conroy. Are we glad to see you folks."
"To say that we are surprised to find you here is an understatement, Commodore Zeibler. I am not even going to ask if you need assistance, because that is obvious."
"Well, we could use a ride. A tow is out of the question, but I am not above hitch hiking, not at the moment anyway."
"I will launch some Dropships to dock with your ship. They will take on your crew and as much cargo as we can. No sense leaving it out here anyway. Do you have a shuttle or do I need to send one over for you?"
"I will take a shuttle over to your ship. See you in an hour. Zeibler out."
It took 2 hours for Commodore Zeibler to board SLS Midnight Rider, Star Lord Jumpship. He shook both Commodore Devall and Major General Carman's hands. "Commodore Vincent Zeibler, commander SLS Conroy. I cannot say thank you enough for finding us."
"I am Major General Iris Carman, 280th Mechanized Infantry Division and this is Commodore Richard Devall, commander 331st Transport Flotilla. Your lucky as hell and way the hell off the beaten path, so Commodore Devall tells me."
"We figured we were, we were having a very hard time locating out exact position. But tell me, if we are that far off the path, what the hell are you doing way out here?" Commodore Zeibler asked
"On our way to Pilon. Heard there were some SLDF troops taking a beating there. Decided to head over and give them a hand." Major General Carman said
Decided to head over, no SLDF unit just decides to do anything on it's own, Commodore Zeibler thought. The change in Commodore Zeibler's manner was immediately noticed by both Major General Carman and Commodore Devall.
"You heard me right, Commodore Zeibler. We are sort of free lancing right now. Not operating under SLDF orders. But be damned if I will have the deaths of SLDF soldiers on my conscience, not if I have the ability to help them. When we learned of the SLDF on Pilon being trapped, and then a shorter route to reach them, well we set off." Major General Carman said
"Well, in my current position, I am not going to pass judgement. But I will go ahead and tell you, the SLDF forces on Pilon have not only secured it, but also Thazi and are in the process of securing Boulsi. Or they were when we left there for Quatre Belle for help. Who told you about us anyway?" Commodore Zeibler explained
"Martin Zuni, merchant captain. I even sort of hired him, had to hire him, to get the needed information to reach Pilon quickly." Major General Carman said
"The name is familiar, but I cannot place it right now. Well, either way, I owe the guy a big one." Commodore Zeibler said.
----
===May===
1 May 2767
Thazi (Outworlds Alliance)
Lieutenant General Rita Mitchell, commander 272nd Mechanized Infantry Division, watched as the last Dropships docked with SLS Mighty Lift, Potemkin Transport. It was going to be a long journey and they had literally packed SLS Mighty Lift with as much provisions as her cargo bays would hold. Work had slowed some on the Olympus Recharge Station while SLS Salvation, Newgrange Yardship, cycled the ships now carrying the 272nd MID, 211th Hussar Regiment and 277th Dragoon Regiment in for a quick maintenance check. But now work had resumed on the modifications on the Olympus Recharge Station.
Rear Admiral Tanisha Tanaka had at the last minute ordered SLS Solomon, to accompany the convoy carrying the SLDF forces as an additional escort, not wanting to depend on just SLS Hatchet, Kimagure Pursuit Cruiser as an escort for them. She figured that with Luxor-Class Heavy Cruiser, SLS Rhodon, and Volga-Class Transport, SLS Borneo, and her 55th Reconnaissance Division in the vicinity that they could provide the needed protection for SLS Salvation during the repair operations.
Aboard the Newgrange-Class Yardship, SLS Salvation, Commodore Trisha Delvaney monitored the ongoing modifications to the Olympus Recharge Station. In the back of her mind, she went over her engineers survey on the 2 Dart Light Cruisers. One had a destroyed Jump Core that would have to be ground down and recast, the other had enough cracks in it's Jump Core that it too would need to be ground and recast. The modifications to the Olympus Recharge Station was estimated to chew up 35% of her available raw material. One of her engineers had spouted off that it would be quicker to manufacture a damned Germanium Processing Factory with a Core Grinder attached and a Jump Core Factory than to just use the Salvations onboard facilities alone. Her mind kept playing the words of her engineer over and over again. What would SLDF command say when they found out that they had basically built a Fleet Support Base out here in the boondocks that could do everything except actually build a warship from scratch if she moved with her engineers’ idea? It would be on par with Quatre Belle, only with 2 fewer slips.
After the idea had been planted in her head by her engineer, Commodore Delvaney had pulled the specifications for her onboard facilities. Her onboard Germanium Processing with Core Grinder could grind 5,000 tons of Jump Core per day but only process 3,000 tons per day back into raw material. Her onboard Jump Core manufacturing could only use 2,500 tons per day as it recast a new core. All of her onboard equipment to grind, process and recast a Jump Core weighed almost 150,000 tons. 50,000 tons for the grinder and processing equipment and almost 100,000 tons for the Jump Core manufacturing equipment. She tasked her senior engineer with working to see if the idea was feasible and then doable. It had taken 8 days, but he had come back and said that though they could manufacture all the equipment needed to duplicate their onboard machinery, they would not have enough raw material on hand to actually build the stations. He had worked up a design for each station and doubled the size of the Germanium Processing and Grinder Assembly, which would require a 150,000 ton station. The Jump Core Factory would also have to be 150,000 tons. The advanced Factories in the Terran Hegemony, could process and manufacture a Jump Core twice as fast as their onboard equipment, which was built more for reliability than speed, since they went on long deployments far from replacement parts.
Commodore Delvaney had mentally shelved the idea, but it kept nagging at her.
New Gascony (Tortuga Dominions)
Ships Captain Martin Zuni had busied himself with transporting the odd cargo Dropship around the Dominions over the last few months. No since just depending on the SLDF contract to carry him, even though the extra money was welcome. He had just detached a Jumbo Dropship to the surface yesterday and was currently conducting recharge operations when the SLDF convoy arrived. A Star Lord Jumpship and 4 Tramp Jumpships loaded with Dropships. Well, time to earn my money from the SLDF, he thought as he reached for the radio.
"Ships Captain Martin Zuni calling SLS Heaven Bound, how copy." Martin Zuni said.
"This is SLS Heaven Bound, go with traffic." Came the response
"I was wondering if I may come aboard. I have information to pass to the commanding officer." Martin Zuni said
There was a pause that lasted several minutes before an answer came "A single shuttle sir, you will be escorted by Aerospace Fighters."
Two hours later, Ships Captain Martin Zuni was led by several stern looking SLDF Marines to the ships grav deck. There he found several officers in SLDF uniforms waiting for him. "I am ships captain Martin Zuni, normally a simple merchant but lately, I have been under SLDF contract. I have this data stick which I am to present to the commanding officer of any SLDF command that passes into this region. It is from Lieutenant General Baxter of the 359th Battlemech Division."
"Colonel Irma Fuentes, 19th Hussar Regiment, I am in command of this flotilla. Have you seen what is on this data stick?"
"No sir, it is encrypted with SLDF encoding. Lieutenant General Baxter told me that you would be able to decode it easily so that you can listen to it." Martin Zuni said.
"Well, then let us find out what the General has to say." Colonel Fuentes said as they all moved to a portable computer and inserted the data stick. The video began to play, Lieutenant General Baxter appeared on the small screen.
"My name is Lieutenant General Baxter, commander of the 359th Battlemech Division. I have entrusted Mister Zuni with delivering this message to any SLDF command that appears in this region of space. I am going to assume anyone listening to this message have made the same decision as me and my command and are no longer following SLDF orders. Though no longer officially following orders, I am also sure that everyone listening to this message still feels for the individual SLDF soldier. I and my command have undertaken a relief effort to assist trapped SLDF troops on the planet Pilon. We do not have any idea what we will face or find when we arrive at our destination.
The decision to not answer SLDF orders was a hard one to make and has weighed heavily on my mind since I made the decision. I am sure it also weighs heavily on yours. I removed my command from the senseless bloodshed we saw, but that does not mean we are cowards. Going to aid trapped SLDF troops is a worthy mission. I ask that you join us on this noble mission. Since we made the decision to embark on this mission, the heavy weight has been lifted off my shoulders and I once again feel I have earned my honor back. I hope it helps you also."
The video ended and the SLDF officers shared looks between them. Colonel Fuentes turned to Mr Zuni "Sir, you would not happen to know the route they took do you?"
"It just so happens that I do have the exact route they took." Martin Zuni replied
"Excellent. I think we will be following the General. It is an honorable thing you have been doing Mr Zuni. We have emptied one of the Jumbo Dropships during our long journey, we had to drop off most of the crews, they became a problem, but I am going to transfer that Jumbo to you as payment for a job well done." Colonel Fuentes said
Martin Zuni had been about to remind the Colonel that he was under SLDF contract but slammed his mouth shut "That is most generous of you Colonel Fuentes. But you must also hand over a written statement with witness' that the Jumbo Dropship was transferred to my ownership as payment. I would not like to run afoul of any regulations or laws and be thought a pirate."
"Of course. I will write up the transfer myself and my officers here will witness it. The Jumbo was captured hauling contraband and legally seized and previous ownership was forfeited at that time." Colonel Fuentes said
"In that case, I gladly accept the Jumbo Dropship. I am sure I can round up a replacement crew for it." Martin Zuni said with a broad grin.
Morgan's Holdfast (Tortuga Dominions)
"General" Olivia Daniels, commander 54th Mechanized Infantry Division, and her troops had landed on Morgan's Holdfast on 7 April. The 54th MID had quickly pummeled the pirate group that actually had the nerve to challenge them. But after several protests by the population, she had pulled her forces back to the space port until they decided what to do next. After all they had seen and done, the 54th MID wanted no part in putting down civilian protests.
Hope IV (Independent Periphery)
Lieutenant General Gregory Hanesworth, commander 29th Mechanized Infantry Division "Rogue", once again allowed his command a few weeks of rest on the planets surface. Another month and they would reach the Tortuga Dominions. Normal people avoided the Dominions as they were infested with pirates, but his people were not normal. Each and every one of them were hardened combat veterans. Though none wanted to deal with civilians, they would gladly pound pirates into dust.
Deep Space (2 Jumps from Hope IV)
Colonel Brandon Janees, commander 173rd Mechanized Infantry Division, was looking forward to some more ground time. Plus they needed to replenish their supplies of water and food after months in space. Another 3 months and they should be in the Tortuga Dominions. What they would do once there was still up in the air.
Quines (Outworlds Alliance)
Captain Xavier Poutry, commander 3rd Battalion, 335th Royal Dragoon Regiment, really just over a company in strength, cursed his luck for the millionth time. I knew I should have left armed troops aboard the damned Jumpship. They had set down to replenish supplies and when they had boosted back to the jump point, they had found their ride had left them. Now they had been on the surface for over 2 months and resigned themselves that they were stuck. At least the natives were nice and actually seemed thankful to have a "garrison". If you could call 16 Battlemechs a garrison.
29 May 2767
New Vandenberg (Taurian Concordat)
Aboard McKenna-Class Battleship, SLS McKenna's Pride, Commanding General Kerensky ordered the encoded transmission of his orders. All SLDF forces were to leave the Periphery and make their way to the designated staging points, Point Kappa (Romulas) and Point Epsilon (Alarion) both in the Lyran Commonwealth. The Rim Worlds Republic would be the first to feel the wrath of the SLDF.
The message would not reach the 55th Reconnaissance Division.
----
===June===
6 June 2767
Thazi (Outworlds Alliance)
The incoming emergence wave at the Zenith Jump Point caused no small amount of anxiety for the SLDF. Commodore Barbara Coltrain aboard SLS Rhodon, Luvor Heavy Cruiser, began heading for the Zenith Jump Point along with Rear Admiral Tanisha Tanaka aboard SLS Windego, Whirlwind Destroyer. Rear Admiral Tanaka had already issued an immediate recall for her entire Division.
The first of 5 Star Lord Jumpships materialized and began broadcasting SLDF identification. Before Commodore Coltrain could order her communication officer to make contact, over the radio came "Commodore Coltrain, this is Commodore Zeibler aboard SLS Midnight Rider. I have returned with some friends who saved our butts."
"Zeibler, where is Conroy? What happened?" Commodore Coltrain asked
"How about we talk about that when we link up. I will say that I screwed up bad and almost got my crew killed." Commodore Zeibler responded.
"Roger, we will be to you in 2 days. Coltrain out."
8 June 2767
Aboard SLS Rhodon, the large Luxor-Class Heavy Cruiser, Commodore Vincent Zeibler recounted his story to Commodore Coltrain and Rear Admiral Tanaka, who was still mad as hell at the total lack of an easy way to get from one ship to another since her Whirlwind Destroyer lacked any shuttle or even docking collars. She had never been fond of conducting EVA operations just to travel between ships.
"I swear to god, if I ever get my hands on the idiot who designed the damned Whirlwind-Class Destroyer I am going to strangle him. So, you are Commodore Zeibler, commander of SLS Conroy, Avatar Heavy Cruiser. I am Rear Admiral Tanisha Tanaka, commander 55th Reconnaissance Division tasked with finding some missing ships and yours is the last one. You can now explain where she is while I finish calming my nerves." She said continuing to mutter under her breath about idiots designing ships.
"It is my fault. I pushed Conroy too fast, too hard. I ordered our next jump too soon and the static electricity was too much. We misjumped out into Deep Space, about 250LY from here. SLS Midnight Rider has the exact location plotted and saved on her navigation computer for possible recovery. We blew out the field initiator, spent months repairing it, but the first jump, the damned field initiator took the entire aft section of the Conroy with it, but nothing else. Transit drives are gone, Jump Core is shattered. If Major General Carman and the 280th Mechanized Infantry Division had not come along, well, let's just say it was not going to be a pretty thought." Commodore Zeibler explained.
"Well, you know Admiral Isla Firova (Commander 10th Fleet) is going to put a big black mark in your record for losing Conroy like that. Not to mention what Vice Admiral Petra Levanon (Commander 102nd Escort Squadron) is going to do to you for losing one of her precious Heavy Cruisers. Maybe it is a good thing your stuck out here, Petra would probably throw you out of an airlock personally." Rear Admiral Tanaka said.
"Sir, if they would have properly supported us instead of leaving us out here on our own for so long, maybe it would not have happened. We have been pushing the ships way too hard out here for almost 2 years without proper relief. I will take my punishment like a man, but will exact a pound of flesh in return when it happens." Commodore Zeibler responded
"Well, at least we know where Conroy is. I can quit pushing my own ships so hard now. I damn sure do not want to explain to Vice Admiral Oskar Petrovich how I managed to lose a ship. I want you to get your Chief Engineer over to SLS Salvation and have him brief the engineers over there on the damage inflicted on Conroy. Once Salvation has returned Rhodon to full status, we will be recovering Conroy and I want her prepared to make the repairs as quick as possible." Rear Admiral Tanaka said
"Yes sir, right away sir. Sir, there is something you need to know about the 280th Mechanized Infantry Division. I think they deserted." Commodore Zeibler said
"I am sure that they did. The 280th Mechanized Infantry Division was assigned to 3rd Army in the Taurian Concordat. They were reported missing May 2766. This entire campaign has been a total cluster jerk. They are not the first, and I doubt they will be the last. But they travelled all the way over here to help cut off SLDF forces. I think they have atoned for that major error in their judgement and I for one will not hold that against them. I will leave up to Major General Rommel who I have already summoned from Pilon. Technically he out ranks me anyway." Rear Admiral Tanaka said
Aboard SLS Midnight Rider, Star Lord Jumpship, Major General Iris Carman was nervous and so was Commodore Richard Devall. There was no escape now, not with all the SLDF warships gathered at the Zenith Jump Point. When the order came for them to detach Dropships and head for the planets surface, they shared a look of dread between them. "Good luck General. At least on the ground you have a chance. Up here, well I will await the Marines to arrive and preapre myself to get tossed out of an airlock." Commodore Devall said
New Haiti (Tortuga Dominion)
Ships Captain Martin Zuni was aboard his Merchant Jumpship studying the newly arrived SLDF convoy. After listening to Lieutenant General Baxter's message, he had some serious doubt that he would ever get paid for his "SLDF" contracts. Even though selling the Jumbo Dropship would more than compensate him for it, the mere thought that he had been snookered by both Baxter and Carman irritated him. But, he at least had integrity, he at least would uphold his word.
"Ship's Captain Martin Zuni to SLS Heaven's Gaze, how copy over?"
"This is SLS Heaven's Gaze, go with your traffic sir." Came the reply
"Request to come aboard and talk with the Commanding Officer. I have a message to deliver to him." Martin Zuni said
"This is Lieutenant General Gregory Hanesworth, commander 29th Mechanized Infantry Division, what message sir?" A new voice said
"I cannot broadcast this, sir, it is to be hand delivered." Martin Zuni said
"Come ahead. I will meet you in the shuttle bay." General Hanesworth said
While the conversation had been ongoing, Martin Zuni had seen a new ship arrive, Hyperspace Cowboy, Ships Captain Martha Pruitt had returned. He quickly signed off with the SLDF Jumpship and got a secure laser lock on her Merchant Jumpship. "Pruitt, you old hag, you still alive over there or did you finally die of old age?"
"Damn Zuni, your still out here too? The damned SLDF is thick as thieves out here now. I figured with the damned coup they would all be gone." Pruitt answered
"What coup? What are you yapping about woman? You going senile on me?" Zuni asked
"You have not heard? That sneaky Amaris from the Rim Worlds done gone and took over the Terran Hegemony. Declared himself Emperor and all. They's going to be a big assed war, that's why I hauled butt back out here." Pruitt explained
"Ain't that a bitch. What else you heard?" Zuni asked, I wonder if General Hanesworth has heard this information and should I tell them, he thought.
"Met one of King Killer's ships at New Port Royal. Said a SLDF unit landed on Morgan's Holdfast and kicked the crap out of King Killer's band. Must be a good sized unit cause King Killer was one the biggest pirate bands out here in the Dominions." Pruitt said
Another SLDF unit on Morgan's Holdfast? Where did they com from I wonder, Zuni thought before answering Pruitt "Seems to be a busy place, the Dominions. I have to go, my presence has been requested by the SLDF."
"Shit, good luck Zuni. I am going to pray I don't get boarded for an inspection. I have some goods in the hold that I would prefer not to have to explain. Pruitt out."
Three hours later, Martin Zuni was aboard SLS Heaven's Gaze. True to his word Lieutenant General Gregory Hanesworth met him in the shuttle bay the moment it was declared safe by the Jumpships crew. "Mister Zuni, Lieutenant General Gregory Hanesworth. Not sure why a Merchant Captain is hand delivering messages for the SLDF, but I will say it made my curiosity peak. Shall we head to my temporary quarters?"
Soon they were inside Lieutenant General Hanesworth's quarters "I was given this data stick to present to SLDF units as they appeared in the region. It was recorded by Lieutenant General Baxter when he passed thru here a few months ago." Martin Zuni explained as he handed over the data stick
Lieutenant General Hanesworth took the data stick and inserted it into his portable computer. The video began to play:
"My name is Lieutenant General Baxter, commander of the 359th Battlemech Division. I have entrusted Mister Zuni with delivering this message to any SLDF command that appears in this region of space. I am going to assume anyone listening to this message have made the same decision as me and my command and are no longer following SLDF orders. Though no longer officially following orders, I am also sure that everyone listening to this message still feels for the individual SLDF soldier. I and my command have undertaken a relief effort to assist trapped SLDF troops on the planet Pilon. We do not have any idea what we will face or find when we arrive at our destination.
The decision to not answer SLDF orders was a hard one to make and has weighed heavily on my mind since I made the decision. I am sure it also weighs heavily on yours. I removed my command from the senseless bloodshed we saw, but that does not mean we are cowards. Going to aid trapped SLDF troops is a worthy mission. I ask that you join us on this noble mission. Since we made the decision to embark on this mission, the heavy weight has been lifted off my shoulders and I once again feel I have earned my honor back. I hope it helps you also."
When the video quit playing Lieutenant General Hanesworth looked at Martin Zuni "How many other units have you shown this to?"
"One, about a month ago. I just learned there is another unit on Morgan's Holdfast. I planned to go see them next." Martin Zuni said
"You happen to know the route Baxter took?" Lieutenant General Hanesworth asked
"Yes sir, it passes right thru Morgan's Holdfast as a matter of fact." Martin Zuni said
"Good, I will save you the trip and deliver the message myself. You have a copy of this I presume?" Lieutenant General Hanesworth asked
"Yes sir, quite a few actually. General Baxter gave me 15 data sticks." Martin Zuni said
"Good. Thank you for the information Mr Zuni, it does help me out." Lieutenant General Hanesworth said.
18 June 2767
Rim Worlds Outpost #11 (Deep Periphery)
Polemarchos Emerson Dragonovich, though a naval officer, was actually glad to have firm ground under his feet. It took 221 days to reach Detroit from Rim Worlds territory, but it took a year and 44 jumps to reach this far flung Outpost. He had taken great care to maximize recharge time to lesson the risk to his Task Force so far from any sort of help. He absently watched the massive Mammoth-Class Dropships unloading their cargo of raw ores. He already had the manifest to be loaded back aboard the Mammoth's delivered by Taxiarchos Jermaine Haye.
-Stinger, STG-3R - 390 (7,800 tons)
-Firestarter, FS9-H - 195 (6,825 tons)
-Phoenix, PX-3R - 312 (15,600 tons)
-Talos, TLS-1B - 312 (15,600 tons)
-Archer, ARC-2R - 156 (10,920 tons)
-Battlemaster, BLR-1G - 156 (13,260 tons)
Though a huge quantity of Battlemechs, their overall tonnage would barely fill 2 Mammoth-Class Dropships. It was enough Battlemechs to fully equip 5 Battlemech Divisions or 14 Battlemech Regiments. Taxiarchos Jermaine Haye had already taken the opportunity to tell him how this 1.5 million tons of raw material would be enough to keep his factory in operation for 3 years and that the quantity soon to be loaded was but 13 months of production.
"Seems a huge waste, 1.5 million tons of raw material to create only what, 240,000 tons of Battlemechs?" Dragonovich said
"This Factory is not nearly as efficient as the ones in the Rim Worlds itself or any of the other Periphery Nations. And a far cry from the efficiency of those in the Terran Hegemony. Where we have to use 7 tons of raw ore to create 1 ton of usable material, the more efficient Factories probably use probably 3-4 tons of raw ore to create 1 ton of usable material. I am working hard to improve overall efficiency of the Factory here to get that number down. In 4 years, I hope to have our efficiency improved to where we use 5 or better yet 4 tons of raw to 1 ton usable." Taxiarchos Haye explained.
"How do you propose to accomplish this?" Dragonovich asked.
"It will not be easy, but before I was sent out here and given rank in the military, I was a lead supervisor for Diplass Technologies. Building Battlemechs is what I do. Most of the savings come from personnel training, but I have some improvements to the actual machinery planned that should help cut down on the waste of raw material." Taxiarchos Haye said
"Still seems a huge waste to me, this amount of raw material could build another two ‘’Riga’’ Frigates." Dragonovich said.
"Possibly, but ‘’Riga’’ Frigates cannot take worlds Polemarchos." Taxiarchos Haye replied
"No, but a single Riga can sure destroy an entire world in a months time Taxiarchos Haye." Polemarchos Dragonovich said as he walked away, he needed to prepare for the next leg of his journey, 1,400LY to Outpost #7, another year of travel before he set foot on firm ground again.
Thazi (Outworlds Alliance)
Major General Iris Carman, commander 280th Mechanized Infantry Division, paced nervously as she watched the inbound shuttle land that would be Major General Heinrich Rommel she was sure of it. She had been notified that he was inbound by Rear Admiral Tanaka. She had no clue what she would say. How do I explain how a Division just up and decides to travel a thousand light years to help another command, in another Army without orders, she thought for the millionth time.
She stopped her pacing as the shuttle came to a halt not far away. A hatch opened and she watched as 2 men in SLDF uniforms descended the roll away stairs and began heading towards her. She began walking to meet them, there was no avoiding this. As she reached them, she halted, came to attention and reported "Major General Iris Carman, 280th Mechanized Infantry Division reporting."
"At ease General Carman. I am Major General Heinrich Rommel, commander 322nd Armored Division and ranking officer in this region of space. This is Lieutenant General Colin McGregor, 126th Mechanized Infantry Division. I must admit, I am surprised at your appearance so far from where 3rd Army was stationed. Care to explain how you came to be here?"
"I am not going to even try to explain it General Rommel. Hell, there is no way to explain it rationally. We both know the SLDF would not even entertain the idea. If the local forces could not reestablish contact with a command, they would just write the command off. We both know it. They might go to extraordinary efforts for a warship, but from what I have seen and experienced, us ground pounders stand or die on our own. I received information that you needed help and here we are." Major General Carman said
"Well, we are glad to have you General Carman. I can read the writing on the wall as good as anyone. But I am here to inform you that you and your command are back in the SLDF. Welcome to the Forgotten Corps, or that is what the troops have been calling us. Some day, I will figure out how to explain this to High Command, but until that time, I will just continue collecting lost sheep into my wayward flock out here. Is that going to be a problem General?" Major General Rommel said
The words spoken by Major General Rommel shocked her "Sir, we never wanted to leave the SLDF. We just wanted to fight as a united command, not be split apart and scattered to the winds. There will be no problem at all." They were not under arrest, she still had her Division, she wanted to do a back flip.
"Good, excellent even. Your new assignment is to garrison Thazi here. So get settled in. I am told the population is not hostile, so I don't expect any trouble. There could be hiding rebels, so I would advise regular patrols. We have no way to resupply material or even ammunition, so be ready to make due with what you have." Major General Rommel said
"We have no immediate critical issues except food and basic supplies. I can assume that the local's can provide for those needs?" Major General Carman asked
"I am pretty sure they can handle those needs. Come, let's go see if we can find Lieutenant General Mitchell's old headquarters building. She departed a month ago to assist General Kerensky in retaking the Terran Hegemony." Major General Rommel said
Those words brought Major General Carman to a screeching halt "Retake the Terran Hegemony? What the hell happened? When did it happen?"
"Come on General Carman, I will explain all that we know, but let's get out of the sun." Major General Rommel said
Morgan's Holdfast (Tortuga Dominions)
Lieutenant General Gregory Hanesworth, commander 29th Mechanized Infantry Division, descended the ramp of his Dropship. Waiting at the bottom of the ramp was "General" Olivia Daniels, commander 54th Mechanized Infantry Division. He could tell she was nervous, I bet if I said boo she would faint, he thought to himself. A few sideways glances confirmed his hunch that her troops were just as nervous and tense. I need to defuse this before I get myself shot, he thought.
"Relax, General Daniels, I am Lieutenant General Gregory Hanesworth and I did the exact same thing as you did. I am not here to arrest anyone. I am here to deliver a message and see if you would like to tag along." He said
"Sir, Capt....General Olivia Daniels. What is it exactly you think we did?" She said, but some of her nervous tension had eased.
She is a Captain, no wonder she's is as skittish as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs, but she must be a damned good one to get all these troops to follow her, he thought before responding "Deserted, mutiny, cut and ran, but not cowardice. How am I doing?" General Hanesworth said.
"You said you were delivering a message, who from?" "General" Daniels asked, some spine reappearing.
"Best I let him tell you himself. You have a portable computer handy?" General Hanesworth asked.
"Yes sir, please come with me." "General" Daniels said.
As they walked towards a Overlord Dropship, Lieutenant General Hanesworth asked "Tell me something, how did a mere Captain manage to become a Division commander?"
"Simple, have an idiot for a Division Commander. He called a damned officers conference for all Major's and above, in a combat zone where we had already suffered a nuclear attack. They all got vaporized sir. Every last one of them. The troops sort of elected me to the position after we evacuated the planet. I have company's led by Lieutenants and Battalions by Captains. But we know how to fight and survive." She explained as they entered the Overlord Dropship and made their way to what he assumed were her quarters. He inserted the data stick and sat back as the video started to play:
"My name is Lieutenant General Baxter, commander of the 359th Battlemech Division. I have entrusted Mister Zuni with delivering this message to any SLDF command that appears in this region of space. I am going to assume anyone listening to this message have made the same decision as me and my command and are no longer following SLDF orders. Though no longer officially following orders, I am also sure that everyone listening to this message still feels for the individual SLDF soldier. I and my command have undertaken a relief effort to assist trapped SLDF troops on the planet Pilon. We do not have any idea what we will face or find when we arrive at our destination.
The decision to not answer SLDF orders was a hard one to make and has weighed heavily on my mind since I made the decision. I am sure it also weighs heavily on yours. I removed my command from the senseless bloodshed we saw, but that does not mean we are cowards. Going to aid trapped SLDF troops is a worthy mission. I ask that you join us on this noble mission. Since we made the decision to embark on this mission, the heavy weight has been lifted off my shoulders and I once again feel I have earned my honor back. I hope it helps you also."
When the video ended, Lieutenant General Hanesworth watched "General" Daniels carefully. As she ejected the data stick, he thought he detected some relief coming from her, her words confirmed it "Hell yes we will join you sir. None of us want to become pirates or mercs. We enlisted in the SLDF for a higher purpose, well this is that higher purpose. You just let me get my troops loaded up and we will be on our way." Then she paused for a few seconds "You going to take my Division away from me sir?"
"Not unless you think I need to. Your troops are following you. That in itself speaks volumn's as to your ability. I might offer you advice and will issue you orders, which I expect you to carry out, but the 54th Mechanized Infantry Division is yours until I deem you cannot handle it. Brevet Lieutenant General Olivia Daniels." Lieutenant General Hanesworth said
"Thank you for that sir. We will not let you down, that you can count on." Brevet Lieutenant General Olivia Daniels said
====Author’s Notes====
*Current Forgotten Corp SLDF ground forces not counting Naval commands.
**272nd Mech Infantry Div
**126th Mech Infantry Div
**322nd Armored Div
**280th Mech Infantry Div
**211th Hussar Reg
**277th Dragoon Reg
----- 
29 June 2767
Inner End (Federated Suns)
Lieutenant General Rita Mitchell, commander 272nd Mechanized Infantry Division, stared at the plot display aboard SLS Mighty Lift, Potemkin Transport, so far so good, we have all made it this far, she thought. It felt sort of weird being in the Federated Suns, safety, no need to put out a CAP, not having to panic everytime an emergence wave was detected. Currently the communications officer was downloading the latest news from the relay satellites at each Jump Point, placed for the convenience of Jumpship crews.
"General Mitchell, Commodore Gallonsa I think you both need to hear this. It is from General Kerensky, dated 22 May 2767." Comms said
"Put it on the speakers Comm, no sense trying to hide anything." Commodore Gallonsa ordered
"For those who do not recognize me, I am Aleksandr Kerensky, Commanding General of the Star League Defense Force. The actions by Stephan Amaris are unconscionable, I have very little hope for First Lord Richard Cameron nor for the SLDF forces stationed inside the Terran Hegemony. Through his actions, Stefan Amaris has abrogated his right to rule. A State of War now exists between the Star League Defense Forces and the Amaris Empire, the SLDF will take a measured approach to liberating the Terran Hegemony. We will put aside our anger and allow rational thought to dictate what we must do.
Humanity's home is now our priority. To the Periphery States, our ceasefire is still in effect. You now hold your own destiny in your hands to shape your own futures as you have long desired. Except for the Rim Worlds Republic, we are coming for you first."''
"Well, do we chase Kerensky all the way to the Rim Worlds Republic, General Mitchell?" Commodore Gallonsa asked
"We continue on our plotted course Commodore. I have already sent a message to the planets HPG for relay to General Kerensky asking for orders. We will continue on our course and check for HPG messages as we pass thru systems." Lieutenant General Mitchell said
7LY from Courtney (Uninhabited System, Federated Suns Space)
Commodore Travis Oldenson, commander SLS Tirpitz, Black Lion II Class Battlecruiser, swore at the 2nd breakdown they had suffered. This time the jump sail had tangled on jagged debris suffered during their escape. His Chief Engineer had taken a work party out via EVA to cut it loose. They would be on reactor charging from now on. He had once again pleaded with Major Ian MacIntosh to allow him to alter course and head for New Avalon or at the least, enter a inhabited system in the Federated Suns. Major MacIntosh had finally relented but he would only allow them to reveal themselves when they jumped into the Junior system.
-----
===July===
9 July 2767
Pilon (Outworlds Alliance)
The incoming emergence wave caused a HPG message to be sent to Rear Admiral Tanisha Tanaka, who ordered her 55th Reconnaissance Division to immediately plot a jump for Pilon. As the flotilla of Star Lord Jumpships materialized at the Zenith Jump Point and their Dropships cut loose and began for the planets surface, warships from the 55th Reconnaissance Division began materializing at the Zenith Jump Point.
Rear Admiral Tanaka's ships began detecting the SLDF identification being broadcast from the newly arrived Jumpships and Dropships and had her communication officer begin hailing the ships on a open channel. The response that came back caused her to shake her head, this place is like a magnet for stray's.
"This is Lieutenant General Nathan Baxter, commander 359th Battlemech Division and commander of this Task Force. Permission to land on the surface, it has been a long trip."
"Permission granted General Baxter, I will have two of my Vincent Corvettes escort you to orbit. I will notify Major General Rommel that you are inbound." Rear Admiral Tanaka responded, still not completely at ease with all the stray SLDF commands showing up out here.
----
===Author’s Notes – Status of the 54th and 29th Mechanized Infantry Divisions===
54th Mechanized Infantry Division
*541st Brigade
**Mechanized Infantry Regiment - 3 Battalions
**Mechanized Infantry Regiment - 3 Battalions
*543rd Brigade
**Battlemech Regiment - 2 Battalions
*544th Brigade
**Armor Regiment - 3 Battalions
*Artillery Regiment
**Artillery Battalion - 1 Company Thor, 1 Company Padilla
*Engineer Battalion - 2 Company's
*Cavalry Battalion - 2 LAM Company's
*Ground Aero Wing
**Aerospace Group - 4 Squadrons
**Conv Fighter Group - 2 Squadrons
**Conv Transport Group - 2 Squadrons
**Engineer Battalion - 1 Company
*Jump Infantry Regiment - 2 Battalions
29th Mechanized Infantry Division "Rogue" (Task Force Combined)
*1st Brigade
**Mechanized Infantry Regiment - 3 Mech Infantry Battalions, 1 Turhan Battalion
**Mechanized Infantry Regiment - 3 Mech Infantry Battalions, 1 Turhan Battalion
*2nd Brigade
**Mechanized Infantry Regiment - 3 Mech Infantry Battalions, 1 Turhan Battalion
**Mechanized Infantry Regiment - 3 Mech Infantry Battalions, 1 Goblin Battalion
*Transportation Assets
**Star Lord Jumpship - 2
**Czar Dropship - 4
**Triumph Dropship - 2
**Mule Dropship - 2
3rd Battlemech Regiment, 265th Mechanized Infantry Division "Rogue" 
**Battlemech Battalion - 24 Warhammer WHM-6Rb, 12 Guillotine GLT-3N, 12 Shootist ST-8A
**Battlemech Battalion - 24 Emperor EMP-6A, 24 Thug 11E
**Battlemech Battalion - 36 Phoenix Hawk PXH-2
*Transportation Assets
**Star Lord Jumpship - 1
**Dictator Dropship - 4
**Mule Dropship - 1
*1st Battlemech Battalion, 181st Royal Mechanized Infantry Division "Rogue"
**Battlemech Company - 12 Thunderbolt TDR-5Sb
**Battlemech Company - 4 Thunderbolt TDR-5Sb, 8 Warhammer WHM-7A
**Battlemech Company - 5 Archer ARC-2Rb, 4 Marauder MAD-2R, 3 Stalker STK-3Fb
*Union Dropship - 3
*Force Movement Note: Forces from 265th MID and 181st RMID are traveling with the 29th MID. 
----
15 July 2767
Pilon (Outworlds Alliance)
Major General Heinrich Rommel watched the Dropships landing across the space port. I wonder just how many more fragments of units will show up, he thought to himself as he watched a tall officer jog towards him. "Lieutenant General Nathan Baxter, 359th Battlemech Division. I also have elements of the 191st Royal Jump Infantry Division, 31st Infantry Division and 509th Battle Regiment with me. Though I have the 31st and 191st formed into a joint command, while my 359th has semi absorbed the 509th Battle."
"Major General Heinrich Rommel, 322nd Armored Division. This is becoming something of a normal occurrence, units arriving from all over. I am going to cut to the fat of the matter General Baxter. Your sins for desertion, mutiny and all else are now forgiven. Don't look so shocked, of course I know. Your not the first we have had link up with us. Major General Iris Carman and the 280th Mechanized Infantry Division arrived just over a month ago. But you all have now rejoined the SLDF, your mere presence here speaks volumes. You may inform your people and those commands with you that they are now a part of the Forgotten Corps. That is what our troops started calling us, and well it seems to fit.
For now, I will leave your current force structures intact. There may come a time, maybe sooner than we expect that we will need to realign the units. I do not see the wisdom in fielding a bunch of partial commands. Now, I am going to assume none of you have heard of the Coup, am I correct?" Major General Rommel explained
Lieutenant General Baxter had been caught flat footed by the blunt statement and then swift dismissal of what would normally be a capital offence. "What Coup sir?"
"Seems Stephan Amaris has managed to take over the Terran Hegemony. We do not know for sure how, but Lieutenant General Riat Mitchell took her 272nd Mechanized Infantry Division along with the 277th Dragoons and 211th Hussar Regiments to assist General Kerensky. We managed to bring those units up to full strength before they departed, but we had to pretty much gut the 126th Mechanized Infantry Division and a large chunk of my 322nd Armored Division." Major General Rommel explained
"Well, I doubt we will be able to hang onto the 191st Royal Jump Infantry Division when they hear this. Pretty sure they are going to go nuts when they hear this." Lieutenant General Baxter said
"I will not stand in their way, if they so desire to head out. Even though we could use them out here, the Hegemony is their home, every one of them. Now, let's head to my headquarters and you give me a good run down on exactly where your group stands on personnel and equipment." Major General Rommel said
An hour later, inside Major General Rommel's headquarters, Lieutenant General Baxter began running down the status of every command he had brought with him. He handed Major General Rommel a list with much more detail while he did a quick summary of things, but first he gave Major General Rommel a few minutes to look it over.
359th Battlemech Division
*Headquarters Battlemech Battalion - 31 Battlemechs (ex 509th Battle)
*3591st Brigade
**Battlemech Regiment - 3 Battlemech Battalions
**Battlemech Regiment - 3 Battlemech Battalions
*3592nd Brigade
**Mechanized Infantry Regiment - 3 Mechanized Infantry Battalions
**Mechanized Infantry Regiment - 3 Mechanized Infantry Battalions
**Armor Regiment - 2 Armor Battalions
*Cavalry Battalion - 2 LAM Company 1 Hover Armor Company
*Artillery Battalion - 3 Chaparrel Missile Vehicle Companies
*Engineer Battalion - 3 Engineer Company's
Mechwarrior w/o Battlemech – 39 
Aerospace Pilots w/o Fighter - 16 
Armor Crew w/o Tank - 291 
Division Support - 11,512 (includes support from 509th Battle)
31st Infantry Division 
*311th Brigade
**Infantry Regiment - 3 Infantry Battalions
**Infantry Regiment - 3 Infantry Battalions
**Infantry Regiment - 3 Infantry Battalions
*312nd Brigade
**Jump Infantry Regiment - 4 Jump Infantry Battalions
**Battlemech Regiment - 3 Battlemech Battalions
Mechwarrior w/o Battlemech - 66
Armor Crew w/o Tanks - 540 
Division Support - 2,937 (includes 191st Royal) 
Dropship Crew w/o Ships - 1,756 
"As you can see on the rosters, I have almost a Regiment worth of Battlemech Pilots with no rides and almost 4 Battalions of Armor with no Tanks. The combined 31st and 191st ranking officer's are just Colonel's, but they have done quite well and am loathe to break them up unless absolutely necessary. Spare parts and ammunition is in pretty good shape for what I have but well short of what a full Division would normally bring. The 31st Infantry only had 6 Czar Dropships but they have enough crew to man enough Dropships for a full Division. Seems the rebels took them all away from them." Lieutenant General Baxter explained
"Dropships are no problem. We have more Dropships up at the Nadir Jump Point than we have crews. Just nothing to put in those Dropships. But at least now I know where we stand. Now, let's get comfortable and you tell me the story on how you came to be here." Major General Rommel said
Alktral (Outworlds Alliance)
Former SLS Independence, Samarkand II-Class Fighter Carrier, commanded by Commodore Nicholai Sursansonov sat at the Nadir Jump Point recharging it's drive. After witnessing the SLDF navy unleash it's awesome firepower on a city THOUGHT to contain rebel forces, Commodore Nicholai Sursansonov had jumped his ship to another system and then led a fight aboard ship against parts of his own crew that remained loyal to the SLDF. For almost 2 years SLS Independence had sailed along the outer systems of the Outworlds Alliance lending it's firepower to cover rebel advances. After the revelation that Emperor Stefan Amaris had openly ordered the SLDF to destroy the rebel forces in the Periphery, many rebel forces felt betrayed, some even moved to join the SLDF to fight against the forces of Amaris.
The rebel commander in the Outworlds Alliance had ordered SLS Independence to head for Boulsi and link up with a supply convoy that should be arriving September 2767. While in the area, they were also to try and make contact with several rebel Divisions that had not been seen or heard from since the Uprising began. His on board Fleet Aero Wing normally had 72 Aerospace Fighters, but they were down to 41 Aerospace Fighters, only 23 of them were the advanced SLDF models. The advanced SLDF Fighters were piloted by the surviving original pilots that had joined him in rebelling. The remaining pilots were rebels, but good pilots.
1375th Fleet Aero Wing
*Independent HQ Squadron - 5 Zero ZRO-116b
**87th Aero Group - 12 Sabre SB-27b, 6 Hellcat II HCT-213C
**88th Aero Group - 18 Star Dagger S-2B
1 August 2767
Thazi (Outworlds Alliance)
Commodore Trisha Delvaney, commander SLS Salvation, Newgrange Yardship, was pleased to finally be completed with the modifications on the Olympus Recharge Station. She looked at it from her bridge, sure is an ugly damned design, with a 1M ton pressurized bay sticking out of it. But, at least it will help keep my repair bay clear for critical needs, she thought as she watched an Elephant Tug maneuver one of the Dart Light Cruisers into the bay. She checked her own ships status and saw that they were 18% done with recasting SLS Rhodon, Luxor Heavy Cruiser's new Jump Core. Another 4 months and they would have the new Jump Core installed and SLS Rhodon would be back to 100%. Then they could plan the recovery of SLS Conroy, Avatar Heavy Cruiser, from damage estimates, they would need to haul at least 100,000 tons worth of ground down Germanium to recast the Conroy's Jump Core to replace what the faulty field initiator took with it. The ships interplanetary drive's were destroyed, but she already had her people manufacturing replacements. She had already made the decision that they would restore Conroy to Jump Status and get her back here to Thazi for final repair. The replacement transit drive's would be stored here until they returned.
The last couple months, her senior engineers had refined the "design" for a Jump Core station with onboard grinding. They had boosted the amount that could be ground and reprocessed to 15,000 tons per day. Which would have allowed them to grind up the 402,725 ton Jump Core from SLS Rhodon in a hair over 26 days instead of the 88 days it took using the Salvation's onboard grinder. They had not been able to come up with a way to speed up the actual casting process, Jump Cores were just too delicate, at least not without the much more advanced but sensitive equipment used by the various Shipyards in the Terran Hegemony and such. Salvation's onboard recasting equipment was built for maximum durability and reliability, not speed. They had searched their database which contained all manner of plans and specifications, but they did not have any designs for shipyards, germanium processing or even Jump Core casting, not the advanced designs anyway. They had worked off Salvation's onboard equipment specifications and to boost the amount of grinding, they had just added additional grinding equipment, tapering it down as the Jump Core being ground was pulled inside while increasing the size of the powerplant and gear ratios to accommodate the faster speeds.
They had taken care to pull SLS Rhodon's Jump Core data, which actually told them the exact day casting began and when completed, 44 days. Quick number crunching told them that the advanced casting equipment had to capable of at least spinning and casting 9,000 tons or more per day.
"Commodore, Rear Admiral Tanaka is on the comm for you. Set up secure laser with a solid lock."
"Commodore Delvaney, sir, what can I do for you?" She asked
"I was wondering Commodore, can you have your engineers check and see how long it would take to install some damned shuttle bays on SLS Windego? I am sick and tired of having to go EVA to catch a damned shuttle ride somewhere or between ships. Hell, even 2 shuttles would be nice, I don't need a squadron of them, just a section." Came the reply.
"Yes sir, I can have my people pull your ships specifications and have them take a look. Not sure what Naval Command will say when they find out we made some changes without their approval." Commodore Delvaney replied
"Your let me handle that problem if it comes up Commodore. I will gladly give them an ear full of grief on how the hell they approved a design that required someone to either dock their ship in a slip of go friggin EVA to travel to a meeting. Hell, the original Davion Destroyer before they were modified had 2 damned shuttle on it, why they removed them, well it makes no sense what so ever." Rear Admiral Tanaka said
"I will pass the word to my engineers Admiral. I will contact you as soon as I have an answer." Commodore Delvaney replied
"Thank you, Commodore. I will be waiting on your call. Tanaka, out."
25 August 2767
Junior (Federated Suns)
Lieutenant General Rita Mitchell and her Task Force had been at the Nadir Jump Point for 2 days recharging. No word had been heard from General Kerensky, even with repeated HPG messages being sent. Now, on the bridge of SLS Mighty Lift, Potemkin Transport, she stared at the battle scarred SLS Tirpitz, Black Lion II-Class Battlecruiser that had just materialized. SLS Hatchet, Kimagure Pursuit Cruiser and SLS Solomon, Essex II Destroyer had already placed themselves between the transports and the incoming ship before it materialized. "Get a secure laser communication with them Commodore."
It took a few minutes to get a lock but finally they heard a weak "...ift, this is SLS T....tz, ow..opy."
"SLS Tirpitz, this is SLS Mighty Lift, we have you weak and unreadable. Say again."
".....static and garbled.....ver"
"Tirpitz, say again last, completely unreadable."
Nothing came back and finally Lieutenant General Mitchell said "Obviously, their radio is shot. I am taking a shuttle over. Commodore Gallonsa, take command of the Task Force until I return. Have Major Calloway kick his ships loose and to follow me over to the Tirpitz. Just in case."
Thirty minutes later, her shuttle was holding station just off the Tirpitz's bridge and the pilot was communicating with the Tirpitz via short range communication. "Shuttle Alpha One to SLS Tirpitz, how copy over?"
"We got you loud and clear Alpha One, sorry but our communications array has finally died."
"I have the Task Force commander aboard, request docking permission for Alpha One and 3 Confederate Dropships?"
Several minutes passed before an answer came back "Alpha One, you are cleared into shuttle bay. Negative permission on docking the Confederates at this time. Please have them hold well away for their own safety."
"Now that is very unusual and make the hair stand up. Patch me over to Major Colloway please." Lieutenant General Mitchell said and when the connection was made "Major Calloway, pull your Dropships back some. Something is not right here. Make contact with Commodore Blythe and have him bring SLS Hatchet and SLS Solomon a little closer, but no hostile moves. Then contact Commodore Gallonsa kick the Aerospace Fighters loose and to form up a strong CAP."
Back to her pilot "Take us in, I will have a hand radio with me. You don't hear from me within 30 minutes of our landing, you sound the alarm. I don't know what is going on, but something is not right."
Fifteen minutes later, Shuttle Alpha One was docked aboard the SLS Tirpitz and Lieutenant General Rita Mitchell exited the shuttle and was led by several Marines until they reached a office and shown inside. Inside she saw a SLDF Major and Commodore waiting.
"Commodore Walter Namathien, commander of SLS Tirpitz and this is Major Ian MacIntosh of the Royal Black Watch."
Royal Black Watch? What the hell were they doing way out here? Who was aboard this ship, the First Lord? Lieutenant General Mitchell wondered before answering "Lieutenant General Rita Mitchell, 272nd Mechanized Infantry Division, and commander of this Task Force. Major MacIntosh's presence now tells me why the strange wave offs of my Dropships."
"Sorry General, but protecting my charge comes before anything else. May I ask what you’re doing out here?" Major MacIntosh asked
"I am not in the habit of answering the questions of a Major, Major MacIntosh. The First Lord might ask that question of me, but I think you’re letting the Royal Black Watch thing go to your head. So, how about you tell ME what exactly you’re doing out here?" Lieutenant General Mitchell responded a little more forcefully than she wanted
The response caught Major MacIntosh off guard "The First Lord is not aboard General. I apologize for my previous question, it has been a difficult trip. I have had no word on the First Lord's status nor the status of anyone on Terra since we left the system. I was charged with taking and protecting Amanda Cameron, the First Lord's daughter. We have been taking a long route to throw off any pursuit until we reach General Kerensky on New Vandenberg."
"New Vandenberg? You most definitely have taken a long route to get there, but General Kerensky is not on New Vandenberg any more. I don't even know where he is. Last message we heard was his speech relayed by news networks. I suspect he is near the Rim Worlds Republic right now." Lieutenant General Mitchell said
She saw that her response seemed to deflate Major MacIntosh "No way am I taking my charge in that direction, besides, I doubt the Tirpitz could make the trip."
"What exactly we’re your orders Major MacIntosh?" Lieutenant General Mitchell asked
"Colonel Hanni Schmitt, commander of the Royal Black Watch, ordered me to take my Lance, collect Amanda Cameron and get her to a place of safety until it was safe for her to return. I figured the safest place would be with General Kerensky. I only have my Lance, no way can I protect her for what could be years, not just us." Major MacIntosh replied
"I see. No, you and your Lance will not be able to do it alone. But, I know of a place, about 5 months from here that would suit the conditions of your mission. My Task Force and I was heading to link up with General Kerensky, but I think protecting what could be the heir to the Cameron Throne takes priority of that mission. She will be quite safe where we would take her. There are 3 SLDF Divisions there plus some additional warships. It is out of the way, and totally secure. We even have a Yardship that could repair the Tirpitz." Lieutenant General Mitchell said
"I don't know General. My orders were pretty clear and I do not want to face the wrath of Colonel Schmitt." Major MacIntosh said.
"You’re full filling your orders, Major. You’re taking her to a safe place. What could be safer than being surrounded by 3 Divisions and warships in an area the SLDF seems to have completely forgotten about? Worst case, we get Tirpitz fixed up and I assign you additional security and you set off on your journey again. I could make it an order, but I would prefer not to go that route." Lieutenant General Mitchell said
While Major MacIntosh thought this over, Commodore Namathien spoke up "Major, my ship needs major repairs. If the General has access to a Yardship, that is exactly what we need. We can at least get her repaired and continue our mission."
"Alright, we will accompany General Mitchell and her people back to where ever they came from, get Tirpitz repaired and that will at least give me some time to decide our next move." Major MacIntosh finally relented.
===September===
4 September 2767
Uninhabited System, 88LY from Thazi
SLS Sneak, Bug Eye-Class Surveillance WarShip hovered silently at the very edge of the systems Zenith Jump Point, her sensitive equipment had detected the emergence wave and her commander, Commodore Maria Padowski, had ordered the ship made ready to jump. At this range, her jump would be detectable by only equipment as sensitive as her own. The Bug Eye's super sensitive camera and sensors identified 4 Invader Jumpships, each fully loaded with 3 Dropships each. The sensor operators were 80% sure that the Dropships were all Jumbo Class.
Finally, with the best intel they could gather without getting closer, Commodore Padowski ordered her ship to make the jump from the system to their fallback position where the intel was passed to the waiting Scout Jumpship for relay back to Thazi.
5 September 2767
Thazi (Outworlds Alliance)
The Scout Jumpship arrived delivering the message of the approaching Jumpship Flotilla. Rear Admiral Tanisha Tanaka, commander 55th Reconnaissance Division and ranking naval officer ordered her Division to a heightened alert level. With the information, she was sure they had 3 weeks to prepare for the convoy's arrival. "Comm, get me Commodore Delvaney and if possible, find me Commodore Zeibler and get him on the channel also."
It took almost 20 minutes to get them both on the communication channel. "What took so damned long?" Rear Admiral Tanaka asked.
"It took us a bit to locate Commodore Zeibler, he was in the Dart Light Cruiser's engine room assisting on repairs. We thought he was aboard the station itself, but searches came up blank. He has his crew aboard assisting in repairs." Commodore Delvaney responded.
"Okay, well then he will have the information that I want. Commodore Zeibler, what is the status of the Dart Light Cruiser?" Rear Admiral Tanaka asked
"We have replaced all of her damaged armor plates, she cannot jump, but she can burn on all engines and fight. All weapon systems check out and her magazines are fully stocked, we transferred ammo over from the other Dart Light Cruiser. I figured that until we got Conroy back and repaired, me and my crew might as well help out with modifying the Olympus Recharge Station and on repairs to the Dart Light Cruiser. She never even had a name, just a hull number, I have corrected that mistake and have christened her SLS Dark Brawler. Commodore Blythe told me about his fight with her and she went down swinging all the way before her capture. Seemed appropriate." Commodore Zeibler said.
"Get her manned and out of the repair yard. You have 2 weeks to get her ready for a possible fight. We have an inbound convoy, standard Invader Jumpships. But that could change at any second. You and SLS Dark Brawler will have the mission of protecting SLS Salvation and the Olympus Station. Commodore Delvaney, status on SLS Rhodon?" Rear Admiral Tanaka asked.
"She has been gutted like a fish Admiral. No way I can get her buttoned up and ready for a fight in time. We have her completely prepped for the installation of her new Jump Core when it is ready. Without her Core installed, any movement will crush her hull like a tin can, the Core acts as part of her keel Admiral. And Salvation cannot move while we spin her new Jump Core. We are dead in the water, if we stop the spin, we will have to re-grind the core and start all over again." Commodore Delvaney answered.
"Then we better keep any hostiles away from you then. That is your first and only mission Commodore Zeibler, protect Salvation at any and all costs." Rear Admiral Tanaka ordered
13 September 2767
Boulsi (Outworlds Alliance)
Former SLS ‘’Independence’’, ‘’Samarkand II’’-Class Aerospace Carrier, commanded by Commodore Nicholai Sursansonov materialized at the Nadir Jump Point and was surprised to see several SLDF Star Lord and Tramp Jumpships leaping from the system. He ordered his ship moved to the Olympus Recharge Station to accept a quick recharge of his Jump Drive and refueling of his ships fuel reserves. As they maneuvered towards the Olympus Station, communications reported "Commodore, we are being hailed by the station."
"This is SLS Independence, Commodore Sursansonov speaking."
"This is Nadir Recharge Station, we were not notified of your intended arrival. But we are glad to see another SLDF ship in the area."
This caused Commodore Sursansonov to pause, what other SLDF ships, he thought suddenly. Before he could respond, sensors detected incoming emergence waves. As Vincent Corvettes began materializing followed by a Whirlwind Destroyer, he suddenly had to make a snap decision, fight or surrender. When 2 Tramp Jumpships carrying 2 Titan Dropships and 2 Elephant Dropships arrived, he knew the odds were stacked against his ship. His communication system announced "This is Rear Admiral Tanisha Tanaka, commander 55th Reconnaissance Division. Prepare to be boarded. Any launching of Aerospace Fighters or further maneuvering will be considered hostile actions. Your vessel has been identified as rogue and you are guilty of mutiny."
As sensors began detecting the SLDF forces launching Aerospace Fighters, Commodore Sursansonov knew the time to make a decision had arrived. "Launch the fighters, Helm let's get some speed, Weps you are free to engage."
Rear Admiral Tanaka swore to herself as the Samarkand Carrier began launching fighters and thrust. "Comm, signal the Division to engage the Samarkand at will. Weps, you are weapons free at this time. I would prefer to capture this ship."
SLS Windego's weapons officer sent several Naval Light Gauss rounds at the Samarkand Class Fighter Carrier, one managing to slam into the front left side. The Vincent Corvettes stayed at long range and peppered the Samarkand with NAC/10 rounds from their forward weapons bays. Managing to land shot along the port side of the rebel carrier. Return fire from the Samarkand caught SLS Dominator, Vincent Corvette shattering the armor on her front left side. While the warships duked it out, the opposing Aerospace Fighters slashed at each other. Several SLDF squadrons of Sabre SB-28 tore into the rebel Star Daggers quickly outclassing the more numerous Star Daggers and savaging their ranks with their ERLL's. The remaining SLDF Aerospace Fighters had a much harder time against the Royal Fighters deployed by the rebels.
Commodore Sursansonov knew it was only a matter of time, the Independence was almost out of fuel having less than 30 tons remaining in her bunker. She had been deployed for far longer than anyone who designed her had ever predicted. Without adequate fuel deliveries and running constant CAP's she was also low on everything else. But he took some measure of pleasure in seeing another Vincent Corvette taking several hits that seemed to knock it out of the fight. He watched as 2 squadrons of SLDF Hammerhead HMR-HE entered range and began lashing at his ship with their PPC's chewing armor off. Yes, it is just a matter of time before I will be forced to surrender or be destroyed, but which one do I choose, he thought.
"Comm, contact Rear Admiral Tanaka and inform her that we are surrendering. I cannot have all of your deaths on my conscience. I face certain firing squad, but most of you will do some prison time. Weps, cease fire and power down the weapons."
18 September 2767
Boulsi (Outworlds Alliance)
Rear Admiral Tanisha Tanaka was aboard the Nadir Recharge Station, Olympus Recharge Station, where she had deemed the prisoners from SLS Independence would be held for trial. She was still in a foul mood since she still had to go EVA just to get off her Whirlwind Destroyer. She walked along the cargo bay, where the prisoners were being held watched over by a full company of armed Marines. They all disgusted her. Though she still did not fully agree with Major General Heinrich Rommel taking in all of the units that had mutinied, at least they had never fired upon SLDF forces. The prisoners before her, they had not only rebelled or mutinied, but had actually aided the rebel forces by raiding SLDF convoy's, actually taking hostile action against the SLDF.
She had sent for Major General Heirish Rommel, Major General Iris Carman, Lieutenant General Colin McGowen and Lieutenant General Nathon Baxter. There would be a General Court Martial held for these prisoners. She had refused to even hear any excuse from Commodore Sursansonov or any of his crew. She floated in the cargo bay looking at the prisoners, chained to cargo holding shackles with long chains. They numbered 321 prisoners. It would not be a long trial, for they had found and secured not only the ship's computer log but also Commodore Sursansonov's hand written log. While the computer log had been partially deleted, the master log was intact, showing intent to destroy evidence but the written log contained detailed write ups of 5 attacks on SLDF supply convoys, 3 air support missions against SLDF ground troops and 5 missions escorting rebel convoy's.
Commodore Barbara Coltrain had sent part of her crew over to take control of the SLS Independence and on completion of recharge operations, they would jump her over to Thazi to await repair. Both damaged Vincent Corvettes had already returned to Thazi to await repairs.
25 September 2767
Emergence waves caused alarms to sound aboard the various SLDF warships at the Nadir Jump Point. When the 4 Invader Jumpships materialized, they found themselves sitting ducks for the Whirlwind Destroyer and 2 Vincent Corvettes. They quickly surrendered to the SLDF warships and Marines from the 9919th Marine Regiment quickly secured the Invader Jumpships and 12 Jumbo Dropships. The rebel Jumpship crews were loaded aboard a Mule Dropship still under Marine guard for transport to Pilon's prison camps while the captured Jumbo Dropships were taken to Boulsi's surface for inventory.
25 September 2767
Emergence waves caused alarms to sound aboard the various SLDF warships at the Nadir Jump Point. When the 4 Invader Jumpships materialized, they found themselves sitting ducks for the Whirlwind Destroyer and 2 Vincent Corvettes. They quickly surrendered to the SLDF warships and Marines from the 9919th Marine Regiment quickly secured the Invader Jumpships and 12 Jumbo-Class Dropships. The rebel jumpship crews were loaded aboard a Mule Dropship still under Marine guard for transport to Pilon's prison camps while the captured Jumbo Dropships were taken to Boulsi's surface for inventory.
28 September 2767
The General Court Martial was convened on the large grav deck aboard the Olympus Recharge Station. Major General Heinrich Rommel was the ranking member of the assembled Flag Officers. Each Flag Officer had complete copies of both the computer logs and hand written logs. In addition, Rear Admiral Tanaka had provided written statements from many of the prisoners to the convened Court Martial board. Commodore Barbara Coltrain had been named prosecuting officer while Commodore Sursansonov would be the defense counsel.
"If it pleases the court, the act of mutiny is a capital crime during hostilities. But there are always extreme examples and causes which should be taken into account. The crimes we are going to hear before this court are extreme in their nature. If it pleases the court, I will forgo formal reading of each instance listed in the Independence's own logs you each have copies of. You will note that there are detailed accounts of 5 attacks on SLDF supply convoy's, 3 air support missions launched on SLDF ground forces. The convoy attacks equal 6 Jumpships destroyed and 31 Dropships destroyed. Not a single one of these attacks account for a single survivor being recovered from the attacked vessels. We can safely say, by the Independence's own logs that those vessels were lost with all hands, equaling hundreds if not thousands of deaths to SLDF personnel.
There is not one mention in either Independence's computer log nor Commodore Sursansonov's own hand written log of any resistance or even dissent among the crew of the Independence or the embarked Air Wing to any of these actions or the orders to conduct these actions. We can therefore only come to the conclusion that every prisoner currently held are guilty of the crimes listed before you. Exhibit 44 in your briefings detailing the action on 13 September 2767 here at Boulsi's Nadir Jump Point which resulted in the death of 131 SLDF personnel and 273 wounded. We the prosecution are asking for the death penalty in these proceedings and to speed things up, we ask that the Court Martial try all prisoners at once instead of individually." Commodore Coltrain said
Commodore Sursanaonov studied the faces of the assembled General Officers sitting before him as Commodore Coltrain made her opening remarks. As she spoke, he saw the faces of the General Officers tighten and harden as some studied the briefings she was referring to, the exact same briefings sat on the table before him. There would be no mercy for him or his crew, not among these officers.
Commodore Sursansonov spent an hour trying to make the case for mercy for his crew and embarked air wing. As he spoke, he knew he was wasting his breath. The logs were too damning, hell they had his own words before them written in his own hand detailing the attacks and even his own estimates of casualties inflicted. When he rested his case, he sat back down.
"The Court will adjourn until tomorrow morning at 9am local time. At which time we will render verdict and sentence. Marines, take the prisoner back to detention." Major General Heinrich Rommel ordered
Once the prisoner was removed, Major General Iris Carman said "Not once did we ever entertain the thought of attacking SLDF troops or even resisting if we had gotten caught. The first attack on a SLDF convoy occurred roughly a month after hostilities began in the Outworlds Alliance. I will lead a firing squad myself if you want me to General Rommel."
For 3 hours the General Officers discussed the case and not a single one voiced opposition to a guilty verdict nor any mercy. Finally, Major General Rommel stood, "We are all agreed on a guilty verdict and agree that death is warranted for all prisoners. Rear Admiral Tanaka, verify the cargo in the cargo bay is fully lashed down and secure. When that is done, evacuate the Marines and I want you to vent the cargo bay to space. Carry out the sentence immediately, this way we avoid the prisoners attempting a riot. I will not lose another trooper to this band of creatures. Everyone agree?"
A chorus of "AYES" was sounded by the gathered General Officers. At 0400 hours on 29 September 2767, the sentence was carried out.
===October===
5 October 2767
Boulsi (Outworlds Alliance)
With the matter of the Court Martial over, Major General Heinrich Rommel, Major General Iris Carman, Lieutenant General Colin McGowen and Lieutenant General Nathan Baxter all took their shuttles down to the surface to view the contents of the captured ‘’Jumbo’’ Dropships which had been unloaded for inventory.
**216 Marsden II-A Main Battle Tank
**324 Merkava Mk VIII Main Battle Tank
**72 Ballista Artillery
**108 LVT-4 Hover Tanks
**216 Heavy Tracked APC
**144 Korvin Tank
**210 Sherpa Armored Truck
**108 Sherpa Fuel Truck
**108 Star Dagger S-2B
**84 Typhoon TFN-2A
**12,600 tons ammunition and spare parts
Major General Iris Carman whistled "Man, someone somewhere is going to be pissed when they don't get re-supplied. There is enough equipment here to equip 9 Regiments of troops. Not the best equipment, but good enough to inflict some pain on someone."
Major General Heinrich Rommel studied the print out if the complete inventory "Well, actually we know exactly where these items are coming from. Problem is, they are a long damned ways off. The closest is roughly 1,000LY from where we stand. Almost a years travel from here one way. And before either you or General Baxter ask, no we are not going after them. Now, let's figure out who needs what from this haul. My 322nd Armored Division gave up a full Armored Regiment to the 272nd MID, but I don't have the crews to man them, nor pilots for any Aerospace. General Carman, what can us man and use?"
"I currently have 2 Infantry Battalions with no transport, so could use 72 of the Heavy APC's. If I can get those, it will give me 3 Mechanized Infantry Regiments fully equipped. I have enough crews to equip 2 Armored Battalions that would bring me to 2 Armored Regiments fully equipped. I have 18 Aerospace Pilots without fighters, so I could use some of those." Major General Carman said
"Okay we can handle that. General Baxter, how about your command?" Major General Rommel asked
"I can use 72 of the Korvin that would give me 2 Battalions of them. I can also use 36 of the Heavy APC's and have 16 Aerospace Pilots, so I can use some of those. Plus a bunch of the support vehicles, I am short on those. The 31st Infantry Division can easily man 108 of the Merkava, that would give them a full Armor Regiment." Lieutenant General Baxter responded
"What about you General McGowen, I know we hit you pretty hard filling out the 272nd MID?" Major General Rommel asked
"Yes, but we transferred entire units. I really don't have spare bodies. I am short a bunch of forces, but unless we fold one of the other units into my 126th MID, there is not much we can do about it. Not right now anyway, not without a ton of personnel replacements. But that brings up something I been meaning to talk to your about. Ever since word of the Coup was announced, I have been getting asked by the locals if we are recruiting. It might be something we need to think about. They will in no way be as good as our own SLDF troops, and we have no way of training for advanced stuff like Aerospace or Mechwarriors, or even Technicians, but for Infantry and basic support troops, those we could train here. Maybe it would be enough to fill out our Infantry commands. I am sure if we put out the word on Thazi and Pilon, we could probably gather quite a few recruits." Lieutenant General McGowen responded
"What do you all think?" Major General Rommel asked
Both Major General Carman and Lieutenant General Baxter nodded agreement, "Sounds like a good idea to me. God knows we could use the Infantry, they take a pounding in battle." Major General Baxter said
"Okay, Lieutenant General McGowen, put out the call. Get a training regime setup. General Carman, you put out the call on Thazi upon your return and I will do the same on Pilon. We ship the recruits here to Boulsi for training." Major General Rommel said
Stratford (Federated Suns)
Lieutenant General Rita Mitchell had remained aboard SLS Tirpitz, Black Lion II-Class Battlecruiser and had enjoyed taking care of an infant again. Major Ian MacIntosh had relented after a few days at Junior and allowed her to finally meet and begin caring for Amanda Cameron. Lord knows neither he nor his Lance had a clue how to care for an infant properly. They had been in system for 3 days at the Nadir Jump Point.
She was bottle feeding Amanda, they had secured several tons of tons of baby formula at Junior, using the excuse that they had SLDF families in the convoy. She reached for the intercom when it chimed "Mitchell"
"Sir, we have several Jumpships in system that have made contact with us. 3 Star Lords and a Tramp to be exact. All are broadcasting SLDF identification codes. They want to speak to the commanding officer." Commodore Walter Namathien, commander of SLS Tirpitz said
"Well, have them shuttle themselves over for a chat, commanders only. I will handle Major MacIntosh, lord knows he will have a fit about it. He still is not keen on my having Major Calloway and his SF troops aboard." She responded
Three hours later, 45 minutes of which was arguing with Major MacIntosh before he relented knowing he was going to lose the argument, but she promised to keep a firm control on the people coming aboard, Major Calloway led 4 officers onto the Grav Deck, Major MacIntosh was keeping Amanda company on the other Grav Deck.
"I am Lieutenant General Rita Mitchell, commander 280th Mechanized Infantry Division and overall commander of this Task Force. You all wanted to speak to me?" She said
"Yes sir. My name is Major Andrew Shangsmere, formerly of the 208th BattleMech Division, I say formerly because we refused to disband when we got orders to do so. We got word of the Coup and, well our desire to serve took back over, so we headed back here to Stratford where we had been first ordered. Only to find that the SLDF had pulled out. Then your convoy showed up and after a few days talking, we made contact. We made a big mistake and are willing to pay the price." Major Shangsmere said
"I take it you all made the same dumb decision? But now want to come back into the fold now that the crap has truly hit the fan?" Lieutenant General Mitchell asked
"Colonel Killian O'Dare, formerly 370th Battlemech Division. Yes sir, we are all in the same boat. I also have a group of 32 Mechwarriors from the 247th Heavy Assault Regiment that, well sort of walked away when they got to Stratford, I picked them up 4 days ago here."
"Colonel Tiffany Renalde, formerly 284th Battlemech Division, we screwed up bad, I also have aboard my Star Lord a mixed Regiment from the 318th Battlemech Division that got stranded in the Outworlds Alliance when their jumpship took off on them."
"Major Desire Maxwell, formerly 165th Mechanized Infantry Division, I also have picked up a Company from the 201st Battle Regiment aboard my Tramp Jumpship."
"I am going to be honest with you all. You screwed up badly. But we are not rejoining General Kerensky, we have a more important mission. That is classified. We are heading to rejoin our fellow SLDF forces in the far reaches of the Outworlds Alliance. If you choose to accompany us, I will tolerate no desertion or mutiny. You all screwed up once already, do so again and I will track every one of you down and see you all tried and executed for desertion. Do you all understand me?" Lieutenant General Mitchell stated
The 4 officers shared looks between them, Colonel Killian O'Dare spoke for the group "We understand General Mitchell. Though we and our people voted to rejoin General Kerensky, rejoining the SLDF, even a part of it is the same thing. You lead and we will follow, we will not let you down sir. We know we screwed up bad and you’re giving us a second chance, well, we will follow your orders to the letter. You have a mission, it is now our mission too, even if we do not know what it is."
"Then get back to your ships and have your ships captains contact Commodore Namathien via secure laser link for destination. We have a long trip ahead of us." Lieutenant General Mitchell said.
22 October 2767
Boulsi (Outworlds Alliance)
The incoming emergence wave caused Rear Admiral Tanisha Tanakato curse under her breath, I am never going to get my upgrade for my Whirlwind Destroyer at this rate, damned area is busier than Terra herself. "Sound General Quarters. Get a HPG message off and have SLS Yangtze River and Trintity River (Vincent-Class Corvettes) get back over here."
A Star Lord Jumpship followed by 4 Tramp Jumpships materialized at the Nadir Jump Point. The Star Lord and 2 Tramp Jumpships broadcasting SLDF identification caused soem relief, but the 2 Tramps not broadcasting SLDF identification still caused some alarm. Rear Admiral Tanaka ordered "Get a secure laser lock and let's see who we have."
"SLS Windego, this is SLS Stellar Nomad, stand by for Colonel Fuentes." Several minutes passed before a new voice said "SLS Windego, this is Colonel Irma Fuentes, 19th Hussar Regiment. We heard there was some fighting going on over here and thought you could use some replacement equipment."
"This is Rear Admiral Tanisha Tanaka, 55th Reconnaissance Division, I am sure the ground pounders will be happy to see you. Myself, I am getting tired of all the damned arrivals. It's cutting into my beauty sleep. Detach Dropships and your cleared to the surface, we will escort you to orbit for landing instructions."
On the surface, Lieutenant General Colin McGowen, commander 126th Mechanized Infantry Division had thrown himself into the task of building the best Infantry training center they could. Two weeks had passed since they put the word out that they were accepting recruits and already they had just over 3,500 undergoing physicals. He had created a training cadre from senior sergeants with more than 10 years of service from his Infantry Brigade. Word from Thazi was that Major General Carman had recruited just over 3,000 recruits and Major General Rommel on Pilon had almost 4,000 recruits. To help in the training, the 31st Infantry Division with the attached 191st Royal Jump Infantry Division would be traveling to Boulsi with the recruits once they had passed their physicals.
Lieutenant General McGowen had selected an area 25km from the capital city for the new training facility. Firing ranges had already been laid out by his engineers, barracks were being constructed along with mess halls and several gyms. Planned obstacle courses were being laid out, but not built yet. Armorers were going over the 1,638 captured rebel rifles and those captured on Thazi and Pilon were being brought over as well. Not as good as the SLDF Mauser 960, but good enough for what they were going to be used for.
Pilon (Outworlds Alliance)
Major General Heinrich Rommel stood and watched his senior Infantry sergeants get the new recruits that had passed their physicals into something reassembling a formation. So far, 1,250 recruits had passed their physicals but there were a couple thousand to go yet. A voice caused him to turn away "General Rommel!" he saw Major Nancy Yates jogging towards him. "What is it Nancy?"
"The rebel general, General Kilgorian has asked to speak with you sir." Major Nancy Yates said as she drew to a halt near him
"Know what it is about?" Major General Rommel asked
"No sir, he came up to the fence line and asked for you sir. I do know that the prisoners have been holding a bunch of meetings ever since we released the recorded speech from General Kerensky where he played the message from Stephan Amaris calling for General Kerensky to destroy the rebels and all who resisted the might of the Star League a few months ago." Major Yates said
"Okay, bring him over to my headquarters in about an hour." Major General Rommel said
Just over an hour later, Major Nancy Yates led General Paul Kilgorian into Major General Rommel's small office. "General Kilgorian, I hope we are treating your people okay."
"Yes, the treatment has been better than what we expected, General Rommel. I asked to see you because we have learned that you are recruiting local's for infantry training." General Kilgorian said
"That is correct, it will not be up to what a normal SLDF trooper would go thru, but we are going to do the best we can." Major General Rommel replied
"Well, ever since we heard that fat pig Amaris call for our destruction, my people have felt betrayed. Over the last few weeks, we have had many talks about it. My people would like to enlist in the SLDF. We want our revenge on Amaris for the betrayal. Serving in the SLDF would be our way of getting that revenge for betraying us." General Kilgorian said
"That is well and good General Kilgorian, but as long as there is a state of war between our forces, there is no way I will authorize this. And as far as I know, that state of war still exists. Besides, I would have to canvas my other officers and even all the SLDF troops. I am not about to try and integrate your people into SLDF units only to have a mini civil war break out over bad blood." Major General Rommel said
"I understand General. I promised my people that I would make the attempt. I have another request, could we have another compound constructed but attached to the main compound, say 1KM square?" General Kilgorian asked
"And this new compound would be for?" Major General Rommel asked
"An exercise compound. Our current compound is not big enough for a proper PT routine. We currently might not be allowed to join the SLDF, but we would like to get back into shape, just in case. We are soldiers after all, PT would also help work off the excess energy my people have." General Kilgorian explained
"I will discuss this with my officers. I have no objections, but proper security must be maintained and I will not stretch my people too thin." Major General Rommel said
28 October 2767
Boulsi (Outworlds Alliance)
Lieutenant General Colin McGowen, commander 126th Mechanized Infantry Division watched the incoming Dropships settling to the ground at the space port. He wondered what all was contained inside them. The lead Dropship's ramp descended and he saw a Thunderbolt walk down the ramp, halt and then start walking towards him. It halted roughly 30 meters from where he stood and knelt, a female scrambled down the chain ladder and quickly moved towards him. "Colonel Irma Fuentes, 19th Hussar Regiment reporting for duty sir."
"At ease Colonel Fuentes. Lieutenant General Colin McGowen, 126th Mechanized Infantry Division. What exactly have you brought with you?" He asked
"Well sir, my 19th Hussar has seen better days, we are just over a Battalion in strength with 2 squadrons of Aerospace. I also have a Battalion of Marines from the 9917th Marine Regiment and a company of Mechwarriors and a company of Marines from the 9th Royal CAAN Marine Regiment. But best of all, I have roughly 7 Regiments worth of Battlemechs. Roughly 2 Regiments of the finest Hegemony technology and 5 Regiments of brand new Battlemechs we captured." Colonel Irma Fuentes said
"Really. That has got to be a story to hear. But first, let me get some people gathered and let's get this equipment unloaded so that I can get an accurate inventory done. We have several units out here short equipment." Lieutenant General McGowen said
30 October 2767
It took 2 days to get everything offloaded and sorted out. It was an awesome sight to behold, it had been a long time since many had seen this many Battlemechs in one spot. He knew from previous talks that they would not be able to man even half of the assembled Battlemechs. Arrayed in neat rows along the space ports perimeter were:
‘’’BattleMechs’’’
24 Spector SPR-4F
16 Hermes HER-1Sb
16 Mongoose MON-66b
24 Talon TLN-5W
16 Shadow Hawk SHD-2Hb
24 Griffin GRF-2N
12 Catapult CPLT-C1b
28 Archer ARC-2Rb
40 Warhammer WHM-7A
40 Thunderbolt TDR-5Sb
144 Stinger STG-3R
108 Firestarter FS9-H
144 Phoenix PX-3R
72 Battlemaster BLR-1G
108 Archer ARC-2R
144 Talos TLS-1B
‘’’Aerospace Fighters’’’
18 Rapier RPR-200
22 Sabre SB-28
14,500 tons ammunition and spare parts
In his mind, Lieutenant General McGowen ran the numbers that he could remember of Mechwarriors without Mechs. It was almost 2 Regiments in total.
*126th Mechanized Infantry Division - 23
*280th Mechanized Infantry Division - 82
*31st Infantry Division - 66
*359th Battlemech Division - 39
-----
===November===
9 November 2767
Fugeres (Federated Suns)
Ship’s Captain Martin Zuni was pissed. He had traveled to June to try and get paid by the SLDF and they had denied his payment for the first contract and when he had them check the second contract, they informed him that it was also not valid. Of course he had the Jumbo Dropship and that more than compensated him for both contracts, but the fact that without the Jumbo Dropship, he would be out several millions of dollars.
Against his better judgement, he had picked up a large group of SLDF troops, 869 of them plus their cargo which was contained and tightly sealed 4,000 tons of it on Mararn. The SLDF troops never left the cargo alone, there were always guards around the cargo bay where it was stored. He really wanted to know what was in that cargo. But the "leader" of the group had paid in advance and in cash for transport to the Tortuga Dominions. He knew exactly why they asked to be taken to the Dominions, for months ago, he had asked several of his "friends" that might happen across SLDF troops that seemed out of place, to tell them to head for the Dominions. After June, he silently wished he had not done that at all.
At least with the SLDF gone, the Periphery was getting back to normal, some what. There had been an uptick on pirate raids though. Either way, in another month he would be at New Port Royal and he could get back to business.
Fletcher's Feast (Tortuga Dominions)
Colonel Brandon Janees, commander 173rd Mechanized Infantry Division, had grounded his unit at the space port just outside Yeo City, the capital. He had also left 2 Lion Dropships and a company of infantry with the Jumpships, a platoon on each ship, to protect against pirates attempting a boarding. He quickly set a perimeter and tried to figure out what was next.
New Haiti (Tortuga Dominions)
Colonel Joshua Crandal, commander 81st Mechanized Infantry Divisions "Rogue", had been on planet with his command for 3 weeks. On arrival, he had learned that other SLDF commands had passed thru the area in the last year, but left after talking with a Martin Zuni. So far, he had been unable to locate this Martin Zuni. The local pirate band had been giving his command a wide berth since their arrival. But he could halfway understand it, his command had 2 full Battlemech Battalions with another 41 Mechwarriors without Battlemechs and a full Mechanized Infantry Regiment. He just wanted to find this Martin Zuni.
New Gascony (Tortuga Dominions)
Lieutenant General Katrina Johannsen, commander 36th Infantry Division "Rogue", had been on planet for only a week. The 2nd day, they had hammered a pirate attack on their small perimeter and it had been quiet ever since. She had learned from the space port workers that other SLDF commands had been here in the last year and had left suddenly after speaking with a Merchant Captain Martin Zuni. She had been unsuccessful in locating this Martin Zuni. She saw Colonel Francis Vaniroy approaching, he commanded a Jump Infantry Regiment from the 192nd Jump Infantry Division and with him was Major Terrence Travedo who commanded a Battalion of Battlemechs from the 251st Royal Mechanized Infantry Division. He had picked up Colonel Vaniroy and his troops at Hope IV after their Jumpship left them stranded. Major Travedo and his Battalion had actually been at the Jump Point when he had arrived and they had thrown in with them.
"Still no luck, General Johannsen?" Colonel Vaniroy asked
"No, no one knows where this Martin Zuni is. Hell, he could be anywhere for all we know. I did learn that the units here previously pounded on some pirates same as we did. Also learned that quite a few SLDF commands passed thru the Dominions over the last year and that every single one of them packed up and took off after speaking with this Martin Zuni character. I just wish we could find him." Lieutenant General Johannsen said
"Well, what do we do in the meantime? Busting pirates is fine and all, hell mostly target practice for my people, but I would prefer not to make the Dominions a home. Sooner or later we are going to run low on the ammunition for our weapons or repair parts. My Battlemechs are Royal's and need stuff we are not going to find out here in the Periphery." Major Travedo said
"That is not the plan. I just want to find this Martin Zuni and find out what was so important that several SLDF commands that I assume did the same as we did and jumped ship that they just packed up and took off. Where the hell did they go, that is the million dollar question? I mean hell, we are big enough to look out for ourselves, but we also all know that we got the crap kicked out of us barely a year ago and we were full strength. I would feel much better if we found more commands to link up with. Strength in numbers." Lieutenant General Johannsen replied
36th Infantry Division "Rogue"
*Battlemech Battalion - 24 Night Hawk NTK-2Q, 12 Mongoose MON-66
*Battlemech Battalion - 36 Talon TLN-5V
*Infantry Battalion - 3 Foot Infantry Company
*Support - 550
192nd Jump Infantry Division
*Jump Infantry Regiment - 4 Jump Infantry Battalions
*Support - 158
251st Royal Mechanized Infantry Division
*Battlemech Battalion - 24 Crockett CRK-5003-1b, 12 Highlander HGN-732b
*Support - 252
Transportation Assets
*1 Star Lord Jumpship
*1 Tramp Jumpship
*1 Lee Dropship
*2 Dictator Dropships
*2 Czar Dropships
*2 Mule Dropship
----
===December===
12 December 2767
New Port Royal (Tortuga Dominions)
Ships Captain Martin Zuni and his Merchant Jumpship had finally returned to the Dominions. Checking the ships plot, he was surprised to find Hyperspace Cowboy, Ships Captain Martha Pruitt sitting a few thousand kilometers away. Before he could hail her, she hailed him.
"Where the hell have you been Zuni, you old fart?" Martha Pruitt asked
"Made a trip to the Suns to conduct some business. What are you up to you, old hag?" Zuni responded
"Made a run to the Concordat. Talked to Travis Malone, he said he sent one of those wayward commands this way. Said you asked him to pass the word." Pruitt said
Dammit, just what I needed, more SLDF to deal with. He had planned to just dump this band of SLDF here at New Port Royal, but he might as well go ahead and dump them with their own kind, he thought "That's good to hear, any idea where they are?" Zuni asked
"You have a couple, there is a group on New Gascony, New Haiti and Fletcher's Feast. Take your pick. Lord knows I gave up trying to guess what your doing messing with this Star Leaguers. But you need to get rid of them, I am hearing some rumors that the local pirates are thinking of putting a price on your head. Seems word is getting around that the SLDF folks keep asking about you by name." Pruitt said.
AW SHIT, someone got my name and now the locals might be after my hide. Time to leave the Dominions while the getting is good. Then it hit him, maybe I will personally take the SLDF to Pilon, at least I will have an armed escort to get out of the Dominions. "Thanks for the heads up Martha, you want to team up and head for greener pastures? I have asked before, and you said no before but I could use a good captain and crew." Zuni asked
There was silence for a few minutes "Sure Martin, the Concordat is still a little too dangerous to run around in. Me and my ship will tag along with you. You planning on heading back to the Alliance?"
"Sure am. But we are going to have an armed escort. We are going to convince these SLDF to accompany us, for a price, a steep price. Once we get them to their destination, we will cut out and make some real money." Zuni said
"You’re crazy, Martin, but damned if you don't normally come out on top. Get recharged and I will take a shuttle over and we will talk over dinner about how much money we plan to make in this new joint venture. Pruitt out."
Two hours later, Ships Captain Martha Pruitt found Martin Zuni on the Grav Deck waiting for her. He looked up as she entered the Grav Deck and smiled. Damn, she is still a looker. She looks real good for being 39 years old, Martin thought then smiled, here I am 47 years old talking about her like she is 100. He stood to greet her "Martha, you get more beautiful every time I see you."
"Martin, your so full of crap I am surprised you can float in zero G. So, what exactly do you have in mind for this joint venture?" Martha Pruitt asked as she sat down at the table across from Martin Zuni.
"First, we head for New Haiti, I will talk with the SLDF there and then we take the with us to New Gascony, we get the SLDF there and we all head for Fletcher's Feast. I scored my Jumbo from one SLDF command, and I am going to demand another cargo dropper in exchange for leading them to Pilon. Once we get them to Pilon, we will scrounge up some information and then decide what we do. We will need to find a more permanent base. I been saving to buy a Star Lord Jumpship and if I sell the Jumbo, I have enough. Heck, maybe we start our own little shipping company out there. I would be willing to bet that the fighting scared all the other merchants from the region, maybe we can corner the market." Martin Zuni explained
"Damn Martin, you dream big. I don't think it can be done, but I am willing to take a chance on you." Martha Pruitt said
19 December 2767
Thazi (Outworlds Alliance)
The emergence wave caused a short moment of panic, but Commodore Barbara Coltrain quickly settled down, SLS Rhodon, Luxor Heavy Cruiser was finally fully repaired and battle ready. So when the Jumpships began materializing, she was ready for them. She cracked a smile when they began broadcasting SLDF identification. I have to agree with Rear Admiral Tanaka, this area is busier than Terra herself, she thought. "Comm, hail them and let's see who we have joining the Forgotten Corps today?"
Aboard SLS Heaven's Gaze, Star Lord Jumpship, Lieutenant General Gregory Hanesworth stared at the Luxor Heavy Cruiser. Damn, did not expect to find that out here, this is not going to end well, I can feel it, he thought as he prepared to answer the hail.
"SLS Rhodon, this is Lieutenant General Gregory Hanesworth, commander 29th Mechanized Infantry Division and this Task Force. We are on our way to help Pilon and Major General Carman and the 280th Mechanized Infantry Division. But with you here, I am going to assume that the fighting is over." He said
"The fighting is over in this area General. Major General Carman and the 280th MID are here on the surface. You are cleared to detach your Dropships and head for the surface, we will escort you to orbit where you will receive landing instructions." Came the reply
"Roger, cleared to head for the surface. SLS Heavens Gaze out." He turned to the bridge crew "Now we have to figure out how to get our asses out of this fire we just landed in. If I cannot find a way out, I am very sorry for leading us to our doom."
22 December 2767
New Haiti (Tortuga Dominions)
Ships Captain Martin Zuni and Martha Pruitt winced some at the harder than normal landing on the space port runway, but both could not help but notice the SLDF Dropships with Battlemechs walking around the space port as they taxied to their designated parking slot. When they descended the folding stairs and reached the tarmac, Martin Zuni wasted no time and led Martha Pruitt across the runway to where the grounded SLDF Dropships were staged. Beside him Martha said "I sure hope your right about this Martin, the SLDF takes a dim view on smugglers and we both are guilty of doing it."
"Relax Martha, this is not my first rodeo here. I have done this quite a few times." Martin Zuni said confidently
When they were finally challenged by several armed SLDF infantrymen, Martin said "My name is Martin Zuni, I believe your commanding officer is looking for me. If you would be so kind as to announce my arrival, I would be grateful."
The infantryman spoke into his radio and got a reply "If you both will follow me sir, Colonel Crandal is expecting you."
When they reached a Czar Dropship, a SLDF Colonel was coming down the ramp to meet them "Mister Zuni? I am Colonel Joshua Crandal, commander 81st Mechanized Infantry Division, you are one hard man to find. I am just glad you returned."
"Correct, sir. I am Martin Zuni and this is Martha Pruitt, my partner. Sorry for my delay but I was not in the Dominions and just returned. I came as soon as I could." Martin replied
"I met up with a Travis Malone and he said to look you up when we got here. Then I heard another SLDF unit passed this way and after talking to you departed. You would not happen to know where they went to would you, sir?" Colonel Crandal explained
"I know exactly where they went. I am actually planning to head to that exact location myself if you would like to accompany us." Martin said, he had already seen that they only had combat Dropships with them and no way they were giving one of those up "But we have to stop at New Gascony and Fletcher's Feast first, seems you have company on both of those worlds right now. I plan to collect them also."
"Let me get my troops loaded up and we will boost for the Jump Point. Be nice to rejoin some SLDF forces. Just a matter of time before this pirate band gets ballsy enough to try us. I would prefer to avoi that." Colonel Crandal replied
"We will be waiting at the Jump Point Colonel Crandal." Martin Zuni said as he led Martha Pruitt back to the shuttle
On the walk over Martha said "You did not demand any payment Martin, what gives?"
"They only have combat dropships Martha, no way they are going to give one of those up. We have 2 other commands out here, one of them is going to have a cargo dropship. If they don't, well at least we stil get an armed escort to our destination." Martin Zuni replied
23 December 2767
Thazi (Outworlds Alliance)
Major General Iris Carman watched the incoming Dropships land across the space port, having been alerted by Commodore Coltrain of their arrival in system. Until Major General Rommel arrived, it would be up to her to feel this unit's commander out. But, Lieutenant General Baxter had told her about leaving a message behind with that Merchant Zuni to deliver to any other SLDF commands, hopefully this was another of them. She spotted a man heading for her with a very young officer beside him.
"Lieutenant General Gregory Hanesworth, 29th Mechanized Infantry Division reporting. This is Brevet Lieutenant General Olivia Daniels, 54th Mechanized Infantry Division. We have been following you and General Baxter." He said
"Well, you finally caught up with us. General Baxter is on Pilon right now. Your a little young to be even a Brevet Lieutenant General, there has got to be a story there." Major General Carman stated
"Yes sir, have a complete idiot for a Division Commander, he got every Major and above nuked during a full commanders conference. I sort of got elected by the survivors to lead." Brevet Lieutenant General Olivia Daniels replied
"Well, until Major General Heinrich Rommel arrives, let's get your people settled in. I know what he is going to say, so I will give you a short version. Your past sins are forgiven, but your back in the SLDF now. Welcome to the Forgotten Corps." Major General Carman said
"Forgotten Corps, which sounds pretty bad." Lieutenant General Hanesworth responded
"It's what the troops out here named themselves and it caught on. But they, we, have held out and even gotten stronger. We just started a Infantry training center on Boulsi to train new recruits. We, for the time being, have to look out for ourselves." Major General Carman said.
31 December 2767
Thazi (Outworlds Alliance)
Major General Heinrich Rommel sat beside Major General Iris Carman at the conference table, they were awaiting the arrival of Lieutenant General Gregory Hanesworth, Brevet Lieutenant General Olivia Daniels, Major Sandra Barkley and Colonel Bradley Montgomery. "So, what is your evaluation of the new people Iris?"
"I think they will hold their own. They came out here to render aid on their own free will, just like all the others, myself included. I have serious doubts about Olivia Daniels though. She is way too junior to command a Division, hell too young to command a Regiment in my opinion. But that is why they pay you the big bucks, you get to make that decision. General Hanesworth told me she was a mere Captain, she performed well enough to gain the trust and respect of her troops, but I think that trust is misplaced." Major General Iris Carman said
"All valid points. All these troops following a Captain speaks volumes for her abilities, but even though I have not met her, I agree with you that she is out of her depth. Question is, does she realize that?" Major General Rommel replied
A knock at the door interrupted them "We are about to find out Heinrich." Major General Carman said as the door opened and the officers filed in. "Please have a seat, and we will get started." She told the newly arrived officers. Once they were seated she spoke again. "This is Major General Heinrich Rommel, you have all met me, but this is his show, not mine."
"Thank you General Carman. As General Carman has already told you all, as far as I am concerned, any actions prior to your arrival here no longer apply. Once we are back in full contact with SLDF High Command, I will fight as hard as I can to stress the extreme conditions that arose that caused you to make the decisions you did. But, you are all now back in the SLDF, or our little part of it anyway. But this brings me to a few problems I currently have.
First, we have quite a few commands already that are at or below 50% strength. That now includes all of your commands. Normally, we would begin disbanding and folding commands into others, but that very decision was what drove you all to choose the path you took......" General Rommel said but paused as Brevet Lieutenant General Olivia Daniels raised her hand "You have a question?"
"Sir, everyone here knows that I am nothing but a Captain. I have no clue how to run a Division or even a Brigade. As long as we are folded into a command as a whole and not broken up as individual replacements, I can guarantee there will be no problems from my troops. Nothing against Major General Carman or yourself, but I will volunteer my 54th Mechanized Infantry Division to be disbanded and folded into Lieutenant General Hanesworth's 29th Mechanized Infantry Division. That will bring the 29th MID up to full strength in Infantry and probably an overall of 50% strength." Brevet Lieutenant General Daniels said
"That is admirable of you, not often will you have an up and coming officer admit that they are in over their heads. Would this be agreeable to you Lieutenant General Hanesworth?" General Rommel stated
"Yes sir, I would like to ask that she retain the rank of Brevet Lieutenant General. She has great promise and I think I can get her up to speed and make a very good Brigade Commander out of her with a little work. If Colonel Montgomery would agree to fold his Regiment into the 29th, I would like to promote him to Brevet Lieutenant General and place him as my XO and in command of the Battlemech Brigade. Between our 3 commands, we would be close to 75% strength and a viable combat command. If Major Barkley folded in, that would make it even better." Lieutenant General Hanesworth said
"I have other plans for Major Barkley's command, if she agrees to them that is. The 19th Hussar is short over a Battalion of Battlemechs, but they are currently equipped with Royal Battlemechs. I would prefer to fold her command into the 19th Hussar Regiment that would bring them up to 100% strength and have all of the advanced Battlemechs in a single command. So, how about it Major Barkley, will you go with that idea?" General Rommel asked
"If that is what would be best sir. At least we would all be in the same unit. My Battalion has a varied selection of Battlemechs, that will complicate maintenance issues though." Major Sandra Barkley responded
"I think we can work on that little problem, we have some left over Royal's that arrived a few months ago." General Rommel said as he stood and walked over to a chalkboard and began making out a TO&E. Copying off a roster he had in his hands.
29th Mechanized Infantry Division
*291st Brigade
**Mechanized Infantry Regiment - 3 Mech Infantry Battalions, 1 Turhan Battalion
**Mechanized Infantry Regiment - 3 Mech Infantry Battalions, 1 Turhan Battalion
**Mechanized Infantry Regiment - 3 Mech Infantry Battalions, 1 Turhan Battalion
*292nd Brigade
**Mechanized Infantry Regiment - 3 Mech Infantry Battalions, 1 Goblin Battalion
**Mechanized Infantry Regiment - 3 Mech Infantry Battalions
**Mechanized Infantry Regiment - 3 Mech Infantry Battalions
*293rd Brigade
**Battlemech Regiment - 3 Battlemech Battalions
**Battlemech Regiment - 3 Battlemech Battalions
*294th Brigade
**Armor Regiment - 3 Armor Battalions
*Artillery Regiment
**Artillery Battalion - Thor Battalion
**Artillery Battalion - Arrow Battalion, 2 Companies Chaperral, 1 Company Padilla
*Engineer Bataalion - 3 Engineer Company's
*Cavalry Battalion - 2 LAM Company's
*Ground Aero Wing
**Aerospace Group - 4 Squadrons
**Conv Fighter Group - 2 Squadrons
**Conv Transport Group - 2 Squadrons
**Jump Infantry Regiment - 2 Battalions
Once he had finished, he turned around "Does this look accurate Lieutenant General Hanesworth?"
"Close sir, but if General Daniels will correct me if I am wrong, we don't have any Chaperral and think we are short Thor Artillery." General Hanesworth said
"Well, I am going to transfer Artillery from my 322nd Armored Division to fill those holes in your TOE. But if my math is correct, you should be close to 80% strength. Which is much better than 2 Divisions at under 40% strength." General Rommel said
"In that case, everything looks correct sir." Lieutenant General Hanesworth said
"Good. Now, Lieutenant General Hanesworth, your now a Brevet Major General. I am going to be promoting quite a few officers that way very soon, might as well start now. Colonel Montgmoery, your now a Brevet Lieutenant General and XO of the 29th Mechanized Infantry Division. Captain Daniels, I am going to allow Major General Hanesworth to run his Division his way and will allow you to retain his appointed rank of Brevet Lieutenant General. You have much to learn and hope you do well. My advice, is to pick up both General Hanesworth and General Carman's minds while here on Thazi. Major General Carman is in command of the Thazi defenses."
"Now, if you have not heard yet, it seems Stefan Amaris had managed to take the Terran Hegemony by coup and had declared himself Emperor of the Amari Empire. We have no word on the status of First Lord Richard Cameron or his family. We are not sure even how it happened, just that it did. Part of the 191st Royal Jump Infantry Division is on Pilon right now straining at the leash to run to the Hegemony. I have not yet granted them permission. Currently Lieutenant General Mitchell and the 272nd Mechanized Infantry Division is leading a Task Force to assist General Kerensky in retaking the Hegemony."
"I expect your troops, or some of them will want to run off and join General Kerensky also, but you must stress to them that they place themselves at great peril in doing so. Until General Mitchell or myself can explain to General Kerensky how you have paid for your bad decisions, your all under a death penalty and it would be wise to stay out here. At least for now." Major General Rommel said.
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Category:Works by 2ndAcr