FSRB Chpt 133

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==The Federated Suns Reborn - Chapter 133==
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December 3069The First Prince and his Marshal
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Fox's Den, Grand Avalon Mountain Range
New Avalon Combat Region
Coreward Combat Theater (Markessan Operations Area)
Crucis March
New Avalon, Federated Suns
December 30th, 3069
The First Prince walked into the Fox's Den office of the Marshal of Armies with his mind somewhere else. Specifically with his wife and newborn son who were back at the palace playing with some of the toys that had been sent by 100s of well wishers for young Prince Burton. Not that he was old enough to really play with them, but the image of Isis sitting on the floor while his son laughed was heavy on the Prince's mind as he returned to the duties of state. He nodded respectfully and waved away the salute of Jackson Davion as he strode into the room. "Forget about it, Jackson, this is just you and I... We can dispense with the formalities."
"Thank you my, Prince." Jackson nodded waving the First Prince to the chair that his aides had specifically brought into the office for this meeting. His usual working chairs weren't really suitable for Prince Victor to sit across from him in, so a special chair had been moved into the space. As both men sat the Marshal mused ruefully that Victor probably didn't even realize that whenever he had a meeting in a smaller office the entire furniture had to be rearranged - not because the First Prince would demand such treatment, but because the men and women of the AFFS wished to show their First Prince the courtesy of his office.
"So... The Draconis issue..." Victor Davion broached the reason for this meeting without forcing either man to go through the formalities. By now they had worked together long enough to have reached a comfortable respect for each others abilities. "Any updates?"
"They are definitely on a war footing. But we knew that. Due to their turning on Comstar we are getting a LOT of intelligence from ROM - which we've mostly been able to independently verify. They are building up troops around Dieron, Prosperina and all around the Galtor Thumb and our gains near Niles... I'm particularly worried about the formation of battle groups of regiments on Dieron, Prosperina, and Harrow's Sun. Those are offensive formations my Prince..." Jackson went straight to the heart of his concerns. "Worse, we know that each of those 3 systems have warships operating in them. I believe those are task forces intended to attack us."
"Recommendations?" Victor asked.
"We hit them first. If we hit those 3 systems alone we can destroy or tie down 11 of their regiments - including no less than 5 Genyosha, Ryuken or Sword of Light regiments. Even if we can't outright destroy them, just removing them as offensive units would be a huge net gain for the Federated Suns in the event of war." Jackson handed over a print out of the garrisons of those systems estimated forces and strengths. "As you can see we estimate the DCMS has between 90-100 regiments Prince. If we can take out a full tenth of their forces with a preemptive strike, particularly when that tenth includes some of their best units we will have the momentum from day one. We might even be able to force them to the negotiation table. Especially if we manage to take out any of the warships in those systems at the same time."
Victor sat opposite from his Marshal of Armies and flicked through the intelligence reports. Most of them were merely updates on reports he had already memorized so it wasn't long before he looked up at Jackson and asked. "What forces would be required?"
Jackson Davion brought out another 4 slim folders with the attack forces outlines and plans and handed them over. "For the Dieron operation; I'd take the 2nd and 4th Davion Guards RCT as well as the 5th Robinson Rangers RCT from Murchison as the heart of the task force. I'd add the 4th Deneb Light Cavalry, Davion Assault Guards, and all 4 regiments of the Vegan Rangers. I'd also add the Fighting Urukhai's 8th Striker and Demestri's Bar Hound regiments. No less than 5 front line RCT's and 6 mercenary regiments of battlemech's gives us a more than 2:1 superiority even if they've formed up any new units from the equipment the WOB is shipping them. More likely 3:1 if they haven't yet. For Prosperina; I'd want the 1st and Old Davion Guards along with the 1st Revenant and 1st Kathil Uhlan's from Markessan as the core of the attack force with the 1st Argyle Lancers, 41st Avalon Hussars and the 1st and 6th Robinson Rangers RCT's to back them up. With 8 front line formations we can take on the 2 front line formations they have on Prosperina and also the forming 10th Hussars they have there. For Harrow's Sun; The 4th Robinson Rangers RCT and the 6th Crucis Lancers RCT would be the 2 units I'd use to build the force around, with the green 5th Avalon Hussars being added to give them more numbers along with the 1st Avalon Hussars. I'd bring in the Davion Heavy Guards and 1st Ceti Hussar's to add flexibility to the force and place it under the overall command of Jon. I also have a list of attached warship assets... With these forces I believe we can achieve swift victories, crushing any chance the DCMS might have to launch a major offensive against us for at least a year... I've also included a list of "smaller strikes" that can take place at the same time to mop up other nearby formations and secure a very favorable position for us if military operations continue, for instance the 2nd and the new 4th Ceti Hussars moving on Waldheim with the 2nd Tancredi Loyalist to secure the planet as a jumping off point for a further strike against Kaznejoy itself..."
Victor took the folders and looked at them. As with all of Jackson's work they were thorough, comprehensive and despite being only outlines incredibly detailed. He had little doubt that if he gave the go ahead the units in question would be lifting on before the new year... And while you could never be assured of victory he was confident that these plans had been assembled by the finest minds in the AFFS and if at all possible they would lead to victory.
After a few minutes he looked up. "These plans mean war. Full on war. This isn't a minor border dispute like last time. Launching 25 regiments and RCTs against three planets with the aim of wiping out a tenth of the DCMS in a single operation, plus the "smaller" strikes which include roughly a dozen more regiments... More Hohiro is on Dieron according to our reports... It would be war."
"Yes, My Prince." The Marshal of Armies acknowledged. "But now is the time to strike. Their communications are in a shambles... Luthien probably wouldn't hear about these attacks for weeks..."
"By which time no doubt we'd be launching a second wave..." Victor held up his hand. "Don't pretend to me you don't have plans for a second wave, Jackson... I know you."
Both men shared a rueful smile and Jackson shrugged and nodded. "We have plans for operations that would take us right to Luthien..."
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"Of course you do." Victor nodded. "And that's what worries me. If we launch these operations that's what it's going to take. Us planting the sword and starburst over Luthien to bring it to an end. This isn't the Confederation, a rotting house ready to be kicked down. The Combine's got a professional military that is committed to the fight..."
For a few seconds the First Prince continued to mull it over before shaking his head. "No. I wont plunge the entire Inner Sphere into war. Not yet. War has to be the option of last resort..."
"With all due respect Prince Victor... Are we not there yet?" Jackson asked frankly.
"No. There is still a chance..." Victor's voice was firming up as he made his decision. Although he admitted softly. "A slim chance..."
"If there is... It's fading with every day." Jackson pointed out and reached out to tap the folders on the table. "And these give us our best chance for a quick victory."
"I don't disagree." Victor shook his head. "But before I ask the men and women of the AFFS to go to war, I need to know that I have given peace every single possible chance..."
The Marshal of the Armies bit his lip for a second and then nodded. "I honestly think we are making a mistake in not striking now... But I understand."
It wasn't lost on Victor that now he had made his decision it was now "we are making a mistake". The Marshal wasn't going to place any blame only upon his First Prince's shoulders, even if that was where it would belong if this was indeed a mistake. That spoke to the loyalty of the man who had saved his throne only 9 years ago. Standing Victor tapped the folders himself. "Keep these updated. If I have made a mistake, I'm going to need you and the rest of the High Command ready to pull my royal posterior out of the fire..."
Jackson couldn't help but smile as he stood and his Prince reached over to shake his hand firmly as both men smiled grimly towards each other. "That's our job. You can count on us."
"I always do, Jackson. I always do..."
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