CHS5-3

==Chapter Three - Book 5 – Chappy's Howling Siegers==
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===Planning for Glory===
Headquarters of 5th Sword of Light
OPERATION BARRICADE
Dieron, Draconis Combine
February 27th, 3031
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Tai-sho Palmer Conti sat at his desk, pleased with himself about how things went. A few months ago, when the Coordinator was having his generals committed seppuku he came up with a plan, cashed in all his favors and won an audience with the Coordinator. 
After describing his bold plan the Coordinator loved it, put Conti in charge and gave him seven regiments to play with. 
With the 12th Sun Zhang Academy Cadre showing up after their dishonorable defeat, he now had eight units. Of course, two units were still on their way and maybe delayed but the timeline was a firm date. March 27th the units will jump, and his glory will be greater than the heir to the throne. What was even more tantalizing was a rumor the First Prince himself was on the planet New Home, the 2nd Davion Guards was there, commander was Jessica Davion. Rumor or not that is where his unit was going, if he could kill or capture the Fox his glory would be higher than the Coordinator himself. Since most of the action was spinward of Dieron most of the planets only had militia or a light military presence except for New Home, he decided to take the 12th Sun Zhang Academy with him even though they were barely a battalion now, they had seen war and were thirsty for revenge. He decided to get some rest, so he left his office but still on the walk back to his quarters all he could think about was the glory he was going to have within two months’ time.
===Preparations===
FFSF Accuser, Flagship, Conference room
Pirate Point just outside third orbiting planet
Planet Rocky, Uninhabited System 
February 28th, 3031
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First Prince was on the main monitor talking to the fleet before he said good bye to head back to the planet New Home. Where he would meet back up with the 2nd Davion Guards, these last few days Matthew noticed a little rift in their friendship, mostly on his side. He could excuse it due to the stress of war or balancing being the head of the largest nation, father, and war master. Although Matthew was starting to think it was something else, hopefully things will calm down after the war. Matthew started to reminisce about the conversation him and the prince the night before leaving the planet.
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====Reflection of conversation with a Friend====
Cliffs over looking Obsidian Sea
Planet Rocky
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Matthew was watching the First Prince pace like he was a trapped wild animal.
“I understand now why you moved up the timeline but you embarrassed me yet again, I don’t understand, is it your success? Because if it is we can take you down a notch.”
Matthew shook his head. “My Prince, I did not want to broadcast what I knew over the HPG you know that COMSTAR is listening to everything, and our other means of communication is not compatible with yours.”
First Prince swung around and looked at his friend. “That is what I am talking about, this, this wealth of information and technology and you won’t share. This planet you have all hidden and shit that has not been touched by all the war in the universe the treasures there and you are not sharing it with me.”
Matthew shifted on the bench seat. “But I have shared, you have several of my super dropships and almost forty of the Federation’s newest mechs. Lyran Commonwealth has received several dozen mechs all no charge I might add. Just because I am head of the family does not mean I can just give out stuff without consulting others, as you well know since the Federated Suns has secrets that you can’t tell even to your wife.”
Hanse Davion looked at Matthew started to say something then stopped himself, rubbed his chin then said. “I am the leader of the greatest nation in the universe, your either with me or against me friend.”
Matthew stood up. “Hanse, I traveled six months left my nation took my most elite warriors from all fields of combat and am going into combat for you, if that is not with you I don’t know what is. I am turning in for the night, I suggest you do the same, my Prince.” With that Matthew bowed down, then turned and walked away.
===Plans never survive contact with the Enemy===
Headquarters of 5th Sword of Light
OPERATION BARRICADE
Dieron, Draconis Combine
February 28th, 3031
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Tai-sho Palmer Conti just entered his office, he was for a change happy, he noticed a new communique on his desk and picked it up. Sitting down and reading at the same time. It was a progress report from the last two units assigned to the operation, both were still three jumps away, about a month away from getting here. Everything was coming together placing the report down he started to eat his Tamagoyaki, and umeboshi plums. Sipping on some green tea the alarms went off and he almost spilt it on his uniform. An aid rushed in. “Tai-sho Conti, enemy fleet just emerge at the Nadir point reports are Lyran, and Federated vessels.”
Conti could not believe it. “Status of the enemy fleet!”
His aid shook his head. “Unknown sir the jump ships sent the message and then jumped, all the message said was a fleet of jumpships and warships with attached dropships emerge with Federated Suns and Lyran markings.”
“Send the Yamato and Azuma Task Force towards them, move the Katori Task force up in-between the planet and the two task force. Put Musashi and Sokuten Task Force on standby and alert the Dieron Defense Station. Keep all dropship fleets in orbit at this time.”
“Yes, sir.”
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===The Naval Battle of Dieron===
Bridge of FSS Lion of Davion
Davion Fleet 
Third day from Nadir Point 
Dieron, Draconis Combine
March 1st, 3031
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Rear Admiral Bulis looked at the status of his fleet, three capital ships, twenty Ares Assault Craft, six drop ships and four fighter squadron. He was the overall commander though of the other three forces, which combining the 56th Avalon Hussars, 4th Skye Guards, and 4th Skye Rangers brought another twenty-four dropships. 
“Radar any enemy contact yet?” he asked 
“Negative, Admiral.”, Sensor Ops Officer 
“Comm any word yet on the Federation Fleet?” 
“Negative Admiral.” 
The Admiral turned to his XO. “Captain Obadele your thoughts on this?” 
The Captain looked at his information on his screen then to his Admiral. “Either the Jumpships were not able to warn the fleet at Dieron, or we just are not close enough to see. As far as the Federation, I know our Prince has faith in General Chapman but who is he really? I am not…” 
General Skidmore had just entered the bridge to get an update. 
“Captain, I have fought beside General Chapman back when he was part of the AFFS and what I know about his people is they are above reproach, so stow it Captain they will be at their destination and will inform us when necessary.” 
“Sir, I have enemy contact looks like by present speed we will be in range in twenty-two hours. Initial indicators are four capital ships cannot tell how many drops ships are attached or what class of capital ships they are yet.” 
“Comm send a data burst through the K-1, saying we have made contact.”
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====Bringing the Battle to the Enemy====
FFSF Accuser, Flagship, Conference room
Pirate Point just outside third orbiting planet
Planet Rocky, Uninhabited System 
March 1st, 3031
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Commander MacBeth was on the bridge of the Accuser, one of the newest warships built in the Inner Sphere. A massive warship, the Freedom Provider Battle cruiser chassis was a 2.5-million-ton warship that could carry ten dropships and had eighty nuclear warheads for use against capital ships, and could carry up to six squadrons of fighters. Along with the rest of the fleet he really felt invincible. 
The Cadet at the comm station turned and looked at him. “Sir, we have confirmation that the Federated Suns fleet has made contact based on timing I say eighteen to twenty-three hours before first shots fired.” 
General Chapman looked at the Commander. “Commander, prepare to jump to the pirate coordinates in fifteen hours. Alert all ships and all fighter squadrons notify the army we will pack up and be in our pods during the battle remember destruction of the fleet and space station is number one outcome of the battle, but getting our forces to the ground is a top priority. With us jumping on the other side of the moon we will be just a few hours away from initial contact with luck they will still be scrambling to meet us so slipping the dropships to the ground should be easy.”
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====Growing number of Enemies====
Bridge of FSS Lion of Davion
Davion Fleet 
Fourth day from Nadir Point 
Dieron, Draconis Combine
March 2nd, 3031
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The sensor ops tech Subaltern Talu turned to the Admiral. “Sir, the four contacts are splitting up indicating that the dropships have detached, and the fighter squadrons have launched. I am reading, Four capital ships, eight dropships twenty small craft, and twelve fighter squadrons.”
The Admiral shook his head in agreement. “Comm notify the fleet continue to intercept we are not launching our four squadrons and dropships until the last moment.”
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====Kurita Fleet Movement====
Bridge of DCS Yamato
Kurita Fleet 
Fourth day from Nadir Point 
Dieron, Draconis Combine
March 2nd, 3031
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Captain Gato commander of the Yamato Task Force and overall commander of this operation looked at the information flowing on his screen. “Sir, looks like 24 dropships, three capital ships I can not tell if there are more dropships attached, as of right now no fighters have been launch.
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Davion Fleet
The Admiral Bulis decided it was time, “Launch all assets have the drop ships, assault ships and fighters deal with the enemy fighters Capital Ships lets focus on the Samarkand Aerospace Carrier to begin with.”
Captain Pinhal commander of Clarent Squadron Two and CAG for this mission got the all clear to launch he notified all his squadron commanders and his own squadron and then left the mother ship. Fighting in space was so different then fighting or even flying planet side, with no gravity per say thrusting and turning maneuvering to gain an advantage was extremely difficult.
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Kurita Fleet
“Sir, looks like four fighter squadrons, twenty attack craft and six more dropships just launch from their capital ships.”
“What type of attack craft?”
“Ares Assault Craft can’t not tell what model though.”
“That could be an issue, notify leader fighter commander.”
The Fleets moved into range of their most powerful weapons. 
The DCS Azuma, a Narukami Destroyer with the Kurita fleet fired first claiming first hit even if it was a glancing blow and took little off the armor of the Davion Destroyer Mjolnir. 
The fighters and small craft/assault craft moved closer together while the fleet took shots at each other trying to get a good firing solution. Davion fighters and Ares Assault crafts stayed close to the rest of the fleet while the Kurita fighters and small crafts rushed out ahead of their main fleet. As hard as it was for a capital ship to fire on fighters the Davion ships did and a Centurion from the Sword of Light was the first causality of the day. Six minutes had passed from the first weapon fire until the first of many unlucky pilots were floating in space. 
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10 minutes into battle
The Capital Ships edged closer to each other and started to fire at each other and some of the dropships that were close. All twelve Kurita fighter squadrons were now fully engaged with the four Davion squadrons and the twenty Ares Assault crafts. The Kurita small crafts chose to go up against the dropships. For every one Davion Assault craft that was destroyed at least three Kurita Fighters was taken out.
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Davion Fleet 
Davion Class Destroyer Block II, FSS Mjolnir
Bridge
15 minutes into battle
Commodore Smith saw an opportunity and decided to take it. 
Even though the Admiral wanted to stay together and take one capital ship at a time Smith saw an opening. 
“Helm, all full intercept course the Samarkand Carrier when in range fire all weapons.
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Kurita Fleet 
Samarkand Carrier, DCS Yamato
Bridge
Captain Gato noticed that one of the Destroyers broke formation and was making its way to him. “Helm make ready ¾ speed turn 45 degrees put the port side in firing solution of the Davion Destroyer.”
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2 minutes later
The Mjolnir fired all her nose and left front side weapons several hit the Yamato and several missed but the ones that did hit ended up with several critical hits on the KF Drive and the CIC along with some weapon bay damage. She also fired on the dropship Banruu using her right-side weapons and destroyed it. 
Unfortunately for the Yamato most of their weapon fire missed. The other dropships did hit the Mjolnir and were able to damage her sensors. 
The Yamato rolled so that her right side would have a target solution and fired which finished destroying Mjolnir Sensors and a couple of weapon bays. Before the sensors were destroyed Mjolnir did get another salvo off getting a lucky shot and destroying the LRM ammo destroying all the armor in the nose. The Yamato moved to the right to try and protect her front from any more fire. That was when 
Captain Gato realized his mistake. “Helm emergence de-acceleration flip the ship flip the ship!!! Because when the Yamato moved right, the other Davion Destroyer the Lion of Davion came into view dead center. 
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Davion Fleet
Davion Class Destroyer Block II, FSS Lion of Davion 
Bridge
Admiral Bulis watched as the commander of the Mjolnir disobeyed and went right for the Yamato, but it was an opportunity. 
“Helm, move in to the right of the Yamato let’s see if we can sneak in and fire close range.” 
When Yamato made a shift and moved toward him at first, he was afraid they spotted him. 
The sensor tech on bridge yelled out. “Sir, their sensors are in shambles and they have no armor on the nose!!” 
Admiral Bulis saw the perfect opportunity. “Helm, port side thrusters’ emergence full stop. Weapons fire everything we can aim for the nose.”
Shots were fired 
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Kurita fleet
Samarkand Aerospace Carrier, DCS Yamato
Bridge
Captain Gato saw the weapons fire from the Davion flag ship. He sent the emergency distress call and called for abandon ship. As the NAC/30 and Capital AC hit the nose of the Yamato the devastation ripped the ship apart splitting it in the front, for a second the Yamato look like it had grown a mouth and was yawning then the ship collapse on itself and blew up.
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Dai-i Kichida on the bridge of the Azuma looked in horror as the flagship was destroyed. “Comm, notify all personnel I will be taking over command the flag has been transferred to the Azuma. Have everyone focus fire on that Davion Destroyer and the Robinson Class Transport Carrier it has the most damage.” 
The Comm was in the middle of talking to the fleet, so Kichida turned to his Sensor tech. “Henshi Nallbani report on fleet. “Sir, fleet is not in good shape most of the Dropships are destroyed half of the fighters are disabled and the small craft has about a third of its force destroyed.”
“Helm, make plot to retreat and relay that message to the rest of the fleet have the fleet ready itself but first lets try and take out a capital ship.
The Azuma moved into position along with the last Dropship left, the Asahi Maru, and pounded the Mjolnir all weapons that fired hit mostly on the nose causing ammo explosion throughout the ship and destroying the vessel. The small craft and what was left of the fighters attacked the Clarent which was the name for the Robinson Transport and took out its sensors and fighter bays. 
Although the recent success of this counterattack, the Davion fleet still outnumbered them with nineteen fully functional dropships and the Lion of Davion barely damage the new Kurita commander decided it was time to officially withdraw.
===Unexpected Arrivals and Promotion===
Headquarters of 5th Sword of Light
OPERATION BARRICADE
Dieron, Draconis Combine
March 2nd, 3031
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Tai-sho Conti was pissed off looking at the screen he ran his hand through his thinning hair. “Sho-sa Libbings, you are now in command of the fleet, I want all available ships to attack the Davion force before it gets close to the planet.” 
Libbings started to say something, and Conti cut him off. “I don’t care what you or any of you naval jockeys think anymore! If I had went with my gut we would have had a bigger force out there I want an investigation when this is all over to find out why our long range sensors did not pick up all the dropships attached to the Warships. I want…”
His second in command burst into the office, Conti was at the end of his patience, everyone just never doing their job. “Sorry sir, but an emergence just happen, an unknown pirate location.” Conti looked at the screen where he saw his new fleet commander being brief. 
Libbings looked up and confirmed the emergence wave. “Sir, nineteen Warships of various sizes just emerged at LaGrange five looks like all but three warships have dropships attached thirty-one to be exact they are moving toward the defense station. Oh, and two of the warships are the biggest we have ever seen don’t know the class nor can we identify who it is. There are no markings every inch is painted black. It is a good thing Tai-sho Conti that we did not send all the fleet after all, I will prepare the fleet.” With that the screen went black and Conti finally lost the battle with his rage.
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Book 5 - Chapter 3