FSRB Chpt 32

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==The Federated Suns Reborn - Chapter 32==
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April 3064Offers Made
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===Luring the Merceries into House Service===
Over the course of much of April the First Prince and his escorting warship and RCT slowly make their way towards New Syrtis. He makes sure to stop at almost every major garrison post and most worlds along his path and even when he cannot divert to visit a unit will often request that representatives of the unit (both officers and men) be shifted to meet with him at those worlds he is stopping at. Despite returning from St Ives with a formal censure from the Star League Council Victor's trip to New Syrtis is more in the way of a victory triumph. On ever world military formations greet him with parades and the crowds flock to cheer their troops and First Prince. A fact that is not lost upon the other Successor Lords returning to their home worlds. Any hope they might have had that the censure would reduce the popularity of the First Prince was obvious misplaced! Duke Hasek publicly comments when asked about the response of his people to the First Prince that he's sure he can hear Sunny's teeth grinding from New Syrtis! The usually grim faced Duke's wide grin as he responds to the question at the press conference leaves nobody in any doubt that despite any differences the two men might have the cousins are entirely as one against the Chancellor. 
The First Prince also takes the opportunity to meet with various mercenary commands senior officers, both on his route and on New Syrtis when he arrives. He makes a point of including his cousin George Hasek in the meetings that take place on his world. In each meeting he makes it very clear to the officers and men of the mercenary commands how proud he is to have them serving his realm and how much value he places on their services. Medals are handed out to various recipients just as they would be to regular army formations. For instance the Arcadians, Federated Freemen, Vanguard Legion, and entirity of both Illician Lancers and Lexington Combat Group brigades are granted the Limp Sword Flag for their work at striking back against the Capellan Confederation at a special ceremony on New Syrtis on the 29th April, alongside the delegations from regular AFFS also receiving the award. 
He also makes a number of under the table offers to each of the above regiments, while acknowledging other similarly loyal mercenary units will be granted broadly similar offers. He makes it very clear to each delegation that these offers are in no way mandatory and he will not put any pressure on them to accept. They are also open ended and he swears that for the rest of his reign the various commands may take him up on them at any time. He even promises to recommend the offers be extended or renewed by his heirs. 
He makes the offer to each of the delegations on New Syrtis of full conversion to regular AFFS formations with commensurate promotions and status within the AFFS - although in the case of the Illician Lancers this offer is not for regular AFFS status but instead granting them a secure base similar to their long lost island of Illicia on Terra. Landholds for officers and men in keeping with their financial stake in the regiments are also promised. Each delegation will be offered a bespoke and custom deal. 
The 1st Arcadians were offered the opportunity to rejoin the AFFS as a full regular army formation. The regiment would be granted the right to choose whether to be absorbed into the Independent Commands, the Avalon Hussars, or the Dragonlords brigade. Regardless of any choice they are promised they will be upgraded to a full RCT.
The Federated Freemen were also offered a similar deal offered to the Arcadians. Colonel Pelt is offered promotion to Leftenant General and his choice of forming a new Dragonlords RCT or of having his unit designated as the 2nd Federated Suns Armored Cavalry, a singular honor given the elite nature of the 1st FSAC. 
The Lexington Combat Group are offered a landhold on the appropriately named world of Lexington and the opportunity to either join an existing brigade (with the Ceti Hussars being suggested) or form their own new brigade the Lexington Guard. The First Prince makes every effort to reassure the delegation from the LCG that their long term contracts and debt to the Federated Suns will not be used against them to push them into this step. It is entirely a voluntary choice and he will be happy to have them serve under him whether they take this offer or not. 
The Illician Lancers were not offered full status as AFFS regulars given their storied history and the respect that the First Prince has for this, although he makes sure to tell them that if they did choose to join the AFFS they would be more than welcome. Instead they are immedietly offered a landhold on an island on the world of Lackland, chosen for it's similarity to their lost Illicia. If they do not wish to take that landhold they can instead pick any island on any world in the Federated Suns and the First Prince will personally from his own funds buy it for them and gift them it free and clear. That includes Sword Island on New Avalon the famed tropical retreat of House Davion he assures them... Although he'd be grateful if they didn't pick that one! After a round of laughter and a few good natured jokes from the assembled delegation they assure the prince that his holiday home is safe. 
The Vanguard Legion is offered status either as an Independent Command or if they so wish absorption into the Syrtis Fusiliers. During this meeting with no lesser person than Colonel Chad Dean himself the Duke of New Syrtis joins the prince. Both men assure the Colonel that his talents are well recognised and their value rated highly. If he so wishes his command can be used to create a new 2nd Syrtis Fusiliers or become the 1st Vanguard Legion as an independent command. Either way his unit would continue to be considered one of the premier combat commands of the Capellan March and he would be promoted to Leftenant General. He and his officers are offered landholds on the world of Bell on the continent of Umbria. 
Although not engaged in active fighting during the recent battles with the Confederation other units listed for similar officers include the Cunningham Commandos, New Avalon Cavaliers, and the Vegan Rangers. The Wild Geese, Screaming Eagles, Blue Star Irregulars, and Fighting Urukhai will also be made similar offers but aren't expected to take the AFFS up on these. Hanson's Roughriders, Harlock's Warriors, Korsakov's Cossacks, The Medusans, and the 13th Stalking Horse are considered even more unlikely candidates and in many cases unsuitable. As such they will be informed that out of respect for their traditions the First Prince did not think they would be open to the offer and did not wish to put pressure on them but as a token of his respect they will all be sent a lance (or in the case of the Medusans, 2 flights of fighters) of battlemechs. 
In a final attempt to ensure that no command feels he is putting them under undue pressure the First Prince makes it clear to all of the delegations that should they take him up on his offer but a minority don't wish to go along with it he will take no offence and will offer any such group instant employment either as a new mercenary command or under their existing name if they so wish. At the exact same pay levels and grades as their existing formation. 
At the same time these offers were being made AFFS Department of Mercenary Relations officers were approaching the Dismal Disinherited and Hampton's Hessens. Both who were reforming/expanding on New Hessen, while the Regulators and Wilson's Hussars with offers of contracts. The First Prince was eager to bolster his realm against any future attacks. 
===The Dragoons in Chaos March===
As this was going on the fighting on Caph was stepped up when a regiment of the Wolf's Dragoons command arrived at a pirate point. The Dragoons' Delta Regiment was soon inbound escorted by the powerful WDWS Darius and proclaiming they were here to help the world of Caph decide it's own destiny. While officially neutral it was hard not to notice when the Delta's conducted a full combat drop and assaulted the pro-WOB forces on the planet. Suspecting that this would result in a WOB counter attack and with little clue as to what the Wolf's Dragoons commands motives were against them much of the pro-FedSuns contingents on the planet began withdrawing. They could always return if and when the Dragoons won and if the world so decided. Included amongst this exodus was the two heirs to the title of Duke of Caph, Duke Kalvin Gustafson's son Hanse and daughter Melissa. The Duke himself would stay with a small group of his Grenadiers. The remainder would join his son and merge into the 1st FedSuns Dragoons RCT and 4th Davion Guards RCT in anticipation of returning to Caph. These rather unorthodox reinforcements for the two premier commands were accepted by both New Avalon and Robinson given the Gustafson's long term loyalty to the Davions and the troops battle hardened experience. Hanse Gustafson would be commissioned as a captain in the 1st FedSun's Dragoons upon his arrival on Nanking. Melissa Gustafson would likewise be made a captain in the 4th Davion Guards on Galtor. 
===Naval Expansion===
Buried within the by now almost usual budget increases for infrastructural expansions are for 3 new warship slips to begin construction with high priority - 2 at Galax and 1 at New Syrtis. These are to be complete by January 3065. Given that these two shipyards are already expanding Fox production it is hoped these additional expansions will be taken for further work to expand the AFFS's Fox corvette numbers. However they will in fact be slated for producing a new Davion III destroyer, based on a mix of the old Davion II and the aborted Durandel design. The High Command and Fleet Admiral Buchwald is taking a risk ordering no less than 3 of these ships instead of a single one for trials, but the needs of the fleet for a heavy destroyer are forcing their hands. 
===Restless Dragon===
Within the Draconis Combine a number of DEST and ISF operatives are sent into the worlds of the Galtor Thumb and the lost worlds on the Outworlds border in order to attempt to stir up unrest and pro-Kurita sentiment. While the DCMS might not be in a position to return these worlds to the Dragon at the current time they are not prepared to just give up on them. To strengthen their hand for when the inevitable reclamation takes place the DCMS begins forming the 23rd Benjamin Regulars and 46th Deiron Regulars while pushing hard to bring the new 43rd and 44th Galedon Regulars up to full strength. The other newly formed units such as the 4th Night Stalkers and various Ghost regiments are also expanded upon although to a lesser extent. Work also continues in returning Samarkand II carriers to production. 
At the same time Narhal's Raiders announce to the DCMS that they will not be renewing their contract. While still respecting the Coordinator a great deal, his voting for the censure of the First Prince has reduced his standing in the eyes of the Raiders and they have decided it is time to "return home" to the Federated Suns. Such sentiments while not openly expressed are well known to the ISF operatives tasked with keeping an eye on them and the Raiders begin to see a downward spiral in their treatment not only by the DCMS but also Combine civilians. Which of course only reinforces their desire to leave the service of the Dragon. 
===Sun Tzu moves after the Star League Special Session===
Once returned to Sian the Chancellor signs the contracts purchasing 2 companies of battlemechs to ransom the prisoners on Talon as specified by Victor Davion. Even the FWL produced mech's are delivered with surprising alacrity to the Federated Suns, giving the Chancellor a clear message of his popularity within the League and Alliance. Still it does result in the early return of his warriors - who are dropped off on Menke itself in late May, despite him asking they be returned to Grand Base...
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