FSRB Chpt 233

==The Federated Suns Reborn - Chapter 233==
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January 3072Chaos
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===Distruption in League and Combine===
====Free Worlds League HPG Network goes down====
With much of the Free Worlds League going black as HPG after HPG began to go down, the Davion High Command and the First Prince had to re-orientate at least some of their intelligence gathering efforts towards the League. While they had been aware of a shift in FWLM assets during the previous months it had been obvious (at least to them) that few if any were moving towards the FedSuns/League border. While this could have been a clever feint, the general's on New Avalon suspicions had been confirmed when a new League ambassador had met with Isis Davion in November (secretly) to let her know that the League had no hostile intent towards the Federated Suns, but were merely preparing to clean house. Some preparations had of course been made to defend against any FWLM attack, but given the shattered nature of the Free Worlds League command and control apparatus and supply networks and the strong defensive forces within the League March the High Command had even prior to the assurances given by the new ambassador thought it unlikely that the fractured League would attack.
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====Disruption of Trade====
This doesn't however prevent the ripple effects of the Free Worlds Leagues' HPG network chaos affecting the FedSuns. Trade is damaged and intelligence gathering becomes an order of magnitude more difficult. This is made even worse when the rebuilding Draconis Combine HPG network also begins to deteriorate again - although trade is extremely limited with the hostile Combine at least. It soon becomes apparent that while the League is launching a full scale military offensive attack upon the Word of Blake within their borders, the Combine is engaged in a similar if more low key attack on Blakist forces and compounds within their realm. 
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====FedSuns Intelligence disrupted====
Doing their best to find out what is going on in the two neighboring realms the various FedSun's intelligence agencies are only able to obtain a partial picture of the state of affairs in both the League and Combine. Military garrisons along both borders are stepped up.
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====Lyran Alliance Unarrest====
Even on the limited border with the Lyran Alliance troubling reports begin to cross over. As the news of the new Regent on Tharkad and his arrest of so many Representatives within the Estates General spreads outwards many protests begin. In particularly on those worlds who's Representatives have been arrested. These protests break out into almost full scale riots on Thorin in mid January. The situation is little better on Lyon, Murphid, and Moore. The local LAAF forces are overwhelmed or refusing to take action as they find themselves in support of the protesters and the situation hovers on the brink of anarchy. First Prince Victor orders the 1st Revenant Guard RCT (which despite heavy fighting and replacements for casualty remains almost 50% Lyran born troops and officers) and the 3rd FedSuns Dragoons RCT (which still retains at least some Lyran born personnel) to move from Keid and Castor respectively and head for the the Lyran Alliance. The 1st Revenant Guard are ordered to Thorin and Murphid to back up elements of the 3rd Ceti Hussars RCT while the 3rd FedSuns Dragoons are ordered to Lyon - with the other worlds within the Thumb often already having AFFS garrisons which have not left after securing the worlds from the DCMS. 
From the point of view of the AFFS troops deployed into the Lyran Alliance the situation did deteriorate, with an upsurge in support for the previously cowed Free Skye movement. The First Prince was forced to contact the Duke of Skye a second time to remind him that Adam Steiner's actions on Tharkad had not in any way changed the balance of power within the Skye region between the Duke's own supporters and the AFFS. For now any resumption of active fighting is avoided. 
First Prince Victor also sends a strongly worded public protest (and an even stronger one in private) at the arrest of these democratically elected members of the Estates General, particularly those who he knows are not supporting of his sisters return. While he attempts not to look like he is stepping in to merely protect his own supporters it's hard to avoid this appearance. 
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===AFFS Troop Development & Deployment===
Marshal of the Armies Jackson Davion also during January announces on New Avalon that the Robinson Battle Academy and the Warrior's Hall on New Syrtis will both be upgraded over the course of the coming year and the class of cadets entering both of them will be doubled for 3073. This will bring them in line with the rebuilt Capella Military College and St Ives Academies of Martial Science. The Hasek-Davion Martial Academy on Defiance is also announced to be scheduled for a large scale reformation of it's cadet forces. When founded fully half the cadets who graduated were joining the Star League Defense Force and so only a single training regiment had been formed for those cadets due to enter the AFFS. Now not only will a second cadet force be formed immedietly, over the year both training formations will reform to the same format of the Albion and NAIS combined arms Cadres. They will henceforth by known as the 1st and 2nd Hasek-Davion Martial Academy Uhlan's Cadres. The 2nd Cadre will be formed up on the world of Cofey in the Kilbourne PDZ. Some thought is also being given to adding at least dropship crew training to the Hasek-Davion Martial Academy and possibly JumpShip and WarShip crew training as well.
The plans to form a provisional "division" out of the troops under Marshal May's command on Sirius continue apace. In a surprise move however the think tank within Mount Davion suggest moving the 15th Deneb Light Cavalry RCT from Galax to Sirius to be combined with the 2nd & 3rd Avalon Hussars RCT as a second trial unit. Marshal Lipstein of the 15th Light Cavalry is considered by several members of the think tank to be an underutilized asset of the AFFS, who is not only an excellent combat officer but extremely capable administrator - both traits that would be ideal for commanding any new division level force. Additionally, while there were some who questioned the officers promotion to Marshal given his well known disapproval of First Prince Victor Davion during his brief period of alliance with House Kurita, the recent war between House Davion and Kurita have turned Michael Lipstein into one of the First Prince's strongest and most vocal supporters within the AFFS. While this would leave the vital world of Galax undefended, it is recommended that the 5th Ceti Hussars RCT could be moved from Verde (where they have completed their duties of disaster relief and helping to rebuild the damaged world) to Galax. The 5th Ceti Hussars although a green command is excellently led and equipped and given the proximity of several elite units nearby and the extreme internal nature of the world of Galax it is felt that this is an acceptable garrison post. Marshal of the Armies Jackson Davion after some considering agrees to both moves. Just in case however he also orders Marshal Jon Davion to bring the Davion Heavy Guards back from the front and take up station on Galax as well. With the under strength but elite Heavy Guards to bolster the green 5th Ceti Hussars the garrison of Galax will be more than adequate - and it will also allow the 5th Ceti to train against the Heavy Guards under the oversight of Jon Davion a well known excellent training officer. Left unsaid is that it will also bring Jon Davion to a quick jump from New Avalon in case the Marshal of Armies wishes to consult with his cousin.
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The anti-piracy sweep being conducted from Dumassas by the 6th & 7th Avalon Borderers LCT's manage to hunt down and destroy a small band of pirates in the new year. They find a number of prisoners, most of them Taurian citizens who had been taken as slaves by the pirates. Many of them require medical attention and are swiftly brought back to the base that has been built up on Dumassas as the nearest medical facility. Steps are taken to ensure that none of the liberated prisoners see anything that would identify the location of the base. 
The arrival of the 8th FedSuns Dragoons RCT on Capella had an almost instant effect. Deploying their conventional brigades into the cities of the world. The BattleMech forces of the command moved to provide roving patrols in support of not only their own conventional assets, but also those of the independent brigades stationed there and the Capella LMM. With a growing and highly visible AFFS presence on the world many of those engaged in rioting stood down. With less people involved in the civil disturbances it was easier to begin arresting ring leaders. 
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===Federated Suns Naval Movement & Deployment===
In the Filtvelt System, two Fox I corvettes finished for sale and another two for domestic use. While in previous years one would have been offered for sale to the Lyran Alliance and the second offered to the Wolves-in-Exile this year in protest for the arrests of the Representatives the Federated Sun's Government offers both for sale to the Wolves. The Wolves agreed and arrange shipment of two full clusters of Clantech BattleMechs and OmniMechs from their factories on Arc Royal as well as providing permission and specifications for the Timber Wolf OmniMech to be produced at a single production facility either by Clan Sun Jaguar or Clan Nova Cat or indeed both in conjunction. The AFFS arrange to split the 90 'Mechs three ways between the AFFS, Clan Sun Jaguar, and Clan Nova Cat. The FSS Remagen and FSS Mirach both complete as well and are ordered to conduct trials before joining the 5th Corvette Flotilla to replace their lost namesakes. The FSS Towne and FSS Ankaa are laid down as well as two more Fox I for sale. 
In June System, the latest Congress-D II Class Frigate finishes construction and slips for the Challenge yards there. The FSS Cavalier is ordered to begin trials and then report to the 2nd Patrol Squadron and join the FSS Challenge. Another frigate immedietly begins construction. 
At New Syrtis, the FSS Sheraton and FSS Acala slip from their construction slips. The FSS Sheraton is assigned to complete the 7th Corvette Flotilla's Third Division while her sister the FSS Acala is assigned to the Capella based 10th Corvette Flotilla. 
Four Fox I Class corvettes complete at Novaya Zemlya for the ComGuards. They however are not rushed to the front but instead ordered to continue training within the Novaya Zemlya system and guarding the facilities there. Four new ships are laid down. 
In the League March system of Necromo, a second Black Lion slip begins construction. The workforce has by now been carefully vetted and any of questionable loyalties replaced with more reliable spacers from what is now being referred to in some circles as the "Old FedSuns". However, many of those promoted to fill gaps are drawn from the existing workforce in a conscious effort to increase integration.
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===Developments in Industry===
At Firgrove the Firgrove Consortium completes another Vulcan Heavy Aerospace Fighter line. While not produced in the huge numbers of other designs the versatile and tough update on this old design has become more and more popular with defensive commands like the Avalon Borderers and the various March Militias. Those few pirates still suicidal enough to raid the Outback dread seeing a flight of these heavy fighters rising to contest their raids. Given this growling popularity a fourth line begins construction.
On June, the second Centurion line switches over to producing the new OmniMech variant. The third and final line is not far behind and is expected to switch over fully next month. As soon as this happens plans are in place to begin construction of a purpose built Centurion-O line. At the same time on Corean's flagship factory on New Avalon two of the six Centurion lines also upgrade to the new Omnimech specifications. The next two immediately begin upgrading. Work also continues on the Fireball-O design. 
The new Jalastar purpose built Jabberwocky IndustrialMech plant on Panpour completes on the 18th of January. Four brand new production lines immediately begin producing the much in demand engineering 'Mech in record numbers. As fast as they can be built they are shipped to various civilian companies and the AFFS's engineering units. The existing two lines in the main factory also continue production. Jalastar currently is pushing hard to get permission to switch over to Centurion-O production, but Corean is resisting strongly. 
On Torrence, the third Dagger-O line begins producing the much in demand OmniFighter while the fourth and fifth line are also completing shortly. Even with these expansions the demand for this aerospace fighter still outstrips production. 
Over in the Verde system, the DropShip production facility begins to reenter production. For now it is mostly producing spare parts and refits for DropShips, but the facility is clearly intended to return to full scale production over the next few months. Indeed some are pushing for JumpShip production to be added to the facility. 
At Nanking, the new Enforcer line for Kallon enters production and immediately begins shipping out the versatile medium weighted BattleMech to the various expanding March Militias and rebuilding St. Ives Lancers. A fourth line begins construction in order to keep up with demand. 
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===Clan Troop Movements===
Within the Ghost Bear Dominion, the Rasalhague Galaxy march onto their dropships alongside the Alpha Galaxy and head for their transport jumpships. The flotilla of jumpships escorted by two huge super battleships jump's out of the system, while the intelligence services of the neighboring realms frantically try and find out the target for this massive amount of firepower. 
The new saKhan of Clan Wolf fresh from his victory on Sudetan jumps to the Twycross system. He lands on the planet and attacks the garrison cluster that is the factories only defenders and crushes them in a single hour (using some of the former Falcon bondsmen and women in his forces as an impromptu Trial of Position to return to the Warrior Caste). Looting as many battle armor suits and battlemechs as he can he moves on again before he can be hunted down by the various front line clusters who have been ordered to pursue him. 
Meanwhile, Khan Radick meets with Galaxy Commander Katrina Steiner and orders her to lead her now two Galaxies of "Lyran Wolves" to the Hell's Horses front and fight them to a standstill, no matter the cost. Galaxy Commander Steiner takes the orders with firm resolve. A firm resolve not to throw herself and her supporters away for a Clan that has obviously decided to discard them as cannon fodder. Still, she orders her troops into various DropShips as well as grabbing as much equipment as she can (in order to support herself in the fight against the Hell's Horses officially) as well as smuggling a number of genetic samples and a small number of sibkos created from her own genetic material on board the ships disguised as lower caste members. She isn't intending to come back to Tamar. 
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===Troubles in the Lyran Alliance===
Within the Lyran Alliance it is not only on worlds near the FedSun's border that unrest grows. Indeed on Odessa when word of his son's arrest reaches him Duke Fisk declares his secession from the Alliance until such time as his son is released and the true Archon is placed upon the throne. The 1st & 2nd Odessa Regulars back up his secession and immediately raid nearby Pherkad and loot it off any supplies, ammunition and equipment they can. On Inarcs, the Duchess LaRue declares the secession of Inarcs from the Lyran Alliance and forms the "Protectorate of the Rim". She quickly dispatches a battalion of the Blackstone Highlanders to secure the world of Winter and it's small BattleMech production facility for her Protectorate. Going with the battalion is the Duke of the planet who had fled the Ice Hellion's invasion and had not returned yet. Arluna and Trentham also declare themselves part of this small secessionist realm. 
Having just arrived back on Arc Royal, Khan Phelan Kell is faced with having to turn around and retake the very systems he just liberated from the Ice Hellions. However, given his distant cousin who is the Honored Representative of Arc Royal to the Estates General was placed under house arrest on the 8th of January for protesting again about the irregularities in the vote and the arrest of so many other Representatives. Kell is unsure as to where exactly he should lead his forces! He discusses the matter with his father the Grand Duke who decides to personally go to Tharkad to speak with the new Regent. Morgan Kell refuses the offer of a Warship to escort him, a cluster of Wolves or a battalion of Kell Hounds from his various supporters and instead opts to go alone. He does decide to divert to Coventry to speak with Duke Bradford (who's younger brother was arrested formally and not merely placed under house arrest) before continuing on to Tharkad.
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===The Free Worlds League War with the Word of Blake===
====League forces Clash with Blakist Forces====
Within the Free Worlds League, the best term to describe things is "chaos". At dozens of jump points WOB dropships, fighters and even warships clash with League ships. The Blakists are is trying to fall back on Gibson, which is already under attack, while also inflicting as much damage as possible on the League military and shipping. However they are isolated and often cut off from each other and easily overwhelmed if they run into any major League force. Unfortunately for the FWLM with their communication lines in tatters it is almost impossible to coordinate their forces to take advantage of this. Over a dozen charging stations are destroyed by WOB troops as they fall back or are forced to make a stand. 
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====Invasion of Gibson====
At Gibson, the large League military force push inwards in the face of long range attacks from the remaining WOB warship and aerospace assets in the system. Unsurprisingly both sides break out their nuclear ordinance from the start. The first major casualty is the Light Cruiser, FWLS Venturer, which is destroyed by a long range missile strike from a number of WOB warships while screening the carriers. In revenge, the large Aerospace Carrier, FWLS Corinth launches a full scale fighter attack upon the WoBS Valiant Blake, a sister ship of the Venturer, breaking her back and leaving her crippled for the corvettes and dropships in the League force to finish off. By the time that the League flotilla has arrived over Gibson they have lost another four warships but destroyed five WOB ships. Losses amongst the accompanying dropships and fighter wings have been equally heavy. 
On the 14th of January the various ground forces the FWLM have dispatched to Gibson begin their descent to force landings. They are quickly targeted by ground based capital missile silos which nobody within the League knew about. Frantic League dropship captains had to decide within seconds on whether to continue in their combat drops or try and claw their way back into orbit as dozens and then hundreds of missiles belch force and begin tracking them. Roughly a third attempted to break for orbit while the remainder continued on course, although most of them were already kicking any jump capable battlemech's out of their bays as they descended. Even as the assault force descended nuclear warheads began exploding in their midst. Even a near miss was enough to send a dropship into a death spiral that it was unlikely to recover from. Those dropships fleeing for orbit fared little better, they just had longer to see the missiles coming...
With almost 80% of the initial wave of the assault force destroyed (although only 60% of it's battlemech forces) and the remainder scattered across the planets surface hopelessly dispersed the League warships immedietly began a massive ground bombardment against any suspected missile batteries. Hammering missile fire and naval laser strikes down on the now revealed batteries they slowly destroy them all. However as they are doing this the WOB ground forces are attacking the scattered troops of the first wave of the assault force, slowly wiping them out before they can reform into a cohesive force. By the time the Admirals can be sure that they have suppressed the missile batteries almost the entire first wave, fully a third of the invasion force has been destroyed. They have also already caused horrific damage to the planets ecosystem with the orbital strikes (combined with the numerous nuclear missiles fired by the WOB) throwing up huge amounts of dust and matter into the atmosphere due to the heavily armoured nature of the batteries and the repeated strikes required to disable or destroy them. 
As January draws to a close the FWLM forces over Gibson prepare for a second landing into the ash filled skies of Gibson. Morale within the ground forces designated as the new assault wave is best described as rock bottom. With the destruction of the 1st & 5th Free Worlds Guard, the Atrean Hussars, the 5th Oriente Hussars and Juggernaut regiment of Stewart's Dragoons in the first wave, many of the shock troops are already gone. The 1st Orloff Grenadiers however have volunteered to lead the next wave in. A post for which there was little competition for...
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