Zilang Unrest
Sirdar PDZ, Capellan March
Federated Suns
1st February 3082
In what would become known as the Zilang Unrest fighting and riots break out on eight worlds of the Sirdar PDZ including Zilang, Verlo, Zonzac, Menke, Frazer and Kafr Sailium. AFFS and local police forces are unable to deal with all the riots which appear to be motivated by poor pay and conditions in work places. As Sirdar calls for assistance from New Syrtis and nearby Ridgebrook the entire PDZ’s defences are at a lower level because of the riots. Following news of the troubles reaching New Avalon MI5 and MI6 teams are also dispatched to assist in local police actions.
Black Dragon Base
Kagoshima Prefecture, Pesht Military District
Draconis Combine
3rd February 3082
Months of intelligence gathering operations had brought them to today. The SLDF’s Second Special Operations Group, the Razors, commanded by Lt. Colonel Helena Cain, had joined the Draconis Elite Strike Team, the DEST of the Draconis Combine in this operation to eliminate the Black Dragon Society once and for all. The Razors were of three Elite Battle Armour Battalions trained apart from all other SLDF troops in the harsh environment of Venus, Mars and in the Terran Asteroid Belt.
Now they would forfill their purpose in the depths of the Draconis Combine in the gulf between Kilmarnock and Charity of the Kagoshima Prefecture the Black Dragon base had been tracked down. The DEST troops that were with her force numbered a Battalion of Mechs and an equal amount of Battle Armour supported by an aerospace wing. Together the two forces had four Battalions of Battle Armoured men and women, two Mech Battalions an aerospace wing and an aerospace trinary carried aboard the SLDF’s Clan-built Titan-class DropShip.
Helena had taken her Battle Armour and aerospace forces ahead leaving her Mechs to guard the artillery battery integral to an SLDF unit while her more than seven hundred Battle Armour troops moved into forward positions. The DEST were out there too making their own way to the target Helena and the DEST commander had decided that they would approach individually improving their chances of success. And in Helena’s opinion it would keep her people away from the near crazy fanatical DEST troopers of the Combine who, from what she had seen, had little thought for their lives. However not all people felt such a way. Helena had to admire the DEST‘s determination and dedication to victory and paying any cost for victory, a cost Helena did not agree with the any price but victory was something she could support.
From her Clan-built Elemental Battle Armour suit Helena moved slowly forward beside her stood three other Elemental suits of her squad. “Razors continue to move forward the DEST should be mirroring our movements on the other side. We fight until we meet them in the middle, remember your training stick to each other and we’ll all come through this together.†She said trying to inspire confidence in her well trained but battle inexperienced troops.
Up ahead her sensors were confronted with a mass of fire as the DEST Mechs arrived quicker than she’d anticipated supported by a small amount of the DEST Battle Armour “Shit! They have moved early, all Razors advance as quickly as possible support the DEST maybe we can turn the Black Dragon flank.†She said launching her own Elemental skyward for a better viewpoint. Ahead she could see trouble several of the DEST’s Black Mechs were down or under heavy fire from nearly two Regiments of Black Dragon Mechs, twice the expected number. “TAG units, call in our support units, all other units pick targets and engage.â€
“Colonel, they are twice the number we were advised on†Major Michael Kennedy commander of the Second Special Operations Battalion.
“We push on Major, if we retreat now then they will run us down after they are finished with the DEST we need to push on. Find the Combine Survivors and regroup. Razors push on!†She commanded as the first SLDF artillery strikes landed guided by SLDF TAG lasers. The artillery strikes landed in the centre of the Black Dragon forces shattering several Mechs however the Black Dragons continued to hold numbers and position.
“Assault units form a beachhead in their lines.â€
“Understood moving in†Major James Redpath answered charging forward with his platoon of Fenrir Quad Battle Armour. The twelve Lyran built Battle armour troopers each carried impressive firepower and speed in exchange of armour. Near the centre of the Black Dragon formation a Marauder BattleMech which looked like it had seen many battles turned and fired its twin particle canons into the approaching Fenrirs in moments three of the Fenrirs had fallen, the follow up smaller lasers of the Marauder cut down two more Fenrirs. Helena watching as five of her people had been cut down had picked her first target.
Launching her Elemental forward thirty metres her targeting system showed she was in range and fired her first two Short Range Missiles her squad mates each fired two of their own missiles, eight missiles spun out at the enemy BattleMech. Six of the missiles, one of Helena’s, struck the Marauder causing damage across the heavy Mech. To the left the Fenrirs continued to press forward causing more damage to multiple Mechs. Ignoring Helena’s Elementals the Marauder turned and fired on the Fenrirs again cutting down more of their number Helena heard a familiar scream as James Redpath was killed in the barrage.
Colonel Cain launched skyward again with her Elemental launching her second and final pair of SRMs as did the rest of her squad. Again the Marauder was peppered by fire but it continued to press eliminating almost all of the remaining Fenrirs. Jumping again Cain closed on the Marauder now in range with her last remaining ranged weapon her small laser. Unfortunately the Marauder had other plans stomping forward it charged her squad of Elementals. Catching them mid-air the Marauder swung its arms swatting one trooper, the huge PPC ending arm slammed into the Battle Armour suit sending the rocket powered trooper far off course out of control. Cain fired her laser at the huge Mech now at point blank range she had no chance of missing however the laser was the smallest mounted on any combat battle suit, armoured vehicle or Mech. Against the Marauder it barely burned away more than a single armour plate. The Marauder was more brutal in its fire a torso mounted SRM launcher peppered the suits with fire destroying one of the Elementals in a single salvo while one of the PPCs fired again destroying another of her squad in a single instant. Suddenly Colonel Cain was along her squad dead or disabled and the Marauder continued to stand defiant till the end.
“All Razors retreat fall back, support we need barrages of fire on my location in thirty seconds.†She said calling in orders as she launched her suit into the air once more in retreat.
“Colonel you could get caught in the barrage.â€
“Negative, I am retreating barrage now!†She said “all Razors and DEST units fall back position Zulu-139-Omega execute.†She said broadcasting to all in the area as she launched skyward again. A short range missile impacting where she’d launched from. This operation had gone to hell now the Razors had to think about survival. Jumping again she felt the first artillery barrages strike the area she didn’t turn to see what was hit she just prepared herself for the next jump. Soon after SLDF Mechs arrived with VTOLs in support ready to aid in her forces egress, however that could only happen once they were clear of the Dragons which could take a while. Colonel Cain ignored everything around her not even trying to engage the Black Dragons she just kept jumping keeping pace with others of her unit she did not want to think how bad the casualty list would be.
The Black Dragons gave up pursuit three hours later leaving the SLDF forces to escape to their second alternate point. When they rendezvoused over two hundred of their Battle Armour, one VTOL and two Mechs were missing. Only half of the DEST had made the meeting, suddenly the SLDF were the hunted.
Zilang Unrest
Sirdar PDZ, Capellan March
Federated Suns
8th February 3082
Under the aegis of peacekeepers Capellan Confederation hired mercenaries land on the Federated Suns worlds of Verlo and Zonzac ending the riots as peacefully as possible. Surprisingly the riots break-up suspiciously quickly however the AFFS are unable to counter the Capellan move due to further riots reported on the worlds of Glentworth, Velhas and Uravan. Because the troops used are mercenary forces the AFFS does not move against them, seeing two worlds as easy to recapture, instead concentrating on the rest of the ongoing crisis.
Safe Port, Zilang Unrest
Sirdar PDZ, Capellan March
Federated Suns
12th February 3082
Unlike many of the worlds of the Sirdar PDZ the system of Safe Port, home of Foundation Industries, had escaped major trouble with the Vidar, Foundation Industries own refitted Riga-class Frigate in the system, providing more protection there was little worry for the security of the area.
Even this peace could not continue however as the CCSS Highspire, the Capellan Confederation’s newest Tikonov-class Carrier, jumped into the system and engaged began sending out fighters throughout the system engaging the Vidar and other Davion units. The Vidar had agreed to defend the Federated Suns as well as Foundation Industries and headed out to engage the Capellan Carrier. Supporting the Vidar was two squadrons of Overlord A3 and Arondight Pocket WarShips stationed in the system partially because of the Vidar’s presence partially to support the Mercenary/Corporate vessel.
The Capellan’s Highspire could defend itself easily from the Davion DropShips Capital Missiles they were unable to break through the Highspire’s heavy anti-missile batteries so as the DropShips engaged the two hundred plus aerospace fighters while the Vidar concentrated on the Tikonov with Capital Particle Cannons tearing into the eight hundred thousand plus Carrier.
Although the Highspire and her fighters were able to damage the Vidar and destroy over half of the Davion DropShips it was unable to inflict crippling damage on the Foundation Industries vessel and the Highspire abandoned its attack retreating the system after two engagements with the Vidar. As for the Vidar it had proven its worth to the Federated Suns and would have far stronger support in the future.
Black Dragon Base
Kagoshima Prefecture, Pesht Military District
Draconis Combine
18th February 3082
The Star League Defence Force’s Second Special Operations Group, The Razors, and the Draconis Combine DEST force were stuck in a stalemate against the Black Dragons force. One thing they had confirmed was the Black Dragons numbered nearly two full regiments of irregular troops and that they were commanded by Duke Hasid Ricol, the Red Duke.
Since their botched initial operation Colonel Helena Cain had been able to bring the DEST forces under control and make them follow orders but she was still outnumbered by a mainly Mech force against her Battle Armour. “We need to stay together and on the defence until a true Mech force can arrive to support us.†Helena argued with the DEST officer in charge together they stood over the command table inside the SLDF‘s main tent.
“The Red Duke must not be allowed to escape. The longer we have him here the more we should press the attack.†The DEST officer stressed.
“Even a regiment of Battle Armour, which is all we have combined cannot prevail against two Mech Regiments.â€
“We have Mechs and Artillery.â€
“Not enough to make a difference.â€
“Perhaps we can help.†Another booming voice said as an Elemental Battle Armour suit entered. On its helmet it carried the crest of Clan Ghost Bear.
“Clansmen!†One of the DEST warriors shouted raising and firing a sub-machine gun which bounced harmlessly off the Battle Armour.
“Hold your fire we mean no harm†the trooper said raising his arm towards the DEST trooper but not firing his support weapon.
“Cease!†The DEST officer ordered his warrior before turning on the Clan Warrior “Explain why you have breached our borders Clansmen or you will face our wrath.â€
“The Black Dragons.†The Ghost Bear warrior said “I am Galaxy Commander Jocelyn Vong commander of Clan Ghost Bear’s Zeta Galaxy; I bring the First and Second Claw Clusters and the Ursine Boatman to this battle. We are willing to help put this menace to bed.â€
“This is an internal matter of the Draconis Combine; your presence here is a declaration of war.†The DEST officer said. Vong searched the man for a name tag or insignia but could find none.
“We are aware of this however your operation has failed. Your operation was scheduled to terminated twenty-three hours ago. There has been no signal from you to command to confirm this and by what I can see this operation is still an active one.†The Elemental stated looking at them all, its imposing stature enhancing her words.
“How did you know of this operation? It was classified at the highest levels.â€
“We have a source within the Star League Intelligence Command, a source which I have now compromised and that we will withdraw. We are here to eliminate the Black Dragon menace. My people are fully committed to ensuring that no further Black Dragon attacks cause damage to the Dominion. Neither of your forces have communications with your High Commands, nor do you have the ability to stop Black Dragon forces escaping this world, I bring you both. This is an alliance of convenience nothing more.â€
"Understood deal" Colonel Cain said the DEST officer's face dropped followed by a growing redness obviously unable to control his anger much longer. "We need their help." Helena explained trying to quell the man's anger.
"You have made a pact with the devil, we cannot and will not support this. You fight alone with these animals."
"Do not do anything foolish, we have no intent on causing your forces harm however if you harm any of my men I will not hesitate but to respond in kind." The Ghost Bear Elemental commander warned.
"The damage and harm have already been committed." The DEST officer said about facing and charging from the tent.
"If he attacks I will not hold by my people."
"Nor will he Galaxy Commander, just make sure my Razors do not get caught in your crossfire."
"Treat us as the allies we present and you will not suffer." The Elemental said turning to leave.
"I hope not." Helena whispered hoping she had not made a pact with the devil and soured relations with the entire Draconis Combine, that'd she'd leave to another battle one that would be fought between the diplomats with words.
An hour later the Ghost Bear commanders Galaxy Commander Jocelyn Vong and Star Colonel Sarah Kabrinski along with two of their Star Captains stood with Colonel Cain and her executive officer Major Michael Kennedy met for a planning session. The Ghost Bear firepower came primarily from standard Elemental suits reinforced by the new Ghost Bear Clan Standard Battle Armour and a small number of Hell's Horses manufactured Gnome Heavy Battle Armour. They also had aerospace fighters from the Ursine Bowman which could join Cain's own Red Team Aerospace Trinary. Fortunately the Black Dragons had shown no aerospace units of their own so far so the aerospace forces could perform bombing and strike missions.
So far they had been able to piece together two operations that would with luck crush the remaining Black Dragon presence on the world. "If we move them thirty kilometres east they will be on the cliff's edge then all we have to do is push and they will teeter and fall." Helena said moving her hand over the map.
"If you want them destroyed you drop a hammer blow on them. We deploy all our fighters in a mass strike campaign on their main forces. I will take the First Claw and drop directly over their main operations base. Second Claw and your remaining forces, approach from this direction and push them..." Jocelyn stopped looking at Helena Cain
"...Push them"
"Ambush, Down!" Jocelyn shouted throwing herself and Michael Kennedy to the ground, all around them the tent seemed to explode in fire as bullets and laser blasts begun flying Helena moved but not fast enough she was caught in the stomach by a laser blast and dropped like a rag doll who had its strings cut. Helena could not feel her wound or feel any pain all she could see the outline of a Void Battle Armour suit move over her, she could see the unique turns of its armour which made it the DEST commander's Caltrop suit, a newly designed variant of the armour.
The DEST trooper seemed to be looking at her then there was a flurry of motion as something flew over her colliding with the Void suit taking both to the ground Helena couldn't even raise her head to see what had happened. There was a series of explosions throughout the tent area someone picked Helena up and physically carried her from the tent dropping her down with a thud Helena could just make out the roaring bar head of Clan Ghost Bear before passing out from the pain of her wounds and blood loss.
Several hours later Helena Cain came too laying on a gurney still in mountains of pain she barely recognized the medic trooper beside her. "You'll be fine Colonel don't worry about it."
"What happened?" She whispered "DEST?"
"Aye that bastard of a DEST officer turned on us because of the bears him and a pair of his troopers so much being loyal to their Coordinator and realm, bullshit boss. Don't worry the Bears got all three of them, they are all as dead as Hohiro Kurita, now worries from them. You rest your fight is over." He said moving off Helena closed her eyes resting but could still hear the medic. "She'll be lucky to walk again let alone fight Major, that laser blast fried most of her nerve endings and burned a good bit of her spleen even with our medicine and even Clan medicine she'll be lucky to walk and command a desk. Sorry sir." The medic said Helena kept her eyes closed surely the medic didn't know all that? Then she thought no First Battalion's medic is a qualified doctor Jones? He'd know she couldn't be paralyzed she could feel her arms she thought moving her fingers slowly painfully and her legs?... No she couldn't move her toes. Helena heard someone come closer.
"I'm sorry boss, I didn't want your job like this. But I'll do your Razors proud we'll kick those Black Dragons into the hell they came from, and the damned DEST if need be. You'll be so proud, you folks are going to do this for you." Michael Kennedy said, Helena wanted nothing more than to open her eyes and scream murder at the man's little speech a leader didn't have to give the dead or useless pet talks they needed to take command complete their mission.
As Michael walked off Helena opened her eyes again cursing her position and how everything had turned out. She'd do everything the same again except maybe let the DEST join her command. No now she had to think her presence here would distract her troops, she couldn't let that happen to them. Moving her head to the left she saw her weapon belt and her standard issue Sternsnach pistol still in its holster, only one thing for it. She reached out but couldn't make the weapon it was too far, suddenly something moved beside her and a huge hand landed on her weapon belt. Glancing up Helena saw the battered Ghost Bear Galaxy Commander Jocelyn Vong, the left side of her head was black and blue and she was obviously heavily bandaged up her movements careful. The Ghost Bear commander did not say a single word just looked at the Razor's commander her expression blank before she lifted her arm and passed the belt to Helena. A short nod from the Galaxy Commander followed by her leaving the tent was all Helena received and all she'd expected.
As Jocelyn Vong walked from the medical tent back towards her Ghost Bear warriors there was a single shot that rang out. Jocelyn knew the sound well a pistol fired at point blank range hitting flesh, she'd seen people die from blasts on the Battlefield exactly the same and she'd seen and heard a warrior choose to end it themselves. As Star League Defence Force troopers and medics ran into the tent Jocelyn continued a slow deliberate walk, she didn't have to see the aftermath of that warrior's victory.
Hours later the operation Helena Cain had helped was launched as Ghost Bear and SLDF aerospace fighters began a merciless bombardment of the Black Dragon positions and troops. At the same time Ghost Bear Elementals of the First Claw dropped on top of the Black Dragons, the sudden presence of Clan Battle Armour in their midst’s through the Black Dragon warriors into utter panic and they began to split everywhere. From the west came the Razors and the Second Claw. The Black Dragons broke three times in an hour as the SLDF/Clan force continued to push constantly hounding the rebel Draconis Combine troops.
Six hours later less than a company of Black Dragons remained, their backs to a cliff edge, included in their number a red-and-black Marauder which the SLDF analysis’s had identified as the Red Duke Hasid Ricol. With Major Michael Kennedy killed in the final push Galaxy Commander Jocelyn was now the senior 'allied' trooper on the field, still in her Elemental armour, she gave the remaining Mechs a chance to surrender ready to see them face trial instead of slaughter. Hasid Ricol replied by peppering her position with two Particle Blasts before stepping over the edge. The drop was nearly three hundred metres, the seventy-five ton Mech began to tumble after a few meters smashing into the cliff face it dislodged several stones as it fell, these stones knocked loose more stones and suddenly half the cliff face was falling with the BattleMech. The Marauder miraculously landed feet first with a massive thud which must had dug a metre hole with the impact alone. Jocelyn didn't think anyone could survive such an impact, at least she hoped not, as over a thousand tons of falling rocks careered down the cliff face behind the Mech smashing its remaining armour and hull entombing everything for eternity.
The remaining Black Dragons surrendered without a shot fired after seeing the end of the Red Duke and not wanting to follow his fate. Using the HPG aboard the Ursine Bowman the Ghost Bears called for SLDF support not trusting the Draconis Combine after the DEST betrayal. The Razors were all but destroyed their formations crushed in the fighting, many would need critical medical care. Jocelyn was surprised to see a few survivors petition to join her Claws, something she'd consider perhaps these Inner Sphere warriors were worthy of the Bear. Jocelyn did know however Helena Cain would be proud her people had done their jobs their mission complete. Razors until there were none left or their mission was complete.
Police/Peacekeeping action
Federated Suns/Capellan Confederation
25th February 3082
With Capellan confederation line troops on Verlo, Jonzac, Uraven and Manapire in the Federated Suns Capellan March Star League Defence Force unit’s the Second Royal BattleMech Regimental Brigade, McCafee’s Marksmen, and the Second Sirius Lancer Regimental Brigade, Flames of Procoyn, are deployed to the region sending a clear message to both Succession States to stand down.
It becomes apparent that Capellan Confederation forces are digging in on the worlds they have already taken preparing for a longer conflict.
Landing Pad 16, McCarron’s Pad
Avalon City, New Avalon
Crucis March, Federated Suns
28th February 3082
The last of the First McCarron’s Armoured Calvary’s DropShips, a Union-class vessel sat on Landing Pad 16 of Avalon City’s main spaceport. The DropShip a veteran of the retreat from the Capellan Confederation had sat on this pad for nearly a full five years never once moving it had become home to Elizabeth McCarron and a focal point for the McCarron’s troops and recruitment during their time in the Federated Suns.
During the last five years they had helped train Federated Suns troops acting as a Capellan OppFor in war games. They had also rebuilt to full strength, four BattleMech Battalions, an infantry Security Battalion recently augmented by a Battle Armour Company, which had been placed under Major Rinser’s Special Forces command, and two squadrons of aerospace fighters. Given generous prices by the Federated Suns who wished to maintain them in contract.
Unfortunately the First McCarron’s Armoured Calvary had chosen differently unwilling to be stuck in one nation for any longer than they needed to be they had chosen to go the way of the original Wolf’s Dragoons and accept a contract with every Succession State, except for the Capellan Confederation. Yesterday Colonels Elizabeth McCarron and Angel Bodez had put pen to paper and agreed a contract with the Lyran Commonwealth. Like the Federated Suns contract it was five years in length however this was a combat assignment along the Lyran/FWL border. And today less than twenty-four hours later it was leaving time.
In the Spaceport terminal Colonel Elizabeth McCarron stood with two others one a male dressed in the uniform of the Marshal of Armies of the AFFS the other a female in a comfortable looking dress. Both women had tears in their eyes and running down their faces “I can’t believe you are leaving us.â€
“Faith, it is time, you know as well as I the McCarron’s Armoured Calvary would have withered and died in the Capellan Confederation. I cannot allow a similar fate here in the Federated Suns. I can also not put my own wishes against those of my command.†She said wiping her eyes she herself did not think such a thing would happen in the Federated Suns but there were fears in the Regiment and despite her name and her standing with the command she needed to hold the trust of the entire Regiment.
“I know, I will miss you. Remember to write to me and keep yourself alive, you are all the family I have left.†Faith said hugging Elizabeth tightly.
“Nonsense, you have your knight in shining armour here and two more to keep you busy. All the family you need. Marshal, I thank you for the deeds of the AFFS that saved my armoured Calvary from the Capellans and your hospitality since we came here.â€
“The McCarron’s Armoured Calvary are always welcome here in the Federated Suns, remember there’s always a place for you here, even without the Regiment there’s always a place for family.â€
“I know Reinhart, it is most kind of you to remind me but my regiment is my home and my family as well and I will be busy enough taking care of them. Take care of my cousin.â€
“Try and Stop me Colonel†Reinhart said rising to a formal salute which Faith and Elizabeth followed “god speed, and good fortune.â€
“Thank you both.†Elizabeth said hugging her cousin again before turning and hurrying her step towards the waiting DropShips, as she wiped her face of further tears Elizabeth smiled finally her Regiment was ready for its new task. Her regiment, which sounded better than anything in the universe her regiment and her mission, had begun.
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Topic: Alternate Timeline with Thanks (FULL) (Read 159659 times)