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Crazy Ice Hellion See their insanity

FSS Alexander Davion, C&C
New Stevens System, Zenith Point
Chaos March
8th March 3068

   Sitting in what was once the New Stevens system of the Terran Hegemony one jump from the Federated Suns the last thing anyone had expected to happen was for the Alexander Davion and the Unity City to encounter another WarShip let alone five!  New Stevens had been one of the old Terran Hegemony’s jewels part of the Lockdale Region, another dead world, it had been the last world before the Core of the Hegemony.  Kerensky’s army had torn through the world with no Fixed defences the world had fallen quick enough and become a supply world.  However when the SLDF followed Kerensky’s Exodus the world became a target for the massed armies of the Federated Suns, Draconis Combine and Capellan Confederation as they all searched for equipment left over by the Star League armies.  All three resorted to tactical nuclear weapons during the First Succession War inevitably the damage done was too much for the world to continue to be inhabited, by the end of the Second Succession War the world was completely abandoned.

        Today however there was way too much life in this system for Victor Steiner-Davion, the sophisticated sensors aboard the two WarShips had identified the two front running vessels as a pair of Zechetinu-class Corvettes that had obviously gone rogue from the Free Worlds League.  While the three slower moving vessels were a single Naga or Naga II-class Destroyer and a pair of early model Essex-class Destroyers.  Since the Word of Blake was the only organisation known to field either type of vessel they had been labelled as Word of Blake vessels.  The Unity City had sent a distress call out to all nearby HPG stations informing everyone of this attack against the First Lord however standing on the command deck of the Alexander Davion Victor knew that they were on their own.

   â€œFleet Admiral, I suggest you withdraw.”  Victor said quietly to Andrea Petain, he hated to run from any fight but there was no point taking on five WarShips with the Alexander Davion.  The Unity City was fast but it wasn’t well armed or armoured so Victor never even classed it as a fighting asset, which was why he had remained on the Alexander Davion with Danai and his two children.  Victor was still getting used to having little Emma around and was slightly shocked that neither of his children had been born on New Avalon.  He wished Jackson and the Black Watch had come to Outreach instead of returning to New Avalon, having a dozen DropShips with them and a Regiment of MechWarriors would turn the tide nicely here, that was not going to happen unfortunately. 

   â€œWe cannot retreat from the system, sire, the Jump engine still needs another six hours of charging and I have ordered the sail taken in for more manoeuvrability.”  She didn’t mention the vessel could use its reactors to hot-charge the engine a risky plan.  Victor knew this and if he ordered it she would carry out his orders but she would not preside over the loss of the First Prince and his family.

   â€œSo what is your plan?”  Victor asked he was lost in space, quite literally on the ground he could plan and fight a prolonged campaign but in space he knew nothing, even after the Campaigns against the Clans this environment was still alien to him.

   â€œThe two Corvettes are acting independently from the Destroyers.”  She said pointing out their relative positions on the Holo-tank.  “I want to draw them in along with their DropShips and use our superior firepower to take them out of the equation quickly.  Then we could be looking at a slugging match against all three Blake vessels.”  She said Victor didn’t like that idea.

   â€œWhat of the Unity City? They are not equipped for slugging matches.”  Victor said, thinking about it either was the Alexander Davion.

   â€œThey will hold back and hit the Corvettes at long range with their Naval Lasers while the First Royal Black Watch Wing will fight alongside our fighters.  We outweigh the two Corvettes ourselves and our firepower is more than enough to take them.”  Andrea said confidently, this vessel was the Flagship of the Federated Suns fleet, the most skilled crew and was named for the most influential First Prince in Federated Suns history she had rights to be confident.  “It is these three I am worried about.”  She said circling the three Destroyers nearly half an hour behind the two corvettes.  “If our sensors are right and they are Essex and Naga-class vessels then they all weigh as much or more than us and the Blakists have probably upgraded them with all the most recent tech available on Terra.  Also if they are equipped with aerospace fighter carrier DropShips we could face real trouble.”  Victor nodded the Alexander Davion carried a pair of assault DropShips, one Claymore, one Avenger.  These small but powerful vessels could eliminate almost any DropShip they might face but against massed fighters they would be overwhelmed and the Alexander Davion only carried twenty fighters of its own.

   â€œWell we will just have to hope there is help nearby.”  Victor said quietly, they both knew that was not the case the closest vessel was the Hound-class Corvette FSS Proserpina in orbit of the world of the same name in the Draconis March at least four jumps away far to far for the vessel to be of any help while the leaders of the Capellan Confederation and Draconis Combine may be just as happy to see Victor dead.  “How long?”

   â€œFourteen minutes.”  Andrea said doing the calculations in her head quickly.

   â€œThen I will go below.”  Victor said quietly.

   â€œYou don’t want to remain?”  Andrea asked surprised.

   â€œThis is your battlefield Admiral, you and the crew have my full support but I will be better placed out of the way to allow you to do your job.  Good hunting.”  Victor said leaving the Command Deck with Tigret, his bodyguard and two Royal Black Watch troopers.

   â€œThank you sire.”  Andrea said watching Victor leave, the First Prince had just made her life ten times easier, turning back to her crew.  “Right get this ship moving, full military thrust, launch all fighters and DropShips.  Inform the Unity City of our move.  Helm, I want to hit those two Corvettes as fast as possible then about turn and run like hell, we are not getting into a slugging match, not yet.”  There were half a dozen ayes and the Alexander Davion began to move.  The Fighters and DropShips of the Alexander Davion were quickly joined by forty fighters of the Black Watch and their Vengeance-class DropShip Carrier.  “Have our fighters and DropShips concentrate on the port vessel the Black Watch on the right.”

   â€œWhat of their DropShips and fighters?”  the comm. officer asked after relaying the orders, Andrea guessed it was a question from her own fighter commanders.  She remained silent for a moment looking at the range clocks.

   â€œWeapons, forward Gauss rifles on those two DropShips.”  She ordered answering the question the Alexander Davion’s two front-arc mounted Light Naval Gauss Rifles fired in unison the sound echoing through the vessel as the two weapons fired.  The Light Naval Gauss was a upped sized version of the BattleMech mounted Gauss Rifle and the although the smallest capable of mounting on a WarShip it was still a very capable weapon.  The weapon had awesome range and damage perfect for taking out the enemy DropShips in a single strike which they did shattering both vessels in an instant.  “There’s your answer, the enemy fighters” she counted sixteen in total “are to be left for our gunners.  Have to leave them something.”  She said smiling the destruction of the enemy DropShips had lifted a weight off.  The comm. officer was also smiling as he relayed the orders.

   The two enemy corvettes returned fire with Naval Lasers causing some damage to the Alexander Davion’s forward armour but nothing critical.  As the vessels closed the Alexander Davion’s forward guns four Naval Autocannons backed by four Naval Lasers and the two Light Naval Gauss Rifles opened fire almost in unison.  At this range the weapons fire was not very accurate one of the autocannons did however hit and penetrate the armour of the port Zechetinu causing heavy damage and several decompressions along its forward-port area.  All four Naval lasers also found points on the other vessel causing heavy damage but no penetration.  The Unity City behind the Alexander Davion also fired into the starboard vessel adding its two Naval Lasers to the Davion’s unfortunately they were not coordinated with the Davion‘s and hit other areas causing more armour damage but noting crippling.

   The two Corvettes returned fire with naval autocannons and laser fire however the Alexander Davion had engaged its Screen Launcher defence system and these weapons found their targeting data corrupted unable to find the Alexander Davion.  One naval autocannon blast did get through however causing moderate armour damage to the Alexander Davion’s thick armour.  At the same time the fighters from both sides engaged as did the DropShips on the Davion’s side.  The two corvettes had tightly packed anti-fighter weapons and could cause lots of damage to the fighters however their gunners were showing their inexperience attacking the heavily armed assault DropShips and the Vengeance.  One naval autocannon blast caught the Royal Black Watch’s Vengeance in the port side and the Star League’s fighter carrier DropShip vaporised in an instant as the WarShip showed what the smallest of Naval Weapons could do to a DropShip with a direct hit.

   â€œHave the fighters and DropShips regroup with the Unity City” Andrea said knowing the enemy WarShips could eliminate large numbers of them quickly, she might need them later against the enemy destroyers which lacked significant anti-fighter defences.  “Helm get us in broadside position.”  She said the broadside was the most powerful shot a WarShip had it used three separate arcs of a WarShip’s weapons array to bring truly devastating firepower to bare.

   â€œWhich ship?”  The head helmsmen asked.

   â€œBoth of them, I want to go right between them.”

   â€œWe could get a little toasty in there Admiral.”  her executive officer warned from the weapons console engaging one WarShip in a Broadside battle was dangerous engaging two was fool hardy in most circumstances.

   â€œNot as toasty as they are going to get.  Helm confirm course, flank speed.”  Andrea said watching as the Alexander Davion began moving between the two enemy WarShips, both of them could Broadside the Davion but the Destroyer’s armour could take it, these light corvettes couldn’t that Andrea was sure of they were designed to engage fighters and DropShips in the support of heavier WarShips and were under armoured when it came to battling proper WarShips, a category the Davion-class comfortably fit into.

   â€œEnemy vessels firing.”

   â€œDeploy screens” Andrea said, they wouldn’t matter much at this range and the executive officer was about to say as much when the weapons console exploded in his face.  “Secondary weapons take full control.  Medical team to the Command Centre.  Helm move it!”  She said looking at the Alexander Davion’s damage schematic they had taken two Naval Autocannons, one on each side and two laser blasts on the port side along with dozens of small hits, nothing the damage control teams could not handle.

   â€œIn position.”

   â€œBroadside both sides - Fire!”  Andrea said raising from her chair because the vessel was under its own power there was quite a strong gravity in the command centre allowing her to move freely as two medics arrived to take away the injured executive officer.  A tech began repairing the console even as they were engaged.  He shouldn’t have bothered however as the Alexander Davion’s broadside guns four heavy and assault class Naval Autocannons backed up with conventional rotary autocannons, large pulse lasers and Short Range Missiles opened fire on both sides of the vessel with thunderous and devastating consequences.  The port Zechetinu was cut in half by the autocannons as they tore through the vessel’s centre-line destroying crew quarters, bulkheads and the K-F Drive as they went snapping the ship's back.  The starboard vessel’s command module was consumed with fire by the assault an Autocannons tore into the forward windows shattering them, the atmosphere was venting from both vessels and life boats were launching.  The enemy fighters had not escaped either tagged by the Davion’s gunners as threats the conventional weapons fire had cut all but two of the aircraft apart and they were running, none of them had been prepared for such a devastating assault from one target.

   â€œThey’re finished sir” the secondary weapons officer said “no weapons firing from either vessel, escape pods launching and their distress beacons have activated.”

   â€œHelm move us away, take us to the Stellar Mass near the system’s star, rendezvous with the Unity City, dock our fighters and extend refuelling lines for the Black Watch, looks like they will have to remain in their fighters until we work something out.”  She said loosing their carrier DropShip was a problem although she could see she had lost two of her own aerospace fighters however she would never fit the thirty-eight remaining Black Watch Fighters in the Davion and now would have to refuel them on the move, a risky operation also the pilots would be forced to remain with their fighters for long periods not good for morale or crew rest.

   â€œWhat about the escape pods?”  Someone asked.

   â€œLeave them to their friends, they have more than twenty-four hours air, plenty of time.”  Andrea said as the Alexander Davion began to move rejoining the Unity City and the fighters of both vessels.  “I want a status check on the First Prince then readiness response from all decks.”  Andrea said the easy part was over now they had bigger a far bigger fight to survive.

   An hour later the three Destroyers, all confirmed as Word of Blake vessels, were moving into range in front of them an entire wing of fighters and four assault DropShips.   Sitting in her command chair Fleet Admiral Andrea Petain knew her ship, her crew and her First Prince were not getting out of this alive individually the Alexander Davion could kill any of the enemy targets arranged against them even in its damaged state however against all of them at once one of the enemy ships would score a lucky hit then another and before they knew it the Alexander Davion would die and the Federated Suns would lose its First Prince to an enemy, the first time that had happened since the death of Victor’s uncle, Ian Davion, to the Draconis Combine on Mallory‘s World in 3013 long before any of the Alexander Davion‘s crews birth.  “Admiral, the Unity City is breaking formation, they are going straight in!  The Black Watch fighters are following them, full throttle they are not coming out of that fast.”  The way space combat worked was you built up speed by going one way then had to turn round to slow down, the Unity City had huge engines and was capable of one of the fastest speeds ever recorded by a WarShip but that meant that if the vessel used its full thrust a breaking manoeuvre to stop the ship before it hit something would probably kill the crew.

   â€œGet me Commodore Bey.”  She said moments later they were linked “Commodore what are you doing?”

   â€œBuying you time, there is no way that either of us are winning a straight up fight but if we slow them you can seek refuge in the Stellar Mass.”

   â€œWe cannot hide forever, if you are fighting so are we.”  Andrea said the Unity City had forced her hand but she would prefer a straight up fight anyway, the Alexander Davion deserved to go in a blaze of glory instead of being picked to pieces, Andrea was certain that the First Prince would want them to go down fighting as well.

   â€œNegative, we cannot win this fight, get the First Lord clear.”  The Unity City’s commander said cutting the link.  The Alexander Davion command deck crew were looking at Andrea none of them wanted to die and although all were willing Andrea could understand that if they didn‘t have to die they didn‘t want to, she was the same.

   â€œGet us turned around release the fighters and the DropShips tell them to make a single pass on the enemy picking any targets of opportunity in support of the Unity City then rendezvous with us.  All gunners make long range shots that are possible, if they have ammunition use it.”  Her crew began to move and soon the Alexander Davion’s fighters and DropShips were joining the battle supporting the Black Watch and the Unity City as the Alexander Davion‘s forward weapons continued to fire in support of the charging Unity City at this range the fire was very inaccurate.  The Unity City itself had taken down a dozen fighters on its own and two DropShips but the enemy WarShips were beginning to notice the Unity City didn’t care about fighting them directly.  Andrea Petain had realized that when the Unity City began accelerating and for the Blakists it was too late the Unity City charged into the Blakist formatting at nearly five G’s acceleration and ploughed into the first Essex.  The kinetic energy alone tore the Destroyer in half while the resulting explosion destroyed both ships and dozens of fighters all around all the Word of Blake WarShips and fighters were forced to turn away to avoid being caught in the debris field allowing Black Watch fighters to cause havoc before they were overwhelmed by the numerically superior Blake units.  As the Alexander Davion began to retreat eight of their twenty fighters and the single surviving DropShip, the Claymore rendezvoused with them.  Only three heavily damaged Black Watch fighters survived the Wing’s sacrifice.  Andrea happily took them aboard treating them like her own crew as the Alexander Davion entered the densely packed Stellar Mass.  “Note it in the logs that the Unity City crew died bravely and that they destroyed one of the enemy WarShips before dying themselves they sold their lives for the First Lord.”

   A Stellar Mass was an rare sight outside Star Clusters, it was made up of fragments of malformed or failed solar systems and full of strange gravimetrical waves and thousands lumps of rock some as large as the Alexander Davion.  One wrong move and the Destroyer would not survive a collision, then again fighting two enemy WarShips, their Fighters and DropShips would be just as suicidal.

FSS Alexander Davion, Gravity Deck Conference Room
Unnamed System, Stellar Mass Field
Chaos March
12th March 3068

   After four days of cat and mouse fighting the Alexander Davion had taken a few more hits and hiding in the Stellar Mass was becoming more and more difficult, the fragments remnants of a destroyed moon during the formation of the system barely large enough to hide the Davion-class vessel.  Their last surviving DropShip had been destroyed as had half their remaining fighters leaving them with four operation aircraft.  First Prince Victor Steiner-Davion had called for a meeting with Andrea and her command staff.

   â€œWhat options do we have?”  Victor asked, he was not a naval officer but he liked to know what was going on around him.

   â€œWe could remain here and wait for a friendly WarShip to arrive continuing to use the Stellar Mass as cover.”  The ship’s executive officer suggested, it was possible but dangerous and lengthy.

   â€œToo risky boss, we are already getting weird readings from across the ship and micro-meteor hits are causing more and more damage.  Its only time until weapons and structure integrity are affected.”  The chief engineer reported.

   â€œCould we jump from here?”  Victor asked quietly.

   â€œI’m afraid not, sire, the gravity distortions are too high in the mass, we need to get at least a million kilometres clear.  Preferably two.”  The helmsmen reported, Victor had said that rank did not matter in this meeting he wanted everyone snowballing ideas.

   â€œWe need to get clear and fast charge the drive.”  Andrea said quietly getting startled looks from around the room.

   â€œAdmiral, the K-F Drive has been off-line since we came in here, if we power it up and then immediately charge it…”  The chief engineer said his voice trailing off as he looked at Victor “it could have nasty consequences.”  He finished looking at the deck no-one wanted to contemplate the demise of the First Prince and his family, including Victor already he had decided that in future he would travel with a minimum of two WarShips when outside the Federated Suns Star League Protocol be damned.

   â€œIf we stay I’m just as dead chief.”  Victor said quietly Andrea seemed to take this as authorisation.

   â€œWe charge out of here full thrust in the opposite direction than what we entered then run like hell.  If we have a good lead on them we will charge the drive slowly making sure there are no spikes.  If not, it’s been an honour to serve with and know you all.”  Andrea said although the meeting went on for another half-hour the decision did not change the Alexander Davion would make a run for it.

   Three hours past before they were in position to run what repairs and reloading that could be done were done and the fighters were ready to give what support they could.  “Prep engines.”  Andrea said quietly seeing Victor Steiner-Davion enter the Command Deck.  “Sire?”

   â€œIf you don’t mind I will watch from here.”  He said in the background Danai Centrella-Davion and the couple’s two children were disappearing into a conference room.

   â€œNot a problem, give the order and we will be on our way.”

   â€œTo Oblivion and Beyond!”  Victor said quoting the ship's motto loud enough so everyone could hear Andrea cut in the ship-wide speakers as well “this crew have preformed beyond the call for duty and when we get home you are all coming to New Avalon, the Federated Suns and the Inner Sphere will know of your duty and your professionalism.”  Victor said it was a rarity that naval officers were honoured in the Federated Suns so it would be quite a treat. “Fleet Admiral Petain the order is given.”  He said nodding to the Admiral who bowed in response raising with a smile on her face, once again Victor had made her life easier.

   â€œEngines full military thrust.  Take us out.”  She said turning back to the main displays the Alexander Davion began accelerating quickly reaching three g’s acceleration, the whole crew were dragged down into their seats and onto the deck by the force of the acceleration.  The Alexander Davion sped out of the Stellar Mass straight into the teeth of the waiting Blakists.  Naval autocannon and capital missiles lashed out from both vessels while the Alexander Davion returned fire with Naval Autocannon, the Davion Block III could dish out a lot of damage but it could also take a beating, standing at the rear of the bridge Victor wondered just how badly the Alexander Davion was going to be pounded.  As enemy weapons fire tore into the Davion the destroyer rapidly lost most of its starboard weapons array in the opening barrage “roll us over.”  Andrea ordered and the Alexander Davion rolled over presenting the enemy with relatively fresh armour and new weapons.  Again Naval autocannons lashed out but this time from the Alexander Davion causing telling damage on the two destroyers but not enough to stop them.  A white shark capital missile slammed into the Alexander Davion hitting the first gravity deck near the aft of the craft, although the deck was in standby mode it still exploded as the deck decompressed bleeding away a portion of the ships speed now the enemy ships could stay within range.  “Shut down all power to both gravity decks, vent them of atmosphere so we don’t have another breach.”  Andrea ordered then hit the communication panel “Engineering we need more power, prepare to bring the K-F online.”

   â€œFull power available in ten seconds Admiral, K-F online in the green so far.”

   â€œGood news” she said quietly “Keep us posted chief.”  She said looking up at the Holo-tank, the Alexander Davion was beginning to make a lead on the two Blakist Destroyers, which although were well armed and not badly armoured they were very slow.  The Davion crossed the million kilometre mark and Andrea activated the comm. just as a pair of capital missiles slammed into the Destroyer’s rear shaking the entire ship.  “Engineering!  We need that jump engine now.”  She said there was no answer, “engineering” again nothing “engineering” nothing “hell” she whispered noticing the ship was beginning to slow as well she could feel gravity on the command deck begin to slip, luckily the rear guns of the Alexander Davion were still keeping the two Blakist Destroyers at a distance.

   â€œAdmiral!  Radiation surge!”  The sensor operator screamed as a surge of radiation appeared behind the Alexander Davion “Another one to port one hundred thousand kilometres, all hands brace!”  the sensor operator said again as two more WarShips entered the system, they were so dead.

   â€œIFF?”  She asked wondering if they would be friendly, she knew there was little chance of that.

   â€œNone.”

   â€œDamn” she said looking over at Victor “prepare to offer our surrender” Victor looked to the deck then nodded his agreement there was no point in fighting four WarShips especially with no engines and half their guns gone.

   â€œAdmiral, the two ships are confirmed as Lola III-class Destroyers, they are moving away from us towards the Blakist vessels!”  The sensor operator said unable to contain his excitement.

   â€œIFF!  Admiral it’s the Darius and Nelson.”  The comm. specialist shouted.

   â€œThat’s…” Andrea said looking at Victor Steiner-Davion then they both finished together “the Wolf’s Dragoons!”  The two Lola IIIs were fresh and undamaged as they accelerated towards the Blakists destroying the Naga II quickly with a concentrated effort of forward weapons fire, with surprise on their side the Naga II crew had no chance whatsoever of avoiding the fire or surviving the Wolf‘s Dragoons assault.  The Blakist force was surprised with the Dragoon’s arrival but they rallied and attacked the Darius with their full fury, with one Blakist DropShip ramming the Destroyer slamming into one of the cargo bay doors to cause heaviest penetration the impact caused several internal explosions on the Dragoon WarShip causing its K-F Core to overload and the destruction of the Dragoon WarShip.  With one enemy destroyed most of the remaining Blakist fighters and DropShips all clustered around in a mess of moving metal.  The Nelson seeing its sister ship destroyed so savagely moved closer to the remaining Word of Blake WarShip firing a Broadside into the nose of the Destroyer then as it moved into the vessel’s broadside arc rolled over and delivered another broadside into the stunned vessel.  Finally as the Word of Blake crew aboard the Destroyer attempted to deal with the heavy damage caused by the attacks the Nelson pivoted on the spot and delivered another strike this time directed to the Word of Blake vessel’s rear area penetrating the engine room causing one of the fusion engines to loose containment and tear the vessel to shreds.

   With the Word of Blake forces destroyed or disabled the Nelson then moved alongside the Alexander Davion beginning a joint rescue mission for survivors from the Darius and any downed Dragoon fighter.  “Get a comm. laser on them.”  Andrea said to the communication specialist who immediately set up a direct comm. frequency with the Dragoon WarShip.  General Maeve Wolf appeared on the screen “General, you have my thanks and that of my crew, it was a surprise to see you.”

   â€œWe are sorry we were so slow, the message was slightly garbled.  Where is the Unity City?”  She asked since that had been the vessel that had sent the call.

   â€œDestroyed by the Blakists.”

   â€œThen you have my condolences, Victor Steiner-Davion was a worthy leader of the Federated Suns.”

   â€œMy thanks General, but as you can see I still live.”  Victor said stepping onto the screen.

   â€œThe First Lord not travelling on the First Lord’s vessel” showing mock surprise on her face showing what she thought of the Artemis-class, “who could blame him?”  She asked quietly smiling “this is a good day.  The loss of the Darius is regretful but your continued survival would have pleased its crew, they knew their duty and finally the Wolf‘s Dragoons have been able to show our WarShips are not all for show that we still hold much of our Clan roots in WarShip combat.”  Maeve said proudly over the years since the Wolf’s Dragoons had revealed their true origins and their WarShip fleet many had said the vessels would never be used and that the Dragoons would never be able to use them effectively if they were ever challenged to do so.

   â€œGeneral, whatever the Dragoons want, within reason, is yours.  You have saved this ship, its crew and my family.  I will not forget this.”  Victor said stepping towards the centre of the bridge the crews of both vessels were looking at Victor and Maeve the discussion captivating everyone.

   â€œMy thanks First Prince Davion.”  Maeve said slightly taken aback by the offer she had expected some C-Bills, technology or equipment but the First Prince’s offer was greatly appreciated, the Dragoons would not forget his offer.  “We will collect later, for now can we offer assistance, you appear damaged.”

   â€œYes please, General.”  Fleet Admiral Petain said looking to Victor who was leaving the command deck disappearing into the conference room which held his family.  Twenty minutes later the Dragoons were aboard the WarShip helping bring the Alexander Davion back into a space worthy condition, although it was a temporary measure the destroyer would need months of refit.  At the same time General Wolf used the Nelson’s HPG to call for more Federated Suns help.  Within an hour the Hanse Davion, Melissa Davion and Intrepid were all in the system.  The Melissa Davion taking Victor and his family back to New Avalon and the other two vessels assisting the Dragoons and the Alexander Davion’s surviving crew to make the vessel ship capable of making it to Galax for repairs.  The Dragoon’s remaining vessel then returned to Outreach happy with the knowledge that they had secured their alliance with the Federated Suns and the Star League for years to come.  Once back on Outreach the crew of the Darius were honoured and laid to rest on the Wall’s of Honour outside Harlech City, although the Dragoons did not have their remains they did have their codex data, a hold-over from their Clan origins, the crew of the WarShip would never be forgotten.

I like it just confused why 2 copies of the last part? 

Davion women are fertile pups

Star League Training Ranges
Kittery, Star League High Command Base
Capellan March, Federated Suns
23rd June 3068

   Although the beginning of the exercise between the First New Avalon Guards RCT and the Fifth Syrtis Fusiliers RCT had been delayed until the 5th June by the 23rd June the two units have beaten each other up in simulated battle after simulated battle and Reinhart Steiner’s forces are far ahead the Syrtis Fusiliers Nathaniel Hasek calls for an end of the exercise and for Reinhart to be declared again as Marshal of Armies and for the argument to be closed.

   To show there is no hard feelings Reinhart immediately orders the two RCTs to load up into DropShips along with the First Kittery Borderers and the Kittery Training Battalion.  Then supported by the Avalon-class Cruiser FSS Lucian Davion all four units launch a surprise invasion of Ares just two jumps away in the Capellan Confederation.  The Defending Capellan Regiment the Fifth McCarron’s Armoured Cavalry, also known as Carson’s Cavaliers, are totally outnumbered by one RCT let alone two supported by another independent Regiment.  However instead of launching a full no holds bared attack on the Regiment Reinhart orders his troops to occupy the undefended cities and towns on the planet then contacts Sang-shao Lord Richard Carson the commander of the Fourth and offers him a way out a stand-up fight for possession of the planet, much like those conducted by the Clans, if the Federated Suns win Richard will surrender himself to the Federated Suns but his unit will leave.  If the Fourth win the Fourth will be allowed with Richard still commanding.  Richard angrily refuses to comply holding tightly to the capital city refusing to surrender the city to House Davion knowing that if he was to return to Sian after surrendering the world with little fight that the Chancellor would kill him.

   Despite calls from the Syrtis Fusiliers and the Kittery Borderers to launch an all out attack Reinhart will not launch a full offensive against a city, that could only lead to mass destruction and murder so they wait in a tense stand off, the Capellans hoping for reinforcements and the Federated Suns waiting for Carson to break.   Following two nights of the stand-off and over a dozen skirmishes the situation is getting desperate for the Armoured Cavalry.  Sitting over his private command table Lord Richard Carson looked at the deployment of the Davion troops.  The obvious weak spot was the Kittery Borderers and their Training Battalion none had been in a real battle since the Fourth Succession War.  If the Cavalry could break through them the Davions would think twice about attacking them.

   Sao-shao Faith McCarron walked into the room, Faith was a member of the family that had founded the McCarron’s Armoured Cavalry and one of the most capable young commanders of the entire Capellan Confederation Armed Forces and was in line for Richard‘s job when she gained enough experience.  Experience was something she was gaining daily recently she had tracked down a terrorist band who had tried to destroy one of the Confederation’s WarShips and been rewarded a Battalion command for her efforts.  “Good to see you Sao-shao, I hear you gave the Davions a right thrashing out on the sixth marker this morning?”  He said smiling broadly her, Faith like most of the members of the Big Mac was not a Capellan by birth she was white Caucasian and like most successful MechWarriors shorter than average, well muscled and always alert.  She had been born in the Federated Suns during one of the Armoured Cavalry’s Mercenary contracts her long blonde hair had put her at odds with the Capellans several times but like any McCarron she kept coming back, this morning her Battalion had eliminated a Battalion of enemy Vehicles and some Mechs belonging to the Fifth Syrtis Fusiliers RCT, a very good performance they would need several more of those to confirm success and survival.  Hopefully the Chancellor would send a couple of his precious Warrior Houses to assist them soon, perhaps a WarShip as well to drive off the accursed Avalon in high orbit.  Although Richard did not expect Orbital Bombardment the Davion’s WarShip was in a perfect position for one and from the stats he‘d seen on the Avalon-class he knew it was more than capable.

   â€œWe got lucky, my lord” she said softly her hands behind her back as she stood at attention.

   â€œFaith, you do not need to use my title when we are alone and there are no Capellans about, this is still the Big Mac.  And we both know it wasn‘t luck.”  He said smiling, he was still a mercenary at heart.

   â€œVery good Richard, allow me to cut straight to the point?”  He nodded “you need to surrender yourself to the Davions and allow the Regiment to get off planet.”  She said bluntly, she was a mercenary at heart as well and every mercenary knew the only way for a unit to survive as to know what battles could be won and which had to be surrendered, this was one fight that even the Big Mac could not win.  Richard looked at her dumbstruck by her words.

   â€œAnd if I refuse?”

   â€œThen you will be eliminated and I will surrender in your place.”

   â€œYou can’t you are a member of the McCarron family, the Chancellor would never forgive the Armoured Cavalry for the betrayal.  And to loose Ares without a fight this world has too much history to be abandoned.”  He said referring to the famous Ares Conventions that had been signed on this very world centuries before conventions that limited the use of weapons of mass destruction and cleared up what the legitimate targets of war were.

   â€œThe first rule of the Big Mac is survival, the rest falls into place.  Surely you remember that, or has your Capellan Lord-hood gone straight to your head?”  She asked Richard was again taken for words and as he finally found what to say he opened his mouth only for Faith to draw her arms from her back revealing a long curved sabre.  With a single spinning motion Faith removed Richard Carson’s head killing him in an instant.  “I’m sorry Richard.”  She said placing the bloodied sword on the table as Richard’s lifeless decapitated body fell to the floor.  She pressed the transmit button on the desk.  “This is Shao-shao Faith McCarron calling the Davion commander, we need to talk.  Richard Carson is no longer in command of the Fourth McCarron’s Armoured Cavalry, I am.”  She said not even looking at the body on the floor, she had done this to save her people nothing more, nothing less.

   â€œThis is Marshal of Armies Reinhart Steiner, meet me ten kilometres north of my base in one hour, you may take one lance worth of guards.  Any duplicity I will order both my RCTs to launch a full offensive and for the orbiting WarShip to destroy any DropShip not flying the Davion flag, your unit will be hunted to it’s death.”  The German accented voice said, a Steiner was here! And he was the Davion’s new Marshal of Armies!  No wonder they had been caught so flatfooted.  The Capellans feared the Davion war machine but Faith often thought it was the Steiner blood mixed in that had given the Davions the extra edge they had needed for the victories of the Fourth Succession War, she also knew Reinhart Steiner’s record, a Clan war veteran, and wasn’t surprised he had beaten Richard Carson or any of the Big Mac officer corps on Ares.

   â€œAgreed” she said looking once more at Richard’s body she bowed once to the body her eyes closed in a silent apology to the dead Lord then turned and left the room.  Faith rounded up the other three Mech Battalion commanders and told them of her actions and her plan, all protested however she was resolute, she would sentence the men to a death or not destroy the Fourth McCarron’s by fighting against two front-line Davion RCTs supported by an extra regiment and a WarShip, some battles you walked away from.

   An hour later with the other three Battalion commanders supporting her Faith walked her gold and green Men Shen OmniMech, a present from the Chancellor himself, to the rendezvous point.  About five minutes later the four Mechs from the First New Avalon Guards RCT arrived led by a Warhawk, commonly known as a Masakari to Inner Sphere troops, the eighty-five ton Clan OmniMech was still painted in the blue-and-white with silver piping of the Lyran Guards a silent reminder of the Mech’s and the pilot’s origin.  On the Mech’s left leg was the Federated Sun sword-and-sunburst with a ’1’ underneath.  Faith had seen videos of the Clan War, some that possibly featured even this Mech, the Warhawk was one of the deadliest Mechs ever fielded and it alone could probably destroy the four Mechs she had taken.  Beside it was a Templar OmniMech and a pair of Stealth OmniMechs, both home-grown Federated Suns OmniMech designs it was a show of strength the Capellan Confederation could never hope to match.

   â€œI am glad to see you never tried anything silly.”  Reinhart said there was no gloating or malice in his voice just a genuine sounding pleasure that they would not have to fight here and now.  Faith was more than a little pleased that she hadn’t listened to the other Battalion commanders who called for a full assault against Reinhart, to kill the Marshal of Armies and then try to bog down the Davions long enough for more Capellans to arrive.  “Are you willing to meet my terms?”  He asked obviously referring to his Trial-like fight for the world.

   â€œNegative.”  Faith said plainly, there would be no fighting, the Fourth could never hope to prevail against the forces both RCTs and the Kittery Regiment but she would not allow him to dictate all the terms, she still had a little strength and dignity within her.

   â€œThen I do not understand why did you call for this meeting?”  Reinhart said Faith was surprised that she heard no anger in his voice he was not meeting her expectations of the rabid Davion war fighter she had been told about all her life then remembered he was a Steiner, a completely different animal.

   â€œHere is the deal.  I will surrender to you Marshal of Armies Steiner, personally.  You will allow my Regiment to leave this world unmolested.  The Federated Suns will retain control over Ares, until the Capellan Confederation return and capture this world.”  She said confident that the Capellans would return to the world eventually.

   â€œYou understand there is no guarantee that you will be ransomed back to the Capellan Confederation?”  Reinhart asked it was common practice for a member of an important member of a major family to be ransomed back for other prisoners or technology to their home realm.

   â€œI killed a Capellan Lord to save my Regiment and sacrifice a Capellan World.  I do not think the Capellan people will want me back.  I surrender myself to you, do you accept?”  She asked there was a long silence before Reinhart answered.

   â€œI accept your surrender the Fourth McCarron’s Armoured Cavalry are allowed to return to their JumpShips which are at the Nadir point unharmed.  They will not be harmed and neither will you unless you attempt to harm me or anyone else under my command.”

   â€œI understand.”  She said quietly “I agree to your terms.”  She said throttling forward her Men Shen’s speed the two Stealths took up escort positions as she walked towards the Davion holdings.

   â€œAnd I yours.”  Reinhart said watching the Mech walk past his Warhawk “Fourth McCarron’s you have one hour to depart.  Any further hostilities will be dealt with quickly and harshly.”  Reinhart said turning walking away he noticed Field Marshal Nathaniel Hasek move his Templar behind Reinhart covering the Marshal of Armies weaker rear armour with his own Mech, the McCarron’s troops did nothing to interfere.

   Back at the base Reinhart and Nathaniel arrived several minutes behind Faith and her escort and they found a mob scene surrounding Faith and the two Stealth MechWarriors none were fully dressed, Faith herself was almost completely naked wearing underwear and shorts, she had kept her coolant suit on covering up more but with the liquid drained from it the suit was very see through.  Even from his Warhawk cockpit Reinhart could hear names being shouted at her and the two defending Stealth pilots being told to get out of the way.  From their uniforms Reinhart could tell they were Syrtis troopers almost all infantry troops.  Leaning down to his weapons control console he activated his Warhawk’s weapons display and opened fire with the paired Clan-built Large Pulse Lasers mounted in the left arm the air above the troopers was filled with pulse blasts followed by the rear wall exploding outwards.  The shouting stopped and all eyes fell on the Warhawk however it was Nathaniel Hasek who stepped forward first he had dismounted from his Mech and made his way into the middle of the crowd climbing atop an APC.  “Do you call yourselves honourable men?  Honourable men of the Capellan March of the Federated Suns?”  He asked shouting over the noise of the men.  A resounding “yes sir!”  came from the crowd “then I am ashamed to have you as my men and as soon as we return home ever single one of you will be reassigned to a militia unit.”  He said looking at the faces around him their faces went from shock to anger to ashamed looks in less than thirty seconds.  “You should all look at yourselves, we just won a victory without risking our lives.  We have secured the world of Ares a major world in the Capellan’s war machine and you are interested instead of bothering a young woman who sacrificed her own freedom to save her men.  Not only that you were willing to beat up two of your own fellow MechWarriors to get to her.”

   â€œThey’re Lyran scum!  Why the hell should we care this is a great victory?  For us, for the Capellan March and George Hasek!”  One shouted naming the man they were all fanatically loyal to, even more loyal than to Victor or the Federated Suns.  The mob around him cheered the call.

   â€œYour views have been noted and you are all under arrest.  Marshal of Armies Steiner, if you will please take these bastards out of my sight.”  Nathaniel said turning to Reinhart condemning his own men stepping down from the APC and walking away.  Reinhart was standing with his two MechWarriors protecting Faith who now had a jumpsuit on which Reinhart had taken from his Mech.  All around them were more than fifty Battle Armour troopers of the First New Avalon Guards RCT every single member of the crowd was arrested a total of sixty-two men and women Reinhart offered to hold them for a few days then release them back to the Fifth once they had calmed down, however, Nathaniel refused condemning his men to military court and dishonourable discharge.  Nathaniel pointed out that the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns prided itself as being the most professional army in the Inner Sphere, these men were not showing this.  Although it was possible some may end up in militia units none would ever serve in a premier Federated Suns unit.

   Once the Sixth Syrtis Fusiliers RCT had arrived to take over garrison the First New Avalon Guards RCT also left returning to New Avalon with their new prisoner in tow under the personnel supervision of Reinhart Steiner against the wishes of most of the High Command and even a suggestion against this arrangement by First Prince Victor Steiner-Davion.  Reinhart said he had accepted Faith’s parole that by her honour she would do no harm to the Federated Suns while a prisoner.  The High Command had directed that Faith would not be allowed in the Fox’s Den or Royal Palace under any circumstances and that she would be accompanied by a guard when not with Reinhart, an arrangement the Marshal of Armies and Faith McCarron found suitable.

Zenith Point, Tharkad
Donegal Province, Lyran Alliance
1st July 3068

   The Lyran Alliance military move to near full alert when an unknown WarShip is detected jumping into the Tharkad system.  Scrambling three WarShips to meet the new contact they worry that the Clans have returned however they soon find their concern is unwarranted when the FSS Peter Steiner-Davion, an Avalon-class Cruiser from the Federated Suns, arrives painted in Lyran Alliance colours.  The crew announce that they are all Lyran born citizens and that the Federated Suns has presented the Lyran Alliance with this vessel and crew as a sign of friendship and as a present to celebrate the birth of Jessica Steiner.

   Archon Peter Steiner-Davion accepts the gift gladly bolstering his small navy with another capable WarShip and crew.  Over the next few days the Lyran Alliance and Federated Suns reopen several of the links they shared during the Federated Commonwealth Alliance, although neither sign a formal alliance, the two brothers leading their respected realms know that cooperation is key to their survival and to their nations prospering.  In the Federated Suns Capellan March Minister Field Marshal George Hasek makes it known he is not amused that a vessel built by Capellan March people has been so easily given to another realm without anything in return however the story does not get much circulation as the news agencies and the people of the Federated Suns believe in the friendship being created by the two sides of the former-Federated Commonwealth.

   In response to his complaints being ignored George takes matters into his own hands using mercenary troops within to Capellan March to invaded Epsilon Indi and Epsilon Eridani destroying a Blakist Division and the Langendorf Lancers a small mercenary unit under the employ of the planetary government on Epsilon Indi.  On Epsilon Eridani Federated Suns mercenaries eliminate local militia forces and Bronson‘s Horde, a mercenary Battalion based on the world under Word of Blake contract. The Lone Star Regiment and Redfield’s Renegades who are both based on Epsilon Eridani offer no resistance retreating from the world without a single word in complaint, both know better than to argue with a Succession Lord‘s forces.  Epsilon Eridani has been the one stable world of the Chaos March outside Outreach and Northwind.  To recognise this fact Victor Steiner-Davion overrules Field Marshal Hasek and orders that Duke Pierre Benton be given a degree of leeway in how Epsilon Eridani is run and that both Nadir and Zenith Jump Point Stations are fully refurbished, the plan being to keep Epsilon Eridani as an open world of trade.  Although some believe the Federated Suns claim to openness cannot last and that soon their businesses will be strangled under the Federated Suns bureaucracy Duke Benton is able to convince them to stay and adopt a wait-and-see approach with their new Landlords.  To cater for the increased immigrants and foreign nationals who will have access to the Federated Suns via Epsilon Eridani the DMI and MIIO Divisions both place units on the world keeping an eye on potential trouble from other States and hostile forces.

Camelot Medical Facility
Avalon City, New Avalon
Crucis March, Federated Suns
8th August 3068

   At seven in the morning at one of the most prestigious medical clinics in Avalon City Major Ross McKinnon and Captain Rachel McKinnon become parents to Canin Aleksandr McKinnon their first child.  Their son is named in honour of Canin Rosse of the Nova Cats, the man who brought them together, and Alexandr Kerensky, the legendary commander of the first Star League Defence Force.

Mars Orbit/Near Orbit
Terran System, Chaos March
13th August 3068

   Using the last of their WarShip fleet ComStar launches an all out offensive against the Word of Blake fleet.  The six remaining combat vessels of ComStar, supported by over fifty assault DropShips, moved in on Martian Orbit to find four ancient Corvettes, two Bonaventure-class and two Vigilant-class, supported by a Quixote-class Missile Frigate and a Tracker-class Surveillance craft none of these WarShip classes have been seen in centuries thought wiped out during the Amaris Coup and Succession Wars, where the Word of Blake was able to salvage or build these vessels is unknown.

   Tagging the Quixote as the biggest threat the ComGuards went after the missile frigate with everything they had.  Although the frigate could put a lot of anti-WarShip missiles in the air it had no anti-fighter weapons and small engines compared to its size so it could not run.  While the Blake’s Strength supported by the Fire Fang and Saratoga engaged the Corvettes and Surveillance craft the two ComGuard Carrack-Merchant vessels and the Artemis-class Terra supported by the majority of the DropShips and fighters engaged and destroyed the Quixote in a short one sided battle as the Corvettes fail to defend the vessel that could have turned the battle to the Word of Blake‘s side.

   With the loss of this vessel the remaining Word of Blake naval forces attempted to run but the ancient vessels could not hope to outrun the ComGuard fighters and DropShips and were swiftly destroyed clearing the way for eleven full Divisions, three quarters of what remains of the ComGuard, ground troops to make their way to the ground and begin the serious business of liberating Mars.  During the fighting three DropShips, a Fortress, an Overlord and one of a class never seen before lift off from Mars fighting defensively against ComStar and Word of Blake forces these DropShips hook-up with a JumpShip waiting nearby and leave the system.  ComStar allow the vessels to leave knowing that four DropShips are no threat to them at the moment.  During the battle the ComGuard lose the Star Cat, one of the Carrack-Merchants, to heavy Capital Missile fire from the Quixote and directly following the battle the crew of the Terra are forced to abandon the vessel as they are unable to control the explosive decompressions caused by damage.  The vessel is heavily damaged but possibly salvageable after the fighting is over for now ComStar leave the vessel to join the dozens of derelicts littering the Terra system.

Royal Palace
Tharkad City, Tharkad
Donegal Province, Lyran Alliance
20th August 3068

   On Tharkad in front of the media as promised Peter Steiner-Davion signs the Arc-Royal Protocols with Khan Phelan Kell.  The Arc-Royal Protocols officially recognise Clan Wolf (in-Exile) as an independent entity working within the Lyran Alliance and with full autonomy and independence but still held to the Lyran Alliances rules, as well as its own.  At the same time Archon Peter Steiner-Davion recognises the world of Arc-Royal as the capital of the combat theatre formerly known as the Pandora Theatre recognising the loss of Pandora to the Jade Falcons and the Lyran people changing to recognise this.  Grand Duke Morgan Kell of Arc-Royal is recognised as Margrave of the Arc-Royal Theatre despite his mercenary origins.

Columbus Facility
Deep Periphery
25th August 3068

   In retaliation for the Loss of Mars to the ComGuard a Word of Blake Carson-class Destroyer arrived in over the Columbus Facility and initiated an Orbital Bombardment of the surface destroying most of the facility.  In orbit both Faslane-class Yardships that serve the Explorer Corps are destroyed by the Blakist WarShip when they try to move away.  Although ComGuard fighters and DropShips were able to engage and destroy the Destroyer Columbus Base is effectively destroyed with ninety percent of the personnel dead and the life support systems obliterated.  With the Explorer Corps decapitated and the base unable to support its population Columbus begins to transmit a distress signal hoping the Draconis Combine or an Explorer Corps vessel on assignment will arrive and save them.

Caph
Chaos March
29th August 3068

   In response to Federated Suns and Capellan Confederation moves in the Chaos March the Draconis Combine take Caph from the Word of Blake.  The Word of Blake’s Third Division attempt to stand up to an assault launched by the Eighth Sword of Light Regiment.  The Elite Word of Blake troops put up quite a fight however facing a full regiment of the Draconis Combine Mustered Society they stand little chance and following six hours of fighting on the radioactive world there is little left of the Division to be put into make-shift prisoner of war camps.  The Draconis Combine claim Caph as a world of the Al’nir Prefecture placing a Draconis Combine friendly ruler and government in place.  The Eighth Sword of Light stay on the world to ensure no-one attempts to cause trouble for the Combine’s newest acquisition.  To ensure there is no trouble from the Word of Blake’s remaining WarShip fleet the DCS Draconis Rift, a Kyushu-class Frigate enters the system adding its firepower the to regiment on the ground and brining in supplies for the worlds population as the Draconis Combine attempts to win the hearts-and-minds of the newly conquered population.

Fort Melissa, Dalbans Mountains
Albion Continent, New Avalon
4th October 3068

   The Lion-class DropShip Wolf Paw, belonging to the Wolf’s Dragoons, had entered the New Avalon system, on a civilian registered JumpShip, and been secretly directed to Fort Melissa, a large military facility to the south-west of Avalon City on the Albion Continent.  Landing amongst the forces of the First Davion Guards RCT Commander Michi Noketsuna stepped from the vessel with several escorts, two in Elemental Battle Armour.  Michi a former DCMS Battalion Commander during the War of 39 had fought against House Davion during that conflict and several other battles however today he was here as a member of the Wolf’s Dragoon’s WolfNet intelligence service not to fight but negotiate, the Dragoons had chosen to call in their ‘anything you want’ offer made by Victor Steiner-Davion following the Word of Blake attack against his escorts in the Chaos March.

   Because Victor is off New Avalon on business meeting with Morgan Hasek-Davion regarding the Star League and the Federated Suns Marshal of Armies Reinhart Steiner negotiates with them.  The Dragoons point out that since they lost a WarShip saving Victor’s life they expect a WarShip in return Reinhart is more than willing to offer them a Fox or Hound-class Corvette however the Dragoons want an Avalon-class Cruiser, something the Federated Suns is unwilling to turn over, having already given one to the Lyran Alliance.

   Following several days of negotiation Reinhart and the Dragoons agree that a Davion Block III-class Destroyer will be transferred to Dragoon control to make up for the loss of the Darius.  The Dragoons win because they have gained a superior vessel than their lost Lola-III and the Federated Suns wins because the remain on good terms with the Dragoons.  At the end of the meeting Michi Noketsuna, as a representative of WolfNet and the Allied Mercenary Command sends a message to Victor Steiner-Davion as First Lord of the Star League.  The world of Liberty currently under the protection of the Allied Mercenary Command wants Star League Protectorate status following several Capellan raids and the Confederation’s control over several nearby systems, Victor agrees and dispatches an SLDF unit immediately.  Noketsuna assures the SLDF that the AMC will remain on the world as long as is needed.

Command Deck, FSS Admiral Michael Sallie
Ares System, Zenith Point
Capellan March, Federated Suns
8th October 3068

   Walking onto the command bridge of his WarShip, the FSS Admiral Michael Sallie Commodore Philip Montrose was still rubbing sleep-sand from his eyes as he saw the holo-tank in the centre of the Hound-class Corvette’s command deck light up.  “This better be good, Miss Andrews, I was just asleep when those blasted sirens went off!”  Philip shouted over the sirens at his executive officer Lisa Andrews turning to the tactical officer “shut that damned sirens off!”  Within seconds they were silenced.  “Good, now what is this all about Major?”

   â€œSir, sensors detected a pair of Jump Signatures coming in at the Nadir point, one appears to be an Imparvido-class Destroyer while the other is eighty-nine percent confirmed as a Feng Huang-class Cruiser.”  Lisa said as the Holo-tank got up to speed and plotted the locations of the two jump signatures.

   â€œExpected time of arrival?”  Philip asked his sensor officer all business now the irritation from lack of sleep gone.

   â€œSixteen minutes.”

   â€œWell that’s something.”  Philip said thinking quietly the Admiral Michael Sallie carried two DropShips of its own, both assault class vessels and had three Vengeance-class carrier ships attached to it for this patrol but against two WarShips the small corvette stood little chance.  “Communications send a burst transmission to the planet tell them they have incoming, very possibly elite Capellan troops with full WarShip support they are to hold as long as possible then get a message off to the JumpShips order them to get out of the system by any means, there’s no telling if the Capellans will stick to the rules of engagement.”  He said assessing the situation the three JumpShips had no combat DropShips or combat value on their own but the Capellan commander may see it as a way of hurting the Federated Suns by destroying them as well ignoring the Ares Convention, the irony in that was well beyond Philip at this point.  “Jump Master, reel in the Jump Sail and store for combat operations.”  He said looking over at the Jump Sail operator, the crew now knew his next order “engines full thrust as soon as that sail is back aboard.  Weapons officer, full combat alert begin checks on all weapons.  CAG” he said over his shoulder at the Commander of the vessel’s aerospace fighter wing and the five DropShips, known as the Commander-of-Air-Group, “brief your pilots and DropShip crews of the situation, I want your pilots to hit the enemy fighters and DropShips to hit the enemy DropShips leave the WarShips to us unless you have nothing else to hit.  All ships in the sky two minutes before the enemy arrives - slow burn.”  There was half a dozen ‘ayes’ as the crew got to work, they didn’t have a chance against two WarShips but would take as many Capellans with them as possible.

   It actually took the enemy vessels twenty-two minutes to enter the system protecting three JumpShips.  All the vessels immediately detached a total of sixteen DropShips which all blazed towards Ares, the JumpShips then executed an immediate jump clear of the system abandoning their fighters and DropShips.  “Helm, at the Feng Huang its guns are far too weak for a cruiser, time to show the Capellans that they made a fatal mistake when designing her, standard approach speed.”  Philip said the corvette began accelerating to two-and-a-half gravities worth of acceleration the Hound had another half a gravity worth of thrust but at the moment the Capellans would be trying to work out if this was a Fox or Hound-class so he had a little advantage.  “Weapons fire at will, have the gunners concentrate their fire on the Imparvido for now, it has the weaker armour so we do damage to them first.  If we are still here at point blank give that Feng Huang everything we have left.”  Philip said looking over at the weapons officers the Admiral Michael Saille’s weapons opened fire along the port side, forward port quarter and fore areas the conventional Rotary Autocannons although not designed for use against targets as big as a WarShip complemented the Naval Autocannons and Naval Lasers well causing damage down the Capellan Destroyer’s port side while the Capellan’s return fire, made up of Naval Autocannons and lasers caused little damage to the Davion Corvette.

   â€œSir, Feng Huang moving, looks like they don’t want to engage us, they haven’t fired at us.  Looks like they want to assist their DropShips.”  The sensor operator said.

   â€œSir, CAG reports heavy fighter screen on the Capellan Droppers, looks like the WarShips sent everything they had to defend them.”  The flight officer control said moments later Philip remained calm, the last thing they needed was someone loosing it, especially him.  The Feng Huang was very poorly armed for a cruiser but it did have very tightly packed anti-fighter weapons and several Naval lasers and PPCs that could heavily damage DropShips making it a decent escort, the Capellans obviously noticed that.  The Imparvido was here to keep any Davion WarShips tied up long enough for the Feng Huang to eliminate any defending DropShips and fighters.  The Admiral Michael Sallie was just now entering range for the Capellan Feng Huang and Philip could see the weapons targeting begin to shift.

   â€œOrder the CAG to take his fighters straight into the Feng Huang for a single pass then head deeper into the system, the surviving DropShips are to do the same but targeting the enemy DropShips, one pass then run.”  He said looking at the Flight Operations officer “give them a rendezvous point out of the path of the Capellans where the Fighters can refuel then all forces are to head for Ares full thrust and assist ground operations.”  The Flight Ops officer nodded the assault against the WarShip was a desperate call but Philip didn’t have any options left.  “Weapons ignore the Feng Huang and kill that damned Imparvido! Helm, zigzag course with the Imparvido keep us out of their forward arc constantly showing them our broadside, any move to keep us living is a good one and take us to max thrust.”  The Admiral Michael Sallie shot forwards with the newfound speed narrowly avoiding a tight grouping of Naval Autocannon fire from the Capellan Destroyer which would have likely breached the hull on the already battered port side.  The helm officer had been tracking the damage and rolled the corvette over onto its back, making the vessel appear ‘upside-down’ to the Capellans, this presented the Capellan vessel with new untouched armour which was almost immediately hammered by a pair of Naval Lasers which rocked the corvette.  At the same time the Admiral’s own broadside Autocannon array spoke out causing a breach in the Capellan’s forward port side, the Capellan vessel rolled over to protect its damaged side forcing the Admiral Michael Saille’s gunners to start again.  Philip Montrose looked at the holo-tank image and knew what was about to happen, for several moments he had thought their survival was possible but not now the Imparvido was firing only defensively with conventional weapons which meant only one thing.  “Communications message to Ares, DropShips and Fighters, Admiral Michael Sallie is lost” he said just as the Imparvido fired all its forward weapons at once.  Philip had heard MechWarriors describe this as an enemy doing an ’Alpha-strike’ firing everything it had in a desperate attempt to kill an enemy but all he knew it was a death sentence. The destroyer fired a tight grouping of Naval autocannons, Lasers, PPCs and a myriad of conventional weapons that tore into the Hound-class corvette’s forward armour one of the salvos breached the armour and tore into the command bridge killing the command crew instantly and destroying any control the vessel had.  The gunners throughout the ship continued to manually fire once, twice, after the loss of the bridge knowing the vessel was doomed by defiant to the end, they knew that the Capellans would take no prisoners from this battle.  Without main control and with power failing they had trouble even getting near with their erratic before the Capellan’s second salvo tore the corvette in half cracking the K-F Boom killing anyone who remained on the vessel.

   Deeper in the system the two remaining DropShips and a dozen Davion Aerospace fighters broke off their attacks content with four DropShip kills and almost thirty fighter kills against the invading Capellan Forces.  The loss of the Admiral Michael Sallie hurt and surrendered space superiority to the Capellans but they had destroyed the majority of the Capellan’s fighter force which would give the ground forces an advantage, the only way the Capellans could help their ground forces would be by using orbital bombardment something the Capellans were not likely to do considering Ares history of preserving life with the Ares Conventions which had outlawed Orbital Bombardment centuries ago.  Instead the Capellan WarShips damaged but still deadly maintained positions in the system auctioning a total blockade on the Ares system destroying any DropShip or JumpShip that entered they system without their consent.  The Capellan’s intent is to starve out the Davion ground troops if their ground troops failed to dislodge the Federated Suns defenders.

Calish II/Calish III
Outworlds Alliance
14th October 3068

   In an unprovoked attack two suspected Draconis Combine hired Mercenary Companies land on the twin system of Calish attacking both inhabited planets.  On Calish II the Mercenaries concentrate on stealing four brand-new Corax OmniFighters while on Calish III the Mercenaries target the HPG destroying it cutting the system off from the rest of the Alliance.  Once their primary objectives had been completed both units then ran amok primarily targeting the Outworlds Alliance Ground Forces but also several civilian resorts near both targeted facilities they then retreated leaving nearly three thousand dead civilians over both worlds and at least twice that many injured.  The mercenaries are then collected by a Combine registered civilian JumpShip, the Draconis Combine Coordinator Hohiro Kurita issues an official statement denying he ordered the attack however both the Outworlds Alliance and the small number of Snow Ravens garrisoned in their territories are not happy with the assault, the Ravens more so as it opens up wounds caused by the White Cloud’s destruction.

Star League Command
Kittery, Capellan March
Federated Suns
21st October 3068

   The Star League Intelligence Corps delivers its report to Morgan Hasek-Davion, another is delivered to Archer Christifori as acting-commanding-general, the report delivers the SLIC’s findings regarding the assassination attempt against the life of Morgan Hasek-Davion earlier in the year.  The report directly points to a Capellan Confederation based Thuggee Terrorist Cell that was later discovered and destroyed by the Capellan Confederation, officially during their own attempts to rid the Confederation of the menace created by Sun-Tzu’s sister Kali still incarcerated on Highspire for the Black May attacks against the St Ives Compact during the First St Ives/Confederation War almost a decade before.  Morgan decides for now to leave the Confederation to riding themselves of the threat, the Star League have more important things to do than follow a trail of vengeance.