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Raid on Antares (2nd InnerSphere Optimized vs Clan Quicksilver Designs)
Equivalent Force Mass = 695 tons

Ironically, one of the few campaigns during Operation White Knight targeting non-POW sites was perhaps its most successful. Codenamed Maelstrom the main thrust of the Heavy Raid on Antares was aimed at the Alba Replenishment and Supply Base. This former Star League cache was being reactivated by Clan Jade Falcon to facilitate a renewed invasion according to intelligence reports. The High Command wanted to assess this threat with a major deployment which could, if necessary, damage and disable the resupply center. The 3rd Royal Guard RCT under the command of Marshal Harrison Bradford was selected for this raid in force which went off in 3054. During this action several FedCom operatives on planet provided actionable intelligence as to a neighboring Steel Viper prisoner camp which held captured veterans of the Clan invasion. The facility located within the Clan settlement of New Unity was guarded by a Nova of Clan second line troops with possible reinforcements nearby.

Attacker: Federated Commonwealth (3rd Royal Guard RCT) [Elite/Fanatical]
Charlie Company which is attached to the 3rd Mech Battalion of the RCT has recently been modernized with the latest in newly optimized AFFC equipment. Outfitted and staffed with the best recruits from all over the Federated Commonwealth they have been well trained in Clan battle tactics. While none has any combat experience versus the Children of Kerensky all are eager for a chance to prove their mettle. Aside from its commanders who are veterans of the Invasion none have actual combat experience.
   Charlie Company (The Lab Rats)
1st Battle Lance (Heavy Cavalry - 5/8 speed requirement)
Hauptmann Victoria Alberts, Elite (2/2), DPG-3R Doppelganger
Mechwarrior Brett Holmes, Elite (2/3), WHM-7R Warhammer
Mechwarrior Robert Fletcher, Veteran (3/3), JM6-D2 JagerMech
Mechwarrior Carl Dresdner, Veteran (3/2), ENF-5FC Enforcer
2nd Battle Lance (Elemental Hunters - 5/8 speed requirement)
Leftenant Hermann Gregg, Elite (2/2), WHM-7P Warhammer
Mechwarrior Marlin Amour, Veteran (3/3), CRD-5D Crusader
Mechwarrior Jean-Marc Newton, Elite (2/3), GRF-3S Griffin
Mechwarrior Christian Esmond, Elite (2/3), ENF-5S Enforcer
3rd Lance (Striker - Medium Recon - 6/9 speed requirement)
Leftenant Rosalind Fox, Elite (2/3), SCP-2S Scorpion
Mechwarrior Susan Alvena, Elite (2/3), CN9-FC Centurion
Mechwarrior Edgar Sullivan, Elite (2/3), PXH-4S Phoenix Hawk
Mechwarrior Siegbert ‘Sigi’ Maynard, Elite (2/3), PXH-4D Phoenix Hawk

Defender: Clan Steel Viper (5th Viper Regulars) [Veteran/Questionable]
The 5th was likewise freshly reassigned from the Clan Homeworlds and Nu Galaxy to garrison duty on Antares with Chi Galaxy. Replacing two elite Viper Guard clusters from Alpha Galaxy with second line units these three detached stars in particular were tasked with the defense of the saKhan’s special project. His yet announced Mercer Martial Academy of the InnerSphere is meant to train freeborn warriors of the Occupation Zone to assist their Viper overlords. While equipped with some of the Quicksilver Program’s latest designs each star has its own tasks and is not yet integrated in their roles. All three commands have different responsibilities and no overall commander plus there are some older Trueborn warriors here who do not think training ‘freebirth’ warriors is a worthy assignment. These independent units all staffed with Trueborn warriors, as is the Steel Viper practice, may one day be the basis for new Chi Newt Cluster.

   Assault Star (Static Defenders)
Star Commander Rojax, Veteran (2/3), Kinslayer B
Mechwarrior Emandar, Veteran (2/3), Kingfisher Prime
Mechwarrior Kerg, Regular (3/4), Clansman A
Mechwarrior Lorgana, Regular (3/4), Stone Lion C
Mechwarrior Aldra, Regular (3/4), Glaive A

   Elemental Star (Taskmasters)
Star Commander Severus, Veteran (2/3), 4 Elementals
Point Commander Gabedriz, Veteran (2/3), 4 Elementals
Point Commander Alix, Veteran (2/3), 4 Elementals
Point Commander Dina, Veteran (2/3), 4 Elementals
Point Commander Koven, Veteran (2/3), 4 Elementals

   Striker Star (Reinforcements) [appearing round 3 or 4]
Star Commander Xenia, Veteran (2/3), Coral Snake [Water Viper] Prime
Mechwarrior Romavix, Regular (3/4), Gremlin B
Mechwarrior Winscol, Veteran (2/3), Mist Lynx [Koshi]
Mechwarrior Rizu, Regular (3/3), Nightcrawler B
Mechwarrior Blara, Regular (3/4), Fire Moth [Dasher] D

Outcome - The willingness of the Lab Rats to observe Zellbrigen with the warriors of the Steel Vipers served them well allowing them to set the pace. As individual duels played out maneuvering continued across the battlefield just in front of the newly established town.  A combination of bad luck on the Vipers part and opportunistic tactics by the AFFC allowed them to eventually come out on top. FedCom troops suffered just six Mechwarriors wounded in this decisive action with three BattleMechs destroyed. Subsequent infantry support pacified the area and safely evacuated the prisoners in a text book rescue mission. Clan causalities however were significantly worse as the older warriors of these stars fought to the bitter end. Many were simply looking for a ‘warrior’s death’ at battle’s end but a handful of Steel Viper prisoners were taken. saKhan Christopher Ahmed was particularly enraged by the destruction of his special project and has vowed vengeance against the Steiner-Davions.

Special Thanks
We roleplayed out this scenario on Saturday January 18, 2025 with Bradshaw and Calderon as AFFC troops with myself as the Steel Vipers. It was a lot of fun and sets up our next Quicksilver vs Optimized scenario next.