Interlude: Star's End II

The Space Battle over Star's End lasted for just one single hour. Without being able to rely on their SDS System, and with the Ducal Guards Flotilla emerging from a pirate point inside the defense envelope, already the Belt Pirates had lost their main defense and hadn't been given time to scramble a defense. That the Steinberg Mount was already inside the small formation that could be scrambled was just icing on the cake.Attacked from without, backstabbed by supposed comrades, and sabotaged from within, the aerospace defenses of Star's End began to crumble after a single hour. With Morgan Fletcher still in her fortress on Novo Cressidas, unable to get into the fight and ride herd on her collection of ill-disciplined pirates due to consuming too much spiked booze the night previously, it was a wonder the defense of the Orbitals even lasted that long, to begin with.

By the time the one-hour mark had ticked over, Commodore Niskanen had successfully captured a third of the Pirate Fleet of Star's End sitting in their space docks. Another third had been left burning in space, drifting, mostly lifeless, hulks that were just waiting to de-orbit and crash when they weren't completely destroyed. The last third had panicked and scattered, burning hard for a trio of Invader-class Jumpships waiting near three of the remaining pirate points, hoping just to get away from the onslaught.

As the dropships began to land troops on Novo Cressidas, and Marines and Jump Infantry began shuttling to various stations and hollowed-out Asteroid Bases for boarding actions, Commodore Niskanen shot down the last of the stragglers hoping to make it to a pirate point JumpShip, the thirteen Gauss Rifles of the Summa pounding the fleeing, Ice-Blue-painted, Fortress-class Dropship to so much scrap drifting in space.

"That went well. It seems everything went according to our meticulous plans. This time." Remarked Commodore Niskanen.

"We're receiving a surrender from the Invader-class JumpShip Jolie Rouge. It seems they're not about to try and jump out." Reported Lieutenant Krupa on the Comms Station."They wouldn't Jump, not after that. Sir, our sensors picked up a bit of an odd Cherenkov Flash on the two JumpShips to make the jump out of the pirate points. We think they may have initiated a blind jump. With the Zakinthos Shark and the Elysion Sewer Snake having run down the two of the other Dropships fleeing, and our having killed this one and received the surrender of the last JumpShip, that's all enemies in the engagement zone accounted for." Informed Lieutenant Sullivan on sensors.

"Poor bastards. Blind jumps are a good way to kill yourself in any number of horrific ways. Still, I guess it's good to see the Koskenkorva Contingent pulling its weight." Muttered Lieutenant Fredriksen on the weapons console.

"Koskenkorva's had to sit out the last couple wars, one of them had them on the other side even. They're probably itching for some action. As to the Pirates, they had the option to surrender. The Third JumpShip did, after all. They chose to blind jump instead. I refuse to take responsibility for their actions." Scoffed Commodore Niskanen.

"True, but the fact remained that it's never a good thing to jump blind. Of course, being pirates, they probably figured they were for the gallows if they surrendered anyway." Pointed out Lieutenant Commander Kaczmarek, the Executive Officer of the Summa.

"I suppose we'll chalk it up to that then." Shrugged Commodore Niskanen.

"Commodore, we've got a bit of a situation brewing over on the Port Aliveri Moon Base. There's a pair of Frankemechs guarding a run-down Scout-class JumpShip. Alpha Company is requesting Fighter Support." Reported Lieutenant Krupa."What do you think, Commodore? Send in Magda's Mashers? If they can't get the job done, no one can. Besides, Magda probably is shaking in her cockpit waiting for new orders. She's a great pilot, but not great at waiting." Questioned Lieutenant Commander Kaczmarek.

"Do it. In the meantime, hail the Jolie Rouge and tell them we accept their surrender. Keep an eye open for any tricks, though." Ordered Commodore Niskanen. As his bridge crew hastened to obey, Commodore Niskanen steepled his hands in front of him as he sat back. Things had gone well so far, but this wasn't over yet.

If something went wrong, he was keeping an eye out so they would be ready. . .

XXXX

Wing Commander Magda 'Mallet' Bujwidowa grinned behind her neurohelmet as she got the orders to take her Wing to the Port Aliveri Moon Base on Novo Troilus, the one, small, airless, moon of Novo Cressidas. Whoever had founded the Belter Pirates clearly had a dark sense of humor and a passion for Ancient Earth Classics. Troilus and Cressida was an Ancient Earth Play about faithless lovers.

That didn't matter now, though. Not as much as the fact that they were finally getting to some action. Sure it was nice that Magda's Education wasn't going to waste, but she'd only studied because her folks had expected it of her. A Noble Family in exile had to have some pride and her ancestors had long ago settled for Education being that point of pride. Magda had always been more of a doer than a thinker, though.

It was why she'd joined the Baronial, then Grand Ducal Guards. She'd mostly done patrols, anti-pirate work, and so on. Of course, she'd also managed to survive the maelstrom that was the battle to retake Butte Hold for her Liege Lord. Grand Duke Poniatowski had seen fit to promote her to Wing Commander, but to her horror, it had been a lot of desk work. Up until now, anyway.

That was why she'd been so ecstatic when the green light on Operation: Sirroco had been given and her Wing had been listed among the Aerospace Assets dedicated to the fighting. Unfortunately, the Pirates hadn't put up much of a fight. She'd taken her wing and gone after the ships still in dock only for her Wing to receive a panicked surrender transition from Diomedes Spacedock Command. It was their big Asteroid Port and they'd surrendered without firing a shot!

Now though, she finally got to kill something. Apparently, the Ground Pounders sent to the Port Aliveri Moon Base had run into a couple of properly supported Frankenmechs at the smaller, secondary, spaceport there, and had to retreat and wait for air support. Killing Frankenmechs and Ground Combat Vehicles wasn't exactly as flashy as taking out enemy Aerospace Fighters or downing a DropShip, but it would have to do.

"All right, let's show these Pirates what a proper Aerospace Force can do. All Groups pick your targets, but the lead Frankenmech is mine." Ordered Magda over the comms.

"Roger Mallet. Still sore about Diomedes Spacedock surrendering without a fight, huh?" Called in the voice of Group Leader Kieran 'Chancer' Quinn.

"Not as sore as you were after furlough last year on Kooken's Pleasure Pit. I'm not sure what exactly possessed you to visit the Capellan Brothel there. It's not like that wasn't going to be a place you'd pick up the Clap." Scoffed Magda.

"You got the Clap from a Capellan Hooker?" Questioned Group Leader Ingrid 'Comet' Hurtig.

"What's the big deal? It wasn't like His Grace doesn't pay for the best medical treatment a fella can get outside Canopus. I was cured the week we got back." Scoffed Kieran.

"Now I know why they call you Chancer, mate. Your head must've been in rag order to do something that arseways." Scoffed Group Leader Michael 'Rake-Load' Doyle.

"G'way outta that. I might've had a few scoops, but I was pretty far from Scuttered." Scoffed Kieran.

"Will you two St. Johns Yokels speak a proper language? I can't understand that jibber-jabber." Snorted Squadron Leader Eric 'Stag' Hofer.

"You're just jealous that St. Johns' slang is unique, but practically everyone speaks some level of German in this outfit." Scoffed Michael.

"Quiet. We're approaching the combat zone. I hope you all have targets picked out because I don't want to have to come around for a second pass because you were too busy arguing and speaking in tongues to pay attention!" Cut-in Magda.

Sure enough, as they closed in on the spaceport facilities of the Port Aliveri Moon Base, they spotted a pair of ninety-five-ton behemoths directing a number of combat vehicles, Light Mechs, and infantry to form a perimeter around one of the landing pads on which an ancient, Scout-class JumpShip with a single, Fortress-class Dropship already docked and waiting for takeoff, was refueling.

Several Combat Vehicles were burning, victims of Rocket Launcher attacks from the Ground Pounders, though from the bloody smears in places, a few squads of those Ground Pounders got hit pretty badly by the Autocannons on the Mechs and chewed to pieces before they could withdraw.

As soon as they reached the optimum range for their Gauss Rifles, Magda gave the order to open fire, and Magda's Mashers, officially Delta Aerospace Superiority Wing of the Second Ducal Guards Aerospace Flotilla, let loose. Immediately the enemy light mechs and combat vehicles were punctured by Ferro-nickel slugs fired at extreme velocity from above.

Magda's own slug, however, slammed into the Assault Frankenmech's shoulder armor, and only dented the armor plating. As the Frankenmech raised its own arm, Magda's eyes widened as she spotted it had a Gauss Rifle of its own. With a split-second decision, Magda immediately threw her Vulcan Heavy Fighter into a dodge, almost blacking out from the G-Forces of the sudden bank. It saved her life as the Frankenmech's own Ferro-Nickel Slug passed right through where her fighter had been mere moments ago.

Stag Hofer hadn't been so lucky. His slug had likewise been deflected and the Second Frankenmech had counterfired its slug right through the fuselage of his Vulcan, puncturing the engine and causing a massive explosion. Magda's Mashers went evasive as both Frankenmechs opened up with Autocannons which were revealed to now be Ultra Autocannons.

A few more Vulcans went up, hit by accurate bursts of fire or Gauss Rifle Slugs, but with only the Frankenmechs remaining it was proving to be a numbers game, as Gauss Rifle Slugs were concentrated on the two targets, eventually shearing off armor plate as two slugs hit the same plate. Magda lined up a third which punched through the Assault Frankenmech that had tried to shoot her.

Her slug must have taken out a bunch of heatsinks because flames started to rise in the cockpit. The pilot tried to hit the eject, but apparently couldn't since the cockpit shuddered as if jammed. In desperation, the Pilot seemed to have shut down the reactor, mission killing the Frankenmech.

The other Frankenmech took three slugs directly to the cockpit, two to break the armor and the third from Chancer splattering the pilot inside. The Ground Pounders rushed out of their cover as Magda's Wing sped off, likely to try and capture the landing pad.

"Sound off, who's still with us!" Ordered Magda.

As the headcounts came in, it was revealed that out of fifty-four Vulcan Heavy Fighters in Magda's Mashers at the start of the battle for Star's End, only some forty-two remained combat-ready. The two Frankenmechs had surprised them with Star League-Era Technology and managed to inflict twenty-two percent losses.

"All right, let's head back to the Summa. I'm sure the Commodore will want to hear about Assault Frankenmechs with Star League-era tech. Hopefully, they only had the two." Commanded Magda.

As Magda's Mashers turned about to head back to the Flagship, Magda Couldn't help but think that if there were others, they'd be on Novo Cressidas, guarding anything vital. Thankfully, she wouldn't be called in to handle aerospace support for combat on the planet.

Unfortunately, Magda would wind up being correct about there being others on the planet. . .

XXXX

Colonel Marius Frankowski had led a fairly textbook invasion of Novo Cressidas so far. There were very few people on the planet itself, only around fifty-five-thousand with a further twenty-five-thousand living in the Port Aliveri Moon Base on Novo Troilus and twenty-thousand scattered among the various Asteroid Habitats, mostly clustered around Diomedes Spacedock.

Of those fifty-five-thousand, thirty-five-thousand lived in the Planetary Capital of Priam, with a further ten thousand split between the communities of Hector and Achilles. He'd taken Hector as soon as they'd landed, rushing the scrambling defenders and catching the better part of two lances of mixed light and medium Battlemechs with their pants down, despite the battle having been ongoing for over an hour by this point.

It was after that that the heavy fighting occurred, as two companies of mixed light, medium, and Assault Frankenmech Battlemechs charged out from Priam along with two battalions of Combat Vehicles, two of Mechanized Infantry, and two of Foot Infantry, supported by a few squadrons of VTOL Gunships

Those assault Frankenmechs had even had Star League-era technology, though there were only four of them in the whole counterattack. They'd still lost a number of Dragoons and Rampages along with a number of combat vehicles and infantry in the fighting. They were on the ropes for a brief moment before the Jomsborg Hussars moved up from Achilles.

Major McCormack's Reinforced Battalion had been turned into a full regiment and kitted out with the best gear the Ducal Guards had to offer. The Red Cross on Black, flanked by twin, white, wings of the Jomsborg Hussars appeared on Colonel Frankowski's HUD mere moments before Major McCormack's Modified Highlander, a custom job that was modeled after His Grace's own Mech, charged over a low rise and sprayed down two lances of charging Nighthawks and Javelins that were about to smash into First Guards' Flank.

As the Jomsborg Hussars entered the fray, Colonel McCormack took to the sky on her Jump Jets and landed on one of the Frankenmechs in a textbook Highlander Burial, bowling it over before hitting it with Ultra-Autocannon, Medium Laser, and Gauss Rifle, just barely getting back behind cover as the damned thing exploded.

"Almost overheated on tha' run. Ye looked like ye might've needed a grain o' help there, Colonel. Never Fear, the Hussars'll help ye oot." Commed over Colonel McCormack in her Northwind Brogue.

"Much obliged." Returned Colonel Frankowski.

Together, the First Guards and Jomsborg Hussars regiments picked the trick to beating the Assault Frankenmechs up through trial and error. They had to focus fire on them, hitting the same plates multiple times to penetrate and do damage. Unless you were completely insane like Colonel McCormack apparently was and managed to get up close. A Gauss Rifle at point-blank range can pretty much go through anything, provided you hit.

Soon enough, the enemy was beaten, what units hadn't managed to break off and scurry back to Priam or been killed in the fighting were surrounded and forced to surrender. Aerospace Forces, having finally dealt with the VTOL Gunships, dogged the few mechs and vehicles that had managed to escape the battlefield after the Jomsborg Hussars arrived. Only around two battalions of mixed troops, mechs, and combat vehicles managed to make their way back to Priam, and those surrendered when the better part of Two Regiments descended upon the Capital.

It was when they rolled into Priam post-surrender that Colonel Frankowski discovered exactly what had happened. The Infantry that had stormed Morgan Fletcher's Palace discovered a number of Lyran Researchers with bomb collars attached to their necks.

Apparently, Morgan Fletcher had discovered a memory core containing schematics for a number of technologies. Ferro-Fibrous Armor, Gauss Rifles, Double Heat Sinks, XL Engines, Ultra-Autocannons, Large Pulse Lasers, and Endo-Steel back in thirty-twenty. She'd known she couldn't figure out a way to make this stuff with her own limited industry, but she could always kidnap people who could.

The fruits of the Forced Labor Thinktank had not only produced the designs for the Corsair Assault Mech, but a Frankenmech version designed to use simplified versions of the technology that could be put together in the Mech Bays of Novo Cressidas. Morgan Fletcher also had the Forced Labor Thinktank working on a new type of Hardened Ferro-Fibrous Armor, which, though heavier than Standard Ferro-Fibrous Armor, could use the weight saved by the XL Engines and an Endosteel Chassis of the Corsair Frankenmechs to effectively come in at ninety-five tons without straining weight tolerances.

Colonel McCormack reported another half-dozen of the Frankenmechs in various states of completion in the mech bays of the Industrial District that she had taken the Hussars to Secure. That confirmed the Forced Labor Thinktank's story, though where Morgan Fletcher had found the memory core itself remained a mystery.

Of course, this wasn't the only surprise that had awaited his men while storming Morgan Fletcher's Palace. The Woman Herself had been captured trying to escape with a ten-year-old Girl with sharp features. A brief firefight ensued, but Morgan Fletcher had thankfully been captured alive. She would be extradited to the Lyran Commonwealth to face trial.

As for the ten-year-old Girl, she introduced herself as Susie Morgraine-Ryan, which put Colonel Frankowski in something of an awkward position. She was, technically speaking, a rival claimant for rule of several worlds within the Grand Duchy. She was also just a child, albeit one raised by pirates. Was he prepared to make a decision on what to do with her? Could he even make that decision? Ultimately, Colonel Frankowski decided no, he didn't have the authority to make that decision. He would pass the information up the chain of command.

Eventually, when he returned from dealing with the Oberon Confederation and their Combine Masters, His Grace would decide what would be done with Susie Morgraine-Ryan. . .

XXXX

AN: The next chapter is already up on my Patreon, so check the link in the threadmarked post if you guys feel like throwing me a couple bucks to get chapters in advance. Everyone who does is super appreciated and I can't thank my patrons enough.

So here we get the fall of Star's End. The Belt Pirates depended quite a bit on their SDS System to stave off invaders and when the going got tough, they put everything they had into one big counterattack to push the First Guards and Jomsborg Hussars off the planet. Fair play to them, though, since because the Frankenmechs were a thing, they almost managed it.

Unfortunately, there weren't enough of them, and the Timely Arrival of the Jomsborg Hussars turned the enemy flank as they moved to outflank First Guards. All told, there was a twenty-percent casualty rate across the board for the First Guards, and a fifteen percent casualty rate for the Jomsborg Hussars thanks to the unexpectedly ferocious counterattack.

As to the Frankenmechs, this is me putting in the Corsair Frankenmechs from Mechwarrior Five into the setting. The game has them being a thing in the Coreward Periphery, though notably, they were fielded by the Oberon Confederation and various Oberon Confederation Deserters. I've changed that up to explain why Hendrik Grimm never used them against the Clans if he had such powerful mechs.

At any rate, next chapter we'll finally be back with Jozef.

Stay tuned. . .