Chapter One Hundred and Sixty-One: Point-of-View

Chapter One Hundred and Sixty-One: Point-of-View

New Avalon, June 15th, 3035

"So, the Outworlds Alliance, Word of Blake, whatever we are going to be calling them have taken Inner End, Bastrop, Hazelhurst, Pitkin, Pajarito, Kennard, Haynesville, Tancredi IV, and the other Outworlds Alliance worlds that were taken at the beginning of the Succession Wars. But, they've also managed to take several worlds that we have had for far longer." Hanse explained to the senior officers of the AFFS as he looked at the holographic map of the Federated Suns and the Outworlds Alliance. "The problem is, that we lost all contact with the worlds that have been invaded. There haven't been any HPG communications nor have there been dropships ferried back since the few Jumpships that were able to escape did so."

"Well, we've got three RCTs moving in that direction, and more regiments on the way," Yvonne replied as she viewed the data on the slate in her hand. "Projections show that the Northwind Guard will be at Haynesille by the end of October, with the 1st Kearny Highlanders making landfall on Da Berry shortly before." Yvonne shifted her data. "The First Marksman RCT is going to be heading for Sterlington at around the same time frame."

"We've got the forces moving in, and we're confident that we can reclaim the worlds," Hanse continued, "The problem is going to be on the logistical side. Most of our munitions depots and factories along with spare parts aren't focused in the periphery."

"We're attaching Mammoth dropships to each counter-invasion fleet," Yvonne reported. "They may be slightly behind the main forces, but they'll be bringing the spare parts and assorted goods that might be needed."

"We're sending in engineers with the second wave," Hanse continued, picking up from where Yvonne had left off. "They will be a mix of civilian contractors and military engineers with instructions to build factories and other infrastructure as necessary to support our advance."

"Won't that cause issues with some of the military contractors?" One of the Field Marshals spoke up with a question.

"We already had them bid for the contracts," Hanse explained. "Kallon Industries will be taking the lead on most of the construction, with Lycomb-Davion Introtech following behind."

"We'll be assigning the units for the second wave soon," Yvonne told the officers. "Continue your readiness drills and await further orders."

June 16th, 3035

"I'm still not sure that involving the corporations was a good idea, Hanse," Yvonne said as they sat in her office.

"There are reasons for doing this Yvonne," Hanse replied. "This way we get to start development of the Periphery March while also working to get the enemy forces out of our nation." He tapped the files that were in between the two of them. "It'll be effective, and we have historical evidence to prove it can work. While I agree with Hull about the strategic expertise of Aleksandr Kerensky, he did build and use factories in the periphery to support his push to Terra that are still producing material today."

"I know it will work Hanse, I'm concerned about the budget that you're funneling into this," Yvonne said. "You're pouring your personal finances into the Periphery March as well as into Lycomb-Davion. I'm just concerned that you might be pushing too far and too hard."

"Yvonne, they killed Ian," Hanse looked his relative in the eye. "Quite frankly, I'm not sure that I'm pushing hard enough."

"Just remember that sometimes taking things slow might be more beneficial," Yvonne advised.

Kentares IV, June 30th, 3035

"Peterson, you and the 1st Kentares are moving out by the end of the week, you're to push to Dormandaine and hold it before pushing further into the Outworlds Alliance," David relayed the second wave's information. "The 2nd Kentares Guard and the 3rd Kentares are being redeployed to areas in the Terran March to ensure that those worlds are protected."

"Where is Stone and the 2nd Marksman?" Packer asked with a curious expression on his face.

"He's currently still under contract with the Taurian Concordat, they've had a recent uptick in piracy and he's been on an antipiracy contract for six months now," David replied. "I'm not going to assume that it is a coincidence that piracy surged right before the Outworlds Alliance invaded."

"You think that they're coordinating?" Packer asked as he began transmitting orders to the 1st Kentares Guard.

"I just don't think it's a coincidence is all," David replied. "If it were just pirates in one area making a comeback then it might be, but every nation is reporting that pirates are not just attacking, but are burning everything they can get their hands on to the ground, right now it's limited to periphery worlds where there isn't much production, but eventually it will shift and move to worlds with more industry."

"That could be a nightmare sir," Packer shuddered. "If pirates manage to take and hold ground then there could be significant problems."

"That's why the rest of the Alliance is holding back for now," David explained. "Any supplies or anything that they might try to contribute is having to be rerouted due to damages."

"So we're on our own for now?" Godbolt asked while perusing her current orders. "Our allies are being tied up in other areas, and we're having to react rather than act." She leaned forward in her chair. "We're being set up for failure here, and I feel like we're missing something."

"The weak points of our alliance are being hammered at," David said pointedly. "We just have to figure out if it will still hold."

"I certainly hope that it does," Elsa said from her seat beside David. "Because I have a bad feeling about the near future."

???? July 5th, 3035

"How are our religious friend's fairing?" A gruff figure asked from the shadows.

"They're doing well my lord, while green, they are useful as a distraction at the very least," the other figure replied.

"Good, we haven't seen any sign of the Manassas anywhere recently, although one of our bands did drop out of contact recently."

"We will keep searching my lord,"

"Good, it will soon be our time to rise from the shadows," The figure began to chuckle. "And the Inner Sphere will feel our wrath."