James Sandoval

Field Marshal Duke James Sandoval, c. 3039

James Dassert Sandoval (13 March 2994 - 4 March 3066) was a Federated Suns nobleman, MechWarrior, and Minister of the Draconis March.

He was the oldest son of Duke Aaron Sandoval and Jessica Danford. James had two younger brothers, David and Talbot, and a younger sister, Jessica.

Biography

Early Life

James was born on Robinson at Castle Sandoval. The "Old Duke", James' father Aaron, did not want his children to have the same kind of upbringing that he had resented. While his children, including James, never wanted for anything, they were not handed life on silver platter, either; he made them work for what they had.

Early Military Career

James enrolled at the Battle Academy of Robinson in 3010 at sixteen years old. He graduated four years later and was granted a billet in his father's military command, the First Robinson Rangers in 3014. James worked his way from command of a lance to a battalion in the space of seven years. During this time, First Prince Hanse Davion took notice of the heir to the Draconis March. Partly because of his talent as a motivator, he earned a transfer to the 2nd Davion Guards in 3021, becoming its executive officer and later the regiment's commanding officer, attaining the rank of Major General.

In 3022, James transferred to the NAIS's Federation War College and taught at the NAIS College of Military Science simultaneously. Upon graduation, he left New Avalon in 3023 to take up command of the Draconis March's Coreward Combat Theater, a position he retained for five years.

In 3028, Sandoval became commanding officer of the brand new 1st Federated Commonwealth RCT and was entrusted by Prince Hanse Davion to build the unit of recruits as he saw fit. During the Fourth Succession War, the unit was stationed in the Draconis March. As the FedCom grew into a corps, James was given its command, officially becoming commanding officer of the Federated Commonwealth Corps in 3030.

Duke of Robinson

Prince Hanse wanted James to command the Armed Forces of the Federated Commonwealth, but Sandoval's loyalty and sense of duty was to the Draconis March first. Sandoval commanded the 1st FedCom until 3033, when he stepped down to oversee the FedCom Corps full-time. Aaron Sandoval pressured James into moving the Corps' headquarters to Robinson, which he did in 3034. In that year, Aaron promoted his son to the rank of Marshal and "abdicated" in favor of his son, though he retained all titles. In 3037, Aaron formally retired from the AFFC, leaving James to become Minister of the Draconis March. He did not formally become the Duke of Robinson until his father's death eleven years later, in 3048.

In 3039, Prince Hanse Davion and Archon Melissa Steiner launched an invasion of the Draconis Combine that became known as the War of 3039. Field Marshal James Sandoval believed the most important target of the first assault wave was Marduk, which the Combine had taken during the Fourth Succession War. In May 3039, he personally led the First Robinson Rangers, Tenth Deneb Light Cavalry, and supporting elements against a Combine garrison that included one battalion from the Sixth Benjamin Regulars. The force was able to secure the Victory Industries plant before they turned to deal with the Regulars. Sandoval led his troops into an ambush on 14 June on the Manschemman Dune Field that he was saved from by members of the Rangers. That battle turned into a decisive victory for the FedCom troops that secured the world for them.

FedCom Civil War

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He became a strong supported of the formation of Federated Commonwealth and its Lyran people until 3057. James was outraged by Katherine Steiner-Davion seceding Lyran side of the Commonwealth, feeling resentment for all FedSuns had done for them.

Using threat of Draconis Combine as catalyst unite people of his March together in mist of the confusion AFFC was suffering from succession of the Lyran state.

In early 3060s, became close to Arthur Steiner-Davion, whom attended Robinson Battle Academy. He open castle to him, befriended the young scion of Steiner-Davions and began influence him.

In 3062, his son Tancred Sandoval returned Robinson on visit. He and his son had grown distant with his duties on New Avalon. Tancred would confront him on his growing influence over Arthur, specially seeding him with resentment toward the Draconis Combine. After a rogue Kurita raid on Robinson and assassination of Arthur, James became completely convinced that was plot of his hated enemy. He launched major military campaign against the key Combine worlds. His son, after trying confine him to lead 1st Robinsons refused and stating true threat of the March and Federated Commonwealth was Archon-Princess.

Mist of invasion of the Combine, Katrina Steiner-Davion's Loyalist attacked March world of Woodbine. He attempted to respond, but only to find his son Tancred had rescued the nobility of the world from Loyalist. Slow response to Woodbine Nobility's pleas for help weaken his position with subjects. Emotional and mental stress took a told on James, where he became disillusional to realities of his invasion and state of affairs of his beloved nation.

In 3065, his son arrived on Robinson and meet with son. Not mentally grasping that he was replaced as Minister of the Draconis March. Within a year, his health finally fails, he passes away.

Marriage and children

He had one son, Tancred.

Philosophical or political views

James' upbringing gave him a belief in civic duty, to the Suns and Commonwealth as a whole, but more particularly to the Draconis March. That upbringing combined with his time at Robinson Battle Academy and his life experience on the border left him with a deep mistrust, and possibly even hatred, of the Draconis Combine.

Bibliography

• Endgame
• FedCom Civil War
• Field Manual: Federated Suns
• Field Manual: Updates
• Historical: War of 3039
• Patriots and Tyrants
• Storms of Fate