Operation RAT

Operation RAT
Conflict details
Part of	Fourth Succession War
Start Date	20 August, 3028
End Date	19 February, 3030
Result	Decisive Federated Suns victory
Territorial Changes	Massive territorial gains for the Federated Suns, including Tikonov.
Attacking Forces
Affiliation	Federated Suns
Commanding Officer(s)	Hanse Davion
Command(s)	Numerous AFFS and mercenary units
Defending Forces
Affiliation	Capellan Confederation
Commanding Officer(s)	Maximillian Liao
Command(s)	Numerous CCAF and mercenary units
Other Forces

Wave 1

The Federated Suns launched Wave One with the following objectives in mind:

• Secure worlds for leapfrogging territorial expansion
• Cripple the Capellan command and control structure
• Destroy or neutralize the most powerful CCAF units

Aldebaran

Attackers: Fourth Deneb Light Cavalry RCT, Fourth Davion Guards RCT and the Redfield Renegades

Defender: Warrior House Ijori, Planetary Militia forces

Outcome: The Fourth Davion Guards, reinforced by armor and infantry regiments, engaged the first battalion of Warrior House Ijori and drove them through the town of Chouchu into their hidden DropShips, sustaining only minimal casualties. The Fourth Deneb Light Cavalry was not so fortunate in their engagement of the House's second battalion. The CCAF forced the Fourth Deneb around the southern continent, until House Ijori managed to intercept an order to withdraw meant for the Redfield Renegades. Acting on this information, the commanding officer of the Ijori second battalion was able to ambush the retreating Renegades around their DropShips. Unfortunately, Davion reinforcements arrived on site and surrounded the Ijori forces. When asked to surrender, the Warrior House declined and fought to the last man. The Renegades redeployed to reinforce the invasion efforts of AFFS forces on Liao.

Liao

Attackers: Thirty-third Avalon Hussars RCT, the Blue Star Irregulars, and the Redfield Renegades

Defender: Warrior House Lu Sann, First Confederation Reserve Cavalry, Vincent's Commandos, and the Capellan Hussars

Outcome: During the First Wave, AFFS troops invaded Liao with the support of all three Blue Star Irregulars regiments, dropping unopposed onto the planet's surface. The 1894th Light Horse Regiment of the Blue Star Irregulars met and defeated Vincent's Commandos after a short battle, while the Thirty-third Avalon Hussars defeated the First Confederation Reserve Cavalry and forced it to retreat towards the Avatars of Painful Death and 21st Rim Worlds, who were making preparations to assault Warrior House Lu Sann inside the Forbidden City. The First Reserve Cavalry attacked the 21st Rim Worlds and was quickly repulsed, but managed to lure them into a trap set by the Capellan Hussars' second regiment. While the Rim Worlds was able to withdraw, they lost their commanding officer in the action. Meanwhile, the Avatars of Painful Death were able to engage and destroy the first battalion of Warrior House Lu Sann. The Avalon Hussars tried to link up with Blue Star Irregular forces, but were hindered by the Reserve Cavalry. House Lu Sann special forces infantry launched a raid behind the lines of the AFFS forces and caused further chaos. Only when the Redfield Renegades arrive did the tides of battle change in favor of the Federated Suns. The Renegades dropped behind House Lu Sann and entered the Forbidden City, unopposed. The Forbidden City lost, all remaining CCAF forces chose to retreat. The Capellan Hussars, the remaining battalion of House Lu Sann, and the last battalion of the Reserve Cavalry were all that managed to depart. As a reward for their success, the Renegades were left to garrison the world while the other AFFS forces redeployed to attack Genoa.

Algol

Attackers: Third Davion Guards RCT and the Seventy-first Light Horse Regiment, Eridani Light Horse

Defender: First Ariana Fusiliers

Outcome: The invasion of Algol began with several aerospace skirmishes between the Guards' aerowing and scattered CCAF fighters, which were quickly destroyed by the more organized AFFS wing. Feeling that the level of resistance was relatively low, the Guards commander had his aerospace fighters rearm for ground attack and probed a location where he believed the Ariana Fusiliers' aerospace units were based. The Guards' aerowing caught the Fusilier fighters on the ground and were able to destroy them entirely. Now clear of any aerial opposition, the Seventy-first Light Horse made planetfall outside the spaceport of Groffer's Toil and behind the Fusiliers' battlelines. The second battalion of the Fusiliers, not expecting this to be the Light Horse's landing zone, was annihilated when they tried to launch a rear assault on the Seventy-first's column moving on the spaceport. Meanwhile, the Third Davion Guards caught the Fusiliers' first battalion, led by Tormana Liao, outside the city of Schan and tore into them with ferocity. A brutal fight culminated in the complete destruction of the Fusiliers' headquarters as the Guards overwhelmed their position and called in a danger-close artillery barrage. Tormana Liao was killed and the remaining third battalion of the Ariana Fusiliers quickly retreated offworld.

New Hessen

Attackers: First and Second New Ivaarsen Chasseurs

Defender: First and Second New Hessen Irregulars

Outcome: As New Hessen was a popular training ground that hosted multiple CCAF 'Mech regiments at a time, the AFFS forces carefully timed their invasion to take place when only two units, the First and Second New Hessen Irregulars, were planetside. Despite their intimate knowledge of the terrain, the First Irregulars made an error by selecting open terrain to engage the invaders. Though they hoped to outmaneuver the 'Mech forces, they were pinned in place by AFFS aerospace units, and were annihilated once the 'Mechs of the First Chasseurs closed with them. The Second Irregulars chose to fight in the planetary capital against the Second Chasseurs, but again miscalculated, as this was the regimental specialty of the Second Chasseurs, who left the defenders no chance of achieving victory. Only one battalion of Irregulars, along with a handful of conventional forces, survived to make an escape offworld.

Pleione

Attackers: The Screaming Eagles

Defender: Third Battalion, McCrimmon's Light Cavalry

Outcome: Screaming Eagle aerospace fighters surprised most of the Third Battalion in the open, wiping out an entire company. Survivors were able to retreat to a converted Star League fortress built into a tabletop mountain that the CCAF had nicknamed "Thunder Rock." There, they mounted a staunch defense for the better part of three weeks. Finally, the Screaming Eagles airdropped a battalion of 'Mechs on the top of the mountain and were able to enter the complex. Fierce fighting ensued, but the Screaming Eagles had surprised the Light Cavalry. Another company was eliminated when they attempted to flee through an exit in the mountain's side, and the remaining Light Cavalry surrendered to the invaders. Two battalions of Eagles were left to garrison Pleione, while the others redeployed to support the invasion of Gan Singh.

Poznan

Attackers: Gamma and Delta Regiments, Twelfth Vegan Rangers

Defender: Planetary Militia forces

Outcome: The Twelfth Vegan Rangers were able to empower the planet's oppressed ethnically Hispanic population in their fight against the Capellan ruling class. Their help, combined with the lack of any real 'Mech resistance, allowed the Rangers to easily take the planet with minimal losses.

St. Andre

Attackers: Davion Light Guards RCT, Alpha and Beta Regiments, Twelfth Vegan Rangers.

Defender: Justinia's Cuirassiers, Cochraine's Goliaths, First Battalion, Blackwind Lancers

Outcome: While the AFFS units were able to make planetfall unopposed, Beta Regiment was quickly engaged by the Blackwind Lancers and requested assistance from Alpha. Seeing Alpha Regiment moving to support its sister, Justinia's Cuirassiers struck them mid-movement, turning the battle into an escalating melee. Alpha was reinforced by the Davion Light Guards and Beta Regiment and their combined effort broke the Cuirassiers' back, forcing their commanding officer to surrender. While the battle between the Cuirassiers and the Rangers raged, the Blackwind Lancers attempted a strike on the AFFS base camp, but were quickly repulsed by elements of the Light Guards who had been left to guard the site. Their surrender allowed the AFFS to secure the CCAF headquarters and capture Capellan radio frequency and encryption data, which were then utilized to lure Cochraine's Goliaths into a trap. While the two forces were equally matched, and the fighting brutal, the AFFS units eventually forced the Goliaths to surrender, securing the planet.

Shensi

Attackers: First Davion Guards RCT

Defender: Planetary Militia forces

Outcome: While the Shensi militia put up a fierce and determined fight, their fates were sealed from the beginning. The First Davion Guards quickly secured the planet after beating them into submission.

Styk

Attackers: Twentieth Avalon Hussars RCT, Davion Heavy Guards RCT

Defender: Fourth Confederation Reserve Cavalry, Warrior House Fujita

Outcome: Thanks to the interference of the MIIO, the defenders lost most of their effective aerospace defenses to sabotage. The remaining aerospace fighters had no chance against the invading Davion forces and were quickly rendered a non-threat. The Twentieth Avalon Hussars set a trap for the Fourth CRC and managed to encircle them. After two attempts to break the encirclement, the Cavalry was forced to surrender. The elite infantry of Warrior House was outmatched and slaughtered by the 'Mechs and combined arms of the Davion Heavy Guards. As the remaining Capellan forces began their withdrawal from the planet, they boarded DropShips that had been sabotaged by MIIO operatives. The resulting catastrophic failures generated losses that were horrendous among the CCAF. The Tao 'Mechworks (the Capellan Confederation's third-largest 'Mech manufacturer at this time) was secured without damage.

Wave 2

The focus of the second wave was on Tikonov, as it was the capital world of the Tikonov Commonality, a major economic power for the Confederation, and held the capacity to harbor several 'Mech regiments that could counterattack the Federated Suns' advance. Also noted was that the leader of the Commonality, Pavel Ridzik, held a major base on the planet. AFFS planners hoped that the seizing of this world, and the possible capture of Ridzik, would bring the Commonality down in one fell swoop, significantly weakening Capellan military resistance across the theater.

Tikonov

Attackers: First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Crucis Lancers RCTs

Defender: "Night Riders" deep-space interdiction unit, MacGregor's Armored Scouts, Fourth Tau Ceti Rangers, Hamilton's Highlanders, 2nd Ariana Fusiliers, Ariana Grenadiers, First Chesterton Voltigeurs, 2nd Chesterton Voltigeurs, 3rd Chesterton Voltigeurs, approximately eighty Tikonov Planetary Militia armor and infantry regiments

Outcome: Before the AFFS task force could make planetfall, they were faced with The Night Riders, an interdiction unit consisting of a Vengeance-class DropShip Carrier, two Union CV-variant DropShips and seventy aerospace fighters. Though the Lancers sustained significant fighter losses, no AFFS DropShips were destroyed, and all were able to safely land at their respective dropzones. Outside the port city of Bulun, the Seventh Crucis Lancers fought against MacGregor's Armored Scouts and their attached planetary militia battlegroup, which consisted of numerous armor and infantry regiments. The battle was fierce, but eventually the majority of the Armored Scouts were destroyed during a failed attack against the Seventh's headquarters company. Their 'Mech support defeated, the remaining CCAF forces subsequently surrendered. The Eighth Crucis Lancers met the Fourth Tau Ceti Rangers' battlegroup at the city of Kazan. After several days of brutal fighting, the Rangers ignored a final order from Ridzik to fight to the last man and retreated from Tikonov in their own DropShips. Without the support of their 'Mechs, the militia units's defenses quickly crumbled. The Eighth secured Kazan and pushed to link up with the Sixth to complete their new task: secure the planet's capital, Tikograd.

Defending the capital city were Hamilton's Highlanders, elements of Stapleton's Iron Hand, and numerous militia support units. Knowing that these forces were dug in and ready behind the city's massive walls, the Lancers launched an intense artillery barrage that targeted those defenses. Several breaches were created, allowing AFFS forces to establish a beachhead in the administrative and residential sectors of Tikograd, but the Lancers were slowed as they were forced to deal with the minefields laid behind them. Knowing that Ridzik had threatened to destroy the industrial sector of Tikograd if it was attacked, they launched distracting strikes on the other two sectors while the Seventh combat dropped into the industrial sector to secure it. In spite of Ridzik anticipating this move, as well as some nearly-fatal errors on the part of AFFS command, the sector was eventually secured, the Highlanders destroyed, and Ridzik forced to flee the planet. Without their leader, Tikograd quickly surrendered unconditionally.

Elsewhere on the planet, the First Crucis Lancers fought against the Second Ariana Fusiliers and their battle group at the city of Karaganda. They inflicted heavy losses and forced the remaining Fusiliers to retreat from the planet. At Gizhiga, the Second defeated the Ariana Grenadiers after a fierce battle and captured all survivors. The Third Lancers overcame the forces headed by the First Chesterton Voltigeurs at New Moscow while the Fourth Crucis Lancers vanquished the Second Voltigeurs through intense jungle combat outside Ulan and the Fifth easily crushed the Third Voltigeurs at Tselinagrad. While control of Tikonov was not complete, all of the major objectives of the initial invasion had been achieved successfully.

Tsitsang

Attackers: First Davion Guards RCT

Defender: Planetary Militia forces

Outcome: The First Davion Guard were able to eliminate all resistance and secure Tsitsang with minimal losses.

Genoa

Attackers: Thirty-third Avalon Hussars RCT, Blue Star Irregulars

Defender: Planetary Militia forces

Outcome: Planet easily secured by AFFS forces with minimal losses.

Gan Singh

Attackers: Screaming Eagles, Fourth Garrison Force

Defender: Planetary Militia forces

Outcome: Planet secured by AFFS forces with minimal losses.

Buchlau

Attackers: Gamma and Delta Regiments, Twelfth Vegan Rangers, First Garrison Force

Defender: Planetary Militia forces

Outcome: Planet secured by AFFS forces with minimal losses.

Hunan

Attackers: First Aragon Borderers; Delta Company, Davion Light Guards

Defender: Freemont's Cuirassiers

Outcome: Despite the initial heavy losses that the Borderers sustained when engaging the numerous Marauders of the Cuirassiers, Delta Company's timely arrival and use of superior tactics led to the CCAF unit being outflanked and ultimately defeated. The planet was secured for AFFS forces after their surrender.

Zurich

Attackers: Fourth Deneb Light Cavalry RCT

Defender: Trimaldi's Secutors

Outcome: Though he faced his disinherited daughter on the field of battle, the commanding officer of the Fourth Deneb Light Cavalry was easily able to crush the Capellan forces with superior numbers and training. His daughter survived the defeat and fled the planet with the remaining company of 'Mechs under her command.

Ningpo

Attackers: Third Davion Guards RCT

Defender: McCrimmon's Light Cavalry; Marion's Highlanders of the Northwind Highlanders

Outcome: The Light Cavalry was quickly separated from their more-experienced Highlander allies and annihilated by the Third Davion Guards. Though evenly matched with their opponents, the Guards were eventually able to corner the Highlanders on an isolated peninsula and negotiate a ceasefire, which came days before the official cessation of hostilities between the AFFS and the Northwind Highlanders.

Alrescha

Attackers: First New Ivaarsen Chasseurs

Defender: Second Battalion, Hamilton's Highlanders; Second Battalion, MacGregor's Armored Scouts

Outcome: The Chasseurs handed the CCAF units a crushing defeat on Alrescha, though this triumph for the AFFS was nearly overshadowed by the near-fatal wounding of the Chasseurs' commanding officer by a squad of Death Commandos.

Wave 3

With Tikonov nominally secured by AFFS forces, attention now turned to a peninsula of worlds that jutted from the Confederation into Federated Suns territory. Wave Three began with the following objectives:

• Secure the worlds of Ronel, Tybalt, Achernar, Tigress, and other planets in the peninsula
• Rotate garrison units to secured worlds in order to free up frontline units for future combat
• Evacuate wounded and casualties back to the Federated Suns for care and treatment

Menkar

Attackers: Seventh Crucis Lancers RCT

Defender: Planetary Militia forces

Outcome: Planet secured by AFFS forces with minimal losses.

Achernar

Attackers: First Crucis Lancers RCT

Defender: Planetary Militia forces

Outcome: Planet secured by AFFS forces with minimal losses.

Kansu

Attackers: Delta Regiment, Twelfth Vegan Rangers

Defender: Planetary Militia forces

Outcome: Planet secured by AFFS forces with minimal losses.

Yangtze

Attackers: First New Ivaarsen Chasseurs

Defender: Planetary Militia forces

Outcome: Planet secured by AFFS forces with minimal losses.

Ronel

Attackers: Miller's Marauders, Addicks Draconis March Militia

Defender: Kerr's Intruders

Outcome: Initially the commanding officers of the Marauders and the Addicks DMM clashed, leading to a deadlock. The AFFS Marshals were forced to intervene, and selected the commander of the Marauders as overall commander. Once the bickering was resolved the AFFS forces swept the Intruders, killing or capturing all but a company of the defenders.

Tybalt

Attackers: Fourth Crucis Lancers RCT

Defender: Lothar's Fusiliers

Outcome: During the initial orbital drop, the DropShip of the Fourth Crucis Lancers' Alpha Company, First Battalion suffered a critical mishap. The resulting misdrop destroyed more than half of the company. However, once the body of the Fourth Lancers made it to ground, they had few problems encircling the poorly-equipped Lothar's Fusiliers and neutralizing them. One company of Fusiliers managed to escape via the spaceport, but the planet was secured for the AFFS.

Slocum

Attackers: Third Davion Guards RCT

Defender: McCrimmon's Light Cavalry, Planetary Militia forces

Outcome: The Third Davion Guards chose to drop in locations that initially targeted the planetary militia, and ignored the fortified positions held by McCrimmon's Light Cavalry. Thinking that the Third Guards were being cowardly, the Light Cavalry left their positions to engage the AFFS troops in the open, where they were subsequently encircled and annihilated. A single company managed to fall back to the spaceport and retreat off-world.

New Canton

Attackers: Screaming Eagles, approximately ten regiments of Garrison Force

Defender: Fourth Confederation Reserve Cavalry, Trimaldi's Secutors

Outcome: As the First Screaming Eagles and their Garrison Force auxiliaries landed, the Fourth Reserve Cavalry faded into the jungle to begin a hit and run campaign against them. Every time the Screaming Eagles attempted a counterattack, the Fourth would fade back into the jungles, their knowledge of the local terrain allowing them to disappear before the AFFS mercenaries struck. This enraged the ground commander of the Screaming Eagles, and when the Fourth was finally located, pinned, and forced to surrender, he took his revenge. He ordered his men to weld the surviving Mechwarriors into their cockpits, and then shoved the 'Mechs into the swollen Canton River. Arriving to the scene too late to save the hapless Capellan soldiers, the commander of the Garrison Force demanded that the Screaming Eagles CO surrender to be held at court-martial. At first, he hesitated, but as one by one his men surrendered, he allowed himself to be taken into custody. The First Screaming Eagles suffered a great deal of fallout for this war crime.

Meanwhile, the Second Screaming Eagles pursued Trimaldi's Secutors through the Blue Dragon Mountains but were bogged down by the terrain and by the Secutors' surprising skills. The Second Screaming Eagles' commander had Garrison Force infantry airdropped to block the Secutors, with the intent that he would link up with them in a matter of hours. The infantry were able to accomplish this objective, but the Second Screaming Eagles were over six days late late due to suicide attacks by a Capellan tank unit. This ensuing delay resulted in over seventy-five percent casualties for the Garrison Force infantry. Though the Second Screaming Eagles were found not at fault, this delay, along with the war crimes committed by the First, did much to tarnish their previously-good reputation.

Arboris

Attackers: Thirty-third Avalon Hussars RCT, Blue Star Irregulars

Defender: First McCarron's Armored Cavalry

Outcome: Knowing that they would be facing the elite mercenary unit, the Thirty-third Avalon Hussars and the Blue Star Irregulars spent a good deal of time prior to the invasion studying Battle ROMs of the First MAC. The AFFS landing was unopposed, as the commander of the First MAC had chosen ground to face the oncoming Davion forces. In what appeared to be an open field, the two forces met. As the AFFS troops advanced, the First MAC's 'Mechs suddenly disappeared from their sensors, and it was discovered that the Capellan mercenaries had riddled the battleground with manmade terrain that hid 'Mechs and baffled sensors. However, the detailed studies of the AFFS commanders paid off, as they realized the First MAC's commander was tactically weak when it came to aerospace combat. Davion fighters were able to wipe out most of the First MAC's air support and begin spotting the First MAC's 'Mechs for fire. Realizing that his advantage was now gone and having lost all but a battalion of 'Mechs, the First MAC's commander ordered his unit to retreat off-world.

Saiph

Attackers: Fourth Deneb Light Cavalry RCT

Defender: Justine's Grenadiers

Outcome: The elements of Justine's Grenadiers on Saiph were well-versed in the hostile arctic climate of the planet's south continent, and were able to inflict significant losses on the Fourth Deneb Light Cavalry. The AFFS forces still managed to push the Capellans back and bottle them into a peninsula through force of numbers. As they prepared for a breakout, the Grenadiers anticipated their odds of success as being good. Unfortunately, the techs in charge of repairing their 'Mechs unwittingly used a stash of warm weather lubricant that had been delivered via a supply chain mix up. The Grenadiers' 'Mechs promptly seized up and were defeated by Fourth DLC armor units with relative ease.

Tigress

Attackers: Second Crucis Lancers RCT, Third Crucis Lancers RCT

Defender: Warrior House Hiritsu, Kerr's Intruders, Laurel's Legion

Outcome: AFFS forces landed north and east of the Four Cities, the planet's large industrial and power generation district. The Second Crucis Lancers engaged and destroyed Kerr's Intruders as they attempted to ambush the Davion units in a nearby forest. As they advanced on the Four Cities, they were slowed to a crawl by fierce resistance from Warrior House Hiritsu, who employed suicide tactics. An abortive, uncoordinated attack led to a perilous stall, but the Crucis Lancers were able to regain the initiative and drive the Capellan defenders back. The commander of House Hiritsu ordered all Capellan forces to abandon the world, but Laurel's Legion, native to the planet and fiercely loyal to it, refused. Incensed, the Hiritsu commander had his troops force two-thirds of the Legion into DropShips at gunpoint. The remaining third, who had been away fighting the Lancers during the dispute, immediately brokered a ceasefire once they heard of this betrayal and later offered their services to the AFFS in attacking the world their fellow women had been taken.

Jonathan

Attackers: Fifth Crucis Lancers RCT, Sixth Crucis Lancers RCT

Defender: 2nd Kearny Highlanders, Freemont's Cuirassiers

Outcome: Instead of engaging the Highlanders directly, the Fifth and Sixth Crucis Lancers instead chose to secure supply sites, including the capital city of Dust Hill. Dust Hill, coincidentally, was where the Highlanders kept the majority of their equipment and housed their families. While the Crucis Lancers did not harm any civilians in the city, the Highlanders rushed there and bloodied the AFFS units' noses before retreating. Eventually the Highlanders were driven off and allowed to retreat, as AFFS high command was currently in crucial talks with the rest of the Northwind Highlanders. Freemont's Cuirassiers were not so lucky, and were eliminated as they tried to launch a sneak attack on the Lancers' headquarters. Once an agreement was finalized, AFFS high command gave orders for the Lancers to allow the Highlanders access to Dust Hill, where they boarded their DropShips and left the world, headed for Northwind.

Wave 4

The Federated Suns entered Wave Four with the goal of securing the vital territory they had captured. The wave had the following objectives in mind:

• Capture eleven worlds that would solidify the more valuable gains made during previous waves
• Make Capellan counterattack and recapture of secured worlds more difficult
• Secure Capellan worlds that were close to Terra in order to better link the future Federated Commonwealth

Menkalinan

Attacker: Screaming Eagles

Defender: Planetary Militia forces

Other Involved Forces: First Free Worlds Guards

Outcome: After their conduct on New Canton, the Screaming Eagles found themselves outcasts among the other AFFS line units and mercenaries. They struggled in receiving scheduled, necessary supplies and began to develop a serious morale problem, even considering leaving their contract. Finally, their AFFS liaison officer was able to break through the deadlock after burning most of the favors she had at her disposal. Newly-supplied, the Eagles were to take Menkalinan, garrisoned by a planetary militia unit with only a single lance of outdated 'Mechs to its name. Unbeknownst to both forces, the Free Worlds League had sent a battalion of their premiere First Free Worlds Guards to secure the planet for the League during the chaos of Operation RAT. Knowing that the arrival of this third party conflicted with her initial orders, the commander of the First Guards requested updated instructions. While she waited, the Davion mercenaries met the Marik troops in a tense standoff at the Rika river valley. No shots were fired and the Free Worlds Guards let the Screaming Eagles pass through their lines. The Screaming Eagles then engaged and destroyed most of the Menkalinan militia in a deep forest outside the city of Carosasha.

The First Guards' commander, however, had received her updated orders: support the Capellan militia forces in their defense of the planet. Though not supportive of this decision, the commander did as she was told and attacked the Davion mercenaries. The Free Worlds League 'Mechs stalled and pinned the Screaming Eagles, forcing them to retreat out from Carosasha to regroup and costing them a great deal of valuable supplies. The Screaming Eagles were able to rally the next day and using the superiority of their numbers, inflicted enough losses and confusion on the Guards that their commander opted to cut her losses and abandon the Capellan troops. Though the Eagles suffered significant losses, they still managed to secure the planet for the Federated Suns.

Tall Trees

Attackers: Fourth Deneb Light Cavalry RCT

Defender: Planetary Militia forces

Outcome: Tall Trees was selected as a priority target for Wave Four due to its rumored genetics lab, which produced various enhanced strains of crops and livestock for the Confederation. Seeking to claim this research site for the Federated Suns, the AFFS sent the Fourth Deneb Light Cavalry to secure the world. As most of the Capellan militia forces assigned to Tall Trees were merely infantry regiments, the Fourth Deneb did not initially have much resistance to their invasion. As they pushed through the built up areas of the planet's two cities, Fa Shura and Helena, they began to encounter local partisan resistance that slowed their efforts by blowing bridges, cutting communications, and destroying medical facilities with their supplies. Finally, after mopping up the last of the organized resistance, the Fourth Deneb located the facility on the island of New Tierra del Fuego. The commander of the Davion forces, Major Richards, led a battalion of infantry to take the genetics facility, but it was destroyed as they landed by a team of Death Commandos. As they cleared the wreckage, Richards and his soldiers felt ill and began rapidly dying in numbers. Emergency control of the occupation was passed to Helen Sawyers of the NAIS's HazMET team. Sawyers ordered that troops be stationed on the coast to shoot anyone attempting to leave the island due to how virulent the outbreak was. The island was then secured by HazMET members is heavy protective gear. The strange plague, now known as "Richards' Regret" had yet to be isolated and NAIS personnel remained on Tall Trees well after Operation RAT's conclusion.

Shipka

Attackers: Gamma and Delta Regiment, Twelfth Vegan Rangers

Defender: Planetary Militia forces

Outcome: The Rangers easily swept the militia forces from the field and secured Shipka with little issue. While planetside, they discovered a large cache of JumpShip parts that they were allowed to keep as salvage.

Foochow

Attackers: Seventh Crucis Lancers RCT

Defender: Planetary Militia forces

Outcome: Though expecting a much heavier resistance, the Seventh Lancers quickly broke all resistance and captured the political and industrial centers of the planet.

Foot Fall

Attackers: Fifth Crucis Lancers RCT, Sixth Crucis Lancers RCT

Defender: Planetary Militia forces

Outcome: Expecting that there would be Warrior House units present on Foot Fall, AFFS high command assigned two RCTs to capture the world. However, that intelligence proved to be incorrect and the two Crucis Lancers regiments easily defeated the militia and secured the planet.

Woodstock

Attackers: Thirty-third Avalon Hussars RCT

Defender: Planetary Militia forces

Outcome: The Thirty-third Avalon Hussars secured Woodstock with minimal resistance, capturing a Star League era agricultural research facility that had only recently been rediscovered.

Bharat

Attackers: First Crucis Lancers RCT

Defender: Planetary Militia forces

Outcome: The only significant loss the First Crucis Lancers incurred was a Union DropShip that suffered mechanical problems and subsequently broke apart in the atmosphere of the planet. The planet was secured for the Federated Suns.

Hamal

Attackers: First New Ivaarsen Chasseurs

Defender: Planetary Militia forces

Outcome: While the planet's militia were expert desert fighters and were able to slow the Chasseurs down, their lack of 'Mech forces proved to be their downfall. The planet was secured for the Federated Suns.

Highspire

Attackers: Bell Capellan March Militia

Defender: First Kearny Highlanders, Planetary Militia forces

Outcome: Once the Federated Suns reached an agreement with the Northwind Highlanders, the First Kearny willingly left the planet to return to their ancestral homeworld with the rest of their parent command. The planet was secured by AFFS forces with minimal losses.

Azha

Attackers: Third Davion Guards RCT

Defender: Planetary Militia forces

Outcome: Due to Azha's importance to Capellan administrative efforts, it had a militia that was roughly twice the average size. Hoping to catch the attacking Third Davion Guards off-balance, the unit attacked them as they made planetfall. They were able to inflict some losses, but were eventually defeated due to their lack of 'Mechs. The planet was secured for the Federated Suns.

Second Try

Attackers: Twentieth Avalon Hussars RCT

Defender: Planetary Militia forces

Outcome: While numerically and tactically superior to the planetary garrison, the Twentieth Avalon Hussars were not prepared for the hellish polar conditions of Second Try. What should have been a straightforward victory was instead dragged out for multiple months, as the defending Capellans used the weather and environment to their advantage. Despite the losses of troops and materiel, the planet was eventually secured for the Federated Suns.

Wave 5

A continuation of the previous waves' momentum, Wave Five had the following objectives:

• Seize the worlds of Corey, Zaurak, Menkib, New Macao, Mandate, Wei, Remshield, Tsingtao, and Sarna
• Locate and destroy any CCAF frontline units on these worlds
• Expand Federated Suns control over the territory already secured during previous waves

Menkib

Attackers: Fifth Crucis Lancers RCT

Defender: Planetary Militia forces

Outcome: Menkib was secured by AFFS forces for the Federated Suns.

New Macao

Attackers: Seventh Crucis Lancers RCT

Defender: Planetary Militia forces

Outcome: New Macao was secured by AFFS forces for the Federated Suns.

Corey

Attackers: Twentieth Avalon Hussars RCT

Defender: Planetary Militia forces

Outcome: Corey was secured by AFFS forces for the Federated Suns.

Mandate

Attackers: Sixth Crucis Lancers RCT

Defender: Planetary Militia forces

Outcome: The Sixth Crucis Lancers and AFFS brass knew that Mandate was a traditional recruiting ground for the Warrior Houses of the Capellans, and expected a fierce fight. This fight is what they got, as waves upon waves of suicide attacks via aircraft, vehicle, and individual rocked the Davion forces' advance. Civilian men and women, including elders and children, all launched fearless, senseless attacks that did little physical damage but took a significant mental toll. Outside the capital city of Glory of Liao, the Davion vanguard was ambushed by a massed infantry and vehicle force made up of volunteers from the planet's population. The ensuing bloodbath left thousands dead on the field, as the civilian volunteers shielded military targets with their bodies and forced the AFFS troops to aim more carefully. This in turn allowed the Capellan military forces to savage the Davion infantry. The arrival of two fresh lances of Sixth Crucis Lancer 'Mechs secured a victory for the Federated Suns, but at the cost of significant psychological scars on the surviving vanguard unit as every CCAF trooper and civilian volunteer fought to the death.

Remshield

Attackers: Davion Light Guards RCT

Defender: Hurloc's Hussars, 4th Tau Ceti Rangers

Outcome: The Light Guards, despite being outweighed by the opposition, put their speed, maneuverability, and superior tactics to use and were able to force both defending CCAF units to retreat. The planet was secured for the Federated Suns with minimal casualties.

Tsingtao

Attackers: Davion Heavy Guards RCT

Defender: Hurloc's Hussars

Outcome: The Heavy Guards received intelligence reports that shed light on a serious supply deficiency in the Hussars logistics chain. They exploited this deficiency to their advantage, landing unopposed and quickly capturing the Hussars' DropShips. Faced with either surrendering or fighting to the death, the Hussars turned on each other. Nineteen 'Mechs were lost in the ensuing firefight, and the survivors promptly surrendered to the Heavy Guards.

Wei

Attackers: Gamma and Delta Regiment, Twelfth Vegan Rangers, supporting Garrison Force armor and infantry units

Defender: Sung's Cuirassiers, Planetary Militia forces

Outcome: Due to rumors about a Star League chemical weapons storehouse on Wei, the 12th Vegan Rangers were offered triple their regular fee and were fully briefed on the potential risks. They accepted, and their commander ordered them to drop in various scattered locations across the planet. This confused the defending Cuirassiers and allowed the Rangers to place them on the back foot. The AFFS forces were gassed three times, but were prepared for this eventuality and able to mitigate the effects of the gas more effectively with each attack. The invasion culminated in a final battle atop the elevated Boganville Highway, where the Cuirassiers unleashed their remaining gas supply and used the chokepoint of the highway to inflict heavy casualties on the Rangers and attached Davion armor and infantry. Nevertheless, the Rangers were able to overpower the Cuirassiers and drive them to retreat. The loss of two battalions of Rangers made the battle of Wei one of the most costly in Operation RAT, but the planet was ultimately secured for the Federated Suns.

Zaurak

Attackers: Gamma Regiment, Twelfth Vegan Rangers, supporting Garrison Force armor and infantry units

Defender: Planetary Militia forces

Outcome: AFFS planners did not properly factor in the drastically-mercurial weather of Zaurak when developing their strategy for the invasion and as a result the 12th Vegan Rangers were unprepared for its effects. They were initially scattered during their drop by high altitude winds. As they regrouped, the weather changed and brought with it a blizzard. AFFS support troops were unprepared and unequipped for this bitter winter weather and took many casualties. Despite it all, the Rangers and Garrison Force troops were able to drive the Capellans back to the city of Zaurak. There, the weather changed again, bringing an instant summer that turned the drifts of snow into mud fields that mired the AFFS 'Mechs as they cleared the city. Another sharp drop in temperatures froze the muddy fields and increased casualties as Davion troops struggled to adapt yet again. Finally, the Ranger 'Mechs were able to locate the Capellan militia's headquarters, bash down the walls, and force the commanding officer to surrender, finally securing the planet for the Federated Suns.

Sarna

Attackers: Fifth Syrtis Fusiliers RCT, Crater Cobras, Second Screaming Eagles, supporting Garrison Force armor and infantry forces

Attacker Reinforcements: Davion Heavy Guards RCT, Davion Light Guards RCT

Defender: Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Regiment, McCarron's Armored Cavalry; Planetary Militia forces

Outcome: The invasion of Sarna turned out to be one of the most significant battles of Operation RAT, and one of the longest. Initially planned by AFFS top brass with little input from the First Prince, the plan to take Sarna was born of a desire to impress the leader of the Federated Suns and tapped the Fifth Syrtis Fusiliers as the RCT to spearhead the effort. The Fusiliers, still furious about the loss of Michael Hasek-Davion, immediately broke formation and rushed to make landfall on Sarna as soon as they were clear of their JumpShip. Upon landing, they found themselves immediately mired in the rainy riverbed that traversed their dropzone. Their DropShips were isolated and destroyed by a large amount of unexpected CCAF aerospace coverage, which then proceeded to annihilate the Fusiliers' own aerospace wing and much of its infantry and armored units. The Fusiliers' commander was killed when fast-moving planetary militia forces ambushed the still-mired unit with inferno gel. The Fusiliers managed to drive off the militia and somewhat recover, at which point they were set upon by the four regiments of McCarron's Armored Cavalry no AFFS planner had known were still on Sarna. In a matter of days, all that was left of the Fifth Syrtis Fusiliers were fifteen 'Mechs.

The three mercenary regiments, knowing now that Sarna was a trap, chose to drop anyway, fearing that failure to complete their contract would have a negative effect on their reputations and future pay. They chose to land all together at one site and managed to secure significant resources from a munitions plant prior to its destruction by MAC aerospace assets. Unfortunately, before they could provide an update of their situation to AFFS high command, the ComStar interdiction of the Federated Suns fell. Unknown sources sent bogus messages that falsely reported that the invasion was proceeding as planned, so the waiting Davion JumpShips and DropShips left the system, assuming their part was complete. The mercenaries were trapped on Sarna, but managed to hold out for months on end. As they made their final stand, reinforcements in the form of the Davion Heavy Guards and Davion Light Guards suddenly arrived. With two fresh RCTs landing in his unit's rear, Colonel McCarron grudgingly ordered his troops off world. Despite heavy losses and the annihilation of the Fifth Syrtis Fusiliers, Sarna was finally secured for the Federated Suns.

Wave 6

Wave Six was initiated after the initiation of the ComStar interdiction of the Federated Suns, and was based off of loose reports from the Sarna Commonality that indicated some of the worlds there were afraid of the Capellan Confederation's collapse and would voluntarily surrender to Davion officials if offered the opportunity. Combined with the threat of Free Worlds League raids into the commonality increasing in frequency, Wave Six had the following goals:

• Secure the rest of the Sarna Commonality for the Federated Suns
• Deny the Free Worlds League the opportunity to encroach on territory claimed for or secured by the AFFS

Truth

Attackers: Davion Heavy Guards RCT

Defender: Planetary Militia forces

Outcome: Planet secured by AFFS forces with minimal losses.

Kaifeng

Attackers: Davion Light Guards RCT

Defender: Planetary Militia forces

Outcome: Despite the fanatical defenders fighting to the death, the planet was secured by AFFS forces with minimal losses.

Matsu

Attackers: Seventh Crucis Lancers RCT

Defender: Local Militia

Outcome: Torn between surrendering or remaining loyal to the Chancellor, the planetary militia tore itself apart before the Seventh Crucis Lancers even landed. The planet was secured by AFFS forces with no losses.

Heligoland

Attackers: Sixth Crucis Lancers RCT

Defender: Kingston's Legionnaires

Outcome: When the Sixth Crucis Lancers made planetfall, they noted that Kingston's Legionnaires were heavily fortified and entrenched in the capital city. The Lancers, not wanting to deal with a costly and bloody siege, captured the main reservoir and cut off the city from its water. Within a few weeks, the Legionnaires were forced to surrender, and brokered a deal to be relocated to Minnacora by the AFFS's JumpShips. The Lancers' commander acquiesced, not wanting any more bloodshed.

Palos

Attackers: Gamma and Delta Regiment, Twelfth Vegan Rangers, supporting Garrison Force armor and infantry units

Defender: Second Confederation Reserve Cavalry, Planetary Militia forces

Outcome: The Rangers landed after losing a DropShip to CCAF fighters, and immediately met with complaints from the local populace that their 'Mechs were damaging their crops. The Rangers' commander ordered the unit to stick to roads, but after several ambushes that took advantage of this carefulness, quickly reversed the decision. A portion of the Second Confederation Reserve Cavalry was quickly encircled after their inexperienced commander fell for a false retreat tactic, and were given a chance to surrender. The commander refused, stating he and his troops would fight to the death. The Rangers obliged them, televising the resulting defeat in detail. Upon watching the broadcast, the rest of the Second Confederation Reserve Cavalry garrisoning the city left the world, and the planetary militia subsequently surrendered.

Sakhalin

Attackers: Fifth Crucis Lancers RCT

Defender: Kamakura's Hussars

Outcome: The Fifth Crucis Lancers set down on Sakhalin only expecting local militia forces, but were targeted by a suicidal, headlong rush on their landing zones by Kamakura's Hussars. The Hussars inflicted heavy damage on the armored and infantry units in the confusion, but were ultimately run down and defeated after several weeks of fighting.

Kathil

Attackers: Death Commandos, Fourth Tau Ceti Rangers

Defender: First Kathil Uhlans

Outcome: Seeing the ComStar interdiction of House Davion as an opportunity, Chancellor Liao developed a plan to conduct a surgical strike against the JumpShip manufacturing and repair facility on Kathil. He reasoned that the strike would force AFFS forces to return to the world to defend it and cripple their ability to continue to deploy units. Fortunately for the Federated Suns, embedded spy Justin Xiang was able to leak details of this plot back to them, and Morgan Hasek-Davion was dispatched to the world to build a new unit out of the remnants of the Fifth Syrtis Fusiliers, planetary militia forces, and Delta Company of the Davion Light Guards. This new unit would be called the First Kathil Uhlans. The CCAF dispatched a unit of Death Commandos and a battalion of Fourth Tau Ceti Rangers to carry out their raid on what they considered to be an undefended planet. Forewarned, Hasek-Davion was able to commandeer the microwave power transmitters on Kathil's surface and vaporize an incoming Death Commando DropShip. The remaining CCAF troops made landfall but were ravaged by minefields and hit and run tactics by the lighter elements of the Uhlans. As the Death Commandos made a final attack on the power station, they were met with the Uhlans' heavy command lance led by Hasek-Davion and destroyed. The Tau Ceti Rangers succumbed to a similar fate but were allowed to surrender on the condition that they allow the Uhlans to stow away with them on their DropShips as they returned to Sian.

Sian

Attackers: First Kathil Uhlans

Defenders: Warrior House Imarra

Outcome: Successfully stowing away on the captured Fourth Tau Ceti Ranger DropShips, the Uhlans signaled to Sian that they had been successful in their raid and had captured Morgan Hasek-Davion as well. The Chancellor saw this as a triumph, and prepared a state ceremony to welcome the Rangers back, display his newly-acquired triple-strength myomer formula he had stolen from the Federated Suns, and show off this new high profile prisoner. As the "Ranger" DropShips reached their terminal landing vector, the onboard Uhlans crew opened fire on the assembled warriors of House Imarra. They launched a barrage of gas canisters as well, which permeated the area. Unbeknownst to the Capellans, the triple-strength myomer they had installed was designed with a glaring weakness: when exposed to a particular chemical compound, one which the Uhlans had in great supply, the myomer would catch fire and explode. Despite valiant efforts from House Imarra 'Mechs, the Uhlans were able to destroy many of them and successfully rescue Justin Xiang, Alexei Malenkov, and Candace Liao. They then retreated off-world and returned to the Federated Suns as the Chancellor's mind, strained already by the stress and shock, slowly began to break.

Wave 7

Seeing that the war was drawing to a close, the AFFS scrambled to wrap up its negotiations with the Sarna Commonality worlds that were now left undefended, as well as finalize any remaining invasions that were in progress. The following objectives were slated for Wave Seven:

• Secure Sarna and Tsinghai, where fighting continued
• Complete negotiations with Sarna Commonality worlds

Negotiations

• Bora, Campertown, Chamdo, Elnath, Lesalles, Old Kentucky, Phact, Quemoy, Raballa, Sarmaxa, Ulan Bator, Wazan, and Yunnah all agreed to peacefully surrender to the Federated Suns.

Tsinghai

Attackers: Twentieth Avalon Hussars RCT, Gamma and Delta Regiment, Twelfth Vegan Rangers

Defenders: Fifth Confederation Reserve Cavalry, Preston's Lancers

Outcome: The Vegan Rangers trapped the Fifth Confederation Reserve Cavalry in a valley upon landing and were able to force them to withdraw. The defenders made a fighting retreat and lost four lances before reaching their DropShip and making it offworld. Preston's Lancers resisted an initial attempt by the Avalon Hussars to encircle them, fleeing into a river valley to launch hit and run attacks against the Davion forces. After several successful ambushes, the Hussars finally outmaneuvered the Lancers and were able to eradicate all but twelve Lancer 'Mechs. The survivors limped back to their DropShips and fled to Capellan space. The planet was secured for the Federated Suns.

Bibliography

• NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1
• NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 2