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'''Sharon Bryan''' (died 16 August [[3064]]<ref name=OA7178-SB-1>''Operation Audacity'', pp. 71-78, the date of Bryan's death on Melissia</ref>)was a high-ranking [[Lyran]] officer in service to the [[Armed Forces of the Federated Commonwealth]] and later the [[Lyran Alliance Armed Forces]]. She was most well-known for her participation in [[Task Force Serpent]].

==Personal History==
===Early Life and Career===
Little has been published regarding Sharon Bryan's early life and career, but it may be readily assumed that she was born in the [[Lyran Commonwealth]]. It is known that by 3064, she was one of the longest-serving officers in the LAAF.<ref name=FCCW179-R-SB-1>''FedCom Civil War (sourcebook)'', p. 179, "Revelations", Bryan is one of the longest-serving Lyran officers at the time of her death</ref> By [[3050]], Bryan had achieved the rank of [[Marshal_(rank)#Armed_Forces_of_the_Federated_Suns|Marshal]] in the AFFC, and was in command of the elite [[Eleventh Lyran Guards]]. At the time of the [[Clan Invasion]], the Guards were based on [[Callison]] on the [[Free Worlds League]] border, then in the [[Skye March]] of the [[Federated Commonwealth]].<ref name=20YU-27-11LG-1>''20 Year Update'', p. 27, "Skye March - Wyatt Theater - Denebola Command", Bryan commands the Eleventh Lyran Guards, based on Callison</ref> This situation remained unchanged in [[3054]].<ref name=OR19-SMWTDC-11LG-1>''Objective Raids'', p. 19, "Skye March - Wyatt Theater - Denebola Command", Bryan commands the Eleventh Lyran Guards, based on Callison</ref> 

When [[Operation Guerrero]] struck in [[3057]], Callison found itself under attack from a [[Free Worlds League Military]] task force, in the form of the [[First Free Worlds Guards]], the [[Fourth Free Worlds Legionnaires]], and the [[Falcons]] regiment of the [[Silver Hawk Irregulars]]. At virtually the same time, [[Archon]] [[Katherine Steiner-Davion]] announced the formation of the [[Lyran Alliance]], effectively seceeding from the Federation Commonwealth. Under an agreement with [[House Marik]], the new Archon recalled the Eleventh Guards and other units loyal to House Steiner from those worlds under attack, effectively ceding them to [[Captain-General of the Free Worlds League|Captain-General]] [[Thomas Marik]]. Bryan, a staunch Lyran supremacist, recognized Katherine's claim, and pulled her troops off-world.<ref name=SS74-OG-FW-C-1>''Shattered Sphere'', p. 74, "Operation Guerrero, First Wave", the Eleventh Lyran Guards abandon Callison</ref><ref name=MI2021-11LG-SB-1>''Malicious Intent'', pp. 20-21, Sharon Bryan pulls the Eleventh Lyran Guard out at Archon Steiner's response</ref> Later temporarily based on [[Wyatt]], Bryan and the LAAF reorganized the Eleventh Guards into a Lyran "showcase" unit, purging it of troops with "Davionist sympathies". This included [[Captain#Lyran_Commonwealth_and_Lyran_Alliance|Hauptmann]] [[Caradoc Trevena]], who was transferred to the [[Tenth Skye Rangers]].<ref name=MI2021-11LG-SB-1/><ref name=ER3062-23-11LG-1>''Era Report: 3062'', p. 23, "Timeline of Events (con.)", the Eleventh muster Trevena from their ranks</ref>

===The Coventry Campaign===
During [[Clan Jade Falcon]]'s [[Jade Falcon Incursion (3058)|push]] on [[Coventry]] in [[3058]], Bryan and her Eleventh Guards were briefly rotated to [[Tharkad]] in case of a potential breakthrough. <ref name=MI229-11LG-1>''Malicious Intent'', p. 229, the Eleventh Lyran Guard were on Tharkad in April 3058</ref> They were later part of the massive multi-national [[Inner Sphere]] relief force led by [[First Prince]] [[Victor Steiner-Davion]] and [[Precentor Martial]] [[Anastasius Focht]]. <ref name=TBOC12-ASA-11LG-1>''The Battle of Coventry (scenario pack)'', p. 12, "A Strange Alliance", the Eleventh Guards are part of the task force sent to Coventry</ref> Bryan did not endear herself to the other commanders of the expedition, as she demanded a commanding position in planning and operations. She also questioned the commitment of the [[mercenary]] portion of the force, as they were being paid. [[Colonel]] [[Dan Allard]] pointed out that Bryan's Eleventh Lyran Guards had retreated in the face of combat on Callison, infuriating the Marshal but briefly silencing her.<ref name=MI258-11LG-SB-1>''Malicious Intent'', p. 258, Sharon Bryan protests her place in the Coventry relief force</ref> Bryan also repeatedly suggested the Jade Falcons would oppose the landing of the task force, despite the fact she had little experience opposing the [[Clans]]. Victor Steiner-Davion and [[Ragnar Magnusson|Ragnar]] of [[Clan Wolf-in-Exile]] both insisted that the tradition-minded Falcons would honor ''[[Safcon]]'', but Bryant remained highly skeptical. When Focht, the victor of the [[Battle of Tukayyid (3052)|Battle of Tukayyid]], stated that his [[472nd Division (ComStar)|472nd Com Guard Division]] would be the first unit to land, she retorted that "You'll bleed just as easily as any FedCom." <ref name=MI260-11LG-SB-1>''Malicious Intent'', p. 260, Sharon Bryan complains that the Jade Falcons may oppose the landings</ref> When Victor Steiner-Davion and Caradoc Trevena ultimately offered the Falcons ''[[Hegira]]'', allowing them to depart from Coventry with no further fighting, Bryan bitterly protested in light of the destruction the Falcons had inflicted. She even went so far as to name Trevena, who had spent three hard months fighting the Falcons, a coward. She was rebuked by Prince Victor, Focht and Trevena, as the result forced the Falcons to withdraw and spared both the Clan and Inner Sphere forces from a battle that would have devastated both sides. <ref name=MI285287-SB-1>''Malicious Intent'', pp. 285-287, Sharon Bryan accosts the allied leaders for offering the Jade Falcons ''Hegira''</ref> Bryan would continue to express disgust for the move in the months to follow, even though the other commanders of the task force - including Sir [[Paul Masters]] of the [[Knights of the Inner Sphere]] and [[Wu Kang Kuo]] of the [[Harloc Raiders]] - both found the situation acceptable.<ref name=GC89-SB-1>''Grave Covenant'', p. 89, Sharon Bryan continues to detest Victor's solution to the Coventry situation</ref>

===First Whitting Conference===
{{main|First Whitting Conference}}
In late 3058, the leaders of the [[Inner Sphere]] met on Tharkad to discuss joint operations against the Clans.
During the conference, [[General of the Armies]] [[Nondi Steiner]] chose Marshal Bryan as the Alliance's representative for the strategy planning sessions, and was ordered to ensure the LAAF would not be forced to commit disproportionate forces towards a prospective [[Star League Defense Force]]. <ref name=GC64-SB-1>''Grave Covenant'', p. 64, Nondi Steiner sends Bryan to the Whitting Conference strategy planning sessions</ref> In a private conversation, Steiner named Bryan among those who could potentially lead the new [[Star League Defense Force]] against the Clans. <ref name=GC65-SB-1>''Grave Covenant'', p. 65, Nondi Steiner lists Sharon Bryan alongside the most accomplished military leaders in the Inner Sphere</ref> When the plannning sessions of what would become [[Operation Bulldog]] and [[Operation Bird Dog]] were first proposed, Bryan instead suggested an attack on the [[Clan Homeworlds]]. When [[Khan]] [[Phelan Kell]] of Clan Wolf-in-Exile stated his Clan no longer possessed the coordinates for [[Strana Mechty]], she accused him of lying. Further, Bryan attempted to insist that the Clans be completely ejected from the Inner Sphere as the ultimate goal of the alliance, though Focht tabled that discussion for the political leaders. <ref name=GC7581-SB-1>''Grave Covenant'', pp. 75-81, Bryan presses for an attack on Strana Mechty, confronts Khan Phelan Kell</ref> During further strategy planning sessions, Bryan repeatedly questioned whether [[Clan Nova Cat]] would honor their commitment to join the [[Second Star League]] in the coming conflict. When Precentor-Martail Focht produced a map of the [[Exodus Road]] to the [[Clan Smoke Jaguar]]s' homeworld of [[Huntress]] in the [[Kerensky Cluster]], Bryan was the first to call for a direct assault on the heart of the Jaguar. She was quick to protest, however, the presence of the Jaguar defector, [[Trent (person)|Trent]], among the allied forces. Bryan's presence at the session also made her Eleventh Lyran Guards a natural choice to be included in the long-range strike at the Clan Homeworlds.<ref name=GC134143-SB-1>''Grave Covenant'', pp. 134-143, Bryan is present at the strategy meeting where an attack on Huntress is first proposed</ref><ref name=ER3062-33-11LG-1>''Era Report: 3062'', p. 33, "Lyran Alliance", the Eleventh Lyran Guards traveled to Huntress with Task Force Serpent</ref>

===Task Force Serpent===
[[File:Task Force Serpent emblem (2).jpg|right|thumb|[[Task Force Serpent]]]]
{{main|Task Force Serpent}}
====Preparations and Journey====
Along with the other units chosen for [[Task Force Serpent]], Bryan led the Eleventh Lyran Guards to [[Defiance (system)|Defiance]] to begin training for their expedition to Clan space. While there, they engaged in mock combat engagements against the [[Com Guard]] 472nd Division, the vaunted Invader Galaxy that served as an aggressor unit. Predictably, the elite Invader Galaxy got the best of the Lyran Guards in the early engagements.<ref name=TH76-11LG-1>''The Hunters'', p. 76, the mock combat between the Invader Galaxy and the Lyran Guards results in a "Clan" victory</ref> Although the Eleventh Lyran Guards were nominally a [[Regimental Combat Team]], the limitations of transport determined that almost all of their [[conventional]] forces would remain behind. In the end, St. George's Regiment would be represented by 116 [[BattleMech]]s and four [[combat vehicles]].<ref name=TOTC4748-11LG-1>''Twilight of the Clans'', pp. 47-48, "Battleforce Roster Lists : 11th Lyran Guards", a breakdown of the Guards' TO&E for Task Force Serpent</ref> This still qualified the Guards as an elite, reinforced regiment. The unit was transported by six [[DropShip]]s and one [[JumpShip]] provided by the Alliance.<ref name=TOTC8-11LG-1>''Twilight of the Clans'', p. 8, "Task Force Serpent Composition : 11th Lyran Guards", the Eleventh Lyran Guards composition and transport</ref> While in transit, Bryan continued to attend the task force command sessions. At the first such meeting on 29 June, the staff discussed the use of [[WarShip]]s against planetary targets, as well as the treatment of potential prisoners of war. Bryan agreed with Paul Masters assessment that ordering soldiers to effectively violate the [[Ares Conventions]] would destroy morale and unit cohesion. When ''[[Sho-sa]]'' [[Michael Ryan]] of the [[Draconis Elite Strike Teams]] and [[Captain]] [[Roger Montjar]] of the [[Rabid Foxes]] pointed out that the task force did not have enough resources to support prisoners, Bryan leaped up to protest but was cut off by [[Morgan Hasek-Davion]], the task force commander, who put an end to the discussion. Hasek-Davion then called for readiness reports, with Bryan reporting her Eleventh Guards at one hundred percent readiness.<ref name=TH152159-SB-1>''The Hunters'', pp. 152-159, Bryan participates in a heated discussion amongst the command staff</ref> After the [[Battle of Trafalgar]] on 15 December, the task force command staff discussed the disbersement of [[Clan Ghost Bear]] material taken as ''[[isorla]]''. Bryan was incensed when [[Leftenant General]] [[Andrew Redburn]] proposed the [[First Kathil Uhlans]] technicians examine the Clan [[OmniMechs]] that had been captured. Hasek-Davion once again had to step in, putting aside the issue of spoils and focusing on the prisoners - including a thousand civilians - who had been been taken by the task force.<ref name=TH263268-SB-1>''The Hunters'', pp. 263-268, Bryan questions the allotment of captured Ghost Bear 'Mechs</ref> Bryan later predictably complained when the captured ''[[Fire Fang]]'' was placed under the care of the Rabid Fox team,<ref name=TH276-SB-1>''The Hunters'', p. 276, Bryan is unhappy with the assignment of the ''Fire Fang''</ref> and was likewise angered that the ''[[Stiletto (Individual Broadsword-class DropShip)|Stiletto]]'', a ''[[Broadsword]]''-class [[DropShip]], was offered to the DEST commandos.<ref name=SAF120121-SB-1>''Sword and Fire'', pp. 120-121, Bryan glares at Ryan over the disposition of the ''Stiletto''</ref> On 30 December at another staff meeting, Bryan pressed Hasek-Davion once again to reconsider the possibility of orbital bombardment. This time she was unexpectedly supported by [[Commodore]] [[Alain Beresick]] of ComStar, who proposed firing protocols to ensure that only proper military targets were targeted. Hasek-Davion agreed to review the proposal.<ref name=TH290-SB-1>''The Hunters'', p. 290, Bryan suggests orbital bombardment on Huntress</ref> When Hasek-Davion was poisoned in his sleep during the journey, [[Ariana Winston]] of the [[Eridani Light Horse]], Hasek-Davion's second-in-command, was named the new acting commander. The change in leadership made little difference in Bryan's demeanor or relationship with the command, as she continued to protest any perceived slight to her Lyran Guards, including when the ''Stiletto'' was docked with the Uhlans' JumpShip, the ''[[Ericsson]]'', as she believed Winston was assigning captured OmniMechs to the Federated Commonwealth troops.<ref name=SAF134-SB-1>''Sword and Fire'', p. 134, Bryan continues to complain of how the ''Stiletto'' was assigned</ref>

====Huntress====
When the fighting on Huntress finally began on 12 March, [[3060]], the Eleventh Lyran Guards assaulted the Jaguar training area near [[Bagera]]. Bryan regarded the assignment as the toughest challenge on Huntress, and her natural suspicion led her to believe that Winston had deliberately tasked her with an assignment that would prove costly. Regardless, the Guards faced heavy opposition throughout, as Jaguar fighters attacked their DropShips during their landings, seriously damaging at least one vessel. The defending Jaguars were well prepared for the Lyrans, as a [[Supernova Trinary]] of Clan second-line 'Mechs, captured Inner Sphere 'Mechs and [[Elementals]] attacked their landing zone before most of the Guards could disembark. By the time the House Steiner forces had eliminated the Jaguars, 51 BattleMechs had been knocked out of the fight.<ref name=SAF244246-SB-1>''Sword and Fire'', pp. 244-246, Bryan's thoughts on Bagera assignment, early losses in campaign</ref> Advancing on the training area, the Lyran Guards soon found their reconnaisance company under attack from a large number of 'Mechs and Elementals. Bryan attempted to intervene with her own command company made up of assault and heavy 'Mechs. Distubingly, the Jaguars had posted a previously unknown unit of front-line OmniMechs to Bagera, and these inflicted heavy damage to the approaching Eleventh Guards. The Marshal downed a Jaguar ''[[Hellbringer (Loki)|Hellbringer]]'', but was soon confronted by a ''[[Ebon Jaguar (Cauldron-Born)|Ebon Jaguar]]''. The Clan MechWarrior knocked Bryan's 'Mech out of action, triggering her auto-eject and injuring the Marshal. She was quickly recovered by the crew of a ''[[Fulcrum]]'' [[hovertank]], and she attempted to reassert command of the battle from inside the combat vehicle. Discovering that the Lyran Guards had been driven back and the Jaguars were massing for another assault, Bryan called for orbital bombardment from the ''Fire Fang'', becoming the first reported Inner Sphere commander to employ WarShips against ground targets in centuries. Turning command over to Colonel Timothy Rice, her second-in-command, the fire support from the WarShip completely devastated the defending Jaguars, destroying ten 'Mechs outright and crippling the others. Bagera was soon secured by the Lyran Guards.<ref name=SAF246252-SB-1>''Sword and Fire'', pp. 246-252, Bryan's Mech is destroyed at Bagera, calls in orbital bombardment to end the fighting</ref><ref name=SAF253-11LG-2>''Sword and Fire'', p. 253, the Jaguars had a large contingent of front-line OmniMechs at Bagera</ref><ref name=TOTC11-WOTG-11LG-2>''Twilight of the Clans'', p. 11, "War on the Ground", Marshal Bryan calls down orbital bombardment from a WarShip</ref> Casualties to the regiment were heavy, however. 25 percent of the Eleventh's MechWarriors were killed or seriously injured. 50 percent of the Guards, including Marshal Bryan, also suffered injuries. 40 of the Lyran 'Mechs were considered unsalvageable. When the numbers were counted, non-recoverable losses to the Guards were nearly 50 percent.<ref name=SAF253-11LG-1>''Sword and Fire'', p. 253, the Eleventh Lyran Guards take heavy casualties on Huntress</ref><ref name=TOTC11-WOTG-11LG-1>''Twilight of the Clans'', p. 11, "War on the Ground", the Eleventh Lyran Guards take 50 percent non-recoverable losses at Bagera</ref><ref name=SS16-TCB-SB-1>''Shattered Sphere'', p. 16, "The Conquest Begins", Marshal Sharon Bryan orders an orbital strike</ref>

After Huntress had been taken, Bryan attended a meeting of the task force command staff meeting where General Winston read their officials orders - to completely demolish the infrastructure of Huntress and thus destroy the Smoke Jaguars capacity to make war. When [[William MacLeod]] of the [[Northwind Highlanders]] joined Sir Paul Masters in asking Winston to reconsider these orders, Bryan complained that Macleod was only putting that view forth because his Highlanders had taken the BattleMech factory near [[Pahn City]] intact, and he wished to transport it back to the Inner Sphere. The meeting soon turned into a shouting match between the assorted commanders, with Winston bringing it under control by firing her sidearm in the air.<ref name=SAF265-SB-1>''Sword and Fire'', p. 265, Sharon Bryan participates in another heated command staff meeting</ref> Back in her own operations area, Bryan then carried out secret orders she had received from Archon Katherine Steiner-Davion, copying files on the Clans' [[Iron Womb|genetic engineering]] and ''[[sibko]]'' programs that were, by rights, property of the Star League. Once the process had been completed, she ordered the training facility buildings destroyed in accordance with her orders.<ref name=SAF269274-SB-1>''Sword and Fire'', pp. 269-274, Sharon Bryan is issued a ''Zeus'', copies secret Clan Information to her personal files, orders destruction of Bagera training bases</ref> In the aftermath of the battle, Bryan, still suffering from her injury, was forced to turn temporary command over to Colonel Rice.<ref name=SOW47-SB-1>''Shadows of War'', p. 47, Sharon Bryan puts Colonel Rice in command, Rice is not the rabid steiner loyalist Bryan is</ref>

{{quote|If this task force is to be destroyed, then my place is with my troops, not in some rear-area aid station.|Marshal Sharon Bryan, retaking command of the Eleventh Lyran Guards<ref name=SOW262-SB-1>''Shadows of War'', p. 262, Bryan retakes command as her Guards reinforce the Light Horse</ref>}} 
A week later on 19 March, Jaguar reinforcements arrived in-system. Bryan and the remnants of her Lyran Guards were initially placed in a reserve role by General Winston, based in the Lunar Range on the Abysmal continent with the smaller commands.<ref name=SOW86-SB-1>''Shadows of War'', p. 86, Bryan's Eleventh Lyran Guards are held in reserve during the Jaguar counter-attack</ref> Realizing the odds were now stacked against them, Bryan and other commanders in the task force began lobbying for an evacuation. Winston denied their requests on the grounds that a forced withdrawal would leave them vulnerable, and the Jaguars' ability to make war had not been destroyed. The Annihilation would not be complete.<ref name=SOW88-SB-1>''Shadows of War'', p. 88, Bryan lobbies Winston for an extraction</ref> By 29 March, the SLDF forces were reeling against the Jaguars, and the reserves, including the Eleventh GUards, were committed.<ref name=SOW201-SB-1>''Shadows of War'', p. 201, Bryan's Eleventh Lyran Guards are called up to reinforce the southern army</ref> The following day, Bryan and her troops reached Winston's bivouac in the [[Jaguar's Fangs]] just before dawn. Bryan had retaken command despite her injury, saying it was her duty to fight with her troops.<ref name=SOW262-SB-1/> Later that day, that battle for Huntress was effectively decided when Victor Steiner-Davion led a relief force from [[Operation Bulldog]] to relieve the beleaguered remnants of Task Force Serpent. General Winston was among the casualties. Losses to all the Serpent commands were astronomical, for most in excess 80 percent, with the battalion from the [[2nd St. Ives Lancers]] reduced to a single 'Mech.<ref name=TOTC13-DITJF-TFS-1>''Twilight of the Clans'', p. 13, "Deep Into the Jaguar's Fangs", most Task Force Serpent units take 80 percent or greater casualties</ref><ref name=SS16-TCA-1>''Shattered Sphere'', p. 16, "The Cavalry Arrives", most Task Force Serpent units take 80 percent or greater casualties</ref>

===Return to the Inner Sphere===
Upon their return to the Inner Sphere, the Eleventh Lyran Guards were disbanded in light of their horrific casualties. For her own part, Sharon Bryan was promoted to [[General]], and was appointed [[Margrave]] in command of the [[Melissia Theater]], a critical region of the Alliance that bordered the Clan Occupation Zones.<ref name=SS49-MT-SB-1>''Shattered Sphere'', p. 49, "Melissia Theater", General Sharon Bryan commands the Melissia Theater</ref> In October [[3061]], Bryan commented publicly on the ejection of [[Clan Steel Viper]] from the Inner Sphere, at the hands of the Jade Falcons. This coming as a result of the brief [[Falcon-Viper War]]. Bryan attempted to attribute these events to the successes of the Lyran Alliance Armed Forces over the years, and expressed moral support for any Steiner resistance movements active in the occupation zones.<ref name=OSSP8-SB-1>''Operation: Stiletto (scenario pack)'', p. 8, "Invaders Driven From Lyran Space", General Bryan announces the departure of the Steel Vipers</ref> Later in 3061, General Bryan prepared a report to the Star League on the military readiness of the LAAF. In it, she identified a potential uprising in favor of Victor Steiner-Davion as the single greatest threat facing the Alliance, and she produced a roster of LAAF commands with a breakdown of each unit's loyalty with respect to either the Archon or her brother.<ref name=SS4651-MA/LAAF-SB-1>''Shattered Sphere'', pp. 46-51, "Military Assets", Bryan's report on the military readiness and loyalty of the LAAF</ref> As head of the Melissia Theater, General Bryan approved of all offensive operations against the Clans in her region. She repeatedly denied the requests of the [[Third Alliance Guards]] to begin raiding the Jade Falcons on the grounds of the Guards' inexperience.<ref name=FMLA45-3AG-SB-1>''Field Manual: Lyran Alliance'', p. 45, "3rd Alliance Guards RCT: The Boys from Skye", General Bryan denies the requests of the Third Alliance Guards to attack the Clans</ref>

When the [[FedCom Civil War]] broke out in early [[3063]], Bryan was on [[Melissia]], but was not in position to directly obstruct Prince's Victor's advance, despite the fact that he began his operations within her Theater. 

===Jade Falcon Incursion===
[[Image:Adam_Steiner.jpg|left|thumb|[[Adam Steiner]] protested Bryan's strategy on Melissia]]
{{main|Jade Falcon Incursion (3064)}}
When Clan Jade Falcon began their assault on Alliance in May of [[3064]], Bryan's instinct was to fortify her base on Melissia with as many [[Loyalist (FCCW)|loyalist]] units as she could assemble, a strategy of force concenatration.<ref name=FCCW116-M-SB-11>''FedCom Civil War (sourcebook)'', p. 116, "Melissia", Bryan gathered a massive for to defend her Theater headquarters</ref> When she ordered the [[Sixth Donegal Guards]] off [[Kikuyu]], a world already under attack, she effectively abandoned the mercenary [[The Dioscuri]], who were likewise forced to retreat with heavy losses.<ref name=FCCW116-M-SB-1>''FedCom Civil War (sourcebook)'', p. 116, "Melissia", Bryan's forces assembled on Melissia</ref><ref name=FMMR60-TD-SB-1>''Field Manual: Mercenaries, Revised'', p. 60, "The Dioscuri: Riding the Lightning", the Sixth Guards abanon the Dioscuri on Kikuyu on Bryan's orders</ref> On 23 May, Archon Katherine herself personally ordered [[Adam Steiner]] and the [[Fourteenth Donegal Guards]] to link up with Bryan at Melissia.<ref name=FCCW116-M-SB-1/><ref name=SOF56-SB-1>''Storms of Fate'', p. 86, Katherine orders Adam Steiner to join Bryan at Melissia</ref><ref name=OA17-SB-1>''Operation Audacity'', p. 17, Bryan summons the Fourteenth Donegal Guards to Melissia</ref> On that same day on [[Halfway]], Victor Steiner-Davion met with top [[Allies (FCCW)|allied]] commanders to discuss the incursion and Bryan's strategy, noting that it would play into the Jade Falcons' hands by allowing them to swallow up worlds without facing resistance and engage the force on Melissia at their leisure.<ref name=OA8-SB-1>''Operation Audacity'', p. 8, the Allied command comments on Bryan's strategy</ref> On 15 June, the Fourteenth Donegal Guards arrived on Melissia. Bryan personally greeted [[Leutnant-General]] Adam Steiner, and briefed him on her plan. The Lyran forces would h down in the Loveless Foothills, turning the command center there into a heavily fortified bunker with static defenses and using her 'Mechs to draw the Falcons to it like a wall. Bryan insisted on naming the fortification "The Rock". Steiner was alarmed that these tactics, which had always failed against the Clans in the past, were being implemented, and attempted to convince Bryan to adopt a more mobile defense. Bryan categorically refused, referring back to the Coventry campaign when a large Inner Sphere task force had allowed the Falcons to depart, much to Bryan's consternation.<ref name=FCCW116-M-SB-1/><ref name=OA1724-SB-1>''Operation Audacity'', pp. 17-24, Sharon Bryan greets Adam Steiner on Melissia, lays out battle plan</ref> The Third Alliance Guards retreated to Melissia from [[Blue Hole]], though they had taken heavy losses and only two battalions would be back on active duty on Melissia.<ref name=FCCW116-M-SB-1/><ref name=OA51-TAG-1>''Operation Audacity'', p. 51, the Third Alliance Guards retreat to Melissia</ref> When the [[Storm's Metal Thunder]] mercenary unit, who had been in House Steiner's employ for many years, arrived on Melissia, it was discovered they had been reduced to a mere two active 'Mechs. <ref name=OA5054-SMT-SB-1>''Operation Audacity'', pp. 50-54, Sharon Bryan discovers Storm's Metal Thunder has only two 'Mechs remaining</ref> Over the course of several weeks, Bryan continued to build on his bunker strategy, dismissing the concerns of General Steiner and other officers. The surrounding hilly terrain provided virtually nothing in the way of natural defenses, playing into the hands of the Clans who excel in open-field tactics.<ref name=OA4952-SB-1>''Operation Audacity'', pp. 49-52, Bryan continues her defensive strategy</ref> Bryan had repeatedly refused Steiner's advice, and was insistent that victory was assured. It only after repeated requests that she allowed him to prepare a contingency plan in case her defense failed, maintaining a dismissive air regarding the matter.<ref name=OA59-CP-SB-1>''Operation Audacity'', p. 59, Bryan reluctantly agrees to allow Steiner to contingency plan</ref> Bryan's assembled forces included the [[Ninth Lyran Regulars]], the Sixth and Fourteenth Donegal Guards and the Third Alliance Guards, along with some local militia units she had absorbed. However, only the Ninth Regulars were at full strength, and they had never seen action against the Clans.<ref name=FCCW116-M-SB-1/><ref name=OA5152-M-SB-1>''Operation Audacity'', pp. 51-52, Bryan's forces on Melissia</ref> Just before the Jade Falcons' arrival, a mixed force landed on Melissia, led by Colonel [[Felix Blucher]] of the [[Fifteenth Arcturan Guards]]. This "hodge podge" unit, acting without orders, had been formed from the remnants of the Guards and from elements of various Melissia Theater militia units. Bryan was typically enraged that Blucher had called up so many of the troops under her command, but at Adam Steiner's insistence, she did not have Blucher arrested. The ad-hoc reinforced regiment became the sole Lyran reserves for the battle. <ref name=FCCW116-M-SB-1/><ref name=OA6062-15AG-SB-1>''Operation Audacity'', pp. 60-62, Bryan's forces on Melissia</ref> She placed most of these commands under Adam Steiner's direct tactical command, though she maintained overall strategic command, insisting her strategies be followed. <ref name=OA5152-M-SB-1/> Finally, Bryan also refused any communication or coordination with the allies, under the belief that Victor would receive the credit for repelling the Falcons. <ref name=OA1724-SB-1/>

===Death on Melissia===
{{quote|Oh god, they've killed her. General Bryan is dead. Oh my—|Unknown Lyran staff officer, 16 August 3064<ref name=OA77-SB-D-1>''Operation Audacity'', p. 77, Bryan's death at the hands of Clan Elementals</ref>}} 
{{main|Battle of Melissia (Jade Falcon Incursion)}}
On 13 August, the Jade Falcons struck Melissia in force as part of their fourth wave, led by Khan [[Marthe Pryde]]. Seven [[Clusters]] descended on planet. <ref name=FMU11-ST3064-SB-1>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 11, "Select Timeline : 3064", dates of the battle of Melissia, Bryan's death</ref> Bryan had declined their ''[[batchall]]'', so the defenders would not know exactly how many troops they were facing. <ref name=OA58-JF-SB-1>''Operation Audacity'', p. 58, Bryan declines the ''batchall'' for Melissia</ref> Khan Pryde refused to go for Bryan's bait, instead relying on a series of feints and screening forces, drawing the defenders out of position and slowly wearing them down. Forced to comply with Bryan's static defense strategem, there was little General Adam Steiner could do preserve his troops. <ref name=FCCW116-M-SB-2>''FedCom Civil War (sourcebook)'', p. 116, "Melissia", Pryde's tactics throw Bryan's strategy off</ref> Many of the 'Mechs in Bryan's forces, such as the Lyran ''[[Salamander]]'', were ill-suited to the hilly terrain of the Loveless Foothills. <ref name=TRO3055U-70-SB-1>''Technical Readout: 3055 Upgrade'', p. 70, "Variants", Bryan's ''Salamander''s are unequal to the terrain</ref> On 15 August as the battle raged, the understrenth Third Alliance Guards was under heavy assault from two Falcon Clusters. When General Steiner attempted to reinforce their position, Bryan demanded he pull back and order the Third to do the same. Steiner protested that the Third could not possibly conduct a fighting withdraw under those condistions, then shut off his communications channel to Bryan when she attempted to protest further.<ref name=OA6769-SB-1>''Operation Audacity'', pp. 67-69, Bryan protests Steiner's actions to save the Third Guards</ref>

By the 16 August, it was clear that the Jade Falcons had no interest in directly assaulting Bryan's bunker compound. When Marthe Pryde's troops encountered [[vibramine]]s or automated defenses, they simply turned their attentions to the Lyran defenders outside the fortress. Despite her misgivings and disagreements with Steiner, she was eventually forced to release her remaining 'Mech forces to his command. Even now, Bryan expressed disbelief that the Falcons were not directly attacking the bunker. With the Falcons pushing the Lyran ground forces on nearly all sides, Marthe Pryde conducted her masterstroke, sending a ''Broadsword''-class DropShip to drop two clusters of Elementals directly on top of the command center itself, where the Rock's [[artillery]] and other defenses were unable to repel them. Within moments, Bryan and her headquarters staff were killed by the attacking Elementals, rendering her entire strategy useless. <ref name=FMU11-ST3064-SB-1/><ref name=OA7178-JF-SB-1>''Operation Audacity'', pp. 71-78, the Jade Falcons drop Elementals on Bryan's command center, resulting in her death</ref><ref name=FCCW116-M-SB-3>''FedCom Civil War (sourcebook)'', p. 116, "Melissia", a combrat drop of two clusters of Elementals eliminate Bryan's command center</ref>

General Steiner took command of the forces on Melissia, and was able to retreat off-world though not without heavy casualties. Eventually, Steiner agreed to an alliance with the allies, resulting in the end of the incursion. <ref name=FCCW105-SM-SB-1>''FedCom Civil War (sourcebook)'', p. 105, "Strategic Movements", General Bryan's death allowed for an eventual alliance between the loyalists and allies</ref>

==BattleMechs==
[[File:3050U Banshee.jpg|right|thumb|The BNC-5S ''[[Banshee (BattleMech)|Banshee]]'']]
Bryan piloted a ''Banshee'' of the -5S variation up to her participation in Task Force Serpent, though this 'Mech was destroyed early in the fighting.<ref name=SAF244249-SB-B-1>''Sword and Fire'', pp. 244-249, Bryan's ''Banshee'' is destroyed on Huntress</ref> Later she piloted a Lyran ''[[Zeus]]'' her technicians had salvaged.<ref name=SAF269274-SB-1/> Bryan did not bother to use a 'Mech during the failed defense of Melissia, instead directing the battle from her command center.

==Personality and Traits==
{{quote|She's letting her ego get the best of her. She always does.|[[Victor Steiner-Davion]], commenting on Bryan's Melissia strategy<ref name=OA8-SB-1/>}} 
Bryan was primarily characterized by her fanatical devotion to the Lyran state and the arrogance at which she dealt with those who questioned her plans or, in her mind, obstructed her goals or the goals of House Steiner.<ref name=SOW47-SB-1/><ref name=TH112-SB-1>''The Hunters'', p. 112, Hasek-Davion characterizes Bryan as staunchly pro-Katrina</ref>
She herself considered herself a true Steiner loyalist, to a point exceeding her oath to the Star League as part of Task Force Serpent.<ref name=SAF269274-SB-1/> She demonstrated paranoia under the command of both Morgan Hasek-Davion and later Ariana Winston, under the pretense that the Lyran Alliance, or Bryan's troops or Bryan herself were getting the short end of the stick.<ref name=TH263268-SB-1/><ref name=SAF244246-SB-1/> Bryan found those under her command who did not share her views annoying at best, as was the case with Colonel Rice on Huntress,<ref name=SOW47-SB-1/> and later Adam Steiner on Melissia.<ref name=OA1724-SB-1/> Many found her highly arrogant, <ref name=OA1724-SB-1/> and she had a history of dismissing contingency planning, as she refused to accept that any plan she set out might fail.<ref name=OA59-CP-SB-1/><ref name=OA66-AS-SB-1>''Operation Audacity'', p. 66, General Anne Sung notes Bryan's disinclination for contingency planning</ref> On Melissia, she expressed disbelief that her plan wasn't working right up until her death.<ref name=OA7178-JF-SB-1/> She was also particularly distrustful of mercenaries, <ref name=MI258-11LG-SB-1/> with the exception of those with a lengthy history of service and devotion to House Steiner.<ref name=OA5054-SMT-SB-1/> That Archon Katherine and Nondi Steiner repeatedly chose her as a "specialist" in strategic matters concerning the Clans despite the fact she had no experience against them at the time said more about her personal devotion to the Archon than it did about her military ability. <ref name=GC64-SB-1/> Some months after her death, Adam Steiner later condemned Bryan's leadership, using it in part to justify declaring the Melissia Theater neutral space from Archon Katherine.<ref name=OA269270-SB-1>''Operation Audacity'', pp. 269-270, Adam Steiner condemns Bryan's command for nearly getting him killed</ref>

==Notes==
* Several texts refer to Sharon Bryan as "Sharon Byran". These include the ''[[20 Year Update]]'', intermittently in ''[[Grave Covenant]]'', ''[[Malicious Intent]]'', ''[[Objective Raids]]'', the ''[[Technical Readout: 3055 Upgrade]]'' and at least once in ''[[Sword and Fire]]''.<ref name=20YU-27-11LG-1/><ref name=GC64-SB-1/><ref name=GC89-SB-1/><ref name=GC134143-SB-1/><ref name=MI2021-11LG-SB-1/><ref name=MI229-11LG-1/><ref name=MI258-11LG-SB-1/><ref name=MI260-11LG-SB-1/><ref name=MI285287-SB-1/><ref name=OR19-SMWTDC-11LG-1/><ref name=TRO3055U-70-SB-1/> Other sources consistently name her as Sharon Bryan, and the developers support this spelling. [http://bg.battletech.com/forums/ask-the-writers/sharon-bryan-sharon-byran/new/?topicseen#new The spelling of Sharon Bryan's name]
* In ''[[Storms of Fate]]'', she is erroneously still referred to as a Marshal by Katherine Steiner-Davion, despite having been promoted to General by that point. <ref name=SOF56-SB-1/>
* The destruction of Bryan's 'Mech in ''Sword and Fire'' presents an inconsistency. The BNC-5S ''Banshee'' does not come equipped with [[CASE]], but Bryan's analysis of her 'Mech's destruction stated that the ammunition lockers must have been breached. <ref name=SAF246252-SB-1/> Combined with Bryan losing consciousness, this ought to have resulted in her death. Either Bryan was mistaken, or this was an error in the text.

==References==
<references/>

==Bibliography==
* ''[[20 Year Update]]''
* ''[[The Battle of Coventry (scenario pack)]]''
* ''[[Era Report: 3062]]''
* ''[[FedCom Civil War (sourcebook)]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: Lyran Alliance]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: Mercenaries, Revised]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: Updates]]''
* ''[[Grave Covenant]]''
* ''[[The Hunters]]''
* ''[[Malicious Intent]]''
* ''[[Objective Raids]]''
* ''[[Operation Audacity]]''
* ''[[Operation: Stiletto (scenario pack)]]''
* ''[[Shadows of War]]''
* ''[[Shattered Sphere]]''
* ''[[Storms of Fate]]''
* ''[[Sword and Fire]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3055 Upgrade]]''
* ''[[Twilight of the Clans]]''