Registered Contract: CM-PA-06-02

PLANETARY DETAILS:
When the news of the Marik-Liao invasion reached the planet Hall, the defending Forth Republican prepared to fend off an assault that never came. Instead of mounting a direct attack, Chancellor Sun-Tzu Liao directed his agents to foment a rebellion and so claim the world for the Capellan Confederation, but the Forth ruthlessly crushed the rebel movement. Though the Forth felt no particular loyalty to House Davion to justify its brutal actions, Hall's former status as part of the Tikonov Free Republic meant the unit loved the Capellan Confederation even less.

The Clan conflict left many rimward planets defended by green units and troops considered too unreliable for service on the front lines. Its history of vocal anti-Davion sentiment, discipline problems, and the current rumors of the unit recruiting out-of-work mercenaries after conducting only superficial background checks put the Forth firmly into the unreliable category. When Archon Katrina Steiner-Davion invited all Lyran units currently serving in the Sarna March to return to the new Lyran Alliance, the commander of the Forth Republican, Leftenant General William "Bud" Baranov, recognized the message hidden in the Archon's speech: the mighty Federated Commonwealth was breaking apart.

After a quick meeting with his officers, Baranov led his troops against the capital city of Harney, casually swatting the poorly organized opposition and crowning himself Emperor of Hall. Though the unit secured only the capital, most of the planet's populace fell in line out of fear of what the unpredictable commander would do next. Only Count McNally, who controlled a sizeable region of land east of the capital, possessed sufficient military strength and economic assets to counter Emperor Baranov. Convinced that Baranov's next move would be against him, Count McNally hired mercenaries from Outreach to augment his own 'Mech forces, then settled in to wait.

Emperor Baranov had too much trouble in his own court to worry much about McNally. Several of Baranov's men had rebelled against him, and the two sides skirmished almost daily in Harney's streets. A city untouched by the conflict since the First Succession War, Harney was rapidly falling to ruins. When Baranov finally drove the rebels outside Harney, that faction claimed several southern cities as its territory, and rumor has it that members of that faction have begun fighting amongst themselves.

All three sides continue to administer their small portions of Hall, occasionally fighting each other for supplies of territory. Emperor Baranov controls the only interstellar transport on Hall and uses it to conduct pirate raids in an effort to feed his troops and subjects. The Emperor is also attempting to gain sole control over the ComStar compound in Harney so that he can deny his enemies access to interstellar communication. ComStar continues to block these efforts, and so Count McNally regularly sends out messages requesting assistance from various members of the Free Worlds League in ending Emperor Baranov's reign.

Hall's annual precipitation is far below the average for Terra, which gives the planet several large deserts. Considered one of the most beautiful worlds in known space, Hall owes this reputation to the strange, compelling rock formations found in each of the planet's deserts. From the air, it can be seen that many of these formations consist of solid walls of rock about five meters thick and sometimes more than two hundred meters long and of varying heights. The most unique feature of these formations is that most of the rock walls run parallel to one another, creating a vast complex of hallways.

EMPLOYER SITUATION REPORT:
Currently, the situation on Hall has become more intense. As of one month ago Baranov was able to successfully wipe out the remaining rebel forces of his former subordinates on the other continent. While a small contingent the rebels still exist, our intelligence has determined they are down to a mixed company of 'mechs and vehicles.

For the past 6 years, Pro-Liao movements have been gaining momentum on Hall, with the constant internecine warfare and complete lack of support from the Free Worlds League in dealing with the petty 'Emperor' Baranov.

When Baranov crushed the rebels last month, Count McNally realized it would only be a matter of time before Baranov came for him, and that the time to save his beleaguered planet from the subjugation of the bandit king was quickly running out. Seeing  the writing on the wall, McNally has asked for Confederation assistance in dealing with Baranov.

McNally is no fool, and knows full well that the assistance of Confederation forces will also mean the return of Hall to the bosom of our glorious state. But he places the lives of his citizens first, and life under the Confederation, considering the generous offer from the Chancellor over the return of the Council, would be much preferred by Hall than the dictatorship of the Emperor., Rebels: The Hall Rebels are no longer a threat, while hunting them down should eventually be a concern, dealing with Baranov's forces should be considered priority.

Baranov's Regiment: The regiment of Baranov's is down to, as of last count, two battalions of battlemechs of all weight classes, and a battalion of armor and infantry. Baranov, like the rest of Hall forces, lacks significant aerospace assets. The regiment is a whole is considered of regular status, with Baranov's command company as veteran.

McNally's Battalion: McNally is currently fielding a battalion of battlemechs of all weight classes and a company of vehicles and infantry. Considered regular status.

Liao First Air Defense: The First Air Defense is supplying a Flight of Aerospace Fighters (12) for the purposes of air superiority for preparation for a beachhead. They must be painted in your colors until such a time as politically acceptable. Confederation support of McNally must not be known until at least beachhead has been secured.

Ambermarle's Highlanders: The company of Ambermarle's Highlanders is on support for this mission and has been ordered to follow your commands and your chain of command. They must be painted in your colors until such a time as politically acceptable. Confederation support of McNally must not be known until at least beachhead has been secured.

FINAL NOTE: The reason for the secrecy of our attachment forces is paramount for political reasons. House Liao must not be implicated until the planet is almost completely under our control, at which point the rest of the Successor States will be unable to stop our reconquest. Reinforcements of the rest of the 3rd Battalion of Ambermarle's Highlanders (2 companies of medium and heavy 'mechs) will arrive once a beachhead and the capital city has been secured. The destruction of Baranov's forces is not imperative for landing of the Highlanders, but would be welcome.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:
1) Secure a beachhead/landing zone from which reinforcements can arrive once the majority of the fighting is through with.
2) Capture Harney (capital city) and destroy the enemy forces on planet.
3) Ambermarle's Highlanders and Liao Air Defense Detachment cannot be detected before politically expedient.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:
1) Destruction of the remaining Rebels

All Rights Reserved, Battletech Mercenaries, © 2003-2009.
Disclaimer · Privacy Policy