Ask The Charge of the Charros Brigade

[Max Dram]

CATHEDRAL FACTORY DISTRICT, CHARROS
0847hrs local time​

It had been too long since Max had gone to war.

This was not quite war of course. But it was invasion pure and simple. Since being unexpectedly elevated to the rank of General, Max Dram had craved an invasion. The Empire was not the crude, blunt instrument it had been before, true. It was smaller, smarter and far more effective these days. Yet, Max still felt there was room for the more traditional forms of dominance and an imperative to use them now and then, if the Empire was not to lose its punch.

In recent months, he had made it his mission to devise a new direction for the Imperial military. One that could bring both short terms gains and pay long term dividends. His plain to seize three worlds in the Mid Rim would do both, he was sure. The Empire would reap the resources and reputation benefit that came from conquest, while securing the first three pillars in a new perimeter. The reports were calling it the Dram Line, a name Max had not discouraged. What patriot did not want their efforts immortalised in history?

A distant rumble like thunder brought the General back to the present. They had been listening to that racket for the past two hours; the sound of the orbital fire falling on the Factory District's shield. Charros had lacked the fleet to keep Imperial forces out of orbit, but the Xi Charrian-run Factory District was protected by a force shield that could hold off orbital bombardment for weeks. They did not have that kind of time.

So instead Max was camped in a field tent beyond the edge of the district, surrounded by the bulk of III Corps limbering up for a ground assault. The shield did not stretch to ground level, so they could push in if they dared. The Xi Charrians were fewer in number according to initial reports, but larger and with some pretty advanced tech to boot. The scales were finely balanced. Play this wrong and the Empire's strike could end before it had begun.

The General fingered his belt loops, hazel eyes scanning down the roster of unit complements. "Fetch Commander Baize, 12th Regiment". His adjutant scuttled off with a salute, while Max continued to study the holo display. He had already got the measure of the men leading the 10th and 11th Regiments and was sorely disappointed. Perhaps it would be third time lucky.

@Raydo

 

[Jonathen Baize]

The 12th Infantry Regiment had deployed from the drop ship half an hour ago and was awaiting assignment for the upcoming attack.

They were preparing to make their final assault on the Factory District. The shielding had prevented bombarding them into submission as they had in other places. It seemed like a brutish thing to do, but it was a mercy to both sides. Fewer people died in bombardments than would today in a prolonged conflict, but they had been given their chance at surrender.

"Sir, General Dram would like to see you at command." a messenger said as he saluted. "Thank you, soldier; I will leave immediately," he said, issuing orders to his Colonels to prepare for soldiers for the assault.

He arrived a moment later, saluting. "Commander Baize, Reporting as ordered, sir!" he said, holding the salute until addressed.

@Alhon

 

[Max Dram]

Max returned the salute perfectly. He had always bristled at the way many senior officers often let the basics lapse and he had no intention of doing the same. You could tell a lot about a man from his drill.

"At ease Commander". Baize was younger, with dark hair and a burgeoning beard. His uniform was in good order despite their environment and my did he have a jaw on him. Max had high hopes.

"You've read the orders" the General said, presuming but confident Baize had. He had the look of a consummate soldier after all. "What's your assessment?".

He motioned to the holographic display between them, depicting the deployment of Imperial forces in the outer wastes and the layout of the Factory District ahead. The cathedral factory lay in the center, but the assortment of industrial buildings all around splayed out in an uneven pattern.

Max leaned over the table, bracing himself with his metal left arm and looking up at the Commander. "You and your men are central to the assault. Where do you think they would be most effective Commander?"

@Raydo

 

[Jonathen Baize]

Jon settled into an at-ease position, hands behind his back. "Yes Sir." he said crisply.

When asked, Jon took a step to the table. "Well, Sir, the way I see it, we have two options. The shield will cover our approach. We could split up and attack from multiple points along the district. Reports show their defense is stretched somewhat thin. Once we gain a foothold, we can then send out reserves to bolster that point and spread from there. The second option is to hit them hard in one location. Their.." he said, pausing "..unique physiology will allow them to adapt quickly, but if we hit them hard and fast, we will have a foothold before they can react." he replied.

Jon thought both plans had merit. "If I may, I would recommend the first option," he added. If the General chose otherwise, it wouldn't both the Commander. He had been asked for his opinion, so he gave it; beyond that, the General would have to answer for this mission. They would follow whatever order was given.

"Place the 12th where you think the fighting will be heaviest. We are Ready, General," he said. Jonathen had full confidence in his soldiers, and they were eager to prove themselves, as was Jonathen.

@Alhon

 

[Max Dram]

"An astute assessment" Max commented. He was genuinely impressed with Baize. "The Xi Charrians are tough cookies, it is tempting to throw all we have at them in a single, coordinated strike". He stepped around the holo display, weighing up the risks.

"But your recommendation is sound, Commander. A single attack will only encourage a consolidated defence and that may play badly for us". He looked up and down the schematic. "This district was never designed to be defensible on the ground and we should exploit that, rather than giving them the chance to hold a single position".

He nodded to his adjutant to disseminate the orders, turning back to Baize. "Take your men and strike towards the north end of their line" Max ordered, gesturing to a canal that flowed out of the factory district and formed the northern perimeter of the theater. "I will have the M9s and a contingent of troops remain here and keep their center under pressure, but it will mostly be for show". The General's hazel eyes tracked to the large scrapyard to the south. "I will take some troops through there to get behind their line. With any luck we will split their forces and create an opening for those that remain here to advance".

It was a sound plan, at least in appearance. Max stepped to one side, as one of his guard fetched his combat armor. "Any questions Commander?".

@Raydo

 

[Jonathen Baize]

"No Sir." he said sharply. "We will wait your command to begin the attack. Good Luck, Sir and see you in the city." he finished with another salute before stepping out of the tent.

He quickly returned to his soldiers, gathering his battalion leaders and passing down the General's orders. "I want us moving in ten." Jon commanded as they all went to carry out their orders.

They had already been mobilizing, so they quickly made their way to the north staging area. "General, We are ready and waiting for the order to begin our attack," he said. Jon held a pair of binocs up to his eyes, scanning the city. They around need to move from building to building and sweep out defenses or risk being surrounded by defenders.

Once they gained a foothold, they could stage attacks from there.

@Alhon

 

[Max Dram]

Baize proved no nonsense, accepting the General’s orders and moving out without delay. Combined with his keen tactical mind and evident drive, Max was reassured the northern attack would have sound leadership at its head.

As the Commander departed, Max laid his own preparations to lead an assault unit of treadspeeders through the southern scrapyard. A vast area peppered with waste, obstacles and uneven ground, there would be no quicker way to navigate it, hopefully slipping around the Xi Charrian line before they could react.

Max had been forced to approach things a little differently since his promotion. He could not ride up front anymore, a General was too valuable a hostage and too sorely needed back in command. He quickly strapped his armor on, gritting his teeth as his second tried to warn him off joining the strike force all together.

“Your orders are straightforward, Commander” he barked back. “Wait until we give you the signal, then advance forward. Straight forward. I know you are capable of conveying that to the men, even without a star on your shoulder”. By contrast, the hard calls would be made behind enemy lines, by Max’s team and Baize’s.

The General turned and strode out, clapping his second on the back. “I will ride in the centre of the pack, I promise”. It was one he intended to keep, but he could not swear to it.

Leaping onto his speeder, Max gave the order and his force fired their engines, rolling out across the southern wastes towards the scrapyard fence line. It was time to begin tying the noose.

@Raydo

 

[Jonathen Baize]

"I want first company to take the building on the left as we approach and second company to take the one of the right. That is where we will establish our footholds." he said, looking through the binocs.

The shield would give them cover until their very final approach. If they weren't fast, they would take losses on their way in when they were most vulnerable.

As the General gave the attack Order, the soldiers of the 12 Regiment moved out. With little in the way of armored support, they relied on other divisions for that. It made them fast-shock troops. As they neared the area where they would be exposed to fire. "Smokes out!" he commanded, and canisters were launched from a team of tread speeders. Smoke started to billow out, covering their advance as blaster fire erupted from both sides.

The smoke, combined with their speed, made it so they were on their first objective. "Begin clearing the buildings!" he commanders as they started to secure the large buildings.

Roll: 14
@Alhon