CONTEST- PHASE TWO
the scenario is provided below, and more information follows.
The Mercs meet with a fellow, who is acting as an agent for Jayhawk Enterprises, a well known gray shade operator who brokers contracts for all manner of Merc actions in this sector.
The client outlines his proposal as follows:
A charismatic dictator has for some years run one of the local governments of his planet, (Sauma Forain, 0915 Ley , D664875-6 Ri 904 IL F5 V) a mid sized county called Feldmaine with a modest population. The Dictator, one Harold Vendersiidiika has maintained the government as something of a family operation for about four decades. On the whole he has been fairly benign, a competent if strict leader, and he has enjoyed considerable public support- while personal freedoms may not be the highest, he has proved relatively unobtrusive or demanding. His domestic policies have allowed for a good if not spectacular standard of living, he has maintained a sound economic policy and the population enjoys good medical care and education. The country has an extensive aquaculture as well as heavy industries capability, and despite its low tech level exports a goodly amount of products (largely agricultural/aqua cultural products to neighboring countries and heavy manufactured goods as well as consumer products off planet) insuring a solid currency. As dictators go, not an altogether bad one, and if there are those who have chafed at his governance, he has never closed off immigration and so malcontents are allowed to simply leave. Generally speaking, he was a dictator who, if he seemed a singular creature, isn’t so bad as to justify deposing.
In the last two years, however, even with advanced medical care, his health has been failing and deteriorating rather suddenly. (The client implies there are questions as to just how that might have occurred, given his previous good health) This is scarcely a matter to be ignored, as he has two sons, Hendersaan aged 42, and Julian ages 33 both born of the previous wife, one Guenivale, who died some twelve years ago of natural causes. He also has one daughter by his new wife, Jeritta, who is 22.His wife, Keriin, died in an air car accident two years ago under mysterious circumstances, and in spite of an inconclusive investigation no culprit could be found.
Herein, the client says, lies the tale: for while Hendersaan is a well-known playboy and seldom on planet, his brother Julian is well known to be both ambitious and ruthless. Well educated and experienced in both business and government he would seem the perfect choice, but while he has been acting in his fathers stead, policies have tightened, the borders closed and personal freedoms reduced to a mere shadow, thus the little dictatorship has grown into a full blown police state. Over the last two years, his grip has tightened, and his newly formed secret police have proven both brutal and efficient. Any openly opposing his rule tend to disappear, or be locked away indefinitely- the same old story, that the mercs have so often seen repeated on backwater worlds…they are far enough from the beaten path, or small enough, or simply not important enough to rate Imperial intervention especially given its non aligned status. (The Empires loose policy of self rule doesn’t allow for a merely unilateral intervention - on the whole, the Empire maintains a “King Log” approach to such local matters)
Hence a large number of local politicians and other influential citizens have hatched a plan, at considerable danger to themselves – for while Hendersaan is out system (and frankly, while they suspect he is handsomely paid by his brother to steer clear he was never seen as having any aptitude in any case) and is not readily found, his half sister is here on Annapabar finishing her college. While there was never any love lost between Jeritta and Julian, she had always been a darling of the people, and her humanitarian efforts as well as her education in politics and government make her a natural choice for replacing Julian. Constitutionally she is eligible to take the Dictator’s seat, and any other alternatives are at best muddled, or worse. She is popular with her people, is seen as benign, and has proved to have a good head on her shoulders. Keeping it there, however…
Julian is no fool, and has been aware for sometime of the underground movement and has routed many in purges but to no avail, for they have only gone deeper and survived and now believe their time is at hand.
Their intent: to stage a coup, replacing Julian with Jeritta. The mission is for three months, starting at mission execution. The Objectives are as follows:
1. Capture and hold the capital, defending against the Feldmaine Army, which numbers less than a regiment of regulars and Militia combined. Of this army, only a battalion is active, the rest subject to recall but not ordinarily posted nor armed.
2. Seize Julian at all cost, alive or dead. If dead, he must be proved deceased, by irrefutable means or by providing the body.
3. Provide security for and insure the safe arrival of Jeritta, and establish security for her tenure until the country can be stabilized. The client assures the mercs of her popular support, but the first thirty days are crucial to establishing her position as the new chief of government.
They will provide support as required in terms of additional manpower by means of local aid, perhaps by swaying the militia. The regulars are generally loyal to the government rather than any particular leader and have been heavily purged by Julian, resulting in internal dissention among the higher officers. The Army fields three battalions of mechanized infantry and are , as all of the FA, armed to a TL6 standard, barring specialist units, which field at TL 8 - but there are two companies of high quality troops loyal to Julian who are equipped with off planet gear to TL 12 ACRs and soft armors , as well as nearly a division of Julian’s secret police, the Bureau of Feldmaine State Security. However, the client points out that despite their numbers, nearly half are functionaries and office workers and are at best armed only with pistols. The other half, he admits are more dangerous, but the Operations Branch of BFSS are trained as police and thugs, and have minimal if any real military experience or training: their primary criteria for member ship was political reliability and abilities as thugs. The BFSS has no heavy weapons or vehicles, although Julian’s Loyalists do have a platoon of armor, mostly wheeled AFVs, and two heavy tanks.
The Feldmaine Army, in its battalions, is organized as mechanized Infantry with a light armor support, fielding two companies of tanks. Again, of these units, only one battalion is active, the others being garrisoned and both are heavily watched by Julian’s political officers, hobbling them in most respects.
The insurgents can also supply two battalions of troops, all on planet and in country. They can rally with a ready supply of arms provided for by the insurgents with TL 6 assault rifles, a few heavy weapons, and some vehicular support, mainly armed trucks. They have no heavy armor or armored vehicles. They are enthusiastic, but all are untrained.
Jeritta is as attractive as any 22-year-old, slight of build and has her father’s features. She maintains a good presence and has a solid sense of charisma about her. She has an extensive education, and having survived two assassination attempts is a survivor but all her training is civil government, in military matters she will not, and cannot assist. Her only leadership role will be in taking the reins once the government is secured, not before.
The operation will pay 9.5 million per month, mission duration being anticipated at three months with a bonus of 12 million at the end of the op. Transport is arranged and will be provided, and the estimated kickoff is in three weeks. Transportation time will not be counted against mission time, Mission time begins upon entry in system.
The client indicates that a full briefing is being prepared and will be provided along with maps, and all other pertinent information.
He regards the mercs closely…
“ Well, sirs, are you interested?”
