Unusually, the message arrived by unmarked physical letter. A pair of marines paused for a moment before Baker's door, sweating out their dress blues in the midday sun. Finally, the shorter man of the two raised a hand and knocked.
REPUBLIC OF LIBERTY DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
11th January 822A.S.
Rachel Baker
THROUGH FORT BRAGG DISPATCH.
Dear Ma'am,
As of 10th January 822A.S Fleet Command has authorized the activation of a number of reserve units, including the IRR. The Fleet has particular need of officers with your level of combat experience to lead future operations in Bretonia. Considering your service history, you have been cleared for access to the enclosed document. At the time of writing the briefing below has not been released internally. I trust that you understand the need for confidentiality.
A large contingent of Gallic Royal Navy forces have entrenched themselves within the system of Leeds. Attempts by BRETCOM to hold the sector have all but failed, and all attempts at armed resistance have so far been unsuccessful.
The sector’s accelerator lanes have been all but destroyed; conventional travel via cruise power is the only possible means of transit. Additionally, the airspace around Leeds is severely restricted, controlled by GALCOM forces headquartered at the RNS Oubli.
Enemy composition is extremely strong; last reports include fleet strength at approximately eighteen battleship-class vessels, fifty cruiser-class, and at least thirty thousand fighter vessels. They are armed with the latest in Gallic technology, and are to be considered equal combatants in all respects.
Enemy location is primarily focused in and around the airspace of Planet Leeds, due to the ongoing assault on that planet. Additionally, patrols scour the entirety of the system, mostly comprised of cruiser strike groups.
Enemy activity is highly aggressive, with assault groups departing constantly to strike at allied fleet movements in the Magellan systems. Expect heavy resistance upon entering the Bretonian corridor.
Friendly Forces
1FLT, NAVYCOM
3FLT, NAVYCOM
5FLT, NAVYCOM
7FLT, NAVYCOM
10FLT, NAVYCOM
TF BRAVO, SECFOR
I MEF, MARSOC
II. MISSION
Mission of the force at large is to spearhead an assault into the sector of Leeds, and break the Gallic siege of the planet. Destruction of the Oubli and its supporting fleets are the primary objective. Additionally, our forces should seek to inflict as much damage upon the enemy’s logistical network as possible.
III. EXECUTION
Fleet tasks are as follows;
First Fleet is to act as the spearhead force. The LNS Thunder Child, LNS Durango, and LNS Maryland are to act as the primary assaulting group, with the LNS Mount Hood, LNS Mount Shasta, and LNS Plymouth Rock acting as supporting elements.
Fifth Fleet is to act as the CAG, supporting First Fleet’s assault with a large squadron of fighter and bomber craft; primary elements will be led by Fifth Fleet Admiral Jack O’Neill, consisting primarily of CVW 18 and 32 commanded from the Cincinnati.
Third and Seventh Fleets are to act as flanking elements, operating in ‘wolfpacks’ of Archer-class siege cruisers. They are to be led by First Fleet detachments LNS Ignition and LNS Integrity, and will act as secondary support to First Fleet’s objectives.
Tenth Fleet will act as a support element to First and Fifth fleet; their primary deployments will be in the form of ‘Defiant’ class gunboats and ‘Rhino’ class combat freighters. Additionally, Tenth’s Logistic forces will act as rearm & resupply for the combat group.
Task Force Bravo is comprised of LSF specialists, and will be providing intelligence and reconnaissance sorties throughout the operation. Their forces are directed by Executive Director Eva Adenauer, and they will base off of the LSF mobile base of operations, the Freedom.
The First Marine Expeditionary Force will act as the primary assaulting and invasion element, attached to 10FLT for transit and supply. Upon capture of Leeds airspace, I MEF will be deployed to assist stranded Bretonian forces and begin strategic invasion of the planet surface. Upon capture of a ‘beachhead’, II MEF and IV MEF will be redirected and deployed.
Light Assault Elements: LNS Bunker Hill, LNS Coral Sea, LNS Bull Run and their supporting elements.
Flanking Elements: n/a
Supporting Elements: LNS Mount Hood, LNS Mount Shasta, LNS Plymouth Rock
Assault Elements: LNS Thunder Child, LNS Durango, LNS Maryland and elements of the 3rd and 5th Assault Groups.
Commanding Element: FADM Davies, LNS Jacobi
I Marine Expeditionary Force, Liberty Marine Corps
Ground Combat Element: 8th MARDIV, New York Brigade
Aviation Combat Element: 3rd MAW, MCAS West Point
Logistic Combat Element: 1st MLG, MCB Pendleton
Attached SOTG: Naval Special Warfare Division
Commanding Element: LTCDR Lewis, I MEF (1FLT, attached)
You were a marine once, and the Fleet needs you to be again. Consequently, it is my duty to inform you that you have been reinstated in the Liberty Marine Corps with the rank of COLONEL, effective immediately. You will be serving alongside A/CAPT Lewis and I MEF, attached to 10FLT. I would have preferred to offer you this posting as a choice. Regrettably, that is not a luxury the current situation permits.
Please report to FORT BRAGG at 0900, 15th January 822A.S for kit issue and briefing. Once you're up to speed you'll be rotated through to assist in the mobilization of 8MARDIV before moving on to operations with I MEF. Consider it a chance to get back in the routine before things go live.
Welcome back, Colonel.
Regards,
Jane Hartman
Admiral
Commanding Officer
10th Fleet
Rachel looked over the letter at least half a dozen times, quietly nodding to the pair of Marines outside her door before shutting it on them, leaning against the wall to her right with a loud sigh. After a long moment, probably thirty to sixty seconds, she pushed herself away from the wall and crumpled the letter up in her hands, tossing it to the floor as she headed down the hall.
"Of all the times for this, why now?" She wondered aloud.
She stopped in front of a large closet door, shaking her head before sliding it open to reveal an olive green duffel bag seemingly already packed, a pair of polished black boots sitting neatly on top of it. She scoffed, looking down at the gear for a moment before leaning over and sliding the bag strap over her shoulder, grabbing the pair of boots in her free hand.
"Guess it's not like I'm doing anything else with my life." She laughed coldly to herself.
She sighed softly, taking a long pause to look around her apartment before heading toward the front door.