Operation Terminus

July 22, 3049
Castille di Coltelli - Martillo Capital

A familiar voice is heard on open channels...

"To all Commandos, this is Major Sullivan. It has been a long road and it has been my greatest honor to fight alongside you. I will not forget how you have all served with distinction in your own way. Unfortunately, Skjaldborg High Command seems to have lost faith in my leadership. If not for Major Henrik Olsson's intervention, I would recommend every last one of you for commendation. It is with a heavy heart that I have taken you into harms way for a deeply personal vendetta. I ask you this, however; how many employers have you fought for that have not asked the same? For those who still feel the sting of betrayal, rest assured I have not forgotten your efforts; I have set aside a hidden account funded by my personal fortune to make sure you are all compensated. I had to make some estimations , so if it is not sufficient, I can only ask your pardon given the circumstances.

I fully admit to the charge of withholding information from most of you, but never once has your safety not been a priority of mine, never once has my leadership failed you in the heat of battle, and never once have I asked anything of you that I would not do myself. Where other lesser men would have ordered others into fighting for them, I have led you from the front of this entire campaign! If I am to be judged, judge me for the sum of my actions or not at all!

Regardless of what people may think or say, my conscience overall remains clear in regards to my campaign on Novo Cressidas. Under normal circumstances, I would be willing to submit to military court and address the charges against me. Unfortunately for most of you, it has come to my recent knowledge that some of my family might still be alive. Savio Drago may be dead, but I cannot rest until I have found them. Rasalhague is a long way from here and a court martial will only take longer... time I do not have. I hope one day you will all forgive and understand me, but I cannot submit to arrest at this time. Ask yourselves: if you were in my shoes and had the means to find your family, would you not do the same?

In regards to the fate of the Commandos, apparently, High Command and Major Olsson have forgotten our origins. Some of you will remember we were a fighting force before we yoked ourselves to the Skjaldborg. We had a name then and we will have a name now. Major Olsson can have 4th Battalion, but he will come to find it smaller than he had expected. To every soldier who wishes to join him, you are free to go. No harm will come to you and you may carry with you anything you properly own. To those of you still loyal to me, to those who remember how family comes first, to those who remember a time before the Skjaldborg... join me! I have never failed you before and I will not fail you now!

Effective immediately, I am terminating my contract with the Skjaldborg and recommissioning my former command of the Blacksun Irregulars. I am formerly claiming ownership of all former Blacksun assets including but not limited to Omega Squadron, the Seeker dropship "Vanguard", and our pre-existing support vehicles.

It is with great regret that I must leave the Skjaldborg under such terms, but as I have explained, I feel I have no other choice. However, I still see the Skjaldborg in general as brothers-in-arms and do not wish for any bloodshed between us. I am ordering all forces loyal to me to avoid taking hostile actions on any Skjaldborg forces and rendezvous at Castille di Coltelli. At the same time, I must caution Skjaldborg units to give my forces a wide berth; I do not want a shooting war between us, but do not confuse that as a sign of weakness. We have a hidden strength that will not hesitate to destroy any threat placed in our way.

Honor and glory to all of you.

This is Major Magnus Sullivan... signing off."

 

July 22, 3049
later that day...
unknown location near Castille di Coltelli

"Major Olsson, this is Boss Firo Martillo of the Martillo Family. I am glad to hear you have renounced Sullivan's actions! He has caused much harm to the people of Novo Cressidas in his quest for selfish vengeance. Our city is swathed in chaos; looting, raping, and murder goes unchecked! The Martillo Family is eager to return order, but we lack sufficient strength to retake the city on our own. If you would help us dislodge these 'Blacksun' interlopers, we can retake what is rightfully ours! Naturally, you would be compensated accordingly for your actions and we would not bother you further."

 

July 22, 3049
Later that evening...
Goretti Command Outpost Alpha

Boss Benito Goretti had been studying recent troop reports. Major Sullivan had until now, made well on his promises, but the recent arrival of this Major Olsson's forces was a new variable he had not accounted for. He frowned in deep thought as he pondered his options.

Sullivan could not be controlled directly, but at least his motives were clear; that was at least something Goretti could potentially use to his benefit. Olsson, however, was completely beyond his reach. It would be in the Martillos' best interest to cooperate with Olsson and that cooperation would work against Goreitti's long-term plans. If he was to gain the upper-hand...

Ben Kingsley burst into his office with a report firmly gripped in his hand.
"Boss... it's confirmed... Morgana has the Mischief Maker and is working with Sullivan!"

"So... it is as you said... but are you certain? Kingsley, I would be... very disappointed... if you got it wrong."

Kingsley knew what that meant. He showed some hesitation, but swallowed hard and overcame it.
"I'm certain. It has been a challenge, but we finally zeroed in on their comms if only for the moment. They have likely been working together this entire time."

"Well done, Kingsley. I guess you were right about Morgana too. She really must be pissed at us for killing her beloved 'Starhound'. I never knew she was capable of carrying such a grudge, though. I always figured her the type not to let business get personal."

Kingsley nodded in aggreement.
"Perhaps it is simply that, but I wager it is a combination of factors. From what we have gathered, I believe her and Sullivan relationship may have developed beyond a professional level. As foolish as it seems, I think she admires his determination to avenge his family. I can't think of any other reason for her to remain in Star's End. She may even be attracted to him... hard to say for sure, though. She's always been a slippery fish."

Goretti looked pleased.
"Very good. If possible, we will try to use some of that to our advantage. Our priority remains destroying the Martillos and surviving this mess, but if we manage to kill or capture those two, that would be icing on the cake. I want you to lead a team in hunting them down, but you must be careful not to draw attention from the Martillos or Skjaldborg. If you succeed in capturing Sullivan or Morgana, I will reward handsomely."

Kingsley gave a malevolent grin.
"Thank you, sir. I will relish this opportunity."

Goretti turned back to his work and his own thoughts.
"...now...how can I use this..."

 

July 23, 3049

"Sir! Scouts have confirmed sighting of the Mischief Maker and Vanguard landing near Castille di Coltelli. The Blacksuns seem to be using the stronghold as a rally point to consolidate their remaining forces. Drone images show they are loading their dropships with valuable cargo from the Martillo stronghold. This may be our last chance to stop them. What are your orders?"

 

TURN NINE (Finale)
July 23, 3049 (Standard Terran Calendar)
System: Star's End
Planet: Novo Cressidas (northern hemisphere)
Martillo stronghold, Castello di Coltelli



After over four months of nearly ceaseless combat, Operation Terminus is finally coming to an end. There have been many casualties. Not least among those have been the very ties that held the Commandos together. Sullivan's true motivations have been laid bare and although his vengeance has been met, it came at significant cost. Facing captivity for his unsanctioned actions and spurred on by promises from Brenda Arbis that some of his family still lives, Sullivan has chosen exile over imprisonment. A line in the sand has been drawn and loyalties will be tested. Some have remained loyal to Sullivan. Some, angered by his deceptions, seek retribution, Some have heeded the call of their Skjaldborg bretheren, but remain hesitant to raise arms against former allies. Meanwhile, remnants of the Martillo and Goretti factions lurk in the shadows eager to exploit the situation for their own benefit. As the meanings between friend and foe blur, the city surrounding Castello di Coltelli becomes a powderkeg. Only a single match need be struck to plunge everyone near into disastrous chaos.

Each player's must make a choice:

1. join Skjaldborg (Doves) - easiest challenge; neutral to Blacksuns; protect dropship and prepare extract; limited PvP (vs. *mostly* NPCs)
2. join Skjaldborg (Hawks) - initiate clandestine raids against the Blacksuns Irregulars before extraction; full PvP! (vs. Sullivan's Blacksuns)
3. join Blacksuns (Sullivan's army) - protect starport, loot Martillo stronghold, & extract; full PvP (vs. Martillos, Gorettis, & Skjaldborg hawks). PLEASE NOTE: choosing Blacksuns will remove your character from normal play at the end of this campaign; future cameo appearances will still be possible, however.

Please discuss strategies in your corresponding threads found here:
http://www.theskjaldborg.com/index.php?forums/lance-threads.245/