|
|
The Human Sphere is a BattleTech universe set in 3100. The Jihad has come and gone, leaving in its wake dozens of small realms in a perpetual cycle of raids and small wars. Will you seek money or defend your nation? Or both? You decide.
The Human Sphere |
16 January, 3100
Rim Collection and Regulan Navies Fight Over Bismarck!
Reports are still coming in from yesterday's battle between the main Rim Commonality fleet and the naval forces of Regulus, but one fact is clear. Regulus controls the orbital approaches to Bismarck today, just as it has since their forces arrived six days ago.
According to reports, the Tematagi, an Eagle II-class frigate purchased from the Free Worlds League factories at Atreus six years ago, led a major Rim assault fleet made up of over twenty DropShips to break the Regulan blockade. Only eight Regulan ships moved to intercept the assault, making the swift outcome of the battle a shock to the Rim and our own correspondents.
The small Regulan fleet allowed the Rim force to envelope them, though nearly one hundred Regulan fighters did move to intercept the Rim fighters. The main Regulan fleet declined to open fire with their primary weapons until ranges dropped to nearly that where their secondary weapons were effective though. Most of those watching doubted the Regulans could hold against a fleet that size, but it seems their delay in opening fire had a reason.
They were looking for shock value. Their accurate fire at such short ranges generated all of it that they wanted. Their first salvo destroyed or crippled five Rim DropShips, causing the survivors to panic and scatter at the firepower the Regulans displayed. It is the first time we have been able to record the Shiva-class frigates or the new Parvathis in combat. They did their job well, hunting down and destroying the majority of the Rim fleet as it tried to retreat. We currently know of five Rim DropShips that have so far been able to evade their pursuers though we doubt that all of them will be able to rendezvous with their JumpShips and escape. The critically damaged Tematagi has been driven from the system already and is not expected to return.
The Regulans have announced the capture of eight Rim DropShips and thirty-four fighter pilots, along with twenty-one of their craft. They state that the prisoners will remain in their custody until the Rim accepts the return of its masters.
On Bismarck itself, Rim resistance is collapsing. With their relief fleet scattered or captured, the defenders have lost heart and many are simply dropping their weapons, taking off their uniforms, and becoming just another civilian. The Regulans forecast that they will have the remaining "rebels" subdued in a matter of days.