They'd be landing on Akos, which was a lesser continent known more for its tourism and fishing than for its rare metals - not that it didn't have those too. It'd be early spring there and that meant some snow was expected, as the planet was cold, but the temperature could be beneficial for some mechs. The enemy outnumbered them, but they would be stuck on defence while the Angels just needed to keep them pinned.
It was all about enabling the AFFC to take the main continent as quickly as possible, which meant denying Akos Militia reinforcements.
Soon more details about the contract would be shared...
• 50% battlefield salvage. Half the stuff we blow up or take in combat is ours.
• 25% other salvage. Anything that we find that isn't from a battlefield we can only claim a quarter of. This doesn't apply to buildings. Only supplies, military equipment, weapons systems, vehicles, etc.
• Salvage could be even more financially rewarding than contract pay. If the operation went well there would be bonuses. However, if the salvage went well, there could be mech upgrades. Enemy armoured vehicles could be handed over to the AFFC while the Angels kept all the mechs they took for themselves, for example.
• All salvage must be reported back. We have 'first dibs' on what we'd like, which is a big bonus, but there are severe penalties for not reporting any findings and these later being exposed. We can always take the value of findings in currency or in supplies rather than in salvage.
• Likewise, all intelligence should be shared with the AFFC.
• Liaison Command Rights - Any allied units in an engagement on Akos alongside us will fall under Angels' command. They otherwise operate independently. We are independent and can make our own command decisions. There will be an AFFC Liaison Officer assigned to us.
• There are multiple informants and other intelligence assets on world. Most of these are on the main continent, but there is one on Akos that will rendezvous with the unit ASAP after touchdown.
• Expected arrival time in system is March 19th. The 3 months of the contract begins then.
• The AFFC contingent will be approximately 5 regiments strong. It's primarily Battlemechs, Armour and Aerospace. Units are motivated veteran and regular forces with approximately 20% upgraded units. They plan to establish aerial superiority, drop onto the main continent, hit major military sites and to then besiege the Capital while AFFC assault dropships ensure no enemy reinforcements are forthcoming. Currently our employers estimate it'll take less than two months to gain control of the planet. Some estimates suggest less than a month, but frankly these seem optimistic.
• There is a KungsArmé force on planet. In other words, a professional military. Dangerous. Estimates are that it is just over a regiment in strength, but in a defensive position. It is primarily Battlemechs. It is rated veteran with approximately 10% upgraded units. These are nearly all on Somogy, which meant encounters with them were unlikely for the Angels.
• There are also 3 regiments of Militia. Two of them are on Somogy, the mainland, and one is on Akos. The two on Somogy almost certainly will be reinforcing the KungsArmé. Both are rated green. The one on Akos, the Akos Militia (also known as the 2nd Planetary Militia of Csesztreg, the Guardians of Akos), is our main target. It is rated green. The intelligence on all 3 Militia regiments is much more limited than what we have on the KungsArmé, who we hopefully will not be directly fighting. Latest intelligence suggests a great deal of cheap conventional armour - tanks and vehicles, some infantry, VTOLs and static defences.
• The Akos Militia is approximately five times our fighting strength. Even though we believe they only have a minority of Battlemech assets and green pilots, a head on engagement would likely be suicidal. However, their forces are spread across a large island continent where they must guard multiple locations. We'll therefore be striking isolated forces and seeking to keep the enemy pinned and confused. Our main objective is to prevent them reinforcing the mainland as much as possible and to cause as much damage as we can.
• The AFFC have promised to engage and distract the enemy during our combined descent and landfall. When the AFFC touch down on the mainland we'll separate and divert to Akos across the ocean at low altitude to minimalize our electronic signature, touching down hopefully with little or no detection in the South West of the island, where it is least populated. We'll figure out the exact details in orbit and agree them with the AFFC.
• Once touched down, we'll immediately ascertain nearby targets and prepare a strike. A new briefing and discussion will be arranged just for that. The CO makes the final decision, but opinions will be most welcome. We have to make the enemy concerned and anxious, so they will be drawn to protect their holdings, but we don't want to provoke them so much they all mobilise to attack us. Keeping our exact numbers and location secret will be important. Once the first strike is over we will have to be fluid based on what is happening.
• Further pertinent information will be shared with us by the AFFC as it becomes available.
