Commonwealth Expands Offensive

Kessel, Dieron District, Draconis Combine

The fighting on Kessel is now in its second month. After their initial success, the Commonwealth troops have met a fierce counterattack by the Combine forces on Kessel. The 3rd Dieron Regulars reinforced by the 24th Dieron Regulars have pushed the 4th Skye Rangers and the 12th Star Guards back into the Southern Continent. Meanwhile the 12th Sun Zhang Academy Cadre has been pulled back to refit after being shattered early in the invasion.

News has arrived of landings on Marfik, Sabik, and Ko. All of the worlds are garrisoned by mech regiments. It seems that the Commonwealth is specifi- cally targeting Combine troops in the Kessel Prefecture. At press time, there has been no word about the current fighting on those worlds.

Meanwhile, the forces that invaded Alexandria are being hunted down and destroyed by the relief forces of the Commonwealth. The Second Battalion of the 11th Legion of Vega is valiantly holding out until the Combine can muster the resources to pull them out.

Troop Buildup in Galedon District

Kaznejov, Galedon District, Draconis Combine

Since the Federated Suns - Outworlds Alliance Trade Treaty four months ago, the Federated Suns has been deploying more troops in its Draconis March. In response, the Combine has also reinforced the Galedon and Benjamin Districts with more Battlemech regiments. The Combine has been hiring more mercenary troops to supplement their forces in the coming conflict.

However, with the fighting in the Dieron District the Combine may try to avoid starting hostilities with the Federated Suns. Many analysts doubt that the Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery has the forces to fight on two fronts and win. The DCMS commanders disagree. Most of the officers in the military discount the fighting ability of the Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces and instead focus their plans on defeating the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns.

Bandit Attacks Plague Kirchbach Prefecture

Kirchbach, Rasalhague District, Draconis Combine

Heavy bandit raiding continues to plague the worlds in the Kirchbach Prefecture. Ten of the twenty-two worlds have been raided in the last four months. Combine forces have been able to spoil two raids and destroy the raiding forces.

General Voren Ricol, Duke of Kirchbach and commander of the Prefecture forces, has a theory about the bandits. "I suspect that they are not bandits but Commonwealth troops, either mercenary or regular," he explained. "The raiders fight too well and are too well organized to be mere periphery pirates. The reports of the bandits also raiding Commonwealth worlds are obviously a carefully orchestrated propaganda campaign designed to deflect suspicions."

The General's cousin, Duke Hassid Ricol of Rodigo, has a different theory. "I believe the Commonwealth news reports," said the Duke. "These are well organized bandits and a threat to all civilized worlds near the periphery. We must find the pirate's base, but my cousin won't release any forces to look for it. However, I do have a few resources at my disposal."

Spotlight On: Draconis Combine Society

Draconis Combine society is composed of five pillars. The Pillar of Gold represents the ruling Kurita dynasty and its government. The Pillar of Steel is the Combine military. The Pillar of Jade signifies the Combine economic productivity. The Pillar of Teak stand for Combine art and culture. The Pillar of Ivory represents faith, philosophy, and codes of conduct.

Combine society is also divided into five social classes. At the top are the nobility. Just below them are the warriors of the Combine. The middle class comes next with workers falling below them. At the bottom are the Unproductives, composed of vagrants, beggars, refugees, and the underworld.