HORNQVIST ENCLAVE SIEGE
The Hornqvist Enclave Siege was a skirmish in which elements of the Jade 15th Marine Regiment laid siege to and captured an Enclave of the Poleisic League on the planet of Marchand.
The Poleisi garrison surrendered and the Enclave was captured, although the Jade commander was killed during the siege. BACKGROUNDAlthough politically opposed to the Jade Empire, the Poleisi Enclave on Marchand had been allowed to remain unmolested following the Jade conquest of the planet and the establishment of the pro-imperial Federal Democratic Republic.
The Boule, the leadership of the Poleisic League, issued an inflammatory statement following the assassination of Jade Empiress Takara, celebrating her death and condeming the Jade Empire and its leadership. This was a provocation too far and the commander of the 'advisory' garrison at Hornqvist, Major Naotoki of the 15th, led one of his marine companies to attack the Enclave, publicly stating his intention to avenge the insult offered to the dead Jade Empress. INITIAL APPROACHThe Jade Marine company advanced in good order, hoverbike-mounted scouts forming a picket whilst the main column marched the three kilometres to the Enclave, singing a traditional battle chant as they went.
Unusually they did not demand a surrender, but immediately opened fire with light Kasen Rocket Munitions, forcing the defenders to take cover. SKIRMISHThe defenders attempted to drive off the attack using an Onager field gun, knocking one Jade Halcyon Type-K APC out of action, seriously injuring two marines. In short order the gun was identified by Jade drone assets and destroyed by guided missile fire from a Balm AFV artillery platform.
This threat neutralised, Balm tanks supported by dismounted infantry advanced against the Enclave walls, suppressing the defenders with 30mm autocannon fire and degrading their defensive fortifications. One further marine was killed during this exchange. DUEL |
A senior member of the Enclave staff, a priest by the name of Tyro, emerged under a sign of truce. He offered to resolve the matter through personal combat, in order to secure safe passage for the rest of the Enclave.
After momentary discussion, Major Naotoki agreed and personally accepted the challenge, spurred by Tyro's repudiation of the Boule's insults against the dead Jade Empress specifically.
Naotoki was armed with an AA-42 Gunspear whilst Tyro carried a longspear and a shield. The duel began with an aggressive flurry from Naotoki, who drove the priest back and landed a lunge which injured the priest in the side. Tyro finally stopped the onslaught with a shield bash which broke Naotoki's left arm, an injury which was later discovered to have caused significant internal bleeding.
Badly injured, Naotoki attacked again, wielding the gunspear in one hand. He managed to knock Tyro off his feet, and the priest took another injury to the thigh, but then Naotoki stepped back to allow the Poleisi to regain his feet.
Squaring off for the final time, Tyro thrust with his spear in an effort to end the duel before either man weakened further. Naotoki attempted to deflect the blow but failed, taking a thrust to the left shoulder that, combined with the internal blood loss from his earlier injury, proved fatal.
After momentary discussion, Major Naotoki agreed and personally accepted the challenge, spurred by Tyro's repudiation of the Boule's insults against the dead Jade Empress specifically.
Naotoki was armed with an AA-42 Gunspear whilst Tyro carried a longspear and a shield. The duel began with an aggressive flurry from Naotoki, who drove the priest back and landed a lunge which injured the priest in the side. Tyro finally stopped the onslaught with a shield bash which broke Naotoki's left arm, an injury which was later discovered to have caused significant internal bleeding.
Badly injured, Naotoki attacked again, wielding the gunspear in one hand. He managed to knock Tyro off his feet, and the priest took another injury to the thigh, but then Naotoki stepped back to allow the Poleisi to regain his feet.
Squaring off for the final time, Tyro thrust with his spear in an effort to end the duel before either man weakened further. Naotoki attempted to deflect the blow but failed, taking a thrust to the left shoulder that, combined with the internal blood loss from his earlier injury, proved fatal.
AFTERMATH
Jade marines rushed to attend immediately, and whilst they were able to stabilise Tyro, Naotoki was killed at the scene. As per their agreement, the surviving Poleisi surrendered their arms and were escorted from the site where they were allowed to charter a transport and leave the planet. The 15th seized the Enclave, looting it for valuables and intelligence before setting it on fire and withdrawing.