A Space Sonata
The decision to fight a defensive campaign against the hated Hin'in could never have been an easy one for the Marianite elite. Nonetheless, they committed themselves to it, remembering the days of yore when their grandfathers and their great-grandfathers were dying under Hin'in cannon fire; the victims of an ill-advised death grapple across the Raumeni territories. As strategy went, it seemed relatively sound. After all, it would force the traditionally 'counter-punching' Hin'in into fighting an offensive war. They were the masters of the backhanded slap, but the General Staff remained unconvinced that they could translate that talent into true offensive flair. As the first weeks of the war dragged on uneventfully, some even began wondering whether or not the Hin'in would even move beyond commerce raiding and the occupation of a scant few outlying Commonwealth holdings. What if the grand struggle became nothing but a phony war, in which neither side dared engage?
Luckily, perhaps, they did not have to wonder overlong. On 5th June 356AU, a Hin'in fleet of some two hundred vessels jumped into Sonata. The local AFC forces consisted of 17th Battlegroup, 23rd 'Green-Gold' Battlegroup and 81st 'Hammer of Leonid' Battlegroup. That is to say, roughly one hundred vessels of all types. The Hin'in armada likely represents the bulk of their strategic strength in the active theater of operations. They have seemingly elected to crush the AFC piece-meal, by segmenting it into more easily digestible 'chunks'. The looming Battle of Sonata will likely prove pivotal in the future conduct of this war. As fortune would have it, the leadership of Space - in their infinite wisdom - has allocated a very serious force (eighty vessels) within easy jumping distance of Sonata. Further reinforcements of some one hundred vessels can reach the system within two weeks.
The situation, such as it is, affords the Venerable Respublica both opportunity and danger - maybe in equal measure. Hin'in tactical knowledge will be poor to middling, as they have no spies or existing infrastructure to precisely determine the disposition of human forces, as they so capably did during their previous, 2nd century conflict. Speculation it might be, but it is highly likely they are not aware of the proximity of Respublican forces, or their extent. The General Staff needs to consider the potential of this scenario carefully. The options, after all, are manifold. Should the Respublica commit its strength early? Or should it wait, and hope that the AFC can hold out as Space masses for the counter-offensive?
***
Do you... order the eighty nearby ships to jump in immediately and help the AFC defend Sonata from the Hin'in? Not only will it be great propaganda - win or lose - but it also gives the AFC forces the best chance of holding the system, Generals! Think of the wider conflict, please! If we cannot hold the line here, our epitaph awaits.
OR
Do you... order the nearby ships to jump in immediately, but to fight this battle independently? Generals, we can catch these filthy xeno rats tactically unawares. While they maneuver their forces against the heathen, we will stay out of sensor range. Then, when they commit to a set-piece battle... so shall we. We can crush them between hammer and anvil! They will never see it coming!
OR
Do you... order the nearby vessels to wait? Tell the Commos that help is on its way, and that they must fight the battle evasively and defensively. If they stay in open space, they should be able to play cat and mouse with the rats, until we have another hundred ships in place. Then, dear Generals, we jump in and clean house... It is a simple, beautiful plan.
OR
Do you... order the nearby ships to wait? Say nothing to the Commos - the communication might be intercepted anyway. Instead, mass our fleet secretly. While the AFC rushes forces in and the Hin'in crush them in Sonata, we can take the battle to the enemy, operationally. Mass the fleet and then hit the Hin'in jump-off point. Smash their theater logistical hub. We can exploit their rear echelons ruthlessly and decide the campaign, if not the war! Think of the possibilities!
