Operation Downfall

Background
See also: Operation Stormbreaker

The Rach had been largely uninvolved in Operation Stormbreaker. Though they still provided intelligence and harassed Pact positions, their military was near the brink of collapse and was incapable of large-scale offensive operations. Most troops had stayed behind to guard what remained of the empire, hoping that Stormbreaker would bring an end to the war. But with the operation's failure and Peacekeeper forces in full retreat, the Rach were now exposed, and the only thing that stood between Norsus and the Pact was the stealth generators scattered throughout the inner-rim colonies that concealed the Norsus system. But Rach command, with the knowledge attained from Station SRD72 years prior, knew that it was only a matter of time before the generators were targeted. If they were to fall, Norsus would be revealed, and the empire would undoubtedly be wiped out.

Two weeks after the Peacekeepers had retreated, High Priestess Massachiah summoned Pact leaders to Holy Thereia to discuss the fate of the Rach. Despite the losses from Stormbreaker, the Pact was eager for vengeance, and had retained more than enough manpower to launch a counterattack of its own. The Warlords initially planned to launch an overwhelming assault targetting the Rach, aiming to bring down the stealth generators and Norsus in one swift blow that would essentially 'decapitate' Peacekeeper leadership. But this plan was soon rejected as, while most believed the operation would be successful, it would invite immediate retaliation from the rest of the Alliance, leading to potentially catastrophic losses. It was also felt by some that eliminating the Rach would not entirely cripple the Alliance, and therefore, the assault had to be larger in scope.

Weeks of planning would lead to the development of the two-phase offensive, Operation Downfall. The first phase, code named Sledgehammer, would see the largest mobilization of Pact forces since the start of the war. These troops would be deployed in one vast offensive targeting the most powerful members of the Peacekeeper Alliance and would have the goal of tying down Alliance forces and causing as much death and destruction as possible, essentially 'bleeding' the Peacekeepers dry of materiel and soldiers while forces operating in Rach space hunt down and eliminate the stealth generators in what would be code named suboperation Pierce the Veil. Once the generators were eliminated, the second phase, Downfall, or the invasion of Norsus, would be commenced. Much to the disapproval of much of the Pact, Massachiah declared that the attack on Norsus would be carried out by all Margan Dynasties as a means of ensuring that the Rach were wiped out and that the event would be remembered as a grand, bloody spectacle throughout the galaxy.

For Operation Sledgehammer, each front was divided into "wings" that each focused on a separate target. Each wing was accompanied by a Margan Dynasty.


 * Admiral Kiryusa Luok, General Varthos, Commandant Scy'the, and Generals Alo'Kizan and Ni'Vola would be deployed against the Aeveria.


 * General Siveris Halz and Admiral Xatka Yuvaki, Commandant Var, Grand Beyir Yalacin, War Chief Bhatuzorig, and General Apulon would be deployed against the Karahotdoum. While the bulk of Skrey forces would be deployed here, each wing of Sledgehammer retained an auxiliary Skrey force.


 * Lord Atlas, General Likana Raldalvi and Admiral Vilotr Akuru, Captain Omard, and General Iliva would be deployed against the Empire of Diablos.


 * Datyl Vexen, General Ganos, and Markila Farshot would be deployed against the Sauran Solidarity.


 * Crown Prince Bael'thir Anduish'ent'mar and General Turos would be deployed against WBI.


 * Generals Gancarda, Peacha, and Azakiah would would be deployed against the Rach.

Roughly four months after the end of Stormbreaker, Sledgehammer was initiated with the Pact launching each wing simultaneously.

Operation Sledgehammer
Main Pages: Operation Sledgehammer, Operation Pierce the Veil

Operation Downfall
Main page: First Battle of Norsus