Why Didn't Hanse Invade Sooner?
In 3030, although House Kurita was still the strongest of the five traditional buccessor Houses, it had been weakened by the Fourth Succession War. Coordinator Takashi Kurita had just begun to recover from his stroke at The Wedding; Kanrei Theodore Kurita was only starting to reorganize the traditionmanacled armed forces. Several planetary systems on both borders had been torn from the Draconis Combine, forcing political reorganization in several districts.
The Federated Suns were rich in manpower, but they were damaged greatly by the war. The ComStar Interdict had ruined the economy. It had to be painfully rebuilt
Their ally the Lyran Commonwealth was barely touched by the Fourth Succession War. It was rich in technology; in Mechs, in vehicles, in sheer scientific know-how.
It seemed only logical to First Prince Hanse Davion to combine the Federated Commonwealth's assets to strike at the Draconis Combine as soon as possible. Archon Katrina Steiner aided him in rebuilding; by 3034 the Federated Suns was as strong as it had been prewar, while House Kurita still was reorganizing its army. Three factors caused a critical delay.
Factor # 1
Dissention in the Ryde and Tamar Operations Areas. The 'Hanse-off' independence movement may have been started by Draconian agents, but it was enthusiastically supported by many groups on the Lyran-Kuritan border. These regions have a history of independent thinking, not to say anarchy. Duke Ryan Steiner calmed the Ryde OA just before Davion troops were to be brought in to pacify it. This made Duke Ryan look good, and Prince Hanse look- less than tactful. At much the same time, Duke Ryan married the daughter of the Duke of Tamar, unifying an interest blockthat now runs through House Steiner territory from Terra itself to the Greater Valkyrate across the Periphery border.
Factor #2
The creation of the Free Republic of Rasalhague in 3034. This reduced by 2/3 the border along which a Lyran thrust into the Draconis Combine could be mounted. The Kurita border could now only be attacked through the Ryde Operations Area, unless Prince Hanse wanted to take the expensive course of bringing a new enemy into the war. The Free Republic of Rasalhague, as many do not realize, is now larger than House Liao. Moreover, Rasalhague's forces are particularly adept at Prince Hanse's speciality, the flexible small-unit actions which won him the Fourth Succession War. As the Free Republic received training from both the Lyrans and the Kuritans (and each taught them to counter the other's favorite tactics), they will make a formidable enemy.
Factor # 3
Archon Katrina did not want a war. She had participated in the Fourth Succession War, believing that a final decisive strike could be made that would put the balance of power into Federated Commonwealth hands, ensuring peace throughout the Inner Sphere. It hadn't worked that way. Archon Katrina did not oppose her daughter and her son-in-law in rebuilding economically, nor in restructuring the Lyran and Davion Armed Forces into one single force. But without the active support of the Lyran leader, a new invasion could not be carried.
So the invasion was postponed year to year until, late in 3038, Archon Katrina sent a private message to Prince Hanse, informing him that he might proceed with plans for the invasion. She further informed him that she intended to reign in her daughter Melissa's favor early in the new year; she would allow him to set the timing.
At once the First Prince set his plans in motion...
The Fox Eats Crow The Failed Invasion of the Draconis Combine
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