New Setting
Coopers World
Humans colonised the third planet of the Sardarkan system 12 years ago and renamed it Coopers World after Jefferson Cooper, the colony leader who died the day before the colonists arrived on the planet.
Sardarkan 3 was chosen to be colonised due to its climate and environment similarities to Earth and the fact that surveys had stated no intelligent life existed on the planet. Unfortunately, the surveys were wrong.
The indigenous species of the planet included a reptilian race of humanoids that had a great deal of intelligence although they exhibited no outward signs of it. They built no structures, made no products and had no technology. They just lived off the land in their family and tribal groups in caves, hidden from the outside world.
The new colony quickly discovered the mistake as they started to expand and exploit the resources of their new world. The first expeditions into certain areas of the planet reported major deposits of minerals and cave systems of massive complexity tunnelled through these deposits. They also reported sighting large humanoids that inhabited these caves and seemed to revere these mineral deposits as containing the essences of their gods.
It was soon realised that these mineral deposits were massive and contained gold, platinum, duetonium and strontium 40. All in all, an absolute treasure house right under their noses. All they needed to do was move these lizard men and start digging.
The following year, the mining equipment arrived along with a quantity of weapons and the colonists set about moving the lizard people out of the tunnels. The fighting was fierce but mostly one sided as the lizard people could not withstand the technological advantage held by the colonists. The tunnels fell relatively quickly as thousands of lizard people were slain in fierce but usually short battles.
Only in the very last few days of the fighting did the colonists suffer any major casualties as they got careless and over confident.
Eventually, the caves were cleared and the mining could begin. The first few months of the operation yielded massive quantities of valuable minerals as the seams lay right at the surface of the caves that had already been dug. Millions of credits worth were pulled out of the ground and shipped to nearby planets for trading. Very soon, the Coopers Mining Corporation was created and Jefferson City was founded in memory of the father of the colonists. The first Governor of both the city and the planet was Franklin Cooper, son of Jefferson and President of Coopers Mining Corporation. Three years after the colonists landed, a new calendar was introduced, this was CY3 or Coopers Year 3.
Jefferson City quickly grew as news of its wealth spread through the system and it soon boasted its very own starport. By CY10, the colonists had set up a further 3 cities on the continent and opened a new mine, all on the back of the planets seemingly abundant riches.
By CY12, the mineral deposits near the surface of the caves were fast running out and the decision was made to start looking elsewhere on the planet for similar resources and to start major excavations at the new mine in search of the source of the mineral deposits. Heavy equipment was brought onto the site and major excavation started in the caves for the first time on October 22nd CY12. This site was called Kalamain Mine
On October 25th that same year, all contact was lost with the workers at the mine. The Governor at Jefferson City realised immediately that something bad had happened and sent what few armed troops he had to take a look. They reported back the following day that all of the miners were gone and most of the heavy equipment had been destroyed by forces unknown. This news started panic in the cities and calls were made for more troops to defend the newly founded cities.
In CY13, the National Reserve was created to defend the settlers. Millions of credits were spent in buying weapons to arm the Reserve against their new and unknown enemy.
On 2nd March CY13, an arms convoy travelling between the starport at Jefferson City and Maddison Heights was ambushed and all the guards were wiped out. No messages were received from the convoy and all the arms vanished.
If the citizens were concerned before, they went into a frenzy of panic now, demanding that more be done to protect them from whatever was out there!
On 18th April CY13, the riddle was finally answered in a bloody and violent manner as the smallest of the new cities, Jackson City, was attacked. Thousands of Lizard men, henceforth called The Sardarken, armed with weapons stolen from the arms convoy, stormed the barracks of the National Reserve in the city and killed them to the last man. They stole heavy equipment and disappeared back into the jungle.
These were seemingly not the same lizard people that had been thought destroyed 12 years earlier, they were well organised and ruthless with a good understanding of the weapons they were using and an obvious understanding of military strategy. It seemed that the original lizard people had learned quickly from their experiences 12 years before. They now also had enough equipment to fit out a small army!
The Governor now faced some difficult decisions. It was now obvious that thousands of seemingly highly intelligent Sardarken remained on the planet and they were now equipped just as well as his men. The mine at the caves had still not re-opened due to a lack of funds caused by the loss of the mineral supply and the cost of replacing all the heavy equipment.
It was obvious that something needed to be done and the National Reserve was not capable of doing the job.
It was at this point that the following proclamation was issued.
From Franklin Jefferson, President of CMC Coopers World.
I, Franklin Jefferson, acting as Governor of Coopers World, hereby invite interested parties to tender for the following contract.
The Government of Coopers World is offering facilities, men equipment worth 25,000Cr to any mercenary leader willing to set up a unit on the planet. There are no restrictions on the use of this unit as long as the needs of Coopers World are considered above all others.
Whilst acting under the terms of this contract, 50% of the mercenaries expenses will be taken care of and regular paid commissions will be given to assist the forces of Coopers World.
This contract will be for a minimum of 1 year until the local forces can be brought up to a reasonable level of competence.
3rd May CY13
The struggle against the Sardarken entered a new phase on this day as it marked the first offensive mission carried out by Government forces against the menace.
The mission was a complete success! C Company from the Jefferson City brigade, with assistance from some mercenary advisors, outflanked a Sardarken ambush, routing a superior number of Sardarken forces. The turning point of the battle was the charge by C Platoon on the key Sardarken central strongpoint. This manoeuvre broke so shocked the enemy that it broke and ran and was pursued from the field. Corporal Mannheim, who led the assault, was posthumously awarded the Service Gallantry Medal.
8th May CY13
Another great day for our forces in their efforts to protect our people. Reconnaissance forces from the Jefferson City Brigade operating from their forward base in Madison Heights located a large force of Sardarken approaching the village.
Fortunately, C Company Jefferson City Brigade, fresh from their victory 5 days earlier, was transiting the village on their way back to their base.
A valiant delaying action from the reconnaissance unit bought time for C Company to deploy into blocking positions and, assisted by mercenary advisors, they unit managed to stop the advancing forces cold.
All the armoured cars deployed by the enemy were destroyed, two of them by direct close assaults from our forces. Perhaps, these viscous and fearsome creatures are not as daunting as initial accounts have suggested!
9th May CY13
Another mission ends in success!
Actions taken by B Company 1st Battalion Jersey City Brigade to recover vital equipment stolen during the merciless raid on the Jackson City barracks resulted in complete success.
The mission was a surprise attack by B Company with support from the Brigades reconnaissance troop and some mercenary advisors. The attack encountered heavy initial resistance but once that was overcome, the troops from B Company quickly located and neutralised the missing equipment.
Although the reconnaissance troop suffered 80% vehicle losses, casualties were counted as light.
Enemy casualties were very heavy.
20th May CY13
Another big day in the history of Coopers World!
The mine, in enemy hands for so long, has been re-taken. Work can now begin to re-build the facility and production should restart within 6 weeks.
The battle to take back the facility was hard fought but ultimately very successful with crack elements of the Jersey City Brigade at the forefront of the attack.
A and B companies of 1st Battalion attacked through extremely difficult terrain right into the heart of the enemies strongest defence. Two mercenary forces provided flank cover, but the bulk of the fighting, and unfortunately the casualties taken, was done by Government forces. The engagement hinged on two key moments.
The first of these was when the enemy counter attacked with armour they had hidden in the mine tunnels. Fire was exchanged between the Leopards of A Company and the enemy armoured cars and although two Leopards were lost, all four enemy vehicles were knocked out, two of them being completely destroyed!
The second and possibly most important moment came when the large enemy force holding their left flank charged into troops of B Company. Vicious hand to hand fighting ensued and although at a great disadvantage, B Company fought off the enemy with minimal losses. That action seemed to break the morale of that unit and the whole flank crumbled. Shortly afterward, so did the entire defence.
All in all, friendly casualties were very light with several vehicles lost but few crews.
Enemy casualties were, as usual, heavy.
23rd May CY13
Yet another victory for our forces!
Following their successful mission at the dam, A & B companies 1st Battalion Jersey City Brigade were moved very quickly to head off an attack on the Kalamain Dam. Elements of three mercenary units joined tour troops at the dam and together, saw off a large attack by two separate groups of enemy troops attacking in a very highly coordinated manner.
A Company fought hard and was nearly over run by a particularly strong unit of lizards but the intervention of the Young Lions with some special artillery rounds stopped the attack cold and allowed A company to rally and finish off the attackers.
The effectiveness of these new artillery rounds is staggering and the Government will endeavour to secure a source of them for its own forces.
Special mention goes to Specialist Simonson and his team who stayed at their gun even in the face of the enemy close combat killing many lizards before being overcome. Luckily, all of the crew survived but two of them are heavily wounded.