Whither Dominion Intelligence?
Feb 5, 2015 17:13:04 GMT
D'Kali Hegemony and Diamond Empire like this
Post by Dominion of Zabéara on Feb 5, 2015 17:13:04 GMT
As commander Guznula-niz strapped himself tightly into the drop-pod, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something had gone wrong. Dominion military doctrine was clear: Paramount facing an adversary was the use of intrigue, trickery, traps, and confusion. Anything to avoid a drawn out set piece battle and achieve victory before any shots have yet to be fired. If a slugfest could not be avoided, then rapid, lightening surprise should be used to avoid having to face the enemy’s force assembled together.
‘’Seed eight, release!’’ A groaning metallic sound, followed with the pod breaking away from the troop transport and began its decent towards the homeworld of the Diamond Empire.
Surprise seemed to have been achieved. Dominion forces slammed into the Diamond homeworld when fully half of the enemy fleet had assembled elsewhere. But even for a ground commander who had no part to play in the space battle raging above the planet, it was clear that Dominion intelligence had underestimated Diamond resistance. The remaining Diamond ships over the homeworld were dealt with easily enough, but to the surprise of the invasion force, angry fistfuls of bolts came forth from the Diamond world; dozens of well protected weapon platforms chewing up Dominion ships. The troop ships had so far been spared, but the intense fire from Diamond platforms had ruined carefully organized landing plans.
Outside the pod window the blackness of space started to give way to the hues of the atmosphere. Guznula-niz bowed his head in prayer, clasping a small icon of the Maleki Azazikuz, patron lord of warriors. Closing his eyes, he prayed for the success and survival of his troops, and that his own actions may be guided by prudence. He also prayed for the patriarchs in their guidance, the Emperor upon low, and the Eternal Edifice.
Opening his eyes, he looked across to the immense D’kali commander idly playing with his sword across from him. ‘’Soklan,’’ quietly spoke the Dominion commander, ‘’ will you not pray before going into battle?’’
The D’kali commander gave a large grin, flashing his teeth. ‘’I shall make my offerings upon the battlefield, I pray only the gods give me the chance to seize glory’’ the D'kali mercenary said, swinging his blade ever so slightly.
The pod landed softly enough. Guznula-niz, Soklan, two other D’kali warriors, and 19 Dominion heavy infantry emerged from the pod. They immediately came under fire, cutting down two of the Dominion warriors as they exited the pod. Instinctively, the others ran and dived into a small muddy depression for cover.
Guznula cursed; this too was not part of the plan. ‘’Comms!’’ He barked to his retainer, who rushed over with the communicator. Guznula had his other units report in. One by one the pieces of a concerning situation came together. His entire legion had been scattered in supressed pockets around the landing area. Rather than being empty as Dominion intelligence had reported, they had landed into a heavily defended area. Later, it would be discovered that the legion had landed in an area where three understrength Diamond units had been pulled back in the last minute for rest and refitting. Three of a couple hundred Diamond infantry divisions that would inflict heavy casualties on the Dominion army.
The problem was compounded by the fact that Dominion pods could not carry a full compliment of troops and supplies. Troop pods thus carried warriors plus necessary gear, such as CO2 canisters for breathing and liquid nourishment, anything else, including most notably ammunition, were carried in supply pods. The ammunition and troop pods were supposed to land next to each other, but Guznula noticed that their supply pod landed about 2 zi to the east, behind a trench of Diamond warriors set up on a hill.
The Dominion troops looked over towards the ammunition pod with despair. Soklan approached with his two D’kali warriors in tow. ‘’How much ammunition do your rifles hold?’’
‘’One clip of 40, plus two extra each.’’ Responded Guznula’s adjunct despondently.
Sokland grinned again, even wider than in the pod. ‘’I hope your prayers will be answered Guznula, because mine surely were!’’ The D'kali mercenary commander pointed his blade in anticipation at the Diamond hill position.
Guznula recalled a maxim from the Dominion tactical manual: ''never launch a frontal assault unless the opposing force is significantly weaker.''
With a deep breath the Dominion commander surveyed his anxious troops, all looking at him intently. He left the remaining spare ammo clips with a few wounded Dominion troops to provide covering fire. The rest, led by the 3 D’kali, charged with a great series of shouts towards the Diamond position in front of the ammunition pod.
‘’Seed eight, release!’’ A groaning metallic sound, followed with the pod breaking away from the troop transport and began its decent towards the homeworld of the Diamond Empire.
Surprise seemed to have been achieved. Dominion forces slammed into the Diamond homeworld when fully half of the enemy fleet had assembled elsewhere. But even for a ground commander who had no part to play in the space battle raging above the planet, it was clear that Dominion intelligence had underestimated Diamond resistance. The remaining Diamond ships over the homeworld were dealt with easily enough, but to the surprise of the invasion force, angry fistfuls of bolts came forth from the Diamond world; dozens of well protected weapon platforms chewing up Dominion ships. The troop ships had so far been spared, but the intense fire from Diamond platforms had ruined carefully organized landing plans.
Outside the pod window the blackness of space started to give way to the hues of the atmosphere. Guznula-niz bowed his head in prayer, clasping a small icon of the Maleki Azazikuz, patron lord of warriors. Closing his eyes, he prayed for the success and survival of his troops, and that his own actions may be guided by prudence. He also prayed for the patriarchs in their guidance, the Emperor upon low, and the Eternal Edifice.
Opening his eyes, he looked across to the immense D’kali commander idly playing with his sword across from him. ‘’Soklan,’’ quietly spoke the Dominion commander, ‘’ will you not pray before going into battle?’’
The D’kali commander gave a large grin, flashing his teeth. ‘’I shall make my offerings upon the battlefield, I pray only the gods give me the chance to seize glory’’ the D'kali mercenary said, swinging his blade ever so slightly.
The pod landed softly enough. Guznula-niz, Soklan, two other D’kali warriors, and 19 Dominion heavy infantry emerged from the pod. They immediately came under fire, cutting down two of the Dominion warriors as they exited the pod. Instinctively, the others ran and dived into a small muddy depression for cover.
Guznula cursed; this too was not part of the plan. ‘’Comms!’’ He barked to his retainer, who rushed over with the communicator. Guznula had his other units report in. One by one the pieces of a concerning situation came together. His entire legion had been scattered in supressed pockets around the landing area. Rather than being empty as Dominion intelligence had reported, they had landed into a heavily defended area. Later, it would be discovered that the legion had landed in an area where three understrength Diamond units had been pulled back in the last minute for rest and refitting. Three of a couple hundred Diamond infantry divisions that would inflict heavy casualties on the Dominion army.
The problem was compounded by the fact that Dominion pods could not carry a full compliment of troops and supplies. Troop pods thus carried warriors plus necessary gear, such as CO2 canisters for breathing and liquid nourishment, anything else, including most notably ammunition, were carried in supply pods. The ammunition and troop pods were supposed to land next to each other, but Guznula noticed that their supply pod landed about 2 zi to the east, behind a trench of Diamond warriors set up on a hill.
The Dominion troops looked over towards the ammunition pod with despair. Soklan approached with his two D’kali warriors in tow. ‘’How much ammunition do your rifles hold?’’
‘’One clip of 40, plus two extra each.’’ Responded Guznula’s adjunct despondently.
Sokland grinned again, even wider than in the pod. ‘’I hope your prayers will be answered Guznula, because mine surely were!’’ The D'kali mercenary commander pointed his blade in anticipation at the Diamond hill position.
Guznula recalled a maxim from the Dominion tactical manual: ''never launch a frontal assault unless the opposing force is significantly weaker.''
With a deep breath the Dominion commander surveyed his anxious troops, all looking at him intently. He left the remaining spare ammo clips with a few wounded Dominion troops to provide covering fire. The rest, led by the 3 D’kali, charged with a great series of shouts towards the Diamond position in front of the ammunition pod.