The Lyrans invade

This is the local situation on the Lyran-Kzinti border as the shorter cats prepare to make some probing attacks on their larger cousins:

There are three Kzinti Battle Stations on the border, with the Count's Fleet stationed in reserve behind them, ready to move forward if the Lyrans make any offensive moves (this is the counter marked 2nd R for reserve). The Duke's fleet is also available (1st R), positioned to counter an attack from either Lyran or Klingon space. This is how it pans out:

The Red Claw fleet splits in two, attacking the southern Kzinti Battle Stations. The Count's Fleet reacts in support of the forward defensive positions, as does the Duke's Fleet, creating two battle hexes. The forces are evenly matched, although the Kzinti have the edge in attrition units because of their carrier groups. You will also see that two new fleets have appeared behind the Lyran initial assault; the former Lyran Home Fleet has moved to this front along with a host of new builds, while the Red Claw has left a stack of support and auxiliary vessels behind at their main northern Starbase. The Kzinti fleets have done the same; neither side wishes to risk vulnerable vessels this early in the conflict. You will see yellow control markers along the previous border areas, denoting territory seized by the Lyran fleets. There is also a lone Lyran frigate that has been sent forward to contest the westernmost Kzinti province. This is a standard move in Federation and Empire; the Lyrans gain no economic value from doing so, but they deny half of the output of the province to their enemies due to the presence of a military raider.

The Kzinti do not wish to risk their Battle Stations, so they offer approach battles at a distance from the bases; the Lyran accept and the game is afoot. Or aclaw. The reasoning behind the Lyran manoeuvres is to engage the Kzinti in a couple of short, sharp engagements while bringing up their substantial reinforcements. This is all part of the strategy agreed beforehand with the Klingon High Command; drawing the Duke's Fleet westwards has helped weaken the Kzinti forces stationed on the Klingon border, in preparation for an almost immediate Klingon invasion. The Kzinti know this, of course, but they cannot afford to allow the Lyran the opportunity to destroy even one of their Battle Stations too quickly, so they are defending in force. 

If you look at Klingon space - all those black counters to the south of Kzinti territory - you will see that they have moved up large forces of their own in anticipation of launching their partner invasion. The Klingon 3rd Reserve counter is sitting on top of their Northern Reserve, which is large enough to make three full attack forces. The Northern Fleet and the newly arrived NW Fleets are also quite substantial, the latter constructed from new builds. Even though the Klingons are not yet at war, they have gone to a full war footing in terms of their economy as they build up for the assault.

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