Klingons and Hydran Battle Stations

 The Klingons split their Western Fleet in two and attack the last two remaining Hydran Border Battle Stations. Due to command ship losses, each fleet is only led by a D7C Command Cruiser, with no others in reserve. One of these fleets is probably going to have a bad time because it will meet the Hydrans with the Uhlan Carrier Group. It is possible that the force ending up in this situation may be able to wear the Hydrans down through sheer weight of numbers, but it is very unlikely.

It turns out that the carrier is in the more northerly (or less rimward, if you prefer) of the two stations, and the Klingons have d distinctly bad time here. This force is named with the honorific Battle Group Blood because it is not expected to do well - any force that fights under this banner is effectively being used to distract and delay a much more powerful enemy force, while Klingon numbers succeed elsewhere. In two engagements, the Hydran exchange lots of fighters for a D7C Command Cruiser, a D6S Heavy Scout and an F5V Light Carrier all destroyed, with a D6M Mauler Cruiser crippled. Having no real command vessel to speak of, the Klingons return to their own space.

It now remains to be seen what happens at the final station. This will also be the last campaign of the Coalition's autumn offensive of Year 170:

If the Klingons can keep their D7C intact, they are actually in with a good chance here due to volume of numbers. Sometimes this front feels like a Cold War game: plenty of Soviets, but a smaller number of superior Western units.

This one gets really nasty. The two sides really go for it, and the losses are as follows across three engagements:

Klingons

Destroyed: 2 x E3E Escorts; F5 Frigate; F5C Frigate Commander; D5 War Cruiser; D5C Command Cruiser; D7C Command Cruiser

Crippled: 3 x F5 Frigates; F5V Light Carrier

 

Hydrans

Destroyed: Traveller Cruiser; Horseman Cruiser; Dragoon Heavy Cruiser

Crippled: Hunter Frigate and Horseman Cruiser

The Klingons really do wear the Hydrans down, but with their only command ship crippled, they have little recourse but to retire. Having said that, any losses to the Hydrans will be a cause for Klingon celebration - the little guys just can't afford to replace everything.


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