Von Ryan's War VON RYAN'S WAR
An Historical Treatise
By Sir Gashid Khedadi, OHD
PROLOGUE: The Phoenix Reborn
The recent rebellion fought by the followers of Count Von Ryan across
the Far Frontiers/Vanguard Reaches sector border changed the history of
the Duchy of Trelyn irrevocably. The interstellar state founded by Ardesh
Varen, Duke of the Third Imperium, journeyed into an uncertain future as
its internal structure collapsed and then rebuilt.
The Rise of Von Ryan
Developed by the Allarton Corporation based on Trelyn Vrra (Vanguard
Reaches 2504), the Duchy of Trelyn was formed when visionary businessman
Ardesh Varen received his patent of nobility from the Third Imperium. In a
program of continued expansion and consolidation, each Grand Duke added a
new county to the Duchy.
The fifth ruler of the Duchy, the lovely Grand Duchess Lissa Dyana
Varen, faced the task of uniting a dozen new worlds into the County of
Yuen in the Far Frontiers sector. She sought the help of a roguish ex-Army
lieutenant colonel named Von Ryan.
Von Ryan distinguished himself as a capable entrepreneur and adminis-
trator in several ventures throughout the Duchy. With the considerable
fortune his trading enterprises amassed, the youthful adventurer formed a
mercenary company known as Dog Soldiers, Inc. The early exploits of Von
Ryan would fill several datafiles, but suffice to say that his experiences
were varied and valuable.
Against the judgment of her advisors, Dyana invested Von Ryan with
the task of uniting the new County of Yuen into a functional administra-
tive unit. Operating with his usual panache and unorthodox tactics, and
using all means available (including his mercenaries), Von Ryan accom-
plished the task. For his efforts, Von Ryan received the patent of
nobility of the Count of Yuen (Far Frontiers 2234), the jewel of the Duchy
and the only functioning example of Extreme Stellar technology known.
Wheels Within Wheels
Utilizing his authority to its absolute limits (some would say beyond
those limits), the new Count embarked upon several ambitious projects.
Terraforming began on several worlds, showing promising results in a short
time. A research project called the Council of Logic planned a network of
advanced computers to be used as a massive "expert system" for
psychohistory.
The astonishing technology available on Yuen produced new System
Defense Boats to replace those in use throughout the County. Plans for
construction of these vessels were submitted to the Grand Duchess, but
maintenance and start-up costs of these high-tech ships were deemed
unsuitable. Von Ryan updated and centralized control of colonial and
planetary naval fleets within his jurisdiction.
Von Ryan's widespread activity caught Dyana's eye, and she viewed
several of these projects with growing alarm. Finally, the Grand Duchess
made a personal visit to Von Ryan's estate on Yuen. While the true nature
of this meeting remains solely in the memories of its two participants,
Von Ryan received several ultimatums.
Duchy intelligence services made Dyana aware of three secret programs
being conducted in the County. Von Ryan created an order of knighthood, an
action within his powers as Count. The Knights of Kajaani, however,
engaged in psionic training, which was "officially" illegal. Secretly, the
Duchy maintained its own psionic research programs, and Von Ryan was told
by the Duchess that he could continue if research data was shared.
Reports detailed another project to build a clandestine super-
starship, embodying the full potential of Extreme Stellar technology:
antimatter missiles, disintegrator weapons, black globes and proton
screens. Dyana ordered this project immediately ceased.
Another secret project involved the controlled breeding of a deadly
creature called the Reticulan Parasite to increase its intelligence and
combat worthiness. The Duchy intelligence operatives knew least about this
program, and assured her that it would be difficult and not worth the
effort. Whether she actually brought this up in the discussion is unknown.
At the very least, relations between the Count and the Grand Duchess
became strained after this meeting. Some observers cite this conference as
the turning point in their relationship. Von Ryan mollified Dyana with
plans for the "Express," a practical Jump-6 courier design to speed up the
long communications route with Archduke Norris in the Spinward Marches.
Grand Duchess Dyana's agents kept close watch on Von Ryan's activi-
ties. Her technological advisors watched the progress of his advanced
research projects. Unfortunately, due to the heretofore-unknown technology
of Yuen, the watchers badly misjudged Von Ryan's capabilities. The Count's
own spies hampered their efforts with misinformation whenever possible.
Massacre of Churchward
Masquerading as system defense boats throughout his county, a secret
squadron of jump-capable ships with antimatter powerplants assembled at
Yuen. When Von Ryan's "Liberation Fleet" arrived at Churchward (Far
Frontiers 2338) they surprised the Royal Navy of the Duchy of Trelyn. The
Rebel intelligence net learned of a clandestine naval action testing
asteroid assaults with several squadrons in the Churchward system.
The Liberation Fleet easily defeated the six squadrons of RNDT ships,
many of them transports and assault boats. The Rebels destroyed the naval
base at Churchward with antimatter bombardment, causing thousands of
casualties. The Massacre of Churchward now complete, the Rebels set their
sights on more important targets.
News of this attack reached the Grand Duchess in the palace on Trelyn
Vrra, and found her sick in bed. The genetic blood disease which had
killed several of her ancestors took hold of Dyana's young life. Though
weakened and fatigued, Von Ryan's actions shocked and angered her. The
Grand Duchess' advisors continued the defense of the Duchy.
Battle of Varen's Planet
The Royal Navy responded slowly, but three squadrons of battle-ready
ships arrived to defend the base at Varen's Planet (Vanguard Reaches 2503)
before the enemy arrival. Von Ryan made most of his fortune selling grain
to Varen's Planet, and now he returned to conquer the huge, high-popula-
tion world. The Rebel antimatter wonder-ships looked like cruisers, moved
like destroyers and fired like dreadnoughts.
Several of the Royal Navy's prize battleships and their proud crews
perished in this action. Commander Gamar Varen, Dyana's younger brother,
died rescuing crewmembers from a flaming fighter hangar.
During a lengthy, pitched battle in system space, several of the
Rebel ships appeared to suffer catastrophic drive failure. While the Royal
Navy could not defeat the Rebel craft, their advanced technology was
becoming their downfall. The conflict was a costly one for both sides, but
the naval base survived as the Rebel fleet jumped outsystem once again.
Defense of Trelyn Vrra
Von Ryan's march on the capital seemed complete when the Liberation
Fleet arrived in system space at Trelyn Vrra. Down to less than one
squadron in strength, the Count's super-battleship led the Rebel fleet in
a final attack on the heart and soul of the Duchy, the Imperial Palace on
Trelyn Vrra.
Royal Navy ships fought a delaying action, whittling down the Rebel
fleet as it closed on the capital. Baron Nicholas Keller, a Royal Navy
veteran Captain, rose to the challenge and took command of the operation.
His skill in maneuvering the remaining system defense boats forced the
Rebel craft into high-G evasive action, resulting in overloaded power-
plants and drive explosions.
As the Rebel Liberation Fleet fell apart, the straggling ships began
to surrender. Von Ryan's personal flagship apparently engaged its white
globe generator, as it abruptly disappeared from Royal Navy sensors. As
the remaining Rebel ships were boarded to take on prisoners, Von Ryan made
good his escape. The whereabouts of the rebellious adventurer are current-
ly unknown.
End of an Era
Only hours after the surrender of the commanding officer of the Rebel
fleet, Grand Duchess Lady Lissa Dyana Varen Thalasso passed away in the
palace on Trelyn Vrra. She died knowing of Von Ryan's defeat, realizing
that the state her family founded and nurtured would live on. Her last
words were, "This must never happen again."
With one single stroke, the Duchy of Trelyn defended its sovreignty
from internal attack, and ceased to exist as a feudal society. Deceased
battle hero Garam Varen was the only heir to the Grand Duke's patent that
expired with Dyana's death.
By this time, communication with the Domain of Deneb, now called The
Regency, was reestablished. Couriers from trailing informed the Trelyn
governors of Virus and how to protect against it. They also brought news
of democratic reforms in the wake of the Rebellion.
The hero of the Battle of Trelyn Vrra, Baron Nicholas Keller, found
himself in the position of trying to assemble a coalition government out
of nothing. Working closely with Dyana's advisors and a select group of
planetary governors, he forged a new constitution.
A Senate with a single representative from each planet would form one
part of the bi-cameral government. Nobles holding patents in the former
Duchy would be given priority for seats in the first Senate, but thereaf-
ter free elections would be held on each world. The traditions and
experience of the nobility in governing were considered a valuable asset.
The other house would be the Assembly, the voice of the people,
containing elected delegates at a rate of one per 100 million inhabitants,
with a minimum of one per planet. Governors popularly elected would
administrate both at County and Planetary levels. The molders of the new
destiny feared too much power concentrated in too few hands. The feudal
nobility of the Duchy was blamed for allowing a crisis like Von Ryan's War
to take place.
Other sweeping changes were instituted to remind the citizens of the
new challenges that lie ahead. The Royal Navy, Marines and Scouts were
renamed the Congress Navy, Marines and Scouts, and the Duchy's Ministers
were renamed Secretaries.
The new government needed a President to set the course into troubled
and murky waters. Without the ability to canvass the population quickly,
Keller was installed, against his will, as the first President of the
Trelyn Congress. When the first elections were held five years later, the
first President was overwhelmingly elected by the democracy he had
founded.
EPILOGUE: Von Ryan's Legacy
Speculation is all that is left of Count Von Ryan's true intentions
regarding the flight of the Liberation Fleet. It is assumed that the
intrepid adventurer had two goals in mind. First, he wanted to bring down
the current government and its ancient notions of feudal fealty. Von Ryan
instituted many democratic reforms in his own county, and constantly
formed councils and conferences to decide issues in egalitarian fashion.
Secondly, the Count planned to install a new style of governing, utilizing
his own personal agenda for the future.
We may never know what Count Von Ryan's vision contains. His self-
imposed exile could end at any time, or it could continue forever. Perhaps
his own flagship suffered an antimatter containment catastrophe. However,
the first of his two goals was definitely achieved, not so much by force
of arms, but by the death of a dynasty. Garam and Lissa Varen were not
targets of the Liberation Fleet--the Rebels sought to destroy the Royal
Navy and control the capital. The last children of Ardesh Varen were
casualties of Von Ryan's war, and the Duchy of Trelyn died with them.
APPENDIX: Dramatis Personae
Grand Duchess Lady Lissa Dyana Varen Thalasso
Marquesa of Swyssyln, ODM, Governess of the Duchy of Trelyn
Born: 116-1063, Swyssyln.
Age: 55 (118), deceased.
Level: Veteran NPC
Combat Assets: None
Other Assets: Liaison 19, Leader 18, Carousing 17, Persuasion 16,
Linguistics 16, Computer 11, Riding 11, Tracking 11, Observation 11
Motivation: Heart 10: Dyana wanted only to be like Duchess Margaret,
her idol, who she imagined to be queenly, schooled in the social
graces, and personable. Whether Margaret was actually such a person
or not, Dyana was beautiful, personable and gracious. The Court of
the Fifth Grand Duchess was a thing to behold, and her state dinners
were incomparable.
Spade 9: The Grand Duchess believed that anything she repeated often
enough would become truth. She ignored the firestorm of scandal
regarding her anagathic use and often neglected the good advice of
her well-chosen ministers. Dyana's pompous stubbornness seldom got
her into trouble, with the one possible exception of her support of
Von Ryan.
Notes: An able administrator, Dyana was never credited with being a
political genius. She assembled a skilled group of Ministers to help
guide her decisions in the Duchy of Trelyn on various matters. The
final verdicts were always hers, however, and memoirs of the former
Ministers are decorated with her refusals to follow their advice.
Grand Duchess Dyana was well-liked by her subjects and leaders of
nearby states.
Count Lieutenant Colonel Von Ryan, Retired
Count of Yuen, Leader of the Rebel Liberation Fleet
Born: 196-1152, Yuen, Far Frontiers.
Age: 34 (49), current location unknown.
Level: Elite NPC (Royal Marines of the Duchy of Trelyn)
Combat Assets: Slug Weapon (Rifle) 7, Energy Weapon (Rifle) 14,
Unarmed Martial Arts 14
Other Assets: Admin/Legal 23, Marketing 20, Persuasion 18, Carousing
18, Pilot (Interface/Grav) 16, Leadership 16, Computer 14, Tactics 14,
Forgery 14, Fleet Tactics 12, Interview 10, Streetwise 10, Environment
Suit 8 (PSI 9, Telepathy 18, Teleperception 18, Self 18)
Motivation: Queen Spades: Von Ryan was a man with great ambition, and
let absolutely nothing stand in his way. A self-made billionaire, his
mercenary company wreaked havoc on many planets, always barely within
interstellar law. His patent of nobility was just another stepping
stone in fulfilling Von Ryan's outlandish dream.
Diamond 10: Once Von Ryan had amassed his fortune with a small
shipping concern, he lusted for political power. Then he created
even more possessions--an order of psionic knights, high-technology
wonder-weapons, and even parasitic animals bred to hunt and kill.
Notes: Von Ryan's career in the Royal Marines was quite distin-
guished, including Commando Training, three MCUF, one MCG, three
Purple Hearts and one SEH. The corporation he founded, Dog Soldiers,
Inc., was dissolved when half of its officers were arrested on
Bauxia by a detachment of Royal Marines, and later convicted of
various crimes.
President Baron Captain Nicholas Saulbach Keller, Retired
Baron Trayfowen, First President of the Trelyn Congress (1185-)
Born: 165-1154, Bauxia, Vanguard Reaches
Age: 46
Level: Experienced NPC (Royal Navy of the Domain of Trelyn)
Combat Assets: Slug Weapon (Pistol) 8, Energy Weapon (Rifle) 8
Other Assets: Admin/Legal 19, Liaison 18, Communications 17, Elec-
tronics 17, Bribery 14, Pilot (Interface/Grav) 12, Ship Tactics 11,
Fleet Tactics 11, Investigation 11 (PSI 8, Telepathy 18, Self 18)
Motivation: Club Queen: Often capable of seeing a new approach to a
situation, Keller pushed his unorthodox plan for defeating the Rebel
Liberation Fleet through channels even though he was a lowly captain.
The novel tactics worked, and Keller became a war hero.
Club 8: As commander-in-chief of the Congress Armed Forces, President
Keller has maintained a confrontational stance toward the Eslyat
frontier and has not hesitated to use pre-emptive strikes when
necessary. He believes that a strong Navy is essential, and has been
instrumental in the rebuilding of the fleet in the aftermath of
Von Ryan's War.
Notes: President Keller is of mixed racial stock: his father is
Daarneb Keller, citizen of the Trelyn Congress, and his mother is
Lirajyiedrifrpral, a Zhodani. He was awarded the Barony of Trayfowen,
a world in the Mapepire Subsector of The Beyond, in 1178. Rumors have
linked him with SORAG during his navy service, but these are as yet
unproven. Captain Keller was awarded many medals in his Royal Navy
career: three MCUF, four MCG, a Purple Heart and one SEH.
(reproduced by permission of the author, Chuck Kallenbach II)
Loser's Perspective A Vision Betrayed: Count Von Ryan's Story
by Professor Realnid Osscar
Author of the Best Seller "The Real War"
The Rise of Von Ryan
Little is known about the family of Colonel Von Ryan. All we
know is that his earliest years were spent on a coreward mining
colony. His father was one of those faceless men who spend their
lives doing back breaking labor to increase the profits for high
born dilettantes. Von Ryan knew that the only escape for a man of
his class was the armed forces. At 15 he lied about his age and
joined the Imperial Army.
Even at this young age he showed a talent for tactics and
leading men. He rose quickly to NCO. During an action in which
all officers in his company were killed, Von Ryan took command of
his company and led it to the completion of their mission. At the
tender age of 18 he was sent to Officer Candidate School and became
a Lieutenant. His leadership qualities and tactical brilliance
caused him to rise rapidly through the ranks. Unfortunately also
drew the jealousy of many of the Titled officers who made up much
of the Imperial Officer Corps. They could not forget his humble
origins. At the same time Von Ryan was becoming discouraged with
the Army. Many times the Army was brought in to put down revolts
by people who had been pushed too far by calloused Nobility. At
age 33 he was one of the youngest Colonels in the Army. He was
considering retirement when a cabal of "Lords" had him brought up
on false charges. He resigned his commission and headed for the
frontier.
At the edges of the Empire he saw a need for trained soldiers
that could help where Imperial Authority was weak. He contact some
of his comrades from the Army days and formed a Mercenary Unit
called "Dog Soldiers Inc.". Those were hard days on the frontier.
The next wave of Imperial Expansion was a few years off.
Lawlessness was everywhere. It was important for capable men to do
what they could. Von Ryan prospered, in part because of the
loyalty he inspired. His administrative skills were such that he
attracted the attention of Grand Duchess Lissa Dyana of the Duchy
of Trelyn. She was seeking someone to unite the twelve worlds of
the new County of Yuen and administer them. She sent for Von Ryan
to interview him for the job.
There is much that could be written about the meeting of these
two powerful personalities. She was a beautiful noblewoman at the
height of her abilities. The genetic disease that would destroy
her had not yet made its appearance. She had been one of the most
successful rulers of the Duchy, already. In Von Ryan she saw a
self-made man who had carved his own niche in the universe. At 48
he still had the good looks and charm that made most single women
want to marry him. It is probable that there was a physical
attraction. What won the Duchess, however, was his plain speaking
and administrative ability. The Duchess' advisors, all hereditary
nobles, opposed his appointment. In spite of their efforts the
Duchess named Von Ryan Count of Yuen.
The Birth of a Vision
The County of Yuen was the perfect vehicle for the new Count
Von Ryan. The resources of its High Tech worlds allowed new ideas
to develop. Terraforming, never a popular idea in Imperial
Technical circles was tried and showed early success. The Count
formed the "Council of Logic" in order put the best minds in the
county to work for the good of all. Worlds rife with mismanagement
and corruption grew prosperous. Trade flourished with the
Altarians.
As important as the material and technological success he
inspired, Von Ryan began a program to liberate the spirit of the
people of his County. Throughout his administration men and women
were placed in positions of power without regard to Rank or birth
status. People, long limited by who there ancestors were, now were
able do meaningful, challenging work. Throughout the County the
effect was felt. Young people could dream of new destinies.
It was in the Navy that Von Ryan had one of his most profound
effects. Planetary and County Naval forces had gotten sloppy and
wasteful. Many younger, more capable officers were promoted.
Older, less flexible officers were forced into retirement. Supply
and Logistics were centralized and streamlined. The scourge of
piracy almost disappeared. One of Von Ryan's pet peeves about the
Imperial Navy had been its reliance on Battleships and
Dreadnoughts. He felt these ships were a symbol of naval
inefficiency. Too many officers commanded too many men to do jobs
that could be done better by smaller ships. He used naval
architects to design high tech warships with the firepower of large
ships in smaller hulls with much smaller crews. In spite of his
trials that showed the value of these ships, Duchy Naval Commanders
refused to accept his designs.
Trouble Begins
One cannot attempt to make the fundamental changes that Count
Von Ryan did without making enemies. The Nobility saw their power
and control being lost to "commoners without breeding". This was
particularly true in the Navy. Many officers commanded because of
their title not their ability. Von Ryan's broom swept these
officers into retirement or desk jobs. The powerful Allarton
Corporation had followed the Imperial Flag into the county. In
many places it had a strangle hold on local economies. Von Ryan
opened more business to local firms and Allarton began to loss
money. Finally, there always those who resist progress. These
people are comfortable with things the way they are and lack the
imagination to see that things could be better.
Duchy Intelligence and Naval Intelligence kept a stream of
reports back to the Duchess about Von Ryan. Disloyal slants were
put on these reports. Sometimes reports were even distorted to
make the Count look bad. His xenobiological research program
became an attempt grow a killer monster. His naval research
program became an attempt to build a "super" warship. His
centralization of the Armed Forces became an attempt to build a
personal Army.
Making matters worse the Grand Duchess was beginning to feel
the effects of the genetic blood disease that had killed so many
members of her family. It has never been established if this
sickness effected her mentally. It is known, however, that this
robust women grew weaker until many of her duties fell to her
advisors. These were the same men who had opposed Von Ryan in the
beginning. The anti-Ryan clique grew in power and numbers. They
poisoned the Duchess' feelings about the Count.
Von Ryan realized what was going on. He made several attempts
to meet with the Duchess in person. He was put off or never
allowed to talk to her in private until their fateful meeting at
his villa on Yuen. By this time her advisors had done their work.
She had been convinced that Von Ryan planned rebellion. There were
also unconfirmed reports that doctor, now part of the plot, had
given her drugs that increased her paranoia. She issued ultimatums
that would have undone his good work in the County and made him a
figurehead to a Noble "advisor". Too many good people believed in
what he was doing. He could not accept the terms. The meeting
ended ominously.
The Battle of Churchward
Count Von Ryan learned that the Duchy's Navy had assembled a
battle fleet at the Churchward System. Included with the warships
were transports and assault troops. The implication was clear; war
was being forced upon him. He could wait for the enemy to attack
at the time and location of their choice or he could strike at
their fleet first. After agonizing over the decision for days he
chose to strike first.
Using several of his new "Pocket Battleships", ships using a
configuration similar to system defense boats but with much greater
power, Von Ryan's Admiral Torgusson attacked the Duchy battle
fleet. A bloody engagement followed. The Duchy Fleet was defeated
with heavy casualties. An Imperial Battleship, in orbit over the
naval base on Churchward, lost power and crashed down onto the
base, killing thousands.
Von Ryan knew that the die was now cast. Peace without victory by
one side was no longer possible. He ordered his small fleet to
strike the heart of Duchy as rapidly as possible. Only a quick
victory could prevent massive loss of life.
The Battle of Varren's Planet
The "Liberation Fleet" as the Yuen forces were now called,
struck at the strategically important Varren's Planet System.
However, Von Ryan's navy had a worm in its guts. Captain Arlis
Camton was Chief Engineer of the Yuen Navy. He was also in the pay
of the Duchy Intelligence Services. He had rigged the four of the
Yuen ships so that during the battle they suffered massive drive
failures. He was later caught and executed but the sabotage was
hushed up to avoid damaging moral.
The battle itself was a tactical victory for Rebels as they
inflicted massive damage on the Duchy fleet. However, it was a
strategic victory for the Imperials. Von Ryan's fleet had taken
small but irreplaceable losses. Also, the strain of two major
fleet actions without repair or refits, strained men and machines
to the breaking point.
Von Ryan could now see that the odds were turning against them.
He called a meeting of all officers and offered to surrender
himself to the Duchess' forces in exchange for amnesty for his
men. In an emotional scene every man swore he would prefer to risk
death than have their leader surrender himself.
The Battle of Trelyn Vrra
The only tactic that any chance of victory was an attack on
the Ducal Headquarters on Trelyn Vrra. And the attack had to made
immediately. Only jury rig repairs could be made. The battle
seemed to start well for the Rebels as the Imperial Flagship was
caught without enough escorts and destroyed. Unfortunately,
command of the Duchy ships fell on Senior Captain Nichlas Kellar.
He had spotted the poor condition of the Rebel ships. He pulled
his resources together and fought a running battle that taxed all
the ships to their limits. Systems began to fail on the rebel
ships. The tide changed. Crippled ships were forced to surrender
or picked off at will. Even the Rebel flagship apparently lost
control of weapons system. It turned on its white globe generator
and disappeared.
There are several stories about what happen to Count Von Ryan's
ship. Some say that the anti-matter generator failed and the
ship was destroyed. Some say that the ship tried to jump too
deep in the gravity well and misjumped to parts unknown. There are
those that say that Von Ryan scuttled his own ship to avoid capture
and trial. Of course, the official explanation is that Von Ryan
abandoned his fleet and fled. All that can be certain is that no
sign of him or his crew has been found since then.
Aftermath
The Grand Duchess lived just long enough to see her victory.
Then the sickness that led to her isolation claimed her. All her
direct heirs were dead. The fleet was decimated. The
disappearance of Von Ryan threw the Yuen worlds into chaos. For
almost a year there were pitched battles between various that had
worked together only as long as Von Ryan had been in charge. Trade
was reduced and pirates reemerged more powerful than ever. The
Altarians severed communications.
Eventually the Congress Forces under President Kellar moved in
and reestablished order. Leaders under Von Ryan were purged. The
irony is that the Nobility that had acted to destroy Von Ryan never
did return to real power. The reforms of the Congress robbed them
of their traditional "powers" under law. Many still retain
positions of authority there is no guarantee that their children
will inherit more than a title.
The Von Ryan years were a kind of golden age for Yuen and her
neighbors. The potential seemed to unlimited as the twin engines
of high technology and equality drove our people great heights.
Young people, in this materialistic era, should learn the lessons
of that time.
(reproduced by permission of Chuck Kallenbach II)
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