Duke Morgan Hasek-Davion

Morgan Hasek-Davion is the Marshal of the Armies of the Federated Commonwealth, effectively the supreme commander of the military in both the Lyran and Federated realm. While the command roles are split between Adam Steiner and Ardan Sortek now, Morgan Hasek remains the final decision maker when it comes to military action performed by the AFFC. The Fifth Succession War saw him return to New Syrtis, where he coordinated with Duchess Candace Liao to strike against the Capellan Confederation.

Early Life

Military Career

Heir Apparent

Fourth Succession War

War of 3039

Managing a Rebellion

A Fifth Succession War

The duke’s work as Marshal of the Armies was not done, but his realm needed assistance, nonetheless. At the onset of Operation GUERRERO, Morgan had returned to New Syrtis to manage some anti-Lyran sentiment amongst the local nobles, who believed too much time was spent on the “grievances of far away wealthy bureaucrats”. Things would easily have degenerated if not for the Capellan and Leaguer aggression in the Sarna March, which refocused the locals on a more familiar threat.

Taking command of the Syrtis Fusiliers directly, Morgan began operations against the Capellan Confederation. This started by repelling early attacks against worlds controlled by the Federated Commonwealth. While the CCAF was concentrated on the Sarna March and the surrounding, local mandarins and their mercenary assets decided it would be a good time to raid various locations in support of the Chancellor. The duke was not caught unaware, but he had to divide his forces quickly between worlds at the border or risk losing everything. It did not help those minor revolts and insurrections, agitated by the Maskirovka, were also shaking the region.

Rather than recalling troops from other fronts and other commands, Morgan regrouped his regiments and approached the St. Ives Compact. Duchess Candace Liao was opposed to her nephew’s actions on principle but did not want to participate in the conflict as her population would not support actions against the Capellan state. Negotiations between Free Capella, led by Tormano Liao, the St. Ives Compact, led by Candace Liao and Morgan Hasek-Davion, with the support of Hanse Davion and First Prince Victor Steiner-Davion, started in earnest after a terrorist attack on Kittery killed members of all three groups in late 3058.

An Uncommon Front

The decision was made that several worlds in the general area of the St.Ives Compact, formerly controlled by the Capellan Confederation, would return to “Liao rule” under Candace Liao and her St. Ives Compact. Free Capella would support the rule of Candace Liao as “rightful ruler” of the region and as the face of “Freed Capellan”. Tormano’s work would concentrate on the Capellan Confederation itself, trying to destabilize Sun Tzu Liao’s rule and give legitimacy to his aunt’s realm. Finally, Morgan Hasek-Davion would oversee the military operations in the region, combining the St. Ives Military Command, his own Syrtis Fusiliers and Free Capella’s paid for mercenaries. Local lords opposed Morgan’s actions at first, but the ceding of “trouble worlds” to a friendly government was seen as a potential good move, especially with how close the Compact was with the Federated Suns.

With a singular command, the eclectic forces in the Capellan March began fighting back against the Capellan encroachment. Morgan’s biggest problem in this whole situation was getting the various St.Ives commands to fight against the Capellan forces, which many originally refused to do. It wasn’t until the Mandarin of Hexare attacked Milos in 3061 with the newly reformed Twentieth Sian Dragoons that the SIMC began taking the war seriously. The duke was happy to then retake various lost worlds and secure them, with Free Capella working the propaganda arm to see this as a true liberation.

Attempt on his life

On 22^nd June 3063, an assassin managed to infiltrate the command headquarters of the Federated Commonwealth on Spica. Poison was slipped pas the water purification system, leading to the death of 7 officers and multiple other being injured. Morgan Hasek-Davion was affected, the poison damaging his liver and stomach, but he survived. The assassin was supposed to be a part of the Capellan intelligence, but MIIO operatives captured him on Decus and interrogated him, revealing he was actually working for ComStar.

While recovering from the murder attempt, Morgan Hasek contacted the ComStar’s Precentor of New Avalon for details. He received a response directly from Primus Sharilar Mori, apologizing for the incident and blaming a “radical sect of extremists” within ComStar. The duke did not quite accept the answer, but MIIO brought forth information pointing out the schism in ComStar between the more secular members and what would later be known as the Word of Blake.

The details on the attempt on the duke’s life were kept secret, with most other commands seeing this as an underhanded attack by the Capellans. The Syrtis Fusiliers shook the St. Ives Lancers into pushing further attacks into Capellan space, which Morgan was happy to sponsor. Even in recovery, he spent most of his time drafting orders and making plans with his senior officers, with the occasional visit from Lady Liao or Tormano Liao.

Political Career

Duke Hasek-Davion is mostly seen as a military figure. Since returning to the Capellan March, however, his political role has increased significantly. Morgan keeps the lie of that is father was killed by the Capellans while remaining loyal to the Federated crown alive. He keeps promoting pro-Federated Commonwealth messages in the region, even while supporting the St.Ives Compact and Free Capella.

Some locals dislike his friendly attitude towards the “Capellan rebels”, which they would prefer to see assimilated into the Federated Commonwealth. Morgan, however, realized quickly after returning to his ancestral home that such a thing would not be possible without spending too much military capital and even started to discuss ceding worlds to the Compact in exchange for military guarantees.

Thankfully, Morgan has the assistance of his uncle Hanse in many endeavors, as both men keep a steady communication. Barely able to function without life support, Hanse is happy to support his nephew in his actions and teach him what he knows of politics at the highest level.

Personal Life

The young Morgan Hasek-Davion loved playing chess but after beating his father once, he stopped playing due to his father’s reaction. He took the hobby back after Hanse Davion’s heart attack, playing against his uncle in distance games when he is not on New Avalon. He also grew to appreciate other tabletop wargames, appreciating Broadword 60 000 the most, collecting and painting a legion of Dragon Knights in the colors of the Davion Heavy Guards. This makes some fans of the game incredibly mad due to “inserting real world politics into the game”, but Morgan does not have much time for ComNet trolls.

He is married to former spy Kym Sorenson, with whom he had 3 children. Some people say that his relationship with Duchess Candace Liao is “more than just being colleagues and friends”, but there is no proof of this outside rumors likely created by the Maskirovka. He is a staunch supporter of his nephew Victor Steiner-Davion.

Morgan Hasek-Davion’s BattleMech

Morgan piloted an Atlas early in his career. He now pilots an Pillager, a gift from Candace Liao.

Clan Watch Report

“The attempt on Morgan Hasek-Davion’s life by unidentified ComStar agents weakened him more than he lets on in public. He has not been seen piloting his BattleMech since the events, potentially due to nerve damage. This does not mean, however, that one should discount Duke Hasek-Davion! The man has grown in political stature since the start of the Fifth Succession War and has become an influential member of the upper nobility of the Federated Commonwealth, comparable to the Duke of Robinson or the current Margrave of Skye. His military strategies are not the most revolutionary, but he has been able to get people with extremely different political opinions to serve together towards a common goal. Unlike many other Inner Sphere lords, he also did this with limited desire for glory or self-aggrandizing, even shrinking his own realm in the ordeal. Further intelligence work is required.”