Battle of Ceres


 * Seen in: “The Last Man”
 * Previous: Blockade of Io, Battle of Sinope
 * Next: Second Battle of Mercury
 * War: Neosapien War
 * Year: 2120
 * Location: Ceres
 * Tactical victory: Exofleet, Pirate Clans
 * Strategic victory: Neosapien Commonwealth
 * Objective
 * Exofleet: infiltrate Ceres
 * Pirate Clans: infiltrate Ceres
 * Neosapien Commonwealth: defend Ceres
 * Factions
 * Exofleet
 * Pirate Clans
 * Neosapien Commonwealth
 * Commanding officer
 * Exofleet: Avery F. Butler
 * Pirate Clans:
 * Neosapien Commonwealth: Drusus
 * Units
 * Exofleet: Exocruiser, E-frames, 5th Platoon, Baker Company, Charlie Company, Fox Company
 * Pirate Clans:
 * Neosapien Commonwealth: E-frames
 * Casualties
 * Exofleet: Baker Company, Fox Company
 * Pirate Clans:
 * Neosapien Commonwealth:

History
Several Jumptroop units had been sent to Ceres to train the jumptroops and confuse the Neosapiens. Winfield wanted Phaeton to reinforce the Mars Fleet so Mercury would be left with minimal defenses.

Upon landing, Butler found that the Neosapien complex was abandoned, then the jumptroops were attacked by Neosapien E-frames and forced onto the defensive. During the retreat a Neo Megawas captured. Butler called for evacuation and realized that the ambush was too elaborate to destroy a jumptroop assault. Several Exocruisers arrived for the evac and provided E-frame support.

Baker Company and Fox Company had suffered severe losses. The Neo Mega was placed in deep freeze, but escaped. Entering the hangar, the Neo Mega hijacked an E-frame and was eventually blown out into space.