Battle of Sector 2148

The Battle of Sector 2148 was one of the most intense and hard fought surface-to-space battles of the Earth-Romulan War, which involved Earth Starfleet forces against the Romulan Navy in the skies, and Earth's MACO forces opposing Romulan ground troops across six different worlds. It's size and dual-level of involvement is second only to the fight that ended the war, the Battle of Cheron.

Battle for the Sector
In early 2160, Earth Intelligence Units learned of an unexplored space sector 27 lightyears from Earth. Allegedly, this was going to be a staging ground for a Romulan invasion of Sector 001. When enough intelligence was gathered about troop strongholds, mining operations, and hidden stardocks, Earth launched a surprise attack, deploying seven MACO contingents on the ground of six different worlds.

In space, Starfleet forces were led by Captain Jonathan Archer and the crew of Enterprise NX-01, in addition to five other starships of varying classes. While Starfleet forces were in space fighting off Romulan Birds-of-Prey to drive back their stronghold in the region, the MACO forces were able to take four out of the six planets in the system from the Romulan ground troops.

Finisher
The remaining two planets that could not be taken by the MACOs were dealt with in a highly aggressive manner. The able and surviving MACOs evacuated the surface of the planet, as the NX-02 Columbia lead three other ships in planetary bombardment operations with mid range nuclear warheads, phase cannons, and photonic torpedoes. This ultimately lead to a narrow Earth victory, which many Federation historians believe set the stage for ultimate victory at the Battle of Cheron.

Personal Memory
Chris Clow, then a MACO 2nd Lieutenant, was decorated for valor and bravery by saving nine other MACO soldiers from his and other divisions. Unfortunately, Chris' fiancee, MACO Sergeant Vanessa Willows, was killed before he could rescue her. Clow recieved a Medal of Honor as well as a Purple Heart for injuries sustained, but considered those rewards little consolation for the loss of his betrothed.

Clow took a year's leave after the battle before returning to MACO, and being assigned to the NCC-07, Poseidon. A few months after this transfer, he would become the ship's Executive Officer.

(RPG: Star Trek: Poseidon - The Birth of the Coalition)