View source for Danny Spriggs

{{InfoBoxCharacter
| image              
| caption             = John Geist
| name                = 
| birthdate           = 
| died                = [[3037]]
| othernames          = 
| affiliation         = [[Andurien]]
| profession          = [[Commander]]
| parents             = [[John Marshall Spriggs]] (father)
| siblings            = 
| spouse              = 
| children            = 
}}
'''Danny Spriggs''' was an [[Andurien]] tank commander and officer.

==History==
Danny was the son of [[Colonel]] John Marshall Spriggs. Following in his footsteps, Danny enlisted in the Andurien Defenders. Like his father, he was an idealist and strong believer in the cause of Andurien's independence. He lost his father due to cancer before the [[Andurien Secession]] in [[3030]].<ref>''Every Twelve Seconds'' in ''First Strike'', p. 43</ref>

Danny fought in the invasion of Capellan Confederation space, and later, in the defense Andurien against the Marik invaders. In late May of [[3037]], he was stationed on [[Xanthe III]]. The Marik invasion quickly overwhelmed the Andurien Defenders, forcing them to retreat offworld, abandoning many of their supplies. Attempting to delay the pursuit, they left a rearguard in the city of New Barstow, with Danny's battalion among the unlucky units.<ref>''Historical: Brush Wars'', p. 76</ref><ref name=ETSp45>''Every Twelve Seconds'' in ''First Strike'', p. 45</ref>

The loss of superior, Major Mitchell, resulted in Lieutenant Danny Spriggs being brevetted major at only twenty-six and given command of the defense.<ref>''Every Twelve Seconds'' in ''First Strike'', p. 42</ref>

His unit, comprising only infantry and armor, was defending the front line, a canal through the city. The Marik attackers broadcast a message for weeks, stating "every twelve seconds an Andurien defender dies in New Barstow", implying that they must surrender before it is their turn.
Danny, despite knowing that his defense was a doomed one, and morale was weakening day to day, refused.

During an attack by the [[Fifth Marik Militia]], Danny led a counterattack with two [[Von Luckner]] tanks, attempting to delay the inevitable Marik victory. They managed to destroy two Marik [[Galleon]] tanks, but then came under attack by two Marik BattleMechs, a ''[[Vindicator]]'' and a ''[[Rifleman]]''. The other Von Luckner exploded after a hard fight and the 'Mechs turned to Danny's tank.<ref>''Every Twelve Seconds'' in ''First Strike'', p. 51</ref>

===Death and Legacy===
Danny's tank was crippled and on fire, with half its crew killed. Danny attempted to evacuate the tank with the only other survivor, but he fell, implying that he died when his tank exploded.<ref>''Every Twelve Seconds'', p. 52</ref>

However, Danny's sacrifice was a success – the last stand of New Barstow, although bloody, won both defending units time to depart, leaving Xanthe III in Marik hands. In the end, their sacrifice was in vain, as Andurien fell at the end of the next year, and the Duchy was forcibly returned to the League.<ref>''Historical: Brush Wars'', p. 82</ref>

==Vehicles==
In New Barstow, Danny commanded a [[Von Luckner]] [[Combat Vehicle|tank]], the ''Lucy B''.<ref name=ETSp45 />

==Personality==
Danny was initially enthusiastic and ready to carry the torch of the cause of Andurien independence. After two years of fighting, he'd gained maturity and lost most of his enthusiasm. Like his father before him, he appreciated his soldiers and wanted to protect them above all else.
Danny was clearly very close to his father and thought much of him.

==Notes==
It is unknown whether Danny served in the [[Third Defenders of Andurien]] or the [[Fifth Defenders of Andurien]].

==References==
<references />

==Bibliography==
* ''[[Every Twelve Seconds]]'' (short story)
* ''[[Historical: Brush Wars]]''


[[Category:Free Worlds League Characters|Spriggs, Danny]]