Good morning gang. After some thought I've built in something I think works very well in the canon BattleTech universe. It will tie in with the Deep Space Cavalry (DSC) I did for the Star League era and even though it might not appear in BTSD per say you will see it appear in Clarion Call. So I'd love your comments and any canon research or quotes you can provide to support or dismiss my assertions.
The Terran Defense Force which can be found in at least three canon sources (pg 71 of 20 Year Update, pg 85 of ComStar SB, and the Fall of Terra) I contend was the forerunner of the ComGuards. Founded by Jerome Blake in the aftermath of Operation Silver Shield circa 2788 this force had as its mandate to safeguard the security of the Sol system under the auspices of ComStar. Composed of SLDF veterans who were urged by General Kerensky to "pledge their assistance to Blake's reconstruction effort" (pg 13 CSSB) these warriors may have had their loyalty secured by a promise of pay by way of huge parts and equipment caches that ComStar controlled (pg 13 CSSB).
While ComStar believed that seizing Terra for its own good some of these veterans may not have. Driving off the garrison forces left by the House Lords was probably not hard to conceive but beheading what was left of a disfunctional Hegemony might have been too much for some. Heavy fighting in South America between two SLDF Mechanized Divisions who refused to submit to Blake's authority was a good indicator. Many probably agreed that it had to be done or Terra would have been destroyed by a five way battle between rival claimants to the First Lordship but watching the Houses swoop in and crush what resistance remained could have bought out some guilt. Had they helped destroy the Terran nation? Why couldn't they save more worlds or the entire Hegemony?
Unable to go on the offensive in any meaningful way the TDF would gradually be shrunk by ComStar as the threat to Terra receded. Forced demobiliztion of such a force is a hard thing (ComStar didn't have ROM till 2811 and see Kerensky's efforts to disband SLDF on the homeworlds) even though many of its warriors may have been old enough to retire. As an outlet Blake may have let some of theme go. Perhaps a few into mercenary service here or there but you probably don't want the Houses acquiring whole units of personnel. So here is my proposal and a way to add on to the Deep Space Cavalry write up I did a while ago (I get the link and post it below).
The Periphery Frontier Force (PFF) was formed by ComStar to maintain pockets of stability in the vast Periphery and helped as a safety valve to reduce the Terran Defense Force. While other ComStar units (at this point they likely retained their SLDF designations) may have taken part in this effort the core force was composed of the 13th Royal French Demi-Brigade (which was one of the Unknown Units listed in the SLSB). This is a way to carry on the legend of the famous Foreign Legion who travels the fringes of the Human Sphere during the Succession War creating strongholds for rebuilding the HPG network, exploring, and hunting pirates. They have to maintain a low profile because they are vastly outnumbered and you don't want too many folks knowing about your journey or your possible home. They'd concentrate on maintaining what they had rather than embark on costly and unsustainable campaigns of expansion.
Over time they might recruit other commands (like their brothers in 3rd French Infantry Regiment or other SLDF commands) who might have tired of the Succession Wars. Maybe they even find what is left of the Star League Deep Space Cavalry (the Regulators) which would be the forerunner of the Periphery Frontier Force. While their exact size would vary over time the PFF is a defuse organization spread over immense distances much by design of Blake and later ROM. Whatever their strength individual commands might not be aware of each other or are far to removed to work effectively together. If they did it would have to be a real special event and ComStar would always know. Adventures like trying to find Kerensky, finding evil out on the Rim Worlds, and much much more are easily possible.
The creation of ROM in 2811 is important to the TDF and the PFF which before hand had operated with loose control from Blake and perhaps the First Circuit. As security of ComStar as a whole is their purview Precentor ROM would assume control of both organizations. Beating off the scarce interloper and various ill conceived raids on the Terran system runs its course for the TDF which ROM really never trusts. Eventually it is reduced to a glorified militia instead of a true standing army. The PFF goes in the other direction gradually expanding to support the Orders growing operations in the Periphery. Still the various commands are kept separate and under careful surveillance by ROM.
In 2933 the ComGuards began to form marking a shift in military policy by the Order. Before hand security was left to ROM, the TDF was charged with defense of Terra, and the PFF had its duties in the Periphery. There was no true ComStar military to defend the HPG. That all changed with this act. The TDF (which was by now woefully ill prepared to deal with a real invasion) was absorbed into the Guard eventually assuming its canon position. The PFF was keep hidden by ROM as it had nothing to do with HPG and continued to function in much the same way becoming a hidden asset of the Blakists.
Thoughts?
