So, Ice and I were talking about the connection between the Draconis Combine and the Magistracy of Canopus thanks to his Shadow Hawk entry when we hit upon this subject which we'd love for everyone to discuss.
The Draconis-Canopian connection has always been an interesting one to me especially given the distance. I suppose it is somewhat tenuous but MoC basing their military academy after the Combine's is very telling. Do you think this is only admiration or something more?
Your question rang a bell in me. I first thought it was in the Notable 'MechWarriors of the Panther (TRO 3025) but no... It was a Notable 'MechWarrior of the Stinger.
Captain Scope Kinugau
Once well known throughout the Successor States, Kinugau foreswore his allegiance to House Kurita by joining the 'Mech regiments of the Magistracy of Canopus beyond the Periphery. It was said he had fallen in love with the bewitching Magistrix Kyalla, leader of the Magistracy and herself a former BattleMech leader. Since then, Kinugau and his Stinger, newly renamed the Centrellan Hope (after Kyalla's House name), have become important additions to the Canopan forces.
A veteran of nearly 50 engagements in service to Kurita, Scope Kinugau is now in charge of Mechwarrior scout training in the Magistracy of Canopus. Kyalla is rumored to be negotiating an alliance with House Liao, which would make her a combatant in the Successor Wars.
I was thinking of something mentioned in the Periphery Second Edition Sourcebook under the brand new Canopian Institute of War which was modeled after the Sun Zhang Mechwarrior Academy. This premier center of military learning for the Draconis Combine is an interesting choice given a number of factors. To which Ice has added -
I checked your reference.
Perhaps he was the first Director or the man behind the curriculum but this might be a bit late since the CIW was founded in 3058 and Scope Kinugau was in 3025 already a veteran... Perhaps he made a lasting impression on the MAF? Or when he was discharged or after the rise to power of Emma Centrella, his expertise was used to train new recruits and when they built the Institute, they naturally reversed to their former trainer in chief curriculum?
This is very intriguing to me as a story option but I'd love to hear what everyone thinks.