Okay, folks, I overreached with Revival Reborn; I know that. I am certain Drakensis could have told me I has grabbing for too much, but I wanted to at least try. But in between everything else I have been working on (Star Trek, Star Wars, my novel for Baen, Pathfinder, etc.), I've got this idea that keeps popping up in my head.
Bear with me as I outline it here. Starting about 3030, history is slightly changed. Mikhail Kirov becomes Khan of Clan Goliath Scorpion (I have no clue who was Khan at the time, by the way). Kirov is a forward thinker and he sees the impass between the Wardens and the Crusaders is something that will, eventually, be resolved. And is a pragmatist. All of the defections have so far been toward the Crusader camp, with the numbers of Wardens shrinking.
Although a staunch Warden himself, he orders a full review of the Scorpion toumen--and is not pleased by what is reported. Out-dated equipment, units of superbly trained Warriors who act as individuals and not formed units, a full sixth of his entire cadre of Warriors Seeking on their vision quests.
Meanwhile, the other Clans have leapt ahead of the stagnent Scorpions. With a mere four enclaves (five, if you include Strana Mechty) on Dagda, Roche, Tokasha, and Marshall, all of which have been traditionally seen as 'resource poor', the Scorpions were in a sorry state.
Furious over how the previous Khan and his saKhan (Gregor Lunde, who is still Kirov's saKhan), Kirov shakes up the system. He recruits a ristar named Nikolai Djerassi, newly promoted to command of the 20th Scorpion Cuirassier, to demand a Trial of Greivance against Lunde. Appearing surprised by this, but saddened greatly, Kirov grants the young Scorpion permission--to the abject horror of the saKhan. Djerassi kills him quickly.
Kirov then promotes Djerassi to saKhan and assigns Nikolai to get the Clan back into shape. All Seekers are recalled to duty, which brings the Loremaster (Angela Tazegul) to confront the Khan and Nikolai in a furor. Nikolai accepts her Trial of Refusal, but then she bids the entire Gamma Galaxy to defend her Seekers. Kirov puts the khibosh on that, but allows her to fight with a single Cluster. She accepts with the 3rd Scorpion Cuirassier and Nikolai meets her on Roche with his own 20th.
The Loremaster accuses Nikolai of ignoring the rules of Nicolas Kerensky when his well-training 20th begins tearing apart her own formation. The younger saKhan then informs the Loremaster that if she is so concerned with the Martial Code of Nicolas Kerensky, she should stand down her men and meet him in single combat--she agrees, and dies. Kirov takes the opportunity and appoints Randal Posavatz, a close associate of Nikolai as Loremaster.
Over the next five years, Kirov, Djerassi, and Posavatz reform and retrain the Scorpions, using the returning Seekers who are able to serve to fill out four new Clusters. In addition, saKhan Djerassi organizes the training cadre of the Scorpion sibkos on Dagda and Roche into the 51st and 52nd Reserve Dragoon (Cadre) Clusters. Each sibkin class is assigned to one of the two Cadre Clusters in their final year, before they actually qualify as warriors. Here they learn real tactics and strategy from the cockpits of real 'Mechs in the field.
The sudden glut of new Warriors and extensive Trials of Position spur Kirov to form a Scorpion Solahma Cluster, to which he assigns aging Warriors who hope for one final chance at glory. The remaining three Clusters are formed as Cuirassier formations, with one designated as the Knife Dance Keshik. The remaining two, remain independent and are assigned to the Clan's six galaxies on an 'as-needed' basis.
Although there are many in the rank-and-file who question these decisions, the pace of the reforms keeps all of the Warrior Caste too busy to do little more than complain--and by the end of 3035, the increase in battlefield effectiveness and general Clan morale is palatable. Part of this comes about when Kirov and Djerassi announce that fifteen new Garrison Clusters, consisting only of vehicles and conventional are being formed. These Garrison units--initially manned by failed Warriors assigned to Civilian castes--will be assuming much of the burden of garrison, freeing the Scorpion Toumen to play the Great Game with the other Clans.
Early in 3036, another surprise binds the Scorpions still closer to their Khan. Back in 3031, Khan Kirov ordered Scientists, Technicians, and Laborers to construct a major industrial complex in a deep cavern hidden beneath the Temple of the Nine Muses on Roche. At the same time, teams of Scientists began work on five new OmniMechs--OmniMechs designed by Scorpions for Scorpions. In 3036, the first products of that hidden factory were revealed. Although light on firepower, the new designs were heavily amored for their respective weight classes (35, 45, 55, 65, and 75 tons), ALL were equipped with jump jets for maximum mobility (one each speed from 6/9/6 to 8/12/8, plus two 5/8/5s), and EVERY configuration featured a targeting computer. Not one missile launcher was installed. Except for Artillery Configurations with Arrow IV on the 55 and 65 tonners.
These new OmniMechs began to trickle into the ranks of Alpha and Beta Galaxy by the summer of 3036, and both Gamma and Delta were promised their BattleMechs would begin being replaced by 3044. Epsilon and Zeta were last on the schedule, but at the current rate of production were expected to receive their new Omnis by 3052. Of course, the immediate results were explosive: OmniMechs (standard Clan models) from Alpha and Beta began to replace second-line BattleMechs in Gamma and Delta. Which then replaced old antiquated SLDF BattleMechs in Epsilon and Zeta.
Fast forward to 3048. Khan Kirov died in 3044, and now Nikolai Djerassi is Khan, with Randal Posavatz as saKhan. When the Jaguars reveal to the Grand Council that they have captured the Outbound Light and that the Inner Sphere has found the Clans, both men recognize that this is the moment--and they cannot stop the wave, only hope to ride it.
They shock the Council by siding with the Crusaders, and fiercely debate over Showers and Critchells plan of attack. Taken aback by the ferocity of the normally placid Scorpions, the Jaguar and Falcon quickly meet with Djerassi in private. When they question him, they discover that he wants the Scorpions assigned to the Invasion. Both men humor him, and promise Djerassi his Clan will have a place in the trials.
Selecting his finest unit, outfitted with the relatively new and still exclusively Scorpion OmniMechs, Djerassi watches in pleasure as his men tear through first the Cobras, then the Coyotes, and finally defeat the Diamond Sharks. All three Clans protest against the 'un-Clanlike' behavior of the Scorpion troops, but Djerassi--supported by the Khan of Clan Star Adder--successfully argue that if the Clans cannot defeat Warriors utilizing basic SLDF tactics, how do they expect to defeat the Inner Sphere bandit armies?
As the plans for the operation are being finalized, the Trials come down to the Falcons, Jaguars, Bears, Adders, Cats, Vipers, Scorpions, and Horses, with Clan Wolf assured an invasion lane. With slots for three active and two reserve Clans, the Trials begin, with the Adders being narrowly defeated by the Bears, the Vipers falling to the Falcons, the Jaguars defeating the Cats, and the Scorpions soundly defeating the Horses in a move that stunned the Crusader Clans.
However, ilKhan Showers proclaimed that the Scorpions bid for the invasion was too conservative, and awarded the final active Clan slots to the Jaguars, Bears, and Falcons, with the Vipers and Cats in reserve. The Adders and Horses both withdrew their bids, but Khan Djerassi was furious and he demanded a Trial of Refusal, over his forces denied a place despite defeating his opponent.
Heated words were exchanged between the new Jaguar Khan (??) Howell and Djerassi, and the Jaguars gained the honor of putting the Scorpions back into their place. Things did not work out so well. Personally leading his command Keshik, Nikolai Djerassi fought against Khan Howell and killed him in battle, routing the Jaguar forces. Furious over the loss, ilKhan Showers--unable to avenge his former saKhan--compromised and created a third 'Reserve to the Reserve' Clan and assigned to the Scorpions to that slot.
From here things proceed according to canon, with the Scorpions on-hand (with Alpha and Beta Galaxy, the Knife Dance Keshik, the 20th and 26th Scorpion Cuirassier, and the Scorpion Solahma Cluster; 12 Line Clusters in all, with another 10 Garrison Clusters in support). Forbidden from actual combat operations (as the Reserve to the Reserve Clan), Djerassi and his Star Colonels took note of each and every setback and triumph. They brought forward and posistioned huge reserves of materials, munitions, and supplies--and they bartered with Clans Ghost Bear and Wolf when the need for PGCs was suddenly realized. The ten Scorpion Garrison Clusters proved instrumental in calming down the former Rasalhague worlds.
Then comes the death of ilKhan Showers. Djerassi argues against returning the Homeworlds, but his debate fails to alter the vote. A year is wasted through which Ulric Kerensky is elected as ilKhan.
The invasion resumes, and once again, Nikolai is disappointed when Ulric activates the Vipers and the Cats, but not his Scorpions. As the invasion restarts, Nikolai begins to question the ilKhan, arguing about the wisdom of assigning the Vipers with the Falcons and the Cats with Jaguars. As these four Clans begin fighting each other over worlds, Nikolai becomes more and more alarmed--he fears that the ilKhan is sabotaging the invasion. Although a Warden, the very idea of such an act is . . . unthinkable to a Clansman.
Taking his concerns to the ilKhan, Nikolai is assured that the success of the invasion is very much on Ulric's mind, but the Scorpions fears are not eased. And then comes Tukayyid.
Finally allowed to participate in battle, Nikolai shocks the assembled Khans when he refuses to bid away his WarShip support. Ulric thunders at him, but the Scorpion stands his ground--and cites the Martial Code. Not even the ilKhan can command a Khan to lower his bid in actual combat. This is in addition to the fact that he bids all 12 of his Line Clusters and 4 Garrison Clusters. Ulric finally backs down, but the inclusion of the capital ships and the large bid means that the Scorpions will land 24 hours after the Wolves touch down Dead last.
Most believe that Nikolai chose poorly.
The battle progresses according to canon, but when the Scorpions hit dirt they ripped through the relatively inexperienced Eighth Army with a combination of speed, mobility, and precision fire that the ComGuards simply could not believe. With the Eighth routed, Djerassi pivoted and tore into the Second Army--already understrength and manned by green troops. The ComGuards were unable to stand against the onslaught, and retreated as Focht desperately arranged for the Fifth Army to move in and repel the Scorpions from Kozice Prime and Urcunat. Although the combat drop of the Fifth directly atop the Scorpion positions gave the ComGuards an opportunity to reclaim the cities, the mauled Eighth and Second were unable to provide assistance. A desperate stand by the Scorpion Solahma at the head of the free-born Garrison Clusters held back the Fifth long enough for saKhan Posavatz to arrive with Beta Galaxy and send the robe a'running.
By this point, the ilKhan was facing that the Vipers, Cats, and Jaguars had been defeated, the Falcons fought to a draw, and the Wolves, Bears, and Scorpions were victorious. The battle was in balance, and Ulric was concerned about the status of the remaining three Clans--Wolves, Bears, and Scorpions--and their supplies. The other four had withdrawn, three in disgrace and one licking its painful wounds and mourning the loss of a great Warrior.
The Scorpions had taken grevious casualties, including the loss of saKhan Posavatz. The ilKhan was urging both Nikolai and the Bears tattered leadership into admitting their defeat. It was at that moment that Nikolai Djerassi won the Battle of Tukayyid. Comming Star Admiral Elijah Ben-Shimon aboard the GSS Serket in orbit, he ordered his WarShips to immediately begin an orbital bombardment of all Comstar troop concentrations.
Ulric countermands the order. Nikolai confirms it and warns the ilKhan not to interfere--his ships had been bid by the customs of the Clans. "And after all, Nicolas himself ordered my very Clan to use such weapons on Dagda, did he not?"
Focht watches in horror as his concentrations of troops are burnt and shattered from orbital fire--before his command bunker is the target of a direct hit. The Precentor Martial dies.
Less than seventeen hours later, all of the surviving Comguard units have surrendered.
Of course, it is for naught. The Primus has launched Operation Scorpion (funny about that name) and refuses to hand over Terra. Ulric is disgraced by her perfidity.
And that is as far as I have gotten in my outline. Any ideas? Thoughts? Suggestions? Should I write it?
Master Arminas
