OBT Forum
General BattleTech => Alternate Universe => Topic started by: drakensis on June 07, 2012, 06:35:36 AM
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In 2765 a battalion of Taurian BattleMechs stormed Aleksandr Kerensky's headquarters on New Vandenberg. In canon he made an escape in a BattleMech and managed to reach a spaceport.
But suppose he didn't?
The SLDF faces the biggest crisis since the Reunification Wars, with its Commanding General dead (or even captured), Richard Cameron on the throne and other than the reinforcements Kerensky brought with him, the SLDF is still scattered across the entire Inner Sphere.
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Do they get deChavellier as well? He would be the obvious replacement.
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Do they get deChavellier as well? He would be the obvious replacement.
I'd hazard a guess that he would be more of a threat than Kerensky.
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I kinda agree assuming deChavellier survives the House Lords could have a lot more to worry about.
He makes the logical choice to replace Kerensky and didn't he suggest to Kerensky to replace the House Lords at one point?
Say he survives completes the Reunification War then gets rid of Amaris, he could end up recreating the Terran Hegemony under House deChavellier
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DeChavilier was also the guy who had the idea of the Exodus.
On the other hand he doesn't seem to be particularly politically adept and Richard - still alive and a puppet in Amaris' hands - might decide he doesn't want Kerensky's carefully groomed deputy to be in charge... and that decision could tear the SLDF apart once Richard is dead.
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Perhaps Amaris could make Richard name a puppet general or try to slowly turn the SLDF to his side.
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Amaris could actually end up Commanding General of the SLDF.
Richard trusts him, in fact views Amaris as his lone ally. Having Stefan step down as ruler of the RWR (appointing his son in place) and taking over the SLDF would be a move to have someone he trusts in charge.
Scary thought, Stefan Amaris, Commanding General of the SLDF
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Yes it is and one that if he lived might have come about
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Was Amaris known as having any kind of command experience?
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Just what his sick mind said he knew .
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But would the SLDF accept that? Would the House Lords?
I have a hard time thinking the Succession States leaders would accept a Periphery leader as the SLDF's Commanding General
You could be looking at rebellion by the SLDF against Richard - or an SLDF Civil War - or even the Succession lords breaking from the Star League Council in disgust.
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or an SLDF Civil War
Cool.
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Was Amaris known as having any kind of command experience?
That may, or may not matter. Just spitballin here, but...
On one hand, to claim leadership of the SLDF Amaris would have to step down as leader of the Rim Worlds Republic. The move could weaken his position at home, and among the Republican army since it might look like he's abandoning them for greener pastures. Selim was only named Regent after Amaris claimed the title of Emperor, not before.
The jump in position could also ruin all of the plans he's set into motion for usurping the Hegemony. Rather than making it easier to launch the Coup, taking control of the SLDF means operating within its boundaries, not outside of it. While Amaris might be able to continue shipping in Republican troops into the Hegemony, it might be more difficult.
Plus, moving to the SLDF is not a lateral move, it's actually a step down and away from the throne: literally. Amaris would have to take command of the SLDF, this means leaving Terra and the Hegemony for the front line. This could seriously threaten or stall plans for the Coup.
Also, while Richard II may or may not have the juice to appoint Amaris as Commanding General, his lack of military experience will likely stipulate titular control while he becomes "acclimated" with command and the SLDF. (Actually, I can almost guarantee it should Amaris make it past the High Council.)
So as Commanding General, Amaris might be closely scrutinized by a truly loyal member of the SLDF, or worse, forced to go through "SLDF boot camp" to learn the skills he needs to lead. Either way, his ability to direct the SLDF is affected, so taking command of the SLDF might actually hurt his powers, not expand them.
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I don't fully agree with you.
Have you heard of Social Generals? :P and just look at our history and how many times inept people with no qualifications were put in a commanding position?
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Kerensky is dead. That means DeChavalier takes over (that is what deputy commanders are for, after all). Of course, the Commanding General has to be approved by the High Council and nominated by the First Lord of the Star League.
What happens if Richard surprises everyone at the next meeting of the High Council, nominating his 'friend' Stefan Amaris as the Commanding General? I don't see the High Council being amused . . . at all. Stefan will get hand his head (figuratively) at the Council meeting, and Richard will throw a tantrum. I can see him NOT appointing anyone as CG of the SLDF if Amaris cannot be appointed, leaving Aaron in a legal limbo. Of course, Stefan Amaris would not want to be Commanding General, for the reasons already discussed above. But he would use this 'snub' at Richard's authority to worm his way deeper and deeper into the First Lord's paranoia and sense of self-indulgence, leading to the Amaris Coup right on schedule.
At least, that is what happens if the universe makes any sense.
But what if Richard does successfully appoint Amaris as commanding general? This is an abject betrayel of the SLDF by the First Lord. Amaris has never served in the SLDF, and while he has Terran citizenship, he is the head of a foreign power. What if Aaron DeChavalier and the ranking SLDF leadership, in the aftermath of General Kerensky's death and this . . . idiocy by the First Lord, take matters into their own hands? What if they move First Army back to Terra with orders to arrest Amaris and remove Richard from office?
Is it possible that the instead of the Amaris Coup, we could see the DeChavalier Coup?
Master Arminas
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I don't fully agree with you.
Have you heard of Social Generals? :P and just look at our history and how many times inept people with no qualifications were put in a commanding position?
It's the SLDF, not the LCAF or LAAF.
Plus, the SLDF is already in a state of war, with a lot on the line - the High Council won't be so easy to convince of Amaris's qualifications. If they agree, they'll do so with stipulations.
As MA mentioned, I think it's highly unlikely Stefan would get through the door, let alone a seat at the head of the table. However, Richard II is just unpredictable enough that he'd nominate Amaris and argue for his ascension as a matter of course.
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It is true he needs approval but don't forget, this is politics and a "weak" SLDF with an "inept" commanding officer could be something that the House Lords have an interest in.
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What I could see is Amaris manipulating a candidate of his own choosing into the position of SLDF Commander to replace Kerensky. I believe he did this with the bureaucracy of the Terra like the Hegemony High Council to setup his quisling regime. He would realize he doesn't have the votes on the Star League High Council and pour poison into young Richard's empty head about this much as MA suggests but there has to be a candidate who is favorable to him in the SLDF. This person would have to be a high officer in the Star League perhaps someone Amaris may have already helped earn rapid promotion or favored position. He or she is not likely personally loyal to him but may have done something in their past to jeopardize their career, social standing, family, wealth, etc to put Amaris in a position to control them. Now Kerensky did take great pains to streamline and organize the SLDF meaning undesirables (Social Generals) and the like would be rare but every organization has at least one. So yes I believe at least one or even a few dark horse candidates could exist in the SLDF of 2765.
So can this "dark horse" candidate be advanced? Again their rank would need to be sufficient and that might be tough for someone Amaris helped directly as Kerensky would notice and likely quash said career. So unless we are going to "enhance" his resume with some Battle of Gotterdamberg (the battle the RWR didn't really fight against a Periphery BattleMech Division) experience which might draw too much suspicion we need someone appearing genuine. So what our schemer Amaris needs is a high officer in the SLDF who can be "leveraged". Remember Kerensky kept his family hidden for a reason.
Now the High Council can be manipulated by Amaris for his own ends. I agree with Ice that the House Lords wouldn't mind a poor candidate that allows them great influence over a weaker SLDF it would advance their own agenda. Don't forget that Amaris frequently used the Lords distrust of Minoru Kurita as a point to advance. Kurita hated Amaris and perhaps he might be driven to hate this candidate convincing Lords like Steiner and Davion to back such appointment. So there is a lot to work with here...
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So unless we are going to "enhance" his resume with some Battle of Gotterdamberg (the battle the RWR didn't really fight against a Periphery BattleMech Division) experience which might draw too much suspicion we need someone appearing genuine.
A good trick.
Let's call this operation Loki.