OBT Forum

Ok, after reading Panzerfaust's ideas I decided to toss out a few of my own. I've posted these before on other sites, but here they are together. The idea is that they form the core of an alternate timeline I've got in my head, but each one could be used separately (together, they make for a pretty... hectic Inner Sphere during the 3070s).

1)And now for something completely different. Here's a wacky idea: the Free Worlds League doesn't erupt into civil war. I don't know about you all, but the canon timeline (concerning the FWL) is just plain lame. I don't buy the arguments that "at least one successor state has to die so the timeline can advance" that get bandied about on cbt.com. The League has been described as being like a family: squabbling, but quick to unite against outside threats. So, here's what we do.

In 3067, before the fateful Whitting Conference Thomas Marik has his confrontation with brother Paul Marik (instead of in 3069, during the Jihad). Paul threatens to reveal the truth about the impostor (just like in canon) and attempts his coup. Thomas pulls a fast one: knowing he can't avoid his true identity as a double becoming public- and all the consequences that the canon timeline shows- he bushwhacks his enemies, including the Blakists who want his true identity made public. Giving a memorable speech before Parliament, Thomas declares the end of Resolution 288; the crisis is over, what with the second Star League and the results of the Grand Refusal ending the clan threat. The Captain-General has stepped down, and Parliament is back in control. Thomas' popularity rises high enough that a celebrating public laughs off the accusations of impostor by the Blakists and Paul Marik as the grumblings of sore losers.

2)The Wolf Dragoons, emphasis on Wolf: real simple, this one. I'll never understand how Phelan Kell, khan or no khan, didn't get his butt nailed to the wall by his wolves for shacking up with mercenaries. So Ulrich Kerensky, being an alleged smart cookie, decides that old Kerlin Ward's plan is still worthwhile. He tells Phelan to take his wolves to Outreach, and help the Dragoons carry out Kerlin's project. Trials of position follow, and Phelan is now busted down (again) to saKhan under Khan Maeve Wolf. The new Dragoons/Wolves-in-exile fusion withdraws from the mercenary market, but continues to allow others to use Harlech as before. Just this little change; Phelan still does his thing in Op. Bulldog and the FedCom civil war. Meaning that by 3067, Outreach is awfully full of trueborns and wolf naval assets. Conflict between them and the Word of Blake just got a whole lot nastier 

(still reading, after that wall of text? Wow...)

3)      Two paths before you
         Membership or absorption
         Destiny in your hands
(message sent to the Grand Council of the clans, Dec.3067)

November, 3067
Fourth Star League Conference, Tharkad

Coordinator Theodore Kurita sat back in his chair. "Now it begins," he thought to himself. The groundwork had been laid during his tenure as First Lord of the Star League; his successor did not need much encouragement to implement it. Now, the gathered leaders of the Inner Sphere will vote to lead the combined mankind to its destiny. The destiny of the Kuritas.

The first Star League was a tool to carry out the ambitions of one man. It consolidated its existence through war. Now the Second Star League finds itself at a crossroads: how to justify its existence? Did it really accomplish its mission of dealing with the clan threat? As First Lord, Theodore Kurita asked this, although the answer was never really in doubt. So here's the scenario: What if the Fourth Star League conference doesn't end in disaster? What if the assembled lords decide on a new mission?

Reunification.

The message (allegedly written by Theodore-sama himself) is sent to the clans. This is their Pollux Proclamation: They will join the Star League, one way or another. Each of the House leaders have more than enough reason to agree to this plan.

FedSuns: Alexander Davion joined the first Star League because he had just come through an ugly civil war, and needed help rebuilding. Just like Yvonne Davion-Steiner's situation now.
Lyran Alliance: see the FedSuns situation above.
Capellan Confederation: The first time the SLDF went after the clans, Sun-Tsu Liao got the St.Ives Compact. Why would he say no this time?
Free Worlds League: A new war? mo' money, mo' money,...
ComStar/Word of Blake: Fight the clans? Duh.
Rasalhague: the conversation goes something like this:
  Theodore K: "If you vote for my plan, you get to kill clanners and liberate your homeworlds."
  Mandsotter: (drooling) "I'm so there dude!"

So, what do you all think? Is there a chance any of the clans would accept the offer (yeah, I didn't think so either)? Who should the SLDF go after first? Should they hit a clan already in the Inner Sphere, or hit somebody in the clan homeworlds? I know this alternate timeline completely eliminates the Jihad (a good thing, in my opinion); the idea is simply to ask, "what if history- at least with regard to the Star League- repeated itself?"

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So, feedback, comments, criticisms, fire away!