Burrock Absorption

The Burrock Absorption was a three-way conflict between Clans Blood Spirit, Burrock and Star Adder fought in 3059.

Although it was expected to be a straightforward Trial of Absorption between Clans Star Adder and Burrock, interference by Clan Blood Spirit turned the conflict into a larger struggle with ongoing repercussions for Clan Blood Spirit especially. The outcome of the Trial also left Clan Star Adder positioned as possibly the most powerful Home Clan.

Origins of the Conflict

The roots of the absorption, and the reasons for the Blood Spirit's interference in it, go back to the earliest days of the Clans. Bitterness at the losses sustained by the Burrock Touman during Operation Klondike caused over a thousand lower castemen and a Trinary of warriors to defect to the Dark Caste (Cloud Cobra sources claim that two Trinaries of warriors defected). Both the Burrocks and Clan Cloud Cobra were ordered by the Clan Grand Council to hunt these renegades down, but where the Cobras engaged as ordered, the Burrocks lied and merely claimed they did, allowing their former Clansman to live. The Burrocks and the renegades traded supplies and information, both benefiting from a relationship known only to the successive Khans of Clan Burrock.

After the Annihilation of Clan Wolverine, several other Clans, including Clan Burrock, saw Clan Blood Spirit's then-extant philosophy of extending help to all other Clans freely as deviating dangerously from the orthodox line. This feeling came to a head in a December 2824 meeting of the Grand Council where Khan Seth Van Houten of Clan Burrock called for the Annihilation of Clan Blood Spirit. Although the motion was defeated, Clan Burrock especially would not let the matter drop, choosing to demonstrate the Blood Spirits' military weakness by relentless raiding of Clan Blood Spirit holdings. Ultimately, this created a deep-seated hatred between the two Clans.

Clan Burrock was able to successfully hide its ties to the Dark Caste for over a century. However, in 3058 shortly after the end of the Refusal War, Khan Cassius N'Buta of Clan Star Adder discovered this long-standing collusion, immediately bringing his evidence to the Grand Council.

Absorption Call

Khan N'Buta presented his evidence to the Grand Council in early 3059 and proposed the Absorption of Clan Burrock as a means of delivering the warriors and civilians of that Clan from a treasonous leadership. The motion was backed by Clans Cloud Cobra and Blood Spirit.

The magnitude of the Burrocks' crimes were such that ilKhan Lincoln Osis called for an immediate vote on the matter, and in February 3059, the Clan Grand Council awarded the right to absorb Clan Burrock to Clan Star Adder.

Clan Blood Spirit had expected to have been given the right to absorb their long-time rivals, and were outraged by the Grand Council's decision. Their Khans left the Grand Council meeting determined to have their way in any case.

First Moves

Clan Burrock formally bid their entire Touman of three front-line and four second-line Galaxies into the Absorption, choosing to concentrate their forces on their capital world of Albion. This included summoning reinforcements from off-world. By the time the Absorption battles got underway, Burrock forces on Albion included their Alpha and Kappa Galaxies.

Clan Star Adder created a strategic plan that would fulfill their goal of absorbing the bulk of the Burrock Clan intact while eliminating the treasonous element within.

The plan called for the decapitation of those in the Burrock leadership identified as having been involved in dealings with the Dark Caste - Khan Jocelyn Siddiq, her saKhan and Galaxy Commander Seth Marghar. Since the majority of Clan Burrock members had remained unaware of their Clan's dealings with the Bandit Caste, it was likely anticipated by Clan Star Adder that once the Burrock leadership was removed, much of the fight would go out of the Burrock forces, which ultimately proved to be the case.

Clan Star Adder dropped three Galaxies on Albion, including Alpha and Beta. The Adder Command Keshik was also part of this task force. In addition, a Star of Adder WarShips was assigned to this part of the operation.

Gamma and Delta Galaxies, supported by the newly organized Tau Provisional Galaxy were assigned to assault Priori.

Enter Clan Blood Spirit

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Conduct of the Absorption Campaign

Albion

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Dagda

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Paxon

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Priori

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Outcome and Aftermath

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References

• Field Manual: Crusader Clans
• Field Manual: Warden Clans