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Clan Cloud Cobra

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Clan Cloud Cobra Logo
Clan Cloud Cobra
Faction Profile
Time period: 2807 – Present
Classification: Clan
Controlled systems: 12 (5 at 1005)[1]
Capital world: Homer[2]
Ruler title: Khan
Military: Clan Cloud Cobra Touman
Secret Service: Clan Cloud Cobra Watch


Clan Cloud Cobra was one of the original twenty Clans founded by Nicholas Kerensky, named after the cloud cobras found on Arcadia. The Clan's identity was heavily shaped by its first Khan, Windham Khatib, a chaplain in the Star League Defense Force and grandson of the Pope of the Church of the Crucifix. The Cloud Cobras liberated Babylon during the Pentagon Campaign but suffered heavy losses, inhibiting their later growth. The Clan would be remembered as among the first to begin the use of genetic manipulation, creating an eugenics program which would be copied by and become synonymous with the Clans for generations. Politically they are moderately Warden, although they maintain little contact with other Clans.


History

Early Years

Captain Windham Khatib was one of the few survivors of the 335th BattleMech Division, which had been destroyed in the Amaris Civil War. The horrors of that war, particularly the death of his grandmother Pope Lanai Madonn, inspired Captain Khatib to seek a new beginning for humanity. However, after the Exodus Fleet's arrival at the Pentagon Worlds, ancient rivalries and discontent caused fighting to break out, and Aleksandr Kerensky suffered a heart attack. His son Nicholas would gather his father's loyal disciples, Captain Khatib among them, and lead them on the Second Exodus to Strana Mechty, where the Clans would be forged.[3]

Though Windham Khatib would be Clan Cloud Cobra's first Khan, Vice Admiral Rafe Kardaan would be chosen as his saKhan in order to help make up for Khatib's martial weaknesses. Together with thirty-eight other men and women, the Clan trained extensively, and during Operation Klondike was assigned to capture the world of Babylon alongside Clan Coyote, Clan Ice Hellion and Clan Sea Fox. However, Cloud Cobra suffered a near-disaster at New Drineshane when they were beset by overwhelming numbers, and only the timely intervention of the saKhan Kardaan's aerospace units and the Ice Hellions saved them from being wiped out. Still, half of Cloud Cobra's forces were lost, and efforts to put down further dissent after the Pentagon Campaign would serve to further weaken their numbers. Khan Khatib would step down from his position to heed a higher calling, wandering about space in search of way to heal the spirit of all Clans and founding what would later become the Josian Cloister.[3]

The Golden Century

With Khan Rafe Kardaan leading them, Clan Cloud Cobra's scientific community flourished, excelling in the fields of genetic manipulation and laser technology. Khan Kardaan was also instrumental in what became known as "the Way", encouraging everyone he talked with to profess and practice their own faith. This made the other Khans uneasy, while at the same time Clan Coyote became enticed by Cloud Cobra's scientific achievements. They attempted to take these by force, and though the Cloud Cobras were still weakened from the Pentagon campaign, their faith combined with their aerospace forces defeated the Coyotes. This would serve as the starting point in in the two Clans' animosity towards each other.[4]

Early in the Golden Century, the Cloud Cobras would move to make a mutually beneficial trade of resources with Clan Mongoose. The Cloud Cobras offered up two large shipments of their newly developed Chippewa IIC Aerospace Fighters in exchange for land on the Pentagon World of Circe. A mechanical JumpShip failure would cause the second shipment to be delayed by one day. The Mongooses would use this delay to cancel the carefully worded deal. They would keep the first shipment, but return the second shipment on order of the Grand Council, who had ruled that the Mongooses had the rights to cancel the deal. That would not stop them from returning the second shipment as a mass of disassembled components. Though many would call for a Trial of Grievance over this issue, Khan Kardaan urged restraint, letting the matter go with the Grand Council ruling. His motivation is not known, but the following events perhaps cast a bit more light on this situation.[5]

After the Mongoose's eventual Absorption by Clan Smoke Jaguar in 2868, Jaguar Khan Theodore Osis would cast aside the genetic legacies of all Clan Mongoose warriors, wishing their lines to fade away with the memory of their Clan. The Mongooses had fought as well as they could, especially their Aerospace forces, piloting as they were the many Chippewa IICs that they had gained earlier in the Golden Century from the Cloud Cobras.[6] Khan Josef Mannix of the Cobras boldly took this opportunity to launch a long series of Trials of Possession against the Smoke Jaguars, targeting the Mongoose aerospace pilot bloodlines. The Cloud Cobras would win 72 legacies spread out over 11 Bloodname Houses, and quickly activated them for immediate use in the Clan Cloud Cobra eugenics program.[7]

Clan Cloud Cobra would continue to advance, fielding several Trinaries of OmniMechs by 2868 and birthing their first Elementals several years later. The Clan's size would nearly triple under Khan Josef Mannix, especially after the sibkos of Mongooose legacies came to maturation. Towards the end of the Golden Century, the Cloud Cobras were tasked along with Clan Burrock to hunt down members of the Dark Caste, whose attacks had grown more frequent. Keen to slay any who did not embrace the Way, the Cloud Cobras eagerly took part in the task force and destroyed dozens of Dark Caste bands. Burrock Khan Tabari Danforth declared their task a success and the Dark Caste exterminated, though it would be discovered later this was a lie.[4]

Then in 2965, the exploration vessel Thoth discovered the Tanite Worlds, located just fifty light-years from the Pentagon Cluster and inhabited by the descendants of long-lost Star League colonists. After opening trade relations with the Tanites, Khan Tharan Kor-Dakar would heed the calling of the Way and forcibly absorbed them into the Clan, reaching an agreement with Clan Burrock to jointly administer the worlds in exchange for resource access.[8]

It was also during this time that the Cloud Cobras and Coyotes became true mortal enemies. In 2934 Khan Corian Tchernovkov of the Coyotes and ilKhan of all the Clans perished in a training accident. Khan Tobias Khatib of the Cloud Cobras was elected to take her place in 2935, a beneficial arraignment for both the Cloud Cobras and their allies Clan Snow Raven. However, within the decade the Snow Ravens began to mistrust Khan Khatib whom they believed was advancing the interests of his own Clan above their own. By 2948 the Snow Ravens uncovered and presented evidence that Khatib had been complicit in the death of Khan Tchernovkov. For his crimes Khan Khatib was executed, but in an effort to sate their desire for revenge the Coyotes conducted a punitive war against the Cloud Cobras for the next fifteen years. This conflict saw heavy casualties as zellbrigen was frequently discarded, and while the Cobras took heavier losses in men and material they made territorial gains on Homer and Brim. Events finally came to an end when the Coyote saKhan challenged his own Khan to a Trial to end the Pyrrhic conflict and killed him, though the hatred between the two Clans would continue long afterward.[9][10]

The Political Century

By the end of the 30th Century, the Golden Century would give way to the Political Century and the Great Debate over whether to invade the Inner Sphere and rebuild the Star League. As Clan Cloud Cobra continued to follow the Way, the century also saw the rise of the Great Cloisters. These Cloisters, started as informal conclaves among warriors sharing similar beliefs and faiths, would formalize and take sides between the Warden Clans and Crusader Clans. Heated discussion took place within Clan Cloud Cobra as each Cloister argued for or against invasion. The only issues that could be agreed upon was the sending of Wolf's Dragoons to gather intelligence on the Inner Sphere and that the Clan lacked the necessary resources should the invasion take place.[8]

The appearance of Outbound Light in 3048 would bring the debate to a head. Interpretation of the Way was hotly debated in the Clan Council, between Khan Din Steiner against and saKhan Leighton Khatib for invasion. In the end, saKhan Khatib prevailed, and the true Way made itself known to the Khan. At the Grand Council, the Cloud Cobras voted in favor of attacking the Inner Sphere. However, Khan Steiner would not allow the Clan to take part in the proceeding invasion, resulting in a flurry of furious challenges to his leadership. The issue was only resolved when saKhan Khatib counter-challenged each challenger, allowing cooler heads to prevail. Eventually the Clan would come to understand that Khan Steiner had acted in accordance with the Way by refusing to take part in the invasion.[8][11]

Clan Invasion and Aftermath

As the Clans' invasion of the Inner Sphere progressed, those Cloisters belonging to the Warden faction diminished, but with the death of ilKhan Leo Showers and the defeat of the invasion force in the Battle of Tukayyid it became clear to Clan Cloud Cobra that the invasion had been against the Way. The Clans had been too arrogant, too ignorant, to think they could take the Inner Sphere by force, and the resulting cracks in Clan civilization further proved this. The destruction of Clan Smoke Jaguar, the Refusal War between Clan Wolf and Clan Jade Falcon and the following schism between Clan Wolf and Clan Wolf-in-Exile, and most especially the Burrock Absorption, just proved to the Cloud Cobras how misguided the Clans had been all along.[11]

Rather than attempt to reach beyond their means as the other Home Clans did in the resulting chaos, Clan Cloud Cobras focused instead on easy pickings. They took command of the Smoke Jaguar enclave on Homer, countering an attempt by Clan Steel Viper to claim the same territory by calling on the aid of the Snow Ravens. The Clan was also able to secure Clan Nova Cat's enclave on Brim, with help from Clan Star Adder, in a relatively peaceful manner following initial bloodshed, before the Coyotes could steal it away. And in the wake of the Burrock Absorption, the Star Adders would agree to uphold Burrock's previous contract, though at a cost of increased resource rights.[11][12][13]

The Babylon Diet

In the renewed spirit of bringing the faithless back onto the path of the Way, the Cobras held a diet on Babylon in 3065, inviting members from many prominent religions from across Clan space, as well as the Inner Sphere. The inclusion of the Inner Sphere created an uproar among the warriors of Clans Coyote, Steel Viper, Ice Hellion and Fire Mandrill, with many joining Coyote Loremaster Clarissa Jericho in a multi-Clan task force to disrupt the Diet. However, in a spirited defense of their own soil, the Cobras struck down the invading force with the assistance of Clan Diamond Shark. Due to this brilliant defense, the diet was a success and, quite surprisingly, resulted in an alliance with the Blood Spirits. That the Spirits are mortal enemies of the Adders, the Cobras' principle ally, did not go unnoticed.[13]

After the first Diet on Babylon, Khan Steiner gained many allies in the Grand Council when he brought a motion of censure against the Coyotes for their attack. When the Steel Viper Khans voted against the measure, many of whose warriors had be part of the attack itself, Cloud Cobra launched a punitive strike against their enclave on Homer. The campaign would finally be resolved with the intervention of their allies the Star Adders, and together the two Clans succeeded in evicting the Steel Vipers from Homer, leaving them in sole control of the planet.[13]. The Cobras held another Diet in 3067, this time with vastly more support from other Clans than previous.

Jihad


Culture

The Way is many things to many people, though few can recognize it or understand its workings. Whether known as God, or Time, or Fate, the Way gives meaning to existence, offering multiple paths towards a horizon of paradise. However, many paths lead only to certain doom, requiring those who walk the paths of the Way to tread carefully. According to themselves, only the Cloud Cobras are enlightened enough to recognize the true path of the Way, this fact only reinforced by their diversity of beliefs.[12]

The Way takes precedence above everything; though naturally drawn to peace, Clan Cloud Cobra will go to war if the Way decrees it. All life is sacred, and so each Galaxy and Cluster maintains their own garden or Honorarium. For every life that is lost, whether friend or foe, a new life is planted, and the gardens serve as places of quiet meditation. They also tell the unit's history and character, varying from unkempt to meticulously maintained. The Clan's Honorarium is located in Svoboda Zemylya, surrounding the Hall of the Khans on Strana Mechty, and takes up several square kilometers where the ashes of the fallen are spread.[12]

To outsiders, the Cloud Cobras' devotion to the Way borders on the same fanaticism as Clan Nova Cat's mysticism. Some observers have also noted members taking advantage of the Way's vague and contradictory nature to achieve their goals, labeling the Clan as clever opportunists.[14]

Great Cloisters

A defining feature of the Cloud Cobras is the creation of Great Cloisters, ecumenical-political units based around various religions and belief systems, similar to a Clan Wolf Bloodname House or Clan Fire Mandrill Kindraa. Each Cloister is led by an ecKhan who has demonstrated extraordinary comprehension of the Way, and its warrior-priests are schooled heavily in both martial and theological matters. Their size can range from a few dozen to over a thousand warriors in addition to lower-caste members. Debate between the Cloisters is almost always civilized, especially when the Clan as a whole is threatened, and even lower-caste members have a voice in these discussions.[15]

The vast majority of these Cloisters' members are Cloud Cobras, though some are from other Clans. Clan Star Adder has the most Cloister members, due in part to their absorption of the Burrocks, and the Smoke Jaguars have a large presence within the Josian Cloister.[16] While outsiders may rise to positions of leadership, efforts to influence the Cloister against the teachings of the Way are ruthlessly put down.[15]

By 3062, nineteen Cloisters are in existence, although the largest five wield the greatest military and political power:[15]

  • Josian - One of the first, the Josian Cloister traces its origins back to the Clan's founding Khan, an ordained minister in the Church of the Crucifix. A predominately Christian group, they are the most ardent Crusaders and evangelists within the Clan. Their insignia are two crossed swords over a Cross of Lorraine.
  • Tongo - The most politically powerful of the five, the Tongo Cloister has dominated the Clan since Khan Terrell N'Buta took over in 2996. First founded in 2946 by captured Star Adder warrior Santana N'Buta, their view of the universe itself as a deity lends them towards the Warden position. Their insignia is an intricately-carved Zulu shield flanked by two spears.
  • Quarani - The largest of the five, the Quarani Cloister is based upon the Islamic holy text, the Quran. Perceived as quiet and of mild temperament, they preach the Warden viewpoint, although when enraged they become virtually unstoppable. Their insignia is a red-and-orange sunburst.
  • Ka'an - Similarly based upon the teachings of Windham Khatib, the Ka'an Cloister practices the Judaic tradition. The first to preach the Crusader viewpoint, they adamantly believe in making Clan Cloud Cobra stronger militarily. Their insignia is a six-pointed star made of six outward-facing daggers.
  • Anasaz - Inspired by an ancient Terran civilization, the Anasaz Cloister practice ancestor worship and believe the Supreme Being is a triumvirate, composed of Aleksandr Kerensky, his son Nicholas and the Way. They are heavily isolationists and espouse the Warden philosophy. Their insignia is a cloud cobra coiled around a yellow-orange sun.

Among the minor Cloisters is the Rossei, an example of the mysticism found in Clan Nova Cat.

Allies and enemies

Clan Cloud Cobra's chief ally was Clan Burrock before its Absorption. That honor now goes to Clan Star Adder, especially since their agreement to uphold the Burrock's garrison commitment to the Tanite worlds. The Cloud Cobras also have a good relationship with Clan Diamond Shark, Clan Snow Raven and Clan Ghost Bear, with more covert dealings with Clan Nova Cat and Clan Wolf-in-Exile.

The Cobras' only real enemy is Clan Coyote, which still harbors a grudge against the Cobras and the Adders.

Military

Main article: Clan Cloud Cobra Touman

Clan Cloud Cobra has one of the strongest aerospace force of any Clan, which they often use to soften up an enemy with before finishing them off with ground forces.[17] Conversely in terms of numbers of ground forces they are one of the weakest of any Clan, with these two factors combining to make the Cloud Cobras average in terms of military strength.[13] They were also the first to employ a VTOL-capable Battle Armor, the Sylph, in early 3060. As in all things, the Way guides their military strategy, and each major Cloister maintains their own war college which functions as secondary training facilities. Minor Cloisters work together with two or three others to operate their own colleges.

Each Galaxy maintains their own reserve contingent, with warriors assigned to them fighting mock battles in order to determine a line of ascension. Warriors are rotated between contingents to allow more opportunities for advancement. The reserve contingents also perform logistical, technical and administrative duties, these necessary tasks seen as honorable service for the Way. Because of the reserve system, Solahma units are strictly conventional infantry, assigned mainly for garrison duty.[18]

Rulers

Khans

saKhans

Loremasters

Era Specific Data

Planets

Clan Cloud Cobra possess all or part of six worlds, including the three Tanite worlds. Their worlds are:

  • Homer (100 percent) - The Clan's capital. While in the past controlling only 85 percent of the planet, in wake of the Steel Vipers' eviction from Homer Babylon Diet, the Cloud Cobras now own Homer exclusively.
  • Brim (54 percent)
  • Babylon (26 percent)
  • Tanis - A Tanite world, shared with Clan Star Adder, formerly Clan Burrock.
  • Stacha - A Tanite world, shared with Clan Star Adder, formerly Clan Burrock.
  • Alexandira - A Tanite world, shared with Clan Star Adder, formerly Clan Burrock.


3061

Cloud Cobra Demographics
Affiliation: Warden

Population (Clan Space): 58,374,000 (3060)
Population growth rate: 2.2 percent (68/46)
Self-Sufficiency Index: 87 percent

Leaders:
Khan: Din Steiner
saKhan: Kieran Telinov
Loremaster: Eleni Riaz
Scientist-General: Goran (Pasteur)
Merchant Factor: Joshua
Master Technician: Franco
Senior Laborer: Yuu

Military:
Clusters: 22
WarShips: 15

References

  1. ↑ The Wars of Reaving, p. 249
  2. ↑ The Wars of Reaving, p. 161
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Field Manual: Warden Clans, p. 20
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Field Manual: Warden Clans, p. 21
  5. ↑ Era Digest: Golden Century, p. 5, "Blood in the Boardroom"
  6. ↑ Era Digest: Golden Century, p. 12 - "Beginning of the End"
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Field Manual: Warden Clans, p 22, "Maturation Amid the Renaissance"
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Field Manual: Warden Clans, p. 22
  9. ↑ Field Manual: Warden Clans, p.
  10. ↑ Field Manual: Warden Clans, p. 119
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Field Manual: Warden Clans, p. 23
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Field Manual: Warden Clans, p. 24
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 Field Manual Updates, p. 54
  14. ↑ Field Manual: Warden Clans, p. 29
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Field Manual: Warden Clans, p. 24-25
  16. ↑ Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers, p 234, "Lucas Beckett"
  17. ↑ Field Manual: Warden Clans, p. 25
  18. ↑ Field Manual: Warden Clans, p. 27
  19. ↑ Field Manual: Warden Clans, p. 20, "Beginnings of a Dream"
  20. ↑ Field Manual: Warden Clans, p. 21, "Raised in Revolution"
  21. ↑ The Wars of Reaving, p. 193
  22. ↑ The Wars of Reaving, p. 161, 193
  23. ↑ The Wars of Reaving, p. 161
  24. ↑ The Wars of Reaving, p. 161

Bibliography

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