Clan Steel Viper
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| Clan Steel Viper | |
|---|---|
| Faction Profile | |
| Time period: | 2807 – Present |
| Classification: | Clan |
| Controlled systems: | 5? |
| Capital world: | New Kent |
| Ruler title: | Khan |
| Military: | Clan Steel Viper Touman |
| Secret Service: | Clan Steel Viper Watch |
Clan Steel Viper was one of the original twenty Clans founded by Nicholas Kerensky, named after the Steel Vipers found on Babylon. Their beginnings were marked by treachery due to the actions of their founder, now simply known as the Traitor Khan, and are regarded as other Clans as self-serving. However the Steel Vipers would find their calling in espousing the recreation of the Star League, not through conquest but cooperation with the Inner Sphere. Despite this decidedly Warden philosophy many warriors within the Clan hold to the Crusader viewpoint, and the Steel vipers took part in the Clan Invasion.
Contents
History
Clan Steel Viper had one of the rockiest starts of the Clans of Kerensky as its first Khan, Ellie Kinnison, attempted to murder Nicholas Kerensky's wife Jennifer Winson in the hopes that Nicholas would turn to Ellie in his grief. She was killed by her saKhan before she could carry out her plot. Her name was stricken from all records, hereafter known only as the Traitor Khan, and her genetic legacy was stricken from the Clan gene pool.
The most influential Steel Viper Khan was Sanra Mercer. She claimed that she was privy to a conversation with Nicholas Kerensky where he laid out his vision to restore the Star League with the cooperation of the House Lords. The Vipers established a brutal training course that is among the toughest in the Clans. They also completely prohibited the use of freeborns in the Steel Viper touman in any capacity.
Sanra Mercer was killed by Clan Jade Falcon and the ensuing Steel Viper retaliation laid the basis for a fierce feud between the two clans.
Founding
The Golden Century
Operation Revival
The Steel Vipers were made the Reserve clan in the invasion force and were first activated by the Ghost Bears to help garrison their worlds. After the death of ilKhan Leo Showers and the election of Ulric Kerensky, the Vipers were activated as a full invading Clan and assigned to share the Jade Falcon Occupation Zone.
Tukayyid
The Steel Vipers faced total defeat on Tukayyid and their Khan, Natalie Breen stepped down to allow Perigard Zalman to become Khan. The Steel Vipers stuck to the Warden line and stayed out of the Great Refusal.
Aftermath of the Invasion
In 3061 they struck at the Jade Falcon worlds in the Occupation Zone and attempted to drive them out. Though initially successful, Falcon Khan Marthe Pryde rallied her forces, winning the pivotal battle of Sudeten. Ultimately, the Vipers' attempt completely failed and they were forced to accept Hegira, driven out of the Inner Sphere entirely. Khan Zalman faced numerous challenges to his position during the voyage back to the Clan home worlds, ultimately prevailing.
The Wars of Reaving
Culture
Early in their history the Steel Vipers adopted a form of self-enforced isolation, though no where near as extreme as practiced by the Blood Spirits, which led to their unique philosophical position among the Clans. Depending on one's viewpoint they can be regarded as Crusading Wardens or Warden Crusaders. The Clan's central tenant, installed in them by Sanra Mercer, is the restoration of the true Star League through cooperation with the Inner Sphere. Of course this would take place under the benevolent guidance of the Steel Vipers, following the complete destruction of the Inner Sphere's military forces, so that the misguided Sphereoids may be led onto the truth path by the rightful ilClan. Efforts at enforcing this policy within their Occupation Zone were less than satisfactory, though they blame their failures on the previous Jade Falcon mismanagement and extremists who do not wish to be liberated.[1]
The Steel Vipers' views regarding freeborns mirrors that of Clan Smoke Jaguar, which is to say not very much. As is right and proper "freebirths" occupy the lower rung of society and are treated as such. This policy extends into martial matters, with freebirths barred completely from serving in the Steel Viper touman.[1]
Military
The command structure of Clan Steel Viper's touman emphasizes a clear delegation of authority and well-defined areas of operations. The Khans lay out the grand strategy of a campaign, enacted by Galaxy Commanders who form the strategic command of each operation and delegate tactical responsibilities to Star Colonels. The effect is that individual commanders are given considerable leeway in how they complete their objectives. However, cooperation between Steel Viper Galaxies is poor, as each commander recognizes only the authority of the Khans and the Clan Council, and even within a Galaxy the Cluster commanders will only accept orders from their immediate superior. For large-scale operations then one of the Khans must be present in order to coordinate multiple Galaxies, with a similar problem for multi-Cluster operations. This heavy reliance on senior officers renders the Steel Vipers especially vulnerable to headhunter operations; as happened on Tukayyid, should senior command be incapacitated then cooperation breaks down and individual units can be isolated and destroyed in force.[2]
On the tactical scale Steel Viper units rely on maneuverability and firepower, with many battle plans centered around these concepts. One of them, known as the Viper's Fangs, is a Trinary-scale operation which uses two columns of 'Mechs, or "Fangs", to attack at separate points along the enemy's line using krait and boa Stars supported by Elementals. When either one or both "Fangs" break through the Elementals rush through to exploit the hole and another 'Mech group known as the "Maw" moves in to pin down the defenders. The defenders then must either continue facing this new threat, allowing the Elementals to run roughshod through their rear, or turn to chase after them, exposing themselves to the Maw as they withdraw. A second tactic known as the Coil involves a smaller force of two or three Stars, one half of which pins down the enemy while the second flanks and envelops their position. Once in place the entire force begins circling the enemy, slowly reducing the size of the envelopment and restricting not only the enemy's ability to maneuver but to concentrate fire on a specific target. The Coil only works on units of smaller size though and, because each MechWarrior is forced to change their targets in violation of zellbrigen, generally suitable only for Inner Sphere and dezgra forces.[3]
The Steel Vipers' attitudes towards zellbrigen however is one of pragmatism and adaptability, a fact which has ensured success over the centuries. Against a respect Clan foe the rules of honorable combat will be staunchly followed. For those considered dishonorable such as Inner Sphere forces or a mortal enemy like the Jade Falcons, whatever is deemed necessary to ensure victory is permitted.[3]
Inter-Clan Relations
The Steel Vipers, again despite their talk of cooperation, were almost completely at a loss for allies among their fellow Clans. Their self-serving politics alienated both Warden and Crusader Clans and their arrogant attitude towards others had not served them well. The Steel Vipers had feuds with the Fire Mandrills, Blood Spirits, Snow Ravens, Jade Falcons, and Ghost Bears.
Leaders of Clan Steel Viper
Era Specific Data
Homeworlds
The Steel Vipers have five worlds in Clan Space. Their capital is on New Kent.
- Arcadia (37 percent)
- Grants Station (55 percent)
- Homer (Clan planet) (15 percent)
- Marshall (15 percent)
- New Kent (66 percent)
References
Bibliography
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