Prinz Eugen Mutiny

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The Prinz Eugen Mutiny was a rebellion and desertion that took place in 2785 during the Exodus from the Inner Sphere. It was dealt with quickly and ruthlessly by forces loyal to General Kerensky and would have far-reaching repercussions.[1]


Prinz Eugen Mutiny
Part of Exodus from the Inner Sphere
Start Date August of 2785
Location Prinz Eugen Texas-class Battleship and other various vessels
Planet Uncharted star system mid-way through Kerensky's Exodus route
Result Victory for the SLDF task force
Commanders and leaders
Major Elizabeth Hazen General Wilbur Braso, Admiral Votok (mutineer leaders)
Forces involved
Small SLDF task force and marines Various officers and crews of nine vessels
Environment
Space
Conditions
n/a


History: Prologue

General Aleksandr Kerensky led the bulk of the Star League Defense Force away from the Inner Sphere in 2784, in an attempt to save the men and women of the Regular Army from the horrors of war and the machinations of the self-serving House Lords. His fleet was not only made up of soldiers, but also many civilian families who chose to accompany them into exile in the Deep Periphery. Through several months of travel on a meandering course meant to discourage pursuit, the fleet moved deeper and deeper into the unknown. Before long, tensions due to the hardships of travel - as well as from the strain of confinement in the cramped space of JumpShips and DropShips - would manifest in horrific ways,[2] but most often as simple dissent.[3][4]

Sedition and Mutiny

This dissension grew first among the many civilians, and later among the crews and officers of several vessels. This growing mass of dissatisfied people would raise doubts about where they were headed, with some even wondering if the Great General even had a planned destination at all. Soon enough, mutiny was thick in the air on many vessels of the Exodus fleet.[3][4]

Events finally came to a head in August of 2785, nearly 14 months after the massive fleet's departure from the New Samarkand rendezvous point. Nine vessels, led by the Texas-class Prinz Eugen and its commander, Admiral Votok, along with officers General Wilbur Braso, Captain Peter Karpov, and Captain Nigel Karrige, amongst others, would announce that they were headed back to the Inner Sphere, tired of the long and seemingly pointless journey into the Deep Periphery.[1][5][6][7]

General Kerensky and his staff's reaction was swift and brutal. A task force was detached from the rest of the fleet to bring the rebellious flotilla back into the fold. Led by Major Elizabeth Hazen, and accompanied by Andery Kerensky (who had played some role in the rebel's decision to head back[8]), 160 marines were sent in pursuit of the renegade ships. After a short boarding action accompanied by an intense firefight in the halls of the Prinz Eugen, SLDF Marines secured the vessel. Admiral Votok died during the action, but most of the ringleaders and their cronies were identified and rounded up. The other eight ships of the fleet surrendered without a fight soon afterward.[7][9][10]

Major Hazen led the mutinous ships back to the fleet where swift trials were conducted at the jump point. All officers at or above the rank of Captain were executed, with Major Hazen giving the orders to carry out the punishment. Andery Kerensky likewise took part in the execution, reportedly at the request of his own father.[9][10]

Aftermath and Legacy

This incident would have a further negative effect on morale within the Exodus fleet. The mutiny itself was seen as bad enough, but General Kerensky's harsh reaction was viewed in a shocking light by many who accompanied him on the Exodus.[11]

In response to this, Kerensky issued his well-known General Order 137, which is etched at eye level in the common rooms of every Clan vessel even to this day. This directive was as much a justification for his reaction to the mutiny as it was a statement about the operation's goals. It would come to be the core of what is known as the Hidden Hope Doctrine.[11]

After the formation of the Clans, the mutiny was considered one of worst crimes [12]. As for the Prinz Eugen, it was used as a prison ship in orbit over Strana Mechty as an abject reminder of the price of dissension,[13] until it was subverted by The Society and destroyed during the defense of the Tanis system in 3073, during the Wars of Reaving.[14] [15]

Notes

  • The Prinz Eugen mutiny was instigated to a degree by Nicholas Kerensky, an early example of his machinations. Sensing the dissatisfaction among some officers in the Exodus fleet, Nicholas allowed their mutiny to happen (and even duped his brother Andery Kerensky into playing an unwitting role in it) so that the mutineers could be made an example of.[16]
  • Another of the mutinous ships was the SLS Hermes, but this one haven't the Prinz Eugen bad reputation, and after being renamed, appropriately, Treachery, was added to Clan Snow Raven fleet in the 32th century.[17]


References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Historical: Operation Klondike, p. 16, 17 - "Prinz Eugen"
  2. Historical: Operation Klondike, p. 17 - Lieutenant Nigel Polczyk, letter to his brother, 22 May 2786
  3. 3.0 3.1 Wolf Clan Sourcebook, p. 8 - "Exodus"
  4. 4.0 4.1 The Clans: Warrior of Kerensky, p. 7 - "Exodus"
  5. Invading Clans, p. 103 - "Anna Rosse"
  6. Historical: Operation Klondike, p. 111 - "Jason Karrige Profile"
  7. 7.0 7.1 Technical Readout: 3057 Revised, p. 160, "Texas Ship Profile"
  8. Historical: Operation Klondike, p. 16 - Colonel Absalom Truscott, Personal Journals, 30 September 2785
  9. 9.0 9.1 Jade Falcon Sourcebook, p. 9 - "Elizabeth Hazen"
  10. 10.0 10.1 Historical: Operation Klondike, p. 16 - Major Elizabeth Hazen, Personal Journals, 28 September 2785
  11. 11.0 11.1 Wolf Clan Sourcebook, p. 9 - "Hidden Hope"
  12. Exodus Road p. 200
  13. Historical: Operation Klondike, p. 139 - "Strana Mechty"
  14. The Wars of Reaving, p. 61 - "Bandit Caste: Commodus Van Houten"
  15. The Wars of Reaving, p. 126 - "Steiner's Folly"
  16. Fall from Glory
  17. Field Manual Warden Clans p. 133

Bibliography