Magistracy of Canopus

Kossandra Centrella founded the Magistracy of Canopus in 2530; a captain in the Free Worlds League's Defenders of Andurien, fleeing what she felt was unpunished incompetence on the part of her superiors. Knowing she had to grow quickly or face annihilation from nearby Houses Marik and Liao, she made contact with dissident leaders within the League and with the Capellan Confederation. She negotiated several deals that enabled her to secure additional planets. Only twenty years after landing on Canopus IV, Kossandra ruled a nation of thirty-six star systems. As the decades rolled by and additional Magestrix ruled, they continued to expand and stabilize the nation Kossandra had forged.

When Magestrix Floral Centrella came to power, she enacted the reforms and legislation that turned the Magistracy into what it is today. With a charter in place that mandated both political and social freedom, the Magistracy officially endorsed an entertainment industry where anything goes. From drugs to sex, gladiatorial arenas to hunts for rare and exotic animals-the Magistracy catered to all. This brought in billions that was wisely invested back into the industry that had generated it, giving Canopus the most lucrative entertainment business in all of known space and an economy to match.

A Pyrrhic Star League Though Floral Centrella believed this "neutral stance through entertainment" would allow the Magistracy to side-step all conflict, she did not reckon on the Star League, nor with Ian Cameron's megalomaniac view which could not conceive of any human worlds not under his control. The Star League stood adamant on forcing the Periphery realms to join "for their own good," despite the Periphery's refusal to join. As the League prosecuted its war across four different realms, the SLDF Seventh Corps and twelve Marik regiments began a war against the Magistracy of Canopus in 2577 that they believed would be over in less then a year.

However, the vaunted Star League had forgotten the very reason the people of the Periphery had left the Great Houses behind. With such dedication to the ideals of freedom and the hardiness of a people raised on the fringes of human occupied space, the Periphery dealt the League a Pyrrhic victory, which required over two decades and millions of lives to accomplish.

As the Reunification War ended, Melissa Humphreys of Andurien was posted as the military governor of the Magistracy. Humphreys soon demonstrated her benevolent rule-she truly believed in the ideals of the Star League-by pouring massive amounts of League funds into completely restoring the Magistracy. After regaining home rule from Humphreys, the Magistracy enjoyed a golden age along with all of humanity as the Star League brought unheralded wealth and achievements to all.

In 2722 this era came to an end as the Star League Council Lords forgot or chose to ignore the ideals of the League. They began enacting legislation that raped the Periphery realms through unfair taxations in an effort to bolster their own economies and militaries. It was only a matter of time before the entire Periphery began bucking a system they had never wanted that had again become a yoke of slavery. That moment came in the infamous New Vandenberg revolt of 2765, sparking a conflagration that spread like wildfire through the entire Periphery and led to the annihilation of more than fifty Star League Defense Force Divisions before the year was over.

The SLDF geared up for a massive retaliatory strike in 2766 that never came as Richard Cameron and the entire Cameron line was murdered by the Usurper Stefan Amaris. The Magistracy, along with the rest of the Periphery, breathed a collective sigh of relief as the mighty arm of General Kerensky turned inward to deal with the Amaris Crisis, beginning the final death throes of the League

Wars of Succession As the Great Houses of the Inner Sphere began their endless centuries of war to reclaim the title of First Lord, the Periphery realms suffered as well, though little combat occurred inside their borders. With war occurring on an unprecedented scale; trade routes, supply and communication lines were sundered and once again the Periphery was required to live or die by their own deeds as they had done centuries before. This brought great hardship, especially to the Magistracy who had invested heavily in a tourist entertainment industry that was now almost defunct. Still, the peoples of the Periphery survived and began to prosper once more. Having thrown off the yoke they wore for centuries, they again began to forge their own destiny.

Though the Magistracy had to deal with a handful of excursions into their territory, such with as the Concordat in 2813, it remained relatively stable while the Great Houses continued their relentless drive to subjugate each other. It was not until 3030, after the end of the Fourth Succession War, that the Magistracy attempted a large-scale invasion of an Inner Sphere power for the first time.

With the Capellan Confederation left in shambles by the juggernaut of House Davion and more than half of their worlds lost, Kyalla Centrella believed that the Magistracy's chance to vanquish a long-time enemy and increase her realm beyond measure had come. Allied with the always-rebellious Duchy of Andurien of the Free World's League, the two launched an offensive that was wildly successful at first. However, the Magistracy experienced what the Star League of five centuries before had learned-those defending their homeland fight most savagely. Backed into a corner, the Capellan Confederation exploded into action, relentlessly driving the Canopian-Andurian forces off their worlds and laying the ground work for the removal of Kyalla from the throne.

A New Era The current Magestrix is Kyalla's daughter, Emma Centrella, who came to power shortly after the end of the Canopus-Andurien War. Embittered by her failure and jealous of the popularity of her daughter-who had been vehemently against the war from the beginning-Kyalla ordered her daughter assassinated in 3039. The assassin failed. Using the support she had gained in both the military and the general populace, Emma deposed her mother in May 3040 and took her place.

As her reign began, few realized that she would alter the course of her realm more than any ruler before her. The people quickly saw a foreshadowing of her capabilities when she immediately smoothed relations with the Free Worlds League, which was even then re-conquering the Duchy of Andurien. Next, she poured most of her personal fortune into the industry that had made the Magistracy rich and stable during its formation: the pleasure industry. With the revival of the Pleasure Circuses and peace reigning, the money soon began to flow-straight into the economy of the Magistracy. By 3050 and with the invasion of the Inner Sphere by the Clans, the Magistracy became the dominate economic power that it had been in the past, allowing the Magestrix to begin the next phase of her plans.

Through six years of the careful negotiations and political backroom dealings that have become her hallmark, the Magestrix forged the Treaty of Taurus in 3056. One of her greatest triumphs, this treaty formally allied the Periphery's two largest powers in mutual defense, open trade and cultural and scientific exchanges, which included an invigorated joint-colonization project. These advances increased the prosperity and military might of the Magistracy.

At this point alone, Emma could have been lauded as one of the greatest Magestrix to hold the throne, but she was not finished. Further demonstrating the grand scope of her desires, the Magestrix forged an alliance with an Inner Sphere power for the first time in history: the Capellan Confederation. Many detractors of this alliance pointed out that it would require sons and daughters of Canopians to travel to Capellan worlds to help fight their war of aggression against the St. Ives Compact. The money and resources that began to flood into the Magistracy, however, soon silenced those outspoken voices. After the death of Jeffrey Calderon, the historic Trinity Alliance was signed, uniting the Magistracy of Canopus, Taurian Concordat and Capellan Confederation in an alliance which rivaled the size of some Inner Sphere Great Houses.

The Magistracy of Canopus is currently experiencing a golden age of prosperity and power greater than any other time in its history. Whether this is simply the precipice before the fall or the foothills leading to a new high remains to be seen. However, Emma Centrella has shown that she is the most adept and influential Magestrix to ever come to power and her actions have only benefited the people of this great nation.

Magistracy Armed Forces As with all major military organizations found in the vast expanse of the Periphery, the MAF has struggled through five centuries of conflict to safeguard the Magistracy against forces much larger than itself. Because of the recent Trinity Alliance, the MAF finds itself in the unique position of being the largest standing military organization in the Periphery. The following section details the organization of the MAF, along with a description of the duties of each department within the MAF.

Command Structure For centuries, the small size of the Magistracy Armed Forces allowed for a streamlined command, with few distinctions between branches. The Trinity Alliance demands that multiple aspects of the MAF work along side their counterparts in both the Taurian Concordat and the Capellan Confederation. This, combined with the overall growth of the MAF, had expanded this streamlined organization. Such expansions have been gradual, however, and actions have been taken with the full realization that a military which has worked for half a millennium should not be radically altered over night.

Magestrix Command Center The heart, mind and soul of the MAF, the Magestrix Command Center (MCC) is responsible for all strategic planning as well as defense initiatives. It answers directly to the Magestrix. Originally, the MCC consisted of three senior colonels and two rear admirals. Currently, the following officers now make-up the MCC: Senior General Hadji Doru; General Vernyce Alkobar of the Magistracy Royal Guards; General Cynthia Evans of the Chasseurs á Cheval; General Sandra Aupriz of the Canopian Fusiliers; General Oscar Long of the Canopian Highlanders; General Mavis Cooper of the Raventhir Cuirassiers; and Admirals James Smithington and Karla Boeteshia-who jointly command the Magistracy Navy. As part of the articles of the Trinity Alliance, Jiang-jun Elliot Knight, the Capellan attaché to the MAF and coordinator of all Capellan military forces operating in the Magistracy, is attached directly to the MCC. This arrangement has caused considerable grumbling among MCC members.

Magistracy Army All ground forces of the MAF-'Mech, infantry and armor-fall under the authority of the Magistracy Army. Though little distinction between each branch was emphasized in the past, with the growth of the current MAF these differences have become more pronounced. Senior General Hadji Doru directly commands the Magistracy Army and by extension, the entire MAF.

BattleMech Assets Since the invention of the BattleMech in 2439 by the Terran Hegemony, it has been the core unit of almost every political power to arise in the subsequent half-millennia. Matters in the Magistracy are no different. As in all other Periphery realms, the MAF treats its BattleMechs as if they were more precious than gold. Still the hammer of the MAF, 'Mechs nevertheless were generally held in reserve while the cheaper and more readily available vehicles and infantry were thrown carelessly at an enemy to wear them down before the MAF's 'Mech units were unleashed. Though wasteful, it did allow the MAF to retain the second largest 'Mech force in the Periphery for centuries.

More importantly, with the renaissance of technology sweeping the Inner Sphere and the Magistracy's direct ties to an Inner Sphere power, the MAF has been the recipient of much of that new technology. This has allowed it to rise to a level of technology-at least in the military-never before achieved. Though not all units in the MAF have been upgraded to new technology, more then twenty-five percent of the 'Mechs deployed in the Magistracy are either new designs or have received upgrades.

BattleMech deployment in the MAF follows a standard organization, with command lances attached to each regiment and a command company acting as the personal unit of the General of each MAF Combat Formation.

Armor Assets Every regiment in the MAF has at least one supporting armor battalion permanently attached. Many of these vehicles are older models that have survived hundreds of years and are being held together with spit and bailing wire. Additionally, several premier units, such as the Magistracy Royal Guards and the Chasseurs á Cheval, have recently received a second battalion of new designs, like the Heavy LRM Carrier, the Light SRM Carrier and even the Confederation's much-vaunted Regulator Hovertank.

Infantry Assets For most of the MAF's history, infantry units have varied wildly in composition, size and task. Platoons often varied in size from 30 to 50 men. Companies range from 120 to 180 men. Great efforts have been made to organize MAF infantry assets along more standardized lines, following the standard set by the Capellan Confederation as well as other Inner Sphere powers.

Though still very rare, battle armor units purchased at great expense from the Capellan Confederation have begun to appear in the Magistracy Armed Forces. Like the MAF's aerospace assets, battle armor assets are grouped into a special branch of the Magistracy Army, under the direct command of Senior General Doru. When an operation warrants their inclusion, platoons are temporarily attached to the appropriate unit.

Magistracy Navy As with most military organizations in the Periphery, the Magistracy's navy is very small, necessitating the collation of all naval assets into a single organization. No regiments have permanently assigned DropShips, much less JumpShips. With less then seven score of DropShips and JumpShips-complimented with half again as many merchant vessels that can be dragooned into service at any time-the Magistracy Navy is continually pressed to protect Canopian borders. Admirals James Smithington and Karla Boeteshia jointly command the Magistracy Navy.

Aerospace Fighters Just over 100 aerospace fighters serve in the Magistracy Armed Forces, most of which are light or medium craft. Because of the scarcity of fighters, this allows operational command to be centered within the navy, with individual fighters assigned as needed to one of the two Canopian fleets or attached directly to a line regiment. The only exception to this rule is the Magistracy Royal Guards, who have permanent Air Lances assigned to them. Now that the MAF has amassed the largest standing ground force in the Periphery, there is no doubt that Senior General Doru will make the aerospace arm of the MAF his next priority for expansion.

DropShips and JumpShips Divided into two fleets, with two squadrons of two flotillas each, the fleets serve specific functions. The Canopian Battle Fleet is charged with the defense of targets that are likely to be invaded first and will require the largest movement of troops. The Canopian Reserve Fleet is stationed in the Canopus IV system at all times, allowing for rapid deployment in response to any breach of Canopian space.

WarShips The Magestrix recently received a report commissioned by the MCC in early 3062 looking into the feasibility of a MAF WarShip program. After more than a year, the commission's findings concur with what the MCC had originally stated-a WarShip program is not feasible now or in the near future without massive funding from outside sources. The Capellan Confederation is the only outside source likely to provide such expertise and funding. Unfortunately, the Confederation owes their WarShip fleet to deals struck with the Word of Blake and the Free Worlds League. [Funding I believe we will come to regret. -AK] As such, the probability of receiving such aid is so low as to be negligible.

Militia Defense Corps The newest corps within the MAF, the Militia Defense Battalions were originally a division within the Magistracy Army. Under the direction of Senior General Doru, it has been separated into its own corps, answering directly to the MCC. The Militia Defense Corps is composed of around twelve militia battalion, though the number fluctuates from year to year. Composed of reservists, the militia battalions represent both a last ditch and first line defense for most border worlds in the Magistracy that do not warrant a front-line unit. Fielding only conventional armor and infantry with minimal training, the militia battalions cannot hope to stand up against regular line units, though they do stand a chance of bogging down an enemy long enough for reinforcements to arrive. The militia battalions also serve a second important role-citizens fulfilling their compulsory military service are assigned to a militia battalion. Those who show promise in their years of service are given the opportunity to fully join the MAF and an assignment either to an academy, front-line unit or most prestigious of all, given the chance to attend the Canopian Institute of War. General Cara Damion commands the Militia Defense Corps.

Magistracy Medical Corps The pride of the MAF, the Magistracy Medical Corps is where Canopians surpass even the vaunted militaries of the mightiest Inner Sphere Houses. Having established a firm belief that each and every Canopian warrior is worth saving, the Medical Corps has a well-deserved reputation as the finest medical service in any military in space.

Though the Medical Corps is filled with extremely talented and dedicated troops, part of their fabulous success is derived from the abundant financing of the corps by the MCC. This financing allows a ratio of roughly one medical specialist for every seven fighting troops within the MAF, as opposed to a ratio of about one to twenty in other militaries both in and out of the Inner Sphere. General Virgil Lewis commands the Magistracy Medical Corps.

Magistracy Support Corps A catch-all division, the Magistracy Support Corps is tasked with the administrative, quartermaster, supply and personnel related functions of the entire MAF. The Corps is responsible for the training of all new recruits, as well as advanced officer training. All mercenary contracts, assignments and organization also fall within the authority of this Corps.

The final responsibility of the Support Corps is R&D. They have coordinated with the Capellan Confederation Research and Development Department and the Taurian Concordat's Ministry of Defense in the acquisition of new technologies-primarily from the Confederation. The Corps also coordinates the development of new technologies, which are even now beginning to roll off the production lines on Detroit. General Karla Jacobite commands the Magistracy Support Corps.

Magistracy Alliance Liaison Though not the newest organization within the MAF-that distinction is reserved for the Militia Defense Corps-the Magistracy Alliance Liaison (MAL) is the smallest. Nonetheless, it could eventually grow to become the most important organization in the MAF, with the potential to impact the entirety of the Magistracy of Canopus.

After the signing of the Trinity Alliance, the first Magistracy and Taurian Concordant troops began to rotate into the Capellan Confederation and into each other's realms. As this led to the eventual garrisoning of Confederation troops on Periphery worlds, it became apparent to the MCC that a division dedicated to managing all Alliance troop movements was needed. The Liaison serves as an oversight commission on the assignment, movement and actions of all Alliance troops-both in and outside Canopian borders.

The MAL receives reports from each of the alliance's military coordinators: the Canopian Military Coordinator to the Confederation, Major Naomi Centrella and the Canopian Military Coordinator to the Concordat, Major Sariah Slavak. Because of Major Centrella's unique position as heir apparent, command channels are not always observed, causing stress in a new department given a monumental task. Though not required, the Concordat's Military Coordinator, Colonel William Heise passes regular status reports through this office as well. The current commander of the Magistracy Alliance Liaison is General Jordette Galvanston.

Magistracy Intelligence Ministry [Obviously, it would be difficult to obtain an internal document concerning the actions of the Periphery's most adept intelligence agency. Below you will find ROM's finest analysis of this small, yet dangerous organization. The length of the report is testament enough to their danger. They are no MIIO, but SAFE would actually become an intelligence agency if they mirrored the MIM. I feel only funds restrict them from true greatness; funds that they are beginning to receiving in spades from the Confederation. -AK]

The Magistracy Intelligence Ministry (MIM), though technically a part of the MAF, stands apart and answers directly to the Magestrix. Though the Magestrix has agreed to almost all of Senior General Doru's suggestions regarding the reorganization of the MAF, she has once again proven that she is a leader to be feared with her refusal to allow the MIM to answer to any but herself.

Originally a small but competent agency, the past twenty years have seen the MIM blossom into a powerful adversary that far outstrips every other agency in the Periphery. In the last handful of years, it has managed in some ways to eclipse even Inner Sphere agencies. The fact that MIM agents were found in '57 to be operating in both the Lyran Alliance and the Draconis Combine-operations that ROM only stumbled upon by sheer accident-is ample evidence of the increasing acumen of the MIM. Though substantial increases in funding over the last two decades can account for some of this growth, there are still lingering doubts as to whether the MIM has received outside help to achieve its current status. We have been unable to track down any information that might confirm or deny this possibility.

Regardless, ROM should consider the MIM extremely dangerous as we continue to work in the Periphery. The conflict raging with our lost brethren can only have opened a breach in our ranks that the MIM may already have taken advantage of. General Jenni Elliot is the current commander of the MIM.

Uniforms As the Magistracy has for centuries relied upon the strength of the services it provides instead of its armed forces, the uniforms of the MAF have always been simple and straightforward.

MechWarrior battle dress, with the exception of a slightly larger, out-of-date neurohelmet, resembles almost any other MechWarrior across the Inner Sphere. However, a significant number of more compact, higher-grade neurohelmets have begun to appear within the ranks of the MAF, thanks to the Trinity Alliance.

Aerospace pilots and naval personnel wear turquoise helmets and simple black jumpsuits. As a result of the MAF's dedication to saving the lives of its warriors, all jumpsuits worn by naval personnel contain displays that contain emergency circuitry systems and life-sign monitors.

The standard uniform for all Canopian ground forces, worn in the field and for day to-day duties are bullet-resistant black tunics, helmets, boots and gloves over tight-fitting turquoise bodysuits. Naval personnel wear black bodysuits with turquoise accessories. Support personnel, including technicians, administration and special services functionaries, wear the standard uniforms of their line regiment counterparts, except for blue piping to denote their status. In all cases, camouflage fatigues are available when necessary.

The dress uniform adheres to the turquoise and black color scheme of the standard uniform but is loose fitting and constructed of a lightweight material. In addition, officers' dress uniforms feature silver piping on the trouser legs and cuffs.

MAF Ranking Conventions With the exception of the changes instigated within the past year, the ranking conventions of the Magistracy Armed Forces have remained unchanged since its inception.

Enlisted Ranks Since the beginning of the MAF, its enlisted ranks have remained unchanged, filling positions found in almost every other military force in known space.

Volunteer: The Magistracy of Canopus is relatively unique in that all citizens are required to serve the military for three years-though aristocrats can quietly find themselves exempt through the means of hiring a stand-in. All new recruits wear the rank of volunteer and sport a green diamond-shaped pin with silver edges on their lapels and cuffs.

First Ranker: Unless a volunteer receives disciplinary action during basic training, he will automatically be promoted to first ranker upon graduation. From here, first rankers are thrown into advance training in an attempt to find a field of expertise in which they can excel. Unless a first ranker has the drive, desire and ambition to stay in the military, no further advancement is possible. The rank insignia of a first ranker is identical to the volunteer but with a second silver-edged diamond nestled in the first.

Lance Corporal: Roughly equivalent to a sergeant in other militaries, a lance corporal is expected to lead a squad or more of men in battle. More importantly, he also acts as a field instructor for all first rankers who show a disposition to stay in the MAF. The rank insignia of the lance corporal is identical to the first ranker but with a third silver-edged diamond nestled inside the second.

Star Corporal: Serving in a variety of leadership roles, the star corporal is the core of the enlisted ranks. She is expected to lead in the absence of a more senior ranking officer. In general, a star corporal in the MAF leads a full platoon of men. The rank insignia of the star corporal is identical to the volunteer but with a silver diamond in the center.

Command Sergeant: Usually serving on the staff of a senior officer, the command sergeant is analogous to a sergeant major or another senior non-commissioned officer. The rank insignia of the command sergeant is identical to the volunteer but is completely silver.

Banner Sergeant: Though they currently fill senior staff and field command billets, the banner sergeant's origins stem from the days when personnel of this rank were responsible for a unit's regimental colors-an honor still observed when a unit is in full-dress uniform. The rank insignia of the banner sergeant is two small versions of the command sergeant rank, one diamond placed directly above the other.

Officer Ranks The officer ranks of the Magistracy Armed Forces are unique among all military services in or out of the Inner Sphere in the way they are officially awarded: they are purchased. While bizarre, this tradition has remained unchanged for four centuries and does not appear to hamper the MAF in any way. It is important to note that any rank of major or higher must be approved by the Magestrix herself. Traditionally, the approval is only a rubber stamp. The Magestrix, however, is frequently forced to use her veto power to prevent the promotion of incompetent or otherwise undeserving officers. With the increased size of the MAF, one can only assume that if she is as intelligent as she appears, her continued personal scrutiny of the MAF officer corps will continue. In general, because of the nature of the units, ranks within either the Magistracy Royal Guards or the Chasseurs á Cheval regiments cost 10,000 to 15,000 C-bills more then other MAF regiments.

Ensign: In the MAF, an ensign is rarely assigned a specific number of troops. Instead, depending on the circumstances and the experience of the ensign, an ensign can find herself in command of as few as ten men or as many as a hundred. The rank of ensign is found within both the army and the Canopian navy. It typically requires a tribute of 10,000 to 25,000 C-bills. The rank insignia of an ensign is identical to that of a volunteer-a green silver-edged diamond-with the silver replaced with gold.

Commander: A commander heads up a company and, occasionally, a battalion. With the increased size of the MAF and the recent creation of additional ranks, however, this practice has almost ceased to exist. Within the navy, a commander serves as a department head. A commander will generally pay 16,000 to 35,000 C-bills for their rank, depending upon the exact duties involved. The insignia of a commander is similar to that of an ensign, except with a second gold-edged diamond nestled inside the first.

Major: Until only a few years ago, majors within the Magistracy Armed Forces were almost always employed as brevet majors, in command of regiments while commanders headed up the battalions and colonels sat as commanders of entire regimental formations. Those days are gone forever. With the massive increase in the size of the MAF in the last decade, the officer corps has had to grow with it. As such, majors now solely commands battalion-sized formations. Within the Canopian navy, a major is known as a comcapt-a commodore-captain commands a single vessel. Before the reorganization, a comcapt was in charge of a flotilla of ships. A price tag of 24,000 to 45,000 C-bills is attached to this position. The rank insignia of a major is a large gold diamond. A gold wreath below the diamond denotes a comcapt.

Force Major: Roughly equivalent to a lieutenant colonel in other militaries, the rank of force major was created as a way to recognize majors who held a great deal of prestige and influence within the new military order. There is no equivalent rank within the Canopian navy. The rank insignia of a force major is identical to that of a major, with a large green star in the center.

Colonel: Just as majors held more sway than originally intended prior to its reorganization, colonels often did not simply command regiments, but had responsibility for entire unit formations such as the Magistracy Royal Guards or the Canopian Fusiliers. Today a colonel commands only a regiment, a major command or division within the MAF's bureaucracy. In the Canopian navy, a colonel is known as a rearad-rear admiral-and commands three to six vessels. Colonels pay anywhere from 33,000 to more than 50,000 C-bills for their rank. Two small gold diamonds denotes a colonel; a gold wreath below the bottom diamond indicates a rearad.

General: The second of three new ranks created by the MCC, generals command each of the five combat formations within the MAF: Magistracy Royal Guards, Chasseurs á Cheval, Canopian Fusiliers, Magistracy Highlanders and the Raventhir Cuirassiers. Known as an admiral in the navy, two admirals command the entirety of the Canopian Navy fleets. All seven of these officers, as well as the senior general, staff the Magestrix Command Center. The rank of general is also assigned to the various Corps department heads within the MAF, though they do not hold a seat on the MCC. Anywhere from 60,000 to more then 75,000 C-bills are required to purchase a general's position. Additionally, though the Magestrix has the right of veto against all officer ranks, an individual seeking a general's rank is subject to a deep investigation by the MIM. [Ah, the paranoia of the Capellans is saturating the Trinity Alliance already.-AK] Three small, gold diamonds denotes a general; a gold wreath below the stars denotes an admiral.

Senior General: The third and final new rank within the MAF, the senior general is the supreme commander of the Magestrix Armed Forces, answering directly to the Magestrix herself. Unlike analogs in other militaries, the rank of senior general does not convey any right of rulership should the Magestrix meet an untimely end. The rank of senior general cannot be purchased, but instead is awarded by the Magestrix herself. A unanimous vote of the MCC can overturn a Magestrix's appointment. Four small gold diamonds denotes a senior general.

Combat Formations As with most militaries in the Inner Sphere, the majority of the regiments that constitute the MAF belong to a larger organization. However, unlike other similar organizations such as the Davion Brigade of Guards, which at its inception acted outside of the normal chain of command, the Combat Formations of the MAF have always been kept on a tight leash. With the increasing size of the MAF, more and more authority is being delegated to combat formation commanders, authority which none of the generals have shied away from exercising.

Magistracy Royal Guards Formed from units destroyed during the early years of the Reunification War, the Magistracy Royal Guards-currently consisting of Raventhir's Iron Hand and the First and Second Canopian Cuirassiers-have played a pivotal role in the safeguarding of the Canopian state. Having fielded but two regiments for centuries, the last three decades of prosperity have allowed for the raising of a third regiment.

The insignia of the Magistracy Royal Guards is an amazon warrior trampling a snake.

Chasseurs á Cheval The senior brigade of the MAF, the Chasseurs á Cheval was formed in 2531, a year after the formation of the Magistracy itself, for the express purpose of safeguarding Canopus IV. Originally composed of four "light horse" regiments, the unit has long stated that the Star League's Regimental Combat Teams was a carbon copy of their organization. Even so, the Chasseurs lost two regiments during the Reunification War. Only in the last decade has the Magistracy had the revenue to rebuild one of those regiments. The Cheval is the senior unit of the MAF. This has been the cause of some tension, as the Magistracy continues to raise several new regiments before rebuilding the Fourth Canopian Light Horse. The Chasseurs currently field the First, Second and Third Canopian Light Horse Regiments.

A woman bearing a lance and clothed in a red and green cloak while riding a horse bareback is the Cheval's insignia.

Canopian Fusiliers Annihilated during the Reunification War, the unit was reconstituted during the Amaris Crisis and has since grown to consist of the First, Second and Third Canopian Fusiliers. The Fusiliers regiments have seen more combat than any other Canopian unit, though they lack the seniority of the Cheval or the notoriety of the Royal Guards. Though this makes the Fusiliers the most elite unit in the MAF, the unit is perpetually short on supplies and replacements because of their lack of status.

The insignia of the Canopian Fusiliers is three gold diamonds above a bloodstained saber.

Magistracy Highlanders The Magistracy Highlanders, which fields the First and Second Magistracy Highlander regiments, is the second newest combat formation created by the MCC. It was officially commissioned in late June of 3059 and has caused more discord and dissent throughout the MAF than any other combat formation. Raised in secret from a core of mercenaries, the Highlanders were the center of an uproar within the MAF.

Originally formed around a core of refugees from the Rim Worlds Republic at the end of the Reunification War, the Canopian Highlanders have served the Magistracy longer than many mercenary units have been in existence. With such long-standing and sterling service, the unit was a natural choice for Emma Centrella's secret plan to help bolster her military.

With raids by the Marian Hegemony on the rise and the need to meet the Concordat on an equal footing militarily, Emma contacted Colonel Oscar Long in early 3057 concerning a clandestine build-up of the Canopian Highlanders. This build-up would eventually lead to the integration of the Canopian Highlanders into the MAF.

Long's counter-proposal suggested that his three battalions be secretly built into three regiments, with two of those regiments formally recognized as the Magistracy Highlanders in the MAF in June of 3059. This left the mercenary Canopian Highlanders with a single regiment upgraded with the latest technology available to Canopus and still completely dedicated to the safeguarding of the Magistracy. The Magestrix agreed to the plan, which very closely paralleled Chancellor Sun-Tzu Liao's plan to form his CCAF's Capellan Brigade.

Though the Magestrix and the MAF are exceptionally pleased with the Magistracy Highlanders, there has not been universal acceptance. The other members of the Trinity Alliance, as well as units within in the MAF, are unhappy at the apparent distrust this move demonstrates. The Chasseurs á Cheval, especially, have voiced displeasure at the apparent favoritism shown for "upstart mercenary units." Whether this will result in any lasting damage is not yet apparent. This move has made the Magistracy the Periphery's largest military power-a fact that no other Periphery power will soon likely let them forget.

To maintain their ties to the Canopian Highlanders regiment, the insignia of the Magistracy Highlanders is a tam-o'-shanter cap atop Canopus IV-changed from the stylized world of the original unit.

Raventhir Cuirassiers This formation was originally known as the Raventhir (in honor of the Raventhiri noble line) Footmen-at the time of their formation in late 3056 they consisted solely of infantry. In early 3063. the unit was officially christened the Raventhir Cuirassiers, consisting of the First and Second Raventhir Cuirassiers regiments. During the official renaming ceremony, the Magestrix declared that the name was a celebration of the Trinity Alliance and the Cuirassiers. With the Magistracy Cavaliers, the Cuirassiers would be a sister regiment to the Taurian's Concordat Cuirassiers and the Confederation's Seventh Confederation Reserve Cavalry respectively.

Despite this effort, the Magestrix was still unable to dissipate tension created by the formation of the Magistracy Highlanders. Many now see the creation of the Raventhir Footmen as a rouse to divert attention away from the Highlanders. Only time will tell whether Emma is sincere with these "sister" regiments. Regardless, both regiments are taking their new duties very seriously.

The Raventhir Cuirassiers sport an insignia depicting a savage, unkempt-bearded warrior with a mane of wild, flying hair, encased in a pristine white cuirass.

Awards and Decorations In a military as uncouth as the MAF, spawned in such a unique and nontraditional nation as the Magistracy of Canopus, it is not surprising that their awards would be few and as unique as the nation they represent. As most recognition and notoriety is a purchased commodity-in the same way that officer ranks are purchased-awards in general do not have the same eminence that is garnered in other nations. However, over the centuries, three awards have come to represent excellence and above standard loyalty. They merit respect throughout all of the Magistracy.

The Canopus Cluster A unique award, the Canopus Cluster is partly purchased, but can only be received through an act that spares the Magistracy harm. It is also the only MAF decoration that can be awarded for acts of heroism, in either military service or other arenas such as politics or economics.

Demonstrating the strong female bias that has always pervaded the Magistracy, the Canopus Cluster takes the form of an earring, molded in a unique twisting pattern and worn on the upper portion of the left ear. A platinum band is awarded for military service, gold for merchant and bronze for political and brass for all other service. Once a recipient has been announced, he may make a one-time upgrade of the award by a sizable "donation," which will add a single precious stone to the design: 10,000 C-bills (lapis lazuli); 25,000 C-bills (emerald); 50,000 C-bills (diamond); 100,000 C-bills (ruby).

Fist of Raventhir This award was created in 2997 to celebrate the unwavering loyalty of the Raventhiri bloodline, which has provided centuries of unfailing service to the Magistracy of Canopus. Each year a single vote is cast by every commissioned officer for the soldier he thinks best exemplifies such dedication. The Magestrix then deliberates for a month over each candidate's records before making her final decision and presenting the award to a single recipient.

The Fist is a titanium medallion showing an armored fist protectively clenching the crest of the Magistracy, depended from a red-silk ribbon.

Ribbon of the Magestrix A new and somewhat controversial award, the Ribbon of the Magestrix is awarded for any unit that has served and fought on a non-Magistracy world. Though specifically created to honor those units that participated in the Capellan-St. Ives War, it has also been applied to those units that have gone on bandit-hunting raids.

The ribbon is a black or white circular "battle banner" with a stylized Canopus logo in the center, the different styles representing the type of mission completed. The second part of the award has caused some consternation, as the individual members of honored units are encouraged to weave small black or white ribbons into their hair when entering battle. Senior General Doru has argued that this lends an air of non-professionalism to the MAF, but the Magestrix has overruled his concern and continues to promote its use.

Academies Until the ascension of Emma Centrella as Magestrix, there was not a single premier school of combat to be found within the borders of the Magistracy. Instead, every world contained a provincial academy, which was required to teach every specialty from armor to aerospace, JumpShip to MechWarrior, technician to officer. It was an altogether impossible task. Due to the disdain that the Magistracy's people held for its standing military, the government never felt the need to burden itself with such a money pit. It instead relied on each individual world to train, staff and support their own academies. Though the MAF was highly motivated and willing to endure considerable sacrifice for their beloved Magistracy, it could not compensate for the general lack of training within its soldiery.

That all changed when Emma came to power. She quickly realized that with such rapacious neighbors as the Marian Hegemony, it was no longer possible to rely only on the Magistracy's legendary ability to seduce an opponent with the pleasure industry and commerce. Therefore, she initiated several legislative measures that began to seed federal Magistracy money into the provincial academies, allowing them to expand and upgrade their facilities.

Canopian Institute of War At the same time that she initiated federal academy funding, the Magestrix initiated plans to open a massive training center, patterned after the prestigious Sun Zhang MechWarrior Academy, on Canopus IV itself: the Canopian Institute of War (CIW). In addition to providing the finest facilities and training, it gave a boost of moral across the MAF. Though highly motivated, the MAF has always been burdened with the knowledge that many in the government they had protected through hundreds of years considered them a necessary evil. With the inauguration of the CIW, the MAF felt acceptance for the first time in centuries.

Enrollment: Admittance into the CIW is determined by two main factors: service and, to a much lesser degree, education. Because the school is so new, as each school year approaches every colonel within the MAF is required to forward the names of the most promising individuals under their command, regardless of age or years of service, who have petitioned their superior officers for the right to enter the CIW. The first two years of students were determined in this fashion, with about five percent being drawn from the Militia Defense Battalions. In 3059, following an extensive review by the MCC on the progression of the provincial academies under their new reforms, the top one percent of each graduating class was given permission to apply to the CIW. Of this one percent, only half passed the grueling entrance tests put into place specifically to weed them out. Each year the percentage of allowed applicants and passing students from the provincial academies has increased. Unlike ranks, entrance into the school cannot be purchased.

Beginning in 3062, select individuals from the Taurian Concordat have been allowed to enter the CIW.

Curriculum: The Curriculum and training of the CIW is patterned after the Sun Zhang MechWarrior Academy (SZMA), except that most courses are longer.

Basic training is six months long. Though not as severe as at the SZMA, it is still designed to shock the new student out of all previous conception of the MAF. More importantly, such harshness allows veteran warriors of ten years of combat to realize that they are no better then a new graduate while at the CIW.

After basic training, there are two MOS currently offered, each running four years: MechWarrior and aerospace pilot. The armored infantry MOS was not included in the curriculum when the school opened since MAF did not have any battle armor available at the time. Their recent addition to the MAF roster has caused the school to consider adding it to the curriculum. Again, like the SZMA, the CIW offers extensive courses usually found only at a university. Originally staffed exclusively with MAF personnel, several retired CCAF officers began teaching select courses at the CIW in 3062. As of 3063 there has been demand to expand the number of students allowed in the courses as not all who wish to attend are admitted.

Atmosphere: Though nowhere near the SZMA in intensity, many students in the CIW realize that they have earned the right to attend the finest academy in all of the Periphery, one that has begun to eclipse some of the lesser Inner Sphere schools. This intensity, combined with some acts of hazing that occurred between provincial graduates and those who have already survived for years in the MAF, have caused many to drop out of the CIW. It is a testament to the improved provincial academies that the drop out rate of the provincial graduates was less than that from veteran troops in 3062.

Graduation: The colors of the school are gold, silver and lavender. Every graduate receives a half cape-outside silver, inside lavender, trimmed in gold-to wear with their dress uniforms. In the field, graduates are allowed to display the three colors of the school in any practical form that does not endanger them or their fellow soldiers.

The Magistracy Royal Guards, Chasseurs á Cheval and Canopian Fusiliers are allowed their pick of the graduates from each class. Though only a handful were chosen from the first class of 3062, the graduates' performance in the Third Canopian Fusiliers on St. Ives was so impressive that all three combat formations drew heavily from the class of 3063.

Personalities Without exception, the following personalities' fortunes are intrinsically entwined with the Magistracy. Their rise or fall will elevate or abase this Periphery realm in equal measure.

[You will, no doubt, be interested in knowing that the information on Emma and Naomi is less than a year old-it has been updated appropriately-and was originally prepared by Jerrard Cranston himself for review by the puppet Martial. Though we were unable to decode the majority of the information originally appended to this text, I felt it appropriate for you to know that our hand has begun to reach even the most secure hives of our enemies. -AK]

Emma Centrella At 54 years of age, Emma Centrella retains much of the beauty and charm that helped make her one of the most talented diplomats among Periphery state leaders. Highly intelligent and completely committed to the good of her realm, the Magestrix must be counted among Sun-Tzu Liao's most valuable allies. Emma's stormy relationship with her mother, Magestrix Kyalla Centrella, taught her the game of politics and court intrigue: these skills thwarted Kyalla Centrella's attempt to assassinate her in 3039. By 3040, Emma had built a sufficient power base to take the Canopian throne away from her unstable parent. She has since led the Magistracy to a position of unprecedented prosperity and influence, exemplified by the historic alliance with the Taurian Concordat. This, combined with her alliance with House Liao, best represents the bold gambles for which she is renowned.

The Magestrix appears to have taken the recent death of her eldest daughter in stride. Unlike most other Periphery rulers, Emma recognized the threat posed by the Clans and tried to do something about it. She does not appear to blame the Star League or the Inner Sphere for Danai's loss, but has instead turned her energies toward grooming Naomi Centrella to step into the heir's role.

Naomi Centrella Recently celebrating her twenty-fourth birthday on Sian, Naomi Centrella never expected to become the likely heir to the Magistracy of Canopus. Since being thrust into the spotlight, Naomi has handled herself with poise and grace unusual in someone so young. Gifted with her mother's charm and diplomatic instincts, Naomi Centrella is likely to make a worthy successor.

Though widely regarded as a less skilled MechWarrior than her late sister Danai, Naomi has still shown considerable ability as a military leader during the past few years. She currently serves as overall commander of the MAF units stationed in Capellan space and, by all accounts, is doing a masterful job.

She appears to have high personal regard for Sun-Tzu and the rumor mill is running overtime with speculation that Naomi Centrella will soon replace Isis Marik in Sun-Tzu's affections. I'm not certain how much credence to give this, but the two of them have been spending more time together lately. Naomi Centrella's feelings for Sun-Tzu appear to be genuine; whether he returns them remains to be seen. How Magestrix Emma might react to such relations between Sun-Tzu and Naomi is anyone's guess.

[It would appear that Cranston was simply being cautious, though you can read between the lines to see his take on this situation. Needless to say, his veiled speculation was on target, as Isis was ejected off Sian and out of the Confederation in April of 3062, not four months after this report. Considering that Sun-Tzu personally hosted Naomi's birthday celebration, even the most dull-witted can see the path this relationship is taking. Whether true feelings exist is irrelevant, as Sun-Tzu has shown that no attachments come without political strings; strings that he weaves into threads of ambition to further the aims of the Confederation. -AK]

Erde Centrella Erde is the only daughter Emma allowed her husband, Nicholas Ramilie, to name. He bestowed a name tied into his German ancestry and a dream that he knows will never be realized; "Erde" is German for Terra.

Though not the militarist her eldest sister was, nor as politically suave as Naomi, Erde has always exhibited a deep intelligence and a love for people, which translated into a vibrant, fun-loving personality. This love led her to a career in medical school, which she entered at the age of fifteen. Upon graduation in 3060 at the age of eighteen, she joined the MAF's Medical Corps specifically attached to colonization efforts in the New Colony Region.

As it was never expected that she would be close to the throne, Emma allowed Erde-along with her other two younger sisters-the freedoms that Danai and Naomi by birthright were denied. Though Emma had no choice but to make Erde the second in line for the Magestrix upon learning of Danai's death in early 3061, she recalled her daughter to Canopus only after she was wounded in a pirate attack in the New Colony Region near the Concordat border.

Since then, Erde has been grooming to be Magestrix should tragedy strike Naomi. As it has always been the case in the Magistracy, no effort has been made to investigate the paternity of her pregnancy.

[A very interesting turn of events.-AK]

Hadji Doru Hadji Doru's supreme competence and unwavering loyalty has caused him to make a number of hard decisions in his nearly four decades of military service. Such capability led him to the position of the Marshal of the Taurian Guard in the Taurian Concordat, where he served faithfully for years before being forced to chose between his nation and the Proctorship. He chose the greater good of the Concordat and helped to remove Thomas Calderon from power in 3055. However, to prevent any political group from using him against Jeffrey Calderon, he resigned his commission and boarded a JumpShip headed for the Inner Sphere.

His name became lost to history among the peoples of the Periphery until Danai Centrella encountered him during Operation Bulldog in 3059. Unable to resist the military life he had known for so long, he petitioned and was accepted into the Second Donegal Guards RCT, the unit which ended Wave Four of the operation on Wolcott in preparation for moving into the Periphery to clean up the Jaguar remnants. After Wave Four, the First Canopian Cuirassiers-led by Danai-moved to Wolcott in preparation to depart for the Clan home worlds. It was there she encountered Doru and convinced him to resign from the Second and sign on with the Cuirassiers.

Over the course of the six-month journey to Strana Mechty, Danai came to realize that the MAF desperately needed a military mind such as Doru and attempted to convince him of that fact. Though her arguments were sound and Doru came to respect Danai, he continued to refuse until her death at the hands of the Jaguars. Humbled by her willingness to sacrifice herself for her homeland, Doru made a promise to himself to journey to Canopus and let the cards lay where they may. Once there, he found that Danai had invested her own money in purchasing the rank of colonel for Doru. Following a year of careful negotiation, Doru became the first Senior General in the history of the MAF.

Writing Credits: Field Manual Periphery: Magistracy of Canopus Randall N. Bills