Antonius Zalman
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Antonius Zalman (b. January 14th 2727 - d. January 16th 2809, aged 82 years[1]) was the first saKhan of Clan Steel Viper.
Hero of the SLDF
Zalman was once a reservist member of a SLDF militia unit serving on Terra during the Amaris coup. By 2773, Zalman's unit had been reduced to a small resistance cell due to incessant attacks by Amaris' troops, but Zalman and his men vowed to keep on fighting the Usurper. When Zalman found out that the immoral Amaris had ordered the use of Star League citizens as human shields to keep SLDF soldiers at bay on the planet York, Zalman decided to rescue the hostages. Zalman and his cell covertly travelled to York and began to fight a guerrilla campaign against Amaris' Republican Guards. By the time SLDF forces reached York, Zalman and his men had already freed the hostages and destroyed much of the Republican Guards' supplies. Without the supplies necessary to fight a protracted battle against the SLDF troops, the Republican Guards surrendered.
For his heroism on York, SLDF Commanding General Aleksandr Kerensky personally decorated Zalman for actions above and beyond the call of duty.[2]
Clan Steel Viper
Zalman accompanied Aleksandr Kerensky in his Exodus and later followed Aleksandr's son Nicholas in the Second Exodus. When Nicholas founded the Clans in 2807, he nominated Zalman to be the first Khan of Clan Steel Viper, but the 80 year old Zalman turned down the honor, citing his advanced age and failing health. Zalman then asked Nicholas to endorse Lieutenant Ellie Kinnison of the 131st Royal BattleMech Division for the position of Khan and was subsequently elected. Kinnison then stated that she would only serve as Khan if Zalman would accept the position of saKhan and continue to serve as her mentor.
saKhan Zalman was instrumental in the training of the Viper Touman, as he urged Kinnison to teach the Viper warriors the same values that had kept Zalman alive during his campaign against the Usurper's forces.
Death and Legacy
Antonius Zalman served as saKhan of Clan Steel Viper for only two years; he was killed in a training accident in 2809. Zalman was replaced by Star Colonel Steven Breen.
Due to his genetic legacy, all Steel Viper warriors with the Zalman bloodname are his descendants. His most famous descendant is Perigard Zalman.