Snake Alliance

The Snake Alliance was the name given to a political power bloc in the Clans' Grand Council consisting of Clan Cloud Cobra, Clan Star Adder and Clan Steel Viper during the years after the Great Refusal and into the Wars of Reaving.

Historical Overview

The Snake Alliance was said to have come together out of the struggle on Homer between the Cloud Cobras and Steel Vipers. Khan Din Steiner of Clan Cloud Cobra struck out at the Steel Viper enclaves located on his capital world, out of a desire for revenge because of their involvement with Clan Coyote's attack on the Babylon Diet in 3062. Clan Star Adder's Khan Stanislov N'Buta stepped in as an intermediary, negotiating a workable solution that saw the Vipers withdraw from Homer, as well as laid the ground work for cooperation between the three parties in the future. Khan Steiner recognized that the young Adder Khan was on the rise, often deferred to his judgment, if simply to coast in his wake and bide time. Viper Khan Brett Andrews used the loose alliance to his own ends as well, eventually battling his way to the top of Clan society with his ascension to the office of ilKhan in 3072.

Often at war with enemies such as Clan Blood Spirit, Clan Snow Raven and Clan Wolf, the Snake Alliance persisted until the final years of the Wars of Reaving, the strength of its constituent bonds waxing and waning, until 3074. Khan N'Buta gave an eloquent speech before the Grand Council, calling the Steel Vipers the last vestige of Inner Sphere taint left in the Clan Homeworlds. He called for a Reaving against Clan Steel Viper. IlKhan Andrews responded by murdering Khan N'Buta in full view of the council. This action precipitated his downfall, first, in being striped of office immediately, and second, due to a Trial of Annihilation called by Cloud Cobra Khan Hollyann Kardaan against the Steel Vipers that quickly passed the Grand Council. Khan Andrews attempted to call a Trial of Refusal, but was killed on the floor by Adder saKhan Hannibal Banacek. As the Cobras would also find that their direction had shifted away from the Star Adders, the Snake Alliance was no more after the Wars of Reaving.

Bibliography

• The Wars of Reaving