Difference between revisions of "Thomas Marik"

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'''Thomas Marik''' ([[2990]]-3???) was the seventh son of [[Janos Marik]] from his first wife, Hilda Lauber. He was described as soft-spoken, with brown hair.<ref name=bio>''[[House Marik Sourcebook]]'', pg. 141.</ref> After he was scarred during a bomb blast in [[3035]], he was replaced with a body double by [[ComStar]].
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{{Update Needed|[[Bred for War]], [[Era Report: 3052]], [[Era Report: 3062]], [[Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers]]}}
  
His double claimed the Captain-Generalcy of the [[Free Worlds League]] from [[3036]] until it hopelessly fractured during the 3070s. "Thomas" led the [[Free Worlds League]] to greater unity, economic prosperity, and centralization than it had ever experienced.  
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:''This article is about the "real" Thomas Marik, who became "The Master" who masterminded the [[Word of Blake]] [[Jihad]], not the body double who ruled over the [[Free Worlds League]] as Thomas Marik (presumably with the real Thomas Marik's consent and possibly even following his orders for a time at least).''
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{{InfoBoxCharacter
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| image              = Thomas Marik (2).jpg
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| name                = Thomas Marik
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| birthdate          = 10 March [[2990]]
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| died                = 2 April [[3081]]
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| othernames          =
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| affiliation        = [[House Marik]]<br/>[[Word of Blake]]
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| profession          =
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| parents            = [[Janos Marik]] (father)<br/>[[Hilda Lauber]] (mother)
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| siblings            = [[Martin Marik|Martin]]<br/>[[Gerald Marik III|Gerald]]<br/>[[Therese Marik|Therese]]<br/>[[Duggan Marik|Duggan]]<br/>[[Cartwright Marik|Cartwright]]<br/>[[Faith Marik|Faith]]<br/> [[Paul Marik (31st c.)|Paul]]<br/>[[Kristen Marik|Kristen]]<br/>[[Janos Marik (31st c.)|Janos]]
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| spouse              =
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| children            = [[Isis Marik]]
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}}
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'''Thomas Marik''' (March 10, [[2990]] &ndash; April 2, [[3081]]) was born on ([[Jaspin]], [[Marik]]) the seventh son of [[Janos Marik]] from his first wife, [[Hilda Lauber]]. He was described as soft-spoken, with an aptitude for science and technology. In [[3021]] his father secretly designated Thomas as his heir.
  
The real Thomas Marik became a fanatical follower of [[Conrad Toyama]] and defected to the [[Word of Blake]]. He became the shadowy figure known as "the Master," the true mastermind of the [[Jihad]].<ref>[[Blaine Lee Pardoe|Pardoe, Blaine Lee]], ''[[List of BattleTech novels#Principles of Desolation|Principles of Desolation]]''</ref>
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After he was scarred during a bomb blast in [[3035]] that killed his father, Thomas Marik was replaced with a body double by [[ComStar]].<ref name=bio>''House Marik Sourcebook'', p. 141</ref> Through his double he claimed the Captain-Generalcy of the [[Free Worlds League]] from [[3036]] until it hopelessly fractured during the 3070s. The double (who later became known as [[Thomas Halas]]) led the [[Free Worlds League]] to greater unity, economic prosperity, and centralization than it had ever experienced, while the real Thomas Marik became a fanatical follower of [[Conrad Toyama]] and joined the [[Word of Blake]] when they separated from ComStar. He became the shadowy figure known as '''"The Master"''', the true mastermind of the [[Jihad]].<ref name=Pardoe>''Principles of Desolation'', p.??{{cn}}</ref>
  
 
==Biography==
 
==Biography==
===Early Life===
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===Early life===
Since Thomas was the seventh in line to the throne, he never conceived of the notion that he would someday become Captain-General, nor did he seem to desire the position. Instead, he threw himself into his love of technology. At the age of sixteen he joined [[ComStar]], where he demonstrated a real knack with technical pursuits.<ref name=bio />  
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Since Thomas was the seventh in line to the throne, he never conceived of the notion that he would someday become Captain-General, nor did he seem to desire the position. Instead, he threw himself into his love of technology. At the age of sixteen (in [[3006]]) he joined [[ComStar]] with his father's blessings, where he demonstrated a real knack with technical pursuits.<ref name=bio/>  
  
He joined the Explorer Corps, where he stayed for seven years. He spent many more years as a deputy chief of maintenance at various [[HPG]] stations. In the 3020s, he was allowed to pursue research in medicine and astrophysics. The 3020s also saw [[Janos Marik]] negotiate for Thomas' release to be named as Janos' heir. With four of his older siblings dead, one all but disinherited, and the last found wanting; Janos decided to make his seventh child his heir. ComStar allowed this, hoping that Thomas would be more amicable to them than previous Marik rulers. The proper documents were signed on [[Procyon]] on [[3021]].<ref name=bio />
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He joined the [[Explorer Corps]], where he served for seven years. He then spent many more years as a deputy chief of maintenance at various [[HPG]] stations. In the 3020s, he was allowed to pursue research in medicine and astrophysics. The 3020s also saw [[Janos Marik]] negotiate for Thomas' release to be named as Janos' heir. With four of his older siblings dead, one all but disinherited, and the last found wanting, Janos decided to make his seventh child his heir. ComStar allowed this, hoping that Thomas would be more amicable to them than previous Marik rulers. The proper documents were signed on [[Procyon]] on [[3021]].<ref name=bio/>
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While serving at the ComStar relay station on the [[Lyran Commonwealth]] world of [[Teukros]] in [[3025]] Thomas already began to prepare himself for the task of leading the Free Worlds League one day, and studied [[ROM]] reports to learn about politics on top of his regular scientific workload.
  
 
===Regent===
 
===Regent===
Thomas was later promoted to Precentor of the HPG station on [[Son Hoa]], where he was when circumstances found him. The [[Duchy of Andurien]] seceded from the [[Free Worlds League]] in [[3030]]. Roughly a month later, Janos suffered a debilitating stroke. When his son [[Duggan Marik|Duggan]] and nephew [[Duncan Marik|Duncan]] struggled for control, Grand Duke [[Christopher Halas]] of [[Oriente]] contacted Thomas. Thomas appeared before Parliament in [[3031]] with documents that showed that he was Janos' designated heir. Thomas then ruled ably in his father's name, much to the dismay of ComStar and Halas, who believed that he would be easy to control. In [[3035]], Janos had recovered, so he resumed control.
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Thomas was eventually promoted to [[Precentor]] of the HPG station on [[Son Hoa]], where he was when circumstances found him. The [[Duchy of Andurien]] seceded from the [[Free Worlds League]] in [[3030]]. Roughly a month later, Captain-General Janos Marik suffered a debilitating stroke. When his son [[Duggan Marik|Duggan]] and nephew [[Duncan Marik|Duncan]] struggled for control, Grand Duke [[Christopher Halas]] of [[Oriente]] contacted Thomas. Thomas appeared before Parliament in [[3031]] with documents that showed that he was Janos' designated heir. Thomas then ruled ably in his father's name, much to the dismay of ComStar and Halas, who had both believed that he would be easy to control. In [[3035]], Janos had recovered, so he resumed the position of ruling Captain-General.
  
In the same year, Janos called a meeting to discuss ways the bring the [[Duchy of Andurien]] back into the League. Duncan was called away only moments before a bomb exploded. It was believed that all inside perished, so [[Duncan Marik]] assumed the title of Captain-General, which went unopposed by Janos' three remaining children, and declared war on Andurien.
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In the same year, Janos called a meeting to discuss ways to bring the [[Duchy of Andurien]] back into the League. Duncan was called away only moments before a bomb exploded. Although he was never officially indicted, Duncan Marik himself is generally held to be the perpetrator of the bomb attack. It was initially believed that all inside had perished, so [[Duncan Marik]] assumed the title of Captain-General, which went unopposed by Janos' three remaining children, and declared war on Andurien. Unfortunately for Duncan, his attempts to reconquer the wayward Duchy were bogged down in a protracted war and his popularity plummeted.
  
===Double-Blind===
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===Introducing the body double===
Though Thomas was rescued from [[Duncan Marik]]'s bomb attack by [[ComStar]], the extensive damage done required the use of bionics to save him. Since the people of the [[Free Worlds League]] are quite bigoted towards "cyborgs," ComStar made the decision to replace Thomas with a body double, who was appropriately scarred.  With Thomas back after more than a year, an enthusiastic Parliament acceded to his many demands in order to be rid of Duncan. Most of these requests were laws that concentrated more power in the hands of the Captain-General than there had ever been before, including veto power. Duncan made one last ditch effort to remain in power by defeating the Andurien troops, but he died in his failed [[3037]] attack.<ref>''[[20-Year Update]]''</ref>
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Janos' legitimate heir, Thomas, was narrowly rescued from [[Duncan Marik]]'s bomb attack by [[ComStar]], but his extensive injuries required the use of bionics to save him. It was then decided that a body double should take his place as Captain-General of the Free Worlds League, ostensibly because the people of the Free Worlds League carry strong sentiments against "cyborgs", including prosthetics as well as cybernetic enhancements.
  
"Thomas" decided to cement his power by much the same means. Leading a much more measured response, he eventually reclaimed [[Andurien]] and rebel Dame [[Catherine Humphreys]] in [[3040]]. Though she died from a heart attack while awaiting trial, Thomas pardoned many military and political leaders to aid reconciliation.<ref>''20-Year Update''</ref> This paid off when many members of the former [[Free Worlds League Military#Defenders of Andurien|Defenders of Andurien]] joined a new federal force that Thomas created, the [[Free Worlds League Military#Free Worlds Legionnaires|Free Worlds Legionnaires]].<ref>''[[Field Manual: Free Worlds League]]''</ref>
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It ultimately remains uncertain to what extent the real Thomas Marik, who always pulled the strings from behind the scenes henceforth, had or even desired control over the rule that his double subsequently exerted over the Free Worlds League in his stead, while Thomas himself became a religious zealot, embracing the teachings of [[Conrad Toyama]].
  
===Marriage and Children===
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With the popular "Thomas Marik" back after more than a year, an enthusiastic Parliament acceded to [[Internal Emergency Act|his many demands]] in order to be rid of Duncan. Most of these requests were laws that [[Addendum to the Incorporation|concentrated more power in the Captain-General's hands]] than there had ever been before, including veto power. Duncan made one last-ditch effort to remain in power by forcing a victory over the Andurien troops in the field, but he died in his failed [[3037]] attack.<ref name=20YU>''[[20-Year Update]]''</ref>
Thomas Marik was survived by one illegitimate child, [[Isis Marik|Isis]]. His only legitimate child, Joshua, died in [[3057]] while being treated for his leukemia on [[New Avalon]].
 
  
"Thomas Marik" was also survived by one daughter, [[Jessica Marik|Jessica]]. His two sons, Christopher and Janos, were killed during his escape from [[Atreus]].<ref>''[[Jihad Hot Spots: 3070]]''</ref> Jessica went on to succeed her mother, [[Sherryl Halas]], as the leader of [[Oriente]] and the [[Oriente Protectorate]].<ref>[http://www.wizkidsgames.com/mechwarrior/courier/pda.asp?a=38575 Legacies of the League II--Oriente and Andurien] on [[Wizkids]]' website.</ref>
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===Jihad===
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The Fourth [[Whitting Conference]] in [[3067]] saw the dissolution of the [[Star League]]. When the [[Capellan Confederation]], [[Federated Suns]], and host [[Lyran Alliance]] announced their intentions to pull out of the League, outgoing First Lord [[Christian Mansdottir]] called for a vote of no-confidence in the League with the intention of forcing them back in. Even with the admission of the provisional members, the vote failed and the Star League dissolved. The [[Word of Blake]], especially Thomas Marik's Sixth of June, were incensed and attempted to force the Alliance and Suns back into the League through intimidating force aimed at their respective capitals. When that failed, the Blakists engulfed the [[Inner Sphere]] and near [[Periphery]] in their [[Jihad]].
  
===Captain-General===
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"Thomas" finally attempted to break his dependency on the Blakists, to which they responded by using a chemical attack to kill the members of Parliament and the [[1st Knights of the Inner Sphere|1st]] [[Knights of the Inner Sphere]]. They also revealed the knowledge that the Captain-General was an impostor placed on the throne by [[ComStar]]. Despite that, the false Thomas attempted to stay on, but was deposed by Thomas' brother, [[Paul Marik (31st c.)|Paul]] in [[3069]]. Paul put his daughter [[Corinne Marik|Corinne]] on the throne, though she did not prove to be as malleable as the Word had hoped.<ref>''Jihad Hot Spots: 3070'', p.??{{cn}}, "The Shrouded Blade"</ref> Others attempted to claim the Captain-Generalcy, namely [[Therese Marik]] and [[Kirc Cameron-Jones]], leading to four different Captain-Generals and effectively shattering the Free Worlds League as a political entity (a situation that persisted until [[3139]]).
The new Captain-General sought stability and peace above all else. Though his realm was unaffected by the [[Clan invasion]], he still traveled to [[Outreach]] in [[3051]] for the summit concerning how to deal with them. There, he provided the voice of reason, the perfect counterpoint to [[Romano Liao]]. After she stormed out, Thomas and Prince [[Hanse Davion]] agreed that the [[Free Worlds League]] would convert its industry to provide refit packages to [[Federated Commonwealth]] troops so that they could more effectively combat the [[Clans]] through [[Star League]] technology. In exchange, Hanse offered to treat Marik's heir [[Joshua Marik|Joshua]] and his leukemia at the [[New Avalon Institute of Science]].<ref>[[Michael A. Stackpole|Stackpole, Michael A.]], ''[[List of BattleTech novels#Blood Legacy|Blood Legacy]]''</ref>
 
  
The League continued to provide refit packages, even after the [[Truce of Tukayyid]], and the League's industry grew larger and richer with a guaranteed market for its new, high-tech goods. As the flow of refits slowed, "Thomas" directed the [[Free Worlds League Military]] to purchase them, resulting in a technologically sophisticated [[BattleMech]] force. This force was soon put to the test.
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===Marriage and children===
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Thomas Marik (the "Real" Thomas Marik) was survived by one illegitimate child, [[Isis Marik|Isis]]. His only legitimate child, Joshua (actually the son of [[Thomas Halas]]), died in [[3057]] while being treated for his leukemia on [[New Avalon]]. (Thomas Halas later had three other children, but by this time he was revealed to have been an impostor.)
  
The fallout of Primus [[Myndo Waterly]]'s [[Operation Scorpion]] and her subsequent assassination by Precentor Martial [[Anastasius Focht]] led to a schism within [[ComStar]]. Focht and newly-elected Primus [[Sharilar Mori]] decided to reform the order of many of its mystical trappings, but there was a group of reactionaries who did not agree with these changes. Led by Precentor [[Atreus]] [[Demona Aziz]], "Thomas Marik" allowed them exile on the League planet of [[Gibson]]. He was named Primus-in-exile by them, which was really an honorary title as the various factions of the [[Word of Blake]] could not agree on a real leader. The Word also took over the administration of [[HPG]]s from ComStar, ensuring them a source of revenue.
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===Death and afterward===
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Thomas Marik perished along with his [[Jihad]]. On April 2, 3081, the Master and his protege, [[Calvin McIntyre]], were killed by [[Regulan Fiefs|Regulan]] [[WarShips]] as they bombarded the city of Zachariah on the Blakist-held world of [[Circinus]].<ref name=J:FRp7>''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', p. 7</ref> His ashes were interred in secret on [[Kwamashu]] in the [[Duchy of Andurien]]. Following the fall of the HPG grid in [[3132]], [[Republic of the Sphere]] [[Ghost Knight]]s stole them as part of a plot to distract Andurien and other former [[Free Worlds League]] states from the Republic as it restructured during [[Fortress Republic]].<ref>''Surrender your Dreams' p. 9</ref>
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But the "ashes", in theory inside a wood box preserved in the honor place of a monastery, weren't real: in the box only are fragments of wood with words written. The final destiny of the real Thomas remains remains unknown.<ref>''Surrender your Dreams' p. 287</ref>
  
===Guerrero===
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==Philosophical and/or political views==
The death of [[Hanse Davion]] in [[3052]] and [[Melissa Steiner]] in [[3055]] resulted in the ascendancy of their oldest son, [[Victor Steiner-Davion]], as Archon-Prince of the [[Federated Commonwealth]]. In his inexperience, Victor fell back to a plan his father had created. In [[3057]], Joshua Marik lost his battle with leukemia. Fearing that the Captain-General would cease the flow of upgrades, Victor instituted Operation Doppelganger, replacing Joshua with a body double. Though he never intended to place a pawn on the throne of the [[Free Worlds League]], when Thomas found out that seemed the logical end of the plan.  
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At least for the duration of his interim rule from 3030 to 3035 he proved an able ruler with a genuine interest in leading the Free Worlds League and the welfare of its people, as shown in his extensive preparation for the position. Although initially described as soft-spoken, intelligent, learned and reserved, Thomas Marik became a fanatical devotee of the radical teachings of Primus [[Conrad Toyama]] at some point, presumably after suffering heavy injury in the bomb blast of 3035. The [[Jihad]] was launched after his interpretation of one of Toyama's prophecies did not come to fruition.
  
Marik teamed up with Chancellor [[Sun-Tzu Liao]] of the [[Capellan Confederation]] to punish Victor for his duplicity. The two nations launched a joint invasion with the goal of regaining all of the territories Thomas' father has lost during the [[Fourth Succession War]]. The result of this attack went beyond anything "Thomas" could have hoped to achieve.
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It remains unknown to which extent Thomas Marik later controlled his double who ruled the Free Worlds League in Thomas' stead with genuine care for its people, to the point of ultimately opposing Word of Blake and the real Thomas Marik. Thomas Marik's impostor did his best to concentrate political power in the Captain-General. He stripped the provinces of many of their rights and powers, created military brigades that were personally loyal to him and the Free Worlds League as a whole, cemented ties with the [[Duchy of Oriente]] and secured their military units for his own use, and stripped other provincial military units of their provincial loyalties.
  
[[Katherine Steiner-Davion]], amidst her own plots to seize power from her brother Victor, seceded the Lyran half of the [[Federated Commonwealth]] under emergency war powers and created the [[Lyran Alliance]]. She returned the League's lost worlds and immediately pledged a truce with the false Thomas. No longer in need of many of the [[mercenary unit]]s they had hired with their objective completed, the FWLM sold most of the contracts to the Capellans.
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==Quotes==
  
===Star League===
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''"Have you met this '[[The Master|Master]]'? In the flesh? Spoken to him face to face? I thought not. If you had, you wouldn't be questioning my motives. Believe me, he doesn't care about the Free Worlds. At first, perhaps, but the last time we communicated it was clear he thought even [[Myndo Waterly]] was a bleeding-heart liberal. You know what this is in ''his'' eyes? This is [[Operation Scorpion|Scorpion]], writ large. His attempt to outdo the [[Primus (ComStar)|Primus]] ''he'' pretty much regards as a god, [[Conrad Toyama|Toyama]]. He's using you."''
Now an elder statesman of the [[Inner Sphere]], "Thomas" traveled to [[Tharkad]] to take part in the First [[Whitting Conference]] in [[3058]]. Here, he and the other heads of state decided to resurrect the [[Star League]] and prosecute a war aimed at annihilating [[Clan Smoke Jaguar]]. There, the false Thomas supported his one-time ally [[Sun-Tzu Liao]] in that man's bid to become the first First Lord. He also contributed military forces to [[Task Force Serpent]] and [[Operation Bulldog]]. Here, [[Victor Steiner-Davion]] all but told "Thomas" that he knew he was not the real son of [[Janos Marik]], but Victor did nothing as the false Thomas was a stabilizing influence on the Star League Council.
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:-"Thomas Marik" criticizes The Master, when confronted by his "brother", [[Paul Marik (31st c.)|Paul Marik]], August 9, 3069<ref>''Jihad Hot Spots: 3070'', p. 5</ref> 
  
The [[Free Worlds League]] was relatively quiet through the late 3050s and early 3060s, until the [[FedCom Civil War]]. During that war, [[Kristen Marik]] and her [[mercenary unit]], [[Kristen's Krushers]], were garrisoning [[Coventry]] when they were attacked by Lyran troops. The false Thomas did nothing to help the woman who was supposedly his little sister, though Marshall [[Jeremy Brett]] defied a direct order from him to rescue what was left of the unit on [[Arcadia]]. The world was held as a protectorate through the end of the war, after which "Thomas" returned it to the [[Lyran Alliance]].
 
  
At the [[3064]] [[Whitting Conference]], "Thomas" nominated the [[Word of Blake]] for entrance into the Star League. While this was obviously desirable to him, as it would give him a member that would basically vote the way he wanted, it was also an incredibly desirable outcome to the Toyama faction of the Word. This faction contained the radical [[Sixth of June]], led by none other than "the Master," Thomas Marik. The real Marik believed that the Word would come to greatness through three "transfers of power," the last of which was their membership in the Star League. A ComStar audit of Blakist funding turned up some corruption of the funds paid to them by the Free Worlds, but the Captain-General's internal audit revealed a much more disturbing situation. Incredible amounts of M-bills had been siphoned off to the Word, which even Precentor [[William Blane]] could not account for. Blane and "Marik" concluded that only the real Thomas Marik could have been responsible for the numbers. With that revelation, "Thomas" resigned as Primus-in-exile.
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''"We did our best, my young friend. Now it's up to them..."''
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:-Thomas Marik/The Master's last words, addressed to a dying Calvin McIntyre.<ref name=J:FRp7/>
  
[[3067]] saw the greatest challenge to the Captain-General's rule. In that year, Kristen's daughter [[Alys Rousset-Marik]] started the Great Debate. She argued that [[Resolution 288]], the legislation the established the Captain-General as a permanent position, should no longer be in effect, as there is no emergency (which 288 is contingent upon). With the [[Free Worlds League]] at peace and the Star League resurrected, she argued, the Captain-General should go revert to a position that was assigned as needed. While this took much of the false Thomas' attention, it ultimately came to naught.
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==Portrait Gallery==
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<gallery>
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File:The Master.jpg|The Word of Blake's "''Master''"
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File:Marik master 1.jpg|The death of Thomas Marik
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</gallery>
  
===Jihad===
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==References==
The Fourth [[Whitting Conference]] in [[3067]] saw the dissolution of the [[Star League]]. When the [[Capellan Confederation]], [[Federated Suns]], and host [[Lyran Alliance]] announced their intentions to pull out of the League, outgoing First Lord [[Christian Mansdottir]] called for a vote of no-confidence in the League with the intention of forcing them back in. Even with the admission of the provisional members, the vote failed and the Star League dissolved. The [[Word of Blake]], especially Thomas Marik's [[Sixth of June]] were incensed and attempted to force the Alliance and Suns back into the League through intimidating force aimed at their respective capitals. When that failed, the Blakists engulfed the [[Inner Sphere]] and near [[Periphery]] in their [[Jihad]].
 
 
 
"Thomas" finally attempted to break his dependency on the Blakists, to which they responded by using a chemical attack to kill the members of Parliament and the [[Free Worlds League Military#Knights of the Inner Sphere|1st Knights of the Inner Sphere]]. They also revealed the knowledge that the Captain-General was an impostor placed on the throne by [[ComStar]]. Despite that, the false Thomas attempted to stay on, but was deposed by Thomas' brother, [[Paul Marik|Paul]] in [[3069]]. Paul put his daughter [[Corrine Marik|Corrine]] on the throne, though she did not prove to be as malleable as the Word had hoped. Others attempted to claim the Captain-Generalcy, namely [[Therese Marik]] and [[Kirc Cameron-Jones]], leading to four different Captain-Generals (a situation that persists into the 3130s).
 
 
 
"Thomas" escaped the attempted coup against him in [[3069]], though it cost him the lives of his two sons. Aided by none other than Corrine herself, the false Thomas ran to [[Oriente]] where his father-in-law provided him sanctuary. In order to flee, however, he was forced to leave behind his wife Sherryl and daughter Jessica as they were injured during his escape. "Thomas" continued to provide intelligence to what was left of the [[Free Worlds League]], and to [[Devlin Stone]], but all the respect and power he had spent decades accruing were shattered. Eventually, his wife and daughter were able to join him on Oriente. Following Duke Christopher's death in [[3080]], he ceased using the "Marik" surname and instead called himself "Thomas Halas." Together with Sherryl, Thomas ruled Oriente.
 
 
 
===Death and afterward===
 
Both Thomas and his impostor are dead.
 
 
 
The circumstances surrounding the impostor's death are not known, though his daughter continues to use the "Marik" surname.
 
 
 
Thomas Marik perished along with his [[Jihad]]. His ashes were interred in secret on [[Kwamashu]] in the [[Duchy of Andurien]]. Following the fall of the [[HPG]] grid in [[3132]], [[Republic of the Sphere]] Ghost Knights stole them as part of a plot to distract Andurien and other former [[Free Worlds League]] states from the Republic as it restructured during Fortress Republic.
 
 
 
==Philosophical and/or political views==
 
Thomas Marik was a fanatical devotee of Primus [[Conrad Toyama]]. The [[Jihad]] was launched after his interpretation of one of Toyama's prophecies did not come to fruition.
 
 
 
Thomas Marik's impostor did his best to concentrate political power in the Captain-General. He stripped the provinces of many of their rights and powers, created military brigades that were personally loyal to him and the [[Free Worlds League]] as a whole, cemented ties with the [[Duchy of Oriente]] and secured their military units for his own use, and stripped other provincial military units of their provincial loyalties.
 
 
 
{{s-start}}
 
{{s-bef|before=[[Duncan Marik]]}}
 
{{s-title|title=Captain-General of the [[Free Worlds League]]|years=[[3036]]-[[3078]]}}
 
{{s-aft|after=none}}
 
{{s-bef|before=[[Janos Marik]]}}
 
{{s-title|title=Duke of [[Atreus]] and [[Marik]]|years=[[3035]]-[[3069]]}}
 
{{s-aft|after=[[Corrine Marik]]}}
 
{{s-end}}
 
 
 
==Notes==
 
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
  
==References==
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==Bibliography==
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*''[[Dawn of the Jihad]]''
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*''[[Grave Covenant]]''
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*''[[Handbook: House Marik]]''
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*''[[House Marik (The Free Worlds League)]]''
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*''[[Ideal War]]''
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*''[[Jihad: Final Reckoning]]''
 
*[[Herbert A. Beas II|Beas, Herbert A. II]], [http://www.wizkidsgames.com/mechwarrior/courier/pda.asp?a=38504 Epitaph for a Realm], [[Wizkids]] Games. Accessed 2 December 2007.
 
*[[Herbert A. Beas II|Beas, Herbert A. II]], [http://www.wizkidsgames.com/mechwarrior/courier/pda.asp?a=38504 Epitaph for a Realm], [[Wizkids]] Games. Accessed 2 December 2007.
*Beas, Herbert A. II, [http://www.wizkidsgames.com/mechwarrior/courier/pda.asp?a=38575 Legacies of the League II--Oriente and Andurien], [[Wizkids]] Games. Accessed 2 December 2007.
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*''[[Jihad Hot Spots: 3070]]''
*[[Herbert A. Beas II|Beas, Herbert A. II]] et al, ''[[Dawn of the Jihad]]''. FanPro, 2005.
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*''[[Jihad Hot Spots: 3072]]''
*Beas, Herbert A. II et al, ''[[Jihad Hot Spots: 3070]]''. FanPro, 2005.
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*''[[Patriots and Tyrants]]''
*Beas, Herbert A. II et al, ''[[Jihad Hot Spots: 3072]]''. [[Catalyst Game Labs]], 2007.
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*''[[Prince of Havoc]]''
*[[Loren L. Coleman|Coleman, Loren L.]], ''[[List of BattleTech novels#Patriots and Tyrants|Patriots and Tyrants]]''. [[ROC]], 2001.
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*''[[Principles of Desolation]]''
*Coleman, Loren L., ''[[List of BattleTech novels#Storms of Fate|Storms of Fate]]''. ROC, 2002.
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*''[[Storms of Fate]]''
*[[C.R. Green|Green, C.R.]] et al, ''[[House Marik (The Free Worlds League)]]''. [[FASA]] (Chicago), 1988.
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*''[[Surrender Your Dreams]]''
*[[Chris Hartford|Hartford, Chris]], ''[[Field Manual: Free Worlds League]]''. [[FASA]] (Chicago), 1997.
+
 
*Hartford, Chris, ''[[Handbook: House Marik]]''. [[FanPro]], 2005.
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[[Category:Free Worlds League Characters|Marik, Thomas]]
*[[Christopher Kubasik|Kubasik, Christopher]], ''[[List of BattleTech novels#Ideal War|Ideal War]]''. [[ROC]], 1993.
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[[Category:Captain-Generals|Marik, Thomas]]
*[[Blaine Lee Pardoe|Pardoe, Blaine Lee]], ''[[List of BattleTech novels#Surrender Your Dreams|Surrender Your Dreams]]''. ROC: 2006.
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[[Category: Word of Blake Characters|Marik, Thomas]]
*[[Michael A. Stackpole|Stackpole, Michael A.]], ''[[List of BattleTech novels#Blood Legacy|Blood Legacy]]''. FASA, 1990; [[ROC]], 1995.
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[[Category: ComStar Characters|Marik, Thomas]]
*Stackpole, Michael A., ''[[List of BattleTech novels#Grave Covenant|Grave Covenant]]''. ROC, 1997.
 
*Stackpole, Michael A., ''[[List of BattleTech novels#Prince of Havoc|Prince of Havoc]]''. ROC, 1998.
 
*Various, ''[[20-Year Update]]''. [[FASA]] (Chicago), 1989.
 
{{wikipedia|94594074#Thomas_Marik|List_of_BattleTech_characters}}
 
[[Category:People|Marik, Thomas]]
 

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This article is about the "real" Thomas Marik, who became "The Master" who masterminded the Word of Blake Jihad, not the body double who ruled over the Free Worlds League as Thomas Marik (presumably with the real Thomas Marik's consent and possibly even following his orders for a time at least).
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Thomas Marik
Character Profile
Born 10 March 2990
Died 2 April 3081
Affiliation House Marik
Word of Blake
Parents Janos Marik (father)
Hilda Lauber (mother)
Siblings Martin
Gerald
Therese
Duggan
Cartwright
Faith
Paul
Kristen
Janos
Children Isis Marik

Thomas Marik (March 10, 2990 – April 2, 3081) was born on (Jaspin, Marik) the seventh son of Janos Marik from his first wife, Hilda Lauber. He was described as soft-spoken, with an aptitude for science and technology. In 3021 his father secretly designated Thomas as his heir.

After he was scarred during a bomb blast in 3035 that killed his father, Thomas Marik was replaced with a body double by ComStar.[1] Through his double he claimed the Captain-Generalcy of the Free Worlds League from 3036 until it hopelessly fractured during the 3070s. The double (who later became known as Thomas Halas) led the Free Worlds League to greater unity, economic prosperity, and centralization than it had ever experienced, while the real Thomas Marik became a fanatical follower of Conrad Toyama and joined the Word of Blake when they separated from ComStar. He became the shadowy figure known as "The Master", the true mastermind of the Jihad.[2]

Biography

Early life

Since Thomas was the seventh in line to the throne, he never conceived of the notion that he would someday become Captain-General, nor did he seem to desire the position. Instead, he threw himself into his love of technology. At the age of sixteen (in 3006) he joined ComStar with his father's blessings, where he demonstrated a real knack with technical pursuits.[1]

He joined the Explorer Corps, where he served for seven years. He then spent many more years as a deputy chief of maintenance at various HPG stations. In the 3020s, he was allowed to pursue research in medicine and astrophysics. The 3020s also saw Janos Marik negotiate for Thomas' release to be named as Janos' heir. With four of his older siblings dead, one all but disinherited, and the last found wanting, Janos decided to make his seventh child his heir. ComStar allowed this, hoping that Thomas would be more amicable to them than previous Marik rulers. The proper documents were signed on Procyon on 3021.[1]

While serving at the ComStar relay station on the Lyran Commonwealth world of Teukros in 3025 Thomas already began to prepare himself for the task of leading the Free Worlds League one day, and studied ROM reports to learn about politics on top of his regular scientific workload.

Regent

Thomas was eventually promoted to Precentor of the HPG station on Son Hoa, where he was when circumstances found him. The Duchy of Andurien seceded from the Free Worlds League in 3030. Roughly a month later, Captain-General Janos Marik suffered a debilitating stroke. When his son Duggan and nephew Duncan struggled for control, Grand Duke Christopher Halas of Oriente contacted Thomas. Thomas appeared before Parliament in 3031 with documents that showed that he was Janos' designated heir. Thomas then ruled ably in his father's name, much to the dismay of ComStar and Halas, who had both believed that he would be easy to control. In 3035, Janos had recovered, so he resumed the position of ruling Captain-General.

In the same year, Janos called a meeting to discuss ways to bring the Duchy of Andurien back into the League. Duncan was called away only moments before a bomb exploded. Although he was never officially indicted, Duncan Marik himself is generally held to be the perpetrator of the bomb attack. It was initially believed that all inside had perished, so Duncan Marik assumed the title of Captain-General, which went unopposed by Janos' three remaining children, and declared war on Andurien. Unfortunately for Duncan, his attempts to reconquer the wayward Duchy were bogged down in a protracted war and his popularity plummeted.

Introducing the body double

Janos' legitimate heir, Thomas, was narrowly rescued from Duncan Marik's bomb attack by ComStar, but his extensive injuries required the use of bionics to save him. It was then decided that a body double should take his place as Captain-General of the Free Worlds League, ostensibly because the people of the Free Worlds League carry strong sentiments against "cyborgs", including prosthetics as well as cybernetic enhancements.

It ultimately remains uncertain to what extent the real Thomas Marik, who always pulled the strings from behind the scenes henceforth, had or even desired control over the rule that his double subsequently exerted over the Free Worlds League in his stead, while Thomas himself became a religious zealot, embracing the teachings of Conrad Toyama.

With the popular "Thomas Marik" back after more than a year, an enthusiastic Parliament acceded to his many demands in order to be rid of Duncan. Most of these requests were laws that concentrated more power in the Captain-General's hands than there had ever been before, including veto power. Duncan made one last-ditch effort to remain in power by forcing a victory over the Andurien troops in the field, but he died in his failed 3037 attack.[3]

Jihad

The Fourth Whitting Conference in 3067 saw the dissolution of the Star League. When the Capellan Confederation, Federated Suns, and host Lyran Alliance announced their intentions to pull out of the League, outgoing First Lord Christian Mansdottir called for a vote of no-confidence in the League with the intention of forcing them back in. Even with the admission of the provisional members, the vote failed and the Star League dissolved. The Word of Blake, especially Thomas Marik's Sixth of June, were incensed and attempted to force the Alliance and Suns back into the League through intimidating force aimed at their respective capitals. When that failed, the Blakists engulfed the Inner Sphere and near Periphery in their Jihad.

"Thomas" finally attempted to break his dependency on the Blakists, to which they responded by using a chemical attack to kill the members of Parliament and the 1st Knights of the Inner Sphere. They also revealed the knowledge that the Captain-General was an impostor placed on the throne by ComStar. Despite that, the false Thomas attempted to stay on, but was deposed by Thomas' brother, Paul in 3069. Paul put his daughter Corinne on the throne, though she did not prove to be as malleable as the Word had hoped.[4] Others attempted to claim the Captain-Generalcy, namely Therese Marik and Kirc Cameron-Jones, leading to four different Captain-Generals and effectively shattering the Free Worlds League as a political entity (a situation that persisted until 3139).

Marriage and children

Thomas Marik (the "Real" Thomas Marik) was survived by one illegitimate child, Isis. His only legitimate child, Joshua (actually the son of Thomas Halas), died in 3057 while being treated for his leukemia on New Avalon. (Thomas Halas later had three other children, but by this time he was revealed to have been an impostor.)

Death and afterward

Thomas Marik perished along with his Jihad. On April 2, 3081, the Master and his protege, Calvin McIntyre, were killed by Regulan WarShips as they bombarded the city of Zachariah on the Blakist-held world of Circinus.[5] His ashes were interred in secret on Kwamashu in the Duchy of Andurien. Following the fall of the HPG grid in 3132, Republic of the Sphere Ghost Knights stole them as part of a plot to distract Andurien and other former Free Worlds League states from the Republic as it restructured during Fortress Republic.[6] But the "ashes", in theory inside a wood box preserved in the honor place of a monastery, weren't real: in the box only are fragments of wood with words written. The final destiny of the real Thomas remains remains unknown.[7]

Philosophical and/or political views

At least for the duration of his interim rule from 3030 to 3035 he proved an able ruler with a genuine interest in leading the Free Worlds League and the welfare of its people, as shown in his extensive preparation for the position. Although initially described as soft-spoken, intelligent, learned and reserved, Thomas Marik became a fanatical devotee of the radical teachings of Primus Conrad Toyama at some point, presumably after suffering heavy injury in the bomb blast of 3035. The Jihad was launched after his interpretation of one of Toyama's prophecies did not come to fruition.

It remains unknown to which extent Thomas Marik later controlled his double who ruled the Free Worlds League in Thomas' stead with genuine care for its people, to the point of ultimately opposing Word of Blake and the real Thomas Marik. Thomas Marik's impostor did his best to concentrate political power in the Captain-General. He stripped the provinces of many of their rights and powers, created military brigades that were personally loyal to him and the Free Worlds League as a whole, cemented ties with the Duchy of Oriente and secured their military units for his own use, and stripped other provincial military units of their provincial loyalties.

Quotes

"Have you met this 'Master'? In the flesh? Spoken to him face to face? I thought not. If you had, you wouldn't be questioning my motives. Believe me, he doesn't care about the Free Worlds. At first, perhaps, but the last time we communicated it was clear he thought even Myndo Waterly was a bleeding-heart liberal. You know what this is in his eyes? This is Scorpion, writ large. His attempt to outdo the Primus he pretty much regards as a god, Toyama. He's using you."

-"Thomas Marik" criticizes The Master, when confronted by his "brother", Paul Marik, August 9, 3069[8]


"We did our best, my young friend. Now it's up to them..."

-Thomas Marik/The Master's last words, addressed to a dying Calvin McIntyre.[5]

Portrait Gallery

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 House Marik Sourcebook, p. 141
  2. Principles of Desolation, p.??[citation needed]
  3. 20-Year Update
  4. Jihad Hot Spots: 3070, p.??[citation needed], "The Shrouded Blade"
  5. 5.0 5.1 Jihad: Final Reckoning, p. 7
  6. Surrender your Dreams' p. 9
  7. Surrender your Dreams' p. 287
  8. Jihad Hot Spots: 3070, p. 5

Bibliography