Katrina Steiner

This article is about the Archon of the Lyran Commonwealth, 3007-3039. For the later Archon who adopted her name, see Katherine Steiner-Davion.

Katrina Elizabeth Steiner
Character Profile
Born	20 October 2976
Died	4 January 3040
Affiliation	House Steiner
Rank	Archon
Title(s)	Duchess of Tharkad
Parents	Alexandr Weldon (father) Lisa Steiner (mother)
Siblings	Nondi Steiner
Spouse	Arthur Luvon
Children	Melissa Steiner

Katrina Steiner ruled the Lyran Commonwealth as the twenty-ninth Archon. Her reign is noted for the Peace Proposal that she circulated, which led to the Federated-Commonwealth Accords and the eventual creation of the Federated Commonwealth. Katrina was born on the world of Gallery. She was the first daughter of Lisa Steiner and General Alexandr Weldon. She was older sister to Nondi Steiner.

History

Early life

Born on Gallery, Katrina was a sickly child; she surprised her doctors by going on to pilot a BattleMech by the tender age of twelve.

Academy and military career

Graduating from the Nagelring in 2994 at just eighteen, she was posted to the 3rd Arcturan Lancers Regiment as an infantry officer. A year later Katrina would receive a posting with the 28th Tharkad Armored Cavalry Regiment and then the 2nd Skye Artillery Regiment by 2996. Her stated reason for this was to become well acquainted with all of them. Despite her meandering career path, in 2996 she would finally be posted to the 10th Lyran Guards (which is traditionally led by the Archon's heir, or at least a member of House Steiner) rising from lance commander to lead the entire regiment in just two years. In 3001 the Second Royal Guards before finally being promoted to the Strategy and Tactics Division in 3004.

Red Corsair

She disappeared on Poulsbo in 3004, after suffering an assassination attempt by Loki agents on that planet, under orders of Archon Alessandro Steiner (Near the end of his life Alessandro privately told Ryan Steiner that he had actually sent the Loki agents to kill Arthur Luvon, whom he had discovered to be a high-ranking Heimdall leader; it was an unforeseen coincidence that Katrina Steiner and Morgan Kell were present when the attempt took place and wholly unintended that Katrina would believe she had been the target. According to Alessandro, he saw a strong and competent leader in his niece and always considered her his heir and successor, but their relationship was forever poisoned after she returned from hiding.). The three reemerged on Tharkad a year later, seemingly changed and more hostile to her uncle, the Archon. It is not generally known that she was forced to go into hiding alongside Arthur Luvon and Morgan Kell as Loki agents were apparently trying to abduct or kill them.

Katrina Steiner created the identity of the Red Corsair and the trio fled into the Periphery, where they would find lostech under undisclosed circumstances including several of the Black Box superluminal fax machines. They eventually returned to Lyran space via a detour through the Free Worlds League.

This, combined with Alessandro's foolish military strategies, led directly to Katrina's coup d'état against him in 3007 and her subsequent appointment as Archon of the Lyran Commonwealth.

Marriage

Katrina married her longtime friend and lover Arthur Luvon, the Duke of Donegal, in 3009. The following year saw the birth of their only child, Melissa. That was also the same year that Arthur died of cancer.

Archon

In 3020, Archon Katrina hoped to bring about a diplomatic solution to the Succession Wars. This peace proposal was rejected by all the Successor States, but marked a beginning of a cordial relationship with First Prince Hanse Davion and the Federated Suns. By 3022, Katrina and Hanse had signed an alliance treaty between their respective nations and the Archon had willingly betrothed her daughter, Melissa, to the First Prince.

Death and legacy

In 3037 Katrina was diagnosed with cancer and began treatment, unfortunately discovering her condition was terminal in December 3038. Given less than a year to live, Katrina chose to spend the time she had left with her daughter and grandchildren. To this end, on the birth of her fifth grandchild Yvonne on 25 March 3039, Katrina abdicated in favor of Melissa, adopting the title of Archon-Emeritus. Katrina's abdication also ensured her reputation as a peacemaker remained intact, despite the fact the LCAF were in the final stages of preparing for the War of 3039.

Katrina would serve as military and political adviser to her daughter during the War of 3039, but by the end of that year she was increasingly frail and in great discomfort. Archon-Emeritus Katrina Steiner would die in her sleep on 4 January 3040, mere days before the formal signing of the Exeter Accords that ended the 3039 conflict.

BattleMechs

Katrina Steiner piloted a blue Warhammer and later handed down the 'Mech to her daughter Melissa.

Quotes

“	Though the public may have forgotten them, any military man worth his salt remembers and studies the actions of the Tamar Tigers and the Stealths, perhaps the most successful Commonwealth regiments of all time.	”
	— From The Use of the BattleMech in Modern Combat, by General Katrina Steiner, Commonwealth Military Press, 3006

“	Even among us Steiners, there comes a time when cold-blooded practicality must outweigh even family loyalty. My uncle has proven his inability to rule. As his niece, I grieve for his disappointment, but I will not let my emotions stand in the way of what I feel is right. I am Archon now; that is what I feel is right for me. More importantly, that is what I feel is right for Commonwealth.	”
	— Archon Katrina Steiner's announcement of Archon Alessandro's 'retirement', from Royal Court Transcripts: Year 3007, Commonwealth Historical Press, 3007

“	The good thing about history is that it usually passes its judgments long after their subjects are dead.	”
	— Archon Katrina Steiner from Royal Court Transcripts: Year 3009, Commonwealth Historical Press, 3009

“	Yes, there have been attempts on my life, but most leaders have to expect such things. For who can rule perfectly? With just a few words, I might instantly turn 20 million loyal subjects into enemies bent on seeing me dead. One rules as best he can, but learns to suspect every shadow, every blind corner.	”
	— Archon Katrina Steiner in a Holo-interview, Tamar Broadcasting Company, 3024

Gallery

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  Katrina Steiner, ca. 3004 (from promotional preview of Vanish)

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  Katrina Steiner, ca. 3020, from BP:4thSW

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  Katrina Steiner, ca. 3025, from 25 Years of Art and Fiction

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  Katrina Steiner, ca. 3025, from House Davion

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  Katrina Steiner, ca. 3025, from House Steiner

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  Katrina Steiner, ca. 3025, from House Steiner

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  Katrina Steiner, ca. 3039, from Historical: War of 3039

Titles and Positions

30073039Alessandro SteinerLyran Commonwealth

Bibliography

• 20 Year Update
• The Gauntlet (serialized novel)
• Historical: War of 3039
• House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)
• House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)
• "Vanish" (short story)
• Warrior: En Garde (novel)
• Warrior: Riposte (novel)
• Warrior: Coupé (novel)