Periphery Survey

Periphery Survey
Story information
Author	Chris Hussey
Type	In-Universe Media
Product	Mech (magazine)#Issue Seven
Content
Era	Clan Invasion Era
Agency	ComStar
Universe Date	14 June 3055-1 March 3056

The Periphery Survey was a five-part update on the Periphery, updating the works of Precentors Alisha Nevine (The Periphery) and Jeffrey Layton (Objective Raids) with developments in the intervening years.

Written by ComStar ROM Precentor Marshall Roth of the All-Knowledge Outer Reach Corps, this update on the Periphery was sent out in five installments between 14 June 3055 and 1 March, 3056. Roth had still yet to “choose sides” in the ComStar Schism and so he sent this work to both ComStar Primus Sharilar Mori and Word of Blake Primus Demona Aziz. In the second installment he then admonished both Primuses for their terse replies demanding he cease distributing these reports to the opposing faction. Roth reminded them that despite their current differences both factions were ComStar and sought to “bring the flame of enlightenment to all the Inner Sphere and end these senseless conflicts. He then continued sending his series to both factions. His report followed a common format, examining the recent developments, military strength, future projections, and recommendations for ComStar. Each section will summarize those areas, and then address how close they stayed to later canon.

Taurian Concordat

Recent Developments

In the last twenty years the Taurian Concordat has colonized about 25 new worlds, including many that are materially rich. This resulted in several members of the Ministries of Trade and Colonization storming a Privy Council meeting and demanding Protector Thomas Calderon rescind several trade and material exploitation laws and declaring Thomas’s paranoia would drag the realm down. Thomas refused and ordered Marshall Hadjia Doru to stop the Ministers when they declared they would ignore the laws with or without their recension. Doru took no action which increased Thomas’ paranoia dramatically. It was expected he would be out of power by 3056 in favor of his son Jeffrey Calderon or Marshall Doru.

Military Strength

The Concordat’s military remained approximately the same as Precentor Layton’s report (15 Regiments), but there were rumors the Concordat had gained access to Ferro-Fibrous and Pulse Laser technology, which they shared with the Magistracy of Canopus in exchange for more LosTech.

Future Projections & Recommendations

Provided the Concordat survives the inevitable coup, it was projected that the new colonies would provide incredible economic strength. Improving relations with the Magistracy (without the knowledge of Thomas) revolving around mutual defense and cooperative expansion are likewise projected to benefit the nation. ComStar engineers and governmental advisors were thought to be invaluable in the expanded region, as well as a way to increase ComStar’s influence on the realm. ComGuard units were also recommended to be placed on alert for any coup.

Canonicity

The coup came much quicker, with Marshall Doru placing Thomas in protective custody immediately after the confrontation with the Ministers. He then traveled to the Calderon residence and obtained Jeffrey’s agreement to take the reigns of power. To avoid becoming a potential magnet for political opposition Doru declined the nomination to Minister of Defense, resigned his commission and left the Concordat to live a very colorful life. Jeffrey was the driving force behind increased cooperation with the Magistracy. Nothing was specifically mentioned of Pulse Lasers but an SLDF storehouse containing Ferro-Fibrous armor and other high-tech weapons was found on Celano in 3019. Under LosTech, Inc. reverse engineering was begun immediately, though hampered by Far Looker embezzling discovered in 3037. The effort was picked up again by Edge Industries after an indeterminate delay, with real progress only occurring with the formation of the Trinity Alliance.

Notes

Published in the then-canon Mech Magazine (Q3 1992-Q3 1993) this series provided some of the only insight into the Periphery between The Periphery (1988) and The Periphery, Second Edition (1996), with the limited exception of the Twenty Year Update (1989) and Objective Raids (1992). As detailed above in the Canonicity sections, most of the facts presented here were later implemented in The Periphery, Second Edition or later works. There is also a dating error where the second installment (06/14/3055) occurred before the first installment’s date (08/23/3055).

Bibliography

• The Periphery (sourcebook)
• The Periphery, 2nd Edition (sourcebook)
• Field Manual: Periphery
• Handbook: Major Periphery States
• Objective Raids