Well I have to confess that I came into the universe after the death of Clan Smoke Jaguar, so I never was able to get the books about it. I have read online summaries about it and I didn't think there was anything that would make the other clans hate the jaguars other than normal clan rivalries. That's why when it was mentioned that the Jade Falcons, more so than the Inner Sphere powers, would be pissed off at finding out who the Fidelis were, I thought Wolverines, not Jaguars.

Did I just miss something?

WOW.

After reading through all the posts, I must say I feel the excitement in reading this book (when I do get it). Its been awhile since something like this has stirred me. This is fantastic. I will definitely pick up this book for keeps!

Eh, I think they'd be surprised more then upset.
The Nova Cats, though. Considering the history of our two clans, we are NOT gonna be happy to hear they're still around. Especially as their 'death' was the catalyst that got us kicked out of Clan space to begin with.

Wow, I hadn't thought of that. (snicker snicker) You mean bringing back the Jags in some fashion might cause problems for the Nova Cats? (okay, I'm dripping with sarcasm here...humor me.)

Would they hold a grudge? The Fidelis are different than the Smoke Jaguars. They have had to adapt - in fact being able to adapt is part of their dictum and culture. As you flip back through Surrender Your Dreams there are countless hints as to the Fidelis culture that tell you how much they have evolved from being a mere Clan (still sarcastic here -- I had to say 'mere' because some guys are bound to be fired up at that.)

I would think that IF the Fidelis were given to revenge, the Nova Cats would be in a long line of Clans. The Nova Cats betrayal was just slightly more than when the other Clans refused to fight with Lincoln Osis to defend his Clan. There would be a number of Clans that would be potential targets -- IF the Fidelis were given to revenge.

I tend to think that they are not a culture out seeking revenge. They have had plenty of opportunity to strike out and didn't over the decades. There ARE some folks that wouild bear the brunt of their fury though. Who perpetuated the Great Betrayal against them? That faction or person would be a target that would likely be a target of any fury they might have.

Then again, I may just be rambling...

You see, with this story, unlike so many in BattleTech/MechWarrior, it's not the end that gets you -- it's how they got there that makes them interesting...at least in my mind.


Blaine "Buck" Pardoe

Well spoken (i mean written) :p like a veteran writer. Most stories have been done over and over again. It is the journey that makes it enjoyable to read. Oh, I finished reading your book and it was excellent. 5 out of 5. :D
It was not a filler and different style of writing (referring to chapters being broken in different timelines) instead of the linear timeline frame was refreshing.

After rereading the book again, I get the impression that a new Goverment body replaces The Republic 21 yrs later. It may not be named The Republic, but it will be based on Stone's Ideals.

It's worded so it can be taken a number of different ways. Sorry, it had to be done. Is it The Republic in a new guise and form? Is it something else? Perhaps the old Free Worlds League once again is reformed...or not!

When you get to write about the far future of the BattleTech universe, you sometimes have to keep things open to a reader's perspective.

Same applies to Paul Moon's last words as to the fate of the Fidelis. Is he suggesting that the Fidelis go to Terra and forcefully grab their birthright, or is he implying that they should do a tourist trip to Terra? Or are they supposed to just go and settle there? It all depends on what you want to see happen as a reader.

Blaine "Buck" Pardoe

Mr Pardoe, one last question. Will we be seeing more of Devilin Stone in person in future Battletech novels?

Just curious.

I'm dying to know what this means, if you don't mind explaining. I am a U.S. citizen who has never left the country, so I have no idea what politics are like in Singapore. Really, really curious!

LOL!

I'm still questioning this point as well.

Sorry for the triple post, but I just had to respond to this one . . .

The "death" of the Jaguars was not what got the Nova Cats kicked out of Clan space. None of the Clans aided the Jags in their hour of desperation.

The Nova Cats' decision to turn their back on the other Clans and seek refuge with the false Star League - THAT is what got them kicked out of Clan space.

(OOC) :D

I'm not allowed to say. Of course, I don't know. So even if I could say, I wouldn't. That's not to say yes or no.

I believe you harbor the illusion that I am in the loop on stuff. I wish to dispel that assumption. I just take the line or two they toss me for a novel and try to make it interesting.

Blaine "Buck" Pardoe

You'll note the key word is 'catalyst' there. No, it's not directly responsible, but it's what kick started the entire shebang. We allied with the IS to take down the Jags, which led to Clan Smoke Jaguar being wiped out. In the followup, only possibly because of this, we sided in the trials against the other clans. This led to our abjuration and exodus into the IS.

Actually, I was thinking about it from the Nova Cat perspective. (points to the avatar on the left, it's not for idle show ;) )

In anycase, not knowing how the Nova Cats have developed in the 'between times', I'm not sure how they'd respond. They've had multiple generations since the Jags 'removal', plus another few generations in between 'now' and the 'future republic'. We might not even care anymore. But no one seems to hold grundges like the Clans do either. :)

I assume that the Fortress Republic's borders are being protected by the technology that was "liberated" from the Jade Falcon controlled planet of Ryde. This mission took place just prior to the Fortress going up. In the novel, it mentions that the scientists were working on an automated defense system. With a satellite defense system that runs without needing anyone at the controls, the Republic can defend a whole lot of space.

That is possible, but one has to assume some lag between obtaining the research (which I do not believe was described as being fully operational) and the manufacturing of the satellites necessary to protect such a vast amount of space.

However, I suppose it is possible that the Republic already had such technology and simply wanted to deprive the Falcons of the research so that they could not find a way to bypass the defense system and enter Fortress Republic.