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JIH
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HO
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AC
LAS
SIC
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™
For a year, the winds of chaos have scoured the Inner Sphere, as terrorism and weapons of mass
destruction are used on a scale not seen since the First Succession War. Confusion reigns, and each
faction finds itself isolated amid its own turmoil. All seems lost. Yet as a new decade dawns,
glimpses of the greater whole begin to appear through the dark clouds. The true battle has only
just begun… .
Jihad Hot Spots: 3070™ continues the stunning events revealed in
Dawn of the Jihad™, using the same rolling format and
immersing readers directly in the action as never before. Players
of both Classic BattleTech® and Classic BattleTech RPG™ will
find framework rules to run any type of campaign
in regions throughout the Inner Sphere.
JIH
AD
HO
TS
PO
TS
:3
07
0•
AC
LAS
SIC
BA
TT
LET
EC
HS
OU
RC
EB
OO
K•
•3
50
26
For a year, the winds of chaos have scoured the Inner Sphere, as terrorism and weapons of mass
destruction are used on a scale not seen since the First Succession War. Confusion reigns, and each
faction finds itself isolated amid its own turmoil. All seems lost. Yet as a new decade dawns,
glimpses of the greater whole begin to appear through the dark clouds. The true battle has only
just begun… .
Jihad Hot Spots: 3070™ continues the stunning events revealed in
Dawn of the Jihad™, using the same rolling format and
immersing readers directly in the action as never before. Players
of both Classic BattleTech® and Classic BattleTech RPG™ will
find framework rules to run any type of campaign
in regions throughout the Inner Sphere.
Sam
ple
file
Sam
ple
file
connection/JIHAD HOT SPOTS:3070/section00: Table of ConTenTs
THE SHROUDED BLADE 4INTRODUCTION 9
How to Use This Book 9AbouttheChaosUnleashedCampaign 9
A SPHERE IN FLAMES 10War Engulfs Inner Sphere 11A War in Review 11
TheDragoonsDebacles 11TheStarLeagueFailure 12DominosFalling 14TheClanFactor 16InaHandbasket 17Blake’sJudgment 17BlackoutonAtreus? 19
LATE 3068: FIGHTING BLIND 21War in the League 22
BetrayalonAtreus! 22EntireSardisFleetGoesMissing 23Captain-GeneralcyinDoubt 24Retreat! 24
The Capellan Front 25ConfederationStrikesBack 25AlliesRallyonSian! 25VictoryatHand! 25
The Dragon Rallies 27DieronFreeFromTyranny 27BenjaminUnderAttack! 27LuthienArmorWorksinPeril? 28DeathtoMercenaries,Revisited 28
Alliance in Turmoil 29TheShowMustGoOn! 29LAAFRalliesAfterStunningClanAssaultonGraus 29TerranCorridorinCrisis 29LeagueForcesShatteredonSyrma 30SkyeForcesClaimNarrowVictoryonZebebelgenubi 30
And in Other News... 31Damocles’ReporttothePrecentorMartial 31LettheSpheroidsBurn! 32AllPointsBulletin 32NorthwindSilenced 32MercenaryCowardiceImperilsOperationReclamation 33TheViewFromGalatea 33Blake’sHandisEverywhere 33MercenaryTraitorsRampageonVictoria! 34
Chaos Unleashed, Part 1: Late 3068 35LeadingEdge 35OnefortheMoney... 36GraveyardShift 38
EARLY 3069: THE FOG OF WAR 40Swordplay 41
FaithandHope 41Hasek’sInvasionUnravels 42ChancellortoWed! 42StrikingBack! 43GalaxAssaulted 43KathilAttacked! 43
Fists and Feathers 44Restoration! 44AvengersFallBack 45
DesperateGetaway 45BrettPullsBack 46AlarionOffline! 46CrumblingLines 46
The Dragon Besieged 47GhostsoftheBlackWatch 47EntertheWord 47CryoftheRaven 48Victory,atCost 49
Bargained and Done 49FallingStars 49TheCatStirs 51TheRaven’sFlight 51PasigFalls! 52
And in Other News... 52Buzz-Kill 52Caesar’sChallenge 53NimakachiPlantDestroyed! 54ComGuardsinDisarray 54RallyingCry 55
Chaos Unleashed, Part 2: Early 3069 56MyBonnieLiesOvertheOcean 56SeedsofDiscontent 58Brew-Ha-Ha 59
LATE 3069: DEATH FROM ABOVE 61Wrath and Fire 62
WaywardBrothersandSistersSeetheLight! 62FieldStudyReport(Confidential):Alarion 63Officials:GalaxisDying 63Summer’sNightfall 64TheSackingofGlengarry 64
Surging Ahead 65AgainsttheFloodgates 65TheDrivetoNewSyrtis 66ShatteredLines 66TheBattleforNewSyrtis 67
The Advancing Hordes 67WolfWatch 67BacktoBasics 69TheTruthRevealed 69DanteBurning 69
For Vengeance or Justice 70TikonovUnderFire? 70ClashofTitans 71WordofBlakeInvadesConfederation 71
And in Other News... 72Defiance 72NewMarikCaptain-GeneralInstalled 73“DoesPeaceHaveaChance?” 73UnexpectedSurprise 74BloodySkye 74Fox’sTeethStillSharp 75“PaybackonBetelgeuse” 75BrettOffersCease-FiretoAlliance 76
Chaos Unleashed, Part 3: Late 3069 77BruteForce 77LivingDeadMen 79StirringtheAnthill 81
EARLY 3070: BLAKE ASCENDANT 83Standing Alone 84
TotheEndofAllThings 84CapellanBarbarityCondemnedAcrosstheSphere 85CapellansFleeNewSyrtis! 85AloneintheDark 86HasekMurdered! 86
The Sundered League 87FracturedAlliances 87FightingOn! 88WarriorsoftheLeagueEmbraceBlake’sWord 88Traitors! 89
Alliance in Flames 90SolarisHomeDefenseLeagueHoldsNowhere 90FalconsAssaultKandersteg,BountifulHarvest 90MoppingUp 90CullingtheFlock 91TheFinalCall 91TheAwfulTruth 92LosingGround,LosingHope 92
The Dragon’s Teeth 93TheHonorableChoice 93TheSpreadingCurse 93HachimanTaroDestroyed 94CouncilofGemsII 94GaledoninFlames! 94
And in Other News... 95RumorsorOrders? 95MakingThemPay 96ProtectorateInvasion! 96FarLookersMarchonTaurus 96LurkingDangers 97
Chaos Unleashed, Part 4: Early 3070 98Click,Click,Boom 98PanicandPain 99
LATE 3070: THE TIME OF TRIALS 102Embracing Unity 103
Khan’sOrders 103TukayyidFreeatLast! 104ComStarOut! 105
Falling Back 106DavionsCrushedintheConfederation 106ConfederationTroopsReturnTriumphant 106TaurusNext? 107
A Separate Peace 108LongLivetheKnights! 108FleetAdvisory:Shiloh 108FadingLights 109Sacrifices 110SkyeStillaThreat 110
Unleashing Hell 111WordofBlakeReturnstoSian! 111FreeCapellaDissolves 112NoNoblerSacrifice 112NewClanInvasion? 113AssaultonArc-RoyalFails 114TamarAttacked! 114
And in Other News... 114Focht’sAppeal 114
TAble Of COnTenTS
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connection/JIHAD HOT SPOTS:3070/01: Table of ConTenTs 00� / 00�
MarianRaidersHitHuntingdon,Hazeldean! 115IntelBrief:MundoNublar 115“DefendersoftheOutback,Unite!” 116BethelAssaulted,IrregularsDestroyed! 116Pirate’sFeast 116TestingtheWaters 117
Chaos Unleashed, Part 5: Late 3070 118Binge,Purge,Flush 118CelestialCalamity 120GrimDeath 122
TAKING STOCK 124RenderUntoCaesar... 125
FreeWorldsRejectComStarAid 125RevengeAboveAll 125Blake’sNewProgram 126AutopsyReport:Mori,S. 126WhoIs“TheMaster”? 126TragicNewsfortheAllard-Liaos 127HoldingtheLine 127OverandOut 127ColumbusFalls! 128HeartheWordofBlake 128
JIHAD HOT SPOTS: 3070 RULES ANNEX 129Nuclear Weapons 130
GameRules 130StandardNuclearWeapons 134
New Vehicles 135SM1TankDestroyer 135CondorHovertank(Upgraded) 136Ocelot 138
New DropShips: “Pocket WarShips” 139Excalibur-class“PocketWarShip”Upgrade 139Mule-class“PocketWarShip”(“Q-Ship”) 141Tharkad-classBattleCruiser(LCS Invincible) 143
RECORD SHEETS 145
Writing Herbert a. beas II Warner Doles Chris Hartford
Ken’ Horner Kevin Killiany nick “Gunslinger” Marsala
David l. McCullochMike nelson
ben RomePaul sjardijnPeter smith
Øystein TvedtenPhaedra Weldonandreas Zuber
The Shrouded Blade Chris HartfordRules Annex and Chaos Unleashed Herbert a. beas II David l. McCulloch Mike Miller ben Rome Paul sjardijn
Product Development Herbert a. beas IIAssistant Development Randall n. bills
Product Editing Diane Piron-Gelman
BattleTech Line Developer Randall n. bills
Production StaffArt Direction Randall n. billsCover Art Klaus scherwinski
CreDITS i
Cover Design Jason Vargas Header Design
Jim nelson Layout David M. stansel-GarnerIllustrations Gerhard Mozsi Doug ChaffeeAdditional Graphic Elements Chris lewis
Special ThanksTo the fans, for keeping the faith. To the critics, who
challenged us by saying this couldn’t be done. To Randall bills, for entrusting me with so much of this story’s devel-opment (it’s no mean feat, I can assure you!). To my fellow writers for their contributions—even those that came in well past deadlines—especially Øystien Tvedten for his tire-less efforts to help me keep track of it all, and Warner Doles for insisting on just a bit more detail. To the fact-checker apparatus, especially the invaluable technical/mathemati-cal expertise of Mike Miller, and the world data research of Chris searls. and as always, a huge thanks to the “home support” team: the lovely Rebecca “beckie” beas, and the Herblet four (annie, oscar, Merlin and Meggie, who listened to me vent about this or that—or simply walked across my keyboard at an inopportune moment…). and finally, a fond farewell to babette “betty” Grace Davis, who was hopefully proud of her grandson (even if he chose sci-fi over historical romance…I’ll miss you, Grandma).
Playtesters and Fact-CheckersJoel agee, brian alter, Raymond arrastia, Daniel M.
ball, Ron “steel Hawke” barter, Dave baughman, Paul “blackhorse” bowman, Rick Casarez, Rich Cencarik, loren
Coleman, Dawn DePalma, brent Dill, John “Quentil” Dzieniszewski, Dan eastwood, David fanjoy, bruce ford, John alexander Gordon, aaron Gregory, anthony
“shadhawk” Hardenburgh, Ross Hines, Glenn Hopkins, John “bluesman” Hudson, Peter la Casse, Rodney Klatt,
edward “Tenakafurey” lafferty, edward lott, eberhard von Massenbach, Mike Miller, Jeff “Highlander” Morgan, Darrell
“flailing Death” Myers, louis “nukeloader” Myers, andrew T. norris, Keith “Vang” oberschulte, nathaniel olsen, blaine Pardoe, aaron Pollyea, simon Pratt, Rick Raisley, Jason “Psychopompous” Richter, Jason Robinette, Kevin Roof, Christopher K. searls, Chris “Chunga(lomeningitis!)” smith, Joel steverson, Mike “GuruMike” stouffer, Rob strathmann, Geoff swift, Roland “Ruger” Thigpen, John e. Tiffany, Christoffer “bones” Trossen, Christine Tucker, Jason
“Panzerfaust 150” Weiser, Chris “Chinless” Wheeler, aaron Williams, Charles Wilson, Mark Yingling.
ProofcheckersRich Cencarik, Jeff Morgan and Christopher K. searls.
©2005 WizKids, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Jihad Hot Spots: 3070, Classic BattleTech, BattleTech, ’Mech, BattleMech, MechWarrior and WK Games are registered trademarks and/or trademarks of WizKids, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. No part of this work may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of the Copyright Owner, nor be otherwise circulated in any form other than that in which it is published. Printed in the USA.
Published by fanPro llC 1608 n. Milwaukee • suite 1005 • Chicago, Il 60647
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Marik PalaceAtreus, Marik Commonwealth Free Worlds League9 August 3069
Thomas froze midway through reaching up to the high shelf, the leather-bound book gripped in his right hand. He’d ignored the trace of whiskey in the air—he’d shared a glass here with Heather alexander a couple of hours ago—but the faint whisper of cloth against cloth that sent icicles down his spine couldn’t be explained away. He’d thought he was alone. security should’ve guaranteed he was alone.
He fought the urge to spin and face the intruder, knowing any sudden movement might prove fatal. He pushed the book onto the shelf, then allowed his arm to fall, the movement slow and controlled. His mind raced through a host of scenarios. an assas-sin? It wouldn’t be the first attempt since this contretemps began, though none had gotten through his security yet. one of the chil-dren playing? They knew better than to come into Daddy’s study. one of his agents?
That possibility scared Thomas. His people were brutal, efficient and often inhuman, and the events of last october had made clear to all the lethal differences between Thomas and the Master. In fact, Thomas had waged a covert campaign against the puppeteer for some time, a crusade dating back to the Conference of 3063. until last autumn it had been a hidden war, in which even many of the participants remained unaware they were taking part.
He turned carefully, making no sudden moves that might alarm the intruder. He scanned the room, but at first couldn’t see where
the intruder lurked, let alone who it was. Then a faint movement in the shadows in the far corner caught his eye. from the leather armchair beneath the unlit floor lamp, a small dark figure watched him. shadows moved and light flared.
“sit down, Captain-General.” The watcher gestured toward the other chair, his hand trembling with an agitation that threatened to spill some of the stewart Malt he clutched. Thomas crossed the room with measured steps and sat as directed, resting his palms on the cold leather armrests.
“You used to call me Thomas, Paul. We were brothers.”“but you’re not Thomas, nor are you my brother. You never
were.”“We’ve discussed this before.”They had done so last autumn, after the blakists made it known
that Captain-General Thomas Marik was not a Marik by birth, but rather someone the order—in its pre-schism form—had created and installed. Political and social outrage had erupted across the free Worlds league, yet in this time of war Thomas (he had worn that name so long it was easier to use than his own) had retained his office. some called foul, naming him impostor and traitor. others said his elevation proved that the Marik dynasty was a white elephant and any appropriately skilled individual could lead the free Worlds. The entire situation could have gone to hell in a handbasket, but ironically his greatest support came from old political foes and those whom his enthronement had disenfran-chised. alys Rousset-Marik, architect of the Great Debate, called on the people to rally round her erstwhile uncle; Therese Marik, oldest child of Janos Marik, disowned but influential and the wife of warlord and hero Jeremy brett, called on the populace to sup-port federal authorities; Paul Marik, the insightful but reserved Minister of Intelligence, briefly stepped out of the shadows to affirm his support for “the Captain-General.” What had changed? Why was Paul sitting here now, looking as if his nerves were on a knife-edge?
a faint smile crossed Paul Marik’s lips. He nodded. “I was pre-pared to see what you could do to hold the free Worlds together. I’ve waited calmly for months, but not everyone is that patient. some people have decided that your efforts are not enough, and that matters are better off in their hands.”
“Kirc never was very patient.”“Regulus is the least of your worries, brother.” Thomas saw the
gun then, a compact sea eagle needler resting in Paul’s lap. ”You should’ve left matters alone. The world was none of your busi-ness.”
“Him!” Thomas spat, and started to rise. Paul’s left hand snapped up, leveling the weapon at the scarred man’s face. “You sold out the league to a madman.”
Paul glowered, sweat beading on his brow and his gun hand trembling. Thomas sank back into his seat. “Don’t speak about him like that, you fraud.” Paul’s voice scarcely rose above a whis-per. “The Master is a visionary. He can see what those shortsighted
THe SHrOuDeD blADe
“Injuries ought to be done all at one time, so that, being tasted less, they offend less; benefits ought to be given little by little, so that the flavor of them may last longer. And above all things, a prince ought to live amongst his people in such a way that no un-expected circumstances, whether of good or evil, shall make him change; because if the necessity for this comes in troubled times, you are too late for harsh measures; and mild ones will not help you.”
—niccolo Machiavelli, The Prince, Chapter VIII
“And of all princes, it is impossible for the new prince to avoid the imputation of cruelty, owing to new states being full of dan-gers.”
—niccolo Machiavelli, The Prince, Chapter XVII
“The truly ambitious do not seize the throne; they push others to do so and then rule from the shadows.”
—Conrad Toyama, Commentaries
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fools in the star league cannot. He doesn’t put self-interest above the needs of all.”
“oh, Paul.” sympathy tinged Thomas’ voice. “I’d hoped you wouldn’t fall prey to him.”
“Wouldn’t learn the truth, you mean.” The gun shook as Paul vented his fury. “Wouldn’t learn of your treachery. You brought this on the league. You and you alone. now, because you tore up the plan, we have to practice triage, sacrificing part of the league so that some of it will survive.
“Paul, I—” “spare me your excuses, fraud. You were supposed to be his
spokesman and agent in the free Worlds, but you turned your back on him and Comstar.”
frustration made Thomas lean forward, causing Paul to flinch. sweat rolled down his temple and onto his cheek. His free hand rose to wipe it away. The gun, still shaking, never moved from Thomas’ face.
“I did what was best for the free Worlds,” Thomas responded. “our people, our people, were not best served by becoming a Comstar puppet state. With all you know, you must be able to ap-preciate that.”
“I don’t care about Comstar. I don’t give a damn about shoddy maintenance on Tharkad, or Combine bioweapons on Galedon, I care about the here and now. about our people. I care about your betrayal. That in your attempts to play elder statesman, you aban-doned him, made him—“
“Have you met this ‘Master’? In the flesh? spoken to him face to face? ” Thomas’ eyes narrowed as he met Paul’s gaze. “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. He—”
The safety snapped off. Thomas froze. “I should kill you now.” Paul’s voice was cold and the gun didn’t
waver. Thomas’ mouth went dry, but he refused to avert his gaze, in-
stead meeting the challenge in his brother’s eyes. “I suspect…” He paused briefly, licking his lips and cocking his head to one side as if listening intently, a mannerism that had become his trademark in Parliamentary debate. “…That he wants me alive.” For now, at least, was the unspoken codicil.
a smile tugged at Paul’s lips and the gun dropped away from Thomas’ face. “I’ll give you that much credit. You do know how he thinks…now and then.”
“and you still think I’m wrong to act the way I do? I know what he wants and what he’ll do to achieve it. If you know that, why do you go along with him?”
“blood is thicker than water, and with Cameron-Jones’ declara-tion you have become a liability. If the league is to be saved, we need a Marik at the helm. a true Marik.”
“and you think you’re up to the job? or perhaps he thinks the people will accept him for what he is?” a wry grin crossed his face as he saw Paul frown. “I thought not. You never were one for the limelight and his…“—he paused, searching for the right word—
“…disabilities would count against him with too many people in the league. oh, yes, I know about that. I was briefed as to why I rather than he took the throne.”
Paul set down his whiskey glass and stood, motioning for Thomas to do likewise. He gestured toward the door with the pis-tol, his face a cold mask.
“My daughter will succeed you. she has long been a favored candidate.”
Thomas let out a small laugh. “Corinne hates the idea of ruling as much as you do, or of going against authority. she even hesi-tated to join alys’ little clique.” That group, opposed to Thomas’ rule and seeking the repeal of Resolution 288, seemed so inno-cent now.
“she knows her duty. she will provide a focus for the true power of the Mariks.”
“oh, she’ll love you for that, Paul.” Irony dripped from Thomas’ voice but Paul either didn’t recognize it or pretended not to notice.
Paul reached for the door and pulled it open, motioning with the gun for Thomas to enter the outer office.
a pair of security troopers stood there, wearing fWlM battle-dress and cradling heavy needler rifles. He was surprised by their presence—for all their weight, they’d moved into position quietly. The scent of grease from the armor fought with the fragrance of the large vase on the side table. The grease was winning. surely that was symbolic. The troopers wore the purple of the Mariks, but something was out of place. It took a moment for Thomas to identify it: The Marik eagle emblazoned on their shoulders and on the pectoral armor plates of their vests stood before a silver broadsword, the sigil of the Word of blake. He looked into the mirrored faceplate of the trooper on the left and saw a distorted image of himself looking back.
Oddly appropriate, he thought.Paul slipped his pistol into a jacket pocket, then pulled out
a comp-pad and keyed up various readouts. after two or three pages, he grunted and frowned.
“not everyone cooperating with this little coup d’etat you’ve engineered, Paul? some troopers remembering their oaths of of-fice?” He glanced at the statue-like soldiers.
“They’re blake Militia, a gift, so don’t hope they have any residu-al loyalty to you. and you really have no idea how ill-liked you are, do you, Captain-General? of how little support you have in the military. I didn’t need to engineer a coup. I just gave my approval and allowed matters to take their course. adam simply made sure people we could trust were in the right place at the right time.”
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