Subject: 67:10 - Non-Virus history
TA::> Re- Bill White's comments on The Virus
::> The question is- What would have been the course of the Rebellion if t
::> virus had never been created? (discuss)
::> This is not something that was ever decided (to my knowledge)- for exa
::> the original post-rebellion map indicated the destruction of Margarets
::> faction, but their HIWG supporters persuaded GDW that they were in too
::> good a position for this to occur. Another reason for the virus?- with
::> plan for the Rebellion it was just getting too big to handle.
::> ....any suggestions?
I see it as follows: In no particular order:
After the assassination of Bzrk in Antares, the cohesiveness of
the factional society would have disappeared, and local
infighting would have become the order of the day. With racist
organizations on all sides, both Vargr and Human, massacres and
race wars would have been common, and eventually, there would
have been "Vargr" and "Human" worlds. Shortly thereafter, the
Vargr worlds would balkanized the way Lishun sector did, and the
Human worlds would have been absorbed into either the Julian
Protectorate or Lucan's Imperium (Referred to hereafter as the
Core Tyranny, or just Core).
The Ziru Sirkaa (ZS) would have continued to concentrate on
consolidating its hold and forming secure borders. With Core
attempting to absorb Antares, there would have been a reduction
in border incidents between the ZS and Core. By the time that
Core was ready to turn its attention to the ZS, the ZS would have
been able to hold them off, and a long war of attrition would
have started. Within the ZS, the Vilani mind set would become
well-established, and the ZS would sink into the "dry husk"
stasis that allowed the dynamic Terran Confederation to triumph
over the original Ziru Sirka.
The Regency (which still would have been called that internally;
recall the Arrival Vengeance mission) would be much the same as
it is today. More open borders would have been the case (no
virus fear), but the same kind of multiracial rapprochement
between the area Vargr, Aslan, and various Human states
(including the Zhodani Consulate) would likely have occurred -
strictly in the name of economic self-interest. After the Vargr,
Zhodani, and Aslan Ihatei situations were stabilized, an effort
to reopen Corridor, and contact with the ZS would have been the
next step. A push for spinward exploration would be unlikely, as
it would provoke the Zhodani (recall the reasons for the Frontier
Wars).
Strephon's Imperium (Future references: Usdiki) was already of no
consequence, and the Arrival Vengeance mission made it clear (at
least to the Regency government) that Strephon had in fact
abdicated from the throne. I believe that a small principality,
under the Marquis of Usdiki, would have survived until either
Core or (more likely) Dulinor's Imperium ("Ilelish") turned its
attention to it.
Ilelish is having its own problems. A continuing war of
attrition with Core (across the wilds, and therefore both sides
will also have to contend with renegades and "pirates"), plus
internal problems with the so-called Verge Combine, limit its
ability to cause mischief. If the Verge situation is controlled,
Ilelish is most likely to clean up the loose end at Usdiki next.
Like Lucan in Core, Dulinor in Ilelish will become increasingly
more autocratic and tyrannical, and for the same reasons. The
only real difference is that Lucan is additionally of
questionable sanity. The Coronation Fleet expedition did make it
to the Research Station at which Virus was being developed, but
Lucan had enough force there to fight off the Coronation Fleet,
and Dulinor, knowing that he would have to face further battles
on his way to Core, elected instead to turn back. In the process
of attempting to break through the Core forces, the Research
Station was destroyed, and the Virus project was abruptly
terminated, and set at nought.
Duke Craig (Daibei) is not a factor in Ilelish calculations. An
arm of the Rift separates the two factions, and a much more
pressing matter to Daibei is the Solomani Confederation, and the
influx of refugees from Muan Gwi (the Vegan Autonomous District).
This will be further addressed in the Solomani outline.
Margaret's concentration on "making the trains run on time" will
prove to be her undoing. Concentrating on strictly economic
development, without regard for human rights and dignity, and
having no "head" for military or intelligence policies will put
her at a severe disadvantage with respect to the Solomani,
Ilelish, and Core. Additionally, she does not have the strong
loyal following that Dulinor and Lucan have, because she is not
as public a figure. The general perception seems to be that
Delphi is ruled by committee. The Solomani annexation of Old
Expanses places a threat on that front; trade with the Hivers
through newly developed routes in the Hinterworlds furthers her
economic goals, but does nothing to relieve the military threat
of the Solomani. Expect Delphi to either fall to or reach an
"accommodation" with the Solomani.
(Continued to next message)
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