As the author of the ComStar Sourcebook and the person that started this controversy - I endorse this wonderful video. It amazes me that after all of these years/decades, it still stirs up conspiracy theories.

ComStar: if you don't like the problems we cause, just wait til you see our solutions.

And the Taurian Concordat probably still blamed House Davion. Taurian Concordat: "You cost us a Star League era warship, oppressing us as usual!!" House Davion: "Sorry but who are you again?" (Taurian Concordat causes international diplomatic incident flipping a table)

And the Gray Death completely screwed Comstar over by duplicating that Star Core! All hail the Gray Death!

You know, story time with Tex is kinda addicting. It also revived a fascination for Battletech that was lost in youth due to lack of information.

I would totally watch the adventures of the Steiner Scout Squad

This is why we can't have nice things, thanks Space AT&T!

Steiner Assault(Scout!) squad is just really funny every time. Keep it up tex and the BPL.

And now I suddenly want a Cameron to still be out there, show up one day to clam Terra just turn everything on its head again. Maybe with the "Minnesota Tribe" at their back just to piss off the clans too.

The fact that the ship is "Tripitz", and not "Tirpitz" drove me up the damned wall

I honestly love this series. A humorous take on lore rather than just a dry reading of TRO and other sources. Thanks for making my day, guys.

This video is a great example of how 'subtle' and actually subtle comstar can be. Oh how i dearly wish that the Battletech universe had actually thrown off the shackle that is Comstar at the Jihad. Imna now divert into a Battletech campaign that happened. It was not run by me, but i was a player. We were a Mercenary Company, Grim Dawn was the name. We played characters who started out at 3040 and fought all the way into the FedCom Civil War. This was a campaign that had some great moments.Our GM played the clanners amazingly, we got by the skin of our teeth and even ended up battling it out at Luthien. Were not part of the Battle of Tukkayid though, though that was an idea tossed around for various reasons it didn't end up happening. What did end up happening was that, during the war, we got buddy buddy with some Marik guys and ended up with a landhold. We expanded it after the Clan Invasion was thoroughly done with, put up some mech repair facilities, made what started out as an abandoned military outpost into a Mercenary Headquarters. Not much to say about it besides it was very well defended, tactically placed and had a good view of a lake. And that we really, really liked practicing precision fire with artillery, using radio's and grid-coordinates. This only seems like a small, odd cliff foot note now. Fast Forward to the time where the moment in time we all know is coming, is coming. The part where we put down the campaign as the setting goes to a crap shoot and everything gets retarded. Our Game Master, had other ideas. The Game Session started out with someone asking, what are we going to do after this? A question usually only asked by any of us in the second to last, or last game session before finishing up the campaign, taking a month or two long break and coming back up. The GM simply said 'it is not quite time for that yet.' Me and the other three guys had raised eyebrows but shrugged and continued on. Enter the Jihad, but with a few slight changes. They did not manage to destroy as much industry as they wanted and the white out... Did not fully go according to plan. See, what we did not know is the GM had been dropping hints about some of the houses taking a more interested role in things in a low key way. They couldn't pin anything on ComStar, but they could feel that it was nice and shady. But what really did it for several groups was Comstar and them getting the HPG rights from the Clans. So they drafted plans, carrying them in secret and doing it the old, slow, pony express style way. This culminated in a single, final mission for our Mercenary Company. The pay was good, the job looked simple and we didn't in character know nothing about no Jihad, what even is a Jihad, some kinda hood? Be here, at Solaris VII. Guard this Person for Three Months while investigations are held. This Mission did not come from the Review board, but from someone the company had worked with several times, one of those 'pony express' boys who we had worked with several times. Grim Dawn, at that time, was almost big enough to be called a Battalion. We had the artillery for it and even had four AeroSpace fighters we could potentially call in. Started out nice and normal. It was Solaris so we were in the flashy stuff, showing off our Companie's goodies. I proudly was in a Fafnir, because Fafnir that's why. We had a guy in Warhammer that he loved. We had a guy in a Phoenix Hawk running every kind of electronics, short of c3 that existed if i recall correctly. Last but not least, an Atlas. Because no Merc Company can call itself complete without one. But would this be enough against the 25th Division of Word of Blake that was about to smash into Solaris VII like the Kool-Aid man through a wall? Yes and no, is the short answer. The long answer is, we alone were not enough. It started out with them coming in and using all the confusion, as they did and wrecking havoc. But we were not supposed to be there. And in canon, the Solaris Home Defense League, a collection of rag tag gurellia fighting Solaris fighters, managed to force them off. But this time they had the spine and backing of a hardened Mercenary Company. We survived long enough to get a grasp on what they were doing and make them slow down their take over of Solaris City, holding them back from the Stables. Many rolls were made to make it happen, but the Company over a wide area began doing a generally retreating motion. But while we were retreating, the Solaris Stable Warriors were getting ready. And they made their displeasure at their games being interrupted, very, very clear. To clarify a question, how we did large scale engagements like this is by having the rest of the battle occur while we are doing this and effect it in one way or another. Example, if our side had started winning, we would occasionally get some weapon systems fired from the edge of the map at the enemy side. PPC shot from a Vindicator who happened to have a moment to spare, LRM20 barrage, things like that. It was generally assumed that the rest of either sides lines, as far as how many mechs were alive and how damaged they were, could be considered about the same as the actual battle we were playing. The battle ended up turning into a sort of, elastic defense in depth as we retreated and used quick light mechs from both our Merc Group and the Solaris stables to cover for the big lumbering heavies and assaults to fall back, relocate, regroup and get into the fight. In the end, my character Kale Dresari died in his Fafnir. He was facing down a Daishi and a Uziel that i can't remember the name of. My armor on my left torso got opened up but i refused to turn my H-gauss off and fired both of those bad boys. The Uziel ate it right in the already damaged CT and watched as his mech fell over, while the Daishi ate all 25 points of damage right into his right torso, which he then lost. But he wasn't dead yet. The next salvo had my Left Torso's name on it and if you know how many slots Heavy Gauss takes up you already know what happened next. After the ejection i had four pilot hits out of five for my character and i was, a tad worried. Landing in a battlezone while being mostly dead and a pistol is not exactly idea, especially when there is enemy infantry.But while sure i had torn off the Daishi's right torso, he was still very, very much alive. And in position to flank people. So, i tagged him and radio'd on up. "Requesting immediate fire Support on Lased target, target is Assault Mech Daishi." Followed by a string of Grid-Coordinates. Remember when i said we like to practice with artillery? Word of Blake found out the hard way. The direct, painful way. But there is one thing that has to be said about long toms. They dont like you or anything in your general direction. That included Kale Dresari. His body was later found, somehow intact but riddled with shrapnel. Still holding that military map. For reference, by this point the area was as clear as it was going to get of Civillians. Battle had been going on for around an hour at this point. In the end, it was a bloody battle where the Grim Dawn went from being nearly a full Six Lances with Three Long Tom artillery Pieces, Two Lances of Tanks and all that Aerospace... To two lances of Mechs, three Tanks and three Aerospace fighters remaining. While i was the only player casualty, everyone else either ended up loosing their favorite mech completely, or having to scrap it from damage. RIP the Marauder 2 that got shot up so much the only thing that remained was a cockpit. But we won. We were bloody. We were barely alive. But we were also not alone. I believe you have the general idea of what happened from now on down so i will summarize the rest. After this almost pyrric victory, we gathered willing Solaris fighters and began operations in the area. The Jihad still had a nasty effect to be sure, but unlike the first time, it did not set back technology as much as it did, nor did it utterly white out the communication grids across the entire Innersphere. But what it did do was leave a long lasting impression on everyone involved. By the end of the campaign, none of us had our original characters and the Innersphere looked much, much different.

So... if our banks and telecommunication companies merge then we'll have ComStar. God help us all.

"ComStar is turning the frogs gay!" Space Alex Jones moments before an accident.

Who takes the last doughnut out of the box without anyone noticing: Comstar

Comstar: the cause of and solution to all of the Inner Sphere's problems.

I've known I.T. techs who said prayers to their servers and routers before, but for entirely different reasons than Blakists in Comstar.

I'm so glad to hear Freidrich 3 finally got those bees out of the cockpit, Was worried the constant screaming would have jeopardized the scouting mission!

I was just about to mention that ComStar had more than a bit of a hand in sending humanity back to the stoneage... when you went ahead and did it for me.

I wish Tex would read me bed time stories.

Honestly of Tex was my history teacher, Id be all hot and botherd. Wouldn't miss school.

I'd love to hear you tell the story of how ComStar drags the Clans into the Inner Sphere someday, if only for the part where Tyra Miraborg kills the ilKhan so hard that the Clans give her a round of applause and write her into their scriptures. I know everybody else loves Natasha Kerensky, but how many ilKhans has she killed? Zero, that's how many. She even got taken out by a Star Colonel, the same rank Nicolai Malthus had.

This video's what I need to explain how the battletech universe can be both futuristic golden age and feudal dirt-farming poverty at the same time. Also tangent all you want, seriously.

"I wanna do my best to not just read verbatim from a WIKI." So you're not saying it outright, but I'm gonna call out GrimDark Narrator for doing just that with his Battletech stuff. Over and over again.

Tex, I have no idea how much research went into this. But thank you. Space navy combat is definitely one of the less explored areas of BattleTech. Happy 4th and thanks again!

WHOOOO! It's Friday and Tex kicks off my three day weekend with a new Battletech video! HELL YEAH! EDIT: To whoever is reading this. If you also have the weekend off and Tex has kicked it off on a kick ass note....GIVE ME A BIG HELL YEAH!!!!!

Denying great ships and technology is actually pretty smart on Com Stars part. What better way to make sure Billions of people do not disappear in an afternoon again then to deny huge leaps in tech.

More Steiner Scout Squad! Oh, and I'm totally convinced that KZfaq is secretly run by Comstar.

Comstar was an absolute master of manipulating the various factions in the Inner Sphere... until they tried their masterstroke, when they tried to cut off the HPG networks and demanded the leaders of the Houses bend the knee. Comstar did this at the same time as the fight at Tukayyid, when their military assets were tied up elsewhere, so they had no means of defending their HPG network. Hilariously, the houses just marched in and took over the HPG facilities. Edit: Yes, I know that there was more to it, including some members of Comstar refusing to go along, and high ranking members of Comstar sabotaging it by warning the Houses ahead of time, but seriously, there was no way the plan would work, and all the warnings really did was cause the houses to be able to take over the HPG facilities even faster than they would have normally.

Just found this channel and love it. Great lore lessons! And Steiner Assault Squad rocks! "I just scouted an Elemental. It has ceased transmitting." Cracked me up.

ComStar: Why mind your own business when we can mind it for you?

Steiner Scout Squad is my favorite show of all time.

"Sometimes I wish the internet wasn't real". I'm sure space AT&T can solve this problem.

Am I the only one wants a "stonecutters" like song about Comstar now?

Oh my god.... That was .... I got chills down my spine during that. I mean I knew It was a dark grim time then but I literally Saw with my eyes (figuratively) ...( I don't even know what I just said ) but your tone was as dark as Night and the Grim And Evil smell of Comstar lurked around every Corner of this horrible Miserable time. Battletech is Alot darker and has a more terrifying history than I originally had thought. Great work on this though. Really had me in there like I was seeing it. Not many ppl can do that. Actually idk anyone who has. Wow Oh and I was sitting in the pitch black dark watching this. Helps get the mood set early

Steiner Scout Squad and hipster bashing, thank you for making my Friday just awesome Tex. Take care of yourself.

One day it'd be great to have a video on the founding of Comstar, the capture of Terra during Silver Sheild and its transition from a corporate entity into the secretive holy order it became. Comstar is probably one of the most interesting factions in all of Battletech; the nuclear brotherhood and shadowy puppet-master behind so many events.

The Steiner Scout Lance bit was hilarious XD

This is why I love Battletech. Not only does the writing cause in-universe controversy, but real community controversy. Sparks actual and intellectual discussions.

Love your work, Tex! More Steiner Scout Squad Adventures, Ja!

I have to admit, i've always wondered what happened to the scout squad, especially the one with the bee's... Good news all round.

My father introduced me to a lot of military stuff, then introduced me to battletech, robotech and hte gundam franchise and my love for tanks with legs and energy based weapons are still solid to this day

Best reveal of all time

Dude, I want to thank you guys for this. I Have been a ignorant Mechwarrior for most of my life and now I feel like you are putting all of its history into a Great Courses media for us. Thank you.

Thanks for this Battletech lore treat. Listening to Tex takes me back to being 14 again, sitting at lunch with my few nerdy friends and discussing the bits of lore and trying to fit the pieces into the whole tapestry of the history of the Inner-Sphere. You do a great job in setting the atmosphere and drawing us in. I look forward to your next projects. Also, swear a lot more - you're crossing that line from Cool Substitute History teacher to "Just-Married-and-with-a-kid-underway-must-get-tenure" history teacher to students that still remember your drunken rage days.

Battletech is the kind of thing I've always been tangentially aware of, but never really got into. With Star Wars' current state, I am all for learning about the history of the big stompy robot setting.

If we're doing Ships we need to talk about the Perigard Zalman, The Leviathan's, and the Reaving.... or a Trial of Annihilation may be in your future.

Tex! Great Episode! Love the Steiner Scout Lance! Guess Discount Dan didn't pay for his adds this episode? ;p Hope the "Minnesota Tribe" episode is coming soon, one of my favorite legends from Battletech.

Good ol' Tharkad Broadcasting Company bringing us the truth that after Tukkayid, the Falcons fought and lost a war to Emus.

What Tripitz, comrad? I see no great warship

Tex, my dearest love, thank you for the gift of this video.

It's phrases like, "Wizard space men" that keep me coming back. Nice job, Tex.

Love the Bismarck reference; how true. Such a horrific weapons platform in the hands of crazies? Not good.

Loving this entire series man. The Steiner Scouting squad is definitely my favorite of the skits.

Steiner scout squad is my favorite. These 30+ minute opening acts are nice too.

Time for a Tex marathon to take the edge off

Didn't even know about this, even though I've read all the Classic Novels.... I need to start reading the tech manuals. Thanks for this Tex!

26:16 - The best thing ever said on the internet.

10/10 would reveal again

Yet again, the best damn voice I've heard for story telling. Bringing the grimdark to battletech since whenever :D

Never was interested in Battletech, this was the first "lore" I heard and DAMN! sounds pretty interesting. Great stuff, looking forward for more. You're doing a great job. Keep it up. Subbed in 10 seconds :) Have a great day Mr. Pants

YES! More Tex Talks Battletech! Today is glorious! Also, your tangents are always awesome, don't ever think you need to hold back.

Hands down the best Mech Warrior Lore content on KZfaq. Thank you for all the hard work these videos require. Truly amazing and I'm looking forward to more, again thank you all...

IIRC there was a story arc dedicated to this very story in the (2018) Battletech game in the DLC. Was super interesting.

When writing history, these kinds of tangents are entirely appropriate and even helpful-this is why academic history documents are written and cited with footnotes.

As always, f'n amazing!!! BT remains one of my top universes and you do it the justice it deserves... Thanks to you, good sir, and to all that make this happen!

Thank you for making this!

Love your videos. Can't wait for more delightful history from the Battletech universe. Also Steiner Scout Squad...that's some fine recon right there

*"There can be only NONE"* - Cpt Murphy, Sealab 2021

Love these battletech videos. You are the only one I have found doing it still!

Awesome video, my favorite so far!

I like you content. I like that you put a spin on everything, as apposed to many that just read off a wiki. Was delighted to see this video in mt "recommended list"

Still simply amazing and even after this the 5th play through I can say I will be back again... (I make these comments for two reasons. One is to say thank you for all the effort and hard word that went into this production. The other is to hopefully boost the algorithm and awareness of this awesome channel and hopefully help you attain a few more CBills to produce more)...

Great episode guys, thanks!!!

This one is always happy to see a new Battletech Lore video from Tex. You have made my Saturday better day that it would otherwise have been, sir. Thank you.

I've just recently started watching and your videos are amazing. I love the writing and care you put into each of these videos. The editing is amazing as well. These videos have been a huge boon for my mental health as strange as that sounds and I really enjoy watching one or two after work to wind down. Really really really great work!

You, Sir, are a Poet of The Battletech-verse. Very enjoyable video.

I can't overstate how well you guys write and present this information. Well done.

Thanks for all the amazing content man.

I don't know what a TRIPITZ is, but I do know TIRPITZ is the name of a World War II pocket battleship.

If Comstar were so opposed to IS technological recovery, then why didn't they do anything to destroy the NAIS or Grey Death Memory Core?

Awesome editing, awesome subject, awesome narrating! Subscribed! Just as mechwarrior 5 finally drops on us from high orbit. Your narrations are gold!

You're the best Tex! Thank you for giving us awesome videos on my favourite universe. Much appreciated

Love it. Thank you for the lore, eagerly await the next installment! Signed, Smoked_Jaguar (haha)

Minnesota tribe you mean clan wolverine, or the serviors of the not named clan, which was in the periphery the whole time doing merc work . I was a fasa rep back in the day tex keep it up you do a great job and thank you for all you do

Another great video as always!

This whole thing was mesmerizing. I felt myself being lured into a hypnotic trance, filled with dreams of a glorious dystopian future.

ComStar strikes me as taking on a very God Emperor of Dune role in the Battletech universe; 'the rest of you fucked up so now I'm in charge and we're doing it my way for the next millenia or so.' But they don't have the precog (as far as we know) and so they have to make do with ninja-fleets and massive stockpiles of SL-era mechs.

Have you ever been so mad at a planet that you fire multiple Atlas's at it...

Another amazing video. Keep it up. As always I'll be looking forward to the next.

Surprised there was no mention of Tripitz being a typo of Tirpitz

Before I get to my question I do want to say to Tex and crew: thank you very much for these videos. At some point I do hope to become a Patron of yours, but at the moment I'm working pretty hard on a fan-based BattleTech project that's.... Well, let's just say it's quite heavily involved. Around about 100 pieces of art by Matt Plog alone, along with brilliant art by others like Alan Blackwell and Matt Maeda, several dozen TRO articles, a handful of short stories and a large overall narrative that involves three independent units and the Word of Blake... And actually a relatively large number of custom miniatures for various designs in the project... Anyway, getting back to the question I mentioned: I am very much curious, would you like to possibly have a character or two in the project? And if so inclined, I wouldn't mind getting your feedback on parts of the project as well, though that being said I'm sure you have your hands full so I'll understand if you decline that part of it.

Wait, theres a new top ten 40k hats vid out?! Damnit, why am I watching a video about space wizards lobotomizing and then selling data plans to their customers?! Oh, I remember why.

Another great lore video, much thanks to Tex and everyone involved. Glad to see some light shined on comstar being the dirtiest evil megacorp in sci fi.

Great job Tex! Your videos are awesome!

This was really well told and detailed - I only knew generally about Space AT&T's nonsense, I didn't realize they'd smashed a discovered Warship like this. I would have expected them to try to steal it, instead of outright destroy it. Perhaps they DID steal other such discoveries, ones that we never heard about...

it can be said though that nobody ever decrypted any transmission from the steiner scouts as they all spoke in some obscure rimworld dialect

Awesome as always. I love this stories.

Damn, I love this. Can't wait for more. Have a good night!

First! Also slay the unclean, for the glory of...something, probably.