Alessandro Steiner (b. 2957) was born on Furillo, the Steiner family fiefdom, only 2 jumps out from Hesperus. He spent most of his youth attending the most prestigious schools in the Commonwealth, before attending the Nagelring Academy, where he graduated top of his class in 2976 (judging by his later exploits, it was not entirely a "social" accomplishment).

He rose quickly through the ranks, thanks in part to his pedigree, but also in no small part because of his charismatic leadership and courage under fire. Prior to his father's untimely death, Alessandro had achieved the rank of Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel) and commanded the 1st Assault Battalion of the Second Royal Guards. It is not difficult to envision that he would have continued to climb the rank ladder had he been given the opportunity.

Instead Alessandro inherited the Archonship in 2980 after his father, Giovanni Steiner, died in an "equestrian accident" according to Lyran officials (in the Combine this event was celebrated event at court, involving several promotions, perhaps indicating involvement in an assassination plot).

Alessandro (unlike his father, the late Archon Giovanni) was a military man by nature, and his first priority was to build up the military in an effort to blunt the generations-long Combine offensives near Skye and Tamar and to rebuild the strength of the Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces on the Free Worlds League border.

To achieve this he immediately increased the amount of revenue that went to the military, financing it primarily through increased taxes (mostly by reversing reforms instituted by his father) and increasing federal oversight of commerce (to ensure said taxes were paid in full). This "caused concern among the common folk" according to Lyran media.

In reality it was not the commoners, but the nobility, the military high command and industrial magnates (who were largely drawn from the same bloodlines) that were concerned: limited war - and low taxes - are good for business. Totaler krieg - and government interference with the acquisition of wealth and power - is very bad.

In 2987 the Archon secretly ordered the "Deep Raid", which began with an attack on the Marik 'Mech factory on Ling, then struck five more worlds before returning. Despite heavy losses, the mission was wildly successful, and the Archon's popular support soared. The Lyran high command, however, was furious at having been kept out of the loop.

Over the course of the next decade the LCAF pushed repeatedly into Draconis space, along the Tamar and Skye fronts, recapturing several lost worlds, but failing to reach the lofty goals set by the Archon. The realities of offensive operations were by now taking a toll even on the common people, for the rich are loathe to suffer taxation without compensation. The Archon's popularity began to dwindle.

In 2997 the Free Worlds attempted to pay the Archon back for the Deep Raid, striking at Hesperus II with a regimental combat team (the 10th Battle of Hesperus). It was turned back by young, dashing Katrina Steiner and the 10th Lyran Guards. Suddenly the public had a new, exiting heroine, cousin to the Archon, commander of mechs and destroyer of invaders.

Alessandro, undaunted as always, continued with his plans, but found it increasingly difficult to assemble the forces he needed. The nobles and military leaders stubbornly resisted his attempts at reform. His "Doktrin der Umverteilung von Mech-Kerneinheiten auf entscheidende Schlachtfelder" was ridiculed as "The Doctrine of Concentrated Weakness", while in reality it was quite the opposite, seeking to gather line mech regiments into combat groups, while forcing the nobles to garrison their own fiefs with house troops or mercs.

To show his determination and to lead by example, Alessandro shipped the traditional Hesperus garrison - the 10th, 11th and 12th Lyran Guards, along with Katrina Steiner - to the Marik front for active duty. In their stead he placed mercenaries, primarily three regiments of Eridani Light Horse. Duke Brewster of Hesperus did not, however, increase his own guard as requested, quoting back to the Archon his own words "Hesperus is safe for the time being".

Alessandro incorrectly assumed there would be no further attacks on Hesperus for a while. In reality the Marik attack had only been a probe, or feint if you will, for Anton Marik was well aware of the political and military situation in the Commonwealth. With the Lyran Guards out of the way the Free Worlds attacked with five regiments (11th Battle of Hesperus). They were later joined by three (four if you count the Crimson Wolverines mercenary company) Combine regiments, including the 2nd Sword of Light (12th Battle of Hesperus).

Were it not for the stubborn defence of the Eridani Light Horse and the smaller Black Wolf Lancers, the remaining Lyran militia regiments would surely have been overwhelmed. Instead the bold mercenaries first blocked the main Marik advances, before regrouping to not only turn back the Kuritans, but to deal the 2nd Sword of Light a mortal blow. By the time Katrina Steiner returned with her three regiments, the fighting was all but over, much to everyone's surprise.

In the aftermath of the battle Katrina Steiner disappeared from view. Some speculate that she's gone to ground, possibly to prepare for a coup. Others claim the Archon took her out - or that the snakes did. Be that as it may. What is more important is the fact that the Archon's strategy - and his prestige - has taken a severe blow, from which it might never recover. The Guards regiments can NEVER be moved from Hesperus again in Alessandro's lifetime, and the battles there have "proven" how dangerous "Concentrated Weakness" is.

Perhaps in an attempt to restore some of the lost prestige of the Archonate and his own person, Alessandro invited every peer and a myriad important personae from across the Commonwealth and beyond, to attend his birthday on October 1st 2999. It was a grand festival, lasting a full week, plus many smaller events both before and after. It was indeed the social event of a lifetime. While it may have improved Alessandro's popularity with the small folk, it did nothing to restore his prestige in the eyes of the nobility. He remains marginalized, and true power now rests with the military-industrial magnates and the Lyran High Command. Perhaps an abdication would be for the better - the Commonwealth is not well served by having a figurehead Archon.

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The Archon is a tall, athletic man. He is only middle aged, but the years as a sovereign have taken their toll: his dark hair is greying and his face gaunt. His eyes have lost none of their intensity, however, nor has his personal charisma faded. Even his enemies cannot deny that he is a great orator and a fine military leader.