I've peered into the philosophies, governmental systems, social structures, military doctrines, economic programs and religions of the Spheroids and have come to the conclusion that Clan society is the best. Perhaps not the most free, but frequently the most just, scientific, efficient and (shockingly) the most peaceful and stable. Anyone else come to similar conclusions?
Depends on how you look at it. I'm personally not all that fond of militarist societies, or caste systems, and find the idea of eugenics a dangerously romanticized pseudo science. But, as far as the Falcons are concerned, I like them because at least if you're going to be the product of an artificial society founded by a power hungry despot, you might as well do that to the best of your ability. For that reason the Falcons are always close to my heart. Where others buckle, they proceed.
On another note, I think one of my issues with Malvina (other than my staunch traditionalism and conservatism) is that we just don't have any other major Falcons to look up to in the Dark Ages. Simply put, there isn't yet enough writing, game material or background stories to give us other options to idealize. Malvina is OK, but I'd like a little choice (something like the richness of dramatis personae found in the Clan Invasion years).
There is Noritomo Helmer at present. The problem with him, however, is that for all his good intentions and desire to play the long game, he hasn't actually done anything significant. He can't beat Malvina in a Trial, and that's what matters. Until someone puts her down there is no saving the Falcons from their own might makes right code.
Historically, there were decent Falcon characters. Aleksandr was a decent enough Clanner, and really what the Falcons needed. Ambitious, but also compassionate. Dangerous as a warrior, but sentimental and forgiving of the upstart Isorla he captured. However, that sentimentalism was his undoing and affected Malvina.
Beckett Malthus, while an underhanded manipulator... was also an underhanded manipulator in grand Jade Falcon tradition. His desire to break the stalemate between the Slips and Jessies was the catalyst for the Falcon Desant. Unfortunately, the wrong Hazen died and he could not control Malvina as well as he thought he could.
So, one last thought/question. Have the rest of the Falcons (other than Malvina's coterie) become content to just occupy their corridor, satisfied that they have liberated some of the Inner Sphere in Kerensky's vision? Are they increasingly calling it "home" instead of "invasion corridor"? Are they entering into Inner Sphere politics, or keeping themselves (and their original objective of sacred Terra) aloof from the Sphiroids?
You should read
Flight of the Falcon,
Blood of The Ilse, and
A Rending of Falcons. Those will give you the complete picture of what the Falcons have been up to in the early Dark Age and preceding years. But, the short answer is, they invaded Skye and have been rampaging across Lyran space as well. The Jade Falcon OZ is "home" since the events of the Wars of Reaving. They are still hard on their civilian population and have transformed several Lyran worlds in their image.
