So, Alexander is dissatisfied at the progress of the siege of the Mallian capital, and so personally scales the wall with just three dudes. This has the desired effect, and the troops try to follow him up, but the ladders break. Alexander is left isolated and jumps into the city, in the fighting there an arrow punctures his lung, and he dies a few days later.
What happens next?
We have the Macedonian army commanded by fractious generals adrift in India (well, the Punjab), and behind them there's a bunch of Satraps who weren't necessarily all that loyal to begin with.
Is Arrhidaeus around, because the army would likely acclaim him king (as they did in 323). The only other possible male Argead floating around is Heracles, Alexander's supposed bastard son, but he's a baby and a half-breed (are he and Barsine around? Would the army even know of his existence?).
When was Hephaestion made chiliarch, which would give him theoretical control? Even if he wasn't officially chiliarch as the favourite would Alex have given him the signet ring or whatever?
Would the army even be able to make it to a relatively safe place (Babylon?) without collapsing in on itself/being ground down by rebellions?
What happens next?
We have the Macedonian army commanded by fractious generals adrift in India (well, the Punjab), and behind them there's a bunch of Satraps who weren't necessarily all that loyal to begin with.
Is Arrhidaeus around, because the army would likely acclaim him king (as they did in 323). The only other possible male Argead floating around is Heracles, Alexander's supposed bastard son, but he's a baby and a half-breed (are he and Barsine around? Would the army even know of his existence?).
When was Hephaestion made chiliarch, which would give him theoretical control? Even if he wasn't officially chiliarch as the favourite would Alex have given him the signet ring or whatever?
Would the army even be able to make it to a relatively safe place (Babylon?) without collapsing in on itself/being ground down by rebellions?