Sic transit gloria mundi
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
Intent: To codify some of Firemane's forces that have been used in PVE and PvP situations. Both as a basis for future subs and as a frame of reference during rping.
Image Credit: Here.
Role: Mechanised infantry.
Permission: ARGH gear available per this thread. Permission for all ArmaTech gear and all other subs made by Laira Darkhold's writer here. CD-X Cryptologic Key available for Firemane per this thread.
Links: Firemane, Into Darkness, Casus Belli.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Unit Name: Firemane Motorised Infantry.
Affiliation: Siobhan, Firemane, House Kerrigan.
Classification: Mechanised infantry.
Description: Firemane Motorised Infantry is the backbone of Firemane's armed forces. Firemane infantry is mechanised, making it motorised infantry. Backed up by dropships, gunships and various armoured vehicles, these women and men have shown their mettle on various battlefields across the stars. Engagements of note include but are not limited to internal struggles amongst the Eldorai, the Second Purgation of Gehenna, the Xioquo War, the Battle of Ruusan, the Kaeshana Rebellion and the Tephriki conflict. They are equipped with anti-Forcer user gear developed by Firemane and the Guild of Hammers, including the famous boltgun. This, coupled with intense training, makes it easier for them to combat Force-using enemies of their employers, though these troopers are still only mere mortal, lacking paranormal powers or lightsabre-resistant armour.
Recently, their ranks have been augmented by units of robotic drones provided by the aforementioned Guild of Hammers. Firemane is a galactic corporation, and so the origins and backgrounds of the soldiers are rather diverse: Omega Pyre, Atrisian, Silver Sanctum or Republic veterans, freed slaves from Arkas and Tabaqui, natives from Tygara and Dahomey and so on. Though their motivations for wearing the company's colours vary, morale and unit cohesion are very strong. This is probably helped by the fact that their superiors pay them well and provide a solid healthcare plan. Many members of the old guard are former Protectorate soldiers. However, over the years the background of the troops has diversified. A growing number of soldiers are recruited from planets within Firemane's sphere of influence and thus may have started their military career in the corps.
The climate in the unit is that of a professional military organisation. People join for a steady paycheck, a desire for adventure, because Firemane has assumed a protective role for their communities or a combination thereof. Though Firemane is a corporation, it has also assumed many of the duties and traits of a state. This hybrid identity is reflected in its military culture. It obviously does not keep soldiers from mocking their boss' eccentricities, grumbling about the troubles of military life and so on. However, it has helped foster a certain esprit de corps. This is beneficial for unit cohesion.
Soldiers are awarded medals, promotions or d monetary rewards for meritorious conduct. They can receive classes of the lesser Fire Star, the more important Phoenix Cross, or even the most prestigious Galactic Cross. Soldiers who have distinguished themselves receive bonuses commensurate to their rank and reward in their next pay check. After a battle, soldiers are also encouraged to contact their superiors to commend or shed guidance on the fate of a fallen comrade.
Commendations for the fallen are a good way for the families to have their fallen son or daughter entered into the rolls and get more of a reward. Seeing how or where their family member fell might also help them move forward. Firemane commissioned officers and NCOs are encouraged, even forced, to give critical after action reports, stating how they and others could have done things better. These policies apply to the Firemane military and the Order of Fire as a whole.
The basis of each unit is the squad. It typically has a strength of ten to twelve soldiers and is led by a sergeant. A platoon is three squads. A lieutenant leads most platoons, with a platoon sergeant as second-in-command and link between the commander and the enlisted. A company contains three to five platoons. It is commanded by a captain. Three to five companies form a battalion. Three or more battalions form a brigade, which is commanded by a brigadier or a major-general. These are the average numbers, but they can vary, as units sustain losses in combat, wounded soldiers are out of commission due to needing medical care and new recruits are brought in to be trained. Firemane has substantial forces, but they are dispersed. Thus their structure structure is a bit simplified compared to that of an interstellar government. There is no point in having army groups, armies or corps if most of the time units do not fight above brigade, or more rarely, division strength. However, its structure is flexible enough to be adjusted to the situation at hand.
Transport over land is provided by Yazgid Infantry Fighting Vehicles. In addition to making them very mobile and providing good protection while mounted, the combination of dismounted infantry and the weapons systems existing on the Yazgids makes them a potent fighting force for assaulting enemy positions, though this obviously depends on the strength of the adversary. Potent vehicle-mounted and portable anti-armour weapons give the troops a defence against enemy tanks and walkers.
Supreme command is vested in Siobhan Kerrigan, but since she cannot micromanage every move the troops make, she is assisted by a dedicated General Staff, which forms the high command of Firemane forces. The Army Staff is headed by General Devotion, a career soldier and Dahomian native. She fought in Dahomey's many tribal conflicts and the war against foreign slavers and imperialists, before hitching her star to that of the Omega Protectorate and then Firemane Industries. Although she now only directs the most important operations, Siobhan is still a visible presence among the troops. She often visits garrisons, hospitals and hands out awards to veterans. While there is a formal promotion system, battlefield promotions of enlisted soldiers are far from unheard of. They are predicated on extraordinary performance of duties while serving in combat or under combat conditions.
An example of an extremely accomplished soldier is Freya Solveig, Sergeant at Arms and commander of Reaper Squad, a crack assault infantry unit. Born into abject poverty on zombie-infested Denon, she learned from early on to be strong and self-reliant. She joined Omega Pyre, participating in the liberation of her homeworld and proved herself in engagements such as Roche and Gehenna. She was one of the first to join Firemane. Famously brave, strong and coarse, she has consistently refused a commission because she prefers the NCO's role of getting into the action and yelling at people. She is known as Kerrigan's muscle, both for her physique and role in the military hierarchy.
COMBAT INFORMATION:
Unit Size: Medium
Unit Availability: Uncommon
Unit Experience: Veteran.
Equipment:
Armour:
- ACS-004 Olympian Battle Armor. Commlink uses CD-X Cryptologic Key.
- Mark II Bolter
- Magnetic Repeater
- Shatter Rifle
- ACS-205 Blackblade Modular Rifle
- ACS-205 Advanced Dual Weapon System
- ACS-202 Vanquisher Light Repeating Blaster
- Heavy Bolter
- RC-2
- KIIR-17 'Redeemer' Anti-Droid Rifle
- Lance Missile Launcher. One for every ten-man squad.
- ARGH Flamer
Explosives:
Melee:
Vehicles:
Aerial craft:
- Ghoush Transports. Each platoon has two assigned to them. One for the vehicles and supplies, the other for the troopers themselves.
- Archon-class Gunship. While they do not always have gunships assigned to them, the troopers are often escorted by Archons.
- Gar'surhbir-class Dropships
- APE Boltgun Ammunition.
- Dur-24 Wrist Laser
- Under-Barrel Disruptor
- Wrist Bolter
- ACS-301 Modular Probe Droids
- ACS-207 Aerosolblaster
A platoon of infantry and the accompanying IFVs can perform recon operations or secure strong points for units following in their wake. At the same time, their vehicles require fuel, maintenance and are in turn vulnerable to anti-armour weapons, which naturally affects the infantry when they are mounted. Thanks to Firemane's partnership with the Abregado-Rae Guild of Hammers, hover spider drones have been introduced recently. These repulsorlift troop transports can hover above ground, provide fire support and even be equipped with shield generators that provide some protection against orbital strikes. Use of IFVs enables the soldiers to keep up with tank, which is important for not only securing ground gained by heavy armour, but also protecting it against ambushes. Should they be engaged in combat while inside a Yazgid, the soldiers will usually dismount and fight. Technically the Yazgid has gun ports so the soldiers inside can shoot out, but this is not that practical. Visibility from inside the vehicle is poor and while small arms and blaster fire is no problem, should an anti-tank missile score a good hit, everyone inside is dead. However, it can provide fire support.
Firemane Motorised Infantry lacks armoured fighing vehicles on the scale of main battle tanks and heavy walkers. The same applies to artillery. Thus they would require support in all-out battles. These Firemane soldiers are Non-Force-Users and thus must rely on their training, skill, tactics and gear to prevail in a fight. However, Firemane has its own Force-using branch, the Order of Fire, which is integrated into the military chain of command. As a result, regular Firemane soldiers will often fight alongside Order of Fire members. Each platoon has its own Ghoush transports to carry soldiers, equipment and vehicles. Heavily armoured dropships are also available. The troops will often be accompanied by gunships to provide close air support.
The tactical doctrine emphasises speed, mobility and firepower. Firemane officers are trained to follow the principle of leading by mission, also known as mission-type tactics. This means that the military commander gives subordinate leaders a clearly defined goal - a mission -, the forces needed to accomplish that goal and the time frame within which the goal must be reached. The subordinate leaders then implement the order independently. The subordinate leader is given, to a large extent, the planning initiative and a freedom in execution which allows a high degree of flexibility at the operational and tactical levels of command. Mission-type orders free the higher leadership from tactical details.
For the success of the mission-type tactics it is especially important that the subordinate leaders understand the intent of the orders and are given proper guidance and that they are trained so they can act independently. They are capable of utilising shock infantry tactics. The troops are often inserted by Ghoush transports and escorted by Archon gunships, which are particularly potent against ground targets and can thus provide fire support from above.
Strengths:
- Loyal, well-trained, experienced and disciplined.
- Mobile, yet also equipped with heavy firepower. Able to operate independently and deliver a good punch.
- Despite their heavy weapons and armoured vehicles, their heavy armour penetration is still limited. Their vehicles are IFVs, anti-aircraft vehicles and light walkers, meaning they will still require support against heavy combat vehicles, artillery and so on.
- Only mortal. None of these soldiers are space wizards with supernatural powers. Lacking ysalamiri, Voidstone or lightsabre-resistant armour, they must rely on their wits, tactics, training and gear to take on Force-users.
After being mortally wounded by the Sith Assassin Kaelin Isandros forced Tegaea Alcori to step down as Lady Protector, she and Siobhan Kerrigan founded Firemane Industries. It was started as an arms manufacturing and mining concern, but also branched out into Private Military Contracting. This was no surprise since mercenary work was where Tegaea had gotten her start and both ladies had been among the founding members of Omega Pyre. Initially, its military forces were rather modest and consisted of a mere four infantry companies, with some limited naval assets, gunships and dropships. However, they expanded as the company grew in power. A small mercenary force turned into the private army of House Kerrigan-Alcori, charged with protecting the family's manifold interests and expanding its influence.
In many ways, Firemane's combat doctrine was influenced by that of Omega Pyre, particularly in its early days. This is no surprise since Siobhan Kerrigan and Tegaea Alcori were among the founding members of the paramilitary megacorporation, which later evolved into the Omega Protectorate. The Pyre started out as a mercenary corporation on Fondor, bring order and security to worlds such as Dahomey, Abregado-Rae, Vandelhelm and Denon. Lacking large numbers, it focused on small elite groups of soldiers, which it hired out to governments in return for political or economic concessions. To give its mercenaries an edge against foes, especially hostile Force-Users, it developed cutting-edge technology, such as the infamous Bolters.
Over time the territory it administrated grew too large and its duties too complex for a corporate body, and it evolved into a government, the Omega Protectorate. In terms of ideology, it was a Republican Dictatorship, ruled by a Lady or Lord Protector elected for life, with the assistance of a varying number of super-governors called Exarchs. The Pyre became its elite strike force. Siobhan started her career as an officer in the Pyre and eventually rose to Colonel. She commanded Pyre forces in several bloody battles, making her mark on battlefields such as Roche, Metalorn and Gehenna. For a while, she and Tegaea ruled the Protectorate as Exarch and Lady Protector, until near-fatal injuries sustained during an attempt on her life forced Tegaea to step down.
When Firemane was founded, it adapted a lot of the Pyre's doctrine. Once it had become a megacorporation, the company was able to field large forces and equip them well, but it was not economical to try and match the forces of an instellar government in terms of size or fleet meterage. That would have been ruinous and probably left even the biggest corporation bankrupt. Instead it focused on gaining an edge through advanced technology, discipline, mobility and skill of its soldiers. Firemane Motorised Infantry was conceived as the main workhorse of the Firemane military. They could protect Firemane installations, expand its influence as well as be hired out to other parties.
To this end, they were designed as a versatile unit of mobile infantry, backed up by gunships and infantry fighting vehicles. Initially, the corps was small and drew heavily from the ranks of Omega Pyre and Omega Defence Force veterans who had followed their former leaders. This 'old guard' formed the nucleus of Firemane troops. As Firemane's ranks expanded, these experienced military professionals became the corps of commissioned officers and NCOs that could provide direction to the new recruits. Due to the partnership between the corporation and the Eldorai Matriarchy, Firemane troops also provided training to Eldorai soldiers, often conducting manoeuvres and joint operations. They saw action during the second cleansing of Gehenna, when Firemane deployed a large task force to wipe out Bando Gora remnants, establish an outpost and terraform the inhospitable planet.
In the greater scheme of things, the terraforming operation was a bit of a vanity project, as it was quite costly and Firemane had to withdraw from the planet during the Netherworld Event, leaving its work incomplete. Ultimately Gehenna remained a death world. However, the operation was a good learning experience for Firemane troops, allowing them to flex their muscles, test new tech and fine tune their doctrine. Here they faced the savage Bando Gora Reavers, dark Force-Users and alchemical monstrosities. Firemane infantry scoured the manifold caves and tunnels of Gehenna, fighting alongside Order of Fire operatives and Eldorai Angelii. Siobhan Kerrigan led them into battle on Gehenna as well as on other worlds. They saw plenty of combat action during the Republic-One Sith War.
During the Netherworld Event, when trillions were raptured across the Galaxy, Firemane troops found themselves deployed to keep the peace on worlds such as Kaeshana, where end of days hysteria triggered a rebellion. Though weakened due to the disappearance of so many of their leaders, they acquitted themselves well. Later they were deployed to drive pirates and slavers off Arkas. The Eldorai Exodus represent a new form of challenge for them. Firemane troops provided security for the exodus fleet that was supposed to evacuate most Eldorai from doomed Kaeshana. Desperation drove people to desperate things, and so they had to keep the peace. At the same time Firemane troops were dispatched to Tygara to provide protection for the new Eldorai colonies.
This led to war with the Xioquo, who carried out many several raids. This conflict would eventually result in a Firemane invasion of the Underealm, the Xioquo's subterranean home. Though primitive in terms of tech, the Xioquo were canny, using ruthless tactics, alchemised war beasts and large numbers of Force-Users to even the scales in their battle with a technologically superior foe. Siobhan herself led the charge and in the end Firemane and its allies were able to prevail, albeit at a cost. With the war won and Myrou, the dark 'goddess' of the Xioquo slain, Firemane faced the challenge of winning the peace. Contingents of Firemane infantry remained in the Underealm to secure the ascent of Queen Liavondra, ensure security and provide training to the new Xioquo national army.
Though many of the old matriarchs bowed to the new order, Xioquo insurgents continued fighting, forcing Firemane and its allies to launch several counterinsurgency operations. This led to intense fighting, such as in the battle against the Blood Wraiths, a cult of Xioquo necromancers who released a deadly plague, raised hordes of zombies and sought to use the mass deaths to revive Myrou again. To defeat this menace, Firemane regulars worked together with Order of Fire specialists skilled in Force suppression, the Banishers of the Night and the Heralds of the Destroyer.
When the Tygaran Alliance, Firemane and the Galactic Alliance launched a humanitarian mission to help the surviving Eldorai of Kaeshana, they found themselves in conflict with the First Order. Firemane motorised infantry led the assault on the ruins of the Citadel of Dawn, overlooking what was left of abandoned Santaissa. Led by Siobhan and Tempest, they were able to seize the fortress and drive the First Order forces out. However, despite success on the ground the battle ultimately turned against the alliance in space, forcing Firemane to withdraw after Alliance forces pulled out. However, Firemane was able to evacuate Eldorai civilians and allies who had sought refuge in the Citadel of Dusk. A good number of them would be settled on Arkas. Firemane troops supported the Alliance during its invasion on Hoth.
Most recently, Firemane was embroiled in a conflict on Tephrike, where its troops fought against the Dominion of Light. This came to pass when the Scarlet Destiny, commanded by Tegaea Alcori, came across the planet during its maiden voyage. However, what was supposed to be a peaceful exploration mission to initiate first contact with worlds cut off by the Gulag Virus turned into something significantly more bloody when they came across the world of Tephrike. A Firemane delegation was ambushed by extremists in the Jedi-led Dominion of Light, a totalitarian theocracy.
Elpsis Kerrigan-Alcori covered the delegation's retreat and was captured by the Jedi Inquisition and interned in a reeducation camp. In response, Firemane declared war, allying with the Republican Guard, a native insurgency that opposed Force-Users. Firemane bombed communication centres, Jedi academies, military installations and levelled the Jedi Temple. Unbeknownst to Firemane, there was an internal power struggle in the Dominion's hierarchy, as forces opposed to the war course rallied around the Battlemaster. But by now the war had acquired a dynamic of its own.
The Dominion retaliated by deploying powerful strategic missiles against Firemane's fleet. These represented their strategic reserve, only to be used in the direst of circumstances. The Battlemaster's agents were able to secure two of the missiles, but the others were launched. One destroyed a Firemane corvette, the other was stopped by tractor beams before it could do the same to their command ship. Firemane made an uneasy alliance with the Republican Guard and landed ground troops to take Fortress Purity. At the same time a task force was dispatched to locate and rescue - or avenge - the lost Elpsis. The captured Fire Princess was subjected to mental and physical torture until she succumbed to her brainwashing and was reborn as 'Jedi Roxane'. She was eventually able to overcome her indoctrination.
A brutal battle was fought at Fortress Purity. There the fanatical General Kennobi led the defence. By order of Lady Kerrigan, the rules of engagement were suspended throughout the theatre and the area was declared a free fire zone. Colonel Leonina Varkathras led the Firemane ground assault. The Dominion troops compensated their technological inferiority through bloody-minded determination, kamikaze pilots, mass use of Force-Users and by deploying a weather control machine. They hoped that their enemy would be bled white and withdraw. The storm made it very hazardous for Firemane to deploy bombers and gunships. Firemane regulars fought alongside Order of Fire specialists, Republican Guard partisans and a Resistance Squad. Firemane's heavy firepower and close coordination allowed it to gain an edge.
Eventually the fortress fell to the allied forces, though the price in blood was considerable. In the last stages of the battle, the Dominion commanders deployed a brigade of indoctrinated Younglings to cover their retreat. They went on a suicidal death charge. Meanwhile, Major Tempest led a mixed force of Firemane regulars, Order of Fire operatives and Cataphracts on a mission to rescue or avenge Elpsis. They were able to locate the camp, but clashed with the forces of the Dominion Inquisition.
However, Elpsis was able to overcome her brainwashing and kill the Grand Inquisitor. This incited a prisoners' revolt. Caught in a cauldron and having sustained heavy losses from Firemane's assault, the Dominion troops were defeated. However, though these battles were a serious blow to the Dominion, the war was far from over. Indeed, these setbacks compelled the Dominion to get its act together and replace the madmen and opportunists with a coalition of hardliners and pragmatists.
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