Chimera Company - Rho-Torkis Box Set

by Tim C. Taylor

  They allowed her to do this…

  “Engaging jump drive,” she said.

  Following a slight wrench in his stomach, the stars disappeared. They were in unreal space now.

  “Thank you, Lieutenant Zan Fey. You are a marvel.”

  He meant every word, but Izza wasn’t buying. “You’d better be right about this, Fitz.”

  “Since when have I—”

  His mouth clamped shut as every screen, light, and indicator flashed warnings across the flight deck. And the infinite void, which was all one saw outside the ship during a jump, wasn’t empty anymore. It looked as if they were jumping into the inferno of the Five Hells.

  He hadn’t been right at all. And this time, even Izza wouldn’t be able to pull him out the fire.

  The Phantom’s jump was about to fail.

  Even Fitz’s simpleton perception felt the universe stretch and warp in abhorrent ways.

  “This is interesting,” he said as the cockpit view shifted to blazing white. “No one’s ever survived an emergency drop to normal space before.”

  CHECK IN AT THE CHIMERA COMPANY PAGE ON HUMANLEGION.COM for news of Season 2. Coming Summer 2019.

  TIMELINE OF THE SIXTH LEGION

  Ferrata Fidelis Constans

  “Iron clad, loyal, and constant.”

  —Highly Confidential—

  Home base: Wandrine-Callos, Tej Sector.

  Battle Honors: Tej Sector, Zhoogene, Taegi-28, Core-7.

  Battle Cry: “Hold the Line!”

  Current Status (FL-3030): Strategic Legion Reserve for Tej Sector, Theta-Zanovis Sector and Ishgen Spine.

  Timeline of key events:

  Note: Dates are given in standard Far Reach calendar, commencing (Year FL 0) with Far Reach Landing. In the old Orion Era Calendar, FL 0 corresponds to 2745.

  FL 71: Sixth Legion is established on Wandrine-Callos/ Tej Sector during the Nine Systems War, in which rebellious political factions ally with existing nearby civilizations to crush Far Reach, attempting to reduce it to Nine System colony status. In its motto, the Sixth is awarded the name ‘Ferranta’: ‘iron clad’ in Latin, a part of the name awarded to a Sixth Legion raised 2868 years earlier by a famous Orion Era general named Julius Caesar. At a time when the continued existence was in doubt of the Far Reach Federation and its population of Amilxi exiles, many of the new legions raised in this period stress their links to renowned military forebears of Earth and other Orion Spur worlds.

  FL 262: Supports Legion Reserve Fleet in the Tej Sector Counterattack that defeats the self-styled ‘Supremity’. In reality, the Supremity is a bandit warlord commanding a vast armada of armed vessels: the dregs of a hundred civilizations that has drifted in from the Interspiral Wastes intent on despoilment, plunder and murder. A motley pirate raid it might be, but both the Fourth Legion and the Militia system defense forces in 21 planetary systems are routed before the counterattack, and Legion losses are heavy. After the joint operation, the Admiral of the Reserve Fleet, the most renowned organization in the Legion, shares blood with the Sixth Legion’s General Weygrunth, and conveys on her command the right to use the Reserve Fleet’s famous battle cry: ‘Hold the Line!’

  FL 291: The Relief of Zhoogene. In FL 288 the Multiplicity Alliance was facing invasion and assimilation by the supremely powerful Muryani Expansion. Despite the lack of a formal military treaty between the Federation and the Multiplicity Alliance, which at the time constituted 52 systems, the Sixth Legion feels honor bound to come to the aid of the Zhoogenes, having conducted a cultural and military exchange program over the previous decades. After seeking and winning approval from Federation President Weygrunth, herself a former general of the Ironclads, the Sixth attempts to break the Siege of Zhoogene. They fail, being repulsed with catastrophic losses. But the Muryani besiegers themselves are severely weakened, and within a year, Alliance forces sweep away the siege and other invasion forces, resulting in a humiliating peace settlement imposed on the Muryani, who have hitherto appeared invincible. The Zhoogene are so impressed by the loyal support of the Ironclads in a conflict that wasn’t theirs that they soon persuade the Multiplicity Alliance to join the Federation. In acknowledgment of the Sixth’s action around Zhoogene, the second segment of their motto is added: fidelis or loyal.

  FL 291-296: First Reconstitution. The Ironclad’s responsibilities are temporarily handed over to the First and Third Legions while the shattered Sixth is reformed.

  FL 450: Operation Orion Rearguard. The Sixth Legion and Third Fleet combine to provide military support to Operation Orion: a project to re-establish communications with Earth and the Orion Spur by establishing a corridor of colonies and trading posts across the 12,000 light years from Federation space in the Perseus Arm. Initially penetrating nearly 600 light years with relative success, Operation Orion turns into a disaster when it awakens a Gorgonthola. After a fighting retreat over 257 light years, the Sixth Legion makes a rearguard stand at Taegi-28, determined that the Gorgonthola will not follow the fleeing colonists back to Federation space. Only one ship, FRS Wavefront, survives the action, filled with wounded, civilians, and prisoners captured from the Gorgonthola’s serf armies. Only 47 legionaries survive the expedition. In recognition of the Sixth’s steadfast action, another portion of the ancient Roman Legion’s name are applied to the Legion, even though it has ceased to exist as a functioning unit. Henceforth, it is to be known as Ferranta Fidelis Constans: ‘Ironclad, loyal, and constant’.

  FL 451-469: Second Reconstitution. The Sixth is reformed. The renown of its action at Taegi-28 means that only a small fraction of the multitude who volunteer can be enlisted.

  FL 903: The Razing of Core-7. For the Federation, the war against the Grunvalt Gestalt that begins FL 887 goes from bad to disastrous, and then to existential crisis in FL 901 with the Siege of Wutan-Scala-7, the first capital of the Federation. Employing the technique of ‘vacuum replenishment’ for the first time and to devastating effect, the Ironclads arrive without warning deep inside enemy territory at the principle Gestalt hub-world of Core-7. Here they annihilate all defenses within hours and force the Gestalt to surrender unconditionally. In a controversial decision that to this day inspires mobs of chanting protesters to denounce the Sixth Legion of war crimes, the Ironclad’s General Soleb deploys fusion munitions against the underground Gestalt AI spines, reducing Grunvalters to the semi-sentient drones they are today. General Soleb bullishly justifies his action, arguing that since forming the Gestalt means the Grunvalters have effectively cut out their emotions, they have rendered themselves incapable of any sense of honor, meaning any treaty with them would be meaningless. Unaware that while the Sixth was moving on Core-7, the Grunvalters have destroyed all life on the Federation’s capital world, Soleb reasons that the only way to keep the Federation safe in the long term is to render the Gestalt permanently harmless. At the time, his decision is widely backed by Federation citizens still reeling from the destruction of Wutan-Scala-7. Many see it as justified revenge. Within a decade, however, the public mood is soured by the Legion’s political opponents. General Soleb himself is ambushed by a group of political terrorists, while on vacation with his family, and murdered in FL 926.

  FL 3001-3004. The Ironclads crush the ‘Sequined Flower Rebellion’ on the Muryani border. The causes of the rebellion are still highly classified.

  FL 3025-present day. An important archaeological find on the hitherto obscure planet of Rho-Torkis leads to a flurry of archaeological activity throughout the Tej Sector. The digs, the site security and the analysis of the finds are all conducted through the Sixth Legion. The exact nature of what has been uncovered remains highly classified. However, it has been widely reported that many of the dig site locations coincide with earlier archaeological and other evidence of a war that took place in the sector some centuries before the arrival of the Exiles in Fl 0.

  Today, the renowned Sixth Legion approaches its termillennial celebration: 3,000 years of proud service to the Far Reach F
ederation. Whatever threats the Federation will face over the next three millennia, we can be sure the Sixth will be there to hold the line, forever iron clad, loyal and constant.

  TIMELINE OF THE FAR REACH MILITIA

  According to Official Militia Records.

  Mission: To protect the Federation against its internal enemies and provide system defense to aid the Far Reach Legion against external threats.

  Battle Cry: “Liberty or Death!”

  Composition: Although the Militia has a visible presence in all Far Reach Federation star systems – comprising army, air force, sea force, system and orbital defense, navy, and dropship infantry – the precise make up of its forces remains a matter of speculation. The federal budget allocated to the Militia is enormous, and when combined with the heavy contributions demanded of planetary governments, it is widely believed that the majority of that budget must be spent on something other than the Militia’s modest visible presence. Some hint at hidden reserves maintained to save the Federation when its darkest moment comes; cynics point to the lavish lifestyles enjoyed by many Militia officers and federal senators. The truth is known only by the Senior Committees of the Federal Senate, and possibly the President and Militia High Command.

  Motto: The Militia declines to invent what it regards as ridiculous slogans for its units, leaving that kind of posturing to the Legion. However, the phrase “The Militia and the Amilxi People” is frequently used in official documents. (‘Amilxi’ is the name used by the original Federation settlers to describe themselves). In Terran script this is frequently initialized as M.A.P. Similar compact abbreviations are commonplace in scent or other script symbols.

  Symbol: A silhouette of a hammer held proud against a stylized star. This is in recognition of the Hammer of Democracy movement in FL 25.

  Nickname: The People’s Army.

  Chronicler’s Personal Notes: Although some Militia officers rise from the ranks, most use money and influence to purchase their commissions and expect to turn a good profit. By contrast, the ranks are frequently the scrapings of the penal and welfare systems. Every year, federal and planetary budgets divert more credits from the Legion to the Militia as the latter’s allies increasingly dominate the political sphere other than the presidency, which is still controlled by their arch-rivals: the Legion. Despite this, many rank-and-file Militia troopers serve with pride and honor. Maybe the Militia isn’t perfect, but the life they knew before was even worse.

  Timeline of key events:

  Note: Dates are given in standard Far Reach calendar, commencing (Year FL 0) with Far Reach Landing. In the old Orion Era Calendar, FL 0 corresponds to 2745.

  -41 FL: The First Schism. During the War of Liberation in the Orion Spur the ancient Human Legion undergoes the First Schism: a decisive split in which a disaffected group of senior commanders and military units breaks away, rejecting what they see as the dictatorial tendency of the Legion high command. It is this faction that conceives the goal of establishing a Far Reach settlement outside of the region in which the war is being fought.

  FL 25: The ‘Hammer of Democracy’.

  When a campaign for democratic representation of the people declares an unauthorized election on the capital world of Wutan-Scala-7, workers in the orbital shipyards down tools and descend the orbital elevators. They intend to vote for their representatives in the Federal Council, whether the election is official or not. Units of 3rd Assault Marine Division – a formation that was one of the earliest to detach in the First Schism – form a protective shield to prevent the authorities arresting the shipyard voters.

  Workers grab hammers as an emblem of their impromptu movement, and stand side by side with the Marines as they are surrounded by the ultra-loyalist 119th Armored Division, and buzzed by aircraft of the 5th Shock Wing. The tense standoff lasts eight days before ending in a non-violent resolution that pleases nobody. The Hammer of Democracy incident polarizes the Federation. Civil war seems inevitable.

  FL 25-31: The Battle for the Future.

  A cold civil war sweeps the early Federation. The leaders of the two factions during the First Schism quickly lose control of the situation. Factions split further and recombine in new combinations, each with their own shifting agenda. Centers of power and influence are seized and exploited by rival factions. There is rioting, cyber war, and armed skirmishes. Disgruntled and terrified citizens launch a wave of settlement outside of Federation territory.

  FL 31: The Great Settlement of Wutan-Scala-7.

  The remaining leaders from the Orion Era avert full-blown civil war by agreeing a settlement between themselves, and presenting it to the people of Far Reach over the heads of the new warring factions. On the edge of disaster, the Federation blinks and steps back from the brink.

  The two Orion Era factions acknowledge each other as core pillars of the Federation, with distinct and inviolate traditions. They are to be known henceforth as the Militia and the Legion. A separation of roles and responsibilities is agreed, as is a new political settlement that leaves the Militia with stronger political influence over the Federal Council and Senate, and the Legion with counterbalancing influence over the presidency. The people of the Federation are to remain the ultimate sovereign power.

  The Militia adopts a military hammer as its emblem in remembrance of the Hammer of Democracy. It also adopts the convention of describing itself as ‘The Militia and the Amilxi People’, emphasizing that it draws its legitimacy through the sovereign people of the Federation.

  FL 69-82: Nine Systems War.

  Treacherous factions within the Legion ally with foreign powers to seize control of the Federation and rule it as a vassal state. The Militia blunts or repels attacks from the rebel Legion and Nine System forces, rallying loyal legionaries and raising new legions based on elite Militia cadres. After the Federation is eventually victorious in the Nine Systems War, the Militia wins the nickname of the People’s Army.

  FL 622-643: Private Wars.

  Three corrupt alliances of senior Militia commanders, federal senators, and organized criminal networks compete with each other in what are later called the Private Wars. The situation drags on for many years, devastating both the lives of innocent citizens and the reputation of Federation institutions. The long-running scandal is finally defeated by the Militia Independent Task Force established by the Anti-Corruption Senate Committee, and supplied by the Outer Torellian Commerce Guild (OTCG). The latter is a legitimate and patriotic trading organization, which nonetheless profits greatly from the action and hugely extends its commercial network. Until this time, the OTCG has sometimes been smeared by its rivals who call it the ‘Smugglers Guild’. The use of this objectionable term is made an offense against the Purity Act.

  FL 1120: The Samarian Reforms.

  Recruitment and organization of the Militia is reformed to improve recruitment, discipline, and to re-instill a military ethos after a long period without external wars. Key reforms are:

  •The Indentured Service Program. Rather than wasteful penal incarceration, individuals convicted under the criminal or purity systems can now pay their debt to the Federation in the form of service in the Militia.

  •Officer Commissioning. Most Militia officer commissions are now purchased, and units run on a commercial basis. Commissions are not simply handed out to the highest bidder; applicants are vetted carefully so that only the right sort of people take on these vital roles.

  •Per-capita Funding Formula. Militia units are now funded on a per-trooper basis. Militia numbers soar. Cynics allege that the number of troopers claimed by officers in funding assessments vastly exceeds the number of real troopers present in barracks, and even further exceeds the number of troopers who are properly trained and equipped. It is evident to all right-thinking people that these allegations are unfounded because the ‘paper’ strength of the Militia, on which funding is based, is highly privileged information unavailable to the public.

  FL 2866: Gorgantheletta Eruption. />
  No one knows who or what the Gorgantheletta are or how they came to invade the world of Breda-Anthemis. Some say they poured through a hyperspace portal to emerge beneath the foothills of the Eunzler Mountains. Others say they came from a hell dimension, or that they were always there but only recently woken. Armed with serrated short swords, cruel maces and venomous fangs, the humanoid creatures swept over the planet, relishing every opportunity to kill in cruel and imaginative ways.

  When the Militia’s initial attempt to stem the flow of invaders is overrun, the local commander evacuates her personnel into orbit, to the fury of the planet’s citizens. Then the Gorgantheletta seize jump-capable starships and make for orbit themselves. The Militia rallies, flinging its forces against the enemy to win time for the fleet of system defense boats to mount an effective blockade.

  When the enemy makes a concerted effort to leave the planet, their commandeered vessels are disabled by Militia warboats ramming their jump drives in suicide runs. Meanwhile, a scratch force of troopers on a one-way dropship descent into hell destroy the spaceport facilities on the ground before being overwhelmed.

  Before the Gorgantheletta can repair the facilities and launch fresh ships, the Legion 3rd Fleet arrives and sterilizes Breda-Anthemis.

  With the voices of the citizens abandoned on the planet’s surface silenced by the murderous foe, the Militia finds itself – somewhat to its surprise – celebrated across the Federation as heroes. The name People’s Army is spoken once again with pride.

  FL 3020: First General Clarke. An unlikely alliance of Militia Commandos and Legion Naval Intelligence seizes the Commander-in-Chief of the Legion. A crack Legion Special Missions squad immediately launches a successful retrieval mission, but on the return flight the Legion acknowledges the awful truth: First General Clarke is a traitor in the pay of a foreign power. Legion morale is badly shaken. There is also a deadly new intensity to the long-standing rivalry between Naval Intelligence and ‘SpecMish’ (as Special Missions is unofficially called; officially it doesn’t exist).