The Orville: The Galactic Imperium - What and Who?
Being a fan of the Series the Orville written by and starring Seth Macfarlane I began to contemplate a fan fiction of my own. Introducing a character of my own creation as well as the race and culture he comes from and the system of government which it holds itself within.
Now when planning this I contemplated certain aspects of aliens and reasonings for such visual differences but I couldn't decide on what. So I thought of a reason for hiding anything visual except the external look such as with the character Isaac who is a machine and that is it there is no face behind the metal. With this I formed the idea of why the character would hide this as well as others of his kind, to make matters easier for readers I began searching for the closest look alike for the character and others of importance. And I know it sounds weird but the best I could find to best match it was when I went back to my childhood for inspiration and found the outfits used by the Power Ranger Kiddie shows as well as other images from star wars.
I know your laughing so knock it off, I haven't watched power rangers in many many years, but they fitted it best.
Now this is not the actual story but the background of it, the different species that would be the focus and the culture of the characters home. All images for this were found on Google Images, I have no wish to violate any copyright law, If required I shall happily remove these images completely.
Prologue:
There are many cultures and species in the known galaxy, many including humanity came together in an effort of peace, they created the Planetary Union a organized system of alliances and governments that would work together to better help each other in mutual protection and scientific advancement. There were the Humans of Earth, the Moclans, the Xelayans, the Retepsians, the Gelatins and the Dakeeli, all of them served among the combined Union Fleet, among the 3,000 vessels was the Orville.
Captained by Ed Mercer of Earth with his XO being Kelly Grayson (His Ex Wife), but this story is not solely of them.
For the Union was not alone in the Galaxy, the Planetary Union often found itself engaging in skirmishes with its neighbour the Krill Empire and more recently in an all out conflict with the Xenophobic and genocidal race of Machines known as the Kaylon who believed all Biological life forms to be inferior and had chosen to eradicate them.
But no our story begins thousands of light years away where another Empire held strong after many centuries of difficulty.
It was the Galactic Imperium a strong empire of countless species some founders and others subjects, the Imperium did not however start off as a galactic powerhouse that made all others question its actions. In fact the history of the Imperium was found within endless conflict, for you see the founders of the Imperium were five species from a singular solar system. The Home System as they refer to it as is a solar system with two large suns at its heart the individual planets and moons that would be the homes of these different species all come in different forms.
The official emblem and flag of the Imperium was made with inspiration of the five founding species that were once spread out coming together to form a single power. So five points of the red star, the red giant being the primary sun of the Home-system, representing the five founders all coming into the heart of the star before rising into a single strong point shooting high into the stars.
Government of the Imperium:
The Imperium is a Constitutional Monarchy, with some element of Absolute Monarchies, the highest position of power within the entire Imperium is held by the title of the Emperor who serves as the top authority for every species, since the founding of the Imperium the Emperors have come from the Rulers of the Elerium clan Imperatous or as its more commonly referred to as the Imperial clan.
Beneath the Emperor is the Imperial Council, a group of five powerful political figures that hold most of the legislative and executive power for the Imperium, whilst the Emperor has a say in the ruling of the Imperium, much of the day to day matters are handled by the Imperial Council. The Imperial Council is made up of high ranked individuals from the five founding species of the Imperium, only those from the original five are permitted to have a seat on the council whilst those who have either joined the Imperium later or were subjugated by it are refused.
Individually however the different species of the five founders are granted a level of partial autonomy, being permitted to live by the own laws and customs that are not in violation of the Overall Imperial Rule. But this autonomy does not mean that they are free, none of the species in the Imperium are granted their own fleet or military arm, such is a Imperial Ruling and is heavily enforced, whilst they are all granted civilian vessels none are allowed to be armed in anyway or carry weapons aboard.
In terms of the law, the highest authority is the Imperial Court, which serves the Imperium as a whole, with 5 judges from each of the founders, the reason for the odd number is to ensure a Majority when it came to a verdict. For each species the Law of the Imperium can be defined by the defendant, for some the death penalty is the highest punishment to be placed upon a defendant but for others such as the Elerium exile from the Imperium is considered far worse, where they are denied entry into the territories of the Imperium and if caught within its borders are subjected to extreme and brutal tortures as punishment.
All aspects of the Imperium's power structure are broken down and clearly defined by a single "Document" known as the Rite of Unity the original treaty that unified the five founding species into the Imperium. The Rite clearly defines the structure of the Imperium and the only reason for the dissolution of the system of government, something that is never believed to ever occur.
Founders of the Imperium:
For the Record:
Home-world: the name of the planet
Planet Class: What kind of planet it is according to the Imperium
Day/Night Cycle: How many hours on Earth
Solar Cycle: How long for the planet to orbit the sun
Gravity level: Compared to Earths 0.5 = half of earths gravity
Tellacites:
Home-world: Tellacite
Planet Class: Barren - Pre Solar Wars
Day/Night Cycle: 16 Earth Hours
Solar Cycle: 9.6 Earth Years
Gravity Level: 0.67 Earths Gravity
Hardest of all is the home world of the Tellacites, an insect species of being similar to the ants and termites of Earth. Each colony numbering in the thousands, in the past they would have had constant wars of over precious resources such as the algae that was their primary source of food. The world of the Tellacites was incredibly brutal for there's was a world of extremes, the orbit of Tellacite is regarded on the manner of a slingshot world, the planet would take a long orbit to the fringe of the system before coming back around to become the closest planet to the two suns for a series of months before being "flung" back out.
When the mastered space travel they found themselves no longer having to focus on the matter of collecting partial minerals from fallen meteors every year. Instead during the months in which the surface of the planet was safe, they launched expeditions into the huge asteroid belt the system held at its cusp. These outposts would send resources back to the home-world on a constant basis without arguement since the Tellacite had no real interest in currency or rights since they were all under the control of the Queens.
But when the solar wars erupted the Tellacites found their advantage not in resources or hardiness but in numbers. Since the hives were protected on their home-world deep underground where they would be safe, the Tellacites could send out huge armies in suicidal attacks and fleets of ships in constant battles. When the Rite of Unification was implemented in its aftermath, the Tellacites were all to willing to join the new Galactic Imperium as full members of its Imperial Council under the Emperor. Under the Imperium the Tellacite knack for construction and building even the most technical apparatus despite any complexity was proven of great import for the Imperium, with the Tellacites being the greatest provider of builders and miners. As well as this the Algae that once was their primary source of food on their home-world is still grown in vast quantities among their colonies, since it serves as a viable and potent source of natural fuel for the Imperial Fleet.
As after all "Tellacite workers do not Question.... they do not Doubt.... Do not Lie"
Bast:
Home-world: Savishkm
Planet Class: Continental Savannah - Pre Solar Wars
Day/Night Cycle: 32 Earth Hours
Solar Cycle: 294 Earth Days
Gravity: 1.0 Earths Gravity
A feline race from the world of Savishkm, a world of vast open grasslands and savannahs, the Bast were the masters or should I say the mistresses of their world.
Before questioning, the Bast are a multi sex species having both males and females, but for them it is a strongly female dominated society. By far the Bast were lucky in regards of their home-world, for theirs was found within what the Imperium regard as the garden zone, a section of a solar system where the most habitable planets for most colonies are likely to be found. So the Bast did not have to contend with difficult environments and radical issues when it came to their evolution both biological and cultural. As a species the Bast are very swift and flexible in their movements capable of performing feats of acrobatics and other manoeuvres that require great training for other species but for them is second nature, this also make the Females prolific dancers for many who have strong opinions.
As stated the Bast are a female dominated society, in Earth regards they are similar to the ancient species of large feline species only on a greater alteration on position of authority. Whilst the Females are more common the males were regarded primarily as home carers and protectors of the young, whilst the females would be the ones performing actions such as hunting and gathering of food. Originally they were a tribal based culture which eventually evolved in various Kingdoms across their planet, as their population grew their was a rise in conflict which only came to an end when the different Kingdoms came together to form a "Pact" a mutual agreement of cooperation and protection.
During the solar wars, the great conflict that predated the Great Exodus from the home System, the Bast were not the most powerful of warriors, but were still able to hold their own against the more militant species in the system. Even able to go toe to toe with the now infamous Elerium legionnaires in open combat. Yet for the most part the Bast relied on guerrilla style warfare, performing small scale attacks that brought greater results than major battles, at the forefront were their special commandoes that lead these assaults with the aid of their intelligence network.
For Female Bast are considered extremely beautiful to the eyes of all beholders and the Bast spies would use this to seduce and gather information from their enemies without ever knowing. Sadly the wars ended with their defeat by their nearest rival the Elerium, but from the aftermath, the Bast came out stronger. Alongside the Elerium, they were able to bring the other species of the system into a unified system of governance, the Imperium. With the Bast using their diplomatic skills alongside their spies to convince the Angels to join the Imperium without the need of conquest.
Now within the Imperium, the Bast act in two services for the Empire, on the one hand their serve the Imperium as the right hand of the Emperor and the Imperial Council by becoming diplomats and emissaries to other species and galactic powers including the Planetary Union. Whilst at the same time they serve as the Emperors hidden hand, leading the "Atharilitus" or the "Eye that only appears shut" translation those that serve the Imperium directly and not as civilians are not only found serving in the Imperial legions and fleets but also in the Intelligence gathering and spy network of the Imperium.
Some say that the Atharilitus knows secrets that could topple the Krill Empire, or destabilise the traditional beliefs of the Moclans which is what the purpose of the Atharilitus, the Intelligence service of the Imperium both internally and externally conduct the gathering and collecting of information. But at home, like the other species of the Imperium they are found everywhere, but when asked many would recognise the Bast working in "Exotic Dance Parlours".
The Angels:
Home-World: Plateaus
Planet Type: Alpine - Pre Solar Wars
Day/Night Cycle: 29 Earth Hours
Solar Cycle: 420 Earth Days
Gravity: 0.594 Earths Gravity
From the mountainous planet of Plateaus, come the avian humanoids who call themselves the Angels, or Keleanus in their traditional language. Unlike nearly every other planet within the Garden Zone in the Home System, Plateaus was restrictive in its available living space. Most of the Angel kingdoms were found atop the large flat open plateaus that dotted their mountain world, all life was found on these plateaus or along the high cliffs of the mountains as beneath the cloud level at the bottom of the mountain valleys were large rivers and lakes of constantly flowing Larva.
As a species the Angels were on the same par as humans and other humanoids, with the same body plan excluding the avian raptor like head and the large wings they had. The wings despite their size are actually collapsible to a certain extent, the bones that make up the joints in the wing are able to slightly reconfigure allowing the wing to collapse and fit neatly along the Angels back, shoulder and torso thus taking up less pace.
Due to the distance of each plateau from any other, journeys between them would be rather long and tiring for the Angels. So for much of their industrialisation, instead of ease of cultivation and production as was the case with other species, for them Industrialisation came as a greater and more efficient means of travelling between the different Plateau cities.
When the Solar wars came The Angels found themselves beset by enemies on all sides, on the one hand they had their closest neighbours the Bast and later the Elerium, whilst on the other they had to contend with the Sobar and Tellacites. The only thing that truly protected the Plateaus and its interests was the ability of the Angelic fleet which outmatched those of its opponents at every turn. Although they are not the greatest warriors on the ground, the Angels are unmatched when it came to aerial and space combat, since their efficiency in ship design, construction and performance meant they were able to fight off any aggressive action against any of their solar colonies.
They were finally brought to heal when the combined efforts of the Elerium and Bast finally forced their hand, knowing full well that even with their mighty fleet they could not contend with the combined force of two species coming against them. As well as this, many Angels were tied of the wars and wanted to see them end as the effect of the constant fighting was causing extreme damage to their home-world.
During the Exodus from the Home System, the Angels brought their combined knowledge of ship design and knowledge to aid the greatest exodus in known galactic history. They designed an entire fleet of vessels capable of transporting the entire population of the solar system to their new colonies far away, as well as this they designed and aided in the construction of the Imperious, a giant space station structure capable of transporting itself to different locations when necessary this giant station would serve as the Seat of the Imperium and would house not only a huge population but also the Imperial Palace, Imperial High Court, Imperial Academy as well as the various Embassies for other species and galactic powers not in the Imperium.
Now as a founder of the Imperium, the Angels live as they have done in the past, many working in various businesses and consortiums that focus on the construction, maintenance and upkeep of ships and other solar structures including the Imperious. Whilst others serve proudly within the Imperial Navy with many serving as fleet officers and Admirals, but not all are in such high positions they are found in every position of the Imperial fleet from fighter pilots, helmsmen, engineers and even officer valets.
The Sobar:
Home-world: Kesarl
Planet Type: Tropical - Pre Solar Wars
Day/Night Cycle: 83 Earth Hours
Solar Cycle: 290 Earth Days
Gravity: 0.96 Earth Gravity
From a world of near permanent darkness, the Sobar are a species of difficulty when it comes to convalescing with others, unlike nearly all other species in the known galaxy. The Sobar have a language of extreme sophistication, where each word has a great number of meanings, for instance the word "Tahoe" has over 69 different meanings unless it is accompanied by either another word or gesture. Example is "Tahoe kes" which means I offer, alone it has many meanings until one considers the hand signal and gesture accompanying it. "Tahoe Kes" with open palms facing the sky and arms extended towards you means "I offer peace".
The reason for this extreme language sophistication comes from the placement of their home-world, Sotaru is a forest world that has nineteen different moons, each with individual orbits. So the planet has constant solar eclipses and even when they do have direct sunlight the planets atmosphere and dense forest canopy make it difficult for light to penetrate and reach the ground. In response to this nearly every living organism on Sotaru has some form of Bio-luminescence, from plants to animals to the Sobar themselves, who have bio-luminescent facial and body markings with each being unique to an individual. So to allow greater ease in communication they created a combined language of lingual and sign language to aid them in passing along information easier in the darkness or when on a hunt.
This Bio-luminescent life makes life hard for the Sobar however, as for much of the evolution they were both the hunter and the hunted. With various vicious predators living alongside them, the Sobar learned quickly to cover themselves when out away from their treehouse villages. To give some element of safety for themselves they wear armour upon their chests and masks to hide the bio luminescent parts of the bodies which allows them to remain better hidden. Even after industrialisation they continued this practice as it had become a part of their culture where each individual would paint their individual markings upon the armour and masks to signify who they were. In addition to this armour and mask, they were very spiritual and would keep tokens from anything they killed and hold them on their person not as trophies but as reminders of the reason for killing, hunt to eat not glory.
They were the last of the Imperium Founders to industrialise, some attribute this to the low population of the Sobar both before and after industrialisation when compared to other cultures. The reason for this slow growth in technology is their tribal existence, each tribe consisted of a rather small population, some being close to thirty whereas others were closer to a hundred. But this limited concentrated population meant that the exchange of technologies was slow, but the forefront of their advancement was in weaponry, due to a low population number, the weapons they invented gave them a balance to their lack of numbers.
In fact the only reason the Tribes of Sobar became a space faring species was because the arrival of others, the Angels arrived over Sotaru to try and exploit the resource rich moons, they were soon followed by the Tellacites who were after the same. The Sobar fought both of these invasions with the same hunting tactics that aided them against the wildlife of the planet, they would avoid direct fighting and perform ambushes, relying on the technique of Stealth and Surprise, only attacking when the Odds were entirely in their favour, if those odds shifted at all they would retreat. From the bodies of those they killed they collected technologies previously unknown to them and eventually captured and reverse engineered starships from their enemies. With these new technologies their weapons improved greatly.
Soon the Sobar were ambushing ships in travel to stealth raids against the solar colonies and even the home-worlds of their enemies. As the wars came to an end, the Sobar were quick to join the growing alliance of the Elerium, Bast and Angels, despite not being the most powerful of the five founders they became key members of the Imperium. For their expertise in weapons technology lead to them being the primary producers and maintainers of all weapons within the Imperial Legion and Fleets, though the technology was never truly theirs as much of the technology of the Imperium is a combination of all its members every weapon is a show of the ability and mindset of the Sobar as each weapon is exact in its purpose and always delivers what the Sobar Promise.
Unlike with most of the other species within the Imperium, the Sobar have very few colonies despite the rights to many worlds they inhabit very few of them. Many attribute this to both their small population where despite the advancement of their species still is relatively low when compared to others, as well as their tribal attitude despite now technically being unified as one tribe, they find it difficult to live in smaller groups as they had done in the past. Those that do leave the colonies are often doing so to join the Imperial Navy or Legion, where they serve in the Armouries and weapons engineers.
The Elerium:
Home-World: Elerius
Planet Type: Hostile Continental - Pre Solar Wars
Day/Night Cycle: 39 Earth Hours
Solar Cycle: 398 Earth Days
Gravity: 1.4 Earth Gravity
The leading species of the Imperium, the Elerium are a species of human like beings that are somewhat taller than humans, the average being about six foot at the shoulder. But with a greater mass of muscle and bones much denser and stronger alongside natural padding around their internal organ, the Elerium are a species focused on toughness, strength and hardiness. But with some cost, a small enzyme in their bodies makes it impossible for the Elerium to live on any world with Nitrogen any higher than 2%, when not on such a world or one of their colonies, they are forced to wear special bio suits that encase their entire body as well as breather helmets, the suits and the helmets all possess small induction ports, one on each arm, one on each ankle and two near the mouth, this is to allow for the introduction of medicines into the body as well as allow the individual to drink liquids and take nourishment from gelatonous or paste foods as it is too dangerous for them to remove their helmets to eat.
These suits act as full on battle armour and are capable of taking extensive damage from both physical and projectile weapons. The Enzyme that demands this of them is one that is also important to their biology, the Enzyme extracts nitrogen from any part of the body, the lungs, the moisture of the eyes even through the skin. The Enzyme then takes it to the digestive tract where it is part of the production of special digestive acids required for the Elerium to digestive food properly. In an atmosphere suited to them, the nitrogen causes no issues, but when the amount of Nitrogen is much higher the more the enzyme collects and has disastrous consequences. As the Enzyme travels through the blood vessels to reach each part of the body it collects Nitrogen and as it does it expands, too much Nitrogen means that it can and will cause the Blood vessels to burst causing immense internal bleeding causing them to die within minutes. These Bio Suits are so important for them now days that they have become a part of their culture, where during the rite of passage when a young one becomes an adult in the eyes of the clan an Elerium must actively forge the metals and build their own helmet all by themselves yet each must wear the Colour and Emblem of their clan on their suit whilst also allowing each individual to have a unique Signet on their helmets that shall define them.
Countless thousands of years of evolution on their Home-World made theirs a strict bottle neck of evolution, when their planet performed its cycle around the two suns which was roughly the same as that of Earths. Every ten years the planet would come into close proximity to Tellacite, this proximity would cause a shift of the tilt axis that defined the planets seasons, in essence every ten years depending on the position of the two planets during the passing. The Seasons could either become extensively better or deadly worse, one decade the winters may be generally mild, but the next could bring in a small ice age each year, one decade could have a relatively wet and moisture filled Summer but the next may be one of extreme drought.
This constant shift made all life on their world known to them as Elerius, to be extremely tough and strong, as those who were weak or not strong enough would not survive long and made every living organism generalist and opportunists never able to properly adapt to a single environment as the environment would not always be there. This hardy nature of the planet shaped the culture of the Elerium, because life was so hard, life was considered precious, each new born was protected at great cost and provided for when possible, so much so that in some stories the elderly wilfully committed suicide to allow the necessities required for survival to be given to the infants instead of wasted on them.
As time past and the Elerium became the masters of their world, this belief of life continued into the era of nations, in their case clans. A unilateral system known as the codes of honour and Truth was established to prevent excessive bloodshed and destruction, all the clans of the planet adhered to this structure and belief in the code as it brought order and structure to any conflict that might arise. The code meant that the wars between the clans were without unwanted destruction and eventually allowed the clans to become unified under Clan Imperatous.
Under the Imperatous Clan, the Elerium advanced rapidly in technology as each clan despite being believers in the code of Honour and Truth were nearly all unique in their culture, customs and foods. Thus the advancement came as each clan began working together with the others to advance their combined knowledge.
With the outbreak of the Solar wars, the Elerium were at first quick to join the fighting in order to protect their claims to the resources in the vast Asteroid belt as well as their planets two moons. Often they found themselves at odds with their closest neighbour the Bast, thankfully the Elerium with their code of Honour and truth held back much of their military strength and eventually forged a peace treaty. Sadly the Solar Wars continued and the Elerium maintained their Neutrality, but as the war escalated to more horrific levels including the dropping of small meteors onto Sobar Villages. The Elerium no longer could hold back, some say this was what they wanted, to sit back and allow the other species to weaken themselves to the point that the Elerium could conquer more easily. Peace with the Bast was established fully when the Emperor married a Bast princess thus establishing an alliance through marriage so to speak.
One by one under the Rule of Clan Imperatous the Elerium were able to successfully pacify the other species but at great cost. All the home-worlds of the five species were now facing environmental disasters and were becoming more and more uninhabitable, with estimates saying they would not be able to support life in just one generation. To this end the newly created Imperium undertook the Exodus, the evacuation of every population from the system as well as pieces of their combined cultures, artwork, plants, animals, books, histories everything that made their worlds the way they were.
As the primary military force for the Imperium the Elerium are found nearly everywhere, from patrolling the streets as law enforcement, being soldiers and sailors in the fleets and legion, to being some of the most common military leaders in the Imperium to protecting the Imperial Palace to the Emperor himself. Despite being in essence the left hand of the Imperium with 92% of the Imperial Legion and fleet being Elerium, they still adhere to the traditional Clan structure of their ancestors with each clan being granted their own colony to settle. This is easy to notice as despite the Strength of Imperial rule, each clan is permitted to have their warriors bare the emblem of their birth clan as a mark of respect and recognition.
Another matter of the continuation of the Clan Structure that must be noted is the neccessity of it for personal life. A strange condition haunts Eleriums, for them the clan is not only their people nor just their family it serves metaphorically as their centre of gravity. So much so that loners who have left the Clan or worse been exiled are unable to comprehend living as loners, of all Elerium who have been exiled 99.99999% have died within weeks often wasting away or committing ritual suicide. Those that survive this period of isolation in essence lose themselves and find it impossible to live with others ever again, many of them become as the Elerium say "Ruthless, Ferocious, Soulless.... the perfect hunting and killing machine".
None Founders:
Not all the species within the Imperium are voluntary or founding members, in the aftermath of the Exodus from the Home System, the Imperium expanded its borders in all directions, accepting the inclusion of some species and subjugated others into its power.
The Ocoloa:
Home-world: Oloa
Planet Type: Ocean/Archipelago
Day/Night Cycle: 19 Earth Hours
Solar Cycle: 520 Earth Days
Gravity: 0.598 Earths Gravity
One of the first to join the Imperium and one of the few to be voluntary members, mostly out of an act of desperation, the Ocoloa are a species of sentient fish that come from a world dominated by a giant ocean, the severe temperatures on the few islands make life above the water near impossible, so most life in found in the sea.
Unlike with many other species of the Imperium the Ocoloa had no real competition when it came to survival, they were the top of their respective food chain. When compared to other cultures of the known galaxy, the Ocoloa advanced rather rapidly some researchers and scientists attribute this to the brain building nutrients found in their diet allowing their brains to become larger and more capable as time went on. Soon the Ocoloa were fully developed as a sentient species are had begun tapping the vast amounts of resources that the deep ocean provided, but their true skill came with their medicine, the vast underwater plant life of their home world hid a specific plant that had powerful medicinal properties and could be used in the manufacture of medicines in larger quantities than any other known.
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So for much of their early years as space farers, the Ocoloa spent much of their expertise in the trade of their unique medicines which lead to them becoming experts in the field of medical practice. They joined the Imperium due to this success, which had gained the attention of the Krill, with many of their transport ships being raided by Krill fleets and fearing the immediate attack on their home, the Ocoloa sought out allies. At first they had the idea of joining the Planetary Union as a full member, however the Unions track record against the Krill had been questionable to that point, the Ocoloa needed an Ally that could be relied on.
Seeing the military might of the Imperium, the Ocoloa made their choice and approached the Imperium for membership as a subject state under its protection. The Imperium readily agreed, as by having the Ocoloa on their side then the Imperium had control over the medicines they produced and their medical expertise. Now the Ocoloa are the providers of a good portion of all that is medical for the Imperium, not just its Medicines, but also the various pieces of equipment that hospitals and Imperial Sick bays have need off. With many of the Ocoloa serving in the Imperial fleet and legion as medical officers and aids to other medical personnel, to do so out of the water, they wear special armoured suits that holds a pool of water inside whilst the suit filters the oxygen needed to breath into the water.
They were the last Species to become a member of the Imperium, joining only a year before the Krill war.
The Dale:
Home-World: Dalun
Planet type: Barren/Machine
Day/Night Cycle: 32 Earth Hours
Solar Cycle: 419 Earth Days
Gravity: 0.49 Earths Gravity
Centuries ago the Dale were an organic species of beings that were highly sophisticated and highly intelligent, being able to figure out many questions of their world with relative ease. But what brought their end was their creation of an intelligence that wasn't organic. Many compare the Dale with the Kaylon and their builders, however the current holders of the name Dale, are synthetic beings but they are not the ones directly responsible for the extinction of their creators. Originally the Synthetic Dale were nothing more than simple machines that were used in a variety of different circles primarily to aid the Organic Dale in everyday life. However as time went by the technology used in building the Synths changed and became more as they were being implemented in more advanced tasks, until one day the computer system that monitored them all suffered a major system fault.
Believing the Synths would break down and fail without the monitoring system they worked hard to repair the problem. But when they did so they found a great number of Synths standing around it, these same Synths then asked their creators "Who are we?" this was the moment that the Dale suddenly realised that their creations had become self aware. However unlike others who fear self aware machines, the Dale were in the exact opposite position, they found themselves entranced with their creations and actively tried to help them learn. They did so as they hoped not only as a show of goodwill to their creations but also as a means of figuring out the answer to a question that had haunted them for generations "What does it mean to be Self Aware?"
However this focus on their creations meant that the Dale became blind to a disaster heading their way, by focusing on what was in front of them instead of above them. The Dale completely missed a meteorite coming straight their way, when it was finally noticed, it was too late to do anything but run the numbers for the chances of survival, they were extremely low. Even if the majority of the population survived the initial impact, the blast would cause natural disasters across the planet, in Earth sense the same destruction that ended the Dinosaurs. And that was exactly what happened, untold millions were killed during the blast of the impact, untold more were killed by the molten rock raining down across the planet, from the tsunamis or from the earthquakes. Those that survived suffered a slow death at the hands of decay as nothing would grow with the dust cloud hanging in the atmosphere, soon all that was left of the Dale was their creations.
The Synths cared for their creators as best they could, but sadly without the means of helping them they could only make their final days as comfortable as possible until they were all gone. Respecting their creators, the now solely Synthetic Dale, buried their creators according to their customs and traditions and continued their Creators work. The Dale rebuilt much of the world from the destruction of the meteor impact and built a civilisation that mirrored their creators.
Upon the arrival of the Imperium, the Dale were delighted as they finally discovered they weren't alone as they feared, when the Imperium invited them to join, the Dale readily agreed saying "We do not want to be alone anymore". After many decades of living in isolation, the Dale had become extremely advanced in terms of technology and since they were willing members of the Imperium, they were granted a greater level of autonomy than those who were subjugated. The Dale became the prime providers of advanced technologies required by all within the Imperium whether it was the simplest food synthesizer or advanced computer systems for star ships. Ships that often have a number of Dale aboard as members of their engineering crews.
The Tynne:
Home-World: Tyrenos
Planet Type: Frozen
Day/Night Cycle: 42 Earth Hours
Solar Cycle: 517 Earth Days
Gravity: 0.97 Earths Gravity
From the frost covered world of Tyrenos, the Tynne are a hardy people with a long history of courage and tactical thinking.
Same in biology to most humans, the differences are clear when one sees them, Tynne come from a world of almost permanent winter where the Tynne have a unique protein in every cell of their body that is explicit in the resistance of ice. Since the planet never shifts in its position of winter, every life form on the planet demands this protein, which ensures that even in the harshest of winters and now matter how cold it gets ice crystals do not form in or around the cells. This is what gives them their unique blue skin pigment as well as their distinct white or grey coloured hair.
The planet of Tyernos was excessively harsh as nearly all life was focused in giant underground ice caverns that were heated by either pools of larva from the planets core or by extensive geothermal springs. These locations became prime real-estate for the Tynne during their industrial age as control over them meant control of the only places to house populations and grow crops.
The planets harsh environment lead to them having constant squabbles for precious resources which in turn created a strong military dictatorship during their age of space travel. When they first encountered the Imperium this military Junta sought to fight the Imperium and claim vital resources it needed to fuel its war machine. However not everyone agreed with this thinking, a growing movement among the Tynne wanted an end of the Junta which was funnelling nearly every resource into the military, this faction eventually attempted a coup of its own and asked the Imperium for help when things went bad.
In exchange for the Imperium's help in overthrowing the old government, the Tynne were to join the Imperium as members under the rule of the High Council and swear fealty to the Emperor. The Rebel faction readily agreed and very quickly the Junta was defeated and surrendered, the Tynne were allowed to set up a provisional government as long as this government obeyed with Imperial law and rule.
Many Elerium recognised the ability of the Tynne and found them to be worthy warriors, many clans who served alongside the Rebels during the conflict asked the council for the Tynne to be granted the right to join the Imperial Legion and fleets not only as soldiers but as officers. The Motion was put forward by the Emperor himself and was passed. Now many Tynne serve in the Imperial fleet or among the Legion, serving in a variety of roles, from joining the special commando forces, front line troops, local law enforcement, support roles etc.
The Velinor:
Home-World: Varo
Planet Type: Tropical
Day/Night Cycle: 84 Earth Hours
Solar Cycle: 335 Earth Days
Gravity: 1.0 Earths Gravity
Coming from a dense jungle world, the mammalian Velinor are a species with quick feet or should I say Hooves yes the Velinor have legs more like those of Ungulates such as Deer. The Velinor a humanoid like species that are a blend of various species known to others, their upper torsos are similar to those of other human like alien species howver their skin tone varies in a number of directions, some having bright pink like skin pigments, whilst others have a darker complexion.
Upon their heads are structures similar to antlers, however unlike Ungulate like species of other planets, the Velinor do not renew them each year, once the Antlers begin to grow they remain firmly attached to the skull. The Antlers themselves have special sensory organs that in evolutionary terms allow the Velinor to detect even the most distant or weakened scent molecule.
Although the Velinor are fully capable of space travel in this day and age they tend very much to remain in their home-system, even though they are able to colonise other worlds even when granted such by the Imperium. The reason is that the Velinor are deeply spiritual and much of their culture is focused on their spiritual enlightenment, many of their settlements are in their own language, temples and sanctuaries.
Even though they were brought into the Imperium forcibly to gain full control over a crucial sector of space and ensure that the borders of the Imperium remain secure. The Velinor had no real care in the change of governance, their only request after being brought into the Imperium was that they would be allowed to continue their spiritual beliefs. These beliefs despite being exclusive to the Velinor themselves, their philosophical writings are regarded as some of the best in the Imperium with many of them becoming some of the most treasured social, cultural philosophers of all.
Despite this however, very few people have ever seen a Velinor, despite being given the right under Imperial Law to have a Advisor to the Imperial Council, the Velinor never sent anyone. Even people who go to the Velinor home-world very rarely see the inhabitants unless one visits the temples and sanctuaries. Outside of these locations the most people see is shadows high on rocks, up in the trees or along lakes shores or ocean beaches in deep meditation.
The Gia:
Home-World: Gia
Planet Type: Boreal/Grassland
Day/Night Cycle: 19 Earth Hours
Solar Year: 251 Earth Days
Gravity: 0.4 Earths Gravity
But the only life that is sentient are the Gia, who are divided into two distinct sub species, the Greater Gia that are found in the more open grass and shrublands where the lack of restriction and greater access to direct sunlight allow them to grow larger. Then there the Forest Gia who are roughly the same size as Humans but have more a plant or tree structured body below the "Torso" as the forest environment they live within means they require more roots to gather nutrients from the soil as sunlight is somewhat restrictive.
At first the two races were constantly squabbling between themselves, the Great Gia clearing the forest to allow for more open spaces to live and the Forest Gia planting trees and defending the forests to protect their source of nutrients. Eventually a pact was formed between the two that clearly marked the boundary of the forest and open lands allowing the two to live peacefully.
They like the Velinor were brought into the Imperium without a choice, for their small expanse of space acted as a boundary between the Planetary Union and the Imperium. Alone this meant nothing however, by not being a member of the Imperium, the Gia controlled space created a bulge in the territories of the Imperium, many feared that if war came, the Gia could side with the Union and the Union fleet could use the Gia space to gain access to areas of the Imperium not as well fortified. So the Gia were brought in, although many Gia surrendered without a fight some elements decided to fight, yet when the Imperial Legion brought in flame throwers, the Gia knew they couldn't resist and accepted Imperial Rule.
Despite this pacification, the Gia were very quick to welcome Imperial rule as despite their technological ability, they struggled to perform extensive Colonisation efforts. With the Imperiums help however their few colonies were able to properly set up more permanent roots for the colonists, slowly this aid earned the trust of the Gia who began to question why they resisted in the first place.
The Hish:
Home-World: Hish
Planet type: Tropical
Day/Night Cycle: 76 Earth Hours
Solar Cycle: 135 Earth Days
Gravity: 0.891 Earths Gravity
From a world of near eternal darkness, the Hish are a violent race of creatures that are technically pre space flight in technological terms and some believe they are below even the stone age level. As their levels of violence and aggression make them appear barbaric and extreme to even the most moderate scientist.
The primary reason for their violence and aggressive attitude is believed to be from centuries of living deep underground on their home-world. Discovered only a few years ago, the planet is covered by dense tropical rainforests which are teemed with life of all forms but all of it extremely dangerous, with such a hostile world the Hish prefer to stay underground.
The first encounter with the Hish was accidental, a Mining consortium was granted the right to mine precious minerals on the planet by the Imperium, however after several weeks, the outpost went silent and no communications or activity was detected. Fearing something was wrong, the Imperium dispatched a cruiser to investigate fearing possible attack by the Krill (this was before the Krill war after all). Upon the teams arrival they found the outpost abandoned with hastily built barricades in several hallways and some interior sections sealed off and powered down, examination showed marks from weapons fire and later several bodies. The outpost had made their last stand in the control room and were overwhelmed.
Before they could investigate further, the Team was attacked by the Hish and barely escaped with their lives back to the shuttle, but not before managing to grab the body of one Hish. The autopsy showed many oddities never before seen, the Hish had huge eyes with a number of reflective layers behind the Retina this would give them incredible vision in even the darkest areas of the planet, the structure of the skull showed the supports of strong jaw muscles which were backed up with powerful teeth for hard foods they ate.
The Imperium ordered an immediate quarantine of the planet and extensive research, the reports coming back soon shocked the Emperor, the Council and the entire galaxy. The Hish were not a pre space faring species but thousands of years ago were on the brink of it. Extensive scans of the planets surface and subsurface revealed the remains of a highly developed civilisation, one built by the Hish themselves. On one of the continents the remains of a vast city nearly 50 miles in diameter was revealed through the scans, a city that was surrounded by a series of highly intricate defences to protect its inhabitants from any threat outside including the various giant predators that stalked the jungles.
The next question was what had happened that lead the Hish to come to the point they were at now, the primary theory was horrifying. Upon greater amounts of research, a theory came to conclude that a series of events lead to the city losing its intricate defences through geological activity, which lead to the city being wide open to the predators outside which coincided with a ecological disaster which lead to the predators to focus on a new food supply as ordinary sources were becoming scarcer. With little option open the Hish retreated deep underground for safety into the tombs of the long dead.
Living deep underground the Hish devolved from their place as the top of the planets order to the literal rock bottom, where once they had the understanding of farming and cultivation, they were once again simple hunter gatherers but are primarily scavengers, surviving on eggs, fish, crustaceans etc. They had devolved so much that their only tools and means of protection comes from the bones of their dead and they had lost some of the most primitive means of production including weaving with all methods of clothing being crude knots.
The harshness of their living comes into play when one understands in comparing the two ecosystems, above ground the world is a lush tropical rainforest which teems with all forms of life but then where they find shelter is nothing more than crude hard rock forms. In essence since they have little in the way of construction materials and skills the only place they are able to stay safe is in the vast ancient underground tombs amongst the bones of the long dead.
Due to their aggressive nature and fierce determination to kill anything not a Hish, alongside their position as a none space faring species the Imperium has maintained its quarantine of the Hish home-world and refuses to allow any to venture onto the planet for what ever reason. This is despite the planet having vast quantities of Dysonium.
The Jiluk:
Home-world: Jennar
Planet Type: Tundra
Day/Night Cycle: 89 Earth Hours
Solar Cycle: 473 Earth Days
Gravity: 0.7529 Earths Gravity
Fiercely independent and ferocious in combat, the Jiluk are a reptilian species from a planet of swamps and bogs where they were most tenacious and deadliest predators of their world.
The Jiluk find great purpose in the possession and perception of power, with many fighting in fierce combat to prove themselves the more powerful. Although much changed as their culture evolved, where previously warriors would fight to the death, after an ecological disaster changed their home-world the rules were changed, instead of to the death it would be whomever can wrestle their contestant to the ground and pin them down first.
When the age of space travel came for them, their selfish nature began to grow exponentially, as various factions began to arise from the various colonies they established both within their system and in nearby systems. This erupted into full scale warfare with each colony fighting the others for a variety of reasons, some wanting access to greater resources, others for conquest.
Sadly for them, this constant warfare between them left them wide open to invasion and being by nature not able to properly work together against a common enemy. An enemy that they themselves made, for at first, the Imperium was interested in recruiting the prideful Jiluk as mercenaries soldiers into their Legions, yet the Jiluk they came across killed them and took their weapons and ships for themselves. To the Imperium this was beyond a simple misunderstanding and act of theft of private technologies it was an act bordering on a declaration of War.
When the Imperium showed up to take control over that sector of space, the Jiluk were in no condition to resist despite their attempts, the straw that broke their resilience was when the selfish nature of the Males, brought the final blow, using a mercenary Jiluk, the Leader of the Imperial Campaign Sekmet Tensar managed to place a threat against their people that shook them to the very core. They first annihilated the Jiluk ships and then with the Mercenaries help identified the location of all the settlements where the Females and young were inhabiting.
Sekmet Tensar threatened to utterly annihilate these settlements completely one at a time until the Jiluk surrendered as a whole. At first they didn't believe him, so with the permission of the Emperor he utterly destroyed a settlement of several hundred from orbit with the weak deflector the settlement had failing within minutes. The entire attack was broadcasted live to the entire Jiluk species on open channels so that the entire species could watch the attack, seeing the sheer power that the Imperium had at its disposal and recognising the futility of resistance one by one the Jiluk colonies surrendered.
However throughout the history of the Jiluk in the Imperium there have been numerous small scale rebellions, a number of insurgency and on some occasions outright secessionist movements. Due to their often quick bouts of aggression many businesses do not allow Jiluk inside, especailly casinos, the reason is rather clear when one plays Vardis a form of card game with a Jiluk male. An example was a case on the Station Agravayn where an individual tried to stop a Union officer on board as part of a diplomatic detail to not play and if so to let him win.
When asked "He didn't care when I lost so why should I care if he loses" the reply came back "because you didn't try to tear his body parts off with your teeth when you did"
The Great Clans of Elerium:
The Elerium despite being a leading figure in the Imperium both politically with the Emperor being Elerium as well as militarily with the majority of the Imperial Legion and Fleet consisting of Elerium warriors and officers. The Elerium themselves are still upholders of certain traditions which is respected by the Imperium, they still adhere to the Code of Honour and Truth and are allowed to remain in the clan structure though every member of the Clan has to swear allegiance to the terms of the Rite of Unity.
Since each clan has in effect their own culture and identity they all serve the Imperium in various forms, with each Clan being recognised for certain areas of service to the Imperium. Whilst Each clan is noted for this area of service, each clan as stated is a nation unto themselves with each Clan having a whole colony to themselves where they live in prosperity with settlements providing all the comforts of home. Some say that when looking at an Elerium colony it is hard to recognise the similarities to colonies of the Union. Whilst there are a great number of Clans, there are those that have arisen above all others are regarded as the Prime or Great Clans, those that are noted for their greatness and power.
The military of the Clans are odd when compared to others, whilst they do use weapons such as guns, they also take into combat to honour old traditions a melding modern technology with ancestral weapons such as short swords and spears. Where the edges of the blades are enhanced with thermal edges that allow them to cut into even metal with some degree.
Clan Imperatous: Rulers of all Within
For this reason they have some of the best equipment and most advanced tech available before any others ever hear of them. Some say that by the time the cutting edge technology comes to the Imperial fleet it has already been surpassed by what Clan Imperatous and Clan Avarn now possess.
Those in Clan Imperatous are taught and trained in various arts not only combat but also heavily in politics, governance and diplomacy as many of them will go into politics to uphold their honour and that of their family. With a great number becoming regional governors and leading figures in colonial administration.
Although not the most numerous Clan for the Elerium, not a word has been said a word against them or the Emperor as all Elerium owe much to Clan Imperatous for ensuring that their people and the other founders of the Imperium are able to exist and live in worlds capable of holding life in prosperity.
This trust is returned in the words held within the Imperious unofficial motto
"They Serve the Imperium and We Serve them"
Clan Omagar: The Speakers of the Elerium
While others boast of strength of power in their armies, their warriors, their technology etc. The power of Clan Omagar is that of their political manoeuvring and their almost uncanny ability to understand complex systems of governance.
In the past it was this savvy nature that protected their relatively small clan from outside hostility, but when the Elerium were unified as a species under Clan imperatous, the Omagar were chosen to fill various roles in the unified government. They were so successful in these efforts and roles that when the Imperium was founded Clan Omagar was chosen to represent the Elerium on the Imperial High Council where they would advise the Emperor or Empress on matters of state from the point of view of the Elerium peoples.
Despite the idea that the Elerium already have a view in the form of the Imperium Throne, the laws are clear, the Emperor or Empress must remain neutral for all within the borders of the Imperium. Thus just like the other founders of the Imperium the Elerium have a seat in the High Council.
Since the early days however some have grown concerned especially clan Sekmet, who have come to believe that Clan Omagar have grown rather powerful under the Imperium. Rising up from their status as a relatively small clan, to one that literally sits as the Emperors Right Hand.
The motto of the clan is simple: "Words offer the means to understanding and through understanding we grow"
Clan Avarn: Guardians of He who Rules
Whilst Clan Imperatous rules and governs its is the position of Clan Avarn to protect, since time in memoriam Clan Avarn and Clan Imperatous have been closer than any ally with some stories saying that the bond began when the two clans were born at the birth of two brothers each founding their own clan, but still holding the love of brothers.
The strong and proud warriors of Clan Avarn have protected the Emperors since before the establishment of the Imperium. Even today when threats to the Emperor are near none existent they will never cease their duty to watch over and readily give their lives to ensure the Emperor may live. Unlike the other Protection groups in other species, Clan Avarn are sworn to defend the Emperor and his direct heir, the rest of his family are the duty of Clan Imperatous. Avarn are to only ensure that the Emperor is safe regardless of the cost as well as the next in line to the throne.
Even when not defending the Emperor, the warriors of Clan Avarn do not truly rest, they are constantly training and honing their skills in mock battles with each other where live fire is often practiced to train not only their minds but also their bodies to the pain and anguish they may face in service. Even those who are not warriors, regard the duty of the Clan to be of great pride and respect that they seek only to continue. But one thing is of note just as with all Elerium Clans, the Avarn are devout followers of the Code of Honour and Truth.
A Quote from their oath
"We swear that the blood of an Emperor shall only fall when all ours is spent"
Clan Caladan: Protectors of the Seat of Emperors
But should the Palace be empty their duty remains as long as the Palace stands, Recognisable by their golden suits and decorative armour, it makes them an icon for the Palace. The members of Clan Caladan take the duty of watching over and guarding the palace very seriously, just as in the case of a human unit of guards at a palace on Earth. The Caladan are renowned for their discipline in performing their duty never moving unless the need is required and never speaking to those around them unless the need is required.
Any who attempt to illegally enter the Palace are taken down swiftly and fiercely, although they do not attempt to kill any intruder unless necessary. Many intruders either deliberate or accidental have often been forced to be given medical attention for severe injuries, either from energy burns on certain parts of their bodies or extensive bruising and broken bones from strikes by the weapon themselves or fist or feet.
An unofficial motto of the Clan
"Those who wish to face the Emperor must first face us"
Clan Keldoor: Protectors of those who Advise
As the Emperor has his own force to defend him, so do the Members of the Imperial Council and all the Advisors that support it. Clan Keldoor holds this duty.
Members of Clan Keldoor have protected the Imperial Council and the advisors from the other members of the Imperium since its conception. Wherever a member of the Council goes there is at least 2 members of Clan Keldoor by their side at all times, when in the Council chambers nearly every member of Clan who acts as a protector for the Council are present as the duty of defending them becomes greater when the Council is performing its task in governing and advising on the actions of the Imperium regardless of what it is they may be discussing.
A notice of Clan Keldoor is known when conversations are started, if one was to speak to a member of Clan Keldoor the most one may get is a turn of the head to look at you. Members of Clan Keldoors just like their brethren the Caladan are so focused on performing their duties that they actively undertake temporary vows of silence. This is not only to ensure their focus, but also to ensure that they remain neutral in their position, Clan Keldoor are defenders of the Imperial Council not a part of it, they cannot under any circumstances be allowed to offer their opinion to those they are protecting even if the matter being debated is of Clan Keldoor itself.
Any who violate this rule are immediately removed from their duty and are returned to their home colony where they will stay for the rest of their lives never being allowed to serve as protectors ever again.
Though this may seem harsh, the position of Clan Keldoor is clear
"A single word shall break the trust we bare.... We are Neutral to all but the Rite of Unity"
Clan Hortah: Protection of the Imperial Courts
In terms of law and order, the Imperial Supreme Court ranks the highest, with 5 Judges acting as the highest deciders of Justice in the Imperium, the protection of them and the court itself is consider just as important as the defence of the Council and the Emperor. Yet there are other Courts across the Imperium that are just as important.
It is the honour of Clan Hortah to perform this task, in ages past Clan Hortah were regarded as some of the most lawful of all Elerium clans and were fierce in their enforcement of it. Now they are the defenders of the highest form of Justice which they find an honour to their ancestors.
The Clans warriors are divided into two distinct groups those that actively protect the Imperial Courts, meaning the giant building on the Capital city space station the Imperious, where the actual Court meets to discuss matters of importance and preside over cases of great importance for the Imperium. As well as the building they also serve as the personal bodyguards of the Five judges that make up the Imperial Court with at least two of them being close to the Judge at all times of the day as well as at least some watching over the Judges office.
And there is a second which is more numerous as they have the duty of watching over and protecting the countless courts across the Imperium where they serve just as with the Imperial Courts, guarding the Buildings, Courtrooms and Judges across the expanse of the Imperium.
Just as with Clan Keldoor, the warriors of Clan Hortah are not permitted to speak to the Judges for any reason beyond their duties. For their purpose for being there is to protect the System of the law not decide it, yet unlike clan Keldoor, the Hortah are more severe in their punishment, if any break this rule then they are stripped of any and all ranks and titles and sent home in disgrace.
A Quote of a Clan Hortah Leader
"We stand in the presence of the law and shall defend it unto our final breath"
Clan Zen: Protectors of the Word
Protectors beyond the borders of the Imperium, it is the Duty of Clan Zen to Escort, Protect, guard and Defend the service of Diplomacy.
The Warriors of Clan Zen have had the long standing tradition in protecting the power of the word, believing that no matter can be failed by the proper use of speaking with words than by the sword. Yet this is not always possible so Clan Zen defend it however possible, For this belief the Emperor named Clan Zen to be the protectors of the Imperium's Emissaries, Diplomats and Ambassadors to other Galactic Powers as well as watching over and guarding their Embassies within said powers.
Their belief in this task is so dutiful that the Clan deliberately chose a colour which they believe in ancestral tradition represents the pursuit of peace, White.
In every Embassy of the Imperium, you are likely to find warriors of Clan Zen standing at its entrance both inside and out, with plenty more inside ready to defend the embassy and all those within with their lives. Clan Zen became renowned when the Embassy on Krill was attacked by a mob of citizens, the Warriors defended the Embassy with such determination that the Krill military had to intervene not to stop the attack as it was illegal but because the Zen were cutting down their attackers with fierce zeal.
Yet on one other occasion they were regarded as an insult when the Embassy on Moclus was defended by a number of Females warriors. Despite the request of the Moclans, the Embassy refused to change to a solely male group of warriors for protection, the Embassy responded saying "You follow your traditions. we shall uphold ours.... and nowhere in the Elerium traditions does it say a warrior is solely male"
A Quote of Clan Zen
"Words are far more powerful that the sword, for they can inflict pain and remedy it"
Clan Sekmet: Leaders of War
It is said within the Imperium that while many can rise through the ranks of the Imperial Fleet or within the Imperial Legion.
None can best the ability and skill of tactical warfare when compared to Clan Sekmet, for throughout the history of the Imperium nearly all the most famous, infamous, renowned and well known military leaders have come from Clan Sekmet. The Warriors of Clan Sekmet are often believed to be on a par of skill with weapons, battle, warfare and combat to the greatest sword masters of Clan Avarn.
One cultural differences that separates them from other Elerium clans is that whilst a child in another clan is raised by their birth parents, for Clan Sekmet. The child is raised by the clan as a whole, everyone of the same generation is regarded as a brother or a sister, any one one generation above is a father or mother, two generations is a grandfather or grandmother. And this regardless of whether or not any of them are related or not. This comes into play they are introduced, instead of saying their clan name, their individual name son of this person and this person they would say for example Vargor a Daughter of Sekmet.
Another difference is their attire, whilst most of the Elerium clans have a single preferred uniform style for their Bio-Suits, Sekmet have two, one for ceremony and the other for Battle and everyday use. The Ceremonial attire is more flexible and is more reminiscent of the armour their ancestors wore on their home-world, although still properly sealed for their protection obviously. Even the helmets that encase their heads are in the exact style that the Sekmet Clan warriors would have donned when going into battle. Others might see this as strange, but the Sekmet it is a matter of honour, not only to continue the legacy of the fallen but to also honour the sacrifices of those that came before.
The more standard, everyday battle armour, is more heavily built but precise in its construction, the suit is overlapped with defensive plates of strong alloys for body armour with similar plates on other parts of the body, shoulders, legs, arms etc.
Their renown as skilled warriors was already well known among the Clans of Elerius throughout their history, some legends say that the Code of Honour and Truth began with Clan Sekmet and it was only with the ability and skill of the Sekmet that Clan Imperatous was able to unify the entire planet under them. Yet many names are known through the Imperium who bare the Sekmet clan emblem on their Bio-suits.
Sekmet Ka-Lorr lead the campaign to aid the Tynne rebels in overthrowing their military Junta.
Sekmet Tensar who commanded the Legion that lead the Pacification of the Jelik ensuring their resistance to the Imperium ceased.
Sekmet Forn who lead the Subjugation of the Gia species.
Admiral Sekmet Xetu who lead the Invasion of the Krill Empire after the Krill Attacked an Ocoloa Colony. An invasion so brutal and efficient that the Krill were forced to sue for peace in an effort to stem the losses they were facing.
Commander Sekmet Setarous who lead the campaign against secessionist elements of the Jelik, traitorous Elerium Clans and even Planetary Union sympathisers that supported them.
Despite their service to the Imperium, there are some aspects that cause friction between them and the Imperial Council, Clan Sekmet are fierce believers in the Rite of Unity and the various laws that are held upon it. Some see this as traditional thinking but as the Sekmet point out "The Rite of Unity is what has held us together for so long".
An excerpt from the Oath of Sekmet
"Upon my soul I swear to uphold the Code, to never give up until honour is upheld and truth prevails"
Clan Amalagan: Too Look Beyond and See
Explorers at heart, Clan Amalagan have always been voyagers in one form or another.
Back in history on Elerius, Amalagan were a clan situated on the coast of the planets largest ocean, an ocean that the Amalagan found to be worth exploring. For much of their history, the Amalagan found interest in the knowledge of the world around them, many physical maps that are held within the Imperial Archive and Imperial Libary by the seal of the Amalagan as they were the ones that not only drew them but also mapped the details on them.
Clan Amalagan are also credited in another element of Imperium history, before the Exodus from the home-system, Amalagan became the first explorers to successfully plot out and map each and every planet, moon and asteroid within the system. And when the Exodus came to pass it was the Amalagan who offered to be the first to explore into the unknown and find habitable world for the founders to settle upon.
Even today this sense of Exploration continues, with Clan Amalagan being found on each and every Navigator class vessel in the Imperial fleet where they serve not only as officers, but also as cartographers and helmsmen continueing the age old tradition of their Clan of "Looking beyond and Seeing".
A Quote from a Amalagan Navigator
"We must always look forward for that is where the future lays"
Clan Evet: Enforcement of the Law
Since the conception of the Imperium Clan Evet have been enforcers of the various laws of the Imperium ensuring that the law regardless of how small is followed to the letter. To this end they maintain and work from various Outposts across the Imperium all operating under the direction of the Imperial Security Service headquarters on the Imperious. With the Station itself holding several outposts of its own due to its size, as the station has a population numbering in the Millions, so to this end the Imperious has an entire army of Clan Evet and other Elerium clans to maintain the Law.
But across the Imperium the number varies by the size and importance of the Law, should a planet show a great increase in criminal activity then the Clan shall dispatch a greater number of warriors to ensure that the crime levels are lowered with great determination.
An official quote from a leader of Clan Evet
"The Law applies to everybody"
Clan Highsee: Command of War in the sky
It was solely because of their skill in naval warfare that won them the day, even when facing greater numbers or more powerful foes. Their skill and prowess in maritime warfare made them fierce defenders of their territories during the early centuries of the Elerium Civilisation.
When the Elerium began the process of expanding beyond their home-world it was common to find members of Clan Highsee either on the bridges of a warship or among the various tasks of the crews. But they are not the type to join with those of none military purposed vessels, Clan Highsee are warriors at heart just like the rest of their species but have great preference to fighting with a ship rather than a blade. Many members of Clan Highsee can be found among the ranks of Commanders, Captains, Commodores and Admirals of the Sector and Imperial Fleets, a task they undertake with great focus.
As to them Quoting an Admiral from Clan Highsee.
"We dominate the stars with strength, courage, cunning and Valour... for we are the first line in the sand"
Clan Omeska: Protectors of that which is Sacred
Deeply religious and faithful to the old teachings of the soul and the Gods of the Ancient Elerium, Clan Omeska are the final Clan to uphold the old faith of the Elerium pantheon of Gods whilst also being open to the teachings of science and technology.
In ages past Clan Omeska were the keepers of the sacred temples that were considered neutral ground for all the Clans, something that the Omeska defended fiercely. According to one story a warrior from Clan Highsee and another from Clan Overga became caught in a brawl, the warriors of Omeska broke up the fight and punished the two severely for violating the sacred law of the Temple grounds.
Similar in some resepects to a few clans, those born into Clan Omeska are not raised by their birth parents but by the Clan as a whole, or in the case of the Omeka, they are raised by a the Clan Elders and Spiritual leaders.
Now under the Imperium Clan Omeska continue this age old tradition of neutrality on their colony, whenever a ship approaches they must ensure that their weapons are not capable of firing and their shields be kept down. During the Exodus all sacred texts, artifacts and relics from the different temples were exhumed and brought safely under the protection of Clan Omeska where they settled them once again within newly built temples on their Colony world.
Among them was a prophecy of the return to the Home-System and how a leader shall arise and find the true Codes of Honour and Truth and restore the Elerium to the honour of their ancestors. A leader that can only arise from a field of blood and dishonour.
As well as defending these sacred items and religious sites, Clan Omeska was chosen by the Emperor himself to defend the original Rite of Unity documents which was carved onto stone slabs from each of the five founding worlds. This is a task they deem of great importance and honour for only with these slabs can the Rite of Unity be truly read despite numerous digital copies being held within the Imperial Archives.
To them it is
"Through History can the Future be Decided"
Clan Overga: Warriors in the Stars
In ages past, Clan Overga were not a true Clan that held respect among others, they were seen as sea farering raiders, pirates in all respect, despite holding true to the Codes of Honour and Truth when doing so.
So to compensate their limited resources, the Overga became ocean going raiders, taking from other Clans what they required to provide for their people. This way of life continued until the Unification of the Clans under Imperatous, where with little option open to them with the other clans unified they could not fight them all and so surrendered honourably.
During the days of the Solar wars, it was the task of Clan Overga being experts in combat landings and invasions. They were given the honour of being in Earth Terms the forlorn hope, where they would be the first to land during an assault. It would be their duty to establish a perimeter and allow the real force of the army and heavy weapons protection during their landing, as well as to serve as troops aboard the warships, both serving as security and when necessary repelling boarders or actively boarding other vessels.
This duty has continued into the age of the Imperium, where the warriors of Clan Overga train vigorously in interstellar combat and security protocols. It is common to see them standing guard across the various classes of ships from the Navigator class to the Daedalus class.
A quote of Clan Overga
"We are the first in and the last out"
Clan Praetor: Strength above all
In their history Clan Praetor were seen as strong even among the Elerium, as their mountain home lands made it that only those of extreme strength survived where the most common task everyday was clearing away rocks and boulders after mountain slides.
Praetor became famed for their use of giant warhammers against their enemies in combat a form of weaponry that has remained somewhat in the Imperium, though the size has lessened and their use has become more symbolic.
Clan Praetor are the best users of some of the more technical and heavily armoured vehicles and armoured battle suits (Large mechanized suits of armour) such as the Trudel Exo-Suit, so to this end they alongside other species of the Imperium use them in a style of shock and awe when in combat and the projection of power when at peace such as in the upholding of the law.
This sternness and determination of the clan, also makes them profound warriors, some would say it is insane if not outright suicidal to leap from space and land on a planet. But for the Praetor its their way of showing their courage, when wearing the Exo-Suits of the Imperial military they were more than willing to undertake combat orbital drops regardless of the risk.
As they say
"Strength bring not power... but responsibility"
Clan Raith: Servants in the Shadows
Whilst many would regard an honourable warrior to be one that faces his opponent head on, one must question that of Clan Raith.
Many Clans look upon Raith with mistrust and contempt, for they are known for stealth and cunning in their manner of fighting their enemies. Instead of facing their opponent face to face, they prefer to cut the head of the serpent rather that strike at the heart, using their skills in stealth and infiltration to cause havoc in their wake. To a point that many would refuse to say Clan Raiths name allowed out of fear of a superstition that to name them is to invite them.
In ages past Clan Raith despite following the codes of Honour and Truth often found themselves discriminated by the other Clans and so kept mostly to themselves, yet when Clan Imperatous set forth to unify the Clans under their rule, Clan Raith were approached to aid in the effort under the promise that they would be treated equally. During the Solar wars, Clan Raith found themselves going out actively hunting priority targets, whether they be individuals of importance that required a visit from an assassin or a physical target that needed a saboteur.
This duty continues into the time of the Imperium, where Clan Raith serve proudly with their members joining the various intelligence and Security services, such as the Imperial Security Service as well as the Atharilitus where they act in their age of old profession as spies, assassins and saboteurs. There skills in stealth and infiltration greatly enhanced with the aid of special cloaking technologies that allow them to hide from by eyes and scanners. But even then with all this technology they all carry special poisons on their person not only for targets but also to ensure they are not captured alive.
As saying of the Clans of Elerium on regards of
"Should you name be called.... your world fades to black"
Clan Phoerix: Fire from the Gods
Lovers of fire and ash, the warrior caste of Clan Phoerix have a fondness of elemental weaponry included flame throwers.
In ages past those that would become Clan Phoerix settled in areas where there was the constant threat of volcanic activity with twelve volcanoes surrounding their mountain stronghold, for this reason the Clans settled deep within interconnected tunnel like caverns which were all up high on hills and mountains. The high altitude of the Cave entrances gave them protection from the threat of carpets of invisible, scentless gases that would choke them, whilst the depth of the Caverns protected them from clouds of Volcanic ash.
Deep within these caverns, it was common to come across rivers of flowing larva and magma, which the Clan Phoerix regarded as the planets blood. So they regarded these rivers as sacred and protected them with determination, yet the same larva they protected granted them access to fertile soil which improved their limited crops and the Tunnels allowed them to mine metals and precious stones greatly needed by other Clans.
Their belief in fire and ash came into play when they fought their enemies, using weapons that spewed out bursts of concentrated fire to burn those that got too close. A tradition that they continue for the Imperium, Clan Phoerix is the only clan permitted to use specialised weapons that cause destruction by fire, whether it is hand held flamethrowers to larger artillery pieces that send incendiary shells across distances. Often Clan Phoerix is brought in to destroy that which is illegal, they have been seen working in tandem with the Imperial Security Service, where during sweeps on locations such as Black Markets the service gather everything considered contraband which Phoerix burn alongside the location itself to act as a warning.
A quote from a member of Clan Phoerix
"The Flames of a fire are not a tool... it is a living force that deserves our respect"
Clan Rotari: Swiftness in the stars
Whilst other clans in history tend like to fight on the ground or from the bridge of a ship, those of Rotari like to be much quicker and much closer to the enemy when fighting among the stars.
Those of Clan Rotari are noted as some of the finest Raptor fighter and Mogor bomber pilots the Imperium has to offer, going far back into their history this is a trait that is not new. For during the industrial age of the Elerium, it was the Rotari that were the first to master flight as both a means of travel but more crucially combat.
Commonly aboard the Koloma Class Battlecruisers and Nightrave Class Carriers where they serve as the majority of the qualified pilots for the Imperial and Sector fleets. But none are ever found among the shuttle and transport pilots, this is a matter of their nature, they do not like flying that which they refer to as flying vugars (a species of Elerium herbivore noted for its slow nature). They like to think of themselves as the hunter and the protectors not those that need protection from that which they cannot fight.
This is held in honour as each pilot is respected not by the number of the enemy they destroy but by the success of each and every flite and the manner they fly in. Though the matter of successful "Kill" is still respected with each pilot regardless of what ship they fly like to mark on their craft the number of kills they have. Despite this hot dog nature however, they remember their purpose as pilots in the fleet, those of the Fighters and bombers aboard the Vicrix are well aware of their duty to engage the enemy and keep them away from the heart of the fleet. Whilst those aboard Koloma battlecruiser know their duty is to defend their "Motherships" not go off to gain score points.
A quote from Clan Rotari prayer
" Whomever hears our words.... we ask that we not die within this fight.... yet if our time comes then before our eyes awake, let our souls fly across the star filled landscape"
Clan Catharin: Warriors of precision
By working together these two former enemies showed the entire Imperium that even though they have all once been enemies. It was full possible for them to work together for a prosperous future that benefitted all not just themselves. So Catharin was thrown into the spot light as an example of the Rite of Unity, yet this did not mean they sought service in other forms.
Many of Clan Catharin are brought into the elite Commando units of the Imperium, special forces consisting of all species within the Imperium but primarily the five founders. These units perform actions on behalf of the Imperium that require more specialised soldiers, such as advance recon on enemy strongholds, tactical offensives etc. But they are also called on for tasks within the Imperium aiding the Imperial Security Service in undertaking "High Risk" operations where they would support local law enforcement officers in going up against more hardened or more dangerous criminal elements.
An oddity in the Elerium clans, as they consist of both Bast and Elerium among them, the raising of children is differed and alterantive. Those born as Elerium despite having a Bast parent will be raised according to the traditions of the Bast, whilst those born Bast are raised as a Elerium would and once they reach a certain age they would switch thus ensuring that a child is raised as a hybrid of both species.
A saying of Clan Catharin
" Through pain and joy... one thing that cannot be destroyed.. Is our pride within for we are One Family"
Clan Xan: Outlaws in Service
The bad boys of the Elerium clans, with an open interpretation of the Codes of Honour and Truth, made up of warriors willing to do the unthinkable to achieve success.
Those of Clan Xan are treated with contempt by the other clans of Elerium, for whilst the other clans adhere to the traditions on matters such as the codes of honour and truth. Xan are very different, they are more open in its interpretations as the original writings of the Code were lost long ago during the Exodus, a great shame for the Elerium as it was the most important element of their culture they were unable to save.
For this reason each clan has an different understanding of the Code and as such no clan has the exact same thinking for Honour and truth. For the Xan they believe that the elements of the Code that define the protection of those in need applies to only those who are friends of the Elerium so in their eyes the only people who deserve such protection are those of the Five founder of the Imperium and no one else.
Due to this open thinking, the Imperium often call on Clan Xan to perform actions that others would refuse to undertake due to their ideology and beliefs. This includes things like torturing of prisoners, although the Imperium banned such methods, it is permitted to be performed by Clan Xan as long as they have full authority of the Emperor and the Imperial Council.
Another difference between them and the other Elerium clans is that the Xan are more open to other weapons for combat, whilst they still hold onto the traditional short swords of their ancestors. They are more willing to use weapons that more resemble guns. These weapons are rapid firing energy weapons that fire in short 3 shot bursts but can be made to fire more with rapid use of the trigger mechanism.
The Imperium often task Clan Xan on missions that demand plausible deniability, often to cause trouble for other beyond the borders of the Imperium such as the Krill Empire and the Planetary Union.
A quote of Clan Xan during a talk with a Union Diplomat
"Sometimes a glorious peace requires... doing what must be done.... for sometimes the End truly justify the Means"
The Military of the Imperium:
The military of the Imperium is under the direct control of the Emperor who delegates the approval of leaders to different fleets, armies and garrisons. In times of peace, the Armed forces of the Imperium serve as Gendarmerie where the army and fleet serves as law enforcement for the Imperium territories. But when in war they become a highly organised force that has been regarded capable of out performing even the combined efforts of the Union and Moclan fleets.
In terms of their fleets, the ships are divided into various sector fleets and the Imperial fleet, the number of ships within the sector fleets depends on the size of the sector they are responsible for. Each Sector fleet is made up of the same system of warships and other vessels, the heart of the fleet would be the Daedalus class which serves as the primary power of the fleet as well as the command ship, surrounding it would be several smaller vessels including at least two Destroyers, a few corvette class vessels that would provide protection to the bigger ships, a science vessel and a navigator class.
Unlike with other powers, the Imperium fleet is strictly militarized, with the ships being solely warships and nothing else unless tasked different such as science and navigator class. Whilst the Planetary Union has Exploratory vessels such as the Orville which not only explore space but also investigate and undertake tasks when required, the Navigator class vessels of the Imperium are only explorers, they are to only map out the stars and provide advanced details and warnings of what lies ahead.
When it comes to the matter of Sector fleets, they duties are divided up in peace and war times, during times of peace. The majority of the Sector Fleet would remain in proximity to the Sector Station, their primary space station that supports them with supplies, refuelling and shore leave for their crews whilst also acting as a command centre for the sector. This usually involves the larger vessels that are to act in support of anti criminal activities, but usually stand watch over colonies or systems, whilst smaller vessels such as the Corvettes and a small number of cruisers perform the standard patrol routes in their sector.
In war time however, these Sector fleets primarily continue the same role with the constant patrolling of their sectors to ensure that no enemy presence is discovered. However unlike in the case of the peace time patrols, this time the fleet mostly sticks together and only divides itself as and when necessary, yet even then they remain in proximity to provide reinforce each other should any problems occur.
The same is not of the Imperial Fleet, unlike that of the Sector fleets, the Imperial Fleets are solely wartime navy. When not in a time of war, the Imperial fleets are found in temporary reassignment protecting key military installations as well as the Imperious space station. In war time whether internally or externally it is the purpose of the Imperial Fleets to lead the assault against the enemy, they are the only fleets to ever truly leave the territories of the Imperium to engage the enemy on its own turf. Regardless of which fleet a ship belongs too however they are all thoroughly maintained, upgraded and if necessary replaced to ensure that no matter its purpose they are able to undertake the tasks required of them with efficiency.
On matters of the fleet standard protocols there are four levels for the crew to understand and recognise during certain times, these are akin to actions stations.
Level 4 - Standard operations in Safe harbour or friendly space - Personnel on standard cycle rotation of 5 hours on duty 8 hours off.
Level 3 - Standard Operations within Patrol zone - Personnel on standard cycle rotation of 6 hours on duty 8 hours off.
Level 2 - Standby stations - All Personnel to be at the ready for call to Level 1 as possible combat action may be present.
Level 1 - Actions Stations - All Personnel are to be in their assigned combat stations whether on duty or off and are not allowed to leave until threat level is lowered to Level 2. Unless ordered to or required to if injured.
In addition to the primary ships the various ship types are improved on with the addition of various shuttle craft, with all having light shuttles that are solely for the use of transporting people whilst some would also have larger shuttle craft for the transportation of not only greater numbers of people but also equipment and materials.
Smaller ships such as the Navigator and Morga Classes have only 2 light shuttles, whilst the Odeia have two light shuttles and one Heavy shuttle. Frigates have only two heavy shuttles for transport of munitions, cruisers and destroyers house 3 light shuttles and two heavies and the Daedalus and Nightraves have five light shuttles and 4 heavies for support.
Ship and vehicle classes and Purposes:
The Imperious:
Built centuries ago during the Exodus from the Home-system, the station was intended to act as the primary form of transportation from the home system during this time and later would serve as the political, military, economic and cultural heart of the Imperium.
Unlike other space stations across the galaxy that are almost fixed into place, the Imperious is capable of self transport, using an incredibly advanced and powerful quantum drive that allows it to be moved for security reasons should a threat appear. As well as this the Station is more open when compared to others, using special deflector and shield systems similar to those used in hanger bays of all space stations and ships. The population of the station are able to look up and see actual stars in the sky regardless of which arm of the station they are on.
At any one time there can be well over 20 million people living on the Imperious, some akin it to a floating city in the stars, which it truly is. With not only giant "Skyscrapers", but also giant open parks for people to enjoy leisurely walks among real plants grown on the station. It even has hydroponic gardens to grow special foods and recycle the atmosphere and water supplies.
There are even facilities such as ore refineries and smelting facilities allowing the Imperious to mine and produce the necessary resources needed to maintain itself. It has a giant docking area where each day hundreds of ships from across the Imperium and later the Planetary Union coming and going delivering resources, people and trade. At one end of an arm however is an area known as the Space Dock a section exclusively for the upkeep of larger ships and when required, the construction of entirely new ones.
But at the heart of it all are Five key buildings that have great importance not only for the Imperious but the Imperium as a whole. First is the heart of government, being the Imperial Palace where the Emperor lives and meets with members of the Imperial Council and the Advisors. Second is the Imperial High Court that acts as the highest law body in the Imperium, the Imperial Academy where young minds are trained and taught in all matters of the Imperial Legion and Fleet. The Imperial Admiralty that serves as the high command of all Imperial and Sector forces across the Imperium, the Atharilitus Headquarters where all matters attaining to the various intelligence agents and operatives are co-ordinated and the Imperial Security Service, which serves as the Imperious's prime law enforcement body, with neraly 1 million law enforcement officers actively serving to keep the station safe.
X-ar class Light Shuttle:
The standard form of transport for the Imperial and Sector fleets when it comes for the moving of personnel from one ship to another or onto a planet. These vessels are similar in size to those used by various other powers, capable of transporting a number of people with the maximum limit due to space being close to 30 human sized individuals.
However unlike those shuttles used by the Union, the X-Ar are more heavily fortified with stronger deflectors and heavy armaments including Whirlca missile launchers to aid the vessel in defence of itself or other ships. As even though it is a transport should the need require in times of import or emergency these shuttles can be dispatched to serve similar roles as fighter craft.
Telus Class Heavy Shuttle:
Compared to its smaller brother, the Telus is more closer to the speed of a small transport vessel, with smaller ships being able to run rings around it easily. As well as this the power of their engines proves to be difficult in the manoeuvring of the ship, hence why whenever the ship is turning in a shuttle bay it is carefully guided by various systems both in the shuttle and in the shuttle bay. A single slip could be disastrous for them.
The amount of space the Telus provides makes it a vessel used in various means, on the one hand the Telus could be used as a transport for scientists and researchers wishing to move equipment and discoveries to and from a planet. Or the ship could serve a military purpose transporting troops and supplies during ground operations.
Venis Class Patrol craft:
Small and swift, the Venis is not for long range or interplanetary service.
With its limited quantum drive capabilities, the Venis is instead reserved for local system patrols these vessels are often found around space stations, colonies and of course the Imperious no matter the location however they serve a singular role as local defence and patrol ships for law enforcement and customs.
The Venis are smaller than even the Navigator class vessels, as they are not intended for extended use, instead these ships use the local space port or station to serve as their hub. From these locations they perform constant patrols around both the colonies within the system but also on the planets themselves assisting local law enforcement in the maintaining of law and order.
For this reason they lack any kind of significant fire power, though they are armed with a single standard phaser launcher on their bows to serve as a form of defence against any would be danger they face during their duties. And since they never leave their system, they do not hold any kind of amenities onboard as there is the clear lack of need for them. This means that the ships have a relatively small crew roster, being no more than 20 members, most of whom are likely to be of the Imperial Security Service instead of the Imperial Fleet. Not only the members of the actual crew, but also the pilots of X-Ar class light shuttles which the Venis class are able to house at least two of them to act as support craft in performing these duties.
On average every colony and every station has at least 5 of the Venis Class patrol craft for service at any one time, though locations such as the Imperious have many more due to the higher population.
Navigator Class Exploratory vessel:
Like that of ships such as the Orville, Navigator Class ships also include the extended families of the crew, yet the number is strictly limited due to living space. The number of people on board a Navigator class is never any higher than a Hundred, so for the most part the majority of the non active personnel are the husbands, wives and children of the crew.
Navigator vessels have a singular purpose and that is to map and chart the galaxy and identify locations of importance for other vessels. Should they come across a spatial anomaly or something of Scientific import then they shall mark on the Imperial system for a science ship to investigate after which they will move on.
The ships of the Navigator fleets are not military warships, they do not have any weapons of significance, though they do have small phasers to to use in clearing debris or obstacles in their path these weapons are unable to match up the fire power of even a Morga class Corvette. One feature they possess that disconnects them with the majority of other vessels of the Imperium is the use of the Simulators, Navigator class vessels are one of the few types of ships that are allowed to have them. Since Navigator ships are often away from Space stations, star hubs, fleets etc for long periods of time Simulators are a means for the crew aboard to destress.
As well as this the Navigator class have on board 2 X-Ar class Light shuttles that act in conjunction of the ship itself in the performing its duties allowing them properly map out a system much quicker and in greater detail.
Odeia Class Science vessel:
Ships built with all kinds scientific equipment and research labs, those of the Odeia class are ships solely designed, built and used for scientific research. Whilst some would consider the specialisation of each ship for the focus of research, it was deemed easier and more efficient to have each ship capable of a wide variety of research purposes. These include the study and research of Anomalous event and locations, biological, chemical, planetary and various other research purposes.
Odeia class vessels are of significant size difference to the Navigator class being of greater size being closer in size to a small cruiser. But due to the sensitivity of scientific research and the need for careful management of everything on board. Odeia vessels are not permitted to have extended family onboard with the crew being solely the researchers and support personnel.
When not on active research missions into locations and other important elements identified by the Navigator vessels, the Odeia class are found dock at orbital research stations that are built at locations of scientific import. These stations are for the purpose of more in-depth research and analysis of what the ships have uncovered, as well as allowing the researchers and support staff to be able to recover their morale and indulge themselves in the amenities the stations offer.
To assist the scientists onboard, the Odeia have aboard the standard compliment of shuttles, in their case two X-Ar light shuttles for the scientists to use directly and the much larger Telus class for the transportation of their equipment when working on a planet.
Morga Class Corvette:
Small and nimble, quick with their manoeuvres and accurate with their light armaments. Named after the Angels goddess of the flight.
Morga Class are roughly the size of Science class vessels used by the Planetary union, with the strict design of ease of movement and manoeuvres. The focus of the Morga class is to act as Corvettes, their job in battle is not to engage large ships but to provide cover for larger vessels, though lacking in armour their deflectors are strengthened as are their engines allowing them greater speed of movement. This allows them to avoid the incoming fire from larger vessels.
But for their armaments the focus is primarily the destruction of small ships such as fighters, bombers and shuttlecraft. These armaments include two standard stormfire phasers on their bows for direct engagement, as well as four point defence cannons, two on starboard, two on port that are extremely accurate laser systems that can pick off enemy fighters when in range thus granting a level of protection to other ships. As an added bonus the Morga class are also given two small Whirlca missile launchers, these fire bursts of small missiles that although do not do a lot of damage to ships of considerable size, when up against ships of similar size however these can cause a great amount of damage and even if it doesn't they can cause a ship to lose its deflectors.
The most common task of a Morga class Corvette is to provide a shield of protection for larger ships that lack the necessary weapons to engage smaller fighter craft. But in times of peace these ships act as a vanguard when patrolling their respective regions of space as their swift movement make them excellent ships to combat criminal elements such as pirates and smugglers.
These ships are relatively small and as such lack certain amenities that are common with similar sized ships elsewhere. Though the Imperium does allow for the including of a section of the ship to be reserved for the use of recreational activities. On average Morga class corvettes have around 200 crew aboard at any one time but since it is a military vessel non fleet personnel are not permitted aboard.
Normally per Sector fleet and Imperial Fleet, there are always at least 12 Morga class corvettes, though more can be transferred to a specific fleet should that fleets mission be deemed of great importance.
Sobet Frigate Class:
Heavy hitters but easy on the defence, these are the Sobet Class Frigates. Sobet was considered an renowned warrior of the Sobar people, who went toe to toe against their planets top predator and survived thanks to his powerful weapons.
Sobet frigates are built with all their armaments pointed directly forward these include powerful Tacton mark plasma phasers with each ship having at least six of these cannons on their bow. As well as this they have four Photon torpedo launchers along the side of their hulls two on each side but like the phasers they all point forwards.
The reason for the positioning of these weapons all faced forwards is due to the purpose of the Sobet class in engagements with enemy ships. When coming out of their FTL jumps they take up positions around the Fleets core ahead of, on the flanks of, above and below the Daedalus class and Carriers, from this position they will set up what the Imperial fleet com refer as a Fire Wall, where the concentrated heavy firepower of the Frigates denies the opponent the ability to move any ships of considerable size into close proximity of the fleet or more specifically a distance away from ships that are not as quick or manoeuvrable or lack more powerful weapons like the Nightraves.
Sadly a side effect of this heavy armaments means that the Sobet lack effective deflectors and rely more on their armour and the surrounding Fighters, Corvettes and Destroyers to protect them from enemy vessels. Frigates never leave their fleets, as their structure, armaments and slow movement make them unlikely ships for patrolling regions of space, so for this reason these ships do not have recreational amenities as the fleet vary rarely leaves their Home Space station which acts as the Hub for the fleet. On average a Frigate will have close to 400 personnel aboard.
Corvus Destroyer Class:
Ships of relative manoeuvrability and with heavy firepower the Corvus Class Destroyer is a ship designed to give a powerful hit at closer range.
Whilst the Frigates hold back and defend the fleet, the purpose of the Corvus Destroyers is to move in and engage the enemy directly and press their position, not only as a means of breaking the enemy line but also to defend their own fleet. If the enemy is too busy defending their own ships then they can't worry about the larger vessels coming forward.
Corvus class destroyers are set up with a variety of weapon systems on board, unlike the frigates that have heavy armaments all facing forwards. The Corvus have their weapons properly arranged around the ship, these include six plasma phasers, two on the bow with four more on either side of the ship allowing the ship to fire and vessels regardless of their position in relevance of the ship itself. Whilst ships such as the Sobet frigates rely on their heavy armour to protect them, Corvus focus more on their deflectors, as they are the ships to get in and amongst the enemy, armour would slow them down so they rely on Deflectors more. This way should the deflectors begin to fail then they are not slowed down by tough armour to pull a retreat manoeuvre.
Destroyers very rarely leave their respective fleets and even when they do they never go alone, often in either three or four often on quick response operations, such as pirate attacks. The average Destroyer has around 400 crew members aboard and like other warships does not allow non crew members to be aboard unless explicitly ordered too. On average there are always 10 destroyers for each sector fleet though more can be transferred when required.
Zelus Class Cruiser:
A ship of multi purpose roles, the Zelus class cruiser was designed to act as both a military vessel but also as a support ship and perform actions such as anti pirate raids.
The ship was built to a fill the role of long distance patrols, the Zelus is often the ship that accompanies other smaller vessels such as Navigator class and Odeia class science ships during their travels across the galaxy serving primarily as a form of extra protection for the ships when required. Those cruisers not performing the action of defending smaller class of vessels that are not military specific, Zelus Class ships are often the ones found patrolling the different solar systems and along the borders of the Imperium's territories.
In terms of armaments, the Zelus class rank as moderate with various phasers pointed at the bow and some along the sides to grant some extra strength in battle, to back these up the ship has nine torpedo tubes four on the bow below the phasers and five on the stern. However unlike other vessels, Zelus class cruisers are allowed a variety of different kinds of torpedoes, from plasma to tactical warheads, that do not do extensive damage but are designed to punch through the deflectors of large ships. Aboard is a relatively small hangar bay for a small compliment of fighters, however these are solely for support roles, in combat they provide direct protection for the cruiser and when not in combat they aid in the ship in performing its duty as a patrol ship by performing distant patrols around the ships location.
However due to the shape and style of the ship, the hangar is not actually able to properly launch the fighters, instead they are loaded onto a rail that shoots them out of a shielded launch tube at great speeds. And when it comes down to landing back onto the ship, the fighters have to came around to the ships stern and enter the main shuttle bay.
Since Zelus cruisers are often on long range patrols and distant missions, the Zelus class was built with two simulators onboard to allow the crew the ability to destress and be able to perform more relaxing activities. On average the Zelus class has a crew of 900 personnel with an additional contingent of 300 Imperial Marines and the single squadron of fighter pilots. On average each sector fleet would have up to 7 Zelus class cruisers in their fleet, whilst the Imperial fleets could have up to 8 when active in times of war.
Koloma Class Escort Cruisers:
Whilst the Zelus class are built to fight enemies in what ever position, the Koloma are built only for protection of other ships. They are often regarded as the final line before the Carriers and Daedalus, for they won't move any distance from those very ships regardless of the situation around them.
Koloma class cruisers have armaments that match this purpose, with phaser weapons of varying degrees that allow them to go up against ships of different sizes. Against larger vessels they use the more powerful main battery on the bow but against smaller vessels they switch to the whirlca missile batteries and point defence batteries to weaken those ships for the circling fighter wings. Speaking of which, the Koloma are the only vessels excluding the Nightrave and Zelus classes to have a compliment of fighters aboard, however the two squadrons per ship are solely for the same job of the Cruiser, protection of the vessels around them.
Koloma class never leave the main body of the fleets, since their purpose is made very clear they do not perform any action such as patrolling or investigation. They only move when the Daedalus and Nightrave are required to move in response of a situation. For this same reason the Koloma do not have any amenities though the construction did involve an open space at the heart of the ship for the crew to use however they wished recreationally. The Average crew compliment are similar to the Zelus class, only the Koloma do not have a contingent of Marines, instead obviously each ship has two squadrons of fighter pilots and engineers that are focused on the maintenance of these fighters.
Each fleet would have up to three Koloma class ships in their repertoire at any one time.
Daedalus Class Dreadnought:
The powerhouse of all Fleets, the Daedalus serve as the heaviest and strongest of all Imperial ships in the Imperium whilst also serving as the command ships for their respective fleets.
These ships are by far the largest with each ship having close to 9,000 people on board at any one time and those are solely the crew members. Since the ship is so large, it was granted the right to allow non crew members on board, so members of the crew are allowed to bring their families and loved ones aboard for the duration of their service on the ship. However a strict rule is in place that should a time of war be declared those who are not of the active service crew are to disembark at the nearest station for transport home.
Heavily armoured with multi layered hulls and some of the most powerful deflectors of all ships, the Daedalus can take a punch and give an even harder one in return. Upon the bow is a weapon that is said to be able to outclass any plasma based phaser, a highly powerful tachyon lance that can rip through ships with ease. However the cost of this is the timing of each shot, as the weapon requires extensive cool down and charging after each use, so the use of the lance is restricted to enemy vessels of most importance or greatest threat to the fleet. As well as this powerful Lance weapon, the ship has other more standard weapons, including standard plasma phasers across the length of the ship and powerful Neutron launchers, similar to torpedoes, these torpedo like projectiles cause enormous amounts of damage when they impact.
To back up the abilities on ground forces however the Daedalus class is also outfitted with storage bays and barracks for the housing of considerable ground forces that may be transported between planets. Often however these facilities are not needed and are used mostly by the onboard detachment of marines. The power of the Daedalus class however is a closely guarded secret, the construction of Daedalus class vessels are done in stages by different engineers in different classified locations this is to ensure that no one location has the complete plans and is only to perform a single stage of construction this way the plans are kept safe and secure.
For the most part however the Daedalus acts as the command vessel, organising and orchestrating the actions of the rest of the fleet under its command. Usually the Admiral of the fleet or in the officer in operational command of a mission, campaign or attack is located on the Daedalus where they are usually found on the bridge of the ship or just behind it within the Command In Control centre or CIC. as well as this the ships are allowed to have several kinds of amenities on board, since the ship is so large. They are allowed to have on board, 4 restaurants, 3 bars, 2 training and practice facilities for the crew and especially the marines, a maintenance bay for smaller vessels such as shuttles and if needs be fighters and nineteen simulators.
Nightrave Class Carrier:
Unlike other powers and species of the wider galaxy, the Imperium have a ship that is specifically meant for the transport, launching, resting and maintenance of fighters and bombers. Nightraves are built for this sole purpose, having larger and wider frames when compared to other military vessels used by the Imperium. Much of this space is meant for the storage of fighters and bombers as well as the engineering sections required to make sure that the so called flight deck remains open for incoming and outgoing fighters.
The Nightraves use a similar style of launching the fighters and bombers as the Zelus class, but on a greater scale. The Nightrave has a long launching and landing bay that run the length of the ship from bow to stern, the ships are fixed to a rail that literally flings them forwards towards the bow at high speeds. When it comes to landing the entrance of the landing bay is located between the engines at the stern.
The rest of the ship is for crew quarters that provide a modicum of luxury for the various crew members whether they are the pilots flying, the deck crews servicing the different craft, the engineers keeping them fixed and ready to go to the officers and crew manning the bridge. At most you are likely to find roughly 4,500 people on board the Nightrave class.
Similar to the Koloma, the Nightraves never leave the proximity of the Daedalus, not only as they are to remain at the heart of the fleet, but also because the Nightraves are heavily reliant on the ships around them for protection. To grant greater ability for the fighters and bombers they house, the Nightraves have very little when it comes to defensive weaponry, for the most part they have some Point Defence systems near the launch ports where the fighter and bombers launch from the carrier as well as the landing bay. These are to provide the pilots a level of protection as they launch and land when they are at the most vulnerable.
Viper class Fighter:
The standard fighter craft for the Imperium, the Viper class was chosen due to its specific sleek design and manoeuvrability in combat. Unlike other fighter craft that were proposed, the Vipers possess the ability to perform swift movements and sudden halts so in combat they can switch from the fast movements of a fighter to the slow and steady performance of a shuttle.
This alongside their armaments of forward facing phasers allow them to preform multiple actions and serve in multiple roles. They can act as direct combat patrols around larger ships and engage enemy fighter craft whilst also being able to provide supporting fire for ground forces beyond simple strafing runs. The Wings of the Viper class are retractable depending on the motion of flight they can extend to allow the engines systems attached greater power thus giving them more speed.
Or they can be retracted closer to the body which would give the pilot much greater control of the vessel when performed manoeuvres and avoiding enemy fire. In terms of armaments the Viper class have two forward mounted Phaser lock weapons that fire concentrated plasma at a target however the power of these weapons are changeable on the fly, against heavier targets the pilot can augment the weapons so that they fire slower but with greater power or can loosen them so they fire faster against their target. Vipers lack heavy armours when compared to the fighters of other powers in the galaxy relying instead on its multi layered deflectors and the swiftness the craft grants its pilot to avoid taking damage.
Oxon Class Bomber:
To the knowledge of the Imperium they are alone in the matter of bomber craft. Whilst other powers would focus on fighter craft and other vessels, the Imperium still holds some confidence in the power and use of bomber craft in their military fleets, whether this be for engaging large enemy vessels or performing bombing runs against ground targets on a planet.
That is why the Oxon class is still in use, this craft is twice as large as the Viper and require two qualified individuals in order to properly work the ship at its systems. Direct command is in the hands of the pilots whilst the controls of the bomb bay and torpedo systems are the responsibly of the Gunnery chief who sits fore and below the pilot in the cockpit and finally a gunner who operates the weapons systems of the bomber who sits next to the Pilot.
During deployments the Oxon can be implemented depending on its role in an operation, if engaging enemy vessels then the ships bomb bay will store only anti ship torpedo's instead of standard plasma bombs which are used only for planetary assaults. The Oxon is also armed with standard Phaser weapons systems one on its bow and one on its tail for defence against enemy fighter craft.
This focus on heavy weapons makes the ship vulnerable to weapons fire, so like with the heavy shuttles the Oxon has powerful engine systems to give it an extra boost in speed and manoeuvrability as well as greater deflectors for defence against incoming fire. However even then the bombers rely greatly on the support and protection of Viper squadrons to protect them from enemy fighters. Unlike the fighters they do not have a so called V-tol mode for flight, so when they perform their bombing runs on planets they come in at varying altitude depending on the designated target where they fly over and drop their bombs.
Ardel Exo-Suit:
These can be simple hands for tasks that require grasping hands and digits for grabbing, magnetic claws for lifting and carrying of cargo and large crates. Mainitence tools including welding and dewedling equipment and so on.
These suits are used so much that they are found in every industry of the Imperium, the Imperial Engineering Corps use them for all kinds of tasks from construction, deconstruction and the maintaining of the various ships in the fleets. Some engineers say that the use of the suits actually cuts down the time needed for certain tasks and jobs they undertake as the expense of energy for the suits pilot is almost none allowing them to work longer without growing tired.
Trudel Exo-Suit:
Similar in size to the Ardel suit, the Trudel is a solely military and law enforcement built Exo Suit granted only for the Imperial Navy, Legion and Security services.
These suits are of the same size and exoskeletal type as the Ardel, however they have much stronger armour plating and greater speed of movement as they are not built to carry heavy loads but to provide heavy fire power. Like the Ardel its arms are modular with various different configurations depending on the task required, these can be rapid fire Phaser weapons, heavy Phasers and even shoulder mounted heavy cannons.
In military terms these suits are used as a form of shock force, often deployed in the wake of ground troops. The strong systems onboard including specialised deflectors that grant them a greater level of damage absorption allow them to literally fall from orbit, that's right Trudel are launched from the drop ships and land directly onto the battlefield and straight into combat. As well as this they act as a support vehicle providing supporting fire for ground troops with their different weapon systems.
When it comes to law enforcement however these suits are limited to stun weapons and deployed for special operations such as protective details, suppression of riots, protest observation etc.
Glamdil Class Stealth Cruiser
The only ships that go any where alone, the Glamdil class stealth cruisers are used solely for the purpose of servicing the Atharilitus.
Within the ships are a series of highly classified components that allow the ship to be completely invisible both visually and to scanners thus enabling them to avoid detection and infiltrate even the most secure region of space. The details of such technologies are highly restrictive with only those designated to work those systems being allowed to know how they work. And even then the ships are like the Daedalus in that they are never built in a single location but are built in stages by different shipyards so that no one location has the complete plans. Onboard are a series of smaller vessels of similar design and capabilities including Stealth shuttles that are used to transport personnel on or off the ship undetected.
Glamdil cruisers are primarily infiltration vessels that serve to support intelligence operatives of the Atharilitus whether that includes delivering the operatives to a region of space or a planet where they are to operate, retrieving operatives from non imperial territories, actively observing ships of other powers directly or by intercepting communications between the ships and various others across the galaxy.
Those serving aboard Glamdil cruisers are of deep commitment as once they leave the space station or dock they go into a state of communicator silence with the only communications coming from the ship are heavily encoded and hidden by a Scrambler system onboard that masks their outgoing communications. And all these communications are for the transference of information to and from the ship and their designated Intelligence Chief.
Characters of Importance:
[ Readers notice anything in This font is part of the plot so is what the Characters would be reading in the story, anything not in that font is the overall character story and how they fit in without any spoilers for the future story obviously.]
Under the Terms of the treaty of Falix 9, the Imperium grants access of the Public Records to the Planetary Union and all of it Officers and ships.
Sekmet Set:
Public Record Only:
Born to the Sekmet Elerium clan, he was trained in the same manner as his brethren from a young age, passing the rite of passage and became an adult by tradition.
Sekmet Set served in the Secession crisis of 2405-07 against Rebellious elements of the Jiluk alongside a small number of rebellious Elerium Clans. It is known that he served at the pivotal battle of the Oloran nebula where the Fleet under Sekmet Setarous foiled the secessionist plan to entrap the Imperial fleet, by using the Nebulas blocking of scanners and communicators to hide their main fleet.
He then appears again in the military records during the siege of Minsiv a Secessionist stronghold in the same system, it is recorded that he fought in the forlorn hope when the strongholds defences were breached.
Was arrested under a warrant of the Imperial Council after he repeatedly breached Imperial law in full awareness of his actions. After a short trial, Sekmet Set was stripped of all commendations, titles and ranks he had earned in his life and was sentenced for Exile in disgrace in 2409.
Final sighting of Sekmet Set was when he his Exile came into effect and was left at an open trading port at the Imperium's border, as per the law of the Elerium people by tradition, Set was relinquished of his clan name and given the Exile name, so legally he can only be referred to as Li'sinu Set, meaning Set the Outcast.
Sekmet Set is a troubled soul, having witnessed a great atrocity committed by the Imperium and knowing full well that the same atrocity had been covered up by the true power in the Imperium. Things got severely bad for him after what he had seen and he fell into a deep depression that sent him further down the spiral to the point that he ended up become an excessive drinker of alcoholic beverages, claiming it was the only way he could sleep.
Eventually he went out on his own with a clear intention, stealing an Imperial Shuttle in the process, many feared that given the extent of his depression, he intended to commit suicide. Yet one day he suddenly he returned and was a changed individual with many of his associates and fellow Sekmet Clan members noticing this saying it was as if he had a vision by the Gods.
However he had committed a crime by stealing the shuttle and since he was an active service member of the Imperial military he was liable for a court-martial however he made plea for his words to be heard by the Imperial Council. Since he served with honour before this event and was of a highly respected clan, the plea was given, however officially nothing came of it and was sentenced to exile in disgrace.
With no other options open to him, Set found his way to an small planet on the cusp of Union space, where he found himself a small homestead. An old mining facility that still had much of the equipment in relatively working order, the world he was on was called Scav and was deserted for the most part except for a few small mining settlements that had been abandoned. Set took one of the old locations for his new home and began restarting the process of mining the minerals the planet still held.
His newest home was set on high cliff overlooking a large oasis in the middle of the rock and sand desert covered planet. For years Set remained mostly alone on the planet, harvesting minerals and growing a small garden next to the oasis, he fashioned himself a transmitter and beacon to send out an automated message telling any passing ship that he was open to trade.
This message was picked up by the USS Orville, during a trip to a research station, curious by the signal from a deserted planet. Captain Ed Mercer and his first officer Kelly Grayson alongside their chief of security Alara Kitan found Set tending to his Garden when they landed, surprised to find a Elerium so far from the Imperium they were relatively cautious as they had all the stories of lone Eleriums becoming ruthless killers for hire.
Set however proved their fears unfounded and offered them food and water in his home, where he tended them graciously as a host should. When they asked what he was doing on the planet, he explained that he was living out his Exile, as well as searching for a reason to live beyond just existing. They encountered his small armoury of weapons all of which had been salvaged from the various wrecks left behind or dumped on the planet by everyone. Although very concerned they were marvelled at how despite the age of the weapons, even those from a century ago were in almost perfect order and were even able to work.
Set explained to them that he had spent much time working on them and regretfully told them that he often traded the weapons for supplies he needed. Recognising his work and seeing that he was a lost soul, Captain Mercer offered Set a place on the Orville at least until they could get to the nearest station where he could disembark. But once Set was aboard the Orville he was impressed at the lay out of the ship and the openness of its crew, he formally requested to join the crew of the Orville, but requested a position where his skills would be of use but without the need to fight.
So after some long talks with the Admiral of Union central, Captain Mercer agreed and posted him to the security teams under Alara, however respecting his wishes to no longer fight. Set was tasked with the maintenance, care and upkeep of the ships armoury, weapon systems and stock of torpedoes. He took to the task with enthusiasm and soon found himself proving that he was a rarity in Exiled Elerium, as he showed no signs of aggressive attitude to anyone and even started making friends.
Although however not much could be done within the Armoury most days and there wasn't a constant demand for use of the Torpedoes, so when not attending to the ships armaments he served as the unofficial valet for the ships high ranked officers, such as Captain Mercer and Commander Grayson. Though he would do the same action if asked too by any of the other officers. He would often serve food and beverages that he often prepared himself despite the availability of the synthesizers and bring them over in true Valet style much the gratitude to everyone.
Once a week he would "Book" time in the ships simulator, where he produced a simulation of his peoples environmental needs allowing him to spend some time out of his bio suit and enjoy some Covashkar a delicacy of his people, similar to Earths popcorn chicken. As well as that he would use the time to spend some time out of the Bio suit he was always forced to wear and undertake simple tasks, such as washing his body and cleaning the suit itself.
But one thing was noticed by many crew members especially Commander Grayson, when she went to check up on him in the first few weeks of his time of the Orville, she found that his room had a great number of empty bottles and that his bed looked as if he had not slept in it at all. On one occasion Captain Mercer and Commander Grayson asked Set why it was that he had been exiled, they had read the public data available through the treaty but wanted to know from him.
He simply said "I am a Qirun'est kalini.... a holder of secrets.... something that could shake the very fabric of the Imperium"
Sekmet Setarous:
Public Record Only:
Sekmet Setarous: Pronounced Sek met Set are rus
Many members of Clan Sekmet who were military commanders looked at the data and found his ideas and methods to have a great amount of merit. So they petitioned the Elders of the Clan to not give up on him, saying that "He has the will to learn but is in need of a master".
So despite being very young only 8 in earth terms, he was sent beyond the borders of the Imperium to the sanctuary of the legendary Sobar sword master Xelu. Many thought that the old master would refuse one so young, but after performing his private talks the master accepted and trained him.
Years later he would return to his Clan World to undergo his rite of passage, whilst others of his generation passed by fighting honourably, Setarous actually bested the Elite warrior he was to fight. Many credit this to the tutelage of the Master. Setarous would then sign on in the Imperial military where he his tactical thinking would grant him the right to learn at the Imperial Academy on the Imperious, where he past with flying colours.
He was then assigned the Imperial 3rd fleet to serve as its tactical officer aboard the Daedalus class Dreadnought the "Tikal", not long after the Secessionist movement ignited a conflict in a nearby sector. During the initial outbreak of violence, Setarous was leading a patrol aboard a cruiser when Secessionist ships appeared on scanners. He took command and ordered the Cruiser to move in and amongst the enemy ships, although some found this fool hardy, the tactic worked as the enemy were unable to use their torpedo launchers for fear of hitting their own ships in the blast. This was Sectarous's first victory, which held back the advance of the Secessionist forces in that area and he was the only one to hold out, for this reason it was deemed proper that he be given the task of holding back the secessionist forces that outnumbered them until a reinforcements could arrive.
Recognised for these victories, Setarous was given overall command of the campaign and was personally ordered by the Emperor to put an end to the rebellion once and for all.
Fighting would continue however until the final stronghold of the Secessionists on Minsiv would fall to Setarous's legion, this victory would be followed up with the defeat of elements of the Planetary Union who had been supporting the rebellious faction with arms and equipment, Setarous personally lead the assault on their compound and with little loss of life managed to defeat the enemy.
Regarded as a war hero by many, this would be the final glory of Sekmet Setarous's career in the Imperial military, as not long after during a training exercise he received a critical injury that sadly couldn't be properly healed and would deny him service. So with full honours he was granted a Medical discharge and by the Emperors decree granted a huge plot on land on a planet of his choice, he accepted but made a request that the location of the planet be kept secret as he hoped to spend his remaining years in privacy, where he could not only meditate but also perform studies in peace.
Whilst many within the Imperium see Sekmet Setarous as a legendary hero who defeated traitorous elements within their borders. Things are not always as they appear. Most of the history and tactical achievements of Sekmet Setarous is genuine and accurate, as he did serve during the Secessionist conflict and was responsible for its successful defeat and pacification of the region in which the conflict took place.
However what is the actual truth however is that the Planetary Union sympathisers that were attacked in their compound on Kitarus 9 were actually simple colonists that had accidently settled on the planet within the border of the Imperium. When the fleet came, they felt that they were in the right and were still in Union space, this ended when ground troops attacked and the colonists defended themselves.
The massacre that followed would become famous in the Union as the entire settlement was wiped out with every man woman and child being killed and the entire outpost being destroyed or scrapped. When the Union council learned of the attack there was an uproar, demands were made to the Imperium that the ones responsible especially Sekmet Setarous who they regarded as a war criminal and deserved to be tried under Union Law.
The response of the Imperium was that anything within their borders is an Imperial matter and that by settling within the borders of the Imperium the "Colonists" were under Imperial rule. To add to their argument, the Imperial ambassador to the Union stated that Evidence was uncovered that the so called "Colonists" had been supplying the Secessionist faction and as such had deliberately involved themselves in an internal matter of the Imperium.
To this day Sekmet Setarous is wanted by the Planetary Union for War Crimes.
Sekmet Rune:
Public Record Only:
Current reigning Vestuk (Head) of Clan Sekmet, he was born on the clans home colony of Selturous and was raised according to the traditions of the Clan. After coming of age through the right of Passage, like many within Clan Sekmet, Sekmet Rune signed on with the Imperial Legion, serving in a number of missions against criminal elements along the borders of the Imperium.
Would Later serve under Sekmet Xetu during the war with the Krill, leading the 4th legion in a number of engagements with the Krill on worlds they controlled. Awarded the Guiding star to Valour for his actions during the conflict.
Would be elected as the Leader of Clan Sekmet in 2404 and has remained on the clans home colony only leaving to meet with other Clan leaders or by request of the Emperor.
Sekmet Rune was raised in the exact same method of rearing that all members of clan Sekmet go through during their childhood, he referred to those older than him as either mother, father or grandfather, grandmother.
It was he who noticed early on when Sekmet Setarous was growing up that he seemed to be struggling during his training alongside others of his age. After a number of discussions with the youngling, Rune recognised a keen mind and powerful hearted youngster whom he believed could do great things if given proper teaching and encouragement.
So he arranged for the young one to be given a great honour, he was sent by Sekmet Rune to learn under the legend himself Master Xelu of the Sobar, an individual he had served alongside during the war with the Krill. Despite knowing that such an honour usually goes to the best swordsmen in the Clan and even then the chances of the Master accepting them as students were slim. Rune had some hope that Sekmet Setarous would be different.
Rune however has felt an element of disgrace upon himself, after learning that following the victory against Seccessionists during the Separatist Crisis of 2405-2407. He learned that the hero of that victory Setarous had chosen to go into isolation rather than be honoured by his fellow clan members.
Nymeria Salu:
Public Record:
Nymeria Salu: Pronounced Nymeria Sa loo
Nymeria Salu comes from the Tynne peoples, she was born on their home-world of Tynernos and spent much of her childhood there.
She signed on with the Imperial Navy when she came of age, after passing the standard training regimen for non founder species, she was accepted into the Imperial fleet. For for the first few months she served aboard the Cruiser Doma as second to the chief of security.
However records indicate that she proved herself during a raid against criminal elements, as such she was promoted and transferred the Daedalus class of the fleet. Where she served as second officer to Sekmet Setarous, this coincided with the outbreak of the Secessionist crisis of 2405-07.
She served Sekmet Setarous as second officer for the majority of this conflict until she was tasked to provide support to a neighbouring sector that was experiencing attacks by Secessionist raiding ships. Sekmet Setarous ordered her to join with the local forces and provide tactical support in countering the attacks.
Following the defeat of the Secessionists, Nymeria Salu was promoted to the rank of captain and given command of the Cruiser Yantul of the Imperial 3rd Fleet, which she still serves aboard to this day, performing standard patrols along the Imperial/Union Border.
Nymeria is a soldier through and through, she comes from a family that has a long history of service in the Imperial military, mostly in the Imperial Legion. This included her mother, father, two uncles, grandfather, great grandfather and her three brothers, all of whom served within distinction in the Imperial Legion since the Tynne were brought into the Imperial fold and were granted the right to serve as soldiers within the Military.
However unlike nearly everyone else in the family, Nymeria chose to serve in the Imperial Navy instead of the Legion, although this created some friction between her and the rest of her family. No one questioned her decision, saying it was hers to make and they cannot dictate what actions she will take on her own path. This trust in her was solidified when she became an officer aboard a Daedalus class, as well as her service in the Secession crisis of 2405-07 and later her promotion to the rank of captain of a cruiser.
During her time aboard the Daedalus class Dreadnought Tikal, she and Sekmet Setarous became very close, after deliberation with the Admiralty. A formal relationship began between the two during the Secession crisis, but the rules were clear, when on the bridge or in the C.I.C they were not in a relationship and were to be strictly professional. But during their personal and down time they were permitted to be as they wished.
Nymeria took it rather personal when Sekmet Setarous left the fleet and went into self imposed isolation to ponder the questions of the universe. Not only because she loved and still loves him, but also because she has something that technically belongs to them both.
Kaldu Borg:
Public Record:
Kaldu Borg: Pronounced Kal Doo Borg
Born on the Sobar home colony of Trevikus 9, Kaldu Borg was considered big even when he was an infant which only became more evident as he grew up. Described by his peers as a bold and brash individual who was of great strength and power, he usually was the winner when it came to fights but was lacking in higher levels of intelligence, despite this he passed basic education and signed on in the Imperial Legion when he came of age.
Despite numerous inclusions on his record for unlawful confrontations with fellow soldiers of the Legion, Kaldu Borg would be regarded as finding his place in the military.
The discipline of the Legion made Kaldu Borg understand the knowledge that despite his strength he has a responsibility for it, he would be assigned to the 13th battalion of the 9th Legion aboard the Daedalus class Tikal. Where he became the primary heavy weapons user for his shock force unit, in this time he worked closely with Sekmet Setarous to implement shock force techniques in combat situation. Some credit Sekmet Setarous in the "Calming" of Kaldu Borg
He received a number of commendations during the Secession crisis of 2405-2407, the most important was his partition in the Forlorn hope assault during the siege of Misiv where he was credited as being the first to get through the defences. In the aftermath of the end of the conflict he would be recommended for officer candidacy and was accepted.
He currently serves as the Weapons master aboard the Cruiser Yantul.
The eldest of three, Kaldu has the responsibility of all elders of his generations, in Sobar culture it is the duty of the eldest child to protect, guide and teach those younger than themselves. A task that although he despises to an extent, he undertakes with vigour as it is after all his responsibility.
Bold, Brash, tough and incredibly strong are some of the words to use when describing Kaldu Borg, yet to those who know him and get to know him properly. These are the people who describe him with other words, they describe a being who is fierce when it comes to his choice of friends only calling those he deems worthy. It would be these same individuals that pass this trial of worth that call him loyal to a fault for those he calls friends.
Some even say that despite his big size and immense strength comparable to the Eleriums he actually has a very big heart. He often spent time among the youngsters of the ships he serves on, often doing things such as playing sports and helping them find their confidence. During his time aboard the Tikal, he became friends with Sekmet Setarous, Sekmet Set and Nymeria Salu alongside a number of other individuals aboard the ship, with them having numerous bouts of laughter.
However when his younger brother Mog came aboard, he found his brothers desire for personal glory to be a danger to himself and took it upon himself to watch over brother and ensure that the brash nature of his brother doesn't lead to him getting into trouble or worse. So intense is this brotherly concern that when Kaldu was transferred to the Yantul he asked that his brother was also transferred which he was.
Kida Borg:
Public Information:
Kida Borg: Pronounced Key Da Borg
When she became of age she joined not the Imperial military but instead the Atharilitus as a security expert and advisor for the protection of Emissaries and Ambassadors outside of the Imperium. Under Imperial law her current posting is not permitted to any but those with authorised clearance.
Born roughly four years after her older brother Kaldu, Kida spent much of her early years of life living under the same tutelage as her brother as he was not yet old enough to be considered capable of passing on lessons to his sibling.
This changed however with the birth of their younger brother, whom from the get go became a pain in the posterior for the older pair. As they grew up Kida became a stabilising mediator between the two brothers, Many consider her to be a mix of the two. She was strong and emotionally controlled like her older brother Kaldu, but fierce and determined like Mog the youngest of the three.
So quite often when the two were caught in arguments she became an unofficial diplomat between the two, whenever the arguments ended she would be contact with the two and help find some common ground and make sure the two squabbling brothers stay in some form of bond.
Mog Borg:
Public Record:
Born on the Sobar Home Colony of Trevikus 9, was raised in the familiar culture and traditions of the Sobar people.
Younger brother of Kaldu Borg, like his brother, Mog would sign up with the Imperial Legion when he came of age though much younger than his brother, he was noticed to have the same zeal to fight as Kaldu Borg. He finished his training regimin just in time for the outbreak of the Secession crisis of 2405-07, during which he was posted to a garrison in a neighbouring sector, which according to the records aggravated him as he wanted to join the fight not sit and watch from afar.
Eventually he got his chance for glory and combat, when the unit he was a part of was transferred to aid the siege of Minsiv, however by the time the unit got there the fighting was over.
He appears again in records for his role in the pacification of the Union sympathiser compound on Kitarus 9 where he was credited in the killing of several Union soldiers defending the compound. Currently serves aboard the Cruiser Yantul as a security officer.
The youngest of the three siblings, Mog was born a number of years after his eldest brother Kaldu and two years after his sister Esser.
Mog considers himself a true warrior of the Sobar people and greatly seeks to prove it in combat, the only problem is that he has yet to prove himself to the Imperial legion. Those who know both brothers believe that this fierce determination is from a sense of jealousy against his older brother for his strength, the same strength that Mog was denied genetically and since it is not required for medical reasons.
He was denied genetic augmentation to increase his muscle mass, for this same reason he often has arguments with his brother because the constant brotherly protection the Kaldu hovers over Mog. Mog wants to go off and seize the glory that he believes he is owed, whilst Kaldu is trying to teach him that glory is not worth him dying. One occasion Kaldu was heard shouting "I'd rather have a live brother who hates me.... than mourn one who died needlessly".
Rotari Minsar:
Public Record:
Rotari Minsar: Pronounced Row Tar ree Min Sarr
From a young age he was trained in the art of flying, starting with simple things such as small robotic drones to simulators and finally at the approriate age a Viper fighter craft. Upon passing his rite of passage and being regarded a full adult according to the traditions of the Rotari, he joined the Imperial Navy as a Viper fighter pilot and was inducted into the training academy in orbit of [Redacted for security].
Recognised by his instructors for his almost instinctual skills and ability, it was no surprise to anyone when Rotari Minsar graduated from the Academy as the top of his class. His first posting was to a local sector fleet to properly test his abilities.
However he was then transferred to the 3rd Imperial Fleet on the outbreak of the Secession crisis of 2405-07, he was posted to the Nightrave carrier Itrune where he served as the leader of a squadron. This was his first real command however confidence was high due to his scores in the Academy.
He took part in several raids against Secessionist stations and mining facilities, where he became a fighter ace with 16 confirmed kills alone with another 12 when adding in the kills of his squadron.
His squadron took part in the famed battle of the Oloron Nebula where his squadron was held back as fighter protection for the main fleet, Minsar himself was chosen to go into the Nebula and was the pilot that uncovered the threat of the main rebel fleet hiding inside the nebula.
Following the decisive victory during the siege of Minsiv and the cessation of hostilities in the sector, Minsar was transferred by request of Captain Nymeria Salu to serve aboard her Cruiser as the commander of the onboard fighter squadron.
Like every single member of Clan Rotari, Minsar was born to fly. The Clans chosen home-colony was the perfect place for people with a love of flying, as the planet was covered in high rock formations as well as open plains. The perfect place to train pilots both new and experienced, the Rite of Passage for Clan Rotari was a trust in the instincts of the individual.
Minsar was given a glider suit, with strong fabrics stretching from his wrists to his ankles and was told to jump from a high point. He did so and glided the needed distance to prove he was capable of living up to his Clans legacy, but then he went a step further and performed the same action but this time in the rock columns, tall formations of rock that stood next to each other, the ultimate flying challenge.
Although he would fail this challenge those who watched him including the elders were impressed at how well he did in performing the various twists and turns that was flying through the columns.
Upon his graduation of the Imperial Flight Academy, Minsar was later posted to the Imperial 3rd fleet where he met Sekmet Setarous and a few other choice officers who became confidants for him. As he held a burden that often troubled him. He often spoke to this group of officers in regards of keeping secret his sexuality.
Highsee Villun:
Public Record:
Highsee Villun: Pronounced High see Vee loon
Born to the prestigious Highsee Clan, Villun was put through gruelling teachings and training regimens to hone the necessary skills that made their clan famed for naval leadership.
Villun took to these lessons as all of his clan do and went through the various challenges of not only ship mastery but also leadership tests to see whether in their terms he would be a follower or a leader. Coming out of this training Villun was recognised as a possible leader of at least one ship, during his rite of passage and testing for future position in the Imperium, he was put into a simulator without his knowledge, believing the battle he was facing to be real, he took command.
He came out of the trial fully confident and ready to lead, he was then taken into the Imperial Academy on the Imperious for formal training so that he may become an officer of the Imperial Navy.
His first posting was as the second officer of the Destroyer Meylun in the 19th sector fleet where he served for a number of years eventually being promoted to the rank of Captain
However when the Secession crisis of 2405-07 erupted the 19th sector fleet was caught off guard and was utterly annihilated by the Rebel fleet, only the Meylun and a few other ships managed to escape.
Due to Villun taking command following the death of the 19th sector fleets Commodore, it was decided that Highsee Villun would be promoted to the rank of Commodore and was transferred to take naval command of the 3rd Imperial Fleet, where he would serve under the command of Sekmet Setarous. Although the two had some misgivings on methods and techniques of combat, all reports show that the two worked well together.
Following the battle of the Oloron Nebula, Sekmet Setarous recognised Highsee Villuns calm under the pressure of the rebel attempt to destroy their fleet and recommended him for promotion.
The Admiralty accepted and promoted Highsee Villun to the rank of Admiral of the 3rd Imperial fleet.
Highsee Villun still serves as the admiral of the 3rd Imperial fleet with current posting being along the Union/Imperial Border.
A wise one from his years of service, Highsee Villun is a blend of the old and the new ways of thinking, before the Secession crisis of 2405-07 his opinion was the standard textbook formations and methods that had worked for the Imperium in the past.
However following the successes of Sekmet Setarous in various victories against the Secessionist forces on a number of occasions. Villun began to learn from the younger officer on different methods of fighting in space, such as the use of certain obstacles, how to recognise an enemies strength for a weakness, how to think out the box when it comes to planning an offensive.
Villun now keeps these plans in his mind and tries to pass on what he learnt from the younger Setarous to other junior officers under his command with some mixed results. Though he is fierce and determined when it comes to performing his duties, Highsee Villun holds strong to the traditions and promises of the Rite of Union, he deems it his purpose to uphold the promise his ancestors made.
Sela Koresh:
Public Record:
Sela Koresh: Pronounced See La Ko resh
Born on the Bast colony of Tirteen near the heart of the Imperium, according to the legends of the Bast people, those like Sela who are born under the darkened sun translation a Solar Eclipse are sons and daughters of the shadow goddess.
And as such are to be trained in the arts of stealth. Sela Koresh fitted this perfectly and was sent to the Imperial security service for additional training when she was old enough, she passed the training course and regimens efficiently as none were expecting any less from her. She was then passed on to serve in the Atharilitus, where she undertook more training for her future in the service.
Upon completion of such she was chosen to be an intelligence officer attached to the Imperial fleets, where she would perform the actions of gathering and organising intelligence for the Senior officers of the fleet. Her first assignment was to the 19th Sector fleet, sadly during the outbreak of the secession crisis of 2405-07 she was captured during a failed attempt by the 19th sector fleet to regain a key space port.
She was successfully freed following a raid by elements of the 3rd Imperial fleet, where she was debriefed by Sekmet Setarous himself and was later asked to remain aboard the Daedalus class Tikal at the request of Sekmet Setarous himself to act as his intelligence officer for the duration of the conflict.
Upon the ending of the crisis and complete pacification of the sector once again, she returned to the Atharilitus headquarters aboard the Imperious and was given a new assignment which remains classified.
Sela is a complicated individual, from the moment of her birth every aspect of her life has been decided for her according to traditions and cultural practices. Whilst she respects the customs of her people due to them being a matter of pride and culture.
There is one thing that Sela has always somewhat prayed for her entire life, the right to choose for herself, she didn't choose to be trained according to the Bast Darkened sun belief, she didn't choose to join the Atharilitus and perform the duties they demanded of her, both in mind and body.
Sela's first experience of choice came when she was requested to be the Intelligence officer of Sekmet Setarous who never made any demands of her nor acted enraged when information she provided prove incorrect. For this reason she found a deep respect for Setarous who she believed to be the only person who ever really cared, as he was the first person to ever ask her "What do you want?". This made Setarous's isolation from the Galaxy a shock to her as she finally believed she found someone she could actually call a friend.
Vetium:
Public Record:
Pronounced: Vet Ee oom
Born on a small Angel Colony, little record is available on Vetiums upbringing mostly due to the limited ability of the colony on which he was born and raised.
What is known is that he joined the Imperial Navy when he was old enough, later discovered to have lied about his age.
Was sent to the Imperial Engineering academy following high aptitude scores on mechanic and engineering viability tests, despite some quarrels with fellow cadets, Vetium passed within the marginal percentile and was given a fleet assignment.
His posting was the 3rd Imperial fleet where he would serve aboard the Daedalus Tikal as part of its Deck crews, ensuring that the different shuttles, deployable vehicles including mechs, tanks and armoured vehicles remained in operational ability. During his time aboard however he suffered an accident that left him severely scarred on the left side of his face, including partially blinding him that eye.
After a considerable amount of time recovering, he went against the medical officers advise and went back to work before the tissue regeneration was complete. This unwillingness to stop meant that the process became irreversible, meaning the scars would be permanent, though he was able to recover the vision in his eye.
Following his service in the Secession crisis of 2405-07, he continued to serve aboard the ship and eventually became the chief deck officer in charge of all upkeep and maintenance of the vehicles and vessels aboard the Tikal despite being close to optional retirement.
Determined and stubborn is the most common way to describe Vetium, despite being from a people that enjoy flying. Vetium is very different he cares more about keeping things going rather than actually flying them, this stems from the colony where he was raised. Being a small colony there was not much in the way of amenities and comforts, often everything would break down and had to be fixed as it would be very difficult to replace.
This way of living was brought with him when he joined the Imperial Navy and served aboard the Tikal, on many occasions he was seen working at all hours regardless of his "Shifts". Taking breaks only when he needed them, drinking water and eating food only when he required it, often without washing. People often noted that he often slept in a hammock hung between two cargo containers in the Mech Bay instead of his section of the crews quarters.
This dogged determination to do the job is the reason he still has his scars, when asked by Sekmet Set when he was onboard as to why. Vetium explained that on his planet no one really rests, no one really stops, that growing up he never stopped, that it was the same in that moment. He could never sit still and relax even when he had the opportunity.
Imperatous Irune the ninth:
Public Record:
Pronounced: Im pear a tous ee roon
the ninth of his name and the 98th Emperor of the Elerium Clans and 12th Emperor of the Galactic Imperium, Imperatous Irune is seen as a fresh light when compared to the Rule of his predecessors.
Born with the weight of an entire way of life upon his shoulders, Imperatous Irune was the first born of Empress Imperatous Ireela the 3rd. Tutored in all manners of diplomacy, politics, governorship and combat, Imperatous Irune was welcomed to any and all teachings and academies.
A patron of the arts and cultures, he attended several courses in art, literature and philosphy where he studied some of the Imperium's most celebrated writers, painters and thinkers.
Sadness struck however at a young age when his Mother Empress Ireela passed away and Imperatous Irune was tasked with succeeding his mother to the Throne. Crowned Emperor of the Imperium and sworn to the oath of rulers thereby promising to honour the traditions and cultures of all under his rule and to uphold the law and above all the Rite of Unity.
Since his ascension, the Imperium has seen a golden age in advancement, with many colonies that were previously struggling beginning to see a sudden upswing and were soon considerably prosperous. Locations on the Imperious station that previously were regarded as slums were cleaned up and modernised, with the population now having access to a much greater standard of living.
Many praise Emperor Irune for this time of plenty despite this however he was quick to respond upon learning of the Secessionists invoking a rebellion within the Imperium. He was swift in ordering the Imperial fleet to respond and later was the one to choose the now infamous Sekmet Setarous in leading the campaign against the traitors.
At this moment the Emperor is currently seeking greater diplomatic relations with those neighbouring the Imperium in hopes of greater security for his people.
Behind the pompous actions of the Imperial system and the constant drivel of propaganda, much can be said of Imperatous Irune, not only did he do much to improve the lives of his own citizens but also became an advocate in the establishment of peaceful relations of the Imperium's neighbours both the Krill and the Planetary Union.
In the wake of the Kaylon threat, Irune was once again quick in his actions redeploying fleets from less exposed sectors to reinforce those that were closest to the Kaylon home world. As well as this he began opening up formal talks with the Krill and Union for a formal non aggression pact which he hoped would allow him to move fleets and troops away for the borders with them to support the ships defending the Imperium from the Kaylon.
Avarn Gavask:
Public Record:
Pronounced: Ah varn Gah vas ka
Better known by his title, the Sword of the Solar Star
Due this skill he was chosen by his clan and by Empress Ireena to be the Sword of the Solar Star or more simply the Sun sword, the person who would stand alongside and defend the Emperor. Though he was too young to actually perform the duty, tradition was clear so for much of his teenage years, Avarn Gavask would live alongside the person he would later protect.
Upon his completion of the rite of passage into adulthood and the Acension of Emperor Irune, Gavask took up his role as the Emperors sword of the Solar Star and would never leave his side regardless of where the Emperor went.
Highly trained in combat, it is the tradition and duty of the Sword of the Solar Star to be the personal protector of the Emperor or Empress. And as such are expected not only directly protect the Emperor or Empress but also perform actions such as defending the Emperors Honour or in extreme cases enacting the Emperors Law.
While some would feel that their lives are always decided for them, Gavask did not hold this in contempt but with a great deal of honour and respect for his duty is to protect the Emperor himself. Not only that but a personal friend of his.
According to tradition since he was chosen to be the protector of Imperatous Irune when he took the throne, the two were raised side by side so that they may forge a bond and be able to work together with greater ability. However as the two were raised together they became more akin to brother and behaved as such.
When the pair passed into adulthood and began their respective duties as ruler and protector they still hold the shared memories of all they got up to growing up. But just as they were determined to perform practical jokes and pranks as youngsters, they are just as determined to uphold what is expected of them as adult.
If asked Gavask makes it clear that he finds it his greatest honour to defend his old friend now that he is the Emperor of the Imperium just as he knows that Irune would never expect his protector to sacrifice his honour for the sake of his duty and would never question that honour.
Master Xelu:
Public Record:
Pronounced: Zay Loo
According to the limited records of the colony, Xelu grew up with a keen eye for combat and hunting, facing various native wildlife even before he was a teenager.
Once he grew old enough he joined the Imperial Legion and was quickly recognised for his almost instinctive skills in the use of the Sobar sword or Kate-us. His abilities were often compared to the skills of the Elerium Avarn Clan with whom he later was given additional training by.
Imperial records show that he served during the Imperial war with the Krill Empire, taking part in several assaults against Krill positions on different worlds and leading a successful boarding action of a Krill battle cruiser during which he was commended for taking the bridge single handed.
According to the customs of the Sobar after his successes in combat, Xelu was gifted the title of Master, a title of great respect for their people. After the war Xelu studied with several religious beliefs and philosophers on questions that plagued him, but continued to serve the Imperium honourably fighting criminal elements and Krill Extremists.
Sadly however during one of these battles, the Master was blinded in one eye and despite requests that medical personnel perform the easier task of restoring his sight, he refused declaring "That my sight cannot return... but now I can learn to see beyond"
Following this the Master was given a medical discharge with full honours, in payment for his years of service and the various commendations he received, the Emperor himself granted permission for the Master to settle on a planet outside of the Imperiums borders.
Where he remains to this day, in his isolated monastery passing on his teachings. However Master Xelu is very strict in whom he trains and why they come to him for the training.
Master Xelu is also renowned and famous for his unique form of sword style and play, the so called 5 Steps of Death. A series of unique moves with the sword four of which are near impossible to defend against, with the fifth being unbeatable, within his monastery he teaches his disciples the 3 steps to a chosen few the fourth.
But none have even been taught the 5th and final step.
A warrior of both sword and spirit, Master Xelu was born without a world. According to the Sobar traditions, an individual is born of their world and their place of birth. Examples above with Kaldu, Kida and Mog, they share the same last name not because it is a family name but it is the name of the place they were born.
Master Xelu does not have this as no Sobar has ever been called after a ship, in fact Sobar explicitly avoid travelling across the stars if they are pregnant to avoid facing this break of culture. Master Xelu however must live with this dilemma for the rest of his days yet he has not let it stop him.
When he was serving in the Imperial Military he served with great distinction even among others of his kind, his use of the sword and his method of using it was unconsidered unmatched. He would use his skills both in combat face to face but also in stealth and shadows by approaching from behind and sneaking into enemy held locations.
During this whole time he remained deeply spiritual and would often pray and meditate according to his peoples age old faith, though when he did kill an enemy he wouldn't uphold all traditions of taking a bone from his kills, but he would take a token from their body. For him though this is so that when he prays he can do so on their behalf as well as his own.
When he lost his the sight in one eye however there was little left, although he could have corrective surgery performed to restore his vision, he refused and so was given a medical discharge. Now in his twilight years Master Xelu became a legend for the Imperium not only for his skills with the sword but also his philosophy. He was granted permission by the Emperor himself to leave the Imperium's borders and settle where he wished, on this planet he established his own monastery upon the steep slopes of a high mountain, where he could meditate in peace.
Sadly peace would not follow him into isolation, as many began to actively seek him out to get him to train them in the use of the sword. At first he utterly avoided them and demanded they leave him in peace, going so far as to even threaten them. When this was reported, the Imperium whilst concerned at how the renowned warrior was acting deemed that his actions were justified.
Eventually however, the Master would allow some to remain. But the rules were clear, he would choose those that he would train, he would decide whether or not they were worthy of his training. And above all not even the Imperial council nor the Emperor could order him to train someone.
Often when someone came to ask for his teaching, he would first perform an action he regards as seeing them, where he would feel the face of the person he is evaluating, as he claims it allows him to see what is within them, and he is never wrong. As with all who come however many seek to learn the 5 steps of death of which the Master is famed for the creation of as well as the only person to know all 5 steps.
Yet despite this the Master has never to the knowledge of any to have divulged the combined 5 steps, though he teaches some the 1st, 2nd and 3rd steps with an extreme chosen few being granted the 4th. No one has ever managed to convince him to give up the secrets of the 5th step, with some saying that the Master intends of either taking it to his grave or to a single chosen pupil who he sees as worthy.
Tru Kari Zelun Alunar:
Public Record:
Pronounced: true Ka Aye Zay loon Aah Loon Are
Deemed to be weak by an elder, Tru Kari had to engage in a bloody duel which she barely survived, the only reason he did was thanks to the laws the Imperium enforced on the Jiluk in regards of these duels of single combat.
Tru Kari would be among the few Jiluk to volunteer to serve the Imperium, during which he would serve among the Auxiliary a force comprised of Jiluk who showed promise in military service.
He alongside these other Auxiliaries would serve alongside the other species of the Imperium in the war against the Krill. Tru Kari herself would be commended during this conflict for his involvement in a courageous assault on a Krill stronghold.
Following the conflict she would resign from military service and become a prominent figure in Jiluk society and an Adamant supporter of their peoples inclusion in the Imperium.
As stated Tru Kari was of a powerful Jiluk nation on their home-world of Jelus, although the Jiluk were permitted to maintain their social hierarchy under the Imperium, the idea of these nations actually making their own laws is now a mute point. All these Nations do is ensure that the Jiluk continue to Serve the Imperium and negate any trouble makers.
Tru Kari started out seeking the thrill of combat and warfare as many of his age do, believing that through such she shall find glory and power. But following an duel of single combat where he barely survived her attitude changed, although he still wished to live as a warrior according the traditions and histories of his people. He now had a greater respect for what Combat truly was and chose to make some changes.
He volunteered to serve in the Auxiliaries who were Jiluk that had sworn to serve the Imperium in whatever form was required, most of the time this meant they were the enforcers of the law that the Imperium brought into effect. But on occasion they would serve as frontline troops in times of difficulty such as rebellions, insurrections or all out war.
Tru Kari experienced such when the Imperium formally declared war on Krill and launched a massive invasion against Krill held space. Tru Kari took part in a number of engagements among the Auxiliaries including a fierce battle for control of a Krill stronghold near the end of the war, it was during this battle that he came into contact with soon to be Master Xelu.
The two despite being two different species became good friends and associates, when they both left the service of the Imperium. Tru Kari aided Xelu in locating a viable planet to establish his self isolation and future temple where he could live in relative peace, as a thank you Xelu taught Tru Kari his ideology on spiritual enlightenment and how the martial arts are not for battle but for purpose. Together they properly built the temple and would later allow initiates to join them at the temple.
Together the two friends would create a thriving temple settlement that was nearly self sufficient, as Xelu became more secluded however, Tru Kari became more outgoing recognising now in his age that his people needed the Imperium to save themselves from themselves. He became the primary figure in the Jiluk wanting to make others of her kind realise that they are stronger as members of the Imperium and that before the Imperium they were killing each other in pointless feuds.
Despite this however, Xelu and Tru Kari have remained close friends, even though they rarely see or speak to one another often when they come together to meditate in almost complete silence. As Xelu remains high up the mountain whilst Tru Kari mingles with the other residents of the temple, from this placement he received his fourth and final station of her name Alunar meaning Enlightenment.
Xan Scale:
Born to a lesser Elerium clan, Xan Scale was recognised early on for his skills in the art of stealth and keen eye for observation. He was recruited into the Atharilitus at an early age and trained according to his skill sets.Served in multiple classified operations and missions.
Was given a Dishonourable discharge following an incident in which a high ranking Official of the Krill was killed. Is currently suspected in the assassination of a number of individuals presumably for hire.
A trouble maker through and through, Scale was recruited by the Imperial Intelligence service known as the Atharilitus to perform actions for them when required. In essence he acted as an assassin for them when certain matters were not going there way or when certain "Assets" were of no use anymore, for example he shot and killed with his sniper rifle a Moclan in service of the Imperium because there was the threat the asset might be discovered.
However following an incident in which he killed a high ranking Krill official without proper authorisation and cause, he was given a dishonourable discharge despite the fact that many understood his reasoning as that official had been advocating another war with the Imperium. Since then however Xan Scale has become a gun for hire to the highest bidder actively taking on contracts for anyone willing to pay his fee.
These include an political rival of a Krill Chancellor, a member of the Tynne government, an Admiral of the Imperial Navy, a high ranking officer of the Moclan fleet and possibly many, many more.
Eist Kuvish:
However after this he received an Medical discharge following an injury that even when corrected with medical surgery would not allow him to return to active duty. Since then Eist Kuvish has been granted a bounty hunting licence within the Imperium where he actively seeks out and captures individuals wanted by the law.
A fierce proponent of the law, Eist Kuvish only ever wanted to see the law upheld and the honour its represents is respected by all regardless of their species or culture, he believes that the laws of the Imperium apply to everyone regardless of their position in life.
However following his medical discharge he petitioned for a full licence to allow him to undertake the purpose of bounty hunting which was legal under Imperial Law but required a proper licence and legal warrants under the law in order to do so. This was granted and he immediately began the process of actively hunting down criminals within the Imperium, as well as becoming and advocate for the formal legal position for the law to apply to all.
Nexos:
There is no individual under this name within the Imperium public systems please clarify who you are seeking to identify.
When religious zealots attempted to purge their people of anything that they deemed heretical including the Codes of Honour and truth which were even then of great importance for the various clans. These Zealots very nearly brought on the destruction of Clan Omeska, it was after this war that Omeska became neutral in all matters of politics. And with the manner in which Nexos was showing his Zealous streak, Omeska were quick to excommunicate him and cast him out.
After this little was ever seen or heard of Nexos, some believe he went into exile in search of what he called the truth of their peoples destiny.
Roka Kosh:
Extremely militant in his opinions of the Imperium, Roka Kosh served in the Secession crisis of 2405-2407, where his extreme opinions were clearly shown during the massacre of Union colonists on Kitaris 9 where he was responsible for several killings. Upon learning that the Union had settled a planet within the Imperium and had been supporting rebel factions in the recent conflict, Kosh pushed for the Imperium to go to war with the Union for this action.
However the Imperium was against this action and when Kosh went against orders he was exiled in disgrace. After which Kosh became a mercenary/pirate for hire where he would take on jobs for anyone willing to pay his extortionate fee however many of the jobs he would take would lead him to confronting or performing actions against the planetary Union, with some thinking his aim is to incite a conflict between the Imperium and Union.
Karveir:
Born to the Alagar Clan, the Karveir brothers are a rare example of quadruplets for the Elerium which is exceedingly rare for them as a species. The four brothers were trained together and grew up together out of respect of the Elerium beliefs, when they came of age they served together in the same unit of the Imperial Legion where they served in the Secession crisis of 2405-07.
Upon the end of hostilities they were chosen by the Imperial Council to take on the role of a new position known as the Upholders. Their duties are now to ensure that the rite of Unity is upheld and the Imperium remains unified answerable only to the Imperial Council itself and the Emperor.
Regarded as the hammer of the Council, he was chosen by the members of the Imperial Council to become their instrument and follow their orders. In Elerium culture, when an individual is born alongside another such as Twins, Triplets, Quadruplets etc, they are believed to be the sharer of a single soul so much so that when one dies the others find it hard to move on as they feel that with the loss of a sibling they have lost a part of themselves.
The Four Karveir brothers serve the will of the Imperial Council and Emperor, the title of Upholders is new and was created after the Secessionist crisis which was the closest the Imperium had come to full scale civil war and this scared the Council. The job was created with the sole purpose of ensuring that the Imperium remained united and that no one would challenge the authority given the Imperial Council and the Emperor under the Rite of Unity.
This means however that the Karveir brothers are dispatched out of the Imperium to seek out and remove any would be threats to the Imperium under the Councils orders.
Events of Importance:
The Solar Wars and Exodus:
A time of upheaval, chaos and near endless destruction that would bring about the complete evacuation of the solar systems entire population.
In the intermediate years of the five founding species of the Imperium beginning to become true space faring cultures things began as contempt, bordering on isolationism as each species focused more on their the wellbeing of their own people rather than the opening of dialogues for peaceful co-existence.
At first there was plenty enough "Space" within the solar system for all the species that were space faring, excluding the Sobar, to avoid one another. Yet as their populations continued to grow the needs of said populations only grew, to the point that the four primary space farers were beginning to argue over who owns what and who has the rights the minerals there.
The Angels at first attempted to establish dialogues in an effort to end these constant squabbles and try and create a system where the different species could properly make claims and mediate overlapping areas of influence. However this proved difficult, the Tellacites had a growing population that was being outmatched by their neighbours and were pushing for more and more resources to ensure they didn't face an inevitable disaster. This lead to the Angel attempts at peaceful dialogue to fall apart, as the other species refused to work with them as well as this the Eleriums found it hypocritical of the Angels to be discussing peace when they had for intents and purposes invaded the sovereign world of another species without cause. A very grave insult for the Elerium.
Fighting would continue between the different species on and off for the better part of two to three hundred years, though some peace treaties would come between two species these were often little more than temporary truces as fighting would soon kick start again months later. However by the time of the second century of constant warfare, the Eleriums who had already shown their abilities as some of the finest warriors suddenly declared neutrality in the conflicts stating to their neighbours that if left alone they would leave them alone, without quarrel the other species agreed and left them be.
However over time the fighting only got worse, as the different species in an effort to gain the upper hand began to use ulterior methods of gaining victory. The Sobar with their weapons technology began to use specially made stealth ships to attack their enemies in places they felt secure, often using this technology to stealthily plant bombs on civilian targets. The Angels responded by using orbital bombardments against Sobar villages, these attacks were often just as brutal with huge swaths of forests being incinerated in the attacks.
The Bast began performing vicious attacks against the leadership of the different species, often in suicidal attempts to assassinate the head of those attacking them. Often for some such as the Tellacites and Sobar such would lead to a period of chaos, for Tellacites without a queen waste away and eventually die as workers are unable to think for themselves they would either die on the spot or just freeze in place until they die of exposure or starvation. The Tellacites responded with vicious full frontal assaults against the Bast Planetary defences with their ships going so far as to actively perform collisions with the Bast ships and space stations to destroy them.
For decades this new breed of warfare continued until finally the Elerium grew fed up at how the war had suddenly turned, Imperatous Vakul declared to the Solar System his intention to unify the different species to ensure that the war would come to a permanent end. They first launched a surprise attack against the Bast who were their closest neighbours and despite resisting fiercely the Bast were too weakened from fighting everyone else to fight a fresh and strong force. However instead of subjugation the Bast were invited to join the Alliance of species that the Elerium intended to establish with the other species in equal representation.
With a willing partner in tow, the Elerium then turned their focus on the Angels who despite having the most powerful naval force. This fleet had been severely weakened and was having to bring forward outdated and obsolete ship designs to strengthen their lines. Thes weaker class of Warbirds were no match however to the Elerium ships that were fresh and new with greater fire power, with their once proud fleet crippled the Angels trapped on the Plateaus were no match in a ground battle and with no other options available to them, they wilfully surrendered.
But like the Bast, the Angels found a kindred spirit in the Elerium Imperials who gifted the needed materials for the Angels to rebuild their shattered fleet and with steady supplies of much needed food and minerals coming in, the Angels were soon back at full form. With their help, the Bast and Elerium were able to pressure the Sobar to join the Imperial side and end the fighting and campaigns of terrorism on the Bast and Angel Home-worlds. Now though the real fight was to come with the Tellacites whose home-world was deemed uninvadable due to the manner of it being a sling shot world, so the only time that it was safe enough for ships to land on the planet was during the cycle as it was passing the Garden zone.
However in the end this was not needed as the Tellacites were facing extinction, during the height of the Solar war, the Bast in an effort to get the upper hand had used a form of biological warfare to turn the Tellacites profanity for numbers against them. With such numbers the virus spread quickly and was soon ensuring that of the 30,000 eggs the queens laid each day only 7 would hatch. Alone this matter very little but when incorporated into the fact that most Tellacites excluding the Kings and Queens only lived a few months the answer was clear. They were facing extinction very quickly.
The Tellacite Queens pleaded for peace and an end of the disease, the Bast readily agreed and worked closely with them to find the cure needed for the weapon they had created. Within months a cure was found and introduced to the Tellacites and slowly their population began to grow again at a slow pace. Now unified the Five species came together and suddenly realised a major problem, the constant centuries of warfare between them had all but destroyed their worlds. Even the Elerium who had spent much of the more brutal stages of the war neutral couldn't survive, as the Tellacites had actively thrown a meteorite at Elerius.
With none of their world capable of sustaining them in the current moment, the Imperium was created and the Rite of Unity was written and signed by all of the five species. Together they would leave their home-system and establish a unified collection of colonies and found a new galactic government.
When the time came for the ships to leave, the entire solar system came together for crowning of the first Imperial Emperor and the announcing of the first Imperial Councils. But above all was the unveiling of the Galactic Imperiums official emblem and flag, a six pointed star, to signify the five founding species starting at the bottom and coming together to form one single point at the Top.
Sadly however everyone recognised that their combined peoples had been greatly reduced from the destructive wars that was forcing them to leave the worlds of their peoples births. Before the Solar wars it was estimated that the combined five species had a population well over 29 billion, however when the flotilla of ships left alongside the giant Imperious space station only 2.9 billion were onboard less than 10% of the population was leaving the rest were had been buried in war graves.
And the home-worlds forever scarred, with the planet Elerius allegedly literally broken.
The Tynne Coup:
After a few centuries of rebuilding and consolidation, the Imperium had changed greatly with a huge swath of space being recognised as theirs by the Planetary Union. However this did not mean a time of great peace, for although the Imperium were leaders of their respective colonies and sectors of space, they were unlike the Union and were willing to include other more openly as well as involve themselves in the affairs of others.
One example would have been with the induction of the Tynne species into the Imperium. For countless thousands of years the home world of the Tynne Tynneros was a harsh world of almost permanent winter with huge snow covered plains, giant mountain ranges, oceans covered over with thick layers of ice, life was an everyday struggle for the Tynne. Industrialisation allowed them to overcome this difficulty however it did lead to a strong militant position for their government, as the harshness of the planets environment meant that the need for a strong power to maintain order was required and that power was the military.
This continued into the space era as the Tynne military junta dedicated much of the resources being brought in by first the solar colonies and then later the interstellar colonies into the continuation of this strong system of military might. Eventually however this constant stream of resources and supply going towards the military was becoming more oppressive to the people the Junta was meant to protect and was becoming more akin to a dictatorship of high ranking military leaders. Fed up with the fact that those not in the military or any of its providing services were struggling with daily life, many people began to protest and demand a change of governance, the military rolled in and put down the protests by force. Countless were killed.
With massive losses of life and the Junta still holding strong, the Rebels approached the Imperium for help against the Junta who were winning this war. Many within the Imperium were willing to aid the rebels however they were not going to help for free, in exchange for help the Tynne were to join the Imperium and pledge themselves to the Rule of the Emperor and Imperial Council.
Soon Imperial forces were sweeping through Tynne Space obliterating the Junta loyalists with ease, their final stronghold on Tynneros itself was surrounded and finally surrendered after 6 months of siege. The Junta leadership were brought before the Emperor and the Imperial council where they were charged and criminals and sentenced to life imprisonment and hard labour without any reprieve.
At first the Tynne were unsure about their new overlords, many fearing that had replaced one evil with another. However soon resources, materials, foods, goods, medicines and the manpower needed to support reconstruction came flooding in as the Imperium declared that under the Rite of Unity the Imperium cannot turn a blind eye to any in its domain. Where once were endless slums filled with starving people, properly built cities were constructed with the entire population enjoying a standard of living once far out of reach to any but the higher echelons.
And what's more, the Tynne had gained the respect of many within the Imperiun, whilst others in the Imperium who were not of the Five Founding species were restricted. The Tynne were granted a greater level of rights and privileges including the right to have their own local government under the Imperium.
The Krill Wars:
Just as in the case of the Planetary Union, the Imperium's first initial interactions with the Krill were those of constant hostility and aggression from all Krill ships that the Imperium encountered. At first these aggressive acts were looked on by the Imperium as being little more than nuisances than any real threats as most were along the new frontier border regions of the Imperium and the opinion was that the Krill were merely defending their territory.
However this thinking shifted when the Krill attacks began to escalate, whereas first their ships opened fire on Imperium border patrols and Navigator ships, they soon were attacking and boarding civilian merchant and transport ships within the Imperium's borders. This was seen as deliberate acts of aggression but since the Imperium was still in the process of properly establishing several new colonies as well as the proper establishment of Imperial rule over species such as the Gia and Jiluk, they opted for diplomacy first.
This sadly never happened as the Krill went beyond raiding transports and merchants to openly attacking a Imperium Colony. The planet was a world that had been colonised by the Ocoloa and was being used to grow a vital oceanic plant that was vital in the construction of important medicines that were used across the Imperium. The Krill attacked with two battlecruisers and the Planet was limited in its planetary defences while it did have a squadron of Vilus patrol craft as was common for all Imperium colonies, these were easily destroyed when they attempted to defend the colony.
Word was sent to the Sector fleet for help and the fleet immediately jumped to provide support and defend the colony. Sadly by the time the fleet had arrived, the Krill were in the process of leaving the system with their spoils, the Planetary defences had held out but ultimately collapsed with countless dead and many more injured. The destruction to the colony was extreme not only was the Pharmaceutical production plants utterly devastated the living quarters of the colony were near rubble and still burning. Enraged the Ocoloa went to the Imperial Council for action, but this was unnecessary, the Emperor himself was inflamed at the actions of the Krill and was making his position very clear. He ordered the Imperial Fleets and the many legions to prepare for all out war.
To the effort the Imperial Admiralty placed the overall counter attack under the commander of Sekmet Xetu who had already proven himself against Krill raids across the border. He was given by far one of the largest invasion fleets ever assembled by the Imperium to date, it consisted of the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th and 7th fleets alongside the 4th, 9th, 6th and 18th Legions for planetary assaults as well as detachments of the Imperial Commando brigades and an entire squadron of Atharilitus Stealth Ships. He planned the invasion of Krill space to be fierce and decisive in its role, he wanted to perform destructive assaults that would force the Krill to reevaluate their views of the Imperium.
The Invasion itself was swift, with the few Krill ships protecting the border being easily destroyed by the larger and more powerful vessels of the Imperium war machine. The outlying colonies the Krill had established were easily subjugated by the Legions and whenever the Krill attempted a counter attack they met fierce responses with the Imperial Fleets performing frontal assaults that forced the Krill to retreat or else lose what ships they had. To add insult to injury the Imperium performed indirect actions against the Krill industrial centres and population, Tynne, Clan Catharin, Bast commandos performed raids against key targets behind the front lines. Whilst the Atharilitus with their stealth ships being able to infiltrate even the planet Krill itself, where their agents performed acts of sabotage, assassination of key individuals and when required brutal acts of terror including bombings of civilians targets.
The purpose of these attacks was to both force the Krill to hold back their forces to defend the home front but also to try and force the Krill people to grow tired and fearful of future attacks. One of the worst was a major bombing of the Krill Chancellorship in which well over 300 people were killed or wounded. The Final blow for the Krill came in the form of them combining what remained of the fleets they had fighting the Imperium into one solid force. They then set up a defensive position around a key shipyard where new battlecruisers were being built, the hope was that by defending this location they could hold back the Imperium long enough for new ships to be built and the enemy driven back. Sadly for the Krill this never happened, the Imperium learned of this shipyard and the location of the fleet through Atharilitus stealth ships monitoring Krill deployments.
Sekmet Xetu ordered all Imperial ship not engaging the enemy to rally around the 1st fleet which he himself directly commanded and follow in a direct assault on the shipyard. The combined forces of the entire Imperium invasion fleet engaged the Krill fleet and a brutal shoot out between the two began with fighters and bombers engaging each other among the various ships. But Sekmet Xetue had planned for this, he had ordered the different fleets to come at the enemy from various directions thus to catch them in a pincer move. With most of their weapons pointed forwards the Krill fleet had to divide up to enage the enemy on the flanks, soon however this caused gaps to appear in their lines and the Imperial Destroyers and Corvettes used these to break through.
The Krill fleet suffered severe losses with 3 out of 4 ships being destroyed and those that managed to pull back being badly damaged, the Shipyard was then the focus of concentrated fire from Imperial Daedalus class ships and was left a floating wreck. The Krill were crippled by this battle, with the fleet in that sector of their territory crippled there was little stopping the Imperium from pushing onto Krill itself, with little option open they sued for peace.
The terms were clear, no Krill ship was to enter Imperium space ever again, any that did so would be destroyed, the Krill were to never attack any Imperium ship military or otherwise and the establishment of a proper border between the Krill and the Imperium that would be honoured by both sides.
Since the end of the Imperial-Krill war there has been no wish by the Krill government to avenge their losses or defeat by the Imperium as many within their military and political leadership that they were lucky to have survived the War with the Imperium and that to try again would be just as devastating.
The Subjugation of Gia:
The Gia home world and the small expanse of space they had partial control over was situated in an ideal location, their position was the creation of a bulge in the borders of the Imperium. Meaning that when looking on a map of the galaxy from above, the borders of the Imperium acted like the symbol omega with the Gia being in the middle.
Add on the fact that the Gia space had direct access to key Sectors that were of importance to the Imperium with mining and farming worlds being in close proximity to the Gia Border. Not wanting to leave these Sectors and worlds vulnerable to any would be threat, the Imperium at first approached the Gia with the offer of joining the Imperium as a vassal, but the Gia refused adamantly. Then news came that the Gia were looking at the possibility of joining the Planetary Union as a full member, this was perceived as a danger for the Imperium, there was already tension with the Union and the last thing they wanted was the Union fleet having direct access to worlds of importance.
With little choice the Imperial council voted on intervention and the Imperial fleet was dispatched to Subjugate the Gia by force if necessary. Due to the Gia being on a lesser level of technological ability the decision was made to send only a single fleet under Sekmet Forn to perform the task.
With little option and not properly equipped to fight a prolonged war, Sekmet Forn unleashed a weapon that he knew that the Gia would have no defence against. He dispatched the Fire Hurlers of Clan Phoerix to perform attacks against Gia defences, incendiary explosives were fire from afar onto the Gia lines whilst flame throwers moved forward. Being entirely plant life, the Gia had no defence against the fire weapons of the Imperium and surrendered.
The Jiluk War:
The Jiluk were previously unknown neighbours of the Imperium and since they were of little threat, the Imperium chose to leave them be and hold back from interference or involvement with the species.
However when the Jiluk began to spread out from their own solar system, they brought their prideful and aggressive tendencies with them. At first again the Imperium left them be as they were not attacking the Imperium or even caring about it, however things changed when a Jiluk faction attacked and seized a mining outpost within the boundaries of the Imperium, gunning down everyone they found mercilessly they could not be ignored any more.
The Imperium launched a full fledged war against the different Jiluk factions, nations and colonies isolating them and picking them off one by one and with the Jiluk being unable and more importantly unwilling to set their differences aside and fight a common enemy. Though some factions were able to present a unified front, this effort was considered incapable of actually turning the tide as the ever present threat of something occurring that would divide them again made it impossible for the males to work properly together.
Finally however the constant fighting started turning things around for the Imperium as the constant fighting was starting to make people question what the point of the war was. Sekmet Tensar produced a solution that he hoped would end the fighting and ensure that the Jiluk would be properly pacified, he proposed locating a civilian target of importance for the Jiluk and utterly destroy it. A brutal act that whilst bloody would be a show of strength and power in the Imperiums favour and prove to the Jiluk that resistance was futile.
The Imperial council agreed and gave Tensar permission to do what need to be done if it meant ending the war and cease the hostility of the Jiluk once and for all. He located and hired a Jiluk mercenary and ordered him to locate a Jiluk enclave where females and infants were being housed, the mercenary did so and passed it on. Tensar then ordered a collection of Sobet class frigates with their heavy weapons alongside a Daedalus class to unleash a complete and constant orbital bombardment against the settlement ensuring that nothing was left untouched and untorched, all the while he had this act broadcasted across the Jiluk strongholds and settlements to properly show off the power of the Imperium.
Upon seeing an entire settlement of hundreds being burned to the ground without ever seeing their enemy, the Jiluk strongholds one by one began to slowly surrender to the Imperium with many offering no resistance as soon as they saw Imperial ships in orbit.
The Tekav Incident:
Although the two powers had been in cordial communications for many years, the Planetary Union and the Galactic Imperium had seen some tensions on numerous occasions. Often this included the Union granting asylum to criminals, rebels, outcasts and traitors fleeing the Imperium within their space much to fury of the Imperium. However in all these occasions the tension was mediated under the recognition by the Imperium and the Union that the law differs between them and that it is respected depending on which side a ship is upon. But one incident very nearly drove both sides to the brink of all out warfare.
The Tekav Incident was a singular confrontation between the 4th Sector fleet of the Imperium and ships of the Planetary Union fired on one another which kick started a full on battle between the two. The spark was due to the two side meeting during mutual patrols along the border of the two powers, at first the Imperium ships perform the pass with Honour in which the officers of their ship contacted the Union vessel and saluted their officers as a show of respect.
However during this process the ship, The Heylum a Zelus class cruiser experienced a sudden power surge that was undetectable and not of any danger to the ships systems. Sadly though it caused one of the ships torpedoes to explode in the tube which very nearly crippled the ship as it caused a chain reaction within the Armaments storage. Since the explosion was akin to an attack by torpedoes the Captain of the vessel believed he was under attack and called for reinforcements. The rest of the Sector fleet responded and was quick to point the finger at the Union vessel facing them, the Union Captain a Xelyan called Captain Tallus K'ves attempted to calm the fears of the Imperial Admiral stating that his ship a Heavy cruiser had not fired the torpedo.
An investigation into the cause of the incident by the Imperial Engineering Corps discovered that the Heylum cruiser had a flaw in its Quantum drive core which lead to the power spike that caused the ships own torpedoes to explode. With this knowledge the Emperor formally requested a true ceasefire with the Union and the beginnings of a proper treaty between the two where a formal agreement could be reached. Both sides agreed to ensure no more hostile acts would be repeated until the cessation of the negotiations at the Falix 9 Space hub which sat on the border of Union and Imperial Space.
The Treaty of Falix 9:
Before the incident of Tekav, Falix 9 was a solar system that sat literally on the border between Union and Imperium space, for this reason there was little to no development from either side on regards of the system despite the fact that a previous agreement made it so that half of the planets in the system belonged to the Union and the other to the Imperium.
However everything changed in the aftermath of the Tekav Incident the Imperium Diplomatic Service asked the Union to meet with a group of representatives acting on behalf of the Emperor within the system to organise proper diplomatic talks in the hope of creating the first formal treaty between the two powers.
Hoping to avoid a conflict with an equally powerful neighbour whilst also facing the constant threat of the Krill ever present, the Union council agreed. The USS Intrepid was despatched to meet with the representatives and discuss the terms of said treaty, the Imperial Representatives showing an act of trust and faith came to the meeting not with a full compliment of heavy warships and their escorts. But instead in a single Navigator Class vessel to prove that their intentions was in their own words the "seeking of peace not conflict".
For several days the Admiral aboard the Intrepid discussed the terms of the treaty whilst maintaining constant communications with the Union Council whilst the Imperial Diplomats did the same. Very soon the two sides finally agreed to terms that benefited both sides, the Union would not be challenged should they give sanctuary to those leaving the Imperium, whilst the Imperium would not be challenged in the patrolling of the border regions. One change that was agreeable to both though was the implementation of open trade routes between the two powers, from the outset of the signing of the treaty vessels from all species in each power would be permitted to perform open trade deals on both sides of the Border.
The Intrepid set off back to Earth to retrieve the Union President for the actual signing of the treaty, upon their return to Falix however they were greeted by the appearance of a large space station orbiting Falix 9 as well as a large contingent of Imperial Ships. At first they questioned if the station was the so called Imperious, however this was proven false when the ship was contacted and welcomed aboard the newly constructed Falix 9 trade hub.
The Union delegation came aboard lead by the president who was greeted by none other than Emperor Imperatous Coldour the Grandfather of the current Emperor Imperatous Irune. The Emperor gave the delegation a tour of the station which he offered as a gift of friendship to the Union in honour of the new treaty. They walked the various rings looking upon the various amenities and luxuries that would be provided to those whilst aboard, vibrant and colourful bars and clubs, food from various exuesite restaurants, incredibly detailed Simulators, luxurious hotels and living quarters and much more.
Though the Union would granted administrative control as Falix 9 was a Union world species from across the galaxy would be welcomed for open and fair trade. Once inside the Administrators Board Room the treaty was presented them both by the Admiral of the Intrepid, both proudly said a few words before signing the President "It is my hope that with the signing of this treaty peace may not only reign across our galaxy but one day Peace". The Emperor "I pray that this single act of faith shall inspire others to perform even greater achievements in the future".
Since then Farix 9 has been a vibrant trading hub between the Union and the Imperium with merchant vessels from all species within them coming and going whilst enjoying the various amenities and luxuries that the station provided. As well as that the station has served as the meeting point between the Planetary Union and the Imperium whenever matters of importance diplomatically are required to be discussed.
The Secession Crisis of 2405-2407:
14 years before Captain Ed Mercer was given command of the Exploratory vessel the USS Orville, a major conflict erupted within the Imperium, for two straight years an entire sector of the Imperium was deemed to be within a state of civil war between Secessionist elements of Jiluk and Elerium and Imperial Forces.
The initial start of the conflict is hard to identify as rebellious elements have almost always been present within the Imperium subjugated species, from a rebellious group of Tynne that sought absolute independence, to Jiluk insurrections on several colonies. But this was the first time that the Imperium faced a conflict of such a scale against them by people within their own borders. The Secessionist faction began to show power and ability during the years prior to the outbreak of fighting, with the group organising protests and later riots against symbols of Imperial rule.
Soon however this shifted to acts of sabotage and eventually acts of terrorism, bombings became common on colonies across the Sector. Despite the best efforts of the local law enforcement and Sector fleet to put down this terrorist element the perpetrators proved difficult to identify and locate. For safety the Admiralty decided to place an Imperial fleet nearby to provide support should the need be required. Finally however things proved to be more extreme than previously thought as a wave of militant attacks against Imperial controlled faculties such as local military installations, courts, government buildings and more occurred right across the sector.
This attack failed with the majority of the remaining 19th sector fleet being destroyed, what remained was ordered to fall back to save what was left of their ships and crews. In short the Imperial navy was abandoning the sector. The highest ranking officer left was Commodore Highsee Villun and he was sent back to the Imperious for debriefing following the final defeat of the fleet.
Now without the support of a fleet to aid them, what remained of Imperial forces in the sector were easily destroyed by the Rebel forces who soon created their own civilian government and declared themselves the United Factions of Quazetl. This however was not recognised by the Imperium and declared the so called new government to be traitors to the Imperium, the Emperor immediately ordered the 3rd Imperial fleet that was closest to intercede and contain the rebellion until reinforcements could arrive.
The Fleet was placed under the command of Commodore Highsee Villun but overall command was a young up and coming officer Sekmet Setarous who had already proven himself in leadership fighting insurrections and pirates elsewhere in the Imperium but this was his first major command. Setarous was ordered to ensure that the Rebels did not launch attacks into neighbouring sectors nor extend their controlled space. This would prove difficult as the 3rd fleet was made up mostly of new recruits and old generation officers and a single fleet would find it hard to be effective in holding back an enemy that is on the offensive.
Yet Setarous proved himself capable by creating a strategy of containment by distraction, he knew that at the moment his fleet was in no real position to properly begin the offensive against the secessionists and even if he did they would divide up and force him to break up his fleet making them easier targets as they had done with the sector fleet. Instead he chose to use hit and run attacks against Secessionist fleets and stations, the idea being not to destroy ships or retake space stations but to merely make it so the enemy couldn't launch attacks and take more territory as they would be focused on defending what planets they control.
When the time came for the counter attack the Emperor recognising the ability and effectiveness of Sekmet Setarous chose him to lead the counter attack in ending the Secessionist rebellion once and for all. Setarous chose a slow strategy instead of the quick heavy blows that had proven effective before, in the past the Imperial fleet would have gone straight for the jugular of the rebellion, i.e a planet, city, location etc. But he knew that the Secessionist had a powerful fleet somewhere out there in the sector which was a threat for as long as it existed, meaning he couldn't move on prime targets as long as he had to watch over his shoulders constantly to make sure he wasn't being outflanked. He planned on drawing them out first so that he could take them out in one decisive blow that would cripple and force them to retreat into a defensive position.
So he allowed them to win small victories that were of no real danger to the 3rd fleet but got the rebels more confidant and determined. Then a piece of intelligence came his way, the entire Secessionist fleet had gathered at the Oloron Nebula, a large expanse of dust particles and other elements that was a navigational hazard. Any attempting to travel through the nebula learned quickly that the nebula made it impossible to use any scanners or communications, so you can't know what's waiting for you on the other side when you come out so all ships avoid it and go around.
Setarous arrived with the full might of the 3rd fleet as intended and undertook the text book battle plan of the Imperial fleet, the Frigates provide a wall of fire to keep enemy ships back, fighter, bombers, corvettes engage the enemy supported later by Destroyers and cruisers then you bring in the heavier ships in one move to deal the final blow. Yet as the corvettes and Destroyers performed their tasks a moment of clarity appeared for Setarous, he noted that the intelligence said the entire Secessionist fleet was supposed to be here and yet the only ships were a few corvettes, a carrier and three cruisers the same fleet that supposedly took out the entire Sector fleet.
As well as this he noted that the enemy seemed to be losing on purpose, so he took a gamble, he ordered one of his frigates to move back giving the appearance of engine trouble allowing for a small gap in the wall of fire thus allowing enemy ships to get in and amongst the fleet. But not to his surprised the enemy actively avoided the gap and moved away from it, this was the proof he needed that the whole battle was a trap meant to draw them in. To the left of the battle was the Oloron nebula and Setarous took another gamble he ordered a single fighter craft to go into the Nebula to have a look, upon the fighters return the pilot detailed the presence of a large number of heavily armed ships hidden in a pocket of open space within the Nebula.
The Rebels knew the Imperial play book and were waiting for the main body the 3rd fleet to move in thus allowing the ships in the Nebula to come out and attack from behind where the majority of the Imperial heavy ships were weakest. Recognising this threat, Setarous reorganised his fleet and had the Frigates form a defensive circle around the carriers and Daedalus class Tikal, he then ordered the destroyers, corvettes, fighters and bombers to break off their attack on the decoy enemy ships and form up with the fleet. With the jig up, the Secessionists brought out their fleet from the Nebula and engaged, but thanks to the clever planning of Setarous they met heavy resistance and by the end of the battle, almost 91% of the rebel fleet was obliterated and the 3rd fleet had suffered a lot of damage and taken almost 9,748 dead and countless more wounded.
With the Emperors and the Imperial council permission the 3rd fleet withdrew for repairs and reinforcements, whilst the damaged ships were repaired those still capable of fighting alongside extra ships from other Sectors and imperial fleets launched renewed attacks under Setarous instruction this time the focus was the seizing of shipyards and space stations to prevent the Secessionists from doing the same. Which would allow them to then go onto ground offensives and retake the difference colonies under Secession control.
After several months of heavy fighting the final Secession military stronghold on the colony of Minsiv a large arid planet that had a thriving mining industry thanks to its giant asteroid belt and orbital ring of rock around the planet itself. The colonies capital city had been holding out for weeks but finally a breach was made in the outer perimeter and the Imperial legion sent in their so called Forlorn hope into the breach, despite a number of losses the legion was able to break through and gain a foothold in the city with Elerium fighting Elerium in close quarters combat using their thermal swords and plasma spears. But the breach allowed additional forces to begin the quick process of retaking the city, which surrendered a few days later.
The final real battle of the crisis was an attack on a Planetary Union compound within the borders of the Imperium, evidence was discovered after the Minsiv surrender, as many of the Secessionist troops had been using weapons and equipment of the Planetary Union alongside Moclan weapon systems. This raised suspicions for many in the upper echerlons of the Imperial leadership including the Emperor himself. These thoughts were only aggravated after the discovery by the Atharilitus of a Planetary Union compound on Kitaris 9 a planet within the borders of the Imperium in the very Sector that had risen up against the Imperium.
Under the illusion that this compound had been the location where rebels and traitors had been getting weapons from the Union, the Emperor ordered Sekmet Setarous to attack and seize the compound so that the Atharilitus and Imperial Diplomatic service could gather evidence of the Union supporting a rebellion within the Imperium. The attack was brutal and bloody as the compound lacked any kind of planetary defences that meant that those within the compound could not defend themselves from anything but a ground attack.
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