Faction When Order Bleeds || Iron Crusade

[IRONCOM]

WHEN ORDER BLEEDS
Hand of Decimus Campaign
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The IRON EMPIRE is a fractured, itinerant remnant — a crusading order without a throne. Bereft of a defined domain, it roams former Imperial sectors as a guardian of Order, striving to police what remains of former Imperial territories. Where warlords carve out fiefdoms and Sith cults rise from the ashes, the Iron Empire brings judgment, not for conquest, but for stability. Its legions, fleets, and Imperial Knights operate as firebreaks against chaos, holding fast to the belief that the Empire can endure without falling again to the Sith's corrupting grasp.

This fragile balance is shattered when a convoy of the Iron Empire is ambushed above the frontier world of Bosph — its escorts obliterated, cargo seized, and survivors butchered. The attackers fly the banner of the HAND OF DECIMUS, a militant remnant aligned with Sith-Imperial restorationists and the New Sith Order. At their helm is self-proclaimed GRAND ADMIRAL JORRAN KRELL, known as the "Red Hand," a former naval commander turned zealot who seeks to resurrect Sith dominance over the Imperial ideal. Simultaneously, an uprising erupts on Bosph's surface, as sleeper cells strike and defectors rally to the Hand's cause. What was once a quiet world of renewal becomes a battleground, its green plains once again soaked in blood.

The Iron Empire does not tolerate rebellion and disorder, least of all from those who would drag the galaxy back into the shadow of Sith tyranny. Orders have been issued. A strike fleet under the banner of the Warmaster himself is en route to Bosph to intercept any remaining hostile vessels and re-establish orbital control. Simultaneously, ground elements of the Stormtrooper Corps and attached Knight detachments are being deployed to contain and crush the insurgency before it spreads beyond the planet. Intelligence assets are tasked with uncovering the extent of local collaboration, while recovery teams secure whatever remains of the stolen cargo. Bosph will not fall. This is not merely a military reprisal, it is a demonstration. Let all who would betray the Empire and kneel to Sith masters again witness what becomes of traitors.

Objective 1: Plains on Fire

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The insurgency across several villages has to be eliminated. The rebels are prepared to expand both across the planet join the Hand of Decimus, weapons and supplies are being gathered and have to be destroyed or captured. Further the rebels are gathering a small squadron of light freighters and derelict fighters which have to be dismantled. Take the fight to the enemy, show no mercy and let the banner of the Iron Sun rise above the plains of Bosph once more.​

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Further, the Imperial Security Bureau requires the leaders of the rebellion to be taken prisoner and interrogated.​

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For: Imperial Military (Ground), Iron Templars​

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Objective 2: Engaging the Hand

The Imperial Navy arrives above Bosph and provides cover for the ground operations when the Hand of Decimus returns with a small strike force. Drive off these traitors to the Imperial cause and destroy or capture their ships. The Hand of Decimus is showing itself and they must pay dearly for this, showing true Iron dominance. There can be not repenting for those that align themselves with the decadent Sith of the past.​

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For: Imperial Navy, Starfighters, Boarding​

 

[Gaius Sisenna]

Navy: The Resurgence (3x squadrons of Tie Vanguard, 2x Tie Bruiser)
Personal Equipment: N/A

"Director, five squadrons on deck. We are lacking in full readiness, the captains report that personnel is not able to man the remaining complement."

The remark soured his mood. Ensign Karule was a latent addition to the bridge crew, a replacement for a retiree who saw the end of his tenure after the Director's ascent in the Trade Federation. A good man, he affirmed to himself in silence.

"Prepare squads R-1 and 2, place them on alert and have R-1 perform a radius patrol upon our exit from hyperspace."

The order was uttered with a tired cadence. The Resurgence, as it was christened, lacked the full staffing of its fighter complement, support ship complement, and most of its compartments. Only engineering, and the security divisions, were staffed completely with imperial rank and file. The remaining gaps, as necessary as they were to fill, were filled by B1 battle droids. It was a mess, and they were about to debut in battle under the banner of the Iron Empire.

He had little time to contemplate further, "Director, we are coming out of hyperspace in 5-" the countdown began and before he had time to prepare his faculties, the star lines waned and the lurch of their vessel announced that they had arrived in the vicinity of Bosph. Almost immediately the sound of screaming ion engines erupted overhead as the first squadron of tie fighters flew overhead.

"This is Captain Carolus to bridge Resurgence, Squad R-1 is operational and en route to target area."

"Captain Carolus, sweep right and hold position. We are blind to the Hand's strategy, best to hold off with the little complement we have available." He turned to Ensign Karule again, "Have Squad R-2 sweep left and join R-1, then move the Resurgence into orbit."

Another familiar sound announcing a new flyover and the pieces were in place. He glanced down at his own terminal, cautiously pressing his index finger against the nearest control to open a holographic view of the space outside of his destroyer. On the right side of the display, a status readout of his turbolaser batteries relayed information of what armament he had available. It was time to put his new droids to work, the thought almost paralyzed him.

"Ensign, tag Squadron R-3 and hold. Prepare to launch and support ground operations on the surface. If the Hand will not show itself, then we will punish their insurgency on the ground."


IRONCOM

 

[Imperius Indomitus]

W A R M A S T E R
LORD INDOMITUS
Through war, we bring order.
Through strength, we bring unity.

The Iron March
Order. Strength. Discipline.

Gaius Sisenna | Open

LEGITIMATE POWER​

BOSPH | VALOR | BRIDGE
Objective 2: Engaging the Hand

The Valor exited hyperspace just next to the Resurgence of Gaius Sisenna . The newly commissioned ship, bearing the name of the recently destroyed Harrower that had served Imperius as personal flagship for the past year, almost smelled new on the inside. Its crews and operators were clad in Imperial grey, their stern faces busy as the lights of their consoles put them into various colors. Some of them were veterans, many of them were new. None of them had fought alongside or under direct command of Imperius before.

With his hands clasped on his back he stood at the front of the bridge, his black eyes barely reflecting in the transparisteel nor the blue hue of hyperspace mirroring in them. The new Imperial Star Destroyers were a very potent weapon, he thought, but could not help to miss the older design he was used to or even the Eternal Triumph. But there was a time and place for everything. Appearances mattered, to a degree at least.

"Fighter screen ready to launch, shields and weapons up on my command. Exiting hyperspace in five, four, three, two, one - raise shields and power up weapons. Fighters, launch. Scan the system and send probes to the dark corners. Everyone on high alert." Captain Colm Verus said calmly, issuing his orders with confidence and no small amount of anticipation. "Maintain formation with the rest of the squadron, let the ground forces prepare for landing."

Around them, several more ships exited hyperspace, two Gage-class Transports and three Vosotho-class Heavy Landing Ships as well as a handful of Corvettes. It was a small task force, put together to deal with this situation and supported by what was available to the Warmaster. The Iron-Imperials were not the mightiest of the current remnants, but certainly not the weakest.

"Imperius to task force. Advance to the planet, cover the landing crafts. Anchor a line along the Resurgence, advanced pickets. Everyone in this system is considered an adversary until they struck their colors. Prepare air support for the ground operation. Corvette Theta-11 to the other side of the planet. Close ranks and advance."

"Imperius to Resurgence. Director Sisenna - do I read correctly that your ship is not fully staffed?" All these battlecruisers and no crew to fill them. It was a waste of resources in Imperius mind, few situations outside a fully pitched fleet engagement required anything larger than a Star Destroyer, most did not even need that. And if they were not fully manned, they were a liability. "We provide additional cover against boarding, do not overextend."

With that the Imperial ships moved forward.

 

[Sar Talos]

WHEN ORDER BLEEDS - PLAINS ON FIRE
Aboard the Firehawk

Talos meditated in silence among the busy hangar deck of the Firehawk. He felt the anxiety, the excitement, the fear, the worries and willpower of the soldiers around him. Their desires and wants, they were strong, always strongest before a battle. They realised what they needed, what they wanted and most importantly, what they wanted not. Mostly death, but there was more out there: disappointment, failure, getting lost, seriously injured. The common thoughts and emotions that soldiers had before engaging an enemy. It calmed him. Gave him a sense of belonging and familiarity that was difficult to explain. Peace, comfort and quiet were welcome changes and necessary for the common warriors, but that did not mean they could be less confusing. Or less boring.​

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He kneeled, one knee on the armored deck, the other not, his black battleplate rich with decorations of battle honors and relics, the red tabard flawless as it was fresh and untainted. He believed in the cleanliness of his gear, even if it would inevitably get dirty or even destroyed, it did not mean that he should care less. It was a point of discipline for him. Behind the glossy black lenses of his helmet though, his eyes were closed. His lips moved in silent speech as he recited the Code and the Rite of Readiness, over and over again.​

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His left hand rested on the grip of his Remnant Shield, it had the shape of the cross of his Order, elongated. His right hand was clenched into a fist as it was pressed against his chest above his heart. This spectacle was repeated by the three Templars surrounding him, the members of his Household, his squad. Their armors of equal color, bearing his sigil but some had their helmets next to them, while another held his hands around his greatsword. Each readied in their own way.​

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Sar Talos felt how the ship entered the atmosphere, how the friction made the entire vessel vibrate and opened his eyes, rising from his knee and nodding at the fellow Templars as they were approaching their next battlefield.​

 

[Gaius Sisenna]

Navy: The Resurgence (3x squadrons of Tie Vanguard, 2x Tie Bruiser)
Personal Equipment: N/A

The arrival of his allies offered the briefest of comforts to the Director. Immediately on his display, the quadrant where the Valor had jumped into the system lit up with the sensory acknowledgement of the vessels the task force had brought to bear.

"Captain Carolus, Parneck, adjust course and mirror your patrol to avoid the vectors of our allies in the task force. Consolidate your numbers." He turned deftly to the bridge crew, "Deploy R-3, hold on RB-1 and RB-2. Set patrol vectors to our blindspots and hold the Resurgence for further coverage."

The blinking light on his console indicated that he was being hailed. A sigh escaped him, though he understood that such disappointments were improper. The formalities of this command position were newer to the Director, who had long spent his years in the SpecNav, where such formalities were dispensed with.

"Director Sisenna to Valor. That is correct." He pressed a key on the console beside his display, and a full read out appeared in front of him, "We are staffing turbolaser batteries with droid models, but are lacking full fighter wing fulfillment and medical bay complement." Imperius' following comment evoked a sense of agreed despondency on the part of the Director. Indeed, his ship was vulnerable. The new crew classes had not been cleared to fill vacancies. A problem that would need to be fixed.

The Resurgence shifted forward proportionally with the allied task force until it reached a more stationary position.

"Shields up. Transmit full readiness to all compartments."

The mechanical step behind him indicated that his preferred advisor had arrived. ST-904, Fothran, had arrived. A super tactical droid in all respects, he had been reprogrammed to imperial specifications and given a read out of the battle before them. He stopped just beside the display, downloading the data on the nearby task force to his memory banks. This battle was a test of the two's complementary work together.

Imperius Indomitus | IRONCOM

 

[Kroeger]

BOSPH, HAND OF DECIMUS CAMPAIGN
CONTRACT | THE IRON EMPIRE
902 ABY

D E M O N
IRON LEGION
'THOSE ONCE LOYAL'
B-COMPANY 'BUSHMASTER' 1-16SR
IRONCOM

MOGOTT​

It was difficult to derive Kroeger as anything but subject matter expert on this variation of warfare. 'Bandit fighting' as New Imperial doctrine referred to it as. As if making even the clinical effort to subdue and downplay 'rebellion' and 'terrorism' as naught more than a rabble of criminals sowing chaos in otherwise compliant worlds. Though behind the swaying fronts of the Third Imperial Civil War or Second Great Hyperspace War without the grand scale strategic consequences that came at the bleeding knife point of every battle.

War with these sorts was a different beast entirely. Whilst Kroeger had fashioned himself as a competent Brigade Commander, able to maneuver and utilize his different combined arms battalions along with their supporting assets to great effect in the battles he'd been able to field them, bandit fighting required a more exacting hand closer to the front of the act. He'd kept half of his brigade aboard the Long Night of Solace, rotating them on a contract-by-contract basis to keep two of them refitted and rested while the other pair were raking in the Legion's credit flow. Rinse and repeat. 3-112AR 'Hell's Hammers' and 1-16SR 'Iron Will' were the battalions tasked for the operation. Being such a sparse world, it'd meant they were fielded at no larger than a company element concentrated at any one location, each routing to a battalion command which had been established in hasty 'TOCs' within the Iron Legion's sector of responsibility. Where in which- the beans and bullets of the operation would be funneled down from the Long Night.

ISB and the Long Night of Solace's own surveillance capabilities had pinned the rebels down unto a assembly area where the rebels have begun to consolidate transports, combat power and starfighters. It quickly shaped to be the primary objective of Kroeger, taking command of Besh Company of 1-16SR with a platoon of Cataphract main battle tanks in support along with a battery of Imperator self-propelled artillery guns on-call for fire missions.

Sat in the commander's seat of his own Cataphract, Kroeger donned his usual panopy. A duraplast chest plate with a tanker's jacket strewn over it and a comms box strapped around his shoulder under it, plugged into his tanker trooper helmet which was promptly plugged into the tank's own. communication's systems.

They were approaching the rebel assembly area, utilizing the wide, vast open grass planes of Bosph to the advantage of freedom of maneuver, even if it offered little by means of cover. The formations of Barran IFVs and Cataphract tanks were spread out wide in a 'keel' or wedge shape on their approach toward the rebel assembly area, a company striking from each cardinal direction with a more decisive drive from the south, supported by Kroeger and his platoon of Cataphract tanks.

<"Demon to all Bushmaster elements, Red and Black platoon move into support-by-fire in sight of the objective area. We're not being quiet, they're going to start scrambling soon, as soon as myself and White platoon hit phase line 'Bantha', we're hitting them with indirect and moving in for the assault."> Kroeger said to the subordinate elments, a pre-identified hulk of a T-65 X-Wing jutting from the earth the marker for the approach.

<"Demon this is White Leader, we've hit phase line 'Bantha'. Standing by for arty."> The platoon leader nestled in the back of the lead Barran's troop bay pushed through to Demon who nodded and replied back.

<"Copy. Break. Hellfires this is Demon Actual, fire target number Aurek-Aurek-two thousand."> He patched through to his fires direction who copied the message back.

Within moments, high explosive mass driver rounds were slamming into the rebel staging area to shape the battle for the Iron Legion's assault.

 

[Dante Kess]

Objective I: Plains on Fire
Tags: <Open>

The transport buckled as it entered the planet's atmosphere, the mixed unit of Templars and Troopers remained unfazed by the turbulence. Most of them were hardened veterans of many battles. This would be a simple operation, in theory at least. Dante was skeptical of High Command's assessment of the enemy force. If these Sith-aligned rebels had successfully disrupted operations on the planet, they were more than just common bandits.

Even with his doubts, he remained fiercely loyal to his commanders. He would lead the Praetorians in this endeavor, and slaughter the rabble who dared rise up against them. The reward for those foolish enough to resist Imperial rule was a swift execution, ideally at the blade of his saber.

As the dropship neared the cloud of red smoke the pathfinder units had prepared, Dante felt a sense of unease, a strange forewarning from the force perhaps? It was hard to tell sometimes what was a warning from on high, or genuine paranoia. Regardless, he would be on his guard until the forward positions were secured. Then, and only then, could they proceed on the mission to eradicate these so-called rebels.

The drop zone was easy enough to secure, and the troopers did their work in record time. Setting up support weapons, clearing the various areas of the combat zone, and inspecting their supplies. Dante watched them wordlessly, they were adequate to be here, at least for troopers. He didn't have issue with the Stormtrooper corps, but there was a healthy competition within the corps and the Templars. Each one proclaimed they were the backbone of Imperial operations.

While the Templars had the force and its varied esoteric advantages, they were dwarfed in size by the sheer might of the Stormtrooper Corps, so each vied for the attention of command. Dante was not immune to this competition, he wished to show that the Templars were the superior military force.

"All units, be ready to move out at a moment's notice. Praetorian squads, make sure to keep track of your objectives, we're here to make a show of force, let our enemies know we mean to destroy all that they have!"

 

[Imperius Indomitus]

W A R M A S T E R
LORD INDOMITUS
Through war, we bring order.
Through strength, we bring unity.

The Iron March
Order. Strength. Discipline.

Gaius Sisenna | Open

LEGITIMATE POWER​

BOSPH | VALOR | BRIDGE
Objective 2: Engaging the Hand

"Targets inbound! Hyperspace, vector 12,123. Multiple ships leaving hyperspace, unknown signatures. Battle stations." The voice of the captain echoed across the bridge. Officers got to work as shields were raised and weapons charged, there was no hectic or panic, it was a cold, methodical reaction to the situation. Discipline prevailed.

The Lord Indomitus observed it with silent approval, extensive training and rigorous drilling were part of every Imperial officers upbringing, even in the lesser remnants or previous Empires, Imperial naval tradition prevailed as staple. A nod of acknowledgement to the Dark Empire and the Lost, as many of his crews came from their schools and fleets.

His attention though quickly shifted to the enemy. The ships of imperial design, almost entirely, as was expected. It was a pain to having to destroy them or at least damage them till they surrender. Boarding parties were preparing, but it was still a far cry from perfect. Sith restorationists. They longed for an ideal that was only in their head, that the Sith Empire had provided stability and security, not Sith inbreeding and mindless oppression. It was an ideological, almost zealous case of ignorance and impossible to argue with. Someone who did not know what they worshipped, would never know reason.

The fleet of the Hand of Decimus had three Star Destroyers and five cruisers of varying sizes, including an interdictor which gravity wells were already online, making this a pitched battle if they wanted to or not. They had the bigger ship with the Resurgence, but were by average quite inferior in terms of tonnage and combat value.

"They will not know that the Resurgence is not fully manned and consider it their main threat. We can make use of that for a short time. While they focus their fire on the Resurgence, we will surge forward to bring down at least some of the cruisers and their flagship, with guns and boarding pods at the same time. We will hold our wings in defence until we are closely engaged. Our corvettes will provide any starfighter cover as good as they can."

The Warmaster's voice came across the command channel of the imperial fleet, reaching Gaius Sisenna as well.

 

[Sar Talos]

Kroeger | Dante Kess

WHEN ORDER BLEEDS - PLAINS ON FIRE
Assault

He did not know anything about the battle that would unfold in space, nor did he care. His mind was of singular purpose and duty: triumph over the rebels on Bosph. There was no other consideration until this task was done. The Firehawk descended unto the plains of Bosph, its hull steeped in the fires of re-entry as it performed a rather swift move towards the surface. Usually such were done slower for larger ships, but he had ordered them to be swift. Their vengeance must be dealt in a sudden strike, their wrath unleashed and order restored.​

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Much less graceful and much less tactically acute, the Firehawk landed not far off to the flank of where Kroeger had started his attack. Assault ramps sprang open and Stormtroopers of the 181st Legion swarmed out, immediately deploying in their natural squads and covering each other on the open plains. Heavy weapons from atop the ramps, overlooking the advance, starting shooting towards the rebel gathering point. Suppressive fire from repeaters, missiles and even some sniper fire laying cover for the advancing troops.​

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The Iron Marshal led the assault. His shield was in front of him, the shields of his brothers and sister almost interlocking as they slowly ran across the open field. High grass brushing against their tabards, trampled by hundreds of pairs of boots. On his HUD he made sure that the Stormtroopers were spreading out sufficiently. His greatsaber was not yet ignited, not even in his hand, as the blaster in his hand started shooting as he marked targets.​

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The rebels were responding, not only to the armored advance, but now to the Stormtroopers and the large landing ship that had arrived in a spectacular fashion, far closer than expected or sensible. Heavy blaster fire came from their positions, few barricades made of crates and sandbags were there, even fewer trenches. The enemy clearly had not relied on preparing fortifications. A mistake they would not repeat.​

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Next to Talos a white tide spread out, red blaster fire coming from it as it advanced swiftly. He sent a ping to the nearby allies, not a word, just a ping that came up as a rune for 'engaging' and for 'fire support'. His first words were far more simple and straight forward as his white greatsaber awakened. Shouted, his voice reinforced by the modulator.​

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"For the Empire!"​

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The battlecry was repeated by those around.​

 

[Gaius Sisenna]

Imperius Indomitus

Navy: The Resurgence (3x squadrons of Tie Vanguard, 2x Tie Bruiser)​

The holographic display lit up in a miasma of red light, followed by a cacophony of shouts from the bridge crew. Calm silence befell the super tactical droid, who turned its head ever so slightly in the Director's direction. Gaius Sisenna brought a hand to his chin. Methodically, he ran through the Hand's ship designations in a list.

"Fothran, inform all turbolaser decks to prepare for fire orders."

They would not be in range for some time, but the activation of gravity well generators provoked his more pointed attention.

"Ensign Karule, inform our squads to hold and continue their patrols around the Resurgence. Hold launch on RB-1 and 2, we are going to redirect their attention to our new friends. Ensign Hackley, pull the ship forward in range of the enemy, let's have a light touch, hm? Just within range so our turbolasers can begin their volleys, I would hate to allow them the first strike at our hull."

The ship lurched forward, the engines carrying its significant mass across the vast void of space that surrounded the planet. Fothran had been relaying orders through the central computer, to his specifications. He was immediately impressed with the aptitude of the droid. No latency, no delay, within moments they would be in range and the mettle of his droid crew would be tested.

He paid silent attention to the commands of his ally, a slight narrowing of the brow in response. 'Very well', he thought to himself as the Resurgence continued to press onward. He knew very little of the Warlord or his ambitions, or whether he could be trusted to protect the Director's prized ship. No matter, Gaius had been an plainclothes marine, then an operator, and now a Director. He knew by now the ruthless efficiency of the imperial war machine, and if it was his ship to be designated as bait, then it would be the mistake of the Hand in believing they could take him on.

Finally, the semicircle on the display glowed and a noise all too familiar permeated the bridge as the crew peered to their leader for the most famous imperial order. With a smile, he obliged.

"Set ship to slight port rotation, all starboard batteries target their picket cruisers. Fire at will."


The song that followed and the melody of battle brought comfort to the Director as the first signs of damage became apparent.



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