For an expansionist state such as the Empire of Dominia a strong military is of the highest concern, as is the sprawling military-industrial complex that supports it. The '''Dominian Imperial Military''' is thus consistently lavished with funds, equipment, and training as a result of its critical nature, which has made it into one of the most-experienced fighting forces in the contemporary [[Orion Spur]]. Yet there is one aspect of its nature cannot be changed no matter how much money is thrown at it: the fact that the vast majority of its least senior personnel — from enlisted soldiers guarding occupied Fisanduh, to the ground crews that maintain the supersonic aircraft favored by typically noble pilots, to the crewmen of the Imperial Fleet’s ships — are Ma’zals.
While those that supervise these Ma’zals as officers are generally Secondaries or Primaries, the ones below them almost always outnumber them. This seeming contradiction — that the instrument of conquest, and thus the creation of Ma’zals, itself is made up of those conquered — has long seemed puzzling from the outside, yet the Empire has shown that it is able to make the contradiction seemingly sensible, against all reasonable odds. The answer to this puzzle lies in the Empire’s taxation policy: the [[Empire_of_Dominia#The_Mo’ri’zal|Mo’ri’zal]].
The largest representation of [[Offworlder Humans|offworlders]], the Scarabs perfectly embody the nomadic characterization most of the zero-G-bound Humans have founded over the years. They are a clever bunch, numbering in the millions yet supporting themselves by utilizing advanced compact hydroponics and insect farming to survive and compete in the modern world.
The often-high Mo’ri’zals that Ma’zals incur simply due to being born as a Ma’zal motivates many to pursue a career in the Imperial Military, which often is the only way that many Ma’zals and their families will be free of debts incurred for the privilege of being born in the Empire. Some join for other reasons — many from Novi Jadran in particular join out of a sense of duty to those they perceive as their betters, and often rise higher than their Ma’zal counterparts — but the majority are motivated by their Mo’ri’zal, and the better lives they will live after they are rid of it. The sheer number of willing volunteers that sign up to serve in the Imperial Military has ensured that the Empire has not had a draft since the War of Moroz, a fact that it often dangles tauntingly over the head of the conscription-heavy [[Elyra Military|Elyran Armed Forces]].
Originating from African Confederation colonists in the early 2200’s, their remarkable history demonstrates the true flexibility and resolve of Humanity. These pioneers, in their early years, banded together with those of other nations launching numerous vessels at similar times for the collective goal of colonizing the depths of space.
The [[Empire_of_Dominia#Dominian_Society|Primaries, Secondaries, and Ma’zals]] of the Imperial Military are divided into three major branches: the Imperial Army, His Imperial Majesty’s Fleet, and the Imperial Flying Corps.
'''Although they’re united, Scarabs still stick to naming their children after the colony ship they inhabit.'''
==The Imperial Army==
==Culture==
<center><b>''L'Honneur Accorde la Victoire''</b></center>
Scarabs adopt many of the often seen traits of other Offworlders, with a deep conversationalist attitude ingrained in all Scarabs out of necessity. The Scarabs have known centuries of scarcity, and it affects their culture and mindset very heavily. Greed, laziness and wastefulness are considered the most condemnable misdeeds and most vile insults, whereas selflessness, resourcefulness and hard work are the most praisable virtues.
<center><i>“The typical infantryman of the Imperial Army is almost always Ma’zal, a member of a social/economic group similar to Non-Citizen Persons. They are well-trained and well-equipped soldiers who have often seen combat on the Imperial Frontier. Do not underestimate them or their ballistic armament in combat — doing so may <u>COST YOU YOUR LIFE</u> in a combat situation!”</i> — Excerpt from the [[Elyra Military|Elyran Army’s]] <i>Know Your Enemies</i> training manual (2463 edition).</center>
[[File:House_Strelitz.png|thumb|right|The dark red standard of House Strelitz, the great house that dominates the Imperial Army.]]
====Tujmansaal====
The oldest and largest of the Empire’s branches is the Imperial Army, which was first formed by the Imperial Alliance — the predecessor of the modern Empire — in the years leading up to the War of Moroz. This makes it older than the Empire itself, though constant reforms and modernizations have ensured that it bears little resemblance to the force that once became stuck in a mountainous quagmire when it had to fight the Confederated States of [[Fisanduh]]’s Army. [[Empire_of_Dominia_Great_Houses#House_Strelitz|House Strelitz]] is the unquestioned master of the Imperial Army, but their conservative nature — and sense of duty — have ensured that the Army is unfailingly loyal to the Emperor, though some more conservative members of it are rumored to disdain the apparently liberal and reformist heir apparent, [[Keeser_Royal_Family#Crown_Princess_Priscilla_Keeser|Crown Princess Priscilla Keeser]].
Tujmansaal is a very common spiritual concept that most Scarabs can deeply connect with. Roughly translated as “blissful times”, it represents a state in which a person can easily satisfy any of their own needs. Such a state is a very common life goal for most - simply living the rest of one’s life fed, safe and comfortable. Although one could see this as egotistical, needs of a Scarab often include being among friends and family, and seeing them happy - meaning that tujmansaal is not achievable unless all of your loved ones achieve it together with you.
The Imperial Army has perhaps the most practical experience out of any comparable force in the [[Orion Spur]] due to the Empire’s seemingly unending conquests, which are providing it with ample opportunities to cut its teeth in open warfare and counterinsurgency operations. Its large size and multitude of active combat operations have given the Imperial Army a massive need for officers, regardless of their origins. Though it remains heavily stratified it is— despite the conservative leanings of House Strelitz — not unheard of for a Ma’zal to become an officer, though those that rise to such ranks are typically from [[Empire_of_Dominia#Novi_Jadran|Novi Jadran]]. While a Ma’zal is capable of rising to the officer ranks, ranks above non-commissioned officers consist almost entirely of Secondaries and Primaries, and a majority of these officers are a part of or affiliated with House Strelitz. Noble officers of the House can be found at a variety of ranks ranging from platoon officers to general staff, and families of the House consider it a point of pride to have a relative serving as an officer involved in active combat. To many Strelitz no location is better suited to the honing of martial pride than an active battlefield, where the path to glory so often originates.
====Aiseheer====
Aiseheer is a relationship concept used often among Scarabs, roughly translated to “brothers in need”, and meaning people working towards a common goal despite all of their differences and disagreements. A single member involved in this kind of relationship is called an aiseh (plural aiseh). After the goal in question has been achieved, the aiseh may strengthen their bond and become close, or go separate ways once more. Skrell often find this similar to their concept of qu’pluux, but with the difference of aiseheer potentially involving many people, or entire groups.
While the Imperial Army is primarily a human organisation it does have some aliens within its ranks, primarily unathi from or affiliated with House Kazhkz and its Han’san faction. These unathi are formed into their own species-based units commanded by human, and often Strelitz-affiliated, officers that are attached to Imperial battalions as assault infantry. These “unathi regiments,” as they are typically known are highly prized by Imperial Army commanders, who often deploy them to the most dangerous areas of an assault.
====Superstition and Conservation====
A very strong element of Scarab culture is superstition. Almost any Scarab is superstitious to at least some degree. Different omens, big and small, ominous and promising, vary from ship to ship, but are present everywhere. A few are universal. For example, the corpses of fellow crew must always be spaced - no space or resources should be wasted to preserve it, but neither may it be recycled or used in any form, as resorting to using fellow crew members’ dead bodies means that bad times have come, and it’s likely that it’s going to only get worse from there…
The common soldiers of the Imperial Army are most typically deployed on the Imperial Frontier, where they are responsible for much of the fighting and dying that takes place when a planet does not immediately surrender to the Empire when His Imperial Majesty’s Fleet arrives in the system in force. One of the most recent notable invasions carried out by the Imperial Army was the invasion and pacification of [[Empire_of_Dominia#Sun_Reach|Sun Reach]], a planet located in a system with rich deposits of Helium-3. While the conquest took barely two months the Imperial Army has since found itself in a protracted war against insurgents on the planet, and has resorted to using more and more severe methods to pacify the population. While much of the Imperial Army’s combat operations are carried out against similar unconventional forces, it has engaged many conventional forces: primarily the militias and limited armed forces of colonies the Empire conquers. In these scenarios it almost always has an overwhelming advantage, and has yet to face a serious defeat on the open battlefield as a result. Imperial Army forces are also involved in what they term as “peacekeeping operations,” in Fisanduh alongside the Imperial Flying Corps, where they have been involved in an ongoing asymmetrical conflict for decades.
Asking for more food than you were initially given at a meal, even when available, is a bad omen commonly associated with egoism and narcissism. Instead, uneaten food and leftovers must always be preserved and used as an ingredient in the next meal that is going to be made. On station, this would mean that food left after transfer should be stored safely in a refrigerator or a heater.
Compared to its major regional rival, the Elyran Armed Forces, the Imperial Army is significantly more experienced but has begun to lag behind in technological parity as the Elyran military has reformed. The equipment demands that result from its large size and multitude of conflicts have given the Imperial Army a preference for equipment that has been proven to work effectively. Unlike the glamorous clothing associated with [[Moroz|Moroz’s]] nobility, the typical Army regular’s uniform and armor consists of dull earthen tones designed to blend in with the environment. The most common rifle used by Imperial Army troops is the MPR-24/5 (Moroz Pattern Rifle, Year of 2426, fifth modification), a 40 year old rifle that has been continuously upgraded and modified since its inception as ballistic weaponry, in the eyes of Army command, is both more reliable and easier to train Ma’zals with. As a result energy weaponry is generally kept within special units consisting of more trusted Ma’zals, such as those from Novi Jadran, and the Army’s primarily-Morozian special forces.
Scarab engineering and maintenance crew members would often carry a spare wrench on themselves, which is a common good luck charm. However, having to give it away to someone else may spell disaster for both people in question.
The special forces of the Imperial Army are known as His Majesty's Special Operations Group, or simply as “the Group.” The Group is primarily recruited from the Empire’s core worlds and Novi Jadran, and is divided into two wings: geneboosted and non-geneboosted. The geneboosted wing is the older and more prestigious branch, dating back to the end of the War of Moroz and the Strelitz troops used to decisively end it. This wing consists entirely of geneboosted Primaries and is often regarded as the most prestigious unit of the Army. The non-geneboosted wing is primarily recruited from Novi Jadran (though Lyodii and Secondaries often find their way into it) and, despite their lesser prestige, is responsible for the majority of the Imperial Army’s special operations due to its larger size and greater flexibility. Commandos from the non-geneboosted wing can be found throughout the Empire, but are most often associated with long-range expeditions into Fisanduh to destroy 3F arms factories. These long-range patrols are often equipped with non-Dominian weaponry in the name of plausible deniability, and to avoid any diplomatic consequences.
Meal times are strictly and sparingly scheduled for the entire ship, and are quiet times of appreciation for the work going into producing the food. Speaking up is strictly prohibited, and making eye contact is considered to be a bad omen - instead, this is a time to recall and reflect. Afterwards, a break is to be had, as a relatively recent custom. During this break time, ships may often dock to each other, exchanging news, resources, and oral tradition.
Standards of living of the soldiers of the Imperial Army vary depending on both their rank and their social class of origin, though the meritocratic nature of its recruitment and organisation has ensured that these social class gaps – at least those in common ranks, such as the enlisted and lower-ranked officers – are not egregious. The general staff of the Imperial Army goes to great lengths to ensure that Ma’zals within it are treated well and have a better standard of living while in the Army than many had on their planets, which ensures that it always has a steady stream of willing volunteers signing up to serve. While life is often difficult in the Imperial Army, its personnel – from the greenest Ma’zal recruits just sent to Moroz for basic training to its Primary general staff – can count on the Army not abandoning them to die, or to go hungry in the cold.
====Fiction====
Fictional literature is almost non-existent due to consoles and paper being used extremely sparingly. Instead, verbal arts are almost exclusively oral, with stories, myths and legends being shared among departments or families after meal times, or passed by from ship to ship when docking.
===Notable Imperial Army Units===
Most common are two genres. Shiwuniket is the older one - grim and dark stories that serve as some kind of warning or precaution. Themes of death, collapse and mysterious omens are all very common. Nitaniket, more recent and less popular, is comprised of stories of overcoming and triumph, where the main characters are savvy and clever individuals who are able to make the most of the limited resources they have, using them in creative ways to deal with danger or challenges thrown their way.
<center><i>“By Her will, in Her name,”</i> - Regimental motto of the 56th Jadranic Infantry Regiment.</center>
====Shaitan====
A common character in Scarab folklore is Shaitan, the Adversary - a malevolent spirit which is said to be the personification of all evil. Although exact details differ from ship to ship, it commonly takes the form of a mysterious and elusive traveler with their eyes brightly shining, who then convinces someone to lead the entire ship to ruin. The exact details of how this is done may differ, but generally, the victim captures the light of the traveler’s eyes, becoming blinded with their own reflection and giving in to madness, now only obsessed with their own well-being, and eventually bringing the ship to a collapse.
The oldest regiment in the entire Imperial Army, the '''Royal Morozian Regiment''' can trace its history to the Imperial Alliance which preceded the modern Empire. It served with distinction in the War of Moroz and has contributed troops to nearly every colonial conflict, though typically only as bodyguards for generals assigned to the front. The Royal Morozian is made up, as the name implies, entirely of Morozians and is recruited primarily from great house-affiliated Secondaries. The Royal Guard recruits directly from the Royal Morozian and the Regiment itself is often used to guard important buildings in Nova Luxembourg. As the regiment is mostly ceremonial joining it is considered to be an honor bestowed upon few Secondaries and most who manage to secure a position within it know they are on a fast-track for ennobling. The Regiment’s status as a mostly ceremonial unit has engendered some bitterness towards it in the broader Imperial Army and has earned it the nickname of the “Toy Soldier Regiment” in some corners.
====Ceremonial weaponry====
Weapons and weapon-making are almost glorified in Scarab societies, often considered extremely prized possessions. An almost universal marriage rite is presenting a beautiful, ornate knife or dagger to the significant other, who will then return it with the handle going forward if the offer is accepted, and the blade going forward if it is denied. Some ships use a decorated gun instead of a knife, but the process is generally the same, going without much fanfare. When dealing with non-Scarabs, a Scarab would often ask to sit down at a table, and then lay their weapons on it. This ceremonial disarming is not only done to take caution, but also to look at how well-made the weaponry of the other person is.
Originally formed by [[Empire of Dominia Great Houses#House Caladius|House Caladius]] as a regiment entrusted with defending the Holy Kingdom’s border with the Confederated States of Fisanduh far before the Empire was formed, the '''1st Mountain Division''' is perhaps the oldest Imperial Army unit aside from the Royal Morozian Rifles. But unlike its Imperial Alliance counterpart the 1st Mountain did not shift into a ceremonial role after the War of Moroz. As [[Fisanduh]] remained a hotbed of insurgency the mountaineers continued to fight for the Empire in the mountains and, over time, expanded into a division-strength formation made up of recruits from across [[Moroz]], though most of its recruits still hailed from mountainous regions. The 1st has fought in Fisanduh since the War of Moroz and is, despite its status as the only Imperial Army unit commanded by a Caladius affiliate, regarded as the most senior unit in the Army’s Fisanduhian garrison. Despite House Strelitz’ attempts to place one of their own in command of this division it has always been commanded by a Caladius or Caladius affiliate, much to the infuriation of the Strelitz
Scarabs value a good weapon and displays of power, but nothing is more wasteful than ending the life of a worker. Thus, many Scarabs enjoy bouts with fellow crew, but, taking extreme care to not hurt anyone (since it would prevent them from working for some time), don’t use their weapons in these fights, and take care not to hit the opponent too hard. As an alternative, intellectual games such as chess and checkers are often played to display intellectual prowess.
The '''56th Jadranic Infantry Regiment''' is, as the name implies, the fifty-sixth regiment mustered from the planet of [[Empire of Dominia#Novi Jadran|Novi Jadran]]. The regiment is one of the most well-equipped and experienced Jadranic regiments and is commonly known as “Glavan’s Own,” due to the close relationship the regiment has with the planet’s ruler. While the enlisted and most officers of the regiment are natives of Novi Jadran its commander has always been a House Strelitz Primary. and the reasons for this are twofold. First: The regiment is widely seen as a prestigious unit to command despite not being Morozian due to the relatively high position Novi Jadran holds as a colony. Second: The residents of Novi Jadran have long held a culture of honoring Primaries, who most view as their natural leaders and betters which have clearly been chosen by the Goddess Herself to rule over them. If the 56th were to be led by a Secondary or Ma’zal from Novi Jadran most in it believe it would anger the Goddess, and upset the natural order of things. Despite being an infantry regiment the 56th is more accurately described as a mechanized unit, and makes heavy use of the iconic JA-32/3 “Lyodcrawler” AFV. The Regiment is currently stationed in Outer Fisanduh, and has acquired a reputation as one of the most effective regiments in the garrison.
====Family and Education====
Family is less nuclear/core to the Scarab way of life. A Scarab's ship is their family, and blood is less important than crew. Everyone in the crew has some level of responsibility to the welfare of children, but the nearer relationship to the child's parents, the greater the obligation.
Independence is encouraged early on, Scarabs avoiding children being a burden to the crew. Weak, dependent children can jeopardize a vessel by demanding excessive time and attention while contributing little. They are taught very early about wastefulness, recycling, the value of hard labor, and avoiding the long gaze of Shaitan. This is a communal effort, the values of their societies deemed too important for only two people to teach. Mistakes and even injuries are simply viewed as hands-on learning, such as the lesson that one can never pay too much close attention in space. Deeper learning, such as Engineering or other tasks are based on apprentice-ships; teaching done through work-based learning rather than extensive study of textbooks. However, reading is drilled in as much as writing, to read warning signs and instructional documents on crucial systems.
After these values are instilled, and the child has completed their apprenticeship, they are treated with adulthood. The readiness to go out on their own is marked by the gift of a scarf by their immediate family, usually made of spidersilk.
The '''1st Armored Brigade''' commonly known as the “Goddess’ Hammer” or simply “Hammerer” Brigade is a formation of the Imperial Alliance which dates to the War of Moroz, though it did not see much action in the War itself due to its consistently mountainous environments. But despite its lack of martial glory outside of limited actions in the flatter environments of Fisanduh the Brigade continued to be extremely well-funded by the Strelitz, who realized the potential benefits armored warfare could bring them in future conquests. The Hammers derives their nickname from their intended purpose: after Ma’zal infantry secure a landing zone the Brigade would be deployed to the area in order to push out and create a gap between the enemy’s position for slower infantry and mechanized infantry regiments to exploit, thus hammering them into submission. One of the main uses of the JA—57/2 breakthrough tank as a result, the Brigade mostly consists of Morozian Secondaries with only a handful of Primaries — often members of House Strelitz — who serve as its regimental command staff and limited number of Ma’zals, who mostly serve as maintenance crews.
====The Released====
But, of course, not all Scarabs manage to comply with this lifestyle. Anyone of any age can either lose their tight grip on Scarab values, or never pick them up well enough in the first place. While before 'first contact' these people were simply airlocked, in modern cases, young or old, the crewmember in question is '''Released'''. This punishment is treated with much gravitas, only being applied to those that have grievously offended the necessities meant to be learned. Those that are released are exiled from their home vessels and the fleet entirely, unshackled from their responsibilities towards the Scarabs. They are given a week's worth of food and water, their clothing, and a weapon; typically small trinkets as well from those they were close with, then sent to the nearest place with a spaceport. They are stripped of their ability to hold any surname besides '''Sadar''', translating to 'released.' This is semi-voluntary, some Scarabs even willfully choosing to become Sadar to go out on their own without the worries of their previous life. If one is to come back to the ship, they may be allowed back inside, but this is not guaranteed. Naturally, if one refuses this exile, they would be treated as a trespasser on their vessel and dealt with accordingly.
The elite '''12th Airborne Operations Brigade''', affectionately known as “The One-Two Punch,” a portmanteau of its numerical designation, and more formally as the 12th AOB, is the Emperor’s rapidly deployable lightweight scalpel. The 12th AOB is specialized in two combat operations: paradrops from aircraft behind enemy lines and rapid air assaults on key enemy positions with helicopters. A favorite piece of equipment for the 12th AOB is the ZIA-37 “Bat” helicopter gunship, a fearsome machine often deployed during airborne infantry landing and assault operations as a fire support platform alongside lighter-armed transport helicopters. The missions the brigade is tasked with range from scouting actions, to supply route disruptions and sabotage operations behind the opposing front, to precision assaults targeting enemy defenses and leadership. The isolated and cut-off conditions under which the 12th AOB often operates while behind enemy lines have garnered it a cantankerous reputation among other units: the brigade does not take kindly to being ordered around by other formations which have not fought under similar circumstances. Despite having high standards for entry which often disqualify many applicants, the unit is one of the most egalitarian and meritocratic of the Imperial Army. Its formations are composed of servicepeople from all over the Empire and of all classes of Imperial society; its leadership is often promoted from the rank-and-file. Soldiers of the 12th Airborne Operations Brigade are commonly referred to as “Paras” and are easily identifiable from their maroon berets.
==History==
Scarab origins date back to the departure of what would become the Core Fleets in 2205, massive residential and combat Warp vessels built on the fastest drives of the time. Utilizing only the most cutting edge agricultural and scientific technology, the African Confederation started the Children of Earth’s Pioneering Fleet. This would be known as the CEF, promising millions a new home some three-hundred light years away in a newly purchased territory. Within, multiple barren planets which could see simple terraforming to accommodate the burden of life. The destination, known as Trappist to the public, would soon find itself plastered on commercial advertising globally spanning Earth. Quickly did Trappist become a grand figure to hopeful pioneers, and roughly 250,000 people set out in the CEF with some three million others in trailing fleets.
A specialized infantry regiment intended to fight in the harshest arctic climates, the '''Lyodic Rifles''' are prized by the Imperial Army for their marksmanship and ability to rapidly travel on foot. Recruited entirely from the [[Moroz#The Lyodii|Lyodii of Moroz]], the regiment has acquired something of a reputation for eccentric behavior as most members of it practice borderline-heretical Lyodic Tribunalism which greatly alters the seventh edict’s interpretation.. The Lyodii of the regiment are de facto under the protection of House Strelitz, which shields them from the prying eyes of House Caladius and the myriad Tribunalist staff attached to the Army. The regiment is the only in the Imperial Army to employ priestesses not certified by the Holy Tribunal as its religious staff are instead drawn from Lyodii shamans. Officers of the Lyodic rifles, up to the regimental commander, are exclusively Lyodii as the Army believes they are the best fit for themselves and few House Strelitz nobles wish to be seen as the commander of a regiment of “backwards savages.” The regimental commander, prior to their ascension to command, is required by tradition to travel to the northern pole of Moroz to earn the regiment’s respect. Most officers typically adorn themselves with traditional Lyodic fetishes to mark their rank.
Charmed by the promises of the great unknown, the CEF propped itself up as being a “new hope for a galactic Humanity,” then only paralleled by the likes of the Martian terraforming projects. While Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals pioneered the terraforming of the inner solar system, Einstein Engines promised a safe home far away with little of the difficulty seen changing Mars’ environment. The three million soon doubled, then quadrupled as, over the course of thirty-five years leading to 2240. The CEF took on newer, faster vessels as Warp technology advanced and more joined the Core Fleets. The overwhelming majority of these ships would be powered by the efforts of Einstein Engines, having been assured to be without fault.
The struggle that would then come was apparent immediately, as in 2243, the vessels had in accordance with Einstein Engines’ energy-saving solution, unified their sensor data into one singular ship’s computer. In essence, the Fleet’s travel from then on rested on the shoulders of a singular ship, a capital vessel known as the Mansa. Around this vessel, the entire fleet no matter how fast or slow must have followed. This spelled disaster, as one simple malfunction had placed the fleet in uncontrolled Warp for months - beginning the Lost Years, a time of great strife for the Core Fleets. Now sent wildly off course and out of position, there was no feasible way to resume the original mission.
===Notable Imperial Army Equipment===
In the Lost Years, all contact with the outside world - and any hope of return to Earth - was lost. Those responsible for the malfunction were killed, and the fleets dissolved into uncontrolled chaos for some nondescript period of time, for exactly how long, none can tell. From the chaos, a simple man being the great-grandson of a mere bookkeeper arose on board the Mansa. His name was Apollo Kagwa, and from a relative bastion of peace amidst the fleet, he studied greatly into literature and media of old. With a wealth of knowledge at his disposal and a vision for the fleet’s survival, he gathered like-minded individuals and overtook the command hierarchy of the Mansa in a bloody war for unification - one that would become known as the Holy War, the Jihad that secured the survival of the Scarabs.
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During these times their religion shifted and changed, turning into what is now known as Stutuism. Preaching that scarcity is the greatest enemy, that peace and strength is achieved through unity and domination. Not only physical, but also mental and spiritual. It also established who should do what and that each man and woman has their life course set for them, even if they might not know it. They worship a single god and consider every living human an extension of said deity, saying that scarcity and evil exists only to make children into adults, and unwise into the wise. He preached of Earth and its many bounties, and the people listened, knowing well what they could gain from going back to their old human lifestyles. Eventually, after many phases, Kagwa had conquered the Core Fleets as a whole with legendary strength and boundless wit.
The '''Jinxiang Armaments Year of 2432, Third Revision, “Lyodcrawler” armored fighting vehicle (JA-32/3)''' is one of the most commonly used armored vehicles in the modern Imperial Army. Designed to transport a squad of infantry in safety, if not comfort, the Lyodcrawler’s name comes from its most prominent feature: a set of large treads originally designed to allow it to move across the snowy Lyod with ease. These treads, when combined with its heavy armor and twin-linked autocannon, require a powerful engine to move, and the Lyodcrawler is easily recognizable due to how incredibly loud it is while in operation as a result of this engine. The JA-32/3 AFV is capable of being easily modified and many Imperial Army units have their own variations of it, such as the 56th Jadranic Infantry’s JA-32F (Fisanduh) which further armors the bottom and sides of the vehicle to prevent damage from mines and improvised explosives — two of the largest threats while on patrol in Fisanduh. The crews of these loud and typically infantry-supporting AFVs are generally Ma’zals, and few find the prestige their Secondary counterparts do in the JA-57/2 breakthrough tank.
The Tian Kehan (an honorary title, vaguely Khan of Heaven) named Iraiya, the fourth successor of Kagwa is the current “leader” of the unified Scarabs. Today from their throne on the new capital ship King’s Omen, they seek out to unify Humanity - at least those like her own - under a single banner no matter the costs. Among Scarabs, she is known as the Queen in Blue. Scarabs represent an alien form of Man left to itself for nearly two hundred years, different and distanced from all societal progression that influenced their hand otherwise. In 2438, Scarabs made their grand return to the Coalition territories, and through trade upgraded their entire home fleet with bluespace technology. Now, the fleet is a combination of the inefficient past and sleek present.
=The Fleet=
The Scarab’s home fleet consists of nearly 630 permanent resident vessels with more than 20,000 individuals on board each. A nondescript number of smaller vessels exist, many of which are not permanent residents and simply move with the fleet for safety or business. Here are a few examples of vessels seen in the group.
Though much of the Imperial Army’s equipment seems to be deliberately bombastic and often overdesigned — perhaps a result of competition between Houses Zhao and Strelitz — the humble '''7.5cm Imperial Army Mountain Gun (75mm IAMG)''' is anything but bombastic. Designed during the War of Moroz to meet the specifications of the 1st Mountain Division, the IAMG is a lightweight artillery piece which is designed to be broken into multiple parts and hauled by teams of trained yupangyangwangmi to wherever it is needed. Advances in artillery since the War of Moroz have rendered the IAMG largely obsolete compared to the long-ranged, and often mechanized or motorized, howitzers now used by the Imperial Army, but some units — such as the Lyodic Rifles — retain a limited number due to the gun’s mobility and firepower.
===Mayfly===
[[File:Mayfly.png|thumb|300px|The Scarab vessel "Mayfly" exiting bluespace at high velocity, its hull shimmering as it enters real space.]]
A ship originated from the Falklands. Colonists from this ship stick to the colors of blue, white and red. They’re primarily caucasian, this ship is known for some of the best engineers and sailors.
The '''Jinxiang Armaments Year of 2457, Second Revision breakthrough tank (JA-57/2)''' is one of the cornerstones of modern Imperial Army doctrine. Heavily armored and capable of carrying a variety of different armaments, the JA-57/2 is designed to smash through enemy lines and create a gap which can be exploited by the Ma’zal infantry of the Imperial Army. Service in a JA-57/2 is considered to be a prestigious position and many rank commanders find themselves ennobled for their deeds, which has led to the crews of this vehicle being overwhelmingly Secondaries. While not quite equivalent to the Solarian Army’s venerable M35A6 the JA-57/2 is easily capable of outmaneuvering and destroying any Elyran or Coalition vehicle unlucky to come across it. Of particular note is the experimental “Obliterator,” pattern of the JA-57/2. Intended to eliminate even the heaviest enemy vehicles, the Obliterator has a unique main armament: two standard JA-57/2 cannons bolted together. Immense recoil means the Obliterator is often physically thrown backwards by shooting, but very few targets require more than one shot of its main guns to destroy.
An oddity in design, the Mayfly was a failed prototype purchased by Einstein Engines a year after its construction in 2201. The vessel itself was meant to be a garbage swoop originally, mopping Earth’s orbit of its dangerous hyper-accelerated debris. Competitors from Einstein were one step ahead however, and upon purchasing the vessel, it was converted into a heavy-duty freighter. At 1105 meters in width, the vessel resembles a very long, sideways stick with engines strapped on and cargo departments dangling from beneath. Now, almost 50,000 people call it home.
Intended primarily for urban operations and funded in part by the [[Moroz Holy Tribunal]] via House Caladius, the '''Jinxiang Armaments, Year of 2418, Third Revision, (JA-18/3) heavy-duty combat exosuit''' is a weapon hated by the Imperial Army and feared by its enemies. Hot, cramped, uncomfortable, and — even worse — armed with thermite weaponry which demands the presence of highly-combustible fuel tanks on the exosuit’s rear, the one saving grace of the JA-18/3, or “Gremlin” as it is commonly sarcastically known, is the ejector seat built into it which allows for the safe escape of its operator in an emergency. Bizarrely, many models of the JA-18/3 have the Edicts written onto their chassis in various locations due to demands by the more conservative wing of House Caladius. Gremlin pilots in the Army are typically disgraced Primaries seeking redemption and glory through combat, and few Ma’zals or Secondaries volunteer for the duty. These pilots are never drafted into the role and must always volunteer for it. If there are no volunteers, the machines simply sit unused.
===Impukane===
A Central African originating ship, the Impukane is known for its cooking and strong security force. The Scarabs from these ships would prefer colors like green, orange and red. People from these ships are primarily Central African.
A rifle seemingly from another era, the '''Moroz Pattern Marksman’s Rifle, Year of 2408, Second Revision (MPMR-08/2)''', is an incredibly precisely-machined sharpshooting rifle based upon hunting rifles in fashion with the Empire’s Primaries intended for use by specialist units. The MPMR-08/02 uses a mechanism rarely seen anywhere in the armies of the Spur outside of Adhomai: a straight-pull bolt which must be worked after every shot by a trained shooter. Despite, or perhaps due to, this grossly antiquated mechanism the rifle’s stress-machined parts and high quality demanded — with ninety of every hundred barrels rejected — have given it a peerless reputation for accuracy and precision. In the hands of a trained sniper, such as a member of the Lyodic Rifles, the 08 is capable of drilling a hole through a coin at a kilometer. It is, despite the concerns of House Strelitz, one of the few Imperial Army weapons readily exported beyond Dominian borders, and many competition shooters swear by it.
A largely untouched warp battleship at nearly 730 meters long, the Impukane is one of the largest vessels in the Scarab home fleet. Its intimidating, spikey mass may look dangerous at first glance, but the ship has over time become nothing more than a garrison for much of the official defense force the Scarabs may have. It routinely deploys assistance to fellow vessels for a myriad of reasons and holds a substantial prison wing that contains almost the entirety of the fleet’s own criminals. Its population has plummeted in recent years, now around 65,000.
</div></div>
==His Imperial Majesty’s Fleet==
===Fa’Ta-Bs===
<center><b>''Soit Gagner Soit Mourir''</b></center>
(Faladay Tadhhab Bsre) is a ship contributed by the Levant. They’re known for their excellent medical practitioners. Their official colors are white, blue and black. People from this ship are usually of Arabic or Jewish descent.
<center><i>“The duty of the enlisted voidsman is to serve and obey. The task of the officer is to render their service effective,”</i> — Common Imperial Fleet saying. Year of origin unknown.</center>
[[File:Zhao_Flag_Small.png|thumb|right|The white-and-grey standard of House Zhao, the great house that dominates the Imperial Fleet.]]
Built with parts sent to space from the largest coil gun ever created, the Fa’Ta-Bs is a marvel of engineering from the 2200’s. The ship itself is relatively small in terms of the fleet, with a population of 11,300, but it also carries the fleet’s foremost medical supplies and response equipment. There are few children if at all kept on board the ship itself, with those on board explicitly being workers for the fleet.
While the junior of the Imperial Army in terms of age — being founded in the final years of the War of Moroz — His Imperial Majesty’s Fleet (often shortened to “HIMF,” or simply the “Imperial Fleet,”) is no less important, with many arguing that it is far more important to Dominia’s imperial ambitions than its planetbound counterpart. Vast funds and countless factories are devoted to the purpose of ensuring that the Imperial Fleet is strong enough to counter any threats to the Empire; whether they be pirates, unathi savages, frontiersmen, or Elyrans — the main regional rival of the Empire. Much of the Imperial Fleet’s equipment is produced by Zavodskoi Interstellar in collaboration with [[Empire_of_Dominia_Great_Houses#House_Zhao|House Zhao]] and [[Empire_of_Dominia_Great_Houses#House_Caladius|House Caladius]]: the Zhaos provide the industry and many of the crews, while the Caladius provide the funding required. While the traditionally more liberal House Zhao is the unquestioned master of the Imperial Fleet, the Fleet itself is a more conservative organization that is steeped in traditions and shaped by its sense of unwavering duty towards the Emperor. Many naval officers in the Fleet belong to often-exclusive officer’s societies that exclude most Ma’zals on principal, and officers outside these societies can find their promotions denied or otherwise stymied. Imperial Fleet vessels can be identified by the prefix HIMFS (His Imperial Majesty’s Fleet Ship).
While it is smaller than many of its human counterparts — having only 15 fleets with mere hundreds of ships in each — the Imperial Fleet is perhaps the most experienced of the Orion Spur’s human fleets, having fought a variety of pitched battles and border skirmishes in the course of the Empire’s steady outwards expansion over the course of the last century. The experience gained during the course of these conquests has shaped the Fleet’s doctrine of “decisive battle,” in which the entire Dominian force moves as one in a massive show of force in an attempt to make the planet capitulate without serious resistance. Many frontier worlds, which often only have a paltry sum of combat-ready vessels, have surrendered upon witnessing the fully assembled strength of an Imperial fleet.
===Su-Yeongseon===
The Su-Yeongseon is a vessel with roots from eastern Asian, namely Korean descent who had branched off from an international effort to colonize the Antarctic in the early 2200’s. They are well known for their atmospheric manipulation and engineering prowess.
The pride of the Empire’s fleets is the HIMFS ''Moroz'', the current flagship of [[Notable_Humans#Duchess_Huiling_Zhao,_Grand_Admiral_of_His_Imperial_Majesty’s_Fleet|Grand Admiral Huiling Zhao]], the master of the Imperial Fleet, and the command vessel of the Empire’s First Fleet. Originally launched in 2445 and recently modernized in collaboration with Zavodskoi Interstellar in 2464, the ''Moroz'' is regarded as a symbol of national pride, and has never been bested upon the field of combat. To serve aboard it in any function – even at the lowest level – is to bring immense pride to one’s family name, and thousands of hopeful naval personnel apply to serve on the vessel every year. Though it primarily relies upon tried-and-true Helium-3 engines, the 'Moroz'' is one of the few ships in the Imperial Fleet capable of bluespace jumps. In theory, should the Emperor desire to visit the Republic of Biesel, he would be borne to it on the Imperial Fleet’s flagship.
From the newly-founded city designated Sierra Peak, the world’s largest Antarctic colony sprouted an effort to redirect the incredibly advanced environment control and habitation techniques into space. This was seen as a massive success to the Scarabs later down the line, with many of the tricks seen in surviving the harsh tundras now being used to preserve lives on board Scarab vessels. The forefront of this advanced study is the Su-Yeongseon, a large warp cruiser, built in 2197 and now retrofitted for bluespace travel that originally departed with the fleet for defensive purposes. Over time it was converted into an engineering warehouse, with many of its drone bays and missile silos now serving as hangars and storage compartments. The ship itself was built to hold 22,000 people at maximum, but over time has grown to have a population of 42,000 or more with space to spare thanks to modification.
[[File:San khol.png|The San-Khöl in low orbit of some nondescript Frontier world.|thumb]]
===San-Khöl===
(Sansryn Khölög) is a Mongolian originating ship. Colonists from this ship primarily enjoy the colors of red, blue, and yellow. They are known for their gardeners, hydroponicists, and scientists. People from this ship are usually of Mongolian or Chinese descent.
Built over the course of five years in Ulaanbaatar, the 1100 meter long San-Khöl is an impressive hydroponics vessel. Although capable of holding roughly 25,000 passengers, most of the available space on-board is dedicated to storage of water, food processing, and most importantly the eight hydroponics domes installed onto the ship’s exterior. These are used for fruits, vegetables, and most importantly insects. Three varieties of insect are the most raised here, the Hakhma, a massive beetle the size of a small car. These are utilized for their feed to meat ratio and friendly disposition. Secondly, the Süüs, a variety of honeypot ant that are soda-can sized. These are typically fed cactus juice, which the ant processes into an edible, reportedly tasty and highly nutritious juice, often seen hanging from a Scarab’s belt. Lastly various species of spider, used for their high-strength silk. The ninth dome is entirely devoid of such hydroponics, being used primarily for theatre and entertainment.
While the Imperial Army is prone to the occasional non-Jadranic Ma’zal officer out of sheer necessity, the Imperial Fleet is not the same. To be a naval officer is a great honor for many, and it is a right reserved for a select few: Primaries, Secondaries, and notable Novi Jadranic Ma’zals, which the Imperial Fleet views as “honorary Morozians,” for all practical intents and purposes. The highest ranks of the fleet are dominated by the Empire’s nobility, and none come from outside of House Zhao. Unathi in particular are looked down upon in the Imperial Fleet and rarely rise above the lowest ranks, with many believing that House Zhao’s intense distaste for their piratical backgrounds is the reason behind this. Those unathi that do opt to fight for the Empire in the vast reaches of the Orion Spur often avoid the Imperial Fleet entirely, instead opting to serve as privateers. These privateers, which are often crewed exclusively by unathi, are often viewed in a poor light by House Zhao and the Fleet.
===Bilröst, Jörmungandr and Jötunheimr===
[[File:Bilrost.png|The Bilrost and its sister ship the Jormungandr hidden on the very edge of a small gas cloud.|thumb]]
[[File:Bilrostemblem.png|The emblem of the Bilrost and the Jormungandr.|thumb]]
The CCV Bilröst and Jörmungandr are two ships contributed by the former Scandinavian Coalition. This group was formed around the year 2015 in response to the collapse of the European Union. The countries of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden hastily turned to each other for stability, reforming a modern version of the Scandinavian Monetary Union. Eventually the Bilröst was constructed in the year 2129, and the Jötunheimr in 2130. However, the plan was malformed. Certain aspects of the ship were under-engineered, certain systems were lacking in redundancies and backups, and an overall lack of strategy regarding reaching the promised land the Confederation had purchased. The addition of the escort ship, Jörmungandr, only complicated affairs, and not long after their launch, the Scandinavian Coalition was in the red.
When compared to its major regional rivals, the Elyran Navy and [[Coalition of Colonies]], the Imperial Fleet maintains a technological edge on both and a numerical advantage on the Elyran Navy. However, a direct comparison to the Coalition is difficult due to its dispersed strength and varying development. While a [[Himeo|Himean]] or [[Xanu_Prime|Xanusanii]] fleet may be as strong as their Dominian counterparts, there are many worlds in the Coalition that cannot hope to stand against an Imperial fleet on their own. Imperial Fleet vessels rely overwhelmingly on large-scale ballistic armaments and tend to be large and heavily-armored in order to have more space for well-protected gun turrets. Fleet crews are constantly drilled in order to achieve the best accuracy possible, and little attention is paid to strategies such as ramming in order to board. Dominian vessels are generally slower than their Elyran counterparts as they use Helium-3 powered warp engines rather than phoron-based thrusters. With the shortage worsening every day, it seems that their vessels will be made with He3 engines for the foreseeable future.
With so much of the Coalition’s focus on the new space faring vessels, its people fell to the wayside. Citizens of the Coalition faced food shortages, lack of available healthcare, and an increasing difficulty in finding good work. Times were dark, and with such unpleasant circumstances, there was one thing humans historically turned to - religion.
An Imperial Fleet capital ship of enough importance, or renown, is assigned a complement of Imperial Marines for the purpose of repelling boarding parties or any boarding missions the ship itself may have to carry out. Clad in white-and-red prejoroub and Jinxiang-pattern suits, these well-trained infantry are primarily recruited from non-geneboosted Primaries and Secondaries. To have a child serve in the Imperial Marines is a badge of honor for many families, due to the prestige of the Fleet and the Imperial Marines’ reputation for bravery. Once Imperial Marines leave the Fleet they are often sought by both [[Zavodskoi Interstellar]] and Dominia’s various noble houses and families to serve as guards, retainers, and duelists-by-proxy. To employ a former Imperial Marine is often enough to give even the most dull Caladius bureaucrat a modicum of flair and prestige, even if retaining such services may force them into fiscal ruin in the long term.
And it was thus that the people of the Coalition started to look to their old ways.
Non-capital ships, and many capital ships unable to fully staff their Imperial Marine contingent, are instead given larger, though less well-equipped, compliments of Imperial Fleet armsmen. Typically clad in armor similar to their Imperial Army counterparts or in typical Fleet voidsuits given additional armor, Fleet armsmen are enlisted Ma’zals which are generally recruited from the Imperial Army with the promise of higher pay or chosen from more experienced enlisted Fleet personnel. The armsmen of the Fleet are respected by their fellow voidsmen but are not nearly as famous as their marine counterparts despite performing roughly the same duties. They are additionally, unlike their marine counterparts, fully expected to carry out the duties of regular crew if necessary. Despite their lesser prestige, armsmen are known to often have rivalries with Imperial Marines assigned to vessels in their battlefleet due to believing, perhaps rightfully, that armsmen do far more work than their noble counterparts.
The people of the Coalition filled themselves with forgotten gods and culture, and it was thanks to this that they gained the strength that they needed to see themselves through adversity. They persevered, worked with what they had, and created the means aboard their new ships to end hunger and heal the sick - and it was in this way that they grew in purpose.
Armsmen are often regarded as highly superstitious and ritualistic even by the standards of the Fleet, and many have religiously-inclined pre-boarding rituals they engage in. One of the most common rituals employed by armsmen prior to boarding is to hold a mass prayer session of the entire unit in the ship’s chapel where the first bullet to be shot by each armsman is immersed in holy water and blessed by the ship’s priestess. In some circumstances these ceremonial blessings have been known to also involve blades, grenades, and other martial equipment. Carrying icons of the Goddess or writing prayers to Her on one’s armor is similarly common.
==Bilröst==
The CRV Bilröst (Bifröst) was the first ship constructed by the Scandinavian coalition. Named after the burning rainbow bridge connecting Midgard and Asgard, the most important activities performed aboard the Bilröst are of the scientific variety, as well as medical work being split between here and the Jörmungandr. Here, important research is performed to enhance the Offworlder quality of living; musculoskeletal and immune system supplements, different types of bracing equipment, and even the first ESS prototype have undergone development here. Lastly, branching off chemical-based tomfoolery in the early days, the Bilröst is known across the flotilla for their excellent skills in making various confectionery products, especially candy and chewing gum.
Unlike its planetary counterpart, the living standards of the Imperial Fleet are very much divided along lines of social class and rank. Enlisted personnel live in tight, cramped quarters designed to use space as efficiently as possible while their officer counterparts – which are generally nobles – live in comfortable (and for some, opulent) chambers that are most often private, or at least only contain one to two other persons in the case of junior officers. The Ma’zals of the Imperial Fleet often chafe under these conditions, and as a result the Fleet has a smaller amount of “careerist” enlisted (those that have decided to live their life in service of the Imperial military) than the Imperial Army. Despite the clear class divisions in the Imperial Fleet many Ma’zals still opt to serve in it, as a naval career – and the skills learned in it – can provide immense material benefits for a Ma’zal family.
==Jörmungandr==
The CEV Jörmungandr is a satellite of sorts that accompanies the Bilröst. Named after the Midgard Serpent surrounding the Earth, it is significantly smaller in size, and is only used for non-civilian purposes. The main function of Jörmungandr is to handle and observe security scans to protect the main vessel. Access to the Jörmungandr is normally restricted to capable operators. Typically personnel here are either of an investigative nature, the temporary holding of criminals, or the maintenance and operation of various drones and robots, combat or otherwise. The Jörmungandr also keeps a small retinue of medical staff freely available to all Scarabs.
===Notable Fleet Forces and Equipment===
==Jötunheimr==
The best of the best of the Imperial Fleet the '''1st Battlefleet''', commonly known as the <i>Zhurong Guard</i>, is commanded by Grand Admiral Huiling Zhao herself from the dreadnought Moroz. It is the oldest and most venerable of the Empire’s fifteen battlefleets and is responsible for patrolling the region of the [[The Orion Spur#Sparring Sea|Sparring Sea]] and [[The Orion Spur#Badlands|Badlands]] between the Empire of Dominia and Republic of Elyra. The Zhurong Guard is descended from the cobbled-together flotilla which dropped commandos into Fisanduh and ended the War of Moroz and its flagship has always featured the flag Helga Kesselring, the last Prime Minister of the Confederated States of Fisanduh, wrapped herself in before shooting herself upon its bridge as a war prize. Sailors of the Zhurong Guard have a reputation for both being excellent and egotistical as they are both the oldest battlefleet and, as the Grand Admiral commands them, by default the unit in charge of any operations they participate in. Recently the Zhruong Guard have escalated their number of patrols in the Badlands. Most believe this is an effort to intimidate the [[Republic of Elyra]], which has recently experienced internal unrest and has long been the regional rival of the Empire.
The CCV Jötunheimr (Jotunheim) was the last ship constructed by the Scandinavian coalition, and the largest of the three, the ‘center of life’ for them, and holds the highest population; owing to possessing the most residential space. Named after the ancestral homeland of the Jötnar, typical work aboard the Jötunheimr is the everyday logistics, mineral recovery, salvage, beekeeping, hydroponics and service/cooking that keeps the flotilla going. The Jötunheimr partakes in trading and exports such goods as minerals, confectionery products, equipment made on the Bilröst, and so on. Due to the harsh work aboard this vessel, the residents tend to be the fittest both spiritually and physically, the vessel boasting both elaborate fitness complexes, and places for group gatherings and rituals. While the passion the Scarabs here have for their work is praiseworthy, the feasts are legendary.
Perhaps the most venerable unit of the entire military is a [[Empire of Dominia Great Houses#House Strelitz|Strelitz-commanded]] Fleet unit known as the '''Royal Morozian Orbital Assault Regiment'''. The Royal Morozian is one of only two units to near the “Royal” prefix and can trace its lineage to the orbital assault units which defeated the Confederated States of Fisanduh during the final phase of the War of Moroz. Like its Army counterpart much of the Royal Morozian’s strength is drawn from [[Moroz]] itself and it has one of the highest percentages of geneboosted soldiers in the entire military. Officers of the Royal Morozian are rarely from House Zhao despite its dominance of the Imperial Fleet and instead generally come from House Strelitz, which has long regarded the regiment as a source of prestige. Young nobles who have been geneboosted are often sent to serve in the Royal Morozian in order to prove their valour and the honour of their house. The elite status of the Royal Morozian and it’s mostly-Primary makeup has given it a reputation as something of an egotistical regiment amongst much of the Royal Army, and its soldiers are infamously known to consistently refuse commands given to them by any non-Primary officer regardless of their rank.
Pride of the Zhurong Imperial Naval Arsenal, the '''ZA-32/2 (Zhurong Armaments Year of 2432, Second Revision) 608mm Naval Gun''', commonly known as the <i>Thunderer</i>, is the standard naval gun used by most capital ships of the Imperial Fleet. The Thunderer is the peak of the Fleet’s gunnery doctrine and is easily capable of demolishing most non-capital vessels in a singular volley due to the sheer size of the projectile alone. Its 608mm shell is the largest used by any naval force in the modern Spur and requires a large turret to house both its breach and the mechanical system used to reload the heavy shells. In a pinch the Thunderer can be reloaded by a team of Fleet ratings in hardsuits but this is inadvisable as it quickly tires personnel and does not reach the firing rate of the Thunderer’s mechanical loading system. The sheer size of the gun and its ammunition creates a significant amount of recoil which makes it impractical to use on vessels smaller than battleships, though some Fleet cruisers make use of the design. The second revision of the ZA-32 is found on newer Fleet vessels such as the Moroz-class and features an improved loading mechanism designed in part by Zavodskoi Interstellar.
The feared '''dreadnoughts''' of His Majesty’s Fleet may have the name of the venerable Solarian Navy ship designation, but do not have anywhere near the firepower of it. Roughly equivalent to Solarian battleships, the Fleet’s two dreadnoughts, both Moroz-class vessels, are some of the most heavily-armed and heavily-armored ships outside of the Solarian Navy and hold a pivotal role in the Fleet’s doctrine of “decisive battle.” As Fleet strategy revolves around forcing an engagement and defeating the [[Elyran Military|Elyran Navy]] in a single decisive blow, Imperial dreadnoughts are rarely deployed to the Fleet’s conquests of frontier systems due to simply being overkill. Command of these vessels is reserved for high ranking members of House Zhao such as Grand Admiral Huiling Zhao herself, who proudly commands the <i>Moroz</i>. The second Moroz-class, the <i>Emperor Godwin</i>, is commanded by Huiling’s immediate subordinate: Vice Grand Admiral Xiuling Zhao, her twin sister — and only sibling.
Imperial '''battleships''' are the main ship-of-the-line for His Majesty’s Fleet, and are roughly equivalent to a Solarian fast battleship or up-gunned heavy cruiser. While slower and less effective than their Solarian counterparts, Imperial battleships, such as vessels of the Conquest-class, possess a truly staggering amount of armor and firepower by frontier standards and are easily capable of crippling or outright destroying the disorganized frontier naval forces they typically encounter. Though typically armed exclusively with ballistic weapons per Fleet doctrine, a limited number of “Elyran Killers,” have been retrofitted with primarily energy armaments in collaboration with Zavodskoi Interstellar. Command of a battleship is a prestigious duty which is only reserved for full members of House Zhao.
Unlike their Solarian counterparts Imperial '''carriers''' are not designed to be such from the start and are instead mostly repurposed battleship or cruiser hulls given the necessary systems to support large numbers of smaller craft. While more heavily armored than any other human nation’s carrier craft, their repurposed nature has led to the Fleet’s carriers holding a smaller number of spacecraft than their counterparts. Their roots as battleship and cruiser hulls gives Imperial carriers a potentially nasty surprise for any opposing fleet: many are armed with the Fleet’s standard 608mm “Thunderer” main guns and are fully capable of smashing smaller ships into wreckage with them. Carriers are the largest class of vessel commanded by non-Zhaos, but their captains are universally members of the nobility as, in the eyes of the Fleet, it would simply be insanity to assume a <i>commoner</i> had the ability to command one.
Imperial '''cruisers''' serve much the same role as their larger Solarian counterparts and are most commonly seen as escorts for larger battleships. Most Dominian cruisers sit between Solarian heavy and light cruiser designations, and are easily capable of handling most ships the Fleet engages as part of its typical conquests. As is typical Dominian naval doctrine the Fleet’s cruisers are extensively armed with ballistics, though some have been armed with energy weapons via cooperation with Zavodskoi Interstellar, in order to crush opposition though sheer weight of fire. Some are even armed with battleship-level 608mm guns, and are typically also equipped with maneuvering jets to ensure the vessel remains in place while firing its oversized armament. Cruisers are the largest class of ships a Secondary can readily hope to command, even if most are commanded by non-Zhao Primaries.
Imperial '''destroyers''' serve in many roles in the Fleet. Pocket ships, assault vessels, and convoy escorts among others, they are typically commanded by Secondaries — and rarely by Ma’zals — due not having the prestige of their larger counterparts. The Fleet counts frigate-sized vessels under the destroyer category due to a reason lost to the depths of bureaucracy, which has led to this class being the most numerous aside from corvettes. Like their larger counterparts, Dominian destroyers are outperformed by their Solarian counterparts but can easily hold their own against almost any ship found on the frontier, and are capable of pushing well above their weight due to their heavy armor and judicious use of ballistic weaponry.
Imperial '''corvettes''' are the smallest of the Fleet’s ship categories and the only one commanded primarily by Ma’zals. Small, fast, and surprisingly well-armed for their size, Dominian corvettes are perhaps the only Imperial ship category in which the Fleet outperforms the Solarian Navy: pound for pound in a theoretical engagement, the heavier armor and armament of Dominian corvette ensures it will win most of the time. Corvette captains are often selected from the best and most trustworthy Ma’zals, such as the residents of Novi Jadran, who are expected to keep their fellows in line — through force if need be. Corvettes are often the first Dominian vessels encountered by systems marked for annexation as they are sent ahead of the main battlefleet to endure safe points of entry to the system.
</div></div>
==The Imperial Flying Corps==
<center><b>''Nous Protégeons et Vengeons''</b></center>
<center><i>“Oh, Dorothea-Frieda, don’t be absurd! A Ma’zal simply lacks the drive to be a pilot! They may be suitable for your Army, yes. But for we, the Empire’s mighty knights of the sky? Never!”</i> - Annaliese Strelitz (2423 - ), Chief Commissioner of Imperial Aviation, at an Imperial Cabinet meeting in 2463.</center>
For as long as mankind has walked, he has dreamt of flight. Though not the youngest of the Imperial Military’s branches, the Imperial Flying Corps (often called the “IFC,” or simply “Flying Corps,”) it is by far the smallest, having only a fraction of the personnel that the Imperial Army and Imperial Fleet have under arms. Yet despite this small size it exerts a significant amount of influence due to who tends to join the IFC’s ranks of pilot officers: unlike any other branch in the Imperial Military the IFC’s combat troops are often drawn from the Empire’s nobility, with less prestigious positions (such as ground crews and bomber crews) made up of Secondaries and Ma’zals. To be a fighter pilot — the most prestigious position in the IFC — means that one is, in almost every scenario, also a Primary. As a result of how many nobles fill its officer ranks, no single great house dominates the IFC. As with its naval counterpart many officer pilots in the IFC belong to exclusive societies that exclude Ma’zals on principle, with some of these societies excluding Secondaries as well.
The Imperial Flying Corps is seconded to both the Imperial Army and His Imperial Majesty’s Fleet, and provides the both with the majority of their fighter, bomber, and support aircraft. This has led to an often-awkward relationship between the IFC and its attached branch, as many officers in the Fleet and Army come from non-noble backgrounds and, in the eyes of noble-born IFC pilots, are socially inferior to their IFC counterparts. Attempts to integrate the IFC into either the Imperial Army or Fleet instead of having this dual structure have consistently failed due to the Corps’ influence, which stretches up to the Emperor’s throne via the Chief Commissioner for Imperial Aviation, Annaliese Strelitz.
To be a pilot of the IFC means many things depending upon what aircraft one is placed in charge of, or what air wing one is assigned to serve in. The fighter wings of the Flying Corps are the most prestigious of the entire force; viewed as knights of the skies, the stereotypical Dominian fighter pilot is a (non-geneboosted) Primary capable of taking down any threat to the Empire, whether in the void of space or the skies above Fisanduh or Sun Reach, before retiring to the polite society of their officer’s clubs. In reality, a significant minority of non-noble fighter pilots — primarily Secondaries with the occasional Ma’zal — also serve as IFC fighter pilots, and are often passed up for opportunities in favor of their noble counterparts.
For pilots not in the Corps’ fighter wings life is much less glamorous. Bomber crews — which log more flight hours than any other category in the IFC — do much of the work of supporting the Imperial Army’s offensives and counter-insurgency operations, and gain none of the prestige of their fighter-flying noble counterparts. Those that crew the IFC’s supersonic bombers are, as a result of this lack of prestige, a mix of Secondaries and Ma’zals. These men and women are beloved by the Imperial Army and often hated by the residents of recently-occupied planets, which view them as the source of many of their woes. Those that fly ground attack craft, the most dangerous duty in the Flying Corps, are almost always Ma’zals, and suffer from much of the same issues as their bomber counterparts.
The ground crews of the IFC and those in it that fly what the Corps broadly calls “utility” craft — transport planes and such — are almost always Ma’zals. In the highly-stratified Flying Corps, itself a microcosm of the Empire’s broader society, the Ma’zal works for the Primary’s benefit. Behind every Primary sitting in his cockpit, ready to bring home prestige and accolades to his family, there is a team of Ma’zals: they load the missiles, fuel the fighters, and a dozen other things. But they receive none of the credit, none of the prestige, and none of the attention. Thus goes the nature of the Empire of Dominia, and thus shall it always continue unless the Goddess Herself intervenes.
As one might expect, the living standards of the Imperial Flying Corps are starkly divided along lines of class and rank. The Primaries that serve in it live luxurious, glamorous lives and have many amenities, with most Primaries of the IFC having their own chauffeurs and housing themselves in the finest available accommodations. On the other hand the Secondaries and Ma’zals of the IFC must make do with barracks – often in muddy environments, due to the amounts of earth that must be moved to create an effective airfield – or simple canvas tents. Few Ma’zals, or Secondaries, opt to make a career out of service in the Flying Corps, with many instead transferring out to the Imperial Army or Imperial Fleet. The Flying Corps has, thus far, not cared to address this issue, as many of its high-ranking officers simply view non-nobility as entirely beneath notice.
===Notable Flying Corps Formations===
The largest IFC bomber command by far is '''Imperial Strategic Bomber Command — Fisanduhian Province''' (ISBC-FP). Despite, or perhaps due to, its lengthy official title ISBC-FP is more commonly known as the “Bombs Away Barony,” due to its propensity for bombing runs and the high number of Primaries in its upper ranks. Based out of Strelitz’s Rest and equipped with the feared ZIA-18 “Vampire” strategic bomber and a significant helicopter fleet which has become vital for supply in the mountainous region, the Barony is one of the Empire’s main instruments of strategic suppression in the rebellious province. Primaries assigned to the Barony are, due to the greater prestige of fighter piloting, often from non-great houses. Despite this they are responsible for a stunningly important duty, and many minor noble families strive to have a relative assigned to it. The Secondaries and Ma’zals who serve under them, and do the real work, fly more missions than any other IFC unit in the Spur and are often regarded as elite within the IFC. Yet despite this elite status they are not nobles, and are often held back from higher ranks simply due to their lack of titles and blue blood.
Though smaller and less prestigious than its Morozian counterpart '''Imperial Strategic Bomber Command – Viceroyality of Sun Reach''' (ISBC-VSR) has served a vital role in ongoing Imperial efforts to control the planet, and its He3 reserves, since its conquest in 2422. ISBC-VSR is, unlike its counterpart in Fisanduh, less dominated by Primaries and more dominated by Secondaries who hope to become Primaries through ennobling. Thanks to the strategic importance of Sun Reach’s Helium-3 reserves the staff of ISBC-VSR fly a much wider variety of missions than their Fisansuhian counterparts, and their airfields are round-the-clock hubs of activity on the planet. Helicopter sorties, which are vital in resupplying scattered Imperial Army bases, are commonly seen departing from its fields. The staff of ISBC-VSR, due to primarily being non-Primaries, are often looked down upon by their Barony counterparts, but are treasured by the Imperial Army units responsible for ensuring Imperial control of the planet.
Situated in the frozen taiga of the [[Moroz#Lyod|Southern Lyod far from prying eyes is the '''Imperial Missile Research Institute''' (IMRI), a secretive facility affiliated with the IFC and guarded by the Imperial Army. Little is known regarding the internal workings of the facility as the surrounding area is heavily restricted, but it is known to be mostly the domain of House Zhao and the military Count in charge of the IMRI has historically been a Zhao themselves or a house affiliate. The missiles designed here are tested by being shot into the polar Lyod, which the IMRI stands next to, despite protestations of the Lyodii. Successful producers of the IMRI are used across the Empire and feature prominently in both the IFC and the Imperial Fleet.
===Notable Flying Corps Equipment===
The '''Zhurong Imperial Aeronautics Year of 2418 (ZIA-18) “Vampire”''' strategic bomber is the main bomber aircraft of the Imperial Flying Corps. Carrying a massive bomb load and equipped with six engines which allow for it to reach sub-orbital heights, the distinctive “flying wing” design of the Vampire gives it both its name and its exceptional Al flight characteristics. While able to fly high enough to avoid almost all air defenses and capable of carrying enough bombs to flatten a city, the Vampire required a significant amount of infrastructure which renders its use only truly viable after the Imperial Army has carved out a foothold on a planet the Empire has decided to annex. These massive aircraft are a common sight in the IFC’s bases in Outer Fisanduh, and are commonly used to strike suspected 3F garrisons or armaments factories — often through the use of extremely destructive munitions. Vampire are often commanded by Secondaries and crewed by Ma’zals, as few Primaries see potential glory in the grim role of strategic bombardments.
The '''Zhurong Imperial Armaments Year of 2432, second revision (ZIA-32/2) “Carmilla”''' air superiority fighter is the near polar opposite of the Vampire. A small, fast, and agile craft designed to operate at any altitude within atmosphere, the Carmilla’s second revision marks the current peak of Zhao fighter design. Armed with missiles capable of striking its targets from beyond the horizon and a cannon capable of shredding opposing aircraft in seconds, it is no wonder the noble pilots of the IFC fight fiercely over the posterchild aircraft of the Corps. Its small size does prevent geneboosted individuals from effectively crewing it, which perfectly suits most IFC pilots — many of whom come from house branches eager to prove themselves in the glories of aerial combat. Carmillas used by Secondaries are often first-revision models redesigned for ground support operations, a role that the ZIA-32/1 has proven itself to be competent — if not exceptional — at. The Carmilla’s unusual name is rumored to have been hand-picked by the now-deceased Victoria Caladius, one of its primary funders.
While nobles and Morozian commoners bicker over fighters the Ma’zals of the IFC must make do with what they are offered. Most lucky enough to be assigned to combat operations rather than ground crew or logistics work find themselves behind the stick of the '''Zhurong Imperial Armaments Year of 2437 (ZIA-37) “Bat” heavy attack helicopter'''. Primarily designed to support Imperial Army units, the Bat trades the elegance of the Carmilla and the altitude capabilities of the Vampire for two things: extremely thick armor and a prestigious amount of firepower. Typically embedded with, and beloved by, Imperial Army units, the Bat requires a very limited amount of logistics compared to the ZIA-32/1 or Vampire and can be outfitted for a wide variety of combat roles. It can even be fitted for troop transport, though many frontline Bat pilots will fiercely resist stripping armaments in order to transport Imperial troops, and to be selected for troops transport by the Bat squadron commander — often themselves a Ma’zal — is seen as a major sign of disrespect and can even lead to a duel, particularly if the Bat‘s crew was not consulted — and compensated — prior to the orders being given.
The unique emblem of the Scarabs, owing its insectoid design to their reliance of such in history.
The largest representation of offworlders, the Scarabs perfectly embody the nomadic characterization most of the zero-G-bound Humans have founded over the years. They are a clever bunch, numbering in the millions yet supporting themselves by utilizing advanced compact hydroponics and insect farming to survive and compete in the modern world.
Originating from African Confederation colonists in the early 2200’s, their remarkable history demonstrates the true flexibility and resolve of Humanity. These pioneers, in their early years, banded together with those of other nations launching numerous vessels at similar times for the collective goal of colonizing the depths of space.
Although they’re united, Scarabs still stick to naming their children after the colony ship they inhabit.
Scarabs adopt many of the often seen traits of other Offworlders, with a deep conversationalist attitude ingrained in all Scarabs out of necessity. The Scarabs have known centuries of scarcity, and it affects their culture and mindset very heavily. Greed, laziness and wastefulness are considered the most condemnable misdeeds and most vile insults, whereas selflessness, resourcefulness and hard work are the most praisable virtues.
Tujmansaal
Tujmansaal is a very common spiritual concept that most Scarabs can deeply connect with. Roughly translated as “blissful times”, it represents a state in which a person can easily satisfy any of their own needs. Such a state is a very common life goal for most - simply living the rest of one’s life fed, safe and comfortable. Although one could see this as egotistical, needs of a Scarab often include being among friends and family, and seeing them happy - meaning that tujmansaal is not achievable unless all of your loved ones achieve it together with you.
Aiseheer
Aiseheer is a relationship concept used often among Scarabs, roughly translated to “brothers in need”, and meaning people working towards a common goal despite all of their differences and disagreements. A single member involved in this kind of relationship is called an aiseh (plural aiseh). After the goal in question has been achieved, the aiseh may strengthen their bond and become close, or go separate ways once more. Skrell often find this similar to their concept of qu’pluux, but with the difference of aiseheer potentially involving many people, or entire groups.
Superstition and Conservation
A very strong element of Scarab culture is superstition. Almost any Scarab is superstitious to at least some degree. Different omens, big and small, ominous and promising, vary from ship to ship, but are present everywhere. A few are universal. For example, the corpses of fellow crew must always be spaced - no space or resources should be wasted to preserve it, but neither may it be recycled or used in any form, as resorting to using fellow crew members’ dead bodies means that bad times have come, and it’s likely that it’s going to only get worse from there…
Asking for more food than you were initially given at a meal, even when available, is a bad omen commonly associated with egoism and narcissism. Instead, uneaten food and leftovers must always be preserved and used as an ingredient in the next meal that is going to be made. On station, this would mean that food left after transfer should be stored safely in a refrigerator or a heater.
Scarab engineering and maintenance crew members would often carry a spare wrench on themselves, which is a common good luck charm. However, having to give it away to someone else may spell disaster for both people in question.
Meal times are strictly and sparingly scheduled for the entire ship, and are quiet times of appreciation for the work going into producing the food. Speaking up is strictly prohibited, and making eye contact is considered to be a bad omen - instead, this is a time to recall and reflect. Afterwards, a break is to be had, as a relatively recent custom. During this break time, ships may often dock to each other, exchanging news, resources, and oral tradition.
Fiction
Fictional literature is almost non-existent due to consoles and paper being used extremely sparingly. Instead, verbal arts are almost exclusively oral, with stories, myths and legends being shared among departments or families after meal times, or passed by from ship to ship when docking.
Most common are two genres. Shiwuniket is the older one - grim and dark stories that serve as some kind of warning or precaution. Themes of death, collapse and mysterious omens are all very common. Nitaniket, more recent and less popular, is comprised of stories of overcoming and triumph, where the main characters are savvy and clever individuals who are able to make the most of the limited resources they have, using them in creative ways to deal with danger or challenges thrown their way.
Shaitan
A common character in Scarab folklore is Shaitan, the Adversary - a malevolent spirit which is said to be the personification of all evil. Although exact details differ from ship to ship, it commonly takes the form of a mysterious and elusive traveler with their eyes brightly shining, who then convinces someone to lead the entire ship to ruin. The exact details of how this is done may differ, but generally, the victim captures the light of the traveler’s eyes, becoming blinded with their own reflection and giving in to madness, now only obsessed with their own well-being, and eventually bringing the ship to a collapse.
Ceremonial weaponry
Weapons and weapon-making are almost glorified in Scarab societies, often considered extremely prized possessions. An almost universal marriage rite is presenting a beautiful, ornate knife or dagger to the significant other, who will then return it with the handle going forward if the offer is accepted, and the blade going forward if it is denied. Some ships use a decorated gun instead of a knife, but the process is generally the same, going without much fanfare. When dealing with non-Scarabs, a Scarab would often ask to sit down at a table, and then lay their weapons on it. This ceremonial disarming is not only done to take caution, but also to look at how well-made the weaponry of the other person is.
Scarabs value a good weapon and displays of power, but nothing is more wasteful than ending the life of a worker. Thus, many Scarabs enjoy bouts with fellow crew, but, taking extreme care to not hurt anyone (since it would prevent them from working for some time), don’t use their weapons in these fights, and take care not to hit the opponent too hard. As an alternative, intellectual games such as chess and checkers are often played to display intellectual prowess.
Family and Education
Family is less nuclear/core to the Scarab way of life. A Scarab's ship is their family, and blood is less important than crew. Everyone in the crew has some level of responsibility to the welfare of children, but the nearer relationship to the child's parents, the greater the obligation.
Independence is encouraged early on, Scarabs avoiding children being a burden to the crew. Weak, dependent children can jeopardize a vessel by demanding excessive time and attention while contributing little. They are taught very early about wastefulness, recycling, the value of hard labor, and avoiding the long gaze of Shaitan. This is a communal effort, the values of their societies deemed too important for only two people to teach. Mistakes and even injuries are simply viewed as hands-on learning, such as the lesson that one can never pay too much close attention in space. Deeper learning, such as Engineering or other tasks are based on apprentice-ships; teaching done through work-based learning rather than extensive study of textbooks. However, reading is drilled in as much as writing, to read warning signs and instructional documents on crucial systems.
After these values are instilled, and the child has completed their apprenticeship, they are treated with adulthood. The readiness to go out on their own is marked by the gift of a scarf by their immediate family, usually made of spidersilk.
The Released
But, of course, not all Scarabs manage to comply with this lifestyle. Anyone of any age can either lose their tight grip on Scarab values, or never pick them up well enough in the first place. While before 'first contact' these people were simply airlocked, in modern cases, young or old, the crewmember in question is Released. This punishment is treated with much gravitas, only being applied to those that have grievously offended the necessities meant to be learned. Those that are released are exiled from their home vessels and the fleet entirely, unshackled from their responsibilities towards the Scarabs. They are given a week's worth of food and water, their clothing, and a weapon; typically small trinkets as well from those they were close with, then sent to the nearest place with a spaceport. They are stripped of their ability to hold any surname besides Sadar, translating to 'released.' This is semi-voluntary, some Scarabs even willfully choosing to become Sadar to go out on their own without the worries of their previous life. If one is to come back to the ship, they may be allowed back inside, but this is not guaranteed. Naturally, if one refuses this exile, they would be treated as a trespasser on their vessel and dealt with accordingly.
History
Scarab origins date back to the departure of what would become the Core Fleets in 2205, massive residential and combat Warp vessels built on the fastest drives of the time. Utilizing only the most cutting edge agricultural and scientific technology, the African Confederation started the Children of Earth’s Pioneering Fleet. This would be known as the CEF, promising millions a new home some three-hundred light years away in a newly purchased territory. Within, multiple barren planets which could see simple terraforming to accommodate the burden of life. The destination, known as Trappist to the public, would soon find itself plastered on commercial advertising globally spanning Earth. Quickly did Trappist become a grand figure to hopeful pioneers, and roughly 250,000 people set out in the CEF with some three million others in trailing fleets.
Charmed by the promises of the great unknown, the CEF propped itself up as being a “new hope for a galactic Humanity,” then only paralleled by the likes of the Martian terraforming projects. While Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals pioneered the terraforming of the inner solar system, Einstein Engines promised a safe home far away with little of the difficulty seen changing Mars’ environment. The three million soon doubled, then quadrupled as, over the course of thirty-five years leading to 2240. The CEF took on newer, faster vessels as Warp technology advanced and more joined the Core Fleets. The overwhelming majority of these ships would be powered by the efforts of Einstein Engines, having been assured to be without fault.
The struggle that would then come was apparent immediately, as in 2243, the vessels had in accordance with Einstein Engines’ energy-saving solution, unified their sensor data into one singular ship’s computer. In essence, the Fleet’s travel from then on rested on the shoulders of a singular ship, a capital vessel known as the Mansa. Around this vessel, the entire fleet no matter how fast or slow must have followed. This spelled disaster, as one simple malfunction had placed the fleet in uncontrolled Warp for months - beginning the Lost Years, a time of great strife for the Core Fleets. Now sent wildly off course and out of position, there was no feasible way to resume the original mission.
In the Lost Years, all contact with the outside world - and any hope of return to Earth - was lost. Those responsible for the malfunction were killed, and the fleets dissolved into uncontrolled chaos for some nondescript period of time, for exactly how long, none can tell. From the chaos, a simple man being the great-grandson of a mere bookkeeper arose on board the Mansa. His name was Apollo Kagwa, and from a relative bastion of peace amidst the fleet, he studied greatly into literature and media of old. With a wealth of knowledge at his disposal and a vision for the fleet’s survival, he gathered like-minded individuals and overtook the command hierarchy of the Mansa in a bloody war for unification - one that would become known as the Holy War, the Jihad that secured the survival of the Scarabs.
During these times their religion shifted and changed, turning into what is now known as Stutuism. Preaching that scarcity is the greatest enemy, that peace and strength is achieved through unity and domination. Not only physical, but also mental and spiritual. It also established who should do what and that each man and woman has their life course set for them, even if they might not know it. They worship a single god and consider every living human an extension of said deity, saying that scarcity and evil exists only to make children into adults, and unwise into the wise. He preached of Earth and its many bounties, and the people listened, knowing well what they could gain from going back to their old human lifestyles. Eventually, after many phases, Kagwa had conquered the Core Fleets as a whole with legendary strength and boundless wit.
The Tian Kehan (an honorary title, vaguely Khan of Heaven) named Iraiya, the fourth successor of Kagwa is the current “leader” of the unified Scarabs. Today from their throne on the new capital ship King’s Omen, they seek out to unify Humanity - at least those like her own - under a single banner no matter the costs. Among Scarabs, she is known as the Queen in Blue. Scarabs represent an alien form of Man left to itself for nearly two hundred years, different and distanced from all societal progression that influenced their hand otherwise. In 2438, Scarabs made their grand return to the Coalition territories, and through trade upgraded their entire home fleet with bluespace technology. Now, the fleet is a combination of the inefficient past and sleek present.
The Fleet
The Scarab’s home fleet consists of nearly 630 permanent resident vessels with more than 20,000 individuals on board each. A nondescript number of smaller vessels exist, many of which are not permanent residents and simply move with the fleet for safety or business. Here are a few examples of vessels seen in the group.
Mayfly
The Scarab vessel "Mayfly" exiting bluespace at high velocity, its hull shimmering as it enters real space.
A ship originated from the Falklands. Colonists from this ship stick to the colors of blue, white and red. They’re primarily caucasian, this ship is known for some of the best engineers and sailors.
An oddity in design, the Mayfly was a failed prototype purchased by Einstein Engines a year after its construction in 2201. The vessel itself was meant to be a garbage swoop originally, mopping Earth’s orbit of its dangerous hyper-accelerated debris. Competitors from Einstein were one step ahead however, and upon purchasing the vessel, it was converted into a heavy-duty freighter. At 1105 meters in width, the vessel resembles a very long, sideways stick with engines strapped on and cargo departments dangling from beneath. Now, almost 50,000 people call it home.
Impukane
A Central African originating ship, the Impukane is known for its cooking and strong security force. The Scarabs from these ships would prefer colors like green, orange and red. People from these ships are primarily Central African.
A largely untouched warp battleship at nearly 730 meters long, the Impukane is one of the largest vessels in the Scarab home fleet. Its intimidating, spikey mass may look dangerous at first glance, but the ship has over time become nothing more than a garrison for much of the official defense force the Scarabs may have. It routinely deploys assistance to fellow vessels for a myriad of reasons and holds a substantial prison wing that contains almost the entirety of the fleet’s own criminals. Its population has plummeted in recent years, now around 65,000.
Fa’Ta-Bs
(Faladay Tadhhab Bsre) is a ship contributed by the Levant. They’re known for their excellent medical practitioners. Their official colors are white, blue and black. People from this ship are usually of Arabic or Jewish descent.
Built with parts sent to space from the largest coil gun ever created, the Fa’Ta-Bs is a marvel of engineering from the 2200’s. The ship itself is relatively small in terms of the fleet, with a population of 11,300, but it also carries the fleet’s foremost medical supplies and response equipment. There are few children if at all kept on board the ship itself, with those on board explicitly being workers for the fleet.
Su-Yeongseon
The Su-Yeongseon is a vessel with roots from eastern Asian, namely Korean descent who had branched off from an international effort to colonize the Antarctic in the early 2200’s. They are well known for their atmospheric manipulation and engineering prowess.
From the newly-founded city designated Sierra Peak, the world’s largest Antarctic colony sprouted an effort to redirect the incredibly advanced environment control and habitation techniques into space. This was seen as a massive success to the Scarabs later down the line, with many of the tricks seen in surviving the harsh tundras now being used to preserve lives on board Scarab vessels. The forefront of this advanced study is the Su-Yeongseon, a large warp cruiser, built in 2197 and now retrofitted for bluespace travel that originally departed with the fleet for defensive purposes. Over time it was converted into an engineering warehouse, with many of its drone bays and missile silos now serving as hangars and storage compartments. The ship itself was built to hold 22,000 people at maximum, but over time has grown to have a population of 42,000 or more with space to spare thanks to modification.
The San-Khöl in low orbit of some nondescript Frontier world.
San-Khöl
(Sansryn Khölög) is a Mongolian originating ship. Colonists from this ship primarily enjoy the colors of red, blue, and yellow. They are known for their gardeners, hydroponicists, and scientists. People from this ship are usually of Mongolian or Chinese descent.
Built over the course of five years in Ulaanbaatar, the 1100 meter long San-Khöl is an impressive hydroponics vessel. Although capable of holding roughly 25,000 passengers, most of the available space on-board is dedicated to storage of water, food processing, and most importantly the eight hydroponics domes installed onto the ship’s exterior. These are used for fruits, vegetables, and most importantly insects. Three varieties of insect are the most raised here, the Hakhma, a massive beetle the size of a small car. These are utilized for their feed to meat ratio and friendly disposition. Secondly, the Süüs, a variety of honeypot ant that are soda-can sized. These are typically fed cactus juice, which the ant processes into an edible, reportedly tasty and highly nutritious juice, often seen hanging from a Scarab’s belt. Lastly various species of spider, used for their high-strength silk. The ninth dome is entirely devoid of such hydroponics, being used primarily for theatre and entertainment.
Bilröst, Jörmungandr and Jötunheimr
The Bilrost and its sister ship the Jormungandr hidden on the very edge of a small gas cloud.The emblem of the Bilrost and the Jormungandr.
The CCV Bilröst and Jörmungandr are two ships contributed by the former Scandinavian Coalition. This group was formed around the year 2015 in response to the collapse of the European Union. The countries of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden hastily turned to each other for stability, reforming a modern version of the Scandinavian Monetary Union. Eventually the Bilröst was constructed in the year 2129, and the Jötunheimr in 2130. However, the plan was malformed. Certain aspects of the ship were under-engineered, certain systems were lacking in redundancies and backups, and an overall lack of strategy regarding reaching the promised land the Confederation had purchased. The addition of the escort ship, Jörmungandr, only complicated affairs, and not long after their launch, the Scandinavian Coalition was in the red.
With so much of the Coalition’s focus on the new space faring vessels, its people fell to the wayside. Citizens of the Coalition faced food shortages, lack of available healthcare, and an increasing difficulty in finding good work. Times were dark, and with such unpleasant circumstances, there was one thing humans historically turned to - religion.
And it was thus that the people of the Coalition started to look to their old ways.
The people of the Coalition filled themselves with forgotten gods and culture, and it was thanks to this that they gained the strength that they needed to see themselves through adversity. They persevered, worked with what they had, and created the means aboard their new ships to end hunger and heal the sick - and it was in this way that they grew in purpose.
Bilröst
The CRV Bilröst (Bifröst) was the first ship constructed by the Scandinavian coalition. Named after the burning rainbow bridge connecting Midgard and Asgard, the most important activities performed aboard the Bilröst are of the scientific variety, as well as medical work being split between here and the Jörmungandr. Here, important research is performed to enhance the Offworlder quality of living; musculoskeletal and immune system supplements, different types of bracing equipment, and even the first ESS prototype have undergone development here. Lastly, branching off chemical-based tomfoolery in the early days, the Bilröst is known across the flotilla for their excellent skills in making various confectionery products, especially candy and chewing gum.
Jörmungandr
The CEV Jörmungandr is a satellite of sorts that accompanies the Bilröst. Named after the Midgard Serpent surrounding the Earth, it is significantly smaller in size, and is only used for non-civilian purposes. The main function of Jörmungandr is to handle and observe security scans to protect the main vessel. Access to the Jörmungandr is normally restricted to capable operators. Typically personnel here are either of an investigative nature, the temporary holding of criminals, or the maintenance and operation of various drones and robots, combat or otherwise. The Jörmungandr also keeps a small retinue of medical staff freely available to all Scarabs.
Jötunheimr
The CCV Jötunheimr (Jotunheim) was the last ship constructed by the Scandinavian coalition, and the largest of the three, the ‘center of life’ for them, and holds the highest population; owing to possessing the most residential space. Named after the ancestral homeland of the Jötnar, typical work aboard the Jötunheimr is the everyday logistics, mineral recovery, salvage, beekeeping, hydroponics and service/cooking that keeps the flotilla going. The Jötunheimr partakes in trading and exports such goods as minerals, confectionery products, equipment made on the Bilröst, and so on. Due to the harsh work aboard this vessel, the residents tend to be the fittest both spiritually and physically, the vessel boasting both elaborate fitness complexes, and places for group gatherings and rituals. While the passion the Scarabs here have for their work is praiseworthy, the feasts are legendary.
