The Bellatrixan Crowbars

Special Forces Raiders of Bellatrix

Arcing high overhead but beneath the sullen overcast, tiny pinpoints could be discerned. Issan ‘Waveriders turned their faces away from this sight and hurriedly made last moment preparations for the approaching Crowbar onslaught that was descending upon them. Each Issan soldier knew that these might be their final minutes. Well equipped as they were, they had no way of knowing exactly what methods their rivals might be about to employ. Soldiers know to ready themselves for what may come even when what may come cannot be guessed at. These Issans did so.
“Rider! Get that shield strapped on!”
“Will do, broka!”
“And soldier... get a dome started?”
“Will DO!”

Broka Bennik D’Awwua, looked over his units’ efforts with some satisfaction. Good soldiers. Especially the two vast that had joined his team recently. They were as useful as they were huge. Awwua had come to rely on their immense strength to the point he wondered how he had ever shifted emplacements before they arrived. Gawoodan had a dome under each arm and was just done positioning a third. The other Vast, Ambargh, was hoisting the dray-arm into its cradle, ready to fire on the sleighs high above them. Awwua walked determinedly, as he had been trained to do, to the dray-arm.
“Ambargh, you great tonnage, are you sure that’s good to blast?”
“Broka.”
“Good man. Get another set up started. We might have the time. The Levers* might not get this fight all their own way, eh?!”
“Broka!”
As Awwua made to make another suggestion, his heart raced. Not from new-seen threats from above. It simply began to hammer away in his chest like an extremely nervous smith at work at a wobbly anvil, during an earth tremor. Awwua had no idea why he felt this way. He’d never suffered from palpitations. Staggering, he fell to one knee. A visible shudder moved the encampment.

The vast, Ambargh, toppled like an old tree, clutching at his chest.
Nearly all the troops were down Awwua noted, as he grimaced from the shocking pain. Shafts of electric, violet fire erupted throughout the camp. Those flames he could see best, were originating from the soldiers most seriously affected by the pain. Somehow the Crowbar must have managed this Awwua realised. Squinting, he could see contrails descending, closing in from above and growing closer as he tried to watch.
The Crowbar units landed, skidding along the ground in their Atrixan 'sled' vehicles. Armoured soldiery; human, vast and cleftyck stormed on to the hill, looking inspired and confident. One cleftyck held a staff aglow with that same violet fire that had consumed Awwua's troops. . .
Awwua closed his eyes. No point looking. His sight was going. The pain gripped him hard. He didn’t want to see what was about to happen anyway...

Composition

Manpower

5000

Equipment

Each Crowbar soldier comes equipped with basic survival gear, one weapon empowered by Shadowlight and one of several Murktar powered devices.

Vehicles

With their armour already more effective at deflecting damage and Shadow-proofed, the Crowbar rely on lightly built vehicles to travel across the Star fields. Primary types are the Scattersleigh, the Chariose and the Slamtrigger.

Structure

The Crowbar pride themselves on being self sufficient down to the squad level. Each Ten man squad comprises:
1 ‘Officer' (rank variable)
1 ’Bardown’ - Heavy Weapon expert
2 ‘Fixplots’ - engineer/demolition experts
1 ‘Arcane’ - caster/marksman/ranger
2 ‘Redoubts’ - Heavy armoured/close combat/support
2 ‘Ethereals’ - Light weapon’s/medics/communications/cord support
1 ‘Variantal’ - Agent/espionage/special capabilities

Tactics

While the Crowbar are capable in many instances, there are some tried and tested ways they engage with opponents. Using vehicles, they will fan out into oncoming craft and when suitable dispersed, launch themselves from their vehicles.. Boarding actions suit their heavier armoured forms meaning less walking to reach the enemy. Targets unaware of this tactic may be overwhelmed on a first encounter.
Once engaged, Crowbars use the Shadowlight weapon of their choosing. Unlike regular weapons these will tend to destabilise the basic structure of living and unliving substances. a successful hit from a weapon of this type will act o confuse the target and potentially other nearby associated targets.

Logistics

Logistical Support

Each Ten soldier squad has the ability to act as a supporting unit for any other. This makes relieving entrenched positions easy and a steady cycling of fresh Crowbars in forward positions likely.

Upkeep

Beyond the units’ inherent self-sufficiency, the remainder of the Crowbar can be employed as service units to supply forward units with new gear and supplies. Costs are on average high as military units are concerned. This explains the relatively small overall numbers of units.

Recruitment

Exceptional types are expected and much sought after. Race is no barrier. More exotic skill sets are looked upon favourably.

History

As the city of Atrix contemplated at its downfall at the hands of Issan Shockwave Riders, a small number of concerned residents joined their collective abilities and in so doing created enough delaying actions, that the Ghosts of Atrix could regroup. At that moment, several of these beings realised the importance of developing a formalised troop of highly trained and esoteric soldiers. They would need to be given freedoms not generally thought to be recommended in front line troops. Regular military protocols were, if not ignored, at least shelved for the conceptualisation of these irregular soldiers.
Discipline would be meted out in draconian manner. This was to appease the larger 'regular' army. This larger force was comprised primarily of militia and the Ghosts of Atrix. The Ghosts served as the main fighting force of Bellatrix but unlike the newly formed Crowbar, had been in existence longer and abided in the city of Atrix where they were founded. Their responsibilities were to defend the city first and foremeost, then the frontiers and hinterlands of Bellatrix. There was room for both the Ghosts of the city and the Crowbar, as long as the latter stayed out of the urban area.
The Crowbar set about earning its name. Taking their skills to the enemy star of Meissa, they began campaign after campaign of raids on the rival's city. In the city of Issa, they learned quickly to dread the whirring sound that heralded the approach of the aerial raiders of Bellatrix.

Type

Special Forces

Founding

695 CS

Dissolution

None

Overall training Level

Elite

Assumed Veterancy

Veteran