Banner of the Lost

This is my banner. There are many like it, but this one is mine.

— 1891.2, Bearer of Colors for the 901st Penal Division

The Banner of the Lost refers to the standard of the 901st Penal Division, which was completely wiped out during the defense of the landing zone 80-4 during the ill-fated first invasion of Titan. The 901st was a storied force, having survived prior campaigns in the reclaimation of the asteroid Askalaphus as well as the defense of orbital stations in the Asteroid Belt. Notably, they are the only division known to have only had one standard bearer: 1891.2 was assigned to their force from the start of the war.
Records about this division in the Dominion of Man are unusually complete due to the detailed notes taken in the Journal of the Standard-Bearer of the aforementioned 1891.2. The division met its end, surrounded and cut off, on the surface of Titan: after the battle all salvageable RSCs were recovered along with its banner. In honor of their sacrifice, their division was stricken from the order of battle, its number never to be used again.

Significance

Woven into its fabric is every triumph and every failure we have endured. Every dream snuffed out by the brutality of war. Every vengeful plasma lance and mass-reactive round we have driven into the Neila. This is not "just" a banner, initiate: it is who we are.

— 1891.2, addressing a new RSC

The banner of the 901st penal, like that of other forces, exists nominally to coordinate human forces. However, it serves a deeper, psychological purpose, supplementing the morale of their force. On the upper-left of the banner is a scale, to represent the weight of justice through which the division redeems itself. On the right is an intricate key, indicating that their service is their key to freedom. Beneath a chevron is a bloody cross, reminding the soldiers of the sacrifice that they are expected to endure in service to the Dominion.

Read more about the standard-bearer:

Blazon:
Gules, a chevron sable with three flecks of ermine argent, accompanied in chief dexter a key, to sinister a balance and in base a cross patoncé quarter pierced by a goutte gules, all argent, within a bordure sable.

Item type

Unique Artifact

Current Location

Mars

Manufacturer

Dominion of Man

Owning Organization

Dominion of Man

Weight

4 kg

Dimensions

2x4 meters