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Published: 2022-07-13 16:48:33 +0000 UTC; Views: 2932; Favourites: 60; Downloads: 0
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Description
In the Fleet, everyone is a clone, subjected to randomised genetic sequencing to give them some protection from gene-targeted bioweaponry. No mothers or fathers, brothers or sisters, sons or daughters. All exist to serve the Fleet's perpetual war machine and their ceaseless fight with the Agnen Tide.The Ihmae Fleet is the one thing standing between the Tide and the annihilation of all life foreign to them, and for that, an endless source of manpower is needed.
Still, one sort of soldier cannot fulfill every task, especially not with the resource limitations of an army the size the Ihmae need to field. So, multiple types have evolved with time, all serving different aspects of the Ihmae Fleet's grinding war effort.
Regular Army Trooper
"Kevlar and steel, never will you find a better armour in the galaxy, right up until the day you need it to be!" - Common, sarcastic Regular Army marching chant. The origin of this is unknown.
The soldiers of the Regular Army are perhaps the most numerous force in the Fleet, a grinding behemoth of a disposable army, built for one thing; to fight the enemy, to stop their advance, and grind them down. To this end, to save on materials and to expedite manufacturing, the equipment of a Regular Army trooper--or RA for short--is incredibly basic. Tough, CBRN-resistant fatigues are covered in a thick kevlar vest and shoulders, a metal chestplate strapped on over the top. This armour will shield a Regular Army trooper from explosive shrapnel, acid splashes and perhaps a glancing hit. It will not save them from a direct hit from Agnen troopform weaponry, save perhaps at long range, though the Ihmae Fleet does not stop an RA from looting slain soldiers for ammo or armour. These soldiers rarely live longer than a year on campaign, but the rare few lucky or skilled enough to last long enough in the face of the enemy may be offered to join the Fleet Airborne.
None have ever been recorded as refusing.
The best part of an RA's equipment is his gun. Most RAs are given a Mk1 Infantry Rifle, seen here, a hulking, mechanically simple automatic battle rifle firing 15x115mm SLAP rounds, able to kill a typical Agnen troopform in only 2-4 hits on average. Some may instead opt for a Mk1B Carbine, a weaker but faster and more easily controlled rifle, and some special fire teams are given Mk4/S or Mk4/A sniper rifles and heavy machine guns. Being handed one of these is considered a blessing by RAs, as it means they are both better equipped and prioritised by their allies.
Fleet Airborne Trooper
"Stand by for drop, troopers, we have artillery bugs to kill! Oh-five, make sure that thermobaric gun is loaded and ready!" - Unknown Airborne platoon leader.
Fleet Airborne, next to the Regular Army, are much more on par with the soldiers of other nations. Their fatigues are tougher and can be sealed, more armour plates have been added, and all metal armour has been reinforced with a ceramic layer, giving an Airborne soldier a fighting chance against a direct hit. Airborne forces are also given a greater degree of training and a wider armoury to choose from; while their standard issue is still the Mk1 Infantry Rifle, their favoured weapon is the Mk3 Infantry Marksman Rifle, seen here, and platoon leaders may be allowed the Mk2 Infantry Rifle. Fleet Airborne are the Ihmae Fleet's shock and air cavalry troops, dropping away from the front line to kill targets of importance to tilt the odds in the Regular Army's favour.
Things can go awry in many ways and very fast, but Fleet Airborne have the training and gear to make a difference.
An Airborne Trooper's standard helmet includes an integral compass, but does not have an integral HUD despite common misconception otherwise. However, various helmet mounts exist that replicate elements of one, and alternate helmets exist that may include a HUD. Most refreshingly to the scarce Regular Army trooper that becomes an Airborne trooper, Airborne platoons include combat medics, something the Regular Army does not.
Fleet Marine
"I hate those self-absorbed bastards sitting on their shiny ships all day with their feet up. But all the same, I'd shoot my own platoon CO to become one." - Unknown Regular Army trooper.
Many elements within the Ihmae Fleet consider the Marines a waste of resources; arguably costlier to make than Fleet Airborne, and seeing comparatively very little action, Marines spend most of their existence aboard their battleship waiting for a chance to do something. Still, when a ship is attacked or destroyed, everyone aboard is glad the Marines continue to see production; Marines are well-trained in shipboard and vacuum combat, meeting Agnen troopforms crawling on every surface with zero-g maneuvers and precise fire. If a ship is destroyed, Marines are quite likely to survive, continuing to aid in the evacuation of surviving crew. If a ship is shot down, Marines will safeguard survivors until help arrives. When needed, Marines can equip jump jets and perform shock assaults to take a landing zone, or act as a rearguard when extracting a target of interest.
Marines, however, typically dislike planetary conditions, preferring to remain aboard their starships, optimally in space.
Rather than garrison every ship with Marines, an Ihmae naval cell's battleship will possess a garrison. If a nearby ship is boarded, Marines will embark boarding craft and board that ship as well to defend it.
Marine equipment is, at its core, similar to Fleet Airborne, though the fatigues are now more like a spacesuit in function; when connected forming a single piece bodysuit resistant to shipboard hazards, exposure to space, and (nominally)self-sealing. The armour is functionally identical, but Marines have additional thruster mounts added to enable mobility in zero-g. Finally Marines wear a unique helmet. This helmet possesses a heavily armoured visor that restricts peripheral vision but makes it safer for a Marine to lean around a corner and fire, the forward-focused vision considered acceptable for shipboard combat. If peripheral is needed, such as in space, this visor can be lifted, revealing a second visor more like that of the standard Airborne helmet. The standard issue rifle of the Marines is the Mk1B Carbine, but also seen is the Mk3 Naval Shotgun, shown here, designed specifically for Marine use.
Despite the name, the Mk3 Naval Shotgun is actually a 35mm semiautomatic grenade launcher designed to fire HESH grenades, but is sturdy enough to load and fire actual shotgun shells.
Firing one designed with the Mk3's breech size will almost invariably break a human shoulder.