The Black Orchestra is an Imperial Rheinland Intelligence Faction formed during the Rheinland Civil War. The organisation office name is known as the Department of Imperial Security, although among imperial councillors, courtiers and the group themselves, they are referred to as Die Schwarze Kapelle. For their efforts in orchestrating the military takeover, the group was granted noble titles. The orchestra also currently have an extended remit to act on matters of imperial security both internally and externally.
II.HISTORY
Originally, it was just a scattering of rumors. Those rumors then developed into discontent within the prevailing structure. This discontent swelled among Officers of the Naval Intelligence who began to, informally, voice their concerns to each other closed away in their own chambers. Harking back to the times when wars were fought with a winning strategy, instead of bouldering into one disastrous conflict after the other. The home front infested with the corrupt, and the inept. Something had to be done, some loyal officers of Rheinland had to remove the tarnish from their military, their government, their home.
The group was approached by loyal supporters of the soon to be Emperor, with a proposal of monumental proportions. An undertaking which required that they act, quickly and decisively, against their own brethren. The task aligned well with their own perceptions, and it was one that they embraced gladly. They, as the Imperial Council came to know them, were the Schwarz Dreizehn, the Black Thirteen. The name deriving appreciation of the 'requirements' of ushering in the Emperor's coming reign.
Now in control of a vehicle of change, with the considerable backing of the Imperials, the Schwarz Dreizehn began to embed their roots deep within the hierarchy of the MND. While concealing their activities from inside the structure, they began a concentrated effort of spreading their influence within and further beyond the division. Recruiting both civilian and military assets in the following months, they were able to set the stage for their dawning. They adopted the name of their organization from correspondence from among the Imperial Courtiers, Die Schwarze Kapelle, the Black Orchestra, with the Black Thirteen at its core.
When the time came for the introductory elements of the symphony, the DSK proved themselves to be an invaluable asset to the Imperial movement. Rigging various fail safes and protocols within the MND to collapse, causing communication black outs and as for their crescendo, they wrought havoc upon the non-compliant officers of both the military and intelligence. In the name of their Kaiser.
Following the victory of the military coup d'etat, the formation of the Empire of Rheinland did not provide any greater stability than the previous political system. In fact, the problems for the Emperor and the Empire had just begun. Corporations were seeking to leverage and sway the new government inline with their tradition of past centuries, while the military was eager to bask in what rewards came their way for installing the Emperor to his throne. The Emperor bore no illusions that the population of Rheinland were apathetic to the bloody coup d'etat he brought upon them, and so he sought solutions.
The Black Orchestra had proved to be an invaluable asset despite its small size. Effective, decisive, fully loyal and most of all willing to do what needed to be done. The Emperor formally organised the group to become his eyes and ears, the extension of his power and will. Unlike its republican predecessor, this Intelligence organization is loyal to him and the preservation of the Empire. For without the Emperor, there is no Empire, without an Empire there is no Rheinland.
III.MANDATE
The Black Orchestra has the mandate to act in the interests of the Empire, both within Rheinland and outside of it. This has taken the form of intelligence gathering and counter-intelligence as well as Black Ops both home and abroad to ensure the security of the Empire. The Orchestra has also taken up the role of advanced military Research & Development as well as acting as the Imperial Guardsmen for the Emperor.
PRIMARY GOALS & OBJECTIVES:
Intelligence gathering on both internal and external targets
Counter-Intelligence operations against those who would seek to harm the Empire
SECONDARY GOALS & OBJECTIVES:
Advanced military research
Defense of the Empire and the Emperor
Eradication of the Nomad threat
Conducting Black Operations
IV.DIVISIONS
TASKFORCE 1 / EINSATZKRAFTE - 1 Taskforce One, also referred to as the Imperial Security Bureau. Represents the internal security division of the Orchestra and is concerned with the protection of the Empire from threats within. Charged with handling the black operations, counter-terrorism, infiltration and intelligence gathering associated with the duty of protecting the Empire from the inside. The members of this division are typically referred to as Imperial Operatives.
TASKFORCE 5 / EINSATZKRAFTE - 5 Taskforce Five, also referred to as the Imperial Intelligence Service. Represents the external security divisions of the Orchestra and is concerned with preventing threats from outside of the Empire ever becoming a threat to the Empire and its citizens. Charged with handling various forms of black operations, espionage, intelligence gathering and sabotage all in a effort to put the Empire at the top. the members of this division are typically referred to as Imperial Operatives.
TASKFORCE 7 / EINSATZKRAFTE - 7
Taskforce Seven, also referred to as the Imperial Guard. Represents the armed branch of the Orchestra. Although they are typically seen as the guards of the Emperor, they also serve in their duty to act on situations that Taskforce One or Five have asked for. As such they serve a dual purpose as Imperial Lifeguards and Orchestra military wing. The members of this division are typically referred to as Imperial Guardsmen.
TASKFORCE 9 / EINSATZKRAFTE - 9
Taskforce Nine is the newest division of the Orchestra. In light of all the mayhem caused by the civil war, the documentation and experiments of the Empire were prioritized to keep safe from the traitorous Federalists. This division not only safeguards these Rheinland technologies but also continues them in effort to keep the military a cut above the rest. The members of this division are typically referred to as Imperial Agents.
The Imperial Director is formally in charge of the entire Black Orchestra. The Director has operational oversight of the group and their activities, as well as being the one to correspond with the Emperor and the council in matters of security. This position comes with a title of nobility from the Emperor.
The role of Deputy Director is that of a successor. Performing the same or similar tasks as the Imperial Director, the Deputy is permitted a large amount of freedom to pursue actions they believe to the benefit of the Orchestra and to Rheinland. This position comes with a title of nobility from the Emperor.
The position of Imperial Overseer is one of structural importance. Typically acting as a director for one of the groups task forces. This position comes with a title of nobility from the Emperor.
MIDDLE COMMAND / MITTEKOMMANDO - SILVER ECHELON
IMPERIAL COLONEL - - - - •- - COLONEL / OBERST
Imperial Colonels are in charge of overall operational analysis brought to them by various operational groups within the task force. Typically overseeing more than one operational group within their designated division, they are also known to operate in the field with them.
Imperial Captains are the first of the command type roles within the Orchestra, they typically command a number of operatives within their company while also leading those operatives in the field.
Imperial Commanders are the most senior agents in the field, typically being the central point for network intelligence and lead specific cells on their assigned duties. Their overall command of their cells reflects on how well their cell performs.
The Senior Agent is an ensign who has completed his trial by fire in the field. Now a fully accepted member of The Black Orchestra. There are typically multiple senior agents serving under a single Imperial Commander.
The agent is an asset in training. This is the first rank a newcomer in the Black Orchestra get. He will be trained by the Imperial Commander and Senior Agents of the cell he is appointed to, and will learn the more advanced intricacies of intelligence work. Usually, the candidates are already trained to fight, however every applicant is required to follow a combat-training program dispatched by the senior agents.
Permitted the use of Fighters, Bombers and Transports.
VI.FLEET
72-ARKM-G27 "Phantom"
90-ARKM-N45 "Wraith"
90-ARKM-N60E "Sleipnir"
19-ARKM-N82 "Mjolnir"
140-ARKM-N58 "Bergelmir"
13-ARKM-N37 "Fafnir"
72-ARKM-G27 "Phantom" Rheinland Heavy Fighter Mk II
The Phantom is one of the main workhorses of The Black Orchestra, alongside the Wraith. The ship is has proven a capable combat fighter with a distinguished history within the Rheinland Military and Police. The ship is capable of mounting smaller cloak capabilities, which can make the ship very versatile within the hands of The Orchestra. The ship had been modified at Paderborn and it now boasts a new reactor and engine capabilities, having the additional advantage of opening the ship to room offered by space, with a distinct advantage against heavier ships in maneuverability and agility.
The modifications can make the ships being able to mount various weaponry and technology while retaining the same maneuverability they had, even if their tonnage is increased.
90-ARKM-N45 "Wraith" Rheinland Heavy Fighter Mk II
Daumann Heavy Industries designed this ship on the model of the “Phantom”, the ship was designed to offer increase firepower but also to be small in size to present a difficult target to hit. The increase ability of firepower required the ship to be larger, and in the same stroke heavier.
The Wraith Mark 2 excels in the role of a very heavy fighter in sorties against larger opponents, as difficult to hit targets which are able to present a decent amount of firepower, they are able to abuse their shape to avoid being hit while maintaining shots on target.
The Paderborn Engineers, with the Mark 2, used the cargo hold to be able to mount cloak and other technologies which can truly show the true capabilities of the vessel, making the ship more versatile.
90-ARKM-N60E "Sleipnir" Rheinland Very Heavy Fighter Mk V
The Black Orchestra took this up to the next level with the Sleipnir. Sacrificing more maneuverability and shape, the Sleipnir is one of the heaviest fighters in the Orchestra arsenal. Having a new armour based on a new alloy made from titanium layers and ceramic powder between them, which causes the armour to resist hits better than the counterpart used by the Rheinland Military.
Using the engine of former prototypes designed for racing, but modified by the engineers to work in combat conditions, the ship has greater emphasis on energy output and makes up for this in the increased power plant. The combination has allowed the ship to hit hard and fast, yet to be able to maintain enough speed to vanish again from scanners.
19-ARKM-N82 "Mjolnir" Rheinland Super Heavy Fighter Mk V
The Rheinland engineers decided that they could create a truly multi-role vessel, and the idea of Mjolnir was born.
Sacrificing maneuverability and speed, this vessel can bring untold destruction upon larger targets and in true manner of The Black Orchestra while also being a large threat to other fighters in the area of operation. The ship is somewhat rare but respected by its enemies for its deadly nature. A pack of Mjolnirs is every commander nightmare if they operate far from reinforcements which can assist in defeating the squadron.
140-ARKM-N58 "Bergelmir" Rheinland Bomber Mk V
The Bergelmir has been one of the mainstay bombers of the Rheinland Military for decades, and recent upgrades see its service life extended. Although it is now outclassed in terms of firepower by the Fafnir, the light bomber sees wide spread use from the authorities as it is reliable, cheap and most of all. Difficult to bring down or damage.
13-ARKM-N37 "Fafnir" Bomber Mk V
The appearance of capital ships in the hands of Hessians and other external enemies, drove the Rheinlander engineers to once again take to the drawing board. They created specialised heavy bomber capable of mounting incredible amount of firepower with the task of taking down hostile battleships. The ship was named the Fafnir.
With the Civil War in full blaze, the Paderborn had continued to tinker with the systems to make them compatible to new classes of weapons and improved the power distribution and as well the buffering system, installing the new and modern Gel Packs, which can store and release high amounts of energy without having to be changed so often and which proved to be more reliable than their Military counterpart.
"Oder"-class Gunboat
"Donau"-class Cruiser
"Tirpitz"-class Battlecruiser
"Oder"-class Gunboat
This is the smallest ships deployed by the Armed Forces and its use can be seen in Rheinland Military and in Planetary Defence. The ship is quick, being capable of boasting a powerful array of weapons.
The ship can be very versatile, being able to mount light, anti-fighter weaponry, medium weaponry which can be used for interdiction of cargo and other policing matters, or heavy weaponry, able to take on heavier classes then itself.
The Black Orchestra recognized the great capability of the ship and it can now be found everywhere in the overt operations of the organisation, such as Long-Range patrol, pirate and rebel element suppression without having to send any of the heavier ships.
"Donau"-class Cruiser
Higher frequency attacks on the shipping lanes and the more heavier weapons used by the criminals and enemies of Rheinland, the development of Donau by the Daumann was the next logical step.
The constant wars in which Rheinland was part of, created a large supply or damaged hulls which the Military Engineers decided not to repair or even use as spares.
Paderborn staff saw otherwise and they acquired several hulls which undertook major overhauling, crafting them into major and deadly war machines, refitting it with the newest and best equipment money can buy. The new ships can also boast a lot of new technology which makes the ships to be seen as a possible multi-role ships in the Orchestra missions.
"Tirpitz"-class Battlecruiser
The Tirpitz-class Battlecruiser is designed not just as an addition to the fleets, but an improvement as well, being heavier and more versatile than its predecessor, the Donau-class Cruiser.
With the threat of the Civil War, the Paderborn engineers saw the urgent need for a mobile heavy support vessel, capable of withstanding a heavy attack. Utilising the philosophy of the Donau as a starting point, the new Mark III Tirpitz has been overhauled and geared in every aspect to be designed to deliver overwhelming fire capacity, which can prove a threat to any heavier class ships that the enemies of the Empire can field.
Unlike the normal first models of these series, The Black Orchestra versions have enlarged power cores and a better power distribution which allows for an increase of 0.54mw which compliments being able to deploy the high performance scanners which can allow the vessels in this category to scout and identify ships and stations to great details up to 6 clicks or even more when running observation.
The Ragnar and Behemoth Mark 2s have been retrofitted with extra armour and its cargo space being reorganized to fit in extra fuel tanks, living quarters and specialist equipment, including cloaking technology and possible hyperspace matrix.
The few Uruz Mark 2s has been specifically modified to a modular design. Each module 'Pod' is designed with specific equipment to monitor transmissions, to scan for ships and to identify targets within a large area. Tranport versions of this vessel still see use, which take advantage or new reactive armour developed by The Black Orchestra.
VII.AWARDS
Order of the Empire
Awarded in recognition of extraordinary personal bravery and service which has gone beyond the call of duty asked by the Empire.
Order of Gallantry
Awarded in recognition of gallantry of the rarest kind, when confronted with an impossible challenge to overcome.
Order of Valour
Awarded in recognition of extraordinary perseverance in the face of great danger.
Order of Bravery
Awarded in recognition of bravery when facing a great challenge.
Order of Merit
Awarded in recognition of extraordinary personal achievement.
Combat Excellence Award
Awarded in recognition of extraordinary feat of piloting skill.
Distinguished Combat Award
Awarded in recognition of continuous piloting skill.
Combat Ace Award
Awarded in recognition of piloting skills.
Venerable Service Award
Awarded in recognition of twenty-four months of service.
Extended Service Award
Awarded in recognition of twelve months of service.
Service Award
Awarded in recognition of six months of service.
Astute Award
Awarded in recognition of unbreakable will in a time of great duress.
VIII.DIPLOMACY
Allies
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Friendly
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Neutral
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Suspicious
Rheinland Corproations - Monitoring for corruption and/or sympathies externally.
Rheinland Military - Unclear if the remaining military powers are loyal to the Empire.
Rheinland Police - Maybe infected with Federalist traitors.
Everyone not listed elsewhere - They need to prove they can be trusted.
Hostile
Corsairs - A belligerent cabal of pirates that threaten the Empire.
Federalists - Rheinland traitors.
Infectees/Nomads - Alien menace that must be purged.
Outcasts - Drug lord pirates that are infecting Sirius with Cardamine.