It all began some time after the Nomad War in 800 AS when Drake Thastus, a newly appointed Commodore on the Spyglass vessel of the Liberty Navy was accused of treason for political reasons despite his loyalty to Liberty. Thastus, along with his ship’s crew and its escort that were caught up on that farce, resisted their arrest by killing everyone who would stand in their way. The group consisted of LNS-Ragnarok, the Spyglass warship, LNS-Antares, a cruiser and the LNS-Mentu and LNS-Silverfire, two gunboats along with several fighters. They went as far as the Magellan system where they were being expected by a large Liberty force to apprehend them, however, their presence disturbed the Lane Hackers who soon were also into the fray and with their help the exiles managed to reach the barren system of Vespucci.
They spent years trying to survive and rebuild, scrapping LNS-Ragnarok for parts to sell after plotting the ship carefully down to blueprints. Interest was found among The Order and the Lane Hackers for the scanning technology. Eventually, they managed to pull a fighting force and took the name Hellfire Legion.
The first strikes happened in California, a system that had lesser activity due to the war with Rheinland and so the first victories were against mediocre and the less capable forces of the Liberty Navy. It all came down after two years of vicious fighting after Thastus was captured and killed and morale crumbled, but not for long as his flame was passed on to others and capable individuals would lead on the Hellfire Legion
For several years they clashed not only with Liberty’s forces but unlawfuls as well for the sake of the citizens that had nothing to do with their conflict and along with propaganda aimed at them, gave rise to a sentiment of support among the populace of common birth and soon they would see new recruits and a discreet financial aid for their cause. However tension was growing between them and the Lane Hackers and in 818 AS their peace was written off with the battle of New Year’s eve. A bloody conflict between the two groups who wanted Vespucci for their own, paved Hellfire Legion’s path to the complete dominance of the system. Then they perceived the idea of a Commonwealth in Vespucci, a home not only for the fighters of the cause but civic populace that wished to start anew.
The idea of the Commonwealth came to fruition after a lot of hard work and the first settlement on planet Vera Cruz was created. An influx of refugees from the Bretonian front helped provide the labor force such a task required. However the dream did not last long, the absorption of the Insurgency and the lack of capability by the Command created rifts among the ranks of the Legion and its Commonwealth and soon the child would lash back to its parent. A conflict that came with a heavy toll even after pacifying the incident but that was just the beginning to their undoing. The Hellfire Legion had created enough turbulence among its ranks and forgot their place and its goal, why they were fighting and created in the first place. By their fault, they eventually led the Liberty Navy to their door step and the dream would soon turn into a nightmare.
A weakened Legion against a force too large to drive it back was simply the final nail in the coffin.The evacuation started just before the invasion of Vespucci began. Against all odds and despite their differences Legion forces united as a fighting force to make their final stand against their archenemy who would once again strip them away from all they had.
Tartarus
The Tartarus Legion were formed by ex-Lord Commander Markus Brass in an attempt to rally the strugglers and refugees of the former Hellfire Legion after their defeat and complete destruction of its home system. The first part of the name signifies the changes the Legion went through in order to survive -brutal and unforgiving, damning those who oppose them- while the second part is there to remind friends and foes who they were.
Upon his return to Liberty from the uncharted region of space, he witnessed his home barren and desolated. Struggling to process of what had happened he began searching for information and survivors without wasting time. A transmission on old frequencies, which was heard by many but not all of them answered the call because they had already found a new cause, a new life and risking it for the ideals of a mutilated organization was lunacy while the rest were conveyed to the Inverness where Brass’s flagship was waiting. The captain's ship, the HFB-Polyphemus, the only ship remaining of its size in their arsenal, serves as the home for those willing to start anew until a new, more permanent habitat would be found.
With the numbers rising however, the command found themselves with their hands tied as funding and supplies were not enough to sustain them, so they were forced into a dilemma. Either struggle as they currently are with the hope of acquiring financial and material assistance or change their old ways of operating and thus not long after, they came to a conclusion. In a situation where their survival was a priority, they voted that instead of acting as self-imposed knights of justice, they would now use their combat experience to obtain what is necessary for them.
Armed with Brass's most important weapon, the S.A.D wing, which was comprised only by the most elite pilots of the Legion, the effort to train new pilots was trivial as the experience from many years of combat and operation of the Legion standards made them suitable for that role. Informants -which came at a price- in key locations would allow them skirmishes on police and military patrols whenever possible and would provide them with equipment to add, upgrade, repair their own or sell to the black market for credits while raiding trade ships and smugglers -some times without having to use force- provided them with goods to press on.
Having limited supporters in the borderworlds and enough old foes, their time was limited before being discovered. Mistakes were the new great enemy they had to face and as such, only the more experienced pilots were on active duty while the rest focused on logistics and training. More legionnaires took on more than the profession of the pilot, many became engineers, hydroponic farmers, some even managed to become teachers and doctors, hoping that one day they’d be able to build their new home.
The Legion having their flame rekindled by Brass’ spark, gladly embraced their new identity
The remnants, now organized, took on the name Tartarus Legion and rallied for their exodus from Liberty in the pursuit of a new home and future, hoping one day to avenge their fallen and lay waste to Liberty, leaving them with nothing.
The Fleet Commander is responsible for the entire fleet and its operations. He is ever vigilant and prepared, an example of discipline and professionalism.
Fleet Captain (0/2) 2iC: - (-)
The Fleet Captain is considered the right hand of the Commander. He serves the High Command and maintains the order within the fleet.
Major - (-)
The rank of the Major is given to individuals who have exhibited outstanding performance and should be treated with respect.
Lieutenant - (-)
The lieutenant is entrusted with training new pilots and ensures everything is working in order.
Private - (-)
A private is a promising member of the combat fleet.
Special Wing(s)
Apart from their primary force, there exists specialized wings comprised of only the most elite officers of the Legion, capable of delivering even the most difficult of operations.
Special Operations and Armed Reconnaissance Division (S.A.D):
This division exists since the age of the Hellfire Legion. They handle key assignments that require a certain finesse to fulfil and answer only to the Fleet Commander. A few examples of their line of work:
![[Image: Tartarus_FC.png?ex=668ede26&is=668d8ca6&...dc784247e&]](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1260313681087041597/1260313755569356880/Tartarus_FC.png?ex=668ede26&is=668d8ca6&hm=0642c0e4ed4b696ca05db874abca00ed49c53087e5b4512f76c11a6dc784247e&)
![[Image: Tartarus_Logo.png?ex=668ede26&is=668d8ca...02ee5b0d1&]](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1260313681087041597/1260313756056158330/Tartarus_Logo.png?ex=668ede26&is=668d8ca6&hm=9ceb0901cf4a2d1e56729fd14cd4885ec86d5525bbf21c85a348b3a02ee5b0d1&){kind=logo}
![[Image: Tartarus_Logo_Left.png?ex=668ede26&is=66...8fdf9cd32&]](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1260313681087041597/1260313755812892762/Tartarus_Logo_Left.png?ex=668ede26&is=668d8ca6&hm=ef337ebbb37463c70b2aaf68937450e4cb95c1ea61781aa6860f9b88fdf9cd32&){kind=logo}