52nd Shadow Division

52nd shadow div.png
52nd Shadow Division
Formed 3068
Disbanded 3079
Nickname Apollyon's Chosen
Affiliation
Parent Command Shadow Divisions

Unit Description[edit]

The 52nd Shadow Division was an elite combat division formed under the aegis of Word of Blake that supposedly first appeared during the first year of the Jihad. The Shadow Division was staffed with cybernetically augmented warriors known as the Manei Domini. The Division was commanded by the Manei Domini's leader, Precentor Apollyon, who selected only the Word of Blake Militia & Shadow Division's finest to form the Fifty Second. Apollyon's Chosen were known for their ruthless and fanatic devotion to the Master. The Division also served as the parent unit for the special independent operations unit known as the Opacus Venatori.

History[edit]

First Appearance and Domination of Gibson[edit]

The unit first appeared to the public in 3068, though not in its entirety. It was not until Precentor Apollyon was given sovereignty of the late Sir Paul Masters' world of Gibson by the Word of Blake influenced member of the Marik government, Paul Marik.

When the entire Apollyon's Chosen arrived on planet, they began to put down any resistance against Precentor Apollyon ruthlessly. The Division's actions led to the world being converted to a principal stronghold for the Word of Blake and Manei Domini. Refugee camps sprang up across the globe outside the surviving cities on Gibson, where intelligence reports suspected Apollyon was using citizens of the planet as raw materials to make a next generation of his expendable cybernetic warriors.

Campaign of 3073-3074[edit]

In April 3073, the unit deployed in a campaign responding to various needs of the Word of Blake. This took them throughout the Word of Blake Protectorate and eventually into House Steiner space. The unit first arrived on Hall, where they were called in by an urgent request for assistance by the planetary militia. The Word of Blake had employed the Martian Cuirassiers to garrison the planet. When the Cuirassiers refused orders to subdue the rebellious city of Bastrop, the Fifty-second was dispatched to "discuss" the issue with the mercenaries. Instead the Apollyon's Chosen annihilated both the Cuirassiers and Bastrop.[1][2][3]

In June, they struck the Free Worlds League world of Alphard where they destroyed the remains of the Legion of the Rising Sun mercenary unit.[2][4] Having received word of the Principality of Regulus dispatching an invasion force to Gibson, the Division moved with incredible speed back to Gibson to assist the 49th Shadow Division to repulse the invasion in August. The Regulan Task force, led by Fourth Regulan Hussars' General Tomaso Kinchuhara, struck the former Gibson Federated BattleMechs' factory complex. Unknown to them the 52nd lay hidden among the buildings of the complex. As the Fourth Regulans entered it, Apollyon's Chosen launched their ambush on the general's leading forces and mauled them. After killing General Kinchuhara, Precentor Apollyon demanded that all opposing forces surrender. A number of the smaller mercenary commands attached to Regulan task force surrendered unconditionally, but the Fourth, along with several mercenary commands, refused to give up so easily. The 52nd chased the 4th back to their DropShips in a vicious firefight that destroyed large portions of the factory complex.[5]

Within a month, the 52nd Shadow had once again mobilized and struck Caledonia together with elements of the 40th Shadow Division. They eradicated the 22nd Skye Rangers, who were preparing to invade the Blake held factory world of Hesperus II. During this fight, the 52nd received heavy damage and casualties. However, despite this setback, the Division was still on the move, conducting the last part of its almost year-long campaign. In February of 3074, the Division struck Bolan, where it destroyed the 2nd Regiment of Brion's Legion. After destroying the mercenary regiment, the Chosen destroyed the capital city of the planet, sending the Lyran region into chaos.[6][7] Afterward, the Division returned to Gibson where it once again arrived in time to assist the 49th Shadow Division to repulse yet another Regulan raid. By 3075, intelligence reports indicated that Division has returned to full strength.

Destruction[edit]

The 52nd Shadow died during the Principality of Regulus assault on Gibson in 3079. The Regulans subjected Gibson to an extended nuclear bombardment from orbit before dispatching forces to the remaining irradiated wasteland to ferret out and destroy any surviving Blakist forces, particularly Manei Domini forces.[8]

Officers[edit]

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the 52nd Shadow Division
Precentor Apollyon 3068

Other Officers[edit]

Tactics[edit]

Unknown.

Composition History[edit]

3075[edit]

52nd Shadow Division (Level IV Division)

Notes[edit]

Reference[edit]

  1. ↑ Jihad Hot Spots: 3076, p. 26: "Timeline of the Jihad"
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Jihad: Final Reckoning, p. 51: "The Jihad in Review"
  3. ↑ Touring the Stars: Hall, p. 7
  4. ↑ Jihad Hot Spots: 3076, p. 31: "Timeline of the Jihad"
  5. ↑ Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents, p. 51: "Bloodless Coup - Details of the Regulan invasion and actions of the 52nd Division & its commander"
  6. ↑ Jihad Hot Spots: 3076, p. 48: "Timeline of the Jihad"
  7. ↑ Jihad: Final Reckoning, p. 52: "The Jihad in Review"
  8. ↑ Jihad: Final Reckoning, p. 125: "Shadow Divisions"
  9. ↑ Technical Readout: 3075, p. 98: "S-HA-O Shade"
  10. ↑ Technical Readout: 3075, p. 102: "S-STR-O Striga"
  11. ↑ Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents, p. 108: Unit Profile - size and whom the unit is attached to
  12. ↑ Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents, p. 136: Rules Annex - 52nd Shadow Division - Apollyon's Chosen's special abilities, rules, and immunities

Bibliography[edit]

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