52nd Shadow Division
Sarna News
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| Fifty-second Shadow Division | |
| Disbanded | January 3079 (destroyed)[1] |
| Nickname | Apollyon's Chosen[2] |
| Affiliation | Word of Blake |
| Parent Command | Shadow Divisions |
| Sub-Command(s) | Opacus Venatori |
Unit Description[edit]
The Fifty-second Shadow Division was one of the Word of Blake Shadow Divisions, composed of the hyper-elite, cybernetically enhanced Manei Domini. It was commanded by their leader, Precentor Manei Domini Apollyon, who selected only the finest warriors for the Fifty-second. The unit also served as the parent command for the Opacus Venatori.
History[edit]
Conquest of Gibson[edit]
The unit first appeared to the public in 3068, though not in its entirety. It was not until Apollyon was granted sovereignty over the world of Gibson by the Word of Blake–influenced Free Worlds League politician Paul Marik that the Fifty-second became fully established there.
When the Shadow Division arrived on the planet, it ruthlessly crushed all resistance. Its actions transformed Gibson into a principal stronghold of the Manei Domini, while refugee camps spread across the globe outside the surviving cities. Intelligence reports suspected that Apollyon was using the planet's population as raw material to create the next generation of his cybernetic soldiers.[2][3]
Campaign of 3073-3074[edit]
In April 3073, the unit deployed on a campaign responding to a variety of Word of Blake challenges. This operation took it throughout the Word of Blake Protectorate and eventually into Lyran space. The Shadow Division first arrived on Hall, answering an urgent request for assistance from the planetary militia. At the time, the Word of Blake had employed the Martian Cuirassiers mercenary unit to garrison the world. When the Cuirassiers refused orders to suppress the rebellious city of Bastrop, the Fifty-second was dispatched to "discuss" the matter. As a result, the Fifty-second Shadow Division annihilated both the Cuirassiers and the city of Bastrop.[2][4][5][6]
In June 3073, the Fifth-second struck the FWL planet of Alphard, where it destroyed the remnants of the Legion of the Rising Sun mercenary unit.[7] After receiving word that the Principality of Regulus was dispatching an invasion force toward Gibson, the Fifty-second redeployed with remarkable speed to assist the Forty-ninth Shadow Division in repelling the attack in August. The Regulan task force, led by General Tomaso Kinchuhara and the Fourth Regulan Hussars, assaulted the Gibson Federated BattleMechs factory complex, unaware that the Fifty-second lay concealed among the structures. As the Fourth Regulans entered the complex, the Fifty-second launched a devastating ambush that mauled the leading Regulan elements. After Kinchuhara was killed, Apollyon demanded the surrender of all opposing forces. Several smaller mercenary commands attached to the Regulan task force surrendered unconditionally, but the Fourth and several other mercenary units refused. The Fifty-second pursued the Fourth back to their DropShips in a vicious firefight that destroyed large sections of the factory complex.[2][8]
Within a month, the Fifty-second Shadow Division mobilized again and struck Caledonia alongside elements of the Fortieth Shadow Division. Together, they eradicated the Twenty-second Skye Rangers, who were preparing to attack the Blakist–held factory world of Hesperus II. During the fighting, the Fifty-second suffered heavy damage and casualties. Despite these losses, the unit continued its nearly year-long campaign. In February 3074, the Fifty-second struck Bolan and destroyed the Second Regiment of Brion's Legion. After annihilating the mercenary regiment, the Fifty-second destroyed the planet's capital city, throwing the Lyran region into chaos. The Shadow Division then returned to Gibson, arriving in time to assist the Forty-ninth in repelling yet another Regulan raid. By early 3075, intelligence reports indicated that the unit had returned to full strength.[2][9]
Destruction[edit]
The Fifty-second Shadow Division was destroyed during the Regulan assault on Gibson in December 3078/January 3079. The Regulans subjected the world to an extended orbital nuclear bombardment before sending ground forces into the irradiated wasteland to hunt down and eliminate any surviving Blakist forces, particularly Manei Domini.[1]
Officers[edit]
| Rank | Name | Command | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commanding Officers of the Fifty-second Shadow Division | |||
| Precentor Manei Domini | Apollyon | 3068 – 3079[10][1] | |
Other Officers[edit]
- Demi-Precentor Setiwah, an Ascended Manei Domini officer during the Jihad.[4]
- Phantom Demi-Precentor Delta Rainer Hill, aerospace pilot during the Jihad.[11]
- Phantom Adept Beta Bryan Morgan, aerospace pilot during the Jihad.[12]
Tactics[edit]
Unknown.
Composition History[edit]
3075[edit]
Fifty-second Shadow Division (Division/Elite)[13]
- Opacus Venatori (Two Level IIs/Elite)[14][13]
Notes[edit]
- Rules for the Fifty-second Shadow Division and Opacus Venatori can be found in Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents.[13]
- The units were rated with SD for their Equipment.[13]
References[edit]
- ↑ a b c Jihad: Final Reckoning, p. 126: "Shadow Divisions Status"
- ↑ a b c d e f Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents, pp. 107–108: "Fifty-second Shadow Division"
- ↑ The Master's Hand
- ↑ a b Teach the Wicked
- ↑ Jihad Hot Spots: 3076, p. 26: "Timeline of the Jihad"
- ↑ Touring the Stars: Hall, p. 7
- ↑ Jihad Hot Spots: 3076, p. 31: "Timeline of the Jihad"
- ↑ Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents, p. 51: "Bloodless Coup"
- ↑ Jihad Hot Spots: 3076, p. 48: "Timeline of the Jihad"
- ↑ Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents, p. 88: "Shadow Divisions"
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3075, p. 98: "S-HA-O Shade"
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3075, p. 102: "S-STR-O Striga"
- ↑ a b c d Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents, p. 143: "Rules Annex"
- ↑ a b Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents, p. 108: "Opacus Venatori"