Black Warriors

The Black Warriors are a mercenary unit-turned pirate band assosciated with the Periphery power known as the Circinus Federation. They are led by the President of the Federation, H.R. McIntyre.

History

The Black Warriors reached the Periphery in 2770 following a contract dispute with the Free Worlds League in which they were accused of breach of contract. After a near-capture by the Free Worlds League navy, the Warriors swore revenge on the League and settled on the world of Circinus, along with several other pirate bands.

Following the founding of the Federation in 2785, the Black Warriors became the chief military force of the fledgling nation, as well as a cornerstone of its economy due to the constant raids the Warriors made against the Free Worlds League. This situation developed into true political power, as the Warriors' unique situation was established over the centuries.

Although traditionally, the Black Warriors were led by a member of the Cirion family (descended from the leader of the Warriors in 2770), the position of colonel was taken by the President of the Federation, McIntyre, due to the minority of the next heir to the battalion. McIntyre then led the Warriors to a string of unmitigated defeats, including a failed invasion of the Illyrian Palatinate and a long war against guerillas on the planet Alpheratz. This led to a decline in the strength of the Warriors from three battalions to only one, and helped to breed dissent within the ranks.