The Rei'Krannsu

Originally formed of the Rihannsu's greatest warriors by Tellus (brother of S`Task) to serve as a royal guard and 'Army to the Declared', the Imperial Rei`Krannsu, and their modern day evolution, the Imperial Rangers, are the oldest continuously active military force in the galaxy.

Since their foundation, the Rei`Krannsu have served directly under each Emperor and Empress-- including the ruling queen t`Rehu, who re-tasked them with policing duties during her ten-year rule. Perhaps ironically, it was the Rei`Krannsu who, under Tellus' son Jo`rek, defeated t`Rehu's armies, and liberated the capitol from her presence. During their master's rule, the Legion grew into over a hundred Legions. Each new Legion was sent on a quest to the distant stars, driving onward the crushing imperial fist of the travelers.

With the arrival of the Federation and Rihannsu large-scale production of spacecraft, it became apparent that the demand for personnel far outweighed the hyper selective, elite Imperial Legions' ability. In a desperate move, the available Legions were split, and the larger portion was injected with the civilian populous. Animosity grew when it was decided that the old-fashioned Legion would receive none of the new warp ships, and thus become subservient to the less elite, newly formed Galae.

Today, as it has always been, the Legions are modular, highly reactive units, composed of the finest troops the Rihannsu can offer. Though the number of Legions has shrunk to merely 14, a heightened sense of historic pride, the right and practice of maintaining their own space fleets, and a more tangible example of the Legions' might (the Romulan civil war) has returned a considerable amount of their political power.

Function

Officially, the Rei`Krannnsu are tasked with most of the same duties as the Galae-- they guard the planets and peoples of the Empire, promote the development of the way of D`Era, and serve as combative force (in space and on the surface) during times of war. However, considering the skill level of each soldier in the ranks, the relatively small number of troops in their units, and the amount of munitions they tend to expend while obliterating their opponents, the Rei`Krannsu is more often considered a resource better kept in 'reserve,' or brought out for 'special situations' duties (such as full-scale wars). In fact, the Rei`Krannsu were considered so valuable in t`Kazon's Imperial days, that the Empress did not deploy a single unit of their Forces during her 2398 war with the Federation.

'Rangers' or 'Special Forces' are the accepted non-Rihannsu labeling for the Legions, and more or less describe what they do. They are 'wandering' soldiers, waiting for orders to form into their units, and deploy anywhere. When they arrive, they may deploy for any non-standard duties which may aid in the achievement of an objective, or they may simply destroy a target.

Unlike the Galae, the Rei`Krannsu station themselves off of a single planet. From there they build a home fortress, their own shipyards, shrines, cemeteries, defensive platforms, and training grounds.

Though they lost rights to own their own spacecraft historically, the Rei`Krannsu do maintain Legion-fleets of their own. As these are often more specialized in nature, and smaller in number, these ships generally stand a generation or two more advanced than those found in the star navy. Presently, the Rei`Krannsu are converting over to the post-war D`Kalen-ra (for small-column insertion and deployment, as well as space combat), D`Jhimn (for large-scale troop transport and light combat), and D`Delona (for prolonged, adaptive combat) classes.

With a smaller rank structure, the communications distance and levels of bureaucracy are smaller in the Rei`Krannsu than in the Galae. Additionally, unlike the rigid command structure of the Galae, the Legion is left more open-ended. EnRiovs are the command heads of their individual legion and whatever attached transport and support units. The EnRiovs coordinate troop movements between each other instead of being handed orders from a fleet commander, who was given an order by his Naval administrative commander. As the legions range in size and are often broken into smaller fighting modules, order is maintained through diminishing circles of influence.

Rei'Krannsu Ranks

Pip	Rank	Translation	Description
	Farien	Unprocessed/Recruit	No authority, trained in the field, fresh recruits. Farein are often seen in small numbers in the field, but often not used in combat (for obvious survival reasons).
	Eredh	Corporal/Trainee	The trained specialist and base grade troop of the Legions. Eredh are the bulk of the Ranger forces.
	Erien	Sergeant	Senior-grade troop, commands a 'File' (5-15 soldiers), and serves as the sub-senior specialist in ship departments.
	erie'Arrain	2nd Lt/Sub-Centurion	Field-grade Officer, possibly holding up to ship XO status. Most often commands a 'Line' (2-5 'Files') and stands as senior specialist in ship departments.
	Arrain	1st Lt/Centurion	Senior field-grade officer, possibly holding up to CO status. Most often commands a Column (2 'Lines') and stands as department head on a ship.
	erie'Riov	sub-Commander	Highest rank worn by political officers, the first rank of spies, and usually the first rank of CO level officers.
	Riov	Commander	Command-grade officer, holding CO status of a vessel or sub-command of a 'Wing' (1/8 - 1/3 of a Legion's Columns).
	EnArrain	Highest Centurion	Senior wing-comand grade officer, holding CO status over a ship and a 'Wing' of the Legion.
	EnRiov	Highest Commander	Legion Commander.

A ship in the possession of the Rei`Krannsu is staffed and commanded by Legion personnel. A Riov or erie`Riov will command the ship and be in direct command of any number of attached platoons. When in the field, the platoons are commander by an Arrain, who may also be bound to the ship as senior staff or as the ship's fighter wing commander. The Platoon is then broken down into three to five squads, each being lead by an erie`Arrain or the Arrain himself. The squads are further divided into teams -again controlled either by the erie`Arrains or the Arrain- but may also be controlled by an Erein, who is considered relatively seasoned as an officer in the platoon or fighter wing. The Eredhs, having some field experience and Academy training, make up the bulk of the ship's staff, fighter pilots, or platoon troopers. Fareins follow in bellow as troops with only basic training.

Ship Organization

/-----Platoon Cmdrs-- squad Cmdrs --team Cmdrs---troops
/
Ship Cmdr----Senior staff--sub senior staff---crew
\
\-----Fighter Cmdr-----pilots

This formation allows a single ship to effectively deploy multiple coordinated, ground, airborne ,and orbital support forces. Additionally, as all ships and troops involved in an action are assigned from the same legion, there is a greater level of fluidity in squadron formation than in the Galae.

Posts

In reflection of their historical numeric reduction, the Rei`Krannsu is about a quarter the size of the Galae. Additionally, though few in number and predominately designed for transport, the Rei`Krannsu maintains a far more advanced fleet than the Republican Navy. In modern-day, there are only 14 Legions remaining The Rei`Krannsu often serve specialized, more formal defense functions. As they are deployed less and less often and in lesser number to the field, this 'dignified' display of their officers' prowess, importance, and ability (as most of these units are reserved for the best of the best) has almost surpassed the allure of battle in the eyes of recruits. Regardless, while they ma! y be for show or historical reference, these units are still filled by the ranks of the Ranger Legions and should be held with the same level of respect their field brethren would receive.

In addition to all standard posts on a Rei`Krannsu vessel, a few specialized assignments have come into existence over the years.

• COM: Communications have proven vital to squadron based assaults- vital enough that all ship to ship communications be taken away from the already over worked tactical officer. The COM officer is in charge of all ship communications- and is additionally responsible for keeping track of all squadron and other 'friendly' craft during a maneuver. Too many ships have been lost to friendly fire because a tactical officer didn't have time to a! adequately identify his target. The COM officer acts as both spotter for TAC and the CO's link between ships.

• TAC Tactical officers are now only in charge of targeting and firing weapons.

• Naval Advisor: This officer is bound to the ship. He acts as a political and tactical link to the Galae both in planning and during a tactical maneuver. This is a senior staff post requiring much experience and is restricted to Arrain rank officers and above.

• Political Officer: Much as the PO keeps a Galae EnArrain informed of Tal`Shiar actions, the same is done in the Rei`Krannsu. One major difference though is that the PO of an RK ship is not necessarily part of the Tal Shiar. The Order is often angered as RK POs often show more loyalty to their ship CO and the Rei`Krannsu than to the agency. Like the Naval Advisor, this is also a ship-bound post though junior ranking officers filling in the post may engage in field activity too.

• Wing Commander: Though fighters are used by the navy they are not coordinated by a specific officer. In contrast, Marine formations of fighters are piloted by specially trained troops. The Wing Commander, often an Arrain, reports to the ship CO in the same way a platoon Commander would. If necessary the wing can serve in reserve ground deployments too.

Protocol

Rei`Krannsu Commanders meet with their General whenever it is necessary to make major movement plans. These meetings are usually only conducted within a single legion, as the Enriovs make their own plans in a separate council. The meeting is staffed by The EnRiov, his Enarrain, and the chief intelligence officer. Their EnArrain(s) are in charge of any ship squadrons, and the Riovs and erie`Riovs- acting COs of all ships in his squadrons. Orders pass from this gathering on to the senior staff of a ship. The senior staff then sends orders down to their respective platoons and squads.

In addition to any platoons being transported or staffed on a ship, the crew of a Rei`Krannsu vessel are formed into a platoon as well. This larger and more senior platoon is deployed less often as its functions are needed more on ship duties, though if no other troops are available the crew forms into their ranks and take the field.

Ta`Pakrsh

The Ta`Pakrsh is the Intel sub-division of the Rei`Krannsu. It is a very small department focused only on collecting data relevant for the Rei`Krannsu. Though generally, like all facets of the special forces, the Intel division has some of the most advanced equipment available, it does not have the vast research department available to the Tal`Shiar. As a result, the department is more powerful than the Navy's Tal`Diann, but less powerful than the Tal`Shiar.

Uniforms, rank structure, and chain of command for the Ta`Pakrsh are identical to the Rei`Krannsu's.

As for posting and assignment, the Ta`Pakrsh does not put troops amongst other department's ranks like the Tal'Diann and Tal Shiar. In general, individuals, or small recon teams are sent on specific missions as an additional task to whatever function they already serve in the Special forces.

The Legions: Noteworthy Units

Reduced in number it may be, but the Ranger Legions still retain their high level of social status and combat prowess. The following lists some of the 14 Legions, their wings, and offers a glimpse into a possibly endless resource for role-playing.

1st Legion -- The Imperial Guard

Ironically, the Legion's name and purpose still stand unchanged-- even in today's Empire. The IG can be distinguished by their old-fashioned silver helmets and emerald green sashes, clasped over the peck with a silver 'Wing' designation (there are 3 wings, each with 50,000 soldiers). Like many of its battle brethren, the Legion is a fully operational combat-ready unit, well-stocked in ship and shell, but their primary task is to guard the old Senate, various parts of the capital, and the large Tellus Estate on ch`Havran.

Praetorain Guard

A detachment of the 1st Legion, which has been maintained since the days of the first Praetor. The Praetorian, as they are often called, are distinguished by long ultra-marine sashes worn across the right shoulder of their black duty uniform. The unit's formation stands at 12 soldiers, always with a Riov at the head and an Arrain for a second. While their duties are officially defined as 'protect and escort' the Praetor, their actual service can include anything the Praetor may ask of them.

Emperor's Children

A detachment of the 1st Legion's first wing leftover from the Tellus days served as 'an experience' for the sons and daughters of the Royal family, and their closest friends. The unit was shortly dissolved during the Rehu era, but quickly reformed under the command of Jo`Rek. Several great Romulans, including Speaker t`Anaka herself, have served in this small, but prestigious unit. They wear a red wax seal on their left shoulder for identification.

2nd Legion -- Imperial Fists

Now mostly a ceremonial force, the 2nd Legion stands vigil on Constantus. A combat unit for the rich and famous, or so it is joked about amongst the other Legions. The Imperial Fists wear a slate gray uniform similar to the Galae's.

3rd Legion -- Thousand Sons

The Thousand Sons have known many names. At their founding in SD:500, they were the third Legion. That simple number was held high over the many small worlds of the 'Low Lands', the first target to fall under the growing army's boots. Though never on 'the front' of expansion, the Low lands were vast and contained many of the Empire's prime industrial posts, thusly the Legion was perpetually kept at double strength. This accepted maintenance is the primary reason the Legion continued up onto the modern era. During the Romulan Civil war, this large force broke from the crumbling Imperial forces, and secretly redeployed on ch`Revellion. By the war's end, after the Legion was split up to reform the first legion, the remaining 1,000 'Thirds' chose, with senatorial consent, to rename themselves in memory of their "3rd Assault Wing's" EnArrain. Back in the 'Low Lands' systems, the Legion looks like any other. Though it is very common for their command level officers to wear long ponytails like their 'remembered' commander, the forces bare no unit markings on their uniforms.

16th Legion -- Black Suns

During the 'Ten years war' with the Klingons, there were many fierce battles. Few were as long fought and bitter as the Derex / D`Korin campaign. The Black Suns and the no longer active Iron-Claw Legion, outnumbered nearly 10:1, with no hope of relief supply nor having a completed colonial base of operations to command and defend from, held on and pushed back Klingon invaders until the! war's end, 19 months later. As in their hellish battle days, the Black Suns remain focused on sword and unarmed combat training, which they are renounced as the best in the Empire. To date, only five Rihannsu have won the Klingon Imperial Bat`leth tournament. All of them were members of the Black Suns. The Legion is recognizable at a glance, with their raven black dress uniforms, and numerous sheathed swords.

48th Legion -- Gatekeepers of Areinnye [hell]

The 48th Rei'Krannsu Legion gained most of its fame during the many Romulan-Kzinthi wars. Its fortress originally being based in the Padek system. As such the 48th Legion decorates its uniforms with sashes made from the pelts of Kzin. More recently the 48th Legion moved its fortress to the Jurai conquest territory on an edict by the Praetor to stabilize the region. The 48th Legion is known to be as ruthless as it is efficient.

92nd Legion -- World Eaters

This rag-tag legion, formed mostly of farmers who were out of work due to drought, made its name in the first Kzin war. Salieh, Teutil, and Leughon systems were all added with the skill of these fighters. They were known for stealing local vessels, no matter how non-space worthy, and hopping on to the next nearest system before support facilities and non-combat units were in place. More often than not, they were incredibly successful and very resource-efficient. Much like the 48th, the 92nd Legion's standards are made from Kzin pelts. They are also known to wear heavy goggles, well suited for keeping desert grit and long jungle brush out of the eyes.