Spartans
Document Released by the Super Roman Space Corp concerning the SPARTAN PROJECTS.
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The Spartans have been a key instrument in Super Roman policy since 725AD. The first Spartans were under the direct command of Capital General Flavius and served as the elite guard to the Roma Empire. The Spartans were enlisted at a time of great prosperity to defend the major cities. Initially only based in Sparta, the Spartans began to establish command posts in Thermon, Alexandria and Croton. The Spartan Guard were equipped with reinforced ivory shields embossed with gold trim, a silver tipped, oak shafted spear and a serrated short sword. The Spartans were the ultimate warriors, their courage unsurpassed, their loyalty and obedience unquestionable and their tactics were unparalleled. The Spartans soon became the figurehead of the Roman military.
The Spartan presence on the battlefield inspired higher morale, confidence and loyalty within the ranks. They were easily distinguished by the red full length robes and golden armour, many often bore the Super Roman standard. The Spartan initial role in society was that of peace keepers. However This role was to change dramatically with the creation of the Urban Cohort. Many saw their arrival as the beginning of the end for the Spartan contingent.
However the outbreak of war in 794AD led to a dramatic role-reversal for the Spartans. The Kengaran attack prompted the dispatch of the Roman Expeditionary Force to Roma Minor. There was at first some disagreement between members of the general staff as to whom should lead the campaign. Many of the traditional elites believed that the new Urban Cohort should lead the attack, whereas the Imperator believed that the Spartans should exhibit their prowess on the battlefield. The Imperator issued the order to have the Spartans lead the attack, much to the disdain of the elites.
The Battle of Thermopylae demonstrated the determination, strength and superior skill of the Spartans. Every last Spartan was killed in the assault, but not before the 300 Spartans and 1000 Hoplites had killed over 15000. The Spartan status rocketed and a monument was erected in the Spartan Great Forum. The remaining Spartans in Roma Superior were placed permanently at the head of military affairs, many Spartans such as Cicero the bold, Marcus the pious and Commodious the Great became highly influential senators and became what was essentially the first War Cabinet.
Since this date the Spartans have claimed victory most notably:
Thermopylae 795AD
Mandric Plains 1490AD
Battle of Hashara Desert 1500AD
Great Alliance War 1940-1943AD
Battle of Sicily 1941AD
Battle of Zakitu 1942AD
Battle of Zanan 1942
Battle of Tikrit 2001
Battle of Handra 2004
Battle of Hannighan Island 2005
The Perpendicular war 2006
The Modern Spartan
The Spartan number remained limited, at just over 500 until the 21st century. It was then that advances in cloning genetic enhancement technology provided the catalyst sufficient to expand the Spartan Programme. Over One Thousand Spartans were recruited and an elite order of the Spartans the “300” was created. The Spartan projects were conceived to initially create a new generation of "super-soldiers" for the purpose of quickly and efficiently neutralising any threat. In the first Spartan projects, volunteers with military backgrounds were accepted but the results left much to be desired, mostly in psychological conditioning and performance.
The Spartan II project began in 1986 with children screened at birth for specific genetic markers essential to allow the successful augmentation of cybernetic implants. Children testing positive for such markers, the designated "D" Chromosome were immediately flash cloned. These flash clones were then retunred to to "their" families, and after a few months, the imperfect clones died of a condition known as a "Metabolic Cascade Failure", effectively erasing any suspicions their families may have. The original child would be reared by the military. The actual children are taken to a secret military facility in Super Rome where they are trained to be the ultimate soldiers. When they are old enough, they are surgically modified to be stronger, faster, smarter, have faster reflexes and superior eyesight. Those that survive the procedures go on to become Spartan. The first subject identified, known throughout Super Rome as the Master Chief, became the leader of the Spartans.
The Spartan III projects began in 2002. After mounting international pressure the Spartan warrior training system was revised. Children are still tested at birth for the desired "D" chromosome, however the military has no jurisdiction permitting them to remove the child from parental care. Only at 11 when the child is mature enough will any action be taken. SRSC representatives will visit the initiate contact with the individual in question and offer the rank of Spartan. Only with permission of the child and parents will training begin. Many still argue that this is too young to make such a life altering decision, but it has been defended as necessary since after 11, a body is too developed to survive the Spartan process. If this great honour and privilege is accepted then training will commense immediately.
There is much speculation regarding the Spartans among the lower ranks. Their precise numbers are unknown, but have been estimated at just over 1500. In fact there are 1850 MJOLNIR IV equipped, genetically engineered cyborg soldiers. A Spartans entire life is dedicated to vanquishing Super Rome's enemies and maintaining the Super Roman domain with vigilance. Every Spartan is loyal to the Imperator alone and subservient to the Super Roman nation. They are deployed more like equipment than troops. They are the only infantry to be able to operate the Sentinel and Scorpion Mark IV vehicles. They are used a special forces in all situations and work in small numbers, often alone. They have the ability to access RN directly and often provide the route to victory in all situations. All Spartan names are kept secret even from the Spartans themselves
Their Rank is indicated by colour. No Spartan is ranked lower than Legion Commander. All Spartan armour incorporates a battle robe. Each Spartan also possesses a red ceremonial robe.
Emerald: Legion Commander
Black: Princeps
White: Field General
Gold: Fleet Admiral
MJOLNIR Armour
MJOLNIR IV armour is considered one of the finest pieces of military equipment conceived by the SRRC. It is made of extremely durable ultra-light nanocomposite armour based on 2 layer laced Tungsten Disulfide. An 3cm thick ablative layer on top of this nanocomposite allows resistance to small and medium arms fire at close range. The Battle Visor, different to those utilised by the SRSC marines contained highly advanced technology. A permanent direct RN feed is embedded into a HUD that reads across the visor. Weapons, communication and logistical data can be accessed at will. The complex programme can accomodate an AI construct, allowing a marked advantage for the Spartan. The suit is air-tight, hardened against vacuum, and features air-filtration systems as well as a built-in oxygen supply that can last for up to 90 minutes. The suit's helmet also features a standard SRSC mounted flashlight with its own separate power supply. Concealed side compartments in the upper thigh plates allow the Spartan wearer to holster a sidearm
The 300
This is the elite Spartan order established by the Spartans themselves. Led by the Master Chief and a ruling council of Eldar Spartans, from both the Mark II and Mark III denominations, this group are highly secretive and militarily powerful. The selection process is highly restrictive, with appointments made by its own members. The 300 are the only Spartans permitted to deviate from typical battle rank colour. Many wear Blood Red Battle Armour in ceremonial style. Weaponry deviates widely, with many members electing to wield non-projectile weaponry. Others of higher prestige wear white, blue, black, purple, teal depending on preference. The Master Chief has been known to alter battle colour regularly, often dressed in the unique Imperial Black Lion Armour presented to him personally by the Imperator.
