305th Tempestus Regiment- “The Mere Mortals”

The 305th are an independent regiment of Tempestus Scions deployed as a Solblade during the Fourth Tyrannic War to attack the Leviathan tendrils Nautilon and Promethor, which invaded Segmentum Pacificus. The 305th were deep infiltration units, capable of striking into the heart of Tyranid territory undetected to harry and delay enemy forces with demolitions and targeted assassinations.
== Doctrine, Tactics, and Disposition ==
The 305th are a special operations regiment designed to operate as independent companies. These formations are often tasked with heavy reconnaissance (with the capacity to “fight for information”), operating behind enemy lines, demolitions, and assassinations roles. To accomplish this they have attached vehicles that allow them to either work as mechanized infantry or as heavy infantry when needed.
The 305th have a unique, somewhat, arrogant view of them and their place in the Imperium. They are “the best” humanity can produce without having to rely on things like extensive mechanization (like the skitarii) or generic rewriting (and the rest of the augmentation space marines go through). They view themselves, perhaps not incorrectly, as the finest “natural” soldiers the Imperium can produce. While they recognize that they are not the best when compared to things like marines, custodes, xenos, or the mechanized horrors of the Mechanicum- there are few things that can rival their sheer skill and drive for perfection in every single soldier in their regiment.
To this end they are quiet, professional, efficient, creative in combat, harsh, brave, daring, but... more than a little dismissive of those who “cheat” or “can’t keep up”. While they have been proven wrong several times, something they humbly accept (even good naturedly), it is a rare day indeed when the 305th are bested by other “mere mortals”.
== Organization ==
The 305th is small when compared to less elite units. This is both due to the more rigorous training required to produce a stormtrooper and so the regiment can have a smaller logistical footprint.
=== Squads ===
Each Tempestus Scion squad is composed of 5 Tempestus Scions and 1 Tempestor (6 soldiers). In each platoon the 1st squad is generally the veteran squad behind the Platoon HQ and its Tempestor is generally the most senior. They act as the platoon’s XO and will often operate ahead of the Tempestor Prime themselves. A Platoon HQ squad is run by a Tempestor Prime and the members of their squad often act as the platoon's heavy weapon company when needed.
=== Platoons ===
3 Tempestus Scion squad make up each company of the 305th.
Additionally each company has a company HQ squad as well as several additional assets to provide logistical assistance. On the platoon level 2 Taurox Prime plus one Tauros (for the command squad’s use) are allocated. Though it can vary, the Taurox Prime allocated at the platoon level are generally split up with one supporting a Taurox Battle Cannon (to suppress enemy light armor), and one with twin Taurox Gatling Cannons (for anti-infantry actions).
There are approximately 24 scions in a platoon for the 305th (plus logistical support).
=== Companies ===
Six platoons of scions make up a company. Each company of the 305th are expected to operate independently. As such each has their own logistics network, supplies, and dedicated air support/resupply. In its totality a company has roughly 144 scions plus additional support personnel.
==== Command Section ====
The command section of the company comprises a Tempestor Prime with the rank of Captain (often called a “Tempestor Captain”) and their Tempestus Command Squad as well as logistical support elements like vox operators, medics, engineers, advisors, and even psykers. These assets are normally found at higher echelons of command. However, despite the command & logistics section being slightly larger than other sections, each member is held to the same standards of a Scion. In terms of scions, the command section typically has 2 infantry squads and the Tempestus Command Squad serves as the third.
==== Armored Section ====
Each company has two Leman Russ Battle Tanks. These are normally equipped with dozer blades and are primarily used for anti-armor actions. Most have the standard battle cannons, some form of anti-infantry (heavy flamers or heavy bolters) on their sponson mounts, and a Hunter-Killer Missile Launcher. Two tanks in the regiment have their standard Leman Russ tanks replaced with the Annihilator variants for particularly large or hard to kill foes. Mechanized support is allocated to the armored section who serve as the company’s technical advisors from the Mechanicus.
==== Transport Section ====
Six additional Taurox Prime, two with missile launchers, one with either an autocannon or battle cannon, and three with either storm bolters or gatling cannons are garrisoned. They are regularly allocated to squads without a dedicated transport (as each platoon essentially has 1 less Taurox Prime then they need, to keep them lean) or to the command section. They are also used as fire support as a group in concern with the armored section against particularly heavy enemy units. This section also does the maintenance on the Taurox of other subordinate elements.
=== Regiment ===
The regiment has fluctuated in terms of its size but is generally kept at 2-3 companies. Unlike other regiments, the regimental HQ company is very atrophic and largely functions as a logistical organ rather than a command organ. Senior leaders are often more senior authority figures like Inquisitors, regimental leaders like colonels, etc. The regimental HQ itself is run by a Tempestor Captain with a platoon sized unit that fills much the same role of a company’s command section, though it focuses more on things like voidship transports and supply drops.
There is a formal senior leadership structure in the regiment however, outside whoever is employing them at the time. Each of the companies; Tempestor Captains have a level of seniority and use that as a hierarchy. The most senior is referred to as the Tempestor Maximus (a title, rather than a formal rank) and they are responsible for overall campaign planning and making calls. The regimental HQ company is not run by the Tempestor Maximus, but instead the most junior Tempestor Captain. This position, known informally as the Tempestor Minimus, is seen as a precursor position to running a company as it teaches the new Captain the logistical skills required for large unit movement.
== History ==
=== The Indomitus Crusade ===
The 305th were initially formed during the early days of the Indomitus Crusade from other partially assembled Scion elements on or near Sol. Their creation was done to augment Indomitus Crusade Fleet Secundus in the Hydraphur Push. After an initial and hasty training and rearmament period the 305th was deployed against the forces of Chaos. Their main use was primarily as elite elements to help guard units hold the line against hardened foes and to provide deep reconnaissance (commonly engaging in “fighting for information”) against the forces of Chaos.
=== Scattered Duties ===
The 305th was later pulled for special operations duties on a number of battlefields, particularly as independent or semi-independent operations specialists. Often under the command of a senior commissar, Inquisitor, or other high ranking Imperial official they were used as advanced forces and 
=== Solblade Deployment ===
The 1st company of the 305th Tempestus Regiment was deployed as a Solblade under the command of Tempestor Captain Signos. The company made use of a few fast frigates and breached Tyranid space undetected. The company harassed, delayed, misdirected, and slaughtered the Tyranids there for 60 days and 60 nights. The company’s fast, heavy, recon strategy and ability to act independently as platoons made their efforts remarkably effective against the Tyranids who would strike at any attack with overwhelming numbers... only to find nothing there but traps and explosives. These hit and run tactics were enough to successfully delay their part of the swarm for two months, vital time the Imperium needed to prepare. The members of the 1st Company knew the Solblade deployment was a suicide mission and after their numbers had been reduced significantly they set off a [redacted] that consumed a large number of tyranid bioforms until they adapted to the [redacted] it caused.
=== Rift-Wars ===
While the 1st company was deployed as a Solblade, the 2nd and 3rd companies of the regiments were working in concert with other Imperial assets attempting to stem the tide of demons pouring forth from the Great Rift. While effective, the 305th has been fighting a losing battle against the unnumbered daemons they now face. Still, their “recon in force” abilities allow them to push back enemy lines (albeit temporarily) and even penetrate said lines to eliminate high profile targets.
=== Future ===
With the demise of the 1st company and their most senior members, the 305th has been crippled. They are being reinforced with new scions as fast as the Imperium can pump them out but the war on all fronts they are fighting will wear them down to nothing in due time. Though they are the finest “mere mortals” in the Imperium- it may not be enough in the long run.
Category:Scoglads
Category:Imperium of Man
Category:Imperial Guard