The I'cartes Regiments

The I'cartes, also referred to in ancient records as the "Solar Legionata," the "I'cartes Regiments," and known in High Argothic as the "Regimentalis I'kharionos," were the 5 Regiments or 'Demi-Legions' of genetically-engineered, superhuman warriors borne upon Old Terra. Spawned from the workings of the Imperial Daedalus Project and created by the design of the God Emperor of Man through alchemical augmentation, somatic gene-sculpting and muscle-grafting techniques.
They were the first genehanced warriors created by the Lord Imperator and their purpose was to unite the homeworld of Humanity beneath the Emperor's rule during the Terran Unification Wars that spanned from the late 87th to early 90th Millennia. They would serve as the precursors to the present-day Imperial Marines, though they were created from only adult male supporters of the Emperor rather than adolescent initiates as seen in the Legions.
Wrought to become living weapons, the I'cartes were known to be physically much larger, stronger, more savage, more resilient and ever-more potent in combat than the later Demi-Marines and the Imperial Marines that succeeded them, though they were not nearly as long-lived and suffered from often dangerous mental instabilities and early onset metabolic collapse and cancerous proliferation when their bodies began to reject their comparitevely crude augmentations.
The I'cartes' legions were commanded by genetically-superior Daedalus warriors of particular skill, intellect and mental stability, who each held the technical rank of "Luminant." Each legion was particularly focused on a particular tactical or strategic specialty similar to the later, more perfected pattern seen among the Imperial Stellara Legiones. Imperial chronicles hold that the last of the legendary I'cartes died heroically during the final battle of the Sol Reclamation in the fires of the Saturnine Campaign, wherein the Last I'cartes would be slain upon the Rings of Saturn in an effort to destroy the Forra'kiir Engine.
Later, following the success of Dr. Nysa's Angelus-IIs, the remaining I'cartes became colloquially named as Angelus-Is by Imperial Historians, and this name took root to the extent that I'cartes such as Croa Idaeus referred to themselves as the First of the Emperors Angels. The Daedalus Project itself was also retroactively dubbed the Angelus-I Program.
==Background==
Borne from the Daedalus Project, a Special Operations Program spawned in the early years of the burgeoning Stellar Imperium. Of which its beginning dates back to the mid.88th Millennium, as a Prototypical off-shoot of the much larger Prometheus Project when the newly-formed Imperial Biotechnical Division began developing its own bio-engineering protocols with the experimention and creation of biochemically altered human soldiers. Although these performance enhancing substances were very primitive and nowhere near as effective as the bio-augmention procedures and chemical-stimulants used to both create and augment the soldiers of the Legio Imperialis and the Imperial Combat Regiments in equal respects, however they did show promise and gave results and served as the catalyst for future endeavors. Since then, human soldiers have used performance-enhancing equipment and stimulants for centuries.
Administratively, the Daedalus project was under the control of Prometheus Sub-Section-III, under the Special Projects section of the Imperial Biotechnical Division. However the I'cartes super-soldiers themselves were under the operational authority of the nascent Imperial Special Weapons Cadre(ISWC). The Daedalus Program was mostly an all volunteer force composed of the most skilled members of the Emperors Proto-Imperial Troop Regiments and special forces branches of the early Imperiums many collective military bodies — the Daedalus Program's Super-soldiers of the I'cartes performed in a slew of specialized, high-risk operations including: counter-insurgency operations, unconventional warfare, direct action and black operations along with less specialized Campaigns of Expansion, Invasion, Subjugation, Extermination and general Guerrilla style conflicts.
The members of the Daedalus Program, along with participants in its five subsequent Special Operations Projects, were soldiers who underwent extensive augmentations. These enhancements were the result of pioneering training methods and the latest biochemical advancements. The augmentations administered to the Daedalus super-soldiers encompassed a broad spectrum of innovative techniques.
Among these were a plethora of alchemical augmentation, a process that involved the use of advanced chemical compounds to enhance physical and cognitive abilities. Somatic gene-sculpting was employed to modify and optimize genetic codes, resulting in superior bodily functions and resilience. Muscle-grafting techniques, which involved the transplantation and integration of muscle tissues, significantly boosted physical strength and endurance. Muscular enhancement injections further amplified muscle density and power, providing the soldiers with extraordinary physical capabilities. Pulmonary respiratory enhancements were also implemented, increasing lung capacity and efficiency, thereby enabling greater stamina and performance in diverse environments. Retina-inversion injections were used to improve visual acuity, allowing for enhanced night vision and sharper overall eyesight. Finally, cochlea enhancement tuning refined auditory perception, enabling the super-soldiers to detect a wider range of sounds with greater clarity and precision.
In addition to the extensive physical enhancements, the Daedalus Program also incorporated mental augmentations designed to significantly boost brain functions. These enhancements included the development of advanced learning capabilities, allowing subjects to assimilate information at an accelerated pace and a higher rate of comprehension. Enhanced motor skills were another critical aspect, improving bodily control, coordination, and speed of movement. The Daedalus training regime, encompassing both pre and post-augmentation phases, was extraordinarily rigorous. It featured a series of grueling tests that challenged both mental acuity and physical endurance. Out of the six hundred thousand initial volunteers, a mere fraction successfully navigated the stringent training and augmentation procedures. Only approximately 140,000 survived this demanding process.
From this pool of survivors, an even smaller number were deemed fit for active duty following the completion of their training. Yet despite this high attrition rate, those who did enter active service demonstrated remarkable success in combat operations. Their initial deployments yielding such significant results that the focus on training the next cohort of Daedalus Program soldiers intensified. Within a few decades, the Daedalus Program had grown substantially, boasting around 200,000 active duty personnel. These elite soldiers were organized into the five Regimentalis I'kharionos, each regiment exemplifying the pinnacle of human augmentation and military training. The soldiers of the Daedalus Program, with their unparalleled physical and mental enhancements, stood as a testament to the relentless pursuit of excellence and the unyielding drive to create the ultimate warrior force.
====Flaws====
"Alas, for them, warriors of caged flame and with whom exhalted lightning and brilliant radiance have dutifully fought alongside, oh how they have burned the brightest and most resolute under His glory, but so ever brief within his gilded employ."
:-Attributed to Dr. Ino Polerion Nysa, before the final Conflict For The Forra'kiir Engine over SaturnThroughout the tumult of the Unification Wars, the I'cartes showcased dutiful prowess on the battlefield, claiming a slew of tallied victories that reverberated across the conflict-ridden lands. Yet, beneath their veneer of success lay profound imperfections. A plethora of mental instabilities plagued many within their ranks, and as the Techno-Barbarian assaults and conflicts intensified, so did the efficacy of insurgent tactics, rendering them increasingly elusive. Over time, many of these insurgent forces coalesced into formidable organizations even as Terran States roused at the perceived threat of the Imperium's growing power, all of which would pose challenges that tested the limits of the I'cartes' abilities.
Compounding their woes were the relentless march of their own genetic shortcomings. As amidst the chaos of battle, many I'cartes succumbed to catastrophic biological failures, their once-superhuman physiques betraying them in tragic fashion. It became apparent, with hindsight, that the Emperor recognized the need for a more enduring solution to bolster the nascent Stellar Imperium's military might. As such, even as the I'cartes fought in the Emperor's name, He quietly marshaled a cadre of alchemical and biological savants and gene-wrights. Some joined willingly, whilst others were coerced from enemy ranks, yet they all formed the nucleus of this clandestine endeavor. Deep within the labyrinthine dungeons of the Emperor's Terran stronghold nestled deep beneath the Kilaminjanto Mountains, the Emperor established new genetics laboratories. These covert facilities housed the Alpha Biotech Research Team, an assembly of scientific minds dedicated to pioneering advancements in genetic engineering.
==== The Second Sons ====
The labor within these Laboratories went on for solar decades to centuries in absolute secrecy even as the Emperor periodically went off to command the many ongoing campaigns of the Unification Wars, with the fruits of this clandestine labor resulting in the creation of the Luminarchs and many other wonders of the Emperor's arcane and unmatched gene-craft, known and unknown. Yet the foremost of these creations were the twenty Imperial Marine Legions of legend. Into their creation went all the secret history and genetic lore of both the Golden Age of Technology, and Age of the Long Dark, hard fought wisdom gained through the success and failure of the I'cartes forged as the Prototypical Imperial Marines and the fruits of the Emperor's own inimitable genius.
Before the coming of the Primaris Founding, the first among the young Imperial Legions would be hand-picked from the orphaned sons of the Emperor's many mortal armies, their parents having fallen under his gilded employ. These volunteered children were subjected to surgical, genetic and psychological modification. With rigorous training and appropriate mental conditioning they became not only immensely strong and tough, but iron-willed and disciplined, an near unstoppable fighting force whose loyalty to the Emperor was unflinching. Quickly the process was refined and systematized, and the numbers of this new breed of physically-enhanced warriors grew swiftly. They would be organised well into the 8 Firstborn Legions of the Primaris Founding, each numbering at first no more than thirty thousand warriors and organised in a manner similar to their I'cartes forebears.
Although it remained a dire secret at the time, it is now widely believed that this division was more than a merely administrative one, as each of these young regiments contained a varied "genetic-profile encoding" drawn from a different Luminarchal Primogenitor.
This difference would often manifest its influence in subtle and unexpected ways, not least of all in influencing and altering the psychological character of the genetically enhanced warrior. And with these regiments expanding rapidly into legions with the intake of new blood from the areas of Terra that had already joined cause with the Emperor, these new warriors quickly eclipsed and replaced the mighty, and comparitevely far more disciplined yet increasingly unstable I'cartes. Yet with the Imperial Marines at the forefront of Imperial efforts, both tutored and led by I'cartes Veterans, victory followed victory in quick succession.
== The I'cartes Regiments (Legio I'kharionos) ==
=== The Khronon Invicta ===
The Khronon Invicta were the hammer and shield of the I'cartes Regiments, known foremost for their implacable advances through unyielding odds and devastating assaults against enemy strongholds. Heavily armored and equipped with the most potent weapons available, they were designed to break through the most fortified positions and bring overwhelming force to the battlefields of Old Terra.
==== Overview ====
The Khronon Invicta were renowned for their implacable advances and the sheer power of their assaults. Heavily armored and equipped with the most potent weapons available, they were the Emperor's chosen force for breaking through the most impregnable fortifications and bringing overwhelming force to bear on the battlefields of Old Terra. Their specialization in breakthrough operations was unparalleled, utilizing their formidable strength and tactical prowess to crush enemy defenses and secure vital strategic positions.
Their disciplined, relentless approach and advanced wargear made them an indispensable cornerstone of the Emperor's forces during the Terran Unification Wars. Every engagement they participated in demonstrated their superior capabilities, whether in direct combat or complex siege operations. The Khronon Invicta's strategic importance cannot be overstated, as they were often the decisive factor in many of the Emperor’s key victories during this tumultuous period.
===== Regiment Structure and Force Numbers =====
The Khronon Invicta were composed of several distinct combat units, each with a specific role and specialization. The following breakdown provides an overview of the regiment's structure and approximate force numbers:
– Total Combat Strength –
* Total Force Numbers: Approximately 50,000 warriors at their strongest
* Specialist Units: 8,000 elite troops and auxiliary technical specialists
- Line Infantry – Approximate Estimates - 42,000 -
* 24,000 - Line Infantry
* 6,000 - Heavy Infantry
* 12,000 - Assault and Breacher Units
==== Known Daedalus Units: ====
* Aburius Thax: Known as "The Unyielding," Thax was a truly towering figure, his massive frame clad in reinforced overlapping armor plating. His expertise lay in breaching the most fortified positions, often leading charges that shattered many enemy defenses.
* Caius Aurelius: Known for his tactical brilliance, Aurelius coordinated the Regiment's assaults, ensuring maximum efficiency and minimal losses. His strategies often outmaneuvered opponents before the first blow was struck.
* Marcus Decimus: Dubbed "The Hammer of Terra," Decimus wielded an enormous power hammer with lethal precision. His ability to bring down fortifications and enemy war machines made him a key asset in any siege.
* Arkario Vhalahn: A commander of unparalleled tactical acumen, Arkarion led the Solar Regalis in numerous successful campaigns, often spearheading assaults personally.
==== Auxillia ====
The Khronon Invicta maintained a formidable retinue of auxiliary forces at all times. These auxiliary forces included numerous mortal regiments recruited from the Erikan Royal Republic’s State Territories. This strategic alliance with the Erikan Royal Republic ensured that the Khronon Invicta were always bolstered by a substantial and versatile support force, enhancing their operational effectiveness on the battlefield.
During the pivotal moment of the Primaris Founding, when the first Demi-Legions were established, the Khronon Invicta seized the opportunity to further augment their strength. Recognizing the potential of the newly formed legions, they quickly integrated the young Vth and VIIIth Legions into their ranks. This move significantly expanded their combat capabilities, allowing them to execute even more ambitious and complex military operations whilst nurturing the young stalwart spirits of their charges.
==== Tactical Doctrine ====
The Khronon Invicta's tactical doctrine would revolve around three key principles:
* Implacable Advance: Utilizing their heavy armor and disciplined formations, the regiment would advance steadily, absorbing enemy fire and maintaining pressure on defensive positions until they finally broke through.
* Devastating Assaults: Once breaches were made, the Khronon Invicta would unleash overwhelming force, with specialist units leading the charge and lighter auxiliary line infantry securing hard won gains.
* Strategic Coordination: Under the direction of leaders like Caius Aurelius and Arkario Vhalahn, the regiment's operations were meticulously planned and executed, ensuring that every assault was both decisive and efficient.
=== The Imperial Myrmidons ===
The Imperial Myrmidons were the first shadows under the Emperor’s employ, the unseen hands of the I'cartes Regiments, masters of infiltration, sabotage, and guerrilla warfare. They operated in the shadows, conducting precision strikes deep behind enemy lines to disrupt supply chains, communications, and command structures. Their actions sowed chaos and confusion among enemy ranks, paving the way for larger Imperial operations.
==== Overview ====
The Imperial Myrmidons were experts in the art of stealth and subterfuge. They specialized in carrying out high-stakes missions that required a blend of tactical cunning and ruthless efficiency. Operating independently or in small, highly trained units, they executed missions that involved infiltration of enemy strongholds, assassination of key enemy targets, and sabotage of critical infrastructure. Their ability to blend into any environment and strike without warning made them a formidable force during the Terran Unification Wars.
Their operations were characterized by precision and subtlety, often conducted under the cover of darkness or deep within enemy territory. The Myrmidons’ role was crucial in weakening enemy defenses from within, thereby facilitating the larger assaults led by other I'cartes Regiments. Their strategic importance was immense, as they could turn the tide of battle by eliminating key threats and creating opportunities for decisive strikes.
===== Regiment Structure and Force Numbers =====
The Imperial Myrmidons were structured around small, elite units, each with specialized skills tailored to their unique brand of warfare. The following breakdown provides an overview of the regiment's structure and approximate force numbers:
– Total Combat Strength –
* Total Force Numbers: Approximately 20,000 warriors at their peak
* Specialist Units: 5,000 elite operatives and technical specialists
====== Unit Breakdown: ======
* Infiltration and Sabotage Teams – Approximate Estimates – 15,000
* 10,000 - Infiltration Specialists
* 3,000 - Sabotage Experts
* 2,000 - Guerrilla Warfare Units
==== Known Daedalus Units: ====
* Lucius Varrus: Known as "The Black Dog," Varrus was famed for his ability to infiltrate enemy lines undetected. His expertise with dual blades, coated in a venomous compound, allowed him to silently dispatch foes with lethal efficiency.
* Tiberius Nero: Nero specialized in long-range eliminations. His heavily biocybernetically augmented eyesight and unparalleled sniper skills made him a nightmare for enemy commanders, often taking out key targets from incredible distances.
* Gaius Marius: Known as "The Ghost," Marius had the ability to blend seamlessly into any environment. His expertise in sabotage and guerrilla tactics made him a key player in disrupting enemy logistics and command structures.
==== Auxillia ====
The Imperial Myrmidons maintained a network of auxiliary forces that provided crucial support during their operations. These included specialized reconnaissance units and local informants from various territories. This strategic alliance with local forces ensured that the Myrmidons always had accurate intelligence and could execute their missions with precision.
During the formation of the Demi-Legions, the Imperial Myrmidons integrated specialized units from the new legions to enhance their capabilities. This included recruits namely, and expectantly, from the newly formed VIth and VIIth Legions, who brought fresh skills and perspectives to the Myrmidons' operations. The integration of these young legions bolstered the Myrmidons' numbers and expanded their operational range, allowing them to execute even more complex and far-reaching missions.
==== Tactical Doctrine ====
The Imperial Myrmidons' tactical doctrine revolved around three key principles:
* Precision Strikes: Utilizing their stealth and expertise, the Myrmidons would infiltrate enemy lines and carry out targeted strikes, eliminating key personnel and sabotaging critical infrastructure.
* Disruption and Chaos: By disrupting supply lines, communications, and command structures, the Myrmidons would create chaos and confusion within enemy ranks, weakening their overall combat effectiveness.
* Guerrilla Tactics: Operating in small, highly mobile units, the Myrmidons would engage in hit-and-run attacks, harassing enemy forces and withdrawing before a counterattack could be mounted. Their knowledge of terrain and use of unconventional tactics made them a constant threat to any enemy force.
=== The Vipers Dominal ===
The Vipers Dominal were a highly mobile and rapid-response regiment within the I'cartes. Renowned for their speed and precision, they excelled in exploiting breaches, reinforcing critical points, and launching devastating counter-attacks. Their agility and flexibility made them an invaluable asset on the battlefield, capable of turning the tide in the most desperate situations.
==== Overview ====
The Vipers Dominal were the quick-strike specialists of the I'cartes Regiments. Their operations were characterized by swift deployments and rapid, high-impact engagements. Equipped with advanced mobility gear and versatile weaponry, they could be deployed anywhere on the battlefield with remarkable speed. This allowed them to capitalize on breaches created by other regiments, reinforce faltering lines, and launch precise counter-attacks to disrupt enemy advances.
Their role required not only physical agility but also tactical acumen, as they often had to make split-second decisions under intense pressure. The Vipers Dominal were trained to adapt quickly to changing battlefield conditions, using their speed and precision to outmaneuver and outflank enemy forces. Their presence on the battlefield was a force multiplier, providing the Emperor's forces with the ability to react swiftly and decisively to emerging threats.
===== Regiment Structure and Force Numbers =====
The Vipers Dominal were composed of several distinct units, each with a specific role in ensuring the regiment's rapid response capabilities. The following breakdown provides an overview of the regiment's structure and approximate force numbers:
– Total Combat Strength –
* Total Force Numbers: Approximately 30,000 warriors at their peak
* Specialist Units: 5,000 elite rapid-response troops and technical specialists
===== Unit Breakdown: =====
* Rapid Deployment Teams – Approximate Estimates – 25,000
* 15,000 - Light Infantry
* 5,000 - Recon and Scout Units
* 5,000 - Mechanized and Aerial Assault Units
==== Known Daedalus Units: ====
* Quintus Flavius: Known as "The Firestorm," Flavius was renowned for his mastery of flamethrower units. His ability to incinerate entire battalions with his fearsome weaponry left nothing but ash in his wake, making him a terror on the battlefield.
* Claudius Pyrrhus: Claudius specialized in the use of incendiary grenades and explosives. His talent for creating chaos and panic within enemy ranks was unmatched, often leading to disarray and retreat among foes.
* Julius Ignatius: Ignatius excelled in controlled burns and tactical fire deployments. His precise use of fire could turn the tide of battle, clearing enemy cover and forcing them into the open, where they were vulnerable to the Vipers' swift assaults.
==== Auxillia ====
The Vipers Dominal maintained a robust network of auxiliary forces to support their operations. These included reconnaissance units, rapid deployment support teams, and technical specialists from various allied territories. This collaboration ensured that the Vipers Dominal could sustain their high-tempo operations and adapt to a wide range of battlefield conditions.
During the Primaris Founding, the Vipers Dominal integrated select elements from the newly formed Ist, IIIrd, and IVth Legions. This infusion of fresh talent and new tactics bolstered their capabilities, allowing them to execute even more complex and far-reaching operations. The young legions brought with them innovative strategies and additional manpower, enhancing the Vipers' effectiveness and operational reach.
==== Tactical Doctrine ====
The Vipers Dominal's tactical doctrine was built around three key principles:
* Mobility and Speed: Utilizing their advanced mobility gear and training, the regiment could rapidly deploy to critical points on the battlefield, reinforcing lines, exploiting breaches, and launching counter-attacks with precision.
* Rapid Response: The Vipers Dominal were always on standby, ready to respond to emerging threats or opportunities. Their ability to quickly assess and react to changing battlefield conditions made them a versatile and adaptive force.
* Precision Strikes: With leaders like Quintus Flavius, Claudius Pyrrhus, and Julius Ignatius, the regiment's operations were characterized by precise, high-impact engagements. Whether through the use of fire, explosives, or rapid assault tactics, the Vipers Dominal delivered devastating blows to enemy forces.
=== The Battle Inculpators ===
The Battle Inculpators were the staunch defenders and fortification specialists of the I'cartes Regiments. Known for their expertise in constructing and holding defensive positions, they were the bulwarks of the Emperor's forces, ensuring that key strategic points remained under Imperial control. Their presence on the battlefield often turned the tide of engagements by providing an unbreakable line of defense against superior enemy numbers.
==== Overview ====
The Battle Inculpators were renowned for their defensive prowess and strategic fortitude. Their operations were characterized by the construction of formidable fortifications and the maintenance of impenetrable defensive lines. Equipped with the best defensive gear and fortified structures, they could withstand prolonged sieges and repel relentless assaults, buying precious time for the Emperor's forces to regroup and counter-attack.
Their role required a combination of engineering skill, tactical acumen, and sheer resilience. The Battle Inculpators were trained to anticipate enemy strategies, adapt their defenses accordingly, and hold their ground under the most intense pressure. Their ability to turn any location into a stronghold made them an indispensable asset during the Terran Unification Wars.
===== Regiment Structure and Force Numbers =====
The Battle Inculpators were composed of several specialized units, each with a specific role in constructing and defending fortifications. The following breakdown provides an overview of the regiment's structure and approximate force numbers:
– Total Combat Strength –
* Total Force Numbers: Approximately 35,000 warriors at their peak
* Specialist Units: 7,000 elite defensive troops and engineering specialists
====== Unit Breakdown: ======
* Defensive Line Infantry – Approximate Estimates – 28,000
* 18,000 - Fortification Infantry
* 5,000 - Engineering Corps
* 5,000 - Defensive Artillery Units
==== Known Daedalus Units: ====
* Aulus Maximus: Known as "The Tyrant of The Madlands," Maximus was a master of defensive strategy. His expertise in constructing and holding fortifications made him a cornerstone of any defensive operation, often turning the most precarious situations into impregnable strongholds.
* Publius Fabius: Famed as "The Wall," Fabius's immovable presence in battle and advanced shield techniques could hold back enemy advances for days. His ability to maintain a defensive stance under heavy assault bought precious time for his allies to mount counter-offensives.
* Sextus Varro: Specializing in the protection of key assets and personnel, Varro was adept at anticipating and countering enemy attacks. His strategic foresight ensured the safety of critical points on the battlefield, making him invaluable in high-stakes defensive engagements.
==== Auxillia ====
The Battle Inculpators maintained a robust network of auxiliary forces to support their defensive operations. These auxiliary forces included engineering teams, supply units, and defensive support elements from allied territories. This collaboration ensured that the Battle Inculpators could sustain their fortifications and defensive lines under prolonged siege conditions.
During the Primaris Founding, the Battle Inculpators integrated select elements from the newly formed Vth Legion. This infusion of fresh talent and innovative defensive tactics bolstered their capabilities, allowing them to construct even more resilient fortifications and execute complex defensive strategies. The young legions brought with them new perspectives and additional manpower, enhancing the Battle Inculpators' effectiveness in maintaining Imperial control over key strategic positions.
==== Tactical Doctrine ====
The Battle Inculpators' tactical doctrine was built around three key principles:
* Fortification Construction: Utilizing their engineering expertise, the regiment would construct formidable defensive structures, turning any location into an impregnable fortress capable of withstanding prolonged sieges.
* Immovable Defense: With their heavy defensive gear and shield techniques, the Battle Inculpators could hold their ground against overwhelming enemy forces, maintaining their defensive lines and repelling assaults with unmatched resilience.
* Strategic Anticipation: Under the leadership of commanders like Aulus Maximus, Publius Fabius, and Sextus Varro, the regiment's operations were characterized by strategic foresight and adaptability, ensuring that their defenses were always one step ahead of enemy tactics.
=== The Tempestus Indignant ===
The Tempestus Indignant were the masters of the skies within the I'cartes Regiments, specializing in aerial assaults and rapid deployment. Their unparalleled agility and speed allowed them to strike swiftly and with devastating precision, making them a formidable force in any combat scenario. Equipped with advanced flight technology and heavy air-to-ground weaponry, they could rapidly deploy to any battlefield, outmaneuvering and outflanking their enemies with ease.
==== Overview ====
The Tempestus Indignant were known for their dominance in aerial combat and their expertise in rapid deployment. Their operations were characterized by swift, precise strikes from the skies, often taking the enemy by surprise and causing maximum disruption before ground forces could react. This regiment's ability to control the air and provide vital reconnaissance made them an indispensable component of the Emperor's strategy during the Terran Unification Wars.
Their tactical doctrine revolved around leveraging their mobility and speed to execute lightning-fast assaults, insert and extract units in hostile environments, and gather crucial intelligence. This combination of capabilities ensured that they were always a step ahead of their adversaries, whether in direct aerial combat or supporting ground operations.
===== Regiment Structure and Force Numbers =====
The Tempestus Indignant comprised several specialized units, each with a unique role in aerial and rapid deployment operations. The following breakdown provides an overview of the regiment's structure and approximate force numbers:
– Total Combat Strength –
* Total Force Numbers: Approximately 25,000 warriors at their peak
* Specialist Units: 5,000 elite aerial troops and technical specialists
====== Unit Breakdown: ======
* Aerial Assault Infantry – Approximate Estimates – 20,000
* 12,000 - Jetpack Infantry
* 4,000 - Airborne Heavy Weapons Units
* 4,000 - Rapid Deployment Teams
==== Known Daedalus Units: ====
* Croa Idaeus: Known as "The Sky Lord," Idaeus was a master of aerial combat. His prowess with jetpack maneuvers and air-to-ground tactics allowed him to dominate the skies and strike with surgical precision, often turning the tide of battle single-handedly.
* Flavius Ventor: Ventor excelled in rapid deployment and extraction missions. His ability to swiftly insert and extract units under fire made him invaluable in dynamic combat scenarios, ensuring that the Tempestus Indignant could maintain their operational tempo.
* Gaius Altair: Altair specialized in reconnaissance and forward observation. His aerial surveys provided critical intelligence, allowing his regiment to outmaneuver and outflank their enemies, often before the first shot was fired.
==== Auxillia ====
The Tempestus Indignant maintained a versatile network of auxiliary forces to support their aerial operations. These auxiliaries included logistics units for equipment maintenance, medical teams for rapid casualty evacuation, and support troops from allied territories to provide additional manpower and resources. This collaboration ensured that the Tempestus Indignant could sustain their high-tempo operations and maintain their air superiority.
During the Primaris Founding, the Tempestus Indignant integrated select elements from the newly formed XIIth and XVth Legions. This integration brought fresh blood and innovative aerial tactics into the regiment, further enhancing their combat effectiveness. The young legions, inspired by the Tempestus Indignant's prowess, quickly adapted to their new roles, contributing to the regiment's legacy of rapid, decisive action from the skies.
==== Tactical Doctrine ====
The Tempestus Indignant's tactical doctrine was built around three key principles:
* Aerial Superiority: Leveraging their advanced flight technology and aerial combat skills, the regiment maintained control of the skies, providing cover and support to ground forces while disrupting enemy movements.
* Rapid Deployment: Utilizing their jetpacks and airborne insertion techniques, the Tempestus Indignant could quickly deploy to any point on the battlefield, reinforcing weak spots, launching surprise attacks, and executing swift extractions.
* Intelligence and Reconnaissance: Under the guidance of leaders like Gaius Altair, the regiment conducted detailed aerial surveys and reconnaissance missions, gathering vital intelligence that informed their tactical decisions and ensured their strategic advantage.
==Wargear==
===The Daedalus Super-Soldier Weapons System: Mark.I Basalic Power Armor===
Known by Imperial Historians as the Daedalus Super-Soldier Weapon System, The first pattern of power armor created for the I'cartes and few of the first true Imperial Marines was the Mark.I Basalic Pattern Power Armor, though the name was later assigned by the Jove-Denarion Tech-Guilds after the fact and at the time of its use the suit was simply called "power armor." The initial design plans were not completed until Dr. Nysa and Sr. Research Engineer Dr. Lethos acquired the funding and assistance for their Weapons Research Project; The AEGIS (Advanced Exoskeletal Gear for Integrated Supremacy) Platform, and brought the armor system into existence. Its design was developed from recovered sets of rudimentary powered combat armors worn by the techno-barbarians that had plagued Old Terra throughout the Long Dark. And instances of it's Design would be fielded through the Mid-to-Late Terran Unification Wars, and throughout the Sol Reclamation.
However, because it was designed with fighting in a terrestrial environment solely in mind, it was not fully enclosed, with no means to support the wearer in a vacuum. Only the lower body was powered, due in part to the fact that during the Emperor's conquest of Terra, high-powered ranged weaponry was difficult to make due to technological constraints, and so a warrior's lower-body mobility was his most important asset. The main part of the armor was the massive powered torso made up of overlapping plating which enclosed the torso. Coiled energy cables beneath the armor plating transmitted energy from the power pack on the back to the legs, greatly increasing the warrior's lower-body physical strength as well as speed and mobility.
The Mk.I Basalic Armor would gain its name from the fact it is the primogeniture base of all subsequent Patterns, Marks, Sub-Patterns and Scionic-Designs of Imperial Power Armor. That fact gave the armor its most common present-day name — Basalic Armor.
==== Daedal-Basalic Combat-Rig ====
For the I'cartes Regiments, the Mark I Combat Rig served primarily as a permanent life support system, far surpassing the functionalities of a conventional armor system. This device, while appearing primitive in comparison to later advancements, was remarkably sophisticated in its design and purpose. It was specifically engineered to sustain the surgically enhanced physiology of the I'cartes soldiers, compensating for the numerous maladaptive shortcomings that emerged as a consequence of their extensive augmentations.
Initially, the Mark I Combat Rig provided essential protection for the wearer while significantly enhancing the strength of their lower body. This augmentation allowed the I'cartes soldiers to maneuver with unparalleled power and agility on the battlefield. However, as time progressed, the various physiological issues plaguing the I'cartes soldiers became increasingly apparent. Their enhanced bodies, while powerful, were prone to a range of debilitating failures that necessitated continuous medical intervention.
In response to these emerging challenges, the Mark I Combat Rig underwent significant modifications. It evolved to integrate a comprehensive suite of advanced life support technologies. These enhancements included systems for monitoring and regulating vital functions, administering necessary medications, and supporting damaged or even missing and failed organs. The rig's life support capabilities ensured that the soldiers could continue to function and remain combat-effective, even as injuries accumulated and their biological systems faltered.
The Mk.I Combat Rig was an essential lifeline for the I'cartes soldiers, meticulously monitoring and regulating vital signs to ensure their continued survival and combat effectiveness. This sophisticated system administered necessary medications and maintained optimal internal conditions, crucially preventing the catastrophic biological failures that frequently afflicted the genetically enhanced warriors.
Among its advanced features, the Mark I Rig would soon even include state-of-the-art filtration systems to purify the air and manage respiratory functions, ensuring that the soldiers could breathe cleanly and efficiently even in the most hostile environments. Nutrient delivery systems were integrated to support the soldiers' enhanced metabolic needs, providing vital sustenance and maintaining energy levels during prolonged engagements. The Rig also employed biofeedback mechanisms that could detect and address physiological anomalies in real-time, swiftly responding to any signs of distress or dysfunction within the body.
As the I'cartes continued to deteriorate internally, plagued by the inherent instability of their augmentations, the Mark I Rig adapted to meet these escalating challenges. It began to incorporate onboard interior-surgical systems capable of performing intricate procedures autonomously. These systems could excise malignant cancerous growths, a common issue due to the rampant oncological metastasis that beset many of the I'cartes. The Rig’s internal surgical capabilities provided a critical line of defense against the unchecked spread of cancerous cells, excising tumors and other harmful growths as they appeared.
As the decades passed and the battles of the Unification Wars drew to a close, the nascent Imperium shifted its focus to the reclamation and unification of the Worlds of Sol. Amidst this transition, the ranks of the I'cartes dwindled dramatically, their numbers reduced to a mere few thousand. The relentless toll of combat and the inherent flaws in their genetic enhancements had left many of them barely retaining their original biological components. 
Over time, a significant portion of their bodies had been replaced with cybernetic implants and prosthetics. These modifications were not merely enhancements but necessities, compensating for the catastrophic biological failures that their genetically augmented physiologies could no longer withstand. The I'cartes had become a blend of flesh and machine, their human aspects increasingly overshadowed by mechanical substitutes that kept them functional under their Lordship's employ. The surviving I'cartes, now more cybernetic than organic, continued to serve the young Imperium into The Sol Reclamation Wars, their existence a testament to the lengths the Emperor's forces would go to preserve their most elite and dutiful warriors. Despite their diminished numbers and altered forms, they remained formidable, their combat effectiveness augmented and preserved by the integration of advanced technology with their already impressive capabilities even as they slowly fell to the backfoot, these surviving Veterans continued to mentor the young Legions that were sired to replace them until the last of the I'cartes fell in service of the Imperium in the fires of the Saturnine Campaign upon the Rings of Saturn in an effort to destroy the Forra'kiir Engine in the year M90.732.
Yet, in the era of consolidation of the Period of Reconstruction and the expansion of the Imperium's Great Crusade, the memeory of the I'cartes would continue to stand as relics of a bygone age of brutal yet necessary warfare for the betterment of mankind, their continued service through even the most harsh of hurdles a reminder to all of both the cost of their creation and the Imperium's relentless drive for unity, dominance and the continued sovereignty of man. 
====Weaponry====
The I'cartes were armed mainly with crude patterns of mass produced melee weapons, but some with an archaic, but far larger and powerful pattern of the standard Imperial Arc Rifle.