Europan Voidborne

A Voidborne soldier before stepping off the ship.

The **Europan Voidborne** are regiments (Similar to those of the Astra Militarum) originating from planet Europa, that is part of the Europan Planetary Federation, a small secular empire near the edge of the Garon Nebula of the Segmentum Tempestus. The Voidborne regiments are experts in low or zero-gravity combat, sabotage, breaching and boarding operations, as well as a defense of space stations and vessels. Whenever there is a need to have a space ship captured or disabled from the inside, the Voidborne are called to action.

## History

The Voidborne regiments were created not long after the creation of the Battlefleet Europa, as dedicated defense force aboard the vessels, although the main defense force was the security detail each ship held, that vastly outnumbered the Voidborne regiments many times over. With the subsequent reorganization that happened as the fleet grew in size and strength, ship's own security detail was reduced and limited to internal security duty and defense of the vital areas, such as the bridge, armories, or the enginaerium, while the Voidborne regiments were increased in size, and their task was extended to the defense of the ship from external forces and boarding parties, as well as offensive operations, which were not thought of until now, as the Federation lacked the resources and manpower to conduct such attacks.

The first baptism of fire for the Voidborne regiments was the attack against the pirate fleet, where they conducted several boarding and takeover operations against the pirate vessels, as well as several sabotages and reconnaissance actions against the rogue fleet. They managed to capture two light vessels, disable one vessel and detonate one more from the inside before they retreated.

## Deployments

**Siege of a Space Hulk** (986.M40), near Beuter (Victory) - The Voidborne assisted with breaching and clearing the Space Hulk from Orks.

* Low casualties

**Battle of the Pirate's Den** (979.M41), Deep space (Victory) - The Voidborne played a major role during the battle, sabotaging, boarding, and capturing several enemy vessels, and also performing breaching operations on the asteroid base itself.

* Moderate casualties

**Second Battle of Nidalos** (082.M42), Nidalos (Close victory) - The Voidborne carried several sabotage operations against the Chaos fleet during the heat of battle, but due to the nature of the enemy, no boarding operations were performed, and the regiments were kept onboard on high alert to counter enemy boarding operations.

* Moderate casualties

## Combat Doctrine

The Voidborne regiments are experts in low and zero-gravity environment combat, and this reflects in their doctrine. The Voidborne regiments are deployed both in offensive operations, such as boarding operations and sabotage missions on other vessels or void installations, as well as defensive operations against the enemy boarding parties. The Voidborne are also used for the exploration of derelict vessels.

When performing boarding operations, the Voidborne are flown-in in shuttles to the enemy vessel, usually with fighter and bomber support, where they disembark and attempt to breach the hull. Hull-breach is usually prepared with specialized equipment, such as Melta-charges placed on weak points, Melta-missiles fired by the supporting bombers, or by a Lance-cannon precision strike performed by a nearby warship. Once the vessel is boarded, depending on a mission, the Voidborne then attempts to disable a crucial system before they retreat, or take-over the vessel by capturing the bridge.

In sabotage or covert operations, their approach is usually stealthy with a goal to remain undetected. Further advance depends on the objective of their operation, yet the most frequent situation is they approach the vessel in a lone shuttle, and instead of forcing their way inside by blowing-up airlocks or calling-in for a Lance-cannon strike, they get inside by hacking the airlock-control consoles, or with the use of Las-cutters. Infiltrating a vessel this way usually takes longer, and is performed by a smaller number of soldiers.

During the defensive operations, the ship is primarily defended by the ships' own Armsmen, but the Voidborne participate as well, as necessary, but mostly in clean-up operations or fortification. The usual procedure, when ship sector is overwhelmed, to decompress or outright vent the whole section with enemy presence, and then send in the Voidborne in their suits to clean up and secure the section. In some situations, especially when the enemy is lacking any sophisticated void-suits, it is possible for the Voidborne to dig-in at crucial locations to lure-in and slow down the enemy forces, before the section is sealed shut and decompressed.

## Training

The training is one of the hardest in the entire Europan army. The recruits are required to be in pristine physical condition, strong enough to move and run in the heavy void suit, undergo mental conditioning to remain cool in the heat of battle, not panic and proceed systematically in the case on an injury, suit breach, maneuvering thruster or magboot malfunction, or any other emergency situation. They are also trained in spaceship design layout and navigation, explosive handling, mechanical skills, use of close combat weapons, close-quarters combat tactics, and many more.

The lives of the Voidborne troopers are very valued due to the lengthy process and cost of both the equipment and education. For that, the Voidborne are expected to reach the objective regardless of the difficulty.

## Equipment

### Crew Equipment

A typical set of items that every Voidborne solder is issued. However, there might be some variations depending on the missions, and environment. The list below applies to enlisted and NCO personnel only, officer rank, auxiliary unit, and vehicle crewman's equipment may vary.

* **Mk 17 Void suit (Pattern C)** - The Mk 17 Void suit is widely spread type, usually used by the maintenance technicians, construction workers, and other 'heavy-duty' professions, although the Pattern C (Combat) is made especially for use by armed forces. It features, like every Mk 17 Void suit a reinforced frame, airtight, self-sealing layer and a wire mesh woven into the fabric, along with several thermo-insulating and radiation-shielding layers. The C pattern has, in addition, a thick layer of so-called Flakweave, a shock-absorbing, thermo-resistant fabric, which offers increased protection against shrapnel and energy-based firearms. The C pattern also has a modular equipment-fastening equipment system, allowing the soldier to carry all necessary equipment, and Armaplas armor plates covering the vital parts, such as the chest and abdomen, along with life-support systems in the backpack.

* **Mk 21 Void Combat helmet** - A helmet designed solely for the armed forces. Made of Armaplas and with hardened, reflective visor, it offers good protection even against a direct impact. The helmet is also equipped with a multi-spectrum auspex sensor, a pair of lamps, a camera, and from the inside, with a HUD display.

* **Mk 2 Maneuvering thrusters** - Set of gas-powered thrusters attached to various parts of the void suit, most notably legs, arms, shoulders, and backpack. They are necessary for any possibility of managed movement in the void.

* **Magboots** - Special boots with strong switchable electromagnets in the soles, giving the wearer an ability to walk over metallic surfaces unhindered.

* **Mk 81 Laser Rifle** - Laser weapon designed especially for use in space. The main difference between the Mk 81 and regular lasgun is its laser discharge generator, which provides significantly more potent laser beams that are able to pierce armored void suits, other types of medium armor, lightly armored parts of fighter crafts and void shuttles, and post a threat to heavy and powered armor types. The other difference is the presence of bulky heatsinks, that store the excess heat produced by the weapon discharge, as the weapon can't be procedurally cooled down by the atmosphere. Therefore, the weapon is equipped with an inject port for coolant liquid.

* **4 Coolant bottles** - Single-use, fist-sized pressurized bottles containing liquid coolant.

* **M3 Service Pistol** - M3 is a reliable laser-based sidearm issued to every single soldier. While it is not known for its use during offensive operations, it is frequently used in close-quarters combat and self-defense situations. Its rugged design can withstand very rough handling and simple design makes it easy to use and maintain.

* **4 Mk 81 Power Packs** - Single power pack holds enough energy to provide about 50 shots from the Mk 81 Laser Rifle. Non-compatible with the M3 Service Pistol. Each soldier carries two additional pistol power packs.

* **2 M6 Magnetic Frag Grenades** - Standard issue "pineapple" fragmentation grenade. M6 type is equipped with an electromagnetic coil, which activates two seconds after priming. It sticks and is attracted to metal surfaces.

* **Melta Breaching Charge** - Handheld Melta breaching charge, used for breaching airlocks, vision ports or other structural weaknesses.

* **Grapling hook** - Special glove attachment, comprised of a gas-propelled grappling hook and an electric winch.

* **Combat Knife** - Standard issue 8" long utility tanto knife. Also useable as a bayonet.

* **Personal Vox unit** - For squad and platoon level communication.

* **Multi-spectrum goggles** - Both active and passive infrared personal night vision system.

* **Backpack** - 160L reinforced backpack, containing water bottles, air supply, batteries, thruster fuel, and all other equipment.

* **8 Heating pods** - Single-use, chemical-based heater, useable for cooking or personal need.

* **4 Special Ration packs** - Contains enough water and high-calorie nutrient paste for one day. The paste tastes bland but contains all necessary elements for the human body to function under stressful situations while providing an abundance of calories for the soldier.

* **First aid kit**

* **Suit repair kit**

* **Entrenching Tool**

* **Weapon cleaning and maintenance kit**

* **IFF beacon**

## Vehicles

The void borne regiments usually operate from various spacecraft, be it a mere destroyer, or a mighty battleship. For moving around in the combat space, they usually utilize fast, nimble, attack-craft sized shuttles, or small freighters that can carry the whole platoon with all necessary equipment.

## Regimental Organization

Voidborne regiments are almost exclusively based on board of warships of Battlefleet Europa, and some larger bulk haulers to provide protection in case of attack. The general rule is that a Light Cruisers and bulk haulers house a single full regiment, Cruisers house two full regiments, Battlecruisers house three full regiments, and Battleships house full four regiments as their base crew. The number of Voidborne regiments serving onboard can be quadrupled in times of open war. Ships leaving on a patrol usually carry twice the normal "peacetime" number of regiments on board.

### **Regimental Command Company**

* Regimental command staff
	1. **Regimental Command Company**
		+ Vox Platoon
		+ Augur platoon
		+ Security platoon
	2. Adeptus Mechanicus staff
	3. Senior Commissar
	4. Fleet officer
	5. Senior Astropath
	6. Other advisories

### **1st-2nd Voidborne Infantry Battalion**

* Battalion Command staff
	1. **1st-3rd Voidborne Infantry Company**
		+ Company Command staff
			- Vox Squad
			- Reconnaissance Squad
			- Security Squad
			- Astropath
			- Commissar
			- Adeptus Mechanicus staff
		+ 4 Voidborne Infantry Platoons
	2. **Service Company**
		+ Maintenance platoon
		+ Medicae service platoon
		+ Supply & Transport platoon
	3. **Voidcraft Company**
		+ 2 Shuttle Squadrons
		+ 2 Fighter Squadrons
		+ 1 Bomber Squadrons