Battlement

**This article, Battlement, was written by YaBoiMikeHawaii. It may be linked to any page without asking for the author's permission.**

## Battlement

Departmento Cartographicae pict-file of Battlement, Adeptus Astartes Homeworld of the Emperor's Liberators.

## Planet

### Class

Civilised World
Adeptus Astartes Homeworld

### Military Forces

Emperor's Liberators
Local PDF, Agents of Liberty

### Production Grade

Moderate capabilities dedicated to military and population.

## Location

### System

Unknown

"*I don't know how lucky 'I' am? You don't know how lucky YOU GUYS are. I had a place to escape to, as perilous as the journey was. If you lose your freedom here, you don't have a place to escape to. In that regard, your world is the last stand in this galaxy.*"
—Unknown citizen in a vox interview recently archived by the Inquisition.
**Battlement** is an Imperial civilised world, homeworld of the now renegade Emperor's Liberators chapter and Agents of Liberty regiment. A temperate world with various biomes, Battlement has a relatively low population which in turn lives in relative prosperity. Shortly after its settlement, Battlement's warriors have developed a penchant for facing overwhelming odds. It currently remains an embattled planet as one of the strongest bastions of democracy in the Eastern Fringes. In the coming years it will attract lots of attention from various entities, worst among them the Ruinous Powers. In the eyes of its inhabitants, Battlement is humanity's best hope in the fight for freedom.

## Background

Battlement's history saw humble beginnings, during the Dark Age of Technology. Settlers from the Terran continent of Merica set out for the stars, eager to spread its people further into space. They took with them perfect replicas of sacred documents from that nation as a reminder of their origins, as well as other relics. Their ships travelled through the warp, eager to reach a habitable planet. They found a habitable planet after what had felt like a year in the warp. In reality, it had been tens of thousands of years. By the time they reached Battlement, it was M.41. The traditions of ancient Merica would survive, but they were cut off from Terra thanks to warp storms. Imperial bureaucracy would eventually discover the world that the settlers called Battlement, and began setting up Imperial institutions with the help of the settlers. Despite the new Imperial laws and religion, Battlement's people would maintain their democracy.

Just a few hundred years later, Battlement's first trial by fire would begin, in a war known as the Blue Dawn. The Tau Empire launched a subtle invasion of Battlement via subversion and covert action against the world's government. Key politicians were bribed while opponents were persecuted or worse. The Tau's oppression gradually became intolerable to a number of citizens who later called themselves the Agents of Liberty, to a point where said Agents gathered the strength to start an uprising against their xenos overlords. Said uprising would be unimaginably difficult, further complicated by how much the Agents of Liberty underestimated their foes. To the Tau Empire's credit, they made themselves appear as a benevolent and peaceful species reluctant to use force. When the Agents of Liberty began their uprising, they were routed by the sudden emergence of the Tau's superior weapons and tactics. The Agents were clinging to life in an increasingly brutal insurgency that they had little hope of winning, even with a Freeblade Knight as reinforcements. A crucial turning point emerged when an Astartes Battle Barge crash-landed onto Battlement with hundreds of warriors, who later pledged themselves to Battlement's defense. Additional allies hidden on the world were recruited, and another Astartes Kill-Team from the Void Paladins provided covert assistance. The Tau were not outright defeated with the emergence of such a united front, but the revolution became a winnable war rather than a pipe-dream for idealists. It took decades before the Tau were finally wiped out from Battlement proper, with the war becoming horrifically violent in its waning days.

The war would radically change Battlement's people down to an individual level. Every citizen had an anti-authoritarian, revolutionary fervor. The Astartes who landed, now known as the Emperor's Liberators would adapt such an identity and take it to an extreme as a result of their experiences and the values of their first recruits from the Agents of Liberty. Battlement would know 50 years of peace, which was violently interrupted by the 13th Black Crusade when cultists from the Harbingers of Intrigue led the way for a Chaos invasion. Luckily, Battlement was saved by the arrival of the Indomitus Crusade, and the planet resumed its duty of supporting the Imperium and their own populations. This relatively stable state of affairs was torn asunder when the Inquisition labelled the Agents of Liberty and Emperor's Liberators as traitors, and spearheaded a vicious invasion determined to destroy a culture many in the Imperium saw as blasphemous. Known as The Reckoning, it would severely disrupt all aspects of life on Battlement and bring considerable damage to the world's infrastructure and military installations. While much of the physical damage has been painstakingly repaired, the mental scar left on the populace is far more permanent.

Battlement is now but an island amidst the cosmos, seemingly alone in its cultural norms and ideology. While there is a significant number of humans and worlds nearby who wish to follow Battlement's example, there are many more factions nearby who wish to capitalize on Battlement's isolated and weakened status. Were it not for the tireless sacrifices of Battlement's fighting men and women, the flame of liberty would've been long since extinguished on multiple occasions.

## Settlements

Battlement contains 13 districts led by separate governors, which are relatively autonomous and have a large degree of freedom in how they're governed as long as they're adherent to the planet's laws and the President's rule. There are 50 cities in total spread out among these 13 districts with varying populations. Another significant source of housing (though less populous than the cities) are suburban areas some distance away from the main cities. All of these residential areas sustained catastrophic damage during The Reckoning. While the structural damage was eventually repaired, they contain but a fraction of their original populations, the survivors of whom have never psychologically recovered.

## Science and Technology Level

In its initial days of settlement, Battlement's technology levels were comparable to ancient Terra in the third millennium. While the arrival of the Imperium brought much greater levels of technology, some aspects of their previous technology level remain, like their use of ballistic firearms. Unlike many other Astartes chapters, the Emperor's Liberators strive to maintain and even elevate the technology level of Battlement. Aside from the chapter's desire for human prosperity, the constant threat of war keeps Battlement's armies in peak condition. To the Emperor's Liberators, keeping Battlement a primitive warzone is cruel, redundant, and wasteful. However, it's not just humanitarian desires that allow Battlement's technological advancement. Rogue Mechanicus tech-priests and scientists on-world no longer feel compelled to follow traditional orthodoxy regarding science. They no longer have qualms about using and reverse-engineering forbidden technologies, most especially ones of Tau origin given their past history of war with the Tau Empire.

## Central Command

"*If 'ya ask me, this here building is the mightiest in the Eastern Fringes! Just don't ask me how we did it. That's classified! Hehe...*"
—Unknown worker after the Albus Domus' construction.
The *Albus Domus* is the official fortress monastery of the Emperor's Liberators. It started as the remains of the crashed battle barge from Battlement's uprising, but was ultimately reforged into the most luxurious and well-protected building on the planet. Fashioned after the presidential residence of ancient Merica, the Albus Domus is a massively upscaled replica encased in ferrocrete, marble, ceramite, and adamantium. There's more protecting it than just its hardy constitution; an entire army of men and women from all branches of Battlement's armed forces stand at the highest level of readiness, to say nothing of the Astartes already inside. Crew-served weapons salvaged from the battle barge are strategically located around the building, snipers are posted on the roof, and cutting-edge AA emplacements are located in and around the structure. It's all but immune to chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear threats thanks to its construction and the best void-shield array available. It's also hardened against all forms of enemy surveillance, complete with jammers and the most potent psychic wards obtainable. Cutting edge technology is also employed for sensors, communications, shielding, and other defenses. Rumor has it that reverse-engineered Tau technology has been employed, but both the chapter and Battlement's leadership refuse to comment. Officially, details regarding strategic installations is highly classified. All manner of amenities also exist as is expected for a building that houses Battlement's president and the Emperor's Liberators. Tens of millions of regular humans can be housed in underground facilities for emergencies.

Next is the building's points of interest. These are the most important and well-protected areas in the *Albus Domus* itself, effectively becoming a fortress within a fortress. Points of interest include the 'Library of Liberty', which contains digital and physical copies of the chapter's sum total of acquired knowledge and relics. Its most prized possessions are a perfect replica of M2. 984 and Independence: M2. 776, kept in stasis and a secured encasement for all to see. Anyone may enter, but certain sections contain knowledge or artifacts restricted to the chapter. Another area is the Condition Room. It can hold the entire chapter, the President of Battlement, advisors, and other important staff. The chapter and planet's most pressing affairs are coordinated here. Further inside is the chapter armory, maintained by Executive Tedium Nugentus and Michael 'Handyman' Roweson. It doubles as a forge, and any piece of wargear the chapter possesses or acquires was either built, modified, or examined here. Then there's the Power Area, which holds various plasma generators to power the building. An open secret is the existence of Site 51, an underground structure which hold's the chapter's many secrets. Only its Executives truly know what's down there; knowledge of its contents is limited and more extensive based on rank or deed for non-members of the chapter. Floor Zero is close by, and serves as the bunker for Battlement's leadership.

*The Hexagon* is a similarly upscaled replica of a strategic building in ancient Merica. While the Emperor's Liberators can coordinate there, it's the official command building for the Agents of Liberty regiment. Built with similar materials, technologies, and protections to the *Albus Domus, The Hexagon* is where the Agents of Liberty coordinate their operations. Thousands of civilian employees, and Battlement's military leadership work here each day.

## Points of Interest

### Alska

Alska is a tundra region that is rich with promethium. Temperatures can dip to −60 **°**F. This inhospitable climate has proven to be an excellent training ground for Battlement's armed forces, especially the Emperor's Liberators and their scouts.

### Death Alley

Nicknamed 'Death Alley', these scorching hot deserts are also home to vast stocks of promethium. Its strategic importance saw many battles waged here. Infamously, it has also been the site of cult activity by the Word Bearers and a battle against the Grey Knights. Large sand dunes occasionally dotted this landscape, and even rarer still the occasional oasis. The workers there must brave 130 **°**F of heat, and heat related injuries and deaths have become common. Unsurprisingly, scout marines of the Emperor's Liberators and members of the Agents of Liberty also train here as well as Alska.

### Battlement's Breadbasket

Grasslands and plains with highly fertile farmland. This moderately sized region is responsible for feeding much of Battlement's populations. It was by far among the most hotly contested during the Blue Dawn, and saw some of the greatest battles ever fought. Its open geography often lent the Tau many victories until the war's final days. Battlement and its enemies know the extreme strategic importance of such a region, and no expense has been spared in its defense. Research is currently in place to sustainably increase crop yields.

### The Redwoods

The forested regions are composed of dense forests. During the revolution against the Tau, these forests were nicknamed the 'Redwoods' thanks to the massive bodycounts experienced on both sides. Aside from timber, these forests also provide some sources of food for Battlement's population, though not nearly as much as the grasslands and plains. Just outside of the forests are the locations of captured Tau Ion Cannons and Imperial laser silos. Otherwise, the forests are strategically irrelevant and have largely escaped warfare after the revolution.

### Apppalachan Mountains

The Appalachan Mountains are another region of strategic importance. This region is rich in adamantium and other metal ores critical to wartime and civilian industry.

### Mericae

This country is the region that bred the famous Agents of Liberty, and where the space marines crash landed. It was always a region that was fiercely independent, and sought to make this aspect known. This country is composed of 50 cities, but does its best to uphold the traditions of its ancestors from old earth (now Terra). After the revolution against the Tau, its anti-authoriarian nature spread across the world. Its people like to eat food from a company known as McDonaldson's and Chicken Fillet's, but enjoy other foods as well.

### Washton District Charlie

This is the capital of Mericae and effectively the capital of Battlement. This area contains the Albus Domus and the Hexagon, but also has a small civilian population of those who moved there for the work, and military families. This area is a hub for tourism, especially due to its rich history and imposing buildings and monuments. Memorials to past wars and influential figures dominate the region, as well as highly clustered but expensive apartments and condos. A burial ground called the Cemetery of Arling inters those who made the ultimate sacrifice for Battlement's freedoms.

## Military

### Planetary Guard

Although a few of the PDF's members include members on rotation from the Emperor's Liberators and Agents of Liberty (these soldiers are sent on shore leave back to the planet, where they mostly take up garrison duty for a set period of time), most of them are volunteers at least 18 years old who volunteer for duty. Those with the highest marks are inducted into the Agents of Liberty; the rest are sent across the planet for garrison and police duties. The Planetary Guard must be able to hold the line until reinforcements arrive, or else all will be lost. Like the Agents of Liberty, their wargear is largely of indigenous design. They're supported by a planetary air force as well. All PDF are well-armed and decently trained.

### Secretum Officii

The Secretum Officii is made up of the best recruits in PDF training, and are entrusted to guarding Battlement's politicians and other heavily guarded areas in the Albus Domus and The Hexagon. These men and women are given some of the best equipment that even rivals that of Imperial Inquisitors, like Digital Weapons and Conversion Fields. Entrusted with high priority duties and classified secrets, their security clearances and background checks are unforgiving by necessity.

### Astral Force

The Astral Force is Battlement's home fleet, composed of various ships and space stations. Efforts have been made in recent days to return it to its past strength after Battlement was invaded by the Inquisition. In spite of the many nearby threats, the Astral Force is often the first line of defense.

### Agents of Liberty

The Agents of Liberty are Battlement's designated Imperial Guard Regiment. They consist of the finest recruits from the PDF, and people too old to apply for membership in the Emperor's Liberators chapter. They fight alongside the Liberators in every engagement after The Reckoning, in an attempt to simplify the command structure and save lives while boosting combat potential and morale. Battlement's President commands every armed unit of Battlement except for the Emperor's Liberators. Despite being far more numerous than their Astartes allies, no lives can be wasted, especially not in these trying times.

### Emperor's Liberators

The Emperor's Liberators chapter are Battlement's most potent warriors, who have sworn their lives to human liberty, the Emperor, and Battlement. While their numbers are small and heavily reduced after The Reckoning, they are determined to rebuild and remain the foremost guardians of freedom. They're the last line of defense against tyranny, but are more than happy to take a proactive approach in liberating humanity.

## Government

Battlement's government operates under a constitutional republic reminiscent of an ancient Terran civilization. The relics that the Agents of Liberty and Emperor's Liberators hold dear are also the foundations for Battlement's government. These are official rules that ensure the citizens of Battlement enjoy a large degree of freedom (at the disgust and bewilderment of many Imperial visitors). The planet has a group of senators that represent each separate district in Battlement, and vote for specific policies and initiatives. The President has limited authority for unilateral actions, but is largely bound by this senate to prevent serious abuses of power. Unfortunately, political scheming amongst the senators has seen a heightened risk of a demonic possession by Tzeentch. Slaaneshi corruption has also proven to be a dire threat after the arrest of a prominent noble exposed a massive slaaneshi cult that implicated much of the planet's ruling class and celebrities. As a solution that has proven effective thus far, every influential citizen of Battlement is required by law to undergo spiritual testing by Librarians from the Emperor's Liberators every day.

## The Vanishing

At some point in M42, a massive invasion by an unknown foe was launched against Battlement that required every single Liberator and Agent to fight for their home. It was during this time that a massive warp rift appeared and sucked Battlement into it, along with its entire armed forces and population. All contact with the planet was lost shortly thereafter. The current location of Battlement, and its status is unknown.