Umbra Protocol

Umbra Protocol
Type	Special Operations Force
Motto	Because it is necessary

The Umbra Protocol, is the premier light infantry and special operations force of the Imperial Legions.

History

The force many consider the precursor to the Umbra Protocol was created by Alejandra Ari during her unification of House Aquila beginning in 2886. Known as the ‘Eagle’s Shadow’ the force was actually not unlike a number of other covert or special operations forces serving various warlords during the First Imperial Civil War. What records and after action reports remain detail extensive infiltration, assassination and saboteur activities paving the way for legion level operations across Diomikato. The efficacies of these actions directly contributed to the speed and efficiency by which the soon to be Empress solidified her control over House Aquila.

In the years following the ascension to the Throne, the Eagle’s Shadow took on a marked change. While teams could still be found operating alongside the Legions during the Empress’ reunification of the sector, more and more would begin pulling back and assisting the newly founded Conséc as tensions within the Imperial Core spread. These two organizations continued to expand in an attempt to identify and eliminate the ever growing number of insurgent and seditious elements covertly supported by the Council of Houses. This stage of the Second Imperial Civil War, known as the Shadow War, would see their reputation and image darken, becoming the Empress’ instrument of terror and repression, even amongst the loyalist commanders. As the chaos of the second civil war spread throughout the sector so too did the Blood Eagle’s hidden blades. Loyalist High Command placed the highest priority on the capture or elimination of any senior staff from amongst the rebels, particularly those of the White Legions. While a majority of these missions were unsuccessful, and in most cases suicidal, they did impose a heavy strain on the rebel command structure delaying or disrupting countless rebel offensives and operations during the course of the war.

Suspected Eagle’s Shadow Kill Team, Imperial Prime, date unknown.

While the Eagle’s Shadow would be disbanded alongside Conséc in the peace conference following the ceasefire and armistice the need for a rapid response special operations force was not lost on the Aquilan remnants, especially as loyalist holdouts continued their insurgency on Diomikato. The solution would be an extension and expansion of the operational structure used during the Valua Campaign, heralded by some in the newly founded Convocation as the most successful asymmetric operation since the time before the Scream. 

A battle group would be formed consisting of veteran and commando units from what remained of the active legions. While the Convocation would grant battlefield commanders a large degree of autonomy, it was clear that the legion command structure was not broken. Generals and Admirals would still have organisational control over their forces, however the Convocation would retain authorization for deployment and resource allocation. This operation, dubbed New Dawn, would ultimately succeed in rooting out the loyalist insurgency, however the structure was deemed unsuitable for expansion. The decades that followed saw strings of review, investigation and oversight committees attempt to improve and iterate upon what had come before.

These changes and alterations, while largely hidden from those outside the highest levels of Aquilan command, would demonstrate their effectiveness in the 2980’s as this special operations force, now given its official designation of Umbra, would work alongside the Quaestionarius Corps in bringing down the more militant neo-eaglist cells and organisations operating throughout Aliya. The Umbra’s representative, known even at this time as ‘Umbra Primus’ would also prove to be an influential voice in the many weapons and platform development projects that would be launched beginning in 2982.

While synthetic humans were approved for use in the Imperial Legions in 3018 authorization for use within Umbra was withheld, with a majority of the organisation’s oversight committee believing synthetics lacked the capacity to operate autonomously for extended periods of time. While this would remain unchanged, as the use of synthetics became more widespread, and the refinement of synthetics and synthetic legions more advanced a number of Legates would adopt the training regimens and equipment for their elite synthetic veterans.

During the Days of Betrayal, and for the entirety of the War Against the Artificial, Umbra operatives would see a near constant deployment in every conceivable theatre. While their exploits are too many to count, their impact on the course of the war cannot be understated. This level of activity would continue even after the assassination of the Cygnus Emperox and the elimination of main line Cygnus resistance. Remnant synthetics, particularly those now former legionaries, had scattered to the shadowy corners of the Empire. Umbra and Quaestionarius forces were given full authority to track down and eliminate what remained of the Synth Legions lest they wreak more havoc to the Empire.

This program would be interrupted by the ACRE invasion of Aliya in 3200. During the Battle of Diomikato, what Umbra Teams were active on Diomikato wasted no time in acting against the newly arrived CORE forces. Operation Absolution would see the largest, and most critical deployment of Umbra forces during the Conflict of 3200. Coordinating with Quaestionarius operatives and the paramilitary organisation known as Broken Eagle, Umbra forces were able to infiltrate and disrupt the augmented reality system used by CORE forces. This operation resulted in half of ACRE’s forces on Diomikato defecting to the Aquilan cause.

With the destruction of the STO and consolidation of ACRE by House Eridanus, Umbra and Quaestionarius forces turn their attention back to counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations. While the primary focus remains on synth legion remnants, those groups linked to the now defunct Unified People’s Collective that escaped the Astral Synedrium and High Church’s actions on Yakiyah have been added to the operation’s scope.

Operations and Organization

Umbra, also known as the Umbra Protocol, is the premier light infantry and special operations force within the Imperial Legions. Typical operations include, but are not limited to: Counter-insurgency, Counter-terrorism, Hostage Rescue, High-Value-Target Retrieval, Intelligence Gathering, Asymetrical Warfare, Deep-cover Infiltration, Sabatoge, Strategic Demolition and Disruption. These operations and missions are typically performed in and with the support of a line Legion, however Umbra teams may be tasked to carry out tasks independently and far outside their legions area of operation.

Legion High Command, working closely with the Quaestionarius, determine and detail the mission profile and objectives, with the Decemviri giving final authorization for Umbra deployment. Due to the nature of the typical Umbra operation, Legates are only informed of the activation or deactivation of their Umbra assets and Operators are only identified by their classified call signs and identification codes. Material allocation, recruitment and compliance duties were nominally the responsibility of Umbra Primus. However, after the unexpected revelation and removal of the position these responsibilities have been split between the line Legates and the Convocation.

Umbra teams operate as a five man fire team while on assignment. Specialization and fire team roles vary, however individual operators are expected to cross-train in order to maintain maximum operational integrity in the face of field losses. As with the operators themselves, the fire teams are assigned a classified code name and identification code for use in official Umbra documentation. When not on assignment, Umbra operatives act as normal Legionnaires although many can be found staffing officer positions within the Primus Century.

Under normal conditions, a Legion may contain one or two Umbra fire teams at any given time. However, as a result of the Great Consolidation, the number of Umbra fire teams within active legions has dramatically increased.

Recruitment and Training

Umbra Operators are the elite of the elite within the Aquilan Legions. Due to the nature of their operations, they must exhibit discipline, intelligence and resourcefulness above and beyond what is required of line legionnaires. Applicants, who must have served at the rank of Decanus for a minimum of six years, are selected by Legion High Command with their record and achievements receiving an extensive examination by Quaestionarius agents prior to acceptance into the training program.

Once accepted, applicants are sent to a series of training facilities scattered throughout the Aliya system. The program focuses on combat simulation and weapons training taken to the extreme. Applicants will master every weapon, platform and piece of equipment available to the Legions and experience every conceivable environment, terrain or complication in the process. In parallel, the applicants will be subjected to, and trained to resist, extreme psychological and psychic interrogation techniques. 

As the one-year program progresses, focus shifts to infiltration and the implementation and utilization of the unique and advanced equipment available to Umbra. While team tactics and cohesion is a central focus throughout, these later phases take on a more prominent role. Teams are constantly shuffled and changed in order to promote adaptability and enforce strict cross-training. After induction Operatives typically receive compliance evaluations on an annual basis, with after action reports meticulously reviewed by High Command and the Decemviri.

Equipment

Due to the expansive variety of mission profiles, Umbra fire teams are granted access to the entirety of the Hastati armoury and are trained in the operation of a majority of the Triarii craft and vehicle pool. Legion High Command typically includes provisions and allocations of specific equipment deemed vital alongside a mission profile. 

A number of unique pieces of equipment has been developed specifically for Umbra operations since the beginning of Aquilan redevelopment in 2982, with most notable of these is the “Umbra” Assault Suit. This advanced adaptation of the standard “Segmentata” power armour enables fire teams to avoid detection by even the most complex security systems, while protecting the user from conventional weapons fire. Umbra teams also employ a higher concentration of semi-autonomous drones than typical Legion forces. While these are predominantly the hand-held “Beagle” or “Pug” reconnaissance drones, the use of “Bulldog” strike drones has been increasing in frequency. Combat model exo-frames and Armis-grade suit Lorica are the preferred choice when more overt action is required. Typically these larger pieces of equipment are deployed via combat air-drop, although fire teams have been known to employ Lorica level stealth systems during deep-cover infiltration missions.

Operators are encouraged to adjust and tune their weapons and equipment to maximize comfort and usability. This has led to a number of unique field modifications to standard equipment and attachments.

Where possible, fire teams utilise standard Legion transportation as cover for mission deployment. In cases where this is not possible, or the risk of discovery is too great, Umbra teams will be issued a Spettro Navalis, Verkfall Navalis, Voile Navalis, or a recovered civilian spacecraft to act as their mobile base of operation during deployment. Navalis assets are typically issued on a mission by mission basis, however the more decorated fire teams have received continuing access to these assets.

Historically Umbra would be the first to receive shipments of experimental or developmental material for field testing. With the signing of the Trident Accords in 3196, the Legio Experimentalum has broadly taken this role. However equipment approved for deployment within the 314 is also made available to Umbra fire teams and the Experimentalum is rumored to be developing advanced technology specifically for Umbra deployments

Notable Operations

Operation Domino

Location: Helven Reserve Depot 027-Z5, Diomikato, 09.18.2985

Umbra Team: Twelve-Juno

In the midst of the Neo-eagleist Scare, Quaestionarius agents uncovered evidence that the base commander of a Helven storage depot was in league with a number of radical activists and conspiring to smuggle arms and armour out of the facility. Not wanting to escalate already tense situation, an Umbra fire team was dispatched to infiltrate the facility and capture or eliminate the base command staff prior to an unannounced Quaestionarius audit. Umbra operators succeeded in infiltrating the facility, however their presence was discovered before they could apprehend the base commander. Following a series of firefights, the operatives had secured the base’s operations center and disabled all facility lock downs enabling a Quaestionarius relief force to occupy the remainder of the complex. Despite avoiding a protracted engagement and preventing the would be insurgency from acquiring war material Umbra operatives were unable to secure any of the conspirators for questioning, with what remained of the officer cadre taking their own lives to avoid capture.

Operation Valkyrie

Location: Udzha Asteroid Belt, Alvero System, 02.12.3155

Umbra Team: Perseus-Six and Orion-Alpha

Pirates operating out of the Udzha asteroid belt boarded a civilian transport on route to Aomori. Several nobles were kidnapped and put up for ransom, the rest of the crew were slaughtered and the ship left adrift. Widespread horror at the brutality of the attack led to a swift response from the Imperial authorities. Multiple noble houses sent vessels to the Udzha belt, sweeping through the asteroids looking for any sign of the pirates base. 

AQN Royale Nell received a faint signature deep within the belt, an asteroid base housing several pirate vessels. Any indication of the bases discovery could lead the pirates to executing the hostages, therefore it was decided that a stealth assault led by two Umbra teams had the highest probability of success. Travelling in a ballistic course for several hours the Umbra teams made a covert entry into the pirates base, Perseus-Six made quick work in securing the hostages and began to hack the pirates systems. Orion-Alpha made their way towards the command centre holding position until confirmation that the hostages were secured. Perseus-Six’s hack completed overloading the internal power systems of the base, simultaneously Orion-Alpha began their assault, storming the bridge and overwhelming all resistance. With the hostages secure and the bases defenses neutralized reinforcements arrived and engaged the remaining pirate vessels destroying or capturing them all.

Operation: Shepard

Location: Gats, 3177

Umbra Teams: Zero-Two-Leo, Aries-Twelve, and Folton-Able

Shortly after the revelation of the Cygnus Plot by House Crux, representatives of the High Exarch made contact with Legion High Command. A collection of nobles from various houses, including House Cygnus, had sought refuge and protection from the High Church, however the situation on the Cygnus homeworld was quickly deteriorating. Unable to evacuate these individuals themselves the High Church turned to the Imperial Legions for assistance. Two fire teams were dispatched to secure and escort these high value targets out of the Ellis system before Crux forces began their invasion, while a third fire team was to locate the Legion garrison command staff, including the venerable Legio Veritas, and ascertain their intentions. High Command hoped, if possible, to exfiltrate the most senior officers while abandoning the synthetic forces to their fate. Zero-Two-Leo and Aries-Twelve succeeded in securing the civilian assets, however Folton-Able was unable to extract. Packaged alongside their failure codes was a message bearing Legio XLIV ID codes. The message read: “Our choice is made, soon you will see the truth of it”. Legio Veritas forces are presumed KIA after the deployment of terraforming engines on the Cygnus homeworld.

Operation Siren

Location: Ash Wastes, Diomikato, 04.02.3178

Umbra Team: Novum-Sigma, Zero-One-Eclipse

An unofficial Umbra mission, two fire teams were accompanying a Century from the Legio LX on a routine survival training operation. The small force would be ambushed by synthetic forces during this exercise in the opening hours of the Days of Betrayal. Cut off and surrounded, Novum-Sigma and Zero-One-Eclipse took what scattered remnants they could find and navigate across the harsh wilderness of the Red Trine. Despite the near constant pursuit of synthetic kill teams, the Umbra fire teams made their way to a remote relay station and transmitted an alert across all Aquilan frequencies. Even with system wide communication being disrupted, the warning was received by the Bastion garrison and ultimately prevented the fortress from falling into synthetic hands.

Operation Bulwark

Location: INN-002 Causeway, Greenbelt, Diomikato, 05.15.3200

Umbra Teams: Logis-Alpha and Logis-Beta

Two Umbra fire teams support Legio Experimentalum forces in holding back CORE and RAKE forces at the INN-002 Causeway during the Battle of Diomikato. Umbra teams primary objective was the disruption of ACRE supply and communication lines, Aquilan forces encountered beyond the Experimentalum AO were directed around ACRE forces. Logis teams, working in conjunction with mobile 314 assets, were able to sufficiently disrupt the first three armoured offensives by CORE forces and rescue elements of the 4th Legion withdrawing from Infernum.

Operation Absolution

Location: Abon Cordillera, Diomikato, 07.30.3200

Umbra Teams: Talon-Six, Indigo-Sword, Paladin Zero-Eight and Logis-Alpha

Often cited as the pivotal moment in the Battle for Diomikato, and the larger conflict against the STO. Using information obtained by the paramilitary group known as Broken Eagle, Umbra forces assaulted an ACRE facility just outside Infernum. The facility contained a relay for the Augmented Reality system used by CORE forces operating on the Aquilan home world. Rather than simply destroying the facility, Umbra forces gained access to the ACRE networks and, using codes and protocols obtained by and ACRE technician recovered by Broken Eagle, distributed the details of Operation MESS to the wider CORE populace. Unveiling this previously hidden plan to systematically target Aquilan civilian centers to the wider CORE invasion force proved to be decisive, with roughly half of the ACRE invasion force defecting to the Aquilan cause in the preceding weeks.