Canon Omake: Destruction of Irori Principiality
Destruction of Irori Principiality
The Mercury Expedition was one of the early Imperium's campaigns with a Priority Maxima due to the integrity of the planet's Mercurian core mineral deposits, which were relatively easily accessible and well-stocked. Several Saturnian Auxilia cohorts were sent to support this campaign to ensure the safety of orbital antimatter production.
Simultaneously, limited forces from the XIII and VII Legions participated in the planetary assault alongside Terran Solar Auxilia units to secure the planet's surface and depths.
Early on, the main threats to this campaign were identified by Imperial Palace analysts, as well as the Sigillite Council that led them. Referring to the annals of the early Mechanicum campaigns and their attempts to invade the planet, they identified the void principality of Irori as the primary threat to the orbital phase of the operation. While this faction retained the sacred standards of human biology, they refused to bend the knee to the rightful Master of Mankind.
The VII Saturnine Rams took part in the assault on the continental platform in geostationary orbit of Mercury, housing the forces of the void principality and the main orbital lift to the planet's surface. Despite attempts to suppress the defences with artillery, there was no way to destroy them without risking damage to the structural integrity of the orbital platform, and so the VII Saturnine took part in a landing operation on the outer side of the continental platform, engaging the serfs of the princely family.
Volkite weaponry was the primary equipment for both sides, and both groups were clad in Saturnine void armour. However, the superior numbers of the Saturnine Auxilia ensured their victory until the forces of the void principality itself entered the fray, using the war machines of the Imperial Knights, adapted for operation in zero gravity. Despite the loss of most of the Armigers to the Continental Platform's inhabitants, they managed to crush most of the resistance until the Prince received a challenge to a duel from VII Legion Centurion Castorro.
Despite the obvious advantageous nature of the duel for the forces of the Imperium, Castorro accepted the challenge to a duel against the Astartes with blades without the use of his war machine. He managed to hold out for only six seconds against the Astartes before his resistance was broken. After this, his heir declared the immediate surrender of the Principality's forces.
At the end of this campaign, VII Legion Centurion Castorro received a commendation from the Legion Praetor for his initiative. The VII Saturnine Rams were decorated for their tenacity in battle, and later received additional equipment to combat heavily armoured vehicles. The Irori princely house was stripped of their titles and honours, their war machines were seized by the Mechanicum, but they were granted the title of Rogue Trader by the Emperor and were among the first to leave the Sol System.
The Mercury Expedition was one of the early Imperium's campaigns with a Priority Maxima due to the integrity of the planet's Mercurian core mineral deposits, which were relatively easily accessible and well-stocked. Several Saturnian Auxilia cohorts were sent to support this campaign to ensure the safety of orbital antimatter production.
Simultaneously, limited forces from the XIII and VII Legions participated in the planetary assault alongside Terran Solar Auxilia units to secure the planet's surface and depths.
Early on, the main threats to this campaign were identified by Imperial Palace analysts, as well as the Sigillite Council that led them. Referring to the annals of the early Mechanicum campaigns and their attempts to invade the planet, they identified the void principality of Irori as the primary threat to the orbital phase of the operation. While this faction retained the sacred standards of human biology, they refused to bend the knee to the rightful Master of Mankind.
The VII Saturnine Rams took part in the assault on the continental platform in geostationary orbit of Mercury, housing the forces of the void principality and the main orbital lift to the planet's surface. Despite attempts to suppress the defences with artillery, there was no way to destroy them without risking damage to the structural integrity of the orbital platform, and so the VII Saturnine took part in a landing operation on the outer side of the continental platform, engaging the serfs of the princely family.
Volkite weaponry was the primary equipment for both sides, and both groups were clad in Saturnine void armour. However, the superior numbers of the Saturnine Auxilia ensured their victory until the forces of the void principality itself entered the fray, using the war machines of the Imperial Knights, adapted for operation in zero gravity. Despite the loss of most of the Armigers to the Continental Platform's inhabitants, they managed to crush most of the resistance until the Prince received a challenge to a duel from VII Legion Centurion Castorro.
Despite the obvious advantageous nature of the duel for the forces of the Imperium, Castorro accepted the challenge to a duel against the Astartes with blades without the use of his war machine. He managed to hold out for only six seconds against the Astartes before his resistance was broken. After this, his heir declared the immediate surrender of the Principality's forces.
At the end of this campaign, VII Legion Centurion Castorro received a commendation from the Legion Praetor for his initiative. The VII Saturnine Rams were decorated for their tenacity in battle, and later received additional equipment to combat heavily armoured vehicles. The Irori princely house was stripped of their titles and honours, their war machines were seized by the Mechanicum, but they were granted the title of Rogue Trader by the Emperor and were among the first to leave the Sol System.
