Callisto IV

 
Many Hadite clan lords became wealthy and powerful in their own right. Cargo skimming was often overlooked as was the trafficking of contraband and outlawed technology.

The fighter above left wields an older Krelm Mod.68-5 drive blaster - a product of Callistan arms manufacturing, it featured a substantial 500mk/2.6 power pack with a 100kw range rating.

 

Callisto III

It was here in the rustic settlements of Callisto that freelance ships could find new recruits and supplies. The underworld black markets were thriving economies where all manner of exotic armament could be found, far from the eyes of imperial overseers.

  Pictured: Hadite Corsairs, these marauding warbands were frequently found in the employ of the Callistan barons to guard their assets against those who would threaten the Crystal Road.

Callisto II

 Irregular tribal militia fighters in the filthy confines of Jodax Hive.

 

Callisto

The backwater moon of Callisto was a vital outpost in wilderness space and a key port prior to the Tharsis Expanse. In the shadow of the Nethium War, the planetary viceroy declared sovereignty from the Sybaran yoke in 5468.01.

The planets true power lay with the regional guild barons who could draw on upon their own private armies.

HY-37v main battle tanks. While antiquated, these old designs were lethal and accurate, boasting heavy Krahlite armor and a massive kinetic cannon.

Void Reivers IV

Many reiver coalitions were small houses in their own right. The following forty seven cycles would see their attacks emboldened enough to strike and plunder colony holdings.

Below: A reiver shore party led by Terig heavies. These fallen house warriors have had significant bionic enhancement and implantation. 

Void Reivers III

Deep space offered a vast haven for the Void Reiver fleets operating from hidden strongholds

 in abandoned mining outposts and remote moons. 

By 5040.3 these marauding fleets were having a significant impact on the shipping lanes of the core worlds.

Void Reivers II

Many successful reiver captains maintained a significant cadre of feral world crew. These savage men were frequently used in the initial boarding parties where their cutthroat skills could be effectively used in close deck corridor fighting.

     

Void Reivers

Travel beyond the core systems of Ikarus was a dangerous affair with navigation lanes beset with Void Reivers. These star-faring pirates were often secretly in the employ of higher powers and raided merchant vessels with impunity from heavily modified fast cutter ships. 

 The objectives of these bandits ranged considerably but often taking a wealth of cargo, slaves and prisoners for ransom. Other ships would be scavenged for parts, oxygen and key machinery then left adrift.

Boarding actions were often short brutal affairs as the victim ship decks were swarmed with frenzied raiders and gunfire. Amidst the panic engine rooms and bridges were quickly overrun and captured.

Ixos Rising III

Overseer Tolmus Sargon, Vizir of House Ixos and his attendant thralls.

Ixos Rising II

To bolster their armies the Ixos deployed significant numbers of the II-86 Subjugator-class combat servitor. This rugged and powerful machine was equipped stock with hydraulic saw-gauntlets and a 25mm tungsten slug cannon and various modification options.

Above: Ixsos raiders on Ghadesh. 

Below: Conscript mortar section during the siege of the capital fortress of Kopehn, 5132.

Ixos Rising I

As the Nethium Wars erupted, the once reclusive House Ixos rapidly moved to annex a number of the off-world colonies of the Singeli Cluster in 5005.8. Their leadership was primarily dictated by a forbidden machine intelligence matrix which directed their campaign with insidious efficiency.

These colonies would provide Ixos with vital conscription reserves and materiel.
(Seen below: House Ixos light infantry during the third battle of Khana)