Templars (Andromeda)
The Templars are a faction that feature in Andromeda.
Contents |
History
The Templars origins were traced to the Fall of the Systems Commonwealth as a result of the Nietzscheans Uprising. During that time that saw the destruction of the High Guard, Admiral Constanza Stark managed to rally a number of officers and soldiers under her wing in the chaotic aftermath where she formed a guerilla fighting force tasked with the elimination of the Commowealth's enemies. Initially, when formed, the Templars were founded with the aim of preserving the ideals of the High Guard and did not consider actions such as genocide as options. However, after watching centuries of Nietzscheans rampage across the Known Worlds which left nothing but death in their wake which severely altered the mindset of the Templars who became fixated on the destruction of the Nietzschean race. This completely changed the views of their founder Admiral Stark who was known to had died at least four lives over the course of three centuries where the Templars found a way to transfer her intellect and personality into a new body who were all volunteers. (Episode: Twilight of the Idols)
During the course of the Long Night, the Templars wandered the Known Worlds over the course of three hundred years where they battled numerous threats such as the Nietzscheans, Genites and any other force that threatened their goals. In AFC 263, the Patriarch was known to had stepped on a Drago-Kazov Pride anti-personnel mine that blew his entire leg off until it was repaired with nanobots. By CY 10087 were under the command of Constantine Stark who was the latest host to Admiral Stark's mind and used the cover of being the descendant of Constanza herself in order to fool others about her true nature. At this time, they were aware of the recovery of the Andromeda Ascendant and the mission of Captain Dylan Hunt to restore the Systems Commonwealth. But rather than openly revealing themselves, the Templars had learnt to work on the sidelines. When Captain Hunt was signing worlds to the New Systems Commonwealth charter, the Templars were also present on such planets where in their own way they ensured that events proceeded the way that Dylan Hunt expected them to work out. When the New Systems Commonwealth was formed, the Patriarch was known to have had connections to at least twenty signatory worlds. Whilst officially he and the Templars were not acknowledged, unofficially any action linked with them was fully supported by the member worlds of the Commonwealth. The political connections of the Patriarch were known to be quite strong within the restored Systems Commonwealth which meant that no one was willing to imprison him. This allowed him to continue his operations in secret and remain undiscovered whilst conducting their mission in eliminating the Nietzschean threat which was deemed to erupt in the future. (Episode: Twilight of the Idols)
In CY 10089, they learnt that the Genites were developing a potent bio-weapon at a secret facility in the Fedran system on an asteriod where they were creating a virus that targeted all genetically enhanced Humans which was just over 92% of the total Human race. As a result, the Templars intended to raid the facility and steal the virus in order to re-program it in order to only strike against Nietzscheans. But, the facility was heavily defended and the Knights of Genetic Purity were well aware of all the equipment, tactics and techniques of the Templars which necessitated the Templars in finding an edge to combat their old foes. Learning through intelligence of a Genite raid against the Nietzscheans fo Kwatcha Pride, they decided to move to the region after learning of the presence of Dylan Hunt at the planet. Quickly arriving, the Templars engaged in a brutal firefight with the Genites with casualties on both sides but ultimately the Templars prevailed though with injuries to their number. Seeking the aid of Dylan Hunt, they travelled onboard the Andromeda Ascendant where they asked for their help to strike at the Genite base without revealing their true intention of not destroying the bio-weapon but using it for their own agenda. This led to an initial joint mission to strike the Fedra system facility with the Andromeda Ascendant crew intending to confirm Templar intelligence and usign the Templars to provide extraction though Stark offered an alternative; a diversionary strike on the other side of the asteroid base. During the assault, the Templars helped rescue Dylan Hunt when his position with Rommie came under fire but this led to a confrontation with Captain Hunt when he learnt of the Templars true intentions whereupon Stark revealed his true origin. This led to Captain Hunt leaving after believing that the Patriarch had disappeared but in actuality, the Templars had used the Genite facility as a base of operations. In order to defeat Admiral Stark, Captain Hunt provoked the Genites into following the Andromeda Ascendant back to the Fedran system thus forcing the Templars to retreat when the bio-weapon was forced to be destroyed rather than to allow it back in Genite hands. Following this incident, the Templars retreated from the field and went back into hiding. (Episode: Twilight of the Idols)
Background
When founded, the Templars were created to preserve and encompass the ideals of the fallen High Guard but the centuries into the Long Night severely changed even the views of Admiral Stark. They believed that they fought the battles that other forces in the Known Worlds were incapable of fighting, be they Nietzschean or Genite or any other threat. Whilst this was the case, through hard experience, the Templars learnt that their actions were best used behind the scenes. Their actions had also brought about an incredible level of political power which was unofficially not acknowledged but unofficially supported by members of the New Systems Commonwealth. They were even able to intercept communications from the restored Commonwealth's Ministry of War. Unlike the Genites, the Templars and their leader did not hold a hatred of all genetically engineered beings and instead felt that the Nietzscheans were a true threat to the Known Worlds. Thus, their desire to make use of a bio-weapon against them which they rationalized by stating it was a deterrant and to be used to force the Nietzscheans from all their slave worlds as well as dislodge them from all the planets they occupied. (Episode: Twilight of the Idols)
Stark herself eventually became known as the "Patriarch" of the Templars due to her role in their founding and continued leadership of the group over the centuries since the Fall. They were completely loyal to her to the point that her soldiers often volunteered their own bodies to serve as hosts to her mind if her own body was dying. This was because they felt that she was the best chance in ensuring peace and security to the Known Worlds. Many of the ideals of the Templars were in fact created by Admiral Stark initially and their change was also attributed to the brutal experiences she faced during the three centuries into the Long Night. As a result, the Patriach became more ruthless and was able to make sacrifices so long as it accomplished her mission. This also meant that Stark was not above striking her own troops for questioning her and she believed that Dylan Hunt was an asset that was worthy any ten of her own men which meant that she was not in the habit of destroying such useful resources. (Episode: Twilight of the Idols)
Technologically, the Templars were known to possess their own equipment and starships with weapons seemingly capable of penetrating Genite power armor. Their own body armor was capable of surviving weapon blasts though left the wearer injured and required them to seek medical attention. In terms of medical technology, they had access to repair nanobots that were able to create replacement limbs in a six month time frame in order to re-grow lost body parts. They also had the capacity to transfer the neural patterns of an individual into a willing host thus allowing the mind to live long past the death of one body. Furthermore, it was known that they made use of Force Lances as well. Templars were known to create sophisticated transcievers that were linked to surveillance chips that were able to be placed on targets. These chips monitored a target vessel and, at the push of a button, were able to release anti-protons whereupon it exploded thus destroying the target under surveillance. These devices were described as being ingenious as they tapped into a vessels internal sensors and emitted through the power core to obscure its signal with the device being incapable of being removed on site without appropriate equipment. (Episode: Twilight of the Idols)
Due to constant battles with the Knights of Genetic Purity, the Templars foes were well acquainted with their tactics, troops and equipment. (Episode: Twilght of the Idols)
Members
- Constanza Stark : Admiral of the High Guard during the Fall, she created the Templars and survived three hundred years by transfering her mind to willing host bodies with her latest host in CY 10089 being called Constantine Stark. (Episode: Twilight of the Idols)
- Chang : second officer to Stark during the mission to recover the Genite bio-weapon. (Episode: Twilight of the Idols)
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