Prologue

              Humanity has always looked to the stars. Our ancestors gazed upon them for guidance and inspiration. For countless centuries, the stars were the catalyst for stories, and dared us to dream. When humanity finally began to conquer the stars, we quickly learned that the void was cold, dark and unforgiving. Despite all of this, humanity persevered, eventually answering the age-old question when we finally established first contact. Many species, advanced and primitive, offered their cooperation; others adopted more aggressive diplomacy. But like all her history, humanity entered the stars divided.

              This division served humanity well during the initial stages of galactic conquest, as competition between the various factions drove exploration, but conflict was inevitable. Humanity broke out into a civil war that lasted thousands of years and spanned several galaxies. Many colonies chose to isolate themselves, losing technology in exchange for sanctuary from the conflict; the outer colonies became cut off from the rest of divided humanity, and the inner colonies began to destroy themselves. Even the xenos races participated, with some picking sides and others taking advantage of humanity’s disposition. It seemed that humanity was reaching its end, until Certech arrived.

              A philanthropic organization, Certech focused its efforts in pushing humanity to greater limits. The technology that put them on the map was the usage of nanobots in humans to extend their life, effectively eliminating mortality by natural causes and aging. This enabled us to integrate with technology on a whole new level. The popularity of this life enhancing technology not only gave Certech a vast amount of wealth, but generated favour with all sides of the war. In secret, Certech established their Studies and Observation Group: a paramilitary branch of undercover operatives used in corporate espionage and infiltration of the governing structures of all sides in the war. The SOG patiently observed and reported, establishing positions and securing promotions in all organizations across human controlled space. They waited while Certech finished its greatest creation: Project Dragon Warrior.

              Project Dragon Warrior was the creation of a fully enclosed suit of power armour, designed to be permanently integrated with the human wearing it. It represented the perfect evolution of mind, body and technology, enabling the wearer becoming the feared vigilance; the Tyrannadon. With their first legion of Tyrannadon’s at the helm, Certech joined the war, aiming to unite humanity. With the technologically superior soldiers and the well placed SOG operatives, Certech reconquered human space at an exponential rate. Eventually, the divided human factions fell, unable to reconcile with each other. Many whispers speak of the SOG being the source of this fail of negotiations, but there are none alive to confirm.

              With the war over, Certech began shaping the new era of humanity under a collective empire: The Empire of Tyran. Certech believed that diversity is a strength when kept in check, so the empire was divided into small subsectors, each allowed to establish their own rules outside the few enforced by Certech. Each subsector was given one Tyrannadonnic legion to defend it, or to enforce Certech’s authority if they did not follow the will of the Empire. Certech itself was dissolved, and the executives formed the first governing body of Tyran: The Unity. Now humanity only exists in two factions: those part of the Unity and those lost colonies that have yet to be brought into the fold.

              In secret, the Studies and Observation Group evolved, eventually being adopted by the Unity’s Military and Tactical Assistance Command (UMTAC SOG), continuing to fulfill a similar role to that during the reunification war. The operatives are dispatched by the Unity to hunt down key personnel, be they human or alien, and are given total exemption from all legal consequences to protect the Unity’s interests. These operatives are now known as the Justiciars.