Cyberpunk Hong Kong/Kowloon Imperial Guard. What could go wrong?

~~A continued affirmation that /tg/ will stop at nothing until the grim darkness of the 41st Millennium contains every single conceivable thing ever.~~ Or, you know, that there are some pretty robust creation tools that fa/tg/uys are able to use prolifically and to great benefit.

The Exterminators

The Regimental Insignia: Yuan, The Garden.

In the grimdark depths of Hua Yuan’s singular, eponymous hive city, there are only gangers, dead bugs, and disco. Or, at least, that is the hive’s reputation. The Hua Yuan Regiments are experts in pest control, shock and disorientation tactics, and urban warfare, none moreso than the Hua Yuan 1st Exterminators. The regiment is renowned for their use of neon-colored and luminescent-adorned armor, initially intended to blend in with the underhive’s unique lighting arrangements. Over time, the Exterminator regiments came to incorporate their "unique" aesthetic taste into their regimental tactics, making extensive use of fireworks, disorienting lights, and multicolored smoke bombs to confuse and isolate enemy units. The Exterminators’ ranks are drawn from the first-born children of all classes of the cramped industrial city; administratum clerks have speculated that the decision to include underclass conscripts may explain the Exterminators’ penchant for leaving colorful graffiti everywhere they're deployed. Despite these eccentricities, their origins in the extraordinarily-cramped and dangerous mining city have made the Exterminators ruthlessly efficient when confronting hive gangers, on other worlds or their own.

Of the 1200 odd regiments that have been created on Hua Yuan, nearly one half of them are "Exterminator" regiments, specializing in their distinctive style of bright, loud, and up-close and personal combat. These are supported by some 250 Armored regiments, and 400 conventional guard units also trained from the firstborn of Hua Yuan.

Hua Yuan

Hua Yuan is itself built around the remnants of a wrecked colonization vessel. Trapped within the damaged hulk – and initially unable or unwilling to explore in the world’s neon-saturated atmosphere – the survivors expanded their living space downwards. After mineral deposits were discovered, a thriving mining industry developed. The mining expanded to include neon harvesting, and the world's population grew exponentially as off-worlders came to exploit these resources. The hive city expanded until the world was threatened in 899.M41 by the infiltration of a Genestealer Cult, which marked the beginning of the hive's long economic and social decline. The Exterminators gained their name and reputation during their successful efforts to remove the Tyranid infestation; this is also when the troopers developed their fondness for taking ghastly war trophies to adorn their armor and vehicles, intended to display their perseverance. They also developed a hatred of Tyranids only increased by some members secret use of a special combat stim made from Termagaunt adrenal gland which allows them to see Tyranid warp signatures at heavy toll on their body and mind. The Exterminators are a proud regiment; proud of their hard-fought victory against the ‘nids; proud of their hive’s survival on an inhospitable world; and proud, perhaps above all else, of their ability to succeed in any urban environment.

Hua Yuan's atmospheric neon abundance has resulted in the near-universal adoption of neon lighting throughout the hive; even the lower levels have access to at least some of this technology. The lower hive is notable for being extremely cramped, even by the standard of hive cities. Above the narrow confines of the mining areas, the midhive is.. well, also cramped. What's left of the mining industry, and the more recent neon extraction, have kept the planet's economy thriving now that contact has been reestablished with the greater Imperium. As a consequence, the midhive is a very active place. Another notable export is entertainment, in the form of vids and music recordings. These are a niche good in the greater galaxy, as other cultures consider them to be hilariously cheesy. Former mining officials and deck officers have developed into the noble houses of the world, and they squabble for power and influence in the upper hive, especially now that the economy is on the rise again. Whoever takes control of Hua Yuan has a modest but stable fortune to rest their laurels on. Or that's the general view. The top tier of the nobility, the patriarchs and matriarchs of the corporations who hobnob with the Mechanicus surveyors and have access to the product data and tithe rolls, know that the money is slowly running out. The only thing they can do is push quotas harder so they can embezzle enough under the Imperium's nose so that they can escape once the mines run dry, all the while giving the impression that there's nothing wrong.

Unique Equipment

Standard kit

One field uniform One set of poor weather gear

One 1 lascarbine (Main Weapon) with four charge packs and the Compact modification

One knife

One mono knife

One Good Quailty Cerimonal Blade.

Two Frag Grenades

Two Smoke Grenades or Two Blinkers or Two Flashbangs

Two Krak Grendades

One suit of light carapace armor

One microbead

One Respirator/Gas Mask

One rucksack or sling bag

One set of basic tools

One mess kit and one water canteen

One blanket and one sleep bag

One rechargeable lamp pack

One grooming kit

One set of cognomen tags or equivalent identification

One primer or instructional handbook

Combat sustenance rations, Two weeks’ supply

Nidstim Rations, Two weeks' supply

Lasguns

Although the vast majority of Hua Yuan‘s Guard forces use imported Galaxy or Accatran pattern lasguns, a large number of local designs have been catalogued by the Adeptus Mechanicus. Collectively known as HY-Grade Las Weapons, these locally manufactured devices are infamous for their ubiquity in the lower levels of the hive as well as their unreliability. Although inexpensive to manufacture (and thus perfect for use by underhive gangs), substandard materials and improper fabrication techniques routinely lead to problems not suffered by equivalent armaments. Among the most commonly reported is a failure to focus photon beams correctly, as well vastly fluctuating power outputs. These two factors often manifest in the weapon appearing to fire differently coloured beams between shots, often with substantially varying levels of killing power .

Hua Yuan soldiers issued with locally sourced weaponry often seek out replacements as soon as it is possible to do so, to the dismay of quartermasters from allied regiments. Nevertheless, enough have been observed in combat by other regiments for the phrase “a Hua Yuan lightshow” (a barrage that looks impressive but fails to do any real damage) has entered Guard cant in several theatres.

Blinkers

Another tool in the arsenal of the Hua Yuan Exterminators is the diverse set of 'Blinkers'. These small devices consist of high intensity light bulbs hooked to self contained Power sources and rudimentary alternating systems. These tools are play an important role in the Exterminator's 'Colors and Mayhem' Doctrine, Serving to add yet another layer of disorientation and misdirection to the already cacophonous displays utilized. These devices are All Flash and no bang, simply projecting their blindingly bright light at random intervals to distract and disorient foes. Blinkers can be thrown or set into traps and are primarily used on Cultists, Rebels and Humanoid enemies.

To maintain stores Engine-seers and sharper guardsmen manufacturer these devices in the field with locally sourced [Read: looted] materials. As they are Hive Specialists there is rarely a lack of material. The complexity of the devices very from Diversion to Division, With the more elite ones, Such as The Fifth Division, Using specific wavelengths and colors that their Optics are polarized against. This allows them to use the devices more freely and tactically against their foes. The less experienced or less Specialized Divisions are content making rudimentary devices, making up for the danger of blinding themselves with Rigorous drilling in communication and usage.

Writefaggotry

I Have Fought Them

I have lived in the underhive for longer than most, and am one of the few survivors of restoration movement. We mutants and outcasts had gathered arms and numbers for years under Boss Toad. Boss Toad's dark rituals made us green and near impossible to kill, when we declared open rebellion against the hive lords we were unstoppable, or so we thought. We had heard a company of hive warfare specialists had been brought from off world. We remained arrogant in our might as we tore through PDF and arbites with our number and toughness. Boss Toad made more green ones every day. The day after Boss Toad set up his headquarters in the captured water treatment plant we thought we had won. Boss Toad began to work a spell on the hive water supply that he said would ensure our victory. Then as we roared in victory, the world exploded in a haze of brightness and furious colors and sound. Then figures dripping the same ooze of colors repelled through the windows spewing light blue flames.

I saw Boss Toad flee in the crossfire to his captured chimera. These blazing blurs of pink and green didn't even pursue the Boss, and detonating more of their sound and fury disappeared as soon as they arrived. The haze cleared just soon enough that I managed to watch Boss Toad start the armored vehicle and I could see it explode in flare of pink. Our might brought low by a car bomb the rebellion faltered without leadership or our source of green ones.

I Have Lead Them

Personal Journal of Commissar Phisk entry 167

I have been assigned to the Hua Yuan Exterminators after reports of possible xenos corruption among the Veteran members. I linked up with the Exterminators Vets during one of their many recruiting trips home. I've met the Exterminators Vets briefly before they went throughout the hive recruiting, and their armour is very impressively reinforced with 'Nid carapace. I noticed however an abundance of 'guant skulls on some of the troopers as well small hole drilled in the base of 'guant skull that has been the source of these rumors of xeno corruption and worship. After dismissing the men to their recruiting duties I choose to follow an Exterminator officer covered in many xeno skulls including one that was yet drilled and seemed to be sealed in wax. I assumed tailing him would be easy due to his distinctive neon armour, however in the neon flashing light of the hive he was a challenge to track down. Through diligence or luck I followed him and witnessed their method of recruiting officer's first hand. The officer went to upper hive and collected his highborn volunteers and lead the young men deep into the lower hive.

The officer candidates were lead into an empty warehouse facing 10 enlisted Exterminator regulars and told to kill them. Those who did not immediately charge were dismissed. Hive War requires speed and aggression. The 5 brave souls who did charge were beaten nearly to death by waiting exterminators The officer, who I had begun to assume was a medical officer, stitched their major bleeding and then choked them unconscious. He then drilled that small hole in the 'Nid skull and mixed it a grey powder with the juice he extracted from the skull. To my misfortune I was then grabbed by two carapaced veterans who had discovered my vantage point. I firmly told them to unhand me or face death, but was ignored as they choked me to unconsciousness in a similar way as their recruits.

I was roused roughly outside of a small hab-block. With my five compatriots I was asked if I wanted to lead Exterminators and handed me two neon orange knives. Before I could voice my indignation, a rebreather was strapped to my head and I began to inhale the Tyranid compound. As I was pushed into the hab-block as the color faded from the world and I desired only its return. The drabness of the world enraged me as I charged into the block. Then I was saw the source of the drabness, xeno cultists in the hab, and charged them with my knives to which color returned as I killed and purged, the deception of human appearance faded as I saw the truth of these genestealer cults, I saw my allies gain color as they killed alongside me, then when we seemed overwhelmed and prepared to fall in this hell. The Exterminators crashed into the hab-block through the windows killing like neon angels. I awoke in their barracks feeling more ill than I have felt in my entire life, but reassured in purpose to fight alongside the Exterminators, although I felt the world still lacking somewhat in color until I donned my new commissar coat with comfortingly glowing pink and green before my eyes.

On Xenon or 'Nid Dust

Commissar Phisk's Report on Xeno Corruption [unsubmitted at request of the Ordo Xenos][Practice is Probationary Sanctioned for research purposes]

If one is to inspect the Tyranid trophies of an Exterminator, a rare thing as they tend to be quite protective of them, they would find that every single one has a uniform hole near the base. This whole is generally used for mounting, but is actually created for an entirely different purpose. The extraction of the Tyranids adrenal glands. The Exterminators are known to produce a wide variety of combat and leisure drugs from the chemicals that can be found therein. Usually taking the form of an iridescent and fine powder, every Exterminator has a unique ritual involving their consumption. Some smoke it, others snort it, a good number inject it, some eat it or mix it with recaf like a sweetner, and some still have figured how to huff it as an aerosol. In any form of administration the combat variet of the Tyranid sourced drugs invariablely increase reaction time, aggression, and even enhanced unit cohesion among those Exterminators who do it as a group. It's withdrawal symptoms are, unfortunately, punishing. Ranging from violent seizures, severe narcolepsy, or even hallucinations of being a Tyranid part of the Hivemind have been reported. This, combined with it's unusual sourcing and the insular nature of the Exterminators has meant the glittering Tyranid Dust has not spread beyond the Exterminators.

Alone in Glory

The underhive signage vibrated and flickered. Its harsh purple glow cast Private Hsien’s shadow down the hall as he stepped through the hab unit’s open door and into the waiting darkness. Hsien could almost taste the shadows there was something palpable in the air, vaguely electric, and it wasn’t the usual stench of the lower levels. Outside of the narrow column of sickly neon light seeping past his body, the room was abnormally dark. The guardsman silently raised his lasrifle to his shoulder, readying his finger on the trigger, and dropped to a crouch. He swore softly under his breath, cursing the eternal hum of the underhive core. He couldn’t hear a thing, and didn’t dare step back outside. He was being watched.

In one quick motion, Hsien dropped his left hand, activating his adrena-kit and snatching the grenade from his belt. The “Hua Yuan Special” chirped briefly as he pressed the cycle button and tossed it underhand. There was no detonation when it met the floor, but a split second later the ‘nade projected a myriad of bright lights in every direction, each thin line tracing a random pinpoint pattern as it danced across the walls. The grenade simultaneously flashed a single bright white light once and began to emit a steady stream of shimmering pink smoke. The darkness was illuminated for a brief moment, and Hsien could see the creatures – a half dozen hunched, twisted figures with inhuman shapes, waiting in the far corners of the room. Blinded, each hissed, but Hsien was already moving. He blasted one creature’s head straight from its shoulders, a bit of gore splattering across its partners’ faces, then ducked, rolling into the shadows just as the monstrous abominations sprang into action.

The creatures may have been raised in the dark, but they were no match for Hua Yuan’s finest in the thick fluorescent smoke. As the Special’s bright tracer lines spun around the room and pierced through the haze, Hsien used them to judge the distance of each creature. He blasted the nearest two in quick succession – one crashing to the ground as its knee evaporated, the other left clutching what was left of its face. The three survivors were almost on him now, but Hsien was ready. As the first creature reached out to grab him, he fired into its chest at point blank. The body fell away, still grasping towards him futilely, and Hsien bashed another with the butt of his gun and it, too, collapsed. The private felt a clawed hand tear across his shoulder, but the adrenaline mixture pumping through his veins dulled the pain. He spun on one heel, ducking a second swing, and downed the creature with two quick shots to the abdomen. The private didn’t allow himself a second to catch his breath. The xenos he’d bunted earlier was getting back up, and he couldn’t allow that. He screamed and unleashed a volley of orange las bolts, cutting it in half at the waist. As if the Emperor himself were directing the show, the Special ended its routine just as the cultist’s upper body slid to the floor. Hsien couldn’t help but grin – not a bad performance, all things considered.

The Crunch

Regiment Classification: Standard Guard Regiment
Regiment Demographic: Firstborn
Nature of Recruitment: Standard conscription
Homeworld Designation: Hive World
Homeworld Terrain: Dead World
Regiment Core Units: Infantry
Specialization: Hive Warfare
Loyalty Rating: Adherent (standard)
Special Equipment: War Trophies
Regiment Creed: For The Homeworld
Regiment Friends: Imperial Guard ("Occupying" Praetorians)
Regiment Enemies: Tyranids

Gallery

The Regimental Colours of the 1st Exterminators
The banner of the Hua Yuan Firebreather Division
The 5th Scouting Division's Colors and motto "five minute Response Unit"
Colonel Yeoh Hong. The leader of the Hua Yaun 1st
Two Guardsmen of the Hua Yuan 1st Exterminators preforming a Flash and Clear Room breach during intense hive combat.
A Basic Guardsman and his Sergeant in Combat dress
Three Guardsmen from the Hua Yuan Exterminators Sporting Beige fatigues under their Flack Armour for operations in more 'dull' Environments.
A member of the regiment sporting his off-duty uniform
Fresh members are given enforcer duties in the hive, Preforming the job of Arbites. Ruthless in rooting out heresy and Mutation.
The First Rendition of the Regimental colour scheme
A Hua Yuan Veteran Sporting his hard won Trophies.
A Sentinel in service of the Hua Yuan Exterminators. Mounted with Specialized gear in line with the Regiments 'Colors and Mayhem' doctrine of hive warfare
An officer armed with a Powerfist.