Ashford Loyalists

Story so far

The Ashford Loyalists form quietly around visits to the deposed captain. They include roughly a third of Behemoth security, guards such as Jojo and Gutmansdottir, and UN and Martian personnel drawn to Hector Cortez's claim that destroying the Ring will protect humanity. Their initial seizure takes the prison, security office, armory, communications, engineering, and both transition points between the spinning drum and the command and engineering sections.

Armed groups then spread through the tent city with assault rifles and shotguns, searching shelters and establishing patrols. When Serge approaches with six pistol-armed officers to enforce the no-guns rule, an unnamed loyalist woman shoots him through the forehead without warning. The others are disarmed and bound. Smaller patrols occupy the civilian spaces while Cortez announces that rightful authority has returned.

Their planned end state is larger than restoration of command. They intend to suppress resistance, amplify the Communications Laser, destroy The Ring, and strand every person in the slow zone. The faction therefore joins old command loyalty, security betrayal, fear of alien power, religious certainty, and armed coercion into a regime that calls imposed mass death sacrifice.

Appearance

The loyalists wear mixed Behemoth security gear, Belter clothing, and inner-planet military uniforms. They patrol in groups with pistols, assault rifles, shotguns, chest armor, electric carts, and white-knuckled vigilance.

Role

The Ashford Loyalists are the armed coalition holding the Behemoth's systems and civilian population while preparing to destroy the gate home.

Relationships