History and Lore Expanded
The Celestial Light Brigade is a rag-tag group of Idealists united by their common cause of eradicating evil from the galaxy with purging fire. Many of the members of the CLB are veterans of the Pegasi Pirate War displaced by Archon Delaine fighting for the liberation of their homes; many others are independents aligned with the Brigade because of their mission to eradicate evils such as piracy and slavery from the galaxy. The Brigade has united itself with Aisling Duval’s message of liberation and as such considers itself affiliated with the empire. They remain committed to enfranchising the marginalized and avenging the dead.The Celestial Light Brigade’s Lore and Path to Recognition:
“Half a league, half a league,
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
"Forward, the Light Brigade!
"Charge for the guns!" he said:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
"Forward, the Light Brigade!"
Was there a man dismay'd?
Not tho' the soldier knew
Someone had blunder'd:
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon in front of them
Volley'd and thunder'd;
Storm'd at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of Hell
Rode the six hundred.
Flash'd all their sabres bare,
Flash'd as they turn'd in air,
Sabring the gunners there,
Charging an army, while
All the world wonder'd:
Plunged in the battery-smoke
Right thro' the line they broke;
Cossack and Russian
Reel'd from the sabre stroke
Shatter'd and sunder'd.
Then they rode back, but not
Not the six hundred.
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon behind them
Volley'd and thunder'd;
Storm'd at with shot and shell,
While horse and hero fell,
They that had fought so well
Came thro' the jaws of Death
Back from the mouth of Hell,
All that was left of them,
Left of six hundred.
When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wondered.
Honor the charge they made,
Honor the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred.”
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems-and-poets/poems/detail/45319
Remnants of the Pegasi Pirate War:
Due to the Pegasi Pirate War a seemingly motley assortment of privateers, smugglers, bounty hunters, traders, miners, and general brigands began to find refuge throughout the bordering Empire space. As to be expected this began to cause raise some eyebrows among the Imperial citizenry.
Self organizing and self supporting, these brigands had proved over and over that no system was out of their reach. They supported each other, equipping fledgling combat ships, organized into wings, or flying astounding feats of solo combat. They arrived at stations throughout empire space with metals, supplies, communications, and accolades that distinguished this band of commanders; they made their presence known. They showed a remarkable commitment to their goals, indifferent to any recognition from Imperial authorities. The goal of liberating their homes and families drove them onward.
It was decided to legitimize them and give the displaced pilots a chance to earn a place within the empire. Through loyalty and combat the brigands became their own brigade, the Celestial Light Brigade.
The core of the Celestial Light Brigade is made up of a larger number of combat veterans of the Pegasi Pirate War. During the conflict, many of their once-peaceful homes were sacked and enslaved by the hordes of Kumo Crew pirates. For these, the war never ended. Since then, the members of the Celestial Light Brigade have banded together to put a permanent end to the organized piracy that has claimed their homes and free their lands and families from the Archon’s grip. The most prominent among them is their de facto leader Emily Tennyson, the “Scourge of Sopontet.” She is the dethroned Consul of Sopontet who has vowed to burn the Kumo Crew fleet to the ground, by her own hand alone if necessary. She has earned a reputation among the Kumo Crew has an indefatigable avenger for her oppressed people.
The Celestial Light Brigade has spent the time since the war gathering strength, assets, and allies near the Imperial refuge they are constructing in Aisling Duval space. They prepare night and day for the eventual invasion of Kumo Crew space and the glorious day of liberation for their families, friends, and land.