Military Organisation of the SDU

Within the Socialist Democratic Union there are a number of

agencies dedicated to the defence of the Revolution. Foremost among
these is the Socialist Liberation Army, which is itself split into two main
wings. The first and largest is the Peoples’ Army, which traces its
origins back to the beginning of the Revolution. The second is the SLA
Revolutionary Guard, or Red Guard as they are commonly known. In
addition there are two main intelligence organisations, the Internal and
External Security Directorates. As their names suggest, one is
responsible for internal security and the other for external security.
Meanwhile, the Revolutionary Navy is responsible for transporting
troops to battle, providing air support and orbital artillery.

The SLA Peoples’ Army is the main body of soldiers called upon
to fight in the name of the Revolution. This vast organisation fields
everything from Titan – class walkers, mobile fortresses and super-
heavy artillery, to line troops, commando units, infiltrators and
guerrillas. However, they are best known for their masses of light
infantry and heavy battle tanks. Due to the nature of the Revolutionary
War, many SLA troops are skilled at close combat and ambush
techniques, while the SDU’s prodigious rate of industrial production
gives the SLA access to large numbers of tanks. In particular, SLA
armoured units employ a large number of super-heavy tanks fielded in
squadrons of three. Infantry and tanks are organised into squads,
platoons, divisions, companies and regiments. Special combat
formations called ‘cadres’ consist of forces drawn from a variety of
units as needed, usually in the form of ‘combined arms’ forces of
infantry and armour.

The Internal Security Directorate, or ISD, is the intelligence and

security organisation responsible for both regular police work and the
anti-espionage tactics for which it is renowned. ISD agents spy on
suspected criminals, counter-revolutionaries and Imperials, as well as
uncovering and analysing evidence to prove the guilt or innocence of
those accused of a crime. It is split in two sub-groups; the ISD Popular
Militia and the ISD Civil Defence Brigade. The first is a police force of
sorts, while the other deals with the interrogation of suspected
militants, engagement of hostile domestic forces or other difficult
situations unsuitable for the Popular Militia. In extreme circumstances
the ISD will requisition SLA units and equipment.

The External Security Directorate is the agency tasked with

infiltrating Imperial society and spreading the ideals of the Revolution.
Many of the tasks traditionally performed by intelligence units are
carried out by the ESD, including assassination, espionage and
sabotage operations. ESD Cadres can requisition SLA equipment and
personnel, much like Imperial inquisitors do within the Imperium.
Lower-level operatives often serve as spies for SLA forces, where they
receive their initial field experience. The ESD also command their own
body of elite troops, heavy infantry and armour, allowing them to
undertake missions without SLA support. They form the main source of
intelligence about the foreign enemies of the Revolution.

The Revolutionary Navy consists of five fleets, each consisting of

two battleship-class, five cruiser-class and ten destroyer/light
cruiser/gunship-class vessels. In addition, ten cruisers are permanently
seconded to the SLA’s two branches. There are also millions of fighters,
bombers and landers at the Red Navy’s disposal. Many of the ships
used by the Red Navy are unfamiliar to Imperial forces, being of an
entirely different design to early (Chaos) and later Imperial ships. They
are modified STC designs with Tau-built plasma reactors, third-
generation warp drives and the latest in etheric shielding. The cruisers
seconded by the SLA are used exclusively as troopships, each capable
of carrying a 5000-man regiment. Each of these ships has an array of
dropships on board in addition to fighter escorts and aerial fire support.

In addition to these formidable combat assets, the SDU makes

extensive use of mercenary Kroot, Eldar and Ork forces as well,
allowing them to take refuge on frontier worlds allocated to them as
‘gifts’, death-worlds unsuitable for mass habitation. The Ork and Kroot
forces are kept well supplied by the SLA, with a range of weapons and
vehicles available upon request. The Orks in particular take advantage
of this, going so far as to maintain their own intelligence organisation
(of sorts), armoured regiments and heavy support units. Their leaders,
medics and mechanics are spirited away for special training and
indoctrination at custom-built orbital education centres, and are well-
paid for their efforts. Foremost among them is Grand Warlord (and
honorary SLA Captain) Kaptin Kanstompa, commander of the
mercenary Ork force on Pastora 6.

A small Eldar pirate fleet has been permitted to operate as Red

privateers; covering the infiltration of ESD cadres into the Imperium
and interrupting Imperial shipping. They have also provided advisors to
the BMS and the Socialist Democrat Party. However, their motives are
questionable and they are at least as skilled as the Tau Water Caste at
the art of persuasion. They have demanded operational control over
SLA assets on many occasions for reasons they refuse to explain. For
now though, with Eldar technicians assisting in weapons and transport
research, their meddling and intrigue must be tolerated.

Together, this diverse and noble alliance for galactic justice

stands against those which seek to oppress and enslave us. Each fulfils
a necessary and valuable role in the defence of the Revolution. They
protect our homes, defend our ideals and fight to free those enslaved
by the Imperium of Man. None can withstand the might of the Union,
made all the more powerful by our alliance with the Tau Empire.