501st Mechanized Infantry Regiment

"We honor our vows as it is written down on the old scripture of which He Himself wrote during our liberation and reunification with our real home. And through this, we shall stand united as one. We, the Cordanian people, will never forget His mercy and His divine justice to those who had wronged us. So forever onwards...we shall answer the call."

- Attributed to (unknown Colonel) the first 501st Regimental Commander

The 501st Mechanized Infantry Regiment, known formally in Imperial records as the 501st Cordanian Mechanized Infantry Regiment, is considered one of the greatest and one of the oldest regiments of the Astra Militarum, and it is one of the largest and most decorated regiments of the Cordanian System. As they have a long honorary history of service to the Imperium of man.

Regimental History
The history of the Regiments Formation dates back to "The Long War" of which the Cordanian system was under siege from the Foul xeno race known as the Drukhari which they had been fighting them for over 70 years. During that time... the inhabitants of the planets of Cordania Prime and Forge World Manis was keeping their ships from orbital bombardment them with their Ground-to-void cannons and the surviving Mechanicus ships. But on the ground, in the Mericonia Region of the planet of Cordania Prime of which they used a great deal of the wilderness of layout the lands to there advantage against the Dark Eldar as of over the Years they had been using Guerilla warfare against them, and greatly counter-attacking there ambushes and raids. However, they had been at large stalemates against them with one side unable to greatly winning over the other. But that all ended with its rediscovery by the Imerpuim of Man during the Great Crusade. With the aid of the Legiones Astartes of the XIX, The XVIII, and the IX Legions.

After the Meeting with the Emperor of Mankind himself and the signing of the treaties, the armies of the System was formed up and the 501st was born. They were assigned to the XIX due to there skills of battle, which would later be officially named the Raven Guard after being reunited with there gene-father. Even Corvus Corax himself have noted the Cordanian people and the service members that were under his command, as they are very versatile quick learners. But what really impressed him was how far that they are willing to sacrifice for his sons.

During the events of the Drop Site Massacre of Istvaan V, Whole companies of the 501st chose to stay behind while the surviving Raven Guard force used there transports to escape the world. A great deal of the Legion was surprised by there actions and self-sacrifice for them. They would later regroup back to the Cordania system to recover and prepare for Horus and his forces. But a great coup was made by many of Cordanian's own people & military forces had betrayed them, and announced that swore full fidelity to Horus Lupercal and they were aided by Alpha legionnaires. Which infiltrated within the ranks of the Raven Guard that were in the system. The coup itself was swiftly put down by the combined force of the Imperium and the Primisus Knight Corps. However, the damage was already done and they successfully crippled a great deal of the system as it was exactly what Horus had planned. But did not stop them from serving the Emperor and their oaths of duty. They will be one of many Imperial Army Element of which helped in the defense of the Imperial Palace.

After the events Horus Heresy and the breaking down of Imperial forces, Corvus Corax grated them to have there Legion symbol as a sign of great gratitude and remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice to save as many of his sons, including him. To this day the 501st wear it on there regimental patch and banners with great pride and never forgetting Corvus Corax great gift to them. Even though happy as they were... They felt they much redeemed their people as a great deal of them betrayed the Imperium and they were unable to help more for Imperium in there time of need. So under the command of Primarch Roboute Guilliman of the Ultramarines, chanced the Traitor legions back to Eye of Eye of Terror. then Help to put order back into the fractured Imperium. After 7 long years, all of the Imerpuim's military forces reformed and reorganized the 501st Mechanized Legion into the 501st Mechanized Infantry Regiment current which they are now currently in the 42nd millennium.

The War of the Beast (544-546.M32)
(WIP)

The Rermus Campaign (405.M41)
On an agri/research planet of Rermus, an unknown enemy appeared on the planet from under the surface of the planet and dig their way through to the civilian settlements and PDF base across the planet. The call for aid has been sent into Terra. Segmentum Command has sent in the 501st Cordanian MIR, 302nd Cadian Shock Troops Regiment, and small elements of the Kasrkin Stormtroopers. They also have to accompany with Inquisitor Agrippa from the Ordo Xenos to investigate the planet and the status of the research stations. When they got there, most of the population was killed and the survivors were sent to the last PDF/Research stations that were on the planet. Which was using an experimental psychic field which masks their location from the unknown xenos race? So they set up their forward operating base in the research station. They have also set up a command center in the main administrative building of the station. But as for most of the base, Astra Militarum, and the civilian population was not allowed enter most of the base as they are under the rule of the Inquisition. Only members were allowed to roam free across the station, but any found getting close to the main entrances of the main research builds, was prosecuted and was not even seen again.

As for the unknown xenos enemy, during the regiment's first engagement, they brought back the remains to Inquisitor Agrippa to study. They also have to give accounts to her about the tactics and behavior of the xenos race. They gave their accounts that they do have the intelligence to use most of the basic weapons the Imperial Guard. But the majority of them will simply rush at the targets with their massive numbers to try overrun the squads. Using makeshift weapons such as blades or even using their own sharp rodent-like teeth. They even had an encounter with larger versions of the xenos race, which have been theorized that this is some type of mutation or some type of warp influence being used to create these abominations.

Over the past few months, they have been fighting the hostile xenos race to regain lost PDF bases from the vile xenos. They soon got additional help from the 182nd, the 'Scotia Warriors'. As they used their power shields units and melee skills to fight the Xenos at their own game. But thanks to the Squat's forge masters and the Mechanicus element from Manis. They came up with an idea to end the xenos threat. They used specialized missiles which will dig down the mapped tunnel systems and donate their promethium payloads to fill the tunnels with fire. This took some time for them to get most of the tunnels mapped out then they unleash specialized missiles across the planet which caused earthquakes across the planet. But this killed 90% of the xenos race. But the rest was whipped out by Imperial Forces... down to the last. But is still unknown about the xenos of how they got to the planet, how long they been there when the first human settlements have been made. But most of this knowledge of these question are locked away under the orders of the Inquisition.

First War for Armageddon (444-445.M41)
The 501st was one of many regiments that were ordered to help in the defense of Armageddon from the forces of Chaos. Lead by the Daemon Primarch, Angron and his Chaos warbands of World Eaters Traitor Legion. It was a very costly war to Regiment. But with the aid of Great Wolf Logan Grimnar of the Space Wolves and Brother-Captain Taremar Aurellian of the Grey Knights. They manage to drive off the Forces of Chaos. But when the war was over, the Inquisition have ordered the Regiment and the Space Wolves to hand over the surviving population of Armageddon to be process and purge. Both were greatly against the dishonorable act that they were doing. Addition to this. They have to give up some of their companies to be quarantine and test for corruption. After many fights between them, they were forced to give up the survivors and three full platoons of royal soldiers who bravely fought against the forces of Chaos. Both the Space Wolves and Cordanians never forgave the Inquisition for this and see this organization as one of the greatest sources of corruption than any in the Imperium. But many years after the war, only the Veterans and the General Staff truly know as to what happened after the War and they will like to keep this knowledge to themselves and their system government in fear that their home system will be placed under an act of Heresy and purge from the Imperium.

The Fall of Dolumar IV (Unknown Date-700s.M41)
A call for aid was sent out to the Adeptus Administratum as the Planetary Governor (Meyloch Severus) was concerned of the Tau Empire are planning on attacking the Desert World of Dolumar IV. They sent in the 501st, the 182nd and the 111th Cordanian Regiments to aid in the coming war. But a warp storm has cut off the main route to the planet so they have to reroute their path. They came to the system a week late and the Tau have already made steady progress against Dolumar Planetary Defense Forces. So when they had analyzed the threat. They unload all of their transport ships across the battlefields while the Battlefleet was providing cover for them to the surface while they can hold of the Tau battlefleet and try to cut off their reinforcements. They successfully got all of their regimental troop carriers to the planet. Their task now is to regain grounds and trench lines that were lost from the Tau forces. These tasks are given to the 501st and the 182nd, while the 111th is given the task of clearing out civilian population out of the war zone while also providing aid to the surviving Dolumar Planetary Defense Forces. They were making great progress against the Tau forces until a high order was given by Captain Ardias of the 3rd Company of the Ultramarines. That all Imperial Force now must stand down. This did not sit well with most of the Imperial Guard personnel, but they have followed their orders. But the Imperial forces were then betrayed by the Planetary Governor Meyloch Severus. And a Word Bearers Chaos Warband made a massive surprise attack on the planet. So they begin an evacuation of the remaining civilian population, they also greatly made sure that they don't have any knowledge of Chaos. They use their own psykers to mind cleanse them of the knowledge of Chaos.

The War of Blood (751.M41)
On the planet of Mortem III, the planet was being an attack internally by Chaos Blood cult along with some of their own PDF being converted to the Blood Pacts. Much to the incompetents of their planetary governor, his advisors have told him that they need to get to call in for aid if they are dealing with a Chaos incursion. However did not allow this as he just sees them as a minor nuisance that the PDF can deal with easily. Against his wishes, his advisors have sent a message to Administratum to help in this threat. He later found out about this and he has greatly angered so he put them in prison and later to be put to death. But regiments came days after and release the advisors before the execution can go through, as they see them doing their duty to the Emperor. The planetary governor was put to death for incompetents and allowing Chaos to take hold of the planet. He was executed by the Senior Commissar of the 501st Regiment and they begin their war against the blood pacts. They would later get additional aid from the Preceptory of the Adepta Sororitas of the Order of Our Martyred Lady. It was a bloody conflict but they manage to put an end to the conflict and found the World Eaters Terminator Squad that was leading the war. After they lured them to the opening. Several of their heavy weapon squads opened fire on the traitors until there was nothing but a bloody mess.

The First Cordanian-Severan Dominate War (801-802.M41)
Several years after the Calixis Sector seceded from the Imperium of Man under the leadership of the former Sub-sector Governor of the Periphery, Duke Severus XIII of Kulth and became the Severan Dominate. The 501st and several Cordanian Regiments was sent to reclaim the system and bring them back into Imperial Compliance. They soon found out that they have made deals with some of the vile xenos races. One of these race was their most hated foe, the vile Drukhari. Finding evidence of this and the heresy that the Severan Dominate was doing to their own citizens. They quickly went to the Haeresis System and begun their first campaign. They may have known that the Imperium was coming but they did not know how fast the Cordanians would arrived and begin their attacks. They manage to quickly take out the system's fleet, Planetary defense weapons and then made planetfall. Within two days, they establish a FOB on the capital planet of the system. The 501st, 560th, and the 412th Cordanian Regiments will handle the Capital planet while the other Cordanian Regiments will bring the other planets and research stations back to Imperial Compliance. By the end of the year, the war was won. But they stuck around a bit longer so that the system has a strong defense for Imperium and the loyal citizens were safe from any counter-attack from the Severan Dominate or any other enemy of man.

Second War for Armageddon (941-943.M41)
The regiment was once again was sent to the Hive World of Armageddon. This time, to aid in the defense against the massive WAAAGH! of the infamous Ork Warboss Ghazghkull Mag Uruk Thraka. However, they were the only regiment that manages to arrive early to Armageddon. By the time the regiment have got there. Many of its cities have already fallen to the Ork WAAAGH! There only hope is to make contact with one of the surviving cities under the command of Senior Commissar Sebastian Yarrick. Yarrick has ordered the regiment to make an outside defense of the city of Hades Hive. Which he gave them the task to set up important strategic locations where they can hold off the WAAAGH! Until they could bolster the defenses of Hades Hive or until further reinforcement can arrive. With the aid of the Armageddon Steel Legion, they managed to hold the Ork WAAAGH for 3 whole days until the fourth day. Their Ratling units in the 6th and 7th companies had weakened some of its defenses. Because of this, Yarrick ordered the regiment to fall back to the Hades Hive for the final defense. However, thanks to Commissar Yarrick's superb Leadership, they managed to hold off the Ork WAAAGH! until the timely arrival of Lord Commander Dante of the Blood Angels Space Marine Chapter, whom the defenders of Armageddon turned to for leadership. Thanks to Commissar Yarrick, this was a big turning point that helped win the Second War for Armageddon. But the relations with the Abhuman Ratlings was fully broken and to this day, The 501st Regiments refused to fight alongside them unless when they greatly need too and there is a Commissar or an officer present at all times with the Ratling squads.

The Therone Hive War (961.M41)
A small splinter hive fleet had come upon the hive world of Botrus IV. Fortunately, one of the Cordanian battle fleets was in the system when the hive fleet invaded. However, they only had a few troop carriers that have a few platoons of the 501st and the 111th at the time. These two units dispatched their scout ships out to answer the call for reinforcements. Even if it was a small splinter hive fleet, they were comprised of potentially thousands, or even millions, of Tyranid bio-organisms. These Astra Militarum regiments had to hold the main infection areas where the Tyranids made planetfall, until they could receive more aid. It took several days for the scout ship to answer the beleaguered world's call for aid to be sent outside the range of the Tyranids' Shadow of the Warp null-effect. But now the Imperial defenders had to further hold out for the next four weeks. They were forced to to bombard the inter-lands and parts of cities just to slow down the Tyranids' inexorable advance. They were even forced to abandon a hive city when they could no longer hold it, but they managed to hold out and receive much needed aid when their regiment and several other additional regiments from Cadia arrived. They drove back the Tyranids until they reached the Lost Hive city. However, there were millions of Tyranids all over the city and it would be too costly to retake. Officially, there is no knowledge that the city had any survivors after the evacuation and retreat from the city. So the Imperial forces opted to bombard the hive city until there was nothing but a crater of rubble and dust. As for the Hive Fleet, Therone was completely destroyed, down to their smallest ships and troops. The hive fleet is believed to have been utterly destroyed, but was later found again decades later.

Dark Rain at Vallenin (967.M41)
The 501st and several other regiments were dispatched to free the enslaved population of the Agri-world of Vallenin from the Drukhari Kabal of Lethal Guile,. The regiment was also accompanied by the Ultramarines' 3rd Company to help in this cause, but they were sorely pressed by the xenos' grav-craft until their Hunters were deployed to reap a great tally amongst the swift craft. In the end, Imperial forces killed every Drukhari raider on the planet, down to the last warrior. They even destroyed the webway gate that was on the planet, cutting off any survivors from escaping. The regiment claimed an extensive collection of trophies, including over three hundred sets of Drukhari ears and three heads from the Drukhari's high-ranking commanders. This brought a great boost in moral to the 501st who honored their oaths they had taken before leaving their home system.

Tartarus Campaign (Unknown Date.M41)
Even if the 501st did not take much part in the campaign, they did assist in the evacuation of the civilians against an unnamed Ork WAAAGH! To compound matter, they also confirmed that there was a presence of Chaos on the planet. The regiment made every effort to save as many people as possible and to also ensure the planet's refugees weren't exposed to the existence of Chaos so that they would not suffer a terrible fate at the hands of the Inquisition.

The Evacuation of Septem XI (970.M41)
The planet of Septem XI comes under a plague unleashed by the Chaos God Nurgle, releasing the dreadful Zombie Plague upon the doomed world. This plague quickly claimed most of the hive cities on the planet. Septem XI was soon deemed lost to the Imperium. During the final days of the planet, the 501st sent out 5 full platoons of soldiers along with their support elements of heavy armour and mechanised vehicles. They managed to hold out against the hordes of zombies and managed to evacuate the last of the uninfected survivors off-world before the wall defences finally fell. The regiment also managed to get most of the last remaining armed forces out before the seal of Exterminatus was enacted. The regiment suffered the loss of six full companies, with one company whittled down to only a squad of survivors. Following this campaign it took nearly two-and-a-half years to re-constitute their ranks, since they suffered the loss of some of their finest platoons of the 501st.

The Cleansing of Lutum VI (988-990.M41)
Within the Quisquiliae sub-sector, a mining world of Lutum VI went into revolt when the planetary governor declared that planet was no longer under Imperial control. Communications were shortly cut off after the revolt. The Departmento Munitorum and Segmentum Command ordered the 501st, 182nd and the 101st Cordanian Regiments to meet up with Inquisitors representing both the Ordo Hereticus (Inquisitor Veruim Orruptem) and the Ordo Xenos (Inquisitor Noli Timere). Much of the disgust to the General Officers in aiding the Inquisition, they followed their orders and continued their duties to the Imperium. When they entered the system, they were shot at from Lutrum's surface, but they managed to make contact with the surviving Lutum PDF. They were then informed as to why the revolt had occurred - the planetary governor was, in fact, part of an insidious Genestealer Cult. This situation also did not help that most of the population had fallen under the control of these vile xenos infiltrators. Receiving such grave news, the Inquisitors knew that this was just the first stage of an inevitable Tyranid invasion, and if they did not get back control of the planet before the hive fleet arrived, the surviving population would be consumed by the Great Devourer. Or in the worst case scenario, the Inquisition would be forced to enact Exterminatus upon the doomed world in order to deny the Hive Fleet of biomass. The Imperial force knew that had to act fast if they wished to save the planet and its people from damnation.

The Imperials quickly managed to retake control of the planetary defense weapons of Lutum's main military base, then called in for more support. Within 8 weeks, they managed to receive a full Astra Militarum Shock Troops regiment from Cadia and several companies from both the Raptors and Iron Hands Space Marine Chapters. The Imperial forces on Lutum even received several companies from the elite xenos-hunting Deathwatch Space Marine Chapter. But what surprised them most, was when they received aid from a Commandery of the Order of the Argent Shroud of the Adepta Sororitas, that was enroute back to their homeworld when they received the astropathic distress message. Commanded by Canoness Commander Maria, the Battle-Sisters quickly changed course and went to aid the Imperium's efforts to cleanse the planet from the Genestealers after receiving the call for aid. It took three years to fully cleanse the Genestealer cults off the planet - city by city, settlement by settlement, mine by mine and one sewer at a time.

By the end, most the main population of 50 million had been whittled down, with at least 2-8 million citizens left alive and uninfected by the cults. But most of the population was either slaughtered by the cults or had become infected. As there was no known cure for those infected by the Genestealers, the Imperial forces knew they had to kill both the host and their vile offspring. Those who were infected that are willing to die, are granted a painless death, while the ones being uncooperative or violent were summarily executed. The estimated amount of casualties is still pending even after a decade. The amount of Genestealers that were killed, numbering approximately 20-40 million, or perhaps even more. However, even if the planet was cleansed of Genestealers, there is still the lingering threat that a Tyranid hive fleet may still be coming.

Sadly, after the events of the Gathering Storm, the entire Imperium was severely weakened following the formation of the Great Rift. The Tyranid Hive Fleet Therone had come to consume the planet. Only a few ships managed to escape the doom world while the Great Devourer consumed all that failed to escape or those who vainly stood and fought back.

The Herda V Campaign (993-994.M41)
The 501st, the 182nd, and the newly formed 600th Regiment was task with reclaiming the agri-world of Herba V from the Severan Dominate. Even if it did not have a very large military presence on the planet, the Astra Militarum still managed to receive vital Inquisitional intelligence that said the enemy was planning on constructing militarum bases and fortresses on the planet if they did not retake the planet before construction was finished. Things would be made extremely difficult for Imperium's forces in the sector, with the addition of new secessionist regiments to fight. So they understood that they needed to act quickly on this intelligence. Imperial command secretly sent in several Valorcus Special Operations Forces (SOF) squads to gather more intelligence on the ground. After completing their mission they managed to sabotage key planetary defence weapons. The Imperial forces then began their attack on the planet. It would take two years, but they finally managed to fully reclaim the planet for the Imperium. This campaign took longer due to the Secessionist force's and local population's resistance, for they were still loyal to the Severan Dominate. Therefore the Imperials ensured the local population that they are there to bring the planet back under Imperial rule and that they would not suffer severe repercussions for their actions. The Cordonian regiments conducted themselves with the utmost professionalism and tact. They did not resort to busting down doors and forcing the locals to comply, like most regiments would do.

The Dark Mancipium Campaign (996.M41)
In sub-sector Ignis, the Mancipium System came under siege by the vile Drukhari. Three habitable planets of the system fell to the Drukhari, who enslaved helpless Imperial citizens by the thousands. Though it took a month after the call for aid was sent out, but eventually Astra Militarum regiments from both the 501st and the 182nd were dispatched and were the first to arrive in-system. They began to swiftly deploy on the besieged planets. After making planetfall and establishing forward operating bases, they soon received additional help in the form of the 67th and 430th Cadian Shock Troops Regiments and a Preceptory of Sisters of Battle from the Order of the Sacred Rose. Reinforced, the Imperial forces began their search-and-destroy operations to destroy the multiple Webway portals across the system and cut off the Drukhari's ability to receive reinforcements or escape from the Imperial Forces. Within a few months time, the Imperials successfully eradicated the Drukhari's presence from the system.

The Third War for Armageddon (998.M41)
The entire Regiment was sent to the Armageddon System, along with many other Astra Militarum Regiments across the Imperium, in order to mount a powerful defence of the vitally important world of Armageddon for one final time. This time, the infamous Ork Warboss Ghazghkull Thraka brought the largest Ork WAAAGH! ever seen - larger than the WAAAGh! from both the First War for Armageddon and the War of the Beast. These regiments were boasted by the arrival nine full chapters of Adeptus Astartes, and soon several of the famous and mighty First Founding Chapters answered the call-to-arms. There were a dozen Titan Legions that also took part in the conflict as well. This was one of the Imperium's largest land wars ever fought in Imperial History. They were greatly aided by the Adepta Sororitas' Order of the Argent Shroud in the evacuation of civilians and wounded. In the end, the war was just a minor victory for the Imperium when left Ghazghkull was driven off the planet, for there is still constant heavy fighting going on the besieged planet to this day. Only a few companies of the 501st were left to aid the PDF, while the rest of the Regiment was sent to Cadia when the 13th Black Crusade begun.

The Second Cordanian-Severan Dominate War (998-999.M41)
The Cordonian regiments had fought fought over a hundred wars on the Spinward Front against the Severan Dominate, that has seceded from the Imperium of Man under the leadership of the former Sub-sector Governor of the Periphery, Duke Severus XIII of Kulth. The 501st reclaimed over a dozen planets until the 13th Black Crusade had begun. The majority of the Regiment was sent to aid the Imperial forces fighting the Forces of Chaos. So all they could spare was several platoons aiding many other regiments such as the Death Korps of Krieg, Tallarn Desert Raiders, the Armageddon Steel Legions, and the Cadians themselves. They also have to battle the Orks of WAAAGH! Grimtoof.

The Gathering Storm (999.M41)
The regiment took part in the defense against Warmaster Abaddon and his 13th Black Crusade. They were deployed to the surface of Cadia to help the local military regain control of the planet from the Forces of Chaos. The regiment had recently received aid from the Adepta Sororitas, fighting alongside the Orders of the Argent Shroud and Sacred Rose once again. But later on during the conflict, they were all betrayed by several other Astra Militarum Regiments, including many of their own. Many high ranking generals and officers were killed, leaving Ursarkar E. Creed as the highest ranking senior officer on Cadia. They managed to bring down the Traitors regiments, but they knew that this was only the beginning of the onslaught and was merely a small sign of what was to come. These Astra Militarum regiments did not stand idly by, and so, they continued to maintain their daily patrols, drills, and kept themselves ready at a moment's notice.

When Abaddon the Despoiler and his Black Crusade finally came, the Imperial forces on Cadia were ready, but even with the combined battle fleets throughout the Imperium arrayed against the Warmaster's Black Fleet, they were severely battered, and many Chaos vessels broke through the Imperial blockade. Even the vast planetary defence weapons of Cadia could only manage to shoot down so many ships and transports. There were even ships that initially crashed into the planet while other Chaos vessels targeted the planetary defence weapons. This left a wide gap for the Traitors to exploit and land their troops. Millions were killed within hours and millions more died as they made planetfall. Many more died in the following days, even with many great regiments throughout the Imperium and the aid of the zealous Black Templars. The Imperial forces were forced to keep falling back to more trench lines and fortresses. But they made sure they did not pay without exacting a heavy toll against their foes. The Imperial forces even received aid from a highly unlikely ally in the form of the infamous Necron, Trazyn the Infinite. He unleashed several additional forces from his personal collection, including Inquisitor Grayfax of the Ordo Hereticus.

During the great battles fought on Cadia's Elysian Fields, when all hope seemed lost, there was a bright light that blinded many on the field, but burned and banished a vast amount of daemons from their midst. Everyone saw the arrival of a beautiful black-haired angel on the battlefield, and in that moment all fighting ceased and many of the 501st and the Sisters of Battle kneeled before the Living Saint. The Imperials all saw that their prayers had been answered by the God-Emperor. With a loud voice, she inspired all the Imperials to rise up and retake the battle to the Traitors. She was not alone, for behind her stood a force of the most unusual Astartes. They were arrayed in battle-plate that was as black as night, with bones and fetishes decorating their surface and their bodies were wholly engulfed in holy fire which seemed to burn any daemons that came in close proximity to them.

This brought great inspiration to all the Imperials who heard the Living Saint. With this new relief of vigor, the Imperial forces made a great counter-attack against the Traitors. But there was still a great multitude of them as well as endless daemonic legions materialising from the Warp, to assist the Traitors. There seemed to be no end to the fighting, until all the forces of the Imperium were either killed or enslaved. With the help of the Necron Lord, Trazyn and the Archmagos Dominus Belisarius Cawl, they both managed to successfully reactivate all of the mysterious Cadian Pylons located across the planet. Once activated, these arcane devices banished all the daemons from the material realm, but unfortunately, also banished the Legion of the Damned from their midst. The activation of the pylons also caused great pain to all the psykers present the field of battle, with several dying from great pain. Many soldiers and Astartes on both sides had also been afflicted by this great pain as well, with blood coming out of their nose and eyes. The Living Saint, Celestine, also had her powers greatly weakened, due to the pylons awakening. However, both sides fought on.

Abaddon had enough of the Imperials stalling his Black Crusade's progress, for had had already wasted too much time and lost too much of his forces. When he retreated off-planet, he then ordered the remains of the Blackstone Fortress under his control, to be launched into the surface of Cadia. Despite the efforts of the Imperial Fists efforts, their flagship Phalanx was unable to fully halt the progress of the falling Blackstone Fortress. Though much of the ancient alien device was destroyed by the formidable array of weapons the mobile, fortress-monastery was able to bring to bear, they could not halt the progress of the large debris that still rained down upon the surface of the doomed planet below. The impact of this debris caused a chain reaction which resulted in massive tectonic shifts in Cadia's land masses. This caused the planet's volcanoes to erupt, releasing lava all across the world's surface, and finally resulted in a severe tectonic shift, causing the dying planet to explode spectacularly. Just before the planet's destruction, the remaining Imperial forces continued to vainly fight on. Sensing the inevitable doom of the planet, they evacuated what little of the civilians that were left alive on the planet's surface. Many great men and women stayed behind to defend the retreating forces and the civilians. The 501st were one of these forces, and were nearly destroyed as of many great regiments from Cordania Prime, but many, were completely destroyed, down to the last man.

Many of the Imperial forces were forced to land on Cadia's moon and most of the battle fleets retreated out of the system. But still, many chose to stay behind and hold the Traitors for their allies to retreat and regroup. Many platoons of the 501st were stranded on a moon, along with many of the forces of the Adeptus mechanicus, the Black Templars, other Astra Militarum Regiments even Inquisitor Grayfax herself. Fortunately, fate smiled upon them, and the Imperials were saved from those most unlikely of saviors - the wily and often arrogant Aeldari. Much to the 501st ' s disgust, they did not have much of a choice in the matter, and though reluctant, they agreed to flee alongside the xenos. They journeyed through the Webway and ended up on the other side of the galaxy, on the Ultramarines Chapter homeworld, Macragge. There, they encountered the remains of the Traitors they had fought on Cadia. The Imperial forces that fled Cadia were greatly aided by reinforcements from the Ultramarines and Macragge's elite PDF forces, but they were still losing a lot of ground. Unexpectedly, they received further aid in the form of over a hundred Raven Guard Astartes that went to Macragge to aid their fellow chapter. Even though the 501st had been whittled down to only a few battalions, they wished to fight alongside the great Chapter of which they had severed millennia earlier.

The Imperial forces soon bore witness to one of the greatest moments in the Imperium's history - the rise of the long-dead Primarch, Roboute Guilliman. Awoken from his millennia-long stasis, he was ready to save the Imperium in its greatest hour of need. Even though Guilliman was confused by some of the regiments' behaviors, like the 501st, which simply saluted the Primarch but kneeled before the Raven Guard. But what was most unusual was when he met the 111st, many of which bore the symbols of his Ultramarines, but were not, in fact, from his home planet. They only had one senior officer left from the 111st that survived the Fall of Cadia, who told the Primarch in a great speech of their regiment. Soon the Primarch recalled back in his long memory the world of Cordania Prime and having an Imperial Army Regiment or two that his Ultramarines Legion had fought alongside during the Great Crusade. But the Primarch was more surprised that they still remembered him after ten thousand years.

After the Imperial forces drove the Traitor forces out of the Macragge System, they brought many of their fallen comrades of the Raven Guard and the 501st with them. Guilliman has seen their great strength and zeal. Despite only a few platoons remaining, they had fought on for the Imperium and the Emperor, as well as the remaining great regiments that had survived the Fall of Cadia. The Primarch infuriated both the Grey Knights and the Inquisition who were present, as he allowed these Astra Militarum forces to back to their home systems. There, they were to replenish themselves and rebuild their numbers back to full-strength and await the Primarch's call to war. What was left of the Cordanian Regiments and many of the Sisters of Battle, They had left the planet, with escort ships of Macragge Navy Battlefleet to escort them back home, but unfortunately were lost in the warp and had skipped 200 years into the future which they turned up in their own system. They saw their great planet that was once a beautiful civilized agri-world turned into something that greatly horrified them and what it had become.

The Hunt for the Corrupted (Unknown Date.m42)
(WIP)

Khaigara Campaign (Unknown Date.m42)
(WIP)

Regimental Organisation
The 501st is organized much more differently then most other Cordanian regiments as they have a much larger than other regiments as the average size of a Cordanian Regiment is 10,000 but 501st has roughly 250,000 of total personal while their max was over 300,000. This is due to the fact they want to be where ever the Imperium needs them most and living up to there own reputation of being one of the greatest regiments within the Imperial Guard. Due to there high numbers that have reorganization numbers for the Regiment.


 * Regiment - between 250k to 300k, Commanded by a Colonel
 * Battalion - 25k of personal, Commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel
 * Company - 5k of personal, Commanded by a Captian or a Major
 * Platoon -between 1k of personal, Commanded by a Lieutenant
 * Conscript Squad - between 10 to 30, Commanded by a Commissar or a veteran Non-Commissioned Officer
 * Standard Squad - between 8 to 14, Commanded by a Corporal or higher

Training
There training is mostly the same as most Imperial Guard, but they train their soldiers to be versatile as they can be. As they are trained to survive and fight in any variety of planet environments that are in the Galaxy. As they have a great number of places within the Cordanian System that they train the cadets and even in high tech combat simulations. But the Training is brutal and hard then most other cordanian regiments. To the point that it is a really common case of recruits passing out due to exhaustion and sent to medical. even the Drafties and conscripts are free from this harsh Training, even they are put through to the max.

The average training time for most of their regiments will 10 weeks of just basic training, and the completion of their training will be close to 15 or 20 weeks. To those that have not succeeded, are just put into the Cordania Prime PDF or Imperial Guard reserves until they have to redo their training. But those who have succeeded, are considered the best that the Cordania System has to offer. But with the Imperium is contest war set upon all sides of the Empire. The 501st have to train entire platoons on particular skills to minimize the amount of time to train these troops were the Imperium need them most. If it is the vile xeno races, the Severan Dominate, the Tyranids, or the vile forces of Chaos.

Chain-of-Command
Regiments chain-of-command does differ from other Imperial Guard. But they also show their own system of their own military hierarchy though certain colors and badges. Their Conscripts or Draftees as they call them if they are from their own home system will be given white Aquila and emblems on their armor. They will also be a white strip across on the lower part of the shoulder pads. Fully trained standard soldiers will be given steel Aquila and emblems. As for Non-Commissioned Officers, they will be given silver Aquila and emblems. Finally, for general Regimental Officers or higher will be given golden Aquila and emblems. Regimental veterans will also be given golden Aquila and emblems on their armor. The veterans also have a lite color olive drab stripe on their helmets and an olive drab stripe on their shoulder pads. The Rank of Veteran is not much of a rank of all but rather a title to those who decorated themselves in a war or had survived a number of campaigns in their service. But the title has many advantages as they are granted a lot more access in the Imperium's armaments

From highest to lowest, the ranks of the regiment include:

Senior Commissioned Officer Ranks

 * Colonel
 * Lieutenant Colonel
 * Major
 * Captain

Commissioned Officer Ranks

 * 1st Lieutenant
 * 2nd Lieutenant

Warrant Officer Ranks

 * Master Warrant Officer
 * Chief Warrant Officer
 * Warrant Officer

Senior Non-Commissioned Officers

 * Command Sergeant Major
 * Sergeant Major
 * 1st Sergeant
 * Master Sergeant

Non-Commissioned Officers

 * Sergeant 1st Class
 * Staff Sergeant
 * Sergeant
 * Corporal

Line Ranks

 * Specialist
 * Private 1st Class
 * Private
 * Cadet or Conscript

Anatomy of the 501st
The Cordanian people are very well disciplined and steep with military traditions. As they see that to have a civilization, you also must have a well trained and well-equipped military to back it up. As well of most of its civilians to support them in any event. This also extends to the Regiment itself, as well as do, take longer than most others in campaigns. Which they make sure that that the world itself is rebuilt and have strong defenses to help defend themselves from any threats... even training the planet's PDF forces as well.

Relations with Abhumans and the Regiments
The Abhumans like the Ogryns, the Squats, the Ratlings, or any other Abhuman races. The Ogryns are an Abhuman race that greatly needed to any Cordanian Guard regiment. This also goes for the 501st as well, as they are one of the toughest Abhuman that the Astra Militarum can offer. The Ogryns have been known to be so strong that they can rip Chaos Marines apart and some of the toughest Orks known. But due to their low intelligence and having a very nasty odor that many will not like to fight close to them. This does not help that when an Ogryn is angered. It is very tough to claim him. They also want to keep them away from any civilian populations. This is due to their sheer height and looks that the Ogryns have will most likely scare the civilians rather for them to come to the Regiment for aid or want to be recruited as a conscript.

Squats in the other hand have a different Treatment in the Cordanian Regiments. the Cordanians have strong ties with squats. As they develop strong trade routes together and the squat houses they do trade with. The Squad houses that they do the most trade with, are ones who withholding the many values that the Cordanians do. They are very skilled fighters as well and really good cooks as well. Even have a great deal of knowledge ballistic weapons and they are often found help others maintaining their weapons.

As for the Ratlings, let's just say that the 501st greatly dislike them as they (Also so many other Cordanian regiments) have been causing way too many problems with them. The reason why for this resentment against them, happen during the Second War for Armageddon. When the 501st send 3 full platoons and armor attachment from Armageddon, to hold an important strategic point to protect the hive city of Hades Hive. But being hammered by constant Orks waves has taken its toll on the regiment. They were getting low on food, water, ammo, and major supplies. They will not be expected to be reinforced and resupplied within the week. But during late in the night, most of their food and supplies went missing and a Baneblade that has been reported stolen during the night as well. When the tank crew was performing repairs on it. The Squats and the Cordanians are greatly angered by this and blame the Ratlings for having been nothing but trouble since they were first drafted to the to the 6th and 7th companies. This does not help that their anger was justified when a Commissar has investigated and found some of the missing supplies off of one of the Ratlings.

They were soon interrogated by the Commissar and gotten the confessions out of Ratling's squad that they were, in fact, the ones responsible for the stolen supplies and stealing the Baneblade for a drunken joyride. The regimental officers and the Commissar himself soon sent the Ratling squad to execution by firing squad to make an example of to the rest of the Ratling squads to ever steal Militarum property. To this day the 501st refuses to work alongside them unless they absurdly need too and there is a Commissar or an officer present at all times with a Ratling squad.

But when it comes to psykers, the Cordanian people had ever trusted them and never used them in any combat roles. This due to the ancient history that had happen on Cordania Prime during the fall of the Golden Age of Technology. The only time they authorized the " Flagellum Memoriae Protocol" which in any event that any guardsmen or civilian saw something that they should not have. They get there minds whipped away and rewritten with something else.

But relations of other special regiments like the Catachan Jungle Fighters or The Armageddon Steel Legion will get along well enough for the most of the time. But like any regiment, there will be a few that will come to blows with each other as Cordanian own beliefs and customs are way different than most of the Imperium. As they have lesser harsh punishments and have more freedoms than what they are allowed in the Imperium. To most, they will be deemed unfit or too weak for service. But in fact, make the regiment as a tight net brotherhood with their officers and their fellow comrades. This mostly gets very pleasant results, as the other outside regiments are mostly allowed the same treatment as they will fight side by side with each other in battle.

Unique Regimental Units of the 501st
The in a addition to their training, they set up their own specialized roles within their own squads then what most regiments do.

Heavy Auto Gunners
These soldiers are trained in medium to long range combat as they are used to suppress the enemy and to allow the other squad mates to advance forward. They also can be to an Ammo Carrier partner if there is a room in the squad to allow it. The issued weapons that these units are given an MX60 or the MX249 Machine Gun and an N90 .45 cal Stubb Pistol.

Light Stub Gunners
These soldiers are trained in long-range combat as a support role. which carries Stub machine guns that it meant to be picked up by one person. They are used also to suppress the enemy and to allow the other squads. They also can be assigned with an Ammo Carrier partner. The issued weapons that these units are given an MX240 Machine Gun with two boxes of belted .308 rounds and an N90 .45 cal Stubb Pistol.

Ammo Carriers
These are soldiers who help make sure that their team or squad is supplied with ammo. They are issued with a standard issue Kantrael Pattern Lasgun. The reason for them using a Lasgun that the weapon itself is only 5 pounds as the soldier is already weighed down by weight of the ammo, this also depends on what team that the trooper is assigned to. As they can be issued to a special weapons team, heavy weapons, or just put into a standard squad. The ammo for his lasrifle itself is rechargeable and lite, as the ammo bag is meant for the whole squad, not for themselves.

Marksmen
These soldiers are trained in long-range combat as they are used to cover the squad within firefights and to pick off enemy officers. They are also trained to set up traps in place for enemy patrols. The issued with a very old flexible flak vest or simply the standard is issue MR-4 Body armor, combat webbing vest over the flak vest. Their weapons that these units are given are Manis pattern MR-14 Stubb Rifle and a Voss Pattern Mk11 Auto Pistol.

Valorcus Scions
These units are not specified are in the 501st but they are for all the Cordanian Regiments. These soldiers are the best men and women of the Cordanian system that can offer. These men and women have been hand selected to be further advance trained that both the Cordania and the Imperium can offer on the tallest mountain ranges of Cordania Prime. They are issued with magnetic base auto weapons. They are given an issue of MR-4 Spec-Ops Armor that is a better equivalent than the Standard MR-3 Combat Armor. The MR-4 is lighter, stronger, and has the new ability of a stealth field put into the back of the armor for stealth operations. They will also be given personal combat force field, but these are reserved for high officers to the Stormtroopers.


 * Note from the Author: These are just fan-fiction fluff and that they do not have any of their own rules or unit stats. These are just making the regiment more unique.

Armaments of the Regiment
(WIP)

Mors Votum
When a recruit has fully passed their training. Now must make vow that when they leave their home system. They will bring the vengeance against the Dark Eldar that brought the pain and suffering they have been brought upon their people ten millennia ago. That when they come home, they will bring the ears and the heads of the Dark Eldar. Or come home dead while in the service to Cordania System and the Emperor.

Mordeat Serpens Caput
When conscript or a draftee have survived their first engagements and gotten their first kill. They will do a regiment Tradition of drinking the blood of Cordanian Black Vivere snake. But the one that bites the head off is considered the greatest honor in this tradition, as they see him the toughest conscript or a draftee in the Company.

Dispute Duels
This most often is a duel between officers when they get into a dispute over anything that is personal or over ideas. So they will fight in hand to hand combat to the best of their abilities. But these are heavily supervised so that they do not get any serious injury that will interfere with combat performance. This is mostly down on a improvising 12-foot circle area and most often, both opponents must wear a mask and have their uniforms cover up any identifying markings or tattoos on them so to not be identified. The one who wins is given to the right while the opponent must drop his arguments against the other. Should the fight end in a draw, the opponents must find a more subtle way of working out their arguments and come to terms. If not, then they will reschedule for another match.

These rarely happen on duels like this, but If an opponent was caught cheating in some way or form, then they will be brutally whipped into submission for bring great dishonor to himself and his family and be put to judgment. Should an opponent go so far as to use any form of weapon as handguns or knives, then they are given even a worse sentence than a simple whipping.

They will be brutally beaten by a squad, almost to near death and imprisoned in the brig and given only minor medical assistance until a Commissar decides on the accused's fate and delivers a sentence as he sees fit. If the challenger manages to injure or kill his opponent with a weapon, then there will be no judgment. They will face immediate summary execution by firing squad or at the hands of the regimental Commissar. The disgraced individual will then suffer the fate of an Edict of Obliteration (also known as a Damnatio Memoriae, a High Gothic phrase meaning "condemnation of memory") and all traces of the dishonored is removed from official Imperial records and they are forgotten by the Imperium. This is one of the most severe fates for a servant of the Emperor could suffer, though this rarely occurs in these duels.

Notable Regiment Members

 * Veteran-Staff Sergeant Bellator (Steel Warrior): Bellator is a rare breed of a soldier as he was just a standard trooper to being one of the finest soldiers in the 501st. Some men are born with just raw strength or some that are born with good intelligent, He is a mixture of both these characteristics. He has been the with the 501st for about a decade of surviving and fighting the enemy of man. As he earns the ranks of Veterans for this. He has also been noted that he was the top ten soldiers that have a high kill count. He has also gotten 34 Drukhari ears and a head of a Kabal Officer that he manages to kill with a Catachan blade from his fallen comrade & friend, Corporal Aurelius.


 * Veteran-Corporal Akoni (The Sorrow): Akoni has always been the right-hand man to Bellator for years now. He is one of the oldest members of their squad. He has many honors on him and could be at the rank of major if wanted. But after disastrous firefight against the Genestealers and losing his cousin. He can not bear that same pain again so he leaves to someone who is harder and can take on the responsibility a leading a team or a squad. Even if this seems heretical or weak. He was later demoted due to his failure and his attitude. But it never stops him from doing his service to the Regiment. Commissar Secundum has great respect for him and knows the same pain as he does. However, after the events of the Gathering Storm, his mood had changed a bit as he was forced to lead squads himself. even though facing the horrors of chaos, he leads many successful raids and ambushes against the traitors. Which when returning to his homeworld, he earned the Cordanian bronze star for his actions on cadia. Which finally gaining back the confidence that he lost so long time ago.


 * Veteran-Corporal Marra (Smartmouth): Lied about her age when she joined the Cordanian System Military, she was only 16 when she joins while the Cordanian standard age for joining is 18 to 30 years of age, but there are a few exceptions. But being raised on a forge world she greatly knows the rights and prayers of the Cult Mechanicus and knows the basics of being a mechanic and working with Vox Communications & machines. He even has knowledge of using specialty weapons. Such as plasma rifles and Grenade launchers.


 * Mess Sergeant Adair Diarmid: An abhuman squat which followed the Laws of the Cordania system, he joins the Cordania Military after marrying and having children to pass his bloodline for House Dimier. He served greatly in the Imperial Guard for some time and was noted as one of many heroes in the Second War for Armageddon. But now with his age, he chose to stay in the service instead of retiring and going home to House of Dimier. Now working as one of the Mess Officers for the regiment.


 * Lord Commissar Secundum: As he not fully with the 501st, but he been with regiment longer than most other Commissars. As they will die in combat or been transferred to another regiment. This also could be that they have to settle internal conflict as the Cordanians tend to speak out their minds out and what is right or wrong is when it comes to rules of engagement. But he has been willing to stick with the Regiment and only execute soldiers who deserve that punishment. He has great knowledge Cordania Prime, its people, and their customs. He also has a high respect to the Cordanian Regiments as he sees them as some of the best standard soldiers that the Imperium has to offer. He also as high respect to his soldiers under his command, this goes for the soldiers as well that fought alongside him. After the events of the Fall of Cadia and the assassination of his predecessor, he was promoted to Lord Commissar of the Regiment and now oversees the other commissars and can take control of the regiment when the need arises. However, it acquires him now to not take part of most of the frontlines of the field. Be he always assisted that he will take the field despite his rank. Even though he has to work with personal bodyguards which bothers him a lot. he learns to live with it and Scions always mean well and are only doing their duty.

Allies
Raven Guard Astartes Chapter- The 501st will royalty follow the chapter whenever they fight alongside the Astartes Chapter. Giving them fire wherever it is needed. They provide abstracted to the enemy so there strike team will get into position. or processed with their mission a lot easier. Even providing intel for the Chapter.

Enemies
The Drukhari- They have a deep hatred of the vile xenos as they and the Cordanian people had never forgotten the crimes that they had committed. Their hatred runs too deep that they completely disregard any Rules of Engagement and the Cordanian Code. Where they are known to beat down any of the wounded and the unarmed. Were it is known that many personal of the 501st were using everything at there disposal. Even using their own helmets and makeshift weapons to beat the Dark Eldar to death.

About the 501st
"Those Cordanians and their weapon choices... they always bring more bullets then men. Maybe they should be issued with more brains while they are at it!"

- Attributed to an (unknown Cadian Sergeant)