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First Order

A female officer addresses rows of First Order soldiers in blue uniforms before a grand building.

First Order

The First Order (première commande) is one of the elite military commands within the Empire of Australia. Recognized as the highest-ranking operational unit in the Imperial Armed Forces, the First Order is responsible for strategic defense, command of critical sectors, and the direct implementation of the Empress’ most sensitive military directives. Established during the reign of Eleanor the Fifth in 1268 CE, the First Order has served as the backbone of the Empire’s military doctrine and often operates under direct orders from New Bordeaux’s central command.

History and Formation

The origins of the First Order trace back to the latter years of the Long Winter and the restoration of the Empire by Eleanor the Fifth in 1268. As the Empire rebuilt and expanded its holdings under Eleanor V, she formed the First Order with an explicit mandate: ensure unwavering loyalty to the Crown and guarantee security in newly acquired territories. The Order was composed of hand-picked veteran officers and early recipients of the Star of Valor, then the highest military award.

Structure and Organization

The First Order is commanded by the General Sovereign of the First, a title traditionally held by a member of the extended royal family or a decorated officer with direct recommendation from the Privy Council and confirmation by the Empress herself. Unique among the Orders, First Order officers wear a distinctive dark blue sash with the aquiline insignia and a ceremonial short sword called the Charonian Blade.

The First Order is organized into eight Cohorts, each led by a Marshal-Commander. Each Cohort typically consists of nearly 5,000 officers and soldiers, supported by specialized engineering, medical, and intelligence detachments. The First Cohort is permanently stationed in New Bordeaux and responsible for the defense of the capital and the Imperial Palace, while other Cohorts rotate deployments between the key cities and frontier territories, including Saint-Elise, Antanala, and Lesser Tasmania.

Role and Operations

The First Order fulfills several roles:

  • Guardianship of the Imperial family and the royal residences.
  • Command of high-security installations such as the Vaults of Kiritapu and the Orbital Defense Array.
  • Deployment in crises: The rapid response doctrine, first formalized after the Defense of New Bordeaux in 1494, requires the First Order to deploy a strike force anywhere within Imperial territory in under ninety minutes.
  • Oversight of ceremonial events, treaty signings, and visitation by foreign dignitaries.
  • Counterintelligence collaboration with 1151 in matters deemed a threat to Imperial security.

Notable Operations

The First Order’s storied history includes direct involvement in shaping the modern Empire. They led the defense during the attempted coup of 1682, executed Operation Kestrel—securing the transfer of Empress Eleanor XXVII during the Kongo Uprising—and played a decisive role in the Battle of Three Rivers, coordinating with the Australian Foreign Legion to reclaim control over besieged territories.

More recently, the First Order assumed primary authority over the “Pavona Accord” deployments, ensuring peaceful handover of contested Arctic outposts to neutral oversight per the terms of the 2023 Treaty of Nuuk.

Traditions and Reputation

Membership in the First Order is considered the apex of a career in the Australian military. Annual induction ceremonies at the Basilica of Saint Eleanor in New Bordeaux are among the most-watched events in the Empire, broadcast across all provinces. The Order is also known for the Midnight Parley, an annual closed-door strategy session, and the training of all incoming Marshals with the Doctrine of the First, a secretive compilation of the Empire’s most successful battle plans and diplomatic initiatives.

The Order’s motto, “Loyauté par-dessus tout”—Loyalty Above All—epitomizes its ethos and is inscribed on the banner carried by the General Sovereign in every public procession.

Relationship with Other Orders

The First Order maintains a structured alliance with the Third Order—the renowned pacification unit most famous for its role in Cascadia—as well as the increasingly influential Australian Foreign Legion and the specialized intelligence arm 1151. Inter-Order exercises, such as the annual “Cerulean Shield” maneuvers, reinforce operational cohesion among Orders and bolster the Empire’s quick-response capabilities.

Notable Leaders

  • Commander Tiora Hakopa (served c. 1540–1570): Known for the consolidation of the Order’s authority across Indian Ocean holdings. Pioneered the integration of Māori tactical doctrine into First Order operations and was the first woman of Indigenous Australian and Māori descent to command a Cohort.
  • Général Élise d’Bordeaux (serving from 1520 to 1546): Known for the consolidation of the Order’s authority across Indian Ocean holdings.
  • Marshal Sefu N’Goma (served 1964–1981): Orchestrated the Vaults of Kiritapu defense and authored the Doctrine of the First’s modern code.

Legacy and Influence

Through centuries of loyal service, the First Order has become synonymous with Imperial reliability and discipline. Its culture of meritocracy and strict adherence to tradition ensures that the traditions of Eleanor I and the founders of the Empire remain living practices today. The Order remains the guardian of the Empire’s present—and the safeguard of its future.

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