HEFA

HEFA Knights

The Holy Order of the High-Explosive Fragmenting-Antipersonnel hand grenade (also known as the HEFA Knights, the Knights of HEFA, and or the HEFA Order), is a religious cult that is actively opposed to the United Americas and the Union of Progressive Peoples. The Order's operations are loosely coordinated between two cell types, a 'temple' group, acting as a dispatch and administration center, and a 'shard' or more traditionally described splinter that actually carries out the strike. It is believed that all HEFA Knight 'temple' cells operate out of the derelict Kerchner 2155 Horn Nebula mining expedition way-stations due to their proximity to supply lanes leading to the Neroid sector and other frontier sectors. The group is classified as an intergalactic terrorist organization by both the UPP, and UA.

HEFA Knight members or Shrapnelsworn, are devoted to the worship of the M40 High-Explosive Fragmenting-Antipersonnel hand grenade, viewing the object as a divine gift from an unknown benefactor that has influenced humanity. Order members are trained to have no regard for their personal safety. To die in battle is to die gloriously, and to solidify one's devotion to the HEFA hand grenade.

WORK-IN-PROGRESS

History

What would become the Holy Order of the HEFA hand grenade was founded in 2163 in the midst of the Tietsin Campaign. The founding members, LCPL. Arnold Clearsmire and PFC. Luke Schmiddt both served under SSgt. Maxime Watkins as the Rifle Team for 2nd squad, Section A in the Echo platoon, 1st company, 5th battalion, within the USCM 2nd Fleet. The third founding member, CPL. Diego Perez, was a smartgunner from Section B, 1st Squad Gun team of the same platoon. It is believed PFC. Luke Schmiddt was the first to propose the idea that the HEFA grenade would determine 'sinners' out of the group it was detonated in. The group is purported to have used this technique on civilians to identify CLF members. After various “successful” uses of this man.

Echo platoon went missing in the early months of 2163 after cooking off the munitions depot they were assigned to. It is believed CPL. Diego Perez, previously a preacher before enlisting, was a critical component in the foundation of the group. The platoon was declared MIA officially in May of 2163. As the campaign came to a close, Echo Platoon was chalked up to be for all intents permanently missing in action. Post war investigations into the sector where the group supposedly operated revealed nothing more than the aforementioned UD-4 dropships, but no platoon.

In 2174 Luke Schmiddt, Diego Perez three other members of the original Echo platoon, and four unidentified radicalized civilians reappeared in United American space and hijacked a Kerchner Company tow barge and the starport construction platform it was hauling.

After a high profile munitions raid on a USCM supply depot in 2180, Arnold Clearsmire claims responsibility on behalf of “Holy Order of the High-Explosive Fragmenting-Antipersonnel hand grenade” in a holo-vid. Shortly after, the Holy Order of the High-Explosive Fragmenting-Antipersonnel hand grenade officially is recognized as a terrorist organization by the United Americas, followed by the Union of Progressive Peoples in 2181.

In 2184 a group of persons wielding crudely constructed plate and Kevlar armor and explosive helmets engage in a suicide-assault on a USCM listening station in the outer rim. The attack is also claimed by the HEFA Order.

Ranks

Standard

Role	Description
Shrapnelsworn	Brother's armed specially with the power of HEFA to which they will use to punish all heretics with. They carry as much HEFA as they can via their pockets, and bags. They also come armed with a HEFA sword that works like a Lunge mine, but with a HEFA explosion.
Grandmaster	A Brother who has been Chosen by the Order for their devotion and skill with HEFA to use an M92 Grenade Launcher, and lead their fellow brethern into glorious combat with those who dare challenge HEFA's greatness in combat. Alongside the GL, they come armed with the same equipment that other HEFA knights Carry.