[FH] Knights Templar

   In late 2184, news about the Kra'Vak incursions leaked from NAC Naval
Intelligence to a small group of businessmen with international
interests.
Two of these men, namely Hugh Payne and Geoff St. Omer, concluded that
the
major powers were too suspicious of each other to co-operate as quickly
and
decisively as the situation might demand.  They decided to revive the
Knights Templar and thereby form an organization of professional
fighting
men who would eschew nationalistic loyalties in favor of devotion to
their
unit and to the survival of humanity.  Payne, an active Catholic and
noted
philanthropist, used his contacts to gain an appointment with the Holy
Father, who approved the idea.	The Rule for the order was quickly
drafted
and signed, and the Sovereign Order of the Knights of Christ and the
Temple
of Jerusalem came into being.  The same day as the announcement, St.
Omer--a
Southern Baptist-- contributed 1000MUCr from his personal fortune to the
fledgling order; over the course of the week, billions of credits were
given
by business leaders who members of all the world's major faiths and
political blocs.  After a well-orchestrated publicity campaign and
lobbying,
most governments agreed that contributions to the order were acceptable
as
being to a religious foundation for purposes of tax deductions....
   The typical Brother Knight, in the public's mind, is a powered armor
trooper, and indeed many brethren serve in that capacity.  The Order
also
has a small but growing number of warships and assault transports,
fighter
squadrons, and combined arms ground forces and special operations teams.
 In
addition to the regular brethren, many soldiers choose to serve short
terms
as confrere troops.  Principal Templar facilities are located in the Sol
system and the Alarishi system, with other bases being constructed as
Kra'Vak threat axes are identified.
   Templar OOB, ship designs and AAR's will follow shortly (i.e. when I
get
around to it, and to re-working my web site again).  Thanks to John
Atkinson
for considerable design work on the Templar OOB and armored vehicles. 
The
official motto is "Deus vult!" ("God wills it!"); the unofficial motto
was
borrowed from the Swiss Guards: "The Templars may die, but they never
surrender."

--Chris  DeBoe	deboe@quixnet.net
www.quixtar.com / www.countdown9199.com