Io Cossacks

 

Io is the primary source of energy on Io, Galileo's moon. The powerful gravitational forces it experiences result in virtually infinite geothermal energy to be collected from its volcanoes. The access to such energy and heat also makes Io the primary industrial hub of the Jovian system. It is here that metals are fused for the construction of fleets or the expansion of habitats.

The inhabitants of the moon are divided into two specific categories: the inhabitants of cities and industrial facilities, and the nomads. Originally, these two populations were also ethnically distinct, but they are no longer so. However, to identify them, the government of Galileo refers to the settled people as "Tajiks" and the nomads as "Tuareg," although there is no evidence that this ethnic classification is accurate.

While the Tajiks are recruited into Galileo's armies according to regular army standards, the Tuaregs provide a contingent of their own called the "Cossacks." The Cossacks serve under the Duke of Io, in this case Duchess Maia, and form an elite unit of special forces soldiers.

In the image, a Cossack soldier is depicted in full uniform, likely waiting to be embarked on one of the transports during the reduction wars.
The uniforms are generally sand kaki or black and modeled after the 20th-century Earth uniforms.

The Cossacks of Io have a reputation for being loyal and fearless troops, yet fierce in battle. It is said that they follow a revised version of Shia Islam that considers Io as the place where the Mahdi will manifest.