THE MARTIAN FREE STATE
Though the brainchild of King Leopold of Belgium, this colonial "state" is a "cooperative" effort of several minor powers, not all of them European. The influence of these cooperative partners means that the MFS, unlike Leopold's African colony, is not Leopold's to do with as he wills, although his is clearly the dominant voice in its development. His aggressive stance toward grabbing territory in the scramble for the Red Planet is wholly supported by his partners.
The Martian Free State lacks many of the assets of the Great Powers and is heavily dependent on "gifts," captured equipment, imported colonial troops, as well as native Martian levies and resources. The MFS "army" was among the first to recruit and train native City Dweller Martians and remains the force with the highest percentage of Martian sepoy units.
Steam Technology Wonders
Without the industrial resources of the greater powers, the Martian Free State is dependent on acquiring its steam technology resources from outside sources. Rumors abound that a certain member of L.A.S.T. is bankrolling as well as supplying a variety of machines that will soon be making their presence felt on Mars.
Military Forces
This officer is a Belgian. He wears a standard long coat (rank and file soldiers' are shorter), lacking the regulation rank chevrons. He could as easily be command regular Belgian soldiers as a lead a MFS territorial unit or Martian sepoy unit.
He is armed with a mauser pistol that he has supplied for himself. He could just as easily have armed himself with a rifle.
Sun helmet: white
Coat: dark blue
Rank chevrons: "gold"
Buttons and buckles: brass
Belt: black
Equipment: black
Trousers: white
Shoes: brown or black
This sepoy is typical of those in service with the Martian Free State. The first units were issued fezzes like those worn by imported sepoy troops, but these were never popular with the natives. Later, like most Martian sepoys, they adopted the "soldier helmet" first introduced by the British. MFS sepoy units are led by Earthborn officers, often a Belgian.
Helmet: copper-hued metal
Coat: blue with red collar
Rank chevrons: yellow
Buttons and buckles: brass
Kit bag: off white
Belt: black
Equipment: black
brek ("kilt"): varies
jhureff (sash): red
Shoes: none
This sergeant (portrayed by a Darkest Africa Belgian Askari figure from Wargames Foundry)is a soldier is a territorial from the Belgian Africa. Much of the force under the command of the powers that formed the Martian Free State was made up of such units. They remain in service with the MFS as the state has made no effort to return its veterans (other than those of European descent) home. MFS sepoy units are not noted for their uniformity of dress, but this man is fairly typical. His shirt is issue and perhaps his trousers, though it was just as common for soldiers to have their own trousers dyed blue when they enlisted. He carries a bolt-action rifle of dubious pedigree.
Fez: red
Shirt: dark blue with red trim
Rank chevrons: yellow
Buttons and buckles: brass
Belt: black
Equipment: black
Trousers: dark blue
Shoes (if worn): brown or black