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Members of the Last Chancers are all convicted criminals facing various punishments. While most of those inducted into the 13th Penal Legion are done so at the deliberate behest of [[Colonel]] [[Schaeffer]], a small minority are random transfers. All are given one 'last chance' at redemption by fighting in the worst combat zones possible. If they manage to survive an unspecified number of these missions, which is highly unlikely given the nature of the operations they undertake, they earn a pardon, being forgiven their crimes in the eyes of the [[Emperor]]. A Last Chancer who dies fulfilling his duty is pardoned posthumously by the Colonel, who takes it upon himself to provide redemption to all of his troops, sometimes by his own hand. Schaeffer's dedication to his cause is unparalleled and he has never failed a mission with his Last Chancers.{{Cite ThisMarker End}}

The Last Chancers are kept in a constant state of battle-readiness, being sent from war zone to war zone across the [[Galaxy]] to protect the [[Imperium]] and earn their redemption. There is perhaps no suicidal action which the Last Chancers have not undertaken, including but not limited to suicide assaults on sieged cities, rear-guard actions against overwhelming foes, daring commando raids into enemy territory, human shield operations, and holding the breach throughout unrelenting assaults. It is the Last Chancers' duty to the Emperor to die defending his realm and many accept this as the depressing truth of their situation. Escape attempts are surprisingly low, perhaps due to the Colonel's reputation for delivering the Emperor's redemption personally to those who cannot stand the fires of battle. When not in combat, active Last Chancers are held on-board starships, heavily guarded by [[Commissariat]] provosts or [[Naval Ratings]]. Colonel Schaeffer also keeps a separate penal facility in an anonymous location to which he transfers convicted Imperial Guard troopers he has selected as potentially useful for future missions. These prisoners (no matter their actual original sentence) are kept in life imprisonment until the time they are offered their 'last chance'.{{Cite ThisMarker End}}

*{{Endn|1}}: [[13th Legion (Novel)]], {{Cite ThisMarker End}}

*{{Endn|2}}: [[Kill Team (Novel)]], {{Cite ThisMarker End}}*{{Endn|3}}: [[Annihilation Squad (Novel)]], {{Cite ThisMarker End}}*{{Endn|4}}: [[Chapter Approved 2001]], {{Cite ThisMarker End}}