I just started the Royal Ascent quest for the first time. 4 cataphracts have arrived to protect the stellarch and they all have really crappy gear, the best helmet amongst the bunch is 16% and armour is around 50% otherwise lower. This seems a bit weak considering isn't this supposed to be the bodyguard of an emperor?
I think it might actually be a bug, but it may also be fixed in the latest update, or maybe not. Thanks for the report in either case, will check this.