That's fine, one of us here can help you. The links provided should give you everything you need to get a basic understanding. If you want to, there are two animes called Total Eclipse and Schrwarzmarkten to watch.
Helene maintains an icy-cold demeanor that hides her concern for her subordinates's health and well-being. She does not shy away from a challenge and will often force others to back up wild claims they make. Helene does not like to hide or bend the truth from her allies but inquiries into her life outside of being a TSF pilot are made in vain. Her priorities are making sure that everyone gets through this war alive, not getting friendly with each person.
History ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Born on March 24, 1978 to an influential family that she would not be aware of until much later in her life. She was taken by the Statsi at birth for their top-secret ESP program, backed by a group of Soviet scientists, modeled after the Soviet Union's Alternative III Plan. The intention of the Statsi was to create a generation of ESP-enhanced soldiers that they could exploit to exert greater control of East Germany. As they did not possess the same genetic engineering technology as the Soviets, they were forced to abduct newly born infants that were healthy and possessed qualities they believed vital to the project.
Up until the fall of the Oder-Neisse Defence Line in 1983, Helene and many other children were subjected to numerous, unethical experiments paired alongside a rigid education in an attempt to develop their ESP potential. Helene was on of their most promising candidates as she began to demonstrate an ability to read the emotions of others towards the end of 1982, followed by a few others. Their development was halted for good when the BETA broke through and she was evacuated alongside a small number of her fellow subjects.
After the Stasi were removed from power, authority of the children was handed over to what remained of the People's National Army. They were taken care of in a special facility until they were deemed old enough to begin basic training and military education. Helene was quickly appointed as leader of the class due the loyalty of the other children and her intelligence. Years of grueling training and the class graduated into the 606th TSF Squadron and began their first deployment in the summer of 1994 with Helene leading the formation in her MigG-29OVT Fulcrum.
The 606th were highly successful in culling operations conducted in northern Germany and it was not long before they earned a reputation as the most elite squadron under East Germany's command. It was for this reason that they were selected to represent East Germany in Operation Shattered Steel. During the fighting, the 606th and especially Helen were credited with hundreds of slain BETA as a vanguard unit in the operation. However, the battle took its toll on the 606th with only seven members remaining by the time they reached the Hive's entrance thanks to the sudden appearance of the Laser-Fort class BETA. Helene still recalls the bittersweet feeling that came with the confirmation of the Superior's death.
Her accomplishments led to her appointment as the squadron leader of the newly formed 212th Tactical Armored Battalion with the remaining 606th members being dispersed. Despite her own personal doubts, Helene is determined to guide the 212th to the end of this war.
We could make the 231st part of the RP alongside the 212th, with the former being a NPC battalion or something. It could open up potential plot points and/or arcs.
That sounds like a great idea. I did state there were three other battalions created alongside the 212th
Helene maintains an icy-cold demeanor that hides her concern for her subordinates's health and well-being. She does not shy away from a challenge and will often force others to back up wild claims they make. Helene does not like to hide or bend the truth from her allies but inquiries into her life outside of being a TSF pilot are made in vain. Her priorities are making sure that everyone gets through this war alive, not getting friendly with each person.
History ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Born on March 24, 1978 to an influential family that she would not be aware of until much later in her life. She was taken by the Statsi at birth for their top-secret ESP program, backed by a group of Soviet scientists, modeled after the Soviet Union's Alternative III Plan. The intention of the Statsi was to create a generation of ESP-enhanced soldiers that they could exploit to exert greater control of East Germany. As they did not possess the same genetic engineering technology as the Soviets, they were forced to abduct newly born infants that were healthy and possessed qualities they believed vital to the project.
Up until the fall of the Oder-Neisse Defence Line in 1983, Helene and many other children were subjected to numerous, unethical experiments paired alongside a rigid education in an attempt to develop their ESP potential. Helene was on of their most promising candidates as she began to demonstrate an ability to read the emotions of others towards the end of 1982, followed by a few others. Their development was halted for good when the BETA broke through and she was evacuated alongside a small number of her fellow subjects.
After the Stasi were removed from power, authority of the children was handed over to what remained of the People's National Army. They were taken care of in a special facility until they were deemed old enough to begin basic training and military education. Helene was quickly appointed as leader of the class due the loyalty of the other children and her intelligence. Years of grueling training and the class graduated into the 606th TSF Squadron and began their first deployment in the summer of 1994 with Helene leading the formation in her MigG-29OVT Fulcrum.
The 606th were highly successful in culling operations conducted in northern Germany and it was not long before they earned a reputation as the most elite squadron under East Germany's command. It was for this reason that they were selected to represent East Germany in Operation Shattered Steel. During the fighting, the 606th and especially Helen were credited with hundreds of slain BETA as a vanguard unit in the operation. However, the battle took its toll on the 606th with only seven members remaining by the time they reached the Hive's entrance thanks to the sudden appearance of the Laser-Fort class BETA. Helene still recalls the bittersweet feeling that came with the confirmation of the Superior's death.
Her accomplishments led to her appointment as the squadron leader of the newly formed 212th Tactical Armored Battalion with the remaining 606th members being dispersed. Despite her own personal doubts, Helene is determined to guide the 212th to the end of this war.
Easy-going and even slightly bashful. Colonel Fabel is known by many of his subordinates as a capable commander, one that can see the wider picture of a battle and direct his forces as required to ensure victory in the name of Humanity. Outside of battle Colonel Fabel is known to be a calculating and reserved higher echelon leader, careful not to step into the schemes of his fellow officers or other nations agents to further their careers or political agendas. Highly intuitive, and always suspicious of those not directly in his chain of command, Fabel has earned himself a reputation as the "Infallible Colonel" by those both withing the UN and on the outside if the UN who wish to use him and his unit to further their causes.
History ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Born in a time before the BETA had landed on Earth, Izaak Fabel was a promising young man that his parents believed would move on to do great things with his ever growing mind. Be it lead armies of West Germany to a unification of their shattered nation, pursue a career in government, or make a move for a position within the UN itself. Izaak's parents knew that his son would be destined for greatness, and this would hold true.
In 1967 the BETA would invade the Lunar surface, beginning the First Lunar War. Izaak, only seven at the time would not take part, and the fledgling UN Space Command forces would fight their hardest for the next several years until the BETA would finally make their way to Earth, landing in Kashgar Province in China. The development was followed closely by the world, and the Chinese would ensure the world that they had the situation under control. To which the world would soon learn was not the case. As the BETA would defeat the Chinese and Soviet forces that came to assist too late, the world would watch in horror as the BETA began their campaign of destruction against Asia and the Soviet Union and her Western European Warsaw PACT Allies.
By 1976 Izaak would find himself a pilot in the Federal Republic of Germany's Army, flying the the F5G Tornado that was used as the mainstay of the West German TSF force. For the next five years Izaak would mostly sit at read-alert standby with the rest of the West German military as East Germany refused to allow the capitalist West to assist them in defending the Oder-Neisse Defense Line. Until the fall of the Oder-NEisse Defense Line in the waning days of August 1983. With West Germany's only shield against the BETA utterly annihilated following the fall of the Oder-Neisse, West German Forces along with US and UN forces would take part in multiple heroic last stands as the populace of the country and the rest of Western Europe was evacuated from the continent. Managing through what many would call skill but Izaak would attribute to luck, he would survive the desperate retreat and stalling of the EBTA advance across Western Germany and the rest of France to finally evacuate across the English Channel to the safe haven of Britain.
Following the escape from mainland Europe, Izaak would be absorbed into the UN 1st Force in Britain, where a General would notice the brilliant young Officer being wasted as a TSF pilot and request him to be added to his general Staff. As an adviser to a prominent UN General, Izaak would begin to stand out as the talented tactician and strategist he was, eventually finding a way into the 231st Tactical Armored Battalion as its Executive Officer, and following the promotion and subsequent move of it's prior Commanding Officer he would find himself in charge of the Battalion.
The year is now 2004, and Colonel Izaak Fabel has not set foot in a TSF for nearly twenty five years. Yet he stands on the bridge of a TSF carrier, ready to coordinate his Battalion in undertaking the first part of the retaking of Earth.
Straightforward and focused, Mina is a youth attuned for the rigors of command. Outspoken with her plans, Mina requires everyone to be on board with the mission details, primarily to ensure the pilots under her command stay alive. Nonetheless, unforeseen circumstances may always exist on the battlefield; something Mina has trained her to easily adjust to in a calm manner. Mina has zero tolerance for glory seekers who rush into the battlefield without thought. Seeing them as trouble makers, Mina is quick to reprimand them, especially after having to bail out a number of soldiers showcasing bravado on the battlefield.
History ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Mina Barakat was born within Morocco, where her family, among others, helped to supply the French war machine against the BETA. The demand for manpower and natural resources was always needed, and so the colonies were hard pressed to produce for the front lines. Nevertheless, young children were given the same free reign they usually had, and so for most of Mina's childhood she had lived as a normal child as if the BETA were nonexistent, yet everything would soon change. France had fallen to the BETA by 1985, and thousands of refugees had suddenly appeared in the Moroccan homeland.
Many of the French had distraught appearances, and some were not keen to be forced into the colonies that had been mostly exploited for their own gains. Despite this, Mina quickly made friends with a French girl, Elise, who was just around her age. Together, they forged a bond of friendship, ignoring the odd looks that the French refugees would give them. The girls didn't care for the differences between them; All they wanted was to have fun like the kids they were despite the hardships both refugee and native were now facing after the fall of the French homeland.
However, the world soon caught up to the children, and they were conscripted among a number of others to fight against the BETA. The training showed itself to be nearly unbearable, but by the end, Mina and Elise had come out on top, much to the instructors' surprise. In Mina's case, some looked up at her with envy, feeling a lowly Moroccan shouldn't be scoring so high. A few had been more vocal than the rest, but their complaints were silenced by the instructors. Nonetheless, this didn't stop her "comrades" from mocking her heritage or harassing Mina where the ears of their superiors failed to reach.
Mina did her best to ignore the harassment, and continued as she always did. Finding her knack at commanding early on, Mina was allowed to help direct the Mirage 2000s as they went across to Europe in various BETA culling operations. During this time, Elise had been at Mina's side the entire time; their bond showcasing their greater skill that the French military was eager to take advantage of. Rather than cast away natural talent in old obsolete TSFs, Mina and Elise were given new third generation TSFs: the Rafale--a machine destined to destroy the BETA.
And destroy the BETA it did. In a world-wide operation dubbed Operation Ouka, Mina and Elise would experience their defining moments in hell on earth. Used as a distraction force, both girls had seen carnage that day, watching pilots die to the BETA faster than they could blink. Their ammunition had nearly bled dry before they were recalled back across the strait. Both sides suffered thousands of casualties, yet before the girls could realize the effects of the operation, they were given a new calling. Sent to the UN's 231st "Grey Wolves" battalion, Mina and Elise were given new orders as part of another world-wide operation; this time to cleanse the world from the BETA.
• Loadout • 2x 36mm/120 Assault Cannon • 4x36mm and 2x120mm Magazines • 1x Supplemental Armor • Full Leg/Arm blade motor armament • 2x Close Combat Dagger
Personality ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Distant and withdrawn. Kseniya bears all the telltale signs of a pilot that has lost everything, more than once. She often jumps between two very distinct personalities, a side effect of her creation and the subsequent drugs and treatments she is forced to take and endure and her experience in Operation Swaraj, that range anywhere from vaguely helpful and slightly friendly to completely insane and sadistic, prepared to kill anyone and everyone that may even breath in her vicinity. Still carrying the mental scars of Operation Swaraj around with her, she is frequently overcome by episodes brought on by triggers of the event and focuses the pain and hatred that boils up with them into her fight against the BETA. Kseniya as well has a deep seated fear of water thanks to her creation and the treatments she undergoes regularly.
History ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Kseniya Kochenkov, or Kseniya Barchenowa as is her true name, is a Fifth Generation ESPer of the Soviet Union. Manufactured through a process of cloning and brought up undergoing treatments and procedures so that she would exhibit Extra Sensory Perception abilities in order to be used as a tool by the Soviet Union to pursue their Alternative III plan and make contact with the BETA.
Much of her young life revolved around tests, treatments, and labs. Then she would repeat the process, but perhaps in a different order this time, and the time after that, and the next one as well. When not being subjected to experiments and tests or training, the Barchenowa ESPers were being raised by the KGB to compete against one another and build bounds between their individual flights and squadrons in an attempt to increase their combat effectiveness. In the end it could be said that her fellow sisters in the program became her family. It was this very same family that would venture into the Bhopol Hive during Operation Swaraj along with Kseniya in order to attempt to make direct communication with the BETA.
Approximately two hours into the intrusion into the Bhopol Hive, the F14AN3 Mindseekers of the Vsadnik Squadron were being overwhelmed and whittled down. TSF after TSF was lost as only small amounts of ground were gained as they progressed further into the Bhopol Hive. Even with these sacrifices, not a single one of the ESPers had been able to establish communication with any BETA, even with the advanced equipment that had been added to the F14AN3 that they were using to amplify their abilities. Kseniya's non-ESPer pilot, Captain Eranov was beginning to grow afraid as one by one TSFs fell to the BETA inside the Hive, and Kseniya could sense it.
As the group of F14AN3s made their way into an new hall, they were set upon by a large swarm of Tank-Class, and quickly found themselves in a desperate close-quarters skirmish for their lives. In the process of the fight the highly-sensitive equipment mounted on Kseniya's F14AN3 was damaged, causing it to amplify the signals it was picking up and overwhelm Kseniya as she was hooked into the system itself. She fell into a panic as she could feel TSF piltos outside the Hive dying, as she could feel her Sisters within the Hive being eaten alive, as she could feel infantry and tank crews as they were crushed beneath waves of BETA. Her power of projection now firmly out of her control would wildly force her feelings of impending doom and the futility of their mission upon many of the TSF pilots and ESPers present. Although many of the ESPers were able to overcome the sudden flood of emotions from their sister, a few of the pilots were overcome with fear at the wave of emotions that weren't theirs and and began to make a hasty retreat.
Of this group was Kseniya's own pilot. As Kseniya continued to be overwhelmed in the front seat of her TSF, Captain Eranov made for the nearest Stab and escaped the Bhopol Hive along with two other F14AN3s. It was only later that day once they had reached a resupply post that they would finally be able to remove Kseniya from the cockpit and detach her from the equipment that was causing the intense feedback. By the end of the Operation only a handful of Barchenowa Generation ESPers sent would survive, among them were the three that had escaped due to Kseniya's loss of control and their pilots panic and a few scattered groups from other expeditions into the Hive.
Operation Swaraj would produce only a single result for its massive loss of life and equipment, and that result was that the BETA did not consider humanity as a life form at all.
Reassigned to the Soviet Army following the abandonment of Alternative II after the failure of Operation Swaraj, Kseniya would remain an unstable ESPer for the rest of her time serving with the Soviet Army. Following multiple high risk missions, and being purposefully left out of Operation Ouka by request of the KGB, Kseniya would be promoted to Major and assigned to the UNs 231st Battalion "The Grey Wolves" as the Executive Officer. Her handlers within the KGB would be monitoring her and a number of other ESPers within the massive UN force intently, as the information they could gain from such a massive undertaking and their varied positions would no doubt prove valuable in a post-BETA world.
• Loadout • 1x Type 87 Assault Cannon • 4x36mm and 2x120mm Magazines • 1x Type 92 Multi-purpose Supplemental Armor • 2x Type 74 PB Blade • 2x Type 65 PB Blade
Personality ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Fiercely loyal to his country and willing to give everything in the name of defeating the BETA and saving Humanity, Kosuke is an exemplary Eishi that the Shogun himself would be honored to have as part of the Royal Guard. With an attitude that most would state is dangerous and even at times callous of others safety, he performs to such a level in combat that many who serve with him can tend to overlook his shortcomings in his personality and learn to trust him to watch their backs. When not in combat he is dutiful, often found completing paperwork, checks on his and others TSFs, or helping with other work to be done around the Battalion. He's known to speak frankly to newcomers, if one were to listen it tends to seem that Kosuke degrades new pilots and lessens them to nothing more than liabilities for the rest of the Squadron but given a keen enough ear and enough time some have come to notice that while he does degrade them, much of what he says holds value in combat and is good to keep at the back of your mind.
History ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Born to a single mother in the Miyagi prefecture Kosuke was brought up by his Grandmother while his mother worked round the clock to keep food on the table for the three of them. While his upbringing wasn't the "normal" that was expected in Japan at the time it certainly wasn't unusual, for many families had lost the males of the household to the war with the BETA just as Kosuke's family had.
With strict standards placed on him by his Grandmother Kosuke was instilled with a strong sense of responsibility when given a task, to the point that he wouldn't hesitate to take any necessary steps to accomplish the task at hand. A trait that would end up less than favorable among his peers in the military.
At the age of he fifteen he was drafted into the Imperial Army and began his formal training to become a TSF pilot. Just a year into his training at the age of sixteen the BETA invasion of Japan began in Kitakyushu. Kosuke found himself deployed to the defense line being set up in Kyoto. It was there that he would get his first taste of combat, fighting in close quarters relentlessly, with few breaks and little time to think, Kosuke found himself acting off instinct in combat, when given a command he would go to any lengths in an attempt to ensure it was completed, which led to complications.
On August 10th of 1998, the day that Kyoto fell, Kosuke was deployed with a forward squad tasked with holding the BETA advance at a key railway junction that was being used to evacuate important people and equipment. The orders were specified as being of the utmost importance and Kosuke's Squad leader informed them that they had to defend the point at all costs. It wasn't long until the BETA surged forth on the junction.
Terrified and inexperienced Kosuke let his emotions get the best of him becoming almost useless in the opening minutes of the fighting. Only snapped back to reality as his Squadron leader used his TSF to shield Kosuke from a Tank-Classes charge, Kosuke would finally begin to fight. His sole purpose was the mission they had been given, and his Squad leaders words stuck with him, "At any cost.". Kosuke and one other would be the only survivors of the Squad sent to the railway junction, and would retreat shortly after a large portion of the internal defense of Kyoto fell.
It was only a week after the fighting had ended that the second pilot who had been unconscious since the battle awoke. The stories he told of the fight were brutal, but nothing compared to what he said about Kosuke. The inexperienced pilot had entirely disregarded his fellow pilots, a move that many pilots would consider to be completely unlike a Japanese Eishi, allowing many of them to be overwhelmed by BETA as he focused entirely on keeping the BETA from the railway. He even disregarded the calls for help from a pilot trapped in his broken TSF as the hatch was slowly pulled away by a Tank-Class BETA, all the while Kosuke was simply reloading and waiting for more BETA to make a move for the railway.
The Tank-Class would eventually be done in by Kosuke, but only after it had had an enjoyable meal and set its sights on Kosuke himself. With this recollection of events, Kosuke found himself up against military Court Marshall, and was not charged with the loss of his entire squad due to a severe lack in experienced pilots. Instead he was capped at 1stLt and was simply put back on the front lines where the BETA would have a better chance of giving him what he deserved.
Following the fall of Kyoto, Kosuke would be stricken with night terrors, many of which would involve his Squadron that he had willing allowed to die around him. He would reign himself in from then on, promising himself that he would never let his emotions cloud is judgement in combat again, and that he would do everything in his power to complete the mission and bring his fellow Eishi home safely at the end of the day. Even if it meant giving his own life to reach those goals.
The words of his deceased Squad Leader have been etched into his mind, and serve as his mantra. To remind himself that he must make the impossible possible, that he must never be afraid to give his beating heart for his Country or his comrades. That he must complete the mission, at any cost.
Rath is never one to miss an opportunity to tell a good joke or two..or three. He is the first one to try and cheer someone up if they are sad, no matter what their relation is to him. Rath is often described as light-hearted, care-free, and easy-going by his comrades. He is very adamant about not getting hung up about sentimental things, rather focusing on the present and moving forward. Anytime he suffers a tragedy he uses humor to mask how upset he actually is and would rather pretend something doesn't bother him than face it. Every once in awhile Rath will go to a secluded room or area and let loose a scream of anguish and anger, that he will not let anyone to see. It is incredibly important to Rath that everyone see him as the bright, cheerful guy he makes himself out to be and is. When two fellow soldiers have physical quarrel, he is the first one to step in whether to break it up with words or by force.
History ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Born without a father a day after the fall of Poland, Rath was raised solely by his mother without much knowledge of his dad or homeland. His entire early childhood, Rath's mother would never truly smile and always held a solemn look in her features. This caused Rath a lot of distress until one day he walked into the kitchen after a rainy day and said "Mama, birdie won't fly!" with tears in his eyes, he held a frog. The smile and few seconds of laughter he saw from her were like the prettiest gems in the world, he had made her smile. From then on Rath would try everyday to accomplish the same feat, succeeding some days but also falling short on others. That was when he decided his mission was to bring back smiles and laughter not just to his mother, but to everyone in the world.
When he was only twelve years old he was 'conscripted' by the Soviet Union officials, tearing him away from his mother and the only person he had in the whole world. The last gift he received from his mother was a small stack of photos of both his father and various pictures of Poland before it fell. During his training, He realized that before the whole world could smile and laugh again...the BETA would need to be eliminated. This realization gave into conviction and he saw past his situation to the goal ahead and always gave it his all keeping his humor alive through it all. Of course Rath's eagerness to become better and stronger did not sit well with the other kids abducted by the Soviets, and was often ridiculed, but by the end of their training he was friends with most of them.
He got his first taste of real-combat when his Battalion helped the Soviets drive back BETA that were targeting the Milkovsky District. This battle codified his dream in his mind, the reason why he would continue to fight until every last BETA was killed on Earth and beyond. The conflicts leading up to the defenese of the soviet base ц-04 would only strengthen his skills as an front-line aggressor and hone his piloting ability. It was after the defense of ц-04 that he screamed in anger and loss for the first time. The losses they endured only for the Soviet Union to stab them in the back? That day the naive veil that was over his eyes lifted. It was hardly a year after that Rath went through what can only be described as hell. Operation Ouka. Rath by then had some experience under his belt but nothing could prepare him for the losses his battalion endured fighting the Laser-Fort class BETA. Rath was no longer fighting for victory, he was fighting for his own survival. During the final attack run on the Laser-Fort Class he prepared himself for death and suddenly he understood the sacrifice his father made all those years ago. Rath managed to dodge one of the stingers and prevented himself from getting impaled however his TSF was badly damaged after the stinger destroyed its one leg and both of his thrusters. He never got to see the massive BETA fall as he carefully made his way back to allied forces, the entire experience would haunt his dreams for the next two years.
The Soviet Union were eager to send Rath as part of their contribution to the multi-national battalion "The Grey Wolves" after a few.....'disagreements' between him and a senior officer. Rath was happy for the transfer excited to meet pilots from around the world. Despite the loss and tragedy, the one thing Rath has been able to hang onto is his humor...and those photos.
• Loadout • 4x 36mm/120mm AMWS-21 Combat System • 8x36mm and 4x120mm Magazines • 2x CIWS-1B Close Combat Knife
Personality ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Haley is very confident in her abilities and is not afraid to let others know that, often coming off as cocky and full of herself. She is adamant that no one else can out-shoot her and claims her handling of her TSF as better than everyone else. Those who operate more close-quarters TSFs are often looked down by her. National pride is evident in her superior attitude towards those whose country has fallen to the BETA.
Her humor is often made at the expense of someone else, often high-lighting their faults. Halely has a highly-competitive nature and will never back down from a challenge. Blame is not something she easily accepts and will often put the blame on others instead. Trust is almost a foreign concept to Haley and prefers to keep her distance.
History ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Haley was born the youngest of four children to a wealthy family in the North-Eastern United States. The eldest son, Dominic, was someone she always looked up to her entire childhood for his kindness and bravery. This admiration only increased when Dominic joined the United States Marines as a TSF pilot to protect the world from aleins. Dominic was her hero in every aspect of life and there was nothing he couldn't do in her mind, she wanted to be the best just like him. Her other siblings, two twins named Julia and Noah, were more interested in books but Haley would often convince them to play "TSF vs. BETa" with her.
Haley enjoyed a comfortable upbringing always seeking to be the center of attention and only being humble when in comparison to her older brother. Her family's status though did mean that they expected nothing but the best from Haley as well, as her twin siblings were quickly showing great potential in the sciences. The twins would later be hired by Boening to develop and refine TSFs, working as an inseparable pair. When she was finally old enough, she signed up to begin training to pilot a TSF just like her hero. Whether it was sports or her grades, no one in her class could match her ferocity or skill. There were a few who thought that she was just some loud-mouth hot-shot but by the end of her training, she stood high above the rest.
Before she could properly finish her training and become an enlisted TSF pilot, a letter was given her during one of her classes. Dominic Anders, the person she held dearest to her, was declared killed in action. His unit, the VMF-318 Black Knives, were wiped out, except for a single survivor, defending the JFK Naval Garrison Base against a BETA attack. The lost of her greatest role model shattered her spirit for several days before she began to piece it back together. After it had recovered, She found herself determined more than ever to be an incredible TSF pilot and one day the best in the world.
Haley signed on with the 117th Tactical Armored Battalion after graduating at the top of her class, coming out as the best marksman of her peers. The 117th were deployed as an expeditionary force to fight alongside UN/EU armies beginning in early 2004. There is no battle of note that occurred in between her short service with the 117th and her transfer to the 231st, only a pristine record of combat excellence and a few mentions of her 'aggressive' personality. When told Haley had passed her "8 minutes" by one of the senior team members, she simply replied "It is only to be expected.". While Haley shows a great deal of potential as a Gun Sweeper, she lacks experience and has yet to encounter a serious engagement with the BETA that put her in great danger.
• Loadout • 4x 36mm/120mm AMWS-21 Combat System • 4x36mm and 2x120mm Magazines • 2x CIWS-1B Close Combat Knife • [Additional Equipment Based on Role]
Personality ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Laid back most of the time, she tends to have a darker outlook on things as well as a noncommittal attitude. A trait carried over to even her piloting skills and combat, as she has no clear preference for close range or long range, support or offense, or even the type of equipment she uses. What was clear however, was that she was proficient in using any of them in any role. Of course, she did not have experience in most other TSFs, but with the required training it wasn't that hard to imagine her being able to pilot most anything well.
That was not to say she didn't have any outstanding traits in her personality however; she tended to be observant of events, if not social cues, as well as being quick on her feet in making spontaneous decisions. Has a notable quirk of not actually reading the mood for anything, as well as being rather blunt at times. Combined with her naturally mouthy character, with a tendency to spout out anything on her mind, it was to be expected she tended to come of as abrasive to some people.
History ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
The general public rarely ever knew much about the Beta, what they were, or even how they looked like. They couldn't know, they shouldn't know. While she and a group of recruits knew how they looked like, none of them had any real experience actually fighting one in a combat situation. Thus they were sent on a culling operation that was deemed suitable for their experience, with low numbers of small Betas to be expected. What they found was a much larger force meeting it, with barely any experienced pilots or suitable heavy weapons for the larger Betas. Verena was the sole survivor, by virtue of being the one furthest from the group. She did not escape unscathed however, for she was hospitalized for a few months after.
Those who remembered her before would often remark she had changed much after, leading to her current personality, whereas she used to be bright eyed and hopeful, just one of those bright young people with fire in their heart and a genuine desire to make the world better. One who sees taking back her homeland from the Beta as their own quest, and who now looks upon that impossible dream wryly. What use would a Beta infested chunk of land be for her? She could live anywhere she want to after all.
Verena was not one with a remarkable background, being born to a relatively normal family, with barely anything noticeable save for her high marks on tests. While one could say her family's retreat over the years as the Beta pushed them away from their homeland was interesting, there were many other refugee families with stories similar to them. Beyond that one skirmish, most of her military career has been training and combat exercises, and barely anything else. It made her survival of that skirmish seem all the more miraculous, considering she survived until the more experienced veterans came in to pull her out.
• Loadout • 1x Type-87 Support Assault Cannon • 8x 36mm and 2x120mm • 1x Melee Halberd • 2x Close Combat Knife
Personality ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Laid back most of the time, she tends to have a darker outlook on things as well as a noncommittal attitude. A trait carried over to even her piloting skills and combat, as she has no clear preference for close range or long range, support or offense, or even the type of equipment she uses. What was clear however, was that she was proficient in using any of them in any role. Of course, she did not have experience in most other TSFs, but with the required training it wasn't that hard to imagine her being able to pilot most anything well.
That was not to say she didn't have any outstanding traits in her personality however; she tended to be observant of events, if not social cues, as well as being quick on her feet in making spontaneous decisions. Has a notable quirk of not actually reading the mood for anything, as well as being rather blunt at times. Combined with her naturally mouthy character, with a tendency to spout out anything on her mind, it was to be expected she tended to come of as abrasive to some people.
History ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
The general public rarely ever knew much about the Beta, what they were, or even how they looked like. They couldn't know, they shouldn't know. While she and a group of recruits knew how they looked like, none of them had any real experience actually fighting one in a combat situation. Thus they were sent on a culling operation that was deemed suitable for their experience, with low numbers of small Betas to be expected. What they found was a much larger force meeting it, with barely any experienced pilots or suitable heavy weapons for the larger Betas. Verena was the sole survivor, by virtue of being the one furthest from the group. She did not escape unscathed however, for she was hospitalized for a few months after.
Those who remembered her before would often remark she had changed much after, leading to her current personality, whereas she used to be bright eyed and hopeful, just one of those bright young people with fire in their heart and a genuine desire to make the world better. One who sees taking back her homeland from the Beta as their own quest, and who now looks upon that impossible dream wryly. What use would a Beta infested chunk of land be for her? She could live anywhere she want to after all.
Verena was not one with a remarkable background, being born to a relatively normal family, with barely anything noticeable save for her high marks on tests. While one could say her family's retreat over the years as the Beta pushed them away from their homeland was interesting, there were many other refugee families with stories similar to them. Beyond that one skirmish, most of her military career has been training and combat exercises, and barely anything else. It made her survival of that skirmish seem all the more miraculous, considering she survived until the more experienced veterans came in to pull her out.
The blazing sun had set on the newcomers' first day in the Sanctuary causing the inside of the Sanctuary to illuminate with an array of fixed and floating lights. A different group of sentinels relieved their comrades and took over their task of patrolling the grounds. Everyone was free to roam about the castle just as they would do during the night as they was no curfew or rule preventing them from doing so. R himself had no real need for sleep himself so he spent most of the time working on small projects or performing the very rare maintenance on one of the sentinels. There was only one such resident that actually woke up during this time and preferred the peace and quiet that the mostly empty halls provided.
The solar cycle of the Sanctuary was the same inside the room of each resident. Today the sun rose just like any other with a light fog rolling over the land around the Sanctuary. The Anserian named Cisna was just leaving her room, which was a couple doors down from the newly assigned ones given to yesterday's arrivals. Her muscles ached terribly and her nightmares had plagued her sleep once again, but she emerged from her room with a bright smile and a soft demeanor. Everyone else had their own problems so it would be rude of her to trouble them. She didn't want to be viewed as weak when there was so many strong people here. She didn't want their pity. Her arms stretched out wide along with her pearly white wings that had a wingspan twice her height. Cisna chose not to wait for the new people to exit their rooms and headed down towards the mess hall. She was too nervous around new people and always ended up saying something weird if she spoke more than a couple words.
Vey, Arton, and Volfango were still in the rooms while Voltaire left the privacy of his room. Groggily he raked his hand through his mess of dark, blue-gray hair ending with stretching the skin under his eyes. All he could picture right now was a hot cup of coffee from the mess hall and a warm pastry. He was still adjusting to having all these luxuries at his disposal that he expected any day he would wake up and be back in the normal, shitty world. That being said, he began his walk to the mess hall when he stopped for a moment and looked over his shoulder down the hall where the newbies would be coming from then continued walking. What a weird bunch of people. He supposed that ordinary people with ordinary lives didn't really meet the requirements to be brought here. As long as they didn't bother him, he didn't have an issue with them. There was some injustices in the world that he was going to correct.
A wide assortment of heavenly aromas slowly made its way upstairs from the mess hall, signifying that there was fresh food ready for consumption. R was planning on leaving his chambers in a few moments to join those going to the mess hall and prepare for the day's duties. Last night he was alerted to a rather troubling omen. The first of his counter-measures against the Lich King had been activated, meaning that after completed its initial mission would be arriving here for further instruction. For now, he wanted to see how his new guests had been adjusting to their lives here. This was safest place to be and he intended to keep it that way.
A few years into the 1960s Humanity had undergone incredible leaps in technology. A permanent outpost had been established on the Moon, called Plato-1, in the year 1950 marking a significant step in mankind's quest for the stars. Then in 1958, a probe sent by the United States arrived at Mars and made a discovery that would change the course of human history forever. The probe sent back images of alien beings and structures before losing contact. All further attempts to send probes to Mars were met with failure. This did not deter the world's greatest minds from devising plans to allow them to communicate with this alien life. These same alien lifeforms invaded the moon in 1967 and began to attack facilities all across the surface, killing and devouring all in their path. They were thus named Beings of Extraterrestrial origin which is Adversary of human race or BETA for short. Humanity's fight for survival had just begun.
The BETA landed on Earth in 1973 after the recall of all forces on the Moon. From here on, they began a gruesome, and brutal harvest of all life and resources located on the planet. All attempts to communicate with the BETA were met with absolute failure. Years pass with the majority of Europe and Asia being taken over leaving the world wondering if nothing will turn the battle in their favor. Hundreds of Millions of lives lost, entire countries destroyed, and land stripped of all resources. Society stands on the brink of collapse as unrest spreads among the civilian and refugee populations due to food shortages and terrible living conditions.
The beginning of the year 2000, however, marked a change in the war. Leaders from the United Nations, Soviet Union, Japan, and the United states met in secret and devised a daring plan named Alternative VI that targeted the original BETA hive in Kashgar. The operation, later known as Operation Shattered Steel, would result in the first major victory for Humanity with the elimination of the hive and its Superior. This victory came at a cost of many TSF pilots and ground forces though there was no time to slow down. Study of this battle gave birth to the military theory 'Hybrid Arms', in which the different doctrines and TSFs present across the world would be used in tandem with each other.
It is now 2004 and Humanity is slowly making progress against the BETA. Europe is still under BETA control but there have been other victories across the world since 2000. A series of daring operations immediately after Operation Shattered Steel in the East resulted in the subjugation of Cheorwon, Sadogashime, and Evensk hives. An after action-report done from the forces that subjugated the Cheorwon hive, the last one to be destroyed, detailed an unknown strain of BETA within the central chamber of the hive that appeared to be in a larval state. Attempted elimination of the strain resulted in the loss of 75% of all military personnel that made contact. All information regrading this encounter was immediately classified leaving only the survivors and the top brass aware of what happened.
The nations of the world have agreed to take the strategy of Hyrbid Arms with its next step, the creation of a squadron using personnel and TSFs from different ideologies. You have been selected to join the 212th Tactical Armored Battalion--"The Grim Crows"--as one of four of these mixed squadrons. It is up to you, rookie or veteran, to show the world that victory is possible through a combined effort.
Below you fill find information and links that will expand your understanding of the Muv-Luv world.
The history of the world diverges from real world history as early as 1867. Besides the alien menace that has taken a large portion large portion of the world as we know it there is plenty else different. For starters jet plane development has come to a grinding halt with the appearance of the Laser Class BETA, who fire with such percision that they can strike down a fighter jet from some 30km away. In response to this, the forces of the world began to develop a weapon from an exo-skeleton walker that was first deployed on the moon during the First Lunar War against the BETA and proved to be one of the few things capable of standing toe-to-toe against them. This development eventually gave way to the Tactical Surface Fighter, or TSF as it is commonly referred to, which is what your characters will be piloting.
The Soviet Union and her Warsaw PACT satellites are alive and kicking, although without countries for the most part. Most, if not all, of the PACT forces were absorbed into the UN Military Force but are still a force to be reckoned with. Communists and Capitalists still despise each other, and despite facing a mutual enemy both forces still play a deadly game of espionage and spying behind the expansive curtain of the war against the BETA. Media is highly controlled, with only active serving military members and those who have seen the BETA first hand even knowing what they look like. The Internet as we know it does not exist. The KGB, US Intelligence offices, and other nations' secret services still exist, and are a very real presence everywhere one goes with the power to be judge, jury, and executioner. Much of the surviving people not fighting against the BETA live in terrible conditions in refugee camps and survive off of algae-based food.
1. All guilds rules apply to this RP. No exceptions. 2. Suggestions are welcome but any decision I make is final. 3. Over-powered characters will not be accepted. 4. If you must leave the RP, please notify me beforehand. Real Life happens. I will understand. 4.a If you have not posted or contacted me in a month, your character will be K.I.A next mission. 4.b On that note, Characters may be put in 'Suspension' if you wish to stay in the RP but must be absent for longer than month as long as you message me. 5. One character is recommended but two characters are fine. If you wish to establish a permanent and reoccurring NPC, please PM your idea and create a CS sheet for them if they are approved. 6. Pilot characters are restricted to 16 to 30 years of age. NPCs may be older or younger depending on circumstances. 7. DO NOT post your CS sheet in the Char until it has been approved by me. 7.a All CS must be in a hider when put in the Char tab 7.b Feel free to edit the format of the CS but all information must be there. 8. During a mission, everyone will post after mine and wait for everyone to post before posting again. 8.a Off mission, everyone is free to post in any order. Off mission periods will last around an actual week unless everyone agrees to move on. I will be moving time up periodically during that week. 9. A post is expected at least once a week to give people time to write but also move things along. 10. Enjoy your time in the world of Muv-Luv!
Please use the CS format pasted below and use the example character sheet to see how it is supposed to look. There is a maximum of two characters that each player may have. This may change in the future.
The Directory below contains information that will help you to complete this CS, from what sort of TSF your character will be able to use to things such as a link to the official Timeline so that you can add important events to your history.
This is the information that MUST be in your CS.
Appearance: *Military based appearance, or flight suit, that is a TSF flight suit, or fatigues are pref'd.
Name: / Age: (16-30, any older must be cleared through a GM.)
Height: / Weight: / Gender:
Nationality:
Branch of Service:
Rank: (2ndLt-1stLt, unless approved otherwise in ooc)
Experience: Recruit(no limit), Veteran(one per player starting), Elite (on prior permission only)
TSF: (Can change over time)
TSF Loadout: (Can change over time)
TSF Role:
Personality:
History:
Extra:
*Of note, no national Air Force exist with TSFs. They mostly fly bombers and transports or have been intergrated into the National Army.
All characters may move up in experience, details to be discussed after the first mission.
Helene maintains an icy-cold demeanor that hides her concern for her subordinates's health and well-being. She does not shy away from a challenge and will often force others to back up wild claims they make. Helene does not like to hide or bend the truth from her allies but inquiries into her life outside of being a TSF pilot are made in vain. Her priorities are making sure that everyone gets through this war alive, not getting friendly with each person.
History ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Born on March 24, 1978 to an influential family that she would not be aware of until much later in her life. She was taken by the Statsi at birth for their top-secret ESP program, backed by a group of Soviet scientists, modeled after the Soviet Union's Alternative III Plan. The intention of the Statsi was to create a generation of ESP-enhanced soldiers that they could exploit to exert greater control of East Germany. As they did not possess the same genetic engineering technology as the Soviets, they were forced to abduct newly born infants that were healthy and possessed qualities they believed vital to the project.
Up until the fall of the Oder-Neisse Defence Line in 1983, Helene and many other children were subjected to numerous, unethical experiments paired alongside a rigid education in an attempt to develop their ESP potential. Helene was on of their most promising candidates as she began to demonstrate an ability to read the emotions of others towards the end of 1982, followed by a few others. Their development was halted for good when the BETA broke through and she was evacuated alongside a small number of her fellow subjects.
After the Stasi were removed from power, authority of the children was handed over to what remained of the People's National Army. They were taken care of in a special facility until they were deemed old enough to begin basic training and military education. Helene was quickly appointed as leader of the class due the loyalty of the other children and her intelligence. Years of grueling training and the class graduated into the 606th TSF Squadron and began their first deployment in the summer of 1994 with Helene leading the formation in her MigG-29OVT Fulcrum.
The 606th were highly successful in culling operations conducted in northern Germany and it was not long before they earned a reputation as the most elite squadron under East Germany's command. It was for this reason that they were selected to represent East Germany in Operation Shattered Steel. During the fighting, the 606th and especially Helen were credited with hundreds of slain BETA as a vanguard unit in the operation. However, the battle took its toll on the 606th with only seven members remaining by the time they reached the Hive's entrance thanks to the sudden appearance of the Laser-Fort class BETA. Helene still recalls the bittersweet feeling that came with the confirmation of the Superior's death.
Her accomplishments led to her appointment as the squadron leader of the newly formed 212th Tactical Armored Battalion with the remaining 606th members being dispersed. Despite her own personal doubts, Helene is determined to guide the 212th to the end of this war.
Tactical Surface Fighters, or TSFs, are large bipedal walkers that were based off of the Feedback Protectors and walkers used on the Lunar surface to combat the BETA and are a direct result of the appearance of the Laser-Class BETA units that made all forms of humanities air power obsolete and obtained complete air dominance upon their first appearance in battle.
The TSF is capable of movement on land, in the air, and depending on the TSF, underwater. A TSF is capable of reaching high speed flight in the air, can be seen "gliding" mere feet off the ground, and are able to navigate confined spaces due to their humanoid form and ability to walk. The TSFs are also capable of inhuman feats, with their joints being able to bend in directions that humans never could, allowing them to fire weapons behind their backs, grab weapons from the racks on their upper-backs, and sidestep attacks with the click of a button.
Most Japanese TSFs focus on high speed, maneuverability, and close-combat tactics. The Japanese TSF's also have a respectable gunnery armament, they however are lacking in defenses. Japanese TSF tactics set the the example for the UN Squadron Operations, though some national TSFs perform specialist roles better, the Japanese TSFs are well rounded machines.
The United States, being largely untouched by the war, lacks the experience the others have in combating the BETA invasion. Preferring massive amounts of firepower, US TSFs tend to lack more advanced close battle systems, supplemental armor or halberds, and are instead best left to gunnery or support roles.
F-15E Strike Eagle - US, UN, and allied Western Powers (EU), Veteran Pilots will have the upgraded ACTV model
The Following are TSAs, or Tactical Surface Attackers. They have slow maneuverability, are heavy, and lack in certain aspects that TSFs have, but they make up for it in large amounts of firepower and defensive capabilities.
A-6 Intruder - Amphibious, used by practically all Nations, no Experience requirement.
Similar to Japanese and European TSFs, Soviet TSFs have a distinct close-combat-oriented design for combat conditions in a BETA Hive. With high-speed deployment and usage of melee capabilities via arming their TSFs with built-in melee armaments and well-placed reactive armor plates, as well as high-mobility capabilities to multiply their effectiveness in the crowded conditions of a BETA-dominated battlefield.
European TSFs focus on two fighting methods; one is suppression of enemy forces with heavy firepower in areas unreachable by conventional indirect fire, and the other is high mobility for a highly-adaptable force. With the two methods becoming one as European TSF technology continues to mature, modern European TSFs are highly mobile fighters with the capability to direct heavy firepower wherever they go.
JAS-39 Gripen - Veteran Swedish Pilots and Elite UN Pilots only, Limited Use TSF
Mirage 2000 - UN, French, and EU Forces, no Experience Requirement
F-5E Tornado ADV - UN, EU, and Canadian Pilots, no Experience Requirement
Based on theories of the UN and Japanese forces, these combat rules are standard but by no means universal to all national military formations,
NOTE: "No US" only means that US TSFs are not suited for the position, a US Pilot can fill a Storm Vanguard Slot, but they will do it in an unfamiliar TSF from another Nation and with little to no training in the Role, same goes for other exempted Nations below.
Storm Vanguard (No US) Strike Vanguard (No US) Gun Sweeper (No Sov)* Gun Interceptor (No US) Rush Guard * Impact Guard (No US) Blast Guard (No Sov besides Mig-31)*
Generally fighting in front of the squadron, the role of the Vanguards is to keep the enemy out of range of the others, and the "Storm" load focuses on capability to engaging the enemy at both short and medium range, with a shield for additional protection. The role of the first Storm Vanguard in the squadron is generally coveted, as it implies being one of the most trusted and able.
General Loadout:
1x 36mm/120mm Assault Cannon (4x36mm and 2x120mm Magazines)
1x Supplemental Armor
2x Melee Halberd
2x Close Combat Dagger
A variation on the "Storm" load, the "Strike" load is more offense-oriented, opting for additional guns instead of a shield. Regardless, the role is the same; to keep the BETA at arm's reach. Strike Vanguards generally operate behind the Storm Vanguards, providing extra firepower and close range support as necessary.
General Loadout:
2x 36mm/120mm Assault Cannon (4x36mm and 2x120mm Magazines)
2x Melee Halberd
2x Close Combat Dagger
Acting near the front lines, and engaging the enemy with large volumes of weapons fire, the Gun Sweeper's role is the rapid extermination of enemy forces while they are engaged with the Vanguards, raking them with massive, sweeping arcs of fire. Most Gun Sweepers prefer a loadout of only guns, all blazing in unison to engage and destroy the enemy in a massive volley. Should a unit be in danger of being isolated from the others, the massive firepower of the Gun Sweeper is brought to bear to prevent that.
General Loadout:
4x 36mm/120mm Assault Cannon (8x36mm and 2x120mm Magazines)
2x Close Combat Dagger
Providing additional firepower, the role of the Gun Interceptor is to watch the flanks and manage the killzone of the squadron, acting from the forward flanks and providing additional cover as necessary. They also screen the rear support group from enemies, and help coordinate the efforts of the rear and forward teams. As such, squadron leaders are always fixed as Gun Interceptors, and flight leaders among the non-Vanguards are typically found in this role as well.
General Loadout:
1x 36mm/120mm Assault Cannon (4x36mm and 2x120mm Magazines)
1x Supplemental Armor
1x Melee Halberd
2x Close Combat Dagger
Focused on long and mid-range fire support, Rush Guards assist the Gun Sweepers in engaging the enemy, and are tasked with supporting the Gun Sweepers with rapidly thinning the BETA groups which are being engaged by the main forces.
General Loadout:
1x 36mm Support Assault Cannon (12x36mm Magazine)
2x 36mm/120mm Assault Cannon (4x36mm and 2x120mm Magazines)
2x Close Combat Dagger
Asked to maintain long-range supporting fire, unlike Rush Guards, who are capable of both long and mid-range fire support, an Impact Guard's job is to focus on suppressing or destroying particularly dangerous enemies, or groups of enemies, from long range. Impact Guards are typically picked for their skills in long-range shooting, as well as their ability to make snap judgments in rapidly changing environments.
General Loadout:
1x 36mm Support Assault Cannon (12x36mm Magazine)
1x Melee Halberd
2x Close Combat Dagger
The Blast Guard's role is to herd enemy forces and assist in crowd control, allowing the rest of the squadron to manage their jobs. As such, units assigned to the Blast Guard role are often provided with missile containers to bombard enemy formations. In hives, they also handle direct bombardment of enemy forces.
General Loadout:
1x 36mm/120mm Assault Cannon (2x36mm and 2x120mm Magazines)
1x Supplemental Armor
2x Missile Containers (variable missile count)
2x Close Combat Dagger
The loadouts listed in each role are simply the "general loadout." Different weapons may be switched and equipment may be added or removed but there are some ground rules do exist within the Muv-Luv universe, such as:
American TSFs do not mount or use heavy melee weapons such as the melee halberds due to the US combat doctrine and subsequent design of US TSFs to meet this doctrine. US TSFs as well do not mount the Mk.57 squad gun, while Japanese and EU TSFs do.
Supplemental armor can be mounted by all TSFs, but, some TSFs are unable to mount and utilize shields. These being the Russian and US TSFs.
Russian TSFs do not mount any missile systems or heavy automatic weapons such as the Mk.57 squad gun. The only exception to this being the MiG-31.
The Beings of Extra Terrestrial origin which is Adversary of human race, more commonly known by the acronym BETA.
The BETA vary greatly in size, with the smallest identified strain (Soldier-class) being around 3 meters tall, and the largest identified strains (Fort-class) at over 60 meters tall. They cannot fly, and the Laser and Heavy Laser-class BETA shoot down anything that does, rendering aircraft useless and making any aerial military operations much more difficult.
Their very existence is shrouded in mystery. All that mankind knows of them during Unlimited and at the start of Alternative is that they are (obviously) hostile, are carbon-based lifeforms (this was discovered when specimens were examined in Alternative 2), and do not consider humans to be living beings. The BETA Harvest humans and most other resources on land, lack air or naval assets, and their strength in combat lies in their numbers, overwhelming any opposition.
Details and information on the BETA is heavily controlled and restricted and the human race has been reduced to 1.5 billion beings, with most of Eurasia being overran, only now has humanity been in a position to counter-attack.
Other Links of Importance: Although not required to read these, it will help with general knowledge and you can always familiarize yourself with their contents over time. Much of it, however can be explained as it crops up IC.