SPECIAL FORCES
The introduction of spacefaring vessels, FTL technology, and dark energy manipulation in to the military revolutionized standard operating procedures, making dedicated ground units almost obsolete. As such, most modern militaries, the notable exception being the Caelian Union, do not have an army, but rely on a marine corps when ground operations are necessary. In addition to marines, militaries employ special forces that operate outside of conventional operation procedures. Each special forces unit has a unique history and purpose.
Perhaps the most famous special forces in the world are the elite agents of the Alliance’s Special Tactics and Reconnaissance Group, or STRG. The STRG was established following the signing of the Alliance Pact, in order to protect the interests of the Alliance with no accountability to its individual governments. STRG agents range from masters of combat to espionage to engineering, using their own resources and methods to resolve threads to the Alliance.
The CHS employs many special forces units, but the most notable by far are members of the Interplanetary Combat Initiative, or ICI. ICI members are trained to operative under any parameters, including combat in zero gravity and high gravity settings, amphibious combat, atmospheric and extra-atmospheric combat. They are often introduced in to the battlefield via orbital drop.
The Elesmeri employ two special forces initiatives, one military and one paramilitary. The Hybrid Combat Unit, or HCU, is group of highly trained combat engineers trained in infiltration, espionage, and vehicular combat. The specialize in capturing enemy positions without using siege tactics, and are known for their efficiency in boarding and capturing enemy vessels. The Arbiters are a paramilitary unit of peacekeepers, trained to resolve conflict through non-violent methods. Despite their pacifist mentality, Arbiters are typically highly trained Materiologist that use non-lethal, though certainly painful, techniques to neutralize opponents when negotiations fail.
The Cerian Hierarchy employs two special forces units. The Cerian Intelligence Group, or CIG, is an elite team of engineers, hackers, AI and cyber warfare experts. They use their technical proficiency to assume control of enemy defenses, shutting down kinetic barriers and overriding identify-friend-foe programming in turrets and mechs, taking out entire bases without firing a shot. The Setian marines employ STO, subterranean offense, teams to drill through the ground and resurface behind enemy positions.
The Caelian Union employs the highest number of special forces groups, but the most well known by far are the Caelian Rangers. Rangers are frontier assault teams, trained to operate in hostile conditions, such as planets with high solar radiation or seismic activity. They use a combination of Materiology and martial prowess to launch blitzkrieg style assaults on heavily fortified enemy positions, wearing down their defenses through multiple engagements before launching a final assault.