The Ghost Brigade
Child of
Weaponizing Self Cowardice
A soldier running and hiding at the height of a battle, living through the encounter.
“I’m alive because I'm never there to fight.”
Wields Load Applications of rapid threat evaluation, invisibility, and passive absence of Load Signal.
Overview
An individual Specialist that is officially recognized by The Nation military, often being universally mistaken as an entire infiltration unit. They are primarily deployed independently to harass holds or disrupt infrastructure despite being integrated into a Specialist Shock Troop. The Ghost Brigade is seen as cowardly, dirty, and dishonorable amongst allies and enemies. They are rarely seen outside of combat, with their complexion always being hidden with a frogmen helmet and net.
The Ghost Brigade chooses fights where they cannot be properly perceived, prioritizing ambushing at long ranges and rigging traps using enemy supplies to incite chaos and confusion. Only resorting to close-quarters combat if the area is additionally cramped and narrow.
Operations by The Ghost Brigade primarily focus on infiltrating enemy strongholds, sabotaging communications, and crippling power. The enhanced physicality of being a Specialist allows them to transport small caches of ammunition, establishing hidden checkpoints to resupply during their assault. Once the electrical grids are destroyed and traps armed, The Ghost Brigade begins picking off soldiers. The activation of traps and gunfire from seemingly impossible angles and simultaneous locations established the misconception that The Ghost Brigade is an infiltration unit. Over the course of days or weeks, they can independently dismantle an entire stronghold. Soldiers are forced into constant vigilance and fear under the psychological weight of their omnipresent appearance. When infiltrations are supported by external artillery or siege operations, the takeover of a position becomes nearly inevitable. even Legions are overwhelmed. Most strategists would immediately determine the stronghold as a sink of resources and a lost cause. Field reports indicate never spotting an attacker and bullets coming from the dark.
Surrendering soldiers are not met with mercy, being executed by gunfire from an unseen source, establishing a sense of inevitable death that comes without warning. There is no room for sanctuary or assurance.
They aren't executed out of cruelty, but out of risk. The Ghost Brigade approaches war pragmatically, instances of restraint are only shown when a commanding officer is directly on scene, only because they know consequences of defying orders outweigh their instincts.
On rare occasions, The Ghost Brigade is assigned as a covert bodyguard for political figures, carriers of critical intelligence, and Oligarch Commanders.
The Ghost Brigade utilizes their own unique self-modified semi-automatic rifle and ammunition. Their bullets lack penetration power in exchange for longer range, quieter gunfire, and lowered muzzle flash, additionally amplified with its special built in silencer. To make up for its decreased lethality, the bullets have been coated in poison. Gunfire creates a distinctive quiet popping sound.
Overall Complexity
Fear is associated as a negative trait, but here it's their most powerful strength.
- Their fear no longer paralyzes them. Instead, it heightens their awareness and drives calculated planning.
- It shapes their war identity, making them an infiltrator and a psychological weapon.
- Their cowardice spreads itself outward, creating hesitation and dread in others. The Ghost Brigade’s unique fear becomes contagious.