MATTOCK

Exploration & Security Division

Introduction

Even a mission of peace and understanding must be ready to protect itself from the perils of the galaxy. Pirates lurk; viroids bloom; ancient machines lash out at new threats. It follows that the Ardent’s armoury module is stocked for scouting and self-defence, not for conquest – but it is a well-stocked armoury nonetheless.

The Ardent’s security team is called MATTOCK: a name deliberately chosen as being that of a multi-use tool, rather than a weapon. Individuals within this division are organised into troops, which train broadly: any given trooper is expected to be as effective as a scout as they are a guard, and vice versa.

MATTOCK’s duties require them to get their boots on the ground early, and to be prepared for potential threats in alien territories. In addition to their defensive combat and exfiltration training, troopers use their module’s haptic suites to prepare for a multitude of contact scenarios. Their emphasis is on de-escalation, and they are assisted and informed by the work of other divisions toward the Ardent’s goal of establishing a baseline for diplomacy. Defensive violence is always their last resort.

On deployment, MATTOCK troopers use red accents to identify each other in lieu of a specific uniform. They are the spearhead and the shield of the Ardent’s mission: one hand driving into unknown territories, as the other draws and holds the line.

Table Of Contents
  1. Introduction
  2. Gameplay
  3. Division Priorities

Gameplay

MATTOCK troopers are the main armed detail and tactical operations team aboard the Ardent – think classic redshirts, or the colonial marines from Alien. Their gameplay pillars are Combat and Diplomacy, with division plots centred on exploring the unknown and ensuring their comrade’s safety when encountering new lifeforms.

Division Priorities

  • Scout out new territories, identify possible threats, and escort Ardent operatives in dangerous scenarios
  • Defend existing positions, prevent infiltration attempts, and guard valuable materials and personnel
  • Assist in first contact scenarios with new species
  • De-escalate tensions between Alliance forces and alien life
  • Keep the peace aboard the Ardent
  • Maintain a fighting force capable of responding to multiple threats on multiple fronts
  • Protect, to the last.
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