Chemical Dependence, Loyalty, and Pride – The Axandrian Shock Troop Corps.
The Axandrian Shock Troops are an Elite branch of the Axandrian Infantry Corps trained in the use of heavy weapons and armor, crystal veins, and specialized skills for breaking through enemy lines or holding their own. Shock Troops are well trained, heavily indoctrinated, and made dependent on Crystal. Each Division has its own specialty in equipment, gear, and training.
The Shock Troops serve as an elite force both at home and abroad and are seen as salvation when they arrive on the battlefield. They are a symbol of Astarte’s military strength and can turn the tide of battle, shatter enemy morale, and rally flagging allies to push forward. They stand as a pseudo-knight class elevated above standard soldiers of their ranks.
General Equipment and Training.
Shock Troops are drawn from general infantry pools, pulling out talent from recruits and veterans alike, though some are authorized to draw from other corps and/or are tied to other branches of Astarte forces. Besides standard infantry training, they are given various steroids and stimulants, undergo heavy environmental training, close-quarter combat training, and training on how to maintain mental control while under the influence of crystal.
Standard Shock Troop gear includes a gas mask, an overcoat, a gorget, heavy infantry armor, a primary weapon (5 spare Magazines or 1 Box for belt-fed weapons), a side arm (2 spare magazines), a melee weapon, and three grenades.
Hierarchy and Structure.
The Shock Troop Division follows its own hierarchy, though it is technically part of the Infantry Division.
The High Lord is the leader of the Shock Troop; it has been Hagen Pasztor the Sun Slayer.
Lord Commanders: the leaders of individual shock trooper divisions.
Attendant; Attendants are aides and personal helpers of the Lord.
Knight Commander: Knight Commanders are officers who oversee operations in various theaters under the Division’s Lord Commander.
Lieutenant: More office-based officers handle various paperwork, tactics, deployments, and the use of resources and manpower.
Chaplain: Chaplains are religious and political authorities within the Shock Troop divisions, maintaining faith and party orthodoxy. Chaplains tend to be affiliated with the Brotherhood or the Sisterhood.
Sergeants-at-Arms: Field officers who lead squads with attached supplemental support from another division.
Sergeant: Field officers who lead squads of Shock Troops.
Corporal: A field officer who leads sections of a squad.
Knight: Veteran Shock Troopers.
Squire: Fresh recruits who are still undergoing training.
The Shock Troop corps is divided into several divisions, each with specialized training and gear. Some Divisions were decommissioned, replaced, phased out, or integrated into other Divisions.
The Astarte 1st Shock Division – The Mammoths: Heavy urban shock troops; armed with light machine guns. Selected for size and trained to walk while firing MGs. Equipped with impact dart grenades.
The Astarte 3rd Shock Division – The War Dogs: General-use shock troops. Trained to work with and attach infantry detachments. Specializes in marksmanship, relies on semi-automatic rifles. Relies on frag grenades.
The Astarte 5th Shock Division – The Hedgehogs: Shock Troop combat engineers, experts at digging trenchworks, close-quarter fighting, and building defenses, bunkers, field repairs, and salvaging operations. Specialized in SMGs and shotguns, carries 1 smoke grenade, 1 incendiary grenade, and 1 HE grenade. Carries a field toolbox and a roll of colored flares.
The Astarte 10th Shock Division – The Blood Hounds: This division is trained in pathfinding, search, survival, tracking, and medium-range engagement. Armed with Carbines, 1 AT Dart Grenade, 2 HE grenades.
The Astarte 15th Shock Division – The Stags: A forward operations unit specializing in scouting, wayfinding, and raids on enemy rear elements. Armed with Satchel Charges and disposable rocket launchers.
The Astarte 32nd Shock Division – The Stallions: Specialized marksmen and close combatants. Trained for charges, the Stallions pick off defenses with long-rifles, suppress enemies with accurate fire, and then close in with swords and bayonets. Equipped with a long-rifle, semi-auto rifle, or full-auto carbine. Carries 2 smoke grenades and 1 shrapnel grenade.
The Astarte 33rd Shock Division – The Drakes: Flamethrower unit, specializes in clearing bunkers, tunnels, and enemy defenses. Equipped with a flamethrower and 2 satchel charges.
The Astarte 44th Shock Division – The Goats: A specialized mountaineer division armed with long rifles, assault rifles, rifle grenades or dart grenades, and climbing gear.
The Astarte 52nd Shock Division – The Phoenixes: Bodyguard Unit; the Phoenixes serve as the Infantry General’s personal guard and descend from demi-gods of Siger’Alst. They are generally used for more ceremonial purposes than other divisions and are equipped with a halberd as their primary weapon. It is said they can get back up when killed like their namesake.
The Astarte 66th Shock Division – The Psi-Corps: These specialized shock troops are drawn from the Psi-Corps and serve as frontline psionic weapons. They can tear hostile elements apart at the molecular level. The smallest Shock Troop division consists of fewer than 100 trained members.
The Astarte 75th Shock Division – The Mongeese: These specialized shock troops are trained to counter terror elements in urban areas. They are well-versed in urban combat, room clearance, and integration with law enforcement. Armed with snub-nose SMGs, impact concussion grenades, and tear gas grenades.
The Astarte 86th Shock Division – The Rams: The Rams specialize in close-range, brutal combat. Armed with shotguns, 2 high explosive grenades, and an incendiary grenade.
The Astarte 87th Shock Division – The Mantises: The Mantises specialize in urban combat. Clearing streets and clearing buildings. Armed with a mixture of assault rifles and SMGs. They carry a selection of satchel charges, anti-tank dart grenades, and impact HE grenades.
The Astarte 109th Shock Division – The Ligers: Specialized in environmental hazards and rough terrain, primarily in colder climates. The Ligers are equipped with Semi-Auto rifles, 3 Stick fragmentation grenades, and heavy climate gear.
The Astarte 110th Shock Division – The Hyenas: Specialized in environmental hazards, rough terrain, primarily in hotter climates. The Hyenas use long bolt-action rifles, rifle grenades, and heat-reflective coats.
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