Post by wanderer on Dec 16, 2017 18:27:43 GMT
Frontline soldiers of the RSC, Troopers are the bread and butter of the Motherland's legions. Hailing from all walks of life across the RSC, these soldiers, both men and women, are some of the best trained troops in the galaxy. While technologically behind many factions, this does not bother the Restevians overmuch, as they have been able to cope for their entire existence. Well trained, well equipped, and well motivated, the Shock Troops are the RSC's foremost infantry, rivaled only in efficiency and devotion to their cause by the Gladiarus. Often deployed in squads, Shock Troops are well trained in small-squad tactics, although they are not incapable of large scale assaults.
RSC frontline troops are issued with titanium-alloy body armor, that while lightweight for armor of it's type, can stop a 7.62x51 mm NATO round and most types of shrapnel. While not issued with combat HUDs, it is not uncommon for Restevian troops to acquire these devices of their own volition, often capturing them from enemy forces, or purchasing them from base quartermasters. Armament for the Shock troopers, while dated, is more than potent enough to deal with any foe RSC troops might face. Each trooper is armed with an AK-234 assault rifle, a 7.02x55mm weapon that seen service with the RSC armed forces for close to a hundred years. A signature weapon of the Restevain forces is the S-1 saber, a multi-purpose brush-clearing tool/close quarters weapon. In service for hundreds of years, nearly every Restevian soldier is issued an S-1, as it is both highly utilitarian, and lethal in combat.
A specialized group deployed for the harshest and most fearsome of alpine fighting, the 249th Mountain Corps is a prestigious unit, and well respected in the RSC's armies for their determination and efficiency in their theaters of operation, and their low casualty counts when facing tough odds.
Suppourt troops armed with light machine guns, RSC Gunners are the impuetus that carries any assault or battle. While Shock Troops are the titular infantry of RSC, Gunners provide firepower to suppress the enemy and cover their comrades as they advance towards their objectives or defend their positions. Gunners are as exhaustively trained as any other Restevian troops, and it shows with the efficiency of their maneuvers, and how quickly they are able to lay down fire precisely where it needs to go. Deployed in pairs to every squad of Shock Troops, the Gunners are an indispensable part of the Restevian military line up, and any soldier who's job is made easier by the fire they lay down will tell you just the same.
Armored much the same as their Shock Trooper counterparts, with one notable exception being their kneeguards, built to lessen the stress on the Gunner's knee when they need to crouch, or crawl on all fours. Gunners are armed with a DP-70 light machine gun, a rapid-fire lead spitter that uses the same 7.02mm rounds as the AK-234, feeding from either 50 round clips or 200 round belts. For secondary weapons, the Gunners carry a sidearm, and the S-1 saber that is a signature of the Soviet armed forces.
The 44th Field Army is one of RSC's 'Line' armies, and one of the first to lead the charge into battle. Commanded at current by the capable Colonel-General Richard Emmetovich Malonkev, the 44th has weathered many of the fiercest battles of the Terran-Restevian War, and still stands ready to defend it's people and homelands.
If Troopers are the hands of RSC's infantry, and Gunners and Commandos the shield, then without a doubt, Gladiarus are the sword. Men and women equipped with powered armor suits and armed with the heaviest of infantry weapons conceivable to be viewed as such, Gladiarus are truly a force to be reckoned with as they stride across the battlefield, smashing all opposition before them as they lead those who follow them to victory. Gladiarus are selected from troops who exhibit great skill with heavier weapons, an ability to think lightning fast on their feet, and decent mechanical skill, as all are needed to fight as they do. The skill with heavy weapons is self-explanatory, but the other two not so. Great spatial awareness and a quick mind are needed to keep the Gladiarus alive in combat, as they must deal with a multitude of threats all at once, as the enemy will throw everything they have at such an obvious target. Mechanical skill and knowledge is needed, because, as sturdy as the suits are, they will eventually become inoperable because of hard use or enemy fire. The Gladiarus must be able to repair their own suits in the field, or failing that, know how to rig them for demolition so they will not fall into enemy hands.
The most easily recognizable equipment of the Gladiarus, the powered armor they utilize in combat is a pinnacle of Restevian defensive tech, being able to withstand thousands of bullets and dozens of rockets before the plating fails, in addition to allowing the Gladiarus to fight in almost any environ with relative comfort, and communicate with any Restevian forces on-world. In recent years, Restevian R&D has also begun to equip the suits with layers of energy-dispersing silver-ceramic lattices, due to the energy weapons the RSC has encountered from their foes. By way of weapons, the Gladiarus are very nearly capable of shaking the earth, as the rocket and grenade launchers, auto-cannon and heavy rotary machine guns they wield in battle are a truly fearsome array of firepower. Most commonly utilized is the VK-450 heavy machine gun, a 14.5mm rotary weapon usually mounted on armored fighting vehicles, aircraft, and tanks due to the monstrous recoil and weight of the weapon, which weighs in at a hefty 180 pounds unloaded. This, however, does not stop Gladiarus from using the weapon as though it were a minigun of far lesser weight and size. For hand-to-hand fighting, the Gladiarus are among the only Restevian troops not armed with S-1s, as the sabres are too small to be held effectively by the gauntlets of their suits. Instead, these armored warriors rely on the purpose built and much larger S-2, spiked chains that can be wound around their arms, or whatever comes to hand at the time. (Because of this, it is not uncommon to see Gladiarus attacking light vehicles or bunkers armed with motorcycles, lampposts, or in many cases, small trees.)
The 17th Dune Marauders are a unit that is singularly suited to desert combat, insurgency and counter-insurgency tactics, able to strike from the sands or barren rocks with lethal force and speed, only to vanish just as fast. Deployed on many worlds since their formation, from Mars to Gell VII, the Marauders are an object of intense scrutiny and legend, both within RSC, and without.
A Trooper of the armies of the Restevian Socialist Confederation, ready and waiting for the order of battle!
RSC infantry armor, while at first glance a throwback to the late 20th and early 21st centuries, is far, far more than it appears to be. The carbide-steel/titanium/carbon-nanotube alloy lattice which makes up the plates of this armor is far stronger than it initially appears to be, able to stop a variety of ballistic rounds effectively, and more or less halt a strike from a laser at long range, though this relies heavily on the laser having partially dispersed by this time. These plates are used to cover the torso, arms, shoulders, and the front of the legs. The helmet is made of the same material, using a Kevlar and titanium outer shell to bleed off the force of an impact.
In addition, the uniform itself is armor, though not nearly as effective on it's own as when coupled with the plates. The trousers, boots, tunic, gloves and greatcoat are all three layers, utilizing heavy duty ballistic cloth as the outer layers, with a layer of non-Newtonian fluid 'liquid armor' between them.
This armor, while primitive compared to many, is still alarmingly effective, as the somewhat bare appearance of these troopers had lulled many an enemy of the Restevian people into a false sense of superiority.
Special forces trooper of the RSC, widely vaunted, respected, and skilled in the arts of special operations.
Armed with internally suppressed rifles and the latest in personal stealth and comms gear, the Spetsnaz are masters of both overt and covert ops, able to infiltrate an high-security enemy facility, remain on station undetected for a week or more, then shoot their way out as Restevian forces assault it from outside. In the same turn, they are capable taking on large enemy units on their own, clawing victory from the ether using their wits, their weapons, and the merciless, ruthless tactics they are known for.
Second only to the Restevian Wraith Commandos, the Spetsnaz are still unbelievably deadly by almost anyone's standards, and a force to be both respected and feared by anyone they come up against.
RSC Gladiarus:
"Holy shit, and we thought the Restevian infantry were tough sons-of-bitches. The first time these buggers turned up, we thought it was the apocalypse come to life. We're tough, but gunfire was bouncing off these guys like spitwads and some of them were laughing. Then they opened up, and we had no choice but to drop our shit and fall back. I remember the noise, that gut-tearing snarl of those rotaries. We brought up armor the next day to push them back, but they'd retreated. Then they turned up somewhere else along the line, and the unit there had to cheese it. That was the first time we fought them. Now the Restevians have a hell of a lot more of them, and they're still goddamn terrifying." --UEA Captain on the first battle against RSC Gladiarus in 2250
Thunder and fire on the battlefield, the power-armored Gladiarus are the sword of any RSC infantry assault, utilizing heavy armor plate and heavy weapons to withstand massive amounts of enemy fire and enable their comrades to advance. Some are now being equipped with prototype energy shield projectors, to increase their already massive effectiveness.
Restevian Shock Trooper:
"The Shock Troopers are the some of the finest men and women our people have to offer. In another time, they could have been scientists, police officers, teachers. But the realities of the world we live in and the savagery of war has prevented this. Even with this in mind, Shock Troops are resolute defenders of our people, and there is not much that we have faced that could break them in battle short of tanks. Even in the face of impossible odds, they fight on. Every sacrifice they make, we must ensure it is not in vain, lest all they have bled for be for nothing." -- Admiral Natasha Kerens, speaking about the Restevian Army, 2244
Restevian Shock Troops are the most numerous of the soldiery of the Restevain Socialist Confederation, well trained, equipped and motivated to defend their people. Though their gear appears old, it is top of the line, with Shock Troopers able to withstand a surprising amount of punishment in their duties.
RSC Spetznaz:
"I once asked one of the Spetz what it is they were doing behind the Capitol lines, and if there was anything they could tell us. She just looked at me, and sighed. "I thought I could understand the hate man has for man... until we found that lab. It's gone now, but I thought I could understand..." she said, and walked away from me. I couldn't get her words. Spetznaz are some of the hardest buggers we have, and they saw something that scared them? Whatever it is... I don't want to know." --Private journal of a RSC Lieutenant, Talas IV
The Spetznaz are the most well-known of the RSC's Special Operations troops, capable of taking down almost any objective they are set against with minimal casualties and maximum damage. Equipped with some of the highest-end stealth gear and military equipment the RSC can afford, the only troops better equipped are the elusive Wraith Commandos.
Marine Private Dmitri Destrov of the 157th Marine Battalion assigned to the RNV Zoronya, charging forward into the unknown.
The light tank of choice for the RSC, the T-83 Fenris is fleet of foot as it's mythological counterpart, able to reach speeds that for a tank, are widely considered to be breakneck. Often sent on recon missions considered to be too dangerous for Hermes scout cars or to support infantry assaults, the Fenris is a sturdy, reliable, and surprisingly powerful vehicle for it's size and purpose.
Adopted in 2201 to fill the light tank role, the Fenris was widely accepted upon first deployment, and soon became very popular among light armored divisions and recon units. Capable of travelling up to 120 kph on relatively flat terrain and up to 50 kph in water, (as the vehicle is amphibious,) the T-83 is very adept at getting both in to hot-zones, and out of danger. In addition, the tank's maneuverability allow skilled pilots to handle the tank as though it were a car. By way of armament, the tank is armed with an 80mm armor piercing gun, a 7.02mm co-axial gun, and smoke grenade launchers.
Main battle tank of the RSC, the T-348 Ogre is an old and venerable warhorse of the Restevian armies, as it has seen service in countless battle since it's first introduction in 2170. However, with the changing realities of battle and the need for updated firepower, the Ogre is being withdrawn from the front lines in favor of the newer Ogre Mk. 2.
Updated with sturdier armor and a more powerful engine, the Mk. 2 is both faster than the original tank and far tougher, able to sustain multiple hits from weapons that would destroy the earlier vehicle in one. However, simply updating the armor and engine would not solve the RSC's problems in battle, and so the firepower has been upgraded as well. The original 125mm gun has been upgraded to a 140mm rocket-assisted cannon, capable of firing any type of shells the RSC is capable of producing in that caliber. (There is a rumor that Restevian R&D has been experimenting with plasma explosives, and that these may be seeing general issue soon.) The VK-450 coaxial and commander's hatch guns have not been changed, except that both rotary guns have been reinforced to handle the firing stress of the newly standard AP/HE rounds. Tri-charge warhead ATGMs are now standard, mounted in a bank of four and controllable by any of the three crew in the turret.
In short, a significant upgrade in both the survivability and hitting power of the Ogre, a sure improvement for the RSC's armored units, no matter the foe.
A monster that began appearing in Restevian armored units in the last twenty years of the Terran-Restevian War, the T-540 Kraken is a beast on the battlefield, able to take hits that would utterly scrap a smaller tank in a single hit for hours on end. It has been said by UEA artillery, tank and anti-tank crews of the Kraken that 'while there's not many of the buggers, taking one out is more a matter of luck and divine intervention than skill and a good AT missile.'
A machine of war unlike almost anything else seen in the Milky Way, the Kraken is massively armored, massively armed, and a force to be feared and reckoned with on the field. With a main armament consisting of a 280mm gun with a 20mm co-ax, the tank is able to engage targets either far larger or smaller than it is, with frightening effectiveness and speed. With a crew of eight and a monumentally high cost to maintain, each Kraken is an expensive investment, and not one the RSC will use lightly. All the same, this tank is a monster with a fearsome reputation the enemies of the RSC would do well to heed.
A beast in every sense of the word, the TX-18009 Manticore is a prototype monstrosity only now beginning to appear on the front lines. Developed to provide a level of firepower that even the Kraken cannot provide, the Manticore is a hydra with many heads, capable of putting fire on almost any target in any direction, very quickly.
The list of weapons with which a single Manticore is equipped is staggering, seemingly more appropriate for a company of tanks rather than one. From a 400mm gun with a smaller, 125mm gun mounted in a secondary turret to the high-power lasers and machine cannons mounted on the treadwells, this machine is bursting at the gills with firepower. In simulated tests, the Manticore performed almost flawlessly, taking out nearly all targets sent against it with impunity, or at least a great deal less ammo expended than other vehicles in the RSC inventory. With a crew of twelve and a truly mind-boggling weight, this machine is not as fleet and swift as other RSC tanks have a reputation of being, but for breaking through enemy lines or holding a position against all comers, the Manticore is quickly becoming a favorite of RSC troops.