- "If war is ever lawful, then peace is sometimes sinful."
- ―C.S. Lewis
Spectre was an independent battle team within House Tarentum. It once served a role of military might in House Kaerner, as well as its base's primary defense force. With its three Fireteams - Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie - Spectre held positions in black ops, house protection, and general military support for Tarentum. The team was closed toward the end of 33 ABY due to a lack of activity from its troops.
History
In 32 ABY, chaos and disorder emerged within Tarentum's three houses: House Gladius, House Tridens, and House Cestus. This turmoil resulted in the formation of two new houses under Tarentum's banner by order of then-Consul Maxamillian von Oberst-Tarentae. House Reinthaler and House Kaerner subsequently became Tarentum's two primary houses under the approval and instruction of the Sith King.
Forming their base on Joran, House Kaerner was in desperate need for security. Scion Altera and Tyyravis Nami Dantes, Quaestor and Aedile of the house respectively, decided that the task of protection and surveillance be left to a battle team comprised of elite warriors.
Jagen Phoenix, Aedile Emeritus of Tridens was chosen to assemble and lead the team. Scouting members who walked the halls of the Joran Complex and training them in secret, Jagen founded a worthy team of Dark Jedi and non-Force sensitives to protect the ice base.
Jagen, growing weary after years of struggling with the demands for Spectre's might, decided to pass on the team to another leader. After consulting with Quaestor Ronovi Tavisaen Tarentae the two agreed on Severon Vercingetorix. Severon's first order of business was to wrap up getting a base for the team. They settled on the old Reinthaler base, The Pyramid.
Unfortunately, as Tarentum's numbers depleted, an atmosphere of ennui settled among the members of Spectre. Due to a lack of participation in house operations, the team was closed in favor of having only two battle teams open. It was simultaneously closed along with Reinthaler, another battle team.
Induction
Spectre was an elite team of Dark Jedi and non-Force sensitives alike. Those who wished to gain a spot in Spectre’s ranks had to prove themselves to be of the highest caliber. Those members who showed great skill were inducted into Spectre and granted extensive training in Tarentum to prepare for their role in the team.
Role
Battleteam Spectre was divided into three separate sub-units. While each sub-unit could deal with the entire range of operations that Spectre would take part in, these sub-units received specialized training and were therefore masters at their particular talents.
Fireteam Alpha
The sub-unit Alpha was Spectre’s tactical insertion and black operations division. Members found in Alpha were considered some of the most dangerous members in Spectre and in House Kaerner.
A member of Fireteam Alpha was given extensive training in Dark Jedi Force arts, as well as battle tactics, secrecy and camouflage, piloting, piracy, weapons specialization, and special operations fields. The members of Alpha could be seen anywhere necessary, as their work in Kaerner varied anywhere from basic riot control to large scale tactical strikes.
The primary weapons for members of Fireteam Alpha were as follows:
- DC-17m weaponry system: This was the full array of the DC weapons system. The DC system was a weapon system based on interchangeable parts making one weapon into a possibility of many, from a regular battle rifle to a sniper rifle. Members of Alpha used this weapon system for multiple battle purposes. It was required carry for the members of Alpha, to ensure that members always had sufficient protection.
- DC-15s side arm blaster: This pistol variant of the DC system was to be carried as a side arm at all times to ensure quick protection whenever the sub-unit's primary blaster rifle was not readily available.
Fireteam Bravo
The sub-unit Bravo was the main protection force of Tarentum. It was comprised of individuals greatly trained in protection services and naturally is skilled in the powers of the dark side.
The primary weapons of Fireteam Bravo members were as follows:
- DC-15s side arm blaster: This side arm heavy pistol was given to Bravo members for optional carry. It was also produced by BlasTech and featured a large ammunition clip for close quarters battles that are long in duration.
Fireteam Charlie
The final sub-unit of Spectre, Charlie, provided general military service for Tarentum. While Bravo was more involved in protecting Tarentum's assets, Charlie was used for more general militaristic demands.
Members of Charlie were trained in a strict military fashion. They exercised in survival, combat, and general weapon proficiency in addition to their knowledge of the Force.
The primary weapons of Fireteam Charlie were as follows:
- TAW-8GP Combat Rifle: This Tarentum-made combat rifle was the primary weapon of Charlie members. A small blurb said: "The TAW-8GP combat rifle, also known as "Reaper", is on the front lines defending you and your homes against the merciless enemy. Reaper is a new personal infantry weapon from your friends at Death's Head Consortium, based on Yridia II. With simple construction, high rate of fire, and advanced integrated technologies, the brave soldiers of your military are rushing forward, beating back the same aliens who would enslave you."
- TAW-6A Autopistol: This autopistol counterpart the TAW-8GP was secondary carry for Charlie members for smaller applications.
Equipment
Weapons
In addition to the primary weaponry of each sub-unit, each team also carried:
- Smoke grenades: One per person.
- Luma grenade: One per person.
- Vibroknife: For use in hand to hand/maximum stealth situations each member had a bladed weapon on their person.
- HX2 mine: Each member was required to carry one of these antipersonnel mines per mission.
- C-22 fragmentation grenade: Each member was required to carry at least 2 of these grenades per mission.
Armor
- TDW-HA MkI: A masterpiece of war designed by Tarentum’s own defensive works, a subsidiary of the TAW. This armor has been designed to sheath its wearer in nigh-impenetrable armor, yet it remains light enough to be carried with no discomfort. Its unique defensive capabilities come from the web of energy-dampening superconductors - which are woven into mimetic plates of the shell - that disperses the energy from a laser blast from its impact point through the whole armor before channelling it into its own energy stores. Protection against kinetic weapons is provided by a plasteel alloy provided by Tarenti mines, which has been demonstrated to resist the initial blow of an amphistaff. Worn underneath the armor is a body suit which incorporates a further energy web to dampen any residual laser fire that might leak through the outer shell. Similar to the fabled stormtrooper armor, the TDW-HA MkI allows its user to survive in a vacuum for a limited run of time (obviously with the use of a helmet).
This armor was first utilized by the elite Cestus battle team known as the Nightwraiths. However, since their dissolution, the armor had been passed to the next best unit.
Headquarters
Spectre was once housed in the ice base of Joran. There, House Kaerner and Spectre shared the base with Spectre providing primary house protection. Until its dissolution, the team was established in the Pyramid on Yridia III, the former base of House Reinthaler.
Field Operations
The leader of Spectre used comlink communications as a means of tracking his operatives' positions while on the field. In the case of two sub-units needing monitoring at one time, Spectre’s leader was informed via his HUD helmet screen with ongoing operations through tracking members located in the Team base on Yridia III.
Commanders
The founder of Spectre, Jagen Phoenix.
- Jagen Phoenix
- Severon Vercingetorix
Phalanx of Spectre
- "Like diamonds formed from immense pressure and heat, a true Dark Jedi is formed this same way. He is formed from combat and strife, and rises from its ashes."
- ―Jagen Phoenix
Over the years, exceptional members had risen above and beyond what was expected of them at their ranks. The Phalanx of Spectre was a ceremonious title awarded to members who have shown exquisite skill in the battle team. The Phalanx took the role as the Commander's Chief Advisor. Although the Phalanx served for only a month, the current Phalanx was always needed for information and ideas on how the Battleteam should progress. The title was not to be taken lightly, and those who failed to continue in their valor to the team could see it revoked as quickly as it may have been given.
Honored Members
- Carter
- Zero Raven
- Serynh
- Jagen Phoenix