The Special Defense Initiative

Moderators: Shroom Man 777, Ford Prefect

Post Reply
User avatar
Shroom Man 777
Global Mod
Posts: 4637
Joined: Mon May 19, 2008 7:09 pm
Contact:

The Special Defense Initiative

Post by Shroom Man 777 »

FIRST FOUNDING

It is the 1980s and the Baron Ronald von Reagan has been elected as President of the United States. The state of the nation is dire. Under the laxities of the previous Carter Administration and due to unforeseen circumstances abroad and at home, the United States of America’s preeminence in the global stage is threatened.

From without, the Soviets are baying at the gates – the communism flows stronger than ever while Leonid Brezhnev and his atomic supermen infringe upon the free world. The British Empire begins to reassert itself, sending a mission to Mars with thermonuclear results and dealing with the Martian menace once and for all. The King of France continues to scheme and plot on his clockwork throne, manipulating the players of the European stage. The arms race accelerates at a never-ending pace and the Cold War wages on.

From within, the US government is continuously undermined by internal power struggles. With the death of J. Edgar Hoover nearly ten years ago, there is nothing to reign in the Blacksuits and the secret organization’s power grows unchecked. The Central Intelligence Agency’s lapses jeopardize the nation’s foreign and domestic interests while the Department of Defense and the American military still reel from the defeat at Vietnam. Politicians continue to neuter America’s capacity to fight and win a nuclear war, much less survive it.

As this goes on, America’s defenses against unorthodox and extraordinary threats are found wanting. Extraterrestrials, aliens, mutants and metahumans continue to be unpredictable factors in the national defense strategy and current countermeasures against them are deemed insufficient, incomprehensive and unorganized.

In light of all of these shortcomings, the Baron-President begins an unprecedented consolidation of power that would be come to be known as the Reagan Defense Bolstering. Under this umbrella initiative, there is a massive infusion of currency into the black budget – which liberals and communist sympathizers derisively call the Runaway Defense Budget.

With the Reagan Defense Bolstering, the military initiates a massive up-armament program unlike anything seen ever since the Second World War. Chief amongst these are the Megafortresses – massive flying strategic weapons platforms under the purview of the USAF’s Strategic Air Command. New technologies are developed for all branches of the military while older systems are continuously upgraded and retained beyond their prescribed service lifespans, such as the reactivation of legacy warships to serve in the 600 Ship Navy, and the upgrading of American military moon bases to service the Air Force’s latest Silver Star space fighters. The Navy’s procurement of an orbital warship is also approved and the vessel’s hull is laid down in the late-80s, although the Valley Forge would not be launched until later in the 1990s.

S.O.C.O.M. is reestablished to combat unconventional threats, and the Army and Marines continue to develop unorthodox special weapons and tactics for their next-generation special-forces along with the more conventional Future Combat Systems. S.O.C.O.M.’s various secret weapons and tactics are tested in low-intensity conflicts throughout Latin America, Central Asia and elsewhere.

However, these incremental improvements in the conventional US military’s combined capacity to deal with existing and not-yet-existing threats – and their capabilities contra unconventional conditions – are still considered unsatisfactory by the Baron-President.

The Baron-President convenes a secret meeting with his most trusted advisors in Castle Von Reagan. Unanimously, they decide to create a new branch of the government, one that would defend America from threats that are beyond any and all means of conventional containment. A new branch that would be the spearhead of radical initiatives beyond even the present state of breakneck technological development. President Ronald von Reagan dubs it the ‘Special Defense Initiative’.

Under the Special Defense Initiative, select elements from the Defense Department, the Intelligence Community, the Manhattan Engineer District, D.A.R.P.A., and private contractors and think-tanks such as the B.L.A.N.D. Corporation are incorporated into the nascent organization. The respective departments’ best and the brightest are brought together under the direct oversight of Baron-President von Reagan and his loyalists to ensure development in concordance with his vision while maintaining organizational cohesion and protection from subversive elements of the international communist conspiracy and other forms of foreign and domestic subterfuge and espionage – up to and including that of national agencies with questionable loyalties.

Through this, the Special Defense Initiative manages to ‘acquire’ the services of America’s foremost fighting forces – units composed of the best of the best, elite soldiers, die-hard veterans and battle-hardened cold warriors deemed by the Baron-President and his advisors to be most suited to compose their secret organization.

This elite number would come to include the infamous Task Force Eagle, a crackpack of technologically-outfitted veteran special operators fighting in every major, minor and secret conflict ever since the Second World War, led by none other than the legendary hero General Jason Goldstein. Though General Goldstein’s connections, they are then able to requisition other independently-acting task forces and special operations groups, such as the maverick renegades of the USAF’s plausibly deniable “Mercenary Squadron”, known in the blackops world for covert operations over Imperial Travancore, French (and non-French) Indochina and Polynesia, and space recon missions to the dark side of the moon. Also added amongst them are the postnuclear combat specialists of the Alpha and Omega Unit, the A&OU, descended from the Eisenhower Era’s atomic test-trained Pentomic Brigades revived under the aegis of Baron-President von Reagan for the eventuality of global thermonuclear war and the necessity of conducting covert combat operations thereafter.

The good General’s contacts further bolster the S.D.I.’s growing roster of commando elites as solo operatives, lone-wolf types and utterly eccentric and esoteric individuals are drafted into the Initiative – one of the more unusual examples being the Vietnam veteran codenamed “Noble Savage”, a gorilla treated by Soldier Serum and enhanced to peak-primate strength, human-level intellect and guttural articulation.

Aside from the military-industrial complex, aspects of special civilian sector operations are also incorporated into the S.D.I., such as Project Aces, a non-military task force founded during the Carter Administration noted for its expertise in discreetly monitoring domestic mutant and metahuman development and, if needed be, rapidly intervening in crisis situations involving mutites and/or metahumans and bringing about nonlethal resolutions with subsequent referrals to the appropriate civilian, military or scientific authorities. Moreover, the resources, funding and several key facilities of the Blacksuits – an earlier secret non-military organization specializing in extraterrestrial threats – are also commandeered by the S.D.I. The Blacksuits had previously grown out of bounds, accumulating disproportionate power to the point of fielding clandestine combat units with technology and weaponry outstripping anything in the military, so it was deemed necessary to rectify the situation and curtail their influence – by taking what was theirs and giving it to those who knew where their loyalties lay.

These developments, however, do not go unnoticed and before long objections are raised by many branches of the government – not only in Congress, but understandably also in the many civilian and military branches and departments with assets abruptly appropriated by the S.D.I. Concerns are raised over the legality, practicality and mentality of the Baron-President’s moves, and of the soundness of accumulating so much power into a single organization under the control of such a select few – namely the loyalists of the Von Reagan Administration.

However, Baron-President Ronald von Reagan proves himself to be a most persuasive leader and swiftly silences the dissidents. The Special Defense Initiative is eventually forged out of America’s best combined into a singular powerful whole – the sum becoming far greater than its constituent parts.

Thus Special Defense Initiative becomes America’s first, last and only line of defense, and is given the following mandate: Firstly, to protect the United States of America at all costs, against unexpected and unprecedented threats that are beyond the combined destructive capacity of the tactical and strategic arsenal of the conventional military. Secondly, to effectively monitor and prepare against enemies of terrestrial or extraterrestrial origin, or of either human or inhuman nature. Thirdly, to conduct independent research and development vital in defeating the unthinkable. And lastly, to preserve the American Nation, the American People and the American Way of Life – therefore ensuring the survival of the United States and its ultimate victory.



FIRST FIGHTS

The timing of the Special Defense Initiative’s first founding is impeccable and the newly-formed organization faces down its first threat mere months after its inception.

The enemy’s origin proves to be domestic in nature as in the years following the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, geologists from the United States Geological Survey begin to suspect something unusual brewing within the volcano’s lava dome. Amidst anomalous and alarming seismic readings, state emergency services and the Federal Civil Protection Authority begin to evacuate the endangered areas of the Washington state in anticipation of another even more violent eruption.

In due time, the fractured dome of solidified magma explodes in a spectacular plume of fire and sky-blackening ash. But what emerges from the pyroclastic flow is something never before been seen on the surface of the Earth. In the face of a massive mountain-sized monster made out of molten rock, Civil Protection immediately cordons off the entire area and calls on the forces of the National Guard to deal with the unexpected magmanimous monstrosity.

The National Guard’s tactical bomber wings and rocket artillery barrages prove ineffectual, only further intensifying the creature’s rage and directing its fiery wrath at the battalions of guardsmen. The National Guard withdraws as its front line troops are incinerated by the thing’s superheated vomitus while close air support is rendered ineffectual by worsening weather, rain mixing with atmospheric ash to create a downpour of cement-like lahar. The National Guard’s retreat brings the pursuing magma monster dangerously close to the refugee camps that Civil Protection had not yet evacuated in time, and upon the sight of the evacuees, the creature finds another object for its wrath.

However, before it can progress any further it is sent reeling by micro-nuclear warheads to its backside courtesy of the Alpha and Omega Unit’s advanced pentomic squadrons. The S.D.I. had arrived – landing by drop-pod behind the encroaching monstrosity to land the surprise blow and re-direct its volcanic wrath to targets far hardier than the defenseless civilians or the comparatively lightly-armed National Guard artillery divisions.

The Alpha Troopers, having the beast’s undivided attention, then draw it away from the hapless bystanders, making a fighting retreat backwards through hellish volcanoscape towards their extraction point at the crater of Mount St. Helens. The pentomic squadron is able to withstand the inhospitable environment and the magma monster’s molten projectiles, fuel-rod fueled armor proving to be proof against both irradiation and incineration. A combination of concentrated coolant cannons to solidify the creature’s molten body and the judicious application of high explosives to shatter it causes the beast to collapse under its own weight, but nonetheless it remains undeterred and continues to undulate forward – chasing the S.D.I. soldiers back to the lip of the volcano’s crater, where they are met by a near-fatal surprise.

Awaiting them at the crater where their drop-pod had landed are many more magmaniforms. Creatures smaller, perhaps less mature then the monster of molten rock chasing after them, but nonetheless just as deadly by virtue of their numbers, begin to crawl forth from the lava rivers to insinuate themselves upon the Alpha Troopers – who promptly fight them off to the point of close quarters combat. After the infernal spawnlings are fended off, and while the mammoth magmaniform continues to struggle to reach the top of the volcano, the S.D.I. soldiers prepare to make their departure – and leave behind one last gift for the hellish creatures spawned from the fiery depths of the earth.

The Alpha Troopers board their Orion drop-pod and depart by detonating a thermonuclear warhead beneath their capsule craft, which promptly collapses Mount St. Helens right on top of the magma monstrosities, entombing them if not outright destroying them in the backblast - ridding America of one nuisance, if albeit temporarily.

As the S.D.I. soldiers make their nuclear-propelled ascent, the SDI celebrates its first small victory, one of many to be had in the coming years.



[TO BE CONTINUED]
Last edited by Shroom Man 777 on Wed Apr 22, 2009 8:28 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Image

"Sometimes Shroomy I wonder if your imagination actually counts as some sort of war crime." - FROD
User avatar
Peregrin
Posts: 573
Joined: Mon May 19, 2008 7:56 pm
Location: Denmark

Re: The Special Defense Initiative

Post by Peregrin »

I like how much of a detailed alternate history is shaping up for the Comixverse. The funny thing is that it isn't that far from real life stuff, what with the United States military' secret research projects in psychic powers (Project Stargate), weather-control warfare (HAARP) and whatnot. It's what would most likely have gotten through in a weird-ass world like this. :) Then there's the out-of-left field like Baron von Reagan.

Oh, and I used to think that Noble Savage was an orangutang, not a gorilla.

I apologize for not being able to comment much. I'm tired as fuck right now, and I've got a big-ass college paper to write tomorrow which I have to be over with as quickly as possible in order to actually do anything next week, where I officially have a vacation.
"You could not step twice into the same river; for other waters are ever flowing on to you." - Heraclitus
User avatar
Siege
Site Admin
Posts: 2563
Joined: Mon May 19, 2008 7:03 pm
Location: The Netherlands

Re: The Special Defense Initiative

Post by Siege »

It is here! At long last! And man, Von Reagan. What a guy. I like the whole army-outside-the-army vibe that SDI now has, which is quite distinct from for example RACKET--it's almost as if the Initiative was intended as Von Reagan's own Special Republican Guard. And knowing the sneaky bastard I bet that occurred to him as well. That considered it's pretty amusing and ironic that the Von Reagan administration used the SDI to curtail the power of the Blacksuits, thereby making SDI even more powerful and out-of-bounds (though admittedly less secretive) than what they were intended to replace.
"Nick Fury. Old-school cold warrior. The original black ops hardcase. Long before I stepped off a C-130 at Da Nang, Fury and his team had set fire to half of Asia." - Frank Castle

For, now De Ruyter's topsails
Off naked Chatham show,
We dare not meet him with our fleet -
And this the Dutchmen know!
User avatar
Magister Militum
Posts: 921
Joined: Wed May 21, 2008 8:01 pm
Location: California

Re: The Special Defense Initiative

Post by Magister Militum »

As I've mentioned to you earlier, I really do like the updated version of the SDI much more than the original. It's also nice to see that the Blacksuits finally got what was coming to them, what with Goldstein and Von Reagan rendering them impotent and a shadow of their former self.
Democratic Socialist | Atheist | Transhumanist | Bright Green Environmentalist | Worldbuilder | IT Professional |


Germania your game is through, now you're gonna answer to... The Freestates! Fuck Yeah! Now lick my balls and suck on my cock! Freestates, Fuck Yeah! Coming in to save the motherfuckin' day! Rock and roll, fuck yeah! Television, fuck yeah! DVDs, fuck yeah! Militums, fuck yeah! - Shroomy
User avatar
Ford Prefect
Posts: 957
Joined: Tue May 20, 2008 11:12 am

Re: The Special Defense Initiative

Post by Ford Prefect »

SiegeTank wrote:it's almost as if the Initiative was intended as Von Reagan's own Special Republican Guard.
Super Republican Guard. ;)

I have to say, I laughed at the idea of the Valley Forge belonging to the Navy. And Shroomy, does B.L.A.N.D. stand for anything?
FEEL THESE GUNS ARCHWIND THESE ARE THE GUNS OF THE FLESHY MESSIAH THE TOOLS OF CREATION AND DESTRUCTION THAT WILL ENACT THE LAW OF MAN ACROSS THE UNIVERSE
User avatar
Booted Vulture
Posts: 965
Joined: Mon May 19, 2008 9:33 pm

Re: The Special Defense Initiative

Post by Booted Vulture »

The British Empire begins to reassert itself, sending a mission to Mars with thermonuclear results
This. Is. Awesome.
Ah Brother! It's been too long!
Mobius 1
Global Mod
Posts: 1099
Joined: Mon May 19, 2008 11:40 pm
Location: Orlando, FL

Re: The Special Defense Initiative

Post by Mobius 1 »

Booted Vulture wrote:
The British Empire begins to reassert itself, sending a mission to Mars with thermonuclear results
This. Is. Awesome.
Yeah, it was when they struck back at the Martians for the second invasion.

As I said over chats, this is a very sleek article, Shroom. I can dig how it brings together all the various units from pretty much all over the place and finally puts them in one spot.
SHADOW TEMPEST BLACK || STB2: MIDNIGHT PARADOX
The day our skys fe||, the heavens split to create new skies.
User avatar
Shroom Man 777
Global Mod
Posts: 4637
Joined: Mon May 19, 2008 7:09 pm
Contact:

Re: The Special Defense Initiative

Post by Shroom Man 777 »

Ford Prefect wrote:
SiegeTank wrote:it's almost as if the Initiative was intended as Von Reagan's own Special Republican Guard.
Super Republican Guard. ;)

I have to say, I laughed at the idea of the Valley Forge belonging to the Navy.
That was Siege's idea! Since The USAF can't have ALL the cool stuff!(And already have SPACE FIGHTERS to begin with)
And Shroomy, does B.L.A.N.D. stand for anything?
That's where Doctor Strangelove worked at. In the film, Doctor Strangelove. :D
Image

"Sometimes Shroomy I wonder if your imagination actually counts as some sort of war crime." - FROD
User avatar
Malchus
Posts: 1257
Joined: Wed May 21, 2008 7:05 am
Location: In a chibi-land, eating the brains of H. P. Wuvcwaft.
Contact:

Re: The Special Defense Initiative

Post by Malchus »

Woohoo, it's finally up! Well, most of the others have already said most of what I wanted to say. And I love how you phrased how SDI neutered the Blacksuits:
do it was deemed necessary to rectify the situation and curtail their influence – by taking what was theirs and giving it to those who knew where their loyalties lie.
I sort of visualize that as Von Reagan kicking a 'Suit to the ground and going "Yoink! Mine, bitch!" as he steals the guy's wallet. :twisted:

Oh, yeah, and finally the military moon bases are mentioned somewhere other than discussion. YAY! :mrgreen:
Image
I admire the man, he has a high tolerance for insanity (and inanity - which he generously contributed!). ~Shroom, on my wierdness tolerance.
User avatar
Shroom Man 777
Global Mod
Posts: 4637
Joined: Mon May 19, 2008 7:09 pm
Contact:

Re: The Special Defense Initiative

Post by Shroom Man 777 »

Edited and included their first-ever skirmish with the creature(s?) that would become Kamin's Kasara.
Image

"Sometimes Shroomy I wonder if your imagination actually counts as some sort of war crime." - FROD
User avatar
Magister Militum
Posts: 921
Joined: Wed May 21, 2008 8:01 pm
Location: California

Re: The Special Defense Initiative

Post by Magister Militum »

That was definitely a great start for the SDI, although it's a bit odd that the National Guard would be the first ones to deal with such a threat. Of course, now I'm just nitpicking. It'll be nice to see what else the SDI is going to face early on.
Democratic Socialist | Atheist | Transhumanist | Bright Green Environmentalist | Worldbuilder | IT Professional |


Germania your game is through, now you're gonna answer to... The Freestates! Fuck Yeah! Now lick my balls and suck on my cock! Freestates, Fuck Yeah! Coming in to save the motherfuckin' day! Rock and roll, fuck yeah! Television, fuck yeah! DVDs, fuck yeah! Militums, fuck yeah! - Shroomy
User avatar
Shroom Man 777
Global Mod
Posts: 4637
Joined: Mon May 19, 2008 7:09 pm
Contact:

Re: The Special Defense Initiative

Post by Shroom Man 777 »

Well, the National Guard usually is called in to assist in big emergencies and disasters. It just so happens that the Comix Guard happens to have tactical bombers and artillery batteries.

Every element of the US Military must be able to strike back at a potential Soviet nuclear first-strike! Perhaps the Coast Guard also has those nuclear-tipped ASROC anti-submarine munitions...

(Note how a gigantic monstrosity of molten rock is handled by the S.D.I. in what is basically squad-level infantry action, and with the cunning use of nuclear weapons too. ;))
Image

"Sometimes Shroomy I wonder if your imagination actually counts as some sort of war crime." - FROD
Post Reply