Siegfried

The Ends Justify The Means...

This… thing, this old god, reaches out to them. It speaks to Hilda, whispering in the back of her mind as she stares out the cockpit window.
She shudders at its impossible shape, it's massive size. She ignores it as best she can. She turns and sees the mile-long stare in her copilot's eyes. She realizes how a single moment of hesitation could end the entire operation, much less her life.
The copilot turns her head to find Hilda's sidearm already drawn, aimed directly between her eyes. Hilda fires without a second thought, only mourning when the body hits the metal floor.
She seals the door to the cockpit, already hearing the crew clambering over each other to bring the gunship down. I hear them pound on the door, desperate to obey their monster, regardless of how many bones they break. It's only a matter of time before they remember how many explosives they carry on board.
Hilda hears the creature in her mind. The god speaks of gifts, of Immortality, and she almost gives in. It resorts to threats as she finds herself distracted by a flashing red light. She looks and slams her fist on the button.
The computerized voice echoes through the cockpit, "Edison armed, target locked. Commander confirmation required. Confirm?"
Hilda responds with pride, clutching the valknut necklace, "Watchtower, confirm. Password: Valhalla."
She doesn't know how best to spend the precious few seconds she has left. She wants to watch. She refuses to give her mind over. She fights it, finally responding to its empty words.
"I doubt this can kill you, but it will be a glorious sight," Hilda says, smiling at the beast through the window. "At least it will knock you down for a while. You've waited this long to emerge, what's a few more centuries?"
It roars, livid at her defiance. Why would she deny something so powerful, so majestic? It stands taller than most buildings, has power she could barely comprehend. A red tint slowly fades in, shrouding the target area in its crimson light.
Hilda smiles, "Is that thunder I hear?"

— From The Daughter of Storms

Siegfried is an organization infamous for its cold, methodical approach in handling the horrors of the world. They shoot first, and rarely ask questions. Siegfried is a sore subject among those in The Web. What began as a relationship with so much potential, ended with little in the way of closure and both sides still harbor a multitude of bad feelings.

Originally, Siegfried found themselves welcomed with open arms by The Web. Their tactical superiority, funding, and technology proved most useful. After The Nowhere incident, however, it became clear they lacked the forward thinking of many organizations in The Web.

For Siegfried, the answer is not to understand, but to eliminate. They don't care about the horrors they fight, or who stands in their way. The only thing they care about is victory.

Siegfried and The Dragon

Siegfried is an extension of the US military. It's independent, as the government is completely unaware of its existence. It's both a top secret organization given the best tools and outfitting available, and a lab rat, making use of experimental technology that is either infested or too expensive for widespread use.

The organization is rarely involved in the various operations of the web, but when they are, it leads to complications. Its members are unusually antagonistic towards The Web, and vice versa. When Siegfried mobilizes, it's going to war. It's not there to study, or to contain. It's there to destroy.

When The Web needs heavy ordinance, Siegfried is more than willing to step up to the plate. They are powerful and relentless. The problem: when all you have is a hammer, everything ends up being a nail. This has led to an intense rivalry with other organizations, one that never ends.

History

Despite its complicated history with The Web, Siegfried has proven useful on many occasions. Before the fifties, few organizations existed within American borders. During the first World War, Siegfried was a small group of soldiers handling the more bizarre operations. Siegfried was a shield before it was a sword.

In a secluded room of the Pentagon in the late 80s, Siegfried was not only given autonomy, but was also given the tools necessary to maintain it. With the inception of this elite group of soldiers came opportunity. They would test all prototype weapons against things that are far more difficult to kill when compared to a human.

Then came The Nowhere Incident . The tragedy left a black mark on Siegfried's record, and the stain was permanent. They're refusal to listen to reason made them the most hated and feared organization of The Web. They are the bad guy no one wants to fight.

A New Leaf

In the late 2000s, Siegfried began efforts to cultivate a closer relationship with The Web, actively searching for opportunities to assist. The made it a goal to be as diplomatic as possible. This new approach comes from the work of Hennie Eberstark and General Tim Floyd, who currently leads Siegfried. This is working, but few can trust Siegfried after the years of inconvenience they suffered. Many believe it is part of a long con created by Siegfried for unknown reasons.

Siegfried remains undeterred by this hatred, as their assistance is changing minds on an individual level all the time. It's hard to hate the cavalry when it arrives to save you. They show up unannounced when The Web is out of its depth, but redemption is a long, hard road.

Imagine being pinned down, surrounded by the stuff of nightmares. You resign yourself to an inevitable death. Suddenly you hear a sound, a whistle or a drone. Just as the creatures around you move for the kill, a sudden burst of blood erupts from a massive wound. Shells descend from the sky, ripping the monsters to shreds. You look up and spot your savior: a modified gunship in the sky.

Hierarchy

Siegfried uses the same hierarchy as the United States Military, the only exception being members of Sprectrum, which has its own chain of command. When in the field, however, this hierarchy isn't as important as one would think.

When operating in the field, members are organized into squads. These squads are pretty standard, and they act autonomously and rarely need oversight. Each Squad member has the role to fill, and over time, each member has their own authority over the actions of the entire group.

This is primarily done to ensure adaptability. If everyone in the squad comes together and finds a solution to a problem, success is theoretically higher.

Project: Spectrum

Due to The Nowhere Incident, a project was initiated by the highest members of Siegfried. Project Spectrum was a program designed to limit the psychological factors present during operations. By using the spectrum of light, and specific keywords when exposing members to that light, Siegfried was able to develop dehumanization triggers. These triggers will eliminate ethical filters present in the minds of its members, allowing them to always take the logical path.

These triggers also allow for the trauma experienced on the battlefield to be completely negated. When these ethical filters are reactivated, the soldiers will be unable to remember the events that occurred while they were triggered. These soldiers are the elite operatives of Siegfried, and are only used under very specific circumstances when the potential of being morally compromised is a concern.

Organizations of The Web who come into contact with members of Spectrum find them unsettling. Their lack of emotion and complete disregard for life makes them dangerous. Members of The Web actively avoid them, as any kind of interaction usually leads to violence.

Tools of the trade:

Siegfried uses numerous forms of weaponry and technology, many of which remain experimental. Listed below are examples of these tools that are most commonly associated with the organization.

• Combat Printers:The advent of 3D printing In the modern day makes a debut on the battlefield with Siegfried. Combat printers are large, steel containers dropped in, or near a combat zone for use of Siegfried personnel. Each printer has a surplus of materials used to print assets.
  
  The reason for this is two fold. First, it's remarkably efficient. Logistically, it can be problematic when deciding just what needs to be brought on a mission until information can be gathered. With a combat printer, you can bring anything, adjusting assets used based on Intel gathered. This saves money in fuel and makes all assets expendable.
  
  Secondly, requesting assets takes time. It can take hours for a drone, or a supply drop to arrive, but a proper drone can be printed in less than an hour, and assembled in just as much time. Ammunition can take minutes to print, and parts to repair vehicles are easily obtained.

• The Edison satellite Array Edison is a satellite weapons system capable of orbital bombardment. It launches tungsten rods of various sizes to pinpointed locations. This bombardment can neutralize large targets with smaller rods, and can decimate large areas as the sizes increase.
  
  The weapon is rarely used, and requires special activation by the commander of a given operation. It is reserved for the worst case scenario. The number of rods in the satellite is limited, and naturally, costs a fortune to reload.
  
  There are four installations: The Edison, The Adams, The Franklin, and The Washington. Each houses nearly 30 large tungsten rods, and 50 small rods. They have only been used three times since their launch in 2005, and each time spent a single small rod.

AC-130Z Valkyrie

by pikist

The Ac-130 is among the most valuable aircraft in the military. The Valkyrie is the latest update to the craft. It's a variant of The stinger II and Ghostrider AC-130 gunships in service. It's a heavily armed, long-endurance, ground-attack, fixed-wing aircraft. Carrying a wide array of ground attack weapons that are integrated with sophisticated sensors, navigation, and fire-control systems.

Unlike other modern military aircraft, The Valkyrie relies on visual targeting. Its large profile and operating altitudes of approximately 10,000 feet (2,100 m) make it an easy target. It's an improvement on the 7000 feet flight altitude of other variants, but remains focused on close air support missions, particularly at night.

The Valkyrie updates many previously used specifications of the craft with experimental equipment. If you're into that kind of thing, or just want to check my work, the specifications of the craft are listed here in this spoiler.

AC130Z Specs

General specifications:
Crew: 9 (minimum)
Officers: 3 (navigator/copilot, pilot/operation officer, electronic warfare officer)
Enlisted: 6 (flight engineer, equipment operator, four aerial gunners)
Length: 97 ft 9 in (29.79 m)
Wingspan: 132 ft 7 in (40.41 m)
Height: 38 ft 6 in (11.73 m)
Wing area: 1,745.5 sq ft (162.16 m2)
Max takeoff weight: 175,000 lb (79,378 kg)
Powerplant: 4 × Aegis engines (experimental) 5400 shp each
Propeller: 6-bladed constant-speed reversible propellers

Performance
Maximum speed: 340 mph, 547 km/h
Range: 5000 mi, 8046 km
Service Ceiling: 39,000 ft 11,887 m


Armament
2 × 30 mm auto-cannon
4 x 7.62 mm miniguns
2 × 105 mm M102 howitzer
'Gunslinger II' weapons system with launch tube for missiles (Wing mounted) and Small Diameter Bombs

2X O'chere DH-02 Infrared Point Defense systems (60 Kw) Laser weapon primarily used against incoming missiles, aircraft, and other enemy vehicles.


Avionics

Mission systems:
Watchtower integration system- AI combat assistant that allows for the downsizing of crew and crew operations, capable of marking targets (enemy and friendly) as well as identifying, tracking, and reporting potential hazards to the crew.

Northrop Grumman AN/APN-241 multimode navigation radar – derived version of AN/APG-66 radar consisting of precise navigation and air-to-ground modes including Monopulse Ground Mapping (MGM), Doppler Beam Sharpening (DBS), high resolution synthetic-aperture radar (SAR), Terrain Avoidance/Terrain Following (TA/TF), skin paint (for Station KEeping; SKE), maritime detection, weather/turbulence detection, wind shear alert, and ballistic wind measurement (for precision airdrop)

General Dynamics Beacon Tracking Radar (BTR) - side-looking radar designed to search, acquire, and track ground beacon signal (X-band transponder) located at a friendly position from 10 nautical miles, beacon coordinate is used as a reference point for ground troop to give the gunship a bearing and range from the beacon to the desired target (mounted between 40 mm cannon and 105 mm howitzer),

Cubic Corporation personnel Locator System (PLS) – radio navigation set,

Raytheon Infrared Detecting Set (IDS) – long-wave infrared (LWIR) band Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) (mounted forward of the nose landing gear door)

Lockheed Martin Low Light Level Television (LLLTV) – EO fire control system consists of television camera (CCD-TV), AN/AVQ-19 Laser Target Designator/Ranger (LTD/R – 1064 nm laser emitters with permanently preset PRF code), eye-safe mode (1570 nm laser emitter), AN/AAT-3 Ambient Temperature Illuminator (ATI – wide beam 860 nm laser illuminator), and Infrared Zoom Laser Illuminator Designator (IZLID – airborne version of 860 nm, narrow beam laser pointer/marker and illuminator AN/PEQ-18) (mounted in the crew entrance door)


Countermeasures:

Raytheon digital Radar warning receiver (RWR)
L-3 Communications – UV-based Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS)

ITT Exelis – Digital radio frequency memory (DRFM) jammer-based Electronic countermeasure (ECM) incorporating integrated Electronic Warfare (EW) self-protection function of detection, processing, warning, prioritization, jamming, and threat display.

BAE Systems Low-Band/High-band Jammer (LBJ)
Blackout Pulse System (used to block internet and cell phone connectivity)

Countermeasure Dispensing System (CMDS) – chaff/flare dispenser.

• Watchtower The Watchtower Combat Assistant is an AI used to quickly analyze large amounts of data in real time and relay potential ways of gaining an advantage against event forces and provide a means to avoid potential hazards. The combat computer is sophisticated and is able to communicate effectively with those who encounter it, but this does not mean it is self-aware.
  
  The Watchtower is a program of sorts, capable of analyzing all forms of military strategy, history, and advancement. It uses this information to determine the best possible method of attack in any given situation. When not in use, Watchtower spends its time developing strategic scenarios, playing war games with its operators through simulations.
  
  The Watchtower is also in charge of cyberwarfare on vehicles used by Siegfried, preventing systems problems that spring up when enemy forces assault computer systems. This level of warfare is one that is still in its infancy, and Watchtower is on the cutting edge.

• Members Siegfried Agents are given the best equipment money can buy. Due to their small size compared to other military organizations in the United States, targets must be well-equipped to handle substantially more dangerous foes. They make use of a wide range of gadgets and weapons.

• Standard Issue: Given how each operation is different, agents of Siegfried are outfitted based on their skill with the equipment, as well as the conditions they will operate in. Combat printers are catered by the agent to print out the equipment they will need, and as such, there is no true "standard issue" apart from basic gear such as communication equipment, combat knives, and body armor.
  
  Every agent will choose a primary weapon and sidearm based on the operation, considering they are trained to use it. The Sig Sauer NGSW is a common choice, as is the AA-12 automatic shotgun for close quarters. Two main features are always present in any squad, however.
  
  The first is every agent of Siegfried wears an exoskeleton, allowing them to reduce the recoil of weapons, and carry almost several times more in weight than before. The exoskeletons are solar powered using carbon nanotubes in the solar cells, allowing for quicker charging and less weight carried in power supply solely for the exoskeleton.

Specialized Equipment

• The Aegis G-2 Sniper System: A prototype coil gun (Gauss rifle), the G-2 is a long range weapon capable of hitting a target 2 miles away (3218.69 meters) with reliable accuracy. It fires 50 caliber slugs of steel, making each shot lethal even if the projectile fails to hit its mark.
  
  The force traveling with the projectile can hit like a truck. The most advantageous part of the rifle is how quiet it is. The hum of the coils is the only sound made when fired. Another fact of this terrifying weapon is that it can be semi-automatic, automatic, and fire these slugs in bursts.
  
  The system requires a cargo drone, which also serves as a spotter and security for the sniper. The ammunition and power cells needed are heavy, and more than a human can carry, even with the assistance of exoskeletons.

• EDDs (Entry Denial Devices) EDDs are designed to prevent enemies from moving in on defending agents of Siegfried. While situational, and generally most effective towards other humans, a select few devices have proven effective when holding a position.
  
  Such devices include motion activated explosives, audio-visual disorientation devices (devices that emit sound or light in a way that is disorienting and potentially hazardous), and other traps designed to neutralize enemies or alert an agent to potential intrusion.
  
  While agents of Siegfried make use of entry denial devices, they also use devices that make entry easier for themselves. Thermite charges, battering rams, and condensed breaching charges are all employed to enter a location.

• Drones Segfried would be nothing without its drones. The drones used by the organization include reconnaissance drones, suicide drones for sabotage, cargo drones for individual squads, and assault drones for assisting agents in any domain of war.

Mildly Disadvanged

A major disadvantage is the amount of power Siegfried needs to support their equipment. The vehicles, certain weapons, and basic gear all require constant power. For this reason, R&D spends most of its time creating either more compact and lightweight supplies of power, as well as power supplies that add significantly longer life when powering equipment.

When Siegfried mobilizes, it takes more time than any other organization. The logistics alone are a nightmare, and it's arguably their greatest weakness. Before the use of combat printers, logistics personnel make up a third of Siegfried's membership. Once in the field, however, they are a force to be reckoned with.

Their ability to handle any situation with little to no effort shows why they go through so much trouble. Every component in their complex machine fits wherever it needs to fit, and can be switched to serve a different purpose if need be.

Hilda's head starts to throb. She makes a choice, and she will suffer for it. Hilda resists, inviting the pain. She knows it's all for nothing. She knows the only reason she's not dead is because it wills it.
Maybe it wants her to face the fear of her death. Perhaps the old god wishes for her to break before she dies. It speaks again, and she refuses to listen.
"You cannot take me," she says, the explosive sounds growing louder, "I keep many gods, and you are not among them." The red overtakes all colors when the tungsten rod shatters in the atmosphere above. The largest piece skewers the targets head, sending the god back into the watery depths.
Hilda stands tall and awaits her own demise. It comes as the explosive wave of heat and flame consumes her.

— From The Daughter of Storms