XCEL
XCEL is a GuardCorps formation based in AranSoCo Prefecture in Adir’s Sun. The unit is notable among GuardCorps franchises due to its treatment of combat as both a bloodsport and form of broadcast entertainment, with scoreboards tracking its members’ kills, assists, and “plays” (key in-combat actions, like destroying an objective).
XCEL favors the use of Tactical and Battle class zeos, especially the IHT-82 Sakura and UnS-65 Stormer. XCEL has a proprietary program for training mnemonic commandos, who often perform spectacular and acrobatic maneuvers in battle, including scaling enemy zeos to fire shots into their cockpits at point-blank ranges.
The unit operates a sophisticated gambling platform that takes bets on members’ performances, similar to fantasy sports, and broadcasts supposedly live videos of the unit in combat so fans can watch along. According to publicized annual earning reports, merchandising, sponsorships, and the sale of media rights made up 36% of XCEL’s revenue before the 993 reboot.
However, 992 and 993 reports from TRI-Media, a multi-sphere media outlet, exposed evidence that despite XCEL’s claim that the unit “only takes contracts to fight the most hardened, veteran pirates, terrorists, and militia forces,” most of XCEL’s battles are against relatively weak or untrained opponents, and that XCEL battlefield videographers heavily edit and abridge supposedly “live” footage, as well as incorporate choreographed elements, such as timed explosions or XCEL soldiers rescuing “extras” posing as civilians.
In addition, TRI-Media’s exposés revealed that a large portion of the unit’s fighting is not done by its star members, but by uncredited “grunts” or stunt zeo pilots who are promised the opportunity to become stars themselves. According to TRI-Media, “unscripted deaths of stars are avoided at all costs.”
After the Horrigan Massacre, XCEL replaced its CEO and COO with Horalda Dyrn and Rett Canka, respectively. The two announced that they would pause all bets on XCEL missions until they had conducted a thorough audit of operation procedures. In the following months, XCEL’s media and merchandise empire retracted by 21%.
As of 994, XCEL has conducted a successful relaunch, with a new roster of zeo pilots and support troopers. Betting on XCEL missions has also been reinstated.
