LIGHT OF MANKIND
THE ZODIACS
SPECIAL OPERATIONS GROUPS (SOG)
ROM is the security apparatus of the Word of Blake. ROM is charged with protecting the Word of Blake from internal and external challenges. Therefore, ROM is authorized to perform various missions to include: espionage, counter-intelligence, demolitions, theft, extortion, assassinations, kidnapping, and anything else that is needed to protect the order.
In certain circumstances, ROM will need a military response to handle a situation. The SOG’s or Special Operations Groups were created to handle such circumstances. Given the codename of “The Zodiac’s†for their purpose of guiding mankind as the original Zodiac calendar did for the humans of ancient Earth; the twelve Zodiac Groups are assigned throughout the Inner Sphere. Already possessing a background in military operations, the operatives of the Zodiacs are given rudimentary covert operation training usually lasting only sixty days.
After training, the operative is assigned to a Zodiac Group where the operative will begin his/her service to ROM for the next twenty plus years of his/her life. In most cases, the operative will stay in the Zodiac Group that he/she was assigned to. However, opportunities may arise where the operative is reassigned to the Word of Blake Militia, the Explorer Corps, given a mission to infiltrate a mercenary unit or even create a mercenary unit.
As long as the operative is assigned to the Zodiacs, the operative is either performing a mission, training for the next specified mission, or improving on his/her skills. Even “vacations†or furloughs are designed to give the operative the opportunity to learn firsthand by seeing the sights and sounds of the planets in his/her area of operations. In most cases, it is the hurry up and wait syndrome combined with computer simulations and other studies.
The operatives assigned to the Zodiac’s are not assigned to perform covert missions similar to the missions given to Rho intelligence operatives assigned by ROM. The Zodiac operatives only receive the additional (espionage) training in an attempt to help them achieve their mission objectives.
The Zodiacs are not the elite, but they are veterans with a variety of experience and training that makes them as capable as any Loki or Dest team.
Currently, the status of the twelve Zodiac Groups varies. The Zodiac Groups assigned to New Avalon, Alarion, Tamar, and Galedon V theatres as of late 3071 are virtually combat ineffective. Their command centers have been destroyed rendering command, control, and communications useless. (Three of the command centers were technically destroyed by Word of Blake forces and the fourth, Galedon V destroyed by the Snow Ravens who have no idea as to what they accomplished.)
GROUP NICKNAME ASSIGNED TO OPERATE: COMMAND CENTER
1st Zodiac ARIES FEDERATED SUNS NEW AVALON
2nd Zodiac TAURUS FEDERATED SUNS ATLAS
3rd Zodiac GEMINI CAPELLAN CONFEDERATION BETELGEUSE
4th Zodiac CANCER FREE WORLDS LEAGUE KEARNY
5th Zodiac LEO FREE WORLDS LEAGUE HOME
6th Zodiac VIRGO LYRAN ALLIANCE ZODE
7th Zodiac LIBRA LYRAN ALLIANCE ALARION
8th Zodiac SCORPIO LYRAN ALLIANCE CHAHAR
9th Zodiac SAGITTARIOUS CLAN OCCUPIED ZONETAMAR
10th Zodiac Capricorn CLAN OZ/DRACONIS COMBINE ALBIERO
11th Zodiac AQUARIUS DRACONIS COMBINE GALEDON V
12th Zodiac PISCES DRACONIS COMBINE TISHAMINGO
The 8th SOG is currently operating with four Level IIIs.
The 8th SOG has been reinforced with a Level III of artillery consisting of sixteen Marksman, eight Demons, six Maxims and six infantry platoons.
From time to time, a Level III of Manei Domini will be assigned to the 8th SOG if the mission parameters required additional firepower.
The most significant battle for the 8th SOG occurred on Donegal in February of 3072. Their deployment, while a surprise to the invading Coalition forces under the command of Victor Steiner-Davion was technically a failure. The 8th SOG was unable to inflict significant damage on the Coalition forces and were unable to remove Victor Steiner-Davion through combat. However, the losses incurred by the 8th were light allowing the 8th SOG to operate along the border between the Lyran Alliance and Word of Blake Protectorate.
With the Word of Blake failing to secure Skye, the 8th SOG has received orders to proceed to Alkaid in an attempt to weaken the Coalition's assault on Hesperus.
