The Amazon Super Soldiers (ASS)
Hives, Command Structure and Technical Equipment
by
Tempora
(with editorial contributions from Wyldewood and Ladislaus)
I. Genesis
Genetically manipulated bloodlines lead to core genetic material that is now split to enable an undefined number of clones/duplicates.
The genetic manipulation involved the addition of genetic material originating in certain animal species (for e.g. serpents, arachnids, fish, etc.) so that in many ways the Amazons can not be strictly classed as Homo Sapiens. They sometimes refer to themselves as Homo Superior but in fact no natural classification really applies.
Aside from the core Clone material, specific threats are designated for hybrid cloning, combining existing genetically enhanced clones with aspects of the individual threat. The result is a prototype clone that is later used to perfect the next generation of elite clones so the species mirrors a form of evolution. (Hybrid clones are slightly inferior physically to the pure 'elite' ones by design and can sometimes go rogue if the 'threat' genes overwhelm the engineered aspects.)
Their "birthing" is into a form equivalent to a 30 year old body. A missing stage of integration and calibration (which would have been given by their human masters) leaves the body as lacking any direct experience of extreme sensations - pain and pleasure etc. is therefore not something they handle well or can cope with, and coupled with an innate sense of self importance this can see them behave cowardly and selfishly at times.
"Growing" a clone from basic material takes about three weeks and the final preparations perhaps take up to a week. There's always a clone ready to be prepared so replacements are at worse 1 week away.
II. Physicality
Physically they are powerful specimens with muscle densities higher than any human. Therefore, for the same weight/height they are more physically powerful than their human counterparts.
Mentally they are born with a core personality and memory which is augmented by an element of computer style memory this is used to store their experiences and can be uploaded to the central computer for analysis and also receive downloads to give them additional abilities from time to time. This download is limited in a particular generation of clones but is systematically higher with the later generation etc.
While they have limited actual knowledge of technology the central Hive provides armour and weaponry that was at the very cutting edge of human ability immediately before the collapse of civilisation... Additionally, short term upgrades in special skills enables them to become mechanics, engineers and more as the need arises.
Permanently dilated pupils give the clones excellent night vision but leave them sensitive in daylight, they tend to avoid attacks when its light for that reason.
They do not age or suffer illness and have slow regenerative powers.
They consume food and are 100% efficient in processing it into energy, however, their regenerative abilities rely on human blood plasma to be ingested daily.
III. Hierarchy
There are 258 individual clone types (6+6squared+6cubed).
There are 6 commanders, each lead 6 sub commanders each of which in turn have a deputy/lieutenant and 5 soldiers.
Hive Zero is in overall command and relays instructions to the Sub Hive commanders via datalink.
Higher ranks (commander and sub commander) are occupied predominantly by blonde and blue eyed clones though field promotions can change this within a particular generation of clones.
Clones are designated by a common name with a Hive identifier and a generation number i.e. Sonya - B3 would be the third generation Sonya clone produced from Hive B.
IV. Command
There are 16 Hives, labelled fron 0 to F, spread all over the world. The Hives are undersea objects, but there are also terrestrial bases/outposts used either temporally or regularly by ASS.
Each Hive can have several generations of the same clone active simultaneously but after 3 generations the older clones have the core material extracted for recycling. The body's alternate genetic material then begins to dominate and leads to an irreversible mutation into something... monstrous. The end stage of this metamorphosis is a chimera-like creature (snake woman, shark woman, etc. depending on what was the non-human genetic addition to the original genome). Loyalty is ingrained into their minds so they remain bound to the ASS. Usually they end up to serve as "guard dogs" roaming around the Hives (in water) and the terrestrial bases/outposts (on land).
V. Skills/Technology
Their raw physical strength is supplemented by innate combat skills (similar to the modern Marines/SAS) and field style medical expertise.
While knowledgeable in a wide range of areas, their minds are restricted in their capacity to learn or diversify by the presence of the memory chip... This process is usually supplemented by the occasional upgrade beamed to them from Hive Zero (after appropriate alteration of any unwanted ideas).
The normal wear (uniform) of the ASS is a micro-fibre bodysuit that reacts to their innate bio-chemical reactors to create a kinetic shield around them. This shield is sufficient to deflect projectile weapons, let they be either slingshots or rifle shells, javelins or arrows/bolts.
A special unit (the heavy assault force) of the ASS is equipped with the "Scorpion Assault Armour". In addition to the above mentioned bodysuit, there is a slim line backpack that controls a form of prehensile/telescopic, scorpion-like tail which can be used as blunt weapon in close range combat but its primary purpose is to fire a sonic pulse that - beyond being able to destruct objects/buildings constructed of wood or similar materials - can kill at close range or KO at longer. (For more info please read Chapter 3 of the "A Sting in the Tale" story.)
Since the Hives are undersea, the ASS are transported between the Hives and bases/outposts and/or their operational area by submarines. There are four submarine classes in the service of the ASS:
- Scout Class: smallest sub available, holds four including the pilot and is used for scouting and exploratory groups. No cargo space and very little of anything else.
- Assault Class: holds six comfortably. Limited cargo space; an auxiliary room for radio, cooking and other needs, little more beyond that. Meant for a squad group of six to assault the shores of an area.
- Small Raid Class: double the size of the Assault Class, it can hold a dozen ASS comfortably, has a decent cargo area and some amenities. Limited to one per Hive, though, some will not have such a craft due to limited resources.
- Large Raid Class: largest of the sub series will hold a maximum of 48 crew and assaulters for a raid. Good sized cargo space, some amenities, little else however. These are somewhat rare, perhaps a handful of these exist at most.
The majority of the subs have a conventional power source (diesel-electric, fuel cell powered submarines); the submarines of the Large Raid Class are usually nuclear-powered.
The ASS had no factories, etc. of their own but now, after many Druantian communities had surrendered to them, they are beginning to use slave labour to gather resources and produce technical equipment (spare parts, fuel, etc.). However, given the limited level of Druantian technology, the production in these factories/workshops is slower, sometimes the produced spare parts don't have the quality of the original ones. Sabotage by Druantian resistance may lead to technical problems obstructing the application of the equipment originating from Druantian production.
Heavy damage to the clone usually results in a return to the Hive whereby the thoughts and memories are uploaded into a new clone body, the old ("damaged beyond repair") one is recycled or discarded etc.