Matriarch Unit

The Matriarch Unit, also known as the Matriarch Hunting Unit or South Waste Apparatus Killers, is a wasteland hunting unit under the control of the River Ridge Clan. It is commanded by Zenobia Amspoker (Matriarch-1).

## **Members**

The list of named members of Matriarch Unit is as follows:

* Zenobia Amspoker "Matriarch-1" (Commander)
* Elijah Amspoker "Matriarch-2" (Watchman)
* Delia Elsher "Matriarch-3" (Quartermaster)
* Varun Kamai "Matriarch-7" (Apparatus Specialist)

## **History**

### Founding (18 PS)

Matriarch Unit was founded in 18 PS as an offshoot of Pharaoh Unit in order to combat apparatuses which were encroaching into territories north of the Radioactive Wastes. Ximena Laranetta was elected to lead the unit.

### Early Operations (19-21 PS)

For 3 years Matriarch Unit conducted raids on apparatus territory, striking many decisive victories and earning them a high reputation, even among their enemies. By 21 PS the unit's estimated apparatus kill count was a record-setting 230.

### War of the Gears (22 PS)

In early January, 22 PS, Lucia Jabalonski claimed the titled "Queen of Gears" and took control of the apparatus graveyard south of Ozimane City, along with all the apparatuses living there. She proceeded to attack Ozimane City with her newfound army, but was repelled and moved north, skirmishing with River Ridge Clan and Rolling Hill Clan, inflicting heavy casualties on both sides. In response, Matriarch Unit was deployed to defend, but Commander Laranetta was killed in an ambush, and the unit was routed.

By April, Lucia's army had besieged River Ridge itself. During the assault, young and aspiring hunter, Zenobia Amspoker, took control of the leaderless Matriarch Unit and led several sorties from River Ridge until the siege was broken. The war was ended 1 month later when Lucia was wounded by Rolling Hill soldiers during an attempt to push eastward.

Sometime after this, Zenobia's brother, Elijah Amspoker, came of age and was recruited to the unit.

### South Waste Operations (23-24 PS)

Recognizing the rapidly increasing threat from apparatuses, Commander Zenobia recruited around 20 elite and proven hunters from units scattered during the war. During the following year, the new iteration of Matriarch Unit would rise to about 50 members and kill approximately 150 apparatuses, breaking the old unit's record for kills per month.

In late 24 PS the unit was conducting a raid in the southern wastes and was hit with a heavy radioactive storm which claimed an estimated 7 members. The unit was then stranded for 2 months in the ruins of the Zenith, waiting for the storm to clear.

### Encounter with Seneca's Group and Separation (25 PS)

On January 2nd, 25 PS, a small party consisting of Seneca Marner, Diana Budiarta, and Vic Lockwood stayed in Matriarch Unit's camp on the way to the border. During their stay, the camp was surrounded and attacked by no less than 5 Bloodletters, who mysteriously veered off soon after the unit opened fire on them. Just a few minutes later, Rolling Hill paratroopers raided the camp, searching for anything they deemed "contraband". The raiders took the unit prisoner, but Zenobia and Elijah escaped, killing several soldiers and freeing the entire unit. They and the visitors then fled the camp.

A few hours later they would arrive at the apparatus graveyard where Lucia Jabalonski was living. The Queen of Gears took them prisoner with an army of apparatuses, but Seneca displayed amazing feats of strength as she killed several apparatuses and freed the unit once again. They broke out of the graveyard and continued running until they reached the radioactive wastes, where they sat down to rest. Zenobia discovered that where Elijah had been shot by Lucia, there was nothing but a small indentation in the skin. Upon her mentioning this, the wound immediately burst open and started bleeding profusely, but totally healed under 5 minutes later, without explanation. It was also revealed that Seneca had somehow severely torn her muscles and even broken a leg resisting the apparatuses, but felt no pain. This irregularities in injuries were left unanswered as the unit grew impatient with their commander, and demanded they turn around, as entering the wastes was considered a death sentence.

Zenobia, Elijah, and the visitors refused to yield, causing the rest of Matriarch Unit to split off and head around the wastes as the others donned radioactive protection and prepared to cross the wasteland. It is as of yet unknown the fate of the members who split from Zenobia's group.

## **Relations**

Matriarch Unit has a bitter rivalry with both Rolling Hill Clan and Lucia Jabalonski's so-called Queendom of Gears, and has fought many battles against both.

They are on neutral terms with the survivors and gangs of Ozimane City.