Dakota Taylor

Dakota Taylor, also known by his call sign *Epsilon,* is an American-Appalachian SAACC Marine commando. Known for his high morale, leadership qualities, and combat skills, Taylor is a favorite of many military and political leaders for special missions. Taylor joined the Marine Corps under the Harrisburg Committee, and remained in limited service in the armed garrisons of Erie, Pennsylvania until recuperated forces branched south from Canada.

Often a proponent of orders and maintaining a strong chain of command, Taylor, on occasion, is at odds with Burnett due to their differing styles of leadership and command. He generally, though not always, rejects the notion of disobedience as he believes those in command know better than him. However, this is not always the case.

Taylor has been chosen for a variety of top-secret operations and missions, including the hunt for ex-Seaboard General Wei Zhi, and the second subject. Accepted as being independent, intelligent, and not building attatchments, Taylor is chosen for some of the hardest missions because he maintains his loyalty despite the mission.

## Early Life

Dakota Taylor was born on December 14, 1999, in the small town of Millbury, Massachusetts. He was the eldest child of John and Sarah Taylor, and his younger brother, Tyler, was born three years later.

From a young age, Taylor was a competitive and physically active child, excelling in weightlifting, football, and a bit of boxing in high school. Despite his natural athletic abilities, Taylor was also known for his discipline, focus, and sense of duty. He was passionate about maintaining order and upholding rules in a meaningful and constructive manner, always seeking to improve himself and his community.

Taylor was particularly protective of his younger brother Tyler, whom he saw as his responsibility to guide and support. The two brothers were very close growing up, and Taylor's leadership and integrity inspired Tyler to follow in his footsteps.

In high school, Taylor was a model student and citizen, earning the respect and admiration of his peers and teachers. He was passionate about maintaining order and upholding rules, but always with a compassionate and empathetic approach. Taylor believed that rules and regulations were essential for creating a fair and just society, but also recognized the importance of understanding and empathy.

## Life During the Great Collapse

In his senior year of High School, Taylor was selected for the PLC program in the Marine Corps. He was to attend a university in Virginia and join the Marine Corps as a Second Lieutenant following his graduation. This went as plan into his first year until 2018, when the Great Collapse occurred. Initially, Taylor chose to wait the situation out, believing it would blow over. When his University was disbanded, he had no way of returning to Massachusetts.

Following the spread of the Jinanvirus, Taylor began to travel north on foot, but by the time he was in Pennsylvania, Seaboard had taken control of his home state. Fearing a conflict of interest, he stayed in Philadelphia in the developing stages of the Harrisburg Committee. In 2019, Taylor's profile was pulled by the state, and he was drafted into military service as a infantry rifleman. He was complacent, seeing as the defeat of Seaboard would mean contacting his family again and liberating his home state. After proving capable in multiple skills during the Catskill Offensive, Taylor was transferred to be a Scout Sniper. Shortly after, Taylor's entire squad was killed and his company was routed.

## Service in the Recon Task Force

Following the Appalachian forces' retreat to Toronto, Taylor underwent intensive training for a period of 22 months. His commitment and dedication paid off when he was selected to join the esteemed Navy and Marine Corps Recon Task Force, an elite special operations unit commanded by Navy Lieutenant Alex Mitchell. Taylor participated in the decisive Battle for Niagara Falls, where he demonstrated his combat skills and strategic prowess. During the engagement, he formed a fortuitous alliance with fellow soldier Brian Burnett, who had been separated from his squad. Together, they successfully neutralized an enemy metal machine exo-suit, contributing to the overall success of the battle.

In the subsequent Battle of Batavia, Taylor and Burnett embarked on a mission to locate and apprehend Colonel Russel, the Seaboard commander in charge of the city. Although Russel eluded capture, they managed to eliminate a minor officer. However, the mission took a toll on Taylor, as he sustained a gunshot wound to the back. Burnett carried Taylor to safety over a considerable distance, ultimately saving his life. For his valor and injury in battle, Taylor was awarded the Purple Heart.

Following the liberation of Harrisburg, Taylor continued to hone his skills through rigorous training. Unfortunately, the Recon Task Force met its demise in November, 2021 in Cobleskill, which culminated in the death of General Nathan Krauss. With the disbandment of the task force, Taylor found himself without a designated unit. Taylor's path intersected with Harper Brooks, a member of Burnett's clan and household. Initially stemming from a one-night stand, their relationship deepened over time, the two relating with one another from the trauma they shared in the years before.

Dakota Taylor and Brian Burnett joined together in a temporary unit, which later became SAACC.

## Combat Style

In firefights, Taylor prefers to be at long range with a marksmen or sniper rifle or short range with a shotgun. Kept under sniper fire at long range and immediately put at defense, Taylor and his squadmates will then close into mid range and shell out maximum firepower to put the enemy in an unconditional defense. Once they are pinned down, he often utilizes a shotgun to take down the enemy at close range as to avoid collateral damage.

Like Burnett, he often falls back on mixed martial arts in fights. However, he near exclusively incorporates boxing and striking as opposed to grappling and wrestling. In events that unarmed enemies or those with melee weapons attempt to grapple, Talyor is more inclined to keep himself within striking distance by any means neccesary. Because of this, he is more likely to maim or kill an opponet rather than subdue and capture them, unless the mission calls for it.