Pathfinder

## Rifle Pathfinder

 **Key Features** | »MXC-4 .30 caliber automatic carbine»MY-148 underslung grenade launcher»Starlight scope (monocular)»Nutritional pills for extended operations»Handheld radio (useless)

*"It takes a special kind of crazy to jump out of a perfectly functional plane."*

- Quote by an anonymous reporter in regards to airborne operations
### Tactical Analysis

* **HALO**: Rifle Pathfinders are part of the elite airborne divisions of the Peacekeepers. These soldiers are only available through the paratrooper protocol, entering the fray from above.

* **Scoot and Shoot**: As soon as they land, Rifle Pathfinders can immediately get to work. Their MXC-4 automatic carbines cleave through unprotected flesh and can be fired on the move, making Rifle Pathfinders effective against enemy infantry.

* **Explosive Frag**: If that wasn't enough, Rifle Pathfinders can use their MY-148 grenade launchers to lob a grenade at a target of their choice. The powerful blast and shrapnel will tear through thinly armoured light vehicles and throw unfortunate infantry to the ground.

* **Disrupt and Blow Up**: Newer models of the MXC-4, the MXC-5. are starting to be distributed to Rifle Pathfinders, with veterans getting first priority. These new carbines use heavier armour-piercing bullets to punch through light vehicles and an underslung grenade launcher to fire their HE grenades for increased range.

### Operational History

As the Allies and the Soviets both kept their eyes focused on Europe after World War II, the Pacific front was mostly left unthought of; indeed, this vulnerability would later be exploited by the Empire of the Rising Sun. California, Oregon and Washington were too heavily defended to be invaded from Vladivostok, and the vast distance of the Pacific likewise kept the Allies from attempting an invasion of the Soviet Pacific port. The Bering Strait had been considered as an attack route by the Soviets, but while Soviet forces could be transported freely in their own Mother Russia, the Alaskan and Canadian wastelands lacked logistical capabilities for enemy troop movements. Any invasion would starve before reaching Anchorage.

While the Soviets therefore left the Siberian Alternative alone, the Allies considered it as a possibility; not as an attack road for land forces into Moscow, but as a distraction. If they could get forces behind the defence lines at the Pacific coast, the forces could then harass the Soviet supply lines and assist a war in Europe. Thus, in 1956, the McCarthy administration set *"Plan Troy"* into motion, dubbed after the famous horse used as a backdoor in the Greek myths. An extensive paratrooper training program, bigger than any of the European or Soviet equivalents, was started at the Colorado Air Force Academy. Over 20,000 soldiers were educated before Soviet spies found out about the plans, and the Union proceeded to install anti-air battery networks at the Kamchatka peninsula and the Transamur region.

The Allied military realized that continuing with Plan Troy in its original form would not be fruitful in an eventual war, but it was decided that the resources would not be counted as wasted. The paratroopers were relocated to Europe, and the program would continue. During the war, the **"Rifle Pathfinders"**, as they became known, landed behind the fronts several times and inflicted substantial damage on Soviet forces, armed with assault rifles and grenade launchers; while more conventional along the lines of the Allied Reservists, the Peacekeepers also use the Pathfinders in many operations. Project Troy has thus been dubbed a success by Allied military, and financing is secured for several years.

### Quotes

* Ready, command!
* Ready to move!
* The best!
* Ready to flank!
* Always prepared!

Moving* Move!
* Getting there!
* We're on it!
* We'll be there!
* March!

Garrisoning Structure* Get in there!
* Setting up!
* Make sure there's a way out!
* Cover!
* Take cover!
* Let's perch!

Attacking* No problem!
* Take 'em out!
* Affirmative!
* Bag 'em!
* Flanking!

Move to Attack* Ready weapons!
* Doubletime!
* On it, command!
* Get ready!
* 10-4!
* Flying in!

HE Grenades* Frag 'em!
* 'Nades out!
* Fire in the hole!

In combat* Reload!
* They don't stand a chance!
* Bet they didn't see that coming!
* Earn your stories!
* Keep firing!

Under fire* We're pinned down!
* A little backup!?
* I'm hit!
* Where's the support!?
* Keep moving!
* Keep your head down!

### Just the Stats

 **Armour Type** | Infantry

 **Kill Reward** | 2400

 **DPS** | 30

 **DPS** | N/A

## Rocket Pathfinder

 **Key Features** | »MX-202 66mm Flash rocket launcher»Sprint AA missiles/Dragon HEAT rockets/Turtle Chrono rocket»Lightweight body armour»Model 69 night vision device»Soft paper (in case of emergency)

*"Stand up, hook up, shuffle to the door,*

*Jump on out and count to four,*

*And if my main don't open wide,*

*I gotta reserve by my side!"*

- Allied Pathfinder marching cadence
### Tactical Analysis

* **The Flash**: Rocket Pathfinders use the MX-202 Flash rocket launcher. This hard-hitting, lightweight, highly compact rocket launcher can switch between anti-tank rockets or surface-to-air missiles to allow Rocket Pathfinders to take on Soviet armour/aircraft and come out standing.

* **Going down**: One of the modifications to the MX-202 gives it the capability to fire special "chrono field" rockets, completely freezing anything it hits in time, leaving them unable to do anything but are also invincible until the effect ends. Allowing the Rocket Pathfinder to either freeze a deadly target or save their ally from an incoming attack.

* **Airborne Vanguard**: As part of the elite airborne divisions, Rocket Pathfinders are only available through protocol. They must rely on their partners to keep them safe from infantry, being ill-equipped to deal with such enemies.

* **BFG**: Recent advances have yielded the TAD-60, a lightweight 25mm anti-materiel rifle more deadly than its calibre would suggest. Most Rocket Pathfinders forgo these weapons for weight reasons, but the elite of the Rocket Pathfinders have taken to these rifles. They still use their MX-202s for anti-air work though, but have switched to prototype Cryo rockets, which slows aircraft’s on impact (as of now the rockets can't completely freeze the aircraft) and chrono missiles that freezes anything in an area instead of just one target.

### Operational History

During the conceptual stages for Plan Troy, planners were fully aware that for the paratrooper forces to be able to operate effectively behind enemy lines, they would not only need to be able to survive on their own supplies for extended periods of time but also to be able to handle a wide variety of threats, from tanks to aircraft. To be able to do this, the paratrooper forces would need to be equipped with a variety of weapons. At the same time, weight was a concern, so the weapons could not be too heavy, or they would end up overburdening the paratroopers.

These were some of the considerations involved when it was being debated as to what weapons the paratrooper forces' anti-tank specialists would carry. The Javelin was then still experimental, and its weight would have likely ruled it out anyway. In the end, the MX-202 "Flash" rocket launcher was chosen. A lightweight, box shaped launcher, the MX-202's most unique feature was its ability to fire four shots before having to reload. While it was still outclassed by heavier missile launchers, the weapon packed a considerable punch for its weight. Additionally, the MX-202 could also fire special "Sprint" surface-to-air missiles, saving the need for a separate anti-aircraft weapon, and "Turtle" chrono missiles, which works similarly to the Horizon chrono shell. Generally, every squad will have at least two of these rocket launchers wielded by specialists, who are referred to as **Rocket Pathfinders**.

In addition to acting as the squad's anti-tank and anti-air specialists, some Rocket Pathfinders also take on additional roles and weapons. Usually, those Rocket Pathfinders with good marksmanship are known to employ anti-materiel rifles in addition to their rocket launchers, though such weapons usually require the aid of another soldier to carry them because of their weight. Recently, a newly developed 25mm anti-materiel rifle known as the TAD-60 has become popular amongst such Rocket Pathfinders for its lightweight and heavy stopping power.

### Quotes

* At the ready!
* Ready to move!
* Armed!
* Rockets ready!
* Coming in clear, Commander!
* Elite!

Moving* On the double!
* Move!
* Keep low!
* Confirmed!
* Look alive!

Garrisoning Structure* Alright, we're going in!
* Set up in there!
* Cover!
* Looks good.

Attacking* Hallelujah!
* Keep it steady!
* Flanking!
* Fire!
* We've got 'em!
* On your marks!

Move to Attack* Bringing the heat!
* Get ready!
* Bringin' the best!
* Ready for anything!
* On it, command!
* Getting in range!

Switch Anti-Air Missiles/Anti-Tank Missiles* Changing munitions!
* Switching!

In combat* Blow 'em away!
* Firing!
* Stay focused!
* Steady!

Under fire* Under fire!
* Duck and cover!
* Hit the dirt!
* Where's our support!?

### Just the Stats

 **Armour Type** | Infantry

 **Kill Reward** | 2400

 **DPS** | 20

 **DPS** | 20