The Desert Vipers

Group Link: https://www.roblox.com/My/Groups.aspx?gid=2876405

The logo for the Desert Vipers is the Gadsden Flag, a historical American flag with a yellow field depicting a rattlesnake coiled and ready to strike. Just like the words under the rattlesnake depiction on the flag, the motto of the Desert Vipers is: "Don't Tread On Me".

 File:Gadsden Flag White.jpg
Twas created by an anon.

## **Description**

The Desert Vipers are a post-war reincarnation of the pre-war Private Military Firm, Viper International. Formerly starting off as a thriving post-war community of pre-war mercenaries and civilians in the desert wasteland of Rockport, Florida. The group has since reformed itself into a paramilitary and peacekeeping organisation in the late 2080s, expanding across the US mainland. The Desert Vipers now reside in 3 areas in both PRT and USA territory. Its main company office is in Florida: a very large building located in central Rockport, a small camp: which was set up 3 miles west of the PRT-US border on the southside, and in their subsidiary office in Hanover. They have a distinct rivalry with the trouble-loving SandSharks after a trading scandal was exposed. The SandSharks moved bases on mainland to counter the Desert Vipers.

"Them peace-lovin' vipes ain't all what they seem, I'm tellin' ya. They hide a lot more than they look. Gotta be careful, gotta watch for them snakes."  -Swimmer (Swimmy) Harrison, Communications Supervisor for the SandSharks

This is a fan faction, and in no way has been officially approved as of the 4th of October 2016. The faction is awaiting a proper and official approval from the After The Flash Advisory Board.

## ***Lore***

In the years before the flash, "Viper Security International" was once a thriving Private Military Firm, hiring many mercenaries and contractors to provide security services in many countries worldwide. The paramilitary like organisation specialised in peacekeeping operations, bodyguarding and many other things. However, when the ACMF invaded Florida, all of America was sent into a state of mass panic, this did not exclude the members and staff of Viper International,

many of the people who were working in the company's headquarters in Florida reacted in very different ways, some chose to stay and hunker down in the headquarters,

with the building having a significant amount of security measures, as well as having armories and cafeterias loaded with supplies and ammunition, it seemed like a very

good place to survive the initial widespread civil unrest that was happening all across America. Others chose to flee from florida, hoping to move either further up the mainland

with their families. Some even went home to get their families and brought them to Viper International's office. However, no one would be prepared for what was to happen next.

The war between the NATO and ACMF ended, however, not in the way that both sides would expect. The conflict was ended in a nuclear exchange, with both nations being severely crippled.

The former members of "Viper International" would have to find a way to live through the catastrophe.

Following the war that ended in an exchange of nuclear fire in 2032, in the days and months after the flash, the people hunkering down in Viper International begun to realise that their

supplies were slowly dwindling bit by bit. In a matter of months, even weeks, they would be out of food and water. They begun to ration their supplies, hoping to make them last longer.

Even attempts to grow food by agricultural means failed due to the nuclear winter and radiation that would kill off crops.

Eventually the natural leaders within the pack begun to showcase their charisma and leadership qualities, taking charge and helping to solve problems that arose. With this, it was decided that the more junior members within

the company were sent out on supply missions, scouring the wasteland for untarnished supplies of water and food. Many of these men would never return, and those that do would usually

either come in empty handed, or sick with radiation poisoning, which was becoming increasingly common as the days passed. However, through this method, the members of Viper International were

able to make do with what little supplies they were able to scavenge or recover. But with a lack of gas masks, it's filters and cold weather clothing, such scavenging teams would find it hard

to brave the cold winds of the nuclear winter. The headquarters of Viper International being in Downtown Rockport did not help at all as well, as it was regarded as one of the most dangerous parts of

Florida, being hit by the nukes more significantly than other parts of the state.

Then the year 2033, a former remnant of the pre-war US Department Of Defense rose up into the wasteland, the organisation was called the United States Civilisation Preservation Force, or

USCPF for short. The USCPF begun giving out aid packages and supplies to refugees and survivors in the wasteland, setting up the Government Civil Support Agency, which was primarily responsible for the

distribution of such supplies.

However, despite the care packages that were being given out by the GCSA, they were still insufficient for the amount of people that was being harbored within the offices of "Viper International",

getting desperate, the Squad Leader, Joshua Dykes and a few of the more senior mercenaries looked to banditry in order to get fresh supplies. Despite their desperation, many of the other mercenaries disagreed

on resorting to banditry, sticking to their moral convictions. The topic often sparked arguments and resulted in fighting as supplies dwindled. In fighting eventually went into full on skirmishes taking place

within the offices itself. Slowly, more and more people within the decently large community of mercenaries and former company staff members drifted closer and closer towards supporting banditry. And even with

agreements not to do such, it was later on found out that Joshua Dykes and his men had infact become bandits and often looted innocent wastelanders behind the back of those that did not support them.

They were traitors to the Vipers.

Eventually, in the year 2036, the former Mercenary Captain known as Calvin Anderson, the current acting commander of the Viper forces in Florida, put his foot down on the matter, he ordered his men to open fire on Joshua Dykes and the men that supported him.

The attempt failed, and resulted in severe infighting and skirmishes taking place within the large headquarters of Viper International itself, which eventually caused a split between the Joshua Dykes and Calvin Anderson's forces within the offices.

With Joshua Dykes and his men occupying the east wing, and the ones that took the side of calvin anderson occupying the west wing. Both wings had significant strengths and weaknesses, however.

The east wing contained vast offices with plenty of living and storage space, it was also the place where most of the community's supplies were formerly kept. The west wing, on the other hand, was significantly more well protected,

being the part of the building that was laden with armories and plenty of medical supplies and ammunition, however, damage as a result of the flash made the upper floors of the east wing particularly unprotected. And the northwest side

of the building was also particularly susceptible to attacks by feral mutants, and was often the main 'gate' for the inhabitants of the east wing. Connecting the two wings together, were several bridges that suspended over a central office

courtyard. However, the west wing, being the part of the building that was more catered towards housing the equipment and supplies of Viper's mercenaries, had more hardened steel security doors, making it very hard for the deserters in the east wing

to attack the people in the west wing, but making it easy for Calvin Anderson's forces to strike the east wing where and when it wants to. The bandit mercenaries in the East wing had an inconsistent flow of supplies from looting traders and merchants in the post-war wasteland,

whilst the west wing loyalists traded what little equipment they have or provided their services to merchants and traders for supplies, rationing them meticulously whilst the east wing bandits under Joshua Dykes were able to scrape through when it came to supplies.

As the years passed into the early 2040s, calvin anderson's forces in the east wing eventually slowly evolved into a small militia. The people in the west wing experienced slight growths every few months from refugees, whilst the east wing's numbers

slowly dwindled due to their isolation from the rest of the wasteland. It was in this time, when calvin anderson made the decision to begin sending out more mercenaries to wander around the wasteland, a few months later, the militia in the East Wing had

made contact with the CDF. At the time, the CDF was still extremely weak, building scrap towns in the wasteland at a rapid pace, however some of these towns may be lacking in proper security. With CDF guards being properly equipped, but improperly trained to deal

with the threat of bandits. Calvin anderson, seeing that this was the time for Viper International to branch out, sought to begin an alliance with the CDF, providing security and basic training to their militia in exchange for supplies. This was considered to be the first time in decades when the Desert Vipers had opened themselves up for civilian contracting, albeit in dire circumstances.

By the time of the 2050s and 60s, word had got out that a community of pre-war mercenaries from Viper International had been aiding the CDF in training their militiamen, civilians begun giving the mysterious mercenaries sent out from Downtown Rockport, "Desert Vipers", a reference to the barren and dust-filled wasteland of Florida after the Post-flash nuclear winter had died down.

The Desert Vipers had become increasingly well armed and powerful, providing their services to merchants operating in and around the CDF's scraptowns. The Desert Vipers had a reduced reliance on the GCSA's aid packages and were becoming increasingly independent.

In the 2064, Calvin Anderson made the decision to eliminate the rogue Viper mercenaries in the east wing, sending a force of militiamen to assault the east wing of the building.

With the decades long conflict ending, calvin anderson could finally focus on rebuilding Viper International. Noticing that mercenary work was still a relatively good trade in the wasteland, he sought to reform and rebuild Viper International.

In the 2070s, the Desert Vipers began expanding into the wasteland, trading had granted them access to survival equipment like gas masks, rebreathers and deradiators, allowing for the Vipers to travel the wasteland without catching radiation sickness as easily.

During this time, the Desert Vipers also underwent reforms, their small militia slowly transforming into a paramilitary force of mercenaries and contractors, these men would often be contracted by large wastelander and refugee communities that own and operate towns outside of the CDF's control, towns like Track Town, which were small, yet important in the wasteland.

In the 2080s and 90s, the Desert Vipers were already relatively well known. They had reformed themselves into a reliable peacekeeping and paramilitary force. With salvaged civilian vehicles, they were able to travel up the mainland and recover a few other Viper International offices, most of them absolutely destroyed with exceptions such as the one in the US city of Hanover.

Small supply bases and training camps were also set-up either in the form of scrap town-like structures, or in abandoned buildings. The Desert Vipers were neutral to both the CDF and USCPF, though the Desert Vipers still partially relied on the GCSA for supplies.

All over the wasteland of mainland america, more and more people were joining the Desert Vipers, usually being self-proclaimed mercenaries and militiamen, selected senior Desert Viper members were appointed as training coordinators and had the task of training up the next generations of mercenaries.

But with more people joining, there was another problem: A lack of equipment.

With the influx of new volunteers and recruits, the Desert Vipers were no longer able to issue the high quality firearms that it's more senior members would wield. In order to make do, the Desert Vipers issued cheap, but reliable civilian weaponry, foregoing assault rifles as the standard issue weapon of the mercenary group due to their high cost of procurement, ammunition and maintenance.

It was also during time when calvin anderson, the last of the first generation of post-war Desert Vipers, passed away. With command over the organisation being handed over to his son, Eric Anderson.

In the late 2090s to early 2100s, it became abundantly clear that illegal trades and underground syndicates had begun birthing forth in various hotbeds in the United States of America. With a few inside connections, the Desert Vipers were able to come into contact with several small and weak black market distributors.

It was through dealing and providing their services to such dealers that the Desert Vipers were able to procure slightly better equipment. The Desert Vipers often made deals and contracts with various black market distributors to help smuggle or protect their illegal shipments, which would have to pass through bandit territory

which was rarely policed or patrolled in order to avoid the authorities. As word of their services spread throughout the underground syndicates and storefronts of America, so did the wealth and manpower of the Desert Vipers. With the money and equipment earned from the contracts, the Desert Vipers were able to reform themselves once again, becoming a full fledged paramilitary and peacekeeping mercenary force with an actual hierarchy and ranking system based on experience, skill and seniority.

Due to the sensitivity of the work that the Desert Vipers now did, they could no longer accept regular civilians within their ranks, but instead sought to recruit various other freelance mercenaries involved in black market trades as well.

Business for the Desert Vipers went relatively well until the Atlanta Crisis in 2096. The United States of America and the People's Republic of Tidewater went to war. This was bad for the Desert Vipers, as Viper Security was headquartered in florida, which was now under control by the People's Republic of Tidewater, resulting again in a split

between Viper International's infrastructure. Having an office in both Florida in the PRT, and Hanover, in the USA. But due to the conflict, the Desert Vipers have since seen the huge amount of potential that was laid in store for them along the PRT-US border, with civilians moving out of the area due to the conflict, the border made prime real estate

for all sorts of illegal trades and underground syndicates to fill the vacuum of space. And with a rising demand for illegal dew, black market dealers had an increasing demand for mercenaries to protect their merchandise as well. The Desert Vipers in the North and South operate separately but they still have the same goals in mind. The SandSharks are eager to attack and cheat the Vipers, as they raised in the ranks above them.

However, despite such things happening, the Desert Vipers still remain on top as the leading paramilitary force in the black market, just above their rivals, the SandSharks. With the USCPF busy dealing with the PRT, the presence of bandits and outlaws have grown right under the USCPF's nose. The Desert Vipers take advantage of this by offering their services to the USCPF at very cheap prices, offering themselves as an effective alternative peacekeeping force as opposed to sending in troops. The contract was irresistible, the service was cheap and effective. To the USA, Viper Security was a 'transparent' Private Military Firm and was hence very trustworthy. And with that, Desert Viper 'Peacekeepers' begun patrolling the more dangerous parts of bandit territories. In order to secure new smuggling and illegal transit routes, the Desert Vipers would declare their operations in the region as legal peacekeeping and anti-bandit operations, when their actual intent is to raid a popular bandit hotspot in order to gain control of it and exploit it for black market use. (Either as a dealing point, supply base, or as a secure and discreet smuggling route.)

It is with these methods that the Desert Vipers are able to cover up their traces of illegal activity from the USCPF, whilst reaping the benefits of their illegal work.

These days, the Desert Vipers are not very well equipped, with most mercenaries wearing simple rigs and harnesses as ammunition carrying devices. Lower ranking mercenaries and peacekeepers were issued with simply bolt action hunting rifles and shotguns, which they were only allowed to carry when they were out in the field on patrols or operations. Otherwise, they would only be armed with a sidearm for self defence.

Mid ranking personnel like Unit Leaders could afford to carry slightly better weaponry, like Ithica shotguns or scoped Hykes. Their weapons were also of a significantly higher build quality and were usually in a much better condition than the standard mercenary issue weaponry.

The higher ranking personnel like Captains had access to very good weaponry purchased or gunsmithed in underground storefronts. Such weapons would usually be lower quality AR-15 and Kalashnikov assault rifle reproductions and in the most rarest of cases, salvaged Norte SMGs or Levi Assault Rifles, although they would usually be in a very bad shape.

Now, the Desert Vipers operating from the Northern side of the PRT-US border reside in the Den, whereas the Desert Vipers operating from the Southern side reside generally in Southside or in reclaimed bandit territories. Usually the countryside or the culdesac.

Till this day, the mercenaries of Viper International still use their old moniker of the Desert Vipers, as a way to remember the struggles that their founding fathers had to endure early on, braving the irradiated and deserted wastelands of Rockport, Florida.

# Primaries

1. M2103 Springfield

* Weight: 3.2kg (unloaded) 4.7kg (loaded)
* Length: 1,110mm (600mm Barrel Length)
* Cartridge: 7.62 x 51mm
* Effective Range: 500m (Ironsights) 1,000m (Scoped)
* Muzzle Velocity: 790m/s
* Action: Bolt Action
* Feed System: 5 rounds stripper clip, 5 round internal magazine

Desc: Fielded in 2103, the M2103 Springfield is the standard issue firearm fielded to all mercenaries within the Desert Vipers. It is a post war production of the M1903 Springfield. The weapon is built with polymer to reduce weight and is primarily produced by several civilian companies and in underground factories. A significant number of the weapons are also purchased legally from the Matterson Supply Company. The M2103 is loaded through a 6 round stripper clip into a 6 round internal magazine. The reason for this is to reduce the cost of purchasing box magazines.  The weapon is extremely accurate, rugged and reliable. It has been praised highly by mercenaries in the company for it’s buttery smooth bolt action operation. It is also incredibly easy to field strip and clean. However, the weapon is not without its downsides. Being fed by a stripper clip, the weapon is vulnerable to dirt and dust getting in, causing jams to occur. It also has a low magazine capacity of 6 rounds, though, the stripper clip allows experienced shooters to reload extremely quickly. Sometimes even more so than conventional magazine-fed rifles. A variant with a straight pull bolt is also available.

2. Hyke-A (Auto) 7.62mm

* Weight: 4.3kg (Unloaded) 5.2kg (Loaded)
* Length: 1,110mm (550mm Barrel Length)
* Cartridge: 7.62 x 51mm
* Effective range: 460m (Ironsight) 800m (Scoped)
* Muzzle Velocity: 735m/s
* Action: Short Stroke Gas Piston
* Feed System: 12 round detachable box magazine
* Rate of Fire: Semi Automatic, 35 to 40 rounds per minute
* Variants: Hyke-AM (Scoped Marksman Variant)

Desc: The Hyke Auto is a heavily modified Hyke rifle capable of firing in semi-automatic. The rifle uses a Short Stroke Gas Piston to reduce the overall recoil the weapon produces when firing. This weapon is standard issue to all Peacekeepers and Enforcers, however, the weapon is not well liked due to its increased weight, adding to a mercenary’s fatigue. The weapon is able to greatly increase a squad’s firepower. Despite this, the weapon is insignificantly less accurate than it’s bolt action brethren. It is still a reliable and rugged weapon system, however.

5. Draica 12ga

* Weight: 3.2kg
* Length: 946mm
* Cartridge: 12ga Buckshot
* Effective range: 36m
* Action: Pump Action
* Feed System: 5 + 1 round internal tube magazine

Desc: The Draica 12G is a cheap and common civilian model shotgun used for mostly for hunting and self defense. It is a reliable and rugged weapon for used in close quarters situations and gunfights.

6. Ithica 12ga

* Weight: 3.4kg
* Length: 950mm
* Cartridge: 12ga Buckshot
* Effective Range: 36.8m
* Action: Pump Action
* Feed System: 5 + 1 round internal tube magazine

Desc: The Ithica is a rarer alternative to the Draica 12G shotgun, it is currently used by CDF militiamen in Hawaii, the weapon functions similarly to a Draica. It is usually procured via the black market in Hanover, some of them have even been seen in the Den.

7. M2099

* Weight: 3.5kg
* Length: 1,100mm OR 805mm (Shortened barrel)
* Cartridge: .30-08 OR 7.62mm
* Effective Range: 600m
* Action: Lever Action
* Feed System: 4 + 1 round internal magazine

Desc: The M2099 or Model 2099 is a modified post-war variant of the Winchester Model 1895, a popular pre-war lever action hunting rifle. The weapon has two modification added to it. One being a mount for a scope (side mounted), and a slightly enlarged modified receiver designed to take either the .30-08 or 7.62mm cartridge.The M2099 is used by Desert Viper mercenaries as a scout rifle, mostly used by vehicle crews that want to carry extra firepower but not sacrifice the range and stopping power a rifle would have as opposed to a shotgun like the Draica 12G. The M2099’s lever action operation allows for rapid follow-up shots, and with the weapon being compatible with stripper clips, it makes reloads quick and easy. The gun is primarily chambered in 7.62mm, making ammunition interchangeable with the M2103.

# Sidearms

1. Maxwell 9mm

* Weight: 910g
* Length: 180mm
* Cartridge: 9 x 19mm Parabellum
* Effective Range: 50m
* Action: Short Recoil Operation
* Feed System: 10 + 1 round detachable box magazine

Desc: The Maxwell 9mm pistol is a common weapon, issued to both the CDF and USCPF forces, as well as in service with the PRT Marshals, the Maxwell has proven itself to be a robust, rugged and reliable sidearm.

1. SH-9mm

* Weight: 919g
* Length: 188mm
* Cartridge: 9 x 19mm Parabellum
* Effective Range: 50m
* Action: Mechanically locked, recoil operation (Double Action/Single Action)
* Feed system: 10+1 round detachable box magazine

Desc: A popular and reliable pistol used by civilians, the SH-9mm has quite a big reputation for it’s simple mechanism and robustness.

3. Viper .45 [HR’s ONLY]

* Weight: 953g
* Length: 188mm
* Cartridge: .45 ACP
* Effective Range: 50m
* Action: Mechanically locked, recoil operation (Double Action/Single Action)
* Feed System: 10+1 round detachable box magazine

Desc: Used by the PRT Marshal’s elite Domestic Response Unit, the Quinman-17 is a pistol manufactured by the PRT. Various underground storefronts have since made their own knock-off version of the pistol chambered in .45 ACP. Though it does not look exactly like the Quinman, there is still a slight resemblance to the actual weapon. The Desert Vipers have since bought a few of the weapons, considering if they would be suitable to replace the Maxwell 9mm pistols that their mercenaries had been using. The weapon was very reliable and smooth shooting, making it a personal favorite between most of the Standard Command Leaders within the Desert Vipers. However, a high cost of procurement eventually meant that the Desert Vipers were unable to issue the sidearm on a wide scale. The sidearm was since then redesignated as the Viper .45, being the standard issue sidearm for Standard Command Leaders and other superior ranks. Still, the Viper .45 pistols are very scarce in number as only very few were ever procured for ‘testing’ purposes.

# Melee

1. 7” Serrated Steel Knife

Desc: A trusty piece of steel with a serrated blade, perfect for pretty much everything.

2. 1' Pointshank

Desc: Pretty much a longer serrated steel knife. With a 1' blade, it is a great alternative to a standard curved survival knife and it’s handle is made of an ergo fiber for increased grip.

3. 21” Telescopic Steel Baton

Desc: A 21” telescopic steel baton, usually heat treated for increased durability.

# Vehicles

1. Oasis PRV

Desc: The Oasis PRV, or “Protected Response Van” is a modified variant of an Oasis P521, a post-war produced 4 wheel drive vehicle. The PRV has been modified with various metalworks acting as ‘armour’ for the vehicle, a steel protective mesh. The mesh is used to protect the windshield and windows as well as the hood of the vehicle from things such as rocks and bottles. The chassis itself has been up-armoured to stop rounds up to 7.62mm, however, it’s windows are still completely vulnerable. The PRV also has a sort of ‘battering ram’ on the front of the vehicle made of the same steel protective mesh used to protect the windows, which is stretched over a steel framed attached to the front of the van. The ‘ram’ is used to prevent people from climbing over the vehicle. And can also be used to protect the engine from very small pistol cartridges. The PRV has a maximum carrying capacity of 9, including the driver and is only used in dangerous situations such as the transportations of mercenaries or supplies through dangerous territory. Is the best and most well armoured vehicle the Desert Vipers have access to. The Oasis PRVs are first acquired legally from a civilian post-war company or factory, before going through extensive underground modifications. The finished product is then designated as the “PRV”.  The Desert Vipers only have a handful of Oasis PRVs.

## Trivia

- The Desert Vipers have an estimated amount of 500 personnel making up the faction, most of which are rather spread out across the wasteland and moderately equipped.

- Logistics is the biggest problem for the Desert Vipers, being spread thinly with a high amount of personnel makes things such as issuing equipment a very hard task. After the artillery exchange between PRT and US forces on the 22nd of June, 2115. The issue was made worse as closing borders made it almost impossible for the organisation to share logistics and equipment across the border. Communication between the two sides of the organisation was still retained through the use of civilian communication equipment, though.

- Only members of the Special Logistics Interdiction Group may have access to assault rifles, most of which are procured illegally from the Matterson Supply Company.

- The Special Logistics Interdiction Group is a unit made up of highly trained mercenaries, most of which are pulled out from the main body of the Desert Viper's forces, their job is to usually recover stolen supplies and equipment, making them an extremely important asset to the organisation.