Colonial Reconnaissance Corps: Chapter 2: A-Teams
From SSDC, Inc.
There must be people willing to set foot on a new planet for the first time, to be the first ones exposed to the myriad of potential deaths a new world can offer intruders. These people are formed into units with are called various things: Advance teams, away teams, action teams or most often just “A-teams”.
A-teams will often be the first people to actually enter a new biosphere. As such they are often at extreme risk. Even with the most advanced medical technology waiting right above them, A-teams have a high mortality rate. Sometimes an A-team will be wiped out to the last man by an insidious microbe that kills within seconds. Such incidents are fortunately rare. Others have been slaughtered by what was assumed, based on observational data, to be peaceful herbivores who went berserk at the smell of an alien lifeform.
Some units recruit A-teams by offering astounding payments. Many people have retired quite comfortably at young ages after surviving one tour on an A-team. Some units recruit prisoners facing long sentences or execution: Survive the mission and you're free. Some seek out employment on A-teams, yearning for riches, adventure or simply to go where no one has gone before.
A-teams are often multi-species when possible. While this may complicate logistics in terms of food, medicine, clothing and air supplies in some cases it also means that the team has multiple biologies and is less likely, therefore, to all be hit the same way and at the same time by a new pathogen or toxin. Many races have a place on an A-team and a reason to be there. Eridani are valued for their courage, wisdom and discipline. They see being the 'first in' as a great honor. Orion Rogues are very quick, perceptive and adaptable. They view an A-team as a ticket to sure adventure. Pythons are, of course, very robust and strong, plus they come from a very primitive planet which gives them an edge in many cases. Going into the unknown is a way to express their courage. Humans are known for their ability to match the universe dirty trick for dirty trick and never knowing when to give up. They often go for the money.
A-teams are equipped with nothing less than the best the Alliance has to offer in all fields: They have the best armor and weapons Alliance technology can produce, they have the best possible medical expertise watching over them, they have the largest knowledge base in history to draw upon and some of the finest minds of a dozen races ready to offer advice.
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Colonial Reconnaissance Corps: Chapter 3: Players as A-Teams
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