SF Modern Defense Forces?

Nephtys · Post by **Nephtys** » 2005-09-30 07:17pm

There's something romantic about the idea of a clandesdine modern force safeguarding us unknowing populace from some grave extraterrestrial threat, don't you think? It's the 'It could happen right now!' kinda feel, added with the drama of the underdog in much the same way that La Resistance was romanticized.

Now. Let's take a look at two groups that honestly strike me as quite similar. First..

X-COM. From our classic and beloved 1993 computer game that changed the World. Small squads, a few planes, and legions of scientists versus an insidius alien invasion.

SGC. From Stargate, a secret organization for exploring space through their wormhole-o-matic, also negotiating treaties and protecting Earth from the Goa'uld.

Which would be from your perspective, more suited for protecting us from the most possible danger? Be it Goa'uld, Sectoid, Borg or the Visitors or whatever? A small group utilizing foot travel through transtellar portals and negotiation with alien powers, or a more militant organization utilizing conventional weapons to defeat and then capture advanced equipment?

Elheru Aran · Post by **Elheru Aran** » 2005-09-30 07:22pm

Stargate Command is hardly 'small', as it managed to produce the BC-304 series, not to mention the F-302's and has its own fighter wing...

Nephtys · Post by **Nephtys** » 2005-09-30 07:24pm

Well. Early on, it was quite small and grew as expected. But the budget for the SGC in that Second Season episode was digustingly low. Like along the lines of 200 million, IIRC? Anyone remember that?

Deathstalker · Post by **Deathstalker** » 2005-09-30 07:36pm

There is also the MIB, a self funded organization using alien technology to protect Earth.

Nieztchean Uber-Amoeba · Post by **Nieztchean Uber-Amoeba** » 2005-09-30 07:53pm

Don't forget Aegis or The Black Book.

Nephilim · Post by **Nephilim** » 2005-09-30 08:22pm

Nephtys wrote:Well. Early on, it was quite small and grew as expected. But the budget for the SGC in that Second Season episode was digustingly low. Like along the lines of 200 million, IIRC? Anyone remember that?

7 Billion

Post by **weemadando** » 2005-09-30 11:01pm

Nieztchean Uber-Amoeba wrote:Don't forget Aegis or The Black Book.

But both of those tend to draw resources from somewhat "unconventional" means.

In my current Con X game which I'm GMing, the Aegis cell just decapitated a massive drug cartel to get more funding for DEA, FBI and local agencies which they can skim, as well as recruits. And now, they are thinking about running the cartel for Aegis' profit...

Jason von Evil · Post by **Jason von Evil** » 2005-10-01 02:26pm

There's a branch/sister organization to S.H.I.E.L.D. in the Marvel universe, called S.W.O.R.D., which is supposed to handle extraterrestrial threats.

Siege · Post by **Siege** » 2005-10-01 02:29pm

I thought S.W.O.R.D. was the British branch of S.H.I.E.L.D.?

If not, I blame the damn acronyms...

Xon · Post by **Xon** » 2005-10-01 02:43pm

Nephtys wrote:Well. Early on, it was quite small and grew as expected. But the budget for the SGC in that Second Season episode was digustingly low. Like along the lines of 200 million, IIRC? Anyone remember that?

Sometime in season 2 they say it takes a six figure number to turn the lights on in the SGC. Baseline running costs on the place sure as hell arent going to be cheap.

We know at least billions has been sunk into the BC-303 program.

The Grim Squeaker · Post by **The Grim Squeaker** » 2005-10-01 02:46pm

M.I.B is very good for eatablished civilized relations, still in the case of less established relations x-com seems more feasible and has better muscle.

Post by **NecronLord** » 2005-10-01 02:56pm

UNIT well, survived.

Tasoth · Post by **Tasoth** » 2005-10-01 03:19pm

weemadando wrote:
Nieztchean Uber-Amoeba wrote:Don't forget Aegis or The Black Book.
But both of those tend to draw resources from somewhat "unconventional" means.

In my current Con X game which I'm GMing, the Aegis cell just decapitated a massive drug cartel to get more funding for DEA, FBI and local agencies which they can skim, as well as recruits. And now, they are thinking about running the cartel for Aegis' profit...

You don't know how much I love you two right now.

Throwing in my hat with either X-Com because, by end game, they're fully capable of making autonomous weapons platforms and fighter/transports capable of bringing down dreadnaughts/battleships by themselves. Don't forget the manufacturing of high grade battle armor and weapony. Failing that, AEGIS. Can't say the Book because they work with the alien conquerors, but AEGIS is the best bet, especially if they break out the psychotrons and group ritual magic. Seepage has a nasty effect on the Greys.

Cthulhuvong · Post by **Cthulhuvong** » 2005-10-01 03:23pm

SiegeTank wrote:I thought S.W.O.R.D. was the British branch of S.H.I.E.L.D.?

If not, I blame the damn acronyms...

From Wikipedia:

S.W.O.R.D.

Astonishing X-Men v3 #6 (December 2004) by Joss Whedon introduced an organization called S.W.O.R.D. (Sentient World Observation and Response Department). S.W.O.R.D. is a governmental organization that works with S.H.I.E.L.D. In contrast to S.H.I.E.L.D., which deals with terrestrial threats, S.W.O.R.D. now deals with extraterrestrial threats. It is as yet unclear whether S.W.O.R.D. is a branch of S.H.I.E.L.D. or a true sister agency, as dialogue in the stories depicting both organizations has been ambiguous on the subject.

Graeme Dice · Post by **Graeme Dice** » 2005-10-01 03:47pm

Nephtys wrote:Well. Early on, it was quite small and grew as expected. But the budget for the SGC in that Second Season episode was digustingly low. Like along the lines of 200 million, IIRC? Anyone remember that?

It was about a billion dollars just to "keep the lights on" as Hammond reported it.

Nephtys · Post by **Nephtys** » 2005-10-01 04:24pm

Graeme Dice wrote:
Nephtys wrote:Well. Early on, it was quite small and grew as expected. But the budget for the SGC in that Second Season episode was digustingly low. Like along the lines of 200 million, IIRC? Anyone remember that?
It was about a billion dollars just to "keep the lights on" as Hammond reported it.

Okay. So it's not that cheap. Gotcha. I was just mentally going.. wait. The entire budget of an interplanetary/intergalactic defense/exploration/diplomacy program cost less than one stealth bomber? Huuuuh?

Elheru Aran · Post by **Elheru Aran** » 2005-10-01 06:42pm

SiegeTank wrote:I thought S.W.O.R.D. was the British branch of S.H.I.E.L.D.?

If not, I blame the damn acronyms...

Isn't that Excalibur? Or is that more along the lines of the Avengers?

Post by **weemadando** » 2005-10-01 08:51pm

Tasoth wrote:Failing that, AEGIS. Can't say the Book because they work with the alien conquerors, but AEGIS is the best bet, especially if they break out the psychotrons and group ritual magic. Seepage has a nasty effect on the Greys.

Bah. A previous cell based out of Seattle had a influence 5 boss (regional director CIA/Homeland Security). Every mission, the first action taken was to position a gunstar over the target and start queueing up satellites for live surveillance. I swear, an influence 5 character DESTROYS game balance - but damn was it fun to come up with plotlines to try and challenge them.

KhyronTheBackstabber · Post by **KhyronTheBackstabber** » 2005-10-01 09:04pm

SiegeTank wrote:I thought S.W.O.R.D. was the British branch of S.H.I.E.L.D.?

If not, I blame the damn acronyms...

The British team with an acronym is W.H.O. (Weird Happenings Organization)

Jason von Evil · Post by **Jason von Evil** » 2005-10-01 09:46pm

Elheru Aran wrote:
SiegeTank wrote:I thought S.W.O.R.D. was the British branch of S.H.I.E.L.D.?

If not, I blame the damn acronyms...
Isn't that Excalibur? Or is that more along the lines of the Avengers?

Naw, Excalibur was just a group of mutants based in the isles.

Darth Sephiroth · Post by **Darth Sephiroth** » 2005-10-02 01:57am

Does Delta Green fit this?

Jason von Evil · Post by **Jason von Evil** » 2005-10-02 02:06am

I was tempted to say Stormwatch, but those fuckers got all but wiped out by a pack of Xenomorphs (of the Ridley Scott variety).

Ford Prefect · Post by **Ford Prefect** » 2005-10-02 06:44am

NecronLord wrote:UNIT well, survived.

Didn't UNIT get a hold of a giant laser at one point? I think it was the arc with the creepy plant man, which I didn't actually get to watch.

Star-Blighter · Post by **Star-Blighter** » 2005-10-02 06:56am

ggs wrote:
Nephtys wrote:Well. Early on, it was quite small and grew as expected. But the budget for the SGC in that Second Season episode was digustingly low. Like along the lines of 200 million, IIRC? Anyone remember that?
Sometime in season 2 they say it takes a six figure number to turn the lights on in the SGC. Baseline running costs on the place sure as hell arent going to be cheap.

We know at least billions has been sunk into the BC-303 program.

I loved the comment Oneil made regarding that:

"Do you know much it cost to keep this thing on?"

Classic.

The Grim Squeaker · Post by **The Grim Squeaker** » 2005-10-02 07:23am

Jason von Evil wrote:I was tempted to say Stormwatch, but those fuckers got all but wiped out by a pack of Xenomorphs (of the Ridley Scott variety).

Which is why Stormwatch black or the authority ar the best protection.