A Target Neutralisation Outfit (TANTO) is a very small, autonomous special forces unit used by Star Army Special Operations in the Star Army of Yamatai. They are only tasked to a mission when no other regular or special force has a high chance of success. These units were formed in YE 43 as part of the creation of Star Army Special Operations, by selecting the most experienced members of the Star Army of Yamatai. They follow and are modelled around the SOFT structure of 4-5 infantry, however these are pure and specially trained infantry unlike SOFT's patchwork composition. These self-contained groups of elite soldiers are highly skilled at direct combat, hostage rescue, crisis management and staying covert when needed.

TANTO candidates are carefully selected by using Star Army Personnel Records and nonspecific tests, until the candidates are offered the job and sworn to secrecy whether they accept or refuse. You don't “apply” to join a TANTO. The true identities of TANTO members are only known to 5 people: The Empress, The Commander of the Star Army, The Director of Personnel, The Chair of SASO and the Director of SAINT. TANTO members should never be careless enough to be discovered or disclose their existence or identities. The only exception to this is when showing a 'gold card' to a starship's captain or base's commander, which allows them to pass wherever they need.

For reasons of security and secrecy, TANTOs are highly compartmentalized and their real identities are disguised even from other team members. An outfit's operations are always unknown to all other than themselves and SASO's Command element, who don't know precise locations or personnel data. TANTOs are only selected from existing and experienced Special Operators and only Infantry-stream occupations are eligible. There is no central record of TANTOs, and there is usually only one Outfit in a system. The existence of the TANTOs is likely not common, or even uncommon, knowledge - those who recognise the term generally don't know much beyond the reputation.

TANTOs are only ever tasked to missions and assignments that require the upmost discretion. All other options both regular and special are considered before a TANTO is tasked. While other Special Forces are usually focused around a single type of mission or objective, TANTOs stand out alongside SOFT in their generalist role. SOFT forces are mostly comprised ad-hoc by ship captains working with their most promising crewmembers. However, TANTOs are hand-picked from the entire of the Star Army's personnel. Their composition is crafted so that all members contribute an experienced and complimentary skillset and personality to the team. A given TANTO should be able to complete any operation given to it and do so in total secrecy.

The fire team generally consists of 4-5 “Operators”, who are at least of senior NCO rank:

• 1 Team Leader - Always an officer and carries the team's “gold card”. They have total authority and trust to execute the mission how they see best. Usually, they are a field-grade officer who chose a special forces career rather than a standard officer path.
• 1 Technician - While all members of a TANTO will have technical skills, this individual is responsible for keeping up on cutting-edge methods and restricted technologies in this field.
• 1 Signaller - While all members of a TANTO will have communications skills, this individual is responsible for ensuring the most robust signals intelligence (SIGINT) policy for the TANTO, as well as keeping tabs on all local traffic.
• 1 Anthropologist - This individual is tasked with rapidly researching any human intelligence (HUMINT) that may be pertinent to the mission at hand. This means local customs, clothing, government, individuals and how best to operate with secrecy and efficiency within those parameters.
• (Optional) 1 Medic - While all members of a TANTO will have extensive medical skills, this individual is responsible for keeping up on cutting edge methods and technologies in this field.

TANTOs typically have a stealth shuttle, which is quietly inserted into the area of operations by a starship passing the area. They may also stage at a forward operating base, leaving no trace upon departure. There are enough power armors for the team, and teams are authorized to carry any weapon in the Star Army's list of equipment.

They are capable of using their 'gold card' to go anywhere in the Yamatai Star Empire unfettered and unquestioned. They can also use it to travel aboard any Yamataian vessel in a similar manner, generally without asking for a course change and simply disembarking where necessary or transferring to another vessel.

• None known

ethereal created this article on 2022/04/07 19:45.