In essence players create characters, (or convert existing characters if they're suitable) for a sort of Aegis SWAT team. After all, there's more than enough dangerous missions with which Aegis can get involved in, and a cell composed of a couple of federal police officers just isn't enough to, (for example) shut down an MiB installation. SPECATS characters will be slightly more skilled to reflect their status as "the best of the best", although you can easily make them aware that they are still at a disadvantage against many of Aegis's enemies. The players work as members of a team, and may often be surrounded by many SPECATS NPCs.

Although players sacrifice much of their freedom when choosing SPECATS characters over a normal Aegis cell, it is possible to incorporate all the elements of conventional ConX missions into such a campaign. Players can choose to play "Spooks", and remain members of government agencies, being dispatched to investigate cases as normal Aegis agents might. Other SPECATS members can help analyze information, conduct surveillance, and provide backup once the bad guy gets cornered. SPECATS bricks (4-man teams) can also be sent to investigate events and situations independently, under the leadership of one of the players, (the brick leader). These missions could include infiltrating facilities through disguise or stealth, attempting to uncover a plot within a local population, or negotiating new relations with an alien faction. Further suggestions for SPECATS missions can be found at the bottom of this section.

Note: The information below is based somewhat on the events in my campaign. Please change anything that doesn't suit you.

SPECATS (Special Aegis Tactical Section) was conceived in early 2000 to fill Aegis Prime's perceived need for a medium-sized elite military force. Although there were concerns that such a unit could undermine the security of the Aegis cell system, it was felt that the requirement outweighed such a risk. Individual Aegis cells did not have access to the required manpower, training, or organization to deal with the sorts of high-stakes, dangerous situations which were expected to arise more an more frequently in the coming years. A number of factors have contributed to this situation, including the departure of all but a few mysterious Atlanteans, (long perceived as a stabilizing force on Earth) an increase in Saurian activity, and the apparent retreat of the Greys in preparation for what could be a new, dangerous program against the human race. In addition, Aegis cells have demonstrated an inability to successfully handle dangerous Incarnate, deal with large seepage-related cults, and oppose larger, better organized Black Book operations. The creation of SPECATS was also hastened by the belief that the alien conspiracy may be nearing its end. Members of Aegis Prime fear that they are lucky to have maintained their secret for so long, and there is a growing belief that a massive public event or an uncovering of the US "shadow government" will lead to the exposure of Aegis and the extraterrestrial threat. Although the population has shown a stubborn refusal to believe any reports of UFOs and aliens, an intensification in the secret conflict and an increase in the number of "believers" has made it a matter of time before undeniable proof is presented to the world. When that time comes, Aegis will probably have to make a transfer to legitimacy, and SPECATS may be expanded to provide the armed support that such conditions may call for.

SPECATS would be recruited from existing special operations groups, preferably using already indoctrinated Aegis agents. These individuals would be supplemented with combat-trained cell members who posses psychic or supernatural abilities which could be of value to the group. These so-called "Spooks" would receive additional military training, but would remain in a support capacity whenever possible. Spooks would preferably be recruited from US federal agencies, to better facilitate covert SPECATS operations within these organizations. The entire unit would then be re-trained to ensure that there was no conflict between tactics learned from the members' original units.

The majority of SPECATS operators, (as members of special ops groups are called) would be drawn from the most elite special operations units from around the world. Preferably, such background organizations would be US-based, but because only limited numbers of operators can be recruited from a unit without arousing suspicion, SPECATS organizers were forced to look abroad. In addition, Aegis could only recruit freely from organizations not infiltrated by the Black Book, as it was imperative that the Book learn nothing of the new unit. This requirement was made especially difficult by the Book's heavy presence throughout the US military, and much to Aegis's dismay, Book infiltration excluded recruitment from both the US Army Special Forces, (Green Berets) and the so-called Delta Force, (possibly the most elite military unit in the world). Foreign forces presented their own set of problems, as very few such organizations had received any level of infiltration by Aegis. It was decided that five foreign units from US-allied countries would be used for recruitment, and Aegis agents in each of these organizations set to work immediately determining which operators would become suitable SPECATS members. The process of recruitment took approximately a year, during which the facilities needed to maintain the unit were constructed at Fort Carson, Colorado. When these were ready, the unit was assembled at the base, and began months of intensive training. It is currently composed of members of the FBI's HRT, SEAL teams 4 and 8, Dev Group, GIGN, GSG-9, the SAS, JTF2, the NZSAS, a few members of other spec ops units who have been long-standing Aegis agents, and around 15 Spooks.

In total, SPECATS consists of 120 members, organized into 40-man troops. Each troop is further divided into 4-man "bricks", which are the standard SPECATS patrol units. Each troop is commanded by a Captain, and the entire section is controlled by the Colonel. Other SPECATS operators are known simply as Agents. Each brick is composed of a communications specialist, a medical specialist, an explosives/heavy weapons specialist, and an ops/intel trained team leader. Each troop also operates at least 5 trained snipers, and contains one brick specializing in air operations (parachuting), one brick for maritime operations, one brick trained in arctic warfare, and two bricks for clandestine operations in occupied urban areas. The remaining five bricks in each troop are composed of operators with a variety of skills, (members may be attached to supplement the specialized bricks according to their training, when extra manpower is needed for operations) although due to the backgrounds of most SPECATS operators, CQB and counter-terrorist experience is very common.

Each troop is intended to be self-sufficient, (except for transportation, which is commonly provided by Moondust personnel) and often trains independently. The specialized bricks from all troops train together however, and the arctic and maritime operations bricks spend much of the year at military bases in their respective environments. In addition, joint exercises between the three troops also occur yearly. Individual bricks are deployed for recon operations or to handle smaller threats, whereas troops are tasked with the majority of threats within SPECATS' mandate. More specialized multi-brick teams for operations in specialized environments such as arctic, desert, jungle, maritime, and urban environments can be organized as missions require. In extreme cases, the entire Unit will be called out to deal with specific situations, and even this force can be supplemented with additional agents from other Aegis cells and Moondust teams.

SPECATS missions are impossible to generalize because of the variety of situations which the group was designed to handle. Operators can be tasked to protect key individuals, attack Black Book installations, assault alien bases, provide reconnaissance, infiltrate secure installations within the US and abroad, and provide armed support for Aegis cell investigations. Individual bricks which contain Spooks who are members of federal agencies can be dispatched on investigative missions where combat is a likely probability. Usually, SPECATS operators disguise themselves as members of the US Military in order to move and operate without suspicion. In some cases, operators will impersonate law enforcement agents (particularly SWAT teams attached to federal agencies).

Security within the unit is maintained through a number of policies. First of all, it is vital that the true nature of the SPECATS facility be kept from US Army personnel on the base. This is achieved through separating SPECATS operators from regular soldiers whenever possible, by coordinating outdoor training schedules and limiting activity near the "Intelligence Post". When going out and returning from training, SPECATS operators use a hidden exit near the main gate which is totally obscured by foliage. Gate traffic is also usually restricted to one vehicle every three hours to limit suspicion. Finally, to ensure that SPECATS cannot be compromised by the capture of any of its members, each operator is injected (unknowingly) with a small amount of nanites. These lie dormant within the subject's system until they receive a signal, (usually from a satellite) coded for the individual. The operator then suffers a fatal heart attack within 1 minute.

SPECATS operators have access to wide range of high-priced equipment, and can generally order anything they don't have for a mission. Maintaining the unit is also expensive, (around $20 million a year) and this is impossible to cover with a minor misappropriation of funds. With sources of funding become harder and harder to find, Aegis has been forced to broaden its definition of acceptable procedures. To finance the operation, Aegis has collaborated with a select group of South American drug traffickers. By utilizing its contacts in the CIA and DEA, these traffickers are assured secure routes into the US in exchange for a cut of the profits. It has been suggested that SPECATS operators will eventually have to be dispatched to South America if this source of revenue is threatened, but such a situation has not yet occurred.

Players who create SPECATS characters do so in the same manner in which they would create a normal Aegis agent, although the process of cell creation does not (usually) apply. First, they must choose a background organization from one of the units given below, unless they choose to play a Spook. These backgrounds usually include some trainings for free and discounts on others. This is essential to free up the CPs needed to provide the realistic skills for the characters, (typically, an operator will have a Small Arms of at least 4). Influence is irrelevant in SPECATS because of the small number of commanders, so typical operators, (even brick leaders) can leave their Influence at 1. In addition to boost the characters even further, they receive an extra 5CPs for skills.

Spooks are created among somewhat different lines, and can be drawn from any background as long as they posses valuable psychic or seepage-related abilities. They still get access to all combat skills and training however, (except for background training) and receive the additional 5CPs. Spooks are not required to posses extraordinary combat skills, but should still be able to compete with the other operators. In addition, Spooks can officially remain part of their background organizations, and use their Influence on pulling strings.

As a final note, operators from foreign units are required to speak English proficiently (level 3) to join SPECATS.

SEALs are a naval special forces unit, specializing in direct assaults, recon, unconventional warfare, counter-terrorism, and training foreign soldiers. SEAL training is particularly grueling, ensuring that only the strongest-willed persevere.

Trainings: Awareness, Communications, Sniper (all), Survival,

Skills: Athletics, Autofire, Boating, Brawling, Demolitions, First Aid, Gun Fu, Gunnery, Heavy Weapons, Martial Arts, Melee Weapon, Small Arms, Stealth, Tracking

Bonuses: All members receive Combat Experience, SCUBA, CQB (Basic), Navigation, and Parachutist training. Survival training is available at 1/2 cost.

Dev Group, (constructed largely from SEAL Team 6) is devoted to maritime operations focusing on counter-terrorist and hostage-rescue work. It is one of two units, (including Delta Force) tasked with foreign hostage-rescue.

Trainings: Awareness, Communications, Parachutist, Survival, Navigation, Sniper (all)

Skills: Athletics, Autofire, Boating, Brawling, Breaking & Entering, Demolitions, First Aid, Gun Fu, Heavy Weapons, Martial Arts, Melee Weapon, Small Arms, Stealth

Bonuses: All members receive Combat Experience, Rapelling, SCUBA, and CQB (Advanced) training

The FBI Hostage Rescue Team is responsible for domestic counter-terrorist and hostage-rescue operations. It has more similarities with military than police style units.

Trainings: Awareness, Sniper (Advanced), SCUBA

Skills: Athletics, Autofire, Brawling, Breaking & Entering, Demolitions, Diplomacy, First Aid, Gun Fu, Martial Arts, Small Arms, Stealth

Bonuses: All members receive Combat Experience, Rapelling, Marksmanship, and CQB (Advanced) training.

GIGN is the French counter-terrorist unit. It is attached to the police, and is recognized as one of the world's finest counter-terrorist groups.

Trainings: Awareness, Sniper (Advanced), SCUBA, Parachutist

Skills: Athletics, Autofire, Brawling, Breaking & Entering, Demolitions, Diplomacy, Drive, First Aid, Gun Fu, Martial Arts, Small Arms, Stealth

Bonuses: All members receive Combat Experience, Rapelling, Marksmanship, and CQB (Advanced) training. SCUBA training is available at 1/2 cost.

GSG-9 is the German domestic counter-terrorist unit. Recruited from among the Border Police, it is recognized as among the best in the world.

Trainings: Awareness, Sniper (all), SCUBA

Skills: Athletics, Autofire, Brawling, Breaking & Entering, Demolitions, Drive, First Aid, Gun Fu, Martial Arts, Small Arms, Stealth

Bonuses: All members receive Combat Experience, Rapelling, Parachutist, and CQB (Advanced) training. SCUBA training is available at 1/2 cost.

The SAS is the premier British special forces unit, and is responsible for everything from unconventional warfare to counter-terrorism.

Trainings: Awareness, Sniper (all), SCUBA, Parachutist, Rappelling, CQB (Advanced), Communications

Skills: Athletics, Autofire, Boating, Brawling, Demolitions, Drive, First Aid, Gun Fu, Gunnery, Heavy Weapons, Martial Arts, Small Arms, Stealth, Tracking

Bonuses: All members receive Combat Experience, Navigation, and CQB (Basic) training. SCUBA, Parachutist, and Rappelling training is available at 1/2 cost.

JTF-2 is Canada's special operations and counter-terrorism unit. It is drawn from the military, and is responsible for a variety of missions including domestic counter-terrorism.

Trainings: Awareness, Sniper (all), SCUBA, CQB (Advanced), Communications, Parachutist

Skills: Athletics, Autofire, Brawling, Demolitions, First Aid, Gun Fu, Heavy Weapons, Martial Arts, Melee Weapon, Small Arms, Stealth, Tracking

Bonuses: All members receive Combat Experience, Navigation, Rapelling, Survival and CQB (Basic) training. SCUBA training is available at 1/2 cost.

The NZSAS is New Zealand's version of the SAS, and handles many of the same missions. NZSAS operators are renowned trackers.

Trainings: Awareness, Sniper (all), Rappelling, CQB (all), Communications

Skills: Athletics, Autofire, Boating, Brawling, Demolitions, First Aid, Gun Fu, Gunnery, Heavy Weapons, Martial Arts, Small Arms, Stealth, Tracking

Bonuses: All members receive Combat Experience, Navigation, Parachutist, and SCUBA. All NZSAS operators begin with Tracking at level 2.

Typical Operator (Former JTF-2)

Str 3 Siz 3 Agl 3 Per 3 Ref 3 Wil 4 Int 3

Skills: Autofire 3 Demolitons 2 Drive: Car 1 First Aid 1 Heavy Weapons: Indirect 3 Melee Weapon: Kinfe 2 Martial Arts 3 Small Arms: Rifle 4 Stealth 3

Training: Rapelling, Navigation, CQB (Basic), Survival

Traits: Physical Training, Combat Experience, Runner

Typical Urban/Sniper Specialist (Former GSG-9)

Str 3 Siz 3 Agl 3 Per 3 Ref 3 Wil 3 Int 3

Skills: Autofire 3 Breaking & Entering: Mechanical 3 Demolitons 2 Drive: Car 3 First Aid 1 Gun Fu 3 Language: English 3 Martial Arts 2 Small Arms: Rifle 4 Stealth 3

Training: Rapelling, Marksmanship, CQB (Advanced)

Traits: Physical Training, Combat Experience

Typical Maritime Specialist (Former Dev Group)

Str 3 Siz 3 Agl 3 Per 3 Ref 3 Wil 4 Int 3

Skills: Autofire 3 Demolitons 2 Drive: Car 1 First Aid 2 Gun Fu 2 Martial Arts 2 Melee Weapon: Knife 2 Small Arms: Rifle 4 Stealth 3

Training: Rapelling, SCUBA, CQB (Advanced)

Traits: High Pain Threshold, Physical Training, Combat Experience, Swimmer

Typical SPECATS Base Guard (Former US Army Ranger)

Str 3 Siz 3 Agl 3 Per 3 Ref 3 Wil 3 Int 3

Skills: Autofire 3 Drive: Car 1 First Aid 2 Gun Fu 2 Heavy Weapons: Indirect 3 Martial Arts 2 Small Arms: Rifle 3 Stealth 3

Training: Rapelling, CQB (Basic)

Traits: Physical Training, Combat Experience

Colonel Joseph Benavides (SPECATS leader)

Str 3 Siz 3 Agl 3 Per 3 Ref 3 Wil 3 Int 4

Skills: Autofire 3 Demolitions 1 Drive: Car 2 First Aid 1 Gun Fu 2 Heavy Weapons: Direct 3 Martial Arts 3 Small Arms: Rifle 4 Stealth 3 Teaching 3

Training: Rapelling, CQB (Advanced)

Traits: Physical Training, Combat Experience

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