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Introduction
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VASA
isn't strictly a government or State in its own right, but
it does behave like one in many ways. Its primary function
is to act as an intermediary or debating forum for the federation
consisting of the Tripartite Confederacy and associated powers.
In theory VASA is impartial and has powers of military intervention
in the name of peacekeeping. In reality and in common with
the governments it administers, it is wide open to corruption,
insider dealings and generally having its strings pulled.
It is very easy for a powerful government, for example one
of the Gate worlds, to persuade VASA to look the other way
while it pursues a military goal. VASA is so married to the
status quo that it can even be influenced to act on behalf
of powerful States against weaker ones that have something
they want. Of course VASA's other key role is the policing
of the grav wells and the collection of excise duty on all
interplanetary trade. This makes them far and away the richest
institution anywhere in human space and it also makes them
really hate smugglers against whom no tactics are considered
too extreme.
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VASA
Archangel
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Because VASA
levy the vast majority of its troops from governments signed up
to its treaties it boasts the largest army and fleet in human space.
Therefore VASA's army is largely composed of standard troop types,
vehicles and AIs, making it a good all round army when it takes
to the field. Usually peacekeeping and containment are VASA's priorities,
so rioting civilians, guerrillas and terrorists tend to define their
tactics as mainly urban pacification. However, it is not unusual
for VASA to have to confront organised armies in situations where
rebellions are well organised (i.e. they have Tripartite backing).
VASA do have some of their own troops of course and these represent
some of the best trained and equipped to be found in anybody's army.
Most infamous of these, a name that strikes dread into the heart
of any would-be challenger is the Black Legion. Equipped with state
of the art ion weapons and graviton jump packs, these are elite
shock troops that are as hard as they come. And prominent within
the Black Legion is the mysterious Commander X, a relentless and
controversial military leader renowned for giving no quarter.
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Hero
& Leander, VASA Bike and Sidecar combo
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Currently
VASA stands as the main force between Koralon and the rest
of humanity, though a string of defeats have forced them to
consolidate their defences, leaving the Rim unguarded. They
are also active in the perennial struggle with organised pirates
and smugglers, which is a campaign as bloody as any interplanetary
feud. They also maintain a strong presence at trouble spots
throughout the galaxy in a peacekeeping role.
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