TOP SECRET – Sensitive Compartmented Information – TOP SECRET
OPERATION: Bird’s Eye View
FOR MS. LIBERTY ***EYES ONLY***

We have compiled a preliminary report on the Vanguard base located in the area of Paragon City designated as the Rikti War Zone.

Vanguard is an all-volunteer force funded by the United Nations Security Council. They have been in operation since the first Rikti invasion, and have maintained a philosophy of watchfulness and preparedness, always proclaiming that the next “alien threat” is lurking a day away.

Although they have not been much in the news of late, we have observed considerable movements of troops and weaponry, and a higher-degree of battle-readiness in recent weeks than in past months. Their current command and operations centre is located in the Rikti War Zone, and their primary North American agents are all stationed there.

Vanguard is overseen by its director, Lady Grey. The organization underwent a significant re-imaging once Statesman handed control over to Lady Grey. Many questioned the decision, but Statesman would not hear it, saying in a memo to the UNSC that, “the Vanguard is a necessary force in the ongoing battle against the Rikti and I cannot see a better choice for their leadership than Lady Grey.”

However, while Statesman supported her, not everyone agreed with the new structure.  Vanguard was no longer a transparent organization. Today it is operated much more like a private army, despite its status as a UN organization. Vanguard has a considerable budget and very little oversight.

Furthermore, the volunteer force has some unusual faces under their helmets, to say the least. Lady Grey has some peculiar notions about standards, and seems not to believe so much in second chances as ‘the enemy of my enemy is my friend’. In any event, Vanguard has welcomed former villains and wanted criminals into its ranks, and given them a measure of protection from US laws, as long as they battle Rikti forces and do not cause internal strife.

The current make-up of Vanguard is split into four major branches: The Helm, The Gauntlet, The Shield, and The Herald. The last is their public relations office, run by a heroine named Incandescent, their Head of Communications. They walk a fine line between keeping the civilian populace aware of potential threats, and scaremongering with their propaganda. From my observations Vanguard’s message is somewhat muddied, as their “aliens among us” and “Earth for humans” messages simply do not account for friendly alien races. I do not believe Vanguard has an issue with allied forces, such as the Kheldian race, but this bear further investigation. Incandescent spends much of her time at the UN offices in New York and Geneva, but is the point person for official responses and sound bites.

The Shield is Vanguard’s security and defensive division. It is coordinated by the joint command of Levantera and Borea, two super-powered sisters. They are also the faces of Vanguard’s recruitment drive, and the first point of contact for new volunteers.

The Gauntlet is the assault squad of Vanguard, led by Serpent Drummer. Gauntlet soldiers actively patrol and seek out Rikti forces, attempting to eradicate them wherever they are found.

Finally, The Helm is Vanguard’s intelligence division, run by an unknown operative. All we’ve been able to ascertain is that he or she is powerful and seems to have a long history in Paragon City. I suggest we cross-reference Agents Crimson and Indigo and see if they might have any involvement here.

In conclusion, while some members of our organization have conflicted with members of the Vanguard, I urge a measure of cooperation and communication. However I must highlight a rising concern. We should be aware of extremist sentiments within Vanguard, especially in areas with a high-concentration of ‘villain’ members. We have observed them aggressively targeting Rikti, with little regard for civilians caught in the crossfire. These types of activities must be guarded against so that we do not lose sight of our common goal. Ultimately, we are all fighting to protect our one, precious world.

-- Lt. Sefu Tendaji