Eliminator Special Forces

Squads of Cypher Dominion special forces infantry.

Eliminators are intended to make use of more advanced and specialised equipment to penetrate deep behind enemy lines during planetary invasions and disrupt logistics, cut routes of retreat and generally cause heavy attrition. Eliminators are often deployed in squads of around 5-20 depending on the mission they are tasked with solving. For sufficiently large missions, multiple squads may be deployed along with some coordinators who will ensure cooperation between the squads. The CD hive mind functions best at shorter ranges.

Only very skilled soldiers ever become eliminators as the skill needed to bring sufficient supplies without being detected by the enemy even once is very advanced. They would then have to repeat this process to reach allied lines once more. They are often tasked to wear uniforms similar to that of the enemy and use technology to modify their heat signature emission to one that is similar to a species that is normally seen in that faction. While not infiltrating other factions, they wear a unique uniform not shared by any other rank in the CD, as well as their own badges. This makes them very easy to distinguish from more typical CD infantry.

They can also be a morale weapon. Other factions often fear them as eliminators can seemingly strike anything at any time and leave few, if any, targets survive the encounter. Though the Hyperion Federation simply uses Teleporters to teleport supplies around, Eliminators can still cause damage by destroying inactive, unready units. It is thus customary for the HF forces to establish automated defences like turrets when they stop for long periods of time. Eliminators can also strike artillery and similar equipment.

Because of the CD hivemind, they can also act as recon forces and be sent to obtain valuable information for the CD military and allow them to make more informed decisions. Some groups of the HF try to hack into eliminators despite discouragement by the Hyperion Ethics Committee, though these people are already influenced by the CD hivemind so many see this act as one of heroism.

They are sometimes captured by the enemy though. Without access to significant supports, they cannot stand a chance against a large number of enemy forces. This can especially happen if they run out of ammo, so Eliminators must also put a lot of attention into ammo economy. This is a key reason why they are deployed in larger numbers, and weapon discipline is taught to them firmly. 

The first time squads like these were used was during the first HF-CD war. Though Eliminator squads are less effective against the HF than on other factions, they managed to surprise HF forces a number of times and generally make the war on planets easier for the CD, both offensively and defensively. They truly came into their own during the next war where they fought a faction that has no teleporters.