Steel Brigaide Commander
Real Name: Classified (will answer to Anne)
PMF: Infantry
SMF: Hand-to-hand combat Instructor
Birthplace: Classified (accent suggest Irish heritage)

The Iron Anvil where an elite airborne division in Destro's service, deployed into contested areas only when absolute brute force was necessary to complete a hostile takeover. Dropped in from low altitudes, each Anvil was protected in a self-contained bio-suit featuring layers of composite and reactive armor that acted as a shock absorbed for hard landings. After their frightening landings, they would engage their targets in close quarters combat, taking whoever survived prisoner to be used as slave labor. As years past, equipment and tactics would evolve with the times to compete against potential opposition. Improved armor systems, cybernetic enhancements, even genetic modification. With areas of conquest dwindling, the Anvils would be shifted from offense to defense, being mobilized to put down immediate threats to M.A.R.S. and its interests, most of these incidents being classified. The Anvil where among the first units mobilized when conflict loomed upon relations between M.A.R.S and Cobra breaking down. Naturally, MaCleod would assign one to assist in US operations.

Little is known about Barghest, save for what isn't blacked out on her dossier. She cut her teeth serving 'the Hounds of Ulster', top Anvil regiment operating out of Europe, a ranking they earned with a flawless mission success rate and minimal unit casualties. While the lions share of their missions are classified, rumors based in fact and conjecture have made their exploits to a modern-day legend, one that hasn't limited itself to Europe. Over the course of her 18 years of service in the Hounds, she's earned herself the rank of Sergeant Major. Among all the potential candidates to be shipped to North America, MaCleod chose her to take the role as Steel Brigade Commander, as well as covertly act as bodyguard for his son. Like a hound, she stands watch over Dane, keeping an eye out for any potential threats from outside or within. When unable to watch herself, be it on a mission or 'down time', she assigns 3 of the original dozen Brigadiers to watch him.

As with all Anvils, Barghest is outfitted with VICE armor; Composite plating able to withstand incoming fire while a reactive mesh can expand or contract to prevent injury upon sudden impact. A 'black-box' diagnostic recorder, located on the left thigh, calculates these reactions basing upon data from her cybernetic implants and it's internal altimeter and speedometer. In emergencies, select areas can be activated to act as a tourniquet or as a vice to re-align broken bones. Her helmet features an ultra-encripted sat-comm line, a tactical screen allowing for night, infrared and heat vision, a jack that links her cybernetic implants to allow tactical/enviromental information to be displayed in real-time, and an air filtration system able to protect from 99.9% of irritants, be they chemical or biological. Her signature sunglasses are really a smaller version of the tactical screen in her helmet, linking up to an ear-bud.

Barghest primary weapon is the Spitfire I.B.S (Incindiary Bolt Spitter), a weapon that spits out bolts of plasma that can smelt their way through some of the thickest armor. The backpack houses a mini-generator and emergency cooling tanks to prevent overheating. Altogether, it weights a good 125 lbs. In the unlikely event the spitfire is either disabled or runs out of ammo, she is not only proficient in use of all M.A.R.S. issued firearms and weapon systems, but has been trained in the use of antique weapons, and briefed on the captured schematics of known Cobra weapon systems, allowing her to easily scavenge for firearms on the battlefield. Even then, her peak physical condition, combined with training in multiple fighting styles including Jui-jitsu and Muay Thai, bladed weapons, and with a knack for 'improvisation', makes her a veritable monster in hand-to-hand combat.

"The career soldier types you expect that attitude. Nothing but order and discipline, want's any command given followed without complaint or question... being she's got that intimidating nature of hers nobody's ever made that mistake. She ain't much for small talk, or discussion in general, but... she's taking this a bit far. She doesn't socialize with anybody, doesn't make time for it. Most of these jolt-heads get to lighten up when they hit the field, grow a personality. Not her. She's either on a Mission, coordinating with Dane, or 'down time',... and her idea of 'Down time' is an exercise regiment, small meal, shower, or sleep. This lady doesn't have an off switch! It's like she's Junkyard dog, one that can bench-press 300 and spit hellfire... just standing there, calmly watching and waiting to snap into action."


--- Project Spriggan- File #PL-004G-788---Classification Override ---

M.A.R.S Genetic Modification program designed to produce superior soldiers during terms of pregnancy. Approved by Robert Magnusson Destro, a pool of test subjects would be found by cross-referencing medical databases within the M.A.R.S area of influence, searching out not only physical attributes... but specifically reproductive status. These not only included employees, but civilians and even political dissidents. If between the 3 to 6 months of development, treatment would be covertly administered during checkups, the status of pregnancy being regularly monitored. Initial complications of the program would result in the development of birth defects, while the most severe would result in stillbirth or even damage to the mother.

After a successful birth, potential progeny would be monitored for any signs of success. At least, the therapy simply wouldn't take, resulting in a perfectly healthy child, while some would develop defects and abnormalities as they aged, both physical and/or mental. The successful progeny would ideally manifest their gifts around ages 3-5, though some would manifest as late as their teens, at which point the progency would be confiscated for training, education, and further conditioning.

While standard Grenadier training would last only 2 years, the progeny's indoctrination would last from time of manifest until the age of 16. During this time, the training and further monitoring of their physical state would weed out any defective subjects in the ranks. Some would lack the correct mental state, while others would develop side-effects from the initial treatment as they aged. Successes originally where sent to serve as Grenadiers, however their successes in the field lead them to be moved into Anvil regiments. From it's induction to the time of it's cancellation under MaCleod Destro's direction, the success rate improved from a mere 10% to 25%.

At MaCleod's instruction, personnel involved with the project where either imprisoned or selectively terminated depending on the extent of their involvement, and wither they could, or would, assist in finding treatment options for not just the defective, but also in deprogramming the indoctrinated. Company funds where allocated to set up programs to assist the civilians left scarred by the program. Unfortunately, the older the patient the fewer options become considering that military service is all they can remember. Their emotional development and social skills having been severely stunted, the only option may be to ease them into social interaction with non-indoctrinated personnel.

I've been trying to work her out since the beginning, only to have what I wanted getting shut-down with what I had at hand. I'd originally wanted her to be a literal tank, like a cross between Jasper from Steven Universe and Zarya from Overwatch, but due to a frustrating lack of cohesive parts, I had to downscale from 'tank' to 'buff lady'. I had a choice between a PoC beach head and a cracked PoC Low-Light chest... but the fact I couldn't find a satisfactory pair of arms is why I went with Beach head. It came back to haunt me when I was trying to swap out forearms and ended up breaking it's joint... forcing me to dig out the Zap forearms. Had to do some constructive destruction to get the head to fit proper. As it was the head fit but had no neck whatsoever. Had to use my exacto and some sandpaper to scrape and sand up the base of the ball joint, then used a variation on the hot-glue trick to get it to fit. This is the first time I've ever done a flesh-tone coloring on a head, and aside from the 'beauty mark', it didn't turn out that bad.

I've long wanted to incorporate that Rogue-1 gun into a Joe fig, only opting to do so now because I couldn't find a Clone-wars mini-gun. Took a lot of exacto and dremmel work to get the Weapon and the backpack to fit. Sadly, I didn't think to paint it BEFORE gluing the two together. Once again, went wash-crazy, though it wasn't necessarily a bad thing considering how the ammo-line turned out. Long ways, and then short ways through each individual gap. And once again, more Gunpla stickers to spice it up. The Origin 1/144 line gives you a TON of extra stickers.

I was originally going to name her Spitfire, but it'd be silly for someone to be named after their gun. Did some online perusing into Irish lore, specifically the Hound of Ulstur, leading to information on the Barghest. Tales vary on the intent of this Irish ghost-hound; while some tell of it being a harbinger of death... where anyone who hears it's cry or sees it will certainly die, other tales tell of them being guardians protecting travelers. So yeah... An Anvil bodyguard kinda fits that.