The Joes

In the gritty world of G.I. Joe: Shadow Company, the Joes are a far cry from the government-sanctioned military unit of the past. Here's how they operate in this shadow war:

Structure:

Decentralized Network: The Joes are a loose network of highly trained operatives scattered around the globe. This decentralized structure allows them to operate under the radar of PMCs and avoid detection.

Cells and Specialists: Joes operate in small, self-sufficient cells led by experienced veterans like Scarlett and Roadblock. Each cell has specialists who excel in areas like infiltration, demolitions, or intelligence gathering.

Funding Consortium: The Joes are funded by a shadowy consortium of philanthropists, disillusioned ex-military brass, and even sympathetic corporations who believe in the fight for freedom. The identities of these benefactors are kept strictly confidential.

Operations:

Hit-and-Run Tactics: Given their limited resources, the Joes rely on hit-and-run tactics. They strike quickly, gather intelligence, and disappear before COBRA or other PMCs can retaliate.

Covert Operations: The Joes specialize in covert operations, infiltrating COBRA facilities, stealing intel, and sabotaging their plans. Their small size and diverse skillsets make them ideal for these missions.

Morality Over Orders: Unlike traditional soldiers bound by rigid codes, the Joes operate on a need-to-know basis. They prioritize protecting innocent lives and stopping Cobra's atrocities, even if it means bending the rules.

Recruitment:

Seeking the Disillusioned: The Joes recruit from various sources: disillusioned ex-military personnel, skilled specialists from black markets, and even young idealists yearning for a better world.

Tests and Trials: Potential recruits undergo rigorous physical and psychological testing to ensure they possess the skills and mental fortitude needed to survive in this harsh environment.

Loyalty Above All: The Joes value loyalty above all else. They are a tight-knit unit, relying on each other for survival in a world where trust is a scarce commodity.

Challenges:

Limited Resources: The Joes are constantly outgunned and outmanned by PMCs like COBRA. They rely on ingenuity, salvaged equipment, and black-market contacts to stay in the fight.

Internal Conflict: The Joes are a diverse group with different backgrounds and ideologies. This can lead to internal friction, especially when faced with difficult choices during missions.

Public Perception: The Joes struggle to gain public support in a world where PMCs control the narrative. They are often seen as vigilantes or terrorists by those who benefit from the status quo.

The Joe's Main Base: The Grid

In the decentralized world of Shaodw Company, the Joes don't have a single, permanent headquarters. Their main base is a virtual one – The Grid. It's a constantly shifting network of secure servers scattered across the globe, hidden within sympathetic corporations, academic institutions, and even abandoned military facilities. Access to the Grid is granted through secure biometric authentication and constantly changing access codes.

Benefits of The Grid:

Decentralization: Spreading the servers across the globe makes it nearly impossible for Cobra or any other PMC to take down The Grid in a single attack.
Mobility: The Joes can access The Grid from virtually anywhere with a secure connection, allowing for real-time communication and mission coordination.
Information Hub: The Grid serves as a central repository for intel, mission plans, and communication channels.

Drawbacks of The Grid:

Vulnerability to Cyberattacks: Despite its security measures, The Grid is a constant target for Cobra's cyberwarfare efforts. The Joes require skilled hackers to constantly maintain and defend the network.
Limited Resources: Maintaining The Grid requires access to power, bandwidth, and server infrastructure. The Joes have to rely on a network of sympathetic contacts to keep The Grid operational.
Psychological Strain: The constant vigilance required to defend The Grid can be psychologically draining for the Joe's tech specialists.

Safe Locations for Joe Operatives:

The Ghost Towns of the Rust Belt (USA): Abandoned industrial centers and decaying cities within the former United States offer a desolate yet surprisingly secure refuge for Joe operatives. Scavenger communities may offer assistance or turn a blind eye to the Joes' presence, as long as they don't disrupt the fragile peace.

The Neutral Zones (DMZs): The heavily fortified Demilitarized Zones separating the warring factions offer a strange kind of haven. While patrolled by drones and robotic sentries, these zones are considered neutral territory, allowing the Joes to operate with less risk of encountering enemy soldiers.

The Green Resistance Eco-Communities (Global): Scattered throughout the world are self-sustaining eco-villages established by the Green Resistance. These communities, often hidden within biodomes or remote wilderness areas, may offer the Joes a safe haven, a chance to rest and recuperate, in exchange for helping with their cause.

The Sky Havens (International Waters): Massive converted oil platforms and decommissioned aircraft carriers serve as neutral territories in international waters. These "Sky Havens" are often controlled by rogue factions or independent traders, and the Joes can use them as a temporary base or a marketplace to acquire rare equipment or information.

The Neon Underworld (Major Cities): Deep within the sprawling megacities controlled by PMCs, hidden criminal networks and black markets offer a haven for the desperate and the resourceful. The Joes can utilize these networks to gather intel, acquire black-market technology, or even find safe passage through hostile territories.

The Zaibatsu Serverscapes (Japan): Within the Neo-Shogunate of Japan, the Joes may find a precarious haven within the digital domains of certain Zaibatsus. By offering valuable information or expertise in exchange for sanctuary, the Joes can gain access to advanced technology and a safe haven from Cobra, although they must tread carefully to avoid getting caught in the power struggles between rival Zaibatsus.