Hailey: Glacial Marksman
"Take out every enemy in every mission, and everyone returns alive."
The 33rd Sniper Squad's operational mantra has never been followed, since the reality is that half of the unit is KIA in every operation. Perhaps that is why rumors of jinxes began to spread throughout the unit. The first, missions always go wrong. The second, someone will always be detected, and they'll always die. The exact opposite of their operational mantra. These chilling jinxes also reached the ears of the youngest member of the unit, Hailey Scott.
Hoping that these jinxes could be broken, Hailey's 33rd Sniper Squad and the 16th Recon Squad headed out to the Snowfields in search of the Vulgus Fortress. Thanks to the Recon Squad's efforts, Hailey and her sniper squad were able to set up a vantage point and wait at a good location. Now all they had to do was launch a reconnaissance stealth drone. But that was when the first jinx struck. The Vulgus troops, who were armed with thermal sensors that could easily detect human body temperatures, spotted them. The Vulgus immediately pinpointed the Recon Squad's location and began attacking them. Hailey and her sniper squad quickly pointed their rifles at the enemy and waited for their targets to walk into the crosshairs amid the ensuing chaos.
"Ugh...! 33rd Sniper Squad... cease fire and retreat! RUN!"
Hailey couldn't believe her ears. She couldn't turn her back on her allies who were still alive and fighting to the bitter end. This wasn't what she became a soldier for. She'd never disobeyed her superiors before, but this time, she decided, she would. Hailey straightened her position, closed her eyes, and recited the operational mantra like a prayer.
"Take out every enemy in every mission, and everyone returns alive."
"Hit every enemy locked in the crosshairs. And we'll all return alive."
After a few deep breaths that dispersed in the wind, Hailey slowly opened her eyes. Her icy cold eyes locked on the enemy with pinpoint precision. Even the sounds around her seemed to be frozen. One shot, then another shot. Each time Haley squeezed the trigger, an enemy crumbled like bent grass. The enemies panicked and turned up their thermal sensors, but they couldn't find her. And so, the Vulgus forces were wiped out by a single unseen sniper. Not only was it a victory, but it was also the moment when the squad's operational mantra, which had never been achieved, was finally accomplished by Hailey, their youngest member. When asked by her superiors how it felt to be the exception to the rule, she smiled and said, "I'm happy. It happened just like our operational mantra says.". With that, everyone including Hailey who was deployed in the operation managed to return safe and sound.
Upon reviewing the operation report, HQ wondered how Hailey was able to snipe so many Vulgus without being detected by their thermal sensors. Even if her body temperature did drop, it wouldn't have been low enough to evade detection by the thermal sensors. It didn't make sense unless she had Arche. Eventually, Hailey was tested for an Arche factor, and was found to have 'Supercooling Arche' abilities that enable her to drop her body temperature to extreme levels and fire Arche clusters instead of bullets. So, Hailey left the sniper squad that she had grown so fond of and officially became a Descendant. But even as a Descendant, Hailey vowed to keep the legend alive, still reciting the 33rd Sniper Squad's operational mantra.
"Take out every enemy in every mission, and everyone returns alive."
Exclusive Equipment, Supercooled Anti-materiel Sniper Cannon Piercing Spike
Too large to be called a gun and too accurate to be classified as a cannon, this one-off precision weapon was developed exclusively for Hailey and is a last tactical resort for when conventional attacks cannot subdue an enemy. The specifications requested by HQ at the time of development required the creation of a weapon capable of piercing the armor of any enemy humanity was facing with a single strike. Naturally, it was a nigh impossible request and seemed unlikely to be fulfilled in the future as well. But Hailey was like a walking ice core and the supercooled cryogenic Arche in her breath could instantly freeze any armor in existence and crush it into particles. She already had the firepower and precision to achieve the requested specifications.
"There is no better weapon to drive your cold fury into the enemy's heart."
- Alpha