Kalran: Tales of the four nations/Claymore

"I'll lead the troops."

-A Claymore squad awaiting command upon summon

The Claymore is the basic clone power armored infantry of the Reclaimers. Planned to be voiced by Kirk Thornton.

Tactical analysis

 * Into battle, we'll follow: Formed from clone veterans, whether a Shield, Sword, Spear, or Bow, who are deemed stable enough to fight for them. These soldiers, known as Claymores, lead into battle armed with a semi-automatic rifle, rocket launcher, and a sword with the skills to back it up
 * Seen it all: Due to their experience, and having survived through countless meatgrinders, the Claymores are significantly tougher, part of it due to the Trueborn choosing to give them a cheap but functional set of powered armor, and more resistant to morale damage compared to their juniors. With their rifle and rocket launcher being significantly better than the ones wielded by the Shield, Sword, Spear, and Bow, though only by a relative as weapons wielded by other factions are significantly better
 * Follow me to victory: As veterans, Claymores tend to have a good impression on their juniors, and this only extends when they bravely dive into battle, causing other clones to try and imitate their bravery, courage, and hardship, and will gladly lay down their lives to protect them. With any clones around them being significantly faster thanks to the Trueborns being able to faster relay orders through the Claymore
 * Squad broken: However, due to their experience and bravery, morale significantly plummets when they die within sight of a clone, often enough to cause said clones to run, and those that don't are often frozen in fear, due to a combination of a delay to relay new orders to them and the death of a veteran, meaning that a loss of a Claymore can easily stop a charge. And, unlike the Whip, the Claymore will refuse to kill those who run

Overview
Due to their experience, the Claymore wears a jumpsuit, which is attached to a special set of powered armor, which is just a skeletal frame, under their poncho, which is significantly more weathered compared to the other clones

History
With how many clones are made each day, and the hellhole they are forced to fight in, there are soldiers within the ranks of the clone forces that are canny enough to survive countless, blood soaked, battles serving in the name of the Trueborn. Filled with experience, their individual sagas are quite long, for these rare clones has earned wisdom and insight from innumerable battlefields across the width and breadth of the Alcradia and has survived the bitter wars fighting the foes of their masters, while also spared from their wrath when a battle is loss. The Trueborn realising that the collective skills of such venerable warriors are too valuable to throw away upon a blood-soaked assault or a desperate quest for vengeance.

These veteran clones are formed into Claymores. Steady of hand and temperament, they are entrusted not only with the protection of their brethren but the greatest equipment a clone can hope for. And a small bomb in their heart that will detonate if they choose to betray the Trueborn.

Most of the time, many clones die in battle, with only a small minority surviving their first battle, with clones that survive a year of battle amongst the most redoubtable warriors in the Alcradia. Having fought in the nightmarish conditions the Trueborn puts them in and remaining loyal, Claymore remain implacably composed in the heat of battle. Often the sole survivors of their units, their poncho weathered through their battles and hair greying with age, many Claymore units are known to bond over the memories of their fallen units/friends, forging new bonds over the loss of old friends.

The Claymore solid and reliable demeanour is precisely why they excel in the role of a fire support unit. In battle, the oldest Claymore of the squad is entrusted with selecting enemy targets and directs their allies fire where it will be most effective. These Squad Leaders are able to anticipate the flow and ebb of battle with uncanny prescience.

Short story
(Inserting rest of lore here at some point)

Klein unhooked his necklace and look to the four dog tags on it, tears welling up.

Each of them had belonged to his old friends, Matthew, Raylia, Filomena, and Ricardo. Matt was unscathed but Lia and Mina’s were scratched and chipped, since they were killed in an artillery strike ordered by the Trueborn, and Rico was blackened around the edge, since he was burnt in the explosion that took him. And soon recalled their words.

“Remember our promise. That we’ll keep moving forward for them and fulfil their dreams. And until then we’ll refuse deaths call, who knows we might become claymores.”

“I already failed to protect Matt and Lia and I’ll be damned if I fail you and Mina too! I have the armor to to survive you don’t, so run as fast as you can with the others while I and the other shields distract them, and if gods willing we’ll meet again. And if not, then I can at least apologise to them.”

“I know it’s risky, but so long as those planes fly over that field it’ll be suicide for you and the others to storm that base. And beside even if I’m captured I know that you, Rico, and Mina will come save me.”

“W-what! NO! I-I’m just writing so that we have something to remember once we win.”

Matt’s words snapped Klein out of his melancholy as he root through his suits pocket until he pulled out a journal, Matt’s journal.

Though he took great cared to protect it when his friend died four years of wears and tear still show. Some edges were blackened and burnt, most pages are browned with dried blood, and most of the corners have frayed.

Looking back he was rather alarmed at Matt’s entries questioning the Trueborn, unable to comprehend why he would question their benevolence. But, looking back with four years of service, he’s starting to understand Matt to some degree, though his faith in the Trueborn remains unwavering.

Klein then heard the beep of his commlink, followed by the voice of his Trueborn commander.

“All soldiers stand to. We’re mobilising in five minutes.”

Klein sighed, wishing he could rest like this forever, and stood up, calling to his squadmates.

“Come on team! Suit up, break times over!”

His squad similarly sighed and followed him to where they keep their equipment, suit up, and march with the rest of the forces.

With each step he felt the tension among him and other claymores, each of their face stoic in contrast to the chatter of their juniors. He and the others already knowing that many of them won’t be returning.

He wished that there was a battle that didn’t result in a bloodbath, but his years of service has showed him that such thing will never happen.

(Inserting rest of lore here at some point)

Klein, using the last of his strength, pulled himself to a hole in the base wall. Smiling as he watched the clones, who would have been slaughtered had the gate remained closed, rush out as fast as they can.

And as he heard the Excalibur rods closing in on his position he saw the gates of heaven, and in front of it his friends, hands outstretched to embrace him.

“Matt, Lia, Rico, Mina. I’ll see you soon.”

Upon hearing the first rod made impact Klein’s eyes closed, smiling in content.

And with the second impact he was no more.

Trivia

 * The Claymores are based on the confessor cabal from tiberium wars and the noble officer from red alert paradox.
 * Most of their silly mode quotes reference the warhammer 40k fan song “Cadian XXth”

Arkalion

 * Triarii
 * Steel smith
 * Sky witch
 * Gurkha

Alcradia

 * Templar
 * Claymore
 * Claymore
 * Claymore
 * Claymore
 * Claymore

Axio

 * Kensei

Askrian

 * Assault trooper
 * Pounder
 * Pounder