Saladin

Background

After all these years loyally serving Haqqislam, people seem to have forgotten that Saladin was loaned by ALEPH via O-12 to the Bourak authorities. The Recreation was the liaison officer of the Bureau Aegis with the Haqqislamite High Command, but his personal involvement with his adoptive nation and his worth as a strategic planner would make him fully integrate into the Haqqislamite command ranks, his remaining role as a liaison with the Bureau relegated to the background.

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After all these years loyally serving Haqqislam, people seem to have forgotten that Saladin was loaned by ALEPH via O-12 to the Bourak authorities.

The Recreation was the liaison officer of the Bureau Aegis with the Haqqislamite High Command, but his personal involvement with his adoptive nation and his worth as a strategic planner would make him fully integrate into the Haqqislamite command ranks, his remaining role as a liaison with the Bureau relegated to the background. It was not an easy or simple process, doubts and suspicions towards Saladin were constant and even the Old Man of the Mountain subjected him to the constant vigilance by a Hassassin team. However, over time, the full dedication of Saladin and the relevance of his contributions in the Paradiso conflict would dispel the doubts of many, to the point that even the Old Man of the Mountain reduced the intensity of their vigilance over him. This does not mean he is not watching him, the difference is that now he does it imperceptibly for everyone, for everyone except for Saladin, who always knows how to recognize the presence of his shadow, giving him a slight bow and a smile.

However, the one who does not forget, the one who cannot afford to forget what Saladin’s true affiliation is or should be is the Bureau Aegis. An organization with a wide spectrum and a jurisdiction that covers the entire Human Sphere, which is always in need of funds to be able to fulfill its duty, cannot leave behind such a valuable resource as Saladin. Thus, after the crisis unleashed with the opening of the Cerberus wormhole and the deployment of the Combined Army in Helheim, the Bureau requested the re-entry of Saladin into its ranks. At first, this request was rejected by the Haqqislamite High Command, alleging “the moments of extreme need faced by Haqqislamite citizens on ISC: SALADIN, NAVAL LIAISON OFFICER Paradiso”.

Nevertheless, Saladin, with his usual elegance and fairness, interceded for the Bureau before the Diwan al Jund, suggesting a possible part-time collaboration without ever abandoning his duties with the High Command of the Sword of Allah. The Recreation knew how to play its cards well, pointing out the political advantages of collaboration, in addition to the fact that neither Haqqislamite citizens nor humanity by extension, had any interest in Concilium falling into alien hands. At his own request, Saladin was assigned to the command section of Starmada, allowing him not only to act on the symptom of the problem, which is Helheim’s beachhead but also to get to the root of the problem, Cerberus. In addition, this destination gave him greater mobility, allowing him to return to Paradiso more easily. Despite this, Starmada seems to have been the worst destination he could have chosen, the place where he could have been the worst received.

Too many naval officers from the Bureau Aegis have too much past history with Haqqislamite corsairs who could have acted on orders from Saladin himself. So, once again, the Recreation is in a position where each piece of advice provided, each decision made will be questioned, and must prove its worth one day or another as well. Of course, this is nothing that Saladin was not accustomed to or that he did not live before when he was assigned as a liaison to the Haqqislamite command. Nor is it something he was not prepared for, for it would be naive to think that a man of his intelligence had not foreseen a scenario like this.

And despite everything, despite the obstacles and difficulties, he volunteered for the position, assuming it with a royal dignity typical of the kings of yore—the kings who earned their crowns with the sword, as he himself had done—because, as he pointed out, it was the best option for both humanity and Haqqislam, the nation he carries in his heart.

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Al-Nāsir Salāh ad-Dīn Yūsuf ibn Ayyūb (1137 or 1138–1193). In Kurdish, سهلاحهدین ئهیوبی (Selaheddîn Eyûbî) and in Arabic, صلاح الدين يوسف الأيوبي. Al-Nāsir Salāh ad-Dīn is an honorary title, translatable as “The Victorious Unifier of the Faith” while his real name is Yusuf, son of Ayyub. He was a warrior and a Muslim military leader of Kurdish origin, as well as the most famous of all Islamic heroes. As founder of the Ayyubid dynasty, he unified the Near East politically and religiously, being Sultan of Egypt, Syria and Palestine, including the territories of Arabia, Yemen and Mesopotamia. His victories over the crusaders and the conquest of Jerusalem granted him a prominent place in the pages of history and he is recognized by Christians and Muslims alike for his skill in warfare and leadership, tempered by legendary chivalry and a merciful character.

The Recreation Project “Lion of the Desert” would be ALEPH’s wedge of insertion into Haqqislamite society. However, during the technical development phase, this project posed a double challenge: Saladin was not only a superior strategist, but a leader of men gifted with great personal charisma and a perfect sense of chivalry. This Recreation had to combine the strategic knowledge of Project “Advisor” (Recreation: Sun Tze) with the charisma of Project “Orleans Maiden” (Recreation: Jeanne d’Arc). To optimize and adapt him to contemporary situations, an improved neuronal net was implanted to allow access to complete knowledge of modern strategy, including detailed data on all the military units of the Sphere.

Unfortunately, after the failure of Project “Hakim” (Recreation: Avicenna) there seemed to be no possibility of developing a Recreation program to ease the integration of Haqqislam into ALEPH’s sphere of influence. For this reason, the AI froze the project. However, patience is a virtue typical of those not subject to the tyranny of time’s passage, such as Artificial Intelligences. Due to the conflict with alien forces on Paradiso, the usage of mixed formations comprised of units from different powers is more frequent every day. This is required by the constant pressure on strategic positions defended by international forces and the need to get reinforcements from wherever possible. Therefore, little by little, the need for officers who know how to coordinate the different allied forces has become necessary.

These officers are required to intimately know each unit and regiment involved in a fight, understanding all their capacities, strengths and weaknesses, so as to get the maximum performance from each one of them and avoid risking them in operations they are not really qualified for. To train these officers, the Bureau Aegis took inspiration from the famous Nomad Gestalt Officers, copying their strict and intensive instruction process. This Bureau Aegis liaison officers corps was the wedge ALEPH used to introduce one of its most ambitious Recreations.

Despite the objections directly presented by the Hassassin’s leader, the Old Man of the Mountain, to the Hachib, the Diwân al Jund (Ministerial War Office) recognized the need for the presence of a liaison officer able to understand the qualities as well as the needs of Haqqislamite units who act in partnership with other powers’ regiments. The circumstances of Paradiso are so precarious and the level of threat posed by the Combined Army is so serious, that exceptional measures are required, even if that means accepting what could be the Trojan horse of ALEPH amongst Haqqislamite ranks. Even the Hassassin sect has been forced to reluctantly accept this situation, but has imposed its own safety measures.

So far, Project “Lion of the Desert” has been a complete success. The heroism and leadership of Saladin brings new meaning to these desperate times. The glory and victories achieved under his command are a symbol for the unity and cooperation between the different rival powers and O-12.

Saladin is the brain and central reference of any command center, due to his excellent control of the flow of battle. He always knows how to make the best decisions, both in tactical maneuvers as well as in setting the rhythm of a combat. He never fails in his tactics and he knows how to steal an adversary’s initiative. His strategic capabilities have been proven beyond a doubt in the Paradiso theatre where the distrust of his nature and origin is possibly the worst obstacle he has to face on a daily basis. Nevertheless, an overwhelming, learned and refined personality has allowed him to gain the trust of all of those who surround him, be it the men under his command or the officers with whom he has to work. But never, absolutely never, from the Old Man of the Mountain, who has ordered a Hassassin operative group to be always next to the Recreation. This team monitors all his movements, actions and decisions, ever willing to eliminate him at the slightest suspicion of treason towards Haqqislam or its beliefs. Saladin, obviously, is completely aware of this constant menace, accepting it like everything in his life, with an elegant smile and a cunning sparkle in his eyes.

Quotes

"Who braved the unknown stars, knowing full well the risks involved? Who travelled through an unstable wormhole, leaving everything behind? Who survived for two centuries, completely cut off from our support? Who tamed an untameable land, teeming with hostile aliens? And after all that, who resisted the colonial advances of the Human Sphere’s military juggernauts? The word you are looking for, commander, is Ariadnans. So tell me: after all that, what makes you think they have the slightest interest in listening to your orders? My advice? Cut them loose, take credit for their accomplishments if it suits you, but above all, stay out of their way."

-Saladin, Second Offensive

"Flamia Island on Paradiso, one of the many loose ends which were left unsolved after the NeoColonial wars. Another problem O-12 has to deal with in light of the inability of the powers of the Sphere to reach an agreement. A residue of discord that could once again light the flame for a new conflict. But also a strategic position as a beach head facing towards Septentria, which could mean a problem if it were to fall in the hands of the Combined Army.” - Saladin, O-12 mothership Unbreakable Will, at the eve of Operation Flamestrike

"After this, the days to come will be dark. Very dark and full of loss. Probably, at some moment it will seem that everything is lost, but we can succeed if we join together." -Evalutaion session at the O-12 Security Council

First Appearance

Infinity N1 Human Sphere (2009)

Lore Sources

Infinity N1 Human Sphere (2009), p. 71

Infinity N3 Human Sphere, Guide Book (2016), p. 142

Starmada Action Pack Rulebook (2020) Corvus Belli Store

Infinity N4, Core Book (2020), p. 228 Corvus Belli Store

Profile

N3

ISC: Saladin, O-12 Liaison Officer					Medium Infantry
Fury: Non-Impetuous			Training: Regular			Back-Up: Cube
MOV	CC	BS	PH	WIP	ARM	BTS	W/STR	S
4-2	15	13	12	16	3	3	1	2
Skills and Equipment: Repeater, Strategos L3, V: No Wound Incapacitation

Name

Skills and Equipment

BS Weapons

CC Weapons

Points

SWC

Combi

Combi Rifle, Nanopulser

CCW, Pistol

36

0

Lieutenant

Lieutenant

Combi Rifle, Nanopulser

CCW, Pistol

36

0

Unit Logo

Haqqislam:

O-12 version:

Dossiers

Current Miniatures

Infinity: the Game

Infinity Defiance

Out of Print Miniatures

Limited Edition

None at this time.