V.S.S.E.

The Vital Situation, Swift Elimination international intelligence agency, literally called either V.S.S.E. or VSSE, is a fictional covert organization featured in Namco's Time Crisis franchise.

Background
The origins, foundation, and place of operations of this covert agency is unknown as its existence has been kept obscure by nearly everyone in the world. Those who know of its existence has a fictional security clearance called Eyes-Only Clearance. For the fictional security clearance, people who has been given Eyes-Only Clearance are not allowed to tell the outside world what they know about certain things (i.e. Alicia Winston cannot tell the outside world about Alan Dunaway and Wesley Lambert). VSSE operates literally as a problem-solving intelligence agency which gathers information regarding about terrorists, underground organizations, world-class criminals, and other high-level atrocities through utilization of specialized laptops optimized to encrypt information to protect the obscurity of the agency. If there is a need to protect the public good, the authority of the VSSE supersedes the authority of the United Nations and other covert organizations belonging to a particular country (i.e. the United States Central Intelligence Agency). The aim of the VSSE is to shut down high-level crimes and atrocities in a timely manner. The information gathering is conducted by a group of volunteers, known as "Cooperatives". Cooperatives are civilians who has the privilege to report information to the VSSE regarding about high-level crimes and atrocities when it's required. When the crime is proven to be something that needs attention, then VSSE sends out (for the most part) a team of 2 special operation agents to shut the high-level atrocity down.

Classifications
The VSSE is not an organization for everyone. The VSSE only accepts those who are capable of performing missions in a time-pressing manner. Furthermore, the VSSE only accepts cooperatives who are capable of demonstrating the highest levels of stealth. The classes are as follows:
*Cooperative: A person who does not operate directly with the VSSE has full permission to perform information-gathering duties for the VSSE as long as he/she adheres to Eyes-Only clearance regulations. Cooperatives usually gather information about high-level atrocities, or report information leakage to the directorship. Known cooperatives throughout Namco's franchise are Alicia Winston, Capt. William Rush, and 1st Lt. Elizabeth Conway.
*Trainee: A person who has been hand-picked by the agency's directorship to train as a special operations agent. For an individual to apply as an agent, a cooperative from a top-secret agency or a military organization belonging to any nation has to overlook the performance of an individual, and an individual has to serve enough time protecting the public good. In addition, trainees have to be college graduates with a certain GPA record in order to commence training as a VSSE agent. Trainees are then issued an aptitude of instruction and training in order to ensure they perform well in a mission.
*International Affairs Operative: These are operation agents who do not perform the same duties as opposed to special operation agents, but instead as spies for world-class underground organizations in order to help supplement the VSSE with information regarding about the high-class atrocity. An International Affairs Operative must undergo a battery of instruction and training to ensure that proper caution is exercised when operating as spies. Christy Ryan is a good example of an International Affairs Operative when she acted as an administrative assistant for NDI to leak information about the Starline Network towards the VSSE. After hearing about Christy's situation, the VSSE then opted to vigorously train the International Affairs operatives, hence the VSSE raised the minimum bar on stealth standards.
*Special Operation Agents: These are operation agents who conduct the actual fighting against the VSSE's target and are expected to perform the assignment in a timely manner. To ensure that these Special Operation Agents perform to VSSE standards, they are subject to a series of instruction and training from prior VSSE cases. Furthermore, in order for a person to become a VSSE Special Operation Agent, he/she must undergo Crisis Mission training and pass 6 days worth of trials in order to become an agent. Sometimes the directorship may require an existing agent to undergo additional training in order to strengthen the agents. Keith Martin is a good example of an existing VSSE agent that had to be strengthened up so that he can perform up to par with the VSSE. The directorship sends out agents contingent on their battle record.
*Officers: These superiors are directors who supervise a group of VSSE agents and cooperatives, but has less power than directors.
*Directors: These superiors conduct the day-to-day management of the VSSE and are charged with the decision-making of the agency.

Crisis Mission
To ensure that VSSE agents are functioning well, its inside operatives are subject to a series of battery, instruction and training to ensure that physical, mental, and moral standards are being met or exceeded. The field exams are literally tests that take place at points where prior VSSE cases took place. VSSE cooperatives who work as outside stunt doubles act as the enemy from previous cases and a quota is given in each field exam. A VSSE agent trainee must pass 6 days worth of field exams in order to qualify as a special operations agent. Special munitions are utilized to ensure that no lives are lost during the routine exam. In the sixth day, trainees have to fight more experienced VSSE agents in order to complete the training, and a special field exam is issued to those who display the highest performance standards. Richard Miller, Alan Dunaway, and Wesley Lambert are good examples of highly-experienced operation agents who special operation agent hopefuls have to best in order to qualify. Sometimes existing agents may need to undergo Crisis Mission training in order to further their studies to bring them up to VSSE standards. Keith Martin is a good example of an existing agent who needed additional training.

VSSE Dossiers
In the history of the Time Crisis franchise, successful cooperatives and agents have been well-commended by the directorship for exemplanary performance. The following is a list of well-known VSSE cooperatives and special agents as described herein:
VSSE Cooperatives
*Alicia Winston: A member of the Lukano Liberation Force and the younger sister of Daniel Winston, Alicia worked as a medic during her first years of service before displaying her prowess as a sharpshooter. Self-trained in the ways of stealth, Alicia became Lukano's final hope when the majority of the LLA were captured by the Zagorian army. Putting her stealth at work, Alicia broke through Zagorian defenses to steal information regarding about the installation of tactical missiles and leaked the information to the VSSE, prompting the agency to dispatch Alan and Wesley to execute the operation. Teaming up with the VSSE agents, Winston continued the investigation, rescued her brother and the entire army, disposed the traitor Jake Hernandez, and removed the Zagorian threat.
*William Rush: A 33-year old captain from the U.S. Army and an operative of the U.S. Joint Intelligence Division , of Native American ancestry. In his early years as an Army officer, Rush served as a member of the TF-11 task force. As a patriot, Rush managed to apprehend a handful of U.S. Marine fugitives involved in a South American drug cartel. Rush is a graduate of the University of Texas in Dallas as an Army ROTC cadet, but also graduated from West Point Humvee in addition to his initial education at Dallas. When the U.S.J.I.D. realized that an information leak regarding about the VSSE's involvement in the weapons trafficking incident at San Francisco took place, they dispatched Rush to secure the VSSE and protect the agency's reputation whilst reporting the information leak to the agency at the same time. Rush was able to extract the VSSE agents Giorgio and Evan, infiltrate the weapons trafficking incident, and shut down the Hamlin Battalion. Being a true American at heart, Rush has zero tolerance against those who serve, but taint the pride and serenity of the United States.
*Elizabeth Conway: A 25-year old first lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force and an operative of the U.S. Joint Intelligence Division. Both Rush and Beth have close ties with the VSSE. Beth graduated from the University of Minnesota at Minneapolis as an Air Force ROTC student, but also graduated from the Spartan Aviation Institute at Colorado as a part of her strategic dispatch training. As her position as a dispatcher implies, she often coordinates people in the skies via a model XSWAC-12 air surveillance aircraft. During a mission, Lt. Conway is addressed by her code name of Beth. Like Rush, Beth is also assigned to coordinate the operation in investigating the weapons trafficking incident in San Francisco and to protect the VSSE agents at the same time with her broad dispatch skills. Her skills as a dispatcher worked as Rush was able to extract the VSSE to victory in the last minute.
*Xavier Serrano: The first president of the Republic of Caruba. Serrano was the man who freed Caruba from a dictatorship consuming Caruba for many years. Charismatic, Serrano organized the government resulting in free speech and a democratic way of life. While it was implied that he was assassinated, he was kidnapped in order to provide titanium for Wild Dog's army. When Richard trailed Serrano carefully, Serrano informed Richard about a possible scheme which Wild Dog plans to accomplish. As Richard seeks to eliminate Project Titan, Serrano then informs the VSSE directorship and the Caruban Government that Richard is an innocent man. After Richard destroys Project Titan and defeats Wild Dog, the Caruban government clears Richard Miller of assassination charges.

VSSE International Affairs Operatives
*Christy Ryan: An ultra-intellectual who graduated from high school and Harvard University at an early age. Christy, though she qualified as a direct IAO (International Affairs Operative), was not given ample training at the time she was appointed, which was grounds for her being in danger during the Neodyne Industries incident. Keith and Robert managed to rescue Christy, cancel the launch of a nuclear satellite, and secure the VSSE's reputation. It may be possible that Christy needs to be trained to ensure that future International Affairs Operatives are able to fend for themselves and to operate in a stealthier manner.
*Marisa Soleil: Operating under the name of Abacus, Marisa graduated from an American university before she had to work for a company involved in Black Marketing. Knowing the negativities that pose on her life, Soleil came to her senses to bring the company to justice. Since then, Soleil was admitted as an outside IAO, meaning that she would have to send e-mails in a secretive fashion. Consequently, as she masqueraded as one of Kantaris' employees working to clear Richard's name, Kantaris intercepted Soleil's e-mails, and was held captive by Zeus Bertrand. In spite of Bertrand's strength, Miller managed to rescue Soleil, and began working on clearing his name. Because Soleil's e-mails were intercepted by the enemy, the VSSE recently took account of this and decided to adopt newer technologies from seeing an occurrence like Marisa's from happening again.

VSSE Special Operation Agents
*Richard Miller: Also known as 'The One Man Army' he is the only VSSE agent qualified to conduct solo missions due to his vast expertise as a Gulf War veteran and impeccable special operations background. In his pre-VSSE years, Miller served as a Force Recon Marine. His lightning-quick reflexes and his stealth tactics gives him the ability to perform solo missions quickly and secretly. Richard is the only VSSE agent with a proven record as follows: infiltration and elimination of the Los Meurtos Drug Cartel, the extraction of Rachel MacPherson, clearing his name of a crime that he did not commit, the infiltration of the criminal syndicate Wild Dog, and furthering the agency's knowledge regarding about a covert crime syndicate known as Kantaris.
*Keith Martin: A senior VSSE agent from Great Britain sent alongside Robert Baxter to protect Christy Ryan and to prevent Neodyne Industries from launching a military satellite into space. Martin served as a trooper in the SAS of the British military prior to his service as a VSSE Special Operations Agent. To protect Keith Martin's identity as a VSSE Agent, he is known to the agency as Cherub: Eden's Guardian. During times when the VSSE does not require his cooperation, Keith works as a special effects technician and a stunt double for various movies and action TV shows. Keith was given time to orientate himself with Robert Baxter, who would be his partner, prior to the Starline incident.
*Robert Baxter: A senior VSSE agent from the United States sent alongside Keith Martin during the Starline Network incident. Baxter served as a US Navy SEAL prior to his service in the VSSE. To protect Robert's identity, he is known to the VSSE as Griffon: The Treasure Keeper. When the VSSE does not require his cooperation, Baxter works as a school bus driver. Robert was given time to orientate himself with Keith Martin shortly before the Starline Incident.
*Alan Dunaway: Both Alan and Wesley joined the VSSE at the same time, and were natural partners even before they joined the agency. A four-year operative of the VSSE, Alan has a talent for mastering new skills quickly, and is best known for his reputation for unparalleled fearlesness in the face of incredible odds. While cool, attractive, stylish and popular-looking, Alan is a natural team player, although he used to make pranks on others but he never usually gives up on his mission as a VSSE agent. Alan's proven record in only four years earned him the respect of many seniors before him. Alan is known as Phoenix.
*Wesley Lambert: Both Alan and Wesley joined the VSSE at the same time, and were natural partners even before they joined the agency. A proven marksman of the agency, Wesley was a friendly, quiet, smart, reserved, and cheerful-looking boy, and he currently holds a doctorate degree in engineering. Wesley is best known for his unflappability in extreme situations, where he can make snap decisions strategically. Wesley is also a natural animal-lover/caretaker. Because Alan and Wesley get along extremely well, they are different from other VSSE agents and/or VSSE teams. Wesley is known by the VSSE through his code name Pegasus.
*Giorgio Bruno: Giorgio was saved by a policeman when he was 10 years old as his family was murdered (in which his family had ties with an Italian Mafia), and returned the favor by vowing to protect the public good when he grew up as he adopted to a life of problem-solving responsibility. Giorgio is a graduate at a baccalaurate-granting university at Palermo, Sicily. Giorgio works as an Italian police officer of the Italian NOCS when the VSSE does not require his attention. Joining the VSSE earlier than his French partner Evan, Bruno is calm and stable, and like almost all VSSE agents, can operate a hand gun with only one hand. When the VSSE requires his cooperation, Bruno is an operations agent of the VSSE. While Giorgio and Evan were only partners for one year (remember that Giorgio has been with the VSSE longer than Evan), they are a deadly pair. On a side note, Bruno is a chef when he's off duty from either police work or VSSE work.
*Evan Bernard: Evan, like his brethren before him, was a famous fisherman from France, though at the same time proved his prowess for protecting the public good by serving in the French coast guard. Like his "calmer partner" Bruno, Bernard also graduated from a baccaulareate-granting college, specifically Rouen University. Although Evan has not been with the VSSE at the equal amount of time Bruno has, he's been Giorgio's partner for one year. Evan can get cheeky and childish at times during VSSE operation missions, and unlike many VSSE agents, Evan holds his handgun with two hands. Evan is a construction worker specializing in high rises when the VSSE does not require his attention.

Cases
*The Los Meurtos Drug Cartel: A drug trafficking incident in which Wild Dog was involved. This is when the VSSE opted to gather information regarding about the infamous mercenary, specifically through Ace VSSE Agent Richard Miller. In this case, the cartel was shut down, Richard triumphed, but Wild Dog escaped.
*The Rachel MacPherson kidnapping: Sherudo Garo kidnapped Rachel and for Rachel to live, Sherudo demanded that President MacPherson declare the Garo Family rulers of Sercia once again. The Coup d'Etat was sorely performed, for Richard Miller was able to make short work of Garo, but Wild Dog then took Rachel away in order to proceed with his vile plans. Wild Dog then revealed his true intentions, but was downed by Richard Miller and Rachel was safely extracted.
*Project Titan: Richard Miller was framed for a crime that he did not commit. Xavier Serrano was kidnapped by Wild Dog. Ricardo Blanco managed to frame Richard Miller for a crime that he did not commit. During Project Titan, Miller rescued Soleil and knew about Ricardo Blanco in spite of having to confront the Kantaris Organization. Miller then subdued Blanco before Wild Dog double-crossed Blanco. Miller then rescued Serrano and then the actual name-clearing began. At the end, Project Titan was shut down, Wild Dog was defeated, and Richard Miller stood victorious.
*The Starline Network Incident: Christy Ryan was able to extract partial information regarding about the network's true intentions before she was kidnapped by Jacob Kinisky. Keith Martin and Robert Baxter was then extracted just before Ryan was captured. Martin and Baxter worked their way throughout the Neodyne limits to rescue Ryan and prevent the launch of a military satellite, securing the reputation of the VSSE. After the case was closed, Keith was asked to take Crisis Mission field exams to further his skills, and it may be possible that Christy Ryan might be in vigorous training as well.
*The Astigos Island Crisis: The VSSE knew little about the situation between Lukano and the Zagorias Federation prior to opening this case. The case was opened mainly due to Alicia's stealth training and her endeavors. This caused the directorship to get anxious about the situation. Deducing the tactical missiles to be a threat to Lukano's neighbors, the directorship dispatched Alan Dunaway and Wesley Lambert to remove the threat. While the VSSE agents managed to close the case, this case was the first time that the VSSE was indirectly involved in preserving the peace in a particular situation. While their motives were different, the VSSE was only there for the Lukano Liberation Force as support.
*The Terror Bites Case: It all started when the European Union ordered Giorgio and Evan to head to Central California to confirm that the European terrorist ring "W.O.L.F." was smuggling highly confidential arms made by the U.S. military. Suddenly the agents were ambushed by the militants being alerted that their involvement was leaked (prompting Rush to notify the VSSE). The U.S.J.I.D. then ordered Rush to rescue the agents upon securing Pier 5 and to discover what the weapons trafficking was all about. After the first wave of enemies were dispatched, it appeared that the smuggling was not done by "W.O.L.F.", but appeared as an act of treason done by a top-secret special operations group called the U.S. Special Biological Weapons Operation Group, also known as the Hamlin Battalion. It was later revealed that the treasonry involved the destruction of the United States through an overrun of an Air Force base in Colorado. In spite of time shortages, the Hamlin Battalion was stopped and incarcerated, the cities were spared, the secret reputation of the VSSE was secured, and Rush and Beth were commended for their spectacular performance. There is no word as of what happened after the close of the Terror Bites case.

Covering Occupations
Usually when VSSE agents are not required to have their attention with the VSSE, they usually have to perform work in the civilian world as ordinary civilians. Much of the VSSE is not well-known, but the agents who have civilian occupations are Giorgio Bruno (Italian Police Officer), Evan Bernard (Construction Worker and Fisherman), Keith Martin (Hollywood Stunt Double), and Robert Baxter (School Bus Driver). Otherwise, VSSE agents are not well-known within the public.

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