| File:XFSeal200.png | |
| Covert Skills | |
|---|---|
| Area Head | Jean-Paul Beaubier (Substituting: Madrox) |
| Duty Roster | Assigned Agents |
Covert Skills refer to those commonly used in support of clandestine operations that aim to fulfill their mission objectives without any parties knowing who sponsored or carried out the operation.
While there is some theory involved in training agents in the various skills that fall under this banner, the bulk of the training is hands-on, delivered through demonstration, practice, and training exercises both small and personal, and large and interactive. Agents wishing to be certified in one of the component skills of the area need to demonstrate the capacity to perform at a certification-acceptable level consistently. Most of the certifications in this area require maintenance, most especially those that rely on either using or circumventing ever-adapting security and surveillance technology.
Jean-Paul encourages all agents to get at least a beginning familiarity with the basics of stealth and surveillance in terms of spotting surveillance and tails as well as dodging them. He does not expect everyone to certify in these areas and is likely to discourage it unless someone is focusing on the area. He pushes people not to rely on their mutations alone, but develop a rounded skillset in approach and then use their mutations to add a touch of finesse.
Certifications[]
- Timeline: An agent starting out with no grounding in stealth can expect to take from 4-6 months to earn this certification, provided they have the time to devote to regular study and practice (a bare minimum of 5 hours a week). The period of time required to earn certification is lengthened in the case of long periods spent away on-mission, or by injury that restricts an agent from practice. It can be shortened if the agent begins with some grounding in stealth principles, or with a mutation that lends an added advantage to stealth but cannot be considered to render the agent certifiable on its own.
- Fast-tracking by devoting more time to study requires that an agent attempting to do so find an instructor with the extra time to devote, as well as find the time in their own schedule.
- Timeline: An agent starting out with only Basic Stealth can expect to take from 8-10 months to earn this certification, provided they have the time to devote to regular study and practice (a bare minimum of 5 hours a week). The period of time required to earn certification is lengthened in the case of long periods spent away on-mission, or by injury that restricts an agent from practice. It can be shortened if the agent begins with a better grounding in stealth principles than is required for the basic certification, or with a mutation that lends an added advantage to stealth but cannot be considered to render the agent certifiable on its own.
- Fast-tracking by devoting more time to study requires that an agent attempting to do so find an instructor with the extra time to devote, as well as find the time in their own schedule.
- Timeline: An agent starting out with only Basic Stealth can expect to take from 6-8 months to earn this certification, provided they have the time to devote to regular study and practice (a bare minimum of 5 hours a week). The period of time required to earn certification is lengthened in the case of long periods spent away on-mission, or by injury that restricts an agent from practice. It can be shortened if an agent begins with a grounding in some area of surveillance, with a mutation that lends an added advantage to surveillance but cannot be considered to render the agent certifiable on its own, or with a particular grounding in applicable areas of technology.
- Fast-tracking by devoting more time to study requires that an agent attempting to do so find an instructor with the extra time to devote, as well as find the time in their own schedule.
- Timeline: An agent starting out with no grounding in the principles of disguise can expect to earn this certification within 1-2 months, provided they have the time to devote to regular study and practice (a bare minimum of 5 hours a week). The period of time required to earn certification is lengthened in the case of long periods spent away on-mission, or if the agent has particularly distinctive features that are more difficult than normal to account for.
- Given the short duration of study for the certification, fast-tracking is not possible.
- Timeline: An agent starting out with no grounding in the principles of infiltration can expect to take from 1-3 months to earn this certification, provided they have the time to devote to regular study and practice (a bare minimum of 5 hours a week). The period of time required to earn certification is lengthened in case of long periods spent away on-mission, or if the agent has a particular difficulty with employing falsehoods. It can be shortened if the agent begins with a grounding in some of the principles of infiltration, or with a mutation that lends an added advantage to infiltration but cannot on its own qualify the agent for certification.
- Given the short duration of study for the certification, fast-tracking is not possible.
- Timeline: An agent starting out with no grounding in B&E can expect to take from 4-6 months to earn this certification, provided they have the time to devote to regular study and practice (a bare minimum of 5 hours a week). The period of time required to earn certification is lengthened in the case of long periods spent away on-mission, or by injury that restricts an agent from practice. It can be shortened if the agent begins with some grounding in the principles of B&E, with a mutation that lends an added advantage to breaking and entering but cannot be considered to render the agent certifiable on its own, or with a background in security.
- Fast-tracking by devoting more time to study requires that an agent attempting to do so find an instructor with the extra time to devote, as well as find the time in their own schedule.
- Timeline: A long time. Specifics pending.
Duties[]
- Basic Stealth
- Must be certified in: Basic Stealth
- Advanced Stealth
- Must be certified in: Basic Stealth, Advanced Stealth
- Surveillance
- Must be certified in: Surveillance
- Disguise
- Must be certified in: Disguise
- Infiltration
- Must be certified in: Infiltration
- Basic Breaking & Entering
- Must be certified in: Basic Breaking & Entering
- Advanced Breaking & Entering
- Must be certified in: Basic Breaking & Entering, Advanced Breaking & Entering