Torment

The Torment are a hostile alien species which invaded the planetary federation in a sudden and brutal campaign, resulting in a 10 year with the Human race and the former's dependence on the Shadowgun mercenary faction for support in fighting them back.

Overview
Little is known about the Torment, other than their intense aggression and technological superiority. In addition to fleets of starships, the Torment also possess orbital relay stations capable of projecting force-fields over entire planets, denying their enemies access to them or escape from them. They also possess warp gates for instant travel across long disances and robots for combat support, such as the Thorn and Spider drones and the colossal Titans.

The Torment make regular use of machines called Breeders in areas they have already conquered, heavily implying that the Torment may be clones. However, individuality is evident among the Torment, as many of their leaders and elites are known to have names and intimidating titles. They also seem to not be entirely war-like, as one instance of intercepted Torment communications appeared to the Shadowgun leader as scoring from an apparent sports game. They also demonstrate emotional capacity expected of most sapient species, as a Torment bomber expresses frustration over his failure to kill an individual Shadowgun due to them disarming their explosive trap. Additionally, whilst investigating sightings of apparent supernatural activity in the wreckage of the Federation ship Destiny, A shadowgun mercenary spotted at least two Torment fleeing in apparent terror shortly after entering the ship.

Almost nothing is known about the Torment's biology. Whilst their standard infantry show what appear to be skull-like faces exposed by their helmets, their cannon-fodder infantry known as Dreads demonstrate what appears to be insectoid mandibles. Torment also tend to produce a high-pitched hissing noise when killed, factors which imply an insectoid biology. It remains unclear if the Torment are a single species or multiple races fulfilling different roles in their army. Disturbingly, a group of upper-class humans seem to consider Torment flesh a delicacy, hiring a Shadowgun to capture a Torment alive so they could eat it alive (much to the disgust of the mercenaries).

Types

 * Dread - Sometimes referred to as Scorn, Dreads are the cannon fodder of the Torment. Lightly armoured and armed with Claws, Dreads mindlessly rush their enemies and attempt to cut them to death.
 * Grunt - the standard infantry of the Torment, Grunts are adorned in bone-white armour and carry an unidentified energy rifle. An elite version known as a charger is known to lead Torment troops on the battlefield.
 * Shielder - Resembling a larger, bulkier version of the Grunt, Shielders carry a shield in addition to their energy rifle, but are easily stunned by damage bypassing their defence. The elite version is known as the Crusher and is capable of charging at enemies who get too close.
 * Blade - Heavily armoured Torment armed with swords. In addition to slicing attacks, they can also knock their enemies down with close range shockwave attacks. The elite version, the Twinblade, is armed with two swords.
 * Blinker - Similar to the Dread, the Blinker is capable of short-range teleportation, easily evading enemy fire as they close in for the kill. They also bear a more bizarre, almost robotic appearance compared to other Torment.
 * Thorn - Robotic drones that float through the air and provide fire support for Torment troops. The stronger variant is known as the Shark.
 * Spider - Small quadrupedal robots, Spiders tend to either be armed with a standard laser or explosives for suicide bombing.
 * Decimator - Stronger variants of Torment Dreads, Grunts, Shielders and Blades, Decimators will release homing explosives on death and are easily identified by their spikier armour.