So, back in 2023 I built a small ISS force. It was basically a starter box,the Dragon Lady (because that is such a nice sculpt), Xi Zhuang from a Dire Foes box I got for Leila Sharif. Adding Aleph OSS models (Sophotect, Devas, Dakini), a Ninja, a CSU and a Warcor could easily bring it to 300 points. Never played them, though. My usual opponent plays Yu Jing, and I preferred playing OSS or JSA into that.
Now we got a new edition, a new ISS, and a new planet to play on. So, I'll wave goodbye to Sophie (who is now really busy in OSS lists!), and transfer the team to Shinju, where they can provide security for the new Palace and keep Yue Mining in line. Ragefist Crane will probably play as Adil; AP Continuous is really attractive. The Pheasant will do any Doctoring needed. If I need a Yaozao, I can requisition an Aleph Yudbot. I'm sure Sophie left a few behind... The missile launcher Zhanying will probably mostly stay home. The Dragon Lady now has a cool profile, so I may not need a Warcor any more. Major Lunah (from Aristeia) is still cool sniper. I can still attach a lot of auxiliares from the private sector: CSUs, Bounty hunters both mounted and not, and Aleph still provides generous support: Devas and Dakini are still great, the Garuda is a fine proxy for the (slightly goofy) Jinyao, and Andromeda can stand in for the Bayara (who has a great model, but I'm not ready to by a whole starter pack just for that). Since we're on Shinju, and Yue probably have some interests here, we'll infiltrate some operatives that can help during operations were they have nearby facilities. Beasthunter can proxy as a Koga Minelayer, and the hacker can proxy as a Koga Hacker. Engineer is a reasonable Shenji Ying; it comes with a Yaozao dogbot too. The Digger can work as a Jinwei. and finally, the digger bots can be used as HVTs. There's well over 400 points there, so it is definitely playable, but I'd like to get some of the more iconic ISS units too. Next up, Wu Ming, who I've long wanted to paint in the style of Yakitori: Soldiers of Misfortune.
Wu Ming painted as Yakitori (Soldiers of Misfortune), with a Mimi Hatsume holographic tactical advisor (counts as a tinbot). On Shinju, there are not (yet) enough suitable offenders to form actual Wu Ming units, so the local ISS branch has taken to hiring foreign mercenaries instead, equipping them with Wu Ming armour and using them in a similar capacity. Also, they fit well into an Ikari Company list, with the mostly white-painted JSA units.
Moving on, the Crane has taken receipt of a pet Tiger. The camo was meant for Paradiso, but the agent liked it and didn't get it repainted.
More ISS agents arrive on Shinju: The heavily armed Hsien is probably here to monitor the station head Crane. The actually useful Zhanying is here to do actual police work, instead of just blowing up stuff. And a mysterious (but very cool) third figure - it may be a hacker Crane, or a specialist Hsien, or even Sun Tse himself, in disguise.
The last troopers for ISS on Shinju arrives - four Kuang Shi, local convicts paying off their debt to society by working for the good of the State, after suitable re-education. Together with their Celestial Guard controller:
And with that, the Shinju mission is complete. There's no TAG or remotes, but I don't really think ISS need either - I have better TAGs in other factions, and cheap orders are easy in ISS. Garuda stays, now proxying as a Jinyao. The Garuda was better, but a drop trooper is frequently useful in this season. The Yakitori Soldiers Wu Ming (and their holographic Mimi Hatsune advisor tinbot) are in white, to keep them distinct from real ISS operatives. They will probably go in every list, for strong active shooting, good AROs, tinbot and efficient linkability. The old Dragon Lady has a cool profile now - with a Monofilament attack pig :) The Yue Mining troopers from TAG raid all slots in nicely - as Jin Wei, Shenji with Yaozao and turret, and two Koga Ninjas (hacker and minelayer). The actually useful Zhanying (hacker and picther), ragefist Crane who will usually play as Adil, and the Premium Gunfighter Hsien will probably join most lists I make. Xi Zhuang and his Madtraps, probably not so much. Two celestial guards can be used as a cheap base for a fireteam, but I think there will usually be better things to do with the fireteams. The mysterious stranger can play as Crane Hacker, Hsien Specialist or Sun Tze according to mood. Su Jian is expensive, and will probably take practice to learn to pilot, but I am looking forward to trying it. The Pheasant can either play as the sole Doctor available, or as a cheap madtrap minelayer. The slightly converted Celestial Guard works as monitor for the almost mandatory Kuang Shi (corner guards and cheerleaders - also in white to keep them distinct from actual operatives). Missile Zhanying still don't have a place for me, but Major Lunah is absolutely useful. Finally, OSS Dakinis and Devas are still nice, efficient options for what they bring. Add Bounty hunters and possibly CSUs for flavor and cheap assault pieces. Not shown are Ninjas. They are, of course, Hidden.
