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The Settlement Defense Front: Call of Duty’s Fierce Space Faction
"Make no mistake, we will rip you from the history books. Every last trace of you gone! You will know loss. We will be the architects of your pain, we will build monuments to your destruction. The whole world will bear witness to this, our ascension. We will blot out your skies, we will bury you in darkness. Know this and know us. We are your enemy. We are the Settlement Defense Front." - Caleb Thies
Overview of the Settlement Defense Front
The Settlement Defense Front (SDF), known as SetDef or simply the Front, is a totalitarian militaristic faction in Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare.
Born out of Mars, the SDF is the main antagonistic force in the game, challenging the United Nations Space Alliance (UNSA) and its military arm, the Solar Alliance Treaty Organization (SATO). Their mission is clear: to establish control over the entire solar system, making Earth and its colonies bend to their authoritarian rule.
With a twisted view of survival and power, the SDF believes that only those hardened by space's extreme conditions deserve to lead.
Origins of the SDF
The roots of the SDF trace back to the “gold rush” era of space colonization. As Earth’s resources dwindled, Mars became a prime source of minerals and energy, attracting waves of settlers. Initially, the Front was a force to maintain law and order among the Martian colonies.
However, they became radicalized, evolving into a group committed to autonomy from Earth’s influence. When Earth’s leaders imposed strict trade restrictions, Mars responded by striking, marking the beginning of the Secession Wars, a brutal conflict that forever divided the two worlds.
A defining moment in this struggle was the “Shot Heard 'Round the Solar System,” where a soldier’s accidental firing on a Martian supporter ignited a larger rebellion.
As tensions escalated, Earth lost control over Mars, and the SDF gained independence through the Charon Accords. This agreement granted Mars sovereignty, allowing the SDF to govern as they saw fit, while Earth founded UNSA as a direct response to the secession.
Society and Culture of the SDF
A Harsh Survivalist Mindset
The SDF operates with a brutal, survival-of-the-fittest mindset, seeing Earth’s inhabitants as “fat cats” who live in comfort without facing the hardships of space.
In their view, the hardships of Mars and the vast expanses beyond have created a purer, more resilient society, one destined to rule over the solar system. SDF citizens are raised with this belief, indoctrinated into a life of duty and sacrifice for the greater cause.
The government reinforces these ideals through heavy propaganda. SDF territories display posters reminding citizens that loyalty, discipline, and martial prowess are the foundations of society.
Citizens earn “credits towards citizenship” through confirmed kills, highlighting a system where war defines worth.
Within the SDF’s regime, individual freedoms are limited, and martial service is mandatory, with all citizens subject to stringent regulations. Even procreation is controlled, with “procreation permits” regulated to ensure population control and loyalty.
Propaganda and Censorship
The SDF maintains strict control over information through their state-run propaganda division, The Veritas. UNSA transmissions are blocked, and any item from Earth, excluding weapons, is classified as contraband. An alternative calendar marks the years from the SDF’s secession from Earth, reinforcing their independence and rewriting history to fit their ideals.
The slogan “Mars Aeternum” (Mars Forever) encapsulates the SDF’s cultural pride, while their insignia—an interlocking hexagon in red, green, and grey—emphasizes the values of strength, bounty, and vigilance. These elements are found on uniforms, ships, and equipment, branding each citizen and object as part of the state’s collective mission.
Military Might of the Settlement Defense Front
Military Structure and High Command
The SDF’s government is heavily militarized, with the highest-ranking officers forming the SDF High Council. Unlike the UNSA, which has a volunteer military, the SDF enforces a mandatory 15-year service term starting at age 12.
This rigid approach allows the SDF to maintain a far larger army per capita, giving them the manpower necessary to challenge Earth’s forces despite having fewer technological resources.
The SDF emphasizes functionality over aesthetics, reflected in their equipment and vehicles. The Olympus Mons, the largest warship in existence, is one of their supercarriers, equipped with the devastating F-SpAr cannon designed to counter SATO fleets.
The Front’s navy includes numerous carriers, destroyers, and specialized support ships, all bearing the initials “SDS” (Settlement Defense Ship). Key vessels include the SWSC-1 Olympus Mons, SDS Hellas, and SDS Cerberus.
Weapons and Technology
SDF soldiers predominantly use energy weapons tailored to space warfare. Standard-issue firearms include the R3K, Volk, and Type-2 assault rifles, as well as the Titan light machine gun.
Soldiers are also equipped with advanced sidearms like the EMC and Oni, alongside captured UNSA ballistic weapons. The SDF’s arsenal is further bolstered by advanced combat drones and robotic tanks like the C12, which can be deployed in battle to support their forces.
Despite their technological edge, the SDF does not shy away from unconventional and brutal warfare tactics.
During their infamous attack on Geneva, the SDF deployed sleeper agents to hijack UNSA defenses, allowing them to launch a coordinated assault on the city and inflict mass casualties on civilians and soldiers alike.
This ruthless strategy emphasizes their disregard for civilian lives, focusing solely on achieving military objectives.
Key Events and Battles
The Attack on Geneva
The Geneva attack marked a pivotal moment in the SDF’s campaign against Earth. During Fleet Week, when SATO’s fleet assembled for a parade, SDF sleeper agents disabled the city's Anti-Air Tactical Intelligence System (AATIS), enabling the Front’s forces to launch a devastating assault. This surprise attack destroyed much of SATO’s fleet and left Geneva in chaos. SDF ground forces attempted to capture world leaders and key figures, only to be repelled by SATO and UNSA’s counter-attack.
The UNSA Counter-Offensive
Following Geneva, UNSA’s fleet, led by the Retribution and the Tigris, embarked on a series of missions targeting SDF assets. The objective was clear: dismantle the SDF’s power structure and buy time for Earth to rebuild its defenses. The Retribution and Tigris achieved significant victories, destroying vital assets, including the Olympus Mons and multiple SDF warships and carriers. Despite these victories, UNSA suffered severe casualties, with many officers and soldiers perishing in the battle.
These strikes severely weakened the SDF, leaving them unable to launch another offensive on Earth.
Known SDF Warships
The SDF navy once boasted numerous powerful warships, although many were lost in the conflict with UNSA. The Olympus Mons, a supercarrier and the largest ship in their fleet, served as the flagship of Admiral Salen Kotch’s 8th Orbital Fleet. Other notable vessels include:
- SDS Hellas: A carrier stationed near Venus, known for harboring chemical weapons.
- SDS Centauri: An active carrier still in service.
- SDS Cerberus: A carrier now out of commission following extensive damage.
The loss of the Olympus Mons and its formidable weaponry marked a turning point in the conflict, shifting momentum in favor of UNSA.
The Future of the SDF
With much of their navy decimated, the SDF’s expansionist ambitions are on hold. The UNSA’s counter-attack significantly disrupted their military command structure and damaged their logistical capabilities, limiting their ability to maintain control over territories beyond Mars.
While the SDF remains a formidable force on Mars, their influence throughout the solar system has diminished, leaving Earth and its allies temporarily safe from further incursions.
The SDF’s rigid philosophy and survivalist mentality mean they are unlikely to accept defeat easily. Although weakened, the Front may rebuild, adapting to their losses to continue their fight for dominance in the future.
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Featured Image Credit: Activision
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