Head: Sand Scorpion v2
Torso: Recondo v4
Left Arm: Overkill v2
Right Arm: Recondo v3
Waist/Legs: Hi-Tech
Accessories:
- Helmet: Sand Viper v1
- AK-103: Storm Shadow v9

File Name: Michel Halberd
Primary Military Specialty: Infantry
Secondary Military Specialty: Night Operations, Infantry Instructor
Birthplace: Luxembourg (assessed)
Grade: EP-7 (Staff Sergeant, Paladin Roll)

Upon first entry into Cobra, recruits become SCALE* Troopers, a.k.a. 'Blueshirts', a rank tier wherein troops learn basic soldiering skills and basic rifleman training. SCALE units serve as a training ground for future advanced postings as a Viper and/or technical trade. Typically SCALE troops perform guard duty, serve in defence, act as occupying forces and occasionally serve as reserves.

It is somewhat unusual, then, that Halberd, a Viper Staff Sergeant, earned the Silver Serpent of Valour (and status as Paladin of Cobra) whilst serving with a SCALE unit. Initially a modest soldier, Halberd was a newly-minted Viper Corporal posted from a Viper unit back to be the Weapons Specialist NCO in a SCALE Platoon. Cobra sent notional 'peacekeeping' troops to civil war-ravaged Molvania and Halberd's platoon was tasked to guard a logistics depot. One night the camp was attacked by Szecic guerrillas; the rebels descended upon and killed the platoon leadership, whose locations they knew from a local labourer sympathiser. Despite the chaos, Halberd rallied the junior troopers in a hasty defence of the ammo dump. In the ensuing battle - and despite being wounded by grenade shrapnel - he managed to direct his soldiers, manned a light machine gun and called in reinforcements. The vigorous defence killed several partisans and prevented the guerrillas from blowing up critical supplies destined for Cobra operations and their local allies.

During the battle Halberd discovered a few things about himself - the rush of fighting at night and how much he enjoyed leading and mentoring junior soldiers. Halberd went on to serve as a Night Viper and currently serves as a Night Watch Platoon Instructor. Since his family name is also a medieval axe-bladed pole-weapon, he simply chose it as his Paladin nom-de-guerre.

* Serpent of CobrA LEgionary

** Another in my Paladin series of unique characters in the Cobra universe - soldiers who have distinguished themselves in the service of Cobra.