A black operation or black op is a covert operation typically involving activities that are highly clandestine and often outside

of standard military protocol or even against the law. Black ops missions often fit into the plausible deniability category, in which there is no claim of responsibility for the action, and/or a false flag operation is used to give the appearance that another actor was responsible, or most often black operations involve extensive arrangements so as to be able to hide the fact that the black operation ever occurred. Black military operations, or paramilitary operations, can be used by various secret services to achieve or attempt to achieve an unusually sensitive goal. The methods used in black operations are also used in unconventional warfare. Depending on the precise situation in a given case, and the level of authoritarianism of the national government or other responsible party, some tasks will be conducted as black operations, while there are usually other activities that can be admitted openly. Black operations may include such things as assassination, sabotage, extortion, spying on allied countries or one's own citizens, kidnapping, supporting resistance movements, torture, use of fraud to obtain funds, use of child soldiers, human experimentation, trafficking in contraband items, and false flag operations, among others. The Umbrella Security Service (abbreviated "USS") was an Umbrella elite special forces taskforce. As opposed to the UBCS, the USS were specially trained mercenaries with experience in infiltration, protection, and extraction. As such, their missions involve espionage and intelligence-gathering, contrary to the UBCS' "clean-up" work. Trent, formerly known as Victor Darius, is the secret mastermind behind the manipulation of many characters on both sides of the conflict in the series. A living enigma, his past and true identity are unknown to all save himself. Despite being closely connected to, and even controlling and expertly manipulating, major elements of the Umbrella Corporation and The Agency, in the end, Trent is fighting the good fight, but is determined to do so on his own terms.

Trent was born "Victor Darius", the only son of Umbrella Corporation research and development sector workers James Trenton Darius and his wife Helen Black. Victor deeply cared about his parents, considering them loving, ethical and committed to their research, which was to create a Tissue-Repair Synthesis for their employers. After untold hours, James finally succeeded in creating the synthesis, which itself, a brilliantly designed viral complex, had the potential (if properly developed) to greatly reduce human suffering, and even one day wipe out death by traumatic injury. Immediately upon completion, James and Helen, being responsible, loyal, trusting, and having the highest of hopes for their work, went to their employers to report their success. While Umbrella, Inc. also realized the potential, they also feared it had the potential to create a financial nosedive if such a miracle were to be released (the company is pharmaceutical-based, and would lose untold amounts of their fortunes if millions of people stopped dying each year), and instead believed their fortunes could be increased if the viral complex could be designed to fit a military application. With these incentives in mind, Umbrella had the Synthesis, along with its notes and research, taken from James and turned over to William Birkin who had quickly proven himself to be a

brilliant young scientist, and shared the same vision as his employers (as well as their lack of morals). With Birkin (who Umbrella's officials believed they could use as a puppet) in place, they realized that having James and Helen around could prove to be "inconvenient". And so, Umbrella arranged for a fire, officially an accident, and they publicly mourned the terrible tragedy that claimed the lives of James, Helen and three loyal assistants. With a free reign, White Umbrella, a secret bioweapons research division, was formed, which while producing many types of B.O.W.'s, was also nothing more than a playground for Umbrella's leaders; flaunting and abusing their power and fortunes to their amusement. Believing themselves invincible and untouchable, what White Umbrella did not consider (either because they were too shortsighted or ignorantly dismissive) was Victor's continuous existence, and was away at a boarding school when his parents were burned alive. While White Umbrella forgot about Victor, Victor did not forget about what had happened, growing up thinking about what Umbrella had done, and eventually began to obsess about it. There came a time where Victor could think of nothing else, and that was when he decided to finally do something about it.

The Crusade Begin

To avenge the murders of his parents, Victor, knowing he would have to be extremely clever and very, very careful. After spending years just planning, and more years learning what he needed to know, and even more making the right contacts, moving in the right circles of society, being as devious and underhanded as his foe. His ultimate plan, his "Project", was to bring Umbrella itself down. While he knew it wasn't easy, he was determined and devoted his entire life to the project, willingly forsaking emotional attachments and any chance at a normal life. While it was a bit of a risk, Victor changed his name, to ensure secrecy. His name was taken from a part of his father's middle name. His new name was "Trent". With time, Trent succeeded in getting into White Umbrella, impressing it's senior officials Sidney, Jay Wallingford Reston and the overall head of White Umbrella; Jackson Cortlandt. Initially serving as a "Troubleshooter" and expecting to be killed at any moment, Trent schemed and wormed his way into their confidence, impressing and intimidating them with his cool and controlled nature. Eventually he reached a de-facto leadership position, acting as the power behind White Umbrella's thrones. Keeping his intentions a secret, Trent began secretly supplying information and other gifts to certain individuals before, during and after the Raccoon City Outbreak, aiding in the exposure and destruction of multiple Umbrella key facilities.

The Agency
Trent later became affiliated with The Agency, becoming one of its most prominent and highranking leaders and recruiters. Recognizing his potential, Trent personally rescued Albert Wesker following his narrow escape from the Arklay mansion mere minutes after it's

destruction. After convincing him to work for the Agency, Trent arranged for Wesker to be brought back to health, his body gradually integrating the virus he took to enhance his physical skills. Wesker never admitted this in public, but privately he was scared of Trent, his nature intimidating Wesker to no end. "Umbra Catervae" Shadow Company in Latin.

Named Members/Units

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Shepherd - Commander, callsign Gold Eagle. Oxide - Command base communications officer. Disciple - Patrol for Site Hotel Bravo. Butcher - Patrol for Site Hotel Bravo. Vinson - Element of Butcher Seven. Lambert - Element of Butcher Seven. Avatar One - UAV operator. Warhorse 5-1 - Pave Low helicopter (Shot down by Price). Excalibur - Artillery commander for Site Hotel Bravo. Thunder Two-One - MH-6 Little Bird helicopter that protected Ghost and Roach from Ultranationalists in "Loose Ends".

Equipment

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Soldiers of this unit are distinguished by their black uniforms and tan CIRAS type tactical vest, with both US Flag and a spade patch symbol, black balaclavas, as well as tactical goggles or night vision goggles attached to their Protec style helmet (the only difference is the color) they appear to have other various equipment such as extra mags, NVGs, flares, grenades, etc.
One of the weapons in which Marcus Duvall's men use are heavily customized SIG SG 552. These 552s have Aimpoint M68 red dot sights, suppressors, red lasers, flashlights, and forward rail grips. Heckler & Koch G36Ks fitted with export-type optics are employed by the Iluminati operatives during the raid at Croft Manor with suppressors and in the expedition to the Arctic; all were fitted with laser sights. They were also used in Cambodia without said laser sights.