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The Black Baton is the terrorist organization led under Erich Rhoemer, its most prominent and dangerous war-criminal. The group was established sometime in the early 90's and recruited the likes of Mara Aramov, Anton Girdeux, Pavel Kravitch, and various others. The group is the primary antagonist and OPFOR (OPposition FORces) of Syphon Filter.

History

Since its establishment, the general purpose of this organization was to employ the use of terrorism to usurp money, power and authority. It is assumed that Erich Rhoemer, following his defection from whatever group he used to be a part of, founded this team in order to pursue his own tyrannical endgames. Along his way he employed Mara Aramov, whom at the time was most likely already working for The Agency as well. It is possible that she is the one who helped convince Rhoemer to take sides with The Agency before the events of the first game and before that time they also employed individuals such as Anton Girdeux, Pavel Kravitch, Jorge Marcos and Vladislav Gabrek. In addition to these men, they also recruited hundreds and perhaps even thousands of refugees, terrorists, criminals, killers, assassins, mercenaries as well as other highly vicious and violent individuals to assist in these goals as the so-called "army" for Rhoemer. It was this army that Gabriel Logan would later stand alone against in his fight to prevent Syphon Filter from being used for Rhoemer's nefarious interests. It is assumed that this organization has performed (due to Rhoemer's past history) various terrorist attacks throughout the world, including the Americas, including the bombing on the Comm. Parks Building in London during the year 1997 and an aeroplane hijacking from the Gulf Airlines in Istanbul, Turkey.

The main areas of operation for the Black Baton is in an old abandoned Soviet base in Rozovka, Kazakhstan and a stronghold located in Uzhhorod, Ukraine. The former holds Rhoemer's munitions and various missiles that he's acquired through use of The Agency and the latter holds the various scientists that he has employed working on the virus, as well as test subjects - even catacombs to house his prisoners.

Synopsis

Costa Rica Incident

Rhoemer's Black Baton is first introduced in Costa Rica at his plantation working on the Syphon Filter virus. Upon being relayed information that an informant, Ellis, has been informing his agency about Rhoemer's activities and that reinforcements are on their way in. Rhoemer takes measures to destroy the plantation, kill all the scientists he had captured to work on the virus and remove Ellis from this world...by use of Mara. Many of the Black Baton's soldiers attack Gabe and Lian as they arrive, appearing in full camo gear while holding onto mostly automatic weapons ( a few shotguns as well). As they cut through them, and the automated turrets designed to protect this location, but soon discover Ellis dead and that Rhoemer has left. The both of them continue fighting through Black Baton forces, splitting up to where Gabe pursues Rhoemer and Lian goes to find out about the scientists. While Lian succeeds in rescuing the scientists and finding out more about the operation, Gabe has Rhoemer slip right through his fingers and escapes. The two of them rendezvous and investigate an outbreak caused by the virus in Nepal.

D.C. Attack

Georgia Street

Rhoemer's next move is to attack Washingon D.C. with his full force and Viral Bombs, which upon explosion could spread the virus up to a hundred miles or more (according to Markinson). In this attack he comes prepared with his communications expert, Pavel Kravitch, his Munitions Expert, Anton Girdeux, and his special assassin, Mara Aramov. CBDC is already on the scene and locates a viral bomb inside of a bank in the Georgia Street district. Gabe makes his way there immediately and assists in killing off any Black Baton in the way as well as disarming the bomb safely. After preventing the explosion, Gabe leaves CBDC to dispose of it properly while he continues his pursuit of one of Rhoemer's men, Kravitch. The Black Baton in this operation has to keep communication up between the surface and the subway, so Kravitch is left in charge up on the surface. If he's cut off then he has no way of warning Rhoemer that Gabe is coming. Gabe locates and eliminates Kravitch, also destroying his comm equipment.

He deals with more Black Baton and assists some CBDC agents in a firefight before he gets the power back on and proceeds deep into the subway station. Gabe's arrival goes unnoticed for the moment, as all the men are patrolling this level of the Subway station with full arms. Gabe tries as much stealth as he can but eventually resorts to taking them out by force until the coast is clear and he discovers another Viral Bomb. Because CBDC is still on the surface, he has to plant a beacon for now and instead goes down further in pursuit of Rhoemer. After killing more men he comes across the bomb at last. Unfortunately this one has a shorter timer, and he has no choice but to run for it. Immediately the subway collapses in flames while Rhoemer, Girdeux and Aramov are all gone.

Destroyed Subway

Even after an explosion like that they continue to fight, as the Black Baton encounters Gabe throughout his escape from the subway. As he advances, he manages to get to the second viral bomb, and has CBDC deactivate it (while providing cover fire). With the viral bomb taken care of, he still has to locate Rhoemer and the others so Gabe makes his way further into the destroyed subway until he hears trains again, which means part of the subway still works!

Main Subway Line

Right off the bat he locates Mara, whom makes a run for it down the subway. Gabe pursues her while dodging trains and killing Black Baton, until finally he lands a shot to her head (that doesn't kill her but merely wounds her) and she fails to give him any useful information. Gabe leaves her unconscious in the subway and proceeds to the streets, where he gets a call that Jenkin's team is getting slaughtered in the Washington Park. Gabe makes his way there immediately, rolling through traffic as he gets there.

Washington Park, Washington D.C.

Once at the park, Gabe starts diffusing the numerous bombs that Black Baton had set up within the area, with CBDC disarming the explosives while Logan provides cover. He rescues a few hostages in the area and proceeds to a communications uplink that he connects to Lian. He then makes his way to the hedge maze and confronts Jorge Marcos, who he kills in a heated firefight. With another of Rhoemer's allies dead, he proceeds to the Freedom Memorial.

Freedom Memorial

Within the structure he finds Anton Girdeaux, dressed in full body armour and brandishing a flamethrower. Since Gabe is forced not to use explosives, he finds a weakness with Girdeaux's fuel tanks, which he shoots, causing the enemy to be immolated from the inside out. Logan leaves the place and CBDC enter to diffuse the main bomb.

Rhoemer's Base

After the first investigation of PHARCOM, Gabe heads to Rhoemer's base where he plants charges on fuel tanks and takes out Gabrek. From the latter, he acquires a keycard and deactivates the power for the motion sensors. He then enters the structure itself.

Base Bunker

For some reason whatsoever, the alarm was triggered even if Gabe chose to complete the previous mission using stealth. Fighting his way through yet more Black Baton thugs, he catalogs the 10 missiles that Rhoemer possesses and then arrives at the rooftop of the communications building.

Base Tower

On the tower roof, Gabe deactivates the radar tracking device and then a helicopter confronts him. In an intense firefight, he disables the aircraft and jumps to the ground as the flaming wreck crashes into the roof. However, he learns that Lian was captured (and apparently killed) by Rhoemer.

Base Escape

Now racing against time, Logan rushes back to the base entrance, even while more troops confront him. He barely escapes in the nick of time just as the C4 charges which he earlier planted destroy the entire area.

Rhoemer's Stronghold

Gabe is next sent to a cathedral which Rhoemer's forces have occupied. He takes down a number of corrupt scientists and terrorists disguised as monks while issuing what he believes to be an antidote to Syphon Filter-infected test subjects. From there, he finds the entrance to the lower levels.

Stronghold Lower Levels

Tasked with the same mission as before, Logan kills more Black Baton personnel, including scientists and security forces. He finds more guinea pigs and administers the serum to them. With his task complete, he enters the catacombs.

Stronghold Catacombs

Gabe must now find Phagan, who is marked for elimination. He trails a scientist to the prisoner's cell while taking down Black Baton guards with stealth. He then threatens Phagan for the location of the Syphon Filter labs, and is told that Lian is alive. Disbelieving him, he forces Phagan to lead him to Lian's cell and provides cover along the way. The prisoner runs off leaving Gabe and Lian together.

Lian tells Gabe that no vaccine exists for Syphon Filter, since engineering an antidote depends on the person's DNA structure. Both head to the exit, where they find Phagan begging for his life, but he is shot nonetheless - the assassin turns out to be Mara Aramov, who agrees to help Gabe and Lian.

PHARCOM Warehouses

Dropped into the area, Gabe must now stop Rhoemer from launching his missile. He finds PHARCOM and Black Baton forces in a heated duel. He first finds and questions Erikson, then deactivates the power for the electric fences, while tagging viral carriers. He then tries to reach warehouse 76.

Warehouse Elite Guards

Although he is not yet at Warehouse 76, Gabe has proceeded further into the warehouses. He continues tagging viral carriers while confronting flak jacketed enemies, and eventually reaches his final destination.

Warehouse 76

With the entire area in flames, Gabe is again racing against the clock. He battles enemy forces and reaches the freight elevator.

Silo Access Tunnels

Logan then finds the power room and deactivates the electric supply. He takes down more Black Baton thugs and reroutes power to the elevator.

Tunnel Blackout

Using the darkness to his advantage, Gabe attempts to find the missile silo, all the while killing Rhoemer's allies. He eventually locates the missile.

Missile Silo

Gabe hurries to recover the missile destruct code and sees Markinson; after a discussion, Rhoemer kills the latter. It transpires that Markinson, Rhoemer and Phagan were in fact working together all along. Gabe rushes to access the missile command computer while killing security forces and scientists. Rhoemer, infuriated at Logan's interference, engages him in a duel to the death. For some reason whatosever, Gabe finds the terrorist immune to all sorts of weapons, including headshots, explosives and the K3G4... until he finds a crate with nerve gas canisters. While on an elevated platform, he tosses the grenades into the lower level, suffocating Rhoemer and finally killing him.

Aftermath

With their commander-in-chief dead at last, the remnants of Black Baton seem to dissipate elsewhere.

Main Members

Erich Rhoemer

Commander in Chief, International Terrorist

The principle antagonist for the first game, he leads the Black Baton in various terrorist attacks. He also pursues the viral labs for Syphon Filter and the missile silos so that he may fire them off, starting a third world war.

Mara Aramov

Expert Assassin

A sly, intelligent woman whom manipulates her way out of any situation. Behind this, she is a coldblooded killer whom will ally herself with anyone to survive...and shows little to no remorse for her fallen comrades.

Anton Girdeux

Munitions Expert

A man whose fascination with war can only be rivaled by his use of a flame thrower. He is a very sadistic man (seen when he laughs after setting Gabe on fire) and also appears to be a pyromaniac. He wields his torch wherever he goes and burns anything in his path, leading a team of Black Baton to plant viral bombs all throughout Washington Park. He also appears to be fairly strong, carrying a very large flamethrower and still wearing bulky full-body armor.

Pavel Kravitch

Communications Expert

The Communications Expert. Cautious in battle, he stayed above ground during the attack while the many Black Baton took care of the fighting outside.

Jorge Marcos

Triggerman

Triggerman for the bombs, when given the order at the end of one hour he would detonate the bombs after everyone had evacuated. He's cowardly and when cut off, he chooses to run rather than fight.

Vladislav Gabrek

Commander of Rhoemer's Base

Commander of Rhoemer's Base and the main leader for the men that work there. Not much is known about his personality, but it is assumed he has extensive combat training and is well guarded at all times.

Alec Kabanov

Commander of Rhoemer's Stronghold

Mentioned by Thomas Markinson, said to be running the facility for Rhoemer and was responsible for supplying Jonathan Phagan with human test subjects for the Syphon Filter Virus.[1]

Thomas Markinson

Markinson was a sleeper agent who was in charge of the Agency while also manipulating Gabe Logan to act in the interests of the organisation.

Edward Benton

Benton was another Agency member who was employed by Rhoemer. He was a source of information to Girdeux during the Washington assault, and leaked intel to him, allowing the Frenchman to massacre Jenkins and his team.

Types of Soldiers

Georgia Street Terrorists - standard foot soldiers of the Black Baton, they carry 9mm handguns, M-16s and Shotguns. None are featured with Flak Jackets or Grenades. They are characterized by black ski-masks, dark-tan pants and white t-shirts with suspenders. Pavel Kravitch is dressed in the same manner and is the only one to be featured with a Flak Jacket.

Girdeux's Terrorists - a little better equipped than Kravitch's goons, while some still carry 9mm handguns many carry M-16s, Shotguns, Sniper Rifles, .45s and Grenades. Quite a few are given Flak Jackets, depending on their importance.

Rhoemer's Base Soldiers -

Rhoemer's Stronghold Monks -

Elite Black Baton Terrorists -

Trivia

  • The exact number of soldiers in the Black Baton is uncertain (and it's difficult to even draw an estimate), due to the infinitely spawning number featured in later levels, not to mention the potentially unlimited amount of personnel that can appear in Rhoemer's Base. It can be presumed that there at least a few thousand or more, all who are likely war criminals, terrorists, mercenaries, serial killers, ex-soldiers or similar characters seeking employment, power, money and/or even simply an excuse to kill.
  • The group appears to completely dissolve after the events of the first game. It is possible that surviving members would go on to join other terrorist organizations such as Red Section.

References

  1. Prior to mission Rhoemer's Stronghold, mentioned by Markinson


Main Characters Anton Girdeux  · Edward Benton  · Erich Rhoemer  · Gabriel Logan  · Jonathan Phagan  · Lian Xing  · Mara Aramov  · Thomas Markinson
Minor Characters Alec Kabanov  · Ellis  · Jenkins  · Jorge Marcos  · Pavel Kravitch  · Richard Erikson  · Vince Hadden  · Vladislav Gabrek
Enemies Georgia Street Terrorists  · Flaming Enemy  · Girdeux's Terrorists  · Pharcom Bodyguards
Organizations Black Baton  · CBDC  · Pharcom  · The Agency
Missions Georgia Street  · Destroyed Subway  · Main Subway Line  · Washington Park  · Freedom Memorial  · Expo Center Reception  · Expo Center Dinorama  · Rhoemer's Base  · Base Bunker  · Base Tower  · Base Escape  · Rhoemer's Stronghold  · Stronghold Lower Level  · Stronghold Catacombs  · Pharcom Warehouses  · Pharcom Elite Guards  · Warehouse 76  · Silo Access Tunnels  · Tunnel Blackout  · Missile Silo
Weaponry 9mm  · .45  · Air Taser  · BIZ-2  · C4 Explosive  · Combat shotgun · G-18  · Gas Grenade Grenade  · HK-5  · K3G4 Assault Rifle  · M-16  · M-79  · Nightvision rifle  · PK-102  · Shotgun  · Sniper Rifle
Gadgets Card Key  · Flak Jacket  · Flashlight  · Viral Antigen  · Viral Scanner
Vehicles UH-60 Blackhawk
Conflicts Washington D.C. Attack  · First Investigation of PHARCOM  · Destruction of Rhoemer's Base  · Sabotage of Rhoemer's Cathedral  · Kazakhstan Missile Incident
Transcipts Georgia Street  · Destroyed Subway  · Main Subway Line  · Washington Park  · Freedom Memorial  · Expo Center Reception  · Expo Center Dinorama  · Rhoemer's Base  · Base Bunker  · Base Tower  · Base Escape  · Rhoemer's Stronghold  · Stronghold Lower Level  · Stronghold Catacombs  · Pharcom Warehouses  · Pharcom Elite Guards  · Warehouse 76  · Silo Access Tunnels  · Tunnel Blackout  · Missile Silo
Main Characters Dillon Morgan  · Elsa Weissinger  · Gabriel Logan  · Jason Chance  · Lawrence Mujari  · Lian Xing  · Lyle Stevens  · Mara Aramov  · Steven Archer  · Teresa Lipan  · Thomas Holman  · Thomas Markinson  · Uri Gregorov
Minor Characters Carter  · Colorado Bridge Bombing Commander  · Davies  · Derek Falkan  · Dobson  · Eschelman  · Ferguson  · Gershon  · Imposter Gregorov  · John Ramirez  · Jonathan Phagan  · Kowalski  · Mr. Cochran  · Shi-Hao  · Thompson  · Unnamed Airman  · Unnamed Doctor  · Vince Hadden  · Vladimir Nedobryi
Missions Colorado Mountains  · McKenzie Airbase Interior  · Colorado Interstate 70  · I-70 Mountain Bridge  · McKenzie Airbase Exterior  · Colorado Train Ride  · Colorado Train Race  · C-130 Wreck Site  · Pharcom Expo Center  · Morgan  · Moscow Club 32  · Moscow Streets  · Volkov Park  · Gregorov  · Aljir Prison Break-In  · Aljir Prison Escape  · Agency Bio-Lab  · Agency Bio-Lab Escape  · New York Slums  · New York Sewer  · Finale
Locations Club 32  · McKenzie Airbase  · Rocky Mountains, Colorado
Terrorists Spooks  · Unit one
Multiplayer Abandoned Bank  · Catacombs  · Kazakhstan Warehouses  · New York Garage  · New York Slums  · Park Hedge Maze  · Park Jungle Gym  · Pharcom Expo Center (multiplayer)  · Rooftops (multiplayer)  · Small Village (multiplayer)
Weaponry .45  · 9mm  · 12 Gauge  · Air Taser  · BIZ-2  · C-4 Explosive  · Combat Knife  · Crossbow  · G-18  · H11  · Hand Taser  · HK-5  · Incendiary Grenade  · K3G4 Assault Rifle  · M-16  · M-79  · Nerve Gas Grenade  · Nightvision rifle  · PK-102  · Sniper Rifle  · Tear Gas Launcher  · The Flame-Thrower  · UAS-12  ·
Gadgets Binoculars  · Camera Scrambler  · Cellular Modem  · Flak Jacket  · Flashlight  · Nightvision Goggles  · Transponder Locator
Vehicles C-130 Hercules  · F-22 Raptor
Conflicts Raid on the C-130 Wreckage  · Escape from Mackenzie Air Force Base  · Second Investigation of PHARCOM  · Meeting with Uri Gregorav imposter  · Rescue of Uri Gregorav  · Search for Syphon Filter antidote  · Escape from New York City
Main Characters Gabriel Logan  · Lian Xing
Minor Characters Ellis  · Nigel Cummings  · Silvers
Missions Hotel Fukushima  · Costa Rican Plantation  · C5 Galaxy Transport  · Pugari Gold Mine  · Pugari Complex  · Kabul Afghanistan  · S.S. Lorelei  · Aztec Ruins  · Waterfront  · Docks Final Assault  · Convoy  · The Beast  · Australian Outback  · St. George Australia  · Paradise Ridge  · Militia Compound  · Underground Bunker  · Senate Building  · DC Subway
Weaponry .45  · 9mm  · Air Taser  · AU300 Heavy Barrel  · BIZ-2  · Combat Knife  · Crossbow  · Falcon  · G-18  · H11  · HK-5  · K3G4  · M-16  · M-79  · MARS  · Nightvision rifle  · PK-102  · Shotgun  · Spyder  · Tear Gas Launcher  · UAS-12
Multiplayer maps Afghanistan  · Computer center  · Izmalavio Park  · McKenzie Air Force Base  · Paradise Ridge  · Rhoemer's Stronghold  · S.S. Lorelei  · Training Simulator  ·
Multiplayer characters Agency operative  · Anton Girdeux  · Bag Lady  · CBDC operative  · Corpse  · Elsa Weissinger  · Erich Rhoemer  · Evil scientist  · Gabe Logan  · John Ramirez  · Jonathan Phagan  · Jorge Marcos  · Lawrence Mujari  · Lian Xing  · Mara Aramov  · Military Police  · Monk  · Ninja Gabe  · Russian Bodyguard  · Spook  · SWAT Officer  · Teresa Lipan  · Terrorist  · Unit One  · Uri Gregorov  · Virtual test subject  · Vladislav Gabrek
Minigame types Assassination  · Biathlon  · Demolition  · Elimination  · Thief
Minigame maps China Exhibit  · Colorado Bridge  · D.C. Subway  · Military Base  · New York Slums  · Phagan's Warehouse  · Rhoemer's Fortress  · Washington Park  · Whispering Woods Mortuary
Conflicts Assassination of Shi Hao  · Costa Rican Incident  · Investigation of Pugari Complex  · Soviet-Afghan War  · First Destruction of the SS Lorelei  · Investigation of Erich Rhoemer  · Abduction of Elsa Weissenger  · Assassination of Commander Silvers  · Paradise Ridge Incident  · Attempted Apprehension of Mara Aramov
Main Characters Gabriel Logan  · Lawrence Mujari  · Lian Xing  · Mara Aramov  · Teresa Lipan
Minor Characters Alima Haddad  · Andre Proust  · Elsa Weissinger  · Gary Stoneman  · Gina Hunter  · Imani Gray  ·Jean Fournier  · Maggie Powers  · Mikhail Pulikovsky  · Mikhas Ivankhov  · Oleg Petrenko  · Rodion Ushakov  · Soren Masson  · Vladik Savin  · Vladimir Zhidkov  · William Crusher  · Yegor Leonov  · Yuschenko
Missions IPCA European Command: Training Centre  · Carthage, Michigan: Quarantine Zone  · Carthage, Michigan: Warehouse District  · Carthage, Michigan: Carthage Mall  · Pescara, Italy: St Cetteo's Square  · Mazyr, Belarus: Krivorozhstal Mill  · Mazyr, Belarus: Belaya Vezha  · Tash, Kumyr, Kyrgysztan: Saydahmat's Village  · Sana'a, Yemen: Arms Bazaar  · Sana'a, Yemen: Taherir Palace  · Minsk, Belarus: International University  · Samaschki, Chechnya: Ivankov's Home  · North Atlantic: Lorelei Salvage Rig  · Tokyo, Japan: Murukawa Tower  · Taguang, Myanmar: Irawaddy Basin  · Zurich, Switzerland: Niculescu Funds Tower  · Budva, Montenegro: Niculescu's Villa Estate  · Kiev, Ukraine: Chechen Terrorist Base
Organizations IPCA
Weaponry Beta Weapons  · C11  · China Type 56  · Combat shotgun  · FAL  · FAMAS  · G 33E  · GAWS 12 gauge  · K-BAR  · M1 Super 90  · Riot shotgun  · Shot Defender  · ShotHammer  · Silenced . 44  · Slug Defender  · SlugHammer  · SPA-12 shotgun  · SPA-15 shotgun  · Stava M70 B1  · SSG 550  · Sweeper 12 gauge
Conflicts ALA Assault on Carthage  · Assassination of Dimitri  · Sabotage of CDP Operations  · Transaction on Kyrgysztan  · Assault on Yemen  · Raid on Jandran's Labs  · Investigation of Chechen Genocide  · Second Destruction of the SS Lorelei  · Assault on Murukawa Industries  · Recovery of Imani Grey  · Raid on Meta Global Headquarters  · Raid on Niculescu's Estate  · Showdown with the CDP  · Assassination of Mara Aramov and Elsa Weissenger
Main Characters Gabriel Logan  · Lawrence Mujari  · Lian Xing  · Teresa Lipan
Weaponry K-BAR  · SG-10 Bolt Pistol  · Silenced . 44  · SSP 90
Missions
Act I. Cargo Hold 5 Pirates of Somalia  · Going Under  · Ocean's Five  · Sea of Darkness
Act II. Terminal Drift What Lies Below  · Depths of Darkness  · Dead Currents  · Drowning
Act III. Crimson Flood Missing Friends  · Found Enemies  · Nowhere To Run
Act IV. Tyorma Redemption Trinidad  · Into The Cold  · Deadly Cargo
Act V. Shifting Sands Operation Canyon Storm  · Our Hidden Past  · Desert Flames
Act VI. Shattered Destiny The Long Descent  · Powerless  · Disintegration  · Leading The Blind  · With Violent Intent
Bonus missions Killing Time  · Lian's First Time  · Shadowed  · Behind The Scenes  · Left Behind
Multiplayer maps Canyon  · Casino  · Depot  · Detroit  · SRefinery  · Shanty town  · Village
Multiplayer modes Free for all  · Retrieval  · Rogue agent  · Team deathmatch  · Sabotage
Conflicts Assault on the St. Helens  · Raid on the St. Helens' Wreckage  · Spetsnaz Incursion on Azerbaijan  · Escape from Gebel Tyorma  · Raid on Bitar's Bunker  · Faceoff with al-Jamil  · Assassination of Qwan Tak
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