Shielded Goliath

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Lore & Background

The Vek are a hive-mind species that prioritize efficiency and resource acquisition above all else, often evolving their biological forms to counter the specific threats they face. The Shielded Goliath represents this adaptive evolution; it is not merely a larger beast but a specialized unit designed to withstand kinetic impact. Its carapace appears to be a calcified lattice that deflects or absorbs energy, suggesting the Vek have developed biological armor plating specifically to counter human weaponry. These creatures often appear in later stages of the invasion when the Vek begin targeting high-value infrastructure with greater aggression. They are frequently seen protecting vulnerable Vek spawners or guarding critical extraction points. Their presence signals a shift from opportunistic raids to organized, defensive warfare, forcing pilots to rethink their standard assault patterns and rely more heavily on pushing enemies into hazards rather than direct confrontation.

In Their Own Story

The cockpit of the REX-04 shuddered as the ground trembled beneath its treads. Pilot Vance watched the thermal display spike; a Shielded Goliath had emerged from the fog, its massive form blocking the path to the city's power grid. The creature raised a claw, not to strike, but to brace itself against an incoming missile barrage that would have vaporized a standard unit. Sparks flew harmlessly off its glowing carapace. "It's immune," Vance muttered, his voice tight. He couldn't shoot it down; he had to move it. With a calculated thrust of the thrusters, he slammed into the beast's flank, not to damage it, but to shove it toward the unstable cliff edge waiting just beyond.

Reader's Guide

The Shielded Goliath operates as a classic tank unit with limited mobility but immense staying power. It typically moves one or two tiles per turn and possesses an attack range of adjacent tiles, often using its massive claws to crush buildings or units directly in front of it. Its defining trait is the shield ability, which makes it immune to all direct damage from Icarus attacks. Pilots cannot destroy this unit through standard combat; they must force it into environmental hazards like lava pits, off cliffs, or into the path of other Vek attacks. Alternatively, pushing it so far that it falls off the map is a common victory condition. In later missions, Shielded Goliaths may appear alongside smaller Vek units like Slugs or Wyrms, creating choke points where players must clear the weaker enemies first before maneuvering the Goliath into a kill zone. They do not evolve further in form but become more frequent as the timeline progresses.

Did You Know?

• The Shielded Goliath is completely immune to direct damage from any source, requiring environmental interaction to be removed.
• It often serves as a living shield for other Vek units, forcing players to clear surrounding enemies first.
• Like all Vek, the Shielded Goliath attacks buildings based on standard AI targeting, not less frequently than other variants.
• Its defensive capabilities represent the Vek's ability to adapt their biology specifically against human countermeasures.

Early Life and Legal Foundations

His biological father, the renowned novelist David Benedictus, remained absent until Maugham was seventeen. His academic journey took him from Wellington High School to Durham University, where he graduated with first-class honors in European Legal Studies. During his student years, he encountered significant discrimination when a temping agency rejected him for secretarial work solely because he was male. Maugham successfully sued for sex discrimination, securing compensation and setting an early precedent for his future advocacy. He furthered his education at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium and later completed a Master's degree at Birkbeck, University of London. This diverse background, blending personal adversity with rigorous legal training, laid the groundwork for a career dedicated to challenging established power structures through the courts.

Professional Career and Taxation Expertise

Maugham began his professional life as a barrister specializing in taxation law, completing his pupillage under Lord Irvine. He initially practiced from New Square before becoming a tenant at Devereux Chambers, where he honed his expertise in complex fiscal matters. His dedication to the field was recognized in 2015 when he was appointed Queen's Counsel, a significant honor denoting excellence within the legal profession. Throughout his tenure as a tax specialist, Maugham also engaged with political circles, advising the Labour Party on tax policy during Ed Miliband's leadership and serving on the advisory council for the liberal conservative think tank Bright Blue in 2018. Despite these political connections, he maintained that he was not a 'party political animal,' having briefly considered a run for Attorney-General before deciding against it. He eventually left Devereux Chambers at the end of 2020 to focus more intensely on his public interest work, marking a pivotal shift from traditional private practice to high-stakes litigation aimed at holding government and corporate entities accountable.

Founding the Good Law Project

In a move that would define his later career, Maugham founded and became Executive Director of the Good Law Project (GLP), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to using legal mechanisms to protect public interests. The GLP gained significant prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic by challenging the UK government's appointment of key figures like Kate Bingham and Dido Harding, alleging cronyism and the misuse of public funds. While some challenges were dropped due to standing issues, the courts did find that Health Secretary Matt Hancock failed his equality duties in making certain appointments. The organization also faced legal backlash; Platform 14 threatened defamation action over allegations regarding substandard face shields, and Maugham apologized for a procedural breach involving an unpublished witness statement concerning Abingdon Health contracts. Despite mixed outcomes and criticism from some quarters, including a description of him as 'the Marmite of the Bar,' Maugham's work through GLP has brought national attention to issues of accountability in public procurement and governance.

Public Advocacy and Controversial Stances

Maugham has established himself as a polarizing figure through his outspoken advocacy on social justice issues, particularly regarding transgender rights. Rowling while criticizing her views on trans rights.