Varangian Guard

"Plausible deniability" is a watchword in the present-day Varangian Guard. In some cases, membership is a protected secret, even from the Crown. This is a precaution they observe so that the Bunny Queen can honestly say she knew nothing about any activities it should be necessary for the Crown to deny.     Members are carefully selected and approached by the Commander himself. It is believed that they are chosen for certain specific criteria, but also, that the Commander relies on his instincts before making the offer:

A lack of close family members

A service record that indicates uncommon bravery, but a willingness to stretch the rules to breaking point

Considerable personal initiative in interpreting orders to accomplish an objective

The ability to keep one's own council

Demonstrated loyalty to the Lapin Crown and the Bunny Queen herself

As a result, although they are a military unit specifically serving as one of the Owsla Security Squads, some have never worn a military uniform. Some work as deep cover moles for years at a time. Others are open about their membership and hide in plain sight. While many are widely-respected Special Forces troops, others are ensconced in areas where they can keep an eye out for important information the Lapin Crown needs to know, and observe, or even eliminate, Lapin's enemies.  

You know those shit-disturbers in every fighting force who're likely to get into bar fights, but when the chips are down, they earn Stars of Valour for their crazy-ass bravery? That's the Varangians.

— Queen Sable, explaining the Varangian Guard to RSM Elaine Murphy

The Varangian Guard continue to take some inspiration from their namesake unit. All members train with Dane axe and round center-boss shield as combat weapons, along with modern firearms, explosives, and drones. This has turned out to be effective in combat against Zombies, even in the present era.   They also continue to embrace their reputation as "loyal barbarians." They take their duty to the Bunny Queen extremely seriously, and will, to a man, defend her to the death. Even if their membership in the Guard is unknown to Queen Sable, all are given an opportunity to meet her in person by the Commander, and see her with her troops.  

She loves us. And she loves her people. You can't miss it. So we love her back.

— Anonymous Varangian Guard

  As in the case of their predecessors, when the Varangians appear on the scene, they strike fear in the hearts of their enemies.

The Varangian Guard is open about its loyalties and its purpose. Its methods, however, are often the subject of thickly-redacted reports.

On public record, the Varangians have an annual budget of 600 million Lira a year for electronic surveillance equipment, cyber security assets, drones, ordnance, and military equipment. It is believed that much more is quietly funneled to them as needed.

The true nature of Commander Stretch's background remains classified by Lapin Intelligence, but there is some indication that as a Commander in the SBS, he served several tours in the Middle East, likely during the Gulf War and the War in Afghanistan. It is widely believed that either capture or a war injury led to a period of amnesia. Sometime in that gray period before 1WW, Commander Stretch founded the Guard, likely from other disillusioned and lost soldiers who saw action during these conflicts. They quickly developed a reputation as a unit who would get things done and weren't afraid to get their hands dirty.   It is widely accepted that the Varangian Guard took up employment with The Company, but the Commander realized that this was too dirty even for his tastes, and he began to look at other options.   He and Queen Sable Aradia became acquainted during the First Word War, and saw action together. The Mother of Bunnies quickly recognized Commander Stretch as a professional, and sought his advice. The Varangians shifted their allegiances according to their contracts during the conflict, but they spent the most time in the service of House Lapin, and followed them to the Zafforza Trench when they were forced to evacuate. Queen Badger Purpleheart, then one of the Varangians, known as Nathalia Books, sacrificed her life to buy time for the Commander and the future Bunny Queen in the rout.   When the Lapin Protectorate was formed in April 2021, the Varangian Guard swore allegiance to the Lapin Queen in secret. They then commenced a sting operation against the terrorist activities of the Company, and, it is rumoured, a number of extremely questionable black ops, with Commander Stretch and some of his cadre serving as apparent double agents. It is unclear if Queen Sable was involved, or completely oblivious to their activities. Commander Stretch became Sable-rah's primary intelligence specialist in her privy council, and the Varangians continue to serve in this capacity.   There is an unconfirmed rumour that the Commander traces his lineage back to the original Varangians, which is what inspired the name.