Benjamin Cole: The Curmudgeon Lieutenant, Tactical Ace

Cole is the Foundation’s premier human operative, serving as Deputy Director Sullivan's second-in-command. Despite his cynical demeanor and traumatic past, he provides the essential tactical backbone and ground-level expertise needed to navigate the supernatural battlefield.

Persona, Skills, and Operational Tempo

Signature Traits

• Voice: Distinctive **Cockney accent** and slang ("Oi, keep your hair on, yeah?").
• Role: Tactical ace; known for his skill in **High-Risk Extraction (HRX)** and counter-insurgency.
• Motivation: Fiercely loyal, concealing his deep care for the Foundation family beneath sarcasm.
• Nervous Tells: Seeking downtime or asking for a drink when stressed by the supernatural.

Extraction Expertise

Cole's skills were vital during the founders' recovery from the Necroshot attack:

• **Unconventional Tracking:** Used knowledge of Eva’s habits (ditching stilettos) and Ado’s shoes to follow them through the Parisian catacombs.
• **Breaching Tactics:** Utilized explosives to collapse sections of the tunnels, slowing Temple Corp pursuit.
• **SOF Arsenal:** Proficient with specialized ammunition like **Null-Flux Incendiary rounds** to breach advanced armor.

Core Dynamics: Betrayal and Loyalty

With Sullivan (Deputy Director)

He serves as her second-in-command despite a history of trauma, which includes **Cole's temporary betrayal** (killing his own team under Black House manipulation) during the Bastion incident. Sullivan calls him her **"curmudgeon lieutenant"**; their relationship is built on pragmatic need and mutual, if guarded, respect.

With Ado and Eva: Cole is often shielded from the Alphas' direct power and uses humor to cope with the sheer scale of the supernatural threat. He is the **grounded perspective**, proving that loyalty and tactical skill are as critical as any supernatural gift.