The Astartes, sometimes called Special Scientific Researchers and later as Terran Commandos by the Combine Empire during the 48-Hour War, are an scientific-military infantry unit used by the UNESCO to perform specialized scientific tasks the ordinary can't performed. Trained in advanced scientific knowledge imbued with commando skills, the Astartes represented humanity's brightest people up to the 48-Hour War, where they were repurposed and utilized as ab special military force against the Combine.