Bradley Vaughton was a veteran of the First Vektan War and was a close friend of ISA soldier Dirk Templar. After Dirk died in the war, Vaughton adopted Dirk's orphaned son Jan Templar, in whom he recognized a younger version of himself.[1]
Second Extrasolar War[]
During the Helghast invasion of Vekta, Vaughton's forces were overwhelmed by the sudden attack of the Helghast Third Army. As the SD Platform had suddenly failed to stop the Helghast, Vaughton was awaiting his security key to override the platform's control failsafe before heading to the platform by shuttle. Vaughton summoned Templar to his command base and assigned him to find Colonel Gregor Hakha, an infield operative who possessed vital information to the ISA. Soon after, the command base came under attack and Vaughton ordered for evacuation before sending Templar to locate the security key.
Vaughton was later captured by the Helghast until he was rescued by Templar, Shadow MarshalLuger, and Rico Velasquez. He was then given the security key by Templar and commended Templar's group before ordering them to continue their mission in finding Hakha before departing for the SD Platform.
Death[]
Upon arriving at the platform, Vaughton met with Lieutenant General Stuart Adams and together they override the failsafe. After doing so, however, Helghast soldiers under General Joseph Lente stormed the facility and Adams revealed his treachery to Vaughton, who is then gunned down by a Helghast trooper.
Adams posthumously framed Vaughton as a traitor for taking over the SD Platform in order to hinder Vaughton's allies, including Templar and his squad, and further sowing chaos among the ISA's ranks. Templar's squad would eventually avenged Vaughton's death as they stopped Adams from destroying the UCA reinforcement fleet by disabling the platform.
Characteristics[]
Vaughton had respect and trust from his troops due to his professional nature and high moral fiber, most notable of these troops was Jan Templar.
Training him with all the required military skills to exceed his father's potential, Templar matured into a deeply promising soldier, far more intelligent tactically and morally unwavering than other ISA soldiers. This forged a strong father-son bond between the pair illustrated during the events of Killzone where Vaughton entrusted Templar to guide a small unit through Vekta, triggering a famous fight from Templar.
Unlike the traitors such as Stuart Adams or Dwight Stratson, and even the loyal but morally dubious Alex Grey, Vaughton showed no moral failings and likely would've continued to serve as one of Vekta's greatest generals, if he had not been killed.
Conversations[]
Helghast Assault[]
Show: ISA HQ
General Vaughton:"Tell General Adams that the security key is on its way to me right now. I'll be shuttling up in a..." ISA Communicator:"Within the hour general." General Vaughton:"within the hour, and I expect everything to be ready when I arrive." ISA (Aboard SD Platofrm):"Yes sir."
(Commincations are cut off) General Vaughton:"Damn. Ugh."
(Greets Templar) General Vaughton:"It's good to see you Jan." Templar:"You too General. What's happening out there? Are we holding?"
(ISA Communicator shakes head) General Vaughton:"It's impossible to tell with the comms as they are. But we are being attacked by the third Helghan Army. Led by a General Lente. If Helghast ships keep on flooding in with more troops we may as well pack up right here right now." Templar:"So much for taking them out of the sky before they land." General Vaughton:"Yeah" Templar:"What's the latest with the SD platforms?" General Vaughton:"General Adams is trying to get them operational again but they need complete reprogramming. I have to get up there with the security key to override the control failsafe. I'm just waiting for the damn key to arrive before I head up for the shuttle." Templar:"Any news from Earth? I mean we're going to need some heavy firepower to root these bastards out." General Vaughton:"Last we heard they're sending the cavalry. We just have to hold out until they arrive."
(ISA Headquarters gets hit by bombs) General Vaughton:"Jan, I had you brought here for a reason. A mission. I was hoping you..." Templar:"What's the brief?" General Vaughton:"We have an infield operations agent working for us behind enemy lines."
(Vaughton is handed a device with information) General Vaughton:"A Colonel Hakha." Templar:"A spy?" General Vaughton:"Infield agent, Jan... ...so yeah, a spy. A few hours ago we discovered intelligence saying he had discovered information vital to our cause. He's joined an ISA platoon holed up in this mall. In the slums. Since then we've heard nothing. We need him back Jan, and quickly. The enemy want him too. I think our best chance is a..." Templar:"A small team travelling quickly. I understand, sir. I'm on it."
(ISA Headquarters gets bombed again)
Vekta Evacuates[]
Show: ISA HQ Evac
General Vaughton:"Are you OK, Jan?"
(Vaughton helps Templar up) General Vaughton:"I'm organising an evak!"
(Vaughton moves to help a communication unit) Templar:"The security key. Did it arrive?" General Vaughton:"No! It never made it!" Templar:"I'll get it and meet you back here." General Vaughton:"OK! Head for the Research Unit, but be careful Jan they're swarming in."
New Allies[]
Show: Vaughton's Liberation
Luger:"General! General, are you alright?"
(Luger removes the General's cuffs) General Vaughton:"Yeah, I'm fine. Jan, Did you get the security key?" Templar:"Right here, sir. But the command base is lost." General Vaughton:"What's the situation out there now?" Templar:"Messy. We had trouble getting here. If it hadn't been for this guy..." Rico:"Sergeant Rico Velasques sir." General Vaughton:"Well Sergeant, it seems these two owe you a..." Rico:"It's the enemy who owe me, not these two. The Helghast scum wiped out my entire platoon. An' they'll be paying off that debt in blood for as long as I breath Sir!" General Vaughton:"I see. A useful man to have at your side Jan?" Templar:"Absolutely sir." General Vaughton:"Sergeant, how would you like to join Captain Templar and Shadow Marshal Luger on a mission of great importance to the war?"
(Rico checks Luger) Rico:"An assassin?" Luger:"Shadow marshal." Rico:"Uh. (sniffs hard) This mission. It's gonna hurt the Helghast?" General Vaughton:"Very much so." Rico:"I'm in." General Vaughton:"OK. I'll go up to General Adams on the SD platform as planned. You three, find Colonel Hakha and get him to me as soon as possible."
Escape[]
Show: SD Platform Arrival
ISA:"We're cleared to lift off in five General! You and your men will be up on the platform in fifteen!"
(Aboard the SD Platform) ISA:"General Adams is prepared and waiting for you General."
(After Hakha is seen discovering which computer was hacked) General Vaughton:"General." General Adams:"General." General Vaughton:"I suggest we get on with it." General Adams:"As you wish."
(After Hakha announces to the team whose computer was hacked) General Vaughton:"Very good. I understand you have prepared everything for the reprogramming of the defence systems." General Adams:"You've got that one hundred percent A1 correct, General."
(Helghast rush into the meeting area) General Vaughton:"What's the meaning...?" General Adams:"The meaning? The meaning is... You lose." General Vaughton:"Traitor..." General Adams:"Yeah, whatever. Kill him."
(Vaughton is knocked out and shot) General Lente:"You have done well, General. I will ensure that Scolar Visari hears of your efforts." General Adams:"I'll tell him myself thank you, General Lente. That's after I take this little beauty for a spin around the block."
