Wesley Riggs
Actor: Tim Dezarn
Name: Wesley Riggs*Affiliation:* Global Defence Initiative (GDI)*Rank:* General*Role:* Commander-in-Chief of the GDI*Associates:* Evelyn Rios, Louise James, Commander Parker*Contact:* Kane*Conflicts:* Second, Third and Fourth Tiberian Dawns*Project supported:* Tiberium Control Network (TCN)*Appearance:* Command & Conquer 4: Tiberium Twilight
Status: Unknown following Kane’s Ascension.Wesley Riggs is the Commander of the GDI at the time of Tiberium Twilight. An exceptional veteran who survived the Second and Third Tiberium Wars, he has become a true legend amongst the Soldiers. But after decades of conflict, Riggs is, above all, a man weary of war, which explains his controversial decision to support cooperation between the GDI and Kane.
A veteran turned Peacekeeper
Riggs fought in two Tiberium Wars, a track record exceptional enough to earn him immense prestige within the GDI. With age, however, his outlook has changed: he no longer seeks military glory and wishes, above all, to put an end to the endless cycle of wars against Nod.
When Kane proposed a partnership with the GDI aimed at saving Earth from Tiberium, Riggs agreed to set aside their former rivalry. He played an active role in negotiating peace between the two organisations, despite the significant political and military opposition that this decision provoked.
The alliance with Kane
Riggs works directly with Kane on the Tiberium Control Network, whose official aim is to contain and then gradually eliminate global contamination.
However, he does not blindly trust the leader of Nod. Riggs agrees to the cooperation because he considers it necessary for the survival of humanity, whilst remaining cautious enough to keep a close eye on his former adversary.
This policy nevertheless contributes to a rift within the GDI. A section of the military regards any alliance with Nod as a betrayal of the principles for which it has been fighting for decades.
Conflict with Louise James
Colonel Louise James becomes one of the leading opponents of this policy. Convinced that Kane is secretly using the TCN to reactivate the Scrin’s last Threshold Tower, she attempts to persuade Riggs and Secretary-General Evelyn Rios to break off the alliance.
Riggs, however, refuses to act on James’s accusations. When she and Parker rebel and launch an attack on the government in New Adana, he warns Parker of the consequences of his insurrection.
Even after the rebels seize the government quarter, Riggs evades capture. He personally takes command of a squad of GDI Marines, boards the Tzadik and has James, Parker and their crew arrested.
The final stand against Kane
Events eventually prove, however, that the concerns regarding Kane are not entirely unfounded.
In the Nod campaign, Riggs ultimately refuses to let Kane take control of the TCN. This decision even leads him to disobey the GDI’s political leadership, with all forces under his command preparing to prevent the activation of Threshold 19.
During the final battle, Riggs commits virtually all of the GDI’s available firepower against Nod’s forces. In particular, he deploys the Arcus, an experimental heavy bomber which destroys almost all the enemy Crawlers before ultimately being shot down by Parker’s forces.
Despite this resistance, Nod takes control of the TCN nodes and Kane finally manages to achieve his Ascension.
Personality
Riggs is, above all, an experienced Soldier who has become pragmatic with age. Unlike the more radical GDI officers, he believes that several decades of war have taken a heavy enough toll on humanity and is therefore willing to negotiate with his historic enemy when the planet’s survival is at stake.
This desire for peace does not, however, mean that he is naïve. He retains a deep mistrust of Kane and, when Kane finally attempts to use the TCN for his own ends, Riggs is prepared to take up arms again and even defy his own government to stop him.