Appearance: John stands 6'. Brown eyes. Dark medium-length very thick hair, generally sweeping his bangs out of his face which will sometimes stick up as a result of a colic on the right side above his forehead.
While wearing his "costume" he is outfitted and actually looks like he's about 6'3. There is a red slash painted on the outside of his vest, on his back and the front of his torso. On the front it's top left to bottom right and the opposite diagonally on the back. The paint looks like it dripped before hardening and is not a very straight line. His gloves have the same design. On his head there is the same mark, and it is the mirror image on the backside of his head, sometimes fooling people into not knowing which way he is looking. The mark is custom tinted onto his goggles to fit in line as well. The nightvision/infrared goggles on the top of his scalp actually protrude to look almost like 3 one inch horns and are all black but their straps blend in to the black cloth that covers the rest of his head.
Bio:
Spoiler
Son of Carcer City, John's father was a successful business man who could afford his top-grade and all-star athlete son anything he wanted. Private school in his young life, John attended CU to study criminal justice, a way of directing his passion into his uninteresting college studies. Though his father opposed it in every way possible and tried to bribe his own son into following his footsteps into finance. When John was in high school he received a number of inexplicable serious injuries that indicated he had been in more than one fight. Besides medications for the aftermaths of these incidents, John had never tried any recreational drugs including alcohol. But he had numerous times tried to avenge some classmates and stop some dirty deals around the street corner with the dropouts and burnouts, who almost always knew how to fight dirty unlike John.
Nevertheless that was behind him. Until he began becoming proactive in the community against drugs, and when he started helping around the local police station and visiting the district attorney's office more than he needed to. Then it caught up to him again when he helped reign in a rape case that led to several narcotics convictions as well. He was jumped by some students on a run at night on campus. Stabbed a few times, John survived and when he became conscious asked the doctor and nurse in the hospital bed to not inform his parents. They obliged. John began receiving threats from these students who happened to be influential dealers on the campus. In the form of a red \ slash. He sunk into the fear, and focused on his studies, graduating on the dean's list, trying to ignore the death threats that they would leave on his car or on his apartment door. Since then he started attending the gun range, and a local dojo to vent his frustration and anger while still living in fear for his life.
While he was still applying to law school, one day he was heading back to his apartment when he heard a rather loud verbal tiff on his floor, on his way up he noticed people had their doors ajar listening but no one was doing anything. When he got to his floor he saw his landlord was yelling at the young man, who was a student, that was in the middle of spray painting the red mark on his door. She was about to walk away threatening to go call the cops on him, when the student stabbed her. John helplessly tried to come to her aid when the student tried to attack him out of fear of the moment, probably his first kill. John managed to dodge most of his attacks, but his adrenaline was pumping and as the kid tired, John went on the offensive. Before he knew it, he was stabbing the kid repeatedly in the neck sitting over his dead body that was frozen in a state of begging and helplessness.
The people watching from their doorways shut them acting like they saw nothing the moment John noticed their gazes. He was expecting the police to show up. But they never did. So he took action. He framed the murder on the same kids that jumped him, who were still at the university. He left a red slash mark on their door so they knew who had done this to them. He called the police from his apartment promptly, knowing all the inner workings of the justice system he planted the sure conviction perfectly, and informed them that he just saw someone stab his landlord and run away with her money towards campus. He named the students he "recognized" and made sure to put in a word with one of the contacts he had amassed while being so heavily active as a criminal justice student.
Not long after, his father and mother were victims of a driveby shooting. His father's lawyer told John that he had the full inheritance of everything his father owned, and it wasn't long before John realized his father was also part of the underworld that he so detested. It drove him mad, and he isolated himself from any public life. He punished his body and mind both as he even had tried some of the drugs in his fathers personal stash. Every day all he did was drink and pushed his body harder in what toxins it could handle and the physical extremities it could deal with. Finally he stopped after a couple months, and recovered. He bought a few small apartments varied all over the city as safehouses where he stored various different things, all of the properties he bought were above relatively reputable stores -- so they were high in price. But he had the money. After his initial expenses were out of the way, the only thing he spent money on was his food, electric bills and the taxes -- his fathers money would last him a while.
He donned the red slash as a mark of what he had become. He began to orchestrate the assassination of those thugs that had killed his parents, and prepared to do the same thing to those that gave him this symbol to the gang leaders who ordered the driveby. A few months later the criminals were convicted for possessing the same guns that shot his parents and the same guns he used to execute the thugs that did it. It was irony, and it was the only thing he got any thrill or pleasure from anymore. He had become a sick twisted form of what he once was, no longer reputable he sunk into darkness and revolved his entire life in trying to empower the DA's office and the CPD with the evidence (however false it may be) to put away those he deemed evil for life. He had few limits, one of them including public officials and the police, not meaning he wouldn't ever break them, but he had yet to. He became known as the Death Mark when he began warning his victims before he would execute his plan. Using a self erasing paper he would write them a letter explaining his motives, sealing it with a red wax in the diagonal line across the folded paper. He would spend months on a target planning every inch of how the case would probably unfold, researching everything about them, even breaking into the CPD to get information or evidence for himself. He started using disguises to infiltrate them subtly with maximum efficiency. And it wasn't long before he began using some of the spoils of his conquests as means of funding his continued operations. He grew a vast network of contacts and hired men who unknowingly were helping fund and operate the plans of what had been known to Carcer City's criminal underworld as the Death Mark.
Skills: Extreme physical conditioning and constant vigorous training allows his body to withstand circumstances most would not. For example: hiding in compact spaces for long periods of time without any nutrition. He knows a decent amount of martial arts, and is by no means a black belt, he has trained himself to be able to handle the common criminal and uncommon ones too with speed and deadliness when he is unarmed or has no other means of non-lethal takedowns. With all of his equipment on he would surely lose in combat to someone who is much more prepared or trained for it. He also is a member at a local dojo. He has a decent parkour ability to scale the urban environment, but not extensively so... only as a means of escape or foot travel in the night. He is also more than capable with guns and many different weapons. One of the few places he attends in person as himself is the gun-range.
Lastly he is extremely dedicated and has all the time in the world to research his enemies, research dialects and accents to mask his voice and don new disguises that will allow him to silently, subtley but effectively infiltrate and set in place small pieces that will come together as a full assassination or framing of a criminal. He also has various contacts that he has networked under several aliases. This allows him to have full confidence before he delivers his signature death mark to his target. This means Death Mark is not just a proactive street cleaner, but also someone who is always working on a bigger picture. This also means he goes through extensive effort to cover his tracks, knowing the entire inner workings of the law enforcement and the criminal underworld by now.
Equipment: When donning his disguise, he wears full black. A mask that has a thin material over the nose and mouth area for breathing. There's a special armor fitted around his jaw that connects to a mouth piece as well for safety reasons, it sits underneath the mask and is not even an inch thick. The eye space is left open and instead he wears pitch black tinted goggles (to protect his eyes as well from fragmentation or any dangers). On his head he has a custom built nightvision and infrared set of goggles that can slide over his safety goggles with ease, but also blend in to the curve of his scalp when not used. He has a highgrade bulletproof vest (which he has many replacements for) that extends to padding his neck, shoulders and flaps that reach his upper thighs. On top of that he wears armor that pads the outside of both parts of both his arms and extra grip padded gloves as well. On his utility belt he usually puts in more than enough ammo for an emergency situation, as well as tranquilizer darts, and other special darts for certain occasions (paralyzing and poisonous). As well as cyanide pills and other special use toxic and medical agents. He has holsters used for his handguns (two .22s with silencers) and two on his legs for two 6 inch black blades that he's not an expert with, but are used when he has no ammo or is in close quarters. He also has a couple of flashbangs/stun grenades on the belt for quick access.
But he also carries with him a backpack with the same red slash marking it, which carries a first aid kit that has continued to change over time adapting to what he deems most likely to happen while 'on the job'. Also a grappling hook gun, which allows him to both repel and scale. The gun is relatively big and looks like a rifle, on his utility belt he has a device that allows him to safely secure him to the line. He also carries a small mini tranquilizer rifle that is construct-able and stored away in the backpack. He always carries safely packaged materials and chemicals that can be used to create an IED at any moment. He is not beyond killing criminals or car bombs for high-profile targets, but usually makes sure that another gang gets the blame for it. Though some of the more powerful criminal leaders are intelligent enough to spot his work once in a while. The other thing he keeps in his backpack is a red can of spay paint when he does want his mark to be known. Lastly a mini computer that's built to withstand quite a bit of damage and is voice activated so he can hook up his earphones to them. His earphones double as a tactical protection from any hearing or damage that is directed to the ears (any kind of equipment meant to disorient etc). They can also be used as a commlink because of the microphone inserted underneath his mask. On his utility belt is a smaller piece of equipment wired to the mic and headset that can transmit wireless to the computer in his backpack and has some memory in it as he records all conversations he has underneath his suit. The distance is about 20 feet from the backpack before info can no longer be transmitted.
The paper he uses to deliver his "Death Mark" is a self-erasing paper that absorbs a very small amount of light wavelengths before the special ink on it practically disappears. This he has gotten a kick out of more than any other piece of equipment and thoroughly enjoys putting himself in a speculating position and already timing the execution so that he may observe both his victims realization and their arrest. His boots worn while in the outfit also have an newer shock absorption technology that will allow him to drop from a certain height and recover easier or be on his way, but won't actually prevent any damage that could be done. They also have soft soles for quieter movement. His left boot has a switchblade on the heel. On his wrist is a digital controller that he uses to activate any of his equipment, including the goggles, mic and earphones, blades and remote detonator that he can attach to the IEDs.
Last edited by Q; 08-02-2012 at 02:40 AM.
We're not so different, you and I.
"Neither shall they say, lo here! nor, lo there! For, behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you."
Appearance: Nautica is five foot even with olive skin and dark green eyes. She is of a slender build, although she has a bustier figure than most. Her hair is jet black and is mostly worn down in whatever style is fashionable at that moment with clothing from a high end retailer probably. The two year war centering around Falcone changed her viewpoint on many things, including body art.
Left arm
Right arm:
She has a series of fairies on the upper half and down her forearm is written "Every rose has its thorn" with twisted brambles.
Back tattoo:
A female Seraphim on the upper half with wings spread calling down holy flames on various wicked looking humans and demons being set ablaze.
Nautica Millan grew up the daughter of Ivan and Marisa Millan. From the time she was four years old she spent her weekdays with a private tutor, that is when she wasn’t being taken by her mom to socialite functions and groomed to be well mannered and socially intelligent. By the time she was fifteen years old under her tutor she had graduated high school and attended a prestigious college that shall go unnamed. She graduated with honors with a degree in Science specializing in Forensic studies. She also had a minor in psychology, although she describes that more as a “whim” than any real interest. While she boasts no degrees in technology she caught on to it very early in life thanks to her father, a software developer that wrote custom programs for most of the large corporations and businesses that call Carcer City their head of operations.
The Between Years: During college Nautica networked with people from varying fields extensively attaining several resume boosting business and personal contacts in a very short amount of time. In addition, her father donated a rather large sum of money to the school covering the Science Department for many years to come as well as upgrades to the equipment. The reason was an incident where Nautica was found allegedly dating a teacher, although the school has long since closed the investigation of the matter with prejudice. Aside from that minor incident her records are exemplary and she graduated at the top of her class with honors and several job offers to work for high end security firms dealing with their systems.
Upon graduation she decided rather than work for someone strike it out on her own as a “Private Investigator” as a business front. Very early into this entrepreneurial experience she discovered “dirt” as they call it on a very wealthy man and rather than turn him in to the police blackmailed him for a large sum of money. He gladly paid it under the guise he “had her on retainer” for private and business matters” and said nothing more of it. Word got around about this young woman sniffing out one of the most discrete businessman’s paper trails, especially in the criminal underworld. From that point forward she retained many clients as an information broker often exchanging information for favors. This has lead to her having leverage against a great many people and using them as her pawns. Although she has expressed interest in a personal score to settle she will not reveal who or why she wishes the mystery person dealt with.
A rumor has been circulating the city that she has hired a tracker only known as Cyren to deal with her personal affairs. While any real information has been unfounded they know she is dangerous if the rumor is true. Two hits have been carried out by Cyren’s signature weapon thus far, a .357 Magnum, which she is known to fire with surprising accuracy at a short range. No one knows whether this masked women is friend or foe as she has been seen conversing with both sides of the law by unidentified sources. Only time can tell whether she is out for the good of the city or bad, but one thing is for certain, she is a fearsome enemy and powerful ally.
Skills:
Tech Fiend: Nautica has a minor obsession with technology and often tinkers with it to relatively dangerous ends. She is a master of locating people and following paper trails, even when they think have covered their tracks. Her experience in this field is second to very few.
Silver Tongue: As the civilian version of herself she has the looks, the mind, and manners that can only be learned at the most prestigious of institutes or just social smarts. She is a people person and knows what to say and when to say it.
Puppetmaster: Nautica likes to control things behind the scenes, scratch that, she loves doing it. She hates messing her nails up more than she lets on and will do so when the situation calls for it, but believe me she will be hell on heels when she shows up.
Trump Card: Being prepared for anything means always having an ace up your sleeve. Nautica keeps several up her sleeve. It is better not to ask the how or why, just say thank you and be on your way.
Equipment:
Smart Phone(s):Nautica being a social butterfly always keeps her phone on her at all times. At times she feels the need to keep a secondary one on her to serve as Cyren's mobile tool for whatever she needs. Both phones are modified to not be traceable, but only her information broker phone is integrated with an operating system that allows it to access her network and track targets actively.
Encrypted Flash Drives: While hardly a cutting edge item she keeps a few on her at most times. One never knows when they might come in handy for uploading or downloading information.
.357 Magnum: A classic as far as stopping power goes. She has experience with the gun and fires accurately. She uses 125JHP ammunition. Although much of the time her intent is to disable an enemy, killing is an option if absolutely necessary.