Face always stolen from sight by his strange mask, he's the 'official leader' of Howling Sands.

Thermidor is noted to be highly charismatic, yet, in private, to have emotional distance to all of his underlings and peers. However, he has inspired massive loyalty from Howling Sands, none of his compatriots would dare betray him. His quarters are accessed by a special hallway in the third floor's barracks, with six doors inside, each having a different biometric key system. Has mentioned being very partial to fine cheeses.
Nothing else is completely concrete.

A repentant corporate Ace, nervous system damage and just plain combat injuries means she'll likely die in months. The right hand woman of Thermidor, when it comes to military action. Rough appearance:

Jeanne is noted to have had one of the most botched Neural Plug procedures in history, yet, her determination and pure stubbornness allowed her to survive. She was officially an 'Ace' before deciding to join Howling Sands. While Neural Plug degradation has completely removed the possibility of piloting an NCM, she still has a massive amount of experience. Fighting a simulated version of her is the final, hardest test in the HS base's combat simulation pods.

She's also trained each PC (coming from Howling Sands anyway) to the absolute best of her abilities, while you're all easily not at her level, you're all definitely proficient.

The only man in HS able to, and who procures, much needed supplies and NCM parts. Rough Appearance:


The black sheep of a prosperous, somewhat influential merchant family (which is able to theoretically have 'fair' competition against at most one of the smaller Ruling Companies), he's the most 'sociable' of the higher ups. He's quite obsessed with his looks, and will likely be fairly pissed if you ruin one of his expensive suits. However, he isn't one too hold grudges for too long, and is simply in HS to create a better world.

What used to be a DUMB for an unknown party before the war, (Deep Underground Military Base) It was recently discovered by Howling Sands after they 'liberated' a newly-found pre-war military database from a Ruling Company. A few more are around the world, and Howling Sands has hidden those as well, in case this one is found out. In the event it is, it's ready to blow at Neutons' discretion at any time. It has six launch rails that were originally meant for aircraft modified to fit NCM's, and enough storage space for twelve connected to it. It has all amenities you'd expect a military facility to have, and an on-site nuclear reactor, which HS had to spend a fair amount of resources to fix when they found it. While it's been a costly endeavour for HS the entire time, it's served them well through the years, and will likely serve them for many more.

Its' list of rooms include:

An extremely mysterious NC, is legendary even to the common individual in the Burrows. Its' origins, motives, and objectives are completely unknown. All that is certain is that it shows up to combat zones across the world, utterly destroys one side, and heavily damages the other. Each battle, it gets notably stronger...
Some say it's an evolving test NCM made by some pre-war government, which has turned into a near-literal living god. Others say it's sent from a distant, horrific future, erasing itself battle by battle to make sure it never needs to be necessary.

Whatever the case, it's the poster child of a well-designed NCM: at 25 meters tall, it's large, strong, fast, and whatever controls it is highly skilled. Its' 'wings' are its' main weapons, aside from propelling the unit at massive speeds and generating a powerful energy shield which makes it almost immune to energy weapons, they contain micro-missile launchers, and one gigantic energy cannon each. Its' arms can open up, revealing powerful machine guns in each arm, and its' elbow-blades are actually high-density plasma emitters, meant to be used as close combat weapons. It's unconfirmed, but its' also said it can morph into different modes...

The only remaining completely independent NC pilot in the world.




The only 100% independent NC pilot on Earth. All of the others have either been absorbed into the corporations, the last rebel group (Howling Sands), or have died. Being the ultimate independent, he's highly skilled. Some say, though, he's just very lucky. He's a quiet, simple man, yet... If anyone has talked to him for an extended period of time, he's more interesting then he looks. Few people know this, but he has a small family to support. He's also, fairly depressed and quite saddened about the current difficult duality of his life.

His current NCM setup is a high-speed brawler type, a medium weight with its' legs replaced by large thrusters, and with two automatic shotguns as main weapons. It has sensor-jamming devices mounted internally and anti-radar coating equipped, which, combined with its' advanced sensor suite, effectively means he'll see you before you see him.
NCM:

An unknown individual, he's a world-famous serial killer using knowledge gained from working on NCM pilots and related surgical procedures to cause as much pain and suffering from his victims. One of the least painful ways he does this is drugging people unconscious, then experimenting on their nervous system and how it interacts with massive amounts of electricity, effectively forcing his 'patients' to convulse themselves to death when they wake up. Some think he's just a story used to scare kids straight, but as more and more corpses are found around the world with their nervous systems fried...

Name: War Frame CVZ41-08b1 Custom Model 12 Mk.3SO "Phantom Zero"
Type: Bi-Pedal Medium-Light CQC Infiltrator Mech
Description:
Built for CQC and stealth, the Model 12 Mk. 3SO excels at cutting down anything foolish enough to stand in front of it. A speed-class mecha, it can easily dodge attacks and is incredibly agile (by a mecha's standards any ways). However, due to this lightness, it has very weak armor, relying on the shields and the pilot's skill more to survive instead of just tanking rounds and blows.

After being captured, it was given a new super charged power source using Actinium as a power source and various motor upgrades, making it even faster. At a personal request, it was also given extra composite allow armor so shield wouldn't be as relied on. With the additions of jump thrusters in the feet and shoulders, its mobility was further increased but it lacks the ability to fully fly

Weapons:
- 2 x Type 303 "Blades of Hope" High Frequency Energy Edges - Using a blade of high-frequency oscillating particles that can cut at a subatomic level, these swords can cut through nearly anything, even energy shields can hold off the inevitable for so long against these deadly swords
- 1 x Back-mounted "Black Orchestra" Missile Pod - A small pod containing roughly two dozen 50mm missiles, it gets its name from the sound its delayed firing system creates as it staggers the missiles, creating a sound close to an orchestra.

Equipment:
- M3G2-01 "Hellbender" Thermal Harmonic Heat Claw - The Phantom Zero's right hand weapon, it can emit a very strong microwave radiation capable of frying electronics and warping metal, even setting things on fire depending on how long its held and what its made of.
- T2-25 Stealth Mute Driver - While not a true stealth drive in the way that it turns the mech invisible, it makes it invisible to radar, useful for getting the jump on people
- 5th Generation Nordenheimer Resonator Drive - Main energy source for the Phantom Zero, uses an Actinium core and provides good power for its size. Due to some battle damage, it overloads if used above 90% and can also cause de-syncs at that point too.
- RZ0.45.BO2L Projected Wire Anchors G-Series - A pair of rocket propelled anchors located near the waist, they shoot out at high speed and are often used as a discretion in battles, sneaking in extra hits or preventing movements. Alternatively they can be used in a manner similar to grappling hooks.
- Tokorovz Model 19-V MPIA - Standing for "Multi-use Phased Identification Array", the Model 19-V is the primary radar system of Phantom Zero, it overlays thermal, night vision, and electric signatures to identify and find other vehicles.

Name: Edoric Thatch
Alias: Edo, Knight of Zero
Age: 19
Theme: sweetARMS - Blade of Hope

Personality:
Edoric is a fairly reserved guy, being a former child soldier and having killed dozens with your own hands at six doesn't exactly make you a very positive and happy person. All he cares about is finishing whatever mission is at had and getting the job done no matter the loses since that was the way he was trained to think. He sees everyones as pawns in a some great game, including himself. When in the presence of others, he acts very professionally to the point you'd think he was the son of a CEO or a general.

Weapon:

Name: MSNE-94 P500-Series Custom Energy Rig "Himiko"
Type: Tripodal Medium-Heavy Long Range Support Mech
Description:
Originally an Ironhide Dev. mining walker meant to cut through tough rock with a laser, the MSNE-94 has undergone significant changes to become a military support NCM. Its main laser has been given an upgrade to an ArOs Productions Type 4-CZ2 FP-2A (Focused Plasma Acceleration Array), a plasma beam which is deadly against large objects while still being very precise.

Being a civilian model, it has very little armor so additional armor plates where added to bulk it up. Its also omni-dirctional meaning it its body can do a full 360 degree rotation (what the legs perceive as "forwards" is whatever direction the body is facing) and its feet have magnetic drills allowing it to climb up most walls.

Weapons:
- 1 x Type 4-CZ2 FP-2A - Main weapon of the Himiko, it is a long range plasma beam cannon which can easily take out buildings and armor. Its beam will last for a continous 3 seconds with a six second cool down but can fire "bolts" like a semi automatic rifle which doesn't require a cool down nor as much power.
- 2 x MG43K-Z4.1 Auto Cannons - Secondary weapon of the Himiko which is often used against infantry threats. It high fire rate also makes it ideal for take down shields and grants the NCM limited amounts of AA capabilities.

Equipment:
Ironhide Civilian Cockpit Model 00-K3 - A cockpit style unique to Ironhide's civilian lines, the 00-K3 isn't a seat or any of the sort but more of a motorcycle-style. Its markets as one of the most comfortable cockpits ever created and so far Chiyome hasn't complained.
Amaburi MGD Model 14g3 - Standing for "Magnetic Grip Drills", the MGD is what gives the Himiko is special ability to walk on vertical surfaces, both metallic and non-metalic. Its many tiny drills allow the NCM enough traction to walk on walls and can dig in for firing.
Nördstrum Yggdrasil Energy Drive - Capible of producing the massive amounts of energy needed, the Yggdrasil ED uses Thorium in an unique way that allows it to derive huge amounts of energy from it.
- Tokorovz Model 19-V MPIA - Standing for "Multi-use Phased Identification Array", the Model 19-V is the primary radar system of Himiko, it overlays thermal, night vision, and electric signatures to identify and find targets.

Name: Chiyome Lelou
Alias: Chi-Chan, Smiling Demon
Age: 16
Theme: Senbonzakura ICMB Remix

Personality: Hyper active and peppy, Reina is a hapy-go-lucky girl with a smile on her face and a talent for piloting. She often plays the part of the "cute little sister" as she is rather short for her age (looking like she's 13) and has a whole slew of cute movements to supplement that notion. She almost always keeps her smile on, even as she's killing and fighting, giving her the nickname of "Smiling Demon" and shows a tiny sadistic streak in fights. Other wise, she's a just a peppy, ditzy little girl on base, cheerfully wondering around and trying to get extra cookies.

Outside of the normal implants needed to pilot a NCM, she also has motorized leg joints and nano-fiber enhanced leg muscles making her extremely agile on foot. She also has an Inertia Reducer that makes her less likely to get nausea and loose her balance, useful when she's bouncing around either on foot or in her NCM

AA&T Is always at the forefront of Explosives and Reactor technology. Their NC's are noted for their heavy armor, massive power outputs, rugged designs, and superb missile computation. Their NCM colors are brown, with blue lights. They use their NCM's as highly effective shock troops, artillery platforms, and base defence units. Their leader has a massive grudge with Serbia Dynamics. Have complete ownership of Denver and New York burrow, fighting SAU over Austin Burrow. NCM Squads named after ancient weapons manufacturers.

A customized AAT-NCM037G, AA&T's most famous and, commonly stated, well-rounded NCM model. The first production run produced one hundred and fifty, making it the most prolific NCM model at this time. Fortunately, (for Howling Sands), many of these are currently in storage waiting for their pilots. It features thick armor, superb missile compatability, and decent maneuverability with the stock turbojets for something so heavy.
This one has been modified by its' pilot for additional knee armor, and a flashy yellow paintjob. It features two 'AAM-98' model missile pods on the back, which are suited for anti NCM work.

Notable AA&T NCM Squadrons:

A group of small corporations, they're world renowned for their superbly stable NCM parts, to the point that an NCM using SAU parts is said to be able to have half of its' body missing, and fight just as effectively. Currently fighting AA&T over Austin Burrow. Their NCM colors are Sand-yellow with black highlights. Their NCM squads are noted for stability, speed, and a love of jamming devices. Squads named after types of snakes.

An example of a Cobra Squadron NCM

Located in Canada and Alaska, Ironhide Dev. is well known for using political favors and economical sway to meet its goals. Its NCM parts are the most fuel efficent and versitile in the world, able to preform many tasks with just one module. Their equipment is also well suited for colder climates but not to the point of Coldiron. Their most famous NCM model is actually more of a utility unit called the Sentinel. It's not armored enough to be an assault mech, nor mobile or sensitive enough to be a scouter, yet its' spacious internal equipment bays allow it to be a very good support unit over-all, and it can fit any niche well enough with the right modifications. Standard colors are orange and white.

Owning central and south africa, the S-N Corp doesn't make anything worth running home about, using decent, if not stellar equipment in any one area. However, they control a large chunk of the world's remaining rare earth elements that needed for the creation of NCMs and have profited greatly from selling the minerals. Their colors are light brown and red with bits of silver. Interestingly, the unique mercenary, Raymond Alexander, often takes missions from these fellows. Noted to not particularly hate Howling Sands, but they're definitely not allies.

A middle eastern-based company with its roots in Istanbul, their most important facilities are located in North Africa at this time. they put major emphasis on heavy weapons and heavy armor. Thus they have created great engines/power drives and are famed for the best internal structural supports for everything from buildings to NCMs to vehicles. Their iconic NCM is the Berber, an unusual tripedal NCM which is able to field as many siege weapons as an artillery tank company, and is generally much more accurate then one, due to impressive recoil dampening systems. The colors they wear are white and purple with a hint of red or gold, usually.

BDS is the only ruling company of what used to be Germany, and is one of the smallest ruling companies in existence. They only control a single, tiny burrow in Berlin, the others in the area were some of the worst hit locations in the cataclysm, for reasons unknown. Their NCM pilots, however, are the absolute best in the world to compensate for their rarity and relatively 'generic' quality of NCM parts. Their top-ace, Nietzche is one of the oldest NC pilots still alive at 46, it's utterly unknown how he's survived to this point, but hardcore cybernetics is not out of the question. Their NCM's are black and grey, and commonly use non-BDS parts, due to BDS simply not having the relevant materials and infrastructure to create their own lines of parts. Their Neural Computers are easily the best in the world however, they're fast and compatible enough for even the least suitable pilots to have synchronization rates of at least 70%

BDS is, miraculously, actually led by a council of sorts, and their actual 'serf population' benefits from decent enough rights, considering the circumstances. While they're the 'least horrible' of the corporations, they're sadly simply too small at this time to survive, not being able to bounce back from what losses they do suffer fast enough. Every day, is a sad day in the BDS, but they hold onto hope in the face of this darkness.

Controlling what used to be Russia and China, Volkov is easily the largest of the Ruling Companies. They have a gigantic amount of conventional weapons, and seem to have a distrust of the NCM concept utterly. What few NCM's they allow in their militaries are generally geared to aerial domination, which fits in perfectly with their existing love of giant multi-purpose airships, and having massive air fleets in general. Their colors are gray and red.

Pictured is one of their 'Hresvelgr' class flying fortress type airships, each having a wingspan of up to 600 meters. Three of those monstrosities are operational, and they use thermal turbojets (the same propulsion system as NCM's) to reduce the need for on board fuel, saving weight for weapons systems and hangar bays. It's commonly said each is able to take on the entire military staff of a burrow, and win.

Their only notable NCM pilot is one 'Vladimir Lyadov', who is generally thought to be serving completely against his will.


Volkov is led entirely by one man, who rules with an iron fist and with a heavy hand.

Another Ruling Company on Eurasia, based in Belgrade Burrow, they're effectively the equal, yet opposite of Volkov, being small, and filling the niche of extreme land warfare specialization. They developed the concept of the 'Sand Crawler', effectively, utterly massive trains built with NCM grade hover technologies to hover above the dunes. Fitted with battleship grade armor and firepower, they're the only things that could be called 'conventional', and could realistically take on multiple NCM's and survive. With support, possibly even win. They've made massive amounts of money selling the concept and test data to other companies, yet haven't done much with it yet. Colors are black and red.

The original test Sand Crawler, codenamed 'War-Track'. Still operating today, defending their borders with its' massive amounts of weaponry.

The TTC is based in what is left of Korea and Japan. While it is a small ruling company, it excels at nano-technology with many of its creations able to transform or alter themselves in some way. They have a number of special creations to help their cause such as the Geass Perpetual Motion Drive, Projected Wire Anchors and High Frequency weaponry. Their equipment often runs with black and gold colors with a light grey being thrown in sometimes.

A 'Tai 18' prototype transforming NCM. Toyomomi has been experimenting with the concept for a few months now, and has very recently been public about it. While the transformation systems would make an NCM more fragile, the tactical flexibility and improved aerodynamics of a jet mode could be a great boon. TTC does plan to roll out the first production models very soon.

Strangely, they're noted for an extremely high fraction of female pilots, thirty-two of their forty NCM pilots being female.

A ruling company based on the remains of a largely untouched Australia, their hovercraft and low altitude flight abilities are second to none. ArOs vehicles are incredibly flexible in their uses since they aren't bothered by things such as rough terrain. Weapon wise, they enjoy the idea of using focused beams of energies and solar power. They have rapidly expanded into the rest of Oceania and Polynesia and are pushing on Asian companies. Their colors are shades of tan, biege and brown.

At the forefront of NCM development, the BUA have the most NCM units active of any company on the world. They have a large stake in almost every corner of the globe, with most companies somehow tying back to them in some form. Being at the head of the NCM game, they naturally have the most advanced models and their newest, called the MO-Z44 Mk. VIII Lancelot Modle Sabre (Which is still being developed) has highly advanced technology behind it. In many cases surpassing pre-war NCM designs.

Its most notable ability is that its generator is able to produce newly discovered SANM particles, which can be manipulated for various purposes. For example, the VIII could create a 'blanket' of SANM particles below it to hover in mid air for long periods of time. Their colors are white, red and a touch of gold, blue or green depending on where its made (gold for England, Blue for Ireland, Green for Scotland)


Recently, there have been reports of a strange new weapon that's similarly designed to BUA NCM's attacking Volkov. Only a single photograph exists of this extremely unusual craft, which is commonly thought to be a hoax or propaganda by Volkov to stir up resentment of BUA in their populations and military.

In any case, BUA has reported that their top test pilot, 'Arthur', has been missing... is there a connection?

Coldiron is located in what was the southern polar ice caps back before the war. Unlike many other companies, they use giant ships and large rigs as factories and buildings as there is very little space to actually build on land since much of the ice has melted. They comb and mine the ocean floor for resources which has resulted in their NCMs and sea-borne vehicles to be very resistance to pressure and sometimes some of the most armored of any other company. Their NCMs are incredibly effective in otherwise hazardous environments and many of their technologies are well suited for aircraft as its built to with stand high pressure and freezing cold temperatures. Their colors tend to be white and shades of blue and lighter blues.

An example of one of their NCM's, a CI7 Arctic Defense Type.

Appearance:+The surgery required to pilot a NC

Age: 17
Name: Shinon
Nicknames: The Red Baron
Personality: Shinon is very friendly and cheerful all the time. He cracks jokes and tries to make everybody feel welcome. He is rather trusting nearly to the point of naivety except for when in combat. Shinon is very tenacious and in combat acts ruthlessly.
Theme Song:

Appearance:
Name: X9Y9Z9Diamond44 "Dire Wolf"

Body Type: Superlight Hunter Class

Description: Dire Wolf is a NC specifically designed to hunt down other NCs. Its speed outmatches nearly any other NC in existence because it only has two weapons and no flight capabilities. The Dire Wolf moves with devastating quickness and either shoots on the run if necessary or sets up in "siege mode" for more accuracy and less self damaging shots. All four legs clamp down onto the ground securing the Dire Wolf's position and transferring the recoil into the ground. If an opposing NC gets to close then Dire Wolf will attempt to "hug" the target allowing for the Mauler to deliver an instantly fatal blow.

Weapons:
Mouth Weapon-Z999A9 AWM- An insanely high powered sniper rifle that fires out of the mouth, it can rip through practically anything. If Dire Wolf isn't in siege mode the recoil causes damage to the system allowing for a maximum of one shot.
Chest Weapon-Mauler: The Mauler is a massive piston integrated into the NC's chest area, much like her sniper rifle once Mauler is in range it can smash through practically anything.

Name: Jeremiah Michell
Gender: Male
Age: about 24
NCM: none(no implants)
Theme: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBptq1xI7v0
Look: I'll probably go with http://steinsgate.tv/character/images/img_okabe.jpg (ignore the text in the image)
Misc:

NCM Appearance:


NCM Description: Originally an older scrapped prototype variant of the AAT-NCM037G by AA&T, Bahl is customized heavily to be fielded as a lighter variant to deliver precise surgical attacks while providing the same utility as a shock troop, artillery platform, and base defence unit, just like its predecessor. In general, it is designed to be a multi-role unit which was deemed by many a little too troublesome to handle - in the sense that it lacked armor as a shock troop, firepower and weight limitations as an artillery platform and speed as a surgical strike unit. Though, Nine seems to show a special competence in the handling of such a lacking machine.

Trivia: As a joke by the servicemen of Howling Sands since the Bahl was extremely slow for its weight-class, they painted it red - following the popular myth that it would move 3 times faster. But when Nine assumed the position as Bahl's pilot, the NCM's top speed did somehow increase - perhaps not by 3 times, but it was noticeably so.

NCM Body Type: Biped

NCM Weight Class: Medium

NCM Weapons:
Right Arm: WG-XP2000 mass manufactured Pulse Rifle, a long range semi-auto energy rifle. Has an option to change firemodes to a 5-round burst for close-combat. 250 rounds.

Left Arm: LS-2001 mass manufactured Laser Blade, an infinitely reusable laser blade primarily used in close-combat.

Shoulder Left: WC-GN230 Grenade Launcher, a folding heavy back unit that mows down enemies in a firestorm. Requires NCM to setup into position to fire accurately in order to dampen the recoil. 8 rounds.

Shoulder Right: WM-S40/2 Small Missile Launcher, shoots a maximum lock of 2 guided rockets equipped with warheads that track their targets and explode upon impact with a solid object. 40 rounds.

NCM Equipment:
Sensor: HD-X1487 array unit, built into the head. It provides a full range of sensors and noise canceler that supports the camera feeds directed to the pilot. However, it does not have radar functionality.

Generator: GBG-10000, a high powered generator that boasts to have one of the highest energy output in the market coupled by a low Redzone.

Fire Control System: TRYX-QUAD, allows the NCM a maximum of 6 lock-on targets with a wide horizontal sight, fit for those engaging in medium-close quarters.

Booster: B-VR-33 primary booster, the standard booster used to achieve temporary flight and higher traversing speeds as opposed to walking.

Name: Subject-9
Alias: Nine
Age: 16
Theme: Alchemist With a Wavering Heart

Personality & Short Bio:
Enigmatic and aloof, Nine was a survivor of a child-experimentation program that harnesses the yet underdeveloped growth of the adolescent human brain. The goal of the program was to engineer child-soldiers that were able to adapt to higher stress-levels induced by excessive NCM implants. As such, she has lost the capability to portray emotions. She frequently speaks in a way which makes little sense to other people and doesn't finish her thoughts.

Considered by her supervisors as one of the least promising subjects, she was eventually liberated by Howling Sands agents, hoping to incorporate the Ruling Company's own weapons against them.