Round 2: Fox
Name:
Nicholas Norstrom
Title:
Nich, Nic, Nico
Age:
27
Gender:
Male
Appearance ArmorWeapons:
Pistol x2 Superheated Katana Shaped Charges x4
Miscellaneous items:
Ballcap Radio
Dogtags
Binoculars
Biography:
Born to a simple cyber-merchant family, Nico has been around technology for about as long as he'd been alive. Tinkering with different mechanisms and gizmos, the innermost workings of a machine became almost second nature to the boy. It was this prodigious talent that his father had come to nurture, often taking the boy to his shop so he could better hone and temper the skills of his offspring. By the time the boy turned 10, he was a sought after craftsman by the local people, able to fix and create things others deemed impossible at the time.
Being so focused on his skills, didn’t leave Nic a lot of time to converse with kids his age, often sitting and overhearing stories from the different tradesmen and vagabonds that had been passing through. It wasn’t long before the child felt lonely, but his attempts to connect with those his age were often met with blank stares and ridicule. He was wise beyond his years, seeming almost alien to those he now reluctantly called his ‘peers’, but that didn’t stop him yearning for social connection. As such, Faris was born.
Faris, a very simple automaton, was merely meant to be a plaything for the child of his own design. Though highly unremarkable when dormant, Faris sprung to life at a moment’s notice, retrieving small tools and effects at his creators request. Secretly, he confided in this little machine more than any living thing, seeing it as his only true friend out of all the world.
As Nicholas grew older, he couldn’t help but notice that things were changing around him. His father seemed a bit more on edge, and a sudden influx of unsavory customers had begun making trips to the shop. Nic didn’t really mind it all that much, until his father forbade him from coming into the shop anymore. This was a heavy blow to the boy, one that he would not accept lying down. Machines were his life! How dare his father try to take his only joy in the world from him? So Nicholas began plotting, trying to devise a way that he could sneak into his father’s shop undetected. It was with this idea that he began retrofitting Faris, placing recording hardware and crafting an interface of which to receive information from his newly re-purposed contraption. One night, he decided it was his time to act, and with that, the boy made his way back to his father’s shop.
It wasn’t odd for Nic’s father to spend extra time at the shop, but tonight was odd even for him. It had been well over a few hours, and part of the reason Nic snuck out that night versus waiting any longer. As he crept up behind the shop, an uneasy feeling settled over him. There was a series of loud noises coming from the shop, but this wasn’t the wielding and hammering he had become accustomed to… No, this was much more chaotic. Commanding Faris to scout out the building, the boy ducked against the back wall of the building, slipping inside the door that his father always kept unlocked.
What the boy saw next stunned him, a bloody and beaten man strewn about the floor as a gang of men stood above him, some with blood still fresh on their knuckles. Though he couldn’t get a clear view, he was sure Faris was now in position to see what was going on. Triggering the hud for his machination, the images that were present to the machine would become present to his master… But why was Faris watching him? As the boy began to ponder why his machine was observing him, a harrowing voice rang out from behind him.
“It’s not polite to eavesdrop, kid!” Shaken, Nicholas attempted to turn himself towards the source of the sound, only to feel himself shoved forward to the floor. Even before looking up, he knew all eyes were upon him, “This kid’s snoopin‘ around boss. Want a round in him?”
Looking up from his prone position, Nic’s eyes began to scan the room. Though much remained clouded, the fear distorting his sight, one image was perfectly clear… The body on the floor? His father’s.
“Dad!” the boy pushed himself up from the floor, attempting to rush to his father’s side. He wouldn’t make it very far, as he was pushed down again.
“Nico…” Was all the battered man could utter in reply, reaching out for his boy before one of the men kicked his arm away, causing a heavy groan from the man.
“So, this is your boy, Marcus? I’ve heard so much about him,” A well-dressed figure spoke from the front doorway. It was clear that this was the leader of the group before the boy, his flesh littered with tattoos and piercings that seemed almost as outlandish as his clothes. Still, his mere presence provoked fear in the boy as the man began to make his way towards him.
“Tell me,” the man spoke again, placing himself merely a foot from the boy, “is that little contraption yours?” As Nic matched his gaze, he would realize he was talking about Faris. Hesitant at first, the boy nodded. “I see… And where did you get such a thing, hmm?”
“I- I made it…” Nic whispered inaudibly, before hanging his head. A heavy hand snapped to his chin and forced his head to raise, forced to match his assailants gaze once more.
“Come again?” The man spoke once more, his entire form clouded in a stench of liquor and smoke.
“I made it!” the boy replied, practically shouting in panic.
An odd silence fell over the room as his head was released, the leader turning his back on the boy and directed his attention to his father. After what seemed like an eternity of silence, the man spoke again, “I think this will settle your debts... For now.”
And with that, the boy was knocked unconscious; the last thing he heard was the sound of his father’s protest.
And so the boy would work as a captive for the bandits for many years, patching up their equipment and repairing their machines. Very rarely was he given time to himself to actually enjoy his work, relying on Faris to keep his sanity intact and provide him a symbol of what he longed for. Over time, his despair turned to rage, and fueled his desire to escape. Spending so much time around the bandit’s weapons, he began remembering their schematics and sneaking parts away to replicate them. But that wasn’t enough… He knew as he was, he’d merely get himself killed the moment he stepped out of line, but something had to be done. As time went by, Nich feared he would never get the chance to truly be free, and be doomed to a life of slavery.
Yet, out of his darkness, a glimmer of hope emerged. After a raid, the bandit’s returned to the base with their spoils, all too eager to boast and brag about their new trophies. However, one piece stood out. At first glance, it seemed to be nothing more than a tattered recon suit. To the uninitiated, it was merely a worthless piece of scrap, but to Nicholas… This was his moment. Without fail, his captives tossed their ill-gotten wears on the man for repairs, and with this, he began his work. It took the better part of a year and with it several more bruises and scars, but the armor was finally ready. It enhanced the wearers agility and speed, all while bolstering as little bulk as possible. With this, Nich may actually have a fighting chance. Using Faris, he began surveying the compound, keeping track of patrol routines and guard rotations.
With all the information he could obtain analyzed and processed, Nicholas made his move. With armor and weapons dawned, he snuck his way out of his cell and about the compound. He did well not to draw attention, his movements spurred on by a mixture of fear and purpose… But it wouldn’t be long before the bandits noticed his absence and raised the alarms. Luckily, he had managed to rig explosives to several of the vehicles before making his escape in his own, casting a short glance behind him as the bombs ignited in a glorious burst of flame.
Now free to do as he wished, Nicholas went about searching for his family, only to discover they had packed up and moved on. Some said it was to escape the bastards that had been harassing them for protection; others said it was to escape a tragic memory. No one knew the truth of what had happened, but Nicholas knew this… He was on his own once more. Since his discovery, he’d begin traveling about the world, looking for a purpose for him and his machinations.
For awhile, he merely took odd jobs that others overlooked. Smuggling, demolition work, maintence, or crafting custom gear and machines, all of which he had done in the 3 year span he was alone. However, there was never a day where he didn't look back over his shoulder at least once. Though free from his captors, the fear they had instilled in him was still relevant. Though a freeman in body, he was a slave in mind. Try as he might, he was never able to convince himself that he was truly free... Until the Sky Pirates of the Crimson Dusicyon gave him that chance. With an opportunity to make name for himself and banish his innate fears, Nicholas signed on as a mechanic for the vessel. With Faris at his side, the young man stands ready to face whatever adversity comes his way.
Extra:
Considered a mechanical genius.
Values his machines as if they were people
Standoffish and cynical
Has a soft spot for Faris (his robotic companion shown in picture)
Doesn’t speak on his past
Novice in combat, yet excels in stealth
