Francois “Fran” Beauchamp

27

Viewed from a distance, Fran would not stand out in a crowd. His build is best described as 'average' insofar as his otherwise stocky frame is underdeveloped from years of childhood malnutrition; the genes of a champion weightlifter squandered by crushing poverty. His face is not objectionable, but usually unkempt. Blue eyes set deep into a rounded face stare warmly out from a complexion speckled with wispy facial hair.

A closer look at Fran's features, however, reveals two abnormalities worth comment. The first is that his lower left arm and hand has been replaced by a rough and poor quality prosthetic, which though functional might as well have been bought from a bargain bin at a 'Moon-atronics' superstore. Fran has made a number of modifications to the prosthetic that has increased its use to him, but it doesn't make it any less of an eyesore. Secondly, there is substantial surgical scarring on Fran's left torso and the left side of his chest is oddly sunken; a viewer might watch it anxiously, waiting for an intake of breath that never comes. This is due to Fran's loss of ~80% of the use of his left lung in a childhood accident.

In almost every facet of Fran's dress, function is prized over form. He keeps his clothes baggy enough for easy mobility, and values pockets into which a variety of useful tools can be kept. Plaid flannel is preferred, usually in subdued and muted colours to conceal inevitable bloodstains. Finally, Fran almost always wears a half-face respirator and carries a number of particulate filter replacements with him at all times.

Empathetic: Fran cannot help but feel powerful emotional connections to the struggles of those he encounters. This provides him with the ability to critically reflect on the consequences of his behaviour where others might not, but can cripple him with indecision when forced to make a choice between two bad outcomes. This is not to suggest he is incapable of tough choices, but that the self-inflicted guilt from those decisions weighs on his heart like an anchor-chain. As a product of the slums and having spent years practicing medicine in the very same, the chain is heavy indeed.

No Time to Waste: When faced with a challenge or an obstacle, Fran is not a fan of extensive planning. He identifies the most likely course of action, prepares accordingly, and then begins. This “use it or lose it” view of time has been drilled into him by years of watching rare opportunities slip out of his hands at the last moment, as well as by the regular serious injuries and trauma that Fran has attempted to care for on a daily basis for years. It tears him apart to do so (see his empathetic way of being), but Fran will sacrifice some accuracy in his medical decisions in exchange for fitting in a few more patients that might not have seen a health professional otherwise.

Wayward Idealist: Fran has an ache in his heart that tells him that power is currently distributed between the classes is wrong, but he stares up at the colossus that are the powers that be and sees no way to challenge them. This despair contributes heavily to his existential listlessness; as such he focuses on the things he can control. Medicine. Wounds. Disease. Family. Food. Sleep. Rinse and repeat. Still, there are some nights when he looks upon the stars and feels the gnawing emptiness...

Fran was born in the sprawling slums of the now tropical resort city of Marseille, 2423 CE. Some things never change, and the constant parade of rich tourists next to abject squalor cultivated an environment of rampant theft and crime. As such, Fran's childhood was full of the kinds of torments and trials that do not need to be mentioned by name. What saved him from being stuck forever in this cycle of poverty was his aptitude for schooling and several lucky breaks that let him informally attend paramedic classes and eventually secure employment as a trauma medic at a parade of inner city clinics. His income was still meagre, but it was better than nothing. Almost all went back to his parents and siblings, attempting to keep them fed.

Two particular things, however, are important to mention from his childhood. The first was when he lost his lower arm when caught thieving food as a young teenager; the men who caught him stomped on his arm until it was shattered in three places. The family could not afford medical care and the wound festered, so it was amputated to save his life. The second was what led to his constant respirator use – years spent living and foraging in toxic and acidic water and waste. All it took was one mistake, inhaling over an open canister of hydrochloric acid when Fran should have kept holding his breath, and the damage to his lungs was irreparable. Luckily, as he was now an employee of the health authority, his medical expenses and reconstructive were covered... in return for years of service paying off his debts. It has only been recently that Fran has managed to escape that dole and looked to the stars as a way of providing for his kin.

Trauma Medicine: Fran is certainly not a full-on surgeon or doctor, but he has learned enough to stabilize patients and provide the rudiments of long-term care if need be. The nature of his previously served population has led to a broad but not necessarily deep knowledge of medical conditions and treatments. Fran always carries with him a selection of medical supplies such as sealing glue for deep cuts, sterilization pastes, localized anesthetics, and clean syringes with a selection of powerful antibiotics.

Streetsmarts: Fran knows his way around busy places, and is comfortable with acquiring information (and sometimes items) that in less than legal ways. He is also quick to pick up on signals, symbols, and sounds that are out of place, and knows how to make himself scarce in a hurry.

Unconventional: When it comes to a fight, while Fran's reduced lung capacity and stunted frame do not give him staying power, he is adept at ending fights quickly through the element of surprise and by using dirty tricks. He secrets away both a ceramic hunting knife and a few loaded syringes in his prosthetic arm, and is usually not found without a small sidearm of some kind somewhere on his body. Fran does not go for flashy, he goes for brutally effective; he doesn't have the endurance of anything else.

Damaged Respiration and Smell: The very same accident that damaged his lungs also destroyed Fran's sense of smell. Both limit Fran in different ways. Fran is severely limited in his endurance – while he is not an invalid, climbing a few flights of stairs can make him winded. Furthermore, the linings of his lungs are thin and very susceptible to foreign particulates common in the polluted air of Terra and many colonies. As such, he must use a respirator and particulate mask to both filter air and provide enough pure oxygen to enable him to engage in physical activity. Without the mask, he is essentially immobile and at risk of lung collapse.

Empathetic: As noted above, Fran has regular internal debates that can cause him to hesitate at critical moments. In short, he is a sucker for a sympathetic opponent. Even when he knows what he must do, it does not stop him from constantly wondering if there is another way...

Uncultured: A poor and rough background does not a subtle and tactful negotiator make. Fran can be blunt, though not unkind, and when he talks about issues he usually does not take the time to ensure his word choice is precise enough to avoid misunderstanding. This can easily land him on the wrong side of authority figures who find him abrasive, or worse, downright offensive.