Name: Helene Mauss
Age: 30
Nationality: Germany
Base of Operations: Europe
Bio:
If asked about her life or service before XCOM Mauss will typically reply along the lines of "I don't see the relevance of the question. Read my record if you want to know."
What her record would tell is she was born to a wealthy, notable family to Sigmund and Katrin Mauss descended from German nobility. Her father is the current CEO of Mauss Armanments, a well-known weapons manufacturer at the cutting edge of their industry. The German military currently employs a wide range of Mauss products producing a steady profit for the family.
Helene was fortunate to have quite the extensive education thanks to this wealth however she consistently found herself bored with most subjects presented to her, not out of dis-interest but because they were too easy. She was quickly deemed a prodigy by many of her instructors and advanced by two grade-levels to compensate for her advanced learning abilities. One of her favorite hobbies she acquired was Chess, a game she would play with her father whenever he was home like a ritual. After only a few months of practice, she never lost a single game against him except for occasions in which she would let him win so he wouldn't quit their tradition.
Those early games of chess created a deep obsession with large-scale planning and strategy, and so she began playing any strategy games she could get her hands on. The thrill of completely outmaneuvering and devastating your enemy in one calculated strike brought her the greatest delight which no amount of money could buy. Her siblings refuse to play any type of game that isn't random chance with due to her ability to figure out the optimum strategy for playing and even then, they would complain she cheated at random chance as well.
The rapid pace at which her mind matured left a gap between those of a similar age and thus she had very few friends during her time in high school. This left plenty of time for her to pursue her other passion, martial arts. Helene was a firm believer than in order to have a sharper mind she needed to train her body as well, her intelligence and serious attitude quickly rose her through the ranks. By the time she graduated high-school, she was already a black-belt.
Her ears were filled day in and day out of all these grand designs and dreams her parents held for her, to the point she finally was fed up with others trying to control her life. The choice to join the army was one made by her own hand and of her own desires. Helene had no trouble climbing to the top of her training class and never lost a mock battle when she was squad leader. Those who admired her gave her the nickname 'The Iron Maiden' for her harsh attitude and fierce presence on the battlefield. She was enlisted in 10th Armored division after her training was complete leading her own squad.
In all the missions she would go on, there was never a single casualty in her squad. In personal combat, Helene preferred to be the first one breaching building and clearing rooms. After a few years of experience, she put in a request for screening to become part of the KSK, or Special Forces Command, to further her pursuit for the ultimate tactical challenge. She declined many offers for an cushier officer position stating that she prefers to lead troops on the field than in a safe tent.
The first part of the training was nothing compared to the endurance section that was to come. Helene not only thrived under the conditions presented by her but finished in the top percent of her group and earned a special accommodation. She was assigned leader of a tactical assault team who would later become the most decorated operating unit in the KSK, with Mauss intent on keeping her clean record of no deaths.
Nothing lasts forever however as Helene was to find out during an escort mission of a high-ranking military general. The entire day Mauss had a deeply unsettling feeling in her gut which she expressed to the general half-way to their destination who dismissed her feelings say he "Had nothing to fear with your team around.". That was right before green flashes of energy spewed from a tree-line they were passing through and the lead car burst into flames and molten metal. She had just suffered her first causalities and it happened in a matter of seconds. The sounds of crackling plasma and smell of burning flesh have never left her mind since that day, it was a recurring nightmare for her. Shots came from all sides and for the first time in her life she felt out-played, just when she was prepared to die alongside the rest of her comrades a unknown jet dropped off reinforcements as the aliens moved in for the VIP. As she struggled to hold the line, she could hear the inhuman screams of their attackers as the unknown squad carved their way through the aliens. By the time they got there, she and the general were the only ones not seriously injured. She practically demanded that XCOM take her to which they didn't refuse.
Those of her team would suffered only injuries recovered but she was no longer their leader. For the first time in awhile, Helene found herself not in charge of her own squad and instead part of the Vanguard unit, Night Owls, as a point-guard. She found herself grow quite attached seeing she was not leading them, a change of perspective she appreciated. She is the only survivor of the Night Owls from the Battle of Berlin, known as Operation Swift Strike, the most costly operation in XCOM history. She currently lead the most elite XCOM squad, the Grim Crows, made up those survivors from that mission. Each member is willing to do whatever it takes to ensure humanity's victory.
Class: Assault
Squad: Grim Crows
Rank: Captain
Personality:
Helene is very strict on herself and, as a result, is strict on her squad. She is the first one to admit that mistakes can happen to the best of us, but she demands that you work to fix them. Her outlook on the alien invasion is one filtered with a hidden hatred, and takes enjoyment in knowing XCOM does not have to show mercy to the aliens. Somehow always two steps ahead of her opponents, she takes on sort of a mentor role with newer operatives.
Strengths:
Tactical Genius - Able to come with an effective strategy no matter the circumstances
Expert in urban warfare
Expert Agility - Intense training and control over her body allows for better maneuverability and acrobatics in combat
Perfect Memory - Remembers everyday events in perfect detail
Weaknesses:
Emotionally Scarred - Trauma from the battle of Berlin has left her near-emotionless
Grudge - A burning hatred for the aliens can cause her to perform reckless actions
Psionic Potentil: Yes
Age: 30
Nationality: Germany
Base of Operations: Europe
Bio:
If asked about her life or service before XCOM Mauss will typically reply along the lines of "I don't see the relevance of the question. Read my record if you want to know."
What her record would tell is she was born to a wealthy, notable family to Sigmund and Katrin Mauss descended from German nobility. Her father is the current CEO of Mauss Armanments, a well-known weapons manufacturer at the cutting edge of their industry. The German military currently employs a wide range of Mauss products producing a steady profit for the family.
Helene was fortunate to have quite the extensive education thanks to this wealth however she consistently found herself bored with most subjects presented to her, not out of dis-interest but because they were too easy. She was quickly deemed a prodigy by many of her instructors and advanced by two grade-levels to compensate for her advanced learning abilities. One of her favorite hobbies she acquired was Chess, a game she would play with her father whenever he was home like a ritual. After only a few months of practice, she never lost a single game against him except for occasions in which she would let him win so he wouldn't quit their tradition.
Those early games of chess created a deep obsession with large-scale planning and strategy, and so she began playing any strategy games she could get her hands on. The thrill of completely outmaneuvering and devastating your enemy in one calculated strike brought her the greatest delight which no amount of money could buy. Her siblings refuse to play any type of game that isn't random chance with due to her ability to figure out the optimum strategy for playing and even then, they would complain she cheated at random chance as well.
The rapid pace at which her mind matured left a gap between those of a similar age and thus she had very few friends during her time in high school. This left plenty of time for her to pursue her other passion, martial arts. Helene was a firm believer than in order to have a sharper mind she needed to train her body as well, her intelligence and serious attitude quickly rose her through the ranks. By the time she graduated high-school, she was already a black-belt.
Her ears were filled day in and day out of all these grand designs and dreams her parents held for her, to the point she finally was fed up with others trying to control her life. The choice to join the army was one made by her own hand and of her own desires. Helene had no trouble climbing to the top of her training class and never lost a mock battle when she was squad leader. Those who admired her gave her the nickname 'The Iron Maiden' for her harsh attitude and fierce presence on the battlefield. She was enlisted in 10th Armored division after her training was complete leading her own squad.
In all the missions she would go on, there was never a single casualty in her squad. In personal combat, Helene preferred to be the first one breaching building and clearing rooms. After a few years of experience, she put in a request for screening to become part of the KSK, or Special Forces Command, to further her pursuit for the ultimate tactical challenge. She declined many offers for an cushier officer position stating that she prefers to lead troops on the field than in a safe tent.
The first part of the training was nothing compared to the endurance section that was to come. Helene not only thrived under the conditions presented by her but finished in the top percent of her group and earned a special accommodation. She was assigned leader of a tactical assault team who would later become the most decorated operating unit in the KSK, with Mauss intent on keeping her clean record of no deaths.
Nothing lasts forever however as Helene was to find out during an escort mission of a high-ranking military general. The entire day Mauss had a deeply unsettling feeling in her gut which she expressed to the general half-way to their destination who dismissed her feelings say he "Had nothing to fear with your team around.". That was right before green flashes of energy spewed from a tree-line they were passing through and the lead car burst into flames and molten metal. She had just suffered her first causalities and it happened in a matter of seconds. The sounds of crackling plasma and smell of burning flesh have never left her mind since that day, it was a recurring nightmare for her. Shots came from all sides and for the first time in her life she felt out-played, just when she was prepared to die alongside the rest of her comrades a unknown jet dropped off reinforcements as the aliens moved in for the VIP. As she struggled to hold the line, she could hear the inhuman screams of their attackers as the unknown squad carved their way through the aliens. By the time they got there, she and the general were the only ones not seriously injured. She practically demanded that XCOM take her to which they didn't refuse.
Those of her team would suffered only injuries recovered but she was no longer their leader. For the first time in awhile, Helene found herself not in charge of her own squad and instead part of the Vanguard unit, Night Owls, as a point-guard. She found herself grow quite attached seeing she was not leading them, a change of perspective she appreciated. She is the only survivor of the Night Owls from the Battle of Berlin, known as Operation Swift Strike, the most costly operation in XCOM history. She currently lead the most elite XCOM squad, the Grim Crows, made up those survivors from that mission. Each member is willing to do whatever it takes to ensure humanity's victory.
Class: Assault
Squad: Grim Crows
Rank: Captain
Personality:
Helene is very strict on herself and, as a result, is strict on her squad. She is the first one to admit that mistakes can happen to the best of us, but she demands that you work to fix them. Her outlook on the alien invasion is one filtered with a hidden hatred, and takes enjoyment in knowing XCOM does not have to show mercy to the aliens. Somehow always two steps ahead of her opponents, she takes on sort of a mentor role with newer operatives.
Strengths:
Tactical Genius - Able to come with an effective strategy no matter the circumstances
Expert in urban warfare
Expert Agility - Intense training and control over her body allows for better maneuverability and acrobatics in combat
Perfect Memory - Remembers everyday events in perfect detail
Weaknesses:
Emotionally Scarred - Trauma from the battle of Berlin has left her near-emotionless
Grudge - A burning hatred for the aliens can cause her to perform reckless actions
Psionic Potentil: Yes
