Vernik speaks with a sophisticated Swedish accent and a masculine posh mannerism. Within his helmet, which he has named Red Death, his voice is heavily distorted—creepily so. It would make the skin of most of his enemies crawl. Wanna play a game?Vernik isn’t called “Pretty Boy” for nothing. He is fabulous and he knows it. He’s not your over-the-top femme gay. While he may wag a finger, cock a hip, or roll his eyes or his neck every once and awhile, he’s not to be underestimated. His reputation as the Red Death says he’s not to be underestimated. It is almost as though the man has a split personality once he’s behind that skull. But he doesn’t, he’s no less gay with the helmet on than with it off. He walks like he’s always on a runaway, hips swaying, and arm swinging. The mannerisms don’t quite match the voice of Red Death, but who is really focused on that when facing such a ruthless opponent? His personality seems contrary to his actions. He comes off as polite, saying “Please,” “Thank you,” and “Sorry, babe!”
He likes acquiring weapon upgrades. That’s the equivalent to giving him a diamond ring. At times, the enemy may think they’re dealing with a woman or be caught off-guard by Pretty Boy’s promiscuous martial arts. All the better to slay you with, my dear~! ♥Vernik was born and raised in Helsingborg, Sweden. He served in the Swedish Army, Särskilda Operationsgruppen (Special Operations Task Group (SOG)) as an operator. During his service, he has served in the Balkans, Congo, Chad, the Central African Republic, and Afghanistan until the withdrawal of the International Security Assistance Force in 2014. While training Kurd soldiers in Kurdistan, he was approached by a recruiting officer, offering him a contract with an organization called “Preemptive Strike.” What the recruiter hadn’t expected was for one of the SOG’s top operators to be gay. It wouldn’t have went down well with their Muslim employer, and so Vernik was passed on the offer—to his offense. A clandestine recruiter of the Maverick Security Consultation had been watching the entire exchange and was next to approach Vernik, but in a more discreet manner. The recruiter intercepted the transmission on his radio and made the offer to him. He had offered him more money than the last private military company (PMC), and there was some added pressure. It was either “Accept” or “Refuse.” If he refused, then he would never be approached again. Vernik was already feeling special being approached by two PMCs in one day offering more money than the Swedish Army gave him. He hadn’t exactly known what he was getting himself into, but didn’t he say they had offered him a lot of money?
Vernik became Cranium or Red Death, a cyborg who utilizes strategy, cybernetic phantasm, and traps to torment and brutally murder his enemies. When he wasn’t wearing his helmet, he was Pretty Boy—the sexiest bitch in the entire organization, yes~!
High-Frequency (HF) Dual ReapersRed Death’s reapers can be utilized for rapid close combat as well as range in two forms. At close quarters, the kamas resembling ice picks can redirect blades, deflect projectiles, and be spun into red, glowing discs that can cut and shred an enemy’s armor. Sliding his thumb along the arm, the weapon’s sensor will cause a second HF sickle to protrude from the other end. Red Death will then lob the dual-bladed kama at an enemy, and much like a boomerang, it will return unless inhibited in some manner. Its second ranged form is when Red Death joins the butts of the kamas and then spreads them apart to reveal a red electromagnetic (EM) wire. Red Death will then whirl or hurl both weapons with the speed and ferocity of a dual-headed kusarigama. The EM wire he will also use to entangle about an enemy’s neck and behead them with laser accuracy. Red Death can use the weapon to yank out-of-reach enemies toward him, grapple ledges, and to perform aerial-acrobatic feats.
Quantity: 4 (Always bring some spares!)
Scatter BowThe Scatter Bow uses compressed EM energy to form arrows for the bow. The arrows can be fired at electronic equipment to send a scrambling pulse throughout its systems to bring it down. If the arrows are to strike an enemy, they will give the enemy quite the shock temporarily paralyzing them, and if caught in the head, death. It is a silent weapon for the stealth take out of numerous enemies with little detection. Red Death can not only fire a single arrow, he can fire up to three simultaneously. The second dangerous mode the Scatter Bow can take is what gave it the name “Scatter.” Readying three beams between his fingers and pulling the special bow string taut, Red Death will release the three beams and they will chaotically bounce from wall to wall, ceiling to floor, ricocheting in all directions and shattering into shorter and numerous fragments. These fragments can be used to take down numerous opponents at once.
Power Source: Rechargable Power Cell
Pandora’s BoxThe device is a tiny node that gives Red Death the name “Cranium.” Pandora’s Box is an invisible laser trap. It is a multidimensional sphere of lasers that when triggered will immediately converge into a ball, slicing any who are caught inside the trap. The laser patterns cannot be seen by the naked eye, and often times, Cranium will leave the box before a doorway or in a regularly traversed path. The unsuspecting victim will trigger it and become beef cubes. If an enemy were to be able to see the laser pattern, then he or she could possibly navigate through the jungle gym of death to make it to the other side. Pandora’s Box is an invaluable device that grants Cranium time and protection when he’s hacking networks.
Weakness: Tripping the laser with an object will cause the sphere to condense, granting the technologically-prepared person 5 seconds to quickly cross it and steer clear of its circumference when it expands again.
Cyber JackThe Cyber Jack is a manual linkup that connects directly with Pretty Boy’s right eye. When unable to access the network through a wireless breach, Pretty Boy will remove his helmet and directly link up with the network to proceed with the hack. Through the jack, he can upload as well as download data.
Quantity: 2
Fabulous DecoyA holographic phantom that resembles Pretty Boy, and who he will send running about an area to distract and lure enemies. He’s definitely the sexiest diversion around.
Quantity: 1 (reusable)
CameraYes, a camera. For selfies and groupies! What else did you think it was for? The bear's name is Lucas.
Quantity: 1 (disposable/digital/cheap)
Enhanced ExoskeletonPretty Boy has a carbon-fiber spring steel exoskeleton grafted into his bones. Coupled with the graft are wires that connect to the cybernetic region of his brain. Breaking his bones through martial arts or even attempting to dislocate them will not work the way one would expect a human’s to work. His exoskeleton is lightweight and sturdy, hardly hindering his speed during combat.
AmadeusAmadeus is the name of the cybernetic device implanted in his brain. With Amadeus, Pretty Boy is able to breach a network whether wirelessly or with the Cyber Jack as a cybernetic phantom. While a phantom, he will search through a network’s databases, destroy data, and render a network’s security system useless. He can also hijack machines and attempt to force them to his will. The less sentient, the easier. If he is able to setup camp somewhere in a facility, then Amadeus can successfully take it over and lead his team through the labyrinth until discovered or repelled by a greater program.
Red EyePretty Boy’s right eye is cybernetic, and it allows him to see electromagnetic energy in order to track down electronic sources, sensors, and other things he might find useful to jack. In the situation where Pretty Boy can’t wirelessly tap into a network, he can use his right eye to Cyber Jack manually into a system, granting him a stronger signal/presence in the network, weapon, or machine.
EMR SuitPretty Boy’s EMR suit protects him from EMR, while also releasing a gentle pulse that makes him near invisible to electronic surveillance (by cameras). Security will only notice a tiny line of interference. Nothing extreme to outright reveal his presence. Like the standard features offered to all cyborgs, Pretty Boy’s suit can cloak his presence, but movement still puts him at risk of being detected if enemies notice the scenery sliding across his body.
