[CHAR] Shattered Steel - An Ace Combat/Project Wingman/etc inspired aircraft-based RP

Standard Gear for all characters

Standard issue items for everyone enlisted in Shattered Steel include:

• Several sets of working uniforms; this consists of a utilitarian military-style dark blue shirt with various pockets and velcro patches for insignia, name and rank tabs etc (worn optionally), pants in the same colour and style, and boots. Undershirts are not specified/regulation, but common sense applies. Baseball caps are optional, as are various other headgear (military-style berets, or wool 'watch caps' for colder temperatures)
• A set of dress uniform; much like the US Navies' in style, cut, etc; white in colour
• Cold Climate parka-style jackets, with gloves (when needed)
• Flight suits (duh) and appropriate G-suit and survival vest, helmet, boots and gloves
• An electronic military-hardened computer tablet or 'electronic flight book' that has all the relevant information and such for planning and communication regarding operations, as well as email connectivity and functionality.
• Normal survival gear as expected for any combat aviator (in their survival vest and the kit in their ejector seat)
• Sufficient ammunition for their sidearm (i.e. 2-4 spare magazines/speedloaders), and a full battle-load for their longarm when issued, as well as holsters, load-bearing/armour vests, etc if expected to fight on the ground.

All of these items are provided by Shattered Steel, and aren't needed to be bought by contractors themselves - although of course, they are free to buy 'better' ones if they wish.
If they lose or sell them, well; that requires a written form to get a new one, with an explanation why, and possible repercussions (beyond the obvious ones of not having the equipment you need to do your job).
Additional weapons and gear may be requested for specific circumstances or missions as required - as long as it can be justified.

Squadron Roster

Scott 'Heartbreak' Valentine (Rhona W) - Lieutenant Colonel; Squadron CO. Cobalt 1-1 - ASF-14 Super Tomcat 2010
Kat 'KK' Kane (Rhona W) - 2nd Lieutenant - Cobalt 1-2 (Scott's RIO) - ASF-14 Super Tomcat 2010
Aurélie 'Chevy' Bouchard (Kensai) - Captain - Cobalt 3 - Dassault Rafale
Ayvee 'Stingray' Reagan (AvaP) - First Lieutenant - Cobalt 4 - F-117N Seahawk
Fuka 'Peacenik' Astor-Nakano (Smike) - First Lieutenant - Cobalt 5 - F/A-18E Super Hornet
Mykhailo 'Brightspark' Martinez (LetterBee) - Second Lieutenant - Cobalt 6 - F-16 Fighting Falcon
Freyja 'Valkyrie' Svensdotter (Damo021) - Second Lieutenant - Cobalt 7 - Saab Gripen
Illya 'Rook' Sokolov (Shadow Daedalus) - Second Lieutenant - Cobalt 8 - Yak 141 'Survivor'
Jan 'Strat' Van Straaten (Rhona W) - First Lieutenant - Cobalt 9 - IAI Kfir NG

Attached to Squadron:
Lars 'Snowman' Nielssen (NPC) - First Lieutenant - Cobalt Heavy-1 - C-130J Super Hercules (Heavy, for the transport plane)
Lilah 'Lily' Nkosi (NPC) - First Lieutenant - Cobalt Heavy-2 (Lars Co-pilot) - C-130J Super Hercules
Miles 'Traveller' St. Claire (NPC) - First Lieutenant - Cobalt Hotel-1 - Eurocopter Panther ('H'otel for 'H'elicopter)
Brigitte 'Showgirl' Billet (NPC) - First Lieutenant - Cobalt Hotel-2 - Eurocopter Panther
Gunther 'Wolf' Wolfgang (NPC) - Major - Maintenance crew chief for the squadron's mechanics and engineering support crew.
Skywatch - rank unknown - E-2D Hawkeye (Not officially attached to the squadron, or a member of it, but a recurring AWACS controller/operator)
Sergeant 'Fletch' Fletcher (NPC) - Cat - Cobalt Meow - A cat. He does whatever he wants, usually.

[Rhona W]

Name: Scott Valentine
Callsign/Nickname: Heartbreak
Age: 37
Gender: Male
Appearance:

The only difference to the picture is that Scott has heterochromia, with his left eye being blue, and the right one brown. His hair is also a much more 'sandy blond' colour. He is approximately 5'7" in height.

Nationality: Joint US/UK nationality
Personality:
Scott is almost the typical fighter pilot. Laid-back in demeanour, confident, and witty. He has a playful character and charm to him that is either endearing or frustrating, depending on who you are. This is countered by a professional seriousness and lethality when he is in the cockpit, and a respectable amount of raw, natural skill and expertise.
His somewhat rebellious and maverick nature has lead to chafing against military authority and limitations in the past, and as such the somewhat more relaxed life of a PMC gives him the same experiences, and makes use of his skills.
He plays as hard as he works, and this shell of easy confidence and casually treating even the most deadly and desperate situations with an air of dismissive humour masks a much deeper fear of his own mortality and of losing those around him, and the need to form bonds to ground himself to something. It is rare he lets the mask slip and the more vulnerable, real side of himself out, often seeking to drown his worries or at least relieve them with the highs of drink and sex, sometimes presenting him as at best a playboy or worst a callous and shallow man, when the opposite is true.
He has a particular relationship in his past that turned sour, and still harbours unrequited and unfulfilled love for his ex, Valerie Glass, who has become a commander in the N/UN forces. They have a cordial, if distant professional and working relationship and both still like one another, even if they are no longer intimately involved.
History:
Scott was a naval fighter pilot before and during the Heavenfall, flying for the US Navy. Becoming a pilot was what he always wanted, ever since he was a kid. He managed to - despite chafing at authority, and being somewhat of a problematic cadet, prone to emotional outbursts and thinking with his fists or heart - make the grade and became a pilot of the F-14 Tomcat, a dream plane for him.
He met Valerie during this time, and they had a very on-again, off-again relationship. It was a lot of fun for them both, and they cared deeply for one another, but often clashed on a lot of things, mainly due to Val's frustration with Scott's hot-headed, impulsive nature and he with her more strait-laced, reserved nature.
Despite caring for one another, their careers constantly had them being apart, and combined with their butting up in personalities, they decided to split and remain friends, before getting so frustrated and angry with one another that that wasn't a possibility.

He didn't see much action prior to the Heavenfall, mostly combat air patrols along with the carrier group he was assigned to, though there were many close calls and intercepts, as well a number of reconnaissance missions, and a little bit of action that showed his talent for ground attacks.
However, this all changed during the Heavenfall. Stationed in the Persian Gulf at the time, the carrier group he suffered massively from the tidal upheavals, and then the following violence, the local powers seeing a perfect opportunity to lash out against the 'infidels from the west'. His unit - the survivors of it - were forced into combat, and Scott's plane was shot down, his RIO killed by being shot in front of him after they were captured by enemy forces.
He managed to escape as rival factions in the region clashed, linking up with other military survivors from the US and other allied forces in the region, and as a rag-tag band, they made their way overland toward hopeful help in Europe.
Eventually, during this slog, he met Katherine Kane - Kat - who joined their band of survivors and refugees, and quickly became a close, trusted friend and they built a strong, loyal relationship with one another.
Scott finally made it back to something resembling civilization, where he found he had been listed as dead, like so many of his comrades. Disgusted with the Navy after the commander who sent them into battle not only survived, but was free of all blame and even promoted, he left.
Civilian life didn't suit him, there was a restlessness within him, and he wanted to get back into action.
He decided to enlist with Shattered Steel, where his skills and experience were welcome.
He was reunited with the F-14 in the shape of the much more advanced and capable ASF-14 Super Tomcat 2010.
Kat was a natural fit as his WSO, having enlisted alongside him, and the two proved as inseprable and reliable in the sky, as they had on the ground.
His experience and skill resulted in him being given a commanding position and rank in Shattered Steel, and he was recently assigned the command position of the Cobalt Haze squadron.

Personal Gear:

• Colt M1911 MEU/SOC .45 Calibre handgun with mounted tactical light.
• M110 7.62mm Marksman's rifle with suppressor, bipod, optical scope, vertical foregrip and optional light/laser.
• Combat/Survival knife - Scott carries the Gerber LMFII ASEK survival knife he had when he originally ejected from his jet after being shot down. It got him through everything after that, and its' kind of a lucky talisman for him by now, as much as a tool and weapon.
• backup folding knife
• Flight helmet; has a broken heart painted on the visor cover

Personal Aircraft:
ASF-14 ST2010 aka Advanced Strike Fighter-14 Super Tomcat 2010



Customised with the following:

• All suggested modifications/upgrades in the linked article above
• Jolly Rogers-style paint scheme (minus squadron numbers and aircraft carrier markings)

[Letter Bee]

Name: Mykhailo Martinez
Callsign/Nickname: Brightspark.
Age: 21
Gender: Male.
Appearance:


Nationality: Ukrainian - Filipino.
Personality: Polite, kind, and generous, even to his foes, Mykhailo has one stated goal, to bring order to Ukraine, his mother's country, under the auspices of the N/UN, and save it from the nation to its east, whom he considers to be the architect of the misinformation operation who had killed the first person he loved out of hatred and bigotry towards those who wanted to live a different way. Because of this, Mykhailo, despite wishing for a stronger Ukraine capable of defending itself, has very little connection with Ukrainian culture besides the essentials and feels a deeper connection to his father's country, the Philippines, than his mother's. On personal terms, however, Mykhailo loves both of his parents and wishes them all the best in their endeavors; if anything was to bring a full smile to his face, unmarred by suffering, it is positively mentioning them.

History: Mykhailo's Father was one of the Philippines' richest media executives, his mother was a Ukrainian exile and political activist who ended up in the Philippines some years before Heavenfall. They married; he was happy for those years, not wondering about his mother's roots - He loved the Philippines, and Ukraine to him was a distant name.

Then all changed when Heavenfall struck, and his family was thrown into turmoil. His father kept them all alive and eventually became more politically and economically powerful as he helped to rebuild the Philippine nation into a power that was able to achieve heights of geopolitical power that would have been a pipe dream only five years before. His mother was his equal and co-partner, eventually dreaming of returning to Ukraine and setting all to rights, protecting it against the gigantic nation to the east which had designs on everything the Ukrainian people had.

And to complicate it all... As he grew up, Mykhailo fell in love with a boy (although he had crushes on girls before). It was strange, exhilarating, beautiful, and ultimately tragic, as the person he loved died, killed in a riot caused by an Anti-N/UN country's misinformation operations (he suspects the nation to the east of Ukraine).

This tragedy caused him to join a Military Flight Academy, then, as soon as he was old enough, the Shattered Steel 'Legalized PMC'. He would not let such injustice happen again if he could help it - If Ukraine stood as a buffer between the free world and the large nation to its east, if the N/UN became the most powerful single, well, power in the world because of that, then he would be able to prevent the lies and hatred that had killed his first love from causing any more deaths.

Until then, he will fight.

Personal Gear: Ceremonial Sword, Pistol, Smartphone, Burner Phone, Pen and Paper.
Personal Aircraft: F-16 Fighting Falcon
Aircraft modifications:
- Painted with sky colors for visual camouflage.

Anything Else:
- His parents back the faction in Ukraine most aligned with N/UN Values, and have lobbied the Philippines and the rest of the N/UN to recognize them as the only legitimate government of Ukraine.
- His father is a member of the current Philippine President's cabinet.
- The current Philippine President is a woman and a competent administrator with a strong track record of being incorrupt and also aiding a lot of people with limited resources.
- The Philippines is much stronger than it is in IRL and has the Spratly Islands.
- Mykhailo knows how to cook, but prefers to use fish, rabbit, beef and chicken in his recipes; also squid and shellfish.

[Chronic]

Your father

[Kensai]

Name: Aurélie Bouchard
Callsign/Nickname: Chevy (from Chevalier du Ciel, "Knight of the sky")
Age: is but a number, non? (32)
Gender: Female
Appearance:

Aurélie is a petite strawberry blonde with pale blue eyes and an innocent-seeming demeanour.

Nationality: French
Personality: "Look like the flower, but be the serpent under't." Aurélie has the face of an angel and a heart of blackest pitch. She's charming, quirky, vivacious - and she'll put a heat-seeker up your tailpipe without a qualm if the mission calls for it.

History: Aurélie is a bit of a mystery. She doesn't talk much about her past, and deflects all questions about it with a fetching giggle. However, it's a matter of record that she learned to fly young, receiving her PPL at the age of 14, and that she served with the Armée de l'Air for some years. There's then a gap in her service record, but there are rumours that she was seen in parts of Africa and the Middle East - traditional stomping grounds for French forces - flying for various mercenary groups. At some point she was shot down and captured by forces of Shattered Steel, who offered her amnesty in return for joining them. She turned coat without batting an eyelid and has been flying and fighting for Shattered Steel since.

Personal Gear: "Don't let yourself get attached to anything you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat if you feel the heat around the corner"
Personal Aircraft: "Papillon" Dassault Rafale https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dassault_Rafale
Aircraft modifications: None

Anything Else: https://youtu.be/mX9L8IuiwJA

[Rhona W]

Name: Katherine Kane
Callsign/Nickname: KK for 'Killer Kitten', and a pun on her initials and 'Kat' the short version of her name.
Age: 35
Gender: Female
Appearance:
Katherine is a towering 6'7" tall, and has a wiry, rugged, muscular body, built from hard wear and toil. She is covered in scars, including her left eye being missing and covered with a black leather patch. Her black hair is worn in a shaggy mess, often tied back when working. Her remaining eye is a very pale, icy blue.



Nationality: English
Personality:
Kat has a personality that might come off as abrasive and stand-offish to those who meet her at first, especially coupled with her quiet voice and fierce-looking exterior. This prickly exterior is hardly surprising given her history.
But her like, fondness, and affection for others is often shown in small gestures and actions. Should she feel the need to express her opinions, her words will often be blunt and direct to get to the point with the minimum of misunderstanding.
She does have a sense of humour, and is thoroughly amused by silly humour and jokes that don't end up with anyone hurt or feeling bad.
She adores animals, due to their simple needs and feelings, and bonds with them easily and quickly. She likes children, but is often confused and somewhat wary of them, due to their energy, enthusiasm and unpredictability.
It takes her a while to open up and trust other people, but once she does, she is a die-hard loyal friend and comrade.
However, her past always haunts her, both in her physical scars and mental ones. Aside from her frequent nightmares and occasional dissociative moments, she is absolutely terrified of being taken prisoner and the possibility of torture and as such, will enter a blind, berserker rage state if she is in danger of being imprisoned.
Kat is fiercely loyal and dedicated to Scott, and the feeling is mutual. She will always back him up on the ground and in the air, and the pair work together as an incredibly intuitive - and extremely lethal - pair.
Their relationship is a complicated one. They love one another dearly, and have a strong bond, as well as a very close, personal and intimate one. It is not romantic and neither would call it that, but is more than a platonic, purely professional bond as well.
History:
Kat grew up in a comfortable life, and comfortable surroundings. Raised in a family with Old Money in the English Aristocracy, she had a childhood with ponies, private schools, and all the luxuries one could imagine...
...Paid for by her father's life of organised crime. It of course, caught up to him and to his family, and in this, Kat was kidnapped and thrust into the horrible underworld of crime. Her captors had no interest in her worth, ransoming her wasn't of interest; breaking her father's spirit was. And as such, she was forced into degrading slavery, and when her father finally met his end, she was of no more use or interest.
Kat fought back viciously against the indignities forced on her. She was beaten into submission each time, but it never dulled her fury and anger, and eventually her captors tired of having to cope with her struggles and violence to present her to clients - who'd often end up mauled and injured themselves - they sold her on into underground fighting.
She fought viciously and relentlessly to stay alive, driven by the constant thought of getting revenge.
Eventually, she got her chance not long after the Heavenfall. As the Soviet Union disintegrated in violence, chaos, and anarchy; the criminal underworld fell apart along with it.
Kat was treated as a commodity and a bargaining chip. Sometimes she was a weapon, kept ragged and raw to be pointed at the enemy and unleashed. Sometimes she was a thing to be used or discarded, or bet on and pitted against others. But she was never treated with much in the way of kindness or respect, and often used to exercise frustrations.
That was until the loose band of conmen, military remnants and out-and-out criminals she was caught up with crossed paths with Scott and the people he'd banded together with.
Scott and his crew managed to drive off or kill most of the people enslaving Kat and others like her. He gave her a chance at freedom, and she took it up.
Over time, he gently coaxed out her trust, and slowly rehabilitated her personality, bringing her back from the edge of being a feral thing and into a more complete person again.
As part of this, he taught her how to fly. Kat picked up the rest of the understanding with her quick, smart mind, rediscovering her love for learning, knowledge, and information as she did. She soon became something of a 'gentle giant' and a protector among the group. Intimidating to many, but known for her ferociously protective nature and her incredible stamina, endurance and strength.
Even after Scott and his group managed to reach the Atlantic, and then England and later the USA, they had become an inseparable duo.
Somehow, and somewhere along the way, official documentation for Kat's experience and qualifications as a fast-jet pilot and crewman appeared and after that, enlisting together in Shattered Steel seemed like the perfect way for the two to continue their partnership.
She learned the rest of the formal skills and talent necessary to be a RIO for the F-14 while part of the company, and her reputation has continued to grow alongside Scott's own as part of the group.

Personal Gear:

• Mk.46 7.62MM Light Machine-gun
• Taurus Raging Bull 4-inch barrel chambered in .500 magnum
• Fighting/Survival Knife
• Flight helmet with 'KK' painted on the visor cover in pink

Personal Aircraft: RIO (Radar Intercept Officer, aka backseater) in ASF-14 Super Tomcat 2010 with Scott as pilot

Anything Else: Kat speaks in a very hushed, rough voice due to damage to her throat and vocal cords. Despite her missing eye, she has extremely acute and sharp vision in her remaining eye, and incredible situational awareness.
She also really loves ice cream.

[AtomicNut]

Name: Lázaro Ruiz
Callsign/Nickname: Circus
Age: 31
Gender: Male
Appearance: Early-thirties, dark hair, brown eyes, somewhat wiry but fit. Mid-height. Usually seen with a perma stubble and a laidback manner of walking.


Nationality: Spain

Personality: A goofy daredevil, always seeking to make a jest or invest in the newest cool aerial maneuver, Lázaro is a born and bred trickster, and likes to challenge ideas and conceptions and mess around with people. He does draw the line at being outright malicious and mean, and if you scratch the clownish surface, Lázaro proves to be a rather fearless optimistic squadmate, willing to go great lenghts so everyone can reach base and crack a few beers and live for another day. He likes to learn to fly different planes and see what kind of tricks they have in store, or how high and fast he can push.

History:
Born the son of an aerobatic pilot, little Lázaro was eager to follow his father as aerial stuntman. At the age of 16, he had already taken his father's aircraft for spins and knew some of the basic tricks. However, resource shortages forced his father to retire and for Lázaro to seek a way of living elsewhere. He found a market for his skills in the Fuerza Aérea, where as he cruised through the ranks and training, earning heaps of recognition and enmity in equal parts thanks to his daredevil, go getter attitude which rubbed many the wrong way and amazed others.

Considered a good pilot, but a rather questionable officer, he was therefore shuffled into an experimental pilot, which paid him the bills and maintenance of his family, but left him bored to death. Shattered Steel then entered the scene, and they paid more. So he signed up for the PMC, after applying for leave.

Personal Gear: Astra A-100 .45 ACP, Multitool. Smartphone. Spanish Card Deck. He also inherited a private-maintained Yak-52 trainer airplane who used to be his father's stunt plane and that he fondly calls "Puerco Volador" (Flying Pig).
Personal Aircraft: Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 3 Custom, nicknamed "Jabalina" (Female Boar or Javelin, depending on context)
Aircraft modifications:

• Red Paint.
• Thrust Vectorial Nozzles and improved engine.
• Upgraded Avionics. (Or "less safe" avionics. They allow a higher maneuverality but the burden is greater on the pilot's body. As a result the Jabalina's entry level is significantly higher than a stock Eurofighter.)
• (Will probably add more to fit the theme, as airplane illiterate)

Anything Else:

• He still routinely does maintenance on his father's Puerco as a hobby and likes to do a few acrobatic rolls here and there to not lose the touch.
• Both his parents are retired and keep pestering him to stop being an ass and get married.
• He is rather infamous for his creative pranks in both Armies and PMCs.
• He is the first usual suspect if something bizarre happens.

[AvaP]

Name:
Ayvee Reagan
Callsign/Nickname:
Stingray
Age:
26
Gender:
Female
Appearance:


Nationality:
North America, ashes of the US.
Personality:
Ayvee Reagan is the epitome of cool under pressure. Despite the high-stakes nature of her job, she maintains an effortlessly laid-back demeanor, rarely flustered even in the most intense dogfights. Her calm, collected attitude isn't just for show; it's a crucial part of her approach to flying. With a sharp wit and a steady hand, Ayvee navigates both the skies and the camaraderie of her squadron with a relaxed grace, making her both a formidable pilot and a beloved teammate. A good mix of a friendly attitude and a professional demeanor.

History:
Ayvee Reagan's upbringing was steeped in privilege and influence as the only child of a prominent politician whose decisions shaped the nation's fabric. Growing up in an environment of high society and political power, Ayvee was surrounded by opulence, from grand estates to exclusive events. Yet, amidst the grandeur, she felt disconnected from the world her father navigated. It was her uncle's own fascination with aviation that kindled her passion for flying. While her peers were immersed in political debates, Ayvee found solace in the thrill of flight, often accompanying her father on private jets and developing a deep-seated love for the sky.

Determined to forge her identity, Ayvee excelled at a prestigious military academy, where her exceptional skills as a pilot quickly set her apart. Her calm demeanor and innate talent earned her a place in a high-end Air Force squadron. Yet, her success in the military only deepened her dissatisfaction with the expectations of her privileged background. Her father saw her success as another tool to levy for political favor. Ayvee's desire to defy her father's political world became a driving force. She felt increasingly constrained by the rigid structures and expectations imposed by her family and the military hierarchy.

In a bold move to assert her independence, Ayvee left the Air Force and transitioned into the role of a mercenary pilot. This new path gave her the autonomy she craved and a chance to distance herself from her family's political shadow. Embracing the freedom and flexibility of mercenary work, she found a renewed sense of purpose and exhilaration in high-risk missions. Ayvee's choice to become a mercenary was as much about personal rebellion as it was about pursuing her passion for flying, allowing her to chart her own course and thrive in the skies on her own terms.

Despite leaving her family behind, she does deeply miss them. Her father is a greedy, ruthless politician who still loved his daughter very much. Her mother may have been distant and uncaring, but she had become softer and more personable in her later years. As the years marched on and her work grew with mercenary flying, Ayvee increasingly regretted severing her ties with her family. Perhaps one day soon, she will reconnect with them.

Personal Gear:
Personal picture of her family, an FN-Five-Seven pistol, pair of old aviators, a VERY expensive bottle of fine scotch, and a box of her old trapping from when she was in the academy.

Personal Aircraft:
The F-117N Seahawk

nationalinterest.org/blog/reboot/when…
The F-117N "Seahawk" was Lockheed's proposal to the US Navy for a naval version of the successful early 5th generation "fighter" F-117 Nighthawk. After an initial rejection outright, Lockheed proposed a heavily modified design, one that had more powerful engines, redesigned wings that allowed for safer stability during slow-flight carrier landings, and, most importantly, the ability to carry a wider variety of munitions, including air to air missiles—turning the practical stealth bomber into an actual fighter aircraft.

As it stands, the current figures are so:
-(Optional) Four external pylons for munitions
-Two extended internal bays, capable of storing two air-to-air IRST or radar-guided missiles such as the AIM-120D per bay for a total of four missiles along with various AGM weapons depending on the chosen loadout.
-A duel purpose air-to-air and air-to-ground radar
-Radar-absorbing paint
-Radar deflecting airframe
-Two more powerful F114 engines (the same ones found in the Super Hornet) allow for higher top speeds and acceleration capabilities over its USAF sibling.

Aircraft modifications:
-A center-mounted pylon capable of carrying a 20mm rotary cannon gun pod or ECM pod for radar jamming/SAM hunting
-A slightly expanded crew compartment for personal storage
-A gaudy shark-face design on the nose and a stingray painted on the tail

Anything Else:
youtube.com/watch?v=vM7O_PmXpZQ&ab_ch…

[Thayr]

Boston “Queen” Dyer

Appearance

Name: Boston Dyer
Callsign/Nickname: Queen
Age: 30
Gender: Male
Appearance:

Standing at 5’ 5”, fairly standard for most Americans, Boston has taken on just a little bit of weight since he first joined, lost a good bit of hair since he first commissioned, and generally speaking has grown a well and true dad bod for all comparative purposes. He’s gained a good few wrinkles on his face, too, frowns and the like, something that the man keeps adding to in an almost habitual way.

---

Nationality: American
Personality:

A buzzkill and a half, sarcastic as one ought to be whenever the stupid bullshit gets brought up, Boston treats flying like a trucker treats driving. It’s his job, he likes his job, and he thinks that not everyone can do his job. Delivering ordinance onto target, removing a contact from his radar, or removing an enemy radar site are all treated with the same cold, clean professionalism as might be seen from a US Postal Service employee. Jobs get done and people go home. To the other pilots, Boston can be seen as abrasive as ever, calling out antics if he sees them.

History:

Born 1989 in Philadelphia, Boston Dyer grew up as a “upper” lower class kid - food never plentiful, but reliable, and a pair of blue collar parents on the cusp of retirement. Fifteen years in, though, the world ended with the so-called “Heavenfall” incident and everything turned upside-down. Evacuations by FEMA and National Guard began rapidly, moving populations away from the New England area while those regions were ravaged by tsunamis and floods, thought to be temporary at first before the degree of the disaster was evident to all. Ocean levels increased across the world, and the temporary home of the Dyer family in Illinois became very, very permanent. His parents worked their way through as paid volunteers with FEMA in the newly-expanded town of Decatur, and Boston tried to live life as best he could.

When he was able to though, Boston moved off to somewhere maybe a little better. He joined the US Air Force through the Academy in Colorado. As a student, life was relatively easy for the young man as he excelled through many portions of the Academy, though would encounter some initial difficulties in the G-force simulator. Physically speaking, Boston had grown somewhat malnourished, just under the bar for acceptance into the Air Force Academy even with the recently laxened standards, and PT proved a struggle at most of all times. Despite this, Boston moved around the country from Colorado to Texas, and when he graduated was assigned to a F-15 squadron. With that squadron, Boston would find the future love of his life, Jane, a WSO with one of the other pilots.

In time, though, Boston found himself disliking the issues here and there with the US Air Force. Broken and bloodied by the “Heavenfall” incident, they rarely were able to fly aside from a few here, there, rarely able to really train, rarely able to fly on any missions at all. The US had grown unable to maintain its connection of overseas endeavors and flights over Canada and Mexico were obviously seen as not quite as necessary. Boston had grown to elope with Jane, then, and deciding that they actually did want to fly for someone, somewhere, and actually do things against the dictators one could hear about on the news now and again the pair decided that re-commissioning and re-enlistment was against their best interests.

The pair moved off and away, joining up with Shattered Steel soon enough. Since then, and now married, the couple has flown many missions with the PMC with their now-beloved aircraft “Freight Train”.

---

Jane “Woj” Dyer

Appearance

Name: Jane Dyer née Wojtkiewicz
Callsign/Nickname: Woj
Age: 34
Gender: Female
Appearance:

Measuring 5’ 3”, with brown hair and a pretty alright tan, Jane can be considered skinny by the impolite, thin by the neutral, and lithe by the generous. She’s moderately built despite all visual indications otherwise, something brought on by a habit of jogging and hiking.

---

Nationality: American
Personality:

Smiles, laughs, and a vibe of that good aunt who made stomachs full and kids behave, Jane’s a people person through-and-through. Neighbors are friends without exception, and she treats the squadron like neighbors too. For the most part, the RIO likes to keep things on the bright side, to give the benefit of the doubt, likes to give patience to people who’re maybe a little slower than most. Jane has a bit of an anger problem, though, a snapping point few find and fewer still forget.

History:

Born 1985 in Alaska, the land of deep ocean fishing and hunting, Jane’s parents did precisely that. Living up in Russian Mission, small town as might be on the Yukon, she always did want to do something else. Planes always did fascinate her, from the small engine props that delivered the mail to the jets the Air Force flew out from the state, from the freedom it all offered to the wonderful feeling of the future that it seemed to have. At the first opportunity, she went off to the US Air Force, just a year before the Heavenfall and the loss of most of the Alaskan wilderness.

She worked through it all, though, becoming a RIO for a F-15 squadron. It wasn’t as glamorous as being a fighter pilot, true, but Jane’s reflexes never were wholly up to par for that ordeal and in some ways, she was glad with it. Affable enough, Jane found a lot of friends throughout the squadron and eventually would grow close to Boston, one of the pilots. He’d convince her that they could do good elsewhere, with one of the PMCs working in the south, that they could actually fly instead of becoming relics from a time when the US could bring its Air Force to bear whenever needed. He’d convince her that they could have fun, too, a couple and a half as an open secret to the rest of the squadron. They went off, quick as could be, down to the southern hemisphere.

Shattered Steel was the first and last option, one of the more respectable PMCs among all the others, and Jane found she actually somewhat liked flying “Freight Train”. While not at all famous, the couple have become pretty well respected within the PMC’s ranks as reliable, no-nonsense.

---

Aircraft

Personal Gear:

M-4 Carbine
2 x M-9 Pistols
Gameboy SP
Notepad / Pencil

Personal Aircraft: General Dynamics F-111 “Freight Train”
Aircraft Modifications:

- Improved Electronics (AN/APG-83 SABR, Fly-By-Wire, HUD)
- Improved Engines (Pratt & Whitney TF30 replaced with Pratt & Whitney F119)
- Aerodynamic Wing Pylons
- Improved Weapons Bay
- Painted anti-flash white with invasion stripes on wings

---

Anything Else:

- Collective Consciousness, Oh Shit I'm Feeling It, Schostakovich Quartet No. 8
- The couple wears open Aloha shirts between their flight suits and gear

[SsssssSsSsssSs]

Name: Sebastian Dabrowski.

Callsign/Nickname: Venom.

Age: 32.

Gender: M
Appearance:
Nationality: Poland.
Personality: Sharp, immaculate, mellow, and merry.
History: Dad was a Polish Air Force Kapral. Sebastian didnt intend to be a Pilot but before the leveling of the planet, when he was a Hunting Guard Sebastian had a helicopter gambit with another Huntsman. Just enough pressure kept them afloat from the disaster, so he joined the UN to avenge missing patriotism; helicopter for jet. At first it was courier duty saving cropdusters then having found a jet Sebastian enlisted for higher demand, which was accepted. Some shadow ops later he was transfered to the Cobalt Shadows.
Personal Gear: white Helmet with sliding shades, green flightsuit, gloves and boots. Flashlight, compass, atlas map, Dagger, Incindiary Grenade Belt.
Personal Aircraft: PZL-230 Skorpion. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PZL-230_Skorpion
Aircraft modifications: It’s brown camo, Polarized Pitshield, and the Wings can segment inwise and extend parallel.

[Rhona W]

NPCs

Some recurring friendly NPCs that you'll be dealing with on a regular basis.

Guru

Theo Wiseman
Callsign/Nickname: Guru
Age: 55
Appearance:
Slim and athletic. Theo is 5'7" in height. He has calm, blue eyes that sparkle with his intelligence and humour. His face shows age with crow's feet and laughter lines, and he mostly has a calm, approachable smile on his face... but when that disappears is when you know things are serious. He is always very well-dressed and presented, even managing to make a flight suit look smart.


Summary:
Theo is the Wing Commander for the Tactical Air Wing of Shattered Steel. This makes him Scott's immediate commanding officer. Very experienced and highly skilled, he has a somewhat fatherly, encouraging, warm demeanour at most times and has a wily, clever, sharp mind.
He is English, and formerly flew with the British Royal Navy. He lost his wife during the Heavenfall, and has a son and daughter still in England, working in the civilian world.
He still keeps his flying current and his skills sharp, often surprising other pilots in training exercises by appearing as an adversary pilot, flying his heavily modified and upgraded Sea Vixen.

Snowman

Lars Nielssen
Callsign/Nickname: Snowman
Age: 34
Appearance:
6'00" tall, rugged and barrel-chested with lanky limbs. He always has a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eyes, only seeming to dim or droop at the corners when he is stressed.



Summary:
Lars serves as the pilot of the C-130J Hercules multi-role transport plane that supports the Cobalt Haze squadron. Working closely with Lilah, the pair are an inseprable double-act and bounce off of one another in good humour and their personalities in general. He rarely talks about his home in Norway or his family life, but has mentioned a sister from time-to-time and a childhood growing up on a farm.

Lily

Lilah Nkosi
Callsign/Nickname: Lily
Age: 27
Appearance:
5'5" and with a fairly athletic build. Lilah moves with an easy, cocky confidence. Her flight suit and uniform are always accentuated by colourful jewelery or bands to keep her full head of hair in check.



Summary:
Lilah was born in South Africa, but her family emigrated to England when she was young. She was lucky to have grown up without Apartheid and after it ended, but inner city London and the East End was still a place of hard lesson and urban realities.
As such, she grew up knowing how to look after herself, and with a lot of first-hand knowledge and experience of often dangerous and grim realities living on the edges of poverty.
She joined the RAF after graduating from college as a way out of a life of gangs, violence and crime, prompted by the death of her brother in a petty argument between gangs.
Always fascinated by machines, aircraft even more enthralled her and the clean break and new life energised her. She eventually managed to get a role as a transport pilot as she meshed and melded with her new role and life more than she could have imagined.
After the Heavenfall, the RAF had worked with the various PMCs as part of their obligations to their role in the N/UN. She met Lars during this time and the two fell into an easy friendship. After several escapades not long after their first meeting, he coaxed and tempted her into joining the Shattered Steel PMC, serving as his co-pilot for the C-130J.

Traveller

Miles Saint Claire
Callsign/Nickname: Traveller
Age: 28
Appearance:
Miles is 5'6", and has a runner's or swimmer's build. He has a disarming, charming smile and moves with a fluid grace. He is quite easy-going, and tends to take people as they come, but is very professional when working. He has a strong belief in the justice and rights of other people, and will stand up for them whenever he feels they are challenged or threatened.



Summary:
Miles grew up in France, and served with the Gendarmerie as a helicopter pilot in their air support wing. He became infamous for his daring and confident flying. However, he was forced to leave after an incident where he struck a commanding officer, after finding out about their abuse of someone under their command.
Still wanting to fly, he joined Shattered Steel and resumed his duties as a helicopter pilot, expanding more into military roles, flying a Eurocopter Panther with Brigitte as his co-pilot.

Showgirl

Brigitte Billet
Callsign/Nickname: Showgirl
Age: 28
Appearance:
Brigitte is a transwoman; though only with a keen eye would one be able to tell. She often has a smile on her face, albeit a somewhat nervous one, though get her to open up, and she'll be the life of a party and light up a room with her laughter.
She dresses in fairly androgynous clothes, often things that hide her figure or soften it somewhat - well, when not in her uniform. Nonetheless, she has a lot of colour to her, and wears a lot of jewelry and accessories with her outfits.



Summary:
Brigitte's life was originally set to be very different. She - then he - originally had an on-stage career as an actor, working in theatre, and then later small roles in TV and film. After their transition, Brigitte still had a good career, with several roles, becoming something of a small-time icon and celebrity.
However, when the Heavenfall happened, Brigitte left the showbiz industry and enlisted in the Belgian Navy, becoming a helicopter pilot. Later, she joined Shattered Steel, after receiving a better offer from them.

Wolf

Gunther Wolfman
Callsign/Nickname: Wolf
Age: 57
Appearance:
Gunther has a sturdy, muscular build that matches his relatively compact height of 5'5". He has a greying full beard and hair, though he often wears a worn, stained baseball cap covering his head. His mechanics' overalls likewise show their use and experience.
He often looks gruff and miserable... and often comes across that way, but has been known to smile.



Summary:
Gunther was a mechanic with the German Luftwaffe for many years, and worked on a variety of aircraft and vehicles there. He cross-trained with numerous air arms around the world, as well as spells in the civilian world.
He was head-hunted for Shattered Steel due to his reputation and experience, and became the maintenance crew chief for Cobalt Haze squadron. While he comes across as gruff and grumpy, especially when it comes to the pilots causing damage to 'his' planes, in reality he drives himself and his crew to give nothing but the best performance and work for the aviators he supports, so that they can do the best jobs they possibly can.

Skywatch

???
Callsign/Nickname: Skywatch
Age: ??
Appearance:
~Unknown~

Summary:
"Skywatch" is the female operator that provides and feeds information to the Cobalt Haze squadron pilots from the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye AWACS plane that often accompanies them or is in the same area for their missions and operations.

Val Glass

Valerie 'Val' Glass
Callsign/Nickname: N/A
Age: 35
Appearance:
A fit, trim woman of 5'5" in height, Val looks as professional as she is... most of the time. Due to her role mostly being an official liason, she usually is dressed in a well-tailored N/UN air forces uniform.



Summary:
Val enlisted in the US Navy out of college, intending on becoming a career officer, following in the footsteps of her father before her, and his before him. She was never interested in aviation, and instead pursued a career commanding vessels. She met Scott during both of their academy days, and they formed a strong friendship, that later bloomed into a tempestuous, on-again, off-again relationship.
Eventually, Val got her wish and became captain of a Frigate, carving herself out an admirable career, before later being promoted into a 'shoreside' role with the N/UN, where she was part of the N/UN military department responsible for managing and liaising with PMCs, and specifically with Shattered Steel.

Sergeant Fletcher

Sergeant Fletcher
Callsign/Nickname: Sarge, Fletch, TDC (That Damn Cat), others
Age: Unknown
Appearance:
A very large, brown tabby and white tomcat. Blessed or cursed with a serious case of 'resting cat face'. Despite this, he is actually surprisingly friendly. And surprisingly agile, despite his fatness.



Summary:
No one is entirely sure where this cat came from, who he belongs to, or who looks after him. But somehow, he seems to have 'adopted' Shattered Steel, and has a knack to just... appear in places, as cats do.
Friendly, for the most part, he is often found sleeping in various places around the base, inside and outside. He even sometimes turns up on deployments, presumably having stowed away, unnoticed, in a transport plane.
He has become something of a good-luck charm for the PMC as a whole, and an unofficial mascot. Remarkably unflappable for a cat, he seems to enjoy attending briefings, reviews, and generally being 'part of the team'.
He does have some uses, frequently catching mice, rats, and other vermin around the base, as well as scaring away birds and thus avoiding birdstrikes, earning his official title of 'animal control specialist'.
His name came from the fact he is a rather rotund cat, not unlike the 'Sergeant Fletcher' droptanks and in-flight refuelling pods used by several aircraft.

[Smike]

Fuka Astor-Nakano

Name: Fuka Astor-Nakano (typically shortened to Fuka Nakano)

Callsign/Nickname: Peacenik

Age: 34
Gender: Female

Appearance:

The first thing people usually notice about Fuka is her height. Standing at six feet and two inches she'd be of impressive stature had she been a man, and for a woman it's even more so. She attributes her height to her father's genes, as by all accounts her grandfather towered above his peers. Instead of a giant's bulk, she has a professional soldier's lean muscles and powerful core, a build suited to long treks carrying heavy gear. Fuka's youthful appearance belies her veteran status, her years of combat experience concealed by a fresh-faced complexion lacking imperfections. Closer inspection reveals trace marks of reconstructive surgery, with jagged marks scattered across her cheek and brow. These tiny details are leftovers from the blast that put an end to her infantry career, the damage to her face minor enough that it left no lasting complications. The same cannot be said for her left arm. While not entirely blown off, it was mangled to uselessness, requiring amputation and replacement from just above her elbow.

Nationality: Dual American-Japanese citizenship

Personality: Outwardly Fuka is laid-back and cheerful, sometimes overly so depending on the circumstances. This is something of a facade. While she is genuinely a believer in the power of a positive outlook, she's far more measured and deep-thinking than she lets on. While she did her best to buck family tradition, her upbringing in a clan of political blue bloods and officers rubbed off on her. She sees herself as a warrior-scholar, well-educated and capable of intelligently discussing politics and history but is really supposed to be on the battlefield. Combat is where she's happiest, as it's the only place where she feels she's living up to her potential.

Despite her family background and service to the N/UN and its various constituents, Fuka is not really a believer in its goals or legitimacy. That isn't to say that she's a saboteur or a rabble-rouser; she simply does not trust it to last. She remembers enough of the world pre-Heavenfall to be wary of taking sides; having watched once unshakable powers collapse in the face of unexpected calamity, she assumes the same will happen again. Part of her reasoning is that much of its power projection relies on people like her: mercenaries. If the so-called United Nations are busy battling cartels in the ruins of Central America or trying to rebuild in the remains of Los Angeles, how can they compete with the largely intact Chinese or a megacorporation that gets too confident? That said, she is highly patriotic, bordering nationalistic, regarding her home countries. Japan and the United States are part of the N/UN, and more importantly, they and the N/UN have the same enemies, so she'll fight for it.

History: Fuka Nakano-Astor was not just a military brat; she was the military brat. Her father was Major-General Thomas Astor of the United States Army, stationed in Kanagawa Prefecture as the head of Major Command Japan. Her mother was Kaede Nakano, pharmaceutical executive turned Kanagawa governor who fostered a close relationship with General Astor. They were married within a year of meeting, and Fuka was born not long after, one of five children in total: two older half-brothers from her father's previous marriage and a half-sister from her mother's, with a full-blooded sister following three years later.

Her lineage was star-studded. The Nakanos were old money, some of the first commoners to make their fortune trading with the outside world, while the Astors had a legacy of military excellence going back to the Civil War. (Indeed, Thomas was somewhat legendary for having achieved the rank of major-general at the impressively young age of forty-five). Every child in the Astor-Nakano clan was expected to achieve greatness in some way, and regardless of whatever career they chose they would all do at least one tour of armed service. The pack accompanied Thomas on his rounds and sat in on some of his less sensitive meetings to get acclimated to the bureaucracy, picking up the idiosyncracies of Army life.

This path had been laid out for Fuka before she was born, and in truth she didn't want to walk it. But growing up immersed in the military meant she saw no other outcome for herself. Her older siblings were rarely seen figures due to their burgeoning careers (ROTC and eventual officers' commissions for her brothers while her sister followed the elder Nakano into politics) but they were measuring sticks against which Fuka was often compared. By her early teens she had more or less come to terms with the fact that she would be joining up as soon as she was allowed, unless of course the Soviets set off nuclear war.

This was a reasonable concern at the time, but as it turned out, everyone had been preparing for the wrong armageddon. The Cold War became an afterthought in the wake of the Heavenstrike, and suddenly General Astor was no longer preparing to defend Japan against Communist aggression but struggling to restore peace and provide relief in the wake of swallowed coastlines and wrecked infrastructure. The United States, reeling and near collapse, recalled its military personnel piecemeal, members of all branches gathering at what bases remained to hitch the first ride home. In this crush of refugees, Fuka, bored and unsure of what would happen next, turned her eyes to the sky and watched the escort fighters assigned to protect the airlifts.

When the family made it to the now fractured United States Fuka was enrolled in the best schools remaining to finish her education, and at seventeen she joined the Army just like her old man wanted. But instead of ROTC she walked into the first recruiting office she could find and signed up as an MOS 11X: Undetermined Infantry, a groundpounder. This was partly practical, as in the aftermath of the Heavenstrike, the Army was significantly reduced, lowering the opportunities for an officer, but it was also Fuka's first display of independence. She didn't want to push pencils and deal with office politics like her father did, she wanted to actually do something! She craved excitement, and she went looking for it in the Rangers.

She fought through the selection process and earned the coveted scroll, assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment and thrown into conflicts south of the border. With Mexico's government essentially collapsed the cartels were getting bolder and the U.S., desperate to maintain some degree of stability, responded in kind. For the next four years Fuka was deployed to the border region and beyond, raiding suspected stash houses and clearing known sicario hangouts.

She served with distinction but without much enthusiasm. The rush she got from combat was nice, but Fuka still felt unfilled. She was missing something which she could not identify, and while she was proud of her achievements she didn't mind getting released from her contract early. That said, she would have preferred her honorable discharge to have been from a reduction in force instead of an injury. On a routine patrol her team was ambushed by cartel gunmen with anti-tank weapons stolen from a government depot, their MRAP destroyed by a direct hit. Fuka had left the vehicle just seconds before the attack and managed to escape alive, but shrapnel from the blast peppered her face and shredded her arm.

She got a Purple Heart and a ticket out, and soon after her family's money got her a prosthetic arm. The replacement limb was as near a match in function to her old one as she could hope but there was no fixing the phantom sensations from her missing limb. Fuka chalked it up as the price of survival, and now that she was out of the Army she could focus on her next move. Her sisters, now properly embroiled in politics and knowing her sympathies lay with them, suggested she run for office on the strength of her service and family history but Fuka had no interest in gladhanding. Instead she turned her eyes back to the interceptors that captured her imagination as a girl.

Naval flight school required a bachelor's degree so she enrolled on a whim, majoring in Geopolitics and minoring in Political Science. She chose this just in case she did feel the call of public office but by the end of her schooling she was only more convinced she belonged in the sky. After college came officer school, and from there the flight school. By 25 Fuka was fighting again, having traded her boots for wings.

Again she was deployed southward, first facing off against Columbian and Venezuelan forces as they struggled against the U.S. for control over resources. She was later deployed to her native Japan to assist the JSDF in defending against harrying attacks from Chinese-allied Cambodia and Laos. It was there that she found her calling. Dogfighting was what she was good and it was what she wanted to do, the high-speed high-stakes game of tag her ultimate goal. She wanted to do nothing but that.

After her eight-year contract was up Fuka did not reenlist, instead jumping ship to Shattered Steel. She'd get to do the same work but for better pay, and she'd feel like she made her own choice instead of just following along with her parent's plan for her.

Personal Gear: M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System in 7.62mm.
Springfield XD-M in 10mm.
Survival Knife

Personal Aircraft: F/A-18F Super Hornet

Aircraft modifications:

• The 18F was originally a two-seat variant of the Hornet, but the Navy converted some of its stock to single-seaters due to a lack of personnel post-Heavenstrike. Fuka's more comfortable serving as her own Weapons Officer.
• Upgraded avionics
• Upgraded Radar: AN/APG-81
• Iron ball paint to absorb radar waves
• Glossy black paint scheme and stylized rabbit head on tail

Anything Else:

• The handle "Peacenik" dates back to her days in the Rangers. She would regularly volunteer (and in some cases actively badger) for patrols likely to come into contact with the enemy, and Peacenik was bestowed on her as an ironic trophy.
• Her "black bunny" style livery is in honor of the lieutenant commander who trained her to fly, a veteran of the VX-4 evaluation squadron.
• Fuka semi-jokingly calls herself the family's black sheep due to her sibling's achievements and her comparative lack. Her half-brothers, Thomas Jr. and Evan, are career officers in the U.S. Army while her sisters went into politics. Her full-blooded sister, Ayaka, is a Congresswoman out of Arizona, while Chieko is a member of the Japanese Diet. Yōko, the highest climber, is Deputy Prime Minister. All three are known for their hawkish and nationalistic tendencies, with Ayaka calling for the United States to rebuild and start projecting power while Chieko and Yōko push for Japan to increase its military and take a harder stance against pro-Chinese nations in Southeast Asia to solidify control of disputed territories (namely the Senkaku Islands). Fuka is sometimes approached by lobbyists looking to get an in with her family, which she finds amusing and annoying.
• She used to smoke heavily but has recently begun to wean herself off the habit using sweets.

[Damo021]

Name: Freyja Svensdotter
Callsign/Nickname: Valkyrie
Age: 32
Gender: Female
Appearance:

Freyja

Freyja is a lovely scandinavian woman with brown hair, She usually has it draping over her shoulders, preferring to have her hair flow free. Sometimes or depending on what Freyja is doing she will tie up her hair. She's has dark brown eyes and soft olive skin complexion. She stands roughly at 5'5¾" and has small cheeks, a medium size nose, hands, and ears with delicate slightly over average size lips. Freyja also has a tattoo with it going from her Right shoulder blade and making it's way down her back. She also has her tongue pierced, she has a small scar that runs a little along under her right rib and mutliple scarrings on her back.

In terms of attire, Freyja likes to try and keep things simplistic and minimalist with flowing garments that breathe easy. Things that hang over her shoulders, but also keep tight enough that they don't get in the way. She can often be seen in neutral or dark coloured clothing, mostly black and leathers, weather it cargo pants, jackets etc... Typically, Freyja prefers to wear black high heel or standard combat boots but can easily slip into sneakers. She's not the type of girl to go all out fancy - though, honestly, she does secretly like the feeling of a dress or a skirt hanging neatly off her body. Freyja, despite being partial to more practical foot wear, can easily rock a heel if she needs to.

Nationality: Swedish
Personality: Freyja is an interesting individual. She has had to learn to adapt and improvise to her surroundings which has led her into becoming a capable individual, she'll do what she can to help out if it benefits her situation. But; she is proud of her heritage and wears it on her sleeves and always wanted more for her life growing up, she became devastated when Heavenfall happened and since has her own moral compass and unprejudiced. But; She is not ashamed in having to do what she did to survive.

No one expects Freyja to be a book worm but it is true, she spends quite a bit of her time reading, she loves her music and is as likely to listen to metal music as she is calm, just depends on what she feels listening to at the time and may even sing to it when she is in her own world. But; despite this, Freyja appears to not care less about material things, like online fashion, posting what someone is eating, celebrities and posting her every move on some social media network and she doesn’t like to rely on people if she can help it.

Freyja does consider herself as an approachable person that is kind to those that earned it, she is far from soft-hearted though. To strangers and acquaintances, she may sometimes come off as wary to becoming friends as trust takes time to earn. But don't let her flaws fool you, she can have a laugh, be friendly and Sympathetic to others capable of giving second chances. Freyja is the type however that is loyal to those who do right by her and will help out her friends even if it’s just to listen or be a shoulder to cry on. though helping them achieve certain... Ambitions is another matter for her. If she doesn't like something, she won't hesitate to let you know.

History: Although Freyja doesn’t really talk about her past, especially pre-heavenfall. She was born and raised in Stockholm, Sweden to a hard working family, she was the second child of the family, having an older brother. It was a pretty comfortable life really, living in the coastal capital on the nation, there was plenty to do when growing up, it’s also where her brother took the time to teach her to surf, but Freyja also enjoyed the in mainland life to. The family would often go on camping trips or other family gatherings, her time spent with her dad played a big part of her early and teenage life, he taught her how to camp, fish and hunt, she was not as great as him but the quality time spend together meant more to her.

Just prior to joining the air force at eighteen, Freyja went backpacking with a group of friends for a few months, often enjoying the outdoors and freedom, it also gave her time to think on what she wanted to be after she was done with her education. After 15 months of training, Freyja would not see massive amount of issues, most of the action was training exercises, combat patrols and the odd interceptions. However, her life, just like many others around the world changed, four years into her service and Heavenfall hit, it caused so much damage and chaos as local governments and society literally fell apart around her. In the aftermath of the global disaster, Freyja had learned her parents did not survive, her brother did but their relationship was strained as he blamed her for not being there.

It took years before the toll of everything that happened sunk in, Scandinavian countries where looking inwards of themselves and sure enough the scraps were being fought over by the rich or greedy corporations, even the militaries of old were restructured into PMC’s or other guns for hire. Pilots of course were well sought after and paid well for their services, it was kill or be killed, if you didn’t do what you were told to do or contracted obligation, it could have meant your own death. It was lawless out there in the early years and Freyja knew it, she couldn’t rely on the N/UN to come save her, and she couldn’t really see an out.

Over the years, Freyja found herself a pilot for hire, sometimes she was in a PMC, non-sanctioned one’s funding by questionable means. It was only a matter of time before Freyja came across N/UN forces as its influence slowly spread, she was responsible for multiple bombings of N/UN assets, downing pilots, reconnaissance etc.… but the true stand out was her anti-ship efforts, in one particular anti N/UN operation, Freyja braved heavy anti air to strike a military transport ship carrying much needed supplies to a city that was of interest to both sides, resulting heavy losses of supplies and sailors.

In more recent times though, Freyja went rogue from her PMC mid operation. The reason was because she refused to complete a contract that involved hitting civilian targets, it was destroyed anyway by her wingman, when she returned however her payment went out to the other pilots. She had lashing punishments in front of others before being incarcerated and hideously tortured at the very base she called home, until they were satisfied she learned her place. During said operation Freyja gunned down her wingman who was on a bombing run on a hospital, sparing it, that pilot survived the encounter as Freyja escaped and went into hiding.

N/UN would get their target though, but not in a way they expected. Freyja was hiding out at a small abandoned building with a runway, when she heard what sounded like a large craft not flying at high altitude. Fearing she had been discovered, Freyja quickly with the help of a few guys stationed there, got her Gripen ready and she took to the skies in pursuit of the unknown craft. Upon catching up to her target, to her surprise it was a N/UN military transport, maybe it fell behind it’s sortie or thought lost from an Evac mission or something, she didn't know, oddly though when she locked on, the craft didn’t attempt to evade.

Upon a closer look, Freyja could see at least one engine was out, disengaging her target lock, she moved up alongside the larger craft, surveying the damage, she was surprised the craft was still flying, managing to make contact to the sheer surprise and horror of the pilot no doubt recognizing her plane, they pleaded to let them go when she urged them to land, claiming they had civilians on board after some debate and getting nowhere, Freyja decided to fly in formation with the transport, and escorted it back and into N/UN airspace, refusing to leave it until it had to go and land, she saluted the pilot before they landed successfully. Ultimately she was forced to land herself and was captured.

After several months of interrogation and providing what information she knew, the higher up's had to try and weight in on Freyja’s past and more recent actions and there desperate need for highly trained and skilled pilots. Freyja was eventaully given the opportunity to join N/UN forces after a rehabilitation program, her Gripen was updated to the latest standards, she has recently been cleared for active duty and given the opportunity to join shattered steel and Cobalt Haze squadron.

Personal Gear:

• Colt M1911 MEU/SOC Pistol 88 C2 with Streamlight TLR-2.
• HK-5C “Marksman Rifle” with suppressor, bipod, optical scope, vertical foregrip and optional light/laser.
• Combat/Survival knife.
• Swiss Eagle Multi-Tool Army Knife.
• Oval Locket Necklace Pendant with a small picture of her parents in it.
• A book called 'A higher call'

Personal Aircraft: Saab JAS-39E Gripen. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saab_JAS_39_Gripen


Aircraft modifications:

• All suggested modifications/upgrades in the linked article above the picture.
• N/UN updated to use storm shadow missiles.
• Griffon style paint scheme.

Anything Else:

• Freyja hopes that one day her home nation will become stable and join the N/UN to rebuild.
• Freyja has not spoken to her brother in many years.
• The wingman mentioned in her history is known as 'Gryphus' intel suggest he is flying a Sukhoi Su-35.
• Freyja once often used some of her 'funds' to help displaced/orphaned children from warzones.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQnf23rQQVE The song i kept coming to while making Freyja, i suppose this is her theme.

[Shadow Daedalus]

Cobalt 9

Name: Illya Sokolov
Callsign/Nickname: Rook - A twofold nickname, taken from both the Corvidae bird and the chess piece.
Age: 27
Gender: Male
Appearance:

Illya

Standing at a decent 5'10 (1.78m), Illya is no bodybuilder but he has a decently built physique typical of a military officer. He has a few scars, including an inch-long cut along his hairline that is usually hidden by his hair, but no tattoos.

Nationality: Russo-Ukrainian
Personality: Reserved and quiet but still largely affable when approached, Illya typically keeps to himself and occupies himself with activities he can enjoy alone or with only a few people, such as reading or playing Chess. Extended conversation often reveals his more awkward and shy side, which often leads to him excusing himself to 'recharge' alone for a while.
History: Born into Pre-Heavensfall Soviet Ukraine with a Ukrainian mother and Russian father, Illya's family were comparatively well-off owing to his father's career in the military, specifically in the field of aircraft research and development. This afforded Illya a high quality of education that shaped his future prosects toward following his father's footsteps, but he had few friends because of it. The one true friend he had growing up was a girl at his school named Nadiya, whom taught him Chess and compared his straight-forward approach to problem-solving to the movement of the Rook piece in said game.

As his studies progressed however, he found himself growing bored and longed for more excitement; Instead of sitting at a desk designing aircraft, he would rather in the cockpit himself, flying them. As a result, his career path pivoted away from academics and he instead aimed to join the military as a test pilot; He got his wish, enrolling in the flight training program at 17... Only for Heavensfall to devastate the entire Soviet Union, claiming his hometown in the devastation and along with it the lives of Nadiya and his family.

In the aftermath, what was left of the Ukrainian government scrambled to reform any semblance of military strength and called on anyone with any experience; Illya was among those that answered the call, and was folded into a makeshift unit after being rushed through training. It was here that his callsign of 'Rook' was solidified as he was taken under the wing of two more experienced aces, siblings with the callsigns of 'Raven' and 'Crow', and the newly formed trio remained together in the years that followed. With many larger airfields rendered unsuitable, the remnant forces needed a solution to the lack of runway space and began to revisit older designs to mitigate the problem, including the experimental VTOL fighter Yak-141.

The unit continued to run sorties for the same faction of the remnant government, until bad intel lead to the squadron being cut off from the rest of their forces and subsequently. Illya's plane was shot down but he was fortunate enough to survive the crash; Raven and Crow were not so lucky. He managed to drag himself back to base but with his found family dead and his withering national pride running out, he gave up and turned to mercenary work. Unbeholden to a cause anymore, he simply continued to fly missions as a means to an end until crossing paths with some Shattered Steel pilots stationed on the same airbase at the time. They extended an invitation and, for lack of better options, Illya accepted. He was recently folded into Cobalt Haze Squadron, and has yet to form any strong bonds with his wingmates.

Personal Gear:

• Standard Issue Flight Gear
• Vepr 5.45x39mm Assault Rifle, updated with modernized furniture
• MP-443 Grach 9x19mm Sidearm
• Combat Knife
• Silver Pendant in the shape of a Knight chess piece

Personal Aircraft: Yak-141, nicknamed 'Vyzhyv' or 'Survivor'

'Survivor'

Aircraft modifications:

• Updated Avionics, Control Systems etc.
• Updated Engine, Powerplant, Thrust Nozzles etc.
• Updated Weapon Systems, removing outdated cannon and external hardpoints in favour of mounting more modern munitions
• Cosmetic Update (Removal of Soviet Identifiers in favour of Shattered Steel company markings, application of grey camouflage paint)

[Rhona W]

Name: Jan Van Straaten

Callsign/Nickname: Strat

Age: 30

Gender: Male

Appearance:

Jan

Jan is not overly tall; standing at around 5'5". He keeps his sun-bleached, sandy-blonde hair short for convenience. He is usually clean-shaven, though his stubble doesn't take long to show.
He has a relatively powerful, broad-shouldered frame and build, and his musculature reflects his regular exercise routine. He has medium blue eyes.

Nationality: South African

Personality:
Jan is quite excitable, eager, and vibrant in his personality. He speaks quickly, especially when warming to a subject and excited about it. His body language and movements will also become animated and lively when he gets excited and eager.
He is something of a quick-witted, fast-talking charmer and a bit of a confidence man, often using his confidence and charisma - such as it is - to bluff through problems, and defuse situations with wit, humour, and bravado. He is quietly confident in his own abilities and appearance - as in, he knows he is good looking - but not given to bragging or boasting.
However, this outward facade of bravado and cocksure confidence hides a more bitter, hollow core of a man who is unsure of his place in the world, and his direction in life. While he claims with casual, airy confidence to fly as a merc for money and prestige, the truth is he is not sure where he fits in, and is searching for belonging and a purpose and hopes that by flying as part of Shattered Steel he can do something that might have a lasting, positive impact on the world.

History:
Jan was born in 1984 and grew up in the waning years of Apartheid in South Africa. While his memories of his youngest years are cloudy, he has vibrant memories of dangerous and turbulent times during his teenage years. The transitional period was marked with violence across the nation - and he was on the frontlines of it.
Jan's father was extremely strict, formal, and conservative in his views. Deeply rooted in the traditional White Supremacist views of Apartheid and a commanding officer in the South African Police, he ran a very strict household and was a domineering personality. As such, he was very reserved with his emotions, and his affection to his sons and his wife.
Jan was very different, following more after his mother's side of the family. He related more to her, and her nurturing affection lead to him being more questioning and open than his father. He increasingly found himself at odds with his father's views and ideals, something he kept secret at first, but found harder and harder to hide behind - especially as the country around them changed and his father's increasing bitterness at the change in ways grew, and Jan grew into more of his own man.
Jan's father and he eventually came to a massive disagreement after Jan found himself in a romantic relationship with a black girl. His father was so outraged he beat Jan, and only his mother putting herself in the way stopped him from going further - and he threatened to beat her, as well. Jan left home immediately, though kept in touch with his mother after the fact through letters.

Jan was unsure of what to do with himself following this. His relationship fell apart after his lover found out who his father was, something that left him even more bitter at his father's influence over his life, even without him being present.
Hoping for stability and order in his life, he enlisted with the South African Defence Force, which was in the middle of reorganization into a new form following the end of Apartheid.
Surprising himself, he showed aptitude for the military life and found the routine and sense of duty helpful to his mental and emotional state, and the learning of new skills something he threw himself into.
The world of aviation lured him in, and he quickly found himself in the air wing of the forces. Showing great aptitude, situational awareness and possessed of a sharp mind, he was nudged toward a career as a pilot, and a fast-jet pilot at that, something he found he enjoyed the challenge and status of.
After two years of flight training, he graduated in 2004... just in time for the world to implode after the Heavenfall.
With so many coastal cities and settlements, South Africa was hit hard, and the SADF was heavily involved in disaster relief efforts. Violence further erupted along borders and internally alike. The government managed to hold onto the reins and keep things together, albeit with much stress and difficulty.
With so many operations, including insurgencies and border wars, Jan very quickly found himself an experienced pilot with numerous combat sorties under his belt. Sometime during this period, he was informed his father had died of a heart attack by his brother.
He attended the funeral, seeing it as something of a reconciling moment to put things to rest, though he was one of very few people there.
After this, Scott decided to cash out of the SADF, as budget cuts forced changes. Still looking to fly, and still unsure of where his life was headed. He briefly enlisted with a mercenary unit in the African continent, invited to by one of his former colleagues. However, after finding out that they were much more of the 'old guard' than he was, quickly decided to leave their employ - especially after more or less openly rebelling against them to sabotage an contract issued by a megacorporate employer that was a thin excuse for displacing people from their homes and land to exploit them for resources.
Sometime after this, he heard about Shattered Steel and approached them to join. He served in another squadron briefly, before being transferred to Scott's command as part of Cobalt Haze.

Personal Gear:

• H&K USP Compact .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol; underbarrel flashlight.
• Vektor R6 Compact Rifle with ACOG sight
• Combat/Survival knife

Personal Aircraft:
IAI Kfir NG (New Generation)

Modified as follows:

• Elta AESA Radar
• Helmet-mounted sight
• Thrust-vectored engine
• HOTAS controls and full Glass cockpit
• Compatibility with precision-guided air-to-ground weapons
• Compatibility with BVR Air-to-air missiles
• Compatibility with modern targeting and reconnaissance pods

Jan's Kfir is painted in the distinctive blue-grey camouflage scheme as used on US aggressor aircraft.