[OOC] GEARs Redux [Winter & Silverwind Blade]

[Rhona W]

All the background is the same as the main GEARs game, so I'll post a link to the first OOC post from that instead of copying it all:
GEARs OOC

The premise of this smaller-scale adventure, is that our two characters are operatives for an intelligence/covert action branch of one of Arvara's countries.
Disguised as a Salvage/Freight/etc operation based aboard a smaller-scale landcruiser, with a handful of other people and a pair of heavily modified and disguised GEARs, we travel from place to place carrying out missions vital to the security of our country, their allies, and of the Arvaran people in general.

Aside from our GEAR piloting duties, we also have various roles of meeting contacts and gathering information, retrieving people and items, and even actually carrying out salvage operations on the odd occasion.

Obviously, sneaking around and pretending to be something your not isn't always easy, and there are always people looking for you, so there's an element of danger involved. Not to mention who knows what you might come across, and how important it might end up being.

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So, yeah - this gives us a place to put our character and GEAR sheets. I have some ideas for the plot to develop as we go along, and balloon into something much bigger in scale than either of our characters are expecting.
I'm thinking we should ignore the original GEARs plot completely, and have the two stories remain separate, with no mention of one another beyond places and the like, and maybe one or two knowing sly mentions or name-drops.

I'm planning on playing a completely different character, and having a different GEAR (at last!), and I was also thinking we could advance the tech a smidge too, and maybe introduce some more advanced weapons or systems for the GEARs and such as a result. Depends what you think too - I'm not thinking anything ultra-advanced like beam sabers or such, but maybe lasers or other energy weapons, and maybe GEARs capable of flight with assistance (such as a flight pack).

Where do you think we should be from too - we could go with Landren again, or we could invent another new independent state instead? I think once we've worked that out, we can create our characters.

[Winter]

I don't mind honestly. If we make a new nation we'll have to create a new agenda for them as well as specifics for them. It's honestly up to you.

[Rhona W]

Hmm, good point. I guess it would be worth sticking with Landren in that regard, and making up other places to visit would be easier, as they don't have to be quite as in-depth if we're not from them.
And we know Landren and what it's like. It's a nice place to be from, overall, and it'll save us a bit of time.

[Winter]

I agree ^^

So Landren it is!

[Winter]

Name: Lilly (Last name Classified)
Nick Name: Tilly
Age: 28
Species: Red fox
Gender: Female
Appearance:

Tilly

Personality:

Lilly is exactly as you would imagine a covert agent to be. She is incredibly fast, efficient and precise, following orders to the letter with a minimal to no failure rate. However despite her job role and effectiveness in the field, Lilly manages to maintain her inner femininity which is shown in how she acts and presents herself. Unlike most of the female soldiers among the Landren military who assume what is commonly classified to be a 'tomboyish' personality, Lilly comes across as kind and gentle and appears to enjoy the luxuries of what one would expect from a female of her age. She'll greet her friends with a smile and offer them all the time in the world if they ask it from her which is when her inner most desire to be kind to others is most prominently shown, especially around serious subjects that revolve around a comrade going through a tough time. However that's not to say she is completely innocent, as she has often been seen to banter and joke with her fellow squad members and field partners. During combat situations Lilly has demonstrated a higher degree of understanding in the field of strategy which has enabled her to succeed as a covert agent. Her ability to analyse and understand her enemies are what have made her a valuable asset to the military and combined with her perception during investigations, she has proven herself worthy for the tougher challenges. Lilly does appear to have a capacity for a temper, although it seems fairly docile. Consistent provoking or high levels of stress seem to be what cause her temper, however it is unlikely this behavior will be shown as she is likely to calm herself down through repetitive techniques taught via military training.

History:

Classified.

Skills:

- Infiltration & Reconnaissance
- Strategy
- Highly perceptive
- Hand to hand combat training
- Weapons training
- GEAR Pilot training
- Basic first aid

GEAR

Gear Name: Sovereign
Appearance:

ATAM Sovereign

Civilian Loadout:

1x Flight pack unit
2x Loading Arms

Normal Loadout:

1x Assault Rifle
1x Plasma Cannon
1x Titanium GEAR knife
1x Flight pack unit.

Other Systems & Equipment

1x Medium range radar.
1x Search light
2x Chaff pods
Thermal Cameo armour.
System COM link & Frequency amplifier.
Laser designation system.

Other Notes:

None yet.

[Rhona W]

She looks great, and I really like the GEAR, too. I'm thinking of having one that transforms into a jet mode, if I can find something suitable. I'll have a dig about, and try and get my chara up later this evening.

In terms of the plot, do you think we should start with our characters already knowing each other?

I thought one idea that may be good is one of them is already part of the operation, and the other is being introduced as a replacement after the previous 'partner' was injured or killed in action. That way, we have a mix of different experiences, and one person can guide the other through things.

[Winter]

Thanks, and ok sounds good.

I like your idea allot, if you want I can be your new partner ^^

[Rhona W]

Character Name: Rolen 'Razor' Razen (Also known as 'Ro' and 'R.R')
Age: 35
Species: Wolverine
Appearance:

Rolen

Personality:
Ro is, for the most part, confident, calm, open and enthusiastic. He is a happy kind of guy, with a lot of positive personality and a friendly disposition coupled with a smart sense of humour and a quietly intelligent and sharp wit. So much so, he often comes across as lacking in seriousness and is easy to take for a fool or a man lacking in depth or understanding.
However, he is possessed of an extremely strong will and moral compass, and can be terrifyingly pragmatic and practical in combat, especially to those who have hurt him and those he cares for. In his own words, 'good ain't always nice, and sometimes good men have to do bad things'.

He has a strong sense of fun and good humour, and loves to relax with friends and colleagues, of which he has many of both. He does have something of a temper, especially being short in patience with 'red tape' and anything that holds back his ability to act when lives are at stake, or there is anything he thinks he can do (even if it's not the case).
He is probably more intelligent than he realizes, and could be more so if he dedicated himself - however, he is very much a man of actions and results, rather than the biggest of bigger pictures.

Personal History:
Rolen didn't have an especially remarkable early life - he grew up in a relatively well-to-do suburb of Ourvan, and lived a mostly nomal childhood. His family didn't have a strong tradition of military service, but he had relatives who had served, and enjoyed hearing their stories. As such, he decided the LDF was for him, and joined after taking a sponsorship through college, where he studied international politics among other subjects.
After graduation with average but passing grades, he was recommended for GEAR pilots' school, and showed excellent prowess as a pilot, despite occasional clashes with superiors and other classmates with more aggressive personalities. He was in fact placed in suspension for four days after breaking another cadets' arm, after he caught them harassing a female candidate. After the investigation revealed that the cadet who's arm had been broken had been attempting to assault the female cadet, the charges were quietly dropped, but the mark still remained, and it left a bad taste in Rolens' mouth.

After graduating from pilots' school, he served in a tactical GEAR unit, and made some distinction for his skill and ability in combat and ingenuity in solving problems, as well as a straightforward approach to combat. He earned medals for distinction in service and for the rescue of innocent lives, before rotating back into an Operational Test Unit, testing out new technology in combat situations. This later lead him into the world of black ops, and he became a covert operative with the LDF's 'Blackwerx' units, where he remains to this day.

Personal Weapons and Equipment:
Normally carries a folding knife and a compact pistol when in civilian clothing and permitted to carry weapons.
If on a 'standard' (i.e. non-covert) op, will carry a sub-machine gun, or carbine rifle and associated combat gear when out of the cockpit.
Normal GEAR pilots helmet, harness, and survival equipment, plus other expected accessories (water bottle, comms, etc.)

Mecha Sheet

GEAR Name & Serial Number: GGU-98X 'Jester'
Appearance:

Jesterr

Role:
A special purpose modification of a general-issue, high-performance combat GEAR, the Jester is optimized for its' Special Forces and Special Operations role. Designed to be as tough and resilient as possible for extended operations and combat in the field, the Jester is a step above the standard issue Harlock of the LDF.

Normal Loadout:
2 x Head-mounted 7.62mm Miniguns
1 x High-vibration Kukri-style knife
1 x Shield with built-in smoke/decoy launchers
1 x hand-held 30mm GEAR special-operations-model assault rifle/autocannon
Hardpoints carry a variety of other weapons or equipment bundles. Usually mounts all-purpose quad-rack of missiles and an automatic grenade-launcher or heavy cannon. Weapons changed depending on projected mission and threats.

When disguised in 'civilian mode' shell, no normal weapons are usable other than the head guns

Other Systems & Equipment:
'Civilian Mode' shell of ejectable armour and functional salvage equipment and components (winch, tools, etc) that can be used to perform salvage role as cover, and also for combat engineering purposes. The GEAR cannot use ant weapons in this disguise, though it can be ejected in emergencies. Reattaching it takes several hours in a workshop.

The Jester can mount an optional 'flight booster' for short-range flight, and an 'aqua booster' for amphibious operations. Additionally, if heavy combat is expected, optional heavy armour can be attached as an external shell, with support for heavier weapons systems, but greatly reduces mobility.

Additional systems include:
Chaff/flare/smoke dispensors
Searchlights
Full-spectrum sensor system
Laser designator/com system

Other notes:
The Jester is a tough machine. The original models were rebuilt from hand-picked 'low hour' Harlocks, and then re-constructed with the best components and systems available, or custom-designed components and systems. These proof-of-concept models were the benchmark for the later limited production run of 88 models, built from hand-picked Harlocks off of the production line, or from models in reserve storage with good maintenance histories.
The GEARs were stripped down to the frame, and then almost all components from the UHD and computer core upward were replaced. Modernized versions were installed with an eye toward improving power and weight efficiency, control response, processing power, operating time, and other performance characteristics. Additionally, the new systems installed included sound deadening systems on all joints, infra-red suppression systems, radar-absorbent and low-reflection paint and materials and other such 'stealthy' systems.
Further to this, the Jester was also equipped with modular and hard-wearing components that could be easily swapped and replaced in the field, allowing the GEAR to be operated for long periods away from a base or large repair facility. Similarly, its' hardpoints and stores management and targeting system software are compatible with the full range of LDF ordnance and equipment, as well as a wide array of other manufacturers and nations' weaponry and equipment, to allow for maximum flexibility.

[Winter]

Looks great ^^

I can't see the picture though for some reason.

[Rhona W]

It might be the link. FurAffinity doesn't seem to like linking to external sites. I'll upload the picture to photobucket.

Do you think a couple of NPC's would be good too? Just so we know who our support team are. They probably don't need full profiles though.

[Winter]

That would be a good idea I think.

[Rhona W]

Cool cool - I was thinking maybe just three or four, people to crew the Landcruiser and act as drivers, medics, mechanics and whatever else we need when we need it. And for someone for our characters to talk to when they don't want to talk to each other...!

Maybe create two each, if that sounds good to you?

I figure we can start over the weekend sometime if that's cool with you? I haven't got loads on this weekend (for once!)

[Winter]

That's fine. I don't think we need to write them all out though, they can just be added in a post at the time. If we explain them all we'll be here forever. And the weekend sounds good.

[Rhona W]

Yeah, sounds like a plan to me. I'll start thinking up some stuff to get us into the plot.

[Winter]

Alrighty ^^

[Rhona W]

Might be a while in getting something up - I've damaged a tendon in my right hand. I'm left-handed, so I can still type, but it's awkward to use a PC with my right hand movement a bit restricted. I'll work on it once I've started healing up a bit though.

[Winter]

That's ok, coincidentally I've burned my finger really badly which had messed up my typing.

[Rhona W]

Well, I hope your hand is feeling better, as mine is pretty much fine for typing and mouse-ing now too. I also dropped a bunch of stuff I wasn't enjoying any more so that I've got a bit more free time, and made some resolutions to myself to be a bit nicer to me about my hobbies (i.e., they're supposed to be fun and not a chore, so only do them when they're fun).
So, that in mind - I'm eager to get this started. I'm pretty up for just diving right in if you are? I'm tossing a few ideas back and forth for a longer-range plot, and in true tradition, I figure I've got a skeleton, and I can fill in the blanks as we go along, and always change things about after we discuss them - after all, there's only two of us, so it's much easier to exchange ideas for plot that way and build the story together.

I can get a post up IC now, and then you can reply whenever you like, and we'll go from there.

Oh, and I'll sort my picture out in a minute too!

[Winter]

Awesome ^^

I'm glad you're feeling better and I'll have a post up shortly. Also Rolen looks cool ^^