Expendable

Mundane fantastic slice of life

As a suggestion, why not have it going on over the summer? Just a handful of students present for a handful of classes, or having decided to stay in town instead of going home during the summer break?

The townies are happy because they can finally get downtown. Maybe now they can hit that diner that's always thronged with students during the fall and spring semesters? Fourth of July fireworks, art festivals, farmer markets, yard sales. Who knows what bit of elderich horror one might find in a pile of old books? Say an old diary that used to belong to a long dead professor?

Perhaps the gang are all members of a paranormal club - ghost hunting and the like?

The college is an old one, there are actual graves on campus where various members of the faculty were buried. Perhaps a few stories of strange things going on? Like rumors of strange beings in the stacks of the library at night? Or why the steam tunnels are all locked up and alarmed? Perhaps a few empty houses with hidden bunkers under them? Or a network of odd underground tunnels leading to hidden speakeasies long abandoned - or so you thought?

And let's not forget frats and secret societies.

Tryliin Blues - A Merc's Life

@Expendable - Sem looks good my only concern is you have a pretty extensive arsenal and no real way to pay for it. I mean I won't say that a bouncer would be poor but that's some heavy weaponry just to have on the side. Unless your saying it's furnished by your employer to increase your intimidation effect, then I guess that could work.

@Arthanus

I was thinking of that, I can drop the minigun and just keep the Briggs shotgun, call that a gift from Boss Raskolnikov, who strongly urged Sem not use that in town - or at the very least, not in the Russian quarter. Maybe later he'll use that to ask for a "favor". It's nothing you'd want to fire without the suit.

I have no problem getting rid of the bullpup either.

Tryliin Blues - A Merc's Life

Well, worked out most of my bits finally last night, resurrecting my old power suit. Anyone want to make a connection to a bouncer who works at the only club in the Pit that doesn't water its drinks?

Escape from the Prison Mine

Rizx frowns, not hearing the expected 'thunk' of the bolt retracting.

“A-are you supposed to be doing that?” Kristo asked.
"To escape?" Rizx retorted softly, glancing his way. "Yes."

She re-inserted her lock picks and got back to work, maneuvering her tools into the right spot past the wards and began probing.

What was wrong with her? She sighs, silently. Was it the eyes on her, watching her do this? Was it the stress of knowing it was up to her to get them past this door, and possibly others?

Escape from the Prison Mine

Sure, post his position. Also, any details you can provide about him.

Also, is the cell door hinges well-oiled?

Escape from the Prison Mine

In the corner, the scrap of blanket ripples as Rizx stirs, wincing and softly hissing as she tried to loosen up her back despite all the scars that crisscrossed it and the cold stone that drew her heat away. Her brown eyes took everything in, the darkness revealing all its secrets to the goblin. Quickly, she adjusted the blanket so that it looked like she still slept in it.

Turning, the goblin flashed her pointed teeth in a fierce grin, then carefully made her way across the cell, her feet making no sound on the cold stone. She then fumbles with the drawstring of her pants, producing two wires she'd shaped into crude lock picks, and pressed her side into the cell door as she slips the picks into the key hole. In truth, she and this lock were old, familiar friends.

She glances back at the others, then coughs deeply, a common complaint among many of the prisoners so hardly remarkable, as she twists the mechanism inside, hoping to hide the sound of the bolt retracting, assuming she managed to pick it....

The Eye of the Needle (where Fantasy and Sci-fi collide)

J'eon the Blacksmith

"We have an accord," J'eon replied, his deeper voice cutting through the others as he glances at Vigdis, then back to the captain. "Those metals you are willing to trade, and this very strong metal you will teach me how to work."

---

Jack Mallory, X.O.

"Anselm, I thought the report was multiple Tekeri were approaching the comm relay," the X.O. growls. "Did we lose track of the others? Or was this one just walking faster?"

Or was the relay just a feint, and the real threat coming elsewhere?

"Wodan, do you see any probable threats approaching the ship or our crew?" Jack demanded.

The X.O. wondered if any of them realized how valuable they were should they become hostages of the locals?

Tryliin Blues - A Merc's Life

@Arthanus - character is roughed out. I'll see about making some connections.

Sem

Name: Sed'moy (Sem) Angel
-Race:

Valkyrii

Winged humanoid single-sex clone race from the planet Valkyrjur.

Valkyrjur is a resource-poor world, its temperate zones swept almost constantly by storms, forcing its inhabitants to live in caves carved out of the rock. Its primary exports are its people, working as orbital habitat builders and mercenaries.

Valkyrii females (there are no males) are born from "Mothers", an egg-shaped cloning tank that force-grows clones to a biologic mid-adolescence stage in 140 standard days and implanting a basic practical and military education.

Warning: Valkyrii possessed an enhanced strength, 150% of normal, thanks genetic alteration for bone growth stimulation that allows additional layers of muscle to be attached to additional points on the reinforced bones. Be very careful when interacting with newly decanted Valkyrii, as they do not know their own strength yet.

Valkyrii clones can be field-ready in 30 standard days following decanting, however, on the home world, they usually undergo two standard years of socialization and additional training before being assigned to a unit going off-world.

Programmer

Training can include the use of a Valkyrii Programmer - a helmet that can implant knowledge directly into the brain, allowing the quick mastery of a language or skill.

Valkyrjur takes no responsibility for any mental damage a non-valkyrii may suffer when trying to use this device, it was not designed for them. As such, Valkyrii Programmer helmets are seldom found offworld in working condition. It's also difficult to find someone who can produce suitable training programs for the device.

Valkyrii are short-ranged telepaths among their own kind, allowing for rapid response from nearby Valkyrii. Only 1% of their kind have the ability to communicate telepathically with other species via skin contact. As a precaution, those with the gift wear gloves to avoid unintentional contact with others.

Telepath Warning

Telepaths of other races, unless communicating with one of the touch telepaths, should not attempt to telepathically connect with a Valkyrii without a suitable supply of pain killers/medical assistance within easy reach.

Mind Scream

A touch-telepath attack of the last resort, they can project a mental scream into the mind of the subject. This can stun most subjects and the telepath for several minutes.

While the Valkyrii possess wings, the average wingspan is approximately 1 meter, insufficient for sustained flight in 1 standard gravity - not even on their own home world. In zero g, however, once acclimatized, they are quite adept at maneuvering in open air.

It is not known by the Valkyrii who created them, although they a 97% match with humanity, and have no issues consuming human rations.

-Age: 4 (biologic 20)
-Appearance: This cold woman reminds you of a dangerous weapon. She has slitted gray eyes that are like two pools of mercury. Her thick, wavy, midnight black hair is worn in a pixie cut style that reminds you of a cotton swab dipped in black ink. Her wings on the other hand are charcoal-gray. She is short and has a lithe build. Her skin is ruddy. She has a small mouth.

Height: 1.7 m., Weight: 61.2 kg.

-Personality: Sober (shows no interest in drugs or alcohol), and honest (not sure she knows how to lie).

-Equipment:

Every Day Carry

Weapon: Church Ordinance Judge pistol (.45 Long Colt / 410 Shotgun) with ammo pouch.
Weapon: Jensen Knives Out the Front Automatic 3.825" Tanto blade.

Communications: Seares Omni

Smart comm with oxygen and pressure alarms, video recording and playback, interfaces with other devices and can use apps. Can be connected to local communication networks - typically a fee service. Also acts as a short-ranged radio comm. Uses a commercial charging pad.

Communications (Display): Seares AR Glasses

Shatterproof plastic glasses with built-in heads-up Augmented Reality display, allows for gesture commands. Can also act as a targeting sight, display heat signatures, using the built]in cameras. Can connect to a smart comm or other devices as a dedicated display, or to local communications networks - typically a fee service. Popular for those without implants. Uses a commercial charging pad.

Body Armor: Kingsman's Leathers

A double-breasted vest with anti-stab lining and plate carrier, internal tech pockets, from their covert protection line of protective clothes, mostly aimed at the wealthy. Hers has been modified with back side-slits to allow her to spread her wings and small metal strips woven together with paracord to form spaulders to protect her shoulders.

Flashlight: Coleman's Laser Flashlight

this palm-sized light can project a diffused beam that will illuminate a large area, or can be focused down to a very short-ranged narrow beam capable of cutting most materials and ignite flammable ones.

Sensor: Seares Chem Sniffer

this palm-size rod when waved over an object can pick up the chemicals being outgassed by the material, often used by travelers to detect hazardous or poisonous food and displaying a green or red indicator light. When connected to a smart comm device with its database, it can do a basic chemical signature breakdown, allowing it to identify hazardous chemicals, poisons, alcohol strength, Scoville heat units, calorie count, or explosives.

Supplements: Seares MinTabs

a form of multivitamin, this provides trace elements that may be missing from a traveler's diet. Comes in a narrow pocket tin.

Supplements: Seares RationBar

A vaguely sweet, palatable, chewy protein bar with the consistency of soggy sawdust in stiff vanilla taffy.

Basic Mission Load

Mauser Tactical Centurion II Powered Exo Suit (Gorilla Suit)

Shielded water fusion micro-generator powers strength-enhancing polymer muscles that allows the exoskeleton suit to move organically, with a clamshell front plate design that makes the suit quick to don, and laminated armor plates that resist damage from explosives and kinetic weapons. Sensor-head design. Equip with internal life support and gas filters.

Operators use oversized (OS) versions of conventional weapons. 19 hours operation out of 1 liter of heavy water. Unit weight (without operator) 102 kg. Combined suit, operator, and equipment cannot exceed 340 kg. Initial sizing of suit takes approximately four hours.

Retired from active service over thirty-three years ago for less bulky, faster, lighter designs. Typically found in military museums and military surplus stores, or in use by budget merc units, survey crews, fire fighters, or as training units for high school mecha teams.

Briggs Heavy Shotgun OS

Single-barrel design, fires oversized slug, pellet, and grenade cartriges. 9 round capacity.

FM-39 Bullpup

Reserve weapon for Centurion II pilots. Three magazines.

Tangler Grenades

Throw-able canisters that explodes in a spread of less-than-lethal sticky and quickly expanding polymer foam that can quickly entangle to or more people. Requires an aerosol release agent to break down the tangler strands.

Entrenching Tool

for digging/personal defense

Survival Harness

battle dressing, combat application tourniquet x2, personal first aid kit, survival machete (etched & saw back), Seares RationBar x14, 1 liter osmosis canteen, flashlight laser, 3m copper wire, 25m paracord, 15m fishing line, 5m flat pack of heavy-duty duct tape, 4-pc survival card multitool, pocket gun-tool, 30-gallon trash bag x2, pack of soap slips, $50 non-sequential money cards x 10. Additional ammo for judge.

-Abilities:
Valkyrii-specific short ranged telepath (useless if there's no other Valkyrii around).
Enhanced strength (150%)
Good night vision.
Brawler, with a few unusual martial arts moves.
An odd knowledge of improvised explosives. (The shed in back of the church had to be rebuilt three times)

Bio:

Discovered passed out and naked in the salvage yard, lying in the only mud-puddle, looking like she fell out of the stretched out egg-shaped windowless booth. As she had wings, the workers smuggled her out to Father Petrov's church. He was concerned she had some sort of tramatic head injury at first, but she learned quickly. When Petrov asked about the booth, the yard workers reported that it had been sold and shipped out, they didn't know to who.

Within a year, she was working in the salvage yard, watched over by the other workers. On her first day, came home with an odd key she found in a trash heap. Keeps it with her.

Came to the notice of Boss Raskolnikov five months later when she unknowingly helped his nephew break into his cousin's flat, then when she broke his arm in Boss Raskolnikov's club while the group was celebrating their robbery. He immediately recognized her as Valkyrii, and ordered her left alone.

Afterwards, worked for Boss Raskolnikov as a bouncer, she began talking to some of the mercs who visited his club (didn't water down the booze, hangout for the local job broker). Did some odd jobs, earned enough money to buy an old Centurion II suit in the salvage yard and got it working again.

Did some workouts with some of the mercs, like Vex, who agreed she wasn't the worse possible choice for a raw recruit and gave her an offer to join the group.

-Goal: To make it off of this world and find her people.

Escape from the Prison Mine

<Snipped quote by ProxyInc>

Imagine the bear with long braids, he would be so fabulous! I totally volunteer for the big man to just be sitting there getting braids done until the show starts

@Riffus Maximus

Don't forget to include the bones. Very important part.

Escape from the Prison Mine

<Snipped quote by Expendable>

Co-ed prisons can have a lot of things go wrong in them or inconvenient things.

@Zora

They usually separate out the sexes, to avoid issues.