Pragia12

Just Another Hero [Invite-Only]

Katsuo was content to sit back in his desk towards the middle of the classroom for the shitty introduction of his junior professor, shittier reactions of his new cohort, and the compounding shittiness of downstream reactions. The muscular hero was a bit large for his desk, the back support never felt right to him as he leaned against it casually, staying cool as the situation naturally escalated. He knew that class 1B had a rep for dysfunctional personalities, but the addition of himself alongside Mia and Kaiga in the reshuffle were not going to do them any favors.

He at least had some comradery with his classmates who joined them in getting thrown out of the top class. Mia was a bit of a bitch, but he liked that from the American, and more importantly she was real with these idiots and posers. The long monologuing earned a stretch and a yawn, followed by a bobbling nod of approval, about the pinnacle of Katsuo’s respect for his peers. Asagumo was more amusing, bit of an idolizer and worse: a stickler, but he wasn’t a bad guy and he had the good sense to usually not be too obtrusive. Obviously, the raucousness of the new class was not going to be easy for him.

That said, his scream had Indomitable looking down to his phone, his normal cool smile faltering for a moment as he caught word of the retirement of the top three at the same time. It was a complicated thing for him: He was glad that he had the opportunity to work under Best Jeanist’s tutelage, and he admired the hardened determination of the #1 Hero. He considered what it would mean with such a huge loss to the Hero community, and what would happen at Eirei as the Flame Hero began to step back. He was sure that Kaiga was crushed, and maybe some time to himself escorting the uptight loser to the nurse might give him some time to reflect.

Of course, his fellow students weren’t the only Class 1A leftovers being tossed down, a fact he was painfully reminded of when Danzo appeared to back up his junior professor, only to throw her under the bus. He smirked some as Rin’s self-absorption collapsed into a teary mess, the poetic justice almost as good as getting the real thing. He didn’t care much for how he was graded, he showed up as required, and did little more.

Perhaps it was best he did not know he was being graded this way. He was already frustrated by his demotion, which still bothered him. He had excelled in the Sports Festival, it was his favorite event and he had prepared to the best of his ability. But the fights had been all disappointing: Kaiga was completely uninterested in even fighting despite being placed in the first round, and he almost felt bad throwing him out of the ring so unceremoniously. It was frustrating, he knew Kaiga was a good fighter, but he was clearly out of his element.

The quirkless kid had put up a better fight, but steel on steel the Overwhelming Firepower hero was outmatched when Katsuo launched from the get go at well beyond his normal ability, basking in the glow of his previous victory. The most embarrassing, however, was his defeat in the semifinals to Onrush. It was humiliating to be ringed out before he could even get to blows. He had spent so long focusing on how to handle those blades and her speed, and the momentum of his two previous victories had him feeling better than he had in years, but none of it even mattered as he was as unceremoniously shunted as Kaiga had been. He was not good at swallowing his pride, and made his disapproval well known to both his opponent and the judges.

Upon being dismissed, the hero rose from his seat to his full height, a little below 2 meters tall as he made his way out of the classroom and back to his locker. Taking out his board, the smile on Katsuo’s face became much more excited, tapping a button on the side, the thrum of the repulsor confirmed that it was ready, and he was happy to place it on the ground, hovering a few inches off the ground. He’d step on, locking in his forward foot to the controls. As he raised his backfoot on, he’d shift his leading foot on the controls, the thrum becoming much more audible as the repulsor gained strength and he rose further off the ground.

Pushing off the ground with his foot, he made his way out to the hallway and hopped over the railing two stories above the ground. As the massive young man plummeted, he pressed his heels into the board and pushed the repulsors to their safe maximum, the field easing his landing from almost the moment he hopped off from the height. He had gone from higher before, but it killed his knees dropping from higher up. This was closer to a gentle glide as the field slowly reduced itself, catching his landing gracefully as he again pushed off the ground out towards the dorms.

It was a beautiful day out, the clear sunny sky begging for him to stay out, but he had to go back to the dorms for the next assignment. Yamato-San at least seemed relaxed, Katsuo wasn’t sure what to make of his roommate, but he’d do his best to make it work. He was expecting a bloodbath of overachievers looking for student rep positions. The idea crossed his mind occasionally, but the Self-Assured Hero was not one to take responsibility for the fuckups of others, let alone this group of misfits.

He took the long way back, his hoverboard streaking over the river on its booster, Katsuo leaning forward and low to not get put off balance by the extra thrust that was sending up a wake of water beside him and warm spray into his face to cool him off. A blast of repulsor would send him high into the air before landing on the bank and turning over towards the dorm.

Lets see what this petty bloodbath is going to look like.

Just Another Hero [Invite-Only]

Taragi Katsuo

ɴᴀᴍᴇ
Taragi Katsuo

ᴀʟɪᴀꜱ
Self-Assured Hero – Indomitable

ʟɪꜰᴇᴛɪᴍᴇ
09-06-2108 · Age 19

ꜱᴛᴀɢᴇᴘʟᴀʏ
A hotshot at heart, Katsuo is more than happy to prove himself and show off while he does it. Despite his extreme overconfidence, he tends to keep an easygoing and lackadaisical extroversion to things, and he wears his opinions on his sleeve. This isn’t to say he’s the friendliest person around, and he is usually pretty spiteful and callous to those he finds annoying. He places great value on genuineness, and usually isn’t one to suffer people playing social games. He’s not some highborn supe, and doesn’t have much patience for pretense.

Katsuo may be a bullheaded, some would even say a bully, but he is surprisingly socially adaptable. While he was born a military brat on Hokkaido, he cleans up better than he has any right to, and generally wrestles with his attitude and a desire to present an aura of professionalism and even a private traditionalism. He wants to become a professional hero, and while he wants to be the one suited up and doing good work, he also wants to embrace the celebrity such a status offers. He doesn’t delude himself into believing he is the best, and is capable of being humble, if rarely.

Unfortunately for him, and for those in his class, he views his station in Class 1B as a small slight to him, though little can keep the fire of his own hubris down for long. He will certainly be a force for ambition and outgoingness within his cadre, but certainly not a force for order. He also will likely but heads with other strong personalities, and generally has a certain confrontational outlook on things. Should he find friendship among his new classmates, it will certainly be an adventure, as he is always one to push himself and people he respects, often beyond their limits.

Katsuo isn’t the best student, but he isn’t a complete idiot, and he is capable of learning even if he isn’t particularly clever. His grades are middling in the classroom, but in the action, he excels in physical ability and even having a good awareness for dire situations. He does well under pressure, but there’s always room for that to be tested.

ᴀʙɪʟɪᴛɪᴇꜱ
Athlete (Loves Baseball and Boxing), Dancing (both Formal and Breakdancing), Skateboarding, Tea Brewing & Ceremony

ꜱᴜᴘᴘᴏʀᴛᴇᴍ
The Brace Indomitable: A pair of heavy gauntlets worn over the hands and upper arms, these gauntlets are incredibly durable. They are capable of retracting when a lighter touch is needed, but take his already considerable strength into something much more destructive and even protective.
Hyperboard: An anti-gravity skateboard Katsuo uses for quick movement, able to be pushed forward normally, but also has a built in booster for short bursts of speed, can lock in to the legs of his costume for more fine control.

Qᴜɪʀᴋ
Strength of Narcissus – Contractor [Awakened]
Katsuo has great physical ability: his strength, speed, durability and endurance are incredible and inspiring. This strength only increases with any increases to his self-confidence. While normally he is capable of feats like lifting cars and surviving heavy blows from powered villains, he can push himself into incredible feats of strength and speed.

Just Another Hero [Invite-Only]

Taragi Katsuo

ɴᴀᴍᴇ
Taragi Katsuo

ᴀʟɪᴀꜱ
Self-Assured Hero – Indomitable

ʟɪꜰᴇᴛɪᴍᴇ
09-06-2108 · Age 19

ꜱᴛᴀɢᴇᴘʟᴀʏ
A hotshot at heart, Katsuo is more than happy to prove himself and show off while he does it. Despite his extreme overconfidence, he tends to keep an easygoing and lackadaisical extroversion to things, and he wears his opinions on his sleeve. This isn’t to say he’s the friendliest person around, and he is usually pretty spiteful and callous to those he finds annoying. He places great value on genuineness, and usually isn’t one to suffer people playing social games. He’s not some highborn supe, and doesn’t have much patience for pretense.

Katsuo may be a bullheaded, some would even say a bully, but he is surprisingly socially adaptable. While he was born a military brat on Hokkaido, he cleans up better than he has any right to, and generally wrestles with his attitude and a desire to present an aura of professionalism and even a private traditionalism. He wants to become a professional hero, and while he wants to be the one suited up and doing good work, he also wants to embrace the celebrity such a status offers. He doesn’t delude himself into believing he is the best, and is capable of being humble, if rarely.

Unfortunately for him, and for those in his class, he views his station in Class 1B as a small slight to him, though little can keep the fire of his own hubris down for long. He will certainly be a force for ambition and outgoingness within his cadre, but certainly not a force for order. He also will likely but heads with other strong personalities, and generally has a certain confrontational outlook on things. Should he find friendship among his new classmates, it will certainly be an adventure, as he is always one to push himself and people he respects, often beyond their limits.

Katsuo isn’t the best student, but he isn’t a complete idiot, and he is capable of learning even if he isn’t particularly clever. His grades are middling in the classroom, but in the action, he excels in physical ability and even having a good awareness for dire situations. He does well under pressure, but there’s always room for that to be tested.

ᴀʙɪʟɪᴛɪᴇꜱ
Athlete (Loves Baseball and Boxing), Dancing (both Formal and Breakdancing), Skateboarding, Tea Brewing & Ceremony

ꜱᴜᴘᴘᴏʀᴛᴇᴍ
The Brace Indomitable: A pair of heavy gauntlets worn over the hands and upper arms, these gauntlets are incredibly durable. They are capable of retracting when a lighter touch is needed, but take his already considerable strength into something much more destructive and even protective.
Hyperboard: An anti-gravity skateboard Katsuo uses for quick movement, able to be pushed forward normally, but also has a built in booster for short bursts of speed, can lock in to the legs of his costume for more fine control.

Qᴜɪʀᴋ
Strength of Narcissus – Contractor [Awakened]
Katsuo has great physical ability: his strength, speed, durability and endurance are incredible and inspiring. This strength only increases with any increases to his self-confidence. While normally he is capable of feats like lifting cars and surviving heavy blows from powered villains, he can push himself into incredible feats of strength and speed.

Pirates of the Calarian Main

Alberto Grosso

Character Description

Name: Alberto Grasso “Grand Prince of the Main”
Species/Race: Human (Calarian)
Sex: M
Age:42
Appearance: A massive man, bloated with excess and ambition, Alberto was once athletic and powerful in his youth but that was some time ago. His brown beard is well-maintained. He clads himself in finery and jewels, often adorned with precious metals.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Skills: Knowledge of Exotic Goods, Well-Connected Tradesman, Tremendous Wealth, Physically Strong
Weaknesses: Gluttonous, Lecherous, Greedy, Wrathful, Slovenly, Vainglorious, Prideful

Background:

Backstory: Alberto was born third son to an enormously wealthy trading family in Calaria, one of the first to make the great voyages to the spice islands far afield. This reputation instilled a strong interest in shipbuilding and far-afield trading. But for a young Alberto, such luxury was merely a comfort rather than an interest at first. Being a third son, little was expected from him, and when he raised his own company of mercenaries, few objected to such an endeavor.

He was a strong man, and while more than a little arrogant, he was an adequate leader of men and master of coin even as a young man. Hiring more competent captains to understudy from, he was a decently fast learner, if not the best practitioner of war. Seeing battle on the sea as sell-sails and hired muscle hardened him, even taking his wife Julia from an Inburian noble house after his taking of a Haltian Vessel on their behalf.

His successful campaigning would come to an end just short of ten years from when he had started, reaching the age of 27 before the grave news of the passing of both of his brothers. Being recalled, Alberto was pressed into a role he was never meant to take; the heir to immense wealth and status. His father was similarly displeased with this arrangement, but strained himself to try and press his own machinations on his son. This unpleasantness would only be compounded with the death of his wife in childbirth. This combination of factors would make Alberto a much more unstable man.

Taking up command of his family’s operations in this new land, Alberto had an ambition for his own work: that his family would be able to transport more goods across the seas than any other power of the time, be it their rivals in Calaria or from other lands. In order to do this, Alberto began a shipbuilding race that would springboard his own personal prominence, building ever-larger carracks and galleons to traverse the treacherous seas.

By the time his father died, Alberto had a growing reputation as a master of ships and an audacious trader. Despite this, his projects had not yielded the domineering position he had hoped, with other parties being able to match the rate of his construction. As his ambitions grew, so did his appetites and dreams. It would be the construction of the Pride of the Main that would be the final word upon this race to glory, and one that would cut into his tremendous fortunes considerably.

Consumed by his own desires, he took command of the Pride and began operating it as his own personal trading ship, eschewing his operations to his nephew and younger brother back home. He has crossed the ocean on an ostentatious monument to his own hubris, and profited greatly in the face of increasing hostility from pirates. Presented with the opportunity to back a new enterprise in the new world, he would opt to become a financier and co-conspirator in this quest for profit.

Pride of the Main

Name of Ship: Pride of the Main
Type of Ship: Treasure Ship
Rigging: Eight Masts, Square Rigged
Crew Compliment: ~3000, oscillating crew from mercenary services
Cannon: 10 guns, the sheer size of the ship would allow for many, many more to be mounted, but this is not a vessel of war.
Description: Formed from titanic timbers in the New World and laid with immaculate engineering and superior materials, the Pride of the Main is a testament to man's hubris as much as the skill of its builders. Maintaining length of just over 700 feet, with a beam of just under 100 feet. It has many decks, with heavy ballast to keep it balanced. The sixth deck has loading cranes to avoid the need to haul all goods up its great height.

The ship is laden with goods of every sort that it brings across the main, able to bring luxuries to the far frontiers of the world for top dollar and valuable goods. Many tradesmen hold practices aboard the ship, serving both its master as well as by commission.

Shadowrun: Lost Heir

Whetstone

---

The decker regarded Tenno as he was addressed, that gaze unchanging even as his rumination was disrupted, alongside the compiling he was doing on their mutual target. “Whetstone. I would suggest if you want to make money in this business, and more importantly keep your head, you should take a look at who you will be working with before a job.” He would propose, his tone genuine. The gooseflesh under the ballistic-weave suit informed him of what he could guess, that the young man was a mage. He could almost admire the audacity, but his visage suitably conveyed his disapproval.

“I can speak for us if you all would prefer it, but I think my skills will be more valuable in locating our target.” Whetstone's voice resonated with truth as he used his free hand to make a flicking motion, sending the 3-D shaped head based on projected aging alongside found obituaries and school records to each commlink in the plane cabin. “I don’t care if you can pull your weight; if anyone here couldn’t, they wouldn’t be on this plane.” His words were like iron as he spoke, yet not a word rung as a lie from his lips. “I care if you can be a professional, and not let your personal life get in the way of the mission.”

Those steely cybereyes would keep the digital wraith in his periphery. CAPT's message would be met by his own, the courier typeface reading almost as dry as the whiskey in his hand.

[I'd be glad to coordinate with you. I run silent and stay that way.]

As the Schmidt replied Max would give a slight nod, asking no further questions. The scenario rising in his mind as he continued to scour public databases for more information. He had faked a few deaths in his time, falsified dentals were a classic method. It wouldn't be hard to make a convincing scene, even through forensic technologies and magic. The real question rattled in his mind as he took another draw of whiskey.

Who helped Abigail fake her own death?

He was certain that any rest he would get would be shrouded by this central question, and he would have to dig deep to theorize. He would not be quick to feed this information up to his handler, for all his corporate loyalty, there was a shifting feeling he felt beneath his skin that this was something more than a lower-key job that he has gotten himself into.

Shadowrun: Lost Heir

Whetstone

---

Max was content to relax on the private jet, the dapper decker holding a glass of amber whiskey in his hand as he remained as silent and stony as his graphite suit. He was content to observe, consider his new co-workers for the time being. He recalled Wildfire, who was pleasant enough to work with for a couple jobs in Cannes and Barcelona, if a little unpredictable. Her “sister” Jack was also quite professional, so at the very least he was confident that he could rely on them when things invariably escalated.

The flicker on the corner of his AR feed gave away another one of his new companions. Quite the avatar, ethereal and possessing a dynamism that the seasoned decker identified immediately. Those silver-grey eyes would regard CAPTCHA. His own persona was not very different from himself, a digitized blurry figure in a black trenchcoat and mirrorshades. A technomancer was not a common sight, even in his line of work, but he would need to keep his eyes open and his firewalls secure. It wouldn’t be the first time curiosity killed the cat, but he’d prefer to avoid the need.

Of course, his own digital eyes might come to wander eventually as well, and commlink networks at this point were frankly beneath his capabilities. Of course, he was able to make guesses and figure out working theories of each of his companions quickly based on their appearance and choice of words alone. That was the art he practiced, and every new team was social puzzle to solve, every life one to learn and, if necessary, take advantage of.

He would swirl his glass, a knowing half smile crossing his face as he listening to the flightiness of the less-experienced runner waxing poetic about a political web he could not hope to grasp. The wonder of youth left some pain in the older man’s heart, he felt no need to quash dreams. A short draw of firewater was good, the burn in his throat going a long way to improve his mood.

The Schmidt was straight to the point, a welcome thing. Maxwell had thought that a client wealthy enough to use a private jet would be grandiose enough to bore him. He was capturing every image of this woman, letting his agents build out a 3d composite and beginning to scour the net for the name, first from obituaries, then find relationships from there. He had standing procedures earned through experience, success, and failure, and he’d be able to sleuth out any detail. Step one was always to know the target, and while the Schmidt wasn’t too open, he had enough to work off of.

Lisbon was outside of his usual playground. Even now he had sent an encrypted message over to his handler for potential contacts in the area. He wasn’t confident he’d get a response, let alone a timely one, but he needed to keep doors open and parallel paths moving forward. From the drop of the hat the decker was already building out what he could. The lack of further support was unsurprising, they had their tools, and if they could not live on the streets, they had greater problems than locating a dead woman.

“What was the supposed cause of death of the target?” He would ask curtly and cooly, his accent apparent over a smoky voice.

Shadowrun: Lost Heir

Saeder-Krupp Special Security Group Agent "Wetzstein"

Maxwell Miller

Street Name

---Whetstone---

Metatype

---Human---

Gender

---Male---

Age

---46 years---

Appearance

---Height: 1.78 meters---
---Weight: 83 kilograms---
---Eyes (Natural): Grey---
---Hair (Natural): Black---
Agent Wetzstein carries a muscular but lithe build with well-developed posture. His face is angular with defined cheekbones. He maintains himself well with manicured hair and nails, and he prefers to be clean-shaven

Awakened Status

---None---

Archetype

---Decker (Direct Action)---

Cybernetic or Bioware

---S-K β-Grade Advanced Wired Reflexes (R2)---
---AT&T β-Grade Integral Cyberdeck Uplink---
---AT&T β-Grade Internal Router---
---Krupp Gruppe β-Grade Titanium Bone Lacing (R3)---
---S-K ɑ-Grade Advanced Cybereyes (R4, Loaded with Thermal Vision, Flare Compensation, Enhancement, Smartlink, Microscopic and Magnification)---
---S-K ɑ-Grade Advanced Cyberears (R4, Loaded with Damper, Sound Filters and Enhancement)---
---AT&T β-Grade Datajack---
---AT&T β-Grade Simrig---
---S-K ɑ-Grade Advanced Skilljack (R4)---
---S-K Standard-Grade Sleep Regulator---

Personality

A consummate professional, Whetstone is a cold and calculating man. He possesses a borderline-sociopathic control of his emotions, that he developed on the job. He is a perfectionist, demanding of himself and others, and easily frustrated by failure. Recently, this has begun to be tempered more by his ability to gauge capabilities and set expectations, but that has been a hard-walked road.

A Social Chameleon, Whetstone is as natural in the policlub as he is in the corporate boardroom. He has occasional bouts of imposter syndrome as he tries to square the countless lives he has pretended to lead, not to mention grappling with his extensive cyberware. Despite this, he has a strong sense of loyalty to his deals and to the job, using it as a way to center himself.

Equipment

Fake SINs (R6): Whetstone is a seasoned veteran of the Frankfurt School, and in his line of work a good Fake SIN goes a very long way. His SINs may as well be real, and are carefully doctored for the job, often with licenses. Whetstone has a Corporate SIN, though this is kept internal to S-K security interests for obvious reasons.

Shiawase Cyber-5 (R5): A terrifyingly powerful cyberdeck, Whetstone prefers to use his deck in Augmented Reality through his cybereyes. A massive library of programs loaded, it is typically configured for subtlety coupled with considerable data processing capabilities, loaded with relevant skillsofts and agents.

Shiawase Kanmushi and MCT Fly-Spy Bug Drones: Used primarily as remote viewing tools, these tiny inconspicuous drones can easily sneak around under autosoft controls.

Heritage Custom-Fit Suit: The mark of a professional, a custom-tailored three-piece suit is only the beginning. Laced with ballistic-proof weave, the custom-threaded wear is comparable to body armor in its durability, all while looking like a high-class executive.

S-K Executive Card: In a world of corps and cybertech, money still makes it go round. While not an unlimited source of wealth, Whetstone can normally acquire new material where necessary and charge it against either his personal or corporate account. He also keeps a supply of loaded credsticks for more covert transactions.

Wire Watch: A high-class timepiece with a hidden spool of monofilament wire. Can be used as a garrote or with a grapnel and gloves to scale buildings.

PSK-3 Collapsible Heavy Pistol: A Russian-made weapon that collapses from an implement the size of a wallet, the PSK-3 is Whetstone’s weapon of choice, often loaded with exotic ammunition.

Maglock Passkey, Sequencer, and Autopicker: Access tools are an important tool of the trade for any self-respecting agent. Important to cover non-wireless systems in a timely manner.

Thermite Burning Bars: Whetstone keeps a few strips of these for breaching and making a quick exit.

Respirator: Kept on his person in case of gas attacks, masked as an inhaler.

Ares Alpha: When the mission calls for more obvious action than he is typically employed for, the Special Operations Rifle is Whetstone’s preferred method of escalation. He typically loads it with gas grenades.

DocWagon Platinum Contract: A luxury item to be sure, but to have a team of guardian angels in case of disaster is a reassuring thing.

Neuro-Stun IX: An incredibly potent stun gas that Whetstone uses in grenades and ampules.

Saeder-Krupp-Bentley Concordat: A vehicle with false corporate plates and a spoof chip, equipped with an anti-theft system and armored glass. Ride in style.

Background

Born in the Essen Megaplex in 2029 under the rule of Saeder-Krupp, Maxwell Miller was a gifted student who was singled out for service in the Special Security Group early on. Growing up under the Crash of 2029, he developed a strong interest in the exciting new world of the Matrix, being one of the first generation to be raised on the new net.

Though initially it was suggested that he would qualify for the cybersecurity division, he demonstrated a degree of adventurousness and ability to act under pressure. He would be placed into basic training for the corporate security forces evaluation, and demonstrate a considerable acuity as well as physical ability. Ultimately, he was presented with a choice of pursuits from Officer to Rapid Response Forces.

He opted for the Special Security Group, primarily driven by the challenge of unorthodox situations and healthy mix of action and analysis. What he didn’t realize when he selected his post was the degree of freedom he would have. After making friends and moving on from general security forces, he was given free rein to choose his own jobs and schedule. His job was to keep a finger to the pulse of the underworld and kick back information to the higher ups.

He took to his work with gusto, rapidly establishing himself in Cologne, a city nominally free from Saeder-Krupp, and one where he would hone his craft in shallower waters. He would develop his decking skills considerably in this time, and begin to do something new: make friends. The stifling environment of corporate schooling and training was immediately ripped from him, and he embraced the newfound freedom and experience.

He rapidly built out his network of people he helped, runners he worked with, and groups who he got the attention of, and in short order he was relocating to the big leagues: Frankfurt. The free city was a flashpoint of intrigue between corporations and German proto-politics as the federation was reforming itself. Truthfully, his adventures there are too many to recount in this description, but needless to say his exploits were legendary and pivotal for establishing the influence of Saeder-Krupp in the rising German State.

His loyalty and contributions were rewarded handsomely, not only from the top dollar his services demanded, but also from dividends earned from opportunities created. He had fully immersed himself in his craft by this time and now, as he faces his future, he is uncertain. He is approaching retirement for his line of work, and this job seemed like something simple to fill some time for a prime runner nearing the end of their prime.

Shadowrun: Lost Heir

Saeder-Krupp Special Security Group Agent "Wetzstein"

Maxwell Miller

Street Name

---Whetstone---

Metatype

---Human---

Gender

---Male---

Age

---46 years---

Appearance

---Height: 1.78 meters---
---Weight: 83 kilograms---
---Eyes (Natural): Grey---
---Hair (Natural): Black---
Agent Wetzstein carries a muscular but lithe build with well-developed posture. His face is angular with defined cheekbones. He maintains himself well with manicured hair and nails, and he prefers to be clean-shaven

Awakened Status

---None---

Archetype

---Decker (Direct Action)---

Cybernetic or Bioware

---S-K β-Grade Advanced Wired Reflexes (R2)---
---AT&T β-Grade Integral Cyberdeck Uplink---
---AT&T β-Grade Internal Router---
---Krupp Gruppe β-Grade Titanium Bone Lacing (R3)---
---S-K ɑ-Grade Advanced Cybereyes (R4, Loaded with Thermal Vision, Flare Compensation, Enhancement, Smartlink, Microscopic and Magnification)---
---S-K ɑ-Grade Advanced Cyberears (R4, Loaded with Damper, Sound Filters and Enhancement)---
---AT&T β-Grade Datajack---
---AT&T β-Grade Simrig---
---S-K ɑ-Grade Advanced Skilljack (R4)---
---S-K Standard-Grade Sleep Regulator---

Personality

A consummate professional, Whetstone is a cold and calculating man. He possesses a borderline-sociopathic control of his emotions, that he developed on the job. He is a perfectionist, demanding of himself and others, and easily frustrated by failure. Recently, this has begun to be tempered more by his ability to gauge capabilities and set expectations, but that has been a hard-walked road.

A Social Chameleon, Whetstone is as natural in the policlub as he is in the corporate boardroom. He has occasional bouts of imposter syndrome as he tries to square the countless lives he has pretended to lead, not to mention grappling with his extensive cyberware. Despite this, he has a strong sense of loyalty to his deals and to the job, using it as a way to center himself.

Equipment

Fake SINs (R6): Whetstone is a seasoned veteran of the Frankfurt School, and in his line of work a good Fake SIN goes a very long way. His SINs may as well be real, and are carefully doctored for the job, often with licenses. Whetstone has a Corporate SIN, though this is kept internal to S-K security interests for obvious reasons.

Shiawase Cyber-5 (R5): A terrifyingly powerful cyberdeck, Whetstone prefers to use his deck in Augmented Reality through his cybereyes. A massive library of programs loaded, it is typically configured for subtlety coupled with considerable data processing capabilities, loaded with relevant skillsofts and agents.

Shiawase Kanmushi and MCT Fly-Spy Bug Drones: Used primarily as remote viewing tools, these tiny inconspicuous drones can easily sneak around under autosoft controls.

Heritage Custom-Fit Suit: The mark of a professional, a custom-tailored three-piece suit is only the beginning. Laced with ballistic-proof weave, the custom-threaded wear is comparable to body armor in its durability, all while looking like a high-class executive.

S-K Executive Card: In a world of corps and cybertech, money still makes it go round. While not an unlimited source of wealth, Whetstone can normally acquire new material where necessary and charge it against either his personal or corporate account. He also keeps a supply of loaded credsticks for more covert transactions.

Wire Watch: A high-class timepiece with a hidden spool of monofilament wire. Can be used as a garrote or with a grapnel and gloves to scale buildings.

PSK-3 Collapsible Heavy Pistol: A Russian-made weapon that collapses from an implement the size of a wallet, the PSK-3 is Whetstone’s weapon of choice, often loaded with exotic ammunition.

Maglock Passkey, Sequencer, and Autopicker: Access tools are an important tool of the trade for any self-respecting agent. Important to cover non-wireless systems in a timely manner.

Thermite Burning Bars: Whetstone keeps a few strips of these for breaching and making a quick exit.

Respirator: Kept on his person in case of gas attacks, masked as an inhaler.

Ares Alpha: When the mission calls for more obvious action than he is typically employed for, the Special Operations Rifle is Whetstone’s preferred method of escalation. He typically loads it with gas grenades.

DocWagon Platinum Contract: A luxury item to be sure, but to have a team of guardian angels in case of disaster is a reassuring thing.

Neuro-Stun IX: An incredibly potent stun gas that Whetstone uses in grenades and ampules.

Saeder-Krupp-Bentley Concordat: A vehicle with false corporate plates and a spoof chip, equipped with an anti-theft system and armored glass. Ride in style.

Background

Born in the Essen Megaplex in 2029 under the rule of Saeder-Krupp, Maxwell Miller was a gifted student who was singled out for service in the Special Security Group early on. Growing up under the Crash of 2029, he developed a strong interest in the exciting new world of the Matrix, being one of the first generation to be raised on the new net.

Though initially it was suggested that he would qualify for the cybersecurity division, he demonstrated a degree of adventurousness and ability to act under pressure. He would be placed into basic training for the corporate security forces evaluation, and demonstrate a considerable acuity as well as physical ability. Ultimately, he was presented with a choice of pursuits from Officer to Rapid Response Forces.

He opted for the Special Security Group, primarily driven by the challenge of unorthodox situations and healthy mix of action and analysis. What he didn’t realize when he selected his post was the degree of freedom he would have. After making friends and moving on from general security forces, he was given free rein to choose his own jobs and schedule. His job was to keep a finger to the pulse of the underworld and kick back information to the higher ups.

He took to his work with gusto, rapidly establishing himself in Cologne, a city nominally free from Saeder-Krupp, and one where he would hone his craft in shallower waters. He would develop his decking skills considerably in this time, and begin to do something new: make friends. The stifling environment of corporate schooling and training was immediately ripped from him, and he embraced the newfound freedom and experience.

He rapidly built out his network of people he helped, runners he worked with, and groups who he got the attention of, and in short order he was relocating to the big leagues: Frankfurt. The free city was a flashpoint of intrigue between corporations and German proto-politics as the federation was reforming itself. Truthfully, his adventures there are too many to recount in this description, but needless to say his exploits were legendary and pivotal for establishing the influence of Saeder-Krupp in the rising German State.

His loyalty and contributions were rewarded handsomely, not only from the top dollar his services demanded, but also from dividends earned from opportunities created. He had fully immersed himself in his craft by this time and now, as he faces his future, he is uncertain. He is approaching retirement for his line of work, and this job seemed like something simple to fill some time for a prime runner nearing the end of their prime.