[b]REVISED[/b] [b]Character Name[/b]: Aidan Sykes [b]Age[/b]: 26 [b]Species[/b]: Badlands Shepherd [url=http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2837298]Appearance[/url] [b]Personality[/b]: Aidan can be described with a few words: gentle, kind, practical, loyal, dedicated, introverted and self-sufficient. While he shows real passion in his work, he isn't very fond of tying any deep connections with people around him; he is socially competent, sure enough, but he prefers to keep ties with his colleagues professional, thus, his self-sufficiency doesn't necessarily cripple his ability to work in a team. He doesn't push away people that try to talk to him; he greets them with a kind, generous nature and cheeky quips. Although he suffers from a light form of social anxiety, he manages crowds or groups of people with a half-humorous cordiality, but should the crowd be wounded people, he transforms into a medical machine. He can show empathy to those who are hurt and can lift up their spirits in any way he can. If he’s not treating the wounded and the sick in the infirmary, he’s piloting his “angry ambulance” GEAR. It’s either this, that or silently reading a book. [b]Personal History[/b]: Raised in poverty and civil conflict, Aidan knew hunger, hatred and violence. Although he showed an incredible detachment towards the suffering surrounding him, it affected him enough to harden his personality as he grew up aiding insurgents together with his father. He carried weapons, ammunition and supplies, earning his piece of bread and leftover rations with hard work, bruises, cuts and even one gunshot wound. When the religious conflict subsided, his family could finally move to a more calm life and away from the messy borders, but this life proved to be boring, after having to deal with such ordeals. Knowing nothing else but to fight fiercely for his own life and help others in the struggle, Aidan showed little interest in higher education, as instead, he felt the violence of war pull him back in to the fray and much like a moth drawn to a flame, his wings withered in agony as old scars reopened during military academy high school. At one point during his boot camp, he decided to study army medicine, wishing to become a combat medic: this way he could truly recreate the childhood sensation of fighting in the civil war. Thanks to a kind high-ranking officer, Aidan was given the chance to enlist for a specialized infantry unit program: GEAR piloting. That is when the shepherd gained the passion of reading books, especially about pathology, trauma management, GEAR catalogs and technical manuals of operating several GEAR models. After twelve years of being in the military (as he joined the academy at age fourteen), Sykes finally graduated, ranking as Warrant Officer; he was capable to pilot a light-type GEAR and proudly bore several badges designating him as a trauma and medical emergency specialist. These two feats combined qualified him as a GEAR Pilot-Paramedic, “angry ambulance” as Aidan once japed. But putting so much theory into practice was rather tough, though the shepherd proved to be most able on the field during several skirmishes. It was there, out in the wild, where he felt at home, bringing some peace to his inner turmoil. He finally felt he was normal again, that he was back in his natural habitat. Soon, he will find himself right in the grinder, something as simple as a transfer to a certain landcruiser might just change everything. [h3]Personal Weapons and Equipment[/h3] [b]Weapons[/b]: [list] [*][url=http://gamearrivals.com/Images/BOPS2/Weapons/PDW57.png]M-57[/url] A compact and versatile personal defense weapon, inherently fitted with pistol and rifle iron sights. Aidan acquired a holographic sight matching top rail dimensions. Easy to stow away safely even in the tightest situations and sprays bullets at a scary rate-of-fire. [*]Standard LDF-issued sidearm, nothing particular about it. [*][url=http://www.gerbergear.com/var/gerber/storage/images/frontpage/tactical/knives/prodigy-knife_31-000558/325440-1-eng-US/Prodigy-Tanto-Serrated-Edge-Camo-Nylon-Sheath_fulljpg.jpg]Black Carbon Steel Tactical Knife[/url] A pretty blade that, hopefully, it will never serve its main purpose. [/list] [h3]Equipment[/h3] [list] [*]Standard issue GEAR pilot overalls, one set for non-combat, another one fitted with a ballistic vest and armour pads designed to fit perfectly into the seat of a GEAR and protect the pilot from most dangers while on EVA. A pilot helmet with VitaSign Visuals software installed. [*]DATMK – Deployable Advanced Trauma Management Kit An advanced all-purpose emergency kit contained in a single duffle-bag-like rucksack. Capable to store copious amounts of medical equipment, such as bandages, gauzes, drugs, collapsible crutches, an emergency surgical kit, etc. What differentiates this portable hospital from the standard issue kits is the VitaSign Monitor, a PADD with included wireless electrodes that reads the vitals of up to four patients at a time; it also includes a defibrillator module and software to be installed on any advanced combat helmet that provides live optical feed from the main PADD's readings. Another useful piece of hardware the kit carries is the LAZARUS Automatic Chest Compression System: a strong band tied with a strap that wraps around the back of a victim and provides automated chest compression for cardiopulmonary resuscitation procedures. Very useful if the medic needs to treat additional injuries or other patients; unfortunately, the kit does not carry any automated ventilation systems, thus, the active presence of an EMT remains obligatory. The mechanism works in cycles and in synchronous with the defibrillation module in such way that the LAZARUS device will stop compressing the victim's chest when an electrical charge is prepared to be administered. The kit can carry only one such device, mostly because it drains battery life quickly. Although it is an extremely convenient bag of resources to have in handy, it is difficult for a single person to operate with the whole kit; serious training and practice is required to hardwire muscle memory in the trainee wishing to use the DATMK effectively. Heavy and susceptible to extreme weather conditions, prolonged sun exposure, excessive punishment and vibrations. Battery life lasts for a week at 100% usage, but it can be recharged with a GEAR’s battery. [*]Emergency flares [*]Glowsticks [*]A ton of books. [/list] [b]Personal Theme[/b]: [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWw86g-k7Do]Proxy[/url] [h2]Mecha Sheet[/h2] [b]Gear Name & Serial Number[/b]: “Dartwing” DX-7 Mod. 3/ “Stumpy” [url=http://ussorionstar.com/images/AssaultMech.jpg]Appearance[/url] Mod. 3 has a wider main body with several extra hardpoints designed to attach the Quik-Ambulance Modular Container on the back of the GEAR. Due to this modification, the GEAR is less capable in combat aspects, but it is fitted for quick insertions and exfil. Its short stature and uninteresting design makes the GEAR harder to notice on the field, a key aspect for its purpose. [b]Role[/b]: DX-7 family: Hit & run assault GEAR Mod. 3: Light hit & run, ambulance [b]Standard Loadout[/b]: [list] [*]Primary - M-121 GEAR Auto-Cannon firing 20mm ammunition. Relative high rate of fire, designed for spray’n’pray tactics. [*]Right shoulder: Rocket launch pod holding a barrage of 12 missiles per launch. It holds a total of 36 70mm rockets. [*]Left shoulder: 12.7mm anti-infantry machinegun, holding 500 rounds. [/list] [b]Additional firepower[/b] [list] [*]M-89 Battle Cannon, a longer GEAR Auto-Cannon for longer skirmishes. Fires 40mm rounds at a significantly lower rate. [*]Another rocket launching pod [/list] [b]Other Systems & Equipment[/b]: Standard combat sensors and anti-radar measures, IR and thermal sight technology, which all in all are not very effective. The main body of the GEAR had its cockpit stripped from auxiliary and high-tech equipment to leave enough space to act as an ambulance, plus the extra space offered by the Quik-Ambulance Modular Container attached on the back of the GEAR. Once attached, the GEAR can hold up to two wounded persons, plus the corpsman-pilot. The advantage of having such a Container is that it can be easily detached from the GEAR and be transported away by other vehicles if the GEAR is unable to retreat with the wounded. Unfortunately, this leaves the GEAR open to attacks as the pilot needs to bring the GEAR to ground level, detach the container and latch to connecting doors shut. The inside of the container resembles bunk beds, leaving enough space for the pilot to maneuver the stretchers and to monitor the wounded. The GEAR serves a supportive role if the pilot needs to leave it for tasks that require him to be on foot, becoming a stationary, auto-firing sentinel; thus, the GEAR also has an IFF protocol that very rarely engages the wrong targets. For its medical purposes, the GEAR is able to lower its main body to ground level and extend a ramp, easing patient transfer in and out of the GEAR. For quick movement, the GEAR benefits of wheels installed in the heels of the GEAR, allowing it to travel at faster speeds, so long the surface is not riddled with potholes, boulders or other obstacles. [b]Other notes[/b]: The GEAR bears a series of small decals on its left shoulder, resembling a red cross on white background, a white caduceus on dark blue background and another dark blue star of life. They have all worn off and are now barely visible, as they are merging with the GEAR’s paintjob.