Hoping to properly catch up on everyone's posts soon! Had a wee skim of everything - does anyone want to potentially cross paths with Trelvik on the way to Krang? No worries if not more than happy to have him just do some stormtrooper killin' when he gets there instead.
Mine and @Stormyx's characters are nearby. They could run into Trelvik and have a small stand off or something?
Name: Denon Brimarch Species: Human Age: 27 Appearance: Coming soon. Equipment: DLT-19 Heavy Blaster. Battle armor. Weapon repair kit. Abilities(For Force Users): That’s just old superstition. Skills:
Heavy Weapons guy: Years of training with the most outlandish and experimental gear have taught him how to use nearly every type of weapon with deadly proficiency no matter how impractical they appear. If it looks big and unwieldy, give it to Denon and he’ll show you what it can do.
Juggernaut: With the strength and endurance to match a wookiee, it takes more than a one shot to bring Denon down. He can shrug off most small attacks, especially when armored up. And if he gets close… Well, don’t let him get close.
Blaster Crafter: Denon could disassemble and reassemble an E-11 with his eyes closed since he was a child. As long as the parts are available, he can build, repair, and modify practically any weapon needed for an occasion.
Rapid Deployment: Down time, sleep, proper meals, all things Denon has learned to go without. Whenever the call for action comes, be it the middle of the night or just after a different fight, Denon will answer. Ready to take on any threat.
Weaknesses: Indecisive: A lifetime of fighting for a cause that turned out to be a lie has left Denon questioning everything; especially himself. While he can still make snap calls on the battlefield, don’t expect him to contribute in the war room or to speak up in meetings.
Stealth is optional: Denon likes big guns and heavy armor. If subtlety is needed, it is best to leave him at base. Or waiting in the shuttle in case the alarm goes off.
Flex-inability: Despite how easy Denon can swing around giant weapons while covered head to toe in armor, all that gear still weighs a great deal and limits his mobility. Running and crouching is about the extent of movement he can manage.
War never changes: After everything he did and saw in the corps, Denon has grown numb to violence. It’s the only thing he’s good at after all. He lost track of his kill count years ago and accepted the fact he too will perish one day. Death surrounds him, and it doesn’t bother him anymore.
History: For Denon, life under the empire was a dream. The youngest son of a BlasTech executive, he was spoon fed the propaganda of the empire. Led to believe that their legacy was not one of arms dealers profiting off war, but businessmen helping provide the tools needed to secure peace. Tools to bring order and spread the prosperity of the empire so that all could enjoy the luxury they had. Tools Denon had quite an affinity for. While his father and older brother negotiated contracts with the empire, Denon would be at the shooting range learning and mastering all the creations BlasTech R&D had to offer. Longing for the day he’d be able to use his skills to defend the galaxy from any threat.
Though his father refused to let him enlist in the stormtrooper corps, it was only a matter of waiting for the right opportunity. When whispers of disloyalty among his family began to spread across Coruscant, Denon was quick to suggest he enlist. In his eyes, he would finally be serving the empire that had given him so much. And to his family, having a son in the military would certainly quell the rumors. Reluctantly, his father gave him his blessing. It was only later in life he understood his hesitancy.
Due to his familiarity with the weapons of the corps, Denon was already ahead of the other cadets. Blasters of all sizes, scatter guns, rockets, he was a natural at all of them, earning him a place among the Heavy Assault Troopers. Even better, a lifetime of obeying his father’s every command meant following orders without question was second nature to him. Not since the clones had the empire seen such a perfect soldier.
After several years of service with an exemplary record along with his family connections, Denon was selected for advanced training to become a shock trooper. After completion, a small ceremony was held to acknowledge those being promoted. Yet while his family celebrated his advancement and his superiors commended his accomplishments, Denon showed no delight in his new position.
Despite now dawning the red and white armor of the empire’s elite forces, Denon had become completely disillusioned. In his time as a stormtrooper, he had crossed every line and committed unspeakable atrocities across multiple planets all in the name of the empire. He made every excuse he could to keep going, but eventually he found he couldn’t deny the truth any longer. The foundation of his family’s luxury and success was built on the blood of the innocent. He wasn’t there to uplift anyone, merely add countless more bodies to the pile. Everything he believed was a lie. The empire had shown itself to be nothing more than an oppressive regime, and he had let them twist him into their instrument of death.
There was no longer a man behind the helmet, merely a shell with his visage. A husk still following orders not out of a sense of duty or righteousness, but because it was the only thing he knew. There was nothing for him outside the corps. Besides, he’d rather die than return to his old life of ignorant bliss. And if he tried to go on his own, leave everything behind. Both his family and the empire would put a price on him. They would prefer him dead to being noncompliant. The best option it seemed was death. At least, that’s what he told himself as he watched a rebel ambush descend on his squad at the battle of kattada. His last thought before his armor gave to the barrage of blaster bolts.
That should have been the end. The force, however, had other plans. Denon awoke to find himself far from the battle. In the care of a Twi'lek named Korsu; a gifted medic and rebel information broker who had brought him back from the brink of death. Not for any gain, but simply because she believed it was the right thing to do.
In that selfless act, Denon was reminded why he had enlisted in the first place. His desire to defend the weak and fight for a better galaxy came flooding back. The empire might not have stood for these things, but this Twi'lek did. With his unit having been declared KIA, and seeing as he owed his undeserved second chance to her, it only made sense he offered her his services.
Since that day, Denon has acted as Korsu's personal bodyguard. Wherever she went, he was there protecting her and those in her care, as well as helping track down and chase any leads the rebels may have. Even if that lead just had their X-Wing shot down and was now being hunted by every stormtrooper in the system…
Name: Denon Brimarch Species: Human Age: 27 Appearance: Equipment: DLT-19 Heavy Blaster. Battle armor. Weapon repair kit. Abilities(For Force Users): That’s just old superstition. Skills:
Heavy Weapons guy: Years of training with the most outlandish and experimental gear have taught him how to use nearly every type of weapon with deadly proficiency no matter how impractical they appear. If it looks big and unwieldy, give it to Denon and he’ll show you what it can do.
Juggernaut: With the strength and endurance to match a wookiee, it takes more than a shot to bring Denon down. He can shrug off most small attacks, especially when armored up. And if he gets close… Well, don’t let him get close.
Blaster Crafter: Denon could disassemble and reassemble an E-11 with his eyes closed since he was a child. As long as the parts are available, he can build, repair, and modify practically any weapon needed for an occasion.
Rapid Deployment: Down time, sleep, proper meals, all things Denon has learned to go without. Whenever the call for action comes, be it the middle of the night or just after a different fight, Denon will answer. Ready to take on any threat.
Weaknesses: Indecisive: A lifetime of fighting for a cause that turned out to be a lie has left Denon questioning everything; especially himself. While he can still make snap calls on the battlefield, don’t expect him to contribute in the war room or to speak up in meetings.
Stealth is optional: Denon likes big guns and heavy armor. If subtlety is needed, it is best to leave him at base. Or waiting in the shuttle in case the alarm goes off.
Flex-inability: Despite how easy Denon can swing around giant weapons while covered head to toe in armor, all that gear still weighs a great deal and restricts his mobility. Running and crouching is about the extent of movement he can manage.
War never changes: After everything he did and saw in the corps, Denon has grown numb to violence. It’s the only thing he’s good at after all. He lost track of his kill count years ago and accepted the fact he too will perish one day. Death surrounds him, and it doesn’t bother him anymore.
History: For Denon, life under the empire was a dream. The youngest son of a BlasTech executive, he was spoon fed the propaganda of the empire. Led to believe that their legacy was not one of arms dealers profiting off war, but businessmen helping provide the tools needed to secure peace. Tools to bring order and spread the prosperity of the empire so that all could enjoy the luxury they had. Tools Denon had quite an affinity for. While his father and older brother negotiated contracts with the empire, Denon would be at the shooting range learning and mastering all the creations BlasTech R&D had to offer. Longing for the day he’d be able to use his skills to defend the galaxy from any threat.
Though his father refused to let him enlist in the stormtrooper corps, it was only a matter of waiting for the right opportunity. When whispers of disloyalty among his family began to spread across Coruscant, Denon was quick to suggest he enlist. In his eyes, he would finally be serving the empire that had given him so much. And to his family, having a son in the military would certainly quell the rumors. Reluctantly, his father gave him his blessing. It was only later in life he understood his hesitancy.
Due to his familiarity with the weapons of the corps, Denon was already ahead of the other cadets. Blasters of all sizes, scatter guns, rockets, he was a natural at all of them, earning him a place among the Heavy Assault Troopers. Even better, a lifetime of obeying his father’s every command meant following orders without question was second nature to him. Not since the clones had the empire seen such a perfect soldier.
After several years of service with an exemplary record along with his family connections, Denon was selected for advanced training to become a shock trooper. After completion, a small ceremony was held to acknowledge those being promoted. Yet while his family celebrated his advancement and his superiors commended his accomplishments, Denon showed no delight in his new position.
Despite now dawning the red and white armor of the empire’s elite forces, Denon had become completely disillusioned. In his time as a stormtrooper, he had crossed every line and committed unspeakable atrocities across multiple planets all in the name of the empire. He made every excuse he could to keep going, but eventually he found he couldn’t deny the truth any longer. The foundation of his family’s luxury and success was built on the blood of the innocent. He wasn’t there to uplift anyone, merely add countless more bodies to the pile. Everything he believed was a lie. The empire had shown itself to be nothing more than an oppressive regime, and he had let them twist him into their instrument of death.
There was no longer a man behind the helmet, merely a shell with his visage. A husk still following orders not out of a sense of duty or righteousness, but because it was the only thing he knew. There was nothing for him outside the corps. Besides, he’d rather die than return to his old life of ignorant bliss. And if he tried to go on his own, leave everything behind. Both his family and the empire would put a price on him. They would prefer him dead to being noncompliant. The best option it seemed was death. At least, that’s what he told himself as he watched a rebel ambush descend on his squad at the battle of kattada. His last thought before his armor gave to the barrage of blaster bolts.
That should have been the end. The force, however, had other plans. Denon awoke to find himself far from the battle. In the care of a Twi'lek named Korsu; a gifted medic and rebel information broker who had brought him back from the brink of death. Not for any gain, but simply because she believed it was the right thing to do.
In that selfless act, Denon was reminded why he had enlisted in the first place. His desire to defend the weak and fight for a better galaxy came flooding back. The empire might not have stood for these things, but this Twi'lek did. With his unit having been declared KIA, and seeing as he owed his undeserved second chance to her, it only made sense he offered her his services.
Since that day, Denon has acted as Korsu's personal bodyguard. Wherever she went, he was there protecting her and those in her care, as well as helping track down and chase any leads the rebels may have. Even if that lead just had their X-Wing shot down and was now being hunted by every stormtrooper in the system…
“I guess it’s a good thing you brought one then, eh?” Temash chimed in at Van’s suggestion and gave the half-elf a friendly pat on the back as he attempted to ease his fears. “Yeah, someone could give us the slip, override the AI, and take off with our new ship. But if they could do that and avoid being picked up on our lifesign scans, I don’t think a hatch opened with a pry bar would really be an obstacle. Nah. People like that seriously know what they’re doing. Probably would have set a better trap in the first place. That being said; P0L-3!”
The drone answered immediately and within a second the mechanical companion floated above his shoulder awaiting his order. Temash’s hand pulled back, reaching into his tool belt and producing his portable lantern. Quickly affixing it to his shoulder, its light illuminated the darkness ahead before giving his command. “Why don’t you scout ahead? Make sure nothing is hiding around the corner before we head ‘into the breach’, eh?”
Down in the lower levels of the Ionera, Temash Arall vigilantly watched the monitors of the engineering station as they displayed the real time information of all the ship's systems. The lashunta mechanic nervously glanced between the Ionera's thruster levels and the power core's status as the thruster's slowly crept to full power. Though no stranger to the inner workings of a starship, Temash couldn't help but feel somewhat out of his element. He was a new Starfinder. All of them were; including the Ionera.
“This is it, P0L-E.” Temash leaned forward in his seat, his eyes glued to the monitors. “Time to see if we’re golden or if we missed something in the preflight check.”
Hovering just over the monitors, a mechanical drone idly shifted back and forth waiting for a command. Its LEDs flashed a dull green as its speakers sounded with the only word it was programmed to say. "Squawk."
“You don’t need to tell me.” Temash sighed. “Not exactly thrilled we had to do a rush job on our first mission, but those were the boss’s orders, and I’m not arguing with the First Seeker on our first assignment.”
"Squawk."
“I know I shouldn’t be worried, but look at this ship!” The engineer broke free of his stare down with the display. Stepping out of his chair, he began pacing the room. Pointing at different sections as he continued to vent his concerns. “Everything on here is either fresh off the assembly or newly refurbished, the wiring looks like it took days just to organize, and I don’t know about you, but I haven’t seen a single thing held together with ion tape. This is without a doubt the finest craft we’ve served on, and I’m in charge of keeping it that way.”
P0L-E rotated, keeping Temash in view of its optical lens at all times. "Squawk."
“Course I can fix whatever breaks, that’s not the point. My repairs are quick and efficient, but they ain’t always clean and tidy. That was fine on junkers like the Remorse, but here? Whatever I end up doing is gonna stick out like a broken antenna.” After a few more seconds of restless pacing, Temash found himself back at his station. “Just hope the Society don’t mind if this ship gets a bit messy. That’s all.”
As he planted himself back in his chair, the thruster's power levels finally ticked up to one hundred percent. All systems were now fully operational, and the power core remained perfectly stable. "Brilliant!" Temash cheered to himself. "Green across the board! Looks like this should be a smooth ride, eh POL-E?"
"Squawk."
Temash nodded, concurring with the robot's suggestion. "Yeah. Should probably let the others know as well." Tapping a few keys on the stations control panel, Temash opened comms to the bridge. "Engineering to the bridge. Looks like we're all set... Hold on. Is that music I'm hearing? Don't tell me you lot are having a party up there and you didn't invite us? You're gonna hurt P0L-E's feelings." Temash gestured to the drone.
"Squawk."
"Hear that? He's crushed." Temash shook his head in false disappointment.
Outfit & Armor: Freebooter Armor I Popularized by the Free Captains of the Diaspora, Temash's Freebooter armor features an armored breastplate hidden beneath a tattered cloak. Heavy clothes, boots, and gloves offer protection from standard work place hazards such as high voltage wiring, super heated metal, the occasional shiv, and low caliber bullets. A multitude of pockets and pouches allow for hidden weapons, quick access to tools, snack stashes, and more than one flask of Diaspora grog.
Drone P0L-E (Pronounced “Polly”) A small makeshift hover drone capable of unlimited perfect flight. P0L-E comes equipped with a variety of tools to help with basic maintenance, including a mounted Arc Pistol for when that help requires fending off enemies.
Short Backstory: As far back as Temash could remember, he had served on the starship Ival's Remorse under the command of his father, the pirate captain Vimash Arall. Legends among the Free Captains, infamous among the pact worlds, the crew of the Remorse were as fierce as they were cunning. It was a legacy that Vimash took great pride in, and one he fully intended for Temash to take over one day. Except, there was a divide between the two.
Unlike his father, Temash had no lust for gold or glory, but for knowledge and discovery. His true calling was found not in the captain’s chair, but in the gears and grime of the engines below. Any chance he could, he slipped away to watch the engineers work their magic and learn the tricks of the trade. The ship's engineers were well aware of the boy’s fascination with machinery and gladly took him under their wing, teaching him everything they had picked up over the years. It wasn’t just the teachings of the crew he sought either. Any text or blueprint the crew pillaged or pilfered, he would immediately consume. If there was a new technology being talked about or a rumored breakthrough, he would seek it out. If the information he wanted was locked behind a different language, he would learn that as well.
By the time Temash was nearing puberty, he could disassemble any of the ship’s systems and put them back together again from memory alone. His passion and desire to learn more about machines of all kinds lead him to build his robotic companion P0L-E and cemented his choice to develop into a Damaya lashunta, a decision that would only further drive a wedge between him and his father, who had long desired a his son to be a hearty strong Korasha.
Time did little to bridge the distance growing between the two. Vimash became increasingly frustrated with his son's lack of motivation to carry the torch and embrace the pirate life, while Temash had grown resentful of his place in the universe. He wanted adventure. To explore uncharted sectors, discover strange and wondrous marvels hidden in the cosmos. Not a barbaric life stuck in established systems doomed to raid and plunder until the end of days.
Trapped and uncertain if he would ever escape, the luck of Desna smiled upon Temash as he stumbled across an advert for the Starfinder Society. He had heard of them before, though the thought of joining had never crossed his mind. After all, once a pirate, always a pirate. Yet as he stared into the insignia in front of him he began to think maybe, just maybe, he could find a place there. A fresh start on a new ship.
His mind was made up. The next time they made port, Temash ‘borrowed’ some money from his father, booked passage to Absalom Station, and never looked back.
Personality Description: A stark contrast from the loud and boisterous crew that raised him, Temash is rather quiet and calm. When left alone he'll keep to himself and his work, but he is far from shy or introverted. Beneath the rough exterior is a warm and friendly soul ready to lend an ear or talk someone's off at any time or any place. He may not seek out company on his own, but he gladly welcomes it with open arms and an open bottle.
Friends: P0L-E - Though nonsentient and only capable of saying one word, Temash finds great comfort in the company of his drone. He doesn’t go anywhere without his trusty companion by his side. He even talks to it and treats it as if it was a real person.
Enemies: Captain Vimash Arall - No one walks away from the crew of the Remorse; not even the captain’s own flesh and blood. While the Free Captain’s code prevents Vimash from putting a bounty on Temash, nothing says he can’t deal with the matter personally or offer a fee for information on the deserter's location.
- Lashunta Racial Bonus: Magic and mental resistance. Lashuntas have a strong resistance to mind manipulation and any other mental effects including illusion magics.
- Strong First Impression: Alter initial attitudes more quickly
- Opposition Research: Identify weaknesses in your foes more easily
- Zero-G Training: More easily avoid being off-kilter in zero-g
Spells/Talents - Quick patch: Repairing ship systems takes less time and can be done for two systems at once.
- Overcharge: The custom rig can overcharge a weapon that uses a battery or power cell for ammo; increasing both damage and ammo consumption for the next attack.
Ascending the stairs up the Megabuilding he would now be calling home, Kade listened intently to Livewire's story. Learning about people was his job after all. You never knew when you'd need to know something about someone. Even the most mundane facts could contain important information about more than just the subject. Of course, the higher they got, the harder it was to concentrate on anything but that rotting garbage smell. Once they had completed their climb, Kade quickly turned to the group.
“I'm going to go ahead and call dibs on a room facing the city. Anything to limit that… ‘delightful’ Santo Domingo odor.” Kade said and playfully waved his hand in front of his nose before pivoting back to face Livewire and his… was that his mother?
It was off-putting to say the least. Not only had their contact brought his mother along, but now they had to watch the two squabble and fight about stew that probably came from a can being served on a foldout table that could have been scrounged from garbage mountain for all he knew. Yet despite how trivial it all was, they seemed genuinely happy just to be doing it together. To have each other's company. It was already making Kade feel uneasy to see, but it was one phrase that really got to him.
“Love you, mumma.”
The words pieced Kade’s ears and echoed in his mind. All sound around him began to distort and blend into a high pitch ring. His vision blurred in and out of focus. His left foot stepped back as his balance fled. It was as if reality itself was collapsing, then all at once, his sense snapped back into place. Everything returned normal, save for the extra guest now sitting at the table. A pale blonde woman in a steel blue designer silk dress had placed herself near the head of the table. Her eyes of a matching color looked every person there up and down as she slowly sipped at a martini until they landed on Kade and rolled in their sockets.
“Really? You went through an entire militech prison facility without a care, but seeing someone actually love their mother sets you off?” Rachel scoffed and turned away from her son. “How pathetic.”
“Mother, please.” Kade replied with a thought, taking great care to keep the conversation inside his head. “Let's not start anything in front of the help.”
“What are they going to do? Leave like the other two? Believe me you're better off without this rabble. You'd find more reliable help from the junkies in pacifica.” Rachel sneered.
“Well I have to start somewhere. Beggars can't be choosers and all that.” Kade explained hoping she would realize their situation and relent.
“Beggar is right. I mean look at this place!” Rachel fired back as she gestured to the unfinished building they stood in before shaking her head. “And here I thought we couldn't sink lower than that broom closet in Watson.”
“Look if all you're going to do is complain, I'm going to have to ask you to leave.” Kade firmly stated while still trying to keep his mask of a smile from cracking. “We don't want any more deserters, so it's imperative that I don't give them further reason to delta.”
“Haven't seen me in weeks and you're shooing me away to have dinner with coworkers.” As the words left Rachel's mouth, her face began to warp, slowly twisting and changing until it was no longer Kade's mother, but his father staring back. “Like father, like son, it seems.”
“How dare you!” Kade shouted out loud. Immediately he froze in terror realizing his outburst had escaped the confines of his psyche. Trying to think quickly, he plastered on his deceptive smile and continued. “Not let me help you with dinner. At least allow me to take care of the dishes after.”
His eyes darted to each person to see if they had bought it before settling back to where his ‘mother’ had been sitting only to find the chair vacant. “Guess she's still good at vanishing, thankfully.”
E M P L O Y M E N T : Ex-Militech “Consultant” (Corpo Spy).
P E R S O N A L I T Y: Elegant, well spoken, an all around perfect gentleman. Kade carries himself with a refined dignity rarely seen outside of Night City's elite. While there's still an air of smug arrogance about him, he seldom deviates from his professional demeanor. He greets everyone with a warm charming smile, and will talk to strangers as if they were lifelong friends. Even when faced with conflict or in less than pleasant company, he still maintains a dignified appearance and speaks to everyone respectfully; aside from the occasional snide remark.
But the devil comes in many forms. Underneath the calm, almost delightful exterior, there is a void where his heart should be. He will lie without breaking eye contact, steal from those who have nothing left, and kill without even a second thought. Truthfully, Kade isn't troubled by any of this. That's not to say he takes pleasure from these things. Rather, he has become numb to such heinous actions as they are just part of the job to him. As long as there are eddies to be made, he's not afraid to get his suit dirty or even bloody. He lives by a very simple motto: “Be polite, be efficient, and have a plan to kill everyone you meet.”
F L A W : Eddies are eddies: As long as the cash is enough to compensate, Kade will sign on to pretty much any job; even the most morally questionable ones.
F L A W : Trust issues: Everyone has their own agenda. Their own goals. There are no “friends” and “family” in this life. Only temporary truces that end the second it’s no longer convenient.
V I R T U E : Finishes what he starts: As stated; trust isn’t something Kade can rely on. So how can he expect anyone else to? That’s why he has worked hard to build a reputation for himself. When he takes a job, it gets done no matter the cost.
V I R T U E : Self-Control: In Kade’s line of work, he can’t afford to let his emotions get the better of him. He has trained himself to keep his mind and body in check. He is able to endure droll or annoying conversations, wait perfectly still in a single spot for hours, he can even go to the store and only buy what is on the list.
A R M O U R & W E A P O N R Y
Primary: Silenced Nue
Side Arm: M-10AF Lexington
Melee: Monowire
Armour: N/A
Augmentations/Cyberware:
Monowire: Whip-like monofilament wire with a cutting edge only a molecule wide. Works as a garrote, too!
Memory Boost: Instantly recovers 3 cyberdeck RAM units after defeating an enemy.
Heal-On-Kill: After a kill or take down this grants a +1 on your next roll.
Mechatronic Core: Increases damage against drones, robots, mechs and turrets
Cyberdeck: Seocho Electronics Mk.2 Total RAM: 10 Bars Quickhacks: Ping: (Green) Costs 1 RAM Reveals enemies and devices connected to the local network.
Reboot Optics: (Purple) Costs 6 RAM Resets an enemy's optical cyberware, rendering them temporarily blind. Spreads to the nearest target within 8 meter(s). Greatly increases effect duration.
Short Circuit: (Purple) Costs 5 RAM Non-Lethal Deals moderate Electrical damage to the target. Very effective against drones, mechs, robots, and targets with a Weakspot. Applies an EMP effect to the target for 4 sec. Deals 30% extra damage to enemies below a High threat level.
Memory Wipe: (Purple) Costs 5 RAM Causes the target to exit combat state. This quickhack also affects the target's entire squad.
Subcategory Advantages: Hack Speed and Stealth (2 dice rolls each time this skill check occurs, higher of the two is chosen.)
R E L A T I O N S
Father: Howard Lofton - In prison Mother: Rachel Lofton - Missing
H I S T O R Y
In a city of six million all trying to make it big, Kade won the lottery without even playing. The only child of a wealthy businessman and a famous fashion designer, Kade had a silver spoon in his mouth and all the advantages that came with it. The most notable of which was a higher education at Arasaka Academy. Early on he showed great promise and rose to be among the top of his class. Early on he showed a knack for computers and software and focused his studies there. While he showed great promise, he also had a habit of using those skills for some mischief. Hacking vending machines to give out free snacks, spying on faculty emails to get dirt on people, even changing his friend’s grades in the school database. Didn’t really matter as long as he didn’t get caught, and he was very careful not to. The same could not be said about his father.
When he was 15 Kade’s father was arrested for embezzlement, insider trading, fraud, bribery, forgery, pretty much every white-collar crime there was. It was bad enough that his father would now be behind bars for 30 years, but during the trial the media uncovered and aired all the dirty laundry of the Loftons. All sorts of scandals and affairs started coming to light, and pretty soon Kade’s mother was out of a job as well as no one wanted to go near that PR nightmare. With their accounts already emptied from legal fees, lawsuits, and his mother’s out of control drinking, Kade watched as his whole world crumbled. They went from a suite in the city center, to a dingy studio in Watson. He couldn’t afford to attend Arasaka Academy anymore, not that he was even welcomed there. Everyone he once thought to be his friend had turned on him, more than happy to expose his secrets for a few minutes of the spotlight. By the time the media finally moved on, it was just him and his mess of a mother against the world. At least he thought so.
On his 16th birthday. His mother left for her usual trip to the liquor store, and never came back. Kade was now truly alone. And in the dark emptiness of his apartment, he had an epiphany. He was going about this all wrong. Everyone else was playing the game correctly. Lying, backstabbing, exploiting, whatever you had to do to take care of yourself, you did it. Fuck everyone else, the only thing that matters is doing whatever it takes to achieve your goals. This was how you survived in Night City, but Kade didn’t just want to survive; he wanted to thrive.
He started from the bottom in Watson. Truthfully, there were ways to earn a decent living in slums, but only for those who didn’t mind getting their hands dirty. Selling drugs, smuggling weapons, even prostitution would have at least put food on the table. But Kade found there was another commodity that was in higher demand than all of those: information. Everyone from small time gangs to the most prolific fixers were in the business of information. Not just acquiring it, but controlling it. Evidence needed to be found or disposed of. Computers needed to be cloned, wiped, or altered. And loose ends always had to be tied up. The intelligence game was a nasty one with few players ever getting far, but Kade was a natural at it. His knowledge of software and computers allowed him to bypass most security systems with ease. His eloquent speech gained him favor in certain circles and loosened many tongues. And his lack of aversion to violent alternatives meant no secrets could be kept from him.
By the age of 28, his reputation in the intelligence community had reached the point that corporations had started hiring him despite his father’s reputation. While their contracts came with large stacks of eddies, they also came with growing challenges. Enhanced security systems, smarter guards, more prolific targets, the difficulty was cranked up for each of them. Some jobs took days or even weeks to just plan out let alone complete. He still had to purchase and maintain all his own gear, on top of making rent and other expenses. No matter what he just couldn't seem to actually make the kind of eddies he wanted. Until one of the real powerhouses reached out to him with the offer of a lifetime.
Militech wanted to hire him. Full time. He would be on call 24/7. No job could be refused or negotiated. Failure to complete a job would result in immediate termination. However, in exchange he would get everything he dreamed of. A penthouse apartment, any luxury model car he chose, and a hefty amount of eddies on the side for him to do what he wished. All that and then some would be his. He accepted without hesitation.
Kade was finally living the high life. Sure, he had to bug the occasional conference room, blackmail or bribe a politician or two, and make a few nosey people disappear, but that was as routine as another day at the office. Except now he netted twice what his dad brought in back in the day. It was everything he wanted and more. He would have been happy to do this forever. But all good things must come to an end.
Near the end of V's rampage, Kade was given a job to swipe a data drive from a Kang Tao facility. From the beginning things felt off. Hitting a major player like Kang Tao was always risky, but so soon after someone had taken down a high priority transport of theirs? They would be on high alert and shut down tight. Not to mention the press were sniffing around. Last thing he needed was some hotshot photographer catching him near the soon to be crime scene. To top it all off, the drop off he was given was on the outskirts of the city, much further than any other assignment. Everything in his gut told him this was wrong. But he knew the deal. If this is what the board requested, then they would get it.
As expected, things didn’t go exactly as planned. While he was able to infiltrate the facility just fine, exfiltration required lots of bullets, half a pack of cigarettes, and his car being all but totaled. However, he technically pulled it off. And his reward would be waiting for him at the designated drop off: Nothing. There was no one waiting at the drop zone nor a location for him to leave the drive. Militech wouldn’t even answer his calls. He had no further instructions, no transportation, and no one who could help him. Just a long walk home.
By the time he made it back into Night City, Kade found that Militech had completely cut him off. They had frozen all his assets, locked him out of his home, and last but definitely not least, issued a burn notice on him. They claimed he had acted on his own without their sanction and was no longer reliable as a “consultant”. No Corp or intelligence agency would go near an operative who was burned no matter how skilled. His career was effectively over, and he was left with nothing but the clothes on his back. Well, and that datadrive he had pulled from Kang Tao.
Out of a job and home, Kade tried to plan his next move, but quickly found he was still one step behind. All his safe houses and stashes were gone as well. This wasn’t just Militech trying to get rid of him, he had been personally targeted. And whoever it was, they had done a hell of a job in destroying him. He had no connections or resources. Even the datadrive was too hot to sell, assuming he could find anyone with the means to decrypt it. At this point, he wasn’t even sure he had a next move. Until he could come up with something, Kade simply wandered the streets of the city, just barely surviving. It was only a matter of time until the scavs happened upon him. He didn't even put up a fight as they hauled him away. Afterall, what more could they take from him?
C Y B E R P S Y C H O
Henry
Rachel
A child learns their morals and values early on from their parents or guardians, and Kade took all their lessons to heart. A shapeshifting figure that switches between dear old mom and dad at a whim, but always remains the same: A vessel of selfishness, greed, vanity, and untrusting. They have no care for their son, no regrets at the life they forced him to live, or the thing he had to become. They now only exist to whisper dark intentions in his ear, to help him further justify the despicable actions he takes.
T R I V I A Smokes. Filthy habit, but does wonders on the nerves.
Member
Forsythe
Badarby
The Otter
Half Pint
Gunther
Mao Mao
Candy Cane Elf
FourtyTwo
Shu
