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Daedalus File XJ-917a

ITR Room 1: Audio/Video Record

Subject: Shadow Clone RC-1207 AKA “John Smithâ€

Timestamp: ***Data Expunged***

Video opens with a blond young man in his late teens sitting at a table. The room is small with one entrance, and from the looks of it this is being filmed from behind a one way glass panel. John looks about the room before rubbing at his wrist, where some sort of device is attached. He raises his wrist to eye level, intent on taking a closer look at the piece of hardware when the door opens.

Duncan Summers walks in and closes the door behind him. He looks toward the young man, “You don't want to mess with that son, if you try and take it off you'll get a nasty shock.†John pauses before placing his hands back in his lap, and Duncan sits down across from him. “I've got a few questions that I am going to ask you, and I expect you to be honest. Do you understand?†John straightens in his chair, at attention. “Yes sir, I understand.â€

“Excellent. Let's Begin. Do you know where you come from and why you are here?†(1)

“I was found at a SHADOW Scientific Complex underneath Freedom City, where I was an experiment in advanced eugenics. After the Freedom League destroyed the facility, I was taken here in attempt to discern their objectives. This included finishing my gestation as I was physically at the age of 12 at the time. Mr. Daedalus also hoped to purge the indoctrination programming present in most SHADOW clones, Sir.â€

“Since you are a clone, how do you distinguish yourself from the others and from the rest of us?†(2) Duncan Summers pauses to further quantify. “Physically, I mean.â€

John looks down at the table while he composing his thoughts. “Well Sir, while I am a template of Wilhelm Kantor; I believe that the experiments performed on me make me unique. I am positive that I am the only clone with my abilities.†John returned his gaze to Summers. “As for the general populace, the best I can hope for is that I am just viewed as just another athletically focused teenager.â€

“Well now, John. Are you always like this?†Puzzlement flashed across John's features at his non comprehension. “I mean, are you always the soldier? Formal in your speech and constantly on guard?†(3)

“I believe that is to be caused by my rather unusual upbringing, Sir. You are not my peer or my enemy so that would only mean that you are my superior, therefore you must be given due respect for a man of your position.†John shook his head “Besides, Sir. Would you not yourself be a bit leery if you were in my place?†Summers laughed. “I suppose so. That still doesn't explain your trying to analyze me since I walked in.†John looked sheepish, like he hadn't meant to have gotten caught. “Mr. Daedalus thinks that it is a programmed instinct from the SHADOW training. If it makes you feel any better Sir, I firmly believe that you could wipe the floor with me, especially with this device on my wrist nullifying my super-normal abilities.â€

Summers smiled as he leaned back in his chair. “Indeed. So what is your motivation here, what do you want to do with your abilities if we let you outside?†(4)

“That's an easy one Sir. I just want to live as a free man, able forge my life via my own choices. Even if I didn't have my powers, I think it is my duty that other people have that chance to do that as well.â€

“I see. So what strengths would you play to, and what weaknesses would you have to cover?†(5)

“I was designed to be a self sufficient force multiplier. Anything that you would need a group of soldiers, covert ops, or the the like I am ideally suited for. Coupled with that I was also programmed to be a field commander and am knowledgeable about tactics and strategy in combat. However, I am lacking in real world experience and dealing with others. I believe that rectifying that is part of the reason you are here, Sir.â€

Duncan mm-hemmed as he made a mark, and flipped the page. “I understand you don't have much worldly experience, but do you have any preferences on things? Things you like, things you hate?†(6)

John sort of shrugged. “Not really, Sir. About the only thing I can say that I dislike immensely is being controlled or things of that nature. Locked rooms also make me uncomfortable, but it's nothing I can't choose to ignore.†“Anything you like at all?" Duncan queried. “Well, I could say that I enjoy anything that employs tactical or strategic thinking. War game simulations for example.â€

Summers flipped to a new page, and looked at John's psychiatric profile that was compiled by Psuedo.

“In describing Johns' mental and emotional state (7), I consider the subject sane and rational. He has a marked dissociation with his feelings. I would quantify him as having Alexithymia, but I sense that as he connects more with other people that this will normalize. The worst thing for him at this point would be continued isolation and rigid discipline. In fact probably it is the indoctrination programming of SHADOW that does not allow their agents to have full on psychiatric episodes.â€

Satisfied, Duncan flipped back to the questions. “So John, could you describe your personal worst case scenario? (8)

“I would imagine that would be SHADOW finding out that I was not killed along with the destruction of the lab and capturing me. Then I would be analyzed, tested, and then probably eventually killed and dissected to provide SHADOW with a stable clone stock of my powers. Not to mention torture to extract everything that I know. I don't need to point out that a mere foot soldier with even my most basic ability would be a significant tactical and strategic resource for SHADOW and Overshadows' future plans.†John looked Duncan straight in the eyes. “For example, I am a perfect suicide bomber. They wouldn't even lose a resource since it was merely a duplicate carrying the package. Combined with the mental link, performing precision simultaneous attacks is effortless.â€

Summers frowned. “That is putting it mildly. More like a nightmare if you ask me.â€

John gravely nodded. “Yes Sir.â€

“Well, that's enough of that. Do you have any goals or anything, John?†(9) Duncan queried.

“Again not really, Sir. I just want to try and live my life at the moment. Learn new things, see new places, meet new people. Maybe after I do that for a while I will have found a goal by then.â€

“So you just want to find your place in the world? I can respect that. But what happens if you don't find it to your liking?†(10)

“Were all in this together, Sir.†He tapped his left index finger idly on the table. “Everyone has problems. Not everyone has solutions. Not everyone has the will to change things either. The only thing I can do give is my best, day in and day out and hope others can do the same.â€

“You say that you're trained to be a field leader, but I assume you've only ever trained with your duplicates. Can you work with others? Can you avoid prejudice in your decisions?†(11)

“Yes Sir. Learning to work and integrate with others is not just common sense, but I have to trust those people with my life as well in the field. In my opinion, prejudice without reason only hinders. There may be people I grow to like or dislike, but letting that influence my decisions sets a dangerous precedent.â€

Duncan scribbled a few notes down. “John, how do your loyalties play into that? How do you decide?†(12)

“Shakespeare said it best. 'This above all else to thine own self be true'. My loyalties are to the people, things, or ideals I cleave to. Choosing one over the other should not be something that is done lightly. You choose the one that is the best in your opinion and leads to the greatest good. Even if you personally suffer, as long as it was worth it in the end your means are kept true.â€

Summers flipped past the next couple of questions. John certainly didn't have any lover or partner of any sort, (13) and the only family that he could be considered having was a sociopathic supervillian of a father. (14) Who John has already postulated would treat him as property before anything else.

He glanced up at John who was busy looking at the camera in the corner. He really hasn't connected with anybody, though Daedalus says his potential is worrying. He had to described him (15) as a sort of like a Guard Dog who lost his master. He needs to be looked after, but needs a place to protect and stay. Not that open at first either, and rather rigid. Summers noted on the form. But he could potentially be a good role model (16) for the other Claremont students. His attitude and willingness to try are good traits. Not to mention he'd be an excellent training resource...

“Sir?†Summers stopped his note taking. John was looking at him. “Do you have any more questions?†Duncan finished up his notes and flipped past pages. “I do, but you're not in general who these questions were intended for.†“Ah, I understand, Sir.â€

“Okay, next question. “Do you have any beliefs? Possess any spiritualism or the like?†(17)

“No Sir. I find asking for help from a god that might merely be a metahuman or the like to be at odds with my understanding of faith and belief. I'm open to the possibility, but for the most part I find it nonsensical.â€

“All right, If you had the option of being on a team, would you like to?†(18)

“Yes. It would be an interesting challenge to make up new strategies and tactics and taking a group of people and getting a functioning cohesive unit. While I can work on my own, more people mean more options. Having more options is always a good thing.

“So then, do you feel super-normal people like yourself have a distinct role in society here on Earth?†(19)

John thinks for a few seconds before responding. “Well, regardless if you have powers or not,†he looks pointedly at Duncan. “If you have the capability of helping your fellows, why wouldn't you? I mean some people are just sociopaths or just lazy and that's where you get people like my genetic donor. But I view it as a responsibility to use one's abilities for the betterment of all. Besides, we have to keep the others in check. Being a hero is hard, a villain, not so much.

Satisfied, Summers closes his notes. “Well John, I'll be back in a little bit. I have some things to discuss. It shouldn't be long.†“Okay, Sir.â€

The video skips forward to Summers walking back in. “A piece of advice first, John."(20) “Sir?â€

“You don't have to prove anything. Just be who you want to be. The only expectations you should have are your own at this point.â€

"That being said,†he holds out his hand to John. “Welcome to Claremont Academy.â€

John smiles and shakes Duncan Summers' hand. The video cuts to static.

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Introduction

Who are you? Sum yourself up in one sentence.

Eugenic supervillian clone who is a one man army.

Do you have any nicknames, street names, titles, or nom de plume?

I picked Myrmidon as my code name after the legendary Thessalians who accompanied King Achilles in the Trojan War who were a loyal follower who executed orders unquestioningly or unscrupulously.

What is your full birth name?

Clone RC-1207. My SHADOW handlers usually shortened it to O7. My official name now is John Smith.

Where do you live?

Currently, in a spare room at Claremont Academy.

How old are you? What year were you born (if applicable)?

I was created in 2008, so my actual age is a little over 3 years. However, I physically appear to be around 17-18.

Physical Traits

What is your gender? If not applicable, please explain.

Male.

How would you describe your heritage?

German/Nordic Ancestry.

How tall are you?

6 feet tall.

What is your body type?

I have been told I am built like a farmer or construction worker.

Do you have any particular weaknesses, such as allergies or physical disabilities?

No. All inferior clone stock were destroyed.

How do you carry yourself? Are you graceful, or heavy on your feet? Can you be stealthy, do you walk with confidence?

I am trained in the arts of stealth, but most people claim I walk like a soldier.

Describe your skin, eye, and hair color.

I posses pale skin, ice blue eyes, and platinum blond hair.

How do you wear your hair, if applicable? Do you have facial hair?

I keep my hair short, just above a buzz cut and slicked back. I do not have facial hair by choice.

Do you consider yourself attractive? Do others?

I suppose so. I have not heard others comment on this fact.

Do you have any scars, tattoos, piercings, or birthmarks?

No, these were weeded out by the SHADOW geneticists.

Do you resemble anyone famous?

Wilhelm Kantor, AKA Overshadow. I am a clone of him.

Do you have a dominant hand?

I am left handed.

What kind of clothing do you wear?

I prefer military style clothing for its ruggedness and utility.

Do you wear makeup?

No.

What is your vocal range? Is your voice distinctive in some way?

Baritone. I was trained not to posses a distinctive voice, and I use Standard American English accent to speak.

Do you have any distinctive habits, nervous tics, or mannerisms? Where did they come from, and what causes them? Do other people notice and remark on these habits? Do they annoy you or other people?

I tend to check out everything/everybody when I enter a room. Exits, entrances, etc. It's an ingrained habit from SHADOW behavioral programming. It comes in handy, but some people think I'm staring at them if I linger to long on them.

History

Where do you come from?

Clone Tank RC-1207, which was in a SHADOW Complex under Freedom City.

Have you made any major moves, or do you live in your hometown?

I reside in Freedom City currently.

Do you feel loyal to your country of citizenship? Do you consider yourself patriotic? How do you feel about the government of your country?

the ID that was given to me lists my country of citizenship as Germany, and that I am an exchange student at Claremont. I do not view myself as patriotic, because I have never been there. As for the government, I have no real opinion.

How do you feel about the place you come from?

Glad to be out of there. I'd rather not think about where I’d be currently if I was not rescued from SHADOW.

Where is your home town? What was/is it like?

If you are referring to the SHADOW facility. It was like growing up in a boot camp.

Growing up, were most of the people you knew similar to you, or were you somehow a minority? How did that affect you?

When they originally started there were 50 of my clone stock. They then weeded out all but me.

Is there something you've always been really good at or really bad at? How has that affected your life?

I was mentally programmed to be a competent field commander and squad leader.

Were there any traumatic experiences in your early years (death of a family member, abandonment, orphaned at an early age)?

Pretty much most of my time at the SHADOW facility would be considered traumatic.

Briefly describe a defining moment in your childhood and how it influenced your life.

When the complex was taken down by Raven and Daedalus. They took me out of there, and I finally have the freedom to make my own choices.

What stupid things did you do when you were younger?

None. Failure to comply resulted in harsh punishment.

Where did you go to school? How much school did you have, and did you enjoy it?

Like other SHADOW clones, I had my knowledge flash implanted into my memory. I would call it up to a high school education, but my specialized knowledge is probably at Grad School level. It wasn't enjoyable. The process tends to leave headaches lasting for hours afterward.

Do you have any mementos of your childhood? What are they, and why did you keep them? If you have none, why not?

All I have left is my old SHADOW issue armor. I've since re-purposed it into my 'superhero' uniform.

When did you decide to become a hero? Why? Did anyone influence you one way or another in the decision?

I'd say seeing Raven and Daedalus in action helped because they gave me the choice, and honestly if that's what they chose to do with their lives, then why couldn't I? I figured I might as well then use my abilities to take down the people who created me for evil.

Is the reason you give people for becoming a hero different than your real reason? If so, why?

Nope.

Do you have any deep, dark secrets in the past that may come back to haunt you?

Well, I AM a clone of Overshadow. Some people will probably not like that. Plus, there is always a chance that SHADOW might find me someday.

Do you represent yourself as being different from who you really are? Why?

Yes. Most people tend to react oddly to hearing that you are a clone.

If you do have these secrets, what do you fear would happen if the truth became known? How far would you go to protect those secrets?

Worst case scenario? SHADOW would find me, and the repercussion of that would not be pretty. I honestly don’t know how far I would go.

Do you have any sort of criminal record? If so, is it public knowledge?

More akin to guilt by association. Being associated with SHADOW tends color one's opinions. It is not public knowledge.

Family

What are your biological parents' names?

Wilhelm Kantor

Were you raised by them? If not, please explain and describe who raised you.

No. I was raised by SHADOW scientists/handlers.

What was their standing in the community? What did/do they do for a living?

Lackey. Ensured that the project (me) was meeting or exceeding expectations.

Where are your parents now?

He's probably somewhere scheming.

Did your family stay in one area or move around a lot?

I was gestated in the facility for 2 years.

How did you get along with their parents? How do you get along with them now (if applicable).

Let's just say a family reunion would be awkward.

How do your parents view you now, or how would they?

As a promising experiment that was interfered with.

Do you have any siblings? If so how many and what are their names? Describe your relationship with them.

I had 49 other clones. They were weeded out due to not meeting expectations/requirements.

What was your birth order in the family?

I was clone 7 of 50.

Where are your siblings now (if applicable)? Do they have families of their own? What do they do?

Dead. Destroyed by SHADOW for not meeting requirements.

Do you stay in touch with them or have you become estranged?

Again, they are dead.

Do you love or hate one member of the family in particular?

I have no love for my genetic donor.

Is any member of the family special to you in any way (perhaps, as a confidant, mentor, or arch-rival)?

My genetic donor is Overshadow, so yes.

Are there any black (or white) sheep in the family (including you)? If so, please explain.

I'm probably the white sheep of the family. One of the few rogue SHADOW clones.

Do you have a notorious or celebrated ancestor? If so, please explain, including how it has affected your life.

My genetic material is a copy of Wilhelm Kantor AKA Overshadow. It tends to make people who know of SHADOW a bit wary in dealing with me.

Do you have a partner and children currently? If so, please describe them.

No.

If you do not have a partner or children, do you want them someday? How firm are you in your opinion on this, and what might change your mind?

Maybe. I don't know.

What type of person would be your ideal mate?

I don't know and have no opinion.

Relationships

Do you have any close friends? If so, please describe them, and how you came to be close to them.

No, but hopefully I'll make friends at Claremont.

Do you have a best friend? If so, how did they become your best friend? How close are you to your best friend?

No, but I would like to have one.

If you were to go missing, who would worry about you?

Well, the Freedom League for one. The threat of SHADOW getting me is serious.

Have you lost any loves? If so, how did it happen, and what did you do?

Nope.

Do you have any bitter enemies? If so, please describe them and their history with you.

Probably SHADOW. They would want their experiment back.

If you have enemies, how do you think they might attempt to work against you in the future?

They'd probably just try to kidnap me outright.

What is the worst thing someone has done to you?

Tried to make me a mindless clone drone.

Where do your loyalties lie? In what order?

At the moment the only loyalty I have is to Claremont Academy/Duncan Summers and myself. I do not think I could order them.

Who or what do you trust the most? Why?

Mr. Summers. He's giving me a chance.

Who or what do you despise? Why?

People who enslave/control people. All people should have the right to make their own choices.

What qualities do you admire most in other people? Are these qualities you possess?

Perseverance, Integrity, Responsibility, and Morality. I'd like to think so.

What qualities do you hate most in other people? Do you have any of those qualities?

Lack of Empathy, Narcissism, Cruelty, Hubris. Yes, after all I am only human. However, by acknowledging I have the capability of these things, I can work past them.

Do you have a secret identity? If so, who knows it? Do you hide it from people who are close to you? Why?

No. The only secret I keep is my origins and that is more to protect the people than myself. If they want to know, I will tell them. But never so that the general public will know.

Do you work well on teams and in groups? Are you a leader or a follower?

I can both execute and follow orders. I work equally well solo or with allies. This is pretty much my area of specialization, though I prefer to lead.

Are you on a super team? If so, how do you get along with your comrades? Do you trust them, or do you have secrets from them?

No. But I do not know what the future holds.

Are you a member of any church, fraternal organization, club, committee, political party, or other group? How much time do you spend on that?

No. But I haven't really gotten out much yet.

Personality & Beliefs

Who are your heroes?

The men and women who are willing to fight for what they believe in, who make a stand no matter the odds.

Did you ever become disillusioned with former heroes or idols? If so, why and what were the circumstances?

I don't have anyone that fits that description.

Do you like being a hero? If so, what is the most rewarding part? If not, what makes you keep doing it?

Yes. Being able to use my powers which were meant for evil, in the aiding of others makes me feel somehow right with the world.

Is there anything that would make you give up hero work, or even switch sides?

Almost anybody can be forced against their will. So yes, but it wouldn't be a willing decision on my part.

What are your short term goals (what would you like to be doing within a year)?

Well, I would like to have some friends and explore the world a little.

What are your long term goals (what would you like to be doing twenty years from now)?

I really don't know. Hopefully still fighting the good fight and being a hero.

What is your greatest fear? Why? What do you do when something triggers this fear?

Being chained/restrained/controlled. Being someones' pawn with no will of your own is something that is deeply disturbing to me. I will fight until the bitter end, and I will not pull punches.

Is there anything you would give you life for?

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they posses certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.†It's a paraphrase of the Declaration of Independence, but dying for any of those is a just cause.

How do you feel about money and material wealth? Do you desire it or disdain it? Are you miserly with what you have, or do you like to share? Is it a mark of success, or a means to an end?

Money isn't that important. It is nice to possess, but it is a means to an end.

How do you generally treat others?

Like how I would want to be treated myself, with respect and civility.

Are you a trusting person? Has your trust ever been abused?

I trust people more the more I know them, but am wary of ulterior motives. But so far? No.

Are you introverted (shy and withdrawn) or extroverted (outgoing)? Do you have a lot of self-confidence?

I am more of a reserved person who likes to sit back than be in the center of things. But I am confident of my own abilities.

How do you act around attractive, available members of your preferred sex?

The same I treat anyone else?

What are your most annoying habits?

I tend to want to analyze and read people, which some interpret as staring or unnerving at the very least.

Do you feel contempt for any general category of people? Who are they, and why?

Yes. People who exploit others for their own ends. Since it is easier to for them to exert little or no effort to gain what they want by making somebody else suffer.

What is your favorite food? Do you prefer any particular type of food? Do you take the time to enjoy your food, or do you eat as fast as you can?

I enjoy MRE's (Meals Ready to Eat). I'll try most any new food once, though I tend to eat fast.

What is your favorite drink (alcoholic or otherwise)?

Water.

What is your favorite treat (dessert)?

I do not have a specific favorite, but I enjoy most things that contain milk chocolate.

Are there any specific foodstuffs that you find disgusting or refuse to eat?

I do not like viscera (organ) foodstuffs. It does not appeal to me.

What is your favorite color? Are there any colors you dislike?

I do not have one. I dislike very bright or garish colors.

What sort of music do you like? Is there any that you hate?

I do not have any musical preferences.

If you have a favorite scent, what is it?

Crisp morning air.

Do you have a favorite animal?

No, I do not.

What is your most treasured possession? Why?

I do not have anything like that.

Do you enjoy "roughing it", or do you prefer your creature comforts?

Either is fine.

Is there a job or a task you would absolutely refuse to do?

Anything relating to the oppression of others.

Do you consider yourself a spiritual person? If so, how do your beliefs affect your life?How important is it to you?

No.

Was your faith influenced or molded by anyone special?

No.

If you belong to a religious organization, how often do you attend? Do you have a specific place of worship, or friends within the organization? How much do you agree with the beliefs of your organization?

I do not belong to any religious association.

Could you kill? Have you killed?

Yes. No.

What circumstances led to you forming that conviction, or taking that action?

Sometimes killing someone is the only solution.

Are there circumstances under which you believe it is permissible to kill? What are they?

Yes. Though this isn't a fair question. The decision to end someones' life must not be taken lightly no matter the situation. What matters is if you are willing to bear the responsibility and repercussions of ending a life. Arbitrarily making hypothetical situations makes light of that decision.

How would you react to watching someone kill another person? Would your reaction be different if the killer was a friend or an enemy of yours?

I have seen people die, and I would not idly stand by if I could rectify the situation. Of course my reaction would be different if someone important to me was the killer or the target.

How would you react if something important was stolen from you?

I really have nothing of worth to steal, so I have no idea.

How would you react to public humiliation?

I would ignore it. What other people think is what other people think. I can't control that, I can only do what I believe is right.

How would you react if a good friend or relative were purposely or accidentally killed? Has it happened to you?

I don't know. I would probably want to make sure that however it was perpetrated justice would be done. No, it has not.

What do you consider to be the worst crime someone could commit and why?

Enslavement, mental or physical. Not having free will is a fate arguably worse than death.

If your life were to end in 24 hours, what five things would you do in those remaining hours?

The only thing I can think of would be to try and cause as much damage to SHADOW and Overshadow that I could.

Career & Training

Do you have any special training in your hero skills? If so, where and how did you get it?

Yes. I was a experiment in advanced eugenics by SHADOW, and artificially given specialized knowledge.

Who taught you the most about your heroing abilities? What was your relationship with that person?

Again, SHADOW scientists since I was their test subject.

Do you have any particularly unusual skills? How did you acquire them?

Well, I was originally only able to make duplicates, but eventually I was able to make simple weapons as well. Daedalus thinks it is an extension of my powers.

Do you do something besides hero work for a living? Have you ever done anything else, or do you plan to?

No. But I plan on figuring that out as I go at Claremont.

What is your preferred combat style?

Using tactics and strategy with combined arms to coordinate effective combat maneuvers.

Have you ever received any awards or honors?

No.

What skill areas would you like most to improve in? Is there anything you can't do that you wish desperately you could?

I do not believe I have fully realized the abilities that I possess as of yet. I am positive new abilities and tricks will come in time as I gain more experience. I wish I could fly or have a movement power like some of the other heroes. It would definitely be an advantage.

How do you act around people who are more skilled than you in areas you'd like to improve? Are you jealous, or do you try and learn?

I would be wanting to learn more. Why be jealous of somebody? Nobody is good at everything, I believe.

Lifestyle & Hobbies

What is a normal day for you? How do you feel when something interrupts this routine?

Wake up and get ready. Then exercise, eat breakfast and start training/schoolwork. Eat Lunch, then more training/schoolwork. Eat Supper. Finish up any outstanding duties/chores, and then have some time before sleep to relax. I don't let interruptions bother me, and try to finish what I was doing after I have dealt with the interruption.

Do you have any hobbies, or interests outside hero work? What are they, and where did you pick them up?

I enjoy tabletop board, strategy, and wargames. Daedalus used one to test me one time, and I found it enjoyable. I also hear that computer games might also be interesting to me.

What do you do for fun?

I do a lot of reading, maybe play a game or two. I also like exercising.

Do you have a costume? What does it look like?

I took my old SHADOW uniform and basically made it more utilitarian and less 'faceless minion'.

How do you normally dress when not in costume?

I favor old army surplus gear usually with a pair of unlaced combat boots and a weather beaten grenadier cap.

What do you wear to bed most nights?

Boxers.

Do you wear any special jewelry? What is it, and what does it look like?

I have a Dog-tag that looks like an WW2 era Knights' Cross I usually wear.

Do you have a special place where you keep your valuables?

No I do not.

What's your preferred means of local travel? How about long distance?

If its' close by running. Further than that I'd prefer a vehicle. Long distance either helicopter or airplane.

Miscellaneous

Have you ever made a will, or tried to make arrangements for your death? What provisions did you make?

Nope.

If your features were to be destroyed beyond recognition, is there any other way of identifying your body?

I assume DNA identification would be easy, but there are thousands of SHADOW clones.

What would you like to be remembered for after your death?

That I had made a difference.

Do you believe you pose a threat to the public? Why or why not?

Yes. If SHADOW had gotten their way, I'd be the new template for every clone they cranked out. Luckily I was rescued from that fate. They can still come after me though.

What do you perceive as your greatest strength?

My adaptability.

What do you perceive as your greatest weakness?

My limited experience in dealing with people.

As a player, if you could, what advice would you give your character? Speak as if he/she were sitting right here in front of you. Use proper tone so they might heed your advice...

John, you don't have to prove anything. Just learn to live a little and take things as they come, and relax. After all, we're all in this together.

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  • 2 months later...

April 9th, 2011

Well, I am here finally. I arrived at Claremont in the company of one Miss Callie. It was only later that I discovered that she was the daughter of Mr. Summers. I do not know what she does, but she is as dangerous or even more-so than her father. I got reminded yet again how big of risk this is, which I keep wondering why they repeat themselves. I do have photographic memory, which they should know. Regardless, I now am a student here. I was given a tour of the campus and assigned a room, which is satisfactory. This location ensures that I cannot walk into a sniper ambush when opening the door. it was shortly therefater that I met a pair of students one Mr. Morgan and Miss Victoria. They were extremely kinda and helpful. Mr. Morgan is a runic mage, which I find fascinating and at the same time worrying due to his aggressive personality. Note: Research Rune magic. On the other hand Miss Victoria is a teleporter and a 'paragon' as they put it. To my knowledge that put her roughly on par with a smart bomb damage-wise. I hope to remain on her good side.

P.S. I wonder what my 'mother' was really like.

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April 29th, 2011

I am back in my room after being taken to have my portrait done. I have met two of Mr. Morgans other associates, Miss Etain and Mr. DeSaens. Miss Etain is very nice, but she has an edge of steel under her demeanor, that I would not have suspected unless the incident had not happened. As for Mr. DeSaens, it is surprising that a man advanced in years as he is remains as agile and spry. i was more than happy to help him carry his things, but Mr. Morgan seemed to think that he was goldbricking. Regardless of that, I find Mr. DeSaens and interesting person though a bit hard to follow. About the incident. It was regrettable, and also my fault. I must remain constantly vigilant or something like this is bound to happen again. This time I count myself fortunate that the damage was minimal. More concern is that I did not necessarily disagree about what my doppelganger had stated, more irritated about the fact that it could have let loose secrets that have stay hidden. I greatly like this place and the people here, so I will strive to keep situations like this from happening again.

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May 11th, 2011

I sometimes ponder if being a superhero draws trouble to oneself. Earlier this morning i was approached by a representative of Tian to fight in a tournament. It was only after I had sparred her and passed some sort of satisfactory level did she tell me this, instead masquerading as a fellow student. I am disheartend to admit that I was soundly defeated, though the pain of loss was lessened after i had learned exactly who and what she was. I accepted her invitation, though I do not know when the tournament will happen...

May 13th, 2011

Day 1 - Tian

According to the rules, three days will pass in three seconds while i was in Tian. So I am dating this based on the calendar day we left on earth. Mr. Morgan had invited Miss Victoria and myself to meet his father, the superhero known as the Red Hand. I tried to refuse, knowing of that Red Hand had tangled with SHADOW many times over his illustrious career. He ignored my excuses and dragged me along anyways promising 'hoagies'. Whatever those are. That leads me to another question. Why are foods named so...oddly? Philly Cheesesteak, Haggis, Gazpacho? Back to the tournament. I was walking through Mr. Morgans' (Sr.) door when I was telelocated to Tian. The diversity and styles were amazing. There were many i would have liked to talk to, but due to the timetable I was unable to. I am in the same bracket as Mr. Morgan, Miss Victoria, Miss Ironclad, and Mr. Macayle. I hope I do not have to fight them.

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  • 7 months later...

Hobbies

I have been encouraged to attempt to procure activities in an effort to integrate more successful into my cover story as a student.

Video Gaming - While enjoyable for the short term these have proven to to be as engaging as training. Miss Victoria finds my aptitude at first person shooters and simulators odd, considering my relative inexperience with these devices.

Cinema (Movie) - Yet another area I have been given a crash course in courtesy of Mr. Morgan and Ms. Victoria. I appeared to have confused them when I had not seen movies they deemed to be 'cultural classics' and wondered if i had grown up under a rock. Must endeavor to do more research. EDIT: My taste in movies is apparent the film noire and pulp genre..according to them after several marathons.

Musical Theater - While on my morning run had a chance to talk with a woman who was an actress, and had told be about her show currently running in one of the theaters nearby. After going it was enjoyable, though I do not understand the reasons why it was about cats. Bizarre.

Gardening - After numerous false starts I have found that I do not possess a green thumb. Have odd proclivity of plants dying in general area while I am around. This might be due to my association with Mr. Morgan and his odd way of finding himself up a tree.

Dancing - was approached by one of the female students while in the gym. Se asked if I could assist her since her for a week while her partner was sick with what was going around campus. I am contemplating looking more into this one, as it provided a workout to muscle groups I do not usually target. Note: Research more on the tango, as it caused a rather odd reaction from her when I mentioned dancing styles.

Karaoke - Never again.

Origami - I can make an improvised knife out of a newspaper but cannot fold these right. it is a vexing matter.

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  • 4 months later...

Myrmidons' Logbook

A primer on byproducts of power usage

Some psionic individuals, myself included, seem to have a 'bleed' effect when manifesting our innate abilities. Some research theorizes this is based on emotional state of the the manifester, completely autonomous of control. This is incorrect, as it can be harness and trained just as any other aspect of a power. What follows is a list and some notes on the designation and uses that I have either trained in or discovered for using this 'bleed'. Used in conjunction with military hand signals, and sign language, an entire wordless lexicon can be attained.

Color - usually used to communicate personal status or alerts

Red: Danger/Threat

Orange/Yellow: Alert/Warning/Hazard

Green: Contaminated/Poisoned

Blue/Indigo: Baseline

White: used primarily for communication, typically Morse code.

None: Stealth Mode

Brightness - can be controlled to equivalent of a flashlight, but typically use keeps it to more muted levels.

Flickering: Indicative of massive physical damage or disorientation. Similar to brownouts before blackouts.

Appearance: With enough focus, limited shapes can be constructed with the bleed but typically they are too small or weak to be of tactical or general use.

Intensity: Focusing on making large amounts of psionic bleed can provide some substance to intangible objects. Usage in this manner is typically fatiguing.

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Hobbies

I have been marginally successful in cultivating a few hobbies with the help of my friends. I will continue to try new ones, as cross-training is always useful.

Guitar - My experience with this has been unusual to say the least. I enjoy playing the instrument, but as my instructor has stated 'It's like you've played before'. While I do not possess any memories as to it, It is my suspicion that Wilhelm Kantor himself had some skill in this area himself. Regardless, I do find it enjoyable and the sheer numbers and styles of music allows me freedom to explore an interesting variety of music.

Cooking - I came about this as an accident, incidentally. Over the winter break there was always a queue to use the kitchenette in the dorm so I started to go to the home ec. laboratory to heat my MRE's. A teacher was present at one of these times and was appalled at what I was eating. She went on at length about shelf-life and preservatives, and almost threw out my dinner. She informed me that I would be back there tomorrow, and she'd at the very least make sure I was eating well. As a result, I started becoming proficient at cooking. I was struck by how similar it was to preparation and creation of explosives. I thought it best not to note this to the teacher. Still, it has at least precipitated my discovery of additional foods I like.

Astronomy - I am surprised myself that I found stargazing oddly calming. Morgan surmised it was a peaceful way of looking through a scope at things. While originally I only knew enough for orienteering and navigation purposes, that is no longer true. I am saving up money to purchase a decent telescope, though I need to find someone who knows about them. They are not exactly like weapon scopes, so my expertise is limited.

Note: Victoria and Morgan seem to be inordinately amused that my hobbies are as they put it 'prime boyfriend material'. They lamented my lack of concern or care on the matter.

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  • 9 months later...

Myrmidon Data Log XIII-217
Type: Audio/Video Record
Subject: LACUNA Suit Subroutine testing
Timestamp: ***Data Expunged***

Location: ***Data Expunged***

 

The video shows an large, structurally reinforced room covered with various scorch marks, small craters, and carbon scoring. There is a slight warp to the image, as if it is being filmed behind some sort of protective glass. Myrmidon walks in from behind the camera, and faces it.

 

"This is a documentation of the capabilities of the LACUNA suit." He gestures at his uniform.  "The base suit has four modes, or subroutines as I will refer to them. The default mode uses the suits neural interface to adapt the suit to various hazards the wearer might face in the field. My research indicates that this mode is remarkably similar to a exosuit prototype that was stolen from a Japanese defense firm two years ago." The suit begins altering itself, reflective plates of red and silver forming across its surface, with tubes running underneath them. A luminescent yellow liquid begins circulating throughout the suit. Seconds later the transformation is complete, the formerly matte black suit replaced by what looks like form-fitted ceramic armor. "I have just mentally commanded the suit to adapt to provide protection versus high temperatures." He turned to address someone who was off-screen. "You may fire when ready." A second later, Myrmidon is hit by what appears to be a flamethrower for a period of thirty seconds. When the flame subsides it shows that Myrmidon has not moved, his armor is glowing white hot while flaming rivulets of napalm streamed off the armor and onto the floor. "As you can see i am unharmed, while staying quite comfortable. Theoretically, this resistance would even allow up to full immersion in magma."

 

The following hour of the video is continued battering of the hero under laser, firearm, and other typical dangers a hero might face in the field. Apparently that list included falls from terminal velocity. "I am sorry that I could not procure a test site that would feasibly allow that test." the helmeted hero apologized to the camera. "Though if I am correct, I believe the suit could handle orbital re-entry and its respective hazards." He walks off-screen and the camera cuts off.

 

The camera comes back on, still behind the protective casing. This time, Myrmidon is against the far wall. "In the cases where there is no time to reconnoiter and adapt to a battle, the LACUNA suit has a dedicated armor function. Much of it seems adapted from the failed Laufpanzer research project attributed to roboticist & weapon designer Dr. Ferron 'Rusty' Oxford AKA Doc Oxide, a known SHADOW sympathizer." As he spoke, the armor started to bulk up, forming overlapping segmented sections of a dark grey metallic material. "The added weight of the armor is rendered negligible through the use of servomotors and an under-armor conductive weave that prevents liquids and gases from penetrating." Myrmidon lifted up his arm, showing the dark under-armor that showed at his shoulder joint. "In addition, the exterior armor is made of an impact hardening material, which significantly reduces the chances of a lucky hit causing excess trauma." He gestured to something offscreen, and the camera moved to look a table with an assortment of weapons. "This armor is rated to anti-vehicle scale weaponry, which would typically be overkill on a single man. Typically."

 

The camera panned back to the helmeted hero, as he was bombarded by veritable fusillade of firepower. It was capped off with what looked like a 20 mm cannon round impacting center-mass, the kinetic transfer of energy enough to knock him prone. A few seconds passed before the figure regained his feet, dusting off the chips of masonry that had fallen on him. "Of course one would still need to take adequate precautions, but the ability to ignore most small-arms fire would help in my normal fieldwork." Myrmidon makes a slashing motion across his neck, and the video stops.

 

A few seconds follow, and the camera snaps back on. Judging by the appearance there was no more protective screen. Myrmidon this time is already on camera. "Next up is the stealth functions of the suit, which is remarkably similar to the Geisterjäger armor that SHADOW has employed in the field for the last few years." The armored hero appeared to shimmer as if a mirage, before fading completely. "Testing has shown that while effective at stopping visual and acoustic detection, this cloaking effect still remains penetrable by radio imaging and olfactory sensors, not to mention of no use versus mental scrying. Though for basic infiltration it is superior to most alternatives." As the bodiless voice spoke, the camera cycled through various imaging modes to no avail. Myrmidon popped back into the frame, three feet away from his previous position. "The last subroutine is the flight mode, which has been documented by numerous Freedom City media outlets.

 

The suit changed again, into something resembling a wing-suit with a streamlined jetpack integrated into the suit. "Flight speed can easily exceed the sound barrier. This setting appears the only in house research applied to the suit, though it takes some cues from the cancelled Valkyrie experimental bomber by 'surfing' on its own sonic wake termed 'compression lift' which allows for extended flight at supersonic speeds, AKA super-cruise." The wing-suit and the jetpack retracted back inwards. The video cut to local media channels recordings that had picked up images of him in flight, mostly grainy ones during the night. There was one in broad daylight that was tagged Jan. 15 2013, and gave the best look at the suit in action. After a few minutes of these clips, it cut back to the stark facility with Myrmidon once again in front of the camera. "That concludes the base demonstration of the LACUNA suit. Due to the adaptable nature of the suit, I will probably discover or create more subroutines for future use. Myrmidon out." The image goes dark.

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