Sat Jan 13, 2018 7:46 am
Okay, I've changed a lot of little things, and added some new characters, so it's probably going to be easier to just copy-paste-replace the whole Those Two Guys section. (I've also added all of this to the front page of my Those Two Guys topic).
ONI: You know them, you love to hate them. They’re the shady spies of the Halo universe.
Marco Giuseppe: 25 years old, son of Lucio and Emilia, older brother of Carlos. Cruel, efficient, and kind of a jerk. His loyalty to ONI is second only to his loyalty to his family, and after the death of his mother, he abandoned ONI to be with his father… a decision that may yet cost him his life.
Elizabeth Maxwell: 22 years old, daughter of Jeremiah Maxwell. Marco’s overzealous second in command, whose loyalty to her superior led to her following him right onto the rogue agent registry… or so it appeared. In reality, her association with Marco was an official assignment from her father.
Jeremiah Maxwell: 56 years old, father of Elizabeth Maxwell. A high-ranking officer within ONI, Jeremiah operates on the ‘business’ side of the agency, gaining and maintaining corporate alliances on the behalf of ONI. One of his many acquisitions over the years was Lucio Giuseppe’s flagship company G-Corp; with Lucio now dead, Jeremiah, as the lead stockholder, has seized the company for himself, and seems intent on eliminating anyone who can challenge his claim to leadership.
Overseer Aurelius: [CLASSIFIED]. Aurelius is head of the ‘Silencers’, a small team within ONI whose job is to conceal bodies, destroy evidence, discredit witnesses, divert blame, or whatever else ONI requires them to do in order to ensure a tidy coverup. In all of his many years overseeing these operations, Aurelius has only failed once: when he tried to put General Seth Blight on trial for the events of the Gelida Crisis. Although it was Lucio Giuseppe who ensured that Blight escaped charges, Blight is still the one Aurelius hates.
ONI Oversight Division: A covert sub-branch of ONI, tasked with overseeing and supervising the missions and agents of the main organisation. They operate independently and with almost limitless authority, outranking most other officers in other divisions. However, their team is small, and therefore, their influence is limited, so they tend to intervene only in the most extreme of situations.
Carlos Giuseppe: 23 years old, son of Lucio and Emilia, younger brother of Marco, rumoured to have a younger half-sister, Sofia. Formerly a private in the UNSC marines, until he resigned from military service and went rogue. He resurfaced after the death of his mother, and was eventually recruited into the ONI Oversight Division, where he was partnered with Agent Meridian. While he was reportedly a capable, obedient soldier during his time with the UNSC, he has since exhibited a more serious demeanour, and a disregard for lawful expectations and conventions. After losing his mother, several of his friends, being forced to kill his own father, and spending time trapped in a desolate alternate reality, many concerns have been raised about whether he’s in a fit mental state to continue missions.
Marcella “Quandary” Jones: Exact age and family status unknown, although she has exhibited a close, almost motherly bond, with the Meridian sisters. As head agent of the ONI Oversight Division, Quandary’s job consists of sending spies to spy on other spies and as such, she’s as ruthless as she is generous, and insightful as she is deceitful. Most importantly, however, she is extremely close with her team, taking great pains to get to know each of her agents on a personal level. She has complete faith in the capabilities of her agents, but when the situation calls for it, she’s fully capable of holding her own right beside them on the battlefield.
Gena Grey: 29 years old, orphaned with no siblings. Captain of the ONI Oversight Division’s one-of-a-kind command ship, Gena is something of a grumpy aunt to the team. She’s been with the division since before Quandary took charge, and still grumbles every now and then about the ‘good old days’ when the team had more members and a bigger budget.
Agent Enigma: Just as his name would suggest, very little is known about this guy. He, like Gena, was a member of the team before Quandary and the Meridian sisters joined up, but unlike the Captain, he seems far more accepting of Quandary’s leadership.
Amelia Isabella Meridian: 23 years old, orphaned, older sister of Angeline. Better known as ‘Agent AIM’, most of her pre-ONI background is classified, but ever since joining the team at age 20, Amy has been the shining star of the Oversight Division, excelling in operations. That said, she’s still naïve and headstrong, with a preference for rolling solo, traits that have gotten her into more than her fair share of trouble over the years. Her involvement with Carlos Giuseppe has helped ground her, somewhat, with their equally brash attitudes helping them to keep each other in check during missions. Some have worried that her closeness with Carlos may be clouding her judgement somewhat, but those who know her better are all too happy to point out that she was reckless long before meeting Carlos.
Angeline Regina Meridian: 21 years old, orphaned, younger sister of Amelia. Better known as ‘Angi the engi’, she serves as the team’s chief engineer. Despite being too young for field work, she joined the team at the same time Amy did, which gave her several years to learn the ins and outs of the command ship, training under the previous chief engineer. During a space battle, a stray missile struck the engine compartment, killing the previous engineer, and badly wounding Angi. Despite losing part of her arm, and suffering burn scars to her face, she stuck with the team after she recovered, although she now rarely leaves the ship.
Red Team: After Jim Branson rose to prominence as a local hero, he was assigned command of a small strike team. This squad is often in a state of flux, with members being lost and replaced at a fairly regular basis. Despite this, Red Team remains an organised, unified unit, loyal to the UNSC cause, and resolute in their ideals.
Jim Branson: 23 years old, son of the now-deceased General Bradford Branson. Formerly a private in the UNSC marines, where he was partnered with Carlos Giuseppe, Jim was appointed head of a specialised, independent task force dedicated to dealing with the surviving “Super Flood”. While he was known to be a bit of a clown during his time as a marine, he has become a lot more focused and attentive, leading his team with skill and precision in a number of successful operations. However, the loss of his father has had a severe impact on him, and only time will tell what the long-term consequences of this loss might be for Jim and his team. Although others put a lot of faith in him, he’s always felt that he’s out of his depth, now more than ever.
Anya Branson: 26 years old, daughter of Bradford Branson, and older sister to Jim. Anya is an overwhelmingly mediocre operative, scoring average marks during training, achieving satisfactory results in missions, and overall, not doing much except the bare minimum. Many of her superiors and teammates have attested that she has the potential to accomplish more than this, but it’s unclear what might motivate her to do so. Even after the death of her father, her behaviour has remained largely unchanged. Not even following the orders of her younger brother seems to bother her.
Marius Marks: 31 years old, family history unknown. Marius joined the UNSC at 18, working his way up the ranks, and serving as a front line sniper in the marine corps during the closing days of the Human-Covenant war. Eventually, he moved on to be trained as an ODST, and was assigned to Jim’s team shortly before the Necropolis incident. Unbeknownst to Jim, Marius was appointed to join the team by General Branson himself, with specific instructions to keep Jim safe. Even now that the General is dead, Marius has devoted himself to diligently following those orders.
CC Browning: Age and family history unknown. Little is known about this man’s background, save for his skill in combat, and fascination with brute tactics and tech. His Reach-era EVA armour is a testament to how long he’s been in service, and Jim is just another in a long line of commanders he’s served under over the years. He has no personal stake in the ongoing conflicts on the planet; to him, this is just another standard assignment.
Admiral Sabree: Age, family status, and general history are all unknown. Admiral Sabree is, in a word, a mystery. No records of him exist in UNSC databases or ONI archives. No one’s exactly sure who he is, when he got trained, or where he got his hands on a full, functioning suit of Spartan armour… nor does anyone know how he’s able to wear it. Despite his enigmatic status, his talent in battle is undeniable, and therefore his presence in Jim’s team has been reluctantly accepted by UNSC and ONI officials.
Bianca Vargas: 27, family records redacted. Bianca joined the UNSC through the science division, fascinated by alien technology and weapons. Eventually, though, she grew tired of her studies, and realised it was far more fun to disassemble aliens with their own guns. She joined the Spartan program late, leaving her with only the pink suit that no one else had wanted. She took that in stride, however, and remains an extremely efficient field operative.
Blue Team: While they aren’t nearly as accomplished or as famous as the Master Chief’s own Blue Team, this squad is equally steadfast in its desire to do good, and represents a formidable force on any battlefield.
Rachel Tamara: 24 years old, familial history classified. Calm and capable leader of Gelida’s blue team, Rachel had served loyally in the UNSC for several years before she and her team were assigned to the ill-fated Necropolis mission on Gelida. It was there that she met Jim Branson, and after working together for a time, the two became romantically involved, although their duties as leaders of separate teams often keep them apart.
Mark Mason: 25 years old, familial history classified. He’s been Rachel’s best friend since long before they joined the UNSC, often thinking of her as younger sister in need of his protection, despite the fact that she’s just as capable a fighter as he is, and that she outranks him. He’s a bold combatant, preferring to take on enemies at close range with a BR or shotgun, and has been known to literally tackle larger targets like hunters and vehicles, in order to plant grenades on them.
Dereck Pharrell: 36 years old, no known family. A veteran of many battles, Pharrell was rendered mute by a battlefield injury many years ago. He’s unwaveringly obedient, and specialises in sidearms such as the SMG and magnum.
Kiki Silva: 24 years old, familial history classified. Rachel’s unofficial second in command, Silva is something of a lone wolf. As the team’s designated scout/sniper, she often breaks off from the main squad to sneak behind enemy lines, or find a better location to snipe from. That said, she’s proven herself fully capable of holding her own in a close quarters fight, wielding her kukri knife with ruthless competence.
Harold Helm: 34, orphaned, no siblings. One of the lesser-known members of the team, this flame marine is rarely sent out on missions – not because he’s bad at fighting, but because the team’s operations usually require a little more finesse than his flamethrower can offer. When he is taken out on missions, however, he proves his worth with fiery efficiency.
Melanie Zellner: 24 years old, familial history classified. Another of Rachel’s childhood friends, this Argus-armoured Spartan has modelled much of her tactics after her team leader. Like Rachel, she specialises in the use of the battle rifle, and Melanie often takes point alongside Rachel during combat operations.
Green Team: While they’re not the biggest team around, or the toughest, Green Team somehow always manages to wind up caught right in the middle of the action at just the right time. Unfortunately, this hasn’t always ended well for them, with two former members of their team having recently been killed in action. In spite of this, the team members who remain do their best to get by, and honour the memory of their fallen friends with every successful mission.
Spartan Z19: 28 years old, family connections unknown. Formerly a General, Z19 was placed in charge of the salvaged ‘Super Flood’ investigation on Gelida. After the specimens escaped, however, he was stripped of his position as General, and demoted to team leader of the rag-tag band of misfits that is Green Team. Although he harbours some resentment towards his superiors for this maltreatment, he has nonetheless embraced his new role.
Charlie Bucket: 23 years old, no records exist of his family or past. Charlie is the only remaining member of the original Green Team (alongside Roke77 and Zarry, both deceased), a fact that weighs on him constantly. After the death of Roke, he took some of his fallen friend’s weapons and armour, and helped hunt down Zarry. Now, he serves dutifully in his new team, honouring the memory of his fallen comrades.
DBMAN: Age, family, and history unknown. A defector from a defunct covenant cell, this elite took on the moniker DBMAN, and sided with the UNSC against his former comrades. He specialises in heavy weaponry, such as flamethrowers and Gatling guns.
Robowarrior: 28, no known relatives. Known more affectionately as Rob, this poor pilot is in way over his head, and he knows it. But, being one of only two certified pilots on the planet, this hasn’t stopped him from getting dragged along on all kind of crazy adventures. He generally uses the battle rifle, although he’s been known to use rocket launchers as well.
UNSC: These characters are also affiliated with the UNSC, but aren’t part of any specific team.
Medical Officer Roebuck: 24, unremarkable background. Roebuck is good at one thing, and one thing only – treating the wounded. He’s no use with guns, but has a knack for vehicles, as he demonstrated in a recent battle, when he used a mongoose to run over a Banished lieutenant. The brute survived, but so did Roebuck, so he considers that a win.
Pilot Jerome: 26, unremarkable background. A simple civilian contractor on Gelida, he was forcibly conscripted into aiding the UNSC cause when the majority of their forces withdrew from the planet, leaving him as one of only two certified pilots on the surface. Suffice to say, his services were in high demand, and he’s not enjoying any of the attention.
Gregor 113: Age and familial information redacted. One of two Spartans assigned to serve as bodyguards to Captain Cutter during his journey to Gelida, Gregor is a resolute soldier, unwavering in his conviction, but admittedly somewhat unimaginative when it comes to his tactics. He prefers a direct approach, battling enemies head on.
Carilleta Reach: Age and familial information redacted. Having served as Gregor’s partner for many years of service, Carilleta knows how best to adapt her tactics to his less flexible nature, letting him serve as a distraction while she outmanoeuvres the enemy. Like Gregor, she was assigned to protect Captain Cutter during the Gelida expedition, and as such she has gained a small insight into the strange dangers that lurk on this isolated planet.
Jason 397a: [Records Unavailable] One of the more enigmatic operatives on Gelida, no one is exactly sure what rank this soldier holds, which branch of the military he works for, or what it is that he actually does on the planet. However, it is an undeniable fact that he has a tendency to wind up right in the thick of things, just as those who work with him have a tendency to die tragically on the field of battle.
Commander Greer: 28 years old, no known family. Mason Greer is more than just a soldier, he’s a survivor. Against all odds, he’s walked away alive from every mission, even when dozens of his fellow ODST have met their end in his wake. He’s implacable, unstoppable, but he bears the weight of all those who have died so he can live. Burdened by this guilt, he prefers to only carry out solo missions, so he can avoid having to watch anyone else give their life on his behalf.
Agent Mako: 25, all other data classified. Although she holds a rank within ONI, and bears the moniker of Agent, the ODST known only as Mako is more of a free agent. She specialises in long-range assassinations, although she’s also talented in pistol combat for close-quarters encounters. Currently, she assigned to work with the Oversight Division on Gelida, but was recently sent to Antares to aid Jim Branson and Commander Greer.
General Ferguson: [Records Sealed]. A strong military commander with a solid history, he worked closely with Bradford Branson on many occasions. He was tasked with replacing the recently-demoted General Z19, to bring an end to the ongoing crisis on Gelida VII. He was unsuccessful, and made the ultimate sacrifice to help other heroes win the day.
General Bradford Branson: [Deceased]. Father of Anya and Jim. Bradford first made his mark on the history books when he led the Vanguard movement during the Battle of Gorna Pass. After many adventures during the Human-Covenant war, Branson settled down and raised two children, both of whom followed in his footsteps and took up careers in the military. Eventually, with war looming again, he acquiesced to the demands of his old friends, and returned to the fold. When he learned his son was in trouble, he set out personally to help him, a decision that eventually cost him his life, when his former friend Lucio Giuseppe quite literally stabbed him in the back. He is missed by many.
Jeremy Miles Maliss: [Classified] An accomplished soldier with an extensive record, General Maliss is the current commanding officer of the strategic outpost Sigma Talon on Antares Prime, tasked with defending the base and overseeing all local operations. While he presents himself with a jovial demeanour, his psychological profile presents a man lacking in empathy; troops under his command have casualty rates far higher than most of his peers, and he exhibits no guilty or remorse for the lives lost under his guidance.
Covenant: Needing no introduction, this merciless conglomerate of vicious alien races is the scourge of the UNSC.
TheArbiterOfBlocks: An elite assassin who specialises in dual-wielding energy swords, this sly alien took charge of the Covenant Remnant on Gelida after the presumed death of the faction’s previous leader.
TheArbiter25: A heavily-armoured jackal with a point to prove, he serves as joint leader of the Gelida branch of the Covenant Remnant, although he’s more interested in fighting the enemy than ordering someone else to do it.
Zaal ‘Varim: Some might call Zaal unlucky. This would be an understatement. Once a proud, powerful General in the Covenant army, he remained loyal to the prophet’s cause even after the hierarchs betrayed his people. He eagerly joined Jul Mdama’s Covenant Remnant, and managed to salvage a significant number of troops and equipment after Jul’s demise. But once he made his way to Gelida, things went from bad to worse. He fought with General Blight for years, losing troops with every battle, eventually even his own son. His Super Flood experiment was stolen and hijacked by ONI, and then Atriox seized control of the brutes under his command, mortally wounding Zaal and leaving him for dead. And when he recovered from his wounds, Zaal discovered that half of his remaining forces had been taken over by a pair of new leaders. He has reconciled himself with these misfortunes, however, and is one of many Covenant leaders gathering to assault Antares.
Argustus (AKA Ripper): This high-ranking jiralhanae general has a rather bizarre concept of honour – he refuses to use guns, instead resorting to only melee combat. How he’s survived this long employing that strategy is anyone’s guess (although the Hunter he keeps as a personal bodyguard might have something to do with it). Despite his strange approach to one on one battles, ‘Ripper’ is nonetheless a cunning commander, possessed of a tactical intelligence far above that of the average brute.
Bralgore (AKA Crimson): In stark contrast to his ally ‘Ripper’, the brute chieftain known as ‘Crimson’ values only strength and force, ruling over his brute pack with an iron fist. But he isn’t entirely stupid, nor is he proud; he recognises the superiority of ‘Ripper’s’ strategies, and follows his friend’s orders without question.
Yhil ‘Gzared (AKA, Patches): A scientist whose body is more metal than flesh at this point, ‘Patches’ has always served his own interests above all else. He specialises in genetic manipulation, and was the lead mind behind Zaal’s original Super Flood experiments.
Varn ‘Doram, (AKA, The Blackhand): Once a low-ranking lieutenant among the other elites, Varn has clawed his way to prominence. He’s said to be one of the most skilled snipers to ever emerge from the ranks of the Covenant, and has a knack for surviving situations that would spell the end for lesser beings. 25 years ago, he briefly crossed paths with Bradford Branson, during which he acquired the injury that earned him the nickname he now wears with pride: The Blackhand. He now serves as recruiter of sorts, gathering former Covenant leaders from across the galaxy together under one banner.
Grarl (AKA Fletch): One of Atriox’s trusted lieutenants within the ranks of the Banished, Fletch is an accomplished combat pilot, and one of the few brutes to hold the title of Shipmaster. He has little interest in gore or battle, preferring to annihilate his enemies from a distance from the comfort of his ship.
Denizens: The twisted, tormented inhabitants of The Timeless Plains.
Oracle: One of oldest inhabitants of the Plains, the being known only as Oracle sees himself as a bringer of truth, one whose word is law. He makes it his task to mandate these laws to all those who arrive in the Timeless Plains. In doing so, he believes he is preserving the status quo, when in truth all he is doing is perpetuating a cycle of brutality and ceaseless violence. Although he believes the Timeless Plains were always a realm of war and madness, and there is nothing that can be done to change that, the sad truth is that it was he who made it this way, and he who is keeping it that way.
Wayfinder: The being calling himself Wayfinder arrived in the Plains at the same time Oracle did, and the pair have worked together ever since. Over time, their memories of home, family, and identity faded to nothing, until all they had left were the titles and purposes they had created for themselves. The Wayfinder makes it his task to roam the Plains, and rescue new arrivals, so that they can be brought to the Oracle to be ‘educated’.
Caesar: One of the many Warlords of the Timeless Plains, Caesar doesn’t remember how he got there, or when, or why. All he knows is his family – the handful of brutes who came through with him, including his own son. But now, they are all dead and gone, and all that Caesar has left is an insatiable hunger for vengeance.
Tivus: One of the most prolific Warlords to prowl the Plains, Tivus is as charismatic as he is cruel, and will devote all of his resources to destroying anyone who irks him in even the slightest way. He has little regard for the lives of his men, and cares even less about the lives of anyone else. Although he’s perfectly adept with guns, his preferred weapon of choice is a coil of chain with a hook on the end, which he can use to grapple or mutilate enemies.
Felix: Second in command to Tivus, Felix is something of a cockroach – through skill and cunning, or just dumb luck, he always manages to weasel his way out of every situation.
The Pale One: A mighty, towering creature clad in grey-white armour, the Pale One may possibly be the single oldest living being in the Timeless Plains. However, like all those who live there, his memory has faded with time, so it’s impossible to be sure. He’s quick to anger, but is capable of compassion and mercy, imparting what wisdom he can to those brave or resourceful enough to seek him out.
Other: Villains with no loyalty or allegiance, these guys tend to work for the highest bidder, whoever they think is going to win, or just for themselves. As one might expect, they have a habit of cutting loose and running for the hills when things start going badly.
‘Relict’: [Deceased]. Once a leading researcher in a classified scientific initiative within ONI, the man now known only as Relict was involved in a great many experiments. However, his ultimate ambition was to unlock the secret of human immortality, a goal he pursued relentlessly. After his wife died before he could complete his research, he went mad with grief, unleashing his experiments and destroying the lab, before gathering a team of mercenaries and fleeing to Gelida, where he used the unique biology of the ‘Super-Flood’ to synthesise a new immortality serum. He was successful, but much of his research was later destroyed, and he was eventually killed for good by Carlos Giuseppe.
Seth Blight: 31 years old, younger brother of Damien. Some men just refuse to give up, no matter how dire the circumstances they find themselves facing. Seth Blight is one such man. Even after being stabbed in the neck and left for dead, he found a way to survive. When ONI and the UNSC tried to hold him responsible for the entire Gelida Crisis, he found a way to escape the charges. What Blight wants, more than anything else, is recognition and respect, and he’s willing to extreme lengths to get it.
Costello Pierce: [Deceased] 34, older brother of Desmond. Formerly a member of Jim Branson’s team, he was bribed to work for Relict and his cabal. He had an adversarial relationship with Jim, a rivalry that came to an end when Jim killed him.
Desmond Pierce: 28, younger brother of Costello. Desmond was an obedient, unremarkable, rank-and-file Spartan… until he learned of his brother’s death. He went rogue, and made his way to Gelida. His intentions are unknown, but whatever his goals are, they don’t bode well for anyone.
Julien Vex: Vex’s true age, family, and history is a mystery unto itself. Given how long he and his band of mercenaries have been in operation, the prevailing theory is that the name ‘Julien Vex’ is a title that has been worn by numerous mercs over the years, each one taking advantage of the legend that the others have left behind. The current incarnation of Vex has maintained a lower profile than his predecessors – the true extent of his manpower and resources are unknown, and he’s diverged significantly from the pattern of his forbears by accepting jobs on the behalf of ONI and the UNSC as well. While their identities are also a mystery, it's believed that this Vex has a wife and daughter, who remain unaware of his illicit activities.
Matthew Shade: [Deceased] 29, younger brother of Raymond, older brother of Lilian. A greedy, childish, over-ambitious officer stationed on Gelida, he started working with local criminal elements on an elaborate plan to conquer the planet. He plotted and carried out the murders of several UNSC officers to quickly ascend the chain of command, and started using his squad of marines for less-than-legal operations. In the end, his schemes were ruined by Jim Branson and Carlos Giuseppe, who brought his life to an explosive end.
Raymond Shade: 32, older brother of Matthew and Lilian. Shade has developed something of an obsession with Jim Branson and Carlos Giuseppe. At first, he claimed he only wanted revenge for their killing of his brother, but the connection clearly runs deeper than that. He has proven himself as tenacious as he is resourceful, coming back from dozens of defeats that would have deterred or killed a lesser man. His true motives and goals – if he even has any – are as clear as mud. Perhaps he realises just how important the pair are… and wants to be part of that importance… or maybe he just loves sowing chaos.
Lilian Shade: 24, younger sister of Raymond and Matthew. The youngest of the Shade siblings, Lilian enlisted to join the UNSC, and quickly rose to prominence as an elite soldier. After Matthew’s death, she became bitter, and while she wanted revenge on those who had taken her brother away from her, she trusted that her oldest sibling, Raymond, would be able to accomplish that task on her behalf. But after months of waiting, not only were Jim Branson and Carlos Giuseppe still alive, they were now considered heroes of the UNSC. With Raymond missing in action, Lilian set out to find her own vengeance.
