Operative Ces
From Unofficial Handbook of the Virtue Universe
| |
| Become a contractor, before you become a target. | |
| Operative Ces | |
| Player: | |
| Origin: | Natural |
|---|---|
| Archetype: | Soldier of Arachnos/Arachnos Widow |
| Threat Level: | 50/25 |
| Personal Data | |
| Real Name: | Ces Mackel |
| Known Aliases: | Rogue Spider? Traitor? Target? Take your pick. |
| Species: | Human |
| Age: | ' |
| Height: | 6'1 |
| Weight: | 183 |
| Eye Color: | Green |
| Hair Color: | Black |
| Biographical Data | |
| Nationality: | Rogue Islander, born and bred! |
| Occupation: | Ex-Arachnos and Full Time Mercenary |
| Place of Birth: | Mercy Island |
| Base of Operations: | Classified |
| Marital Status: | Engaged |
| Known Relatives: | Two parents, confirmed three siblings |
| Known Powers | |
| Mu Sorcery | |
| Known Abilities | |
| Infiltration, Leadership, Wolf Spider and Bane Spider training. | |
| Equipment | |
| Bane Spider Armor and Executioner Mace | |
| ' | |
Note:
I feel like I owe some folks some apologies, leaving as suddenly as I did. I've been busy the past few months since my paid time ran out. Real life issues, school, family, etc. Still, I feel bad over not informing anyone. I especially apologize to Von Dread, Harper, and Requiem's Decree. I joined them just as all the issues started up and left without a word. If I ever do manage to come back, I hope they can forgive me.
_______
Booted feet snap together with a sharpness and precision to shame the best of drill sergeants. As they come together, the sound of metal against concrete is easily heard. The figure is imposing, no human feature discernible. Black armor, an eyeless helmet, broad plated shoulders, and most noticeable of all, the red spider upon it's obsidian chest. A voice booms out of the metallic body. Cold, unfeeling, almost robotic in quality, with a force to shake the internals of a normal man.
"Operative Ces, reporting in. Ready and willing for duty, sir!"
Contents |
Personality
He's Arachnos trained, risen up from the grunts. They train them to be mean, and Ces excels at this. No one ever really see's this side of him oddly enough, save for those that are forced to speak with him daily (Meaning all of the Iron Wolf Cartel, boy did you all snag a prize, eh?). From Wolf Spider to Bane Spider, Ces has only himself to thank. His brutal approach to a problem is something his superior's have always admired. Ces has lived for Arachnos, and one would think he is nothing more then a drone. Of course, they won't think that way for long if he finds out.
History
A Mercy Full Childhood
“Mercy Island, I ever mention how much I hate this place?”
Wolf Spider Joseph Mackel and his wife Anne Mackel had four children in all. Three boys and one girl, Joseph junior, Nathan, Ces, and a girl named Sarah from oldest to youngest. Ces, being the youngest of the boys was never expected to amount to much. In fact he was an "accident", which his parents would rather have never had him at all. Hence the odd and cruel choice of name. Although nothing like Sharkhead, life wasn’t exactly easy in Mercy. Mackel often worked late shifts and slept during the day, while ignoring his children on his weekends off to go party with his friends. Anne had only had Joseph Junior when he was seventeen, and by the time they were all born he was only twenty-one.
Although never planning to join Arachnos, Ces’ father soon became dedicated with the organization. As far back as Ces or any of his siblings can remember, Mackel constantly urged them to work toward helping Arachnos if not becoming a Wolf Spider like him. Never mind teaching his kids helpful things like honesty and friendship, life as a thug within the Spiders was all they should reach for.
Not quite sure what they were being told, the children simply nodded their heads obediently and waited to be allowed outside. Ces was often a scapegoat for his older brothers and even his younger sister, turning him to be the troublemaker of the bunch. Desperate to gain some recognition within the family, he began to look toward Arachnos as the ultimate goal to please his father.
At the age of eight their father began teaching them how to fight, taking techniques he himself had learned training within Arachnos. Up until the age of ten, Ces would often walk out of the practice sessions in their basement with bruises. Once he began to grow however, he leveled off with his siblings and began to pick up Mackel’s drill techniques quickly and efficiently, soon surpassing them. Ces soon became a pleasantly unexpected surprise for his father, although his mother tended to keep quiet when it came to Mackel's near fanaticism with the boys.
Three years later when he was thirteen, his brothers left home quietly in the middle of the night. His father raged for some time, finding out they had left for Paragon City. Before when Ces trained, Mackel had nothing but praise and gentle tips for the boy. Now however, he was strict and sharp, spouting out insults and corrections in a slurred voice more often then not. It was around this time that Ces’ social life expanded to not just classmates and family, but the people on the street as well.
Openly speaking of his wish to join Arachnos, the young man was slow to make friends in some school clichés. On the streets of his home however, he quickly befriended some of the local Wolf Spider patrols. His training intensified with the troopers, disregarding his drunken father.
It was at about this time that his mother took his sister and followed Nathan and Joseph to Paragon, leaving a seventeen year old boy behind. With no other target, Mackel turned all of his rage and frustration on Ces. Any familial bond was broken once the young man left home, a bond which he himself has made no attempt to fix even to this day.
Welcome to the Web
“I’d trained for the job most of my childhood, what other profession could I possibly go for or even want?”
Soon after leaving home, Ces signed up to join the ranks of the Wolf Spiders. Although he despised his father for mistreating him, it was the only real job he had ever aspired for and joined for his own sake. He was no attention grabber, in fact most people in training barely noticed him at first. Until the actual training came around that is. Ces ranked first in all contests and training courses, walking out of the program with almost contemptuous ease.
To his training instructors, he was an officer’s dream. A soldier who would follow orders to the letter without hesitation or question, and accomplished his job quickly and effectively. Best of all he lacked ambition and never sought promotion, he was the perfect minion! Needless to say however, he was promoted and passed on to other superiors in higher places. Before Ces had even had the chance to get comfortable in his bunk at Fort Hades, he was off again.
It wasn’t long until he caught the eye of those considered nigh untouchable on the Arachnos food chain. Wolf Spider became Bane Spider and Ces effectively became a cold, mechanical killer.
A Shadow Upon the Mind
"I have no clue what happened out there, but it was a definite turning point for me. At least I think it was."
His target drew closer, and instantly a crosshair formed as the figure came into view. Still he did not move, he merely waited for the right moment. Breathing calm, body stable, and heartbeat just slightly faster then normal. His entire form was calm, encased deep within the cold and hard shell of his armor. A gauntlet gripped the hilt of his Executioner Mace, not tightly in anticipation, just merely held for coming violence.
The man came ever nearer and his helmet automatically took a picture, logging it away into the suit’s logs. There was no impatience, no wariness, no fear, his mind no longer acknowledged such emotions. There was only the task his Lord had so generously given him, and a want to accomplish it. No not a want. A need. This was as vital as breathing; every fiber of his being required this mission for sustenance. There could be no mistakes, no partial victory, no failure.
The target was directly above him now, unable to see or sense him in his cloaked state. There was sudden movement, a cry of surprise, the sound of impact, and another cry this one of pain, cut short. Moving quickly, the minion grabbed a crystal from one of his belt pouches. It was crystal clear, almost pristine in its vacancy. The atmosphere around the soldier and the downed man became stifling with an indescribable feeling as it seemed reality almost warped around the pair.
There was no way to describe the sound either. From the description of the crystal’s use, one would think a ripping sound. No, there were no possible words for this act of separating Nictus from a human. The body jostled as something came out of it, resisting all the way. Despite its obvious struggle, it was inevitably drawn into the crystal.
The last waves of energy bled from the man like an open wound, and the hero disappeared from view as the medical teleportation system was able to reach him. Some small part of his mind registered the fact the hero could not possibly live. His chest had been crushed, and the fatal toxins of his executioner mace would wash through his systems.
Looking down at the crystal, the suit began to search for any changes. It was rather obvious however, where before it had been clear it was now dark. A depthless black of the abyss, one a normal man could lose his mind in. Surely a human could lose himself in that odd and unnerving darkness that now swirled in the prism.
Something happened just as he was about to pocket the crystal. The Bane Spider paused, feeling the change even inside his armor. It was in the air as it had been before, yet there was more to it now. There was indeed almost a human emotion he could sense accompanying. What was it called again? Oh yes.
Rage.
Raising the crystal to eye level, he turned it carefully examining it for any changes. His suit caught it almost instantly and the smallest hint of alarm entered his thoughts. The tiniest flaw, a miniscule almost unnoticeable crack in the crystal. The being inside seemed to gather itself inside, and flowed out.
The soldier dropped the crystal and reached for his mace. He was nowhere near fast enough. The Nictus coated him, a flood of living, rageful energy. Inside the armor, alarms began to scream and appear on his screen, which was now coated in the depthless blackness. It seeped into his helmet. The darkness robbed him of air and he fell to his knees. It entered his lungs, and he blacked out.
Hours later, the Bane Spider awoke to a night sky. Even though it was the Rikti War Zone, the sky was still clearer here then back home. Rising weakly, Ces couldn’t help but groan as every joint in his body screamed for rest. Just what had happened? Where had the Nictus gone to?
Nearby the empty crystal lay on the ground, and if Ces had had the determination to make that painful walk he would have kicked it. The crystal had been flawed! His mission was botched, a failure! Now he would have to report back to base immediately and most likely receive some kind of punishment for his failure.
The voice amplifier in his helmet made his sigh peculiar and even more noticeable in the rubble wasteland. Picking his way across the debris carefully he spoke to the open air, “Work can wait, my legs are killing me.”
The Spider Meets the Wolf
"Seemed like a nice enough guy and a nice enough part time job. I mean why should breaking faces stop at the end of my shift, right?"
Shocking, Isnt It?
"Book? What book?"
His footsteps echoed down the suddenly silent metal hallways. It almost seemed as if the world had become dead, nothing but the metal grates beneath his feet to give him company. There were no screams, no gun shots; even the energy that ran through the base to give it its eternal hum had left him.
It was unsettling, almost as much as the terror slowly creeping downs the hallway after him. He had to run, he had to escape, he had to leave this god forsaken base, had to feel the light of the sun beat down upon his face again. He had to, but he knew it wouldn’t happen.
Turning the corner, he found a set of metal pipes and quickly wedged himself behind them. There in the darkness alone, he attempted to calm his beating heart. Blood pounded in his ears, and he couldn’t stop replaying the scene. No warning, no battle cry, no report of a gun, just a sound similar to a melon breaking. It had been so sudden that it had taken him a second to realize just what had splattered against his face then. A fight had followed, but he hadn’t raised his gun. The opposite had happened, he’d dropped it and ran as fast as he could down these gray halls.
All reverie stopped, as he detected the slightest sound of metal on metal. Dull and heavy, ringing like a hammer. In a constant repeat, in an almost rhythmic fashion, a hollow drum beat. It grew louder over time, as if it was coming closer. That was when he saw it clearly for the first time. Top heavy, the color of obsidian, with a group of decorative spider legs extending over its shoulders. The symbol of Arachnos was painted on the chest in pride. In its gauntleted hands was an Executioner Mace, the blades dripping with fatal toxins.
Where before it had plodded slowly along, it now treaded carefully. Artifacts from a broken crate littered the grating, all seemingly fragile and weak before the armored might of this Bane Spider. It stopped directly in front of the pipes, its featureless helmet peering down the hallway. It stopped amidst the cache of magical artifacts, directly in front of him. He froze in terrified fascination, unable to look away from the monster.
Slowly the Bane Spider turned toward him, his armored tread raised. It was an image that would be burnt into his mind for the rest of his life. The Spider turning to inspect the pipes in a motion so smooth it was as if he was on a turning dial. The Mace gripped tight in one hand, a drop of toxin mid-fall for the ground. Then it happened, a fallen text just under the things boot flashed.
Resetting his footing, the trooper stared at the book before kneeling. His gloves carefully traced the arcane writing on the cover. In a hesitant manner, the Bane Spider picked it up. Thumbing through a few pages, it now strapped the book to its belt without hesitation. Then it strode away, its assigned task completely forgotten. Although it could have been his imagination, he could almost swear there was a metallic drone that reminded him of laughter.
For what seemed an eternity, he waited there wedged in between the pipes. He did not dare move, did not dare blink in fear of bringing the Bane Spider back. Dozing there fitfully, he finally came to by a gentle tap. Opening his eyes, he was met by a black helmet. Yet it was not the same, the lower half was gone to be replaced by a simple grimace. Seeing that he was awake, the Wolf Spider quickly dragged him out of hiding at gunpoint. Just perfect…
Rogue Spider: WANTED!
"Me? No you’re mistaking me for someone else, my name is Cesil. Not Ces, I mean what kind of name is that? …Jerk."
No matter how long he stared at the paper, it wouldn’t change. The bright and bold red remained, as did his picture. In anger, he looked down from the slip of paper and kicked the crumpled waste of space at his feet. A groan escaped the man in the suit, but otherwise the Marcone did not stir. Most likely his body was still recovering from the shock. Sucked to be him.
Slowly, almost regretfully he balled up the paper before letting it drop and walked away, not looking back for an instant. The Arena loomed in the distance, and some Arachnos propaganda papers were on the wall to his right. If he had been anyone else, he most likely would have torn them down. His mind was not on that however, merely how to avoid trouble. The local Arbiter would be near the arena, best to just head to Pocket D.
Despite himself Ces sighed, a wave of sadness sweeping over him, “Guess I’m not going to work today."
Be Back Soon
"Mercy looks a lot nicer when you’re leaving."
Not too long after Ces was sentenced to death by the Arbiters, he was able to strike a more secret deal with the Mu Faction of Arachnos. They wished for their texts back, in return they would provide him with proper teachings in the forsaken magics. The Ex-Operative readily agreed, wishing for more control over the volatile powers which in more then one case had tried to kill him.
Things were looking up for the former Spider as he truly started to feel at home with the Cartel. Free of his duty to Arachnos, he began to feel like a real member and human. Not the easiest thing in the world, feeling yourself begin to care for the others in the group. Perhaps more difficult was the young woman Ces found himself falling in love with. Regardless, the discomfort felt good.
That was when his Mu mentor gave him a task that would grant him full control of the powers he had been given, yet still managed to crush the mercenary’s spirit. It required him to leave the Isles for some time, perhaps a month or more. Travel to Paragon to learn under a different Mu Mystic who could better deal with his problem. With a heavy heart, Ces agreed to go. Before he headed out however, he left two messages for the Iron Wolf Cartel.
One was to the members in general wishing them luck, apologizing for his sudden leave, as well as threatening their lives if he returned to find the Cartel gone. The other was put into the room of Lunar Envoy, or Luna as everyone knew her. Far more personal, it consisted of begging for her not to be angry with him, and a promise he would return soon. Boarding the Arachnos Flyer, the Operative couldn’t help but look back on his home and already feel longing creep in.
They Have Prisons Here?
"Zigurska What-A-What?"
The door slid open automatically, and allowed Ces entrance to the base. Instantly he felt the blast of cold air, felt the thrum of the base's electronic systems, and smelled the metallic environment around him. Despite the low profile the local Arachnos forces had been required to take, they’d done well in setting up this facility. The former Bane Spider was genuinely impressed.
Minus one simple fact, just where were the soldiers? Someone should have been waiting for him when he arrived. At the very least someone should have been working at the nearby panel, yet no one was present. There was not even the sound of booted feet upon the metal grating, a sound Ces had become accustomed to from his own time spent in Fort Hades. It was almost as if they had cleared out, yet that couldn’t be true. Unconsciously Ces rolled his shoulders to shift the duffle bag he was carrying.
Suddenly he felt the cold business end of a rifle against the small of his back, right below his pack. A deep voice growled at his ear, “Drop the bag and hands up, Spider.” The Ex-Operative did as he was told without hesitation and stood silently. The barrel of the rifle did not waver, and they simply stayed in their positions for three minutes. Just as Ces was getting impatient, he became aware of booted feet marking the entrance of more intruders.
One came into view, the rank pins clearly displayed upon his red and white uniform. Ces didn’t even try to hide his disgust, nor did the officer facing him. The Longbow Officer held his hands behind his back, his deeply set eyes looking the former Spider over quickly. “No armor, most likely a recruit fresh out of Arachnos’ training camp. Ship this thug off to the Zig so he can see what happens to all Spiders, maybe they can debrief him on their new daily routines at the prison.”
Resisting the urge to snap the Officer’s neck, Ces allowed himself to be restrained. Meeting a certain superior was why he had come to this pit people called Paragon City. If they were in the Zig, then he might as well play along and go there. Once he’d done what he was required to do, he would break out and head back for the Rogue Isles, no problem.
The Zig
"Okay I'll admit it, that fence is going to be a bit harder to climb over then I thought. As well as the fence after that, and the stone wall after that. The guards? Not a problem."
Friends
[You want in? You really want to know just how Ces feels about you, if at all? Put your name up. The quotes are from in-game, in-character conversations.]
Ces: Lu! Hold still!
Darkhail: ..Why?
Ces: Protect me from your father!
Ces can never be sure just what to make of his seemingly innocent superior. This overly friendly Aussie welcomed him to the Cartel without a moment’s hesitation. They hit it off fairly well, and Ces felt he could easily summarize the man after their first meeting. Naïve, lazy, and with an unhealthy addiction to Pocket D in summary. Despite almost being able to see a bull’s-eye on Parker’s back, Ces just can’t seem to take the shot. Parker’s all around fun and easy to get along with.
Miss Ollie: Go to Hell, Ces!
Ces: Already there Ma'am!
Whereas Parker is easily on Ces’ “okay” list, his wife Ollie is an entirely different case. At first he almost admired the green haired mutant, until they were forced to work together. That was when Ollie went from his superior to a moralistic, head-in-the-clouds, Longbow supporting, dragon of a boss. Since then, the two of them have been butting heads and verbally trying to cut each other down at every opportunity. To Ces’ own horrid fascination, it is because of this that he has a grudging respect for Ollie and is willing to aid her at a moment’s notice.
((Conversation line, coming to a virtueverse page near you.))
As part of Arachnos, Ces was trained to kill, to eliminate with extreme prejudice. His mind was shaped so that he would regard anyone and everyone outside of the organization with contempt. Yet for some reason, he just can’t bring up any feeling of dislike for this clueless she-demon. He enjoys her company; she’s as innocent as a demon can come. Naïve, kind, and filled with an adorable nervousness, Ces could indeed almost regard her as the younger sister he never had. Of course that’s only because his own younger sister is hell given form.
Detective Parker: Soo What's everyone been up to?
Darkhail: Sex, drugs, and rock n' roll.
Ces: I wasn't involved, you can't blame me.
Darkhail: Please, Ces. You were givings me all three.
Ces: What?!
What started as wariness and caution has turned into by far the most profound relationship Ces has ever had the fortune or misfortune to come upon. To him there is no clear marker in their acquaintance when he started to care, it just sort of happened. In all honesty, it was most likely the day before she slit his throat. Since his return to the Isles, Ces has argued and fought with the girl more times then he wishes to recall or remember. Regardless, he's ready to stick up for her as quickly as her mother or father, Ollie and Parker.
Ces: We're making out.. In an armory. Over a giant hammer. What is -wrong- with us?
Unglued: It's hot, though, right?
Red started out as just another new member to the Cartel. A stubborn and arrogant officer like Ces would never have noticed her, especially just fresh from the Zig. However,events would force him to do his job for once, and landed him into his current relationship with Red. Although he was at first uncomfortable about the entire thing, he has fully accepted the fact that he would do anything for his fiancee'. Even though she still makes him blush and stutter like a fool in public.
((Conversation line, coming to a virtueverse page near you.))
Lucius is quite literally, a pain Ces' life. This man has assaulted him in various and ridiculous ways since the Ex-Operative has returned to the Isles. When the giant Kheldian and him aren't trying to kill each other, they get along however. Ces finds the big armorer helpful, restrained, and an overall nice guy. That and he's still waiting on his Lucius plushies for target practice se he has to keep the friendship alive.
The Armor
Since Ces has returned to the Isles, he has been making very subtle improvement in his armor. With all that has happened since he's been back, no one can truly blame him for wanting to level the playing field a bit. When not with Cartel members or other friends, he is often out on his own recieving aid of some kind or another.
Impervium skeleton/frame: His Bane Spider Armor has been rebuilt around an Impervium skeleton. While increasing the suit's durability, the plates can still be bent, broken, or shattered entirely.
Schwarzhelm Custom Warblades: Two pieces of equipment Ces prefers not to go without are these two jagged-edged knives. Lucius being the inventor he is however, has outdone himself. The Impervium vibro-knives also came with a deadly poison. He often has the blades attached to his wrists while wearing the armor.
Miscellaneous Information
-Ces happens to find Arachnos Widows and Fortunatas absolutely terrifying.
-Theme songs: White Shadows by Coldplay and Animal I Have Become by Three Days Grace.
-Under extreme amounts of stress, will resort to Superadyne to blow off steam. No tusks yet!
-Don't be fooled by his confrontational and rebellious attitude toward certain superiors, he's still struggling with his freedom from Arachnos and the controlled life that came with working for the Spiders.
-Will almost never mention his family, as if they had never existed. The farthest back he goes into his own past is "That lovely Arachnos Training Program", and "The Barracks at Fort Hades". He has only told one or two people anything more then that.
Inspirations
Ces was never intended to be a RP character, until I happened to join a PUG full of RPers. (What are the chances?) While I had always wanted to RP, I'd never had such a good chance before. So Ces stood outside the mish door "atease" while the team gathered. Some big lug wielding a wrench decided to tap on the then wolf spider's chest. I believe the response was something along the lines of... "Feel free to do that again if you want to meet the business end of my rifle." Just like that, Ces' personality was set as the arrogant, rebellious, yet still loyal to Arachnos (and the Arachnos stereotype), soldier. Now he's my main focus while in game, developing a story and just chatting it up with the rest of the Cartel. Speaking of the Cartel, great group and I'm glad I was in the D that day to see Parker's recruitment broadcast.
Feedback
[Alright well... If anyone does read the sections of Ces' history I have written in a more story form, please feel free to give any feedback. Any glaring issues? Tips on improving my writing style? Leave here. Also if you know me or have seen me in-game, feel free to give a shout out in this section! I'm gone for a month or so people, let me know you're still out there! :<]
Feedback
R says: Hehe...Ces, competence through seeming incompetence
"Shoutbox"
[D: COME BACK. STUPID FACE. <3]
OP: Ces, come back soon...that Succubus friend of yours has gotten a suit of armor...and it came out of our budget somehow...
[From Ces: Just read Eshet's profile. Bane armor! Must... come back! Must hope! Check the forums if you wish to be filled in on my current situation.]
P: CESIL WE MISS YOUUUUUU! Return to us!
C: [I miss you guys too! Don't get your hopes up, but chances are I'll be back this weekend! Just a few more days! :<]
[From Darkhail: You're coming back today?! Hurry! D:]
