Masked Patriot
From Unofficial Handbook of the Virtue Universe
| |
| "Fighting for Justice and Freedom." | |
| Masked Patriot | |
| Player: @The Justice Team | |
| Origin: | Mutation |
|---|---|
| Archetype: | Scrapper (Martial Arts) |
| Security Level: | 24 |
| Personal Data | |
| Real Name: | Unknown |
| Known Aliases: | "An American Patriot", "Masked Avenger", and "Masked Justice" |
| Species: | Human |
| Age: | 32 |
| Height: | 5'11" |
| Weight: | 200 |
| Eye Color: | Brown |
| Hair Color: | Brown |
| Biographical Data | |
| Nationality: | Confidential |
| Occupation: | Former Marine Infantry and Law Enforcement |
| Place of Birth: | Colorado |
| Base of Operations: | Eastern Seaboard |
| Marital Status: | None |
| Known Relatives: | Deceased |
| Known Powers | |
| No Documented Powers | |
| Known Abilities | |
| Has acquired the ability to fly | |
| Equipment | |
| Carries an Impervium Shield | |
| No additional information available. | |
Contents |
Introduction:
In the distance were the wails of sirens as Police fought their way through rush hour traffic. Standing over the unconscious man was a tall dark figure dressed in red, white, and blue. He wore a blue mask covering most of his face and concealing his identity. On his chest was a blazing white star that signified his dedication to freedom and justice.
Reaching down to the ground, the masked man retrieved a semi automatic pistol and cleared it of all rounds. As an extra measure he ejected the spent magazine onto the chest of his foe. Turning slowly he made for the door as a commotion of ecstatic voices rose up from the teller counters. He pushed his right hand against the door swinging it open to the low lit evening. Pausing only for a moment, he casually turned and tossed the empty gun next to the robber, and then walked out into the chilled air.
Glancing about to make sure there were no other suspects left, the vigilante dusted his clothing off. He could hear the sirens gaining distance and decided it was time to leave. Taking a short step off the curb, and a leap into the air he allowed the light breeze to carry him off.
As he cleared the rooftops the Police Cars made their final turn and encircled the bank. They jumped from their vehicles and began to approach the business with guns drawn. The masked man spared a quick glance over his shoulder as he flew off into the distance.
The Birth of a Patriot:
It was his fourth tour to the Middle East in four years. The last run through was in Afghanistan fighting against a dangerous group of Taliban. A slippery bunch that avoided capture and small arms fire for over ten months. This tour however was with the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines as a platoon Sergeant. Having just recently stitched on his Staff Sergeant chevrons, this would be his first opportunity to trek through the desert commanding multiple squads.
The thing with Marines is it's always rush, rush, rush, and then wait forever. So it wasn't new to the platoon to find themselves sitting on a checkpoint waiting for transport further up North.
Sitting on the front grill of a Humvee, the Staff Sergeant looked out across the desert. He could only make out a single structure for what seemed like miles. Not surprising as most of the people lived clustered together in mud huts. He wouldn't expect to see much way out here. How they came to sit on checkpoint security here of all places made little sense. But then again... when has he ever questioned his orders.
"Staff Sergeant!" came a call from his rear. Standing beside the main road was one of his men waving his hands. He pointed to the West at an approaching vehicle. It was fairly large, maybe a pickup by the way it tossed a cloud of dust into the air.
He slid off the truck and adjusted his M-4 which was slung on his chest. Kicking rocks and dirt aside as he walked, he started in the direction of the entry point to the checkpoint. A few of the other members of his platoon had woken up from their sun bathing and were also making their ways to their posts. He shook his head remembering to scold them after the vehicle had gone through.
A Private Jones, was the first to step out in front of the sandbags. He raised his arm up in an attempt to signal the driver to stop. Brakes began to squeal in the distance as the vehicle slowed. As the cloud of dust cleared, the Private stood motionless staring down the barrels of a dozen AK's.
The Staff Sergeant heard the shots as he crested the roadway. His men were engaged with a platoons worth of enemy infantry who had spread out across the roadway. A machinegun began raining automatic fire down from a small hut the Marines had set up on. The Staff Sergeant went into a sprint to reach the sandbags and fired a few rounds from his shoulder as he maneuvered.
A second vehicle had stopped behind the truck, and was also dismounting enemy troops. They must have snuck in behind the lead vehicle in the dust cloud. These men were more heavily armed as they began launching RPG rounds into the checkpoint.
Popping over the sandbags, the Marine leader fired into the enemy. He began shouting off commands for his men to hold firm and concentrate their fire. Reaching to his vest he gripped a grenade from one of his pouches and threw it towards a couple crowded enemy. The explosion leveled the men to the ground tearing its way through them and striking another man behind them that was lining up for an RPG shot.
One of the platoons Humvee's climbed the hill to the road, and began laying down a wall of machinegun fire. Explosions went off to the leader's right, which must have been grenades from his men. He spared another peek over the sandbags and then swung his rifle to bear down on an enemy in a dead sprint towards him. A burst from the rifle dropped the man into the dirt.
Another explosion rocked the checkpoint, this time sending shrapnel onto the Staff Sergeant's back. He spun around putting his back against his cover and saw the Hummer engulfed in flames. He shook the scene out of his head and turned his attention back to the fight. Off to his left was a Marine shouting into a radio and the Staff Sergeant gave him directions on what to relay across the net.
After he was sure that the message had gotten across he jumped to his feet and began moving towards the next set of sandbags. He landed against the bags and surprised one of his Marines who turned to him in shock. Popping up slightly over the cover, he began throwing rounds downrange without so much as a word. The shocked Marine followed in suit and helped dispatched a set of two men that had bunkered down behind the truck.
Something struck the Staff Sergeant's arm, and he ducked down for cover. His shoulder began screaming in pain, and he reached down to find that he had taken a bullet. The Marine next to him tried to get a glimpse but was shoved back towards the fight.
"It'll heal..." said the Staff Sergeant, "...keep shooting!"
Shouts for Corpsman were going up all across the checkpoint as injured Marines called for their "Docs". A few of the telltale Navy Corpsman ran into the gunfire to try and retrieve their downed friends. The Staff Sergeant watched as one of them took a round into his medical bag on his back but managed to pull the injured Marine to safety. He'd have to try and remember the name of that kid.
A thud brought his attention back to the battle and he looked down to see a grenade had landed beside the two of them. The Private without giving thought shouted out and dove onto the grenade. There was a muffled explosion as the Marine took the brunt of the explosion and spared the Staff Sergeant his life. He'd have to remember that kid's name too.
In the distance was the sound of joy. Glancing over his shoulder he could trace the sounds of the engines back to the approaching attack helicopters. He turned again back to the fight with renewed energy and began firing into a group of enemy soldiers. The Cobra's swept low to assess the situation then banked around and began tearing through the last of the enemy. They made quick work of them, and when the dust cleared none were left alive.
Gripping his shoulder the Staff Sergeant rose to his feet and looked around. Carnage lay everywhere, men shouting out orders and others screaming in pain. Bodies lay all through the checkpoint, plenty of them dressed in the desert digital cammies of the Marine Corps. Beyond the checkpoint was the lone Marine who stepped out to signal the approaching vehicles. He was laying face down in the dust, covered by debris.
"Let me have a look at that", a Corpsman said as he reached the wounded Staff Sergeant. He pushed him back.
"You take care of the other Marines first. Then you come back and see me", the Staff Sergeant stepped away and began checking over his men. This was going to be a long tour he already knew.
A Patriot's Civil Service:
It had only been a few months since his graduation from the Police Academy, but he was already causing a storm at the station. Bagging the most arrests, he was often deemed the "hardass boot". Though, most of the guys knew he had served his eight years in the military and had seen more action in a month than they had in their whole lives. So needless to say, they never called him that in person. He liked what he did, and he did it well.
Turning his patrol car onto West Colfax Ave, he began patrolling the area for a party that was apparently dealing drugs. It was a common call. Someone passing by had seen someone flash something to their friends and called it in. They refused their information so there was no contact to be made with the caller. But, he still had to check the area.
He made another right hand turn and pulled up to an alleyway that was mid-block. Standing at the mouth of the alley were two men that matched the descriptions. He snatched the radio mic from its holder and aired that he was out with a few.
Turning his head one of the suspects locked eyes with the Officer and began running down the alley with his friend in tow. The Officer gave chase in his vehicle and pursued them about a hundred feet before the men ran off into a backyard. Slamming the vehicle into park, the Officer jumped from his seat and jumped a short fence to give chase.
They made their way into the front of the house and then crossed the street into the next yard ahead of them. The Officer was gaining distance on the suspects as they grew tired. The men split up and one of them jumped through a chainlink gate, and shut it behind him before taking off again. The Officer continued after that man, merely jumping over the four foot fence and got up on his heels. He reached out and tackled the man to the ground.
The two of them rolled on the ground before the suspect jumped to his feet and began reaching into his waistband. With a swift upwards kick, the Officer caught the suspects chin with his boot and sent him through a wooden fence. The Officer paused for a second, realizing that he just kicked the man over twenty feet through a back to back fence before stepping through the shattered wood with his gun drawn.
Laying in the middle of a yard was the suspect. He was unconscious, and was quickly thrown onto his stomach and handcuffed. The Officer called out their location and began searching the man. He got to his waistband and felt something metallic. He pulled the item away from the suspect and realized that it was a Police Officer's badge. He cursed and threw the badge down onto the man.
After the dust had settled there were a few people found to be at fault for this incident. The narcotics Detective had failed to let dispatch know that he would be conducting a sting in the area. The responding Officer having put the boots to his fellow Officer was of course an accident, but it put his fellow man in blue into the hospital with a fractured jaw and neck.
What followed was months of investigations and finger pointing. The District supervisors where the Officer worked tried everything they could to justify what had happened, or at least minimize the outcome. The Officer's record came into play, and he was obviously an asset to the department. What had happened was a mistake. Unfortunately he was given the order to sit the desk for an unspecified time before a decision could be made.
Disgusted with being sidelined, he found himself tossing his badge on the Commander's desk. He had served his country and his community, and this is the thanks he was given. He was not going to sit behind a desk while criminals ran free through the streets. He vowed that day as he walked out of the station that he would find a way to keep fighting.
The Masked Patriot Arrives:
Stepping off of the train into Steel Canyon, the man shrouded in a hooded coat made his way down the ramp onto the street. He spared a few glances before continuing on his way home or at least what he considered home. He stayed in a very small apartment in the slums of Paragon City, which put him right in the middle of all of the action. A great place to step off into the night and wage his one man war.
Turning a corner, he found himself staring down a man dressed in blue. The Officer slowly stepped away from his patrol car and approached the figure with his hands in his pockets. He turned on his heels looking about then stopped next to the man.
"You don't call... you don't write... and then I find out you're smashing up a gang house on 14th Street. Be nice if you'd give me the heads up before you pull a stunt like that."
Giving a short huff, he turned towards the Officer and replied, "Are you here to give me a mouthful or is there something else you need?"
The Officer shifted uncomfortably then shot him a warning glance, "Just because you saved my life, doesn't mean you get free reign in this city. No hero does."
"Four times."
"What?", the Officer stopped in the middle of his rant.
"I saved your life four times. Which means you still owe me Captain. I've done nothing here that's caused you any more paperwork than necessary. I'm usually pretty good about cleaning up afterwards too."
"Well, one of these days something is going to go wrong, and I wont be there to help you...", he stopped as he realized that he's probably more in need of the man standing next to him then the other way around. "... you just watch yourself. I can only do so much to keep my Officers back and delay them from getting to you. That "raid" you did the other night... was minutes before my SWAT team and narcotics detectives got there. You could have been shot."
"I've been shot before", he replied through clenched teeth. "You know... I knew a narcotics Detective once. Funny story really, I'll have to tell it to you one day. But I'm busy now." He stepped away from the Officer and began walking slowly down the sidewalk.
The Officer called to him, "You better watch yourself Patriot."
The man mumbled something in return that was covered by the sound of a passing vehicle. His "relationship" with the Police Captain had always been a give and take deal. The Officer fed information to the Masked Patriot, and in exchange, he always got credit for all of the arrests. Crime was dropping, but there were still enough criminals out there causing problems. One day the Patriot would move on to some other infested city... but not yet.
Additional Information ((OOC)):
Origin of the Name
The name "Masked Patriot" was coined by a newspaper reporter from the Paragon Times. The Police and News alike gave him a series of nicknames to include, "An American Patriot", "Masked Avenger", and "Masked Justice". But, it was "Masked Patriot" that stuck and which he's used in public to criminals and Police. Because of the widespread use of the name, he is a well known man in the criminal community. They've all felt the underside of his boots once or twice. Utilizing his military close combat training and additional martial arts training, he's been able to put the hurt on a good number of foes.
Strengths and Weaknesses
His strength which he channels through his martial arts became evident during his service as a Police Officer and only increased over time. He found that he possessed the strength to send a man flying two dozen feet, and take blows from any melee attacks.
After moving to Paragon City in September of 2008, he had a close call with an armed thug and nearly lost an appendage to rifle fire. Since then he's equipped himself with an Impervium shield that he "confiscated" from a laboratory. It allows him to safely deflect any incoming small arms fire, not to mention is a good smashing instrument.
Flight Ability
Sometime in October, the Masked Patriot learned that he had the ability to fly. It was a skill that at first caused a number of cuts, bruises, and broken windows as he bounced from building to building with little control. But over time he's been able to control the power and use it to escape after one of his "jobs".
Character Influences
Being a bit of a "closet comic fan" for about 15 years or so, I've been doused with a bit of wide ranging characters and stories for as long as I can remember. I've always had two favorites for a long time... The Punisher, and Captain America.
The Masked Patriot is a bit of those two and myself rolled into one. He takes on the role of the Punisher (seeking vigilante justice) but without the firearms. He uses his strength of Martial Arts to accomplish his goals and even carries a shield (much to the homage of Captain America). Then there's the background of him serving in the military and in Law Enforcement (as I have) so he's a bit close to heart.
I can't say I know where the character is headed... but there still is a lot I have yet to do with him. I figure I'll let him decide where we go from here.
The "Controller"
I'll create myself a page to explain who I am and what I'm about. But real brief so that you get a small taste before that happens I'll spill it. I'm 26 years old, and currently serving in a Law Enforcement capacity. I was in the Marine Corps for four years and served as an Infantry machinegunner (0331).
Before Law Enforcement and the Military I was probably the poster child for a "Rebel Without a Cause". Our boy James Dean has nothing on me. I refused to do schoolwork, let alone even show up. I bummed out, and did my own thing. I thought I was above the world. That all changed when I shipped out to boot camp though.
I'm a fan of rock and metal music (AC/DC, Guns n Roses, Metallica, Pantera, etc), and of course a comic fan. Having read them since I was 10 or so... I've always enjoyed them. I just got myself far too busy to keep following them and only recently was able to get back into them.
As stated above the Punisher and Captain America are easily my two most favorite characters. Never been a bandwagon rider... so Superman and Batman weren't my favorites. I'd put them in the top ten or twenty though.
