Safeguard
From Unofficial Handbook of the Virtue Universe
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| Standing on guard for thee | |
| Safeguard | |
| Player: | |
| Origin: | Natural |
|---|---|
| Archetype: | Scrapper |
| Threat Level: | 50 |
| Personal Data | |
| Real Name: | James MacKenzie |
| Known Aliases: | None |
| Species: | Human |
| Age: | 32 |
| Height: | 6'1" |
| Weight: | 240lbs |
| Eye Color: | Blue |
| Hair Color: | Brown |
| Biographical Data | |
| Nationality: | Canadian |
| Occupation: | Royal Canadian Mounted Police Officer |
| Place of Birth: | Regina, SK |
| Base of Operations: | Ottawa, ON |
| Marital Status: | Single |
| Known Relatives: | Classified |
| Known Powers | |
| None | |
| Known Abilities | |
| Hand to hand combat, Top physical conditioning, Skilled using the Royal Canadian Shield, Explosive Disarmament, Intelligence, Anti-Terrorism, Law Enforcement | |
| Equipment | |
| The Royal Canadian Shield | |
| No additional information available. | |
Contents |
History
Origin
James MacKenzie graduated from the RCMP Training Academy (also referred to as "The Depot") at the top of his class. He excelled in all aspects of law enforcement. James had enlisted because he had wanted to make a difference and to serve his country. He had given some thought to joining the military but thought he was much better suited to wearing the scarlet and the stetson of a Mountie.
Upon graduation, he was recruited to become a part of the RCMP explosives unit. His knowledge and skills grew and eventually there was no bomb or explosive device James couldn't handle. He could disarm explosives with quickness and confidence. He enjoyed what he did but he desired to learn new skills and new challenges. A position opened up within the Organized Crime and Gang Department and James jumped at the chance. During his tenure there he was involved in many investigations into such groups as the Mafia, Yakuza, Hell's Angels and even street gangs. His assignments included homocides, arms deals and even drug and human trafficking. Undercover work was often part of the job and that is where James learned a lot of how the criminal mind worked.
Because of his skills and experience with the criminal underworld and his background with explosives, James was approached by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) to work in an Anti-Terrorism joint program between CSIS and the RCMP. This initiative had existed for quite some time but received a lot more support and backing after the events of 9/11. The program was to safeguard Canadians as well as the border between Canada and the United States from terrorist attacks and activities. As such, there was a lot of joint work and interaction between both countries.
The world had watched in shock and awe when the events of 9/11 transpired but nothing could have prepared them for what would happen eight months later on May 23, 2002 - the day of the Rikti Invasion. The world watched on in horror as Paragon City was decimated and its citizens and heroes slaughtered by the alien forces. Canada lent what support it could. Many heroes from Project: Northern Watch went to the aid of the city in its time of crisis. As history has told, not many survived.
After the war, super powered crime drastically rose in the United States and Canada due to the lack of meta human crime fighters to keep it in check. Law enforcement agencies such as the RCMP, OPP and even the military lacked the sufficent equipment and skills to repel the swelling number of villains from running amok. The Canadian Parliament went on the offensive and began a heavy recruitment campaign to refill the ranks of the Northern Watch. The Canadian public was at unease with such an increase in meta human force. Who would be the watchdog over such powerful beings? Wouldn't such a campaign invite even more super powered criminals?
How could the Government put the public at ease and still deal with the growing meta criminal threat?
Operation: Safeguard!
The concept was to take an easily identifiable and trusted Canadian symbol and turn it into a public figure the Canadian public could put a face on and feel comfortable with while serving and protecting Canada and its populace. But who could fill the role?
James began an intense training program. His physical conditioning was pushed to the extreme of what a mortal man can do. He could jump higher, run faster & longer than olympic level athletes. He was able to withstand temperatures that would kill the average person within seconds. He could sustain impacts that would shatter a regular person's bones. He was trained in every style of martial arts from masters from every corner of the globe. He became the epitomy of human perfection!
To aid James in his endeavours, he was also granted the Royal Canadian Shield. A weapon created by top military scientists. A shield made from the world's strongest metal alloy, Impervium. It was able to withstand blows from the strongest of beings. It could take direct hits from every known energy source without denting or even scratching. Striking a foe with it could render even the strongest and biggest of foes unconcious.
Upon completion of his training, James was enlisted into the ranks of the Northern Watch and was to be the public face of the organization in Canada. His face was to be the one the public would see on the news addressing meta human issues within Canada. James was proud to serve his country and take up the mantle that was requested of him but he was uncomfrotable with the public relations aspect of the position. James had always stayed focused on his tasks of law enforcement and preferred to work alone in most cases. Public speaking was certainly not a strength of his and was time that could be better served out in the field.
To complete his heroic make-over, he needed a name. Again, it had to be something that would instill trust, respect and Canadian pride. James opted to used the name of the program as his moniker and thus Safeguard was born!
The Government wasted no time in introducing Safeguard to the Canadian public. His excursions against crime were always reported in the paper and on the TV. He made many guest appearances on Canadian television talk shows and programs. The plan was a success! Safeguard quickly became one of Canada's premier and most recognzable super heroes.
Northern Watch
The Canadian Government's super hero development program, project name: Northern Watch, came into existence during the Trudeau years. It's official dossier has documents dating from early 1971. The intention of the program was to find and train super-powered Canadians and gain more influence over the activities of superheroes within Canada's borders. Over the years, despite coming under fire from the Parliamentary Opposition, has proven to be a successful project with literally hundreds of super-powered agents of various levels of ability trained and adopted into roles as government agents who work to protect Canadian citizens and their interests.
Northern Watch Agents who have suitable power manifestations can work as field agents supporting law enforcement through-out Canada. As they progress, agents can receive special assignments outside of Canada, including advanced field training in conjunction with the Freedom Corps based in Paragon City. Many of Canada's best agents have spent at least one year working with the world's top super hero groups.
The Global Defenders
In 2009, Crimson Vendetta registered the Global Defenders as an active UN force in Paragon City. Unfortunately the United States has regulations against the UN maintaining an active military or police force within US borders. By July, co-leader Atom Basher had convinced the UN to reclassify the Defenders as an independent organization while operating within the borders of the United States, while retaining its UN status when called into operation in other parts of the world.
Powers
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Physical Conditioning
James engages in a daily regimen of rigorous exercise (including aerobics, weight lifting, gymnastics, and simulated combat) to keep himself in peak condition. His physical conditioning is on par or exceeds Olympic level athletes. His entire body is oriented to combat, enabling him to adapt to any environment with minimal exposure.
Hand to Hand Combat
Safeguard is a skilled boxer, commando and has mastered various forms of martial arts from around the globe and has combined these disciplines into his own unique hand-to-hand style of combat.
The Royal Canadian Shield
Safeguard's only weapon is his shield, a concave disk 2.5 feet in diameter, weighing 12 pounds. It is made of a unique Impervium-metal alloy. The shield was awarded to Safeguard by the Canadian government after he was inducted into the Northern Watch. The shield is virtually indestructible: it is resistant to penetration, temperature extremes, and the entire electromagnetic spectrum of radiation.
