Texas Starlette
From Unofficial Handbook of the Virtue Universe
| File:Tex.jpg | |
| "My future's so bright, I got to wear shades!" | |
| The Texas Starlette | |
| Player: Daedelus | |
| Origin: | Technology |
|---|---|
| Archetype: | Tanker |
| Security Level: | 50 |
| Personal Data | |
| Real Name: | Alison Marie Carter (aka Ali) |
| Known Aliases: | None |
| Species: | Human |
| Age: | 27 |
| Height: | 5'8" |
| Weight: | 200 lbs. (additional weight due to technological enhancements) |
| Eye Color: | Blue |
| Hair Color: | Blonde |
| Biographical Data | |
| Nationality: | American |
| Occupation: | Junior Vice President, Carter Research Institute (CRI) |
| Place of Birth: | Austin, TX |
| Base of Operations: | Paragon City, RI |
| Marital Status: | Unmarried, single |
| Known Relatives: | Father, Nathaniel Carter; Mother, Samantha Carter; Brother, Patrick Carter |
| Known Powers | |
| Superhuman strength, agility and offensive attack damage resistance | |
| Known Abilities | |
| Highly intelligent | |
| Equipment | |
| Talsorian Model TX2009 Deflection Matrix - Enhanced by CRI Research and Development Division | |
| No additional information available. | |
Contents |
Character History
Daddy? I feel different...what's happened?
This is actually the third iteration of the "Starlette" character, which is the version that finally stuck. Previous versions were Invulnerability/Energy Melee and Invulnerability/Super Strength. I finally decided on a shield/super strength character. The character is, in part, an homage character to "Bionic Woman" with a Paragon City mythos twist.
Powers and Abilities
Powers
Alison's powers stem from cybernetic and nano-technological enhancements developed by her father at her father's company, Carter Research Institute in partnership with Vesparen Technologies. Her father's intent was not to use his own daughter as a guinea pig, of course. It was Alison's run-in with a Rikti attack group, while visiting relatives in Paragon City, that force Dr. Carter's hand. Dr. Carter had spent 20 years developing technology that would eventually evolve into the enhancements used by his daughter today. CRI and Vesparsen were contracted by the US Government originally to develop limb replacements and other field "upgrades" for the military - as a direct result of the increased hostilities present from such threats as the Rikti.
The technology from which Alison gains her powers is two-fold: The cybernetic limb enhancements were based on theoretical designs originally developed by Alton Jackson III, owner and founder of Vesparen Technologies, as part of a collaboration on the military contract both companies worked on. Using Jackson's theories, Dr. Carter was able to build his first prototype, which he perfected over a two year period. The current version of the technology allows recipients to jump great distances with minimal effort and also provides a high resistance to internal damage. Dr. Carter's true passion, however, came into play in his nanotechology work. He made great strides in improving tissue damage resilience and repair.
Building on the already impressive Talsorian™ Line developed by the Vanguard Group scientists, Dr. Carter's R&D team was able to partner with the Vanguard development teams and increase the durability and effectiveness of their Deflection Matrix product.
Abilities
In addition to increased anatomical longevity, Alison has gained the ability to dish out and take a great deal of punishment. In addition to super human strength, she is able to sustain her top sprinting speed indefinitely with minimal fatigue. She is also able to leap great distances and stand her ground against some of the most dangerous criminals that plague Paragon. Her TX2009 can function as both a defensive measure and as part of an offensive attack. Alison is also able to increase her run rate to a superhuman level in short bursts.
Personality
Alison is a very outgoing and confident individual. She had a very supportive home life and her upbringing was very rooted strong ethical values. Intellectually, she was nurtured from a very young age by her father, with whom she was very close - even more so than her mother. Though Alison was generally practical, she wasn't unlike most young people in that she dreamed of bigger and fantastic things. In addition to a passion for learning and science, which she got from her father, she had a love for the art of acting. Even as a teenager girl, she would balance contemplating current scientific theories with dreams of being in front of the camera as a film actress. Alison's demeanor is genuinely friendly to anyone she meets. She is also fiercely loyal and protective of her family and friends. Though she won't admit it, she does harbor a great deal of anger at the Rikti for what they did to her. Though she's had a chance to take the fight back to them as a hero, she still feels that her experience is unresolved.
Relationships
Carter Research Institute
Based in Austin, Texas, CRI was founded in 1987 by Dr. Nathaniel Carter, a graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, with funding from a private investment firm. Dr. Carter's vision was ambitious and his execution was more successful than anyone could have anticipated. CRI was instrumental in advancing the science of nanotechnology before it expanded its scope to the cybernetics world. While nursing a friendly competitive rivalry with Vesparen Technologies, CRI managed to grow exponentially over 22 year period. Over the years, CRI managed to catch the eye of both the medical and military organizations in the United States.
Dr. Nathaniel Carter
Dr. Carter, Alison's father, is a brilliant scientist. He was born to a family of modest means and grew up with a hunger for knowledge that has never been satiated. Though he tends to be a workaholic, he learned long ago the value of taking care of one's family. He cares for his wife and children deeply and would sacrifice anything to ensure they are protected. When Alison was seriously injured, he risked his entire company and career to save her and nearly lost it all - this was due to the fact that used designs developed for his government projects to keep her alive. However, it was a gamble he was more than willing to take to ensure his daughter survived. The bond between Dr. Carter and Alison is tremendously strong. Alison often comes to her father for advice and guidance. There was a great deal of friction between the two when Alison decided to use her abilities to fight crime, but ultimately Dr. Carter trusted her judgment. That doesn't stop him from worrying as a father does...
Samantha Carter
Mrs. Carter, Alison's mother, is probably the key driver on Alison's personality. Having spent several years battling breast cancer, Samantha prevailed even though the odds were stacked against her. It was Samantha's strength which Alison inherited most noticeably. Though not as close to her mother as her father in terms of interests, Alison has a very open relationship with her.
Patrick Carter
Patrick, Alison's younger brother, definitely marches to the beat of a different drummer. While his sister is more old-fashioned and has a mind for science, Patrick embraces the modern world and embraces the arts. He loves to sketch and even designed Alison's 2nd costume after she decided the first didn't fit the mark. Out of the entire, Carter family, Patrick was the hardest hit when he heard of Alison's accident. Though he usually fills the role of the annoying little brother too well at times, he genuinely looks up to his big sister. Though he won't openly admit it, he does admire his sister greatly for becoming a hero.
Alton Jackson III
Alton met Alison through her father, shortly after her run in with the Rikti. It was Alton's cutting edge work in cyber technologies to which Alison ultimately owes her life. Though they were acquainted as a result of Alison's accident, they did not really become close until Alison moved to Paragon City. Alison was determined to prove herself and Alton was all too willing to nurture the challenge. Similar to their father's healthy competitive rivalry, Alton and Alison shared the same when it came to fighting crime. Alton's alter ego, Red Jacket, and Texas Starlette have teamed up on many occasions. Alison saw Alton as the older brother she never had and their relationship went no further - even though they experienced danger together at every turn as heroes of Paragon.
