Me And Those Who Like To Eat When...

Me and those who like to eat when...

Updated: September 5, 2024

Reworked Character #6: Nadia Cassel

POTENTIAL TRIGGER WARNING: Viewer discretion is advised due to references to death, neglect, stalking, and SA.

Real name: Nadège Véronique Comtois

Alias: Blurting Mosquito Fiend

Occupation: Private of the S.P.A.R.R.O.W.S. and a tactical scientist for the Amadeus Syndicate (formerly)

Retirement plans: Become a professional forensic scientist, acquire a private jet, and establish an art studio and an ethical science lab

Special skills: Marksmanship, piloting, forensic science, knowledge of biological agents and toxins, and creating detailed, observational drawings of enemy positions and terrain

Imperfect clone abilities: At her own will, she can rapidly regenerate missing limbs and organs, minimising blood loss and restoring her body to its original form without the need for medical aid. Her blood possesses extraordinary healing properties, capable of instantly curing non-lethal ailments, skin punctures, and all manner of burns. When Nadia opens her mouth wide and flexibly shifts her upper and lower front teeth, she reveals four syringe-like fangs, which are neatly concealed within the hard palate. These fangs enable her to consume the blood of other living beings and replenish her own lost vital fluid.

Her body is resistant to all lethal toxins and pathogens. Moreover, she possesses incredible agility and can move at hyperspeeds. Notably, her pancreas, shielded by a thick layer of blubber, has the unique ability to produce a bile-infused silk. She utilises this silk to puke up robust, ensnaring nets that capture her victims and slowly burn them with its corrosive properties. Nadia’s hands feature reseda chartreuse eyes with feline pupils, granting her night vision, and her fingernails are entirely fleshy, concealing retractable claws made of an adamantine greenish-yellow material.

Hobbies: Painting landscapes, going on shopping sprees (she often buys gifts for her comrades and friends), reading books on anatomy, messing around with flight simulation software, and eating large quantities of food after each mission

Likes: Trevor (her only best friend who she has slight romantic feelings for), sweet and spicy foods, giving everyone nicknames, maintaining her figure, and the one time she accidentally ate a butterfly

Dislikes: Starvation, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), getting unnecessarily dirty, people telling her to “shut up”, and individuals that she views as scary and incapable of having fun (such as Tequila and Eri)

Favourite food: Coq au vin, phaal curry, and candy

Sexuality: Heterosexual

Gender: Female

Age: 12 (in 2022), 18 (in 2028), 20 (in 2030), 22 (in 2032), 24 (in 2034), 31 (in 2041), 33 (in 2043), 34 (in 2044), and 37 (in 2047)

Blood type: B+

Weight: 120 lbs. (54 kg)

Design: She’s a 5’ 4” (162.56 cm) French ectomorph with a gracefully thin body, small breasts, curvaceous hips, sloping shoulders, and a serpentine tongue covered in microscopic spikes. She has limestone skin and possesses feline-like pupils that transform into vertical slits only when she opens her mouth wide enough to reveal her concealed fangs. Her eyes are heterochromatic with her right eye being a warm amber, while her left eye is grey-green with brown flecks. Nadia has a few moles: one on the right side of her chin; one near the corner of her left eye; two above her left breast; one on the back of her right hand; and one slightly below her right knee.

She has raspberry hair with voluminous curls that reach her waist, but she often ties them into pigtails with stretchy reseda green hair bands. She has a silvery-pink birthmark on her left shoulder, almost shaped like a crescent moon with three protruding spikes. A large circular patch on her upper back is stripped of skin, exposing crimson muscles and purplish veins, and her greenish-yellow spine is partially protruding.

Her military gear consists of a metal dog tag necklace with her name, an avocado green tank top, and mid-calf socks with black and white zebra stripes. She wears Argentine blue neoprene gloves, reseda green leather belt, and a champagne-hued vest with the S.P.A.R.R.O.W.S. insignia on the back. She wears navy blue army cargo pants tucked into twilight lavender combat boots with spiked soles. She also wears a dirty white lab coat, black knee pads, a case for her stun gun, and a gun holster for a handgun. Her vest has two hidden strapped compartments to hold up to two firearms when needed, but they’re often accompanied by a bonesaw and a 7.62mm AR-10 Autorifle.

The pockets of Nadia’s vest carry around a pocket knife, a sticky note pad, a red pin, a black cellphone with a metallic green case, a blue pin, and a bag of macadamia nuts. In the pockets of her lab coat, she carries an orange-and-white cat plushie with blue eyes and an emerald green tie named Melekhai (used for stress relief), along with a small box of frosted sugar cookies. She wears a forest green waist pack containing a bottle of laxatives and two blood packs for snacking. Attached to the left side of her belt is a square-shaped pouch with a clear plastic window, showcasing balls of bubblegum and lollipops in different colours inside. The pouch features an amaranth pink outline, feline ears with bluish-white fur, a pistachio-hued strap with a black button clasp, and a metallic silver zipper.

Over her tank top, she dons a Soldier Plate Carrier System (SPCS) with a MultiCam pattern, which carries around her walkie-talkie and ammo for other firearms. She wears two dark brown bandoliers that cross over her body in an X-shape, each holding grenades. Nadia carries around a navy blue load-bearing backpack that contains camping equipment, portable ammo boxes, a canteen full of water, greenish-black gas masks for crewmates without them, a medical kit, liquid and pill bottles of cures and deadly chemicals, a sketchbook, and a set of drawing pencils with two erasers and a sharpener.

She also wields a specialised rifle that fires needles containing transformative liquids, capable of altering humans into simian or mantis creatures. Additionally, she carries purplish rolling bombs that contain mummifying breath and throwable canisters filled with a zombie-inducing orangish phlegm that explodes upon impact. She wears safety goggles, star-shaped lavender spinel earrings that dangle from her ears, and a non-dangling peridot belly ring piercing.

Personality: She boasts swift wit and inventive verbal humour, often outsmarting her foes with clever sabotage tactics. Despite being a childish, happy-go-lucky, and sassy goofball, she has a surprisingly intelligent and cynical side, but she loves to indulge her silly and jubilant nature. Due to her fondness for her exceptional intellect, she sometimes perceives other people as “intellectually inferior” to herself. She conceals her bitterness and wariness of strangers behind a facade of playful teasing, mischievous pranks, sarcastic remarks, and a charming smile. She has a fondness for assigning nicknames to those around her, including friends and foes alike. For instance, she has nicknamed Marco as "Markie", Tarma as "Tarms", Eri as "Rie", Fio as "Fifi", Trevor as "Trevie", Ralf as "Ralfeezy", Clark as "Clarkster", Hyakutaro as "Hyaro", Tequila as "Tequi", Gimlet as "Gimbo", Red Eye as "Dey-Dey", Walter as “Walty”, Tyra as “Rara”, Madoka as “Doka”, General Morden as "Mordy", Allen O'Neil as "Allio", and Ptolemaios as "Ptolema".

She demonstrates her loyalty to her friends by nurturing their relationships and showing platonic affection, often showering them with hugs and kisses. She's a friendly, humorous, and talkative busybody with a passion for creative expression and thrill-seeking adventures, which give her a taste of what it truly means to live. Despite efforts to maintain her supermodel figure, she has developed mild bulimia nervosa; while trying to resist the urge, she sometimes purges after eating. Additionally, she struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder, manifesting as a fear of contamination, anxiety about misplacing valuable items, and a need for order and balance. She also experiences distressing thoughts, including fears of losing control, harming loved ones, and intrusive thoughts about sexual subjects.

She takes a disturbing pleasure in obliterating her enemies, often letting out a maniacal laugh as she does so. Outside of military work, she often dodges unwanted tasks by concocting elaborate schemes (frequently with Trevor's help) to avoid them. However, her plans often backfire, resulting in trouble for neglecting her duties. Moreover, she has a tendency to slack off during missions, especially when she becomes bored and her attention wanders to more exciting things. When she gets into trouble, especially when it involves people she has convinced to join her antics, she often tries to deflect responsibility by feigning innocence and shifting the blame onto others.

She possesses a fairly compassionate, laid-back disposition, which she only reveals to those closest to her. She's deadly serious when needed and isn't afraid to intimidate people or berate individuals for doing something irrational or dangerous. She has a strong disdain for individuals who exhibit predatory behaviour, such as perverts and stalkers, and is unafraid to call them out and mock their actions mercilessly.

She's quite gluttonous and becomes quickly hangry when she's extremely hungry and there's nothing to eat at the moment. She's an eavesdropper with a curious habit of inspecting, poking, probing, and even biting anything that piques her interest. She struggles with touch starvation, feeling somewhat emotionally disconnected from others, and harbours a deep-seated resentment towards being ignored by those around her. She harbours intense resentment towards her mother due to her neglectful behaviour and excessive focus on satisfying scientific curiosity, which comes at the expense of considering others' needs and forming meaningful connections with them.

Backstory: Nadège Véronique Comtois was born on August 6, 2010 in Quimper, France. She was created in a test tube through advanced Martian cloning technology and the DNA of Ghyslaine Laëtitia Comtois, her clone mother and founder of the Amadeus Syndicate, in an underground laboratory. Initially, Ghyslaine's interest in Nadia was rooted in scientific curiosity. She conducted psychological and sociological experiments to explore the similarities and differences between them. During this period, Nadia longed to experience the outside world and connect with her clone mother. Unfortunately, Ghyslaine's focus on research led her to neglect Nadia's emotional needs. She treated her more like a guinea pig than a human being, providing minimal motherly comfort and attention.

At the age of 9, Ghyslaine decided it was time for Nadia to explore the outside world, which filled her clone daughter with excitement. Together, Nadia experienced her first-ever outing to a shopping district and explored several notable attractions in Quimper, including the Breton County Museum, the Fine Arts Museum, and the Faience Museum. This experience sparked Nadia's curiosity in modelling and the creative arts.

However, her mother had other plans. Ghyslaine envisioned Nadia following in her footsteps as a renowned scientist and eventual heir to the Amadeus Syndicate. To nurture this ambition, Ghyslaine frequently presented Nadia with books on biology and chemistry, encouraging her to delve into the sciences. She encouraged Nadia to cover the unusual features on her palms and upper back by wearing neoprene gloves and modest clothing in order to avoid drawing unnecessary attention or judgement from others.

By the age of 11, Nadia had become proficient in biology and chemistry, thanks to her mother's guidance. She began attending school after being previously homeschooled by Ghyslaine and other Amadeus Syndicate scientists. Although her school years were uneventful, Nadia occasionally faced bullying due to her intense interests in science, modelling, and the creative arts, as well as her unusual habit of wearing neoprene gloves to conceal her hand-eyes.

However, the bullying ceased after rumours circulated that she had intimidated a school bully by revealing her hidden snake fangs–a claim that was surprisingly true. Nadia's clone mother was indifferent to her academic pursuits but drew a firm line at harming others and divulging confidential information about the Amadeus Syndicate.

During her high school years, Nadia frequently skipped classes to go shopping, feeling that she already possessed a strong grasp of the material being taught in her courses. To avoid arousing suspicion about her exceptional intelligence, she intentionally performed poorly on a few tests. After completing high school, she promptly enrolled in a two-year college art program, specialising in landscape drawing for animation studios, before pursuing forensic science at the university level.

During her forensic studies at university, Nadia unexpectedly became an e-celeb supermodel who goes by the name of Nadia Cassel, doing so for the sheer enjoyment of it. Although her rise to fame was modest at best, she didn't mind, as she revelled in the opportunity to be herself and try something new. She formed a close bond with a fan from Launceston, Tasmania, Australia, Ophelia Clementine Rourke (whom she affectionately calls Ophie), who would later become a fighter plane pilot in the Regular Army. However, as her fame as an e-celeb supermodel grew, she started to attract unwanted attention from predatory individuals, which caused her significant distress.

The stress of her forensic studies and the pressures of being a supermodel took a toll on Nadia's mental health, leading to the development of OCD and bulimia nervosa. Her struggles with maintaining a strict diet, keeping her model-worthy figure, and need for control became overwhelming. Eventually, Nadia made the decision to quit modelling, as her mental health issues began to impact her studies. In a disturbing incident, she recalls defending herself against a stalker who attempted to assault and cannibalise her in her own home. The attack led to her involuntarily consuming the stalker's blood, unleashing a sadistic streak she never knew she had.

Once her forensic studies were completed, Nadia decided to pursue her pilot's licence, convinced by Ophie to join the tactical efforts of the Regular Army. After obtaining her licence and receiving military training, Ghyslaine permitted Nadia to join the Amadeus Syndicate as a tactical scientist. She proved to be highly successful, making a name for herself as she pushed the boundaries of scientific understanding in biology and chemistry. Nadia supplied the Regular Army with stable bioweapons, gas masks, and advocated for training recruits on the dangers of biological hazards.

During a joint tactical mission with the Amadeus Syndicate and Regular Army against a bioterrorist attack, Nadia met Trevor and quickly formed a friendship with him. Eventually, she soon discovered her clone mother's sinister plan for world domination and godhood, leading her to leave the Syndicate. Nadia also learned that she was indirectly responsible for the sexual assault of an injured Marco, an event that severely damaged the relationship between the Regular Army and Amadeus Syndicate. Horrified by Ghyslaine's actions, she defected to the Regular Army, dedicating herself to defending Earth against global threats. She vaguely recalls attempting to poison Ghyslaine by lacing her bitter coffee with powdered cyanide, but the plan backfired when another scientist accidentally drank from the cup instead.

She eventually joined the S.P.A.R.R.O.W.S. after befriending Fio and earning a sliver of respect from Eri. This was due to her impressive performance as a prospective agent, where she swiftly identified the chemical composition of a new illicit drug that had been baffling the Intelligence Agency. She achieved this by obtaining crucial documents and conducting rigorous, ethical experiments. Following the Survival Island Occupation, she provided crucial assistance to the hostages and kidnapped cadets who had been transformed into grotesque simian and mantis creatures, administering cures that successfully restored them to their human form.

My candy girl ☺️

Updated: September 3, 2024

Reworked Character #4: Fio Germi

POTENTIAL TRIGGER WARNING: Viewer discretion is advised due to references to death and alcoholism.

Real name: Fiolina Hortensia Germi

Alias: Teatime in the Battlefield

Occupation: Master Sergeant of the S.P.A.R.R.O.W.S. and the medic of the P.F. Squad

Retirement plans: Become a sports doctor and astrophysicist, open up a bakery, and start a family

Special skills: Chiropractics, acupuncture, the treatment of injuries, household training, and astronomy

Hobbies: All types of sewing (hand sewing, machine sewing, embroidery, and quilting), ballroom dancing, cooking delicious meals and enjoying it on a picnic outside, frequenting petting zoos and nature museums, and watching Tarma build custom motorcycles and Marco create computer viruses

Likes: Peppino (she had it since birth), her family heritage, the beauty of nature, baking cakes and other sweet treats, and Tarma (especially the sound of his voice, pleasant smile, jokes, and knack for building professional motorcycles)

Dislikes: The idea of Peppino being torn apart or stolen, scolding hot and freezing cold baths, the time she had to wear orthodontic braces, insects and creepy crawlies, and cheating

Favourite food: Ice tea (preferably Queen Mary), homemade sandwiches, and gelato

Sexuality: Heteroromantic demisexual

Gender: Female

Age: 15 (in 2022), 21 (in 2028), 23 (in 2030), 25 (in 2032), 27 (in 2034), 34 (in 2041), 36 (in 2043), 37 (in 2044), and 40 (in 2047)

Blood type: O+

Weight: 145 lbs. (66 kg)

Design: She’s a 5’ 2” (157.48 cm) Italian mesomorph with sloping shoulders, upper arms that carry some of her weight, a bit of belly fat, voluptuous breasts and hips, and prominent thighs. She has pale ivory skin, droopy blue-grey eyes, and brownish freckles scattered across her face and neck. Fio has a tad messy orangish-brown hair with blunt bangs and straight strands that fall just above her shoulders, but she prefers to keep it tied up in a ponytail. Her fingernails are painted a soft English lavender hue, and she wears thick, winged dark brown eyeliner, a soft rosy red blush on her cheeks and nose, and cherry blossom pink lip gloss. As a result of battle injuries and her own clumsiness, she bears a bullet wound near the centre of her left calf and numerous cut marks, stab scars, and scrapes on her arms and legs.

Her military gear consists of polarised, silver-plated transition lens eyeglasses, a metal dog tag necklace with her name, and a cordovan Eisenhower jacket. She wears a pink lavender T-shirt with a dogwood rose stripe running along the front and a carmine bra underneath. She wears carmine gloves and a gold-buckled leather belt to secure her ebony army cargo shorts, which fall just above her knees. She also wears ebony paratrooper boots, dogwood rose knee and elbow pads, and over-the-calf bittersweet shimmer socks. She has a khaki waist pack attached to the front of her belt, which carries her nail polish, lip gloss, eyeliner, two makeup brushes (a large one and a small one), a makeup sponge, and a powder blush palette.

She wears a leather sheath for her hatchet, a gun holster for her handgun, and a holder for her tonfa. The pockets of Fio's Eisenhower jacket carry around Peppino, her beloved greyish-brown teddy bear with a pearlescent blue bowtie, a red wooden maneki-neko figurine with its right arm raised (a gift from Eri), and a deck of cards. The pockets of her army cargo shorts carry a canister of pepper spray, a Ventolin inhaler, a bottle of azithromycin pills, and a bottle of specialised prescription supplements specifically designed to manage her cystic fibrosis.

Over her T-shirt, she dons a Soldier Plate Carrier System (SPCS) with a MultiCam pattern, which carries her walkie-talkie and ammo for other firearms. Her black ammunition bandolier is slung over her right shoulder, and the back of her Eisenhower jacket features an embroidered S.P.A.R.R.O.W.S. logo. Fio carries an ebony load-bearing backpack containing camping equipment, fire bombs, stones, portable ammo boxes, a canteen full of water, a picnic basket filled with prepared sandwiches, two machine guns, medical supplies, and a scientific telescope. She always wears a pair of teardrop-shaped pink opal earrings and a gold chain necklace featuring a red coral cornicello amulet, believed to ward off bad luck and bring good fortune. She also wears a khaki army cap that once belonged to her father during his military service, personalised with a rosy pink patch depicting a European bee-eater perched on a tree branch on the front.

Personality: She's initially reserved and timid around strangers but warms up and opens up once she becomes familiar with new people. She's a compassionate and considerate listener who's really good with children and lends everyone a generous helping hand. She's sensitive and unafraid to show her true emotions, often engaging in introspective thought. Despite her quiet and calm demeanour, she's surprisingly prone to stress and anxiety, particularly when confronted with obnoxious noises or situations where she can't escape. Even though she's a seasoned warrior, she harbours an intense fear of insects and creepy crawlies, often resorting to hiding behind Tarma, Marco or Eri and insisting they handle the situation. On occasion, she displays an almost childlike naivety and exuberance, typically after completing a mission or while off duty.

She's a very friendly and gentle clean freak who'll do anything to help out her family, friends, comrades, and those in need. She prepares all her meals with love and dedication, considering others' likes and dislikes, hoping they'll enjoy what she's made. When talking to others, she often uses lively hand gestures and animated facial expressions to emphasise certain ideas. She gets easily flustered by compliments and flirtatious advances, blushing deeply and becoming nearly speechless. She's a somewhat superstitious person, believing in things like placing one's hat on a bed being a sign of bad luck for homeowners and spilling salt being a harbinger of financial troubles. She's a nature-loving girl who's incredibly clever and always thinks optimistically. She's a great strategist who excels in keep-away tactics. However, she often pushes people away due to fear and isn't the most skilled fighter, but can fight when necessary.

Whenever she's faced with the death of a child, a comrade or friend being severely injured, being touched inappropriately, or being rudely insulted, her face darkens. She becomes cold-hearted and deadly serious, and her tactical prowess shines through most. She's quite curious around strangers, nervously trailing them and asking a few questions to get to know them. She values maintaining a healthy work-life balance and prioritising her time with loved ones, holding both in higher regard than success. She believes that living in or exploring beautiful places helps her become a better person by gaining a deeper appreciation of the world around her.

She originally harboured romantic feelings for Marco, but they dissipated after he disclosed that he isn't interested in romantic and sexual relationships. Her affections eventually shifted to Tarma, whom she found charming due to his silliness, emotional intelligence, and the soothing sound of his voice. She finds immense comfort in Tarma's presence and often offers him solace when he's having a rough day or struggling with self-doubt. Once her romantic relationship with Tarma has fully blossomed, she becomes deeply intimate with him, but can come across as a bit clingy at times, particularly when she's feeling fearful or alone. She eventually enters into a polyamorous queerplatonic relationship with Marco and Tarma, which she deeply cherishes and further satisfies her craving for emotional intimacy. She's displeased when Nadia takes advantage of her kindness to avoid responsibilities. Additionally, she's frustrated by Eri's overprotectiveness, especially when it comes to Tarma, as it reminds her of her father's behaviour and makes her feel like she's being treated like a child.

When she's reached her limit, feels threatened or needs to express her authentic feelings about something that gets under her skin, she's capable of standing up for herself and making her voice heard. She has a tendency to fall asleep extremely quickly at bedtime or naptime, and her loud snoring can be disruptive to others who are trying to rest or focus on important tasks in the same room. She believes that war serves no purpose other than to be destructive, resulting from conflicts that escalate beyond the control of free will. In her view, war profoundly alters the moral fabric of society, while accelerating the advancement of weaponry and technology used in conflict. She’s a firm believer in virtue ethics who holds that life is more powerful than death, as it continually finds innovative ways to adapt and flourish.

Backstory: Fiolina Hortensia Germi was born on October 2, 2007 in Genoa, Italy. The Germi family is renowned for their vast wealth, military service, and philanthropic endeavours. Originally merchants and nobles, they amassed their fortune in the Mediterranean region during the Age of Exploration and have since maintained their wealth, now managing various corporations and philanthropic organisations. True to their militaristic heritage, the Germis have participated in numerous conflicts, including the Napoleonic Wars of the 1800s, the Italian Unification Wars of the 19th century, and modern-day wars against terrorism worldwide. Sadly, many Germi warriors lost their lives, leading to an important family custom where the chosen heir of the Germi family must serve in the military.

Alessandro Germi, Fio's father, was a fearsome soldier in the Regular Army in his earlier years, serving alongside Fabriclus Roving. However, he was forced to leave military service after being severely injured during a shootout, which left him crippled and suffering from debilitating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). After returning to civilian life and receiving proper support, Alessandro successfully restored his family's struggling business. He also started a family with his beloved wife, Giulietta, a talented seamstress and manager of a luxurious art museum.

Alessandro's wish was to have a healthy son as he feared that sending a daughter onto the battlefield would be a perilous ordeal. To his surprise and dismay, Giulietta gave birth to a daughter, and due to health complications, she couldn't bear any more children. Fio's mother would also experience postpartum depression after childbirth and passed down a disease that runs deep within their heritage: cystic fibrosis.

Despite her parents' mental health struggles, they went above and beyond to care for her, providing unwavering love and support. For half of her elementary school years, she was homeschooled with her parents teaching a diverse range of subjects, including mathematics. They encouraged Fio’s appreciation for friendships, the outdoors, and the finer things in life. Giulietta often took her on enriching outings to nature reserves and art museums, where she learned about biology and art history. Her mother also taught her the importance of domestic duties, showing her how to do her chores and clean the house. On special occasions, her mother would dress her up in pretty dresses and give her adorable animal plushies, which she still keeps.

Like Marco, Fio excelled in all her classes, demonstrating exceptional academic prowess and a deep appreciation for effort and lifelong learning. However, her life took a devastating turn near the end of her secondary school days. A sudden and tragic terrorist airstrike, attributed to the Ptolemaic Army, struck Genoa, Italy, claiming Giulietta among its many victims. Her father was the most affected by this loss, turning to a life of alcoholism and self-isolation. Although Alessandro still cared about Fio and tried his best to support her, his alcoholism and newfound self-isolating behaviour made it challenging for him to do so.

It took time for Fio and Alessandro to heal from this loss, but they remained resilient. Eventually, Fio's father sought help and went to rehab and therapy to address his issues with Fio's support and encouragement. After graduation, Fio was awarded multiple awards and scholarships, which enabled her to attend university. There, she pursued an interdisciplinary course of study, exploring chiropractics, acupuncture, physics, and astronomy.

After completing her university studies, Fio expressed interest in joining the military after coming across a persuasive flyer to serve in the Regular Army. This revelation horrified Alessandro, as he didn't want to send his only child off to the battlefield, risking her life. He wanted to disregard the Germi's military traditions, believing that war is repugnant and a never-ending cycle of hate and violence. Alessandro tried to deter Fio from joining, but she persisted, driven by her desire to join the fight against terrorism and protect the lives of innocent people. He reluctantly agreed and sent her off to the military at the age of 19, but attempted to minimise her risk by using his connections and friends from his own military days to secure her a desk job, hoping to keep her out of harm's way and away from the front lines.

However, everything changed when a paperwork mistake caused by militant bureaucracy resulted in Fio's transfer to the S.P.A.R.R.O.W.S., a special operations branch of the Regular Army's Intelligence Agency known for carrying out high-risk missions. Surprisingly, Fio was ecstatic to hear the news, as she had been eager to be deployed on the battlefield and make a real difference. In contrast, her father was furious and stormed into military headquarters, threatening officers in an attempt to prevent his daughter from being shipped to the front lines.

He would often try to extract Fio from the battlefield, but she consistently resisted. Eventually, she had enough of his overprotectiveness and bravely told him that this was what she wanted—to fight on the battlefield and provide medical aid. She assured him that she was capable of handling herself. Alessandro finally understood and let her pursue her life as a military woman. In return, she promised to keep in touch with him after each mission, providing him with reassurance and comfort.

Like Eri, she played a crucial role in the Great Morden War by providing Marco's team with useful intel on Rebel Army positions. She also dedicated herself to providing medical support for Marco's team, which led to her being recognized as the medic for the Peregrine Falcons Squad. Her countless battles against worldwide criminality, terrorism, and corruption enabled her to rapidly rise through the ranks, becoming the Master Sergeant of the S.P.A.R.R.O.W.S. special forces unit. However, her time in the military has taught her a harsh reality: even the good guys can't always protect the innocent or save their friends and comrades. She has witnessed many deaths and severe injuries that left people crippled and traumatised in each battle. Nevertheless, with the emotional support of friends like Eri and Tarma, she has persevered and continues fighting to this day.

Colored

You have made my life impossible!! >:(

Updated: September 8, 2024

Reworked Species #1: Martians

Their scientific name is Cephalorepens galacticus (meaning “creeping head of the galaxy”). They're commonly referred to as the Martians, but some people also refer to them as the Mars People. An omni-linguistic alien species led by their queen, Rootmars, possesses intellectual and sensory capabilities surpassing those of humanity. They possess exceptional expertise in three key areas: necromancy, biological engineering, and technological proficiency, encompassing the use, processes, and mechanical intricacies of advanced technology. Their military force is called the Keribhalum Army.

Language

Their language consists mainly of words formed with the syllables Pa, Pe, Pi, Po, and Pu. However, translation is challenging due to their use of telepathic speech and the seemingly random application of the Pa, Pe, Pi, Po, and Pu syllables, making it difficult to discern a predictable pattern or meaning. Although they are capable of producing audible sounds, these noises resemble feline growls, mouse-like squeaks, and unearthly squeals.

Hierarchy

The Mars Elite (Cephalorepens galacticus albus) are comprised of four distinct castes: leading scientists who drive innovation, esteemed judges who uphold the law, elite soldiers who embody excellence, and commanding officers who lead with strategic precision.

The Mars Garrison (Cephalorepens galacticus fuscus) are comprised of three main castes: scientists who conduct technological and biological experiments, assassins who conduct covert operations, and assault troops who wield stronger and heavier weaponry.

The Mars Quotidian (Cephalorepens galacticus pallidus) are comprised of four distinct castes: hive workers who repair technology and nurture the young, spies who gather intelligence, researchers who advance their knowledge, and common troops who form the backbone of the Keribhalum Army.

Appearance

Martians are taller than the average human, standing approximately at 7’ 3” (220.98 cm) for males and 7’ 6” (228.6 cm) for females. They have a large head with two sets of tentacles: thirty stinger tentacles act as their hands, capable of controlling an electrical pulse to temporarily paralyse people; and twelve leg tentacles with protruding greenish veins and suckers. Their stinger tentacles are half their body length, but they won't stop growing until they have reached double their height, an indication of older and wiser age. They’re sufficiently strong to grasp items firmly, being able to wield a weapon with one of their appendages. They can contract their leg tentacles, enabling them to jump considerable distances and descend slowly in a controlled manner. The skin on their heads and tentacles is surprisingly smooth and contains small pores that can release a thin layer of purplish-white slime. They have greenish-pink blood with a strange taste reminiscent of melon soda.

Female Martians possess a distinctive sac located beneath their head and at the centre of their leg tentacles. This sac is characterised by a bulbous orifice and a translucent yellow-orange coloration with visible skin wrinkles and greenish veins. The interior of the sac is coated with a protective purplish secretion that serves to repel harmful parasites. It also maintains the sac's cleanliness by preventing the accumulation of dirt and menstrual fluid.

Male Martians possess a writhing penis that is translucent and orangish-white in colour. The morphology of this organ bears a resemblance to that of a leopard slug's reproductive structure. It features greenish veins and is characterised by soft, spike-like protrusions encircling its tip. They feature three testicular organs located within cavities situated posterior to their head. These organs are partially visible, protruding slightly from the skin at the back of their head. Two of the testicles contain fertilised seminal fluid with a celadon-green colour, while the central testicle houses eggs with a distinctive amethyst hue and crimson spots. These reproductive organs are incapable of urinating as Martians have a unique physiology that eliminates the need to release bodily waste.

They have a skull of golden-yellow hue, covered in whitish neural veins, and possess an involuntary nervous system. They possess a navel cavity, and when they exhale, the barely visible slits on their face open, revealing small, thin, oval-shaped openings, before promptly closing again. They have two bead-like eyes with white pupils that can constrict or dilate, allowing them better visual control. They also have a serpentine tongue covered in microscopic hooks. They possess a mouth capable of opening into a circular, gaping maw, surrounded by six rows of fleshy teeth that can inject a deadly poison as lethal as cyanide.

The Mars Elite (Cephalorepens galacticus albus): They have pearlescent white skin, lilac eyes, China rose-coloured leg tentacles, and Syracuse red-orange suckers. They possess two iridescent purple bat-like wings with bony, silver-clawed hands and an impressive wingspan of 9' 5" (287.02 cm). From the back of their head, they have a tail that's eerily similar to a human spine, but it's held together by greenish veins and stretched, glistening dark purple flesh. They have a spiked ball at the tip of their spine-like tail, which holds a black acid. The spikes have small holes, allowing them to spray the acid at their enemies.

The Mars Garrison (Cephalorepens galacticus fuscus): They have brown-tanned skin, raspberry rose eyes, lavender grey leg tentacles, and palatinate purple suckers. They have a large amber-coloured eye in the middle of the back of their head, featuring a slit pupil. At the back of their head, they possess two elongated, mantis-like arms, equipped with two rows of razor-sharp spines, enabling them to grab people from behind.

The Mars Quotidian (Cephalorepens galacticus pallidus): They have greyish-green skin, ultramarine eyes, pale azure leg tentacles, and lapis lazuli suckers.

Abilities

To facilitate telepathic communication with other sentient beings, they employ their mouth and tongue to replicate the physiological processes of human speech. Two exceedingly thin, iridescent tentacles, reminiscent of dew on a spider's silk, emerge from two minuscule openings above their eyes. These tentacles can bifurcate into millions of tiny, hair-like tendrils, which are inserted into the ears of their chosen communicants. The tendrils then navigate to the brain, where they manipulate the electrical signals traversing the neural pathways to access areas responsible for thought and auditory perception.

They shapeshift by mentally imagining what they want to change and coating themselves in a thin layer of purplish-white slime. This strange slime drastically alters their bodily molecules and DNA structure, allowing them to perfectly transform into whatever they envisioned. The Martians possess the ability of dichotomous intangibility, but it’s limited to a duration of 10 minutes. Overextending this power can lead to severe consequences, including ocular degeneration, causing their eyes to become mushy, and cerebral overflow, resulting in permanent blindness and neural damage.

They possess telekinetic abilities, but require the movement of their stinger tentacles and intense concentration on the object they intend to lift or manipulate. Notably, they can focus on up to 20 different objects simultaneously. They can teleport up to 20 metres to different locations, but only in areas they are intimately familiar with. This ability is achieved by vibrating at imperceptible speeds, effectively propelling themselves to their desired destination.

They can sustain themselves by absorbing the vital fluids of other living organisms and the heat of electrical devices, fire, and solar radiation. The Martians possess a unique optic nerve that captures and stores a small portion of their body heat and absorbed energy. This specialised nerve forms a ring around their eyes, featuring a subtle opening that enables the focused release of intense, fiery energy beams.

They can hear low-frequency hums from any planet's core, echoes of ancient riverbeds, whispers of the wind, and the creaking and groaning of dust devils. They can smell the metallic scent of iron oxide dust, the acrid smell of sulphur from volcanic regions, and the ozone-like smell of electrical storms. The Martians can taste soil, the metallic taste of recycled water, the sweet taste of hydroponic crops, the sour taste of fermented food supplies, and the umami taste of protein-rich algae. They can see plankton, the tops of mountains, every pore on a human's face, and the texture of clouds.

Technology

Their technology is based entirely on expertise in bioengineering and energy manipulation. Their technology features a unique blend of elements, including circular shapes, industrial tubes resembling intestines, engravings of ancient pictograms that depict their ancestry, glistening flesh-like surfaces, malleable metal plates, and eerie metallic sheens. Their technology also incorporates pillars, computer modules, pulsating electric fields that double as protection and prison cells, fleshy orifices, and opaque stasis chambers filled with a clear liquid capable of inducing sleep for cloning purposes.

Their primary weapon is a ray gun that fires spores and features a settings mode, offering three distinct options:

Transformation: Transforms individuals into Man Eaters

Electrification: Emits an electric charge to incapacitate targets

Energy Beam: Generates circular light blue energy beams that can effortlessly ensnare targets

Lightweight ray guns emit slow-moving orange spores, whereas heavyweight ray guns fire fast-moving blue spores. These spores can be easily neutralised with gunfire or effectively eliminated with well-timed melee attacks.

Their mothership, the Rugname, is controlled by a simulated, lifeless replica of infant Rootmars, whose brain is encased in a protective glassy film. This replica can generate electric signals that accumulate and discharge as massive blasts of circular, flashing blue and green energy spheres, capable of incinerating individuals. They deploy surveillance drones known as Lozustika, which resemble massive, sunset-hued locusts with a singular metallic blue-orange eye. These drones are capable of projecting orbs of green fire and expelling streams of acidic, corrosive fluid that mimics blood.

The Dai-Manji boasts exceptional armour, comprising malleable metal plates reinforced with bullet-resistant flesh and a thin shielding of greenish-blue electricity. Serving as the core of the Rugname, it releases Mini-UFOs, unleashes lethal electrical discharges, and propels fiery energy bolts with precision to target enemies. It’s believed that there are forty Dai-Manji stored within the Rugname with only four to six permitted to be deployed at any given time. Each one features a logo with the insignia of the Martian race: a circular pickled bluewood crest with an eight-pointed red-orange star at its centre, outlined with a gold border and adorned with four emerald dots at the cardinal directional points (north, south, east, and west).

The Uystroblemika, also known as the Mars Satellites, are remotely controlled spacecraft shaped like feldgrau Nazi UFOs with a gilded sheen, capable of achieving remarkably high velocities. They are equipped with dual luminous laser systems, emitting either emerald green beams that incinerate targets or magenta beams that petrify them.

The Perifhalonus, also known as the Mini-UFOs, are highly agile aircraft equipped with a beehive-shaped ray gun that emits slow-moving greenish-blue lasers capable of penetrating cloth and flesh. The Mini-UFOs are distinguished by their colour schemes and pilots: grey metal variants with eight saffron-yellow stripes are operated by the Mars Quotidian, black metal variants with six red-orange stripes are operated by the Mars Garrison, and gilded variants with four crimson stripes are operated by the Mars Elite.

The Ezuivaphox, also known as the Hopper Mechas, are suicidal drones that detonate explosive payloads fueled by nuclear radiation and flammable bile, delivering a lethal blow to their targets. They are ten-legged, rust-coloured arachnids featuring gilded pedipalps and a distinctive, shaky silver stripe extending from the cephalothorax to the mid-abdomen. Their forehead bears a triangular arrangement of six blackish-brown eyes, while their entire body is covered in flexible, crystalline hairs.

The Gektosynchrima, also known as the Mars Walkers, are gigantic quadrupeds with metallic blue-red flesh and articulated legs terminating in five clawed, slender fingers. Their bulbous knee joints are covered in hook-like spikes. The creatures' belly features sixteen intestinal tubes encircling a large, glossy jade half-orb. They are capable of producing a black, poisonous gas that causes rapid skin decay and lung rupture. The jade half-orb can produce bouncing bubbles that cause highly corrosive burns once in contact with living organisms. They possess three slit-shaped eyes that exhibit a purely iridescent purple hue, and an antenna that strikingly resembles a sunflower. However, this antenna conceals a deadly capability–it can emit intense, fiery purple lightning bolts.

The Zodematikus, also known as the Ring Laser Mechas or Utoms, are sentient, glistening purplish-grey cerebral entities that propel a navy blue tubular body replete with biomechanical organs akin to those found in mammals. They possess four highly flexible robotic arms, surpassing human limb dexterity, which manipulate tusk-like, porcelain-hued levers and metallic green, red, and orange buttons. Their muscular brain features prominent, jutting veins and is shielded by a protective film of whitish, heat-resistant, bulletproof slime. They’re capable of unleashing rings of electrokinetic force, inducing bodily combustion, and generating nearly invisible, bony appendages to grasp individuals.

Goals and beliefs

Their primary objective is to debilitate Earth's military forces and leverage the planet's technological advancements to subjugate humanity. However, their motivations aren’t entirely malevolent; they seek to eradicate the destructive exploitation and harmful activities plaguing Earth. By doing so, the Martians believe they can redirect its resources towards fostering universal unification. They have a disgust for species who harm and abuse the resources and well-being of their home planets. They automatically deem them as inferior and in need of re-education through assimilation into their culture and ways of thinking.

Rootmars and many Martians advocate for the subjugation of humanity to save Earth, but a splinter faction disagrees with this ideology. This dissenting group led by Pupipi, known as the Keribhuma Army, believes that cohabitation and global cooperation are the only paths to achieving universal peace and protecting the planet. However, due to this belief, the Keribhalum Army views them as traitors, finding it foolish and shameful that they can have sympathy for an "inferior species". They will stop at nothing to publicly humiliate and/or brutally execute anyone who joins or is found to be part of the Keribhuma Army, if that person is one of their own kind.

The Martians are open-minded and embrace a diverse range of spiritual concepts, including reincarnation, the psyche, and deities that embody specific principles. In their view, deities serve as avatar conduits for the principles they represent with some requiring more worship and acknowledgement than others to sustain their power. They believe in the supremacy of a unified cosmos, where every individual has a purpose determined by their willingness to align with moral righteousness and strive towards their hopes and dreams.

They hold that no being is above the true purpose of existence and the eleven fundamental powers of the universe: seamlessness, centration, allurement, emergence, homeostasis, cataclysm, synergy, transmutation, transformation, interrelatedness, and radiance. They firmly believe that the true purpose of existence lies beyond human comprehension and will only be revealed to those who have attained divine enlightenment, thereby gaining the capacity to grasp the vast expanse of extraterrestrial mysteries and horrors.

All Martians share the conviction that natural resources provided by planets are invaluable and should be treated with utmost care and reverence. The mishandling of such resources is viewed as a heinous and sacrilegious act against the divine forces of the universe. They hold in high esteem the preservation of ancient knowledge and architecture, and endeavour to protect and pass on the cultural heritage of all species through various means, including meticulous drawings, written works, and other forms of documentation. They regard biological evolution and technological advancement as two pivotal, dynamic forces that shape and transform society and ecosystems in a perpetual state of flux.

Sometimes I am Tarma in life...

Nothing like a dumb question

Marco, Eri, Tarma, and Fio huddled together in a desert village, hidden in a war trench as they waited for the arrival of Rebel soldiers. They gathered around a campfire, roasting sausages and marshmallows on sticks as its warm glow cast flickering shadows on their faces. The silence was unbearable for Tarma, knowing he had to say something to break the awkward stillness.

Tarma: Hey... If I punch myself and it hurts, am I weak or strong? I really need to know, guys!

Fio: *stops eating her perfectly roasted marshmallow and gasps* That's so strong of you!

Marco lets out an exhausted sigh, well-aware that what Tarma asked is utterly ridiculous. However, he didn't want to give his friend the silent treatment, so he chose to respond instead of ignoring him.

Marco: Uhhmmm... Sounds weak to me… *he softly mutters before eating what’s left of his sausage*

Eri's right eye twitched slightly as she rolled her eyes at the stupidity of Tarma's question.

Eri: *she crosses her arms* You'll be an utter idiot if you did that. What’s up with you and asking us the most absurd shit?

Tarma frowned slightly at Eri and scoffed.

Tarma: You're such a party pooper. You know that?

Fio snickered for a brief moment as Eri was left dumbfounded by what Tarma just told her. She decided to roast another marshmallow, but ended up burning it.

It's that easy?