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Trevor and Nadia Moodboard

I'm not giving y'all the option to hug them all. You can only choose one...

Updated: October 15, 2024

Torquil, Guilherme, and Ferdinand

POTENTIAL TRIGGER WARNING: Viewer discretion is advised due to references to death, suicide, verbal abuse, and neglect.

Torquil Aitken

Nickname: Torrie

Occupation: Private First Class and a vehicle driver of the Rebel Army and a volunteer for transportation services (formerly)

Hobbies: Performing his accordion and singing traditional Scottish songs at social gatherings, upgrading and fine-tuning cars and tanks, and fostering kittens and puppies

Likes: Guilherme (especially his calm and compassionate nature), his mom’s cooking, and archaeology

Dislikes: Being told to stop joking around, seeing his friends bummed out, and animal torture

Favourite food: Kedgeree and gummies (preferably gummy worms and sharks)

Sexuality: Heteroflexible asexual

Gender: Male

Age: 28 (in 2022), 34 (in 2028), 36 (in 2030), 38 (in 2032), 40 (in 2034), 47 (in 2041), 49 (in 2043), 50 (in 2044), and 53 (in 2047)

Design: He's a 5’ 3” (160.02 cm) Scottish-American mesomorph with robust musculature, a subtle roundness of his belly, and semi-broad shoulders. He sports medium-length coppery red hair with gentle curls, styled in a shaggy crop with sideburns, and often wears it tied back into a bun. He has tanned pale ivory skin, brown freckles, dull jade green eyes, a cleft chin, and a metallic gold prosthetic left arm. He sports a prominent scar that stretches from the right side of his forehead, organically zigzagging down to the middle of his left cheek. He dons a metal dog tag necklace with his name and the standard Rebel land troop uniform, which varies depending on his deployment location. Above his right breast pocket, is an embroidered badge featuring a scarlet horizontal stripe with a thin white stripe centred within it and a black X emblazoned across the middle.

He carries a maroon duffle bag containing his accordion (a family heirloom), a versatile toolkit for mechanics, and a rocket launcher equipped with homing missiles. Torquil wears a pink lavender waist pack on the left side of his rosy brown belt, containing a flare gun, 12 Gauge rounds, and two bags of gummy worms and sharks. He often shares these treats with his friend Guilherme, particularly when he's starting to feel anxious or overwhelmed. He would share some with Ferdinand, but he isn't a fan due to their chewy texture, which bothers his jaw.

Character summary: He's a cheerful, happy-go-lucky extrovert whose charisma stems from his fun-loving attitude and ability to make others laugh with jokes tailored to their sense of humour. His carefree and enthusiastic demeanour gives way to a more serious and concerned attitude only when he senses that something is deeply wrong. As a confident individual, he exudes swagger in his step and rarely shows fear in the face of adversity, but it can sometimes tip into recklessness and overconfidence. He'll stop at nothing to protect his comrades, but can't resist charming the ladies and indulging in the occasional bout of mischief. He’s naturally curious and gets excited by things he finds to be cool.

On the battlefield, Torquil's preferred war machine is the Type-4 Girida-O, his absolute favourite, but he occasionally switches to the T-2B Melty Honey when he's feeling particularly confident. The only vehicle he refuses to drive is the Type-5 Iron Iso, due to its rarity on the battlefield and the fear of destroying it too quickly. To alleviate his boredom on the battlefield, he periodically bursts into traditional Scottish songs, eliciting either amusement or annoyance from his comrades. He honestly fears Ferdinand due to his overly serious and ill-tempered nature, yet he admires his exceptional skills on the battlefield and values his wise mentorship. Guilherme is his reluctant partner-in-crime for whom he holds deep affection and secretly harbours romantic feelings.

Backstory: Torquil Aitken was born on November 15th, 1994 in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. His father, Vernon Aitken, was a renowned archaeologist driven by a passion for adventure and a desire to share his discoveries with the world. His mother, Elspeth, is a veterinarian who also works part-time as a convenience store clerk. His parents loved him dearly and did everything to ensure he would lead a successful, resilient, and optimistic life, instilling in him the fearlessness to tackle any challenges that came his way.

Vernon would share with him his archaeological endeavours and contributions to the advancement of ethical archaeology. In contrast, Elspeth taught him the value of treating animals with kindness, while emphasising the importance of companionship, love, and living a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, he often assisted his mother with meal preparation, with dinner being his favourite meal to prep. Torquil was a mildly quiet and worrisome kid who was anxious around strangers, but once they had earned his trust, he would become a talkative jokester when he felt comfortable around them.

Sadly, just four months after he turned 13, Torquil's father met a tragic end. Vernon and his team of fellow archaeologists were attempting to escape a sudden mummy uprising in an ancient tomb within a previously unexplored pyramid in Ajirabia, as their careful probing inadvertently awakened the curse of Nephthys. In their frantic bid to contain the mummies, debris dislodged by dynamite fell and crushed him. This was devastating news for Torquil and his mother, plunging her into a state of melancholy. However, Elspeth knew she couldn't give up easily, so she did everything in her power to raise Torquil on her own.

After losing Vernon, Torquil adopted a more extroverted, carefree, and fun-loving demeanour reminiscent of his father. As he now lives with his mother, Elspeth, who is struggling financially, he took it upon himself to find a way to support both of them. Leveraging his interest in fine-tuning cars and tanks, he came up with a brilliant idea: volunteering for businesses that required transportation services. By making deliveries and carrying materials, he earned a steady income, allowing both him and Elspeth to stay afloat financially for a while.

At 33, Torquil's life took a dramatic turn when a friend informed him that the Rebel Army was recruiting new members. With minimal persuasion, Torquil saw this as a thrilling opportunity to witness tanks up close and eagerly volunteered. However, his mother was hesitant to let him go, fearing the dangers of warfare and the possibility of losing her son. She worried about his safety and whether he would return home alive. Torquil reassured her, confident that he would be fine.

Guilherme Carvalho

Nickname: Guil

Occupation: Private and a sniper of the Rebel Army and a fortune-teller (formerly)

Hobbies: Writing and sketching around in his journal, honing his cardistry skills, and crocheting

Likes: Lupine creatures, nu metal and post grunge music, and the unique meanings that each tarot card has

Dislikes: Panic attacks, incurable diseases, and people exploiting his kindness for their own selfish gain

Favourite food: Coxinha

Favourite drink: Limonada suíça with condensed milk

Sexuality: Homoromantic graysexual

Gender: Male

Age: 31 (in 2022), 37 (in 2028), 39 (in 2030), 41 (in 2032), 43 (in 2034), 50 (in 2041), 52 (in 2043), 53 (in 2044), and 56 (in 2047)

Design: He’s a 5’ 1” (154.94 cm) Brazilian ectomorph with a lean figure, a mediocre musculature, sloping shoulders, and left hand that has six fingers. He has wavy chocolate brown hair styled as a textured quiff, umber skin, and sunburst green-hazel eyes. His neck bears heavy scarring on the right side, and he has two distinctive facial moles: one located above his eyebrow and another near the centre of his chin. Like Torquil, he dons a metal dog tag necklace with his name and the standard Rebel land troop uniform, which varies depending on his deployment location. Above his left breast pocket, a circular silver badge trimmed in scarlet features a pair of outstretched black dragon wings extending from either side.

He carries a chestnut-hued satchel bag containing his crocheting tools, four yarn balls in different colours, a pencil, an eraser, a red ink pen, and a treasured family heirloom: a worn, handmade Spanish blue leather journal passed down from his great-grandmother. He uses it to record his thoughts, observations, and insights, often accompanied by sketches of the people and environments he encounters. Guilherme wears a navy blue waist pack at the back of his dark teal belt, holding a deck of tarot cards that he often shuffles through to calm his nerves when feeling anxious. A faded greyish-green bandolier is slung over his right shoulder, which securely holds his rifle's ammunition.

Character summary: Due to his compassionate and nurturing nature, he has a habit of prioritising the needs of others over his own, which can sometimes lead to self-neglect. He’s a shy, resourceful, melancholic individual that listens actively and shows genuine interest in others' concerns, but his patience wears thin when his paranoia takes hold. He strives to remain calm in high-pressure situations, but when overwhelmed, his composure can give way to ruthless and reckless behaviour. Guilherme is often taciturn, but will become a skittish loudmouth when impatient and extremely paranoid. He's an incredibly observant person who often notices details that others miss, and has a habit of fleeing from situations he deems particularly grim.

Despite being a down-to-earth sharpshooter, he's surprisingly prone to anger when his rifle jams, particularly in high-stakes situations. When feeling anxious or awkward, he exhibits one of two behaviours: rubbing his hands together or picking at his skin. He deeply admires Torquil's confidence and courage in battle, which inspires him to be more fearless and push through daunting situations. He regards Ferdinand as a wise mentor and strives to prevent him from lashing out at Torquil when he inadvertently provokes Ferdinand's frustration.

Backstory: Guilherme Carvalho was born on April 3rd, 1991 in Salvador, Brazil. Guilherme was deeply scarred at a young age when his father took his own life with a hunting rifle in front of him. Compounding this trauma, his mother was largely absent from his life, leaving behind a legacy of secrets and mysteries surrounding his family. His anxiety stems from his childhood experiences growing up in a violent and cruel environment, where he had to find ways to survive. Fortunately, his aunt and great-grandmother provided a safe haven for him to stay in until he was mature enough to venture out into the world on his own. He remembers his aunt as strict and grumpy at times, but deeply loving, while his great-grandmother was incredibly compassionate and would often regale him with stories of Spanish mythology and her own life experiences.

He was formerly a devout Catholic, often praying to God for hope in a better future and the strength to persevere. Additionally, he would pray to Menina Izildinha for good health, protection from harm, and deliverance from diseases for himself, his aunt, and his great-grandmother. To earn a living, he turned to fortune-telling, using tarot readings to predict the future, and also created handmade crochet items like scarves, ponchos, sweaters, and hats to sell on the side.

However, he lost his faith in Catholicism when his great-grandmother died from a hemorrhage after a devastating fall. Shortly after, his aunt passed away from a debilitating disease with no available cure. These losses left him consumed by sadness and loneliness. But then, he inherited his great-grandmother's journal and began using it to record his insights and observations, and sketch the people and environment around him. He would also adopt a lop-eared rabbit with a harlequin fur coat named Janaina. Journaling and the companionship of his newly adopted bunny brought him some solace, alleviating some of his sorrow and isolation.

As an adult, he continues to explore his surroundings, still haunted by questions about his family: What happened to his mother? Does he have any brothers and/or sisters? Driven by a desire for answers, he embarks on an odyssey to find more members of his family. After a long and arduous search, he finally finds his lost sister, Geovana. As they spend time together, he learns that she's a successful surgeon.

However, his life takes a dramatic turn when he stumbles upon a propaganda flyer promoting recruitment for the Rebel Army. Feeling unfulfilled and without direction, he makes the difficult decision to leave Janaina in his sister's care and joins the Rebel Army two months before the Great Morden War. Once he joined, he was frequently picked on by the others for being timid and a person of colour, which caught the attention of Torquil. Torquil offered to be Guilherme's friend, which he hesitantly accepted, and they have been on relatively good terms since then.

Ferdinand Hofbauer

Nickname: Ferdan

Occupation: Specialist and a Gatling soldier of the Rebel Army and a landscape architect (formerly)

Hobbies: Attending classical opera performances, rock balancing, and collecting taxidermy

Likes: His beloved house pets, fine art enthusiasts, and baroque architecture

Dislikes: Winter, being reminded of his wife’s death, and needlessly wasting functional technology and edible food

Favourite food: Homemade apple strudels and bosna

Favourite drink: Wiener Melange and grape soda

Sexuality: Heterosexual

Gender: Male

Age: 38 (in 2022), 44 (in 2028), 46 (in 2030), 48 (in 2032), 50 (in 2034), 57 (in 2041), 59 (in 2043), 60 (in 2044), and 63 (in 2047)

Design: He’s a 5’ 7” (170.18 cm) Austrian endomorph with a partial beer belly, decent muscles, and broad shoulders. He has straight jet black hair styled as a crew cut, warm beige skin, blue-grey eyes, and a finely chopped goatee. A cut scar crosses his left cheek, and he has a prosthetic right leg that almost seamlessly blends with his skin. He has a shimmering silver-grey glass eye in place of his right eye, marked by a scar from a severe stab wound. Like Torquil and Guilherme, he dons a metal dog tag necklace with his name and the standard Rebel land troop uniform, which varies depending on his deployment location. On his right breast pocket, a metallic black skull with a missing jaw and scarlet eyes hangs from a silver-white ribbon, secured by a golden clip.

Ferdinand always carries around two photographs: one with his deceased wife from before the Great Morden War and one with his two best friends from the Rebel Army. He wears a harvest gold waist pack on the right side of his brownish-black belt, equipped with his silver-plated night vision binoculars, a pack of cigarettes, an almond-hued lighter, and five cans of grape soda. He often shares a couple of these cans with his closest friends, Torquil and Guilherme. He's always armed to the teeth, carrying a heavy minigun with a back-mounted ammo supply and a machete sheathed at his left hip.

Character summary: He's quite serious and overprotective of his two best friends, Torquil and Guilherme, due to a deep-seated fear of losing them, stemming from the tragic loss of his pregnant wife. He’s a by-the-book individual who carefully follows protocols and expects the same from others, maintaining a stern expression while trying to avoid distractions. He’s a strategic thinker that rarely complains, preferring to keep his true emotions hidden behind a stoic mask. He has a fearsome temper, triggered only when people neglect their duties or stir up unnecessary trouble. He asserts himself confidently, especially when defending those he cares about, and doesn't back down easily, refusing to accept "no" as a final answer.

He harbours a deep contempt for the fanatic land troops, whose unstable behaviour and penchant for sabotaging vehicles he finds utterly reprehensible. Ferdinand is a wise and hard-boiled individual with a penchant for surveilling his surroundings due to his hypervigilance. He lives with chronic depression, but he prefers to keep it private due to concerns about the stigma surrounding mental health. He sometimes finds Torquil's overconfidence and playful nature grating, particularly when it leads to slacking off and distractions. In contrast, he’s deeply concerned about Guilherme's fragile mental state and makes a conscious effort to offer comfort and support him during his darkest moments.

Backstory: Ferdinand Hofbauer was born on August 26th, 1984 in Kufstein, Austria. His father, Herschel Hofbauer, was a distinguished police officer who had once aspired to be a therapist. However, he changed careers after noticing the alarming rise in crime rates. Tragedy struck when his wife died during childbirth, leaving him a widower. Recognizing the importance of both parents in a child's life, he remarried, hoping to provide a mother figure for his son. His stepmother, a public opinion analyst, presented herself as a charming and affectionate person, but beneath this façade, she was a hedonist who was verbally abusive and neglectful towards Ferdinand, viewing him as an obstacle to her husband's affection. In contrast, his father was a simple man who cherished the lives of the innocent and his family above his own, finding joy in the small things in life during his quiet moments.

At the age of 7, Ferdinand began exhibiting signs of child verbal abuse and neglect, which deeply concerned his father. When Ferdinand revealed that his stepmother was responsible for the mistreatment, Herschel was consumed by strong displeasure and even regretted remarrying. He made the difficult decision to divorce Ferdinand's stepmother and severed all ties with her, prioritising his son's safety and well-being above all else.

While attending university to study architecture, he met the love of his life, Franziska. They went on numerous dates and grew closer, and after completing their college education, Ferdinand proposed to Franziska. After getting engaged, they married a year later and spent their honeymoon in the Caribbean, where they began thinking about starting a family. Four years after landing their dream jobs–Ferdinand as a landscape architect and Franziska as a law clerk–they decided it was time to start a family. Franziska became pregnant, but tragically, her life was cut short. At just five months pregnant, she was brutally mugged and killed by an unknown assailant on a snowy day while out getting lunch. Ferdinand, who was at work, learned of his wife's passing via a phone call from his mother-in-law, leaving him utterly devastated and heartbroken.

After his wife's passing, he quit his job, feeling lost and aimless, as Franziska had been the source of his happiness. Struggling to move on, he became withdrawn and distant, and developed self-destructive habits: chain-smoking, frequenting bars, and getting into trouble with the law for public indecency and starting fights. Seeking comfort, he adopted two pets: a Russian Blue cat named Franziska, after his late wife, and a Styrian Coarse-haired Hound named Benedikt. This decision brought some solace to his sorrow.

Amidst the turmoil of the Great Modern War, Ferdinand stumbled upon an advertisement for the Rebel Army, recruiting new soldiers. Seeing an opportunity to find purpose, he decided to join the army and become a soldier, hoping to do something meaningful for once. Once he joined, he met Torquil fixing up his Type-4 Girida-O and Guilherme sketching in his journal at the campsite where he was staying. Not wanting to be potentially bullied for being a loner, he decided to approach them, and they quickly became best friends, remaining close ever since.

Updated: September 29, 2024

What does the cast of the Iron Eclipse AU prefer to call the SV-001 by?

I got inspired by one of the trailers for the Metal Slug 3 pachislot because I believe that the speaker referred to the SV-001 as "Metal-chan" or something along those lines, which I find to be endearing. Not everyone is included on here because they don't have any special names for the SV-001.

Marco: Tarma's metallic princess

Tarma: Metaru-chan

Eri: Bakana kuso sensha ("stupid fucking tank" in Japanese)

Fio: Ottimo serbatoio ("great tank" in Italian)

Trevor: Kulhan taegnki ("cool tanky" in Korean)

Nadia: La camelote lente ("the slow junk" in French)

Ralf: The prettiest of all tanks

Clark: Gimmicky fucker

Tequila: Presagio de batalla ("omen of battle" in Spanish)

Gimlet: Schneckenmädchen ("snail girl" in German)

Red Eye: Fighting tank (as Ruoxi), reliable toy of war (as Shufen), and sluggish rider (as Liddy)

General Morden: Machine of destruction

Doctor Amadeus: Valkyrie of tanks

Ptolemaios: A gift from Illapa

Walter: Sluggy

Tyra: Mutahad ("wobbly" in Arabic)

Hyakutaro: Silly tankette

Margaret: Trusty ol' miss

Wysteria: An interesting metal thing of warfare

Sagan: Battlefield ravager

Logan: Precious metal baby

Updated: September 30, 2024

How good is the Iron Eclipse cast at cooking?

I got inspired by a friend asking me how good OG Tarma might be at cooking. I only left out the non-human characters because they don't need sustenance to survive and/or have zero culinary skills.

Marco: Although he's a capable cook, his go-to options often involve ordering takeout, barbecuing or enjoying meals prepared by his friends.

Tarma: He's a skilled cook who specialises in traditional Japanese and Mexican cuisine, cooking only when the mood strikes, but he's always happy to assist others in the kitchen.

Eri: She's better at cooking traditional Japanese dishes, but has a tendency to burn them.

Fio: She's incredibly talented at baking and whipping up tasty lunches!

Trevor: He's okay at cooking, but gets somewhat sloppy when under the influence.

Nadia: She's a skilled cook and baker, but often lacks the motivation to do so.

Ralf: He's a good cook, but his tendency to be a bit careless in the kitchen means he frequently gets help from others.

Clark: He can cook and grill, but typically opts for his friends' homemade meals or healthier takeout.

Tequila: He's not the greatest cook, but grilling is where he truly shines!

Gimlet: His culinary skills are lacking, so expect him to opt for takeout instead.

Red Eye: Her cooking skills are average (as Ruoxi), she's amazing at making Chinese food (as Shufen), and she either makes traditional Dutch dishes or dines at high-end restaurants (as Liddy).

General Morden: He excels at cooking North American, European, and Middle Eastern cuisine!

Allen O'Neil: He's more skilled at preparing ingredients, such as chopping food and seasoning, than actual cooking.

Doctor Amadeus: She's great at crafting traditional Western European breakfast and lunch dishes, but when it comes to dinner and dessert, she prefers the convenience of takeout.

Ptolemaios: He prefers that his meals are prepared by his most loyal and trusted followers.

Walter: He's alright at grilling and cooking Mama's classic recipes, and enjoys helping others with meal prep.

Tyra: She's good at cooking simple Arabic and North American meals, and her favourite way to cook is with others.

Hyakutaro: He mostly relies on takeout and meals prepared by his friends, but occasionally cooks decent meals for himself, particularly when he's alone.

Allen Jr.: He's better at cooking and preventing food from burning than at meal prep.

Rumi: She struggles with cooking, often resulting in burnt or unappetizingly sloppy dishes.

Madoka: Her cooking skills surpass those of her younger sister, but occasionally her dishes can appear hastily prepared and lacking refinement.

Sophia: She's an exceptional cook, particularly when it comes to seafood.

Margaret: She's great at whipping up simple meals with fresh herbs from her greenhouse.

President Marx: He's capable in the kitchen, but tends to leave the prep work to his two bodyguards.

Sagan: She struggles with cooking traditional meals, but excels at crafting delicious desserts.

Logan: He's most skilled at preparing meals that are easy to make and require little prep work.

Torquil: He's a surprisingly talented chef, but he prefers cooking dinner.

Guilherme: He's a skilled self-taught cook who draws inspiration from his aunt's and great-grandmother's homemade recipes.

Ferdinand: He excels at meat preparation, specifically cutting and seasoning, but his overall cooking skills are mediocre, so he often relies on Guilherme's expertise.

Fuck-

I know this isn't a traditional Metal Slug post, but...

My birthday is in 6 days. I dunno how to feel about it. I hate how time flies by so quickly. It's honestly kinda scary... Whelp, it's gonna be another day of my life and another year of growing up. I gotta get my butt in gear for the future and remain optimistic somehow.

I'm wondering about something... I currently have a good amount of stuff for the Iron Eclipse AU to post (including a short story, a couple of fun facts stuff, and a few moodboards). However, I want to know what else y'all would like to see in regards to the Iron Eclipse AU. You can tell me via an ask, a comment or my DM!

Iron Eclipse Marco Moodboard

I just want to go with the flow, not rely on multiple saves, and not worry about dying and losing all of my rescued POWs, but my perfectionism hates me.

I honestly adore listening to the soundtrack for Metal Slug 5! Each song manages to perfectly mix elements of the rock music genre with other musical components to fit each level. The MS5 soundtrack is #1 out of the other Metal Slug soundtracks I listened to. Not gonna lie, there is definitely some personal bias with that decision because I love rock music and its innate versatility in regards to the entire rock genre.

My personal favourite songs from the Metal Slug 5 soundtrack include the following (not in order):

HEAVY AFRICAN

ZOOM DOOM

SPEEDER

LASTDITCH RESISTANCE

Today is a special day... You know what that day is?

IT'S OUR PRECIOUS GIRL'S BIRTHDAY 🎂🎉! THE ONE AND ONLY... FIO GERMI ❤️‍🔥🌸!

This isn't a traditional Metal Slug post, but...

Today is my birthday 🫠🎂🎉! Here is to another day and another year of life 🥂!

Updated: October 15, 2024

Reworked Character #11: Red Eye

POTENTIAL TRIGGER WARNING: Viewer discretion is advised due to references to death, torture, neglect, SA, child abuse, crime, and alcoholism.

Real name: Ruoxi Adrichem (as her real self), Shufen Wei Du (prefers to go by Red Eye), and Lydia Muyskens (prefers to go by Liddy)

Esper title: Avatar of Creeping Shadows, Human Identity, Quietude, and Morality

Alias: Noiseless Spy

Nickname: Red Eye

Occupation: Major General of the S.P.A.R.R.O.W.S.

Retirement plans: 

Has no idea what to do after her military service ends (As Ruoxi)

Become a neuropsychologist (As Shufen)

Foster many birds, buy a superyacht, get a girlfriend, and become an ornithologist (As Liddy)

Special skills: 

Acrobatics, prestidigitation, managing paperwork, interrogation techniques, and detecting enemy traps (As Ruoxi)

Proficiency in infiltration, escaping captivity, and evading surveillance systems, codebreaking, sabotage, neuropsychology, and astrobiology (As Shufen)

Proficiency in tracking down enemies and bribery, document forgery, safecracking, and ornithology (As Liddy)

Esper abilities: She can swiftly teleport up to 450 ft (137.16 metres) in front of her by manipulating the vibrations around her. Her palms and the soles of her feet are covered in microscopic, hardened hooks and a thin layer of opaque mucus, granting her the ability to scale both rough and smooth walls and ceilings with ease. When tapping into light speed, she gains hyper maneuverability and agile swiftness, enabling her to effortlessly dodge projectiles and perform complex tasks, actions, and attacks in even the most challenging situations and areas. She has complete control over shadows, allowing her to blend into darkness and move unseen, hijack a person's shadow to stealthily eliminate them, create shadowy illusions of herself, and generate tendrils to restrain her foes.

When absorbing both weak and strong light sources, she can accelerate her reflexes, enhance her spatial awareness, and propel herself at incredible velocities. This energy infusion also increases her feline flexibility and grants her perfect balance when navigating treacherous terrain and maintaining stability in intense situations. Furthermore, it amplifies her physical power, allowing her to effortlessly tear apart enemies and smash through medium-sized war machines. As her muscles become infused with the energy of various light sources, her endurance and stamina are boosted, making her highly resistant to fatigue.

She possesses a 17 ft (518.16 cm) aura that can shift between calm and soothing to anxiety-inducing and sinister, allowing her to either comfort or intimidate others at will. She can create a dome of silence, capable of accommodating up to 20 people, which muffles external sounds and distractions. She moves with complete silence and can see through any disguise by tasting a person's saliva or blood. By peering into someone's eyes, she can psychically rummage through their brain's hippocampus, amygdala, and limbic system, catching glimpses of their deepest desires and fears.

After physical contact, she can sense fluctuations in a person's moral character, emotional state, and hostility levels, regardless of the distance between them. She possesses the ability to analyse a person's moral compass and true intentions in a matter of nanoseconds by gazing into their soul. With this insight, she can redistribute karma, punishing the wicked and rewarding the virtuous. By cupping a person's face, she can summon a manifestation of their conscience, forcing them to confront the consequences of their moral choices. She can also manipulate emotions and thoughts to vividly recreate memories from a person's past, bringing their inner demons to life.

Additionally, she has the ability to shatter a person's sense of self and alter her own identity for up to 20 minutes. She possesses the ability to alter her identity by changing her physical features and shifting into one of the faces gruesome­ly etched onto the muscle fibres of her back and front torso. These eerie imprints represent the souls of the victims she has absorbed, both physically and mentally. Furthermore, this power allows her to cheat unnatural death as her body can rapidly reconstruct itself when fatally wounded, reforming into her chosen identity. However, if she extends this identity shift beyond 20 minutes, there's a risk of causing dissociation, which could potentially trap her in an alien identity.

Hobbies: 

Making origami swans, jumping frogs, and lotus flowers, practicing mentalism, scrapbooking, and parkour (As Ruoxi)

Reading books on neuropsychology and Chinese history, visiting local parks at night, completing escape rooms, playing the banhu, and tea-making (As Shufen)

Birdwatching, stealing luxury items, going on expensive cruises with friends, and collecting adult animal onesies and souvenirs from the Netherlands (As Liddy)

Likes: 

Wind chimes, mixing soda drinks, the physical intensity of parkour, and recording dreams in her scrap-booked journal (As Ruoxi)

Deciphering secret messages and codes, watching psychological horror and political thriller movies, the E-Armour that Rumi gave her, extraterrestrial life forms, and isolation tanks (As Shufen)

Books on bird anatomy and psychology, frolicking through tulip fields, peering out of windows, and extravagant things (As Liddy)

Dislikes: 

Engaging in small talk and trivial conversations, her stomach being touched, rape culture, and disorganisation (As Ruoxi)

Being underestimated due to her gender, submerged artificial objects, detrimental mistakes, mindless obedience, and bright lights (As Shufen)

The idea of getting a debilitating illness, obnoxiously loud sounds, empty threats, and homophobia (As Liddy)

Favourite food: Mooncake and dragonfruit (as Ruoxi), jiaozi and herbal tea (as Shufen), and patatje oorlog (as Liddy)

Sexuality: Questioning (as Ruoxi), demiromantic asexual (as Shufen), and sex-indifferent lesbian (as Liddy)

Gender: Female (as Ruoxi and Liddy) and demigirl (as Shufen)

Age: 35 (in 2022), 41 (in 2028), 43 (in 2030), 45 (in 2032), 47 (in 2034), 54 (in 2041), 56 (in 2043), 57 (in 2044), and 60 (in 2047)

Blood type: B+

Weight: 167 lbs. (75 kg)

Design: She’s a 5’ 5” (165.1 cm) American endomorph of Dutch and Chinese descent with a pear-shaped figure, semi-sloping shoulders, and a left eye that has a dark red sheen. She has a smaller bust, a partially rounded midsection, and some of her weight carried in her upper arms and thighs. She has sand-hued skin, dull silver-grey eyes, straight dark brown copper hair, which is occasionally tied into a messy bun, and black freckles scattered across her face and neck. After undergoing experimentation, she now has olive skin, blue-grey eyes, orangish-brown hair with blunt bangs, and reddish freckles. She bears several scars: whip marks on her back; a long cut mark that curves slightly, running down her upper arm; a small slice mark on the right side of her neck, just above the collarbone; and a jagged scar that extends from the left corner of her lip to the centre of her cheek, revealing a hint of her back teeth.

As Shufen, she’s a Chinese mesomorph with a semi-curvaceous body, a sturdy musculature, a subtle roundness of her midsection, and sloping shoulders. She has warm ivory skin, big umber eyes, and curly jet black hair with choppy bangs, which is usually styled in a low ponytail. She has four reddish-brown moles: one below her left eye; one above the right side of her upper lip; and two clustered near the centre of her collarbone. As Liddy, she’s a Dutch ectomorph with a rectangular build, a lean figure, a flat chest, subtle muscles, broad shoulders, and prominent thighs. She has beige skin, sunburst pink-lavender eyes, and shaggy emerald green hair with long, eye-covering bangs, which is sometimes tied into a braid. Shufen and Liddy share the same height, dark red sheen in their left eye, and scars that Ruoxi has.

Her military gear consists of a metal dog tag necklace with Ruoxi’s name, a jet black tank top, and a tomato red cap featuring an emblem of a windmill behind a roaring white tiger's head with an amber eye. She wears a tomato red Harrington jacket, adorned with the embroidered S.P.A.R.R.O.W.S. logo on the back. She dons bittersweet shimmer driving gloves, a leather bandolier slung over her right shoulder, holding 9×19mm Parabellum cartridges for her dual pistols, and black combat boots. A bronze-buckled leather belt secures her knee-length blue-green cargo pants, complete with two triangular hip vents overlaid with a lapis lazuli fishnet panel, revealing a glimpse of her black underwear. Her additional gear consists of a hatchet sheath, a combat knife sheath, and a redwood waist pack, attached to the back of her belt, holding twelve sticks of dynamite. Two drop leg holsters are strapped to her thighs: a left-side holster for her Luger P08 pistol and a right-side holster for her Walther P38 pistol.

Over her tank top, she wears a lapis lazuli ceramic-plated bulletproof vest called E-Armour, which is designed to absorb and dissipate the intense kinetic energy of tank blasts. The vest's advanced, nano-tech infused Kevlar-inspired material provides flexibility and protection. Tactical pouches integrated into the vest's lower hem securely store ammunition for her other firearms. Strategically positioned, reinforced trauma plates—sculpted to mimic toned, muscular contours—fortify the chest and midsection, ensuring critical vital organs remain safeguarded. The Regular Army insignia is emblazoned on the centre of the vest in a non-reflective, matte finish. Complementing the E-Armour vest are articulated lapis lazuli knee, elbow, and shoulder pads. Each features four strategically angled, tungsten-carbide spikes, which are designed to deflect shrapnel and incoming projectiles.

She carries around a redwood load-bearing backpack that contains camping equipment, tactical explosives, portable ammo boxes, a canteen full of water, a thermos full of her herbal tea of choice, a red-violet laptop for codebreaking purposes, a disguise kit, a bazooka, a missile pod, a fire gun, and a banhu. The pockets of her vest carry around her walkie-talkie, a pack of mint gum, and an obsidian lighter. They also hold a keychain that Nadia bought for her during a vacation in Guangzhou, depicting an azure dragon reminiscent of the one on the national flag of China during the Qing dynasty. The dragon encircles the traditional Chinese character for “good fortune”, 福 (fú), in gold.

As Liddy, she swaps out a few pieces of clothing, donning a mauve bomber jacket with red fox fur lining and the S.P.A.R.R.O.W.S. logo on the back, gunmetal grey wristbands, and a steel blue T-shirt. She dons a mauve cap featuring an embroidered design of a male European green woodpecker on the side of a beech tree. Her outfit is completed with a Tyrian purple belt that secures her sky magenta cargo pants, which are tucked into gunmetal grey combat boots. She likes to wear a gold chain necklace with a common kingfisher’s head pendant, a left-handed bracelet with canine teeth-shaped jade beads, and a fuchsia lace choker with pink pearls lining the top edge. Additionally, she always carries a small, jaggedly carved piece of amethyst, a pair of dark purple binoculars, and an assortment of safecracking tools, including a thermal lance and a relocker. Furthermore, she owns two vapes: one with a baby blue exterior, featuring diagonal soft pink stripes and offering a cotton candy flavour; and a second one with a Kelly green exterior, adorned with two paradise pink circles and teardrop-shaped black accents, providing a watermelon kiwi flavour.

Super Devil form: She's an 18 ft (548.64 cm) arachnid entity with a sylph-like, twisting torso, bittersweet shimmer skin, cow-shaped ears, and sixteen arms that range from malnourished to disturbingly muscular. Her entire head is enveloped by forty emerald green serpents, each with glowing mauve eyes. A pair of 3 ft (91.44 cm) wings with jet-black feathers flank the sides of her head, occasionally spasming and flapping. Beneath the serpents lies a blank face, featuring a large mouth with prominent, crooked teeth suited for an omnivorous diet. Her elongated neck resembles a spinal cord, granting her extreme flexibility. Surrounding the base of her neck are two sets of twenty arm-length tendrils, each translucent and blue-green in colour. These tendrils are capable of moving independently and aid in absorbing light.

Her torso is a grotesque, distended abdomen-like structure, featuring a massive ribcage that opens to reveal an organic mass. The organic mass contains numerous faces, each with soulless black eyes, contorted in agonising fear. At its centre lies the flayed head and torso of her original form with pus-filled eyes and the furless forelegs of a tiger placed between her head. The torso transforms to embody her current personality, while her large mouth-eye, which has a dark red sheen, changes colour to match. The colour shifts between silver-grey, umber, and sunburst pink-lavender.

Her back is covered in a black tortoise shell rimmed with actual amber tulip heads. Eight limbs sprout from the costal scutes, each ending in three-fingered bony hands that constantly twitch and flex. She has reptilian legs equipped with blue-grey claws resembling those of a hawk and lapis lazuli footpads similar to a tiger's. A winding, serpentine tail, twice her height, extends from her body, covered in azure carp scales, similar to those on her muscular legs. Two 10 ft (304.8 cm) wings, one a sky magenta on the left and the other a redwood hue on the right, flank the base of her tail, fluttering occasionally. From the base of her tail, a wild tangle of spiky, silky smooth tomato red hair runs along its length, culminating in a tuft shaped like a raging flame.

Personality: Following a traumatic childhood, Ruoxi developed dissociative identity disorder as a coping mechanism, resulting in the creation of two distinct alter egos. Shufen is the primary and most dominant identity, while Liddy emerges at random intervals as the secondary identity. Due to Shufen’s dominance and Liddy's intermittent control, Ruoxi's core personality is considered largely dormant. Due to this, little is known about Ruoxi's personality since people rarely have the chance to interact with her.

However, she’s a polite, gentle, taciturn person who savours the tranquil moments in life and struggles with extreme trust issues. She becomes increasingly anxious around new people and has a tendency to lash out violently when she perceives someone as a threat. Initially, she treats unfamiliar people with a mix of ruthlessness and aloofness, but as they earn her trust, she gradually reveals a more empathetic and tender side. Ruoxi is a self-doubting individual who views small talk and trivial conversations as a waste of time. She has a strong aversion to disorganisation, which frustrates her and impairs her ability to think and function effectively. In addition to her disdain for predators, she also has a strong dislike for individuals who heavily rely on luck, viewing it as unpredictable and untrustworthy.

She experiences a range of symptoms including depersonalization, derealization, the inability to recall personal information, mild depressive episodes, suicidal ideation, and night terrors. She feels powerless over her life, plagued by self-criticism and self-sabotaging tendencies. As a result, Ruoxi frequently withdraws herself from others and turns to alcohol to numb her emotional pain. She has maladaptive daydreaming and struggles with feelings of frustration when others see her as pathetic as she knows she's capable of more than they perceive. Despite her deep longing for love, she paradoxically fears intimacy and avoids close relationships, instead seeking attention and validation through safer, more distant means. She’s oblivious to the fact that Shufen and Liddy are the same person as her and is often perplexed as to why people refer to her as Shufen.

Shufen is a surprisingly intimidating Buddhist, despite her innocent appearance, which makes approaching her challenging. However, she finds it amusing that both friends and foes who are unfamiliar with her are afraid of her. She often smiles as a way to unsettle her foes, creating a false sense of security, while also appearing friendly and welcoming to potential friends. She's intelligent, wisecracking, and quick-thinking, using her intellect to outmaneuver enemies, multitask with ease, and trade witty banter and humorous jokes. With unshakeable confidence, she’s supremely self-assured in her intellect, bravery, and skills as a covert agent, never once doubting her own capabilities. She possesses a strong sense of loyalty and camaraderie towards her comrades and loved ones, and she doesn’t tolerate betrayal lightly, seeking fierce retribution when it occurs.

She's a respectful, compassionate, and watchful listener who only speaks when necessary, unless she's in a talkative mood or directly addressed. She values her friendships and excels at offering emotional support and physical comfort, although she sometimes struggles to provide wise advice and deeply empathetic understanding. She takes sadistic glee in tormenting those who disgust her, and shows no mercy towards enemies and traitors, acting with cold-hearted ruthlessness. Shufen has no qualms about employing any psychological tactic to manipulate others and bend them to her will, even if she intends to discard them once they've outlived their usefulness. Despite this, she’s generally a laid-back person who appreciates the simple things in life, and it takes a lot to test her patience and put her in a bad mood.

She has a strong dislike of superficial people, bigots, detrimental mistakes, mindless obedience, and bright lights, the latter causing discomfort in her left eye. Although she tends to be a lone wolf by nature, she’s surprisingly more receptive to teamwork than Gimlet. Whenever she's bored, she has a habit of blurting out random trivia, disturbing questions, and off-colour jokes. Shufen frequently displays unimaginable fearsomeness, yet ironically has submechanophobia, specifically in relation to shipwrecks and destroyed submarines. To her, these remnants represent a disruption of the ocean's natural beauty. The thought of countless lives lost, with their watercraft destroyed either by enemies or the ocean's own power, is deeply disturbing, depressing, and anxiety-inducing.

She views Gimlet as a younger brother and strives to prevent him from making irrational decisions, while offering emotional support and physical comfort. Aware of his unhealthy romantic and sexual fascination with her, she occasionally playfully and seductively teases him about it. Despite lacking parenting skills, she surprisingly excels as a mother figure to Celaphios, fiercely protecting and nurturing her. She's a close friend of Tequila and values their time together, both during missions and off-duty. She sees him as a wise hero and enjoys listening to his stories.

Rumi is another close friend, and she enjoys discussing everything from their daily experiences to their post-mission plans. However, she deeply worries about Rumi's safety, especially when she’s inadvertently sent into battle. She admires Marco's leadership skills, finds his affection for cats endearing, and is inspired by his stoicism. However, she occasionally finds his emotional reserve concerning and is deeply disturbed by his expressions of suicidal ideation. She knows Liddy, but finds her to be annoyingly persistent and self-absorbed with a focus on maintaining a good reputation.

Liddy is a self-described germaphobe and hypochondriac who has a compulsive habit of washing and sanitising her hands frequently, especially after coming into contact with people and surfaces that may be contaminated with germs. She's a hedonist who admires the luxuries of life and indulges in things she deems extravagant and worthy of her time, but only reveals this side of herself when she's not on the battlefield. She's incredibly skilled at getting what she wants through strategic persuasion, using bribery and subtle manipulation to exploit the emotional vulnerabilities of those around her. She’s proudly lesbian and unapologetically open about her identity, but she has zero tolerance for homophobia and isn't afraid to speak out against it.

She possesses a high self-regard that she doesn't outwardly show, but her bold and assertive nature can sometimes come across as overconfident. She’s sensitive to belittling comments from others, which make her feel insignificant. She’s concerned about maintaining a good reputation among her comrades and friends, fearing that she’ll be viewed unfavourably and potentially abandoned. She tends to act impulsively in high-stakes situations and can be impatient when things move too slowly. Nevertheless, Liddy is a kind and compassionate person who delights in socialising and seeking thrilling experiences. She has a childish and affectionate side, but can quickly shift into serious and ruthless mode when the situation demands it.

She's incredibly stubborn, refusing to concede even when retreat would be the wiser option, driven by a hatred of admitting defeat. She despises boasting, hypocrisy, and empty threats, seeing them as signs of weakness. She enthusiastically shares bird facts, light-hearted jokes, and tales from her adventures. Liddy dislikes being confused with Shufen, preferring to stand on her own merits rather than being compared to a skilled tactical spy based on appearance and behaviour. She finds it amusing that Celaphios confuses her with her mother figure, Shufen, but she embraces it because she finds the young Invader Drone to be adorable and innocent.

She shares a fun-loving connection with Nadia, enjoying missions, shopping sprees, and playful antics together, appreciating her silliness and surprising intellect. She views Fio as a scaredy-cat and frequently teases her, often pranking her with insects and creepy crawlies, much to Fio's dismay. This often results in Eri giving her an earful, Marco intimidating her or Tarma politely but firmly telling her off.

Backstory: Ruoxi Adrichem was born on September 18, 1987 in Beira, Mozambique. She grew up in a tough neighborhood where physical assault, rape, break-ins, robbery, poverty, unemployment, and gang activity were commonplace. Her parents are immigrants from the United States who moved to Mozambique for unknown reasons. father, a Dutch-American, was a member of a local street gang, and her mother, a Chinese-American, financially supported his associates. Ruoxi was frequently molested and guilt-tripped by her father, while her mother physically abused her for any sign of defiance or attempts to escape. She was neglected and emotionally abused, leading to a disorganised attachment to her parents. When occasionally allowed outside, she was restricted to the local park, where other children tormented her for being vulnerable and isolated.

After a drunk stranger assaulted her near the park at just 5 years of age, Ruoxi turned to her imagination as a desperate escape from the unrelenting trauma, finding refuge in fantasy and creativity. This event would also awaken her dormant esper abilities, to which she slowly adjusted and practiced in secret, hiding her progress from her parents. She spent most of her days indoors, where she pursued her hobbies, crafting origami animals and flowers, creating personalised scrapbooks, and honing her skills in magic tricks. Origami, scrapbooking, magic tricks, and daydreaming became her forms of escapism, offering a way to find happiness and momentarily block out the trauma that had become her reality.

After turning 6, she experienced a revelation dream that revealed her esper title, sparking a newfound sense of self-assurance and a desire to enact revenge on her parents. A few months later, once she was confident enough to use her abilities, she forced her parents to confront a manifestation of their conscience before brutally murdering them via shadow manipulation. Following her actions, she grappled with intense feelings of remorse and self-reproach, leading her to hesitate using her abilities against others unless absolutely necessary.

She had finally found freedom, but it was short-lived. Her father's gang soon got involved and kidnapped her. Despite their actions, they refrained from harming her, fearing her esper abilities and status. This fear stemmed from a previous incident where she had forced one member to confront their inner demons and shattered another member's sense of self. They decided to put her up for sale on the black market, desperate to pay off their debts to drug suppliers and weapon traffickers. Ruoxi’s fate was to be sold into human trafficking, transported to a notorious red-light district in Hong Kong. She was exploited by those who would take advantage of her, and her pimp would exert power over her through coercive and abusive means on a regular basis. She would spiral into alcoholism and escape into daydreams as reality became overwhelming.

To cope with the trauma, she dissociated and developed two distinct alter egos. Shufen Wei Du embodied her confident and assertive side, allowing her to confront those who had hurt her and others, while also embracing a more carefree and open approach to life, leveraging her street smarts and academic intellect. In contrast, Lydia Muyskens, also known as Liddy, represented a childlike innocence lost too soon, but now tinged with a deep-seated fear of contamination, manifesting as germophobia and compulsive hand-washing.

When experiencing a dissociative episode as Shufen, she utilised stealth and extreme measures to break free from her captors. For the next couple of years, she survived on the streets, relying on her cunning wit, stealth skills, and intimidating presence to get what she needed and command fear from others. During this time, Ruoxi’s core personality became largely dormant, while Shufen emerged as the dominant alter ego with Liddy occasionally surfacing to assert her intermittent control.

As Shufen's influence expanded, she embraced Buddhist teachings, cultivated an appreciation for life's simple joys, and explored new intellectual pursuits in neuropsychology and cryptography. Shufen would teach herself to speak Afrikaans, Portuguese, Swahili, Cantonese, Mandarin Chinese, and Dutch. In contrast, Liddy revelled in a life of hedonism, stealing luxury goods, cultivating a thrill-seeking attitude, and prowling through high-end shops that caught her eye. Liddy would also develop a deep fascination with birds and begin exploring her sexual identity.

People fearfully referred to her as "Red Eye”, a nickname that Shufen herself adopted because of its ominous tone, which she liked. The Regular Army had heard rumours of a young esper roaming Hong Kong and were determined to find her. After saving a group of urban troops battling a terrorist group in her Super Devil form, the Regular Army discovered her identity as the elusive Hong Kong esper. Recognizing her potential, they welcomed her into their orphan program at the age of 12. They provided her with comprehensive support, including therapy, nutrition, clothing, and secure accommodations in Mauritius, while fostering personal growth by encouraging each personality to explore diverse interests, such as parkour and ornithology. The Regular Army aided in fostering new skills in each personality, such as interrogation techniques for Ruoxi and safecracking for Liddy, as they aimed to mould her into a formidable tactical spy.

By age 19, she was accepted into the Intelligence Agency, where her covert agent skills flourished, distinguishing her from her peers and culminating in her promotion to warrant officer. She has successfully completed numerous missions, earning a reputation that inspires awe and strikes fear into the hearts of her comrades and adversaries.

She had heard numerous stories about Tequila and aspired to emulate his excellence as a covert agent. At 21, she crossed paths with him while supporting his mission against a corrupt French regime that sought to commit genocide against people of colour. Following a trip to Mount Kilimanjaro, where she taught him to play the banhu, they formed a strong bond. However, Tequila found it challenging to connect with Ruoxi due to her anxiety around unfamiliar individuals. Initially, he was hesitant to befriend Liddy, perceiving her as immature and materialistic. Nevertheless, after a birdwatching excursion in Sri Lanka, he warmed up to her and they became friends. Following the dismantling of a rogue military organisation that had collaborated with the Pipovulaj Army for nefarious purposes, the Intelligence Agency established the S.P.A.R.R.O.W.S. unit, appointing her and Tequila as its founding members.

Sometime after Tequila befriended Donald Morden, Red Eye met Morden when he visited the Intelligence Division to personally meet her, whom Tequila had fondly told him about. At the time, they were decent friends, and she accompanied him on a couple of missions, impressed by his charisma and firm respect towards his soldiers.

Three years prior to the Arms Deal Barrage, Red Eye encountered Rumi stranded on the battlefield in Arizona, carrying a bag full of supplies for her team. She rescued Rumi from a sinking submarine, but at the cost of watching the others drown and burn to death, which would later develop into submechanophobia. Out of gratitude, Rumi repaid Red Eye by gifting her the E-Armour, a newly produced bulletproof vest designed to withstand the kinetic energy of tank blasts. Over a cup of herbal tea at a pleasant cafe in Gerhardt City, Red Eye and Rumi bonded and became surprisingly good friends.

Red Eye would occasionally observe Gimlet from afar, and Tequila would often fill her in on his latest antics. Due to her demanding schedule of covert operations, she hadn't had the chance to meet Gimlet until just a year before the Arms Deal Barrage. When they finally met, they spent hours discussing their hopes for the future, sharing stories of past missions, and enjoying laughs together over drinks. This encounter sparked a strong bond, and Red Eye came to regard Gimlet as a younger brother. Ruoxi would frequently avoid Gimlet due to the bad vibes she got from him. In contrast, Liddy would often coax him into joining her on thrill-seeking adventures, and they would get into mischief together.

She met Marco, Eri, Tarma, and Fio a couple of years after the Arms Deal Barrage and befriended them, drawn to their intriguing dynamic as a team of eccentric soldiers. Red Eye became Marco's second best friend after he stepped out of his comfort zone to connect with others in the Regular Army, bonding with her over shared laughs, despite his signature awkwardness. Liddy discovered Fio's limitations as a fighter and her intense fear of bugs, often teasing her until Eri intervened with verbal aggression. Initially, Ruoxi took time to warm up to the group, but Tarma's calm demeanour, Marco's gentle nature, Eri's empathy, and Fio's kind-hearted politeness helped her open up faster than usual.

Two years after the Central Park bombing, Red Eye began dating Colonel Tender, having developed a strong emotional connection with him after he helped her in a previous mission. They had rescued hostages from an unethical laboratory involved in illegal weaponry and human experiments. Initially, they were on good terms, but their relationship took a dark turn. While Ruoxi was practicing her mentalism, Colonel Tender revealed his true nature and attempted to murder her out of jealousy, driven by his longstanding desire to surpass her exceptional covert skills and eliminate the obstacle standing in the way of his own success. This traumatic event triggered her dissociation, and she switched to Red Eye. Red Eye was appalled by his actions and fought back against him, successfully defending herself. However, he fled the next day, stealing sensitive Regular Army documents on special operations and weapons, and defected to the Rebel Army.

During the Great Morden War, Red Eye captured Colonel Tender on a moving freight train after he attempted to push her off and escape. Cornered, he begged for forgiveness, kneeling before her and apologising for his betrayal of the Regular Army and the pain he caused her. However, Red Eye, unforgiving, snapped his neck and then shot him in the heart to ensure his demise. Later, when captured by Rebel Army forces and subjected to brutal torture, General Morden promised her that she would serve a greater purpose in an enhanced form, just like Tequila and Gimlet. Following her execution in front of Marco and Tarma, her body was sent to Doctor Amadeus, who revived her as a semi-clone of Fio, drastically altering her existence.

Reworked Species #3: Invaders

Overview

Their scientific name is Deinocarnifex (meaning “terrible butcher”). Despite being referred to as the Venusians due to their origin on Venus, many people call them Invaders because of their aggressive thirst for conquest. An extremely hostile insectoid alien species, led by their asexually reproducing king, the Invader King, possesses shapeshifting abilities and omnilinguistic skills. They possess exceptional expertise in terraforming, warfare, territorial invasions, xenology, anatomy, and mechanics. They’re notorious for being the most ferocious alien species in the entire universe and are the arch-nemesis of the Martians.

Hierarchy

Their society is entirely hive-based with ranks determined by skin colour, durability, and intellectual capacity. Most Invaders are born from cocoons in hive-like structures within their meteorite-like mothership, having their abilities and roles predetermined at birth.

Heaven Globules (Deinocarnifex thauma) are the knowledgeable and dangerous hybrid offspring of Invader Drones and another life form. Surprisingly, they possess superior mental and physical strength compared to their brethren and exhibit exceptional abilities, including vocal communication, strategic thinking, psychological manipulation, a mystical connection to the cosmos, and an understanding of arcane, forbidden knowledge. Due to their fearsome reputation as heralds and guardians of the Invader King and his offspring, they operate independently from the rest of the Invaders.

Morph Changers (Deinocarnifex grallator) are tactical geniuses, skilled mechanics, and masters of stealth and terraforming technology. Despite being fully mute, they communicate effectively through a combination of gurgling sounds, raspy breathing, and expressive body language. Serving as loyal fighting servants of the Heaven Globules, they possess small fragments of forbidden knowledge graciously shared by their masters. As commanders of the Parasites and Invader Drones, they typically employ cunning tactical strategies that exploit the weaknesses of their enemies. They only resort to brute force and half-baked strategy plans when situations become truly dire or all else fails.

Elite Invaders (Deinocarnifex volans) are comprised of Invader Drones that serve as the elite troops of the Invader forces, commanders of the Parasites, and supporters of the Morph Changers in identifying enemy positions and coordinating attacks.

Ravenous Invaders (Deinocarnifex venator) are comprised of Invader Drones that serve multiple purposes: food foragers, protectors of their own kind, and operators of their war machines.

Grub Invaders (Deinocarnifex ambulus) are comprised of Invader Drones that serve as the foot soldiers of the Invader forces and the progenitors of the Heaven Globules. Despite exhibiting bestial and cannibalistic behaviour, they possess a surprising capacity for operating heavy machinery and interacting socially with more advanced species. Like all Invader Drones, they emit a diverse range of vocalisations, including chirps, purrs, chatters, hisses, growls, screeches, and howls.

Parasites (Deinocarnifex mimos) are responsible for assuming control over other life forms to aid in intergalactic conquests and harvesting the internal organs of their hosts, which are then utilised as sustenance for newborn Invaders. They emit a cacophony of unsettling sounds, including screeching shrieks, guttural growls, and ear-piercing, high-pitched hisses.

Appearance

Each Invader breed has gooey dark violet blood, which strangely tastes like grape soda laced with a metallic, iron-like taste.

Heaven Globules are androgynous Invaders that initially appear as gelatinous, amorphous purplish-black blobs, roughly the size of a newborn giraffe, shrouded in dusty clouds that pulsate with a faint greenish-yellow glow. The heralds are 26 ft (792.48 cm) warty, liquidy spheres of sparkling, pearlescent purple, featuring a vertical slit mouth adorned with writhing, glossy black tendrils that resemble teeth. The guardians resemble 23 ft (701.04 cm) greyish-pink slugs, their scaly bodies flecked with black and gold, and covered in bulbous, acid-filled sores that secrete black and yellow bile. They have pus-filled eyes, a mouth like a sea lamprey's, maroon hook-like teeth, and flexible, rubbery appendages.

Morph Changers are bipedal, skeletal beings with translucent, gloomy flesh and jutting purplish veins. They have a towering stature with females reaching 13’ 1” (947.42 cm) and males standing at an impressive 13’ 7” (962.66 cm). Females sport four sagging, pallid breasts and sylph-like bodies, while males are born with muscular physiques and no visible bosom. Males have a penis-like organ resembling a frilly slug that folds upward against their abdomen, while females have feminine genitalia but are unable to reproduce. Their greyish-green forearms and lower legs are covered in spikes, and their hands and feet end in sharp iron claws and talons. Their humanoid heads are sickly pale and hairless with two orbits that house deep-set myrtle green eyes with glowing amaranth red pupils and yellowish sclera. Both sexes have long, forked tongues covered in corrosive saliva and pharyngeal jaws with carnivorous teeth.

Males boast a gold-speckled, emerald-hued proboscis, resembling a tongue, which serves dual purposes: enticing potential mates and defending against threats. It can become rigid, enabling it to pierce through skin and bone with ease, and is adorned with microscopic spikes and snapping teeth. Their segmented tails feature a silver-grey blade and a coppery sheen, stretching twice their height, and are used for impaling victims with deadly precision. On the back, a pseudo-parasite is fused to their skin and exoskeleton, resembling a humanoid-reptilian hybrid with a skull melted to a chest, skin flaps on its head, and clawed fingers and lizard-like legs. This parasite houses a dead heart and intestinal tendrils, with one connecting to the skull's mouth like a breathing apparatus.

Invader Drones are 8' 10" (269.24 cm) anthropomorphic, toad-like aliens characterised by four rows of canine teeth, a prehensile tail that extends down to their ankles, and a rock-hard exoskeleton. They possess a chameleon-like tongue covered in translucent greyish-green mucus and microscopic, hook-like spikes. Their glowing eyes are sensory compound organs, comprising fifty individual lenses and a prominent circular lens with a slit white pupil. Their bulbous, oversized heads and backs are covered in gnarled warts, and their fingers and toes tipped with razor-sharp iron claws and talons. They have elongated limbs with three slender fingers and frog-like feet that both have translucent webbing.

They have malachite-hued bones coated in a protective layer of Tyrian purple slime, and their spine is partially jutting from the skin of their back. In place of traditional organs, their torso harbours a diverse array of grotesque, mutated locusts, beetles, slugs, worms, centipedes, and caterpillars, intricately integrated to perform essential functions: energy replenishment, digestion and nutrition, and waste management. Their muscle fibres and jade-coloured brain exhibit a rippling, scaly texture and glow with a soft, xanthous luminescence.

The predominant males have a flexible, white translucent phallus with pale blue veins, concealed within a purplish-black duct containing two circular testes. The uncommon females possess a large pink lavender organ resembling a plant bulb, complete with pale blue veins and up to one hundred small, unfertilised tangerine-hued eggs lining the womb.

Elite Invaders (Deinocarnifex volans): They have tan-peach skin, mossy green warts, metallic pink eyes, and iridescent dragonfly wings with jade ribbing. Their hands, toes, tongues, and three forearm stripes are rosy brown, while their webbing is tinted jade.

Ravenous Invaders (Deinocarnifex venator): They have pink-hued skin, lavender warts, and metallic purple eyes. Ravenous Invaders who are born with natural flight possess iridescent dragonfly wings with turquoise ribbing. Their hands, toes, tongues, and two forearm stripes are blue-green, while their webbing is tinted lavender.

Grub Invaders (Deinocarnifex ambulus): They have grey-hued skin, silvery warts, and bronze-hued eyes with metallic red flecks. Ravenous Invaders who are born with natural flight possess iridescent dragonfly wings with maroon ribbing. Their hands, toes, tongues, and forearm stripes are crimson, while their webbing is tinted silver-grey. A rare, all-female subset of Grub Invaders exist with the warts, webbing, and wings characteristic of males, pearlescent white skin, coppery eyes with metallic blue flecks, and Byzantine purple accents on their hands, toes, tongues, and forearm stripes. However, they're considered to be birth defects and are often exploited as mere commodities for sexual reproduction or cannon fodder.

Among the Invader race, there exist two specialised subsets of Parasites: the Flying Parasites and the Controllers. The Flying Parasites are pill bug-like octopuses with rusty orange skin and the size of two baby human heads. They have eight stretchy tendrils tipped with sharp points and three beady compound eyes of sparking sky blue, encircled by crimson. They also have elvish ears, a light purple sheen, an oval-shaped mouth filled with thick anglerfish teeth, pointed tongues, and tentacle-like mandibles.

Controllers resemble the Flying Parasites in appearance but are significantly larger, measuring around the size of four adult human heads. They have an umbilical cord, a dark purple sheen, pincer-like mandibles, and three thin eyestalks supporting cardinal red eyes outlined with ultramarine.

Abilities

They can assimilate the powers and traits of creatures by consuming their blood, brains, and hearts, which enhances the collective strength and fertility of their swarm-like army. All Invaders can utilise echolocation to track targets, perceive electromagnetic fields surrounding living beings, and see in complete darkness using a non-visual sense that detects air pressure vibrations. They can hear the unique resonant frequency of living beings and tune into electromagnetic frequencies, eavesdropping on radio transmissions and sensing energy fields. Their smell allows them to identify the chemical composition of substances and emotions of those around them. They’re able to taste biological fluids of others and environmental conditions, sensing pollution, toxins, and other hazards.

The Heaven Globule heralds can vomit forth intestinal maggots, which are orangish-white in colour, and spew inflamed blood and noxious gases that cause illusions. The Heaven Globule guardians can produce a disease-causing slime that resembles boiling lava, which flows from their bodies naturally.

Morph Changers can transform into humans and animals they can visually remember by manipulating their DNA structure and organic mass. They can dodge projectiles with ease and navigate tight spaces with uncanny agility and extreme hypermobility. They perceive their surroundings through a unique electroreceptive system, where electrical impulses generated by their brain and hypersensitive neurons serve as a substitute for traditional vision. This bio-electric interface also enables them to connect with technology, granting the ability to hack into computer systems and remotely control mechanical devices. They can spit corrosive acid and unleash heat rivalling that of the sun, causing worldwide temperatures to soar.

The limbs of Invader Drones can extend up to 8 ft (243.84 cm) to capture prey or aid in delivering crushing blows to enemies with a spinning headbutt. They can spin their bodies at hypersonic speeds, then ricochet off hard surfaces to smash foes, while deflecting bullets and blades. Additionally, they can spawn greyish-green maggots that approach enemies, expand, and change their skin into a bright red-orange hue before detonating in a lethal blast of acid. Winged Invader Drones can launch unguided purplish-white plasma balls and regurgitate centipede-like larvae that infect hosts, manipulating their brain functions. This infection zombifies hosts, causing their bodily fluids to transform into a gooey, scorching reddish liquid, and granting them the ability to burrow underground.

Parasites can float endlessly and extract the internal organs and life force of living creatures through small, hidden suction orifices on the underside of their flexible tendrils, leaving their victims a desiccated husk. To exert mind control, they attach themselves to their hosts' brains, sealing their vacuum holes and revealing a secondary set of orifices. Through these openings, their veins infiltrate the hosts' brains, circulating a neon purple fluid that gently constricts the skin, causing it to discolour to a bluish-purple hue.

The umbilical cord of a Controller features this unique orifice at its tip, enabling control over victims within a range of 10-13 feet (304.8-396.24 cm). Besides causing bluish-purple skin discoloration, this control mechanism induces a distinctive visual effect: the host's eyes become glazed over with a foggy, opaque white film.

Technology

Like the Martians, their technology is extremely advanced, but it’s primarily organic in nature with little to no mechanical components. They’re based entirely on expertise in the manipulation of plasma and gravitational fields, terraforming, and mechanics. Their technology features a unique blend of elements, including mesmerising line patterns, lasers, cannons, glowing crystals, fiery meteorites, flexible adamant, and grotesque cocoons. Their technology incorporates bioweapons, neon pink goo, fleshy orifices, and stolen technology from other invaded planets. It also features tubular, fleshy prisons encased in a glassy film, filled with a pain-numbing, sleep-inducing slimy green fluid.

Their meteorite-like mothership, Rlyathok, resembles the artistic depiction of Utsuro-bune by Nagahashi Matajirou, and it's made from adamant given to them by the Monoeyes, fleshy tissue, gold bones, unbreakable crystal, a reddish binding substance akin to tree resin, and tungsten. It’s capable of terraforming itself into a subterranean nest upon impact with a planet's surface, allowing it to anchor itself and establish a stronghold. It can deploy oblong spaceships crafted from dark adamant, adorned with silvery exotic line patterns and oval-shaped crystals that radiate a lime green glow. These vessels are launched from the mothership to targeted locations, facilitating swift deployment of Invader troops.

The Ecylatroch, also known as the Hunter Walkers, are fish-like anti-personnel creatures with sparkling Cambridge blue scales, a bluish-white belly, an oval-shaped body, and four spidery legs. They have a single cyclopean blue-grey eye in the centre of their body, just below their large mouth, which is infested with crooked, carnivorous teeth. When on the ground, they spit out slimy purple bubbles containing extreme toxins that cause severe burns upon impact. When on the ceiling, they drop their eye down towards their enemies, which then explodes into a blast of corrosive acid once it has landed, and their eye regenerates at an unnatural rate after this attack.

The Pnidlathrov, also known as the Mutated Hunter Walkers, are larger versions of their smaller counterparts, possessing thick skin that renders them impervious to any weapon, except for their weak point: their cyclopean bluish-purple eye. Their Cambridge blue scales have a silver-grey sheen, and they possess two new abilities: rapidly spitting out flying greenish-white meteorite bombs and summoning Invader troops as backup for support.

The Wyovanis, also known as the Smashers, are crab-like creatures with a brick red exoskeleton, a single daffodil-hued eye, four coppery legs covered in prickly burgundy hairs at the joints, and a chubby orangish-white belly with light grey spots. They fly by spinning their legs like helicopter rotors and attack by inflating their body, hardening their skin, and crushing their target with immense force, capable of breaking bone.

The Ghaprylomi, also known as the Space Mole Crickets, are earth-burrowing, anthropoid-like creatures that once belonged to an unknown alien race that inhabited Mercury. Having been integrated into Invader technology, they now play a vital role in facilitating planetary terraforming. They have a shiny, centipede-like dark grey shell that's semi-soft, a cyclopean ruby crystal eye for illumination and enemy detection, and gilded, spoon-shaped pincers for digging. When an enemy is spotted, they charge their body, glowing yellowish-white, and then rush at the enemy, exploding into a blast of fire and poisonous gas. Despite their limited armour, they are incredibly mobile and agile.

The Crynkhogu, also known as the Crab Tanks, are organic, crab-like duck teal weapon tanks with purplish-white bellies, silvery two industrial tubes protruding from their sides, eight spider-like legs that terminate in bony, three-fingered hands, and a glowing sky blue crystal eye. They're capable of firing sea purple bolts of electricity from the tubular nodules on their head. When opening their turquoise-flecked carapace, they can release shiny, bouncing balls of boiling azure blue blood that separate into three smaller bubbles. Additionally, they can jump to dodge enemy attacks and release a yellowish-green poisonous gas from their two silvery nodules when their electricity is charging for a couple of minutes.

The Vadiphoz, also known as the Vanguards, are modified sage green Crab Tanks, featuring a flexible, thick dark blue spinal cord connecting the head to the body, two gilded industrial tubes on their sides, a glowing violet crystal eye, and yellowish-white bellies and tentacles. These two tentacles are positioned atop their carapace, each ending in a built-in laser gun tipped with a violet crystal. They can fire circular greenish-white lasers from these guns and huge, spinning oval-shaped blasts from their cyclopean eye.

The Zodematikhus, also known as the Invader UFOs, are uniquely shaped aircraft composed of silver-coated flesh, crewed by Invader Drones, and offer minimal armour protection. Grub Invaders pilot UFOs that feature a single encircling rusty orange stripe above a glowing crimson half-sphere, capable of shooting slow-moving reddish-white plasma balls. Ravenous Invaders pilot UFOs that display two encircling light cyan stripes above a glowing lavender half-sphere, firing medium-speed purplish-white plasma balls. Elite Invader pilot UFOs that boast three encircling emerald-hued stripes above a glowing hot pink half-sphere, shooting fast-moving pinkish-white plasma balls.

The Faloxurvi, also known as the Flying Cores, are gravitational cores that unleash a rapid barrage of green plasma bullets with swift precision. They also possess telekinetic abilities, allowing them to lift and hurl surrounding large objects at their enemies. When enraged, the lime green glow of the crystals transforms to a red-orange, and the Flying Core begins to discharge intense blasts of electric fire.

The Telunohka, also known as the Flying Shelts, are colossal, brain-like flying entities adorned with jade-hued crystals that pulsate with a vibrant lime green glow. They’re capable of launching fiery meteors from four eye-like hatches and executing suicide dives on enemy targets. The hatches are composed of steel-coated fleshy tissues, while the main body is constructed from virtually indestructible adamant.

The Kydathriom, also known as the Brain Robot, is a mechanical entity formerly belonging to the Martians, who referred to it as Peparhuvi. Now, it experiences sorrow due to its isolation from other Invaders. It deeply misses the Martians, who treated it with genuine respect. Its creators hold it in high esteem for being a successful commander of the Ring Laser Mechas. Although it could easily disobey the Invaders, it actively chooses not to, fearing it would be reduced to scrap and have its programming completely rewritten to serve future invasions. When enraged, it exhibits a characteristic behaviour of stomping the ground and wildly flailing its arms.

This robot is controlled by an artificial greyish-green brain, meticulously stored within a crystalline glass dome filled with an orangish liquid for protection and preservation. The brain features metallic blue eyes grotesquely fused to its underside via branching white nerves. Utilising its brainpower, the robot can launch homing electric balls and, upon crouching, release a wave of electricity. Additionally, its mechanical claws enable it to crush, lift, and toss objects with precision.

Goals and beliefs

Their main goal is to assimilate all life forms throughout the universe into their empire, enhancing their prospects for survival, military prowess, technological advancement, and collective intellectual expertise until their eventual extinction. The Invaders are resolute in their determination to exterminate the Martians, assimilating their advanced technology and documentation of their expertise into their own culture. They also desire to exploit their corpses for sustenance and transformation into super soldiers, rendering their army nearly indestructible.

They’re staunch colonisers, believing it’s their divine duty to subjugate other races through conquest, cultural assimilation, and physical absorption. As a militaristic society, they place a heavy emphasis on developing strong militant capabilities through technological advancements and rigorous training, pushing the boundaries of both mind and physical body. Furthermore, they believe in utilising their military prowess aggressively to expand their empire and satiate their insatiable need for conquest.

They view themselves as the superior species, believing they should be the only ones to exist in the universe. They regard other life forms as unworthy of existence and utterly pathetic, needing to be assimilated to serve the Invaders’ perceived greatness. Surprisingly, the only life forms they hold in immense respect are the Monoeyes, whom they view as divine heralds of the deities and the lost Tuatha Dé Danann race. In contrast, they deeply despise the Martians, resenting their frequent successes against their conquests as well as their relatively peaceful nature and sustainable approach to resource management.

They believe in the necessity of constant expansion and conquest to ensure their basic survival and dominance. They glorify violence and sexual intercourse, viewing them as interconnected with their subjugation of other species and the exploitation of resources to expand their empire. Invaders think that bloodshed is necessary for psychological satisfaction and the improvement of predatory instincts and physical strength. They hold the Invader King as the ultimate source of life and unity for their society, performing violent bloodsports and sacrifices in his name.

They believe themselves to be part of a vast, cosmic network in which all deities, including the Invader King, guide their fates and destinies through the principles they represent. Additionally, they believe these deities facilitate the advent of a new era, marked by a technological and biological singularity. Furthermore, they believe in the eternal cycle of destruction and rebirth where chaos and devastation pave the way for new life and evolution. Invaders see their conquests and wars as necessary catalysts for this cycle, bringing about transformative renewal from the ashes of what they have deliberately destroyed.

Iron Eclipse Tarma Moodboard

Conversing with divine greatness

The Stone Turtle lies abandoned, a crumbling shadow of its former glory. The Gaia Elephant stands forsaken, left to rust and burn amidst flickering flames. Ptolemaios and his once-magnificent, human-made divine tower now succumbs to decay, silently waiting to be reclaimed by nature's relentless grasp. Meanwhile, Marco, Eri, Tarma, and Fio have fully prepared themselves for their final challenge in this arduous journey. Sweat-drenched and bloodstained, their faces set with determination, adrenaline coursing through their veins. Eri orders her team of fellow deserters from the Ptolemaic Army to eliminate the last remnants of the terrorist cult. Without hesitation, they set out to carry out her command.

Behind them, an enigmatic, inverted pyramid pulses with a subtle blue glow, its surface etched with ancient symbols that refuse to yield their secrets. The heroes approach cautiously, eager to leave the tower's lofty peak behind and return to the familiarity of Sparrowhawk Operations Base. But as they draw nearer, a malevolent presence suddenly envelops them, shattering the utter silence. The grey clouds tear apart, unveiling a pitch-black sky. Thunder ominously booms and crackles, accompanied by flashes of electric blue lightning that slice through the darkness. The atmosphere thickens with an air of profound dread and a deep-seated desire to confront the darkest roots of humanity's wickedness.

Emerging from the darkness, a gargantuan entity with bat-like wings, wild hair, razor-sharp claws, and pointed elbows stands before the elite soldiers of the P.F. Squad and S.P.A.R.R.O.W.S. special forces, exuding an aura of deafening authority. A writhing flame, shaped like a human skull, protrudes ominously from the behemoth's chest, casting a vacant stare. The entity's glowing red eyes pierce through every fibre of the soldiers' beings as they loom over them. Its pitch-black body is illuminated by the soft glow of nighttime blue and sparkling stars. The entity's right hand grasps a gigantic reaper, its disturbingly organic form seeming to twist and writhe like it has a sentient mind of its own.

A fierce battle erupts between the colossal behemoth and Marco and his three companions, who unleash a hail of bullets into its skull and strategically lob bombs at it. With each hit, the skull flashes a fiery orange, betraying the entity's silent agony. The behemoth retaliates with devastating energy spheres that can incinerate flesh and cloth upon contact. As it shifts into its shadow form, it raises its scythe, unleashing a deadly spray of arcing smoke projectiles that explode upon impact with the stone ground. The entity alternates between this attack and its energy spheres, creating a mediocre battle rhythm that makes the best efforts of the brave soldiers fighting to take it down feel surprisingly easy. Despite their valiant efforts, Marco and his friends can't shake the feeling that the entity is merely toying with them, its true power waiting to be unleashed.

They continue to exchange blows until the behemoth unexpectedly halts its attack on Marco, Eri, Tarma, and Fio. The four elite soldiers cease firing and bombing, lowering their weapons as they catch their breath. The entity unleashes a deep, echoing chuckle, its large hands gripping the rim of the tower. This surprises Marco and his friends, as they never thought the behemoth capable of producing such human-like sounds.

“Mmmmmmm… I am struck by the profound shock of being in the presence of four militant mortals. Unbeknownst to you all, I secretly observe you and the activities of other humans from a distance too great for any person to reach. I must applaud you all for putting up a successful defence. You have truly shown me your capabilities as defenders of Earth,” the behemoth speaks with remarkable eloquence and fluency.

Their voice loudly echoes in the minds of Marco, Eri, Tarma, and Fio, creating a sense of relaxation intertwined with uncertain fear. Lingering whispers are layered over its deep, smoothly masculine voice, which carries a potent hint of the demonic. Marco gives the entity a serious look, while Fio partially hides behind Tarma and Eri readies a grenade, gripping it tightly.

"Who are you? What's your purpose?" Marco's voice is laced with a deadly seriousness as he questions them.

“Ahhhh… I knew you were going to try to gather precious information about me. I am the apotheosis of humanity. I am the duality of life and destruction. I am the empowerment of raw emotion. I am the wielder of the Life Reaper, taking the souls of the deceased or those who dare to wrongfully challenge me. I remain nameless, yet I'm known by many monikers. The remaining Pseudo-Incan tribe believe I am Supay, their god of death and the mighty ruler of Ukhu Pacha. Some call me the Dark Lord, while others refer to me as the Deity of Fear. However, I'm often referred to as the Avatar of Evil. Ptolemaios and his terrorist paramilitary cult, who sought to exploit me in their quest for global domination and control over all realities and timelines, demonstrated a startling lack of foresight. They cannot comprehend the essence of my true purpose. However, you four are understanding, gifted with the inner workings of foresight. You have all witnessed things that surpass human comprehension,” the entity spoke with deliberate care, clearly impressed by the strawberry blonde Marco’s stoic demeanour.

“Like the Martians, Mutated Soldiers, and Man Eaters?” Tarma curiously asks, his eyebrow arched in inquiry, as he lowers his dual heavy machine guns, their barrels dipping slightly.

“Indeed, Tarmicle. You four possess the capacity to face the unknown, even when it deeply terrifies you. This is a remarkable achievement in itself. War, criminality, and terrorism are one realm, but the celestial is an entirely different domain,” the Avatar of Evil responds, its gaze sweeping across the group as it gently raises an index finger, then lowers it to the ground.

Tarma gives the entity an utterly surprised look, feeling a tad concerned about how it knows his true name. This sparks a mental alarm in Marco and Fio, who can't help but wonder if the Avatar of Evil is also aware of their real names. Despite being impressed by its words, they remain on high alert, unsure of what this entity truly wants from them. Marco and his friends exchange glances of uncertainty among themselves before Eri bravely steps forward.

“What the fuck do you want from us?” Eri demands, her voice venomous, her brow furrowing slightly as she confronts the Avatar of Evil.

The Avatar of Evil lets out a few low, menacing chuckles, clearly amused by Eri's use of profanity as it flexes its fingers, “Your crass attitude never fails to impress me, Chizuko.”

Eri's eyes narrow into a snarl, tempting her to lash out at the supposed deity of the Ptolemaic Army for uttering her birth name. However, she knows it's futile, so she remains silent, her gaze fixed on the behemoth with a cold, cautious intensity.

“Nevertheless, there is nothing I want from you mere mortals. The only things I require are a small portion of your time and some patience,” the Avatar of Evil proclaims with a sense of boldness, breaking the awkward silence.

Everyone is skeptical of the Avatar of Evil, yet they reluctantly comply with its wishes without a murmur of dissent.

“Let us speak like civilised creatures, shall we?” it mutters, leaning forward slightly, its eyes glow with intrigue and ferocity.

“Like what?” Fio asks in a voice that's sweet and gentle with a hint of nervousness.

The Avatar of Evil strokes its chin thoughtfully, lost in deep contemplation as it searches for a fascinating topic to discuss. Meanwhile, the brave soldiers wait patiently, each finding ways to cope with the tense silence. Tarma lights a cigarette with his silver lighter, while Fio clutches Peppino and caresses her greyish-brown teddy bear for comfort. Marco pulls out a faded photograph from the left breast pocket of his vest, then gazes up at the darkened sky with a hint of melancholy. Beside him, Eri takes a long swig from her flask of vodka, her right foot tapping impatiently. After a couple of minutes, the Avatar of Evil conjures up a clever topic of interest. It tilts its head to the left, clasping its clawed hands together as it rests its chin on them.

“What are your thoughts on morality, war, and the cycle of life and death?” the Avatar of Evil asks suddenly, its voice dripping with intrigue.

It seeks to uncover the elite soldiers' unique perspectives, driven by an insatiable desire to know. Marco, Eri, Tarma, and Fio exchange dumbfounded glances, their faces etched with intrigue as they stare at the Avatar of Evil. Tarma scratches the back of his head, lost in thought, while Fio gazes up at the blackened sky. Marco's serious expression remains unchanged, but Eri lets out a scoff, tucking her flask of vodka away.

“So… You want us to wax philosophical or something?” Eri replies, her voice tinged with bewilderment, utterly taken aback by the unexpected question.

The Avatar of Evil remains silent, its piercing gaze fixed intently on the elite soldiers as they await their responses.

“Tsk… Fine! We'll answer your stupid question,” Eri says with a heavy sigh, rolling her eyes in exasperation.

Tarma exhales a stream of cigarette smoke, then speaks up, casting curious glances at his friends as he seeks their thoughts on the Avatar of Evil's question, "Who should go first?"

“Mmmmm…” the Avatar of Evil murmurs, its gaze shifting to Marco, the leader of the brave soldiers, as it suggests, “How about Marchrius?”

Marco remains quiet as the Avatar of Evil calls out his real name, but he's poised to respond to its question. His glass eye feels slightly cold against his socket, and his heart rate quickens as he anticipates his social awkwardness kicking in. His dull turquoise eye flickers briefly to Tarma, seeking reassurance, and his queerplatonic friend responds with an encouraging thumbs up.

Marco cleared his throat awkwardly, then replied in a stoic tone, “From what I've learned, morality, war, and concepts of life and death are pretty subjective. They've always been open to interpretation, right? If you're that interested, I’ll share my personal thoughts on these topics…”

He exhales a deep sigh, collecting his thoughts as he composes himself to articulate his views with clarity.

"Uh, so, personally, I lean towards consequentialism—you know, where our actions are judged by their consequences? It seems logical that we should prioritise not hurting people and focus on maximising overall welfare. Over, you know, personal gain. I mean, it's just basic moral math, right? Do what benefits the most people, considering, hypothetically, everyone's fully informed and rational preferences… Yeah," he explains, pacing slightly back and forth, as he outlines his personal views on the subjective concept of morality.

He lifts his head, meeting the Avatar of Evil's glowing red gaze, and continues in a steady voice, initially tinged with awkwardness, but growing more confident.

“War, huh? So, I've come to think that all conflicts might ultimately lead to humanity's unified strength. Perhaps our past wars are stepping stones to one final, decisive showdown that demands global cooperation. Which, theoretically, could totally transform society and usher in an era free from violence, hatred, and corruption. On a sombre note… Mortality inevitably prevails. Moreover, many organisms possess a troubling capacity for destruction, often surpassing their creative potential when unchecked,” his final thoughts are laced with a strong hint of pessimism, but with a sense of relief, he takes a long, deep breath and concludes, "That's all I have to say for now."

Marco glances over at Eri, whose expression, like that of the others, is one of astonishment at the words he articulated so eloquently, belying his apparent social awkwardness. He ceases pacing and stands still, his gaze shifting to Eri as he regards her with intellectual curiosity as he waits to hear her philosophical thoughts. Eri's exhausted dark brown eyes, sunken with fatigue, slowly rise to meet the Avatar of Evil's gaze.

Eri raises her hands briefly in a gesture of exasperation before crossing her arms and sharing her candid thoughts on the entity's question, "Let's get real, folks! Morality is nothing more than a cultural construct. Right and wrong? Just made-up labels. There's no universal moral truth. Every society makes up its own rules based on their quirky customs and beliefs. Good and evil? Forget about it—that sort of shit is just fuzzy, nebulous concepts. We'll never figure out the grand scheme of morality. Cultures slap together values based on what keeps their members in line and feeling good."

She pauses, tucking the grenade into her sage green load-bearing backpack with a practiced motion. With her left hand resting on her hip, she sweeps a stray strand of dirty blonde hair from her face with a swift, precise gesture of her right hand.

Eri cracks her knuckles, relieving the stiffness, and continues with a serious yet weary expression, “War is stupid. It’s a big fucking mess. Once the bullets start flying, we're stuck with the harsh reality of killing, regardless of how messed up it is morally. But let's be real, we've also got a duty to protect the innocent and uphold some semblance of justice. War shouldn't be taken lightly, but sometimes it's necessary. To keep it from getting out of hand, we need strict rules. A war needs to be officially declared, have a legit reason for happening, and aim to bring about actual peace. If I'm being honest, life and death just coexist. There's no magical link between them because that sounds like a bunch of bullshit to me. It seems to me that we simply live and then we die—that's about it!”

Marco, Tarma, and Fio exchange curious glances, sensing a hint of nihilism and apathy in Eri's words. Eri, oblivious to their questioning stares, nudges Tarma with her elbow, causing him to flinch slightly. She scowls at him, struggling to let go of her lingering animosity, her voice barely above a whisper, "It's your turn, moron."

“Urm…” Tarma murmurs, wincing at the sting of Eri's words, a flicker of hurt crossing his face.

He sniffles and runs his fingers through his plum brown hair, which has subtle, effortless curls. Though plagued by insecurities about his intellectual abilities and struggles with complex subjects, he’s fully prepared to give it a try.

“I'm not a philosophy expert. Honestly, I don't even fully understand my own opinions on most complicated topics. However, I'll do my best to share my thoughts…” he speaks, his voice steady and calm as he strives to maintain a confident tone.

He strokes his chin thoughtfully, his gaze locked onto the Avatar of Evil's glowing red eyes, feeling as though they're judging him on an intellectual level. Fio gently places a reassuring hand on Tarma's back, offering comfort. She recognizes that not everyone possesses a deep understanding of themselves and complex philosophical concepts.

The gesture brings Tarma some much-needed comfort. He lightly kisses Fio on the cheek, causing her to blush, before speaking up with a hint of newfound confidence.

“Uh, yeah, so I think our morality thingy is pretty much shaped by, you know, our parents, cultural influences, and some universal rules. Every person has this inherent dignity, so we gotta follow some ethical rules that make sense, logically and all that. It's a good idea to avoid contradictions. If you don't, you might come across as a hypocrite, and that's a label nobody wants to wear. Anyways… Honestly, I don't think what happens after we do something really matters; it's the act itself that matters, not the outcome. As a soldier, I may seem like an unlikely advocate for pacifism, but I strongly believe in it. War and all other forms of violence suck and they’ll always be a pain in the ass. Well… Ummm…” Tarma sniffles, composing himself as he struggles to maintain his calmness in the presence of such a foreboding entity.

He takes a long drag on his cigarette, cracks his knuckles, and attempts to muster a confident air as Fio gently squeezes his free left hand. Following a fleeting pause, he presses on with his speech, hoping to articulate his thoughts without sounding foolish. Fio releases his hand, and he takes a step closer to the behemoth and his friends, bravery and apprehension warring within.

“I strongly believe our best efforts should focus on standing against all of this war. We also can’t forget about actively fighting for peace, even if it means challenging our own moral beliefs. I hope that if we all try really hard, we can make the world a better place. Life and death are like two sides of the same coin, you know? They're always fighting for control, which is represented through our actions. So yeah, that's my two cents. I hope it makes sense, because I'm not really sure what I'm talking about,” Tarma finishes his thoughts with a slight shrug, accompanied by a gentle, albeit uneasy, smile.

Fio gently applauds Tarma, while Marco shoots him a disbelieving glance, astonished to discover that his close friend is a so-called pacifist. Eri's eyes dart upward in wry amusement; Tarma's pacifist ideals seem at odds with his impulsive nature and willingness to brawl for those he cares about. As the Avatar of Evil awaits the final elite soldier's response to its burning question, Marco, Tarma, and Eri turn in unison to face Fio, their attention now focused on her.

“I never gave much thought to such complex subjects until now. Uhhmmmm…” Fio admits, her fingers fidgeting nervously as she toys with the strands of her orangish-brown ponytail.

She pauses for a brief moment, her gaze calmly meeting the Avatar of Evil's. The entity's curious red eyes seem to bore into the souls of Fio and her friends with an unnerving silence. Tarma gently rubs her left shoulder, offering what reassurance he can, and she smiles softly in response, her eyes shining with gratitude.

Fio clears her throat, darting a brief glance at Marco, who nods lightly in encouragement, and then at Eri, who gives her two thumbs up, before speaking up, "Uh, if it's okay... could we, maybe, discuss my thoughts on war? I-I mean, I've been thinking... avoidable and inevitable wars, they just seem like, well, a constant threat to humanity, you know? War just... it doesn't really accomplish anything, only serving as a catalyst for destruction and suffering. It changes the moral fabric of people, and societies, in really profound ways. It greatly accelerates the technological development of war machines and weaponry. And it all starts when conflicts get out of hand, and, well, free will just doesn't seem to matter anymore. The consequences are just... visceral. Devastating. As for morality... Mmmmmm…"

She trails off, her voice fading into a nervous sigh as she fidgets beneath the entity's piercing gaze. Her eyes drop to the stone ground beneath her feet. She lightly strokes her chin, collecting her thoughts with a contemplative gesture, before formulating a thoughtful response.

“Um, so… Morality is concerned with… the kind of person we strive to be, you know? It's about cultivating virtues that make us, well, better humans. To truly live a morally righteous life, we're, uh, called to develop habits like honesty, bravery, justice, and generosity. These traits are, I believe, fundamental to our flourishing as individuals. As we practice these virtues, we become more... resilient, more capable of making tough choices when faced with ethical dilemmas. And that's when it clicks: by honing these habits, we empower ourselves to do what's right, even when it's hard. We learn to trust our instincts, to listen to our conscience, and to stand firm in our convictions,” Fio continues, gathering her courage and speaking with as much confidence as she can muster.

She steps away from Tarma as he releases his gentle grip on her left shoulder, and then distractedly fidgets with Peppino before refocusing on the conversation.

“I want to believe that life's power exceeds death's grasp. Death can feel overwhelming and inevitable... but what if life's resilience is stronger? We've all witnessed it in some form or another. It's truly phenomenal to see nature and the remnants of human civilization reclaim and revitalise what was once destroyed and lost. It's breathtaking, yet terrifying. Can life truly overcome death? I think so. In astonishing ways, vitality perseveres,” she concludes, her voice ringing with genuine sincerity and infectious optimism.

As a Papilio xuthus butterfly flutters past Fio, she feels an unexpected surge of profound fulfillment and calm rather than the instinctive flinch she might have anticipated. The others follow Fio's gaze to the Papilio xuthus, its path seemingly leaving a trail of sparkling calm in its wake. Eri raises an eyebrow, questioning whether her sleep-deprived mind is playing tricks on her. Marco remains stoically indifferent, but Tarma's attention is riveted on the butterfly as it vanishes into the empty eye socket of the colossal skull embedded in the behemoth's chest.

The Avatar of Evil reclines slightly, placing its hands flat on the stone ground of the tower, its seemingly emotionless face illuminated by a newfound understanding, as the diverse perspectives of these four elite soldiers bring a measure of enlightenment.

With a slow, satisfied exhale, the entity speaks in a low, resonant tone, its voice tinged with pride, "Your perspectives on morality, war, and the cycle of life and death are truly fascinating. I must admit, I hold them in high esteem."

Marco, craving a smoke break, retrieves a cigar from the right pocket of his khaki-green army cargo pants and lights it with a gilded lighter hidden in his crimson vest. Meanwhile, Tarma takes a few final drags on his cigarette before crushing it beneath the heel of his paratrooper boot. Fio carefully tucks Peppino into the left pocket of her cordovan Eisenhower jacket, while Eri stands by, her arms crossed, subtly shifting her weight from one leg to the other.

“So…” Fio takes a swift pause to inhale a few meditative breaths from her Ventolin inhaler, then resumes speaking in an exceedingly courteous tone, “What are your thoughts on morality, war, and the cycle of life and death, if you have any to share?”

With a gentle tilt, the entity angles its head to the right, its gaze shifting ever so slightly.

“Well, Fiolina… All of your views are valid, and I find myself in agreement with every single one of them. However, before I bid farewell to this mortal coil, I have a few parting thoughts to share,” it respectfully responds, clearly impressed by Fio's thoughtful consideration and gracious politeness.

Everyone listens intently, not daring to utter another word. Eri drains the last of her trusty flask of vodka, while Marco takes a few puffs from his cigar. The Avatar of Evil's claws scrape against the stone of the looming tower, digging in ever so slightly. Suddenly, thunderclaps boom through the sky, and crimson-purple lightning flashes violently around them. The group of brave soldiers flinch, momentarily caught off guard. As they steady themselves, Marco and his companions are surrounded by a thick, star-studded fog that shimmers like diamonds. It obscures their view of the Avatar of Evil and the lifeless form of Ptolemaios, his defeated body still entwined with the wreckage of his pillar contraption.

"Have you ever considered that morality and war are mental constructs shaped by human psychological and sociological pressures? Why must humanity adhere to the strict, often confusing rules of morality? Does it provide a profound sense of self-righteous gratification or is it a means for humans to conform to societal expectations? Why are some people oblivious to the consequences of their actions, while others hold them in high regard? Why do some individuals adopt a nihilistic stance towards the idea of a universal and individual moral compass?” the Avatar of Evil pauses for a fleeting instant, surveying the four elite soldiers who stand transfixed and stunned by the challenging questions.

Its voice resonates loudly and clearly within the minds of Marco, Eri, Tarma, and Fio, booming with demonic dread and masculine authority. Whispers of secrets weave through it, spoken in a language that echoes the Martian tongue and the mystical Enochian, incomprehensible to their understanding.

Without further hesitation, it proceeds with a deliberate and calculated calmness, “Why does war exist? What truly sparked its inception? Does war hold any genuine significance? Have you four pondered the notion that life is inextricably linked with destruction? Is there a deeper connection between these seemingly polar opposites? If so, why do some view life as a linear progression from birth to death, while others believe in the possibility of a cyclical existence beyond mortal suffering?"

The blinding fog gradually lifts, revealing the stone ground of the tower's summit, now teeming with life. Moss and an array of vibrant, exotic mushrooms—violet webcap, bleeding tooth, latticed stinkhorn, lion's mane, and indigo milk cap—flourish in every crevice. However, amidst this lush scenery, a gruesome sight lies in stark contrast: Ptolemaios's freshly deceased corpse, half-devoured, exposes rotting flesh, maggots, and bare bones. The once-majestic floating tower now lies in ruins, overrun by an explosion of plant life. Yellow and black butterflies swarm the area, feasting on the nectar of sweet flowers: hollyhock, lavender, milkweed, and vervain. Marco and his three friends stand awestruck, torn between the beauty before them and the horror of how swiftly this transformation occurred. They exchange disbelieving glances with the Avatar of Evil, their questions unspoken but palpable in the stunned silence.

The behemoth gently clears their throat, taking this brief moment to collect their thoughts before delivering their concluding remarks, “Your philosophical views, as Marco noted earlier, are fundamentally subjective. Moreover, as your brains lack a divine spark, your understanding of complex and multifaceted subjects will always be limited. Regrettably, we've veiled your understanding of ultimate truths. Nonetheless, it remains fascinating to observe the extraordinary efforts individuals will undertake to attain absolute knowledge on matters that captivate their interest... I shall take my departure now. May our paths cross again soon.”

As Tarma's worldview begins to fracture under the intense scrutiny, Fio's gentle hand envelops his, her calm demeanour a beacon of serenity that starkly contrasts to the turmoil raging within him. Fio's breath comes in ragged gasps as she struggles to wrap her mind around the profound implications, her gaze fixed on the transformed landscape. Meanwhile, Eri's jaw hangs slack, her mind reeling as she struggles to process the barrage of profound and unsettling questions the Avatar of Evil has posed, each word echoing in her thoughts like a lingering challenge.

Marco takes a step forward, his curiosity piqued, and eagerly prepares to inquire about the notions of "divine spark" and "ultimate truth", seeking clarification on these intriguing concepts. He raises his arm in a pleading gesture, hoping to persuade the entity to linger, but it's too late. The Avatar of Evil unfurls its immense wings, casting a dark silhouette against the stormy sky, where lightning flashes illuminate the darkness. Then, with a majestic sweep, it vanishes into the murky depths, leaving behind the fading echo of its wings beating, growing fainter and fainter until lost in the distance.

Marco gazes out at the horizon as the murky darkness swiftly yields to unveil a breathtaking twilight sky. Though a part of him feels intellectually drained and defeated for not stopping the Avatar of Evil in time, he stands stoically, lost in silent amazement and relief. Tarma approaches him with his characteristic nonchalance, but beneath the surface, he's grappling with his own intellectual doubts. He offers Marco a reassuring pat on the back, and Fio soon envelops them both in a comforting hug, which they gratefully return. Meanwhile, Eri remains transfixed in awe, but gradually snaps back to reality as she retrieves her walkie-talkie from her MultiCam SPCS. She swiftly activates it and checks in with her team, inquiring if they've completed their mission now that Ptolemaios' sinister plans have been thwarted once and for all.

Trevor's voice crackles over Marco's walkie-talkie, "Yo! Major Rossi, can you hear me?"

The sudden interruption breaks the spell, and Marco releases Tarma and Fio from the hug, exhaling a tired sigh as he retrieves his walkie-talkie.

"Yes, Sergeant Spacey, I can hear you. Is everything alright? Did you succeed in apprehending General Morden and his forces?" he responds, his voice laced with a mix of curiosity and fatigue.

Trevor breathes a sigh of relief, his momentary fear of losing Marco dissipating.

"The situation is under control! We received an unexpected visit from the Ptolemaic Army, but those punks were crushed like insects," he says with a hint of triumph, followed by a happy chuckle. "Wanna know something even better?"

Marco raises an eyebrow, intrigued by Trevor's query, as Eri draws closer to the group, her interest piqued by the conversation. Marco, Eri, Tarma, and Fio exchange eager glances, their minds racing with the same unspoken question: what news does Trevor bring about his mission to capture General Morden?

Just then, Nadia's voice cuts through, her tone eerily jubilant, “We've finally captured General Morden!”

"Hey, don't forget about Wysteria," Clark's voice comes through the walkie-talkie, sounding genuinely pleased and relaxed. "We rescued her from General Morden's clutches, and thankfully, she's doing great. She bounced back like a champ, just like always."

The revelation leaves everyone stunned, but it sparks unbridled excitement among the four brave soldiers. Tarma exclaims a triumphant "Boyah!" and sweeps everyone into a warm, tight embrace, prompting Fio to erupt into childlike giggles with unbridled joy. Eri returns the hug, albeit reluctantly, exhaling a weary sigh as a faint, relieved smile crosses her face, glad that the ordeal with Morden has finally come to an end and Wysteria is safe. Fio showers Tarma's left cheek with a couple of passionate, tender kisses, causing his smile to broaden even further. Meanwhile, Marco provides calming solace, gently massaging Tarma's back with soothing circular motions.

For Marco, it's a moment of profound joy, a feeling he hasn't experienced in a long time. He's thrilled that General Morden will finally be brought to justice after his numerous escapes and the multitude of crimes he's committed, and relieved that Wysteria wasn't used for some nefarious purpose. Marco eagerly awaits the day when justice will be served to the man responsible for tearing his comrades apart and sowing strife in the world. Tarma shares Marco's sentiment, looking forward to Morden's impending trial and reuniting with the dearly missed Wysteria. Meanwhile, Eri and Fio are ecstatic to learn that their allies—Trevor, Clark, Ralf, and Nadia—have successfully completed their mission to capture the sly General Morden and his Rebel Army loyalists.

"I guess you all know what this means, right?" Ralf's voice crackles over the walkie-talkie, a playful hint evident in his tone.

Marco and his friends exchange knowing glances, nodding in unison as a shared thought passes between them. They're eager to celebrate this monumental success back at the Sparrowhawk Operations Base, their anticipation palpable. They know that Clark, Ralf, Trevor, and Nadia share their eagerness, anticipating a grand celebration for the successful capture of Morden and his remaining forces. The rest of the Regular Army—including Tequila, Gimlet, Red Eye, Pupipi, Hyakutaro, Rumi, and everyone else that Marco and the others personally know—will be ecstatic once they hear the news.

I think I might be experiencing mild burnout from reworking the characters of Metal Slug for my AU as it's taking me much longer than usual to get shit done. So, they'll most likely be coming in slower than usual. In the meantime, I have a bunch of other goodies prepared, including a reworked group and three antagonists. I'm even working on a short story centered around IE Marco and a friend's AU version of OG Marco!

Reworked Groups #5: Ikari Warriors

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

Overview

A mysterious Japanese-German man known only as Heidern served as strategist for the esteemed Peregrine Falcons Squad. He’s also the founder and supreme Commander of the Ikari Warriors. Heidern once enjoyed a peaceful yet militant life, living in the countryside with his wife. However, following the birth of his daughter, he contemplated retiring from the Peregrine Falcons Squad on good terms. However, tragedy struck when he lost his family. Consumed by grief and a desire for vengeance, he channelled his energy into founding the Ikari Warriors, an elite force determined to combat global injustices, crime, and terrorism.

With the backing of the Peregrine Falcons Squad's high command, Heidern implemented a rigorous military training program for his recruits. He went above and beyond to identify and refine each soldier's unique skills, recognizing that individuals approach challenges differently. According to Clark, he’s a cold, cunning, and hypervigilant leader who expertly assesses and neutralises high-priority threats. Despite his tough exterior, Heidern treats his recruits like a surrogate family.

After losing his sight in a surprise pirate attack during a Caribbean cruise and subsequently being diagnosed with lymphoma, Heidern relinquished his leadership to General Kawasaki. Following Kawasaki's brutal murder at the hands of a Mexican cartel, Heidern urgently sought a new successor. With the help of his mercenaries, Heidern spent weeks searching until he finally rescued Leona, a young Czech girl, from an unnamed town under siege by rogue militia forces. However, he soon discovered a dark truth: Leona had temporarily lost control of her Orochi blood, resulting in the tragic death of her parents. The rogue militia, seeking to exploit her powers, intended to use her as a bioweapon.

Offering her a fresh start and a chance to fight against global injustices, Leona accepted, largely due to having no other options. Leona was trained by Heidern, Clark, Ralf, and other seasoned members of the Ikari Warriors, who oversaw her rigorous military training and moulded her into a skilled mercenary. According to Clark and Ralf, Leona is a reserved, aloof, and highly efficient individual who struggles with thoughts of suicide and everyday social interactions. Despite this, she excels at commanding her foster father's mercenaries and is deeply committed to their well-being.

Although Heidern has passed on his leadership to Leona, he remains actively involved with the Ikari Warriors, focusing on training recruits and developing tactical strategies. Rumours have circulated that, despite his loss of sight, Heidern possesses the capacity to perceive heat signatures. Notably, he played a pivotal role in training Clark and Ralf, recognizing their exceptional esper abilities—a talent previously unseen among Ikari Warriors recruits. His mentorship forged a strong and enigmatic connection with Ralf, often described as resembling a father-son bond.

Leona developed a strong affinity for Clark, regarding him as an older brother, and consistently felt reassured when partnering with him and Ralf on missions. Clark took on a mentorship role, guiding Leona in mastering her cutting aura, especially her go-to esper ability called the Moon Slasher, and harnessing the power of her Orochi blood. Ralf further enhanced Leona's training by instructing her in Slug operation and maneuverability. Additionally, he encouraged her to integrate explosive tactics into her combat style, an approach she effectively incorporated through her signature earring bombs. She once considered taking her own life after losing control of her Orochi blood and unintentionally harming Clark. However, he didn't abandon her. Instead, Clark, Ralf, and Heidern intervened, successfully persuading her not to jump from the bridge and encouraging her to continue living.

Following the Great Modern War, the Ikari Warriors joined the Regular Army to form its elite mercenary branch. As a private force for hire, they specialise in resolving extreme crises, while also undertaking smaller-scale missions. With a versatile rank structure, the Ikari Warriors can be contracted for a wide range of situations and danger levels.

Insignia

It features a lozenge-shaped silver-grey shield, outlined in shimmering luxor gold and trimmed with reseda chartreuse on the exterior. The shield's centre features the Japanese character “怒” (meaning “fury”) in alizarin red, painted in a bold, expressive style, with a horizontal bronze bullet below. A crimson-hilted silver dagger runs diagonally along its left side, while a bronze full moon is suspended above the shield. An ultramarine motto ribbon sits below the shield with the name of the special forces unit, Ikari Warriors, emblazoned in alizarin red.

Ikari Warriors Base

The Zorniger Mond Hideout is a rhomboid military complex situated deep within a Congolese jungle, its strategic location enhanced by a camouflage system expertly blending into the surroundings. The base's exterior is coated in a range of jungle green tones, including sulu, wild willow, asparagus, mineral green, and timber green. This stealthy design, combined with a state-of-the-art bulletproof system, provides the Ikari Warriors with a significant tactical advantage. They can launch surprise attacks on enemy forces without being detected.

The base boasts perimeter surveillance cameras and discreet, automated turret systems that detect and neutralise unauthorised personnel. They have a reinforced, electrified fence surrounding the base with strategically placed watchtowers featuring sniper positions. Additionally, they have a rooftop helicopter pad and four strategically positioned parabolic satellites, one at each corner of the base. The military complex comprises the following facilities:

A central command centre housing Heidern's and Leona's private quarters, a large strategy room with holographic display and tactical planning tools, communication arrays for secure global connectivity, and a situation room for real-time mission monitoring.

An intelligence room dedicated to gathering and analysing intel on potential missions and enemies, featuring computer systems for data analysis and cryptology, and secure storage for sensitive documents and classified information.

Simple, functional accommodations for mercenaries, including a barracks, mess hall, showers, a gym, a lounge, a game room, and personal storage lockers for gear and equipment.

An armoury with storage for weapons, ammunition, and explosives, and an adjacent repair workshop.

A fully equipped medical facility with an operating room for emergency surgeries, recovery ward, and medical supply storage.

A garage for storing and maintaining vehicles acquired through purchase, donation from the Regular Army or capture from enemies.

A commemorative wall honouring fallen comrades, alongside display cases showcasing the team's highest-achieving awards and medals.

A trophy room displaying captured enemy equipment and memorabilia with a secure storage room for valuable and sensitive seized assets.

A coliseum, cloaked in a muted blend of mossy green, olive drab, and earthy brown hues, is protected by a bullet-proof glass dome. By day, it's a training ground and hosts special tournaments. At night, the dome darkens to an inky black, and the interior shines a vibrant crimson under the moonlight.

Extra Information

Members of the Ikari Warriors are commonly known as "Soldiers of Fortune" or "Hired Ragers”, reflecting their reputation as elite mercenaries of the Regular Army and their fierce combat prowess.

Unlike other mercenary groups, the Ikari Warriors host biennial tournaments that are open to their members and anyone else interested in participating. These events serve as a platform to assess the physical prowess and mental strategies of both seasoned and new members, while also identifying potential recruits who may be interested in joining their ranks.

They’re the only branch in the Regular Army that doesn’t have dedicated soldiers wearing uniforms that identify them as part of the Ikari Warriors.

Soldiers of Fortune, regardless of gender, receive double the average Canadian soldier's salary, acknowledging the high risks involved in their line of work. Heidern's policy ensures these elite mercenaries receive maximum financial support.

The handguns carried by Soldiers of Fortune are the Ultra Justitia Model-1977 .380 ACP or Justitia .380 ACP for short. This semi-automatic pistol is based on the Beretta Cheetah 80X, but features a distinctive grip that would later influence the design of the Walther PK380. Designed in 1977 to enhance the Beretta Cheetah's ergonomics, it offers a superior grip and hold, along with an increased ammo capacity of 15 rounds. It’s primarily used by private military companies, but it has also seen adoption by some Regular Army units.

Reworked Character #12: General Morden

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

Real name: Donald Humphrei Morden IV

Aliases: Devil Rebirth and Your Excellency

Occupation: General of the Rebel Army, Vice Admiral of the Marine Corps (formerly), Tactical Commander for the Intelligence Agency (formerly), Commander of the Middle Eastern Garrison (formerly), and Field Marshal of the European Garrison (formerly)

Retirement plans: Buy a secluded tropical island, build a cottage in the northern forests of New Brunswick, and raise more exotic pets

Special skills: Political science, strategic negotiation, planning for ambushes and tactical assaults, sniping with heavyweight firearms, and the ability to craft persuasive messages and distort reality

Hobbies: Reading classical poetry and Shakespearean plays, playing complex piano compositions, studying geopolitical events, building wooden cabins, and hunting

Likes: Forested landscapes, his remaining family, the fearless devotion of his army, finishing things straight to the end, and smoking Cuban cigars before leading off to a battle

Dislikes: Ignorance, objectivity, people with no ambitions, governmental and military corruption, and a lack of proper etiquette and table manners

Favourite food: Creamed salmon spaghetti and maple walnut ice cream

Favourite drink: Scotch whisky

Sexuality: Heteroromantic sapiosexual

Gender: Male

Age: 49 (in 2022), 55 (in 2028), 57 (in 2030), 59 (in 2032), 61 (in 2034), 68 (in 2041), 70 (in 2043), 71 (in 2044), and 74 (in 2047)

Blood type: AB+

Weight: 249 lbs. (113 kg)

Design: He’s a 6’ 5” (195.58 cm) Canadian mesomorph with a chiselled musculature, an upside-down trapezoidal chest, and broad shoulders. He has limestone skin (it was once a rose beige), a cleft chin, a brownish mole on the left side of his nose bridge, sparkling sapphire blue eyes with flecks of blood red, and bushy eyebrows. He has wrinkles on his face, characterised by forehead lines, frown lines, crow’s feet, and nasolabial folds. He has neatly trimmed, chin-length caramel blonde hair with sideburns, a bushy, lampshade-style moustache, and an encircling band of silver-grey in the centre. As Morden is now officially a cyborg, he possesses a revolutionary self-resurrection mechanism. A rhombic dodecahedron microchip embedded in his spine springs into action whenever his vital systems fail. The chip emits a low humming frequency and flashes a cyclical pattern of blue, white, and red for precisely 50 seconds. After this brief interval, he awakens in a newly prepared cyborg body, fully restored and ready for reactivation.

His right eye has been brutally gouged out, which is indicated by the heavy scarring from six stab wounds. This would be replaced by a cutting-edge, cybernetic implant, expertly crafted by the Amadeus Syndicate. The cybernetic orb's sclera has a dark, polished chrome finish, adorned with crimson micro-circuits that mimicked the appearance of veins. At its centre, a pupilless blue-grey iris radiates a soft, luminescent glow. When it transitions to a fiery amber, its intensified brilliance signals heightened alertness and strategic recalibration. Equipped with cutting-edge scanning and data-processing capabilities, this cybernetic implant enables visual recall of critical information, threat detection, and instant recognition of key objects and individuals for future reference.

General Morden wears a pair of rusty orange boxer briefs, a glossy black eyepatch over his cybernetic right eye, and a Persian indigo armband on his left arm, adorned with the insignia of the Rebel Army. He wears a feldgrau military beret, distinguished by a scarlet band with white piping and an embroidered emblem featuring a black dragon's head swallowing a winged gold sword. He wears a white dress shirt and gloves, a flame-coloured tie, a metal dog tag necklace with his name, and a brownish-black leather belt secured with a gilded snap-on buckle. His shoulders are draped with a long brownish-black coat featuring cuffs edged with scarlet piping, golden maple leaf clasps linked by a chain, a Persian indigo, and a prominent fur collar dyed a pinkish-orange. He wears feldgrau army cargo pants, tucked into black combat boots with spike soles and lined with coyote fur. He wears a feldgrau military coat featuring a left-side white aiguillette, two breast pockets, and a scalloped rear vent with flap pockets. It also features scarlet cuffs and a turned collar with Persian indigo piping, gilt-brass buttons, and golden shoulder boards adorned with two vertical white stripes.

He wears five badges: a black bar with two vertical golden stripes and a horizontal white stripe above his left breast pocket; a gilded skull with draconic wings on the pocket flap; a silver circle with a scarlet X on a white-edged red-orange ribbon and a gilt-brass roaring dragon's head on an ultramarine ribbon, both on his left breast pocket; and a gilded six-pointed star with a scarlet-edged white circle hung on a jade ribbon, secured with a gold clip on his right breast pocket. Morden's belt supports a sheath for his combat knife and a secure strap for his military baton, featuring a white elephant ivory shaft, a scarlet velvet-wrapped grip, and flat-topped gilt-brass end caps, each set with 12 circular rubies.

He wears a drop leg holster for his Chiappa Rhino 40DS revolver and a black bandolier, slung over his left shoulder, holding .357 Magnum cartridges for the firearm. His military coat pockets contain a rose gold lighter, keys to his personal Space Tank, and a treasured photograph of his late family. The pockets of his army cargo pants carry around a pack of Cuban cigars, the Ajirabian Teardrop, a copper-hued flask of Scotch whisky, and a walkie-talkie. He wields an M20 rocket launcher, designed with a leather shoulder strap and featuring an olive green, tan, and dark grey camouflage pattern, which fires anti-tank missiles.

Morden owns the greyish-green Space Tank, a floating tank saucer emblazoned with the Rebel Army insignia on its front. Constructed as a birthday gift and token of allegiance by loyal Rebel Army members and the Pipovulaj Army, this vehicle incorporates advanced Martian and Tuatha Dé Danann technology. The Space Tank's upper body bears a striking resemblance to the Dai-Manji, while its dark grey chassis is reminiscent of the Nop-03 Sarubia's. The tank boasts extremely thick armour, a silver antenna protruding from its left side, and a gold-painted rim accented with a scarlet edge. Primarily serving as his personal transportation, the Space Tank can also be deployed on the battlefield when necessary. It features a built-in metallic blue cannon that can only be activated by inserting the Ajirabian Teardrop into a designated slot within the tank. This action opens the front compartment, revealing a cannon reminiscent of the Denturion's, and enables Morden to harness the powers of the Ajirabian Teardrop.

Character summary: Previously, General Morden was a compassionate, dependable, and reliable leader who deeply valued the lives of every soldier under his command. However, the tragic loss of his family, exacerbated by the government's and military's corruption and culpable inaction, ignited a desire for vengeance. He seeks to topple an unjust system, even if it requires dismantling all governmental powers. His vision for the New World involves unifying warring nations under a rigid, authoritarian regime, achieved by overthrowing the Earth Federation and eliminating its allies through forced assimilation and strategic neutralisation. Despite being a charismatic and adaptable leader with a strong sense of justice, he ultimately descended into ruthlessness and megalomania, becoming a bumbling madman. Upon encountering his enemies, he frequently erupts into mocking laughter, regarding them as feeble-minded and ignorant foes. Nonetheless, even in the face of humiliation and defeat, Morden’s dignity, charisma, and commanding skill always remains the same.

Despite being an atrocious person who comes across as mean and cold, he’s surprisingly sweet and kind, especially towards those who support his ambition, work alongside him or are part of his family lineage. He's a tough, efficient, and introspective individual who can be demanding of his soldiers, yet he feels genuine empathy and understanding for his troops. Although he's prone to frustration when missions don't go as planned, he never gives up. Despite the challenges, he consistently demonstrates resilience and determination, always pushing forward to achieve his objectives. General Morden is a man full of pride, often boasting about his greatest feats on the battlefield. Depending on the situation, he'll abandon his position behind the battle lines and fearlessly charge into combat. He lives by a personal code of honour that prioritises restraint, avoiding unnecessary violence whenever possible. He isn't afraid to make sacrifices when necessary and occasionally spares or even helps civilians, showing a glimmer of empathy beyond his military duties.

He's an exceptionally intelligent and cunning strategist, always thinking several steps ahead of his adversaries. A skilled manipulator, he expertly entices others to do his bidding through false promises and strategic persuasion. However, he's highly resistant to manipulation himself, and his sharp wit and worldly wisdom makes him immune to naivety. If he discovers someone attempting to deceive him, he'll confront them directly and give them a nasty glare that conveys a clear message: he sees through their ruse, and denial will only worsen their situation. When he's drunk, he becomes sorrowful, careless, and overly attached around Sagan and Logan, grows increasingly agitated, and frequently mumbles incoherently and gazes blankly upwards.

He's a melancholic, cautious, headstrong, sophisticated individual who's fairly merciful to his subordinates and skilled at evading capture. He indulges in the luxuries of life, surrounding himself with wealth, yet harbours a lesser-known artistic passion for playing the piano. Loyalty and camaraderie are paramount to him, but betrayal from within the Rebel Army is an unforgivable offence. Morden’s intolerance for failure is absolute; those who deliberately falter face severe punishment or elimination. His ego is easily bruised by ridicule or underestimation from his enemies, threatening his self-image as a fearless warrior and exceptional leader. He has no qualms about torturing and executing enemies and traitors, whether publicly or privately, and considers advancements in military technology to be essential to achieving his objectives.

He struggles with mild alcoholism as a coping mechanism for the loss of his family, borderline personality disorder, dyscalculia, trypophobia triggered by honeycombs and decaying flesh, and the fear of dying a dishonourable and gruesome death. He views domestic cats as a far cry from their majestic ancestors and larger wild relatives, often going so far as to forcefully shoo them away. Although capable of aggression and violence, he usually maintains a calculating, serious, and calm demeanour. However, beneath his surface lies a volatile temper that periodically ignites into explosive outbursts when overwhelmed by intense feelings of rage, shame, and self-loathing. Despite his resolute ambition, he secretly grapples with the moral implications of his actions. His doubts are ever-present, but he consistently prioritises his goals over his conscience. His courage falters only when faced with extremely bleak circumstances or painful reminders of his family's tragic loss.

He generally tolerates his troops' actions against external parties, but draws a firm line when it comes to harming their own comrades. He's a strict disciplinarian, swiftly addressing conflicts and misconduct amongst his ranks. When issues arise, he demands accountability, forcing the offending soldier or group to apologise, backing this demand with the threat of demotion or public embarrassment. He views the Rebel Army as a surrogate family and enjoys celebrating victories and spending downtime with them. He cherishes Allen's friendship, appreciating him as a trusted companion for casual nights out and lively conversations, but Allen's impulsivity and relentless drive for action often test his patience. He feels a pang of jealousy towards Allen, which he keeps secret, because Allen's family is still alive, whereas his own family is either deceased or estranged.

He gets along well with Doctor Amadeus, who demonstrates genuine interest in his cause and the technological advancement of the Rebel Army. Although he admires her genius-level intellect, finding it captivating and beautiful, he’s sometimes intimidated by her calculating and enigmatic nature. He secretly harbours a deep-seated fear of Rootmars, knowing she has the power to effortlessly crush him and his army if he incurs her wrath. Despite this, he holds Rootmars in high esteem, admiring her leadership skills and formidable reputation, even if their visions for the New World greatly differ. He regards Ptolemaios with skepticism, stemming from his disdain for cults and religious extremism, compounded by their past confrontation during the Arms Deal Barrage. Additionally, Ptolemaios' reluctance to engage directly on the battlefield raises concerns. Nevertheless, he acknowledges his exceptional wisdom and deeply respects his unwavering commitment to leading the Ptolemaic Army.

He’s fiercely devoted to his younger cousins, Sagan and Logan, the only family members he remains in contact with, and will stop at nothing to ensure their safety and happiness. He’s extremely protective of Sagan and Logan, treating them like his own children. He goes out of his way to safeguard them, swiftly and aggressively defending them against anyone who poses a threat, causes harm or violates their personal boundaries. However, when Sagan and Logan disagree or get physical with each other, General Morden calmly intervenes, resolving their conflicts with a gentle yet firm, understanding, and patient approach. He has zero tolerance for Sagan's habits of casually issuing death threats and making crude remarks about her comrades, whether jokingly or seriously. He also dislikes how Logan occasionally disregards Sagan's wishes, intentionally doing things she's explicitly forbidden, which often escalates into heated arguments or fights. Furthermore, Logan's tendency to engage in physical altercations with comrades and getting disoriented when exploring the wilderness consistently gets under his skin.

Morden and Tequila were once inseparable friends, sharing stories of their lives over drinks and exploring exotic destinations that Tequila had always wanted to visit. He deeply admired Tequila's worldly wisdom, courage, and profound insight into the human condition. However, their bond was severed when Morden's lust for global domination took hold, driving Tequila away and forcing him to turn against his former friend. The betrayal left a bitter taste in Morden's mouth, a painful reminder of the friendship he had lost. He has a deep-seated hatred for Marco and Tarma, as they foiled his nearly successful plan to achieve his vision of a New World during the Great Morden War. He especially despises Marco, who gouged out his eye at the end of the Great Morden War and played a role in getting the original Sagan killed during the Martian-Rebel Alliance War.

Backstory: Donald Oghma Morden IV was born on January 24, 1973 in New Brunswick, Canada. He hails from a long lineage of hunters, courageous soldiers, militant commanders, esteemed politicians, and wealthy businessmen. However, whispers abound that he's the direct descendant of a legendary Tuatha Dé Danann sovereign, fabled to have played a pivotal role in the downfall of Atlantis. The Morden name originates from a British family that served as royal advisors, food merchants, and nobles in the 19th century. Although they were of British origin, they resided in Germany, specifically within the Fortress of Königsdrache. From this strategic location, they exerted significant influence on the country's politics and military affairs. During the Napoleonic Wars, the Mordens distinguished themselves as exceptional leaders and skilled soldiers, renowned for their strategic intellect rather than brute force.

He was born into a large, middle-class Canadian family, being the sixth of eight children with three older brothers, an older sister, and a younger brother and sister. His siblings, from oldest to youngest, are Edmund, a successful woodcutting industry businessman; Quentin; Timothy, a Private in the Eurasian Garrison; Kourtney; Reynold; and Vanessa, a supervisor in food packaging manufacturing. His grandfather, Donald Humphrei Morden III, was a seasoned, worldly-wise veteran who retired after the birth of his fifth grandchild and subsequently pursued a career in hunting and sustainable meat production. His father, a Corporal in the North American Garrison, was known for his adventurous and carefree spirit. His mother, a Lieutenant Colonel in the Marine Corps, balanced stern discipline with tender affection. Due to their demanding military careers, his parents had limited time with him and his six siblings, relying on his grandfather to provide regular care and support.

Although Morden keeps his childhood private, a few details have emerged. Remarkably, all of his siblings demonstrated exceptional intelligence, but Morden's rapid development surpassed them all. This stirred jealousy among his older siblings, who admired his swift intellectual growth, while his younger siblings looked up to him in awe. Despite this, he was incredibly close to his siblings, sharing countless hours exploring the nearby woods and enjoying board games together. Donald III taught Morden entrepreneurship basics, war history, and practical skills like hunting, wood-chopping, and shelter-building. Whenever his mother was home on leave, she would delight him with piano music, fostering a deep love for the instrument. At just 7 months, he spoke his first word: "papa”. Between ages 2 and 5, he demonstrated remarkable autodidactic abilities, exploring diverse subjects that he grasped with ease, including sociology and legal theory. By age 6, he had become a budding piano prodigy and began reading Shakespearean plays and sonnets.

At the age of 7, Quentin was diagnosed with sickle cell disease, a condition prevalent in the Morden family. Tragedy struck again a year later when Reynold went missing during a nature walk, and his father was fatally shot in combat. Six months later, he stumbled upon Reynold's mutilated, rotting corpse, infested with maggots and covered in fungal growth. The gruesome sight triggered his trypophobia, and ever since, the image of honeycombs infested with bees and decaying matter would evoke unsettling memories of that incident. Before Morden turned 10, Quentin died from health complications. Just a month later, his mother was tragically killed in an unexpected airstrike ambush. At age 12, Donald III mercy-killed Kourtney, who suffered from multiple sclerosis and debilitating complications following numerous surgeries that severely impacted her health and mobility.

As Donald III struggled with a terminal brain tumour, he made the difficult decision to place Morden and Vanessa into the Regular Army's orphan program to ensure their care. Meanwhile, Edmund relocated to Saskatchewan with Timothy, seeking a fresh start and a brighter future for the two. The series of tragic losses had left the family fractured, and Donald's remaining siblings lacked the emotional resilience to keep the family together. Morden felt deeply abandoned and betrayed as Edmund and Timothy departed, leaving their dying grandfather and younger siblings behind. Vanessa, overwhelmed by grief, deliberately distanced herself from Morden. In contrast, the Regular Army provided Morden and his younger sister with stability and support, covering their essential needs. He wondered if he had more relatives and set out to find additional family members while balancing his education, but eventually abandoned his search when he couldn't locate any direct blood relatives.

He met his future wife, Penelope, in grade 11 and began dating her, forming a strong romantic connection. After graduating at the top of his high school class with highest grades, Honour Roll distinction, and six prestigious awards (five scholarships and one bursary), he went on to study geopolitics, jurisprudence, and Marxist sociology at university. At 22, he married his high school sweetheart in a shotgun wedding after learning she was pregnant with their daughter, Dorothy. Three years later, they welcomed their son, Lawrence.

After graduating at the top of his class from university, he relocated to Riyadh and enlisted in the Regular Army Marine Corps. His exceptional leadership skills and tactical expertise propelled him to attain the rank of Vice Admiral. He then assumed roles as Tactical Commander for the Intelligence Agency and Commander of the Middle Eastern Garrison. Following his transfer to Cumbria in North West England, he was reassigned to the European Garrison, where he achieved the esteemed rank of Field Marshal. During his time in the military, he earned a reputation as being a tough, efficient, and caring officer of the Regular Army, and is held in high regard by his troops as he treated them with equal amounts of respect. He was also known for being a devoted and compassionate father to Dorothy and Lawrence, and a loving and supportive husband.

After Morden joined the Regular Army, Sagan and Logan became aware of his existence due to his impressive reputation and some family photographs their father had received from Edmund. Intrigued, they were surprised to learn they had an older cousin. Eager to connect, they decided to arrange a meeting with him. They sent Morden a letter inviting him to meet with them in Bavaria, where the Fortress of Königsdrache is located. When Morden travelled to the location, he met Sagan and Logan, and they had a warm and engaging conversation, getting to know each other and finally uniting as family. Alongside Sagan, Logan, and other key figures in the Arms Deal Barrage, he would learn about the Regular Army's deep-seated corruption, but he kept it a secret.

In 2023, during a trip to Ottawa, the Central Park bombing shook the city, claiming the lives of many innocent victims, including Penelope, Dorothy, and Lawrence. Having survived the devastating attack, Morden discovered that it was allegedly linked to an intelligence failure within the Regular Army and widespread corruption within the government and military at the time. After relying on alcohol to cope with his sadness and anger, he resigned from the Regular Army, retreated from public view, and began secretly planning a rebellion. Many loyal followers from his Regular Army days chose to stand by him, and with the support of Sagan, Logan, and his most trusted soldier, Allen O'Neil, he initiated plans for a coup aimed at rooting out corruption within the government and military.

He assumed the rank of General and formed the Rebel Army, drawing support from disillusioned Regular Army personnel and multiple radical organisations sympathetic to his ideology. During his time building up the Rebel Army, Sagan and Logan transferred ownership rights of the Fortress of Königsdrache to General Morden. As the last remaining Armitage family members, Sagan and Logan originally inherited the Fortress of Königsdrache, but chose to bestow it upon General Morden as a token of gratitude and respect. Morden was also gifted six exotic pets by his most loyal men: a serval named Othello, a Burmese python named Sycorax, a blotched blue-tongued skink named Troilus, an African grey parrot named Cymbeline, a Czechoslovakian Wolfdog named Banquo, and a capybara named Desdemona.

His mental state deteriorating, he amassed power and resources for a large-scale offensive. In 2026, Morden initiated his coup d'état, seeking to dismantle the Earth Federation and its alliances and establish global dominance. The Rebel Army, led by General Morden, swiftly defeated the Regular Army and seized control of all major cities worldwide within 170 hours. Upon receiving intel from Madoka that the Regular Army had begun mass-producing the SV-001, codenamed "Metal Slug”, following successful testing, Morden launched a strategic attack. His objective was to destroy the factories manufacturing the SV-001 and capture the units already built.

Upon learning of Morden's betrayal, his ruthlessness, and his remarkably swift coup d'état, as well as the destruction of the SV-001 factories, the US President declared him as the reincarnation of the devil. He would be responsible for brutally executing Tequila, Gimlet, and Red Eye in front of Marco and Tarma, shooting them in the head with his Chiappa Rhino 40DS revolver. Before the execution, he gruesomely gouged out Marco's left eye and then ordered Allen O'Neil to sever his left arm.

In the final showdown of the Great Morden War, Marco gruesomely gouged out General Morden's eye, avenging the torture he and Tarma endured and the execution of his comrades and friends. The Great Morden War served as a stark wake-up call for the Regular Army, prompting a significant shift in their approach to counterterrorism. In the aftermath of the war, the Regular Army began to take terrorist threats with utmost seriousness, reevaluating their strategies and protocols to prevent future attacks.

After escaping imprisonment with support from the Rebel Army and Pipovulaj Army, he secretly allied with Doctor Amadeus to exploit her knowledge of Tuatha Dé Danann technology and bioweapon development. This alliance would pave the way for the mass production of specialised cyborgs, the creation of Wysteria, the revival of Tequila, Gimlet, and Red Eye, and the development of terrifying creations such as the Flying Killers and Mutated Soldiers. He planned to utilise Wysteria as the ultimate bioweapon to achieve global dominance, and deploy Tequila, Gimlet, and Red Eye as super soldiers to serve the interests of the Rebel Army and Amadeus Syndicate.

When he formed an alliance with Doctor Amadeus, she gifted him a canine experiment named Enobarbus, who could breathe fire, as a sign of respect. This is made possible by the dog's salivary glands, which produce enzymes that generate heat and flames when they react to oxygen. This canine experiment is a 8’ 1” (246.38 cm) burly wolf with razor-sharp silver-grey teeth, prominent fangs, glowing amber eyes, and a thick Prussian blue coat that gradually transitions to a watery blue and pure white at the ears, paws, and tail tip.

Which characters are right-handed, left-handed or ambidextrous?

This randomly popped into my head and I simply rolled with it. Sol Dae Rokker is excluded from this list because he doesn't really have hands...

Marco: He’s right-handed, but he's unexpectedly skilled at wielding knives with his left hand.

Tarma: He's ambidextrous, yet he tends to favour his right hand.

Eri, Ralf, Allen Jr., President Marx, and Torquil: Left-handed

Fio: She's right-handed, but has left-hand proficiency in certain tasks like signing her name and handling smaller firearms.

Trevor: He's ambidextrous, but shows a slight left-hand dominance.

Nadia, Clark, Gimlet, Allen O’Neil, Ptolemaios, Tyra, Margaret, and Celaphios: Right-handed

Tequila: He's ambidextrous, but sometimes experiences limitations with his left hand, especially when it's shaky or sore.

Red Eye: Right-handed (as Ruoxi and Shufen) and left-handed (as Liddy)

General Morden: He's left-handed, but has developed proficiency in using his right hand for specific tasks, such as signing names, writing piano sheet music, shooting his pistol, and opening cigar boxes.

Doctor Amadeus, Rootmars, Invader King, Avatar of Evil, Hyakutaro, Sophia, Wysteria, and Ferdinand: Ambidextrous

Walter: He's right-handed, yet displays ambidexterity when playing musical instruments and handling military firearms.

Rumi: She's ambidextrous, but defaults to her left hand for fine motor tasks like writing and shooting targets with smaller guns.

Madoka: She's ambidextrous, yet displays a right-hand preference for tasks requiring precision, such as writing and handling smaller firearms. However, her right hand occasionally experiences stiffness, causing her difficulties.

Sagan: She's right-handed, yet surprisingly displays left-hand dominance for specific tasks, including throwing explosives, handling heavy firearms, and writing. She occasionally needs to give her left hand a break, particularly when it becomes sore.

Logan: He's left-handed, yet surprisingly displays right-hand dominance for specific tasks, including knife handling, operating lighter firearms, bomb defusal, and drawing.

Guilherme: He’s right-handed, but he uses his left hand for activities like journal sketching and handling kitchen utensils.