Australia Squadron (Team)

[The Arc]

This is a project I've been working on for Uber World. I hope everyone likes it.

 

Australia Squadron

 

http://www.uber-world.com/australiasquadron.htm

 

 

 

Background

The Australia Squadron, or just the Squadron, as they're more commonly known, isn’t the most famous group of costumed super-heroes in Australia, that distinction falls to the Southern Knights. However, the Squadron is known for its’ dedication in the protection of Australia from threats to the nation that couldn’t be safely dealt with by normal peacekeeping forces such as the police or the military. The Squadron is fairly new to Australia, and as such lacks the reputation of the Southern Knights, nor are the Squadron as organized or backed by the government, as the Southern Knights.

 

 

The Squadron probably wouldn’t have been formed if it wasn’t for an attack by Professor Cane Toad upon the Pine Gap, a joint American-Australian secret satellite tracking facility south-west of Alice Springs in the heart of Australia. Professor Cane Toad came prepared with a horde of toad mutates at his back. The local military forces were quickly overwhelmed.

 

 

However, before the professor and his minions were able to completely take over the base one of the radiomen was able to get out a radio call to the Southern Knights. Unluckily the radio equipment got damaged during the assault and the radio message was broadcast across Australia. The Southern Knights didn’t get the warning, but Banana Woman, Tasmanian Tiger, and Sea Dragon who had battled Professor Cane Toad did. In addition to these three super-heroes, Black Swan, Piping Shrike, New South Wailer, and Territorian also received the message as well. The six super-heroes converged on Pine Gap, and a battle royal ensued.

 

 

Afterwards, with Professor Cane Toad in retreat, and many of his lackeys captured the super-heroes were about to go their separate ways, it was Banana Woman who suggested that they all worked well together, and should form a team of their own. After some debate, as Territorian and Sea Dragon were both loner types, they eventually agreed it might be a good idea. It was Piping Shrike who proposed the name Australia Squadron, and it was Sea Dragon who said ‘Yeah, right, and the press would probably call us the Squadron.’ Truer words couldn’t have been spoken.

 

 

Later the five new members of Australia Squadron met at the mansion of Charles Drake, whom they didn’t know at the time was the secret identity of Piping Shrike, in Adelaide. Charles Drake was the billionaire owner of Drake Metals Group, and he soon donated the mansion to the Australia Squadron and set aside funds for the upkeep of the facility.

 

 

Naturally Piping Shrike was elected chairman of Australia Squadron and has remained so ever since. The Australia Squadron usually gather at the mansion when threats to Australia surface, but at times usually only Piping Shrike is in residence; the other members having further to travel to make it to Adelaide.

 

Area of Operations

Each member of the Australia Squadron typically works inside their home state: Black Swan (West Australia), Piping Shrike (South Australia), Sea Dragon (Victoria), Tasmanian Tiger (Tasmania), Banana Woman (Queensland), and Territorian (North Australia). However, in times of emergency the entire team will gather at Squadron Mansion to face threats to the entire nation.

 

Goals

The stated goal of the Australia Squadron is the protection of the seven states of Australia: New South Wales, Queensland, West Australia, South Australia, Victoria, the Northern Territories, and Tasmania. Each member of the Squadron takes their home states as their primary place of protection, but in times of need can call upon other members of the squadron for protection. In times of extreme emergencies the entire time congregates at the Squadron Mansion in South Australia.

 

Secondary, because of the good press that the Southern Knights have garnered has created a bit of jealousy for the Australia Squadron, and each member seems to like to make the Souther Knights look bad, or make the Australia Squadron look better.

 

 

Reputation

While not known as a group much to the whole of Australia, the individual members of Australia Squadron are to a variety extent well known or fairly obscure in their respective parts of Australia.

 

Black Swan, Piping Shrike, and Tasmanian Tiger have been fighting crime for some time, while for the longest time Territorian was thought of something of a myth. The other members of Australia Squadron fall somewhere in the middle. Banana Woman isn’t too well known in Queensland, because she’s more interested in reporting on uberhuman crime than in fighting it. Sea Dragon and New South Wailer fight crime, but don’t usually actively seek it out.

[The Arc]

Re: Australia Squadron (Team)

 

Banana Woman

 

Barbara Hillary

 

 

http://www.uber-world.com/bananawoman.htm

 

Background

It was going to be a great day for Barbara. Her editor had finally given her the story she had been waiting for. Sure she had been running errands, making coffee, and doing the filing for the last six months, and sure all of the other reporters were out sick due to food poisoning. Her editor said it had to be due to bad coffee. Any way, Barbara was the only reporter for this story.

 

 

Professor Duellman was a noted herpetologist, famous in Brisbane for his genetic work on cane toads. He was also the local loon. So when the good professor disappeared her editor felt it would be a good story for Barbara to do.

 

 

As Barbara stepped outside the newspaper building it started to rain, and Barbara remembered that she hade left her umbrella at home. Running to the curb to hail a taxi, Barbara broke a heel. Limping forward, a taxi came swishing down the street and hit a huge puddle splashing Barbara from heat to foot. Yes, it was going to be a great day!

 

 

It was a drenched and bedraggled Barbara that got out of the fifth taxi she had hailed in front of Professor Duellman’s building. Naturally the building was locked. No problem there. Nothing was going to keep Barbara from her story.

 

 

Walking to the side of the building Barbara spied the fire escape. Unfortunately it was just a little out of reach. Looking around the alley provided no help in finding a way to reach the fire escape. So taking her purse, Barbara swung it up and around the lowest rung of the fire escape and pulled.

 

 

At first she got nowhere with all her tugging, until squealing with protest the ladder came loose knocking Barbara flat on her back and almost crushing her in the process. Shakily Barbara got up and dusted off her backside. Her hand came away with a wad of gum stuck to her skirt.

 

 

‘Just great,’ she thought, ‘what’s next?’

 

 

Climbing up a fire escape in a skirt proved to be rather difficult. Knowing the skirt was already ruined, Barbara ripped a slit in it so she could climb the ladder. The professors’ lab was on the third floor of the building so it was a long climb.

 

 

The lab was dark and it was hard to see inside through the window. Leaning into the window Barbara thought she could see something yellow on a counter. This was also the time that the window opened on its own and dumped Barbara into the room.

 

 

Barbara got up and looked around. The place was a mess. It looked like a bull in a china shop had been through the place. Globs of green stuff were splattered on the walls and floor. The only thing that seemed normal in the room was the banana, which was the yellow thing Barbara had seen through the window. Unconsciously she picked up the piece of fruit and put it in her purse.

 

 

Later at her desk, and after a quick stop back home to change clothes, Barbara was stymied on how to start to write the story on Professor Duellman. This was also about the time her stomach started to remind her that not only had she missed breakfast but lunch as well. Remembering the banana in her purse, Barbara dug the piece of fruit out and was quickly munching away. At first Barbara thought the banana may have been rotten, but the more she ate the better it tasted.

 

 

Not long after finishing the fruit everything seemed to fall into place. Barbara was able to link Professor Duellman with a new super-villain calling himself Professor Cane Toad. After that the story practically wrote itself, and her editor loved it, and wanted more.

 

 

So Barbara kept at it, chasing Professor Cane Toad all across Australia, first from Brisbane and the to Hobart in Tasmania. At first she couldn’t believe her luck, until she was set upon by three of Professor Cane Toads mutates. None of them laid a hand on her. The first go hit by a runaway fruit truck hauling bananas, the second fell down and was knocked out after slipping on the fruit. As for the third, Barbara was never quite sure. It was almost like he just disappeared.

 

 

That day, Barbara realized how dangerous it would be for her to track Professor Cane Toad. Soon she knew the criminal would start hunting her; she needed to come up with a better idea. Looking at all the bananas strewn on the street, Barbara was struck with an idea. Why couldn’t she take on a costumed identity? In that way, Professor Cane Toad couldn’t attack her directly because he wouldn’t know about Barbara, and a costumed identity would distract him. But what to call herself? Again her thoughts strayed to the bananas. Then it came to her, Banana Woman. Yes it would be perfect. She’d get the greatest story, and her real life would be safe. No need to tell her editor as he wouldn’t probably like the idea of Barbara putting herself at such a risk.

 

Personality

Barbara has always had a keen sense for adventure. Now that she has super powers (she still isn’t sure how she got them), her chance for adventure has increased dramatically. Barbara is having the time of her life as a costumed super-heroine.

 

 

Barbara is also a reporter, with a reporters’ nose for news. Her focus is the uberhuman community, and her stories are mostly about super-heroes and super-villains. So far her stories have been confined to Australia Squad and don’t run to sensationalism like the stories in Uber-World Today or the more fan based Capes.

 

Quote

"Boy what a lucky break."

 

Powers

Barbara isn’t sure exactly how she gained her powers over probability, and isn’t spending much time thinking about it either. Things just seem to happen around her. For Barbara these occupancies are usually lucky for her, and not so lucky for those opposing her. Foes have been ran over by runaway trucks, had masonry drop on them out of the blue, and bananas are usually involved in some way. Also others using guns, and even powered armor have found their equipment not working when faced with Banana Woman. Most super-villains give up or go away when fighting against Barbara.

 

 

Barbara knows not to trust her luck too much. So recently she has had Black Swan redesign her costume out of a high tech light-weight material that acts just like body armor. Naturally being a reporter Barbara always has her trusty camera handy. Many a super-villain has found an embarrassing picture of themselves in the newspaper after they’ve slipped on a banana peel.

 

Appearance

Barbara, as Banana Woman, wears a skintight blue body stocking. Her costume covers her entire body, except for the lower half of her face. In addition, she wears yellow leather boots, gloves, and belt. Over her back, Barbara wears a yellow cloak that flares out like two halves of a banana. Her mask is also is yellow and is vaguely "V" shaped.

 

 

Outside of her Banana Woman guise, Barbara wears clothing that is typical of a newspaper reporter. Her clothing isn't too expensive, but it isn't cheap either.

[The Arc]

Re: Australia Squadron (Team)

 

Black Swan

 

Elizibeth Swann

 

 

http://www.uber-world.com/blackswan.htm

 

Background

Elizabeth was one of Perth’s most dedicated police detectives. She recently had been given the promotion to the head of the Major Crimes Division. Life couldn’t seem to get much better for the police detective, but in a way it did. Her boyfriend, Cyrus Swan, a noted philanthropist in the city finally proposed marriage. Elizabeth was on cloud nine. Then she was handed the Dame Edna case.

 

 

Dame Edna was an up and coming crime boss in Perth. Things had recently changed in that Dame Edna’s gang had been seen with some high tech weapons. It wouldn’t be long before Dame Edna would overrun the other criminals in the city and even possibly challenge the police.

 

 

Elizabeth found the next few months difficult, heading up a major investigation into Dame Edna and planning a wedding. Things progressed on both fronts. Major Crimes was getting closer to Dame Edna, and Elizabeth found a good caterer.

 

 

Things came to a head when Elizabeth received a tip that Dame Edna was getting in an arms shipment at her warehouse in the Port District. Elizabeth quickly rounded up an assault force to raid the warehouse. The raid went well and the police rounded up all of Dame Edna’s gang along with a few of Evol Khan’s henchmen, who had been supplying Dame Edna with high tech weapons. The only bad part of the raid was that Dame Edna escaped.

 

 

The next day it was Elizabeth’s wedding. Dame Edna and all the crime in Perth was forgotten for the day; and what a magical day it was. All of the most important people in Perth attended the wedding. Truly it was a magical day. Elizabeth was so happy.

 

 

That night as Elizabeth and her new husband were resting in their honeymoon suite atop the Perth Hilton a knock came to the door. Cyrus got up and opened the door thinking it was housekeeping delivering their late night champagne. The sight that greeted Cyrus was an older blue hair dame not pushing a cart with a bottle of bubbly on it but holding the biggest blaster Cyrus had ever seen.

 

 

“Room service,” announced Dame Edna as she opened fire point blank into Cyrus’s chest. Cyrus was blown back into the room with Dame Edna following. Bursts of energy quickly followed as Dame Edna gleefully came in. She shot Cyrus a second time before turning her weapon on Elizabeth. With a desperation born out of terror Elizabeth grabbed her police revolver and was able to wound Dame Edna. However, Dame Edna wasn’t knocked down and was able to blast Elizabeth square in the chest throwing her back against the rooms window which instantly shattered in a million pieces.

 

 

Elizabeth didn’t remember the rest as her body came hurling out of the window. Unconscious her body plummeted down and down. Elizabeth wouldn’t died that night if it wasn’t for the swimming pool and a lot of luck.

 

 

It would take months of rehab and a few surgeries to fix all the damage. As for Cyrus Swan, he died that night, and Dame Edna would spend the rest of her life in Bandyup. Elizabeth struggled mightily with her injuries and the loss of her husband.

 

 

She retreated from the world spending all her time at Swan Manor. Elizabeth would probably stayed in the mansion if she hadn’t been paid a visit from Wong Li Tao who is known the world over as Go. The sifu or master, helped Elizabeth not only deal with her physical problems but with her grief as well. Go spent several months with Elizabeth helping her. Under his tutelage Elizabeth mastered White Crane Kung Fu, and also came to the conclusion that what she was doing in the police force wasn’t enough to combat crime in Perth. It was Go who suggested to Elizabeth take a costumed identity, the martial arts master knew several the world over. Intrigued she took him up on his suggestion. Go assisted Elizabeth design a costume and construct a variety of weapons. Thus was Black Swan created.

 

Personality

Elizabeth has turned her tragedy around. Her way of dealing with the grief of the death of her husband has been in fighting crime as the costumed vigilante Black Swan. Elizabeth fights crime both as a vigilante and as police detective with the Perth police department. Without Cyrus, fighting crime is the only thing that brigs her solace.

 

 

When not fighting crime, Elizabeth has to fight the bitterness of the loss of Cyrus has brought to her life. It’s a rare day that Elizabeth smiles much. Her fellow police officers always take care when dealing with Elizabeth. A few have even suggested therapy for her.

 

 

Even with all the death and grief in her life, Elizabeth has yet to take a life. She made a promise to herself and Cyrus that she wouldn't intentionally take another persons life. So far she hasn't.

 

Quote

"Okay...It's your choice. We can do this the hard way or the easy way."

 

Powers

Elizabeth is a highly trained martial artist, who studied under Go himself. She keeps herself in peak physical condition and constantly trains. As Black Swan she’s at least equivalent to an Olympic athlete.

 

 

Elizabeth wears an armored costume that is made of a high tech material able to protect her from almost any kind of assault. In addition she wears a cape that also adds further protection to her. Also Elizabeth can use the cape an emergency parachute.

 

 

Black Swan wears a mask that protects her from bright flashes, as well as allowing her to see things quite clearly at night and at distances. The mask further protects Black Swan from mental attacks. Lastly the mask contains a miniaturized radio allowing Black Swan access to all radio bands.

 

 

Besides her mask and her cape, Black Swan’s most important device his her utility belt. It’s from her utility belt that Black Swan keeps her weapons. Black Swan is known for her Swanarangs, which are swan shaped boomerangs. She’s quite proficient in throwing them. Other items on her belt are knock out pellets, flash pellets, and smoke pellets. Black Swan also has a swing line on her belt allowing her to swing from building to building. Lastly Black Swan has a mini-camera and mini-recorder on her belt letting her never to forget anything.

 

Appearance

Elizabeth is an attractive woman with short black hair and dark brown eyes. She’s very physically fit, and looks quite athletic. As Black Swan she wears a two tone body suit with the majority of it being black. The inner leg of her trousers are a yellow color. In addition her gloves and boots are a similar color, as is her utility belt. Epaulettes at her shoulders pin her black cloak to her back which reaches to her ankles. Elizabeth hides her identity from the public with a domino mask that is red.

 

 

When not fighting crime as Black Swan, Elizabeth typically dresses as a plainclothes detective. She usually wears a white long sleeved shirt with the sleeves rolled up, along with gray slacks and sensible shoes. Elizabeth isn’t known to dress up or wear makeup.

[The Arc]

Re: Australia Squadron (Team)

 

New South Wailer

 

Lucas Vega

 

 

http://www.uber-world.com/newsouthwailer.htm

 

Background

Lucas’s assignment with the ASIS (Australian Secret Intelligence Service) was to infiltrate Evol Khans’ organization in Singapore. Since Lucas had a musical background he wend undercover as a musician in one of Evol Khan’s nightclubs.

 

 

Things were going quite well and Lucas was funneling a lot of intelligence back to Australia. Lucas didn’t think he’d be betrayed by his own people. Such is hubris.

 

 

Lucas was starting his last set at the ‘Singapore Surprise’ nightclub. He had jumped to the stage, grabbed a drink that a handy waitress offered him, and began to sing.

 

 

Lucas was barely into the first chorus when the lights were starting to look too bright, and the room began to spin. In mere moments Lucas was on the floor his eyes completely unfocused. Men dressed as paramedics appeared as if they were standing by. It was an unresponsive Lucas that was carted off to a waiting ambulance right outside of the ‘Singapore Surprise’ nightclub. With sirens blaring the ambulance roared away. As the ambulance sped away, a lone figure came out of the nightclub. Neon light played across his bald scalp, as Evol Khan smiled with satisfaction.

 

 

Later Lucas awoken to the sight of too bright lights directed into his eyes, and his head swimming. A head with thick coke bottle glasses leaned over the table blocking the light.

 

 

“Ah, I see that you are coming out of the drugs,” said the man, “Now your throat may be a little sore after the operation, so refrain from talking. What operation you may ask? Well, my employer has instructed me to install the Hyper-Sonic Amplifier in you. One of my own inventions if I may say so. Impressive yes?”

 

 

“I do this for a reason. My employer wants you to kill Atomic Girl. Yes, I can see that you’ve heard of her. Disgraceful she is. To turn her back on Japan like that. Soon I shall return to Japan and have my revenge on those who killed my father. However, first Atomic Girl.”

 

 

“What you say, you won’t kill Atomic Girl. Do you not think that I have thought that you might be reluctant. Well, look at this.”

 

 

The man held up a small device that looked like a TV remote, except it only had one button, a large red button.

 

 

“I’ve also installed an explosive device in the Hyper-Sonic Amplifier that I can use to blow your head from your shoulders if you displease me. Don’t think that you can escape me, because my device has a two hundred meter range.”

 

 

Later at the Republic Plaza Building.

 

 

Sweat poured down Lucas’s back as he pounded up the stairs. Not far on his heels came Atomic Girl. His side ached where she had nailed him with a nuclear energy blast. Lucas didn’t think he could stand another hit like that. Fortunately for Lucas, Atomic Girl had proved to be susceptible to his Wail, and her movement had become somewhat sluggish. Lucas had even tagged the Japanese powerhouse with a sonic blast that even made Atomic Girl wince in pain. However, things weren’t improving much. Lucas had to duck as Atomic Girl punched at him, but his earlier Wail had her all wobbly and she missed him by centimeters. The stairwell wasn’t as lucked as concrete and glass exploded from the impact of her fist. She growled something in Japanese, but Lucas didn’t understand it. Lucas didn’t look back and kept running up the stairs. A sign flashed by Lucas as he ran, sixty. Only six more floors to go. Would he make it; there was a really angry Atomic Girl behind him.

 

 

A few more floors, and a few more wild nuclear blasts later, none of which hit Lucas, Lucas made it to the final door to the roof of the Republic Plaza building. A metal door stood in the way, but Lucas didn’t pause letting off a screech that shattered the door like confetti. As Lucas rolled onto the roof, a nuclear blast followed him an instant later. He had made it. Winds off the Singapore River swept in gales around Lucas and he came to his feet.

 

 

Out of the stairwell came and extremely angry Atomic Girl. Up into the night sky of Singapore the super-heroine flew. Nuclear energy flashed in her eyes.

 

 

“This ends now,” she bellowed.

 

 

“Crikey! Not so loud luv,” said Lucas, as he fished out a Fosters he had been saving and quickly drained his brew.

 

 

“Before ya go and spit the dummy let me tell ya a little story. You and I were both set up. Crikey I canna believe I shot up sixty six apples and pears. I am tuckered out.”

 

 

“Set up?” asked Atomic Girl as she came down to the roof. Her ears were finally not ringing as much as they were earlier.

 

 

“Struth luv,” said Lucas. “I was captured by this scientist dude and he put this dang thingamajig in me gob, and told me ta off ya luv. The blighter also put a bomb in me as well. Told me if I didn’t do as he said he’d send me head to the other side of the black stump. Not a pretty picture I tell ya. However, the egghead made a little mistake. I told me how far his little gizmo would work to blow me head off. Naturally it got me thinking about this place. Only had to figure out how to keep ya from doing the deed for him.”

 

 

“So who is this ‘egghead’?” asked Atomic Girl skeptically.

 

 

“Dunno,” said Lucas, “didn’t bother to say g’day mate to me, but he were a Japanese fella I reckon.”

 

 

“Japanese,” said Atomic Girl, “Eizo...”

 

 

Atomic Girl was just about to fly away, when Lucas called to back to Earth.

 

 

“I don’t mean to stop ya luv,” said Lucas, “but could ya help a mate out?”

 

 

Atomic Girl took a long close look at the explosive device.

 

 

“I don’t know much about explosives, but I think I can give it a try.”

 

 

Focusing her nuclear energy into a tight beam, Atomic Girl shorted out the explosive device in Lucus’s Hyper-Sonic Amplifier.

 

 

“Thanks luv,” said to Atomic Girl as she flew away.

 

 

Now what to do. Obviously he cover had been blown here in Singapore. It would be nice to get back to Australia, and maybe find out who had set him up. Also maybe Lucas would have a little fun with his new powers. New South Wailer, ya that sounded like a good moniker for him. Now all he had to do was to get down those sixty six floors again. His legs ached.

 

Personality

Lucas stands out in a crowd. He’s a real Australian in words and deeds. Lucas always seems to have a beer handy, and every woman he meets is a Sheila. However this at times puts others off. To Australians he represents a stereotype; one they don’t always enjoy, and to foreigners he comes off as ignorant. No ones comments have had much impact on Lucas’s world view.

 

 

Life for Lucas is to be enjoyed, and he enjoys it too its fullest. There is no beer that Lucas wouldn’t drink, and no party he wouldn’t want to attend. His willingness to party was one of the reason the ASIS picked him for his last assignment. Now however, the ASIS see that Lucas is a troublemaker, trying to bring light to an organization that thrives on shadows.

 

 

Another thing that people underestimate about Lucas is that he does actually think. Lucas always has a plan at the back of his mind. Often times when people count the New South Wailer out they find themselves surprised when he comes up with the right move for the right time.

 

Quote

"I am goin' ta rockya' like a hurricane!"

 

Powers

Lucas is armed with a cybernetic device known as the Hyper-Sonic Amplifier that is attached to his vocal chords. The device is activated when Lucas uses his voice. His usual form of using the device is through singing, or in shrieking or screaming. Lucas can use the Hyper-Sonic Amplifier to shatter rigid objects, create booming sounds that deafen his foes, or disrupt a foes inner ear making it difficult for them to concentrate.

 

 

A side effect of the Hyper-Sonic Amplifier is that sonic based attacks against Lucas are practically nullified. This also includes aural based flash attacks.

 

 

Lucas is a natural trained fighter, who’s really good in a brawl. When expecting action, Lucas wears a lightweight suit of body armor that looks similar to leather.

 

Appearance

Lucas is a good looking man with short red hair and brown eyes. He’s very athletic, usually going without a shirt. Lucas likes to show of his muscles and his tattoo that he got while in Singapore. As the New South Wailer, Lucas doesn’t have a costume as such preferring to go topless, along with tight black leather pants and cowboy boots.

[The Arc]

Re: Australia Squadron (Team)

 

Piping Shrike

 

Charles Drake

 

 

http://www.uber-world.com/pipingshrike.htm

 

Background

Charles Drake came from old money. His family owned the largest mining and smelting company in South Australia. One that Charles had besides being quite rich was a strong sense of the heroic. Against his fathers wishes Charles joined the RAAF (or Royal Australian Air Force), and became a fighter pilot. As a pilot, Charles saw several ways he could improve on his planes performance, but due to regulations he was unable to make it better.

 

 

When the Skellarans first made an all out attack on Earth, Charles along with the rest of his fighting squadron the Piping Shrikes took to the air in the defense of Australia. Alas modern fighter planes proved ineffectual to the spacecraft of the Skellerians. One by one Piping Shrikes were obliterated in the sky or shot down. Charles was one of the last to plummet to the parched Outback of Australia. Charles tied to punch out of his jet fighter, but his plane had taken on too much damage and the canopy wouldn’t open. The crash was quite horrific.

 

 

Lesser men probably would’ve died in such a crash. Charles Drake wasn’t that kind of man. He survived. However, he did receive multiple injures that did end his flying career, and his days in the military. As for the Skellaran invasion it was eventually defeated due to the efforts of several of the Earths mightiest super-hero groups, such as the Sentinels, Southern Knights, Dawnstars, and Sanction. Even a few super-villain groups aided in driving off the Skellaran invaders. These included Empire, Seven Soldiers, The Riders of the Storm, and even Gauntlet.

 

 

As for Charles he lay in an automated bed in his mansion in Adelaide, paralyzed from the neck down. However, Charles wouldn’t let such an injury keep him down. Charles paid for a powerful AI to be built into his mansion. Using the super computer, Charles set it about the task of designing an exoskeleton to allow Charles to move again. It took the AI about six weeks to come up with the first prototype. The first exoskeleton was more like a suit of armor, and was very heavy, but it did allow Charles to move again. Late models were lighter and smaller. Free to move around again Charles set about to perfecting his Piping Shrike battlesuit. His desire to be a hero had never diminished. Since the intervention of Earths super-heroes to stop the Skellaran invasion, Charles became determined that he was going to become on of them.

 

 

Over the years Charles has made constant improvements in his armor. He has also started fighting crime as the Piping Shrike, naturally. To the general public they think that the Piping Shrike is the bodyguard and close friend of Charles Blake, not knowing that they are actually the same person.

 

Personality

Since Charles was a little child and heard the exploits of his ancestors he has wanted to be a hero. Not just for the glory or the adoration of the public, but rather as a way to help those in danger or need. Charles as Piping Shrike has become quite famous for his heroic actions.

 

 

Another facet of Charles personality is his need for perfection. He constantly strives to improve himself, his armor, and the teamwork with his fellow members of Australia Squadron. At times his desire for perfection has annoyed his more free spirited team members, such as the Tasmanian Tiger.

 

Quote

"Australia Squadron Attack!"

 

Powers

Charles wears a suit of highly advanced armor. The armor enhances the wearers strength, speed, reflexes, and stamina. Naturally the armor protects the wearer from most physical or energy attacks. Servomotors in the legs allows the wearer to run at great speeds. Built into the back of the armor under the wings is the suits power pack that powers all the systems from the sensors to the weapons array. The armor is sealed and protects the wearer from the effects of extreme environment. This also includes its own oxygen supply.

 

 

Piping Shrike has energy generators built into the vambraces of the armor. He’s able to fire a variety of energy beams from the gauntlets from a powerful focused beamed to a more broad beam for striking multiple foes.

 

 

The suit also has an extensive sensor built into it, from a heat sensor which allows him see heat patterns along with a powerful radar. The faceplate of the suit is polarized and protects the wearer from bright flashes, and also the helmet is padded protecting the wearer from loud sounds as well.

 

 

Jets are built into the boots of the armor, which allow the wearer to fly. Piping Shrike also has a pair of wings on the back of the suit. These wings grant the wearer further aerodynamics and thus able to fly even faster.

 

Appearance

As Piping Shrike, Charles wears a suit of articulated armor that covers his body from head to foot. The primary color of the armor is white with black vambraces, greaves, and pauldrons. Attached to the back of the armor is a set of light weight metallic wings also in black. When not in use the wings fold in close to the body. The helmet of the armor consists of a white helm with a black faceplate. Because the armor is completely sealed Piping Shrike has no facial characteristics. The armor is also a marvel in microsization, in that when not use Charles can fold it down so that the entire suit of armor fits in a briefcase.

 

 

When not in his Piping Shrike armor, Charles is a rangy Australian man a little six feet in height. He has untamable blonde hair and a charming smile. Few know about the small electronic device attached to his back that allows him to move. Being wealthly Charles wears the finest clothing. He usually is seen wearing a pinestriped suit and his ever present briefcase.

[The Arc]

Re: Australia Squadron (Team)

 

Sea Dragon

 

Ken Simpson

 

 

http://www.uber-world.com/seadragon.htm

 

Background

Ken Simpson worked for Southern Cross International as a submarine pilot. His latest assignment with the corporation was a detailed exploration of the Great Barrier Reef. It was thought by Saxon Durant that somewhere in the reef system there might be a clue on how to cure the virus that was devastating the Uberhuman world. Ken wasn’t to know anything about the secret behind his research.

 

 

The seas were unusually rough as Ken’s submersible was lowered in the waters off the coast of Queensland. This was nothing new for Ken, who had been a sub jockey for years. With a nod at the captain of the ‘Southern Explorer’ Ken sealed the hatch to the sub, and settled in for a pre-dive check. Ken preferred life under the sea, not being the sociable of men. Everything has ‘green’, and Ken punched the release. The next six hours were his alone to wander the Great Barrier Reef and gather whatever samples the Southern Cross International required for their research. Sure none of this stuff was strictly legal, but Ken had been convinced it was for a good cause.

 

 

Ken was just about to finish up his exploration, when his sonar beeped. A large metallic mass was just around the next reef. Bored from a long day of exploring, Ken edged the sub around the reef and came face to face with a pitched battle. Through his view ports, he could see strangely dressed men fighting with what could only be described as fish men. The large metallic mass turned out also to be an alien looking submarine. Ken had just hit the reverse trying to pull his sub away, when the strange dressed men took notice of him. Their leader was a grey bearded man wearing a yellow rain slicker pointed at him, and two men wearing high-tech swim suits opened fire on him with torpedoes. Ken was a good submarine pilot, but his submersible wasn’t designed for combat, and was quite sluggish. He was able to dodge one torpedo, but not the next three.

 

 

System blanked out for a moment, and the cabin was bathed in red light as the emergency generator kicked in. However, things weren’t looking good. Several cracks had opened up in the hull, and they were getting bigger. The propulsion engine was out of commission, and Ken was quickly heading down. To make matters worse the radio was fried as well, so no calling for help from the surface.

 

 

It was an almost audible thump as the submersible settled into the sand at the bottom of the Coral Sea. A console near Ken exploded, and Ken passed out from the pain.

 

 

Ken never remembered how long he was unconscious, but eventually he did regained consciousness. He couldn’t figure out how he had gotten to where he was, wherever that was. Ken was no longer in his sub, but laid out on a pile of seaweed in some kind of underwater grotto. A greenish glow permeated the cave providing some light. Ken was in a lot of pain; his chest hurting the most. He couldn’t move the pain was so intense. Ken was able to turn his head however, when he heard splashing from a nearby pool, which he assumed lead to the sea outside.

 

 

Coming out of the water were three of the strange fish people. Their leader wore a strange looking robe, and was obviously the eldest of the group. The other two were a lot younger, and one of them was obviously female. These two carried pots. The old fish man tried to talk with Ken, but Ken couldn’t make sense of it. The old fish man nodded sagely, as he motioned to the younger fish people. Opening one of the pots he reached in an extracted a bluish unguent and proceeded to smear it on the worse of Ken’s wounds. The stuff was cold at the touch but it did make the pain fade away. Next the old fish man motioned to the female fish person, whose pot contained food. Ken found that he was ravenous, and didn’t even think about what he was eating. Smiling at Ken the old fish man motioned to his two young comrades, and in a moment all three had left him via the pool.

 

 

Over the next few weeks, Ken quickly picked up the language that the old fish man and his two comrades spoke. They told him that they were Atlanteans, and that he had stumbled upon a battle between them and a group of surface dwellers calling themselves Deep6. These surface dwellers had been raiding a nearby sunken aircraft carrier that was being used by the Atlanteans as an outpost.

 

 

Ken was luck to have survived the crashing of his submersible. The old Atlantean explained that when Ken was better, he would get Ken a visor that would let him see under the water, as well as a rebreather that would let Ken breathe underwater as well. However, it was still quite awhile before Ken was healed enough to leave the grotto.

 

 

It was just the first dive into the water, that Ken started to feel different. He felt stronger and faster in the water. Ken could swim like a dolphin, and breach like a whale. The power and the energy were overwhelming. His new friends were in awe in the changes in the surface dweller. None of them could figure out how the changes in Ken had come about, but the old Atlantean thought it may have been due to the unguents he had used on Ken.

 

 

Ken was taken to Reef City by his comrade to meet the governor of the far-flung Atlantean colony, where he was met with open arms. Ken was to stay in Reef City for several more months. However, even Ken, a loner at heart, desired to return to the surface world. Getting leave from the governor Ken surfaced near Willas Island.

 

 

He was surprised that the meteorology outpost was being attacked by a dozen toad-like men. Sighing heavily, Ken attacked. His time in Reef City had taught him how to use his new powers, and Ken used them with a vengeance. The toad men of Professor Cane Toad didn’t stand against Ken. His act to save the Willis Island outpost garnered Ken the name of Sea Dragon by the Australian press. Ken could only shake his head of this title. He was even more surprised when he actually joined up with the other members of Australia Squadron to combat Professor Cane Toad. All Ken ever really wanted was to be left alone. Ken still works for Souther Cross International, but occassional dones a costume and fights crime as Sea Dragon.

 

Personality

Some might say that Ken is a loner, and while this might be true, it isn’t the whole truth. For Ken it’s more a matter that he likes his own company to that of others. Ken keeps people at arms length, preferring the solitude of the depths to the hustle and bustle of the cities of Australia. However, Ken is still human, and when people are threatened, he won’t be one who stands aside at lets disaster strike. Some have called Sea Dragon a reluctant hero, but for Ken, it’s just that they don’t understand him and what he has been through.

 

 

Ken is so used to keeping others away from him that he has a habit of using sarcasm to maintaining the distance between him and others. While Ken is still a hero to many Australians, he’s also quick to say something biting or sarcastic. For Ken this protects him from others who might try to get too close to him. Oddly enough, regardless of his sarcasm, the other members of Australia Squadron seem to tolerate his sarcasm. The same can’t be said of villains like Professor Cane Toad or Sulfur. His biting comments drive either villain to distraction.

 

Quote

"Yeah right. And don't tell me this is a job for Sea Dragon."

 

Powers

Ken is not sure where his super powers came from. One theory is that they came from the unguents that the old Atlantean used on him, or that the unguents activated them. Ken or the Atlanteans were never sure.

 

 

Ken is now superhumanly strong and fast, while in the water. While out of the water, Ken has the strength of a fairly strong man, but in the water his strength become superhuman. In the water, Ken is able to lift 50 tons over his head. Ken is fast in and out of the water, but becomes even more so when in the water.

 

 

Ken is probably one of the fastest swimmers in the world. He’s so good at swimming, and Ken is able to reach great heights by breaching. Ken is also able to travel over hundreds of miles with his superhuman swimming ability.

 

 

During his time in Reef City, Ken has learned a few tricks he can do while swimming at superhuman speeds. By striking the water over and over again at superhuman speed, Ken can create one of two effects. He can form a miniature tidal wave that damages everything in its path, or he can form a more localized burst of water usually slams into a single foe. Finally Ken can swim around a foe so fast that they become trapped in a whirlpool like effect.

 

 

Other powers that Ken has is the ability to resist the pressure of the depths of the seas, and well as survive the intense cold of the water. However, Ken cannot breathe underwater. For this the Atlanteans gave him a rebreather for the task. Also the Atlanteans gave Ken a visor that allows him to see underwater, as well as battle suit that protects him not only from the dangers of the sea, but also against attacks from foes.

 

Appearance

Ken is a man with short brown hair and brown eyes. He’s a very muscular man, but not too muscular. As Sea Dragon he wears a skintight Atlantean battle suit that looks a lot like a dive suit. The battle suit is blue in color, with the upper half looking similar to a deep sea divers. Around the middle of the of the suit is a grey band that looks like waves. One Ken’s face, he wears a grey visor that not only lets him see underwater, but also protects his identity. Ken has never been comfortable wearing shoes, and as such goes barefoot.

 

 

When not in his Sea Dragon guise, Ken prefers to wear loose fitting clothes along with shorts of some type. Again he always goes barefoot.

[The Arc]

Re: Australia Squadron (Team)

 

Tasmanian Tiger

 

Doctor Robert Corvell

 

 

http://www.uber-world.com/tasmaniantiger.htm

 

Background

Doctor Robert Corvell was one of Tasmania’s leading biologists. Hist latest project was to study the possibility to bring back the extinct Tasmanian Tiger. Most people thought the whole idea was bonkers, but for Doctor Corvell it was a worthwhile project.

 

 

It was fate that night when Robert was paid a visit by Professor Cane Toad. The professor showed to have an interest in Robert’s research. Professor Cane Toad wanted his research for his own. Unfortunately for Robert it was a night he chose to work late.

 

 

The door to the lab exploded in a million pieces as Professor Cane Toad slammed his cane into it. In walked a hug toad headed man and strode in quickly followed by almost a does of his mutates.

 

 

“Knock, knock,” quipped Professor Cane Toad. His minions chuckled at their bosses joke.

 

 

“Now hold on,” said an indignant Doctor Corvell, “no one is allowed in here.” Doctor Corvell had never heard of Professor Cane Toad, but the sight of the professor certainly unnerved the doctor.

 

 

“Oh so sorry to interrupt your research Doctor Corvell, but you see I have a need for your research, and I am such a busy toad. So please just hand over your research if you’d be so kind.”

 

 

Doctor Corvell was stunned. Was this person actually wanting to take his work away from him? Surely he must be joking. Robert straightened his back and adjusted his glasses.

 

 

“Now see here,” said Doctor Crovell, “I certainly will not hand over my research to you or anybody else for that matter.”

 

 

“You dare,” growled Professor Cane Toad as he came forward and grabbed Doctor Crovell by the shirt front and raised the doctor off of the floor so that they were looking eye to eye. Doctor Corvell’s feet were dangling a few inches Off the floor. Professor Cane Toad was uberhumanly strong and could easily press a tank over his head. A scrawny scientist was no challenge.

 

 

“You dare,” said Professor Cane Toad again, “to de3ny me what I require. None dare to stand against me, Professor Cane Toad.”

 

 

With the utmost of contempt Professor Cane Toad flung Doctor Corvell away from himself. Robert didn’t even have a chance to yell before his back slammed into a row of experimental chemicals. Vials, tubes, and glass bottles shattered when Robert struck them. Some of them proved to be volatile and burst into flames as they mixed on Robert’s back. Robert screamed in agony as he burned.

 

 

As for Professor Cane Toad and his minions they watched for a little while before the professor signaled to his henchmen and they turned to leave. This little venture to Tasmania bore little fruit. Professor Cane Toad would seek out other sources for his scientific research.

 

 

It was the smell that brought Robert back from the edge. Hospital smells. They were so strong, overwhelming even. His slitted eyes opened and his nostril flared. Odd thought Robert, and then he looked down body. Or was it hiss body? Long muscular arm covered with a tan-like fur. It all seemed familiar in a way. With trembling hands that didn’t seem his own, Robert reached up and touched his face. The face wasn’t his. A mouth full of pointed teeth, and a snout no less greeted his clawed fingers. Robert screamed because it was him, and he screamed because he knew what he had become when Professor Cane Toad had thrown him into the wall of chemicals at his lab. Some of them had contained DNA from the Tasmanian Tiger and some how the DNA had mixed with his own. He had become a living Tasmanian Tiger.

 

 

The idea of it all kind of pleased Robert, but he wondered if the transformation was permanent or not. He didn’t have much time to contemplate his state of affairs as the door to his hospital room flung open and his nurse rush in to find out why Robert had screamed. Robert was so surprised that he instantly transformed back to his human from, and Robert just knew that from now on he’d be able to become the Tasmanian Tiger whenever he wanted to. Yes this was going to be interesting.

 

Personality

Before his transformation into Tasmanian Tiger, Robert was mellow retiring type of person, a classic nerd if you will. However, nowadays Robert can’t seem to get enough excitement, especially when he’s in his Tasmanian Tiger form. Robert has earned several speeding tickets, and as Tasmanian Tiger he rarely stands still for long.

 

 

It’s in combat where Robert shines. He doesn’t waste time when it comes to a fight. Robert goes in to take down a foe as fast as possible. So far he hasn’t actually killed anyone, and he’d be horrified if he actually did. At time Robert worries that part of the transformation results in an almost animalistic aggression.

 

 

For all the changes in Robert, he’s still very much a scientist. At times he has found himself distracted with some new breakthrough in science, and has a hard time tearing himself away.

 

Quote

"I don't play with my foes. I take them out."

 

Powers

Robert is a man who can instantly transform himself into a Tasmanian Tiger-like humanoid. When the transformation takes place, Robert becomes uberhumanly strong, swift, and incredibly resistant to injury. In point of fact, Roberts’ constitution becomes so powerful that he heals faster than would normally be possible for a human.

 

 

In his transformed state, his senses of smell become incredibly acute. As Tasmanian Tiger, Robert has been known to track his foes with just smell alone. Like a cat, Robert is also able to see at night.

 

 

When transformed, Robert is able to run extremely fast and can just long distances with ease. Also his fingers grow claws which Robert can use to shred steel even.

 

Appearance

As Tasmanian Tiger, Robert puts on several inches in height and quite a lot of weight as well, and all of that is muscle. In his transformed state, Robert looks vaguely like a Tasmanian Tiger. His body is covered in a tan-like fur, with dark bands of fur around his neck and around his legs. A tail grows from his back as well. Claws grow from his fingers, and his face become very cat-like complete with fangs.

 

 

In his normal form, Robert is a man of middling height with short brown hair. He normally wears glasses. Robert’s typical mode of dress are blue jeans, a white cotton shirt, a poorly tied tie, and over this he likes to wear a lab coat.

[The Arc]

Re: Australia Squadron (Team)

 

Alas Territorian should be next, but his background hasn't been finished yet. However, I did write up two original villains who're foes of Australia Squadron.

[bubba smith]

Re: Australia Squadron (Team)

 

very good

[The Arc]

Re: Australia Squadron (Team)

 

Professor Cane Toad

 

Professor Thomas Duellman

 

 

http://www.uber-world.com/professorcanetoad.htm

 

Background

Professor Duellman was a noted herpetologist from Brisbane. His expertise was in the study of the cane toad. The cane was a serious ecological threat to Australia’s native wildlife, in that the toads were highly poisonous, and multiplied geometrically. Professor Duellman did extensive studies on the toad trying to find a way to eradicate or at least control the pest. The professor knew that the best would be on genetic level. A little change, say making the toads more susceptible to diseases might be the answer.

 

 

The professor was dismay and shocked when he published his research and found that no one would listen to his theories. A few fellow scientists even mocked him, calling him a crackpot.

 

 

One day the ridicule proved too much. In a rage, he took a cane and started to demolish his lab. Professor Duellman would not be mocked. The more he swung the cane the angrier he became. Professor Duellman barely noticed when the fire started, he just kept on swinging. Flames licked up the walls and eventually triggered a massive explosion.

 

 

Professor Duellman was thrown into a vat of bufotoxin that he had been experimenting on. He sunk like a stone. Soon only his hand showed out of the toxic soup and then it to was submerged. Professor Duellman should’ve died in the vat of toxin, but instead of killing him, the toxin mutated him.

 

 

The hand that thrust from the vat wasn’t human anymore, but more like that of a cane toad that Professor Duellman had been studying. The creature that exited the vat was no longer Professor Thomas Duellman; it was a toad-like giant of a man.

 

 

With the glare of his toady face, Professor Cane Toad surveyed the wreckage of his lab. Sighing loudly the professor regretted his rage. All his research was ruined. Oh well, he thought he now had a body that would demand respect.

 

 

Piecing together some lab coats to cover himself Professor Cane Toad started to leave the lab when a security guard accosted him. With an almost nonchalant wave of his hand a burst of purplish energy shot from Professor Can Toads’ hand striking down the guard. Professor Cane Toad bent over to take a closer look at the man and touched him. A strange transformation overtook the guard. He quickly took on a slightly similar look as Professor Cane Toad. When he opened his eyes the mutate bowed his head to his new master. Things just were getting better and better.

 

Personality

Even before his transformation, Professor Duellman was an arrogant man. He was always sure of his theories, and didn’t take criticism very well. In Professor Duellman’s world everyone should agree with him. Those who didn’t were fools, and unenlightened. Now that Professor Duellman has become Professor Cane Toad, this attitude hasn’t changed much, except to become worse. This time however, those who dare to disagree with Professor Cane Toad might be hit with his cane, or even worse turned into one of his mutates.

 

 

Professor Duellman has always had a problem with his temper. He’d get angry at the slightest criticism or perceived slight to his scientific genius. With the transformation into a super-villain his temper is that much worse. Professor Cane Toad can really hurt those who anger him. It’s not good to anger Professor Cane Toad.

 

 

All the powers that Professor Duellman gained with his transformation has gone to his head. Not only does the professor see this as a justification of his greatness, but also a warrant to seek even more power over his fellow man, and if he has to transform his fellow man into a mindless servant so much the better for Professor Cane Toad.

 

Quote

"Fools! Those so called Heroes of Australia are mere flies waiting to be devoured by the criminal mastermind known as Professor Cane Toad! Soon the world will tremble under my amphibian gaze! Beware! Mwahaaa haha!"

 

Powers

Professor Duellman’s immersion into the vat of bufotoxin has created a genetic change in him. Now as Professor Cane Toad, he has acquired similar traits as the cane toad. Professor Cane Toad has grown larger and stronger than a normal person; being able to easily lift a hundred tons over his head. His skin has become very thick, even wart-like, and acts almost like armor.

 

 

The toxin is still secreted by his skin, and those who physically attack Professor Cane Toad often find themselves violently ill afterwards. Professor Cane Toads’ toxic touch can transform another human into a toad-like mutate, who’re slavishly loyal to Professor Cane Toad. Professor Cane Toad can also secrete a toxin that cause dreadful hallucinations in his victims. Furthermore, Professor Cane Toad can eject poison from his hands that cause painful wounds to those no immune to toxins.

 

 

Like a toad, Professor Cane Toad’s tongue is extendible, and strike with the force equal to a pile driver. Professor Cane Toad has been known to even grab and throw his opponents with his tongue, which is completely prehensile. Also like a toad, Professor Cane Toad can leap over great distances with ease.

 

Appearance

Professor Cane Toad is a large toad-like man. His skin is a greenish color, but he doesn't have warts. His head is completely toad-like and his even greener eyes slightly bulge from his head. What hair remains on his body is a small goatee of tan hairs growing from his chin. Even though Professor Cane Toad is no longer human, he still likes to dress nice. He usually dresses in a white long sleeved shirt with a black suit over it. Due to his successes as a criminal mastermind, all of his clothes are expensive, usually silk. Professor Cane Toad always carries his cane, which is topped with an enormous white pearl.

[The Arc]

Re: Australia Squadron (Team)

 

Sulfur

 

Alex Ledue

 

 

http://www.uber-world.com/sulfur.htm

 

Background

Alex Ledue couldn’t wait to get out of a backwards town like Langdon Fork, Louisiana, so he lied about his age, and joined the army. Alex was always a troublemaker, looking out for number one, and he didn’t change when he left his hometown. In the army he was constantly in trouble; not that it bothered him. Eventually the army and Alex had a falling out. It was over some stolen weapons that Alex had sold to some warlord in Africa. However, before the army was able to arrest him, Alex got on a cargo ship and headed to Africa. Alex’s days in the army were over. He never looked back.

 

 

In Africa, Alex became a soldier of fortune, working for any two bit tyrants or dictators in their endless struggle for domination of the Dark Continent. Years of constant fighting worked themselves on Alex. When he thought he’d be rolling in the riches, he found himself working for despots who cheated him or occasionally try to kill him. One of the last jobs that Alex did was for the Witch Doctor. Alex along with many other mercenaries, some of them superpowered, helped the Witch Doctor carve Azambia out of the African landscape. Things should’ve calmed down, but once again, Alex wasn’t satisfied with his share of the loot.

 

 

One day while running an errand for the Witch Doctor, Alex came across some papers in the Witch Doctors office. Always looking out for number one, Alex ran them through a nearby photocopier and took them back to his quarters. Alex was amazed with what he had found. It looked like a secret report from World War II, that indicated hidden Nazi caches around the world. Alex just knew that meant gold. Alex loved gold. He also knew that it would only be a matter of time before Witch Doctor set about gathering these lost Nazi gold caches. Surely Witch Doctor wouldn’t miss just one. Leafing through the papers, Alex came across one that mentioned a cache in the Southern Alps in New Zealand. Surely that was far enough away from Azambia, that Alex would be safe from the Witch Doctor? Raiding the Azambian treasury for travel funds, Alex was again on his way. He never looked back. His fortune awaited in far off New Zealand.

 

 

The Southern Alps were a lot colder than any place Alex had been in Africa, so it took quite a while for Alex to find the exact place where the Nazi gold was hidden. Alex debated hiring a guide, but didn’t want to share all that loot with anyone.

 

 

The climb in the mountains were difficult, but eventually Alex found the spot. A door camouflaged to look like the side of the mountain was Alex’s only barrier. Nothing a few explosives couldn’t fix. It was a muffled boom that shook the mountain as the barrier disintegrated. Alex didn’t wait a moment and rushed in; thoughts of all that gold driving him on.

 

 

Disappointment on top of disappointment. There was no gold! Alex searched and searched, but there wasn’t anything but barrel upon barrel of chemicals. Heedlessly Alex threw the barrels out of his way in his mad search. Some of the chemicals had become quite volatile over the decades since the Nazi’s had hidden them in New Zealand, especially as they mixed together. Alex was at the back of the cave when the second explosion occurred. He had only a second to scream as several tons of chemicals, mostly sulfuric acid obliterated the cave.

 

 

It was the cold that eventually woke up Alex. He hurt like he had never hurt before. Craning his head he saw that he had been blown clear of the cave and was lying face down in the snow, and all his clothes were gone as if melted. Trying to prop himself up, Alex discovered something else. All the hair on his body was gone as well. He passed out a few seconds on this discovery. However, Alex was a fighter. He wasn’t going to let the cold and possibly hypothermia kill him. Struggling to his feet, he head down the mountainside.

 

 

Alex was never sure exactly how he got back to his car, but he was thankful for it. However, when he tried to open the car door his hand burned through the door as if he were made entirely of acid. Looking in amazement at his hands, Alex could see that his skin had become yellow, and a mist was forming around him that was a similar color. With effort, and not without destroying the rearview mirror Alex was finally able to get a good look at himself.

 

 

At first he was horrified, after he calmed down a bit Alex came to realization that he had just gained superpowers. Also with this realization came the idea that now he could more money as a super-villain than as a mere mercenary henchman. The possibilities were endless.

 

 

But what to call himself? Nothing was really coming to him, until he got a smell of the gases he was producing. Sulfur. Yeah that would fit perfect. So where to start his new career. Certainly not back in the States; he’d be just one of many super-villains trying to get a chance at the brass ring. Not Africa either. As powerful as Alex felt, he knew he wouldn’t stand a chance against Witch Doctor and his minions. No it would be safer here in New Zealand and Australia. A fellow could make a name for himself down under.

 

Personality

Alex has been fighting war for far too many years. He has seen and has participated in so many acts against his fellow man that Alex has so little respect for anyone, even himself. Alex doesn’t trust anyone. He has been betrayed or betrayed others for his own ends, that he doesn’t even believe in the concept anymore. For Alex, either he is using someone, or someone is using him.

 

 

The one guiding principle in Alex’s life has always to get paid, and his pay has never been enough. For Alex there is just one more job, one more heist that will put him on easy street. Alex has never actually made a score like that, but even so he’d probably think it wasn’t enough. Alex has never had second thoughts about using anyone to his advantage, for him it’s the way the game is played; dog eat dog.

 

 

Alex is very much a mercenary. For Alex it’s always about being paid for a job, and won’t budge to do anything until his price is met. Also as a mercenary, Alex isn’t above switching sides if the opposition is offering a better reward. Of course, most super-heroes won’t have anything to do with Alex, but this doesn’t bother Alex in the least.

 

 

Quote

"Great, just great."

 

Powers

Alex’s exposure to the chemical in the cave, and his latent uber-gene has granted him two power and distinctive powers. The first is the ability to become a cloud of acid vapor or mist. Almost all attack pass through him when he’s in this form, and most objects will be eaten by the acid that makes up Alex when he’s in this form. Needless to say those physically attacking Alex when he’s in this gaseous state are similarly harmed.

 

 

The second major abilities of Alex’s is that he can create a fogbank like effect with his acid cloud. This bank covers a wide area, and anything and anyone in it will be consumed by the acids in the cloud. Alex is immune to either of his own powers.

 

 

Alex when he’s in his cloud-like state, he can fly after a fashion. He’s also able to use his acidic powers to form a shield of sorts that protects him from almost any kind of attacks.

 

Appearance

When transformed into Sulfur, which only takes a moment for Alex, he becomes a vaguely humanoid shaped person. His skin takes on a yellow cast, and Alex becomes surrounded by a cloud of acid vapors that are also yellow in color. The only color on Sulfur that isn’t yellow is his eyes, which become pools of red.

 

 

When Alex transforms back into his human state, all of his clothes have been eaten by the acidic transformation. Whenever possible Alex likes to stash some extra clothing for when he becomes human. Otherwise Alex is of average height and eye with the only distinguishing characteristic in that he has no hair on his body.