I’m delighted to be playing in some Mongoose 2e Traveller. Character generation was a blast as usual for this lifepath system. Here’s my character:
Force Commander Dane Lovrick (Imperial Marine) (Night Wraiths Black Ops Unit – no formal records of their existence)
7B7786 Marines (5terms) Athletics (Dexterity) – 2, Electronics (Computers) – 1, Explosives – 1, Gambler – 1, Gunner (Turret) – 1, Gun Combat (Slug) – 2, Heavy Weapons – 0, Leadership – 1, Mechanic – 0, Medic – 1, Melee (unarmed) – 1, Pilot (Spacecraft) – 1, Science – 0, Stealth – 1, Tactics (Military) – 1, Vacc Suit – 0
(I have added two skill levels in anticipation of contacts)
Dane was born to a lower echelon family of industrial workers in the over-populated crime infested hellworld of Albe ( Albe/Sindal (Trojan Reach 2211) ). He always had the smog clouded stars to look at and the prospect of exploring new and better vistas. His application for the Scouts was categorically turned down, crushing his hopes of escape, leaving him afraid that he would be consigned, like his family, to the brutalised environment and monotony of the heavy industry that Albe had to offer, living side by side with the tireless robotic workers that repaid their limited consciousness with the most dangerous of work.
The draft seemed to be his only option, so he eagerly went for it. Fate, rather than ability, took him to the Marines and the starship troopers. He might get away to see the Sector after all, but through a drop capsule with a gun in his hand, projecting Imperial might as required in this fringe between major polities. Unexpectedly, he was propelled to an early commission, despite his unpreposessing record and his low status. Dane really didn’t fit in the officers’ mess at all, finding himself awkwardly inbetween the recruits and the officers.
His early term was in security detail on Asterix V station. It wasn’t the most exciting of assignments but it proved simple enough, and didn’t involve any drop combat. He found places in the station that he could go that kept his spirits high and preserved a sense of hope and humanity. A foiled robbery on station brought him some good luck. His security detail did the work and he was given future options and connections when he moves on from the Marines. It was a rare positive step at a time when he was continually passed over for advancement. [Anyone contact me through the station?]
With a dead end career beckoning and little warmth in the steel and plasma of his life, it seemed time for him to be dispensed with. The route for this was unexpected. He got promotion to Captain and, finally, Force Commander. His unit? ‘Night Wraiths’ an Imperial black ops section, given the dirtiest and disclaimable missions. The section was full of hardened veterans with unstable career profiles. They were, however, ruthlessly efficient at what they did and for 8 years Dane Lovrick, call sign ‘Shroud’, undertook dangerous and deadly missions against a variety of targets, few of which were probably deserving. [Bio weapons thanks to the good doctor? Other contact due to the operations]
The killing sickened Dane and, before he lost what vestiges of humanity he had left, he opted for mustering out, having gained a Marine reputation, high rank, and a dark history of operations. Those very few targets that survived are unlikely to forget the ruthless Imperial Marines and their grim, blank faced, commander.
Now demobilised with some tools of his trade, and a TAS membership in recognition for ‘services to the Imperium’, he’s looking for a simpler life and a chance to explore the stars on his own terms.