Scarlet Sang

 Back-story

Scarlet had worked with her mother from a young age. Her mother designed and made a variety of exoskeletons to increase durability, manoeuvrability or just accessibility to any that needed it. Scarlet didn't have the same creative mind as her mother but she helped to test, maintain and repair the exoskeletons that were made. Because of the testing done over the many years she developed a unique set of skills with the exoskeletons.

Her father watched her 'training' one day, had asked her a question. "My dear girl, I look at you and see a warrior, but you stay and help your mother. What is it that keeps you here?"

Scarlet's answer had not surprised him "She helps people. So if I help her, I help people."

He had put his hand on her shoulder. "I hear those at Beacon help people too" She had hesitated at this, "If I went to Beacon I wouldn't get to see you"

Seeing him was very important for her he knew. His job had kept him away from home often. He had kissed her forehead and led her inside. "Scarlet"

She woke up. Looking for the source of her name. It was her mother, standing by the doorway with a large container. Scarlet rubbed her eye and stood up, trying to rid herself of the drowsiness. Her mother placed the container of the table, and opened it for her to see. Scarlet looked inside, seeing an exoskeleton with many modifications. This must have been the project she kept from me.

She noticed the bracers were significantly larger, feeling their edge. Her mother gestured for her to turn around. She began clipping on the exoskeleton as she talked.

"It will be my last one. Every since..." Scarlet felt her pause, she knew that her father's death had struck her deeply. The accident had been two months ago, the day after he had suggested going to Beacon. Her mother continued.

"This is my gift to you, with it I want you to go and help as many as possible"

She finished attaching the final piece, then  looked into her eyes.

"I have completely reworked the system, you know the thruster controls, but I added some things to the bracers. They each contain a blade and small gauss rifle. These can be controlled with these movements" She traced the movements with Scarlet's thumb, describing the use of each control.

"There is one more thing, just let me get it" Her mother walked back to her workshop.

Scarlet heard glass break somewhere outside, briefly wondering what got broken.

She brushed her thumb along her fingertips, turning on the controls. With the system on she tested the modifications. The blade slid smoothly from the bracer and she examined it for a moment, before retracting it. The gauss rifle reminded her of a weapon her mother had repaired long ago, and remembering the damage it could cause, she decided it could be tested another time.

<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Scarlet heard footsteps behind her.

<p class="MsoNoSpacing">"Hey kid. Where are the armoured ones?"

<p class="MsoNoSpacing">She turned around, seeing a man pointing a pistol at her.

<p class="MsoNoSpacing">He spoke again. "Tell me where your mother keeps the armour and no one gets shot."

<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Scarlet thought about her father. There is more than one way to help people.

<p class="MsoNoSpacing">She flicked her fingers, the mini-jets on the exoskeleton launching her straight at him.

<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The blade emerged and she swept it across, knocking his gun away. He pulled the trigger, startled by her sudden lunge. Scarlet heard a cry of pain and spun around. Her mother was clutching her chest, a large patch of blood around her hand. She fell to the ground. Another shot was fired and Scarlets throat exploded in pain. She knew the wound was serious but she didn't care. She looked at her mother. The man had shot the bullet, but she had shifted his aim. The man was cursing under his breath behind her. She flicked her fingers, the mini-jets firing into action. The blade slid from the bracer, and with both her strength and the thrusters, she plunged it deep into his chest. She could feel herself losing consciousness, and in her last moment of anger, closed her eyes and fired the gauss rifle.

<p class="MsoNoSpacing"> <p class="MsoNoSpacing">Scarlet opened her eyes. A white room greeted her. She tried to look around, but a neck brace held her head still. She reached up to touch it and felt the weight of her arm. She still had the exoskeleton on. Her hand brushed against the brace, feeling the patch around her neck. She let out a soft sigh.

<p class="MsoNoSpacing">A voice drifted in the door "She's awake."

<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Footsteps sounded in the room. Scarlet didn't wait. "My mother, is she alive?"

<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Her throat burned as she spoke. The dull ache flaring with the movement. The doctor stopped. "She's fine at the moment, but you should get"

<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Scarlet cut him off "At the moment? She could get worse?"

<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The doctor held up his hand "She is in a coma, we don't know what will happen. But you need rest, that neck wound won't heal if you keep moving."

<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Scarlet rolled to the side of the bed. She felt dizzy as she sat upright, but she continued anyway. The doctor was saying something and trying to stop her from leaving the bed, but she couldn't hear him. As she went to stand the doctor held her shoulders. Scarlet wouldn't let him stop her, if she didn't see her mother now, she might not at all. The blade slid out and the doctor backed off quickly. She started walking. She made it down the hall and into her mother's room.

<p class="MsoNoSpacing">She was pale, too pale to be healthy. Scarlet stroked her cheek, the glove removing her chance to feel her skin. A tear fell onto the bed. She kissed her mother's forehead.

<p class="MsoNoSpacing">"I'll make the world better for you."

<p class="MsoNoSpacing"> <h2 class="MsoNoSpacing">Appearance

<p class="MsoNoSpacing"> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"> <h2 class="MsoNoSpacing">Weapons and skills

<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The mini-jet assault exoskeleton (MJAE) was designed to increase manoeuvrability dramatically while giving offensive potential. This is done by incorporating weapons into the exoskeleton itself, allowing the operator use the extensive controls for the jets while engaging an opponent. The bracers were enlarged to accommodate a blade along the forearm and a small gauss rifle. The overhauled control system now allows the occupant to use the full range of thruster commands, including controls for deploying the blades and firing the rifles. The exoskeleton itself is sturdy enough to endure the punishment of close combat, but will not support the use of the mini-jets if weakened or broken. The mini-jets have been redesigned for more sustained use, now being able to fire for up to 20 seconds, rather than 8 seconds, before overheating. A minor modification by the current user included clips for gauss refills along the thigh plates.

<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Scarlet has not yet developed her fighting skills, but can use all aspect of the MJAE with ease. The extra speed and power gained from the mini-jets can make up for her lack of skill, provided she only faces one or two foes. Her inexperience can lead to her stepping past her bounds,

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<h2 class="MsoNoSpacing">Personality