Starduster

F Gd 10

A Rm 30

S Gd 10

E Gd 10

R Ty 6

I Ex 20

P Gd 10

Res Gd 10

Pop Sh 0

Health: Karma:

60 36

Origin:

As is the case with the vast majority of Gi Joe operatives, Starduster is no super human - though it can be difficult to tell when he's at work in the air. He lacks special powers, but has access to advanced military hardware that could make him a high tech hero.

Known Powers:

(none)

Equipment:

Grenade Launcher: his principal weapon, Edward can use this device to lob grenades at targets up to three areas away - further if he's directly over them. These explosives inflict Remarkable (30) Edged Attack (fragmentary) damage to all uncovered targets in their detonation area.

Grenades: similarly, Edward keeps a back-up grenade or two pinned to his bandoiler in the event of emergencies - or if he simply runs out of ammunition. He can fling these explosives up to one area away from his person, and they detonate as described above.

Helmet: while working as Starduster, Edward always wears a protective helmet - he's one gunshot away from a significant fall, after all. This head gear offers him Good (10) protection against physical attacks, and like Protected Senses for his vision, thanks to its darkened visor.

J.U.M.P. Jet Pack: a true acrobat, Edward has made amazing use of this device in the seemingly endless effort against Cobra. He can use it to provide aerial reconnaissance or fire support as is needed. The J.U.M.P. is described in its own vehicular entry.

Knife: a handy thing to have in combat conditions, Edward always keeps a blade on his person in the field. Made from Incredible (40) m.s. materials, this sharp object can cut through items of like m.s., or can be used to inflict Edged Attack damage in melee combat.

Semi-automatic Pistol: sometimes you just run out of grenades. For such circumstances, Edward carries a smaller hand cannon, one which he can fire to inflict Typical (6) Shooting damage in a single shot, raised to Good (10) Shooting damage in a semi-automatic spread.

Quirks:

(none)

Talents:

Acrobatics: his original claim to fame, Edward is an incredibly nimble acrobat, having performed in the circus using his skills. He should receive a +1 CS when Dodging, Escaping and Evading, as well as during complex aerial maneuvers like walking the tight rope.

Guns: a standard military skill, Edward has been trained in the fine art of gunplay. Whether he's brandishing a standard, semi-automatic or fully automatic rifle or pistol at an opponent, Edward may wield such weapons as though his Agy was +1 CS higher than is listed above.

Martial Arts type B: his natural skill honed by military training, Edward can easily defend himself even without all his heavy duty firepower. When engaged in unarmed melee, he may attempt any offensive maneuver - whether punching, kicking, or elbowing - at his Ftg +1 CS.

Military / United States: though Edward had a career before joining the Army, his time in the military has honed his fighting abilities to a tee. Furthermore, this talent represents his ability to function seamlessly in a fighting environment and understand the S.O.P.

Performer: on top of being an incredibly flexible acrobat, Edward is something of a performer, and enjoys making a show of his capabilities. He should receive a ten point Karma bonus for every week spent performing under the Big Top.

Contacts:

As a member of the Gi Joe team, Starduster can naturally rely upon his fellows in the fight against Cobra for assistance in almost any matter, as the group is rather tightly knit in nature. Edward also has several other contacts in performing (circus) circles.

Costume:

Edward's second Gi Joe uniform is similar to his first. It includes sky blue and grass green camouflaged trousers, a sky blue collared T shirt, gray leather boots and gloves, a black leather belt, a white helmet, and a light brown bandoiler, holsters and sheaths for his gear.

Personality:

More than anything else, Edward is a performer. He loves the adulation of the crowds, whether it be a stadium full of circus fans or his fellow Joes. He's fearless in the face of adversity, and only seems to have fun when he's pushing himself to the very limit.

Real Name: Edward J. Skyler, Grade E-5
Occupation: infantry, air recon
Legal Status: citizen of the United States with no known criminal record
Marital Status: single
Alias(es), if any: Skyduster
Group Affiliation: Gi Joe

Height: 6'
Hair: black
Eyes: brown
Weight: 155 lbs
Other Distinguishing Characteristics: none.

Story:

Like fellow Gi Joe operative Taurus, Edward began his career as a circus acrobat. Unlike Taurus, he is a consummate performer, preferring to wow the crowds with amazing feats of agility in the air, instead of breaking 2x4 boards with his face.

Eventually wandering into government service, Edward became an Airborne ranger, because what else was he going to do with his natural skills? He naturally excelled at his job, and could perform flawlessly even when dangling out of a helicopter from a 150 foot rope.

His ability to function - and even fight - under such adverse conditions got Edward noticed by none other than Duke himself, who thought that he could make good use of Edward and his high-flying combat show. He quickly recruited the man onto the Gi Joe team.

Once he was through the horrifying Gi Joe entrance exam, Edward was given advanced gear in the form of the J.U.M.P. jet pack, and began to show the Joes it was capable of things they couldn't imagine. A bit of official schooling and on the job training, and Edward was off!

He quickly proved to the team that he's one of their best bets where air support is concerned. No matter how hairy conditions might be, he's all too happy to slip up into the air and provide the team some cover - or simply scout out enemy positions from his higher altitude.

Edward performed his duty with the Gi Joe team for the duration of its original incarnation, only leaving when it was disbanded for a time back in 1994. Edward returned to his circus show at that time, possible even more fearless than before, thanks to his military training.

Though not directly associated with the Gi Joe team these days, Edward is more than happy to answer the call of duty if the Joes ask for his help - as he did during the second Cobra Island Civil War, not to mention World War III itself, where he helped to stop Cobra from conquering the world!

Extra Goodies:

Gi Joe directories featuring a version of Starduster:

1987

1988

1989

2008