Python Patrol Officers

* Python Patrol Officers will generally have either Boxing or Martial Arts as a skill, but not both unless they are exceptional fellows. If an Officer goes with Boxing, he will have a d code for both Strength and Agility; this is the standard Officer choice for the most part. On the other hand, if he goes with Martial Arts, a Python Patrol Officer will have an x code for Strength and a c code for Agility.

Powers:

(none)

Equipment:

Dragunov Sniper Rifle (a): this Russian-built, semi-automatic rifle is built primarily with assassinations in mind, though it can be used in a firefight in a pinch. The gun itself fires rather large shells, making it act as a +5 weapon, though it can also be used to fire a small burst that allows it to act as a +6 weapon in a pinch. It is also equipped with a scope, offering +1 to hit in sniping situations.

Helmet (s): all Python Patrol Officers wear a helmet, in order to increase relative safety on the field and to protect from the ever-deadly head shot. Made of material strength 10 metals, this helmet offers its wearer +2 protection from any non-frontal head attacks. This may not be enough to deflect all damage in a given instance, but it nonetheless helps to save lives...

Knife (s): though they'd rather not do so, all Python Patrol Officers are equipped to fight hand to hand in the event that they completely run out of ammunition (and they usually carry several spare clips to prevent this). These blades are of material strength 12, and in a Python Patrol Officer's hands, they can be used as +2 weapons with each deadly strike.

Wraith Suit (i): the prime benefit of being a member of the Python Patrol, other than the increase in pay, is that the Cobra Officers who accept this promotion receive the use of a handy wraith suit. This suit, which doubles as their uniform, makes the Officers invisible to infra-red scanners and all manner of radar technology. This stealth technology functions at intensity 15.

Hindrances:

(none)

Skills:

Boxing (s): all Python Patrol Officers are trained in at least one form of unarmed combat once they hook up with the group, if they don't already have one under their belt. A majority learn the fine art of boxing, allowing them to divide their pre-cardplay action score between two unarmed melee attacks per exchange, the last of which will occur as a contingent action. *

Espionage (i): one of the skills that give Python Patrol Officers an edge over their subordinates is their ability to worm their way into a facility and then pose as an ordinary staff member, whether it be a nuclear power plant, defense contractor, or even a television station. Cobra Officers perform all infiltration attempts, and any other detective action, at one difficulty level lower than is normally required.

Marksmanship (a): a given prerequisite, all Cobra operatives must have the ability to use a gun in combat; if they don't have it upon joining Cobra, they are trained - and quickly. Any Python Patrol Officer can use a regular, semi-automatic, or fully automatic gun or rifle with proficiency, doing so at one difficulty level lower than is normally required.

Martial Arts (a): a rare few Python Patrol Officers transform their unarmed fighting style into an art form. Those who have managed to do so will be able to resolve unarmed attacks with either their Strength or Agility score (whichever is most convenient), and may reduce the difficulty of actions intended to catch thrown objects or to lower falling damage. *

Military (w): a quasi-military organization, Cobra encourages an easily recognizable (to those within, at least) command structure. As such, those not bringing experience in such matters tend to pick it up quickly, in order to rise through the ranks; those who don't typically don't get this far. This skill gives Python Patrol Officers an edge concerning military protocols and regulations.

* Remember: Python Patrol Officers will usually either Boxing or Martial Arts, but not both. Were some to indeed have both they'd probably be promoted out of this rank into something more flashy and/or better paying.

Calling:

Various Callings: the vast, vast majority of Cobra operatives have joined up for their own, evil purposes, so choose a villainous calling and go with it! Nominally, Cobra Officers are motivated by Greed or aspirations of World Domination, but anything else can really apply. For instance, Storm Shadow hooked up with Cobra to gain Vengeance, etc...

Costume:

Those Cobra Officers who were promoted into the Python Patrol wear a uniform that, while recolored, is similar to the original Cobra Trooper's suits. This consists of a black snake-skin jumpsuit (with a red Cobra emblem on the chest), accompanied by yellow gloves, a yellow-green belt, yellow-green webbing, sheathes, holsters, and knee-pads, gray boots, a gray helmet, and a red face mask.

Notes:

Python Patrol Officers are culled from the ranks of regular Cobra Officers, not to mention other aspiring Cobra thugs who have shown they have what it takes to get things done. They serve under the Python Crimson Guardsmen, executing their orders by assigning tasks to the Python Patrol Tele-Vipers, Troopers and Vipers beneath them, and get paid a whole lot of cash to do it.

Extra Goodies:

Cobra directories featuring a version of the Python Patrol Officer: