Scoop

F Gd 10

A Gd 10

S Ty 6

E Gd 10

R Ex 20

I Gd 10

P Gd 10

Res Ex 20

Pop Sh 0

Health: Karma:

36 40

Origin:

As are almost all of his fellow Gi Joe operatives, Scoop is naught but a normal human. He lacks special powers of any variety, though he does have a large amount of advanced, government-issue hardware on hand, so one could consider him a high tech hero if they were so inclined.

Known Powers:

(none)

Equipment:

Binoculars: helping him to spot interesting things in the far distance, these visual aids greatly increase Scoop's visual range. He can use these to increase his effective visual range by four areas, extending it out much further before he has trouble seeing faraway objects.

Helmet: Scoop usually wears this sturdy head gear while at work - safety is everyone's job, after all! It provides him Good (10) protection against head-based physical attacks, as well as like Screened Senses for his vision, thanks to a handy, red-tinted visor.

the Joe-Com: this is a new device given to all Joes since the group's reactivation. This high-tech wristband functions as an audio/video transceiver with various other goodies built in to help a soldier on the go, and is described in greater detail in its own equipment entry.

Knife: you never know when you're going to have to cut something - or someone - in the field. As such, Scoop always carries a blade with him on the job, which can be used to inflict Edged Attack damage in melee, or to cut through items of up to Incredible (40) m.s.

Semi-automatic Pistol: though not primarily a combatant, Scoop carries a respectable hand cannon on him at all times. Scoop can fire this weapon to inflict Typical (6) Shooting damage in a single shot, or Good (10) Shooting damage in a semi-automatic burst.

Video Equipment: while in the field, Scoop always has his video equipment ready. It consists of a hand-held camera, connected to a backpack that can record said video and transmit it to a remote location if necessary, doing so with Poor (4) ability (25 mile range).

Quirks:

(none)

Talents:

Electronics: Scoop's got a Masters degree in electrical engineering, granted as a part of his rather complicated college schedule. As such, he should be given a +1 CS on any FEAT roll requried when either operating, designing, building, or repairing electronic devices.

Guns: a skill everyone picks up in the military these days, Scoop can easily operate most conventional firearms. Whether he's handling a standard, semi-automatic or fully automatic rifle or pistol, Scoop may do so as though his Agy was +1 CS higher in rank.

Journalism: his primary career choice, Scoop enjoys digging into a situation to find out the Truth. His work in this area grants him a +1 CS to efforts to generate compelling audio or video accounts of current events, and gives him numerous bonus contacts.

Martial Arts type B: an ability that everyone acquires in their Basic training, Scoop can easily defend himself should he find himself without weapons. He may attempt any unarmed melee attack (punch, kick, etc...) as though his Ftg was +1 CS higher than is listed above.

Military / United States: while he wasn't originally headed towards a career in the military, Scoop enlisted in order to best use his talents to get at the Truth. He can now fight effectively in almost any combat group, and knows the S.O.P. like the back of his hand.

Contacts:

Scoop is a member of the Gi Joe team, and while it took his fellows a while to warm up to him, Scoop has definitely proven his mettle in the field on multiple occasions. He also has numerous additional contacts in journalist, military, criminal and academic circles.

Costume:

Scoop's Gi Joe field uniform is... bright. It consists of a long sleeved yellow shirt beneath a green vest, yellow trousers, black leather boots, a black leather belts, black gear pouches on his legs, arms and vest, and a green helmet with a large red visor built in.

Personality:

Leonard believes in the truth, no matter the cost. That's why he enlisted in the military as a combat correspondent - he could've had a cushy job but knew the Army had better tales to tell than a normal job with a network news team. And the Joes have proven him right!

Real Name: Leonard Michaels, Grade E-4
Occupation: journalist, microwave technician
Legal Status: citizen of the United States with no known criminal record
Marital Status: married
Alias(es), if any: none
Group Affiliation: Gi Joe

Height: 5' 10"
Hair: light brown
Eyes: brown
Weight: 155 lbs
Other Distinguishing Characteristics: none.

Story:

Leonard had it all upon graduating from college. He'd earned an advanced degree in journalism, not to mention his Masters in electrical engineering. He could've written himself a ticket with any number of news organizations, from NBC to CNN, but Leonard wanted something more.

He'd wanted to tell real stories, not the silliness that networks usually engage in. To this end, he enlisted in the Army, and became a combat correspondent. Sure, there was a lot less money in it, but Scoop (as he was called by his fellow recruits) felt he was doing the right thing.

His character and skills got him noticed by the Gi Joe team, and they had an offer for him that he simply couldn't refuse. While the vast majority of what he would experience could never be made public, he would be able to bear witness to a large variety of the Joe team's missions.

Agreeing to the Joe team's terms, Scoop tried out for membership in the elite military organization, and managed to squeak through the grueling Joe entrance exam. Of course, on his very first mission, Scoop was called upon to record the capture of Sierra Gordo counter revolutionary El Jefe.

There, he met several of his new teammates, though none of them were too happy about having him along for the ride, what with him being the new guy. Not to mention his hauling sixty pounds of camera equipment and not a whole lot of firepower to back himself up in the event of a mishap.

As things turned out, the Joe team's ambush went bad. Outnumbered by a staggering number of Iron Grenadiers, the Joes tried to retreat, but several were wounded in the process. In order to defend a shot up Tunnel Rat, Scoop had to smash his camera over the head of an attacker.

On the plus side, all of the Joes survived the debacle, and really, that's the important thing. Scoop was also on hand to witness the defeat of El Jefe later on in Sierra Gordo, when his former Iron Grenadier allies turned on him and his new, monopolistic backers.

Scoop went on to cover a wide variety of Gi Joe missions for posterity and the defense department, as he was ordered. He continued to do so until the team was deactivated for a time in 1994, at which point he seems to have moved into the civilian news market after all.

He stayed there until the Gi Joe team, once reactivated, called upon him anew. Whenever the Joes need him for a special mission (or a Special Mission), he's more than happy to drop whatever other story he's working on to aid his fellow Joes in any way he can!

Extra Goodies:

Gi Joe directories featuring a version of Scoop:

1989