Cloudburst

Powers:

(none)

Equipment:

Air Commandos Glider (i): this glider, of Chuck's very own design, allows him to slip silently into enemy territory when necessary. Built for silent running yet armed for emergencies, the Air Commandos glider is described more fully in its own vehicular entry.

Grenades (i): Chuck always has two grenades strapped to his web gear, which lets him devastate opponents from above. These fragmentary grenades inflict intensity 10 damage to all uncovered targets within near missile range of where they detonate.

Helmet (s): since falling from great heights is a regular job hazard, Chuck always wears a helmet in the field. His orange steel helmet provides him +2 protection from physical attack on his head, while his blue visor gives him like protected senses for his vision.

the Joe-Com (i): 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 (s): another item Chuck carries on his web gear, this blade gets used regularly by him in the field. It is made from m.s. 12 materials, and can be used to either cut through items of like m.s., or to inflict +2 damage in melee.

Machine Gun (a): his primary weapon outside of his glider, Chuck can fire this hand cannon to deadly effect. It inflicts his Agility +4 damage in a single shot, his Agility +5 damage in a short burst, and his Agility +6 damage when fired fully automatic.

Semi-automatic Pistol (a): the third item he keeps on his web gear, this piece is a back-up in case Chuck's main weapon fails him. It can be fired to inflict his Agility +4 damage in a single shot, raised to his Agility +5 damage in a semi-automatic burst.

Hindrances:

(none)

Skills:

Aerial Combat (a): in addition to having the ability to design gliders and other aircraft, Chuck can fight while flying in them, too! He should receive a reduced difficulty on combat maneuvers attempted while in the air, whether offensive or defensive in nature.

Boxing (s): a skill that everyone learns in their basic military training, Chuck can easily defend himself even if stripped of all his fancy hardware. He may divide his pre-cardplay action score between two unarmed attacks, the last of which will occur as a contingent action.

Engineering (i): Chuck has had a passion for gliders all of his life. He has designed them and other aircraft for years before he was formally educated by the military. When designing, building or repairing aircraft, Chuck should do so at a reduced difficulty.

Marksmanship (a): while Chuck's main job is glider construction and combat, he can nonetheless fight effectively with a firearm as well. Whenever he's wielding a standard, semi-automatic or fully automatic rifle or pistol, Chuck may do so at a reduced difficulty.

Military / United States (w): Chuck wasn't necessarily aiming for a career in the Army; it just happened that the military was the ideal means of advancing his skill in glider construction. They also trained him how to fight effectively alongside other soldiers as well, of course.

Calling:

Soldier: Chuck works hard to achieve perfection, a trait that makes him a perfect soldier. He never settles for anything but the 'top score' in anything he does, no matter what he's doing, which means he's the kind of fighting man that fits in perfectly with an organized combat force.

Costume:

Chuck's costume is... conspicuous. It consists of a black collared vest over an orange long sleeved shirt and under orange web gear, white trousers with pink pockets, white and orange boots, white leather gloves, an orange belt, and an orange steel helmet with a blue visor.

Personality:

Chuck's got the sort of one track mind that tends to find itself a happy home on the Gi Joe team. He's not the kind of guy to settle for second best, and his almost obsessive attention to fine detail helps him to do his job better than almost anyone else on earth.

Real Name: Chuck Ram, Grade E-4
Occupation: aeronautics, infantry
Legal Status: citizen of the United States with no known criminal record
Marital Status: single
Alias(es), if any: none
Group Affiliation: Gi Joe, Air Commandos (Gi Joe sub-group)

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

Story:

Chuck has always enjoyed flying hang gliders. He engaged in the sport whenever he found the time as a child, and by the time he was a teenager, Chuck was designing his very own prototype gliders in San Diego. His work on gliders continued even after enlisting in the Army.

Upon joining the military, Chuck was vital in the development of ultra-light, ultra-stealthy gliders for military reconnaissance and special troop insertions. His designs for this kind of glider is what got him a job on the incredibly secretive Gi Joe team.

They liked the gear he was designing for the military, and wanted a man who was comfortable not only building and designing gliders, but flying them into hostile territory when necessary. With his intimate knowledge of how they worked, Chuck was more than happy to go the distance.

He knows that they're only used when all other sensible means of personnel insertion are impractical, but is more than happy to stay on staff because the Gi Joe team often runs into situations where the practical - and the rational - are conveniences that the team simply doesn't have.

He's worked with the team, either alone or with fellow Air Commandos Skymate and Spirit for several years, continuing to do so until the team was disbanded (the first time) back in '94. When they were forced to reassemble a few short years later, Chuck wasn't one of the first Joes to return.

It is unknown just what Chuck has gotten into since his time as an active Joe, but he's always more than happy to lend the team a hand when Cobra shenanigans result in a need for someone with his unique skills to back the Joes up. And he's done so on more than one occasion.

Like during that time when Cobra actually conquered the world for a short period during World War III? Chuck was there, fighting the good fight against Cobra Commander and his seemingly endless legion of amusingly garbed terrorist hoodlums. And if they need him again, he'll definitely answer the call!

Extra Goodies:

Gi Joe directories featuring a version of Cloudburst: