Depth Charge

Powers:

(none)

Equipment:

Diving Gear (s): being an underwater demolitions expert, Nick naturally has diving gear available to him at all times. In addition to allowing him to breathe under water with intensity 1 ability (up to 1 day of air), this gear lets Nick pose as a Cobra operative as well.

Explosives (i): Nick always has lots of explosives handy - he never knows when he'll find a perfect target to use them on, after all! He can set these underwater plastic explosives to inflict intensity 14 damage to any person, object or structure.

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): you never know when you're going to have to cut something - or someone - in the field. As such, Nick always carries a blade with him on the job, which can be used to inflict his Strength +2 damage in melee, or to cut through items of up to m.s. 12.

Machine Gun (a): his primary weapon outside of his Wave Crusher, Nick can inflict serious damage with this firearm. It can be fired to inflict his Agility +4 damage in a single shot, raised to +5 in a semi-auto burst or +6 when fired fully automatic.

Semi-automatic Pistol (a): a back up for his main cannon, in the event that it's not available, Nick also carries a one-handed piece. He can fire this smaller weapon to inflict his Agility +4 damage with a single shot, raised to his Agility +5 in a semi-auto burst.

Wave Crusher (i): Nick's main 'Spy Troops' gear, this powerful vehicle can actually function in two modes. It is normally a Gi Joe water sled, but can be easily transformed into a Cobra jet ski. This powerful and versatile mini-vehicle is described in its own vehicular entry.

Hindrances:

(none)

Skills:

Boating (a): a part of Nick's advanced naval training involved his learning how to operate most sea-going vessels if necessary. Whenever operating any sort of boat or similar vehicle, such as his wave crusher, Nick may make related actions at a reduced difficulty.

Boxing (s): an essential talent learned by fighting men everywhere, this skill describes Nick's ability to defend himself without weaponry. He may divide his pre-cardplay action score between two unarmed attacks, the last of which will occur as a contingent action.

Demolitions (a): learned during his advanced training as an U.D.T., Nick knows his way around explosives. He should receive a reduction in the difficulty of any action to determine the best place to set an explosive charge - or, similarly, when attempting to disarm one.

Marksmanship (a): though his specialty involves explosives, Nick was trained in the use of firearms as a general matter of course. Whether holding a standard, semi-automatic or fully automatic rifle or pistol, or even a shotgun, Nick may fire it at a reduced difficulty.

Military / United States (w): Nick has gained all of his talents through the Navy - as such, one could consider this skill his 'origin'. He knows the S.O.P. like the back of his hand, and may seamlessly integrate himself into almost any fighting unit.

Underwater Combat (a): Nick is an accomplished diver despite his abject hatred for water and being submerged. He knows how to handle himself beneath the waves, whether in a pool or in the ocean, and may resolve combat actions (offensive or defensive) at a reduced difficulty.

Calling:

Soldier, with a secondary calling of Thrill-seeker: Nick gets off on explosions - the bigger the better! He enjoys doing his duty in the Navy, having become one with the lifestyle... even if the man hates water more than you can possibly imagine.

Costume:

Depth Charge's field uniform is actually a diving suit! It is white in color, with blue boots and gloves, as well as blue padding that runs along his shoulders, down the side of his torso, and then onto his thighs. Nick also wears a gold belt, gray wrist bands and holsters for his gear.

Personality:

Nick hates water, and everything associated with working with or in it, from the smell of the ocean to the sound of seagulls. However, he enjoys blowing things up, so he puts up with the problems of working under the waves so he can have fun making things go boom!

Real Name: Nick H. Langdon, Grade E-5
Occupation: underwater demolitions expert
Legal Status: citizen of the United States with no known criminal record
Marital Status: single
Alias(es), if any: none
Group Affiliation: Gi Joe

Height: 6'
Hair: blonde
Eyes: blue
Weight: 160 lbs
Other Distinguishing Characteristics: none

Story:

Nick has always had an aversion to swimming, as he's no big fan of water; sure, he keeps himself clean and all, but avoids getting wet any more than is necessary. Why this former member of the high school band decided to enlist in the Navy was thus a mystery to his local recruiter.

That was before the Navy found out just how much Nick likes to tear things apart with high explosives. They decided to make him one of their underwater demolitions experts, and before you knew it Nick was well trained in the fine art of E.O.D., night operations and airborne qualified.

Though he hates being in the water, Nick has learned to put up with it for the purposes of wrecking enemy targets with vast quantities of explosives - taking great pleasure in venting his aggravation about being unnecessarily wet by overdoing it on the C-4.

When the Gi Joe team began to add new members to its roster a few years back, the group's mysterious recruiters were taken by Nick's enthusiasm and proven track record in the Navy. As such, they offered him a position on the team, and he was made one of their 'greenshirts'.

He served for a short period on the aquatic branch of that group of Gi Joe trainees, eventually proving himself to the Joes by passing their grueling final exam with flying colors. He was quickly put to work with the Joes proper, on a mission to Cobra Island.

Supposedly deserted save for a medical operation ran by Extensive Enterprises, the island was once again in Cobra's thrall (surprise), and the Joes needed proof of this. At the same time, they were trying to insert one of their spies into the organization.

This fellow would be Barrel Roll, another former 'greenshirt' Joe, and Nick would provide cover for his insertion into the ranks of Cobra. Shortly after this successful first mission, Nick was placed on the Gi Joe team's reserve roster when they were reduced to twelve members.

He would nonetheless return to action in the team's third incarnation, usually when the group put out an 'emergency' call, such as it did when Cobra almost conquered the earth during World War III! With Cobra seemingly defeated in this conflict, the Joes were kept on full-time.

The idea was they Joes could keep Cobra from regrouping and menacing the world as it did during the War, mostly by rounding up all its members before they could disperse and either reform or found their own terrorist and criminal organizations.

And naturally, Nick was more than happy to do his part for his country... even if it meant he would have to get wet even more...!

Extra Goodies:

Gi Joe directories featuring a version of Depth Charge: