Hard Drive

Powers:

(none)

Equipment:

Wrist Computer (i): Hard Drive has a handy computer mounted on his left wrist at all times. This allows him to call up a truly impressive amount of data while in the field - technical references, enemy dossiers, mission intelligence, or even his Twitter account when necessary.

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.

Machine Gun (a): his primary weapon in the field, Hard Drive's machine gun can be used to fire a single shot in order to inflict his Agility +4 damage, a short burst to inflict his Agility +5 damage, or a full-auto spread to inflict his Agility +6 damage.

But that's not all. It also has a built-in, underslung grenade launcher handy as well. Hard Drive can fire this secondary weapon to lob a grenade out to far missile distance, which will explode to fill everything within near missile distance of where it detonates with intensity 10 fragmentary damage.

Radio Unit (i): in the event that his Joe-com isn't working, Hard Drive carries his own comm rig. This backpack allows him to transmit voice or data with intensity 6 range (250 miles), and possesses intensity 10 signal encryption for his transmissions.

Semi-automatic Pistol (a): Hard Drive carries this backup piece on a left hip holster when it's not in use. He can fire this hand cannon to inflict his Agility +4 damage in a single shot, or in a semi-automatic burst of lead to inflict his Agility +5 damage instead.

Tool Kit (i): Hard Drive usually has a large number of tools and devices carried about his person, in pouches and such, that he can use to repair things in the field. These range from soldering irons and volt meters to screw drivers and hammers to bandages and antibiotics!

Hindrances:

(none)

Skills:

Boxing (s): though not usually a direct combatant, Hard Drive has learned how to defend himself like every other military recruit. He may divide his pre-cardplay action score between two unarmed melee attacks, the second of which occurs as a contingent action.

Computers (i): Hard Drive is a born hacker - he cracked his first government (not ours) network before he turned ten! A master level programmer, he should attempt any action required when programming, operating, repairing, or even hacking a computer at a reduced difficulty.

Electronics (i): in addition to knowing his way around the programming inside most modern electronics - Hard Drive is well-versed in how the hardware itself works. He should receive a reduced difficulty when building, repairing, designing, or just operating electronic devices.

First Aid (i): as an interest in the so-called 'modern combat unit', Hard Drive has learned first aid techniques to keep its 'meat' functioning. He cannot perform surgery per se, but can restore a lost card of health to recently fallen folks with an average difficulty action.

Marksmanship (a): Hard Drive is a competent gunman, having studied firearms extensively upon entering the military. He may wield any standard, semi-automatic or fully automatic rifle or pistol, or even weapons like shotguns, at one difficulty level lower than is usually necessary.

Military / United States (w): while he could've literally made himself a millionaire with all his advanced skills, Hard Drive enlisted in order to use them for the good of all mankind. He can fight in almost any professional combat unit, and knows the S.O.P. like the back of his hand.

Wrestling (s): in addition to his basic combat training, Hard Drive is an accomplished wrestler. If he hits with an average difficulty Strength (strength) action, Hard Drive can keep inflicting like damage for every additional exchange in which he can repeat this action.

Calling:

Explorer, with a secondary calling of Soldier: Hard Drive gets his kicks in the discovery of how something works - whether it be a Colt M1911A1 .45 or the latest gadgets off the assembly line. Furthermore, he loves performing such work in the service of his country.

Costume:

Hard Drive's Gi Joe field uniform is a simple but effective one. It includes a black leather jacket over a white T shirt, green trousers, tan leather boots, gray leather gloves, tan holsters and webbing to hold his gear, and a green cap that showcases his rank.

Personality:

Martin is smart... very smart. He's a whiz at math, breezes through most games, and has a dangerous Mountain Dew ™ habit. Of course, he likes to apply his intellect toward the betterment of mankind, and uses all his smarts against the forces of Cobra's terrorist evil!

Real Name: Martin A. Pidel, Grade E-4
Occupation: combat computer technology specialist
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: 5' 11"
Hair: black
Eyes: brown
Weight: 175 lbs
Other Distinguishing Characteristics: none

Story:

Martin 'Hard Drive' Pidel grew up around electronic devices, and took to the things in an uncanny manner. Curious how they worked, Martin began a very early nosedive into mathematics texts, and by the time he was seven the little guy was doing linear equations in his head!

He quickly discovered video games, and just as quickly devoured every title he could get his hands on. Growing bored with this, he then began to program computers, and his skills allowed him to hack into the Defense Ministry computers of a major foreign power before he turned ten!

Sensing he was a true prodigy, his parents only encouraged his advanced behavior, and saw that he was put through incredibly advanced course work. In fact, he was accepted into M.I.T. at a seriously early age, a school which he'd graduated by the time he was eighteen years old.

He did so with twenty seven patents under his belt. As you can guess, military recruiters were falling all over themselves to get Martin into the Army - and thanks to his desire to use his great intellect and extensive skills to help his fellow man, they were successful.

Of course, Martin likes to keep his body as fit as his mind is, and he engaged in a variety of sports while in school. This earned him two regional wrestling championships... and made sure that he didn't fall apart upon entering Basic Training with all the other recruits.

In the Army, Martin discovered a whole new set of skills that he felt the need to master. He saw the modern infantryman as something of a unit, made up of meat, weaponry and electronics - and aimed to be able to keep all three going while out in the field.

To this end he's worked hard to be a qualified small arms armorer, not to mention gaining fully competent first aid training. This complemented his existing mastery of all things electronic, whether talking about the hardware or the software that directs it.

Seeing a great future for him, the military put Martin up for membership in the Gi Joe team, and wanting to work with people like himself, the 'best of the best', Martin readily agreed - he just had to get through the horrific Gi Joe entrance exam.

Despite all his many skills, this was the one test that Martin was wholly unprepared for. However, he managed to succeed thanks to sheer gumption, and once he made it in Martin was given the code name of Hard Drive - for more reasons than just the simple, technical reference.

With the recent death of the Gi Joe team's resident mad scientist, Mainframe, it fell onto several of the group's new masterminds to pick up the slack - and along with Sgt. Hacker and Hi Tech, Martin has more than rose to the challenge, picking up right where Mainframe left off.

He's been a major boon to the Gi Joe team since he joined, helping to keep all of their electronics, whether personal or field-ready, working at their maximum potential. And even though Cobra has been supposedly defeated once and for all, he remains on staff just in case.

They've come back from certain defeat before, after all...!

Extra Goodies:

Gi Joe directories featuring a version of Hard Drive: