F Gd 10

A Gd 10

S Gd 10

E Gd 10

R Gd 10

I Gd 10

P Gd 10

Res Gd 10

Pop Ty -5

Health: Karma:

40 30

Origin:

Unlike most of the other minions first utilized in 1983 by the Cobra Command, the H.I.S.S. drivers were exceptionally effective operatives, highly skilled in the use of their assigned weapon. They aren't as numerous as their infantry counterparts, of course, but they nonetheless make up an important part of the Cobra army, since they control the heavy hardware on missions.

Known Powers:

(none)

Equipment:

Helmet: all Cobra H.I.S.S. drivers wear a helmet in order to increase relative safety on the field, and to protect from the ever-deadly head shot. Made of Excellent (20) material strength metals, this helmet offers its wearer Typical (6) 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...

H.I.S.S. Tank: their claim to fame, every H.I.S.S. driver is assigned to his very own, High Speed Sentry (mark 1). This curious vehicle is essentially a tank, though it is built with irregular tank treads and a larger vertical profile than its horizontal one. Nonetheless, this vehicle is highly deadly in combat situations, and is easily a match for the G.I. Joe M.O.B.A.T. See its entry for more information.

Kevlar Vest: all H.I.S.S drivers' uniforms come equipped with a bullet proof vest, one that proudly displays the Cobra sigil for the whole world to see. This vest protects its wearer from physical attacks at Good (10) rank, and offers Poor (4) resistance to energy-based assaults (laser, flame thrower, etc...). It is important to note, however, that this protection only covers a H.I.S.S. driver's torso...

Pistol: in the event that one's H.I.S.S. tank is disabled, its driver always has a spare handgun handy, stored somewhere on their person for quick access. These guns can be used to fire a single shot which inflicts Typical (6) Shooting damage, or a short burst which drains the entire clip, but inflicts Good (10) Shooting damage. The clip can presumably hold 8 rounds before it needs reloaded.

Quirks:

(none)

Talents:

Guns: 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 H.I.S.S. driver can use a regular, semi-automatic, or fully automatic gun or rifle with proficiency, doing so as though his or her agility score was +1 CS in rank.

Martial Arts type A or B: furthermore, all H.I.S.S. drivers 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. Most learn type B, allowing them to make unarmed melee attacks at their fighting score +1 CS, but some opt to learn type A, allowing them to slam or stun opponents easily.

Military: 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 never get this far. This skill allows a +1 CS to any reason or intuition FEAT based on the workings of military dogma.

Pilot / Air: curiously, all H.I.S.S. drivers are also cross-trained in the proper operation of the F.A.N.G. helicopter, and as such, each and every one of them knows the basics of flying an aircraft, whether it be a helicopter or airplane. They can make aerial maneuvers with such vehicles as though their agility score were +1 CS, though this bonus does not necessarily apply to aerial attacks.

Repair / Tinkering: since they are supposed to be experts concerning their own vehicles, all H.I.S.S. drivers are given extensive training in the maintenance and repair of their assigned weapon, a skill that they can apply to most any other device. After all, if you can repair a broken tank tread out in the field, you can pretty much fix any mechanical equipment...

Vehicular Combat: well trained in this aspect of warfare, all H.I.S.S. drivers are given a several month long course in how to most effectively fight vehicle to vehicle, or to use their vehicle to advantage against infantry troops. This talent allows them to make any combat FEAT regarding their chosen vehicles at +1 CS to the applicable stat, whether it be an offensive or defensive move.

Contacts:

All H.I.S.S. drivers theoretically have the entire organization of Cobra as their contact, in that they are members of the group and supposedly have the same goals. However, if it is more convenient to let a H.I.S.S. driver get captured or otherwise take a fall, the Cobra Command is more than happy to let this happen. All this despite the fact that they are highly efficient and dependable operatives...

Costume:

The uniforms of the H.I.S.S. tank drivers are very different from those that were worn by other Cobra staff. Essentially, it consisted of primarily red trousers, a red belt, a red, long sleeved shirt, and a red helmet. This was coupled with black, hip-hugger leather boots, black wrist braces, a black mask over their faces, silver Cyclops-style goggles, and a blue kevlar vest with a silver Cobra sigil painted on its center.

Personality:

When utilized by the Cobra Command, the H.I.S.S. tank drivers are those operatives who were spotted as having significant potential straight out of their recruitment, and as such, they are relatively special folks. Being highly trained and highly placed within the Cobra organization, it's more than likely that these fellows can't help but take advantage of both - these are bad people, after all...

Notes:

Those recruits chosen to be H.I.S.S. drivers are those who show unswerving dedication to Cobra's cause, have exceptional physical and mental ability, and are seemingly destined to be more than mere cannon fodder. Instead of going through the espionage training that ordinary officers experience, these operatives receive extensive vehicular combat and maintenance training - and it shows.