Rapid Run Strength Agility Intellect Willpower 14c 15c 18x 12x Hand Size: 4 (25) Edge: 2 Powers: Cybertronian Physique: like his fellow Autobots, Rapid Run is a robotic entity of Cybertronian design and origin. As such, this locomotive combatant has, by his very nature, the use of a large variety of abilities that reflect this. His very body gives Rapid Run these super human powers: * Body Armor (s): like most Cybertronians, Rapid Run was built (or formed) with a reinforced steel frame, one that offers him +2 resistance to injury. This makes him immune to many basic human attack forms, and moderately resistant to his fellow robots (taking his Strength into consideration). * Growth (a): most Cybertronians have a degree of control over their size, no matter their form. Due to his significant height in his humanoid mode, Rapid Run has this power via technicality; he may very well grow somewhat while transforming, but doesn't appear to do so. This power is bound in Rapid Run's case by the Permanent limitation, meaning that Rapid Run is always 22.5 foot tall in his humanoid mode. Due to his size, Rapid Run possesses this power at intensity 6, and while it's permanent, the requisite Strength and Agility changes are not applied. This since his foes often vary in size considerably; the Autobots are not all die-cast from the same mold. For the sake of simplicity, one could just apply those alterations and call it a day, or he may go for accuracy and vary them based on the size of his current opponent; whichever works for your game. * Invulnerability to Disease and Toxins (s): like all robots, Rapid Run is highly resistant to diseases and poisons that would kill organic beings. He possesses complete immunity to organic pathogens, and a 'mere' +10 resistance to other, more chemically creative substances. * Microscopic + Telescopic Vision (w): all Transformers can alter their visual sensitivity where distance is concerned. Functioning at intensity 2, these powers let them see objects up to a mile distant with ease, and allow them to read items on microfiche. * Radio Transceiver (i): as are most all Transformers on earth, Rapid Run is equipped with an audio / video transmission system. This communications rig allows him instant contact with any other Cybertronian on earth, having intensity 10 power (25,000 mile range). Gestalt (a): a very tight-knit group, Team Bullet Train has the power to combine their very bodies into a singular fighting form, the fleet-footed Rail Racer! Rapid Run himself possesses this power at intensity 16, allowing him to serve as the torso and back component of Rail Racer. Grenade Launchers (i): these hip-mounted weapons allow Rapid Run to fire twin grenades at an opponent. These concussion grenades inflict intensity 14 concussive (physical) damage in tandem (intensity 10 individually), but their primary effect is to provide cover in the form of a wide-reaching smokescreen. Headlights (i): to better emulate earthen vehicles (and since they come in handy in the dark), most automotive Transformers on earth are equipped with a set of convenient headlights. These twin lamps can be used to generate intensity 8 illumination, making driving at night no problem. Shape Change (a): as do his fellow Team Bullet Train members, Rapid Run has the power to transform into, well, the engine of a bullet train. He can do this at will, though the transformation requires a verbal trigger ('Rapid Run, Transform!'). Rapid Run's engine form can make use of intensity 7 Lightning Speed. Sonic Projector (i): mounted in his nose cone (and likely usable in either of his two modes), this weapon can be used to startling effect by Rapid Run. The energy wave it emits can inflict intensity 14 concussive (physical) damage, allowing it to sometimes render many unshielded foes senseless with but one hit. Equipment: Seven Shield (s): part of his frame in his engine mode, this shield is quite handy. It generates a deflector field that bounces off non-direct hits (increased difficulty to hit Rapid Run), as well as having a one-shot 'compression injector' built in - the latter of which inflicts intensity 14 concussive (physical) damage. This is a +4 shield. Hindrances: (none) Skills: Artillery (a): highly skilled in his personal weaponry, Rapid Run has a distinct advantage when using his built-in grenade launchers. When wielding them, or any other line-of-sight weaponry, Rapid Run may do so at one difficulty level lower than is usually required. Boxing (s): in addition to his skill with long-range weaponry, Rapid Run is a competent hand to hand fighter - sometimes he enjoys such battle a little too much... At any rate, he can divide his pre-cardplay action score between two unarmed melee strikes, the last of which will occur as a contingent action. Martial Arts (a): supplementing his boxing talent, this skill allows Rapid Run to use either his Strength or Agility to resolved unarmed attacks - even for the purposes of trumping. Furthermore, it lowers the difficulty of any action meant to dodge incoming attacks by one difficulty level. Shields (s): this skill allows Rapid Run to utilize his Seven Shield (or any other defensive implement) in either an offensive or defensive fashion. Additionally, if he can deflect an attack aimed at him, he just might bounce it back at its source (an superhuman difficulty Agility action). Calling: Soldier: Rapid Run is a professional. Sure, he may be a suave, glib-talking Autobot, but he's good at what he does - and he knows it. Almost overconfident at times, he'll nonetheless do what Railspike - or Optimus Prime - tells him, and go about following his orders in a timely manner. Likeness: In his vehicular mode, Rapid Run appears to be a bullet train engine that is primarily gray in hue, with black and gold trim in places. Similarly, in his humanoid configuration, Rapid Run appears to be a tall robot built from spare bullet train parts - one possessed of a primarily gray and black color scheme. Personality: Rapid Run is the brawler of the three Team Bullet Train members. He's always quick to start - and finish - a fight, and is rather confident in his power. Furthermore, he seems to have absorbed a large portion of earth slang and culture, for he tends to be a glib, almost jive-talking robot at times. Real Name: Rapid Run Occupation: Autobot warrior Legal Status: citizen of Cybertron with no known criminal record on earth Marital Status: inapplicable Alias(es), if any: none Group Affiliation: the Autobots, Team Bullet Train Height: 22.5' (approximately) Hair: inapplicable Eyes: green Weight: several tons Other Distinguishing Characteristics: Rapid Run is composed of a strong alien metal that is primarily gray and black in hue, regardless of his form. Story: There isn't all that much that is well known about the history of the Autobot known on earth as Rapid Run. However, as a member of Team Bullet Train, he is one of three Autobots who have grown particularly close to humankind, since he has served as the engine of a commuter train for them for quite some time. He did this, as did his fellows, while the Autobots awaited the eventual arrival of Megatron and his Predacon flunkies. You see, though they did not exactly know why Megatron was coming here, the Autobots did indeed know of his destination, and were thus able to prepare for his arrival well in advance. The Autobots worked with humans for a time, helping them out in secrecy whether a disaster struck or simply in matters of convenience, until the fateful day when Megatron first appeared on the scene. Shortly after he abducted earth's greatest energy expert, Dr. Onishi, Megatron went after various energy sources. One such source was within a powerful new bullet train developed by various human industries. When Megatron sent his Predacon goons after the train, Team Bullet Train was drawn from its role as mere trains directly into battle, at which point Rapid Run and the others became more active in the fight against evil. They appeared several times in the Autobots' battle against the Predacons, both before and after those villains' ranks were bolstered by a relatively large force of Decepticons warriors. Either by himself or with his fellow members of Team Bullet Train, Rapid Run has helped in the fight considerably. Of course, now that Megatron (later transformed into Galvatron) and all his earth-bound goons have been defeated and sent off-world, Rapid Run's ultimate fate is in question. He is presumably returning to Cybertron with the other Autobots, but should any Predacons or Decepticons return, he'll be sure to follow!