Sideways

Powers:

Cybertronian Physique: like his fellow Autobots, Sideways is a robotic entity of Cybertronian design and origin. As such, this nimble scout has, by his very nature, the use of a large variety of abilities that reflect this. His very body gives Sideways these super human powers:

* Body Armor (s): like most Cybertronians, Sideways was built (or formed) with a reinforced steel frame, one that offers him +1 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).

* Invulnerability to Disease and Toxins (s): like all robots, Sideways 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, Sideways 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).

Energon Buzzsaw (i): mounted on his right wrist in his humanoid mode, this powerful weapon can be used by Sideways to inflict an amount of damage that belies his small (compared to most Cybertronians) size. This weapon inflicts intensity 15 energy damage per deadly strike.

Headlight (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. Sideways only uses one, though, a lamp that can be used to generate intensity 8 illumination, making driving at night no problem.

Shape Change (a): whenever he desires, Sideways can transform between his humanoid and Yamaha GTS1000A motorcycle mode, and often does so quickly in battle to maximize the use of his abilities. This power is voice-activated, however ("Sideways, Transform!"). He's pretty darn fast, too.

Consider him to be moving as though he had intensity 8 Lightning Speed in his automotive form.

Equipment:

(none)

Hindrances:

(none)

Skills:

Boxing (s): more of an observer than a direct warrior, per se, Sideways is nonetheless trained in various combat arts - if only to fight free of enemies once he's found out. He may divide his pre-cardplay action score between two unarmed melee attacks, the last of which will occur as a contingent action.

Espionage (i): crafty enough to do a Spychanger proud, Sideways is well-versed in information gathering techniques. A scout by trade, he has to be very good at uncovering information about Predacons, Decepticons, and any other threat to his Autobot allies, and be able to return it in time for it to be useful.

Energy Weapons (s): as it's integrated into his very body, Sideways has naturally learned the ins and outs of his own, peculiar weapon, an 'energon buzzsaw'. When wielding it, or any other semi-solid energy weaponry (like a light saber), Sideways may do so at a reduced difficulty level.

Martial Arts (a): though he can simply hit people if necessary, Sideways' true talent lies in the 'art' of combat - in other words, its graceful movements, control of oneself, and the like. He can strike with either Strength or Agility, and may lower by one the difficulty of actions meant to dodge attacks or catch thrown weapons.

Thievery (a): while he doesn't really practice the illicit portion of this skill, per se, Sideways is more than adept at sneaking around undetected - he's got an almost supernatural knack for it, really. Whenever attempting to move undetected, he should do so at a reduced difficulty level.

Calling:

Investigator, with a secondary calling of Guardian: while he's seemingly a rather shifty sort, Sideways is a good fellow - he only uses his rather underhanded (by Cybertronian standards, at least) skills in order to protect his fellow Autobots from harm at the hands of their many, evil enemies.

Likeness:

In his vehicle mode, Sideways perfectly resembles a Yamaha GTS1000A motorcycle, one that's mostly yellow in color, with black trim and chromed pieces in places. In his humanoid mode, he appears to be a robot built from various motorcycle parts arranged in a most curious fashion.

Personality:

Unlike many other Autobots, Sideways is quite self-sufficient. He's not big on teamwork, as he's usually too proud to lean on others for help - much less taking others along with him on missions. While he could work well with the Spychangers, for instance, he's simply used to being a loner.

Real Name: Sideways
Occupation: Autobot scout
Legal Status: citizen of Cybertron with no known criminal record on earth
Marital Status: inapplicable
Alias(es), if any: none
Group Affiliation: the Autobots

Height: 6' (approximately)
Hair: inapplicable
Eyes: white
Weight: 305 lbs (approximately)
Other Distinguishing Characteristics: Sideways is composed of a strong alien metal that is primarily yellow and black in color, with bits of chromed material in places. His humanoid form - especially in the face - has a distinct 'ninja' look to its construction.

Story:

Sideways is a highly skilled Autobot scout, one who excelled in ferreting out various Predacon / Decepticon shenanigans before they could affect his allies in any significant manner. He's also a highly skilled combatant; while not a warrior, per se, he sometimes needs to fight his way out of enemy territory.

He was happy to continue on in this capacity on Cybertron, but was called upon for a special mission on a distant world, called earth, once a grave threat to the Autobots emerged. You see, the Predacon known as Megatron had traveled there to find the long-lost Autobot, Fortress Maximus - and succeeded!

The trick was that Maximus' clever defenses kept moving his inert body from place to place once he'd been found by Megatron's minions. As such, the Autobots needed his skills to help predict where Maximus would emerge next - or to at least find him once he'd done so - before Megatron and his cronies could.

Arriving on earth, Sideways adopted a form well-suited for his particular skills and missions: a Yamaha GTS1000A, a nimble, high-speed vehicle that mirrored his own capabilities. He then got on with his job, helping Optimus Prime and his many subordinates to locate Maximus each time he moved.

And he moved a lot. During many encounters with his minions, and Megatron himself (both before and after his transformation into the diabolical Galvatron), Sideways was instrumental in getting the Autobots to Maximus before the villains could take control of the massive, robotic fortress.

Ultimately, the Predacons and Decepticons on earth were defeated, and this left the Autobots without a pressing need to be on the planet any longer. This suited Sideways just fine, for he truly preferred Cybertron to earth anyway. As such, he gleefully returned home shortly after the battle for Maximus had ended.

What he's up to these days has yet to be revealed...

Extra Goodies: