Lifeline Strength Agility Intellect Willpower 6x 7d 7c 9d Hand Size: 4 (25) Edge: 2 Origin: As are most of his of his fellows on the GI Joe team, Lifeline is but an ordinary human, one who lacks ascendant powers of any stripe. Physically normal, all he's got to get him through a mission is a fully stocked first aid kit, his medical skills, and a whole lot of guts. Powers: (none) Hindrances / Augmentations: Pacifist: Lifeline is a card-carrying pacifist, which may not at first seem to jibe with his chosen career path. Regardless, he will never willingly commit a violent act against another sentient being, and if forced to do so his ability scores are reduced to zero (0). Equipment: Comm Suite (i): Lifeline has always carried a back-mounted communications suite with him on missions, to call in medical evacuations of wounded personnel. These systems work with intensity 5 power, having a maximum range of 25 miles. Dagger (s): though he won't use it offensively, Lifeline always carries at least one knife with him on missions, because they're just so handy. This blade, carried in a boot sheath when not in use, is made from m.s. 13 metals, and can cut through objects of like m.s. First-Aid Kit (i): his stock in trade, Lifeline always carries a first aid kit on missions. It includes of various medicines, antibiotics, drugs, sterilized medical tools, and even a small oxygen tank. Sometimes, he even carries extra first aid gear in various pouches and such. Sidearm (a): though he will never use it, Lifeline nonetheless carries a standard-issue firearm with him on missions. This weapon can be fired to inflict his Agility +4 in damage in a single shot, or his Agility +5 in damage in a semi-automatic burst of ammunition. Skills: Electronics (i): while his primary specialty is in the dispensation of first aid, Lifeline has demonstrated a mental prowess with the modification and restoral of electronic devices. Whenever attempting to create, modify, or repair electronics, Lifeline does so at a reduced difficulty. First Aid (i): Lifeline has been a paramedic for many years. Upon a successful, average difficulty Intellect action, he can restore one card of lost Health to an individual who was knocked unconscious in the last exchange with this limited Medicine skill. Hurling (a): a black belt in Aikido, Lifeline can defend himself without utilizing offensive moves. Upon passing an average difficulty Agility (agility) action, Lifeline can redirect the energies of a physical assault elsewhere, whether into the air or a nearby object. Martial Arts (a): an avowed pacifist, Lifeline does not believe in bringing harm to others, and won't use this skill offensively. However, he can nonetheless reduce the difficulty of actions intended to either dodge attacks or catch weapons thrown at him. Military / United States (w): though a registered non-combatant, Lifeline is nonetheless a member of the United States Army, and has had to go through the same training that his fellow soldiers have. As such, he knows military protocols and procedures like the back of his hand. Calling: Protector: Lifeline believes in the sanctity of human life, and does his best to protect it from harm. He does his part to support these beliefs by refusing to harm another being by his own actions, and by patching up those who have been wounded due to violence or other calamity. Costume: Lifeline's first GI Joe field uniform consists of red trousers with 'rescue' dyed in white down the left leg, a tan T-shirt under a red jacket, white leather boots, pouches, and straps, a white leather belt, a white boot sheath, green sunglasses, and a red helmet with a clear visor. Personality: Lifeline is a paramedic who has dedicated himself to saving lives, and felt that he could best do so as a member of the Army. As a true pacifist, Lifeline tends to irk some of his more trigger-happy comrades, but he more than makes up for this with sheer gumption. Real Name: Edwin C. Steen, grade E-5 Occupation: medic, X-ray technician, doctor Legal Status: citizen of the United States with no known criminal record Marital Status: single Alias(es), if any: none Group Affiliation: GI Joe, Tiger Force (GI Joe sub-team) Height: 6' Hair: black Eyes: brown Weight: 160 lbs Other Distinguishing Characteristics: none Story: Lifeline has always believed in the sanctity of life, and never willingly harms any being. Wishing to save lives, he became a paramedic in the Seattle Fire Department, but was dismayed to learn that EMS personnel disabled while giving aid off-duty didn't qualify for pension benefits. You see, in his mind, Lifeline felt that medical personnel were never off-duty. As such, he decided to make his status permanent by enlisting in the Army. While an avowed pacifist, he felt that he could nonetheless work to save the lives of America's fighting men when they were injured. Though a pacifist, Lifeline is no pushover, and has become a black belt in the art of Aikido to defend himself, while at the same time being non-aggressive. His sheer tenacity got him noticed by military high-ups, and eventually Lifeline earned a position on the GI Joe team. His beliefs tend to come into conflict with those of his teammates, especially Leatherneck and Lift-Ticket, but the latter at least respects his courage. Regardless, most Joes don't argue with Lifeline's philosophy, because he's always there to pull them out of harm's way. They showed Lifeline even more respect after Doc was killed in action in Trucial Abysmia, as he (who had beliefs similar to Lifeline himself) died trying to save his fellows. Whether serving in a regular capacity or with Tiger Force, Lifeline is a force to be reckoned with! (Historical Divergence) In fact, after he joined GI Joe, Lifeline remained with the team until it was shut down in '94; temporarily, of course, because it was brought back much sooner than anybody thought would be necessary. During his 'down time', Lifeline completed a medical education he began in '91. When GI Joe was reinstated, Lifeline left his position at the Walter Reed Medical Center, and resumed the fight against the diabolical forces of Cobra. He's been associated with the team ever since, either in an active or reserve status, depending on the needs of the team as a whole. * 1988 VARIATIONS * Costume: Lifeline's second, Tiger Force uniform is a variation on his first. This outfit includes olive drab trousers, an olive drab T-shirt under an orange jacket with black tiger striping, a gray leather belt, brown leather boots, mirrored sunglasses, a brown helmet, and a clear visor. * 1991 VARIATIONS * Costume: Lifeline's third GI Joe uniform is his first, and includes red trousers with 'rescue' dyed in white down the left leg, a tan T-shirt under a red jacket, white leather boots, pouches, and straps, a white leather belt and boot sheath, green sunglasses, and a red helmet with a clear visor. * 1994 VARIATIONS * Equipment: Flare Gun (i): to better illuminate areas that need investigating, or to simply provide a source of light to those in need, Lifeline carries a large flare gun. It can illuminate an area with intensity 11 light, and can do so anywhere within artillery distance. Grappling Hook Launcher (i): one of Lifeline's new implements in '94 is a large, grappling hook-firing cannon. These are attached to a rope line that is at least 100' in length, allowing him to scale up to eight stories when attempting to rescue those in need. Search Light (i): Lifeline began to carry a powerful halogen lamp around on missions late in his GI Joe career. He can use this oversized lamp to produce intensity 8 illumination, allowing him to pierce the night and find wounded soldiers with ease. Costume: Lifeline's forth uniform consists of white trousers, a gray T-shirt under a red, pouch-laden vest, black leather boots, a black leather belt, various red and black straps, holsters, and sheathes distributed throughout his uniform, and a white cap with a red chevron on the front. * 2010 VARIATIONS * Equipment: Flare Gun (i): to better illuminate areas that need investigating, or to simply provide a source of light to those in need, Lifeline carries a large flare gun. It can illuminate an area with intensity 11 light, and can do so anywhere within artillery distance. Grappling Hook Launcher (i): one of Lifeline's most powerful implements is this large, grappling hook-firing cannon. These are attached to a rope line that is at least 100' in length, allowing him to scale up to eight stories when attempting to rescue those in need. Skills: Medicine (Devil's Due Branch) (i): getting his full medical degree and becoming a doctor after GI Joe's original deactivation, Lifeline accepted a position at the Walter Reed Medical Center. He has all the benefits of this skill in addition to that of his first aid talent. Costume: Lifeline's fifth uniform is a variation on his fourth, and includes green trousers, a green T-shirt under a white, pouch-laden vest, black leather boots, a black leather belt, numerous black and white straps, holsters, and sheathes, and a white cap with a green chevron on the front. * 2015 VARIATIONS * Skills: Medicine (Devil's Due Branch) (i): getting his full medical degree and becoming a doctor after GI Joe's original deactivation, Lifeline accepted a position at the Walter Reed Medical Center. He has all the benefits of this skill in addition to that of his first aid talent. Costume: Lifeline's second Tiger Force uniform is comprised of a long-sleeved, collared orange shirt with black tiger stripes, grass green trousers and kneepads, brown leather boots, gray leather belts, holsters, pouches, and sheathes, mirrored sunglasses, and a brown cap with a mirrored visor.