Starduster Strength Agility Intellect Willpower 7d 8c 3x 5c Hand Size: 4 (25) Edge: 2 Origin: As is the case with the vast majority of GI Joe operatives, Starduster is no super-human - though it can be difficult to tell when he's at work in the skies. He lacks special powers, but has access to advanced military hardware that could define him as a high tech hero. Powers: (none) Hindrances / Augmentations: (none) Equipment: Grenade Launcher (i): his principal weapon, Starduster can use this device to lob grenades at targets within firing distance - further if he's directly over them. These explosives inflict intensity 10 damage to all uncovered targets within near missile range of their detonation point. Grenades (i): similarly, Starduster keeps a backup grenade or two pinned to his bandoiler in the event of emergencies - or if he simply runs out of ammunition. He can fling these explosives within near missile distance, and they then detonate as described above. Helmet (s): while working, Starduster always wears a protective helmet - he's one gunshot away from a significant fall, after all. This headgear offers his cranium intensity 8, or +2, protection against physical attacks, and like Screened Senses for his vision, thanks to its darkened visor. JUMP Jet Pack (i): a true acrobat, Starduster has made amazing use of this device in the seemingly endless effort against Cobra. He can use it to provide aerial reconnaissance or fire support as is needed. The JUMP is described in its own vehicular entry. Knife (s): a handy thing to have in combat conditions, Starduster always keeps a blade on his person in the field. Made from m.s. 13 materials, this sharp object can cut through items of like m.s., or can be used to inflict Starduster's Strength +2 damage in melee combat. Sidearm (a): sometimes you just run out of grenades. For such circumstances, Starduster carries a smaller hand cannon, one with which he can fire a single shot to inflict his Agility +4 in damage, or a semi-automatic hail of such to inflict his Agility +5 in damage. Skills: Acrobatics (a): his original claim to fame, Starduster is an incredibly nimble acrobat and circus performer. He should receive a reduced difficulty during complex aerial maneuvers like walking the tightrope, and when attempting to dodge attacks and reduce falling damage. Boxing (s): his natural skill honed by military training, Starduster can easily defend himself even without all his heavy duty firepower. He may divide his pre-card play action score between two unarmed melee attacks, the last of which will occur as a contingent action. Guns (a): a standard military skill, Starduster has been trained in the fine art of gunplay. Whether he's brandishing a standard, semi-automatic, or fully automatic rifle or pistol at an opponent, Starduster may wield such weapons at a reduced difficulty Military / United States (w): though Starduster had a career before joining the Army, his time in the military has honed his fighting abilities to a T. Furthermore, this skill represents his ability to function seamlessly in a fighting environment and understand the SOP. Performer (w): on top of being an incredibly flexible acrobat, Starduster is something of a performer, and enjoys making a show of his capabilities. He can attempt an average difficulty Willpower (willpower) action to distract his foes with his high-flying antics for one exchange. Contacts: As a member of the GI Joe team, Starduster can naturally rely upon his fellows in the fight against Cobra for assistance in almost any matter, as the group is rather tightly-knit in nature. Starduster also has several other contacts in performing (circus) circles. Calling: Thrill-seeker, with as secondary calling of Soldier: Starduster lives to entertain others, and he's equally at home doing that as a circus acrobat or as a jet pack trooper. Whether he's wowing his fellow Joes or a crowd of fans, Starduster is just as happy. Costume: Starduster's first GI Joe uniform is a sort of sky camouflage getup. It includes sky blue and grass green camouflaged trousers, a sky blue collared T-shirt, gray leather boots and gloves, a black leather belt, a white helmet, and light brown holsters and sheathes for his gear all over. Personality: More than anything else, Starduster is a performer. He loves the adulation of the crowds, whether it be a stadium full of circus fans or his fellow Joes. He's fearless in the face of adversity, and only seems to have fun when he's pushing himself to the very limit. Real Name: Edward J. Skyler, Grade E-5 Occupation: infantry, air recon Legal Status: citizen of the United States with no known criminal record Marital Status: single Alias(es), if any: Skyduster Group Affiliation: GI Joe Height: 6' Hair: black Eyes: brown Weight: 155 lbs Other Distinguishing Characteristics: none. Story: Like fellow GI Joe operative Taurus, Starduster began his career as a circus acrobat. Unlike Taurus, he is a consummate performer, preferring to wow the crowds with amazing feats of agility in the air, instead of breaking 2x4 boards with his face. Eventually wandering into government service, Starduster became an Airborne ranger, because what else was he going to do with his natural skills? He naturally excelled at his job, and could perform flawlessly even when dangling out of a helicopter from a 150 foot rope. His ability to function - and even fight - under such adverse conditions got Starduster noticed by none other than Duke himself, who thought that he could make good use of Starduster and his high-flying combat show. He quickly recruited the man onto the GI Joe team. Once he was through the horrifying GI Joe entrance exam, Starduster was given advanced gear in the form of the JUMP jet pack, and began to show the Joes it was capable of things they couldn't imagine. A bit of official schooling and on the job training, and Starduster was off! He quickly proved to the team that he's one of their best bets where air support is concerned. No matter how hairy conditions might be, he's all too happy to slip up into the air and provide the team some cover - or simply scout out enemy positions from his higher altitude. Starduster performed his duty with the GI Joe team for the duration of its original incarnation, only leaving when it was disbanded for a time back in 1994. Starduster returned to his circus show at that time, possible even more fearless than before, thanks to his experiences with Joe. (Historical Divergence) Though not directly associated with the team these days, Starduster is more than happy to answer the call of duty if the Joes ask for his help - as he did during the second Cobra Island Civil War, not to mention World War III itself, where he helped to stop Cobra from conquering the world! * 1988 VARIATIONS * Costume: Starduster's second GI Joe uniform is similar to his first. It consists of sky blue and grass green camouflaged trousers, a sky blue collared T-shirt, gray leather boots and gloves, a black leather belt, a white helmet, and a light brown bandoiler, holsters, and sheaths for his gear. * 1989 VARIATIONS * Costume: Starduster's third GI Joe uniform is almost identical to his second. It includes sky blue and grass green camouflaged trousers, a sky blue collared T-shirt, gray leather boots and gloves, a black leather belt, a white helmet, and a light brown bandoiler, holsters, and sheaths for his gear. * 2007 VARIATIONS * Costume: Starduster's fourth field uniform is different from its predecessors. It is comprised of an Army green jacket worn over a blue-green T-shirt, Army green trousers, black leather gloves, steel plated boots, a black leather belt, black web gear, and a green helmet with a silver visor. * 2008 VARIATIONS * Costume: Starduster's fifth GI Joe uniform is a variant on his first three. It consists of a sky blue pair of trousers, a sky blue collared T-shirt, gray leather boots and gloves, a black leather belt, a sky blue helmet, and light brown holsters and sheathes for his gear all over. * 2009 VARIATIONS * Costume: Starduster's fifth GI Joe uniform is also similar to his first three. It includes blue camouflage trousers, a camouflage blue collared shirt, black leather boots and gloves, black and tan holsters and sheathes, a sky blue helmet with a clear visor, and light brown web gear worn over his shirt.