Major Altitude

Strength 6d

Agility 4b

Intellect 4x

Willpower 10d

Hand Size: Edge:

4 (25) 2

Origin:

Like most of the GI Joe team, Major Altitude lacks special powers of any type. No, he fights the forces of evil with only his skills and a small amount of high-tech, government-issue hardware to back him up - along with a backbone that's above and beyond that of most other people.

Powers:

(none)

Hindrances / Augmentations:

(none)

Equipment:

the Battle Copter (i): his main ride with the Joes, Major Altitude can perform amazing tricks with this aerial vehicle. A small, back-mounted helicopter, this aircraft is fast and maneuverable, and is described more fully in its own vehicular entry.

Helmet (s): Major Altitude usually wears this sturdy headgear while at work - safety is everyone's job, after all! It provides Major Altitude intensity 8, or +2, protection against head-based physical attacks - at least, those that don't actually strike him in the face.

Knife (s): you never know when you're going to have to cut something - or someone - in the field. As such, Major Altitude always carries a blade with him on the job, which can either be used to inflict +2 damage in melee, or to cut through items of up to m.s. 13.

Machine Gun (a): his main weapon, Major Altitude always has this trusty device with him on missions. It can fire one shot to inflict his Agility +4 damage, a short burst to inflict his Agility +5 in damage, or be fired continuously to inflict his Agility +6 in damage.

Sidearm (a): a handy backup should his main weapon fail him, Major Altitude carries this small hand cannon on him at all times. Major Altitude can fire a single shot from this weapon to inflict his Agility +4 in damage, or a three-round burst to inflict his Agility +5 in damage.

Skills:

Aerial Combat (a): in addition to his prowess behind the 'stick', Major Altitude is also well-versed in the fine arts of aerial combat. Whenever attempting a combat maneuver in the air, whether offensive of defensive, Major Altitude may do so at a reduced difficulty.

Boxing (s): an ability that everyone learns in their Basic training, Major Altitude can easily defend himself should he find himself without weapons. He may divide his pre-card play action score between two unarmed melee attacks, the second he may attempt as a contingent action.

Guns (a): Major Altitude is good with guns, whether they're attached to his ride or held in his hands. He can fire most standard, semi-automatic, or fully automatic rifles or pistols, or even weapons like a shotgun, at one difficulty level lower than is normally necessary.

Military / United States (w): a means to an end, Major Altitude enlisted solely so he could eventually make his way to the GI Joe team. He's a quick and devoted study, however, who can easily lead fighting men into battle, and knows the SOP like he knows the back of his own hand.

Piloting (a): Major Altitude is an excellent pilot. He's trained for years in the military to master the art of helicopter piloting, and may do so with ease, even under challenging conditions. He may attempt any aerial maneuvers at a reduced difficulty.

Contacts:

Major Altitude is a GI Joe operative rather well-liked by his fellows, and can easily rely upon them for assistance should he but ask; they're crazy that way. The 'Major' also has several additional contacts in military circles outside the GI Joe team proper.

Calling:

Soldier: like many of the Joes, Major Altitude sees serving his country as an end unto itself. He has always wanted to be a Joe, and is happy that he gets to defend his country in such a fashion. The action and adventure are merely job perks, you know!

Costume:

Major Altitude's GI Joe field uniform is conspicuous! It includes a dark green flight jacket beneath neon green web gear, dark green trousers with neon green pouches on the sides, black and green leather boots, black leather gloves, brown leather belts, and a neon green helmet.

Personality:

Robert is downright indefatigable. He's not the smartest or the strongest Joe available, but he's definitely got more gumption than almost all of his fellows - hands down. When he sets his sights on a goal, no matter how seemingly impossible, Robert will pursue it to the bitter end.

Real Name: Robert D. Owens, Grade WO-2
Occupation: helicopter pilot
Legal Status: citizen of the United States with no known criminal record
Marital Status: single
Alias(es), if any: none
Group Affiliation: GI Joe

Height: 5' 10"
Hair: brown
Eyes: brown
Weight: 165 lbs
Other Distinguishing Characteristics: Robert wears a long, thick moustache at all times.

Story:

The GI Joe team is an anti-terrorist strike force, whose missions are rarely, if ever revealed to the public. The government, in fact, tends to deny the existence of the GI Joe team to prevent widespread panic; most people don't know the threat that Cobra poses to the world.

Of course, in certain circles this 'secret' is one of the worst-kept of its kind in the world. Take Robert D. Owens, for instance. Ever since he was a child, he dreamed of becoming a member of the GI Joe team, soon after its inception in the early 1980s.

His parents apparently knew of the group, and even discussed it with Robert now and then, but they scoffed at his goal. This was before the youngster had even graduated from high school, after all, and they assumed that he'd forget this silly dream by the time he graduated.

Unlike most children who proclaim grandiose goals, such as becoming a fireman or the President of the United States, Robert didn't give up. No, he kept at it day in and day out, learning the requirements for GI Joe membership from a local recruiter (!) and pursuing them incessantly.

Robert trained his mind and body for years, and eight years afterwards, he'd graduated at the top of his class at both the Aviator School and Flight Warrant Officer School. Knowing of his desire to be a Joe since his wee years, recruiters for the GI Joe team happily scooped him up.

And as it turned out, Robert fit right in with the Joes. He's not the strongest GI Joe, or the most skilled GI Joe, or even the fastest GI Joe, but Robert is definitely the most intransigent GI Joe ever. The man doesn't know how to take 'no' for an answer, and doesn't give up. Ever.

Never a quitter, Robert has proven himself time and time again alongside his fellow GI Joes, his single-mindedness helping them succeed in several missions that would've otherwise failed... miserably! He continued on as a GI Joe until the group was disbanded at the end of '94.

(Historical Divergence)

Though not an actual Major, Robert (who had taken the code name of Major Altitude) presumably returned to conventional military service at this time, where he held out hope that the GI Joe team wouldn't be down for the count for long. And as it turned out, he was right!

Reformed only a scant few years later, the GI Joe team was put into play against a renewed, reinvigorated Cobra organization, and in time the Joes called back all of their old operatives to help out in the fight. More than happy to lend a hand again, the Major eventually found his way back.

With Cobra seemingly defeated in the wake of World War III, he remains on the roster to help his fellow Joes hunt down those Cobras who have escaped justice. After all, if left to their own devices, the terrorist thugs would likely rise yet again to menace the world!

1993 Variations

Costume:

Major Altitude's second GI Joe ensemble is also conspicuous. It includes a dark blue flight jacket under neon orange web gear, dark blue trousers with neon orange pouches on the sides, black and orange leather boots, black leather gloves and belts, and a neon orange helmet.

Extra Goodies:

GI Joe directories featuring a version of Major Altitude:

1991

1993

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