Ashiko Strength Agility Intellect Willpower 6b 7a+ 3x 7b Hand Size: 4 (25) Edge: 2 Origin: While he has received quasi-mystic training from a mysterious band of ninjas, and then became a daredevil stunt pilot for the challenge, Ashiko is no super-human. His high-tech, government-issued equipment aside, Ashiko has no special powers or capabilities to speak of. Powers: (none) Hindrances / Augmentations: (none) Equipment: Combat Armor (s): while the Cycle Armor is impressive, it doesn't cover its rider all by itself. No, its operator must wear a helmet, breastplate, boots, and gauntlets both when riding and wearing the Cycle Armor, all of which act as intensity 8 hard points. Cycle Armor (i): the other half of his combat armor, this device is a high-speed motorcycle, one which can transform into a suit of powered armor! This revolutionary equipment, which is mainly used by Ashiko in the field, is described in its own vehicular entry. Katana: as do all the Arashikage, Ashiko has his very own katana. Forged by the late swordsmith, Onihashi, these curved, single-edged blades possess a minimum material strength of 16, and can be used to inflict one's Strength +4 in slashing damage. Knives: supplementing his katana, Ashiko always has at least one blade on his person at all times. His is made from m.s. 13 materials, and can either be used to cut through items of up to like m.s., given the time, or to inflict +2 slashing damage in melee. Sidearm (a): in addition to his numerous submachine guns, Ashiko carries at least one backup piece. He can either discharge one round from this weapon to inflict his Agility +4 in damage, or a three-round burst to inflict his Agility +5 in damage. Submachine Guns (a): Ashiko's mission loadout can have up to five SMGs, each of which can discharge one round to inflict his Agility +4 in damage, a short burst of such to inflict his Agility +5 in damage, or be fired continuously to inflict his Agility +6 in damage. Skills: Boxing (s): one facet of Ashiko's considerable combat training is the ability to strike fast and strike hard. He may divide his pre-card play action score between two unarmed melee strikes, the second of which he may attempt as a contingent action. Climbing (s): years of training has given Ashiko considerable climbing ability. He can easily move up almost any vertical surface, even those that at first glance have no hand-holds to speak of, reducing the difficulty of any required card play related to climbing. Driving (a): his claim to fame, Ashiko is a professional stunt driver. While his work most often sees him riding motorcycles, Ashiko can drive any ground vehicle with competence, resolving applicable card play at one difficulty level lower than is usually requried. Guns (a): Ashiko has the ability to wield firearms in combat, on top of his other weapons training. He has the ability to discharge any standard, semi-automatic, or fully automatic rifle or pistol at one difficulty level lower than is usually necessary. Hurling (a): in lieu of attacking directly, Ashiko may use one's offensive energies against themselves! Upon a successful, average difficulty Agility (agility) action, Ashiko can throw melee opponents, redirecting their momentum in any fashion desired. Martial Arts (a): Ashiko is a ninja! An essential skill for that job description, this talent reduces, by one level, the difficulty on any action Ashiko attempts that involves dodging incoming attacks, catching thrown weaponry, or even striking others while unarmed. Martial Arts Weapons (s): thanks to the extensive training he has received from various Arashikage masters, Ashiko has the ability to competently utilize weapons of this sort (blowgun, crossbow, katanas, kris, nunchaku, sais, shuriken, and so on) without penalty. Military / United States (w): as a member of the GI Joe team, it is presumed that Ashiko has received the same, conventional military training that other American soldiers do. He thus knows the SOP well, and can readily fight in a group of armed combatants if required to do so. Stealth (w): as an Arashikage ninja, Ashiko excels at remaining unnoticed - he often doesn't even have to try to be inconspicuous! When attempting stealth, Ashiko imposes an increased difficulty on card play others attempt while trying to perceive him, one way or another. Trance (w): Ashiko is a master of the Sleeping Phoenix technique, letting him slow his metabolic processes to the point that he appears dead, requiring little air to survive. Verifying his mortality requires a successful, average difficulty Willpower (intellect) action. Contacts: Ashiko is a member of the GI Joe team in good standing, and may readily consider that anti-terrorist organization a reliable contact. Furthermore, as a member of the Arashikage ninja clan, Ashiko may readily rely upon those martial artists for assistance in almost any matter. Calling: Thrill-Seeker: while he is a ninja, Ashiko isn't necessarily all about fighting. The man loves testing his skills, and is perfectly happy to risk his life when doing so, if only to prove that he has what it takes to perform just about any job he desires. Costume: Ashiko's GI Joe field uniform is comprised of a black leather motorcycle jacket, black leather gloves, gray leather trousers, a gray leather belt, and a black balaclava, all worn under the black helmet, black chest plate, gray gauntlets, and gray boots of his Cycle Armor. Personality: As both a mystic martial artist and a daredevil motorcycle stuntman, Ashiko definitely likes to apply one hundred percent of himself to whatever it is that he's doing. He seems bent on proving himself more human than human to whoever's watching him, whether fellow ninjas or his fans! Real Name: N. Kaeru, grade E-4 Occupation: motorcycle stuntman, professional ninja Legal Status: citizen of unknown nationality with no known criminal record Marital Status: unrevealed Alias(es), if any: none Group Affiliation: GI Joe, the Arashikage Height: 5' 7" Hair: black Eyes: brown Weight: 150 lbs. Other Distinguishing Characteristics: Ashiko presumably has numerous scars from his 'on the job training' as a motorcyclist. Story: Ashiko is a member of the Arashikage in relatively good standing. In other words, he's never taken contract work from Cobra, nor has he tried to murder his fellow ninjas, whether intentionally or otherwise. Further, unlike many of his fellows, he lives a relatively public life. When the Arashikage scattered in the face of Cobra's relentless assaults on them, Ashiko wound up in Hollywood. Using his skills to entertain rather than to disassemble others, Ashiko became a motorcycle stuntman, performing all manner of tricks and stunts to wow people. This unique combination of skills and background caused Ashiko to be recruited by the GI Joe team. Amenable to fighting for his adopted country, Ashiko enlisted and, after acing his basic and advanced training, was inducted into the GI Joe team - after his formal entrance exam, anyway. Upon securing his place on the team, Ashiko was given an experimental motorcycle, one which can transform in just a few seconds into a suit of powered combat armor! This Cycle Armor is Ashiko's pride and joy, and he uses it gleefully in the eternal fight against Cobra!