Fortress Maximus

Strength 3x

Agility 19d

Intellect 17x

Willpower 19x

Hand Size: Edge:

6 (40) 4

Origin:

Fortress Maximus is an electromagnetic being from the planet Cybertron, a robot that strives to prevent Decepticon dominion of the universe. Ancient compared to the other Autobots on earth, time travel may also figure into the origins of this titanic robot.

Powers:

Cybertronian Physique: like his the other Autobots, Fortress Maximus is a robotic entity of Cybertronian design and origin. As such, this Autobot titan has, by his very nature, many abilities which reflect this. His very body gives Fort Max these super-human powers:

* Body Armor (s): made (or formed) from primarily metallic materials, Fortress Maximus is considerably durable. His sturdy, inorganic composition affords Fortress Maximus intensity 12 (+3) protection from attack, enough to make him virtually immune to assault.

* Growth (a): Cybertronians come in all manner of sizes, few of which align with the human norm. Fortress Maximus, for instance, stands at 1,150 feet tall in his humanoid mode, which grants him this power at intensity 27 as a general matter of course.

As such, Fortress Maximus possesses a +27 size factor. This grants him a +27 bonus to the damage he inflicts on normal sized foes, while theirs suffers a -27 against him. Conversely, he suffers a -27 penalty to strike standard sized enemies, while they gain a +27 to hit him.

* Microscopic + Telescopic Vision (w): all Transformers can alter their visual sensitivity where distance is concerned. Functioning at intensity 4, these powers let Fortress Maximus see objects up to ten miles distant with ease, and allow him to read items on microfiche.

* Radio Transceiver (i): as are most Transformers, Fortress Maximus is equipped with an audio / video transmission system. This communications rig allows him instant contact with any other planet-bound Cybertronians, having intensity 18 power (one million mile range).

* Resistance / Invulnerability to Disease and Poison (s): as an inorganic life form, Fortress Maximus possesses complete immunity to poisons and organic diseases. He also possesses intensity 30 (+7) resistance to more chemically creative forms of disease.

'Cookie Cutter' System (w): Fortress Maximus can scan a target and determine his true allegiance, regardless of how he may sound or appear. This power works at intensity 20, and helps him to target Decepticons even amongst a crowd of Autobots without hitting his allies at all.

Corporeal Gestalt (a): the non-sentient facility that is Fortress Maximus has the ability to combine with Brave, itself a gestalt of Cerebros and its master brain, and thus become truly intelligent. Fortress Maximus can combine in this 'Headmaster' bond with intensity 24 ability.

Detention Cells (s): Fortress Maximus is equipped with a prison, one that can be used to hold even the most powerful of detainees at bay. These cells can contain plenty of Decepticons (or rogue Autobots) with intensity 28 ability, enough to hold even the diabolical Galvatron!

Final Burn (i): a final assault that Fortress Maximus can use to obliterate even the most intransigent of opponents, this power allows him to fire all of his weapons simultaneously at a single foe. This is an intensity 8 energy attack, and can only be attempted once per encounter.

Flight (a): despite his unbelievable bulk, Fortress Maximus has the ability to defy gravity at his leisure. He can levitate in the air while transforming, and can even cruise around at intensity 9 speeds - 600 m.p.h. - in his battle station mode. Of course, he's even faster in space!

Ion Cannons (i): these rapid-pulse ion beam emitters, retractable weapons mounted on Fortress Maximus' hips, give off a wave of energy that acts to disrupt the function of most electronic circuitry. When used on Cybertronians, this is essentially an intensity 5 stunning attack.

Laser Blasters (a): mounted on the back of each hand (in his humanoid configuration, at least), these twinned energy emitters are capable of inflicting +5 energy damage each, +6 if both hand cannons are used simultaneously. He's used these to wipe out city blocks in his day...

Machine Guns (a): stowed in his wrists, these twinned machine guns (two for each arm) can be used to inflict devastating damage to Fortress Maximus' foes. He can fire these chemical slug-throwers to inflict +4 physical damage with each volley, +5 if used simultaneously.

Mortars (a): each of Fortress Maximus' legs possess twin mortar launchers just below his knees. These twinned weapons can fire shells capable of inflicting +5 explosive damage to all within near missile distance range of their impact zone - +6 if both sets are used simultaneously.

Radar System (w): assisting him in fighting Decepticons of ordinary size, this automated tracking / threat detection unit helps Fortress Maximus to better back up his allies - mostly by allowing him to assault them with his ranged weaponry without any penalty due to his immense size.

Repair Bays (a): originally built for peaceful construction purposes, Fortress Maximus has since reconfigured much of his bulk to serve as repair bays, where he (or other, qualified Autobots) can patch up his brethren. These are stocked with a bevy of spare parts and repair mechanisms.

Shape Change (a): Fortress Maximus is one of several Cybertronians that can claim the honor of being a 'triple changer', in that he has three viable forms at his disposal. In addition to his humanoid mode, Maximus can assume both a battle station and a vast city mode.

He can assume any of these forms at will, but the trick is that transforming takes him some time; he's a whole lot of metal and machinery to move around. It usually takes a full minute for Maximus to change his configuration. This power is voice-activated, too ('Fortress Maximus - Transform!').

Super Digging (a): despite his impossible bulk, Fortress Maximus can move through the earth at irrational speed. Possessing this power at intensity 2, he can pass through solid ground at up to sixty miles per hour, but cannot make a permanent tunnel for others to follow him.

Super Flight (a): in his battle station mode, Fortress Maximus can fly at faster-than-light speeds. His exact upper limits are unknown, but he can move even faster when aided by an intergalactic space bridge network that seems to exist between several worlds important to Cybertronians.

Hindrances / Augmentations:

Reprogrammable: Fortress Maximus, like Cerebros, is somewhat limited upstairs. He can't act until ordered to do so by humans or Autobots, unless he first passes a desperate Willpower action - and this takes great motivation.

This hindrance holds until a human or an Autobot acts in a truly selfless manner before him. Then, and only then, can Fortress Maximus freely act of his own volition during an encounter.

Equipment:

(none)

Skills:

Advanced Guns (a): though he lacks portable projectile weaponry, Fortress Maximus has all kinds of deadly stuff tucked within his frame in every configuration - along with dedicated computers to assist him in their use. As such, he uses these at a reduced difficulty level.

Contacts:

The single largest Autobot, and arguably the most powerful (though Omega Prime could dispute that point), Fortress Maximus can easily rely upon his fellows for assistance. This because his awesome might has saved their collective chassis more times than they can quickly count.

Calling:

Protector, with a secondary calling of Soldier: while Fort Max wishes the best for the Autobots and their human friends, he's ultimately bound by the intense programming imposed upon his mind. Should someone rewire said programming, they could make him do anything they liked.

Likeness:

In his humanoid configuration, Fortress Maximus is a ridiculously large robot built from what appears to be the components of a city block. He's mostly blue and red in coloration, with various yellow and green windows scattered all over the place. And a whole lot of hidden weapons.

When he is in his battle ship mode however, Fortress Maximus looks to be an immense combat station. Hundreds of feet high and over a thousand feet long, this massive blue construct is built for business. It's heavily armed, and can carry a whole lot of Autobots into battle.

Finally, in his city mode, Fortress Maximus appears to be, er, a city. Or rather, a city block. This form is comprised of one central skyscraper, two minor towers flanking the central one, and various support structures. Again, red and blue (with yellow windows) dominate this form.

Personality:

Fortress Maximus is a massive force for goodness, and not just because of his physical size. The ultimate extension of Cerebros' mind, he will fight until the bitter end against evil, whether his foes are renegade Cybertronians or any other force for darkness!

Real Name: Fortress Maximus
Occupation: Autobot warrior, command center
Legal Status: inapplicable (he's only in existence occasionally); though since Fortress Maximus' mind is ultimately an extension of Cerebros', this could be argued in any court that could hold him. Of course, considering that he trampled all over Tokyo once, you never know when silly humans might try just that!
Marital Status: inapplicable
Alias(es), if any: none
Group Affiliation: the Autobots

Height: 1148.29'
Hair: inapplicable
Eyes: yellow
Weight: several thousand tons
Other Distinguishing Characteristics: Fortress Maximus is an immense robot, seemingly built from a square block worth of buildings and other structures.

He's primarily solid blue in hue, with dark blue shoulders, a dark blue torso, dark blue hands, various red cannons and panels all over the place, a chromed chest plate, and all kinds of yellow and green windows for his occupants to see the outside world.

Brave

Strength 1x

Agility 13d

Intellect 15x

Willpower 15x

Hand Size: Edge:

4 (25) 2

Origin:

Brave is an electromagnetic being from the planet Cybertron, a robot that strives to prevent Decepticon dominion of the universe. Ancient compared to the other Autobots on earth, time travel may also figure into the origins of this titanic robot.

Powers:

Cybertronian Physique: like his the other Autobots, Brave is a robotic entity of Cybertronian design and origin. As such, this huge warrior has, by his very nature, a large variety of abilities which reflect this. His very body gives Brave these super-human powers:

* Body Armor (s): made (or formed) from primarily metallic materials, Brave is considerably durable. His sturdy, inorganic composition affords Brave intensity 8 (+2) protection from attack, enough to make him strongly resistant to most basic human assaults.

* Growth (a): Cybertronians come in all manner of sizes, few of which align with the human norm. Brave, for instance, generally stands at one hundred and fifty feet tall in his humanoid mode, which grants him this power at intensity 19 as a general matter of course.

As such, Maximus' brain possesses a +19 size factor. This grants him a +19 bonus to the damage he inflicts on normal sized foes, while theirs suffers a -19 against him. Conversely, he suffers a -19 penalty to strike standard sized enemies in the first place, while they gain a +19 to hit him.

* Microscopic + Telescopic Vision (w): all Transformers can alter their visual sensitivity where distance is concerned. Functioning at intensity 4, these powers let Brave see objects up to ten miles distant with ease, and allow him to read items on microfiche.

* Radio Transceiver (i): as are most Transformers, Brave is equipped with an audio / video transmission system. This communications rig allows him instant contact with any other planet-bound Cybertronians, having intensity 18 power (one million mile range).

* Resistance / Invulnerability to Disease and Poison (s): as an inorganic life form, Brave possesses complete immunity to poisons and organic diseases. He also possesses intensity 30 (+7) resistance to more chemically creative forms of disease.

Computer Link (i): in addition to his ability to merge his body with Fortress Maximus, Brave has the ability to control that awesome, larger body from afar. He can control the fortress/city with intensity 20 skill, either to activate its weaponry or to cause it to transform into its various modes.

Corporeal Gestalt (a): unlike most Cybertronians, Cerebros has few special attacks; on the other hand, he can form Fortress Maximus. He can combine with the non-sentient, inert form of Fortress Maximus to gain the benefits of extreme size, doing so with intensity 22 ability.

Flight (a): like Cerebros, Brave has the ability to fly, but not because of built in boot-rockets. Instead, Brave has the power to defy gravity at will, and is able to move through the air at intensity 6 airspeed with no apparent means of propulsion, reaching speeds of about 120 miles per hour.

Shape Change (a): while most Cybertronians have the power to transform into a useful, independent alternate mode, Brave's reconfiguration is a bit more limited - he can mainly change into the head of Fortress Maximus. This is a voice-activated power ('Brave, Transform!').

The trick, though, is that when Cerebros isn't serving as his head, Brave usually just appears as a massive computer of some sort, functioning as the 'master brain' of the larger Fortress Maximus component - which itself is inactive without Cerebros' direction.

So he is technically a triple changer, really.

Hindrances / Augmentations:

Reprogrammable: Brave's higher functions are severely limited by powerful programming designed to keep Fort Max from being used for evil. He cannot act until ordered to do so by an Autobot, unless he can first pass a desperate Willpower action.

Equipment:

Blaster (i): while his immense size gives him a massive advantage in melee combat, there's times when an opponent will refuse to close into such range for specifically that reason. As such, Brave carries a blaster with him in combat that inflicts intensity 5 energy damage per shot.

Skills:

Advanced Guns (a): Brave usually relies upon his ability to merge with Fortress Maximus to handle most any combat situations, but sometimes this is impossible. As such, he's learned how to use his own, powerful blaster, and other similar devices, at a reduced difficulty level.

Contacts:

As an Autobot, Brave can naturally rely upon those heroes for assistance should he need it. With the potential power at his fingertips though, things often go the other way. Not that Brave usually sees much combat; he's typically around only long enough to form Fortress Maximus.

Calling:

Protector, with a secondary calling of Soldier: while Brave wishes the best for the Autobots and their human friends, he's ultimately bound by the intense programming imposed upon his mind. Should someone rewire said programming, they could make him do anything they wished.

Likeness:

In his humanoid configuration, Brave appears to be a rather tall robot with black legs, black arms, a red torso with a black chest plate, and a black head with a silver face plate. When he transforms, though, he appears to be nothing more than an immense, red and black robot head.

Unless he's not merged with Cerebros, that is. If not, he simply appears to be an oversized computer of red and black coloration (as the city's 'master brain').

Personality:

Brave appears to have a bit more independence than Cerebros, perhaps because of his expanded brainpower; when not in use, his body usually serves as the CPU of Fortress Maximus' city and fortress modes. Exceptionally powerful, he's more than ready to wade into battle against evil!

Real Name: Brave
Occupation: Autobot warrior, guardian of humanity
Legal Status: inapplicable (he's only in existence occasionally); though since Brave's mind is just an extension of Cerebros', this could be argued in any court that could hold him...
Marital Status: inapplicable
Alias(es), if any: none
Group Affiliation: the Autobots

Height: approximately 150 foot tall
Hair: inapplicable
Eyes: yellow
Weight: several tons
Other Distinguishing Characteristics: Brave is composed of a strong alien metal that is primarily red and black in color, with bits chrome in places, regardless of his current form.

Cerebros

Strength 8x

Agility 9d

Intellect 11x

Willpower 11x

Hand Size: Edge:

2 (10) 0

Origin:

Cerebros is an electromagnetic being from the planet Cybertron, a robot that strives to prevent Decepticon dominion of the universe. Ancient compared to the other Autobots on earth, time travel may also figure into the origins of this lynchpin of the strongest Autobot of all.

Powers:

Cybertronian Physique: like his the other Autobots, Cerebros is a robotic entity of Cybertronian design and origin. As such, this cryptic warrior has, by his very nature, a large variety of abilities which reflect this. His very body gives Cerebros these super-human powers:

* Body Armor (s): made (or formed) from primarily metallic materials, Cerebros is considerably durable. His sturdy, inorganic composition affords Cerebros intensity 4 (+1) protection from attack, enough to make him strongly resistant to most basic human assaults.

* Growth (a): Cybertronians come in all manner of sizes, few of which align with the human norm. Cerebros, for instance, generally stands at about twelve feet tall in his humanoid mode, which grants him this power at intensity 2 as a general matter of course.

As such, this enigmatic 'bot possesses a +2 size factor. This grants him a +2 bonus to the damage he inflicts on normal sized foes, while theirs suffers a -2 against him. Conversely, he suffers a -2 penalty to strike standard sized enemies in the first place, while they gain a +2 to hit him.

* Microscopic + Telescopic Vision (w): all Transformers can alter their visual sensitivity where distance is concerned. Functioning at intensity 2, these powers let Cerebros see objects up to a mile distant with ease, and allow him to read items on microfiche.

* Radio Transceiver (i): as are most Transformers, Cerebros is equipped with an audio / video transmission system. This communications rig allows him instant contact with any other planet-bound Cybertronians, having intensity 18 power (one million mile range).

* Resistance / Invulnerability to Disease and Poison (s): as an inorganic life form, Cerebros possesses complete immunity to poisons and organic diseases. He also possesses intensity 30 (+7) resistance to more chemically creative forms of disease.

Blasters (i): built into his arms, these weapons serve as a last line of offense for Cerebros - if he cannot form Maximus, after all, he needs some sort of attack capability. He can fire these wrist-mounted devices to inflict intensity 8 energy damage with each nifty blast.

Computer Link (i): in addition to his ability to merge with Brave (and thus, Fortress Maximus), Cerebros can control those larger bodies from afar. He can direct the unit's 'master brain' to disengage from the fortress/city, and control the fortress' weapon systems, with intensity 20 skill.

Corporeal Gestalt (a): unlike most Cybertronians, Cerebros has few special attacks; on the other hand, he can form Fortress Maximus. He may combine with the 'master brain' unit of Fort Max to gain the benefits of extreme size, doing so with intensity 20 ability.

Flight (a): built into Cerebros' feet are twin rocket thrusters, implements that allow him to defy gravity at his leisure. Functioning at intensity 6, these rockets allow Cerebros to fly at up to 225 miles per hour, or simply levitate (which comes in handy when forming the rather tall Brave).

Shape Change (a): while most Cybertronians have the power to transform into a useful, independent alternate mode, Cerebros' reconfiguration is a bit more limited - he can only change into the head of Brave. This is a voice-activated power ('Cerebros, Transform!').

Hindrances / Augmentations:

Reprogrammable: Cerebros' higher functions are severely limited by powerful programming designed to keep Fort Max from being used for evil. He cannot act until ordered to do so by an Autobot, unless he passes a desperate Willpower action first - which takes immense motivation.

Equipment:

(none)

Skills:

Advanced Guns (a): Cerebros usually relies upon his ability to merge with Brave (and thus, Fort Max) to handle most combat situations, but sometimes this is impossible. As such, he's learned how to use his own energy weapons, and other similar devices, at a reduced difficulty level.

Contacts:

As an Autobot, Cerebros can naturally rely upon those heroes for assistance should he need it. With the potential power at his fingertips though, things often go the other way. Of course, considering his programming, it can often take some work to motivate him into acting...!

Calling:

Protector, with a secondary calling of Soldier: while Cerebros wishes the best for the Autobots and their human friends, he's ultimately bound by the intense programming imposed upon his mind. Should someone rewire said programming, they could make him do anything they wished.

Likeness:

In his humanoid configuration, Cerebros appears to be a rather tall robot with red legs, red arms, a black lower torso, a silvered upper torso, and a black head with a silver face plate. When he transforms, though, he appears to be nothing more than the immense head of an even larger robot.

Personality:

Cerebros is a hard Autobot to describe, for his personality is seemingly buried under several special programming protocols meant to safeguard the people of earth from any abuse of his power. However, he seems interested in doing what's best for everyone - human and Autobot alike.

Real Name: Cerebros
Occupation: Autobot warrior, guardian of humanity
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: approximately 12 foot tall
Hair: inapplicable
Eyes: yellow
Weight: several tons
Other Distinguishing Characteristics: Cerebros is composed of a strong alien metal that is primarily red and black in color, with bits chrome in places, regardless of his current form.

Story:

Fortress Maximus is a walking enigma.

He shares the form that the original Autobot using his name possessed, and may in fact be the original. Whether or not this is the case though, this Fortress Maximus has a highly different existence from the original, in that he has a singular intelligence.

You see, the original Maximus was actually comprised of three separate sentient minds: Fortress Maximus himself, Cerebros, his Headmaster, and then Spike Witwicky, who served as a Headmaster to Cerebros; in other words, they combined to form a sort of 'double Headmaster' robot.

The current Maximus, on the other hand, is of a singular mind, one primarily driven by the small robot, Cerebros. He combines with Maximus' 'master brain' to form the Autobot Brave, who can then combine with the non-sentient city / fortress / warrior to create Fortress Maximus.

With each successive gestalt, Cerebros' mind expands greatly, allowing him more processing power and autonomy. Autonomy in that, when he was sent to earth's distant past to protect this world from Predacon aggression, his mind was rewired so he couldn't be used for evil.

When this happened is unknown. It appears that Maximus lay dormant on our world for thousands of years, deep beneath the streets of what would eventually become Tokyo. In fact, humans built a temple of sorts over his inert form, which was ancient by the time Maximus was found.

You see, Megatron was sent to the earth from Cybertron by the Predacon Council, who knew of Fortress Maximus' general location (earth), and wanted to seize the unstoppable warrior for their own evil plans. To this end, Megatron and his minions scoured the earth for signs of him.

Things didn't go very smoothly, though.

Before they'd even arrived, the Autobots had dug in on the earth, and managed to stymie Megatron's every plot and scheme to find Fortress Maximus. However, thanks to Megatron's most dangerous operative, Scourge, Megatron eventually found his resting place beneath Tokyo.

Before that heinous villain could seize him, the Autobot Build team hid the still-inert Fortress Maximus on the streets of Tokyo, disguised as a new construction site. With Maximus himself found, the Autobots merely had to locate the core of his mind, Cerebros.

After a long misadventure involving various devices from Cybertron known as the 'O-parts', the Autobots learned of Cerebros' location. The Decepticons followed them though and, with the Predacons' help, abducted the Autobot before his allies knew what had exactly happened.

They then proceeded to study Cerebros' mind for a time, to figure out just how restrictive his programming was; they wanted to override it and take control of Maximus, see. They found out that Cerebros could only follow orders from either an Autobot or a human.

Thanks to Scourge once again, who had temporarily taken control of Megatron's forces, the villains overcame this limitation; Scourge, due to the circumstances of his awakening on earth, had traces of both an Autobot spark and human DNA / spiritual 'essence' within him.

As such, he ordered Cerebros to reveal Fort Max's location, which he did. This led to a massive battle on the streets of Tokyo, which culminated with the full activation of Maximus for the first time in eons. With his greater mind, however, Maximus was able to see through Scourge's ruse.

That's when Fortress Maximus went berserk.

Various defensive protocols in his mind activated upon realizing what was going on, prompting Fortress Maximus to attack all the Cybertronians present. As he chased them through Tokyo, he shot the place up pretty good - and even stepped on a couple of buildings for good measure!

Before he could do any more harm though, the Autobots' friend, Koji, convinced Fort Max to stop this carnage. He disengaged Brave from his body, who then disconnected Cerebros' from his own, at which point Galvatron (a resurrected Megatron) seized Cerebros anew.

Using him, Galvatron repeatedly tried to command Fortress Maximus, and repeatedly failed for various reasons, most significant of which being Scourge's attempt to destroy Galvatron with Maximus' power. Thanks to these power struggles, the Autobots managed to recover Cerebros.

Just in time, too, for right after they'd done so, Sky-Byte managed to finally find the Autobots' secret base, and led an all-out assault on the place. Taking off with Cerebros in tow, the Autobots journeyed to Fortress Maximus' current location, and prepared to fight Galvatron to the finish.

The only problem was that they couldn't get Cerebros to activate Fort Max - not until Landfill almost got himself killed trying to stop Galvatron, who was pummelling the Autobots senseless with his Mega-Star. Since he did so in a selfless manner, Cerebros' programming was fully deactivated.

He then merged with Maximus' master brain to form Brave, who then combined with the city to form Fortress Maximus, and proceeded to tear Galvatron's craft apart - though it took him some time, since the thing was pretty darn large, and was able to go toe to toe with Maximus for a bit.

A short bit.

Galvatron wasn't beaten yet though, and used his supernatural powers to drain Fortress Maximus' power into himself. Having grown terribly powerful, Galvatron then began to manifest several additional, terrifying abilities, which he used to mercilessly trounce the Autobots.

This continued until Koji once again saved them. You see, he managed to channel a massive amount of human psychic energy into Fortress Maximus, who then pumped it into Omega Prime - who was by now in mortal combat with Galvatron in the earth's molten core.

Using this purloined psychic energy, Omega Prime defeated Galvatron at long last, though he didn't kill his nemesis, oh no. Instead, he used the irresistible might of Fortress Maximus to contain the villain, along with all his earth-bound minions, to have them tried for their crimes.

To this end, he had Ultra Magnus, his brother, pilot Fortress Maximus back to Cybertron, so those ruffians could be tried and imprisoned on a penal asteroid in the vicinity of Cybertron itself. So, thanks to his power, the Autobots managed to ultimately save the day. Or the earth, at least.

With their mission complete, the Autobots eventually followed Fortress Maximus back to Cybertron, at least, after they made sure all of their advanced technology had been removed from the planet - or, at the very least, secured in the event that they had to return again some day.

Fortress Maximus' ultimate fate is currently unknown. Now that he is fully aware of himself and his position in Cybertronian life, it is unsure just what he will do. He may stay there to help keep the peace, or he may even return to the earth some day, since he's spent so much time there.

The world may never know...!

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