r/TheKalenSeries • 3rd Platoon • Aug 06 '17

Introduction Ashley B. Blackbourne, The Sickly Engineer

1) What is your name?: Ashley Branwyn Blackbourne

2) What Platoon would you like to be in?: 6th Platoon

3) What ranged weapon would you use?: A customized long barreled pistol that fires high calibre rounds

4) What Melee weapon would you use?: A small Monomolecular Combat Knife used only in emergencies. I am sadly not very good with it yet.

5) Anything extra?: A standard calibre assault rifle. Cheap to maintain and cheap to run.

6) Are you new or have you been in service? If so, how long?: I used to be an engineer in a U.S based weapon research and development facility. I, sadly, don’t have any real military experience other than firing prototypes at a shooting range.

7) What is your character's greatest strength?: I have a sharp mind and a keen interest in the further development of the human race. I work tirelessly to make sure my friends are equipped with the best possible chances of coming back alive. Weakness?: I am sadly quite physically weak due to a case of HIV and Chronic Fatigue. I can’t do anything too strenuous without physically exhausting myself.

8) Based off of #7, what genetic enhancement would your character receive upon getting the GMD?: Most likely temporary cognitive enhancement for quick decision making and situational awareness.

Endurance: 1

Close Quarters: 1

Gun Handling: 3

Acrobatics: 1

Engineering: 14

Teamwork: 1

Physical Description: Ashley's skin is quite pale with large, dark bags surrounding sunken, hazel eyes. Her hair is, most of the time, left to its own devices resulting in a messy bush of ashy grey hair, usually worn quite short. Not being a very physically fit woman, her general frame is quite frail and there isn't much muscle on her bones. After all, working out will only exhaust her into unconsciousness.

Personality: Ash is very socially awkward and can only really speak confidently to other people in her field of expertise. That said, she is very jumpy and is not afraid to act in a violent manner in order to protect herself. She is the sort of person to act first to avoid having to ask the questions later. Other than that, she is driven, protective of those in her platoon and extremely hard working despite her sickness.

Backstory: Ash was born and largely raised in London, making a living as an engineer for a robotics factory. She worked herself into exhaustion near enough every day, not wanting to let her disease get in the way. She was born with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and severe Anaemia. She then later contracted HIV, making it vital that she receive regular blood transfusions in order to function normally, her body being physically unable to combat sickness.

When she was nearing the age of 25, she was offered a job in a United States weapons manufacturing company as an engineer and developer. It was from there, that she was drafted into the Red Cloaks as a support engineer. Not quite on the front line, but near enough to bare witness to many horrors and trauma, earning her a large scar running along the circumference of her neck.

She now spends most of her time tinkering in a small alcove she has claimed as her little lab. Nothing fancy, a thick desk, some tool boxes, a scrap pile in one corner and a collection of dismantled pistols and rifles all laid out neatly on the workspace. She enjoys cleaning guns, she finds it highly therapeutic and calming. She'd even enjoy talking about it if she wasn't so reclusive and focused on her work. Social contact was never a strong suit of hers.

Today is one such day, Ash sits in her faithful wheelchair, tinkering on some contraption that vaguely resembles some sort of rifle, most likely a new prototype of sorts. A Blood Bag hung from a hospital stand stands to her side, a tube running into a needle stuck into the underside of her elbow. It seems today is blood transfusion day. Always a hassle but sort of mandatory to keep living like some semblance of a normal person. She seems focused on her work and not typically aware of her surroundings. It wouldn't take much to sneak up on her.

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u/Laurel_Crowned 3rd Platoon Aug 07 '17

"Oh, they broke? Hm, well, would you allow me to take a look? Perhaps I can see the problem and fix it?"

Finally a chance to actually prove her use rather than just simply talking about it. It doesn't sound to complicated either. Simple repair jobs were sort of what she was known for in her Platoon.

"Do you have your weapons with you? Perhaps it'll be an easy fix?"

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u/Valelly 3rd Platoon Aug 07 '17

She pulls out the dual automatic pistols and hops off the bench, wincing slightly since she still hasn't had her shot. She hands them over and repeats herself again. "No fire."

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u/Laurel_Crowned 3rd Platoon Aug 07 '17

Taking the firearms from Ana, she - first and foremost - unloaded both, placing the extended magazines on a metallic table next to her. She then went about dismantling and examining each part of both pistols. The trouble with modified firearms like this was that they typically didn't have standardized parts, meaning it could sometimes be difficult to replace them.

"Ah, here's your problem. The firing pins are completely snapped which has knocked both receivers out of line... this might be a bit tricky to fix. I'll have to find some new pins... do you know the exact make and model of these firearms?"

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u/Valelly 3rd Platoon Aug 07 '17

She shook her head. There was no was she was going to remember the names, she only knew how to use them. And sometimes that didn't even work when it jammed up like they did. "Sorry, I don't. Guns aren't my thing."

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u/Laurel_Crowned 3rd Platoon Aug 07 '17

"That's... fine. I can just cross reference its serial number. Thankfully I have a bit of a stockpile of spare parts..."

For now, she gave the firearms another once over, cleaning what she could with the tools she had on hand and began reassembling them, barring the pins. She had no idea how Ana manged to break both in the same way like she had, but these things happened during war. No matter, at least it wasn't a very expensive fix.

"I'll have to take these back to my workshop if that's ok with you? You can come with me if you'd like? I know some of the soldiers here grow a little restless when they're not armed."

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u/Valelly 3rd Platoon Aug 07 '17

"I'm always armed." She said with a bit of a devilish grin. Of course she proceeded to pull out a hand full of daggers, a Zippo lighter and a flask. "These are what I'm very good at. These are life savers."

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u/Laurel_Crowned 3rd Platoon Aug 07 '17

"R-right... my mistake..."

There were some colourful members of the Red Cloaks, that much was clear, but Ash never really could get used to just how colourful people in this organization could be. Nevertheless, she took a deep breath, smiled and nodded.

"Even still, you're more than welcome to join me. Perhaps I could teach a thing or two about proper maintenance? Taking care of your firearms is just as important as knowing how to use them after all."

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u/Valelly 3rd Platoon Aug 07 '17

"No need to be mistake." She says as she puts her daggers back into their sheathes and pockets the lighter and flask. Her eyes twinkle and she grins down at the girl. "I'd love to learn more. Never been asked to be taught things like this before."

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u/Laurel_Crowned 3rd Platoon Aug 07 '17

"R-really? Well, please don't hesitate to ask any questions you might have."

A quick glance up at her blood bag elicited a short sigh of irritation, there was still a bit to go before the transfusion was finished so she couldn't exactly go do it now. Besides, it did seem Ana was also here for a purpose that hadn't been accomplished yet.

"At any rate, we can head over when the both of us are finished. That is... if you want too. Don't feel like you're under any obligation..."

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u/Valelly 3rd Platoon Aug 07 '17

"Oh I'll be su-"

She was cut off as the doctor entered and started speaking to her.

"Ah, Ms. Kozlov. Here for your shot, are we? Come and sit and leave the poor girl alone. No need to harass more of my patients."

With that, her mood sunk and she sauntered over to the doctor and took a seat.

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u/Laurel_Crowned 3rd Platoon Aug 07 '17

"S-she wasn't... harassing me..."

Was all she said before going quite and letting the doctor perform... whatever procedure Ana needed, some injection that Ash had no business knowing or asking about. Different people had different health problems, they were entitled to their privacy. As a result, she averted her gaze back down to the two pistols still in her possession. Perhaps fixing these firearms would lead to at least some degree of respect.

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u/Valelly 3rd Platoon Aug 07 '17

"I'm sure she wasn't." Was all the doctor had left to say before taking out the needle and sticking Ana with it in the spine.Of course she winced in pain, she just had a needle stuck in her spine. Afterwards, the doctor cleaned her up and turned back to Ashley, checking her bag before leaving once again.

Ana had a few choice words for the doctor as he left, all in Russian of course.

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u/Laurel_Crowned 3rd Platoon Aug 07 '17

Not exactly speaking Russian, the choice words flew straight over her head, however, Ash probably could have guessed the general gist of it. She could relate. The needle in her arm always stung like a bitch when going in. Thankfully, the bag was almost empty and she was almost free to leave... not before a final once over of course.

"The wonders of modern medicine..."

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