1,001 Characters #9: Jethro Null

 

9. Jethro Null    C95393    ex-Army Captain     Age 26      2 Terms

Skills: Rifle-1, ATV-1, SMG-1, Leader-1, Fwd Obs-1.

Benefits: Cr10,000, Mid psge, Low psge

Jethro tried to join the navy when he was eighteen, but failed the entrance tests (INT 3), for a few months there he drifted in and out of meaningless work until he saw a poster for the army and enlisted at the nearest recruiting centre. He underwent basic training (Rifle-1 and +1 END), and was promptly shipped off to Fixte, where the Oberon army was busy ensuring that agricultural produce reached Oberon. On Fixte he spent much of his time driving ATVs and AFVs, ferrying troops, equipment to various outposts, escorting produce to the transport ships, and running supplies to the outposts (ATV-1). After some of the things he saw there, Trooper Null was not sure he wanted to re-enlist, when he did make up his mind, his original indecision almost cost him his chance to re-enlist (rolled 7 exactly). During his second term he trained as a Forward Observer (Fwd Obs-1). He was also commissioned as a Lieutenant (rank 1) and given his first command; a remote outpost, manned by a single platoon of mostly new recruits. A month into his command, the outpost was attacked by Ixxian rebels, in overwhelming numbers. Repeated attacks rapidly exhausted the platoon's ammunition supply, and despite artillery and air support, the Ixxians managed to close with the platoon and only vicious hand to hand combat forced them to withdraw. Lt. Null was almost killed by an Ixxian rebel (rolled 3 for survival), in desperation he kicked out at what he hoped was a vulnerable spot and it worked, the Ixxian collapsed in on itself as he hit the spot hard. A nearby trooper quickly dispatched the helpless Ixxian. Studying ones enemy pays off apparently (+2 to survival for EDU 6+). With no relief in sight, heavy casualties, low on ammo and with the Ixxians mounting their final assault, Lt. Null made the decision to call in fire on his own position. The incoming fire obliterated the Ixxian assault, and forced them to retire from the field. The platoon fared a little better, with ten men KIA and the remainder wounded, some more than once. Three of the wounded did not recover. 

Medals were awarded and several promotions made, including Lt. Null who was promoted to Captain (rank 2). 

After that action, something inside him broke, and although he tried hard to maintain appearances, Jethro was never the same again (how this affects the character is up to the player or referee if an NPC). When it came time for re-enlistment he was rejected for psych reasons (rolled a 4).

Jethro was mustered out on Oberon, but hasn't returned home, instead he is hanging around the starport, looking for work offworld. While he does have middle and low passage tickets and enough credits to pay for high passage, he would prefer to hire on, rather than use his own resources to leave New Oberon.

   Oberon              0808`    B430523-B    N    Ni Po De

    Fixte                0807      E767667-6           Ag Ni Ri (O:0808) (Pop: Ixx 5)       

Referee: The natives of Fixte are based on three packs of Ixx alien warriors by Ground Zero Games. I envision these guys having the same colours as the Triangular Spider. One of the agricultural goods exported to Oberon is Ixxian Silk, considered a luxury on Oberon and demanding a high price, it is harvested directly from the Ixxian body. One of the main reasons the Ixxians are fighting the New Oberons is because of the slave farms which harvest Ixxian Silk.