Shockwave

Complete

Name:	Shockwave	Generation:	Metallic	Frame:	Decepticon
Player:	NPC	Alternate:	Space Gun	Alliance:	Maximal
Chronicle:	Secrets of Cybertron	Nature:	Director	Class:	Super
		Attributes
Physical		Social		Mental
Strength (x2)		Charisma		Perception
Dexterity		Manipulation		Intelligence (Tactician)
Stamina		Appearance		Wits
		Abilities
Talents		Skills		Knowledges
Alertness		Animal Ken		Computer
Athletics		Piloting		Enigmas
Brawl		Etiquette		Investigation
Dodge		Firearms (Self*)		History
Empathy		Melee		Demolitions
Expression		Leadership (Military)		Repair
Intimidation (Cold)		Performance		Matrix
Mechanical-Urge		Security		Politics (Global)
Streetwise		Stealth		Procedures
Subterfuge		Survival		Science
		Advantages
Backgrounds		Weapons		Mechanisms
Age		Cutlass Blaster	+ Fusion Rifle	Armor
Computer		+ Plasma	(All in both modes)	Download
Generation				Encoding
Rank	+			Flight
Resources	+			Focus
Size				Mimicry
				Radio
				Spectrum Vision
				Tracking
				Zoom Vision
Energon		Spark		Willpower

Alternate Mode
Strength
Dexterity
Stamina
Manipulation
Appearance

Spark Location: Center chest-section

Schtick: (Asterisked above) Firearms

Merits:Shrunken Spark, Physical, 2 pts.
Iron Will, Mental, 5 pts.

Image: The most striking feature of the Decepticon Strategist is his face, or, rather, lack thereof. A single octagon with a central optic, his emotionless facade has earned him such nicknames as "The Faceless General." His body is tall, heavy, and grey-violet. A Maximal symbol, the mark of his new, chosen alliance, is emblazoned on his shoulder. He has a five-fingered hand on his right side; his lower-left arm is replaced with a blaster. Most of the weight of his torso is in the upper part of his chest, where his spark is also housed. In his alternate mode, he is a cross between a gun and a spaceship. Losing nothing in size, he gains a larger barrel, and rockets that can fly even in outer space. Shockwave reflects as enternally calm and patient. His eye flashes white as he speaks: a tenor with a British accent, not quite monotone.

History: When the military robot line known as the Decepticons was first put into production, the designers realized that Megatron, the army's hot-headed, ambitious leader, would require a foil to keep him in line. Shockwave was constructed as Megatron's military tactician, and was among the first Decepticons ever built. He served Megatron during the first Great War. Being more logical than Megatron, he often entertained thoughts of overthrowing the general and putting his plans into action on his own initiative, but he never made a direct attempt.
     When Megatron and a Decepticon unit took the battleship Nemesis to follow the Autobot Ark, Shockwave was left behind to guard operations on Cybertron. Needless to say, Megatron did not anticipate what eventually beacme a four-million-year departure. In his absence, Shockwave continued to lead the Decepticon troops, becoming their temporary, then perminent, general. Now directing the Decepticons on his own, Shockwave conquered Cybertron, leaving behind only patches of Autobot rebellion.
     Among these rebels was the Autobot female Elita One, former mate of Optimus Prime. Shockwave's "Shock Troops" found her rebel base. Desperate to save her companions (the ancient Alpha Trion still among them), Elita surrendered herself to Shockwave personally. Shockwave finally agreed not to kill the Autobot rebels. Saved from the smelting pools, they were put under survellance, and Elita One was imprisoned in Shockwave's tower for two-hundred years. When Shockwave was certain his hold on Cybertron was secure, he offered Elita her freedom. Instead, she stayed. Tempered by Autobot presence, Shockwave molded the planet under his Decepticon rule, and eventually created a peaceful Cybertron that lasted over three million years.
     Elita attempted to keep her new marriage a secret. Allowed to visit home, she told the others that she had "escaped." The ruse worked for a while, but eventually a Decepticon squadron under Shockwave misunderstood, and attacked Alpha Trion's base. Alpha Trion, discovering the truth about Elita's decision, convinced her that Shockwave was to blame. The rebellion went back into business when several of the Autobots managed to escape. However, Shockwave's intelligence told him (with ulterior motives) that Elita had been killed. For several thousand years, Shockwave sat on a much lonlier throne.
     Eventually, the unthinkable happened. Megatron and Optimus Prime surfaced, and returned to Cybertron. Somewhat relieved to have the burden of command lifted for a while, Shockwave played subservient to his original commander. However, he remained home on Cybertron. Starscream was the first to locate Elita One among the rebel Autobots on Cybertron. When Shockwave learned she was still alive, he stopped Starscream from eliminating her. Shockwave offered Elita the opportunity to choose between himself and her old love, Optimus Prime. Elita chose Optimus. But finding him colder and more war-hardened than she remembered, she did not follow him to Earth. Only twenty years later, she heard of his death at the hands of Megatron.
     Shockwave aided in defending Cybertron during the Battle of Unicron in Earth 2005. However, the Megatron he had once served had become the far more irrational Galvatron. Shockwave distrusted Galvatron, and knew that the Decepticons were now going to lose the Great War. Disheartened, he abandoned his once noble planet. Before his departure, he offered Elita One the chance to run away with him. She accepted.
     After two-hundred years the dust had settled. The Autobots had claimed victory (though at no small cost), and were working to reorganize the planet to be more efficient and more peaceful. A project headed by Autobot Perceptor involved incorporating old Quintesson technology to create a part-organic robot that would be more fuel-efficient. The remaining Decepticons, now hiding in rebel bases of their own, were also concocting plans. They stole the Maximal technology, and, using the old smelting pools as forges, created Predacons. Shockwave monitored the planet carefully, and, when all things were set in motion, inflitrated the highest level of Autobot society. Killing Ultra Magnus, his greatest remaining obstacle, he fashioned himself an identity as a Maximal called "Magnaboss." Elita One again aiding his rulership, he took care of the Autobots' descendants, and granted amnesty to the planets' remaining Decepticons. As Maximal Magnaboss, Shockwave and Elita One rule the planet as one in two parts.

Roleplaying hints: Shockwave, first and foremost, passes everything under the cold eye of logic. Make no decisions rashly, and rarely act in anger. It is right and fitting that you have conquered Cybertron, and there is no hubris about you. Test each theory three times, and once more besides to be safe. Do not undergo enterprises that put your or your position at risk. Get to the point in all conversations. Be cruel when it is required, but not because you enjoy it; cruelty is simply means to an end. Never sit, never rest, and never show weakness. To do so would be fatal for someone in your position.
     Shockwave would prefer that his enemies believe the old rumors about him having no emotion at all. However, in truth, he does have emotions, though they are well-suppressed. He becomes angry when his underlings are foolish, and becomes tired when he realizes how much work is left to be done. He fears rebellion, but it is a fear that keeps him watchful. And he loves and trusts Elita One. He is unsure if he would go about sacrificing himself to protect her, would that ever be required, but so far her abilites often keep him safe, and her personality aids him in being a better ruler. It is a logical coupling.
     Beyond Elita, there are few others Shockwave trusts. He trusts Laserbeak, because Laserbeak is completely loyal, and does not make mistakes. And, for the most part, he trusts Darkwave, who, once upon a time, was his Decepticon brother. But he keeps his eye on that one, just the same.
     Shockwave believes that he is the ultimate member of the ultimate race, and that it is best for the universe if he conquers it, piece by piece. Where it applies, Shockwave operates his empire according to the rules of the Evil Overlord List. ("Young-sparks" such as Grimlock and Waspinator are the practical replacement for his "five-year-old advisor.")

Quotes: "I have decided I prefer heroes to hoardes. Heroes are more predictable."
"Security is vital. Of course, if your mission fails, I am not at any risk."
[Why do you want to rule Cybertron?] "It is not a matter of 'want.' I am simply the most logically qualified for the position."

Timeline: Though Shockwave monitors the happenings on Cybertron and Earth with great interest throughout "Secrets of Cybertron," he does not make an appearance in person until "First Contact," when he speaks with Darkwave in private. His history with Elita One is fully revealed in the "Secrets of Cybertron" Movie. In "What We Have Become," Shockwave reveals himself to the citizens of Cybertron. His battle with rebel GuardianClaw in "Conquerors' Glory" reveals him as a force to be reckoned with for any would-be Maximal upstarts.

Weapon Notes: Consider both Shockwave in his alternate mode and Shockwave's left arm-blaster as a gun with three power settings, as detailed above.

Mechanism Notes: Focus 6 This Mechanism operates in regard to both Shockwave's left-arm blaster and his alternate form. It allows Shockwave to gain five dice of damage on his firearm weapon per Energon spent towards the blast. Alternately, Shockwave can spend a Willpower, and gain three automatic damage. No charge time is required to activate this Mechanism. There is no limit to the amount of Energon or Willpower that Shockwave may spend toward Focus, but he may only spend one or the other.
For Shockwave's Flight Mechanism, manueverability is halved in his robot mode.

Special Rules: Should Shockwave, for whatever reason, be involved in a crossover Chronicle, his Aura of Banality drains one Glamour per round from all Changelings within a hundred yards. For Changelings within two-hundred yards, it drains one Glamour every other round; beyond that range, it drains one Glamour every five rounds from all Changelings within a radius of one mile.
Shockwave's presence thickens the Gauntlet of any area by a factor of three. Technomagick is always coincidental in his presence.

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