Note: Think of the stories as "episodes" that continue on from each other.
Department-7:
Sixty years ago weapons deemed too terrible for use were employed on a worldwide scale. A global nuclear exchange destroyed civilization as we know it and wiped out ninety-five percent of human life on Earth. The cities were incinerated and governments toppled, while the human race burned away.
At this point in time only the very old—and there are few of them remaining--remember or know for certain how the nuclear war came to be, but those whose parents talked about the war say tensions ran high between the vast and powerful nations of that day. A rogue organization, friend to none of the great nations, detonated a nuclear weapon in an American city, and in the anger and confusion that followed, a larger, senseless war could not be avoided.
Despite the billions killed and the millions more that died in the aftermath as food and supplies became scarce, there were survivors. Many individuals had seen the coming of the devastation and dangerous future and hid underground in vaults and shelters. Others were lucky enough to be outside of the most devastated regions, the worst they had to endure was the radioactive fallout.
While many individuals remained sheltered underground for months or even years, the radiation wreaked havoc on the DNA of those on the surface. Years passed; the survivors eked out a meager existence. Children were born, though many didn’t survive at first, and those who did often had strange mutations.
Over the next thirty years, the radiation on the surface tapered off; and the people underground emerged over time to a world destroyed. Much of the world had succumbed to desertification, and much of humanity was scarred by mutation.
Now, sixty years after the destruction of civilization, life has moved slowly forward. Communities came together, organizations—good and evil--sprang up, and leaders emerged. Some groups worked toward the betterment of the species; others simply gobbled up any resources they could scavenge or take. The roads became war zones. Fuel became an important commodity, as did weapons, armor, and technological relics from before the apocalyptic war. Those who remain fight for survival in an irradiated landscape while warlords and other groups struggle to dominate what remained.
Department-7 is an information-gathering organization based in one of the old vaults that was opened thirty years ago. The facility retains power but since it can no longer sustain the lives of the three thousand people it was built to hold, it has been converted into a research facility.
The administrators of the vault dedicated this facility to the accumulation of knowledge. Of particular interest is what organizations have formed and what their agendas might be. This information is compiled and stored at the facility for future reference. Heroes working for Department-7 are given the simple mandate of going out into the world and learning as much as they can about any subject they wish.
They are given a vault photo ID card, which they can show to other members to obtain free housing for the night, a free meal, or a piece of information. Department-7 agents are spread throughout the continent.
Department-7:
Sixty years ago weapons deemed too terrible for use were employed on a worldwide scale. A global nuclear exchange destroyed civilization as we know it and wiped out ninety-five percent of human life on Earth. The cities were incinerated and governments toppled, while the human race burned away.
At this point in time only the very old—and there are few of them remaining--remember or know for certain how the nuclear war came to be, but those whose parents talked about the war say tensions ran high between the vast and powerful nations of that day. A rogue organization, friend to none of the great nations, detonated a nuclear weapon in an American city, and in the anger and confusion that followed, a larger, senseless war could not be avoided.
Despite the billions killed and the millions more that died in the aftermath as food and supplies became scarce, there were survivors. Many individuals had seen the coming of the devastation and dangerous future and hid underground in vaults and shelters. Others were lucky enough to be outside of the most devastated regions, the worst they had to endure was the radioactive fallout.
While many individuals remained sheltered underground for months or even years, the radiation wreaked havoc on the DNA of those on the surface. Years passed; the survivors eked out a meager existence. Children were born, though many didn’t survive at first, and those who did often had strange mutations.
Over the next thirty years, the radiation on the surface tapered off; and the people underground emerged over time to a world destroyed. Much of the world had succumbed to desertification, and much of humanity was scarred by mutation.
Now, sixty years after the destruction of civilization, life has moved slowly forward. Communities came together, organizations—good and evil--sprang up, and leaders emerged. Some groups worked toward the betterment of the species; others simply gobbled up any resources they could scavenge or take. The roads became war zones. Fuel became an important commodity, as did weapons, armor, and technological relics from before the apocalyptic war. Those who remain fight for survival in an irradiated landscape while warlords and other groups struggle to dominate what remained.
Department-7 is an information-gathering organization based in one of the old vaults that was opened thirty years ago. The facility retains power but since it can no longer sustain the lives of the three thousand people it was built to hold, it has been converted into a research facility.
The administrators of the vault dedicated this facility to the accumulation of knowledge. Of particular interest is what organizations have formed and what their agendas might be. This information is compiled and stored at the facility for future reference. Heroes working for Department-7 are given the simple mandate of going out into the world and learning as much as they can about any subject they wish.
They are given a vault photo ID card, which they can show to other members to obtain free housing for the night, a free meal, or a piece of information. Department-7 agents are spread throughout the continent.
Sophie Drake
Name: Sophie Drake
Ht: 5’8”
Wt: 135
Age: 25
Eyes: Hazel green
Hair: Auburn red, long to middle of back, straight.
Scars/Birth Marks/Tattoos/Mutations: Skeletal reinforcement; Elasticity; Radiation resistance
Profession: Department-7 agent. Leader of her team.
Birth Place: What was Colorado, deep within the Department-7 mountain facility.
Relatives: Has a 81 year-old father who was an agent for Department-7 before he was put in charge of the agency. Her mother, Annie, is deceased, killed shortly after Sophie was born.
Known History: Sophie’s father and paternal grandfather escaped death from the apocalypse in the original state of California. Sophie’s grandfather, Kenneth Drake, was a high-ranking agent of Department-7 (which at the current time was dedicated to secretly obtaining information of any sort to protect the world from alien and supernatural invasion), while her father, Conner Drake, was a computer scientist/programmer student. Kenneth was 44 and his son 21 at the time. They were on vacation in what was Colorado at the time of the nuclear bombing and barely had time to reach the hidden, mountain vault of Department-7, heavily armored and at large as a small skyscraper built into the middle of a tall mountain. Both suffered some exposure to the radioactive elements in the air. Conner’s immune system was affected, but for the positive as it mutated into being capable of repelling many poisons, diseases, and radiation sickness.
Housing about 200 people for the next thirty years, the Department-7 facility reorganized and prepared itself and its agents for life after the apocalypse and to continue its mission. Children were born and grew up within the facility, some trained to become agents.
Sophie also has a mutated wolf, Bojan, that can change color from black to white depending on the time of day and at will. He’s more intelligent than an average wolf, almost seems to understand Sophie and the others.
Ht: 5’8”
Wt: 135
Age: 25
Eyes: Hazel green
Hair: Auburn red, long to middle of back, straight.
Scars/Birth Marks/Tattoos/Mutations: Skeletal reinforcement; Elasticity; Radiation resistance
Profession: Department-7 agent. Leader of her team.
Birth Place: What was Colorado, deep within the Department-7 mountain facility.
Relatives: Has a 81 year-old father who was an agent for Department-7 before he was put in charge of the agency. Her mother, Annie, is deceased, killed shortly after Sophie was born.
Known History: Sophie’s father and paternal grandfather escaped death from the apocalypse in the original state of California. Sophie’s grandfather, Kenneth Drake, was a high-ranking agent of Department-7 (which at the current time was dedicated to secretly obtaining information of any sort to protect the world from alien and supernatural invasion), while her father, Conner Drake, was a computer scientist/programmer student. Kenneth was 44 and his son 21 at the time. They were on vacation in what was Colorado at the time of the nuclear bombing and barely had time to reach the hidden, mountain vault of Department-7, heavily armored and at large as a small skyscraper built into the middle of a tall mountain. Both suffered some exposure to the radioactive elements in the air. Conner’s immune system was affected, but for the positive as it mutated into being capable of repelling many poisons, diseases, and radiation sickness.
Housing about 200 people for the next thirty years, the Department-7 facility reorganized and prepared itself and its agents for life after the apocalypse and to continue its mission. Children were born and grew up within the facility, some trained to become agents.
Sophie also has a mutated wolf, Bojan, that can change color from black to white depending on the time of day and at will. He’s more intelligent than an average wolf, almost seems to understand Sophie and the others.
Razor Duncan
Name: Razor (Charles Duncan)
Ht: 6’3”
Wt: 195
Age: 24
Eyes: Dark brown
Hair: Dark brown, keeps shaved close
Scars/Birth Marks/Tattoos: Scars in various places on body; Tattoo a chain of designs around his biceps.
Mutations: Fangs/Venomous bite; Forked tongue
Profession: Agent in Department-7; also helps with structural and mechanical repairs.
Birth Place: The city of Pullman in what used to be Washington state (after the apocalypse).
Relatives: Traveled with his parents, Chad and Aisha Duncan, and his brother, Kurt, east after the apocalypse. They escaped from the compound of a mutant warlord in Pullman, where his mother and father had worked for some years. Unknown to their parents, genetic experiments were performed on Razor and his brother which caused them to develop mutations. Only his mother is alive now and works at Department-7.
Known History: Razor had been a teenager when he arrived at Department-7, after his father had died in the nearby city of Blue Mesa trying to protect the family. Later, he'd been unable to help his older brother on a mission about five years ago.
Ht: 6’3”
Wt: 195
Age: 24
Eyes: Dark brown
Hair: Dark brown, keeps shaved close
Scars/Birth Marks/Tattoos: Scars in various places on body; Tattoo a chain of designs around his biceps.
Mutations: Fangs/Venomous bite; Forked tongue
Profession: Agent in Department-7; also helps with structural and mechanical repairs.
Birth Place: The city of Pullman in what used to be Washington state (after the apocalypse).
Relatives: Traveled with his parents, Chad and Aisha Duncan, and his brother, Kurt, east after the apocalypse. They escaped from the compound of a mutant warlord in Pullman, where his mother and father had worked for some years. Unknown to their parents, genetic experiments were performed on Razor and his brother which caused them to develop mutations. Only his mother is alive now and works at Department-7.
Known History: Razor had been a teenager when he arrived at Department-7, after his father had died in the nearby city of Blue Mesa trying to protect the family. Later, he'd been unable to help his older brother on a mission about five years ago.
Claire Desmarais
Name: Claire Desmarais
Ht: 5’8”
Wt: 145
Age: 26
Eyes: Gold, unnatural mutated color
Hair: Dark brown with blond streaks, shoulder length
Scars/Birth Marks/Tattoos/Mutations: Exudes pheromone attraction; Gills
Other Distinguishing Features: Her skin is also gold due to mutated genes, with a darker stripe down her bottom lip to her chin.
Profession: Doctor.
Birth Place: In a camp closer to the radiation fallout near the west coast. She met Sophie when both were teenagers, and she had been driven from her home by Marauders. Sophie brought her into the Department where she studied to be a doctor.
Relatives: None with her now.
Known History: Might still have family around but when their camp was attacked many were killed and others fled into the woods. She was separated from her family and had to keep running. She was captured by the Marauders but managed to escape and headed east. As a teenager alone she was vulnerable, especially with her strange skin and eye color, but she learned to talk to people in ways that they ended up helping her.
Ht: 5’8”
Wt: 145
Age: 26
Eyes: Gold, unnatural mutated color
Hair: Dark brown with blond streaks, shoulder length
Scars/Birth Marks/Tattoos/Mutations: Exudes pheromone attraction; Gills
Other Distinguishing Features: Her skin is also gold due to mutated genes, with a darker stripe down her bottom lip to her chin.
Profession: Doctor.
Birth Place: In a camp closer to the radiation fallout near the west coast. She met Sophie when both were teenagers, and she had been driven from her home by Marauders. Sophie brought her into the Department where she studied to be a doctor.
Relatives: None with her now.
Known History: Might still have family around but when their camp was attacked many were killed and others fled into the woods. She was separated from her family and had to keep running. She was captured by the Marauders but managed to escape and headed east. As a teenager alone she was vulnerable, especially with her strange skin and eye color, but she learned to talk to people in ways that they ended up helping her.
Alec
Name: Alec (no last name ever given although he sometimes uses Myrrdin); Genetically mutated humanoid with feline/human features and body
Ht: 6’4”
Wt: mid-200s
Age: 23
Eyes: Green with gold flecks
Hair: Has white fur with brown/black spots like a snow leopard
Scars/ Birth Marks/ Tattoos/Mutations: Besides his genetic mutation, he also has darkvision and is able to see in black and white in total darkness. Leaper: He can also leap high or long distances and run faster than a human; sense of smell is enhanced-detect approaching enemies, sniff out hidden foes, and track by sense of smell, as well as identify familiar odors; Danger Sense: mild form of precogition to warn of impending attack.
Body Build/Other Distinguishing Features: Slender but tall, sinewy muscles.
Profession: Weapons, expert, demolitions, good at intimidation.
Known Skills: He’s a fighter and a warrior and mainly protects the team as well as sets up any security measures
Weapons: MAC Ingram M10 (machine pistol, heavy – small submachine gun that will fire one shot with light pressure, multiple shots with heavier pressure); knives, usually carries grenades and explosives when necessary.
Birth Place: What used to be Texas, further south.
Relatives: None, he has no real family since he was genetically spliced together.
Known History: Was “born” under the control of the Government of New Texas, a large and powerful group in the south that is rumored to assuming control of old Texas as well as annexing as much of the surrounding areas and beyond as possible. He was freed when young and grew up with a warrior band of humans and mutants who tried to fight evil as best they could. Unfortunately, their leader believed they could accomplish this with swords and dressed in uniforms based on old tales of magic, knights, and wizards. He finally realized they were all mostly crazy and took off on his own. Meeting up with Sophie several years ago showed him the real meaning of fighting evil and the lure of weapons. He still has a fascination for the old “magical” ways of ancient history, but only as old tales.
Ht: 6’4”
Wt: mid-200s
Age: 23
Eyes: Green with gold flecks
Hair: Has white fur with brown/black spots like a snow leopard
Scars/ Birth Marks/ Tattoos/Mutations: Besides his genetic mutation, he also has darkvision and is able to see in black and white in total darkness. Leaper: He can also leap high or long distances and run faster than a human; sense of smell is enhanced-detect approaching enemies, sniff out hidden foes, and track by sense of smell, as well as identify familiar odors; Danger Sense: mild form of precogition to warn of impending attack.
Body Build/Other Distinguishing Features: Slender but tall, sinewy muscles.
Profession: Weapons, expert, demolitions, good at intimidation.
Known Skills: He’s a fighter and a warrior and mainly protects the team as well as sets up any security measures
Weapons: MAC Ingram M10 (machine pistol, heavy – small submachine gun that will fire one shot with light pressure, multiple shots with heavier pressure); knives, usually carries grenades and explosives when necessary.
Birth Place: What used to be Texas, further south.
Relatives: None, he has no real family since he was genetically spliced together.
Known History: Was “born” under the control of the Government of New Texas, a large and powerful group in the south that is rumored to assuming control of old Texas as well as annexing as much of the surrounding areas and beyond as possible. He was freed when young and grew up with a warrior band of humans and mutants who tried to fight evil as best they could. Unfortunately, their leader believed they could accomplish this with swords and dressed in uniforms based on old tales of magic, knights, and wizards. He finally realized they were all mostly crazy and took off on his own. Meeting up with Sophie several years ago showed him the real meaning of fighting evil and the lure of weapons. He still has a fascination for the old “magical” ways of ancient history, but only as old tales.
Gina Wynn
Name: Gina Wynn
Ht: 5’5”
Wt: In the low 100 range
Age: 24
Eyes: Dark blue
Hair: Pure white, long with bangs
Scars/ Birth Marks/ Tattoos/Mutations: Her ears are pointed and her hair came out white instead of dark like her family. Hypersensitivity: can sense what’s going on around her in the natural world, as well as what people are feeling in her presence; her sense of smell is enhanced-detect approaching enemies, sniff out hidden foes, and track by sense of smell, as well as identify familiar odors; and she can crawl up surfaces with the tiny barbs on her feet and hands (fingers and toes secrete a transparent adhesive that lets her cling to smooth surfaces). Has a double row of tattooed dots running from her shoulders to her elbows ending in a pinkish flower; Telekentic mind: can move objects up to 5 pounds up to 15 feet in any direction.
Body Build/Other Distinguishing Features: Slender, slight, very thin
Profession: Hunter (for the team’s food as well as whoever they are searching for), Athlete
Known Skills: Hunting, tracking, climbing.
Weapons: Likes to carry a sword with her, although she also carries a standard automatic pistol and mechanical crossbow.
Birth Place: Also born in the mountain facility of Department-7.
Relatives: Has a sister who looks like the Asian race of their ancestors still living.
Known History: Gina actually grew up happy and content after the apocalypse with her family, always cheerful and smiling and positive. But she had an odd rebellious streak in her that made her always want to do her own thing and was quite happy about that, regardless of what others thought or said. She never got angry at people, but mostly ignored their advice and ideas on where her life should go. She also grew up loving the “outdoors” despite the postapocalyptic terrain outside. Hunting became a passion, but only for sport…she only kills animals for food if it’s the only alternative. Gina enjoys the “hunt” more than hunting itself. Her parents still works as scientists for Department-7, as does her older sister.
Ht: 5’5”
Wt: In the low 100 range
Age: 24
Eyes: Dark blue
Hair: Pure white, long with bangs
Scars/ Birth Marks/ Tattoos/Mutations: Her ears are pointed and her hair came out white instead of dark like her family. Hypersensitivity: can sense what’s going on around her in the natural world, as well as what people are feeling in her presence; her sense of smell is enhanced-detect approaching enemies, sniff out hidden foes, and track by sense of smell, as well as identify familiar odors; and she can crawl up surfaces with the tiny barbs on her feet and hands (fingers and toes secrete a transparent adhesive that lets her cling to smooth surfaces). Has a double row of tattooed dots running from her shoulders to her elbows ending in a pinkish flower; Telekentic mind: can move objects up to 5 pounds up to 15 feet in any direction.
Body Build/Other Distinguishing Features: Slender, slight, very thin
Profession: Hunter (for the team’s food as well as whoever they are searching for), Athlete
Known Skills: Hunting, tracking, climbing.
Weapons: Likes to carry a sword with her, although she also carries a standard automatic pistol and mechanical crossbow.
Birth Place: Also born in the mountain facility of Department-7.
Relatives: Has a sister who looks like the Asian race of their ancestors still living.
Known History: Gina actually grew up happy and content after the apocalypse with her family, always cheerful and smiling and positive. But she had an odd rebellious streak in her that made her always want to do her own thing and was quite happy about that, regardless of what others thought or said. She never got angry at people, but mostly ignored their advice and ideas on where her life should go. She also grew up loving the “outdoors” despite the postapocalyptic terrain outside. Hunting became a passion, but only for sport…she only kills animals for food if it’s the only alternative. Gina enjoys the “hunt” more than hunting itself. Her parents still works as scientists for Department-7, as does her older sister.
Myka Reed
Name: Myka Reed (at least that's what she says her last name is as she uses so many different ones)
Marital Status: Very much single (who would ever have her anyway)
Ht: 5'6"
Wt: 110ish, very thin at the moment
Age: 17
Eyes: Green
Hair: Long, straight, reddish auburn
Complexion: (see mutations)
Scars/ Birth Marks/Tattoos/Mutations: Myka is severely mutated, freakishly so according to her:
Unnatural skin: Hues of gray, pink, lavender
Scaly skin: Has small, scaly patches on hands, fingers, arms, shoulders, forehead and face, and all over her body
Horns: Bones in her head grew out as pointed horns, two on the side and one from her forehead, pointed slightly backwards (the only positive is that she's learned to use them as weapons)
Prehensile tail: Has a usable tail, thick skinned.
Also her ears grew abnormally long and pointed, and her fingernails are more like sharp claws. Has a few scars from various "mishaps" and times of being tortured
Body Build/Other Distinguishing Features: Slender, small boned, looks fragile
Profession: Getting into trouble, messes, and scrapes...and barely getting out alive.
Known Skills: A bit of this and that, whatever helped her to survive; Expert scrounger, can find valuable items that others have overlooked or didn't realize could be useful.
Birth Place: In the East, where the radioactive damage was the worst
Relatives: None living that she knows of as her family abandoned her as a young child
Known History: Myka was born in the "East"...in the devastated lands, the wastelands seventeen years ago; then abandoned by her parents at age 9. She was heavily exposed to radiation in the womb and after her birth. She survived by hooking up with whoever would have her, which resulted in some bad experiences, but also some very interesting ones. Myka has bits of various skills but was never around long enough to master anything.
Myka has a problem with getting into trouble and dangerous situations and isn't sure how she's managed to survive all these years. She has a rather carefree attitude and always expects she is going to die "this time"; but at the same time tries her hardest to survive just for the hell of it.
She can be sassy and blunt and sometimes "rude"; although she doesn't mean to be and is quick to apologize. She thinks she's a "mess"--messed up looks, messed up life--and just wishes she were pretty and "normal". Myka knows she'll never find anyone to love her and accepts this without being bitter. She's realistic and resigned, but usually in good spirits despite her troubles.
Marital Status: Very much single (who would ever have her anyway)
Ht: 5'6"
Wt: 110ish, very thin at the moment
Age: 17
Eyes: Green
Hair: Long, straight, reddish auburn
Complexion: (see mutations)
Scars/ Birth Marks/Tattoos/Mutations: Myka is severely mutated, freakishly so according to her:
Unnatural skin: Hues of gray, pink, lavender
Scaly skin: Has small, scaly patches on hands, fingers, arms, shoulders, forehead and face, and all over her body
Horns: Bones in her head grew out as pointed horns, two on the side and one from her forehead, pointed slightly backwards (the only positive is that she's learned to use them as weapons)
Prehensile tail: Has a usable tail, thick skinned.
Also her ears grew abnormally long and pointed, and her fingernails are more like sharp claws. Has a few scars from various "mishaps" and times of being tortured
Body Build/Other Distinguishing Features: Slender, small boned, looks fragile
Profession: Getting into trouble, messes, and scrapes...and barely getting out alive.
Known Skills: A bit of this and that, whatever helped her to survive; Expert scrounger, can find valuable items that others have overlooked or didn't realize could be useful.
Birth Place: In the East, where the radioactive damage was the worst
Relatives: None living that she knows of as her family abandoned her as a young child
Known History: Myka was born in the "East"...in the devastated lands, the wastelands seventeen years ago; then abandoned by her parents at age 9. She was heavily exposed to radiation in the womb and after her birth. She survived by hooking up with whoever would have her, which resulted in some bad experiences, but also some very interesting ones. Myka has bits of various skills but was never around long enough to master anything.
Myka has a problem with getting into trouble and dangerous situations and isn't sure how she's managed to survive all these years. She has a rather carefree attitude and always expects she is going to die "this time"; but at the same time tries her hardest to survive just for the hell of it.
She can be sassy and blunt and sometimes "rude"; although she doesn't mean to be and is quick to apologize. She thinks she's a "mess"--messed up looks, messed up life--and just wishes she were pretty and "normal". Myka knows she'll never find anyone to love her and accepts this without being bitter. She's realistic and resigned, but usually in good spirits despite her troubles.