Val CHA Cost Roll Notes 13 STR 3 12- Lift 150 kg; 2 1/2d6 HTH Damage 15 DEX 15 12- OCV: 5/DCV: 5 13 CON 6 12- 11 BODY 2 11- 10 INT 0 11- PER Roll 11- 11 EGO 2 11- ECV: 4 13 PRE 3 12- PRE Attack: 2 1/2d6 10 COM 0 11- 5 PD 2 Total: 5 PD 4 ED 1 Total: 4 ED 3 SPD 5 Phases: 4, 8, 12 6 REC 0 26 END 0 25 STUN 0 Total Characteristics Cost: 39 Movement: Running: 6"/12" Swimming: 2"/4" Cost Powers & Skills 2 Martial Arts: Commando Training Maneuver OCV DCV Damage 4 Block +2 +2 Block, Abort 4 Disarm -1 +1 23 STR Disarm 3 Grab -1 -1 Grab 2 Limbs; 23 STR to Hold 4 Kick/Punch +0 +2 4 1/2d6 Strike 3 Throw +0 +1 2 1/2d6 + v/5; Target Falls 2 Use art with Clubs, Knife Perks 1 Fringe Benefit: Military Rank Skills 8 Combat Training: +1 with all Combat 0 AK: Home Area (varies) 8- 3 Breakfall 12- 3 Climbing 12- 0 Concealment 8- 1 Demolitions 8- 1 Electronics 8- 1 KS: The Enemy (a.k.a. "Bugs") 8- 1 KS: Military (Mobile Infantry) History 8- 2 KS: Mobile Infantry Armor 11- 0 Language: (varies) (native) 1 Mechanics 8- 0 Paramedic 8- 2 PS: Soldier 11- 2 Survival (Temperate/Subtropical) 11- 3 Systems Operations 11- 3 Tactics 11- 0 TF: Small Motorized Ground Vehicles 10 WF: Common Melee Weapons, Common Missile Weapons, Small Arms, Flame-thrower, Grenade Launcher, GP/HMG, Shoulder-Fired Weapons 1 Weaponsmith (Improvised Weapons) 8- 63 Total Powers & Skills Cost 102 Total Character Cost 50+ Disadvantages 5 Distinctive Features: MI Trooper (uniform) (EC) 15 Watched: Mobile Infantry (MoPow, NCI, Watching) 11- 15 Psychological Limitation: Esprit de Corp (C, S) 17 Mobile Infantry Bonus 102 Total Disadvantage Points
Background/History: At some point in the far future, mankind runs into an enemy that can't be reasoned with, negotiated with or even remotely understood by Terrans. This enemy are the Klendathu or "Bugs." An insect hive-mind, the Bugs are really only interested in one thing... conquest. To combat this threat, Terra creates the Mobile Infantry, men in a powered armor suits that will allow them to take the fight directly to the enemy. And not just anyone gets to be an M.I. "cap" trooper. First, you must survive the toughest bootcamp in the universe, some resign, some get washed out, and some die.
John D Prins adds: Err.. several "points of order." MI weren't "made" to combat the "bug" threat—they were around before humanity made the encounter. Second, humanity generally didn't reason with other alien races, but quickly kicked the crap out of them if they were any sort of threat (I don't exactly call that "reasoning."). In general, humanity was expanding through the universe, crushing anything that served to hinder that goal of expansion. To paraphrase of one of the book's characters: "If our expanding through the universe is wrong, the universe will tell us by kicking the crap out of humanity." But that's just for clarification.
Personality/Motivation: The most important note about the MI is their sense of duty and responsibility. They are highly motivated, both to the completion of their mission (M.I. have a serious a "can do!" attitude) and in the fact that the "M.I. take care of their own—no matter what." M.I. don't abandon their own, and always try and make pickup. As Johnny Rico states: "If a man doesn't feel that way about it... I don't want him on my flank when the trouble starts."
And again, John D Prins comments: Yes. I'll point out that in the book, the only way to gain a vote in government was military service—so high motivation and responsibility is almost a requirement for military service, not to mention getting through boot camp! Further, there are ONLY 'fighting' MIs. The fighting MIs service their own suits. The officers are on the front lines. EVERYBODY who's a MI is a fighter, unlike modern armies, where you've got massive support and logistics staff for every one "fighting" man.
Powers/Tactics: An M.I. Trooper's real power lies in his armor (see the separate write-up). Aside from that, M.I. troopers are trained in a wide variety of skills, from how to maintain the armor they use, to survival in the wilderness, building improvised weapons, Hand-to-Hand combat, standard tactics, and how to use almost any weapon known to man. The M.I.'s one and only real purpose is whacking on the enemy, and their training is designed to allow them to do just that.
Appearance: Your typical M.I. trooper looks like... well... your typical human. Boot camp does build up the recruit's STR, CON, DEX, and self-esteem (i.e. EGO and PRE), but doesn't necessarily make him any smarter (although quick thinking helps).
(Mobile Infantry created by Robert Heinlein, character sheet created by Michael Surbrook. Additional material by John D. Prins.)