Barnaby "Alice" Brevil
Human: Improvisation
Human computer scientist. Penchant for robotics and AI. Used to be well respected university professor with a long list of publications. Wanderbug bit late in life (160 terran years old currently, has been traveling for around 20 years). In fact, he started traveling after the death of his wife, a tragic accident, in which he was not only grievously wounded, but also turned pacifist. Unable to cope with constant reminders of his old life (or his consultancy position in several defense firms), he decided to try his fortune amongst the stars. His nickname Alice either stems from his love of old English literature (He will gladly bore you to death with his endless notes on the various surviving Shakespeare plays and sonnets. and knows Alice's Adventures in Wonderland almost by heart.) Then again, the name Alice could also come from the development during old earth of the early AIs (A.L.I.C.E) or from his interest in cryptography (Alice, bob, carol, etc...).
After leaving his old life behind, he bought an old freighter from a distant cousin, and made it into his home.
He is a committed pacifist and a ruthless practical joker. Indeed, his engineering genius has oft been put to the mercy of his child-like jokes rather than on serious problems. When a situation turns grave, however, he is a dependable man, who will fix what needs to be fixed, and often a hell of a lot more, while never mixing his priorities.
Appearance
Unremarkable, Alice is often dressed in a simple jumpsuite with a tee shirt. Sometimes, an equipment belt is worn, but rarely does he wear anything fancy. His face shows some signs of age (think mid-50s), and his short, well groomed hair is a vibrant steel grey. Below a tall forehead, green eyes look out with a non-negligible intensity. His right hand, in stark contrast to his left, has smooth, hairless skin, and most will notice the grey shadows beyond, telltales of an artificial limb. Physically normal, he is nevertheless in good shape, maintained by his constant work on the Benjamin Franklin, and has long lost the typical professor's contented belly in favor of a leaner, more muscular body.
Strength 2
Constitution 3
Quickness 4
Charisma 6
Intelligence 6
Willpower 5
reaction:5
Action skills (0 remaining)
->Build/Repair: Droid/Robot[6]
->Build/Repair: Starship [6]
->Build/Repair: Electronics [6] (computers)
->Build/Repair: Cybernetics [5]
->Build/Repair: Exotic [5]
->Computing [6]
->Pilot: Benjamin Franklin [1]
Knowledge Skills (0 remaining)
->Engineering: Droid/Robot [6]
->Engineering: Exotic Technology [5]
->Engineering: Electronics [6] (computers)
->Engineering: AI [5]
->Knowledge: Abstract Mathematics [3]
->Knowledge: Old earth English literature (particular fondness for 20th century science fiction) [3]
->Knowledge: space station design [2]
Cybernetics:
Alice's cybernetics implants came in three phases, each related to a particular event of his life:
Phase 1:Academic Implants
During the course of his academic career, Barnaby had the chance of working at the prestigious Advanced Studies Institute (ASI) on Gallantine VII. During his time here, he had major cranial implants fitted, mostly to allow him to carry out the complex mathematics and programming required by his research without the slow and bulky interface console. These consist of a development workstation equivalent, miniaturised, and linked to his frontal cortex as well as his ocular nerves. Effectively, this is a complete computer with a graphical HUD overlay. Programmable in the same way as a normal computer, (including uploading new applications, software, or files), as well as having large amount of storage for reference use. The ocular connection is two way, allowing visual recording too, and the left ear has also been wired for enhanced sound recording, although only in the existing human range of audition.
The entire system can also act as a portable Virtual Reality rig (visual and sound only). This has come in handy a couple of times for directing drones remotely to do maintenance in restricted places on Old Ben, such as outside.
In term of connectivity, the ASI would only pay for a wired connection, but Alice forked out the necessary cash in order to have a wireless interface put in. The antenna allows two way digital transmission on a wide variety of frequency, software modulated for greater flexibility. It runs down his spinal column, and can easily be felt if a finger is passed over it. Because the large bandwidth wireless connection is far more convenient, Alice practically never uses the heavy duty jack behind his left ear.
The wireless antenna can easily broadcast on common comm-link frequencies for short range communication, and even connect to the wireless GalCom network, when available.
Phase 2:The accident
Loosing his wife was one of the most tragic and tremendous event in Barnaby's life. He was severely injured in the blast which caused the death of his wife (It was a terrorist attack against the ASI. They culprits later claimed that they attacked because of the affiliation of the ASI with several large defense contractor). Loosing His right arm, right leg, and most of his chest after a heavy beam fell on him. In recovery, he opted for the cybernetic option, rather than having the entire left side of his body bioengineered. This probably talked to the Engineer in him, who knew that this would offer great flexibility. Besides a standard artificial musculature and titanium-tungsten foam skeleton, he had no "functional" augmentation, besides a slightly stronger skeleton and considerably firmer handshake. Most of the left side is covered in his own, bioengineered skin, cloned from samples taken in the ER room. This has no functional characteristics.
Phase 3:Old Ben
Life on the road has its own demand, and Alice soon began to modify his own body to help him in his daily tasks. First in was a complete engineering multitool attachment in his right forearm. This includes all the usual, (from screwdriver to mini plasma torch). A heavy duty electronic toolset is also present in his right palm, allowing him to interact with all sorts of electronics devices. This comes in really handy when reprogramming robots, since he doesn't have to get to a specialist workstation to download the program, he can do it "on the go", so to speak.
Another interesting addition are the two "flesh pockets" on his body. These are artificial skin pockets that zip up and resemble nothing more than a scar when closed. One is present on his right pectoral slightly to the side, nearly under the armpit, and another one on his right thigh. These are empty most of the time, (except for a print photo of his wife in the chest pocket) since holding something in them is less than comfortable, but in the rougher spaceports, Alice often Keeps a small amount of cash in them.
Ship: The Benjamin Franklin
From the outside "Ol'Ben" Looks more like space salvage than a functional ship. Several centuries old, the rusting hulk of the Benjamin Franklin is nonetheless perfectly spaceworthy, and during the last decades, heavily modified by Alice. Until, as he says, it "Just feels like home.".
Old Ben's history is quite remarkable. Firstly used by a faceless corporation as part of its fleet, it was then decommissioned after almost two centuries of service, only to find its way into the hands of a minor rebel group, who fitted it as am armored gunship. Soon, however, the rebel group was completely neutralized, and the ship found itself heading for the orbital furnaces. However, the furnace's operator took a liking to the old ship, and decided to simply decommission the weapons, and keep the ship for himself, fitting it with ample personal quarters. Passed onto his son at his death, who fitted the ship with a bigger powerplant to support the heavy machinery from the furnaceworks and again to the son's daughter, who, as a botanist, fitted the ship with a small growing room and again to the daughter's daughter, who was none other than Alice's second cousin, and fitted the ship with a small infirmary tooled with an autosurgeon. Unfortunately, the engines were never changed, and the extra armor added by the rebels considerably slows Old Ben down, so the ship crawls at a snail's pace. And to be honest, Alice likes it this way.
In term of Weapon the ship is actually unarmed, and the two hardpoints that the rebels had installed have been used as drone launch platform. (Alice has been known to create small mining drones from spare parts in his workshop and mine asteroids, but only when strapped for cash.
Because of its age and archaic technology, Alice was able to get the large freighter for very little, and found himself with a large cargo bay, at the cost of an abysmal speed. Due to the size of the ship, however, it could easily be fitted with Yau Calabi engines, and even, with a little effort, a small docking bay for a couple of fighters. Currently, half of the cargo space is used for a large workshop (Alice likes to tinker. A lot.) and, since Old Ben is also Alice's home, his personal quarters. Alice's pride and joy is the large (one reclining chair fits in. Barely.) paper library, which has helped him numerous times relax during the atrociously long voyages. The other half of the cargo bay (3 isotainers) is most often filled with some low value trading commodity, so that Alice can support his mostly frugal lifestyle (He is almost self sufficient in Old Ben) and keep his workshop fitted by buying and selling between different spaceports.
The Ship's AI was programmed by Alice himself. Without a question, it is a significant step above common ship AIs, being more akin to a semisentient than a computer. Her name is Maia, and she enjoys hyperdymensional chess.
Alice being careful, the ship has been fitted with modern smart countermeasures and radar decoys (home build, of course), because you never know what might happen. Another unusual feature is the inclusion of large, retractable solar panels. (there is an interesting story behind those, if you wish to ask...)
Equipment:
Portable AES surface scanner
This old and battered material scanner is still perfectly functional, allows for detailed surface analysis of most materials, and has been invaluable in several deals which could have gone sour had the quality of the cargo not been checked before purchase. Otherwise, generally useful surface material scanner.
Battered and patched up EVA suit
Nearly as old as Old Ben, the suit is stored and kept either in case of emergency, or to carry out external repairs on the freighter.
Complete, multi environment survival kit, One backpack and one holdall
This particular piece of gear carries a very bad memory to Alice, having learnt the hard way that when one is forced to make planetfall due to faulty engines, one must be prepared for anything! Indeed, Barnaby spent two years on a deserted planet before being rescued, and has vowed never to be again caught unprepared for such eventuality. It also carries the only weapons onboard the Benjamin franklin, in the form of a flare gun and a small hand pistol. It was after this episode that the Benjamin Franklin was fitted with solar panels.
Virgin (unprogrammed) Microprocessors
One of the few things that cannot be improvised, Barnaby keeps a large stock of microprocessors, carefully packed in one of the storage cupboard of his workshop, and, after a couple of very rare books, these are the most expensive things onboard the Benjamin Franklin. (modern equivalent: a few dozen PICs and half a dozen CPUs)
Well equipped infirmary
Onboard the B.F. A small room is fitted as an infirmary. besides all the usual supplies, one can find a dated, although perfectly functional autosurgeon, which can carry out simple surgical procedures without a doctor's help. (the AI has been tweaked by Alice, so Beware). However, all the supplies and the droid programming is optimised for humans.
Well worn Sabacc Deck
Alice is quite an apt player of this game, and will always take it out when docking to a station, hoping to find a fellow player.
Loader drone
Approximately 1.5m in height, and 2.6 meters in length, this small drone was build to serve as a dock-hand to load and unload Old Ben. It has a choice of propulsion, between repulsor field, or a set of six insectoid legs. The arms end in standard locking pitons, fitting most cargo containers. (although the arms could easily be replaced by something else.) While the ship is in transit, this robot has a niche outside on the hull, where it uses its locking pitons to keep hold. Alice is rather fond of this robot, because it was once used to repel a band of thieves who where trying to steal the cargo.
Two Inflatable deep space survival pod
Kept on his person at all times these fist sized devices can at first be mistaken for handgrenades.
The small spheroid is activated by breaking the safety tab and then pulling the activation cord. The sphere expands outward upon contact with air, forming a semi-flexible, translucent spheroid equipped with a layer of ablative cushioning designed to provide shielding against micrometeorites, and insulation against the chill of the void of space. It is large enough for a single Medium-sized individual to crawl into, then to close and seal the opening. If the life pod is activated in an environment without sufficient oxygen, the integral atmosphere canister will suffice to form and inflate the pod. Otherwise, the canister provides approximately one hour of fresh oxygen to the occupant, through a breathing hose. A chemical-based heater is also included, with enough fuel to keep the occupant warm (if not very comfortable) for at least an hour.
When the life pod is activated, a small emergency beacon is activated, with a power supply that will keep operating for up to three hours. If the occupant uses the chemical heater more sparingly, and has additional atmosphere canisters, it is theoretically possible to survive in the life pod for several hours, but micrometeors will tend to tear apart the fragile life pod after periods much longer than that.
(source:http://sinai.critter.net/starwars/gear/survival.htm#lifepod)
Hand-held holoprojector.
This rather uncommon device is kept on Barnaby's person all the time (It was an anniversary gift from his wife). It can project a small 3D hologram no larger than 20cm^3. With a standard interface, Alice can connect to it wirelessly to demonstrate concepts through diagrams. A favored teaching aid of his professor days.
Various materials
The Benjamin Franklin's workshop is well stocked with various engineering supplies, allowing Alice to build small robots when the need arises. They are often remotely controlled by Maia rather than programmed.