Skullface

The **Skullface** was a former special ops legend turned into a scout operative of the NEW/G. A skilled marksman and a reconnaissance expert, he remained valuable to their ranks, to the point of becoming directly responsible for bringing back all the Legionnaires into the Legion to end their enemy once and for all. After his success, he perished without saying a word, let alone his country finding his corpse until they finally did manage to bury him.

## Biography

### Background

Derek Garett was born in the picturesque city of Camelot, located within the borders of the Aryaine Kingdom. His early life was marked by tragedy and hardship, which ultimately led him down a path of secrecy and vengeance. Derek's parents were humble artisans who struggled to make ends meet, and life in the kingdom's lower districts was far from idyllic. As a child, Derek faced the harsh realities of poverty, witnessing firsthand the stark inequalities that existed within the kingdom.

The turning point in Derek's life came when he was just a teenager. During a violent uprising in the lower districts of Camelot, his parents became collateral victims of the chaos, losing their lives in a senseless act of violence. Derek was left not only orphaned but also horrifically scarred from burns suffered in the same attack. These disfiguring facial scars served as a constant reminder of the brutality he had witnessed and endured.

Haunted by the traumatic events of his past and fueled by a burning desire for justice, Derek made the fateful decision to join the Supreme Air Service, a secretive and elite special forces unit of the Aryaine Kingdom. However, he concealed his true identity and the extent of his facial disfigurement behind a distinctive metal skull-faced mask. This mask became his symbol, a representation of the torment he had endured and the unrelenting determination to confront those who had wronged him.

### Career and an Endless Life

Within the Supreme Air Service, Derek excelled as a covert operative. He threw himself into his work, honing his skills in various areas of espionage and warfare. His career was defined by short-term deployments, classified missions, and dangerous assignments that required the utmost discretion and precision. Derek became a master of clandestine tradecraft, sabotage, ambushes, and infiltrations into restricted areas and hazardous environments.

### Task Force 609 Career

Derek Garett, known as Skullface, found himself serving as an integral member of Task Force 609, a covert and elite unit operating under the banner of Warcom Elite. The task force was known for undertaking some of the most perilous and secretive missions on behalf of their nation, often treading the thin line between heroism and obscurity.

Task Force 609 comprised individuals who were the best at what they did, handpicked from various elite military units around the Aryaine Kingdom and various countries, such as Dallas from Pruvia. Skullface's reputation as a master covert operative and his relentless pursuit of justice made him a valuable asset to the team. Alongside his skilled comrades, he embarked on missions that ranged from counter-terrorism operations to intelligence gathering in the darkest corners of the world.

However, the zenith of Skullface's career within Task Force 609 came crashing down due to the treacherous actions of General Herschel Shepherd, a corrupt Panamoan Army officer who used to lead their task force. Unbeknownst to the task force, Shepherd had been manipulating their missions and resources for his own malevolent purposes, turning them into unwitting pawns in his schemes.

As Shepherd's sinister plot began to unravel, Skullface found himself in a perilous situation. He realized that he and his comrades had been betrayed and framed for actions they had no knowledge of or control over. With the walls closing in and Shepherd's influence spreading, Skullface made the gut-wrenching decision to flee, going dark and disappearing into the shadows to protect his team and himself from further harm. It was only believed that he has died since then.

He had seemingly disappeared from the annals of history, his fate shrouded in mystery. In the wake of his dramatic escape from the clutches of General Herschel Shepherd and his private military company, the enigmatic Dark Tower. The prevailing belief among those who remembered his legend was that Skullface had met his end at the hands of the Dark Tower's relentless hunters.

### PROJECT-G/NEX Chronicles

Fast forward a thousand years into the future, and the world had undergone a dramatic transformation. Nexonia Prime, once a thriving planet, had become an advanced cyberpunk dystopia, ruled with an iron fist by the all-powerful PROJECT megacorporation. The Aryaine Kingdom, which once stood as a bastion of hope, had now been co-opted into PROJECT's dominion, occupying a position of power at the center of this sprawling, oppressive regime.

The world had become a battleground, with PROJECT locked in a relentless struggle against the G/NEX rebels, led by a formidable defector who had merged with cybernetic enhancements to become a symbol of resistance against the megacorporation's tyranny. The war between these two forces had shaped the very fabric of Nexonia Prime, plunging the planet into an era of advanced technology, pervasive surveillance, and stark inequality.

Unbeknownst to the world, Skullface had **not** met his end at the hands of the Dark Tower. Instead, he had been cryogenically stored by a secret group of allies who had refused to let his legacy fade into oblivion. The intention was always to revive him at a time when he could make a difference, free from the entanglements of the past and unaware of the epic struggle between PROJECT and G/NEX.

### Dawn of Era: An Uprising

In the year 3026, Skullface's cryogenic slumber ended abruptly. He awoke, disoriented and out of place, in a world vastly different from the one he had known. The cyberpunk dystopia that greeted him was a stark contrast to the world he had left behind, and the once-feared Skullface found himself adrift in a sea of technological marvels and societal upheaval.

As he emerged from his long sleep, Skullface bore no memory of the war between PROJECT and G/NEX, the passage of time having erased the details of his past. He was now a relic of a bygone era, a man out of time, trying to find his bearings in a world where he was no longer the feared legend but rather a stranger struggling to make sense of a reality that had evolved beyond his comprehension.

The awakening of Skullface in this unfamiliar future marked the beginning of a new chapter in his storied existence. With no knowledge of the battles that had unfolded in his absence, he would have to navigate the complexities of a world ruled by technology, power, and intrigue, as he sought to discover his place in a future he could not have foreseen.

#### New Generation of Heroes

As Skullface struggled to adapt to the unfamiliar world of Nexonia Prime in the year 3026, he couldn't escape the feeling of disconnection from the reality around him. The technological marvels and societal changes had left him adrift, but his innate skills and unwavering sense of justice were undiminished. It wasn't long before he stumbled upon a cause that ignited the fire within him once more.

In his quest to find a purpose in this new era, Skullface learned of NEW/G, the successor to the G/NEX rebel group that had fought against PROJECT's tyranny in the past. NEW/G had risen to continue the fight for freedom and equality, their ranks filled with armour enhanced warriors, rebels, and hackers, all united in their determination to resist the oppressive Societas Renegare.

The discovery of NEW/G's existence and the nefarious intentions of Societas Renegare resonated deeply with Skullface. He realized that his unique skills, honed through years of covert operations, could be of great value to this new generation of warriors. The desire to join NEW/G began to burn within him, fueled by a renewed sense of purpose and the need to protect the world he had awakened to.

During an operation, he has managed to protect The Trinity from the renegades, whom he identified as terrorists hellbent on restoring the megacorporation through violence. As the trio safely returned to the base, he scouted the area for potential scouts, and he saw Templar Vanguard briefly. Notably, he was instantly respected because his reputation was extensive and unmistakable.

#### Operation: New Troubles

Derek was doing stateside patrols as he felt the Panamoan Republic can be suspect to attack from S.O.L.A.C.E, knowing that the vile corporation has the same goal with the Corporate Renegades. He returned to the base after it was surrounded by both enemy forces at night, with him even firing a shot to kill one or two renegades whilst Lunar Frost and Night Breeze both saved the entire building.

Skullface wasn't surprised when Lunar Frost revealed that is ASHE-159's daughter. Perhaps he was more intuitive like Fiona Vance compared to the rest of them Notably, he uses his mask for comical effect to pull jokes on both the prodigy and Night Breeze, in a way to deliver comfort or prove that a cold blooded operator still has a heart.

#### Anti-Corporations

As the NEW/G and The Trinity have failed against the renegades, Skullface takes it to upon himself to clear outposts inhabited by the renegades alone. Notably, he came in and out of all those unsanctioned operations without getting wounded, all while earning the attention of Frederick Parangosky. He notes that he is the general of the Panamoan Army, and points out that he lacks any misdeeds like Shepherd a millennia ago.

As he returned to base, everyone looked at him with a long face. His actions weren't covered in *Anti-Corporations* minus his file. He simply remarks that he did something to prevent them from losing their momentum due to their defeats, which earns Henry Prescott's praise.

At some point, Derek comforted Madeleine, owing to Alisandre's betrayal and taking the codename of Bloodlust. In fact, he was responsible for their infamous interrogation that became the topic of the entire base, most notably the younger heroes.

### Unshakeable Revelation

> "Now the base is ruined, and we got nowhere to go, even the trinity are nowhere. Except for this bloody cold of a country that is Madeleine's homeland, composed of snow with ice and the bloody freezing waters."
>
> - Skullface accurately describes their current predicament.

#### Prelude

Confirming the existence of a satellite superweapon owing to Michael Nexima (Iron Man, he quickly returns to the base after spending more than enough time looking for the renegades' outpost files for any valuable intel. He is alarmed to see everyone in the base readying themselves and defences, which means only one thing, they are under attack.

Without hesitation, he now pulls out his guns and deploys various trophy systems all around the base to enhance their defences.

#### Invasion

Much to his surprise, even the assistance of the Panamoan Army has been futile when he sees S.O.L.A.C.E bringing in dozens of mechas, calling them "oversized yellow coloured kid's toys", while the renegades are showing their strength in numbers. As a result, the invasion was far more intense than anyone had anticipated, some hints of stress can be seen on his eyes as he fires upon the incoming enemies.

He was like the rest when the base was destroyed after Spartacus Brightspear have failed in vain to destroy the CHIMERA. Skullface fled and was able to obtain weapons from the base's armoury to stay armed as he regrettably leaves the headquarters, declaring it as a "place like home that has been ruined", owing to the enemy. Knowing that S.O.L.A.C.E tackles both the Panamoan Republic and the Aryaine Kingdom, he flees to Avarshi.

#### Templar's Daughter

As he fled into Avarshi, he has survived against all odds, withstanding the frigid cold. Managing to secure a safehouse in Cho'Vai, Derek took the time to explore Madeleine's abandoned house. He sees a multitude of photographs with Ashe and her, which he concludes that Madeleine has become a hero to expand her mother's legacy, a legend who sacrificed herself to save the planet. Skullface also inspected her room, which was full of accomplishments such as diplomas, trophies and awards, alongside a replica of Ashe's bow of true ice.

He later managed to shoot Mimeographer in the face thrice, dismayed by the fact that he survived. Skullface confirmed that he was able to collaborate with local Iceborn forces with the use of a marksman rifle and a sniper rifle to provide long range support. As he walks on foot to return on his safehouse, he was greeted by none other than Bloodlust apparently waiting for him. As Bloodlust saw the figure who killed her father many years ago, she wasted no time attacking him.

He easily defeats Bloodlust in hand-to-hand combat, to the point where she resorts to using knives to win. Skullface saved himself from being stabbed by kicking her in the kidney, winding her and causing her to fall to the ground, before the renegades pick her up and he uses the opportunity to return to his safehouse.

#### Redemption of Heroes

He now gave the legionnaires an opportunity to rejoin by returning to his safehouse and stealing equipment from the renegades, all of which were advanced enough for him to enable encrypted, but global communications. Fiona Vance and Benjamin Timewatcher have arrived at the safehouse and are meeting each other. Skullface then enquired about the rest, to which the leader replied that they are still too far away and dispersed to be retrieved. He finds Benjamin surviving the base and states that they should've done the time reversal act earlier before the base was effectively destroyed, resulting in their division and sudden disbandment.

Knowing that his job is to reunite them through the global comms, Skullface admits that he is more than old enough and he deems himself as "little too frail" to help them, which Fiona motivates him to join her, but he refuses. He then removes his mask to assert how serious he is, confirming that travelling alone to Frostvile may be a futile choice, but it is for the planet's better good.

#### Witnessing the New Warmother

Skullface then managed to rally the current surviving members of the NEW/G, allowing them to form up for attendance, as he intends to reunite them together, by confirming that Fiona Vance has ventured to Frostvile to find the Lunar Frost. Spartacus Brightspear, Gwyneth Forgesteel, NEXTECH Man have then thanked him for his actions, confirming that they never thought they'd see the day for them to reunite. He then confirms that it is no big deal, removing his mask to show that he, in fact, is a nevian.

He is invited to join them. As he waited for them to run or fly towards Frostvile, he finds Eion Brightblast emerging from the basement. Skullface inquires about what he has done in there, to which Eion confirmed that he fell unconscious after being hunted. He is unamused at him, but gestures for him to follow the heroes. Without any doubts left that he is responsible for reuniting the legionnaires, he quickly follows them into Frostvile, knowing that the renegades have been falling as the war on the Northern lands subsided, he is able to witness the efforts of his hardwork: the NEW/G, standing tall together.

### End of the Line

> "End of the Line. Fiona. There's nothing I can't do about it."
>
> - Skullface's last words.

Despite his unwavering determination and the support of NEW/G, Skullface's journey in the new era proved to be more challenging than he had anticipated. The toll of genetic enhancement and the extensive cryogenic sleep had taken a heavy toll on his body and mind. As he fought alongside the warriors during the *Legion-Renegade War*, it became increasingly clear that he was not the same as he once had been.

The memories of his past, combined with the confusion of awakening in a world so different from his own, took a toll on Skullface's mental well-being. The weight of his past and the demands of the present left him grappling with inner demons and self-doubt. He questioned his place in this new era and whether he could truly make a difference.

Fiona Vance informs him that his efforts have been successful and invites him to join them for the final time. Skullface, on the other hand, briefly removed his mask to demonstrate his refusal. Though the Legionnaires commended him for bringing them all together through the use of encrypted communications, Skullface acknowledges that he needed a break from everything, noting that he had been an operator for more than a millennium, and his body is nearly shutting down. Without further interruptions or comments, he sets off and quickly leaves, his silhouette dissolving into the snow that occurs in the distance.

Tragically, Skullface's journey in the new era came to a poignant end on July 13th, 3028.

## Legacy

### World Impact

When Skullface died, the Aryaine Kingdom held a memorial and a dignified burial after Aryan Pathfinder spec operations forces discovered his body. They kept his face hidden since they knew his face was scarred, despite the fact that his body was preserved days before the entire occurrence. Furthermore, during the day, people gathered with their national flags in respect, as well as a gun salute for the dead legend. Despite being a spec-ops operative and a Legionnaire, many referred to him as a "real soldier," having served for his nation for so long, and reuniting the Legion has been an invaluable act of heroism.

His death was declared "The Skull's Day".

### Shepherd

In the final moments of Skullface's journey, there was a lingering uncertainty that weighed heavily on his mind. Despite all he had endured and the battles he had fought, he still did not know with certainty whether General Herschel Shepherd, the man responsible for so much of his pain and suffering, had ever been brought to justice.

Skullface's thoughts were troubled by Shepherd's betrayal, machinations, and the devastation he had caused. It was a heartbreaking reminder that some questions may never be answered and certain scars may never heal Even in the face of victory over Societas Renegare and the advent of a new era, Skullface's history remained a mystery, leaving him to cope with the unsolved chapters of his life because he didn't know what truly happened, especially now that he had perished.

## Personality

Derek has become an isolated, cold-blooded, and exclusionary person as a result of his harsh upbringing; friendships do not come easily to him. He is rarely seen smiling and frequently has an emotionless expression, which is masked by his mask. Skullface has little regard for some superiors, as a Panamoan Army general betrayed the Warcom Elite/Task Force 609 at some point, forcing him to operate alone rather than in teams, and he is cautious about who he trusts. While Derek has a realistic outlook on life, he is fascinated by, and even admires, people who have a strong sense of duty and righteousness—people who devote their lives to, and even die for, causes they believe in. Skullface's life had been marred by adversity and betrayal, but he possessed an unyielding spirit that allowed him to persevere through even the darkest of times. His ability to bounce back from setbacks and keep pushing forward, even when faced with overwhelming odds, defined his character.

Skullface's determination was unwavering. Once he set his sights on a goal, he pursued it with single-minded focus. Whether it was seeking justice, protecting the innocent, or fighting for a cause he believed in, he remained resolute in his commitment.

Waking up to a world vastly different from the one he had known could have broken a lesser individual, but Skullface proved remarkably adaptable. He embraced the challenges of the cyberpunk dystopia, learning to navigate its complexities and technologies with the same determination that had fueled his previous missions.

Skullface's commitment to the greater good was paramount. He placed the welfare of others above his own, willingly risking his life time and again to ensure the safety and freedom of those he fought alongside and the world he had awakened to.

In the end, Skullface's personality was a testament to the enduring power of the nevian spirit in the face of adversity. His journey from a betrayed special forces operator to a warruor for a new era was a story of redemption, resilience, and unwavering commitment to the ideals he held dear.

## Abilities

Skullface's skills as a special forces operator were nothing short of extraordinary, and his prowess in various areas was instrumental in his success throughout his career.

Skullface was a master of covert and clandestine operations. His ability to move in and out of hostile environments without leaving a trace, gather critical intelligence, and execute missions with precision was unparalleled. He had an innate talent for blending into the shadows, making him a true ghost on the battlefield. Understanding the nevian psyche was another of Skullface's skills. He could manipulate and deceive adversaries, exploiting their fears and weaknesses to gain the upper hand. His psychological tactics often proved invaluable in missions involving hostage rescue or interrogation.

Skullface's exceptional skills and unwavering commitment to his missions and comrades made him a legend in the world of covert operations. His ability to adapt to the changing landscape of warfare, whether in his own time or in the distant future, underscored his status as a true elite operative.

### Skills

* **Master Infiltrator**: Infiltrating high-security facilities, enemy strongholds, and restricted areas was one of Skullface's specialties. He could breach heavily fortified defenses, disable security systems, and gain access to critical targets while remaining undetected. His skills allowed him to gather vital information and carry out sabotage missions with finesse.

* **Master Combatant**: Skullface was a formidable combatant, skilled in a variety of combat techniques. His expertise included hand-to-hand combat, marksmanship, and tactical shooting. He could adapt to different combat scenarios, whether it was close-quarters engagements or long-range sniping, and emerge victorious.

* **Master Tactician**: Skullface possessed a tactical genius that allowed him to assess complex situations swiftly and make decisions under pressure. He could formulate and execute intricate battle plans, leading his team with precision and efficiency. His strategic thinking often played a pivotal role in the success of his missions.

* **Expert Marksman**: Skullface was proficient in a wide range of weaponry, from firearms to explosives. He could handle everything from handguns and rifles to specialized equipment. His marksmanship and knowledge of ballistics allowed him to take down targets with precision.

## Trivia

### General

* Skullface's actions of opening a communications channel for the Legion to use was the most notable deed that he has done in the 31st century. Despite his death, he cannot be forgotten.
* Has no listed blood type in his own profile and government records. This makes him a spectral, or a ghost in the battlefield and outside warzones.
* Has massive facial scars and burns. He always explains this to the NEW/G heroes every time he rejects the demand to unmask himself.
* Speaks in a "beastly and hungry" manner due to his massively scarred face.
* He admits that the Corporate Renegades have been a worse threat than anticipated. He also expressed his experiences with them as he sometimes got involved in gunfights.
* Derek unexpectedly became friends with Madeleine, the NEW/G's most respected prodigy and a young hero.
* Skullface is aware that he killed Templar Vanguard (until his resurrection), and that his ruthless daughter, Bloodlust, plans to kill him someday.
	+ To his surprise, He defeats her with ease, despite her superior skills in Hand-to-hand combat.

### Developmental Notes

* Skullface is a fictionalised and rewritten version of *Simon Riley* from the *Call of Duty* videogame franchise.
* He is an excellent sniper, but prefers to operate in the shadows.
* Derek managed to send an audio file to Madeleine before he unexpectedly perished due to his degrading body.
* He seemed to never have moved on from his father.
* Shepherd's fate is uncertain, and will never be explored as the traitor who caused him the most suffering.