Stan Winston

## History

When Stan first enlisted in the AMF there was a strangeness about him that nobody could quite pinpoint; let alone ever believe that Stan is in actuality an android spy working for Julius Morane.

Why Morane had chosen an android for that mission alone seemed strange, however Morane himself explained his reasoning to the android: stating that he just couldn't trust a regular man for the job because they're all liars who eventually give themselves away. Morane believed that a machine was the answer because of its perfection. It simply couldn't fail him in the same way that an ordinary man would, and neither did possess any sense of morality; or so he believed anyway.

This all seemed to change with the introduction of William Sterling and Justin Church, who were apparently the only ones willing to accept Stan for all his strangeness and intimidating height. Nobody else had dared to approach, let alone even speak to him. Although Justin has admitted to being a little fearful of Stan in the beginning; going as far as hiding behind one of the tables in the mess hall. But after William had introduced himself and offered to let Stan sit with them both for lunch Justin quickly got over that fear, and realized Stan was totally harmless; just as long as you didn't piss him off that is.
Eventually as some time passed and Stan began to blend in there were others who became bold enough to try and start something with him, only to end up bruised and beaten. The rest of Stan's comrades quickly learned just how strong and terrifying he could actually be. His reputation for kicking the asses of his instigators quickly earned him the title of "powerhouse" which is actually attributed to Justin since he came up with the name. Yet despite being as strong as he is Stan has never instigated a single fight, but if either of his friends are threatened he will jump at the chance to defend them. Stan seems to view violence as the solution to many problems.

## From Spy to Hitman

It wasn't long before Morane saw another kind of usefulness in the android; that of a perfect killer since he couldn't leave any evidence behind. It was easy enough he could make the jump since he already had that violent streak in him; along with no comprehension or understanding of the harm he was doing. In Morane's mind the android had no value of life so it would be simple to show him how to kill as well as *who* to kill. Morane already had an existing list of all those he wanted dead anyway, so the only thing he had to do was present the list to the android so it could scan it into its database, and then Morane could do away with the list and nobody would be the wiser.

It isn't until Atlantech The Early Days where Stan's actual killing spree beings. And at the same time, finds himself conflicted over the friendships he has built between both him and William Sterling, as well as Justin Church. These conflicting emotions begin to arise once he becomes aware of the different in how his friends treat him versus how Morane treats him. He also learns a lot about humanity from his friends and begins to notice the lack of it within his own master. Stan does appear to keep these thoughts private as he continues to do Morane's bidding; killing anyone on that list as well as doing whatever it takes to eliminate any evidence of him being at the scene of the crime; including eliminating witnesses if there any.

Stan's first victim ends up being a casino owner by the name of Abel Hemsworth. Morane doesn't provide much info as to why he wants the man dead, but Stan goes through it anyway; discovering how amusing it to watch these humans die. After that first kill a kind of darkness is born within him, but doesn't come to full fruition until Atlantech Days of Darkness when he goes through an unexpected upgrade.

Since Stan has developed a closeness he can't explain with both William and Justin, and feels the need to protect them, his newfound enjoyment for killing unexpectedly arises during a game of table tennis when William is threatened by well known bully: Private Eric Mathis. Normally Eric prefers to pick on Justin but since the young corporal isn't around he proceeds to talk smack about him in front of William and Stan. After picking up on William's anger Stan is quick to threaten Eric, and goes as far as to shove him down; all while resisting to urge to *"kill him"* once he hears Morane's voice inside his mind.

That particular moment seems open to interpretation over whether or not it was actually Morane telling Stan to kill that young man, or if it was Stan's killer persona simply hearing Morane's voice inside his own mind in the way that a psychopath claims to hear voices in their head right before they do something bad like harming or killing.

Somehow Stan is able to resist the urge, but Eric gives up anyway and takes off. Unsure of what has gotten into Stan William then asks Stan why he reacted so violently. Stan's only response seems to be that he acted because he sensed Eric was about to attack him. While shocked at such a response, William lets it go and they resume their game.

The next time Stan is forced to deal with Private Mathis is right after Justin has just come back from the academy building lab (carrying very delicate smoke bombs in his pocket) After Justin steps off the elevator with a few other recruits, he makes some comment about how someone needs to shower, when next, Eric Mathis shows up along with his two sidekicks Private Jayce Fancy, and Mick Situp. That's when Justin makes the big mistake of taunting Eric, claiming he must be the one who stinks. A fight almost breaks out between the two young men, until Stan steps in the way; giving Eric a fair warning. Justin warns him too, but Eric seems too enraged for his own good and even goes as far as slugging Justin across the jaw.

Fueled by his own rage, Stan acts and gives Eric a beating he will never forget; or recover from. The fight is only broken up once Lynne Williams, and several guards show up and pull Stan off of Eric; apprehending and preparing to take him to the brig. Stan appears pleased with his work and vows to finish the job later, yet, he also shocked by the way William (his best friend) is looking at him; as though he'd done something very bad. In a way Stan does appear to have a child-like mentality, especially when it comes to right and wrong. (Stan doesn't understand that killing is wrong as he views it as a means to an end; a mission to complete.

During Naeem's attack on the base, Justin sneaks into the brig and frees Stan. Just as they're about to leave together and rejoin with the other human survivors gathered in the lobby, Stan reminds Justin that Eric Mathis is still in the infirmary and vulnerable to attack. Despite Justin's negative feelings towards Mathis, he agrees that the bully doesn't deserve be slaughtered by the Tjatey, and so he goes along with Stan's plan to head to the infirmary and rescue Private Mathis before it is too late. Stan goes alone and Justin returns to the lobby to wait.

However, once Stan arrives in the infirmary he has no plans of rescuing Private Mathis at all, but finish what he started and kill him. Then, just as Stan enters the room where Mathis is resting (hooked up to a respirator because of a collapsed lung which Stan caused during the brutal beating) he is attacked by one of Naeem's warriors who appears surprised that Stan had been let out. The fight is over quickly as Stan easily snatches the warrior's blade from him, and then proceeds to kill him with it; taunting him as he dies. Afterwards, Stan returns his attention back to Eric and then proceeds to stab him in the heart; mimicking the exact way in which the Tjatey have been murdering their own (after Stan finds a dead nurse lying on the floor.)

Once Stan makes it back to the lobby himself, he pretends to limp in order to fool Justin and the others into believing he put up a big fight during his attempt to save Eric; claiming he was too late. Eric was already dead once he got there. Justin and the others (including Sergeant Dickerson), commend Stan for his bravery, especially over him revealing that he had no choice but to kill that warrior who murdered Eric in his vulnerable state. Dickerson even goes as far as to chastise Justin for not doing the same.

Later on when the human survivors are forced outside in order to better protect themselves, Stan faces off with another warrior who is chasing Justin and trying to throw his dagger into the kid's back. Stan appears and catches the blade in his left hand (injuring himself in the process.) Stan then proceeds to stab that same warrior with his own weapon, and then hands it over to Justin so he can protect himself. Justin kindly thanks Stan and asks if he's alright. Stan lies and says that he is; when in fact he is already trying to hide the deep cut in his synthetic flesh along with his neon green blood serum which is already dripping down his hand and creating a small puddle on the ground. (After Naeem is dead Justin finds and collects a sample of this liquid, planning to analyze it at a later time.)

Stan isn't seen during the time Justin and William face off with Naeem (after he has just stabbed Sergeant Dickerson in the gut) but later on as he attempts to sneak his way out of the base only to be spotted by Private Mick Situp who is mortified when he catches a glimpse of Stan's guise phasing in and out. Afraid of Mick going to someone to tell them about Stan's real identity, Stan quickly kills Situp by twisting his head and breaking his neck, and then Stan makes his escape.

In Atlantech Days of Darkness, there is a flashback where Stan is seen making his way back to City Hall to see Morane, and finds a wanted for murder poster on a wall featuring a police sketch likeness of his face. After Stan returns to Morane's office, he's barely functioning (even collapses onto the floor and bleeds out some more) but manages to tell Morane about what happened on the base and that there is a possibility that Captain Grant did not survive the attack. In response, Morane sardonically claims "That's too bad" and then Stan also informs Morane that he is now wanted for Murder.

## On the Lam

Despite knowing that both homicide detectives: Hayward & Marks are on the hunt for him, Stan continues to murder those who get in his way, however one such victim is unexpected while he is making his way back to City Hall for a debriefing session with his master, and comes across a little boy who is apparently running from a "bad man." But unlike his usual desire to kill Stan seems to experience some sense of morality; knowing the man that is chasing after the little boy is up to no good.

Stan then proceeds to capture and attack the man; showing a hint of compassion once he announces to the kid that he is safe now and can return home. “I’ve been instructed to keep a low profile,” Stan tells the man as he tightens his grip around his throat. “But I believe in such cases as this there should be exceptions.”

The man then argues back, demanding to know why someone like Stan would even care what happens to a single child, to which Stan responds with, “Perhaps I was programmed with a conscience I don’t know, you tell me, human. Why does your kind take such pleasure in attacking those who are helpless and innocent?”

This appears to be a moment of truth for Stan as he recognizes the same cold dead look in this man's eyes as his own master's. But after he kills him and discovers the little boy never left and had seen the entire thing he begins to worry that Morane will ask him to murder this child next because of what he'd just witnessed. Stan feels even more confused once the child shows no fear of him at all, and even thanks him for killing that man. While Stan is still trying to process all this the child even asks if he will see him again. Stan answers him with "No", but also warns him not to tell a single soul what he saw or else he will be in danger. Afterwards Stan disappears and the kid is left hoping he will meet his hero again one day.

Once Stan makes it back to Morane's office and they're going over his data, that's when Morane takes notice of what Stan has done and proceeds to question the android about it. "So you've got a mind of your own, eh?" Morane comments. Stan remains silent as Morane continues to ask why Stan had killed that man and saved that child. Still unsure of how to answer, Morane then asks Stan if he is positive that the kid won't tell anyone what he saw. This prompts Stan to answer, by informing him that he had warned the child and believes the kid understands the consequences. Morane doesn't appear to be the least understanding, until Stan brings up his own son.

“I must apologize but I feel it to be unethical to harm those who are innocent." Stan explains. "The child was no threat, and you of all people should know as you did have a son at one time.”

This seems to do nothing but anger Morane, where he does admit he had a son but he got sick and died on him.

“You speak of him as if it were his own doing for becoming ill,” Stan notes. “You always seem to blame others but never yourself. Why is that?”

Morane's only answer is that it's none of his fucking business, which next prompts Stan to say: “You’re not a good man, are you?”

Morane is further outraged by this and says to Stan, “Who the fuck are you to judge me?” He next reminds Stan that he isn't so good either.

“You murdered that cripple in the AMF, and in cold blood too I might add. Pretty fucking heartless if you ask me. What was his name?” Morane continues, smirking up at Stan as he puffs on his cigar. “Was it *Eric Mathis*? Yeah, that’s the one,” Morane notes the reaction on Stan’s face. “Did he deserve to die, Stan? I mean he was pretty defenseless in the end, wasn’t he? You may call me a bad man, and I’ll admit I am,” Morane responds. “But you should also look at yourself. You’re not so good either, Stan. Even if some of these people do deserve to die. You’re just as bad as me and you know it.”

Stan appears confused by all of this because he isn't the least bit human and says so.

“We both kill with no remorse,” Morane answers then. “And we both kill those who are worse than ourselves."

Morane then goes on to explain to Stan that there are different types of criminals and that they are nowhere near as bad as the ones on the bottom rungs.