Author Archive: rdouek
# 9 – D-VNM-06 “Chameleon”
FEDGOV – VNM PROJECT – ULTRA-CLASSIFIED – EYES ONLY – HIGHEST PRIORITY
SUBJECT D-VNM-06 (DAEDALUS – VARIFORM NANITE MATRIX – 06)
CODENAME: CHAMELEON
1920840822—92939 -29nmitigated disaster of the latest round of Corporate Wars, FedGov has seized all assets and facilities of Daedalus corp – the Chinese government has ensured us they have done the same with the outstanding assets of XDC Corporation. Rebuilding effort is underway, but the ‘scorched earth’ policy in effect during the later stages of the war means its going to be a while till things get back to normal.
I found a series of files on Daedalus’ elite VNM Nano-soldier line. Scary stuff – I’ve never seen such specialized matrixes. The files were tough to crack, lost a lot of info including test subject names and current whereabouts. I know they’re not among the operatives we have in custody – not sure we could even take them into custody if we had to. I have a feeling they’re out there… and I’m not sure if there’s anything we can do to deal with them. Things are fragile now – we’re stretched thin. If they start causing trouble, they could push us into another war… hell, they could probably set up their own little kingdoms if they wanted to.
The one saving grace was the latest file, D-VNM-06. Codename Chameleon – late model, never got deployed in the war. Amazing capabilities- apparently it was intended as a support unit for the rest of the D-VNMs… it’s got some sort of adaptive technology that can mimic and combine the different attributes of the other D-VNM series nanites. This might be our ace-in-the-hole. If we can find a suitable test-subject, we could have the weapon we need to hunt the others down and put them away. I’m compiling my report to the Joint Chiefs now – praying we get the green light on this, even if it’s just for a chance to see it work.Will keep you posted as things develop on my end.
END TRANS
#8 – D-VNM-05 “Toad”
DAEDALUS CORPORATION – VNM PROJECT – CLASSIFIED – EYES ONLY
SUBJECT D-VNM-05 (DAEDALUS – VARIFORM NANITE MATRIX – 05)
CODENAME: TOAD
0101001011949191 – –3-9 .feberb.,ever expected them to go nuclear, but here we are. We need a VNM that can operate in the most extreme conditions, and Toad should do well. Field tests should confirm, but recent advances in crystalline ablative formations have us projecting that Toad should be able to withstand a direct strike from orbit, not to speak of anything a VNM ground soldier could carry.
Recent reports have given me the feeling we’re done messing around. We need something that can walk right into the heart of the warzone and just smash XDC’s Board of Directors into pancake, taking everything they can throw at it on the way in. No time to field test, we’re gonna have to deploy as soon as our test subject is ready for the final integration.
Tech boys are reporting a possible flaw, minute, but significant. No time to worry about it now, we’ll have time to QC it when Toad gets back home.
END TRANS
#7- D-VNM-04 “Lizard”
DAEDALUS CORPORATION – VNM PROJECT – CLASSIFIED – EYES ONLY
SUBJECT D-VNM-01 (DAEDALUS – VARIFORM NANITE MATRIX – 01)
CODENAME: CENTIPEDE
0128482228405-299 think we’ve hit upon the ultimate infiltration unit here. Lizard does stealth like no other – microbarbs let the wearer cling to nearly any surface – we’ve got light-bending camo that makes it virtually invisible when it’s staying still. Haven’t integrated long-range arsenal yet, but will be worth looking into sniper gear – Lizard can get into positions no other VNM can.
We had to sacrifice a bit on durability – Lizard’s not going toe-to-toe with the heavier enemy models – but it will shine in harassment and infiltration roles. Recommend we consider field testing against XDC, or even a FedGov holdout facility. If there’s a security protocol out there that Lizard can’t deal with, I’ve yet to see it.
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#6- D-VNM-03 “Scorpion”
DAEDALUS CORPORATION – VNM PROJECT – CLASSIFIED – EYES ONLY
SUBJECT D-VNM-03 (DAEDALUS – VARIFORM NANITE MATRIX – 03)
CODENAME: SCORPION
01010010ABX#92030300/boys in tac-ops keep asking for a multi-target model that can take some more punishment than previous models. I think we’ve cracked the ablative issue – the Scorpion matrix is at least 200% more durable than previous models – should be able to withstand a direct hit from heavy ordinance. Claws are designed to shear through titanium plating – though they can be retracted as needed should operative need use of hands. Tail weapon is in prototype stage, but promising. Independent, multi-track targeting – variable power settings – can deliver anything from an incapacitating stun to a superheated blast of plasma. Combined with thermal imaging, Scorpion should be able to acquire and eliminate targets through solid walls.
Test subject has some aggression issues. I know it comes with the territory, but not sure how this guy got through the psych screen. Will be glad to send him off to field testing, won’t be my problem anymore.
END TRANS
#5 – D-VNM-02 “Snake”
DAEDALUS CORPORATION – VNM PROJECT – CLASSIFIED – EYES ONLY
SUBJECT D-VNM-02 (DAEDALUS – VARIFORM NANITE MATRIX – 02)
CODENAME: SNAKE
0102e100101ewc2e – –3-9 .., continued to modify nanite matrix, selecting for stealth and quick, deadly strikes. Test subject well-versed in several sword forms, added subroutine to create mono-edge blade as needed. For the offhand, developing a whip-like weapon, can be used to grapple, trip opponents, or go rigid for precision stabbing. Snake will be excellent for mid- to short- range assassinations/assorted wetwork. Will likely be more suited for single targets rather than groups. Bio team is working on developing an injectable paralytic poison, but early tests are running into complications.
Snake should be ready for deployment towards years end – if we can keep Xiang-Dao-Chrysler off balance until then, Snake should be able to strike the deathblow.
END TRANS
#4 – D-VNM-01 “CENTIPEDE”
DAEDALUS CORPORATION – VNM PROJECT – CLASSIFIED – EYES ONLY
SUBJECT D-VNM-01 (DAEDALUS – VARIFORM NANITE MATRIX – 01)
CODENAME: CENTIPEDE
0101001011949191 – –3-9 .., rst of a new breed of nanite-equipped operatives. In addition to standard abilities, such as battle-armor formation, VNM-01 is capable of turbo-charging subjects nervous system, allowing for split-second reactions and lightning fast hand-to-hand strikes. Early tests indicate we can push the acceleration even further – with a well-trained host body, it may even be possible for the suit to exceed our early expectations – with a reaction speed like we are predicting, it will be like fighting an opponent with 100 limbs – impossible for even !#IFnoivh- [irretrievable] – to deal with. Recommend immediate field testing with espionage division, wetwork sub-div.
#)24-9[rest of file undecipherable]
END TRANS
#3 – The Warden
THE WARDEN
They faked the moon landing. It’s pretty obvious when you look really closely at the footage. How they did it, is plain as day if you know what to look for. Anyone with a bit of filmmaking experience and half a brain can tell you how. What they always miss is why. People think they faked it because they just plain couldn’t get there – that they needed something to fake out the Russians to buy some time, but that’s bull. We can get there. We’ve been able to get there since the ’40s. Hell, the Nazis nearly got there themselves. We can get there, but we’re not allowed.
The Russians found that out when Gagarin came back from orbit. They got some guy to pose as the returning hero, but the truth is that Gagarin, the real Gagarin, was torn out of his capsule, and literally thrown back to earth. Most of him burned up on re-entry, but I’m told by credible sources there are some remains – though hardly recognizable.
And thanks to the high level of Cold War paranoia, the Russians never told NASA, so Alan Shepherd bought it the same way. And you know, they keep trying, every few years. They’ve tried bombs, missles, decoys, what have you, but he’s always there, out in the dark. Waiting. He lets us have satellites, for some reason. Even those black-ops weapon satellites nobody’s supposed to know about. Guess he doesn’t really care what we do to each other. As far as the rest of the solar system, or hell, the rest of the universe for all we know, his message to humanity is clear. NO TRESSPASSING.
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#2 – Crimson Valentine, The King in Red
Digitally manipulated photos were used for this sketch. All original photos are © their original owners and are used without permission.
Crimson Valentine, The King in Red
It ain’t easy being the new kid in town. But it’s all good… life’s never been easy on Crim. Clawed his way to the top of the Erebus Krewe only to be run out of the city by the woman he loved the most. He took a shot in the gut, twelve pins  in a voodoo doll, and a swim in the river, but he made it out. Spent the next three months piloting a riverboat up through waters no boat has business going. Found a new city. New krewe. He spent his last dimes turning the boat into an offshore casino – something both the cops and the local mobs aren’t thrilled about. But he ain’t worried. Nobody keeps the King in Red down. Not for long.
He’s biding his time, building his power base. Gonna head back down south one day, and have a word with his wayward lady. Till then, I suggest you stay out of his way, unless of course you’re the gambling type. Betcha five dollars he’ll shoot you dead.
Rich Douek – Character #1 – Whispers
©2011 Richard Douek
WHISPERS
Nobody knows exactly when Whispers took over the Renato Brothers funeral home. All anyone knows is that one day, he was just there, overseeing every step of the process, from embalming the bodies to putting them in the ground. His unsettling presence has spawned the rumor he is not a man at all, but some spirit or nightmare bound up inside an old man’s flesh. One might think this would be detrimental to his business, but the value of an undertaker that asks no questions, and speaks nothing to anyone is not lost on the various gang lords and criminals of Dockside.
He is utterly silent, known only by the light tapping of his cane on the cobblestones, and the curious rattle of the bag he keeps at his belt – rumored to contain the knucklebones of the unfortunates delivered into his care. When he wants to be heard, he gives the bag a gentle shake, and the air is filled with a thousand half-heard voices, whispering on the wind to make the will of their master known.
2011 Challenger: Rich Douek
Hi all,
My name’s Rich Douek, and I’m a comic writer. I recently completed my first self-published work, Gutter Magic, and got some experience marketing and selling it at NYCC. In addition to my comics work, I’m also a graphic deisnger and copywriter at an ad agency in NYC. Writing comics was a long-held dream of mine, and I’m psyched to be finally doing it. Anyway, I’m looking forward to taking on the challenge – definitely going to be brainstorming some characters that might show up in later volumes of Gutter Magic, and some that are completely seperate.
Cover for the NYCC debut of Gutter Magic
#30Characters Chatter…