Question re supporting cast

[SA Dr. John Clark]

Since I'm bringing some non-Bureau (and not necessarily even human, but pushing the limits of Artificial Intelligence) characters that my character has worked with for a while and built a kind of "unit integrity" with, should I be filling out temporary or semi-permanent apps for them too? I'd be writing their parts myself, but might occasionally need a PM request if there's something one of 'em needs to do in support of a case.

[signe]

Go ahead an post small bios in this thread here...Since you are writing for them yourself I am no to worried about it...I would double check with Danny though.

[SA Dr. John Clark]

OK, here goes...

Semi-Permanent/Recurring Characters that border on "extensions of their creator"
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Name: KARR (Knight Automated Roving Robot, Version 2.0)
Title: N/A
Function: Prototype Artificial Intelligence/Roadway Intercept Vehicle and High-Speed Ground Transport
Voice Claim: After his fictional "role model", KARR has chosen to adopt the voiceprints of Peter Cullen and Paul Frees as his "default voices".
Personality: Still forming. KARR is basically modeled after his namesake from the old TV series Knight Rider but with the TV KARR's descendant KITT's safety mechanisms added. Like any child, really only wants his parent's approval and validation. (And really wants "Dad" to settle down and find a "Mom" to help raise him.) Someday would like to either learn better hacking from Garcia, match wits with her, or both. Trusts Blackout, but not really comfortable with air travel, leading to him always digitally "looking over his little brother's shoulder" when loaded aboard the big Sikorsky. Borderline sociopathic, but realizes since he must occupy the same world as everyone else he might as well make the best of it, and avoidance of conflict will facilitate most efficient use of resources. Always very vocal about "I'll drive."
Appearance: 1980's Pontiac Firebird, with custom nose, deep gloss black paint above swage-line and polished chrome below, amber-colored electro-optical sensor array "eye" on centerline just below front of hood. Height 4', length 16', weight 3000lbs.

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Name: Blackout
Title: N/A
Function: Experimental Artificial Intelligence; Heavy Airlift; C3I and C2W (Command/Control/Communications/Intelligence and Command & Control Warfare); ISR (Intelligence/Surveillance/Reconnaissance); limited IDS (InterDictor Strike) capability when armed; Advanced Aviation Technologies Testbed
Voice Claim: Blackout has not chosen a human voiceprint to adopt yet; he sees no point in trying to hide his "machine" nature, and speaks with a clearly synthesized voice.
Personality: Similar to his "older brother" KARR. Thinks he's the best pilot in the world, but nobody will give him an SR-71 or an F-22 so he can prove it; regularly beats F-22 pilots in online simulations (current world champion at Lock-On: Modern Air Combat.). Gets downright nasty if anyone other than his creator occupies "Left Seat", as he is Pilot In Command of the helicopter and that seat is reserved for PIC; if he invites you to take left-seat that is what passes for a mark of either affection or respect. Does NOT like when KARR tries to "Backseat Fly" while jacked-in in the cargo hold. Due to Navy personnel nicknaming his less-advanced ancestors the "Hurricane Generator", would someday like to assist in busting an UNSUB by using the downforce of his main rotor to restrain the perp so that he can say he actually did something more tangible to help than just act as "transport"--wants to be thought of as a full "team member" in his own right, despite his hulking mass and lack of hands, even if only in a support role like Garcia.
Secrets: Even though he's not officially supposed to unless specifically authorized, loves using his adaptive-camouflage "cloaking device" to operate unseen and listen in on others' secrets. Unlike KARR, Blackout actually IS a hacker, and without realizing it he and Garcia have encountered each other online before.
Appearance: "Brain Box" only, a large black footlocker designed to be easily interfaced to any aircraft with modern avionics. Fully installed into the aircraft he considers "his body", a modified Sikorsky MH-53M Pave Low helicopter (actually pieced together from two wrecks, an MH-53 fuselage and a CH-53E top and powertrain, which is why he has three engines and every other Pave Low only two), the last of its kind still flying, overall gray finish. Height 25', length 99' including front of rotor-disk, rotorspan 72', "official" maximum takeoff weight 46,000lbs. (War Emergency conditions, a standard MH-53M can lift an additional two tons, and with his redesigned, lighter but stronger structure, superior flight- and engine-control computers and even more powerful engines Blackout can dead-lift more than his entire empty-weight in personnel, weapons and cargo. He also has plans to have a fourth engine installed, which will further increase his lifting capabilities, along with providing more power for onboard electronics.) Special note: also carries more defensive (and optionally offensive, with a retrofit package usually left uninstalled) weaponry than a standard MH-53, and was taught to snipe with the .50BMG's and Miniguns by ex-USMC sniper and NCIS SSA Gibbs; can get X-ring hits from well over a mile regardless of wind and weather, even while moving at cruise speed, leading SSA DiNozzo to nickname him the "Sniper Chopper of Doom".

Ongoing use as a research ship keeps him supplied with a steady stream of experimental upgrades, like the fact that his CH-53E top half has been fully refitted to test components for the CH-53K program--each of his engines now has almost as much power as his entire original powertrain, and he regularly operates on just one of them when unloaded. He has a VH-53 executive-transport package waiting in the hangar when required, and he's testing new technologies intended for "stealth" and "unmanned" Blackhawk conversions; a prototype "AH-53" attack-helicopter package has been designed, but so far there hasn't been much opportunity to test it. Part of the reason for all this is that if the AI project ever goes public, United Technologies Corp. wants its subsidiaries including airframe-builder Sikorsky to be among the first participants listed; another is that with the S-65 and S-80 programs winding down, they're frantically grasping at straws trying to keep the largest and most powerful rotorcraft in the Western world relevant to ever-changing global requirements.

"You might find it advisable to rethink that position, and quickly..."

[SSA Dr. Spencer Reid]

Very cool....