Mantis

At the height of the Cold War, a new twist to weapons development occurred. The Soviet Union systematized its investigations in to how to harness the paranormal and use it for military purposes. What in other times was seen as magic or witchcraft - laying a curse, predicting the future, having second sight - had already gained scientific respectability in the USSR with the recognition of clairvoyance and the acceptance of psychic phenomena.

It was a new age in Warfare that was destined to slip through the cracks of history.

The USSR had begun massive programs in the 1970's in efforts to produce psychic soldiers capable of spying on their foes. Initial CIA reports indicate surplus of 60 million rubles a year were being funneled into funding the initial research and eventually climbed to as much as 300 million a year. The research bore fruit eventually and the west now had to deal with such things as psychics breaking into the minds of their highest officials and gaining valuable military secrets.

It was unfortunate however that the usage of such psychic warfare was never to be widely implemented.

Dieing out in the mid to late 80's along with the ending of the war several years later, Psychic research done by mother Russia had amounted to nothing. there were the odd few ducks who were able to perform but for the most part, the US had all psychic agents assassinated.

A remnant of the age, any Psychic Agents that remained were quickly snapped up by US black operations and brought into working for them in special teams such as special operations FOX-HOUND.
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PSYCHO MANTIS (II)

Successor to the original Psycho Mantis killed during the Shadow Moses incident.

The current mantis was born out of the psychic research done by the USSR scientists and the same cloning methods used in the infamous L'Enfant Terribles protects. Created for use in the reactivation of unit FOX-HOUND, Mantis served as a much more controllable version of his predecessor. Originally thought to be lacking in any known psychological trauma and/or other such issues.

Mantis was the second clone created from the genetic material that was recovered of the original PM, It is to be noted the first unit degraded during performance testing and became unstable. it was decided that a perfect clone of mantis was out of the question. through genetic engineering most of the original mantis' genetics were rewired to be a soldier's and to follow orders. however it is to be noted that Genetic Engineering at that time was far from a refined science and that despite apparent success, the specimen showed signs of mental degradation and was scheduled for periodic mental reprogramming and memory wipes. Subject still requires the use of a gas mask-like apparatus as a psychological crutch to keep the thoughts of others out of his consciousness.


STANDARD FIELD EQUIPMENT INCLUDES:

Gas mask with Graphical HUD display

-Skull Suit- Made of electrofiber technology, this second-generation Sneaking Suit protects the wearer against a wide range of "contact" toxins, including gas and waterborne poisons. The Skull Suit's 'smart skin' exchanges data about damage to different regions of the body, including blood loss, between the suit and intravenous nanomachines to create a bio-feedback system; any blood loss the wearer suffers in combat can be staunched by forfeiting the ability to Dodge or Parry for one sequence and allowing the nanomachines to do their work. Additionally, the suit applies varying pressure to internal organs to maximise performance and safeguard their functions. This particular model of the Skull Suit has specialized tank components that feed a complex mix of combat stimulants, nutrients, and in some cases spare amounts of neurotransmitters to boost it's wearer's endurance and psychic output.

Mantis requires no guns, preferring to use his wide range of psychic abilities instead. the only problem is extreme stress on his powers can cause an irregular heartbeat, dangerously high blood sugar, and issues with his endocrine system. continued exertion past this will cause pains in his arms and legs, difficulty with coordination, dizziness, and finally a heart attack and/or aneurysm.