The Air Force are an elite unit of mercenaries who will work for anyone who can pay thier fee. The
unifying theme for this unit is a high degree of proficiency in aerial combat. Most of the members use
some form of powered armor to accomplish this, although at least one member has natural abilities in
this area.
Air Force recieves their orders from a group called Air Command. Very little is known of this group,
although they appear to have an airborne base of operations (as was seen when Air Force was sent to
dispatch Dwayne Taylor's private jet).
The current status of Air Force is unknown following the death of two of their operatives and the
kidnapping of another during a confrontation with the Soldiers of Misfortune
in Africa. The two remaining known operatives Killer Shrike and Cardinal, have both
joined other groups in the aftermath of this disasterous mission. Both are also currently
incarcerated.
The known members of Air Force are listed below with the exception of
Killer Shrike, who is listed elsewhere.
Using Air Force in Your Campaign: Although Air Force was essentially destroyed after thier
mission in Africa, Air Command was not. It is possible that a new Air Force is in operation, or that
Air Command might be looking for willing operatives to serve in a new Air Force. Alternately, if the
characters in your game use the names Oriole or Tanager (fat chance) or use similar equipment, Cardinal
might investigate.
Cardinal
(Joshua Clendenon)
Strength 5C(12C)
Agility 7B
Intellect 4X
Willpower 4C
Skills: Brawling, Knives; Aerial Combat,
Marksmanship, Repair; Military, Taunting
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Equipment:
Powered Armor - Cardinal Suit 12
(Ability Boost [Strength], Body Armor, CommLink, Energy Blast 7, Firing Weapons
+4,
Grenades +5, Tar Gun [Blinding 6], Waterbreathing 5, Wings 8)
Calling: Greed
Personality: Arrogant and dismissive towards enemies, forward and lewd with women.
History: Cardinal's first significant appearance was when an arms deal with an unknown Soviet faction
and the notorious Jeremy Swimming-Bear (aka Sea Urchin) was foiled by the New Warriors and their ally
Turbo. Freed from prison by his allies in Air Force, he and the team attempted to get revenge for
his imprisonment, but were again foiled by Turbo and Nova. Sometime after that, Air Force was
dispatched to apprehend/eliminate Dwayne Taylor, CEO of Taylor Industries, Inc., and the TI board of
directors. Taylor, secretly Night Thrasher, defeated Air Force and blackmailed them into assisting
in relief efforts in middle Africa.
It was in Africa that Cardinal experienced a change of heart. Moved by the suffering of the starving
refugees, he and Air Force began working diligently in the aid efforts, transporting supplies and
food where they were needed. Unfortunately, they ran afoul of the radical right-wing organization
Undertow, who sent their genetically-enhanced Soldiers of Misfortune
to eliminate the refugees. In the battle between Air Force and the Soldiers, Tanager
and Oriole were killed and Sparrow was kidnapped. Cardinal himself was badly wounded. He attempted to
recover Sparrow alongside the New Warriors, but was unsuccessful.
This defeat left a sour taste in Cardinal's mouth. Vowing never to worry about anyone except himself
again, he joined the Crimson Cowl's most recent incarnation of the Masters of Evil. When the Masters
were recently defeated by the Thunderbolts, he was incarcerated.
Sparrow
Strength 13C
Agility 5C
Intellect 3X
Willpower 3X
Skills: Brawling, Swords (Wing Blades only); Aerial
Combat, Marksmanship, Martial Arts;
Powers:
Flight 6
Equipment:
CommLink
Retractable Wing Blades +4
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Calling: Greed
Personality: Quiet. When she finally speaks, it is usually caustic.
History: Nothing is known about the woman formerly known as Sparrow before she appeared in action with
Air Force. She participated in several known missions including freeing Cardinal from prison, attempting
to sanction the New Warriors for their role in imprisoning Cardianal, attempting to capture and/or
eliminate Dwayne Taylor, and the Air Force's aiding the relief efforts in Africa. It was in Africa
that Sparrow was captured by Undertow. They brainwashed her and included her with the brainwashed
Kymaera as one of the two-person units of the Soldiers of Misfortune
. Kymaera was Hard, Sparrow became Fast. It is presumed that she currently remains the
brainwashed minion of Undertow.
Oriole
Strength 4D
Agility 5C
Intellect 4X
Willpower 3X
Skills: Martial Arts Weapons; Aerial
Combat, Marksmanship
Equipment:
Oriole Suit 9
Body Armor, CommLink, Firing Weapons [Sai
fired from gauntlets] +3, Wings 6
|  |
Calling: Greed
Personality: Cool and direct. Very businesslike.
History: Oriole first appeared with Air Force when they attempted to capture or eliminate Dwayne
Taylor from his private jet. Following the failure of that mission, Oriole participated in Air
Force's relief efforts in Africa. During a surprise attack by the Soldiers
of Misfortune , Oriole was killed along with his teammate Tanager. Sparrow was captured
and only a badly wounded Cardinal managed to escape.
Tanager
Strength 3X
Agility 4D
Intellect 4X
Willpower 3X
Skills: Aerial Combat
Equipment:
Tamager Suit 7
Body Armor, CommLink, Sonic Control 9 (Limit: Stunt
Only) (Sonic Blast), Wings 6
|  |
Calling: Greed
Personality: Slightly racist, usually taciturn.
History: Tanager participated in freeing Cardinal from prison and the subsequent battle with the New
Warriors as well as Air Force's attack on Dwayne Taylor. While serving with them in Africa on a relief
mission, she and Oriole were killed in action by the Soldiers of Misfortune
.
