Thunder (precursor to Morningstar)

Thunder

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Real name: Nathaniel Jones
Identity: Known to the Canadian government
Legal status: Citizen of Canada with no criminal record
Place of birth: Yellowknife, NWT, Canada.
Marital status: Single

Height: 6’3�
Weight: 265 lbs.
Eyes: Blue
Hair: No body hair. Blonde paste on eye-brows.

Strength Level: The Thunder synthoid is possessed of vast superhuman strength and can lift/press 80 tons under optimal conditions.

Known Powers:

The Thunder synthoid is remarkably tough and resilient; capable of withstanding .50 calibre machine gun fire. He can endure prelonged exposure to a typical household eletrical current, as well as temperature extremes ranging from 120 degrees F to 0 degrees F, with little to no effect. And he is also immune to all known terrestial poisons, toxins and diseases.

Beyond his strength and durablity, Thunder can emit highly destructive levels of sonic vibrations. He can "shout" a focused blast of sound waves that strike with enouigh force to punch through 1 inch of titanium, channel it in such a way as to be able to fly at speeds of up to 250 mph, and amplify the sound of his clapping hands thereby stunning anyone in a 30' foot radius around him.

History:

Thunder is the brainchild of Doctor Alfred Stone, a leading mind in genetic research and one time employee of the top secret Canadian Department H. Disliking the direction Department H was taking, Stone broke away at the first available oppurtunity and went on to become both the chief scientist and a major shareholder in GenTech Inc. It was under the aegis of GenTech that the sythetic humanoid that would become known as Thunder was born.... as the first in a line of super-synthoids. Over a period of five years the synthoid was grown to physical adulthood and encultured by Doctor Stone. He grew to look upon Stone as a father, even as Stone came to regard him as something of a son.

Now confident enough in the synthoids social skills (not to mention its fine motor control!!) both Dr.Stone and GenTech has released him into the community under the identity of Nathaniel Jones, a Security Guard at GenTech's HQ just outside of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He has also been given a costume, the codename Thunder, and charged with the protection of the city, country, and it's citizens as a representative of GenTech.

Thunder #1

Nathan moved into his own apartment in downtown Toronto, and there met his neighbour; the 9 year old boy Brent Smithers.

Later that night a group of thieves in hi-tech armour (the Renegades) broke into GenTech. Thunder attempted to stop them, but after a brief skirmish they utilized telepotation tech. to escape with a number of special energy cells; used to power various "insatiable" pieces of equipment the company uses in its work according to Dr.Stone. After momentarily hijacking a "secret" American satillite, GenTech computer experts utilized its sensors to pinpoint the unique energy signature of the cells. They were shown to be located on the groundlevel of a storage warehouse at the HQ of Stark Industries.

Thunder #2

Thunder is sent into the USA, breaking into Stark Industries in order to retrieve the stolen energy cells, but he is confronted by Iron Man. Heated words and accusations were exchanged, and soon enough a battle broke out between them. As they fought, the Firepower battle armour -- an ultra-powerful battle suit that once fought Iron Man, andw hich was secretly spirited away by Stark Industries after it's defeat -- was stolen, and used to knock both heroes out with a surprise attack. It then claimed the energy cells and fled.

Thunder #3

Thunder and Iron Man awoke to find the energy cells gone. In a meeting that soon followed, Anthony Stark advised the two heroes to team up, with each keeping the others secrets. GenTech once again located the energy cells, and both Thunder and Iron Man confront Firepower. After a hard fought battle, the unlikely duo managed a narrow victory; each reclaiming "their" property and helping to cover the others tracks.

Thunder #4

While out on patrol one night, Thunder witnessed an attempted hit on a couple of Italian Mafia. Saving them he learned soon after of an all out gang war being waged in Toronto between a new hi-tech gang calling itself the "the Knights" and all segements of the criminal underworld; ranging from the Italian and Russian Mafia to Hell Angels to various ethnic youth gangs.

Later the next evening, Nathan heard a man shouting and pounding on one of the doors in his apartment building. Investigating, he found a large, rough looking man pounding on the door of Brent Smithers. A scuffle soon erupted, but ended just as quickly as Nathan easily overpowered the man and sent him packing.

With his departure, Brent's mother, Susan, emerged from the unit, introducing herself to Nathan, thanking him for his help, and explaining that the man was her ex-husband, Brent's father... Oscar by name. His violent temper and involvement in drugs and criminal activity led to their break up just over a year ago. By the end of the conversation, Nathan had asked if both Sue and Brent would like to go see a movie with him some time, and so a date was arranged.

This date was unfortunately interrupted when a trio of super-powered beings calling themselves the Powermongers (Powerblast, Fist, and Diehard) began a senseless rampage in downtown Toronto. Nathan resolved to bring an end to the rampage, but in his haste, the young Brent Smithers witnessed Nathan change into his Thunder costume.

While Thunder was successful in stopping the rampage, Powerblast escaped, while Sue suffered a concussion and a broken arm.

This being his first public appearance, this battle was front page news the next day. The press was mostly good, but sprinkled with a due measure of fearmongering and other negativity.

Powerblast, Diehard, and Fist, respectively.

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Just out of curiousity, how much do you know of Yellowknife? Only reason I ask is because it's my hometown (spent the first 21 years of my life there for the most part). I always believe that where a person/thing comes from helps develop who they are, so I'm kinda interested in what you know of the 'Knife. (also, if you have any questions regarding YK, please feel free to PM me).

Thunder #5

Thunder is again hailed a hero in the papers; this time for saving a number of firemen who were trapped is an inferno.

While out on patrol several days later, the synthoid spotted a couple of Hell's Angels bikers being flung out of a 8th story window. After saving both from certain death, he flew into the apartment they'd been thrown from and therein came face-to-face with two members of the Knights.

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Thunder demanded that they both surrender themselves immediately, but the thugs merely sneered, saying that they would " ... show this new costumed clown who's really in control around here". Both were abruptly defeated and had to be taken to the hospital for injuries received during the brief but violent melee.

Thunder's detractors in the the press were quick to jump all over this incident, citing the need to perhaps dust off "Hagon's Law" and apply it with all due prejudice. As a result, Dr.Stone quickly arranged a meeting between himself, Thunder, and both the Mayor of Toronto and it's Chief of Police in order to discuss deputizing the synthoid.

Arriving at the Mayor's office on the day of the appointment, Thunder was given a friendly warning about the use of excessive force, but was otherwise warmly received by the officials. After some discussion the proper documentation was filed, and both officials expressed their hopes in Thunder being able to deal with the Knights.

Following the meeting, Nathan went and picked Brent up from school and then they both went to pick up Susan from the hospital.

Later that evening, Nathan took Brent aside and asked him to promise to never reveal his secret identity. The lad solemnly promised, but kiddingly stated that, in exchange, he might like to go flying sometime.

Thunder #6

Thunder took part in an public deputizing ceremony in front of City Hall. The large crowd that gathered for the event was predominatly curious and enthusiastic, and all went smoothly save for a slight disturbance caused by a right wing religous group that protested GenTech's research into genetic engineering and manipulation.

With the close of the ceremony word was received of a robbery in progress at the city museum. The Knights were making off with an Ancient Greek jeweled necklace known as the "Tears of Venus", which had recently gone on display at the museum.

Speeding to the scene, Thunder confronted a half dozen Knights as they exited the building and made for their getaway van. The synthoid quickly incapacited the van with a deafening shout. And the Knights had onyl just engaged him, with barely a blow struck, when he stunned the lot of them with a thunderous clap of his powerful hands.

Many members of the press were on hand to witness Thunder in action. And no one had anything but good to say about how he handled the situation.

Thunder #7

Thunder is called into the police station and there is introduced to Major Mapleleaf I. The veteran briefed the synthoid on his investigation into the Knights; that they buying their hi-tech weapons from an arms dealer operating out of NY State, and that a shipment and axcahnge of arms wwas going down at the marina later that day. Major Mapleleaf invited Morningstar to take part in the bust, and the synthoid agreed to help.

And so it went, with the heroes confronting both the dealers and the Knights at the marina that night. A battle was fought between the dealers, the Knights and the heroes, but when all was said and done, the shipments chaparon's escaped, and a couple of Knights escaped with a good half of the shipment. Nevertheless, a number of Knights were apprehended and the other half of the shipment secured.

Upon his return home, Nathan was jumped by Oscar Smithers in the parkade of his apartment. Smithers wore a Knight uniform, and he had two others Knights, both equipped with Kinetic Amplification Knuckles, there as back-up. Though in his civilian id., Nathan nevertheless soundly defeated the thugs before calling the cops to have them properly dealt with.

The arresting officer was left baffled at how Nathan could have beat all three of them, armed as they were, and especially given Nathan's own testimony that they took him by surprise. The synthoid thought to silence such questions by explaining that, "I am a security guard".

Issue #8

Susan thanked Nathan for all his help/trouble with Oscar and asked if he wanted to try the movie thing again with her and Brent. Nathan accepted the offer, saying that he would be more than happy too.

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Back at GenTech, Doctor Stone spoke to Nathan stressing the importance of concealing his secret identity and avoiding flagrant uses of excessive power. He informed him that since his tussle with Oscar and his Knights, the synthoid's partement had fallen under observation by a fat balding man, parked in a car just up the street. From there, Dr.Stone gave him special video contact lenses and an ear receiver/transmitter which would allow the Doctor to observe and advise the synthoid.

Later that week, Nathan's date with Brent and Sue went well. As it neared it's close, Susan suggested, in so many words, that she wouldn't mind if Nathan wanted to take a more "paternal" role in Brent's life. eg. take him to a ball game, to a movie, etc, but she nevertheless continued to keep things on friendly terms

Issue #9

Thunder was notified of a bank robbery involving hostages. He arrived at the bank in downtown Toronto to find Major Mapleleaf on the scene awaiting his arrival. The veteran hero quickly informed Thunder that the Knights, or the "Cyberknights" as they had redubbed themselves, were involved, and that they were armed with some of the hi-tech gear and weapons that escaped them the other night. He added that his investigation had revealed that this new tech. the Cyberknights were now sporting was provided by some outfit calling itself Fabricators Inc.

Before long, the two heroes leaped into action; utilizing a blitz tactic and going in thorugh the front doors with all guns blazing. They soon learned that the Cyberknights were now somewhat better armoured, and not only packing heavier personal firepower in the form of energy rifle, but also now backed-up by a couple suits of heavy duty "Charger" battle armour.

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Nevertheless, between the raw might of Thunder and the superior expertise and experience of Major Mapleleaf, the rank-and-file Cyberknights quickly fell. While the Charger's managed to put up more of a fight, Thunder and MM were both determined to end the battle as quickly as possible. And so they did, thwarting the robbery, saving the hostages, and taking the defeated Cyberknights, and their gear, into custody.

Issue #10

While out on patrol over Toronto, Thunder was notified via his receiver/transmitter of a corporate jet that had lost an engine and required help landing. Making his way to the jet, Thunder took up the slack of the missing engine and helped guide it to the ground. As it turned out, this jet tbelonged to Donald Trump, who offered Thunder several thousand dollars cash reward and a job as his bodyguard.

Thunder graciously turns down both.

Later that same day, the synthoid received a communication from an unknown source claiming to have some insider info on Little Princess and her Cyberknights, but if he wanted it he would have to meet the source alone. Thunder agreed, but arrived at the meeting place only to be ambushed by 4 Cyberknights in Charger battle armour. Despite a hard fought battle, Thunder managed a narrow victory, following which he headed to police headquarters to touchbase with Major Mapleleaf. As he entered the building however, he was called to the Chief's office, where he was informed that earlier in the day, Major Mapleleaf had gone off to an old warehouse in the industrial area, there to meet a source claiming to have insiders info on Little Princess and the Cyberknights. The veteran had not been heard from since.

Making quick mention that he had just been ambushed while answering an identical call, Thunder rocketed to the warehouse in question only to find it trashed from a recent battle. As for Major Mapleleaf, he was nowhere to be found.

Issue #11

While troubled over the disappearance of Major Mapleleaf, Nathan went on a picnic date with Brent and Susan anyway; during which he stopped a purse snatcher. He also had a private moment with young Brent, who had been having trouble with some bullies at school and now need Thunder to show up at the schoolyard on the coming Saturday in order to prove that the lad really did know the superhero. Nathan agreed only to have his beeper go off near end of picnic, following which he had to tell a very disappointed Brent that he wouldn't be able to make it to the schoolyard afterall.

Making his way to Police HQs, Thunder was informed by the Chief of Police that the Cyberknights contacted the press, stating that they had Major Mapleleaf and that if anyone ever wanted to see the old tmer alive again, then Thunder would show up, alone, at the Skydome SAturday night at 10 pm. Thunder agreed to be there.

Realizing that he would have the time, Thunder ended up making an appearance at Brent's schoolyard only to find Susan there, lecturing the bullies with a humiliated Brent at her side. Most of the bullies were very impressed at Thunder's arrival, but their leader was undaunted and dared the synthetic hero to lay his hands on him. Thunder responded by picking the kid up so they were eye-to-eye, only to hear the successive snaps of a camera behind him.

Turning, the synthoid spotted a man with a camera takling pictures of the scene. The hero then confronted this man, quickly taking the camera from him and destroying the film. The man exclaimed that he was a reporter and that Thunder would pay for this ... that public would be very interested in knowing what went on here today.

When all was said and done, Thunder spent the rest of the day at GenTech, being given a once over by Dr.Stone, before at last taking to the air and making his way to the Skydome for his appointment with the Cyberknights.

Those were fun reads, Powersurge!

Thanks, AK! I've been on a couple year hiatus from writing these things up, but I have another story-arc ready to go, first "issue" posted, under the Morningstar thread. Hopefully I'll find some time to bring this thread up to date too.

Thanks again! Enjoy! :)