Concrete Gospel
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| PLAYER | @Mountainhound |
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| Super Group | None |
| Rank | Not Applicable |
| Current Affliations | Not Applicable |
| Former Affiliations | N/A |
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| Real Name | Malcolm "Colm" Cantrell |
| Known Aliases | Concrete Gospel |
| Gender | Male |
| Species | Metahuman? |
| Birthdate | April 11th 1998 |
| Place of Birth | Millennium City, Michigan |
| Current Location | Westside |
| Relatives | Unknown |
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| Apparent Age | 19 |
| Height | 5'11 |
| Weight | 175 lbs |
| Eyes | Gray |
| Hair | Blonde |
| Complexion | Caucasian |
| Build | Athletic |
| Notable Features | Shrapnel scars along left forearm. |
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| Identity | Not Public Knowledge |
| Citizenship | American |
| Marital Status | Single |
| Occupation | Vigilante, Amateur Detective |
| Education | GED - Self taught in a variety of subjects and disciplines. |
| Fame |
Reclusive |
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Background 
Homeless vagrants, gang signs on the walls, the sound of sirens in the air, used needles littering the concrete, the occasional body in the street. This and more can be found within the crime infested hole that is Millennium City's most notorious district. Westside has for better or worse always been best described as an urban purgatory, and no matter how hard law enforcement and certain individuals of a more colorful reputation try, it always seems to remain as such.
Within this environment, Malcolm “Colm” Cantrell was born.
The son of a police officer and a pharmaceutical lab worker, and the second eldest of his siblings, Colm's earliest years weren't what one would call easy. As if being born in one of the worst places in the country wasn't bad enough, Colm spent the first six years of his life struggling with what was at the time theorized by medical experts as a rare neurological disorder. A disorder believed by his parents to be the result of his mother's exposure to an unknown mixture of chemicals during a lab accident after which she and a number of other personnel were quietly laid off.
At the age of six Malcolm was placed on a series of neural inhibitors that, while alleviating the constant migraines and off and on seizures, would make the following years a struggle. Though improving his quality of life significantly, the medication at the same time had a number of side effects that saw him struggle both academically and socially. By the time that his medicinal care was corrected by a more experienced psychiatrist, the damage seemed to be done. An outcast throughout much of his school years, Colm often found solace in books and television.
Perhaps Colm's life would continue to stay within the realm of normality, if it wasn't for a brief period of a month where his family was unable to afford the expensive co-pay for his medication. Kept home from school out of fear for his psychological health, Colm spent many hours of those days either indoors, or on the rooftop of his apartment block. During the first week, he suffered from the occasional migraine, though thankfully experienced no seizures.
Yet on the second, things changed.
Colm first noticed the abnormalities during what should have been a fatal accident when a speeding truck rounded the corner at him while he was on a cross walk one day. The truck was mere inches from his face when time almost seemed to stop. Colm, almost as if by instinct, dropped prone beneath the truck and between the tires, the undercarriage missing him by millimeters. Soon, other incidents followed, and while the migraines became more intense so did Colm's neurological prowess. For three weeks, Colm found himself growing rapidly stronger and more dexterous.
But no matter how much he begged, his parents and psychiatrist refused to allow him to stay off his medication. After all, while superheroes were a fact of life in Colm's world, the idea that one could get super powers by simply -not- taking their psychiatric medication was simply beyond the realm of disbelief. Colm resumed taking the neural inhibitors, and not long after both his migraines and the strange abilities were gone. Before long, Colm became convinced he'd just imagined it.
As Colm started along the road to adulthood, turmoil began to take root in his family. His father had always worked long hours, but with a recent incursion into Millennium City by several outside criminal organizations his free time was as sparse as ever. His parents had always argued, and had gone so far as to seek couples counseling and even adopting a third child. Though the addition of Gwendolyn Cantrell to their lives stemmed their arguments for a time, the long absences of Colm's father grew heavy on his mother.
As for Colm, life didn't grow easier either. His continued struggles at school both academically and socially were compounded by bullying, and though his elder brother Colin did what he could to keep it from following him home, it still had its effects. What made matters worse was his parents continuing to come to blows over whether they should put him into special education, with his mother for it and his father vehemently against it.
Unfortunately for Colm, life wasn't going to get easier anytime soon, and it wasn't long before the breaking point came for the Cantrell family in the worst way possible.
On June 21st, 2013, Colm's world changed forever in a hail of bullets.
For the past three months, MCPD's gang division had been hard at work countering a recent insurgent of MS-13 into the Millennium City area. The notoriously bloody and violent street gang had rapidly begun establishing itself within the region, and it was only the efforts of a task force comprised of both regional and federal law enforcement keeping them from overwhelming the district.
In late May, hope came in the form of Hector Rivas, a member of the gang turned police informant exchange for aid avoiding a list of minor charges. Hector revealed the location of several drug dens for the infamous criminal organization, alongside a number of far darker criminal enterprises used by MS-13 to fund their push into Westside. It was a blow that had the organization reeling.
Until the arrival of El Pagano.
Ángel Lujan or El Pagano (The Pagan), is a man renowned throughout the criminal underworld of the American south-west. Born in El Paso, and adopted by the American prison system for putting his elderly math teacher in intensive care, El Pagano has spent more time in a cell than he has breathing free air. A monster of a man, both physically and psychologically, El Pagano quickly found work as a cartel enforcer during his time out of prison.
Thus it was that the Los Zetas, the MS-13's chief supplier in narcotics, sent El Pagano to put a knife into the MCPD. Within two weeks of his arrival, several members of the MCPD's gang units had quit, and several others had found their loved ones threatened or brutalized.
To this day Connor Cantrell regrets not leaving the force when a Dia De Muertos skull showed up on his doorstep. The retaliation for the ignored threat came in the form of a drive by on the Cantrells as Connor drove his family to the train station to get them out of Millennium City. Colm, despite the medication muffling his abilities, found time stopping when the bullets started flying. It was all that saved his little sister Gwendolyn from taking one to the chest.
He wasn't fast enough to save his brother, Colin.
Appearance 
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Personality 
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Powers & Training 
As a result of his biological mother's exposure to a mixture of unknown chemical agents while she was three months pregnant, both Colm's central and peripheral nervous system, along with his cerebral cortex were significantly mutated upon birth. These mutations, originally thought by neurologists to be little more than the cause of a hindering neurological disorder, was in time discovered by Colm to be anything but.
Colm, so long as he isn't on his “recommended” cycle of neural inhibitors, is gifted with what some might call superhuman intelligence, reflexes, and even perception. More specifically, his body is able to receive and process information multiple times faster than that of an ordinary human being. In turn, this grants him the following abilities.
Dexterity
Colm is able to preform feats of dexterity far in excess to that of what a normal human should be capable of, and indeed perhaps only limited by the natural limitations of the human body. Such feats include the ability to dodge gunfire by means of visually tracking the shooter's muzzle and oncoming ballistics, holding his own in unarmed combat with multiple human adversaries, and on one occasion has even managed to survive an explosion by physically maneuvering through a cloud of shrapnel so he only received superficial injuries on one arm.
Intelligence
If one defines intelligence as the ability to acquire knowledge and skills, then Colm's degree of intelligence is certainly beyond that of a standard human. His ability to receive and process information allows him to not just learn quickly, but pick out details and solutions to some problems in a manner of moments that most would take most some time to deduce.
Perception
While not as blatantly obvious as his prior mentioned gifts, Colm none the less has a perceptive ability above that of a normal human. His ability to process information at an accelerated rate allows him to pick out minute details or take note of abnormalities in his environment via smell, sight, and hearing then that which could be called normal.
For three years, Colm has immersed himself in the world of criminal investigative techniques. He's read books, listened to podcasts, taken night classes at the local community college, and incorporated the skills he's learned into the vigilante lifestyle. As such he has a healthy degree of knowledge in the art of forensic, criminal, and crime scene investigation.
When Max Bicketts and a number of associates opened the “Dearborn Academy of Martial Arts” six miles outside of Millennium City in 2013, one of their earliest applicants was fourteen year old Malcolm Cantrell. What initially was a passing hobby for Colm, quickly became a way of life after the same incident that lead him to take up the title of Concrete Gospel.
Colm's five years with DAMA have earned him a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and hopes to eventually work his way up to brown. His time at DAMA has also allowed him to study both orthodox boxing, and wrestling, a staple of the modern martial artists He's participated in several golden glove boxing and amateur wrestling competitions, though goes out of his way to throw fights to ensure he doesn't bring too much attention to himself.
Colm is also an ardent fan of MMA, and often makes time in his schedule to watch martial arts competitions. Even on lulls in his nightly patrols within Westside, Concrete Gospel might occasionally be seen watching fights on his cellphone.
Equipment 
Firefield Nightfall
With bad resolution, and based on antiquated fifty year old technology, this gen 1 night vision monocular is none the less an important part of Colm's arsenal.
Its downsides are somewhat mitigated by his own superhuman abilities, but he still hopes to upgrade in the future.
MBAV Plate Carrier
Your standard easily concealed ballistic plate carrier found at a list of online shops. Reliable, not too hard on the wallet when it comes time to replace, and most importantly can be easily customized with numerous pouches.
Condor Assault Pack
Your standard paramilitary backpack picked up at army surplus. Colm keeps all manner of odds and ends in here that he can't fit in his pockets, on his belt, or in the pockets of the MBAV.
Galvanized Steel Pipe
Colm's melee implement of choice. Easy to find, cheap as hell, and hard to track.
Parabolic Microphone
A staple of late twentieth century police and espionage work, the parabolic microphone allows Colm to listen in on conversations at ranges his own ears would be incapable of. Plus it's cheap and easy to maintain, always a plus for him.
Homemade Smoke Grenades
Three parts potassium nitrate, two parts sugar, one part aluminum foil, and one part lighter. Colm tends to use these to cover quick retreats when odds are against him.
Forsheda A4 Gas Mask
Your standard NATO deployed gas mask. Easy to come by, easy to maintain, and with replaceable 40mm gas mask filter the model tends to last Colm a while before he needs to find something new. Comes with a hood as well, in case of exposure to skin irritant chemicals.
Leatherman
Your standard multitool. Colm never leaves home without it.
Forensics Kit
Probably the most important item in Colm's arsenal. Contained in a modified, portable tool box which he keeps either slotted in the condor or under the seat of his car, the kit contains a number of items important to forensic investigation.
The kit includes numerous items, including but not limited to forensic gloves, fingerprint lift tape, brushes, and powder, camera, notebook, chalk, markers, bags of several types, disposable tweezers, and fluid swabs.
Cable Ties
Who needs hand cuffs? Colm carries a pack of mil-spec cable ties for quickly restraining Westside criminals. He tends to use multiple when it comes stronger adversaries, who often underestimate the durability of industrial grade nylon.
Maglite
Colm's flashlight of choice. Durable, reliable, and works as a club in emergency situations.
First Aid Kit
Suture kits, bandages, antiseptic, and other emergency medical items can be found within the family sized pack. Like the forensics kit, it's often either in his car of in the Condor.
The Eagle
Colm's ride of choice when circumstance requires him to get behind the wheel is his 1987 AMC Eagle. Colm managed to pick it up off of craigslist for about half a grand, and has spent much of the last year fixing it up.
While it isn't about to win a drag race, the Eagle's notorious reliability coupled with Colm's quick reflexes behind the wheel make it just about perfect for what he wants.
Limitations 
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Modus Operandi 
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Associates 
Connor Cantrell
Colm's father, and former member of MCPD's gang unit, Connor Cantrell hasn't been the same since the passing of his eldest son. A once jovial, and friendly man despite the nature of his work, Colin's death turned Connor cynical and bitter. When he's not working late nights for a private security firm, he tends to keep himself occupied either by taking his aggression out on a punching bag or a bottle of scotch.
Despite his morose nature however, Connor Cantrell still tries his hardest to be a good father to his remaining children. What demons he struggles with are always left behind around Colm, and on the weekends when he gets custody of his daughter. Despite the divorce, Connor is likewise on amicable terms with his ex wife, and Colm has learned to keep what bit of bitterness he has with his mother to himself around his dad.
Jennifer Bronson
Colm's mother, a former pharmaceutical worker whose lab injury saw her quickly gravitate towards nursing, Jennifer Bronson and her second eldest are always at odds. Colm has never quite gotten over her divorcing his father, and moving across the city with his younger sister. Despite this, Colm still cares for her as most sons do their mother.
Gwendolyn Bronson
Colm's twelve year old sister, though adopted, is loved every bit as much by her elder brother as if they were twins. Colm was always protective of Gwen, though perhaps even more so since the loss of his elder brother. Though they live all the way across the city from each other, Colm always finds time to visit.
As of recent, he's also managed to get her enrolled at after school youth lessons at DAMA.
Colin Cantrell
Colm's elder brother, and for fifteen years perhaps his best friend. Whenever Colm was afraid of the sounds of Westside at night as a child, it was Colin who was there to help him get to sleep at night. When he was bullied by older kids at school, it was Colin who had his back.
Colm's childhood ended the day that MS-13 took his older brother from him. He still makes detours to occasionally visit Colin's grave during his rounds at night, despite the risks it potentially brings. He always makes sure to take extra care to ensure that he loses any potential tails before doing so.
Hackett Cantrell
Colm's grandfather, and a defining influence on the life of many of the Cantrell family men, Hackett spent forty long years in the MCPD. Retiring at the ripe age of sixty five, Hackett has spent the time since as an instructor at a number of local police academies. When he's not passing on his knowledge to the next generation of law enforcement, he tends to spend his time at a cabin on the shores of Lake Huron in Au Gres, Michigan.
Max Bicketts
Owner and head coach of DAMA, Max Bicketts is one of the premier mixed martial arts coaches in the great lakes area. A former MMA heavyweight champion with a record of 32-6, Bickett's takes time out of his busy schedule as head coach of DAMA's premier team to instruct younger members of the school in wrestling and boxing.
Diego Riviera
DAMA's resident Brazilian Jiu Jitsu trainer, and as such the man under whose tutelage Colm has spent the most time. Riviera is a retired vale tudo competitor, and rumor has it one time vigilante. Colm has, out of respect for his instructor, avoided the occasional urge to attempt to dig into the man's past and confirm said rumors.
Miss Wong
Colm's boss, and one half of the husband and wife duo that runs Wong's Noodles. Colm works as a delivery driver for the take out establishment, keeping an afternoon schedule that helps him afford his current lifestyle. Also able to wield a wok as a melee weapon, and has done so on more than one occasion when necessity dictates it.
“Meat”
When you live Colm's lifestyle, you tend not to have time for pets that require a significant amount of care. When Dearborn Exotics went out of business, Colm figured he'd get himself a low maintenance room mate and picked the coolest looking one he could find. Unfortunately for Colm, the owner of the now defunct pet shop undersold his new room mate's aggression.
Enter Meat, the female Goliath Bird Eating Spider.
Meat's habitat consists of a modified twenty gallon fish tank, with a heavy layer of dirt and false foliage, as well as some rocks and themed decorations. Of the later, a opened mouthed Day of the Dead ceramic skull partially buried in soil is her preferred home and favorite place to ambush unsuspecting prey. Said prey tends to consist of cockroaches and meal worms, both of which are kept in smaller tanks on an opposing shelf.
Meat is also notoriously aggressive. Colm has tried to handle her three times, each resulting in him getting bit. Thankfully for Colm, Meat's venom is harmless to humans. Though it still hurts like hell to get by fangs -that- big.
Adversaries 
The man who killed Colm's big brother, and the man who he holds most responsible for his broken family. Julius Hernandez, or “El Malvado” was a hitman for the notorious Hispanic street gang MS-13 during what was to be an ill fated push into the Westside underground for the dreaded organization. When an MCPD task force with the aid of several criminal informants dismantled a human trafficking ring, El Malvado was the one the gang sent out after family members of the cops involved.
El Malvado is a monster of a man. At six foot eight, three hundred lbs, and with a body covered in a range of gang tattoos, he'd already be intimidating on basis of appearance alone. Add in his notorious savagery, the kind that'd make even your typical Maniac ganger unnerved, and you get a true monster.
Thankfully for the civilian population of Westside, El Malvado has spent the last four years locked up in the deepest part of Westside Penitentiary. Even more thankful, his sadism has all but alienated him from what criminal associates he could have otherwise had within the prison. Both guard and inmate, the later of which often have family living in Westside, are intent that he never sees the light of day.
Public Opinion 
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