Drake Sullivan
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Spoiler Warning
The following details are about a player-created storyline, or is information currently unrevealed about a character.
Please do not use this information ICly unless given permission to do so.
Origin
”I'm only afraid of two things sonny boy, my grand mother and runnin' outta cigars. You sure as hell don't look like my grandmother an' I got plenty left.”
-Drake Sullivan to the face of a self-proclaimed figure of Death in Club Caprice.
Early Life
Born in Austin Texas on July 14th 1950, Drake Sullivan is an only child. His mother, Tanya Sullivan, was a sex trade worker and his father was one of her clients. Tanya lacked the know-how and discipline to raise a child and promptly handed her infant son over to her mother, Sheila. Widowed, bitter and cruel, Sheila raised Drake with a very heavy hand. In his earliest years Drake was often reminded of his misconduct with the side of a leather belt. As a result of her punishment Drake often had the marks to prove it. At times Sheila punished Drake for the most trivial things.
Resenting his grandmother and his life in general Drake grew up an angry child. Driven by anger he was a bully by nature. All throughout his childhood and into his early teenage years Drake struggled in society. He maintained an average academic standard in school but never excelled. His only strong suit was physical education but he never learned to play well with others and was often left standing on the sidelines. The Principal's office was not a strange place to find him and he was often in the company of some poor battered peer. Nonetheless Drake graduated from school and took the first opportunity he could to abandon his aging grandmother. Dependent, fearful and alone, Sheila was left alone without care or support. Without remorse or pity Drake never looked back and left her to die on her own in 1967.
Vietnam
Drake only understood how to do one thing well after leaving his home and that was how to fight. In 1967 the United States were in the Cold War and the campaign in Vietnam was reaching a peak. Without wasting any time Drake quickly volunteered for the fight. Because Drake was accustomed to punishment he took his training well. It did not take long for him to complete his training with the a high recommendation.
In 1968 US forces joined the Tet Offensive in a direct confrontation with the communist Viet Cong. Drake joined the fight. After surviving many blood-bathed encounters Drake conquered whatever insecurities he had left and began to mature. He quickly earned a reputation for being an effective killer and pushed himself to out score any of his company, dead or alive. Where others learned to see the war as something terrible Drake had thrived. After the success of the Tet Offensive, President Nixon had the luxury of returning many troops home. Drake refused the opportunity to return home and continued to fight in numerous battles until the US involvement in Vietnam ended in 1973. He emerged from the war as a decorated hero.
Family
After returning home from Vietnam Drake took some well deserved downtime before returning to duty. He met Iris in 1975 while at a bar. Iris was a beautiful and they hit it off. Their relationship, however, was shallow. Drake was not interested in having a family and more focused on his career. Iris was a gold digger and hoped to live an easy life with a decorated Sergeant. Sooner than later both their lives were rocked by change when Iris became pregnant.
Using the child as leverage Iris kept Drake around. Forced to leave combat and go to duty on American soil Drake purchased a small home in he suburbs of Austin. Lilly Sullivan was born soon after on December 12th, 1976. Drake and Iris married in 1977 where Iris continued to manipulate Drake into providing the life she wanted.
As the years went by Iris started to get more abrasive. Wanting the life of glamour Iris harped on Drake constantly. Drake was incapable of tolerating her hostilities and began fighting back. Nights of yelling escalated into fights. Drake drifted from the spoiled comfort of home and began seeing other women. After Drake stopped coming home Iris turned to Lilly for more leverage and fed her stories of how Drake was an abusive wife beater and rapist. Lilly only being 8 at the time was easily swayed by her loving mother.
Confronted with blackmail Drake was outraged. He stormed home to collect his things where he was met by Iris. More angry than ever she tore into Drake with vindictive fury. In the midst of the argument Drake openly admitted his infidelity. Unable to accept Drake's disregard for their vows and her wishes, Iris lashed out. Kitchen knife in hand she raced at Drake but didn't make it across the room. Without so much as a second thought Drake gunned down his wife. Unbeknownst to Drake, Lilly watched these events through the crack of her bedroom door.
Shortly thereafter Drake turned himself in and Lilly was taken into social services.
Malta Years
”Why won't you open up to me?”
”Because no one wants t'hear about my bullshit.”
”But I do....”
”No you don't sweet-cheeks”
-Drake in conversation with Kendrea Lennox.
Initial Career
Drake was sentenced to 7 years in Huntsville for voluntary manslaughter. He was released in 5 years for good behavior. During his time in Huntsville he learned about a popular private military corp near Paragon City by the name of "The Malta Group." Knowing that he could never return to the armed forces after serving for manslaughter Drake needed to find a different way to fight. Using intimidation and bold stories of war he earned the respect of his fellow inmates and found a contact inside Malta. In 1986 Drake left Huntsville with nothing more than the clothes on his back and the money in his wallet. He traveled to the fabled City of Heroes to make himself a new destiny.
Despite pushing 37 years old Drake's Malta contact, Agent Kesper, was impressed with Drake's conviction. Having just left Huntsville and spending years in the gym, Drake was in better shape than ever. Kesper agreed to allow Drake into their group on one condition: Drake had to abandon his identity. He was all too eager to accept the terms and signed the paperwork.
After staging his death Drake joined the ranks of Malta. Rigorous training ensued as Drake fine tuned his skills as a killer and assumed the name of Agent Carver. Working exclusively in Malta's black ops division Drake committed to several campaigns not just in Paragon City but globally. They seasoned his already vicious killer instinct with the training of a navy seal and endowed him with the uncanny skills fo a Malta Gunslinger. For his dedication to his work Drake quickly rose within the ranks of his new employers with ease. Being so caught up in the hunt and the glory of battle Drake often overlooked the atrocities of his tasks.
The Tiananmen Square Massacre
On the 15th of May, 1989 Malta was contacted by a Chinese liaison for a contract to aid protestor suppression in Tiananmen Square, Beijing. Drake was assigned to the task force and flew to Beijing. Donning Chinese military uniforms his squad joined the crowd of other military officers and soldiers to suppress the lobbying students and rights protestors. Once the violence escalated they recieved the order to open fire. The Chinese military moved back and Malta moved in and proceeded to slaughter over 2500 civilians. After doing what the Chinese military would not do they flew back to Paragon. Once he came down from the thrill of the fight a sickening notion came over Drake as he recounted the hundreds of innocent lives he took that during the riot.
Despite his willingness to serve Kesper, now Drake's sponsor, could sense his discontent. Drake had begun to question the premise of their missions. Questioning morality, necessity and Malta's purpose, Drake had begun to worry his superiors. Being a valuable asset to Malta, Kesper was ordered to retain Drake by any means necessary. It was at this point in 1991 that Kesper ordered Drake to a task that he could not refuse. Once more Drake will don an American uniform and fight by his countrymen as a sleeper agent.
Gulf War
Drake arrived in the persian war under his Malta name to asses the battle and report any obtainable Malta interests. Part of his role as a sleeper agent was to engage in any of the battles the US Marines took him into. Unaware Drake was also watched by 3 other Malta agents with a different Agenda. Kesper knew that he couldn't risk Drake's inevitable departure from Malta. He was in too deep and knew too many secrets.
On January 29th Iraqi forces attacked the lightly defended city of Khafji. Drake was part of the allied counter strike. The battle raged for two days. It was during this battle Kesper's other sleeper agents found it opportune to make their move. By intercepting US intel the sleeper agents were able to instigate two friendly fire incidents. Unfortunately for Drake he never saw what was coming. Before had an opportunity to react he was gunned down by his own countrymen.
Deadmarch Project
Under Kesper's orders the Malta sleeper agents recovered Drake's body, put it on ice and shipped it back to a remote research facility on the outskirts of Paragon. The facility named "Deadmarch" was headed up by a Dr. Kane Artimis Cole. Dr. Cole personally oversaw R&D projects that specialized in soldier augmentations.
Prototype R&D
Cole was able restore Drake's basic bodily functions but his mind was left in a comatose state. Drake's body then underwent 4 years of intense modification through gene therapy to adapt his immune and respiratory systems for the butchery to follow.
Once his body was prepared for cybernetic augmentation all of his major organs save his lungs and digestive system were replaced with more efficient cybernetic counterparts. His heart, most importantly, was replaced with a hybrid nano production module that reproduces nanites, powers his cybernetic infrastructure and regulates his circulatory system to distribute nourishment. Drake's muscles were then grafted with a fibrous bio organic compound that is both damage resistant but more importantly shields his nano system from remote interference.
Last but not least the finishing touch on Drake's development was the installation of a neural interface and control system of which uplinks to a prosthetic eye. Aside from allowing remote control, the interface also gratified Drake by manipulating his chemistry to give him stronger rushes in combat and blend pain with notions of pleasure. Drake's brain was left organic otherwise since Dr. Cole was unable to design an adequate replacement for it. Through remote commands Drake's actions would be dictated but Drake's experience would determine how the prototype would carry out the orders. After 14 years of development Drake's nervous system was restored on February 4th, 2005. Dr. Cole codenamed his prototype "Carver," after Drake's codename with Malta and let Kesper know that he was ready for initial testing.
After debugging and live-fire testing Drake was deployed into the field under the direct control of Kesper.
The Flaw
Over the next 3 years Drake was deployed into the field and exceeded Dr. Cole's expectations. The prototype followed orders without question. It didn't feel, didn't hesitate and acted with surgical precision in the field. After every mission Drake was shut down and put in hibernation until the next time Malta called Kesper for a difficult mission. By his 24th successful mission, project Deadmarch was considered a complete success.
There was, however, a flaw in Dr. Cole's 'perfect' design. As a direct result of his restorative nanites, Drake's brain was being slowly repaired of the damage it received from his initial Death. Silently trapped inside his own body Drake had been working the last 2 years completely aware but unable to act on his own will.
Freedom
After the 3 year term was up Malta base ordered the decommission of Carver. The intention was to break him down and study the long term effects of the project and determine the next stages of development for Deadmarch. Drake was shipped back to the Deadmarch facility where development was already under way for new Deadmarch soldiers. Kesper gave Dr. Cole the final word to shut down Carver. Using a special control code Dr. Cole shut down Drake's neural interface and control system. If things were to go as planned Drake's body would go though a shutdown process which would hault his respiratory system and seize up nanite production. Without a living brain Carver was supposed to be done for.
They took his lifeless body to the operating table and prepared to proceed with the dissection. No one was surprised more than Dr. Cole when Drake opened his eyes and promptly drove a scalpel into his creator's throat. Chaos ensued as Drake wreaked havoc throughout the lab. None of the personnel knew the lab as well as he did and he caught the stationed forces completely off guard.
Drake left the research facility ablaze. Enraged, bloody and victorious he made his way back into the City of Heroes.
Paragon Chapter
“What makes a hero, Drake?”
“Tights, capes and bullshit motives. Anyone who ever called them self a hero's a god damned joker.”
-Drake in conversation with Adversary during their missions in Snake Gulch.
Vigilante
Now free Drake needed to start building a life for himself. Knowing that Malta would be looking for him he chose to shelter himself in Paragon City rather than the Rogue Isles to avoid being pursued by bounty hunters and other mercenaries. It was there he worked for himself as a freelance vigilante. Word of Drake's exploits throughout Paragon did not go unnoticed. He was approached by the municipal authorities and forced to register with Freedom Corp and follow their guidelines. Despite his better judgment Drake agreed to register in order to avoid trouble.
A year passed as Drake worked day to day confronting the enemies of Paragon with brutal and unrelenting force. He worked with several organizations including Paragon Police (PPD) and more importantly Longbow. Now augmented Drake performed better than he ever did. Single-handedly he raided criminal dens and decisively left no one alive. Despite his methods Drake was effective and steadily making an impact on the community. He was offered a full time position in Longbow. Aware of his previous service the the US Military, they agreed to write off his manslaughter charge and induct him into Longbow under his previous rank of Sergeant.
Betrayal
Drake, now a rising hero, worked closely with Longbow in several missions over the next two years. Despite his his brutal tactics his superior officers often overlooked them in the light of his success. He always got the job done but always seemed to unnerve his superiors with his sadistic demeanor in combat. Longbow command received an anonymous tip from a source who provided irrefutable evidence of Drake's involvement in Malta. With a unanimous decision, Longbow command decided that they had been compromised and declared Drake a target.
During a mission to recover stolen goods aboard an Arachnos freighter Drake's squad turned on him with orders to apprehend him by any means necessary. Drake, realizing had been had, refused to be turned in. As per their orders his squad opened fire. Not a single one of them survived. Using a life boat Drake motored back to the Rogue Isles on the Lamb in late 2009.
Escape to Millennium
At this time Portal Corp's exploits were becoming common knowledge. Portal had devised technology that allowed them to open gateways to alternate universes and moments in time. While in a bar he heard whispers of a different universe filled with wonder that was not unlike the universe he was already in. Drake gathered whatever resources he could and prepared himself.
In the dead of night Drake infiltrated Portal Corp's laboratory and forced a night shift worker to open a gateway to Millennium City with no return gateway. Turning his back on a world he had learned to hate, Drake ventured fourth through the portal and never looked back.
Millennium Chapter
“I'm no hero, Alex.”
“Maybe, but you're my hero.”
-Drake in conversation with Alexandra Blaze at Sherrera's Bar.
Into the Fire
Drake fell into the middle of gunfire as the Qulaar invasion was underway. Reflexively he joined the battle with fervor. No one knew the stranger who fought that day but when the invasion was botched he stood with Millennium's finest. The fanfare had little effect on Drake's attitude however. He enjoyed the battle for nothing more than the fight and the chip on his shoulder had gotten the best of him. He registered with PRIMUS shortly after and set out to work for himself. At the ripe age of 60 he was only interested in money, the glory of combat and hedonism. Drake never made any friends in his exploits and steered clear of hero groups. He had never fully recovered from the trauma he experienced in Malta and had no desire to be recognized for anything other than what he really is - A killer.
Living the life of the mercenary Drake began to recognize that he could have things his way in this universe. No one really seemed to be bothered by his tactics. The contracts he received mostly warranted his killing and he began to thrive. He spent a fair bit of time in Canada where he met Alexandra Blaze, a fledgling heroine. For the first time in nearly 40 years Drake had the comfort of a woman. As always his career drove him forward and he soon had to depart from Canada.
Blackwatch
Drake took up post in the Desert after his exploits in Canada. The harsh environment offered him a new challenge and he thrived on the work PRIMUS had to offer there. During his personal campaign there he encountered Kendrea Lennox, also known as Adversary, while completing a contract. After coaxing him he agreed to work with her and her group of Blackwatch Initiative privateers. Drake had no desire initially to join the group but with promises of battle, fortune and sex, Kendrea recruited Drake onto her task force and immediately gave him her right hand position. For days he indulged in the fires of battle and in Kendrea's bed.
Aside from guns and glory Drake was even able to catch the attention of a fellow privateer. The Black Hoodlum never questioned Drake's orders and seemed to respect his motives. Never quesioning Drake's commitment, past or methods Hoodlum earned a place of respect with Drake. He and Hoodlum ran several contracts together and Hoodlum also helped to enhance Drake by outfitting him with alien tools. One tool in particular, an arm-bound multitool, allowed Drake to shield himself from intense physcial harm.
As good as things were going his arrangement with Blackwatch began to sour. Kendrea unfortunately came with a catch. Plagued by an ancient evil now known as The Revenant, her behavior regarding Drake was not necessarily sound of mind. After purging The Revenant their arrangement was met with constant conflict. Despite her best efforts to get close to Drake he denied her time and time again. It was only a matter of time before Kendrea became vindictive and her partial perspective of Drake began to affect their work. Caring for her daughter as well, Kendrea began to grow a conscience.
Drake arrived for duty one day to discover that his privledges had been revoked and Blackwatch had made a rapid shift in direction. Kendrea had decreed that Blackwatch Initiative be made into a super-powered hero group. Furious, Drake confronted Kendrea. The encounter ended badly and Drake resigned with his bias for women reinforced.
Sins of the Father
Shortly after his leaving Blackwatch Drake continued a solo career that was mostly based in Millennium City. A call came one day for assistance with a heist at the museum. Figuring he could scoop a hefty price for saving the museum he engaged the thug forces that were plaguing the building. He fought effortlessly up to the point where he encountered their ring leader and was stunned by his discovery.
Lilly Sullivan was commanding the attacking forces. Outfitted with Arachnos branded armor and crude cybernetics she took the fight to her father with hateful passion. Admitting she had been following his career for years she vowed to destory Drake before escaping the scene. Now extremely frustrated by how his past had followed him to his new home Drake began to rest uneasy at night. Drake later pursued his twisted daughter as she attempted to gain notoriety in the criminal world where she ultimately met her end against him on Monster Island.
Monster Island
Drake spent a great deal of time on Monster Island. Especially during his post Blackwatch days. The jungle seemed to call to him for the hunt ad it took him away from the city and the people in it. It was there he also partnered up with Daystar who at the time was a reformed villain.
They shared may battles together including a fight against Flamestriker in which Drake suffered defeat for the first time in years. After Daystar absorbed Flamestriker's efreet power Drake was brought back to Mercy Hospital for recovery.
Blood Hounds
After his exploits on Monster Island, Drake was approached by his old friend, Black Hoodlum. Having missed the 'good old days,' Hoodlum stressed that Blackwatch isn't what it used to be. He assured Drake that if he made his own team of mercenaries Hoodlum and several others would join.
Reluctantly Drake agreed to create the Blood Hounds. To this day Drake and his hounds continue to operate throughout Millennium City and around the globe doing mercenary work and using “last resort” methods. Drake and his team also faced off against Daystar of whom was consumed by the efreet inside of her sunstone. The battle ended with Drake almost killing Daystar but he was convinced by his Hounds to let her live. The Hounds continue to operate and handle several contracts.
Recent Events
“Ya know the thing that bothers me the most? I woulda fought along side 'er till hell dragged the two of us down together.”
-Drake spoken to Alexandra Blaze in regard to Daystar
Personal Struggles
Drake continued to push on with the Hounds but he had reached a point in his life where he was troubled. It would be the first time something actually bothered him since The Tiananmen Square Massacre. Daystar and Drake had been like kindred spirits and despite never admitting it he had been prepared to fight with her regardless of the path she chose. But rather than choosing to fight alongside Drake she had chosen to fight against his Hounds. The betrayal left Drake sleepless as their companionship was the first taste of love he had felt in years.
Mourning over the loss of a companion he took to self abuse and whiskey more than ever. Crumbling in grief Drake was soothed by Alexandra Blaze and her unconditional feelings for him. She a had done this many times before, only this time, he reciprocated and let himself heal a little inside. Ever weary of his enemies and still attached to Daystar, Drake handles his affections for Alex with care. He also moved on to confide in others such as Flintlock, his finest Hound at the time and Psionica, a telepath who's powers are keenly tuned to sensing emotional feedback. Bit by bit Drake had begun to recover his humanity. He was even able to set aside his violent tendencies and forgive Daystar for her indiscretion. Stubborn as always he continued to pursue her.
In an effort to earn her favor he lashed out at their mutual foe, Flamestriker. He tried to reconnect with her again but discovered that their brief rivalry, Drake's rage and Daystar's discovery of Alex was enough to push Daystar on to other prospects. Drake would later be approached by Daystar again with the prospect of something more. The relationship thereafter would become rocky once Alex came into trouble with an old enemy, the Matron from her orphanage, used her superior psychic power to take control of Alex. Drake, in refusing to fight against Alex in a personal rescue mission, would help her snap out of the trance.
Drake was unaware of Alex's plight and felt guilty for obliging Kate. He never made a decision between the two of them. The both of them have mysteriously disappeared and he still hasn't heard from either of them for several weeks. Still loving Alex and knowing Kate could never accept that, he chose not to commit to anyone intimately in Alex's absence.
More recently, Drake had received a letter from another daughter, Verity Sullivan, who traveled to Millennium City to seek out her lost father. At the ripe age of 15 and having just lost her mother she was seeking support from her estranged father. Having been tracked down, Drake was taken off guard by the young girl. Because a shred of humanity was restored to him, he reluctantly refused to abandon her and paid for lodgings and necessities. Worried for her safety, he gave her access to the Blood Hounds communication network should she ever require help. He warned her of the dangers of associating herself with him but she refused to run away and insisted she was capable. Troubled by this new found responsibility, Drake began to question the bed that he had made even more.
As Drake grew fond of his new found kin and those closest to him in the Blood Hounds, he decreed that the Hounds would no longer accept dirty contracts. This motion was seconded by Flintlock in the interest of protecting those closest to them from consequences that usually occur from dirty work. In an effort to be a better man and father, Drake made an effort to be closer to his estranged daughter. Much of this was aided by Psionica and as a result, she and Drake became much closer than ever.
Public Tension
Drake's effort to earn Daystar's favor meant he had to deal with the consequences of attempting to murder Flamestriker. He had formulated an elaborate scheme using a hologram-using android Jobe which fell through when it's creator, Miss Servo, alerted the authorities of the truth in Drake's scheme. Miss Servo, being one of Drake's Hounds, was forgiven. Unfortunately Drake was a wanted man again. Despite Flamestriker's alleged dirtiness, in the public eye he was an established hero. Fortunately for Drake, Amanda had a lot of resources and was able to sweep the incident under the carpet using money drawn from her company's funds.
Drakes more recent renown also attracted unwanted attention. Malta managed to track him down and dispatched Kesper to kill or recover him. Using bounties and evidence of Drake's wrongdoings in Malta, Kesper hoped to use whatever community of heroes or bounty hunters against Drake. So far, Drake has not yet been confronted by this ugly shadow from his past, but he is also not unaware. Kesper sent android attack teams to him directly and alerted Drake to his presence.
Broken and Rebuilt
After suffering a near fatal dynamite blast at point blank, Drake had to get his left leg amputated below the knee. The explosion took place in the irradiated desert while trying to eliminate MacTaggart, Flintlock's lifelong nemesis. Drake nearly bled out and as a result of the bleeding his nanites were rendered almost useless. Jeb was able to get Drake to ICU before he overheated and bled dry in the scorching desert. Flony, a close friend of Psionica and an acquaintance of Drake, came to visit him in ICU and offered to provide him with a solution for his leg. Drake reluctantly agreed to let her help him.
Considering that his fighting days were nearing his end, Drake thought about slowing down for the first time. Drake had begun to realize his mortality. The fact that he couldn't stand on two feet scared him and made him fear for his fellow Hounds and daughter. Malta was still on the prowl and he needed to be able to fight. Flony refused to see the old war-dog give up and insisted on designing him some newer hardware. Without taking no for an answer, Flony took his dimensions and returned with a custom-fitted armored combat suit that was unlike any of the combat armor Drake had ever worn. What she had built for him was essentially an ultra light powered armor jumpsuit that included questionite plating, a secondary nano control unit, bionic shielding and a high powered particle cannon.
The suit fit Drake like a glove and complemented his already dangerous enhancements. The secondary nano control unit caused his adrenals and combat enhancers to surge in short, intense bursts, giving Drake a few seconds of extreme performance. Consequently, it also enhanced the twisted gratification he already got from his neural interface and control system, rendering him even more angry and lustful in battle while using it. It took some adjusting but Drake learned to use the other functions of the suit quickly. It wasn't long after he had his cybernetic prosthetic leg grafted that he returned to battle more furious, glorious and effective than ever. Drake had reached a point where he could easily stand by his superhuman companions and fight evenly. Though his closest friends are superhuman, they were not infallible, unfortunately.
Flintlock was pronounced KIA when his body wasn't found after a failed mission at a Viper base. The the base had exploded in a fierce, nuclear blast and destroyed the UNITY team that Jeb was on. Upon discovering the news, Drake and Flintlock's fiancee, Michelle, were devastated. In mourning together their bond was fortified by compassion. What was once just a close friendship, restrained lust, and curiosity had brewed into something much, much more. It wasn't long after Jeb's pronounced demise that Drake went from being Jeb's best man to Michelle's husband. The two of them now stand together and head up the Blood Hounds as a family.
Feedback
"You're one hell of a soldier Drake, and I hope no one expects me to turn a fellow soldier in" - Crimson Strider when meeting Drake in Millennium City after learning of his outlaw status.
