Get your own Free Home PageCaptain Owens was a good fighter pilot during the war. He really found his calling, though, after VE day. He was one of the pilots who was chosen to test the recently captured Nazi jets and manned rockets. His skill was quickly noticed and just a few years later, he was recruited as atest pilot for the ASTER program.
His goods looks, charisma, and chummy personality make him a favorite among the ASTER base personnel, especially the women. He's honest, truthful, and always a gentleman. He can pilot the Magellan very well and has proven himself in many simulations and during the test flights. Now that the program has become operational, he now has the chance to test his skills in the real world, which he finds more exciting than any other test piloting he's done so far.
Frank Bellman was with us for the first adventure, Island of the Crawling Terror. Bellman is a WWII veteran who fought in North Africa and was wounded when his ranger unit landed in Italy. While not a member of the crew of the Magellan, Frank is responsible for the survival training of ASTER agents.
Thomas Cooper served as a combat infantryman in the ETO. He saw a great of combat and was decorated several times, earning the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, and Purple Heart. Before the war, he worked as a metallurgist for a small electrical engineering firm in Indiana.
After the war, PFC Cooper was part of the army of occupation. At that time, his skills as a metallurgist were utilized to help with the cataloging of Nazi technology. Cooper continued this work until he was brought home in 1946. However, the army recalled him as a civilian employee in 1947. He continued to catalog various Nazi inventions until recruited by ASTER to help with the development of a single stage rocket capable of reaching all planets in the solar system.
As a crewmember, Cooper's main contribution is as Supply Officer. He keeps track of the ship's stores and is the "go to man" whenever any unusual item is required. When battle stations is called, Cooper man the missile racks and rail guns with precision. Of course, his primary skills as a metallurgist are always in demand repairing the hull and superstructure of the Magellan.
George Washington Grady is the character that just seems to show up every where and when he does, he keeps talking. . . forever. He's a WWII veteran and his favorite topic is his days driving supplies for the "Red Ball Express." He'll talk about that topic constantly if you let him, and if you tell him to be quiet, even politely, he'll become very offended, even in the middle of a gun fight. His favorite story is how he was driving all night and came to road block, which turns out to be manned my Germans.
He drives almost any vehicle well, so he's not completely useless, if you can stand his constant chatter. He also has some skill in fixing the things he drives, but can't really be called a mechanic. He also mixes drinks very well, and can remember the ingredients to almost any drink every invented. If you can get himn to stop talking and you don't mind drinking the rest of the night away, you can usually get him to play "Stump Grady," a game where his knowledge of mixology is really put to the test.
Quinten Guerrier spent the war years developing communications for equipment for the War Department. After the war, Guerrier continued with this work until being recruited by ASTER. His unique skills were required to build and maintain the incredibly complex communications systems needed by the Magellan project. His skills were further enhanced when he was appointed the security officer of the Magellan and trained in the necessary skills.
Guerrier is a trusted member of the crew. His personality has made him a favorite around the mess table. His wide range of skills (Guerrier has professional level skills in meteorology, geology, mathematics, and tactics.) outside the area of communications means he often accompanies exploration parties and is a vital member of the crew.
Professor Moriarty was a brilliant scientist. He was the world's foremost authority on the physiology of brains. While experimenting with radiation and its effects on the brains of mice, he decided to test a new radiation treatment on himself. The events surrounding this are chronicled in The Incredible Monster of the Mind.
Moriarty is still at large, and is wanted by the FBI and CIA.
"General" Randolph still wears his US Army uniform and insists of being called "General" by subordinates, the media, and military personnel. No one in the ASTER Division is quite sure of his role during the war, or how he became such a high ranking officer. His high administrative rank, attractive appearance, chummy personality, and extravagant and frequent parties don't allow one to ask or provide much more interesting questions to ponder about this highly regarded, efficient, but enigmatic leader.
At least one night a week, Randy throws a big party in his large house on the ASTER base. At those times, his diplomacy and savoir-faire can be seen winning over influential members of congress and the military establishment. His ability to explain complex issues and technologies to people holding the purse strings is responsible for a great deal of the success of his division.
Randy is a highly skilled administrator, mathematician, physicist, and researcher. His knowledge of nuclear physics has led many to suspect that he was involved with the Manhattan Project in some way. He speaks fluent German and Latin. He's also a good pilot. When he's not working or throwing a party, he can be seen carousing in nearby Los Angeles, usually with a few congressmen in tow. Lately, he has taken up gardening in his backyard, which is a verdant oasis in the otherwise bleak Mojave Desert.
Captain Ryan is a capable officer and takes his job of guarding the ASTER base very seriously. During the war, Ryan was responsible for air field security, so he is experienced in that area but lacks any real combat experience. He is aware of that fact, and, on occassion, has been known to overcompensate for it. To his credit, there has never been a security breach under his watchful eye.
After the war, the Army shrank rapidly and there was little need for Tony's unique skills. He really loved his work and requested to stay on. He was allowed to continue to teach and refine gunnery skills, but was given the permanent rank of 2nd Lieutenant. Within a few years, the gunnery program was completely scrapped. With not much of a future as an Air Force gunnery officer, Tony was eager to transfer to ASTER.
The standard member of the guard detail is proficient with the M1 Carbine
[13] and .45 revolver [10]. He is also trained in unarmed combat techniques
[Judo-8]. Most of the guards have above average driving skills [10] as
well as some training with machine guns [11]. They typically wear Air Force
fatigues that include leather combat boots [PD-2 DR-2]and a GI pot helmet
[PD-3 DR-4]. There are four platoons of guards [?? men] housed at the ASTER
base and several companies are available for reinforcements from nearby
(?? hours) Edwards Air Force Base should things really get out of hand.
Get your own Free Home Page