#oddtasks

[slxughterhaus]

.::. WATCHMAKER TEACH ME.::. cyberware.txt

Transhumanism is a powerful weapon in the arsenal of any denizen of the future- there is always a risk, however, of going way too far- becoming consumed by the chrome wrapped around one's skeleton, the wires digging into flesh and muscle mangling the last bastion of 'humanity' contained inside. Or, of course, if you're Calpernian Harker, you've embraced the loss of what makes you a "Man" with beastly, open arms. Expected to have succumbed to Cyberpsychosis ages ago, Odd's unique mental state has spared him the sudden onset of madness, instead mingling with his pre-existing disregard for humanity and lack of empathy to simply make him more... Capable as a killer- and nigh-uncorruptable, no matter how much metal and wiring he's shoved into his body. For this reason, it's no surprise he's a popular option for cyberware companies to sponsor. If their product can be part of Odd's wild cybernetic makeup without causing him to become a mindless, slaughtering zombie- surely the everyman is similarly safe from any sort of corruption.

This may or may not be true, but the entity known internally as "Hydra Project" is a testament to the fact 'humanity' being tethered to the way you were born and not your actions or physical state may be an odd decision, these days. While on the surface, Calpernian Harker appears unremarkable and completely unaugmented, this is a farce, as hundreds of barely-perceptible panels covered in top of the line syn-skin disguise the terrifying reality underneath. While these augmentations are played close to the chest, those who have participated in SLAUGHTERHAUS, found themselves on the business end of the Harkers' hunts as cowboys, or have simply earned Odd's affection and/or ire have seen the extent of his capabilities.

Figure 1: With feet and legs built to expand into something more massive and in the standard white, black, gold color scheme of Odd's cybernetics, Odd's lower body is built more like that of a raptor or a beast, digitigrade limbs that stop at the hip unfolding and flipping syn-skin panels for steel, and the 'heeled' shape regularly splitting into three-clawed feet with a spiked back that expands his already imposing 6'3 to a proper 7'0 tall when at full extension.

Figure 2: Similar to his feet and legs, his arms appear strangely art-deco inspired, with exposed gears and thin wires among the more futuristic flipping panels of false-skin. each of his two arms can split down the middle into two separate, additional hands. (See Figure 4 for positioning/layout) And much like his other heavily augmented parts, are thin, intentionally kept less substantial to ensure the ability to appear completely human with these augmentations tucked away. These limbs contain a number of weapon suites, though perhaps the most well-represented in his work as a 'tiebreaker' on SLAUGHTERHAUS is the presence of two red-hot garrote wires within the wrists on the left side. Used to inflict wounds that immediately cauterize themselves, they're often deployed against... problem guests- leaving lifelong scars, but no stains on Odd's expensive suits.

These limbs are also extendable, to a certain point, the sharp fingers capping each hand wicked and quick to leave lacerations on those unlucky enough to underestimate where they might reach- this lends as well to his chosen modes of locomotion, as the spiked-ends of his hands make short work of creating new handholds in most surfaces, allowing for navigation across ceilings, up walls, and along the sides of buildings.

Figure 3: Unlike the rest of his body, covered in neat, creative panels that shift and tuck away when his features transform, Odd's face regularly remains visible- though modified. Capable of separating the panels of his face along a number of in-built servos and motors, the 'Hydra' nickname seems completely garnered from the way there seems to be only one face- but many heads. Tucked beneath and clearly still made of human bone and flesh, there is one, single 'head' that seems to be truly Calpernian- the lower half completely mechanical, bound in gold and white and sealed with a pair of face plates along the cheeks- or, more accurately, a set of secondary mandibles not unlike those of a spider, flicking open violently in what can only be considered a threat display or used to further wound those too close to his clutches. The ghastly, half-empty masks made of the panels that make up his 'false' face are not without maws of their own, glowing gold and dripping synthetic ichor like the main face, they are slavering, able to move independent of the 'main' head and containing singular purple eyes, they are an in-built surveillance expansion, allowing for full 360 degrees of visibility when the 'heads' are displayed.

Figure 4: not without blades in his arsenal, the two-prong arms of Odd's limb cyberware can similarly expose a host of scythe-like weaponry, used to aide in climbing as well, these blades are not alone in their presence, as his back contains a small handful of panels that can open to expose four more of these blades on rudimentary striking motors used to cover his back.

Not Pictured: A single, pneumatic powered tendril not unlike a tail capped with a wicked blade similar to those that are present on his arms and within his back- used for capture, crushing, and more distance strikes.

Known Weaknesses: A beast like Odd may seem insurmountable- but there is a reason he operates with a partner. Large and unwieldy in many cases and often unable to deploy every weapon at his disposal, the presence of Silvaine has always been as a spotter- and a leash. Unable to reel himself in once too many weapons have been deployed, he requires a temporary 'kill code' to prevent him from destroying himself outright in the pursuit of prey.

Similarly, despite the presence of a deadly, vicious melee suite, he is a poor combatant at range, relying entirely on his size, speed, and capability to overwhelm and close distance to avoid the risk of a bullet finding the gaps in paneled armor.