Bluto_NA

Character Name: Buzz Cut

Server: Virtue

Archetype: Claw/SR Scrapper

Inspiration: Why the heck would anyone become a hero? While plain old altruism is a nice concept, it wasn't going to work for me. Buzz Cut is the real world answer. He is the corporate superhero of a large technology firm. He serves as their prototype, testing ground, their walking billboard, and PR man. New type of bulletproof armor? Great, go get Buzz Cut shot up. New jump jet boots? Super, see how this guy bounces. Newer, sharper blades? Have old B.C. stick them in a couple warwolves.

So, for a nice salary, and a extensive benefit and pension plan, you have a new kind of hero on the street. The kind working for his future security.

Buzz Cut burst into his highrise penthouse, peeling off his costume as he went. The carbon-fiber laced rubber smacked loudly on his hardwood floor as he tossed his mask to the ground. Fiddling with his belt with one hand, he raised his cellphone to his ear, as he pressed the speed dial 1 with a casual gesture.

Tom! I've been waiting for your call, you said you'd get right back to me! His Allcore Technologies handler, Maurice Shelus sounded worried.

"Relax M, everything's cool. I did just what all the bigwigs at corporate wanted, got a nice supergroup membership."

You went and signed up already? Blast it all, Tom. You were supposed to let me know about them, let me check them out first. I don't even know what group you were talking to.

M, it's a good one. Millennium Paladins. They sound perfect.

What? Tom, tell me you are pulling my damn leg! That's some churchy cult group! You can't join them.. and if you did, get out now!

"Look, I talked to their leader, Servant 12. He's a great guy. Owns some firm in Galaxy city.. uh, T.. ta.. Whatever. I can show you the building or something. Anyway, he says he did the design work on my gauntlets.. contract work to Allcore." Buzz shrugged, and continued his wander through his penthouse, now completely nude, looking for some clothes.

Ok, Ok, damage control. We'll spin this as a good thing. You're joining an up and coming group, well known leaders. Re-establishing old partnerships. K. I got to talk to PR. We'll put out a press release. I'll get Fabrication to do a second suit up for you in their colors. Don't forget Tom, tommorow, 9AM, you need to be at Reichman Industries. They want a full demonstration, so really give it everything. I'll check with you again then.

Tom Peterman, aka Buzz Cut, located an old pair of sweats, right where they should be, in his dresser. He grinned as he pulled them on.

"What was his line.. You can be more than you think you are. I really like that."

*OOC - No worries. Gave me a perfect chance to verbalize Inferno's thoughts.*

Solar Inferno hit grunted in disgust, and pressed hard on the mute button on the remote. It sizzled in protest as his super heated skin melted away at the plastic.

"Can you even believe that?" he directed as his darkly garbed companion, Cormorant.

She gave a non-commital shrug. "What did you expect? You knew this Harris guy was trouble. Why did you agree to the interview? You knew he was going to twist everything."

"Who cares about that! I knew he was going to do that! Hell, did you listen to what I said? It was supposed to be inflamatory, get people talking about me. I could use a little fame for what I do around here. But am I going to get the credit? No. Some blockhead called Super Inferno is going to get all the credit. You'd think with all the money they throw into dragging us heroes down, they could at least pay for a decent editor to get my name right!" Inferno tossed the now useless remote onto the cofee table.

Cormorant shrugged again, and leaned over to change the channel on the flickering television. "I wouldn't worry too much. It's not like there is that many people in bright spandex costumes anyway." She couldn't help a bit of a grin. "Besides, CSI: Paragon is on. I love this show."

Harris: First of all I would like to thank you for taking the time to appear on the program.

Solar Inferno: Thanks for having me, Steve. I think it's great what you're doing, getting the voice of the super-powered out there.

Harris: Could you tell the viewers at home a little bit about how and why you became a hero.

Solar Inferno: It pretty much seemed like the best career opportunity for me. Once my mutation kicked in, it just made sense. You see, the more I am exposeed to sunlight, the more heat my body produces. In fact, if I were to walk around even without just my mask and gloves, I'd burn down everything within ten feet. So, after that ill fated job at the library, public service just seemed like the job for me.

Harris: What would you say is the greatest reward for being a hero?

Solar Inferno: Well, I'd like to say the fame, the fortune and the women, but since I don't really get much of any of that, I'm going to go with the fact I never have to punch a clock, just the clockworks.

Harris: Have you ever found there is any drawback to being a hero?

Solar Inferno: Well, mostly, it's expenive. I've replaced this suit about 17 times now. Fire-retardant spandex is not cheap, but bullets are. Funny how that is.

What is going through your mind when you are in a dangerous situation that could lead to civilian casualties? That must be a scary situation.

Solar Inferno: You know, Steve, I don't find a situation with the possibility of civilian casualties more scary than any other. The truth is, for everyone complaining about the scorched clothes or the extra sunburn, it's one less person complaining about a Hellion's knife in their ribs.

Harris: How do you feel about people that use their powers for crime like the outcast or the super villains we starting to see around the city?

Solar Inferno: Have you seen an outcast's costume? It's a t-shirt. Wow. If that was all the originality I had, I suppose I might try street thuggery too. In all honesty, it doesn't matter, powers or not, there are always some bad apples. You've got crime in every profession. Crooked cops, politicians on the take, even professional athletes have their share of criminals. Why should the superpowered be any different?

What do you think is going through these criminals minds when they commit these acts?

Solar Inferno: Greed. Envy. Anger. Lack of mommy's love. I'm sure they all have their reasons, I just don't particularly care.

How do you feel about the various anti hero and anti mutant groups that believe heroes course more problems then they solve? Given the amount of work heroes do for the city this must be quite upsetting.

Solar Inferno: Actually, I fully support their cause. In fact, I'm custom ordering some t-shirts for them. They have big yellow letters on the back that read "Don't save me, please" I figure, that much less work for the rest of us. Besides, it's a bit of Darwinism in action, as the stupid are weeded out.

and finally, have you ever worked along side the Statesman? What is he like?

Solar Inferno: Well, me and the Statesman go way back. He's a great croquet player you know? Actually, I've never met him, but I have met Ms. Liberty. But then, who hasn't known Ms. Liberty, if you know what I mean?

I would like to thank you for coming on the show and on behalf of the citizens of Paragon city thank you for keeping the streets safe

Solar Inferno: Thank you Steve. I really enjoyed this. Oh, and I really am sorry about the chair.
*gets up to reveal a charred seat, still smoking*