Bateau
(aka Batou)
The series is about an elite security unit working for the Japanese government in a complex future where technology is everywhere. Though it’s full of action, technical specs and politics, the core theme remain the soul and human identity (hence the title).
Background
- Real Name: Unrevealed.
- Marital Status: Single.
- Known Relatives: None.
- Group Affiliation: Section 9.
- Base Of Operations: Tōkyō.
- Height: 6’4” Weight: 240 lbs.
- Eyes: NA Hair: Brown
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Powers and Abilities
Bateau is second in command of the Section 9. His body is nearly entirely cybernetic. He has very high-level military and investigator training. He’s as cold and mean as Kusanagi is, and his fighting performance matches hers.
However he lacks her extreme tactical sense and cool head.
Video
The original, 1995 trailer – still in Japanese, but in 720p.
History
See Kusanagi’s write up for the universe’s background.
Bateau was part of Kusanagi’s team before it becomes officially known as Section 9. As the team’s second in command, he was always very close to her. He usually takes charge of the investigative part of missions, but he’s also involved in the combat part too.
He takes good care of his Fuchikoma, dealing with it like he would with a trainee. That’s the reason the smart tank has developed such a high self-esteem, high enough to try to lead his fellow Fuchikoma on a revolution (though this part is merely a comic plot twist, it’s worth mentioning).
When the team acted on the edge of their jurisdiction, he’s been known to have taken officially the blame on himself to spare Kusanagi. Did he do it out of bravado, or because he cares for her ? Certainly both.
In the end, when Kusanagi went rogue after her fusion with the Puppet Master, he covered her. He took her cyber brain out of the scene to put it back in a new body. When they found out that her black market spare body was rotten, he managed to find another host for her.
Bad luck with the choice, thinking the body was that of a woman, he took a transvestite. And he let Kusanagi stay in his flat to wait for things to cool down.
Description
Bateau is a strong, tall man. His hair are cut in a short military way. His eyes are hidden (replaced ?) by 2 goggle glasses giving him a RanXerox look.
Only during planned assaults does he wears tac gear. Otherwise, he dresses in classic clothes and a tie. He’s partial to large raincoats, and sometimes wears heavy shades to conceal his cybernetic eyes.
Personality
Bateau believes in the purpose of his job – though he’s quite cynical about its real impact on the devious flaws of his society. When dealing with a mission, he’s obsessive about it, sometimes experiencing temper tantrum when things are not going forward enough.
He certainly has a crush on Kusanagi, but his professionalism dictates to keep it quiet.
Even if he’s dedicated to his job and takes it very seriously, he’s not against some lowbrow humor. His main targets are Kusanagi’s unrestrained private life and teasing Togusa about his rookie role in the team. Indeed, he thinks that experience is to be respected by the newbies.
He seems to have more ties with the military mindset than with the intelligence mindset. He likes guns, combat training and sometimes seems to relish in the prospect of armed combat. He likes beer too.
Also, Bateau is often used for superdeformed comic-relief, at which time he’s an exuberant oaf.
Quotes
“Freeze, asshole !”
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Bateau
| Dex: 07 | Str: 07 | Bod: 07 | Motivation: Responsibility of Power |
| Int: 08 | Wil: 08 | Min: 08 | Occupation : Black Ops Agent |
| Inf: 07 | Aur: 08 | Spi: 08 | Resources {or Wealth} : 09 |
| Init: 024 | HP: 080 |
Powers:
Eye Of The Cat: 10, Interface: 10, Personality Transfer*: 08, Radio Communication: 10, Telepathy: 10
Bonuses and Limitations:
- Interface, Radio Communication and Eye Of The Cat are elementally linked (-1 each).
- Eyes Of The Cat works only on compatible cameras and cybereyes (-0), and uses a Radio Communication medium (-1).
- Interface only works on machinery equipped with the proper options (very common in this universe) and on which he has a user account (-2).
- Personality Transfer only works when his brain and spinal system is physically transferred in a new host previously deprived of such (-5).
Skills:
Charisma (Intimidation, Interrogation): 09, Detective: 09, Gadgetry: 05, Military Sciences: 07, Vehicles: 08, Weaponry: 09
Advantages:
High Military Security Clearance, Intensive Training, Lightning Reflexes, Scholar (Guns and Ammo), Sharp Eye.
Connections:
Japanese Government (Low), Section 9 (High).
Drawbacks:
Misc: His body is not his property.
Equipment:
- FUCHIKOMA [DEX 04 STR 08 BODY 06 Hardened INT 04 WIL 02 INF 03 AUR 03 SPI 03, EV 09, Range: 08, Cling: 05, Invisibility: 09, Jumping: 04, Running: 07, Radio Communication: 05, Skin Armor: 03, Thief (Stealth)*: 04, Acrobatics*: 04, Weaponry*: 04].
- Any Gun, Ammo and Technical gear a high tech covert government agency can get. He tends to use heavier ordnance than Kusanagi :
- Standard Seburo 5mm [BODY 04, Projectile weapons: 05, Ammo: 20. A very compact yet very powerful handgun].
- POWER GLOVES [BODY 06, EV 09, Limitation: EV can not be higher than natural EV +2 (-1). These look like a high-tech cross between knuckledusters and fingerless gloves].
- If Kusanagi lets him he’ll tote a Heavy assault rifle [BODY 04, Projectile weapons: 08, Ammo: 10, Advantage : Autofire. Looks mostly like a H&K G3].
- or a Rocket launcher [BODY 03, Projectile weapon: 09 (Area of effect 0 AP), Ammo: 01. A high-tech LAW to take down armor].
Source of Character: Masamune Shirow’s Ghost In The Shell manga.
Helper(s): Sébastien Andrivet, Roy Cowan.