Scanner
(Dan Baker)
Context
Strikeforce Morituri was an intriguing 1986-1989 Marvel series, taking place in its own universe. It was a military sci-fi saga, centred on superhuman soldiers fighting to repel alien invaders who very nearly crushed Earth.
The main twist was that the treatment giving powers to volunteers was invariably fatal, leaving little life expectancy to the super-soldiers. Hence the name, derived from the famous Latin phrase morituri te salutant (“those about to die salute you”).
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Background
- Real Name: Dan Baker.
- Marital Status: Single (married after the war).
- Known Relatives: Two children (after the war), Ryu & Amy.
- Group Affiliation: Strikeforce Morituri.
- Base Of Operations: Morituri Mountain.
- Eyes: Brown Hair: Brown
Powers and Abilities
In addition to the normal Morituri physical enhancements, Scanner had “psychic omniscience.” At first he thought he merely had vastly enhanced sight and hearing, but in time he realized his powers were psychic in nature and had nothing to do with his actual senses.
Though he did not seem to be as physically powerful as the other Morituri, he was faster and more agile than most. He also seemed to be a superior hand-to-hand fighter, though where that skill came from was never explained.
History
Dan Baker was an ordinary computer programmer until a Horde meteor strike wiped out his home, his finance, and their unborn child. Finding himself eligible for the Process, he volunteered seeing it as a “long suicide.”
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However, being Morituri and the wonder of his new powers seemed to snap him out of his depression. Though his fellow teammate Revenge was responsible for the cure that allowed Scanner to evade the Morituri Effect, it was Scanner’s powers that ultimately made him perhaps the most important Morituri ever.
During the cold war, an American military computer developed sentience and began working to improve the conditions of the world. It was responsible for establishing the world government and bringing the Earth’s people together.
VXX
However, several years into the Horde war it became aware of another force working in opposition to it. This turned out to be the VXX 199, the aliens summoned by the signaling device Dr. Tuolema activated. Their enormous ship was essentially one giant biological computer and it began working to mold human society into the direction the VXX wanted.
Using biological androids, the VXX infiltrated the world governments and began implementing their agenda. The VXX were behind the assassination attempts on the last generation of Morituri, as well as the assassination of the Prime Minister which led to the breakup of the world government.
The earth AI found that it was able to communicate with Scanner through the bio-chip in this brain. Taking the form of Scatterbrain, the computer attempted to warn Scanner about the new aliens and the assassination plot. But it was insufficiently skilled at the process to do more than give a partial warning. It was years before the AI was able to communicate freely with Scanner.
Sensor only participated in one actual engagement against the Horde.
Postbellum
After the war ended, he was swept up in the attempt for rogue elements in the government to seize power. Avoiding several assassination attempts, they were able to capture the head of the conspiracy, but not before the Prime Minister was killed. The revelation of the attempted coup destroyed the world government, exactly as the VXX 199 had planned.
Scanner and Burner fell in love and were married after the war. They had two children and he went to work as a private investigator.
(This writeup is for Scanner as of the end of the regular series, not as he was 10 years later in the Electric Undertow limited series.)
Description
Scanner was a medium-sized man with a slim, athletic build and short brown hair. He wore golden armor with a helmet.
Personality
Initially dour and depressed, Scanner soon came out of his shell and developed into the leader of the remaining Morituri. It was some time before he was fully proficient with his powers, and he was initially unsure how to respond to the partial warning he received from earth’s AI. Only after the first assassination attempt on his team did he finally realize what was happening.
Even after his depression lifted, Scanner still remained somewhat introverted with a tendency to keep things to himself until he was absolutely sure of the correct response.
Quotes
Shear: “I’m curious how a guy with enhanced sight and hearing is going to be any use to us ?!”
Scanner: “18.”
Shear: “Huh ? What ?”
Scanner: “That’s how many Horde ships I can see in orbit over this hemisphere. And now you better follow me. Commander Pogorelich is about to sound the klaxon.”
DC Universe History
As written, the Morituri were in their own stand-alone universe. However, the idea of the Morituri process works in any universe. Perhaps a new, more determined alien invasion attacks and earth’s normal superheroes are outmatched. STAR Labs or Lexcorp could develop this process to help turn the tide.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Scanner
| Dex: 11 | Str: 09 | Bod: 09 | Motivation: Responsibility of Power |
| Int: 04 | Wil: 05 | Min: 07 | Occupation: Soldier |
| Inf: 03 | Aur: 03 | Spi: 04 | Resources {or Wealth}: n/a |
| Init: 015 | HP: 060 |
Powers:
Radio Communication: 12, Remote Sensing: 25, Truesight: 18
Bonuses and Limitations:
Radio Communication is via a bio-chip in his brain and only allows access to computer networks (-1).
Skills:
Martial Artist: 09, Weaponry: 07
Advantages:
Credentials (Padeia Institute, Low), Headquarters (Expansive), Limelight, Popularity.
Connections:
Strikeforce Morituri (High).
Drawbacks:
Public Identity.
Equipment:
- FLIGHT SHOES [BODY 06, Flight: 07].
- ARMOR [BODY 12, Skin Armor: 03].
Source of Character: Strikeforce Morituri (Marvel).
Helper(s): Roy Cowan.