Obsidian Butterfly

Description (as Obsidian Butterfly)
The young woman before you is of moderate height, about mid-way between five and six feet tall. Her movements carry the easy, fluid assurance of a natural athlete, an impression that is reinforced by her powerfully compact frame and the quiet poise with which she carries herself. Lustrous black hair curls softly to bounce against her cheeks, it's color so dark it gleams a soft royal blue. Her skin is the colour of mist-veiled moonlight, pale and ethereal over a round, intelligent face still flush with the strength and promise of youth. High, full cheeks and soft, expressive lips hint at both the dazzling intensity of her smile and the dangerous thunderclap of her temper, hovering for the moment somewhere in between. Above a fine, slightly upturned nose slate-grey eyes glitter mildly as they take in her surroundings.

An immaculately tailored dress of jet black silk snugly sheaths the compact athleticism of her form. The material is tightly woven but supple, fluid, and faintly gleaming. The play of light across the fabric reveals a subtle but intricate embroidery of elaborate loops and whorls, the delicate stitching done in a matt black thread that contrasts with the lustre of the silk only when light hits it at just the right angle. A conservative mandarin collar gives way to loose sleeves that stop at mid-forearm, the skin of her wrists and hands hidden from view by a thin layer of lightweight onyx fabric that may form some sort of body-suit. The slenderness of her waist is emphasised by a knotted sash of raw satin resting atop her hips, the dress's skirt flowing smoothly over her hips and thighs to stop just above her knees. Discrete pleats at front and back allow the young woman a full range of movement, her bearing one of quiet poise and assurance. From beneath the hem of her dress, the onyx bodysuit reappears briefly before vanishing into a pair of low-heeled leather boots that rise to mid-calf.

After a moment's further inspection the abstract curves of the embroidery coalesce into a recognisable image of a large butterfly, its wings seeming to ripple and shimmer as she moves.

Description (as Regan Scorby)
Lustrous jet black hair is cut into a stylish bob, highlights of royal blue subtly shimmering as she moves, bouncing softly on her cheeks. Her skin is the colour of mist-veiled moonlight, pale and ethereal over a round, intelligent face still flush with the strength and promise of youth. High, full cheeks and soft, expressive lips hint at both the dazzling intensity of her smile and the dark and dangerous thunderclap of her temper, hovering for the moment somewhere in between. Above a fine, slightly upturned nose slate-grey eyes glitter mildly as they take in her surroundings. At 5'5" she is compactly built rather than statuesque, but her posture and bearing carry the languid, self-assurance and poise of an accomplished athlete.

A magenta linen tunic drapes loosely around her form, clasped at her slender waist by a black patent leather belt. It is intricately patterned with a network of midnight black tendrils and though rather loose seems carefully tailored. It flares slightly over her hips to stop mid-thigh, its sleeves coming to a few inches above her wrists, and is very loose around the neck, occasionally threatening to fall from her shoulder.

A black skirt of some heavy fabric falls to mid-calf where it meets the top of a pair of black satin and leather boots. The skirt's piping and pleats are of an eye-catching scarlet silk that shimmers with every graceful movement. She wears a minimum of makeup, a pair of black opal earstuds, an intricately worked necklace of amber, and a gold bangle on her left wrist.

(Regan's outfit may vary with circumstances)

Origins
In the early years of the 2030s Next Generation's strategic operations division discerned that the organisation's continued growth and development would inevitably attract adverse attention from rivals, opponents, and law enforcement agencies. While direct conflict was to some extent inevitable, a covert group dedicated to discretely removing opposition or obstacles was seen as a potentially valuable operational resource.

To this end Next Generation established the so-called Lethifer Protocol, a program combining genetic engineering and gene modification with intensive psychological and physical conditioning. Its objective was to produce subjects that combined unwavering loyalty and ruthless determination with the technical and social skills required to operate effectively and unhesitatingly as assassins while remaining untraceable and undetectable.

Eight viable specimens exhibited meta-human potential and survived the preliminary training and development program. They were re-located to the Protocol's indoctrination and socialisation facility in Tokyo where their mental conditioning was completed.

Of the agents produced by the Protocol one of the most effective proved to be Lethifer Gamma, whose operational identity was Gemma Campbell, a relatively low profile European fashion model. Her career gave her access to the social elite, allowing her to attend and manipulate high-profile social events which served as cover for her operations. She remained undetected and unsuspected for a total of ten targets over two years of independent operation.

Campbell's term as an operative of the Lethifer Protocol came to an end when she was tasked with removing an Italian Prosecutor by the name of Giorgio Spada who was heading an investigation into one of Next Generation's installations. Next Generation's intelligence had failed to discern that Spada was in fact an accomplished mentalist. Though Gemma was able to complete her assignment the psychological scars inflicted by having her mind connected to that of her victim as he died seriously undermined the mental conditioning that had been so pains-takingly implanted by her controls. Her dispassion and detachment crumbled, taking her unquestioning loyalty to her creators with them.

Determining that her superiors would kill her as soon as they realised what had happened Gemma set about diverting resources into establishing a new cover which she adopted. Abandoning the identity of Gemma Campbell she has re-located to Colonial Bay where she has established herself as Regan Scorby, an ex-patriate English fitness trainer.

Eager to atone for an extensive history of misdeeds she has simultaneously begun a career as a meta-human vigilante named Sable.

In July 2061 she changed her super-hero cognomen to Obsidian Butterfly.

Powers
Obsidian Butterfly is an accomplished martial artist who exhibits preter-natural agility and speed. Her metabolism has been enhanced to vastly increase muscular efficiency, allowing her to maintain extremely high performance levels over extended periods. As a side effect she has significantly increased life expectancy, and substantially reduced need for food and sleep.

Musculo-skeletal reinforcement has granted her limited protection from small arms fire which is further augmented by an armoured body-suit. This increased muscular strength grants her running speed and leaping ability far beyond those of even top level athletes.

Regan's enhanced physiology bestows limited protection against attacks intended to drain/weaken powers. Additionally, she can, at need, increase the level of protection through force of will.

Obsidian Butterfly retains much of the protection against telepathic interrogation and related powers implanted by the Next Generation conditioning process. These mental defences are all that saved her during her assassination of Spada and she trains diligently to maintain them.

While in Colonial Bay Obsidian Butterfly has trained intensively toward being able to channel her ki to produce exotic combat effects. Through constant and dedicated study she has mastered a variety of techniques most notably: the breath stealing punch, Phoenix Eye Fist, and Chi Blockage. In the course of these studies Regan has also become an accomplished practitioner of the Lightfoot technique, greatly enhancing her mobility.

Relations
Gemma Campbell (Lethifer Gamma) was instructed in the art of Taijutsu by Hattori Daisuke, a master Iga ninja who had been captured and indoctrinated by Next Generation and served as an instructor to the students of the Lethifer Protocol.

Regan Scorby works at Steel Gym as both manager and fitness/martial arts instructor where she oversees the operation of the gymnasium, helps clientele improve their physical conditioning, and provides instruction in basic self defence.

In July 2058 the dismantling of Starguard Gamma motivated Obsidian Butterfly to establish a new group to defend the citizens of Colonial Bay from the threats of criminal enterprises and meta-human menaces. This ultimately led in August 2058 to the formation of the group Safeguard.

In late 2058 Regan met and began a relationship with prominent meta-human authority and legal specialist Chandrika Williams, the pair deciding to co-habit in February of the following year and purchasing an apartment in the upper reaches of the Crimson Towers.

Controversy
On July 20, 2058, Obsidian Butterfly (then known as Sable) was taken into police custody after intervening in a fire-fight between police and armed assailants in Chinatown. In the process of subduing the offenders Obsidian Butterfly killed one of their number with a single kick. An investigation of the incident by District Attorney Richard Chamberlain and the CBPD subsequently cleared her of wrong-doing and she was released without an entry on her criminal record. This decision sparked outrage amongst certain legal advocacy groups and activists who oppose the excesses of costumed vigilantes.

In November of 2059 Vincenzo Spada engineered a conspiracy to assassinate Obsidian Butterfly (still operating under the name Sable), whom he had determined was responsible for his father's death. Obsidian Butterfly was able to escape drowning but resolved to turn herself in to the authorities to forestall the possibility of Spada or any innocents being harmed or killed in future attempts on her life. She thus presented herself in the guise of Regan Scorby at UEMS headquarters in Rome, where Spada served as a Deputy Marshal, and surrendered herself into his custody. His response was unexpectedly violent but Scorby was rescued and then arrested by Spada's colleagues.

Once in custody she confessed to the Spada assassination and to the others for which she had been responsible while under the influence of Next Generation conditioning. She also agreed to supply all information she could on the organisation itself and its operations. In return for her full and continuing co-operation the UEMS released Sable as a parolee subject to her continued good service as a hero and cooperation with on-going UEMS investigations, particularly those targeting Next Generation. Details of the agreement were made public, naming Sable as none other than Regan Scorby/Gemma Campbell provoking a storm of media interest. Despite the strong desire of the Italian authorities to prosecute her for Giorgio Spada's murder she returned to Colonial Bay to continue her work as one of its guardians, this time without the benefit of an alter-ego to hide behind.

Personality
Recoiling completely from her past Regan has forsworn lethal force and is utterly opposed to its use in all but the most extreme circumstances. She is also firmly dedicated to protecting the innocent, most particularly from the depredations of conscienceless meta-humans.

She uses her extensive social skills to maintain a pleasant and friendly veneer which is reinforced by a natural tendency to charity and concern for those around her. At the same time she is normally careful not to let people get so close that they risk becoming targets of Next Generation's implacable desire for revenge.