Chip Relay
Character created by: Roeboot Name: Chip Relay
Format: Guardian
Apparent chronological age: 35
Gender: Male
Relatives: Sister, Bevel; Brother-in-law, Ram Jet (deleted); Nephew, Laser Jet (nullified); Niece, Reso Jet
Physical appearance: Golden yellow skin, black brown hair, dark brown eyes, average build, 6'5" tall. Although Chip wears the blue uniform of a Guardian, he is allowed modifications for the climate he works in. His boots are black cowboy style with golden spurs. He wears a white Stetson hat which has a blue band decorated by gold Guardian icon styled studs. In addition, he wears an orange bandana around his neck for shielding his face during small ion dust storms, and a long gray-colored duster.
Origins/Background: Guardian Chip Relay grew up among the small processing sectors that prospected for energy and the ranch hands that
moved about looking for grazing for their livestock in Freespace, a desert-like wilderness known for sidewinding nulls and worm problems. He left Freespace to go to the Academy and come back as a full Guardian to help the sprites and binomes deal with rustlers and potential Web threats.
While in the Super Computer, he lived with his older sister Bevel who was married to a Guardian, Ram Jet. Chip put up with helping care for his nephew and niece, Laser and Reso. Laser refused to call him "Uncle," however, because they were only seven years apart in age. It is during this time that Ram is deleted by a worm that nearly erases Ram's partner, Pixelasha. It is a horrible loss for all of them, leaving Bevel widowed
with her two young children.
Chip grows up and graduates from the Academy; Bevel remains in the Super Computer to continue her task of breeding search engine dogs for the Guardian Collective and see both her children graduate the Academy. Tragically, Laser is nullified in a Game Cube.
Chip had a training partner of his own, Guardian Buck Wall, who was also nullified under the same circumstances that nullified Laser. Since then, Chip's only other partner has been his cyberstallion, named Max. The horse is his best friend as he works Freespace. He depends on Max and a supply of flares, a rifle, scanner and a shield generator to make up for the lack of a keytool.
When?: Season Three and flashbacks to post-Season One.
Personality: Chip is always looking for the bright side of every situation. Known to be easy-going and friendly. He always likes to play the peacemaker no matter how hard the situation can be. Very patient except when it comes to dealing with worms and nasty cattle thieves - then he will lose his temper!
Skills: Chip is dead-on target with a rifle. He can twill and shoot his shotgun with one hand if needed. Has very keen eyesight and a great ear for hearing either a stampede or a burrowing worm underground. He is very skilled at riding and jumping Max and also has a knack of understanding what his cyberhorse is telling him.
Weaknesses/Bad Habits: Chip has little tolerance for worms and will not think twice about deleting them without thinking of the possible consequences. He has a bad habit of falling asleep on the job since days can go by without so much as a null wandering by.
Likes: Playing the harmonica, singing cowhand songs, taking long afternoon naps, getting to play a game, Mouse's accent :).
Dislikes: Worms, robbers, Max playing jokes on him, being bored, Guardian Darwin of Outpost Omega (no one else really likes him either!).
Catchphrases: None
Cast relationships:
Chip has seen Bob from time to time when he was in training and on return visits to the Super Computer before Bob left for Mainframe. Chip also happens to know Mouse from when the hacker did a job in Freespace. He feels a sort of attachment to Mouse, sort of like a big brother wanting to make sure no one hurts his little sister. When he meets Ray, he's a little defensive, wanting to look out for Mouse's safety, even though Mouse can look out for herself.
Fics featuring this character: 'Hunters & Prey', 'Changing of the Guardian'
Is author willing to 'loan out' character to other writers?: I am willing to discuss at length! E-mail me.
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