The Viper
From Reach
"Yeah, I've worked with The Viper, hired him as an escort a few years back. We were about fifty kilos down Baal's Canyon, running guns to the Down Pole, when we ran into about two dozen raiders looking for some free goods. I tell you, The Viper had his Kingsnake out and putting flechettes into them before they had a chance to make demands. I'm a pretty quick draw, but by the time my gun was out, ten of the bushwhackers were dead, and the rest were throwing down their guns and surrendering. No person's got a right to draw and fire that fast, it just ain't natural." -Anonymous Caravan Guard
One of Reach's most discussed and least understood celebrities, the enigmatic Frontiersman known only as "The Viper" is possibly the only human on Reach who truly understands the Equatorial Desert.
The Viper is easily recognizable in his distinctive All Weather Gear. It's been heavily modified for desert travel, with a few dozen small cooling features. His face mask has been stylized with red and gold flourishes; scholars attribute this to an ancient warrior tradition from Earth known as "El Luchador." A sophisticated Earth Tech Optical Package sits behind the eyepieces, further concealing his identity. The Viper is never seen without this mask, his broad-brimmed hat, or his heavy chemical resistant poncho.
His past is a complete mystery. Some say he came down to Reach with the original colonists, and has found a source of immortality out on the Equatorial Desert. Others claim he is actually a Native, and lived in peace long before humans ever walked the surface of Reach. Still others, probably correct, claim he is nothing more than a man with a painful past he'd rather forget. He never speaks of his past, meeting questions on the matter with an icy silence.
The Viper earns his living offering his services as a guide to the Equatorial Desert. He doesn't come cheap, but he's worth every Tin. He knows how to find shelter in desert caves during the nights and days, how close one can safely get to Silicon Crawlers, and has an almost preternatural sense for danger. In a fight, he's an absolute terror; one story tells of a fight with a Silicon Crawler drone where The Viper, out of ammo, physically beat the beast to death with the stock of a Kingsnake Flechette Gun. This story isn't widely believed (especially the version where he tames it and rides it back to Last Gas), but is a tribute to his lethal reputation.
When not out on the desert, The Viper spends most of his idle time in nearby colonies. His habits among civilized people contribute to the sense of mystery. He spends most of his time in bars frequented by travelers. He always buys a drink, and sits, in full gear, at his own table. Because he never removes his mask in public, he never actually drinks, so the cup simply sits full in front of him until he decides to leave. This habit contributes to rumors of his inhuman nature. While he's sitting and not drinking, he'll entertain employment offers, negotiating the terms under which he'll enter the desert as a guide.
