Do what you were born to do

They say in every generation a hero is born.
They say every hundred generations, an amazing hero is born.
Once every thousand generations is such a long time no one remembers what’s supposed to happen. But it must be incredible, right?
Enter Agent Risk.

You’ve never seen him. He leads the Microcorp. He travels in shadow. He trains in the bathtub. He is here, there, and then with a sudden, explosion he is gone. He is afraid of nothing. Willing to tackle any problem, any danger, any enemy. They call him Agent Risk....

“Come on boys, it’s time to do what we were born to do..... take a risk!”

He carries a lit bomb in his left hand. Handheld bombs are his trademark. He tosses one here, he tosses one there. He smiles and laughs as the shrapnel flies. They say he began as a child, constructing explosives filled with tooth paste. Even now his smile is bright. Young Risk quickly moved on to mayonnaise bombs and then ice cream boom-faits. In grade four while other kids were learning about the moon he was outside in his pyjamas at midnight testing his own home made rockets, to the stars and beyond! Goodbye pet hamster!

There are heroes and monsters and Superheroes and robots but at our house we have another category I bet you don’t have: funny figures. They are characters who delight and make us laugh. It is a select few- and sometimes they can do great things.

My middle son’s Agent Risk is a prime example. Made as a Microcorp hero, Risk carries a bomb, a pistol and a whole lot of attitude. He’s always the first into a battle and he never shies from any foe. He’d kiss a cactus. He’d kick a dragon. He’s a blast at parties. He’s always willing to take a risk.

His bomb toss special, called Risky Bomb only has 4 range, because he likes it up close and personal. He likes to feel the rush of air as things blow. He is the Risk wind of chance and change.

“Come on boys, it’s time to do the things we dream of.... take a risk!”

Agent Risk thinks nothing of tossing the bomb at an adjacent figure,. Usually he ducks the shrapnel but every once in a while it catches him and he takes a few wounds. He’s got shaky fingers too, and makes the bombs himself but they don’t always work right and sometimes he alone takes two wounds. He’s old friends with Drake Alexander and oft if they’re in the same scenario they’ll have a game of “who does the most wounds”, which Risk always wins by blowing himself up accidentally. But a win is still a win, right? He puts the “error” in “terrorist”.

Risky Bomb 20d
1-4 2 wounds to self
5-10 2 A on 2 adjacent figures
11-17 2A on 3 adjacent figures
18-20 3A on 3 adjacent figures

Agent Friction is another Microcorp agent hero though of course Friction is not his real name. The story of his naming involves a bit of ice and three Dzu-Teh in drag- okay, I’m making up the drag part- but it’s one of those stories that crystallizes and turns to myth almost right away. The tale belongs more to the teller than the truth.

Usually Friction and Risk play together, but Friction is no fool. Risk is death coming-towards-you with a smile whereas Friction is death unseen. He’s a super sniper. His Sighting special makes him more powerful and his Timely Shot Special gives him extra attacks against wounded heroes. Friction and Risk have a kind of sister act going- Risk saunters in, bomb in hand and Friction keeps the mosquitoes away.

If you think Risk has a death wish than does Friction have a life wish? Or is he just shy? He still goes with Risk they just don’t stride side by side. Is Risk really taking a risk when Friction has got his back and front and sides too? I suppose ultimately it doesn’t matter. They’re out there and if you think about it just getting out of bed in the morning is a risk in itself.

“Come on boy, it’s time to do what you were born to do...take control of your destiny...take a risk.”