Marlon Simmons (30 January 2077) is a research scientist from H+XTROPY labs.

Early life and family

Simmons was born to parents taking part in the H+XTROPY labs transhumanist sub-lab project on the suburban outskirts of Rivertown. He was homeschooled until the age of 10, at which time he entered public school. He was summering in the sub-lab with his parents when the superflu struck, and they remained underground for the next decade. In 2102, at the age of 25, he assisted his mother in her pain-free suicide, as she had been suffering from multiple sclerosis; his father, broken by grief, accepted the same gift one year later.

Along with Kenneth Heppe, Solomon Madison, and Michael Miller, Simmons helped develop the pschedelic drug jack as a means for coping with the harshness of the post-apocalyptic world. They successfully tested the drug in 2112 and decided to go their separate ways, leaving the H+XTROPY lab behind them.

Simmons claimed he intended to travel west until he hit the old interstate highway, then hike north for 200 miles until he hit Lake Benegosset, the largest, deepest, and coldest of the five Majestic Lakes, which he would then swim across. He promised to point every kind soul he met in the direction of his friends. During his wanderings he met was a young man named Erik Torreon, who took him at aztalan Farms when the others wanted to send him away. He rewarded the young man with several phials of jack and hand drew a map to where he could find his friends Solomon and Mike.

Disposition and traits

Marlon is a notorious jokester, prankster, and trickster. He was well-loved at H+XTROPY labs, most remembered for his robust laugh and wide smile. He had an uncanny ability to do difficult mathematical equations in his head and had a near-photographic memory. He enjoyed disassembling complex pieces of machinery and putting them back together, all without instructions.

Marlon is rarely serious, preferring to hide behind a humorous mask even when he is troubled. He believes that both love and darkness exist in every soul and that darkness is currently on top, and believes laughter is the best weapon against the darkness.

Goals and motivations

Marlon sees himself as a modern pilgrim without a real destination. He joked about swimming across Lake Benegosset and, being faced with no better option, decided to carry through with his jest, hoping to meet helpful people who had love in their hearts to help him on his way.

He also carries a Beretta handgun and a few extra clips in his belt for if and when he encounters the ungenerous sort.

Primary residence

Marlon has no permanent home and is wandering in the Western Wastes.

Attributes and Abilities

Marlon is disarmingly friendly and charming, and he expects his smile to open doors for him. He has kept himself fit, taking full advantage of the exercise and wellness equipment available in the labs and, unknown to his pacifist friends, he has also trained with his handgun and is a competent shot. He is resourceful but has no experience in the wilderness, and no firm idea of how he will procure food and fresh water.