Okay, here's the latest version, short of changes/suggestions from the last few posts. I've expanded all the bios a bit.
Nagato
Like the other members of the SOS-Dan, Yuki Nagato's history before the dawn of Fenspace is nonexistent. The general consensus among watchers of the SOS-Dan is that she was one of the great hackers, perhaps even of the original Unix generation of wizard programmers, until undergoing a biomod that transformed her into the image of a character from an obscure series of Japanese light novels. It is perhaps unsurprising, then, that Yuki Nagato is a known member of the Hacker Underspace.
It is generally accepted that Nagato is the SOS-Dan's intelligence officer, given her facility with computers and her acknowledged system-wide network of Interwave contacts and acquaintances. She has demonstrated an ability to draw all manner of correct conclusions from the flimsiest of datasets. During Operation Great Justice nearly one-quarter of all leads on Boskonian activities came directly from Nagato's analysis of OGJ's inbound data streams.
Although in her early twenties, Yuki habitually wears an aqua seifuku-styled high school uniform with a sweater. While formal occasions have sometimes forced her into stylish dresses or gowns, it's clear that she finds them inconvenient and irritating. She has been known to wear glasses, but has been seen without them as often as with; it's believed that they an affectation since there is no clear pattern to their use to indicate the need for a particular prescription.
She bears a strong resemblance to the standard "Rei Ayanami" phenotype but is clearly not an Ayanami; she is slightly shorter with a less-willowy build, her hair color is closer to purple than blue, and her eyes are violet. Her personality appears to be standard Ayanami, though, being quiet, stoic and withdrawn most of the time, except when on line. However, when circumstances demand, she can become a vitual juggernaut, demonstrating a strength and determination both out of scale for her petite frame.
Quirks:
Compulsive Reader: The only time she can be found without a book in her hand is when she's at a keyboard. And sometimes not even then. Naturally, this makes her as popular as any of the Yomiko Readmans amongst bookshop owners.
Code Wizard: Gifted intuitive programmer. Has never encountered a computer in Fenspace running a system or programming language she didn't understand or couldn't use, at least not in sight of witnesses.
Mavis Beacon Goes "Whoa!": Blazing typing speed, to the point of blurring fingers, which she can apparently maintain for hours on end. Consequently, she ignores computer mice because they only slow her down; she prefers to use keyboard shortcuts for everything.
Fandoms:
Tron, The Matrix, Doctor Who, Babylon 5, the work of Dan Simmons, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Tenchi Muyo!, Harry Potter.
"Nagato? I have seen AIs thinking that Nagato is one of us when they meet her the first time in an IRC chat. It's hard to believe how fast she can type until you see it... and we've had quite a few interesting talks about the design of the Jenga Grid. I like her." -- Cortana, 2019
Mikuru
Voted one of the top ten most beautiful women in Fenspace for three years running as of 2015, Mikuru Asahina has been described as possessing the body of a porn star, the face of an innocent child, and the personality of a terrified mouse. She is famously shy and is the least public of the SOS-Dan; correspondingly her role and function within the cadre is unclear. Many believe she is simply Haruhi's personal secretary, while others snidely suggest she has even less importance than that, being nothing but a sextoy for the other brigade members. (Her apparent proclivity for risque cosplay despite her monumental shyness does add some weight to these accusations.)
At the other extreme, certain observers believe that her apparent shyness and timidity are merely camouflage for Haruhi's personal enforcer and assassin. The critical lack of anyone who as actually died in or near her vicinity has done nothing to quell these accusations.
Mikuru's history before the SOS-Dan left Earth is all but nonexistent. Extensive rumors that she is a former adult model/performer have been almost entirely debunked, but no other information about her background has been found. Some have suggested that she wasn't originally a member of the Brigade, per se, but a former girlfriend or other acquaintance who was caught up in events against her will. And some dedicated observers of the SOS-Dan believe that "Mikuru" is actually a false identity shared by a set of twins, based on several unconfirmed reports of her appearing to be in two (widely-separated) places at the same time.
Quirks:
Crouching Ditz, Hidden Competence: Mikuru is much more capable than she appears, although not to the extremes that some attribute to her. She is a skilled administrator and has demonstrated decent hand-to-hand fighting ability.
When Two Can Be As One: As noted above, some believe that "Mikuru Asahina" is actually a cover identity shared by a pair of twins (or possibly a set of Ayanami-like clones).
Please Don't Hurt Me: Mikuru has the ability to generate paralyzing guilt and/or pity in anyone short of a genuine sociopath (or Haruhi) with the quiver of a lip and a glistening of her eyes. This is believed to be not a Handwavium-based "power", but expert emotional manipulation.
Fandoms:
Quantum Leap, Time Trax, Doctor Who, the Bill and Ted films, Twilight Saga, Zipang.
"Mikuru is a lovely woman, and smarter than she seems... but I wouldn't trust her any farther than Haruhi can throw a fit." -- Noah Scott, 2015
"Don't let the waterworks and the triple-dees fool you. 'Meeks' is one scary operator. She's got the respect of the Becerra Fen. Chew on that for a bit." -- Tom Dobbs, 2018
Koizumi
Itsuki Koizumi is the diplomat of the SOS-Dan. Unflappable and unfazeable in anything from a private party to pirate attack, Koizumi approaches any situation he finds himself in with a casual savoir-faire and a sly little smile. In the rare instances when he has been surprised or become flustered, his agitation looks like other peoples' calm.
Koizumi acts as the interface between the SOS-Dan and any outside body with which they need to work. This he does by keeping Haruhi away from them, and converting her bombastic declarations and commandments into "proposals" constructed in language more suited to the give-and-take of Fenspace's all-but-anarchic political arena -- and then negotiating as aggressively as he can to see her demands met. Koizumi is a realist and politically savvy, but he is also intensely loyal to Haruhi; he would rather scrap a deal than allow it to be gutted or twisted away from Haruhi's intent.
His success in this arena is frequently aided by the staggering network of contacts he possesses. He always seems to knowsomeone with a talent, knowledge or resources that will help whatever cause he is promoting at the time, often negating an otherwise deal-breakng objection.
The dogged determination with which he pursues his goals has not endeared him -- and by extension the SOS-Dan -- to some Fen. Combined with his unfortunate habit of ignoring other people's personal space, this has given some people the perception that he is too slick, like a country lawyer; some have even characterized him as "slimy", pointing at his network of contacts as evidence of back-room dealings and pay-to-play handshake agreements. He's been investigated twice by Fenspace journalists and once by the Fenspace Convention itself, though, and all three times no malfeasance on his part was ever found. That hasn'tt stopped the grumbling and rumors, though, which have of late expanded to accuse him of criminal connections.
Itsuki Koizumi's speech, apparent eduction, and personal habits all suggest that he comes from a wealthy Japanese family, but like the rest of the SOS-Dan, his personal history is either obscured or outright false.
Quirks:
Contacts: Koizumi always seems to know someone nearby with useful talents or resources regardless of the situation or location. His contacts range from the 'Danelaw to the outer reaches of the solar system, and it's a running joke among the SMOF that when humanity finally meets another intelligent race, there will already be someone among them who knows Koizumi and is ready to do him a favor.
Charm: Koizumi possesses a lazy, seemingly guileless charm that cloaks the master diplomat and negotiator he really is. He is adept at making new acquaintances think themselves friends even though he seems to have few true confidantes outside the SOS-Dan.
Too Close!: Koizumi seems to have no sense of other people's personal space, which can sometimes undermine his efforts as a diplomat and negotiator -- and has gotten him into a fistfight or two with overprotective mates.
Fandoms:
X-Men, Zenna Henderson's The People novels, the DC Animated Universe (especially Teen Titans), the works of E.E. "Doc" Smith, My Little Pony.
"Look, I like the SOS-Dan. They've got the fire and drive to do great things, amazing things. They're changing the world for the better. And they're good kids -- even Haruhi, who I'll admit can be a bit abrasive. But there's something about Itsuki Koizumi that creeps me out, just a little." -- Bob Schroeck, 2014
Kyon
The SOS-Dan's resident cynic and snarker and -- to many eyes -- Haruhi's personal manservant and lackey. Few outside the Brigade know that the two are actually married, and fewer still understand the dynamics of their relationship.
Despite being prone to apparent fits of irritation, annoyance and outright anger -- mostly at Haruhi, though frequently at life in general as well -- Kyon is paradoxically the emotional anchor which holds the SOS-Dan together. Together he and Haruhi form an axis which defines the SOS-Dan. Where she generates the ideas and the raw energy to drive them, he provides the common sense needed to ground them in reality, as well as the intelligence to help "debug" her plans and turn high-flying fantasies into achievable realities. And when Haruhi gets too extreme in her enthusiasms, Kyon is always there to puncture them and bring her back to earth.
In return Haruhi appears to treat Kyon as a personal slave, bossing him around and ordering him about. Few realize that he permits her to, and if he cared to could make her act less brusquely to him with just a few words. However, both enjoy the byplay between them, and wouldn't change it for anything. Beyond that, Kyon is Haruhi's trustworthy and dependable right-hand man, whom she knows from years of experience can handle practically any demand she makes of him. To his credit, Kyon lives up to her expectations.
Kyon is alone among the SOS-Dan in that his background can be traced farther back than the Brigade's launch into Fenspace. He comes from a middle-class Japanese family living in Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture, in the Kansai region. Known relatives include his parents and a younger sister. After the rise of the SOS-Dan in Fenspace, they quietly sold their home and vanished; attempts to locat them since have failed.
Quirks:
The Only Sane Man... Is Not Here: Although he is the center point of sanity around which the SOS-Dan revolves at times, it is only by comparison to the other members. He is, after all, still with them after all these years, and explicitly supports and helps guide their efforts. However, he presents a very convincing front of being a 'Dane -- sometimes almost to the point of being a Dursley.
Tote That Barge, Lift That Bale: Kyon is usually assigned the dirtiest, most difficult, or most inconvenient tasks by Haruhi, and accepts them with only token grumbling. He also accomplishes them, regardless of difficulty; were it not for the fact that he is never very far from Haruhi's side it would be he, not Mikuru, suspected of being Haruhi's secret enforcer.
Running Commentary: Kyon has a habit of "narrating" his life under his breath, often engaging in long stream-of-consciousness monologues. The other members of the SOS-Dan tend to ignore this behavior, and even though Haruhi occasionally interjects her own comments and responses, Kyon does not appear to be aware that he does this.
Fandoms:
Action movies, martial arts movies, mass-appeal Sci Fi films.
"That poor son-of-a-bitch!" -- Most outside observers
-- Bob
---------
Then the horns kicked in...
...and my shoes began to squeak.
Nagato
Like the other members of the SOS-Dan, Yuki Nagato's history before the dawn of Fenspace is nonexistent. The general consensus among watchers of the SOS-Dan is that she was one of the great hackers, perhaps even of the original Unix generation of wizard programmers, until undergoing a biomod that transformed her into the image of a character from an obscure series of Japanese light novels. It is perhaps unsurprising, then, that Yuki Nagato is a known member of the Hacker Underspace.
It is generally accepted that Nagato is the SOS-Dan's intelligence officer, given her facility with computers and her acknowledged system-wide network of Interwave contacts and acquaintances. She has demonstrated an ability to draw all manner of correct conclusions from the flimsiest of datasets. During Operation Great Justice nearly one-quarter of all leads on Boskonian activities came directly from Nagato's analysis of OGJ's inbound data streams.
Although in her early twenties, Yuki habitually wears an aqua seifuku-styled high school uniform with a sweater. While formal occasions have sometimes forced her into stylish dresses or gowns, it's clear that she finds them inconvenient and irritating. She has been known to wear glasses, but has been seen without them as often as with; it's believed that they an affectation since there is no clear pattern to their use to indicate the need for a particular prescription.
She bears a strong resemblance to the standard "Rei Ayanami" phenotype but is clearly not an Ayanami; she is slightly shorter with a less-willowy build, her hair color is closer to purple than blue, and her eyes are violet. Her personality appears to be standard Ayanami, though, being quiet, stoic and withdrawn most of the time, except when on line. However, when circumstances demand, she can become a vitual juggernaut, demonstrating a strength and determination both out of scale for her petite frame.
Quirks:
Compulsive Reader: The only time she can be found without a book in her hand is when she's at a keyboard. And sometimes not even then. Naturally, this makes her as popular as any of the Yomiko Readmans amongst bookshop owners.
Code Wizard: Gifted intuitive programmer. Has never encountered a computer in Fenspace running a system or programming language she didn't understand or couldn't use, at least not in sight of witnesses.
Mavis Beacon Goes "Whoa!": Blazing typing speed, to the point of blurring fingers, which she can apparently maintain for hours on end. Consequently, she ignores computer mice because they only slow her down; she prefers to use keyboard shortcuts for everything.
Fandoms:
Tron, The Matrix, Doctor Who, Babylon 5, the work of Dan Simmons, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Tenchi Muyo!, Harry Potter.
"Nagato? I have seen AIs thinking that Nagato is one of us when they meet her the first time in an IRC chat. It's hard to believe how fast she can type until you see it... and we've had quite a few interesting talks about the design of the Jenga Grid. I like her." -- Cortana, 2019
Mikuru
Voted one of the top ten most beautiful women in Fenspace for three years running as of 2015, Mikuru Asahina has been described as possessing the body of a porn star, the face of an innocent child, and the personality of a terrified mouse. She is famously shy and is the least public of the SOS-Dan; correspondingly her role and function within the cadre is unclear. Many believe she is simply Haruhi's personal secretary, while others snidely suggest she has even less importance than that, being nothing but a sextoy for the other brigade members. (Her apparent proclivity for risque cosplay despite her monumental shyness does add some weight to these accusations.)
At the other extreme, certain observers believe that her apparent shyness and timidity are merely camouflage for Haruhi's personal enforcer and assassin. The critical lack of anyone who as actually died in or near her vicinity has done nothing to quell these accusations.
Mikuru's history before the SOS-Dan left Earth is all but nonexistent. Extensive rumors that she is a former adult model/performer have been almost entirely debunked, but no other information about her background has been found. Some have suggested that she wasn't originally a member of the Brigade, per se, but a former girlfriend or other acquaintance who was caught up in events against her will. And some dedicated observers of the SOS-Dan believe that "Mikuru" is actually a false identity shared by a set of twins, based on several unconfirmed reports of her appearing to be in two (widely-separated) places at the same time.
Quirks:
Crouching Ditz, Hidden Competence: Mikuru is much more capable than she appears, although not to the extremes that some attribute to her. She is a skilled administrator and has demonstrated decent hand-to-hand fighting ability.
When Two Can Be As One: As noted above, some believe that "Mikuru Asahina" is actually a cover identity shared by a pair of twins (or possibly a set of Ayanami-like clones).
Please Don't Hurt Me: Mikuru has the ability to generate paralyzing guilt and/or pity in anyone short of a genuine sociopath (or Haruhi) with the quiver of a lip and a glistening of her eyes. This is believed to be not a Handwavium-based "power", but expert emotional manipulation.
Fandoms:
Quantum Leap, Time Trax, Doctor Who, the Bill and Ted films, Twilight Saga, Zipang.
"Mikuru is a lovely woman, and smarter than she seems... but I wouldn't trust her any farther than Haruhi can throw a fit." -- Noah Scott, 2015
"Don't let the waterworks and the triple-dees fool you. 'Meeks' is one scary operator. She's got the respect of the Becerra Fen. Chew on that for a bit." -- Tom Dobbs, 2018
Koizumi
Itsuki Koizumi is the diplomat of the SOS-Dan. Unflappable and unfazeable in anything from a private party to pirate attack, Koizumi approaches any situation he finds himself in with a casual savoir-faire and a sly little smile. In the rare instances when he has been surprised or become flustered, his agitation looks like other peoples' calm.
Koizumi acts as the interface between the SOS-Dan and any outside body with which they need to work. This he does by keeping Haruhi away from them, and converting her bombastic declarations and commandments into "proposals" constructed in language more suited to the give-and-take of Fenspace's all-but-anarchic political arena -- and then negotiating as aggressively as he can to see her demands met. Koizumi is a realist and politically savvy, but he is also intensely loyal to Haruhi; he would rather scrap a deal than allow it to be gutted or twisted away from Haruhi's intent.
His success in this arena is frequently aided by the staggering network of contacts he possesses. He always seems to knowsomeone with a talent, knowledge or resources that will help whatever cause he is promoting at the time, often negating an otherwise deal-breakng objection.
The dogged determination with which he pursues his goals has not endeared him -- and by extension the SOS-Dan -- to some Fen. Combined with his unfortunate habit of ignoring other people's personal space, this has given some people the perception that he is too slick, like a country lawyer; some have even characterized him as "slimy", pointing at his network of contacts as evidence of back-room dealings and pay-to-play handshake agreements. He's been investigated twice by Fenspace journalists and once by the Fenspace Convention itself, though, and all three times no malfeasance on his part was ever found. That hasn'tt stopped the grumbling and rumors, though, which have of late expanded to accuse him of criminal connections.
Itsuki Koizumi's speech, apparent eduction, and personal habits all suggest that he comes from a wealthy Japanese family, but like the rest of the SOS-Dan, his personal history is either obscured or outright false.
Quirks:
Contacts: Koizumi always seems to know someone nearby with useful talents or resources regardless of the situation or location. His contacts range from the 'Danelaw to the outer reaches of the solar system, and it's a running joke among the SMOF that when humanity finally meets another intelligent race, there will already be someone among them who knows Koizumi and is ready to do him a favor.
Charm: Koizumi possesses a lazy, seemingly guileless charm that cloaks the master diplomat and negotiator he really is. He is adept at making new acquaintances think themselves friends even though he seems to have few true confidantes outside the SOS-Dan.
Too Close!: Koizumi seems to have no sense of other people's personal space, which can sometimes undermine his efforts as a diplomat and negotiator -- and has gotten him into a fistfight or two with overprotective mates.
Fandoms:
X-Men, Zenna Henderson's The People novels, the DC Animated Universe (especially Teen Titans), the works of E.E. "Doc" Smith, My Little Pony.
"Look, I like the SOS-Dan. They've got the fire and drive to do great things, amazing things. They're changing the world for the better. And they're good kids -- even Haruhi, who I'll admit can be a bit abrasive. But there's something about Itsuki Koizumi that creeps me out, just a little." -- Bob Schroeck, 2014
Kyon
The SOS-Dan's resident cynic and snarker and -- to many eyes -- Haruhi's personal manservant and lackey. Few outside the Brigade know that the two are actually married, and fewer still understand the dynamics of their relationship.
Despite being prone to apparent fits of irritation, annoyance and outright anger -- mostly at Haruhi, though frequently at life in general as well -- Kyon is paradoxically the emotional anchor which holds the SOS-Dan together. Together he and Haruhi form an axis which defines the SOS-Dan. Where she generates the ideas and the raw energy to drive them, he provides the common sense needed to ground them in reality, as well as the intelligence to help "debug" her plans and turn high-flying fantasies into achievable realities. And when Haruhi gets too extreme in her enthusiasms, Kyon is always there to puncture them and bring her back to earth.
In return Haruhi appears to treat Kyon as a personal slave, bossing him around and ordering him about. Few realize that he permits her to, and if he cared to could make her act less brusquely to him with just a few words. However, both enjoy the byplay between them, and wouldn't change it for anything. Beyond that, Kyon is Haruhi's trustworthy and dependable right-hand man, whom she knows from years of experience can handle practically any demand she makes of him. To his credit, Kyon lives up to her expectations.
Kyon is alone among the SOS-Dan in that his background can be traced farther back than the Brigade's launch into Fenspace. He comes from a middle-class Japanese family living in Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture, in the Kansai region. Known relatives include his parents and a younger sister. After the rise of the SOS-Dan in Fenspace, they quietly sold their home and vanished; attempts to locat them since have failed.
Quirks:
The Only Sane Man... Is Not Here: Although he is the center point of sanity around which the SOS-Dan revolves at times, it is only by comparison to the other members. He is, after all, still with them after all these years, and explicitly supports and helps guide their efforts. However, he presents a very convincing front of being a 'Dane -- sometimes almost to the point of being a Dursley.
Tote That Barge, Lift That Bale: Kyon is usually assigned the dirtiest, most difficult, or most inconvenient tasks by Haruhi, and accepts them with only token grumbling. He also accomplishes them, regardless of difficulty; were it not for the fact that he is never very far from Haruhi's side it would be he, not Mikuru, suspected of being Haruhi's secret enforcer.
Running Commentary: Kyon has a habit of "narrating" his life under his breath, often engaging in long stream-of-consciousness monologues. The other members of the SOS-Dan tend to ignore this behavior, and even though Haruhi occasionally interjects her own comments and responses, Kyon does not appear to be aware that he does this.
Fandoms:
Action movies, martial arts movies, mass-appeal Sci Fi films.
"That poor son-of-a-bitch!" -- Most outside observers
-- Bob
---------
Then the horns kicked in...
...and my shoes began to squeak.