Cross

A medic for BRIDGES that is often seen traveling from cities to settlements to help aide those in the UCA. Though they can seem harsh at first glance, Cross is extremely gentle and always caring for their patients in need. They have a soft spot for Sam, but curse how BRIDGES treats its employees.

BACKGROUND:

Cross was orphaned from an early age, a common occurrence for many children post-Death Stranding. They spent a majority of their adolescence in an orphanage, until around 17 years of age they were given a small grant to attend medical school under the condition they would later work for BRIDGES. This plan was interrupted when a small voidout caused most of the school to be shut-down and with no where else to go, Cross left to independently try and help people unable to get medical help from BRIDGES or other people. 

This was difficult without the proper licensing and network and Cross turned to a drug trafficking MULE by the name of Caroline. She would steal from BRIDGES supply trucks or their porters and have Cross run the drugs untraced across the country in exchange for giving Cross any surplus medical supplies. Cross was eventually apprehended by BRIDGES and given the choice between jail time or working for the organization. Cross took the job, but finds themself constantly butting heads over BRIDGES methods and policy. 

HOBBIES:

One of Cross' favorite hobbies is knitting, especially during any downtime or while resting under a Timefall shelter. They're fond of making scarves for Porters from recycled materials or scraps from old suits. Occasionally, they'll make stuffed animals for their child patients.

RELATIONSHIPS:

Sam Porter Bridges: Though Sam is ever standoffish and prone to isolation, Cross has a soft spot for him and constantly chides Sam over his health. Cross sometimes becomes the overbearing and over worried caretaker when tending to Sam's extreme injuries.

Lou: Absolutely in love with all children and Lou is no exception. Is always making Lou cute hats and her own scarves.

Deadman: One of the few BRIDGES employees that Cross works well with. Cross often ends up as an assistant whenever Deadman needs a set of extra hands around the lab. Cross likes to joke around with Deadman and prod him into being more social with other people.

Heartman: Cross makes trips up to his house when they can with medical supplies that can't be printed and performs maintenance on all his medical devices. Cross and Heartman connect over classic music, but often argue about the fact Heartman's heart is decaying and can't keep up dying and being resuscitated.  

Die-Hardman: Cross distrusts Die-Hardman purely because Cross has never trusted BRIDGES. They have little personal interaction, leaving their relationship a strained professional one. 

Mama (Malignen): Cross only interacted with Mama a few times, one notably about designing a set of mechanical arms to help with first aid medical procedures after Sam accidentally punched a Porter while exhausted. They didn't learn about Mama's child until after Die-Hardman became president. 

Lockne: After Mama's death, Cross turned to Lockne for further development of medical tools in the field. Cross also often spends time in Mountain Knot helping with medical aid in-person.

Fragile: Being affiliated solely with BRIDGES, Cross had only heard of Fragile Express and never met Fragile until after Sam connected the network across the lake. Cross offers help to any Fragile Express porters they see and always keep a stash of cryptobiotes on hand for Fragile.

Higgs: Cross only heard of Higgs when he and the Homo Demens became a problem for Porters and field medics. Cross tries to avoid him at all costs, but it's not always up to them.

Amelie/Bridget: Distrust