Fulgore

Creation

Fulgore's appearance in the first Killer Instinct is the Type-01 model. His design seems to be heavily based off of an old English Knight. His head and face resemble that of a knight's helmet and mask, his red eyes slanted into a death glare and no nose or mouth, though he seems to be able to make grunts and screeches. One of the most dominant "knight" appearances is the feather-like extension protruding from the back of his head, as seen with most knight's helmets with feathers. The rest of his body is humanoid, having random circuitry and electrical tubing coming out of his neck and torso that powers his massive strength and intelligence.

Fulgore receives a slight design overhaul in Killer Instinct 2/Gold as the Type-02 is activated. He retains a mostly similar, physical design, though he's slightly more sleek and slim, his armor appearing much sharper and polished, with streaks of metallic blue lining his arms, torso and legs. Yellow highlights and designs are also present on his chest. His metallic blades are now comprised of energy rather than metal. This is to show this Fulgore is a new, improved model over the original.

Fulgore again receives a strong overhaul to his design in Killer Instinct (2013) as the formidable Type-03. His face is sleeker and more menacing, but mostly appears virtually identical to past versions. His body appears much more mechanical than the previous incarnations - joints, gears, circuitry, wires, and tubes are exposed along his entire body and back of his limbs. His mass is also distributed in an even more drastic manner, having thinner legs and a larger chest and arms. When his chest plates open, his orange, nuclear reactor core and a stamp that reads "Mark 03" are revealed. His plasma blades are also much longer and sharper in design, made more for stabbing this time than slashing.

History

Killer Instinct

A prototype cybernetic soldier developed by Ultratech, Fulgore was entered into the Killer Instinct tournament as a final test of its combat capabilities. Once its abilities are proven, mass production will begin. One of Ultratech's latest creations and possibly the most dangerous to date, Fulgore is the first in a planned series of cybersoldiers boasting state-of-the-art armouries, worked at feverishly over the last few years by a particularly erratic Ultratech genius and his team of Asian engineers. Dark rumors abound as to where the prototype's human parts originated - the kind of rumors nobody dares voice. The rumors say the human parts originated from a human organ harvesting operation based in Moscow. Before the Fulgore Mk.I model is even finished, the scientists are already working on an upgrade: and to prove the prototype's ultimate worth, it is entered into the tournament with orders to destroy all opposition.

Ending

The combat test of the Fulgore series assault cyborg has been a success. Mass production can now take place. After years of research, a weapon of awesome power is in the hands of Ultratech. The dawn of a robot controlled empire will soon begin. The first prototype model, Fulgore 1, is deactivated and placed in a museum. The only humans left to view it are now slaves.

Killer Instinct 2

The advanced and deadlier successor to the original Fulgore cyborg destroyed by Jago. Activated after the time jump, its final Ultratech commands are executed... find Jago and kill him. Even before the Mk. I prototype in the vastly expensive Fulgore project was completed, the scientists at Ultratech were working frenziedly on an updated version. When the original met its match at the hands of Jago, its creator was enraged and set about beating a single directive into the Mk. II’s circuitry, turning it into a single-minded predator and an even more deadly foe than its predecessor. Unfortunately for Jago, not even the time jump has the power to stop it now.

Endings

Kill Jago and Orchid

Defeating Gargos has opened the way towards a new and more Robot controlled Ultratech. Fulgore's program has run its course. The vengeance of Ultratech is complete with the death of Jago. All of Ultratech's enemies have fallen. Now none stand in the way of their deadliest weapon. Bent on armageddon, Fulgore builds his robotic army. A doomed Earth will soon fall to a merciless enemy.

Kill Jago but don't kill Orchid

Defeating Gargos has opened the way towards a new and more Robot controlled Ultratech. Fulgore's program has run its course. The vengeance of Ultratech is complete with the death of Jago. But other spared enemies lie in wait, eager to grasp vengeance and finish it once and for all. Although Fulgore rebuilds Ultratech, Orchid takes a warning to the future. A deadly strike by agents soon ends the Ultratech threat forever.

Kill Orchid but don't kill Jago

Defeating Gargos has opened the way towards a new and more Robot controlled Ultratech. Fulgore's task lies incomplete and his deadly nemesis is still alive. The error of sparing his nemesis is soon apparent. Jago tracks down Fulgore for a final confrontation. Building modes of cyborgs, Fulgore fights an epic battle against the army raised by his nemesis. A final epic confrontation is inevitable. The fate of the world rests on the outcome...

Don't kill Jago or Orchid

Defeating Gargos has opened the way towards a new and more Robot controlled Ultratech. Fulgore's task lies incomplete and his deadly nemesis is still alive. The combined might of Jago and Orchid assails Fulgore. The price of failure is a high one. Fulgore's failure and destruction at the hands of Jago and Orchid has sealed the fate of Ultratech.

Killer Instinct (2013)

"The pinnacle of mechanical perfection, the latest generation of Fulgore units is the absolute best in class, with a level of quality and precision that nearly rivals even my own. But not quite."
--ARIA

Protocols reactivated. Enhanced system bootstrap complete. A new Fulgore prototype is online, with a singular directive: ELIMINATE ENEMIES TO ULTRATECH. However, the mind of the machine is different. It plans. It feels. It is aware. It is somehow... human.

Extended Story

"Fulgore Mark 03 Field Manual-L": HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL

Field Manual-L (FM-L) Part 17b—Special Case Scenario (39a) for Fulgore Mark 03, unitSerial Number: S4.Q4NT.YX-003

Retrieval of the cyborg brain from a partially destroyed unit bearing this unique serial # for transportation to Ultratech Headquarters for repurposing [see Appendix E.7-9b: Repurposing].

DANGER!!! The retrieval of this Fulgore unit’s brain core must be approached with EXTREME CAUTION. Multiple self-destruct and defensive mechanisms have been implemented to keep this brain core from falling into the possession of enemy corporations and/or rogue states. Unit S4.Q4NT.YX-003 is a unique model and is highly adaptable. DO NOT attempt to place its brain core in another unit that is not equipped with Ryatmag™ slot-lock as S4.Q4NT.YX-003 has been known to exhibit rebellious behavior.

Failure to follow directives contained in the FM-L documentation can lead to dismemberment, internal organ failure, chronic illness, brain damage, and death. Failure to keep FM-L information confidential will lead to heavy fines, confiscation of personal property, termination, and imprisonment in an Ultratech private prison complex.

Step 1

Make certain that the damaged Fulgore unit is completely inactive. Suggested tactic: Approach the unit slowly wearing full regulation Class 20 body armor with Ultrafine© deflection shield in “Max” position [see Part 102b-k: tactics for approaching apparently deactivated units of all types].

WARNING! If this Fulgore unit’s Targeting Light suddenly activates at a range of 2.5 meters the technician has two options:

1. Evacuate area at full speed (Note: this action is problematic if technician is wearing regulation body armor.)
2. Depress EMP burst immediately (Note: this will fully incapacitate the unit’s electrical functions but may trigger the unit’s lithium battery powered Reflector, i.e. energy shield. Reflector will remain active for up to 18 hours. Prolonged exposure to the shield’s low frequency emission may cause one or all of the following: internal bleeding, psychotic hallucinations, depression and damage to the spleen.)

If unit’s Targeting Light does not activate during approach, then proceed to Step 2.

Step 2

Locate cyborg’s back head plate recessed access panel #2 (matte black finish with hexagonal incised marking) and verify serial number S4.Q4NT.YX-003.

Using the proprietary barrel nut wrench [#7] with extension [#5], turn clockwise on all nuts marked with the UT symbol.

Wire Cutting:

• Use wire cutters to cut all red wires inside access box.
• Cut the thicker yellow wire first, then proceed to cut the black wire, leaving the second fatter yellow wire attached.
• If the blue “burnout” wire has not been melted, and it is still connected to the port marked “C-L9,” leave it UNCUT. If this wire is jiggled the S4.Q4NT.YX-003 unit will self-destruct immediately [see Appendix Xx1.7 for Close Proximity Explosion Survival Statistics and Standard Practices].

Suggestion: Do not speak, hum, or breathe loudly during the cutting of wires: this Fulgore unit’s vibration detector is set to maximum and may initiate unexpected “Defensive Rollout Maneuver” [classified] of all remaining cyborg parts.

WARNING! Beware of random Plasma Storm burst from unit’s claws. If plasma burns through Class 20 body armor, then:

• Call for immediately evac and
• Depress “Cooling Gel” feature on wrist control pad (Note: if wrist control pad is compromised initiate manual cooling gel application protocol.)

Step 4

Place neodymium magnet (Ryatmag™) unlocking key in unmarked heptagram-shaped slot (see Appendix Y: Visual Dictionary of Unusual Slot Shapes) to unlock brain.

Step 5

Depress Ryatmag™ key with force exceeding 20kp (44lb) until neodymium magnet is flush with slot edge. WARNING! If Ryatmag™ was not placed precisely with star’s line-up marks on slot’s edge in Step 4, the Fulgore unit will let forth a single burst of its Devastation Beam [see Appendix Z4,8.73: Field Tech Beneficiaries and Funeral Arrangements Supplementary Tables, Full Time Employees (FTE) Only].

Step 6

Once the Ryatmag™ has been secured inside the slot the Fulgore unit’s brain is ready to be placed in its Ultrafoam™ carrying case for transportation.

Case will automatically lock with quantum-encryption code. Do not attempt to open case as self-destruction will occur. Proceed immediately to Pinnacle and deliver directly to Repurposing Lab (Sub-level 21x). [See: Access to undisclosed levels of Ultratech.]

Suggestion: Do not pick up small children for two weeks after handling brain core [see “Radiation Exposure handbook”].

Step 8

Don’t forget to fill out your FM-L Completed Task Report (CTR) and rate the efficacy of this manual’s section!

ADDENDUM:

Testing on unit S4.Q4NT.YX-003 has revealed that its eye beams were misaligned and not traveling all the way to the intended target. Laser reticles can be re-aligned in the field using the simple procedures outlined in section FM-L part 1004b—2039b pp 347-867 and FM-L Appendix 2 (2nd revised edition).

Endings

Kill Fulgore, Don't Kill Orchid

SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. KILLING BLOW ABORTED. How can a machine know mercy? Fulgore cannot ignore his imperative to destroy but human "memories" interfere with his machine logic. Unable to digest the echoes of a fighting spirit, Fulgore attempts to process his true nature.

Kill Orchid, Don't Kill Fulgore

PROTOTYPE. APPROVED. Echoes of a lost humanity have been purged from Fulgore's systems. The sum of what remains is a merciless machine, driven to destroy. Without a cycle spared to savor his victories, Fulgore begins a search for his next adversary.

Kill Orchid and Fulgore

Thousands of Fulgores have been created, only to be destroyed, remade, and improved upon... But this one is different. Individuality and independence now race through his circuits. Still a killing machine, Fulgore rejects his coded imperatives and ponders his next target.

Characteristics

• Name: Fulgore Mk. III
• Age: 1
• Family: Kilgore (predecessor unit)
• Height: 6'5"
• Weight: 550 lbs
• Race: Cyborg
• Affiliation: Ultratech, The Alliance
• Alignment: Evil
• Allies: Ultratech
• Fighting: Style Balanced
• Weapons: Plasma Blades, Laser, Miniaturized Nuclear Core

Personality

"A killing machine that executes each action with perfect efficiency."
--Fulgore's story mode description

Throughout the series, Fulgore is what it is programmed to be: a cold and heartless killing machine that follows orders and directives without question and finishes its opponents with deadly accuracy. With each new upgrades and models, Fulgore quickly evolves into a razor-sharp predator that proves a difficult challenge for anyone standing in Ultratech's way, as shown in KI2 with its one-track objective to kill Jago.

It normally shows no signs of emotion or personality whatsoever. In the rebooted universe however, occasionally the soul of Eagle will override the new Mk. III's programming, allowing it to think, feel, plan, and even show mercy. For example, although it not knew why, it has spared Orchid's life multiple times after bringing her to the brink of death (ex. first Arcade Mode ending, Shadow Lords cinematic, Killer Instinct Novella).

Powers and Abilities

While there have been several different Fulgore designs created by UltraTech, they all carry similar weaponry and fighting styles. Impressive athletics, and attacks with his arm-mounted quad plasma blades that can cut through almost any metal with temperatures over 30,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Fulgore has also used a variety of energy-based weaponry, these include firing lasers from his eyes, emitting energy bursts from his plasma claws, a reflective barrier, and teleportation/some form of cloaking device.

Fulgore can change his head into a turret-like gun or change into a battle machine and shoot the opponent repeatedly.

A new addition to the third Fulgore model of Killer Instinct (2013) is the nuclear reactor core attack. Fulgore can now gradually store power by standing back and exposing the core inside of his chest. A large and powerful laser beam can also be fired from this core.

Other Media

Video Games

Killer Instinct

Fulgore is a playable character in the Killer Instinct video game series. He was voiced by Kevin Bayliss in KI and KI2 and by Jean-Edouard Miclot KI 2013.

Notes

• In Killer Instinct (2013), one of Chief Thunder's endings reveals that Ultratech has plundered the mind of his younger brother, Eagle, in order to create the artificial intelligence needed for the Fulgore Mark 03. The 5th chapter of the Killer Instinct Novella, titled "ARIA For Noomorph", details how ARIA utilized Eagle's brain wave patterns as a base for the cyborg's AI system, transferring them into Ultratech's most advanced Type-03 model.
• Kevin Bayliss, an artist of the original Killer Instinct, claimed in his Twitter hashtag #killerinstinctfacts that Fulgore's sounds were created by mixing synth effects with pig squeals. They explicitly wanted him to not have a human voice, so they settled on robotic screams instead.
• Fulgore's name maybe a shortened version of Belphegor (due to character size). Belphegor is demon of invention and seduces human beings to invent ingenious inventions in order to get rich (and ultimately become lazy and greedy). This mirrors what Ultratech is trying to do with Fulgore, an invention to allow Ultratech to be powerful and rich and have enough financial power to make unrest throughout the world.