Keith Martin (キース・マーティン Kīsu Mātin),[1] codenamed "Cherub: Eden's Guardian", is a V.S.S.E. agent. He is one of the main protagonists of Time Crisis II (takes control as Player 1), and a supporting character in the True Mastermind Edition of Time Crisis 5, being fought as a boss in the fourth stage.
A former member of the British Special Air Service (SAS), as well as a special effects technician and a stunt double for the Hollywood film industry,[1] Keith foiled Neodyne Industries' 1998 launch of a military satellite. Three months later, he was accused by his former partner Robert Baxter of treason and the murder of V.S.S.E. auditor and Keith's lover Christy Ryan. Ultimately, Keith exposed Robert as the real traitor, and helped V.S.S.E. agents Luke O'Neil, Marc Godart, and Catherine Ricci kill him and prevent the release a drug-filled missile.
Appearance[]
Keith has short blonde hair with a full fringe, and has blue eyes.
In Time Crisis II, Keith wears a red jacket with a dark red collar under a pale yellow long sleeved v-neck shirt, light brown khaki pants and red shoes. In his in-game appearance in the PlayStation 2 version, his jacket was reddish brown.
In the True Mastermind Edition of Time Crisis 5, Keith becomes older, his hair grows into shoulder length; and wears a black eye patch on his left eye due to his serious injuries in his failed missions and a prosthetic lower left arm.
He now wears a gray and black bulletproof combat vest with jungle camouflage designs, and a black and blue short sleeved fitted shirt underneath, khaki pants folded in military style with a black belt that has a silver buckle around his waist, and black combat boots. He also wears black gloves. On the front of the vest, there is a sheath containing a knife on the upper right side of the vest and a radio on the upper left side. On the back of the vest, there is a scabbard containing a katana which he uses to attack Robert in a sword fight. It is removed after his katana is broken. There are shurikens and smoke grenades on his belt. His left thigh houses a black gun holster which he keeps his HK 45 handgun while his right thigh houses a case box.
Story[]
Living a confidential life, Keith served in the British Special Air Service (SAS) prior to being recruited to the V.S.S.E.. To protect Keith from surprise attacks and possible prosecution, the V.S.S.E. addresses Martin as Cherub: Eden's Guardian (the same way the SAS protected Martin's existence). As a civilian Keith is a special effects technician and a stunt double for the Hollywood film industry.
Time Crisis II[]
- Main article: Time Crisis II
On October 31, 1998, Neodyne Industries announced Starline Network, a global network consisting of 64 space satellites with the intention of uniting the world. An external audit by Christy Ryan revealed that it was actually a front to launch a military satellite into space, tailored to inflict damage. Christy attempted to inform V.S.S.E. about her audit, but was kidnapped by Jacob Kinisky when her real identity was revealed.[4]
Keith and his then-partner, Robert Baxter were dispatched to rescue Christy, shut down Neodyne, and prevent the launch of the military satellite.
Time Crisis II Crisis Missions[]
A month after the Neodyne Industries Incident, the V.S.S.E., alarmed by the unexpected military strength of Neodyne Industries, decided that it was immediately necessary to conduct training drills to improve the combat skills of its future agents.[5] Keith was chosen as the first agent to undergo Crisis Mission training which lasted 6 days to put him up to par with the one-man army. As a part of his final test to ensure that he was a trustworthy agent, Keith had to fight Richard Miller in a one-on-one drill in which he had to defeat Richard to finish his Crisis Mission obligation. Keith successfully finished his Crisis Mission obligation, which Richard was proud of.
Time Crisis 5[]
- Main article: Time Crisis 5
Keith returns in Time Crisis 5 and "True Mastermind" mortally wounded from the failed missions throughout his life which he was sent by Robert on a mission 3 years ago. He sustained eye injuries and wears a prosthetic hand on his left arm. It is during the fight against him that both he and Robert were trained in using katanas in addition to using hand guns. He was seen ambushing three armed drudges with his katana who are attempting to get Christy's briefcase after Wild Dog sends it before he explodes himself for the fourth time after been defeated by Luke O'Neil, Marc Godart and Robert.
In the underground factory, while attempting to crack the case lock of the auditor's laptop, Keith is found by the V.S.S.E. agents, causing him to comment that they are earlier than he expected. When Robert appears as well, Keith thought that "the Dog's drudges weren't enough" to keep Robert waiting for the case, as Robert impatiently demands the case in his hands. Soon, he is forced to fight against Robert and the V.S.S.E. rookie agents whom he has nothing against the latter. Despite his speed paring that to the V.S.S.E. agents, the use of his katana which also has the ability to throw a flame slash per swing, shurikens, and handgun, he is defeated with his katana broken in half. Fearing his life and reputation, Keith rushed to the briefcase, opening it for Luke and Marc to see the contents Christy wanted the rookies to look at. Luke and Marc were stunned, but Keith fired two shots barely missing the agents, nullifying the knives and exposing Robert as the true mastermind behind Time Crisis 5, hence revealing Robert as the traitor to the V.S.S.E..
Keith reluctantly agreed to act as the direct officer for Luke and Marc after Luke waltzed forward. Keith and the rookies had to put up with Drugged Soldiers made from a drug that negates fear and pain--in which the V.S.S.E. felt was too dangerous to distribute. As Keith trailed Robert correctly, he and the rookies were forced to fight Wild Fang--equipped with demonic powers beyond the agents' imagination. Luke and Marc managed to down Wild Fang to fight Robert, utilizing a droid. The youngsters bested against Robert in spite of the difficulty Keith sensed in the fight, but before Robert died, he intended to destroy the V.S.S.E. and hit New York with a missile filled with the drug Keith was forcibly asked to protect in failure three years ago.
To this day, Keith sought to redeem himself from the many missions he failed for the V.S.S.E., thought he could move on to see the brighter future.
Quotes[]
Time Crisis II[]
| Japanese version | English version | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| やはり... |
I knew it! These maniacs have got the military satellite! And they're moving it by train. (Robert: We better get goin'... There's no time to lose!) | Keith Martin, after analysing the data from Jacob Kinisky's briefcase |
Time Crisis 5[]
Stage 3 Area 3[]
| Japanese version | Rōmaji translation | English version | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| ふっ。 |
Fu. Kyouken ga yaku ni tatsu koto mo aru'n dana | How about that! Wild Dog is good for something after all. | Keith Martin, taking the briefcase after ambushing three armed drudges |
Stage 4 Area 3[]
| Japanese version | Rōmaji translation | English version | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Igai to haya'katta na (Robāto: Kīsu) Inu no teshita aite ja yaku fusoku datta ka (Robāto: Kēsu wo yoko se) Mada watase nai na (Robāto: San byou matte yaru kēsu wo watase san ni) Aikawa ra zu sekkachi dana | You're earlier than I expected. (Robert: Keith!) The dog's drudges weren't enough? (Robert: Hand over the case.) Don't get hasty. (Robert: I'll give you to the count of 3. Hand over the case. 3. 2.) You never were patient. | Keith Martin, before beginning to clash blades with Robert Baxter. The last line references Time Crisis II linked gameplay which Robert tends tends to move forward while Keith stays behind | |
| Shinjin no o mae tachi ni ura'mi ha nai ga......ore ha mada shine nai! | I've nothing against you rookies.... But it's not my day to die! | Keith Martin, battling Luke O'Neil and Marc Godart | |
| Uragiri mono no nerai wo sagu ru hitsu'you ga atta inu no teshita domo ga katte ni jikan kase'i de kure ru shi na | I needed to investigate the traitor's intentions. The Dog's drudges bought me time. | Keith Martin, explaining to Robert Baxter why he needed the case stolen from Wild Dog | |
| あと |
Ato suko shi de sube te waka ru ato suko shi de kēsu no angou kaijo ga owaru! Jikan wo kure! | It'll all be over soon. Just a bit more and I'll have the case's lock cracked. Please, just this! | Keith Martin, close to finding out who the real V.S.S.E. traitor is within the stolen briefcase |
| Koro sare ta naibu kansa'kan no Kurisutī ha ore no koibito datta shinsou ha ore no te de tsuki tome ru! | The internal auditor, Christy, we were in love. I need to find out what really happened! | Keith Martin, during the final phase of the battle |
Stage 5 Area 1[]
| Japanese version | Rōmaji translation | English version | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ore no moto aibou da ore hito de kata wo tsuke ru | He used to be my partner. I've gotta take him down myself. | Keith Martin, now forced to fight his old partner Robert | |
| なに！？ |
Nani!? Ita mi wo kan ji nai no ka!? Atama wo neratte tao se! | What?! Do they not feel pain?! Go for headshots and take 'em down! | Keith Martin's advice on dealing the Drugged Soldiers |
| ただの |
Tada no uwasa dato omotte ita ga......ita mi to kyoufu wo keshi saru kusuri ga aru ra shii dou yara ningen sei made kie ru you daga na | I never thought anything of it, but....... word is there's a drug that negates both pain and fear. It's like they're not even human. | Keith Martin, speaking of a drug that the Drugged Soldiers are created from |
| キャサリン（キャサリン: キース？） |
Kyasarin (Kyasarin: Kīsu?) San'nen mae ni ore ga saigo ni tantou shita misshon wo shira be te kure (Kyasarin: Haji me te no kotoba ga sore!?) Tano'n dazo! | Catherine. (Cathy: Keith?) The last mission I headed 3 years ago, look into it. (Cathy: That's all you have to say?!) I'm counting on you! | Keith Martin, asking Catherine Ricci to look into the mission he went on 3 years ago. |
Stage 5 Area 2[]
| Japanese version | Rōmaji translation | English version | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| ふっ トラップが |
Fu torappu ga urame ni de tana | Whew. Looks like the trap backfired. | Keith Martin, after the Drugged Soldiers fell into Robert's trap intended for the V.S.S.E. agents |
| Teki da! Ima made no yatsu ra to chiga'u zo! | Enemy incoming! This isn't your normal drudge! | Keith Martin, when Elite Soldiers first appeared | |
| Tomatta shunkan wo nerae! | Wait for 'em to stop! | Keith Martin's advice on dealing the Elite Soldiers | |
| やはりな VSSEもなかった |
Yahari na VSSE mo nakatta koto ni shitai ra shii | I thought as much. He wants to erase VSSE entirely. | Keith Martin, after Catherine Ricci replied that there was no details of a mission he had headed three years ago |
| Kijuu no shoumen ni tatsu na! | Don't stand in front of the machine gun! | Keith Martin's advice on dealing with enemies manning a machine gun turret | |
| Kijuu wo utte iru yatsu kara nerae! | Aim for the guy manning the machine gun! | Keith Martin's alternate advice on dealing with enemies manning a machine gun turret |
Stage 5 Area 3[]
| Japanese version | Rōmaji translation | English version | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| エネルギーがたまる |
Enerugī ga tama ru mae ni yatsu wo tao'sun da! Are ga bakuhatsu shita ra yoke rare nai zo! | Take him down before he charges up again! If that thing explodes, we're all done for! | Keith Martin's advice on dealing Wild Fang's solar generators |
Stage 6[]
| Japanese version | Rōmaji translation | English version | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| ロバートに |
Robāto ni kougeki wo shuuchuu shiro!/Robāto wo nerae!/Robāto wo ute! | Focus on Robert!/Aim for Robert!/Shoot Robert! | Keith Martin's frequent tip in the final battle |
| あのデカいメカは |
Ano deka'i meka ha kougeki ga kika nai! | Your attacks don't do anything to that huge mech! | Keith Martin, if Luke and Marc hit the robotic droid |
| あのデカブツに |
Ano deka butsu ni kougeki shite mo muda da! | You're wasting ammo on that huge thing! | Keith Martin, if Luke and Marc hit the mech again |
| Soukou ha utte no muda da! | Don't waste bullets on the armor! | Keith Martin, when fighting Robert who was piloting the mech in its true form |
Ending[]
| Japanese version | Rōmaji translation | English version | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tsuki au shika nee yona | No choice but to stick with us, eh? | Keith Martin, telling Catherine Ricci that with the aircraft and helicopter destroyed, they have no option but to swim to the island that Luke saw |
Trivia[]
- In Time Crisis II, Keith and Robert, unlike most of the V.S.S.E. teams, worked together without supporters, making them the army of two.
- Keith and Robert were the first agents to be seen shooting while driving a military boat in Time Crisis II. However, the driving is not directly done by the player.
- Keith appears as the only playable character in Crisis Mission.
- Keith's name is only mentioned by Robert Baxter, but does not appear in Time Crisis 5 until the True Mastermind Edition is released and revealed.
- Keith's full name is based on the late African-American singer, Keith Martin.
- Keith's last name is subsequently shared with Sarah Martin. As in the case of William Rush's relation with Nate Rush, it is not known whether the two are related.
- Keith is the first V.S.S.E. agent to sport an eyepatch and is the second character in the Time Crisis series specifically in Time Crisis 5 to do so. The first is Frank Mathers from Time Crisis 4.
- Keith was programmed to help the players out as the rookie agents' direct officer, gameplay wise. He will sometimes tell the player to pick up the pace, aim for the head, not get too close, and focus on certain targets, just to name a few. However, in the final battle against Robert, he can only tell them to focus on shooting Robert and not the robot because shooting at it does no damage.
- Keith, Robert and Christy were similar to SNK's Art of Fighting (Fist of the Dragon and Tiger (
龍 虎 の拳 Ryuu'ko no Ken) in Japan) protagonists, particularly Ryou Sakazaki, Robert Garcia and Yuri Sakazaki respectively. But after Robert's treason, Keith and Christy remained the Ryo and Yuri while Robert eventually became the Fatal Fury (Legend of the Hungry Wolf (餓 狼 伝 説 Garou Densetsu) in Japan) Geese Howard of Time Crisis. This also makes Keith a Terry Bogard/Rock Howard of Time Crisis, while Christy is a female Jeff Bogard of Time Crisis. - Keith's hairstyle in Time Crisis 5 resembles Ken Masters in his previous appearance in the Street Fighter main game series. Also, his appearance in said game resembles Raiden, a character from the Metal Gear series and Metal Gear Rising: Revengence (it is noted that though Metal Gear Rising: Revengence was released before Time Crisis 5, Keith as a character existed before Raiden as Metal Gear Solid 2 was first released in November 2001, three years after Time Crisis II initial release). This is because they have blonde hair and blue eyes, started as shooters (Raiden in Metal Gear Solid 2) but became ninjas in later installations (Raiden in Metal Gear Solid 4 and Metal Gear Rising: Revengence), lost their left eye in one of the games (Raiden lost his during the prologue in Metal Gear Rising: Revengence) and their katanas are broken at some point in their game (Keith after he is defeated, Raiden during his fight against Senator Armstrong).
- As a boss character in Time Crisis 5, Keith's fighting style is Ninjutsu where he clashes with Robert in a sword fight using his katana and throwing shurikens to his opponents along with a smoke grenade. He also utilizes Kenjutsu where he slashes his opponent with a single katana in flames and Taijutsu when he knocks Robert with a roundhouse kick.
- His boss battle between the V.S.S.E. rookie agents is similar to the one-on-one battle between him and Richard Miller in the Time Crisis II final crisis mission. The way he shoots his gun and runs in a quick pace is similar to Richard's movements during the Crisis Mission. In Keith's case, he can also threw shurikens or smoke grenades as well as slashing his opponent with his katana. When he is defeated by the rookie agents, it is also the same as how he defeated Richard in the Crisis Mission with both men alive.
- Interestingly, Keith is also similar to Richard in that both are framed for criminal acts (Richard in Time Crisis: Project Titan) and successfully proved their innocence.
- His boss battle between the V.S.S.E. rookie agents is similar to the one-on-one battle between him and Richard Miller in the Time Crisis II final crisis mission. The way he shoots his gun and runs in a quick pace is similar to Richard's movements during the Crisis Mission. In Keith's case, he can also threw shurikens or smoke grenades as well as slashing his opponent with his katana. When he is defeated by the rookie agents, it is also the same as how he defeated Richard in the Crisis Mission with both men alive.
Voice Actor Connection[]
- Keith's Japanese voice actor for Time Crisis 5 (Hideo Ishikawa) previously voiced Blizzard Wolfang and Rainy Turtloid from Megaman X6 (Rockman X6 (ロックマン
X 6 Rokkuman Ekkusu Shikkusu) in Japan); Auron[6] from Final Fantasy X, Squall Leonhart from Final Fantasy VIII (Squall was first voiced in Kingdom Hearts which was initially released on 28 March 2002 whereas Final Fantasy X was initally released on 19 July 2001), Juushirou Ukitake from Bleach, and Daisaku Minami from Yakuza 4 (Like a Dragon 4: Heirs to the Legend (龍 が如 く4 伝 説 を継 ぐもの Ryuu Ga Gotoku Fō Densetsu wo Tsugumono) in Japan). In addition, Keith's appearance in Time Crisis 5, in addition to the abovementioned Raiden, resembles Blizzard Wolfang because they share the same voice actor and both are framed for criminal acts (in Blizzard Wolfang's case, he was accused by researchers who opposed Gate that he went Maverick (Irregular (イレギュラー Iregyurā) in Japan) himself and was responsible for the killings of his team members when the truth was the entire reseach team was attacked by Mavericks instead). The difference is that Blizzard Wolfang was disposed by Alia (who was deceived in doing so) but eventually revived by Gate. Keith Martin survived to expose the real V.S.S.E. traitor. His English voice actor (Charles Glover) previously voiced Andre Richardson from Yakuza 3 (Like a Dragon 3 (龍 が如 く3 Ryuu Ga Gotoku Surī) in Japan) and had a voicing role in Dark Escape 4D.[7]
Gallery[]
.png "Keith Martin in attract mode (arcade version).png (499 KB)")
.png "Keith Martin and Robert Baxter in the attract mode (arcade version).png (614 KB)")
.png "Keith Martin and Robert Baxter after shooting enemy soldiers at hotel (arcade version).png (765 KB)")
.png "Keith Martin decrypting data from attache case (arcade version).png (667 KB)")
.png "Keith Martin and Robert Baxter observing train yard (arcade version).png (849 KB)")
.png "Keith Martin and Robert Baxter run away from falling train (arcade version).png (574 KB)")
.png "Keith Martin and Robert Baxter grabbing a ledge from the destroyed bridge (arcade version).png (819 KB)")
.png "Keith Martin and Robert Baxter commandeering a helicopter (arcade version).png (369 KB)")
.png "Keith Martin and Robert Baxter bailing out from helicopter (arcade version).png (387 KB)")
.png "Keith Martin and Robert Baxter pulling in Christy Ryan (arcade version).png (606 KB)")
.png "Keith Martin and Robert Baxter in the water (arcade version).png (348 KB)")
.png "Right side of VSSE helicopter in Time Crisis II (arcade version).png (562 KB)")
.png "Keith Martin in attract mode (PS2 version).png (765 KB)")
.png "Keith Martin and Robert Baxter in the attract mode (PS2 version).png (839 KB)")
.png "Keith Martin and Robert Baxter after shooting enemy soldiers at hotel (PS2 version).png (1,000 KB)")
.png "Keith Martin decrypting data from attache case (PS2 version).png (686 KB)")
.png "Keith Martin and Robert Baxter observing train yard (PS2 version).png (1.25 MB)")
.png "Keith Martin and Robert Baxter run away from falling train (PS2 version).png (905 KB)")
.png "Keith Martin and Robert Baxter grabbing a ledge from the destroyed bridge (PS2 version).png (1.01 MB)")
.png "Keith Martin and Robert Baxter commandeering a helicopter (PS2 version).png (699 KB)")
.png "Keith Martin and Robert Baxter bailing out from helicopter (PS2 version).png (190 KB)")
.png "Keith Martin and Robert Baxter pulling in Christy Ryan (PS2 version).png (422 KB)")
.png "Keith Martin and Robert Baxter in the water (PS2 version).png (211 KB)")
.png "Right side of VSSE helicopter in Time Crisis II (PS2 version).png (907 KB)")
Music Themes[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Time Crisis II official site, Keith Martin official profile (Japanese)
- ↑ Time Crisis 5 credits, Japanese voice actors
- ↑ Time Crisis 5 credits, English voice actors
- ↑ Time Crisis II official site, base story
- ↑ Time Crisis II PlayStation 2 version, game rules
- ↑ Final Fantasy X Japanese credits, cast
- ↑ Dark Escape 4D credits, English voice recording
- ↑ ライブアライブ
近 未 来 編 credits, cast - ↑ Live A Live The Near Future credits, cast