EMPath
Open Character / Henchman
EMPath is a former Super who was originally named "Erwin Merkin". Erwin was one of those fascinated by Nicola Tesla. In his case, the phenomena of the Electro Magnetic Pulse. If you want an expert on EMP, he is it.
As a process of getting the biomod he wanted, you might think giant Tesla Coils and handwavium with a wide range of (computer-free) electrical goods dissolved in it might make sense. Erwin got what he wanted - he also permanently burned-out his higher brain functions. And, acquired an EMP aura that effected any medical or other hardware, particularly that which got really close-up and personal.
Dr. Asmodeus Grey had apparently been involved in his case, before he fell from grace. Erwin was one of the things he took with him when he fled. Later, surgery implanted an AI link, which drove Erwin and created 'EMPath'. One of EMPath's problems was that he couldn't afford to get too close to his AI core without risking burning-out his own brain [1].
EMPath spent a while working with a Boskone raiding party, preying on shipping in the Asteroid Belt. This ended with his raiding party being captured, and turned-over to the Kandor Police. The bobby-trapped bomb found attached to his AI core enabled him to claim that he'd been coerced, and he cooperated in ensuring the success of a covert mission to his previous base. The Kandor police [2] decided not to press charges - a clean record for a few years and they'll likely close his case.
EMPath now owns a heavily-shielded R2 astro-navigation unit, in which is installed his AI core, so that post-Boskone mobility is far less of a problem [3]. While exploring his other employment possibilities, he did private work for the Kandor Police. He's been known to work as a bounty hunter, and in heavy electrical engineering [4].
Appearance and Personality
EMPath is an average-build human male, about 6' tall, Caucasian, in his late 20s (in 2012), with black hair and green eyes (which glow blue when he's actively using his EMP talent). His black hair has a white, vaguely lightning-shaped, streak, which he dyes when he wants to be inconspicuous. In certain lighting, particularly red emergency lights, he has a visible but faint aura [5].
Given a choice he is reasonably easy-going, on just about anything except for the subject of EMP, which he studies with a fanatical intensity. By character he is a follower rather than a leader, but he will look for work that enables him to use and improve his talent for EMP. He seems to like cat girls, and may well end up in a long-term relationship with one.
Notable Mundane Attributes
- brilliant electrical and electronic engineer, specialising in EMP
- encyclopedic knowledge of Nicola Tesla
- competent mechanical and chemical engineer (and vehicle mechanic)
- competent physicist, specialising in electromagnetism
- adequate pilot and navigator of small space craft
- adequate security specialist, particularly manual and electronic locks; some hacking skills
'Wavium Abilities
- EMP aura
- EM sensing and 'talent'
- immune to injury from EMP and almost all electricity
- regeneration, at least good enough to repair spinal injuries in days (but lost limbs would take months)
- not obviously aging
Wears specially engineered forearm guards which enable him to focus his EMP abilities so they work at range, and tune them so they work more effectively on different varieties of equipment - this way he can wreck all but the most carefully shielded electronics at several metres range (usually in a visibly spectacular, but not directly harmful, way). Given shielded gloves (like his spacesuit ones) can very effectively operate electrical and electronic equipment, particularly EMP weapons, of almost any variety as he has an instinctive 'feel' for them. He can also often spot faults in electrical and electronic machinery by changes in their electromagnetic radiation patterns.
Quirks
- can't turn off his EMP aura; wrecks most electronics firmly touched
- regeneration rejects medical repair of his (original) brain injuries
- has difficulty learning new manual skills, such as zero-G maneuvering (biostasis - takes x7 time)
- AI core 'brain' could be killed by EMP (R2 unit partially protects from this)
- body can't be interfaced to more than about 50mls from AI core
Can't wear a spacesuit which relies on more than the simplest electronics, and that needs to be very carefully shielded. Also can't use, within his aura, anything except for highly specialised heavily shielded electronic devices; no personal forcefields, no communicators (but see AI link), no health monitors, nothing.
While most AIs can have multiple remotes, EMPath's AI core is 'blood bound' to his living body. This means that his living body isn't really replaceable. This in some respects affects his psychology, as he believes he is his body, and tends to forget the R2 unit, which contains his AI core, might be capable of doing useful things, unless reminded.
Faction
Known Associates
A cat girl, if he's lucky. Kandor Police. After the Boskone War, Janet Arthurkin.
Preferred Transport
The Blue Wave, an electromagnetically powered and operated ultra-class haul truck, typically loaded-up with his lab-workshop, equipped with battleship-grade force fields, full gravitic shielding, and his latest set of experimental EMP weapons. Notably this has an acceleration, not a speed, drive, and is entirely capable of driving over lesser vehicles (even in space, where this doesn't really make sense).
Trivia
He really likes cats, as well as cat girls, and might wear "Hello Kitty" undershorts.
Stories
Notes
- ↑ Boskone used this issue to make it quite clear he'd no chance of changing employ
- ↑ who pride themselves on their fairness
- ↑ gives him use of some pretty good communications systems, via his AI link, as long as he doesn't get too close to it
- ↑ at some point he makes enough money, or earns a big enough favour, to acquire and outfit the Blue Wave, an ultra-class haul truck
- ↑ some might think this is a force field
