Post by Curtis Metcalf on Mar 30, 2021 9:42:43 GMT -5
Subject Facts
Full Name: Curtis Metcalf
Codename: Hardware
Age: 33
Gender: Male
Archetype: Vigilante
Aliases:
Marital Status: Single
Affiliation: Shadow Cabinet, Hard Company
Subject Attributes
Meta-Human Abilities:
N/A
Standard Abilities:
Genius Level Intellect: Curtis Metcalf is one of the most brilliant scientific minds on the planet. He has created breakthroughs in metallurgy, computer science, nanotechnology, and plasma weapons. Curtis is also Earth's foremost expert on Cooperative technology having studied and reverse engineered devices aboard Icon's lifepod. He earned his college degree at 15. And then earned 14 more.
- Mechanical Aptitude
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Computer Hacking
Paraphernalia:
The Hardware - All of Curtis Metcalf's "superhuman" abilities derive from a sophisticated suit of armor called the Hardware that consists of two parts:
Shell: The basic armor is a plasticized metal alloy of Curtis' own design. Using a device called the Shell Forge, Hardware coats his body from head to toe with this material. Once polarized, the shell serves as a skintight, impact-resistant foundation upon which his external armor rests. Though not bulletproof, the shell is highly bullet resistant and can easily shrug off small caliber gunfire. Also, the shell somehow enhances Curtis' physical strength to nearly superhuman levels. One drawback to the basic armor is that Curtis cannot eat or drink while wearing it.
External Armor: A battery-powered external armor that is composed of a highly durable, non-conductive metal alloy. The external systems of Hardware's armor were applied by nano-robots, stored within the nano-robot housing pods in his helmet and shoulder pads. These systems are constructed by nano-robots, microscopic machines that are released via main control systems in the helmet. The external armor is powered by high efficiency batteries called power packs installed in the shoulder pads.
- Helmet: Hardware's helmet includes wide-range spectral scanning capabilities that enabled him to see in wavelengths ranging from infrared to ultraviolet as well as granting him telescopic vision. This unit is fully integrated into the tracking and target sub-system that beamed a sighting crosshair onto Hardware's right eye. The target sub-system determines target acquisition by following Hardware's eye movements and then fires on verbal command
- DOBIE (Digital On-Board Integrated Electronics): DOBIE is a CPU that controls many of the on-board functions of the Hardware armor. DOBIE can accept both visual and verbal input. Curtis used a new Artificial Intelligence Architecture to design DOBIE's Operating System. Thus, DOBIE can swiftly process huge amounts of data stored in its databanks or from external sources. By using its Expert System Architecture, DOBIE can also learn as it goes and automatically upgrade its operating system as necessary. Originally, Hardware wore DOBIE on the left side of his belt. However, to better protect DOBIE from physical damage, Curtis hid it in a compartment in his right gauntlet. In the event of an electromagnetic pulse attack, DOBIE can reboot in minutes.
- Speech synthesizer: Housed in the chin guard of Hardware's helmet is his speech synthesizer which gives him his unique and chilling voice. The synthesizer also enables him to reproduce other voices, which is useful for undercover missions. The synthesizer can also translate foreign languages thanks to a built-in Omni-Linguistic Communicator (OmLinC). Reverse engineered by Hardware from the communicator on Icon's crashpod, the OmLinC can analyze and translate any unfamiliar language, human or alien, in seconds. This marks a vast improvement over the original speech synthesizer that could only translate languages stored in DOBIE's databanks.
- Self-repair Function: The aforementioned nano-robots replicate themselves into pre-programmed forms. When released from their pods, the robots begin rapidly constructing Hardware's external armor from the shoulder pads down. Hence, he can don his armor in seconds instead of minutes as was the case with the Version 1.0 suit. Once empty, the nano-robot pods can be used by Hardware for other storage. Hardware's external armor is highly resistant to damage. If the armor is breached, the nano-robots composing it are programmed to replicate themselves to repair the damage.
- Active Camouflage: Hardware can also command the nano-robots to assume new configurations, which are stored as templates in DOBIE's databanks. As a result, Hardware's armor can adapt to a wide variety of missions. The "Camouflage Program" template changes the armor's color so Hardware can blend in with his surroundings. Other templates enable Hardware to safely operate in hostile environments ranging from the ocean floor ("Deep Sea Armor" mode) to the depths of outer space ("Space Environment Armor" mode).
- Life Support Systems: Besides the external armor itself, the nano-robots construct the suit's life support systems including temperature regulators and an internal air supply that activates when the armor is sealed for underwater or deep space travel. The armor is equipped with defense mechanisms to repel anyone who tries to remove it; Hardware has said these defenses can harm even beings as powerful as Blue Beetle. Among these defenses is a high voltage electric charge generated by the armor's surface.
Jet-Pack: Twin back-pack mounted turbine engines that enable him to fly.
Weapons Systems:Omnicannon: This forearm mounted cannon fires a blast of compressed air capable of knocking down an opponent at a distance of 12 feet. However, these air blasts are primarily intended to propel special cartridges or "shells" of Curtis's design that create various effects.
- Stun: This shell creates a blinding flash of light and a deafening popping sound.
- Explosive/Incendiary: A high explosive charge coupled with a blast of heat.
- Octanitrocubane: A variant on the standard Explosive shell loaded with octanitrocubane, Earth's most powerful non-nuclear explosive. Hardware uses this shell to breach heavily fortified enemy strongholds.
- Tear Gas: A custom made tear gas engineered not to penetrate Hardware's armored shell.
- Armor Piercing Discarding Sabot: The outer shell tears away to reveal a solid sharpened rod of depleted uranium.
- Nanoacid: The shell contains a swarm of nano-robots held in suspension. On impact, the shell breaks opens and releases the nano-robots, which begin consuming any nearby metal, such as high-tech battlesuits. Thus, the nanoacid shell is an effective, non-lethal means for Hardware to neutralize armored opponents.
- Flame Retardant
- HEAP (High Explosive Armor Piercing): A shaped explosive charge with a specially hardened penetrating tip.
- Flechette: This shell's casing tears away to release dozens of tiny razor-sharp darts. Sometimes, Hardware will coat these darts with a fast-acting anesthetic drug.
- Bolo: A nylon-corded steel ball bolo breaks free of the shell casing to entangle opponents.
- Knockout Gas: A custom-made chemical gas compound engineered not to penetrate Hardware's shell. The gas knocks out anyone who comes in contact with it for several minutes.[
- Neural Net: A shell that releases a cohesive electrical field that painfully disrupts the nervous system of anyone it touches. The field paralyzes its victim completely for four minutes, at which point it dissipates. However, the average human will require another 20 minutes to fully recover from the paralysis.
- Complex Polymer: A powerful custom-made adhesive that sticks to and immobilizes an opponent.
- Cryonic: This shell generates intense cold to place an opponent in suspended animation.
Energy Field: Worn on his forearm, this device creates an energy barrier that protects Hardware from incoming fire. The field can withstand armor-piercing bullets, energy blasts, and even small explosions at close range. Despite this, the field is not indestructible; sustained heavy weapons fire will cause the field to lose power and eventually collapse.
Plasma Whip: Hardware's whip is perhaps his most versatile weapon, which he can employ offensively, as a grapple for climbing, and as an extended arm for grabbing. The whip is composed of magnetically conducted metal segments shielded with a non-magnetic housing. When a reverse magnetic charge is applied to the collapsed segments, magnetic repulsion instantly extends the whip and keeps it rigid. The whip is 15 feet in length when fully extended. By reversing the polarity of the magnetic charge, the segments collapse to a mere 10 inches due to magnetic attraction. When not in use, the whip is carried in a holster on the right side of Hardware's belt.
PLASER: The Plasma Laser is a shoulder-mounted device that is easily the most devastating weapon in Hardware's arsenal. When activated, the Plaser creates a fist-sized globule of super-heated plasma that is trapped in a magnetic bottle and then propelled to its target via a high-intensity laser beam. Upon striking matter of sufficient density, the magnetic bottle ruptures and releases the plasma, which causes the target's temperature to increase by 10,000 degrees F in under 0.1 seconds. Most targets are effectively vaporized by the Plaser's blast.
Retractable Sword: The retractable sword consists of four magnetized blade segments of varying length. When a reverse magnetic charge is applied to the segments, magnetic repulsion pushes the segments from their housing. The sword's full length is 30 inches when extended.By altering the the charge's polarity, the segments are retracted into their housing. The sword has double edges that are kept razor sharp by an automatic sharpening mechanism that edges the blades every time they retract.
Fluid Gun: This weapon shoots streams of various liquids under high pressure to impair the movement of opponents. Typically, the gun is loaded with Hardware shell alloy in a fluid state. When polarized and applied to the ground, the liquid metal will adhere to and immobilize anyone who steps in it. The shell fluid can only be removed if it is depolarized with the proper electrical charge.
Flow Gun: One of Hardware's more unique weapons, this handgun is constructed by specially programmed nano-assemblers stored in the pods in his armor's shoulder pads. When activated, the nano-assemblers leave their pods, travel down Hardware's arm, and assemble the flow gun in his hand. This process occurs so quickly that the nano-assemblers look like silvery liquid flowing down his arm, hence the name of the weapon. Hardware loads the flow gun with non-lethal ammunition like stun pellets.
Holographic Projection System: This device projects convincing holographic copies of Hardware that he can use to distract or confuse opponents. He can also reconfigure the holographic system to project DOBIE's computer displays.
Inertia Winder: The inertia winder is a device of Cooperative origin that can absorb and store kinetic energy. Two of these devices are known to exist on Earth; the other is built into Rocket's belt buckle. Curtis installed the winder into his own belt buckle. There it offset the armor's weight as well as much of his own weight. Hence, Hardware can move with unusual dexterity and agility as well move quietly in the bulky suit.
Sonic Drill: This shoulder mounted device creates a focused beam of powerful sonic pulses that enables Hardware to bore through solid rock. By increasing the width of the drill's sonic beam, he can use it as a non-lethal weapon to harmlessly stun living opponents.
Other weapons: Other weapons Hardware uses less frequently include tasers, timed explosives, shoulder-mounted tranquilizer dart launchers, a liquid oxygen-fueled flamethrower, a micro-rocket (a small rocket that attaches to an opponent's back and then launches him helplessly into the air), a remote-controlled thruster unit (a miniature jet thruster that latches onto a fleeing vehicle and causes it to spin wildly out of control), a rocket pistol (that shoots explosive mini-missiles), a kusarigama, a high-powered laser pen (that temporarily blinds opponents), a neural net cannon (that produce effects like the Omnicannon's neural net shells), a machine gun that fires explosive bullets, a "nova burst" (an extremely powerful energy beam weapon), his Version 4.0 armor (a robotic battle armor that Curtis could control from miles away via a telepresence rig), a power source shield (that protects his armor from energy-draining weaponry), and a field of ultracool atoms that can trap and immobilize energy beings like Doctor Light.
Plasma Whip: Hardware's whip is perhaps his most versatile weapon, which he can employ offensively, as a grapple for climbing, and as an extended arm for grabbing. The whip is composed of magnetically conducted metal segments shielded with a non-magnetic housing. When a reverse magnetic charge is applied to the collapsed segments, magnetic repulsion instantly extends the whip and keeps it rigid. The whip is 15 feet in length when fully extended. By reversing the polarity of the magnetic charge, the segments collapse to a mere 10 inches due to magnetic attraction. When not in use, the whip is carried in a holster on the right side of Hardware's belt.
PLASER: The Plasma Laser is a shoulder-mounted device that is easily the most devastating weapon in Hardware's arsenal. When activated, the Plaser creates a fist-sized globule of super-heated plasma that is trapped in a magnetic bottle and then propelled to its target via a high-intensity laser beam. Upon striking matter of sufficient density, the magnetic bottle ruptures and releases the plasma, which causes the target's temperature to increase by 10,000 degrees F in under 0.1 seconds. Most targets are effectively vaporized by the Plaser's blast.
Retractable Sword: The retractable sword consists of four magnetized blade segments of varying length. When a reverse magnetic charge is applied to the segments, magnetic repulsion pushes the segments from their housing. The sword's full length is 30 inches when extended.By altering the the charge's polarity, the segments are retracted into their housing. The sword has double edges that are kept razor sharp by an automatic sharpening mechanism that edges the blades every time they retract.
Fluid Gun: This weapon shoots streams of various liquids under high pressure to impair the movement of opponents. Typically, the gun is loaded with Hardware shell alloy in a fluid state. When polarized and applied to the ground, the liquid metal will adhere to and immobilize anyone who steps in it. The shell fluid can only be removed if it is depolarized with the proper electrical charge.
Flow Gun: One of Hardware's more unique weapons, this handgun is constructed by specially programmed nano-assemblers stored in the pods in his armor's shoulder pads. When activated, the nano-assemblers leave their pods, travel down Hardware's arm, and assemble the flow gun in his hand. This process occurs so quickly that the nano-assemblers look like silvery liquid flowing down his arm, hence the name of the weapon. Hardware loads the flow gun with non-lethal ammunition like stun pellets.
Holographic Projection System: This device projects convincing holographic copies of Hardware that he can use to distract or confuse opponents. He can also reconfigure the holographic system to project DOBIE's computer displays.
Inertia Winder: The inertia winder is a device of Cooperative origin that can absorb and store kinetic energy. Two of these devices are known to exist on Earth; the other is built into Rocket's belt buckle. Curtis installed the winder into his own belt buckle. There it offset the armor's weight as well as much of his own weight. Hence, Hardware can move with unusual dexterity and agility as well move quietly in the bulky suit.
Sonic Drill: This shoulder mounted device creates a focused beam of powerful sonic pulses that enables Hardware to bore through solid rock. By increasing the width of the drill's sonic beam, he can use it as a non-lethal weapon to harmlessly stun living opponents.
Other weapons: Other weapons Hardware uses less frequently include tasers, timed explosives, shoulder-mounted tranquilizer dart launchers, a liquid oxygen-fueled flamethrower, a micro-rocket (a small rocket that attaches to an opponent's back and then launches him helplessly into the air), a remote-controlled thruster unit (a miniature jet thruster that latches onto a fleeing vehicle and causes it to spin wildly out of control), a rocket pistol (that shoots explosive mini-missiles), a kusarigama, a high-powered laser pen (that temporarily blinds opponents), a neural net cannon (that produce effects like the Omnicannon's neural net shells), a machine gun that fires explosive bullets, a "nova burst" (an extremely powerful energy beam weapon), his Version 4.0 armor (a robotic battle armor that Curtis could control from miles away via a telepresence rig), a power source shield (that protects his armor from energy-draining weaponry), and a field of ultracool atoms that can trap and immobilize energy beings like Doctor Light.
Subject Weaknesses:
Rage: Hardware is a bad team player and is quick to anger. He's very hotheaded and can launch into a fury rather quickly.
Shell: The shell Curtis coats himself in beneath his secondary armor part prevents him from eating or drinking.
Human: The suit protects Hardware well but he is in no way invulnerable.
Subject History
Curtis Metcalf was a child prodigy from a working class neighborhood, born to Mitchell and Denise Metcalf. At age twelve, famous inventor Edwin Alva took notice of his gifts and developed a personal interest in him. Alva paid his way through the top schools in the country, Curt graduated from high school at age fourteen, and got his first college degree at fifteen. After completing his education on scholarship, the only requirement was that he would come to work at Alva Technologies, where he was given an enormous salary, his own staff, and the freedom to work on anything he wanted. This paid off, and his inventions made millions of dollars for the company. Throughout his life, he considered Alva to be the closest thing he had to a friend, and more of a father than his own dad had ever been. Believing he should receive a higher share of the profits he generated, Curtis asked Alva for a pay raise and found out what the old man really thought of him. Alva had absolutely no respect for Curtis as anything other than a useful servant, and regarded their relationship as dog and master.
Having this ugly reality thrown into his face, Curtis tried to quit and take his work with him but Alva quickly revealed to the inventor that he was constrained, by word of contract, to never work for a competitor. Feeling cornered and at the end of his rope Curtis instead turned to blackmailing his employer. Searching for a blight on Alva's record, he instead discovered that his boss was a complete monster who was also a major figure in the covert international crime network S.Y.S.T.E.M. After submitting the evidence he had found to the proper authorities, Curtis was completely ignored. The level of power and corruption Alva had achieved permeated the legal system, and made it impossible for him to be taken down by conventional means. If Curtis could not take the man down by conventional means then he would just have to go on and create his own means. That was exactly what Curtis did with his inventions and vast cache of technological advances.
Curtis created an advanced suit of armor that allowed him to fight against the criminal enterprises of his enemy by night, using the alter-ego Hardware. Alva struggled every night against the high-tech dreadnought, unaware that he was funding his own arch-nemesis, who operated out of his basement. From the beginning of his career, Hardware battled with all types of villains, most of whom were hired by Alva to kill him. From the body doubling assassin Reprise to the tech-inspired Technique, none of them could best the armored avenger. Hardware had quickly put Alva against the ropes and within months he had cost the man multiple millions and very nearly had dismantled his entire criminal empire. However, one day Edwin Alva discovered Hardware's true identity and appeared in his hideout. Alva's original rage turned into something else. Impressed by Curtis' tactical abilities and courage to stand up to him, Alva made him a stunning offer. In return for Hardware's protection and occasional help, Curtis would be made his second-in-command and thus this would allow him to dismantle Alva's criminal organization. Curtis accepted the deal, believing he could shut down the bad parts of Alva Industries and S.Y.S.T.E.M. easier this way, from the inside.
In the months that followed, Alva seemed to be living up to his end of the bargain, divesting from his criminal operations and training Curtis in the intricacies of running a multinational corporation. Deciding to go out with a bang, Alva decided to announce his retirement at the grand opening of Utopia Park. But when riots broke out, Alva decided to take the safety of Utopia Park into his own hands. Donning a new prototype armor, Alva sacrificed his life to save a group of people from being crushed.
Hardware was seen as an active member of the Shadow Cabinet and helping assist the Justice League of America against the threat of Starbreaker and Shadow Thief. He also built a special suit that restored the de-powered Kimiyo Hoshi as Dr. Light and later allied with Jaime Reyes (Blue Beetle) against S.Y.S.T.E.M.
Subject Interview
The bulky figure of Hardware flew through the sky aided by his jetpack, a short moment of flight before he was landing at the Kennedy Space Center. Though Curt had much respect for NASA he had no time to carefully enter through the front door, so instead a wall was blasted through via Omnicanons. \\DOBIE? Uplink to NASA security footage.// Hardware spoke to the computer of his suit, quietly making his way through the building as via WIFI his suit hijacked security footage and replayed it over a visor that dropped before the man's eyes.
Some nutcases had infiltrated the home turf of NASA and was now threatening to drop a few satellites if their demands weren't met. They had to be smoking something if they thought they'd get away with this. Oddly Hardware had just been musing to himself about the absence of any guards when he rounded a corner and came face to face with a few armed thugs. "Its Hardware! Light 'im up!" It was like they never learned. //Yeah, because you're the first to ever try that//
*Expandable whip: SELECTED* DOBIE reacted to the thought process of the armored man, preparing the next weapon he needed. The long chain-like whip unravelled itself and dropped to the ground as the men prepared their guns to fire. *Plasma whip: DEPLOYED* With a mighty heave of his arm Hardward lashed at the men with high energy plasma. //The first wave's always easiest//
Thanks to DOBIE Hardware was able to creep around the Space Center without running into anymore goons that would possibly prove to give him trouble. The head of their operation was seated comfortably at the NASA command center. The moment the door of the room was knocked off its hinges a dark net went flying toward the thugs held up inside. *Nueral Net: DEPLOYED* An omnious glow over took the net as the men shouted out in agony, their nervous systems being assaulted by Hardware's tech. //Are you going to give me any trouble?// He questioned the hacker sitting at the chair before the command controls over the satellites, his wrist-mounted cannon pointed square at the man's face. There was, of course, no trouble to follow.
Author's Notes
Player Alias: Shade
Other Characters: Joker, Kal, Sideways, Red Lion
How did you find ARFD?: ARFD found me.
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