Operative Daidalos
From Unofficial Handbook of the Virtue Universe
| File:Daidalos-group.jpg | |
| Operative Daidalos in the field | |
| Operative Daidalos | |
| Player: @zehntaur | |
| Origin: | Science |
|---|---|
| Archetype: | Mastermind |
| Threat Level: | 38 |
| Personal Data | |
| Real Name: | Roger Baltenko |
| Known Aliases: | Dai, Bal |
| Species: | Augmented human |
| Age: | 33 |
| Height: | 5'10" |
| Weight: | 180 lbs. |
| Eye Color: | White |
| Hair Color: | Black |
| Biographical Data | |
| Nationality: | American |
| Occupation: | Archaeologist |
| Place of Birth: | Reno, Nevada |
| Base of Operations: | Pinnacle BioMedical |
| Marital Status: | Single |
| Known Relatives: | Classified |
| Known Powers | |
| Psychokinetic Shields (Force Fields) | |
| Known Abilities | |
| Eidetic memory, telepathy, light ordnance, archaeology | |
| Equipment | |
| Assault rifle; PBM field research team carries (and kills) everything else | |
| Is a crazy psychic (Gavin said so). | |
For much of his life, Roger Baltenko thought he was merely clumsy. Knocking over things he reached for, bumping into out-of-the-way objects, things like that. This did not do wonders for his self-confidence. He served a tour of duty in the U.S. Army to help finance his college education, but also to attempt to garner a measure of agility from its rigorous physical training program. To an extent, he did fumble things less, though it still happened with a regularity ranging from amusing to irritating.
He did not let this stop him from tackling a program in archaeology; shortly before completing his dissertation on archaeometric techniques, a minor incident involving an empty planter, some loose ball bearings, and a frayed leash revealed to him that his supposed klutziness was actually the effect of random, uncontrolled manifestations of his mutant ability to alter the kinetic vector of solid objects. Thus enlightened, and better able to rein in if not actually control his power, Baltenko plowed ahead into a doctorate.
His research and fieldwork were largely unremarkable, at least until he began taking an interest in certain cultures whose records included hints of magical rituals. Applying the same archaeometric techniques outlined in his dissertation, Baltenko began to analyze and replicate these rituals, trying to find a scientific explanation for the effects said to be catalyzed by magic.
Amid these investigations, he had need to turn to an old mentor, Dr. Neil Gavin; who, upon learning that Baltenko was also investigating methods to control his mutant ability, offered him a partnership in his company, Pinnacle BioMedical. Under the research firm's aegis, Baltenko not only received funding and assistance for his research, but also underwent a highly experimental surgical procedure that essentially turned him into an organic computer, thus allowing him to refine and focus his kinetic control to such a degree that he was able to craft stable, directed fields of force at will. The fact that this procedure left his face severely scarred does not seem to bother him; this itself is cause for concern among some of the PBM staff.
Baltenko continues to work for PBM, and has assembled a small team of fellow field researchers with a variety of skills almost as eclectic as his own.
Baltenko's field research team members include:
- Bryan Lacheberd. Baltenko's general gofer, laid back but good with a rifle; rarely seen without his chum Zeestraten.
- Gregor Zeestraten. Lacheberd's co-gofer, buddy, or partner in crime, depending on what the two of them are up to — usually the latter.
- René D'Amacre, M.D. A quiet but competent field medic with great bedside manner, he patches up the team in case of rockslides, poison ivy, or return fire.
- Haumakapu`u 'Mac' Keolanui. He has a great sense of direction and is in charge of leading the team through trackless brush anyone else would get turned around in.
- Milo Terrebrood. An archivist and data analysis expert; he is in charge of running simulations on PBM's custom mainframe and troubleshooting the network.
- Enzo Vignatollini. Attached himself to Baltenko's team after meeting the archaeologist. Says he's there to keep off trespassers, but anyone can see that the trespassers he intends to keep off are as much intruders on a dig site as intruders on his developing romance with Baltenko. Fortunately, contenders from that direction are vanishingly few.
