Longbore
From Unofficial Handbook of the Virtue Universe
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| Art by Juggertha | |
| Longbore | |
| Player: @longbore | |
| Origin: | Tech |
|---|---|
| Archetype: | Blaster |
| Security Level: | 50 |
| Personal Data | |
| Real Name: | Mark Castell |
| Known Aliases: | None presently known |
| Species: | Human |
| Age: | Confidential |
| Height: | 6"1" |
| Weight: | 225 lbs |
| Eye Color: | Unknown |
| Hair Color: | Brown |
| Biographical Data | |
| Nationality: | Canadian |
| Occupation: | Hero / Nano-suit Test Pilot for the Canadian Government |
| Place of Birth: | Unknown |
| Base of Operations: | Unknown |
| Marital Status: | Unmarried |
| Known Relatives: | Unknown |
| Known Powers | |
| Nanites including three Axial Nanites embedded in spinal cord and brain / Nano-infused Nano battle suit | |
| Known Abilities | |
| See below | |
| Equipment | |
| See below | |
| No additional information available. | |
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Contents |
Affiliations
Supergroup: The Canadian Shield
Required knowledge of Rikti Nanite Technology
To fully understand what Longbore can do, and how he does it, requires a basic understanding and history of Rikti Nanite technology
This history begins after the Rikti were finally defeated and the cleanup process began. Defeated Rikti, most often, were destroyed utterly. Either on the spot or taken to specially designed refuse centers, where the bodies were incinerated and their gear dissected for study. Some scientists were very vocal against the destruction of so many Rikti corpses. They argued that they needed to be studied carefully so that we could get as much information about a common enemy. Although they were met with stiff opposition, a few politicians, and countries, heeded their pleas and secreted a few away for biological study and dissection. Even though most of these tests were done in secret, word leaked out about some of the discoveries and soon the tests were brought in from the shadows. Many things were discovered about the Rikti; some good, and some not so good. One of the key discoveries was found by a group of scientists operating in a remote sector of the Canadian tundra. Many of the Rikti who landed in some of Earth's harshest climates, either freezing cold or oppressive heat, seemed different.
The scientists soon published their findings and the news was amazing. While dissecting the brain matter and nervous systems of certain Rikti soldiers, they found what seemed to be small biological organisms. After a great deal of testing they soon found that the organisms were anything but. At first they seemed to be nanorobots; simple machines that operated at a molecular level. The scientists quickly named them Nanites and interest grew at an alarming rate. They continued to release their findings along with other scientists in different countries. After months of intensive studying, testing, and experimentation, they concluded that the nanites were even more complex that they had first thought.
The most intricate Nanite's were always embedded in a central location, usually the spinal column or the brain itself. Nanite's with lesser degrees of sophistication were found throughout the body. Some were capable of carrying out varied tasks, while others were used for only one specific purpose and were incapable of doing anything else. All of the Nanites share the same shape, that of a pyramid. Once this was uncovered many theories exploded within the scientific community, the primary one being the Rikti created the Pyramids of Egypt. So far this theory has never been proven. The sizes between the different types are distinct, but the differences are marginal. They also found that almost all of the Nanite's produce heat. The amount of heat produced depends largely upon their complexity, but other factors include the proximity to certain areas of the body, it's degree of autonomy, and the task it is currently performing. Early tests were quite disastrous, mainly because the heat would often kill the host if not abated somehow. This would explain a lot of the Rikti suits; they were partially designed to disperse and expend the heat the Nanite's produced.
It was also revealed that only a certain amount of each Nanites can exist in each host. Only a maximum of two Axial Nanites in any Rikti were ever found. Findings point to the complexity of Nanites is inversely proportional to the amount that can be in any given host. However, once tests were started on human hosts it was found that the host itself also determined the maximum number amount of a given Nanite that could in the body. Some test subjects could safely host two Axials plus a host of lesser Nanites, yet others could only allow a few Cog Nanites to remain. It has yet to be determined what factors determine Nanite numbers, but some of the most extreme theories state that the Nanites are somewhat intelligent and they can either choose or reject their host.
Like many organ transplants, Nanites can either be accepted or rejected by the hosts body after initial insertion. Early tests on humans resulted in many dead hosts and Nanites. The tests were soon stopped until a rapid extraction method could be devised in cases where the host rejected the Nanite, or vice versa. Ironically the Cog Nanites provided the best way to insert and extract the more intricate Nanites. Obviously anyone who rejected even a single Cog-Nanite could not be a host to any of the greater Nanites.
The abilities of Nanites vary greatly, but they all seem to act to the hosts best interests. If the host starts to suffer from a common cold, the Nanites aid the bodies immune system and in most cases a cold virus is eliminated before the host is even aware of it. Physical fitness levels always increase after infusion, usually tied to the amount of Axial Nanites present. It is assumed the Axial Nanites have a high degree of self preservation, and a fit host has a better chance of defending itself. If the host is physically active the Nanites enhance the results of the activity, increasing oxygen and fuel to the muscles and tissues in use. They also dull the pain sensors in time of danger and/or stress, and many others.
With these findings the Nanites were classified and separated into different categories:
Axial-Nanite
Of all the Nanites, these are the most complex. They have the data processing power of several super computers and are even capable of creating lesser Nanites**. These are always found in the brain itself, or in rare cases at the base of the skull in the stem of the Spinal Column. It is theorized it is because they need direct contact with the operating center of the host, and tests seem to confirm this theory. The largest of all the Nanites, these seem to be the control centers for the others. In fact, many of the Cog-Nanite's will not even function without an Axial present in the host. Strangely enough the Axials do not produce the most heat, that distinction belongs to the Sub-Nanites. Unlike all the Cog-Nanites and a few of the Sub-Nanites, if an Axial-Nanite is destroyed it cannot be repaired, duplicated, replicated or saved. It simply dissipates and is absorbed by the hosts body.
Needless to say these types of Nanites are the most valuable. Any found are immediately put into quarantine and kept under staggering defenses. In the beginning, countries shared nanites in hopes of countering the Rikti menace. But once the threat lessened somewhat each nation started to horde the more valuable Nanites since their value was so high. Early test subjects were only injected with one Axial, due in part to their value but also to the lack of RIAE (Rapid Insertion And Extraction) methods. As these methods became available more and more subjects had more than a single Axial inserted. Most hosts could only accept two of these at the most, but a few rare cases allowed three to be accepted. In all cases so far any attempt at having more than three Axials results in Nanite rejection. It is common knowledge that Axials control all of the other Nanites in each host, but it is for more efficient to have the Axials control the Sub-Nanites who control the Tri-Nanites, who in turn control the Duo-Nanites, and so on.
Axial-Nanites also do not physically touch any other Nanite, and little is known why. This explains why they produce such little heat, they are static and do not move. Early experiments to try and infuse other types of Nanites with this trait have all failed miserably, destroying both Nanites involved. Due to the value of Axial-Nanites the experiments were deemed foolish and stopped shortly after. Rumors exist that many private companies are still experimenting with infusion, but only the most lucrative companies could even try considering the extreme cost of even a single Axial-Nanite.
[**]Some scientists argue that the Axial Nanites actually create replicas of themselves with a lesser set of functions, while other scientists argue that they create completely new nanites. Since mankind has never figured out exactly how the nanites replicate the debates still ensues.
Sub Nanite
The Nanites usually assigned to specific areas of the body, not to be confused with certain tasks, are called Sub-Nanites. These Sub-Nanites control those Nanites beneath them, and interestingly, they are usually more proficient at this task than Axials. However, they only command the Nanites that are in their sphere of control, whereas the Axials can command any Nanite directly. Although rare, they can also be in control of more than one area at a time, but when doing so they lose a significant of their effectiveness, yet still remain an important part of the Nanite web. It is usually found that the more Axial-Nanites a host can support the greater amount of Sub-Nanites also increases, along with an increased chance that each area of control will be delegated to a single Sub-Nanite, thusly increasing its effectiveness.
Subs are in control of many areas including; the respiratory system, nervous system, pain receptors, musculature, vision, reflexes, cellular repair, and many more. They provide boosts of energy, pain management, higher reflexes, and can call for increased production of any type of Nanite. Several Sub-Nanites can behave similar to a single Axial in some hosts, but these cases are quite rare and the determining factor for this phenomenon is still unknown. The Sub-Nanites also generate the most heat of all the Nanites. This is thought to happen because of their semi-specific areas of control and direct contact with the lesser nanites.
Tri-Nanite
Tri-Nanites, like Sub-Nanites, are usually in command of more than one area at a time, but the amount of areas under their control is limited to three, hence the name Tri-Nanite. Like Sub-Nanites they are very effective at these tasks, and they are more effective at these tasks than the Subs and Axials. They also have physical contact with their commanding Nanites, but to a lesser degree. Their areas of control usually overlap to some degree. For example; a Tri-Nanite under the control of a vision Sub-Nanite would enhance the speed at which the eyes move, the opening or closing of the pupil, and the colours seen. Many times Tri-Nanites share spheres of influence with other Tri-Nanites, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of certain areas.
Duo-Nanite
Duo-Nanites behave almost exactly like Tri-Nanites except for a few important differences;
-Duo-Nanites can not only take the heat created by Nanite activity and carry it to the surface for dissipation, but they can also return into the body at sub temperatures to double the heat dissipation rate. In fact, in almost all hosts, there are a significant amount of Duo-Nanites that are solely in charge of heat dissipation in this manner.
-Unlike any of the other Nanites they can switch their roles, even on the fly. This allows for greater enhancement of certain areas if required and a greater degree of control for the Duo and Tri-Nanites.
-Duo-Nanites travel the greatest distances in the host. Mostly because the higher Nanites always controlling more then one area and the Cogs are usually limited to one area due to their solo purpose functionality.
-They are actually smaller than the Cog-Nanites, but not to a significant degree. Many scientists believe this is so that they can move faster over greater distances and not create much heat.
-They actually out-number the other Nanites, even the Cogs. This is also attributed to the fact that they travel the most and need greater numbers to be more productive.
Cog-Nanite
Cog-Nanites are sole purpose Nanites. They can only do tasks and receive commands relating to a single function. They are the most efficient at carrying out these tasks which explains why they are less numerous than Duo-Nanites and why they never move far from their designated area(s). They are the most easily replaced and when dissipated actually become fuel whihc the body can use instead of food.
They are also instrumental when inserting Axial-Nanites into the host. Before the Axial can be inserted the body is infused with millions of Cog-Nanites, who transport the Axial-Nanite to it's destination if it isn't rejected.
Side effects of Nanite infusion may include:
*Slight tracks created by Nanites in the bloodstream. The severity of discoloration depends mainly on the number of lesser Nanites present, their activity level, and the active level of heat dissipation.
*Dizziness and exhaustion if the host gets too close to very strong magnetic fields. The partial mineral makeup of the Nanites is believed to cause this.
*
Powers
Armor
Longbore's armour is actually two different suits, an exosuit of military grade scout armour and an Epidermal Nanosuit worn underneath. Details on both are listed below.
-Epidermal Nanosuit-
This suit is a gel based material infused with micro circuitry worn over bare skin. Early tests of Nanosuits showed that any material worn between the hosts skin and the suit caused a significant loss of Nanite effectiveness. Some governments went even further and tried to engineer a suit that would replace a subjects own skin, however, in almost all cases the subjects body rejected this false skin and death usually followed soon after. Due to this it has since been illegal to practice this method and any who try do so at their own risk.
Nanosuits have two main functions; to facilitate the distribution of Nanites from the body to the exosuit and the transfer of Nanite Neurotoxin to approved weaponry. It has a myriad of lesser functions, including; heat dissipation, protection against microchemistry weapons, distribution of liquid nourishment, and many others deemed classified by the military. Those that have been De-classified are listed below.
Nanite distribution:
Ever since the discovery of Nanites, a system that improved Nanite distribution to outer layers of clothing was sought. Early forms of Nanosuits were made of rubber or synthetic materials. Even though they were effective in increasing distribution levels the gains were slight and usually not worth the cost that was needed to manufacture the Nanosuit. French scientists, seeking a better footwear insole, accidentally discovered that Nanites moved through gel-like substances much faster than any other material. Other governments were contacted, and for a fee, the secret was out. Since the initial discovery there have been few changes to the formula, the most important a method in which to make the suit much more durable.
The microcircuitry that is infused within the suit is actually implanted by Nanites themselves. A single Axial Nanite that has been accepted into a host, yet before bonding has started, is temporarily removed from the host and transferred to a special mold made from the subjects body. Once there, the gel base and the necessary metals for the circuitry are inserted. After it has been determined that the Nanite will not reject the gel and/or metals, a top secret software program is used to enable the Axial Nanite to form the circuitry inside the gel suit. Once complete, the Axial Nanite is then removed and inserted back into the host body where it then finishes bonding.
The suit is, logically, a one of a kind prototype that is made for, and can only be used by, the host only. The suits design is then stored digitally so that duplicates can be made as required. Needless to say, the original is safeguarded with the best security money can buy, and then some. It is even rumored that some agencies even use pocket dimensions as one security measure.
Weapons
Flight
Character History
