Extractor
Gareth Koenig's parents met in Wales while studying chemistry and biology at the University of Cardiff. Gareth was unplanned, and once he was born his father opted to put his studies on hold to raise his son while Gareth's mother finished her degree. This decision proved to be extremely necessary, as Gareth was born with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Once his mother finished her studies, the Koenig family relocated to the United States after his mother took a job on at a research facility in New Jersey.
Despite his physical condition, it was clear early on that Gareth excelled mentally. He was not inhumanly intelligent, but he was very obviously at the top end of the unenhanced IQ scale. Gareth's parents capitalized on this. Because he wasn't able to run around and play like other children, his parents nurtured his mind. His childhood was spent reading, writing, and experimenting with whatever safe (and sometimes unsafe) materials he could get his hands on. While the other kids were playing outside he was studying. This separation from children his own age created problems for Gareth when he started grade school. He was used to conversing with adults, so the other kids found him weird. This was exacerbated by his inability to play with them because of his condition.
By the end of middle school Gareth's condition had worsened to the point that he was wheelchair-bound, and the specialists predicted he wouldn't live long past Freshman year. However, after learning about a team of researchers at the Goodman Institute working on using mutant genes to repair muscle damage, Gareth's mother managed to get a job at on that team at the Institute, believing it could be a potential cure for Muscular Dystrophy. Shortly after the transfer, they had a chain of breakthroughs. Still, process was extremely dangerous, and a long shot by all accounts. Gareth found out about the research shortly after his Middle School graduation. He weighed the decision with all of the wisdom he thought he had, and told his mother he wanted them to test it on him. If it did not work, he was going to die anyway.
It worked. The procedure Gareth went through stopped the muscle decay, and to some degree reversed the damage that was done. However, there was an unforeseen effect. The mutated genes used in the treatment began to act in a manner none of the scientists expected. In addition to allowing normal muscle growth, the newly formed muscle tissue was also capable of absorbing energy into itself. His entire body seemed to accept this change, and adapted itself to capitalize on the new source of energy.
Unfortunately, news of a power-inducing experiment found its way to the government, the research forced to stop, all files were seized, and records classified. Gareth was put under goverment supervision while they discussed what to do with him. This decision was made easier by Gareth's almost religious desire to use his powers to further his studies, rather than for a life of crime. Instead of locking him up, he was supervised by UNTIL, and was allowed to continue his education.
Gareth's father always encouraged him to practice with his powers and learn how to harness them so he could give back to the world that had given him another chance. Gareth dismissed this request for years. He felt that the best way to help the world was not through violence, but through research and scientific breakthrough. This stance changed when his mother was killed during a robbery. Gareth was present, but was unable to defend her because he had never learned to wield his powers. His father never blamed him for the death of his mother, but a rift grew between the two anyway. Gareth decided he would become a hero like his father wanted, hoping it would mend the wound that had opened.
Gareth earned a Doctorate from MIT-Harvard.
When out of his costume, Gareth might come off as shy. He fumbles with his sentences, often breaking them up with long pauses, or negating or excessively clarifying previous statements. This is not due to shyness, however. Gareth's mind is in a constant state of hyperactivity - it often runs faster than his mouth can keep up with. Additionally, he sometimes weighs the situation in his head after already speaking, and finds it necessary to retract or clarify his statements in light of the new information he has processed. He is also generally wary and inexperienced around people, so he second-guesses a lot of his choices after they happen.
Gareth is deeply concerned with the well-being of his friends and allies. He wants whats best for everyone, and sometimes lets his intelligence get the best of him - causing him to think he knows what's best for everyone. He is quick to criticize decisions that he thinks are unwise, and is often surprised when such actions lead to hostility towards him. Despite this, he cares what people think, and what they think of him, so he does try to make amends.
He believes in the law. To him, they are there for a reason and should be enforced and upheld - especially by the hero community.
When in his costume Gareth comes off as much less timid. The mask seems to shed whatever self-conscious tendencies he has, and he is able to speak much more succinctly. This isn't always the case, however, and as he gets more comfortable with the people he is with, his stuttering and clarifying tend to resurface.
Gareth does not actively have a secret identity. His cover is that he is not very interesting in his personal life. He works in a pharmaceutical lab, and doesn't do much socializing in public. He uses his mundanity as a way of keeping people from thinking he may be able to do anything extraordinary. In his spare time, when not fighting, Gareth likes to run. Having been physically disabled as a child, the thrill and exhilaration of exercising is something still novel to him. His other hobbies include other mundane things like reading, researching, learning languages, and tinkering.
He does not have any real romantic history.
He currently works at a pharmaceutical lab in near Millennium City, and as a consultant with the Goodman Institute.
Extractor's ability does not require contact, although proximity is required and contact increases efficiency. Extractor's energy sheath (explained further below) acts as a transducer, converting absorbed energy into biological energy, which is then stored in his cells. His ability to absorb energy requires conscious effort, which limits his ability to absorb sudden bursts of energy.
Extractor is not able to absorb all types of energy. The following list contains information on which forms of energy he is capable of absorbing, and the effects the absorption has.
Fully Capable
- Thermal Energy - The absorption of this form of energy results in a drop in temperature in the affected area.
- Electric Energy - The absorption of this form of energy results in the disruption of electrical flow.
- Radiant Energy - The absorption of this form of energy may result in a decrease in temperature and reduction of light.
- Luminous Energy - The absorption of this form of energy results in a decrease of light.
- Biological Energy - The absorption of this form of energy results in fatigue in the affected individual(s).
- Sound Energy - The absorption of this form of energy results in a reduction of volume.
- Nuclear Energy - Extractor is unable to absorb sufficient quantities of this form of energy to effect a change in nuclear reactions, but is able to reduce fallout.
Partially Capable:
- Kinetic Energy - The absorption of this form of energy is limited by Extractor's ability to anticipate the speed and trajectory of an object, and results in loss of velocity.
- Magnetic Energy - The absorption of this energy is limited by Extractor's ability to detect its presence, and results in a decrease in magnetic pull.
- Chemical Energy - Extractor is not capable of absorbing Chemical Energy, but it capable of absorbing the resulting Thermal and Electric energy created through chemical reactions.
- Mechanical Energy - The absorption of this form of energy is limited by Extractor's ability to anticipate the moment of contact in events such as receiving a punch or kick, and results in decreased trauma.
- Magical Energy - Extractor's ability to absorb magic-based energy varies based on the similarities the spells have to other forms of energy.
Incapable:
- Elastic Energy
- Dark Energy
Energy Projection: Extractor is able to channel the absorbed energy outward, creating a sheath around his body that acts as a force field. He is able to bolster specific areas, or increase the strength of this sheath as a whole. Extractor is also able to concentrate energy in a specific area of his body and then shoot it away from him in the form of an attack. The projected energy travels in a straight line directly from the point of release. Because of this limitation, to ensure accuracy, Extractor has to aim the area he is projecting from, most often his palms, at his foes.
Teleportation: With the assistance of his Personal Teleporter unit, Extractor is capable of teleporting nearly anywhere within range of GPS signal. The technology used in the teleporting device allows for pinpoint accuracy on three axes. Due to the fact that the device is powered by Extractor himself, and not an external battery, longer ranged teleports take longer and are more exhausting. He is capable of changing the settings on the
teleporter to allow for the teleportation of other people and objects that are in contact with him.
Note: All of these powers are described as they exist under optimal conditions.
Enhanced Genius: Gareth was born a high level genius. As a result of the procedure that gave him his powers he was able to improve his brain function substantially, further increasing his IQ.
Hyperalert Perception: By providing a constant flow of extra energy to his brain, Gareth is able to remain at a heightened state of alertness at all times. His senses are not superhuman, but he is more aware of and better able to react to the stimuli.
Constant Sustenance: Gareth does not need to eat to create the energy required to maintain his body. He does, however, take nutrient supplements to remain healthy.
Sleepless: Gareth does not need to sleep to recover and re-energize his body as he is able to absorb energy to achieve the same effect.
Personal Vital Maintenance: Gareth can maintain his own body pressure and temperature by utilizing his absorption and projection.
Breathless: Gareth can maintain his brain function without requiring oxygen by utilizing his absorbed energy to achieve similar biological effects.
Reverse Iontophoresis: Iontophoresis is a technique using a small electric charge to deliver a medicine or other chemical through the skin. This technique also works in reverse, removing chemicals via electrical charge. Gareth accomplishes this by absorbing the electrical charge out of specific areas of whatever he is extracting.
Polylingual: Gareth enjoys learning languages as a hobby. He currently speaks English, German, Welsh, French, Russian, Dutch, Finnish and Swedish fluently, has a basic understanding of Spanish and Portuguese, and rudimentary knowledge of Hindi, Japanese and Mandarin.
Doctor of Chemistry: Gareth has his doctorate in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, and has a wealth of knowledge in many other fields.
Note: All of these skills are described as they exist under optimal conditions.
Cold Powers: Cold doesn't transfer, and as such, Extractor can't absorb it. He is limited to actively blocking ice attacks, and has no real defenses towards temperature changing attacks.
Sappers: Other energy drainers and absorbers would have no trouble sapping Extractor. Not only does this help those who can do this to him, but he is so unaccustomed to being exhausted that he is almost completely disoriented when he is not charged with energy.
Technology Reliance: Extractor is extremely reliant on his HUD and teleporter gloves. He has never attempted to fight crime without them, and if they malfunction during a fight he it takes him a long time to adjust to the loss.
Inexperience: Most of the hero work Extractor has done has been rescue and research based. He doesn't have a ton of combat experience and he has no training in any combat style.
Visible: Extractor always has at least a subtle glow about him. He can't really be stealthy.
Central Processing Unit: Most, but not all Extractor's abilities require at least some level of conscious activation and maintenance. He is always multitasking. He is unable to utilize every ability to its full capacity at once. He has to actively regulate and relegate his energy. Distractions and surprise are good ways to take him out.
Goggles: Extractor's goggles have a HUD that displays a map of the city, a compass, coordinates, the current temperature, his body temperature, and the codename of the people who are talking to him over his communicator. The inside of his goggles have receivers for the energy he projects so that he can adjust the settings of the HUD (such as changing the brightness, zooming in on the map, etc.) by sending different amounts of energy to them.
EXTRACTOR Personal Teleporter Gloves: While at college, Gareth was part of a group that developed personal teleporter units meant for rescue workers. Unfortunately the battery packs required to power the units were extremely large, heavy, and expensive. Gareth figured out he could hook the unit up to himself and power it with his absorbed energy.
- Extractor doesn't sleep. Does your character spend a lot of time in any of the major cities of North America during times of crisis? You'd likely have seem him flashing in and out of buildings carrying civilians.
- Did your character attend MIT in the past four years? So did Gareth! He's the one who graduated Suma Cum Laude and Valedictorian and finished his entire education, undergrad through doctorate in 3 years.
- If your character works for PRIMUS or other less public metahuman related government organizations, they might have read a file or two on Gareth Koenig and the experiment he went though.
- Does your character work at the Goodman Institute? Gareth is there sometimes, working as a consultant.
Swiss Army Superpower - The ability to absorb and project energy has many, many potential uses. From not needing to eat or sleep to maintaining a specific body temperature - Extractor can do a lot with his powers, and he knows it too.
Lethal Harmless Powers - Luckily for villains, Extractor is a highly 'moral' man. He believes killing is wrong under almost every circumstance, and is vehemently against excessive force. That said; if he wanted to, he could absorb the electrical charge out of a person's heart or brain (or any other body part), or absorb all of the heat out of a person (or specific body parts).
Hyper Awareness - Extractor keeps a constant flow of extra energy to his brain to allow himself to remain awake and alert whenever he desires. His senses never grow weary and he never needs to rest them.
Not That Kind of Doctor - Gareth/Extractor has his doctorate, but he is not a medical doctor. He is very knowledgeable about medicine, but he is not licensed to practice it.
Up To Eleven - Extractor's powers can be very destructive. He rarely ever uses them to their full potential. It is extremely impressive when he does, though.
Apologizes A Lot - Gareth tends to apologize a lot. Sorry.
Not So Weak - He may look nerdy, but Extractor is quite powerful.
Prayer of the Refugee - Rise Against
Watch It Crash - Streetlight Manifesto
Have something to say about Extractor? Leave it here.
- - Abraham Lincoln, Letter to Major General Joseph Hooker (January 26, 1863)
