[hider=Matrix][center][color=8dc73f][h3][b]Matrix[/b][/h3][/color] [img]http://i62.tinypic.com/rhu991.jpg[/img][/center] [color=8dc73f][b]Name:[/b][/color] Diego Reyes [color=8dc73f][b]Alias:[/b][/color] Matrix [color=8dc73f][b]Age:[/b][/color] 24 [color=8dc73f][b]Alignment:[/b][/color] Mercenary/Private Investigator- very slight trend toward heroism [color=8dc73f][b]Loyalty:[/b][/color] Independent [color=8dc73f][b]Appearance:[/b][/color] Diego is a tallish fellow, standing at around 5'9" to 5'10". His build is lean and wiry, like a runner, though he tends to slouch forward at least slightly. He's generally pale from lack of sun exposure. Shoulder-length black hair, heterochromic eyes (blue and green, if you must know), sharp, pointed features, and a perpetual frown on his face. He usually dresses in black, usually in something that makes him look like he strode out of Shadowrun or Blade Runner. [color=8dc73f][b]History:[/b][/color] Even before his trigger event, Diego could never have been mistaken for "normal," or whatever passes for it nowadays. He was always a very quiet, shy individual, a side effect of a domineering and abusive mother at home- one who'd already driven his father off through her oppressive presence. His experiences at school weren't much better- his shy and introspective nature frequently made him the target of bullying and abuse from his classmates. Isolated and mocked by his peers, and crushed down by his mother, it was all Diego could do to survive with his sanity intact. Until, in his sophomore year of high school, he met Aden. Aden was in much the same situation as Diego- a social exile, but for different reasons, namely that of being outed as gay. The key difference between Diego and Aden, however, is that Aden didn't care. Anyone who let his sexuality turn them off from wanting to know him wasn't worth his time, in his opinion. Diego was drawn to him like iron to a magnet. He couldn't help himself- something about him was hypnotic to Diego. The way he refused to let others define him, the casual way he lived without worrying. The two grew steadily closer as time went on, first as friends, and slowly as something more. As they did, Diego cared less and less about those who sought to isolate him as before- it still wasn't easy, but it was at least bearable with someone around, someone who cared. There were hurdles, of course- his mother discovering his relationship with Aden, calling him a sinner, a monster, and throwing him out onto the streets. Trying to find a job and a place to live, bills to pay, things to buy in order to survive. In the end, though, as long as Diego could come home to Aden, he could deal with just about anything. Which is probably why Aden's death hit him the way it did. A drunk driving accident, they said. Some idiot who didn't want to pay for a cab, or who was "totally okay to drive," or whatever excuse they wanted to use. It didn't matter- what mattered was that his one support, his one beacon of sanity and comfort was dead and gone. There was no one else to rely on- not his coworkers, no other friends or family, and he certainly couldn't rely on his mother for help. Diego was alone, completely and totally. The realization of this- the sheer, crushing reality of his situation- is what caused him to trigger. He barely noticed it at first. He'd look at a piece of technology, and he could see it differently- what it was made of, how to change it, to re-purpose it for something greater, grander. A camera from a broken phone, some scrap metal, some plastic, a few microchips here and there. Eventually, though, his mind whirled at the possibilities now open to him. He began to collect, to hoard all of the materials he could. And then he began to build. And he knew exactly what his new talents would go toward; he needed companions. He needed allies, guardians, friends. And he now had all the time and power in the world to make it happen. He doesn't remember quite how he got into the mercenary business- a few surveillance jobs here and there, some pictures snapped of cheating spouses or partners, small things like that. But Diego got results, and word began to spread. He decided to roll with it- he needed money, to put food on the table and to keep his drones running, and his talents were uniquely suited to getting the kind of results his clients wanted or needed. He built his new identity from the ground up- a new look, a new name, a massive Network with him at the center. And so, the newly-christened Matrix set up shop in Denver, eager to show off what he and his new family was capable of to his potential clients. Matrix Investigations was now open for business. [color=8dc73f][center][h3][b]Personality[/b][/h3][/center][/color] [color=8dc73f][b]Motivations:[/b][/color] Diego has relatively few motivations, but he clings to those he has in a vice grip. He doesn't have broad, sweeping amibitions or dreams of power, merely a fervent desire to maintain his autonomy and relative control over his own life. As long as there's food in the fridge, the lights are on, and his Network is running, Diego is content with his lot in life, and whatever jobs he has to do to keep it going. [color=8dc73f][b]Sexuality:[/b][/color] Homosexual [color=8dc73f][b]Likes:[/b][/color] [list][*]The Network [*]Tart candy [*]Coffee [*]Spicy food [*]Reading [*]Video games[/list] [color=8dc73f][b]Dislikes:[/b][/color] [list][*]Being alone [*]Bullies [*]His mother [*]Super-sweet things [*]Static electricity [*]Allergy season [*]Any Network drones being hurt[/list] [color=8dc73f][b]Derangement:[/b][/color] Diego tends to be more comfortable around his Network than actual living things and people such as his peers. He treats his drones like pets, rather than tools, and can get genuinely distraught if they get harmed or destroyed, even if somewhere in his awareness he knows they can be fixed or rebuilt. [color=8dc73f][center][h3][b]Parahumanism[/b][/h3][/center][/color] [color=8dc73f][b]Skills:[/b][/color] Excellent memory, good reflexes, good at solving puzzles, extensive knowledge of/experience in playing video games. He's also not bad with handguns in a pinch. [color=8dc73f][b]Classification:[/b][/color] Tinker/Master [color=8dc73f][b]Details:[/b][/color] Diego is a Tinker who specializes in autonomy- as in, he can make unmanned drones of nearly any size, shape, and function. These drones are all imbued with at least some rudimentary intelligence, at best being as smart as dogs or maybe dolphins, if he's having a good day. Diego also has a Master power that allows him to directly control his drone army- which he calls the Network- with nothing but his own mental command. This power supersedes any other kind of signal or interference, preventing his Network from being usurped by any other Tinkers who might be able to try and turn it against him. As long as his drones have power, Diego is the one in control. [color=8dc73f][b]Limitations:[/b][/color] Diego can only use his Master powers on technology he's created- he cannot control another Tinker's tech, or even mundane technology, only his own. Also, while he possesses a degree of increased multitasking functionality thanks to his Master ability, his ability to control and decipher the information he receives from his Network has upper limits- trying to concentrate on too many drones at once will break his concentration, or worst-case scenario, fry his brain. [color=8dc73f][b]Equipment:[/b][/color] [list] [*][i]Heads-Up Display-[/i] Almost every piece of eyewear Matrix owns is hooked up with an interface that keeps him updated on the status of his Network, including sensory information, video/audio feeds, diagnostics and more. [*][i]The Network-[/i] A Tinker's not just gonna charge into battle without his tech, is he? Diego always has a small squadron of drones accompanying him on patrol, such as [url=http://40.media.tumblr.com/bd368645318c27a182c1ee2db24f09be/tumblr_ntnqy1w2ur1rbq23ko4_1280.jpg]Lobos[/url] (shock troopers and trackers), [url=http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/metalgear/images/7/79/EUROPA_DEL_ESTE_ECHO'S_BEACON_11.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20110714141905]Aguilas[/url] (aerial combat and transportation), [url=https://0.s3.envato.com/files/98750690/10.jpg]Avispas[/url] (surveillance and espionage), and much more. [*][i]Matrix Armor-[/i] Diego's [url=http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/deadspace/images/3/35/Isaac_Suit_2_Hacker.png/revision/latest?cb=20101229000836]cape uniform,[/url] so to speak. Armored in vital places, with special magnetic ports on his back and shoulder blades for Aguila drones to connect for transit purposes. The visor is, of course, equipped with Diego's proprietary Heads-Up Display interface. [/list][/hider]