General BioName: Samantha Cole
Age: 17
Gender: Female
Appearance:Superpower Name of ability: Technomind
Description: A Technomind, also known as a Technocrat, is a person endowed with an instinctual knowledge of technology. The exact function of this ability is theorized to be a form of psionic echolocation; specifically that a resonant telepathic pulse reflects differently from different components, making a complete map of any device possible in an instant. Combined with an instinct for form and function, this ability allows its user to instantly identify the purpose of any given device, as well as diagnose any potential problems or damage and formulate a repair strategy. It is simultaneously an ability to decipher technological components as well as an innate, natural knowledge of technological structures. It is not so much an inherent knowledge of existing technology as much as an instinct for the principles behind it.
The ability may be used at range, but with added difficulty. Direct physical contact is the most reliable method for use. There may be other related abilities, such as remote reading of computer files, but none are yet present in Samantha's case. In general, the ability represents an understanding of a given device, but it may grow to involve control over those devices as well. Such control would theoretically be achieved by supplying resonant psionic pulses to induce electronic current in a given device. Note that this will not work for anything purely mechanical; the devices must be controlled by way of electricity.
Level one abilities: Touch range identification of any device's function. The ability to diagnose malfunctions or damage and form repair strategies. Natural knowledge of which components can be used for any given purpose, which includes repurposing scrapped components or using devices in ways for which they were not designed. The beginnings of a skill with invention, granting her the ability to create new devices to serve a specific function (limited to devices which are slightly improved over existing technologies, i.e. modifying ballistics weapons to fire high-velocity ammunition). Invention of low-level defensive devices, such as Shock Gloves (explanation available).
Level three abilities: Ranged usage of Level One abilities, as well as some limited control over technological devices which have at least some form of electronic components. Manipulation occurs at touch range only, and is limited to a device's intended function (i.e. accessing computer files without using the keyboard or mouse, or activating/deactivating devices without using their controls). Elevated ability with invention and theoretical technology, granting greater range and function with new devices. Invention of the Shrieker, a sonic defense device capable of incapacitating normal humans with a frequency designed to disrupt audio/visual nerves, motor control and equilibrium.
Level five abilities: Ranged reading and manipulation of all technological devices which rely on electronic control, including the ability to overload devices with a psionic pulse. The ability to supply power to electronic devices via psionic energy transfer (the more complex the device, the more difficult this is to achieve). Theoretical technology becomes an integral part of the ability; every device is seen as a blank canvas, to be used in the creation of new devices. Invention of an electrostatic defense field technology, which serves as her primary method for participation in combat (can be explained in greater detail).
Weakness/drawback: The ability is primarily non-combative, essentially making her a normal human in any combat situation. In the absence of any specifically designed equipment, her ability will have no bearing on whether she can defeat an enemy. This ability also affects her mind, which is explained in her history section. Simply put, the ability causes her several psychological and social difficulties.
Additionally, the act of instantly absorbing all data associated with the form, function and purpose of a given device (even something as simple as a light bulb) is tremendously stressful. It amounts to volumes of information being suddenly and unapologetically shoved into her brain. Beginning at level 1, Sam has no defense against this "data overload", and will suffer severe backlash upon use of the power at full capacity. She also has no control over how fast the information is delivered until later levels. This will be alleviated over time, with practice and experience.
As she gains in power, Sam will be able to regulate the flow of data more effectively, but it is still a demanding task.
Also note that, although this ability will allow her to access or use devices, Upgrade cannot see or interpret any of the signals they send. She would be able to identify that a radio transmitter is capable of sending signals, for example, but could not intercept those signals with her ability.
History Personality Profile (Included With Permission)
Upgrade exhibits personality traits which may be most closely associated with social anxiety, paranoid delusion and detachment. She is unusually quiet, preferring only to speak when something of substance may be communicated. To that end, she may appear blunt or almost hostile to others. She is impatient, preferring expedience and efficiency over the niceties of polite conversation, thus is difficult to interact with on a social level. In general, she displays little patience for failure or incompetence, due in part to an inferiority complex which causes her to believe her accomplishments to be so basic -so general- as to be expected of others with little effort. This inaccurate self image may cause her to appear arrogant to others, especially when criticizing them for failure in an area in which she excels.
Trust is also a major issue for Upgrade, who appears to be on constant alert for treachery; even where there is none. This may point to some early trauma, but has not been confirmed due to her refusal to cooperate with psychological evaluation tests. Upgrade has a tendency to manipulate the results of such tests to create a confused psychological profile, apparently to dissuade further attempts to "figure her out".
She shows a brilliant mind, but a deep cruel streak which, if left unchecked, could corrupt her completely. Upgrade often enjoys weighing the risks of trust with those of treachery and has been known to be vindictive towards others she feels have betrayed her.
History: June 12, 2011, 11:14am
I'll always remember the way my parents broke the news to me. It was different from their ordinary chastisements; different from their insistence that I keep away from their precious trinkets. They'd told me about a great opportunity. I didn't understand at the time, but they were about to expose me to the greatest push toward my talents that I would ever experience. They kept talking about cures and treatments, but no one ever really told me what I was being cured of.
May 10, 2012, 9:08am
I remember the shrinks the most, honestly. While my parents' faces fade into the blur of memory and psyche, the shrinks are the faces I see; at least when I sleep. Dr. Couvaroubius is the most prominent. He tells me to let go of expectations, and to be true to myself. When I am, I get the treatments. This is how I learn that the doctor is a liar. When I see a dishonest person, it's his face I see.
October 17, 2012, 2:25pm
I don't really hate this place. I felt out of place for the first few months, but as the time passed, I kind of accepted it. You always hear about how bad the food will be, and how horrible the nurses are. I don't think that's true. They're a bit preoccupied about games and group activities, but that's the worst of it. Well...until you consider the injections, that is. No one tells me what I'm being dosed with. I suspect it's something to subdue my mind. Everyone else seems so peaceful and happy after their medications...I wonder why I'm the only one to question it.
February 19, 2014, 4:02pm
It's clear my parents aren't coming back for me. This is the third meeting they've missed. Maybe they have the money to keep me here, but they don't have the will to see what it's doing to me. I hear the screams of my dorm mates at night and I have to question why it's not me who's flailing against the restraints they use. My bed is bare, save for the sheets they give me. They tell me I'm a good girl, but no one will tell me what that means. I've seen three dorm mates vanish from our regular meetings. I wonder if they're cured or if something...else...has happened to them.
March 6, 2014, 11:36am
The niceties of this place be damned, I have to escape. It's clear to me that they'll never let me out of their own accord. They keep throwing terms at me, like "social miscreant" and "paranoid delusion", but they don't know. I've seen where the entrance is, and I've been exceptionally well-behaved. If my studies of human behavior progress, maybe I'll find a vulnerability in their system and escape.
April 5, 2014, 7:00pm
The door is open. Every day, a man comes by the security checkpoint and tests the system. For thirty-two seconds, the system is offline. I know I can make it through if I distract them. I have resolved to give them something more interesting than myself to look at. Maybe they'll be too busy cleaning up to keep track of me.
The day before the bus ride: May second was like any other day for Samantha Cole. She woke when the morning announcements demanded it, showered and preened for the electric eye, and attended her first counseling meeting of the day. Oh, and she had her pills. She couldn't forget her pills.
That, as it turned out, was how she planned to escape this place. For weeks, she planned and plotted. She knew of a patient who would react badly to her medication. All she had to do was manage to save some and slip it to him unnoticed. The distraction it provided would give her cover to slip through the security checkpoint while it was down for testing. It all had to happen precisely the way she wanted it to, or she may never get another chance.
She practiced endlessly with a pebble she'd found in the yard. A crumpled paper cup served as her water prop. She would put her hand up to her mouth and let the pebble drop into her sleeve, then take the water and show the nice people how good she was at taking pills. It was difficult to get the pebble in the right place at first, but she eventually learned. With that part of the plan ironed out, she needed to work out a time and place to poison her target.
Poor Jason Reese ended up being her prime candidate. He was in for severe psychotic episodes, among other things. Sam resolved to slip him the drugs while they were eating. The resulting chaos would be enough to distract the facility's personnel while she made her escape.
The day before the bus ride: Coming soon.
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