HAWC
Energy Manipulation
Electricity Mastery
HAWC is a widely recognized and well-respected hero specializing in rapid emergency response and counterterrorism across the United States and throughout the world. Christian Han is a veteran fighter pilot who pilots the highly advanced powered armor.
Project Condor, led by Dr. Harold Winters, develops, and maintains the suit. The project partners with the U.S. military and is fully funded by Synergy Technologies, a multibillion-dollar technology corporation involved in a wide range of advanced science fields. Project Condor’s focus is developing tools for superhuman individuals who have trouble maintaining control over their powers.
POWERS
The HAWC (Heavy Armored Weapons Chassis) powered suit was initially designed and first used during the Rikti World Invasion (2007) as an all-environment tactical unit capable of reacting to a wide variety of combat situations. The suit is constantly updated and improved upon as new technology is integrated and combat data is analyzed. The original powered armor was a hulking piece of metal, weighing over half a ton. The current model, HAWC-012, is a lightweight and flexible marvel of engineering weighing less than one hundred pounds.
The public mistakenly believes HAWC can be used by anyone but only Chris is able to power up the armor. Synergy Technologies does develop and manufacture other types of powered armor for law-enforcement and other security agencies but the technology of HAWC is far more advanced and unique.
Defense
The outside shell of the suit is a set of plates consisting of a mixture of titanium, steel, ceramics, plastics and/or impervium, which makes it very resilient to many forms of attack. It is impervious to standard small arms fire and can withstand multiple direct hits from heavy weaponry before being compromised. The ceramic and plastic composition, along with an insulation layer, offers protection against extreme temperatures and other non-conventional weaponry such as radiation. Ironically, all these defensive measures are not designed to protect the pilot (see Metahuman Ability Section for details). They are designed to prevent a breach in the armor and to shield all the delicate instrumentation and circuitry within.
A thin invisible deflection shield surrounds the suit offering additional protection. It is most effective in deflecting and redirecting kinetic energy, which allows the armor to withstand heavy blunt force or crushing damage. The absorption and redirection of kinetic energy have an added effect that prevents HAWC from being knocked down. The field is also an additional effective counter measure against non-conventional forms of assault.
Energy Projection
HAWC can project different forms of kinetic force energy. The magnitude and destructive force of the energy blasts can be adjusted from minor concussive blasts that may knock out a foe to something powerful enough to rip a large hole in thick military grade heavy armor plating. He can fire off short rapid bursts or more concentrated blasts. The energy can be adjusted to various effects, such as area of effect, scatter shot, pulse fire, explosive charge, long range sniper blast to name just a few. As Chris continues to experiment with his powers, the possibilities are endless.
The energy can also be concentrated around the hands, offering devastating effects in hand-to-hand combat. Combined with the super strength that the suit affords, HAWC can easily crush opponents with energy enhanced blows.
- UPDATE: The newest design is now able to command drones with various energy weapons and explosive ordnance. Due to Chris’ mental boost in energy form, he can control up to 48 drones simultaneously.
Physical Capabilities
Underneath the outer shell, the powered armor has a unique mesh of polymer fibers that function like the human muscular system. It is highly durable and when energy transferred into the fibers, it gains flexibility and strength. At full power, the suit can lift over 100 tons of weight.
Because the fibers are so flexible and responsive, the suit lacks the typical bulk and rigidity common among lower tech powered armor. Its movements are graceful and fluid and almost function like a second skin.
It is fully functional underwater or in a vacuum such as outer space as it is fully sealed and pressurized. The armor has limited backup life support because Chris generally does not require life support while using the suit (see Metahuman Ability section for more details). The backup life support can be maintained for up to 8 hours.
Tactical Equipment
The mechanized suit is equipped with a vast array of sensory equipment such as radar, motion detection, thermal imaging, radiation detection, multiple targeting locks, range finder, telescopic vision to just name a few. HAWC has advanced secured radio and satellite uplink communication capabilities as well as high-definition video and audio recording. The suit’s central computer can communicate with other complex digital systems which can be used to infiltrate or hack other computer networks.
Along with the standard sensor array and equipment, the armor also has a cloaking device. It uses light refraction technology giving HAWC a translucent look and makes it invisible to conventional forms of surveillance such as radar or motion detection. Also unique to the suit is the Synergy Technologies Hawk-Eye V3 targeting computer. The combat computer performs data analysis, pinpointing vulnerabilities, and weaknesses on the fly.
Speed
HAWC is capable of incredible speed and agility. In flight, the suit can attain supersonic cruising speeds and can generate enough power to achieve orbital velocity to break free from the Earth’s gravitational pull.
It also “synchronizes” with Chris which allows for unparalleled responsive times. The suit can achieve superhuman levels of agility, dexterity, and responsive reaction. On the ground, the suit has been clocked at 300mph at full running speed.
Dr. Winters has theorized he could modify the suit to fly at space velocities. Still untested, the calculations are there. It is just a matter of execution.
- UPDATE: The suit can connect and link with larger mechanized suits, flight harnesses, and flying craft that allow for space velocities and even more power generation.
METAHUMAN ABILITY
To the public, Chris is an ordinary human being. Secretly, he is an Omega level (upper limits of his metahuman powers are unknown) mutant which allows him to wear his powered armor and perform his great superhuman feats.
Energy Generation
Chris can generate large amounts of bio-kinetic energy that can be converted into various uses and has caused some permanent effects. He can be best described as a biological nuclear reactor. Even without his armor, he can fire off energy blasts and fly.
The continuous generation and manipulation of the bio energy also caused some permanent changes in the basic structure of his body. His muscles, skeleton and organs are supercharged, allowing them to perform at a superhuman level. Chris can move at extraordinary speeds and has demonstrated superhuman reflexes and agility. His body has also been altered to be able to withstand greater strain from such activity.
Even more important and profound are the changes in his brain. His synapses and brain function at a rapid pace. Chris can process and analyze information at incredible rates. His supercharged brain also seems to retain information at a much greater level than most people, allowing Chris to excel at multiple fields of study. This explains his excellence in academics all through his life. In addition, due to the digital mind transference work conducted by Dr. Winters, Chris is now considered a world class leading engineer (see Mental Augmentation Section in History).
When using the HAWC suit, Chris generates a great deal of energy. During these times Chris converts to pure energy form to generate energy more efficiently. In this state he requires no food, water, rest or even oxygen to breathe, which is why the powered armor does not come equipped with an extensive life support system; he doesn’t need it. The suit is fully sealed to prevent ambient energy from leaking out. While in pure energy form, Chris can “synchronize” with his suit, offering him better reactive time than a normal manually controlled system. Added to his metahuman speed, HAWC is blindingly fast.
In energy form, Chris is effectively immune to standard attacks. In addition, any injury sustained in physical form can be healed or repaired by shifting to energy form.
An obvious question regarding Christian’s energy generation is, “Can his energy be harnessed for other applications?” The answer is no. While Chris can generate almost limitless amounts of energy at incredible rates, the energy itself is very unstable. There has not been any means to contain and store the energy for future use. He could theoretically continue to power other equipment, but it would require him to remain in energy form while constantly feeding the unit.
WEAKNESSES
Even with all his powers, Chris has some vulnerability, one of which can be potentially dangerous to those nearby. His powers must be controlled and maintained.
Energy Instability
The main reason the suit was created was due to Christian’s unstable energy build up. The amount of energy that his body generates constantly accumulates. Without a method of releasing the stored energy in some fashion, he would theoretically release all the energy at once like a nuclear explosion, potentially causing enormous damage to the surrounding area. The suit not only uses him as its primary power source, but it also drains him of his stored energy, keeping his body stable. Regular use of the armor will allow Chris to live normally without the necessity of an uncontrolled energy discharge.
In energy form, Chris can still be harmed with weapons that degrade or disrupt energy fields (EMP is a prime example). The energy form is highly unstable, so it is critical that he remains inside the suit, or he risks breaking down and dissipating, or worse, exploding in a nuclear reaction. If the suit is breached or unable to function, Chris instinctively returns to human state.
The suit is still able to function manually, running on limited secondary stored energy but its energy effects, onboard equipment are reduced to half efficiency. Supersonic flight will no longer be possible, but he can still fly at about 250mph and his running speed tops out at 60mph. In addition, due to the relatively low density of the stored energy, function ends after 5 minutes of use.
Human Vulnerability
In his natural solid physical form, he has the same weaknesses as any other human being (at top physical condition), although he retains his metahuman energy powers, agility, and reflexes. It is important to note that if he is wounded in physical form, getting him into HAWC or a special energy chamber created by Project Condor would allow him to shift into energy form allowing him to fully recover over time.
SKILLS/ABILITIES
Chris Lee graduated the U.S. Naval Academy with a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering and earned a master’s degree in the same field at the University of Maryland. As he is steadily gaining knowledge by absorbing Dr. Winters’ knowledge, he will eventually have doctorate level of studies in physics, robotics, mathematics, and computer science.
As a former Top Gun fighter pilot, Chris is masterful in flight. Highly trained in aerial combat augmented with his actual military experience, there are very few who can outmatch him in a dogfight.
To further his growth as a hero, Chris continues to train to improve his combat skills. His training comes from other heroes and instructors, usually from Vanguard or Longbow. As a result, he is a proficient fighter, marksman and tactician. Recently, he has developed a knack at reconnaissance and infiltration using the suit’s stealth technology.
HISTORY
Early Life
Born to Korean immigrant parents who ran a small grocery market in Brooklyn, New York, Chris had a typical upbringing common to middle class blue collared families. He played Little League, went to church, involved himself in community service and starred in his high school basketball and baseball teams. Chris excelled in academics and was recruited by multiple universities.
Always pragmatic, he applied and was accepted to the United States Naval Academy to save money and to fly jets as it was a childhood dream and aspiration. He graduated with honors and immediately began his commissioned service with the Navy.
Once in the Navy, he quickly qualified to become a fighter pilot. Chris was a natural student of the sky, and his excellent service record and ability garnered an invitation to the United States Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor Program or TOPGUN which he accepted wholeheartedly. Like most things he put his mind into, Chris finished top of his class.
Chris flew combat missions in F-18E Super Hornets during the first Rikti War in 2002 and was successful in downing multiple Rikti aircraft. Due to his heroics in the air and on the ground, he received the Navy Cross and the Distinguished Flying Cross. When Chris was honorably discharged by the Navy, he achieved the rank of Commander.
Project Condor
At age 27, Chris began to exhibit signs of mutation as his body began releasing small traces of bio-kinetic energy. At first, it was minor only manifesting as little sparks and lights but as time progressed, the energy buildup became much more dramatic.
Concerned with his energy output, the Navy sent him to Dr. Winters to participate in Project Condor. The project was developed by Dr. Winters for cases such as Chris, where strategies and treatments were developed to control mutations and superpowers for individuals that could not harness their powers safely.
When Christian’s stored energy erupted, causing the complete destruction of a two-story laboratory. Thankfully, he was able to stall the explosion, allowing everyone to escape. Dr. Winters realized he needed a real solution and HAWC was born. The armor was designed to absorb his constant energy emission and to harness it for other applications.
HAWC
Dr. Winters began designing a massive mechanical suit of armor that could harness the ambient energy and concentrate them into energy blasts. HAWC-001 was built two months before the second Rikti Invasion. The massive, powered armor fared decently against the aliens, providing artillery support, and performing search and rescue operations. When the war was won, Project Condor began work on a more advanced suit.
After a few years of testing and research, the first true prototype of the current HAWC was developed. HAWC-007 shaved off much of the bulk and weight of its predecessors and looked like the current iteration of HAWC. At this point, Chris was capable of pure energy form which allowed Dr. Winters to push armor designs like never before.
Mental Augmentation
Examining Christian’s energy state, Dr. Winters discovered he could transfer data in a digital form to Christian. Chris is uniquely capable of such a transfer. The amount of knowledge that can be stored and processed is almost endless.
Dr. Winters’ first test was on a special AI program he created but while the test succeeded, the result was the creation of Draco (see Enemies Section below). Once the bugs and coding were perfected, Chris entered the unit and was able to absorb Dr. Winters’ knowledge.
The process was not instantaneous. Dr. Winters’ knowledge is decompressed only when Chris is in full energy form and concentrating on mental augmentation only, which means he does not increase knowledge during combat. The process is slow and will take several months if not years. And as Dr. Winters learns, he continues to update the data but eventually Chris will no longer need the good doctor’s expertise.
Just because Chris has gained the knowledge does not mean he has mastered all of Dr. Winters’ studies. Only through time, experience and experimentation will Chris ultimately reach similar mastery.
In addition, Chris is unable to retain, or process transferred data unless he is in energy form. In normal human form, his brain cannot fully access the large quantities of data. But in his HAWC armor, in energy state, Chris can recall everything he’s processed.
The Future
Project Condor is constantly updating and modifying the suit. With the newest advancement in nanotechnology and robotics, the suit is becoming lighter and agile. A new prototype, HAWC-013 is a lightweight marvel, completely removing the relatively bulky armor while still maintaining the same, if not superior, defensive capability focusing on the use of force fields.
In addition, inspired by Japanese anime, Dr. Winters has built various vehicles and larger suits to combine and synchronize with the HAWC armor.
PERSONALITY
Chris is an easy person to get along with. He has a sharp wit and a great sense of humor. He tends to compartmentalize things and focuses upon whatever task is at hand. His parents are hand workers and Chris has the same work ethic.
ENEMIES
Draco
Draco is a self-aware artificial intelligence created by Dr. Winters. Initially designed as a test environment for his digital mind transference device, the base code was corrupted with a Rikti computer virus. The new program began to self-replicate and eventually evolved into a fully functional digital AI.
Draco is capable of hacking into any digital system and creating copies of itself. It seems to like to manifest itself as a robotic serpentine dragon using nanotech code to reconstruct and rebuild material.
The AI has no interest in world domination and only seeks self-preservation. Although Draco might be self-aware, its code is seriously damaged. If Draco was a living sentient creature, it would be considered insane. As such, Draco is unpredictable and often changes personalities and attitudes on the fly.
It may decide self-preservation means the extinction of humanity or it may decide to hide and remain dormant. Draco’s sheer unpredictability and its control over computers and machinery makes it an extremely dangerous opponent.
Vargus
A former U.S. Marine, Damien Vargus joined Crey Industries as a security expert. Over time he agreed to participate in Countess Crey’s superhuman engineering programs and agreed to multiple experiments. The results were disastrous. The experiments left him paralyzed from the neck down and to add insult to injury, he was unceremoniously dismissed from his job.
Destitute and helpless, Vargus made another agreement but this time with a demon lord named Belpheron. In exchange for his soul and his services, Belpheron gave Vargus power.
Vargus is a walking juggernaut. He is nigh invulnerable to any attack and has superhuman strength, easily capable of lifting over 1,000 tons. Vargus requires no sleep, food or air to survive, and he is quite capable in almost any environment whether it be land, underwater or even space. Even if he is injured, Vargus can regenerate almost instantly, and his senses are beyond normal human parameters.
Vargus has one weakness: his essence is stored in a special crystal phylactery and if it is destroyed, Vargus is sent to the underworld where he will remain tormented by Belpheron’s minions for a set period. The phylactery must remain at least within one-mile radius of his location for Vargus to retain his powers. Due to this vulnerability, Vargus is very careful in keeping the location of the crystal a secret or sealed in a protective case.
NOTES
- HAWC is a tribute to all the powered armor heroes found in comics, movies and anime. Most of the inspiration came from Iron Man and Bubblegum Crisis.