Robert Callaghan // ʏ๏кคเ (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
pushtheboundaries) wrote2018-12-16 08:12 am
pushtheboundaries) wrote2018-12-16 08:12 am
Entry tags:
you'll stumble in my footsteps [app for ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
tushanshu]
Player Information:
Name: Mindy
Age: 27
Contact:![[plurk.com profile]](https://plurk.com/favicon.ico)
artoni or DW PM, please!
Other Characters Played: N/A
Character Information:
Name: [Professor] Robert Callaghan AKA Yokai, but this is presumably some sort of nickname the newspapers gave his alter ego
Canon: Big Hero 6 [Movie]
Canon Point: Near the end, right as he's realized he's run out of microbots, and Baymax is swooping down for thekill finish.
Age: ~Early 50s.
Reference Links: Disney Wiki
Setting:
The place is San Fransokyo; the year, 2034. In this culture mash-up of Tokyo and San Francisco (POST-APP EDIT; apparently, this was the result of the Japanese immigrant population having a heavy part in rebuilding post the 1906 earthquake) we are only given so many views in to the world at large, but to focus on the essentials- it is a bustling city with everything from blimp-turbines to a seedy underbelly of illegal botfighting. Nonetheless, there are many things still comparable to the world as we ourselves know it, just...a bit more advanced. Especially as it houses the San Fransokyo Institute of Technology, one of whose claims to fame involves having Robert Callaghan as a professor - one of the ones who pioneered robotic technology as the world knows it, and whose inventions include now(then?)-mundane things such as magnetic servos.
All in all, nice place to live, so long as you don't go in dark alleys after dark. There may or may not be a team of ninja geisha on roller skates doing criminal things.
San Fransokyo is also the home of Krei Tech, who also pioneers technology...for somewhat more capitalistic goals. This company has its own claims to fame, some of which, though, are swept under the rug and simply referred to as 'setbacks'. Ultimately, though, they're far from the sort of Evil Corporate Identity that some would accuse them of being. Probably. Maybe.
Either way, we have this lovely city in this lovely time period and this lovely aforementioned man named Robert Callaghan who just so happens to have lost his daughter during one of Krei Tech's pet projects. Callaghan never did forgive Krei for that, but it wasn't until a Student Showcase where the younger (genius) brother of one of this then-students showed off an invention he called 'microbots' that he really saw an opportunity to right the wrongs against him. So he...promptly set the building on fire, faked his death, ended up accidentally killing that older brother student(breaking the hearts of millions of viewers everywhere), and overall caused some chaos to cover his theft of the microbots, their controller band, and then give himself the time and/or opportunity to really plan his revenge in earnest.
And he would have gotten away for it, too, had it not been for a team of meddling kids. That bereaved genius younger brother - Hiro Hamada - stumbled across his plans, accidentally involved a handful of other students, avoided Callaghan's desperate attempts to stop them through any means necessary, and, in general, became the Big (Damn) Hero(es) Six.
Canonically, his downfall also resulted in the discovery that his daughter was not dead, simply trapped in hyperspace and sleeping through it all- and then, sequentially, her rescue and his imprisonment (in jail, not hyperspace). However, Robert will be brought in to the game a minute or so prior to her rediscovery, right as he's realizing that all his plans for vengeance are/were about to be spoiled with the receipt of a Giant Robot Punch To The Face.
(That punch doesn't actually happen, but hey, he doesn't know that.)
Personality:
It's important to note that Robert Callaghan very much considers himself a good person. He is not overly self-righteous about it, but he is firm in the belief that he has contributed to this world and contributed well. Whether it be his service in the military, his post-service scientific work(possibly at Krei Tech?), or his work at the university, he seems ultimately proud of his life and has only so many regrets. (No more than the average person, at least.)
However, during the course of the movie, he undeniably commits actions that are not hallmarks of a good person; he performs arson (and homicide, albeit accidental), he attempts (multiple) murders, and he lashes out at a young boy and insists that his brother's 'sacrifice' was nothing but their mistaken choice. He is ruthless, and outright cruel, at times, but through it all he never seems to hold any doubt or guilt. It is not until the very end of the movie that he shows an inkling of regret; this may be so selfishly simple as the realization that he will never see his daughter again, the very thing he so desired coming within his reach and then being taken away as a result of his actions.
Nonetheless, these sets of events have the potential to fuel 'the end justifies the means' sort of mindset, and were Callaghan ever given a new motive to wreck havoc, he has the potential to once more become a force of outright wrath.
One does wonder, though, if he would continue to be willing to use such means; it can be assumed that many of his ruthless actions were fueled by a sort of rage-hatred-desperate need for revenge, the fear that he'd never have such a chance again and that he had to do whatever he did in order to finish it. (It could just as well be assumed that he stopped caring about anything[or anyone] else, but for the purposes of this writeup, we will be standing by the thought that he considers himself 'a good man', even post faking his death, and that involves a good man being driven to extremes and things he would Normally Never Do. There isn't enough information one way or another to 100% confirm his then-motivations.)
Presumably, if he felt strongly enough about it, or otherwise was pushed? Yes. It can be assumed that the groundwork has been/was laid with his first stint as Yokai; if he ever did don the mask once more, he would be perfectly willing to carve through anyone who stood in his path with the understanding they should know better. By getting in his way, they implicitly understand the risks; it is their mistake, and he will take no responsibility for their choices. He'll respect them, in a warped sort of way, but short of Abigail himself throwing herself before him there is no one he would hesitate to cut down if need be.
During a particularly emotional moment there may or may not be regret, and it's wrong to say he'd take pleasure in any of this; on the opposite, he is a good man, and doesn't/wouldn't enjoy any of it. It's something to be dealt with and done, as cleanly/expediently as possible; Callaghan/Yokai is even more dangerous because of it, because there's no thrill, but it's the vehement belief that this needs to be done.
And that is one of the things that make him the most terrifying. Because there is no sadism, there are no games, there is only action, response, and dealing with it. Regrets, if any, come later.
One can presume that in some cases he wouldn't be so much 'unwilling' to kill as deem it unnecessary; if given a crowd of terrified civilians, for example. He might make a show to get them out of the way first before going through, assuming there was the opportunity; he did make a show, at Krei Tech, dramatically appearing over the crowd and then going for only Krei, ignoring everyone else. After all, good men do not target innocents; good men do what is necessary, and are then done.
And really, when you get over all that whole darker side of him? He's not a bad man. His students held a high amount of respect for him, and seemed honestly astonished by the fact that he was Yokai; it can be drawn, then, that he was darned good teacher. His attitude in the movie seems to lead him in to the strict-but-kind sort; mild amounts of sass/sarcasm, but never outwardly offensive with it. The kind of teacher who would single you out as an 'example', but make you laugh, too, because you really should have known better than to give him that kind of opening.
With Hiro, in the first act, he displays a knack for subtly; outwardly approving of Hiro's botfighting while insinuating he could do so much more if he applied himself, but never saying it outright. Just hinting. Pushing. Nudging. After all, Hiro has such a career in botfighting ahead off him, far be it from Callaghan to suggest he do anything otherwise! And depending on how Callaghan viewed the rest of his students, he may be manipulating them all - for the greater good, of course, pushing them past their own boundaries in an attempt to drive them to improve. Little comments, dry humor, etc etc.
Of course, there's points where he drops the subtlety and gets serious. Such as informing Hiro that he could either continue to improve himself, or become a sell-out like Krei, who by the way he wouldn't trust with microbots or anything else. We see Callaghan's darker side for the first time, there, and it's fair to assume that he displayed it in a few other ways, as well. Being a stickler for safety, for example, and having little patience for anyone who outright flaunted the rules and/or guidelines. Perhaps being able to connect/calm down once the danger had passed, but during, say, even a mild accidental chemical fire- being the first on the scene, the first to reach for the fire extinguisher, and then the first to look for who was at fault so that he could kick them out of his lab (temporarily or not). And if a student turned in something that he saw as unsafe, you can darn well bet he'd pull them aside to ask you're not suggesting what I think you are, now, are you? and otherwise ensure they were made fully aware of possible consequences.
Ironic, in that later on - during the course of the movie - he would make himself stop caring about those consequences. Or at least rationalize them as out of his hands. He's not a stupid man; it's very possible that he simply didn't care what happened after his original plans were completed, and would have been accepting of jail or life on the run because his need would have been sated, his conscience at rest, and his daughter avenged. But he saw an opportunity, he took it - and pushed himself to never look back.
If not for that, Callaghan could have very well remained a productive teacher - rearing the next generation of scientists to be anti-Krei, and therefore giving at least a simple satisfaction if not a petty revenge. But he gave in to temptation, and the opening he saw to obtain the greatest vengeance of all. He is a man susceptible to a very manic sort of love, which can be both for the best and the worst; there is nothing he wouldn't do in the name of someone he was close to, whom he outright defined as his 'everything'. And there is nothing he wouldn't do to a person who dared threaten or take that someone away.
TL;DR COOL MOTIVES, STILL KIND OF AN ASSHOLE.
Appearance:
Robert Callaghan is a well-built man a bit over six feet (6'1? 6'2?); he's not buff by any means, but he's fit, healthy, and despite some graying hair is still holding on to his prime. Beforegoing to the dark side setting the student showcase on fire 'leaving the school' he was the sort of professor who stuck with ties, dress shirts, slacks, loafers- and sweater-vests, of course, because sweater vests are still apparently the height of Old Man Fashion in 203whatever.
When he puts on the Yokai mask, it tends to be with a complete costume change; black, black, and more black. It's possible he chose the outfit for intimidation as much as to blend in with the shadows, because with a swirling trench coat and a kabuki mask that screams of power and rage and wrath and even grief, you don't have to understand the meaning of the lines to understand that he isn't messing around.
1 & 2
Abilities:
First things first; Robert Callaghan is a brilliant man.
Responsible for such things as 'Callaghan's Laws of Robotics' and 'magnetic servos', it is made clear that he is an expert in his field, and a reknown expert for such. While it's never made clear just how widespread robotics is in his world, it's at least enough for an underground robot fighting ring to have popped up, and with another student having built a robot as part of their final (ONE WAY OR ANOTHER) project...he knows what he's doing. And having at least some role in accepting students to the institute, in teaching/guiding them, he more likely than not has a professional-level knowledge of other major sciences as well.
For an unknown amount of time he was able to dig up information on the suppressed/'erased' Silent Sparrow project; the teleportation(wormhole?)-based project that ended in the loss of his daughter. Presumably this involved no small amount of gathering information, thefts, and otherwise Going Through The Shadows to get what he wanted/needed. He was then able to rebuild Silent Sparrow in a very short amount of time, at least to the point where he could re-engage the portal and use it towards Krei's downfall - this, combined with his theft/reconstruction of the microbots, leads one to believe that he just has to study an item for some time before he's able to reproduce it/twist it for his own ends. Understanding the concepts behind it? The theories, the methods? Just a matter of time, no matter how complicated. The question is open as to how much work Callaghan himself did on Silent Sparrow, and therefore how much he really needed to (re)learn to rebuild it; it's never fully established, though one can presume he did have a hand in its creation, and felt safe enough in its base concepts to give his daughter his blessing in its test run. Of course, you can't account for others' poor decisions...
He's also a fit man, capable of some physical stunts - albeit with the assistance of microbots - that would be the envy of a man half his age. This can be attributed to his 'ex-military' history; it's not clear just how long ago he served, but it can be assumed that since then he's kept up the routine as a matter of lifestyle. Maintaining this could lead him in to having a very long and healthy life, assuming there were no other significant factors. With this established, it can be assumed he has some knowledge of hand to hand combat, and general military tactics; he's not about to lead any wars, but he knows enough and of how people react in crisis to take advantage of it all. That whole dramatic entrance at Krei Tech? Half fury, half deliberate intimidation to get the crowd to flee.
Mind and body aside, Callaghan remains a normal human being, with all the perks and flaws that come with being such.
Inventory:
Callaghan will be coming in with his Yokai outfit, which includes a BAMF coat and clothing, his mask-with-controller band, and a picture of himself and his daughter in an inside pocket. I would also like to request a number of microbots as well; the specific canonpoint has him essentially wrapped in them from the legs down. Because of the size of the microbots it's difficult to really quantify an amount, but I'm thinking of, well, a storage drum full, for lack of a better visual. (55 gallons of volume? 200 litre?)
These will be enough for him to get some basic things done, but he won't be able to cause nearly as much chaos as he did in the movie. They'll certainly be able to assist him with building/assembly, but using them for things like mobility will be a bit more tricky. (Unless he hypothetically was making something like a platform to walk across.)
In terms of the microbots themselves...
Each one is a tiny construct that, through design/Science, is able to pull towards others and then do some pretty amazing things. Implementing Callaghan's own original design of magnetic servos, they essentially are a set of puzzle pieces that can be arranged in any form imaginable. As aforementioned, he will be able to primarily use them for building/assembly and some other basic constructs; extending his reach, a whip/binding mass, maybe for basic mobility (and those platforms/stairs/whatever)...but unless he finds a way to make more, that's all he's got.
Suitability:
Even with his dip in to villainy, Callaghan may very well slip back in to his former attitude to want to help people, and improve the world; with no Krei to seek vengeance against, and no other outright antagonizing factor to lead him in to Bad Decisions, he will no doubt be extremely frustrated at first but end up getting even more frustrated with the state of things as they are. I have little doubts he's going to push for a bit of a technological revolution, possibly trying to get himself in to the Metalworkers so that he's in a position to get what he needs. Whether or not he finds something precious enough to kill for remains to be seen; he more than likely won't have the motivation and/or push needed to go full-on Yokai without some time/heavy CR, but since he's already toed the line of Dubious Morals...well, who's to say he won't again?
Really, it may not be a matter of him joining a gang so much as attempting to steer a bunch of Misguided People in to better methods. He may end up trying to teach some classes, as well, assuming they're willing to listen. If they happen to screw up? He'll try to keep them in line - again, he's ultimately out to prevent more Kreis, and/or other such people who misuse technology and hurt people in the process - and if he ends up having to establish himself in a hierarchy to do so...
In-Character Samples:
Third Person (Prose):
It wasn't nearly as equipped as the lab, or even his old condo, but for lack of anything else...it would work. While Robert had other options, in terms of residences, this few-roomed apartment was the most appealing out of all of them. Which, in itself...said quite a lot about the state of things.
Still, with everything else taken in to account, maybe it wasn't so bad. He at least had a place he could set up a workstation, and he had, even if his work tools were...primitive. But, again, with everything taken in to account? Things could have been quite a lot worse.
He had basic shelter, he had basic supplies, and from there he could work on improving things.
Callaghan sighed, repeating that over in his head as he sat back in the worn chair. Most of the furniture was in the same state, second hand and well used; even impressing some of the local kedan with his knowledge and offer to assist them with their projects only got him so far. It led him in to finding a place to rent and those basic comforts with it, and yet...
It's not going to stay that way.
He abruptly pushed himself to his feet, reaching for his coat. He'd gotten some new clothing, of course, but this at least had some familiar comfort; it had other connotations, of course, but it at least made him feel capable. As though he wasn't just an old man, and worn as his surroundings- instead, as though he was someone who could take a set of rotten circumstances and change them.
It was a petty and purely psychological thought process, but it was at least something. He just needed to get a few more tools, a few more materials, and he could get himself truly started in this primitive place.
He barely even thought of the fact he was grabbing the mask as well, slipping it in to one of the coat's inner pockets; barely even thought of the weight of a number of microbots in another, while the majority remained carefully hidden within a compartment that he had made within the floor. He'd only thought so much of making it, too, only knowing that he needed to have a place to hide all of this, keep it secure, keep it safe from those who would misuse and misunderstand such technology.
More than anything else, it reminded him of what he was capable of - even if he had only been building off another's design.
Network:
[CONSOLE; TEXT]
I've managed to find a suitable location for those lectures I mentioned earlier. It's in Earth Sector, but we shouldn't be bothered by any of the local gangs. From what I understand, there may even be a few members in attendance.
I've taken efforts to make sure that they understand if there's a disturbance, it'll be the only open class I offer; the same goes for the rest of you. I don't care who you are, or why it might happen; if you interrupt the lesson, you're no longer welcome to it.
I've got a few syllabi to rework and I still have to finalize the schedule, but but I'll take some basic questions before we get started. My goal is to start with simple improvements that everyone can adapt for themselves, but if there's enough potential, here, we may end up redefining what these people think of as 'normal'.
Name: Mindy
Age: 27
Contact:
Other Characters Played: N/A
Character Information:
Name: [Professor] Robert Callaghan AKA Yokai, but this is presumably some sort of nickname the newspapers gave his alter ego
Canon: Big Hero 6 [Movie]
Canon Point: Near the end, right as he's realized he's run out of microbots, and Baymax is swooping down for the
Age: ~Early 50s.
Reference Links: Disney Wiki
Setting:
The place is San Fransokyo; the year, 2034. In this culture mash-up of Tokyo and San Francisco (POST-APP EDIT; apparently, this was the result of the Japanese immigrant population having a heavy part in rebuilding post the 1906 earthquake) we are only given so many views in to the world at large, but to focus on the essentials- it is a bustling city with everything from blimp-turbines to a seedy underbelly of illegal botfighting. Nonetheless, there are many things still comparable to the world as we ourselves know it, just...a bit more advanced. Especially as it houses the San Fransokyo Institute of Technology, one of whose claims to fame involves having Robert Callaghan as a professor - one of the ones who pioneered robotic technology as the world knows it, and whose inventions include now(then?)-mundane things such as magnetic servos.
All in all, nice place to live, so long as you don't go in dark alleys after dark. There may or may not be a team of ninja geisha on roller skates doing criminal things.
San Fransokyo is also the home of Krei Tech, who also pioneers technology...for somewhat more capitalistic goals. This company has its own claims to fame, some of which, though, are swept under the rug and simply referred to as 'setbacks'. Ultimately, though, they're far from the sort of Evil Corporate Identity that some would accuse them of being. Probably. Maybe.
Either way, we have this lovely city in this lovely time period and this lovely aforementioned man named Robert Callaghan who just so happens to have lost his daughter during one of Krei Tech's pet projects. Callaghan never did forgive Krei for that, but it wasn't until a Student Showcase where the younger (genius) brother of one of this then-students showed off an invention he called 'microbots' that he really saw an opportunity to right the wrongs against him. So he...promptly set the building on fire, faked his death, ended up accidentally killing that older brother student
And he would have gotten away for it, too, had it not been for a team of meddling kids. That bereaved genius younger brother - Hiro Hamada - stumbled across his plans, accidentally involved a handful of other students, avoided Callaghan's desperate attempts to stop them through any means necessary, and, in general, became the Big (Damn) Hero(es) Six.
Canonically, his downfall also resulted in the discovery that his daughter was not dead, simply trapped in hyperspace and sleeping through it all- and then, sequentially, her rescue and his imprisonment (in jail, not hyperspace). However, Robert will be brought in to the game a minute or so prior to her rediscovery, right as he's realizing that all his plans for vengeance are/were about to be spoiled with the receipt of a Giant Robot Punch To The Face.
(That punch doesn't actually happen, but hey, he doesn't know that.)
Personality:
It's important to note that Robert Callaghan very much considers himself a good person. He is not overly self-righteous about it, but he is firm in the belief that he has contributed to this world and contributed well. Whether it be his service in the military, his post-service scientific work(possibly at Krei Tech?), or his work at the university, he seems ultimately proud of his life and has only so many regrets. (No more than the average person, at least.)
However, during the course of the movie, he undeniably commits actions that are not hallmarks of a good person; he performs arson (and homicide, albeit accidental), he attempts (multiple) murders, and he lashes out at a young boy and insists that his brother's 'sacrifice' was nothing but their mistaken choice. He is ruthless, and outright cruel, at times, but through it all he never seems to hold any doubt or guilt. It is not until the very end of the movie that he shows an inkling of regret; this may be so selfishly simple as the realization that he will never see his daughter again, the very thing he so desired coming within his reach and then being taken away as a result of his actions.
Nonetheless, these sets of events have the potential to fuel 'the end justifies the means' sort of mindset, and were Callaghan ever given a new motive to wreck havoc, he has the potential to once more become a force of outright wrath.
One does wonder, though, if he would continue to be willing to use such means; it can be assumed that many of his ruthless actions were fueled by a sort of rage-hatred-desperate need for revenge, the fear that he'd never have such a chance again and that he had to do whatever he did in order to finish it. (It could just as well be assumed that he stopped caring about anything[or anyone] else, but for the purposes of this writeup, we will be standing by the thought that he considers himself 'a good man', even post faking his death, and that involves a good man being driven to extremes and things he would Normally Never Do. There isn't enough information one way or another to 100% confirm his then-motivations.)
Presumably, if he felt strongly enough about it, or otherwise was pushed? Yes. It can be assumed that the groundwork has been/was laid with his first stint as Yokai; if he ever did don the mask once more, he would be perfectly willing to carve through anyone who stood in his path with the understanding they should know better. By getting in his way, they implicitly understand the risks; it is their mistake, and he will take no responsibility for their choices. He'll respect them, in a warped sort of way, but short of Abigail himself throwing herself before him there is no one he would hesitate to cut down if need be.
During a particularly emotional moment there may or may not be regret, and it's wrong to say he'd take pleasure in any of this; on the opposite, he is a good man, and doesn't/wouldn't enjoy any of it. It's something to be dealt with and done, as cleanly/expediently as possible; Callaghan/Yokai is even more dangerous because of it, because there's no thrill, but it's the vehement belief that this needs to be done.
And that is one of the things that make him the most terrifying. Because there is no sadism, there are no games, there is only action, response, and dealing with it. Regrets, if any, come later.
One can presume that in some cases he wouldn't be so much 'unwilling' to kill as deem it unnecessary; if given a crowd of terrified civilians, for example. He might make a show to get them out of the way first before going through, assuming there was the opportunity; he did make a show, at Krei Tech, dramatically appearing over the crowd and then going for only Krei, ignoring everyone else. After all, good men do not target innocents; good men do what is necessary, and are then done.
And really, when you get over all that whole darker side of him? He's not a bad man. His students held a high amount of respect for him, and seemed honestly astonished by the fact that he was Yokai; it can be drawn, then, that he was darned good teacher. His attitude in the movie seems to lead him in to the strict-but-kind sort; mild amounts of sass/sarcasm, but never outwardly offensive with it. The kind of teacher who would single you out as an 'example', but make you laugh, too, because you really should have known better than to give him that kind of opening.
With Hiro, in the first act, he displays a knack for subtly; outwardly approving of Hiro's botfighting while insinuating he could do so much more if he applied himself, but never saying it outright. Just hinting. Pushing. Nudging. After all, Hiro has such a career in botfighting ahead off him, far be it from Callaghan to suggest he do anything otherwise! And depending on how Callaghan viewed the rest of his students, he may be manipulating them all - for the greater good, of course, pushing them past their own boundaries in an attempt to drive them to improve. Little comments, dry humor, etc etc.
Of course, there's points where he drops the subtlety and gets serious. Such as informing Hiro that he could either continue to improve himself, or become a sell-out like Krei, who by the way he wouldn't trust with microbots or anything else. We see Callaghan's darker side for the first time, there, and it's fair to assume that he displayed it in a few other ways, as well. Being a stickler for safety, for example, and having little patience for anyone who outright flaunted the rules and/or guidelines. Perhaps being able to connect/calm down once the danger had passed, but during, say, even a mild accidental chemical fire- being the first on the scene, the first to reach for the fire extinguisher, and then the first to look for who was at fault so that he could kick them out of his lab (temporarily or not). And if a student turned in something that he saw as unsafe, you can darn well bet he'd pull them aside to ask you're not suggesting what I think you are, now, are you? and otherwise ensure they were made fully aware of possible consequences.
Ironic, in that later on - during the course of the movie - he would make himself stop caring about those consequences. Or at least rationalize them as out of his hands. He's not a stupid man; it's very possible that he simply didn't care what happened after his original plans were completed, and would have been accepting of jail or life on the run because his need would have been sated, his conscience at rest, and his daughter avenged. But he saw an opportunity, he took it - and pushed himself to never look back.
If not for that, Callaghan could have very well remained a productive teacher - rearing the next generation of scientists to be anti-Krei, and therefore giving at least a simple satisfaction if not a petty revenge. But he gave in to temptation, and the opening he saw to obtain the greatest vengeance of all. He is a man susceptible to a very manic sort of love, which can be both for the best and the worst; there is nothing he wouldn't do in the name of someone he was close to, whom he outright defined as his 'everything'. And there is nothing he wouldn't do to a person who dared threaten or take that someone away.
TL;DR COOL MOTIVES, STILL KIND OF AN ASSHOLE.
Appearance:
Robert Callaghan is a well-built man a bit over six feet (6'1? 6'2?); he's not buff by any means, but he's fit, healthy, and despite some graying hair is still holding on to his prime. Before
When he puts on the Yokai mask, it tends to be with a complete costume change; black, black, and more black. It's possible he chose the outfit for intimidation as much as to blend in with the shadows, because with a swirling trench coat and a kabuki mask that screams of power and rage and wrath and even grief, you don't have to understand the meaning of the lines to understand that he isn't messing around.
1 & 2
Abilities:
First things first; Robert Callaghan is a brilliant man.
Responsible for such things as 'Callaghan's Laws of Robotics' and 'magnetic servos', it is made clear that he is an expert in his field, and a reknown expert for such. While it's never made clear just how widespread robotics is in his world, it's at least enough for an underground robot fighting ring to have popped up, and with another student having built a robot as part of their final (ONE WAY OR ANOTHER) project...he knows what he's doing. And having at least some role in accepting students to the institute, in teaching/guiding them, he more likely than not has a professional-level knowledge of other major sciences as well.
For an unknown amount of time he was able to dig up information on the suppressed/'erased' Silent Sparrow project; the teleportation(wormhole?)-based project that ended in the loss of his daughter. Presumably this involved no small amount of gathering information, thefts, and otherwise Going Through The Shadows to get what he wanted/needed. He was then able to rebuild Silent Sparrow in a very short amount of time, at least to the point where he could re-engage the portal and use it towards Krei's downfall - this, combined with his theft/reconstruction of the microbots, leads one to believe that he just has to study an item for some time before he's able to reproduce it/twist it for his own ends. Understanding the concepts behind it? The theories, the methods? Just a matter of time, no matter how complicated. The question is open as to how much work Callaghan himself did on Silent Sparrow, and therefore how much he really needed to (re)learn to rebuild it; it's never fully established, though one can presume he did have a hand in its creation, and felt safe enough in its base concepts to give his daughter his blessing in its test run. Of course, you can't account for others' poor decisions...
He's also a fit man, capable of some physical stunts - albeit with the assistance of microbots - that would be the envy of a man half his age. This can be attributed to his 'ex-military' history; it's not clear just how long ago he served, but it can be assumed that since then he's kept up the routine as a matter of lifestyle. Maintaining this could lead him in to having a very long and healthy life, assuming there were no other significant factors. With this established, it can be assumed he has some knowledge of hand to hand combat, and general military tactics; he's not about to lead any wars, but he knows enough and of how people react in crisis to take advantage of it all. That whole dramatic entrance at Krei Tech? Half fury, half deliberate intimidation to get the crowd to flee.
Mind and body aside, Callaghan remains a normal human being, with all the perks and flaws that come with being such.
Inventory:
Callaghan will be coming in with his Yokai outfit, which includes a BAMF coat and clothing, his mask-with-controller band, and a picture of himself and his daughter in an inside pocket. I would also like to request a number of microbots as well; the specific canonpoint has him essentially wrapped in them from the legs down. Because of the size of the microbots it's difficult to really quantify an amount, but I'm thinking of, well, a storage drum full, for lack of a better visual. (55 gallons of volume? 200 litre?)
These will be enough for him to get some basic things done, but he won't be able to cause nearly as much chaos as he did in the movie. They'll certainly be able to assist him with building/assembly, but using them for things like mobility will be a bit more tricky. (Unless he hypothetically was making something like a platform to walk across.)
In terms of the microbots themselves...
Each one is a tiny construct that, through design/Science, is able to pull towards others and then do some pretty amazing things. Implementing Callaghan's own original design of magnetic servos, they essentially are a set of puzzle pieces that can be arranged in any form imaginable. As aforementioned, he will be able to primarily use them for building/assembly and some other basic constructs; extending his reach, a whip/binding mass, maybe for basic mobility (and those platforms/stairs/whatever)...but unless he finds a way to make more, that's all he's got.
Suitability:
Even with his dip in to villainy, Callaghan may very well slip back in to his former attitude to want to help people, and improve the world; with no Krei to seek vengeance against, and no other outright antagonizing factor to lead him in to Bad Decisions, he will no doubt be extremely frustrated at first but end up getting even more frustrated with the state of things as they are. I have little doubts he's going to push for a bit of a technological revolution, possibly trying to get himself in to the Metalworkers so that he's in a position to get what he needs. Whether or not he finds something precious enough to kill for remains to be seen; he more than likely won't have the motivation and/or push needed to go full-on Yokai without some time/heavy CR, but since he's already toed the line of Dubious Morals...well, who's to say he won't again?
Really, it may not be a matter of him joining a gang so much as attempting to steer a bunch of Misguided People in to better methods. He may end up trying to teach some classes, as well, assuming they're willing to listen. If they happen to screw up? He'll try to keep them in line - again, he's ultimately out to prevent more Kreis, and/or other such people who misuse technology and hurt people in the process - and if he ends up having to establish himself in a hierarchy to do so...
In-Character Samples:
Third Person (Prose):
It wasn't nearly as equipped as the lab, or even his old condo, but for lack of anything else...it would work. While Robert had other options, in terms of residences, this few-roomed apartment was the most appealing out of all of them. Which, in itself...said quite a lot about the state of things.
Still, with everything else taken in to account, maybe it wasn't so bad. He at least had a place he could set up a workstation, and he had, even if his work tools were...primitive. But, again, with everything taken in to account? Things could have been quite a lot worse.
He had basic shelter, he had basic supplies, and from there he could work on improving things.
Callaghan sighed, repeating that over in his head as he sat back in the worn chair. Most of the furniture was in the same state, second hand and well used; even impressing some of the local kedan with his knowledge and offer to assist them with their projects only got him so far. It led him in to finding a place to rent and those basic comforts with it, and yet...
It's not going to stay that way.
He abruptly pushed himself to his feet, reaching for his coat. He'd gotten some new clothing, of course, but this at least had some familiar comfort; it had other connotations, of course, but it at least made him feel capable. As though he wasn't just an old man, and worn as his surroundings- instead, as though he was someone who could take a set of rotten circumstances and change them.
It was a petty and purely psychological thought process, but it was at least something. He just needed to get a few more tools, a few more materials, and he could get himself truly started in this primitive place.
He barely even thought of the fact he was grabbing the mask as well, slipping it in to one of the coat's inner pockets; barely even thought of the weight of a number of microbots in another, while the majority remained carefully hidden within a compartment that he had made within the floor. He'd only thought so much of making it, too, only knowing that he needed to have a place to hide all of this, keep it secure, keep it safe from those who would misuse and misunderstand such technology.
More than anything else, it reminded him of what he was capable of - even if he had only been building off another's design.
Network:
[CONSOLE; TEXT]
I've managed to find a suitable location for those lectures I mentioned earlier. It's in Earth Sector, but we shouldn't be bothered by any of the local gangs. From what I understand, there may even be a few members in attendance.
I've taken efforts to make sure that they understand if there's a disturbance, it'll be the only open class I offer; the same goes for the rest of you. I don't care who you are, or why it might happen; if you interrupt the lesson, you're no longer welcome to it.
I've got a few syllabi to rework and I still have to finalize the schedule, but but I'll take some basic questions before we get started. My goal is to start with simple improvements that everyone can adapt for themselves, but if there's enough potential, here, we may end up redefining what these people think of as 'normal'.