Joaquin Cortés

Gateway Resident Database: Non-Expressive

File #16 Jan 2023 02:31

Summary

Name Joaquin Olivio Cortés Aliases Status Registered Non-Expressive (Augmented) Gender Male Birthdate March 15, 2000 Age 51 Height 5'10" Build Athletic Eyes Brown Hair Brown Residence The Lofts, Sector 4-2 Employment Executive of the Civil Defense Union, Gateway Council Parents Arturo Olivio Cortés (father, deceased) Carina Natalia Cortés-Cruz (mother, deceased) Siblings Alexandra Camila Cortés (older sister, deceased) Javier Arturo Cortés (older brother, deceased) Marital Status Single Children None First Scene Last Scene Profile Joaquin is the current Executive of the Civil Defense Union circa late 2030s, overseeing security throughout Gateway and surface expedition approvals. He is known for a light-handed and empathetic approach for maintaining order, preferring to work things out instead of resorting to confinement or violence, but situations have arisen where that has been needed. Previous to his current position, he lived and worked in several levels of the bunker with all manner of jobs. He is one of the Lighthouse Kids (LHKs) from Pollepel Island's massacre pre-American 2nd Civil War.

portrayed by Rodrigo Santoro

Background

Joaquin was barely old enough to drink, and in the beginnings of an intern stint at Elmhurst hospital, when the country seemingly decided it needed another war. This time instead of being ferried off to Canada, he was in the thick of it as the wounded and dead began to pile up and overwhelm medical sites like an unendingly dire lost season of M*A*S*H.

Joaquin was scooped up in the lottery for the Gateway along with other medical staff. He didn’t have any time to really parse the harsh reality of the HELE until the bunker doors closed, and then there was so much time to do just that. Yet, it felt like no time at all until the next attack. He had found familiar faces amongst those saved in the shelter, reconnected with some, grew more connected with others. To lose so many of them again in the 2023 attack on the geothermal reactor, broke Joaquin away from the path of reactive support.

Instead, he took action. Not like the kind that was meeting violence with violence, though even he sometimes thought it might be necessary, but pushing himself with every motion and conceivable notion he could to take on the burden of protecting those who were left to save. He joined the construction efforts to rebuild the second reactor and residences all the way into the Guts. He helped tend the agriculture zones in the Lofts and Mids, aided in feeding the people, helped in the medical bays when necessary. He’s used to doing all sorts of jobs to earn his keep.

One more action taken: participating in surface expeditions. Joaquin in his youth had sheltered in Canada with the Lighthouse and Ferrymen, hadn’t really taken to the same missions as those who had SLC-Expressive abilities and a stronger stomach for survival. But this was a matter of humanity’s survival, and it meant risk. He held out hope in the Horizon project as it took hold, and did his part as much as he could. After the expedition to Natazhat, and the shift of Horizon’s aim, Joaquin was unexpectedly chosen to be Executve of the CDU from the predecessor. To him, it was a heavy but necessary burden, and a great honor.

He’d been chosen for his outlook. Though there were constant battles with the lower levels, plagues, and violence marring the greatest mission of saving humanity, overall he thought he was doing a fairly good job of it once the true ennui of Earth’s last humans seemed to be warded off for the time being. When Emily Epstein died in 2040, he was devastated at the loss of a long-time friend, and personally blamed himself for her death happening on his watch.

To this day, Joaquin strives to execute his office to the best of his ability. His mission is to make sure people stay alive, to live their best lives even as Horizon searches for something even better, and seeks to convince the minds otherwise of those who would actively hinder that mission. He sees Civil Defense as a way to be proactive, in his own way being able to contribute to saving humankind by supporting and inspiring others. It is his hope that he will live to see the culmination of efforts from Horizon see success. Despite the Decimation’s effects and overall positivity dwindling, deep within him, hope springs eternal. And in the meantime, there’s always work to be done.

Psych Profile

Age and experience has sharpened some of Joaquin’s softer qualities, made it harder to trust not just others but himself. But he remains sincere, speaks frankly and honestly, with the intent to ultimately be kind. He is as resilient and empathetic as possible. He doesn’t see himself as arbitrarily superior because of his spot on the Council, rather, he is absolutely concerned with the wellbeing of all no matter what their level or lot. He knows this because he’s been in all levels, before Gateway and within.

There is nonetheless darkness in Joaquin even he tries to escape. He’s brusque when stressed or worried, indecisive when fearful; the core of the excuses always is the protection and concern for others. One could argue he overburdens himself for the sake of others, for fear of their well-being he tries to take on too much on his own, and will snap harshly if they suggest he let go of some of that feeling of duty and responsibility. He’s getting therapy for it, when he has the time.

Augmentations

• Active HUD implant with vision enhancement - Allows for Low light and dark vision like a security camera (or a cat). Google Glass without the gaudy frames.
• Augmentation Detection - Detection of augmentations in others by way of a medallion-like device implanted in his upper chest beneath the sternum. It vibrates when within the presence of other augments. Connected to his HUD, allows ID of location and type of augmentations integrated within another person. Full Skins/Pharos would cause strongest vibrations, but he’s able to withstand them easily. The area of effect is about the size of a normal room.
• Augmentation Dampener - Activates a targeted field within a normal size room that interferes with augmentation operations in others, used in conjunction with the augmentation detection device. Because it is potentially harmful to others, knowledge about this augmentation is strictly confidential.
• Direct Registered Database Identification - Instant Access to Gateway’s database registry of citizens for rapid identification, known history, and other recent information.
• Enhanced Bio-Response via Nano-Intravenous Tech Responder Outburst (NITRO). An integrated electrochemical system that when activated, flushes the body with biotech nanites. The nanites released infiltrate throughout the body, allowing for temporary benefits: extra athletic performance like an additional adrenaline or steroid boost, extra reflexes and mental reaction speed, increased strength and stamina to peak human level. It also affords temporary durability in the form of subdermal armor and rapid healing. Condition peaks for a minute, then fades as the nanites return to their normal state. This returns a fatigued result that needs thirty minutes to restore/reset.

When I choose to see the good side of things, I'm not being naive.

It is strategic and necessary.

It's how I've learned to survive through everything.

Waymond, Everything, Everywhere, All At Once

Appendices

Gallery

Logs

Date	Title	Summary	Cast

Assorted Facts & Hooks

Known to Most

• He is the second Executive of the Civil Defense Union and was chosen for the position rather than inheriting it.
• He's lived in almost all levels of the Gateway prior to his rise in position and current lodgings in the Lofts.

Known to Some

• Joaquin was a part of the surface expedition team that ventured to Mount Natazhat, Alaska.
• Joaquin was a part of the Lighthouse Kids (LHK) who were in Canada during the 2nd American Civil War.
• Close friends call him Chimo.

Known to Few

• He has a specialized Augmentation allowing him to effectively disable and neutralize those with them. This augment is confidential information.

Skills

First Aid, Medic Support

Basic combat medic and EMT level first aid

Combat

Self Defense focused hand to hand, general firearms. As decent as any trained law officer.

Crisis Management

His focus on crisis management is negotiation and peaceful resolution when possible.

Civilian Life

Handy with a tool kit, overall experience with basic level repairs and fixes. He leaves the complicated stuff to the experts.
Cooks and cleans up nice.
He's got a nice voice, enjoys playing a guitar. One of the hobbies he's better at.

Languages

Spanish and English: Bilingual fluency as a native speaker of both.
Set Phrases of multiple languages: For basic communication with Gateway citizens.
ASL American Sign Language and Lighthouse Cant: Bears significant improvement since his younger days, and adaptations to evolve the languages for current terms.