Antares Castiglione

Dr. Antares Castiglione (Earth-2619)
Information
Affiliation	Consortium
Position	Handler
Agent	Dietrich Falkenrath, Jaeger Falkenrath
Area of Expertise	Operations planning, Biochemical engineering, Strategy
Aliases	None
Played By	Nick

Card. Antares Castiglione (Earth-2620)
Information
Affiliation	The Host
Position	Cardinal
Choir	Virtues
Area of Expertise	Strategy, Manipulation, Bureaucracy
Aliases	None
Played By	Nick

Dr. Antares Castiglione (Earth-9150)
Information
Affiliation	GSI
Position	Director
Directorate	Research & Development
Area of Expertise	Biochemical engineering, Quantum mechanics
Aliases	None
Played By	Nick

Antares Castiglione is a critical figure on several parallel Earths. He is often, but not always, associated with a medical or scientific research role. On Earth-2619 he works as a Handler of Agents for the Consortium. On Earth-2620 he is a Cardinal responsible for the Virtues Choir of the Host. On Earth-9150 he is the Director of Research on the Object for the Global Security Initiative.

Earth 2619

Early Life

Antares Castiglione grew up in southern Italy, his father had been a medical doctor and his mother had been an American expatriate artist traveling across Europe. The pair had met at an art exhibit and quickly fell in love. His father's strictness was balanced by his mother's kindness but although he preferred the arts, he was forced into science and technology by his father and continued down that path through university until he came to the attention of the Consortium.

As a Researcher for the Consortium

Dr. Castiglione was well-regarded from his onset by even his most senior leadership. His ability to think through complex and lay out a strategy by which gaps could not only be bridged, but shortened, allowed him to advance quickly. By his third year with the Consortium, he'd been named the Chief of Special Projects and was once of the few staff invited to sit in with Sapientia as well as learn the truth behind the Carrion Virus and the Consortium's role within it.

Though still a junior researcher at the time, Castiglione was the first to call attention to the unforeseen effects of Compound 36 in those with similar or near identical genetics. He provided evidence of his findings, specifically relative to Severine and Emilia Lafaille. While the head of the innovations team at the time was interested, not much was done in the way of exploration as the formulation for Compound 36 was within the works. It was only a short time later that the 9th Generation then defected but the idea had been planted in his mind to continue to work with twins with compatibility with the Compound.

Pavel has been a ward of the Consortium since he was a child and became an Initiate at age five. As such, he has had extensive contact with numerous instructors and various knowledge areas. As Initiate training is prioritized by age and subsequent valuation of individual skill sets, the Consortium has been able to shape Pavel's experience so precisely in a manner that difficult to master skills were taught first while his neuroplasticity was at its peak. Less difficult knowledge areas were taught afterward. By the time of his first injection of Compound 36, he had already mastered several fighting styles and had virtually complete muscle memory recall in all of them. His instructors also commented favorably on his overall adaptability.

Although his genetic compatibility was high, Pavel has shown several side-effects to Compound 36. On several occasions he has exhibited bouts of unprovoked hyper-aggression and during one of those, had to be forcefully sedated. On another occasion he experienced localized muscle paralysis when faced with a high-stakes, high-stress situation with variable outcomes and little time for decision-making. This was flagged as a potential risk for full induction into the Order.

At age 18, he was not considered stable enough to join the ranks of the Order, but still remained in training as an Initiate for several more years. When it seemed as though he would be passed over again, the cost-benefit ratio fell to Pavel's favor. He was granted the position of Rho, the highest post-Initiate rank given out in almost six years.

As Part of the Order

Pavel is the current Mu of the Order. At his induction, he selected a double-bladed battle axe as his weapon, not only due to its symbolism, but also because of the strength and stamina required to wield it effectively. He also selected a magnum revolver for his sidearm, a curious choice given the limited cartridge capacity perhaps only mitigated by the lethality of the caliber.

After subsequent operations in the Black Forest region of Germany and the Ceccano region of Italy, Pavel was promoted to Mu.

Pavel's Handler is Aleksandr Orlov.

Physical Appearance

Pavel Dushenko has what most might consider to be an intimidating appearance. At over six feet tall with a pronounced, overly muscular physique, he has a tendency to tower over those around him. He wears the standard Order uniform, which is a white/silver body-armor type uniform with gold accents on it. His thick blond hair is just above his light blue eyes but is often pushed up or to the side. His face is often unshaven and tends to wear stubble without much of a shape. He has no tattoos or distinguishing physical marks or scars outside of his general build.

Powers and Skills

Pavel is an inducted member of the Order and has received the final injection of Compound 36 to make the abilities it grants permanent.