The son of a pilot, Nathan Banks grew up wanting to fly, but near-sightedness that resisted surgical correction dashed that dream. Instead, he threw himself into the science and technology of flight, studying aeronautics at university and getting a job as a test flight engineer with the military afterwards. He later moved on, doing consulting and design work for Boeing, Lockheed-Martin and other aerospace giants. Eventually he founded his own company and developed a revolutionary jet engine that cut the carbon output of large passenger aircraft in half, making him a multi-millionaire by age 30. Today, Banks Aerospatial has facilities on every continent, even a cold weather testing base in Antarctica, Nathan is closer to being a multi-billionaire and owns a veritable squadron of private jets... which he longs to pilot, but cannot. He is also a best-selling author of a book called Soar, which is part biography of his father, part travelogue, and part optimistic technological manifesto, responsible for kick-starting more than one fledgeling inventor's career.

Though few would believe it of the tall, handsome, wealthy and intelligent man, Banks has never been particularly successful with women. Most of his time and effort has gone into his work, and his few relationships have been short and rather passionless. He feels as if something is missing, but cannot identify what. Nearly 40 years old, he looks and feels much younger, possessing an energy and fitness that belie his age. 6'5” tall and built along athletic lines, various exercise and sports interests keep him lean and strong. His fair-brown hair is thick and slightly curling, with a natural high widow's peak. He watches people with grey eyes that are clear and insightful, sharp when angered and serene otherwise.