As an adult in Ireland, Haley began experiments with a cosmic energy source he dubbed "cold fire." A mishap in the lab caused Haley to be consumed by the cosmic flames, seemingly killing him. His burnt body and research was turned over to NeoGene Labs, where it was discovered Haley was not dead after all. He was revived, but with no memory of his past life. After recuperating, he was offered a job as head of security at NeoGene.

Orion is very sure of himself, to the point of being overconfident. He is honest and does not lie. He is conservative in his beliefs, laid back, and always punctual. People seem to like him wherever he goes, but he is very suspicious of others, and trusts almost no one. He can be unfriendly and lazy, except when it comes to his scientific work. Being presumed dead has had a liberating effect on Haley; he grew out his hair and turned his back on his past, reveling in his new physical powers.

He is currently romantically involved with Doctor Lanie Perry, head of research at NeoGene Labs.

Orion can generate a plasma type of energy he calls cold fire, which burns even in the absence of oxygen. He can project cold flames that dissolves the bonds between atoms. He can also lower the temperature and increase the density of the flames so he can move objects. He can mentally accelerate the molecular motion of an object to cause it to combust. He can fly and is resistant to fire attacks. A cosmic warning sense alerts him to dangerous events before they happen to him most of the time. His body can regenerate from nonfatal wounds within a half-hour.