Hot Off the Press

It wasn't long ago that the name Amy Diallo was on the lips of every newscaster in the Lunar Directorate, but you wouldn't know it from the way she holds herself. A former executive with the Atlas Bank, she was indicted for insider trading and massive embezzlement of the bank's funds, before seemingly disappearing without a trace or prison sentence. There is not a hint of shame in her demeanor when she replies to your recruitment beacon, identifying herself simply as the captain of the AEGIS, but the subtle loosening of her shoulders after signing the employment contract betrays how desperate she is for any work at all.

Hands Off

In addition to acting as a personal ID, the glowing Atlas eye implants are typically meant to allow employees to seamlessly access company equipment. Because of this, every Atlas ship is built with an eyescan ignition system. However, Amy has bypassed this system in favor of more traditional voice recognition controls, which she relies on even during the heat of battle. She says she prefers to keep her hands free for other activities, like her knitting hobby. It doesn't seem to impact her laser focus on the battlefield.

Perks of the Job

AEGIS is first and foremost a security ship, meant to act as a traveling vault for when Amy's last job required her to transport valuable physical objects, such bearer bonds or safe deposit boxes. Its antimatter shields are some of the fastest recharging in the business, and its cleansing systems means the captain barely has to lift a finger to unravel even the most advanced cyber attacks. AEGIS' luxury interior, amenities, and entertainment system, however, are distinctly not standard issue. You suppose that the money from Amy's embezzlement had to go somewhere.

Midlife Crisis

Amy got away with her crimes for more than a decade before being caught in an internal audit. According to the papers, she started out taking small loans for herself and writing them off as company expenses, eventually moving up to "loaning" money to "friends" playing the stock market, who paid her interest directly. Her statements to the press always leaned on the idea of standing up to the monolith of Atlas Bank, but she tells you privately, "It all escalated beyond my control, before I knew it I was addicted. Not just to the money, it was the rush. Going home to my pathetic lump of a husband left me craving something more"

Turning a Blind Eye

Following her scandal, Amy was completely cut off from her bank account and blacklisted by all the galaxy's major credit suppliers. She's been forced to rely mostly on the novelty metal coins favored by conspiracy theorists and the showboating Martian elite. Amy is a bit concerned that Atlas will eventually try to reclaim the company ship, but is more worried about her Atlas Eye implants, "They aren't meant to come back out. Usually, only their system access is shut down remotely when someone leaves, but there are stories… They say you have to get custom cybernetics to work around the damage from having them pulled."

Gold Digging

Amy insists that her case would never have become so high profile if it weren't for her husband, a famous model in the Lunar Directorate. "Atlas is built on greed, people expect it. The problem was all his fans, whipping up the flames." While you're skeptical that Atlas would have ever brushed off a direct attack on their bottom line, it's undeniable that embarrassment from celebrity tabloids couldn't have helped. Amy still stews over it. "I always knew he married me for my wealth. Didn't say a word about crime when it paid for his vacations, but the second my account got sealed he was telling everyone who would listen that I betrayed his trust."

Stare down

Her cold, icy gaze catches you off guard. You struggle to find an ounce of warmth in Nastasya, a hardened executioner and Anarch of XAOC's House Kotov. She stares you down, assessing your every move. "Let me ask you something, Commander," she says, rudely interrupting your onboarding session. "Do you consider yourself a strong leader? I'm trying to read you. Normally, I can smell weakness from across the room."

Kan 9

The Kan 9 is a rare model, over a decade old, but still coveted by seasoned pilots. It can take out targets in stasis without triggering their defense systems, allowing Nastasya to defeat the enemy before they have a chance to strike back. It hasn't seen much use and still gleams from a prior upgrade. Nastasya brags, "It's a perk of being a leader; I get to spend most of my time safe in the command room. I miss flying her, though. When I do get to fly, it's usually to finish a subordinate's job myself."

Sick days

Nastasya's peers avoid her like the plague, turning the other way when they see her coming. You've even noticed a rise in sick days among your pilots whenever they're assigned to work alongside her. Her suggestions to cull certain crew members haven't helped her reputation."You should give it some thought," she urges. "In House Kotov, I execute the weak. They are too cowardly to truly commit to the Path—to wear the face of their enemy. Must I remind you we are a major House for a reason?"

Cleansing fire

Nastasya was an assassin in House Nergui before founding House Kotov. She left house Nergui because she believed she was a reincarnation of the legendary warlord Volk Kan, and questioned her peers' commitment to the path. She still remembers her pre-combat ritual by heart. It starts with a mantra: "I exist to foot the path, everything else is secondary." She then tests her will with ice baths and hot coals, claiming it makes her stronger and cleanses her past discrepancies.

Denial

Nastasya is so focused on the Path that the concept of enjoyment is almost alien to her. When she is not participating in ritual, she undergoes grueling gym sessions, only eating for sustenance, and usually through a tube. Back in House Kotov, she engaged in strategic planning and negotiations, something she reluctantly admits provided a moment of respite. She won't admit that her actions are taking a toll on her, but for a moment, she cannot hide her exhaustion.

New House of Kan

It's hard to understand how someone so devoted to the Path ended up taking a contract from you. She explains, "Everything circles back to the Path. I want a seat on the Enduring Council by next year, and for that, we need stronger fleets and better training, and that costs money."

Her ambition is unwavering. "When I'm on the Council, no one will stray again. And those who do will be punished. Soon, everyone will join the New House of Kan, and his shrine will be a new landmark."

An Elegant Introduction

Amartya arrived at your station like a quiet light hiding amongst the stars. Young for a Child of Mars, she carries herself as a shrine carries flame, quiet, immaculate, almost reverent. She pilots with ceremonial patience. You read on her file that she once lived amongst marble halls of royalty, but you've not heard her speak of it. As she glides throughout the station, you always notice a small white bird accompanying her. She introduces it as a relic of home… which should comfort you. It doesn’t.

Symmetry of Purpose

Amartya’s ship was clearly built to survive. The anti armor array whispers tungsten lances through siege plating, described in crew briefs as a mercy strike for clean penetrations. Repair-bot disruption fields pulse like cathedral bells, winding white tether light across enemy decks to “freeze malfunctioning harmonics.” She loves the design for its symmetry of purpose. Others believe the purpose is protection. The logs never corrected them.

Like a Proud Parent

She speaks of the bird most when no one asks her to speak at all. It chirps in irregular cadences during long jumps, and she answers every trill like a flight analyst reading silent charts. She once explained, almost proudly, that it was part of some CTT Trials, an Everliving consciousness transfer study meant to test endurance of non-human vessels. She describes the link as permanent, knitted into her nervous system through a constant neural handshake. When she flexes her gloved fingers, the bird settles, synced to her pulse. Most took her admiration as tenderness, but something still felt off to you.

Puppeteer or Patron

Crew logs note one night of unusual sounds around her quarters. They report soft tapping patterns from behind her door, followed by a single chirp, almost ceremonial, almost rehearsed. Many of the crew believe that she was simply playing with the bird, but it reminds you of a time you saw her correcting its posture by proximity alone, a single control enacted without speech or command. Enamored by her grace, no one else seems to ask why the bird always complies.

Loving Embrace

One night you found her squeezing the bird with a wild look of fixation. She noticed you too late and immediately the tightness vanished from her hands, softness replacing intensity in a breath. The bird returned to perch upon her palm, head tilting once, a single solemn chirp marking restored equilibrium. Only then did you notice the blood on her nails, tiny dark crowns at the tips, like an unfinished sentence. You couldn’t help but stare.

Eternal Witness

She meets your stare, and as you ask for the truth, She explains without hesitation: “They said failure. I heard forever.” Everliving classified the transfer as a cognitive fracture, and a failure due to permanent pain. A single bead of red falls from her nail as she continues: “To entomb a mind and have it answer you in truth? That isn't a tragedy, it's the purity of the signal.” The bird settled in her palm, feathers immaculate once more. “It lives because the sound does. So I never stop hearing it. Eternity deserves at least one witness that truly listens.”

Electric Eccentricities

At this point you're used to former Gelecek employees making an entrance, but sometimes it seems like Captain Ilys Espinoza has made a game out of shocking as many people as possible with her attitude and modifications. While she usually wears a pair of humanoid arms while piloting, it turns out that her face plate and limbs are all completely detachable, and she keeps a rack of alternate models in her quarters. It's a bit of a struggle to get used to seeing a mechanical crab-centaur covered in metal tentacles enter the mess hall, but your crew is working on it.

Fairy Class

According to Ilys, Anemone is the most expensive defensive vessel in Gelecek's fleet, something that sounds impressive until SOVA informs you their defensive line is famously underfunded. Still, Anemone is shockingly impressive for something built with that handicap. Its micro-drone design is similar to one favored by Atlas offensive units, with a twist. While Ilys does use her "silver fairies" to deliver corrosive payloads directly onto the enemy's weaponry, the subtle shockwaves given off by their thrusters also serve to knock incoming fire harmlessly off course.

Fashion Maketh the Man

Over time, you can work out something resembling a method to the madness that is Ilys' mechanical parts. Her favorite many-tentacled facial plate comes with a variety of replaceable endings, and enables your Captain's already terrible multitasking addiction. You rarely see her at work without it. Her humanoid set of legs is the tallest that she owns, and thus favored for when she wants to be taken seriously, whereas the crab set gets broken out when she's moving quickly around the station. You have to ask directly what purpose the tentacle arms serve, however, and get a flat look in response. "They match the face plate, duh."

Fairy Tale

Ilys has a tendency to recall her past ships with the same distant fondness one might a former lover, but she is always ready to gush to you about Anemone in particular. "Now, AI co-pilots are nothing new for us, but I swear she really looks out for me. Not just pumping the reverse thrusters to avoid collision, though she's saved my hide too many times, but I mean… Whenever I'm in a bad mood I always find an extra ration heated up in the back, you know? We don't talk about it, but she's the first ship I've met that really feels like it cares. Crazy right?"

Hooked On A Feeling

Ilys spends a lot of her free-time tinkering away with something in the corner of her hangar, which has been steadily transformed into a wild mix of empty cups, spare data displays, and glass cubes filled with metal webs. Last time you asked, she excitedly explained, "I'm working on a kind of capture device! Non-lethal, non-destructive, perfect for station security, and won't damage implants. Despite the proverb, I do think there's a bit of a need to reinvent the taser."

Party To The Proceedings

Generally you don't interfere with what your crew does in their free time, so it comes as a surprise when you catch Ilys jogging up to her hangar for battle one morning with her hair greasy and undone. Apparently, she spent the night in the brig after celebrating the patent for her capture device with a live demonstration. While nobody was hurt, and several of her fellow Gelecek crewmates were thrilled to take turns being webbed and pulled around the base, the former Binderburg employees they ambushed afterwards were somewhat less so.

Man of the Year

Captain Edvard Berg has been named The Galactic Tribune's Man of the Year 3 times in a row, and he is not shy about it. A favorite of news interviewers for his easy conversation and penchant for horribly memorable sound bites, he claims to be an entirely self-made man. As a highly successful "inventor" and businessman, Edvard has exerted his influence over several prominent Atlas subsidiaries. From information brokers to law firms, he is guaranteed to own more than a few shares. You're unclear how any of this makes him qualified as a fighter pilot, but he's got a contract as long as he does ok work.

Ad Spot

APEX is an Edison 9 model ship, commissioned of course from a company that Edvard owns a majority stake in. The line is named after his hero, an obscure old earth inventor, and notably sports a giant supercomputer jutting from its side, alongside an equally giant fan attached. As Edvard once pitched it on a talk show: "it runs all the complex calculations for the pilot, no strategy needed. The inbuilt camera scans the battlefield in real-time, and even records an action replay." As for the fan, which is functionally useless in the vacuum of space, "It just looks cool."

Ugly Truth

Your usual background check turns up a few interesting facts. First, for a so-called self-made man, Edvard received a generous loan from his parents to begin his tech start up. Second, given how many different products the news has described him as the "inventor" of, all but one of his personal patents seem to have been bought from previous owners. Third, he is exceptionally annoying to work with, condescending, and more or less superfluous to the good work APEX's systems do in battle. Several of your pilots have started habitually muting Edvard's comm.

Unwilling Investment

Early on in his employment, Edvard began pestering you with a series of proposals to allow him to invest in your fleet. His proposals were all slight variations on an offer to trade upgrades for your ships and equipment in exchange for control over the jobs you take on and a larger cut of your revenue. You've started sending him a form letter in reply, explaining that he is welcome to hire your fleet for an individual job, but you have no interest in being downgraded to his personal squadron leader. SOVA has caught his answering pout on camera several times.

Eyes On The Prize

One of Edvard's first products was the infamous glowing Atlas Eyes, but you are quick to point out that he doesn't sport one himself. His answer is refreshingly honest. "I pioneered it, but I would never wear one of those things, they are far too invasive," Remembering a conversation with the employee who made it, Edvard recalls being warned of the societal implications of the eye, but felt the benefits were alluring enough to secure a huge profit. "I was right, everyone wears them now, whether they want to or not. They're a great way to ensure you are getting the best value out of your workers." There's no shame in his voice.

Finally

You don't notice that Edvard's business proposals have stopped until SOVA mentions that they've discontinued the APEX pout collage to save processing space. You decide to ask him about it just to make sure he isn't gearing up for something new, and instead learn that living amongst your rag-tag crew, most of whom hate him, has completely put Edvard off the idea. "Well at least I got some time out of my day job. This has really taken me back to my days as a scout in the elite security force. Quit that job as soon as I realized I like money too much."

Nhila 9

Before joining your fleet, Darian served as head of security for Nhila 9 Tech Hub - a quiet, isolated outpost where he often worked alone. Despite this, he earned a reputation for dismantling entire Marauder packs before they could even reach the territory, a feat few can claim. Given his accomplishments, you expected a hardened, confident leader. Instead, the man who arrives is unexpectedly shy, often communicating through the genetically modified cat he always carries around.

Sphinx Class

Darian's Sphinx-class unit resembles an insect, with jagged pores along its front that release a deadly toxin derived from Gelecek's insect hybrids. This toxin spreads across a wide radius, weakening enemy ships and making minor attacks fatal. Deeply attached to the unit, Darian personally oversees engineers during routine maintenance, while his cat, Darian Junior, hisses, "Be careful you don't damage my Asphodel, you fools." It's revealed that Darian and Darian Junior are neurally connected to the unit, sharing a "spiritual" bond. Unable to return the ship after leaving Nhila 9, he "borrowed it indefinitely."

No Pain no Gain

When Darian isn't wiping out his hundredth enemy, he can often be found in the simulation room, recreating brutal battles from the Frontier's past. At first, you assume he's testing tactics, as is customary. But Darian Junior confides, "I enjoy reliving the thrill of war—the bloodier, the better. This state-of-the-art machine lets me feel their pain, just as they did. It gets the adrenaline pumping." With a sly smirk, the cat adds, "Sometimes I change the outcomes. Ceasefires are boring"

Frenemies

Darian's files are surprisingly transparent, detailing every aspect of the accident that took his voice. He once engaged in a reckless clash with Tavian Skalos, a "friendly rival" who had gotten under Darian's skin since childhood. One day, a heated exchange during a routine patrol went too far, sending Darian's ship hurtling toward a nearby planet. Trapped beneath a bulkhead that crushed his windpipe, he lay stranded for hours before help arrived. In most factions, this would make him a liability, but Gelecek, valuing its members' stakes, dismissed it as a petty squabble and transferred him from Bizim to Nhila 9.

I have terrible news

After his accident, Darian was transferred to Nhila 9's experimental division, where doctors confirmed his vocal cords were paralyzed beyond repair. Darian Junior once told you, "I never cared for people much anyway; not having to speak was kind of a relief. Not happy I lost the battle, though. Maybe it was for the best, I had a great run at Nhila 9, whilst I still had enemies to kill."

Human Guinea Pig

Put in the care of Nhila's lead scientist, Darian agreed to undergo an ethically dubious experimental procedure. As both men were friends, and almost equally eccentric, Darian let them link his mind via Neuronet ™ to a Sphynx cat formerly named 19543-Z. The cat, equipped with an artificial voice, is almost an extension of Darian's mind, speaking his thoughts in a hive-mind like fashion. Early on, Darian accidentally spilled several secrets through the cat, and continued doing it on purpose, just for fun. He tells you "It's easier to talk through a cat, you can say whatever you like and people will forgive you. Speaking my mind is so much easier now."

One Man Band

Unusually for a Marauder, Asphyxiator isn't used to flying with a pack. Hummin, the pilot, has stocked his craft with everything he needs to be self-sufficient: from packed stores of food and fuel, to navigational and maintenance tools, to personal boarding equipment…and also all the brainwashing equipment needed to program new Marauders. As a safety measure, you had that last one confiscated as quickly as possible. It is still incredibly cramped inside.

Deep Fry

Since the advent of the blaze cannon, it hasn't been unusual to see battlefields awash in flame. Asphyxiator's main weapon, however, takes it to another level. While designed to function as a simple, single target mortar launcher, Hummin's unique reloading technique has turned it into a fireball cannon. One blast releases so much blaze that it literally splashes off his actual target. Some of your crew have taken to calling it "the deep fryer" after all the splatter. Hummin, for his part, just nods in approval and continues overfilling the fuel tank.

Makes Itself Known

Hummin didn't say anything when security took his brainwashing equipment, but you feel an unmistakable air of disdain upon entering Asphyxiator's hangar for months afterwards. At first, you assume his blank staring and noticeably bent silverware is just part of how his Marauder Madness manifests, but considering the pristine condition of the fragile equipment you seized, it seems likely he's doing it solely as petty revenge. It's unclear exactly why he's so hung up on this, considering that he seems to have habitually abandoned his fledglings immediately after turning them.

Class Clown

Hummin doesn't talk much, so it's a bit of a surprise to realize that he apparently has a sense of humor - albeit not one that anyone but him appreciates. Beyond his obnoxious tendency to pointedly adjust his gloves for several seconds before responding to requests for assistance, some of your more portly captains swear up and down that Hummin has approached them unprovoked after difficult battles to share a series of ads for "titanium reinforced coffins." You also become accustomed to hearing a sarcastically cheerful little ditty being hummed over the open comm whenever a ship blows up…regardless of which side it was on.

Secret Stash

SOVA alerts you after a battle near the Gamish Waypoint that you should probably run an inspection in Hummin's quarters. This turns out to be a good call, as you discover that he managed to salvage two sets of brainwashing equipment from the enemy's wreckage, and attempted to smuggle them both into his room using a large decorative fur. It's almost offensive that he thought this would work, considering that the fur is the first and only decoration that he's put in quarters. As far as you can tell, he's continued to live and sleep entirely out of his ship.

Fledglings, Fathers

You don't look into how your staff disposed of the brainwashing equipment, so you have very little context when one of your security personnel approaches you with a large black leather bag. "Your Marauder used it as a storage pouch for the stuff, and I thought it seemed innocuous and useful enough to keep…but then today I turned it inside out to clean it…" Scratched into the inside of the material is a childish set of figures, the largest one wearing a mask and stretching out its arms as if to embrace a dozen others. When you elect to return it, Hummin simply runs his fingers over the etchings, clutches it to his chest, and walks stiffly from the room.

Two Faced

Trine was a physicist in Gelecek before she answered your recruitment beacon. She is infamous in her field for her niche views on consciousness rights, causing her to clash with several activists. Her belief that androids should not have personhood left people questioning her sense of empathy. And yet, the Trine you meet seems carefully polished. She is kind to a fault, even offering to use her downtime to help train your rookies.

Orthrus-Class

Trine's Orthrus-class ship has powerful weaponry, designed to gradually corrode enemy ships, limiting their ability to fight back. Its huge canisters store varying concentrations of Fluoro acid, a corrosive substance that is almost impossible to neutralize when it is in its purest form. The low-tech delivery system sets it apart from other Gelecek units. The substance is sprayed over attacking ships via a timed delivery system.

Downfall

Trine was once celebrated for her role in Bizim's relocation. She helped pioneer the technology behind it, the Translocation Drive. This allowed the bustling Gelecek hub to move across the galaxy in the blink of an eye, securing a major strategic advantage. She was later placed on the Mechanism research team, but for reasons never disclosed, she was voted off through the Conscious Flow.

In her defense

Trine often feels the need to defend her stance in the consciousness debate. "I recognize androids as sentient beings. I wouldn't be much of a scientist if I didn't. That's why it hurts to argue against their personhood. But I have to think of our own. We can already augment ourselves, so let's keep focusing on that, on making ourselves more capable. Creating a consciousness from scratch is just another burden on the population." She sighs. "Before I was a scientist, I was a front-line pilot. The entire crew was replaced by androids."

Collector

Trine is an avid collector of "alien artifacts," items of unknown origin she picked up while traveling the galaxy. She tells you, "There is life out there, and I want to be the one to find it." She points to an abstract cube, its functions marked in an unfamiliar language. "I promise you this wasn't made by a human. I've never seen a material like this before, and the script doesn't match any of the lost languages. Looking at it keeps me going. It reminds me that my research matters."

Greener pastures

Being removed from the Mechanism Project was a breaking point for Trine. She believed it had been her last real shot at finding alien life. "I don't know if it was Altan Aydin or Emerald Lotus, but one of them rigged the votes. After all, we have an android for a CEO, and an android rights activist as president. My only shot now is the Abyss, and I fully intend to explore it while I'm part of your crew. If anything in this galaxy points to alien life, it has to be the Abyss."

A very particular set of skills

When you put out a contract for a new pilot, you didn't expect Terran to send a compliance officer at least not one with a recommendation from a Terran Commander. Her commander tells you, "She came to check our safety procedures and bother me about documentation. I did not expect her to try out our ships, stay in our quarters, try the food to ensure it was fit for human consumption, and join us in battle. She should have been a fighter, I haven't seen a soul with the skills she has…Pain in my rear though."

TC-VD-1

Chakara, a TC-VC (Velocity Disruptor) model ship, is a niche unit and one of only three in existence. "It has a Multi-Spectrum Targeting Suite—just a fancy name for a velocity-tracking weapon," Sienna tells you. It houses high-speed optical cameras and lidar sensors to track movement in three-dimensional space, while predictive AI analyzes acceleration patterns. The system prioritizes the fastest ships, striking before they can get too close.

It takes a village

Sienna is known for her intelligence. "Growing up on the grounds of the Sanjay Marigold Academy has its benefits." she smiles. "My parents were law professors specializing in Human Rights, and they were eternally busy. You know they say it takes a village to raise a child, well I was raised by the academy. Academics from all walks of life would watch over me. I remember visiting a physics lab once, and I got a whole lesson about the life cycle of stars. It was truly fascinating."

Risk assessment

Sienna refuses to tell you the results of her risk assessment until it is complete. It is a shame that SOVA accidentally flagged her communications. Her message to her superior reads: "The base is clean, employees are treated well, but procedures are followed loosely. I accompanied them during several battles, and it was quite frankly chaotic with dangerous decisions being made in the heat of the moment. Finally, their hiring decisions are concerning. I believe in a fair hiring process, one that doesn't judge every mistake, but some of these people are dangerous and a risk to the crew. I am going to need more time to ensure they meet my standards."

Final warning

Sienna taps you on the shoulder, "I have come to remind you, yet again commander, that we need paperwork on every single unit in your hangar. When did they last receive routine maintenance? Does every ship have approved parts?

Well forget about the last question, I know I saw a black market thruster on one of your crew member's ships. Make sure they have that fixed, or I will see to it myself. I may seem nice, but my patience is thin if you can't adhere to basic compliance, I will suspend your contract with Terran.

Jack of all trades

"I learned a lot hopping between departments, immersing myself in each role. I've played so many parts: extraterrestrial investigator, line cook… Timeline investigation was fun. Got to see a simulation of the apocalypse." She leans in: "Enough friendly chatter. I know you looked into your risk assessment… nothing gets past me. You can thank Gelecek for that. They put out a contract for quality assurance on a mind enhancement device, and I tested it to ensure it was safe. It gave me a hawk-like perception and I soak up information like a sponge. I'm a walking encyclopedia. But the memories it replayed? Those, I wanted to forget."

Ryan Chen

Ryan arrives at your base in the middle of an engineering crisis.

Your crew scrambles to fix the universal charging stations, crucial in powering your crew's ships. Waiting for his orientation, Ryan asks "Mind if I take a look?" as if immune to the chaos around him. He strolls over to a fuse box, calmly assessing the situation. After a few adjustments, he nods. "Someone's been messing with the wires, might want to look into that."

Xuanwu 1

Ryan's Xuanwu 1 model ship is one of Tianchao's most advanced models, a prototype of his own design. It enhances nearby units almost instantly, boosting their attacks and stealth. His latest breakthrough, a time-altering veil, renders allied ships invisible by distorting time around them. This effect causes enemies to perceive space as it was moments earlier, before the ships arrived, effectively making them vanish from sight.

Specter Systems

Whilst Ryan manages the entire Engineering division for Tianchao's spy cells, he also leads "Specter Systems" an experimental department dedicated to stealth engineering. Ryan a stealth pioneer,

makes a rare joke that he is "married to the job." He even joined your crew to get hands-on experience with his unit, and study rival stealth tech. Ryan tells you "I have never been on the battlefield before, but I would risk everything for Tianchao."

Time after time

"It's precisely 9:45, not a minute less" you hear Ryan muttering to himself as he grabs his morning coffee. You then observe him check his watch just a moment later, seemingly obsessed with the time. Usually rational, he sometimes has moments where he detaches from reality, his words indicating his mind is somewhere else entirely, for just a brief moment.

Fixations

Ryan's hobbies are deeply tied to his work. His fixation on dream hacking — originally for testing stealth scenarios, led to a breakthrough in psychological stealth techniques. However, his unwavering dedication raises concerns. SOVA deciphers his outgoing messages, uncovering details of a planned second Dyson Sphere takeover, this time with Atlas as the target.

Reflections

Remembering his time at Filmaunt University, Ryan gushes over his achievements. He was chosen for a prestigious project under the celebrated Professor Sato, studying weaponized AI. The project collapsed when the professor was arrested for his ties to Tianchao. Ryan insists "He never sold the project for profit—he believed in their cause. In freedom." Sato saw Ryan as a reflection of himself and tried to recruit him. Ryan, embroiled in the cause, quit his PhD and joined the clan. "It was either that or face arrest as an accomplice."

Realities Of Funding

Crocus was originally commissioned as part of biotech startup Izanami's "sample collection" squadron, before funding issues made it impossible to support its upkeep. Since then, the squad has stayed affiliated with Gelecek, but has become much looser about the source of their orders, and their paychecks. Squad Leader Aiden Murphy has personally taken on employment with a wide range of organizations in order to support his people's upkeep. Keep him funded, and he's perfectly happy to direct his ship wherever you want, even into depths of Marauder territory.

The Changeling AI

While many Gelecek pilots are heavily supported in their work by intelligent AIs, you discover quickly that Aiden prefers to keep things simple. Crocus' Changeling interface is an unusually simplistic example, with SOVA sullenly describing it as "rudimentary to the point of rude" in command exchanges. Apparently, Aiden simply didn't see the point in paying for a model with a complex personality or range of functions, and your AI's complaints only seem to amuse him. "The Changeling's just not built to cater to you. We get along just fine as is."

A Stunning Development

Armed with a top of the line Acidic Disruptor, Crocus is a ship to be feared in battle. You've personally watched its corrosive payload strip another ship down to its wiring in under a minute, but arguably more shocking is the cannon's secondary function. Most ships with "stasis" capabilities temporarily disable electronic systems in order to render a ship helpless, but Crocus favors a far more direct approach. Aiden tells you with a nonchalant shrug: "We designed the sonic wave function to stun living specimens via sensory overload. Recalibrating it for humans wasn't that hard."

A Unique Research Grant

Whilst Aiden is a highly skilled pilot, it quickly becomes clear that his first love is still bioengineering. Tracking him down between missions reveals that he dedicates much of his free time (and profits) to continuing Izanami's research. "Metal is good for some, but it will always have its drawbacks. Control over biological alterations feels more natural," he tells you, "and you can't hack someone's skin…or, at least not with a computer. I suppose one of XAOC's knives could cut it."

Biological Renovations

It's difficult to avoid the peculiarities of Aiden's physique. While most Gelecek employees display some form of cybernetic alterations, the biological nature of his three-fingered hands is uniquely striking. Eventually, it feels too awkward to not acknowledge it, but he only laughs when you ask what caused it. "People are always so concerned about that. It's not like I did it by accident. I'm simply crafting my body into the place I want to live in."

Bump In The Night

Following up on some disturbances reported by the kitchen staff, you catch Aiden in one of the station's cafeterias at 04:00 hours one morning, having broken through the security system to try and make espresso. It's decidedly after his shift, and he's almost unrecognizable without his customary goggles and mask. He only agrees to put the caffeine away and start going to sleep at a normal hour when you promise to not tell anyone about his face - apparently it is "still a work in progress"

Sense of Self

You're used to dealing with clueless amateurs, confident veterans, and mid-tier pilots that carry an inflated sense of their own skill, but Cultivator is something else. Captain Jack Hawkins seems perpetually on the edge of apologizing for wasting your time, and seems genuinely worried when he asks about your quotas and expectations for newly hired pilots. You'd assume he's a complete greenhorn… except for his resume. His 35 year spotless record of protecting civilian workers in war zones truly speaks for itself.

Back At Ya

Despite his best attempts to fly under the radar, Jack's distinct skill in battle has led to the Solros 1 being known throughout Binderburg as the "Cultivator-class" support ship. Armed with kinetic shields that can be manually adjusted by the pilot, he's mastered a distinctive maneuver of twisting and bolstering the shields right before enemy fire hits, setting up the precise conditions needed to bounce shrapnel back at the aggressor. The flash and debris disrupt their sensors, hampering subsequent assaults, and provide cover for Cultivator's fleet of nanobots to swiftly and safely complete repairs.

Team Player

Jack's Binderburg performance reviews have consistently labeled him an "anxious, yet focused and flexible team player," which in practice means that he is something of a pushover. While his days of taking on short notice assignments and pivoting to complete his coworker's quotas for them might be over, he still possesses an ever growing list of unreturned favors and unpaid loans. Several of your staff have expressed concern about seeing him taken advantage of.

Let There Be Life

Before joining your fleet, Jack worked closely with Binderburg's mass agricultural production workers. While his job title was technically security, in between conflicts he spent a lot of time learning about crop sustainability, and assisting researchers with stress tests using Cultivator's highly adjustable life support system. You're surprised to learn that he's earned a masters degree in botany, and even helped design the "portable greenhouse" exposure suit he wears while piloting - capable of keeping both man and plant alive in a vacuum for up to 20 days straight.

Dreams of Green

While he's usually the quiet type, when given the chance Jack will expound at length about his dream of creating crops that can grow from a few drops of water in desolate, silicon based soil. "I loved my work, in theory," he tells you. "But it slowly became obvious that our supervisors at Binderburg were lying about where all our food was going. Regular people were starving across the region, and they were selling what we had directly to the table of the Lunar high command. I couldn't stand it. I really think earning the funds to establish an independent farm is my best path forward."

Mother's Teachings

Jack's mother was a missionary for "The Church of True Rationality," a small Lunar 'faith' that rejects all concepts of the supernatural, and travels to struggling colonies to provide aid while promoting a philosophy based on the teachings of the Tenebris AI. She brought her son with her for most of her travels after divorcing Jack's father. While Jack no longer works with the church, the experience gave him a particular view of the world. "I've seen the effects of hunger first hand," he tells you. "From a young age, and far too close. The idea that anyone or anything could just watch that happen makes my skin crawl. I'm not a destructive person, but sometimes I want to burn the MPL to the ground."

Stellar Reputation

Professor Moreland Mills is something of an institution in the Binderburg Conglomerate. Coming from a family of laborers, he served as the head of training and development for 40 years before his recent and sudden departure. Beloved by his students and peers alike, he's set the standard for defense training amongst Binderburg pilots, taught hundreds of classes on safe cloning and artificial propagation, and won R&D's yearly talent show on 7 separate occasions with his rendition of famous showtunes. The Professor is an undeniable catch for your crew, with the sole caveat that Binderburg "wasn't exactly eager to see me out."

Discovery

It's disturbingly easy to run a background check on the Professor. SOVA finds everything from his doctoral thesis, to several encyclopedia entries, to a "day in the life" article published in a children's magazine. Born to a family of field laborers, Moreland's pursuit of knowledge started young, when he began a detailed catalog of the local wildlife living within their planet-side farming complex. His work in mapping the spread of earthworms and pollinators across the different crops earned him an innovation scholarship, and he credits it with influencing his unconventional teaching style, instilling a sense of discovery and creativity into his lessons.

Come At Me

Curator's weaponry was apparently created by one of Professor Mills' favorite students, Sheela Landsbury, whom he considers something of an apprentice. "That woman is a wiz with anything caustic," he tells you with a grin. "She made a whole new genus of pitcher plant in the lab, sorted by what their acids can do." Curator's resulting caustic fire control is catalyzed by kinetic momentum. Deployed slowly in a mostly harmless cloud, it melts away enemy projectiles that attempt to fire through it.

Preventative Measures

The Professor's combat experience surprises many, but he's long been a proponent of all Binderburg employees being taught to defend themselves, in case of raider attacks, or a government assault on the Conglomerate's sovereignty. "Admittedly," he tells you, "I'm not keen on outright killing. I'd rather snipe their guns and leave them to think on their mistakes, I already carry enough guilt. Though perhaps I should hit the gym so I can carry some more, eh?"

Right to Learn

Testimonials from his classes paint Moreland as a compassionate educator, only occasionally firm in pursuit of student success. His generosity was a sticking point - in several instances he personally funded the tuition of poorer students, so they could continue to finish degrees at the training academy. Moreland only laughs at the memory, "they started calling me an Epic Legend in the halls after that, or some other student-ism. Frankly, I believe any young mind losing their dreams due to capital is a waste of the highest order."

Student Becomes the Teacher

You ask why Moreland left his long running career, and he pauses, thoughtfully. "In my classes, I met hundreds of thousands of young men and women. All unique; bright, funny, promising minds. I also heard how the executive saw them - as identical smiling numbers on a spreadsheet. You could be the life of the division, with the potential to create something amazing, and they'd care exactly enough to shoot you the second you frown or miss your quota, or say something that makes them sound bad. I realized the ones I admired most were those who got their training, finished their education, and then left to do some real good with it. People like Sheela." A tiny smile pulls at his lips. "In a way, she was my teacher."

Bad Reputation

During your time on the Frontier, you've discovered that it's not uncommon for the most lucid Marauders to assume you (and presumably everyone else) have already heard of them. Bounty Bonney, the Captain of a ship she calls Demolisher, takes this to another level. Walking with a distinct swagger in her step and an assortment of toothpick-sized knicknacks between her teeth, every conversation with Bonney turns into an extended description of her participation in battles you've never heard of. According to SOVA, most of them never actually happened.

All In One Basket

Demolisher is an odd model of bomber, with an exceptionally large payload for a ship of its size and speed. Between battles Demolisher can be restocked with up to 1500 extra-large BOOT brand Nullifier Plasma bombs, capable of both explosive destruction and overloading enemy circuits upon detonation. The whole system is a Marauder-original design. Or at least, that's what Bonney tells you. It seems dubious that a Marauder would ever invest that much effort in their ship's life support systems.

One Man's Trauma…

Not every Marauder carries the invasive medical equipment needed to brainwash prisoners into their ranks, but Bonney does. She was remarkably confused when you insisted she surrender it. "Well then what's the point? You blow their whole ship and leave 'em in the tiny tiny pods and don't even take the stress away? The big zap's the best part! You feel all empty and jittery and ready to just RIP- Hey, I'll show you! Wait here. 'Promise, you won't think to worry about ANYTHING after-" Needless to say, you do not wait for her to get her equipment.

A Kind of Heroics

It's undeniable the Demolisher is a ruthless opponent in battle, tearing through enemy forces like an avalanche of cascading explosions. However, Bonney has a somewhat odd interpretation of her own work. It's not uncommon to find her in the mess hall after a battle, fire-blanket cape tossed back over her chair, loudly cheering about how the fleet's "fixed" another system. "To drowning boredom at the bottom of a bomb! They'll sing praises of this day for years to come, and how we delivered them all into a new future!"

Between Mission Blues

The longer you keep Bonney on base between missions the more agitated she seems to get. It's slightly alarming to have a Marauder in body armor grab your wrist one day and physically drag you down to their hangar, and it hard to say if it's more or less alarming to realize Bonney removed a patch of Demolisher's hull, revealing the audibly thrumming side of the ship's engine. "Look at that! LOOK at that! Antimatter core! I can fight anything! I'm good at anything! Stop sending them instead of me IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE ME!" You have medical prescribe her a sedative.

Broken Mirror

When you receive a request from Bonney to "review our contract" you're briefly concerned that you might be about to lose one of your best pilots. However, it turns out she had a different contract in mind. Sprawled in your office, she attempts to wheedle information out of you about the contract that brought you to the Frontier, and more importantly, how many items are left on it. "You and me Commander, we'll show this place who the baddest, smartest fighters are. We'll crush the villains, collect the spoils, own the Expanse and the Abyss and the Arena, on and on until we've finished and won it all! Until they all know our names! Just tell me what's NEXT."

Rules Lawyer

You aren't familiar with the name Sebastian Widhart when FrontLine joins your crew, but it seems that ignorance might have been bliss. Upon arrival he immediately begins pesting SOVA for access to every permit, license, and contract stored on your base. By the end of his first day he's already cited 5 different employment laws to get better quarters, and as soon as you manage to lose him you find a note from IonScorp left on your console, "Watch this one. He's good at what he does, but there's a reason no one kept him as their paralegal. He'll lasso you with red tape the second he's able."

All That Glitters

FrontLine itself is a Stingray 3431, and while the little cruiser has been rebranded several times as Sebastian moved through the ranks of the Syndicate, he's hung on to the same ship as if his life depended on it. It's easy to get caught up on the coated 24-karat gold exterior, especially given how often he brags about it, but the Stingray packs more than enough substance beneath its style. Its microscopic Siphon Swarm drones eat through the enemy's shields like they don't exist, repurposing the armor from their hulls for FrontLine's own defenses. It's one reason the model is a particular favorite for members of organized crime looking to flaunt their status.

Add-Ons

Sebastian has a disturbing habit of idly poking at his own eyeballs with whatever he happens to be holding. When you express concern he blinks at you as if he didn't realize he was doing it. "Ah, no, they called me back in to reinforce my Atlas Eyes the year after I got them. I don't even feel the pressure, which is ironic, considering I can constantly feel the implant." Seeing your expression, he rolls his eyes. "The normal ones were unobtrusive enough, but I was handling legally sensitive information, so corporate chose to add some extra 'security' to my ID. As a reminder, I assume. The only way to get ahead is to follow the rules."

The Advisor

Sebastian has almost a decade of experience working as a paralegal for the Atlas Syndicate, and considering that said career ended with him leaving law to work as a fighter pilot for an independent fleet, he still seems oddly proud of it. He explains his own encyclopedic knowledge of enemy ships and their weaknesses with the smug statement of "patent law," and more than once you've caught him offering your XAOC crew "some friendly advice about Stray governance, from someone who's been around the block."

The Eyes On You

Sebastian vocally regrets ever getting his Atlas Eye implants. "You'd think I wouldn't have fallen for it, but they explain it very logically. 'One stylish implant effortlessly lets you access any area or terminal, and instantly ping your coworkers should you need them.' Of course, that doesn't mention that as long as you're on campus, they know where you are. A man can't go for a smoke break without feeling watched." He pauses, before suddenly flashing you a grin that's mostly teeth. "I am assuming you don't know any of this. It'd be Highly illegal for an independent to replicate proprietary Atlas communication technology. Let alone access classified Syndicate data from patented implants, right Commander?"

Career Advancement

SOVA uncovers that Sebastian got his professional start as the second-in-command of a smuggling gang near New Tranquility. It explains his particular skill set, but when you question how he managed to transfer to working for Atlas, he just shrugs. "They knew. After Flick finally got himself shot, my entire resume was half getting the gang off of charges and half making an absolute fool out of anyone who tried to fight us. You'd be shocked at how much Syndicate management is willing to tolerate as long as you don't damage their bottom line. It's my former coworkers in the legal department who held me back from any kind of promotion."

Olena

Well over a hundred years old, with eyes completely clouded over by cataracts, Olena Mozorov isn't exactly what you were expecting when a XAOC ship answered your beacon. Though, considering that the vast majority of raiders never live to see old age, you suspect it would be a dangerous move to mistake her as harmless. Your suspicions are only reinforced when you learn she served as the previous Anarch of House Mozorov.

The Mozorov Path

While House Mozorov has long been a reliable source of mercenaries for independent commanders, they refuse to work for non-XAOC factions or the big political blocs based in the sectors around Sol. As such, they have avoided being perceived as traitors to the wider XAOC movement, even though many rival houses still denigrate them as "lapdogs" and "sellouts". Olena is casually dismissive of these slights, however. "If the skinny wolves had any bite, they wouldn't spend so much time barking."

Nothing To Prove

While you've watched Grif land near-impossible sniper shots on ships clear across a chaotic battlefield, Olena seems to prefer focusing on supporting her fellow squad members with distracting cover fire and cyber-attacks on their enemies' systems. When asked, she just gives you a crooked smile. "You young ones… Stop worrying and chase your own glory. I've already proven all I need to."

Accommodations

Grif's cockpit is unlike any you've ever seen. Every time a stranger steps on the odd tiled floor, it lets out a soft "ping" to alert Olena to their position. There's also no piloting stick on the dash, just a grid of tiny metal squares that raise and lower up to a foot off their base. What exactly Olena gets from the way she runs her hands over their surface is unclear, but it is more than enough to let her keep up with the rest of your fleet.

Staying Sharp

Between her sharp hearing and what you strongly suspect is a motion detector hidden in her vulture skull hairpiece, it's nearly impossible to sneak up on Olena. On the other hand, one of your medical techs does accidentally prove that she can be startled when he fumbles a dermal thermometer. Fortunately for the tech they were already in the medbay - it seems Olena stores throwing knives in the sleeves of her coat.

Friendly Advice

"I've been chatting with that little robot of yours," Olena says one night as you start to pass her in a corridor. "About the ultimate goals of this charming fleet, and why an independent commander like yourself is so determined to ruffle as many feathers as possible." Her blank eyes glint in the fluorescent lights. "I'll say this, you have the bold spirit of a warrior. I do hope it doesn't falter, when it comes time to bite the hand that feeds."

Overachiever

At age 296, Captain Mareka Branimir has had quite a life, working as a celebrated soldier, neuroscientist, author, and high-ranking member of Everliving's Consciousness Transference program. Mareka takes great joy in telling people unaware of her true age about these achievements just to see the look on their faces. Her most famous book, the award-winning "From Ethical Neuroscience" is required reading at 5 different universities within the Martian Commonwealth, and has single-handedly fooled many into believing that Everliving has become more humane.

Sharing The Prize

Mareka's ship Hayyan is part of the Manta line, one of the rare types of ships equipped with experimental Everliving technology that allow them to "cheat death." Made with a quantum AI system, it can predict the intensity of incoming damage right before it hits the target, and within seconds, make last-minute repairs and adjustments. Uniquely, Hayyan can even replicate its own defenses and energy pool to transfer it to ally ships, overriding their systems in a similar manner to a computer virus.

One of Many

The usual high and mighty attitude possessed by most Children of Mars is almost non-existent in Mareka, allowing her to fit in surprisingly well with your crew. She is often found cracking jokes and laughing with her coworkers, occasionally even breaking out an alarmingly blank "creepy child" routine as a prank. Despite her playful nature, there are moments where her age shows in how she becomes protective of her squadmates. "I got modified eyes to view my own vitals at a moment's notice," she tells you, "but I wish I could use them to double check my allies' well-being as well." She gives a nervous laugh. "Am I becoming my mother?"

End of an Era

Data on Mareka dates back long before the formation of Everliving. You discover that she was a militia lieutenant in the 1st Lunar Martian War, well over 200 years ago. Traumatized from the bloodshed, she opted to study neuroscience in order to improve conditions for Children like herself, but her steely resolve was tested when she began feeling remorse for her test subjects."I've killed more people as a scientist than a soldier," she recalls. "I'm considering making this body my last, but I still think I may be able to find a way to extend its lifespan."

Body Horror

You uncover a disturbing truth hidden in Mareka's medical records, which show that she suffered a grievous war wound fighting in the Martian militia. Afterwards, her mother had her kept in a stabilizing coma for many years, before ultimately having her mind transferred into an unwilling host body as one of the first Children of Mars. The recordings from her psych evals are chilling. "When I sat up, my feet didn't touch the ground. I thought it was an amputation, but I looked down and… it was a child's legs. Then some little kid walked into the room claiming to be my mum, tells me about a new immortality procedure… I'd never heard of it before in my life."

Waste Not, Want Not

Some of your crew with a morbid curiosity about the Everliving immortality procedure like to debate with Mareka over potential solutions to the host body problem. "If we could just put an end to the bodies being rejected at puberty, there would be far less waste." She lets out a sigh of defeat, "But stars know if we knew how to achieve that we'd be doing it already. If we could buy more time, put Children into some sort of artificial stasis until we figured it out, we could at least save the lives of a few potential hosts… but there's no way of knowing how long that could take." She pauses. "Maybe we don't even deserve to live forever."

Like Real People Do

Everliving's internal politics are not something most outsiders pay much attention to, but you make an effort shortly after recruiting Hermes. It seems Captain Nigel Rawthorn previously served as an Overseer for the "Administration Nexus," internal lingo for the collective workforce within Everliving that has not been brainwashed or undergone the Children's immortality procedure. Nigel prides himself on his skill with handling "common humans" thanks to the position. The sole evidence for this is his willingness to occasionally talk to his crewmates instead of treating them like inanimate machines.

Frankenship

Hermes is a completely custom model of ship that Nigel apparently helped design himself. With almost unparalleled repair capabilities and a shockingly fast recharge time, you very nearly recommend he looks into getting the ship mass produced, until you discover what exactly lies behind it. Beneath the standard wiring, the ship's internal computer is grown out of brain tissue harvested from the rejected host bodies of several Children of Mars. Nigel calls it Bio-Charge Tech, and proudly boasts that it can be stimulated far further than most computer chips before frying.

Blabbermouth

Nigel is uncharacteristically pleasant towards you, but openly admits he wouldn't be so nice if he wasn't under your employment. He treats most of your crew like he treated his Everliving employees. Without any actual authority, he resorts to other tactics to gain control: questioning their judgment, gaslighting them into believing they forgot to complete vital procedures, and occasionally reporting them for mistakes he made. When ordered to stop, he says dismissively, "Please, it's just a bit of fun. When you've lived as long as I have, things get boring."

Fourth World Problems

"There's some controversy about the ideal host's age," Nigel tells you once, unprompted. "Glacio Vitalis refuses to use bodies younger than 11, he's just constantly going through them like espresso shots. I can't imagine ever getting comfortable like that, you'd barely have time for it to start feeling like your skin. With a few lifestyle tweaks, I can get a good ten years out of a single toddler. But whatever makes the Buffoon happy, I guess."

Mr. Clean

You receive several complaints about Nigel watching your crew uncomfortably intensely in the mess hall and outside the bathroom. Paired with him frequently asking if they washed their hands properly, and standing far more than a comfortable distance away from people in conversation, you suggest he tone down his behavior in case someone gets the wrong idea. He replies, "Absolutely not. How do you think I make these bodies last so long? I avoid almost everything, including germs and the dumb little bugs that carry them."

Ancient Grudge

Nigel has a longstanding grudge match with Gwayn Erebus, the chairwoman of the MPL, whom he previously lost his seat on the board to. He also blames her for starting the rumor that staying in host bodies too long has caused irreparable damage to his brain, which led to him being ousted from his former position. "They said I might set 'an understated example' for those in the Nexus. I spent centuries growing my skills in battle, engineering, and management, and suddenly everyone claims I make the Children of Mars look unappealing to the common worms? That's it. I'll pay her back eventually, you can wait for that."

Drumstick

"You don't want to know why they call me Drumstick," she grins. "Let's just say my war chant failed to inspire one of my pack, and I broke their leg clean off." That was one of the first things she told you. The pause that followed was longer than it should've been. Drumstick whispered ominously "Shame I can't see your face, but I can hear the fear in your voice."

Savage Instinct

Drumstick's ship, the first and only Forge model, features a modular system known as "Savage Instinct." It's a hell of a weapon for someone who never fires it herself. It detects when allied ships deal massive damage and moves in to finish the job. Magnetically attaching to allies, it boosts their firepower by equipping them with a 3,000°C furnace with a cannon inside. The damage isn't contained to impact, it spreads, consuming enemy ships and their pilot in a blazing inferno.

Safety violation

Thanks to Savage Instinct's forge, Drumstick's ship violates nearly all your safety protocols. Your engineers threaten to quit just looking at it. If the reinforced cooling fails, it could melt itself, and anyone inside. The side effects of exposure are reportedly devastating, including flash burns from the thermal radiation. "I like to take risks. People call me crazy, but all Marauders are crazy," she tells you. Some say she tested the forge on a maintenance worker once.

War chant

Before a battle, Drumstick has a habit of rhythmically tapping on her metal dashboard. Your crew complained until she aggressively barked at them like a dog. Sometimes she sings a war chant: "The Frontier calls, you will obey. Today might be your dying day. Look your fear in the eye, Marauders aren't afraid to die." She insists "It got my pack in the spirit. I almost feel bad for the ones it didn't motivate."

Relearning

When Drumstick answered your recruitment beacon, she immediately informed you "I can't see for shit, I'm completely blind." Her data says she raided an Atlas tech hub and looted an Atlas eye prototype. She lasered her retinas trying it out, hoping it would be a solution to keep tabs on her pack. "Relearning everything took time, but it was worth it" she claims."Heightened my other senses. And my taste for blood." She now navigates using a tactile feedback map and can visualize target layouts, committing them to memory."

Marauder order

"We aren't like the other Marauders," Drumstick boasts. "Raids and counterattacks? We want more. I'm a Warfare Specialist at heart, or at least, that's what the fragments of my memory say I was. I want a full-scale campaign, and Everliving would be first if we weren't all too scared of getting tethered to them again. My goal is to annihilate every faction. Picture it, a Marauder super-colony. We'll call it the Marauder World Order" she grins. "Shame I aim higher than the rest. Always was a bit more intact."

Dignity, Or Lack Thereof

Upon first meeting the woman behind Incinerator, you wonder if you should be concerned that she arrived carrying two flamethrowers. Then, on closer inspection, you realize they have both been surgically attached directly to her hands and arms. In between compulsive giggling fits she manages to mutter to you that her name is Redbug, but by the end of the week everyone on base is still referring to her by her callsign. It's unclear if any of this bothers her.

Overkill Cookout

Redbug uses the phrases "Incinerator" and "Pew Pew" interchangeably to describe both her arms and her ship, probably due to the latter's resemblance to an Ataka mini handheld flamethrower. Despite the childish name, however, the ship packs a serious punch, as Redbug's poured all her worst pyromaniac tendencies into it. The main "gun" is actually just a funnel, concentrating the blast from a grand total of 7 different full sized blaze cannons.

Help Wanted

Several of your Marauder pilots have a fraught relationship with your engineering crew, so it's a relief how much simpler working with Incinerator is. Redbug doesn't actually know how to repair "Pew Pew"'s engine, (apparently electricity isn't as interesting as fire) so she was incredibly excited to learn you had people who could handle the upkeep while she focused on fighting. As long as every upgrade is paired with a flame demonstration or a few seconds of technical babble, she'll practically chase your mechanics onto her ship.

Adaptation

On the whole, Incinerator's ship is surprisingly unaltered to accommodate her lack of free hands. The main change you've spotted is the weapons system, where either Redbug or her former pack has installed a tube that she can stick a flamethrower into to manually ignite the cannons. Otherwise, she seems to have simply become very good at precisely nudging buttons with the muzzles and maneuvering the control stick with her elbow. It'd be fascinating to watch if the whole place didn't smell like burning plastic and flesh.

Difference in Method

After a bit of cajoling, your medics manage to convince Redbug to go under anesthetic long enough for them to remove the flamethrowers. According to their reports, upon waking up she was extremely confused, simply staring down at her stiff arms and repeating "That was a good nap, why'd you do it during a good nap?" and, "Do we have'ta do it again now?" She seemed equally confused about the idea of physical therapy to relearn how to use her hands, but the promise of using a new handheld lighter reportedly perked her up.

Withdrawal

You're woken once in the middle of the night by a frantic banging on your door. Checking the security camera reveals it to be Redbug, throwing her flamethrowers and slamming herself bodily against the metal. Over the radio you can hear her screaming, "Put it back! Put it BACK! Stop taking things, I'll KILL YOU!" By the time security arrives she's worn herself out, slumping outside the doors to your quarters and apologizing to the air. The next morning all she has to say is, quietly, "D'ya think they can take the Pew Pew out of my head too?"

Come Prepared

When you first meet the Duchess Eziamaka Obiako, she is dressed to the nines, adorned in gold accessories, and followed by a butler that seems to be more luggage than man. The entire scene immediately spells trouble and entitlement, but when you greet her, she swiftly steps forward and very deliberately shakes your hand. "Commander! Please, call me Amaka, I'm not here in a royal capacity. Or would it be proper for you to call me Iridium off the battlefield as well? I can never keep your people's titles straight."

Pick Your Battle

Iridium is a Rotoshield-500-PR Defender, a unique vessel with expansive front shields. During battle it can pull them in to defend from close range critical hits, or extend them to defend squadmates from long range fire. These powerful defensive abilities are paired with a multi-core blaster, capable of fiery blasts, EMP pulses, and even precision soldering work. "One of my favorite features of the League's fleet," Amaka tells you, "is how dedicated they are to multitasking."

Heart of Gold

Amaka was born into the royal family of a small state within the Martian commonwealth, known for its deposits of precious metals. While it's clearly left her with an expectation of luxury, her personality is far more accommodating than you expected."Our parliament mostly handles the governing and laws," she explains. "The role of royalty is to oversee the planet itself. Environmental rulings, mining, ensuring habitability, that sort of thing." It seems she left her mansion for the MPL in order to get a better sense of how other worlds handled their industries.

Uncharted Territory

By all accounts, Amaka was well-liked at her previous position in MPL's Security Division. Her opulent nature slotted in effortlessly with the standards and aesthetics of the MPL's management, while her rare willingness to use Iridium to soak up damage on the frontline endeared her to her underlings. Still, she confides to you that she finds her struggle to understand less well-off crew members intensely frustrating, whether that be their taste in food, their choice of clothing, or their years out of date ships.

Guilty Party

While you've never seen Amaka be less than civil with any of your staff or crew, there's a hard line to her mouth that develops whenever the MPL is brought up. "I was raised to think they were the saviors of our people," she tells you once. "The Commonwealth kept us safe, and the MPL kept us prosperous. Everyone I knew growing up had some stake in the company, but now that I've seen its wretched insides…" She pauses, pressing a finger to her lips. "That company is a meat grinder."

Carnage

Amaka left her homeworld to see how one of humanity's greatest megacorporations achieved their success, but it seems she found far more than she bargained for. The final straw was when she personally witnessed a mine collapse. On her personal tablet, disconnected from the net, she keeps a list of MPL settlements destroyed during crossfire with raiders, entire biomes bulldozed for their minerals, and workers abandoned on worlds stripped clean. You ask if she plans to try and bring her collection to the public. "I haven't decided yet," she tells you, staring down at the list. "Do you think my title would be enough to protect me?"

On The Outside

A quick search on Isha reveals that the ship was only recently released from impound after its pilot, Ratko Zoric, finished serving a 3 year prison sentence for minor offenses. You're not sure what to expect from a man trying to reintegrate into society, but Ratko immediately blows any predictions out of the water. Before you can introduce him, he's already started making friends with your staff and crew, seemingly set on introducing himself to everyone individually with an infectious grin and a friendly hug.

Like an Onion

Isha is a 593-series Synergetic Defense ship, a somewhat eccentric model known for its lightweight ResoSynergetic plate shielding. These layers can shift to adapt mid-battle to enhance points of defense or resist specific attacks, and are designed to automatically spin and rearrange to help compensate for weapon damage. Despite all the shielding, Isha remains surprisingly maneuverable. Given that he formerly served as an escort vessel for civilian workers, it was apparently necessary for the unit to be able to navigate shipping lanes and keep up with lighter weight vessels.

Family Connection

The longer you get to know Ratko, the more it starts to seem like you can never interact with him on his own. Even beyond the rotating circle of your other crew he's befriended, nearly every time there's a pause in the conversation you can catch him sending off a message to his sister Vesna. It's hard to not feel a bit snubbed, if not outright paranoid about what exactly he might be saying about you, but he insists it's just petty jokes and harmless comments about his day. "I'm always checking in just to make sure she's not making stupid decisions," he tells you confidently. "She never keeps me updated unless I've badgered her into it."

Double Trouble

Isha is quite an impressive ship, but Ratko never meant for it to fly alone. "My twin sister Vesna and I joined the Combine's fleet together, and we designed all our upgrades around supporting each other," he explains. "Even set up a little private channel between us that syncs our sensors, so technically we each have two sets of eyes to work with in battle. She hates to admit it, but I protect her all the time, catching things that should have gotten her killed." He laughs, "You know how it is, your sister's three minutes older and has a spotless record and suddenly she thinks she's in charge all the time."

Thespian

With his boisterous attitude and unflinching confidence it's easy for Ratko to command any room he walks into, and the captain seems to revel in this. "I wanted to be an actor when I was younger," he tells you once. "Just like The Lone Night in that old grifter show, 'Bounty' or maybe a superhero like Hypnor in Frontier 5. My parents hated that idea, of course. It meant Vesna got to be the golden child all through grade school, but I'm not bitter. Besides, when I joined her in the Combine forces we finally got to share the spotlight, so it all evened out."

Before The Fall

You've known since hiring Ratko that he joined your crew fresh after finishing a prison sentence, but it takes longer to earn his side of the story. "I may have been caught on a hidden camera 'accidentally' pocketing some crystal being transported by a client. Shouldn't have been a big deal, I only stole from the kind of rich envoys who wouldn't notice missing items until after they'd left." He huffs, "Sis made the plan for that one, and left me high and dry when it went sour. I should never have involved her. Trust, if I was the brains behind the operation we would not be having this conversation."

Immune to Change

Tribunus Rene Valentin is a bit of a confusing addition to your fleet. Well known as the long serving second-in-command to the 22nd Legion's Legatus, it seems that a few months ago he was forcibly removed from his frontline post due to his advanced age, and instead transferred to a desk job training navigators. Rene describes his students as "a group of interns they scraped off the bottom of some asteroid, who manage to make pirates look disciplined," and resigned after only a week. You are apparently the first commander he found that was willing to put him back on the battlefield, and he signed on immediately.

Early Adopter

Judge's ship is the newest iteration of the Javelin line, known as the Javelin VI. Boasting universally high rankings across most benchmarks, the Javelin is a popular choice for long-range precision strikes, and often serves as an artillery ship in battle. The Javelin VI hasn't been rolled out on a large scale yet, so only the squads that can make the most out of these machines have been supplied for now. Rene got a hold of one through personal connections with the manufacturer: apparently, in the company's early days, he worked escort security for their CEO.

The Other Side

A peril of working with Rene, you discover quickly, is his strong opinions on what constitutes appropriate targets. "I have a code of honor," he tells you. "I can't just go around killing people without reason." Whilst his integrity is refreshing at first, it quickly starts to slide towards obnoxious. The routine salvaging of an enemy ship has been interrupted more than once by Rene's aghast objections. "If we blew them up for scrap, then we might as well be pirates!" To his credit, the complaints become noticeably quieter when you suggest he's free to return to teaching his interns.

Old… Friends?

You find Rene scowling at a viewport one evening after a fairly standard Marauder cleaning. When you ask what's wrong, he answers with great disdain, "GAMISH Waypoint. Willard S. Gamish Waypoint. I met that man when he was 26, he was pulling a solid block of platinum out of a mining vault with a stolen tow-ship. Now they let the maniac build colonies. 'Independent Merchant Entrepreneur,' PLEASE. Do you know how many times I tried to arrest that pirate? Never buy anything from Willy Gamish, Commander." He adds in a mumble, "The crook hasn't even sent me a message to catch up in AGES."

Eye Spy

Rene is willing to occasionally sit with his new colleagues in the mess hall for a strong cup of coffee and a rambling lecture or two, but otherwise you have a hard time getting him to integrate with your crew. He's more prone to pacing the base's halls like a security guard, relaying unsolicited security advice to SOVA, and attempting to patch supposed breaches with his own presence. SOVA suggests that Rene is simply looking for an outlet to help him feel useful, so you've decided to add a security camera budget to your operating costs, and send him the parts.

Complexities

At well over a hundred years old, it's hard to capture Rene's life in a background check. You know that he was born in an early Frontier colony, and that he enlisted in the Legion bright and early on his eighteenth birthday. You know that he maintains a small property in the Ain system, where he's constructed his dream home - a camouflaged mobile surveillance base, covered in edible water-collecting plants and run off of solar panels. You also know that he maintains regular pen-pal correspondence with disgraced entrepreneur Willy Gamish, despite the man also being responsible for every single black mark on Rene's nearly flawless service record.

You need me

You've heard disturbing tales about Anarch Leonid Smirnov, head of House Smirnov, and questioned whether to let him join your fleet. But the man is a silver-tongued manipulator, and he knows it. "You need me," he smirked, detailing how your fleet could be obliterated without a skilled attacker like him. His voice turned icy, "And if word got out about some of your crew, you'd have enemies lining up to take you down." You hesitate, knowing that bringing him aboard might be as dangerous as leaving him out.

What's cooking?

Leonid's Sakharov Proton-9 Destroyer, or "Lev" as he calls it, is as brutal as its pilot. With Leonid at the helm, enemies rarely last long enough to retaliate. He doesn't aim to destroy enemy ships—he seeks to annihilate their pilots. His thermal proton weapon not only delivers a devastating impact but also heats the ship's internals to kiln-like temperatures. Leonid once remarked, "Making it out alive is almost as bad as dying in battle. Either way, I win."

Antisocialite

Leonid is antisocial, but he understands the value of keeping close allies. Unfortunately, his "friends" in your crew struggle to tolerate him. He doesn't truly make friends; he either buys their loyalty or manipulates them until they can't refuse. He even brags about how members of his house are used to being bullied, demoted, and betrayed—just part of Leonid's twisted idea of fun. "You tell one little lie," he says with a dark grin, "and suddenly the whole house is at each other's throats. It really gets the blood pumping. And if that fails to motivate them, I just point a gun at their head."

Brothers are grim

Leonid was born into a competitive household as the middle of three brothers. His wealthy parents had high expectations for all their children, but Leonid always seemed to fall short. As the black sheep of the family, he was bullied by his siblings and excluded from his parents' substantial inheritance. While his brothers used the money to start successful houses (House Sokolov and Volkov), Leonid swore he would join a rival house and work his way to the top.

Errand boy

It is well known that Leonid entered House Smirnov as an errand boy, a role he described as "beneath him." Yet, he became Anarch quicker than anyone expected. Rumor has it that the former head of House Smirnov didn't die from an occupational hazard but was eliminated by one of Leonid's many contacts. When questioned about it, Leonid simply replies, "Maybe I did, maybe I didn't—either way, people know not to cross me." However, the impending insurrection in his house tells a different story, prompting him to join your crew and lay low for a while. But when he returns, he promises, "They won't know what hit them."

Thrill of the hunt

One morning, Leonid suggests, "How about we stop at Solaria and go on a little hunt?" When you refuse, he scoffs. "If you want to become powerful, just take up hunting. Anarchs will use any excuse to invite you hunting, just so they can show off. In the thrill of the hunt, they get extremely unfiltered. You can learn a lot about someone when they let their guard down. Or you could blow their brains out, nobody would hear you in the woods, right? And... It would certainly be one less smug idiot to contend with"

Seek And Destroy

Praefectus Ulrik Falk is something of a legend within the 24th Legion, if not the Frontier Legion in its entirety. He staked his reputation commanding a small squadron of elite, handpicked pilots to undertake a series of missions deep behind enemy lines. With a list of assassinated XAOC Anarchs and colonial tyrants as long as your arm, Falk is discussed in some circles as if he's immortal, an image born from his near supernatural ability to claim victory even when horribly outnumbered. You're uncertain exactly what he saw in your fleet that caused him to accept your contract, but your Legion pilots insist it's a compliment of the highest order.

Best Of Both Worlds

Liberator performs his duties in an Aquila II heavy assault frigate, allegedly chosen specifically for its speed and wide spread of fire. The Aquila combines the survivability and advanced shield technology of the best frigates in the Legion's roster with some of the most serious firepower available on the Frontier. Combining its ability to bypass enemy shields with Praefectus Falk's tactical acumen often leads to devastating strikes that punch straight through enemy weak points.

Battle Of Beehive

Prior to the establishment of the Gamish Waypoint, the system of Beehive served as the most direct jump point into the Spiral Expanse, and one of the few colonies with a Dyson Sphere capable of sending travelers back to the galactic center quickly. In 2419, however, the Tianchao Clan abruptly commandeered the system, seizing the transportation points and assassinating the leadership of the Legion force protecting it. It was only due to the quick actions of then-Centurio Ulrik Falk that the remaining Legion forces managed to reclaim the jump point and disable it, cutting off reinforcements before they arrived, and ending the sudden takeover.

With Honors

In the aftermath of the defense of Beehive, Falk was promoted to the rank of Praefectus, designating a senior commander that was promoted for battlefield accolades. He was also bestowed the new callsign of 'Liberator', and given permission by his Legatus to begin training his own personal strike squadron. Nicknamed "The Aid Drop" by Falk's fellows, his creation is still often considered to be the flagship squad of the 24th Legion.

Heart of the Matter

You press Falk for the reason why he'd leave behind his support and accolades with the Legion to join an independent fleet like yours, and he doesn't hesitate before answering. "There are too many bad actors in this region," he says flatly. "The rotten stink in the Spiral Expanse has grown so strong that even the local Legatus can't keep track of who they should work with. I need an ally who can see to the heart of the matter, who will take on Binderburg, and Tianchao, and even MPL when they step outside their bounds. I've been hoping that ally is you, Commander."

Lingering Distrust

You've only caught a few quick glimpses of Falk's face in the medbay, as he prefers to wear his combat armor and mask when walking through the station, and even takes meals in his personal quarters. When you ask, he claims it's a safety precaution due to your willingness to work with factions like the Marauders and the Tianchao. "You've trained your 'contractors' well enough, so I'll fight alongside them, but I'm not stupid enough to let down my guard. If you end up a hostage, don't say I didn't warn you."

Count me Out

"So I hear being in a fleet is a bit like having a family. And much like a real family, you don't get to choose them," May scoffs. "If that's the case, then I'm the aunt who shows up once every few years and leaves after the food's been served." She sighs. "Look, I'm just giving you the courtesy of a heads-up; it's only polite. "Go ahead and cross me off the invite list for team-building exercises, victory celebrations, and birthdays. I meet people on my own terms. You can't expect quality connections when you're packed into a room and forced to bond."

Nanobots Assemble

May's ship is small, sleek, and deliberately unassuming. That something so quiet can reduce enemy cruisers to slag is impressive. There are no visible bombs, no turrets, just clean panels and a profile that reads more like a scout than a bomber. "There's a trick to it," she says. "You want them to underestimate you, to think you have given up. Nanobots are basically invisible; nobody sees the attack coming. Each bot carries a micro-explosive payload. Useless alone, but once clustered, they unleash a blast strong enough to rival conventional bombs. They don't run out of fuel either. The bots draw from their surroundings, replicate mid-flight, and if the primary target dies too early, the bots scatter, delivering smaller blasts to your target's allies."

The Opportunist

May is your fleet's resident grump. When she does make a friend, it's either because they're flattered to get attention from her or because they're a kindred spirit. It never lasts long, though. Once they've served their purpose, she discards them without a second thought. First, she sought out an ally who knew your ship inside and out. She shrugged it off, saying, "I like to be clued in on my surroundings. How else am I going to learn the ropes?" Next, she cozied up to your engineers so her ship would get priority repairs. She even attempted to befriend SOVA, "the eyes and ears of the operation." Fortunately, SOVA only answers to you.

Crowd Control

A badly injured pilot was brought back to base. Crew members scrambled in from every direction, some to offer moral support, others just to see if their friend would make it. May glanced up from her copy of "Mastering the Mind," scoffed at the chaos, and went back to her reading. Eventually, she snapped. "Stop making a fuss. You all knew what you signed up for. Let the medics do their job; they're not infants, they don't need coddling. At this point, you're just standing around watching someone suffer when you've got jobs to do."

Ghost Cell

May is a Sedition Agent employed by the Hei Feng, an operation outsourced to serve Tianchao's interests. "It's too dangerous to be directly linked to Tianchao," she explained. "We coordinated with unaffiliated rebel cells to incite uprisings against slavers and oppressive regimes. That kind of work is too risky to trace back." Their handler was the only one who answered directly to the faction. The rest kept their ties loose, a standard procedure, given the stakes. She gave a wistful smile. "You could say that fate chose my path. I was born in a Hei Feng cell, a bustling network where we all shared one vision: that people cannot be owned. Over time, people died or disappeared. It's just me holding on now."

Martyrdom

May was proud of her accomplishments and fondly remembered planting the seeds of rebellion from the inside, rooting herself within the enemy colony. "It meant becoming one of them, knowing their desires and intentions. I had to become a people-watcher and a psychologist."Her soft smile faded. "It came at a cost, but I would have paid it again if I had to." She told you she had initiated an eight-year relationship with an MPL foreman who genuinely cared about his workers and wanted to free the colony from corporate control. "I foolishly fell for him, and encouraged him to lead a rebellion, knowing full well his people would be martyrs." She looked away. "They couldn't even withstand the first counter-assault."

The last hurrah

It's an honor to have Lieutenant Kincaid on your contract. Commanders across the Legion would jump at the chance to take on his "final" mission. Now that he's been promoted to Commander within the Frontier Legion, his hands will be full with internal affairs, but he confides, "Between you and me, I love a good contract. Making new friends, having new adventures —I'd probably use my vacation for a few contracts, but my doc tells me I should rest once in a while."

Tempest II

Kael's ship, a brand-new Tempest II, is equipped with every defense feature imaginable. "All the bells and whistles," as he puts it. It's hard to get him to stop talking about it. "You can't defend others without sacrificing yourself," he explains. "With this ship, I can re-route enemy attacks using the Adaptive Energy Reflector and siphon power to allies. Protecting myself? I've always looked out for others first."

Take a chance on me

Kael once considered applying for the prestigious position of Legatus, a role that would put him in charge of an entire legion, overseeing operations and reporting to High Command. "It's the kind of position that comes with power and respect," he says. He gushes, "Democracy is rare these days, but the Legion is as fair as they come. Even with my background, I stood a chance." It seemed like the right move —sign contracts, make decisions… a glorified 9-5 desk job. "I could spend more time with the family," he gestures to a picture of a mismatched group of mechanics wearing dirty overalls. He pauses, a hint of a smile. "But damn, it sounds boring."

Prime targets

Kael grew up on a poor Mars Colony, ravaged by Everliving kidnappings and overrun with "apologists," as he calls them. "Never had kids of my own, but I always kept an eye out for my younger apprentices. They don't have anybody, and I know from experience that if nobody is looking for you, it makes you a prime target. I had a narrow escape myself once."

Matchstick man

Despite being the man every soldier admires and every rookie's first crush, Kael has no interest in "wasting time." He told you "I'd be lying if I said it wasn't nice to get a compliment at my age. Think they'd still like me if they knew I was a nerd?" He gestured to a model boat made of matchsticks. "A hobby keeps a man sane—a nice break from all the bloodshed."

Responsibilities

"Losing your parents makes you grow up fast," Kael admitted. "I took over my dad's repair shop, but business was rough. My team kept me going, though I felt responsible to keep the place open for them. I got into bar fights and drank too much until the Legion offered me a clean slate. He paused "It worked out—this job's rewarding and pays well enough to keep the shop running. I even saved a bunch of civilians on a research base I was guarding, earned my first medal at 32, and now I'm about to lead my own crew." He sighed, a hint of doubt in his voice. "Do you think I'm ready for it, Commander?"

Work Experience

The name Farzona Khan is well known and respected in mercenary circles across the galaxy. Publically, the captain mostly works as a contractor with Everliving forces, or as security for particularly high profile MPL events. However, SOVA's private research tells you that by far the most prolific customer on her resume is the Martian government itself. Lodolite overwhelmingly cut its teeth destroying terrorist, espionage, and reformist installations that posed a threat to MPL or the Martian Commonwealth. The irony of her accepting your contract now is more than a little staggering.

All Seeing Eye

The stand out feature of Lodolite's MACH-835TS Destroyer is its disco ball-shaped "photoscraper". This experimental sensor sends out waves of photons, moving at an artificially elongated wavelength unaccounted for by most stealth vessels. Once they bypass the disruption fields, the particles bounce off the ships' hulls and can be detected in a manner not dissimilar to ancient sonar technology. The subsequent scattering allows Lodolite to reveal the location of cloaked ships not only to herself, but the rest of the fleet as well.

Gatekeeper

Lodolite is apparently fairly infamous amongst the Tianchao Clan, where Captain Khan has earned the rather unflattering nickname of "Mars' Hound". She seems unsurprised to hear it passed around the base by some of your other pilots. "Please, I was there when she came up with it 20 years ago. Meiying is terrible at insults, and the fact that her clanmates are still copying her just makes them look uncreative. But then, maybe if any of them learned how to fight without their little cheap tricks, she wouldn't be so afraid of guard dogs."

Team Captain

Captain Khan has a tradition of pulling aside her squadmates after a battle to review their techniques. Several of your more experienced pilots seem uncomfortable and annoyed at having their work analyzed, but you've noticed that almost no one refuses to attend. It seems that, while a touch blunt with her criticism, Captain Khan has a fair hand with praise as well, and she does often have unique and helpful advice for how to optimize their attacks. You have noticed your fleet become a touch more vicious under her influence.

Goading Respect

Given her background, it seems wise to question whether Farzona is comfortable working among Tianchao members, but she only laughs when you ask. "I will give credit where it's due," she says with a sharp smile. "We aren't supposed to talk about this, but it's well known within the company that the Clan only achieved inter-system travel by stealing the MPL's Dyson Sphere. I respect that - it's not every day someone casually walks off with a planet sized transporter. Frankly, I'd love to see your modern Clan try something that audacious again, it would be such a lovely opportunity to teach them what we've learned."

Star Crossed Rivals

It's something of an open secret around your base that Lodolite has a longstanding and heated relationship with a Tianchao fighter known as Meiying. One of her first assignments after receiving the photoscraper was an ill-fated raid on the other woman's spy cell, where, at the end of the fighting, they were the last two ships still functioning. The way Farzona tells it, she was seconds away from detonating the station's main bridge when Meiying winged her with an emp, shot off her weapons and engines, and left her drifting there for three days while the cell evacuated. It seems to have left a mark.

Bait and Switch

When you first sent out this particular recruitment beacon you got a return message from an MPL-affiliated mercenary, so it was a bit of a shock when Los bridged in instead. From what the captain has told you, "Goldvein" wandered into her path while preparing to bridge over, and she salvaged your information from the wreckage. While some might call this "concerning", the speed of the swap speaks volumes about Los' battle capabilities.

Up To Eleven

Los' destroyer is an unconventional machine, designed around an engine meant for a ship at least twice as heavy. This build allows Captain Khulan Yupik to maneuver with astounding (and nearly lethal) acceleration, and run weapon systems not ordinarily found on this class of ship. The electrical generator is designed to only operate safely at 70% of its max capacity, but in an emergency it can provide an extra boost to Los' railguns.

Independent Together

While all members of XAOC adhere to the credence of 'the path', Khulan follows a slightly different interpretation than most. Rather than joining a formal House to achieve dominance over her surroundings, she prioritizes personal strength and freedom, and prefers to live unbound. Apparently, your fleet is not the first time Los has temporarily joined in with like-minded forces to plunder the Frontier for glory and riches.

Fashion's Statement

You've never seen a headdress exactly like Khulan's. SOVA reports that Antlers are a common motif in the gladiatorial gear and symbols of House Zhurov, but this strikes you as odd given the Captain's loner streak. On the other hand, according to your medical staff, the piece isn't purely decorative. Apparently, it includes a full suite of command interface functions connected directly to brain implants. By all reports she can't take it off - it's been permanently fixed to her head.

Personal Standards

It's not that Khulan is outright self-destructive, but she throws her all into everything she does in a way that seems at odds with her icy personality. It's not unusual to find her alone at the mess hall late in the night cycle, covered in sweat and bruises, only recently having finished the day's training to her satisfaction. It can be off putting to watch, or even concern inducing, but any attempts to nudge her away from the practice just earns you a cold shoulder. She feels similarly disapproving about your own "weak" regimen.

Old Weights

It is hard to have longer conversations with Khulan, but over time, a pattern emerges to her fierceness and brutality. "I started in chains," she tells you once, "and fought and earned my way out from Zhurov." Another time, when questioned if she ever wanted to found her own House: "A House is an anchor, weighing you down. Reliance will only weaken you, the true path is found through open space." Once, you ask her about her goals and desires. "Finally being myself," she says. "Respecting that self."

Burden Of Leadership

Captain Tahiil started out in the Advanced Engineering program of the Sanjay-Mangold Academy on a scholarship grant, with the goal of becoming a space construction specialist. However, after receiving his top grades from his undergrad class, and high commendations from his Masters advisors, the Combine immediately pushed Tahiil into commanding an engineering vessel instead. His competence and natural authority in the position has led to his quick promotion through the ranks of the Combine's security forces, somewhat against his will.

Mark-132 Command Vessel

Mark-132 Command Vessels like Madax are designed with a top of the line self-repair system - consisting of a personal fleet of AI and engineer guided repair drones. This is intended to allow them to outlast other fleet vessels in combat, maintaining the chain of command to the last second of even losing battles. Tahiil has personally pushed within the Combine for the tech to be widely installed on support ships as well. "We work together as a unit on the field. People don't seem to understand that commanders stay alive longer when their medics aren't dying."

A Spine Of Steel

At age 45, Tahiil was nearly killed in an attack on the station he was currently serving. Serious structural failures from a missile impact led to his hip being crushed by a falling roof panel. According to witnesses, Tahiil simply continued to calmly command his forces from the floor with multiple fractures in both legs. Since then, he has started wearing a reinforced exo-skeleton, and made it into a sort of personal project.

The Truth Of The Matter

People who hear of Madax's reputation for iron will and cold determination usually assume him to be a grizzled veteran or intimidating badass. In truth,Tahiil is at heart very much an engineer and former academic, who has simply decided to make warfare his latest challenge. While just about anything that involves wrangling personnel is clearly not his favorite part of his job, he applies himself trying to problem-solve battles with the enthusiasm and stubbornness inherent to those that love what they do just a little too much.

Practical Approach

It's a bit of a puzzle trying to figure out why Tahiil would choose to work for an independent commander when he could easily join the upper echelon of Combine forces back in the known regions. However, the answer turns out to be simple: politics. "I know how to find what's needed in any given situation," he tells you. "I know how to stop my emotions from getting in the way, and how to get the best use from my equipment. I do not know, and have no interest in learning, how to convince businessmen to support any of these things."

An Engineer's Pride

Tahiil has personally upgraded his standard Combine exoskeleton to be capable of bearing 50x its normal weight rating, twice as fast as it did off the factory line. A common game among those who work with him is to try and guess what modification he'll install on the frame next. Previous winners have included magnetized patches, fire suppression dispensers, and a personal drink cooler.

Pacifist

Most people panic when faced with a Marauder. Your crew was no different. But T-Bone didn't snarl, threaten, or even brag about decapitations. He just... introduced himself. This filled your crew with suspicion. "You want to know early on what a Marauder has up their sleeve," one of your pilots whispered to you.

The Membrane

T-Bone's ship is protected by a heavy-duty polymer he calls The Membrane. It absorbs shockwaves from energy-based attacks and is resistant to piercing. He sneered, "All my allies are pathetic and weak, so naturally, I take the damage for them. Not because I care, I just hate being slowed down." A warped smile spread across his face. "Sometimes I get an impact injury, but I'm used to it. I learned to enjoy the pain…

The release feels so sweet."

Loop

T-Bone pilots his ship like he is stuck in a loop. His tactics are repetitive, but effective. On rare occasions, he breaks the pattern, acting like the aggressor. When that happens, he spirals into a frenzy that can take days to recover from. During his time defending his Marauder pack in botched raids, he reportedly snapped and turned on his own. There were no official repercussions, just a beating that left him bedridden. After that, he simply joined a new pack.

Biohazard

Your safety officer was informed of a biohazard concern after T-Bone converted his quarters into a makeshift lab. Segments of various creatures lined his workstation. He was caught mid-procedure, splicing genetic material with reckless abandon. Then he began slicing strips of skin from his own arm. "I did this in a past life," he murmured, blood dripping from his fingers. "It feels right." When asked why he didn't use an anesthetic, he only smiled.

Unconscious flow

T-Bone's voice and mannerisms sometimes shift mid-sentence. One moment he has a working-class drawl, and the next, he is well spoken with an elegant posture. Most unsettling are his offhand references to the Gelecek faction. Once when he was pressed on a decision, he scoffed in a posh tone, "Ugh, let me run this by the conscious flow."

2 brains

T-Bone once gave a fragmented account of a ship he used to pilot. "I had a ship like Larkspur," he stuttered. "Two brains it had. It's still out there… looking for me. Maybe we'll reunite. Maybe it wants me dead." He clutched his head, and his voice grew louder. "Enough. I don't remember anymore. It hurts to remember. Why did they take me? Why does the final battle keep playing in my head?"

Powerful Impression

From the moment she arrives, Captain Zoe Gu oozes charm and sophistication. Her sleek attire and coy mannerisms feel plucked directly out of an ancient spy movie, but she embodies the image with such confidence you have a hard time remembering what seemed strange about it. This ability to make even the absurd seem natural quickly becomes a double edged sword. Within her first week, she's already convinced another pilot that some light bruising from a training exercise was in fact a completely broken arm, dropping the ruse only upon actively entering the medbay. Captain Gu calls it a prank, but you get the distinct impression she's testing her own abilities.

Compartmentalized

The first thing you notice about Meiying itself is that several parts of the ship are attached solely via magnetic force, a unique design principle practiced almost exclusively by the Tianchao Clan. During undercover operations, the pieces can be drawn in, to more convincingly impersonate a civilian vessel, and then deployed once more during battle. Combined with the Clan's infamously effective hacking protections, this allows Meiying's turrets, EMP cannon, and main vessel to function like independent units. When one section is damaged or compromised, the others keep ticking.

From the Depths

Given how guarded your ex-Tianchao crew tends to be, Zoe is surprisingly open about her background. She claims to have started as an aspiring actor in the Martian Commonwealth, before very nearly being pressed into debt slavery by the MPL. "Housing prices just kept going up, and I took a loan I couldn't hope to pay back." She gives a wistful sigh, "That was when they found me." Just days away from being forced into the mines, she was swept off-planet by Tianchao agents who saw promise in her acting talents. "It wasn't an impulsive decision. The Immortal Xian Ren chose ME, to help liberate the oppressed of this galaxy."

Alien Inspiration

Meiying's signature feature is a ball of energy the ship can expand and contract at will, rendering it invisible to scanners and amplifying bursts from its EMP. While the MPL has given it the insulting nickname "dazzle orb," the technology replicates the stealth capabilities of a massive alien insect called the ruxster, which uses its thousands of wings to shift its carapace and reflect the image of open sky back at its prey. "It was top of the line when installed," Zoe tells you. "I'd imagine Tianchao's engineers have moved on to drawing inspiration from the Anomalies by now." She taps a finger against her lips. "I would love to give my dear that kind of facelift."

For the Cause

Little is known about Xien Ren, or "The Immortal," who runs the Tianchao Clan, but by talking to Zoe you suspect you've learned more about them than most outsiders. She talks about them as if they were a god; the only individual privy to the collective knowledge of the Clan's agents, plotting like a spider on a web to tear down the corrupt and powerful of the galaxy. "I would kill without thought to watch the MPL fall within my lifetime, but Xien Ren has infinite patience. So instead, I'll give whatever I can to help them along. Do whatever I must to make myself useful." A twisted smile graces her lips, "You know this isn't my real face, right?"

Abandoned

Zoe mentions the Rupracht system often enough for you to go digging, and discover news of a Tianchao cell within the system that was exposed and scattered by the MPL seven years ago. Discussing the matter with Zoe, her expression goes hard. "I gave Tianchao my best years there, and all for nothing." She tells you how hard she worked, slowly rising in status and becoming the leader of her cell. "I reached levels unheard of for someone plucked from obscurity," she says proudly. "I was so close to finally meeting Xian Ren, but when Mars came knocking they cut me off, like an infected limb." Her eyes blaze, "I'll graft my way back on somehow."

Down to Business

Captain Vesna Zoric makes an unusually strong impression during her first strategy meeting, barely engaging in any pleasantries at all before flatly stating, "Let's be honest, I'm not going to remember everyone's names if you just reel them off to me. So let's learn those later and get straight to the order of business." It's a controversial strategy, one that earns immediate respect from one half of your crew and instant dislike from the other, but it does make the meeting more efficient.

TC-DV-71

The Mark-71 Disruption Vessel is a lightweight craft designed to completely overwhelm enemy ships by applying unexpected power surges to their systems. However, just beneath its hull panels lies a secret weapon: a multitude of lasers able to strip the outer layer of shielding off enemy vessels within seconds, exposing their vulnerabilities. This allows even the lightest hit to become a devastating blow. Vesna insists this tactic is entirely for the benefit of others, Nayra's tesla cannon is more than capable of dealing debilitating damage without it.

Gut-deep Certainty

It seems splitting the room is something of a habit of Vesna's. On the job she displays nothing but unwavering confidence, earning both admiration and disdain for her perceived smugness. However, her impeccable track record for making decisions in the heat of battle and genuine concern for her team's well-being leaves even her harshest critics struggling to find impactful criticism. As she shares, "I know I won't always be right, but my priority is the safety of the people I'm flying with, and I owe them not to waver on that. Even if they don't like my attitude."

In a Pair

According to Vesna, Nayra's name means "eye" in a regional Terran language. It's the same meaning as the name of the ship her twin brother Ratko pilots, and they apparently chose them together as a way to symbolize their connection. "It's because watching over my brother is a full-time job," she jokes. "Sometimes, I feel like I'm both our eyes." She feels uncomfortable at times operating without Ratko, but is slowly learning to put her career ahead of being attached at the hip, and her quick promotion to lieutenant at a young age has only validated this decision.

Permission to Cry?

Vesna is known for her stoic nature, but members of your medical team have expressed concern for her tendency to "just push through" more challenging times. Her employment records from the Combine imply this is a long-standing habit, as SOVA has pointed out that she rarely took time off surrounding traumatic injuries or the loss of a squad member. In her psych eval Vesna flatly states: "Look, death is a reality in my line of work, and people are always counting on me. Sometimes I need a good cry, just like anyone else, but that's what dorm rooms are for."

Burden of Love

Given her rank and reputation, Nayra's departure from the Combine raises questions. Digging into it reveals a scandalous cause - Vesna's twin, Ratko, was arrested for stealing crystals from an escort client. When asked, Vesna confesses to you that she had long been the strategist behind her brother's thieving habits. "I was constantly vigilant, and I caught every threat in his path for so long, and then one day I missed a single camera on the ship plans." She sighs, "They don't know I was involved, I just couldn't bear being there any more. All this false confidence started for his sake, I think it's killing me.

To The Teeth

When you learn that Nuqtu's Captain Carmen Fuentes is the former head of the Combine's Extraterrestrial Defense Union, you're expecting a businesswoman who can fly. Instead, Fuentes' confident swagger, shoulder mounted laser guns, and pair of hip holstered sidearms seem more suited for a bounty hunter than someone who allegedly spends most of her time negotiating with the board of a megacorporation. Most of your crew is decidedly a bit put off by her arsenal, even her fellows from the Combine, but it does immediately endear her to your XAOC recruits.

Job Benefits

While technically not the highest military role within the megacorporation, as the head of the ETD Union Fuentes wielded massive influence over how the Combine's fleet was structured and distributed across the galaxy. You can read the prestige of her position just by examining Nuqtu's build; its Initiative Matrix is an incredibly exclusive defensive add-on that deconstructs enemy viruses into raw power in order to bolster damage, defense, and speed. "Nothing keeps a pilot safer. If I had it my way, this system would have been on every ship we used. Unfortunately, they wouldn't give me that much room with our budget."

Better Safe

Once it becomes clear that Carmen's first impression is in fact her standard loadout, you ask her why she feels the need to stay so heavily armed. "Pure habit," she tells you. "We're fortunate, the Combine is built on unions, so most of the executives do know that they have to play nice with the people who make their business run. …Most, but not all." She twirls her side arm idly. "I've had a few attempts on my life over the years. You'd think they'd know better than to try it on a professional killer, but it teaches you to be cautious." It strikes you as ironic that her new position may very well be safer than the last.

TC-SV-552

The Strike Vessel Mark-552 is currently the most advanced ship in its line. Aside from Nuqtu's aftermarket upgrades, its standout feature is by far the Nova Blaster, an unusually deadly weapon for something of Combine make. By generating an exceptionally strong electro-magnetic field around powdered ammunition, it replicates something very similar to the gravity well that turns space dust into stars. The resulting energy ball only becomes stronger the more debris it absorbs once fired, turning battle staples like microdrones and repair packages into power-ups.

First and Foremost

Given the prestige of her last position, you ask Carmen why she downgraded to join an independent fleet. "Efficiency above all," she tells you. "It's how the Combine stays strong, and that strength is how we protect our employees." She studies your face for a moment before huffing a laugh. "Am I being obtuse? Look, I cared about my fighters, but it's lonely at the top and I love the thrill of battle. It was a conflict of interest, eventually my heart wasn't fully in it and everyone could tell. I lost the last union election, so I figured that was as good an excuse as any to try a fresh start."

Friends and Crew

You get the sense that Carmen is a stern, intense woman by nature, but as your crew begins to warm up to her, weapons and all, she starts to unwind. "It's been ages since I could talk to coworkers without running calculations about their opinions and conditions the whole time," she tells you with a relieved sigh. "Honestly, I still find myself drafting complaint correspondence in my head from time to time. XAOC wants a blade sharpener installed in the gym, by the way, and the Marauders need an area to let off steam closer to their quarters. They wake people up in the hallways during night shift."

Rich Boy

When Captain Jared Rodriguez arrives at the base, you notice several of your crew members rolling their eyes. Their disdain is noticeable as they whisper about the "rich boy" entering your domain, and his quick judgment of your base's setup, suggesting upgrades before he's fully explored the hangar, only adds to the tension. However, despite his youthful arrogance, Obsidian's reputation as an electronic warfare prodigy precedes him. Known for manipulating complex software systems with ease, Rodriguez's potential value to your operations is undeniable.

All In

Obsidian is a Cyfleet200 TZ Fighter, sporting a sleek, distinctly luxury leather interior. Its standout feature in battle is the Cyfleet's 'Dark Matter Core' hacking module, which cripples enemy ships by bombarding their computers with false commands for their shields, and channels the waste heat from its CPU directly into Obsidian's own thermal laser cannons. Notably, this isn't a trick Rodriguez reserves solely for enemy ships. When the time is right he'll reprogram his own shield as well, in order to focus a particularly decisive, and lethal, blast.

Worth The Trouble?

Rodriguez's reputation within MPL has clearly been earned. His competitive nature keeps him from shying away from any confrontation, regularly escalating petty arguments into theft, property destruction, and outright fist fights. He's almost more trouble than your Marauder pilots, but his hacking prowess is invaluable, both for intelligence and sabotage. Using his skills, he can even manipulate enemy systems into triggering catastrophic internal explosions. Still, keeping him safe from the rest of your crew demands a surprising amount of effort.

Defying Orders

Rodriguez is distinctly ill adapted to an environment where there are consequences for misbehavior, to the extent it makes you wonder how he's survived this long. During a Marauder ambush you watch Obsidian peel out of formation to park directly in the middle of the enemy's frontline. When you demand to know what the hell he was thinking, he breathlessly outlines his hopes of luring in and personally challenging the raiders' boarding party. He doesn't seem to understand how lucky he was that the rest of his squad decimated them before he got his chance.

Untouchable

Apparently, both of Jared's parents are high-ranking executives within MPL. Their significant stake in the company has allowed them to wield considerable influence, often intervening to clean up after Jared's missteps, and even removing employees who had complaints about their son. Still, it isn't all sunshine. According to Jared himself, "It's not affection, they care about the image of it all." He mentions how for his 18th birthday he was given a pair of cybernetic eyes not yet on the market - and for good reason. Safety complications from the implantation nearly cost him his sight. "I didn't even want them. They never apologized for that."

Safety Net

Whilst Jared undoubtedly loves pretending to be a hero, seeking out higher and higher odds to pit himself against, there's a darker reason why he took your contract. According to SOVA, his parent's money is running dry. While their shares will help keep them in their current positions with MPL, their influence is quickly declining. It seems likely his employment with you is a safety net for when he inevitably gets a taste of his own medicine. Certainly his past exploits have created quite a string of people waiting for the opportunity.

Material Science

All of your Gelecek employees keep up side projects in their free time, but perhaps none are as obvious about it as Oleander's Captain Michiel Gibsin. The giant 3D printers in the back of his hangar take up almost as much room as his ship, and it's not uncommon to walk in on him up to his elbows in cables, diagrams, or large scale models. Unfailingly polite, he will always explain what he's working on to anyone who asks, but it's pretty much all gibberish about enhanced polymers and re-bonded metals to you.

Many Headed

Oleander's ship of choice is a Hydra-Class engineering vessel. The line is named for its ability to bind a squadron together like a single multi-headed entity, using drones to siphon excess energy from high-functioning ships, and then putting it to use repairing their damaged allies. Michiel has improved the system further by innovating a kind of spray-on hull plating for his drones to deploy, redirecting enemy attacks through a complicated chemical chain reaction that dilutes the impact over a wider area.

What Makes A Man

It's hard to avoid, looking at Michiel, exactly how much of his skull is filled with wires. According to his medical files and the man himself, some 70% of his brain has been replaced with cybernetic hardware, meant to enhance his memory, senses, and processing power. "I was in a dark place at the time," he muses. "Serving as a basis for the experiment offered some meaning to my life. It has enhanced my own work. I was fortunate my colleague knew what he was doing."

Automated Ingenuity

Besides the work of his drones, Oleander's most active role in battle is to serve like a giant transmitter, boosting his ally's hacking signals and shutting down defenses. A lot of the work could be automated, Michiel admits, but having an active mind at the helm allows Oleander to make subtle personal improvements to the jamming signals, which strictly combat-focused captains struggle to adapt to on the fly. "In a way, I am the middle ground. Half-automated, half-man."

Turned to Metal

While the external wielder was his own design, almost all of Michiel's internal enhancements were installed as part of the so-called "Medusa Project", which sought to use AI training and extensive implants to create "the perfect human brain." It was officially shut down a few years ago due to a lack of willing test subjects, but Michiel insists that the surgery was a net gain in his life and seems genuinely distraught that Medusa failed. However, you can't help but get a strange feeling whenever the topic comes up, as all his responses begin to feel just slightly rehearsed.

Forms of Growth

"I used to think of myself as an artist," Michiel tells you. "It's silly of course, several doctors have told me so, and I can see it myself now, but there is always something so satisfying in finding the perfect structural alignment for a new material. Like dominoes falling into place to become stronger than diamond. One could call it beautiful." He blinks and then abruptly adds, "if you're childish enough to still value such terms."

Coming To You LIVE

There are very few well-known members of the Tianchao Clan, but Diane Li certainly qualifies. She's garnered a massive public following for her groundbreaking work as an investigative journalist, funded by the exclusive reports she provides to the Clan's top clientele. It's not shocking to find her working near the Abyss, but it was somewhat alarming that she sought you out specifically to offer her services - seemingly already aware of the nature of your contract.

In The Field

According to Diane, she usually seeks out an active fleet to travel with while working on a story, to facilitate interviews and help her get a full picture of the situation. However, thanks to its wide targeting radius, and a unique system jammer that can turn enemy weapons on their own allies, Panguan seems uniquely suited to taking on entire squadrons by itself. When you ask if she's ever needed to, Diane just smiles.

Too Close

Diane spends a lot of her free time questioning all of your staff and crew individually about their thoughts and personal experience with the Abyss. Her probing starts harmless enough, asking where they believe the Abyss originated from, and what limits they think should be placed on colonization within, but it soon turns personal. Shepherd isn't thrilled when he is cornered about the "gory details" of watching someone be consumed by an Anomaly. He and a few other pilots submit requests for temporary restraining orders in order to get some peace.

Available For Comment

It makes sense that Panguan would be built to aid Diane's work in addition to keeping her safe, but it's still an amusing shock to realize how she scores so many "exclusive interviews." Using Panguan's cloaking matrix, she can slip behind enemy lines during battle without being detected, before hacking directly into her target's private comm line and having a "professional chat." "I let them talk a bit first," she explains, "But having an invisible stranger suddenly respond to an order you thought only your men could hear tends to make people say all Kinds of things in an angry panic."

Here Of All Places

Diane has a long and storied career, covering everything from the relocation of the Lunar government, to failed union projects within the MPL, to the Omega Colonization project, which ended in her spending 6 months in a XAOC trafficking camp before help arrived. "I got a strong piece out of that one. 'Who Owns The Ice Fields?: How Independent Enterprise Might Be Our Only Answer to Raiders.' It won a few awards, but to be honest, I'd rather have my time and dignity back. I really appreciate the free security here. I'd even consider making your fleet a more permanent base for my journalistic work, if you're willing to make a few detours to places of interest."

Concluding Thoughts

You're the first to see Diane's finished article, as she brings it to you personally upon completing it. "I wanted your opinion, as someone who's been working so close to the heart of the matter," she says, folding her hands professionally. "Explaining the nature of the Anomaly threat could help keep people safe, or it could help factions like Everliving build worse bioweapons than ever. Balancing the enthusiasm for a gold rush against the mass panic of a pandemic is a delicate task, and I won't know if I managed it until this goes live." She pauses, meaningfully. "But then, it doesn't have to go live right now. I'm Diane Li, I can wait as long as I want. What do you think?"

Daring Do

Captain Henri Laurent is almost as well known for his borderline suicidal assault runs as he is for inexplicably emerging alive, so it feels like a bit of a mixed blessing to recruit him to your fleet. For the last fifty years a common refrain from Combine instructors to hotshot pilots has been that just because Panon pulled a certain maneuver off, it doesn't mean that THEY, or indeed ANYONE, should.

Mark-64 Light Frigate

Panon's current ship model is the Combine LF-64, a small and shockingly maneuverable defensive ship. While it's best known for its revolutionary thermal shielding, which only becomes hotter and stronger when taking fire, Henri seems to value it far more for its ability to effortlessly keep up with more aggressive offensive ships. Once Panon gets moving, it can even dodge several kinds of tracking missiles (Combine manuals highly recommend shooting down incoming missiles with point defense instead of trying to dodge).

Middling Management

Most of Henri's schoolmates who joined him in the fleet have by now either retired back to civilian life or ascended to command fleets and stations of their own. He insists that he is perfectly happy getting his hands dirty on the squad level, but his long list of demotions and burned bridges with the upper echelons of Combine command suggest that his current position as Frontier contractor may not be entirely voluntary.

Atmospheric Capabilities

LF-64s like Panon are notable as being one of the few models of Combine ships approved for active use both in and out of most atmospheres. Henri swears that the craft's adaptability has saved his life dozens of times, allowing him to safely dip close enough to a planet that the atmospheric friction starts to melt his opponent's hull, which, in his words: "makes it a lot harder for them to finish shooting you."

Open Lines

Henri has a number of stories from his long career, most of which he strictly refuses to share with a superior officer in the room. However, once you convince him that you won't fire him on the spot, he is willing to regale you with a variety of tales, including the time he distracted a fleet of XAOC raiders by leaking the broadcast of his furious commander ordering him to return to formation on an open channel, while privately instructing his squadmates on how to outflank them.

Cocky Business

Because he selected quarters at the end of a previously unoccupied hall, it took you a while to realize that Henri owns a pair of cockatiels. You have since learned that he raised them both from eggs, they are named Emma and Kaarina after his ex-wives, and that all of his new neighbors hate them. Special sound-proofing insulation is currently on order to solve the problem, but the question of where to keep the birds during the necessary construction is still in the air.

Run

Agnes was a last-minute recruit, a pest control expert on the run from Binderburg agents. She left with very few belongings and showed up at your base on the recommendation of a close friend, Moreland Mills. Arriving in her work clothes, she was still wearing a protective dome on her head and clutching her equipment, as if afraid to let go of her old life. She exclaimed, "Excuse my attire, Commander. I just finished a job when I got the warning to run."

Pyrethrin 8

The Pyrethrin 8, piloted by Agnes, is a fully equipped pest control unit. While no one openly admits it, the chemicals it uses can be hazardous to humans in large doses and corrosive enough to damage even the toughest ships. "It's almost fit for battle, so I went all the way and added some protective measures," Agnes said. The ship's Bio Carapace is a liquid that hardens into a bug-like shell around allied vessels. If another ship attempts to repair itself, the Pyrethrin 8 responds by spraying it with additional corrosive fluid. "It's paid off," Agnes adds. "Once, I went to clear a planet only to find another faction had the same idea. Another time, we were overrun with flying alien bugs. I was able to protect my co-workers and stay alive."

Triple Threat

Normally, someone in Agnes's position would be stuck on the lowest rung of the career ladder. She was originally assigned to clear new planets for Binderburg's habitation projects. Fortunately, her expertise in pest removal went far beyond basic cleanup. She could design custom solutions for even the most resilient infestations and build them herself. Once Binderburg's R&D department recognized her potential, they took a strong interest in her work. Agnes was led to believe she'd be designing pest control units, but instead, she was tasked with adapting her creations for use in fighter units.

Aracros

Agnes was born on the planet Aracros. From a young age, the planet was infested with giant spider-like creatures known as the Hedrax. The Hedrax carried a deadly virus, which over time dramatically reduced the planet's population. Immune to the virus, Agnes watched as her loved ones died. Almost nothing worked to eradicate the infestation, and eventually, it was too late to save Aracros. As the sole survivor, she unleashed a powerful chlorine gas, devastating the planet and killing all life.

Curiosity Killed the Cat

Agnes had no plans to work for Binderburg R&D, but she saw it as an opportunity to advance her field and spare others the same fate that had befallen Aracros. She sighed, "I wish I had never joined. I got used to my co-workers, and then they'd just vanish. I'm a curious person, so of course I did a little digging. Tried to get my facts straight. I didn't want to come across as some crazy conspiracy theorist. After that, I was constantly being watched. They weren't even subtle about it."

Disciples of Darwin

Agnes trusts you enough to share her findings. Speaking in a hushed tone, she said, "I don't know exactly what R&D is up to, but I do know my co-workers were assassinated after uncovering a classified project. While digging into it, I also found a bounty on Eelun Naphula. His file said he fled Binderburg after discovering their secrets. He gained a following called the Disciples of Darwin. I might have joined them if I thought they could protect me, but they seem more like radical fanatics than brave rebels. If I hadn't answered your beacon... I could've ended up in some cult."

Fancy pants

You know little about Winston except that he's an heir to a significant share of Atlas Bank. Despite his status as a chairman, few have seen him around. In an unusual turn of events, Winston requests a meeting with you, almost as if you are the one being employed. Inviting you for tea in his old Earth-modeled residence, he asks probing questions as if conducting the interview himself, and insists on formalities that seem overly pompous. You end up watching your words carefully as he scolds you for cussing when you spill some hot tea, suggesting it to be improper.

Old school

Winston's ship, the Classico 1439, is a unique blend of futuristic design and old-earth classic car aesthetics, reflecting his old-fashioned nature. Known for adding his own flair to words, Winston nicknames it Quixilver, for its exceptional speed and agility. Its main feature is its absorption barrier which can absorb the energy from attacks turning it into a powerful energy shield.

Money man

Winston's brain hosts an inbuilt predictive AI, a common implant amongst members of Atlas. He claims to utilize it for various financial endeavors, including stock market predictions. While some of your crew eagerly seek his financial advice hoping to get rich, others doubt his expertise, noting the necessity of human input alongside AI. Nonetheless, Winston's AI proves invaluable in battle, aiding in his defensive strategies and enhancing his effectiveness on the battlefield.

Stirring the pot

Winston embodies the appearance of a murder mystery protagonist, with a cane suggesting years of wear, that conceals an old school pistol. He often takes his penchant for dressing up further, organizing murder mystery nights at your base. While these events foster camaraderie among your crew, Winston occasionally becomes overly immersed in his character, intertwining real-life grievances into fictional scenarios. This has caused arguments to erupt between bickering crew members, much to the delight of Winston who amongst puffs of his cigar says " Oh golly how exciting, I believe I have found a motive".

An elusive figure

Intel reveals discrepancies regarding Winston's involvement with Atlas Bank; while he stands to inherit shares, he appears disconnected from its operations, only appearing at annual soirees and auctions. Appearing to have caught wind of your investigation he utters over your shoulder "Snooping around in my business eh" and then proceeds to laugh suggesting he is joking. Your heart rate goes back to normal until he gives you a stern look and tells you not to get involved for your own good.

A real detective

Winston, concerned for your well-being, reveals his true association with Atlas. Identified for his exceptional abilities at a young age, his parents' aspirations for him to lead Atlas Bank were thwarted when he was recruited into Nightcorps, an espionage division Atlas conceals. Despite being in line to inherit the bank, he found himself serving Atlas's profit-driven agenda, collecting information instead of solving mysteries. Inspired by classic detectives, Winston yearns to establish his own detective agency, viewing his time with your crew as a respite to contemplate this dream. With a stern warning against further inquiry, he emphasizes the potential consequences for both of you.

Myth and Legend

You first hear about Ravager through rumors. Cast as a near-mythical giant known as "Tsar Rasputin" (or more often simply "the Tsar"), he's known to appear from nowhere with a pack of hundreds, tearing a bloody path across entire star systems. It's something of a surprise that such an infamously destructive figure would answer your call for mercenary work, but they say to never look a gift horse in the mouth…or a Marauder, for that matter.

Private Renovations

The Tsar wastes absolutely no time renovating his allotted hangar, locking everyone else out on pain of conversion or death, and sending several mechanics running to your office with concerns that they'd been fired. When the doors finally reopen you find that his personal lackeys have set up their own mechanic station, soundproofed all the walls, and quite literally rolled out the red carpet anywhere that the Tsar might conceivably want to walk.

The Tsar's Priorities

Given how effective Ravager is, the Tsar's recipe for success is concerningly simple, and also just plain concerning. Seemingly not quite used to the idea that he is no longer the Pack leader, he's developed the habit of trying to drill it into the heads of half the station, several times a day. "Focus on the weakened ones! The ailing ones! Reroute all power to your weapons! Breathe when they're dead! Blink when they're dead! You can have life support when they're dead!"

Behind the Eyes

While his pomp should by every right come across as ridiculous, there is something oddly disturbing about being in the same room as the Tsar. His lackeys, former pack members that continue to follow him, always stand three feet back and stay completely silent. In between the moments of bombastic grandstanding you can see flashes of rational clarity in the man's eyes. It's almost worse than the madness: his gaze feels like it's tearing through people, and it's always unsettling when a Marauder can offer improvements to your tactical plans.

Requests for Time Off

The Tsar has strictly scheduled "training exercises" that he uses to keep his pack up to his exacting standards, but what exactly these entail is unclear. Ravager will simply clear off your base, join up with one of the largest hoards of Marauder ships you've ever seen, and then drop off the map for several days to complete whatever their task is. The Tsar has made it quite clear you are not to follow them or attempt to recruit any of his minions. He is, however, always punctual when you open the bridge to pick him back up.

Red Flags

It's come to your attention recently that Ravager receives regular encrypted data dumps from an unknown source, which always corresponds with the Tsar going out on an exercise. Attempting to trace them back to the source leads to a nebula located near the infamous Furnace of Heaven, on the edge of the Abyss and generally considered to be an uninhabitable deadzone. The Tsar only smiles when you confront him, "A new star is forming, 'Commander'. Your fleet is cute. Stay clear of the flames."

Titanium

At first glance, it's not immediately apparent how much of Captain Chariya Buathong's original body remains intact. Her outer shell has been fortified with a titanium alloy to render her virtually indestructible by human standards, though her face is allegedly constructed to still resemble her natural form. You learn the details from your medical crew after her initial check up, as inquiries about her modifications from anyone else are met with stony silences and open disdain.

Extension of the Self

Captain Buathong's modifications, while impressively protective, have left her with a sharply reduced range of mobility. Sansi's piloting controls have been custom tailored to compensate: featuring a smaller dashboard and hooking up most reflex-intensive functions such as weapons aiming and minor directional adjustments to an advanced motion sensor she can control with her eye movements. In flight you can't even notice her limitations, dipping between ships to draw enemy fire as if it's the most natural thing in the world.

Tight Lipped

Apparently, Chariya's parents worked in the legitimate branch of Tianchao's information empire, but she knew immediately that she was not interested in consulting with clients from behind a desk. After being determined to not have the right temperament to join the elite ranks of the Clan's undercover agents, Chariya was recruited to fly in Tianchao's fleet as an "extractor," removing agents and important contacts alike from dangerous situations. "We weren't supposed to talk," she says once. "Not to the packages, and not even to anyone who knew us before we worked with the spy cells. I miss my family. Even telling you this much feels… wrong."

Almost Immortal

Chariya's modifications are more than just aesthetics, sporting several internal modifications that make her almost impossible to kill. Her integrated life support systems ensure survival even in the direst situations, with the majority of her organs replaced by artificial counterparts capable of self-repair via nanobots, not dissimilar to Sansi's own repair systems. "I wouldn't recommend all this recreationally," she tells you once in a dry tone. "But it helps a woman feel secure. Keep an eye on Gelecek's advancements. In twenty years that might change."

Arm's Length

Chariya's modifications make her expressions and body language hard to read, but you still notice a small narrowing of her eyes the first time she notices you calling her by her first name. "I know you think this whole base is your own little kingdom, Commander, but you really should learn to stop getting so chummy with your crew. Not all of us left our Factions when we took your contract." She pauses, inscrutable. "And tell your Gelecek people the same goes for them. If they value their science, they shouldn't want to catch the Clan's attention."

At The Root

Even SOVA has difficulty pulling medical records from Tianchao, given the Clan's security, but eventually Chariya delivers it to you herself, with a short "stop blundering around in our systems like a child." You discover her modifications started as a cancer treatment, as the disease had already gone metastatic by the time she was diagnosed. "We could have treated it one case at a time, but it had already spread to half my organs. My whole body would have been at risk of relapse for the rest of my life. So I went to Bizim, found an engineer, and told him to cut out the rot at the root." She chose not to keep in contact after, as Tianchao immediately used the doctor's tech to reverse engineer a way into Gelecek's computer systems.

Number 1

Before joining your crew, Massimo was an anti-saboteur agent for the MPL. He refers to himself as "one of the best stealth detectors the Frontier will ever see"—if you take him at his word. For someone who self-describes as "ruthless," your first meeting is anything but. As he signs the contract, Massimo smiles and says, "As long as you don't order me around too much, we'll be great friends." It's easy to miss the thinly veiled threat under the charm. As harmless as a puppy dog, he greets every crew member with a sincere hug.

Organic

Massimo's Sensus 600 unit features some of the most advanced stealth detection ever seen on an MPL ship. Its Sensor Web technology is a mass of sinewy, web-like organic material laced with nerve-like filaments. It can detect stealthed units from long distances, even those hidden by niche or experimental stealth shielding. It's rare for the MPL to use biotech at all, and if you stripped off the outer shell, the ship could almost pass for something out of Gelecek's labs.

If I were a rich boy

Passing through the Abyss, Massimo casually announces, "These resources must be worth a fortune. Imagine what I could do with all that wealth? I could start a business empire, be my own boss, and get some respect for a change." He seems borderline obsessed, revelling in its majesty and humming a cheerful tune, like he had already hit the jackpot. You find yourself hoping he won't abandon your mission for some personal pursuit.

Room and board

Massimo had an unusual deal that tied him to MPL. He wasn't a debt slave, but he wasn't seen as an employee either. He lent them his skills whilst they took care of his needs. Management treated him uncharacteristically well, convinced his skill set was unique. Massimo could even manipulate them into negotiating a generous weekly stipend. He tells you, "A guy can't work day in day out with nothing to clear his mind at the end of the day, and an entertainment stipend was the least they could give. I got myself a lovely little arcade machine, it's a shame I had to leave it behind."

Shady past

Massimo was one of Mamma Maglienza's henchmen before the MPL got their hands on him. When the Lunar Directorate put bounties on her crew, the League, eager for a payout, sent a hunter to collect. A high-ranking exec ordered them to hold off after seeing Massimo's anti-stealth techniques on the feed. He was given a choice: skip jail, protect their new department, and keep it secret. "Better than getting verbally and physically assaulted by Maglienza," he shrugs. Some execs wanted him gone until he stopped a cloaked fleet of fifty ships from breaching the perimeter. "That shut those pompous idiots up," he recalled.

Under their thumb

Massimo took your contract to escape his deal with the MPL. "I've got friends living as debt slaves—my comfort felt like an insult," he tells you. "I miss the illusion of stability, sure. But how long before they throw me away once I'm no longer useful?" He shrugs. "Can't exactly start my own business under their thumb." Still, he admits he might've jumped too soon. He knew the department, had friends on the inside—he could've pulled off a heist. "They reverse-engineered the anomalies," he says, "built unmanned vessels that can harvest the Abyss undetected. If only I had that kind of power."

Quiet Confidence

In comparison to most of the other Legion ships you've encountered, Sentinel's arrival is surprisingly relaxed. Captain Bernard Moreau maintains their trademark discipline, and follows the communication protocol exactly, but with a strange aura of calmness about him. You get the sense that the Legion's rituals have become second nature to him, performed without thinking or worrying about getting it wrong. Meeting him face to face only supports your hypothesis. Captain Moreau is surprisingly old by the standards of the Legion, but he carries himself with an effortless dignity.

Legatus Bernard Moreau

The background file for Captain Moreau reveals a very long and impressive history of prior assignments. Surprisingly, he holds the rank of 'Legatus', the highest within the Frontier Legion hierarchy outside of HQ. Ordinarily a Legatus would command an entire Legion rather than flying a single ship for an outside contractor, but he plays it down when you mention it to him, explaining he has retired from the commission and is now a simple adviser.

Baculus IV

Sentinel is a Baculus IV destroyer, a rare sight on the battlefield. Despite being the 4th in the Baculus line, the IV stands out for its increased carry capacity and massively decreased weapons battery; sporting only a single small cannon on the bottom of the ship. Instead Sentinel boasts an array of highly advanced sensors, allowing it to lock on the locations of interest as small as a golf ball during a hectic shootout, and detect electronic attacks long before they penetrate its systems. This eclectic set of priorities led to the model being abandoned by the Legion at large, but in Legatus Moreau's hands, it makes a peerless support vessel.

Pick Your Battles

Sentinel's tactics in battle clearly reflects his long experience. Instead of rushing into engagements or close-quarter combat, Legatus Moreau prefers a more patient approach: observing the enemy and bolstering his squadmates, before striking hard and fast. He has a knack for finding the best target instead of the most obvious one, turning a solid firing run by one of your other ships into a deadly one. Considering Sentinel's ship model, you can't help but be impressed.

Once Sovereign Space

At the end of a long shift you can often find Legatus Moreau and his engineering crew still sitting in the hangar, playing cards or dominos and reminiscing about "the old times". He gestures to you when you walk in once as if to prove a point. "Take the Commander here, now they're new to the game, but they feel like the last gasp of the old warriors. Back when every independent commander was trying to start their own empire, build a Dyson Sphere, seek out mechanisms and claims and… Well. I suppose the big factions put their foot down on that now."

Honest Advice

Legatus Moreau often shares his insights with a warm, somber voice. "You employ people from a lot of different factions," he starts once. "Some of them are excellent. Some are crooks, madmen, and worse. Some hate each other. But the Legion has always believed in giving those who sign up a clean slate. The important thing is to make sure that everyone can trust you and work well together, even if they don't trust each other." He claps a hand on your shoulder, "I wish you nothing but luck with that."

Mind your head

Towering above the other recruits, Tavian barely makes it through your hangar without hitting his head on the ceiling. He curses and says abruptly, "Please fix it. I plan to be here for the long haul, and in one piece." It's hard to say no, maybe it's his size, or maybe it's the way he locks eyes and never blinks. You agree before things get any more uncomfortable.

Algea class

The railgun protruding from Tavian's Algea-class ship is a dual-use weapon. Simply put, Tavian explains, "First you wear them down, weaken their defenses, then you go in with the final blow." The railgun deploys nanobots designed to mimic corrosion, gradually eating away at the enemy ship. A timed release system detects when the ship is at its weakest point and then activates the railgun's main function. "It sends an electromagnetic wave their way, and engulfs the whole ship. And as a bonus, it takes all their systems offline," Tavian boasts.

Show off

The wall in Tavian's quarters is lined with medals he's earned as a Nova Brawl champion. He invites you in just to show them off. He's so passionate about the sport that he often uses your ship as his personal training ground. He's known to get into brawls with anyone willing to engage, riling them up until they snap. "I can't get enough of it," he grins. "I'm addicted to the rush, and the warm feeling I get when I inevitably win. I may have cracked a bulkhead sparring yesterday, though. Sorry about that."

Ego trip

Tavian has a way with words, mostly to boost his own ego. His petty remarks were amusing at first: "Your ship flies itself better than you do," he quips to a coworker, who takes it as a light-hearted joke. But when no one bites, he pushes too far. Fortunately, he redeems himself where it counts. Pilots can spend hours debating the right strategy, but his assertiveness spreads like wildfire. When he's confident in a plan, everyone else is too. It gets you onto the battlefield faster.

Showdown

Tavian was an insecure child. His only "friend," Darian Kesh, used their friendship as a bargaining chip to get his way. Intimidated, Tavian swore he'd one day surpass Darian. After an intense buildup of childish squabbles, the two came to blows during a routine patrol at Bizim. Darian suffered a devastating injury, and Tavian hasn't seen him since. "Sometimes I worry I went too far, but he pushed me for far too long," Tavian admits. "I was demoted after that, no longer head of security. I couldn't face my team, so I answered your beacon instead."

What makes us different

Tavian once made the front page of Nova Brawler's Digest under the headline: "Too Tall or Not Too Tall?" There was speculation that he had used cybernetic height augmentations. "I never denied it. Anyway, I only did it so I could look down on Darian," he shrugs. "They thought about putting the augmented in the exo leagues, but my height is nothing compared to those hulking titans in exo suits." He smirks. "Still, nice to know I matter enough to cause a fuss. The board nearly created a third league, one for the augmented and one for the naturals, but most of the galaxy would have been disqualified."

If Looks Could Kill

Anastacia Ciobanu was fired from her previous position at Binderburg for "failing to uphold our basic conduct expectations for employees," or, as she explains it, "failing to grin and kiss management's butt 24 hours a day." Luckily, you didn't enlist her for her charm. Sustainer has a reputation as a remarkable pilot, serving several years as a high-security patrol unit, and a final year as something titled "Selective Obstruction Specialist." "Yeah, they told me not to include that one," Anastacia tells you, "but screw it. That's just what they call the hit squad."

Technophobia

Compared to the rest of your fleet, Sustainer feels almost primitive. The Extermina 9 unit runs off pure, old school nuclear power, channeling excess radiation into devastating ray blasts. The Augmentation Prototype weapon amplifier is by far the most modern piece of equipment on the ship, and Anastacia insists Binderburg installed it entirely against her will. The system stands out starkly against the ship's interior, which sports more books and posters than computer systems.

Hot and Cold

Anastacia has earned the slightly derogatory nickname of "station cat" amongst your crew, for her tendency to switch between acting warm and aloof with little to no warning. Even after starting to settle into her new role, she still occasionally snaps over minor issues, carrying strong opinions about when and where Sustainer should be deployed for missions. More than once she's silenced an entire tactical discussion by slamming the table with a bizarrely sharp "your little glowstick is so much easier to hack."

Obstruction Specialty

When asked, Anastacia is startlingly candid about her time as a hitman. "Obstruction Specialists work entirely out of their ships, so it's really not any different from what I'm doing now. They send you a model and serial number, you find the thing, shoot out the engine and life support, maybe a couple hull pieces, and head right back to base. You never even know who's in there." Her eyes dart off to the side for a moment. "Most of the time, anyways. I'm not like those freaks who agree to do the deed in person."

Bookworm

You walk past Anastacia one day, her nose buried in an ancient paper copy of something titled "The Three Body Problem". She remarks, "Didn't take me for a reader, huh? Gotta calm the temper somehow. Classic Lit is about the only thing that's ever helped." Reflecting on her past as a Binderburg patrol flier, she expresses disillusionment with the mundanity of it all. "That's about to change," she tells you. "Exploring the Abyss is the opportunity of a lifetime. With you I'll finally get my shot at a real adventure, like in my books."

Pent Up

You recommend that Anastacia speak to your base psychologist about managing her mood swings, and she makes a face. "ENOUGH with the psychologists, the therapists, the 'relaxing zen mindfulness rooms,' do you know how many of those things Binderburg has? Too many. They don't even help. You know what my problem is? It's that when I pulled up for my final job there was a kid messing around on the open channel. Maybe the target had a family, I don't know, I panicked and let the ship get away. Then I asked a colleague, Elijah, for help covering it up. He decided the best course of action was to go take them all out himself." She sighs, staring up at the ceiling. "Therapize that. What a world."

Inked

Your data file on Viktor is impressive: he won the galaxy-wide hackathon at age 12, rose to upper management in Binderburg's elusive R&D department by 25, and hails from a wealthy family of renowned investors. When you meet him, his personality matches his profile—charming and persuasive. However, his rugged appearance and imposing physique feel at odds with his role. As he leans in for a handshake, his sleeve shifts, revealing an arm covered in intricate biometric tattoos and cryptic symbols. The more questions you ask, the more cracks appear in his polished demeanor, giving way to brashness and frustration.

Reaper 8

Viktor's modified Reaper 8 unit is unlike anything on the market, so it's no surprise he's constantly fending off requests to take it for a spin. "A billion credits wouldn't be enough," he snaps. Playing on their envy, he winks, "She has an endless amount of energy, but don't believe the rumors I siphon it from the Sol Dyson Sphere—though I could if I wanted to. She uses a quantum feedback loop. Every time I boost her up, she draws energy from cosmic radiation and stray particles." He grins "Sometimes it drains power from a few useless colonies." Each boost increases her efficiency until she's so powerful, no enemy defense can stand against her."

Slacker

Viktor is a magnet for gossip, especially among your ex-Binderburg maintenance crew. SOVA discovers that Viktor used to show up to work just once a month, leaving his team without management. This hints at a higher position in Binderburg, where he seemingly answers to no one. While he can solve complex problems in a single day, which his team has struggled with for weeks, he's known to become volatile when approached for guidance. Despite his rare appearances, sources confirm he is an unexpected regular at shareholder meetings.

Set the stage

More information surfaces about Viktor. Whenever a freak accident or explosion occurs, photo evidence from high-profile events always captures him smiling in the background. Some call him the "Stage Master," believing he sets the scene and watches the chaos unfold from afar. At one annual event, his insincere speech praising his team provoked one of his employees to boo him — the heckler never returned to work after that day.

Worthy opponent

Viktor openly participates in the Annual Quantum Skirmishes, a stain on Binderburgs reputation due to its questionable legality. The skirmishes pit fleets against each other in brutal, last-one-standing battles. Viktor boasts, "I was told to kill fewer pilots, but it sends the crowd wild and helps me get rid of tension. Besides, we all sign a waiver." He's been on the winning team every year since joining but laments, "There's one ship I never got to take down—the previous champion, Isha. He quit before I began, and I've written to him every year, begging him to come back."

Repair and flare

One day, one of your med crew pulls you aside, clearly shaken. "Captain, I used to work for Binderburg. I need to tell you something. Viktor tried to kill me once. He showed up at my door pretending to be a repairman. Next thing I knew, my home was on fire, and he'd fled the scene. "I got out through a back hatch, lucky to be alive. Later, I returned to investigate and found a suspicious third-party energy device near the wreckage. Looked like he was trying to make it look like an accident." Their account further confirms the rumors about Viktor. You don't know why Viktor is on your ship or who he's after, but his presence alone compels you to tighten security.

Autopilot

When you first met Silas, his silence was unnerving. He responded to you with nods and grunts as if on autopilot. During orientation, Silas seemed to drift as if sleepwalking through his training. Your safety coordinators note his inattention during briefings and flag him as a potential liability. Out of "concern for his health," you ordered a med bay evaluation. The attending medic, however, abandoned the attempt, frustrated by Silas's refusal to answer any questions. Silas, however, had no trouble voicing his disdain at his ordeal, dismissing the entire evaluation as a "waste of his time."

Plasmon 10

Silas's Plasmon 10 model ship is as foreboding as its captain. The hull is reinforced with dark alloys that absorb light, making the ship nearly invisible in the void of space. Silas even painted the entire interior black and controls it in near-total darkness through the Neural Bridge, allowing him to pilot it via his thoughts. He chose the ship's callsign Tithonus from his childhood fascination with Greek mythology. Inspired by the tale of Tithonus, who was transformed into a grasshopper, Silas commissioned a lifelike grasshopper companion from Gelecek engineers. The mechanical creature perches on his shoulder, its authentic buzzing sounds driving anyone who interacts with him to the edge of their nerves.

Kidnapper

Silas has quite the reputation for kidnapping his enemies, despite orders to finish them off. If he attacks a ship and the pilot survives, you can bet he'll snatch them up for "scientific purposes," despite being told multiple times by his peers that the subjects aren't viable for any ongoing research projects. Rumors range from him selling their organs on the black market to mixing and matching the body parts of his captives to create the ultimate army. Some assume he simply does it for enjoyment. He joined your crew to conduct his research in peace, away from constant inquiries about his personal projects.

Movies

In the mess hall, Silas perked up when the topic turned to his favorite movies, but the conversation quickly soured when he expressed his unusual preferences. He proudly admitted, "I used to watch those old-school horror movies, they were brutal. Thought it was vintage and classy. But after watching a Holomovie, I can't go back. The blood, the gore—it's so visceral… I might try it in VR." He continued talking to himself long before realizing everyone had left the table, leaving behind their uneaten food.

Alive

After you took out an enemy ship, Silas was heard over the comms muttering, "Damn, the pilot won't survive this." Your crew isn't thrilled about his constant pressure to keep enemies alive, but his efficiency has proven invaluable, and for now, most are willing to chalk it up to an annoying personality quirk. "He ain't keeping the poor sods alive out of compassion, you just have to spend a few minutes with him to know that" one of your crew members points out.

The Fringe

Silas isn't shy about discussing the "important research" he conducts in his spare time. He boasts, "It's a fringe theory, but I've been studying blood transfusions from healthy specimens. There's anecdotal evidence to suggest that it delays the madness, and prevents the physical side effects of the consciousness transference procedure. He explains "You can predict the true age of a Child of Mars, just by their eyes. Unfortunately for me, the patchy aging is worse than for my peers. My hair is thinning, my teeth are falling out, my memory is fading, and I survived 2 strokes in the past year. If I could halt these side effects, I'd restore myself to my former glory—and earn my place in the history books."

Own The Place

Tygr is not a callsign you have any familiarity with, but the name earns several raised eyebrows among your XAOC pilots. Hailing from House Shishikin, one of the most respected (and feared) Houses in the movement, Captain Chayana carries herself with the lazy confidence of someone certain she's the most dangerous person in the room, and acts like a student on holiday. By the end of her first day, she's already carved out a spot for herself in all your base's social areas.

No Quarter

Tygr's c0ntrol3r model ship is a light cruiser of House Shishikin's own design. Despite its intimidating ion cannon, the craft doesn't function as a boarding vessel so much as a clean up crew: overwhelming the computer systems of escort vessels, locking them into stasis, and then rapidly chewing through their frozen husks to reveal the real prize. According to Chayana, while Shishikin does occasionally take prisoners, "We have our own trained pilots, who understand the path. It's not worth trying to squeeze value out of anyone else's."

Prodigal Daughter

While Shishikin's Anarch isn't a hereditary leadership position, a few core bloodlines have maintained positions of power within the House by using their resources to carefully groom their children as successors. As the only child of House Shishikin's current Anarch, Chayana grew up with a strict training regimen and an up close view of the realities of running a House. She still refers to the Anarch role as her birthright, which seems a bit odd considering she's flying with your fleet in the Spiral Expanse, rather than her father's back in Tau Scorpii.

Play To Win

In addition to the weapons training that seems ubiquitous among XAOC members, Chayana is also skilled in darts, pool, and a number of card games, which she uses liberally to separate your staff from their salaries. You've caught her several times zoning out during strategy meetings in favor of organizing a meetup or entering a digital tournament on her tablet. On the plus side, it never seems to detract from Tygr's ability to sweep the battlefield clean.

You'd Think They'd Learn

"Did anyone bother to tell you my reputation, Commander? Or did you just guess it for yourself?" Chayana asks you one night. "I know, 'Such a stupid, lazy girl. Good in the cockpit and nowhere else, she'll be the ruin of the whole House.' See, everyone's always thinking it, but when they say it to my face I have to kill them, and when they challenge me for a role I always beat them." She laughs, "It's sad, really. Here I am: stuck on a permanent holiday, because if I stayed with my actual people I'd be so busy thrashing them they'd never get anything done."

Reminiscing

Chayana comes back from a bout of shore leave with blue beads strung in her hair and a distant look in her eye. "I miss swimming," she tells you suddenly. "We stayed in a system that was all wet ocean planets and aquaculture stations for about three years when I was twelve. It was a great work out, and the luxury of all that extra water spoils you. Get up at sunrise, program for two hours, strategy games for three, and then get in a few hours of swimming before lunch and weapons training." She shakes her head. "It all seemed so much simpler then."

Violet Valerian

Technically speaking, Gelecek's "Valerian" androids have been considered obsolete since the company developed their truly conscious Lotus line, but only a few decades ago they were still considered the most advanced of their kind. Upon arriving on base, your new pilot introduces themselves as Violet Valerian, immediately adding, "I was one of the original products of my line, hence my ability to assign myself a non-obscure color designation. But do not be apprehensive, my maturity simply means I've had the opportunity to expand my practical experience."

Garuda Class

Violet uses a type of ship that's self-described as a support-destroyer: the Garuda class. While it has impressive weapons systems, its true masterpiece is a swarm of micro-drones under the ship's control. Once a weak point is created on an enemy vessel, the drones invade the ship's hull and apply their corrosive agents directly to the most vulnerable systems, eating away at their structure and destroying the enemy's ability to control their ship.

Second Form

Violet does not think of themself as their ship's pilot per se, rather comparing the process of connecting with the vessel's central processing unit to "switching into a larger body." "In most circumstances, the sensation of it can hardly even be distinguished from the one you see before you," they explain. "Instead of legs, the extra-terrestrial Valerian unit possesses a drive, and a marginally different palette of sensors, however experiencing my fins being blown off provokes the same pain as losing a finger."

In-Flight Reconstruction

While Valerian was originally conceived as a purely destructive tool, Violet has found a slew of other uses for their vessel's microdrones. The same systems they use to chew up and break down hulls have been repurposed to facilitate the reverse process as well, carrying off materials from enemy ships and wrecks to carry out crude (but efficient) repairs on their mothership. "I foresee an optimistic eventuality where I can perform the same functions on my allies," they tell you, "but my internal processes are at present not efficient enough to provide the prerequisite focus."

Connected But Separated

You're a bit surprised when Violet apologizes to you after a strategy meeting. "In my former squadron, my siblings and I exchanged data through interlink instead of speech, plugging together via a common port on our necks. I find my verbal communication to be…inefficient by comparison." While you reassure the android they're doing fine, you do ask why they used such an ancient form of connection, instead of a wireless network. You're shocked to see them recoil in response. "We are still individuals! While we communicate on a more complex level than humanity, the Valerians are not, and have no wish to become a composite being."

Intelligence And Sentience

Over time, Violet becomes a familiar face among your officers. Once you become used to their way of speaking, they are a pleasant conversation partner and offer excellent advice on a range of topics. While they personally insist that they are merely being a highly adaptive tool without true sentience, you cannot help but ponder the question of what difference truly exists between a sufficiently advanced AI and someone you would call a comrade.

Half seasoned

Contracts with the Frontier Legion were usually predictable—they always sent seasoned veterans. So it was a shock when they practically begged you to take Avery, the youngest member they have ever allowed into battle. "She's young, but her unconventional ways have saved our fleet many times" sounded like a convincing sales pitch. Besides, her rap sheet mentioned that she trained under the famed Captain Badeaux, who is among the substantial list of people who owe their lives to Avery.

Data collection

Avery's ship isn't new, but it's one of the Legion's finest, a gift from her mentor. She refuses to alter it, saying, "It has sentimental value." Gesturing proudly, she says, "These engines make Valkyrie one of the fastest in the Frontier. Shame ol Baddy had a personal speed limit." Pointing to the data scanners, she adds, "They store data on a thousand ships, scanning everything from hull to interior—great for hitting weak spots." With a grin, she leans in, "I might've hacked a bit to get all that data. The Legion should probably thank me."

A swift kick in the *****

You overheard Avery arguing with an engineer. "It goes in this way, I'm sure," Avery declared, but the engineer insisted she leave it to the experts. Noticing the name Ben on their name tag, Avery asked, "Mind if I call you Benny?" Without waiting, she continued, "Benny boy, in the Frontier Legion, you learn a bit of everything. I've fixed my ship plenty of times." Ben retorted, "Maybe stick to what you do best. I remember you from Space Tykes—you were such a polite kid; what happened?" Moments later, Ben emerged from the engineering bay clutching their groin.

Ethics

You received 3 holo calls from Avery's superior… in one day. They admitted, "Avery can be difficult; we would've punished her, but she's young and kind of our baby. Sending her to you was like sending an unruly kid to a strict aunt. She's a rulebreaker, but her reasoning is solid. But… the Legatus is pressuring us to take action, so here we are." They warn you before hanging up, "Oh, and don't mention Space Tykes—her parents made her star in that show. She ran away and begged us to join the Legion. We had to give her a babysitter." They sighed, "Her mentor was the only one who could get through to her. We should have had them cloned, but ethics."

Buying time

You have medical run a "standard" psych evaluation on Avery. The test results are concerning. One question reads, "What rules have you broken?" Her answer: "What rules haven't I broken? It'd be easier to list those. But if you must know: Unsanctioned space walks, not waiting for orders, astro surfing instead of paperwork…" At least her notes from the Legion are promising. The notes read: Distracted Marauder raiders by running out of her cabin wearing only standard-issue briefs and shouting, "Catch me if you can." The crew escaped thanks to her, but she might not make it through the night.

I scratch your back

Avery surprises you during training when a freak accident sends space-junk hurtling toward her ship. Instead of turning back as ordered, she dodges through them at lightning speed and reaches her destination unscathed. But her biggest feat was risking herself to save a crew member, protecting their ship during an onslaught of missiles. "I'll always have your backs, no questions asked." she declares via comms. You're almost glad she was sent your way—until she starts playing Cupid with your crew.

Mask Off

Binderburg employees are known for their suspiciously bright demeanor, and watching them bounce through the halls, even during 6am training, is an all-too-familiar sight on your base. By contrast, Vindicator's captain, Dr. Sheela Landsbury, is a refreshing deviation from the norm. With a perpetually gloomy expression and an endless supply of blunt honesty, her unique disposition somehow sets you more at ease than the artificial smiles of her Binderburg colleagues.

Euphorbia-9

Vindicator is a Model 9 Euphorbia destroyer, equipped with cutting edge magnetic shielding strong enough to knock projectiles off course, and even strip the metal from enemy ships that get too close. It's an intimidating toolkit, only made more threatening by the vessel's actual turrets - which carry a secondary payload of acidic mist. Extracted from genetically modified pitcher plants, the solution is capable of melting through an inch of untreated steel in under 45 seconds. Allegedly, Dr. Landsbury herself headed the project that created it.

Dome F-38-Q

Sheela first and foremost identifies as a researcher, but there is no doubting her piloting skills. Looking into her background, you discover that she was recruited into the Conglomerate's fleet at age 17, when a worker's strike on the Habitation Dome she grew up in devolved into a full fledged rebellion. As the daughter of Binderburg scientists, she was drawn in to protect her family's legacy, but the experience of fighting her friends and neighbors seems to have left a lasting mark - apparently, your beacon was the first combat assignment she's accepted in the 20 years since the conflict ended.

Living Things

You find Sheela in the base's greenhouse several hours after her shift, obsessively checking the crops' water levels. Despite the visible shaking of her hands, she refuses your prompting to either rest up or visit the medical wing. "Commander, please stop fussing. I'll be ready tomorrow, I could just… use the comfort of living plants right now," she confesses wearily. You sense the battles have been hard on her, and you're still unsure why someone so marred by war would accept your contract.

Life Cycles

After a heart-to-heart, Sheela reveals her desire to leave Binderburg behind. "There are 2 things I've learned to detest: liars and capitalists. Binderburg is the worst of both. If you could hear half the things said behind closed doors…" It turns out she accepted your contract to earn enough money to leave the company, and retire far away to do personal research on medicinal plants. "I was always more interested in creating life than bringing death. That's just all there seems to be a market for these days." Her bitter expression flickers for a moment, "No offense, Commander."

For the Cure

According to Sheela, her proudest accomplishment at Binderburg was developing a cure for an infectious bacteria found in the water systems of pressurized hydroponic farms. However, the Conglomerate refused to distribute her creation outside of the company, in the hopes of kneecapping their competitors. Defying orders, she embarked on illicit supply runs to distribute the cure, and to this day carries a copy of the recipe in a data drive hidden in her shoe. "This was my first rebellion," she tells you, "and this fleet will be my final one. I won't let them catch me."

Work-Life Balance

Your first impression of Captain Gunnar is that he is remarkably laid back for a professional raider. Based on Voron's massive plasma mortars, and his status as one of the few pilots within House Nergui authorized to command their signature "Sokol" bird-drones, Gunnar undoubtedly has a long and bloody track record. However between battles he can usually be found simply lounging around the mess, or cheerfully offering your crew the chance to pet his smaller personal drone.

Kozyrev Ion-12

The Kozyrev Ion-12 Carrier is already known for its incredibly thick defensive hull, but Voron's upgrades take it to a whole new level. Its front "shielding wings" deflects most enemy fire from hitting the main ship at all, and what does slip through can take up to 30 seconds to penetrate through the thickest points of the hull. This gives Gunnar plenty of time to jam and overload the enemy's systems, and start approaching to board.

Priorities

Given Gunnar's undeniable strength and prowess in battle, it's surprising that he's willing to settle for a standard raider rank within House Nergui. But when you ask why he's never made a challenge for the Anarch position, even his mechanics burst out laughing. "Ah, I'm not much of a hand-to-hand guy," Gunnar chuckles, "no good at the footwork. The guys know. It's a wonder I haven't tripped and stabbed myself on a knife yet, Anarch Zolzaya would gut me in an instant. Just as well, really, I hate logistics."

Debatable History

You receive a security report of some sort of massive disturbance coming from Voron's hangar, possibly from an internal brawl or riot of some kind. Further investigation uncovers Gunnar conducting an impromptu 'concert' utilizing industrial implements and a flock of Sokol drones to recreate what is allegedly 'classical 21st century music, honoring heavy machinery and warfare'. A few extra layers of soundproofing to the area settles most of the complaints.

Low Profile

You start to suspect Gunnar might be lying about his actual fighting prowess when you catch him exiting the gym in the middle of a night cycle, carrying a well-used pair of nunchucks. Before you can fully decide to have SOVA to pull up the security footage, he catches the look in your eye and groans. "Commander, c'mon. I don't like logistics, and Anarchs don't like threats. If Zolzaya ever messes up, yeah, I can do what needs to be done for the House. But Nergui's doin' fine and I'm perfectly comfortable sitting mostly unarmed in my pilot seat."

Paranoia

Going through the communications logs, SOVA finds records of several dozen heavily encrypted messages between Gunnar and one Duuren of House Nergui. Asking directly about it only leads to a fierce wall of silence and deflection, so you set some Tianchao employees to dig deeper into the worrying evidence that one of your most skilled and devious Captains has been conspiring with his House behind your back. Eventually, you uncover the damning truth: …they've been swapping hair care recommendations.

Smoldering Precision

Scarback Wildfire doesn’t wander like most Marauders. He moves with a lingering precision. This is why you get constant reports from the crew feeling uneasy in his presence. He lingers at engine rooms, pressure junctions, anywhere a single misstep could rupture something important. He never touches controls without purpose, never speaks unless addressed. Even his footfalls sound measured. Some crew think he’s scouting vulnerabilities. Others think he’s mapping escape routes. But when he stands in the glow of a warm conduit, eyes reflecting orange light, no one wants to disturb him.

Orchestrated Flames

Wildfire’s ship appears to spread fire the way mathematicians spread ink. The burners are arranged in an angled lattice he designed himself; each ignition follows a predictable path, branching like fractals across enemy hulls. When he pilots, there’s no frenzy, only slow, carved arcs that place enemies exactly where he predicted they would flee.

After watching him fight, the crew begins to whisper, wondering how someone so deliberate with flame could bear so many burn scars.

Calculating Destruction

Wildfire pauses in certain rooms the way others pause at memorials. He stands still, absorbing the ambient temperature, committing it to some internal catalogue. A few engineers swear he returns to these spots at the exact same hour each cycle. When asked, he simply replies, “Heat changes. I need to feel how.”

But you’ve seen how he touches bulkheads with the backs of his fingers soft, almost nostalgic. Whatever he’s measuring, it’s not just structural.

An Alchemists Quarters

Wildfire’s quarters are immaculate, almost surgical. In the center sits a precise grid of small irradiated power cells, each emitting a slightly different shade or pulse of light. He adjusts them nightly, recording heat curves in a journal written in sharp, angular script. When the crew passes his door, the shifting light casts long, flickering silhouettes that look like reaching hands. No one lingers. It’s not the fire that frightens them, it's the feeling that each lantern is part of a larger design, and Wildfire is the only one who knows how the design ends.

Planned Chaos

When the docking clamps overheated and fire raced across a hangar catwalk, Wildfire arrived before the safety bots. With one glance at the ceiling, he hurled a power cell into a failing joint, an apparent gamble that could have killed them all. The ignition burst forced a controlled collapse that stopped the flames cold.

Despite saving them, the crew still avoided him. Unsettled by the way he lingered by the burn site a moment too long, watching the last flames curl out as if confirming something only he understood.

Seeking Warmth

You find Wildfire alone in the medical bay, one hand resting on a thermal cradle still warm from its last sterilization cycle. He touches it lightly, then settles his palm with deliberate care. “They imprinted her while I was still inside,” he says softly. He doesn’t lift his hand. “Something failed. The fire reached her before they reached me.”

His fingers press slightly into the heat.

“I don’t remember her. Only the warmth.”

A quiet breath.

“It’s cold without her.”

Blind Spots

Yu enters your base in near silence, his eyes barely visible beneath his cloak as they dart in every direction. The base hums with activity, and he flinches at the slightest noise from the engineering bay—even casual conversation seems to unsettle him. Fixing his gaze on you with an unreadable expression, he says, "Commander, you need to fix the blind spot in the hangar. All it takes is one rogue pilot, and you could have a sniper on your hands."

Puzzle Pieces

Yu refuses to reveal much about his past, insisting that he needs a fresh start. Despite his secrecy, you've tried to piece together his former role based on his stealth unit. At first glance, it resembles a standard Fighter Squad model, but its specifications far exceed the usual. This unit has been meticulously customized for immense stealth, making it nearly invisible from certain distances.

My Way

Yu isn't regarded as a team player, leading many to believe he worked alone before joining your fleet. His habit of making his own rules has frustrated some crew members, and seasoned pilots are growing tired of justifying their battle plans. Yu often tells you, "I focus on the goal. Do we need a forum to get things done? Trust me to make the right call—my gut hasn't failed me in 15 years."

Rinse and Repeat

Yu's squad mates have expressed concerns about him. He never visits the mess hall, and no one has ever seen him eat. His life appears to be an endless cycle of sleep, train, battle, repeat, earning him the nickname "autopilot." Some of your more enthusiastic crew members have tried coaxing him from his quarters for recreational activities, but he tends to snap when pestered. "I don't have time for childish games. I'm here to work—shouldn't you be doing the same?"

Thief

When items go missing onboard, suspicion falls on Yu due to his secrecy. First, it was cutlery—harmless enough until a gun disappeared from the weapons bay. Then, one of your hacking experts detected a breach in the crew's data files. Yu is questioned by security, but they hand him over to medical after growing tired of deciphering his incoherent ramblings. "I took the weapons for safekeeping—I don't want anyone using them on me. And as for the data files, can you blame me? You should keep better track of your colleagues," he tells your team. His medical files read: "Medicated for paranoia, possible PTSD, but refuses further assessment."

Guilt

Under mounting suspicion, Yu is forced to reveal his past. Born into a decades-old spy cell, he was the only member whose identity remained concealed when the cell was compromised. Retained as a hitman due to his exceptional track record, his job was to eliminate anyone who knew too much, including Tianchao operatives on rare occasions. His first task was to prove his loyalty by killing a long-time friend suspected of infiltration, a moment that left him with guilt and a lingering fear of revenge. "Civvies don't get it," he tells you. "You can't even eat without a call to take out some family man. That's why I stick to meals in pill form."

NDA Enforcement

While it's easy to be fooled by their standard corporate paint job and kitschy marketing-generated callsign, Xcellence stands apart from other Atlas fighters you've met. Commissioned forty years ago as part of an effort to bolster the Syndicate's internal security, Captain Blair Morrigan's specialty is hunting down and "terminating" ex-employees or corporate spies that have violated the terms of their contracts.

As Fast As You Can

Faced with the intimidating prospect of a shootout against Morrigan's Mark-X Sliver, some targets instead choose to break and run. According to the Captain, it's usually the last mistake they ever make. The Mark-X's engines are some of the best that money can't buy, with the patent reserved only for choice Atlas vessels. There are very few ships that Xcellence can't easily keep pace with or dodge around to reach its true target.

Wolf Amongst Sheep

Morrigan doesn't seem interested in integrating socially with the rest of your fleet. While it's not unusual for your more corporate crew members to try and avoid contact with your Marauders and XAOC pilots, it's a bit odd how even other Atlas pilots will clear the room when Morrigan enters. Your only hint at the reason is the quiet jeer you overhear once, "Well, at least they still understand the pecking order."

Grudging Concessions

Xcellence's fighting style causes some unrest amongst your fleet, as they often break off to pursue multiple ships on their own, and you have to pull the Captain aside to have a conversation about working as a unit in battle. Two days later, you find a memo left on your desk. "I have made it a new policy to target the enemy's engines first. If the others still can't catch a limping cruiser, then they'll have to learn to live with the leftovers."

Where Loyalty Lies

Given the gravitas that Morrigan uses to describe Xcellence's work with Atlas, you didn't expect them to stay with your fleet very long. The third time the Captain schedules a meeting to renew their contract, you feel like you have to ask the reason. "I'm sure you've heard this before, Commander, but a hunter needs to know the land before they can do their job properly." This strikes you as a bit too simple, and Morrigan's smile is unnerving.

Personal Hauntings

You receive a brief email from an alleged Tianchao agent named Ezekiel di Lavro about your employment of one "Agent Morrigan." It coyly promises top secret information from within Atlas regarding Xcellence's questionable history with a counterintelligence organization known as "Nightcorps," known for their brutal methods and willingness to work with or silence anyone. Of course, gaining the information would require you to share your combat data and tactical records in turn. Given your personal knowledge of Clan agents, it seems best to delete it.

A Man of Distinction

Captain Balian Badawi earned his extensive reputation during the second Lunar-Martian war, where he was renowned for wiping out entire squadrons. He's since leveraged his war profits to become a top shareholder in MPL, so it's surprising to see him return to the battlefield as an independent contractor. Nevertheless, he sweeps into Zeolite's new hangar like he's stepped directly off a photoshoot for the news: impeccably groomed, and exuding an undeniable air of nobility and confidence, as if he expects the floor itself to reshape around his feet.

Vampire Crab

The Pulsar-308TS Debuffer is sometimes referred to as "the vampire crab" because of its pincer-like arms and energy-draining capabilities. Balian has given his a more regal name: Zeolite, a material known for its use in filtering radiation and harmful chemicals. He's also fitted the unit with Neutron Star branded missiles, blunt force projectiles with a detonating payload meant to bend and warp energy shielding.

Irresistible

Zeolite's approach to battle is simple: disarm, disable, destroy. The ship's extendable arms are fitted with enormous pulsar magnets, capable of crushing smaller craft outright, but their main use is to generate a debilitating electro-magnetic field, strong enough to penetrate enemy shielding and fry their electronics. The reason so many of Balian's war stories involve him flying solo becomes obvious, however, the moment you realize your own ships are equally vulnerable to the effect. It takes careful maneuvering to get the most out of the vessel's capabilities.

Battle of Viore

Balian earned his legacy during the destruction of the Viore outpost, turning a near loss into a stunning victory following the death of all commissioned officers in the system. "It was one part travel pitstop and two parts military fortress," he tells you, arm sweeping in a dramatic gesture. "A tiny gray pillbug clinging to the edge of Martian Territory. The Commonwealth wanted it gone, but I saw the potential. See, they tried to give me a medal, but I told them 'make it a lordship', give me complete control over the swath of the planet where the base stood." His smile is blinding and sharp. "You should see little Viore now."

Chosen Legacy

The degree to which the MPL is willing to parade Balian around as a war hero and self-made man borders on gauche, but it quickly becomes obvious to you that beyond the positive PR, he genuinely enjoys the attention. Having no living family of his own, Balian has spent a lot of time and money on charity auctions and funding children's hospitals, always taking the time to drop by for a photoshoot or story time. He even has a physical binder kept in his quarters containing prints of the "art" given to him by his youngest fans.

From the Bottom

Given how often Balian gushes about it, you take the time to look into the Viore colony. It seems he located rich uranium deposits located in the bottom of the craters left by Martian bombardment, and used his land grant from the Commonwealth to set up a sizable mine. After the war's conclusion, he sold the entire operation to the newly formed MPL, purchasing shares for their long-term value. While the sale catapulted him to new heights of wealth, Viore itself is plagued by poorly rebuilt infrastructure outside of the mine. Balian doesn't even seem to actually enjoy the casual opulence of his board seat, given his eagerness to return to the frontline.

Guard Dogs

Hiring a Child of Mars was always going to be controversial, but the small squad of brainwashed serfs Anastasia Eristavi arrives with certainly doesn't help her first impression. As one of Everliving's oldest and most prominent members, Lady Eristavi refuses to set foot anywhere without her "dogs" accompanying her. Perpetually silent, emotionless, dressed all in white and as immediately responsive to their mistress' orders as particularly uncharismatic androids, their existence is almost as unsettling as the naked malice shining from Eristavi's 8-year-old eyes.

Lady Eristavi

You assume at first that the title of "Lady" is just symbolic, as many Children of Mars are known to consider themselves above the throng of "common humans." However it seems Anastasia Eristavi really does hold a title, for her extensive contributions to the musical arts, bestowed by the Principal of her home state approximately 160 years ago. While it obviously doesn't convey any actual political power in the wider Martian Commonwealth, she is very insistent that you and your staff continue to refer to her by her "proper" title.

Miss Direction

Given the pilot's temperament, it shouldn't come as a surprise that no expense was spared on Zosimos' construction. A Cobra-class vessel, in battle it's designed to sabotage enemy repairs with its "Disruption Projector," which fools their sensors into detecting damage that does not exist and wastes time and resources as their repair drones tear open and replace completely functional shielding. While she's expressed copious doubts about her squadmates' abilities, Eristavi seems completely convinced of Zosimos' ability to single-handedly turn the tide of battle.

Lobbyist

While Everliving's total commitment to improving the quality of life for Children of Mars extends into the military and scientific spheres, they are first and foremost a lobbyist group, founded to help ensure the Martian Commonwealth will maintain legal support for their existence. Lady Eristavi seems like an odd choice for this job, given she thinks of common people mostly as vessels for creating new hosts, however, a single mention of politics will impressively set her off. "All these complaints about human rights, what about MY rights? Should my entire civilization be left to suffer slow bio-rejection and brain death the moment our bodies hit puberty?"

True Talent

Grating as her pomp and personality may be, Anastasia does have a particular talent for controlling a room. Attempting to argue with her is a nightmare, as she is all too willing to switch approaches the instant one doesn't seem to be working, throwing out obviously contradictory pieces of evidence with such absolute certainty that you start to question whether you're remembering five minutes ago correctly. She's also not above dragging unsuspecting bystanders into the debate if she thinks she can sway them. It's a small relief that she rarely cares enough about anything on your base to get so invested.

Headache

Noise complaints are a nightly occurrence with Anastasia in your fleet. You enter her dorm to find her screeching along to a 6-hour-long opera again. When you suggest installing some sound dampeners, she scoffs. "Might as well give the imbeciles on your crew a lesson in culture. I need to get these new vocal cords whipped into shape eventually, and sleeping isn't an option, you see. Too many nightmares." When you suggest that maybe the problem comes from remorse, she rolls her eyes. "No darling, I don't care about anyone, I am just annoyed by having my sleep disturbed."