The Dark Sea of the Cosmos (OOC; Open)

by **Cylarn** » Wed May 30, 2018 7:02 am

Mostibus, I'm going to say no, for the time being. Your character is not up to par with what I am looking for. I mean no offense, of course.

by **Mostibus Morte** » Wed May 30, 2018 9:56 am

Cylarn wrote:Mostibus, I'm going to say no, for the time being. Your character is not up to par with what I am looking for. I mean no offense, of course.

Ok what do I need to change now? Cos I really dont know. I edited it to fit the app, I added the service dates (tho I dont know if the fit all that well with the time line), I changed the rank and the degree after looking up the relevant info so it would fit... If I need to remake the entire dame app fine, but just tell me cos I really do want to be in this rp, cos you need people to fill the rolls you have and I wand to be in the rp, so lets,gelp each other out hear

by **Ormata** » Wed May 30, 2018 12:57 pm

Mostibus morte wrote:
Cylarn wrote:Mostibus, I'm going to say no, for the time being. Your character is not up to par with what I am looking for. I mean no offense, of course.

Ok what do I need to change now? Cos I really dont know. I edited it to fit the app, I added the service dates (tho I dont know if the fit all that well with the time line), I changed the rank and the degree after looking up the relevant info so it would fit... If I need to remake the entire dame app fine, but just tell me cos I really do want to be in this rp, cos you need people to fill the rolls you have and I wand to be in the rp, so lets,gelp each other out hear

Let me go through it, then.

1. First thing I can see is the spelling with the app. While English could be not your first language it is still a requirement, and if technology impedes you to that point then it is most certainly regrettable, but not inadmissible.
2. The tone of the personality is strange. I have never once heard a Lieutenant Commander refer to themselves as an old sea-dog, nor as a grease-monkey, and considering that the man is not formerly Enlisted he is most certainly not a grease-monkey. Officers command, Enlisted perform, that is the way that the United States Navy, and by my assumption the Sol Federation Navy, works. He has two degrees, so yeah, sure, he knows how stuff might move and the principles behind it, but officers do not perform maintenance upon a warship. Furthermore, stating that machines are easy to fix and that people are not is something I find rather strange with an Officer whose purpose is to maintain the combat readiness of a warship through the consideration of it's crew, to command and lead, and with the fact that it is referencing machines. Machines are not simple by any stretch of the imagination, especially those machines upon a vessel. Weeks spent in troubleshooting issues with a machine is not unknown in the Navy, considering the amount of components that might go wrong.
3. The tone of the biography is strange. You do an excellent job of giving a voice towards him, making a certain manner of slang and wording work for someone who might be Enlisted, but the man does not speak with the tone of an Officer by any stretch of the imagination. Officers are people whom tread lightly, who speak with a certain amount of tact to ensure they are not horribly screwed when they say something incorrect, whether that's saying the thing with a good amount of expertise from Enlisted or by saying nothing at all. He speaks with the tone of a younger Enlisted, to be frank.
4. The biography is very much shorter than what might be desired and leaves-out much in the way of a service career. Nothing is talked about his times aboard warships, about days in the Academy, or about possible experiences in conflicts and how they have shaped his viewpoint on the world. With a single sentence you did away with a good deal of information on said experiences, on days when he was taught by Chiefs and Senior Chiefs, and things of that regard.
5. Multiple areas have information that should be in a box out of the box, those being Personal Weaknesses and Rank.
6. Personal Weaknesses is not fully filled-out.

by **Rudaslavia** » Thu May 31, 2018 6:03 am

Cy, I hope you don't mind, but I'm including it as part of my character's bio that he took down a major galactic terrorist during his service in the Navy (a feat for which he was later made a Knight Commander in Britain's Order of Bath).

by **Cylarn** » Thu May 31, 2018 7:39 am

Rudaslavia wrote:Cy, I hope you don't mind, but I'm including it as part of my character's bio that he took down a major galactic terrorist during his service in the Navy (a feat for which he was later made a Knight Commander in Britain's Order of Bath).

Just write it up.

by **Mostibus Morte** » Fri Jun 01, 2018 7:31 am

Ormata wrote:
Mostibus morte wrote:
Ok what do I need to change now? Cos I really dont know. I edited it to fit the app, I added the service dates (tho I dont know if the fit all that well with the time line), I changed the rank and the degree after looking up the relevant info so it would fit... If I need to remake the entire dame app fine, but just tell me cos I really do want to be in this rp, cos you need people to fill the rolls you have and I wand to be in the rp, so lets,gelp each other out hear

Let me go through it, then.

1. First thing I can see is the spelling with the app. While English could be not your first language it is still a requirement, and if technology impedes you to that point then it is most certainly regrettable, but not inadmissible.
2. The tone of the personality is strange. I have never once heard a Lieutenant Commander refer to themselves as an old sea-dog, nor as a grease-monkey, and considering that the man is not formerly Enlisted he is most certainly not a grease-monkey. Officers command, Enlisted perform, that is the way that the United States Navy, and by my assumption the Sol Federation Navy, works. He has two degrees, so yeah, sure, he knows how stuff might move and the principles behind it, but officers do not perform maintenance upon a warship. Furthermore, stating that machines are easy to fix and that people are not is something I find rather strange with an Officer whose purpose is to maintain the combat readiness of a warship through the consideration of it's crew, to command and lead, and with the fact that it is referencing machines. Machines are not simple by any stretch of the imagination, especially those machines upon a vessel. Weeks spent in troubleshooting issues with a machine is not unknown in the Navy, considering the amount of components that might go wrong.
3. The tone of the biography is strange. You do an excellent job of giving a voice towards him, making a certain manner of slang and wording work for someone who might be Enlisted, but the man does not speak with the tone of an Officer by any stretch of the imagination. Officers are people whom tread lightly, who speak with a certain amount of tact to ensure they are not horribly screwed when they say something incorrect, whether that's saying the thing with a good amount of expertise from Enlisted or by saying nothing at all. He speaks with the tone of a younger Enlisted, to be frank.
4. The biography is very much shorter than what might be desired and leaves-out much in the way of a service career. Nothing is talked about his times aboard warships, about days in the Academy, or about possible experiences in conflicts and how they have shaped his viewpoint on the world. With a single sentence you did away with a good deal of information on said experiences, on days when he was taught by Chiefs and Senior Chiefs, and things of that regard.
5. Multiple areas have information that should be in a box out of the box, those being Personal Weaknesses and Rank.
6. Personal Weaknesses is not fully filled-out.

Ormata, thank you for the input. Now as for some of the points you made are concerned hears my answer and reasoning behind it:

1. The spelling mistakes that I made are mostly do to auto correct, but just so you know that is not my standard of writing you can expected. Had I access to my PC, which I still dont be cos of house renovations, the number and frequency of the spelling mistakes would be minimal, and if there where any I would correct them with google translate, and I will try to do the same on my phone

2. The personality thing is do to me thinking that its a recorded file and that it was in a more or less informal setting where he could be a bit more open and relaxed, and maaaaabe had a drink or two, tho that said he wouldn't be that informal whilst he would be performing his duty's. As for the rest of it, the entire ' machines are easier to fix then people' is more of my own opinion then anything else really, and yes I get that machines can, and most times are a pain in the ass to fix, save for the fact that nearly every machine has a blueprint/schematic that tells how its made and all the parts that make it up and also you can take a machine apart and pout it back together and it will work, not so much for a human

3. Again, as I said in statement 2, its more or less of me thinking he's in an informal setting and my or my not have had a drink or two

4. The rest can easily be amended

by **Brusia** » Fri Jun 01, 2018 1:31 pm

Mostibus morte wrote:Ormata, thank you for the input. Now as for some of the points you made are concerned hears my answer and reasoning behind it:

1. The spelling mistakes that I made are mostly do to auto correct, but just so you know that is not my standard of writing you can expected. Had I access to my PC, which I still dont be cos of house renovations, the number and frequency of the spelling mistakes would be minimal, and if there where any I would correct them with google translate, and I will try to do the same on my phone

2. The personality thing is do to me thinking that its a recorded file and that it was in a more or less informal setting where he could be a bit more open and relaxed, and maaaaabe had a drink or two, tho that said he wouldn't be that informal whilst he would be performing his duty's. As for the rest of it, the entire ' machines are easier to fix then people' is more of my own opinion then anything else really, and yes I get that machines can, and most times are a pain in the ass to fix, save for the fact that nearly every machine has a blueprint/schematic that tells how its made and all the parts that make it up and also you can take a machine apart and pout it back together and it will work, not so much for a human

3. Again, as I said in statement 2, its more or less of me thinking he's in an informal setting and my or my not have had a drink or two

4. The rest can easily be amended

There is also the slight problem that you're applying for a position that's already been filled. (I'd recommend checking the crew roster in the OP to see what all's still available).

by **Ormata** » Fri Jun 01, 2018 1:39 pm

Mostibus morte wrote:Ormata, thank you for the input. Now as for some of the points you made are concerned hears my answer and reasoning behind it:

1. The spelling mistakes that I made are mostly do to auto correct, but just so you know that is not my standard of writing you can expected. Had I access to my PC, which I still dont be cos of house renovations, the number and frequency of the spelling mistakes would be minimal, and if there where any I would correct them with google translate, and I will try to do the same on my phone

2. The personality thing is do to me thinking that its a recorded file and that it was in a more or less informal setting where he could be a bit more open and relaxed, and maaaaabe had a drink or two, tho that said he wouldn't be that informal whilst he would be performing his duty's. As for the rest of it, the entire ' machines are easier to fix then people' is more of my own opinion then anything else really, and yes I get that machines can, and most times are a pain in the ass to fix, save for the fact that nearly every machine has a blueprint/schematic that tells how its made and all the parts that make it up and also you can take a machine apart and pout it back together and it will work, not so much for a human

3. Again, as I said in statement 2, its more or less of me thinking he's in an informal setting and my or my not have had a drink or two

4. The rest can easily be amended

Here's a rebuttal, then.
1. Then do not RP. If you currently cannot provide what you state your standard is, do as I did and do not apply, because as it stands one cannot gauge whether this is a normal state of being or not.
2. Then write-out his personality normally, as every other application has, and make it plainly clear that there is a severe difference between how he acts about a crew and how he acts about friends, make it severely clear that he drinks and that his personality changes in such and such ways. I will disagree significantly with your idea that machines can be taken apart, as a nuclear reactor on a submarine cannot "Just be taken apart" to determine the issue and, frankly, the idea you are talking about, Easter-egging, is amazingly incorrect in the maintenance-minded world of the Navy, especially when there are a million parts. This stated, that is besides the point. I, for one, do not give a care whether or not that is your opinion. I care whether or not it is your character's. Do not use that as an excuse, please.
3. See above.

Brusia wrote:There is also the slight problem that you're applying for a position that's already been filled. (I'd recommend checking the crew roster in the OP to see what all's still available).

I believe he is applying for one of the "Mechanical Engineer" positions, but yes that should be made more clear.

by **Mostibus Morte** » Tue Jun 05, 2018 3:28 pm

Hey guys, is this rp starting any time soon?

by **Rudaslavia** » Tue Jun 05, 2018 5:51 pm

I suspect Cy is waiting on me, and I'm busting my ass right now to get my app done within the hour. Please stay tuned, everybody. I genuinely appreciate the patience.

by **Cylarn** » Tue Jun 05, 2018 6:53 pm

Sorry for the delay. Been down a PC for several months now (wrote this RP almost entirely by phone), and I have had plenty of reason to be away from this. Bear with me; we will be underway maybe tomorrow night or Thursday morning.

by **Mostibus Morte** » Wed Jun 06, 2018 3:24 am

Cylarn wrote:Sorry for the delay. Been down a PC for several months now (wrote this RP almost entirely by phone), and I have had plenty of reason to be away from this. Bear with me; we will be underway maybe tomorrow night or Thursday morning.

Thanks for the up date. I'll be done editing my app again soon, just need to add a bit more in the history bit

by **Mostibus Morte** » Thu Jun 07, 2018 7:46 am

Likes: Working with machines, 20th century jazz and blues and swing, a glass of jack on the rocks, dancing to his music collection

Dislikes: Jackasses, suck ups, smartasses, stick-up-there-buts, mister golden boy, entitled pricks, dont wake him up unless he told you to, follow the plan or get your ass chewed out

Fears: Being abandoned by people

Goals: Spend the rest of his life hunting the Lovcraftien space monsters

Personal Strengths (3): Mechanics, poker, blackjack, unbeatable in a drinking contest

Personal Weaknesses (3): Alcohol, temper

EMPLOYMENT RECORD

Requested Roles (Pick 3): Chief Mechanical engineer, Chief Mechanical engineer

Prior Service Record:
2331/2335- Navel academy of Aero-Space Engineering Los Angeles: Bachelors degree in Mechanical sciences

2335/2338- Navel academy of Aero-Space Engineering Los Angeles: Masters degree in Mechanical sciences

2338/2343- Orbital Navel Officer Academy Daedalus: Ensign

2344/2347- SNV Corvette-Panther: Ensign

2347/2355- SNSS Hydra outpost: lieutenant junior grade

2355/2360- SNV Cruiser Asia: Lieutenant

2360/2369- SNV Frigate Deus Ex Machina: Lieutenant Commander

History (At least five paragraphs):
"Well, where to start... I guess we start at, well, the beginning. I was born back in april of 2314 over in Boston. Both of my parents where scientists, my mother was a biochemist and my dad was a aero-space engineer, you can guess from who I got the love of working with machines. Anyway, there's nothing of much interest in my life till I was around 15. Around that time my uncle from my mothers side had gotten an honourable discharge from the navy do to injures. I had only seen the man a handful of times up un till that point, and I would always look forward to the next time he would visit us, cos every time he visited, he would bring me something and he would also tell me countless stories whilst he was deployed, did I mention that he was a lieutenant first class? Anyways, about three years later, and months of debating and arguing with my mother and with the help of my uncle, I was aloud to join the navy, well the navel engineering academy over in L.A., which I graduated at the top of my class with a bachelors degree in mechanical sciences, I was 22 at the time. Right after that I applied for a masters degree in mechanical sciences which took another three years, after that I applied at the navel officer academy, which was also my first time out of orbit and in space. I spent the next five years in that academy, in that time I had made some good friends, and maaaaaaaaaybe an enemy or two, I was also known as a bit of a lady killer, lord only knows how many times I got in to trouble be cos of girls hm hm hm hm...Sigh... Anyway, I graduated with the rank of ensign, I was 30 by the time I graduated. For the next 20-odd years I worked on stations and ships, I was also one of the first people that saw one of them 'anomalys', well I didnt really see one per say but I was a part of that expeditionary fleet that was sent to deal with the pirates. But for the last eight years, six months and five days, I have bin living and working on the Beowulf orbital defense statin. Hears hopping that the ship doesn't get eaten by one of them monsters any time soon"

Whilst I did tell you my history yesterday, buy all regards its... choppy at best. Now, I was born 5th of april of the year 2314 in Boston, Massachusetts. Both of my parents where engineers working in two completely different fields of science, my mother,Alexis Mala, was a bio engineer working for a bio medical company thats specialized in bionics such as artificial organs, synthetic skin and fully working prosthesis such as my arm, as a matter of fact, my mother designed and made this arm of mine, her best work she had ever done she'd say if you ever asked her. My father, Andrey Mala, was an aerospace engineer working for the navy's R&D division,whilst I was still a kid he would often times bring back some small side projects he'd do in his free time. I remember rather well that I would always be right next to him ether watching or helping when I was a bit more older, now that I think of it, my mother would sometimes bring her work back home as well but she would NEVER let me anywhere near her work let alone help her. I also have an uncle on my mothers side, his names Philip Danvers, his a former navy man, he was honorably discharged do to injuries he sustained over a number of raids on pirate strongholds. He would often visit us back whilst he was still serving, well, as often as he could get leave that is, as one can be deployed for moths on end, some times years. Every time he was able to visit, he would always come back full of story's of the places he has bin to, places he has seen the things he has done, I would always be right next to him, nailed to the floor listening to him with baited breath, taking in every word he would say. He was discharged around when I was 15, by that point I had already decided that I would join the navy, regardless of what my parents said or wanted. I knew that it would be easy to convince my father to agree to me joining the nave, my mother, on the other had, was another story. So for the next three years, till I was 18, I was going back and forth with my mother, trying to get her to agree to let me join the navy, and finally on my 18th birthday she did tho a bit grudgingly, and so thats how my navel carrier started, on the 1st of september of 2331 in the Navel academy of Aero-Space Engineering in Los Angeles. My first year in the academy wasn't all that interesting, the fun starts from my second year. Two months in to my second year and I started to date this girl called Ana, and where where dating for about two months till I meet another girl called Lisa, and from the on my reputation as a womanizer was born, tho now I am not at all proud of that reputation but back then I was a bit more full of my self and rather enjoyed that rep. For the rest of the second and third years my rep was rather well known to the entire academy, even the professors new about it, tho it wasn't to last, my reputation finally got the best of my in my forth year at the academy. About three weeks in to my forth year, I started dating this first year girl by the name of Anita Marks, for the next month or two we where dating till I started dating another girl, a third year, who was called Paris Marks, little did I know that this two girls would nearly be the end of me. And so it went on like that for the rest of the semester and the first two months of the next semester. It was at the start of march that my down fall started. I had met another girl and was planing to brake it off with both Anita and Pairs, which I ended up doing about one weeks time from one another, after that it was business as usual for me. About a month later I get called to the deans office, for me it wasn't anything new as I was there a good number of times, tho this time a surprise was waiting for me. When I got to the office and went in, I had what to see: Anita and Paris where both there, as it turned out they where sisters, which was bad in it self, what was even worse was the dean, who ended up being there dear old father Adam Marks, buy that point I had connected the dots and knew that I was in deep this time. For the next... 4 maybe 5 hours, I was in that office, I'd rather not talk about what happened in the office in that time, but by the time I got out of it, I was as white as a ghost. Soon after that I broke it off with the other girl I was dating at that time and, more or less avoided going out with girls all they way throw my bachelors degree and my three extra years that I applied for a masters degree. About two or three months after I graduated and received my masters, I applied and was admitted to the orbital navel officers academy Daedalus, my first time off planet was that first trip up to the academy. I still remember it vividly, as if it only happened yesterday. The academy is in geosynchronous orbit right over Huston, its also tethered to the earth via a space elevator that's anchored down at by Huston airport. It was around... twelve when we started the assent up to the academy, those things are deceptively fast ones they get going, in under two minutes we where already at the height of a ten story building. As we continued up in the elevator, you could literally see everything we passed, the airport under us getting smaller as we went up, birds flying by, plains and other flying vehicles. The biggest surprise for me was when we exited the cloud layer, you can literally see the thin almost none existent layer that protect that blue marble we call home; from the light blue of the sky going to dark blue and then to the pitch black of space... you could also feel the temperature difference as we climbed, the higher we got the colder it got, tho it wasn't that cold that it kill us but it was still noticeable one the less. I still recall being in a daze ones we got to the academy station, for the first two years of my stay at the academy nothing really happened of interest, thats untill... ((imagine him flexing his right bionic hand)) that's un till the accident that happened in the third year that cost me my right arm. They day it happened my class and I where having a mock battle with another class of cadets planet side, specifically in the Rocky mountains closer to Canada. The mock battles normally lasted up to 12 hours, no more, no less, it was one of three game modes: king of the hill, capture the flag and team death mach, this time it was king of the hill. My class had command of the cp, capture point, we had bin holding it for a bout five and a half hours , the cp was at the top of a three story high ledge with some pines doting it along with a downed log or two, it was rather easy to hold it really, it was an elevated position with good cover that only an idiot would be able to lose it... Boy was I wrong. In the other class there was this one guy called Adam Savage, the two of us really did not like each other , I mainly tried to avoid him cos I knew that every time the two of us where together one of two thing would happen, ether we would get in to a fight that he would start or we would be like two dogs barking and trying to get at each other, and mostly it would be the former. Anyway, we where up on that ridge firing down at the other class pining them down and not letting them move, by the way we where using training stun rifles that would make you go numb if hit, we where at the five and a half hour mark when it happened. I had noticed that my gun was heating up a bit but I didn't really pay much head to it as the rifles had an automatic cooling system that kicked in the moment the gun hits a specific heat level, mine didn't. At this point I started to really get worried as the gun was nearly at that critical point, few shots later and it was starting to rumble more and more to the point where I had to throw it to the side, and as I did that I instinctively jumped up to my feet to move, bad idea. As I stood there for a second, two shots hit me in my left leg which made me loose my footing and caused me to fall off the ledge down three story's worth of height.
Injuries where not to uncommon of an occurrence during mock battles, a broken bone hear, a dislocated shoulder there, nothing too bad. On impact with the ground, a cracked both my radius and ulna on my right arm, which in it self wasn't too bad, what came after was. moments after I had hit the ground, a loud explosion could be heard at the top of the ridge, moments later a bolder was falling down on to me. I only had enough time to move my body out of the way be for the bolder fell, but in the end I wasn't fast enough. The bolder fell on my right arm, instantly crushing everything from my elbow down. As soon as the bolder fell, the instructors and medics where on top of us in minutes, it took them a bit of time to get the bolder of my arm be for the could cart me off to the nearest medical center, every one else was rounded up and carted back to the academy. By the time I was carted to the medical center in Seattle, I was already under heavy anesthesia so I dont recall much from that time, but about two weeks later, I was awake, sore as hell and still feeling a bit of pain from my arm. Both my mother and father where there along with mu uncle, my mother was ecstatic and worried, my dad was just glad that I was alive and my uncle was... him self, I dont know. I spent the next three months in the center going throw physical therapy, getting used to my new arm and to ensure that there are no problems, which there where none. I was discharged from the medical center in mid april, after another three days that I spent home with my parents, just to keep them from imploding with joy and worry... Well it was more of the point to let my mother look over and tune up my arm and to check if there where any problem's that the doctors and nurses missed might have missed, even tho there really was nothing to worry about. After the three days where up and my mother was absolutely certain that there was nothing wrong, did I leave for the academy ones again. After I got back to the academy, I was told that an investigation had bin conducted and it had bin discovered that the reason behind the entire incident was Adam Savage tampering with the cooling system of the rifle, but in him doing so he had also deactivated the power control system as well, he has subsequently bin expelled out of the academy and also arrested under charges of sabotage and attempted manslaughter, for which he is to this day serving a life sentence. By the end of the third year of the academy, I had picked up the nick name 'tin man' do to my arm, this nickname followed me till the end of the fourth year to my dismay. After I graduated from the academy as an ensign, I had about a year of free time be for I had gotten my first posting on a patrol ship, a corvette by the name of Panther. It was a small ship, with a crew of about 20 to 30 souls. The SNV Panther was mainly assigned to patrol the inner most core system, Proxima Centauri, Alpha Centauri, Tau Ceti, the like. It was a safe posting for the most part, the ship didn't see much action other then the occasional smuggler and a drug runner. I was an assistant mechanical engineer to the chief engineer at that time, Bhekumbuso was his name, bit be cos his name is so hard to sound out, every just called chief Buso. I would later learn that he is a Zulu down from south Africa, and you could tell by the way how he talked. He was a rather tall guy, had a stern look on his face always, despite that, he was a rather easy going guy and was liked by every on on the ship, I remember asking him ones what his name meant, he said it means ' to look over/watch over the domain' and as a joke he added that the ships engineering deck was his domain and we where all his subject, every one had a good laugh at that and I even did a mock bow and said 'Yes your majesty'.Over the next three years that I was posted there, I had learned some new things from chief Buso that I didn't whilst I was in the Aero-Space academy. My next posting was on a SolFed outpost over on the outer most part of the Orion's arm. The outpost's name was Hydra, it was the regional HQ for the patrol fleet that was stationed there, it also server as a checkpoint and resupply point for the cargo ships that where going to and from the area as there where a number of factory worlds and asteroid mining operations. The outpost it self was large, about 1km in with and 500m in length. Instead of working as an assistant to the chief engineer, I worked in one of many engineer teams under a chief mechanical engineer, who was a by the books type of guy. Enzo Martin was his name, he was from Alpha Centauri WIP

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfFfxJrKhLw&t=1602s

Hears my app again, tho, I am running out of ideas how to finish the edit for the history part. I do hope that what I had added thus far is enough, if not, I'll get back to it later and add more

by **Rudaslavia** » Fri Jun 08, 2018 6:25 pm

I'm finally done. Didn't want to let you down, Cy. I hope you like it!

SOL FEDERAL NAVY
NR-134 - COURSER FILE

All information herein is open to SCL - GAMMA only. Unauthorized viewers will be prosecuted by the Navy Judiciary.

BASIC INFORMATION

Name: Ulysses Turnbull GBE FRS FRSL (Birth Name: Odysseus Caesarion Laskaris)
Age: 74
Gender: Male
Photo ID:

Citizenship: Sol Federation (official resident of the United Kingdom)
Affiliation: Civilian
Rank: N/A
Marital Status: Married (Bethany Turnbull, m. 2335)

PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILE

Personality: Ulysses Turnbull is a paradoxical man whose personality is difficult to describe with words. He is, quite literally, a genius. As such, his extraordinary intellect is not merely a facet of his personality; rather, it is the very core of his personality. At first encounter, he may be misinterpreted as bland or disinterested. In truth, he is incredibly detail-oriented (perhaps even over-analytical), devoting a preeminent amount of attention to the smallest traits and social cues of those he does not yet know well. While this may or may not be a byproduct of his obsessive-compulsive disorder, it is certainly a causal factor for his anxiety -- an affliction he has endured since childhood. But this analytical obsessiveness extends far beyond social interactions. If time permitted, he would spend entire lifetimes studying an object as simple as a fork. To him, every aspect of existence represents a question that must be answered, and every answer represents another question. One cannot imagine the deep frustration this mindset brews within him on a daily basis.

This is not to say that Ulysses is a "mad scientist." He internalizes most of his anger toward the limited magnitude of human knowledge, and finds solace in identifying major scientific questions that need solving. His abnormally high capacity for learning has led to groundbreaking discoveries in physics, and he is counted among the most influential scientists of the modern age. But he is no egoist; his favorite quote is by 21st century British scientist Stephen Hawking, who said, "People who boast about their IQ are losers." In fact, the quote was framed and displayed on the wall of his office at Oxford. He despises bragging, and believes those who brag only do so to compensate for the accomplishments they have not attained.

As previously mentioned, Ulysses is prone to bouts of anxiety. This once applied more to social anxiety than any other subcategory of anxiety disorder, but has since developed into acute agoraphobia. Specifically, he fears being physically lost in an unknown location, be the location a building, ship, or any other physical setting. He has no idea how or why this particular fear originally manifested itself, but its influence over his life has grown increasingly profound since his youth. He combats the affliction with cognitive behavioral therapy, yet still struggles to maintain his composure in places that he is not yet well-acquainted with. Often times, he asks for a map or blueprint of a given location before he enters the premises. But as far as social anxiety is concerned, Ulysses has more or less learned to suppress his introverted nature. Despite his obsessive and ostensibly awkward tendencies, he does actually enjoy networking and meeting strangers.

He that becomes personally well-acquainted with Ulysses will discover that he is just as eloquent and "donnish" in everyday life as he is during his lectures and debates. He is generally friendly, but blunt to a fault. During his tenure at Oxford University, many students described him as a true "no bullshit" don -- a reputation often met with mixed responses. He is blatantly honest in every respect, and even applies that honestly to his own self-image. He was once quoted saying:

"I am one of the most influential physicists of our time. My discoveries will be honored and remembered for centuries to come. This is just a fact. Would you deny it? I hope other men and women of such repute describe themselves the same way. It is not a vainglorious thing to say, so long as it is true. Would you prefer false humbleness? Pride feigning as modesty? The falsely humble only assume the guise of bashfulness to make themselves more popular among the people. And in that, they are more vain than anyone found 'guilty' of acknowledging the prestige of their accomplishments."

This is often (and quite understandably) misinterpreted as arrogance, but Ulysses does not hesitate to commend others for their own accomplishments. He does not view himself as superior to others, but does view his own accomplishments as superior to the accomplishments of many others. Facts, through his eyes, are paramount, and should never be hidden or concealed with dishonest compliments. If he has a particular strength, he will be honest about it. And if he has a particular weakness, he will be honest about it as well. This makes it difficult for him to keep secrets, which is fully intentional. Having everything out in the open is therapeutic to his anxiety, for it removes the burden of worrying about exposure.

Overall, it is very difficult to get a physical or emotional rise out of Ulysses without questioning his intellectual integrity or forcing him into a position which triggers his agoraphobic anxiety. He handles confrontation with a calm demeanor, which makes him an incredibly successful and prominent debater. He only allows himself to become impassioned when delivering lectures, as he finds it gets students and listeners more involved and interested.

His brute objectivity and fidelity to reason has made him an avowed enemy of theism -- a phenomenon he has variously described as "humanity's cancer," "fucking absurd," and "that which is positively opposed to reality." He has published five books on the topic, and labels himself an ardent atheist.

Ulysses is known to be stubborn when it comes to his work. He despises the feeling of defeat, and often presses ahead with certain projects even when advised against doing so by his superiors. However, he believes any violation of scientific ethics should be harshly punished, for "no amount of knowledge is worth the cost of flagrant cruelty."

In addition to his scientific endeavors, Ulysses is also quite a prominent political commentator. He is personally acquainted and/or affiliated with many political figures on Earth and throughout the Federation. Although he advocates for a strong Federal government, he is a militant defender of human rights and is immensely critical of authoritarianism. This is largely due to his own family history, being the biological son of notorious autocrat Admiral Ptolemaios Laskaris. "Laskarism" was a major topic in his book, Laskaris: The Tyrant, which serves as both a biography of his father and a political treatise on the subject of dictatorship. Despite his love for Earth, where he has lived since his family's exile from Gryphia, Ulysses warns against an "Earth-centered" Sol Federation; that is, a Sol Federation politically dominated by natives of Earth and pro-Earth foreigners. He believes such a Federation would eventually devolve into a totalitarian empire, bound to eventually shatter in a series of chaotic and violent civil wars.

Lastly, Ulysses is incredibly devoted to his beloved wife, Bethany Turnbull, née Wojchik. The two are rather codependent on one another, and Ulysses was heartbroken to leave her on Earth when he was hired on as part of the Boadicea crew. Wojchik is his one and only love, and to her he has devoted the entirety of his heart and spirit. They chose not to have children, as they believed it would detract from their careers in academia. If Bethany dies, Ulysses will quickly follow...and vice versa.
Likes/Dislikes: [To be honest, I feel as though Ulysses is almost too complicated of an individual to even begin boiling down to likes and dislikes. I tried, but found myself trailing on and on, because I was trying to narrate how one would think of the world if they had a mentality as multi-layered and cerebral as Ulysses'. He is a viciously objective and fact-oriented individual, and views most of the known universe's observable phenomena through those lenses. I think most of his likes and dislikes can be generally inferred from the other sections of this app, especially the Personality section.]
Fears:
Agoraphobia: Fear of becoming physically lost. The implications of an agoraphobic panic attack could be dire. Also a weakness.
Mysophobia: Fear of germs and contamination. Also a weakness.
Goals: Above all, Ulysses seeks to push the boundaries of human knowledge; to discover what can be known of the unknown. He genuinely believes the Anomalies represent a grave threat, and will do anything and everything he can to stop them.
Personal Strengths (3):
Genius/Expertise: Ulysses has an incredible capacity for learning and problem-solving. His intellect is superior to some of the most prominent figures in his field, making him an absolutely vital asset to any research team he works with.
Calm: Though a sufferer of anxiety in specific contexts, he remains remarkably cool-headed even in dangerous or hectic situations.
Ability to Work With Others: Self-explanatory. Ulysses has embarked on a variety of projects that have necessitated working with many different arrays of people, ranging from soldiers to common civilians. He does not allow personal differences to get in the way of progress.
Personal Weaknesses (3):
Anxiety (agoraphobia): Fear of becoming physically lost. The implications of an agoraphobic panic attack could be dire.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (includes mysophobia): Intensely ritualistic and obsessed with cleanliness, order, and organization. Could induce panic attacks in certain contexts.
Age: At 74 years of age, Ulysses is no longer as physically capable as he once was. He is not a soldier, and not a fighter. When walking long distances (a mile or more), he requires the use of a walking stick.

EMPLOYMENT RECORD

Requested Role: Research Director; Research Director; Research Director
Prior Service Record:
2313 - Cadet; Britannia Federal Naval College - Dartmouth Corps of Cadets.
2314 - Cadet; Applies for voluntary withdrawal from training. Withdrawal granted after brief deliberation.
2315 - Undergraduate; Applies to Balliol College, Oxford.
2318 - Graduate; Receives Bachelor's degree with de facto Honours classification from Balliol - Physics/Astrophysics double major with a minor in Physical Cosmology.
2334 - Postgraduate; Receives DPhil in Astrophysics from Oxford University - Dark Matter and the Substructure of the Fundamental Particle is published.
2335 - Professor; Employed as Professor of Astrophysics at Oxford University.
2351 - FRS; Inducted into the Fellowship of the Royal Society.
2352 - Professor; Anarchic Elementaries Meet the Quadrant Gates: How Mankind May Further Accelerate Faster-Than-Light Travel is published.
2355 - FRSL; Inducted into the Royal Society of Literature.
2367 - GBE; Inducted into the Order of the British Empire (Civil Division) as a Knight Grand Cross.
2368 - Professor; The Chaotic Anomaly is released to the public via cyberspace.
2368 - Professor; Retires from professorship at Oxford University (see biography for details).

BIOGRAPHY

Ulysses was born and raised in the Federal Colony of Gryphia, perhaps the most infamous penal colony in galactic history. Originally dubbed "Gliese 581d" by the scientific community prior to the advent of space exploration, the super-Earth was rechristened "Gryphia" in 2170 in honor of English space pioneer Jordan Gryphon. Gryphon was instrumental to the colonization of the Gliese 581 system. And, in 2165, he was the first human to set foot on Gliese 581d. The planet largely consisted of cold ocean water, with a significant portion dominated by a jaggedly mountainous supercontinent. Its climate has been compared to northern Siberia's, with the majority of the planet's orbital year spent under vast layers of ice and snow. Cyclonic blizzards were often blown in from the oceans, making initial settlement difficult.

However, despite the planet's arctic climate patterns, it was soon found that much of the serrated mountainscape actually consisted of long-dormant supervolcanoes. Based on his measurements of atmospheric gas concentrations in the planet's northern ice cores, Ulysses has hypothesized that Gryphia was once host to a much warmer (perhaps even tropical) environment. At any rate, a series of experimental drilling activities conducted across the continent in 2173 yielded an unexpected discovery: the planet's surface layers were absolutely teeming with diamonds.

A frenzy ensued throughout the Federation. As Jordan Gryphon's original expedition had been funded primarily by the British government, the United Kingdom immediately claimed de facto ownership of the planet. Though their claim was largely disputed, the Sol Federation did eventually recognize Britain's right to a majority stake in all Gryphian mining operations through the Gliese Mining Act of 2180.

British investors were elated. In 2181, an international conglomerate of Western European entrepreneurs and financiers founded the Gliese Company -- a massive joint-stock corporation created solely for the extraction and galactic distribution of Gryphian diamonds. The Company hurled the entirety of its resources toward the establishment of mining operations throughout the Gryphian landscape. Despite the tremendous difficulties presented by the planet's brutal climate and topography, settlements began popping up like weeds. Within a decade, the Gliese Company had virtually monopolized all mining operations in Gryphia.

But the Gliese Company's laxed safety regulations, along with its sheer drive for profit at any cost, eventually led to serious problems. Casualties became commonplace in the mines, and several catastrophes even made galactic news. Most noteworthy among these was the Hallman Event of 2198 -- a massive explosion which led to the deaths of over 6,000 miners and nearly caused the eruption of Mt. Jordan, the planet's largest supervolcano.

Disasters such as these fueled immense anger and criticism across the Federation. Many prominent voices in the galaxy's public sector began calling for the federalization of the Gliese Company's assets. Their wish was eventually granted in 2205, when the Sol Federation dissolved the Company and assumed direct administrative control of the Gliese 581 system. Thus the Federal Colony of Gryphia was formed.

The Federation's true motives behind this decision have since fallen into question. Almost immediately after federalizing the colony, SolFed incorporated the various mining settlements of Gryphia into three sprawling metropolises: New Aspen, New Hanover, and New London. New London became the colony's official capital. Governing duties were transferred directly to the Federal Navy, which brutally enforced SolFed's new safety regulations in the diamond mines. And finally, in 2215, Gryphia was reclassified by the Federation as a penal colony.

Prisons across the galaxy suddenly began redirecting their populations to new settlements in Gryphia, much to the vexation of the many colonists already residing there. Federal court rulings saw significant change after the establishment of the penal colony; life sentences became far more frequent, usually for petty crimes. Critics saw the colony and its mining operations as a huge profit motive for increased rates of incarceration. Economic disincentives were also established to keep convicts that had finished their sentences from leaving. Prisoners convicted for the most egregious criminal offences were sent to the infamous Braxton Complex in New London, where they were forced so perform labor so grueling and demanding that some even chose to commit suicide rather than endure another moment of cruelty. These men and women included those found guilty of terrorism, war crimes, mass murder, piracy, and so on. Gryphians dubbed the Complex "Bastille II," and numerous conspiracy theories (most of which claimed that secret government activities were being conducted behind its walls) spread throughout the colony.

Mines that had been established by the Gliese Company were expanded under the military government, with workers being forced to dig deeper and deeper into the planet's surface for the diamonds within. New mines were also established, mostly through the intensive labor of convict workers. Some of these underground networks became so massive that they were almost comparable the cities above; a few even had shuttles for subterranean aircraft that were used to transport stone and metal. Great care was taken by the colony's engineers and geographers to avoid causing seismic disruption in digging these great tunnels, for the eruption of a Gryphian supervolano would likely spell out the doom of the planet as a whole.

The penal colony's economy operated on a ration system, with government-issued ration cards replacing SolFed's official cryptocurrencies. As Gryphia was not suitable for agriculture or cattle grazing, most of the colony's primary resources (including food, fuel, and clothing) were directly supplied by SolFed. Rations were handed out based on each household's labor output. Company-era colonists and non-convicted settlers received preferable treatment by the authorities, being offered extra rations and preferable jobs on the administrative end of the mines. The result was the emergence of a classist system. Massive slums sprung up in all three of the planet's major cities, with New London bearing one of the highest city-wide rates of poverty in the entire Federation. Criminal activity in these communities was rampant, but largely ignored by the military government (whose attention was mainly focused on monthly diamond export quotas).

A diamond mind in pre-revolutionary Gryphia, circa 2297-2298.

The military government itself, while under the direct authority of the Federal Navy, was granted a surprising amount of autonomy by SolFed. Most executive power rested in the military governor, who was traditionally chosen from the naval officer corps; as Gryphia had a history of close ties with Britain, all chosen candidates were of British or Commonwealth nationality on Earth. Governors generally served until retirement, death, or incapacitation, and their power was only checked by fellow officers in the Navy. The regime was often criticized as an authoritarian junta, perhaps even guilty of human rights abuses. But so long as profit margins were met, the Gryphian elites' methods of governance were generally tolerated by SolFed.

Ulysses's father, Admiral Ptolemaios Laskaris, was the fifth Colonial Governor of Gryphia. The Laskaris family was, despite their Mediterranean surname, a very old and prominent family in Britain. An ancestor relocated from Athens to London during the economic crisis of 2008, and there the family remained for the next three centuries. In his father's biography, Laskaris: The Tyrant, Ulysses stated:

"We spoke not a word of Greek; not a single Orthodox prayer. We were scantly Greek at all, and yet we insisted upon the familial tradition of labelling our children with Greek names. And of that long line of Laskarisian Grecophiles, my father was undoubtedly the worst offender. Our walls were adorned with Hellenic pillars and portraits of mythological characters: Perseus, Heracles, and my namesake Odysseus. Yes, an Anglican family masquerading as cultured Macedonians. What an eccentric and delusional clan we were."

The Laskaris family actually gained their initial prominence through the early phases of space exploration. They were a military bloodline, with many having served as commanding officers in the Federal Navy and Marine Corps. Few actually settled outside of Earth, though, until Admiral Ptolemaios Laskaris' appointment as Colonial Governor of Gryphia in 2270.

Under Governor Laskaris, Gryphia transformed into what Ulysses described as "a true military dictatorship," even more so than it had been under previous Governors. Ulysses believes his father's intentions in assuming the Governor's mantle were initially pure, but that he was rapidly corrupted by an excess of power. Laskaris attempted to fully monopolize political authority in Gryphia by limiting the involvement of fellow naval officers in administrative affairs. He demarcated the activities of official SolFed troops to the Braxton Complex, and recruited his own private militia -- the "Gryphian Defense Force" (or "GDF") -- from the Gryphian upper class to conduct police activities previously undertaken by naval guards. As the GDF was not considered an authenticated unit of the Federal Navy, they were answerable to the Governor's orders alone. Laskaris justified this decision to the brass by arguing that a localized police force would be more effective in performing constabulary duties, as the Gryphian people would be more likely to trust their own over foreign naval guards.

On paper, the argument appeared sound. But in practice, it made Laskaris an unquestioned autocrat. Conditioned to express fanatical loyalty to the Governor, the GDF brutally enforced their supreme commander's will throughout the colony. A cult of personality quickly developed. The Governor's regime began manufacturing propaganda and censoring the press. Travel to and from Gryphia by free citizens was discouraged, and the workload of convicted laborers was doubled. By 2285, portraits of the Governor could be found in every office, every classroom, every household, and even every prison cell. A passage in Laskaris: The Tyrant states:

"Some historians depict the Laskarist regime as a sort of Guantanamo Bay revival, with strains of Stalinism injected into its putrid veins. I daresay it was worse. But strings were pulled and secrets were kept to maintain SolFed's operation. Gryphia became a true banana republic of the skies."

Nepotism was prominent under Governor Laskaris' reign. Over twenty extended members of the Laskaris family relocated from Earth to Gryphia in order to assume prominent roles in the penal colony's government. The Governor's three grown daughters -- Xenia, Pelagia, and Aphrodite -- even took up administrative duties upon reaching adulthood.

SolFed troops stationed in the colony also began filing complaints against the Laskaris clan, disturbed by the human rights abuses carried out by the Governor and the GDF. A debate ensued within the Navy over the future of the penal colony. Despite clear evidence of Laskaris' crimes, diamond profits were higher than ever, and the Governor's high-ranking allies in the brass rejected any motion to replace him. But the galactic press was becoming increasingly aware of the atrocities committed in Gryphia. The situation was as a powder keg, ready to explode.

Ulysses was born during this contentious period of time. The Governor's mistress, GDF Lieutenant Katherine Flurry, discovered she was pregnant in the spring of 2294. Flurry was a free Gryphian colonist who had emigrated to New London with her parents from the Solar System as a child. Like many Gryphian elites, Katherine was of Anglican descent, which allowed her to swiftly climb the ranks of the Governor's pro-British militia. In 2290, she was made one of the Governor's personal bodyguards, and struck up an affair with the elderly Laskaris shortly thereafter. Flurry's exact motivations behind the affair remain unknown. Ulysses believes she never agreed to it at all; that the relationship was forced, and that his mother was a victim of repeated sexual assault.

This is a likely possibility, as she reportedly expressed some desire to have an abortion...but was prevented from doing so by the Governor. The young Lieutenant was relieved of her military duties for the duration of her pregnancy. Forcibly isolated from all friends and loved ones, she eventually disappeared after her son's birth in 2295. No trace of her was ever found, but former members of the GDF later claimed that they had received personal orders from the Governor to dispose of the woman's body in the mines.

A young Odysseus with his father, Governor Ptolemaios Laskaris, 2299.

Flurry's infant was christened by Laskaris family custom as Odysseus Caesarion Laskaris. The Governor was already 68 years old by the time the child was born, but he energetically doted upon his only son. Even as a small child, Odysseus felt overwhelmed by Ptolemaios' affection. His toddlerhood was spent wearing lavish military uniforms like his father's, and he was saluted by palace guards as if he was a general. The boy featured prominently in Laskarist propaganda, and was depicted as the personification of Gryphia's glory on posters and banners across New London. His half-sisters, too, showered him with love and adoration.

Today, Ulysses claims that he does not remember his early years in Gryphia. "That time is now a blur to me," he stated in a recent interview. "But I would guess that I was happy. Why wouldn't I be? My world was bliss. Pure, ignorant, undeserved bliss."

But this era of bliss would prove short-lived. Outside the walls of the Governor's elegant palace, the colony was crumbling. By the turn of the 24th century, Gryphia's diamond mines began to dry up. The reduction in profits, as well as the increasingly brutal methods of censorship utilized by the Laskaris regime, even ruffled the feathers of the penal colony's free upper class (who had once counted themselves among the Governor's strongest supporters). And, in 2301, the infamous Braxton Files were released to the galactic public by a rogue faction of the GDF. The Files contained photographic evidence of the hellish conditions endured by convict workers in the Gryphian mines. The press went mad, and protests emerged across the Federation to have the colony permanently shut down.

The Braxton Files brought forth a tidal wave of popular resistance within the penal colony as well. On New Years' Day of 2302, as vibrant fireworks lit the snowy skies of New London, a small band of workers called for a march on the Governor's palace. Their numbers rapidly swelled as civilians gathered with banners and picket signs chanting, "DEATH TO THE TYRANT!"

The GDF's palace garrison responded with lethal force, opening fire upon the masses and slaughtering hundreds. The panicking crowds dispersed, but the cruelty shown by the regime that night only brought forth more unrest throughout the colony. Protests immediately sprung up across New London, New Aspen, and New Hanover.

The Gryphian Revolution had begun.

Governor Laskaris recognized the severity of his predicament. Twelve hours after the initial protests had begun, the Governor had his son and three daughters evacuated to the Federal Navy's nearest lunar base. The Governor himself stayed behind in New London in a desperate attempt to maintain power. All across the planet, Gryphian protesters and rioters were storming mines, torching factories, and destroying Laskarist propaganda. The GDF was overwhelmed. Riot control forces were deployed to crush all resistance with lethal force, but many were unwilling to fire on their own people. Several GDF bases were abandoned. Officers were dragged into the streets and torn limb from limb. After decades of oppression, the people had reached their breaking point.

On the third day, Laskaris watched helplessly as his remaining GDF commanders collectively renounced their loyalty to the regime on planet-wide television. In a last-ditch effort to save his own skin, the Governor requested aid from Federal Navy troops stationed at the Braxton Complex. He was stunned to be informed that he had been dishonorably discharged by the Navy, and that SolFed had issued a warrant for his arrest.

Laskaris and his inner circle barricaded themselves in the gubernatorial palace, but its gates could not withstand the might of the insurrection. The Governor was dragged from his palace, beaten, stripped of his uniform, and shot dead in the frozen streets of New London. Several other officials (some of them extended members of the Laskaris family themselves) suffered similar fates before the intervention of naval troops.

At long last, the Laskarist regime had crumbled.

The aftermath of the Revolution went down as one of the Federal Navy's most humiliating periods of history. In the absence of Laskarist censorship, muckrakers were able to shed full light upon the crimes against humanity perpetrated by the military government of Gryphia. SolFed quickly attempted to distance itself from the catastrophic situation, placing much of the blame upon high-ranking officials in the Federal Navy, who were accused of hiding the Laskaris family's corruption from galactic authorities. The tactic was unsuccessful; both the Federation's civilian government and the Federal Military came under heavy fire from the press. Millions demanded justice.

Following the restoration of order by the Navy in late 2302, the penal colony was disbanded. A large number of convicts, many unfairly sentenced due to the profit motives of the Federal Judiciary, were granted full pardon. The Braxton Complex was shut down, and its prisoners were relocated to other facilities throughout the colonies. Surviving members of the Laskarist government were arrested, along with several commanding officers in the Federal Navy. These individuals were later tried in Federal court as part of the famous "Gliese Trials."

Among those brought up on charges in the Gliese Trials were Governor Laskaris' own three daughters: Xenia, Pelagia, and Aphrodite. After being evacuated from Gryphia during the early phases of the Revolution, the four Laskaris children (little Odysseus included) were transported back to the Solar System, where the three women were immediately detained and placed in a maximum security prison on Mars to await trial. Odysseus, only 7 years old at the time, was not charged. Rather, he was sent back to Earth by order of the Federal authorities.

Odysseus was considered a legal citizen of the United Kingdom, for his father had been a British national before being appointed Governor of Gryphia. The Federal government placed the boy into the foster care of one Commander Christopher Turnbull, a former subordinate and personal friend of Admiral Laskaris in London. To spare him the controversy surrounding his surname, Odysseus' name was Anglicized to Ulysses Lazarus; his middle name, Caesarion, was dropped altogether.

Ulysses was a troubled child. The boy had known nothing but luxury and overindulgence since birth. He was therefore spoiled and prone to tantrums, greatly traumatized by the sudden disruption of his princely toddlerhood. But a good portion of this trauma was legitimate; his father had been slain, and he was ripped away from his sisters' loving care after being evacuated from Gryphia. The Gliese Trials lasted two years after Ulysses first entered the custody of the Turnbull family. He watched in horror as his three siblings were each separately tried for their crimes against humanity. Xenia and Pelagia were immediately given the death penalty, whereas Aphrodite was sentenced to life imprisonment. Forbidden to communicate with the outside world, she later committed suicide by asphyxiation in 2306.

Ulysses' earliest memories begin during his childhood under the guardianship of Commander Turnbull. The Turnbulls were wealthy, but did not dote upon their children as Admiral Laskaris had in Gryphia. In fact, Commander Turnbull was militaristically strict. His two sons, John and Charles, were raised by a steely regimen that stressed the values of hard work, exercise, and brute ambition above all others. As a member of the Turnbull household, Ulysses was forced to comply with the Commander's parental methods. He was placed on the same regimen, and treated as his foster brothers' equal.

Ulysses struggled to adapt to this new lifestyle. His air of entitlement was not the only hurdle he was forced to overcome, for the trauma brought about by the Revolution and its aftermath induced a variety of mental issues. He began to struggle with severe anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorders. Initially believed to be a sufferer of autism, he was later diagnosed with OCD based on his uncontrollably repetitive and inveterate behavioral patterns. Commander Turnbull, ever the military man, chose to treat Ulysses' problems with "the medicine of order." Ulysses was severely disciplined for his entitled attitude, and taught to channel his compulsive urges into schoolwork, professional conduct, and fitness.

Over time, the formerly spoiled brat evolved into a well-mannered and extremely dedicated child. He grew close to his foster brothers, John and Charles, and even established a friendly relationship with the Commander.

Upon entering his teenage years, Ulysses began exhibiting multiple signs of superior intelligence -- perhaps even genius. He consistently placed top in his class at parochial school, and displayed an immense capacity and proficiency for learning. By age fourteen, he had already achieved near-perfect scores on five collegiate-level exams. Commander Turnbull attributed his foster son's academic success to his strict upbringing, but it was clear that something else was at play. Ulysses performed with a mental acuity far beyond that of the average student, particularly in the realm of natural science. At sixteen, his knowledge of physics and chemistry matched (and, in most cases, surpassed) that of his instructors.

But the young man's genius did not come without its costs. Puberty seemed to exacerbate his OCD, and his compulsive rituals progressively took up more and more of his daily activities. Extremely severe mysophobia and perfectionism also developed during his teenage years, both of which drove him into a deep state of depression. In his autobiography, Ulysses commented, "My mind was a cage, and my spirit its prisoner."

As psychiatric treatment would risk disqualifying Ulysses from military service, Commander Turnbull did not wish to seek professional help for his foster son. Ulysses' foster brothers, however, were not so dismissive of his internal pain. John Turnbull, who was ten years Ulysses' senior (and by that time a financially independent officer in the Federal Navy), arranged for Ulysses to attend weekly therapy sessions where he could learn strategies and coping methods to overcome his strife. This remained unknown to the Commander all the way until his death thirty years later.

Ulysses' therapy was largely successful, at least enough for him to continue his academic efforts uninterrupted. He completed Key Stage 5 in 2313 at the age of eighteen. That same year, he had his name officially changed from "Ulysses Lazarus" to "Ulysses Turnbull," becoming the legally adopted son of Commander Christopher Turnbull. Despite their complex relationship, Ulysses and the Commander had developed a true father-son bond over the years, and Ulysses' decision to change his name was symbolic of that reality.

As was the tradition of both the Turnbull family and Ulysses' own Laskaris forefather, Ulysses applied to the Britannia Federal Naval College in Dartmouth after completing his Key Stage 5. The Commander hoped Ulysses would become a prominent officer in the Federal Navy, and was overjoyed when the young man left for training as a Cadet.

Ulysses, however, did not enjoy life at the BFNC. He was severely mistreated by his superiors, who were aware of his true Laskaris heritage and resented him for the dishonor his biological father had brought Navy. In addition, Ulysses found the rules of BFNC Cadet training quite oppressive. He saw the College as a hindrance to his own intellectual advancement, and was embittered his instructors' dismissal of his scientific theories and ideas.

Indeed, he despised being a Cadet -- so much so, in fact, that in early 2314, he applied for a voluntary withdrawal from training. The Commander was furious, even considering the notion of cutting ties with his youngest son altogether. But he was stopped from doing so by John and Charles, who fully supported Ulysses' decision. Themselves officers in the Federal Navy, they recognized the reality that Ulysses was not fit for military service. Charles, who was stationed on Mars at the time, even reached out to his Federal superiors to accelerate the process of granting Ulysses an honorable discharge. The discharge was granted, and Ulysses left the BFNC in the spring of 2314. He quickly reconciled with his father, who eventually conceded that his son's decision to leave the College was wise.

Now free from the constrains of the naval academy, Ulysses was finally able to pursue his true dream of studying the sciences at Oxford University. He applied to attend Balliol College in 2315, and was immediately accepted with the financial backing of the Turnbull family. There, he took up a double major in physics and astrophysics, with a minor in physical cosmology.

Ulysses flourished at Oxford. In his three years of undergraduate school at Balliol, he published four research articles in academic journals; the third, titled Newton's Laws and Their Applications to Dark Energy, received international attention within the Solar System's academic community. One physicist at the Mars Institute of Science, another prominent university, stated that Ulysses was destined to become "the Einstein of the 24th century."

Ulysses as a graduate student at Oxford University, 2325.

Upon obtaining his bachelor's degree in 2318, Ulysses pressed on with his graduate studies in pursuit of a DPhil in astrophysics from Oxford. Ulysses still considers this period to have been the most stressful time of his life. Despite his genius and extraordinary intellect, it took a full sixteen years for him to complete his doctorate thesis. The basis of said thesis was a controversial one; Ulysses adamantly rejected the scientific community's firmly established consensus on the nature of dark fundamental particles. He believed said particles did, in fact, have complex substructures that could be further deconstructed into what he called "anarchic elementaries" -- infinite substructures that could be reassembled to form new (and potentially unknown) manifestations of matter.

He became a well-travelled man in his pursuit of evidence, conducting research and planetary surveys from the Scutum-Crux to the sparsely colonized frontiers of the Perseus Arm. The majority of Ulysses' voyages were financed by private sector investors, who grew increasingly frustrated by the young scholar's initial failures. Between 2319 and 2324, a total of 25 experiments were conducted by Ulysses' team -- none of which yielded any significant results. After the failure of his last experiment, several investors withdrew their support, forcing Ulysses to return to Earth and recalculate his formulae at Oxford.

It was a grueling process that entailed one major disappointment after another. Ulysses felt utterly defeated; the constant feeling of dismay eventually kickstarted another bout of anxiety and obsessive compulsiveness. Refusing to concede the potential falsification of his hypothesis, Ulysses doubled down on his efforts. As if under siege from intellectual opposition, he practically walled himself inside the university's laboratories to conduct a series of experiments and test unorthodox equations. He lost many hours of sleep, and his health began to falter. Some of his peers even started to question his grasp on reality.

Finally, in 2327, Ulysses gave up. Tired and distraught by his failure, he took to drinking as a means of alleviating his stress. Thus began a rapid spiral downward into the pits of desperate hopelessness.

But this dark period was short-lived. In December of 2327, just before Ulysses submitted his official withdrawal from Oxford's DPhil program, he met a fellow graduate student by the name of Bethany Wojchik. Bethany hailed from the colonies of Alpha Centauri. She was two years Ulysses' junior, and held a degree in applied physics with the ultimate goal of achieving a DPhil of her own. Having read several of Ulysses' undergraduate research articles, she actually sought him out for assistance with her thesis on FTL travel. Ulysses' downtrodden state of mind came as a surprise to Bethany at their first encounter, and the young woman refused to allow her new friend to withdraw from his academic pursuits at Oxford. Over the course of the next few months, the two grew incredibly close. At the time, Bethany was engaged to a lieutenant in the Federal Navy, but quickly became embroiled in an intense sexual affair with Ulysses. In April of 2328, she actually broke off her engagement. She and Ulysses officially began dating immediately thereafter.

Bethany was Ulysses' first love. Though Ulysses was by no means unattractive, he'd never found himself truly drawn to a women until he met the fair-haired woman from Alpha Centauri. It was Bethany who put an end to Ulysses' drinking and set him back on track toward his DPhil. One day, while expressing his doubt in the credibility of his hypothesis, Ulysses said to Bethany: "My theory simply cannot be true."

Her response was simple: "Why not?"

When he could not come up with a convincing answer, Ulysses realized that he had prematurely surrendered to his previous failures. Despite the lack of evidence yielded by prior experiments, there remained a slight chance that Ulysses' theory on fundamental particles could be proven -- even if it took him an entire lifetime.

Armed with the power of Bethany's loving encouragement, Ulysses resumed his academic campaign in 2329. Another sequence of disappointments followed. But this time, Ulysses was not discouraged. In fact, he began to look upon each individual failure as yet another step toward his final goal.

And in 2331, that goal was finally met.

With the aid of his elder brothers' military influence, Ulysses received financial backing directly from the SolFed to conduct a series of atomic experiments and assessments on the peripheries of the Perseus Arm. There, he documented an unprecedented discovery: the breakup of dark elementary particles. After so many years and so many failed attempts, Ulysses had finally found proof to support his theory.

Ulysses' completed dissertation on the topic, a massive treatise entitled Dark Matter and the Substructure of the Fundamental Particle, was published in 2334. The paper expounded Ulysses' newly-discovered "dark equation," popularly called the "Turnbull Theorem," which mathematically and scientifically proved the divisibility of dark elementary particles by an unknown form of energy dubbed "chaotic energy." Though the exact nature of this rare "chaotic energy" remained totally unknown, its contact with dark matter in the universe led to the observable creation of Ulysses' "anarchic elementaries" -- unquantifiable substructures of fundamental particles.

The Turnbull Theorem struck the scientific community with a shockwave of contentious debate, mainly on the topic of chaotic energy. The majority of scientists dismissed the notion of chaotic energy outright, and instead posited that the breakup of fundamental particles was due to an as-yet-unknown non-baryonic particle. Nevertheless, Ulysses had proved the existence of anarchic elementaries, forever changing the nature of scientific discourse within the subfields of physics, astronomy, astrophysics, and cosmology. With the publication of his thesis, he had finally earned his DPhil in Astrophysics.

A year later, Ulysses and Bethany married. Bethany, having earned her own DPhil in Physics several months before Ulysses, was eager to embark upon a lifetime of scientific research alongside her husband. They would later co-author and publish several significant studies on FTL travel, most notably Anarchic Elementaries Meet the Quadrant Gates: How Mankind May Further Accelerate Faster-Than-Light Travel (2352), which acted as a foundation for a variety of recent improvements on FTL travel.

Over the course of the next few decades, Ulysses continued to publish his own independent studies. As a Professor of Astrophysics at Oxford University between 2335 and 2368, he published over 45 books, journal articles, and essays with topics ranging from wormholes to the existence of God. During this time, he became well-known throughout the Federation as a skilled orator, even-handed debater, and impassioned philosopher.

Ulysses later returned to his planet of birth, the long-abandoned penal colony of Gryphia, in 2347 as part of a SolFed-sponsored expedition. There, he conducted an array of atmospheric and tectonic measurements to establish a complete geological history of the planet. Gryphia was a ruin of the world in which Ulysses had spent his toddler years. What was once the sprawling megacity of New London had crumbled into an ice-covered shell devoid of life. Remnants of Laskarist propaganda, some of which featured a young Ulysses, could still be observed in the bombed-out ruins of former GDF strongholds.

The expedition prompted Ulysses to publish the aforementioned biography of his father, Laskaris: The Tyrant, in 2349. The book detailed the emergence of his biological father's oppressive regime and provided a psychoanalysis of Gryphia's last colonial governor. It was well-received by the galactic public, and provided Ulysses a means of apologizing to his father's surviving victims for the crimes his blood relatives had committed in the past.

In 2351, Ulysses was elected to join the Fellowship of the Royal Society. Later on in 2355, after the publication of Anarchic Elementaries Meet the Quadrant Gates, both he and his wife were also inducted into the Royal Society of Literature.

The prominence of the Turnbull couple within the scientific community brought them in contact with many powerful players, both on Earth and throughout the Federation. They became close associates of the British Royal Family, and met several key political figures on Earth, including two Presidents of the United States and three Chancellors of the European Federation [a highly federalized, 24th century incarnation of the European Union which exists beneath the Federation's banner]. On a galactic scale, Ulysses often delivered lectures before international audiences and top Federation officials. Over the years, he was featured as a major guest speaker at several galactic universities, and he developed a reputation for turning his presentations into incredibly interactive experiences for students.

But things began to change in 2365, when the so-called "Anomalies" first emerged from the shadows of the unknown. Ever the skeptic, it took some time and a significant degree of unexplainable events for Ulysses to consider the possibility of Dr. Ayaan Raman's theories. He remained relatively quiet on the subject for almost two years, studying the expanding amount of Anomaly-related literature from afar. He was not yet convinced enough to risk his reputation by lending support to Dr. Raman's claims.

In the meantime, Ulysses was on the verge of reaching the peak of his career. In addition to being considered for the Chancellorship of Oxford University, he was made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire in 2367. Some attributed this accomplishment to Ulysses' personal friendship with the King of Britain, but his major contributions to humanity's scientific knowledge were undeniable. It was Ulysses' acceptance speech which drew international attention, though. In his presentation, he warned of the new threat posed by the "hostile creatures of the void." Many interpreted this to be Ulysses' official acknowledgment of the Anomalies' existence.

Ulysses met immediate backlash from academics across the galaxy. The man once hailed as one of the greatest scientific minds of the age was suddenly labelled a "conspiracy theorist" and "cryptozoologist." Ulysses stood his ground; several days after delivering his infamous speech at the knighting ceremony, he released an official statement supporting Dr. Ayaan Raman's arguments regarding the existence of Anomalies. At that point, even Ulysses' closest associates at Oxford abandoned him. The University revoked his candidacy for the Chancellorship, and pressured him to disavow his support of Dr. Raman's theory.

Instead, Ulysses went to work on his own hypothesis regarding the Anomaly crisis. He became deeply invested in the idea of interconnectedness between chaotic energy -- a major component of his dissertation -- and the Anomalies. In 2368, he presented his latest work, The Chaotic Anomaly, to an international board of peers for publication. In The Chaotic Anomaly, Ulysses suggested that chaotic energy (as well as the sub-elementary components created by the division of subatomic particles) has something to do with the origins of the Anomalies and their behavior. He presented the idea that chaotic energy may be semi-conscious, somewhat like a virus, and that it may not actually hail from our universe. In essence, Ulysses portrayed chaotic energy as a formless madness, capable of breaking down and reassembling dark matter in order to assume terrifying and/or destructive forms (i.e. "Anomalies").

Unlike his previous scholarly articles and publications, The Chaotic Anomaly was a purely hypothetical paper which did not present solid evidence to support his thesis. The board rejected Ulysses' request for publication, and Oxford officials indirectly warned that if The Chaotic Anomaly were to be released to the public in any way, he would face severe consequences.

Dr. Turnbull guest lecturing at the Sol Institute of Extraterrestrial Studies, 2368.

As to be expected, their warnings went unheeded. Ulysses leaked a copy of The Chaotic Anomaly to a trusted collection of pupils, who then published its text via cyberspace.

Less than a week later, Ulysses retired from his position at Oxford. To Ulysses' supporters, the circumstances behind his retirement were believed to have been forced by university officials. It remains a heavily debated topic among scientists across the Federation, with physicists and biologists alike divided into pro-Turnbull and anti-Turnbull factions.

But his retirement from Oxford did little to silence the impassioned Ulysses. Over the course of the next year, he was hired by a variety of institutions -- both private and public -- to guest lecture on subjects such as the Anomalies and chaotic energy. The Sol Institute of Extraterrestrial Studies was among those places, and Dr. Turnbull's presentation was well-received by the college's student body. In fact, the attention he drew through that controversial lecture eventually led to his association with the Federal Navy, who sought him out to be made Research Director aboard one of their Courser flagships: the Boadicea. Delighted by the opportunity to prove his latest theories with solid evidence, he accepted the offer without hesitation.

by **Rudaslavia** » Fri Jun 08, 2018 9:51 pm

I apologize in advance for any typos. I would have checked it closer, but I really wanted to get the app posted before everything started.

by **Kowloon-California** » Sun Jun 10, 2018 1:16 am

I really enjoyed how your application helped to further build the lore of this world, as well as expand upon the lore around anomalies. Although it has been a while I'm still excited to get started!

by **Rudaslavia** » Tue Jun 12, 2018 7:17 am

So...is this still happening?

by **Esternial** » Tue Jun 12, 2018 11:34 am

Oof, finally got around to barfing this out. Could probably flesh it out a bit more but I don't want to miss the starting signal.

SOL FEDERAL NAVY
NR-134 - COURSER FILE

All information herein is open to SCL - GAMMA only. Unauthorized viewers will be prosecuted by the Navy Judiciary.

BASIC INFORMATION

Name: William A. Baracus
Age: 48
Gender: M
Photo ID:

Citizenship: Sol Federation
Affiliation: SolFed
Rank: Commander

PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILE

Personality:
"William presents himself as a cool and level-headed character. Previous evaluations record him as reckless and impatient, though now he exhibits almost the opposite traits. Despite the information provided to us about the events in 2347, I can find no evidence of persistent mental trauma. In fact, his conduct from the last decade shows dedication and discipline, two traits the Navy regards very highly, and thus I hold no objections towards assigning Mr. Baracus to the SNV Boadicea."
-Dr. Samia
Likes:
Dislikes:
Fears:
Goals:
Personal Strengths (3):
Personal Weaknesses (3):

EMPLOYMENT RECORD

Requested Roles (Pick 3): Executive Officer, Captain, whatever.
Prior Service Record:
(2337-41) - Cadet; Federal Navy Academy
(2341-46) - Ensign; Assigned to SNV Odysseus.
(2346-47) - Lieutenant; Assigned to SNV Requiem. Declared MIA following the disappearance of the SNV Requiem in uncharted space.
(2347) - Recovery of the SNV Requiem. Survivors were diagnosed with severe mental trauma and placed on leave pending their recovery.
(2349-51) - Lieutenant; Re-instated after succesfully passing psych evaluation. Assigned to SNV Intrepid.
(2352-58) - Lieutenant-Commander; Assigned to SNSS Arrol. Awarded Navy Cross and Purple Heart for following insurgent attack.
(2358-62) - Commander; Assigned to SNSS Arrol.
(2363-2368) Commander; Assigned to SNV Odysseus.
2368 - Commander; Assigned to SNV Boadicea
History:
There's little noteworthy about William's youth, and frankly I see no point in talking about it since he'll never bring it up either. He joined the academy in Annapolis and went through the system as expected of him, though he displayed some reckless behaviour. His dream had always been to explore the frontiers of space, and his lecturers had honestly performed an outstanding job of molding this young man into something the Navy could use.

After graduation, William was assigned to the SNV Odysseus. The Odysseus was an upgraded Aegis Class Destroyer, old - but tried and tested. Most of its original systems had been replaced for newer ones, often experimental. More than once, the Odysseus was chosen to test out new technologies and boldly go where no ship had gone before. By the time William stepped foot on it, it was a relic of the past. The Odysseus and its crew carried out logistics operations most of the time, though they were occasionally deployed as a search-and-rescue ship. In terms of armaments it had little to speak of, so it was only really suitable as a support ship. William hated this experience immensely at the time, but later would come to remember it fondly. His time on the Odysseus was a simpler one, and in hindsight he should have treasured it more than seek out to push the boundaries of human space exploration.

The SNV Requiem gave him just what he sought after. With a ton of experimental tech up the wazoo, it was designed for long-term deployment in uncharted territories of space. Its commanding officer, Markus Salvador, was renowned and honored for his exemplory conduct and heroics in the line of duty. The entire ship and its operations were shrouded in mystery and kilometers of red tape, which only made William more resolved to get a spot on the vessel. After a few recommendations, he got just what he wanted. The Requiem departed, a gleeful William on board...and never returned.

To this day, William never speaks of what happened, but remains fiercely argumentatative whenever someone dares speak ill of it or its crew. Whatever happened, it scarred him for life. William was placed on indefinite leave to recover and seek treatment. He managed to return to active duty, but never completely healed from the experience.

Opting to place him somewhere relatively safe, his superiors assigned him to the SNSS Arrol, a station in the Alpha Centauri system that acted as a first point of arrival from the Sol system. It saw little action, just a lot of traffic. Being stationed here did William a lot of good - he grew more compassionate and less reckless, good qualities for a leader.

The attack on Arrol Station that occured the 25th of February, 2349, was an entirely unprovoked attemp by Cerian terrorists to deal a blow to the Federation's logistics network. The crew of the Arrol was entirely unprepared, leading to an immense loss of life. Among other servicemen, William distinguished himself during this crisis. Looking back to that day, William often speaks of the lasting impression it had on him. The responsibility that weighed on his shoulders felt almost inbearable, but he discovered then that he was stronger than he gave himself credit for - that his past hadn't broken his spirit.

After serving on the Arrol for more than half a decade, William's superiors recognised his capabilities as assigned him to the Odysseus once more - this time as Commander. The old vessel had changed much, just like William. The Odysseus performed its regular missions and welcomed aboard several crewmembers fresh out of the academy. It was a staple among the Federation Navy, as it always had been, an old but reliable relic of the past that demonstrated the tenacity of the Federation. William served on the Odysseus with pride, until word of the SNV Boadicea caught his ear.

William almost immediately requested to be transferred to the Boadicea, never to explain why.

by **Cylarn** » Wed Jun 13, 2018 6:56 am

EST, you're the Cap!

Sorry for the delay, folks. Work's a bitch, coaching is a bitch, being busy is a bitch, not having my laptop is a bitch.

However, I have to get this up.

by **Ardenfel** » Wed Jun 13, 2018 8:21 am

Tag. Is there any possibility for a military penal conscript type of character

by **Cylarn** » Wed Jun 13, 2018 9:37 am

Ardenfel wrote:Tag. Is there any possibility for a military penal conscript type of character

Negativo.

by **Esternial** » Wed Jun 13, 2018 3:11 pm

Cylarn wrote:EST, you're the Cap!

Sorry for the delay, folks. Work's a bitch, coaching is a bitch, being busy is a bitch, not having my laptop is a bitch.

However, I have to get this up.

No complaints here, I've got a hectic work week coming up as well.

by **Trosil** » Thu Jun 14, 2018 10:54 pm

SOL FEDERAL NAVY
NR-134 - COURSER FILE

All information herein is open to SCL - GAMMA only. Unauthorized viewers will be prosecuted by the Navy Judiciary.

BASIC INFORMATION

Name: Jason Arkyle
Age: 32
Gender: Male
Citizenship: Sol Federation, United States of America
Affiliation (SolFed or Civilian Contractor): Sol Federation

PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILE

Personality:

Psychological records on Mr. Jason Arkyle are highly classified. Federal records do not offer a comprehensive description of his psycho-analysis, but offer reports by his comrades on Mars as well as assurances by the Federal government he is mentally competent.

On Mars, he was noted as a quiet, analytical person. He rarely made small talk and suffered for it from his compatriots. Despite this, he was respected by the Protection Team and especially his superior officers. He is reported as hard-working, dutiful, and respectful, if somewhat odd and eccentric. He came to blows easily during his early military career when he was disrespected, as evidence by numerous citations against him from Basic, but this was evidently ironed out of him later in life.

Likes: Books, exercise, firing guns, wrestling.
Dislikes: Small talk, inquisitive persons, spoiled brats.
Fears: Failure, death, disappointment.
Goals: To serve as SOLINT's representative on the ship.
Personal Strengths (3):
Analytical - A credit to SOLINT, Jason possesses a naturally analytical, investigative mind. He rooted out constant traitors, rebels, insurrectionists, and revolutionaries across Mars, and was responsible for much of their imprisonment and executions. Mr. Arkyle is naturally suited to the investigation of others and their psychological profiles. As part of SOLINT, he received classified psychological and psychiatric training.
Sixth Sense - Even at its worst, Mars was not a violent place. If one kept their head down and stuck with themselves there would rarely be a problem. However, JAson couldn't afford that. He had o venture into the most dangerous, crime-ridden slums. He death with scum of all kinds - drug dealers, extortionists, human traffickers, and hired hit men just to name a few. On the flipside he was responsible for investigating even those at the higher level of society. Both governors and criminals alike had to fear people like him. With so many enemies, Jason has developed a "sixth sense" to know when something is wrong or about to go badly.
Deceptive - Mr. Arkyle is easily able to trick, deceptive, or fool other people. That is, after all, his entire career. Word games and mind tricks are his forte. Interrogations are particularly devastating, and many criminal in Martian prisons have lost their minds to his games.

Personal Weaknesses (3):
Deviant - Almost everyone who meets Jason notices something - he's a little bit off. Was is not known even to Jason's superiors is to the degree to which his traumatized childhood affects him. Endless fantasies and cruel imaginations plague Jason's mind like locusts feasting on his brain. He has held off his encroaching insanity for now, but can he forever? Even Jason doesn't know.
Antisocial - Although he knows how people can think under stress, Jason surprisingly fails under less miserable conditions. Seemingly small but important bonding experiences like the mess hall will counfound Jason's ability to socialize with uprising effectiveness. He has never ruined his career through this, but people can end up distrusting him due to small acts of social incompetence and obliviousness.
Authoritative - Mr. Arkyle is tall, deep-voiced, and well-built man. His grim voice naturally carries with it an intimidating sense of authority. At the same time, this has been conditioned to push the limits of actual, real authority far too much. Especially on the SNV Boudecia, he is not the ranking officer on any department. While he has authority on SOLINT, his desire to push that so far form Federal space may not end well...

EMPLOYMENT RECORD

Requested Roles (Pick 3): Bridge Staff, Lurcher Supporting Rank, Supervisory Security Officer
Prior Service Record:

2354: Private (E-1), Federal Marine Basic Camp
2355: Lance Corporal (E-3), graduated from basic at E-2 level for leadership ability
2356: Corporal (E-4), assigned to Mars Federal Protection Team #14
2357: Sergeant (E-5), promoted to E-5 and given command of Mars Federal Protection Team #14 Squad Alpha
2360: Staff Sergeant (E-6), promoted to chief NCO of Mars Federal Protection Team #14
2364: Honorably discharged from Federal Marine Corpse, hired by SOLINT as "special agent"
2364-2367: Served as special agent on Mars Colony under **REDACTED** during Operation **REDACTED**
2368: Assigned to SNV Boedicea by SOLINT
History (At least five paragraphs):

Records report Jason began his life in the slums of the Greater Los Angelas Metropolitan Area. His father was a bouncer "Peter O'Toole's Pub", and his mother work brief stints in retail. Neither of these jobs provided more than poverty wages, especially for a family of 4. Growing as a poor, isolated child in the dilapidated slums of the GLAM does not provide a good environment for education - so Jason lived most of his life on the streets. Every now and again he'd learn something useful, like how to shoot a gun, or how to slice into a railcar. More often, he just got his teeth knocked in. He barely passed secondary education and immediately enlisted in the Sol Fed Navy in order to escape GLAM - leaving his parents and siblings behind.

Lacking any technical skills worth noting, Jason found his only option in the FedNavy was in the Marine Corps. It was here where he excelled - setting Corps records in physical performance, shooting ability, and squad leadership. Following a boring year of service on board the Cruiser SNV Triumphant, his true test came during the Martian Riots. It was there he would begin to develop his reputation.

As Martians across the planet began to take up arms in favor of secession, the SNV Judgement was tasked with its pacification. Each Sol nations had agreed upon the need to eradicate the Martian resistance movements, and Jason was assigned to one of the "Pacification Teams". Within a month of his reassignment, Jason was thrown down to the red soil.

The Martian revolutionaries fell within two weeks. They had only been poorly armed civilians with stupid ideas of revolt. Nonetheless, they had managed to bomb many railways, government buildings, and factories. Robot manufacturing plants were hacked and sabotaged. Graffiti littered the streets. There was no gunfire, but the sound of conflict was deafening.

Jason and his "Pacification Team" were tasked with preventing another one of these problems. The colonial governor, at the bequest of SolFed's leadership, gave the pacification teams official policing powers. For over 7 years, Jason rose through the ranks of the Martian internal security - his official arrest record is over 540, but the news has raised reports of disappearances across Mars that might be attributive his team. The threat of Martian revolt had long been quashed. Yet, the Federation continued to take a heavy hand in the internal affairs of the country. Media was carefully and quietly censored. Government employees were screened for loyalty. The Martian elite happily ceded power to Federal authorities in return for prosecutor immunity. This slow takeover of soft power on MArs gave birth to a new department of intelligence - SOLINT.

SOLINT recruited Jason as a "Security Agent", and officially dismissed him from both the Federal Navy and the SNV Judgement, which was no longer even orbit. SOLINT's new counter-terrorism initiatives gave Jason as an agent broad powers. People on Mars continued to disappear, and many high-profile prosecutions were the result of questionably acquired evidence. The Society for Martian Autonomy collapsed in on itself within the decade. Large regions of the countryside were still effectively under police control, while SOLINT spread its tendrils through the major cities and supplanted most civilian authority. Mars, now completely pacified and open to Federal Authority, had proven SOLINT's effectiveness. The Federation began assigning SOLINT agents to military ships and colonial centers across the stars. Jason had finally managed to find his place in the universe.

After his career at Mars, for reasons unknown to the crew (outside of "everyone does this now"), Jason was assigned to the SNV Boadecia as SOLINT's representative agent and officer.

by **Danceria** » Thu Jun 14, 2018 11:02 pm

Tag. Time to blast Nyarlhotep and his ilk into finely ground space dust through the use of superior firepower.

Plot twist, all the aliens were "mercy killed" to prevent them from being enslaved by/allying humanity.

The Dark Sea of the Cosmos (OOC; Open)

IC Opener - Where do we begin?

Who is online