Name: Holden "Castle" Cross
Gender: Male
Age: 37, chronologically older.
Appearance: Standing at a flat six-feet tall, Holden is a toned, fit man with bluish-grey eyes and a serious expression. His neat black hair, now graying with age even in spite of the miracles of modern science, give off the impression of a man who's seen a lot of things in his life. Holden trims his facial hair every now and then to ensure it doesn't grow out of control but doesn't care enough to shave it off completely. The man walks with a disciplined and orderly bearing, in spite of his battle-scarred legs. In particular, both of his lower legs have been replaced with bionic prosthetics better suited for piloting.
Personality: Dedicated, dutiful, and disciplined, Holden is a man who has spent most of his time in space, whether that's in a space station, onboard a ship, or inside the cockpit of a Heavy or an Orbital. While the man can kick back and appreciate some well-spent shore leave over at the local pub, he's only truly comfortable when he feels in control of a situation, and that just happens to be when he's sitting at the controls of said vehicles. Holden feels especially strange when he has to go planetside, and that typically becomes an endeavor in its own right. Still, he's a simple man of sound judgement who prefers it when things are clear-cut and straightforward, though he knows that most of the time, things will rarely be so easy.
Paradoxically, while not particularly prone to brooding, Holden finds some solace in the belief of a higher power and sets time aside to center himself and his beliefs when alone. His honesty is brutal; he doesn't see himself as a good man, and his self-loyalty trumps all of his actions. However, he is known to assist others out of his own inconvenience simply because "he wants to".
Backstory: Holden was voidborn, having been delivered in Kronos Megaport, which was held in high-orbit over Titan, the moon of Saturn. Kronos Megaport was one of the system's biggest suppliers of fuel and relied on harvesting and refining local gas from both Saturn and the surface of Titan itself. This process transformed these volatile gases into usable fuel for interstellar travel. The colony was even sustainable, using machinery to drill down into Titan's crust and pump out precious water for both human consumption and use in hydroponics.
Suffice it to say, Kronos Megaport was a burgeoning colony with plenty of potential to grow. Holden's father was a chaplain of the Catholic faith, while his mother was an engineer, working the pipes and extractors of the Megaport. They lived simply and did not want for many things in life. However, life did not remain peaceful for long, as while prosperity grows, so too does opportunity- legal or otherwise. The occasional trade convoy carrying imports or exports would disappear, their precious cargo forcibly repossessed by pirates. After all, on the frontier of the solar system, good security is hard to find past the Belt.
The lack of stability in the system prompted an increase in recruitment for members of the local militia and military force. In spite of his parent's protests, the man decided to join the latter, in an attempt to contribute something meaningful to the colony. It was with the local Saturn Defense Force that he gained his first true lessons in discipline and piloting. Holden was by-the-book and on the right side of the law, and he intended to keep it that way.
As time went on and security increased, external threats such as piracy had mostly been relegated to the dark side of the Saturn, if at all. However, internal threats began to increase as the discontent on trade tariffs began to pile up. Holden continued his work as a military officer, but as tensions came to a head, several extremist groups began to form, holding Saturn's government responsible for these issues. A year later, the Saturn Insurrections began. These terrorist groups quickly began to cripple the infrastructure of Kronos Megaport, likely in pursuit of their own agenda rather than any attempt at reform.
During one of these attempts at sabotage, Holden's parents were buried under several tons of steel; marked off as unfortunate casualties of one such bombing.
Driven by grief and rage, the man devoted himself wholly to bring these killers to justice. As it is the nature of these groups, it was mostly a waiting game to see when they would show themselves, before reacting to them accordingly. After a display of belligerent behavior from him, Holden was assigned to guard a remote munitions depot as punishment. The posting was boring and uneventful for the most part, but one day, the place came under a surprise attack from both pirates and terrorists, who had apparently joined forces to get their hands on the weapons and munitions within. If they had succeeded, it's likely they would have had enough armaments to become an even greater threat.
They did not count on the guards who were on duty that day.
Holden activated the aging Ajax that was in the storage bay and turned its weapons on the oncoming enemies. Having received ample training over the years as a pilot, he felt that this was what he was meant to do. He fought and fought, holding off the enemy advance while awaiting reinforcements. When his Orbital was crippled and left immobile, he turned it from a vehicle into a bunker, fighting on in spite of life-threatening injuries. This singular act of heroism bought the defenders enough time for reinforcements to arrive-- and is how Lance Corporal Holden Cross earned the moniker of "Castle".
Fast-forward several decades, and you'll find that the former war hero and military-man has become a shadow of his former self. Years of fighting pointless battles and fighting for a cause he once thought right had left him jaded. Holden "Castle" Cross had retired early at the military rank of Captain. Saturn was his home, but things weren't as one-dimensional as he had once thought. He missed the days where his cause was simple and clear, and the lines weren't as blurred.
One day, while living off of his pension, Holden received word that the Pandora was on a recruitment drive, searching for the best pilots in the system. His name was at the top of Saturn's recommendations. Although initially hesitant at first, the man found new resolve in such a noble endeavor. Saturn was his home, and it always will be, in spite of all its flaws.
...but perhaps with his help, he can make Proxima Centauri home for someone else.
Skills and Flaws:
- Combat Training: Holden is a trained soldier and has seen combat experience both on the ground and in an Orbital. He's a good shot with a rifle and pistol and can hold his own in close-quarters combat.
- Orbital Piloting Training: Holden is also an excellent pilot, but while he can pilot most Orbitals, he's best suited to piloting the Ajax. In addition, years of working with the Orbital's Integrated Targeting Unit has sharpened his mathematics skill, which he readily applies when making minute adjustments to the ballistics systems.
- Officer Training: Holden has spent several years in Saturn's Officer Training School and has years of experience as a captain. If necessary, he can be trusted to effectively lead a squad.
- Engineering Basics: While far from an expert, Holden has learned enough from his mother on how machines work. He can, at the very least, maintain his Orbital and other pieces of equipment. If pressed, he can do 'patch jobs' with the proper tools on hand, though this is a band-aid solution at best.
- Enduring: Holden's mental fortitude is outstanding, and he can tap into his willpower to temporarily ignore wounds or perform dangerous acts without fear.
- Substance Dependency: In the years following the death of his family, Holden began to abuse cigarettes and liquor- both luxury commodities this far into the solar system- in an attempt to cope. He's gotten over these addictions and now takes them responsibly, if at all, but at the cost of his physical and mental health. Particularly stressful or emotional episodes may trigger a relapse, however temporary.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Decades of military life have not been kind to Holden. To keep himself from breaking down completely, he has compartmentalized certain memories and past actions. On occasion, the man can be particularly cold, insensitive, and lacking in empathy.
- Deathwish: Some part of Holden, however small, believes that he can find redemption through death or sacrifice. Although not suicidal, the man would not hesitate to trade his life for the life of others, or for the sake of the mission- even if it would be wiser not to.
Equipment:
- Flight Suit
- Dress Uniform
- Colonial Arms 50. Revolver
- Combat Knife
- Toolkit (For maintaining prosthetics and firearms)
- Holy Bible (King James Version)
- Military Paraphernalia (Medals, insignia, and photos accumulated over years of service in the Saturn Defense Force)
Model Number: RGM-96X Ajax
Role: Heavy Ordnance / Medium-Long Range Fire Support Unit
Appearance: Standing at a sizable 23 meters, the Ajax is larger than most other Orbitals to make room for additional ammunition and ordnance bays. A relic of an older age, there was little attempt to streamline the armor plating- giving off a brutalist vibe. Deep navy blues and dark grays dominate the Orbital's color palette. It is a tool of war and doesn't pretend to be anything other; the Ajax cuts a no-nonsense, imposing figure.
Systems:
- Diomedes Integrated Targeting Unit: A conservative combat OS that tracks ballistics, optimizes ammo usage, and corrects for target velocity. This system makes micro-corrections to the pilot's aim while advising the pilot of the most effective position to maximize fields of fire. Links directly to the Orbital's weapons systems, and can connect to the sensors of other allies to extend the effective range of artillery weapons.
- Talaria Jump Jets: Although now outdated by contemporary military standards, these thrusters located on the backpack, forearms, and calves of the Orbital can be used in short bursts to allow for rapid vertical movement on the battlefield. It can also be useful in zero-G, acting as thrusters and afterburners to assist with maneuverability during space battles. Alternatively, the jump jets can be used offensively to put some devastating rocket-powered force into close-combat maneuvers.
- Adamantine Armor Plating: A second layer of alloyed ceramic armor plating layered on top of the first, intended to protect the Ajax from enemy fire. This second layer helps protect against kinetic and high-explosive damage but is less effective against energy weapons. In addition, the additional weight created by the armor is widely considered as cumbersome, which makes the relatively slow movement of the Ajax even slower. If necessary, the added armor can be purged instantly using explosive bolts to return to normal speed.
Weapons:
- Z-26 Akon LRM: A missile battery mounted on the backpack, over the left shoulder. The Akon is a large guided missile suited for long-range support by backline combat Orbitals. A combat-rated autoloader system ensures continued usefulness in protracted engagements. Despite being a technologically mature weapon system, the Akon-class missile is the obvious choice for long-range strikes by cautious pilots. The guidance system on this weapon makes it dangerous only versus larger or slower enemy crafts. Unfortunately, the slow speed of these missiles makes them vulnerable to any half-decent point defense system. In addition, quicker targets can outmaneuver the missiles in the air, which somewhat limits the Akon's otherwise considerable punch. Still, despite these weaknesses, Akon-class missiles are effective in large batteries, where the sheer number of missiles in flight at any given time can persistently distract and sometimes damage enemy Orbitals.
- T-15 Keraunos Hypervelocity Driver: A large cannon mounted on the backpack, over the right shoulder. The hypervelocity driver uses a 2-stage process to accelerate a uranium slug with a magnetized iron-cobalt core to a very high velocity. A chemical charge accelerates the slug first, then the magnetic coils take over, accelerating the slug further and stabilizing its flight. The slug is highly charged by the time it reaches the target, generating a significant amount of electromagnetic interference on the target it impacts. Only modestly effective against particularly well-armored targets, but the EMP field generated by successful hits can cripple enemy systems.
- D-42 Hephaestus Assault Gun: Occasionally referred to as "The Hag" due to its rugged appearance, the Hephaestus Assault Gun is a medium-range Orbital-class assault rifle designed to punch through heavy armor. It is a truly devastating weapon platform, named after an archaic god of volcanoes. A typical HAG system features two large barrels that take turns firing armor-destroying rounds at 240 RPM. An electro-magnetic ejector, powered feed system, and nanocoolants allow the weapon to fire for extended periods of time. The shaped charge shells have low muzzle velocity and great armor penetrating power, but can be swapped out for NATO standard rounds or other specialized ammunition if necessary.
- GT-150 Typhon Torpedo: A single unguided torpedo of devasting yield with a powerful onboard engine, fired from a disposable rocket launcher. The quintessential strike weapon, a single Typhon torpedo is a large self-propelled, armored, dumbfire delivery system for an enriched AM-catalyzed nuclear warhead. As the warhead is not equipped with a guidance device, it is extremely hard to use the Typhon torpedo to hit a moving target accurately. However, it is still a highly destructive portable weapon. Recent upgrades to the rocket launcher itself include a foregrip and added sight unit for improved accuracy. The science behind the surprisingly compact detonator is poorly understood by many, though widely speculated to be based on physics classified as secret by United Nations authority. What is known is that three or four of these slipping through PD arcs are enough to destroy even large capital ships.
- S-9 Kopis Beam Cutter: The standard close range armament for most Dodekatheon Orbitals, modified for use by the Ajax. The blade of the Kopis is shorter than most standard beam swords, but has greater cutting power to compensate, as it was intended to be used to cut open ship hulls rather than to duel another Orbital in melee. The beam cutter is a small device held in the Orbital's hands when operated and is powered by a rechargeable energy capacitor. It emits a blade of plasma contained by an I-Field and can cut through most armor not treated with an anti-beam coating. Due to the mounting of a shield on the left arm as part of the added armor, the Ajax's beam cutter is stored on a waist-mounted sheath.
- F-4 Ancile Buckler: A basic defense armament for many Dodekatheon Orbitals. This shield is a thick sheet of armor designed to take severe punishment that would normally destroy an Orbital and is also treated with an anti-beam coating to withstand several beam shots before the coating wears off. Typically, physical shields can only take so much damage before they succumb to the pressure and break. This particular shield is smaller than most Ancile models after considering weight balance, and can also be purged similarly to the Adamantine Armor Plating, if necessary. Ajax is equipped with a shield fixed to the left arm as part of its armor, replacing the beam sword rack of most Orbitals.
Manufacturing History: One of the first few commissions from Dodekatheon Industries, the Ajax was derived from a much older Heavy model that was intended to fulfill the purpose of a resilient fire-support unit, whether that's on the ground or in the hard vacuum of space. The Ajax filled a support role that, at the time, was necessary for battles that required a decisive strike. It was not the fastest, nor the most efficient, but was certainly effective at what it did, and has garnered much respect in its field for its accomplishments.
The Ajax is part of the old guard, but has recently received a number of retrofittings and refurbishments from Dodekatheon Industries, and is now ready to take its place among the new. Whether it's defending the last fortress of the world or besieging the mighty Walls of Troy, you don't have to look far for an Orbital that did what was necessary. With enough firepower to break open even the toughest of bunkers, or the greatest of capital ships, you'll want Ajax by your side.
Weaknesses: The Ajax is from an older time when maneuverability was less of a factor in the face of overwhelming firepower, and it shows. Many of the Ajax's armaments are ill-suited to taking down highly-maneuverable targets and are instead better suited to destroying large, slower targets, or entrenched enemy positions. In addition, due to the size and weight of the Orbital in question, the Ajax's own speed and maneuverability leave much to be desired. The Orbital must rely on its heavy armor to shrug off damage from enemy attacks. It has a few tricks up its sleeve to surprise enemies who want to exploit its slow speed, but once revealed, there isn't much the Ajax can do to actually stop it- making close-quarters engagements against quicker opponents a dangerous prospect for anyone piloting the Ajax.
Due to its reliance on heavy ordnance, the Ajax is naturally quite ammo-hungry, and once its missile bays are depleted, it will be forced to rely on the Keraunos Hypervelocity Driver and Hephaestus Assault Gun- or worse, the Kopis Beam Cutter. Additionally, in spite of its focus on long-range engagements, the Ajax lacks any form of long-range surveillance equipment-- it will need external support from spotters, satellites, or other Orbitals to truly make the best of its weapon systems.
