"God will never hurt me."
- Name: Emilio Cortabel ("Milo")
- Age: 25
- Planet of Origin: Terra 4 "Federation Innovation Station"
- Sexuality: Male, sexually traumatized in captivity
- Social Class: Poor (beggar)
- Species: Homo sapien
- Occupation: Fledgling priest at cusp of recognition into full priesthood
- Talent: Foraging, stealth, obfuscation, healing
Milo's Tale
Milo was the older brother. He watched their father disappear behind bars and their mother cry herself to death like a widowed love bird. He raised his sister as best he could with stolen food and by doing odd jobs around the town. Milo's morality was shaped by his sister: anything that kept her safe and happy was good, and everything else could eat dirt.
Milo ran with a usual crew that included Molly, a girl too young to hold a knife; Drake, who was ambitious enough for three folks; Dylan, who was brilliant and intuitive enough that he eventually was sponsored for university; and Jonia, who had a surgeon's hands for locks and machines. He butt heads with Dylan in every job and saved their skin when their dreams blinded them of security and thugs. His place was that of the sneak thief. Milo worked well alone in the markets, lifting purses and creating scams, but he worked just as well in the group as an antithesis to every plan.
Then they raided the warehouse for a private contractor. Milo knew he shouldn't go in: too many windows and doors, too few clean escapes, and the alley outside was closed off with construction of the new rocket platform for the Federation. But, well, Molly was his sister's friend by now, and he had to take care of the fools. He hung back and watched the alley as the others raided the desk for plans, the gun cases, and endless gold.
Milo never knew how the Federation found out, but he could smell danger. He hid inside the staircase and held his breath. Through a mold mouse hole, he watched Molly panic and pulled her inside. She moved too much. As the drones rolled along, they heard Molly squirming in the woodwork and plucked Milo out.
He never went to the Federation Prison. Rather, he was relegated to the private prison legalized by a cash-strapped city. The Raiders tortured Milo in every way. He lived in shame and squalor for a year. A year of beatings and humiliation that drove him nearly mad.
A priest visited once a month to receive confession from the prisoners. Milo earned his friendship and escaped with him. He hid in the convent while private security searched. They didn't look far; a lost prisoner was not worth searching more than three days. When he was safe, Milo didn't leave. He continued to pray and seek safety in the church. He trained to follow his friend's footsteps.
A locked door. Free food. A dry bed. And an allowance for his sister. Milo was in paradise.
