Supermaxx

No Turning Back - Surving the Abyss

CDR ELIJAH ROSS PERSONNEL FILE

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GENESIS PROJECT PERSONNEL DATABASE

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MILITARY PERSONNEL RECORD ARCHIVE, LISTED UNDER PUBLIC INFORMATION BY ORDER OF THE UNITED EARTH COUNCIL

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NAME: ROSS, ELIJAH SEX: MALE D.O.B (DATE OF BIRTH): 10/10/2176 ETHNICITY: MIXED, CAUCASIAN-LATIN

P.O.B (PLACE OF BIRTH): ARCADIA, MARS P.O.R (PLACE OF RESIDENCE): ULROP STATION, EARTH ORBIT

MOTHER: ROSS, MELINDA (deceased) FATHER: ROSS, DANIEL (deceased) SIBLINGS: ROSS, LAUREL (age 38, botanist)

ENLISTMENT: ARCADIA CONSCRIPTION OFFICE (age 17) RANK: COMMANDER DEPLOYMENT: VITAE

LICENSES: FOR PILOTING WARSHIP AND GUNSHIP CLASS VEHICLES

PICTURE ATTACHED

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LETTER OF COMMENDATION

MARTIAN UNITY NAVAL OFFICE
ARCADIA NAVAL STATION, MARS
9 September, 2203

DOCTOR CHEKHOV
GENESIS PROJECT
UNITED EARTH COUNCIL

Subj: LCDR ELIJAH ROSS

This is a formal letter of recommendation for the inclusion of Lieutenant Commander Elijah Ross in the Genesis Project. His skill at the helm of any ship cannot be overstated. He is an experienced commander of men that has proven himself to be unwavering in his bravery, even in the face of impossible odds. Those who have served with the man can attest to his effectiveness as a leader and strength of character. He has shown the ability to instill loyalty and discipline in his crew through a strong, commanding presence intermixed with compassion and understanding.

The Lieutenant Commander served humanity faithfully during both the Battle of Ceres and the Battle of Mars. At Ceres, the Lieutenant Commander elected to remain behind with with the Fleeters longer than the rest of the Unity relief fleet. His cruiser was the last to evacuate with the escaping personnel transports, managing to escape the Devastators by the skin of their teeth. Ross's risk was calculated, however- he knew that his ship could survive because he trusted in his own skill at the helm.

In the Battle of Mars, Elijah Ross and his crew held the line alongside the rest of the Martian fleet. He positioned himself aggressively to defend the orbital defense satellites from encroaching alien vessels for as long as his ship was able. Many crucial shots were fired off by the satellites because of Ross's bravery and intelligent maneuvering. Most impressive, however, was the fact that Ross did not sacrifice himself, his ship or any of his crewmen during this operation- Ross pulled back just in time to allow himself to continue to stay in the fight.

It is due to these many shining qualities that the office of Rear Admiral Holder formally requests that the Lieutenant Commander is brought on to work with your project. We need men like him if we want to survive this.

Sincerely,
Vice Admiral Jessica Holder
Captain of the Valiant
Office of Naval Command

On the Commander's health

With all due respect Doctor Chekhov, I don't know what the hell you're thinking by bringing this guy in, but it's a mistake. I mean, you've seen the file, haven't you? I know he's supposed to be some kind of Martian war hero and all, but...for Christ's sake. Just look at this.

His lungs are practically falling apart! He has to lug around a respirator unit everywhere he goes because he can barely breathe on his own. Maybe that would be fine on it's own, but that leg of his is barely functioning as it is and he refuses to get it amputated for a prosthetic. We don't have a lot of room on these ships. Is there really nobody else out there who can take this guy's place? Yeah, I get it. Martian Command has a huge boner for the guy. And his service was admirable. But can we really afford to be spending valuable medicine and tech just to keep him from keeling over on us?

Sincerely,
Doctor Marcus

RE: On the Commander's health

I understand your concerns, Marcus, and I share quite a few of them as well. But my hands are tied. We received an official letter of recommendation from the Martian Unity government. Do you know how much trouble I'd get into if I told them no? This E-Mail simply existing might be enough to get the two of us fired. No, he's going on-board the Vitae. The arrangements have already been made and I'm supposed to contact him in the morning.

Just make sure we have those prototypes on hand when he gets here in a week, alright? He's going to need that leg brace and the respirator pack if he wants to survive out in space.

And for God's sake, Marcus, show a little decorum. The guy almost died fighting the Devastators for guys like us.

Sincerely,
Doctor Chekhov

LETTER OF REQUISITION

REQUISITION OFFICE
THE VITAE

TO: CDR ELIJAH ROSS

Greetings Commander,

We have successfully transported the requested items you wanted from your home on Ulrop Station. Below is a list of the requisitioned items. If anything is missing or if some kind of mistake has been made, please inform us so that it may he rectified shortly.

Here are the items we acquired:
One 125 gal. terrestrial aquarium
Several fish of varying species
Two six ft. bookshelves
Several hardback books
Three environment screens
One virtual reality headset
One personal computer
Several decorative Chinese box lamps
One indoor flowerbed
Several artificial sun lamps
One archaic watering can

If you have any questions, please forward them to this account. Thank you for your service.

Cordially,
REQUISITION OFFICE
THE VITAE

Transcript of Unaired MPTV News Interview

Mars Planetary Television News logo flashes across the screen as the program begins. Commander Ross is shown sitting in his study on the right, while the interviewer, Dana Kelly, sits at her desk in the studio to the left. Ross is in full dress uniform.

Kelly smiles at the camera.

KELLY: Welcome back, everyone. I'd like to introduce you all to MPTV News's latest guest, Commander Elijah Ross of the Mars Unity Navy! How're you doing today, Commander?

ROSS: Please, Miss Kelly, call me Elijah. I'm doing great today, thanks for asking.

KELLY: Elijah it is, then! For our audience at home- why don't you tell us a little about yourself, Elijah?

ROSS: Of course. Well, as has been said already, my name is Elijah Ross and I am a Commander in the Unity Navy. I was born and raised in Arcadia. My father was an ice miner and my mother was a botanist in our local hydroponics garden. Since my father was away on expeditions most of the time, I spent my days learning to cultivate plants in mineral solutions. I'm sure we all know what that's like.

Ross and Kelly share a laugh.

KELLY: And when did you decide you wanted to make a career in the Navy, Elijah?

ROSS: Oh, my. I think I was about nineteen or so at the time when it really hit me. Met the desk sergeant that changed my life forever when he really helped...put my life into perspective. The sergeant couldn't go off world anymore, ya see. He lost his legs in combat so they put him behind a desk. I saw that and decided right then and there that I didn't want to waste my life staying in one place.

KELLY: W-what do you mean?

Kelly appears to be nervous.

ROSS: Y'know, most people'll tell ya they went military because they wanted to serve their planet, or help people. Most of the time that's just hogwash.

Ross chuckles. Kelly looks confused

KELLY: I'm...sorry, sir, hogwash?

ROSS: Ahh, my apologies. It means nonsense. Real old school slang from back when the United States was still around. What I mean is, a lot of the time, kids like me picked that job because we just wanted to get away. You spend your whole life in one place for so long that you start to get anxious to move. TO go somewhere. Cheapest way to travel is the Navy. Nineteen year old me would laugh at ya or call you crazy if you told him where he'd end up as an old man.

KELLY: Hell of a time to stick with it just to travel, don't you think? With war on the horizon and all that?

ROSS: Ahh, yeah. Truth be told I wasn't paying too much attention to the news in those days. I heard about the Cold War sometimes, but the reality of it didn't really hit me until we started doing the orbital bombardment drills at the academy. It was scary, I won't lie to ya.

KELLY: But that didn't stop you, did it?

ROSS: Almost did. But...well. I was about as stubborn then as I am now. Wasn't going to let some interplanetary war stop me from seeing the stars.

KELLY: And...where were you when the Devastators first attacked?

ROSS: The mess hall in the super carrier I was station on at the time, the Relentless. It was lunchtime. They were serving meat and potatoes again. The klaxons went off, red lights started flashing. The droning voice over the intercom told us that the Citadel had come under attack by unknown forces. Everyone I knew that it was pirates. The return of the Scourge, they called it. I wish.

KELLY: Wow. And you were part of the first task force the Unity sent to Ceres, correct?

ROSS: I was. I was commanding a Destroyer at the time, the Benevolence. At the time we still didn't know they were aliens, just an unidentified fleet that had torn it's way across the system and was making for Ceres. Fleeters had asked everyone for help. Only Mars answered. I didn't understand what we were facing until I saw their ships with my own two eyes. They were...inhuman. Never seen anything like it.

KELLY: What was it like fighting them?

Ross is silent for several seconds, his expression shifting into a hardened grimace.

ROSS: Hell.

--The rest of the broadcast has been deleted due to containing potentially damaging information. Anyone in possession of the rest of this transcript is to present it and themselves to UEC authorities at once for questioning.--

Character Relations

Rear Admiral William Locke: Ross initially met the Rear Admiral a few years after he became an enlisted officer. Locke never remembered it, but he had a supremely profound affect on the young Elijah. His character and convictions made Ross seriously reconsider how he looked at his own duties as an officer, and helped better him as both a soldier and a man. The two met once more when Ross had been promoted to his own command aboard the Benevolence. He served underneath Locke prior to and during the Three Days War, their warships having fought side by side during the Battle of Mars. Though they briefly parted ways after the smoke had cleared, the two recently promoted officers met once more as they were both assigned to the Vitae. Ross considers Locke an important figure in shaping his life, and considers him a valued friend.

Captain Matthew Lopez: Ross and Lopez were introduced when the two were assigned to the same fleet. The Benevolence acted as an escort to Matthew's ship during several operations, keeping watch over the SpecOps soldier and his team. They continued their working relationship throughout the cold war, up until the Devastators attacked. Lopez's fighter protected the Benevolence while it stood guard over the orbital defense platforms, and the two fought in tandem in the final, combined push that threw the invaders from Mars's orbit. They were reunited aboard the Vitae, where they now work tirelessly to keep the Military Garrison at the ready.

Dr. Melanie Denise Larson: TBD

Dr. Naomi Wolfe: TBD

Michael 'Smith': TBD

Chief Engineer Keith Sullivan: Commander Ross and Sullivan have worked together numerous times over the last five years aboard the Vitae. The two have had a few squabbles when it came to the maintenance of the Nyx, though in the end Ross tends to bend. Keith knows his way around technology better than Elijah ever will, and he has seceded that point on several occasions. As far as Ross has seen, Sullivan might be rough around the edges, but he's a good man, with a good heart.

Chief Investigator Raymond Conley: TBD

CoS Gavon TreVayne: TBD

Walter Hyde: TBD

Audrey Knight: Potentially know each other through medical wing visits. TBD further

Rois Holt: TBD

Marlene Lyons: Potentially piloting in the Nyx's escort. TBD further

Hal McCormick: TBD

Dr. Ludwig Dobrov XII: TBD

Maeve Katz: TBD

Battletech: Anabasis

The thunderous footfalls of the Wolfhound's iron boots reverberated within the cockpit. Each stomp shook the interior, jostling it's pilot in his seat as he held fast to the controls. "Damned shock absorbers are acting up again." Han Bjornson grumbled to himself, his guttural accent betraying the frustrations he felt.

When the opportunity to work with experimental mechs, Lostech and cutting edge technology presented itself back at the Nagelring, Han had jumped on it. It sounded like a great way to familiarize himself with the weapons of the future while potentially building his standing within the military. On paper, it sounded like a good idea.

Then he climbed into the cockpit of a Wolfhound with faulty shock absorbers.

Bjornson dropped a hand from the accelerator. "Come on, girl. Don't give me this." He growled, slamming a fist down on the console. The sub-systems screen flickered, and the cockpit's shaking ceased as the shock absorbers stabilized. It was only a temporary fix. If history was anything to go by they'd fail the moment it was least convenient. "Better than nothing." Han sighed, moving his gloved fist back to grasp the accelerator.

Captain Hart's voice filtered through the neurohelmet that sat on Bjornson's shoulders. Static intermingled with the Davion's orders, making it difficult to understand. Thankfully his orders were simple, and didn't require precise wording. Bjornson was to proceed forward, heading in the direction of grid 5B5D along with the other ground pounders. Han pressed down on the radio transmitter button, letting his own voice filter through the mech's comm system. "Understood, sir. I'm taking point."

Han eased forward on the accelerator, so as to give the shock absorbers adequate time to adjust to the increase in footfalls. He sped the mech up, pushing it until the Wolfhound hit it's full stride. He adored the speed that the light mech was capable of. The sheer momentum of it gave Han a sense of power as he sat at it's controls, guiding that massive hull of steel across the dusty desert floor.

Out of all the mechs, Han's Wolfhound had the fastest foot speed. Clocking in at over ninety seven kilometers an hour, the WLF-1 was the easy choice for a lead unit. It was fitting that Bjornson had been assigned to it, then, considering the fact that he was far and away the most disciplined of the cadets. Han had never flinched away from danger, and he had never disobeyed an order- unlike some of the other less obedient delinquents he was working with.

His gaze flickered over to the series of displays tied to the Beagle Active Probe that had been fitted within his left arm. Han's attention lingered on the static-ridden image of the lance's Griffin. It's pilot was the first to come to mind when the word delinquent flashed across his mind. The second was at the helm of the Wolverine displayed just to the right of the Griffin.

Cadets Rall and Von Wulfhart were as reckless as they came. Han silently prayed they'd keep themselves in check until the exercises were over so that he could practice in peace without incident. For some reason, the Rasalhague halfbreed got the feeling that wouldn't be the case.

Han was supposed to be practicing his in-combat maneuvering today. His piloting skills were sharp, but Bjornson still had trouble aiming while still maintaining a good speed. Instead of practicing vital Mechwarrior skills, however, Han and his lance were tasked with playing security escort for an engineer detachment looking to fix a regional sensor net. It was a frustratingly mundane and unnecessary duty. Who was going to attack those engineers all the way out here? The only potential threat were pirates, but no raider with half a brain would go up against a world so heavily garrisoned. Han just felt like he could be doing so much more with his time in a mech like this one.

Sighing, Bjornson shook it off. He wasn't going to openly complain about an assignment; that was unbecoming of someone of his position. A soldier obeyed his orders without question, and a nobleman did not whine. He focused his attention on the task at hand, boring as it may be. He kept the Wolfhound moving at full speed, letting himself get ahead of the rest of the unit a ways. His sensors weren't picking up anything out of the ordinary- not that he was expecting them to all the way out here. The worst the Probe could potentially find was a dust storm sweeping in, but even that would just be an inconvenience for them. There was no real practice to be had here outside of moving in standard formation. All he could see were rock formations and red dust for miles.

His impatience got the better of him. Han reached over and switched on the transmitter again. "Captain, if I may, how far are we from the sensor network?" Bjornson asked, wondering more about how long they would actually be out here than how the task itself was coming along. He really should've considered keeping something to do in his cockpit for missions like this. Maybe a book, or something to fiddle with...

Superboy's Shitty Characters

The thunderous footfalls of the Wolfhound's iron boots reverberated within the cockpit. Each stomp shook the interior, jostling it's pilot in his seat as he held fast to the controls. "Damned shock absorbers are acting up again." Han Bjornson grumbled to himself, his guttural accent betraying the frustrations he felt.

When the opportunity to work with experimental mechs, Lostech and cutting edge technology presented itself back at the Nagelring, Han had jumped on it. It sounded like a great way to familiarize himself with the weapons of the future while potentially building his standing within the military. On paper, it sounded like a good idea.

Then he climbed into the cockpit of a Wolfhound with faulty shock absorbers.

Bjornson dropped a hand from the accelerator. "Come on, girl. Don't give me this." He growled, slamming a fist down on the console. The sub-systems screen flickered, and the cockpit's shaking ceased as the shock absorbers stabilized. It was only a temporary fix. If history was anything to go by they'd fail the moment it was least convenient. "Better than nothing." Han sighed, moving his gloved fist back to grasp the accelerator.

Captain Hart's voice filtered through the neurohelmet that sat on Bjornson's shoulders. Static intermingled with the Davion's orders, making it difficult to understand. Thankfully his orders were simple, and didn't require precise wording. Bjornson was to proceed forward, heading in the direction of grid 5B5D along with the other ground pounders. Han pressed down on the radio transmitter button, letting his own voice filter through the mech's comm system. "Understood, sir. I'm taking point."

Han eased forward on the accelerator, so as to give the shock absorbers adequate time to adjust to the increase in footfalls. He sped the mech up, pushing it until the Wolfhound hit it's full stride. He adored the speed that the light mech was capable of. The sheer momentum of it gave Han a sense of power as he sat at it's controls, guiding that massive hull of steel across the dusty desert floor.

Out of all the mechs, Han's Wolfhound had the fastest foot speed. Clocking in at over ninety seven kilometers an hour, the WLF-1 was the easy choice for a lead unit. It was fitting that Bjornson had been assigned to it, then, considering the fact that he was far and away the most disciplined of the cadets. Han had never flinched away from danger, and he had never disobeyed an order- unlike some of the other less obedient delinquents he was working with.

His gaze flickered over to the series of displays tied to the Beagle Active Probe that had been fitted within his left arm. Han's attention lingered on the static-ridden image of the lance's Griffin. It's pilot was the first to come to mind when the word delinquent flashed across his mind. The second was at the helm of the Wolverine displayed just to the right of the Griffin.

Cadets Rall and Von Wulfhart were as reckless as they came. Han silently prayed they'd keep themselves in check until the exercises were over so that he could practice in peace without incident. For some reason, the Rasalhague halfbreed got the feeling that wouldn't be the case.

Han was supposed to be practicing his in-combat maneuvering today. His piloting skills were sharp, but Bjornson still had trouble aiming while still maintaining a good speed. Instead of practicing vital Mechwarrior skills, however, Han and his lance were tasked with playing security escort for an engineer detachment looking to fix a regional sensor net. It was a frustratingly mundane and unnecessary duty. Who was going to attack those engineers all the way out here? The only potential threat were pirates, but no raider with half a brain would go up against a world so heavily garrisoned. Han just felt like he could be doing so much more with his time in a mech like this one.

Sighing, Bjornson shook it off. He wasn't going to openly complain about an assignment; that was unbecoming of someone of his position. A soldier obeyed his orders without question, and a nobleman did not whine. He focused his attention on the task at hand, boring as it may be. He kept the Wolfhound moving at full speed, letting himself get ahead of the rest of the unit a ways. His sensors weren't picking up anything out of the ordinary- not that he was expecting them to all the way out here. The worst the Probe could potentially find was a dust storm sweeping in, but even that would just be an inconvenience for them. There was no real practice to be had here outside of moving in standard formation. All he could see were rock formations and red dust for miles.

His impatience got the better of him. Han reached over and switched on the transmitter again. "Captain, if I may, how far are we from the sensor network?" Bjornson asked, wondering more about how long they would actually be out here than how the task itself was coming along. He really should've considered keeping something to do in his cockpit for missions like this. Maybe a book, or something to fiddle with...

No Turning Back - Surving the Abyss

CDR ELIJAH ROSS PERSONNEL FILE

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GENESIS PROJECT PERSONNEL DATABASE

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MILITARY PERSONNEL RECORD ARCHIVE, LISTED UNDER PUBLIC INFORMATION BY ORDER OF THE UNITED EARTH COUNCIL

ACCESSING...
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NAME: ROSS, ELIJAH SEX: MALE D.O.B (DATE OF BIRTH): 10/10/2176 ETHNICITY: MIXED, CAUCASIAN-LATIN

P.O.B (PLACE OF BIRTH): ARCADIA, MARS P.O.R (PLACE OF RESIDENCE): ULROP STATION, EARTH ORBIT

MOTHER: ROSS, MELINDA (deceased) FATHER: ROSS, DANIEL (deceased) SIBLINGS: ROSS, LAUREL (age 38, botanist)

ENLISTMENT: ARCADIA CONSCRIPTION OFFICE (age 17) RANK: COMMANDER DEPLOYMENT: VITAE

LICENSES: FOR PILOTING WARSHIP AND GUNSHIP CLASS VEHICLES

PICTURE ATTACHED

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WARNING - THE DATA YOU ARE TRYING TO ACCESS IS RESTRICTED. ONLY THOSE WITH A VALID PASSCODE MAY ACCESS THIS PART OF THE FILE. PLEASE ENTER YOUR PASSCODE NOW.

INPUT PASSCODE:
***********

PASSCODE ACCEPTED

ACCESSING...
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.

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LETTER OF COMMENDATION

MARTIAN UNITY NAVAL OFFICE
ARCADIA NAVAL STATION, MARS
9 September, 2203

DOCTOR CHEKHOV
GENESIS PROJECT
UNITED EARTH COUNCIL

Subj: LCDR ELIJAH ROSS

This is a formal letter of recommendation for the inclusion of Lieutenant Commander Elijah Ross in the Genesis Project. His skill at the helm of any ship cannot be overstated. He is an experienced commander of men that has proven himself to be unwavering in his bravery, even in the face of impossible odds. Those who have served with the man can attest to his effectiveness as a leader and strength of character. He has shown the ability to instill loyalty and discipline in his crew through a strong, commanding presence intermixed with compassion and understanding.

The Lieutenant Commander served humanity faithfully during both the Battle of Ceres and the Battle of Mars. At Ceres, the Lieutenant Commander elected to remain behind with with the Fleeters longer than the rest of the Unity relief fleet. His cruiser was the last to evacuate with the escaping personnel transports, managing to escape the Devastators by the skin of their teeth. Ross's risk was calculated, however- he knew that his ship could survive because he trusted in his own skill at the helm.

In the Battle of Mars, Elijah Ross and his crew held the line alongside the rest of the Martian fleet. He positioned himself aggressively to defend the orbital defense satellites from encroaching alien vessels for as long as his ship was able. Many crucial shots were fired off by the satellites because of Ross's bravery and intelligent maneuvering. Most impressive, however, was the fact that Ross did not sacrifice himself, his ship or any of his crewmen during this operation- Ross pulled back just in time to allow himself to continue to stay in the fight.

It is due to these many shining qualities that the office of Rear Admiral Holder formally requests that the Lieutenant Commander is brought on to work with your project. We need men like him if we want to survive this.

Sincerely,
Vice Admiral Jessica Holder
Captain of the Valiant
Office of Naval Command

On the Commander's health

With all due respect Doctor Chekhov, I don't know what the hell you're thinking by bringing this guy in, but it's a mistake. I mean, you've seen the file, haven't you? I know he's supposed to be some kind of Martian war hero and all, but...for Christ's sake. Just look at this.

His lungs are practically falling apart! He has to lug around a respirator unit everywhere he goes because he can barely breathe on his own. Maybe that would be fine on it's own, but that leg of his is barely functioning as it is and he refuses to get it amputated for a prosthetic. We don't have a lot of room on these ships. Is there really nobody else out there who can take this guy's place? Yeah, I get it. Martian Command has a huge boner for the guy. And his service was admirable. But can we really afford to be spending valuable medicine and tech just to keep him from keeling over on us?

Sincerely,
Doctor Marcus

RE: On the Commander's health

I understand your concerns, Marcus, and I share quite a few of them as well. But my hands are tied. We received an official letter of recommendation from the Martian Unity government. Do you know how much trouble I'd get into if I told them no? This E-Mail simply existing might be enough to get the two of us fired. No, he's going on-board the Vitae. The arrangements have already been made and I'm supposed to contact him in the morning.

Just make sure we have those prototypes on hand when he gets here in a week, alright? He's going to need that leg brace and the respirator pack if he wants to survive out in space.

And for God's sake, Marcus, show a little decorum. The guy almost died fighting the Devastators for guys like us.

Sincerely,
Doctor Chekhov

LETTER OF REQUISITION

REQUISITION OFFICE
THE VITAE

TO: CDR ELIJAH ROSS

Greetings Commander,

We have successfully transported the requested items you wanted from your home on Ulrop Station. Below is a list of the requisitioned items. If anything is missing or if some kind of mistake has been made, please inform us so that it may he rectified shortly.

Here are the items we acquired:
One 125 gal. terrestrial aquarium
Several fish of varying species
Two six ft. bookshelves
Several hardback books
Three environment screens
One virtual reality headset
One personal computer
Several decorative Chinese box lamps
One indoor flowerbed
Several artificial sun lamps
One archaic watering can

If you have any questions, please forward them to this account. Thank you for your service.

Cordially,
REQUISITION OFFICE
THE VITAE

Transcript of Unaired MPTV News Interview

Mars Planetary Television News logo flashes across the screen as the program begins. Commander Ross is shown sitting in his study on the right, while the interviewer, Dana Kelly, sits at her desk in the studio to the left. Ross is in full dress uniform.

Kelly smiles at the camera.

KELLY: Welcome back, everyone. I'd like to introduce you all to MPTV News's latest guest, Commander Elijah Ross of the Mars Unity Navy! How're you doing today, Commander?

ROSS: Please, Miss Kelly, call me Elijah. I'm doing great today, thanks for asking.

KELLY: Elijah it is, then! For our audience at home- why don't you tell us a little about yourself, Elijah?

ROSS: Of course. Well, as has been said already, my name is Elijah Ross and I am a Commander in the Unity Navy. I was born and raised in Arcadia. My father was an ice miner and my mother was a botanist in our local hydroponics garden. Since my father was away on expeditions most of the time, I spent my days learning to cultivate plants in mineral solutions. I'm sure we all know what that's like.

Ross and Kelly share a laugh.

KELLY: And when did you decide you wanted to make a career in the Navy, Elijah?

ROSS: Oh, my. I think I was about nineteen or so at the time when it really hit me. Met the desk sergeant that changed my life forever when he really helped...put my life into perspective. The sergeant couldn't go off world anymore, ya see. He lost his legs in combat so they put him behind a desk. I saw that and decided right then and there that I didn't want to waste my life staying in one place.

KELLY: W-what do you mean?

Kelly appears to be nervous.

ROSS: Y'know, most people'll tell ya they went military because they wanted to serve their planet, or help people. Most of the time that's just hogwash.

Ross chuckles. Kelly looks confused

KELLY: I'm...sorry, sir, hogwash?

ROSS: Ahh, my apologies. It means nonsense. Real old school slang from back when the United States was still around. What I mean is, a lot of the time, kids like me picked that job because we just wanted to get away. You spend your whole life in one place for so long that you start to get anxious to move. TO go somewhere. Cheapest way to travel is the Navy. Nineteen year old me would laugh at ya or call you crazy if you told him where he'd end up as an old man.

KELLY: Hell of a time to stick with it just to travel, don't you think? With war on the horizon and all that?

ROSS: Ahh, yeah. Truth be told I wasn't paying too much attention to the news in those days. I heard about the Cold War sometimes, but the reality of it didn't really hit me until we started doing the orbital bombardment drills at the academy. It was scary, I won't lie to ya.

KELLY: But that didn't stop you, did it?

ROSS: Almost did. But...well. I was about as stubborn then as I am now. Wasn't going to let some interplanetary war stop me from seeing the stars.

KELLY: And...where were you when the Devastators first attacked?

ROSS: The mess hall in the super carrier I was station on at the time, the Relentless. It was lunchtime. They were serving meat and potatoes again. The klaxons went off, red lights started flashing. The droning voice over the intercom told us that the Citadel had come under attack by unknown forces. Everyone I knew that it was pirates. The return of the Scourge, they called it. I wish.

KELLY: Wow. And you were part of the first task force the Unity sent to Ceres, correct?

ROSS: I was. I was commanding a Destroyer at the time, the Benevolence. At the time we still didn't know they were aliens, just an unidentified fleet that had torn it's way across the system and was making for Ceres. Fleeters had asked everyone for help. Only Mars answered. I didn't understand what we were facing until I saw their ships with my own two eyes. They were...inhuman. Never seen anything like it.

KELLY: What was it like fighting them?

Ross is silent for several seconds, his expression shifting into a hardened grimace.

ROSS: Hell.

--The rest of the broadcast has been deleted due to containing potentially damaging information. Anyone in possession of the rest of this transcript is to present it and themselves to UEC authorities at once for questioning.--

Superboy's Shitty Characters

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GENESIS PROJECT PERSONNEL DATABASE

---

MILITARY PERSONNEL RECORD ARCHIVE, LISTED UNDER PUBLIC INFORMATION BY ORDER OF THE UNITED EARTH COUNCIL

ACCESSING...
.
.
.

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NAME: ROSS, ELIJAH SEX: MALE D.O.B (DATE OF BIRTH): 10/10/2176 ETHNICITY: MIXED, CAUCASIAN-LATIN

P.O.B (PLACE OF BIRTH): ARCADIA, MARS P.O.R (PLACE OF RESIDENCE): ULROP STATION, EARTH ORBIT

MOTHER: ROSS, MELINDA (deceased) FATHER: ROSS, DANIEL (deceased) SIBLINGS: ROSS, LAUREL (age 38, botanist)

ENLISTMENT: ARCADIA CONSCRIPTION OFFICE (age 17) RANK: COMMANDER DEPLOYMENT: VITAE

LICENSES: FOR PILOTING CRUISER AND GUNSHIP CLASS VEHICLES

PICTURE ATTACHED

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LETTER OF COMMENDATION

MARTIAN UNITY NAVAL OFFICE
ARCADIA NAVAL STATION, MARS
9 September, 2203

DOCTOR CHEKHOV
GENESIS PROJECT
UNITED EARTH COUNCIL

Subj: LCDR ELIJAH ROSS

This is a formal letter of recommendation for the inclusion of Lieutenant Commander Elijah Ross in the Genesis Project. His skill at the helm of any ship cannot be overstated. He is an experienced commander of men that has proven himself to be unwavering in his bravery, even in the face of impossible odds. Those who have served with the man can attest to his effectiveness as a leader and strength of character. He has shown the ability to instill loyalty and discipline in his crew through a strong, commanding presence intermixed with compassion and understanding.

The Lieutenant Commander served humanity faithfully during both the Battle of Ceres and the Battle of Mars. At Ceres, the Lieutenant Commander elected to remain behind with with the Fleeters longer than the rest of the Unity relief fleet. His cruiser was the last to evacuate with the escaping personnel transports, managing to escape the Devastators by the skin of their teeth. Ross's risk was calculated, however- he knew that his ship could survive because he trusted in his own skill at the helm.

In the Battle of Mars, Elijah Ross and his crew held the line alongside the rest of the Martian fleet. He positioned himself aggressively to defend the orbital defense satellites from encroaching alien vessels for as long as his ship was able. Many crucial shots were fired off by the satellites because of Ross's bravery and intelligent maneuvering. Most impressive, however, was the fact that Ross did not sacrifice himself, his ship or any of his crewmen during this operation- Ross pulled back just in time to allow himself to continue to stay in the fight.

It is due to these many shining qualities that the office of Rear Admiral Holder formally requests that the Lieutenant Commander is brought on to work with your project. We need men like him if we want to survive this.

Sincerely,
Vice Admiral Jessica Holder
Captain of the Valiant
Office of Naval Command

On the Commander's health

With all due respect Doctor Chekhov, I don't know what the hell you're thinking by bringing this guy in, but it's a mistake. I mean, you've seen the file, haven't you? I know he's supposed to be some kind of Martian war hero and all, but...for Christ's sake. Just look at this.

His lungs are practically falling apart! He has to lug around a respirator unit everywhere he goes because he can barely breathe on his own. Maybe that would be fine on it's own, but that leg of his is barely functioning as it is and he refuses to get it amputated for a prosthetic. We don't have a lot of room on these ships. Is there really nobody else out there who can take this guy's place? Yeah, I get it. Martian Command has a huge boner for the guy. And his service was admirable. But can we really afford to be spending valuable medicine and tech just to keep him from keeling over on us?

Sincerely,
Doctor Marcus

RE: On the Commander's health

I understand your concerns, Marcus, and I share quite a few of them as well. But my hands are tied. We received an official letter of recommendation from the Martian Unity government. Do you know how much trouble I'd get into if I told them no? This E-Mail simply existing might be enough to get the two of us fired. No, he's going on-board the Vitae. The arrangements have already been made and I'm supposed to contact him in the morning.

Just make sure we have those prototypes on hand when he gets here in a week, alright? He's going to need that leg brace and the respirator pack if he wants to survive out in space.

And for God's sake, Marcus, show a little decorum. The guy almost died fighting the Devastators for guys like us.

Sincerely,
Doctor Chekhov

LETTER OF REQUISITION

REQUISITION OFFICE
THE VITAE

TO: CDR ELIJAH ROSS

Greetings Commander,

We have successfully transported the requested items you wanted from your home on Ulrop Station. Below is a list of the requisitioned items. If anything is missing or if some kind of mistake has been made, please inform us so that it may he rectified shortly.

Here are the items we acquired:
One 125 gal. terrestrial aquarium
Several fish of varying species
Two six ft. bookshelves
Several hardback books
Three environment screens
One virtual reality headset
One personal computer
Several decorative Chinese box lamps
One indoor flowerbed
Several artificial sun lamps
One archaic watering can

If you have any questions, please forward them to this account. Thank you for your service.

Cordially,
REQUISITION OFFICE
THE VITAE

Transcript of Unaired MPTV News Interview

Mars Planetary Television News logo flashes across the screen as the program begins. Commander Ross is shown sitting in his study on the right, while the interviewer, Dana Kelly, sits at her desk in the studio to the left. Ross is in full dress uniform.

Kelly smiles at the camera.

KELLY: Welcome back, everyone. I'd like to introduce you all to MPTV News's latest guest, Commander Elijah Ross of the Mars Unity Navy! How're you doing today, Commander?

ROSS: Please, Miss Kelly, call me Elijah. I'm doing great today, thanks for asking.

KELLY: Elijah it is, then! For our audience at home- why don't you tell us a little about yourself, Elijah?

ROSS: Of course. Well, as has been said already, my name is Elijah Ross and I am a Commander in the Unity Navy. I was born and raised in Arcadia. My father was an ice miner and my mother was a botanist in our local hydroponics garden. Since my father was away on expeditions most of the time, I spent my days learning to cultivate plants in mineral solutions. I'm sure we all know what that's like.

Ross and Kelly share a laugh.

KELLY: And when did you decide you wanted to make a career in the Navy, Elijah?

ROSS: Oh, my. I think I was about nineteen or so at the time when it really hit me. Met the desk sergeant that changed my life forever when he really helped...put my life into perspective. The sergeant couldn't go off world anymore, ya see. He lost his legs in combat so they put him behind a desk. I saw that and decided right then and there that I didn't want to waste my life staying in one place.

KELLY: W-what do you mean?

Kelly appears to be nervous.

ROSS: Y'know, most people'll tell ya they went military because they wanted to serve their planet, or help people. Most of the time that's just hogwash.

Ross chuckles. Kelly looks confused

KELLY: I'm...sorry, sir, hogwash?

ROSS: Ahh, my apologies. It means nonsense. Real old school slang from back when the United States was still around. What I mean is, a lot of the time, kids like me picked that job because we just wanted to get away. You spend your whole life in one place for so long that you start to get anxious to move. TO go somewhere. Cheapest way to travel is the Navy. Nineteen year old me would laugh at ya or call you crazy if you told him where he'd end up as an old man.

KELLY: Hell of a time to stick with it just to travel, don't you think? With war on the horizon and all that?

ROSS: Ahh, yeah. Truth be told I wasn't paying too much attention to the news in those days. I heard about the Cold War sometimes, but the reality of it didn't really hit me until we started doing the orbital bombardment drills at the academy. It was scary, I won't lie to ya.

KELLY: But that didn't stop you, did it?

ROSS: Almost did. But...well. I was about as stubborn then as I am now. Wasn't going to let some interplanetary war stop me from seeing the stars.

KELLY: And...where were you when the Devastators first attacked?

ROSS: The mess hall in the super carrier I was station on at the time, the Relentless. It was lunchtime. They were serving meat and potatoes again. The klaxons went off, red lights started flashing. The droning voice over the intercom told us that the Citadel had come under attack by unknown forces. Everyone I knew that it was pirates. The return of the Scourge, they called it. I wish.

KELLY: Wow. And you were part of the first task force the Unity sent to Ceres, correct?

ROSS: I was. I was commanding a Destroyer at the time, the Benevolence. At the time we still didn't know they were aliens, just an unidentified fleet that had torn it's way across the system and was making for Ceres. Fleeters had asked everyone for help. Only Mars answered. I didn't understand what we were facing until I saw their ships with my own two eyes. They were...inhuman. Never seen anything like it.

KELLY: What was it like fighting them?

Ross is silent for several seconds, his expression shifting into a hardened grimace.

ROSS: Hell.

--The rest of the broadcast has been deleted due to containing potentially damaging information. Anyone in possession of the rest of this transcript is to present it and themselves to UEC authorities at once for questioning.--

No Turning Back - Surving the Abyss - Original Sci-Fi RP.

Color me interested.

Lethe: The Inalienable Dreamless

H E L V E T E

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The Well of Valdis
12th Day of Autumn, 1088 AD

---

It was soon made clear that many of the man-things had survived whatever massacre took place here. In a graveyard of unrelenting death there still stood a few too resilient to die. Helvete found little comfort in the appearance of several man-things, however. He knew not why, but merely to look upon them made his guts churn. Flickering embers in his belly flared red hot for reasons unfathomable to the druid. They could not be trusted. Nothing could- not in this blood-soaked pit of madness.

Helvete's pleas for nonviolence were answered by the tender, shaken voice of a younger woman. Her words offered some meager comfort in an otherwise terrifying situation. Surrounded by strange man-things and standing in a mass grave was enough to set anyone on edge, with Helvete's amnesia only compounding the bleakness of it all.

A terrible scar about her neck drew his agitated gaze, piquing a small bit of curiosity in him. 'Strange-weird,' Helvete quietly wondered,'Would kill most man-things. Would kill this thing, too, yes-yes. How strange-weird indeed.'

"Ah...yes-yes..." He spoke in a slow drawl, still working to process all that was happening. "Very good. No fight-hurt. Fight-hurt very bad." He was glad to know that he wasn't in any immediate danger. Not from the people around him, at least. Someone had still tossed him into this place, and killed all of those man-things. Someone very bad.

As Solon was just managing to calm himself down, a mighty bellow slammed against his ears. A woman more akin to an angry oxen was screeching furiously from atop a mound of broken bodies. The angry cries of the obvious warrior caused Helvete to scamper backward in a low crouch, his body kept close to the ground as he brought his staff about before him. A wordless hiss was his only verbal response to the berserker's screams for answers. Not only because he found her dreadfully terrifying, but because the druid had no answers to give.

More man-things descended from the hills of corpses, all of them as confused as the last. No one seemed to have any idea where they were or why they were here. Five man-things and Helvete still breathed among the many hundreds of fallen.

Many questions, no answers; that was all they had.

A few had a determination to act, however. The only man man-thing that had joined them spoke rather strongly of escaping this dreaded pit of despair. Helvete was inclined to agree. The longer they spent here, the more likely they were to run into whatever monster-beast had tossed them in here.

The young woman with the scar about her neck wasn't so keen to leave right away, however. She wished to stay and search for more survivors among the dead. Solon was of a split mind on that one. On one hand, Helvete felt a strong desire to agree with her. Staying and searching for at least a short while sounded like the right thing to do. Yet, on the other hand, Solon was afraid of what they might encounter if they lingered here for too long. It was not an easy choice to make, so he stayed quiet, allowing the rest to speak their minds first.

Before that discussion came, however, another spoke up. The one that Helvete had seen conversing with the neck scar woman before he had scampered into view. She thought it wise for them to introduce themselves before they continued. Knowing the names of his temporary companions sounded like a good idea. It would make it simpler to address them, when the need arose.

"You don't remember-recall either, man-thing?" His brow shot up as Syrenia mentioned that she was suffering from the same amnesia that afflicted Helvete. "Strange-odd. Very strange-odd indeed." The old man muttered to himself, a hand letting up off the floor to run through his stark white beard. "This thing is Helvete." He shifted his hand down to beat against his chest. "I am one with the Wood. Very good-great with Forest magic, yes-yes." Solon proudly proclaimed. That was something he had felt the moment his fingers wrapped about Oakheart. It was a part of him. He could feel it's presence radiating through his very marrow, filling him with power.

Superboy's Shitty Characters

H E L V E T E

---

The Well of Valdis
12th Day of Autumn, 1088 AD

---

It was soon made clear that many of the man-things had survived whatever massacre took place here. In a graveyard of unrelenting death there still stood a few too resilient to die. Helvete found little comfort in the appearance of several man-things, however. He knew not why, but merely to look upon them made his guts churn. Flickering embers in his belly flared red hot for reasons unfathomable to the druid. They could not be trusted. Nothing could- not in this blood-soaked pit of madness.

Helvete's pleas for nonviolence were answered by the tender, shaken voice of a younger woman. Her words offered some meager comfort in an otherwise terrifying situation. Surrounded by strange man-things and standing in a mass grave was enough to set anyone on edge, with Helvete's amnesia only compounding the bleakness of it all.

A terrible scar about her neck drew his agitated gaze, piquing a small bit of curiosity in him. 'Strange-weird,' Helvete quietly wondered,'Would kill most man-things. Would kill this thing, too, yes-yes. How strange-weird indeed.'

"Ah...yes-yes..." He spoke in a slow drawl, still working to process all that was happening. "Very good. No fight-hurt. Fight-hurt very bad." He was glad to know that he wasn't in any immediate danger. Not from the people around him, at least. Someone had still tossed him into this place, and killed all of those man-things. Someone very bad.

As Solon was just managing to calm himself down, a mighty bellow slammed against his ears. A woman more akin to an angry oxen was screeching furiously from atop a mound of broken bodies. The angry cries of the obvious warrior caused Helvete to scamper backward in a low crouch, his body kept close to the ground as he brought his staff about before him. A wordless hiss was his only verbal response to the berserker's screams for answers. Not only because he found her dreadfully terrifying, but because the druid had no answers to give.

More man-things descended from the hills of corpses, all of them as confused as the last. No one seemed to have any idea where they were or why they were here. Five man-things and Helvete still breathed among the many hundreds of fallen.

Many questions, no answers; that was all they had.

A few had a determination to act, however. The only man man-thing that had joined them spoke rather strongly of escaping this dreaded pit of despair. Helvete was inclined to agree. The longer they spent here, the more likely they were to run into whatever monster-beast had tossed them in here.

The young woman with the scar about her neck wasn't so keen to leave right away, however. She wished to stay and search for more survivors among the dead. Solon was of a split mind on that one. On one hand, Helvete felt a strong desire to agree with her. Staying and searching for at least a short while sounded like the right thing to do. Yet, on the other hand, Solon was afraid of what they might encounter if they lingered here for too long. It was not an easy choice to make, so he stayed quiet, allowing the rest to speak their minds first.

Before that discussion came, however, another spoke up. The one that Helvete had seen conversing with the neck scar woman before he had scampered into view. She thought it wise for them to introduce themselves before they continued. Knowing the names of his temporary companions sounded like a good idea. It would make it simpler to address them, when the need arose.

"You don't remember-recall either, man-thing?" His brow shot up as Syrenia mentioned that she was suffering from the same amnesia that afflicted Helvete. "Strange-odd. Very strange-odd indeed." The old man muttered to himself, a hand letting up off the floor to run through his stark white beard. "This thing is Helvete." He shifted his hand down to beat against his chest. "I am one with the Wood. Very good-great with Forest magic, yes-yes." Solon proudly proclaimed. That was something he had felt the moment his fingers wrapped about Oakheart. It was a part of him. He could feel it's presence radiating through his very marrow, filling him with power.

Battletech: Anabasis

Name: Han Bjornson

Rank: Cadet

Allegiance: Lyran Commonwealth

Planetary Origin: Tharkad

MOS: Mechwarrior

Synopsis of Role: The House of Bjornson was once a powerful force in the Principality of Rasalhague. It's patriarch commanded large tracts of land, paying tribute only to the world-lord that ruled over the entire planet. When the Draconis Combine attacked their world, House Bjornson answered the call. Soldiers, tanks and even a Battlemech were sent to fight off the encroaching forces of the enemy. But it was for naught. Their world soon fell to the Combine's forces, and the Bjornson's heir was forced into exile for fear of his own life.

He was Han's great grandfather. He arrived in the Lyran Commonwealth seeking refuge, where he was taken in by a dying noble house on the edge of Lyran space. The heir soon married the eldest daughter of the Lyran house, and he went to work rebuilding his reputation in a new corner of the galaxy. He was able to uplift the Lyran noble house he'd married into, turning it from the sad state of affairs that it was into a reputable power in the region.

His child, Han's grandfather, found a place in the court of the Archon. He moved the house to Tharkad as he worked his way up the ranks of the military. When he retired a well respected general, Han's father took over for the house- and promptly ruined their reputation. A lazy, good for nothing slob that did little more than drink booze and paw after women like the sleazebag he was, Han's father caused the honor of the Bjornson name to take a nose dive.

It was only through sheer grit and force of will that Han worked his way into the Nagelring. Facing the prejudice of his peers and the mocking of his instructors, Han Von Bjornson is determined to restore honor to his house. To erase the stain of his father on his family's legacy. To truly earn the title of nobleman.

Battlemech: A WLF-1 'Wolfhound' mech, modified with an experimental Endo Steel lostech skeleton

Additional Information

Height: 5'10
Weight: 140 lbs
Notes: Lean-Muscle, runner type of build. No noticeable scars, tattoos or piercings of any kind. Blonde hair, blue eyes.

Callsign: Peacock
Father: (formerly) Hauptmann-General Otto Bjornson

Mech notes: WLF-1 model with several key augmentations on it's armament for maximum effectiveness. A Beagle Active Probe has been installed in the left arm, and the engine has been replaced with an XL version to accommodate for the weight of a Guardian ECM Suite so that one could be slotted in as well. The weapons remain the same as they are in the base model, though Han loathes the lack of double heat sinks and has made several remarks about just how hot it gets inside the Wolfhound's cockpit when he gets in a close range fire fight.

Battletech: Anabasis

You definitely have my interest. I don't know much of anything about Battletech's universe, but I could probably get a decent grasp after a wiki dive or two.