Pat Gipp [after Bissel’s death] 
Birth Year: 4362

C. J. Orkney has just fired Blue Phoenix’s medical/scientific advisor, Dr. Riley Eckhart. Serves Dr. Eckhart right, that traitor - you looked at everyone’s bios, of course, and Dr. Eckhart not only went to medical school in Dribia, but even wanted to stay there! People who think of Emera as a second-choice country are the reason why the country’s in such a mess. Well, C.J.’s use of Dribian sympathizers like Dr. Eckhart failed, and now you will be able to direct Blue Phoenix’s space program for the needs of the public.

It’s about time for you to do something this big, too. The government’s a cesspool of bureaucrats who don’t understand your worth, and stick you with jobs in which ten people all do the same thing, watching one another so that nobody can show initiative. Well, you’re going to show initiative. You’re going to watch C.J. closely to make sure there are no shenanigans this time, and you’re going to show initiative whenever C.J. makes a bad decision. 

You’ve looked at the remaining employees’ records, and they’re all positive. Too bad the company has been in such dire straits, but oh well - it’s just bad luck, and if the company turns itself around, you’ll still get the credit you so richly deserve. 

Taylor Orkney is C.J. Orkney's only child, universally called Junior. Seems competent, although you doubt Junior would’ve gotten to be mission control without that family name. You will not berate Junior in C.J.’s presence, unless you’re deliberately trying to assert your (and the government’s) authority over C.J.’s. But it’s clear Junior had some involvement in the accident in 4395, in which the test pilot Avery Bissel died. 

Too bad Bissel died - such a promising career nipped in the bud because of Junior (or maybe even C.J.!). The remaining test pilot from that era, Harper Aiken, is a ladder-climbing reth.  Aiken is a good pilot, but not a great one. One of the people whose main skill is getting people to like them. 

The remaining astronaut, Jamie Whitlow, was a rising star before dropping out in 4392, and came back in 4398 after Bissel died. Whitlow has been a star since, juggling family and career. You find Whitlow impressive, but wonder if this is too good to be true. Even if all is as it seems, Bissel would have been so much better… 


Short bio: 
Born 4362 in Sillbury 
Educated at private schools, graduated Auron Academy in 4380 
Regulatory Advisor, Ministry of Transport, 4380-4389 
Regulatory Advisor, Ministry of Health, 4389-4393 
Senior Regulatory Advisor, Ministry of Science and Technology, 4393- 