Harper Aiken
Year of birth: 4365

These are great times to be you. Mustered out of the army air corps with honors after a standard tour of duty, married to a wonderful spouse, loved by everyone, and soon to be the lead astronaut on the upcoming mission, your life is just great. There’s always been something magical about “the Space Program” days of yore, the kind of magic you’ve always aimed for, and you’re glad it has finally come to Emera. And you’re not just a wannabe, either. You are fit, dedicated, and cool under pressure. Once, when there was a fuel fire on the base back in the service, you didn’t lose your head. You got over to the fire extinguishers and safely fought back the flames until the rest of the team arrived. You are bona fide hero material. All it takes is this one mission, and your name will be in the history books to show it!

So far so good.  It’s not a done deal yet, but Jamie Whitlow dropped out of the running due to some family issue. A rething pity; Whitlow was real nice, had the right stuff and everything. But with Whitlow gone, what kind of chance does Avery Bissel, the remaining candidate, have, compared to you? Bissel has great technical knowledge, and came with the boss, C. J. Orkney, from a previous company, but this kind of high profile mission needs a hero, not an electrical engineer who works out. Of course, Bissel will have some sympathy votes going, since Bissel has a kid but… well, Bissel’s partner died, and… well, it’s a sad case for Bissel. It says a lot that Bissel is in the running. But you’ve got the skills to pay the bills, and the will to succeed.

One possible hitch: Dr. Riley Eckhart. The good doctor will be examining both candidates and make the final decision. You have not known the doctor long, but one thing sticks in the craw: the good doctor seems to be fiercely independent, which makes it hard to determine the best approach to win the doctor over. Well, fortunately, you’re nothing if not flexible.

Of course, the good doctor’s gonna be listening to everyone’s opinion, with Orkney Senior - C. J. - top of the list. You like C. J. Orkney, and Orkney likes you, so you’re pretty sure Orkney favors sending you--but C. J. is too much of a pro to overrule the experts--and Eckhart is the expert in charge of this decision.

Another person to get on your side to talk you up is Junior. Junior (a.k.a., Taylor Orkney, but really, everyone uses Junior) is Mission Control, and, miracle of miracles, the child of Blue Phoenix chief C. J. Orkney. Coincidence? Who cares? The boss’s kid is the boss’s kid. Not to mention seriously likable; Junior’s a good kid, and you’ve always gotten along.  Heck, it’s kind of touching how Junior’s been trying to step out of Senior’s shadow. You can respect that. In fact, a little positive reinforcement that Junior is doing well might be important to get the decision.

Well, time to face the music, get the interviews over with, and be officially chosen.


Short bio:
Born 4365 in Graywater
Educated in private schools, finished Sideron Academy 4383 cum laude
Served in the Army Air Force, 4383-4391, discharged with the rank of Lieutenant
Test pilot, Blue Phoenix, 4391-
