Difference between revisions of "Inwe Ventidius"

Revision as of 16:51, 1 November 2008

Inwe Ventidius
Biographical Information
Race	Thyferran
Homeworld	Thyferra
Mother	Corvina Attius (deceased)
Father	Bassus (deceased)
Spouse	None
Siblings	Lucius, Caepio, Denter, Cimbri (deceased); Haran Ran
Children	None
Born	Year -14 Day 213 (23)
Imperial Service
Branch	Imperial Navy
Positions	Imperial Navy Pilot
Prior Service	NA
Awards

Inwe Ventidius was born on Thyferra, a descendant of the humans that colonized the planet following the discovery of bacta. Throughout most of her youth, she had no desire to ever abandon her home planet for a life elsewhere among the stars. However, tragedy in her young adult life irrevocably altered all her dreams when her family was assassinated by the Rebel Alliance.

She found herself alone in the universe; all her dreams withered by haunting memories. Inwe decided to create new dreams and so joined the Galactic Empire to serve the ultimate authority. Upon graduation from the Imperial Academy, Inwe began her vocation in the Navy. Her Imperial career is still very young, but she hopes her determination, ambition, and desire to advance the Empire will carry her far.

Character History

Early Life

Born into what would be a large family, Inwe was the oldest of five children. Her mother was a molecular theorist employed by one of the many biotech labs on their home planet. The career demands placed upon her mother were immense, so that meant Inwe and her siblings were raised mainly by a series of governesses. When her father was home, most of his time was spent locked away in his study working on some scientific paper to publish. He was always writing another journal article or book.

The first sixteen years of Inwe’s life had been extremely predictable. She attended her classes, excelling in math and sciences. In addition to education, her calendar was well rounded with a series of extracurricular activities; her governess would never let even one slide. To do so would deprive Inwe of a “full and complete education” as she was reminded too often. There were also the experiences every teenage girl endures: best friends and betrayal, stolen kisses and heartbreak, and the events along life’s path that mark the way to maturity.

First Adventures

The first truly exceptional event in her life happened shortly after she had turned sixteen. A knock on her classroom door and a summons to the superintendent’s office had saved her from an in-class final essay on Prober’s Psychosis Theorem. During the walk to the office, her relief disintegrated into fear – nothing less than a medical emergency would have freed her from that room.

Her fears were more than realized. She was summarily dismissed from school and escorted to a regional security office by her father, Bassus, and a silent government agent. Nothing was explained to her during the trip; upon arrival Inwe was left alone in a small room to devise imaginary explanations for this unprecedented experience.

Inwe disliked Agent Din from the moment she entered the room. Their terse conversation did nothing to brighten Inwe’s perception of her. Inwe was duly informed of the suspicion centering around Gavin Thorus, her friend, Nila’s, father. He was suspected of industrial espionage. Then told it had been decided she would retrieve the supposedly stolen data.

Worrying about Friday night

The idea was not well received by Inwe. Petulantly, she refused to act against her friend’s father. However, her protests were ineffective. If she did not cooperate, she would be charged with misdemeanor obstruction. A threat that involved no punitive action but that would destroy her academic career; none of the upper echelon colleges would accept her with such a mark on her record.

The assignment loomed like a gaping, black cloud ahead of her. Nila had invited her and a few other friends to a sleep over that weekend, Inwe knew that was the time she would have to act. The week blurred. She refused to speak to either of her parents – not that they noticed. In school, she told all her friends she had visited the doctor’s office. No one seemed to suspect anything, but Inwe was edgy all the way until Friday afternoon.

When Nila’s dad, Galvin, answered the door she lost her voice to her nerves. She felt like the look on her face spoke more clearly of her intentions than a detailed letter of confession. Galvin just smiled and welcomed her warmly into the house.

Inwe’s conscious prickled her all night long. She knew she was violating her friend’s trust. If Inwe thought she had been nervous during the week, she knew now what true trepidation felt like. All night long, she practiced her deception, telling people she was going one place and then slipping off to another. Inwe said she was going to the bathroom and went to the kitchen, then, the living room but she really went to the balcony. No one noticed her game. Why would they? They were all her friends, not counter intelligence agents; and she was just a teenager.

At 2:00 AM the girls were embroiled in a game of Honesty or Consequences, and eye lids were starting to get heavy. Inwe had put this off long enough; it was now or not at all. In a dreadful instant she decided not to and broke out in a cold sweat. Then the moment passed, and with the appalling realization of how selfish she was, Inwe excused herself and slipped out of the room as someone was about to confess a crush on a teacher.

Her bare feet moved silently through the house until she stood in front of the large office door. She knew from past visits that the safe which held valuable information was in this room. The handle turned easily under her fingers and her legs carried her into the room. The familiar room now seemed ominous, casting foreboding shadows. Inwe stopped and looked at the safe, its decorative door facing out from the wall in which it was embedded.

She slid her fingers along the cool metal. This was the hardest part of her plan, the point at which it could all fall apart. She had to open the safe door, a door which was equipped with an alpha-numeric security system. It had to be open; otherwise the treated metal would repel all attempts at electronic infiltration. The tips of her fingers tingled as she guessed at the password. The light flashed red. So the password wasn’t their address. She tried Nila’s name and birth date; wrong again.

Inwe noticed she wasn’t breathing and forced her lungs to expand; she had one more chance to get this right. Or, she thought she did. The lights abruptly flickered on as the door opened. Inwe’s heart crashed to a halt and then jumped to an impossible rate. Galvin stood silhouetted in the doorway. Now she was inextricably caught.

Inwe heard her voice but did not know where the words were coming from, “I’m sorry, Mr. Thorus. We were playing, they dared me to open your safe and come back with a holo-image as proof…but the password Nila gave me didn’t work. I’m so sorry!”

Galvin looked for a moment like he was going to be angry, but then he laughed and opened up the safe for the truant teenager, on the condition that she promised not to disclose his assistance. Inwe agreed and took a holo-image of the safe contents. As she slipped the imager back into her pocket, she pressed a button on a small device that recorded a duplicate copy of all the data contained in the safe. Terror knotted in her stomach as she escaped back to Nila’s room. She was reticent and distressed for the remainder of the night, even as she tried to hide it. While everyone else slept peacefully she laid awake, pulse drumming loudly in her ears; Inwe left as soon as possible the next morning.

She turned over the data to Agent Din on Saturday morning. All her questions about what would happen to the Thorus family went unanswered. Nila was not in school on Monday. Inwe did not see Nila again, or find out what eventually happened to the family. For a couple weeks, remorse ate at her, but soon it began to fade as time dulled the sting. Inwe had done what was expected of her; that was the way it had to be and she decided not to look back.

Tempting Fate

Turning Point

While Inwe always respected the achievements of her mother, Corvina, her passion was for her father’s vocation. Bassus worked at a research university teaching advanced biochemical engineering at the graduate level. The remarkable strides made in the theoretical and practical application of genetic-specific viral pathogens have been attributed largely to his research. This labor included greater specification range of the genetic relationship variable – a feature very useful if you can only get a DNA sample of the target’s cousin or you want to eliminate a family group instead of a single individual. As part of her advanced studies, Inwe was assisting him in crafting a technique to construct a pathogen transmittable among the general population without the expression of symptoms until it found a host matching the specified code sequence.

Bassus was in the middle of a series of critical experiments when Corvina was sent by her company to demonstrate a product – a method of regenerating damaged lymph tissue – at an off world conference. Inwe had just turned twenty-two when this happened. The conference held a great deal of interest for her father as well, compelling the typical home-loving Thyferran family to temporarily abandon their planet. The younger siblings – Lucius, Caepio, Denter, and Cimbri – accompanied their parents, leaving Inwe behind to tend the experiments.

Rebel forces attacked and destroyed their shuttle before they reached the conference. Rumors abounded that the reason for the attack was Bassus Ventidius’ research, which the rebels considered an imminent danger.

The report devastated Inwe. The loss of her brothers was the most poignant; Cimbri was only ten at the time of the attack. During this time she called the government on a daily basis, insisting on knowing what actions were being taken to prosecute the pilots that had murdered her family. The officials were less than helpful. They listened gravely to her calls, noted her concerns, and forgot about her as soon as the connection terminated. Eventually she was informed that the Thyfferan government had no official means to offer her justice, but a petition had been logged with the appropriate diplomatic branch of the Rebel administration. Frustrated, Inwe relentlessly pursued the filing of that petition until finally, one Thyfferan diplomat, under duress, admitted that probably nothing would become of the innocuous paperwork.

Inwe nodded, grim-faced, when she received the news. In truth, she had been suspecting an answer similar to the one offered. There were no tears now; it had been a month since their deaths and she had reached her limit of tears and self-pity. However, the ideas long forming in her mind instantaneously became decisions. She also knew that the Empire was her destiny; they had much more accepting views regarding none traditional weapons and maybe, just maybe, she would be able to strike at the rebels.

Most of her deceased family’s resources were seized by the Thyfferan government under some vague jurisdictional statute. Inwe offered no protest, moving into the dorms and dedicating the next year to completing her Master’s studies at the university. Biomedical engineering was no longer her only area of inquiry; she expanded her studies to include weapons research and development. A rigorous physical routine also became a stay in her schedule – preparing her body to withstand the stress of planets with stronger gravity fields. When she had intended to stay on Thyffera for the duration of her natural life, the weaker gravity of the planet had no effect on her, but now it was a hindrance. One she overcame.

Concurrently, she liquidated what was left of her inheritance, spending part of it to buy the names of the pilots in the squadron that had destroyed her family; and also the name of the commanding officer who had issued the order. However, the bulk of her resources went to obtaining DNA samples from those five individuals, in reality she only gained four samples. It had been more samples than she expected, the smuggler she had hired to acquire them was well worth his price.

Covertly using the resources in her father’s old lab, under the guise of completing research-in-progress, she synthesized genetically engineered pathogens for the purpose of exacting retribution. Inwe agonized during the molecular formation and alteration, deciding whether or not to expand the microbes to be inclusive of genetically close relatives.

Inwe leaves the space station

Inwe graduated with honors a month after turning twenty-three. Some cautious inquiries revealed that the commander who ordered the assassination had been transferred to a space station hub and two of the pilots were still assigned to him and also on the station. She had to admit, the indiscreet rumors of the Corellian network, to which her former lover had introduced her, were particularly effective; Inwe was tapping them a lot for thinking the lawless underside disdainful. A better opportunity for revenge would not present itself.

She booked passage to the space station and then a subsequent departing flight fifteen hours later. A couple layovers after departing the station and she would be on Coruscant, ready to fulfill her application to the Galactic Empire.

The air of the space station was contaminated by the engineered virus-complex within minutes of Inwe disembarking. It was just hours until the commander and two pilots were infected. Approximately nine hours after the transport carrying her toward the heart of the Empire had left its docking port, all three reported to the infirmary within half an hour of each other. Concerns about an infectious outbreak began to flicker across the holonet. Testing by the station doctors revealed the infection to be caused by the virulent Jiama strain. After another 48 hours the holonets reported the brilliant success of the doctors in containing the infection and limiting the outbreak to only three casualties.

Best Laid Plans

Josef and Inwe

It had not been Inwe’s intention to become involved in a relationship so early in her Imperial career, preferring instead to focus on her burgeoning responsibilities as a Flight Corporal to the Empire. Unbeknownst to her, Josef DeLaurel possessed an indescribable quality that would compromise her well planned intentions. His personal character impressed her during the early moments of their relationship when Inwe was concerned that circumstances would overly tax his patience.

Initially, when Josef asked Inwe for a date, she was thoroughly staggered. She did not know Josef very well at that point. Even though she had seen him around since her earliest days in the Empire, Inwe had not interacted with him much beyond the occasional sarcastic quip. Inwe attempted to talk with him a couple of times, but the conversations never flourished to any great extent. Mostly she recognized him for his gruff personality and unapologetic mannerisms that spoke of his masculinity, although, exemplary conduct proved present when need summoned. The impression that Josef was unaware of her was undermined when he invited her to join him for drinks at Magic’s Bar. Intrigued, she agreed to the social outing with just a hint of hesitancy. After all, it was still a new thought that Josef liked her. Leaving her concerns, Inwe dared to be excited about the invitation.

The evening Inwe had looked across the table at Josef during their first date, as she shyly sipped a glass of wine, she had been acutely nervous. The whole time Josef was kind and easily guided the conversation. Inwe could not escape the smile that brightened her countenance after the date. Her descent into attraction was sealed. Eventually, Inwe even caught herself just watching him from time to time because the way he spoke and moved please her. Soon she was delightfully content in the developing relationship, enjoying Josef’s companionship.

Military History

Beginnings

Following Inwe’s graduation from the Imperial Academy, she spent a lot of time in the Enlisted Lounge when not on duty, building friendships with other Imperial pilots and learning from their experience. According to her nature, she was shy at first but began to relax and interact as she became familiar with some of the many faces. Simultaneously, she was bonding with her new fleet mates, most of whom she liked quickly. The one person whose attitude seemed tense toward her was that of the fleet Chief of Staff, CFOF Patrick Martin.

Even though they spent the better part of a week traveling in the same shuttle with a handful of other people, they had rarely talked since Inwe was seldom eager to engage new acquaintances in conversation. So it was not until Inwe was dining in the mess hall shortly after they reached the fleet that she discovered she annoyed him. Patrick had joined the small group briefly for breakfast, sharing a very civil conversation with Inwe. While the words were polite, discord stirred in the currents under the surface. She was at a loss for the reasoning behind his aggravation, eventually surmising that perhaps Patrick reacted in this manner to all new crewmen.

Inwe decided to ignore it. There was not much else she could do; she was new and Patrick had seniority in trump. However, pressure that builds under the surface is never safely confined, and one day in the Enlisted Lounge the thin crust of courtesy could no longer contain the growing discontent. Patrick cracked down on her hard, snagging on a playfully meant statement and extrapolating to its ultimate conclusion. Realization crashed into her like an ion shot, it was her gender that annoyed Patrick. Stunned at the accusation of placing her fleet in danger because of her need to be feminine, Inwe glared but dutifully retracted the assertion, resenting the inference.

Other Imperials intervened, ending the sudden confrontation; however, the situation was not resolved, merely delayed. Days a later, a more generalized argument cropped up and Inwe welcomed the chance to let out her claws just a little. It was the first time she really defended a position she held to other Imperials, instead of meekly subsiding if her opinion was not appreciated. When the storm settled, Inwe felt sated and Patrick also seemed more relaxed. Faint hints of electricity lingered in the air as disagreements were quickly forgotten and an easy comradeship replaced the tension.

Whether the argument was just a coincidence, or Patrick appreciated the display of will, their relationship in the fleet improved. Finally, having earned his tolerance, Inwe was determined to gain his respect. Every task that was assigned to her she attempted to complete with a high degree of diligence and skill, trying to make headway into his expectations. After working together on an assignment in the Vakkar system, Inwe felt a sense of pride and accomplishment when Patrick confided that she had the potential to become an exemplary pilot. Having poured such effort into gaining Patrick's respect, it proved very sweet when it finally came. Inwe knew that to keep it, she would have to continue to deserve it -- and she would see to it that it was well deserved.

Promotions and Assignments

Character Description

Personality

In general, Inwe is a temperate person with a strong personality that will occasionally tend to the mischievous. She is likely to be outgoing and is ready to cultivate friendships. However, this is in contrast to her natural introverted tendencies, so sometimes she needs space to gather her social energies again. Inwe also possesses a thriving sarcastic streak that will intermittently get her into trouble. Most of the time she is serious and goal oriented with a dry sense of humor; although, every once in while, she is prone to bouts of playfulness that sometimes surprise her friends. Inwe in a very loyal person, and expects the same commitment of loyalty in return. She has been hurt in the past when loyalties were broken. Once that trust has been breached, it is hard to rebuild.

Appearance

Like many native Thyferrans living on a planet with weak gravity, Inwe is tall and thin; measuring 1.8034 meters (5ft 11in) in height and 63.501 kg (140 lbs). Her build is lithe, flexible, and surprisingly strong since her efforts in the gym to increase her tone. She has long, gold hair; although it is shorter since she joined the Empire than the length she wore it on Thyferra. She inherited her mother’s skin type, giving her an alabaster complexion. Her eyes are a sky blue and reminiscent of her father.

When not in her Navy uniform, Inwe prefers light dresses made with a breathable fabric. It has taken some effort to adjust to the artificial environments in space which are cold compared to the balmy climate from which she originates. As a result, she is usually in her uniform.