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As not to become an unintended spoiler for the novel, I've confined my characters to those who begin the story with Rick.
Richard Pinn
Richard “Rick” Pinn is the novel's main character - a Me'Aukin found and raised
by humans on the former colonial world of Corven. Graduating with a doctorate in
archaeology, Rick has been offered the choice position of colonial curator on Me'Auk
by Interstar Corporation. Driven by a need to understand why his race abandoned
him in cryogenic stasis as an embryo, Rick eagerly accepts the politically-motivated
assignment. He immediately discovers that his heritage has been waiting for him
with deadly intent, sending Rick down a far different path of making history rather
than digging it up.
Like all Me’Aukins, Rick is easily noticeable by his short stature, long fingers,
and olive skin. His slightly larger dark eyes add to the incorrect impression that
he is barely out of middle school. There is nothing childish about him – including
a deep seated anguish of not fitting in with his adopted race.
Rick, along with Jamie Brinwall, was discovered twenty seven years ago on the planet
of Me’Auk in the ruins of Clan Maedan. He had been there for an estimated three
hundred years. The two of them were initially raised in the Institute For Me’Aukin
Studies until released in their late teens due to public protests. Having been offered
several scholarships, Rick chose to pursue archeology as a natural course toward
rediscovering his heritage. He took the last name of his mentor and Dean at Lake
Austin University.
Jamie Brinwall
Jamie Brinnwall is Rick’s female Me’Aukin counterpart – found with him in cryogenic
stasis. Long black hair and a delicate jaw line add to her Me’Aukin features to
portray what appears to be a fragile-looking young girl. Nothing could be further
from the truth. Headstrong, and determined to find her race again, Jamie despises
humanity in general and is fiercely proud of her heritage. This is more of a defense
against the disillusion over watching the family she was adopted into become shattered
by the murder of her foster mother Katherine Brinwall at the hands of Me’Aukin mines.
Now Jamie wants to run away, and even attempted to steal a freighter at one point
in a desperate bid to find the clans. Jamie is acutely aware of being the only eligible
Me’Aukin female when she is around Rick. An unexplained strong antipathy between
her and Rick guarantees that any relationship would be futile at best.
Jamie shares a similar background as Rick, except that she was adopted by Jay and
Katherine Brinwall once released from the Institute. Her foster parents are wealthy
politicians intent on opening Me’Auk up for colonization. After her foster mother’s
tragic death, Jamie is estranged from her foster father due to his inwardly blaming
her for Katherine’s death due to Jamie’s race.
Andrea Gibbs
Protests to bring Rick and Jamie out from under the guardianship of the Institute
For Me'Aukin Studies was organized by a determined fellow university student named
Andrea Gibbs. Like Rick, she studied archaeology although engineering remains Andrea's
primary interest. Hired by Interstar Corporation to unlock the mysteries of Stone,
the nano-tech material used by Me'Aukins, Andrea has done extensive field research
on Me'Auk.
Andrea is a head taller than Rick, and keeps her hair clipped short as to deal with
the humid climes she often works in. She feels a lack of purpose in her life as
a corporate employee, remembering the days when her actions counted for more than
a simple paycheck. Her driving interest remains with the Stone, and a desire to
protect the remaining ruins from harm. Andrea remains haunted by the death of Katherine
Brinwall whose murder she witnessed. She welcomes Rick’s arrival, looking to rekindle
some of the better memories they shared in college. Andrea was engaged to Major
Steven Keller, however their relationship ended with a destructive barrage ordered
on the most intact of the abandoned Me’Aukin cities.
Steven Keller
Looking like a misplaced Viking, Steve represents the military arm of Interstar Corporation through its Exploratory Corps. Major Steven Keller has only one concern – the safety of both the preliminary colonists and the many more to come to Me’Auk. His adversary is the Me’Aukin mines, autonomous weapons that infest the many ruins across the planet. Major Keller feels that Me’Auk is far from safe despite limited mine activity, and opposes Interstar’s timetable for Opening Day. He regrets having to destroy portions of the abandoned cities, but puts human lives above historical treasures. He still loves Andrea Gibbs, and chalks their failed relationship up as another casualty in a war he’s yet to win.