THE SIDE CHARACTERS OF ICARUSCODE - EARTH

A hero could never survive in the real world; only we can.

Alric Helvig

Age: 47 / Gender: Male / D.o.B: July 2

Alric was a former commander of the UNEHF’s aerospace unit in the military. Normally those from this unit live on Exo-Terra, but they occasionally make their way down to the main planet to visit home. Though his thoughts were kept hidden, Alric secretly hated the way Earth was progressing, especially with the rising population of Vectors and AI ever since the former’s subjugation was lifted many years ago and the latter’s involvement in reconsiderations on AI android sentience, especially after Heather and Jack’s arrival. He believes that the Vector users and AI will eventually replace the “pure-blooded” humans, tarnishing the history of mankind and the planet.

After becoming the self-declared supreme leader of Exo-Terra, Alric put his plans into motion. Culling all Vectors and Vector sympathizers on the moon base along with deactivating all AI as well, he soon shifted his view to Earth itself by starting an insurrection and civil war in order to “purify” his homeland. Soon after, the TerraReformers began enforcing rigid and extreme patriarchal and conservative values among their captured territories. Though people who share his views were occasionally found publicly on both Earth and Exo-Terra, Alric’s rise to power emboldened his movement. Many were also forced into his worldview as collateral, as Alric has no problem killing those who oppose him, whom he considers “weak”. His deranged ideology now attempts to permeate all facets of Earth and its people.

Alric’s upbringing was fairly luxurious. Though Earth has largely eliminated poverty and maintained a stable infrastructure for everybody by this point (issues that sparked the Hemisphere War to begin with), Alric’s family was treated especially well due to their military history ever since the Hemisphere War itself. Despite this, Alric fears that with a more peaceful and equitable world comes him, his lineage, and people like him losing relevance. To Alric, to struggle is to be human, despite never struggling himself; whether it was housing, food, wages, or anything beyond, he sees these as “handouts”, not the mark of a civilized and progressing society. He longs for the day before the Hemisphere War, where he believed people knew their place. He deems this new world as taking away his rightful legacy, stealing the valor of simply being who he is. After all is said and done, Alric was never even alive during the time period he covets, oblivious to what life was really like.

Ana Chambers

Age: 32 / Gender: Female / D.o.B: Unknown

The lead intelligence officer for the UNWHF. Ana is a calculated individual, with no one able to get a read on her personality or personal life. She attained this position after working her way through the ranks of politics across the nation, proving her skills by suppressing the TerraReformers and Netscrapers that attempt to overtake the UNWHF. As such, her past feats have earned her a position on the Memorial Skyloft and she is now additionally in charge of overseeing all immigrants into the nation. Her work has made her a very trusted aide to President Blake Aguirre.

Blake Aguirre

Age: 34 / Gender: Male / D.o.B: October 13

The president of the United North-Western Hemisphere Federation. He was elected 5 years before the arrival of Heather and Jack to Earth. Presidents of the UNWHF serve in 10-year terms with no ability for re-election, though they are judged through election whether or not they continue their presidency at the 5-year mark. He had served as a representative of Neo California since he was 21 before becoming president. He and his bodyguard FAN.TASIA live and serve the public in the Memorial Skyloft, a pair of large spires in the center of the UNWHF capitol Palm City. Blake is a lover of philosophy and knowledge; he was in charge of spearheading the nation’s library renovation project and also was the main political push behind the Vector liberation movement at the start of his presidency, which was once an unpopular and bold move. Though Vectors are still not completely socially accepted, he was a major factor in the rights they have today. Despite also not being popular, he ultimately hopes to see the same happen for the AI androids, as well.

Carlos de la Rocha

Age: 37 / Gender: Male / D.o.B: December 8

A former professional MMA fighter who was banned due to his brutal techniques. MMA fighting has come a long way throughout its history on earth, but while the above-board matches take safety into account, the illegal underground scene is one of the most open forms of fighting on the planet. In these underground fight clubs, weapons and body modifications, for the most part, are completely allowed. However, certain moves and mods are deemed too unsportsmanlike and deadly even here, leading to any who use them to be banned permanently. Unfortunately, it takes a few lives to determine which moves should get the cut.

After being banned from the ring, Carlos went into underground fighting, a true no-holds-barred haven. There are no rules down there, just how the fighters like it. Carlos finds this thrill to be the reason life is worth living and doesn’t want it to end. Realizing that death could come at any moment from these dark corners of society, not to mention the toll his extensive modifications have had on his body, Carlos sought to extend his life so the fun never stops. Realizing that this thrill can take him to the top, he only sees the rules of society as limiting the potential of himself and everyone else. He now seeks to enhance both his and like-minded individuals’ longevity and create a lawless society where everything is a true, eternal free-for-all.

David White

Age: 52 / Gender: Male / D.o.B: August 5

Vice President of the UNWHF and the right-hand man of President Blake Aguirre. He is a fairly average political figure that doesn’t stand out or have the charisma that Blake has. David mainly oversees the other departments within the Memorial Skyloft in addition to UNWHF’s police force. As crime is very low due to the population’s basic needs being met, he doesn’t generally need to do more than paperwork and periodic checks on other government agencies. However, rumors have started circulating that David is unsatisfied with his position… or rather, of Blake himself.

Green Iris

Age: Unknown / Gender: Male / D.o.B: Unknown

One of the best fixers for all detective agencies, PI’s, and even police forces around the globe. Independent but relied upon by countless forces that uphold the law and maintain order across the four hemispheres, to cross Green Iris is to make an enemy of the world. He is an enigmatic figure, never making personal appearances to his clients. How one man could have so many connections is unknown, but his existence is tolerated as he helps maintain the prosperous world that exists today. However, his assistance appears to be according to his own personal code, as he has denied to help solve cases in many situations.

Himura Eiji

Age: 19 / Gender: Male / D.o.B: October 14

An assassin who uses his talents for the black market under the alias “The Whispering Demon”. Hailing from the Asian Islands sub-state under the United North-Eastern Hemisphere Federation, he has close ties to the hacker MINDSCAPE due to a shared history. Because of this, Eiji can be seen as their right-hand man. He carries out different types of recon and assassination missions for his clients, who are often wealthy business executives seeking an edge up on and control over the competition when the laws prevent a monopoly. Many of these executives are entrenched in the Three Conglomerate Cities of United Korea and Blossom Circle, the capital of the Asian Islands that is located in what was previously Japan. Recently, however, Eiji has been acting a bit strangely; he has been searching for one specific woman in his off-time to an almost obsessive degree.

Gathering a group of elite agents under him, and using the mutual exchange of favors between himself and MINDSCAPE, he has tracked down his target: Shania Williams. Seeing that she travels with the new AI arrivals Heather and Jack, along with UNWHF aide FAN.TASIA, he has to be cunning and discreet to get everyone right where he needs them to be. However, even he doesn’t really know why he’s infatuated by and drawn to Shania in the first place after one random chance encounter with her about two years ago. All that matters is that the trap is in place to get exactly what he wants… and to fulfill this deep-seated urge.

Icarus Encephalon

Age: Unknown / Gender: N/A / D.o.C: Unknown

A Dyson ring’s central computer with knowledge and power beyond anything else in the known universe. Its creators have long since been lost to time, and their descendants’ whereabouts are unknown. However, Icarus Encephalon still performs its prime directive without fail: gathering and storing data from all worlds, no matter the cost. Countless beings have discovered this brain throughout the centuries, each seeking power, knowledge, or their greatest desires. Though most have fallen, their experiences are passed onto Icarus Encephalon as they integrate a piece of it, a Minos Generator, into themselves to power their newfound fantasies in the first place.

Interstellar Combat Sentinels (ICS)

A space-faring organization that has caused chaos and destruction across the galaxy for 200 years. Conquering planets ad-nauseum the entire time, this terrorist organization is composed of countless alien races. They have many different goals, but ultimately all answer to the simple philosophy of their leader: the love of battle is the true meaning of existence. An empire built upon survival of the fittest, countless civilizations have met their end by their hand.

Jimson Dautra

Age: Unknown / Gender: Female / D.o.B: Unknown

Marcella Cattaneo

Age: 21 / Gender: Female / D.o.B: November 17

The special ops captain for Paese Dell’Oceano Mediterranea, a unique union of neutral states that border the Mediterranean Sea in the Northeastern Hemisphere but are not part of the UNEHF itself. She can be considered the leader of a major faction the state’s joint army, since they ultimately answer to her, but it generally acts autonomously as Marcella primarily operates in the shadows. The regions surrounding the sea have had a tumultuous time after the events of the Hemisphere War, as many crime syndicates subverted local governments in the chaos and established their own order. While these families generally come together to protect their independent status, rumor has it that the Cattaneo family is the one really in control, led by none other than Marcella herself.

Family ties run deep in this nation, serving as their only protection against the outside world. Each family has a long-seated history and grudges against other families that last longer still. The Cattaneo family specifically has always been small, a tight-knit group that held their own by their loyalty… and their espionage. In a way, they can be seen as the peacekeepers of Paese Dell’Oceano Mediterranea, cutting down those that grow too big for their small pond.

A crime against the family is the ultimate offense, one that must be answered for in equal measure. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth… Growing in-fighting between the families as well as increasing aggression from the other hemispheres has put untold pressure on the Cattaneo family, unlike anything they’ve experienced before. With her parents gone due to the assassin from the USWHF, it’s up to Marcella to bring Paese Dell’Oceano Mediterranea back on track. She’s shouldered this case on her own, done her research on her own… and now aims to eliminate the mastermind on her own as well, all to keep her families safe.

MINDSCAPE

Age: Unknown / Gender: Unknown / D.o.B: Unknown

One of the most infamous hackers on Earth, operating from the shadows and deeply entangled in the black market. Though much of Earth’s crime has been eliminated, the rise of and heavy reliance on advanced tech has spawned new forms of hardship. Those skilled with machines and technology can earn a comfortable career, but some find themselves too good for above-ground pay. It’s all business for MINDSCAPE, as they carry out jobs for their clients no questions asked. MINDSCAPE offers their services to the highest bidder, though something else seemed to have piqued their interest this time…

Hyper-advanced VR and Netscraping have been fairly commonplace on Earth for the last few centuries, though the long-term effects these things have on the human mind is still being studied. Some instances can result in a user becoming brain-dead, but this is rare and is usually a by-product of being hacked while in the World Net. However, even seeing the limitless possibilities in VR recordings or the deepest reaches of the Net, some of which being extremely unsavory, would turn the sanest mind into something warped. MINDSCAPE one had a bright future ahead of them as your above-average programmer, but moderation was never a word they truly took to heart. Though they claim their work is strictly professional, something a bit more sadistic may lie within.

A mysterious contact reached out to MINDSCAPE, real name Anastasia Levedeva, one day with the promise of technology, power, and wealth beyond her wildest dreams. Convinced it was too good to be true, she initially ignored the offers… until one fateful encounter. Her contact appeared before her one day, catching her off-guard and showing her the proof behind their words. Once she was thoroughly convinced, MINDSCAPE was tasked with creating as much division and chaos as possible, teaming up with four other candidates that were all set to merge their factions into one main group. With MINDSCAPE behind the tech, the other factions can freely subvert this paradise that emerged from Earth’s ashes. They would have the potential to be unstoppable.

Naucrate

Age: Unknown / Gender: Android (Female Presenting) / D.o.C: Unknown

The AI overseer that managed the Arch-AI's before and during the Hemisphere War. After hijacking the Arch-AI's responsible for the world's weapon systems, she froze all programs related to the nations' military and national defense. She would not concede government systems to humans until a peace agreement was signed, in which She determined that the world would be split into four hemispheres and drew new country lines that would form the new nations. Prime instigators and political leaders were also dealt with using the AI's and a former assassin from the United States: Rufus Edwarson. These new nations then democratically elected the leader of their respective hemisphere using an advanced voting system devised by Naucrate and the five Arch-AI's after the Hemispheres received their temporary leaders. She also delivered the greatest scientific achievement that led to the human race's survival: the use of protoplasmic fluid to regrow life on Earth using genetic code that was embedded in her databanks before the war broke out, despite the use of fallen soldiers' protoplasm being controversial across her advisors. Once this was done, Naucrate was, begrudgingly by some, heralded as Earth's savior. However, to the world's surprise, Naucrate deleted herself permanently shortly after.

ROU.LADE

Age: Unknown / Gender: Android (Male Presenting) / D.o.C: January 1

FAN.TASIA’s brother unit and the bodyguard of Tessa Williams. Unlike his sister, ROU.LADE has kept himself upgraded with the times, following in the footsteps of modern AI androids in their near-indistinguishable human appearances and mannerisms. ROU.LADE is also highly experienced in combat and boasts similar weaponry and skills as FAN.TASIA, though the output and quantity are lower due to his frame being more in-line with humans. However, one of ROU.LADE’s previous leaders during the Hemisphere War made the decision to erase his memories, leading him to forget everything about the world prior… including his relation to FAN.TASIA. She has decided to keep this information from her brother, as since remnants from the Hemisphere War that still exist are rare, past grudges may come back to claim him if they resurface today. FAN.TASIA will bear this burden alone.

Sofia Gonzalez

Age: 28 / Gender: Female / D.o.B: April 19

A doctor from the USWHF under the Golden Eagles division who used to attend to patients on the front line during military conflicts before returning home to continue the profession for the general public. Though helping people was always Sofia’s top priority, her true end goal was to eliminate the greatest threat to human life there is: death. After experiencing the horrors of war, the diseases humanity still has no cure for, pre-existing conditions that showcase the randomness of life’s cruelty, and the various effects that death has on those around her, Sofia began to fear her own existence. Death is an eternal constant that looms behind her, reminding her of the terrifying unknown that humanity can know nothing about.

After recruiting like-minded people and stealing various experimental lab data throughout the world, Sofia has created the world’s first nanomachines. Utilizing both them and what is already known about Vector energy, she has completed the Aeterna Battery, a super-advanced life support system that accelerates the evolutionary growth of nanomachines to the point where they infuse and integrate themselves directly into human cells. They are then powered by the immense energy produced by Vectors. This measure can be counteracted by releasing temporary, degradable nanomachines designed to destroy these cells and replace them with natural human stem cells. However, nanomachine research and the Aeterna Battery could spell disaster if they were to fall into the wrong hands, inspiring scenarios that some may be all too aware of.

The volatile nature of this technology is rife with unexpected side effects that the body is not fit to handle, from errors in the nanomachine reproduction process to replacing the cells in the body with incorrect ones. Taken even further, this process can create something akin to raising the dead, taking deceased Vectors and reanimating them through the regrowth of essential cells in the brain that facilitate movement and basic thoughts. However, these corpses bear little resemblance to their previous forms, with their primal animalistic nature clashing with the nanomachines for control of their hideous genetic evolution.

Tessa Williams

Age: 40 / Gender: Female / D.o.B: January 4

President of the United South-Eastern Hemisphere Federation, on the second half of her term. She and Blake Aguirre have helped foster the friendliest relations between the four hemispheres that the world has ever seen. As the mother of Shania Williams, she shared Blake’s sentiment of Vector liberation, though the position is still somewhat unpopular despite them gaining their independence. Her vassal states, like those of the UNWHF, largely prosper through tourism, but her hemisphere is also the location of most nature preserves and research foundations. The USEHF also has the strictest regulations and rules on the use of protoplasmic fluid in their Proto-Farms. FAN.TASIA’s brother unit, ROU.LADE, serves as the bodyguard of Tessa Williams.

Union of Science

A joint union of geniuses with members stemming from across the globe. Created prior to the Hemisphere War, the goal was to put differences aside and put the brightest minds together for the benefit of humanity. They are the ones responsible for creating Naucrate and the five Arch-AIs, hoping that they would guide humanity along the right path. However, when even these fail-safes could not stop the corruption that led to the Hemisphere War, they decided that they would break off from the world forever. As luck would have it, a meteor crash landed near their Antarctica base as the war raged on, and though they didn’t know it at the time, in it was a discovery that would change the galaxy. One day, when the world leaders gave the Union of Science an ultimatum to either join the war effort or risk eradication, they decided to leave their original cradle for the stars.

“The Icarus Encephalon, perhaps the greatest scientific achievement ever devised in the entire galaxy, could only have been made possible by a confluence of inter-planetary civilizations and species. From Spelcia and Clea Runé to even those from isolated planets like Bria and Tor-Zeln, who bravely stepped forward in face of shunning from their peers… our thirst for knowledge must not falter! We long for the day when we can archive this vast universe and carry this boon back home to allow Earth acceptance into this Stellar Concord. Far from it as we may be, our original cradle has never left our thoughts. Through unification, the very universe can be aligned according to our design!”

- The Union of Science