Lucinda Natus, High Commander
“The High Commander is the Captain of the Arvad. While this position certainly comes with power, it also comes with all of the heavy responsibilities of ensuring a successful journey. Her goal is to keep as many people in her care alive for as long as possible.”
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The High Commander is both the Captain of the Arvad and also the Head of the Prime Council. This is a lot of power to concentrate in a single person — especially in a society that values personal freedoms, self determination, and direct democracy — but it is necessary. Like the Roman dictators appointed briefly in times of emergency, the position of High Commander is largely ceremonial right up until it becomes the absolute indisputable voice when the mission or the ship is in danger.
The final High Commander is Lucinda Natus, a no-nonsense young woman appointed both for her background (a former Senior Navigator) and her open disdain for political maneuvering. She had a history of listening attentively and speaking rarely while she sat in the Council Chambers, first as the assistant to the former Chief Navigator, then as his representative when his declining health prevented him from attending.
A bit of a compromise choice for High Commander, Natus was able to gain the support of three separate factions within the Council that would rather see her in command than one of their competitors. Regardless, she has done an admirable job as the Arvad has approached her destination, and all are united behind her measured indifference now. But the biggest test of her leadership is yet to come, as the end of the generations-long voyage looms. Will she have the right mix of attitude, skill, and nerve to complete the mission?
A natural introvert when not on the bridge or in the council chambers, Lucinda spends her off duty time in the Arvad’s gym, where she favors the rock climbing wall, long walks on the treadmills, and fencing. She gets quite upset if she senses a sparring partner holding back on account of her position, and will call them out on it without hesitation.
Written by: Matthew A DeBarth
