Fiction:Balbus Marinus

"For centuries, we have bravely struggled against those who seek to destroy us. Today, I am told that with the dawn of this new age as a part the galactic community, the era of resistance is over. This is untrue. Even the aliens who assure us that they are fighting injustice will enslave all those who oppose them. In this time of 'peace', we are instructed how to live our lives by outsiders, and offered the shackles of 'alliance'. Know this: our struggle for survival has barely begun."

- High Councilor Balbus Marinus, 2744 AD

Early Life
Balbus Marinus was born on July the 26th, 2712. Following his parents, he joined the Talven navy in 2728, commanding his first ship - the Reckoning, a Pegusus-class corvette - in 2734. Marinus steadily rose up the ranks through his ruthless tactics for eliminating pirates, earning the title of Admiral and command of the Kraken-class carrier-ship Iubar's hammer in 2736.

Marinus sometimes chose to lead his marines into combat aboard enemy ships, using a modified energy pistol rather than a conventional rifle. In 2737, he was severely injured as a Talven fighter crashed into a ship he had boarded, loosing his right arm and part of his head. Part of his brain could not be saved, so a mechanical replacement was installed to repair his mind. Marinus chose not to have the damage undone by synthetic tissue, seeing his scars as a reminder of his own physical and mental weakness. He also decided to use a robotic arm to replace the one he lost.

High Councilor
In 2740, Marinus was offered a seat in the Imperial Council. He was made head of the DoW, and immediately sent ships further into space to investigate the transmissions that had been detected outside of Talven space two years earlier.

In 2742, Marinus and the head of the newly formed DDA, High Councilor Quintus Marcellus, met with dignitaries of the newly discovered alien civilization on Iubar. Marinus made great changes to Talven diplomacy, and when Marcellus resigned in 2743, Marinus was promoted to the position of High Councilor and head of the DDA.

Since this promotion, Marinus has been working closely with the DFI, which he secretly founded to give the empire a diplomatic advantage.

Personality
Marinus is distrusting, serious, and cunning. He is a skilled and leader, merciless in combat but preferring to rule by respect rather than fear. He does not enjoy war, but will do anything he can do protect his Empire. Marinus favors using multiple strategies at once, seeking to keep his foes off balance and never sticking with one method long enough for it to be countered.

Earning Marinus' trust has proven impossible, even for his closest friends. He watches over the activities of everyone that he interacts with regularly, sometimes making use of spies. He hates the idea of the Talven Empire being drawn into an alliance, believing that it would lead to serious restraints of the empire's expansion and prosperity.

Marinus is a lover and master of theater, acting and directing in his spare time. He also puts this skill to use when making speeches, and has been known to persuade others to join him merely through the power of words.

Friends
"We will face disorder together."

Respected
"We think alike."


 * Quintus Marcellus - I hope your scheming remains in the interests of our empire.
 * Imperator Caligustus - The Imperium of War is fortunate to have a leader like you

Neutral
"You have yet to earn my respect... or my resentment."

Hostile
"I see your true colors."

Enemies
"I will bring you to your knees."

Quotes
"Never put all your faith in a single strategy, a single leader, a single planet. Adaptability is survivability."

- High Councilor Balbus Marinus

"The only thing you can truly count on is for your enemies to attack."

- High Councilor Balbus Marinus

"Diplomacy is far more dangerous than a battlefield."

- High Councilor Balbus Marinus

"Development due to insight has a significant advantage over evolution: while less advanced lifeforms will adapt to suit their environment, we can adapt our environment to suit us."

- High Councilor Balbus Marinus