Reneé Valentae is a female Ortella, who serves as the chief of staff of President Apollo of the New Republic Remnant, having previously served in that capacity, and as press secretary, during Apollo's brief tenure as the President of the New Cyrannian Republic.
Born in 17 BNE on the Core world of Cyranduas, Valentae was a teenager when the Galactic Empire of Cyrannus was formed, a development which she viewed with deep suspicion. Believing that the future of democracy in Cyrannus hinged on the galactic press holding the Empire's leaders accountable, she attained a degree in political communications and journalism, graduating a year after the formation of the New Republic in 03 NE.
In 05 NE, Valentae became a correspondent for the Mou'Cyran-based Republica News, where she was sent to the fringes of Republic Space to report on how the New Cyrandia Wars impacted on the lives of the people living on the borders with the aggressive Rihanae Pact. Gaining Republic-wide acclaim for her objectivity, Valentae began moving up in the organisation, becoming the chief intergalactic affairs correspondent in 08 NE, a position which gave her access to a multitude of intergalactic leaders, such as former President Apaltar and Regent Rambarth Dino II Le Rambo. In 15 NE, after the Mou'Cyran Cataclysm and the beginning of the Second Great Cyrannus War, Valentae volunteered to help President Apollo in his efforts to rebuild the Republic government. Two weeks later, she was announced as his administration's press secretary, serving from the Presidential Pyramid on Capricaerón.
Biography
Early Life
Born in 17 BNE on Cyranduas, Valentae enjoyed a prosperous early life away from the conflicts and wars which ravaged the galaxy's outlying regions during the final decades of the United Republic of Cyrannus. When she was a teenager, rather than party with friends or spend her days stuck in front of a hologram, Valentae immersed herself in the politics of the galaxy, regarding her favourite journalists as celebrities, rather than the greatest musicians or actors of the day.
When the Galactic Empire of Cyrannus was formed in 01 BNE, Valentae regarded it with deep suspicion, particularly when it began to stamp down on the galactic press in an effort to push their own skewed outlook on current events, and even history, the tampering of which for political game was regarded as a cardinal sin for the idealistic young woman. Graduating with a degree in political communications and journalism in 04 NE, Valentae relocated to Mou'Cyran, where she became a correspondent for Republica News, sent to the outer sectors of New Republic space to report on the ravages of the New Cyrandia Wars.
Second Great War
- Early years
“Tell them the truth, Reneé. We screwed up. Now, a Senator is dead and the Vice President-elect severely injured. Tell them we'll do better.”
- - President Apollo after the Republic Day Attacks
In 08 NE, Valentae was promoted to become the chief intergalactic affairs correspondent, due to her objectivity and willingness to question and push politicians, to the point where she became somewhat feared in the halls of power in Republic City. After the Mou'Cyran Cataclysm, Valentae was approached by President Apollo, and was soon announced as his administration's press secretary. Though bound by the administration in many ways, Valentae refused to allow the war to cloud of her judgement, and was not afraid to approach the President if she felt that he was falling behind on his promises.
Apollo speaks with his staff within the Pyramid.
After the Republic Day Attacks, Valentae told the Presidential Pyramid's press junket, on Apollo's order, that the administration had failed to anticipate Éaltar Gauisa, and that in the future, they'd do better. Gaining a new appreciation for the President's style, Valentae did so, refusing to sugar coat the issue, or spin it to the President's advantage. Almost a year later, her skills as press secretary ultimately led to her promotion to Apollo's chief of staff, when the previous occupant of the office, Jeron Isauran resigned due to family concerns.
In 17 NE, Valentae was present on Capricaerón during the Fall of the Twelve Worlds, relaying information on the other planets to Apollo. During the battle, Apollo privately contemplated his chief of staff, marvelling at her composure and steadiness in the face of such a calamity. Valentae was one of the few who refused to evacuate the Presidential Pyramid during the attack, instead remaining with her President. She was later among those who were transported off Capricaerón by the Auethnen Raptor, which brought her to the Republica, becoming one of the first members of the New Republic Remnant.
Personality and Traits
Self-assured and dedicated to the ideals of free press and the preservation of truth in a galaxy of war, Reneé Valentae is widely regarded as one of the great political minds of her generation. While Valentae was sceptical of President Apollo during his career as the New Republic's Proconsul, and later, the Senator of the Twelve Worlds, having viewed him as partly responsible for the rise of the Empire, she grew to deeply respect him in his position as President of the Republic in the tumultuous years following the Cataclysm. Despite her relative youth, Apollo considers her to be one of his closest advisors, knowing that she's always willing to do the right thing, even if it isn't the easiest thing. During her tenure as press secretary, Reneé became well-liked by the press corps for her wit and intelligence, as well as her willingness to tackle questions, even if the answer did not portray the administration in a positive light.
Acquaintances
Liked
“How's it going?”
Disliked
“Ugh.”
Quotes
Gallery
