MRU Chronicles (Visual Novel Series)

This character is fun and confident.  She's not afraid to speak her mind and often vocalizes humorous lines in a matter of fact manner. Below is the characters profile to give you her background and a better idea of her personality as well as a picture of her based on the 3D animated model I've worked on that will appear in the visual novel episode. Name: Lara Race: Rikaran Homeworld: Rikara Hometown: Nureen Position: Squad Pilot Age: 28 Lara was the second member to join the team after its initial formation by Commander Cody, Tanya Sedaya, and former squad member Shara Jansen. Lara was born on one of her native homeworlds of Rikara. Her father died before she was born. He was a member of the Rikaran Resistance, a militia formed to actively engage in repelling a highly advanced race of AI occupying the Rikaran homeworlds after the Rikarans lost a war against them. The name given by the Rikarans to this AI race is "Dukete". A Rikaran derogatory term which roughly translated means "Ass heads". Unfortunately, the Rikaran Resistance was no match for the superior size and firepower of the Dukete's army. Not until the arrival of the Andaran military, the same race to which Commander Cody belongs, was the Rikaran resistance finally able to repel the Dukete from Rikara. Unfortunately, during the final push to repel the Dukete army Lara's father was killed in the fighting. Shortly after this Lara's mother was sold into a life of slavery which is not an uncommon occurrence for single Rikaran women despite the government's steps to stop slave trading with the help of the Andaran's. Lara was then born as a slave. As a child she was sold on a number of occasions, often working as a servant to local crime lords in various sectors of the galaxy. Sadly, Lara knew only life as a slave until the fateful day she met Commander Cody and his squad of mercenaries. Commander Cody and his team had returned from a contract mission performed for a major local crime lord, Bek Donus. While awaiting payment in Donus' conference room Lara had inadvertently spilled a drink on Tanya. Donus, having a quick temper, struck Lara hard in the face with his fist as he had done many times before. Lara having the bruises to prove it. Commander Cody's team then sprang into action. Tanya and Xiaohui quickly incapacitating the two closest guards in the room and Commander Cody out drawing the third and incapacitating him with a sonic pistol. Bek, now in his conference room with nothing standing between himself and the 3 mercenaries he hired earlier, offered a compromise. As he was a very influential crime lord he had long ago formulated a plan to take care of anyone who might do him harm. He had already paid a large sum of money to a large number of highly skilled mercenaries to go after his killer(s) in the event of his death. He offered Commander Cody's team the original contract payment for the job they completed in addition to the purchase of Lara, at a significantly discounted price, nearly free. Commander Cody, capable of taking on any of the mercenaries sent after him given his powerful abilities, was concerned for the members of his squad when he wasn't with them despite the teams proven ability to take care of themselves in any situation. The team agreed and took Lara with them when they left. Upon returning to their hotel room Lara's slave collar was removed and she was set free. Not knowing what to do, or where to go, she asked to stay with the people who freed her from her slave master. Commander Cody and his team often gave shelter and safe haven to those in need during their travels so Lara was welcomed to stay with them. It became obvious in a short period of time that not only was Lara very intelligent, but she had the amazing ability to quickly master piloting any craft that she was given tim e to practice with. She excelled at piloting the teams original transport "Frisky Brisket”, an old heavily modified "Dukete" occupation era drop shuttle. After spending time with Commander Cody and his squad she had grown attached to the people who showed her the only kindness, dignity, and respect that she had ever known. Lara grew to see Commander Cody as the father she never knew, and his team as the family she never had. As a result, she asked to join the team. She was welcomed with open arms since the squad viewed her as another, much loved, family member as well. Because of the abuse received at the hands of former slave masters most of her life, Lara does have emotional issues she often works though as she can become triggered by certain events. Often becoming uncontrollably angered by certain circumstances around her, such as seeing others enslaved, talk of enslavement, or anyone in the squad, her family, being mistreated in any way. The squad, her new family, giving her the space and time she needs during these times of emotional instability and being there for her to talk to when she needs others to be with. Lara was trained in hand-to-hand combat by Xiaohui who taught her the martial arts of her homeworld: 'Jeet Kune Do'. She became very proficient in its use. As a weapons expert Shara, before leaving the squad, taught Lara how to properly handle the squads personal firearms and energy based weapons as well. Lara excelled at the use of energy based pistols preferring their smaller size and lighter weight. As a result, not only is she a highly skilled and accomplished pilot, she is more than capable of handling herself in a firefight and in hand-to-hand combat. Lara is now finally able to live up to the name that was given to her before her birth which translated means 'Protector'.