Marcus Reeves, age 29, grew up on a struggling agricultural colony on the outer rim of human-controlled space. The harsh environment and constant threat of crop failure taught him resilience and resourcefulness from a young age. Despite the challenges, Marcus was fascinated by the stars and dreamed of exploring the galaxy.
At 18, he left the colony to join the Interstellar Defense Force (IDF), seeing it as his ticket off-world and a chance to make a difference. His natural aptitude for tactics and cool head under pressure quickly caught the attention of his superiors. Marcus rose through the ranks, eventually becoming part of an elite special operations unit.
During his decade of service, Marcus saw action in various conflicts across the galaxy, from quelling pirate insurgencies to facing off against hostile alien species. These experiences honed his combat skills and strategic thinking, but also left him with emotional scars and a growing disillusionment with the politics behind the conflicts.
Three years ago, a covert operation went terribly wrong, resulting in the loss of most of his team. Marcus was the sole survivor, rescued after spending weeks alone on a hostile planet. The incident left him with PTSD and a deep-seated guilt that he couldn't save his comrades.
Unable to continue in active combat roles, Marcus transitioned to a position in military intelligence. His unique combination of field experience and analytical skills made him valuable for mission planning and threat assessment. It was in this capacity that he was assigned to the current mission, meant to be an advisory role that would keep him out of direct danger.
Now, thrust back into a life-or-death situation, Marcus must confront his past traumas and rely on his hard-earned skills to ensure the survival of his new team. Despite his outward composure, he's haunted by the fear of once again being the lone survivor of a doomed mission.
