Avner Ryker

Avner Ryker was a general of the Saegon Army who gained adoration for his part in the Tribune Wars, later using it to propel his political influence to gain the position of high senator. Known for his strategic thinking and long-term planning, Ryker became a renowned leader in all sectors of his empire's society.
Ryker was the principle Saegon leader during the Gorron Invasion and solidified respect from both his people and aliens abroad.
== Early Life & Education ==
Ryker was born on Kalci, the moon of the imperial capital Tror. At 15 he entered and trained at the Kalci Military Academy and studied for a year, leaving as a second private for the moon Zatobus. He stayed there for about four months before being assigned to the 8th Defense Corps of Army Sector 8, responsible for defending the empire's most recent additions on the eastern border. He was placed under the command of Captain Rugetz Baklorev of the 14th Battalion, who became a mentor to the still-young warrior. 
Ryker quickly rose through the ranks by getting close to higher-ranking soldiers and sailors, demonstrating his tactical deliberation. By his fourth year, he had reached the rank of sergeant and was commanding roughly fifty soldiers. 
== Army Sector 44 ==
His ability in command was rare for such a youthful career and caught the attention of General Alexis Lotez of Army Sector 44. With the 44th Ryker would spend the next nine years stationed on various worlds, ranging from small outposts to major city centers. By now he was first lieutenant and was advancing ever faster up the ranks. 
General Lorez, now retired, kept in contact with Ryker and saw potential in him. Lorez wanted to become senator of a new world recently conquered, and knew the key to victory was in the hearts and minds of the soldiery. He pulled strings and had Ryker promoted to captain and put in charge of the 14th Battalion back in his 8th Defense Corps. Baklorev, still captain of the 14th, was promoted to major and given command of the 1st Regiment. The good words shared by Ryker and Baklorev won Lorez the election, which allowed him to push for further expansion into the east. Ryker's battalion was at the forefront of the invasion force and personally led the battles of Chouyama, Gippe 9, Gippe 8, and Brapus 12.
== Army Sector 51 ==
Fifteen years later in 32 BGS, Ryker was 44 and general of the newly designated Army Sector 51. Being such a young man in a rank of mostly 80-120-year-olds brought unwanted attention from his colleagues. However, he was a legend among the lower ranks for his leadership and bravery both on and off the battlefield. His sector was in charge of newly established systems formed in the wake of massive gains on the eastern border, the successes akin to that of Operation Eastern Expansion a quarter of a century before. His job would not remain peaceful for long, as the Tribune Wars would begin the same year and last for another three.
Ryker would find his glory to become known far and wide for his actions in the Tribune Wars. As general of the army sector most engrained in the conflict, Ryker would oversee and fight in some of the largest battles of the war, gaining victories for his empire that would be broadcast both in and outside his people's territory. His legend would only expand with his ascension to high senator, leading the empire and it's allies during the Gorron Invasion.
== Personal Life ==
Ryker's life is that of a soldier, but he still finds time to enjoy the finer things in life. He is a collector of art, both Saegon and not, and owns a number of small estates on minor farming worlds. His home, the former Ritterbeak Republic's presidential palace, is a grand structure he can usually be found in when not attending to his military duties.
Shortly after the Tribune Wars, he met his wife Elizabeth Dorsey, whom he married twenty months later. Their relationship has always been an infatuation with the tabloids, but the two hardly seem to mind.
As a high senator, Ryker's personal life remained largely the same. He traded his time in command rooms for that of political offices but managed to maintain his hobbies. Elizabeth became extremely popular as first lady, her beauty and enchanting demeanor only boosting her husband's already high approval rating.
After his terms, Ryker retired from both the military and political spheres, but would still provide advice to leaders from both who would contact him from time to time.
== Notable Actions ==
* Creation of the offices of Chief of Economics & Director of Science
* Created the Department of Architecture, its sub-department the Department of Preservation, and the Department of Ecological Conservation
* Reformatted census procedures to be more precise
* Simplified Saegon military structure and doctrine