Amber Thompson

Amber Thompson was a Canadian self-taught software developer and programmer. A close friend of Kyle Wald, she helped him in his endeavors, especially in the reverse-engineering of a Heavy Sentinel Suit, which was used to retake the Appalachian capitol in the Second Battle of Harrisburg.

## Life Before the Great Collapse

Born in the Toronto area on June 2nd, 2000, Amber Thompson developed an interest in computers and technology when she was young. Fueled by a lack of attention from her busy parents, Thompson taught herself many skills in software and programming. Her parents, who worked frequently in a law firm, did not understand or support her interest. Despite this, she continued, growing fond of AI technology, which was in its infancy at the time.

While on a business trip in 2018, Thompson's parents were stranded when their flight was canceled. After communication networks went down in the Great Collapse, Thompson lost contact with them and would never discover what happened. She remained in custody of her grandfather, who died after a lengthy battle with the Jinanvirus.

## Meeting Hoan and Wald

Thompson struggled to find a use for her skills in the Post-Jinan world. She managed to survive in the Toronto metro area without ever developing long-term friendships, as her trust was severely limited. Following the destruction of the Harrisburg Committee in 2019, American soldiers began quartering in the region. While down on her luck and homeless, she was discovered by Marine officer Jason Hoan. She was allowed to bunk in women's quarters for a time, and helped lend a hand to their cause by working as a IT specialist.

Afterwards, she encountered Kyle Wald, who she quickly gained an affinity for. She appreciated his independent work style, and later began to stay with him and work on his personal projects.

## Journey to Kansas

After the Battle of Chibonhold, Thompson stayed in contact with the Burnett family clan while in Toronto. She was determined to locate and get in touch with Wald, who she hadn't seen in three years. When Maria Burnett reached out to her about Wald's location, Thompson was eager to help. She agreed to travel with Sergeant Dakota Taylor, who was officially making a trip with a squad to Wichita, Kansas, to gather information about the Phoenix Union's attempted occupation of the city. In actuality, Taylor quickly made it clear he desired to capture Hannah (WID-688), the Widowmaker android that served as Wald's companion. He promised her that he would deliver no harm to Wald if she helped him, and if she interfered, that it wouldn't be good for her.

In Wichita, Kyle Wald was more than surprised to see Amber and his old metal machine being delivered to him. However, Hannah was skeptical of her arrival, and emphasized to Wald that she wasn't to be trusted. Thompson and Wald, regardless, rekindled their friendship, only for her to come clean to Wald about Sergeant Taylor's plans to capture Hannah. He was too late in stopping Taylor, and was shot and mildly wounded by Taylor. After tending to his wounds, Thompson and Wald pledged themselves to one another and their mission, and Thompson slept with Wald, although Wald was rather ambivalent about the depth of their relationship.

During the Battle of Wichita, all forces turned against the limited Appalachian units following a ceasefire. Wald was captured by covert Great Lakes units, and at the same time, Amber Thompson and Hannah had been captured by Wei Zhi. They were escorted to a bridge over the Arkansas river, meeting with Wald. Zhi used Thompson as a bargaining chip in trying to extract information out of Wald that he, in actuality, did not have. Zhi promptly stabbed Thompson through the abdomen, a wound that Wald knew would be fatal if he didn't comply and allow her to receive medical intervention immediately. However, Wald's attempts to mediate the situation were stopped when Hannah tackled him and took the two into the Arkansas river. The disgruntled Zhi brought Thompson back to the Phoenix-occupied airfield, believing Wald would return for both Thompson and his metal machine suit. However, Zhi's men could not find a way to disengage the suit in time before Wald returned with Hannah, albeit wounded. Zhi anticipated Wald would be rather upset and in a position of tactical advantage, and thus, chose to flee.

Thompson was left wounded, and Wald brought her to their van where they escaped with his Mechnisuit. After repelling a convoy of followers, Wald did what he could to give medical assistance to Thompson, but the lack of intensive care equipment led to her death after she lost too much blood. Thompson's body was eventually buried at the Krauss ranch after Wald returned to Appalachia.