Miriam Gorgolez

Gorgolez shortly after officially becoming Protector

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**Miriam Gorgolez-Papalazarou**, later known mononymously as **Miriam** or simply **Miri**, (born 2248) is a Louisianan politician currently serving as the Protector of the Human Commonwealth since 2286. She assumed power relatively easily in the distress following the **Battle of Constantinople** and the kidnapping of Tekin, though it would be several months before she officially became Protector.

## Early Life

Gorgolez was born through artificial means, with a substantial level of genetic modifications, in 2248 at the Degrande Scientific Institute in the suburbs of Lafayette, a city in Southern Greater Louisiana, then in Neo-Europe. She was part of Neo-Europe's experiments into genetic modification, with some level of 'pre-existing memories', increased speed of maturity, greater pain resistance as well as a bluish tint to her skin and hair, and red-coloured eyes, for purely cosmetic reasons. Her biological parents were recorded as **Gustavo Hollande** and **Lalla Tamm;** Hollande and Tamm never met but like most people providing their genetic material, gave full consent for it to be used for whatever the scientists desired. In addition, she has further ancestry from a 'pool of resources.' Gorgolez was initially going to be adopted by a young couple, but following her birth she was rejected by them, leading to her being raised in state institutions as a 'ward of the state' until eight years of age, when she adopted the surname Gorgolez, after **Charles Gorgolez***,* a former Governor of Greater Louisiana.

Reaching biological adulthood aged eight, including both physical and mental maturity, she sought various careers but was refused most due to still legally being a minor. Part of her struggles led to a concession by Premier Rutte, meaning that individuals like herself would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis; following this, in 2258, aged ten, she was legally made an adult.

Gorgolez initially experienced mockery for her blue skin, although in the subsquent years, people began to idolise her unusual complexion, as other genetically enhanced individuals later sported unconventional traits.

## Career

By 2261, initially due to admiration of Cassia Tstatsos, Gorgolez had started training to join the Cosforce; she quickly rose through the ranks, becoming an Admiral by 2269. As Admiral, Gorgolez was well-respected and known for her tactical genius. It was in this job she would be approached by the Brotherhood of Tekin, who offered her vast amounts of power if she offered to help them restore a Tekin in power in Neo-Europe. Seeing how Neo-Europe was in a state of downfall, she conceded, becoming privately involved with the wider Tekin movement. In 2272, she even secretly met the Clone of Tekin, where they discussed the future of the world.

By the following year, Gorgolez had officially left the Cosforce, defecting to Tekin's movement. This made her a wanted criminal in Neo-Europe. During the Neo-European attack on Tekin's moonbase, by a stroke of luck she was scouting in Earth's orbit, where she remained until Tekin took back control of Neo-Europe. There, she was granted important positions in both government and the military, by 2280 she was one of Tekin's most respected confidants.

## Assuming Power

Following the destruction of Constantinople and Tekin's kidnapping at the hands of the Domolaki, Gorgolez was the first to assume power in the vacuum left by Tekin's apparent absence, initially in a temporary manner. She immediately brought in drastic methods to quell the threat of the defected clones, including plans to reorganise the military in their absence and, later, stripping them of all rights and permitting people to shoot them on sight, Publicly, she held out hope for Tekin's return, though she knew this was unlikely, plus, if he did return, he may have been influenced by the Domolaki in the same way as the clones.

## Protector of the Human Commonwealth, 2286-present

In September, Gorgolez officially took power and formally denounced Tekin's regime, despite continuing a lot of his work.

### Period of Hiding

Following her quick marriage, Gorgolez and other ruling figures of the Human Commonwealth agreed to dissipate, with Blank Slate doubles in their place. With Papalazarou, the two embarked on a journey out of New Orleans through an intricate tunnel system.

## Personal Life

Gorgolez enjoys studying the art of many cultures, believing a lot can be explained through works of art. She is a renowned collector, although most of her items are currently kept in secure archives.

In September 2286, she entered a romantic relationship with Hector Papalazarou. By early November, just before leaving New Orleans in secret, the two were formally married, with other council members in attendance.

## Ideology

Gorgolez is a moderate Tekinite. She shares some of his ambitions of controlling the population through eugenics and other forms of regulation, and advocates for a very strong government in general. However, she differs through her own position; she does not desire a 'cult of personality' much like Tekin had, and stresses that she is only a part of the grand system of Human Commonwealth government. Despite this, she has not yet had an opportunity to apply her peacetime vision given the conflict with the Domolaki, but comments have suggested she aims to continue the pan-humanist, pro-science policies of her predescessor, if she is able to survive the invasion.

## Quotes

To the female Ekrim Tekin during their encounter in New Orleans, 18/10/2286:

> 'I only need myself. I, Miriam Gorgolez, will do what nobody else could - execute Ekrim Tekin. *I* will be the saviour of humanity, *I* will raise this great nation out of the rubble, *I* will remain a constant!'
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