Deirdre Skye

"Planet Dreams"

Lady **Deirdre Skye** is the leader of Gaia's Stepdaughters.

## Background

Born 2025, Edinburgh Scotland, father a U.N. security consultant assigned to various crisis locales
worldwide. Her parents divorced when she was still quite young, and her mother effectively abandoned her afterward. She was raised by a series of nannies and private schools, leaving her introverted and detached from most normal emotional relationships.

Skye eventually studied at Cornell University School of Agriculture, acquired Bachelor of Science in
Agriculture and Environmental Biology, Masters in Biology, Ph.D. Biology and Genetics.
Immediately distinguished self with deep intuitive knowledge of plant strains and ability to intuit
powerful genetic manipulations, after she was employed at the Bionex research facility in White Plains, New York. She gained a reputation as a world-class geneticist, developing dramatically improved strains of various crop plants.

Later worked for Red Cross and United Nations Disaster Relief Fund to revitalize radiation and heavy metal contaminated
areas with highly specialized
biostrains (Skye variation
v097 apple and Skye Mark
IV wheat
strain
considered as highest examples
of adaptable biogenetics in contaminated
soil). Selected as
top
candidate
for
Mission Botanist/Xenobiologist by
U.N.
Alpha Centauri Mission Committee,
appointed
against
wishes of Chief Science Officer
Prokhor Zakharov. In the late 2040s, she was often mentioned as a potential Nobel candidate, although she had not yet won the prize when she left Earth aboard the Unity.

### Personality

Deirdre Skye remains a brilliant scientist, but since joining the Unity expedition she has also become an ideological leader. She is committed to ecological stewardship, and demands that the expedition avoid repeating what she terms the "tragedies" of Earth. In some ways, her devotion to the environment is nonrational, and she often argues for it in near-religious
terms (this is why, despite her talent as a scientist, Prokhor Zakharov opposed her presence on the
expedition). She has gathered a devoted following
among the expedition's agronomists and biologists.

Relies on deep intuitive sense combined with scientific knowledge for determination of future
actions. Powerful mind and will combined with broad base of knowledge leads her to excel in chosen
area of expertise.
Sense of isolation
from
childhood events
(e.g.
divorce
of parents) and prelaunch
events
reinforces
strong
tendency to introversion.

Strong connection to environmental causes may cloud scientific judgment; strong democratic leadership
style may
result in subject placing welfare of loyal
subordinates
above
welfare of mission as a
whole.
Appeals to reason should prove
effective in discouraging
these behaviors.

### GURPS stats

* Human female; age 35; 5'7", 115 lbs.; pale skin, long dark-brown hair, blue eyes.
* ST 10 [0]; DX 12 [20]; IQ 14 [45]; HT 12 [20].
* Speed 6.00; Move 6.
* Dodge 6.
* Advantages: Beautiful [15]; Empathy [15]; Military Rank 4 (Lt.

Commander) [20]; Strong Will +1 [4].

* Disadvantages: Fanaticism (Environmentalism) [-15]; Sense of Duty (Loyal followers) [-10]; Shyness (Mild) [-5].
* Quirks: Fonder of plants than of people; Introverted; Scottish brogue grows thicker under stress; Writes volumes of poetry. [-4]
* Skills: Administration-14 [2]; Agronomy-15 [4]; Biochemistry-14 [8]; Botany-16 [8]; Chemistry-14 [4]; Computer Operation-15 [2]; Computer Programming-12 [1]; Driving (Heavy Wheeled)-12 [2]; Ecology-17 [10]; First Aid-15 [2]; Free Fall-12 [2]; Genetics-16 [16]; Hiking-12 [2]; Leadership-13 [2]\*; Naturalist-15 [6]; Poetry-13 [1]; Research-15 [4]; Swimming-13 [2]; Teaching-13 [2]\*; Vacc Suit-13 [1]; Writing-14 [2]; Zoology-13 [2].
* Languages: English (native)-14 [0].

## Gallery

Profile