Lewis Harper

Commander **Lewis Harper** is an officer of the Centran Defence Force who currently serves as Executive Officer of the CSV *Shabayev*.

## Biography

### Early career

Lewis Harper joined the Centran Defence Force and rose to the rank of Commander by 0304 PCU. He was assigned to the Avalon Exploratory Initiative as Executive Officer aboard the CSV *Shabayev*, serving as second-in-command to the Expedition's Defence Adjutant, Vice Admiral Winston Redfield.

### Avalon Exploratory Initiative

#### Lost in CDC-41-Gamma

Harper deployed with the *Shabayev* through Edric's Gate as part of the Avalon Expedition Fleet in 0304 PCU. Most of the fleet was scattered on its arrival in CDC-41-Gamma, though the *Shabayev* managed to rendezvous with a handful of other ships, including the CSV *Republic* and CSV *Bracewell*.

Over the next two months, the small fleet led by the *Shabayev* struggled to survive in CDC-41-Gamma. Following the capture of an Advari observer, Castian Vadric, Harper led the *Shabayev* in battle against two Advari ships, and successfully escaped into the Callandra Nimbus despite the loss of the *Republic* and the *Bracewell.*

#### Reunited with the *Avalon*

Shortly afterwards, the *Shabayev* re-established contact with the *Avalon*. Convinced that the Advari posed an existential threat to the Tantalus Cluster, Vice Admiral Redfield chose to seize control of what remained of the Avalon Expedition Fleet. Harper was assigned to commandeer the *Guinevere*. Faced with opposition from Tamara Melari and Mathias Croft, Harper chose to use force and violently detained both.

As Redfield consolidated control over the fleet, Harper ordered repairs to damage sustained in the battle with the Advari to be expedited: the pace of repairs aboard the *Shabayev* quickly sapped morale among the crew and discipline began to sag: shifts were doubled to expedite repairs, leaving little time for rest and recuperation. Eleven deckhands were written up for reporting late to shifts, while Midshipman Fowler was confined to quarters for disorderly conduct, leaving Harper in the embarrassing position of having to present a poor readiness report to Redfield. In addition, with several ships in the fleet refusing to recognise Redfield's leadership, Harper was ordered to detach much of the *Shabayev's* Marine detachment to secure control over these ships.

In an effort to increase morale, Harper increased the *Shabayev's* rum ration, which only had the effect of provoking a brawl in the dining hall when a drunk Faraday struck a Midshipman. This proved impossible to contain as the *Shabayev's* Marines had been re-deployed to secure the fleet's civilian ships. The brawl was only put down after Vice Admiral Redfield crossed from the *Avalon* to confront the crew directly. Following this incident, Redfield recognised that he could not command the civilian fleet's respect and stood down his coup attempt, returning leadership to Elizabeth Ancelet.

## Personality

A loyal, diligent and professional military officer, Harper generally follows his superiors' orders without question. However, he has expressed disquiet at some of Vice Admiral Redfield's decisions, such as his unwillingness to impose discipline on Marines caught looting the *Golden Opportunity* and his decision to abandon a gatehauler while attempting to escape from two pursuing Advari ships.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 *Theirs Not to Make Reply*
2. ↑ *Inclement Weather*
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 *Theirs Not to Reason Why*
4. ↑ Casting Call Document