Syd Lawrence

> Sometimes simply speaking the truth can be enough to convince someone that violence is futile.
>
> Syd Lawrence, *Calan Volume I: Visitors of the Incubus*

## Syd Lawrence

### Family

Molly Lawrence (wife)
Two sons

### Occupation

Soldier
Pilot

## Appearances

### Appears in

Calan: The Immortality Paradox

Captain **Syd Lawrence** is a Leonian pilot and soldier in the E'blanche Military Force. He originated from E'blanche.

## Biography

### Early Life

At some point, Lawrence became acquainted with Professor Kalet Steale. He also joined the E'blanche Military Force. He also married Molly Lawrence and they had two sons.

### E'blanche Military Force

At some point, Lawrence was tasked with rescuing an emissary from Libera, Samantha Orman, from a hostage crisis instigated by members of Penumbra on Caesar station. He was able to successfully bypass their blockade and free the dignitary from their capture.

### The Disappearing

In OA19,648, as the Incubus materialised in the Seven Suns system, Lawrence's wife and children became victims of the Disappearing.

### Mission to the Incubus

In OA19,652, following the appearance of the Incubus and the event known as the Disappearing, Lawrence volunteered along with four other soldiers for a mission to the mysterious object in the Seven Suns system. General Rafe Newman organised the mission in the belief that probability of success was near zero.

The Captain was joined by Privates, Nathan Hamilton, Vivienne Granger, Daniel Slade and Joseph Simmons inside the *Soldat Intergalactique*, a bespoke new spaceship. They travelled from E'blanche in the Canol system towards the Seven Suns. Lawrence became isolated early on in the journey and dismissed Hamilton and Granger's plans for the mission, with the belief that nothing could be achieved until they reached their destination. When Hamilton accused the Calan of possibly being involved in the Incubus' appearance, Lawrence defended them and claimed that they would not go to such lengths to deceive the Human race.

To pass the time, the Captain participated in games of holographic chess and came to know his fellow crewmembers intimately. As they traveled from the Canol system to the Seven Suns, they were required to pass through the Regal Trident on the border. When they arrived, they witnessed a mass exodus of Aquila Chapter civilians migrating from the planetary system. During their scanning procedure in one of the three rings at the Trident, they are boarded by a security operative, known as Sherwin, who attempts to dissuade the group from attempting to investigate the Incubus, claiming that numerous groups had attempted the same task before, but had not returned. Lawrence successfully reasoned with her, explaining that they were only there to help. He correctly guessed that someone close to the operative was a victim of the Disappearing. They were allowed to continue on their journey.

By OA19,653, the spaceship had crossed into the vicinity of Calpurnia. One day during the journey, Lawrence decided to play music, which Granger overheard and enjoyed. He explained that it was sounds recorded by his wife on Kompass, the second moon of Fyr. He claimed to believe they contained a hidden message from the Universe, reminding him of the happiest moments of his life.

As the spaceship orbits around Greenworld, Lawrence and the crew prepare to arrive at the Incubus. He orders Simmons to take account of all they see on a data beacon, which can be sent back to E'blanche. On approach, he discovers that the object has no gravitational field and so switches the gyroscopic field translator into manual control for the landing procedure. As the Soldat Intergalactique enters the supposed atmosphere, Lawrence and his crewmates realise that the Incubus is simply an illusion. They pass straight through the surface, and start to experience hallucinations. Lawrence slowly watches as his fellow soldiers dismember from existence as he himself witnesses flashbacks to conversation with Granger, the Regal Trident security operative and Hamilton. Furthermore, he relives the pain of losing his wife and sons to the Disappearing, and a brief conversation as a child that he had with Professor Kalet Steale. Soon after, he disappears too.

## Personality

Despite owning the title of Captain in the E'blanche Military Force, Lawrence is a quiet and secluded individual. He enjoys his own company and prefers privacy, tending to remove himself from the company of his subordinates.

A proficient pilot, Lawrence often uses the skill as a source of comfort from difficult situations.

Thoughtful and diplomatic, perhaps due to influence by Professor Kalet Steale, Lawrence is not quick to judge anyone. For instance, he defends the Calan from accusations regarding the Incubus, believing their involvement in Human lives to be purely altruistic. In addition, Lawrence has a pacifistic disposition, choosing communication over violence whenever possible.

## References

1. ↑ *Calan: The Immortality Paradox - Appendix*
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 *Calan Volume I: Visitors of the Incubus*