Mark Robinson

**Mark Robinson** was the laser operator at the Icarus space station.

## Biography

### An easy alliance with The Red Core

Robinson's job entailed using the laser on the space station to destroy space junk, such as satellites and pieces of space stations, to clear the space lanes. Robinson and his fellow employees were always disgruntled at the fact that there were rare minerals and metals in the junk that they could sell off for money. The station manager, James Winfield, ignored such complaints, stating that their job was dictated to them by the Earthside powers-at-be. One such employee that agreed with Robinson was Kathy Marshall, who worked as the union leader on the space station.

One day, Robinson was placed in contact with Jacob Depard of the criminal organisation The Red Core, who proposed that they use a stolen Moon Tours shuttle, collect the space junk, and have Robinson forge the laser records. That would mean that anyone looking would think the junk had been destroyed. They would then split all profits between The Red Core, and the union workers at the Icarus. Robinson, Marshall and the others happily agreed but did not make Marshall aware. (AUDIO: *Hostile Takeover*)

### A very uneasy alliance with The Collective

However, rival criminal organisation The Collective soon grew wise to this scheme and wanted an in. They proposed that The Red Core get bought out by them, and that the workers of the Icarus allowed The Collective to take over the collection of the space junk. Despite most staff being in agreement, mainly because the thought of refusing the demands of The Collection was too scary to think of, Robinson outright refused to co-operate, and The Red Core refused to yield to their demands.

The Collective then kidnapped Robinson, promising Marshall that he would be safe, followed Jacob Depard on his leisure trip to the Moon, murdering him in his habitation room, and sent Torsten Arthurton on a mission to silence all those who knew about this affair, part of which entailed hijacking the stolen shuttle, kidnapping its occupants, and sending it on a collision course with the Icarus. Fortunately, remaining crew managed to use the laser to change its trajectory, sending it crashing on the surface of the Moon. The International Space Police Force soon became aware of Robinson's disappearance, having been informed by Kathy Marshall, who was trying to save face. (AUDIO: *Hostile Takeover*)

### The Star Cops investigation

The ISPF sent Acting Chief Superintendent Pal Kenzy to the Icarus station, to primarily deal with the disappearance of Robinson. Kenzy quickly came to the conclusion that since there were no logs of people coming in or out of the station, Robinson had to be kidnapped, not missing. Kenzy also reached the conclusion that the paper records of the laser did not match that of the machine itself. Meanwhile, Inspector Paul Bailey was investigating the mysterious death of supposed leader of The Red Core, Jacob Depard. Fellow inspector, Colin Devis, was inspecting the crash site with Wolfe International employee Alice Okoro.

Quickly realising all the pieces fit together, Kenzy uncovered the truth behind The Collective's involvement at the Icarus. Marshall dropped her act, pulled a gun, and killed Winfield in front of Kenzy. With Kenzy hostage, she took her to where The Collective were apparently holding Robinson hostage. When the door to the room opened, it became apparent that The Collective had lied, and Robinson had been murdered. It became clear to Commander Nathan Spring of the ISPF that all of their investigations were pieces of the same puzzle and it wasn't long before Marshall was arrested and brought to ISPF headquarters.

The ISPF considered a lenient sentence on Marshall if she helped them bring down The Collective. Before they could move her safely to the next room, Arthurton shot her and took a Moonbase employee hostage. However, from behind him, Inspector Bailey shot him dead, thus wrapping up all cases. (AUDIO: *Hostile Takeover*)