Zeke Astrick

"*War is what makes us what we are, it is what drives us to greater heights. Without it, we are nothing to the hunters that stalk us every waking moment of existence.*"
—Zeke Astrick, on the precarious position of humanity following the Colonial War

**Baron Zeke Astrick** was born on Orisa Sicarius in the minor household House Astrick. Zeke Astrick was raised in a peaceful time where the Ra'dam Federation ruled over human space unchallenged and becoming complacent as a result. Since Orisa Sicarius was held tight by a traditionalist-style aristocracy and House Astrick was considered apart of that social structure, Zeke had access to the best education and personal combat training in melee and firearms as expected of any noblemen before him. But his unusual sharpness and refusal to cope with the current status quo of corrupt nobles and a simple life lead to him being disgraced from House Astrick.

He would join the Frontier Militia for a few years, as he had no sponsor to support him joining the Orisa Defense Force at the time and spent those years guarding trade routes between frontier planetary systems, settling colonial disputes with the authority of the Federation behind him and then the moment of much debate, his encounter with a Combine Battle-Lord during the Raid of Gladius where he would lead local defense efforts against the Reterans and managed to best their leader in personal combat with the lose of his left eye as a reward.

He was transferred to the Federation Military at the standing rank of Lieutenant due to this heroic effort, bypassing the Orisa Defense Force and leading his own cadet of soldiers nicknamed the *"Astrick's Wolves"* used for rapid-action deployment in combat situations. Astrick was relatively young, but his promotion was because the Federation recognized the ingenius in Zeke approach to modern warfare - rapid action won the day.

During the Cerberus Galactic Conflict, Zeke would be introduced to Alexander Romius, Noblemen of House Romius and that relation is what would restore Zeke to heir of House Astrick as House Romius took patronage of the minor household on Orisa Sicarius, virtually undermining whatever power Zeke' father held and gave up the family name to his son whom would become the *Baron* and become one of Alexanders foremost allies and friends in a time of great chaos. He would transfer to the Orisa Defense Force with his men shortly before Action Zero and becoming a key pillar of influence in the chasten Orisa Empire.

Zeke spent the Colonial Wars serving Vance Thaddeus as emperor, but then assisted Romius in usurping the throne from Thaddeus when a popular Imperial revolt occured on Orisa Daval along with an Epsilon Invasion of the planet cleared the path for Alexander to become Emperor and the Founding Father of Imperial society. However, the war was lost for the Empire and Zeke would play a part in a grand scheme that would, hopefully result in a stronger and more unified humanity then every before in recorded history and betrayed Alexander during Operation: KNIGHTFALL

The Baron is the current Minister of Defense for the Orisa Conglomerate, and one of the few remaining Imperials that serves the Unified Governments of the Republic without question.