- Name: Hunter Graves (Quinlon Veja)
- Date of Birth: March 4, 2018
- Place of Birth: Mars III Orbital Colony
- Known Relatives: Alexandra Veja (mother)
Background
Hunter Graves has never heard of anyone named Quinlon Veja, the missing son of politician Alexandra Veja. Back on Earth, Alexandra was a high ranking member of the ruling government. She was in charge of the colonist selection process, the person who chose who could and who could not be part of Earth's fledgling colonization efforts. Alexandra was also the type of person who understood just how much power she wielded over the lives and futures of the colonists and she enjoyed it. From her offices on the Mars III orbital station Alexandra manipulated people, individually and in groups, to maximize her own benefit, not caring at all how her actions affected those she abused with her power.
It was on Mars III that Alexandra gave birth to her son. Why she chose to have a child in the first place is a mystery to many, more so even than the identity of the father. Knowing Alexandra, having a child was part of some scheme or plan, as likely was the choice of father (genetic donor might be a better term). Nevertheless, Alexandra did have a child and ensured that he was raised with all the benefits available. As such she son had a pleasant, if insular childhood. He was given whatever he wanted, and had access to the best education. It was during this period that Quinlon developed a fascination for all things that flew from the gliders that drifted in the Martian atmosphere to the aerospace fighters of the Expeditionary Forces to the giant capital ships that travelled between the stars. Things did not begin to change until just before Quinlon's 15th birthday.
By the end of 2032 the Earth had fallen into anarchy and the threat of invasion by Invid forces drew near. Key personnel, including high ranking government officials like Alexandra (and her son), were evacuated from the Solar System. Relocated to the Elysium colony, Alexandra resumed her old function of directing colony operations, this time with the added task of relocating the thousands of refugees taken off of Earth. Once again Alexandra abused her power to the fullest, building her power base until she had established her own secret empire right in the heart of the United Earth Government's colony crossroads. This time, however, her son was not insulated from her activities. Quinlon saw what his mother was doing with people's lives and was horrified.
Quinlon decided then and there that he would no longer be a part of whatever plan his mother had for him. At first he tried simple acts of rebellion, defying his mother for the first time in his life. Shortly after this, Quinlon's then-girlfriend Amelia vanished mysteriously and he realized just how dangerous a person his mother really was. In a mix of anger, horror and fear Quinlon decided he needed to disappear too, before his mother decided to do it for him. With the help of his three closest friends (people he had grown up with on Mars and who were also refugees), Quinlon made his break for freedom.
The quartet chose to make their move on Quinlon's 16th birthday as Quinlon knew it was the one day his mother would give him some latitude. The timing required was exact, but the four chose their venue well. It was a sports game, a match between two of the colony worlds' best teams and there would be huge crowds at the stadium. It didn't matter what the game's outcome was, there would either be celebrations or rioting. As it was the Elysium team won and a jubilant crowd spilled out into the street. In a crowd of thousands, all dressed identically in home team colors, the four teenagers (Ian Marcus, Erica Kramer, Jackie Goddard, and Quinlon) disappeared. Blending with a crowd from Eden colony, the four managed to jump a shuttle to nearby Space Station Independence. They had paid a local con man for fake ids, which were enough to get them into the transit area. From there they split up and Quinlon Veja ceased to exist.
Taking his new name from a list of military personnel in an article about the history of the United Earth military Quinlon became Hunter Graves, a refugee from Earth just turned 18 with no family. He signed on a transport freighter and went out into the stars. After a year working the engine rooms and mech bays of various ships Quinlon found himself on the remote colony world of Haven where he has gotten work as a civilian mechanic on a military project building a new aerospace fighter.