Supporting Characters
From the Left
Mastura (16 years old)
The gifted sniper, Mastura is of the same age of Annisa, but had more training in weapons especially long-range rifles. By spending every little time she had with Ootarid, she has learned to master the skill of weapon engineering and customization, which led her to build her own rifle at the age of 13. But it was not until she was 15 years old that she built the Sutrahitam (Black Silk), the most accurate rifle with the longest range, under the guidance of Ootarid.
She became very close to Suria, who teaches her the ways of the land. Mastura is bright and talented; her skills have been honed to the utmost sharpness. Although she is still young, Parsas City have already starting to utter her name.
Mastura lets her golden hair free, but fairly short. Despite Major’s advice for her to cover her head, she felt more flexible and agile with her hair free. Mastura’s is still young, 16 years of age, and she felt very self-conscious standing beside the more matured Suria, hence she covered the top part of her body to hide her still developing breasts.
Suria (24 years old)
Well known as the Ranger, Suria is one of Nor’s closest and dearest friend. Suria was trained by Nor herself, after she took her away from Bratog’s harem. Bratog had vowed to capture her again, but Major stepped in and struck a deal he can’t refuse. This led to Suria becoming the lifetime follower to Major and especially to Nor, as a debt she willingly pay with her life.
She now patrols most parts of South Parsas, covering vast range of land in a short time, which is a talent she did not know she had before. Her acute awareness to the surrounding aided her partner, Mastura the Sniper in executing missions against the empire.
Suria is quite tall for a woman, very athletic and strong. She fashioned corset armor over the first layer of her top, but still showcasing her curves. Somehow she prefers this rather than the more tight-fitting body armors, as it is more generous over her supple breasts. She is dark skinned. Not black, just darker side of brown. Her facial features also show sign of mixed parenthood (strong jaw; sharp, definitive nose; large eyes with thick eyelashes), probably of Anglo-African descendant.
Ootarid (33 years old)
Weapon smith, the only successful apprentice of the great weapon smith Gatar. Although Gatar had many apprentices, Ootarid’s works is far superior to the others, almost rivaling his own work. But instead of wealth and fame, he chose a simpler life at the edge of the city to settle down and open a small repair shop.
During a military raid to overturn a small rebellion near his home, Ootarid tried to protect his lover, Nor, but was severely injured in a duel with Helena. He was brought back and tortured, which eventually left him crippled from the legs down. Nor rescued him from the dreaded prison, and married him before nursing him back to health. Despite his condition, he remained adamant, faced the facts that he will never use his legs again and now serves the Knights of Jihad as master weapon smith.
Nor (30 years old)
Nor used to remain neutral while living in the city, earning her living as a combat trainer for Bratog and his men. But she left after soon after she heard Ootarid, the weapon smith has left his master. Giving up the notorious life, Nor settled near the edge of the city working as a religious teacher. Nor is highly disciplined, and extremely loyal. She is sharp, efficient, strong-willed and very determined, and her graceful combat style is well known throughout the land, making her one of the most fearsome duelist known.
After Ootarid was severely injured and captured by Helena’s henchmen, Nor disregarded Major’s orders and went alone to save the man she loves. With the aid of old acquaintances, she managed to infiltrate the prison and broke away from the prison, carrying Ootarid on her shoulders. Surprisingly Helena didn’t even try to recapture them. She married Ootarid soon after, despite his deteriorating condition. Nor carries with her a personal vendetta against Helena, but this time prefers to wait for the Major’s instructions.
Getting a second chance to defeat and hopefully kill Helena in another duel, Nor again disregarded Major’s orders and seized the moment. But her skills are no match with Helena’s advanced combat augmentations, although she managed to give Helena quite a beating. Nor was defeated was sent to Bratog to be tortured. Later she was executed, her body was stripped and hung near at the southern Sentinel Towers as a sign of warning.
Annisa (16 years old)
The young and rebellious member of Knights of Jihad is the daughter of the late Datuk Merah who was the Royal Economic Advisor for Emperor Darius. Many relate the death of Datuk Merah with the sudden rise of Augustus in the economic scene. She was a junior officer in the Council of Nobles, running errands for the empire, before her father’s untimely death. At the time, she was involved in a relationship with young Harasa, who frequents the Council of Nobles following his great aunt Empress Juna.
When her father died, she was stripped of her post and her whole family was sent down to Parsas City. She cried foul, but no one to back her words. Harasa felt that he is in a better position to help her later on if he kept his tongue, but Annisa sees this as a betrayal, and vowed revenge. She immediately severed any communications with Harasa.
Although being close understudy to Major, she idolizes Rafandi, the leader of the rebels. However, Rafandi sees this as a chance to convince at least one of Major’s followers to support his cause. Annisa’s excited with the attention Rafandi bestowed upon her, and vows to please him whichever she can.
Dato’ Mahagrasy (45 years old)
As the emperor’s political and spiritual adviser, Dato’ Mahagrasy’s influence stretched as far as the reach of the empire. In the past 10 years the emperor have spent less and less time in presence of the senates, so Dato’ Mahagrasy took over most decision makings, and managed the empire during his absence.
Unknown to anyone, Dato’ Mahagrasy is in secret arrangement of becoming the Techno Magus, the spiritual leader of the Technotemplars. He figured that when Emperor Darius passes, it should be not a big problem for him taking over the empire from the hands of heirless empress.
Rafandi (50 years old)
Despite being a religious leader, Rafandi is known for his overzealous, fanatical approach towards achieving what he preaches. He believes that the end justifies the means, making him somewhat contradicting himself most of the time. But this does not make him receive less of a follower. Rafandi’s influence is very strong, especially since he managed to influence the Pro-Republic Movements.
However, achieving his ambitions does have its price. Allied with Bratog, he often resorts to less than honorable ways to get what he needs. With Bratog’s aid, he spearheaded the rebellion as the action wing of the Pro-Republic Movement, using key figures in the strategic places. Influencing Annisa is part of his strategy in winning the support of the Knights of Jihad.
Rafandi’s old age began to creep over his features. Due to his physically active earlier years, he still retain a sort of athletic posterior despite his ageing look. His whitening hair is short, considerably large forehead, long but thin eyebrows. His long nose somehow dominates his face, and his recessed eyes somehow emit a sinister feel around him. He intentionally slouched his shoulders down, to give a more vulnerable look to mislead his audience.
Augustus (49 years old)
The merchant prince’s influence stretched through the empire, controlling more than 80% of the economy and literally the sole force driving the market. He achieves this by owning the Maximillian Power Company, the only energy provider for the whole empire. His business spans from energy to food, from the most honorable temple services to the shadiest headhunting contracts. One of his greatest supports for the Imperial Scientists and their quest of technological advancements are supplying livestock of slaves. Augustus often hired Bratog and his men whenever the scientists crave new “volunteers”.
Augustus has remained under consult from Dato’ Mahagrasy as his main advocate, literally using his influence to maintain an iron grip on commerce. When he became the chairman of the Guild of Merchants, he has secured his wealth for generations to come.