Daniel Peterson

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Daniel Peterson
Character Profile
Also known as Ezekiel Crow
Ritter Michaelson
Born 7 October 3089[1]
Died 15 August 3134[2]
Affiliation The Republic of the Sphere
Profession Paladin of the Republic
Parents Michael Peterson (father)
Celia Stevens (mother)


Daniel Peterson (3089[1]3134[2], aged 45 years), later known as Ezekiel Crow, was a Republic of the Sphere MechWarrior, Paladin, and traitor. Crow is described as having brown hair, dark blue eyes, and of being average height and build. He speaks with no discernible accent and is said to posses an "undeniable presence".[3]

Biography

Early life

Peterson was raised on Liao in the city of Chang-an.[4] He enlisted himself in the Republic military, attaining the rank of lieutenant.

Betrayer of Liao

The most infamous crime in Peterson's life was his participation in the Capellan attack on Liao. In 3111, a company of Death Commandos, supplemented by two battalions of the Holdfast Guard landed in the Liao system. They inflicted massive losses on property in the city of Chang-an, killing every soldier or civilian they found. This attack was later known as the "Night of Screams" in the Confederation, while in the Republic of the Sphere it was named the "Massacre of Liao". Peterson was responsible for helping them to land undetected, though it appears he didn't know the Capellan intentions. Tragically, and ironically, among the victims where his own fathers.

After discovering that his actions had led to his own parents' deaths, he took the Capellan payment, fled the planet, and vanished being reborn as Ezekiel Crow. It is unknown why Peterson betrayed the planet, but it appears he didn't want the Capellan money, only to force the Republic into taking measures against Liaoists terrorists.

Paladin of the Republic

By the age of forty, the new "Ezekiel Crow" had already led a distinguished career. He was a graduate of the Northwind Military Academy; served as Planetary Legate for the planet of Foot Fall and led a successful effort against smugglers and terrorists in Prefecture V; he had been decorated with Knighthood; brokered a peace in the Liao Conservatory Rebellion; and finally made a Paladin of the Sphere for his service to the Republic.[5]

In November of 3132 Crow was dispatched to the planet of Northwind in Prefecture III.[6] His mission was to bolster and observe defenses on Northwind as the world was considered vital in the protection of Terra.[7]

In June of 3133 the Steel Wolves, under the leadership of Galaxy Commander Anastasia Kerensky, would invade Northwind and make an immediate play for the planetary capital of Tara. Crow would be instrumental in helping Countess Tara Campbell orchestrate a defense of the planet. He would become a close confidant of hers and a lover.[8] He and Campbell would meet with Anastasia in a failed negotiation attempt to delay a final confrontation but this only angered Kerensky and precipitated the battle. Crow fought alongside Northwind's troops in the battle on the Plains of Tara, just north of the capital. During the fighting he would engage Anastasia Kerensky in his Blade until her Ryoken II was disabled by a lightning strike.[9]Kerensky's defeat helped turn the tide, driving the Steel Wolves off-world.[10]

Black Paladin

Among the Paladins, a notable figure is the "Black Paladin", Ezekiel Crow. As a Paladin of The Republic, he betrayed the very Republic he had sworn to defend a second time, on the planet Northwind. Countess Tara Campbell of Northwind and of the Highlanders, unaware of his intentions, had fallen for him. Shortly after his betrayal on Northwind, he attempted to assassinate Paladin Jonah Levin on Terra, and interfered with Terra's planetary defense against the Steel Wolves. His attempt was foiled when Countess Northwind defeated him and destroyed his 'Mech. Unbeknownst to her, he somehow survived, probably ejecting from his 'Mech just before it exploded, and fled Earth under another identity.

Return to Liao

Peterson returns to his homeworld the 20 of May of 3134, under the new identity of Ritter Michaelson, a war veteran coming from Earth. The name was, obviously, a joke: Ritter means, in deutsch, "Knight", and Michaelson is very similar to Peterson. Even the fathers of "Ritter" have died, years ago, in a fire, a cruel joke. Barely he has put his foots on the planet when legate Victor Ruskoff make him go to his office. He informs it about his parents "death", and later, ask him news about the republic's state. Then a friendship between both was born. Weeks later, Peterson was alone in his ranch when a Bannson's men visit him, and inform Daniel Bannson wants his forced help, and Daniel couldn't refuse. But Daniel clearly wants to redeem himself: when violence starts in Liao's conservatory, he join Liaoists to prevent the violence to spread. Then, he knowns one of most prominent leaders of rebels: The young Evan Kurst. Peterson was clearly interested about the boy, because he's like a youngest version of himself, in many ways: Kurst also lost both fathers during "night of Screams", when a Republic mech pass through his home, and he hates deeply the republic, blaming it for his loss. Like Peterson before, is really furious, and keeps himself alone, separated even of his friends. He is a Republic cadet, a MechWarrior, one of his soldiers... but only in face. At his back, he fights it, to return his planet to the Confederation. Logically, Peterson tried to lesson Kurst, helping it to don't make his mistakes, but the young is too furious, and don't listen it. Peterson's found himself in a impossible situation when Bannson's emissary orders him to help a Liao dropship with troops to land undetected. Facing the same situation again, this time refuses to comply, and informs Ruskoff about the threat, only hiding his real identity. Republic's fighters attack and down the ship, but it was full of civilian, refugees escaping from war. Bannson's had anticipated his reaction and used it to force the Republic to make a "war crime", who had the desired effect: Liao population rebelled openly against the republic... and Bannson's reveal Peterson's real identity. Still worse: the real dropship with real troops landed undetected; the downed was a decoy. Peterson flees, but two days later, he returns to the base, surrendering himself to Ruskoff willingly. This time, he tells all the truth, without saking forgiveness, without saying excuses. Ruskoff's friendship for Peterson's is clearly real: when Republic's situation on planet deteriorated quickly, ask Peterson to join his officer's table to discuss strategies, and made a surprising move: gave Peterson's the amnesty, and a chance to redeem himself, fighting for the Republic in the incoming battle. Peterson unexpected that move, and was very touched by it. He swears don't fail the legate... but his first act was more unexpected: he infiltrated in Conservatory of Liao, to finish a conversation with Kurst. He worried a lot about the young, and tried to help him to overcome his anger... but Evan didn't listen it, and Peterson leaves. The next time they seen the other, will be in the battlefield. Soon, the final battle for Liao starts: all republic forces, lead by Ruskoff, attacks capellan forces, trying to crush the only veteran unit, the Dynasty Guard, but they found themselves fighting first the reborn Warrior House Ijori, a fresh unit lead by Kurst and composed by former students and rebels, including Kurst friends. The warrior house fight a lot better than expected. Peterson, in his mech, a Tundra Wolf, fighted as a lion, and when Legate's mech falls, he lead a counter attack to rescue him... but his way was cut by Evan Kurst and his mech, a heavy Ti Ts'ang. Peterson and his young alter ego and nemesis fought to death. Kurst caused critical damage to Peterson's mech, making his reactor blow.[11].

Death and legacy

This time, perhaps searching a noble death, Peterson refused to eject from his failing mech, and died when it exploded, almost taking Kurst's life in the process. In an ironic twist of fate, the biggest traitor of the Republic's history died fighting for her, a hero's death. But, sadly, his sacrifice was useless: the legate was captured, Republic forces were defeated, and Liao was returned to the Confederation. Three months later, his vacant post of Paladin was given to knight Janella Lakewood.

BattleMechs

The iconic 'Mech Peterson used usually is a light Blade. At his command, he defeated Anastasia Kerensky,s Ryoken II in Northwind, but his mech was destroyed by Tara Campbell. After returning to Liao and confessing his real identity, Peterson was assigned to a heavy Tundra Wolf, as one of the best mechwarriors on the planet, fighting for the republic, but it was critically damaged in combat and died when his mech blows.[12].

Titles and Positions

Preceded by
unknown
Paladin the Republic
???? - 3133
Succeeded by

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 By Temptations and By War, p. 183
  2. 2.0 2.1 By Temptations and By War, p. 282
  3. A Silence In The Heavens, p. 57-59
  4. A Silence In The Heavens, p. 35
  5. A Silence In The Heavens, p. 62
  6. A Silence In The Heavens, p. 28
  7. A Silence In The Heavens, p. 20
  8. Truth And Shadow p. 140
  9. A Silence In The Heavens, p. 286
  10. A Silence In The Heavens, p. 292
  11. By Temptations and By War, p. 289
  12. By Temptations and By War p. 282

Bibliography