Jasper

Name: Jasper Jeremiah Jackson IV
Gender: Male
Age: Twenty-Eight
Occupation: First Mate of the IAS Windrunner
Sexual Preference: Straight
Status: Single
Hair: Golden blonde, short, wavy
Eyes: Hazel
Skin: Light
Height & Weight: 6'1", 170 pounds
Clothing: Whatever is comfortable
Traits: Seems cold and stiff but is really kind, polite, gallant, smart, strategic, militaristic, protective, subtle
Likes: Strategizing, fighting, working out, learning, chess, traveling
Dislikes: The Alliance, insubordinance

Jasper was born on the Core Planet Ebara, the fourth in a line of Jasper Jeremiah Jacksons. Ever since a young age he was told about how his father's grandfather fought in the military against the Horde. His own grandfather made it to General in the military, and his father was also a General in the military. It was expected that he, too, would be in the military, and so his father began a strict training regimen for him ever since he was old enough to remember. His father was also strict with his mother, who eventually couldn't stand it anymore and divorced him when Jasper was six.

His mother moved from the Core Planets to a planet on the Border named Kelnolia. It was primarily a factory and ranching planet. She remarried, and Jasper would spend his summers there, where he finally felt free from the oppressiveness that was his father. He learned all about ranching from his step-father, and his mother would always have a pie ready for them for dinner after a long, hard, but rewarding day of work.

Back on Ebara he would go to school, and when he was fifteen his father enlisted him in military boot camp after school. Jasper didn't mind, as it got him away from having to spend time with his overbearing father. Jasper was expected to be the best at everything he did, whether it was school or the military camp. And he was, just to keep his father off his case. He graduated as valedictorian of his class, and was expected to sign up for the military after school. But first he could have his summer with his mother.

This was when the war between the Alliance and the Independents began. Jasper signed up for the military, but it was with the Independents rather than the United Alliance Federation as his father had wanted and expected. Perhaps part of it was rebellion against his father, but Jasper also truly understood their plight and cause and agreed with it.

Jasper served under Sergeant Ronin. While he wasn't particularly schooled on strategy or the Alliance's military tactics, he certainly had a lot of heart and inspired his men. Better than that, he took advice from Jasper to heart. The two fought against the alliance together in what was considered the bloodiest battle of the war, The Battle of Unus, as well as what was considered the last, decisive battle of the war, The Battle of Twilight Valley. The Independent Generals conceded after that, and Jasper and Ronin were prisoners of the Alliance while talks of surrender were under way. Over half their brigade had died in battle, and only half of those survivors made it out of the Alliance prison camp.

Jasper joined Ronin on his trip back home with the intent to go from there to his mother's on Kelnolia after that. However, Ronin came up with the brilliant plan to become mercenaries for hire, and got his little sister to fix up a ship for them to use. Jasper was hesitant at first, thinking the ship was just a death trap, and that Ronin was leading with his emotions rather than logic. However, Ronin found a pilot, and Jasper figured joining them would be better than going back to his father's. Besides, though his mother loved him and would have accepted him back, he was an adult, and she had a new family to care for.

Over the years aboard the IAS Windrunner, Jasper found himself opening up to Alex bit by little bit, forming a closer and closer bond of friendship. Alex wore her heart on her sleeve, he knew she had feelings for him as well, and yet out of respect for his friend, the captain, he refused to acknowledge his feelings for her, or hers for him. It was a daily struggle, but he managed well enough, until one day when both she and he were alone, the two shared a passionate kiss.

Torn between his want to continue to explore her and connect with her on a deeper level, and his thoughts on proper conduct with not only workmates but also friends' siblings, his logical and critical mind forced his heart to remain silent, and told her that it was a mistake, and that it would not happen again. He knew that it hurt her, and it had hurt him, but he was certain it was the best logical decision.

How long would it take for Jasper to learn only a fool would look for logic in the chambers of the human heart. And, by then, would it be too late?

Part 1

Part 2