Backstory: The Rise of Commander Jordan Walke
22 Jan 2024Jordan Walke
Jordan Walke’s story begins among the gleaming spires of Cubeo II, under the banner of the Empire and the benevolent rule of Aisling Duval. Born to a family of middle-class traders, Jordan grew up watching the glimmering stars overhead and dreamed of reaching them. When he came of age, he joined the Pilot’s Federation and left his homeworld with a battered Sidewinder and a head full of dreams. What followed was a journey of transformation, betrayal, and survival in a galaxy teeming with opportunity and danger.
The Imperial Years: An Explorer’s Ascent
Initially pledging himself to Aisling Duval, Jordan’s early years were defined by exploration. Fascinated by the uncharted reaches of the galaxy, he dedicated himself to uncovering its mysteries. The Empire provided the resources, and Jordan provided the determination. With Cubeo as his base of operations, he launched expeditions into the unclaimed systems at the edges of the Bubble, earning the trust of the Imperial authorities as he mapped routes and discovered new worlds.
It was during these years that Jordan became renowned as a Discoverer, rising swiftly through the ranks of exploration. His ship became a mobile laboratory, equipped with state-of-the-art scanners and surface recon vehicles. His most famous expedition involved charting the Wyrd Nebula, where he cataloged countless biological specimens, including a mysterious plant species later named Walke’s Torch in his honor.
Despite his successes, cracks began to form in his loyalty to the Empire. The more he ventured into the vast unknown, the more disillusioned he became with the rigid hierarchies of Imperial society. The stars, in their vast impartiality, taught him that freedom was the ultimate currency—and it was one the Empire rarely granted.
The Defection to Li Yong-Rui: The Merchant’s Gambit
Jordan’s breaking point came after a mission to deliver critical exploration data to the Imperial Navy. The information, which could have improved the lives of countless Imperial citizens, was instead used to consolidate power among the aristocracy. Disgusted, Jordan cut ties with the Empire and defected to the Sirius Corporation, pledging himself to Li Yong-Rui.
In Sirius space, Jordan reinvented himself. No longer an explorer of the wild frontier, he turned his skills toward commerce, climbing to the rank of Elite in trading. His new allegiance brought him access to advanced Sirius Corporation technologies, enabling him to master the delicate art of interstellar trade. Jordan’s knack for spotting market trends and exploiting lucrative trade routes made him a valuable asset to the corporation. He became a legend along the core systems, running massive convoys of rare goods and evading corporate rivals who sought to undermine his growing empire.
Under Li Yong-Rui, Jordan also gained a reputation for diplomacy, forging alliances with factions across the Bubble. Though his new life was profitable, he found the bureaucratic nature of the Sirius Corporation stifling. His longing for the freedom of the stars grew stronger, and he began to look for a way out.
Archon Delaine and the Scar
That way out came in the form of Archon Delaine and the Kumo Crew. Drawn to the chaotic allure of the galaxy’s most infamous pirate lord, Jordan left the corporate world behind and pledged himself to Delaine’s banner. The transition was not without challenges—Jordan’s reputation as a merchant made him a target among the more ruthless members of the Kumo Crew. But he adapted quickly, learning to fight as fiercely as he once traded.
As a mercenary under Delaine, Jordan honed his combat skills, rising to the rank of Soldier. He led daring raids, defended Kumo Crew outposts, and expanded the syndicate’s influence. It was during one such mission that Jordan earned his scar. While leading an on-foot assault on a fortified planetary installation, he was caught in an ambush. A grenade exploded nearby, sending shrapnel slicing through his left side and destroying his eye. Clinging to life, he was airlifted to safety by a Kumo medical team. His injuries were severe, but advanced cybernetics gave him a second chance. The scar became a badge of his resilience, and the cyborg eye—a marvel of Kumo technology—enhanced his combat abilities, marking him as a true survivor.
A Commander Forged in Fire
Today, Commander Jordan Walke is a man shaped by his past yet unbound by it. From the quiet wonder of his early explorations to the calculated trades of his merchant years, and finally to the blood-soaked battlefields of the Kumo Crew, he has walked many paths. His ship, the Scion’s Edge, embodies his versatility—equally adept at trade, exploration, and combat.
Now, whispers of new discoveries and ancient technologies call to him once more. The galaxy awaits, and Jordan stands ready, scarred but unbroken—a Commander who has truly seen it all and lived to tell the tale.