Erik Martens-Calderon

Erik Martens-Calderon
Erik Martens-Calderon
Character Profile
Born 3055
Affiliation House Martens-Calderon
Position Protector of the Calderon Protectorate
Parents Jeffrey Calderon (father)
Talia Martens (mother)
Children Sam Calderon

Erik Martens-Calderon was the second leader of the Calderon Protectorate and the illegitimate son of Jeffrey Calderon.

History[edit]

Early life[edit]

Erik Martens-Calderon was the illegitimate son of Jeffrey Calderon, the Protector of the Taurian Concordat in the mid-thirty-first century. Born as a result of a clandestine relationship between Jeffrey and Talia Martens, an officer within the mercenary unit Prey's Divisionals. Erik's Taurian heritage and his existence were both kept secret, with his identity known to only a small group of people including Baron Cham Kithrong.[1]

It wasn't until 3063, when Kithrong announced Erik's existence to the Concordat and declared himself regent for the young boy that the public became aware of Erik's existence. Grover Shraplen managed to maintain his grasp on the position as Protector despite growing dissatisfaction with his tenure, largely because Erik wasn't considered a viable alternative. Shraplen's grasp was increasingly tenuous, however; unable to oppose Kithrong directly because of his need for support from the Taurian Defense Force, Shraplen maintained a stalemate with Kithrong until the Magistracy of Canopus annexed Detroit and declared its recognition of the newly-formed Fronc Reaches. Kithrong had been unwilling to risk a civil war, but as the Canopian actions sparked a political meltdown within the Taurian government, Kithrong served an ultimatum to Sharplen: step aside, in favor of a regency council headed by Kithrong until Erik had reached maturity, or face the consequences.[2]

Despite the actions of the Privy Council and an appeal from Janice Calderon, Shraplen refused, in full expectation of imminent war with the Federated Suns, paranoid fears that grew after the destruction of the Fighting Urukhai mercenary unit in the Taurian capital. While rumor mills within the Concordat turned the tragedy into a polarizing division among the public, while Kithrong remained convinced that Sharplen's actions proved him unfit to rule. In September 3066, Kithrong led VI Corps to secede from the Concordat along with the worlds they were stationed on, announcing that the newly-formed microstate would be held in trust for Erik until he reached the legal ruling age.[2]

In an interview held shortly after the Protectorate secession, Kithrong confirmed that he had introduced Jeffrey and Talia to each other, and was one of those who had been told from the outset about Erik's existence; he had maintained his silence during Shraplen's initial rise to power after Jeffrey's death because of Erik's age, and prior to Jeffrey's death, Erik's parents had wanted him to have the chance to grow up without being in the center of the political - and media - limelight, in the hope that they could introduce him to the various aspects of life bearing the Calderon name slowly over time. Kithrong also highlighted that at just ten years old, Erik was already displaying greater than average intelligence and potential.[3]

During Erik's early years in Shangri-La - the capital city of Erod's Escape - it was noted that he and Kithrong shared great affection for each other, with others in the residence proving to be equally well-disposed towards Erik. The citizens of the newly-formed Protectorate also held Erik in high regard, with comparisons being made to them treating him as if he were their own kin, and evident pride in his accomplishments and intelligence, partly due to the lingering aftereffects of Jeffrey's popularity but also due to Erik's nature. During media interviews, the young Erik conducted himself well, displaying depth of thought, an interest in others and empathy towards the Taurian people and Grover Shraplen, leading to direct comparisons between him and his father.[4]

Prior to 3075, Erik continued to remain largely out of the limelight, conducting a small number of interviews and only being seen in public infrequently at best, but in 3075 he began taking a more visible interest in how the Protectorate was governed. While many had cause to speculate during Erik's childhood about whether or not he had the desire or motivation to follow in his father's footsteps, his visible presence at an increasing number of briefings and strategy sessions along with him raising questions and providing options spoke of a growing desire to be involved in government.[1]

As Leader of the Calderon Protectorate[edit]

In 3074 Erik responded to the ongoing humanitarian problems in the Taurian Concordat by ordering the First and Second Taurian Pride into the Taurian Concordat to act as a rearguard while the Taurian Defense Force launched retaliatory attacks on the Federated Suns. Many within the Calderon Protectorate Military felt that the Taurians were justified in seeking vengeance against the Federated Suns, but Baron Cham Kithrong and the other officers within the Protectorate began raising concerns over the deployment when news of Taurian Defense Force atrocities against Federated Suns civilians. When Erik heard of the atrocities,[5] particularly the destruction of a farming settlement on Hyalite by Taurian soldiers followed by the orbital bombardment of civilian industries of no miitary significance located in a heavily populated area[1] he recalled both regiments to the Protectorate,[5][6] although it was Baron Kithrong who presented the orders in public. With Erik taking an increasing interest in the governing of the Protectorate Kithrong brought him further into the government and passed him increasing amounts of information on and influence over Protectorate matters.[1]

From this point onward Erik began taking his post more seriously. He underwent battle armor training, making use of a smuggled Asterion suit[7] although he chose to forgo training as a MechWarrior. Erik's conduct was marked by a new air of seriousness and vigor as he became more actively involved in running the Protectorate,[1] and Erik formally became the Protector of the Calderon Protectorate on the 25th of June 3080 after Baron Kithrong stepped down from the post of Regent-Protector.[6]

The decision made by Baron Kithrong to stand down was unexpected, to say the least; critics of Kithrong's announcement and the transfer of power to Erik argued that it was a symbolic gesture, and that Kithrong would remain the power behind the throne. In contrast to the opinion voiced by the critics, insiders who knew Kithrong or Erik took a different position, arguing that Kithrong had been impressed by Erik's drive and determination to become a worthy leader for the Protectorate, as well as his ability. One of Erik's early decisions was to propose that the Protectorate act as arbitrators in the war between the Taurian Concordat and the Federated Suns, and that while the armistice was fostered by Kithrong, it was Erik who chose the various emissaries and dispatched them to Taurus and New Avalon.[8]

Notes[edit]

  • Erik was noted as being allergic to dogs and a fan of the Shangri-La Tigers softball team.[4]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers, p. 187: "Cham Kithrong"
  2. 2.0 2.1 Handbook: Major Periphery States, p. 66: "Restoration: The Calderon Protectorate"
  3. Handbook: Major Periphery States, p. 67: "Newsmakers Interview: Marshal Cham Kithrong"
  4. 4.0 4.1 Handbook: Major Periphery States, pp. 128–129: "Exile Nation: Government and Politics"
  5. 5.0 5.1 Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers, p. 185: "Calderon Protectorate"
  6. 6.0 6.1 Jihad: Final Reckoning, p. 61: "The Jihad In Review"
  7. Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers, p. 186
  8. Jihad: Final Reckoning, p. 29: "Coming Of Age"

Bibliography[edit]