FOUNDATION DATABASE

NTF XO 'ALTUS'

Early Life / Background
Mason Riley grew up in a blue-collar household in Evergreen, Alabama, where work meant learning a trade and seeing it through. He was introduced to welding through vocational programs and local jobs, developing a steady hand and an appreciation for precision early on.

Alongside that practical path, Mason was always drawn to the ocean. The endless blue fascinated him not for its surface, but for what lay beneath it. He pursued commercial diving certifications to pair with his welding skills, choosing a career that put him in high-risk environments where discipline and preparation mattered more than comfort.

He spent several years working offshore with Halliburton, rotating through oil rigs across the Gulf. The work was demanding and often dangerous, but Mason earned a reputation for staying calm when conditions deteriorated and with a six-digit salary, he never complained. 

Blue Meridian Offshore entered his life through a contract that appeared routine on paper. The pay was better, the NDAs were stricter, and the work involved research infrastructure rather than production. Mason accepted without hesitation, unaware that the move would place him on a path toward the Foundation.

Transition to Omega-6
While contracted under Blue Meridian Offshore, Mason was working on an offshore research rig, repairing support beams. The job was routine until he found large bite marks carved into the metal, far too big for any normal sea animal. He called his observations in over the radio, noting the size and depth of the damage, but was told to finish quickly due to pressure constraints.

While continuing the task he heard something heavy move through the water near an adjacent section of the structure where one of his colleagues had been working. He turned and saw only drifting equipment with no diver attached. A massive silhouette moved in the dark, something fishlike and far too large to be ordinary. Upon attempting to radio for extraction, the signal broke into static followed by a strange melodic vocalization that disoriented him.

When he regained clarity, the rig above was collapsing under violent attacks. Mason was pulled to the surface moments before the structure failed completely. Fire and debris covered the platform and casualties among platform personnel were extensive. Gamma-6 was already present and noted his survival.

Mason resisted instructions to evacuate and instead pulled injured and deceased personnel from the water, determined to help any remaining colleagues. His conduct under anomalous conditions, resistance to disorientation effects, and early recognition of the anomaly drew the attention of Gamma-6.

Mason was later approached for further evaluation. 

Gamma-6 to Epsillon-11

Altus’ time with Gamma-6 was defined by quiet work in hostile environments. Initially retained as a technical specialist, he was tasked with reinforcing compromised subsea structures and conducting emergency repairs in areas already deemed hazardous. Early on, he learned that success required both understanding the threat and the ability to execute without second-guessing himself. 

As operations expanded, Altus received cross-training to operate alongside containment teams, handling repairs one minute and fighting with them the next if the situation turned. His ability to remain composed during anomalous exposure made him a reliable bridge between technical teams and operators in the field.

By the time Site-66 requested an experienced executive officer candidate, Gamma-6 had already flagged 'Altus' as steady, adaptable, and dependable under pressure. He transitioned without ceremony, carrying with him the discipline, restraint, and operational awareness shaped by Gamma-6, traits that would define his command presence within Epsillon-11.