Astraea Qamar

Player Name: Jara

Full Name: Astraea Seymour Qamar

Nicknames and Pseudonyms: Astraea 😒 

Age: 31

Birth Date: November 1, 2282

Blood Type: AB-

Role on Ship: scientist/researcher: genetics & pharmaceutics, designated Tove distractor

Homeworld: Goibniu

Significant Relations and Affiliations: Tove. Her father, Edward Seymour. 

Bonds, Obligations, Debts, and Warrants: The relationship with her father, Edward Seymour, has always been a strained one. Considering Astraea up and left the lab they were both working on, setting free one of their most important test subjects, stealing a batch of their super secret formula and doing as much damage to their databases as she could manage, one could say that their relationship is currently not faring so well. Rather, Astraea would prefer to never have to deal with him again.

While Astraea's mother, Aaliyah Qamar, died when Astraea was still very young, her mother's family and some of her old CDF colleagues remained in touch with Astraea over the years. Though it has been perhaps years since she's seen many of them, the bonds that were forged in the military sometimes extend to the child that was left behind. 

If Astraea were to split her life into chapters, Tove would be the catalyst that started off the last one. There is a sense of obligation when it comes to Tove, wanting to make up for what her own father did to her and the Lab Sisters, but also for the part her own research might have caused. On the other hand, there is a kinship even if Astraea couldn't even begin to comprehend everything Tove was put through. Whatever experiment her father did on her doesn't even come close. She's seen the records, seen the logs, and she can't imagine doing anything else but getting Tove out of there. And really, have you met Tove? Do you know how frigging hard it is to not like Tove?

Rescuing Tove was the right thing to do, but it also made them a target and while there are no official forces coming after them, whoever her father's associates are, they definitely aren't happy with the fact that she took off with one of their favourite test subjects and a chunk of their secrets. Astraea has no illusions that if they ever do catch up to them, it won't end well for her.  

Appearance: Astraea is 5'8, but can seem a little taller as she seems insistent on keeping a perfect posture. She has grey-green eyes and black hair that falls a little beyond chin length. There is a dusting of freckles on her nose and shoulders. Despite being a nerd, she has a lean build and while she'll leave the weight lifting to Tove, she does try to keep in shape as she takes pride in her appearance. 

While she might spend a lot of her time stuck in a lab, Astraea likes to keep up with the latest fashions and enjoys splurging on dresses or a well fitted suit. Sadly, she had to leave behind a closet full of her finest things. She might have tucked away some of her favourites when she could. Even stuck on a spaceship, she'll still do her utmost to keep up appearances and dress as best as she can.

She might come across as cold or aloof, but knows how to turn up the charm when it is convenient, and a true smile softens her sharper features.

Personality: Astraea is slow to trust and treats many of her relationships as transactions. It is easier to understand someone wanting something from her, than someone being genuinely kind. When her mother died, she was in some ways left alone in the world. Her father grew more distant, his interests in her abilities the only connection he left open. Affection was given in the form of praise when she managed to solve a math equation or one of his puzzles, or when she sat through one of his little tests, and it warped the way Astraea interacts with the world.

She is practical through and through, and for the longest time believed that a worthy enough goal was worth sacrifices. Knowledge and the pursuit of knowledge have always come first in her life, but she's seen how far that pursuit took her father. She learned that there's a limit to what is acceptable however, and her world view has been tilted on its axis when she discovered the reality of her father's research. 

She can come across as aloof and a little cold, but knows how to play the game and how to turn up the charm when it suits her. She discovered that her looks can get her far, and that people have a tendency to see what they want to see. It's just a matter of figuring out what that is. It's how she managed to insert herself deeper into the lab, putting on a fake smile and playing along as she carefully unravelled the breadcrumbs that led her right to Tove and the experiments that were performed on her and her lab sisters.

While Astraea is very much a scientist and knows that some of her work skirts the edges of what is ethical, science to her is not just a tool to understand the world around her, but a means to improve lives. When her father sat her down after the crash and told her that he wanted to better understand her powers, find a way to share it so no one else would need to die like her mom, Astraea believed him. Unlocking the potential of the mutations in everyone was a dream, and while the reality proved much more complicated, Astraea's thirst for knowledge continues to be fuelled by a desire to better lives. Seeing that research used to do harm, broke her heart in more ways than one.

While Astraea is slow to make connections, she is protective (and a little bit possessive) of those people that she lets in. She's not good at voicing her affection, and tends to show it with action. Preferably, she tries to spoil those she cares for with expensive gifts or dinners to the fanciest places. Spoiling someone is rather complicated when you're on the run, however, and she might have to learn to get over the emotional constipation and stop being a scared stray cat if she wants to make things work.

Astraea enjoys the finer things in life and has a tendency towards hedonism. When her father shipped her off to Praxas, there was no one there to keep her from doing whatever she pleased with the generous monthly allowance her father left her. It was spent on the latest fashions, dinners at fanciest places, and generally Astraea was all for treating herself if no one else was going to. This lifestyle has however become nearly impossible to maintain, and she might resent just how small those quarters on the ship are, but she supposes she can make due. She does have a secret stash of her mother's inheritance tucked away for when shit hits the fan, she and Tove can get out.

Despite her Goibnian roots shining through, Astraea's move to Praxas was a culture shock. Where duties were engrained in one - the greater good put before the individual - Praxas teaches about community. She found it in the teacher who made certain she didn't work through the weekend, the neighbour who left leftovers for her when she came back after a long day. Praxas softened Astraea, drawing her in when she needed it most. It became a part of her, like how she suddenly realised she hadn't eaten meat in over a year. Or when she sat with Tove on those rare evenings where she didn't have to fear getting caught, and told her the stories her mother used to tell about Polaris, guiding travellers towards a better future, bringing hope. 

Strengths, Talents, Abilities: Like others born on Goibniu, Astraea has an affinity for telekinesis. When they discovered her ability to create barriers, she received training to further develop the skills. She was told she has an uncanny big battery, but there's still a limit to what she can do and reaching that limit usually results in splitting headaches, a nosebleeds or blackouts if she truly outdoes herself. Astraea's shields are recognizable by their midnight blue shimmer.

Astraea is smart. Probably smarter than is good for her. She is a huge science nerd, and can disappear into her research for days if no one reminds her to take a break. She has earned her share of accolades in her field, and the lack of a proper science lab (by her standards) on the ship is distressing.

Astraea learned to sit through many a social event that she had no real true desire of attending. She has perfected the art of pretending to be interested through boring monologues. Whether it was attending one of the many parties her father could not be bothered to leave his lab for, or it was an event to promote the lab at the research lab on Praxas, schmoozing with new sponsors  or getting the latest project funded. She never expected those skills to come in handy when applying for a job at her father's research lab. Not only did being a socialite teach her to bullshit her way out of things, it also earned her a network of high class contacts and connections with a good number of scientists across different systems.

Astraea herself would claim that her greatest strength aside from her intelligence is her focus and her drive. This is perhaps a little bit controversial as Tove wouldn't be the first person to see the downsides of it as Astraea forgets to eat or wakes up in the middle of the night, and her brain won't shut down until she writes down or tests whatever theory she dreamt up. At least Tove can be certain that Astraea won't give up until she finds the cure.

Weaknesses and Fears: While Astraea's abilities received a bit of a boost, a large battery also comes with larger disadvantages. Pushing her abilities beyond the boundaries of what would be considered normal is bound to lead to a lingering migraine. Draining that battery completely has led to Astraea blacking out, and being confined to bed and complete darkness for several days after.

While Astraea grew up with a military mindset that sometimes the goal does justify the means, and the pursuit of knowledge is a noble endeavor, her time on Praxas and especially her time at the lab with Tove has thoroughly shaken that belief. She knows that in some ways, she and her father are alike. And not just as scientists, but in how they relate to the world and those around them. Thinking that perhaps there is a path where she could make her father's decisions and look away while actively hurting children in the name of progress, terrifies her. 

The other thing that terrifies her is Tove falling back into the lab's hands or that they might run out of formula before she'd found a true cure for Tove's dependency on it. While burning her life down to the ground in order to free Tove might have been an act of spite - she does in fact hold a grudge, thank you very much - with a side of guilt, Tove has become so much more, and failing her just isn't an option.

Not that Astraea would ever admit to having self doubts. Confidence in her own abilities and her appearance are a trademark, after all. As is her sense of fashion and style, and both leave her just a tad judgemental. Truly, Tove's fashion sense is nonexistent and has put Astraea through some challenging times. Astraea likes her creature comforts, and she enjoys the little luxuries so going without them is painful, but it's fine. She can deal with the size of her quarters and having to share bathrooms. It's not the end of the world, and she isn't some spoiled princess. A little bit of a spoiled nerd, but that's hardly the same. 

History: Astraea was born the daughter of Edward Seymour, a successful scientist within the CDF, and General Aaliyah Qamar. The family held a respectable position within the high society of Goibniu, and Astraea grew up more than a little spoiled. That she would follow their parents' footsteps into the CDF was taken for granted, though in which capacity remained open still.

From a young age, she would accompany her father and quickly proved to have inherited his sharp mind. She had an aptitude towards science, something that delighted her father, and he would entertain Astraea with puzzles more than games. It was the cutest way to gain her father's attention, though most of the time the man was absorbed in his research and family life took a backseat to everything else.

Astraea's memories of her mother are limited, but each of them is like a treasure that she keeps close even now. While no less busy than her husband, Aaliyah made certain to leave time for her daughter, and would occasionally take her with her on inspections as long as she promised to be good.

Like many children born in Goibniu, Astraea has an affinity towards telekinesis, able to move objects across the room. For a while that seemed all she was capable of until at age 6, Astraea's mother allowed her to accompany her on the inspection of an offworld vessel. The trip ended in tragedy as the general's shuttle crashed onto the planet. The only survivor, the little girl who despite her severe injuries miraculously lived where no one else did. The faded scar on Astraea's abdomen remains a testimony of it still, and while the nightmares have become rare, they plagued Astraea for many years after. When the shuttle's logs were consulted, the footage showed the images of a midnight blue bubble shielding Astraea from the initial damage, most likely saving her life.

With the death of her mother, Astraea's life was turned upside down. Unable to deal with the loss of his wife, Edward Seymour emotionally retreated, leaving a six year old to deal with the loss of her mother alone. On the other hand, he became obsessed with the genetic mutations, and assigned a military instructor to Astraea to hone her telekinesis. Edward himself became absorbed with his work as the CDF assigned him to a new program. 

For the next few years, Astraea's welfare was handled by nannies, private tutors and her telekinesis instructor. Science became the one language Astraea still had in common with her father. His little puzzles became a way to win his attention, and his praise. So when one day Edward came to his daughter and explained that he wished to better understand her powers and find a way to share it with others, Astraea was only eager to please. 

For the most part, the experiments appeared harmless, and the results were for the most part a disappointment. The worst Astraea remembers is that she grew violently ill after one of them. She remembers there had been needles, and it had made her feel funny, but not much more. Afterwards, the barrier telekinesis became easier somehow: it was easier to maintain a bubble or to make them bigger, but it did little to impress her father and their little experiments came to an end.

As her father became more and more absorbed in his research, much of the social obligations fell onto his teenage daughter. Astraea learned to navigate the mandatory social events that her father had no interest in attending, leaving Astraea to make up excuses for his absences. Aside from that, Astraea continued to throw herself at her studies. She advanced faster than most of her peers, and at age 14 was covering topics at a university level. The options on Goibniu were limited however, and when her father's relationship with the CDF grew more tense, she was shipped off at age 16 to Praxas to attend the elite universities there.

Praxas was a culture shock. Astraea was raised with the practical mindset that permeated the civilians of Goibniu, Praxas could not be further away from that. While her father's money ensured that she was living very comfortably, she was left without anyone to supervise her. 

With a generous allowance and no real supervision, Astraea for the first time was free to do what she wanted. Goibnian discipline reigned however, and Astraea applied herself to her studies and her passion for the sciences remained her first priority. Science makes sense of the world around her and it was a constant in her life where people hadn't been. She however soon discovered that there was no one to stop her from buying whatever popped into her head. From fancy clothes to the latest tech. She discovered the Praxas night life, explored her sexuality and for the first time got to be an actual teenager. She was - and still is - too much of a control freak to get truly lost in it however. 

Her studies remained at the forefront regardless, and by the time Astraea came of age, she already had a degree in genetics. One of the professors at the university took her under her wing, and offered Astraea a position at one of the many research labs on Praxas. Not that it stopped her academic ambitions and Astraea continued learning, broadening her knowledge as she added pharmaceutics to her repertoire. 

She heard very little from her father during this time. The occasional email gave her little insight into his wellbeing, and old contacts on Goibniu could only confirm that he had cut all ties with the CDF and moved off world. It wasn't until the first publication of her first paper on genetic mutations that Edward Seymour opened communications with his daughter again in the form of a puzzle. 

A brainteaser Astraea couldn't help but reply to, and his communications with her picked up in frequency then after. The puzzles turned more complex, but Astraea couldn't help but notice the connection between them. 

She barely recognised him when he showed up one day, folders in hand with an offer he claimed she couldn't refuse. There was something in his eyes, something old and calculating, that she tried to ignore at first. The offer he made was tempting however, pushing the research into genetics further than ever before. The money wasn't bad either, though relocating from Praxas was hard to imagine by then. It felt more like home than the man standing in front of her, but in some parts she would always be the little girl that wanted to earn his praise.

The vetting process was arduous, and Astraea was signed on as a consultant first. It was easy enough to combine with her other position. With each success she booked, she was allowed more access and she started working closer along with her father. As part of the vetting process, she was for the first time invited to the lab. The secrecy and tight security around the place set Astraea on edge, and while she hadn't meant to snoop, she was still a nosey scientist at heart.

She didn't know what she had been looking for searching her father's notes, but what she found were the files on one of the subjects, Nine. The genetic markers in her file were distinctive and familiar. She'd seen them before in some of her father's puzzles, and between it all, she suddenly found her own name. Not as a researcher, but as a test subject.

Astraea should have pulled out at this point. She should have cut all ties and gone back to Praxas, but the need to know and understand what was going on was too great to ignore. It became easy to lie, to tell the recruiters what they wished to hear, to let her father believe that this was what she wanted. Perhaps a small piece of her truly did want to see this through, and wanted to find evidence that she was misunderstanding everything.

When she was finally given full access to the lab, any hope she had left disappeared. She came to understand how the little puzzles her father had sent her over the years had helped further the experiments executed in the lab. She discovered how her father for a short while used his own daughter to validate the treatments they tested out on the lab sisters. She gained access to the lab sisters' files, and discovered that one of the lab sisters - Nine - was still kept within the laboratory.

The betrayal tastes bitter, but she managed to hide her anger and her horror both. She continued playing their game as she unravelled the puzzle until it led her to the one person who might understand what it felt like to be used like this. Nine - or Tove as she called herself - was nothing like what Astraea might have expected from someone who was locked in a lab and used time and again. Somehow, that only made it worse. There was no way back now, no way she could walk away from Tove. Besides, she doubted the organisation would let her considering everything she had discovered along the way. She was in too deep herself, and her father was a lost cause. What she could do however, was try to make things right. Even if she had to burn all her bridges to do it, getting Tove out became her primary goal.

It wasn't easy to get all the pieces into place: transport, fake IDs, stealing a supply of the formula, finding a place to run to. It took a huge chunk of her mother's inheritance, but somehow they managed to pull it off. 

For the first time, Tove was free and perhaps for the very first time Astraea was as well. She left the Seymour name behind and picked up her mother's name instead. Unlocking the benefits of the mutant gene for all humans was a pipedream, but with all of her knowledge, surely she can find a way to break the final hold the lab still has one Tove.

Model: Natasha O'Keeffe