[table][row][cell][color=Gainsboro] 
[hr][h2][color=#0080ff]Everest[/color][/h2][hr]
[color=ff3838][sub][b]History[/b][/sub][/color]
[justify]Named after Earth’s highest peak, [b]Everest Danilo MacLaine[/b] is the secondborn son of [b]August Eusébio MacLaine Ⅱ[/b] and [b]Oona MacLaine[/b] (née [b]van Coevorden[/b]).

The MacLaine family were wealthy framers who had grown their fortune through the cocoa bean trade; owning several large, domed greenhouses near the southern pole of Mercury, protected against solar flares and temperature extremes. Granted a distinctively rich and astringent taste profile thanks to engineered soil and lengthy day/night cycles, their genetically modified produce was optimised to be small but extremely concentrated. Their farm, situated some two-hundred kilometers from the megacity of Roerich, was nestled within a verdant tropical region of Mercury popular among affluent holidaygoers. Everest spent his childhood divided between his family’s idyllic arcology, and Roerich, where he schooled. Though he was instilled with a dogged work ethic by his father, and made to contribute long hours of labour to the farm from a young age, he enjoyed many privileges of which the vast majority of humanity would only endeavour to possess. He had prodigious intellect, which was nurtured by his family via the funding of private education. His work ethic and boundless ambition, coupled with his family’s undeniable advantages, placed him among Roerich’s most exceptional minds. While his older brother, the dutiful [b]August Eusébio MacLaine Ⅲ[/b], sought to moor himself to the family business, and [b]Wolf Ayrton MacLaine[/b], his whimsical younger brother, pursued a career as an architect in Roerich, Everest’s dreams were farther-flung. He, from a fairly young age, compacted himself to venture out into the galaxy and make a great fortune of his own in the corporate world.

At eighteen, Everest relocated to Earth, pursuing further education at the illustrious London School of Economics, where he studied economics, corporate law, and trade strategy. His professors admired his bold, lateral thinking, even when it made him disruptive in class. Following graduation, he set his sights on the Jovian moon of Europa — a veritable wellspring for any zealous capitalist. There, he quickly landed a competitive internship as a venture analyst at an investment branch of [b]Tarleton Interstellar[/b]: a shipping and logistics megacorp that plied their trade in interplanetary trade routes, freight security, and commercial Anchor transit. He worked under [b]Michael Yaisen[/b] — a charming man with an open-door policy, precise attention to detail, and the endearing habit of taking a great interest in his colleagues: never forgetting a name. Whilst initially working on lucrative short-term arbitrage opportunities, Everest’s prospects expanded when Yaisen took an interest him; first publicly praising him, then preening him as his protégé. By his mid-twenties, Everest had experienced a meteoric rise at Tarleton. He’d been welcomed into an exclusive corpo ‘inner circle’, had built a reputation for exceptional business instinct, and accrued a small fortune.

At his zenith, at one of the glitzy rooftop cocktail parties Everest had found himself regularly attending, he was invited to a hushed discussion with Yaisen and one of his former colleagues; a private investor named [b]Leroy Hán[/b]. Yaisen convinced Everest that he was ready for the ‘big leagues’ and wanted to tip him off on a deal he had privately spearheaded for Tarleton — the majority acquisition of [b]Myeongnim Logistics[/b] — a shipping enterprise that was legally entitled to exclusive freight rights for the moon of Telesto. Yaisen coyly admitted he intended to “go all in” and co-invest alongside the company to reap [i]personal[/i] profit, not just corporate incentives. Based on the flawless documentation, this was the coup of a lifetime; with permits, Anchor agreements, and projected profit margins accounted for. Convinced this was the opportunity he’d been waiting for, Everest hastily liquidated his holdings and poured every last heliocredit he had into the venture. Soon after, along with Everest’s cosign, Tarleton completed the majority acquisition of Myeongnim Logistics.

Over the course of three days, Everest’s life collapsed. Myeongnim Logistics didn’t exist — and it never had. Yaisen and Hán had seduced a variety of their colleagues and acquaintances into investing in the deal, legitimising the company — which, it turned out, was nought but their shell company; all documents forged, all promises lies. Within hours of Tarleton’s acquisition, both of the fraudsters vanished from Jovian blocspace. Everest was left as the face of the failure, forced to answer to Tarleton executives. He, along with several other mid-level corpos who had fallen for the same scam, was the subject of a lengthy internal investigation. While he was found not to be guilty of foul play, still in possession of worthless Myeongnim shares, he was nonetheless fired for his negligence. Betrayed by his mentor, penniless, jobless and near-enough hopeless, Everest thought himself as Icarus in freefall. After spending a few weeks in a state of shellshocked malaise, he dragged himself back to his feet, emboldened somewhat by the encouragement of a few close friends, but most crucially by the desire to reject defeat. He would, by any means necessary, make a success out of himself, or he'd damn-well die trying — and one day, Yaisen and ever other shit-eating snake that he represented, would see him for what he was: a [i]winner[/i].

Everest soon turned his focus to bouncing back, seeking out work opportunities across Europa. He found himself at a disadvantage; while he had not strictly been blacklisted, any corp worth their salt was reluctant to take him on. He learned, however, that he felt no disappointment in rejection. In fact, the whole ordeal with Yaisen had left behind a deep bitterness and mistrust, and generally disenchanted him altogether with Europa. He saw now, behind the eyes of every corpo on the moon, the potential for deceit and exploitation. He needed to find something [i]else[/i]. And find it he did, through unconventional means. With his comprehensive investigation of trade routes, he had noticed a sharp uptick in corsair activity across the system in the last few years. Word had it that piracy had been emboldened by a surge in MARQ licenses. Everest had never fancied himself as a gunslinger or a thief, but he [i]was[/i] an adventurous heart, a risk-taker, and he'd be damned if he didn't know an emerging market when he saw one. And so, he was bold; he maxed out his loan, sold his apartment, and made his way to the shipyard.[/justify]
[color=ff3838][sub][b]Personality & Reputation[/b][/sub][/color]
[justify]Starry-eyed and sentimental, Everest is enraptured with the universe's beauty, and takes great enjoyment in prospecting its many wonders. A keen adventurer, he is drawn to both place and people, always interested in learning more about his acquaintances, and hoping to turn them into friends. His fascination with the universe, paired with a stubborn refusal to accept defeat, has dynamised him into one of the most belligerently ambitious young men in the solar system. He believes himself destined for greatness, and while he isn't quite sure how said greatness will manifest itself, he is unfliching in his efforts to achieve it. Yet for all of his charm and enthusiasm, Everest's earnestness can often outpace his judgement. He is prone to misreading social situations, particularly when among individuals cut from a different cloth than he, and his romantic heart pulls him to chase colourful detours that others would consider distractions. To many, his inexperience is apparent — he is too polished, too green, never having truly felt what it is like to live within the margins of society. Still, his persistence is undeniable. Even when out of his depth, he has a way of willing opportunities into existence, and of persuading others to share in his vision. Whether he is a trailblazer or a reckless pretender is a matter of perspective.

What he lacks in wisdom and room-reading, Everest makes up for in pattern recognition and analytics. Prior to his unceremonious fall from grace, he was among the most meteoric risers in the corpo climate of Europa. While his reputation may have disintegrated in-atmosphere, his aptitude remains. This shrewdness is evident not only through his business acumen, but also in his ability to adapt on the fly, reshaping plans when circumstances demand it. An intuitive mind, Everest has a knack for finding openings and opportunities that others miss — whether in a ledger, a negotiation, or a skirmish. While he is happy to shirk rules reactively, he is also a great beneficiary of structure. He has found success in methodical process — note-taking, agendas, spreadsheets — which helps to facilitate moments of improvisation in a pinch. He carries this philosophy with him in his leadership style, even as a corsair captain, much to the chagrin of the more lackadaisical among his crew.

Among corsairs and spacers, Everest is a polarising figure. To some, his unflagging optimism and knack for turning setbacks into opportunities mark him as a captain worth following; to others, he is a pretentious Europan dandy playing at piracy. Whether history will remember him as visionary or fool hangs in the balance, very much dependant on the success or failure of his boldest endeavour: captaining [i]the Dullahan[/i]. Whatever the case, there is one certainty: Everest MacLaine will not rest until his name is written among the greats.[/justify]
[color=ff3838][sub][b]Appearance[/b][/sub][/color]
[justify]Everest clings to his corporate wardrobe — crisp shirts, waistcoats, slim trousers — fine-cut and razor-sharp, with most of his attire consisting of cooler-tones of blue, white and grey. Though has learned the hard way that such apparel is not conducive to the rugged and grime-stained life of a corsair, he nonetheless endeavours to present himself well, believing that it is both a facet of good leadership, and an essential component of making strong first impressions when dealing with external matters. While his styling is mostly concordant with that of the Europan yuppie, he is a particularly liberal accessoriser with several fine rings, lockets, wrist-watches and ear-rings in his collection. His groomed moustache and pomade-swept, medium length hair — blond-brown in colour — might be derided by the more hard-nosed among the crew, but would be considered most fashionable indeed among Europan coiffeurs and tastemakers.

An evocative man, he is prone to gesticulation and emotive expression — his face often telegraphing his mood, either by furrowed brow or twinkled eye. Tidy, confident and angular-featured, he might be considered strikingly suave by some, and prætentiously  punchable by others. His disarming, expressive mien carries an air of restlessness and amusement, and perhaps a touch of child-like naiveté — punctuated by youthful blue eyes, yet masked somewhat by way of moustache. Whilst his sun-kissed complexion has mostly faded in his time away from Mercury, his skin is nonetheless warmer-toned than most spacers. While his physique lacks the hardened strength of a career soldier, or the wiry agility typical of smugglers and thieves, he keeps a modest measure of both attributes through regular exercise.  At six feet, he might be considered tall to some, but is fairly average for a Mercurian, or a spacer, for that matter.[/justify][/color][/cell][cell][sub][sup][color=2e2c2c]_________________________________________________________________[/color][/sup][/sub][hr][color=Gainsboro][h3]◤  [sub]“Every ledger starts in the red.”[/sub][/h3][/color]
[abbr=Artist: Foudreka][img]https://i.imgur.com/C5Phpe6.png[/img][/abbr]
[hr][color=ff3838][b]Full Name:[/b][/color] Everest Danilo MacLaine
[color=ff3838][b]Age:[/b][/color] 27
[color=ff3838][b]Homeworld:[/b][/color] Mercury
[color=ff3838][b]Occupation:[/b][/color] Owner & captain of [i]The Dullahan[/i]
[color=ff3838][b]Affiliation(s):[/b][/color] Tarleton Interstellar (previously)[hr][abbr=Artist: MeduZZa13][img]https://i.imgur.com/dc1T2Vo.png[/img][/abbr]
[hr][color=ff3838][sub][b]Strengths[/b][/sub][/color]
[color=Gainsboro][justify][list][*][color=B9FFA1][b]⊕ Social Gambler:[/b][/color] Naturally genial, persuasive, and confident. Even when his back is up against the wall, he’s good at making connections and knows how to work a room.
[*][color=B9FFA1][b]⊕ Resilient Optimist:[/b][/color] Driven to achieve something greater than himself. Even burned, he always finds another angle or reason to try again. His determination can be infectious, galvanising those around him.
[*][color=B9FFA1][b]⊕ Opportunistic Strategist:[/b][/color] Good at reflexively adjusting plans when things go sideways. Not bound by procedure; he is a lateral thinker capable of devising unusual solutions to complex problems.
[*][color=B9FFA1][b]⊕ Facilitative Leader:[/b][/color] Quick to connect with those around him, and eager to push them to reaching their potential. He knows when he’s ill-suited to a task, and is a shrewd delegator with instinctive talent recognition.
[*][color=B9FFA1][b]⊕ Market Mindset:[/b][/color] An excellent venture analyst with strong analytical and financial skills. His niche knowledge of the trade sector sets him apart from other corsair captains in the system, opening unique doors for the Dullahan.[/list][hr][color=ff3838][sub][b]Limitations[/b][/sub][/color][list][*][color=FFD6A1][b]⊖ Polarisingly Ostentatious:[/b][/color] While some may find themselves endeared to him, others find themselves irritated or unconvinced by his persona; from his polished corpo countenance to self-belief that borders on arrogance.
[*][color=FFD6A1][b]⊖ Misfit Marauder:[/b][/color] Despite working hard to familiarise himself with a pistol, he would be easily outdrawn by any career criminal. Likewise, he lacks much of the grit necessary for the messier sides of corsair works.
[*][color=FFD6A1][b]⊖ Overconfident Impulsivity:[/b][/color] Makes romantic or adventurous choices that may derail practical plans. Believes his wit and vision can overcome just about anything, even when he’s wrong.
[*][color=FFD6A1][b]⊖ Earnest Ignorance:[/b][/color] Believes he’s more worldly than he is; see through immediately by seasoned spacers. He is ignorant to what true hardship is like, and can be tactless as a result, forcing positivity on those who did not ask for it.
[*][color=FFD6A1][b]⊖ Fragile Pride:[/b][/color] Sensitive to criticism; even small slights gnaw at him. Overcompensates when his competence or authority is questioned, leading to rash decisions.[/list][/justify][/color][hr][color=ff3838][sub][b]Miscellaneous[/b][/sub][/color]
[color=Gainsboro][justify][list][*] Tries to treat his crew like employees at a start-up: pep talks, performance reviews. Still writes "meeting agendas" for crew discussions, even if nobody follows them.
[*] A shameless enjoyer of schlocky holo-dramas and reality shows.
[*] Collects small trinkets, rocks, or festival souvenirs from every world he visits. Often gaudy, always useless.
[*] Overly competitive at casual card games.
[*] Needs two coffees a day to work at maximum efficiency.
[*] Loves old poetry and literary excerpts, and will use them abundantly in what he believes is a motivational manner.[/list][/justify][/color][hr][/cell][/row][/table][hr][color=ff3838][sub][b]Opinions[/b][/sub][/color]
[color=Gainsboro][justify][hider=Gravel][color=E3E8FF]"Of all the hires, I think Voith is the one I’m most confident in. He’s the kind of leader I’m not. I’m not an idiot; I know people don’t fear me. I don’t want them to. But I’ll be damned if it isn't useful having someone on the ship with that kind of presence. Someone who commands respect. He’s the kind of guy you’re warned about when you first come to Jovian Blocspace. Pleasant enough on the surface; reasonable, composed. But deadly. He knows how desperate people tick, and how to co-operate with crooks. I can learn from that. I need to, if I want this investment to work out. It’s difficult to tell if he’s in this for the heliodollars alone and is coasting to retirement, or whether he is still hungry for something more. I suppose time will tell, but even if he’s past his prime, I figure he’ll offer value in insight alone. I can tell he’s not sold on me yet. Probably made half of his fortune capitalising on the complacency of people like me. I’ll enjoy showing him that I'm different."[/color][/hider][hider=Jax][color=E3E8FF]"Not everyone is sold on my vision for the Dullahan quite yet, but Veynar is all-in. I appreciate that. Does he give me the creeps? A little. I’ve seen holodocs about guys just like him who snap one day and chalk off a dozen strangers and then themselves in blaze of glory. He’s got a morbid edge to him — but, I don’t know, in an innocent, child-like way — maybe I’m being harsh on the kid. It does seem like he’s got a good heart. That said, I’m not sure the ‘fear’ part of the brain ever fully developed in Veynar. He seems not only willing, but [i]eager[/i] to do the jobs that most spacers would have to draw straws for. I like him, and he works hard. In my gut, I knew right away I wanted him on the crew — but part of me was, and still is, concerned that his heedlessness could be a hazard. He’s a wildcard, which is great nine times out of ten, but I just have to make sure that he isn’t the death of us all on that tenth."[/color][/hider][hider=Keema][color=E3E8FF]"If I’m totally honest, Collum is a little bit intimidating. Not because of her guns, or her scars, but because she has the kind of confidence that can’t be fake — and I've seen the difference. On Europa, you had to be willing to be bold and assert yourself, but it was easy enough to tell who really believed it. Collum is [i]very[/i] friendly. I get the feeling that if I left my door unlocked she’d waltz right in and make herself at home. It’s not what I'm used to. I’m not sure if she’s just [i]like that[/i], or if she enjoys toying with people. That said, I think her temperament is a great addition to the squad. She’s tough, but not a grouch  — she’s positive — and positivity is a rare commodity in her line of work. Most mercs are miserable people. She’s also not the type to sit around worrying about ifs: she’s a doer. I feel confident putting trust in her when we need boots on the ground, especially with someone like Montalban to reel her in if she gets too wild. I can tell she really looks up to Voith, too; so I think I can rely on her loyalty as long as I have his."[/color][/hider][hider=Chef][color=E3E8FF]"It was a real relief finding Emsberg. I knew getting involved in this business that I’d have to surround myself with avaricious and cold-hearted types to some degree, so having a nurturer on the team is a well-needed counterbalance. He doesn’t seem out of his depth, though, either — not that being a chef is all that difficult. Looking at it simply from a HR standpoint, it’s good to have someone who is better at building than breaking things down. He has the capacity to offer more than just [i]tarte Tatin[/i] to the team, and I expect that I’ll lean on him now and then for other matters. He’s got a worldly feel about him; one that I’m drawn to trust. That said, I do wonder how he found himself in this position. He’s not a career criminal like Gravel, and he seems wise enough to have done more with his life. Not that I’m complaining  — happy to have him  — but you’ve got to question the ambition."[/color][/hider][hider=Vĩnh][color=E3E8FF]"Nguyễn reminds me of home. She doesn’t have the rough edges you find on most spacers, nor the brazen inauthenticity of my Europan co-workers. She’d fit right in on Mercury. I don’t know exactly what her story is, but most sanitation workers don’t have so many cybernetics, and even fewer have law degrees. I can’t explain why, but when I interviewed her, it felt like she really needed a break. I‘m a little ashamed to admit part of the reason I chose her might’ve been out of pity, but I don’t feel that way anymore. She is already working hard enough to earn her cut, and I’m conscious of how her other skills might come into play down the line — she has a good eye for detail. Never hurts to have a few cards up your sleeve, right? All that said, it doesn’t take a genius to discern that this job isn’t her dream; it’s her plan B, or maybe C, D, or E. Might be a challenge to keep her heart in it."[/color][/hider][hider=Ringworm][color=E3E8FF]"At first, he scared the shit out of me. I’d never really met a Centaurian before. Usually they keep well clear of Europa. After a while, I realised he is not all that different to the rest of us — and not just some blood-thirsty mutant tank-bred to murder like the news would have you believe. One of my first priorities when putting the crew together was finding someone who could marshal a crew in a skirmish, because I sure as hell can’t. He’s a perfect fit for that. I’ve also taken to utilising him as an enforcer, or an executor — the bad cop to my good. Someone needs to be straightened out? Send in 'Ringworm'. Someone ignored my disciplinary and still isn’t cleaning up after themselves in the canteen? Send in 'Ringworm'. If we ever get jumped by corporate mercenaries and one of them needs to be ‘dealt with’? Send in 'Ringworm'. He’s grown into the XO role naturally, and while I don’t always agree with him, I appreciate that he feels able to push back on my ideas when he has a difference of opinion. Part of me worries I do give him [i]too much[/i] lee-way, and that the power balance might sway, but he’s too valuable for me to piss off — and even if he wasn’t, I still don’t want to piss him off. Y’know, maybe he still does scare the shit out of me."[/color][/hider][hider=Desna][color=E3E8FF]"Golly, she could smile a little, couldn't she? Not a happy customer. In fact, when I offered her the job — eagerly and cheerfully, may I add — she looked at me like I'd slapped her face. Well, some people are just like that, and that's fine, because she is good at what she does. She probably understands this ship better than anyone. She knows the whole ecosystem; she can diagnose it, fix it, fly it. She's essential. So I will forgive her sourness and I will smile twice as hard each time I see her. Perhaps one day I'll win her over. Until then, I have no problem with her grumbling, so long as it isn't directly undermining my leadership."[/color][/hider][hider=Sara][color=E3E8FF]"Araya is excellent. She is exactly the kind of pilot I’d have hoped to find, and much better than what I expected. While I pride myself on my leadership skills, I do have a tendency to wander — both in my thoughts, and in a literal sense. Araya is laser-focused. She can trim down my rambling into an executable order, and she can realign some of my more [i]improvisational[/i] ideas with level-headed logic. She’s tapped-in to briefs and debriefs, she pays attention to data and checklists, and generally sets an excellent example of professionalism for the rest of the crew. With that said, I feel that she doesn’t see eye-to-eye with me on the big picture. We both rely on structure, but for me, it’s a means to an end. For Araya, it’s the beginning, middle and end. Why work hard if you aren’t willing to live a little on the way? To take some risks? Araya does not feel the same way: she’d do things by-the-books ten times out of ten if she was in charge. She also seems to have little interest in building [i]real[/i] bonds with the crew. She’s not at all rude, but I get the sense that her idea of professionalism draws a line between co-workers and friends. I understand that — I really do — but I’ve seen the strength that camaraderie gives other members of the crew. It’s a shame. Anyway: I’d bet the ship on her piloting, and I value her insight, so I am fine with overlooking the aloofness."[/color][/hider][/justify][/color][hr]