Brenda Strong, an Elite Warrior

Like her father, Brenda Strong was an elite warrior. Born Axaara Kaboor in the Backwater Lagoons of Southern Vin-Llamáz, she followed her father into the IMMC Marine Corps. The "backwaters", as they're known locally, are a vast maze of waterways, some small, some as large as lakes, broken up by jungle forests and brush filled islands. Not only is it so remote from the rest of Vin-Llamáz its ancient and native population remained largely untouched by the modern world, it was also one of the few places the Confederation never managed to invade. But that doesn't mean it went untouched by the war.

The Early Years

Axaara grew up largely untouched by the war. She knew only that her father had gone off to fight and had become one of many war heroes in her village. There were also many veterans who had returned with missing limbs or other wounds and scars that made it impossible for them to continue to fight. But still, even these experiences were far from the grim realities of war. During her semi-innocent youth, Axaara spent countless hours with the other children exploring the hidden wonders of the Backwater Lagoons around her village. Being a thoughtful and reflective girl, she would often retreat to the lush jungle forests where she could listen to the soothing melodies of exotic birds and the gentle rustling of leaves. For, despite the looming presence of the far off war, those days were filled with carefree adventures, playful escapades with the other village children, broken up by moments of quiet, thoughtful, contemplation. Tales of the heroic deeds of the men and women, her father included, who'd gone off to fight only added to the mystique of her surroundings, igniting a spark of courage and determination within her young heart. Little did she know that one day, she feel herself called upon to embark on that journey herself, destined to follow in her father's footsteps as a warrior.

It would, in fact, be several more years before she was old enough to encompass the horrors that lay beyond her idyllic Backwater home. By then, she was in her late teens. Her father, now to told and too wounded to continue to fight, had returned home with full military honor given to his name. He talked to her about the war, and not just about its horrors, but its cause and its purpose. It was, in his opinion, a war for the very soul of humanity; and if they lost, they would lose even the protection and sanctity of their Backwater home.

The Marine

Less than a year after her father's return, Axaara herself left to join the marines, driven by a deep sense of duty and a desire to serve her country. She had grown up to be an uncommonly strong and tall young woman, with an indomitable spirit that was admired by her peers. So, before she left, her father gave her the "military name": Brenda Strong. It was a name that would soon become well known to those in her battalion. This name was not merely a title; it embodied her resilience and determination, inspiring those around her. As she arrived at basic training, she quickly distinguished herself through her rigorous training regimen and steadfast dedication, which earned her respect from both superiors and fellow recruits. Soon after her training, she was assigned to an elite unit, where her skills truly began to shine. Once again, she quickly moved up the ranks, showcasing such leadership qualities and tactical acumen that she eventually became the NCOIC of her elite squad, where she took pride in mentoring others and leading them toward victory in every mission they undertook.

Disaster!

Then, disaster struck. A miscommunication by a private in her unit led to a disastrous misunderstanding and so defeat for her battalion. This, in turn, led to accusations that she and her unit were secretly working for the Confederation! It would turn out to be the toughest challenge Brenda would face in her career, and the worst loss she would ever face:

The accusations of her unit collaborating with the Confederation had shaken her to the core. Determined to clear her name and prove her loyalty, Brenda launched a thorough investigation into the miscommunication incident. Uncovering the truth required all her tactical acumen and leadership skills. With unwavering dedication, she pieced together the events leading to the defeat and presented her findings to her JAG officer. Unfortunately, all of her evidence was circumstantial, and in the end the Courts Marshall saw things differently. Though they couldn't find her guilty of any official misconduct, neither did they find it "reasonable" to allow her to continue to lead her highly specialized forward command unit. So they kicked her out of the marines entirely, re-posted her to the navy, and then shunted her off to the crew of disreputable misfits that made up Wil's crew in Fire Mission 1: Bagédaan!