Ariana Zou
Ariana Zou | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Personal | |
| Born | 3099[1] |
| Affiliation | Republic of the Sphere |
| Career | |
| Title(s) | Paladin |
| Profession | MechWarrior |
Lady Ariana Zou was a MechWarrior and Paladin of the Republic.
History
Zou grew up on Zaniah in the spaceport city of Hartzborg. While growing up, she sought out every tale she could of a famous monastery called the St. Marinus House, the home to a brotherhood of ex-MechWarriors. This obsession led her to enroll at the Northwind Military Academy, where she excelled and was flagged by the academy's commandant as a possible Knight. Upon graduation from the academy she was assigned to the VIII Hastati Sentinels. When her unit fought some pirate raiders on Rochelle, Ariana was able to distinguish herself from her peers. This caught the attention of Paladin Otto Mandela who sponsored her to knighthood in 3124.[1]
It took Ariana only four years to go from Knight-Errant to being promoted to full Knight. Her promotion got her assigned to the Exarch's honor guard and she assumed the unofficial command of the X Principes Guards. While on Terra, she became a well known person to most of the Paladins which would serve her well when she was selected to attain the rank of Paladin when Meraj Jorgensson was killed in the early stages of the Senate Rebellion.[1]
Before the initiation of Fortress Republic, she was sent outside of Prefecture X. She was distressed and confused about why she was sent outside The Wall, but she has persevered and became Damien Redburn's "right-hand man" on Callison with the creation of the Republic Remnant.[1]
Zou was claimed as bondsman by Clan Wolf after Callison fell in early 3150, but managed to escape to lead the local resistance. Her guerilla campaign, intended to terrorize the Wolves through assassinations and kidnappings, lasted for more than a year before it was interrupted by the First Covenant Guards under General Jodene Tillens. Zou joined forces with Tillens to defeat the planet's solahma garrison, subsequently defecting to the Free Worlds League.[2]
* In 3149, Zou was reinstated as a Knight but not a Paladin as her position had already been filled. [citation needed]
After aiding the Covenant Guards Ariana continued to help prod the Wolf Empire in its weakened state. All the while she continued to use the old communications routes of the Ghost Knights and Paladins to find out where RAF survivors were. She wanted to either bring them into her command and fight alongside the Free Worlds League or if any organize RAF forces still existed, join up with them. Eventually War Party was revealed to her. After resigning her command with the Free Worlds league she departed to rendezvous with the Nomad Republic fleet. Upon arriving, she found Jonah Levin and Janella Lakewood to greet her along with several Knights and Fidelis.
On Vindemiatrix Ariana volunteered to seek out any RAF that may have made their way to the world. Little did she know, it would be the start of a whole family reunion. Finding Mason Dunne, Reynard Seychilles, the Seychilles Stonehearts, The Cheetahs, and even Phantom, it turned out to be a treasure trove of a visit to the world in their long journey.[3]