Natalie Vandenberg
Captain Natalie Vandenberg
Amy Jo Johnson
Amy Jo Johnson as Natalie Vandenberg
Personal
Alias: "Dog Actual"
Age: 37
Features: Short. Aggressive.
Colony: Canceron
Professional
Rank: Captain
Department: Marines
Position: Dog PLT CO, Company S3

Honor never grows old, and honor rejoices the heart of age. It does so because honor is, finally, about defending those noble and worthy things that deserve defending, even if it comes at a high cost. In our time, that may mean social disapproval, public scorn, hardship, persecution, or as always, even death itself.

The questions remain:
What is worth defending?
What is worth dying for?
What is worth living for?

-William J. Bennett
United States Naval Academy
November 24, 1997


Background

Originally from Canceron, Natalie had rich parents which she eschewed for a lifestyle that allowed her to have friends in the otherwise very blue collar town of Kirtland City. Growing up around the Tylium mines, she had intended to disown her parents and work the mines with her friends. Not willing to stand for such a "travesty", Mister and Missus Vandenberg kicked Natalie off Canceron and sent her to Virgon for four years of school. As a nice middle finger in reply, the young woman signed-up for ROTC. She had originally intended to return to Canceron and work the mines, but her time in the Marines had drifted her too far from her friends, and thus, her motivation. Realizing the Corps was all that was left for her, she set back out to the rest of her life. Natalie spent the next few years with the same unit, always fighting to stay with people she claimed were hers and hers alone. The Marines might rent them, but their hides belonged to her. However, after a string of very violent operations on Tauron, the Lieutenant opted to forgo her promotion to Captain and wanted to lateral out to the Military Police. She had seen and lost enough on the front lines. After spending an additional three and a half years in the MP's, Vandenberg had finally settled into a more relaxed lifestyle. She had friends outside the military again. She even got into the dating scene (or Libran's excuse for one). But she never stopped looking for the next rush. She was Aerilon on vacation, learning to skydive, when the bombs hit. SSGT Crowe found her in a tree the next morning. They spent the next six months heavily involved with the Neath Militia until its destruction. Lieutenant Vandenberg and her team were rescued from Aerilon on PHD #226 along with four other Marines. She is currently appointed as the leader of Dog Platoon and the Marine Corps Operations Officer.

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Service Jacket

Year Rank Station Notes
DEC 2026 AE MDSP Montrose University, Virgon BS: Mining and Mineral Engineering. CMC Commission: Ensign.
JAN 2027 - MAR 2030 ENS Camp Fox, Sagittaron 1st PLT, B Co., 2nd BN, 73rd MMD. Promoted to LTJG, 2029.
MAR 2030 - JUL 2034 LTJG Camp Fox, Sagittaron 2nd SPCTRPs PLT, C Co., 1st BN, 73rd MMD. Corona FOB. Additional Tunnel Warfare Training. Leads PLT of "Tunnel Rats". Promoted to LT, FEB 2032.
JUL 2034 - DEC 2037 LT Camp Adriatic, Tauron 2nd SPCTRPs PLT, C Co., 1st BN, 73rd MMD. Madrona FOB. Unit takes heavy losses. Application for transfer to MPs, DEC 2037.
DEC 2037 - WARDAY LT Camp Rooker, Libran A Co., 3rd BN, 64th MID. Transfer to MPs. Gives up promotion to O4 for position. Serves 1yr PLT CMD. Transferred to Co HQ for S3 duties.
WARDAY - OCT 2041 LT Neath, Aerilon Trains and leads civilian resistance effort. Civilian leadership botches operation, leads to destruction 6 JUL 2041. LT and four survivors rescued 10 OCT 2041 AE.
OCT 2041 - NOW CPT BS Cerberus (BS-132) B Co., 1st BN, 9th MID. Dog PLT CO. Company S3. Promoted to CPT, 25 APR 2042.

"…That is why Poppy thinks so highly of you." A beat, "As do I. That is why when you lead your Marines, I will be flying the raptor that gets you there. … You do not search for glory, or want praise. You put your people before yourself. And you never ask anyone to do anything you would not be willing to do yourself."
- LT Leyla Aydin to LT Natalie Vandenberg
20 APR 2042 / PHD #418


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Physical Features

Standing a shade over five-feet, Natalie Vandenberg is not exactly an imposing person in the physical sense. With an athletic frame and sure stature, there is an undercurrent of confidence that seems to precede most of her movements. Light skin has apparently seen a lot of sun in the recent months and quite a bit in the past, a few telltale wrinkles in the right places speaking to long hours spent in the sun. Her brown hair is typically up behind her head in a tight bun that sticks out far enough to double as a helmet pad. Sharp green eyes and thin lips fill out a long, squared face.

Scarring:
Natalie has heavy scarring across her back from burns, explosions, and deep gashes that were taken out over her time in the infantry. The scars extend down her rear and around her hips and back up to her shoulders and biceps. These are years old. More recently she has acquired several new scars. The injuries of 20 March (see below) left very noticeable burn scarring across the left side of her neck and face where shrapnel has left several tigerstriped markings. It also removed the bottom quarter of her left ear as well as perforating the rest. She is missing quite a bit of hair on the back of her head from this that will never return. 15 April left Natalie heavily wounded. She has very light scarring around the right side of her neck and face from shrapnel. Her forearms and body are similarly scarred from several gunshot wounds. Her left hand had to be more or less rebuilt and has several deep scars on both the back and palm.


"We intimidate those who would intimidate others."
-LAPD Rampart Division Motto


TV & Movie Tropes

For those of us who know what Tropes are, none of this will come as a surprise. However, for those that are unaware of what a 'Trope' is, allow me to quote:

"Tropes are devices and conventions that a writer can reasonably rely on as being present in the audience members' minds and expectations. On the whole, tropes are not clichés. The word clichéd means "stereotyped and trite." In other words, dull and uninteresting. We are not looking for dull and uninteresting entries. We are here to recognize tropes and play with them, not to make fun of them."

This quote comes directly from the TVTropes.org homepage and does a decent job of explaining what they are. If this is a brand new concept, you should consider yourself warned away from the above-linked website as it will likely consume all of your free time in the foreseeable future. Tropes are, above all, funny and informative. The site contains references and pages dedicated to a whole TV show or movie and for the most popular; character pages.

Contained are several tropes that Vandenberg falls into in varying degrees - either presently or in the past. Some have been averted, some inverted, and even a few recovered from. Each entry contains the most relevant paragraph from the tvtropes.org entry and all links are external, leading to that site. Players are welcome to suggest some as I did not assemble this list all by myself. Shoot me a +mail if players identify a new one or want to argue an existing one - just reference it plz. kthx!

On the Grid

Known Associates

Cidra_icon.jpg "Hard chargin' lady that runs the Wing. I may not always agree with her but damned if she isn't fair about her decisions. I suppose you can't ask for more than that. She seems to have the respect of just about everyone over there and I'd guess that's a good judgment of her character."
Khloe_icon.jpg "Someone told me that I should put my own wants before anyone else for once. Screw other people's opinions. Fight for what you want and don't let go. Looks like we're going to see how far that can get us."
Wade_icon.jpg "Ohhhh Mister Duncan. One of Khloe's guys. Seems eager if not a little spontaneous. I think I'm glad I stopped short of a serious ass-chewing. He's becoming more of a friend which is a little odd. And no, I'm not joining the Air Wing."
Evandreus_icon.jpg "We'll see, Buns. Give it time."
Leyla_icon.jpg "Tip top Raptor wrangler. Took over in Trask's stead when he was down. I've worked with her on a few occasions for different projects and each time its been an absolute pleasure. I'm not sure what's up with the gloves but this woman offered to wade into hell with me simply because I had a crazy idea. Probably my favorite Raptor pilot."

"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees."
-Emiliano Zapata


Injuries Sustained

The following is a complete medical listing of injuries sustained since 20 March 2042 AE.

  • 20 MAR 2042: Mine_HE to Head (Serious). Injuries were sustained during a boarding operation to take an ECM Basestar. Second degree burns across the back and left side of head. Left ear perforated in several places, bottom quarter missing. 20% hearing loss in left ear. Scarring remains.
  • 15 APR 2042: HMG (Viper strafing) to Right Hand (Light), Right Leg (Light), Abdomen (Light), Chest (Moderate), Left Arm (Light), Neck (Moderate), and Chest (Serious). Rifle AP to Chest (Light). Frag Grenade to Head (Moderate). Shrapnel to Right Arm (Serious), Left Hand (Critical), Abdomen (Serious), Right Hand (Serious), and Left Arm (Moderate). All injuries occurred during the storming of the Areion, of which she led the first wave. She was evacuated to the Cerberus immediately. Patient barely survived. Patient has reduced feeling in left hand but retains full use. Excessive scarring around the arms and body.

Trivia

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  • Natalie is prone to analogies and some colorful flair with them. Just repeat after me: "Its not personal." These are tempered heavily with her Canceran accent. If one requires translation, asking for one won't hurt.
  • Having grown up in a poor town, she sorta rejects the notion of rich snots being unable to change. If they were ever rich snots to start with. That said, she really isn't thrilled with Capricans. Stereotypes come from somewhere, right?
  • It started in high school and grew into a love affair. Vandenberg loves cold weather hiking. Especially high altitude. So much so that she spent a huge chunk of her career doing exactly that.
  • A certified Priestess of the Church of High Velocity Redistribution. She got a lot of experience handling explosives during her time with the 73rd Mountain. Fireworks to destructive devices, she loves it all.
  • In a stand-up boxing match, Natalie would get pummeled. She's just not big enough to handle the punishment some of the heavyweight hitters on the ship might be able to dish out. However, she's taken to using clubs and batons much quicker. Additionally, she has become quite good with a combative martial art, Bolkat Kontakta, that isn't seen on cable TV or in cage matches because it is fast and lethal by design. Pointing weapons at her is ill-advised. She is available for instruction on this art, though. Contact via page or +mail to set it up.
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  • Vandenberg is one of two people on the Cerberus that should be contacted in regards to receiving IC training on how to perform airborne operations. The other, who provides the more practical hands-on end, is GSGT Constin. Vandenberg can provide introductory training up to and including suit fitment. In order for a chracter to participate in an airborne operation they must be certified (trained) in how to do it. Members of the Air Wing are exempt from this training requirement because they receive instruction during flight training. Before an airborne operation training will be offered to those who wish to get it but it may also be sought out at any time. For more information on airborne operations, please see the Airborne Delivery page for requirements and guidelines. All necessary information for character involvement is listed on that page but training will still be required. Remember: Becoming qualified does not mean your character will ever jump. Combat drops are exceedingly rare and are only used when there are absolutely no other available options that are considered safer than the drops.
  • In terms of Jung Typology, Natalie is an ENFJ which is more commonly known as the 'Idealist Teacher'. "In whatever field they choose, Teachers consider people their highest priority, and they instinctively communicate personal concern and a willingness to become involved. Warmly outgoing, and perhaps the most expressive of all the types, Teachers are remarkably good with language, especially when communicating in speech, face to face. And they do not hesitate to speak out and let their feelings be known. Bubbling with enthusiasm, Teachers will voice their passions with dramatic flourish, and can, with practice, become charismatic public speakers. This verbal ability gives Teachers a good deal of influence in groups, and they are often asked to take a leadership role."

Music

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Songs that move and define.

  • Shinedown - Burning Bright — Definitely her song. This is essentially her in musical form. Scars, self-doubt, strength, and belief in those she is with.
  • Feeder - Buck Rogers — This song is supposed to be about a relationship but it works well for her outlook on the war. We can make it. We just have to fight to get there.
  • The Buzzhorn - Ordinary — "Ordinary" very accurately describes her state of mind during the resistance operations at Neath, Aerilon. Someone normal placed in an extraordinary circumstance and forced to sink or swim. She swam. Hard.
  • Dropkick Murphys - Worker's Song — The Unofficial Song of Canceron. Natalie grew up stinking rich but as she's fond of saying, "Rich isn't about your bank statement. Its about experiences. Cubits can buy you plenty but it can't buy you mates that'll give their lives for you."
  • Bagpipes - Amazing Grace — Too many funerals. Then Neath? This song wrecks her every time she hears it.
  • Portishead - Roads — If Natalie had to pick one song to summarize Warday and the following weeks? This would be it. Some of the darkest, loneliest days of her life.
  • Mumford & Sons - After the Storm — It may seem odd in certain parts, but this is Van's song of hope. Defiance in the face of long odds and if it takes dying, that's what it takes. "And I took you by the hand, and we stood tall, and remembered our own land, What we lived for"
  • Sponge - Plowed — Everybody has a song that gets you pumped up. A song you listen to when you want to psych yourself up for doing something. Maybe that something is a little crazy. Maybe that something is a little violent. Maybe that 'something' includes jumping out of a perfectly good Raptor over Cylon-occupied territory. If she's wearing earbuds before something major, chances are good this is in her head.
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