Linus "Pens" Bran

Lieutenant Linus Samhain "Sam" Bran

Ryan Leslie as Linus Samhain "Sam" Bran

Personal

Alias:	Pens
Age:	27
Features:	Tall and dark-skinned; extrovert.
Colony:	Tauron

Professional

Rank:	Lieutenant
Department:	Air Wing: VAQ-141 "Harriers"
Position:	Raptor ECO

"No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave."
- Calvin Coolidge

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Background

Sam Bran has done plenty in life for Fleet, for family, and for himself.

From the Black Country of Tauron, he was raised in a large family household and grew up fast in order to help support his relatives and himself. He enlisted by the age of seventeen and became an Aviation Warfare Systems Operator before attending Officer Candidate School in order to enter the Air Wing. He served alongside "Sweet Pea" Aydin aboard the Hephaestus, and now is with the Cerberus just before Warday. After working with the Providers, he's been recently transferred over to the Harriers.

The military life is appreciated but these are trying times and dire days, fate now constantly tests his mettle.

[+] Please click here to read the entire story thus far.

Everything happens for a reason, and that reason is why everything happens.

Linus Samhain Bran was the third son, and sixth child, born to Alexander Lughe and Mneme Bran on a rainy winter morning. He grew up as the runt of the proverbial litter in the heart of the Black Country of Tauron; he grew up with a lot of family, extended rather than nuclear, immediate members numbering past the ability to count via fingers, but not toes. The lot of them worked and they worked hard for what little they received in life.

That's what it means to be a Bran: diligence.

From a young age, Sam had to toughen up. His brothers and sisters helped in that regard, they taught him alongside schooling; most times, it was physical, bordering upon bullying with an ounce of protecting from peers and friends. Epitomizing the blue-collar worker, his father and brothers took him under their wing from job to job. He learned of the Aydins through his older relatives. Strong morals were taught and with the feud between the two families the Aydins were examples of what not to be; he had to be strong and respectful, unlike an Aydin, and honorable.

That's what it means to be a Bran: kin.

Sam took up sports as he grew. He was decent and a fan of the Stampedes. He worked in the factories alongside his brothers and father. Still, he strove for more and took up in excess as the years passed. Artistry and the sciences allowed his mind to grow and foster something more than what his relatives provided. Instincts led him into looking to the sky rather than the dreary world around him. His parents caught on and his mother pushed a reluctant and authoritarian father in pushing Sam towards the Fleet, the easiest way off-planet and to something greater. He enlisted by the age of seventeen, breaking through boot camp easily enough. He then went into A-School with the aviation community as a warfare systems operator. It helped that he was Taurian, naturally acclimated to the rigors of life. Recommended in the direction of ECO, that would require more schooling, and before that came OCS. Yet, Sam found that the Fleet was his new home. He liked the military life.

That's what it means to be a Bran: aptitude.

Between Candidate School and Flight School, Sam headed home and took on more of his family's tatau. Flight School was rather interesting and not because of the engaging curriculum. He came face to face with an Aydin: Leyla Aydin. They might have had their apparent differences but destiny still had it planned for him to work as an ECO. She might have had the Academy degree and such, but he landed on the spot she coveted: oft to remind her as he acted as her ECO. In spite of the feud simmering, Sam Bran focused on his new assignment when they graduated: BS-107, Hephaestus. Life aboard the Stussy was relatively quaint and appreciated. He took on the callsign of 'Pens', for constantly carrying a pen to facilitate his habit of doodling incessantly. When he was reassigned to the BS-132 Cerberus alongside Leyla, the habit stuck. The Stussy will be remembered even upon Warday. Now he serves the Cerberus to the best of his abilities.

That's what it means to be a Bran: duty.

Immediate Family

Parents	A working factory man, Alexander Lughe (65) was thirty-nine at the birth of his son Linus "Sam" Bran. He was known for being strict and set in his ways. He is presumed deceased on Tauron since Warday. Sam's mother, Mneme Bran-Lughe (63) was strong and powerful, in that she managed the household. A caring woman and housewife, she is presumed deceased on Tauron since Warday.
Siblings	From eldest to youngest, Sam's siblings are as follows: Alexander II, (46), Antigone (44), Philo (37), Cora (34), and Zoe (29). They worked in the factories or small shops, assisting the parents at the house, and whatnot. They are presumed deceased on Tauron since Warday.
Relatives	The rest of Sam's immediate family is taken up by nieces and nephews from his older siblings and their significant others. They are all presumed deceased on Tauron since Warday.

Service Jacket

Billets

Station	Duration	Notes
CFAB Mai-Kintani, Scorpia	2032 - 2036 AE	Post-A-School as an AW rating from recruit to PO2nd.
BS-107 Hephaestus	23 Jan 2038 - 12 Feb 2041 AE	Serves with the VRC-50 "Raging Angels" as an ECO, ensign to LTjG. The callsign Pens sticks.
BS-132 Cerberus	14 Feb 2041 AE - 26 Aug 2041 AE	Works as an ECO with the VRC-30 "Providers" squadron.
BS-132 Cerberus	26 Aug 2041 AE - Present	Transferred to the VAQ-141 "Harriers", continues to serve to present day.

Assignments

08 Sep 2041 AE	SAR mission at Constitution Plaza, Aera Yazd, Sagitarron. Multiple civilians and refugees recovered, including Hiram Joseph.
16 Sep 2041 AE	SAR mission north of Tarnock, Aerilon. Ten survivors recovered, including Mrs. Astra Koios.
24 Sep 2041 AE	Salvage of West Aerilon Colonial Emporium for supplies to supplement fleet stores. Personally buries seven of the nine discovered bodies.
04 Oct 2041 AE	Recon of Picon to ascertain Cylon presence, fleet remains and surface status.
12 Oct 2041 AE	Salvage of the Elpis' future FTL drive with other fleet personnel.
10 Nov 2041 AE	Offers points of recon and potential SAR missions to areas of Tauron.
01 Dec 2041 AE	Clearing of debris-filled space surrounding Wreath-of-Roses with the rest of the Harriers and Screwtops.
10 Feb 2042 AE	Participates in multiple sorties against swarms of Raiders.

Personnel Notes

None of Importance

Education

Location	Duration	Notes
CFAB Mai-Kintani, Scorpia	2032 AE	Boot camp and A-School, aviation community. Apprenticed as an Aviation Warfare Systems Operator.
Fort Cetus, Picon	19 Feb 2036 AE - 23 May 2036 AE	Recommended for OCS, leaves program as an ensign.
Fort Cetus, Picon	6 Jun 2036 AE - 19 Dec 2037 AE	Meets Sweet Pea, goes down the Raptor pipeline, graduates above-average.

Physical Features

This man stands at about six feet in height and weighs just less than two-hundred pounds. He has a broad-shouldered and militaristic build, muscled and toned. He is brown-skinned. His black hair is neatly cut short to the scalp and fades against his temples and hair lines. His facial features are angular, with a broad and straight nose, a smooth and high-cheeked face, and strong chin. He has dark brown eyes and a broad brow to match a masculine jaw, which happens to be clean-shaven. He even has a set of dimples to complete any expressions given.

Personality Quirks

Linus "Sam" Bran is an extrovert. He also values a work ethic and orthodox measures in completing duties, though is not afraid of applying imagination upon varying ideas. He is boisterous, confident and compassionate, with a strong sense of honor. He respects authority and at times can be modest due to the respect. He is extremely talkative when under duress and communes with the Gods regularly. He also abhors his first name for one reason or another, preferring Sam taken from his middle name.

Typology

According to the Myers-Briggs (Jung) Typology test, Bran is an ESTJ, commonly known as Supervisors.

Extraverted: 75

Sensing: 50

Thinking: 50

Judging: 77

ESTJs are practical, realistic, and matter-of-fact, with a natural head for business or mechanics. Though they are not interested in subjects they see no use for, they can apply themselves when necessary. They like to organize and run activities. ESTJs make good administrators, especially if they remember to consider others' feelings and points of view, which they often miss.

You can read a bit more about ESTJs HERE. You can take the test HERE.

On the Grid

Known Associates

Air Wing

	Lieutenant Leyla Aydin: This is a serious love-hate relationship, but we know when to put aside our differences for the better of the human race - usually. At least she's an excellent Raptor pilot. She's got that going for her.
	Lieutenant Andrea Demarcos: We, uh, well, if you ask anyone around here then there's apparently some chemistry between the two of us. I only remember alcohol and a wicked hangover. Oh, and she's hot. I remember that too.
	Major Cidra Hahn: The CAG scares me, but I'm not quite afraid of her -if that makes any sense. It doesn't? Well, I give respect where respect is due, and the Major will always have that from me. It's just that simple.
	Junior Lieutenant Marko Scaurus: Marko is one of the ECOs amongst the Harriers. Since I'm one of the newer ones and haven't done assault tasks before, I use Scaurus as a prime example of excellence as these months tick by.
	Lieutenant Kal Trask: Let me tell you, if I were to star in some buddy cop movie or something then I would definitely request that I co-star with Trask. You can only have excellence when you have two Black Country Boys in the same area.
	Captain Khloe Vakos: Please, please, please stop asking about the marker thing. I'm not going to tell you. She's just another one of my lovely abusers. Just ask Leyla. They gang up at times, but I would throwdown against anyone for the both of them.

Deck

Apprentice Dave Wright: I not-quite-fondly remember him being wounded in action during a SAR I had command over. He survived, thankfully, and we've hung out since. I think he might've transferred to the AW with our talks.

Trivia

Beliefs

Cylons
Though he, more than once, has stated his hatred of Cylons, Bran will not identify himself as a Cylon-Hater and will only take the necessary precautions in defending himself and others rather than outwardly and preemptively attack them or anyone who better-appreciates their existence.
Faith
Sam Bran is a devout and superstitious man. He communes regularly with the Lords of Kobol and focuses primarily upon Ares for strength and potency, and Hephaestus for ingenuity and mental aptitude. However, he takes the mythos surrounding the Gods with a certain grain of salt and allows for a more realistic and grounded interpretation.

Leisurely Pursuits

Artistry
Bran does a lot of sketching, somewhat in part due to his constant having of writing utensils on his person. He has drawn various works of art for years now since his childhood and has since been calling himself skilled in the trade, a low-grade professional if anything.
Martial Arts
Sam Bran practices a close-quarters combat technique that has originated from Tauron of old. He is by far no master but it keeps him active aside from the usual of standard physical training and weight lifting. It's a work-in-progress that has been ongoing since his teenage years. OOC NOTE: The martial arts is based on the Hawaiian martial art known as Lua and the American-Samoan Limalama, focusing on agility, hand and wrist locks, bone dislocations and breaking, and supplemented by bladed and stick techniques.
Pyramid
Sam Bran is an avid Pyramid player. His favorite team is the Tauron Stampede and his general tactics on the field are aggressively done with an artistic, flamboyant flair for the extreme. Be sure to check out the page on Pyramid.
Storytelling
Bran enjoys the gift of gab and as such he is an avid storyteller. Whether or not the tales he weaves orally are fictional or not is generally never delved into, but they are eccentric, tall, and for the most part larger than life – in an entertaining sort of way, of course.

Military (Air Wing)

Aviation Warfare Systems Operator
Before Sam Bran was an officer within the Fleet and far before he was even an ECO, he performed amongst the Fleet as an enlisted naval aircrewman operator. He got to perform general flight crew duties and operate small-grade ECO duties as an aircrewman.
Callsign
Bran received his callsign while stationed aboard the "Stussy". Thanks to his fellow pilots and servicemen and women, he has the name thanks to his constant carrying of pens and the, usually anxiety-riddled, tics he use with them: clicking, rolling, doodling, etcetera. It was oft to distract him from his duties.
Electronic Countermeasures Officer
When it comes to being an ECO, Bran exemplifies efficiency and has an excellent track record thus far reflecting such. He is skilled in the various uses of ECM, gunnery, basic repair work and Raptors in general. Raptors are his home away from home. See the Raptor Guide and Basic Electronic Warfare.

Taurian

Black Country
Bran is Tauron through and through, definitely, and he specifically hails from the Black Country of the colony. He has a background of hardiness and being fairly rough-and-tumble, active and boisterous, informal and a slight backwards when it comes to civility. He's also stubborn. Don't bother insulting him, for example with labeling him a dirt eater, for he is hot-blooded. He loves his foods and drink. Be sure to check out the Guide to the Black Country.
Language
Sam Bran is easily identifiable as Taurian and greatly honors where he hails from. He can write in and speak the language fluently and takes pride in his ability to translate seamlessly. Given the current generation, or lack thereof thanks to Warday, it is a rare trade.
Tatau
The tatau that Sam Bran wears is as extensive as it is intricate. They are an exotic, visual guide and reference book to his faith, his family and its general history, as well as his accomplishments, failures in life, and his duty to the military. They are traditionally done in a black ink. The texture equates to an insane amount of time to their creation, and equally to pain. In keeping with his family traditions, they center around his torso and along the length of his arms, along his backside and down from his pelvis to upper legs. He is oft to have them covered, but they are just as likely to be noticeable given the situation. OOC Note: Thematically, these tattoos are a blend of Polynesian Maori and Samoan. Certain areas of his body are dedicated to certain parts of his life.

Recent Logs

PHD #523: Under the Eyes of Philomeides
(amato bran cidra evandreus kallistei leyla logs malani quinn sawyer social trask ulixes)

PHD #433: Ground Up
(bran leyla logs social)

PHD #427: Strive for Honor
(bran cidra keenan logs social)

PHD #413: EVENT - We Are Evocati
(baer bran burke cora devlin drake evandreus event finch hydra keenan khloe leroy logs marduk mcqueen npcs pallas riederer stiffy trask wade)

PHD #396: We're All Tumbled Down
(bran circe clamps demaratus logs social)

PHD #387: EVENT - Enter the Swarm: One Gun to Rule Them All
(andrea baer bran cidra devlin drake evandreus event hydra keenan kepner leyla logs marduk mccoy pallas polaris solstice trask wade)

PHD #378: EVENT - Rock and a Hard Place, Part 1
(bran cidra devlin evandreus event kaitlyn kepner khloe logs marko npcs solstice trask ulixes wade)

PHD #366: EVENT - Enter the Swarm X: Swarm vs Auðumbla
(bran cidra devlin event kaitlyn khloe leroy logs npcs raybob trask volans)

Gallery