Cameron Adair was born on Aerilon to parents who were both doctors, serving a number of farming communities 63 miles NE of Wolcott in the town called Neath, located between forested hills and farmlands. His father, Dr. Daemon Adair, was classically trained in medicine while his wife, Caerlyn Adair, was trained in alternative forms of medicine. The two of them ministered to the town of Neath and traveled near and far to other towns that had no on-hand doctor to tend to them. An only child, Cameron was expected to pull his weight in the family and over time became an assistant to his parents and their work. He learned how to talk to patients, what sorts of information and symptoms it was important to learn and record, how to perform triage, prepare medications, poultices, and other remedies, and a host of other skills and abilities. As he grew, his parents were determined that he would go to school somewhere more elite than Colchis University, saving their money so that they could send Cameron off to Caprica University. Honor bound not to let his parents down, Cameron was not like many of his fellow students who took their time at University to goof off and have fun. He studied hard and long hours, determined to excel in all of his classes and finish ahead of schedule so to spare his parents as much as possible the burden of the cost of his education. His exemplary grades and hard work earned him a grant, and in order to continue to receive it, Cameron chose to forgo triflings such as romantic relationships or indulgent behavior. But the lad was still a friendly and likeable sort and as such he found friendship amongst the other studious minded students on the campus.
However, the wear and tear of his rigorous study and academic schedule began to take its toll on Cameron who began to find it harder and harder to keep going and not burn out. After a disasterous panic attack during an exam, Cameron made an appointment with Medical to get some kind of help. The nurse in question, however, after hearing Cameron talk about his days and nights, reminded the young man of something that his mother had often told her patients over and over again. The mind and body work best when they work together. Cameron had been pushing his mind to the maximum and as a result had become unbalanced and unnerved. It was recommended to him that he take a class in something other than his medical studies, and the nurse particularly recommended that he study the martial art of aikido. Though dubious at first that he could spare the time, Cameron soon found that the course of instruction gave his body a much needed outlet for stress and that in working his mind and body in concert, his ability to study, focus, and remain relaxed and in control greatly improved on a daily basis. The least violent and confrontational of martial arts, aikido also impressed upon him the dynamics between people and how confrontation and conflict are not the best ways to solving most problems. This study had a profound effect upon him and is something that he continues to practice regularly to this very day.
After completing his undergraduate degree, Cameron went on to earn his Masters and then PhD, interning in the local hospital and he began to work toward his specialization. Always intending to return to Aerilon, Cameron made sure that he was well versed in not only traditional forms of medicine, but continued to study and practice alternative forms has his mother did, even if it was not highly regarded in Caprican society and often earned him the scoffing remarks. But he found he had an aptitude for and interest in neuroscience and soon found himself working for Caprica Hospital, doing scientific research and innovative studies into physical reconstruction though the use of cybernetic limbs that were connected into the nervous system. The desire was to create prosthetics that not only allowed people to walk or pick up things again, but that were so fully integrated into the nervous system that they could move like the lost limbs and even register sensations of touch and pressure. But this is a far distant dream, the reality currently little more than some control over mechanical limbs with limited biofeedback. Cameron quick became one of the pioneers and experts in this new field and, so lost in the fascination of the work, he forgot that his whole purpose and the wish of his parents was that he would bring the skills he learned back to Aerilon. But all of that changed on May 13th, 2036, the day that the Kildare earthquake struck his homeworld.
As soon as he heard the news, Cameron dropped everything and volunteered to head to Aerilon in the first wave of aid aboard the Marsyas Escort Carrier. Though tensions, and violence, were high, Cameron organized groups of people to search for survivors and the wounded, helping to set up a refugee camp along the outskirts of the city, trying to stay hidden and protected from the rebels and marines that were battling it out on the streets. His heritage and his name gave him a bit of an edge over many of his fellow doctors and surgeons and he was able to win the trust of some of the more embittered or fearful citizens of the city. When the violence had finally been settled, Cameron worked on the wounded and dispossessed until the opportunity for leave finally arose. As soon as possible, he headed out of Wolcott to try and learn what became of his parents. Upon arriving home he found their medical clinic destroyed by the earthquake and subsequent fire but his parents were both still alive and tending to the locals as best as they could. The reunion was a powerfully emotional one and Cameron recommitted himself to staying on Aerilon and using his talents to help his homeworld. With his help, they rebuilt the medical clinic and Cameron spent his time between Neath, helping his parents with the various medical needs of the communities there, and going into the cities throughout Aerilon to perform cutting edge reconstructive and biomechatronic surgery at the greater hospitals. Though he was courted by various research groups, Cameron had decided that his true strength lay in working with people in need, rather than in laboratories and experimental design. But once again his entire world, and the fate of the human race, was irrevocably changed on Warday.
Far from the cities, Cameron was traveling freely through the countryside, heading toward the northern coastline for some vacation time in the rustic seaside villages there as well as to check in with a colleague and meet with a patient of his that he hoped Cameron could help. He had just reached the Cascade mountain range when the Cylons struck. From the vantage point on Mount Parthenon, the highest mountain on Aerilon, he watched in horror as his homeworld was bombed and destroyed around him. Fortunately, or unfortunately depending upon ones stance on such things, Cameron was protected by his position and altitude and after waiting for the rains to pass he began to head once more toward his destination point in the hopes that perhaps he would find other survivors, resources … anything. As he travelled he started collecting anything he found along the way that he deemed important and useful - uncontaminated food and water, medicinal plants, and of course survivors like himself. They moved carefully, stealthily, uncertain of their safety and slow to make sure they left no one behind and missed nothing of use. As their numbers grew, they returned to the mountain range which allowed them a higher vantage point from which to scout out other survivors, villages, and keep an eye out for any Cylon patrols. They made themselves an encampment, heading out on hunting and foraging runs, planting food and raising animals. For the first time they were fortunate to be born on Aerilon. They had the skill to grow and raise their own food, live off of the land in ways that other colonies had long forgotten. All that was important was survival. Nothing else. So on the day the Raptors and ships started appearing once more over Aerilon after eight months of isolation, the only logical choice was to pack everything up and head toward them in the hopes of rescue…
