Post by tylatz on Oct 17, 2009 7:52:22 GMT -5
Name: Des Mielle
Age: 32
Date of Birth: 0046.06.12 UC
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 190 lbs
Hair: Dark Brown
Eyes: Brown
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Nationality: Kingdom of Lesotho
Occupation: Nature Photographer/Journalist/Interpreter
Previous Occupations: Hunter, Farmer, Miner, Construction Worker, Electrician, Short Order Cook, Earth Federation Ground Force
Family:
Father: Josep Mielle - MissingMother: Jocelyn Mielle - Deceased-Appearance-
Appearance is something of a secondary consideration to Des. His hair is long for the sole reason that he has not chosen to cut it yet, but he usually ties it back with a bandanna to prevent interference with his current task. In more civilized areas of the world where a certain level of presentation is expected he trades the bandanna for a small rubber band. Shaving is a task that Des completes when he gets around to it with little care on if it's done or not, but he remains mindful of his personal hygiene. His clothing choices are practical earth tones comprised of loose cargo pants, combat boots, a thin muscle shirt, and a pocketed field jacket. His personality still shines through with the fingerless, red leather gloves he wears to protect his hands. Two constant companions are a ka-bar and pistol given to him by Sergei that he never lets stray far from him in acknowledgment of the dangerous world he lives in. Stashed in a vest pocket is a small black box which he never opens and keeps dear to him. For recording documentaries, Des has become a fan of nTella Designs zLIGHT series which he often wears for work, leisure, and AU operations. A number of these have also been circulated to members of the AU.
-Mental and Physical Profile-
Des Mielle is an energetic man that has retained his positive outlook on life despite the arduous events that have befallen him. While this may seem out of place given his position in the war it only serves to strengthen his cause as issues difficult for him to handle builds his drive to work harder in hopes they will go away or work themselves out. He is an intelligent man, adept at practical skills, quick in his assessments, and a natural polyglot, but not an intellectual per se. The combination of his out going personality and willingness to walk his path alone if he must, with a smile at that, draws people to him. In spite of his outward flippancy, matters of great importance are not taken with levity. Although most do not realize this and is the greatest point of contention amongst his critics.
Experience has made Des extraordinarily adaptable to delicate cultural and social events that most would have great difficulty managing. This ability was developed from working in a diplomatic and journalistic position with the many distinct ethnic groups that populate Africa. This close relationship has developed to the point of being considered a member of several tribes that continue to live the old ways rather than adapt to modern times. This connection is strengthened by Des' enthusiasm for hunting expeditions, particularly alongside the San, and appreciation for a simple life. Being alone in the world he finds the close familial bonds of the tribes fills a gap in his life and better define who he is as a complete person. The tribes themselves have an odd structure that leave his connections with them completely open ended and never require a true commitment.
Being raised in a high altitude has developed a strong cardiovascular system that provides him with endless energy. Strong, efficient muscles were built from years as a farmer, miner, hunter, and marine. His athleticism is enhanced by sure footed agility needed to avoid the dangers of terrace farming and that naturally developed with a rural mountain life. These three factors create a hardy gymnast's physique of lithe muscles.
During the assault on Manila [0079.09.23] his right ankle was entirely crushed in an engagement with a Panzer-grenadier unit. EF physicians, with the forceful consent of Sage, replaced his leg starting at mid-calf with a robotic prosthetic. The device is seamless with full articulation and covered in a synthetic skin, but the prosthetic is substantially stronger than an organic counter part and only has vital sensory capabilities rather than a full network of nerves.
-History-
-0042-
Des Mielle was born and raised in the Kingdom of Lesotho, a sovereign nation by only a slight semblance. His father provided for the family through various trades which he passed on to Des. They lived a highly independent lifestyle in a mokhoro placed in the high reaches of Lesotho along a narrow river that weaved through the mountainous terrain. The majority of their livelihood depended on the crops they grew with small terrace fields etched into the steep slopes. Work at a nearby mine augmented their income and helped provide for necessary expenses. A one room communal school handled the education of the locals. Along with the formal schooling Jocelyn, a prominent polyglot in her youth, taught Des many different languages.
On several occasions Josep and Des would go on hunting and trapping excursions in the local regions and the lowlands or as low as they get in Lesotho. They would return with meat to expand their diet, furs for the cold weather, and trade for Basotho blankets. It was while checking some of the local traps that Josep disappeared. Neither Jocelyn nor Des knew what became of him.
-0061-
Des stopped attending school though he had less than two years left and focused on supporting his mother and himself. It was not easy for him and his mothers failing health only made matters worse. For two years he sustained this way of life until Jocelyn fell ill in the midst of a severe winter that prevented Des from seeking medical aid. Instead he nursed his mother, reassured her that she would be fine, and watched her die.
-0063-
He was 17 and alone in the world without direction or cause. This state led him to enlist in the Earth Federation Ground Forces in hopes that he could regain a sense of what to do. Having not finished his primary education the options were limited, but he was content with the life of an infantryman. There his Boer heritage of combat shone and he quickly advanced through the ranks.
-0065-
Des was selected to become a member of the EFGF's elite infantry unit, but was dropped from consideration while attending SERE. While interred for an intense training session he escaped into the jungles of South America. Several weeks later he resurfaced in Mexico while on a fishing trip. He never revealed exactly how he managed his escape and only gives a knowing smile in response. Following a court martial hearing Des is reassigned as a SERE instructor.
-0068-
Five years of service passed and Des had gained what he sought in joining the EFGF. With his return to Africa he spent some time working at a small cafe in Cape Town while debating his next move. An opportunity arose that allowed for a great deal of travel through Africa as an interpreter and Des pounced on it. The first job saw him traverse the continent and helped Des decide that that was his calling.
For the next ten years he worked as a nature photographer, journalist, and interpreter. He would integrate himself into various cultures and become a part of the life of those that still practiced the old ways. It was a life where he never had to stay in one place, was never bogged down by the monotony of the average person, and he was completely free to do as he wished. Eventually he became known for his field work, which appeared in various nature magazines and documentaries, as well as defending the rights of the native population to live as they had been since antiquity.
-0079-
Up until 0079 Des had little concern over the happenings in space. The establishment of the Riah Republic and the the Zeon Duchy had not bothered him. If anything he was glad to see people able to throw off the weight of the Federation that would intervene in the lives of civilians. Then war was ignited and a week later Sydney no longer existed. Des flew to Australia that afternoon as an interpreter for a diplomatic envoy and with his own eyes saw the water filled crater that was a city full of people. The experience influenced his reporting and he became increasingly critical on the Zeon Duchy. Des also considered the Earth Federation of little use if they were unable to prevent such an atrocity.
The Antarctic Treaty quelled Des' frustration only until the first Terrestrial Assault Force operation landed on Earth. Des redoubled his efforts and became increasingly vocal on the sorrowful state the Federation had allowed itself to fall into and the hypocritical actions of the Zeon Duchy that evolved from Ere-ism. When the 5th Terrestrial Mobile Division fanned out across Africa, Des set down his pen and took up his rifle.
The AUF successfully assaulted RF-4. The victory came at a steep cost paid for with many lives. It was the first step to freedom and the most eye opening as to how expensive an ideal freedom is. Though shaken, Des was not deterred from his course of action and continued to spurn the AUF down the chosen path of violent liberation.
Des and Alpha Platoon encountered the Capetown Guard in the Northwest region of the Kalahari as they attempted to circumvent the Karakals who proved to be tenacious defenders of the Zeon controlled jungle.
RF-4 was assaulted and overrun by a Zeon force before the AU could recover all valuable materials from the destroyed mine.
With the help of the nomadic people of the Sahara Des led the AUF in an assault on RF-2. However this attack resulted in a severe loss and numerous casualties for his allies.
Des, Nu, Vito, and Fernando entered Southeast Asia HQ posing as members of the EFGF to carry out a high paying job to fuel their efforts in Africa. However, Nu's personality traits compromised the mission leading to an unsuccessful attempt at destroying a docked Medea which was later rewarded with a physical berating from Des.
The AUF conceded to an EFGF “request” to support their assault on Zeon held Manila. In the engagement Des encountered a Panzer-grenadier unit for the first time. Unsure of his enemies capabilities the encounter went poorly for the AUF. Fernando was killed, Sergei seriously injured, and Des had his ankle crushed which was replaced with a robotic prosthetic. This event made Des reconsider his approach to engaging the Duchy as his previous assumption was that their infantry forces were weak and unskilled. This has begun a system of restructuring within the AU.
-0079.09.25-
The African Union Mobile branch was officially created under the command of Aisha Vumeino, a former member of Delta Platoon that has shown considerable skill in piloting mobile suits.
Once more Des attempted an attack on the Zeon mine RF-2 in North Africa. Again he was repelled though the AUF casualties were not so great compared to the previous attempt. A key point was the addition of AUM commander Aisha Vumeino. However the attack did not go as planned as AUM reinforcements were delayed by patrols in the Sahara as they made their way from the Madagascar Hub.
In a final push the AUF and AUM overpowered RF-2 and captured the Delilah with the additional aid of Liliana Frisby. With this mine destroyed the terrestrial supply lines of the Duchy across Africa are strained to meet the demands to fuel the machine of war. This also marks the first AU operation with the involvement of Liliana Frisby.
-Ancestral History-
Des Mielle is a Dutch Boer directly descended from the Voortrekkers that parted from Cape Colony during the 1830's Great Trek. These were pioneering men and women that dealt with constant confrontation with the local tribes. The most famous battle being the Battle of Blood River which was fought on the banks of the Ncome River on December 16, 1838 where just under 500 Voortrekkers defeated a Zulu force of 10-12,000 resulting in 3 injured Voortrekkers and the loss of nearly 3000 Zulu's. The date is commemorated as the Day of the Vow. In later years this would be changed to Day of Reconciliation, but the Boers continue to refer to it by the original name.
The Transvaal Republic, also known as the South African Republic, was established in 1856 after 4,000 Boer families signed the Sand River Convention with the United Kingdom which granted them recognized independence from the empire. At the same time a sister nation in the form of the Orange Free State received an identical recognition to the South. Transvaal then sought unity with the Orange Free State, but this was rejected and narrowly avoided escalation to full blown war by realization that neither nation could withstand external forces while engaged in the altercation.
The troubles were not over for the Boers as the Orange Free State entered into a territorial dispute with their Basuto neighbors. This war lasted until 1868 when King Moshoehoe of the Basutos made a plea to Queen Victoria to make Basutoland a British protectorate. With this intervention a peace accord was signed between the two warring nations that determined the borders of the Orange Free States and Basutoland, which would later be known as Lesotho. This brought to close a point of discord that spanned thirty years.
1867 was a year highlighted by the discovery of vast diamond mines at Kimberley. This redoubled European interests in South Africa leading to numerous annexations as well as land claims by the financially distraught Transvaal Republic. In 1880 the British Empire attempted to annex Transvaal, but after comparing the little gain for a costly confrontation a treaty was signed soon after with the Empire now looking over the small nation's shoulder.
Interests were renewed in the 1886 discovery of the Witwatersrand gold deposits. It was the worlds largest deposit of gold bearing ore in the world. This lead to a second war between the empire and Boers in 1899. Caring little for the Boers and fueled by greed the British adopted a scorched-Earth policy in which they burned crops, salted the field, poisoned the wells, slaughtered livestock, and interned the population in concentration camps. The Boers resorted to guerrilla tactics to combat the larger, better trained British army. In the spring of 1902 the Boers surrendered. An estimated 26,000 Boers, primarily women and children, died in the concentration camps along with an additional 14,000 Africans.
The Boers would go on to become a part of the Union of South Africa as an extension of the British Empire until 1961 when independence was granted forming the Republic of South Africa.
- note: factual history ends here -
The Boer culture (or subculture as some will contend) failed to ever completely merge with the rest of the Afrikaners. Their strong independence, individuality, and sense of individual liberty put them at odds with a modern society. Refusing to let go of their cultural identity new residential centers and places of cultural education cropped up throughout South Africa. These often highlighted the harsh treatment of the Boers by the British Empire and predisposition towards the Afrikaners that capitalized on their misfortune for being people of free minds. Protests were held for greater recognition of the Boer culture. Feeling their outcries were not heard and inspired by an ever more aggressive world the Boers resorted to riots and violence to garner the attention they were seeking. At last the Boers attempted to abjure from the Republic of South Africa, an act that led to a costly civil war over the valuable mineral rights. It was not until July of 1999 that the civil war was put to rest with a compromise between the South African government and the Boers. One condition being preferential selection as colonists for the yet to be announced space colonization.
With the completion of Side 2 a large number of Boers began the Second Great Trek. They would later spread to Side 6 as well where they found others with like views. These groups no longer consider themselves Boers and have melded with the cultures in their new environments. A few remained behind preferring the expanses of land now freed up so they could live as they wished for the most part. There were still several territorial disputes, but these were resolved around 18 UC.
