History: Mason Thorpe was born to Samuel Thorpe and Elizah Darly. His father, hailing from a wealthy family of the aristocracy, fell out of favor with the family over his habitual gambling and visitation of opium dens until his premature death two months before Mason was born. Elizah was a factory worker and addict that would do anything to get her fix. Fate brought her to Samuel and her appetite was satiated until his demise. Cut from her supply she fell to whoring and petty crime. Authorities arrested her after she attempted to sell Mason Thorpe. A reticent uncle, William Thorpe, accepted guardianship of Mason as custom demanded. Judging Mason tainted by commoners and natural born rather than modified as was popular amongst the nobility of the Empire, William put Mason to work as a glorified servant. Some may imagine a Cinderella-esque story unfolding, but Mason was treated well, educated, and compensated for his work. In later years Mason received a degree in Environmental Science from the University of York and began working as a meteorologist. A few days into 0078 his uncle called for him and ordered Mason to enlist in the Reichsguard which he did immediately. Through the influence of his uncle, Mason was selected as a mobile suit pilot and struggled through training in Dublin before being sent to the front in Central Asia.
Personality: Mason Thorpe is an introverted man whose face gives little insight to the inner workings of his mind. He would be content to sit quietly and study the world around him as an omnipotent patron of the world's stage. When circumstances call for proper etiquette Mason is flawless, but in informal settings his few words make conversation difficult if not impossible. Alone, as an individual, Mason can accomplish nothing and realizes his own inability. To compensate he focuses on effective team work and taking on the work load to make his counterparts perform at peak efficiency. In this way he has slowly begun to see people as parts of a whole rather than individuals. Mason is deeply indebted to his uncle, the Lord-Governor of British Isles, and loyal to a fault.
Combat: Mason's destiny is not that of a great mobile suit pilot. In training he marked near the bottom of his company for combat and mechanics while above average for piloting and systems. His greatest skill on the field of combat is to serve as a mobile command point for his unit by studying the field of battle and relaying quick, precise orders to his team. His focus and ability to coordinate maneuvers between pilots on an ever changing battlefield won many simulations and combat exercises. Those who have fought alongside Mason consider him a valuable asset that will bring victory or, at the least, another day in this hellish world. For some the assertive voice barking calculated movements is so difficult to connect to an otherwise timid Mason that it is said the man has been possessed by the mobile suit.
- THE MAN BEHIND THE PAPER -
I was told by a superior that history may misconstrue the facts of war and it is only by our hand can we see to preserve the heart of the soldier. To this end I have taken to writing this journal so when our sacrifices are distanced by time our hearts will still beat.
My name is Mason Thorpe. If we were to meet with only my name known the impression left would be similar to a meek individual whose ambition in life would never surpass that of a common goat. You would not be wrong. Many would say far worse if they knew my pedigree. One half aristocrat turned corpse after finding himself on the wrong side of cards. The other half impoverished factory worker that spends more time trading for a fix than working. What great mystery transpired to bring the upper crust to wallow in the refuse is beyond my imagining. The fact events transpired is all that is of importance to me. Care for those individuals did not pass beyond my birth. It is to my uncle, Lord-Governor Thorpe that I place my familial love. It was he that clothed me, fed me, housed me. It was he that saw I became learned in etiquette and practicality. Was my life a sweet fairy tale, you ask. No. My days did not pass in fine linens with plates full of pastries and scholarly lectures as it was for my cousins. Do not mistake such factual retelling for one of bitterness. It was not a plush life, but it was a good one and far more than an uncle owed to the son of a fallen brother. Particularly to one of common birth lacking all the benefits and strengths properly due to a man of Thorpe; robbed from me by negligent parentage. I truly appreciate all the Lord-Governor gave to me and when time came he saw me off to university with a gracious stipend.
When my uncle saw that war was inevitable he called for me and made an earnest request that I take up arms to serve the empire as an enlisted soldier. I could not refuse my uncle whom had been my benefactor for many years and did as he bade with thankfulness. It is within my duty to the Empire that I have found my place. I am a mobile suit pilot and a member of the greatest military that this world has ever known. The Empire has given me purpose and ambition. What care do I have over the individual concerns proposed by people that lack the ability to see the world for what it is?
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Taken shortly after returning from his first patrol at Astana.