Steven Howard - Life of a Bounty Hunter

[monmarfori]

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Name: Steven Howard
Affiliation: Bounty Hunters Guild
Date of Birth: July 19, 797 AS
Place of Birth: Planet New London, Bretonia

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Early life: Steven Howard was born on July 19, 797 AS to Roy Howard, an officer of the Bretonian Armed Forces, and Sandra Howard (née Hamilton), a professional economist, in the Central District of Planet New London. Born to an upper class family, young Steven enjoyed some of the privileges that most others would dream of, such as a high-quality apartment and private vehicles. Despite all of this, he grew up in a strict environment.

He originally wanted to become an Armed Forces pilot, following his father's footsteps, so he asked his father to start his training as he turned 13 in 810 AS. During this time he had learned how to fly his own ship, but as traditional military doctrine says, he was still ineligible for Armed Forces service. There, during his days flying with his mother's old transport, he had acquired some notoriety with the Gaians and Mollys.

Move to Liberty: On March 29, 814 AS, when tensions were brewing between Bretonia and Kusari, Sandra's transport, the Illustrious, was carrying Terraforming Gases, en route to California Minor, when she fell under a Gaian attack. Although he had managed to put down the Gaian vessels, the Illustrious was destroyed alongside his ship, which was caught in the explosion. Fortunately, he and Sandra survived the attack, though she was in a critical condition and was initially presumed dead, Steven left for Liberty, where he would find employment as a Bounty Hunter in 816 AS, despite his father's wishes.

He had to start his life all over, as he was left in debt. However, his initial misfortune would soon turn into a profitable career; he would earn the trust of Miriam Sanders, descendant of a Bounty Hunter family, for his act in repelling numerous Rogue and Xeno attacks. He would soon command his own vessel: formerly the LNS Fidelity, now under the name "Prime Number", in 818 AS.

Family reconciliation: During the early years of the Gallic war that would eventually lead to Liberty's involvement, he went to Bretonia seeking to extend his career. He soon met his father, Roy Howard, which he hadn't seen in years. Though Roy scolded him initially, once he learned about his contributions to Liberty, he eventually respected him. Steven's liberal ideas were at conflict with the traditionalist, strict ideas of Roy, leading to some minor disagreements.

Despite reconciling with his father in 819 AS, Sandra was nowhere to be seen, as she had filed a divorce with Roy a year prior. Steven would not see his mother again until 824 AS, when Steven was in Tau-31 hunting down Outcasts. One fateful day, he responded to a distress call, none other than his mother. When he came aboard his Orca-class gunboat, a lone Outcast gunship, commanded by De Luca, attacked her transport. The transport managed to escape, leaving him to duel De Luca's gunboat without any escort. Steven stood no chance against the gunship. He was captured, but was rescued shortly afterwards.

Allegiance to Liberty: Steven returned to Liberty in late 824 AS and married another Bounty Hunter, Jane Howard (née Evanson), giving birth to a son a year later. But tragedy would strike, as Jane died only weeks after giving birth to a Separatist attack in Pennsylvania. This only strengthened his purpose in life, working his way and earning further respect with the Liberty government. As a skilled bounty hunter, he has claimed numerous bounties over his career, and continues to do so in the present day. He would soon take a two year-long break due to his enrollment at a university in Planet Manhattan.

After his study, he returned to bounty hunting in 827 AS where he renewed his license for the Prime Number. He reached out to his old friend, Miriam Sanders, now the commanding officer of the LNS Starlight, to upgrade his powercore, later contacting Commodore Christian Edwards, commanding officer of the LNS Akhetaten.

Today, he is still a worthy asset to the Liberty government, and a deadly foe to Liberty's enemies. As a Bounty Hunter, he plays a role in defending Liberty from threats such as the Insurgency, while still maintaining links to his family. He still maintains his Bretonian heritage, which he still observes in his never-ending obsession of drinking tea as a way to relieve boredom.

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