Xen Oso
From An Evolution in RP :: Database
Player Information
Name: Xen
Contact: PM
RP experience: 5-6 years at various sites
Method of Discovery: Current Member
Character Information
Character Name: Xen Oso
Titles and or Nicknames: Being as his name is only three syllables, Xen has yet to attain a nickname. Most simply refer to him as The General while his superiors tack on his surname to his title when speaking to him.
Affiliation Imperial
Age: 46
Relatives: Xen rarely speaks to his parents, seeing it as more of a chore than anything else. Larik and Christa Oso have accepted their son’s position in the Imperial military and generally leave him alone. Extended family ties have been lost or cut over time.
Overall Appearance: A look of severity could be considered one of the Colonel's main distinguishing features. Nearly always cemented onto his face and etched into all of the strong lines on his face, few people enjoy his facial expressions. Charcoal colored eyes tend to gravitate towards certain objects here and there, studying them, seemingly dissecting them, before easily floating away…his attention somewhere else once again. A pointed, strong nose juts out from a hard, almond-shaped face that at its peak is host to a moderate amount of black hair that is always in the same place, more or less. Two prominent cheekbones press outwards from his face, combining with a razor creased bone structure to build upon his initial impression when meeting others. While his lips are usually resting on top of one another in a horizontal line, they have been known to curve upwards ever so slightly. Ironically, neither joy nor compassion emanates from this action and instead, suspiciousness and a bit of mockery carve out a spot of their own.
Though he is far older than most of the men under his command, Oso strives to push his physical being to its limits. A firm believer in strong body, strong mind, he doesn't kid himself about his fitness level when compared to that of the commandos but nevertheless, Xen religiously puts his body through a tough, exercise regime. The man is quick to remind himself that if you have a strong body, your mind feels energized and healthy. If you have a strong mind, you can craft your body to accomplish amazing things. Standing at a height of 6’ and weighing in at a trim 175 lbs, the Imperial officer isn't physically imposing. In fact, in his younger days, he was frequently chided about being too much of a skinny stick for the Republic army. A second or third glance will confirm one's initial opinion that the man isn't much of a threat and he's not, when compared to the younger generation. Still, ask him to shed his clothing and this will reveal a lean frame, the attention paid to the abdomens, pectoral muscles and honed arms clearly evident.
Typically, you would find Xen in the standard Imperial uniform for an officer of his rank, sidearm and all. Nothing more, nothing less. If it works, it works. Oso doesn't see the need to be fashionable, to try and show others how savvy you are with the recent trends. In his mind, if you're on duty you're working. Thus, the uniform the Empire provides is perfectly adequate for your needs; that's all there is to it. When off duty, brief glimpses of him in gym shorts and a t-shirt have cropped up here and there as have descriptions of him in slacks and simple, collared shirts; though, these reports have yet to be substantiated with physical evidence in the form of photography and/or other captured images.
Character Avatar: Dennis Joseph O'Neil
Personality: A quiet, serious thinker, Xen's personality does not necessarily fit the image the public has of an Imperial officer, gallantly leading his men into battle. He rarely raises his voice, even when angered and generally delivers orders and reports in an efficient, calm manner. In his eyes, the words of his subordinates and his superiors carry equal weight in his decision-making. He's not so blind and proud as to ignore valuable insight from those on his staff and will often take great measures to investigate their advice and ideas. By the same token, Oso recognizes the merit and experience needed to attain any rank above his and thus, for the most part, respects any superior, making sure to carry out their orders diligently unless they clash horribly with his sense of morality and ethics.
Unfortunately, at times, his silent nature conveys the impression of a frosty, aloof attitude. It doesn't help that the General is a fan of sarcasm and enjoys matching wits with anyone willing to have a go at it. In times of anger or distress, not even his rock solid Imperial discipline can completely quell his tendency to fire back with a biting retort. This streak of dry humor often rubs those around him the wrong way; one of the reasons he will never advance beyond the rank of General. Though most superiors he has served under during his long time in the Imperial military do not find him a team player, his rock solid record of loyalty and consistent success have assured him a steady job. He holds no resentment to those who are unwilling to promote him, himself recognizing his inability to be a publicly effective leader who believes in useless pep talks and pompous displays of force; Xen wouldn't make a great poster child. Perhaps, this is why he is so well suited for his current position.
Favoring deceit, trickery and operating against the dramatic backdrop of the rest of the army, the General absolutely fawns over his job, taking great pride in being a part of the Empire's Special Operations program. Believing firmly in superiority of training and equipment over numbers, Xen recognizes the need for stormtroopers and massed army troopers but is confident that they alone would be unable to win the day for the Imperial ground forces. This stems from his naturally distrusting nature of relying on others; instead, he would much prefer to work alone, with no one to depend on and no one depending on him. The man isn't an idiot, though, and realizes that such an approach to battle would quickly result in the deaths of yourself and everyone around you. This epiphany formed the backbone of his decision to accept General Voru's offer of transferring to Carida in order to initially head the Storm Commando unit. Displeased with the massed ranks of the stormtroopers and army troopers, the next best thing for Xen would be to form close-knit groups of highly trained troopers with natural confidence that comes from their extensive training and Imperial mentality. What Voru had in mind for the Storm Commandos fit in perfectly with the General's outlook.
Unknown to most, one of the contributing factors to Xen's lack of spoken words is due to his frequent, nearly constant migraines. A side effect of having his transport run over an active anti-armor mine during an Op in the days of the Republic, medics were unable to cure his chronic headaches despite advancements in medical technology. Strangely, the Oso doesn't mind his condition. When other express their sympathies to him, he turns to the age old adage that, 'what doesn't kill you merely makes you stronger'. Due to his condition, Oso is a frequent pill popper and like any other drug, over time, it's developed somewhat of a hold on him. Ironically, the man can function fine with a blaster wound but deprive him of his pain meds and he loses his focus and patience quickly.
Using his migraines as an impetus to complete his work, the man guards the SpecOps/BlackOps program and budget like a father would guard his daughter against would-be suitors. Ever aware of enemies of the organization both outside and inside of the Empire, Xen tends to play things close to his chest, only revealing what he has to when ordered.
Enigmatic and at times, quite demanding of those that work under him, the man is actually, rarely seen outside of meetings with his superiors and mandatory ceremonies and events. Even within the Special Operations community, though they may all know him by name, Xen is like a wraith. Not surprisingly, given their close working quarters, Major Sorel is the person that knows Oso the best, often times taking care of him when he is ill and refuses to see a medic. Leery of anyone that expresses outright kindness, Xen doesn't believe such a thing exists in this world and sees kindness as a stepping stone to eventually using someone. According to him, everything and everyone has a purpose, a function, and a role. This belief has let him to lead a lonely life, not that he's unhappy about it but it's quite obvious the man is missing a large part of what it means to be alive, to be truly happy.
History: Being in such close proximity to Coruscant, the fifth planet in the Coruscant System is constantly overlooked by historians, travelers and others alike. A terrestrial world that supported a moderately sized population in relative comfort, Vandor-3 was home to several secondary factories, plants and facilities for companies that dealt in munitions, natural resources and other vital commodities. Its capital city housed several fuel plants and a Merr-Sun munitions testing facility where the parents of Xen Oso were both employed. Larik Oso held a position on one of the company’s several engineering teams that dealt in small arms and personal protection. His wife, Christa, pursued a different route in her youth and with her degree in business marketing, garnered a job in the marketing and public relations department of Merr-Sun.
Xen’s youth was nothing spectacular. Nothing note-worthy occurred in the eighteen years of his life before his ascension to an institute of higher learning. His parents were loving and caring; albeit, a bit busy at times but that was to be expected. Oso had his share of friends but he was never a member of the popular click, nor was he a social outcast. Academically, his marks were above average, but never enough to top his class list. Xen dabbled in a variety of sports but was non-committal in most activities and generally quit after only one successful season. As for relationships, he began dating at a pretty standard age and more or less got into it due to societal norms and expectations. If anyone was asked to describe Xen Oso, they’d merely shrug and say he was just another kid going dealing with the aspects of maturing into a young adult.
Having grown up around weaponry, due in part to his father’s occupation, Xen had always been fascinated with how warfare had so often changed the entire direction of the galaxy. It shocked, amazed and awed him to read about individuals that became martyrs for their causes. The great battles of the past captivated his imagination and free time like no female ever could. Special Operations operatives specifically earned a special place in his heart. Their known exploits and successful Ops stirred his senses and caused him to yearn for a life of fast-paced action and conflict.
It came as no surprise to his parents when Xen informed them of his intent to apply for the elite triumvirate of military academies, Carida, Corulag and Raithal. Accepted into all three academies, Oso based his final choice on reputation, prestige and simple gut reaction.
He reported to Carida for schooling and training in 28 BTP.
A strong individualist, Xen was a staunch supporter of skill and training over numbers from day one. His views were noted by his professors, training sergeants and mentors and filed away with the rest of the information regarding his profile. During his first few years, Oso demonstrated a natural, quiet magnetism that commanded the attention of his fellow peers whenever he spoke and acted. The respect he demonstrated for those around him allowed him, in turn, to be respected as well. Vocal when he had a passionate point he wished to argue for, Xen’s profile was quickly filled with notes, recommendations and citations from various academic and military personnel. Graduating from the Academy in the upper percentile of his class, he was given the rank of 2nd Lieutenant and promptly sent to the outer rim territories in 24 BTP.
Hopping from planet to planet and skirmish to skirmish in the following years, the young Lieutenant demonstrated a competency and consistency that pleased his superiors. Though never one to excel incredibly in any engagement, his objectives were completed thoroughly and in a timely manner. The men he led had no complaints towards him and his record was unblemished. Over time, he was eventually promoted to the rank of 1st Lieutenant and sent to Jabim, where an uprising was slowly forming.
The anti-Republic extremists on Jabim were scattered, desperate and provided a rich learning environment for the young officer. His quiet efficiency with which he carried out orders and completed objectives became trademarks of Oso’s work. The 2nd Platoon, which Xen commanded, saw extensive combat against the extremists and they were rewarded with a plethora of learned lessons and a fat file in their combat records. Returning to Carida, he was surprised to find himself approached by recruiters for a relatively unknown and shadowy aspect of the military. Generally labeled as SpecOps/BlackOps by the rest of the army, the Special Operations community regularly reviewed files on everyone that graduated from any of the three elite military academies and kept tabs on them throughout their career. Invitations were extended to individuals on a case by case basis and they were encouraged to attempt to pass the rigorous requirements set force by the program. Oso didn’t have a moment’s hesitation when it came to accepting the offer.
By 19 BTP, he had already been in the program for nearly two years. Several successful missions, on and off the record, filled an increasingly impressive military record. A promotion to Captain had been his crowning achievement to date and Xen regularly led fire team and squad sized elements of commandos on various Ops the government wished to disavow knowledge of. His stoic, serious attitude and no questions asked mentality meshed well with the day to day demands of his hazardous occupation. Over time, he broke connections with any family members. His last transmission to his parents was relatively vague – seeing as how it had been heavily censored before going out – and it merely let them know of his involvement in the Special Operations field. Due to the nature of their work both Larik and Christa understood their son’s position and made little further effort to check up on him.
By 16 BTP, Xen was sent on a mission to Fest. His orders were to simply destroy a communications relay the rebels were using as a prelude to the arrival of a larger Imperial force. The Op went off without a hitch and it was on their way back that Oso first ran into Gol Crossback. Tough but likeable, Gol’s actions on the battlefield impressed the SpecOps soldier who had been ordered to stay on as an attachment to the Imperial force. Over the course of the next several months, the two were thrown into action together frequently and they developed a friendly rivalry that exists to this day. Both men share the same principles and mentality in and out of the war zone and even though their career paths took them in diverging directions, they’ve stayed close over the years.
Due to the result of their performance on Fest, both men were promoted to the rank of Major upon their return to Carida in 15 BTP. While Crossback was assigned to work as an instructor at the Academy, the powers above had ulterior plans for Oso; though, he was partly to blame. In his spare time, Xen is an amateur author, one whom enjoys dissecting the inner workings of the military and publishing his works anonymously to a military journal that circulates through the branches. One of his ever present points in any of his papers was to stress the belief that numbers and power alone cannot win the battle, much less the war. With an emphasis on the individual and specialization, Oso’s views were either taken positively or extremely negatively in military circles. Opponents argued that elitism would fragment the army while supporters cited the success of various SpecOps/BlackOps programs. By far, Xen’s most critically attacked theory was the formation of a separate entity dedicated entirely to Special Operations and their operatives.
While his peers argued his points endlessly over meals and caf, Xen’s superiors quietly approached him. Recognizing the validity of several of his points, a troop of Generals transferred him from Carida to Coruscant with the intent to have Oso present his arguments before the Republic’s military leaders in an attempt to gather more funding for various SpecOps programs and developing units. Unfortunately, the Major’s argument fell on deaf ears. Military leaders simply did not see the need for an increase in such a department. There was no raging war and no need for such specialization in their ranks. Though defeated, he didn’t leave Coruscant empty handed. Funding was increased marginally and leeway was given as to the usage of said funding.
Arriving back on Carida, Oso was quickly sucked deeper and deeper into the covert world of military action(s) that skirted the fine lines of morality and ethics. Operations on dozens of worlds consumed his life for the better part of a decade from 14 BTP to 5 BTP. As he gradually aged and war wounds caught up to him, Xen was faced with the reality of life. He simply could not keep up with twenty year olds that had more stamina, endurance and strength than him. His superiors, wishing for him to continue his work in the branch promoted him to Lieutenant-Colonel in 6 BTP in an effort to bind him to a desk. Stubborn and determined to continue to lead field ops, Oso was seriously injured on an operation on Corellia a year later against radical insurgents. Caught in an ambush, their transport hit an anti-armor mine. Xen nearly lost his right leg and his spinal column was a mess with fractures in several locations. The miracle of modern science saved his physical state but was unable to cure his chronic headaches that began to besiege him after the incident. Finally unable to stay in the field, he begrudgingly accepted a desk job.
Five long years later, the Lieutenant-Colonel was seriously debating his career choice. He was merely another staffer in the SpecOps community and his inability to make any changes chafed at his strong beliefs. Xen continued to write for the monthly military journal if not for anything than for a way to relax and relieve some stress. Unbeknownst to him, changes in the Republic as shadowy players slowly began to mold it into the Empire would benefit him and catapult his dreams into reality. Approached suddenly by General Voru and offered the rank of Colonel in exchange for running a newly established unit, Xen took the deal without a second thought and he hit the floor running with his new responsibilities. Under his care, the Storm Commandos began to transform into one of the deadliest infantry units in the known galaxy. The change over from Republic to Empire was not lost on Xen but for the most part, he didn’t feel its effects. The challenge of running a unit such as the SC’s whetted his appetite and he continuously attacked obstacles with a fiery zest.
During this time, as he began to gain some semblance of clout in the inner circles of the military, superiors that watched his rise from student to commander brought up Xen’s theory on pooling SpecOps/BlackOps units into one entity and having a pool from which other commanders could request units as attachments. While originally shot down and ridiculed, the new Imperial government recognized the necessity of such a command structure and promptly promoted Colonel Oso to General Oso while placing him in charge of the newly created Imperial Special Operations Command, otherwise known as IMPSOC. Tasked with overseeing funding, development and deployment of all Imperial Army SpecOps/BlackOps units, Xen commands this network of skilled warriors from a deep underground bunker located on Carida in the Barma Sector.
NPC: Major Alessandra Sorel is General Oso's aide-de-camp/adjutant for IMPSOC. A strong-willed woman that knows when to keep her mouth shut and went to act as a springboard for her superior's brainstorms; she's a valuable and independent asset to the program. While many may refer to her as the General's aide, there are those that know her true role.
The adjutant also works closely with IMPSOC’s command staff for awards ceremonies, ceremonial functions, casual events, evaluation reports, and management of correspondence and other secretarial functions. In addition to these responsibilities, Major Sorel handles many of the organizational and administrative duties of the unit, sharing the burden with the General. Keeping him up to date on minor details and reports that he might overlook or hasn't had time yet to look over himself, she proves her worth time and time again, leaving no doubt why she's the leading staff officer of the unit.
NPC Avatar: Alessandra Ambrosio
Possessions: Believing that all possessions must be functional to a degree, Xen's personal quarters and office are both sparsely populated with belongings. No pictures or paintings hang from the walls. No elaborate or artistic creations adorn his desk or cabinets. The General doesn't even own the damn chair his ass sits on for most of the day. Everything is Imperial issue.
There is very little color in anything he owns. Imperial grey, black and white cover the spectrum of colors that he surrounds himself in. Not surprisingly, the government has given him an Imperial uniform befitting his rank, complete with rank plaques and sidearm, an SE-14r pistol. If one was to peek in the man's personal closet, a few garbs fit for formal occasions will stand out as will some relaxed slacks, gym clothes and free weights. A full set of matte black Storm Commando armor hangs from racks on the left side of the closet; an E-11 blaster rifle, a grenade or two and his assortment of datapads and comlinks cover the right side.
Normal, luxurious goods that people indulge in are nowhere to be seen for the most part, except for a moderately sized liquor collection. The bottom line is, the General owns precious little in the form of material goods.
