Arjun Nostra-Gardbaum
Regular Mechwarrior (3/5)- Rank:
- Sergeant
- Callsign:
- Junior
- Vehicle:
- Peacekeeper Knight Gideon
- Unit:
- Trinary Alpha, Network Star
- Age:
- 24
Arjun Nostra-Gardbaum has very little in common with his cool and composed father, and instead seems more of a throwback to a young version of his famous great-grandfather. Arjun is a hot-headed and impulsive dreamer with little interest in rules and discipline.
Arjun was raised primarily by his mother, Sarina, on Shitara while his father, Gideon, attended to his duties as a Knight of the Republic. Shitara contains a prominent Nova Cat enclave, and Arjun became enthralled with the clan at an early age. As a young boy, he fantasized about the exploits of his namesake and great grandfather. His mother, despite having no Nova Cat ancestry herself began taking him to the local Rossei cloister for services at age 10. At age 12, when his mother was diagnosed with cancer, he decided to undertake his first vision quest and had to be rescued by the local authorities after three drug-ridden malnourished days in the highlands. In truth, he has felt more affinity for the Nova Cats than the Republic to which he rightfully belongs. Although Gideon himself has strong connections to the Nova Cats, he disapproves of what he perceived to be Arjun’s overly fanciful attachments and loyalties.
Arjun saw his father irregularly in his youth and was not particularly close with him. His father ensured that he was trained as a mechwarrior from an early age, a role for which Arjun showed much talent, but a lack of discipline. However, Gideon failed to connect with his son on an emotional level. It was not until Sarina’s death from cancer when Arjun was 13 that father and son began to have a more significant relationship. Given the trying nature of the time, the onset of puberty, and their dispositional differences, the development of this relationship has been awkward for both father and son. Arjun has been given extensive field training but his father has kept him away from the real battlefield, citing his youth and lack of formal training. This has irked Arjun to no end and made him resentful of what he perceives to be his distant and uncaring father.
Arjun, of course, enthusiastically supported the decision to regroup on Irece and has taken the opportunity to absorb as much of Nova Cat culture as possible. In particular, he has developed quite a friendship with leading Nova Cat scientist Bateson who has taught him much about the Nova Cat clan’s history and traditions. As a practicing Zen Buddhist, Bateson has also been teaching Arjun meditation practices. Thus far. it has had little effect on Arjun’s impulsive and hot-tempered personality.