Liselle Burton

Commander Liselle Burton (born 27th August, 2217) was a member of the Terra Firma Fleet, as well as part of the legendary Dragon Flight, the crew of the nine ships which survived the massacre of Gambit-5.

Family
The only daughter of a concert pianist, Anetta Burton, Liselle spent most of her childhood being home-schooled by her grandmother, Felicia Hargreeves, at their family home in Yorkshire, England on Earth. She would often listen to her grandmothers stories of ancient Egyptian beliefs. A fan of music, she composed many of her own pieces while she was younger, learning to play the piano and performing her pieces in private. At the age of 15, she decided that she wanted to see the stars, and sent her application to the Fleet Academy. On her departure for the Academy, her mother gave her a pendant that had been passed down through their family to each first-born daughter since the time of the Pharaohs.

At the Academy
Enrolled in the academy on the 1st January, 2234, aged 16. Liselle struggled at first with the theories behind hyperspace travel, failing the Engineering Third Class assessment, but was able to resit and managed to aquire a passing grade. Though not technically-minded, she frequently dreamt up new devices, although it was often left to others to realise her ideas. Excelling at the physical parts of the course – her instuctor in unarmed combat stating that her movement was so fluid it could almost have been a dance - she was regularly voted team leader, able to see others strengths and utilise them efficiently for whatever task was set. Her team won the inter-academy assault course trials, breaking all previous records. Graduated from basic training in 2235. She began officer training and remained at the academy for another year, graduating with the rank of Sergeant in 2236.

Fleet Career
After graduation at an officer level, her first posting was as a shift officer on board the Magellen-class exploration vessel “Sleepy Hollow”, on a two year research mission to explore the Pelagious system, and to note the effects that the suns radiation was having on the nearby planets. Her efficiency was noted by the commanding officer and she was given command of the night shift on many occasions. During their return from the mission, their ship was attacked by armed raiders, and in the ensuing firefight many of the crew were killed. Liselle was one of the few survivors, her calm conduct under fire noted by the commanding officer. Though she remained calm, she admitted later that it was a terrifying experience, and upon her return, she enrolled again in the academy, in 2238, and completed an intensive combat training course, increasing her knowledge of all forms of combat, from hand to hand unarmed combat, to dogfights, and capital ship tactics. Graduating a year later, 2239, her increased knowledge and skills earned her the rank of Major. Returning to active duty, she was soon given her own command on boarder patrol and her flawless record and casual demenour with her crew saw her promoted twice more, reaching the rank of Commander as she was given command of the new Valhalla class cruiser, “Osiris”, in 2243.