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==History==
==History==


Geoffrey Tolwyn was a very complex man whose personal history was tied very closely to that of the Confederation throughout the 27th Century. On numerous occasions he was responsible for preventing tragic disaster, even extinction of the human race. A lifetime of bitter fighting ultimately changed him however, and although he outlived the [[Terran-Kilrathi War]], he was never able to find peace. Arguably more important to the war effort than even [[Christopher Blair]], Tolwyn's fate diverged significantly from the war's premier fighter pilot. The circumstances that sustained him for decades proved to be his undoing, and ultimately Tolwyn met a sad and unfortunate end.
Geoffrey Tolwyn was a very complex man whose personal history was tied very closely to that of the Confederation throughout the 27th Century. On numerous occasions he was responsible for preventing tragic disaster, even extinction of the human race. A lifetime of bitter fighting ultimately changed him however, and although he outlived the [[Terran-Kilrathi War]], he was never able to find peace. Arguably more important to the war effort than even [[Christopher Blair]], Tolwyn's fate diverged significantly from the premier fighter pilot of the Kilrathi War. The circumstances that sustained him for decades proved to be his undoing, and ultimately Tolwyn met a tragic and unfortunate end.


Young Tolwyn was assigned to the ''TCS Albemarle'' for his cadet cruise with his classmate [[David Whittaker]]. While they were flying a training mission Tolwyn's helm console exploded, and the shuttle he and David were on crashed on the planet they were surveying. He was trapped in the wreckage, blind and without his helmet. The planet's atmosphere contained sulfur dioxide. Whittaker, his helmet destroyed in the crash, somehow managed to get Tolwyn to an emergency pressure bubble. They both spent six months in the hospital recovering. He befriended [[Wayne Banbridge|Banbridge]] and [[Duke Grecko]] around this time after taking one of Banbridge's classes at the Academy. It was in Banbridge's quarters that Geoff first met his wife Elizabeth Clara.
Young Tolwyn was assigned to the ''TCS Albemarle'' for his cadet cruise with his classmate [[David Whittaker]]. While they were flying a training mission, Tolwyn's helm console exploded, and the shuttle he and David were on crashed on the planet they were surveying. He was trapped in the wreckage, blind and without his helmet. The planet's atmosphere contained sulfur dioxide. Whittaker, his helmet destroyed in the crash, somehow managed to get Tolwyn to an emergency pressure bubble. They both spent six months in the hospital recovering. He befriended [[Wayne Banbridge|Banbridge]] and [[Duke Grecko]] around this time after taking one of Banbridge's classes at the Academy. It was in Banbridge's quarters that Tolwyn first met his wife Elizabeth Clara.


In [[2634]] he accompanied [[Winston Turner]] to [[McAuliffe]] and became one of the first heroes of the declared Kilrathi War. Despite having primarily simulation experience, he successfully flew a Wildcat fighter to defend the TCS Concordia against the Kilrathi who had just destroyed the McAuliffe Skyhook. Ensign Tolwyn decided to fly in the counter attack despite having suffered from second degree burns, a dozen durasteel shrapnel wounds and having part of a rudder pedal dig out his leg. Turner attempted to talk him out of flying, but he failed. After a dogfight he encounters the ejection pod of the Kilrathi ace [[Ratha nar Kiranka|Ratha]], but doesn't kill him because it wouldn't have been "British." After the delaying action he landed on the ''Concordia'' with only 15 seconds remaining to jump. After his heroic efforts in the defense of McAuliffe he was recommended for the Medal of Honor.
In [[2634]], Tolwyn accompanied [[Winston Turner]] to [[McAuliffe]] and became one of the first heroes of the Kilrathi War. Despite only having primarily simulation experience, he successfully flew a Wildcat fighter to defend the TCS Concordia against the Kilrathi who had just destroyed the McAuliffe Skyhook. Ensign Tolwyn decided to fly in the counter-attack despite having suffered from second degree burns, a dozen durasteel shrapnel wounds and having part of a rudder pedal dig out his leg. Turner attempted to convince him not to fly, but failed. After a dogfight, Tolwyn finds the ejection pod of the Kilrathi ace [[Ratha nar Kiranka|Ratha]], but chooses not to kill him because it would not have been "British." After the delaying action, he landed on the ''Concordia'' with only 15 seconds remaining to jump. Tolwyn was recommended for the Medal of Honor for his heroic efforts in the defense of McAuliffe.


In 2639 Captain Tolwyn once again played a vital role in the [[Enyo Engagement]] and parallel defense of McAuliffe. When Kilrathi forces stormed the planet and held a quarter of a million hostages under orbital guns, Tolwyn rallied the remaining defenders and coordinates a massive counterstrike. Flying Raptor Heavy Fighters a small force deployed mines around a nearby jump point. The Kilrathi easily avoided the field, but when the mines were radio-detonated a large Confederation fleet jumps in and headed straight for the [[Kilrathi]] gunships with minimal loss of civilian life.
In 2639, Captain Tolwyn played a vital role in the [[Enyo Engagement]] and parallel defense of McAuliffe. When Kilrathi forces stormed the planet and held a quarter of a million hostages under orbital guns, Tolwyn rallied the remaining defenders and co-ordinates a daring counter-strike. A small force of Raptor heavy fighters deployed mines around a nearby jump point: the Kilrathi easily avoided the field, but when the mines were radio-detonated, a large Confederation fleet jumped in and headed directly towards the [[Kilrathi]] gunships, destroying them with minimal loss of civilian life.


In the 2640's his wife and sons had been killed in a Kilrathi raid. Later in his life news reporters often pointed to this as the reason for his spectacular career and downfall. One of his sons was named Reggie.
In the 2640s, Tolwyn's wife and sons were killed in a Kilrathi raid. Later in his life, news reporters often pointed to this as the main reason for his spectacular career and subsequent downfall. One of his sons was named Reggie.


Although often a great leader, he was impatient and often personally assumed command in a crisis. He once made the ''[[TCS Tiger's Claw]]'' the flagship of a battlegroup to hold off a Kilrathi Fleet against overwhelming odds until Confed could send support.
Although often a great leader, Tolwyn was impatient and often personally assumed command in a crisis. He once made the ''[[TCS Tiger's Claw]]'' the flagship of a battle group to delay a Kilrathi fleet against overwhelming odds until the Confederation could send reinforcements.


Tolwyn relieved then Captain Thorn from duty for cowardice in the face of the enemy. He was also well known to be willing to risk lives to achieve his goals. He threatened massacre of several Pilgrim worlds in a bid to recall the Supercruiser ''Olympus'' that had gone rogue with Pilgrim agents in the early 2650's.
Tolwyn relieved then Captain Thorn from duty for cowardice in the face of the enemy. He was also well known to be willing to risk lives to achieve his goals. He threatened massacre of several Pilgrim worlds in a bid to recall the super-cruiser ''Olympus'' that had gone rogue with Pilgrim agents in the early 2650s.


In 2654 he spent some time as commander of the ''''Tiger's Claw when Confed High Command wanted to distance him. He worked closely with young pilots Christopher Blair, [[Todd Marshall]] and others that became more prominent as the war progressed. He became attached to the Claw and worried for its survival when it embarked on a Secret Mission to destroy the Sivar Dreadnought in 2656.
In 2654, he spent some time as commander of the ''Tiger's Claw'' when Confederation High Command wanted to distance themselves from him. He worked closely with young pilots Christopher Blair, [[Todd Marshall]] and others who came to prominence as the Kilrathi War progressed. He became attached to the ''Claw'' and worried for its survival when it embarked on a Secret Mission to destroy the Sivar Dreadnought in 2656.
With the ''Tiger's Claw'''s destruction on 2656.033 it was Blair that Tolwyn blamed. He had him court-martialed for negligence and sent back to [[In-System Security]] until fate brought them back together again aboard the new ''TCS Concordia'' in [[2665]].


Tolwyn was hostile towards Blair and didn't try to hide his disgust of the pilot. Thanks to desperate circumstances and the convincing of Wing Commander [[Jeannette Devereaux]], Blair was able to vindicate himself and uncover the truth behind the destruction of the ''Claw''. Tolwyn commanded the ''Concordia'' for seven years before moving up the chain of command once again.
With the ''Tiger's Claw'''s destruction on 2656.033, it was Blair whom Tolwyn blamed for the loss. He had him court-martialed for negligence and sent to [[In-System Security]] until fate brought them back together again aboard the Confederation-class ''[[TCS Concordia (CVS-65)|TCS Concordia]]'' in [[2665]].


As the war ground on, Tolwyn picked [[Jason Bondarevsky]], [[Etienne Montclair]] and other comrades for the new command of the ''[[TCS Tarawa]]''. He thought of them as his best people, and wasn't yet aware of [[Operation Back Lash]] and what it would land them in. He thought he was doing them a favor. When more information was revealed, the thought of having to abandon Strike Force Tarawa if they couldn't make it out on their own was unbearable. After the pivotal action at [[Vukar Tag]] he was able to detach the Concordia to come to the ''Tarawa'''s aid on its return from an end run to [[Kilrah]]. With the success of Operation Back Lash Tolwyn was recommended for the Medal of Valor with Diamonds.
Tolwyn was hostile towards Blair during this time and made it very clear in his words and attitude, his distrust and enmity towards the pilot. Under desperate circumstances and with the support of ''Concordia'' Wing Commander [[Jeannette Devereaux]], Blair was able to vindicate himself and uncover the truth behind the destruction of the ''Claw''. Relations between Tolwyn and Blair improved thereafter, and Tolwyn commanded the ''Concordia'' for seven years before moving further along the chain of command.


His nephew [[Kevin Tolwyn]] was coming into his own by this time and the elder Tolwyn often fought with his sister-in-law over Kevin's career. She wanted him to be a clean career officer and become an Admiral through the political route, because of the death of Kevin's father in a training accident. Geoff knew good officers were required on the front lines however. Kevin represented the latest in a string of military Tolwyns fifty generations long. Tolwyn's family had a 1,000 year tradition of serving in the army, navy and airforce of Britain and the space forces of the Confederation. Tolwyns earned six Victoria crosses and served at Waterloo, the Somme, in the Battle of Britain, Minsk and the siege of London against tyrants such as Hitler and Zhing.
As the war ground on, Tolwyn selected [[Jason Bondarevsky]], [[Etienne Montclair]] and other comrades for the new command of the ''[[TCS Tarawa]]''. He thought of them as his best people, but was not yet aware of [[Operation Back Lash]] and what his choice would mean for them - instead, he believed he was doing them a favor. When more information was revealed, the thought of having to abandon Strike Force Tarawa if they could not escape Kilrathi pursuit on their own was unbearable for Tolwyn. After the pivotal action at [[Vukar Tag]], Tolwyn was able to detach the ''Concordia'' to come to the ''Tarawa'''s aid on its return from an end run to [[Kilrah]]. With the success of Operation Back Lash, Tolwyn was recommended for the Medal of Valor with Diamonds.


In [[2668]] with the Confederation striking hard and winning major victories, Tolwyn was the first critic of the peace armistice extended by the Kilrathi. He authorized an attack on a Kilrathi carrier shortly after learning about the cease fire and this brought to him a humiliating court martial. Tolwyn was declared guilty of disobedience for breaking [[General Order 2312A]], ordering suspension of all hostilities. This newfound freedom was actually orchestrated by the Confederation Military Chief of Staff so that Tolwyn could build a team that could infiltrated deep into Kilrathi space and uncover evidence that the armistice was indeed false.
Tolwyn's nephew, [[Kevin Tolwyn]], was making his own identity by this time and the elder Tolwyn often fought with his sister-in-law over Kevin's career. She wanted him to be a clean career officer and become an Admiral through the political route, because of the death of Kevin's father in a training accident. Geoffrey Tolwyn knew good officers were required on the front lines, however. Kevin represented the latest in a string of military Tolwyns fifty generations long. Tolwyn's family had a 1,000 year tradition of serving in the Army, Navy and Air Force of Britain and the Space Forces of the Confederation. Tolwyns earned six Victoria crosses and served at Waterloo, the Somme, in the Battle of Britain, Minsk and the siege of London against tyrants such as Hitler and Zhing.


On the far side of the empire, his operatives uncovered evidence of massive shipyards constructive supercarriers that could slice to the heart of the Confederation. This information was delivered barely in time to cobble together a makeshift defense of Earth, but not before the inner worlds of Warsaw, Gilead, and Sirius Prime were wiped out. President [[Harold Rodham]] officially pardoned Tolwyn for the [[Munro]] incident, and reinstated him as a full admiral in command of Third Fleet, with the mission of organizing Earth's defenses. Tolwyn's commission was reinstated and he directed the Concordia in a harrowing battle throughout the Sol System. This near catastrophic defeat of the Confederation truly embittered Tolwyn and caused a shift in his thinking. He received the Senatorial Medal of Honor for his defense at the Battle of Earth.
In [[2668]], with the Confederation striking hard and winning major victories, Tolwyn was the first critic of the peace armistice extended by the Kilrathi. He authorized an attack on a Kilrathi carrier in the [[Munro]] system shortly after learning about the cease fire and this decision brought him to a humiliating court martial. Tolwyn was declared guilty of disobedience for breaking [[General Order 2312A]], ordering suspension of all hostilities, and subsequently dishonourably discharged. This new-found freedom was actually orchestrated by the Confederation Military Chief of Staff so that Tolwyn could build a team that infiltrated deep into Kilrathi space and uncover evidence that the armistice was indeed a ruse perpetrated by the Kilrathi.


Shortly before the ''Concordia'' went down he was assigned to the Behemoth project at the Weapons Development Office to oversee the weapon's final implementation, taking the place of Ubarov. He didn't like the ''Behemoth'''s poor maneuverability and defensive capability. He also wasn't yet on board with the idea of destroying entire planets. Although he got involved with the ''Behemoth'''s planning nearly ten years prior, he was interested in hearing about alternatives, until his old friend David Whittaker came to see him to recruit him for the [[Belisarius Group]].
On the far side of the Kilrathi Empire, Tolwyn's operatives discovered evidence of enormous shipyards constructing super-carriers that could slice to the heart of the Confederation. This information was delivered barely in time to cobble together a makeshift defense of Earth, but not before the inner worlds of Warsaw, Gilead, and Sirius Prime were attacked and destroyed. President [[Harold Rodham]] officially pardoned Tolwyn for the [[Munro]] incident, and reinstated him as a full admiral in command of Third Fleet, with the mission of organizing Earth's defenses. Tolwyn's commission was reinstated and he directed the ''Concordia'' in a harrowing battle throughout the Sol System. This near catastrophic defeat of the Confederation truly embittered Tolwyn and caused a dramatic shift in his way of thinking. He received the Senatorial Medal of Honor for his defense at the Battle of Earth.


He told David Whittaker he wouldn't have anything to do with the Belisarius, and Whittaker then said it was just some vague idea and not an actual plan. Tolwyn pretended he believed him but his paranoia was piqued. The Group could have had him killed, but it was probably Whittaker who held them back. Not knowing whom he could trust, Tolwyn didn't alert ConFleet Security. The Belisarius Group has a secret agency within ConFleet Security, Y-12. He couldn't contact anyone who he thought he could trust either, because the group would have them killed.
Shortly before the ''Concordia'' was sunk at [[Vespus]] he was assigned to the Behemoth project at the Weapons Development Office to oversee the weapon's final implementation, taking the place of Ubarov. He did not like the ''Behemoth's'' poor maneuverability and defensive capability and did not agree with the idea of destroying entire planets. Although he got involved with the ''Behemoth's'' planning nearly ten years prior, he was interested in hearing about alternatives, until his old friend David Whittaker came to see him to recruit him for the [[Belisarius Group]].


He decided he had to finish the war as soon as possible, so the Group no longer had an excuse to stage a coup. That's why he pressed Behemoth into service. He later told Jason he didn't know Paladin was developing the [[Y22A-1 Temblor Bomb|Temblor Bomb]], or he'd have assisted him instead.
Tolwyn told David Whittaker he would not have anything to do with Belisarius or its plan for a coup, and Whittaker then said it was just some vague idea and not an actual plan. Tolwyn pretended he believed him but his paranoia was piqued. The Group could have had him killed, but it was probably Whittaker who held them back. Not knowing whom he could trust, Tolwyn chose not to alert Confederation Fleet Security. The Belisarius Group had a secret agency within Confederation Fleet Security, Y-12. Tolwyn could not contact anyone whom he thought he could trust either, because the Group would have them killed.


Still, he was somewhat tempted to go along with it the Belisarius plan. The civilian government was messing up the war effort, and he thought that a military government, if led by the right people, would have a better chance of winning. However, he would want to give control back to the civilians after the war, and he didn't think there were enough people who thought the same way; they'd keep the military government in place indefinitely.
Tolwyn then decided he had to finish the Kilrathi War as soon as possible, so the Group no longer had an excuse to stage a coup against the civilian government, one of the reasons for Tolwyn pressing the [[TCS Behemoth]] into service prematurely. He later revealed to Jason Bondarevsky that he did not know of Special Operations' plans to develop the [[Y22A-1 Temblor Bomb|Temblor Bomb]], or he would have assisted them instead.


So he rushed to get ''Behemoth'' into service, pushing people to their limits, and not knowing [[Ted Rollins]] and [[Laurel Buckley]] suspected [[Ralgha nar Hhallas|Hobbes]] of espionage. He was too worked up with getting the Behemoth underway to pay attention around him. His plan for implementing the Behemoth was to use an unassuming carrier, the ''[[TCS Victory]]'', staffed with legendary pilots such as Christopher Blair, Todd Marshall, and Ralgha nar Hhallas. Ships such as the ''[[TCS Coventry]]'' under Captain Jason Bondarevsky would defend its battlegroup. He formally transferred his flag to the ''Victory ''on 2669.245 to oversee the deployment of the Behemoth himself. Just four days later the massive superweapon was destroyed in spectacularly tragic fashion. After its loss, the Admiral was relieved from Project Behemoth. He returned to Sector HQ at [[Torgo]] to face an inquiry into the reasons for the loss of the ship. He and his staff left the ''Victory'' on 2669.249. With the ''Behemoth'' destroyed, Tolwyn thought victory was certain for the Kilrathi.
Despite all of this, Tolwyn was tempted to join the Belisarius' plans. The civilian government of the time had severely mishandled the war effort, and he thought that a military government, if led by the right people, would have a better chance of winning the war. However, he would want to give control back to the civilians after the war, and he did not think there were enough people who thought the same way; they would keep the military government in place indefinitely.


Fortunately Christopher Blair ended the war with the Temblor Bomb before the Belisarius Group had the chance to seize power. The officers on his ''Behemoth'' court-martial were agents of the Belisarius Group. They acquitted him, but later reminded him that they could take him out if he raised trouble. The loss of the ''Behemoth'' in [[2669]] was a devastating blow for him. Although Belisarius interests made sure he was found blameless for its loss, he returned to duty just in time to negotiate a peace that his rivals [[James Taggart]] and Christopher Blair had won. His court-martial after ''Behemoth'' was sensational, and when he was let off the hook there had been indignation across the Confederation, but it quietly died down in the wake of peace.
Consequently, Tolwyn rushed to press ''Behemoth'' into service, pushing people to their limits, and not knowing of [[Ralgha nar Hhallas]]' espionage efforts directed against the project. He was too focused on bringing the ''Behemoth'' on-line to pay attention around him. Tolwyn's plan for implementing the ''Behemoth'' was to use a low-profile carrier, the ''[[TCS Victory]]'', staffed with legendary pilots such as Christopher Blair, Todd Marshall, and Ralgha nar Hhallas. Ships such as the ''[[TCS Coventry]]'' under Captain Jason Bondarevsky would defend the battle group. Tolwyn formally transferred his flag to the ''Victory '' on 2669.245 to oversee the deployment of the ''Behemoth'' himself. Just four days later, the massive super*weapon was destroyed in a tragic battle. After its loss, the Admiral was relieved from Project Behemoth. He returned to Sector HQ at [[Torgo]] to face an inquiry into the reasons for the loss of the ship. Tolwyn and his staff left the ''Victory'' on 2669.249. With the ''Behemoth'' destroyed, Tolwyn resigned himself to a Kilrathi victory.


After the war The Belisarius wanted to trigger war on the frontier so they could once again find justification to stage a coup. Tolwyn wanted to avoid this by stopping rogue Kilrathi Ragark in his tracks; he figured if his [[Project Goliath]] was a success they had a chance at stopping the Kilrathi and Belisarius would not have had the excuse they needed to seize power.
Fortunately, Christopher Blair ended the war with the Temblor Bomb before the Belisarius Group had the chance to seize power. The officers on his ''Behemoth'' court-martial were agents of the Belisarius Group. They acquitted him, but later reminded him that they could eliminate him if he raised trouble. The loss of the ''Behemoth'' in [[2669]] was a devastating blow for him. Although Belisarius interests made sure he was found blameless for its loss, he returned to duty just in time to negotiate a peace with the Kilrathi that his rivals [[James Taggart]] and Christopher Blair had won. His court-martial after ''Behemoth'' was sensational, and when he was acquitted there had been indignation across the Confederation, but it quietly died down in the wake of peace.


Fearing the Group wanted to use his nephew to get at him, he sent Kevin Tolwyn out to the [{Free Republic of the Landreich]] and accompanied him there soon with a crack team of allies. All the secretive conspiracies playing out within the Confederation began to make Tolwyn paranoid. This combined with the bitter feelings he felt over the civilian government's mismanagement of the false peace armistice and other events. Jason Bondarevsky felt that Tolwyn had changed since the old days. There was now a chasm between them. He was like a gambler who'd lost everything but kept playing, hoping for a big break, but not thinking about the consequences.
After the Kilrathi War, the Belisarius wanted to trigger war on the frontier so they could once again find justification to stage a coup. Tolwyn wanted to avoid this by stopping the rogue Kilrathi Ragark; Tolwyn believed if [[Project Goliath]] was a success they had a chance of stopping the Kilrathi and Belisarius would not have had the reason they needed to seize power.
Tolwyn executed Project Goliath in 2670 to head off a Belisarius provoked war between the Kilrathi, Landreich and Confederation, but began to think about his own machinations to keep the Confederation fit.


On 2671.055 Tolwyn announced he would resign his Landreich commission and return to Earth to be placed in command of the [[Strategic Readiness Agency]], but believed that in this new time of peace he would be unable to prepare the Confederation for the next threat. His paranoia got the better of him and Tolwyn declined to share his ideas on the [[Genetic Enhancement Program]] to confidants like Bondarevsky and Vance Richards. Eventually this program took on a life of its own. Tolwyn blamed Admiral [[Vance Richard]]'s counterintelligence for failing to recognize Hobbes as a traitor in 2669, which caused the loss of the ''Behemoth''. He didn't get to win the war, and instead Paladin was hailed as the man who saved the Confederation.
Fearing the Group wanted to use Kevin Tolwyn as a means to manipulate him, Geoffrey sent Kevin to the [{Free Republic of the Landreich]] and accompanied him there soon after with a team of allies. All the secretive conspiracies playing out within the Confederation were beginning to make Tolwyn paranoid, along with the bitter feelings he felt over the civilian government's mismanagement of the false peace armistice and other events. Jason Bondarevsky felt that Tolwyn had changed substantially since times past, that there was now a chasm between them. Bondarevsky felt Tolwyn was like a gambler who had lost everything but kept on playing, hoping for a big break and refusing to consider the consequences of his actions.


On 2673.223 Tolwyn delivered his biennial report to the Defense Committee of the [[Great Assembly]]. In it he charged the [[Union of Border Worlds]] with instigating piracy and lawlessness on the fringe of society. Secretly Tolwyn was using a force of [[Black Lance]] fighters and secret weapons to instigate his own war in order to keep civilians geared for fighting. He believed there were more dangerous threats than the Kilrathi in the universe, and he believed he was the only one who could save the Confederation from them.
Tolwyn executed Project Goliath in 2670 to prevent a Belisarius-provoked war between the Kilrathi, Landreich and Confederation, but began to think about his own machinations to keep the Confederation fit for survival into the future. On 2671.055, Tolwyn announced he would resign his Landreich commission and return to Earth to be placed in command of the Confederation's [[Strategic Readiness Agency]], but believed that even in this new time of peace he would be unable to prepare the Confederation for the next threat to humanity. Tolwyn's paranoia overwhelmed him and he declined to share his ideas on the [[Genetic Enhancement Program]] with confidants like Bondarevsky and Vance Richards. Eventually this program took on a life of its own. Tolwyn blamed Admiral [[Vance Richard]]'s counter-intelligence for failing to recognize Ralgha as a traitor in 2669, which caused the loss of the ''Behemoth''.


Unfortunately he lost his grip on reality and committed various atrocities to further this obsessive need to defend his people. He seems to have lost his humanity, with only his sense of duty remaining. After an intervention by Christopher Blair and [[William Eisen]], he failed to convince the Great Assembly to vote for war. His conspiracy was revealed. He faced a long and sensational trial. The Admiralty court found him guilty of genocide and 15 lesser crimes. He was stripped of rank and sentenced to life in prison. He was still proud when the guards lead him out of the court.
On 2673.223, Tolwyn delivered his biennial report to the Defense Committee of the [[Great Assembly]]. In it he charged the [[Union of Border Worlds]] with instigating piracy and lawlessness on the fringe of society. Secretly, Tolwyn was using a force of [[Black Lance]] fighters and secret weapons to instigate his own war in order to keep civilians geared for fighting. He believed there were more dangerous threats than the Kilrathi in the universe, and he believed he was the only one who could save the Confederation from them.


He was convinced that humanity would now face extinction at the hands of the next enemy that came along, likely the core-ward race the Kilrathi were so afraid of. He originally thought Blair had condemned all of humanity, but in his prison cell, he realized he'd pushed his plans too quickly. He'd also realized too late that there was no need to have the entire population be genetically pure. It wouldn't have been perfect, but it would have worked to purify just the military. Realizing his haste had brought the project down, he decided he actions would have been responsible for condemning the entire race despite his lifelong efforts to save it.
Unfortunately, Tolwyn thereafter lost his grip on reality and committed various atrocities to further his paradoxical and obsessive need to defend his people. He seemed to have lost his humanity, with only his sense of duty remaining. After intervention from Christopher Blair and [[William Eisen]], Tolwyn failed to convince the Great Assembly to vote for war against the [[Union of Border Worlds]]. His conspiracy was revealed, and Tolwyn faced another long and sensational trial. The Admiralty court found him guilty of genocide and 15 lesser crimes. Tolwyn was stripped of rank and sentenced to life in prison, yet he still stood proudly when the guards led him out of the court.


With this sudden realization he hung himself in his prison cell.
Tolwyn was convinced that humanity would now face extinction at the hands of the next enemy that came along, possibly one of the races the Kilrathi feared. He originally thought Blair had condemned all of humanity by stopping his plans, but in his prison cell, Tolwyn came to the realisation that he had pushed his plans too quickly. He also realized, too late, that there was no need to have the entire population be genetically pure. It would not have been perfect, but it would have worked to purify just the military. Realizing his haste had brought the project down, he decided he actions would have been responsible for condemning the entire race despite his life-long efforts to save it.
 
With this sudden realization, Tolwyn hung himself in his prison cell.


[[category:Characters]][[category:Terrans]]
[[category:Characters]][[category:Terrans]]

Revision as of 10:49, 21 July 2010

Geoffrey Tolwyn
-2673
Place of birth Earth
Allegiance Terran Confederation, Black Lance
Service/branch Terran Confederation Navy
Years of service -2673
Rank Space Marshal
Commands TCS Concordia, TCS Vesuvius
Battles/wars McAuliffe Ambush, Enyo Engagement, Enigma Sector Campaign, Operation Back Lash, Battle of Ghorah Khar, Sixth Battle of Munro, Battle of Sirius, Battle of Earth, Border Worlds Conflict
Awards Medal of Honor
Relations Reggie Tolwyn, Elizabeth Tolwyn, Kevin Tolwyn
Other work Head of the Strategic Readiness Agency


Geoffrey Tolwyn was a Terran officer from the Terran Confederation. He was once one of the most prestigious Admirals of the Terran Confederation Navy and eventually attained the rank of Space Marshal.

History

Geoffrey Tolwyn was a very complex man whose personal history was tied very closely to that of the Confederation throughout the 27th Century. On numerous occasions he was responsible for preventing tragic disaster, even extinction of the human race. A lifetime of bitter fighting ultimately changed him however, and although he outlived the Terran-Kilrathi War, he was never able to find peace. Arguably more important to the war effort than even Christopher Blair, Tolwyn's fate diverged significantly from the premier fighter pilot of the Kilrathi War. The circumstances that sustained him for decades proved to be his undoing, and ultimately Tolwyn met a tragic and unfortunate end.

Young Tolwyn was assigned to the TCS Albemarle for his cadet cruise with his classmate David Whittaker. While they were flying a training mission, Tolwyn's helm console exploded, and the shuttle he and David were on crashed on the planet they were surveying. He was trapped in the wreckage, blind and without his helmet. The planet's atmosphere contained sulfur dioxide. Whittaker, his helmet destroyed in the crash, somehow managed to get Tolwyn to an emergency pressure bubble. They both spent six months in the hospital recovering. He befriended Banbridge and Duke Grecko around this time after taking one of Banbridge's classes at the Academy. It was in Banbridge's quarters that Tolwyn first met his wife Elizabeth Clara.

In 2634, Tolwyn accompanied Winston Turner to McAuliffe and became one of the first heroes of the Kilrathi War. Despite only having primarily simulation experience, he successfully flew a Wildcat fighter to defend the TCS Concordia against the Kilrathi who had just destroyed the McAuliffe Skyhook. Ensign Tolwyn decided to fly in the counter-attack despite having suffered from second degree burns, a dozen durasteel shrapnel wounds and having part of a rudder pedal dig out his leg. Turner attempted to convince him not to fly, but failed. After a dogfight, Tolwyn finds the ejection pod of the Kilrathi ace Ratha, but chooses not to kill him because it would not have been "British." After the delaying action, he landed on the Concordia with only 15 seconds remaining to jump. Tolwyn was recommended for the Medal of Honor for his heroic efforts in the defense of McAuliffe.

In 2639, Captain Tolwyn played a vital role in the Enyo Engagement and parallel defense of McAuliffe. When Kilrathi forces stormed the planet and held a quarter of a million hostages under orbital guns, Tolwyn rallied the remaining defenders and co-ordinates a daring counter-strike. A small force of Raptor heavy fighters deployed mines around a nearby jump point: the Kilrathi easily avoided the field, but when the mines were radio-detonated, a large Confederation fleet jumped in and headed directly towards the Kilrathi gunships, destroying them with minimal loss of civilian life.

In the 2640s, Tolwyn's wife and sons were killed in a Kilrathi raid. Later in his life, news reporters often pointed to this as the main reason for his spectacular career and subsequent downfall. One of his sons was named Reggie.

Although often a great leader, Tolwyn was impatient and often personally assumed command in a crisis. He once made the TCS Tiger's Claw the flagship of a battle group to delay a Kilrathi fleet against overwhelming odds until the Confederation could send reinforcements.

Tolwyn relieved then Captain Thorn from duty for cowardice in the face of the enemy. He was also well known to be willing to risk lives to achieve his goals. He threatened massacre of several Pilgrim worlds in a bid to recall the super-cruiser Olympus that had gone rogue with Pilgrim agents in the early 2650s.

In 2654, he spent some time as commander of the Tiger's Claw when Confederation High Command wanted to distance themselves from him. He worked closely with young pilots Christopher Blair, Todd Marshall and others who came to prominence as the Kilrathi War progressed. He became attached to the Claw and worried for its survival when it embarked on a Secret Mission to destroy the Sivar Dreadnought in 2656.

With the Tiger's Claw's destruction on 2656.033, it was Blair whom Tolwyn blamed for the loss. He had him court-martialed for negligence and sent to In-System Security until fate brought them back together again aboard the Confederation-class TCS Concordia in 2665.

Tolwyn was hostile towards Blair during this time and made it very clear in his words and attitude, his distrust and enmity towards the pilot. Under desperate circumstances and with the support of Concordia Wing Commander Jeannette Devereaux, Blair was able to vindicate himself and uncover the truth behind the destruction of the Claw. Relations between Tolwyn and Blair improved thereafter, and Tolwyn commanded the Concordia for seven years before moving further along the chain of command.

As the war ground on, Tolwyn selected Jason Bondarevsky, Etienne Montclair and other comrades for the new command of the TCS Tarawa. He thought of them as his best people, but was not yet aware of Operation Back Lash and what his choice would mean for them - instead, he believed he was doing them a favor. When more information was revealed, the thought of having to abandon Strike Force Tarawa if they could not escape Kilrathi pursuit on their own was unbearable for Tolwyn. After the pivotal action at Vukar Tag, Tolwyn was able to detach the Concordia to come to the Tarawa's aid on its return from an end run to Kilrah. With the success of Operation Back Lash, Tolwyn was recommended for the Medal of Valor with Diamonds.

Tolwyn's nephew, Kevin Tolwyn, was making his own identity by this time and the elder Tolwyn often fought with his sister-in-law over Kevin's career. She wanted him to be a clean career officer and become an Admiral through the political route, because of the death of Kevin's father in a training accident. Geoffrey Tolwyn knew good officers were required on the front lines, however. Kevin represented the latest in a string of military Tolwyns fifty generations long. Tolwyn's family had a 1,000 year tradition of serving in the Army, Navy and Air Force of Britain and the Space Forces of the Confederation. Tolwyns earned six Victoria crosses and served at Waterloo, the Somme, in the Battle of Britain, Minsk and the siege of London against tyrants such as Hitler and Zhing.

In 2668, with the Confederation striking hard and winning major victories, Tolwyn was the first critic of the peace armistice extended by the Kilrathi. He authorized an attack on a Kilrathi carrier in the Munro system shortly after learning about the cease fire and this decision brought him to a humiliating court martial. Tolwyn was declared guilty of disobedience for breaking General Order 2312A, ordering suspension of all hostilities, and subsequently dishonourably discharged. This new-found freedom was actually orchestrated by the Confederation Military Chief of Staff so that Tolwyn could build a team that infiltrated deep into Kilrathi space and uncover evidence that the armistice was indeed a ruse perpetrated by the Kilrathi.

On the far side of the Kilrathi Empire, Tolwyn's operatives discovered evidence of enormous shipyards constructing super-carriers that could slice to the heart of the Confederation. This information was delivered barely in time to cobble together a makeshift defense of Earth, but not before the inner worlds of Warsaw, Gilead, and Sirius Prime were attacked and destroyed. President Harold Rodham officially pardoned Tolwyn for the Munro incident, and reinstated him as a full admiral in command of Third Fleet, with the mission of organizing Earth's defenses. Tolwyn's commission was reinstated and he directed the Concordia in a harrowing battle throughout the Sol System. This near catastrophic defeat of the Confederation truly embittered Tolwyn and caused a dramatic shift in his way of thinking. He received the Senatorial Medal of Honor for his defense at the Battle of Earth.

Shortly before the Concordia was sunk at Vespus he was assigned to the Behemoth project at the Weapons Development Office to oversee the weapon's final implementation, taking the place of Ubarov. He did not like the Behemoth's poor maneuverability and defensive capability and did not agree with the idea of destroying entire planets. Although he got involved with the Behemoth's planning nearly ten years prior, he was interested in hearing about alternatives, until his old friend David Whittaker came to see him to recruit him for the Belisarius Group.

Tolwyn told David Whittaker he would not have anything to do with Belisarius or its plan for a coup, and Whittaker then said it was just some vague idea and not an actual plan. Tolwyn pretended he believed him but his paranoia was piqued. The Group could have had him killed, but it was probably Whittaker who held them back. Not knowing whom he could trust, Tolwyn chose not to alert Confederation Fleet Security. The Belisarius Group had a secret agency within Confederation Fleet Security, Y-12. Tolwyn could not contact anyone whom he thought he could trust either, because the Group would have them killed.

Tolwyn then decided he had to finish the Kilrathi War as soon as possible, so the Group no longer had an excuse to stage a coup against the civilian government, one of the reasons for Tolwyn pressing the TCS Behemoth into service prematurely. He later revealed to Jason Bondarevsky that he did not know of Special Operations' plans to develop the Temblor Bomb, or he would have assisted them instead.

Despite all of this, Tolwyn was tempted to join the Belisarius' plans. The civilian government of the time had severely mishandled the war effort, and he thought that a military government, if led by the right people, would have a better chance of winning the war. However, he would want to give control back to the civilians after the war, and he did not think there were enough people who thought the same way; they would keep the military government in place indefinitely.

Consequently, Tolwyn rushed to press Behemoth into service, pushing people to their limits, and not knowing of Ralgha nar Hhallas' espionage efforts directed against the project. He was too focused on bringing the Behemoth on-line to pay attention around him. Tolwyn's plan for implementing the Behemoth was to use a low-profile carrier, the TCS Victory, staffed with legendary pilots such as Christopher Blair, Todd Marshall, and Ralgha nar Hhallas. Ships such as the TCS Coventry under Captain Jason Bondarevsky would defend the battle group. Tolwyn formally transferred his flag to the Victory on 2669.245 to oversee the deployment of the Behemoth himself. Just four days later, the massive super*weapon was destroyed in a tragic battle. After its loss, the Admiral was relieved from Project Behemoth. He returned to Sector HQ at Torgo to face an inquiry into the reasons for the loss of the ship. Tolwyn and his staff left the Victory on 2669.249. With the Behemoth destroyed, Tolwyn resigned himself to a Kilrathi victory.

Fortunately, Christopher Blair ended the war with the Temblor Bomb before the Belisarius Group had the chance to seize power. The officers on his Behemoth court-martial were agents of the Belisarius Group. They acquitted him, but later reminded him that they could eliminate him if he raised trouble. The loss of the Behemoth in 2669 was a devastating blow for him. Although Belisarius interests made sure he was found blameless for its loss, he returned to duty just in time to negotiate a peace with the Kilrathi that his rivals James Taggart and Christopher Blair had won. His court-martial after Behemoth was sensational, and when he was acquitted there had been indignation across the Confederation, but it quietly died down in the wake of peace.

After the Kilrathi War, the Belisarius wanted to trigger war on the frontier so they could once again find justification to stage a coup. Tolwyn wanted to avoid this by stopping the rogue Kilrathi Ragark; Tolwyn believed if Project Goliath was a success they had a chance of stopping the Kilrathi and Belisarius would not have had the reason they needed to seize power.

Fearing the Group wanted to use Kevin Tolwyn as a means to manipulate him, Geoffrey sent Kevin to the [{Free Republic of the Landreich]] and accompanied him there soon after with a team of allies. All the secretive conspiracies playing out within the Confederation were beginning to make Tolwyn paranoid, along with the bitter feelings he felt over the civilian government's mismanagement of the false peace armistice and other events. Jason Bondarevsky felt that Tolwyn had changed substantially since times past, that there was now a chasm between them. Bondarevsky felt Tolwyn was like a gambler who had lost everything but kept on playing, hoping for a big break and refusing to consider the consequences of his actions.

Tolwyn executed Project Goliath in 2670 to prevent a Belisarius-provoked war between the Kilrathi, Landreich and Confederation, but began to think about his own machinations to keep the Confederation fit for survival into the future. On 2671.055, Tolwyn announced he would resign his Landreich commission and return to Earth to be placed in command of the Confederation's Strategic Readiness Agency, but believed that even in this new time of peace he would be unable to prepare the Confederation for the next threat to humanity. Tolwyn's paranoia overwhelmed him and he declined to share his ideas on the Genetic Enhancement Program with confidants like Bondarevsky and Vance Richards. Eventually this program took on a life of its own. Tolwyn blamed Admiral Vance Richard's counter-intelligence for failing to recognize Ralgha as a traitor in 2669, which caused the loss of the Behemoth.

On 2673.223, Tolwyn delivered his biennial report to the Defense Committee of the Great Assembly. In it he charged the Union of Border Worlds with instigating piracy and lawlessness on the fringe of society. Secretly, Tolwyn was using a force of Black Lance fighters and secret weapons to instigate his own war in order to keep civilians geared for fighting. He believed there were more dangerous threats than the Kilrathi in the universe, and he believed he was the only one who could save the Confederation from them.

Unfortunately, Tolwyn thereafter lost his grip on reality and committed various atrocities to further his paradoxical and obsessive need to defend his people. He seemed to have lost his humanity, with only his sense of duty remaining. After intervention from Christopher Blair and William Eisen, Tolwyn failed to convince the Great Assembly to vote for war against the Union of Border Worlds. His conspiracy was revealed, and Tolwyn faced another long and sensational trial. The Admiralty court found him guilty of genocide and 15 lesser crimes. Tolwyn was stripped of rank and sentenced to life in prison, yet he still stood proudly when the guards led him out of the court.

Tolwyn was convinced that humanity would now face extinction at the hands of the next enemy that came along, possibly one of the races the Kilrathi feared. He originally thought Blair had condemned all of humanity by stopping his plans, but in his prison cell, Tolwyn came to the realisation that he had pushed his plans too quickly. He also realized, too late, that there was no need to have the entire population be genetically pure. It would not have been perfect, but it would have worked to purify just the military. Realizing his haste had brought the project down, he decided he actions would have been responsible for condemning the entire race despite his life-long efforts to save it.

With this sudden realization, Tolwyn hung himself in his prison cell.