Chief Warrant Officer Mariah Schmitt
¶ Overview
- Full Name: Mariah Schmitt
- Nickname: Mar
- Species: Human
- Nationality: League
- Gender: Female
- Sex: Female
- Sexual Identity: Heterosexual
- Faction: League
Chief Warrant Officer Mariah Schmitt serves as the second-in-command and chief engineer at Prometheus station, known for her energetic personality, deep loyalty to [Fleet Admiral McKenzie][], and unique ability to work with the station's more dangerous systems. She has extensive knowledge of the station's history and the infamous "Gorgon sisters" - three problematic Archigos-class ships housed in the Gallery.
¶ Physical Description
Schmitt is a woman of medium height with an athletic build that reflects her energetic nature. Her auburn hair, often pulled back in a practical ponytail, contrasts with bright green eyes that seem to sparkle with enthusiasm. Fair skin dusted with freckles completes her appearance. She carries herself with confidence and animation, often using gestures and movement to emphasize her points during conversations.
¶ Personality
Schmitt has an extremely energetic and outgoing personality that can be overwhelming to more reserved colleagues. She operates at what she describes as "an 8" intensity level on most days, though she can modulate this somewhat for people she likes. Her enthusiastic nature extends to both her professional work and personal relationships.
Despite her bubbly exterior, Schmitt carries significant personal trauma from losing multiple family members: her mother to racing accidents, her father to suicide following her mother's death, and her older sister to religious extremism. These losses have left her and her brother Jimmy as the only surviving members of their immediate family.
She demonstrates fierce loyalty to both [Fleet Admiral McKenzie][] (whom she describes as having a "cult of personality") and her colleagues. Her protective instincts are particularly strong regarding people she cares about, leading her to worry excessively about their safety and well-being.
Schmitt has a complicated relationship with romance and relationships, preferring casual encounters over long-term commitments as a way of protecting herself from further loss. Her relationship with [Commander Jones][] represents a departure from this pattern.
¶ Special Abilities
- Engineering Expertise: Highly skilled engineer with experience in multiple ship classes and systems
- Station Knowledge: Deep understanding of Prometheus station's history, systems, and peculiarities
- Gallery Navigation: One of the few people who can safely work in the Gallery with the "Gorgon sisters"
- Crisis Management: Effective at managing complex technical problems under pressure
- Personnel Relations: Skilled at reading people and managing interpersonal dynamics
- Multi-system Repair: Capable of working with both modern and legacy equipment
¶ History
¶ Early Life and Family Tragedy
Schmitt grew up in a family involved in dangerous professions. Her mother was a racer who died in an accident, an event that devastated her father and led to years of depression before he ultimately committed suicide. Her older sister found solace in religious extremism, effectively leaving the family as well.
These losses left Schmitt and her brother Jimmy as the primary survivors of their immediate family, both choosing careers in the League military where they faced higher-than-average mortality rates. This pattern of loss shaped Schmitt's approach to relationships and her tendency to worry about people she cares about.
¶ Career at Prometheus
Schmitt has served on Prometheus station since its commissioning, giving her unparalleled knowledge of its systems, history, and peculiarities. She was part of the crew that installed the final hull plates during the station's construction, providing her with intimate knowledge of its structure and capabilities.
Her long tenure at the station made her invaluable when [Commander Jones][] arrived as the new yard master. She served as his guide to the station's unique challenges, particularly the dangerous Gallery section and the infamous "Gorgon sisters."
¶ The Medusa Incident
When [Commander Jones][] was injured while working on the Medusa, Schmitt conducted a dangerous rescue operation to extract him from the hostile ship. Her ability to navigate the Gallery and negotiate with the problematic ships proved essential to saving Jones's life.
This incident strengthened both her professional relationship with Jones and their developing personal connection, leading to a romantic partnership that neither had expected but both found fulfilling.
¶ Personal Projects
Schmitt maintains a personal project restoring her mother's racing ship, a custom sublight racer designed by a "mad GikDaa." The project serves as both a connection to her deceased mother and a way to work through her grief while developing her engineering skills with exotic technology.
The ship's restoration has become a private workspace where she and Jones spend time together, working on the complex custom systems while building their relationship. The project represents her attempt to honor her mother's memory while creating something positive from her loss.
¶ McKenzie Loyalty
Schmitt describes herself as "a McKenzie girlie, through and through," having followed the admiral's career "like he was a pop idol." Her loyalty extends beyond mere professional respect to genuine devotion, though she acknowledges that this loyalty is conditional on her belief that he "has a plan."
This loyalty influences her work style and professional relationships, as she sees herself as part of McKenzie's extended organization rather than just a station employee.
¶ Major Associations
¶ Commander Bekele Jones
- Relation: Commanding Officer, Romantic Partner
Schmitt serves as Jones's second-in-command and has developed a romantic relationship with him despite both of their histories of avoiding long-term commitments. Their partnership works because both accept each other's personalities rather than trying to change them.
¶ Fleet Admiral Alastair McKenzie
- Relation: Commanding Officer, Personal Hero
Schmitt maintains deep personal loyalty to McKenzie, viewing him as both a professional inspiration and a father figure. Her devotion to him influences many of her professional decisions and relationships.
¶ Jimmy Schmitt
- Relation: Brother, Family Survivor
Her younger brother serves as an Engineer's Assistant on the Cerberus, representing one of the few remaining family connections in her life. Their shared survival of family tragedy creates a strong bond between them.
¶ The Gallery/"Gorgon Sisters"
- Relation: Caretaker, Negotiator
Schmitt has a unique relationship with the problematic ships in the Gallery, particularly the Medusa. While she doesn't like them, she can work with them more effectively than most other engineers, serving as an intermediary when necessary.
¶ Lieutenant Commander Quinn Lafayette
- Relation: Former Casual Partner, Professional Colleague
Lafayette and Schmitt had a casual romantic relationship in the past, representing her typical pattern of avoiding long-term commitments while maintaining friendly professional relationships.