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(CHARACTER)
KAIDAN ALENKO
— MASS EFFECT —
POST CITADEL DLC
"But sometimes the way things go down does matter, Shepard. Later, when you have to live with yourself. Knowing that you acted with integrity—then it matters."
Other Physical Traits.
Faint lip scar. Forever stubble. Glows blue when using biotics (or when drunk, stressed or when...well, you know 🥴).
Affiliations.
Warnings.
Background.
Stalwart and incorruptible, Kaidan Alenko embodies the ideal officer. Beneath the brass, however, lies a man whose lessons were hard won—a first generation biotic outfitted with the controversial L2 implant. While he was luckier than most of his peers, remaining mostly functional, he did not leave the government-mandated biotics program without scars of his own. Forced to take the life of his teacher in self-defense, Kaidan knows better than anyone what happens when authority cuts corners, a moral and ethical check for Commander Shepard and the Normandy crew.
Personality.
Kaidan is, at his core, a principled man who wishes to do good in the galaxy. The abuse at the hands of Vyrnnus, the turian commander in charge of his group at BAaT (Biotic Acclimation and Temperance Training), could've easily turned him into a xenophobe. Instead it did the opposite: “It was Vyrnus who made me see how human aliens are. They’re not different or special. They’re jerks and saints just like us.” Kaidan's time at BAaT also taught him the risks of cutting corners, who suffers when authority doesn't follow regulations—innocents like his childhood self.
Because Kaidan has seen people—including himself—make bad decisions he's not afraid to caution others from doing the same. His explanations might be meandering, mind-numbing even, but he does mean well. Cautious and private, Kaidan believes humans and people as a whole should prove themselves before demanding respect. Fittingly, Kaidan respects people who are close to his own moral code—honest, hardworking people who want what's best for everyone. Amicable and cooperative, he's willing to accept and concede to the opinions of others as long as they fall along the same morality as his.
What Kaidan isn't willing to do is tolerate injustice. Not one for subterfuge or lying, you'd think him an odd choice for a group of special agents with extrajudicial authority over the entire galaxy. That's precisely why Kaidan makes an excellent Spectre—his moral compass is solid, needing no external impetus to do the right thing, incoruptible. Kaidan refuses to compromise his morals even if it makes his life much, much harder—if the hill is worth dying for he'll be the first to climb it. He dislikes political maneuvering though he does understand it, participates if it's beneficial for the common good. When it isn't, Kaidan has no qualms in disobeying orders regardless if he goes against friends and/or superiors (hey, Shepard). Kaidan doesn't serve governments, doesn't even serve people. Kaidan serves ideals, allying with those willing to uphold them.
Given all this Kaidan always tries to keep an eye on the bigger picture, though he doesn't always succeed due to his introverted nature, leaving him prone to navel-gazing. He can come across as judgmental, overly emotional and frustratingly stubborn due to sticking to his principles no matter what. Before joining the Normandy, Kaidan was hesitant to use his biotics on living targets due to his childhood experiences, fearing losing control like that once more, but abandons the policy once he sees no other alternative to protect those he cares about. Thanks to the events at Eden Prime and Shepard's death, Kaidan suffers from survivor's guilt. He can also be awkward and his dry wit doesn't help (though it makes him unintentionally hilarious in many occasions).
If you want a yes man Kaidan's not your guy. But if you want someone willing to call you out on your shit, self-aware to the point of detriment, morally stalwart and skilled to boot? Yeah, you couldn't ask for a better man.
Decisions / World State.
(Default to a mostly Paragon!Shepard with some Renegade options (fuck you, Kai Leng) but always willing to discuss specifics for comfort and preference. Romance-wise default to unromanced, unless RPing MShenko, it's meme appropriate and/or private discussion.)
🔵 Survived Virmire, went with the bomb.
🔵 Shot Udina.
🔵 Returned to serving in the Normandy.
Trivia.
🔵 Hobbies in cooking and technology.
🔵 Acts of service kind of guy.
🔵 Fluent in English and (Canadian) French.
🔵 Faux hawk caused by static electricity. Seriously.
AUs
Baldur's Gate 3.
Wychlaran-whipped as the Rashemi tend to be. Easing a bit due to his travels, but still likely to answer with a, "Ma'am," in the presence of a particularly commanding woman, deferring to her authority. Jaheira and Minthara uses this to their advantage.
Cyberpunk 2077.
Netrunner/solo. Canadian expat, point of contact for the maple syrup mafia. Started out as a techie in plantations near the Canada/NUSA border, work got more military and pushed him deeper into American territory all the way to Night City. Believes in people's right to autonomy and agriculture, how he excuses the illegal herb gardening operation he runs out of his apartment. Appalled at the food quality in Night City, likely the only guy you know with a fully stocked, functioning kitchen. Has a soft spot for outcasts, particularly rockers and nomads, due to their run-ins in Toronto's factories and scrapyards. At least they stand for something. Quietly seething about all the unfettered capitalism, but channels that anger into productive outlets such as mutual aid via food banks, illegal seed distribution (hey kid, want some basil?), and minor vigilantism.
Works for MaxTac. Recruited after willing apprehension and reconditioning, the strange powers
it's bioticsgranted by his experimental frontal cortex and nervous system cyberware of interest to NCPD and corpos. Too bad they can't be extracted—he'll just die and fry the components. Once someone figures how to extract them, however...One-in-a-million, high tolerance for cyberware—idyllic childhood, supportive family, stalwart and incorruptible. Goes out of his way to nurture his humanity. One good deed a day keeps the cyberpsychosis away.
Fallout New Vegas.
Son of an ethnic Ukrainian Canadian couple, roots in English Bay. Father was a career New California Republic soldier, mother still alive somewhere out west. Joins the NCR to make father proud but grows increasingly uncomfortable with their expansionism and imperialism. Starts taking side jobs. Becomes a courier. Gets shot in the face (fuck you Benny!). Throughout the main story realizes every major faction vying for control of the Wasteland fucking sucks, with a special hatred for Caesar's Legion because they're slavers and cringe ass LARPers who failed Ancient History and Philosophy 101. Independent Vegas ending. Doesn't join the Followers of the Apocalypse until after the Second Battle of Hoover Dam, finally convinced they're Vegas' best shot at a functional, fair society. Mostly a formality at this point since his ass was parked at the Old Mormon Fort annoying/flirting with/helping out Arcade and the Followers whenever he wasn't running all over the desert with him, Boone, Raul and Veronica.
The Kings think his hair is cool but would be better if he grew it out and styled it like theirs. Kaidan refuses that and the outfits. They still consider him an honorary member.
The asshole blasting Ain't That A Kick In The Head while shooting you center mass in V.A.T.S.
Star Trek.
in general Starfleet special operations, rank of Major. Son of an ethnic Ukrainian Canadian couple, Vancouver native. Father was a non-commissioned officer. Graduated from Starfleet Academy with a major in Engineering, winding his way from that to paramedicine and ultimately to special ops. Versatile, one of the few guys in Starfleet who can say he's served in every major division (Engineering > Medical > Command). Talk to him for more than five minutes and it's apparent why—he's amicable, cooperative, curious and stalwart. Technically outranks the captain of the ship he's assigned to, but the special ops designation muddies the water. He's also not fond of pulling rank, believing cooperating with the officer who runs the ship (and thus has the crew's rapport) better aligns with his goals. Has a good reputation despite being from a scary division thanks to this tendency. Hands-on, doesn't just sit on his ass while aboard your ship, helps out as much as he can, including tasks below his pay grade. Unassuming, which is disarming, helps him blend in. Mike Vining, not the modern Call of Duty stereotype.
star trek alternate original series Stationed at the Enterprise to defend the crew from all the war criminals who keep showing up.