Growing Gambit - Biography
From The Pardusian Chronicles
Born on Keldana II after the Great War, I was named Malthar, and grew up with my parents who were both botanists. I spent a lot of time travelling around the Keldon Cluster with them as they analysed species after species of plant from the beautiful carrassath, with its constantly changing petals, to the deadly bukax, that releases a vapour more toxic than the waste tube of a Radiation Collector.
So it was seen as a natural progression as I left home to go to the Bio-University of Vewaa (BUV) to study botany. However it was during the first of my four years that I discovered that plants and vegetation were but the tip of the space worm and that they formed only a small part of the huge eco-system the makes up the known universe. I soon changed my major to accommodate plants and animals alike, having to complete extra courses to achieve a double major degree. It was said that I had become a recluse, however, I had actually done the opposite. My eyes had been opened to whole new worlds under my very gills.
After university, I decided that the only way I could study more was to travel and immediately the university was interested in my work and put up the credits for my own star ship. To say that I was a disappointed when I turned up at Keldana II spaceport would be a small understatement, as a pre-owned sabre stared back at me. But a ship was a ship and I was soon a registered pilot. The ship was kitted out with all the necessary scientific equipment and to my immense pleasure a mining laser! With test tubes, dyes, and acids lining the walls, I soon felt at home and set off into outer space.
It was during my time on Picanho, researching lifestyles of albino space worms that I earned my title gambit. It is in reference to the loss of my ship to gain the trust of the worm, a revolutionary tactic that allowed me to spend several weeks with it. The research was a major breakthrough and played a large part in the development of worm-slime armour. My tutor from BUV, an avid player of the ancient human game of chess, said that my sacrifice was a gambit that paid off, and that my universal name should reflect that.
11 galactic years later, after a lecture on Class D planets and their infrastructure, I approached Shael’kut with my research and he agreed to let me publish it in the Chronicles. I hope you all find this as interesting to read as I found it to research.
If there are any other scientists willing to lend a hand then please pm me via Pardusian telecommunictions.
Main Page -> Pilot Stories -> Gambit -> Gambit - Biography
