Viviana Aranda

Viviana Aranda is the commanding officer for the First Canopian Fusiliers as of 3144. Mostly a political appointment, her combat experience is quite limited. With a unit specialized in raiding and light engagement, she was forced deep into Andurien territory as part of an agreement between the MAF and the ADF.

Early life

Viviana Aranda was born to a rich Canopian family, dealing in advanced biotechnology. Not wanting to follow in her parent’s footsteps, she did her basic education before enrolling in the Magistracy Military Academy. Her parent’s connections let her slip easily into the new role. She was not challenged more than she should during her time in training. After graduation, she took a quick course in field combat medicine, where she met her future husband, Giorgi Caldanla. While he was an older man, the two began a torrid affair before marrying a year later.

With a Captain billet due to her political position, Viviana was assigned to the First Canopian Fusiliers. While there was originally talk of disband the unit, a lot of influential families had their children in the unit. This somewhat protected the unit at the time, even though they were far from combat ready.

Career in the Duchy of Andurien

The First Fusiliers were dispatched to the Andurien world of Deschenes in 3142. Aranda was a Lieutenant-Colonel at that point, coasting on her family name and little combat experience she had gotten in raids against pirate forces. During Operation REBOUND, the First Fusiliers were the primary defensive unit in the general Deschenes area. For the first time in almost 50 years, they First Fusiliers fought in actual engagement against peer or near-peer force.

By 3149, Viviana Aranda took command of the unit after the previous Colonel retired. The previous colonel was not ready for actual combat. Aranda’s parents pushed for their daughter to take the position.

Battle of Deschenes

After the death of Magistrix Ilsa Centrella, Viviana Aranda was ordered to capture Deschenes. Unsure as to what they should really do, Colonel Aranda performed standard planetary conquest operations. Her textbook knowledge of operations might have impaired her in the fight with the First Andurien Rangers.

Stuck in a unwinnable fight far from home, Colonel Aranda wanted to surrender and retreat to the Magistracy. This was before receiving orders to “fight to the last breath” from the MAF, which she recoiled at. The following revelation of the crimes of the Centrella family and the Magistracy in general led Colonel Aranda to defect to the Duchy of Andurien, along with the rest of her regiment.

Personal life

On a personal note, Viviana Aranda loves collecting miniature cars and hovercrafts, even though her children steal them from her most of the time. She is sad that she cannot spend more time with her kids, her husband spending most of his time with them. A military doctor, Giorgi Aranda is the love of her life, and she spends as much free time as she can with him.

Viviana Aranda’s BattleMech

Colonel Aranda pilots a SCG-WD1 Scourge, one of the heaviest ‘mech in her formation.