User:Kermit

The Trasen family tree.

"We're Trasens. We don't give up. That's why I did what I did, I founded the biggest, wealthiest corporation in the history of this little area of the galaxy, despite everything. I did it by myself, I did it all by myself." - Xavier Trasen (2321 - 2402), in his autobiographical holobook.

The Trasen family is arguably the most influential family to have ever existed within the Orion Spur. Originating from Mars and being able to trace their lineage to its initial colonisation, the family’s rise in power began with the foundation of NanoTrasen Corporation in 2342 by Xavier Trasen. Since its foundation, the family headed by Xavier would retain a majority share in the company, and each groundbreaking medical or genetic innovation would see their pockets lined a little more. Come the discovery of phoron in 2352, the megacorporation would quickly establish its early monopoly on the rare element and begin entwining its tendrils into the Republic of Biesel. Their company’s monopoly on this element saw a meteoric rise in their worth, overtaking the Idris family in mere years after its discovery — something the Idris family haven’t quite forgiven. Since Xavier Trasen’s passing, Miranda Trasen has taken the reins as the family’s head and control of NanoTrasen Corporation. Despite setbacks caused by the Phoron Scarcity and other recent Spur events, the Trasen family continues to be one of the most dominant forces of the Spur.

Family Members

Leonardo Trasen

Born: October 5th, 2288 (Mars)

Died: June 28th, 2386 (Mars)

Xavier’s father and Miranda’s grandfather, Leonardo Trasen is largely considered the “beginning” of the Trasen family as it is known.

Born in the waning years of Solarian Hegemony and in the aftermath of the Martian World War in Olympia, Leonardo was a man of low prospects and even lower hopes. Although this children would go on to greatly exaggerate his humble beginnings (most famously in the 2407 biography Leon - A Trasen Story), the real Leonardo Trasen was burdened with an unsupportive family, a turbulent upbringing in a deprived neighbourhood, and a dubiously-reported substance abuse problem.

Contrary to his anti-Solarian fellows on Mars, Leonardo was a firm believer in one Alliance for all of humanity, having lionised the Interstellar War. As such, with the help of a distant Lunan relative and saving up money from an early freighting job, he would attend the prestigious Solarian Naval Academy and attempt to integrate himself within the Lunan core of the Solarian Navy, commissioning as an officer at the age of 26. He would slowly but surely climb the ranks of the navy, spending much of his career hunting pirates exploiting the distant reaches of the Alliance post-Interstellar War. He would retire as a Rear Admiral — a position of incredible distinction for a Martian of low birth — in 2360 and in good standing, due to physical difficulties brought on by ageing, even despite reaping the benefits of his first son’s successes with NanoTrasen. Some sources (including the aforementioned biography) claim he may have had the ability to climb even higher if not for physical setbacks and were it not for the Navy’s penchant for Luna-born-and-raised officers; others have said that the only reason he gained and maintained his title was his connections to various members of Navy high command (both from his distant Lunan relative, and then those made via NanoTrasen).

He would sire his first son, Xavier, with an Olympia-born childhood friend named Luisa Marcello, however the marriage would not last. Not long after his promotion to Rear Admiral, he would unceremoniously divorce and then re-marry to a 28-year-old, military clark Sascha Konig — less than half his age — who he had met in his military duties, who together would have Francis Trasen. Both sons never had much positive to say regarding their father — and said very little when he did come up in interviews — and it is said they frequently competed for his attention and favour, when he was too into his work in the military.

Xavier Trasen

Born: May 5th, 2321 (Mars)

Died: December 1st, 2402 (Biesel)

One of the most influential beings in the entirety of the Orion Spur’s history, Xavier Trasen has shaped the progression of humanity (alongside other species) with his formation of NanoTrasen Corporation. Born to a rather high-ranking naval officer within the Solarian Alliance, Xavier was expected to fall into line and enlist, following in his father’s footsteps. However, Xavier instead ventured into genetic engineering, securing himself a Bachelor’s Degree in Genetic Modification at Mars University. Though self-claiming to have been his class’ cum laude in his holobook released by Ingi Usang Entertainment Company, investigative journalists could find no evidence suggesting his claim had any truth to it, despite NanoTrasen maintaining his supposed accomplishment.

At the age of 21, Xavier went on to found NanoTrasen as a genetics research company, having received funding for its establishment through dubious origins, which is attributed by many critics of the man’s success to having been funnelled blood money from his father’s alleged corruption. Its early years would see the company struggle to compete with the well-established megacorporation Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals, with the biomedical giant poaching many of Xavier’s more senior personnel — including a fellow classmate who had initially promised to help the Trasen with his corporate endeavours — and employing various bullying tactics small companies are all too aware of in the megacorporate-dominated Spur. Xavier Trasen and NanoTrasen would persevere though, growing large enough it too could become a predator, and it would acquire various smaller biomedical companies it saw as competitors, until it formed a regional monopoly on Mars, becoming a household name on the planet. Xavier would see NanoTrasen Corporation go on to become a megacorporation — albeit a small one, often picked on by the more venerable giants — then see it into its golden age following the discovery of phoron, establishing its monopoly and cultivating the phoron company as it is known today.

None of this came as a surprise to anyone that had known Xavier, recalling the man as a shrewd, brutal negotiator with a brilliant mind for the sciences. Even before his corporation’s monopoly on phoron, Xavier had managed a measure of influence over the direction of the Orion Spur, quickly being able to go toe-to-toe with the megacorporations that have stood for centuries. At the time, media across the Spur hailed this as a miracle.

Xavier Trasen would meet his to-be wife, Xiao Jie, on a business trip in the 2340s while attempting to spread NanoTrasen Corporation’s influence beyond Mars. They would begin a long friendship and Jie would go on to join NanoTrasen Corporation, and would eventually marry in 2351. They would have one child in 2372, Luka Trasen, who would only cause problems for the Trasens in the media due to his unfortunate struggles with drugs, but would also go on to father Miranda Trasen. After his tragic loss of life in a traffic accident, Miranda would fall under the wings of Xavier and Jie. Following Nita’s death in 2409, the couple would also find themselves raising Nathan and Darius.

He would maintain his title as the richest man in the Orion Spur until his death in 2402, with Miranda inheriting much of his fortune and overnight becoming the richest woman in the Orion Spur. Though he and Xiao had remained married until his death, allegations circled viciously that there had been marital problems since the death of Nita — be it the struggles of having to raise three adoptive children or the sinister rumours of the true cause of Nita’s death.

Luka Trasen

Born: August 2nd, 2372 (Mars)

Died: June 23rd, 2403 (Biesel)

Born to Xavier Trasen in the middle of his and NanoTrasen’s meteoric rise, Luka had great expectations levied upon him from the beginning, being viewed as the heir to the family. Unfortunately, in his early adulthood, what was turning out to be a model heir fell into disrepute, and would die at a young age to drug complications resulting in a traffic collision. The death would sit as a mere tragedy for most — or even comeuppance for his father’s wrongs, in the eyes of some — but, after Xavier Trasen’s death, those close to Luka would lay the blame on his father, whose sculpting hand and the pressure applied to Luka saw him collapse and spiral.

In his early life, Luka had a flawless education and a healthy media personality enhanced by his dashing looks, and received much fan-fair as the Trasen heir and as the Spurley’s cultural magazine’s Most Handsome Man. However, during the 2390s, while gunning for his degrees in Business, he would find himself in various trouble — drunken photos outside of clubs in Venus’; publicised flings and break ups with various stars and fellow students; and awkward interviews he bumbled his way through. The media at the time ignored much of this at first, not wanting to gain the ire of Xavier, but eventually it became the norm, and tabloids would often keep track of the days between scandals or days clean from illicit substances. This, alongside the doubtless scorn from his father as a result, only set the young man up for failure.

At the turn of the century, all would seem to improve with Luka. Holding a stable job at NanoTrasen Corporation at the Mars HQ as a regional director and married to a husband — Philip Trasen — of 3 years, he was often seen in private and publicly in good spirits. In a spree of interviews in the early 2400s, he often praised his husband for being a wake up call that inspired him to better his own personal health. In 2401, Luka and his partner conceived a child in-vitro with a little assistance from a NanoTrasen Clinic — Miranda would be born.

In 2403, Luka would once again make the headlines, although this time with his passing while on a holiday to Binyaria in a fatal traffic collision that killed both him and his partner. Police reports found multiple drugs, particularly cocaine, in both of their systems, and it is believed fatal heart complications saw Luka lose control of the vehicle, colliding with a road barrier. Orphaned overnight, this would see Miranda adopted by her grandparents and, though not initially told the truth of the incident, when she did learn of it, it is said to have severely tarnished her opinion of her grandfather, who she has often criticised for the pressure he placed on both her and her father before her, and how she wishes to avoid doing the same to the younger Trasens of today.

Miranda Trasen

Born: March 25th, 2401 (Biesel)

Miranda Trasen, the most influential person in the Orion Spur.

Miranda Trasen inherited her grandfather’s fortune and position in 2402, overnight becoming the most wealthy and powerful woman in the Spur. Today, she sits as the Acting Director of the Stellar Corporate Conglomerate and maintains her position as the Chief Executive Officer of NanoTrasen Corporation. From these positions, she alone holds the most power over the Spur’s phoron market and industries — able to bend all those in need of the element to her will — via NanoTrasen and, via the Conglomerate, significant influence over the constituent megacorporations forming the corporate cartel.

Prior to her taking of the throne, Miranda had already begun following in her grandfather’s footsteps, excelling in academics. By the time she was 18, she had already graduated with a Bachelors in Xenogenetics and, by 21, a Masters in Economics & Business Strategy — both from the [High Academy] on the SCC-CC Odin.

As a result of her two fathers’ deaths at age 3, she would be raised by her grandparents, alongside her cousins who were similarly taken under her grandparents’ wings following the death of Nita Trasen when she was 8. As such, she is close to both of her cousins — Nathan and Darius — who she views as younger siblings. She is also very close to their children, captured to this day by the paparazzi on social outings with them, attending school and university functions, and being in the audience of many of Melissa’s earlier modelling shows with Idris Incorporated. Though many speculate about the ageing woman’s desire for children, comments made behind her back by her associates have been vague and confusing, claiming she wants to avoid the heir-obsession which plagued her grandfather, to an inability to conceive, to viewing her cousin’s children as ‘close enough’ to her own — Miranda has been utterly silent on the issue, and condemns those who speculate about such personal matters.

Though she is remarkably similar in appearance to her mother, Miranda has inherited many of the characteristics that made her grandfather one of the most powerful men of his time: a shrewd sense for business and a phenomenal mind for the sciences. Much of this is believed to be intentional, with Xavier having a strong guiding hand during Miranda’s formative years, and with her receiving various NanoTrasen genetic and biological augmentations — cosmetic and functional — during her younger years. When asked about such in interviews, though she criticises her grandfather's intent, she is a strong advocate for biological transhumanism, and is open about continuing to receive biological and genetic augments. Despite the rocky relations between NanoTrasen Corporation and Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals, Miranda maintains a friendship with Zeng-Hu's CEO, Liqin Hsiao-Li due to their shared interests in transhumanism.

Miranda maintains a graceful composure and pleasant outward disposition, hiding behind her elegant facade when she cuts with tactful words. Behind closed doors however, she is a cutthroat executive who sees herself as having no peers, merely subordinates. It is an attitude that has caused tension with the other megacorporate CEOs and even other high-level NanoTrasen staff, however no one is brave enough to stand against her.

Though not Martian-born, Miranda has repeatedly stated that her family observes Martian customs and traditions – and that Violet Dawn was the singular, most disastrous incident to occur throughout the Orion Spur; both in regards to the lives lost, and the economic losses sustained as a result of the incident. She also admitted feeling sorrowful as she will likely never be able to return to her familial home, believing it was incinerated when Olympia was engulfed by the massive firestorm. Since Violet Dawn, she has appeared somewhat withdrawn from the public spotlight, but this also comes alongside her promotion to Acting Director of the Stellar Corporate Conglomerate. She has often compared the latter tragedy to NanoTrasen’s removal from Solarian space, and that being uprooted from her homeland, while tragic, simply meant she was able to find a new one in Tau Ceti.

Francis Trasen

Born: September 1st, 2323 (Mars)

Died: October, 16th, 2394 (Mars)

Known only as the lesser brother of Xavier Trasen, Francis had little to do with the greater family or NanoTrasen Corporation. Unlike Xavier, Francis did follow after his father’s footsteps, and would instead have a life-long career with the Solarian Alliance Navy, commissioning as an officer in 2344 with some difficulty, failing his first attempt at the officer’s aptitude exam. Though Francis would never surpass his father’s rank of Rear Admiral — at his death, he was a Captain — he appeared content in the infrequent interviews he was subject to, and the fervour at which Xavier seemed to compete with Francis, some surmise that he was the favourite child despite his brother’s far more significant successes.

Francis would pass away in 2392 at the age of 72 to an undisclosed heart problem. For a man of a family of such status, this was seen as unusual, for both the medical advancements and wealth to make use of such were there for him to exploit. He was survived by his daughter, Nita Trasen, and would be fortunate enough to not witness the various tragedies that befell the Trasen family in the decades after his death.

Nita Trasen

Born: May 19th, 2371 (Mars)

Died: July 12th, 2409 (Valkyrie)

Nita Trasen established her own reputation within the Spur, going significant lengths to distance herself from her family name and the megacorporation tied to it, much like her father did — she journeyed across the stars to make a name for herself within the Coalition of Colonies. She became a renowned singer during her youth, earning the nickname ‘’The Martian’’, with some of her albums even competing among the charts against both Venus’ and Nralakk’s idols. It was during the height of her career that Nita spoke out against megacorporations, most notably her uncle’s now expansive megacorporation that had begun to spread beyond Mars. Her condemnation and accusations levied against Xavier in regards to his ruthless personality and his damaging raising of Luka caused a permanent divide between her and the family, and she was said to have gone no-contact with all but her father until her untimely death in 2409. Regarded by many as a poor stroke of luck but now the root of many conspiracy theories, Nita and her lifelong partner, Darshan Ram, both lost their lives in orbit of Valkyrie, attributed to a malfunctioning heat sink on a shuttle they had taken to ferry themselves to Biesel that slowly saw their shuttle’s internal compartments heat to lethal temperatures. Only four years prior to her death, she had welcomed twin sons into her life — Darius and Nathan — who were then adopted and raised alongside their cousin, Miranda Trasen.

Nathan Trasen

Born: July 18th, 2405 (Xanu Prime)

One of Nita’s twins, Nathan was young when his parents passed. Being only four years old, Nathan and his brother Darius were uprooted from their lives, adopted by their uncle and aunts and raised alongside Miranda. It wasn’t easy for the young boy to adapt, and during his formative years was often teased by his peers, quickly beginning to despise the limelight placed on him due to his familial lineage – both from his mother as a notable singer, but also his granduncle’s fame as Chief Executive Officer of NanoTrasen. Though his life was rather busy, Nathan was suddenly given entry into the APEX Military Academy – where he underwent several years of training, developing connections and relationships with the Eridani Private Military Contracting Companies, and even Idris Incorporated. Shortly after graduating from the Joint Military Academies, Nathan found employment within his uncle’s megacorporation, completing his cadetship aboard the NSS Baldr, an asset within the Solarian Alliance responsible for communication between NanoTrasen’s facilities.

Nathan went on to become the Chief Security Director of the entirety of NanoTrasen, appointed by his cousin Miranda after becoming the Chief Executive Officer. He became instrumental in the reformation of the megacorporation’s security forces, who were often viewed as beneath competitors such as the Eridani Private Military Company and Idris Incorporated – despite this, he maintained an amiable relationship with his connections, most notably Alex Mason. Though it is unknown how the two met, Alex Mason and Nathan Trasen have maintained a private friendship since the latter’s days back in the Joint Military Academies. The two’s similar personalities in public, being somewhat reserved and sullen, are likely what brought the two together – as well as their shared experience of being groomed by their respective corporate dynasties.

He wed Eva Tsukiko – an eccentric woman from Konyang – in 2440, welcoming his daughter Melissa three years later, and then a son in 2447. Some controversy was had over her keeping her maiden name. Nathan and Eva have rarely been seen together since his wife’s move back to Konyang to look after her mother, who has seen a rapid health decline since early 2464. Regardless, the couple is said to be privately communicating without the prying eyes of the public, despite allegations by tabloids that they’re separating from one another.

Melissa Trasen

Born: October 14th, 2443 (Biesel)

From the newer generations of Trasens, Melissa made a name for herself by modelling for well-known fashion conglomerates such as Cashien Jewellers and Le Soliel Royal. By the end of her modelling career, Melissa was modelling high-end prosthetics after an elective surgery that replaced her left hand, courtesy of Bishop Cybernetics — she is known to share her aunt's transhumanistic streak, although where Miranda is into bioaugmentations, Melissa appears to be interested in the cybernetic side.

After departing her modelling career, Melissa went on to join her family in moulding the future of the Orion Spur by managing the “Trasen Development Benefit” - a charity organisation that aims to assist the poor and downtrodden within the Republic of Biesel and abroad, operating closely with the Interstellar Aid Corps. Despite her short time in philanthropy, Melissa’s charitable actions have proven to be a boon for NanoTrasen’s PR.

Although a considerably younger member of the Trasen family, she is considered a close confidant and advisor to Miranda – who often recalls in interviews that she sees Melissa as a daughter.

Marcus Trasen

The logo of the NanoTrasen Environmental Protection Charity.

Born: 21st June, 2447 (Biesel)

Marcus has maintained a distance from the public eye – mostly at the request of both Miranda and Nathan Trasen, wishing to protect the younger Trasens from the predatory media. However, since his introduction to the public following his eighteenth birthday, Marcus has become somewhat of a public figure among the youth. Similarly to his sister, Marcus has become an advocate for the less fortunate, but with a particular focus on animals as opposed to people. Touring the newly incorporated Corporate Reconstruction Zone, Marcus has been seen ensuring that ecological damage has been kept to a minimum – something supported by his cousin, Miranda. He has recently been given leadership of the “Trasen Environmental Protection Charity”, which has been seen across New Gibson, Mictlan and Port Antillia as an interstellar organization seeking to preserve unique ecologies. Marcus recently graduated from the NanoTrasen High Academy studying a combined Environmental Sciences and Terraforming Engineering bachelors, and is now studying for a Masters in Sustainability, Enterprise and Environment. He has announced plans to pursue a career in NanoTrasen, ensuring the megacorporation does its part in protecting the various ecologies of the planets that they have facilities across.

Darius Trasen

Born: July 18th, 2405 (Xanu Prime)

tbd

Wealth and Influence

The Trasen family is the most influential family in the Orion Spur as a result of NanoTrasen Corporation, the megacorporation's monopoly on phoron and its grip over the Republic of Biesel. Through the Stellar Corporate Conglomerate, the family exerts further influence over the Spur's all other megacorporations, a priviledge that has never before been capable or afforded by anyone in history. Miranda Trasen, as the CEO of NanoTrasen and the Director of the Conglomerate, is the wealthiest person in the Orion Spur by leagues (though the Trasen family is not the wealthiest, as the combined generational wealth of the Idris Family still has them just beat out), with a networth in the quadrillions.

With their influence over the Spur, they have largely pressured its states and people into the mass adoption of phoron and products thereof, directly benefiting NanoTrasen and ensuring their continued rise. Unfortunately for them, with the Phoron Scarcity in its full throes, this has both backfired and seen their influence begin to wane.

Much of the excess wealth the Trasen family possesses is channelled into NanoTrasen Corporation, the Republic of Biesel, and philanthropic organisations established by either — such as the Trasen Development Benefit. Vanity projects are also well-known, with 'Xavier' or 'Trasen' being the namesake of many spacevessels or appended to many monuments found in Tau Ceti.

Notable Family Holdings and Heirlooms

Rashleigh

A large colonial mansion outside of Top of the World surrounded by a two square kilometres parcel of private scenic land, gardens, and lush forests. The property was purchased in 2368 by Xavier Trasen, serving as a holiday home and place of residence for when Xavier would visit Tau Ceti, however Xavier and his household would permanently relocate from their residence on Mars to Rashleigh in 2384. The mansion has rather obtuse, art-deco architecture, standing out amid the countryside, with an even more extravagent interior that few have been invited to see. In 2463, Miranda Trasen would fund bankroll the development of Lakeview into Top of the World and the gated community it now is, creating a small community of the most elite, Conglomerate-aligned people only a short walk from her personal residence. Why commute, if you can bring everyone and your company to you?