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Robert Sterling ([personal profile] thisisgroundcontrol) wrote2021-07-21 11:16 pm
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NAME: Robert Percy Sterling
Age: 48
Race: Human
Ethnicity: British (London) - Born in London but currently lives in Howick area of Northumberland.
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Dirty blonde
Height: 6'1"
Weight: Lithe and athletic for his age ~190 lbs
Spiritual Tendencies: Agnostic and spiritual, grew up Protestant
Gender: Softer Masculine Male
Sexuality: Demisexual, pansexual, poly/panromantic
Occupation: Retired Airforce Pilot, field mission command, and in-flight communications lead British Space Programme. Currently, Limo Driver and Head of Security for Ziggy Stardust ([personal profile] ziggyplayedguitar)
Languages spoken: English, Japanese, German, and basic fluency in Anthean

Personality: Tolerant, calm, and watchful. Robert is quick to laugh, easily amused, friendly and competent. His reserved calm causes people to underestimate him sometimes. Robert has unshakable nerves and a no-nonsense way of dealing with the world. Loneliness plagues him and so he surrounds himself with extroverted people. He believes strongly in the idea of found family as well as tending toward a caretaker interaction with those around him. He loves sitting around talking to people though he prefers not to be the center of attention.

Distinguishing marks: Robert has several obvious scars; lower left abdomen bullet scar; scars on both forearms midway down from a suicide attempt. He also has the British Royal Air Force Roundel tattooed on the underside of his left wrist.

Skills: Pilot small/large/jet craft, can drive most vehicles, security, computer specialist, communications specialist, diplomacy, spy skills and tech, recon techniques, hand to hand combat, weapons(bladed and firearms), Security system development, Field Mission command, tour management, financial specialist and diplomat, natural leader and can instill confidence in others, great at diffusing situations. Horseback riding, gardening, and basic farm hand work.

History: Robert is a long-time friend of Major Tom ([personal profile] hellomajortom). They grew up together in London. Robert comes from a family who has served in various British armed forces. When his best friend signed up for the Royal Air Force, Robert went along. Wild in his youth, he almost got tossed out of the Air force. With dreams of becoming an Astronaut, his best friend went to the US but they still stayed in contact. Robert moved on to Special Air Services mostly doing reconnaissance and mission lead in the field. Robert served as best man during Tom's first marriage. Tom was given the option to request someone on his command crew starting with his early flights. Robert had become a pilot and specialized in communications and become a decorated service member while Tom trained to be an astronaut. It was on Tom's insistence that he became main communications at Ground Control for NASA during Tom's Groundbreaking flights.

When Tom was lost during his last flight as an astronaut, Robert had a mental breakdown. He felt like he lost his best friend and was the cause of Tom's death. Robert was put on suicide watch while he grieved because it was like losing a family member. Through manipulation and begging, he was included on a team that listened and watched for signs of Tom's capsule. It was Robert, in the middle of the night, that heard Tom's voice two weeks after his disappearance during the original mission. Robert was there as part of the team that pulled Tom from his capsule after splashdown.

Unlike Tom, Robert never married so his friend was his family. Tom was institutionalized after returning to Earth where Robert visited him constantly. Tom eventually revealed his secret to the only person he trusted and the meaning of his sordid details of the mission. The impact of losing Tom, even briefly, along with the guilt led Robert to request early retirement from the air force. When Ziggy came to Earth, Robert knew about the nature of Tom's child. After, Ziggy was attacked the first time Robert offered to take on security. Tom and Robert decided being a limo driver would allow the ex-military officer to stay close. Later, when Ziggy was shot, one of the bullets intended for the Rockstar hit Robert in the abdomen. The recovery was long but he went right back to his work once he and the rockstar were recovered.

Robert and Tom both travel with Ziggy, though Tom's job keeps him away sometimes, Robert is always there.

People: Younger Brother: Derek "Rekker" Sterling [personal profile] rage_rekker; Older Brother: Adrian Martyn Sterling [personal profile] stormwings; best friend: Tom Jones: [personal profile] hellomajortom

Canon: Robert is related to the storylines of several songs; Space Oddity, Ashes to Ashes, Hello, Spaceboy, New Killer Star, Slow Burn (possibly), and Blackstar. Also pulling from Peter Shilling's Major Tom (Coming Home).