“Alright, listen up! That short circuit nearly fried this entire section, and we can’t afford any more downtime. We’ve got a ship to run, and the shield systems rely on this conduit—so no mistakes. This is a big one, and I don’t want to hear about anyone getting careless. Safety first, but speed matters.
Let’s go step by step: Varek, you and your team, get that damaged cable disconnected from the relay port. Make sure the isolators are engaged this time—I don’t want anyone getting jolted. Ferris, prepare the replacement cable and check the voltage stabilizer before we make the swap. I need a green light from you before we hook anything up. Let’s move it!”
Kellee then steps closer to the team and crouches down near the damaged cable, gesturing to the crew around her.
“Alright, let me break it down for you. See this scorch mark here, where the insulation melted? That’s from the overload. The current pushed through faster than it could dissipate, causing a burn out across this whole section. It wasn’t just the cable that failed—the entire relay system got hit by a surge.
Now, when you disconnect, make sure the conductors are fully disengaged from the circuit. This old cable is burnt through, but if any residual charge is left, it could arc and we’ll have a bigger mess on our hands. Don’t assume it’s dead just because the main systems are offline. Triple-check. And, Ferris, while you’re prepping that new cable, don’t forget to ground it properly. We don’t want this one carrying any residual charge from manufacturing.”
Kellee motions to the replacement cable lying nearby.
“The key to this job is tension control. This cable is thicker than you’re used to, and if it’s too tight, we’re asking for trouble down the line—kinks lead to failure. We need to lay it smooth, straight, and with enough give for future repairs. Watch the flex points, especially near the relay junctions, so that heat can dissipate evenly.
And before you even think about reconnecting, we’re gonna run a diagnostic. I want every sensor triple-checked, every connection solid. No room for error. Shields depend on this power feed, and if we get another short, the next thing to burn out will be us.
Get it done right, and we’ll be back online within the hour. Move it!”
Age:
Young by the standards of the Imperial Navy, yet seasoned by the unforgiving environments she hails from.
Height/Build:
She possesses a compact, powerful frame, with muscular development enhanced by her high-gravity homeworld. One arm has been replaced by a servo-arm, a constant reminder of the dangerous life she left behind on her mining planet.
Race/Species:
Human, born on a frontier mining world.
Demeanor/Personality:
Kellee is direct and no-nonsense in her demeanor. She leads by example, often handling difficult tasks herself to show her crew what needs to be done. Her pragmatism makes her highly respected among the rank-and-file of the Ignis Aeternum, though her indifference to ship politics puts her at odds with the more aristocratic officers.
Nature/Core Identity:
At her core, Kellee is a worker who believes in the value of hard labor and efficiency. She holds the belief that, whether managing a mining operation or overseeing the shields of a star vessel, work is a sacred duty. Her leadership style is straightforward, often preferring action over words.
Background/Origin:
Born on a harsh mining world where danger was a constant companion, Kellee grew up learning to handle machinery, heavy power cabling, and the pressures of high-risk operations. The collapse of mine shafts, the threat of suffocation, and the unforgiving grind of manual labor forged her into someone who could manage life-and-death situations under extreme pressure.
Goals & Aspirations:
Kellee’s primary goal is to ensure that whatever operation she leads runs with maximum efficiency. This extends from her former life in the mines to her current role as Mistress of Shields aboard the Ignis Aeternum. She’s less interested in personal glory or advancement than in making sure everything works seamlessly under her command.
Fears & Insecurities:
Her deepest fear stems from her mining background—being trapped in a collapsed mine or stranded in the vacuum of space. Kellee’s terror of suffocating in a place with no hope of escape influences many of her decisions, though she seldom lets it show.
Motivations:
Her motivation is driven by her loyalty to her crew and her sense of duty to the ship. Ensuring everyone’s survival and the effective running of the Ignis Aeternum is her highest priority.
Strengths/Skills:
Kellee has practical tech skills, honed by years of working with mining machinery. She is adept at jury-rigging solutions to technical problems and can troubleshoot mechanical issues with an efficiency that impresses even the tech-priests. Her leadership style inspires loyalty among the crew, many of whom trust her without question.
Weaknesses/Flaws:
Kellee’s disinterest in ship politics is both a strength and a flaw. While it endears her to her subordinates, it isolates her from the officer class, who see her as either too rough or too ignorant of the social currents aboard the ship. Her single-minded focus on hard work sometimes blinds her to the subtleties of command and political maneuvering, making her vulnerable in the complex web of Imperial Navy life.
Alignment/Values:
Kellee believes that hard work brings its own rewards and blessings, a philosophy born from her mining background. In her mind, the harder one works, the fewer accidents and calamities arise. She values practicality, efficiency, and loyalty above all else.
Quirks/Habits:
Kellee has an unusual habit of oiling her servo-arm after every shift, treating it as both a tool and a personal extension of her body. She also has a penchant for memorizing the names of each shift’s work gang leaders, a trait that earns her respect from the rank-and-file workers.
Speech Patterns/Accent:
Her accent reflects her frontier world upbringing—blunt, clear, and often tinged with the command voice of someone used to giving orders. When Kellee speaks, her words are succinct and to the point, often delivered in a clipped, commanding tone that leaves little room for argument.
Appearance/Style:
Her attire is pragmatic and utilitarian, consisting of standard Imperial officer garb modified for protection against electrical surges and mechanical hazards. Her servo-arm, with its reinforced plating, is always visible, and well oiled. .
Occupation/Role:
As Mistress of Shields aboard the Ignis Aeternum, Kellee oversees the ship’s shielding systems, ensuring they function at peak efficiency. Her practical approach to shield management often translates to quick thinking during emergencies.
Relationships:
Kellee has little patience for the nobles on board and tends to distrust them, seeing them as soft and entitled. However, she garners immense respect from the crew, particularly the laborers, as she remembers each worker’s name and takes a personal interest in their well-being. She shares a mentor-student relationship with Praetor Electroid Tytus-28, though she finds his theoretical obsession tiresome compared to her hands-on approach.
Reputation/Influence:
Kellee is well-known among the lower crew decks as a leader who genuinely cares about her subordinates. Her no-nonsense, results-driven approach has earned her admiration, but she remains an outsider to the upper officers and nobles.
Secret:
Kellee keeps a hidden dosage of obscura, a powerful narcotic, as a last resort for a swift death. If trapped without hope of rescue—whether in a mine or in space—she prefers to end things on her terms rather than succumb to suffocation.
Likes/Dislikes:
Kellee has a deep-seated dislike for suffocating or being trapped, due to her experiences with mine collapses. She enjoys low accident rates and prides herself on her department’s efficiency.
Emotional State:
Kellee is stable and level-headed, but the monotony of uneventful shifts can make her feel restless. Despite this, she thrives in high-pressure situations, when quick decisions need to be made.
Notable Equipment/Items:
Her servo-arm is her most distinctive tool, capable of manipulating heavy equipment with ease. She also carries a small, portable data-slate that she uses to track the shield systems’ performance.
Beliefs/Religions:
Kellee follows the Imperial Creed but is more interested in the functional, day-to-day aspects of faith. She holds an affinity for the Lost Pilgrim Saint, a minor figure who symbolizes perseverance and survival in extreme conditions.
Combat Style:
Kellee is not one for personal combat, but in emergencies, her servo-arm can deliver powerful blows and is strong enough to crush bone or lift heavy debris.
Social Status:
As an officer aboard the Ignis Aeternum, Kellee enjoys a certain degree of status, though her roots as a worker and her disdain for the noble elite keep her socially isolated. Among the crew, however, she is a highly respected leader and is treated as one of their own.
Ignis Aeternus WH 40K campaign notes 