Kaija
Kaija Axelrod
The Bin Bjoric Prize for Excellence in Journalism For her unparalleled dedication to uncovering the truth and her unwavering commitment to journalistic integrity, the Bin Bjoric Prize for Excellence in Journalism is awarded to Kaija Axelrod. Through her fearless investigative reporting, Kaija has shed light on some of the most pressing and hidden issues of our time, from exposing systemic corruption within corporate and governmental institutions to illuminating the human stories behind global crises. Her meticulous research, combined with a profound sense of empathy and storytelling, has not only informed the public but has also sparked meaningful change and dialogue. Kaija’s work stands as a testament to the power of journalism in promoting transparency, accountability, and justice in society. Her contributions have set a new standard for excellence in the field, earning her the profound respect and admiration of her peers and the gratitude of the communities she serves.
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Kaija is healthy, with cybernetic lenses in her eyes to record AV clips and a storage backup implant in her head. Her right arm and right leg are cybernetic.
Identifying Characteristics
Kaija has a brown birthmark on her right cheekbone. She's played with the idea of having it removed but after her award, it became part of her brand so she's decided to keep it.
Specialized Equipment
Kaija makes use of the cybernetics in her eyes and skull and swarms of C-35 Nano Bubble Drones to acquire footage, particularly when embedded in combat.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Kaija Axelrod was born amidst the stars, a true child of the void, on the starship FL Wagons East. Her parents were Voidsters, members of a nomadic spacefaring community that traversed the cosmos, transporting goods and executing various scams and jobs to keep their vessel operational. Life aboard the Wagons East was anything but conventional. It was a tapestry of ever-changing landscapes, transient friendships, and a relentless pursuit of survival. For Kaija, this life instilled a unique blend of resilience, adaptability, and an insatiable curiosity.
Her parents, deeply political, kept news feeds playing in the recreation room at all hours. The constant stream of information and the vibrant, often chaotic discussions that ensued ignited a passion in Kaija for the journalistic profession. She became captivated by the idea of uncovering truths and telling stories that mattered. This passion was further solidified during a fateful jump through Grayspace, when the ship was transporting live chickens from Earth to Neptune. As she watched the eerie void of Grayspace slip past, she witnessed the Beast, a dizzying and confusing form that left an indelible mark on her psyche. It was an awe-inspiring and terrifying experience that she wouldn't fully understand until adulthood when she met others who had seen it.
Upon coming of age, Kaija made the bold decision to leave the Wagons East and pursue a more structured education. She enrolled in a journalism program at the prestigious Academy of Tethys. Her time at the Academy was marked by rigorous training, but also a deepening of her commitment to the principles of journalistic integrity and bravery. She graduated with honors, ready to make her mark on the galaxy as a freelance journalist.
Kaija quickly gained a reputation for her fearless reporting and dedication to uncovering the truth. Her first major assignment embedded her with commandos from the Johnson, Wilde, and Pomegarde Group, who were vanguarding for a large force of clones against Titanium Star Enterprises on Europa. The battle was intense and ultimately ended in defeat for JWPG. During the chaos, an errant mortar shell landed close to Kaija, destroying her right arm and leg. However, rather than being deterred, she used the money earned from selling her footage to obtain cybernetic replacements, along with a few extra upgrades. This incident only fueled her determination and resolve.
Her next experience in combat was significantly more successful. Kaija embedded with a PSC commando unit during an assault on Hippocamp, where they pushed out a group of entrenched pirates. Her detailed and gripping coverage of the operation earned her the prestigious Bin Bjoric Prize for Excellence in Journalism and a small fortune. The recognition and resources provided by this award allowed her to continue her work with even greater vigor and ambition.
Kaija Axelrod's journey from a starship-born Voidster to an award-winning journalist reveals her unyielding spirit and dedication to her craft. Her experiences, both harrowing and triumphant, have shaped her into a formidable force in the field of journalism, ever committed to uncovering the truths hidden in the vast expanse of the cosmos.
Sexuality
Kaija has only had three romantic entanglements in her life, all of them spanning multiple years but ultimately ending poorly each time.
Education
She received a degree in journalism from the Academy of Tethys.
Employment
Kaija works as a freelance journalist and documentarian.
Accomplishments & Achievements
Kaija is an award-winning journalist, who has received the highest honor for Excellence in Journalism from the Bin Bjorin Foundation.
Mental Trauma
Kaija is haunted by the proximity to death that she has experienced as a freelance war correspondent.
Intellectual Characteristics
Choleric
Morality & Philosophy
Utilitarian
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
Kaija is always chasing the next big scoop, and has a dream of recording a documentary about the Beast of Grayspace.
Savvies & Ineptitudes
Kaija's bold pursuit of journalism has led her to dangerous and impactful places.
Virtues & Personality perks
Vigor
Vices & Personality flaws
Indolence
Social
Religious Views
Kaija practices the tenets of the Covenant of Spacers in secret.
Social Aptitude
Kaija is affable, and can read people for the purposes of getting at their weaknesses and breaking their secrets open.
Species
Ethnicity
Year of Birth
468 AC
32 Years old
Children
Sex
Female
Eyes
Blue
Hair
Brown
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Pale
Height
5'6
Weight
Average
Quotes & Catchphrases
"This is Kaija Axelrod, signing out."
~Kaija Axelrod, last words before losing consciousness on Europa after being critically wounded. It became a running joke among journalists across the system, but she doesn't remember saying it.
Belief/Deity
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