Catherine Sondeheim

Early Life

Born in 2321 to a pair of refugees fleeing the Karkouri occupation in the former Confederate Union, Catherine Sondeheim was a confident and dutiful young woman, aiding her parents in supporting the family in London on Earth.  

Naval Career

She enrolled in the Navy as soon as she were able in 2342 after graduating from London University. She quickly rose through the ranks in the uneasy peace that followed the 5th Karkouri war achieving Captain in 2360, ahead of the Karkouri intervention into St Lawrence. Commanding the frigate Maneheim, Catherine was wounded in action as a the Maneheim took a direct hit and was evacuated. The 39 year old made a full recovery and returned to active service within the year.   In 2367 the Third Terran Civil war erupted between the union of socialist worlds and the Federated States. Catherine was deployed as captain of the frigate Wenseslas as part of the battle group to combat the guerilla war led by defector Admiral Iris Carpenter. During this time the devastating JSE1 virus was unleased on Earth, killing Catherine's parents and her family, leaving her sons Elbar and Kentan as the sole survivors of the Sondeheims. Catherine was commended upon returning from the Campaign.   The 49 year old Catherine transfers to the General Staff of the Admiralty, being promoted to Vice-Admiral. She then builds up her power and was taking care of her sons. During this time it was believed she was approached by the leaders of the Imperial Coup for her support. She then transferred to commanding the Carrier Impact and the associated task group in 2380. Following the Junta's coup, her task group was pulled from the Joint Task Force.  

Imperial Coup

During the Imperial Coup she commanded her task group to stand ready, pulling ships away from the Junta. For her efforts she was rewarded with the Frontier Colony World of Furnace, a sandy inhospitable world with 100,000 people and the title of hereditary title of Lady-Governor.   Catherine retires from active service and spends the rest of her life controlling Furnace before passing from a stroke in 2399 at the age of 78.