Maureen Lovelace

A portrait of the character

Maureen Lovelace is the New Office Training Coordinator on the UAV Songlance.

Physical Characteristics

Maureen Lovelace is a human woman.

Background

Lovelace spent twenty-seven years in the Terran Space Navy as senior non-com before being sent on a transfer "loan" to Alliance Fleet, a transfer that came with a high-ranking "pony saddle" (the term that Navy personnel used for officer commissions in Fleet). She considers herself "not an officer. Or at least, where I come from, I'm not what you'd think of as an officer." At the time she mentored Alysha Forrest, she had been on loan for three years.

Recent History

Lovelace was the NOTC on the UAV Songlance when Alysha Forrest came aboard as a lieutenant; Lovelace gave her the assignment as liaison to the onboard aliens. She was aware at the time (by assessing Forrest's records) that Forrest was being shepherded by someone higher up and thought it wise to give Forrest the challenging but coveted spot to see sooner rather than later whether she could hack it.

Jae'en, who has himself experienced Lovelace's training style, recommends that Forrest come up with ideas on her own for extra training; Valery confirms that Lovelace's suggestions are "grueling."

Trivia

• Lovelace's opinion of how the Fleet made a military work with just six ranks: "fine, until a war broke out"--and she predicted a war with the Chatcaava within ten years.
• Lovelace reminded Alysha Forrest of Mark West in demeanor: no-nonsense, practical, and observant.
• Mike Beringwaite's assessment of her: "She's a senior noncom. They never show fear. [...] It's surgically excised during the promotion process."