Home World characters

Also known as McGill

Appears from the start

A newly commissioned adjunct in Legion Varus whose repeated deaths and irregular record draw close scrutiny from Central. He must satisfy a formal review before his new rank is confirmed.

Also known as Primus Rossi

Appears from the start

A Central primus assigned to assess McGill's fitness for an adjunct commission. Rossi bases the review on extensive tapper surveillance and behavioral records.

Also known as Turov, Imperator Turov

First appears in chapter 2

A powerful imperator, Nagata's political rival, and McGill's lover. Secretive and wealthy, she reminds McGill of an earlier promise to serve her while he has been assigned to watch her.

Also known as Nagata

First appears in chapter 2

McGill's three-star patron and a senior Central official. His first assignment for the newly commissioned adjunct is surveillance of his political rival, Galina Turov.

First appears in chapter 3

A human operator found searching Nagata's office beside the official's body. He wears an alien-looking suit that allows him to vanish as Central enters lockdown.

Also known as Weber

First appears in chapter 3

A Central guard who alerts McGill to the reported intruders on floor 315. He joins McGill's response and becomes an important witness to the unfolding security breach.

Also known as Jacobs

First appears in chapter 4

Weber's guard partner during the ascent to floor 315. Jacobs accompanies Weber and McGill into the disabled Central complex and is killed by a trap.

Also known as Graves

First appears in chapter 5

A Legion Varus officer who takes charge of McGill's interrogation after the Central attack. Though the account sounds implausible, Graves is willing to investigate it.

First appears in chapter 6

McGill and Della's daughter, living away from Earth. McGill's parents are preparing to meet her while he returns briefly to the family property.

First appears in chapter 6

A civilian member of McGill's family. She and her husband are preparing for a journey to meet Etta when McGill unexpectedly returns to their property.

First appears in chapter 7

A trusted Legion Varus associate with biological expertise. He examines Claver's body for McGill and is romantically involved with Kivi.

First appears in chapter 7

A trusted Legion Varus colleague who helps investigate Claver and the recovered alien suit. She is Carlos's partner and works alongside the group's technical specialists.

First appears in chapter 7

One of McGill's trusted Legion Varus colleagues. She provides a place for the group to examine Claver's body and remains behind to watch for Natasha's return.

Also known as Natasha

First appears in chapter 7

A Legion Varus technical specialist who examines the cephalopod-made suit. When she touches it, the device activates and transports both Natasha and the suit to an unknown location.

Also known as Primus Winslade

First appears in chapter 8

A Central officer allied with Turov in a clandestine operation. He helps intercept McGill's group outside Central while they are transporting Claver's body.

Also known as Imperator Drusus, Drusus

First appears in chapter 9

A senior officer elevated to imperator after Central loses much of its leadership. He assumes control of Earth's defensive network as the cephalopod war begins.

Also known as Harris

First appears in chapter 11

A Legion Varus noncommissioned officer assisting Graves. Harris helps transfer the newly revived McGill to Earth's command center during the opening fleet crisis.

First appears in chapter 12

An Omega Team veteran who appears to lead the first human test of a recovered cephalopod teleportation suit. The powered activation kills him immediately.

First appears in chapter 13

An Omega Team test subject selected for repeated trials with a recovered teleportation suit. He survives several attempts before a powered activation kills him.

First appears in chapter 13

The lead technical adjunct overseeing the dangerous teleportation-suit trials. She promises McGill a date if he successfully jumps instead of dying during his test.

First appears in chapter 19

A Legion Varus heavy-weapons specialist assigned to McGill's assault team. He joins the attempt to board and capture the enemy ship Force.

First appears in chapter 19

A heavily built Omega Team weapons specialist assigned to McGill's boarding party. He is one of the commandos sent to capture the enemy ship Force.

First appears in chapter 23

The cephalopod captain of Force. Captured on the bridge after most of the crew is defeated, Storm submits to McGill and accepts him as master.

Also known as Anne

First appears in chapter 24

A Legion Varus biological specialist and McGill's former partner. She conducts his psychological clearance after revival and makes clear that their earlier relationship is over.

First appears in chapter 25

A newly assigned trooper on McGill's search of an alien facility. An alien guard captures him during the squad's approach.

First appears in chapter 42

A Legion Varus officer assigned with McGill and Toro to a dangerous counterattack. Their force must close a breach after the regular legion formations on the left collapse.

Also known as Centurion Olsen

First appears in chapter 43

The centurion commanding an undermanned advance party inside an encircled redoubt. Her fort holds the breach while a much larger enemy force gathers outside.