Katayanagi Merna is a player character played by SmokeEmpress.

Katayanagi Merna
Species:	Minkan
Gender:	Female
Age:	21
Height:	157cm (5' 2”)
Weight:	61kg (135lbs)
Rank:	Honorary Ittô Juni
GS-07
Organization:	Scientific Studies Service
Occupation:	SSS Liaison Linguistics
Current Placement:	YSS Sakishima

Preferred Plots:

1. YSS Sakishima
2. YSS Eucharis
3. YSS Aeon

• Height: 157cm (5' 2”)
• Mass: 61kg (135lbs)
• Measurements: 38C

Build and Skin Color: Merna's build is average for a Minkan. There is nothing unusual in her build. Her skin tone is fair complexion.

Eyes and Facial Features: Her eyes are periwinkle and shaped more round in shape, though there is a hint of almond in the outer corners. Her face is rounded around the chin and her nose is slightly bigger than most, though it doesn't look unattractive.

Ears: Her ears are elven in shape to help with her enhanced hearing.

Hair Color and Style: Her hair is a honey blonde that is usually pulled back in a simple braid or worn around the shoulders hanging straight as a board.

Distinguishing Features: Her eyes, though looking normal to anyone, are unable to see as anyone else can. She has developed the ability to see infrared as needed, but otherwise she is unable to physically see.

Personality: Merna is an outgoing individual, in spite of the handicap of being unable to see what she types on a computer. She loves her parents and her family, though she always wished she had a sibling. Her cousin, though, is the closest thing she has to a big brother.

• Likes: Learning new things, listening to music and books
• Dislikes: Ignorance. It's one thing to just not know, it's another to not want to know.
• Goals: To learn as many languages as possible!

• Father - Katayanagi Einarr
• Mother - Katayanagi Andrea
• Uncle - Katayanagi Loki
• Aunt - Katayanagi Kari
• Cousin - Katayanagi Aevar

Merna was born as a single child to her parents, Einarr and Andrea. She was born a Human in YE 14 with the anomaly of being blind. Her parents are both geneticists and had decided to not try to heal or alter her eyes. They wanted to see what would happen, especially since they knew that, at a later time, she would be put into a new body. There had already been talk of replacements coming for civilians, but it would take time and years.

At the age of 6, Merna had already started to develop on her own enhanced hearing. Though this was not a common thing yet for Geshrins, it was not unheard of since humans had that ability as well. They kept copious notes and hoped that, even with what was to come, she would be able to transition as easily as any others.

At age 14, she was put into an NH-22C model. This was the first test to see if her genetic code would alter the new body to match what she had. It did. At first, the medical facility was wanting to fix it, but at her parents' insistence, and her own at the time, it was decided to be kept.

Of course, just a few years later in YE 33 When she turned 17, she was once more transferred into the NH-31F form and is now a Minkan Female. Once again, her genetic code that was used to create the new body was kept the same. Her ears are now in the Elven shape, which helps her already enhanced hearing to be more focused.

Since the transfer, she has developed most of the major enhancements that were expected. The only differences were in her eyes. The only enhancements that work, though even that wasn't expected, are the infrared. She can use that ability when needed for fighting, though even with that it's limited because she can't use it for too long without it becoming too much of an overload.

Merna's education was typical for any Yamataian child, though with the exception of her being able to actually read anything that was typed out on her own. Because of this, she was more interested in the various languages spoken, so when she was old enough, she started to learn more than just Trade and Yamataigo. She even started to learn Seraphim and Abwheran.

At the age of 17, she graduated from Secondary school and went to the Academy. Her intent was to learn all she could of computer science, focusing on artificial intelligence, and linguistics. Her goal, once she is assigned further, is to work through the Scientific Studies Service as a Liason on one of the ships that is out searching for new life.

Sadly, at this time, she has no work experience outside of the classroom.

Merna had been assigned to the YSS Sakishima, much to her excitement. She made it to the Leo Star Fortress with little to no incident, but as soon as she arrived, chaos erupted. The Fortress exploded as many ships were blown to pieces, causing parts of the space station to fall apart from the whole. Merna met up with Bubblegum, the Shoi of YSS Yurei, who was more than happy to show the blind SSS Agent around.

After the attacks on the ships, they had decided to go after the YSS Sakishima with the help of a few others, including her cousin, Aevar. With a lot of luck on their side, the small crew made it out of the station and towards the last known whereabouts of the YSS Sakishima. Once there, they were able to gather the crew that had made it to the planet's surface and return to Leo Star Fortress, only to be detained.

Why were they detained? Well, they were accused of being traitors, and were attacked by the SAINT agents that were assigned to guard them, but the crew prevailed and are now working on figuring out what had happened to their captain and the fortress.

Their captain and the ship returned, as such, and just in the nick of time! The [i]Sakishima[/i] was in need of much TLC and the crew needed to regroup in order to know who was to do what.

For her part, Merna was rewarded a promotion, even though she really didn't need such. She is happy enough to accept it, though. She then met a few of her crew mates, as well as officially meeting Yoshi, now Taisa of the DESRON 2 Fleet. She was given her own condominium and has already started to make it her own.(Interlude 5.2 “Yoshi's Savior”

Merna had figured that the best way for her to get to know her fellow crewmates was to host her own Cieli.

Now that the [i]Sakishima[/i] is back in commission, Merna is now aboard the ship she was meant to be on, going on her first mission into space for longer than just a day or two. She is really excited to see what new languages she will encounter as well as prove her own worth to the crew as a viable member, in spite of her inability to see like the rest! (To be continued)

Merna is proficient in oral communications in the languages of Trade (language), Yamataigo (邪馬台語), Seraphim and Abwheran. She can type out anything needed in Trade (language) and Yamataigo (邪馬台語) only, so long as she has the right type of keyboard settings. She is working on being able to also type in Seraphim and Abwheran, though those are not quite as easy to remember how to spell. Merna is trained in basic radio usage. She can send and receive messages through headsets and handheld radios.

Merna loves to tell a good story. She is slowly starting to write out her own novel. For the most part, she uses this ability to help her understand what it is she hears around her.

Because she doesn't have to focus on what it is she sees in the world, she can dedicate a lot of her memory to retaining all the various languages she hears and learns. This makes her seem like a know-it-all, but she does realize that she isn't perfect. Merna is also trained in Star Army of Yamatai history, Star Army Ranks and military protocol.

Being a computer programmer, she is of course able to operate any type of computer system out there. She has the ability to 'hear' what it is that computers say through their programs. She is also, of course, trained in using the Kessaku OS on any PANTHEON equipped computer system.

Merna has enjoyed learning how to defend herself using martial arts. Thanks to her infrared enhanced sight, she can tell a lot easier when someone is trying to attack her through that 'sight' and her hearing. She can use the Nekovalkyrja Service Pistol, Type 33 proficiently enough, though knowing whom to shoot will not be as easy unless she knows exactly where the enemy is. She can maintain the weapon though, without needing to use her sight at all.

Merna is trained in two of the SSS Areas of Study: Linguistics and Computer Science (AI).

Katayanagi Merna has the following items:

• 3 Tanken uniforms
• 3 Sleeveless T-Shirts, in Division color
• 2 Utility vests
• 2 Fabric belts
• 2 Fabric caps with bill and SSS Logo
• 1 pair of safety boots
• 1 pair of leather boots

• SSS Logo.
• Rank Pin
• Ship or Expedition patch

• 4 Grey panties (Cotton) (Female only)
• 4 Grey bras (Cotton) (Female only)
• 6 pair of white boot Socks

• 2 Black T-Shirts (Cotton) with SSS Logo
• 2 Grey workout shorts
• 1 pair athletic shoes

• 1 Martial arts workout ensemble
  • 1 Uwagi (jacket)
  • 1 Zubon (trousers)
  • 1 Obi (sash) in Division color

• 1 Hooded raincoat, blue
• 1 Windbreaker, blue
• 1 Winter coat
• 2 Pair thermal gloves

These items are considered consumable, and will be replaced as needed at no charge.

• 1 Bottle of hand sanitizer lotion
• 1 Bottle of shampoo
• 1 Bottle of conditioner (Optional)
• 1 Bottle of liquid soap
• 1 Deodorant stick or rollon (Species appropriate)
• 1 Toothbrush
• 1 Tube of toothpaste
• 1 Comb or hairbrush
• 2 Bath towels, blue
• 2 Hand towels, white
• 2 Wash cloths, white
• 1 Tube sunscreen
• 1 Pair nail clippers
• 1 Toiletry case, clear plastic

• 1 EM-G11 "Explorer" Field Communicator
• 1 Survival knife w/sheath
• 1 EM-G9-1A Basic Flashlight after YE 33
• 1 Em-G8-1a Datapad
• 1 EM-G16-2a First Aid Kit
• 1 Canteen 1 liter with insulated
• 1 Waterproof canvas duffle bag, blue with SSS Logo

• Star Army Science Scanner, Type 31
• EM-J5-3a - FARS SSS

• SSS NO-M1-2a - Mantis Power Armor

• Type 33C NSP, with holster