Madelyn Moss

Overview

Madelyn Moss was a scientist specializing in Chimera research who worked at The Cebir and later in Hadera. She was the mother of Zhen and wife of Bai Shan-shu. Madelyn died in an explosion on the scientific bridge of Mesektet during an attack by Cingula, though her husband’s deathbed confession suggested the tragedy involved a deeper conspiracy.

Research at The Cebir

Madelyn conducted studies on Chimeras at The Cebir between 327 and 329 AC, when the creatures were considered dangerous. The remote outpost served as both military fortress and experimental laboratory for Asgarthan forces. There she met Bai Shan-shu, an Ordis lieutenant beginning his military career. When the base was abandoned in 329 AC, Madelyn was permitted to keep one Chimera specimen—a swan that would become Zephyr.

Family Life in Hadera

The couple settled in Hadera, Caer Esvander, where their daughter Zhen was born in 330 AC. Madelyn attempted to introduce Zhen to science, but her daughter preferred outdoor adventures with her father.

Madelyn regularly locked herself in her workshop with Zephyr for experiments. These sessions involved Mana siphoning, leaving the Chimera exhausted and forced to rest for days. Young Zhen considered Zephyr a family member and objected to this treatment.

Secret Projects

Madelyn received regular visits from high-ranking admiralty officials to discuss secret projects behind closed doors. These visitors included de Graaf, Falani, and Singh. The classified work created palpable tension between Madelyn and her husband that young Zhen could not understand.

Death Aboard Mesektet

Madelyn received orders to board Mesektet to test her invention, while her husband’s Tagmata squadron escorted the mothership. During an attack attributed to Cingula, the Mesektet went down. Madelyn died in an explosion on the ship’s scientific bridge.

Years later, Bai Shan-shu confessed on his deathbed that he had caused the Mesektet’s crash and was responsible for all the deaths. He mentioned Madelyn’s name when asked why, then refused to elaborate. Through The Musubi with Zephyr, Zhen later witnessed fragmentary memories of experiments and conspiracy involving the admiralty officials who had visited their home.

Relationships

• Zhen: Daughter, Ordis Rear Admiral and Exalt
• Bai Shan-shu: Husband, Ordis officer who confessed to causing the Mesektet crash
• Zephyr: Swan Chimera Madelyn used as research subject
• The Cebir: Outpost where Madelyn conducted Chimera research (327-329 AC)
• Hadera: City where Madelyn lived with her family
• Mesektet: Ship where Madelyn died testing her invention
• Cingula: Leviathan blamed for the Mesektet crash
• Temera Singh: Admiralty official who visited Madelyn’s home
• de Graaf: Admiralty official who visited Madelyn’s home
• Mesektet Conspiracy: Conspiracy involving Madelyn’s secret projects and death