Commander Reika
Leader of the Raiders
Commander Reika
Supporting Character / Raider Leader
Biography
Commander Reika was originally a junior security officer on Fragment Theta before the pirate attack. During the assault, she suffered severe injuries that left her in a coma for eight months and resulted in permanent neurological damage, evident in her uneven gait, occasional speech stutter, and a distinctive scar running from her right temple to her jaw.
While she was unconscious, Krell—a violent prisoner being held at the fragment—seized control, establishing a brutal reign over the survivors. His leadership focused on aggressive raiding of other fragments with little regard for the consequences to others or even his own people. Under his command, the raiders gained a fearsome reputation throughout the cluster.
Upon recovery, Reika challenged Krell's leadership, barely surviving the confrontation but ultimately gaining control with the support of Fragment Theta's more vulnerable population—children, elderly, and those disabled in the attack. Since taking command, she has attempted to reform the raiders' methods, implementing a "take only what we need" approach that minimizes casualties and leaves sufficient resources for the targeted fragments to survive.
When Jack arrives seeking the quantum initiator for the Starling prototype, Reika sees the evacuation plan as an opportunity for redemption and a chance to secure a future for her people beyond the fractured remains of the Dyson Array. Despite Krell's resistance and continued insubordination, she commits to supporting the mission, ultimately executing him when he threatens the Lambda survivors during a confrontation at Fragment Alpha.
Personality Traits
Appearances
- The Jackrabbit Emerges (Book 3) - The conflicted leader of the raiders who must balance her desire to reform her people's methods against the challenges of keeping them alive. She ultimately allies with Jack and Fragment Alpha to pursue the evacuation plan.
Appearances
- The Jackrabbit Emerges (Book 3) - The conflicted leader of the raiders who must balance her desire to reform her people's methods against the challenges of keeping them alive. She ultimately allies with Jack and Fragment Alpha to pursue the evacuation plan.
Key Relationships
Krell
Reika's primary antagonist within the raiders, who constantly challenges her authority and advocates for more aggressive, destructive raiding practices. Their ideological conflict culminates in Reika executing Krell when he threatens the Lambda survivors at Fragment Alpha.
Jack Abbott
Initially wary of the young pilot, Reika quickly recognizes his earnest intentions and the potential of the evacuation plan. She forms an alliance with Jack, providing the quantum initiator and committing to help retrieve the remaining Starling components.
Fragment Theta Survivors
Reika feels deeply responsible for the approximately eighty survivors on Theta, particularly the elderly, children, and injured who depend on the resources acquired through raiding. Her leadership decisions are consistently motivated by ensuring their survival and eventual safety.
Administrator Chen
Reika and Chen form a cautious alliance based on their shared commitment to evacuating their respective populations. Despite the raiders' reputation and history, they find common ground in their responsibilities as leaders facing impossible choices.