Benjamin Shepherd (Character)

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Character details

Ishukone identification holoimage, 113YC.
Name	Benjamin Shepherd
Gender	Undisclosed
Race	Caldari
Bloodline	Deteis
Licensed	111.05.04
Corporation	Construction Cabal
Occupation	Operative
Specialization	Industrial Sciences

Benjamin Shepherd is an New Eden industrialist, and is the founder of the New Eden Assembly.

Biographical Data

Benjamin Shepherd was born on 04.25.66YC on the planet Saisio VII, to Kristian Shepherd, a high-ranking Ishukone battleship production manager, and Irina Shepherd, a hauler of State Protectorate-produced weaponry and ammunition. Shepherd was raised into a world of typical corporate life and culture. Because of his family's relatively high status with Ishukone executives, life was often pleasant and more luxurious than others at the time. As a child, he socialized with the children of other wealthy families, and exhibited normal behavioral development. At the age of twelve, it is thought that Shepherd's uncle, Raimo Turonen, offered him the ability to sneak aboard his industrial ship and travel to Federation territory. He soaked in the lifestyle that his extended family had attained, and slowly gained an appreciation of the different cultures that existed in the cluster. His teenage years were spent working with his father's employees, learning how to operate the different types of robotic machinery and assess each stage of the manufacturing process. As each year progressed, Shepherd dived deeper into learning new industrial and business skills that reflected his father's sense of commitment to the Ishukone name. When he progressed to adulthood, Shepherd assisted his father in larger corporate responsibilities, but also managed to study cultural subjects with help from his uncle. In 83YC, Shepherd graduated from the School of Applied Knowledge with a degree in Industrial Sciences and Capsuleer Psychology. As a strong believer of life extension procedures, and a respected member of Ishukone management, he immediately applied for the capsuleer program.

First Corporations

Shepherd, a fresh graduate of the SAK, began to seek new wealth for himself. Shepherd Industries was his first attempt at creating a small but profitable business, and became public on 7.22.111YC, Its beginnings were average, and although his company turned a fair profit, he wanted more to do with his newly found capsuleering life. Shepherd Hauling Services was formed two months later, leaving his previous corporation behind. However, he did not wish to continue with the entrepreneurial lifestyle any longer, and the new business venture was abandoned.

LDIS and a Change

After retreating from the business world for some time, Shepherd began searching once again for employment. He was recruited into Lai Dai Infinity Systems, and immediately found his niche. His ideas about human society and the State changed drastically from only a few months prior. As LDIS self-identified as politically Patriot, so did Shepherd. He did not relish his work, however he did not condemn it. What he exhibited was cynicism and apathy. Shepherd later commented on his thoughts to a colleague: "I was educated about the Federation's stance with the State, so why not try to achieve that sort of freedom? Why must we be satisfied with the status quo?"

Defecting and Re-Entering the State

After receiving advice from Federation capsuleer Julianus Soter, Shepherd defected from the Caldari State On 6.29.112YC. He accepted that he was too disenfranchised with the core values and ideologies associated with Executor Tibus Heth. The Nation attacks that occurred (and the State's response to it) led Shepherd to reconsider his purpose in space. Lai Dai Infinity Systems informed the Intergalactic Summit after learning of his plan [1], and accused Shepherd of corporate theft. Nearly a month later, on 7.28.112YC, Vikarion of Lai Dai Infinity Systems formally apologized for falsely accusing Shepherd of corporate theft, stating: "I am Caldari, and I take responsibility for my actions, which is why I have transferred Mr. Shepherd 100 million ISK as compensation for my mistaken allegations." [2] A year later, Shepherd was readmitted to the State by providing additional services to Ishukone Corporation, operating as a Liberal-bloc State capsuleer.

Current Reports

According to various reports, Shepherd is now flying as a non-corporate affiliated pilot. His home system is unknown.

New Eden Assembly

On 8.13.112YC, Shepherd revealed the New Eden Assembly after spending weeks working with other capsuleers on it. It is an open forum dedicated to "objective debates, discussions, and seminars that every capsuleer can utilize, regardless of his or her empire or organization."[3] On 10.15.112YC, the Interstellar Correspondents wrote a piece on the Assembly Council's presidential election, prompting increased traffic and interest within the Assembly hall and FTL channel. [4]

Personal Life

Because of his varied lifestyle, Shepherd prides himself on a rather neutral view of other empires. Falsified controversies associated with the New Eden Assembly Council [5] led him to cease managing the forum, instead opting to have a new group of capsuleers manage it. Shepherd is an advocate of liberal trade policies, and does not believe in many Heth-era ideologies. Shepherd has made it clear that he will assist in combating against Nation attacks with the help of as many capsuleers as possible. "As much as I promote a diplomatic approach to problems, I cannot continue to see innocent families and pilots suffer death and mental slavery from Nation. If they wish to proceed with their actions, then I will use all of my resources to take the necessary steps forward."