Dr. Aris David Thorne (born 2910, Portland, Earth) is
considered Anvil Aerospace's single most valuable person and
asset, recognized as likely the smartest person alive—the
Stephen Hawking or Albert Einstein of his era. His academic path
defied convention, earning sixteen doctorates across diverse
fields from aerospace engineering to cognitive psychology and
medicine. He excelled by seeing the interconnectedness of all
knowledge, a polymathic approach that revolutionized his studies
at institutions like Terra's University of Rhetor and Archimedes
Institute.
Thorne's profound understanding of all forms of technology
catapulted Anvil's ships to a tier unmatched by any other Human
manufacturer. His leadership led to the creation of
Hephaestus Forge Works (HFW), his equivalent of nuclear
technology development: a secret division dedicated to forging
paradigm-shifting military solutions.
Despite his monumental intellect, Dr. Thorne is a humble and
dedicated leader, well-loved by his staff. He insists on full
disclosure for all HFW personnel, ensuring they have all the
information needed to assess mission viability. This respect
fosters an unparalleled familial loyalty. His rescue from
danger, for instance, wasn't a strategic necessity to protect
classified information, but a visceral "he's family, get him back
NOW!" imperative from his devoted teams.
His influence extends even to Aegis Dynamics. Despite Aegis's
checkered history and their usual guardedness, their respect for
Thorne's unparalleled vision and expertise is immense. Debating
Thorne is akin to "a three-year-old playing chess against a
Grandmaster"; his mind runs circles around the smartest in the
UEE, and potentially even the Xi'an, Tevarin, and Banu. This
intellectual gravity, paired with his humility, convinced Aegis to
share their advanced EW and sensor technology, a testament to his
singular standing.